God is gone up with a triumphant shout!
The Lord with sounding trumpets melodies:
sing praise, sing praises out unto our King,
sing praise seraphic-wise!
Lift up your heads, ye lasting doors, they sing,
and let the King of Glory enter in.

Methinks I see Heaven's sparkling courtiers fly
in flakes of glory down him to attend,
and hear heart-cramping notes of melody
surrounding his chariot as it did ascend;
mixing their music and making ev'ry string
more to enravish as they this tune sing.


- Text by Edward Taylor (1647-1729)
from "Sacramental Meditations"

Graduation Day 5/21/06

Shadi, Lorena, and I
Lorena and I
Deirdre and I

Well, in the words of my friend Sarah "You're no longer a BM but an MM!!"
Yes - it's true my friends! 2 years have come and they have gone and I can hardly believe it. This whole past week has been a complete whirlwind to me - from my recital to graduation. I have a piece of paper and credentials that claim I'm a "master" at something - but really, how much can a person actually master in 2 years!? Not trying to be pessimistic - I mean, I've definately grown A LOT and gotten a good hold of myself and my instrument but I also feel like it's just the beginning and that I've not quite 'master'ed anything quite yet. Hence, staying for another year to keep the momentum going when it's still good. Graduation was bitter sweet for many reasons. The most bitter part was not the leaving (because I'll be back!!) but the fact that I couldn't share the day with my closest and dearest friends who deserved to be there and to be recognized for all their hard work and couldn't because of tests tests tests and rules rules rules. The past two years have not just been molded by my teachers, coaches, and my own hard work but even more so, and perhaps most importantly, by my friends who lend support, give love and constructive criticism and make the experience what it is - perhaps very rare to find at a higher education conservatory of music. I could only half enjoy the day because of not being able to share the celebration with them. However, the other 1/2 of me WAS excited. The speakers were fantastic and it was wonderful to have my family and Sarah there to see me graduate.

Flying Kites and Such...
After rousing good fun in Room 10 (the reception room)- we came back to our apartment and played a jolly good game of Apples to Apples which lasted until 2:00 in the morning! The wine had worn off by then and we were also getting down to the bottom of the pile in cards. I promise that I have nothing against Rosa Parks!
Thursday morning Hannah, Jonathan, Sarah, and Simon and I walked down to the Charles River and flew the kite that Jonathan brought with him. There was just enough wind to actually allow the kite to stay up in the air for a while.

Yesterday (Friday) Sarah and I went to the Longfellow house over on Brattle St. in Cambridge. I had never been and it was really interesting! I love historic places! Last night, my parents and brother arrived so now we have full house! We walked all over Boston today and we are so exhausted. It's fun having them here!























Hannah and Jonathan setting up the kite
Do you see the kite??
Jonathan and Sarah and I
Cambridge Commons - Yumi sporting her new haircut
Sarah and I
Naoko and I

Master's Recital





















Jayne and her student
The 3 babes
My collaborative gang
Naoko, Mike and Sara
Sara and Bree

Two Rach(a)el's and a Louie
Angela couldn't believe I was actually wearing fishnet stockings under that dress!
Ashley and Me
Capital group (with one from Manhattan :-)

Longy friends group pics
A little too much wine for Rachael - it looks like I'm crying but I'm actually laughing hysterically
Ballet dancing with Angela
Bree and Michelle swingin me around Room 10 - look at the hair!!

I'm not sure how this happened, and maybe I need to stop questioning "why??!!" BUT I somehow recieved a "P" for passing beside my chorale harmonization which means that I am allowed to graduate this coming Sunday!!!!! Oh - and I passed the piano profeciency as well but I knew that before I got the official results on Saturday. The reaction was one of stumbling backwards and Bree having to catch me or something - I don't remember exactly as everything was a whirlwind. Now I just have this recital to do - which I'm actually really excited about now!!!! My dress is "supposed" to be done tomorrow and I have a bit more reception shopping to do. Other than all of that, I'm good to go. I have my dress rehearsal this evening which will hopefully go well and then just some resting and reviewing!
Sarah comes in tomorrow night at 5:00 and Jonathan and Hannah come on Wednesday! It will be great to have everyone here! I'm so excited! My parents and bro will arrive on Friday and I'm glad that they actually have something to come for (ie. graduation!!!) However, Sarah and I may have to build an ark for everyone to sight-see in! It's supposed to continue to rain throughout this week which is just so disappointing. I think it started raining last Monday and just hasn't stopped!!!!!
Lastly, a great big thank you for all of you who prayed for me during the exams last week! Even though I'm not sure why or how this all came about to be - I know that it was meant to be because it was asked for according to God's will and plan in my life. I would have been disappointed if it had turned out the other way but would have also known there was a reason for that path to take the turn it did.
Check back later in the week for Recital pics :-)