books that probe deep within

I just finished reading Truth and Beauty by Ann Patchett. I was blown away when I read Bel Canto, and I have to say that I was equally mesmerized by this book, although for slightly different reasons. Truth and Beauty had shards of honesty that ran rampant throughout the unfolding of the story and never was the beauty or the pain of reality denied in the telling of the story.

conundrum

I saw Sideways this evening... I don't know why in particular I decided that I wanted to see it. Maybe it was because I was intrigued that my mother mentioned it was interesting. Indeed it was. I have to admit that at least a small part of my seeing it was to pine over California and a certain boy, even though it takes place more or less in the middle part of the state (i.e. between LA and SF).

However, I was drawn into the film very quickly. Maybe because of its quirkiness, maybe for the odd characters, but mostly for the moments of laughter followed immediately by the feeling that I should perhaps be crying because it's actually more a moment of sadness.

It's hard to explain, but this story illustrated the complexity of human relationship and emotion.

I wish I were more of a writer.

but for now, goodnight*

yellow roses

a sweet bouquet from...

Today's saving grace was definitely the bouquet of beautiful flowers which Jonathan sent to me quite unexpectedly :-) Katie's response to the flowers was once again "you have found a good man - don't let him go anywhere!", to which I replied saying something very emphatically to the effect of, "don't worry, I don't plan on it!"

The rest of my day is mostly not worth discussing...I'm feeling a bit frustrated at the moment, and therefore am planning to focus on only positive aspects of my life in this entry.

University Orchestra viola sectionals today were interesting, and actually pretty informative, as usual. I was more attentive today as Beethoven is at the top of my list of all-time favorite composers, and this is my very first time playing the fifth symphony (other than solo excerpts for auditions...). I am completely excited about this piece, and thrilled to finally get the chance to play it...hrm...now if only we could squeeze in the ninth symphony before I graduate as well... *sigh* somehow I think that would be asking a bit too much.

For the past week, my attention has been completely consumed by Connie Willis' book, "Passage", which is a nice blend of science-fiction and contemporary fiction. I'm not yet sure how well I like it, and I'm already 300 pages into it. So far, I found her books, "To Say Nothing of the Dog" and "Bellwether" to be much more humorous and catching. The subject matter of "Passage" is, in and of itself, much heavier, and so the tone takes a much more serious bent than the other two aforementioned works. The most I'm willing to say right now about the book is that the main character is a Psychologist who is working in a large hospital doing research on "NDEs" or "Near Death Experiences."
Draw your own conclusions...

Another fun area of the day was tonight's Greensboro Philharmonia rehearsal. This is the community orchestra in the area, and I played with them before when Maggie and I were still living in South Spencer the semester before I went to France. That was one of the best semesters I have had here at school, despite many ups and downs :-)
But anyway, I was recently convinced to play in their viola section once again for the rest of my time here in Greensboro :-)

Ahhh...the last little tidbit of the day is that due to many aspects of today, I decided tonight was going to be my sushi meal of the week! I had a nice relaxing meal in front of the window with my book in front of me, some hot miso soup, some tasty fresh sushi, and a hot pot of green tea. Life doesn't get any better...that is...unless you add chocolate (or Mr. J. W. Adams...)

salut!

reconnecting with old friends

At the moment, here I sit at Leigh's computer, after a lovely holiday without any classes. That being said, I do think I did more work today than I have done in a very long while. I completed a massive amount of reading for my Career Development course (MUS 402) and then wrote summaries of all of my reading.

On the other hand, I have had a truly wonderful time (as always) relaxing and enjoying the company of Leigh (one of my oldest and closest friends) and her mother, Linda. At the moment, Leigh is on the phone with another old friend, Claire, who we have lost touch with, but with whom Leigh's sister recently reconnected. As a result, we have new contact information for her!!! Yay!!!

On a concluding note, my s/o (significant other - in california-speak) has decided to have a blog of his very own where he waxes eloquent about the fantastically wonderful concerts he's been going to... grrr... ;-)

ciao my lovelies :-)

reading munchies :-)

There are books spilling out from around my bed...on the floor, on the bookshelf, on the bed, crawling through the heating vents, sitting on my desk, lounging on chairs.

Some lovely ones of note:

A Live Coal in the Sea by Madeleine L'Engle ( a continuation of sorts of "Camilla")

She Who Is by Elizabeth A. Johnson (not quite started reading it yet...)

Les Contemplations by Victor Hugo (poetry)

Great Jobs for Music Majors by Jan Goldberg (for Career Development class MUS 402)

The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King (finished! great mystery tale :-) )

I Dare by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (excellent science-fiction saga)

Soul Weavings (a collection of women's prayers - spirit-filled)

Ordeal by Innocence by Agatha Christie (current mystery-read...so far, so good...)

Happy Wednesday to all!!




Emily and I - she is another lover of good books :-)

Jonathan and myself at the Rockels on 01.02.05

Into the fray!

It is my last night before I enter my final semester *crossing fingers* of my undergraduate college career! I've decided that I would very much like to post on this blog more regularly, even if I don't always have completely fascinating news to report.

Let's see, since I last posted much has happened:

- I went to Menlo Park, CA for Thanksgiving and had a glorious time :-)
- On that same trip, I heard the San Francisco Symphony in concert for the first time! They played Debussy's "Printemps", The pines of Rome and The Fountains of Rome, both by Respighi, and Saint-Saen's second piano concerto...
- Then exams hit - I passed all courses including my viola jury to make my level change!
- Emily flew in for Christmas and took the train up to Greensboro to hang out with me until Dec. 17th when we drove back to Charlotte
- Had a great B-day dinner for Em with Mom(Dec. 17) at the Peaceful Dragon (excellent vegetarian restaurant!) then more birthday dinner and orange cake with Dad later in the weekend, followed by taco dinner with friends on Emily's birthday (with Anna, Adam and b/f, and Bekah) then Cheesecake factory for dessert!!
- Christmas Eve dinner and mass with Mom - Jonathan arrived that evening to visit for the next week and a half... (Jonathan gave mom a children's book called "the diary of a wombat" - hilarious!!)
- Christmas day celebration with Dad - present opening, stockings - even one for Jonathan! - and ham dinner :-) yum! Also, a little viewing of the Marx Brothers in "Duck Soup"
- Much playing of the game "Apples to Apples"
- Boxing Day party at the Schaeffers on Dec. 26 (of course) - friend James Davis proposed to and was accepted by his girlfriend(now fiancée) Kristin :-) :-) :-) (this happened during the party!)
- two days of relaxation at the Breeden Inn in Bennettsville, SC - met and visited with Melinda and Paul (friends of Jonathan)
- Drove to Maryland - by way of Fredericksburg - to see my cousins (and caught my mom as she was leaving from her visit with them... )
- Met and visited with Shap (Jonathan Shapiro) and Lauren (more friends of Jonathan) and their new baby
Alexander Mark Shapiro, who was three weeks old and extremely adorable - on the verge of learning how to smile :-)
- had a nice stay in Liz and Tom's apartment in Maryland during that time - they were still in NC!
- Spent New Year's Eve in Asheboro NC with the Millers - Linda, Anna, and Leigh - and with my Mom and sister, Emily. Toasted the New Year and enjoyed the good company!
- Saw Phantom of the Opera (the film) on New Year's day with Emily and Jonathan
- Emily left the next day and Mom, Jonathan and I had a lovely afternoon at the Rockels - mexican train!
- mass at the oratory that same day -
- barbecue with dad for lunch on monday the 3rd - YUM!
- dinner with Jonathan that same day at the Zebra Restaurant - my first experience of a tasting menu...wow! A nice romantic date *grins*
- Tuesday the 4th, Jonathan leaves...
- Wednesday - off to spend some time with my Godmother
- and today, I drove myself back to Greensboro!

I applaud you, anyone who gets through that entire list. In any case, there it is, and from now on, I plan to post slightly more frequently...

Oh, and I forgot! Emily and I are slated for bridesmaid posts in Liz and Tom's wedding :-) check out the dresses 1 2 3 4 - the color will be "wine"

Fun times! Happy New Year!!