I found out on October 7 that I had been accepted to go to London for two weeks with my school. Everyone keeps asking, "Are you excited?" and saying "Oh, you'll have so much fun, I bet you can't wait!" And it's true - I am excited, and I can't wait. I mean, my mom told me I could either go to London or finish my dental work for Christmas, and I chose London. (I mean, a front tooth can wait, right?) So for the past few months, I've filled out my paper work, gone to meetings, gotten a Passport, and saved my pennies for my adventure. (But I would be remiss if I didn't mention the fact that no matter what I did, this opportunity would have been impossible for me to take part in without the support from my mother and grammy). But for the last two weeks, the times when I've been expected to REALLY get excited, I just haven't. I tend to always think "foreign" places are going to be so different (although as foreign as I've gotten thus far is Mexico and west coast America). And every time I get to where I'm going, it all looks the same. So I figured, what's to get excited about? But tonight, I did my first (out of two) pre-departure assignments. Basically, I had to pick something to do that wasn't already on our packed-to-the-brim itinerary, talk about what the event is, how much it costs, how to get there, when it takes place, and why i want to do it. At first, there was no doubt in my mind: I had to go see the London Philharmonic. So, I went to the site, found a performance that fit my schedule, went to book the tickets, and then realized (DOH!) that particular performance happens to be in Beijing. However disappointed, it then dawned on me that everyone (particularly my worldly cousin, Devon) suggested a concert at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, which is just what I was looking for: just a little more of an intimate environment, and actually more convenient.
So, once again, I went to the site, this time not getting my hopes up as I have to see theatre performances almost every night which is exactly when most music performances are. But I found one: Jan 9 at 7:30, which just so happens to be one of the only completely free days my travel companions and I have out of the entire two-week trip. So I immediately grabbed my Visa and purchased a 27.5 pound ticket for myself to sit in the Nave (with no visual obstructions and not having to lean, and god forbid get a seat where you can't even see the group) hear Vivaldi's Four Seasons performed by the Belmont Ensemble of London. As soon as I hit the submit button (and then did the conversion to see exactly how much money I had just spent), I became excited. I mean really excited. i couldn't stop smiling. i'm sure my boyfriend who was in the middle of a tattoo at the time would say i couldn't stop talking, either. i called my mom, i've tried to call my cousin, and like i told my mother in an e-mail, i started a blog because if i continue to e-mail people at the rate i have been with every little update, people just might block me.
I don't know what it is. Maybe it's the feeling of being an adult and picking something i want to do, paying for it, planning on how to get to it, and knowing how awesome it's going to be, or maybe it's just the fact that i just paid for tickets that are being held for me on another continent, in london, where i will be, and i actually have plans that i know i'll be living.
I'll be living.
This is when I start to think, "wow, everyone around me has told me for so long that i haven't done much for myself." i've been caught up in men, or habits, or things that just aren't me for so long. I haven't actually grown in forever, now that i think about it. i haven't had to stretch myself or step out of my comfort zone, and i am now! and i think the more i realize i'm about to really go on an adventure and that no matter where i am (new york, london, where ever) God is there! and trust me, knowing you have God and his protection, love, and grace for you and with you, especially when you're about to leave everything you know, is the most exciting thing for me. i know that what i want in life and what i do, like going to London, will be nothing less than exciting and life-changing, because in Him, nothing can shake me.
For example, yesterday I was stranded at LaGuardia airport. Pretty scary. But I said a prayer, got on the m60, and began an adventure. I took the bus to the subway to Grand Central, then the train to Brewster where my girlfriend Trish picked me up. And everywhere I went, things "worked out". a lady on the m60 was going to the same subway as me, and helped me get off the bus at the right stop with my 50 pound suitcase and 30 pound bookbag. When I bought my metrocard and swiped it, and then got stuck with my bag and me between the bars you have to go through, a subway lady was right there to literally pull me out and open the emergency door for me. while waiting for the subway, someone overheard me asking about which one to take to get to Grand Central and magically came up to me to tell me the 5 or 6. i got off the subway to see a train schedule and ticket machine right in front of me. and most importantly, i was able to purchase everything for under 20 bucks. and after getting in trish's warm car, i was able to smile and say "i had a ton of fun." when's the last time you got to say that?
so, my blog is started, one of my two assignments is down. the following is the paper i had to write. i hope you enjoy adventuring with me!
On Saturday January 9, 2010 I will be attending Vivaldi Four Seasons at St. Martin-in-the-Fields at 7:30 pm. The Belmont Ensemble of London, directed by Peter G. Dyson, will be performing a program of Vivaldi’s Concerto for Two Violins in A Minor, Mozart’s Salzburg Symphony No. 2, Vivaldi’s Sinfonia ‘Alla Rustica’, Pachelbel’s Canon, Handel’s Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, Bach’s Air ‘on the G String, Purcell’s Fairy Queen Suite, and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. The concert should last approximately two hours, including a twenty-minute intermission. Performances at St. Martin-in-the-Fields range from lunch concerts, evening candle-lit concerts, or jazz concerts in the crypt. These events vary in price. For the concert I am attending, tickets ranged from six pounds (for seats located in the rear gallery and no view of the performance area) to twenty-six pounds, which purchases seats in the Nave (which is a clear view to the performance) or seats in the Gallery (where customers are required to lean forward). I purchased the twenty-six pound ticket in the Nave, but with booking fees paid 27.5 pounds (43.7254 USD). St. Martin-in-the-Fields’s website says, "St. Martin-in-the-Fields is at the north eastern corner of Trafalgar Square. Any bus bound for the Strand or Charing Cross Road will bring you to our door. Alternatively take the underground to Charing Cross or Leicester Square and follow the signs". From 20 Baker’s Row EC1R to the church, traveling time is estimated to be about 25 minutes, or I can walk in 35 minutes. (It is imperative that it’s Bakers Row EC1R and not Bakers Row E15, because that is only 2 miles away!) Luckily, I planned this excursion on a free day, so I have left my options open for how to get there. I plan on going early anyways (maybe 5:30 or 6 pm) to have dinner in the crypt and do some rubbings, as my aunt says it is a wonderful experience. I used journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk to plan my journey.
I am beyond excited about this event. I actually wasn’t really excited until I bought my ticket for the concert. I started reading music and playing violin at the age of 5. I played on a local radio in North Carolina for a Christmas party at the age of 8. In middle school, I switched to trumpet and played in concert band and jazz band, and finally switched to French horn in the middle of sixth grade. In eleventh grade, I was accepted to the North Carolina School of the Arts and attended on full scholarship, studying under David Jolley, a world-renowned French hornist. The summer after twelfth grade, I performed Edward Elgar’s Enigma Variations at Carnegie Hall with the Greensboro Symphony Youth Orchestra. Due to unfortunate events, I did not continue my musical career at colleges I had applied to, nor did I finish either of my years at NCSA. I hope to one day restart playing my horn, as it has been a passion of mine since I entered the world. Seeing performances, such as the one I’ve planned to see in London, keep my passion alive, and keep me motivated and inspired to practice hard and reach my goals. I’m a big believer in surrounding myself with other artists; learning from them, watching their techniques, and, most importantly, feeling the passion they have for their art, just like I continue to have for mine.
I am beyond excited about this event. I actually wasn’t really excited until I bought my ticket for the concert. I started reading music and playing violin at the age of 5. I played on a local radio in North Carolina for a Christmas party at the age of 8. In middle school, I switched to trumpet and played in concert band and jazz band, and finally switched to French horn in the middle of sixth grade. In eleventh grade, I was accepted to the North Carolina School of the Arts and attended on full scholarship, studying under David Jolley, a world-renowned French hornist. The summer after twelfth grade, I performed Edward Elgar’s Enigma Variations at Carnegie Hall with the Greensboro Symphony Youth Orchestra. Due to unfortunate events, I did not continue my musical career at colleges I had applied to, nor did I finish either of my years at NCSA. I hope to one day restart playing my horn, as it has been a passion of mine since I entered the world. Seeing performances, such as the one I’ve planned to see in London, keep my passion alive, and keep me motivated and inspired to practice hard and reach my goals. I’m a big believer in surrounding myself with other artists; learning from them, watching their techniques, and, most importantly, feeling the passion they have for their art, just like I continue to have for mine.
