the crack is where the light shines through

Hi everyone.

I've been really busy lately going to class, lab, and volunteering. Today was super crazy because we went to the Eclipse midnight premier (it was good. seriously. very surprising.) and then I woke up for an exam within 3 hours. Haha. But, then I got to pick up Junki from the airport, which was super awesome. =)

I've been thinking a lot lately about everything I am doing compared to what I want/need to do and how I never get it to balance out. Everything feels like it is hanging by a thread, and, sometimes, no matter how hard I work, I just can't follow through. On one hand, it is very frustrating---you know, having an endless list of goals that keep reappearing because they are not reached. But on the other hand, isn't that what makes life interesting? Isn't the possibility of making each day better, whether it is crossing something off our lists or helping a child learn music or holding a band together right before festival, the thing that drives us, makes us "go hardcore" (haha, Sumi) and love this life?

Whoever Leonard Cohen is got it right: "There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in."

Long Time

Ahh!! It's been way too long since I lasted blogged. Everything has been pretty busy, and other than OChem, there really hasn't been much time for deep thoughts. Hahaha. My aunt and her family is staying with us until next Tuesday, so there's two babies here, a whole lot of screaming, and a load of food. Sounds good? Sometimes.

As for Redcoats, there is only a free spot on tenor sax, so I will be trying that out. If I can play it somewhat well enough to march, I'll go for it (Timmy). And, as for OChem, I haven't really started digging into it, but that's what this weekend is for....!!!!!!! (EXCITED FACES!)

Being back home is pretty nice.

Impulse

Here it goes. This whole year has been kind of a battle between my "brainy," academiac side and my musical side. Let me explain. After senior year, despite how much I loved conducting and clarinet and everything, I was really burned out. So burned out in fact that whereas during first semester I was dying to go to UGA and join Redcoats during second semester I was running away from band as fast as I could. When I applied early action to UGA, I had two reasons for going: the fellowship possibility and BAND.

So who won? Academia. And how did that turn out? Ehh.. all right, but could have been better.

ANYWAYS. Point of the rant: I am considering joining redcoats. Of course... this all hinges on whether or not Robinson will let me since I didn't go to auditions, but maybe Magner can help me pull some strings? haha. :D

Other than this---I'm home!!! Finally. Oxford was amazing and fun! But it is nice to be back in Lilburn.

The Trouble with Conclusions

11:11! Make a wish. =)

---

This is it. I have just finished my last tutorial paper! I am so pumped! Summer, here I come!!! (For a week.) So, when I was thinking about making a new blog post, I couldn't help but realize how perfect writing my paper was to this update. Let me explain. The hardest part in a paper for me is the conclusion. Those last words are so hard to come by: how can I say something clever while looking towards the future while reflecting on the ideas in the paper while sticking to the topic but deviating just enough to make it interesting without being cliche? But here it is. The conclusion of Oxford and a great Maymester. I can't say that every part of this trip was fun and exciting, but I can say that it was definitely worth it. Being around a new group of people not only made me realize how sheltered I was in college (which, in reality, I have no problem with) but also taught me to be open to others. It's really hard to describe, and I am kind of hitting a writer's block here. But, overall Oxford was a great experience.

I apologize for the chopped off updates in the past month. I think the reading and writing of my class is getting to me, and I don't want to spend more time doing it than I have to. =P Haha!

No Longer an Academic All-Nighter Virgin

Well, I guess for some of you the initial response is something along the lines of "about time." But seriously, I have never pulled an all nighter for class except last...this..morning? Anyway, it was sort of ridiculous the essay I had to finish by... now. But, I'm done. =)

There isn't much going on right now, and I'm obviously not one for deep thoughts at the moment. So... yay!

Good night soon.

Emily