Not too much in real life to actually report on this time around. I hosted two prospective students who are amazing girls, so that took up a lot of "me" time in the past 24 hours, but that is OKAY!
C has spoiled me the last week or so because where he was assigned temporarily, he had wayyy too much free time (okay by me!) so he was always either online or would call every night - so that will be a NOT fun adjustment to make in the next coming week as he returns to _ _ _. I miss him oh so much - and it's such a tease for me to be this close to January, yet it still seems so far away - basically I don't like it!
As far as seminar goes:
I still have still been taking away the same perspective as in relation to my last post; one thing that sticks out to me is how the author insists to relate classical music to art - I mean I know that music is an art form, but every time I am reading I always associate the authors comments with like a comparison to art you would find in a museum - I am not sure if it his wording or what but unfortunately that makes it very distracting to me.. AHH -- but i do agree with and like the multiple correlations and examples given as to how music relates to who we essentially are as human beings. I feel like the passion presented turns the view of studying music on such an intellectual lever into a deep theological worldview aspect for people to ponder on. Or maybe that is just me and I really enjoying trying to wrap my mind around that which I cannot fathom - it's like a puzzle of life, that I cannot find all the pieces to, and yet I am content with that....
Oh the many wonders on which one can linger....
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Second Chances
Second Chances - we all want and all need; God is good - is he not?
I need the weekend to PLEASE have more hours in it. Dear heavens, I feel like I have 800 trillion things to do and like 60 minutes to do them. That is how my 48 hour weekends feel - like I only have one hour. Where does all that time go? I mean sure I am definitely the most easily distracted person on the planet - okay, a wall could probably entertain me to prevent me from doing homework but so far that hasn't happened thankfully!
Oh so this explains too why I at least usually have a good 24-48 hours in between my blog entries!
Ok, now back to reality; I feel like I have gotten NO sleep, but in reality I really have! I don't know why I am so sleepy - but I am being good and trying not to use cafefine as a crutch either, however, I do not know how long that will last - I mean "Hi Kela! Welcome to College!" I guess I should wake up and smell the coffee huh? Anyways, there isn't too much for me to report on - nothing has really happened in the past like two days of my life, besides me attempting to get work done. I do however, have to figure out where I would like to take vacation to - I don't like making those kinds of decisions because I'm flexible about all that - I'm not picky I love traveling - so hey people any ideas are welcome!!
I was reading in a book for my seminar class last night - and there were some very interesting comments I found. (of course that was basically reading that pages for the third time because I couldn't focus and really pay attention to what my eyes were seeing - oops) The following paragraph really had be pause and think about what was being expressed:
"The age of Mozart and Hayden, or even Mahler and Debussy, [only on of those people do I actually know who they are] may seem distant to us, but the questions of human identity and self-understanding that such music confronts are also our own. They are not, to be sure, obviously concerned with race, class, or gender. From this, one might conclude that classical music is ideological, guilty of covering up the material tensions of social life. But one might also conclude that this music deals instead with the battles of race, class, and gender are won, or simply those inner moments of anxiety, emptiness, or sheer wonder that are not addressed by the mere political. ... classical music retains the capacity to shed the social baggage that has often weighed it down."
I think this is true no just for the "classical music." I believe that even in today's popular music genre a lot of the dame fundamental questions are dealt with. I have always see music - to me at least - as a form of expression when and where words would fail. There are so many times where what I want to say or share I can never verbalize, but there may be a piece of music, or a specific popular song in which I can relate to so well that I feel I might as well have written it, or be singing it to get my point across. People today are so concerned with being politically correct - well what defines one aspect or form of expression more correct than another? Music whether classified as a "classical" piece or the modern songs you might hear on the radio - everyone is so concerned with offending someone here or there, that no one will get to the foundation of the musical emotion that one is trying to actually express. There is so much to take away from what is "good, evil, and classical music" in this "postmodern world" in which we live. But we have to take the time to sit back and dig for what we are searching for and stop essentially "walking on eggshells" to reach the conclusion that is waiting to be found.
....don't you think?....
I need the weekend to PLEASE have more hours in it. Dear heavens, I feel like I have 800 trillion things to do and like 60 minutes to do them. That is how my 48 hour weekends feel - like I only have one hour. Where does all that time go? I mean sure I am definitely the most easily distracted person on the planet - okay, a wall could probably entertain me to prevent me from doing homework but so far that hasn't happened thankfully!
Oh so this explains too why I at least usually have a good 24-48 hours in between my blog entries!
Ok, now back to reality; I feel like I have gotten NO sleep, but in reality I really have! I don't know why I am so sleepy - but I am being good and trying not to use cafefine as a crutch either, however, I do not know how long that will last - I mean "Hi Kela! Welcome to College!" I guess I should wake up and smell the coffee huh? Anyways, there isn't too much for me to report on - nothing has really happened in the past like two days of my life, besides me attempting to get work done. I do however, have to figure out where I would like to take vacation to - I don't like making those kinds of decisions because I'm flexible about all that - I'm not picky I love traveling - so hey people any ideas are welcome!!
I was reading in a book for my seminar class last night - and there were some very interesting comments I found. (of course that was basically reading that pages for the third time because I couldn't focus and really pay attention to what my eyes were seeing - oops) The following paragraph really had be pause and think about what was being expressed:
"The age of Mozart and Hayden, or even Mahler and Debussy, [only on of those people do I actually know who they are] may seem distant to us, but the questions of human identity and self-understanding that such music confronts are also our own. They are not, to be sure, obviously concerned with race, class, or gender. From this, one might conclude that classical music is ideological, guilty of covering up the material tensions of social life. But one might also conclude that this music deals instead with the battles of race, class, and gender are won, or simply those inner moments of anxiety, emptiness, or sheer wonder that are not addressed by the mere political. ... classical music retains the capacity to shed the social baggage that has often weighed it down."
I think this is true no just for the "classical music." I believe that even in today's popular music genre a lot of the dame fundamental questions are dealt with. I have always see music - to me at least - as a form of expression when and where words would fail. There are so many times where what I want to say or share I can never verbalize, but there may be a piece of music, or a specific popular song in which I can relate to so well that I feel I might as well have written it, or be singing it to get my point across. People today are so concerned with being politically correct - well what defines one aspect or form of expression more correct than another? Music whether classified as a "classical" piece or the modern songs you might hear on the radio - everyone is so concerned with offending someone here or there, that no one will get to the foundation of the musical emotion that one is trying to actually express. There is so much to take away from what is "good, evil, and classical music" in this "postmodern world" in which we live. But we have to take the time to sit back and dig for what we are searching for and stop essentially "walking on eggshells" to reach the conclusion that is waiting to be found.
....don't you think?....
Friday, September 19, 2008
So What
..."So what I'm still ROCKSTAR"...
So I LOVE my roommate - she made my birthday yesterday SO much fun! :o) She planned an evening where her and some of the other girls to me to dinner - at my favorite: Olive Garden! It was a good night - and in all honesty I wasn't looking forward to spending my birthday alone, as in, without my family - but I totally enjoyed my day!
I must admit - I'm not feeling too inspired about much of anything right now - besides the main purpose I have begun this blogging - which I have tried before and failed at - so this is kinda of nice to keep a journal type of well journal ..
I did write a poem the other night, it's called The One:
So for my paper on Peace Like A River I mentioned I would be writing, this is some rough thoughts I have down that I am still tweaking and putting together. For me it's one of those processes where once I get going I can usually just GO and it all comes which I haven't decided if that's good or not - because then usually I have to sit and write in all one sitting. So here is an excerpt from the beginning of my masterpiece:
"In Peace like a River, there are many instances where "miracles" occur. In the forefront of one's mind though is the following, what is a miracle? And, what separates a miracle from coincidence? The dictionary term for a miracle is the following; "an effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause." However, the definition for a coincidence is as follows; "a striking occurrence of two or more events at one time apparently by mere chance." So, in the sense of mere intellect, the two ideas appear strikingly different, however, the argument between the two word choices after different events is still one that is popular in society today...."
So I LOVE my roommate - she made my birthday yesterday SO much fun! :o) She planned an evening where her and some of the other girls to me to dinner - at my favorite: Olive Garden! It was a good night - and in all honesty I wasn't looking forward to spending my birthday alone, as in, without my family - but I totally enjoyed my day!
I must admit - I'm not feeling too inspired about much of anything right now - besides the main purpose I have begun this blogging - which I have tried before and failed at - so this is kinda of nice to keep a journal type of well journal ..
I did write a poem the other night, it's called The One:
To the one person
Who when speaking to
Makes my heart ache for them more and more
To the one who makes
The world seem like such a better place
Even though day to day I do not get to see your face
To the one who has shown me
How to love again
So, I don't have to live in fear and doubt
To the one who I think about
First thing when I wake up in the morning
And to the one who I think about
As I lay my head down into the pillow late at night
To the one I wish I could curl up next to
Then stay in that one moment until eternity
To the one I know I want to be near
Who can wipe away any tears
With just the sound of their voice
To the one I desire
Who I want to share my hopes and dreams with
To the one who makes me feel
That I can do anything
No matter how hard the struggle
To the one whom from the bottom of my heart
Will always be my EVERYTHING
No matter how many oceans apart
So for my paper on Peace Like A River I mentioned I would be writing, this is some rough thoughts I have down that I am still tweaking and putting together. For me it's one of those processes where once I get going I can usually just GO and it all comes which I haven't decided if that's good or not - because then usually I have to sit and write in all one sitting. So here is an excerpt from the beginning of my masterpiece:
"In Peace like a River, there are many instances where "miracles" occur. In the forefront of one's mind though is the following, what is a miracle? And, what separates a miracle from coincidence? The dictionary term for a miracle is the following; "an effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause." However, the definition for a coincidence is as follows; "a striking occurrence of two or more events at one time apparently by mere chance." So, in the sense of mere intellect, the two ideas appear strikingly different, however, the argument between the two word choices after different events is still one that is popular in society today...."
Monday, September 15, 2008
Probably Wouldn't be this Way
Today happened to be a pretty uneventful day - imagine that? I woke up, went to class, napped, ate lunch, did homework, went back to class, did more homework, ate dinner, went to fitness, AND MISSED TALKING TO C -- ahhh I mean really!? - it had to be the one hour I had something planned all day after classes ending at 2:20. Sad. Oh well.
No but really - nothing interesting. I feel like I need 24 hours where I can just sleep, but I don't have a reason that I should be this tired. I'm not staying up late, and yeah woo hoo. Haha so I am drinking a vitamin water - well it's off brand but I love them right, well the side of my bottle says, "As in life, chill for best results." No wonder no one has the "best results" in life, we're never allowed to simply chill - that's a very profound statement if I must say so myself.
So as I am still brainstorming for my first paper, I think I have convinced myself that I would like to do a character analysis on Jeremiah Land - the father - and incorporate the idea of miracles portrayed throughout the novel, and the parallels biblically as well as classifications for miracles in the modern day. I am also thinking that with this idea at the forefront it will allow me to incorporate miracles from my own life I have experienced - mostly with my brother and his cancer. I have so many thoughts I am working on sorting through and really just trying to focus on and attempt to pick the best approach for the organization of the paper. What will be nice is the fact that while it is a formally written paper, it still will be a discussion style writing with room for personal interpretations as well as analysis from the novel and from personal conclusions or revelations as the paper begins to build.
Good news - I think we have figured out what it wrong with me!! :o) Don't worry it is nothing too exciting, but as simple as a super acid buildup in my stomach. Sort of the same concept as heartburn, my stomach is producing so much acid that it just goes haywire after I eat because it becomes activated when I eat. I have an acid reducer to take for 14 days and if it works while I'm on that then all is fixed!! - So far it has worked. The downside is that if after a fourteen day treatment I go off the medicine and the symptoms return it'll become a regular thing to run the treatment.
Well I am totally exhausted - I feel mentally alert, but physically I am sooooo worn out! Hopefully I will be able to get into bed somewhat early tonight!? - and perhaps grab some sleeping in in the morning!
...we weren't crazy...
No but really - nothing interesting. I feel like I need 24 hours where I can just sleep, but I don't have a reason that I should be this tired. I'm not staying up late, and yeah woo hoo. Haha so I am drinking a vitamin water - well it's off brand but I love them right, well the side of my bottle says, "As in life, chill for best results." No wonder no one has the "best results" in life, we're never allowed to simply chill - that's a very profound statement if I must say so myself.
So as I am still brainstorming for my first paper, I think I have convinced myself that I would like to do a character analysis on Jeremiah Land - the father - and incorporate the idea of miracles portrayed throughout the novel, and the parallels biblically as well as classifications for miracles in the modern day. I am also thinking that with this idea at the forefront it will allow me to incorporate miracles from my own life I have experienced - mostly with my brother and his cancer. I have so many thoughts I am working on sorting through and really just trying to focus on and attempt to pick the best approach for the organization of the paper. What will be nice is the fact that while it is a formally written paper, it still will be a discussion style writing with room for personal interpretations as well as analysis from the novel and from personal conclusions or revelations as the paper begins to build.
Good news - I think we have figured out what it wrong with me!! :o) Don't worry it is nothing too exciting, but as simple as a super acid buildup in my stomach. Sort of the same concept as heartburn, my stomach is producing so much acid that it just goes haywire after I eat because it becomes activated when I eat. I have an acid reducer to take for 14 days and if it works while I'm on that then all is fixed!! - So far it has worked. The downside is that if after a fourteen day treatment I go off the medicine and the symptoms return it'll become a regular thing to run the treatment.
Well I am totally exhausted - I feel mentally alert, but physically I am sooooo worn out! Hopefully I will be able to get into bed somewhat early tonight!? - and perhaps grab some sleeping in in the morning!
...we weren't crazy...
CrushCrushCrush
So really it's not a habit to wait until the last minute to write an entry - or even more important the fact this also is an assignment, as well as an outlet for the new life I have started.
So I'll recap - Friday we finished up Act I in COSI, and I still have mixed emotions about the opera as a whole thus far. It's suppose to be a comedy, but I don't find the topic of the story being told humorous, as well as I mentioned previously the sisters are a LITTLE "over-dramatic." Actually, I really don't see myself resolving these feelings, I believe they will continue to change with difference scenes and events within the opera. Other than that I don't have too much - or basically another soapbox - to really go off on at this point. As far as thinking into my first paper, due in just a couple of weeks (should probably spend more time on that? -- but I mean I haven't forgotten, just .. well nothing) I am planning on writing on the first novel we looked at as a class, Peace like a River. I believe I am going to write on the "miracles" aspect. it really at first bothered me how they were presented and then intrigued me the more I got into the book. I also can add commentary and talk about miracles in my own life. I am planning to make it a thought provoking response. When it is read, I want people to ponder and pick it apart in different ways, with different opinions. There are so many different directions to go with the topic as well. Do I do a "miracles: real or coincidence?" argument, or simply stick with a straight out discussion about miracles, and portray it as a more "scholarly" article discussion. I can tell you I haven't decided. :o) I'm sure it will be which one inspires me the most as I work on the preparation.
After class Friday, I went home to see friends and family for my birthday (which will actually be Wednesday). I was planning to go home this coming weekend but I get to be an Ambassador and there is the first event this weekend, therefore, I can't go almost 4 hours away :o). It was nice to see people, while other aspects with a few people in my life it wasn't as pleasant. I could have done without seeing dad, I mean there is a reason he doesn't live at home and isn't around anymore and I wanted to have a happy weekend ... that's asking too much. I loved getting to see my mom, she is my best friend and I love her dearly. Oh, and I will admit I was happy to get to see my brothers, and my puppy! ... I missed her, but not the barking at like 6am - BLAH haha. I made it back - don't ask me how I just got on a road after being lost that I knew would eventually run me into the large metropolitan of Due West - and now I am settled back in, EXHAUSTED, but will have to finish the school work before bed.
ohhh tomorrow should be another wonderfully exciting or dull entry - I guess to wait and see....
So I'll recap - Friday we finished up Act I in COSI, and I still have mixed emotions about the opera as a whole thus far. It's suppose to be a comedy, but I don't find the topic of the story being told humorous, as well as I mentioned previously the sisters are a LITTLE "over-dramatic." Actually, I really don't see myself resolving these feelings, I believe they will continue to change with difference scenes and events within the opera. Other than that I don't have too much - or basically another soapbox - to really go off on at this point. As far as thinking into my first paper, due in just a couple of weeks (should probably spend more time on that? -- but I mean I haven't forgotten, just .. well nothing) I am planning on writing on the first novel we looked at as a class, Peace like a River. I believe I am going to write on the "miracles" aspect. it really at first bothered me how they were presented and then intrigued me the more I got into the book. I also can add commentary and talk about miracles in my own life. I am planning to make it a thought provoking response. When it is read, I want people to ponder and pick it apart in different ways, with different opinions. There are so many different directions to go with the topic as well. Do I do a "miracles: real or coincidence?" argument, or simply stick with a straight out discussion about miracles, and portray it as a more "scholarly" article discussion. I can tell you I haven't decided. :o) I'm sure it will be which one inspires me the most as I work on the preparation.
After class Friday, I went home to see friends and family for my birthday (which will actually be Wednesday). I was planning to go home this coming weekend but I get to be an Ambassador and there is the first event this weekend, therefore, I can't go almost 4 hours away :o). It was nice to see people, while other aspects with a few people in my life it wasn't as pleasant. I could have done without seeing dad, I mean there is a reason he doesn't live at home and isn't around anymore and I wanted to have a happy weekend ... that's asking too much. I loved getting to see my mom, she is my best friend and I love her dearly. Oh, and I will admit I was happy to get to see my brothers, and my puppy! ... I missed her, but not the barking at like 6am - BLAH haha. I made it back - don't ask me how I just got on a road after being lost that I knew would eventually run me into the large metropolitan of Due West - and now I am settled back in, EXHAUSTED, but will have to finish the school work before bed.
ohhh tomorrow should be another wonderfully exciting or dull entry - I guess to wait and see....
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Simply to the Cross I Cling
I have decided I really dislike doctors, no seriously. Someone please explain to me how an adequate blood test can be done with one drop of blood from a finger stick?! Riiight. All I want is for someone to be able to explain to me whats wrong. I feel so terrible, like I can barely function, and there is no answer. :o(
In seminar today we started an opera by Mozart called Cosi fan Tutte. We haven't gotten that far into it yet, however so far I'm a little irritated with it. May not be too much if a surprise. I completely sympathize with the sisters in the opera who are in love with a soldier, while I do feel they are a little extreme in their emotional rants, I can understand that actually feeling that is attempting to be portrayed. It is a feeling you can't really describe, and in reality, no one else can understand the depth and strength of trust that has two run through a soldier and the woman who is there for them. I don't say this to make me out to be a super hero, but until you experience it yourself, no one can explain the bond. It is not anything like a typical long distance relationship to go through a deployment. Some would think I am use to it, my dad being formal military, however it is so much more different going from the dependent during a deployment to the girlfriend or lover whichever term is preferred. So far in this opera the sisters are about to be separated from their soldiers as they leave on assignment. I know those emotions all too well, and they were re-stirred up all to freshly during that scene. (oh I'm such a girl! haha) It's a pain that fades and a hole that will remain until the return home, only to be satisfied on occasion if a phone call here or there, or perhaps an email is allowed. What bothered me the most about this opening is the extremes the sister went - a little over-kill on the emotion so to speak. It's never easy to say a goodbye even if it is temporary, but to essentially "freak out" (for lack of a better term) as the sisters did was a bit too much! Now to get a soap box for another thing that in all honest infuriated me thus far was the responses and reactions from other characters. The maid for the sisters made a comment about how there is always someone else. - What even now people don't understand is when you love a soldier, it gives many more and new perspectives on life and the world. In reality yes, after time to heal and grieve I fully believe if a loved one dies at war there can be someone else - but to know that day in and day out the one you care most about is in the face of danger practically 24/7 is not a comforting thought. I guess what got me all worked up I can't really put into words, its one of those emotions you can't quite get out into words, I don't even know a synonym I can give to help; but what the maid did not understand is that it's not as simple as she want the sisters to believe. Perhaps just from personal experience I took offense to her words, I don't know. I'm sure much of how I look at this opera and my reflections are going to be a little more biased and a result of the personal emotion and experiences I will have with what we will be looking at for the next week and then some.....
Because I am completely ADD (ADHD is the politically correct term emphasize on the more Attention rather that Hyperactivity portion) I am sure there will be a soap box episode of the medical profession in the near future. Now don't get me wrong I do appreciate what they can do for society .... but if only you knew...
anywho, until tomorrow (or whenever I happen to sit down and actually remember to write up an entry)
In seminar today we started an opera by Mozart called Cosi fan Tutte. We haven't gotten that far into it yet, however so far I'm a little irritated with it. May not be too much if a surprise. I completely sympathize with the sisters in the opera who are in love with a soldier, while I do feel they are a little extreme in their emotional rants, I can understand that actually feeling that is attempting to be portrayed. It is a feeling you can't really describe, and in reality, no one else can understand the depth and strength of trust that has two run through a soldier and the woman who is there for them. I don't say this to make me out to be a super hero, but until you experience it yourself, no one can explain the bond. It is not anything like a typical long distance relationship to go through a deployment. Some would think I am use to it, my dad being formal military, however it is so much more different going from the dependent during a deployment to the girlfriend or lover whichever term is preferred. So far in this opera the sisters are about to be separated from their soldiers as they leave on assignment. I know those emotions all too well, and they were re-stirred up all to freshly during that scene. (oh I'm such a girl! haha) It's a pain that fades and a hole that will remain until the return home, only to be satisfied on occasion if a phone call here or there, or perhaps an email is allowed. What bothered me the most about this opening is the extremes the sister went - a little over-kill on the emotion so to speak. It's never easy to say a goodbye even if it is temporary, but to essentially "freak out" (for lack of a better term) as the sisters did was a bit too much! Now to get a soap box for another thing that in all honest infuriated me thus far was the responses and reactions from other characters. The maid for the sisters made a comment about how there is always someone else. - What even now people don't understand is when you love a soldier, it gives many more and new perspectives on life and the world. In reality yes, after time to heal and grieve I fully believe if a loved one dies at war there can be someone else - but to know that day in and day out the one you care most about is in the face of danger practically 24/7 is not a comforting thought. I guess what got me all worked up I can't really put into words, its one of those emotions you can't quite get out into words, I don't even know a synonym I can give to help; but what the maid did not understand is that it's not as simple as she want the sisters to believe. Perhaps just from personal experience I took offense to her words, I don't know. I'm sure much of how I look at this opera and my reflections are going to be a little more biased and a result of the personal emotion and experiences I will have with what we will be looking at for the next week and then some.....
Because I am completely ADD (ADHD is the politically correct term emphasize on the more Attention rather that Hyperactivity portion) I am sure there will be a soap box episode of the medical profession in the near future. Now don't get me wrong I do appreciate what they can do for society .... but if only you knew...
anywho, until tomorrow (or whenever I happen to sit down and actually remember to write up an entry)
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Our Song
Wow, I must admit, I don't usually get sick, so fighting this whatever the heck it is really takes it's toll on me! I am getting a Mono test in the morning - I doubt that is what it is, but I'd rather be safe than sorry, and perhaps if they do a full work up a blood test may be useful?!
No much gone on for me lately except for sleeping and working on class work. The down time has helped me quite a bit, otherwise, I would NOT function very well in general. C totally spoiled me this past week, communication to talk with him was WAYYY to easy so I am going to remember that is not going to happen all the time - stupid army. Nah, I mean I support them I'm not a military hater :o) - not by any means, considered going at times myself. But the poor thing was exhausted last time I talked to him - 5 hours in two days of sleep - and NO that's not an exaggeration! I feel so bad for him, but unfortunately there is nothing I can do from here but be there when he needs me.
We have finished Amadeus and are moving right along in Seminar class. I am looking forward to what we will be doing next. We are going to be watching an opera by Mozart - I am looking forward to it, I think it will be interesting. As we had one last final discussion on Amadeus, there were two main ideas that really stuck with me that I've pondered on a bit. First, one item mentioned and brought up more than once was when Mozart was trying to explain how in an Opera he could have multiple characters, with multiple emotions portraying the emotions all at the same time, all in song; unlike in a play having each character speaking at the same time, he mentioned how it would work. I can't wrap my mind around that idea, to me it just seems like everything would become confusing, because even in song once you at up to a certain amount of voices, singing similar to as in rounds, it just seems to be chaotic. I guess perhaps I would have to witness an example because otherwise it completely boggles my mind on how this idea from Mozart can actually be successful? The second idea that stuck with me, probably because I enjoy psychology so much, is the idea of how Mozart relationship with his father, or in some cases, lack of a relationship - really plays into who Mozart is as an individual. Some of the questions I have enjoyed thinking about are, is the push Mozart was surrounded with as a small child directly correlated to the immaturity he seems to portray as an adult? Or how about, Does the pressure Mozart becomes surrounded with caused from his own desire to be the best he can as a composer, or does he still feel an obligation to his father (even though there is no strong direct relationship) to make him proud and be that "superstar" child his father so proudly paraded around all of Europe, showing him off like a "trained Monkey" as Shaffer put it? A few things that have been interesting to ponder on. One saying I feel sums Mozart up exactly, at least as portrayed in Amadeus, is as Dr. Kuykendall put it, that Mozart is this "eternal child," - his personality and lifestyle is one of an immature child who still needs to be taught and raised to meet the appropriate society standards of that time period. Just some thought... =]
No much gone on for me lately except for sleeping and working on class work. The down time has helped me quite a bit, otherwise, I would NOT function very well in general. C totally spoiled me this past week, communication to talk with him was WAYYY to easy so I am going to remember that is not going to happen all the time - stupid army. Nah, I mean I support them I'm not a military hater :o) - not by any means, considered going at times myself. But the poor thing was exhausted last time I talked to him - 5 hours in two days of sleep - and NO that's not an exaggeration! I feel so bad for him, but unfortunately there is nothing I can do from here but be there when he needs me.
We have finished Amadeus and are moving right along in Seminar class. I am looking forward to what we will be doing next. We are going to be watching an opera by Mozart - I am looking forward to it, I think it will be interesting. As we had one last final discussion on Amadeus, there were two main ideas that really stuck with me that I've pondered on a bit. First, one item mentioned and brought up more than once was when Mozart was trying to explain how in an Opera he could have multiple characters, with multiple emotions portraying the emotions all at the same time, all in song; unlike in a play having each character speaking at the same time, he mentioned how it would work. I can't wrap my mind around that idea, to me it just seems like everything would become confusing, because even in song once you at up to a certain amount of voices, singing similar to as in rounds, it just seems to be chaotic. I guess perhaps I would have to witness an example because otherwise it completely boggles my mind on how this idea from Mozart can actually be successful? The second idea that stuck with me, probably because I enjoy psychology so much, is the idea of how Mozart relationship with his father, or in some cases, lack of a relationship - really plays into who Mozart is as an individual. Some of the questions I have enjoyed thinking about are, is the push Mozart was surrounded with as a small child directly correlated to the immaturity he seems to portray as an adult? Or how about, Does the pressure Mozart becomes surrounded with caused from his own desire to be the best he can as a composer, or does he still feel an obligation to his father (even though there is no strong direct relationship) to make him proud and be that "superstar" child his father so proudly paraded around all of Europe, showing him off like a "trained Monkey" as Shaffer put it? A few things that have been interesting to ponder on. One saying I feel sums Mozart up exactly, at least as portrayed in Amadeus, is as Dr. Kuykendall put it, that Mozart is this "eternal child," - his personality and lifestyle is one of an immature child who still needs to be taught and raised to meet the appropriate society standards of that time period. Just some thought... =]
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Under the Sea
So I have realized.. that by now perhaps I might need to clarify the titles for each entry .. considering that it NEVER has anything to do with what I write about. Haha, I listen to music as I do my homework, and each title is the song that is currently playing as I begin each entry. So just a little side information for ya there. =]
I made it through the first week of college... WHAT?! really one full week already? Wow, this might go by pretty fast. Which in my case I am fine with the quick passing at least until January, after then I don't really care in all honesty because Christopher will be home! I love my classes, at least thus far. I already feel like I have so many major events in my class though - it really is a whirlwind adventure, but I like roller coaster rides hopefully it will not be too stressful to ruin the excitement though.
In Seminar on Friday, we didn't have too much discussion, but did watch parts of Amadeus as portrayed in the film version. So my attempt is going to shift focus a little bit in the style of response. As a result it might not be quite as interesting, thought provoking, or lengthy so please just bear with me. I have noticed, not just in my seminar class, but in a couple others as well, the reading assignments don't seem to be quite as overbearing as I was concerned they would be. I mean reading a play back in high school (i speak as if it was sooo long ago.) when the teacher assigned sections or more properly "scenes" in the different acts I felt like it took FOREVER to get anywhere in the story but I mean, we just got through Amadeus in like three class days, five days all together. That is CRAZY. I mean I know I'm not reading any faster I'm already a faster reader than my most, or so people tell me. I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that my mom says I talk wayyy to fast? Anywho, I am glad to get through the stuff quicker because I don't feel a loss of substance in anything but then more things will get covered in a shorter time period. I have also enjoyed the more psychological aspects I feel, we as a seminar class, have attempted to dive into with the two works we have worked on examining so far. Perhaps that too has something to do with the fact that I love anything psychological and analyzing even the most minute appearing things!
As for everything else in life. I am going to be an Erskine Ambassador, and I am really looking forward to that! I think it will be exciting and a good way to try and get more involved with the school itself. I am still fighting this nasty viral infection - whatever the heck it might be? The nice thing though is it isn't contagious since it's not bacterial and therefore I can't get anyone else sick - but then I suffer alone. Sad =[. It makes it very difficult to eat a balanced diet when food tends to be a trigger for feeling icky. This morning was the worst by far, I was gagging so bad I could barely get anti-nausea medicine down .. it was in tears it was such an unbearable discomfort! I'm just working on as much fluid as I can handle without having to go to the little girls room every 10 minutes.. I mean I need to be able to sit through class. Oh well, nothing like a lesson in patience to try and wait this thing out.
Now, I am getting restless and will have to go, but I will be back in .. well probably the next day or so - classes aren't out yet! ;o) He-he
I made it through the first week of college... WHAT?! really one full week already? Wow, this might go by pretty fast. Which in my case I am fine with the quick passing at least until January, after then I don't really care in all honesty because Christopher will be home! I love my classes, at least thus far. I already feel like I have so many major events in my class though - it really is a whirlwind adventure, but I like roller coaster rides hopefully it will not be too stressful to ruin the excitement though.
In Seminar on Friday, we didn't have too much discussion, but did watch parts of Amadeus as portrayed in the film version. So my attempt is going to shift focus a little bit in the style of response. As a result it might not be quite as interesting, thought provoking, or lengthy so please just bear with me. I have noticed, not just in my seminar class, but in a couple others as well, the reading assignments don't seem to be quite as overbearing as I was concerned they would be. I mean reading a play back in high school (i speak as if it was sooo long ago.) when the teacher assigned sections or more properly "scenes" in the different acts I felt like it took FOREVER to get anywhere in the story but I mean, we just got through Amadeus in like three class days, five days all together. That is CRAZY. I mean I know I'm not reading any faster I'm already a faster reader than my most, or so people tell me. I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that my mom says I talk wayyy to fast? Anywho, I am glad to get through the stuff quicker because I don't feel a loss of substance in anything but then more things will get covered in a shorter time period. I have also enjoyed the more psychological aspects I feel, we as a seminar class, have attempted to dive into with the two works we have worked on examining so far. Perhaps that too has something to do with the fact that I love anything psychological and analyzing even the most minute appearing things!
As for everything else in life. I am going to be an Erskine Ambassador, and I am really looking forward to that! I think it will be exciting and a good way to try and get more involved with the school itself. I am still fighting this nasty viral infection - whatever the heck it might be? The nice thing though is it isn't contagious since it's not bacterial and therefore I can't get anyone else sick - but then I suffer alone. Sad =[. It makes it very difficult to eat a balanced diet when food tends to be a trigger for feeling icky. This morning was the worst by far, I was gagging so bad I could barely get anti-nausea medicine down .. it was in tears it was such an unbearable discomfort! I'm just working on as much fluid as I can handle without having to go to the little girls room every 10 minutes.. I mean I need to be able to sit through class. Oh well, nothing like a lesson in patience to try and wait this thing out.
Now, I am getting restless and will have to go, but I will be back in .. well probably the next day or so - classes aren't out yet! ;o) He-he
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Fully Alive
So I am back to real food! - haha yes that is first today because to me I had been missing my food and that was most important! Actually, yesterday was the full day where I have very little problems, I still can't have something real strong in like spices type flavoring but that's okay!
I have talked to Christopher a little more lately than normal - but hey I am NOT complaining. :o) I do have to admit though the ARMY and I are not exactly on good terms right now because I am so ready for Christopher to be done with his deployment and there is still like 4ish months left to be lonely. sad. Sunday he called on a different time of phone so there was no time restriction and it made me SUPER EXCITED haha because we got longer than 20 minutes to talk to each other! He is my hero - he doesn't realize it probably but it's true always and forever.
This week is going by SO FAST! Amanda and I keep noticing that. - We don't; okay especially I don't, mind so much simply because the quicker January gets here the better!! But I am finally feeling better being completely out of my comfort zone and feel like all the adjustments are finally settling in. Oh, the most exciting - at least for me - this week is getting to drop Spanish and pick up the Biological foundations of Psychology. I am super excited to get a class to do with my major first semester freshman year!
Now:
Seminar, we are still in Amadeus - well yeah I mean we're not speed readers. One of the exciting aspects, since our class coincides with music, hearing the pieces of music which we read about in the play puts what we read in better perspectives at time. Dr. Kuykendall does an excellent job at bringing our readings to life - now if only English professors could do that..? There is one scene in the second half of the first act in which Saleri writes a welcome march for Mozart as he is to enter the court - for me I interpreted that piece almost as a comic relief for the story thus far. Up to this point Saleri cannot stand Mozart - to put it simply - and so for him to go out of his way to write this music for what i guess to me seems to be such a minute instance really is almost comedic. Its also interesting how in the character of Saleri, there is such a dynamic change of personality brought on by Mozart, and Saleri's interpretation of Mozart as God's incarnation. Saleri goes from being a very "faithful servant" of God, very openly willing to do his will to being very angry almost to the point of hostility with God. All this because he isn't getting what HE (Saleri) wants, and he believes that fulfillment of his personal desires were ultimately God's will at some point. Saleri is a character who I feel Shaffer almost has made this way, whether intentional or not, to represent the common struggle humans have here on Earth with God. We have these desires we believe God should fulfill rather than desire what God's will IS for us. A very interesting sometimes for me unfathomable concept to fully grasp at times. I am looking forward to beginning the discussions on our next segment of reading :o)!
On another note:
Sad news - anyone who reads please pray for Randa (she is in my dorm) she has been highly ill since Sunday, in and out of the hospital for three days and people were finally able to convince th hospital to keep her for observation rather than discharging her because they can't get a good diagnosis for her symptoms. I've had enough fights with doctors when my brother was in and out for his cancer treatment that it really irks me how careless doctors can come off at times! - so that's my soapbox for today
write again soon!
I have talked to Christopher a little more lately than normal - but hey I am NOT complaining. :o) I do have to admit though the ARMY and I are not exactly on good terms right now because I am so ready for Christopher to be done with his deployment and there is still like 4ish months left to be lonely. sad. Sunday he called on a different time of phone so there was no time restriction and it made me SUPER EXCITED haha because we got longer than 20 minutes to talk to each other! He is my hero - he doesn't realize it probably but it's true always and forever.
This week is going by SO FAST! Amanda and I keep noticing that. - We don't; okay especially I don't, mind so much simply because the quicker January gets here the better!! But I am finally feeling better being completely out of my comfort zone and feel like all the adjustments are finally settling in. Oh, the most exciting - at least for me - this week is getting to drop Spanish and pick up the Biological foundations of Psychology. I am super excited to get a class to do with my major first semester freshman year!
Now:
Seminar, we are still in Amadeus - well yeah I mean we're not speed readers. One of the exciting aspects, since our class coincides with music, hearing the pieces of music which we read about in the play puts what we read in better perspectives at time. Dr. Kuykendall does an excellent job at bringing our readings to life - now if only English professors could do that..? There is one scene in the second half of the first act in which Saleri writes a welcome march for Mozart as he is to enter the court - for me I interpreted that piece almost as a comic relief for the story thus far. Up to this point Saleri cannot stand Mozart - to put it simply - and so for him to go out of his way to write this music for what i guess to me seems to be such a minute instance really is almost comedic. Its also interesting how in the character of Saleri, there is such a dynamic change of personality brought on by Mozart, and Saleri's interpretation of Mozart as God's incarnation. Saleri goes from being a very "faithful servant" of God, very openly willing to do his will to being very angry almost to the point of hostility with God. All this because he isn't getting what HE (Saleri) wants, and he believes that fulfillment of his personal desires were ultimately God's will at some point. Saleri is a character who I feel Shaffer almost has made this way, whether intentional or not, to represent the common struggle humans have here on Earth with God. We have these desires we believe God should fulfill rather than desire what God's will IS for us. A very interesting sometimes for me unfathomable concept to fully grasp at times. I am looking forward to beginning the discussions on our next segment of reading :o)!
On another note:
Sad news - anyone who reads please pray for Randa (she is in my dorm) she has been highly ill since Sunday, in and out of the hospital for three days and people were finally able to convince th hospital to keep her for observation rather than discharging her because they can't get a good diagnosis for her symptoms. I've had enough fights with doctors when my brother was in and out for his cancer treatment that it really irks me how careless doctors can come off at times! - so that's my soapbox for today
write again soon!
Monday, September 01, 2008
Letters from War
HEAVENS,
Classes have now officially begun, and I have like 800 million thousand things to do - or so it seems. It doesn't help me either that I have been struggling with my health since getting settled into school. Stressed combined with what we think is something viral I've been getting really sudden and heavy waves of sickness, it's hard to explain the symptoms but I'll go from being fine - to basically sweating and being highly sick on my stomach. - and the trigger (get this) is when I eat a meal. I have been instructed to stay on a liquid diet for about 2-3 days then gradually start back to solid food with things like crackers and oatmeal - things that are really bland, and if I can stomach that eventually work my way back into solid food. I am NOT happy about that ... I like my food :o( - The plus is that I do feel 100x better as weird as that is since only having liquids .. it's been doing the trick.
Nothing too exciting and I can't write much because I have so much to do. However;
In seminar today, which is going to be my favorite class, I can already tell sitting in my other classes today. We began more indepth discussion on Amadeus, and will finish ACT I by Wednesday. It's not too bad, I'm not a big play person when reading, but I have gotten through the first reading assigment without too much difficulty!!
(side note : i was super tired and figured I'd take a quick nap before finishing ... NOT got too many phone calls some stuff going on at home anywho so now I'll finish since I'm awake enough to focus)
Dr. Kuykendall mentioned today how the people in Amadeus are historical, but the storyline itself is not actually historically accurate. I found that to be quite interesting. Perhaps we will learn why it was written so. Something new I also learned about was the Mozart effect. I had never heard of it before this morning but its an interesting concept. I was informed that it was a series of test and experiements where a control group of individuals were given words to memorize in silence, a set to memorsize with lyrical music, and then a set to memorize while listening to a peice by Mozart. The result (although techinically inconclusive) shed light on the possiblity that those who listened to Mozart retained more information. Its quite an interesting concept. Maybe I will look into it when I can't find anything interesting to do one day. We did a little bit of listening and attempting to explain (in written words) how a specific peice by Mozart, which is referred to in the play, make us feel / how we individually interpret it ect. It was very fun to hear and try to understand everyone's very differing views and emotions on one single peice of music. All in all it was a great way to start my first full day of classes.
I will have time tomorrow to write about the rest of the day. Until later...
Classes have now officially begun, and I have like 800 million thousand things to do - or so it seems. It doesn't help me either that I have been struggling with my health since getting settled into school. Stressed combined with what we think is something viral I've been getting really sudden and heavy waves of sickness, it's hard to explain the symptoms but I'll go from being fine - to basically sweating and being highly sick on my stomach. - and the trigger (get this) is when I eat a meal. I have been instructed to stay on a liquid diet for about 2-3 days then gradually start back to solid food with things like crackers and oatmeal - things that are really bland, and if I can stomach that eventually work my way back into solid food. I am NOT happy about that ... I like my food :o( - The plus is that I do feel 100x better as weird as that is since only having liquids .. it's been doing the trick.
Nothing too exciting and I can't write much because I have so much to do. However;
In seminar today, which is going to be my favorite class, I can already tell sitting in my other classes today. We began more indepth discussion on Amadeus, and will finish ACT I by Wednesday. It's not too bad, I'm not a big play person when reading, but I have gotten through the first reading assigment without too much difficulty!!
(side note : i was super tired and figured I'd take a quick nap before finishing ... NOT got too many phone calls some stuff going on at home anywho so now I'll finish since I'm awake enough to focus)
Dr. Kuykendall mentioned today how the people in Amadeus are historical, but the storyline itself is not actually historically accurate. I found that to be quite interesting. Perhaps we will learn why it was written so. Something new I also learned about was the Mozart effect. I had never heard of it before this morning but its an interesting concept. I was informed that it was a series of test and experiements where a control group of individuals were given words to memorize in silence, a set to memorsize with lyrical music, and then a set to memorize while listening to a peice by Mozart. The result (although techinically inconclusive) shed light on the possiblity that those who listened to Mozart retained more information. Its quite an interesting concept. Maybe I will look into it when I can't find anything interesting to do one day. We did a little bit of listening and attempting to explain (in written words) how a specific peice by Mozart, which is referred to in the play, make us feel / how we individually interpret it ect. It was very fun to hear and try to understand everyone's very differing views and emotions on one single peice of music. All in all it was a great way to start my first full day of classes.
I will have time tomorrow to write about the rest of the day. Until later...
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