grateful.

i'm having one of those days where there are many things "wrong," but i've decided to hone in on the positive things in my life. there are lots. and thinking about them keeps me content and thankful. i hope that everyone does this when they get crabby because it really works wonders when your mind wanders into dark places.

and listening to this always makes me happy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cN7oFdFqtB4

tomorrow i have to get another gland surgery, but this one is going to be worse because i actually have to have my whole sublingual gland removed. strangely enough, this is the last thing that i can do and there's a chance that it, also, may not work. i don't really understand how it wouldn't because if you take out the whole problem, how would it return...?

i'm starting to wonder about my life after next year. it's time that i have to think about it. i put it off all last semester because i really hate to plan so far ahead. i have a few options, but i don't even know how to start approaching them. but i am thinking about them, which is more than i was doing a few days ago. and what with my mouth situation, i'll have lots of time to do research and not practice.

ps. have i mentioned that i love antonia? she's the best violin ever. ever.

in WI!!! but, i miss colorado.

I love being home in WI because I get to see my mom and my sister. AND I get to see Matt in 1 day!!! :) :) :)


However, I love colorado. And I miss it. A lot. I keep saying that all I want is to just eat, practice, and be outside... Colorado. Since I've come home I've been really lightheaded. There is so much air here and it's so humid, I feel like I'm breathing in a sponge instead of air.

While at home I get to resume some of my summertime projects such as walking Sangria. She still doesn't love being on a harness and leash, but she does like to be outside so she tolerates it.


I learned so much while I was gone. Going to Rocky Ridge was probably the best thing that I could've done for my life. (...thanks ABV) The things that I gained will help me so much for the rest of my life. AND I met lots of lovely people while I was there. Including... this guy! David Lin! My new favorite person!!! I met him before, but he's in the other violin teacher's studio at Western so I didn't get to know him this past year. We will hang out next year. I have decided.

exercise!

ever since i've had to deal with arm problems (starting in october 2003), i've realized that exercise is one of my top priorities. my goal is pretty much to be the strongest woman in the world. i've been doing yoga here every morning and walking a lot. i think that i'm in the best shape that i've ever been in. i hiked estes cone today with 2 friends. it was so amazing. again, the torture of climbing straight up and lack of oxygen was well worth the view from the top.




ps. did i mention that i heart colorado?

I love CO.

colorado is beautiful. i'm really glad that i am here for 5 weeks. this past monday i did my first hike here and it was absolutely gorgeous. a few of us went up to sky pond which meant that we had to do some difficult uphill hiking and also some rock climbing. we climbed up next to a waterfall and were exhausted by the time we got to the top... totally worth it. most beautiful place.


it's so strange, being out here. i never want to go home. i just want to practice and go hiking.

i have been taking viola lessons. i love the viola professor here. a lot. i've learned so much in just 2 lessons with him... possibly more important, fundamental things than i've learned from anyone else. i want him to teach me. violin. and viola.

last night i went to see the new harry potter movie at midnight. so. fantastic. i practiced while waiting at the theatre. i've realized that i can bring my violin and practice anywhere and noone really cares or bothers me. it's quite lovely.

freedom day.

i'm in estes park, colorado. things are good thus far. above is the cabin i'm staying in. i've had a couple of lessons, done some performing, and gone up to look at some mountains. i'm sitting concertmaster of the orchestra which is good and i've met some lovely, extremely talented people.

today was weird just because i didn't get to use any sparklers- my normal 4th of july tradition. but, i did get to go up in a tram to the top of a mountain. :)

where to live, where to live...

my latest goal has been to find a place to live for next year. i've become quite obsessed with looking at kijiji.ca. the other day, literally, two hours flew by and i don't know how i actually sat there for so long, looking at ads. i have put my good friend chri up to the task of being my eyes and ears for my apartment hunt. hopefully he'll look at the place and say it's absolutely perfect. (fingers crossed) the guy i talked to on the phone said that it's mine if i want it. wooooo... the -hoo is put on hold until i get it. i know that the outside looks a wee bit sad, but it's lovely, really.


AND... i also just found another place that is a good possibility. i'd like to go back to canada now.

rocky ridge. 3 days. not. ready. at. all. BUT! i have a renewed interest in practicing which is always good. i was definitely in a summer slump for a bit. i recently re-read this paper about practice thoughts and my focus has been restored.

lastly, my cat, sangria is adorable. there's just no getting around it. i never give her human food ever. firstly, i don't think she should have it, and secondly, she usually doesn't want it if i give it to her. however, she apparently likes butter pecan icecream.

FOCUS

i leave for rocky ridge music camp in 7 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! crazy. i need to work really hard this week. summer, thus far, has been all sorts of fun, but definitely not enough violining. i'm sure that the program will be fine. i'm looking forward to spending time with some good musicians and some mountains. all i have to do now is figure out how i'm going to get everything there.

some of the really annoying items i need to bring are:

-sleeping bag/pillow

-laundry detergent

-music stand

really? a sleeping bag and pillow? the last programs i've been to have had beds. this. is. not. good. i like camping and am 100% fine with "roughing it," but really. again, how am i supposed to fly with all of this stuff?

i went to a trombone factory today with my good friend, matt. i wanted to go see what a brass place was like. definitely different than a violin shop. nice violin places are always very fancy, bright, hardwood places that make you feel at home. this place was pretty much a big metal box that was dimly lit and just lined with trombone parts. not very homey to me. i realize that i'm a violin person, but still.