I think I can, I think I can, I think can!

Well, sorta...

Grad school has officially started!!! We got through marching camp - the band is fantastic and incredibly hard working and efficient. They're sound is phenomenal and their marching technique gets taught so quickly that it's not always easy to figure out who's a freshmen and who's a veteran marcher.

My classes are going well. I'm taking 2 credits of conducting lessons, score analysis & realization, Perspectives in American Education and I will be playing in the Wind Ensemble. Let's just say, the conducting lessons and score analysis course are kicking my butt from day 1. I haven't held my baton since May.... big mistake there! My ear is not that great to begin with and I haven't been in an ensemble setting since May either! I had to take a pre-test today for score analysis that took an hour and a half. listening examples that I had to judge and they were tough! Oh - I'm also the TA for the Fundamentals of Conducting course.

Not sure what else to write about this time.... Monday-Tuesday are really busy days. I didn't get home until about 9 tonight... and then I had some conducting exercises to practice and I need to go get some cereal for in the morning. Thankfully, the week lessens out as we approach Thursday and Friday :) I'm looking forward to having all that study time!

The Devil Wears Prada..... but I shop at Kohls!

So I have (almost) officially survived my first weekend in Tennessee! No no... really, thank you...applause isn't necessary. It was easy, really! I decided to check out the rec center, so I had a couple good work outs there and I went shopping at Kohls! I got some nice work clothes, a couple casual things and some new shoes (new shoes were needed... mine were falling apart!) All in all a good time.

Monday I'll get registered for my classes... I think. It's been getting pushed back since Thursday. I'm also starting my duties as the GA tomorrow. It should be a good time, I'm sure. The marching band starts moving in this week, so it will be exciting to be meeting people and maybe find some to hang out with on the weekends. Don't get me wrong... it's fine every now and then, but spending every weekend alone will be a DRAG.

Speaking of alone... I went and saw the new Planet of the Apes movie on Friday. It was good! I was really glad that I went to see it. And, not to spoil anything, they definitely set it up for some kind of sequel. :) It's definitely worth going to see.

Not much else is new - I finally got everything unpacked/put away today! Not only that, but I COOKED in my kitchen (gasp!) I made some spaghetti...yummmmmm

Time to go get things ready for the week...it's going to be busy!

The Big Move

I have successfully made the move to Cookeville, Tennessee. My new home? A "lovely" apartment on the campus of Tennessee Technological University (pictures to come soon). I"m not quite done unpacking, but most of it is done and the apartment is livable.

Today was spent unpacking and getting some things figured out with my assistantship. Already, there's been talk (between my professor and my father) about a blowtorch on my rear. I have a feeling that the next two years will include some very high expectations and probably some stressful times.

I'm very excited about this opportunity, but it comes with concerns. I still have very little idea of how things will be, and this bothers me. I've been told multiple times how incredible the students are here - I'm excited to meet them and make some new friends - and I'm hoping this happens quickly, my birthday is coming up soon! I'm also worried about time and keeping up with stuff. Right now I feel behind with coming in prepared (yes, I know... "Then why are you blogging?!"... short answer: it's a break from unpacking while Big Brother is on!) I also think it might be a good idea to wait on trumpet studies until I can get acclimated to grad school life.

I'm also missing everyone from Iowa... more recently my new theatre family in Decorah. I was able to get closure with New Hampton, but Decorah was different, it was much different. I'm missing them a lot right now and I can't wait to get back up there. I'm hoping to visit over Christmas Break and then I'm also going to try and go back next summer and direct some shows again (which means auditions during Spring Break!)