![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Porgy and Bess
Feb. 27th, 2011 05:04 pmI had a concert last night. My school orchestra (we call it the Philharmonia) performed excerpts from Porgy and Bess. I've been enjoying playing the pieces, as they are quite different from the usual Classical fare, and extremely well suited to the story they portray. George Gershwin knew what he was doing when he wrote this, and did it well with this opera.
Performing this piece reminded me of why I enjoy playing with a large group so much. As we went through the beginning of the first act, there is a classic buildup in volume and speed. One of the themes of the opera is the music imitating a train, which is a lot of fun. So here we are, piano leading to choir giving way to brass and finally joining in with strings. The moments of that were almost perfect in their synchronicity. Everyone was playing the same music, listening to each other, and watching our conductor for the beat. The feeling of collective gathering was palpable to me, and the music was so clear. The first time that ever happened to me I got chills, a large emotional reaction, and was rather scared of it, actually. It took me several years to understand that these rare moments of clarity in music are something for which to strive.
It is a shame we cannot do that more often, but it is a college orchestra that tends to disappoint those with high expectations more often than not. Still, though, we had it that time, and that will encourage me until I feel it again.
Greeny
Performing this piece reminded me of why I enjoy playing with a large group so much. As we went through the beginning of the first act, there is a classic buildup in volume and speed. One of the themes of the opera is the music imitating a train, which is a lot of fun. So here we are, piano leading to choir giving way to brass and finally joining in with strings. The moments of that were almost perfect in their synchronicity. Everyone was playing the same music, listening to each other, and watching our conductor for the beat. The feeling of collective gathering was palpable to me, and the music was so clear. The first time that ever happened to me I got chills, a large emotional reaction, and was rather scared of it, actually. It took me several years to understand that these rare moments of clarity in music are something for which to strive.
It is a shame we cannot do that more often, but it is a college orchestra that tends to disappoint those with high expectations more often than not. Still, though, we had it that time, and that will encourage me until I feel it again.
Greeny
Tags:
What doesn't kill you...
Aug. 18th, 2010 07:45 pmIt's amazing how much difference a full night of sleep changes your perspective. I've been on the edge for the past few days, but today was so much better. Also, getting through Music History and Theory tests with as much or more proficiency than I was granting myself earlier was a nice surprise.
I'm trying to organize my life now. Which internet provider should I choose? Where are the clubs I want to join? I didn't do this when I went to my undergraduate college, and I'm surprised how easy it is when you have a chosen direction. So far: I've found a knit/crochet group, an equestrian place (I was looking for a hiking/appreciate nature group, but this sounds interesting, too), and just now I found my quiet place. If I was given a guess, it wouldn't have been the off-campus rec room. Life is funny like that, sometimes. I still need a good library.
Knitting has been up and down really wildly in the past week. I was kinda, sorta doing about an inch per day before I left. Actually, it was more like 2-4 rows per day. I was stuck on the heel for six days. Once we got on the road to Ohio, though, I sailed through five inches in two days. Then I was knitting a few inches during Monday and Tuesday because the orientation classes were fairly boring. Today was all testing, so nothing has been done yet. I only have the toe of the second sock left, in fact. I may get to it tonight. I really need to practice violin and prepare for tomorrow, though.
I have no clue what I'm going to do once classes start. Probably go on as I've done before. One thing I remember from my many orientation things is that "study habits from undergraduate studies will greatly impact the habits of graduate students". I hope it doesn't hold true for me in a few things, like waiting too long to start a paper, or only practicing at night. I'm watching for it, so maybe I'll catch it early.
This is the first time I've been truly away from home and on my own. Vienna was more a case of "can she survive for six weeks?". This is two years. I have a feeling I will really appreciate my family visits.
Until next time,
Greeny
I'm trying to organize my life now. Which internet provider should I choose? Where are the clubs I want to join? I didn't do this when I went to my undergraduate college, and I'm surprised how easy it is when you have a chosen direction. So far: I've found a knit/crochet group, an equestrian place (I was looking for a hiking/appreciate nature group, but this sounds interesting, too), and just now I found my quiet place. If I was given a guess, it wouldn't have been the off-campus rec room. Life is funny like that, sometimes. I still need a good library.
Knitting has been up and down really wildly in the past week. I was kinda, sorta doing about an inch per day before I left. Actually, it was more like 2-4 rows per day. I was stuck on the heel for six days. Once we got on the road to Ohio, though, I sailed through five inches in two days. Then I was knitting a few inches during Monday and Tuesday because the orientation classes were fairly boring. Today was all testing, so nothing has been done yet. I only have the toe of the second sock left, in fact. I may get to it tonight. I really need to practice violin and prepare for tomorrow, though.
I have no clue what I'm going to do once classes start. Probably go on as I've done before. One thing I remember from my many orientation things is that "study habits from undergraduate studies will greatly impact the habits of graduate students". I hope it doesn't hold true for me in a few things, like waiting too long to start a paper, or only practicing at night. I'm watching for it, so maybe I'll catch it early.
This is the first time I've been truly away from home and on my own. Vienna was more a case of "can she survive for six weeks?". This is two years. I have a feeling I will really appreciate my family visits.
Until next time,
Greeny
New Home, New School
Aug. 17th, 2010 09:51 pmI've been in Ohio for four days. It's been interesting. School is going to be different, I can tell. There is a lot of emphasis on "being scholarly", and I'm not sure I approve, but I do not think I'll have too much trouble learning how to do that.
I have a new apartment, and it's a good one. One bedroom, one bath, one living room, and one kitchen. It's lacking in TV, so I have to find other ways to entertain myself. So far I'm unpacking, but that will run out soon. Perhaps I'll study.
I'm having a very hard time concentrating. Not enough sleep and no internet at home, which means I'm at school with many distractions.
I'll update again when I feel up to it. This was more to get back to it than anything.
I have a new apartment, and it's a good one. One bedroom, one bath, one living room, and one kitchen. It's lacking in TV, so I have to find other ways to entertain myself. So far I'm unpacking, but that will run out soon. Perhaps I'll study.
I'm having a very hard time concentrating. Not enough sleep and no internet at home, which means I'm at school with many distractions.
I'll update again when I feel up to it. This was more to get back to it than anything.
Meet Elizabeth
Jul. 16th, 2010 12:23 amHi there,
Tonight is a diary night. I can't stop composing an entry in my head (and crying, my excess emotions always come out that way, it's annoying, but expected).
Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow make it officially a month until I leave. Going to Ohio, where the green grass grows (and freezes). I'm scared to death at the moment.
I'm not ready, yet. I probably will be when the time comes, but first I have to weather the fear. I also have to study my cute little arse off to get ready. I'm taking grad school more seriously than anything else in my life previous to this. I'm actually doing more than planning for it and letting those plans stagnate.
It's astonishing to watch the results when you put a plan into action. One of my plans was to get tutors for my entrance exams. Behold! It has been accomplished. Did it work out the way I thought it would? Sorta, not really. I thought I would study more. Check, on my own precious little would have been done. With tutors, I have someone to please, be accountable to. At the very least, something is happening. I'm not currently studying enough in History, and so I "fired" my tutor. Definitely wasn't expecting either thing, there. Maybe that is what set me off tonight.
Theory is sort of the same way: I'm definitely not studying enough, but my tutor is still pushing me along by main force. I hope to accelerate both subjects these last weeks. Strike that, I'm actively planning/going to/will pick up the pace in my studies this last month. It's not only necessary, it's decided.
Another plan that actually worked out was applying to grad school in the first place. I'm still rather amazed it happened, but quite happy to take credit for the results, if not the methods by which I arrived at them.
After that, I don't know if I should go on, but I feel like it, so onto...
Knitting: When we went to Kansas to check out the school there, my mother and I went to a really cool yarn store. At my urging, mom picked out some sock yarn. I've started those, at long last. I'm finally past the heel on the first one, and since then it's been remarkably easier to deal with. Having 64 stitches of lace versus 32 stitches of lace and 32 of knitting really makes a difference. In all likelihood, I'm going to finish these before I leave. That is, if the massive amounts of studying I plan to do don't derail that plan.
Until next time (still reading?),
Deepgreen18, aka Elizabeth
Tonight is a diary night. I can't stop composing an entry in my head (and crying, my excess emotions always come out that way, it's annoying, but expected).
Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow make it officially a month until I leave. Going to Ohio, where the green grass grows (and freezes). I'm scared to death at the moment.
I'm not ready, yet. I probably will be when the time comes, but first I have to weather the fear. I also have to study my cute little arse off to get ready. I'm taking grad school more seriously than anything else in my life previous to this. I'm actually doing more than planning for it and letting those plans stagnate.
It's astonishing to watch the results when you put a plan into action. One of my plans was to get tutors for my entrance exams. Behold! It has been accomplished. Did it work out the way I thought it would? Sorta, not really. I thought I would study more. Check, on my own precious little would have been done. With tutors, I have someone to please, be accountable to. At the very least, something is happening. I'm not currently studying enough in History, and so I "fired" my tutor. Definitely wasn't expecting either thing, there. Maybe that is what set me off tonight.
Theory is sort of the same way: I'm definitely not studying enough, but my tutor is still pushing me along by main force. I hope to accelerate both subjects these last weeks. Strike that, I'm actively planning/going to/will pick up the pace in my studies this last month. It's not only necessary, it's decided.
Another plan that actually worked out was applying to grad school in the first place. I'm still rather amazed it happened, but quite happy to take credit for the results, if not the methods by which I arrived at them.
After that, I don't know if I should go on, but I feel like it, so onto...
Knitting: When we went to Kansas to check out the school there, my mother and I went to a really cool yarn store. At my urging, mom picked out some sock yarn. I've started those, at long last. I'm finally past the heel on the first one, and since then it's been remarkably easier to deal with. Having 64 stitches of lace versus 32 stitches of lace and 32 of knitting really makes a difference. In all likelihood, I'm going to finish these before I leave. That is, if the massive amounts of studying I plan to do don't derail that plan.
Until next time (still reading?),
Deepgreen18, aka Elizabeth
Cynicism, Patience, and Dancing
Apr. 25th, 2010 12:29 pmI found out during my most recent relationship that I am less than romantic, even cynical. I don't do soppy declarations, romantic settings make me laugh, and trying to get me to do either requires a lot of motivation. That said, I usually enjoy weddings. Maybe weddings aren't romantic? Hmm, no. Two people pledging their lives to each other and then having a party to celebrate, complete with age-old symbols of love (rings, vows, aphrodisiacs, cake, dancing, white dresses [that one makes my inner cynic start, though]), is pretty sappy. Maybe I just enjoy seeing my friends/family fairly happy.
I got to go to a wedding last night. A friend from childhood who I hadn't seen in eight years sent my family an invitation. Dad had to go to California, so Mom wasn't going to go, but I was determined. So determined that four of us ended up going, with me driving the lead during the hour-and-a-half journey over to Mom's old college (who saw that coming?). We got to see Mom's old dorm and part of the campus. We were also regaled with a few tales of her life during college. Now, theoretically, I knew Mom was a socialite of sorts. She was the "always cheery" one who lived in a coed dorm, had dances on the very large porch of the same, and got thrown into Theta Pond on her 21st birthday. Almost makes me envious, almost.
The wedding itself (held right near Theta Pond) was a standard one, as these things go. This is not surprising once you know about the family. They are very traditional for this part of the world. It was actually a little slow, but I have learned patience about these kind of things. I'd rather they be slow than rushed. The reception afterward was quite good. They had a very nice spread of food, and the cake was tasty. There weren't enough tables, so we had to share. We met the mother and mother-in-law of the best man. They were very sweet and complimentary towards my knitting (I brought it and refuse to be defensive), and very interested in my musical career. I have potential customers if I wish to sell my knitting. It took the wedding party quite a while to take pictures and such, so we had decided to leave by the time they got to the dancing. The best thing about having a wedding of an agemate is the music. I actually enjoyed it(!), and participated once before we left.
My knitting at the moment is an entrelac dishcloth. However, I love it so much I want to use it (that sounds wrong), so I'm extending it into an extra-long cloth I can use in the bathroom or for dishes once I move. I may also try to make a towel from the same pattern, we'll see.
My crochet at the moment (small moment of silence for me breaking the one-project-at-a-time rule) is a cardigan/bolero. I did it totally wrong at first, and had to rip back a lot. I'm now following the pattern slavishly, like a good little recipe-follower. It's going to turn out nicely, I think.
The only news left is...school. My psychology class will be over in two weeks, and I have to decide what to do for the summer. Two or three months seems like such a short time. I keep thinking I won't need an activity, but reality checks that thought almost immediately. I am a stimulation junkie. If there is nothing new going on, I get antsy.
Until next time,
Greeny
Mishaps and Exploration
Jul. 10th, 2009 09:56 amMy internet connection's being all iffy, and it has been this way since I got here. Some days it hates new pages, and on others it goes quicker than a greased eel. Today is an in-between day. It goes willingly enough most of the time, but sometimes it balks. Today is a sort-of break for me. My orchestra had no rehearsal this morning, so I slept in for the first time in two weeks. Of course, breaking a routine isn't always a good thing. I got up and went to the bathroom first thing, and when I came back my door wouldn't open. This wouldn't have been a problem if I had gotten up with my roommate, who did have orchestra rehearsal. So I asked one of my neighbors down the hall to lend my their phone, and discussed flute embouchere (mouth shape) with her while waiting for a counselor (not an RA, this is a summer camp, after all) to come and unlock my door, which cost me a dollar. Don't you love it?
Yesterday night was our second concert, and by many accounts it went really well. There was a lot of energy in the room that night. Afterward, I hitched a ride with my roommate in her teachers car because it was raining. Rain here was supposed to be plentiful, but we've barely had three days of it during my stay. Denielle's teacher, Uwana (I don't know the spelling, she's Romanian), invited us all to her studio to eat cookies. She had just gotten a large box of them from another student's teacher. They were extremely good. I took some back here, and they are serving as breakfast right now.
I seem to be going out with friends here with surprising regularity. The night before last I went and had milkshakes with Rachel and Kaila. I think everyone here is enjoying having other people so close by, as most of us are out of the dorms at home. I'm glad that I get to do this, at last. I wanted to in Vienna, but the right people weren't there.
Before I go, a small update on the knitting: It's reached five inches long, and it sheds like crazy, perhaps I should get a better yarn for this project...I'd love to go check out the yarn stores around here.
Until next time,
Greeny
Yesterday night was our second concert, and by many accounts it went really well. There was a lot of energy in the room that night. Afterward, I hitched a ride with my roommate in her teachers car because it was raining. Rain here was supposed to be plentiful, but we've barely had three days of it during my stay. Denielle's teacher, Uwana (I don't know the spelling, she's Romanian), invited us all to her studio to eat cookies. She had just gotten a large box of them from another student's teacher. They were extremely good. I took some back here, and they are serving as breakfast right now.
I seem to be going out with friends here with surprising regularity. The night before last I went and had milkshakes with Rachel and Kaila. I think everyone here is enjoying having other people so close by, as most of us are out of the dorms at home. I'm glad that I get to do this, at last. I wanted to in Vienna, but the right people weren't there.
Before I go, a small update on the knitting: It's reached five inches long, and it sheds like crazy, perhaps I should get a better yarn for this project...I'd love to go check out the yarn stores around here.
Until next time,
Greeny
Ow, free association hurts
Jul. 1st, 2009 02:57 pmExcuse me while I rant:
I am officially in pain. It's not worse than cramps, because cramps are not constant, and as such are not endurable. However, my lower back really hurts right now. It's the dang beds here in the dorms. They're flat as (or flatter than) pancakes, and hard. I only complain because I've doctored up my beds in the past to something reasonably comfortable. This one has no relief of any sort, and makes me think I should have packed my feather bed thingy in the box I sent here even though it's dirty. Argh. Walking is not fun, sitting is better, though right now it's not going too hot. I hate this.
/rant
Slowly but surely (excepting the back), things here are getting better. I've actually practiced my orchestra music, and because of that orchestra rehearsal was easier (on a side note, Mahler rocks, I'm apparently a sucker for bombast and dotted rhythms). After making a few rookie mistakes (sitting in the wrong place at first, going to the wrong building on Tuesday), I'm getting the hang of life at EMF. I just had my first chamber rehearsal. I'm in a string quartet, and we're playing Mozart's "Dissonance" quartet in C major (K. 465). It's fun, so far. We didn't have many problems reading through the first movement, so our main focus once notes are learned will be togetherness. Togetherness is what makes any chamber group really special. If you can truly get to understand everyone else's part and move, breathe, play together, it's magic.
I bet you're wondering about the knitting by now...well, nothing is going on. I'm seriously considering starting, but I'm worried that my wrist(s) will react badly (the left one hurts much less than before, I've been stretching and doing the hot/cold thing). Also, I get a bit obsessed sometimes when I start something new, which isn't bad, but I need to focus on music for now.
Finally, for your viewing entertainment: This sign made me free associate:
Levi: jeans
Coffin: vampires
Quadrangle: fancy name for square
Thus we have vampires in jeans staying square. -ducks- Don't hit me.
Later,
Greene
I am officially in pain. It's not worse than cramps, because cramps are not constant, and as such are not endurable. However, my lower back really hurts right now. It's the dang beds here in the dorms. They're flat as (or flatter than) pancakes, and hard. I only complain because I've doctored up my beds in the past to something reasonably comfortable. This one has no relief of any sort, and makes me think I should have packed my feather bed thingy in the box I sent here even though it's dirty. Argh. Walking is not fun, sitting is better, though right now it's not going too hot. I hate this.
/rant
Slowly but surely (excepting the back), things here are getting better. I've actually practiced my orchestra music, and because of that orchestra rehearsal was easier (on a side note, Mahler rocks, I'm apparently a sucker for bombast and dotted rhythms). After making a few rookie mistakes (sitting in the wrong place at first, going to the wrong building on Tuesday), I'm getting the hang of life at EMF. I just had my first chamber rehearsal. I'm in a string quartet, and we're playing Mozart's "Dissonance" quartet in C major (K. 465). It's fun, so far. We didn't have many problems reading through the first movement, so our main focus once notes are learned will be togetherness. Togetherness is what makes any chamber group really special. If you can truly get to understand everyone else's part and move, breathe, play together, it's magic.
I bet you're wondering about the knitting by now...well, nothing is going on. I'm seriously considering starting, but I'm worried that my wrist(s) will react badly (the left one hurts much less than before, I've been stretching and doing the hot/cold thing). Also, I get a bit obsessed sometimes when I start something new, which isn't bad, but I need to focus on music for now.
Finally, for your viewing entertainment: This sign made me free associate:
Levi: jeans
Coffin: vampires
Quadrangle: fancy name for square
Thus we have vampires in jeans staying square. -ducks- Don't hit me.
Later,
Greene
I was Right!
Jun. 27th, 2009 07:35 pmAbout being in line at security around 7:20 in the morning, about what the campus and dorm rooms would look like. I was wrong, however, about everything else.
I'm now safely ensconced in my dorm room at Guilford college in North Carolina. My roommate (not Julie, as I phantom-remembered/hallucinated as I was coming in earlier) will not arrive until Tuesday. So I basically have three days to adjust myself to living alone, and then four weeks to adjust to a new roommate. I really hope we get along.
Because I feel like it, here's the story of today: I stayed up until 2:30amreading fanfiction packing (well, both, really). Went to bed, got up at 6:10am after ignoring my alarm at 5:30am. That could have been bad, but thank God I wasn't driving. My lovely chauffer, mom, did the honors. Then there was checking in, and security. I forgot that you had to put laptops in a seperate container to scan, the security man told me very politely that a laptop in a bag with other wires looks "really scary". I think I was lucky not to be body-searched, but I looked nice, and it was 7am.
I then got a quick and interesting breakfast of a pig in a blanket, which I ate before and after boarding.
The first flight of the day was rather entertaining. The flight attendant was a funny lady (example: "This is the flight to Atlanta. If you are not headed to Atlanta, you are now".). Also, my seatmate and I were two peas in a pod. We both read for the majority of the flight, and even got the exact same snack.
I'm now safely ensconced in my dorm room at Guilford college in North Carolina. My roommate (not Julie, as I phantom-remembered/hallucinated as I was coming in earlier) will not arrive until Tuesday. So I basically have three days to adjust myself to living alone, and then four weeks to adjust to a new roommate. I really hope we get along.
Because I feel like it, here's the story of today: I stayed up until 2:30am
I then got a quick and interesting breakfast of a pig in a blanket, which I ate before and after boarding.
The first flight of the day was rather entertaining. The flight attendant was a funny lady (example: "This is the flight to Atlanta. If you are not headed to Atlanta, you are now".). Also, my seatmate and I were two peas in a pod. We both read for the majority of the flight, and even got the exact same snack.
I got lunch at the airport while waiting for my next flight. Apparently, four other EMF students were on that flight, but we didn't find that out until we got off it. We met up with the appropriate party (after I mistook a bunch of talking and laughing girls for the same), got our luggage (no lost bits!), and headed off to the campus. It was a very short drive, and the weather here is actually nicer than Oklahoma, something I was not expecting. Getting out of the car, it started to rain, prompting us to move inside very fast. Then...anticlimax. I got registered, got my box of bedclothes, hangers, and snacks that Dad and me sent earlier this week, and managed to get all this stuff transferred over to my dorm (with help of a car, the people here are very nice). Oh, did I mention that I found out that my placement audition was today at 4:30? After panicking slightly about the closeness of it, and also not having prepared a solo, I unpacked a bit (organization helps my nerves), and practiced the Bruch concerto that I've worked on since last summer. The audition went so-so (piece by piece recap: Bruch: as good as could be hoped, the two excerpts I sight-read: very bad, and pretty good). I'm so glad to have that over with. A good thing about this place: orchestra seating assignments will change weekly, so everyone can experience sitting in the front, back, etc.
Feeling the sharp pangs of hunger, I went to dinner. Oddly, I was joined by a French Horn player named......Robin (gotcha!). She lives down the hall from me, and didn't know where anything was. I was in slightly better shape, as the cafeteria and the audition room were in the same building. We explored the cafeteria (it's big, and yummy), and sat down together, only to be joined by a friend of hers. On a side note, the room arrangements are done by age, here. The 16-17 year-olds in one dorm, with 18-20's on the third floor and 21-22's on the first floor of a different dorm. Thus, because these friends were of the same age as her, they also lived down the hall from me. I really enjoyed conversing with the trio. There is talk of forming an "old people" clique.
After that, one of the trio and I went to Convocation. The speeches weren't horrible, and the music was quite nice. Now, I am going to read, and wonder if I should practice (answer: probably not, did it already, no audition = no incentive).
Au revoir, my peeps.
Greeny
I am Confused, Jubilant, and Tired
May. 19th, 2009 07:53 pmConfused: Yesterday (I think) Livejournal said I had posted 2 days ago, and now it says 4 days. Also, I have no idea what to do around here. Oh, that's boredom settling in. Okay, must figure that out quickly. I've ordered about 5 books from the library but they are all on hold for other people. This is annoying. Of course, I could knit, watch DVD's, read my (only!) book from the library, or cruise in internet for amusement, but, dang it, I want the library to give me it's booty now. I'm a wee bit impatient, apparently.
Jubilant: I have a second cousin! This is a first for my mother's side of the family, actually. The first baby from our rather tight-knit group of kids from my mom and her sisters. Everyone, please send a warm mental welcome to Cassandra. She was born yesterday in Louisiana. This is rather incredibly exciting for me, and not just because I get to knit baby clothes for her. My future is better mapped if I know how everyone else in my generation has done it before me.
Tired: This is just a basic fact of life, apparently. I'm sleeping well, and for long periods. I just need more time to recover from my graduating semester. Mentally, I'm doing a lot better. The constant focus on "What's next?" has faded, and I'm working on establishing a good schedule until I go off to music camp this July.
Overall, I'm pretty happy with life. I just found out that I got all A's for my last semester; something I was not expecting. Well, life is like that sometimes. It's good to end the way you started, if you start well.
Later,
Greeny
Jubilant: I have a second cousin! This is a first for my mother's side of the family, actually. The first baby from our rather tight-knit group of kids from my mom and her sisters. Everyone, please send a warm mental welcome to Cassandra. She was born yesterday in Louisiana. This is rather incredibly exciting for me, and not just because I get to knit baby clothes for her. My future is better mapped if I know how everyone else in my generation has done it before me.
Tired: This is just a basic fact of life, apparently. I'm sleeping well, and for long periods. I just need more time to recover from my graduating semester. Mentally, I'm doing a lot better. The constant focus on "What's next?" has faded, and I'm working on establishing a good schedule until I go off to music camp this July.
Overall, I'm pretty happy with life. I just found out that I got all A's for my last semester; something I was not expecting. Well, life is like that sometimes. It's good to end the way you started, if you start well.
Later,
Greeny
The Final Days, and an odd Retrospective
May. 8th, 2009 10:57 amNo-one is posting on my friend's list, that makes me cranky. I like to have regular new reading material. Not that I'm entitled to it, or anything, it's just fun.
Anycase, Finals are over. I did the last one yesterday. Then me and my perpetual roomie took turns ringing the bell and taking pictures of the other one ringing the bell. We also took pictures around campus (we got on the football field! :)). I went to work, and then my Older Younger Brother (OYB) took us to Dave and Buster's as our "escort" (he prefers this term to "designated driver"). It was actually a lot of fun. Getting slightly tipsy and then playing games really makes for a good evening.
Today me and the roomie went to the Senior Breakfast. I've got three more events I'll be attending: an "Official Bell Ringing" (I'm going for the alumni t-shirt), the Center for Global Education Sash Ceremony, and a honors society initiation. Hopefully, it won't be as lame as the other one I went to.
Tomorrow I graduate. As I did before leaving Vienna, I wanted to do a retrospective of sorts. Of course, this is four years of life, growth, and struggle, kinda hard to do. Thus, I give you...The differences between me and my roomie.
When we first met, I was glad to meet someone shyer than me. Turns out I wasn't shy, just inexperienced. I'm outspoken, Julie is softspoken.
I'm a carnivore by nature, Julie literally does not like meat.
I'm very adventurous about food, Julie took convincing to try non-pepperoni-and-cheese pizza.
I'm a violinist, she's a french horn player.
We're both in orchestra, but she's in marching band, too.
I plan out of fear, she plans for fun.
I'm from the country, she's from a suburb of Dallas. (The first time I took her to the largest town nearest where I'm from, she was amazed that our theater had only 8 screens).
I'm visual, I love TV, reading, writing, anything like that. She's aural, her passion is music of almost any kind. (We improvised in solfedge the other day. We love being music majors)
She's the youngest, I'm a 2nd-born. (I'm the younger of us by a month, but we both feel I'm older than her)
My hair's wavy, hers is curly. I think we both envy the other a little about that.
Seeing these differences, I can't believe that I've known and lived with this lady for almost 4 years. We met in August 2005, as we moved into our dorm room for the first time. We've gotten along because: I made her help me fill out the "Roommate agreement form" in our Campus Guide the first week we lived together. We tried to be nice to each other, and respect the other's boundaries. I left every weekend. We are both darn smart, extremely analytical, and we share the same attitude about school: This is serious stuff, do it as well as you can.
She's leaving tomorrow. I'm gonna miss the heck out of her.
Until next time,
Greeny
Anycase, Finals are over. I did the last one yesterday. Then me and my perpetual roomie took turns ringing the bell and taking pictures of the other one ringing the bell. We also took pictures around campus (we got on the football field! :)). I went to work, and then my Older Younger Brother (OYB) took us to Dave and Buster's as our "escort" (he prefers this term to "designated driver"). It was actually a lot of fun. Getting slightly tipsy and then playing games really makes for a good evening.
Today me and the roomie went to the Senior Breakfast. I've got three more events I'll be attending: an "Official Bell Ringing" (I'm going for the alumni t-shirt), the Center for Global Education Sash Ceremony, and a honors society initiation. Hopefully, it won't be as lame as the other one I went to.
Tomorrow I graduate. As I did before leaving Vienna, I wanted to do a retrospective of sorts. Of course, this is four years of life, growth, and struggle, kinda hard to do. Thus, I give you...The differences between me and my roomie.
When we first met, I was glad to meet someone shyer than me. Turns out I wasn't shy, just inexperienced. I'm outspoken, Julie is softspoken.
I'm a carnivore by nature, Julie literally does not like meat.
I'm very adventurous about food, Julie took convincing to try non-pepperoni-and-cheese pizza.
I'm a violinist, she's a french horn player.
We're both in orchestra, but she's in marching band, too.
I plan out of fear, she plans for fun.
I'm from the country, she's from a suburb of Dallas. (The first time I took her to the largest town nearest where I'm from, she was amazed that our theater had only 8 screens).
I'm visual, I love TV, reading, writing, anything like that. She's aural, her passion is music of almost any kind. (We improvised in solfedge the other day. We love being music majors)
She's the youngest, I'm a 2nd-born. (I'm the younger of us by a month, but we both feel I'm older than her)
My hair's wavy, hers is curly. I think we both envy the other a little about that.
Seeing these differences, I can't believe that I've known and lived with this lady for almost 4 years. We met in August 2005, as we moved into our dorm room for the first time. We've gotten along because: I made her help me fill out the "Roommate agreement form" in our Campus Guide the first week we lived together. We tried to be nice to each other, and respect the other's boundaries. I left every weekend. We are both darn smart, extremely analytical, and we share the same attitude about school: This is serious stuff, do it as well as you can.
She's leaving tomorrow. I'm gonna miss the heck out of her.
Until next time,
Greeny
Two More Things...
May. 4th, 2009 07:56 pm...Are Finished!!!! And one more thing to go.
The paper that would not end (i.e. the senior paper) was finished yesterday. It felt so good to give it away so that it could be a pain to someone else.
I took one of my two finals this morning, and am sincerely hoping for a B.
I also have three new students that I'll be teaching tomorrow, and I'm just about finished with the cabled baglet I've been working on for a month. Now I have to find something else to work on, darn it.
Man, things happen really fast, sometimes. My sister came down on Saturday because she wanted to go to a funeral. Unfortunately, she missed her flight, and had to come in later. I drove her to our house, and later (11pm) we all played laser tag. On Sunday the dreaded, darn, duplicitous paper was finished, and I went to a movie with Dad and Tim. Then I practiced with the band, leaving very little time to actually study for my final.
As you can perhaps see, the weekend was extremely busy, but the upcoming weekdays? Rather open, actually. I'm enjoying the irony.
I just had a nap, helped my roommate, and made a onion, bacon, and mayonnaise sandwich. It's good.
Whee! Sorry, I feel energized. I need to go study for my other Lit final, so off I go! -slightly insane singing- No more papers, no more papers! -end insanity-
Byebye.
Greeny
The paper that would not end (i.e. the senior paper) was finished yesterday. It felt so good to give it away so that it could be a pain to someone else.
I took one of my two finals this morning, and am sincerely hoping for a B.
I also have three new students that I'll be teaching tomorrow, and I'm just about finished with the cabled baglet I've been working on for a month. Now I have to find something else to work on, darn it.
Man, things happen really fast, sometimes. My sister came down on Saturday because she wanted to go to a funeral. Unfortunately, she missed her flight, and had to come in later. I drove her to our house, and later (11pm) we all played laser tag. On Sunday the dreaded, darn, duplicitous paper was finished, and I went to a movie with Dad and Tim. Then I practiced with the band, leaving very little time to actually study for my final.
As you can perhaps see, the weekend was extremely busy, but the upcoming weekdays? Rather open, actually. I'm enjoying the irony.
I just had a nap, helped my roommate, and made a onion, bacon, and mayonnaise sandwich. It's good.
Whee! Sorry, I feel energized. I need to go study for my other Lit final, so off I go! -slightly insane singing- No more papers, no more papers! -end insanity-
Byebye.
Greeny
I'm in Writing Mode
Apr. 30th, 2009 02:52 pmWhich is similar to to nothing else besides Business Mode. I'm one page away from half-way done with my paper, the end is almost achievable!
I've figured out why I'm staying up far too late recently: I am not thinking seriously about the next day. Seriously, I stayed up until 3am yesterday night because I forgot that I had knitting group today. Last week I stayed up 'til 4am twice reading novel-length fanfiction. However, I don't think I can do that tonight, I have an appointment at 8 tomorrow. See? Thoughts of the future preventing present silliness. I did get to go to knitting for a short time, however. I got soaked biking over there. Literally soaked. I had to throw my jeans in the dryer, afterward. I am glad I went; it's a good story, and a good memory.
I need to go write paper-y things now.
Greene
I've figured out why I'm staying up far too late recently: I am not thinking seriously about the next day. Seriously, I stayed up until 3am yesterday night because I forgot that I had knitting group today. Last week I stayed up 'til 4am twice reading novel-length fanfiction. However, I don't think I can do that tonight, I have an appointment at 8 tomorrow. See? Thoughts of the future preventing present silliness. I did get to go to knitting for a short time, however. I got soaked biking over there. Literally soaked. I had to throw my jeans in the dryer, afterward. I am glad I went; it's a good story, and a good memory.
I need to go write paper-y things now.
Greene
She's alive, She's okay
Apr. 29th, 2009 11:01 amI'm so very tired. Also, I'm being hit with the enormity of getting my senior recital done. I hadn't prepared, mentally and emotionally, for finishing that hurdle. It went really well, by all accounts. I was extremely anxious before-hand (had some very serious thoughts about calling the whole thing off, in fact), but I went through with it and I just was during the event. I do find it rather amazing how much one can think about while performing a piece. I kept "waking up" and thinking, "Why is this taking so long? What does everyone think? Wow, I'm glad this is being recorded" and much else.
I received some early graduation presents at the end of the night. Mom also brought my new class ring, which just came in. Out with the old, in with the new. I'm having a hard time accepting that I'm leaving, and that it's a good thing.
One more paper. It should have been done last week, but I think you all know what happened last week. Two more finals. No more concerts/recitals, but lots of luncheons and events that "honor" graduates. As long as they feed me, I'll be okay.
As expected, there was little-to-no knitting, and also very little TV watching (they go hand in hand). I took the night off yesterday because of finishing the recital, but now I need to get writing again. I have three days, it's going to work out.
Until next time.
Greeny
I received some early graduation presents at the end of the night. Mom also brought my new class ring, which just came in. Out with the old, in with the new. I'm having a hard time accepting that I'm leaving, and that it's a good thing.
One more paper. It should have been done last week, but I think you all know what happened last week. Two more finals. No more concerts/recitals, but lots of luncheons and events that "honor" graduates. As long as they feed me, I'll be okay.
As expected, there was little-to-no knitting, and also very little TV watching (they go hand in hand). I took the night off yesterday because of finishing the recital, but now I need to get writing again. I have three days, it's going to work out.
Until next time.
Greeny
Keeping Promises
Apr. 22nd, 2009 09:12 amIt's unexpected, but last week went rather well. I had appropriately psyched myself up for it, and thus the late nights and extra stuff didn't surprise me. I got it all done, too. Then, Sunday came, and I did very little. Monday and Tuesday followed suit, except I did nothing semi-on-purpose. The way I see it, I surrendered to the semester. However, I can't do that until next Wednesday. Back into the paper-writing I go!
This week is remarkably like last week, except I have fewer rehearsals and less mental preparation. It might have broken my spirit to think of two weeks instead of one, but this week is turning into the mantra "It's just one more" much more than the last one did. I'm finally ready to (start and) finish those last two papers. There are also three more performances to go. Everything is neatly halved. This is all I seem to think about.
In my rather desperate bid to avoid everything these past 3 days, I managed to knit a few more rounds of my bag. The cable pattern is very cool. I may continue this as a relaxing activity, but I don't expect a lot of progress in the next seven days.
To sum up: Last week was good, but now I'm tired, stressed, and behind. Wish me luck.
Greeny
This week is remarkably like last week, except I have fewer rehearsals and less mental preparation. It might have broken my spirit to think of two weeks instead of one, but this week is turning into the mantra "It's just one more" much more than the last one did. I'm finally ready to (start and) finish those last two papers. There are also three more performances to go. Everything is neatly halved. This is all I seem to think about.
In my rather desperate bid to avoid everything these past 3 days, I managed to knit a few more rounds of my bag. The cable pattern is very cool. I may continue this as a relaxing activity, but I don't expect a lot of progress in the next seven days.
To sum up: Last week was good, but now I'm tired, stressed, and behind. Wish me luck.
Greeny
Taking a Break
Apr. 14th, 2009 09:24 pm...is what I'm doing right now. I should be practicing or writing a paper. Life is alright, though. The scheduling complication has been sorted at last. Also, last night was my first rehearsal as a sub for the symphony. It was fun, long, and tiring. I've done similar things before, though, so it's not a completely new experience. My only real problem is understanding the conductor when he says "measure". He pronounces it "may-sure", and it's just far enough off normal that my brain doesn't register the word.
Plenty of other stuff going on: I finished the first paper of four yesterday, and I need to start the second tonight. Also, I managed to attend all the recitals I need to pass recital class with an A. There's a "to do" list in my apartment just waiting for me to have time to complete it. I'm so glad I limited my band practice to Sunday's, it makes my life just that much less stressful.
Two weeks of class left, three weeks of school, and then I'm done. Graduated. I just realized this week that life will continue after this strange and life-changing (hah! Sorry, the cynicism wins, sometimes) event. I'm focusing on those three papers and the five, no, six upcoming performances for the moment (two symphony ones this weekend, two "practice" runs for my senior recital, the school orchestra, and then my senior recital). After I graduate, I'm going to have to get that part of my life rolling.
Need to go write that paper now.
Greeny
Plenty of other stuff going on: I finished the first paper of four yesterday, and I need to start the second tonight. Also, I managed to attend all the recitals I need to pass recital class with an A. There's a "to do" list in my apartment just waiting for me to have time to complete it. I'm so glad I limited my band practice to Sunday's, it makes my life just that much less stressful.
Two weeks of class left, three weeks of school, and then I'm done. Graduated. I just realized this week that life will continue after this strange and life-changing (hah! Sorry, the cynicism wins, sometimes) event. I'm focusing on those three papers and the five, no, six upcoming performances for the moment (two symphony ones this weekend, two "practice" runs for my senior recital, the school orchestra, and then my senior recital). After I graduate, I'm going to have to get that part of my life rolling.
Need to go write that paper now.
Greeny
In all likelihood I will not be posting much next week, as I have added one extra thing to my already busy schedule: an actual job (as a substitute) with an actual symphony. Though I was deeply conflicted, I've decided that the opportunity is just too good to pass up, even though it is going to cause a small scheduling nightmare, umm...complication. However, one cannot be sane, or completely confident, all the time. Also, it's only for a week. That's going to be my mantra for next week, actually, "It's only this week." I may have to integrate some meditative practices into my life, as well. Pray for me, dear friends. The way I see it, I'm not that good at juggling to begin with. Adding another ball will mean that at least one gets dropped, but I'm good at keeping the important ones in the air.
On the knitting front (it's like a war, except prettier), the new green wool bag hasn't progressed hugely, but it has a bottom, and the start of sides. I'll probably not knit much during next week, either.
I finally admitted it: my laptop is dead (Long live the laptop). By admitting it, I got a very friendly computer guy to come and get my important files off of it. Now, I just need a new one. Perhaps there will be computer (and recital dress) shopping this weekend. There will most definitely be graduation photo taking, and sending of invites.
Au revoir,
Greeny
On the knitting front (it's like a war, except prettier), the new green wool bag hasn't progressed hugely, but it has a bottom, and the start of sides. I'll probably not knit much during next week, either.
I finally admitted it: my laptop is dead (Long live the laptop). By admitting it, I got a very friendly computer guy to come and get my important files off of it. Now, I just need a new one. Perhaps there will be computer (and recital dress) shopping this weekend. There will most definitely be graduation photo taking, and sending of invites.
Au revoir,
Greeny
Ironic and Appropriate
Apr. 8th, 2009 03:02 pmI am tired for no apparent reason. It's just Wednesday, which, if you ask me, is far worse than Monday. It's the middle of the week, with still two days left to go, and the effort left to expend is basically equal to what you've already spent, which isn't good if you're tired.
Other than that, life is good. I'm still coasting on the nice "I passed jury!" event. I'm finally (hopefully not too late) reading through those inevitable sources necessary for my senior paper.
Because knitting = happier things, we're moving on. I finished the socks (yay!), hopefully I've announced this already. They're beautiful, and they match pretty darn well. I couldn't stand the thought of having no project on the needles/hook, so I started a cabled baglet. The yarn is green (Jalepeno is the color name, actually) wool, and I love it. I have a inordinate fondness for green. When I was a kid, I lied when I said it was my favorite color. I really liked (and still like) gemstone blue. However, as I've grown up, I find that I stop and look more often at knitting/crochet patterns that have a green example as the picture. Really, I like it a lot.
Wait, I just realized that my user name is deepgreen18. Ironic and appropriate in a "Man, I'm kinda ditzy" kind of way. I'm going to go now.
Greene
Other than that, life is good. I'm still coasting on the nice "I passed jury!" event. I'm finally (hopefully not too late) reading through those inevitable sources necessary for my senior paper.
Because knitting = happier things, we're moving on. I finished the socks (yay!), hopefully I've announced this already. They're beautiful, and they match pretty darn well. I couldn't stand the thought of having no project on the needles/hook, so I started a cabled baglet. The yarn is green (Jalepeno is the color name, actually) wool, and I love it. I have a inordinate fondness for green. When I was a kid, I lied when I said it was my favorite color. I really liked (and still like) gemstone blue. However, as I've grown up, I find that I stop and look more often at knitting/crochet patterns that have a green example as the picture. Really, I like it a lot.
Wait, I just realized that my user name is deepgreen18. Ironic and appropriate in a "Man, I'm kinda ditzy" kind of way. I'm going to go now.
Greene
Happy April, Everyone!
Apr. 4th, 2009 09:14 pmI actually mean that, so I thought I should get it in today, before stressed!Greeny takes over. (Just so you know, calling someone something-exclamation point-their name denotes a particular aspect or version of that person, so happy!Greeny is basically what I am now, and crazy!- or stressed!Greeny is what I might be soon).
This week went really well, until Thursday, which is when I met with my teacher/adviser about my senior project. Yeah, due to the bad emotional state I was in before break, we never really laid down the guidelines for the paper that's due along with the recitals. 10 pages. Ouch. This is on top of three other papers, two of which are at least 6 pages. (Don't scoff, this is large for me). So, technically, it's doable, if I work hard at it all consistently for the next three to four weeks. I'm torn between: "Yep, I'm gonna bomb.", "Maybe this will work out." and "Pray hard, my friends."
Sometimes, I really hate this senior thing.
Other times, like today, it's not that bad. I wasn't really planning on coming home this weekend, but yesterday night I just couldn't take staying at the apartment any longer (cabin fever, despise it). So I came home, and it was good. Finished the second sock, too.
Today, I went back to my school to hang out with my guy friend, who still doesn't have an appropriate nom-de-plume (or should it be, nom-de-blog?), and it was a lot of fun. We rented a movie (Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist, I don't recommend it, but it was good for today), and got a pizza (A supreme, of all things. I never thought as a kid I would like supreme pizza, but today I just didn't want much meat.) Then we laughed and groaned at the movie, and talked, and...cuddled? He put his arm around me, sitting on the couch, it felt nice. I showed him the socks, which I am quite proud of, and we walked around campus for an hour, holding hands, talking, and enjoying the day. (Good thing, too, because tomorrow the weather is going to stink.)
Then, after our date (Small digression: I'm having such a hard time adjusting to this new terminology. Outing/hanging out=date, physical contact=cuddling, do I really have to use these terms to be clear about what we're doing?) I hung out with Julie, the wonder roommate, for a while. She likes to clean on Saturdays, and today she also decided to bake brownies. So we had lemonade and brownies, and discussed life and what makes a good friend. I mopped the kitchen and my bathroom afterward, feeling helpful to the cause.
Now, I'm back at home reveling in being myself for the moment, and avoiding reading a certain epic poem that should have been read two weeks ago. However, if that hard and consistent work is to ever get finished, I may as well start it now. (Suddenly I'm questioning the grammar of the sentence above, dang it all.)
Thanks for listening,
Greene
This week went really well, until Thursday, which is when I met with my teacher/adviser about my senior project. Yeah, due to the bad emotional state I was in before break, we never really laid down the guidelines for the paper that's due along with the recitals. 10 pages. Ouch. This is on top of three other papers, two of which are at least 6 pages. (Don't scoff, this is large for me). So, technically, it's doable, if I work hard at it all consistently for the next three to four weeks. I'm torn between: "Yep, I'm gonna bomb.", "Maybe this will work out." and "Pray hard, my friends."
Sometimes, I really hate this senior thing.
Other times, like today, it's not that bad. I wasn't really planning on coming home this weekend, but yesterday night I just couldn't take staying at the apartment any longer (cabin fever, despise it). So I came home, and it was good. Finished the second sock, too.
Today, I went back to my school to hang out with my guy friend, who still doesn't have an appropriate nom-de-plume (or should it be, nom-de-blog?), and it was a lot of fun. We rented a movie (Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist, I don't recommend it, but it was good for today), and got a pizza (A supreme, of all things. I never thought as a kid I would like supreme pizza, but today I just didn't want much meat.) Then we laughed and groaned at the movie, and talked, and...cuddled? He put his arm around me, sitting on the couch, it felt nice. I showed him the socks, which I am quite proud of, and we walked around campus for an hour, holding hands, talking, and enjoying the day. (Good thing, too, because tomorrow the weather is going to stink.)
Then, after our date (Small digression: I'm having such a hard time adjusting to this new terminology. Outing/hanging out=date, physical contact=cuddling, do I really have to use these terms to be clear about what we're doing?) I hung out with Julie, the wonder roommate, for a while. She likes to clean on Saturdays, and today she also decided to bake brownies. So we had lemonade and brownies, and discussed life and what makes a good friend. I mopped the kitchen and my bathroom afterward, feeling helpful to the cause.
Now, I'm back at home reveling in being myself for the moment, and avoiding reading a certain epic poem that should have been read two weeks ago. However, if that hard and consistent work is to ever get finished, I may as well start it now. (Suddenly I'm questioning the grammar of the sentence above, dang it all.)
Thanks for listening,
Greene
