~ Tomorrow I'm Mommy, Tonight I'm Me

"There is always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in..."Graham Greene

If I had been a child, this past Saturday evening would have been my moment. The Milwaukee Symphony performed the music of Rachmaninoff with guest pianist Joyce Yang. (She's from South Korea, and you know how we love South Korea around here!) She played Concerto No. 2 in Cminor, and she took my breath away.

Click here to listen to her perform Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 in Sydney Australia.

If I had seen Ms. Yang perform when I was a child, I feel certain the trajectory of my life would have been forever changed.

Oh well, since I can't make music like that, I'm thankful to our dear friends Brian and Linda who made the lovely evening possible.

Thanks guys!

For those who don't get out much (me!), here's a recap of the best evening I've had a long while.

We started the evening off with a little taste of Ireland at Milwaukee's County Clare.

First we tried the Irish Battered Sausages with curry sauce and the Brown Bread and Bleu Cheese Dumplings with creamy Gorganzola Sauce and crispy Sweet Potato fries. Then we dipped four spoons into the Root Soup which was a smooth puree of Sweet Potato, Carrots and Leeks topped with a perfect cream Shamrock. (Next time we might not share!)

When it came time for our entrees, nothing says Ireland more than Shepherd's Pie and Corned Beef and Cabbage, which is what Ken and I had for dinner. But the absolute best part of the evening (aside form Ms. Yang's performance and the taxi ride we took to the PAC when Brian locked his keys in the car) was the perfect bite of Pumpkin Creme Brulee we had at the end of the meal. (OK, I may have taken three or four bites, but I wanted to lick the plate. I came to my senses just in time!) I don't get out much! (Did I say that already? At one point while I was looking at the menu, Ken asked if I wanted them to order some chicken strips and French fries just so I would feel at home.)

We headed over to the PAC where we sat spellbound for an entire evening of beautiful music (no "Brady Bunch" theme song or Thomas the Tank Engine music playing in the background).

I didn't have to yell at someone to pratice their piano or grade a single paper or cook a single meal. It was a true grown-up evening. I've forgotten what that is like.

After four standing ovations, Ms. Yang closed out the evening with an encore of Chopin's "My Joys." It was like a little lullaby, and it was the perfect ending to a perfect night!

Click here to hear that beautiful piece!