Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Busy with Music
I have been in choirs I think for about my whole life. I had to write a reflection this morning for my music class - "How has music been a part of your past?" How has music not been a part of my past is more like it??
Chorus was always a way for me to have fun, to get away from math and history and do something I actually enjoyed. I remember in fourth grade I was chosen to be in the SELECT CHOIR, probably one of my greatest achievements thus far. I must say, it was a big deal back then. Our big piece we sang at the end of the school year was "You Can Feel It All Over" by Stevie Wonder. Now, I don't really know how to explain the epicness of our performance, but we had this magical musical cohesion that even the crowd could feel as they clapped along. Plus, it's one of those songs that you can't help but be taken away by the upbeat rhythm. Anyways, this was kinda the moment I fell in love with the power of music. It can just take you away from everything. The legend Wonder himself said, "Music is a world within itself with a language we all understand."
During my freshmen year of high shool, I picked up the guitar. I was pretty slow at first. I remember my brother who was attempting to teach me would get so frustrated because I couldn't pick up the simple strumming patterns. "Down, up, up, down, down," I can hear him now. One day though, it clicked. I could feel the rhythm in my fingers and suddenly I could strum along to any song! So, for the past couple years playing music and singing has become my "happy place," my little world of bliss I escape to after a long day.
Do I attempt to write songs? Why yes I do. I have performed a little too - a couple talent shows, open mic nights, coffeeshops, etc. I don't really have any ambition about it, but I just have fun writing and playing for people whenever I can.
Speaking of performing, last night I performed a little diddly at the BCM's coffeehouse night. My two friends (the ones in the picture) and I made a medely of disney songs. I was going to try to put up a video of it, but I am new at this and can't get it to work. We sang "Let's Together," then "You've Got a Friend in Me," and then "Under the Sea" with maracas and everything! I think we might have gotten shown up though because there was a remarkable lip-syncing performance to Backstreet Boys and a classy rap of the good ol' classic "I'm on a boat." Ohh my goodness, after the coffeehouse I had to go to a choir dress rehearsal where we practiced for our concert next week. So, I had a very fun and busy musical evening!
Chorus was always a way for me to have fun, to get away from math and history and do something I actually enjoyed. I remember in fourth grade I was chosen to be in the SELECT CHOIR, probably one of my greatest achievements thus far. I must say, it was a big deal back then. Our big piece we sang at the end of the school year was "You Can Feel It All Over" by Stevie Wonder. Now, I don't really know how to explain the epicness of our performance, but we had this magical musical cohesion that even the crowd could feel as they clapped along. Plus, it's one of those songs that you can't help but be taken away by the upbeat rhythm. Anyways, this was kinda the moment I fell in love with the power of music. It can just take you away from everything. The legend Wonder himself said, "Music is a world within itself with a language we all understand."
During my freshmen year of high shool, I picked up the guitar. I was pretty slow at first. I remember my brother who was attempting to teach me would get so frustrated because I couldn't pick up the simple strumming patterns. "Down, up, up, down, down," I can hear him now. One day though, it clicked. I could feel the rhythm in my fingers and suddenly I could strum along to any song! So, for the past couple years playing music and singing has become my "happy place," my little world of bliss I escape to after a long day.
Do I attempt to write songs? Why yes I do. I have performed a little too - a couple talent shows, open mic nights, coffeeshops, etc. I don't really have any ambition about it, but I just have fun writing and playing for people whenever I can.
Speaking of performing, last night I performed a little diddly at the BCM's coffeehouse night. My two friends (the ones in the picture) and I made a medely of disney songs. I was going to try to put up a video of it, but I am new at this and can't get it to work. We sang "Let's Together," then "You've Got a Friend in Me," and then "Under the Sea" with maracas and everything! I think we might have gotten shown up though because there was a remarkable lip-syncing performance to Backstreet Boys and a classy rap of the good ol' classic "I'm on a boat." Ohh my goodness, after the coffeehouse I had to go to a choir dress rehearsal where we practiced for our concert next week. So, I had a very fun and busy musical evening!
• • •
Thursday, November 12, 2009
It Feels Like November Again
This week has been so dreary and rainy.
I have been pretty lazy and haven't had much going on,
buuuut today the sun has come out!
Today, the weather is on our side and I am thrilled.
I took a walk this morning, kicked up some
freshly fallen red and yellow leaves, and bought myself some hot cocoa.
It's been a perfect November day!
I have been pretty lazy and haven't had much going on,
buuuut today the sun has come out!
Today, the weather is on our side and I am thrilled.
I took a walk this morning, kicked up some
freshly fallen red and yellow leaves, and bought myself some hot cocoa.
It's been a perfect November day!
• • •
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Self Help and Fried Chicken
I think self-help books are crap.
However, I have a friend who is going through a hard time. She lives about ten hours away, and I hate that I am not there to help her (which my way of helping is generally just giving a hug - I am no counselor). I wandered into the local Borders to look for a book that could help her and remembered why I don't believe in self-help books. It begins with their titles like "Why Blondes Have More Fun" and "Finding Your Inner Self" - right away all I want to do is make fun of them. Then, I guess it wierds me out to have some distant author tell you how to work through your problems. Dr. Phil doesn't know me!
Maybe my disgust for this thriving section in bookstores has to do more with the idea of getting help. Last week, I was crashing and burning. I had three tests and a presentation. I was sick for the third week with a very annoying cough that wouldn't let me sleep. In a way I needed some help, but ohhhh no I didn't even go get cough syrup after two weeks of sounding like a frog. When someone asked about my throat I would reply, "Oh I am fine. I am fine." I don't like to admit that I am not doing well. I finally fessed up to my mom (I can't lie to someone as sweet and understanding as her), and she made me realize I just needed to take a break and not worry about my grades.
I am not exactly sure how to define help - an encouraging word, someone to listen, a hug. It's different for everyone, but the one powerful factor of getting help is realizing you need it, realizing that maybe you need help to deal with your past, or help to decide what to do with your life, or even just help to get through the week like I did.
Maybe I discredit self-help books. They do encourage people to realize they need help, and maybe they could share some wisdom. I got my friend one, haha (she's probably going to hate me for it). Sometimes help is just necessary, a reality that I am beginning to understand.
The next time I begin to crash and burn, I am going to admit it quicker and seek a little help. In the mean time though, I am going to practice my own simple self-help methods: drinking a soothing cup of folgers in the morning, listening to some jazz, and cooking with friends. Last night our meal of the week we made was Fried Chickchickchiken!!!! Delicious! We are officially southern girls if we can make Fried Chicken in our dorm!
However, I have a friend who is going through a hard time. She lives about ten hours away, and I hate that I am not there to help her (which my way of helping is generally just giving a hug - I am no counselor). I wandered into the local Borders to look for a book that could help her and remembered why I don't believe in self-help books. It begins with their titles like "Why Blondes Have More Fun" and "Finding Your Inner Self" - right away all I want to do is make fun of them. Then, I guess it wierds me out to have some distant author tell you how to work through your problems. Dr. Phil doesn't know me!
Maybe my disgust for this thriving section in bookstores has to do more with the idea of getting help. Last week, I was crashing and burning. I had three tests and a presentation. I was sick for the third week with a very annoying cough that wouldn't let me sleep. In a way I needed some help, but ohhhh no I didn't even go get cough syrup after two weeks of sounding like a frog. When someone asked about my throat I would reply, "Oh I am fine. I am fine." I don't like to admit that I am not doing well. I finally fessed up to my mom (I can't lie to someone as sweet and understanding as her), and she made me realize I just needed to take a break and not worry about my grades.
I am not exactly sure how to define help - an encouraging word, someone to listen, a hug. It's different for everyone, but the one powerful factor of getting help is realizing you need it, realizing that maybe you need help to deal with your past, or help to decide what to do with your life, or even just help to get through the week like I did.
Maybe I discredit self-help books. They do encourage people to realize they need help, and maybe they could share some wisdom. I got my friend one, haha (she's probably going to hate me for it). Sometimes help is just necessary, a reality that I am beginning to understand.
The next time I begin to crash and burn, I am going to admit it quicker and seek a little help. In the mean time though, I am going to practice my own simple self-help methods: drinking a soothing cup of folgers in the morning, listening to some jazz, and cooking with friends. Last night our meal of the week we made was Fried Chickchickchiken!!!! Delicious! We are officially southern girls if we can make Fried Chicken in our dorm!
• • •
Monday, October 26, 2009
Yeehaw!
Friday night I put on my plaid shirt and cowboy boots and went to my first barn party!
Now, I was especially excited because there was a part of me that was really worried when I transferred here that if I wasn't in a sorority, then I might not have that much fun -WRONG!!
I joined one of the thousand Christain groups on campus (and by joined I mean I just showed up more than once - that's really all it takes) and have a blast with them. They do a lot of fun events like Baaarn Paaarty. Let me just stop and say it was not at a barn though :( because of too much rain on Friday. So, we didn't have the hayride or the bonfire, but there was BBQ and a legit caller who taught us how to square dance. That's right I can square dance now (or at least I should be able to). My group was definitely all over the place. By the end of the night we still couldn't get the simple weave in weave out in a circle move down. I didn't care though because I laughed so hard I almost peed my pants. It was so much fun!
Oh my goodness! The best part of the night was when we had a huge epic hoedown throwdown with Hannah Montana. You see, in Miley Cyrus' recent movie she goes back to good ol' Tennessee to get back to her roots. She naturally has to attend a hoedown (because us Tennesseans have those all the time) and of course has to have a choreagraphed musical number. So, apparently a ton of people learned this embarrassing number because when the music came on I would say about twenty five people whipped out the moves - it was awwwwwesome (and yes, I am proud to say I participated)!!!!
Saturday night I was at Market Square and definitely saw three little girls doing the hoedown. I had to refrain from joining in - I already had enough embarrassment for one weekend.
• • •
Saturday, October 24, 2009
It's my first post! My first post!
I figured since you readers probably know nothing about me, I am going to give you a little introduction into ... well, me.
Let's see here, I went to a catholic high school in Hendersonville, a suburb of Nashville. I had a pretty typical high school experience, you know with my large share of embarrassing moments, ridiculous insecurities, and a few proud seconds thrown in there. After graduation, I was ready to take a huge leap. I wanted to see the world! So, I decided for my first year of college to travel to the great windy city of Chicago. I was trying to get out there and find that road less traveled people are always talking about. Mhhhm ... well, what can I say the road less traveled was cold, expensive, and honestly didn't feel like an adventure at all. I hoped that the small private school I attended would offer exactly the things I wanted. It did to a degree, but absolutely nothing compared to the package of the University of Tennessee. I visited over the summer and decided to transfer here as a sophomore, a choice that to be perfectly honest I NEEEVER saw myself making, but I was just so impressed by what UT had to offer me. I have been here for about two months or so, and I still am really thrilled about this place! I definitely made a great choice!
My major is another interesting story. I wanted to major in Biology last year, buuuuut I realized this summer when I interned at a research lab that maybe science isn't the track for me. I had enough long days without talking to people, enough bacteria accidently splattered in my face (ugh), enough failed experiments, and on top of that a very very hurt finger because I am not good at working big dangerous machines (I'm only nineteen). So, technically I think my major is listed as undecided. My parents told me that this semester for me is about "exploration," which baaaasically means I am taking a bunch of fun intro courses. I was okay with that deal! I actually just finished a course that the career services office provides about deciding your major. I'm not going to lie - I felt like such a loser being in it - but it actually really helped, and I am feeling pretty confident about majoring in Communications now so yaaaay!
There's a lot more I could tell you about myself, but I will save it all for other posts and will definitely not leave out all my great UT experiences!!
Let's see here, I went to a catholic high school in Hendersonville, a suburb of Nashville. I had a pretty typical high school experience, you know with my large share of embarrassing moments, ridiculous insecurities, and a few proud seconds thrown in there. After graduation, I was ready to take a huge leap. I wanted to see the world! So, I decided for my first year of college to travel to the great windy city of Chicago. I was trying to get out there and find that road less traveled people are always talking about. Mhhhm ... well, what can I say the road less traveled was cold, expensive, and honestly didn't feel like an adventure at all. I hoped that the small private school I attended would offer exactly the things I wanted. It did to a degree, but absolutely nothing compared to the package of the University of Tennessee. I visited over the summer and decided to transfer here as a sophomore, a choice that to be perfectly honest I NEEEVER saw myself making, but I was just so impressed by what UT had to offer me. I have been here for about two months or so, and I still am really thrilled about this place! I definitely made a great choice!
My major is another interesting story. I wanted to major in Biology last year, buuuuut I realized this summer when I interned at a research lab that maybe science isn't the track for me. I had enough long days without talking to people, enough bacteria accidently splattered in my face (ugh), enough failed experiments, and on top of that a very very hurt finger because I am not good at working big dangerous machines (I'm only nineteen). So, technically I think my major is listed as undecided. My parents told me that this semester for me is about "exploration," which baaaasically means I am taking a bunch of fun intro courses. I was okay with that deal! I actually just finished a course that the career services office provides about deciding your major. I'm not going to lie - I felt like such a loser being in it - but it actually really helped, and I am feeling pretty confident about majoring in Communications now so yaaaay!
There's a lot more I could tell you about myself, but I will save it all for other posts and will definitely not leave out all my great UT experiences!!
• • •