When Will My Life Begin?

My niece, Emma, loves Tangled(and all things Disney Princess).  And every time she sees my iPhone, she says, "Sing Tangled!" or "Sing Belle"(you don't know adorable until you hear her say "Bonjour Papa!").    So I break out the Tangled Song "When Will My Life Begin".  She even knows some of the words.  She's sing "Wondering and Wondering and Wondering and Wondering".  It's really cute!

I confess, I feel like Rapunzel sometimes.  I've especially felt that way the last month or so.  I feel like I wake up and do the same thing.  I've been trying to work out the kinks of being single again.  And quite often it feels like an uphill battle.  Making life-altering decisions, especially ones I've already made once and thought I was done with, is over-whelming.  I've had more than a few breakdowns(sorry to those who have had to hear me whine) and honestly, a couple times, I've just thrown my hands in the air and said, "I give up"!  And after yesterday's DAY FROM HELL, I felt that way generally.

This morning, I really struggled getting out of bed.  I really wanted it to be Saturday(I've felt that way since Monday, so it's been a particularly long week).  What I needed was a jump start to get my butt out of bed.  So I pulled out the iPhone and set it to shuffle.  And guess what came up?  "When Will My Life Begin"  And not only does that remind me of my cute little Emma, but it's has a nice "get your butt out of bed" beat.

So I started getting ready for the day.  It was the same routine as always.  Glasses off, Contacts in, bathroom, shower, dressed, hair, make up, down to breakfast.  I was running a little behind so I grabbed an orange and threw it in my bag.  And that's when I noticed the mail on the counter.  I came home and immediately went up to my bedroom last night after the nightmare of Solo and Ensemble.  I didn't even know that the roommates had gotten the mail.  And I wasn't really expecting anything.  So I shuffled through and was going to leave it there until the afternoon.  But then and envelope caught my eye.  It was from the University of Utah.

Most of you are thinking that this shouldn't be such a big deal.  I work at the University of Utah, so that shouldn't be weird.  It wasn't weird.  I was expecting mail from the University of Utah School of Music.  You see, a few weeks ago, I had a MASSIVE breakdown and spontaneously decided to apply for school and the U and set up and audition for the School of Music.  Good thing I have a repertoire to choose from because the audition was in 10 days.  I know, I'm a crazy person.  I didn't tell very many people(like seriously only a handful) so that I didn't have as many people to tell when I didn't get in.  It's goin to be my new approach to show auditioning too.

Of course, I ended up getting sick.  Sore throat+yelling at jr high kids = Wendi not being able to practice much.  There were days I really had no voice.  Anyway, the audition came and I was a little nervous, but mostly because I was still sick and hadn't been able to prepare the way I wanted to.  I had to sing for the voice faculty.  It was more than a little intimidating.  Fortunately, I had performed in the space before.  After my audition, I had to interview with the committee.  I felt like I had to justify every life decision I'd ever made.  I came out of it feeling not so great.  My singing was fine.  Not great, I was sick.  But it was fine.  And I felt like I didn't have the right answers to the questions.  And I had to take a spontaneous Theory Test.  It was easy.  I probably got 100%.  But I don't want a degree in theory(yuck). 

And that's why, when I saw the envelope from the University of Utah School of Music, I assumed it was the "Thank you for your interest in our program...but you should consider beauty school.  No more music for you" letter. 

"I am pleased to inform you that you have been accepted for admission into the Bachelor of Arts degree program in Music for the 2012-2013 academic year.  The competition for admission was very high this year and we were impressed with your musical talent."

It seems the stars are beginning to align.  I'm still waiting for my admission to the University of Utah.  Weber State has been having a hard time getting my transcripts to the U.  And I can't really afford to go if I don't get scholarships and/or financial aid.  So there are still some things that need to come together. 

But I'm pleasantly surprised that this is a possibility.  I've always regretted not finishing my music degree.  And I'm really excited about going back and studying music.  At the very least, it should keep me busy for the next few years.  I figure it will take about 3 years to get my music degree.  It might take less.  We'll have to see.  It just depends on how much of my previous music credit they take.  I'm going to spend the summer studying up on my Music Theory so I can test out of a couple of those classes.  And I have a piano proficiency exam to take so I don't have to take group piano class(I would seriously go crazy in one of those classes).  I think I can do it though. 

Another really great part...My grandparents are crazy University of Utah fans.  They're Crimson Club members and have season tickets to football and basketball.  And none of their grandchildren have gone to the University of Utah.  I would have gone there the first time around, but Weber offered me better scholarships.  I think they're secretly really excited that I'm planning on the U this time around.

Anyway, I've been wondering and wondering, wondering and wondering when will my life begin?  I think this is the next beginning.  And I'm really excited about it!