I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas! Mine was wonderful, filled with family and friends. I'm really excited about the guitar I got for Christmas! Not only will it serve for my pleasure and enjoyment, but I look at it as a tool for my future teaching in case I end up teaching elementary and need something to accompany the students with, or even start a guitar club in middle school (where I'll hopefully be). Today I watched one of my favorite movies, The Duchess. The movie is based on the real life story of Georgiana Spencer, the Duchess of Devonshire from 1774 until 1806. The movie tells about her horrible marriage to the Duke, who only wants her for her abilities to produce an heir. Georgiana is a passionate person who is unloved in her own home. Because she doesn't immediately give birth to a boy (she has three daughters before finally having a boy), the Duke has many affairs with the household maids and eventually with Georgiana's only friend, Lady Elizabeth Foster. Though it is clear the Duke and Lady Foster love each other, and the Duke insists Lady Foster live with them he denies Georgiana the right to be the man she loves, Charles Grey. Ahhh, I shouldn't spoil the whole movie. You must watch, it's a great drama. I couldn't imagine living my life not being able to be with someone I love or being forced to live with someone who doesn't love me. Her circumstances were dreadful. I'm glad that I'm living a life where who I marry is based on mutual love for one another - not money or status. This poem by Maya Angelou reminds me of Georgiana. Though she was a duchess and was the admiration of many, her personal life away from the public eye was tragic.

A free bird leaps on the back of the wind
and floats downstream till the current ends
and dips his wing in the orange suns rays and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks down his narrow cage
can seldom see through his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
of things unknown but longed for still
and his tune is heard on the distant hill
for the caged bird sings of freedom.

The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
of things unknown but longed for still
and his tune is heard on the distant hill
for the caged bird sings of freedom.

~Maya Angelou

Christmas Time is Here

Wow, I haven't updated in a while. I guess I feel I never have very profound things to say in this blog, so updating is just a bore for whoever reads this thing. But nonetheless, I am updating! Christmas break has been pretty good so far. It started off with a slight argument with my parents, which I believe stemmed from my not coming home as often this past semester. They're coming to the realization that I'm grown up. I'm not the little girl they've had to take care of these past almost 21 years. But things have worked out well, and I definitely needed their care this past Sunday night when I was sick. Oh it was terrible, but it was such a comfort to have my mom and dad right there to help me and bring me anything I needed. I know deep down inside that I'll always need my parents, and I have to remember to be sensitive to the fact that they're always going to need their little girl.

Ok, sorry for the mushy-ness. I do love my parents and think they're pretty much the best that there are. Mom and I are having so much fun planning Christmas activities. One thing I'm especially excited about this Christmas is Drew and his family are coming down Christmas evening for dinner! That's the best Christmas present I could receive. It's going to be nice to have the house filled with people I love! So exciting!

I'm also using the break to prepare myself for my joint recital with Lauren next semester. I'm really looking forward to being able to perform a polished recital. I don't consider myself the best player, but I'm hoping to be able to show off a little. At least show I can make a beautiful sound.

Well, this house still needs cleaning and picking up, and presents still have to be wrapped! An update will happen after all the Christmas festivities are over! I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!

Sneezy

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

And so it is Reading Day. More like Jury Day to all of us music majors. I had my jury this morning at 10. I felt like it went ok, my piece was definitely the best part of it. I feel a sense of relief that it's over, but also dread of what Dr. Taylor will tell me in my post-jury appointment. I really never know how things went until that meeting. We'll see. Hopefully I don't have much to worry about. The exciting part is, this is my last reading day jury! The next two will be recital juries! Ahhhhh!

It is very cold outside today! I dread having to walk back to the music building in it. Brrrrrr. My new earmuffs kept my ears nice and warm though! I'm just spending my time inside relaxing and preparing for Christmas. I'm in the process of writing some Christmas cards at the moment. I'm not too worried about my exams. Tomorrow I have a conducting exam which should go fine. The other two are not really exams. For brass methods I have to arrange a 5-part brass chorale, which should be fairly easy since I'm pretty good with transposition. For marching band techniques we are presenting our show design projects. I just need to sit down and get all of that taken care of. So not too bad. I woke up this morning praising that I don't have any more ear training finals! I've paid my dues.....

Tonight, my roomies and I are going to have our Christmas and exchange gifts. It will be a lot of fun. I love this time of year. I'm really looking forward to the time I'm going to get to spend with my family and Drew and his family.

I hope everyone stays warm today and the rest of the week! Good luck on finals! Drink some hot chocolate!

Sneezy