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| About a year ago, I remember figuring up how old Madeline L'Engle actually was. And then I remember thinking that she would die someday soon and that would sadly be the end of her literary output (although her writing is certainly not the most important part of her life, and I feel bad thinking about it in those terms. But since I have no other context of which to speak about her life, I have to relate it solely to her writing.). She is probably most remembered for her fictional works for children (which I adore), but I've become increasingly interested in her non-fiction over the past few years. Speaking honestly about her faith (in my opinion in the vein of Anne Lamott but tempered with the wisdom of an older generation), she has served as an inspiration in the manner she continued to view God throughout her advanced years. | | |
| So I'm officially a master of music. Don't feel like much of one, but that's what the big piece of paper says. Also able to be checked off the list: finding a job (5th-12th grade band position. Very excited.) and buying a car (although I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to drive it. Aarik has become a little too attached.). Still to do: find a place to live and move to Missouri. And hopefully the rest of the summer will be filled with memorable road trips of all sorts. We're leaving today for a weekend in Virginia with friends. Hopefully we'll get to see a bit of D.C. while we're there. Then next week I'll be going to Missouri to look for apartments and get acquainted with the school where I'll be working. Unfortunately, that one will be by myself. Another good thing about living in Missouri again--no longer having to drive there without Aarik! Sometimes it seems people like to think of God in terms of really menial tasks He performs to help you along. Like opening up the perfect parking spot or helping you stay awake to finish the term paper or giving you a bonus at work. I know God cares about every aspect of us, but I think His love goes so much deeper than those things, so much so that parking spots, papers and money don't really matter at all. Even so, is it possible that God may sometimes use circumstances that we (as rather ignorant humans) can clearly understand, just as a reminder to us that He's always working? I guess I feel like I've had several of those situations lately, where God's provision was impossible to ignore. Maybe my human ignorance was in particular need of being altered. I can't say that I mind... | | |
| For the past two years I've graded papers for a History of Rock class to pick up extra money. Not a bad job until term papers come around....needless to say, I've graded 239 papers in the past week. Of the students that chose to write about a band/artist that achieved success since 1980, the Red Hot Chili Peppers were the clear winner with 11.3% being on this topic. Next most popular: Dave Matthews Band (5.86%) and Nirvana (3.77%). In a tie for fourth place with 2.93% each, Metallica and John Mayer. I'll still probably always forget one member of Dave Matthews Band when trying to name them, but at least now I'm very clear on the difference between Dave Navarro and Dave Grohl and their respective rock histories.....phew. | | |
| I just discovered that the dryers in our apartment complex that we've been using for almost two years now actually don't require quarters to operate. We could have saved several hundred dollars had we discovered that little fact earlier. I can't decide if not inserting money (just because I can) is being dishonest, though. Any ideas? The past month has been ridiculous. But, I can say that I am very much on the verge of graduating. Although not perfect by any means, my recital went well and was incredibly enjoyable for me...supernaturally so. Plus, it was great to spend time with my family and see my best friend (of 20 years) whom I had not seen in two years. Almost as soon as that was over we headed west for what ended up being a tour of the major Missouri cities, stopping in St. Louis, Columbia, Springfield and Kansas City with bonus visits to Troy, Bolivar and Lawrence, Kansas. Lots of great car conversation with Aarik and a chance to see some friends. Upon returning to Knoxville, I began my comprehensive written exams and was glued to the computer for the better part of seven days, researching and writing about Mozart concertos, sets of piano preludes and teaching piano technique to little guys. That's how I spent my spring break. But they have been turned in now and all I have left to do is an hour oral defense of my answers on Thursday. I feel like I can breath again and am amazed by the grace we have been given. | | |
| For the first time in years, I'm taking a "sick day" from school. I have something resembling the flu. It feels like I've been sick in some form or other every other week this semester. The end could not come quick enough.... On Sunday, March 4th at 3 pm I will be giving my graduate piano recital at the UT Music Hall. I will also be playing at SBU on Friday, March 9th at 2 pm. Anyone in the area is welcome to come! | | |
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