A Little Christmas Cheer....

Hi. I am so happy. I love the Christmas season. I love being at home with my family and cooking and baking and talking and laughing and shopping and eating and being lazy. But, I must admit, I have a very difficult time just being on "vacation." It is hard for me not to be keeping a schedule.. I'm just a loser like that. One of my "projects" since I have been home is writing the family Christmas card. We don't EVER do this, so when we decided to do one, we decided to do it a little "differently." I thought I would paste it here because I am just so proud...

Dear Friends and Family,
You are probably surprised to be getting a Christmas card from the Elmers this year, even more surprised that is coming close to Christmas, and you may have gone into shock when you see this little card that has been added. And, please, hold onto your shorts when we tell you that the writers of this "update" are numbers 3 and 5 of the clan. Here's a little update on our fam from our perspective:
Joe (we don't really bring up the age thing with this guy)is still our dad. We love him. And he loves Al Gore. We just can't get him to stop talking about the guy. Activities for this stud (not Al Gore) include cycling, keeping a few teenagers in line, and reading books by David McCullough (we would write watching Glenn Beck, but he has sworn it off because his blood pressure is getting too high).
Stephanie (has been asked if she is Annie's sister a number of times this year) is what we like to call the non-stop party machine. Her favorite hangout this year is a 3-way tie between the post office, the gym, and her car. So if you're looking for a good time, head on over to one of those places and find our mom-- don't forget your boom box, she loves disco. Seriously, though, this superstar is well on her way to creating world peace one home at a time, ending poverty, and becoming a 20-something-year old piano prodigy.
Annie (23) has made a big move to Boston this year to start graduate school, still spending most of her day blowing through a golden tube (flute). Boston has welcomed her with open arms: she has made some scary new friends on Public Transportation, had her car broken into, and even called 9-1-1. Don't worry, she brings her brass knuckles with her everywhere. She may start training to be a cage fighter.
Judy (21) is probably reading a book while you are reading this letter. Exciting news from the Judester is that she will be studying abroad in Paris this spring-- woohoo! When I asked Sam what we should say about Judy, he said to say that she is a convicted felon, but she's not, so thanks anyway, Sam. Let's just say Jude is having so much fun up at BYU we don't know what she's doing! GOOOO JUDY!
Sam (2- having a hard time aging) has exemplary hygiene (heh), something to say about pretty much anything, and washboard abs, although mom is definitely giving him a run for his money there. Sam is also the family overachiever this year, tearing his ACL AND meniscus. We hate show-offs. Sam also loves to play the piano more than anything else-- if you stop by, be sure to ask him to play for you, maybe even a duet with Luke.
Luke (13) is turning into a regular winner at hide-n-go-seek. He got lost in pretty much every major city in Europe this summer, which he would like to debate, but you don't just go do your own thing in the Tower of London, Prague, or the Piazza Navona in Rome. Luke loves anything to do with music, we are weaning him off of Pokémon (it's hard when you gotta catch 'em all), and he's just a pretty nice guy.
Meg (12) is still doing a great job being the "precious" member of our family, which Sam would like to debate, but since he has basically stopped helping me write this letter at this point, his opinion doesn't count. Meg loves to dance, hang out with her friends, and be a helper and pleasant person to be around. She is doing a great job surviving day-to-day life with a couple of weirdos for big brothers.
We hope this Christmas finds each of you with the ones you love. We are grateful to be together as a family and for the hope and peace that our faith in Jesus Christ brings to this wonderful season.

Love,
The Elmers

AND... I have some pictures from November that I've been meaning to add for like forever. This is from when my orchestra played at the Kennedy Center and my parents came to visit. How's this for pictures, huh?

We ate dinner at a restaurant at the top of the Kennedy Center before the concert. Incredible.

Post-concert

Seafood in Boston

My cousins Zach and Steffanie came to the concert- so fun to see them! I have the best family.

We spent some time in D.C. after the concert before going up to Boston and since I've been there a billion times with BYU groups I requested that we go to the International Spy Museum. It was a winner. Especially because I love 24 and anything secret agent-ish. Yes.

Princess Peach Never Wins.

Okay, so seriously. Seeing Princess Peach on the front page of my blog is going to make me barf soon. And I HATE barfing more than anything else in this world, so I am going to write a new post just to survive for the next week or so. Sorry, I'm not promising anything entertaining or premeditated, just 100% stream-of-consciousness Annie.

I just went to the dentist. I hate going to the dentist, love my dentist/hygienist. They are fantastic. My hygienist asked me if I do much listening to KLTY (Christian Radio), to which I tried to reply no. Aside: I'm not sure if I feel more awkward dating or trying to carry on a conversation with my hygienist while she has all sorts of sharp things in my mouth. I think it made her sad when I told her I don't think Boston even has a Christian Radio Station. Sinners. She told me about how she cried and cried this morning listening to all of the sweet Christmas stories they were telling on Christian radio and I just thought, "How tender." Of course I couldn't reply, so I just raised my eyebrows as fast as I could over and over. She just has the cutest Texas accent. And then she was telling me that I have such beautiful teeth and she was just telling the dentist the other day that they should have a party for all of their single patients because so many of them have such great teeth. I couldn't agree more and even volunteered to help plan it because I just LOVE those kinds of parties and I kill for men with incredible dental hygiene. Speaking of dating, consider me awkward and dumb. Done.

In other news, apparently I look like a 6th grader still. Awesome. They are all my height or taller and I guess I apparently look the same as them in my UGGS, bright colors, peace signs, and LipSmackers. Mwah!

Also, I feel it is important to notify everyone that for the next month while I am in Texas I am really going to miss the commercial on the radio in Boston where the guy says Certa puhfect sleepa. Yeah, that seriously just makes my day every time it comes on. I even mouth the words along with him... I might just go buy a Certa Puhfect Sleepa just because I respect that guy. Say it out loud- it will make you feel good.

And one last thing that I am going to label "touching." My teacher emailed me after my jury on Monday to tell me she thought I did a great job. Isn't that nice? And she wants to figure out what I'm going to do over the break and so on and so forth, so we're emailing. Seriously, people. Seriously. I love my teacher.

And I think this post is long enough to get Princess Peach off of the front page of my blog. Because I so do not support that.

Peace.

Ahem.

Weird/Random/Useless/Non-life changing info:

1. I was waiting for the bus yesterday (yes, I still sometimes use PT) and there was an odd looking woman standing next to me (I'm sure she was charming), and she hocked a big loogy onto the sidewalk and promptly covered it with her foot, because by doing this everyone around her would magically forget she had just hocked a loogy, and rubbed it into the ground real good. I meet so many classy people here.

2. I forgot to mention that about a month ago there was an armed robbery at the bank right across the street from my building. And he got away! Isn't that exciting! A real live, armed gunman within walking distance!

3. My neighbors just got busted for running a meth lab. Good thing the police didn't catch me, too.

4. I walked into work the other day and my coworkers informed me that they had just been talking and all agree that I bear a strong resemblance to Princess Peach. What. A. Compliment.

Resemblance?

5. Upon returning from Thanksgiving Break, my roommates and I noticed that a pair of sunglasses had found a home on the door handle of our back door. My roommate said that she thinks it's homeless people code for "It's okay to come sleep in these people's basement at night." Glad we're finally getting visitors.

6. I was telling my roommate the other day that I officially don't feel "new" anymore, but I don't have any real reasons. I just feel that way because I do. My roommate made the astute observation that I have a stalker, therefore I don't feel new, because I have a freak following me around everywhere I go. Dear Stalker: If you are reading this.... if you are reading this....uh, don't. Thanks.

7. I'm going with some friends to try Afghan food tonight! I'm excited!

8. Oh and quotable from my trip home for Thanksgiving... my grandma (cutest grandma ever): "I can't die anytime soon! I haven't even worn all of my clothes yet!" Love her.

9. I went to a friend's flute recital at NEC yesterday and he started the concert off stage and the piano played the opening material and he came on stage on his first note, playing from memory, and gradually strolled up to his stand. By about a page down he made it to the stand. He studies with Paula Robison. :)




The End.

Opening My Eyes

November is more than halfway over and I find myself running around like a crazy person, wishing all of my noble ideas for how "thankful" I was going to be in November weren't just ideas. I feel like the month has pretty much passed me by and I haven't taken a lot of time to think about all of the things I'm thankful for. So I've been thinking lately.....

In case you can't remember that I used to whine and complain about taking the T every day, just go back to September and October and you will probably find something in every post about what a PAIN my life was because I HAD to take the T every day. One morning in October I had a nice wake up call. It was about 6:45 AM, I was on my way to go work out before school. I got on the T, sat in a seat next to the window, not close to any of the other passengers because even though I am a morning person I kind of like my space in the morning. There was an open seat next to me and one right in front of me that was turned sideways. My knees were scrunched up tight and I put my backpack on one seat and my workout bag on the other and stared out the window. A few stops later I was distracted from my own thoughts as there was a bit of a commotion at the front of the T and the driver was obviously waiting longer than usual for the passengers to get on. I looked up, and at the front of the train there was a blind couple, hands clasped, each with a walking stick in the other hand, helping each other onto the train. They stepped into the main part of the car and the man said, "Honey, we made it!" He kept repeating this over and over as they moved to find a seat. I hadn't ever seen someone so excited to be on the T. It's THE T. No one is excited to be on that 2-car vehicle of doom and gloom. The train was virtually empty, but they sat down in the empty seats that my bags were in while I hastily piled them up on my lap. I was smashed between them, but still had at least 10 more minutes before my stop. The husband got on the phone after he sat down and proceeded to tell the person on the other end that they were on their way and they had made it!

This situation obviously wasn't anything too exciting when compared to the lady who asked me if I wanted to fight her or the transvestite or the man who yelled at anyone with a backpack, but it really had an effect on me. I complain about riding the T because it is crowded, slow, and I'm a germophobe, but this couple was thrilled to have gotten on. I can't imagine how difficult their lives are, but I can appreciate their enthusiasm for the small things and their love for each other without knowing what the other even looks like. They weren't of the same race and didn't have any particularly attractive features, but I could tell from those few minutes that they cared so deeply for one another.

I am thankful that I have eyes that work, but sometimes I wonder if my life would be a little bit better if I used them less when I look at other people.

Anyway, that's just a little something I'm thankful for. Maybe I should start riding the T again so I can have some more revelatory thankful moments..... or maybe not.

Thankful It Is November

Highlights from the past however many weeks I have neglected to blog:

1. I got a brand spankin new car. Red Honda Civic 09. Lovely isn't it? Thanks, Mom and Dad. My life feels like it has a lot more purpose now that I don't waste soooo much time waiting to go places.

Doesn't look so new, huh? Someone broke into it last week at church, don't even worry about it. The people of Boston are out to teach me how to become a city woman and they are doing a great job. I'm just thankful it happened on such a beautiful day.

2. Went down to D.C., played in the Kennedy Center (it went well), Mom and Dad came to hear and then came up for a few days to Boston. It was fun to take a break for a few days. And I left my cell phone in the back of a cab there, too, which was lovely. I spent 9 days without a phone and it was surprisingly refreshing. Definitely not refreshing when my car was broken into and I needed to call the cops, but no big.

3. I finally heard the BSO last week. They played Petrushka and I officially have a girl-crush (is that allowed or is that creepy?) on Elizabeth Rowe. If I could play that cadenza the way she did.... wow.

4. I got a pretty horrendous haircut this week. My bangs look atrocious. Thank you, hairstylist.

5. Oh and since I'm a new driver, the state of Massachusetts wanted to welcome me with a $50 ticket in the mail for going through the Fast Lane when I wasn't supposed to. I didn't fully understand what the fast lane was! I THOUGHT maybe it was a lane for people who wanted to get back to Boston faster. The sign said, "U-Turn to Boston, Fast Lane Only." There wasn't any special booth you had to go through, so I figured I was allowed. That makes sense right? I am appealing the ticket. Wish me luck!

6. A few weeks ago (like 3) my roommates and I had a Halloween Party. It was a pretty big party. I was impressed. If you can guess what I was I'll give you a prize.

And no, I am not a grape. Or a blueberry.

Here is my contribution to the edible portion of the party. Front and center are witches' fingers, we have some popcorn balls with candy corn in the back, and some sort of vegetable appetizer things that are supposed to look like eyeballs and didn't really work.... Yeah.

So the story is that I've been really busy lately, but life is good. I am happy and living in Boston with all of its craziness and unfortunate events just makes me laugh. Hooray for November.

Stayin Alive

Dear readers,

I am still alive. A LOT has happened lately. No, I don' t have a boyfriend. Yes, I lost my cell phone.

I'll post soon. Now I am going to get a haircut.

Holding on for dear life,

Annie

Leaves keep falling in my hair....

Today was a B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L day in Bean Town. Lately the weather has not been all that fantastic, so the sun shining on the leaves of all different colors was such a blessing. Everyone was soooo happy. My friend, Leah, who lives upstairs, invited me to go to the Mt. Auburn cemetary with her this afternoon and it was so great. Who knew leaves could make a person so happy? Mt. Auburn cemetary has some famous people buried there-- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Dorthea Dix, BF Skinner, and a bunch of other people that I forgot. It was cool to see their graves, but mostly it was cool to be out walking along all of the beautiful paths admiring the leaves and thinking about the reminder that autumn brings of change.

Change has been a part of my life this year more than it ever has, which is a good thing because change always brings an opportunity for growth. In ways I have seen the opportunity to grow and run with it, but I have also sat around lately thinking about changes I need to make and want to make but will do next month, next year, or when it's convenient. Today as I looked at the leaves I decided that now is the time to be better and be the person that I really can be. Someday I will be a beautiful leaf. :) (I hope I'm a red one. Those are my favorites.)

I set a goal here today. Decided to change.

And on a less serious note....

These were my lovely leaf peeping buddies. Leah on the left, Jan Marie, my roomie, on the right.

And for you whiners who want to see what I look like these days, if I have boils on my skin, chopped my hair off and dyed it purple, or still wear clothes, here is a huge Annie fix. Too much. And mostly creepy.

This one is extra creepy.


Too close for comfort, I know.

Is there a bathroom here?

My next sewing project....
The dancing ritual to the leaf gods.



I don't know much about any of the people that are buried here. I am sure that someone will say the same thing about me someday. The difference is that I still have the opportunity to choose who I will be today and what I will do to leave this world a little better than I found it.

Why my flute teacher is awesome.

Dear world,

My flute teacher is a great human being. Tonight we had a class down at NEC to prep for the flute competition that happens every November in Boston. The weather looked like this:

Awwwww rain. Yeah. Right. Not cute or quaint or any of that.

This DID happen. Except I was wearing more clothing.

After the class finished, I began my 15 minute walk to the nearest T stop, my umbrella went inside out, I was trying to talk to my sister (couldn't hear a thing), and my phone beeped because there was another call coming in. Don't worry it was my flute teacher and she said something like this, "Annie, where are you? Let me give you a ride home." I said, "No really I'm fine, I'm just walking to the T stop and then I'll be dry and I can get home." She said, "Meet me by the stage entrance to Symphony Hall."

And then she took me home.

I am lucky. She deserves blessings.

P.S. It was snowing/raining/snaining today. I looked like a full fledged marshmallow.Bring it.

Welcome to Comedy Central

Last Sunday when I blogged, I finished and thought, "Okay, I swear I had interesting things to say and none of them happened. Where did they go?" And then that night I remembered them and want to share them N-O-W (while I remember them).

Funny #1
Last week. Long day. Leaving work around 8 PM. It's a blustery evening. I see a guy and a girl walking toward me like I'm a target.

Girl: We would like to testify of God the Mother through the Bible. Have you ever heard of God the Mother?
Me: Uhhhhh..... no.
Girl: Would you like to know more about God the Mother?
Me: Not really. Thanks, though.

And then I walked away. Wasn't that a great story? I know right!

Funny #2
On the T. Reading my book (which, by the way, I have not been pleased with the ending and I only have 50 pages left). Minding my own business.

Big black lady who looks like she could have "issues": [head turned sideways staring at me] Do you know me?
Me: No.
BBLWLLSCHI: Do you WANNA know me?
Me: No.

Then she kinda pursed her lips together and did that weird thing that some people do like they're pointing at you with your lips, and she walked away. She was asking me if I knew her in a "let's fight" kinda way, like I had been staring at her and shouldn't have been. I KNOW I sometimes people watch, but I also KNOW I was reading this time. Freaked me out. I almost fought Big Mama.

Funny/Frustration #3:

Tonight at Institute. Enjoying a great lesson. Sitting by my good friend Matt. Guy who we will just call "D" walks in thirty minutes late and sits in the back. Leaves the room a little while later to "go to the bathroom" and then comes back in and sits down next to me. Tries to have a conversation in the middle of the lesson. Shut down. After class is over....

D: So is your name like Annie Violet or something?
Me: Whaaaaat?
D: Is your NAME Annie Violet?
Me: No.
D: Cuz you sure do look good in all that purple! Hahahaha.
Me: Heh. Wow.....

This is the same guy who got my phone number a few weeks ago this way...

D: Hey there's an Annie in my phone.
Me: That's cool.
D: Buuuuut she doesn't have a number! Hahahaha! What's your number?
Me: I don't think so.

And then it happened again and I gave it to him. Why am I so weak?

Welcome October

Who knew it was October already? I feel like it just kind of snuck up on me. Here are some good goings-on lately:

-I have two jobs and am keeping nice and busy.
-I went on a date on Friday to an Ethiopian restaurant downtown that was so freaking cool. If you come visit me I will take you and it will be awesome. You eat with your hands and everything. And yes, there is such a thing as Ethiopian food.
-I got put in the top orchestra for the next rotation, which means I get to play in the Kennedy Center in D.C. on November 2nd! Exciting!
-We found another deceased rodent in our kitchen yesterday.
-I am starting to feel more prepared for the nasty weather.
-I will likely finish my book this week and move on to another one.
-Never ever ever having to wait for a practice room is fantastic.
-There are lots of stairs in my school and disfunctional elevators, so I get to spend a lot of time climbing stairs, which is a good workout.
-My teacher recommended me to be the graduate flute teacher for non-majors, which is exciting. I have one whole student (She may not be whole though, I haven't met her yet... I'll follow up on that one).
-I just became a part of the BYU Alumni Association out here and am now on a mentoring committee that is going to be a huge project. Wahoo.
-Halloween is coming and I am going to be something cool. Heh.
-Conference rocked. I even invited someone to watch it.
-The leaves are starting to change. Stay tuned for pictures.
-I really like seeing all of the Jewish families in my neighborhood. Such nice people.

Here are some not so good goings-on:

-Doing my hair is absolutely pointless. It gets blown to smithereens every day by my friend the wind and it's humid enough that is just gets wavey in lots of places and I look like a freakshow. My hair is in a ponytail right now. Not attractive.
-I got put in the top orchestra for the next rotation, which means I get to play in the Kennedy Center in D.C. on November 2nd. There are a lot of other reeeeeeally good players who deserve to be in my seat. And they know it. I started to explain this to my sister today and she was like, "And you don't think you're good enough, and you think they're better than you, and you're worried, and you're going to be fine so let's just pretend we already had this conversation, okay? Okay." She knows me too well. Okay.
-I am not happy with my current exercise situation. This needs to change.
-Practicing in completely dead practice rooms unless I get the room with the sound manipulater thing really stinks. It makes me depressed about how crappy I sound and makes me want to never practice.
-I don't deal well with drama. I always say that, but in the back of my mind I'm just thinking, "Maybe I'm drama and I don't even know it."
-Transportation will be the bane of my existence for a long time. I'm working on an attitude adjustment. P.S. I ran to Target last week. Ran there. I am an idiot. Don't run to Target and then plan on actually going in, because the whole time you are inside you feel like everyone is avoiding walking around you because you smell bad and you can't even try on clothes because you're sweaty. Sometimes I am not very smart.

This post was supposed to be a lot cooler than it was.

Happy Days...

Before I go any further, I feel like I should put up pictures of my room, because I keep meaning to and just don't because I am lazy. So here:

This is my room.... isn't it cute? The big heating mechanism on the side is particularly classy, if I do say so myself.

And this picture looks seven thousand times messier than the other picture, but I swear it's not. It's just an optical illusion...
My room used to be the dining room of this house, which is why I have a lovely china cabinet in here. I try and put very valuable and breakable things in the china cabinet just to remind me, such as an iron, nalgene bottle, and tool kit. And in case you didn't notice, I have no closet, so I use that lovely wardrobe box in the corner. WHICH, I might add, I painted myself. And my mom painted one door. Thanks, mom. My mom helped out A TON getting me all set up here and is the brains behind the decoration of this room. I'm too indecisive. Anyway. There is my room.

So who can believe that I've been here for almost a month? Crazy. I'm starting to feel like I have a little better handle on being a city girl than I did when I got here. Examples:

-My second week here I tried swiping my student ID to get on the T. And I just stood there trying it over and over again. Idiot. The T driver looked at me and just said, "Uh, I don't think that's going to work." I won't do that again anytime soon.

-Well, I was going to write that I've stopped being one of those obvious non-locals that falls all over the place when the T stops and starts. But, uh, I don't think I'll ever actually get over that one. I fell on a girl yesterday. Awesome.

-I gave directions once!!!

-I stop at the grocery store at least twice a week on my way home from school just to pick up two bags of groceries because that's all I can carry. I think this is going to start to get old pretty soon. Actually, it already is.

So anyway. Boston. Is. Great. I am so glad I am here. Nothing in my life is particularly incredible right now, but there is just so much going on here, so much excitement, and so many interesting people living in this place that you just have to love it. Yesterday was National Museum Day, so I went with a few of my roommates to the Science Museum downtown because we could go for free. And I'm going to say that the Science Museum is just okay. BUT the lightning show was pretty cool. I learned a lot about electrizzzzity. And then it took me an hour and a half to get home. Wasting time is a hobby of mine... except I try not to waste it by always having a book with me, so I feel resourceful. Oh and I saw a transvestite on the T. Super creepy and gross. :)

Since I haven't blogged about anything other than rodents lately, I feel like I should recap what I've actually been doing besides trying my hand at exterminating. I actually have a life! Imagine that. Some excellent news is that I now have two jobs. Count them. Two. I'm really grateful that I've found these two flexible and decent paying jobs that are on campus so I am free to go home for the holidays. They are both grad assistantships in the music school and I get to pick my own hours and it's great. Hooray for actually being busy, or at least getting there. I have two concerts next week and then my schedule will be turned on its head as I find out what groups I'll be in for the next 5 weeks. Wahoo.

Last weekend I went on a tri-ward campout up in New Hampshire. There is not much to say except that I had a blast, met so many cool people, froze my behind off, and didn't shower. It was kind of refreshing. I like camping. Especially in cabins.

And yesterday was National Pancake Day. I love to celebrate national things. Except National Talk Like a Pirate Day. Just plain weird. Sorry. Yesterday was just exceptional because it was National Pancake Day and National Museum Day! Here is what I ate:

I picked up a random whole wheat pancake mix at the store on my way home from school Friday night. Delicious. The pancake on the left has strawberries, bananas, and this really really REALLY good organic raspberry syrup that my mom got me when she was here. And the pancake on the right has peanut butter and bananas. It was a great breakfast.

I also went on a date to the House of Blues last week to see the 90s band Rusted Root. They were alright. No comment on the date. It was cool to go to the House of Blues, though. I loved getting to take myself to the date and end the date at the Kenmore T Stop. It took away the awkwardness of the doorstep... a little bit.

P.S. I love pasta. I got really excited in my grocery store yesterday because I saw they had a whole imported pasta section and went and stared at it for 2 minutes. And I was smiling.

P.S.S. or is it P.P.S.? Whatever. It's starting to get cold here. I will remain positive and clothed at all costs.

Dun Dun na-NAH! (Don't pretend you don't know what sound this is)

I don't have much time, but I just want to post the scores from last night's game against our friends the mice:

People: 1 Mice: 0

That's right. This morning I went to the bathroom as soon as I woke up, which meant I had not put my contacts in (You may think this is useless info, but it is relevant). Upon exiting the bathroom, I looked at the mousetrap on the floor and thought, "Hmmm... I can't really see, but I think there is a large something with a skinny little tail sitting in that trap." Squinting doesn't really help and I didn't want to get up really close, so I called my roommate, Stephanie, to come check it out. She screamed. That was when I knew it was a victory! The scary part was disposing of it. I held a bag while Stephanie put it in the bag (with a rubber glove on). But we are brave. Mostly. Stephanie I think is still minorly traumatized. But I feel great.

So yeah. We caught a mouse! Bring it, mice. Bring it. I definitely don't think their side of the score board is going up any time soon, because, let's be honest, they aren't going to kill one of us. We, on the other hand, have launched a major offensive, and it is only going to get worse, so I am declaring victory!

Whenever I start to feel down, whenever I feel like these mice just might win, I think of what Winston Churchill would say:

We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering. You ask, What is our policy? I will say; "It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us: to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy." You ask, What is our aim? I can answer with one word: Victory - victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival."

V-I-C-T-O-R-Y.

That's right.

If you give a mouse a cookie...

....It will just run away and you won't catch it and it will come back the next time and eat all of your food and make you sad.

So here at the Nottinghill House we are playing the life size version of MouseTrap. We tried the little swively bucket coming down a stick and catching our mice but it didn't work...

About a week ago I was awakened at 4 AM by a scream that sounded much like an infant's scream, but, unless one of my roommates decided to adopt overnight, it was not a human. Long story short, it was a mouse caught in a snap trap and as we were trying to catch the mouse (we meaning everyone but me.... I was cheerleading from a distant place) it got away, sending me screaming and running into my bed. This has been an excellent reminder of my femininity. Also, every morning when we wake up there is mouse poop scattered throughout our kitchen, which is GROSS. And I already mentioned they've been eating our food. I've had to throw away several bags of food because the mice got into it. Stupids.

So the mice have not been taking to snap traps, glue traps, or poison boxes, and I decided it was high time somebody did something about it. So last night I set up exhibit A and B. Same exhibit actually.

Exhibit A. Paper towel roll with peanut butter and chocolate chip on the end. Stabilized by various cleaners/spices on both sides.

Exhibit B. Bucket filled with water. Oooooh.

So the plan was for the mouse to fall into the bucket because it was going to have to come off the counter to get the peanut butter/chocolate chip.....

And this is what we found a mere 30 minutes ago....

Exhibit C. Does anything look different about this picture???

Exhibit D. This exhibit is not for the faint at heart. Do you see a mouse in there?????

Don't freak out, people, there is no mouse in there. There is a paper towel holder that has exploded at the bottom where that STUPID mouse squeezed out once it was in the water so it could climb up the paper towel roll and out of the bucket. In case you didn't know, I live in Boston, and I'm pretty sure our mice go to Harvard. Wait no, I'm gonna go with MIT-- they seem like the engineering type. If you think I am depressed I am not. I ran around for like 5 minutes this morning screaming victory because the paper towel roll ended up in the water!!! This is a good sign. Tonight we plan on using the same offensive strategy, just cutting the paper towel roll a little shorter.

So, friends, the bottom line is...... don't do drugs. The end.

P.S. Big Big Big shout out to my cousin Casey who showed me the ways of mouse trapping.

Why does every post have to have a title? Blah.

Okay, just to appease certain people who whine about no pictures I have included 2 pictures of the outside of my house. My light in my room is completely burnt out and the landlords have to change it, so there will be no pictures of my room for a few more days. Sorry.

This is the lovely front entry.




And this is the view of our house from across the street. I live on the lower floor with my roommates. It's a pretty cool house.

So the good news is I have completed a week and a half of school! Hooray! I'm getting so close to graduating! Heh. This week was a great week. My life is good. A few things I've done since the last time I posted....

-Went to Kimball Farms with some friends last Saturday to have their famous ice cream. Holy cow (I know, I know, I'm so funny). Talk about amazing. I want more. It's supposed to be the best ice cream in New England. If you come visit me, and I have a car by that point, I will take you there. So I guess don't make any travel plans too soon because I don't have a car. But I hope to have one someday.

-Experienced my first Sunday in my new ward last week, second time today. Everyone has been so friendly and there are just so many interesting people in my ward! I love talking to people and hearing about what they are doing with their lives; people here just seem to have so much going on in a way that some people did in provo, but not too many. It's just fascinating. And I am the youngest person in my ward which is quite refreshing. I feel very vivacious if I may say so, and I feel good about that. It's nice to be around such a mature group of people.

-I've had two lessons with my flute teacher and think I'm going to like her. She, amazingly enough, seemed to pick out everything I am really bad at in my first lesson: throat noise, cracking my middle register, and digging into low notes. It kind of bugged me that she did that because I left feeling like a loser, but that's what I want right? I want a teacher who is actively trying to help me solve my problems. She's great. Funny story, I was playing a Piazzolla Tango Etude in my second lesson and she wanted me to be a little more saucy with the slow section... ya know sultry, seductive, all of that stuff that is not really a part of my personality at all. :) So she's like, "I wrote words to this part of the piece and I am going to sing them for you." So she starts singing all about trying to get a man to crawl into her bed. I thought it was hilarious because here I am, this little Mormon girl, being told to play like I want to fornicate. She sang the words, and then said, "Just play it with that in mind, okay?" Definitely does NOT happen at BYU. Pretty classic. I tried to play it as romantical as possible. :) Needless to say, Linda is not Dr. Clayton.

-While I'm on the musical vein, I love the flute players here. There are 20 and lots of them are grad students or DMA students. I think there are just 2 DMA students actually, and I know of at least 9 grad students. So there is only a handful of undergrads. We don't have an organized studio class because there are 6 different teachers that everyone studies with, so one of the DMA students is coordinating a weekly class on Friday nights for us to just get together and play for each other and share ideas and tips. ANYWAY. We had our first gathering this Friday and it was so fantastic. I was feeling kind of bummed about coming to BU because I didn't think it was that great for the flute, but every single person I heard was AWESOME. Seriously really talented. Everyone has been to different summer programs or spent time studying with different flute players, so it was just so awesome to talk to so many people who could share ideas that they've gotten from other players. I'm really excited to be here.

-I got a JOB! It's a graduate assistantship in the school of music working as the "audio archivist" for the recording studio. I feel so professional. So this is a great job. I get paid $350/month and all I have to do is put in 8 hours a week anytime between 5 and 10 PM. Pretty great, right? It's totally flexible and my boss seems really cool. Only problem is I'm not really good with anything electronic, but.... I'll figure it out. I'm going to start looking for another job this week so that I can have two because I am greedy. No, but seriously, living here is not cheap and I would like to be able to get out and do/see some cool things while I'm here. So since my schedule is so ridiculous I am going to try and get a job at a fitness center or a coffee shop, both of which are EVERYWHERE, so hopefully there will be some luck- I want to work the early morning shift. Working at a fitness center would be great, too, because then I could work out for free! Hooray! I'll keep ya posted on that one.

-So people keep asking what I'm liking and disliking about Boston so far and I'll just say that my definite least favorite thing is waiting to go everywhere. Drives me crazy. Public transportation here really isn't that great, especially the B Line that I take every day. It stops like every 10 feet and it is the slowest line. Yay for me. I had my first "runner" experience one morning this week where I sprinted after the T and didn't make it in time. Don't worry, I was really hoping to just stand there and wait for 10 more minutes anyway. And going to church takes about an hour, when the drive would really only be like 15 minutes normally.

-The great thing about being a member of the church is that wherever I go I have an automatic family and place to go where I just feel at home. There has been a birthday party, Institute, and two other parties this past week and I have met so many people. It has been really great. And this weekend there is a really big campout up in New Hampshire, which I'm looking forward to. Woohoo.

-It is already starting to get cold here. Saturday was kind of miserable because I was getting SOAKED and the library is freezing, so I was super super super cold. A lot of times I just stare up at the sky and say, "Are you kidding me?"

Alright, so this post is officially really boring, but I don't feeling like typing anymore and probably no one even read this far, so I am quitting. I blogged. Weeeeeeeee. Hopefully next time I blog I will have another job and acquired some rain boots. Cross your fingers.

Books Books Books

Attention. I finished my book and now I need another one so I don't get bored on my way to school. Suggestions? I'm up for pretty much anything.... except boring stuff. I'm going to go on a field trip to the public library tomorrow morning. Thanks. :)

Change of Address

So I live in a place that is not Texas or Provo. It is called BOSTON. Yikes. I've been telling people for about the last 4 months that I was going to move here, but now I'm actually here and it's weird/crazy/cool/scary/new/exciting/AHHHHHHHHHHH! Be kind, rewind.

Sunday my mom and I got in and I have an awesome cousin and his family who just moved here so he could start grad school at Harvard, so he picked us up and took me to drop my 5 suitcases off at my house before taking us to our hotel. Family is great. I feel so blessed not only to have a lot of family, but to have aunts and uncles and grandparents who made such an effort to keep us close! Anyways, so we walked into my room in my house and my roommates had left a bouquet of roses and a big poster that said, "Welcome to the Nottinghill House" on my floor. How great is that? Seriously, these are some really nice people. Incredibly nice. One of my roommates in particular is always asking what she can do to help. I'm not really the kind of person who just LOVES for other to people to help me, but she just walks in and pretty much makes me let her help me, so it's great.

Monday I took a theory placement test, and I am now taking a "Theory Review" (aka I didn't pass). My brain was hurting real bad. Then my mom and I went to Target and got stuff and then I had to go back for a pointless meeting and then we went to Ikea.... it took us over an hour to get there. Life lesson learned. Don't plan to leave Boston during rush hour. You will go pretty much nowhere. But we got to drive out of Boston and see how pretty the surrounding area is. How lucky am I to be living here for the next two years??!?! Ikea turned out to be a pretty miserable experience because we found all of the cute stuff we wanted to buy in the showrooms upstairs, and then went down to the place where everything is all boxed up and some of our main purchases were sold out. LAAAAAAAAAAAME. But that's pretty much how it was everywhere... When you are living in a serious college town, all of the "dorm stuff" and "college 09" stuff and "cheap stuff" is going to be sold out.

Tuesday I found out I failed the theory test, which was a lovely start to my day (actually it didn't really phase me... I knew I would fail... at least I answered German Augmented 6th or Neopolitan when I didn't know!), then we went to Bed Bath and Beyond and Costco and made a few really excellent purchases. Then I met with my counselor, who is a really nice old guy who said he had been to Utah once!!!!! CONNECTION! So Tuesday, the day before school started, at approximately 2:45 I had a schedule figured out. What planning... let's just say for an ex-peer mentor that was a little rough on my nerves. So I have 8 credits: Lessons with Linda Toote- 3 (yes my flute teacher's last name is Toote), Orchestra/Wind Ensemble or whatever I actually end up making it into- 1, Remedial Theory, which is online and doesn't even start until Oct. 26- 2, and Research Techniques-2. In case you didn't catch that... I only have one real class. Being a graduate student is amazing. Tuesday afternoon I had my audition for performing groups and it went well I guess. It was only 7 minutes and I played some Mozart, Debussy, and a lot of Firebird. I wouldn't say I nailed it, but it went well enough considering the preparation I put in, I thought. The not-so-wonderful thing is that we don't find out until Monday or Tuesday what performing group we are in. This is not-so-wonderful because I STILL don't know my schedule and would really like a JOB. Tuesday we went out to dinner with Casey, Amanda, and Co. to this cute little Thai restaurant over in Cambridge called Sugar and Spice (?). Delish. And then my mom was supposed to go home Wednesday morning, but considering how little we had gotten done, she was a gem and decided to extend her trip until Thursday morning. Thank you, mom. This also meant I got to spend one more night in a nice hotel, not in my house with a shower that is pretttttttttttttty creepy. Yep. Oh, and on Tuesday we went to the BU Bookstore, which happens to be a Barnes and Noble, and purchased BU paraphrenalia-- actually I just got a red sweatshirt that says Boston University on the front. I wore it Tuesday night because it was a little chilly and I just have to say, I felt like a traitor wearing enemy colors.

Wednesday was a day of freedom!!!! It was the first day of school at BU, but not for me because I am a really cool grad student. We went out to Ikea again and were a little more successful, spent a lot of time at my place setting up, putting things together, cramming things in places, and unsuccessfully hanging mirrors. It was a very good day. I always like going places with my mom.

Thursday morning my mom left and I had my first class. On Sunday at the dinner table I asked my family how many breakdowns they thought I would have this first week and my dad said to hope for none. I only asked the question because I think somehow I am notorious for having breakdowns in my family, which is SO WEIRD because I don't really think I have them that often. Anyway, back on topic, walking away from my mom was the closest I got to a breakdown, but I stayed focused and kept walking toward the T stop with only a few minor tears making it out despite my attempts to keep them from crossing the huge dam of my lower eyelid (is that even called an eyelid?). I can't live in Boston and be a sissy. People don't walk around crying. So I went to my first class in this ancient library and it was nice. My teacher is freaking awesome and said that since the class was only a 2 credit class and the class was scheduled to meet twice a week, an hour and a half each time, we would only come once a week for two hours. How cool is he? So I now officially only have class on Tuesday (until I find out audition results). And the BU library is much lamer than the BYU library. The end. Thursday afternoon I went with my roommates to Costco and some other places, one of which was the BU food court for lunch, and this man came up to me and handed me a Kaplan flier and said, "Someday, you'll go to grad school," and I said, "I'm actually a grad student, thanks." Some things never change. P.S. It is 6.50 for a sandwich in the cafeteria. What do they think we are? Loaded?

That all brings me to today. I slept in, sort of, then woke up to organize my room and paint my wardrobe thing. Then I practiced, went to a meeting, practiced, and went to flute class, and now I am back here at 10:00 on a Friday. First, I have to say, I am REALLY excited about my new flute teacher. She is awesome, and I have my first lesson tomorrow morning. I don't know what I will play, but I hope my lesson will be awesome. All of the other girls in my "studio" are really nice, too. One girl came up to me and was so friendly and nice and I have made friends with a few other flute grad students this week and they are all just so fantastic. I really like them. When we were leaving flute class they were all talking about how they loved my little Texas accent and I was like, "I don't have a Texas accent!" Seriously. I really don't. So my lesson is tomorrow at Symphony Hall downtown (where the BSO plays-- she plays a lot in the BSO), and it is going to take me probably 45 minutes to get there. Crazy. It takes me about 30 to get from my house to school. About 5 minutes to the T stop and 17-25 minutes on the T or waiting for the T. It's a party.

A few things I want to say. #1: People have been so incredibly nice and helpful to me since I have moved here. There was a really nice man in the T station today who helped me buy my monthly pass and even showed me how to swipe it without taking out my wallet, a really nice lady at BU who helped me find my counselor's office, a nice orchestra conductor, a nice teacher, super nice roommates, nice people at the hardware store, and the list GOES ON. I'm just going to pass my judgement now and say I think people in Boston are nice. I'm reading this book The Alchemist right now and it's kind of strange in some ways, but the book is about this boy who is trying to achieve his "Personal Legend" and a wise king taught him that when he is trying to achieve his personal legend the whole earth conspires to help him achieve it... or something like that. I just feel like that is totally happening here. I don't really know what my "Personal Legend" here is (cheesy, I know), but so many things are just falling perfectly into place and I feel really good about being here and feel like I'm really being watched over. I've had a lot of really awesome conversations with people already where I've been able to express my beliefs and truths that are important to me, and I feel like I'm here for a reason and that I'm needed here. It feels good. But, if the earth wanted to conspire to help me a little bit more it could help me find a job and I wouldn't have any hurt feelings.

That being said. It is now 10:15 on a Friday. I got home from class at 9, my roommates are all out at various activities and I'm just chillin.... I feel a little bit sad and like I kind of wish I had all my old friends here for me to hang out with, etc. It's just the truth. It's going to take me some time to make friends. BUT. I listened to a devotional by Elder Holland on the plane on Sunday about Lot's wife and not living in the past but living now and living for what is to come, and I've decided that I will do that for the next little while when it is going to be a little hard to stay positive and optimistic about the future when I kind of miss some aspects of the past. Wishing for my old friends will only make it harder for me to find new ones. So I am preparing for optimism. Hooray.

And lastly, I really want to get a job... and soon. And one more lastly, I would really like to play in the Symphony Orchestra for the concert they are playing at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. in November. I don't have any really great feelings about that happening, just saying it would be neat. Alright, more updates to come soon, including pictures of my room and my house and an exclusive look at my first day in my new ward. Heh. Should be fun.

Better Go Get Your Mama

My favorite song since I have left the classical music crazyhouse is Battlefield by Jordin Sparks. I know, I'm such a crazy teeny bopper, but I just like it okay? Anyway, so I am notorious for confusing words in songs. There's a line in the song that's reapeated over and over and over:

Better Go Get Your Armor

But in Annie's world it's:

Better Go Get Your Mama

And so all day today when my little 18 month old cousin has been screaming, I sing, "Better Go Get Your Mama!!" Thank goodness for 11 year-old sisters who know the real words. Luke thought it was better go get your rama. Whatever that means.

In other news, my annoying music player is gone. Now every time you come to my blog you won't have to turn your sound down (like I do), so you don't have to listen to the silly song that makes me sound like a lovesick puppy. It wasn't even supposed to be on there. The end.

Chautauqua Institution for the Musically Insane

First I just want to say how devastated I was that no one commented on my last post because I thought it was an excellent display of how witty I am. I'm not guilt tripping anyone... I'm just saying.

When I think back on Chautauqua I will remember:

-lots of rain

-working out at the Community Center

-Buckeye ice cream at the Refectory (I only had it 3 times in 7 weeks)

-Getting to stand up after the Mendelssohn. One of those, "I did it!" moments that I will always remember and will carry me over the next big hurtle in my musical career.

-That one day in the cafeteria that the girl fell down but kept her food above her head so it didn't fall. It was the most exciting thing that had happened in weeks. And hearing about the boy that crashed into the sliding door with his food. He thought it was open. I wish I was there for that.

-Judy. Judy. Judy. And her cute porch.

-Loving the Bartok Concerto for Orchestra. One of my top 5 now. Gah. I love it. Even the 2nd flute part is awesome.

-Working with Richard Sherman. He changed the way I will view flute playing forever. I love his passion and his energy for the flute.

-The ward members in Jamestown. Such good people.

-The beautiful town of Chautauqua.

-The awesome friends I made. Especially my two lovely flute playing associates. I think I will be in for a shock when I next sit down in an orchestra and their sounds aren't coming out next to me.

-Learning to play nerts. And being pretty much the worst nerts player the world has ever seen.

-Going to a bar for the first time. Actually 2 in one night. I feel so rebellious. And the creepy guys that acted really creepy. I don't feel like going into details. I prefer to be mysterious.

-Really feeling like I CAN play the piccolo. Not well, but I can do it.

Things that I don't want to remember but will probably remember anyway:

-Community bathrooms.... barf in my own mouth. (In all actuality, I didn't really mind them... I'm not as high maintenance as you might think)

-The food. And the 6 pounds the food added to my body. Thank you food. Now everywhere I go for the next few months will have a little piece of Chautauqua.

-Backscratcher.

- The insane heat of our last concert. Every time I had a rest I wiped my face down with my polishing cloth. Sick. But true.

-Being so insanely sick of doing nothing but playing the flute and rehearsing.

Mostly I'm just going to remember that I learned A LOT this summer. About myself and about me playing the flute. I feel SO lucky to have had this opportunity. It was a long, hard experience, but it was so good for me. Now onto new adventures.


Oh, but before I have new adventures, I want to share a few last pictures from Chautauqua.

Me and Emlyn after we played our Doppler Duo. She is so so so great. I love Emlyn! I am so sweaty... I look like there is a post-it note on my head.

This is me and Emlyn with Judy after our last concert, which also happened to be Emlyn's birthday! Just as a warning, I look awful in all of these pictures from the last concert because it was so hot and I was so sweaty and barfy. P.S. Isn't Judy hilarious?!

Here is the flute section with Mr. Sherman after the last concert. Woohoo!!!! Post-it Note again.

Carrie (my great roommate), Tony, and me! Yay for BYUers.

And I am done posting about Chautauqua!

Geniuses

I was driving on 1171 (here in Flower Mound) today and passed the Shiloh Community Church. SCC has provided me with mounds (no pun intended) of inspiration this summer via their marquee board on the side of the road. Here is one that made a real impact back in May.

Real Eyes

Realize

Real Lies

(say that 3 times fast)

And this one was up today:

There are 263 ways to make change for a dollar.

Seriously, these people are life changing.

Don't worry, I'm still here!

This is what the practice cabin area looks like. Just thought you might want to know what I mean when I say I have cabin fever. See the last post if you are totally lost.

AHHHHHHHHHHHH! I can't believe I have LESS THAN A WEEK left here at Chautauqua! It is definitely impossible for me to communicate how excited I am to be going home. This excitement is stifled a bit by the fact that I am giving a recital 4 days after I get home and am SO not ready. SO not. It's really stressing me out. My face is breaking out because of the stress. Seriously, why do I have to be such a freak?! Anyway, then after I go home I am moving to BOSTON! Crazy. I am starting school in 3 weeks! 3 weeks from today actually!

So let me just recap what I have been doing for the last however many weeks it's been since I last posted. I have been practicing, practicing, practicing, practicing, eating, working out, eating, sleeping, working out, watching 24 occasionally, going to the beach every once in a while, talking on the phone, performing, rehearsing, rehearsing, rehearsing, playing NERTS, listening to music, doing laundry, and practicing so much my body reached an all-time-high-soreness-level. That made no sense. Whatever. So that's what I've been doing. Today was the last chamber recital, which was fantastic. Here are some pictures.

I have worked with this quintet for the past 6 weeks and we've had a "nice" time together. We played the Ligeti Quintet on our first recital and the Hindemith KleineKammermusik on our second. LtoR Rachel (Cincinnati), JJ (Indiana), Nora (Eastman), Kirsten (Michigan), and some crazyface. We pulled the Hindemith off with a week and half's notice, so I'm feelin pretty good about that. All that being said, I really DON'T enjoy woodwind quintet. Bleh. And here is a precious picture of the three flute players after the concert today. It's actually a pretty crummy picture. Oh well!

Um have I said how much I love playing with these two? Just checking. They are stars. Last week I was busy working on a piece for a solo recital I was required to play on. I played the Griffes Poem and it went quite well. Here is a picture of me and Judy (my connection lady) after the recital in front of the Jewish Center where I performed. I had to play on the recital because one of my scholarships was the Hebrew Congregation Scholarship (go figure). And no, I'm not special because I got a scholarship-- everyone has scholarships. Chautauqua is just awesome that way. Anyway, doesn't Judy just look like someone you would want to love?! She is great. I went over to her house the other afternoon and sat on the front porch swing and she had lemonade for me and we just talked for an hour. She's like my 4th grandma! Hahaha... But really, she was fantastic for coming to hear me play. And she is taking us out for burgers and milkshakes on Friday night! Yay for Judy!

I have a funny story from that recital, though. It was really crowded (because I'm so popular, attractive, all around awesome, what else....?) because the place I was playing was basically a living room, and there was no staging area or anything, so the other soloists and I waited in the front entry way area when we went on and off. So anyway, after I played I squeezed my way into this little entry way and started to put my flute away and this old man taps me on the shoulder and he's like, "Are you going to play again?" And I was like, "Oh no, that's all from me!" and then he said, in reference to the bassoonist playing at the time, "Well is that your boyfriend out there now?" And I said, "Oh no, that's not my boyfriend!" to which he replied, "Well I'll be your boyfriend! You'd have to ask my wife here first of course!" And he did that creepy old man wink thing. I just kind of laughed and acted like an idiot. Then he asked me if I would teach him flute lessons and I was like, "Ohhhh I..... uhhh.... have you ever played before?" It was really awkward. Then when he was going to leave he patted my arm and was like, "You are a beautiful girl, keep playing that flute!" It was so creepy. Gotta love old men.

Also, I forgot to tell the story about the bug going down my shirt in the middle of a concert. So we play in this outdoor Amphitheater for all of our concerts, right? Right. The week this happened we were collaborating with the vocal program and doing a Ravel opera. This is important because it means that the lights were off and we had stand lights, although we were still on stage. Anyway, long story short, I had about 3 pages of music left and something started "itching" down my shirt. I thought maybe a strand of hair had fallen down my shirt-- happens all the time-- so I just let it go. It kept bothering me, so I look down and there is a black bug crawling around down there. I FLIPPED out. And, hello, I wasn't going to let the bug just enjoy itself down my shirt for the rest of the concert. So what did I do? Reached down there, and while attempting to pull out the bug I smashed it all over my shirt. Really sick. The oboist sitting next to me died laughing. I looked ridiculous with my hand down my shirt trying to find the bug, I'm sure. It was a special experience.

And one more lovely story I need to document happened a few weeks ago at church. There is this guy who works in the theatre department here at Chautauqua who is LDS and he also happens to have a car and is kind enough to give us a ride to church every week. Anyways, so a few weeks ago we're sitting in sacrament meeting and I lean forward and put my elbows on my knees because I think I'm going to fall asleep. Not too long after leaning forward I feel a hand on my back. Don't worry, this guy decided he would take the opportunity to give me a full on back scratch in the middle of sacrament. Also keep in mind that I hardly know this guy and that I'm not reallllly a touchy person. I definitely was no longer in danger of falling asleep. I sat there for 5 minutes while this guy is just goin to town (touching my hair even.... so creepy!!!), not really sure how to get out the awkward situation (I should've grabbed his arm and said, "I think this is yours...")! Finally, my lovely roommate Carrie, who I heard muffle a laugh a few minutes before, turned to me and said, "Annie, I think I'm going to be sick, can you come with me to the bathroom?" She bolted out of the chapel and I followed suit. While I was trying to catch up to her in the hallway I asked her if she was really feeling sick and she was like, "No!!" She was saving me. Anyway, so I know lovingly refer to this guy as backscratcher. He really is nice, but that was just strange. The next week he picked us up for church and had his girlfriend of a few days with him. It was tender.

Okay I have to go to bed! There is so much more to say but I have a lot to do in these last few days! We are working on the Bartok Concerto for Orchestra, Mendelssohn Midsummer Night's Dream, and a Verdi overture right now in orchestra. We played the Mendelssohn for the first time today and it was so cooooool! Our last concert is going to be awesome. I'm just saying. I'll post again before I leave. Peace out y'all.

One more thing. Did you know foreign people (at least the ones I've seen here) don't wash their hands after they use the facilities. It's kind of gross. Yeah.

Cabin Fever.... Practice Cabin Fever

EVERYONE. I have been here for 6 weeks and 2 days. Once again, the muppets don't disappoint. I think this describes how I feel... just a bit.



Promise I'll post something REAL real soon. Have a happy day. I am going to a recital.

I'm so vain.....

Disclaimer: This post is in no way related to a bug going down my shirt last week. Life in Chautauqua is probably a lot "cooler" for me, heh no pun intended (okay well maybe), than for the rest of you. It has rained probably 90% of the days we've been here. It was nice for the first little while, but now it's just starting to get old. The articles of clothing I brought that would be suitable for this weather include-- one 3/4 length sweater, 2 pairs of jeans, and a hoodie. When it rains, it tends to stay around 60 degrees (according to my internal thermometer), so I am kind of cold sometimes! On another note, I receive in my inbox every day at least 5 emails from different stores like JCrew, Victoria's Secret, American Eagle, Banana, and my own personal stylewatch email, which have been all about the "fall preview" lately. Normally I don't even open these because a. I don't have the $ to dump on that stuff b. I don't really care c. I don't have TIME, but latley I have looked and I just have to say I am realllllly into the sweater thing. Lots of people here who are smarter than I am came with several different cute sweaters that they wear and it just looks so cute and (gasp) I confess I covet their apparel. Anyway, there really is no point to this post, but I do want to show just a thing or to that I am currently "coveting." Oops.


This one is on sale right now at Ann Taylor Loft (and in 3 other colors, too, mind you) for$20. Go get one. Or order it online I guess! This model is creepy.

JCrew. Just love it. Good thing I never shop there. How am I on their email list? Whatev.



Definitely am not digging the rest of this ensemble, well maybe the pants if I could see them, but I like this sweater, too. Another one from JCrew.



And for some crazy reason, I really want more comfy button-ups right now. I have one here and it is just a fave. This one is from JCrew and probably not worth the price tag! But look at her, doesn't she just look happy to be wearing that shirt?

Now is the point at which you all tell me what fabulous fashion sense I have and that I am so chic. And I'll just say-- I know right?!?!

I LOVE MYSELF.

Get ready... I'm gonna start to have some free time the next two weeks!!!! So I am starting with this...... Thank you, KT, for such a fabulous idea.

1. My name: Annie
2. My favorite food: Spaghetti. I heart it. I could eat it all the time.
3. My high school: Flower Mound High School....
4. My favorite color: Uh... green.
5. The place that I am at now: Chautauqua! It's really really pretty. Technically I am at the dorms, but who honestly wants to see a picture of that. Especially not the community bathrooms. Bleh.
6. My favorite drink: Well my favorite drink is really water, but IBC is cooler and I like it sometimes, so that's my favorite today.
7. My dream vacation: I just want to go to a beach. Anywhere. Please.
8. My favorite treat: PBJ!!!! Especially when it is all smashed up and gooey.
9. What I want to be when I grow up: A mommy. Sorry, it's hard to find a picture on flickr when you type in "mom." But that little boy is just so cute-- how can you not want to kiss his cheeks?
10. Whats most important to me: This one is a little complicated. The answer is the gospel and my family. I typed in family and everything that came up was related to animals-- a family of birds, elephants, penguins. So I just went with a poster for "The Music Man" because that is my family's favorite show to watch together. Can I get a "Ulele, sit down?!"
11. A word to describe me: Well it says ambitious up there, but I really think the best word is AWKWARD!!!
12. A nickname of mine: Mary Poppins.

If you want to be cool and make one of these, too, here's what you do:

Step 1: Go to flickr.com
Step 2: In another window open http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/mosaic.php
Step 3: Choose 4 columns, 3 rowsStep 4: Answer the questions in the search bar of flickr and pick your favorite picture on the page and paste the address into the mosaic maker. Create the mosaic and then save it to your computer and post it as a picture.

And just as a teaser for a future post.... A bug went down my shirt during a concert a week ago.

Some random events.....

Over the past few days I keep thinking of all of these funny things that have happened or just random things that have happened that I would like to remember, so I am dedicating this entry to writing down a few of them.

Last week I was walking behind a bunch of brass players and I heard someone say BYU, so I just kinda yelled up there, "Hey, did you guys just say BYU?" And they said yeah. And I said, "What about it?" And they said, "It's the college with the highest teen pregnancy." I have a really hard time believing that... it's kinda funny what people hear.

In rehearsal a few weeks ago we were running the 4th mvmt. of the Hindemith and Mr. Muffit stops and says, "Let's try that section again." We run it again and we stop. Flutes you are too loud, piccolo you are just right. Lucky for me I was the piccolo player. Coincidentally, I didn't even have a part in the passage. I just smiled.

Emlyn and I went over to Judy's house for dinner last week and let me just say it was so delicious. When you eat cafeteria food every day, just about anything would taste good, but still this would have tasted fantastic if I hadn't been eating cafeteria food any day. Anyway, the point is, when we walked in the door she asked if we would like something to drink and we both had lemonade. She quickly informed us she had been to a wine and cheese party about 2 hours before and apologized if she was a little tipsy. Everything seemed to be fine until Emlyn and I finished our lemonades and I see Judy reach into the fridge and pull out a wine bottle. She heads for my glass and starts to tip the bottle over and I put my hand on my glass and said, "Uh, Judy, I don't think that is lemonade!" She was so embarrassed! Good thing I was paying attention, though!

This is from a long time ago, but on the 4th of July we went to a CSO pops concert. If I haven't made this point clear enough in the past, let me make it now. Most people here are old. Lots have hearing aids. They are all lovely, just hard of hearing. So we are listening to this concert and all of a sudden the lady right behind us "whispers", "He's a real shmaltzey guy!" You just have to picture an old lady saying this in a really high-pitched nasally voice and it's great. Same thing happened today at a Beethoven Marathon Violin Recital I went to. This guy in front of me, sporting a hearing aid, leans over to his wife and "whispers", "That's not like Beethoven at all!" About half the auditorium turned and stared. Old people are just so cute. You have to love them.

Did I post about Tony finding glass in his chicken? We were eating lunch one day and all of a sudden Tony's eyes start popping out of his head and Cari Sue and I stopped chewing and stared back at him like, "What is your problem?" Long story short, there was glass in his fried chicken. Lucky for him he didn't swallow it. Since this event, we have heard other cafeteria food scares, like someone found a screw in their mashed potatoes last year. I had the mashed potatoes tonight. Don't worry... I'm all clear.

After our very first concert we were all in the commons area of our dorm having snacks that were provided by our counselors, who happen to be an older couple, probably around 65. They are super nice people who also happen to be from Texas. Also, most everyone in my dorm seems to be foreign. I don't know how Carrie, Cari Sue, and I ended up here... maybe I look Asian.... Anyway, so one girl is from Poland and her name is Agnieskza (or something like that).. you pronounce in Ahn-ee-esh-ka. Well, our counselors are congratulating everyone and the woman runs up to Agnieskza and says, "Oh Ag-a-nee-ska! You were just great on that piano! Did you have to practice with a metronome for that?!" The twangy accent didn't really help. Carrie and I about peed our pants.

When I woke up this morning there was a text on my phone from my pianist in one of my chamber groups that came around midnight last night and said, "U r invited to cool people's meeting in hut 40! Right now!!" The pianists here are real binge drinkers. Actually, there are a lot of people here that seem to be hungover. Before I came here I couldn't really describe what a person who is hungover would look like/act like (I know, I know.... sheltered), but now I'm a pro!

More updates to come! Concert #3 is tomorrow! Exciting!

Happy Happy Happy

Another week down! Seriously, I can't believe I've been here 2 weeks. Time flies. We have our 2nd concert tomorrow night and I have a pretty darn good feeling about it. I am excited. Then we will start new music on Tuesday morning-- a Ravel opera, Don Juan, and a Beethoven Overture. And btw, I looked at Don Juan yesterday and I'm just gonna say... oh freak.



Life in Chautauqua is just peachy. There were several highlights this week that I want to share with you, my dear readers.


-Tony found a piece of glass in his chicken at lunch. I knew I was right about not eating the meat here.

-I got a new computer this week! And it's green! Thanks, dad! But. Let us all have a moment of silence for my tank of a computer. We spent 5 turbulent years together.


-We came out of orchestra rehearsal yesterday at noon and it was pouring rain, no one had umbrellas, and we had to make it back to the dorms. Picture in your mind 60 orchestra kids running with their instruments (in their cases, of course). It was hilarious. I took off my shoes and sprinted like a crazy person. Another time that I feel thankful to be a flute player, as I whizzed past the cellists and bassoonists. I felt so awesome. A bunch of the cello girls were like, "Go Annie!" I am such a rock star.


-I got a package from my mom with awesome stuff like washcloths, a beach towel, a swimsuit and goggles, granola bars, a key ring, cards, and flip flops. I never felt so happy.


-I walk past this sign every day. It is at the bottom of the stairs in my dorm. Sorry, you probably can't see the smaller print, but one of my favorite recognition points is definitely protruding wires or tinfoils. Who knew? These people are geniuses.




-Today at church this girl walks up to me and says, with no introduction or hello, "Madonna has a dress just like that!" I responded, "Oh, really?"And she says, "Yeah! I saw pictures and you look just like her!" The poor thing... she wasn't quite all there mentally, but she sure does know how to carry on an interesting conversation! Definitely the first time I have ever been compared to Madonna. Probably the last. And don't worry.... I wasn't wearing some scandal of a dress. Okay, yes I was.


-The 2nd movement of the Beethoven Flute, Bassoon, and Piano Trio is possibly the most beautiful thing I have ever heard. I didn't even know it existed.


-We went out for ice cream at the local refectory last night because it was Cari Sue's bday and it was SO good. I love everything peanut butter, just so everyone knows. It is one of my favorite foods.


Non-highlights:

-My face hurts. I've had to not answer a few phone calls tonight because I just can't talk anymore! Actually no, I just hate you all and don't want to talk to you. Ha! Just kidding.


-I am still having 24 withdrawals.


-I heard the Berg Violin Concerto at the CSO concert. Bleh. Barf in my own mouth. Not enjoyable at all.

-All housing options fell through. If you know of someone in Boston who needs a roommate....

-There was no granola this morning for breakfast. If only those cafeteria people knew how this ruins my life. Luckily, there were Cheerios. My favorite cereal. And there are still blueberries galore so how can I complain?

Things I'm looking forward to about this week:



-HARRY POTTER! Emlyn and I are definitely going and I can't wait.

-Judy invited Emlyn and I over for dinner on Wednesday. Yay for home-cooked meals!

-A break from the piccolo after tomorrow.

-Maybe going to the beach a few times? Maybe?



-I'm starting a new book.



-I have a lesson tomorrow. That's exciting I guess.



Obviously my life is pretty exciting. Hope you all enjoyed that.