After Mike and Keri’s reception Ron and Nick Cattafi drove me to Orlando so I could catch my early morning flight on Sunday to Rochester, NY. I had the afternoon to try to get my reeds acclimated before my audition on Monday morning.

My audition on Monday went pretty well, all things considered. I was pleased at how the oboe excerpts went, and that I wasn’t nervous at all (that was a first!!!). I wasn’t happy with my English Horn excerpt, I don’t think I soaked my reed long enough and got a little flustered when I changed instruments. Even though I didn’t win the audition (I didn’t really want to move to Northern NY anyway!), I still feel like there were several positive lessons to come from it that will help prepare me for the next one!

After my audition I had several hours before I flew out, so I went to the Strong National Museum of Play. This was a huge museum celebrating the different toys, games, shows, etc. that allow children and adults to play. I felt right at home, being an adult with an active imagination. They had a huge collection of vintage toys, as well as a Butterfly garden. There were 800 kinds of butterflies in this small area, just fluttering around so peacefully. It was the perfect place for me to go, but I was happy when I finally got home.

And look what I had waiting for me when I got home – the cutest puppy ever! Here is Apollo in a new t-shirt from his Grandma Sabonjohn: