Well, I've had a rather productive week! That doily is still in progress--I stalled a bit midweek, but I hope to finish it by next Saturday.

First of all, I'm on a hat kick.

I swore I woudln't do any Christmas knitting, but I got into knitting these cute, easy hats, and I saw an opportunity to use up some yarn so I won't have to drag it around the world with me.

This is all bits and bobs of Lion Brand Wool Ease (my favorite wool/acrylic blend) and that patter is here if you're interested. Here's one getting close to being done...

...and one just started. Yay finishitis!


Here is a sneak peak at the large secret project I've been chugging away on the last few days. I can't wait to see it all finished! Plus, its getting rather bulky...


I also finished the "loopy" scarf I've been avoiding ever since the regretable pink hot chocolate incident in February where it not only almost killed my laptop but also spilled into my knitting bag...

I love the fringe, but all those tedius circles are one of the other reasons it has taken me so long to just get it out and FINISH IT. I am now mighty.


I have also decided to make some more of those cool felted hotpads--here is one just started.


I've also been working on an interesting project involving 10 bandana's, but I think I'll save that for next week when I know how it finally turns out! What are y'all knitting this summer?

I'm going to share a blog that a friend of mine started peppering me with recipes from during an IM conversation and which made me a) very hungry and b) want to go cook up a mess of something. I'm especially intrigued by the Blueberry Boy Bait on July 6... Check it out the Smittenkitchen and enjoy the beautiful photography as well as the wonderful recipies!

I've been reading alot of different books this week, but the one I'm going to feature today is:

I first heard about Nancy Leigh DeMoss when I heard part of her excellent study on the book of Esther on the radio while driving. I heard some of the girls at MOP talking about this book and decided to look it up. As you may know, I'm reather wary about any inspiriational book that the mass public likes. I don't want to waste my time reading "feel good" theology and the doctrine of happiness. However, I had been impressed by Nancy's radio program so I went ahead and read it.

This is such a wonderful book--it really opened my eyes to some of the lies I was living in my own life and best of all it points out the lies and counters them with the word of God--not the authors wisdom. This is a book I intend to read periodically as I grow in Christ as a reminder to not let myself get inslaved to sin. Nancy has a wonderful, clear writting style and her love of the Father and her ernest desire to help other draw near to Him come across loud and clear. I heartily recomend this book and hope it helps many more women be drawn back into the Lord's truth and closer to Him.

On My Needles...

This week hasn't been the most productive knitting week because I've been flirting with this-

Yes, that is crochet! I'm getting close to finishing a doily as well--pictures will follow. I'm rather pleased with how I've been able to follow the pattern so far with relitivly little problems. I think I'm going to make a pair of roses and make earrings out of them. Of course I have to finish the doily first...

I also finished the "Hope" sweater last week.

This wasn't made for anyone in particular, but rather just to have on hand in hopes that someday SOMEONE I know will have a baby and need a handknit item.

I love the simplicity and elegance of the design--more of these will surely follow.

In other knitting news, I also made my first ever knitted lace bookmark!

As you might be able to see in this pictures, my homemade startch worked beyond my wildest dreams and I ended up with a bookmark that was quite literally "stiff as a board." I'll have to keep that in mind...

What's on YOUR needles?

Question of the Week...

I finally made it over to the new indi-coffee shop, Mugshots and really liked it. Where do you prefer to go to get your caffeine fix? Indi-places or chains? What about things like jewelry? Would you rather shop Etsy or the mall?

Notes From the Dragonlair

I have been enjoying my Brocelïande CD so much that I am going to point you to a link for my favorite song, "Carol of the Birds."  This is actually the song that introduced me to the group.  There are apparently about three carols called that, and I was looking for another version when I happened on this video. I am trying to find some music for it now...  Happy first Sunday of Advent!

Cool Things--Brocelïande

First of all, 

Today I'm going to share group that I just found with you--I have their Christmas CD, but I want to get the rest of them!

  Brocelïande is a quartet on the west coast that plays medieval and celtic music on modern instruments.  One of the things that really stands out to me is that they have a cello in their group as well as a harp which adds A LOT to the overall sound.  Plus, they play and sing very well!  Here is one of my favorite Youtube videos of them--Tha Mi Sgith.  

Here are some interesting things lifted shamelessly off the groups website:

*"Brocelïande plays Celtic music from the British isles and the Medieval and Renaissance music of the European courts and countrysides, with an emphasis on music inspired by or traditionally performed during each of the four seasons. Featuring stellar vocal and instrumental harmonies, their entrancing sound is built on the interweaving of up to 4-part vocals with the lyrical music of the Celtic harp, octave mandolin, cello, guitar, flutes, whistles, percussion, harmonica, and melodeon."

*"Our mission: to use historical music in a socially progressive way, to depict mankind in a healthy relationship to the environment, and to seek the liberation of the human spirit, both present and primordial, in as much as can be accomplished by music and song. . . and to have too much fun doing it!

*Just what does Brocelïande mean, anyway? 

Brocelïande is a fabulous, mystical forest deep in the heart of Brittany, France. According to Arthurian legend, in this magical place the fairy Viviane (or Nimue, according to some) entrapped the sorcerer Merlin . . . and he remains enchanted there to this day.
 
*And how does one pronounce the word Brocelïande? 

It's easy...bro SAY lee ahnd.

*Does Brocelïande use historically accurate instruments? 

No, Broceliande primarily uses instruments from the classical and modern era, we use modern six and twelve steel string guitars, and modern German recorders.

Cool Things!

Here is a fun link for all you knitting types--Lime n Violet's Daily Chum. Here you will find daily articles on fiber, free knitting patterns, Etsy shops of AMAZINGNESS, pretty yarn, book reviews, and new techniques.  You all wanted another fun thing to look at every day right?

Notes From the Dragonlair

One of my family's oldest traditions is to watch "Riverdance" on St. Patrick's day after eating our corned beef, cabbage, and potatoes.  We are very proud of our Irish heratige, and we love the music and the skill shown by the dancers.  One of my favorite parts of Riverdance is the song played on the Uilleann pipes, "Cuchulainn's Lament."  This heartbreaking song captures beautifuly the anguish of the warrios who had to slay his best friend.

As an added treat, here are some increadible videos of the Ullian Pipes as played by Seamus Ennis.  These tug at my heart strings--I want to learn to do that!  Here is another one...Enjoy!

In case you didn't know, this is what the Ullian Pipes look like.

Cool Things...

Just in case any of you are as nuts as I am, here is THE definitive website on the Doctor Who scarf of Tom Baker fame.
Yes, Tom Baker was also Puddleglum in the wonderful BBC "The Silver Chair."  I now know why my mom laughs every time we watch that...

One of these days I am going to knit one of these, and I will wear it everywhere because a) Doctor Who! and b) scarves and coats are a stunning combination.

Jelly Baby anyone?

Quote of the Week-

In Memoriam A.H.H.
By Alfred, Lord Tennyson

"Strong Son of God, immortal Love,
Whom we, that have not seen thy face,
By faith, and faith alone, embrace,
Believing where we cannot prove;

Thine are these orbs of light and shade;
Thou madest Life in man and brute;
Thou madest Death; and lo, thy foot
Is on the skull which thou hast made.

Thou wilt not leave us in the dust:
Thou madest man, he knows not why,
He thinks he was not made to die;
And thou hast made him: thou art just.

Thou seemest human and divine,
The highest, holiest manhood, thou:
Our wills are ours, we know not how;
Our wills are ours, to make them thine.

Our little systems have their day;
They have their day and cease to be:
They are but broken lights of thee,
And thou, O Lord, art more than they.

We have but faith: we cannot know;
For knowledge is of things we see;
And yet we trust it comes from thee,
A beam in darkness: let it grow."

This is just part of the very first part of In Memoriam which happens to be one of myu favorite bits of poetry.  It is amasing to read the song that God gave a man who was lost in grief.  Plus, it makes you think.  Enjoy!

Notes From the Dragonlair

Well, here is another Doctor Who song, Love Don't Roam.  I can't recommend the music video, but I love the song.  This is another "happy song" of mine, but be warned, it WILL get stuck in your head!  And, if you don't watch Doctor Who, WHY EVER NOT?

Cool Things

So, just in case you have time to waste, here is another fun game.  Flight of the Hamsters. Why is propelling small furry animals so much fun?

Notes from the Dragonlair

Sorry this is a day late--I had a busy weekend...



As many of you know, I became a Doctor Who fan this summer.  I have been enjoying the soundtrack for the first two seasons, but there is a song on there that I particularly love.  The Song For Ten comes at the end of the first Christmas special (right after the introduction of the tenth Doctor) and it is such a happy song that I listen to it all the time.  There are several music videos out there, but I am more interested in the song.  So, fellow Whovians enjoy, and those who have not yet experienced the wonderfulness that is Doctor Who, listen and get interested!

Quote of the Week...

"He [Inigo] hated it there [the theives quarter]...
He looked like a skinny Spanish guy it might
be fun to rob. You couldn't walk around with a
sign saying, "Be careful, this is the greatest
fencer since the death of the Wizard of Corsica.
Do not burgle."--The Princess Bride--William Goldman


You heard him--do not burgle!

Cool Things!

Today I went to the local yarn store with Brandy, and there I finally caved and bought some Cascade 220 (so called 'cause it has 220 yards).   Check out the color card--I have been coveting color #4009 for months.  One of these days I'll make a sweater out of it...  This is lovely, soft wool that is fairly reasonably priced--all the colors is of course an added bonus!  I bought 8400 and 8585 to make a secret present for some dear Canadians...  I can't wait to see how these turn out!

Notes from the Dragonlair

Note:  Sorry for the delay--unexpected friends meant that I was not able to publish this yesterday as expected.  I apologize for any withdrawal symptoms this may have caused you. ; )


This week I have been enjoying my new CD, "Angel Voices, Libera in Concert."  I first heard Libera in the car on the way down from Englhart to Toronto last month.  I was entranced by the clear, lovely sound and by the way some of their songs were based on classical pieces.  Here is one of my favorite songs they do, "Sancus".  This is an older video, but it sounds better than the newer live one.  While I know that many people find boys choirs 'creepy,' they have long been an integral part of worship and I for one think it is wonderful that boys are still getting this wonderful training in classical singing.  Browse their other videos--enjoy!

Cool Things...

This is one of those strangly compelling on-line games--a game that involves art, luck, and skill, and gives you a new perspective into the lives of the humble spider.  Go check out Arachnophilia on Digyourowngrave, and enjoy the subtle yet functional beauty of a spiderweb.  Watch out for the Stag Beetles!

Quote of the Week

"Richard had noticed that events were cowards: they didn't occur singly, but instead they would run in packs and leap out at him all at once."
--Neil Gaiman, "Neverwhere"

Neverwhere is the BEST Gaiman novel, and one of my favorite books.  VERY scary, very clever, very exciting, very well told, and not long enough.  

Also, the above quote is TOTALLY TRUE.

Music From the Dragonlair

Today I've been listening to a lot of music (purely instrumental 'cause my poor brain can't do music with words while I'm studying) as I have been working on a project for PACT, and I thought I would share a favorite 'study CD' with you!



I have a great love of soundtracks, and one of my favorite almost-all-instrumental soundtracks is from the movie "Miss Potter."  As most of you who know me know, "Miss Potter" is one of my favorite obscure movies.  Ever since I saw it last spring it has captured a place in my heart as one of the sweetest love stories ever as well as managing to capture all the restrictivness of Edwardian England and all the magic and imagination of Beatrix Potter.  



At the end of the wonderful soundtrack, is a track that is worth buying the CD just for that one song.  The simple guitar accompanyment and beautiful voice of Katie Melua combine to make a song that is tug-on-your-heart-strings beautiful.  Go listen to "When You Taught Me How to Dance" and see what I mean!  It makes me want to go pull out that movie again...

Cool Things...

I would argue any of you who are crafty or handy with pointy sticks to consider participating in the Red Scarf Project this year.  As a recent college grad, ministering to college students in a woolly way is close to my heart.  Check out the website here for details of scarf dimensions, styles, and recommended patterns.  If you like doing things like this in groups, head over to Ravelry or Facebook to plug into a group of people who are also playing with red yarn.  The deadline is October 31--that is plenty of time to churn out a scarf or two for deserving students!  I've already started--how about you?

Quote for the Week

"Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing." Redd Foxx

Ha, maybe I SHOULD go eat a whole chocholate bar...

Music from the Dragonlair...

Of all the music I remember from my childhood, one of my very favorites is the music of Roger Whittaker.  Perhaps listening to him all those years in Daddy's woodshop explains my love of folk tunes, ballades, and Irish music.  There was this one tape of his that had most of my favorites--"The Foggy, Foggy Dew," "The Star of the County Down," and my all time favorite rendition of "Oh my Love is Like a Red, Red Rose."  I have been searching for a copy of that tape on the Internet for a few years now; it was never made into a CD.  



Roger Whittaker is a British singer/songwriter who was born in Nairobi, Kenya in 1936.  He mainly sings folk songs and easy listening, but he has a few songs that reveal his African background.  He is still singing, whistling, and recording, and there are a number of his CD's and individual tracks available on Amazon.com for your listening enjoyment.



As I have gotten older, I have found that I love some of Roger's original songs as much as those three favorites, if not more.  One that has been going through my head a lot this last week or so is,
I Don't Believe in If Anymore
I love the tune, and the pensive words have been very true in my life as I deal with the emotional drain that was my former job.



As well as having a wonderful, rich voice, Roger Whittaker has an amazing whistle.  His haunting version of the Sky Boat Song is refreshingly different, yet the same dear tune that we know and love.  If only I could whistle like that!  



This one is just fun--Roger demonstrates "African Whistling" and plays a catchy African tune.
Human Whistle



Finally, in closing, I want to share one last favorite song, New World in the Morning.

I hope this inspires you to go look up some more of Roger's music on Youtube or Amazon.com--more people aught to know about this wonderful artist.  I just hope that I will still be making music when I'm in my 80's!

Thoughts...

Quote of the Week- "It matters enormously if I alienate anyone from the truth."
--C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain

*sheepish look*

Ha, I had sort of forgotten that this existed. I don't think anyone even reads it anyway... However, I'm glad that I have it to leave comments on other people's bloggers. I graduate in three weeks!?!?!?!

School is almost over!

Yesterday was crazy, but it was THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL which was VERY cool. Now the little thing called finals... No problem right?

I got the Joy Allen and James C. Quinn Endowed Piano Scholarship in the GSR award ceremony yesterday--the funny things is that I can't get the endowment ($1,500) because I have the tuition waiver.

However, my name will be put on a plaque in the music building with all the other people who have gotten that scholarship.

I managed to forget what time studio class was yesterday so I wasn't there. *head bang* I felt SO BAD. Why did I forget for the first time on the last day of my sophomore year? Why? I can only quote the icon that Elise shared with me awhile back--"Can't brain today, have the dumb." I also found out that I wore mismatched earrings all day. If anyone noticed and didn't tell me (thanks a lot palls) , I hope they thought it was a bold fashion statement. So, I got an award, accepted it in mismatched earrings, and forgot about studio class all in one day. WHY AM I SO STUPID SOMETIMES?

Last night it stormed in the early hours of the morning. I was really deeply asleep when one particularly spectacular BOOM jolted me awake. I thought the world had ended and Jesus had come back. To bad--I really don't want to take the finals I have on Monday...

Mummy and I went shopping at K-Mart for suitable shirts to wear in Zambia. I sometimes have a hard time finding shirts that fit well, are long enough in the body and sleeves, and that I can afford. I am trying to build up a good wardrobe as I can afford it. The professional look is a slight drawback to my major... I don't understand why they make shirts so short now! I have a longer torso than a lot of people just because I'm tall, so you can imagine how short things are one me if they are short on an average person... I am convinced that clothing designers are raised in special environments where all they never actually see human beings or where they only see the stereotypical woman (which I have seen very few of in the wild outside of TV).

I can't believe that I am leaving in a little over a week! Hauling off to the other side of the world is a big event and I am so caught up in the big events of my life right now that I havn't really had time to process the full magnitude of what I am going to do and what needs to be done to make it happen. I never seem to really have the time to process mission trips before they happen--maybe its better that way?

I have a CRAZY weekend and tomorrow I am going to hear Natalie's AMAZING piano recital. So, I leave you with this last important piece of advice--

Don't Panic!

Root Canal’s aren’t so bad…

..but still not my favorite thing.

After the grueling dentist visit yesterday (it took about 45 minuets for the dentist to fix the crown they messed up for my mom—I got a little nap while the anesthesia took hold) Mummy and I went to Barron’s.Here in East Texas we really don’t have many classy tea places, so we enjoy visiting Barron’s.Barron’s is the classy boutique/tea room/book store/decoration’s store.We sat right by the Godiva candy case which seemed like a good idea at the time, but as the steady parade of Valentine’s shoppers continued we began to wish we were sitting elsewhere.I found two cool books on the bargain shelf—I Kissed Dating Goodbye and the Oxford Kings and Queens of Britain reference book.The really cool thing was that it was just over $5 for both of them!I love finding good books at low prices.

I watched an interesting movie Sunday night—Zulu.While not 100% accurate it was still interesting.My two favorite lines were a very posh British Officer barking at his men, “Nobody said you could stop working!” as they were barricading their little fort from the Zulu’s and the same officer saying (can’t remember the exact words), “Hi!I saw you ___, your alive!” to a man who didn’t answer the roll call at the end of the action.We had three MK’s over for supper last night, Pete, Jamin, and Ben, who saw part of/half of/all of the movie (in that order).I enjoy MK’s—we should get some over at ETBU to make it cooler!It was interesting finally getting got see Zulu since it is one of my grandfather’s favorite movies.Final verdict—I liked it.Who couldn’t like posh British officers?

It has been so long since I was on here...

I haven't posted on blogger for some time--mainly because I like my Xanga better. If you really want to know what is going on in my life go here here, and if you don't have a Xanga account leave comments on this site. My webpage (which I am really going to try to keep current) is here. There a lot of pictures of things I have made recently under "Dragon Treasures". Once more, school calls!

Singen the Blues...

I am singen' the "Forgott my math project" blues today. The sad thing is that even if I had remembed it I would not have had time. What a crazy weekend! Oh well, there is mercy for those who take late credit...
Two more weeks till jurries! Ahh! I am so excited about the end of the semester, and at the same time I don't want it to end. I am searching for a summer job at a book store (Yes!), but I will miss the people here. It seems like the semester is going both at a lightning pace and not going at all. Life is such a paradox! I guess God knew we like good old imposible occurances. Maybe that is why we find Christianity so apealing?
By the way, if you want a funny book read Never Cry Wolf. So good! The way the author paints his reactions to the wolves is priceless! I wasn't sure if I wanted to read it, but I want to see the movie again now. Oh, so much to do, so little time...

Monday!

How beautiful it is to be in the middle of God's will. He knows you and your needs so much better than even you do; why do we ever throw tantrums when he won't let us do what we really don't want? I am so glad that I am where He wants me; I would not be anywhere else. (Not even in Middle Earth!)
A million years from now I will be lucky if anyone remembers my name. A million years from now I will be doing really well if anyone can recall that I went to East Texas Baptist University. What is the likelyhood that anyone is going to remember (or that it will even matter) that I really goosed the unit 6 sightsinging test? However, it matters a whole lot now! We hates sightsinging forever! Hates it! Argh!
I had an interesting weekend; it was kind of hard. It is much harder than I thought to go back to school when LU is off; it it wasn't for the fact that I don't ever want our spring breaks to be different again I would with that ours was a week early so that I could rub it in for someone. I am not that mad; I will be fine. I am mostly bummed that I didn't get to go to The Masters Mission with my Dad and two siblings. *sigh* However having Elise over so we could watch Willow was really nice! I am soooo glad that she came over!
I hate Mondays. So, in the words of Marvin, "Life, don't talk to me about life." "I never could get the hang of {mondays}."

Horses and Honor.

I love Earthsea! My 'smile box' came yesterday!

The Lippizaners were WONDERFUL! I had so much fun! I want a pretty white horse now... Here is a link to the website:
http://lipizzaner.com There is some pretty cool suff on there!

What is a person's word worth? In the old days when someone said that they would do something, they ment it. Big deals were closed on a handshake. There was no worry about whether they would live up to your side of the bargin.
In todays world there is so little security like that now. A person's word can mean nothing, or it can be trustworthy, but you have to assume that is could fall through to protect yourself. One problem with being a person of your word is that you can become abused by people becuase you do keep your word. If you have a hard time saying no, you could be in some real danger!
Does keeping your word extend to everyday things? I think it does. When I say 'yes' in answer to 'will you...', I consider that binding, and a promise that I will do whatever it takes to uphold. Have you ever though about agreeing to meet someone as being your word? What does your word mean to you? I am not obsessed with honor, but I do feel strongly that your word is part of your integrety, your ethos. What does you ethos say to the world?

Well...

I meant to double post. Really I did. I am not going to copy all my other stuff now. So, if you want to read my last several posts, go here:
http://www.xanga.com/sonatinalina

I will try to double post, but the reality is that I kinda sorta like Xanga better- it is a novel distraction at the moment. Besides, I get more comments on the xanga site than this one.

*Head Bang*

*sigh*
I crashed my way though the cadneces in my Beethoven while I was so tense inside I felt sick. I missed a lesson at a critical time, and now I am paying for it. Pooh. I am trying to hard and I can't seem to get it right!
I am looking forward to the weekend. I can finally sleep, rest, get all my homework done, and forgett about ETBU for a little while. I have had about as much Jena Guest as I can take for the moment.
I am not trying to be grouchy, but I am. I stayed up till 12:40 last night doing a supper hard theory assignment and then I had to get up at 6:10. I felt better once I realized that just about all the other E. Harmony IIers were in my boat. It is so true that misery loves company!
Thank you God for weekend! Thank you that you love me even when I am out of it and when I just want to yell at the world!

Ramblings...

Wow. Today has been interesting. I got called an over acheiver because I checked Wagner's Tristan und Isolde out of the music lab fully intending to listen to it. I guess I am a bit of an over acheiver, but what is wrong with that? Did anyone tell Mozart to give it a rest when he was elaborating on his pieces as a little kid? What about Wagner himself? Talk about ambition man! The music drama is no joke! Okay, maybe us musicians are just a tad over motivated for our own good. However, I like it that way!
Today has also been interesting becuase we finally had a choir reherasle (Mr. Moore has been out of town for a while).We are singing some really awsome things like, "Ride On King Jesus," "Zion's Walls," and "Musicks Empire." I really love Musicks Empire because it is written like a plainsong chant. I love the modal feel and the harmonies! The words are cool too; all about when music was created. Thank goodness that God made music!
I have to go to fatness soon. Ick. I really don't feel like trudging over the hill in the cold and wet to attend a class that I loath. However, I will be a good girl and go. I sort of liked doing resistance training on Tuesday. I am stronger than my work out partner, so it felt kind of nice to be bumping the weights up!
Today is Daddy's birthday; I feel so sorry for hims since he has been sick. He took a shocking three sick days (he normally drags himself in even if he is almost dead), and then has to go back still kind of sick and on his birthday. I feel bad for him. I can't wait to give him the CD that Flynn and I bought. Heh, heh, it is rather an interesting CD. Bonney M! (Music from his college days)I hope he likes it!

I will go insane for sure this time...

Everyone but Lucy, Jasper and I are heading down to Huston to go see NASA. I get to take care of the chillins tonight and tomorrow night until the rest of the gang goes back. Yeah. I am nervous about how they will behave on Friday when they are taken care of by a neighboor and a family who goes to our church. Whenever my parents are gone I get really stressed becuase it is exhasuting enough to be a student, but being a cordinater of a seven kid household and being a student (a musician at that!) is a pretty tall order for even supper woman. I am sure I will live though and be a better person. If only I didn't have an 8 o'clock on Friday! I am reading Rob Roy right now. It is not starting as I anticipated it would. Interesting. I liked a Tale of Two Cities though!

Music...

I am going to make one little statement to make myself feel better, and then I am going to stop before I go somewhere I regret going. Here is the statement:
"Classic musicians are not stupid, or any less musicians than improve wizards, nor do they know all the popular artists out there."
I am done now. Thanks. Don't ask what brought that on. It is not a biggie, I am not mad, I am just a tad tired of being asked certain questions. For the whole world to know, I live in a cave, and yes, I like my cave very much thank you!
Good grief, there are some many CD's I want! I guess is is one of the perpetual oxymorons of being a musician that you spend large chunks of time making music or learning about how to make music, and then you spend large chunks of money on other people's music. I wouldn't trade it for the world! Dr. Dearman once said that we have so many little feelers into the world that other people don't have; that is so true! Sound is a wonderful thing.
Another interesting oxymoron is that the more I practice, the less prepared I feel! Why?
I did something so bizarre for Valentines day yesterday that probably only Elise and Annie would remotely understand why I did. All I am going to say is that it involved chocolate, and that I want to do it again next year.

My thoughts on 2-14

When I have fears that I may cease to be
Before my pen has gleaned my teeming brain,
Before high-piled books, in charactery,
Hold like rich garners the full-ripened grain;
When I behold, upon the night's starred face,
Hug cloudy symbols of a high romance,
And think that I may never live to trace
Thier shadows, with the magic hand of chance;
And when I feel, fair creature of an hour,
That I shall never look upon thee more,
Never have relishi the fairy power
Of unreflecting love-then on the shore
Of the wide world I stand alone, and think
Till love and fame to nothingness do sink.

Comment if you know who wrote that!

This is too funny...

I just took a quick quiz off the MSN homepage to see if I was ADD or not. (sometimes I feel that way!) I got a 0 out of 7. So, therefor I am like suposedly totally not ADD. Some of the people I hang out with might have other opions... Oh well, I guess we all have bouts of ADD. I just thought that was funny. If you didn't laught, I'm sorry. I hope something else tickles you. : )

The lessons we learn...

I just got back from a walk in the history grave yard by ETBU: I think everyone should go walk by themselves through a grave yard on a quiet day when the sun is shinning. I began thinking of scritptures about men; here is my train of thought kind of mixing different verses.

"Who is man that you are mindful of him?...from the dust of the earth were you formed, and to the dust of the earth shall you return...like the grass of the fields which is hear today and gone tomorrow...You made man a little lower than the angels, put all thing under his feet...God breathed the breath of life into his nostriles...For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power and love...and to those who have called upon his name he has given the right to be called the sons of God."

Wow. There were a few graves of confederate soldiers there; just seeing the silent stones marking the place where the shell of brave men who once lived was burried was powerful. Men died for an idea, for a belief. Why are we so reluctant to die for God, but willing to die for freedom?

One of the saddest graves was the grave of a little girl named Eunice who was only ten months old when she left this earth. Eunice never got to run and play, Eunice never knew adulthood, Eunice missed so much of life. May I never forget the precious gift that has been given me of my eighteen and a half years on this earth! Time is fleeting and life is beyond price. The things you can learn in a grave yard!

Note!

I got MS Office last night! For the first time in my life I have access to Exel! I finally have Word! I also have like my favorite microsoft program, Publisher! I am on the same page as the rest of the world now!

Amazing...

Despite the fact that it is a very dreary day, I am having a pretty good day. I just got back from a walk around campus and I feel very good despite my cold cheeks. I passed the grave yard; I will go wander around there sometime. I didn't today because I didn't want to get my shoes dirty and my pants wet. That would stink. I was thinking how sad it is that once someone dies they are buried and largly forgotten unless they did something really splended with thier life. We remember Abraham Lincone and Ceaser, but not people like Pearl Anne Baker (My great-great grandmother). When you think about it really, what is a human life but a leaf in the wind? However, we need not be depressed and fear because the king of all creation remembers our name and has called us to be his own. Because I am his, my name will never be forgotten- it is written in the book of life. Because I belong to the King, my body will rot and my earthly name be forgotten, but my essence, *me*, will sing with the angels in heaven. Wow. The things we learn from the simplest occurances in our life.
I am feeling really sorry for Dr. Sulton right now. He canceled his recital and has not been seen all day. I am not sure why; I wonder if he will tell us why during studio class. I was afraid that he might kill himself from being in "recital mode", but now I think he will have bigger problems. As strang as he is, and as much as I laugh at him, I geninly like and respect him. I hope that he copes well and gets over this dissapointment quickly.
I can't think of anything else even remotly interesting to say. I am done.

Wow!

Yesterday I almost was run over by a big truck while I was flying blindly down the highway at 65 mph. That was not fun. I was going blind because my windows had fogged up. Luckliy, I got off the highway before I died, and God sent a wonderful hiway patrol man to save me. I felt loved. : )
Dr. Sulton is still in recital mode-I hope for his sake that he can take it till the actual event. I am glad that I am not giving a recital yet; otherwise I would just die now and save everyone the bother of killing me slowly.
Hymnology is to much fun for its own good. I love the music, I love hymns, it is a fun class, and Dr. Dearman is teaching it! What more is there?
Last night I got to bed after 12, and when my alarm went off at 6:10 I turned on my light so that I would not do what I promptly did; go back to sleep. I woke again at 6:30 with half and hour to get out the door. Ahhh! I somehow got myself and all my junk out the door, and THANK GOD it was not a misty/foggy morning so I didn't have a repeat of yesterday. (Once was quite enough thank you) I heard Dr. Sulton's recital (WOW!), and I didn't get like any of my own practicing done today. Oh well! That is just to bad!
Nothing else big has happened in my recent life other than I am now on a quest to see both Labyrinth and The Phantom of the Opera. I want to see Labyrinth for a funny reason, and I LOVED the music and the book of TPOTO.
Oh, I orderd MS Office yesterday! I can't wait for it to come! I HATE Word Perfect. MS has several terrible problems itself, but MSW is better than WP. Enough ranting--more later!

Cool quote!

I forgot that I wanted to put this cool quote up!

"A sense of humor is a measurement of the extent to which we realize that we are trapped in a world almost totally devoid of reason. Laughter is how we express the anxiety we feel at this knowledge." --Dave Barry

It's been awhile...

Well, I am back at school, practicing three really cool pieces, and mostly oriented. I still feel a little scrambled anytime any one asks me to think, but I am working on coraling my brain from the far reaches of the universe whence they scattered several years ago... Oh well, it is worth a shot!
So far all my classes have been going GREAT! I am fine in Math so far (YEAH!), I was told today that the worst part of theory is over (that remains to be seen...), and I just need to practice ear training a little more and I should be fine. : )
I have rather mixed feelings about getting Monday off; I think it is nice to have a break for a nice man like Martin Luther King Jr., but why don't we get our own founding father's birthdays off? And is it really fair to give everyone three whole days to slip back into vacation mode? We are just getting reved up to go! Oh well, I was not consulted about a great deal of the descisions made 'round here. Humph. I bet I could do a pretty good job of running a university if given the chance!
I am killing time till GSR right now. I guess I could/should be practicing right now, but I don't want to. :::evil laugh:::
I was insulted by one of my piano students yesterday. I wanted to punch his face of spank him. Either one would have worked. He told me that he didn't want to suffer through my playing (I had offered to play a hymn that he had never heard for him so he would have some idea of what he was doing). I hope the proffs at LU smash him flat. I wish an D on him, and may he get stuck in the perspective vortex and go mad. There. I feel better now.
Even if he is a rude person, Dr. Sulton has yet to complain and he is in a much better place to make comments like that! Well, he has told me he dosn't like my playing, but it was more in the form of, "Do that better!" Now I am babbling. I with an ent would walk down the hallway. Then I could call Elise and Annie and say, "AN ENT IS WALKING DOWN THE HALLWAY IN THE MUSIC BUILDING! I AM GOING TO ASK FOR HIS AUTOGRAPHE!" I would also hit myself in the head becuase I have no way to take a picture of him. : ) I love random fantisies!

Shopping Whirl!

I have had about to many blessings for one person today! I went out arrend running/christmas shopping this morning. Driving yourself around is a HUGE improvment over how we used to do it! I went to Mundt Music to research adult piano curiculum, and then I went to Tuesday Morning to see what there was there. I bought my first of two guilty "me" purchases there, a TY beanie bear whoes names is "Killarney." I couldn't resiste a darling wee Irish bear! I found a gift for Lucy there, as well as something for my friend Rebekah. After that, I went to the bank by the mall and resubmited the check that one of my piano moms bounched on me. Lo and behold, it went through this time! I hope I put her out. >: )
Not really, I am just glad to be able to get half of the money she ows me back and to be able to wash my hands of them. After that happy discovery, I zipped to Hastings to pick up my Parents gifts. Then up the road to the used books store that I LOVE, and I sold them a book and bought two more. In a fit of maddness I decided to go to BAM; the parking lot was a madhouse, but undetered I went in. I found what I wanted for Mercy, and then waited for a long time to get out of the parking lot. Whew! I had a most productive morning, am flat broke, and feeling much better about the holidays. I took Mummy out this afternoon in the escort, and we ate a whole loaf of hot, fresh, French bread. Oh boy, that was worth it! I wana go to France...
Supper is pancakes--yum! My grandparents are coming to visit on Wensday--this is a very big event in Burklin History. The Moran grandparents have not spend Christmas with us for 17 years, i.e. since I was 1. Cool! I can't wait! Tomorrow I am going over to Rebekah's; I have not seen her since early November. Much to long! I can't wait!
Random Comment: I love my green beenie bear!

Wow!

I am out of school! I have a few weeks to do fun things, not practice, and read! Yeah!
Yesterday afternoon I went with my Mom, Mary, and Mercy to Marshall to do some shopping. We went to Marshall Pottery--AWSOME PLACE! I just wish I had had some money with me! (I had lost my wallet) It was fun to walk around and see all the interesting Christmas tress and go into the room with the coffee and smell. One Christmas tree really struck me becuase it looked like my Grandmother. The tree had hydrangas in the branches (Grandma has hydrangas all over her kitched!), and all the ornaments were ladylike and Grandma like. I thought that was really cool. What do you think a Christmas tree that looks like me would be like? Hmm...
After Marshall Pottery we went to Payless and found out that there were a whole lot of boot for unbelievable (under $8!) prices! The boots that I have been drooling over all semester were in this catagory! Oh we were excited! For awhile the isle was sort of lost in a flurry of large boxes and exited Burklins with big feet trying on boots and jumping for joy. (I was jumping/dancing a little. I was so happy!) So now Mary, Mercy, and I all have matching brown boots, and Mummy and I have black ones in the same style. Who knew that boots could bring so much joy into our lives?
Last night we watched the first disk of the extended Return of the King. Wow! Oh, we watched the first scene on the other side, when Legolas shoots Peter Jackson. Rock on! I can't wait to see the rest. I was ready to stay up forever to finish, but off to bed we went. Poo. Oh well, Faramir and Eowyn are up on this disk! :::dances in delighted circle::: Good day yesterday!

I am staggering around, barely alive...

The reason for that heading is the Into to Music final. Remember the scene in Monsters Inc where the "scream extractor" is used? Well, I felt like a "brain extractor" got put to my head. Oh my, I have never had such a hard final. Even the Bib. Lit. one was more fun. My brain hurt after spitting all that information out on a piece of paper. I was writting as fast as I could so that I could get as much info as possible on before my brain shut off in protest. Wow! That class was a doosey! I have a Brit Lit final today. yeah! That one will be do problem! I am ready for finals to be over. Just three more and I am free!

I've been thinking...

I had a great weekend with Elise! And then I went to see Annie so it got even better! What would I do without my wonderful friends!
I have been thinking about a bunch of things lately--both about having a community to belong to and another thing. I have never had a music community to belong to before-what a blessing! I love musicians! Never before have I been able to laugh at music jokes with other people who get them without being explained, and never before have I had people to make music with. God was good in letting me go to ETBU.
Another thing that has been crawling around in my mind has been language. God gave us words to express ourself and to communicate with others and Him, yet we have corrupted them and turned them into an instrument of evil. So many of the words I hear today are ugly; the scary thing is that I am getting used to them! I have to constantly decide what words to use, and it can be a real fight to keep from using common words. Oh my, words are powerful and our choice of words should be extra thoughful as Christians. Yet how easy it is to chose words to come out of our mouths that do not glorfy God, and that do not edify those who hear.
This whole thought leads into my ideas about praise and worship songs. I feel that because God is above us, we should use our best language and our best expressions of creativity to reach him. I am not trying to say that God will not take whatever efforts we extend to him, yet I truely feel that at least in my heart I need to offer up my best to God. My best is best expressed in old hymns which is why I vastly perfer to sing them. I like some praise and worship songs, but for the most part I find it easier for me to offer my best to God if I am singing hymns. Just some thoughts.
I have an Ear Training final in 30 minutes, and I have an Intro to Music final at 1. Ick. Oh well, I will live. God bless all the poor college students in thine tender care, and please give us good grades to celebrate here!

Let the Earth Rejoce!

Jurries are over! They went really well! I have two finals out of the way now, and life looks good!
I was burning leaves today; I am sitting in the lab smelling smokey, but that is just to bad. I kind of like smelling smokey. I didn't know until supper last night that we were going to be doing the leaf work at Dr. Austin's today. I was not thrilled, but it is a little more money for the X-mas fund. Man, Christmas is coming up fast!
Chai Party tonight. I sort of want to just fast forward to the day when fianls are over. However, that is not possible. Oh well. Things happen!
I can't think of anything else to say, so I will post my fianls peom that I came up with last year:
To the tune of "In Dreams":
When the time of exams comes
midnight oil will blend with day
In the veiling of the sun,
We hope we haven't,
Learned in vain.
But in dreams,
We will sleep again,
And in dreams,
We will be free, again.

When the books and papers fall,
And we file, them all away,
In the fall I hear a call,
Calling me there, I will go there,
and learn again.
~~Lina B.

Not the best thing in the world, but it went well with a picture of Boromir after Gandalf yelled in Black Speach during the councel of Elrond. Oh well. I am done!

AHHHHH!

You know that Celi Rain song about barley staying inside of your own skin (well, Annie will know what I am talking about!)? That is how I feel right now. Jurries are in 2 hours and 19 minutes and I am starting to feel the familare PERFORMANCE FREEZE. I am so glad that after today it will mostly be over. Finals don't scare me near as much as jurries. Oh I want to be done with them! Ack! I know I will do well, but telling myslef that dosn't always help. ::::head bang::::
I am still upset over the check that got bounced on me over Thanksgiving. I can't get a hold of the person, and I am watching my Christmas money evaporate. Argh! I want to wring her little neck... But then I guess she wouldn't pay me. ::sigh:: I am sure God will work it out, but it is hard to wait when that much money was lost.
I found out that I now have 2 non-comprehensive finals instead of only one. Thank you Dr. Whaley! I love non-comprehensive finals! I want finals to start--I want them over with!
Well, there is nothing else to say other than it is now 2 hours and 15 minutes till jurries. Will let you know the results!

I wish someone would comment on my blog!

There were grimlins in the Stienway on Friday. Ryan got them out though. I am trying to get ride of my own little performance grimlins. The Symphony is tonight. I lugged all my stuff over, and I am afraid that by the time comes to put it all on I won't care any more. My parents are heading to New Orleans tomorrow! Ack! More stress! Someone will be with the rest of the zoo while I am away, but I will have not freedom till they get back! I am so not ready for Thanksgiving to come yet. I have to much to do with juries coming up, the end of the semester, life, and everything else. I will be glad for the break, but I have so much to do in so little time.
Oh, good! Finals are a whole week later than I thought they were! I thought I had a concert to sing in during finals week. Yes! That is some stress off my shoulders. The 15th of December is the last day of finals, and then I come back on January 11th. that is about a three week break. Not bad!
I finally have all the Chopin memorized, almost all of the Fugue, and all the prelude. If only it would act like it was memorized...

The stars have aligned in my favor!

Well, since I last wrote the Chopin has gone into my brain, and I have sucessfully played it back for two people. I first played it all the way through from memory on Friday, and then on Monday I limped/crashed/stumbled/fudged my way through. So Dr. Sulton goes, "Good! You can play that friday {for studio class}." I was thinking, "ahh, that just randomly came together for like the second time and it just happened to happen in your office!" Ack! So I tried playing the peice for Elise yesterday. I MADE IT! It has taken most of the semester, but I have a five page peice memorized! Praise the Lord!
I think it is about decided that we are going to go to Brookwood. The really cool thing about that is that I will become the church pianst. I will enjoy that. However, even though I don't like our old church at all, it the groove I am acustomed to. Switching churches, no matter how good the reason it, is scary! The finality of this decision is a little scary, but I am sure God lead us to that church and that he will bless our membership there.
It is for certian- no more piano performance for me! I am now going to be a happy BA who will have caboodles of extra credits lying around. I will have theory and a sacred music minor in theory (though not on paper becuase of some obscure reason!), and a lot of extra piano hours becuase I want 16 not the required 10. Sometimes I wonder how colleges can even function with thier own rules and things. Why do all the different departments have to work different? I mean, there should be a little difference, but why does music work in its own little world? And, as Dr. Rogers said, as soon as I learn the system, they will change it! I love ETBU, but sometimes I wonder what the people who made this stuff up were on...