Thursday, September 23, 2010

Where There's a Will, There's a Way

I noticed in my last post that when I gave the link to the opera commercial, everyone that commented was like, "You're in the opera?", and then I realized I never shared that info.

Well, yes, I sing in the Tulsa Opera Chorus. It is a lot of fun, and challenging musically. My whole life I have always done things that might seem relatively random. I will get these hair-brained ideas and think "Wow, wouldn't it be cool to do that?" and then I just go for it.

It started in high school. Start your nerd alert sirens, my friends, because my little Christian middle school did not entirely prepare me for the world of a public high school. Once I stopped wearing my denim Winnie the Pooh embroidered long sleeve shirt and black tights with Doc Martin boots, I was headed in the right direction. I then decided later on in that freshman year to try out for the reigning state champion cheerleading squad. Of course everyone thought I was crazy, but I'm a "where there's a will, there's a way" kind of gal, so I bought some Soffe shorts, took a cheer class, and practiced my little heart out on my cheers and jumps. I will never forget the feeling of accomplishment when I saw my name on the roster that year.

There was also the time I decided I wanted to play the fiddle so I took fiddle lessons my junior year of high school. I rarely pick it up now, but I'm glad I learned the basics.

It was my sophomore year of college when I decided I wanted to intern for our US senator in Washington, DC, for a semester. And even though everyone warned me that my chances were not the best if I even had a chance, it was that summer that I applied, interviewed, and packed my bags and headed for the east coast for the fall semester. And had the experience of a lifetime.

It was my junior year in college when I decided I needed some money for school and started competing in the Miss America Scholarship Pageant system. I think my mom really thought I was nuts on this one. I mean, my choice of footwear is a flip-flop and my hair product selection is shampoo and conditioner and water. So I had a friend show me how to walk on stage, worked up a talent selection, borrowed some dresses, and entered some pageants. Three pageants and $1300 in scholarships later, there I was, competing on the stage at Miss Oklahoma, and having a blast doing it.

It was after graduation that I decided that I wanted to be a judge at the Oklahoma regional cheerleading competition, and successfully judged for three years.

And then, two years after college, I decided I wanted to take voice lessons. This stemmed out of my lack of confidence about my singing, and my lack of any type of vocal training in the past. A couple months into my lessons, my voice teacher suggested I audition for the opera chorus. And I thought, what do I have to lose, and how fun would that be?

So, I worked up my best little Italian aria for a soprano, practiced, and signed up for an audition time. And thankfully, I wasn't all THAT nervous, because, well, I knew I wasn't that awesome, and because I didn't know the people who I was auditioning in front of. Again, what I did have to lose?

And here I am, a few months later, amidst a flurry of musical and staging rehearsals for La Traviata which opens in early October. And I am so excited. It is a lot of hard work, but it's a lot of fun as well. And let me just say that the costumes are GORGEOUS.

The moral of this story is this: just because something might not be like what you have done in the past, or just because people think you can't do it, don't let that stop you from doing something you want to do. Instead of saying, "Wow, I wish I could do that", say "Why can't I do that?" and "What do I need to do to make that happen?".

Where there's a will, there's a way. 

~Kathryn

PS - Still waiting on that appraisal to come back. Prayers appreciated for a speedy return.

13 comments:

  1. I think thats great you try new things all the time :)it keeps life interesting. Congrats and good luck on the singing and house!!

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  2. You have so many great stories because of your willingness to try new things. You go! Good luck with the house!

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  3. That is awesome girl..I'm very impressed!

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  4. wow! you've had quite an interesting life! i'm loving this post :)

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  5. That is too cool. I need to be more of a "why not" girl! My biggest excuse: I'm too busy. I use it for everything! This makes me want to get started on the things I've been putting off for YEARS! Like piano lessons!

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  6. Kathryn. I LOVE THIS POST! I hope you'll link it up to my Pick of the Patch tomorrow b/c everybody needs to read it:-). It so embodies my attitude of late. Life's too short to not have fun, and not follow your dreams. I love that you just went for it - and had success too! You're an inspiration! I hope I can be half as brave :-). Anxious to hear about your appraisal! Saying a little prayer right now... ~Kristin from Windy Poplars

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  7. Sounds really interesting!

    I tagged you in a post on my blog :)

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  8. I love this post! So true! You are amazing!

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  9. One of my goals as a mother was to teach my children that where there is a will there is a way. I still hear those words echoing in my ears from when I was a little girl and my mother would say it to me. And again when I heard myself saying it to you three as you were growing up. I wanted you to not only never be afraid to try new things but to stay at the task at hand and never give up. To find a way. I've been blessed with three children who are not afraid and who when they set their minds to something they can accomplish whatever it is! Bravo to you, my child! I love you!

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  10. YOU are awesome! this is all so cool!

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  11. LOTS of prayers going up from me. I totally understand the stress of the "wait" but all will go well, I know it will. Love you both.
    ~ Sunnie

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  12. Fun to find out some new facts about my fun little Kathryn. :) And so proud of your confidence and determination...

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  13. I love the blog!! You are the perfect person for a blog. You should write about your mosquito bites!!! HAHAHA

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