Newscaster says: “you may not like this, but there is MORE snow on the way!”
I throw down the bag of chips, swallow, and spew out my emotional reaction to her insightful reporting (along with a couple crumbs):
"That's BULLS&*^!"
A video of my journey home the other day during the 5th blizzard in 6 weeks:
Aside from not being able to really walk anywhere, there is lots of fun involved in a winter like this. My neighbors dump their snow on my car and scream at me when I park anywhere near their house (on a public street). Roofs are collapsing. I’ve gone through 4 pairs of boots in the last 3 weeks. When I'm president, I'll invent the boots with traction, water proofness, warmth, AND fashion, all for an affordable price in order to attract the student population...perhaps some who spend 2 hours digging out their car in 3 feet of snow turned slush turned solid ice in order to drive 60 miles to teach private flute lessons once a week in the deep suburbs of Boston, just to begin fueling the fire for what will be the beginnings of a career.
The bright side is that I finally found a pair of boots with at least 2 of those qualities.
Then I realize that screaming at the TV is a sign of something not too good (Elvis, is that you channeling me? I don't do the gun thing...).
So when the commercials are over I think about other things. Like how the lack of sleep, occasional outbursts at the TV (when I have time to watch TV), and other sometimes concerning side effects of just putting my soul into forging my life's purpose out of this program have actually rendered some good results.
http://classical-scene.com/2010/10/27/rising-star/ (I am mentioned at the bottom)
http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2010/11/19/gunther_schullers_85th_sounds_rare_notes_at_jordan_hall/
Then, there was the completion of my master's recital, in two locations. Thanks Dad, by the way, for fixing my dress when it fell apart right before.
The first at Colburn School of Performing Arts in Los Angeles, Mayman Hall:
And the second in Williams Hall at the New England Conservatory in Boston:
The real accomplishment is shown in the people who were there to support me. Not just the people in the pictures to follow, but you too. Yes, YOU who are reading this wacky little particle of cyber space real estate.
College buds Kim (left) and Lia (right) who flew 3,000 miles just for the weekend of the recital, and to do my hair and makeup. Everyone should acquire friends like this.
A moment of joy with Aunt Becky right after the recital ended:(Thanks to Kim & Lia for capturing)
At the after party, thrown by Aunt Becky & Uncle Nick...one of the best nights ever.
L to R: Cousin Leigh, Uncle Nick, Liz, Michael, Aunt Becky
The traditional jumping picture:
Yes, I had to wear them at the party. L to R: Chung my pianist, Liz, and Stephanie my bassoonist (before the cream puff exploded on her shirt).
After the after-party. L to R: UO Ducks reunited...Kim, Becca, Lia, and then Liz (where you can see the "after" part of the after-party in full swing).
And with all that's happened in this chapter, new chapters begin. Tomorrow I turn a quarter of a century old. Thanks dad for 2 chicken pies, a honey baked ham, flowers, chocolate, and fruit, each in a separate delivery.
I am also more than 3/4 done with grad school. With both of these milestones, here are a couple lessons I've learned:
On getting around:
1. No matter how many times in a row you press the elevator, button, it won’t come faster.
2. By train, plane, automobile, or foot (zebra feet), just enjoy the journey.
On success:
1. “Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best of which you are capable.” –John Wooden
P.S. I just learned not to change the channel for the commercials, because apparently they are the best part. That's what boyfriends are for...to educate. Everyone should acquire significant others like this. If not in person than online.
To conclude, some further documentation of one of the worst winters New England has ever seen. Ever.
A walk in the park?
Poor California Carolla-lita:
Icy road:
Me:
