Musical Twilight Zone

I came up with a new tradition exclusively for the Petrie School of Music. It involves all of the music students playing a totally different instrument for a day. Since today is Friday the 13th, and playing a totally different instrument than one is use to seems way out of the ordinary, I thought it would be appropriate that this special tradition would take place once a year on Friday the 13th. Of course it would not fall into the same time of year each time, but it would be a tradition, and make the day seem fun and exciting. If Friday the 13th does not fall on a day the school is in session, then the tradition will not be held that year. The students can pick any instrument as long as it is not their instrument and they have not picked it before. Even singers can learn to play an instrument for the day! The students will then have the opportunity to take a class for that day only in order to learn more about their selected instrument. This would not only be a fun day for students and professors, but it will be a learning experience, and the students will come to know more professors. This tradition may also draw the students, as a whole, closer together, because they can relate to one another after this experience and understand a little bit better what each person does, and why they enjoy playing their instrument, or singing.

One God, Many Cultures

I am a member of Voices of Virtue, which is a praise and worship group here at Converse that meets on Sunday evenings. Last Sunday we sang at Angela Pyles's church. It was an African-American church. I had never been to a church like that before, and I found it very enlightening. Of course I knew that they praised the same God as me, but it was fascinating to see people worshiping Him in a different way. I had heard of, and seen some groups dance as a way of worshiping, but it was so much more than I had ever seen at her church. They truly were worshiping God through dance. Going to Angela's church really showed me how different people can worship God in different ways, and it is all beautiful. Dance is a part of the African-American culture. Dance plays a major role in how a lot of African-Americans express themselves. It is only natural that they dance to show their love and compassion for Jesus Christ.
It is not that I thought everyone praised God the same way as I do, I just never really gave it much thought. Since I went to Angela's church, I have reached a better understanding for her culture, and realized that there are more ways to worship God than just the way that I worship, and God takes pleasure in all that we do, as long as it is for His glory and honor.

Staying Healthy in College

While trying to be healthy in college, I am more fortunate than others. As a commuter, I take my lunch to school, which gives me a more healthy option. I have also found, that when I am not able to eat exactly what I want, I tend to eat more junk foods, so taking my lunch everyday allows me to choose what I want on a daily basis. While taking my lunch to school, I always fill up a bottle of water, which keeps me away from a lot of soft drinks and sweet tea. I do struggle with exercise, because I can never find the time. I had this problem in high school as well. I love riding my bicycle and walking my dog, but being motivated to get up early and exercise instead of staying in bed a little longer is hard.

As a Christian, reading my Bible on a regular basis keeps my spirituality in line. I believe that reading my Bible not only helps me spiritually, but it helps my mind as well, because I am able to think more positively and clearly, which allows me to focus on things that are most important. Prayer also helps me, because I can cast my cares upon the Lord and know that He is in control and will take care of everything. I also try my best to follow His direction and be Christ-like, which keeps me away from the heavy feeling of guilt that can cause stress, and hurt you not only emotionally and spiritually, but physically as well.

Being stress free is probably one of my biggest challenges. I am constantly concerned about how I am doing in my classes and always try to push myself harder so I can make better grades. In order to keep my stress level under control, I try to find time to spend for myself. I like to read, watch a good movie, or just do something that is therapeutic, like coloring. Any of these activities helps me to relax and help me to focus on other things besides an overwhelming class. But, if I never find the time to read or just relax, then I remain stressed.

Even if you are not an alcoholic, alcoholism can still affect you, because of the people around you. If all of your friends are drinking, you may feel pressure from them to drink. Even if you never give in to the peer pressure, it can still hurt you to think that you may not be as close to them as you once were. Alcoholism still affects you wherever someone is consuming it, because they can end up hurting you physically or verbally, without even realizing what they are doing. Think about drunk driving. Those who drive while under the influence are putting everyone else in danger. People who do become drunk do not necessarily realize it, but when they are known to drink excessively, it causes those who are close to them (friends, family, etc.) to be concerned about their well-being.

To Be or Not to Be of the Liberal Arts

When it comes to a liberal arts college, I only see positives. I found it interesting that math is considered an art, as well as astronomy. The way I understand the definition of liberal arts is that it is studying something that you learn by doing. Of course with music, we learn by practicing, whether it be our instruments or the lovely MacGamut, but with grammar/writing the only way to get better is by writing. In order to learn how to calculate equations, you have to actually practice the equations. I read that the classes in a liberal arts school are socratic. I looked up the definition, and found that socratic means that students learn from the questions that they ask, more than the teacher simply gives them the material. This means that there is an interaction between the student and the teacher. Personally, I believe this is a much more productive way of learning, because the professor understands what the students need extra help on.

I would definitely put a liberal arts education with professional pursuits. The work field seems to look more positively on someone with a degree from a liberal arts education, than someone that does not. A liberal arts education gives students a more hands on learning experience, so that when they enter the world as a professional, they not only know how to do their job, but they know that they can do their job. This not only gives the employee confidence in herself, it also gives the employer confidence in the employee.

The choices available at a liberal arts school, is what makes the college so great. The ability to take a course that is not necessarily related to your major, but is something that you are interested in, is very useful. If I was to choose a course that was not relevant to Music Education, I would may choose a course in American History, because I am interested in learning more about my country's past. I liberal arts school is interested in giving students the chance to explore anything and everything that they are interested in. As of right now, I'm content with remaining only a music major, but after taking a course in American History, I may want to minor in history. At a liberal arts school, you can literally be anything that you want to be. The opportunities and possibilities are endless.

At Convocation, I came to realize that we as students are in control of what we want to become. No one is telling us what to do, they're only telling us to do it. Every speaker encouraged us to go out and take hold of who we are and what we want to become. It is as if we have the world in the palm of our hand, and we can do with it whatever we will.

All About Me

1) I decided to go to college, because I want to grow more, not only academically, but socially as well. I think that college is a great place to, not necessarily become popular, but to learn how to interact with different people in different situations. While interacting with my peers, I expect to develop a sense of who I am as an individual with my own voice.

2) I decided to come to Converse, because everyone is so personal. When I came for my first official visit, I was given specific attention to my needs. Other colleges that I visited did not seem to care about my interests unless I was interested in handing them the money. Converse, on the other hand, wanted to make sure that they showed me all that they could provide for me, and how they could help me grow and become successful. I appreciate how Converse wants student input. I can already tell, that Converse is not just interested in students for the money, but they are interested in seeing each individual succeeding and becoming a well rounded woman.

3) I desire to study music, because making music is such an awesome feeling. I truly enjoy being able to play a piece that I could not play a month or so before hand and performing it. I think the ability and process of learning how to play a piece is amazing. As a music education major, I look forward to sharing this experience with other people. I truly have a passion for music. Even though I get frustrated with myself while learning a piece , I am never frustrated with the music, I am frustrated with myself for not being able to play it correctly as quickly as I think I should. Although it is not going to be an easy road to travel on, I am truly excited and looking forward to the next four years of my college career, as well as the rest of my life. It will be a lot of hard work, but it will all be worth it whenever I play a beautiful piece that gives me goosebumps, or teach a child how to make music and experience it for themselves.

4) If I woke up tomorrow and could not make music anymore, I would be an elementary teacher. I love children, and I enjoy watching them learn and grow. Children are our future, and they deserve the attention necessary to learn and grow in positive surroundings, but not lacking discipline. Teaching has always been an interest of mine, so if I couldn't teach music, I would still teach children and be able to watch them learn, grow, and discover.