doing ALOT better

Well, I've been feeling alot better. I think that I just needed to catch up on some sleep and get a good meal, both of which I did yesterday. But this whole program has definitely been prepping me for college I think....and possibly this upcoming year.It's given me a taste of the decisions and struggles I would have to go through at college (like, get sleep or do homework, accompany every person that asks me to or learn to say no to people, practice when everyone else is saying they wanna chill for a few minutes or chill with them, etc.) I'm also debating about doing some ballet through UW-RF this year. It would give me some extra highschool credit, plus it would be tons of fun and great exercise. I guess I'm not totally sure if I really wanna do the whole running thing through Insight.Anyway, I'm hungry and it's lunch time. Later,
Rachel

seriously down...

The last few days have been very stressful for me. In fact, I feel almost thrown over the edge. And to be totally honest, as much as I hate to admit it, I do sorta wonder if I'll be able to handle college in a year. I guess right now I'm just feeling like the whole world is against me or something. And I'm EXTREMELY emotional. Which is sorta embarrassing since I absolutely HATE getting all emotional in front of people. And I'm honestly not sure WHY I'm so upset. Agh, maybe I should just stop writing before this whole thing just becomes one huge blob of emotional outburst,LOL. Later,

Rachel

a bit stressed out...

It's weird because I THOUGHT that coming here would be quite easy. And tons of fun. But actually, lately I've found myself becoming stressed out. It's still a blessing to be here and it's still fun and all, but I haven't been getting the proper amount of sleep or balance of food to function properly. So because of that, I've been really ditzy and forgetful. For example, last Friday night, I was practicing some stuff with a guy I'm accompanying, and after a few hours, he was like,"Oh! It's almost ten! We have to get back to the dorms!" But I thought that we had to be back at eleven, so I convinced him that we had more time. About five minutes later, I ran into an RA in the hall to confirm that eleven was okay, only to find out that it WAS ten. So both of us got written up. And mentioned in career class today. *sigh* I also ended up missing my piano lesson today because I thought that my teacher and I had confirmed that Tuesdays would be 2:30, and Fridays would be 1:30. But there was a miscommunication, and basically, I was supposed to have my lesson at three. And then on Saturday, we went to a park and played kickball. During a point where I was supposed to be guarding the first base, I randomly started running around the bases because I had forgotten how to play. Needless to say, everybody stared at me and then asked what I was doing.....and then yesterday in choir, during a rest, I didn't take the rest and screeched out this really high note. It was really embarrassing. So....I'm thinking I PROBABLY need to get some more sleep. Otherwise, I'll continue to have a reputation as a complete ditz. *sigh* Well, before I sleep, I'm gonna go practice. Later,
Rachel

So far, so good....

I've been REALLY busy the last couple of days. And tired as well. But I'm thankful for the opportunity to be here. I've been able to get in about 4 hours of practice every day, and I've been amazed at the amount of homework they give. Like for World History Class, we are supposed to write out a 6 page report on this World Music concert. It's due on Tuesday. Theory hasn't been all that bad, but there's still homework. And my voice class has been very interesting. The teacher so happens to be gay, and for my solo piece, he assigned me a love song that's meant to be sung to a girl. I told him that I felt a bit uncomfortable with it, and he didn't really see the big deal. So I just decided to change a few of the words around and make it a song from a girl to a guy. And he's like really hyper too and sorta moody and....it's just weird. But at the same time, it is a test of my faith. Anyway, I think that I'm gonna go for now. Later,
Rachel

15 minutes....

Okay, so I got computer access here and I'm limiting myself to 15 minutes every day. Anyway, so far, so good. Yesterday was my first full day here and it was good. On Saturday, I met another Christian girl. She's from Taiwan. It's funny because we were both talking and just staring at our food and finally she was like, "Okay, I'm gonna pray now". And I explained to her that that's why I was just staring at my food, but I didn't know how to put it really. So we've become sorta close in only a day. And I got locked in a practice room for the first time in my life yesterday. I called the RA emergency number and the guy told me to simply push the knob down, not up. *sigh* Another instance to prove that I'm a ditz. And I had my career interview yesterday too. It went well. She told me that they don't look solely for technicality, but musicality as well because technicality without musicality gets one nowhere. So that was a comfort because I know there are MANY people out there who can play absolutely insane pieces, but I guess I still feel like maybe I have a shot. And the Lord knows where I need to be too, so I shouldn't fret. The lady also advised me to go for a music education degree rather than a performance degree. She said a performance degree means absolutely nothing,but you can do other stuff with an education degree. Plus, she said it's easier to get accepted into a music education degree because not very many people go for it, and that if I'm intent on getting a performance degree, I can swap majors if I get accepted into my dream college. Anyway, it's been 15 minutes, so I better go practice!!Later,
Rachel

I shall be departing soon.....

I'm leaving for Eastman tomorrow morning around 2-ish, and even though I'll probably have internet access while I'm there, I'm gonna try to keep it to a minimum, so I probably won't be updating my blog while I'm there. I'm REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY RREEEEEEAAAAALLLLLLLYYYYYY excited and I'm praying that this will be a great experience and that it will also be fun and stuff. And I'm thinking that the environment will probably be more focused than Interlochen. Like, I'll have a packed schedule with classes from 8-5 plus I'll have to practice (I'm gonna REALLY try to make at least 4 hours every day) and it's known for being really intense, which is what I need. So anyway, ta-ta for now! Later,
Rachel

The earth literally groans?

I was really intrigued by an article I read the other day about how the earth actually emits sounds that can be heard in space. I immediately thought of the verse in Romans (8:22) which says, "For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now." And perhaps it isn't speaking of literal groaning, but.....then again, perhaps it is. Anyway, I found out yesterday that I have to prepare a piece for vocal auditions at camp. So....I'm going to attempt "The Lord's Prayer". It's funny because I'm getting so side-tracked with that that piano practice got kicked to the side yesterday and today. And then I have to un-pack most of my stuff because apparently, airlines are cracking down on carry-on sizes, so....I have to put everything in a different suitcase. Anyway, this post is pretty random and I don't have anything else to write, so....Later,
Rachel