"Give Everything to God, honey. He won't steer you wrong."
Thank you, Granddaddy.
Oooohhhh boy! So many things have happened, and looking back on it... I'll compartmentalize it so at least I won't miss out on the over-arching connections of this semester, and how it has changed my ever-refining outlook on life and how I can live it to the fullest without feeling restrained and conflicted.
Right now, I'm listening to a podcast about the sound of sound- in the context of music- and how certain kinds of sounds and rhythm affect our neurons, and therefore our mental processes. So the secret is out: music changes you.
I cannot explain all the scientific stuff behind it, but they use Igor Stravinsky's ballet "The Rite of Spring" as a model because when it first came out, the people rioted! There was blood, shouting, screaming, running, old ladies fighting, and many other indecent and barbaric reactions to the the ballet and particularly the music behind the action. It was all harsh, dissonant, irregular in rhythm, and grossly percussive.
I'm feeling listy:
1) Music Theory was awful the first couple of weeks. It's like learning a new language. I made flashcards and would study obsessively, day and night, awake or asleep. I would not rest, ever. If there was a chance to study Music Theory... I was studying. It's better now. I've kept an A, and am learning new things daily!
2) The more I try to do things on my own, the less productive I actually become. It's an interesting dichotomy. In all subjects, whenever I do things MY way and leave God and time with him out of my life of working working working... I end up miserable and lonely, greatly affecting my efficiency of learning and retaining the subject's content.
3) Finding ways to LET GO and HAVE FAITH that GOD HAS A PLAN.
4) Got a once a week job singing in a choir for a conducting class my Bel Canto professor teaches. That happens Wednesdays: 8pm-10pm.
5) Singing in a guy's Musical Theatre Master Recital. That happens Mondays: 8pm-10pm.
6) My hall has an intramural soccer team, and we're kicking butt! Only lost twice and still getting better! Its awesome. :D :D I've missed soccer so badly!
7) Am learning how easy it is to improv choreography for my solo auditions in Dance For Musical Theatre. Yesterday, I did a one handed cartwheel into doing the splits all three ways on three consecutive beats, and hit my back walkover perfectly, as opposed to last audition... where my legs had no momentum so when I bent backward, my feet did not kick over but stayed planted... so that shot me all the way back up to standing position again. It was weird, and my back hurt afterward. :P
8) Loving Exo-Deut! Especially when my Bible Study goes through the books we're studying weeks in advance, so by the time we start them in class, I've already read the whole thing, so I get more out of the class because I understand the general content already.
9) Auditions for the Fall plays are this coming Tuesday! Gotta get researching.
10) I stress out too much.
11) Since my bike accident, I've become more of a runner nowadays.
12) I'm falling more and more in love with God. I'm trying to be more thankful for all the ways he surprises me with blessings.
13) I go to church with my friend Jordan Ruffin, and Kellie Muller, my late Alpha leader.
14) I'm quickly becoming very good friends with a wonderful guy named Brian Svehaug. He's one of those people who are just good at everything! Yes! Someone who likes to read, converse, and play sports as much as I do! Hooray!
15) I'm beginning to write in 4-part harmonies in Music Theory. I'm not too great at it, but I'm learning fast!
16) I'm fasting for Lent: No meats, desserts (meaning chocolate... ah!) and caring what people think. Instead, filling that time with journaling and prayer.
17) AAAND my family came down for the weekend. Kevin has never seen Azusa Pacific, so I gave them a grand tour and on Sunday, we went to Moriah's wedding. She is now Moriah Brennan. What a surreal event. It inspires me to think of ideas for my wedding. I want acapella singing and dancing involved in the ceremony. :D
That's all I can muster right now. Change happens by the minute it seems. Who can say where I'll be tomorrow? God give me peace to:
-Think fondly of yesterday.
-Cherish today.
-And be at peace with tomorrow.
"Trust in the Lord with all you heart, and lean not on your own understanding.
Acknowledge him in all things and he will make your paths straight."
~Proverbs 3:5