Roma

I didn't think I would have the opportunity to write my first blog entry in Italy so early in our trip. I was sure that I would be far too busy doing things and seeing the sights. However, jetlag has produced a great opportunity to use my morning on blogging, since even in Rome there isn't much to do between 4 am and 7:30.

Besides getting 4 hours of sleep last night,  I am pretty excited! The flight over went better than I may have suspected it would. Our layover in Heathrow was uneventful, and I slept through most of the trip, also the airplane food was nice and kept me alive. 

I knew that Italy, and in particular, Rome was not going to be the cleanest and most orderly place, so I was prepared for the sight that met me at the airport. Don't get me wrong, it's not like there is garbage everywhere, but it's just much more crowded and less of a value is placed on general cleanliness in public areas. However, aside from all that I immediately noticed and began to enjoy the greenery and climate. Few things are as refreshing as seeing plant life that has been allowed to grow for more than 4 months, especially if you have been in Canada for a while. I would also like to note that it is a BEAUTIFUL climate here, its humid, but not uncomfortably so, and I am sitting here writing this blog post on my bed at 6 am with the window open directly beside me, at the perfect temperature.

The drive to our hotel was again proof that this is a very different country, and I was immediately brought back to my childhood in Indonesia when we entered the traffic. Everyone drives here without shame, and if you want a space on the road, you take it. It's a little frightening at times, but I have lived overseas long enough to know that for the most part, people understand this system of driving, and it is nearly as safe as a far more regulated system, just because thats how people in vehicles operate here.

Aside from the motorcycles weaving in and out of cars and lines, it didn't take long for us to drive past our first ancient piece of architecture. I actually cannot remember how many old and decaying gates, hotels, churches and other buildings we passed, however I can recall very clearly the Coliseum.

It was breathtaking, even in the darkness, perhaps even more so because of the lights that were streaming out of the arches on all levels. The stones of this building absorbed the lights of the city and drew all attention to themselves, proving their historical and aesthetic worth beyond any other nearby structure. 

The hotel is not exciting enough to warrant any space here. However, one event of note is that while I was showering our shower stopped working. The bathtub is tiny =[

After becoming clean we went to a restaurante down the street. I had pizza, and it was delicious. It was a very large plate, however it ended up being just right for my appetite since the pizza here has very thin crust. It's crunchy, but not uncomfortably so. I had the 4 cheese pizza, which didn't look like a lot of cheese or even exciting cheese, as it was brought to the table. However I discovered that it was a beautiful blend of flavours, neither boring nor overwhelming! I also had some bread with vinegar and oil, which was delicious. Something else we discovered was that wine is incredibly cheap here in Italy, four of us shared a half litre, and it was only about 6 dollars! It was also very good. I don't pretend to be any kind of expert on wine tasting, but it was far better than cheap wine in Canada. I also had a domestic Italian beer, which was tasty as well, though I still prefer a Guinness or Big Rock.

After our meal I went with a couple people and we walked to a nearby church/monastery/cathedral? we had driven by earlier. It was gorgeous, I won't even try and explain it, but soon I will update my facebook with pictures. 

Its 7 now, and I think its time to get ready before we go for breakfast and get our Roma transit pass. We are going to visit the Coliseum today, and we will be performing in a church tonight. I will do my best to faithfully update this blog.

My little sister graduates!

Okay so I lied. my big sister graduated today, but technically I can call her my little sister, since I am a freak and grew to be 6'8', even though she is only 6'1'.

All height differences aside, I am so so proud of her, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in English Literature and she graduated Summa Cum Laude!!! for those of you who don't know that is the highest honors that can be conferred on someone (correct me if I used that word incorrectly) for their grades during their degree.

I just want to take a moment to say how much my sister has inspired me academically and personally in school.

I think there can be a stigma or assumption about academic/hardworking/reallyfrickensmart people, and that stigma is that they are snobbish or perhaps sort people into categories based on their grades, social skills, and/or their academic intelligence. However my sister has exemplified to me and many others at this school how refreshing it is when you look at a person as someone of worth, regardless of what insecurities and/or personal difficulties they are operating out of. She is the first person to try and understand someone when they do or say something that is hurtful or immature instead of simply writing them off, and while she doesn't stand for injustice or abusive behaviours, she always approaches conflict with a willingness to look at where the other person is at and try and communicate any issues with love and respect.

I think this behaviour goes hand in hand with her values when it comes to Christ's approach to community. And I also think that her approach to other people in seeking to understand is something that heightens her ability to learn and be excellent in her studies. This open-mindedness that fosters curiosity and wisdom is something that builds into our faith in God and our wonder at his creation.

This wonder is something that I've seen her acquire and that I've begun to experience myself. The great thing about academics is that it allows us the opportunity to delve so deeply into a subject that we get lost in the infinite complexity and beauty of the subject. As people of faith we need to see how God has created these things to have us lose ourselves in them.

I think that good grades on her part are not a result of needing the highest GPA for prestige or even to open more doors in future education, but instead because of the inspiring beauty of God's creation. I'm not going to pretend that I always do my very best in school to achieve the highest marks, but I think the more I have connected my studies and pursuits in school with the bountiful character of our creator the more excellent I do anyway.

Today after her grad I was reading a book on Vivaldi, and there was a chapter on some background history of Venice, and at that moment I was reading about the art and architecture and literature and music that emerged in the Baroque period. We got talking about the pursuit of understanding and knowledge of that period, and the realization that emerged of the vast incomprehensible scope of God's intricate creation. Art in the church was considered worship simply because it was becoming more and more complex, a reflection of God's glory and power. I say that this is still true today, that in music and literature and other forms of art it should be less important perhaps what the logical message is that is being communicated; and more important what the beauty and excellence of the art is communicating about the character of God. This is why I don't understand it when someone says "well how can that genre of music be glorifying God?" or "how can that literature which has nothing to do with Christian beliefs be glorifying God?". I am not saying that all paths lead to God, but that all things that are excellent in some way represent his characters, and that he is in the business of redeeming those things that have been twisted or perverted, even in their excellence.

Thank you Celine, for in a sense paving the way for some of my thought patterns and goals and ambitions, and I wish you well in your future studies and what God has for you.

my zipper broke

yes... it's true, the zipper on one of my oldest and favorite hoodies is broken. also apparently spell check does not recognize the word "hoodies", which makes no sense to me, it is a perfectly fine word.

I am tired and I have a final exam tomorrow, as well as the day after, and then my jury on friday, and then I am free! although I plan to make a trip back home to Spruce Grove before I run off to Italy and then dive into working for the summer.

I have no more energy to type tonight and I don't know why I'm making this blog post. I was going to blog about a chapter I read today in Tolkien's "The Silmarillion", but I think its too late at this point. You'll all have to wait for that one. I hope you all have a wonderful sleep, or wakefulness, depending on when you read this!

Also, for those interested, the virtual choir 2.0 has launched! I saw the first one back last year, and I decided that if Eric Whitacre ever did another one I would be part of it. He is one of my favorite composers (either living or dead) so I was thrilled to hear that he was doing a second one of his piece "Sleep".

In December I learned my part (Bass 1) and practiced it in my sisters house during Christmas break, sitting in her kitchen watching the conductor video on youtube that Mr. Whitacre had uploaded trying to imagine the multitude of voices that should be surrounding me on this piece. After many arduous takes I finally got one that I was happy with.

Four months later, the finished video arrives! featuring over 2000 singers from across the world, my name is in the credits! enjoy... it is by no means perfect, but I think it sounds splendid and I am glad to have had the chance to be a part of this. Unfortunately my video is not seen at any point since there are so many singers, but my audio is in there somewhere =]

the end of the semester and Italy

Well... this is it, the end of my first full year in the music program. Needless to say (due to me spouting about it on here) I have loved it, and I can't think of anything else I'd rather be doing than studying music, but that doesn't mean that I feel no intimidation or stress. Thankfully I've been able to work hard and do well (for the most part) and I am not approaching a jury full of songs that I barely know, but this jury is a special one. I am auditioning to switch from the BA music major to a Bmus (Bachelor of Music). Obviously this is a more concentrated program, and they have higher standards, but I am confident that I can meet those standards. Only next friday will really tell what happens, but so far I have my 4 songs memorized down pat, and now I can spend time polishing, ironing out small fingering issues, and furthering my artistic interpretation of said pieces.
Also, I am making some headway on my own arrangement of "Aerith's Theme", which is really exciting, its from my favorite movie, and I have a lot of emotional connection with it. Hopefully I can finish it during the summer, and have it learned for next semester.
This summer I have a bit of "homework" as it were, since I have been selected for the position of Residents Assistant next year. This involves reading several books, writing on them, and planning floor meetings for at least the first semester, as well as selecting ARA's and small group leaders. I am going to need to put a lot of thought and prayer into all of this, but I am actually quite excited to see what is going to happen, and to have the ability to be this involved.
Further than that however I have some musical goals for the summer. I am going to begin piano lessons next semester and I dont want to go in knowing next to nothing. The main reason for this is that Edwin Gnandt will be teaching me. For those of you who don't know Edwin he is a faculty member at the school and he went to Julliard. For those of you who don't know what Julliard is, go look it up. Needless to say I will not allow Edwin to teach me the very basics, I plan to acquire a few piano books and work on that some over the summer so he can hopefully teach me something of actual consequence. we'll see where that goes.
I also want to continue to conduct during the summer. I doubt there is any opportunity for me to conduct in any actual ensembles, but I'm sure I will be making a trip to Rideau to pick up some scores to analyze and conduct silently.
Also, I am hoping to buy a 7 string guitar this summer. I don't know if that will really happen, but I am always saddened by my inability to drop tune to a low B or A. The metal must be unleashed.
Besides all this, I'm joining the Jazz ensemble next semester, so while i know some basic jazz chords and two of my modes, I will need to get my hands on "the real book" and start immersing myself in the structure of the songs.

Italy is going to be amazing. we are leaving in just under a month, and I can't wait. However I need to go shopping for some new shoes, and other clothes. I could just take the clothes I have but I feel as if I want to buy a whole new wardrobe for the occasion (this is an exaggeration, hopefully). I should probably also invest some time in researching the historical sites we will be visiting so I can more fully appreciate them when I go there.

Also.. there are rumblings and rumors of Radiohead having a second part to their album that they have yet to release... go to www.thekingoflimbspart2.com to see what all the fuss is about.

Also also I am getting a headache, so I should finish reading this guitar pedagogy article and go get some food. Enjoy your exams! or your usual life..

warmer weather

well, the cats out of the bag... I have been chosen to be the RA (Residents Assistant) for Zion Hall next year! I am incredibly excited. after having lived on such an awesome hall for 2 years, I am more than overjoyed to be given the opportunity to lead and serve the people who will be living here next year.

A little bit about the awesome place called Zion Hall: we are a safe and secure city, a place of trust and brotherhood. It might sound cheesy, but this has really been a place where I can share anything and where I can challenge others and be challenged. from my understanding it has been the same for the others who have lived here. The other great thing about Zion has been the relationships between many of us who have lived here for more than a year or two, and the values that we take from each year on the floor to the next year, as we step into leadership and just shape the environment of the floor. Even though people move off the floor we have many off-campus brothers who still come to floor meeting each week, and in fact there are already 3 houses within a 3 minute walk that are inhabited by guys who have lived on the floor and are still a part of the community.

Okay, I'm done bragging.

LYC is this weekend, and I'm super excited to be part of the prayer sub-team this year. It promises to be a busy and exhausting weekend, but I think it will be incredibly powerful and I'm excited to see what God will do and hopefully be a part of it.

I also cleaned my room today. Crazy I know! the reason: I will be having 8 youths staying in my room over the weekend. 8. for the last two weeks my floor has been almost completely covered so its a relief to be able to safely cross it.

I should get some sleep, and get ready for another busy day! goodnight

the breaking point

Everything is crashing down around me. my student loan application somehow got filled out wrong, and I have been on hold for almost an hour waiting to talk to someone at the student financing office to sort it out and clarify that I do not make $2700 a month while IN SCHOOL. not to mention the due date for signing up for my royal conservatory guitar exam being today, and having no method of paying since they only accept credit card. not to mention the CRA sending me a letter telling me that they gave me too much money on my tax return, which I already spent on textbooks... not to mention that I haven't practiced in 2 days and havent practiced conducting in nearly a week...

I usually reach a point where there is so much stress coming down at once that I kind of just shut off and ignore it. I am at that point now, and its actually not that bad. I'm doing my best to handle each situation one at a time, and I know there is nothing more I can do. I also have an interview for the position of RA in an hour, so I won't let myself freak out until at least after that interview.

also my choir folder is missing..

I wish I had an "on the bright side" comment, but I really don't. I guess the bright side might be that I don't have to get up early tomorrow?