thank you for the music

My parents didn't really listen to ABBA when I was little, and so when the Mamma Mia! musical came out when I was in middle school, I naturally memorized the soundtrack (London cast) and not the original songs.  In fact, I listened to that CD so much that I've memorized all the little bits of dialogue embedded in the music and know the track listing order by heart...

The movie was not my favorite as far as soundtracks go, but there's one song that I really do enjoy - Amanda Seyfried's rendition of "Thank You For The Music."  It's not in the actual movie - it's a hidden track played at the end - but there's some mesmerizing, easy quality about it.  I can almost picture her on some stage in a long shimmering dress (gold?), nothing but her, the spotlight, and the pianist.



I'm also just putting a bunch of posts in the queue...yay lunch breaks (when else do you have time to relax for half an hour?!).  It's been a bad week, and my weekend is bound to be busy busy busy.  Don't you just love exams on a Monday?!

broken records

found this post in my 'drafts' section from quite a while ago. hmmm.

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just discovered this scottish band - i love the sound!

the drama of guitar, drums, keyboard, violin, cello....and an accordion?

not to mention that the lead singer somehow reminds me of a male version of florence welch of florence + the machine.  if that's possible.

ballet - afternoon of a faun

and....I have no more MIT FAST pictures as of now.  So here's another ballet post.

I don't know why all the pictures I find invariably end up being from the Boston Ballet...

Boston Ballet photo by Andrea Mohin.

...and, here's some music.  Just because I love Debussy :)

manon lescaut; puccini

This has to be one of the most beautiful songs ever.

We're playing it in symphony orchestra right now (concert next Friday!), and though we sound far from perfect, there's still something about it that makes my heart want to melt.

happy st patrick's day!

obligatory st patrick's day post....

Not much time today, but eventually I'm posting my favorite green dresses....or something :D
(I wore a green dress today!!)

For now, I'll satisfy myself with Paul Byrom's rendition of the national anthem.  Not the greatest video quality, but still sounds fantastic!  I wish I could have been there (Celtics vs Pacers!! and in Boston, where I am right now!), but such is life...

the bringer of war

Last Friday was our symphony orchestra concert - Holst's The Planets, and Tchaikovsky piano concerto.

I've always thought that Jupiter was my favorite planet, but after playing the entire suite, I think Mars may very well displace the good ol' bringer of jollity.  I used to like Mars because it reminded me of Hans Zimmer's Gladiator soundtrack (yes, he completely 'borrowed' large chunks from Holst); now I find it hard to listen to "Gladiator" because as a piece on its own (rather than in soundtrack - because the soundtrack works beautifully in the movie), Mars is so much better.  It's so intense, and you feel it even more so when you're actually playing it with everybody else.

taylor swift

Busy week up ahead!  And a busy weekend! work work work work.  (Which is unfortunate, because I really wanted to go see the Fidelio Trio, which came to MIT and performed last night...).

I've basically been listening to Taylor Swift all day.  Sparks Fly is probably my favorite at the moment (MEET ME IN THE POURING RAIN!), but I still like her other songs - including Love Story :)

Of course I would like Love Story though, because her music video is so pretty.  To be honest, the dresses aren't my absolute favorite, but the idea is lovely.  (and her hair!!!).

This lady's dress is rather interesting though.  The collar and buttons down the front aren't what I would picture for a ball, but I like the design anyway!

me and my violin

 somehow became fascinated by my shiny fingernails during symphony practice.  (well, what else am i supposed to do?).  and then i decided to mess around with the color settings on my camera...

love story + viva la vida

first day of classes (depressing), it's snowing like crazy (cool to look at when you're inside), and symphony rehearsal for tonight is still not cancelled.  on the bright side -

wow, a friend just posted this on facebook...this is awesome!



mp3 download link here: http://www.mediafire.com/?zmlqzyyjgnf

funny similarities

not only in tune/opening notes, but also vaguely in subject...

i had listened to these songs before, but it was only recently, when i listened to 'say goodbye' that i realized this! (i listened to 'safe' multiple times this past month).

one year

wow - hard to believe that I've been on this blog for a year now!

I started out this blog just for me.  I wanted a way to record the things that inspired me.  As the year went on, what was supposed to be art and fashion that appealed to me expanded to become a record of exciting (and not so exciting) things that happened in my life.  Music.  Walks on the beach.  Sewing projects, successful or otherwise.  And yes, even a scientific post about the eye and visual fields.  So what a surprise that some people (if even a few) actually read this blog!

vivo per lei may be all over the place, but it is most definitely me.  And now that it's all over the place, I'm keeping it that way.

To those who continue following, thank you.  I like sharing a little bit of my life with whoever is curious enough :)

(And followers beware of multiple attempts of mine to impress my musical tastes upon you).

Oh, look...here it comes!



not the original version, of course, but I really like it!  Andrea Bocelli, Hayley Westenra, AND ice skating!  What more can a girl ask?

funny album cover

a blast from the past - yay '90s!

nobody else, by take that.

i was looking through my cds and noticed the curious round convex mirror at the back centre, with what i'm assuming to be their actual reflections.  (it's hardly visible here - but right above the middle guy's head).  remind you of anything? ahem. arnolfini portrait.

it's not a dream

finally finished my sketchbook and sent it off today!  one of those frightening but relieving moments.  i'm not too pleased with some of the stuff in there (very rushed), but other pages i like.

and changing the subject -

this song goes on my let's-try-to-create-a-piano-version-because-it-will-be-beautiful list.

funny that although i loved andrea's vocals when the corrs were together, i prefer sharon's solo work.  perhaps it's because of her mad violin skills.

guilt free music part 2

Hot Club de Paris - Liverpool-based band (Moshi Moshi Records).

I hadn't heard of them before, but I like what I'm hearing!

Their new album, Free the Pterodactyl 3 is out on 18 Jan.

stream

free download

sorry for all the lame posts - been busy cleaning my room, madly trying to finish the sketchbook, getting ready for next week...

free music (guilt free!)

the good things that come out of your inbox being spammed by arts/press mailings.

Tristen is a singer/songwriter that I hadn't heard of before - but I really like what I've heard so far (and she has good taste in album cover art)! She is a native of Chicago who moved to Nashville to start her music career.  I don't really know how to describe her music...possibly she&him + a fine frenzy + ....

anyway, here are a few songs from her new album Charlatans at the Garden Gate:

Eager For Your Love
Baby Drugs

free downloads here.

maybe for halloween.

cheryl cole tights/stockings things from 'promise this' are cool, even if i would never wear them.  s'matterafact, she has cool clothes in general (that i would most likely still never wear).

sketchbooky/the flood

I got lazy and filled an entire sketchbook page with words.  Real drawings to follow (I was thinking - along with the whole idea of evolution.  Hopefully it will turn out okay).

now that I think about it, I'm not exactly sure how evolution has to do with my theme of "below the surface."  oh well.

laziness, stressfulness, and happiness. what a way to start the new year.

Playing guitar.  (To my collection of playable songs I've added Caledonia, Like A Bird Without Wings, Steal Away, and Come By the Hills (Buachaill on Eirne).  Yup, after Edelweiss, Love Me Tender, and Taylor Swift, I've moved over to the Celtic Thunder side.  Unfortunately, my inability to play an F major chord well is interfering with my ability to happily strum away for long periods of time.  I blame my skinny fingers, which are good enough for art projects but rather inconvenient for stringed instruments.

And working on The Sketchbookywooky.

I have a lot of pages left on that thing.

(my somewhat pathetic take on Leonardo's fetus in womb study).

baby it's cold outside

so i used to think this was the most annoying song ever.

and then the celtic thunder christmas cd came out...and then the glee version came out...

here are a few of my favorite versions.

Celtic Thunder (of course):


Lady Antebellum (I like country, and besides, this version isn't that country!):


the clip from Elf (just for kicks; it always makes me laugh):


so, i realized that i post a LOT of celtic thunder stuff.  i should probably stop being so obsessed.  and trying to project my interests onto other people.

melancholy introspective

another playlist, just because.

the newest additions (as of two days ago) - "This Time" and "Elgar - Something Inside," performed by Jonathan Rhys Meyers for the August Rush soundtrack.  I am officially obsessed.