Blog Stew.

I've had a few post-worthy experiences lately, but have delayed posting them for a bubbly blog stew (possible laziness):

First things first...Last weekend I took part in one of the coolest yet stressful yet inspiring concerts. Playing with the Salem Chamber Orchestra wouldn't have been so scary if they hadn't had me play the solo quartet part in Bloch's Concerto Gross(o) # dos. Strangely, the first concert (why these people have two back-to-back concerts I don't know) went rather well, but the second concert on Sunday was, well, not as good (to say the least). Oh well, I guess it was fun. A week later, and I still haven't touched my violin...awesome.

Yesterday was Thanksgiving. Which means today is Black Friday. Not to break tradition, Mom and I perused the newspaper ads last night, making lists and having mild freak-outs as to why were so crazy (more from mom), and got up at 4:30am to drive into the Target parking lot as the line, curled around the block multiple times, began moving into the store. Mom and I were as hardcore as you can get without camping out/standing in line. We thought it'd be most effective if we split up as soon as we entered (no carts or baskets). I headed straight for the home appliances while Mom manned the electronics. By 5:30 we were in the express lane, ready to check out with our lists crossed off. Quite the success if I do say so myself. Then after a quick trip to Macy's, we retired home by around 6:30am and it was back to bed for me. 

Now I'm home, back in my pajamas, relaxing the break away...aka writing more college essays, surprise! Bahhh. more later. 

College Apps

Stress. I constantly find myself being pulled towards my blog every time I have to start/edit a college essay. And frankly, the blog has been helping me so much: an outlet for frustration, a flashback into what's important and how far I've come, a place to write in "proper-admissions-essay-speak," etc. So here I am again, trying to gear myself up for editing my commonapp essay and start on some supplements. Sometimes I wish I could just submit my blog instead. It tells so much more without the "perfect bow tied around the essay telling why I am the perfect person/student." Throughout the application process, my biggest fears have been of not being true to myself, or writing what I think these college people want to read. Hence the increased number of posts lately... It keeps my real. It keeps me, me. So I'm off to write, hopefully not some mindless crap (although this is highly likely), more essays for college. 

Here's my finalized list of colleges> Rice, Duke, Pomona, Claremont McKenna, U of Notre Dame, Emory, and Pepperdine.

Perspective

Although I like to believe that the world continues to somehow, mysteriously center around my little routine life in Salem, OR, I am always reminded in strange ways of my ridiculous naivety. The other day, I found myself in an Emergency Conference for nurses, medics, EMTs, and PAs. I showed up early to volunteer, which basically meant that I stood at a desk and checked people in, handed out agendas, and free crap. After the initial volunteering, I was shown into the auditorium at Salem Hospital where the only empty spots were in the very front row by the speaker's podium. Awesome. So myself and two other volunteers uncomfortably sat down in the front row and waited for the first speaker to be introduced: a trauma surgeon at Salem Hospital with a presentation on "Massive Emergency Management" which was basically prioritizing patients/injuries as pertaining to her time in the War in Iraq. Her slideshow was full of her personal pictures of the facilities in a mini-hospital (a glorified tent in the middle of the desert, equipped with tables strangely fit for surgery). Although, her and her team were forced to make due with the barest of the bare minimums in equipment, they were able to temporarily save soldiers until they could be transported to the bigger hospital. The team often wore shorts and scrubs into surgery due to the 140 degree weather. She basically slept amidst a bunch of materials in a defensive barrack under ground. And yet was so passionate about the work she did and her part in fighting for the country. At the beginning of the presentation, she initially stated that there was no need to discuss the politics behind the war. She was there, and she would save lives. End of story. This was an extremely powerful and intriguing presentation that really knocked some needed perspective into my life (regardless of my hectic due dates and college apps). I couldn't help but envy her, but at the same time feel extremely blessed to have so many people across the ocean fighting and protecting those back home. And I can only pray for the safety of these courageous men and women. 

Why Hello November.

I have this strange and worrisome feeling that I'm going to have one of these "monthly" blog posts every month until it's an "Oh My June..." But really, while the hours often seem to be an eternity, the days are truly flying by (not sure how that's possible...but it happens). Lately I've been really busy academically and musically. I've been frantically asking for recommendations (aka meeting my counselor for the first time) and trying to get caught up on the 4 days I missed (props to the flu). Thankfully, I received my SAT scores and can happily say that I will never have to take any of those dreaded tests ever again. That 10 hour cram session the day before really helped my history score. lol. I also competed last Sunday in the 4th annual Connie Fritz Concerto Competition at Hudson Hall. My nerves really got the best of me and I felt like I let myself down, but well "stuff" happens. Next week, I start rehearsing with the Salem Chamber Orchestra for Bloch's Concerto Grosso No. 2 and Mendelssohn's 10th Sinfonia in b minor. They've asked me and other high school students to play the solo quartet part in the Bloch, so we'll see how that goes. 

So that's the update. But every time I do something that happens annually or traditionally, I realize that it will be my last time, most likely, doing said activity at home in Salem. Next year, I'll be moved on (survived) and off to college. While this is extremely extremely exciting for me, I can't help but feel a little sad. I don't feel ready to actually leave my childhood chapter behind. Right now, I'm really just enjoying eating mom's sandwiches and being nagged to be productive while lying on the couch...(not sure how everyone else feels about this...haha)