Are you an element/ Composing/Lily the Kitten

Heya everyone! Hope the summer is treating you well! :)

Quick Updates:

• I GOT A KITTEN! Her name is Lily, and she is so funny! She is full of attitude and confidence. She is so previous and cute!
• I entered in a music composing contest! I'm a little nervous because I'm so new to composing and don't have full confidence in my abilities. But this will be a great experience! Plus I have a wonderful friend who sent me the contest info who I know I can turn to to get help! (Thank you Rachelle!)
• Taking a summer course in American Government. I really love the class. So far it feels like review on things I know about (Federalism, constitution, elections, etc) but I can't wait to get into the class more. One of our assignments is to either make a commercial or play a politics video game! Haha! XD
• Health - feeling a lot better :)
• No more Orca whale nightmares! I had a total of 7, and now they've stopped!...Knock on wood! Anyway, it's nice that they've stopped, but I never did truly find out what they could have meant.

So! I'm starting to compose again, which makes me happy. :) Eric Whitacre is a huge inspiration for me right now. His music is so simple, but breath taking. Now a days, you'll find some pieces that are either so simple you feel like you've heard it already (Pachelbel), or waaaaaay too complicated.  I love vocal pieces that are simple in the style Whitacre composes with. I love composing for vocal more than anything. I'm working on a piece I called "Progression" because I couldn't think of a title. Maybe it won't have one! I have to start on my piece for the contest soon! I think it's due in August! (The piece below is "Cloudburst" by Eric Whitacre)

So the new kitten! Her name is Lily! I've had for for two weeks, and she's already doubled her size! Maybe even tripled! She's huge! Isn't she so cute!? I love her so much already!

So I have a question for you!...Ok, maybe 3!  My friend and I were discussing the shows "Avatar the Last Airbender" and the new "Legends of Korra". Most of the characters who are benders have personalities that fit their element. If someone is really stubborn, they'd be an Earth bender for example. Then we got into the discussion of non-benders. What characterizes them? How different are they really from the benders? We definitely got into a "This symbolizes History!" discussion.  Finally, we discussed what element we though we were, or if we were not an element. So here are my 3 questions.
1. What element would you want to have? (Water, Earth, Fire or Air?)
2. What element would you be? What do you see yourself as? Do you see yourself;f as a bender or non-bender?
3. If you had the choice to be the Avatar, would you take it?

My answers:
1. Air. I love air. Ever since I was young, I've always stared into the sky, dreaming of flying and being part of the wind. I love and appreciate the life style the Air Nomads on the show have. I am very intrigued by the idea of "Enlightenment". I want to fly, bend air and eat fruit pies. :) Plus, to me Air symbolizes "Freedom". Just like what Iroh says in the show, "Air is the element of freedom. The air nomads detached them,selves from worldly concerns, and they found peace and freedom". Peace and freedom...I am such a Liberal. XD
2. This one is hard for me to answer. Out of the elements, I guess I would be Air, though I could be Water. Though I am afraid of change, but I guess I handle it OK. I honestly see myself as a bender, because of my love for nature. I cant imagine life without the beauty of the natural world. Trees, oceans, sand, dirt, everything is beautiful. Did I mention that I think nature is beautiful? XD
3. Being the Avatar would be a huge responsibility, but I think  I would take it. I want to do good with my life. I want to help people, make a difference and keep balance. Some people may find the idea strange, but I believe that the idea of  "balance" in the world does exist. I would be honored to spend my life for the good of life.


Can't wait to hear your answers! Have a great summer! 

"Avatar: The Last Airbender: Bitter Work (#2.9)" (2006)

Uncle Iroh: [Drawing the Fire Nation symbol in the dirt] Fire is the element of power. The people of the Fire Nation have desire and will, and the energy and drive to achieve what they want. 
[Drawing the Earth Kingdom symbol] 
Uncle Iroh: Earth is the element of substance. The people of the Earth Kingdom are diverse and strong. They are persistent and enduring. 
[Drawing the Air Nomad symbol] 
Uncle Iroh: Air is the element of freedom. The Air Nomads detached themselves from worldly concerns, and they found peace and freedom. 
[pause] 
Uncle Iroh: And they apparently had great senses of humor. 
[Drawing the Water Tribe symbol] 
Uncle Iroh: Water is the element of change. The people of the Water Tribes are capable of adapting to many things. They have a sense of community and love that holds them together through anything. 
Prince Zuko: Why are you teaching me these things? 
Uncle Iroh: It is important to draw wisdom from different places. If you take it from only one place it become rigid and stale. 
[he draws straight lines separating the four symbols] 
Uncle Iroh: Understanding others, the other elements, the other nations, will help you become whole. 
[he draws a circle around the whole, uniting the four symbols into one] 
Prince Zuko: All this four elements talk, is sounding like Avatar stuff. 

Uncle Iroh: It is the combination of the four elements in one person that makes the Avatar so powerful. But it can make you more powerful too.

Summer updates and Orca Whale Nightmares

Oh yeah, I have a blog. Writing time! XD
So updates on life...

•  I took 20 units this semester, and received all A's except for one B+. SO CLOSE. Haha but it's ok! It's great very happy that I passed everyone! 
• I am currently relearning the Tuba, and oh my gosh I nearly forgot EVERYTHING on it! 0.0
• Loving the flute, practicing almost every day. My dog however runs out of the room when I start to assemble the instrument, hahaha!
• Animal sitting! There are currently 7 animals in my house, 3 in which I am watching.
• Having weird nightmares lately. I'll talk about that more later in the blog.
• FINALLY got new headphones...ok boring update, but I'm so happy I get to dance around with my ipod again. XD
• Feeling sick again, mostly stomach and head.
• Summer class coming up - 5 week course on history
• Hetalia - one of my new favorite shows
• Currently looking for a KITTEN. Too excited!

So lately I've had some weeeird dreams. Each one ends as a nightmare, but I don't know if I'm actually afraid or not when I wake up. Out of the past 9 nights, I've had 5 nights with a weird nightmare. Each of these dreams have one thing in common...Orca Whales. ORCA WHALES! Completely random, right? Wait until you hear the dreams! I won't bore you with details of the dreams yet. (You probably will hear them if you know me in person) Each dream doesn't have the same story or people. Usually each one ended/ends with me falling into the ocean with angry orca whales.  I have never had a fear of them before. I have always had a love and passion for the Ocean and sea-life. Some people don't know this, but for a while I wanted to be a marine biologist! Orca whales were/are one of my favorite sea creatures, along with Dolphins and Hammerhead sharks. So why Orca Whales? Why the "killer whale"? 

Every time I wake up from the dreams, I feel anxious like something is going to change, and that the change is coming too soon. I also am starting to think about Orca Whales more often. What is bothering me? I've always had anxiety problems, but what is it this time? I looked up pictures and videos of Orca Whales, so I know I'm not freaked out by them. Perhaps they symbolize the future and my fear of it? Two of my dreams took place on my 21st birthday, and in both of the dreams I somehow fell into the ocean with angry whales after me. I am a little afraid of aging.

I've always had weird dreams though. Maybe it's just my head being insane haha. Just thought this was interesting. Why the Orca Whale?

I met one in real life once! When I was really young at Marine World, I was chosen to pet one. I kissed it on the side of it's face, and it licked my cheek. It felt like slimmy rubber, haha! But it's one of my favorite childhood memories. I even have a picture of it! :)

Well, I guess that's it for now. If I keep having dreams, maybe I'll post the log I'm keeping about them. Hope everyone is having a great summer!

RIP James....

It's so strange how times passes by so quickly. It is so strange to think that I've lived for as long as I have, and that I will continue to experience life as such a fast rate. I can not even begin to explain the anxiety and disbelief I feel when I remember how old I am. Wasn't it yesterday when I was entering middle school, staring at my feet, shy and nervous. I felt so old then, as if I was entering a whole new world. Now I look at my self, and see that I've enter another world. Is "world" the right term? It's a hard topic for me to explain I guess.

For the past few days, I have been thinking about time and life. Why? For many reasons. There is one in particular that I have been thinking about though. It was one year ago today that I saw a friend of mine for the last time before he disappeared and took his life. That was such a hard time for all of us that I thought we'd never heal. It's weird though; I look around and see that life has moved on. Of course we miss him, and he'll never be forgotten, but it's very similar to the song "Without You" from the musical RENT. Even though the message of the song was that the two people missed each other and couldn't "live" without each other, there was another message that it expressed...Life moves on. It continues, no matter what happens. Isn't it a strange thought? Life is continuing. Even when everything in our world seems lost and hopeless, birds still fly, the sun rises, the wind blows, people are still driving to work, children are still in school, life keeps going. It almost gives me comfort to know this, yet this process still confuses me. I don't know, maybe I'm babbling now, sorry about that.

What do you think?

Anyway, I also want to respect my dear friend. Rest in peace James, a great musician, a great friend and a great Pokemon master.  It's so horrible that we lost you. You were always such a joy in every class. Everyone loved your smile, your humor and your extreme Bass voice in ear training, haha! That still makes me smile! One of my favorite memories of us hanging out was when we were deciding who was what pokemon. I wanted Mew, but was put as Chansey. You wanted to be Articuno, but were put as Rattata. I guess we both just wanted to fly. You're flying now James, you're flying now. We miss you.

James shall be honored in my memory as life goes on. Memory is one of our greatest treasures. It's something I take for granted way too much. It's the same with time and life. I guess I'm saying thank you for life, time and memories. Maybe I'm blabbing again. It's all very confusing, grief, mystery and time. 

Well, I guess that's enough out of me. Until next time, farewell! 

(RENT - Without You)

Quick update, Frank Ticheli, A Tango and Batman.

Hey guys! Hope everyone is having a great spring break! Just writing a very quick update for everyone!


Updates

• Band tour = AWESOME!! Had soo much fun! The concerts, driving in the tour, best hotel roomies, coke bottle music, oh too much fun!
• Composing music = still working on Songcycle book. Barely started really, heehee! XD Working hard on a piece for soprano and alto vocals and two harps. It's really happening!
• School - So. Much. Homework.
• Health - feeling stomach achy again, but okish. 
• Social life - I love my people :) They're great! Got to take two of my college peeps around my home town, and then we played Mario Nintendo 64, so much fun. And then we composed a wonderful short piece for cello, piano and timpani. ;) Love you guys!

Random Music 

"Blue Shades" by Frank Ticheli. Just started playing this in Wind Ensemble, and I'm loving it! It's very entertaining!

"Angels in the Architecture" was another piece I've played of Frank Ticheli. I played it in my freshman year, and it was so fun! I loved the vocal solo, and the jet stream noise we made on the flutes! XD

"Libertango" - one of my favorite piano duets right now. <3




Random Video

BATMAN...HE'S ABOVE THE LAW.


Ok, extremely short blog done. I'll try to write more next time! Have a good one!

I still exist!

Hey Guys!

Long time no post! So sorry about that! It's been insane! I've been so busy; I'm sure you all understand, haha!
Well I guess I will give you all a shortened update on my life...

Quick update:
~ Midterms are ending, yay! All seemed to go well for the most part. I'm completely unsure for two of them though. :/ Oh well, time will tell.
~multiple concerts = successful! Woohoo! I felt bad because I messed up one of my flute solos in the concert band performance, but I know I need to let it go, and celebrate the the other ones were successful. :)
Great job to everyone who played!
~ I'M GOING ON TOUR NEXT WEEK!!!! SO EXCITED!!!! The Band is going on tour, and we're performing in multiple day and night concerts! My roommates for the trip are AWESOME!!!! This will be so fun!
~ Health - I'm feeling a lot better thankfully. I'm exhausted from my schedule but doing good! :)
~Compositions and Arrangements - I just finished two vocal arrangements for my friend whose in a renaissance fair; she and one other person will be performing them! Wee!
Also, I started a new project! I'm making a song-cycle book! Each song will be about one person, and be dedicated to them. Should be exciting! :)
~Hanging with Megan tonight! I haven't seen her in forever! So we watched the Japanese version of Howls Moving Castle, which was awesomely hilariously cute! Good times! And eggs...yum.
~ HELLO MIND SLAVES!!! YOUR NAME IS STEVE!!!...who gets it?

Good times! I'm having a wonderful time as a music major. I love the idea of teaching music even more than before, which is a relief, not going to lie, haha! I also feel like I am playing the flute at a level that I never thought I could play at!!! Very cool!
Tomorrow morning I have a scholarship audition, guuuuulp! Wish me luck, haha! I'm playing a Mozart Andante and Donizetti flute solo piece. The Donizetti piece is AWESOME, and the Mozart is pretty! So hopefully I'll do great! :)

Here is the Donizetti piece

And Here's the Mozart

Both are pretty!!!! :D

On a random note...B FLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!!! haha...sorry.

Well, I guess that's it for now. I hope you guys have a good night!

WAS THAT THE CAR?!?!

...*turns around* Oh! Hey Blog! Hows it going?

So it's been awhile! I have been soooo busy! 11-12 hour days at school, ensembles, tests, classes, musical instruments, ahhh! It's been incredible! I feel like I'm learning so much I can't process everything, if that makes sense haha!
So! I'll try to give you a quick summary of what has been happening...

PEP BAND SEASON! First game was so fun! And this is the first time I am not playing the Flute/Piccolo in the band...no no, I'm playing Trombone! WOOHOO! I'm playing in the brass section with some of my dearest SSU pals <3 Love ya guys, GO BRASS!!!!
So after free pizza, cheesey pep music and us loosing the game but still having fun, Two of my friends and I were at the GMC talking. We had just unloaded everything back into the band room when...they appeared. A black car drove by, speakers pumping up the jam and all that. So we yelled "HIII!", and one of us waved. Oops. The car stops and turns back around. As soon as they drove right at us, we screamed, and after I grabbed my trombone, we jumped into our car as fast as we could. The car pulled up behind us, and then after a few moments of us screaming and laughing in the car, they drove away...and then while trying to start the car,  the alarm goes off. If you can imagine three girls in matching band t-shirts crying with laughter, then you are imagining us. Of course, the adventure was soon from over. The car kept coming back! We finally drove off into the campus, and they followed. Oh, the things that were going through our minds. We kept trying to loose them! And finally they left us alone; oh man, we were freaked out. We dropped off one of our friends at their dorm, and quickly returned to the GMC where my car waited. So when I got out of the car, a black car came out of no where, and while I tried to fit the trombone into the car, (which it wouldn't! It got stuck!) the car drove past us, the two panicing band geeks... It wasn't the same car, I'm sure haha! Don't wave at stranger car guys, don't do it. But even after that, the night was amazing. Go Seawolves! Cause now, whenever we see a black car, we go "WAS THAT THE CAR?!?!"

Ok! School itself! Pretty good! Had my first Theory three exam, it felt really easy! Tomorrow is my first Ear Training Three test, but I'm not too worried. Astronomy is interesting, I love that topic. Flute is great, I have to re-learn classical piccolo for Chamber Wind Ensemble...hmmm...and Trombone in Pepband is AMAZING, I am doing well on Clarinet (yaaay), and I still can play the violin! All is well there! Singign wise is still hard. I'm not quite recovered from my illness, and my tonsils still hurt. Yet it's getting much better thankfully!

So much as happened yet so little. So I think I'll live it at that!
So to wrap things up... Chamber Winds and Wind Ensemble are pretty cool! Yeah! Here are sme pieces we're playing in Wind Ensemble!

Oh yeah, we're playing this! XD Teeheehee!

Paris Sketches - It has multiple movements; this is one of my favs!

Seal Lullaby - Yes yes, Eric Whitacre is everywhere, but great music! XD

Foundry - AWESOME! I was playing Flute on it, but then my director handed me a hammer and said, "Here, play percussion on this piece". Haha, so fun!

Lincolnshire Posy by Percy Grainer. What an incredible composer! If you ever have the time, look up about his life and how he wrote his music! Anywho, the band playing it in the video is the Airforce band <3 Love them!

We have more pieces too, but I thought you guys would like these!

Ok, blog ya later! Good night!

Fall Down, Pick Yourself Up.

Hey guys!

Sorry I disappeared there for awhile. Things have been crazy busy!
I have been very ill. I got a cold that turned into a severe illness, what a battle! It got so bad that I've literally been depressed the entire time I have been ill. I completely lost my voice so I couldn't sing in choir or talk at all. I had infected tonsils and a horrible cough (won't go into details), so I couldn't play any instruments. My fever had sky rocketed, thinking and concentrating were out of the question. My body was weak, and I couldn't walk very well or do anything. I was the definition of useless. I also got some sort of stomach flue, yikes.  It was a very hard week to go through. Today I feel better, so it's been study for quiz at 9am tomorrow and do all of the homework I fell behind on that's due tomorrow and stress out day. I feel sick again already.
Being this sick really got me thinking horribly about myself again. Being ill makes me loose faith in my abilities and in myself overall. I had a huge panic attack today while trying to do all of my homework, there just wasn't enough time in my mind. I think I was actually hating myself; I haven't done that in awhile. I still don't like myself as much as I should, but not like I did today. I hurt my own feelings, which was weird and painful. I really wanted to quit right there. Drop my major, go to the Junior College and get a B.A in something, some two year degree. Maybe just become a housewife! Go find a nice guy with financial stability and be like "Hey need a wife?" Hahahaha I was really rambling to myself at that point. But I literally lost the ability to go on with my work for an hour, I felt so useless. And then, somehow I got over it. It was the weirdest sensation! Two seconds prior I was literally on the verge of tears, and then I went back to my laptop and finished two of my assignments. How the brain works....I'll never understand. I still feel rotten, physically, mentally and emotionally,  but will get better. I can feel it. Broken pieces can fit back together, it just takes time to heal.

So, what have I been up too besides being ill? So. Much. Work. I'm learning clarinet! Hard to keep a solid tone on it, but it's pretty cool! Hmm, I volunteered for a Jazz Festival thing for the CMEA as a stage manager. That was pretty cool, even though I was still really sick. But the festival was fun because of the amazing people working with me. Love you guys! <3

School has been busy, I've had this many units before but for some reason the spring semesters are always harder! Yikes!
This week Chamber Wind Ensemble rehearsals start! That will be fun! And Astronomy is very interesting, I like it!  And the rest of the classes are pretty good too, the same as before but very different at the same time!

Sorry for the weird, and depressing update. I should go continue to study and do homework. I hope everyone has a great week! And hopefully  I will see you guys soon (to my followers who I know in person, haha).

Bye bye.