The Royal Wedding of William & Kate!!!

The Royal Couple!

Yesterday I was thrilled to have the opportunity to attend the royal wedding!!! Ok, I sort of attended...I joined a million people on the streets of London in hopes of catching a glimpse of the union between Prince William and Princess Catherine (Kate). Any royal wedding is a momentous event in history, but this one was especially loved throughout the world because it's a modern day Cinderella story. A common woman and a prince fell in love, an everyday girl became a princess, and they were married to live happily ever after in Buckingham Palace. 

I woke at 6am, feeling about two days late in getting a spot in the action since thousands had been camping out to claim their places. But somehow I managed to find a spot along the procession route that gave me the best view I could have imagined!!! 


From 8am-2pm, I stood meeting people from all over the world who had come to take part in the celebration and we saw EVERYONE! The thrill of being that close to the Queen of England, a woman who comes from a line like Queen Elizabeth, was surreal! That much history is hard to fathom and I felt a little taste of it.

Once the ceremony began, the wedding was broadcast over huge speakers so that the massive crowd could be apart of it. Over the masses we heard them take their vows, and a huge cheer erupted after Kate said "I do." The sound of a million people cheering could be heard inside the Abbey!  But by the far the most lasting moment of this unique experience for me was when James Middleton, Kate's brother, delivered a reading of Romans 12 in the wedding. After each sentence of the reading, he paused to let it take effect. His voice echoed over the completely hushed crowds -

        I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, 

to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, 

holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Do not be conformed to this world, 

but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, 

so that you may discern what is the will of God,

what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 

love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour.

Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. 

Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.

Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. 

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 

Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; 

do not claim to be wiser than you are.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 

If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Outside of Westminster Abbey

Imagine hearing these words over a crowd of nearly silent million, followed by a chill-inducing choir performance. It was an awe-inspiring moment that will stick with me forever. 


I made friends with Canadians, British, Thais, Irish, and Scottish people in just a little 4 foot area around me. This type of occasion is something that unites continents with a sense of global hope and optimism that we so easily lose in our day to day lives. For me personally, I've spent this past week practicing seven hours a day and concentrating solely on this competition. But being out among a million people in this type of historical moment really opened up my mind and gave me perspective again - and, so much inspiration!!!

Just Touched Down in London Town

My Home For the Week Here in London

I've begun my adventure!!! I had a wonderful last weekend in Normal, with a going away party on Friday, times w/Kim and Patty, a night with my roomie w/Chinese and Conan O'Brien, Easter w/my family, and a packing party w/close friends and a bottle of champagne. I was touched, too, by my family and best friends who came to the bus station to send me off. I have been overwhelmed these last few days with how much love everyone has shown me. It's amazing to jump out and live a dream, but I can't deny I have my fears. But, this last weekend I felt so much love and support that I feel strong to begin this new chapter of life!

So, you can see here in these pictures what my London life is like right now! I'm so thankful to have a friend take care of me here in her 'flat.' Today I had a great time grocery shopping here in Streatham, West London - it was a great opportunity to see this beautiful part of the city, with all of its greenery and brick structures. I spent the afternoon practicing but every 5 minutes I would find myself dozing off on the couch and then saying to myself, "wait, how did I get here? Get up Raylene!" For four hours I kept up this battle, me against my 20 pound eyelids, as I ran through the competition rep. But I feel focused and inspired here - it's exactly what I need as I go into Bucharest. But right now, I'm just excited to go to sleep!!!!

The View Out of My Window

A Look Through the Skylight in My Room

Jet Lag + 4 Hours of Practicing = This Face

Smile :-)

One of my favorite quotes is by Mother Theresa ~ "Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing." When I woke up today I decided to live this quote all day - giving love through smiles and a joyful attitude. And you know what I discovered? Joy is contagious! And, not only was it affecting the people around me but it was also making me happier and enjoy the day more as well. Imagine if everyone was living their day focused on giving out smiles and joy? What a simple, but powerful way of changing the world.

Raw Humanity

I love the person who somehow has, either naturally or developed through experience, an instant openness with others. She is a down-to-earth, loving, real, person that you feel you can tell anything to although you've only known her a moment. She is someone who says what everyone always thinks but doesn't have the guts to vocalize. And best of all, she doesn't judge you or ever put herself one bit higher than you.

This person has a strength about her that is not rugged or necessarily the result of painful experience overcome, but is just a core of goodness powerfully living life as it comes. She is a woman who lives with a "what can I do for you?" attitude and a "let's make this happen" drive. Although she may not even remember your name because you just met, she'll probably call you "sweetheart" or "baby," and wrap her arm around your shoulder as if to say "alright we can do this." No matter what life brings, as long as I have this woman's respect then I know she has my back.

I know someone like this, and today I was reminded of how refreshing it is to be around someone so strong, honest, real, approachable, open, and equal. It's raw humanity - not hidden behind walls of any kind -- it's inspirational.

Well..the practicing challenge has been half achieved...Doing more like 4 hours a day right now! Goodness, Lang Lang. Way to make the rest of us feel terrible about ourselves!! haha.

Today was grrreat! I practiced a long time, ate real meals that were both tasty and good for me, went for a run OUTSIDE, and studied some German. Man, if only my day job didn't exist, right?? haha. No, no I enjoy that too. But it certainly is nice having a couple days off to really throw myself into music and shape a day just the way I want. I can't believe the competition is only 8 weeks away!! Where did February go??!?

So BIG NEWS! I've decided to move to Hanover, Germany!! My cousin Nicolai needs a roommate for the coming year, so this is my golden opportunity to live in Europe!! It's all happening so fast, but I feel incredibly excited at the prospect. I've started boxing things up in the apartment and making the oh so difficult "ja or nein?" on the junk I've managed to collect the last couple years. It's strange to be in this transition period because it hasn't fully hit me that I'm moving. Seeing boxes all around the house has certainly been a little reminder everyday though. But it somehow feels so natural to be going there that I hardly feel any different.

Life is such an adventure, isn't it? You never know where it will take you next. I guess for me, Germany! :-)

Raylene Rose vs. Lang Lang in the practice room

I read an article today highlighting an interview with pianist Lang Lang, 26-year-old classical pianist and music world phenomenon. He is famed for his awe-inspiring performances, incredible technical abilities, artistry, and a dramatic showmanship that generates an electric charge in his audiences. One part of this interview stood out to me, as an aspiring soloist myself:

Jim: How many hours a day do you practice?
Lang: For the first 15 years, 8 hours a day. Now, it is more like 3-4 hours, but it is certainly a daily activity, no matter the hours at this level.

Last week I set a 7 hour practice day goal for myself, and it felt AMAZING to achieve it. But it was sooo many hours. My entire day was dedicated to flute. I spent 2 hours at the gym, and went out with friends later - but the large middle chunk was all music. I adored the exhaustion I felt from it, knowing I had poured myself completely into music for entire day. I can't imagine 1, being able to achieve this everyday due to time constraints and 2, what it would feel like to have that daily skill improvement.

I have 10 weeks, 5 days until I am on a plane headed for Romania to compete in the Jeunesses International Music Competition. Before that I will also give two recitals and compete in the Skokie Valley Symphony Concerto Competition. All in all, it's about 10 pieces of music - all from memory and competition-ready. I left school to pour myself into my passion, and so I'm determined that all of these events, but especially the Romanian competition, are the best representation of what I have to offer as a young woman pouring out from the depths of her soul through the gift God gave her.

So...this Lang Lang thing and my 7 hour practice day got me thinking - could I do that too? 8 hours, everyday? I'm still in the molding years of my artistry - those first 15 he was talking about. I've played seriously for 6 years now...so 9 more years of intense practicing before I can let up? Alright, too much to think about right now. Honestly, it's about this goal for the spring competition. So I'm going to attempt this Lang Lang challenge. If he can do it, what's stopping me? I pulled out the 7 hour day...once. It will be difficult to do this 8 hour thing everyday. But I'll build to it. Tomorrow through Sunday I'll do 4-6, then starting on Monday I'll bust out the 8.

1, 2, 3 - PRACTICE!

A Monday Morning in February

I may or may not be dreaming of a beach right now...or have had a pineapple shake... 0r been listening to ukulele music the last hour...

Does anyone else find it hard to be inspired this time of year? Maybe I'm one of those weirdo sun freaks that shuts down in the middle of winter, but honestly I can't imagine anyone who wakes up in February saying "I love this month! The bitter cold, the desolate trees, the lack of sunshine...mmmm I just adore this time of year!" Maybe the polar bears, but this survey is for humans only!

Seriously, it's just a trying time of year in these cold corners of the universe. A So-Cal girl relocated to the frozen tundra, I certainly have discovered that people who live through these winters really are more tough! I saw an eighty-year-old woman shoveling her driveway the other day with the gusto of a high school jock and thought to myself, "I bet she has a lot of character and strength." This weather just does that to people. Cold? Stop crying and chip the ice off your windshield already!

I'd like to think that living here has made me more courageous, but I think my tough shell starts breaking up about the middle of February because I begin to transform my apartment into a tropical haven - heat cranked, shorts and a tank top, and yes - the pineapple shakes.

Snowpacolypse

"Snowpacolypse" has hit the Midwest and two snowed-in musicians find themselves nestled in their Vernon Avenue loft with two fluffy kitties, one apple-crumble, and three forms of entertainment (internet, t.v., & Harry Potter Book IV). Oh, and lots of daydreaming...

Last summer in Europe I tried my hand, for the first time, at taking my flute to the streets. Although this was born out of financial necessity, I discovered that I actually really enjoyed and fit into the street musician lifestyle; and, I now look back on it as the most creative, exciting, and eclectic periods of my life. So I couldn't help but wonder, is this my niche? The more I've thought about it since my return to the states, I've begun developing an idea. A modern, 21st century version of the medieval "jongleur."

This idea would combine all of my loves ~ music/performance, travel/cultures, people, writing, and service. It's a project "in the works," but the more I think about it the more it becomes my dream. More details to come...

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are." ~e.e. cummings. I wrote this in a diary entry over last summer - an experience I like to title, "Two Months of Mayhem All Over Another Continent." I explored, removed myself completely from any kind of comfort zone, and approached life with an open mind. For the first time I dedicated myself to stepping out of my virtual life box, with a strong desire to not remain the person I was once. It was sometimes painful and confusing, but if you have ever seen a caterpillar become a butterfly, you understand that the process of change is messy.

One thing I have certainly discovered is that there are many ways to live life and I'm working on my own path - something that I am sure I will be re-defining the rest of life. But the point is not discovering a way of living and then sitting there because it appears to be the best way, the "right" way. The goal is to constantly re-imagine, grow, and change - with a heart, soul and mind free of the walls, cages, and boxes that society claims are necessary.

I live now in a very human, open-heart, open-mind way. My desire to love God and others is always intact, and everything else gets figured out along the way. But living with tremendous love frees me from all the limiting, "boxy" thoughts and opinions I held previously. And from the fear of doing "the wrong thing" (whatever that actually means).

The point I've reached is an unstable one. I've left school, left much of my previous beliefs, and jumped into a sea of existence that's uncharted. I'm left with only an inner compass, my heart, to follow for better or for worse. Where are the walls? Where are the boxes? What about the cage of reality? I suppose I was born to remove myself from that. Idealism is possibly my curse, but I cling to its optimism.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." ~ Mark Twain