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The Pool Build

Today the layout guy came and transfered the plans on to the ground with spray paint. Tomorrow: The Big Dig.

Alright. As promised I am going to use this blog to post pictures on backyard project. Here's the first photo. Nothingness. A couple of days ago I had a back yard full of weeds. I spent two eveings with a borrowed weed eater and this is the result.

Please don't stop the music...

Last night was a fun evening for me and Kevin. We went to his program's annual semi-formal, which we attended last year and really enjoyed. Dinner was not spectacular, however the company was great. It was incredibly relaxing to sit with our friends, talk about nonsense, and just enjoy each other's company. During the course of the evening we were able to determine that a Wii night is in order, where I will inevitably bring down Rob in guitar hero (sorry buddy, but you know it's true).

After the awards were given out to the seniors (Kevin got "most likely to recommend retail therapy") the music started and everyone got up to dance. While it is a little out of the ordinary for Kevin and I to "shake it" on the dance floor, we decided that this was his last semi-formal, so we should have a great time. Our plan was to go to dinner, hang out with Sneha, Rob and Apurna, and then head home.

However, as the evening progressed, we were invited out by some of Kevin's classmates. Being the homebody that I am, I was inclined to say no, but Kevin reminded me that we had been invited last year, said no, and hadn't been invited since....

I thought he made an interesting point, so we decided to go for a little while. We went to a club called "The Pearl" which is a downtown Dayton diner that has been converted into a dance club. When we first got there, there was literally one woman in the middle of the floor dancing by herself...I was convinced that we had been taken to the lamest club ever. But, as Kevin's classmates filtered in, everyone started dancing and it was really fun. I had a great time dancing with Lauren, Marium and Leslie, as well as laughing at Kevin when I was actually able to drag him onto the floor.

I was reminded last night of Jordan and how she's always trying to convince me that breaking out of my comfort zone can sometimes be a good thing...it's sad that I'm figuring out there may have been some truth to her ideas when she's too far away for me to enjoy it with her. What can I say, Jordan? You were right.

Today we are heading to Playhouse for a show and possibly to dinner with M2 at Grubb Steak, our favorite downtown Dayton restaurant that is closing it's original location. While the new place is closer to us, I fear it will not have the same atmosphere that the original one does...I guess we'll see.

Thank you to Marium for initiating a great night out, Leslie for teaching me some interesting dance moves, Nick for not denying me a dance :) And of course Kevin...these events would not be fun without you there to share them with me. below are some tame pictures from the dinner before the dancing...

Kevin and his Indian women (Sneha and Apurna)

Me and Kevin waiting for dinner.

Easter Sunday

Kevin and I had a wonderful Easter together. We sang two services at the glorious Westminster Presbyterian Church in Dayton, followed by a lovely afternoon meal with his family. The Easter celebration will continue next weekend with a visit to Louisville to see my family. As I sat through Maundy Thursday service on Thursday and again this morning, I was reminded how blessed we are to have a God who would send his son to die for us. As you reflect on today, and what Easter means, I hope you that you will consider what this holiday represents.

Matthew 27

The Death of Jesus
45 From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.
46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah."
48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink.
49 The rest said, "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him."
50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split.
52 The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.
53 They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"
55 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs.
56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.

Matthew 28

The Resurrection
1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.
3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.
4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.
6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
9 Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.
10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

School, Work and Future Plans

On Monday night Kevin completed his last final of his winter quarter, which means he has one more quarter of classes and he's done....which is crazy. In the next 12 weeks he will be consumed with completing his dissertation, finishing strong in his classes and preparing for COT (commissioned officer's training) in July.

For me, work seems to be picking up quite a bit lately. We had our season announcement party on Friday evening at Pigall's Twist Lounge in downtown Cincinnati. For the past several years, Playhouse's season announcement has centered around a breakfast or lunch, so this was a completely different experience for everyone involved. I was hired three days after last year's announcement, so I was not a part of the party. However, after Abracadabra (the annual gala) everything else seems pretty easy. Unfortunately, my "go with the flow and get the job done" attitude has not yet been adopted by my superiors. Everyone was so worked up about the party, I wasn't sure what was going to happen. In spite of multiple concerns, the party went really well and our board members, donors and subscribers seem very excited about the new season.

Some of the highlights of the party included appetizers with snails (or escargot as the "fancy" people call it), using the four flat screens in place of cardboard cutouts of the show logos, and a martini named especially for the event -- the Playhouse Love Potion #49. Unfortunately, the martini was gross. Howie (the company manager) blamed the vodka that was used; I blame the combination of passionfruit vodka with orange-flavored liquor and grenadine...I have a sweet tooth, but really. Despite the somewhat gross martini, Twist is a very fun place to hang out and meet up with friends -- I highly recommend it to anyone interested in a fun happy hour experience.

Now that the season announcement party is over, I have a few more events coming up, as well as finishing the Target grant and nominating the Playhouse for a local Cincinnati award. I am also looking forward to a trip to Florida with my best friend Lauren "Lo" Kossack the first week of April, and a trip to Pheonix with Kevin for Mark Hurley's ASU graduation. As I evaluate my place at Playhouse, what it is I am working toward and what I really want for my career, I have discovered that I really do like working there. Frustrating at times, yes, but overall, I have learned a lot so far. With my one year anniversary next Wednesday, I have to say that it feels like I have been out of school forever. Now the question is, what are my goals for the next year? Where do I want to be one year from now? That is definately something I need to consider...I think the worst thing that could happen is to let the time pass me by without creating any real goals for myself. I'll keep you posted as I create these goals.

Playhouse in the Park 2008-09 Season

On Friday evening Ed Stern, Producing Artistic Director, announced the 49th season of the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Below are the show titles and descriptions (written by Emma Caro and Kathy Neus from the Playhouse) as well as a link to Jackie Demaline's story in the Cincinnati Enquirer (which has some of her insights into Ed's choices). It looks like it will be an exciting season! Hope to see you there...


2008-09 Marx Theatre Season
Presented by The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation

Jane Austen’s
Emma
Music, Lyrics & Book by Paul Gordon
Adapted from the novel by Jane Austen
September 2 – October 3, 2008

One of Jane Austen’s most delightful heroines comes to life in this funny and enchanting new musical. Emma firmly believes herself to be a most talented matchmaker and chooses her hapless and easily influenced friend Harriet as her next endeavor. Yet despite Emma's obsession with romance, she remains clueless about her own feelings and the true desires of those around her. Her matchmaking mischief leads to countless comic complications and a little heartache but ultimately ends in true love.

“The songs…cleverly woven throughout – enhance the story in wonderful ways …elegant…a charmer.” – Variety

Love Song
By John Kolvenbach
October 21 – November 21, 2008

This quirky romantic comedy celebrates the rich rewards of embracing life and love. Beane exiled himself from life years ago. His well-meaning sister Joan continually attempts to help him, but he stubbornly resists.When Joan suddenly finds her brother blissfully in love, she tries to unravel the story behind his surprising happiness and a mysterious new soul-mate. Fast-moving, funny and wonderfully compassionate, Love Song is a rhapsody to the power of love in all its forms.

“One of the best plays of the year. Richly comic and deeply touching. Outstanding.”
The Daily Telegraph, London

Travels of Angelica
By Joseph McDonough
Winner of the Mickey Kaplan New American Play Prize
January 20 – February 20, 2009

1657: A writer wanted for treason barely escapes from England with his daughter to start a new life with a new identity in Virginia. Can he outwit his blackmailing neighbor and escape capture before completing his most important work? 2008: Two graduate students come to Virginia in search of clues about this forgotten author, hoping to make an important literary discovery. As the play twists and turns between the past and present, this time-traveling tale explores history, hope, heart and the possibility of a remarkable future. A new play by Joseph McDonough, author of One and Stone My Heart.

The Foreigner
By Larry Shue
March 10 – April 10, 2009

When Charlie, a desperately shy Englishman, comes to a rural lodge in Georgia, he pretends to be a foreigner from an exotic country who doesn’t know English so he won’t have to talk to the locals. Hilarious intrigue ensues as Charlie finds himself witness to bizarre schemes and dark secrets by people who think he can’t understand a word being said. The confusion fuels nonstop merriment leading to the unlikely and uproarious climax of this side-splitting and entertaining comedy.

“There are moments when you may be gasping for air through the laughs.” – The Washington Times

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
By Jeffrey Hatcher
From the story by Robert Louis Stevenson
April 21 – May 22, 2009

Robert Louis Stevenson’s timeless tale of inner demons and evil unchecked is brought to the stage in a mesmerizing and theatrically intense new spin by nationally renowned playwright Jeffrey Hatcher (Murderers, The Turn of the Screw, Ella). Against the backdrop of Victorian London, the respected Dr. Jekyll begins acting alarmingly erratic toward his friends. At the same time, a brutal figure haunts the city’s streets committing murder and assault. Indulge your dark side with this riveting and fiendishly clever thriller.

“Smart and moving...probing and brilliant.” – Curtain Up Phoenix


2008-09 Thompson Shelterhouse Season
Presented by The Heidelberg Distributing Company

Durango
By Julia Cho
September 20 – October 19, 2008

After losing his job, single father Boo-Seng Lee decides to take his two teenage sons on a road trip to Durango, Colorado. As they make their way across the Arizona desert, each passing mile unearths deeply held secrets unleashing long-held tensions between the father, a Korean immigrant, and his sons, first generation Asian-Americans. This thought-provoking play explores the journey to understanding identity while living in the shadow of the American dream.

“Wonderfully mysterious and surprising.” - LA Weekly


I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change
Book and Lyrics by Joe DiPietro
Music by Jimmy Roberts
November 1 – December 31, 2008

Off-Broadway’s longest-running, smash hit musical comedy celebrates the triumphs and trials of the modern-day mating game. From dating and waiting to bridemaids and babies, this love-happy musical revue cleverly covers everything you’ve secretly thought about romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws but were afraid to admit. Make a date to fall in love and laugh until it hurts with the most “proposal-friendly” show in town.

“It’s funny, it’s witty. Hip antics in the age of safe sex!” The New York Times


Blackbird
By David Harrower
February 7 – March 8, 2009

A cat-and-mouse tale of volatile emotion and sexual intrigue, this haunting and powerful play begins when Una shows up unexpectedly at Ray’s office to confront him about their relationship 15 years earlier. Ray must face his past and the effects of his affair with Una when she was just an adolescent and he was 40. Una pulls Ray into a gripping, surprising and utterly unforgettable encounter. A critically acclaimed hit in New York and London, the Olivier Award-winning Blackbird is a provocative, no-holds-barred drama that both chills and thrills.

“Intense … the most powerful drama of the season…masterly, mesmerizing…extraordinary…a miracle.” The New York Times

Last Train to Nibroc
By Arlene Hutton
March 28 – April 26, 2009

A funny and touching portrait of two people searching for happiness during World War II. May, a young woman who dreams of doing missionary work, and Raleigh, a soldier with ambitions of becoming a writer, meet aboard a cross-country train. He invites her to attend the popular Nibroc Festival near their Kentucky hometowns – but fate has other plans. The two struggle with their feelings for each other as they navigate the eternal mystery of courtship. This engaging and endearing, old-fashioned love story takes you on a sweet journey of the heart.

“It is beautifully written…Every line is a heartbeat." The Financial Times


Marry Me a Little
Songs by Stephen Sondheim
Created and Developed by Craig Lucas and Norman Rene
May 9– June 14, 2009

Company … A Little Night Music … A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. If you love Stephen Sondheim, you won’t want to miss this inventive musical revue of captivating songs, which were written for some of his most popular musicals but not originally used. What can you do on a Saturday night alone? It’s the question addressed by a young man and woman in separate studio apartments in Manhattan. While the two never meet, the Sondheim songs are arranged to tell a bittersweet sort of story revealing dreams, recollections and feelings the two single people have about life and love.

For Jackie Demaline's story click here.

Through the rabbit hole

Kristen here. Due to illness, I have been home all day, so I decided to add to the blog. As the relief of Kevin being placed in his residency sets in, we are looking forward to what is coming up as well as reflecting on what we've accomplished.

This past Saturday I ran a 10K in Indianapolis with my best friend Lauren "Lo" Kossack. I am training for a mini-marathon (which is a clear product of me having too much free time) in May and decided that a 10K would be a good first step towards my goal. This race was a little more difficult then I had anticipated. I finished, and in a reasonable amount of time, but God bless Lo for sticking it out with me. I now have the motivation to really work on my training so I can be fully prepared for May 3rd - once I recover the full use of my legs again :)

Kevin has some projects he is keeping busy with as well. He has two weeks left of class before entering his final quarter of classwork. This means finishing strong, completing his dissertation, and just getting through. On a more fun note, he is finishing the basement, putting in a bathroom and a "entertainment" room. His uncle and dad have been helping him with this project so expenses have been relatively low. We were watching a bathroom remodel on HGTV last night that cost $200,000....obviously that is FAR more then we would ever spend -- of course, we're not importing tile from Italy, so, that does make a difference.

There are exciting things happening with our friends as well. Doug, a very close friend of mine and Kevin's, has accepted a teaching job in India starting in August. Doug has always been the independant, adventurous type, so something like this is not completely out of the blue for Doug. I always thought he would go back to Paris, or maybe London (aka somewhere I might be interested in visiting), but he has been given a really exciting opportunity. He will be teaching music to 1st - 3rd graders, something that he has a real gift at. We are both really going to miss him while he fulfills his 2-year contract, but we are incredibly proud of him.

Another close friend, Marci, has SO many exciting things happening. I had the opportunity to have dinner with Marci on Saturday and am truly excited for her....God is really blessing her life. After 10 years of collegiate vocal study, some interesting things are happening in her life. After winning a competition a few weeks ago and performing spectacularly in Anderson University's production of Albert Herring, she has recently learned that she has been accepted to the prestigious Operaworks program in LA and is waiting to hear about her application to a doctorate voice program. To understand why I am so proud, you have to know Marci. Since I've known her, she has worked harder, been more persistant and had more faith then any one else I know...not to mention that she has a natural talent that keeps getting better and better with time. Congratulations Marci -- I am SO proud of you.


More later....