On Friday evening, I went out with a new potential friend, Rachel. I met her while interviewing at a nursery and we exchanged phone numbers. She is from Canada, young, sweet and fun to spend time with. She took me to an Australian bar which was great fun, I loved it. The bar was bright, rowdy, had a lively and fun energy and was packed with people. We ate nachos, sat, chatted and had a great time. I really enjoyed spending time with her.
On Saturday, Christian and I went Christmas shopping in Darmstadt for his family (stopping for some KFC/Pizza Hut to go on the way, his favorite haha), and then I hopped on a bus to the main train station to go into Frankfurt. I met my friend, Sally at the Opera House at 7:30pm for the Vienna Boys Choir concert which I had been counting down excitedly for since we bought our tickets the day before.
We sat down in our seats and chatted for 20 minutes while waiting for the show to start. Finally the boys filed out onto the stage. The stage was bare. Just a rise for a few of them to stand on, a grand piano in the middle and that was it. There were 22 boys in all, dressed in navy pants, white shirts with navy trim. The boys appeared to range in age from 6-11. Some were so tiny! I leaned over and whispered to Sally "Oh man, if they sing Carol of the Bells at some point, I would die. Also God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman is good too."
Their voices were hands down the most beautiful I have ever heard live. Whoa. When they opened their mouths and began to sing, it gave me chills. They were pure, clear, strong, almost heavenly sounding, incredible. I was riveted and loved every moment of it.
And guess what their second to last song was?!?!? I felt a shiver go up my spine as they began singing it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xO_53m7foE in fact, here is a clip of the Vienna Boys Choir singing it. (They begin singing around 1 minute, 20 seconds in). I think my heart actually skipped a beat when they began the lead in to the song, good god. This is my FAVORITE Christmas carol ever <3 it has been for years and years. I think its absolutely magical, beautiful and just awesome.
(When the Vienna Boys sang during the concert I saw, there wasn't the long musical lead in that this version gives. But the singing, thats exactly what their voices sounded like live).
(When the Vienna Boys sang during the concert I saw, there wasn't the long musical lead in that this version gives. But the singing, thats exactly what their voices sounded like live).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVGKfDoANRA Another awesome version of Carol of the Bells, though this isnt the Vienna Boys Choir (but they sounded quite like this. Their voices had this stunning purity and beauty, even live. I was shocked). I think this version is especially magical.
They also sang God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen which was lovely along many other gorgeous songs. Here is a clip I found of them singing this carol: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ehamuf1eVk (of course, this isn't the exact show I saw, but it is them singing it).
Anyway that aside, absolutely loved this as you can all tell. And it was only 20 euro for a ticket! Awesome.
Anyway that aside, absolutely loved this as you can all tell. And it was only 20 euro for a ticket! Awesome.
In other news, I told the French family on Friday that I would not be able to work for them past the beginning of January due to the visa issue and having to get another job. Their faces fell when I told them. I felt awful. Yesterday (Monday) Gabriel told me his parents had told him. He kept telling me throughout the night how sad he was about it, how much he would miss me. We played Legos together, the two of us in his room for a bit towards the end of the night. He said he was keeping what I had made, because I had made it <3
Really, really sweet. He made me reassure him that I would visit them sometimes and we could still keep in touch, asking me how often I would come and such. Very cute. I have grown to really love spending time with them. I have been surprised that time with them has become one of the best cures for when I feel lonely, to be honest. For some reason, I really love going over there now.
“Promise Yourself
To be so strong that nothing
can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity
to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel
that there is something in them
To look at the sunny side of everything
and make your optimism come true.
To think only the best, to work only for the best,
and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others
as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past
and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times
and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself
that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,
and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world,
not in loud words but great deeds.
To live in faith that the whole world is on your side
so long as you are true to the best that is in you.”
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