One FINAL thing. If you listen to Dvorak, "New World Symphony," movement 4, you'll hear a little motive that Howard Shore steals for the LOTR score. Just so you know.

By the way, the "Lord of the Rings" film score is incredible! I was listening to it earlier today (I'm also listening to it right now) and I just loved it. It was probably the 100th time I've heard it, but it was even better. And to make it 10x as good, I listened to it with surround sound speakers (yes Amanda, surround sound lol). I felt as if I was in the Shire with Frodo and Sam or the Fields of Pelennor at the last battle (even better, Rohan). Ahhhhhh. :-)

Just Some Thoughts

Well, I'm sitting in my room currently printing out 30! pages for lit. class. Why must Dr. Willits make me waste my paper and ink?! Anyway, things have been going pretty well since I've gotten back from the symphonic band tour. Suprisingly, I got all of my make-up work done (excluding reading for lit. class). Also, I took my sight singing and ear training midterm this morning and I believe I did quite well. But, now I'm really tired and I'm ready to go to bed. Earlier today I was reading a score for Carnival Overture by Dvorak while listening to the music (yea, just say it, I'm a dork). Of course I was following the clarinet part and then two measures caught my eye. I thought to myself, "Could it be?!" Yes! I found a secondary dominant chord in the music! I was so proud of myself especially considering we just studied this in theory and it's on the midterm tommorrow. Just in case you want to know, it was a V/III going from A Major to C# Major. Eventually it went back to A Major. But, I was really excited to find that. If you haven't listened to Carnival Overture, you should. Right now (just kidding).

I'm really excited about reading music tommorrow in quintet because I have four really neat pieces to read. They include: "The Easy Winners" by Joplin, "Humoresque" by my man Dvorak, "Clair de Lune" by Debussy, and "Tritsch-Tratsch Polka" by Strauss.

Now it's time to read and then time for bed.

Abortion. . .Boo

Today I read an article about how South Dakota is trying to pass anti-abortion laws, which I think is great. Here's some awesome quotes:

"God is the only one who knows how many children we should have, and we should be ready to accept them. One can't decide for oneself who comes into this world and who doesn't. That decision doesn't belong to us."
-Mel Gibson













"Is it all right for the government to allow the murder of an innocent human being? The evidence I see tells me the unborn is a human being. From the moment of conception, a new life comes into being with a complete genetic blueprint. The sex is determined. The blood type is determined… the moment that I learned that the unborn was a human being, not part of the woman's body but its own individual human being, I have no choice but to defend the most vulnerable among us."
-Kathy Ireland












"If you're pregnant, don't compound the problem by seeking an abortion. Getting an abortion doesn't solve anything. You are much better off in that situation to put the baby up for adoption because you might be able to help a couple that can't have children."

"I look forward to the day I can look my husband in the face and say, 'I loved you before I even knew you. I saved myself just for you.'"
-Lakita Garth, Former Miss Black California, 1995













"If I used drugs, had bad grades or had a child out of wedlock, there is no way I could be where I'm at now. Stay focused...do not offer evil a foothold in your life."
-Dan Torweihe, former leader of The Thunderbirds, an elite Air Force Flying Team

Welcome to Music City

Well, right now I'm in Nashville, Tennessee, sitting in the hotel room. We finally got done playing today! It's such a relief. My lips were ready to kill me. Our concert today went really well and Dr. Dunnigan started crying which was good, LOL. The long bus rides have been good for sleeping and the host families I had in Jacksonville and Atlanta were really nice. The first night my buddies and I were treated to an authentic Puerto Rican meal. As far as homework goes, I've gotten little of that done, oops. It's not completely my fault as I've had to put up with obnoxious people and loud, vulgar movies on the bus. So, you can probably guess what I'll be doing when I get back tommorrow night. Anyway, I hope all is going well for you 'Noles in Tally-Town and I'll see you tommorrow night probably.

Later

Grrr...

School has been really frustrating for me recently. All this homework and practice is really taking a toll on me. I feel like my emotions are being drained and the lack of sleep doesn't help. Tonight I was practicing for my lesson, which is tommorrow and I finally just stopped, because my lips hurt too much to practice. Between band, quintet, and homework I've been constantly on the go. Unfortunately I've been able to find little time to practice for my lessons once I get done with practicing for band and quintet. God is always faithful and I know He'll get me through this, and ultimately nothing else matters except what I have in Jesus Christ.

Goodnight