CalSO

It's hard to believe it's actually happening. We graduated! We're done! Grad night was totally awesome, especially the hypnotist's show. I can't believe that's possible, but he did it. It's so strange how the brain works sometimes.

Strange to say, but I'm officially a Cal student! To all of you people who wanted to see my ID card before, sorry I didn't have it with me. The picture is ok. Well, it'd better be since I get to keep this card for my next four years there, unless, I lose it and have to pay 25 for another one, but hopefully that won't happen. I learned a lot at the orientation, including the fact that it looks like in the college engineering the ratio of girls to guys looks to be about 7:1 since most of the engineering groups at Calso had like one girl in them each, but I got lucky and had another girl with me. What have I got myself into? I shall see. I really did learn a lot of new information there though. I have to start getting used to city life - Too many years living in suburbia then suddenly switching to that environment

Hope you guys are having a wonderful summer and see you around.

Last Weeks

'Tis all winding down now. Just a few days left. The last few weeks have been amazing though.

Prom was a blast. I'm glad my Asian dress worked out ok and that I didn't do any major damage to it. The music was rather lacking though. Rap music all night? There was something fundamentally wrong with that. But other than that, the beach was beautiful and so were all my friends!

Banquet! I can't believe it's finally all over. It was a fun evening to four years of band, though. This time the music was pretty good. These kids on the side though, during one of the jazz songs were like, put on better music and were complaining...stupid, arg. Culture, we should force todays children to take a class on culture and roots so that they may be able to appreciate it. But, since I'm digressing, I'm so proud of all the new section leader flutes! I know they'll do great next year.

Senior breakfast...haha, jumping pictures are lotsa fun to take.

2 days!!

Deluxe Ed.

The deluxe cover art of Deathly Hollows is so amazing! I can't wait until the book comes out. Only a little more than a month left, and then, Costco here I come to buy it. I love reading about all the high flying adventures of Harry, Ron & Hermy. It'll be so exciting to find out how it is all going to end.

At the same time, it's also bittersweet. It's all ending - well, the books are at least. It's weird how schools ending and now Harry Potter. It all most seems like an official end to our childhood. HP has been around with us since we were in elementary school, and now it finishes with us.

The end of one chapter, the beginning of the next...I wonder what adventures are in store.

Last Concert....ever?

You'd think after 8 years of band, I'd be tired of music and would be glad that there's not more band with a teacher ready to yell at me because of all my mistakes, or be glad not to be playing during class due to my lack of practicing. But that's not the case. June 2 was an awesome concert, with awesome music, and I can't wait for more. The only problem is, will I have more?

In a few weeks, I'll have to return the beautiful piccolo I was able to use this year (sadness - Justin, take care of it, or else!) and be stuck with my old but trusty flute. But will I able to keep creating music in an ensemble? I mean, playing by myself is cool and all, but when you're with a group, it's so amazing. When we reach those huge crescendos and everyone is playing fully with all their heart, it's amazing what we can do together. And the soft, melodic parts with Kristen or Lara playing out their beautiful melodies that are floating on top of the rest of the band
can be so moving, I just want to hear more and keep it locked in my heart. Although it's a tough life, I can totally see why Kristen wants to continue on with music. If only I was that dedicated. But no, I'm left here, wondering if I will ever join ensemble music again. Orchestra, especially was so amazing. Being with strings was something I'll never forget, it's so different from a concert band setting. Wish I had spent more than one year with them. I'm lucky I was able to play so many opera pieces though.

So here's to my eight years in the band program, the many friends I have made through it, and the wonderful songs I have played.
To all my music teachers - that the knowledge they have imparted onto me may continue to inspire me
To my friends who are or have been in band or orchestra for all the support you have given me and to each other throughout the years
To all the band mommies and daddies - band would be totally unfulfilling with out you
To all musicians who continue practicing and improving for the enjoyment of others
To music - may it continue touching the souls of all people throughout time so that they may also come to know the power and beauty of music

Here also is a prayerful hope that last Saturday was not my time standing on that stage - that I may still be able to keep creating and sharing music with others