[re]vision

Mr. Lateiner at Any Time

2008-06-14T15:01:00.001-07:00

I went to New York this week at last. The lessons I received there were absolutely phenomenal. It's rare that someone can charge as much as Jacob Lateiner and not have to apologize for it.

On Thursday I found myself going up the elevator to his apartment shaking. We'd spoken over the phone about scheduling lessons before, but meeting someone so accomplished as a performer and instructor was altogether a new experience.

When I got to his door I felt sure I was going to vomit with nervousness, but he was waiting there for me with the door open, and he asked if I wouldn't mind going down to the front lobby to get his mail! I thought for sure he was joking but as he handed me his keys I realized he was quite serious. I returned and we began the lesson.

My first impression was that he worked very quickly and has an incredibly sharp mind. I played a Chopin Scherzo (Op. 31 in B-Flat Minor) and, as what tends to be the case, felt that it was the best I've ever played it, but we spent the remainder of the hour (probably 45 minutes) laboring over each and every bar he had noted. He asked for stricter tempi, more volume and control over quick passages, less volume in dolce sections but with earnest warning against losing the fullness of tone, softness of grace notes and less accents, which inhibited the smoothness of phrasing.

Each time he requested something I would try to play as he'd instructed, and then when he'd add the next part to learn I'd forget to play the way he'd first instructed me. Typical, of course, to working through any difficult work with a difficult teacher. At the very last bar, he'd instructed that the D-flat grace note chord be played soft but swiftly, so that the final chord (D-flat major, spread out in the lowest and highest octaves of the piano) resonated with strength. I kept trying to play the grace note softy but apparently was not doing so adequately. He would say, in his low and straightforward voice, "That's not soft." Then I'd try soft with every ounce of effort I could, and lose the sound, and he'd say, "Now there's no sound!" Eventually, throwing up his arms, he said, "Just forget it. We can't get stuck on this since you're not getting it now."

There were many moments like that, in which he would demand so much of me that I had to use everything I could to deliver what he wanted, and usually it wouldn't be nearly close to good enough. He would make sure I was fully aware of this, and I realized what that says about his teaching. I studied at Western with one of his former students, Tina Yanchus, who told me he was so detailed she sometimes just couldn't play to his satisfaction. He was/is so caught up with making good, technically solid, tasteful music and doesn't care how you sound in the lesson as long as you can demonstrate what he's looking for and are willing to practice it fastidiously. This leads me to believe he sees the pursuit of musical excellence as something that will always be a process. If you want to achieve excellence in it, you must always work toward it, all the while knowing there is always more that you can do to improve. I know from my lessons with him he is concerned with my playing well in the future, and never losing a strong technique at the instrument. He communicates this very sage message harshly and often to the point of being demeaning, but never personally - only musically. That is all he is concerned about - making music.

He smoked through the lessons, and at one point he asked me to stop playing, being so frustrated that he needed to light a new cigarette before I could keep playing. At several points he would start talking over me so I'd stop, but as it would turn out he would say, "Why did you stop, keep playing!" and apparently he'd just added little comments here and there. Then came the time I actually kept playing but he wanted to stop me and correct a serious flaw. All I heard was, "Hello....HELLO! .... JARRED! [I stopped playing] When I am talking, it means you don't play at the same time. That's how it works."

The best part of my last lesson was when I thanked him for his time and shook his hand, he invited me to come back any time I like and said, "I'd be happy to see you again." I thanked him very much and shook his hand, no doubt a hand that has played nearly every worthwhile piece there is to play, and he wished me all the best.

Challenges are often extremely inspiring. I know I will return to Jacob Lateiner as soon as I can, and in the meantime, if I could apply even half the knowledge he imparted to me in those hours, my skill at the piano will greatly increase. I don't plan on throwing away the notebook he wrote in - in fact, I'm sure he'll be writing in it again and hollering at me to play with more skill some time soon.

Thank you Mr. Lateiner!

TCard

2008-06-03T07:09:00.000-07:00

I went to Robart's Library today to get my TCard (the U. of T. student card) and suddenly I realized that I am actually a student at U. of T. now. It's a really exciting thought. I love the city, the campus, the energy, the reputation of my faculty. Now I just hope I'm good enough to stay in the program!

And the first thing I did with my TCard is head to the Edward Johnson Building and swipe my card so I could get into a practice room. I just hope they have their pianos properly tuned come September.

Random

2008-05-25T19:28:00.001-07:00

I blogged about this on myspace once and I'm feeling it again - anyone out there who sometimes/often times tends to feel alone even when there's people all around? Like that empty feeling of nobody's paying any attention to you or cares that you're around, even though everything indicates that things are exactly the opposite?

I don't get paradoxes. Maybe I'm not supposed to.

1, 095 Days Later

2008-05-19T18:52:00.000-07:00

I think it's time I wrote something about Will.

It's been three years since he passed away; in some ways it feels like yesterday and in others like it happened decades ago.

The first part I can explain quite easily. Although I have finally gotten to the place of accepting the reality of his death, I still find myself hoping; even wishing he was still alive. Then I catch myself and realize that's just selfishness. It's also that someone who had such a radical, life-altering impact, doesn't fade from my memory over time. I still remember his voice, laugh, facial expressions, our cell group meetings and countless hangouts, and I miss them all so much. I don't think I'll ever forget the feeling of true, genuine friendship and guidance. The days and months of his sickness are ingrained in my mind and I don't think they'll be leaving it anytime soon.

On the other hand I can think of how much of my life has changed in the past three years. One-thousand and ninety-five days is a lot more experience. Will fit my life perfectly eight years ago; he was a shooting-star leader and the most valuable friend I've ever had. Sometimes I wonder if anyone could be as friendly or virtuous, generous or caring as he.

Today as my parents and I were house-hunting downtown, I was thankful not to be at his grave. I can still barely handle standing at it. Others in my life have come and gone, but nobody's death has effected me as much as his. Sometimes it hurts so much I wonder how I bear it; an emptiness I feel.

That said, I love the redeeming quality in this experience. Sometimes I think that all I know about God has sprung from the things Will taught me. He really was fantastic at everything. Then I realize that he was God's gift to me in the first place. It was no easy thing to lose him, and it's still no easy thing to come to terms with. I don't think I'll ever "get over" it, but I will move on from it and in that I feel no disrespect to him. In fact, I know that he would want me to get a move on with my life and remember all the amazing times we shared. I have no idea when that will happen, but I plan on it happening. I plan on walking out of this grief a free man and able to tell other people about Will's life and his place in mine without feeling that twinge of pain.

Will, it was amazing to have you in my life and I have more to thank you for than I was able to. A best friend, a brother, a mentor, a leader - you basically fit every roll I was missing. I don't know how you wore so many hats.

I think what excites me about Heaven the most right now is seeing you again, and knowing that I won't have to say "goodbye" to you for the rest of time. And that is a far longer time than
1, 095 days, 1, 825, or any number I can fathom.

So it seems to me that forever is going to be fun.

Moving In

2008-05-03T08:31:00.000-07:00

So...to Andrew Gazaneo on the topic of moving back home from university...

Yes, you were right.

No Doubt Anymore

2008-04-23T18:34:00.000-07:00

Body identified

Autopsy confirms that a body found in the Rideau River is that of Nadia Kajouji

Neco Cockburn, The Ottawa Citizen

Published: Wednesday, April 23, 2008

OTTAWA - An autopsy has confirmed that a body found in the Rideau River is that of Nadia Kajouji, the 18-year-old Carleton University student who went missing on March 9, Ottawa police said Wednesday.

Police said preliminary autopsy results indicate that no foul play was involved in Ms. Kajouji's death.

The body was discovered near the edge of the Rideau River behind Saint Paul University on Sunday.

A recreational boater spotted it and called police at about 11:15 a.m.

I think I want to vomit it hurts so bad. I'm going to miss her a whole heck of a lot.

The funeral is Saturday with a viewing on Friday. Frankly I don't know what or how to prepare myself for this. My heart breaks for such a beautiful, promising young woman whose life was ahead of her, feeling lonely and depressed and needing to do something so drastic about it. Could Nadia - vibrant, spunky Nadia have actually done that? Heaven knows what she went through mentally/emotionally, that kind of isolation is an horrific state that I wish now she had reached out to one of us from within it.

I went to school with her at Harold Brathwaite, unfortunately though I was switched to Fletcher's Meadow (a nightmare, to be sure) but we hung out after that too and talked both online and on the phone. It was such a great friendship and I'll really miss it. I remember her sending me a message in early August, titled, "The Last Summer Before the Rest of Our Lives!" and she had asked me when we could hang out before going off to school. It didn't work out and now I really wish it had. I didn't know it really would be the last summer before the rest of her life.

It's seeming less unbelievable every time I read a new report and yet I want to cling to the way I knew her; how and what I knew of her. Strong, sensible and completely against this whole anti-depressant thing. She had so far to go and so much to do. So many more lives to change and touch. What a precious girl she was.

I for one, will always remember her.

Love to you, Nadia.

For Nadia

2008-04-20T20:37:00.001-07:00

I'll miss you my friend. I hope to God that you're with Him now, so that one day we meet again.

Until then, be at peace.

Love,
Jarred

A Nice Letter

2008-04-18T12:37:00.000-07:00

Dear Jarred,

Congratulations! On behalf of the Faculty of Music, I am pleased to recommend that the University of Toronto offer you admission to the Faculty of Music. We would like to extend an offer to you for First Year - Bachelor of Music Degree in Performance - Piano.

I'm very excited. No more waiting for my dream.

I feel that God is good.

Rethinking Friendships

2008-04-15T21:08:00.000-07:00

I just think it weird that it's the people I usually can find support from are the ones doing the least for me right now; and it seems almost working to tear me down. Maybe it's selfish; soulish almost definitely. I should be turning to God but am having trouble finding him. I know I'm stressed about school and piano, but I cannot find a way to wind down and relax.

Somehow being told to just do that and stop thinking/caring seems to me to be both the most direct and yet the very least effective.

Spring

2008-04-05T10:05:00.000-07:00

It's officially warm enough for me to wear shorts.

Yippee.

Freshwind '08

2008-03-25T19:05:00.000-07:00

I've been to this conference 9 times now and I think this year was the best.

Worship was intense...the youth band was better than I've ever heard them, right off the bat. It seemed that this year people weren't holding it all in until the last night, but everyone was just going for it right from the get-go and that meant that Saturday night, which is usually about 10/10 on the intensity scales, was more like 500/10. Maybe it was just me.

I also love how God used a friend of mine to change my life and speak into it in such a powerful way that I haven't experienced in years.

God is so good, and for the first time in a while, the spiritual high I get from Freshwind has stuck with me and I can feel God all the time, notwithstanding all the distractions around me.

This is sweet.

Nadia Kajouji

2008-03-19T09:10:00.000-07:00

It is horrifying to think that a friend of mine is unaccounted for.

On March 9th, 2008, Nadia Kajouji (a friend of mine from high school, knew each other since grade 9) went missing from her Carleton University residence and since then has not been heard from or seen at all.

For anyone who reads this blog - pray for her and her family, and for her safe and healthy return.

God be with you my friend. Be safe, keep going and come back to us.

With love,
Jarred

Nerves

2008-03-10T21:03:00.000-07:00

My audition for U. of T. is this Saturday. I'm as excited as I've been in a while but with that comes an incredible amount of nervousness.
I'm playing for two faculty members who I know don't think I'm cut out for the program, because I've played for them in lessons before. The other is my teacher, a prof. at U. of T. who is 100% for my getting in. Let's hope my playing does his encouragements justice.

If anybody even reads this, pray for me.

Expect the Unexpected

2008-02-27T14:32:00.000-08:00

The most exciting opportunity and the most unrealistic goal. I guess going for something really isn't so bad after all. Finally some proof of this.

I've been arguing with my current piano teacher about trying to contact her former teacher at Juilliard for piano lessons. This particular teacher, Mr. Jacob Lateiner (lat-eye-ner) is apparently one of the best in the world and of course, since he teaches at Juilliard, a phenomenal pianist. I do want to go to Juilliard at some point, so I think it very important to make a connection to a teacher there prior to auditioning for an M.M., so I asked my teacher if she'd help me out. She told me that she wouldn't and that I need to practice and study a lot more before even thinking of going to Mr. Lateiner. I suggested writing him a letter, and she said that even if he read it, he wouldn't allow some random Canadian undergrad to come for lessons. According to her, and her daughter who also studied with him, he's just way too selective.

I thought this over briefly and then I e-mailed Juilliard asking how I could get in direct contact with Mr. Lateiner. They e-mailed me back saying I could call the school and obtain contact information for 2 professors. I got his phone number and contemplated calling it. "Should I even try for this? Is it even worth it? He'll probably just say no anyway and look him up in about fifteen years when I'm good enough..."

Without thinking any more, I picked up the phone. I was very nervous. Surprisingly, he answered. I told him that I study with one of his former students and he knew exactly who she was. Then I asked him, "Sir, I'm not sure if this is too forward of me, but I'd like to know if I could arrange to have a lesson or some lessons with you whenever you have time, if you do." I was actually shaking talking to him at this point. He responded without hesitation with, "Well of course. Let me know when you are in New York."

I phoned him back today to arrange the dates for these lessons and find out how much he charges.

I'm going to Juilliard for lessons in June.

And while I'm there I'll spend $200 an hour for Jacob Lateiner.

To say the least, I'm ecstatic.

A New Approach

2008-02-21T10:53:00.001-08:00

Why do I approach piano with any other attitude?

I think it's time I started to focus on the fact that I legitimately do offer a unique and artistic way of playing, instead of weighing all the options for how hard it is going to be to succeed as a performer and just take hold of the opportunities God has for me and go for it, 100%. If I count the odds, I know that they are against me, but I don't have to look at it that way, because of course there's always going to be someone better than me. Music it is not about this.

It is about the fact that since nobody else is me, they cannot play the same way I do. This is the gift I bring to the instrument that I find myself playing constantly in order to achieve something that is unattainable - perfect artistry. But if it were perfect, where would the interpretation be? It is simple to be perfect, all you have to do is play the notes. It is in that deep, dark and often frightening "grey" area of interpreting music and playing with your own artistic voice that true beauty lies. Nobody ever learned the piano just by playing notes. It is so much more than this.

I want to play, to master the piano, and it's about time I stop worrying about the fact that others have gone before me and done this. They did it in their own gifting and unique talent.

I have such things. I think I'd like to learn how to use them.

Musical Plateau

2008-02-13T09:19:00.000-08:00

Music is such a beautiful art and yet it can be the worst possible thing sometimes. When I look at a piano, I don't see the "black and white keys" that everyone seems to see. I don't see strings or hear a particular sound. I see an instrument that is a refined mixture of agony and ecstasy. The agony almost always gives way to ecstasy when pushed through, but it's a heck of a thing to be in the middle of.

I have recently hit a point during which I have been practicing everything I know how to in order to improve my repertoire, but it is not visibly improving. This has happened before, of course and I am no stranger to it. It's just the fact that I have 1 month to prepare for an audition that is starting to get to me. Oh, and a jury in less than two.

Music waits for no one. It is about what you can play when the right people can hear you play it. Who are the right people? No one and everyone. No one, in that I don't play to please anyone, save God, and even then I do not have to play to please Him for He is already pleased with me before I touch the keys. Everyone in that if I want to get where I want to go in music, what I play has to satisfy and please those in authority to get me there. Professors, mainly. For example, I have a jury in April. No biggie, right? It's only first year and I've got my pieces learned. Wrong! Not for a perfectionist. Sure the notes are under my fingers, but it's adding the artistry and tidying up the parts that need to sound decisively and beautifully and make the notes on the page come alive.

I asked a friend last night in angst and frustration over some Debussy, "Why do we do this to ourselves? What is the point?" He replied,
"There is no point." Glib, really.
I then asked another friend, "Why are you in music?" She responded with,
"Because I'm stupid. And I couldn't do anything else."

Maybe there is no point. But that's one end of the spectrum, and there's always another. And if there is no point, and having nothing is an extreme, then there has to also be everything, which is the opposite.

So that means there is a point to this instrument I'm slaving over.

What that point is I cannot pretend to know.

But I don't need to, because it's there.

And I'm going to find it.

Sometime after I finish this blog.

Room mates

2008-01-15T13:12:00.000-08:00

Some people complain about their roommate when they get to res.
Frankly, mine kicks ass. Period.

That's all.

Thoughts

2008-01-07T06:37:00.000-08:00

So, holidays are over and things are getting back into full swing. I know this because of my longing this morning when I woke up in residence again to stay in bed rather than go to class.

It was excellent last night as more people returned to Western and hear everybody talk about their last semester marks, what they did or did not do for the holidays, how much of New Year's they could remember and how they felt about having certain classes this coming semester. Kind of that excitement of knowing these people you've met and been living with for three months aren't just res-mates anymore, but friends that you can carry on a conversation with.

I'm thinking this semester is going to be fun. It's hard to believe that 1st year is already half over. Apparently time goes faster as you get older, and last semester definitely flew by. In a few months we'll all be doing what we were doing three weeks ago, but we won't be back here for another four months. Yikes.

Anyway, I do have a class in 45 minutes. I'm going to get up, shower and go eat some food. Bye for now.

-J

55

2008-01-03T09:00:00.000-08:00

A 55-word story I came across just now that I wrote in grade 9.

Without Applause

He sat, front row centre, listening to the music that came from the piano onstage. His friend leaned over, "You used to play, right?"
He nodded wearily.
As his favorite Beethoven was played with such beauty, he thought back to the war.
The song ended in the rush of ovation.
If only he had hands.

Why?

2008-01-02T22:14:00.001-08:00

Annie Lennox has such a killer voice. So I decided to just blog a song by her that I can't stop listening to, and also one that ended up being in one of my most epic and intense lucid dreams.

"Why"

How many times do I have to try to tell you
That I'm sorry for the things I've done
But when I start to try to tell you
That's when you have to tell me
Hey... this kind of trouble's only just begun
I tell myself too many times
Why don't you ever learn to keep your big mouth shut
That's why it hurts so bad to hear the words
That keep on falling from your mouth
Falling from your mouth
Falling from your mouth
Tell me...
Why
Why

I may be mad
I may be blind
I may be viciously unkind
But I can still read what you're thinking
And I've heard is said too many times
That you'd be better off
Besides...
Why can't you see this boat is sinking
(this boat is sinking this boat is sinking)
Let's go down to the water's edge
And we can cast away those doubts
Some things are better left unsaid
But they still turn me inside out
Turning inside out turning inside out
Tell me...
Why
Tell me...
Why

This is the book I never read
These are the words I never said
This is the path I'll never tread
These are the dreams I'll dream instead
This is the joy that's seldom spread
These are the tears...
The tears we shed
This is the fear
This is the dread
These are the contents of my head
And these are the years that we have spent
And this is what they represent
And this is how I feel
Do you know how I feel ?
'cause i don't think you know how I feel
I don't think you know what I feel
I don't think you know what I feel
You don't know what I feel

So awesome. It's one of those songs that I can listen to over and over and not get sick of.

Yea...go Annie.

I Can't Sleep

2008-01-02T22:14:00.000-08:00

My favorite quote of all time is from C. S. Lewis. A lot of my favorite ideas come from him.

"A friend is someone you can sit with in silence and still feel that you had the best conversation you could."

I think one of the best things is when you get to the point with a friend that you can just sit on the phone and not talk or just be walking and all of a sudden there's no conversation going on yet no need for one, and be comfortable with them. This suggests that at last you don't have to try to make the relationship work, it just works. And you don't have to say anything. What isn't said is just as important as what is.

Thanks Clive.

For Her.

2008-01-02T18:04:00.000-08:00

I'm hoping that my wife is doing the same as I am. It's the hardest thing right now, but will be the most rewarding. Waiting, and waiting and more waiting.

I like to look at it as a gigantic build-up of anticipation, otherwise I might go crazy in this state of waiting for her and wondering if she is for me.

Please be waiting, just as I am too.
-J

Goodbye for now.

2008-01-01T21:16:00.001-08:00

It almost feels like I'm breaking up with someone. That's how you know something might be a little bit unhealthy to have on your mind all the time.

New Year

2008-01-01T21:11:00.001-08:00

So in the past, new year parties and such were fun and all, but this year was different. And it was different for a couple of reasons.

First I was with a great friend. Second, we had no plan. Third, we ate lots of meat at Korean Barbeque. Fourth, we randomly found this hotel and in it a conference room with a grand piano, so I just sat down and played for an hour before we got kicked out. Fifth, we walked around downtown wherever we felt like going, just for the heck of it. It was so "chill" as he sometimes describes things of this nature.

There was no party, but there were lots of people. It was just awesome to not make a big deal out of another year coming and just spend quality time with a friend.

And the subway was free.

Some questions

2007-12-26T23:46:00.001-08:00

I take a lot out of conversations with one of my friends. Here is a huge question I want to challenge anyone and everyone who reads this blog...

Why is it that people find it so hard to be encouraging of others, when they know perfectly well how amazing it feels to be complimented and uplifted?

Personally, I find it so fun to be fun/sarcastic/humorous, but far more fun to be encouraging because people need encouragement. Think about how good friendships grow. Through experiences, good talks, sharing/confiding, encouragement and affirmation. There are obviously other things attributed to the growth of friendship, but there seems to be a little more trouble with the last two than the others.

Something Which...

2007-12-26T22:34:00.000-08:00

...I should be doing is sleeping. But I'm sitting here on my couch very comfortably talking on MSN, listening to my grandmother snore in the basement and writing this blog.

I'll sleep later.

Oh yeah - today I heard from a solid relative the best possible break up line that hopefully I never have to use but it made me laugh uncontrollably to hear it. It goes like this:

"You're a loser. Peace."

And that's why I love this relative.

-J

I Know One Person Who Will Read This and Smile

2007-12-23T17:41:00.000-08:00

I did title this blog 'revision' so I figured it would be interesting to note one that I have just made.
I used to think that only Chopin and Beethoven were musically perfect. There's this band that a friend of mine tried to get me into during the summer but I was clearly too blind to see how amazing they were until now, so I say, move over classical masters and make room for RADIOHEAD!

The Ultimate

2007-12-21T15:06:00.000-08:00

The Ultimate

A very good friend of mine asked me quite a while ago what my favorite thing in the world was. I was turning it over in my mind just now, and my answer still has not changed from what it was when he first asked me.

No, it is not the piano or music. It is not English or writing. It's not even C.S. Lewis.

It's friendship.

It is one of those things that people cannot do without, even if they say they can. If humans were made for isolation, they would not be called humans, but islands. And islands are isolate landmasses, not emotional, spiritual and physical beings. The value in being with other beings is in the simple feeling of companionship. I think I could go for the rest of my life, possibly not even need to marry (that's only conjecture at this point) as long as I had a couple friends who really understood me.

Isolation is a funny thing. It is comfortable in some ways, but has an underlying emptiness. It is like a pool with no water. Nobody can jump in and enjoy it, it just sits there waiting to be filled and used. Not that people should be filled with water and used to swim in, whether figuratively or not, but the point is that without friends in life, a human is, in essence, an empty pool.

I suppose the feeling of being befriended is one that is unparalleled in significance. This is just a personal thing. What is the value in a friend? Call me a church boy, but the Bible sums it up best in saying, “Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay his life down for his friends.”

There’s security in knowing someone cares that much for you, and I think this should be the compass by which we measure friendships. I’m not saying I do, I mostly don’t, but I think it’s a process of getting to love your friends just as much, if not more, than yourself. Selflessness. Generosity. Love.

These are what friendship means. True, vulnerable companionship.

And that’s why it’s my favorite thing in the world.

A while ...

2007-12-21T09:47:00.000-08:00

I have not posted since I started this blog in May. I didn't think I wanted to keep posting because I found it hard to stay committed to a blog, but the point of a blog isn't commitment, it is writing whatever you want to write.

I don't know what it is I will write, but when I have things to note, I will.

-J

The Many Names of Jarred Dunn...

2007-03-26T17:09:00.001-07:00

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current street name)Stuart Tiller
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fav icecream flavor,favorite cookie)Reeses Peanut Butter Pirate
3. YOUR "FLY Guy/Girl" NAME: (first initial of first name, first two letters of your last name)Jdn
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)Orange Chinchilla
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)Benjamin Niagara
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)Dunnja
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink put "The")Red the Orange Punch
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first name of your grandfathers on both sides)Thomas George
9. STRIPPER NAME: (the name of your favorite perfume or cologne, favorite candy)Armani Reese
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother & father's middle names)Darlene Norman

Western...

2007-03-26T17:06:00.000-07:00

I got into Western University last week and just got around to posting something about it!

I was really surprised when I got the package in the mail, but apparently I will be getting at least one scholarship and potentially two seperate bursaries as well as another scholarship. The music department doesn't take much more than 100 people into their program every year so getting in is definitely a challenge. I am really really relieved right now. God is so good.

First Entry...

2007-01-27T16:47:00.000-08:00

I held out for a long time within my own "Anti-Blog" club, but I caved shortly after also giving up and getting a myspace. Actually it seems rather odd to post your thoughts online, but at the same time - "Everyone's doing it!" So here I am, and I've created a blog. Now to figure out how in the heck this all works! Somebody help me!