I'm going to cut right to the chase here.
A Life Lesson with Karla, brought to you by Delta Airlines:
Life Lesson #6: Be careful what you wish for. As they say, you just might get it.
After a semester of emotional ups and downs, inconsistencies, and trying to make peace with change, I am finding myself blogging on a couch in the basement of my grandmother's house instead of upstairs hanging out with family. Granted, it doesn't help that I've been up till 2am the past two nights and then getting up early the next day, so being tired is a part of this apathetic funk that I feel like I'm in. But if I push away the exhaustion, there's a feeling in my gut that I haven't felt for a long time. After many conversations and late nights losing sleep over seemingly uncontrollable feelings, I am finally, blissfully alone.
Completely and totally alone.
This is what I wished for. I know it's what I want deep down. But even being surrounded by family and dozens of cookie tins, I can't seem to reach myself where I am. I'm in such a different place than I've been in a long time and for some reason no amount of food, alcohol, or close friends and family can just be with me where I am.
I used to think I would relish in this feeling. No obligations, no commitments, no nada. As Billy Crystal said in When Harry Met Sally (I'm improvising a little), "It's not because I'm lonely and it's not because it's Christmas!" There aren't any special circumstances that contribute to this feeling of utter alone-ness. And I feel like you can be alone without being lonely - I'm not lonely. I guess I'm just confused. I thought for the longest time that I would arrive at this point with a solid grounding in myself and confidence that I've made the right decisions in the past few months. But all I can seem to muster up is a feeling of disappointment, like I haven't really been honest with myself and like I haven't yet committed to the idea of being alone.
When you wish for something, you never quite know how it's going to show up. It might ring your doorbell, call you late at night, or just slap you in the face when you least expect it. I think my remedy for this funk is going to be a good cry, a few Special K bars, and surrounding myself with family. Maybe I'll even use this experience to practice grace, not just with other people but with myself this time.
....
Okay! So after that downer of a post, here are ten things that have been good in the past couple of weeks:
1. First casino experience. Lost $14, but that's okay. It was worth it.
2. I've eaten more brie in the past week than I have in my entire life.
3. You know it's Christmas when my grandmother has an entire closet full of Christmas cookie tins.
4. I skipped a two-day road trip with my parents by flying to Minneapolis instead and hanging out with two of my favorite people.
5. I frosted Engbring Christmas cookies for the first time in 6 years today.
6. The pillow that I sleep on is encased in a flannel pillow case with dancing penguins.
7. Christmas at Luther 2008 is on upstairs, and I can hear my parents scream every time they see my sister on the television. Makes me smile.
8. Discovered my new favorite wine: Eroica Riesling
9. White chocolate pretzels.
10. Picking out the Christmas pajamas for me and my sister.
Here's to new beginnings, Wisconsin Public Television, and flannel. Merry Christmas, friends.
December 23, 2011
December 9, 2011
emotional french fries
Well, I mostly survived The Week from Hell. Mostly.
It is now the end of the last week of classes and then next week is exam week. Why is it that the ends of semesters are always so annoyingly busy? I have four finals to study for, three performances in the next 5 days, two violins to break in, and a partridge in a pear tree. Or something like that.
So, 10 things that I've learned in the past week. Ready, go:
1. I love butter toffee almonds. I could eat them all day.
2. My attempt at grace really failed last weekend. Grace is more difficult than I thought.
3. McDonalds fries have the power to cure any mental/emotional ailment. At least for the amount of time it takes to eat them.
4. I love folk music. Or singer/songwriter folk music. That is the stuff that really gets to me. Oh, it's so delicious.
5. Pressing on is really the only thing you can do. Just gotta keep moving.
6. Beethoven's favorite food was macaroni and cheese. We have that in common.
7. I know what I want. And I know that the way to get there isn't easy, but oh well. What tough stuff in my life has ever been easy?
8. I'm figuring out how to push through the pain. Like, when I workout. It's really fun to feel the burn in my abs and say, "Yeah? What now? Take that, abs!" They get mad at me afterwards, but they know it's good for them.
9. Communication is key. I keep having to relearn this one.
10. I am a better human being when I make to-do lists. Whether I actually do those things or not is another story, but making lists makes me feel better about myself.
Needless to say, it's been another emotional week of inconsistencies, problems, and the little dramas that seem to dominate college life. One more week until I am on the downstairs couch with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate, staring at our gorgeous Christmas tree. Bring it on, finals. Ain't nothing keeping me from getting back to Georgia.
Here's to sleeping in, new music, and Beethoven.
It is now the end of the last week of classes and then next week is exam week. Why is it that the ends of semesters are always so annoyingly busy? I have four finals to study for, three performances in the next 5 days, two violins to break in, and a partridge in a pear tree. Or something like that.
So, 10 things that I've learned in the past week. Ready, go:
1. I love butter toffee almonds. I could eat them all day.
2. My attempt at grace really failed last weekend. Grace is more difficult than I thought.
3. McDonalds fries have the power to cure any mental/emotional ailment. At least for the amount of time it takes to eat them.
4. I love folk music. Or singer/songwriter folk music. That is the stuff that really gets to me. Oh, it's so delicious.
5. Pressing on is really the only thing you can do. Just gotta keep moving.
6. Beethoven's favorite food was macaroni and cheese. We have that in common.
7. I know what I want. And I know that the way to get there isn't easy, but oh well. What tough stuff in my life has ever been easy?
8. I'm figuring out how to push through the pain. Like, when I workout. It's really fun to feel the burn in my abs and say, "Yeah? What now? Take that, abs!" They get mad at me afterwards, but they know it's good for them.
9. Communication is key. I keep having to relearn this one.
10. I am a better human being when I make to-do lists. Whether I actually do those things or not is another story, but making lists makes me feel better about myself.
Needless to say, it's been another emotional week of inconsistencies, problems, and the little dramas that seem to dominate college life. One more week until I am on the downstairs couch with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate, staring at our gorgeous Christmas tree. Bring it on, finals. Ain't nothing keeping me from getting back to Georgia.
Here's to sleeping in, new music, and Beethoven.
November 28, 2011
grace
I write to you at the cusp of a new week, the week affectionately known to me as The Week From Hell. So far, I have to write a 6 page paper (not too bad), memorize the first movement of the Sibelius violin concerto (dear God help me), attend three more 3-hour rehearsals and 5 performances (back pain up the wazoo), and find a way to gracefully glide my way through all of these things without losing it.
But you know what? It's going to be fine.
Sounds like a good time for A Life Lesson With Karla, brought to you by Glade Plugins:
Life Lesson #5: There will be good days, and there will be bad days. Just gotta roll with it.
It's hard to remember this one sometimes, especially when it's a bad day. But funny enough, today was a good day. Things felt normal. I felt good. I ate food, I practiced, I worked out, I went to a three hour rehearsal and didn't complain... It really was a good day. And I've had plenty of bad days in the past few months to know that there will be both kinds of days, even just from day to day. You never know what kind of day it's going to be when you wake up, but you do get the power to do something about it. I think that power is a powerful thing indeed, to be able to look at a situation and try your hardest to make the best of it. Or to have conversations with people that you've been needing to have... It's funny how communication skills can change how your day goes. Communication is key, people. Maybe that should be the next Life Lesson.
Anyway, the point is that it is easy to have a bad day and never expect to have another good day. Been there. It's also easy to have a good day, like today, and expect to not have a bad day for awhile. I've been working my way towards having consistent good days for a few months, and I've discovered that it's all about grace. Grace in the way I handle inconsistencies or confusion, and grace in the way I deal with other people. I'm hoping that I will be able to handle these next few weeks of school with a certain amount of grace - taking every inconsistency and problem with a grain of salt and a smile on my face.
Here's to hope, friendships, SPO Love, and Christmas At Luther. 'Tis the season!
P.S. I picked up my new violins last week... I will devote an entire post to them sometime. They are divas and would expect nothing less than an entire post all about them.
But you know what? It's going to be fine.
Sounds like a good time for A Life Lesson With Karla, brought to you by Glade Plugins:
Life Lesson #5: There will be good days, and there will be bad days. Just gotta roll with it.
It's hard to remember this one sometimes, especially when it's a bad day. But funny enough, today was a good day. Things felt normal. I felt good. I ate food, I practiced, I worked out, I went to a three hour rehearsal and didn't complain... It really was a good day. And I've had plenty of bad days in the past few months to know that there will be both kinds of days, even just from day to day. You never know what kind of day it's going to be when you wake up, but you do get the power to do something about it. I think that power is a powerful thing indeed, to be able to look at a situation and try your hardest to make the best of it. Or to have conversations with people that you've been needing to have... It's funny how communication skills can change how your day goes. Communication is key, people. Maybe that should be the next Life Lesson.
Anyway, the point is that it is easy to have a bad day and never expect to have another good day. Been there. It's also easy to have a good day, like today, and expect to not have a bad day for awhile. I've been working my way towards having consistent good days for a few months, and I've discovered that it's all about grace. Grace in the way I handle inconsistencies or confusion, and grace in the way I deal with other people. I'm hoping that I will be able to handle these next few weeks of school with a certain amount of grace - taking every inconsistency and problem with a grain of salt and a smile on my face.
Here's to hope, friendships, SPO Love, and Christmas At Luther. 'Tis the season!
P.S. I picked up my new violins last week... I will devote an entire post to them sometime. They are divas and would expect nothing less than an entire post all about them.
November 18, 2011
felix
Today I found out that I will get to take home a new violin next week. On Black Friday, I will drive up to Atlanta and see the instruments that Stephanie has been making for about 7 months now. We've been taking pictures throughout the building experience, and I have to say that this is one of the most incredible processes that I've witnessed in my life so far.
The excitement is overwhelming. Quite literally, actually. I was telling some friends about the instruments today and had to force myself to stay in one spot - it was all I could do to keep from screaming and basically exploding all over the Jenson hallway. Yesterday, I saw the pictures of the coats of varnish on the instrument and I almost cried. I am so beyond ecstatic for these new instruments... I have no words. No words.
On the other side of things, though, I am down to my last 7 days with my current instrument. It's so funny because I've known that I will be getting a new instrument soon for a few months now, and every day that I play the violin I have now there are so many moments where I can't wait for a bigger, brighter sound. But still, I can't imagine giving up Felix just quite yet. It is hard for me to imagine giving up the instrument that I've basically grown up with.
I feel like I sound silly right now, talking about a violin this way. But I can't help it. The strongest relationships that I have in my life are those where music is involved, and my violin is no exception. I think I've spent more time with that instrument than I have with any one person over the past decade. I have poured sweat and tears and probably some blood into that violin, and we have shared too many memories to count. Maybe I will share some of them.
I was either ten or eleven when I went to try full size violins for the first time at Stephanie's shop in Atlanta. I was short and chubby, wore Harry Potter glasses, and had super short hair. It was my awkward stage. But I remember out of all the violins I tried, that was the one that actually spoke to me. I just knew, you know?
I've traveled so much with that instrument - Vienna, Salzburg, Munich, Green Bay, Cleveland, Ithaca, New York City, Nashville, Madison, Minneapolis, Decorah, Atlanta, Birmingham, Denver, Snowmass, Savannah, Orlando, Washington D.C., Chicago, Kansas City, Lexington, Boston, Ann Arbor, St. Peter, St. Louis, Lincoln, somewhere in South Carolina... I'm sure there are more. But a lot of those times it was just me, my violin, and my backpack. I would always think as we got on the plane, "It's just you and me, Felix." He's a great traveler.
I couldn't always express myself through words to friends or family, but Felix knew how to. I remember several Christmas Eves where the only lights on in the house would be the Christmas tree lights, and I stood in the music room playing the Bach Partita in D minor. Or when I was pissed off about something, I would drag myself through endless amounts of scales to calm down... We were good at solitude and quiet.
We played the Mendelssohn violin concerto with the LSM Festival Orchestra in 2007. It was incredible. We played jazz with Tracy Silverman in Nashville, we've done fiddling with Mark O'Connor; we've played everything from Mozart to LMFAO to Maroon 5. Brahms, Beethoven, Lalo, Bach, Telemann, Schumann, Ravel, Shostakovich, Ysaÿe, Sibelius, Mahler, Dvorak, Mendelssohn... All of the great works that you can play as a young violinist, we've pretty much done together.
I got tendonitis one summer at Ithaca - I fell in love with a boy who played piano at a piano camp that only lasted for two weeks. I was there for four weeks. So when he left, I went to the practice room and stayed there. For a week and a half. Not my smartest move.
People have told me that I have this sound, that when I play it just sounds like Karla. I owe that to Felix. I think one of the greatest memories behind that sound is TenString Serenade and the recording we did. We just soared when we played that music with Alex. It felt like flying.
Felix got me through middle school, high school, and my first two and a half years of college. He's seen me at my worst, at my best, and every other time in between. He is the most patient creature I know. And there have been plenty of times when I could tell he was pissed off because I hadn't played in a few days, or times when he was happy because I've never sounded so good before... But if he has been nothing else, he has been a true constant in my life. The most constant thing next to my family. Always there, ready and waiting for the next practice session or rehearsal or performance. We were always in it together.
I don't think I would be the kind of violinist I am right now if I hadn't chosen Felix ten years ago. I don't know how I would be different, but I don't even want to know. That instrument taught me how to be everything I know how to be. Plus, he's been around for over 200 years, so he has truly seen it all. He has been quietly teaching me lessons about life and music in our time together. I am indebted to that instrument.
Here's to the old and the new. Long live Felix!
The excitement is overwhelming. Quite literally, actually. I was telling some friends about the instruments today and had to force myself to stay in one spot - it was all I could do to keep from screaming and basically exploding all over the Jenson hallway. Yesterday, I saw the pictures of the coats of varnish on the instrument and I almost cried. I am so beyond ecstatic for these new instruments... I have no words. No words.
On the other side of things, though, I am down to my last 7 days with my current instrument. It's so funny because I've known that I will be getting a new instrument soon for a few months now, and every day that I play the violin I have now there are so many moments where I can't wait for a bigger, brighter sound. But still, I can't imagine giving up Felix just quite yet. It is hard for me to imagine giving up the instrument that I've basically grown up with.
I feel like I sound silly right now, talking about a violin this way. But I can't help it. The strongest relationships that I have in my life are those where music is involved, and my violin is no exception. I think I've spent more time with that instrument than I have with any one person over the past decade. I have poured sweat and tears and probably some blood into that violin, and we have shared too many memories to count. Maybe I will share some of them.
I was either ten or eleven when I went to try full size violins for the first time at Stephanie's shop in Atlanta. I was short and chubby, wore Harry Potter glasses, and had super short hair. It was my awkward stage. But I remember out of all the violins I tried, that was the one that actually spoke to me. I just knew, you know?
I've traveled so much with that instrument - Vienna, Salzburg, Munich, Green Bay, Cleveland, Ithaca, New York City, Nashville, Madison, Minneapolis, Decorah, Atlanta, Birmingham, Denver, Snowmass, Savannah, Orlando, Washington D.C., Chicago, Kansas City, Lexington, Boston, Ann Arbor, St. Peter, St. Louis, Lincoln, somewhere in South Carolina... I'm sure there are more. But a lot of those times it was just me, my violin, and my backpack. I would always think as we got on the plane, "It's just you and me, Felix." He's a great traveler.
I couldn't always express myself through words to friends or family, but Felix knew how to. I remember several Christmas Eves where the only lights on in the house would be the Christmas tree lights, and I stood in the music room playing the Bach Partita in D minor. Or when I was pissed off about something, I would drag myself through endless amounts of scales to calm down... We were good at solitude and quiet.
We played the Mendelssohn violin concerto with the LSM Festival Orchestra in 2007. It was incredible. We played jazz with Tracy Silverman in Nashville, we've done fiddling with Mark O'Connor; we've played everything from Mozart to LMFAO to Maroon 5. Brahms, Beethoven, Lalo, Bach, Telemann, Schumann, Ravel, Shostakovich, Ysaÿe, Sibelius, Mahler, Dvorak, Mendelssohn... All of the great works that you can play as a young violinist, we've pretty much done together.
I got tendonitis one summer at Ithaca - I fell in love with a boy who played piano at a piano camp that only lasted for two weeks. I was there for four weeks. So when he left, I went to the practice room and stayed there. For a week and a half. Not my smartest move.
People have told me that I have this sound, that when I play it just sounds like Karla. I owe that to Felix. I think one of the greatest memories behind that sound is TenString Serenade and the recording we did. We just soared when we played that music with Alex. It felt like flying.
Felix got me through middle school, high school, and my first two and a half years of college. He's seen me at my worst, at my best, and every other time in between. He is the most patient creature I know. And there have been plenty of times when I could tell he was pissed off because I hadn't played in a few days, or times when he was happy because I've never sounded so good before... But if he has been nothing else, he has been a true constant in my life. The most constant thing next to my family. Always there, ready and waiting for the next practice session or rehearsal or performance. We were always in it together.
I don't think I would be the kind of violinist I am right now if I hadn't chosen Felix ten years ago. I don't know how I would be different, but I don't even want to know. That instrument taught me how to be everything I know how to be. Plus, he's been around for over 200 years, so he has truly seen it all. He has been quietly teaching me lessons about life and music in our time together. I am indebted to that instrument.
Here's to the old and the new. Long live Felix!
November 13, 2011
falalalala
I am doing something stupid right now.
Christmas at Luther 2010 is playing on my iTunes.
I'm trying to force myself to get ready for it because it's going to show up whether I'm ready or not.
What is it about C@L that I'm not ready to face yet, you ask?
Nostalgia. Most days I can handle it. But throw Christmas in the mix and it's just a recipe for disaster.
I have to face myself and the truth and everything else that I'm just not ready to face yet. And lucky me, for four nights in a row I will be bombarded with those things that I'm not ready to face. I will have no choice but to just try.
I feel like that's all I've been doing for the past two months, just trying. Is there a point at which I don't have to try anymore? Is that the point where I stop caring?
I love nostalgia and I hate nostalgia at the same time. Nostalgia houses some of my best memories from the life I have lived so far, as well as the memories that keep me up past my bed time writing blog posts. It is at the same time a lovely scrapbook and a prison.
Hmmm.
Here's to apples, McDonald's, and the Dvorak cello concerto. One more week till I'm home. Let's do this.
Christmas at Luther 2010 is playing on my iTunes.
I'm trying to force myself to get ready for it because it's going to show up whether I'm ready or not.
What is it about C@L that I'm not ready to face yet, you ask?
Nostalgia. Most days I can handle it. But throw Christmas in the mix and it's just a recipe for disaster.
I have to face myself and the truth and everything else that I'm just not ready to face yet. And lucky me, for four nights in a row I will be bombarded with those things that I'm not ready to face. I will have no choice but to just try.
I feel like that's all I've been doing for the past two months, just trying. Is there a point at which I don't have to try anymore? Is that the point where I stop caring?
I love nostalgia and I hate nostalgia at the same time. Nostalgia houses some of my best memories from the life I have lived so far, as well as the memories that keep me up past my bed time writing blog posts. It is at the same time a lovely scrapbook and a prison.
Hmmm.
Here's to apples, McDonald's, and the Dvorak cello concerto. One more week till I'm home. Let's do this.
November 9, 2011
georgia on my mind
I just put on some Vince Guaraldi Christmas music and it made me want to write a post. So here goes.
First snow of the season here in Decorah! It has mostly melted by now, but I thoroughly enjoyed looking out my window this morning to see white. I was so happy that I promptly fell back asleep for fifteen minutes.
See, the only thing about posting on a Wednesday afternoon is that I don't have much to say. I don't have much to say normally, but I seem to be more inspired in the evenings. However, Vince Guaraldi thinks otherwise today.
I think I posted a list of things I love about October last year. This year I'll list it up for November, how about that?
10 Things I Love About November:
1. Pumpkin-flavored everything in the caf and sweet potatoes. Every day.
2. I get to go home. I miss Georgia in the fall.
3. Thanksgiving. Obviously.
4. With Thanksgiving comes awesome traditions, like the Windham Hill Thanksgiving album that I put on repeat every year, and my dad's favorite mugs on his mug tree in the kitchen. Oh, and jigsaw puzzles and golf cart rides with the cousins.
5. Mom's cooking. Om to the nom. Pumpkin pie, homemade stuffing, mashed potatoes, her famous backed snack mix, fajitas, pumpkin soup, sandwich rings...
6. My mom is the best decorator, too. Her Thanksgiving-themed house is just fabulous in the fall. And the table decor when we sit down to eat... Picture perfect. She gives Martha Stewart a run for her money.
7. Family of Four (plus Evan) time. We sing carols around the piano, go to church and eat chili, engage in late night conversations on the couch with wine and candles, talk about everything from grad school to Mom's latest photography ventures. I have the most amazing family.
8. Snuggling with my dad in mornings when he comes to wake me up. He always brings me a cup of coffee, sets it on my bedside table so I can smell it, and then he sings me a song. Best way to wake up.
9. Concert Palooza at school. Symphony, Chamber, and Jazz concerts, not to mention two student chamber recitals that will blow all other chamber recitals out of the water. I'm biased, of course.
10. The feeling that Christmas is just right around the corner. It's in the air, people. Love it.
Here's to maple pecan spice cake, pretty scarves, and fresh snow. Happy Almost Thanksgiving!
First snow of the season here in Decorah! It has mostly melted by now, but I thoroughly enjoyed looking out my window this morning to see white. I was so happy that I promptly fell back asleep for fifteen minutes.
See, the only thing about posting on a Wednesday afternoon is that I don't have much to say. I don't have much to say normally, but I seem to be more inspired in the evenings. However, Vince Guaraldi thinks otherwise today.
I think I posted a list of things I love about October last year. This year I'll list it up for November, how about that?
10 Things I Love About November:
1. Pumpkin-flavored everything in the caf and sweet potatoes. Every day.
2. I get to go home. I miss Georgia in the fall.
3. Thanksgiving. Obviously.
4. With Thanksgiving comes awesome traditions, like the Windham Hill Thanksgiving album that I put on repeat every year, and my dad's favorite mugs on his mug tree in the kitchen. Oh, and jigsaw puzzles and golf cart rides with the cousins.
5. Mom's cooking. Om to the nom. Pumpkin pie, homemade stuffing, mashed potatoes, her famous backed snack mix, fajitas, pumpkin soup, sandwich rings...
6. My mom is the best decorator, too. Her Thanksgiving-themed house is just fabulous in the fall. And the table decor when we sit down to eat... Picture perfect. She gives Martha Stewart a run for her money.
7. Family of Four (plus Evan) time. We sing carols around the piano, go to church and eat chili, engage in late night conversations on the couch with wine and candles, talk about everything from grad school to Mom's latest photography ventures. I have the most amazing family.
8. Snuggling with my dad in mornings when he comes to wake me up. He always brings me a cup of coffee, sets it on my bedside table so I can smell it, and then he sings me a song. Best way to wake up.
9. Concert Palooza at school. Symphony, Chamber, and Jazz concerts, not to mention two student chamber recitals that will blow all other chamber recitals out of the water. I'm biased, of course.
10. The feeling that Christmas is just right around the corner. It's in the air, people. Love it.
Here's to maple pecan spice cake, pretty scarves, and fresh snow. Happy Almost Thanksgiving!
October 15, 2011
birthday history
I don't think I've ever posted on my birthday before, so I thought I would change that. It's October 15th, 2011, and it's my birthday.
I think that today I can come up with a list of more than 6 things that are happy in my life, you ready?
1. Mendelssohn Octet - It is a beautiful piece of work and even better that I get to play it with some of my closest friends.
2. The Moon - I've gone moon/cloud watching at night at least twice this month. Puts things in perspective.
3. Sisters - they always know what to say and next time I see her, we will be able to drink wine together and laugh about everything.
4. Inspiration - lately I've found inspiration in the Dvorak cello concert, just listening to Phuc play it seems to make everything alright. I love how music does that.
5. Woodchucks - happy little bottles of hard cider. What could be happier?!
6. Impromptu jam sessions with Aaron Rosell - my favorite thing ever.
7. Setting goals - it's easier to find my way out of a pile of crap with a little guidelines.
8. Cute scarves - pretty and feminine and fun. Just the right amount of awesome.
9. Strangz - we've played 4 gigs already this semester, and I swear I love every minute. Feels really good to see a brainchild come to life.
10. Relient K - soundtrack to the fall (and my life, really).
11. L.A. - I'm going there in two weeks. Clubbing with my best friend in the world? Yes please.
12. Mail - I've been getting lots of mail lately. Next to kitchen utensils, mail comes in a close second for my weakness.
13. Tony Guzman - we are basically the same person, and I feel so lucky to have a second dad on campus.
14. Books - losing myself in a book never felt so good these days.
Look at that, I doubled my original list! Proud.
So today is full of friends, beer, burgers, pumpkins, cider, and so much laughter that I'm going to have a 6-pack in the morning. Here's to the 21st birthdays that go down in history. Add mine to the list, ladies and gents!
I think that today I can come up with a list of more than 6 things that are happy in my life, you ready?
1. Mendelssohn Octet - It is a beautiful piece of work and even better that I get to play it with some of my closest friends.
2. The Moon - I've gone moon/cloud watching at night at least twice this month. Puts things in perspective.
3. Sisters - they always know what to say and next time I see her, we will be able to drink wine together and laugh about everything.
4. Inspiration - lately I've found inspiration in the Dvorak cello concert, just listening to Phuc play it seems to make everything alright. I love how music does that.
5. Woodchucks - happy little bottles of hard cider. What could be happier?!
6. Impromptu jam sessions with Aaron Rosell - my favorite thing ever.
7. Setting goals - it's easier to find my way out of a pile of crap with a little guidelines.
8. Cute scarves - pretty and feminine and fun. Just the right amount of awesome.
9. Strangz - we've played 4 gigs already this semester, and I swear I love every minute. Feels really good to see a brainchild come to life.
10. Relient K - soundtrack to the fall (and my life, really).
11. L.A. - I'm going there in two weeks. Clubbing with my best friend in the world? Yes please.
12. Mail - I've been getting lots of mail lately. Next to kitchen utensils, mail comes in a close second for my weakness.
13. Tony Guzman - we are basically the same person, and I feel so lucky to have a second dad on campus.
14. Books - losing myself in a book never felt so good these days.
Look at that, I doubled my original list! Proud.
So today is full of friends, beer, burgers, pumpkins, cider, and so much laughter that I'm going to have a 6-pack in the morning. Here's to the 21st birthdays that go down in history. Add mine to the list, ladies and gents!
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