This week has been fairly eventful, in all aspects. Class wise, I had 10 minutes to teach a song with accompaniment to my music education class, took a clarinet playing test, started attending orchestra rehearsals and struggled through pitch class set theory (I’m going into office hours tomorrow to see if I can figure it out before my midterm next week). There are only 12 days until Spring Break starts. Standing between me and the endless Albuquerque sky are 2 interviews, 1 training, 5 midterms, 2 DebateMate sessions, 2 observations and an orchestra concert. Although my stress level has reached new high levels this week, I’m hoping that after I push through these next 12 days I can relax and reset.
Since its still snowing in Boston, and I still don’t know how to deal with it, here are a couple more photos! I can’t wait for spring when all of these snow pictures will be replaced by flowers, green grass and blue skies!
Since its not enough to have snow falling, now that the weather is warming up marginally we also have falling ice! This sign is balanced on a snow drift outside of my dorm:
As much fun as this winter weather has been, I’m getting to the point where I’m completely tired of it. Spring come soon please!
Since its been pretty consistently cold and wet, my roommates and I have spent many nights in doing homework and playing cards:
Wednesday I got to hear writer Jhumpa Lahiri read from her new novel The Lowland, which I’m dying to read, and answer questions about her writing process and life. It was amazing to see her. The big auditorium was packed with people. I got there 45 minutes early in order to get a seat! Jhumpa Lahiri has multiple degrees from BU so it was fun to get to hear her reminisce about going to school here. I have read her 3 previous books and really love her writing. She is an author that has created books that have both challenged my worldview and been comfortable, safe spaces for me to escape into. I would highly recommend her collection of short stories Interpreter of Maladies!
The photo on the right was taken by BU Today and is a link to the article published by them.
After going to the book reading I helped Julie dye the back of her hair. She chose a more permanent option so we bleached it as well.
Friday I got to Skype with Esther, which was much needed and wonderful! We have lots of amazing plans for Spring Break and I’m hoping that she’ll come visit me soon.
Riley’s sister Shannon came and visited this weekend so we ate chocolate and made stress jars. Stress jars are amazing jars filled with glue, water and glitter that you shake and watch the glitter settle to help release stress. I have been using mine continuously since I made it. I’ve even been sleeping with it next to my bed! Mine is the blue one with the penguin duct tape.
Saturday was a gorgeous sunny day with a high of 50 degrees. It was the first hint that winter is on the way out!
After attending my last Admissions Ambassador training in the morning, I went to an African Drumming, Singing and Dancing workshop with Alyssa at Tufts. It was really fun, and relates directly to what we are doing in our Music Education class at the moment. Alyssa went to Tufts for her undergrad (she’s a grad student in the Music Ed program here) so it was great to get a tour and hear about her time there.
After dancing and drumming, I met up with Riley and Shannon who were shopping on Newbury Street for a dress to wear to a wedding in April. Since I need more professional wear, I went on a hunt for blazers. I found 2, each for an incredible bargain! The first was originally $350, but it was at a second hand shop so it was discounted to $90. Since they were having an end of winter sale, I got it for $27. The second blazer I got for $7. Hooray for shopping on a budget!!!! Shannon was able to find a dress, and Riley found a pair of pants!
After our Newbury adventure, we met up with Cora and Ally for dinner and 20 minute musicals! The group Michael is involved with, BU on Broadway, put on a show where they each had 12 hours beginning at 8am to come up with a 20 minute version of a musical they were assigned. The performance was at 8pm. It was incredibly fun to watch all of the musicals performed. Michael’s group did Phantom of the Opera and he did a great job accompanying them on piano!
On Sunday I went to Arlington Street Church and then took a walk around the Boston Public Gardens. It was lovely and gave me hope that spring is on the way!
Sorry for the long blog post! Hope your week is lovely!