Back in the USA

Yes, I've been silent for a long while on the blog. Doesn't mean that nothing is happening in my exciting life. In short, my last two weeks in Beijing were great. I managed to get copies of all the scores I needed, shipped about 40 lbs of books back to the USA and managed to get home in one piece. I came down with the most awful cold before leaving Beijing and was sick through Christmas. I had to pay around 1000 yuan for my excess baggage and I just did it. There was a little surprise on my flight home, as I was upgraded to business class because the flight was overbooked. I guess the money I spent was well-worth it.

I'm working 25% of what I used to last year. I teach "Music in World Cultures" and one private piano student. It is nice to have some time to myself and I am still keeping very busy, but this time on my own terms. I am practicing for my upcoming recital and writing my dissertation. Today the one month countdown to my recital starts. I have just finished the poster and program notes for the recital. Next would be the invitation cards.



I will play the recital on Qing Ming festival. This will be my final doctoral recital and will be part of Asia Interest Week activities. The recital will be featuring some Chinese pieces and will relate music to the history of China. I have five settings of Chinese folksongs, three in miniature forms and the other two in concert etude style. There will be a display in the lobby of scores and concert programs I brought back from Beijing. A photo exhibit preview will be held. A reception will follow the recital, provided by Creative Campus. I'm thankful for all the assistance, because I cannot afford all this this semester.

I am juggling preparing for job applications at the same time while this is going on. I am a little surprised that there is little career guidance or counseling in music schools. I'm wading through the process myself, very likely making mistakes but it's live and learn. There's always something new to find out.

The most exciting thing now is having a new set of friends - my China gang! I've been to the student center more often in the past couple weeks than I have the whole three years. :) I'm still actively dancing with the contra group here and in Birmingham. I may be giving the ballroom club a miss now and then. I've discovered, I just like to waltz and contra. I like the other dances too, but going to ballroom without a partner is a waste of time (I feel) because if I go to a dance, I expect to dance. If I'm not dancing, I'd rather be doing something more productive like practicing, reading or writing. Sleep is getting to be a precious commodity, much harder than the economy in my books.

Alright, back to the 88 keys for now....