...is technically the number of contact hours I have this semester.
In my defence, it is three and a half subjects worth, having done four and a half last semester. (So we'll just credit my good planning hey?)
It was done for a reason......namely that I can have lots of time to practice for my Final Solo Recital, as well as lots of chamber music activities.
Piano itself takes at least 20hrs a week. So, that's more 'homework' for one subject than I go to uni for. I won't even mention the rest of the subjects.
Then there's the other projects, which aren't really 'for' uni per se, but uni is the reason they exist. Plus, they're good for me.
I've only been in Melbourne four days. And already it feels like much longer.
I've only just finished two days of uni for semester two. And I don't even know how I'm going to get through this week.
Let alone the rest of semester...
F: "G, I don't know how you can be so busy, but still have time to go out so much."
I don't know either....
"He does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us; just as the roof of a greenhouse does not attract the sun because it is bright, but becomes bright because the sun shines on it." - C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Time flies
So, I made it through results coming out. Quite pleasantly so.
And I'm proud to report (besides my Technical Exam, as well as Chamber Music, as practice for that must be done in isolation, bar Chamber Music being with other people) that the communal study in Baillieu and Brownless must have worked, because that mark came out quite well! Compared to the one I thought I would fail, it was significantly higher. Must have been the people I was studying with :P Hehe. But don't worry, I didn't fail anything!
I have enjoyed chillaxing at home for the holidays. Three weeks is nearly up, and I haven't seen everybody I wanted to (okay, all of these are at least my fault..), caught up on as much sleep, done enough piano practice, planned enough for semester 2. Oh well. This happens all the time - why should I be so surprised?
So, you ask, what have I done?
Well, I got to spend some time with the family, which was good. This is when they're not all at work. This whole three-income household is good, I suppose, but also not very at the same time.
Went shopping several times to try capitalise on these end of financial year sales. It wasn't terribly successful, but I did do some shoe shopping. Not enough, but maybe it'll just take a longer time to find the right pair...
Disappointed I missed a Melbourne Adventure (wow, that's what we should call it!!!), finally they made it to Blue Train hehe. But on the flipside (also because you know, it was a little difficult to make it just for dinner..), I did have another dinner with another group of friends - the Perth-Melbourne traitors. It was much fun. We ended up playing Pictionary (probably my favourite board game!) which was amusing. Gee, A is competitive, though he did warn us haha. But it was fun. Then M had to leave because he had to be home in time to pack before he flew out to Melbourne that night. Hehe - hardcore, going out the same night that you fly out of town!
Have been organising a few things for the St Mary's August concert, (re-)learning some repertoire, organising money stuff and making sure all the arrangements are in place. Wow, August is filling up very quickly - weekends are getting booked very quickly, and I'm struggling to be able to confirm things that happen two weeks in advance, despite me being picky about booking well in advance! But we'll see how we go.
My timetable looks ok. I still have uni every day (I don't think that first semester/1st year freedome of two days off a week is ever going to happen again..!) - but it only amounts to about 13hrs of class. So, there are gaps here and there for coffee dates, rehearsals, practice, running around, meeting people, going places (to do uh...work-related stuff!). But hopefully lots of work will just be done during the week meaning those weekends are totally cool to do those fun things that have been booked in already!
Have quite a few exciting projects coming up (and by 'project', I usually mean musical..). I'm again collaborating with a few (several, perhaps more) people on several projects, which should be exciting. When concert dates/performances come up, I shall keep you posted (let me know if you'd like to be included on the email out).
I am very excited about getting back to Melbourne (my mum says it's because there's parties all the time haha), and seeing you folk again. But I have enjoyed being at home, relaxing. There is a certain element of removing oneself geographically that makes me anxious for about two days, and then really relaxed after that. It's nice :)
Anyway, now I'm rambling. I will stop now for fear of making you readers bored. Ciao!
And I'm proud to report (besides my Technical Exam, as well as Chamber Music, as practice for that must be done in isolation, bar Chamber Music being with other people) that the communal study in Baillieu and Brownless must have worked, because that mark came out quite well! Compared to the one I thought I would fail, it was significantly higher. Must have been the people I was studying with :P Hehe. But don't worry, I didn't fail anything!
I have enjoyed chillaxing at home for the holidays. Three weeks is nearly up, and I haven't seen everybody I wanted to (okay, all of these are at least my fault..), caught up on as much sleep, done enough piano practice, planned enough for semester 2. Oh well. This happens all the time - why should I be so surprised?
So, you ask, what have I done?
Well, I got to spend some time with the family, which was good. This is when they're not all at work. This whole three-income household is good, I suppose, but also not very at the same time.
Went shopping several times to try capitalise on these end of financial year sales. It wasn't terribly successful, but I did do some shoe shopping. Not enough, but maybe it'll just take a longer time to find the right pair...
Disappointed I missed a Melbourne Adventure (wow, that's what we should call it!!!), finally they made it to Blue Train hehe. But on the flipside (also because you know, it was a little difficult to make it just for dinner..), I did have another dinner with another group of friends - the Perth-Melbourne traitors. It was much fun. We ended up playing Pictionary (probably my favourite board game!) which was amusing. Gee, A is competitive, though he did warn us haha. But it was fun. Then M had to leave because he had to be home in time to pack before he flew out to Melbourne that night. Hehe - hardcore, going out the same night that you fly out of town!
Have been organising a few things for the St Mary's August concert, (re-)learning some repertoire, organising money stuff and making sure all the arrangements are in place. Wow, August is filling up very quickly - weekends are getting booked very quickly, and I'm struggling to be able to confirm things that happen two weeks in advance, despite me being picky about booking well in advance! But we'll see how we go.
My timetable looks ok. I still have uni every day (I don't think that first semester/1st year freedome of two days off a week is ever going to happen again..!) - but it only amounts to about 13hrs of class. So, there are gaps here and there for coffee dates, rehearsals, practice, running around, meeting people, going places (to do uh...work-related stuff!). But hopefully lots of work will just be done during the week meaning those weekends are totally cool to do those fun things that have been booked in already!
Have quite a few exciting projects coming up (and by 'project', I usually mean musical..). I'm again collaborating with a few (several, perhaps more) people on several projects, which should be exciting. When concert dates/performances come up, I shall keep you posted (let me know if you'd like to be included on the email out).
I am very excited about getting back to Melbourne (my mum says it's because there's parties all the time haha), and seeing you folk again. But I have enjoyed being at home, relaxing. There is a certain element of removing oneself geographically that makes me anxious for about two days, and then really relaxed after that. It's nice :)
Anyway, now I'm rambling. I will stop now for fear of making you readers bored. Ciao!
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
I'm Alive!
Funnily enough, I made it through exams. I think so anyway. I guess now I just wait to see how they went. But for now, I can breathe easy.
The last week of exams almost torturous, largely because I didn't really do much music, and studied hard-core for International Trade Policy. I did go to a few recitals of some friends, which were a welcome break between study. Also had dinner with some friends, which was lots of fun (with carrot in the lasagna!), and delicious pudding.
Also went to a revision session, which turned out to be really helpful - one of the things I didn't previously understand (that somebody from my tute explained to me) came up on the exam, and I could write about it! So that was pretty lucky!
The actual exam went surprisingly well, I think (I hope!). When I read through the paper during reading time, I felt pretty confident that I could answer every question. So, doing the actual exam didn't kill me (phew!). Well, I suppose we shall wait and see how I did...
That night, I went out with F, K, T & S to the Docklands to see the Ignite fire show. It was pretty cool. And very nice of them, considering that two of them had exams the next day, one had to finish off the last essay and the other one had to work the next day! So thank you guys, for hanging out with me! S also joined us prior to that, where we had Vina Bar for dinner...mmmm....Vina Bar.......
Finally had a rehearsal/catch-up session with A on Friday (already postponed twice for various reasons, oh well). It was fun. Though possibly not very good because I had hardly practiced all week! So, tragic on my part. But we read through quite a lot of music (some funny stuff too! I joked, though not entirely untrue, that he could release a CD of obscure, unearthed musical treasures/miniatures for the instrument). Decided to keep some, ditch some. We'll see what happens. I suggested that we play every week in Concert Class, just a 3-minute or so piece every time (a new one) just so we could every week. It'd be funny. And yeah, we'd get lots of exposure, but not for very long periods of time. It could work!
On Friday night I volunteered for the opening concert of the 3MBS Chamber Music Feast. It was lots of fun! Basically, it was Z's idea and brought together the Who's Who of chamber music in melbourne (bar the Tin Alley Quartet, I think they are overseas....), in a celebration of chamber music across one weekend, and combining and 'sharing' players from various ensembles to perform. The opening concert was a surprise, the audience unaware of the programme until the actual concert; each piece was accompanied by a wine that was chosen to complement the music, which were little snippets (ie. one movement usually) showcasing a selection of the ensembles that played across the weekend. I was supposed to be one of the ushers/wine severs, but got roped in to page-turn! This turned out to be quite exciting, I mean, being on stage with these awesome ensembles and being part of it. And yes, page-turning can be a fairly stressful job (I know lots of musicians who don't enjoy it because it's so much pressure!), but I do enjoy it quite a lot.
One of the funniest things I heard that night went a bit like this:
S: Is somebody page-turning for me?
me: Yes, I am.
S: Oh, ok, great. Hang on, what was your name again?
me:
S: Oh,?
me: yes, that's me
S: I've heard lots about you! [Please note that we have met before, but I suppose he knows lots of people, so it's understandable that he wouldn't remember me].
me: [give funny look....]
S: I've heard you play very well!
Wow. People like him don't talk to people like me...! So I suppose I should take that as a compliment. Maybe things are going well, and maybe I am going ok....!
Anyway, it was a fun night, and just the thing I needed to spur me to practice again. And realise how much I enjoy music, particularly chamber music.
Went to Tassie the next evening.
Wow. Tasmania is BEAUTIFUL! If you want photos, you know where to look.....
The adventures of Doggy, Boggy, Licorice Legs/Juke, Darth and the girls were much fun. Keywords: Cows, rainbows, winding roads, poo.
We visited lots of great sights in NW Tasmania, went for great walks here and there (which may or may not have involved me being carried up the mountain by S because I couldn't do it myself..... :( ) There was chocolate and cheese to be had, poo to be stepped on, a huge bonfire to get warm (hot) by, games to be played, puzzles to be done, and that's just part of the fun we had.
Came back safe and sound, to an empty though welcome apartment. Had a late dinner with A to which F came along too; it was great to see her and retell our adventures!
Flew home the next night; A drove me to the airport, which was very kind of her.
Anyway, so now I am on the west side of the country, enjoying my holidays at home. getting sleep (now I think I only have a 52hr sleep debt!) and some practice done as well (only a 18hr practice debt now!).
The last week of exams almost torturous, largely because I didn't really do much music, and studied hard-core for International Trade Policy. I did go to a few recitals of some friends, which were a welcome break between study. Also had dinner with some friends, which was lots of fun (with carrot in the lasagna!), and delicious pudding.
Also went to a revision session, which turned out to be really helpful - one of the things I didn't previously understand (that somebody from my tute explained to me) came up on the exam, and I could write about it! So that was pretty lucky!
The actual exam went surprisingly well, I think (I hope!). When I read through the paper during reading time, I felt pretty confident that I could answer every question. So, doing the actual exam didn't kill me (phew!). Well, I suppose we shall wait and see how I did...
That night, I went out with F, K, T & S to the Docklands to see the Ignite fire show. It was pretty cool. And very nice of them, considering that two of them had exams the next day, one had to finish off the last essay and the other one had to work the next day! So thank you guys, for hanging out with me! S also joined us prior to that, where we had Vina Bar for dinner...mmmm....Vina Bar.......
Finally had a rehearsal/catch-up session with A on Friday (already postponed twice for various reasons, oh well). It was fun. Though possibly not very good because I had hardly practiced all week! So, tragic on my part. But we read through quite a lot of music (some funny stuff too! I joked, though not entirely untrue, that he could release a CD of obscure, unearthed musical treasures/miniatures for the instrument). Decided to keep some, ditch some. We'll see what happens. I suggested that we play every week in Concert Class, just a 3-minute or so piece every time (a new one) just so we could every week. It'd be funny. And yeah, we'd get lots of exposure, but not for very long periods of time. It could work!
On Friday night I volunteered for the opening concert of the 3MBS Chamber Music Feast. It was lots of fun! Basically, it was Z's idea and brought together the Who's Who of chamber music in melbourne (bar the Tin Alley Quartet, I think they are overseas....), in a celebration of chamber music across one weekend, and combining and 'sharing' players from various ensembles to perform. The opening concert was a surprise, the audience unaware of the programme until the actual concert; each piece was accompanied by a wine that was chosen to complement the music, which were little snippets (ie. one movement usually) showcasing a selection of the ensembles that played across the weekend. I was supposed to be one of the ushers/wine severs, but got roped in to page-turn! This turned out to be quite exciting, I mean, being on stage with these awesome ensembles and being part of it. And yes, page-turning can be a fairly stressful job (I know lots of musicians who don't enjoy it because it's so much pressure!), but I do enjoy it quite a lot.
One of the funniest things I heard that night went a bit like this:
S: Is somebody page-turning for me?
me: Yes, I am.
S: Oh, ok, great. Hang on, what was your name again?
me:
S: Oh,
me: yes, that's me
S: I've heard lots about you! [Please note that we have met before, but I suppose he knows lots of people, so it's understandable that he wouldn't remember me].
me: [give funny look....]
S: I've heard you play very well!
Wow. People like him don't talk to people like me...! So I suppose I should take that as a compliment. Maybe things are going well, and maybe I am going ok....!
Anyway, it was a fun night, and just the thing I needed to spur me to practice again. And realise how much I enjoy music, particularly chamber music.
Went to Tassie the next evening.
Wow. Tasmania is BEAUTIFUL! If you want photos, you know where to look.....
The adventures of Doggy, Boggy, Licorice Legs/Juke, Darth and the girls were much fun. Keywords: Cows, rainbows, winding roads, poo.
We visited lots of great sights in NW Tasmania, went for great walks here and there (which may or may not have involved me being carried up the mountain by S because I couldn't do it myself..... :( ) There was chocolate and cheese to be had, poo to be stepped on, a huge bonfire to get warm (hot) by, games to be played, puzzles to be done, and that's just part of the fun we had.
Came back safe and sound, to an empty though welcome apartment. Had a late dinner with A to which F came along too; it was great to see her and retell our adventures!
Flew home the next night; A drove me to the airport, which was very kind of her.
Anyway, so now I am on the west side of the country, enjoying my holidays at home. getting sleep (now I think I only have a 52hr sleep debt!) and some practice done as well (only a 18hr practice debt now!).
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