Apparently it's kind of a big deal

that I'm doing this:

Festival of the Nativity

Any suggestions for what I should play? I'm pretty sure they want mostly Christmas music.

(and P.S. what were they thinking when they invited me to do this? what was I thinking when I agreed? Christmas music... on the BASSOON??? who ever heard of such a thing!)

I am a feminist

by this definition

hold your breath

I wrote this back in July, but for some reason I didn't post it. Maybe I was embarrassed. Hmm... well, here ya go.

Today I made my first cd purchase in over two years. I hate buying cd's... I usually acquire my music electronically. I only buy the cd's of the artists I truly honestly love, who have left a deep impression on me in some way. This one was "For Emma, Forever Ago" by the band Bon Iver.

I have been listening to Bon Iver since the beginning of April, right before I took my comprehensive exams. It was one of the most stressful times of my life... I am still recovering. The band did a show in Iowa City the first weekend in April and even though I couldn't afford the time off from studying I went. It was amazing. There's something about this music that brings my innermost feelings and memories and convictions to the surface. It's like some sort of strange drug, I can't get enough of it. So far I have listened to it four complete times in a row without stopping. I would listen to it more but it is 2:25 in the morning and I have a lunch date at 11:30 with Himie Voxman.

But seriously, I can't stop listening to this. It's better than food, better than sleep, better than nice old people.

Here is a video of "Skinny Love" ... in case you wanted to listen a bit.

Dear Everyone,

I want you all to watch this YouTube video.

And discuss it with me.

I'm so proud of us.

There are two types of people in this world...

Those who love change, and those who don't.
I loooooooove it.

I know that when I left home I told you all that I would be back to visit soon. Well I've changed my mind. You're all coming HERE to visit ME.

Here is why I love Atlanta so far:

All my favorite places are literally around the corner and down the street from where I live!!
Whole Foods--It's HUGE!!! This store has every kind of food I like, including all the delicious foods I haven't even tasted yet!


World Peace Cafe: This is one of two vegetarian restaurants down the street from my house. I had a bowl of soup there the other night and it was de-licious!


Also there is Good Will, the Temple, the Church (yeah, that's right. I only have to drive 4 minutes to get to the temple) and the train station. I get to ride the train to work! I feel like a real commuter. It takes me about one hour from the time I leave my house to get to my office. Riding the train is better than driving because I don't have to deal with the stress of city traffic, don't get stuck in rush hour traffic, don't have to pay the toll, don't have to pay for parking AND I don't have to waste gas in my car! I just get to relax and read a book.

And oh yeah... I have an OFFICE!!! It's on the 10th floor of the music building. And that's not all guess what is in my office....


A baby grand piano! yes yes yes it is all mine (well, I do share with the saxophone professor. But I don't think she'll be around much because she only have a few students.) Check out my view:

This week I have been working on a recording project with the Atlanta Chamber Winds. Every day I walk through Woodruff park to get to the recital hall where we are recording. It is full of homeless people who sit or stand and do nothing all day! My colleagues complain about it but I like the homeless people. Everyone tells me its safe as long as I don't walk around down town after dark. So don't worry mom and dad!

The Georgia State campus is in a great location down town, with lots of cool eating places all around. So far my favorite is this place:


Those of you from Iowa City: this place kicks Oasis Falafel in the BUM!! It is sooo good, the best falafel pitas I've tasted thus far in my life.

One of my favorite things is the cute little house I live in. We live in the middle of a big city, but our house is surrounded by a JUNGLE! I can't even see through the trees in my back yard. My roommates are so cool! I will write more about them soon.

The ward is really great. I haven't met everyone yet, because there are 200 people in it!! Can you believe that? I'm so excited to have this many new friends. Oh and did I mention that church doesn't start until 1:30? For the first time in like six years I finally get to sleep in on Sundays!

Oh and one more thing--I am a minority here! Everywhere I go there are nothing but black people. Pretty cool huh? Our ward is actually mostly white, and most of the faculty at GSU are white but other than that everywhere I go I feel like a minority. It is great.

I payed $7.05 to make this post

So....... I am in big, beautiful, hot Atlanta! I know you have all been waiting anxiously for an update but my house will not have internet until tomorrow at the earliest... so I have to make this a quick one. I am at a little cafe right now and can only stay a few more minutes (I have been trying to find a place with WiFi since yesterday and finally by word of mouth made it here. You would think in a big city it would be easier!!!)

Anywho... I live in a little house about 20 minutes north of the city. So far I have two cute roommates (I hope they don't mind I stole these pics from Facebook):

Racheland Lina

We will be getting two more roommates in the next few weeks and I'm sure they too will be just as awesome and cute.

Our house is shaded by some huge TALL trees and our backyard is a jungle. When I post the pictures you won't even believe that it's in the middle of a big city!!