Christmas Break

You May All Rejoice

Ahh, Christmas Break.

In order to make my Christmas Break even better, I have made this blog.

This is my first post:

The best part of Christmas Break is that I can do whatever the heck I want all day. Every day. Of course, I am still working three jobs, practicing, futiley competing in a concerto competition, and recording a carillon tape, but nevertheless I am On Break. There are no classes to go to, no homework to put off doing, no paper writing until 3 am. That's what break's all about. I had a killer semster. I mean, I honestly thought I was going to die. In fact, there was a point where I thought that I actually did die. I was somewhere on campus, and I don't remember why my eyes were closed, but they were, and, suddenly becoming conscious that all was blackness around me, I thought to myself "It's all over now, Loretta. You've really done it this time. You've gone and died. You played one note too many. You must have made your last dumb decision. It's all over. This is it." And I felt this feeling of wonderful peace and rest, rather than the remorse and bewilderment that I thought I would feel when I had finally died. I opened my eyes, expecting to see at least a flowering Thomas Kinkade-like gate through which I should pass into the Celestial City. But I didn't find such a gate. Instead I had a swift realization that heaven probably did not look like the Sherman VanSolkema Recital Hall, and that I had better finish playing the Mozart Sonata that I was in the middle of. (I was told directly after that performance that my wrist technique needed improving, and for heaven's sake not to look so sad.)

Summary of Activities of the Past Four Months:
2 Majors
16 credits
6 classes (LAT, ENG, MUS, MUS, MUS, MUS)
2 ensembles
Accompanied SWE; played 2 concerts
Played Harpsichord in the the Baroque Ensemble for 10 performances of Hamlet
Weekly Carillon Concerts
7 Carillon Prelude Concerts
Played for Guiding Light Mission every Saturday
Played with Orchestra, Concert Band
2 Jobs, 3 as of three weeks ago

Now you can see why I'm pooped out. The last week of school, I had five papers due, and then I had to perform Schumann. I know I've already dramatized all this to you all in person, but really. Now that I write it all down, man, this explains it all.

Best memories of last semester:
Riding horses at Elaine's and seeing Monica's boyfriend Alex get clotheslined off his horse. Ha ha.

Halloween with Evie. We went all over East Grand Rapids stuffing Mom's old clothes in people's mailboxes. We dressed up some fire hydrants too.

The entire Baroque Ensemble. Those yellow tights the bass player had to wear.

Taking Charlton Meyer to see the VanCliburn Medalist concert. He is a great man.

Watching 'Room with a View' with Lynette. That one part was so funny to us that even today, we still think it is. And then there was the time Lynette, Justina, and I went to the Acton Institute banquet. We were all wearing black, and Lynette let me wear the man-coat she brillianlty remodelled.

Learning how to conduct. Why is that guy the way he is?

Going to the bar that one time with Jeff Uban to hear him play. That was really cool, now that I think of it.

Getting professional counselling from Dan all the time ( Loretta, that was the stupidest thing you've ever done!!! ha ha)

Getting free food from Rozeboom on Wednesdays.

Being online all night with my new screen name. Well, it was fun while it lasted anyways.

Stealing the writing center's pizza with Craig, and freeloading together at the art exhibits.

Hanging out with Monica and learning about how dumb Grand Valley is. Come on, it's not that bad.

Working with Robert Byrens. He is an inspiration.

Meeting Jared, the kid with the oiled shoes.

And yes, all my lessons with Avi. I wouldn't want to have missed even the bad ones. Best quote: "We are pianists, that means we have a calling that is almost divine." and "Do it, and do it like I said, and keep on doing it!"

posted by Loretta @ 9:16 PM