Wednesday, May 30, 2007

"At the end of the ceremony something fun would be cool (aka non-classical)."

This is an excerpt from an email I got from a bride for June 10th. (sigh)

Do people think we have NO fun when we play classical music?????? They must think we lead the most mundane, boring lives. Good grief.

Sunday, May 27, 2007

100th post on Blogger - A List

10 Reasons Why I Love Boston:

1. The MBTA, otherwise known as "the T" or "train". It is a pain sometimes, but as one who grew up in a town with NO trains and only one car in the family, then went to Rochester, I love being able to go different places without relying on gas (we are KILLING our planet) or anyone else, for that matter.

2. The Boston Common/Public Garden. In spring, they plant all kinds of flowers, which smell wonderful. There are swans, ducks, and geese everywhere to watch, not to mention recently all the baby swans, ducks and geese to adore.

3. Random people. Usually, this is a bad thing. I have been groaped, kicked (accidentally, but still), and hooted at (recently, "hey sexy, why are you rude? why don't you come talk to me?"). However, every once in a while someone nice comes along. Today, while at the Arlington stop, a lady came and asked me where I got my white skirt. It is a Gap skirt I bought two summers ago for TMC and wore also for the Schumann Quintet performance. This woman seemed perfectly sane, had a little girl in her hand and went on about how nice it looked and how she had been looking for one just like it. It was a pleasant conversation.

4. The weather. I am a northern girl. I like winter to be cold and snowy and summer to be warm and breezy. There are all four seasons in Boston, and I love that.

5. My sister, her husband and my niece. I've babysat Adelaide a lot this past week. She is a crazy little girl, but SMART SMART SMART. We had so much fun at the park the other day, where there is a sprinkler thing. My sister and her husband have been good to me, and my sister and I have become even closer since I moved here. Plus she gets me gigs.

6. The Museum of Fine Arts. I have been there twice this past semester, with plans on attending more this summer. Why? Because I like art, I love the MFA, and BU students are free. Yes, my dears, FREE.

7. Peter and the Muir. I have a wonderful teacher, and wonderful coaches.

8. There are so many cute little restuarants everywhere that are good.

9. It is a city mostly populated by students, so when school is out - its much less hectic. I don't mind the hecticness for the most part, but I HAVE been enjoying the less insanity on the B-line especially lately.

10. It is where I have wanted to live since I was 9, and I am here.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Oh, and before I forget:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GAVID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now you are 23 too! HAHAHAHAHH!

Long Awaited Update

The end of school has finally come, and my life has finally gone to a much less busy pace.

1. End of School Year: My final stuff included playing for a chamber music recital. The violist in my quartet, Emily, had her DMA chamber recital, and although it was her recital, it was quite a stressful event for me as well. I did the B-flat Mozart duo with her and then my group from the semester did Brahms a minor. Woah. It went really well though - Peter was VERY happy - although he did say that he wished my solo playing had gone farther this year. I really can't wait till the day arrives when I don't have to practice concertos anymore. I throw myself so much better into chamber music than concertos. I also played for the BU President's gala a few days after the recital, with an AMAZING free dinner to boot. Yum.

2. Rochester Visit: Last weekend I rented a car and drove from Boston to Rochester for Sara's recital. First, renting a car is a LOVELY experience. I loved driving, I loved being able to bond with the road, and it was such a quick trip - only 6 hours. By train it takes twice as long. I got to drive through the Berkshires, and wave to the exit where Tanglewood is. I arrived in Rochacha at about 4:30 on Friday, had a quick rehearsal with the gang, hung out and rehearsed on Saturday (including a lovely walk with David to the Eastman House - we sat on the porch rocking chairs - it was such a beautiful day), played the recital, and Sunday morning I left for Boston. It went by too fast, and I forgot how much I missed Eastman and everyone there. It was SO good to see David, Brian, Hannah, Sara, Marisol, Arthur, Stanley, etc etc etc etc. They all love and understand me so well. Sara's recital was simply incredible - she sounds absolutely fantastic. It was an honor to play for her. (Kim, Mary, Paul, Kitty, and others - you were sorely missed!)

3. Now: Since Monday, I haven't done much. I've babysat a bunch, and do more of that later this week. A week from tomorrow I go home for about a week to see the fam, which I am looking forward to. My summer plans are simple: relax, practice (I need to fix my intonation once and for all), and make money. I possibly have a part-time job teaching English as a second language, a whole bunch of gigs here and there, teaching two students on Saturdays, babysitting, and enjoying my break. This summer is officially my break from schedules and summer music festivals. I plan on going to TMC often to visit David and Brian and other folks there, and will go to Phoenix for 4th of July to visit Holly and see Hannah, who is also coming.

Now I will go shower, grab my violin, and head to BU. I also plan on a trip to Barnes and Noble today - I have a gift card that is calling my name, and with so much more free time for awhile for the first time since I was about 12, books are the name of the game. Now all I need is a porch on my apartment - too bad I don't have that. Oh well.

Friday, May 04, 2007

Hooray!

No more papers!

Only chamber music and Elijah!

After a fast and furious typing session on Wednesday night, I got up at 7:30 and headed over to the library yesterday morning for my final research class and to hand my paper in. Its actually not a terrible paper - I think its better than some of the ones I did at Eastman.

This week has also been long because of the Concord Chorus gig I have. They are doing Mendelssohn's Elijah. I actually think its an amazing piece, although it is VERY long, and the violins have literally NO breaks until the middle of the 2nd part (the women acappella aria). There are a TON of notes and most of them are fast and furious. But I'm having a wonderful time. The only other problem is that all of the rehearsals/concerts are far away - 1.5 hours. Yuck. Yesterday we had 6 - thats right, 6 - hours of rehearsal until 10 pm. After getting only 5 hours of sleep the night before, I was pretty tuckered out. I had a lesson this morning at 10 am, too. Ugh.

But all of this doesn't matter because MY RESEARCH CLASS IS OVER!!!!!!!!!!!

And - spring in Boston is so nice. Thank goodness for sun and warmth.

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

More Paperness

Thats right folks:

I'm not done with my paper yet. I found out late on Monday night that the presentation was due Tuesday, but the actual paper is not due till tomorrow. With Elijah late night rehearsals, a quartet concert tonight, a lesson this morning, and in general craziness/tiredness, I have started, but have a long way to go. (sigh)

HELP!