And the countdown begins...

Three days until classes start. I am so ready, though, I guess this isn't really where I should admit that I haven't bought my books yet? Well, honestly, one of the books I read for IB in high school, and two I think I'll just download on my Kindle to save on shipping. The other book I may ask James to split the cost and just rent from the bookstore, since we're taking the class together.

Nonetheless, I'm ready for the ball to get rolling. I've been getting a lot of practicing in the last few days, working really hard to make sure my face is in shape by the time school starts on Monday. I had a lesson yesterday and got some assignments so that the first week of school isn't useless when I'm spending my hours in the practice room. Seriously, as much as I hate those rooms, I nearly hugged mine when I walked in...it's nice to have a place where I can play as loud and as much as I want without a practice mute, and I don't bug anyone...(or if I do, there's not much they can do about it, considering I'm doing my version of homework). Having my schedule back for practicing will rock too. I don't have classes until the afternoon, so I'm already planning on getting as much practicing done in the morning as is possible.

I'm sorry, I realize how much I talk about the time I spend with my horn. I guess that's just kind of my life right now, no matter how dull it seems to others. I have my good days and my bad, and right now I'm feeling pretty on fire. There's part of me that is on the verge of grabbing some more bus money to run back to school so I can put another hour in. If school had already started, I wouldn't have stopped myself, but without practice room monitors working, they're probably already locked. Boo on Safety and Security.

It is hilarious how each of my professors react when they see me on campus. Yeah, I am one of the music librarians, so it makes sense that I'm having to prep music ahead of time, but it's pretty funny when they give me that odd expression that says, "Why in heaven's name are you here? I'm not ready to deal with you and your kind yet!" Yup, that's a fact...professors procrastinate just as much as students do. Don't let them know that you heard that from me, though...they don't want anyone giving away their secrets :D

My calendar is prepped, my lips are being beaten into submission (nicely, of course, but they will be able to handle 3 hours of practicing plus ensembles by Monday!), and now all I need are some silly (and expensive) books and I am all set. Bring it on, junior year. Bring it on.

~Allie

Yay internet!

I've been dying to update my blog for several weeks now, but around the holiday weekend, Comcast decided they weren't able to send someone out to set up our internet until yesterday.

The apartment is still a bit of a mess...I came down with a sinus infection during my three-day weekend, which seriously interrupted our progress. However, the vast majority of our stuff is put away, our kitchen and bathroom are completely functional, and we now have cable and internet. I feel like our living room is doomed since right now my knitting and its coordinating supplies are scattered all over it, and yet it gives it a nice homey touch. Though, I think I'm going to make a goal to put all of my stash away so that it takes up less space than it is currently.

We tested the apartment out as a hang-out tonight. Ana, Sara and I all sat in one corner knitting our respective projects while James and Jordon played Super Smash Bros. on James' N64...which, by the way, has to be one of his more brilliant ideas for personal amusement when at my place :) Everything seems to have worked out well...it's not perfect, but how much in life is? This apartment pretty much rocks.

Living in Ballard is wonderful. I tested out the convenience last week on one of my days off and ran errands on foot all morning. I managed to go window shopping, drop off dry cleaning (Yes Mom, you were right, pleated wool skirts don't pack well :P ), get a haircut, and go browse the library. Basically, Ballard is all the convenience of a small town, with all the variety of a major city. I love it! We'll see how much I still like it when school starts and I'm commuting to SPU instead of downtown.

Speaking of which, I CANNOT wait until school starts up again. Working is great, the paychecks are nice, but I'm ready to get back to being a full-time student with only a part-time job. I'm ready to live my life in the practice rooms (and wherever else I practice) and attend classes, commute on the bus using a card rather than cash, see all of my friends, and go crazy with how many ensembles I have...this will be a great year, and I can't wait to start it (and hopefully on the right foot) :D

I added another ensemble to the list of ones I'm involved in at school...I didn't think 5 was enough, so I auditioned for Cascade Youth Symphony...and now I'm their psuedo-principal horn player :) I say psuedo because I won't always be playing first, but rather, they trade around the lead parts based on the difficulty of the piece compared to the experience of each player. Translation: the more challenging the piece and the solos in it, the more likely I'm on first. I really don't mind the idea of not always being lead, since I love having other people getting the chance to play some solos. Plus, in the big pieces that we can't play at SPU (like Jupiter from the Planets), I'll probably be playing the horn parts that I need the experience in.

Basically, my entire point in adding on CYSO is to bump up my contact with major orchestral works that I'll probably be building my career upon. I want to make sure I'm getting as much experience as is possible.

I also reached the 10% mark on my hexipuff quilt today...80 hexis down, and only 720 (or so) to go :P I enjoy seeing it come together bit by bit, and seeing my bag fill up. Life is good, and I'm excited to see it keep coming by day by day :)

~Allie