Hope, Random Meetings and Handel

So, I've not poted in a few days, but here I am again.

The last couple of weeks have been more or less FULL of preparation and practice, for my final exam for my history course and for my end-of-January kyu (rank) placement grading. I will go from white belt (9th kyu/beginner) to at LEAST orange (7th kyu) or higher. Because I have trained before I'm doing a placement and am determined to get as high a placement as possible.

I'm HOPING to go back to my previous rank of blue (5th kyu) and would be absolutely exstatic to jump to purple (4th kyu), but I expect I will likely go to green (6th kyu). We shall see... Heck I've started learning the kata to go to brown belt (3rd kyu). I'm ready for anything!

Anyhow, on to the main reason for tonight's blog. One of the other Sisters and I went to a performance of Handel's Messiah tonight. I managed to NOT sing along - though, having performed it myself in the past, I was sorely tempted! 'Twas (as they say) a right good performance. I especially enjoyed the Alto that featured. Absolutely marvelous performer! The Tenor and the Bass were both quite good. The Soprano, while indeed good, wasn't quite in the same league as the other three. (And that's the opinion of THIS particular Soprano, no prejudice of vocal type for me).

Interesting thing about the evening, other than enjoying the performance, was that I ran into a good dozen people I knew! First it was 3 friends from my hometown (not far, but I don't live in my hometown anymore!). Then I ran into the accountant that the Sisters employ (very nice lady, who calls me "Cricket" for some reason). Then it was a Sister from another community who I've worked with before. After that I ran into my parents and grandparents (Dad's M&D) and a former teacher, plus two of the "big-wigs" from our downtown Diocesan central office! That's a clean dozen, plus I saw another few from a distance and didn't get a chance to say hello!

OOF, that's a lot of "Fancy meeting you here"!

Anyhow, I rather enjoyed the evening and had fun meeting and greeting.

G'night