Back in the Swing of Things

After much reluctance yet excitement, I began classes today at Liberty University. As a student who actually enjoys to learn, I have always loved the first day of classes. The first day gives a thrill that nothing else can-the hope of starting anew, the rush of assignments being thrown at you, and the inevitable conversations of what everybody did during the summer.

However, today was not like any normal first day of class...not by a long shot. In fact, this day is best summarized in one word.

Haphazard.

My first professor didn't show up. Poor guy. Wait, no...poor us. I overslept and had 17 in which to dress, get ready, drive to campus, park, and run inside to class. ZOOOOOOOM....I feel bad for all the people who I sped past trying to get to class. I parked and ran inside. Exactly 7:40 I nonchalantly stumbled into the classroom and proceeded to wait for 25 minutes. Half a period we waited, to no avail, and finally got up and left. One down.

Only five people in my second class Secondary Music Methods and Practicum, so naturally I felt better about my next class. Although the professor was there, the room was not. That's right, no room where all that glorious learning takes place. Halfway through the class time we procured a room. Searching for a room evidently got my professor flustered and class was just odd. Bound to get better right? Two down.

Skip ahead to my next class...Music Theory III, what joy.

At least I had a full period of class time; however, the syllabus was nowhere to be found on blackboard prior to the class. Apparently we have part writing homework due on Wednesday though. Great, I hope that it's online so I can actually do it. Three down.

Auditions for Chamber Singers - nothing too special, some singing, some more singing, and onto the next class. One more to go.

What I hope to be my favorite class, Choral Conducting, got off to a rocky start when 25 minutes into the class the instructor showed up. Something to do with auditions for choir, but I suspect napping. Finally finished!

So ends my day. Now you see why haphazard is a good way of putting my day. On a positive note, moving off-campus has been a change but I'm definitely getting used to it. Still need a bed and hopefully I can keep up with food, gas, and rent. Maybe a job is in order....work study anyone?

Give my Regards to Broadway

This has absolutely nothing to do with anything, but last month I saw the ever radiant (slightly derelict) Patti LuPone in Gypsy courtesy of Dan M.'s mom, thanks mom. But tomorrow marks the end of the run of Gypsy, which may indeed be LuPone's last performance on the Broadway stage. I'm glad I got to see it before it closed. Rumor has it though that they were planning on videotaping the final performance for PBS's Great Performances, if that's so, you can bet you bottom dollar that I'm getting that performance on DVD. Watch a clip of her below and tell me that isn't AMAZING!

I'm Leaving...Not on a Jet Plane though.

On Sunday, I start my perilous trek to leave the safety and comfort of Shrewsbury and take the long drive to Lynchburg.  I know that this endeavor will be frought with adversity, yet I am hopeful that I will arrive in Virginia in one piece.

All right, all joking aside, I am indeed leaving to go back to college on Sunday.  Although I do look forward to a new semester with it's challenges, I always find great comfort in being home.  It's the familiar that I love, the never changing quality that New England has, and the place that I call home.

Last semester went just as well as the last two, I worried as usual about my grades and still got all A's.  Auditions for the Music Man were held in December and I was cast in the quartet.  The production is in April for more details go to the Liberty Theatre Arts page.  Next semester I am again taking eleven classes and eighteen credit hours; they are as follows:

BIBL 210 - New Testament Survey Honors with Dr. Borland...I dread this class yet I have to take it, so bring it on.

ENGL 216 - British Literature II Honors with Dr. Ayers...Another class I dread; however, I know people who have completed the class and are still alive.  I guess that should bolster my confidence?

MUSC 106 - Music Theory II with Dr. Beavers...This will be one of my favorite classes.

MUSC 108 - Aural Skills II with Dr. Mills...This will be one of my least favorite classes.

MUSC 241 - Piano Lessons with Mrs. Dudley...I need to practice more this semester, hopefully I will.

MUSC 180 - University Chorale with Dr. Hugo...I have to take an ensemble every semester.

MUSC 181 - Concert Choir with Dr. Hugo...I started a semester late in the program so I had to double up on ensembles.

MUSC 121 - Vocal Lessons with TBA...I have to audition for this to see who I'm placed with.

THEA 300 - The Music Man with Mrs. Cooper...Come see it in April!

EDUC 235 - Instructional Design with Mrs. Knight

EDUC 236 - Instructional Practicum with Mrs. Knight

There are all my classes and I hope to update this site as often as possible this semester.  Hope you are doing well and feel free to e-mail me sometime with an update from you.

Determine to Love

I hardly ever make a New Year's Resolution because I find them to be ineffective and a passing fad.   So I propose we rename our decisions New Year's determinations.  What should we do this year, unlike last, that will make a notable impact on us?  Then ask the question, am I determined to execute my decisions day to day?

All that being said, here some of my New Year's determinations:

1) Before laying my head down on the pillow each night, make sure that I have read my bible and daily sought after God.

2) Set personal goals and times for schoolwork to be done by.  Try not to let things sneak up on me.

3) Above all, demonstrate God's love in all aspects of my life, especially my speech.  "For God demonstrated His love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Last year, I kept pushing God away all summer and last semester even.  Yet, God never left me or forsook me.  No, He kept drawing me nearer as I keep pushing Him away.  This year determine to love one another as Christ loves us and gave his life for us.  Check back often, as I plan to update more frequently this year as well.  

Arranged by Accident

After much contemplation and figuring out scheduling, I have decided to sign over the rest of my college career to the music department. I know, some of you say emphatically, "NO! Don't subject yourself to such derision and tortuous behavior," and some say, "Why, didn't you do this sooner?"

Well, I realized how much I can't bear to live without music, and most of you agree. So, why not instill that love and appreciation of music on others? Plus, teaching is something I have to do, it was either history or music. History is amazing, don't hate, but music has history right?

I figured out my schedule for the next two years and it all fits perfectly. Even for starting late, I am still able to graduate on time. Although my life is going to be insanely busy with practicing and studying, I can deal long enough to get my degree.

Time Management, it's a wonderful concept.

After a lovely summer full of rain, mowing lawns, and working at Target, I am now officially settled back into my other life, college. That's right, it's not a place where you go for a few months every year to obtain a degree, it actually is a life. In fact, college right now is MY life. I am sure you're all just dying to know what I've been up to these past few months as well as how my semester is shaping up, right? No? Well, I'll tell you all anyways.

After my last update, I finished up my 30 hour practicum with the devil children...I mean...uh? wait. No, they were amazing; and I cannot wait to become an educator. Throughout the summer I worked at Target and earned enough money to buy my books (well, maybe a little more than that, but we ALL know that university textbooks are wicked expensive). During the rest of the summer, I visited my relatives for a few days in upstate NY; I traveled with my church's college group to NYC to visit The Journey Church for a day; I went to Boston and saw my first Sox game; finally, I had a great time up in Wells, ME for a turkey party!

As the dying light of summer faded, I packed up my belongings and headed south to Virginia to attend Liberty University for another semester of raucous fun. After 11 hours on the road, I was beat and went to my dorm to get settled in. Well, I ended up walking into dorm 15 instead of my dorm 13...an easy mistake after driving through seven states and torrential downpours. Yet I got settled in and the next day was auditions for the plays this semester.

To try and succinctly summarize all that has transpired, I will state what has happened in the last few months in bullets so hold on tight.

• Classes started on Monday, August 18th, 2008. Also, that day I found out that I was given the part of Freddy in "My Fair Lady." This was a very exciting day.
• Each Monday I have Music Theory I with Dr. Beavers, although its an easy class, I wish I was in Theory II. After that I have Concert Choir with Dr. Hugo, which is quite exciting and I get to wear a tux at our performances. Then piano lessons with Mrs. Dudley, I'm playing Beethoven's Pathetique 2nd movement and Brahams intermezzo Op. 118, No. 2 (for all those who want to listen to what I'm playing click on the links). Wednesday's and Friday's look like this too, sans the piano lesson.
• Tuesday....first class at 9:15...last class 4:50. It's a looooong day. Philosophy, Aural Skills, CMIS (learning Excel and Access), EDUC 222 (or readability in secondary education), BIOL 101. This repeats on Thursday except no CMIS.
• I work for a professor about 10 hours a week, going to classes, grading quizzes, and taking attendance. It pays minimum wage, but hey, it pays for gas and food.

All of my roommates are fun and for the most part we get along. I have run out of things to say but if you want to know more, or have any question feel free to ask! Thanks and hope to stay in touch with all of you.

Hallelujah, What a Savior!

If you don't have time to read, skip down to point four, that is the most important thing that I have learned all week. After a week of VBS and a weekend of working plus singing Sunday morning, I was ready to crash. In fact, I did and that's why I'm up now blogging. The sermon that Pastor Bennett spoke upon this morning was none other than the crucifixion. Now, I know everyone in my circle of friends has heard this story at least 50 times over in their life. Today was yet another one of those instances. Most of what Pastor Bennett was saying I've heard multiple times (if you want to listen click here), yet there were quite a number of things that really stuck out that I would like to share.

1) Encountering the Man on the cross - The title of the message is so insightful. We NEED to encounter Jesus everyday not passively accept Him. Jesus wants to get involved in your life, but you must get involved in His life.

2) What did Jesus tell us to remember? His miracles? His baptism? His ascension? His birth? No, the only thing that Jesus told us to remember was his death and resurrection by the Lord's Supper. Why? Because that is the heart of what Jesus came to do and who He is.

3) Jesus triumphed when He said the words, "It is finished" and gave up His spirit. The same statement Jesus gave meant "paid in full" and was stamped on debts that were forgiven. It was our Declaration of Independence from Sin because Jesus paid it already. Therefore, our good deeds do not "go towards" our salvation because there is NOTHING left to accomplish.

If you don't get anything else from this post read point four and consider it.

4) Does our energy for service come from a need to appease God? No, no, and no again! Pastor Bennett put it so well when he said, "Our energy for service is a NATURAL overflow of gratitude." Just like a dam has a natural overflow of water, we too must overflow with our love for our Savior.

"Hallelujah, what a Savior!" was written by American songwriter and educator Phillip Bliss in 1875 during the time of the Reconstruction. Listen to this wonderful song and meditate on the words.

Tetelestai! [It is finished]