Breath of Heaven

Suszette and me at the talent night. Suszette is an Alaskan girl, too! 

That must be why she is so wonderful! :-) 

Last night, I had the "opportunity"  (thanks to Suszette, for asking me to join her :-) ) to sing at the ward Relief Society talent night.  Suszette and I sang the song "Breath of Heaven" while the Nativity video played on a projector behind us. It turned out very nicely, especially since we had decided just a week ago to do it! It was quite the little production . . . We had my parents send the karaoke CD all the way from Alaska (THANK YOU SO MUCH!), we had a nice young man (Jonathan) who set up all the projector/sound for us, we had to practice to get the timing just right with the movie and CD, along with our singing practice, too. :-) We had a lovely time preparing (Suszette is a glorious person!) and I am sure we will do it again . . . sometime. :-) 

We were well prepared, we enjoyed our practice time, but when it came down to it -- we were both very nervous for some reason? I guess as you get out of practice performing, you forget how to handle the "butterflies" (or "flock of geese" as Suszette called it). I actually felt sick all day, in anticipation. Suszette and I were trying to comfort each other and the fact that it was a freezing day (below zero in the morning) did not help either! (I was already shaking!) We did "suck it up" as our friend (Erin) likes to say. (Didn't see you up there singing, Erin? Maybe next time?) :-) And I think we pulled-off a nice performance. :-) 

My biggest complaint about pre-performance (like, right as you get on stage) is dry mouth -- why does that have to happen? I know it is a "fight or flight" response, but it stinks! I mean . . . I love singing, even in front of people. I look forward to it, I want to do it. Then, as I approach the microphone . . . it feels like a dentist comes on stage, whips out the little saliva-vacuum, sticks it in my mouth, and Wooooosh!! All the moisture in my mouth -- gone! Not good when you want to sing! When I was young, I loved the anticipation . . . I have just gotten out of practice! Naughty me! Now I feel quite determined to "get over it" and start singing more just to get back in "the groove" and to get over the suck-dryness! ;-)

I love music . . . Singing, especially. When I was a little girl, I would spend hours and hours in my room with my karaoke machine. I would jam out to "Wind Beneath my Wings". I still have the recordings -- they are painful! :-)  But I loved it. I would practice harmonizing with myself and I would try to "stylize" different songs. 

Music has just been a part of my life. From the time I was a little munch-kin my mother had me (and our whole family) singing in church, and all over the place. I was always in the school choirs (which is my least favorite thing to do -- sing in choirs). I am not sure why but I much prefer a duet, small group, or solo -- over singing in a choir? Perhaps it goes back to my karaoke days, jammin-out on my own? Standing still in a choir actually makes me nuts. When I sing, I feel the desire to move . . . not stand still like a tin soldier! High School Swing Choir was good for that -- we got to sing and shake our booties at the same time. :-) Not to mention wearing gold sequence -- what a thrill! :-) I was always singing: in choir, at church, in plays, in dinner theaters. . . . Last night was the first time (well, second time -- counting a primary song, with Sammi) in about 4, maybe 5, years that I have sung in front of people? Lame. 

Anyhow, yes, I have been singing at home all these years, even practicing -- often. But it is time . . . Yes, it is time, to get out of my "comfort zone" and start developing my talent, in front of people. It is like having a testimony and keeping it at home -- rather than sharing it with others . . . no more of that. I am ready . . . to sing! So watch out! LA-LA-LA!! :-) 

Here is an example of the song and video (we did not record our performance, unfortunately.)