Crazy...

I had a dream this morning that I had just bought a new iPad & Macbook, and I had a new sports car. I don't remember what kind of car it was, or how I got it. I also don't know where I was, since the settings of my dreams always take places in locations I've never been to. This one was near the ocean. But anyways, can you imagine what it would feel like to have a new iPad, Macbook and sports car all at one? It's almost as cool as having a new baby.

Our baby sure isn't new anymore, though. He just past the 5-month mark a week ago. Can you believe it? He's already had 5 months of existence. He's a pretty recent picture of him that I took on my phone:

Holly's been to a couple of rummage sales lately, and has come home with a ton of new things for Luke after spendin about $50. One big highlight is a beautiful changing table that's like new. Now we don't have to use our own bed to change him, and risk him peeing on the bed. Plus, we don't have to bend down as far to change him, which has done a number on my lower back. Other things we have gotten for him are this little chair pictured here, lots of clothes and other toys. Luke's room is filling up quick. Don't worry, there's still lots of room in there.

So you're probably wondering why it's been a while since my last blog entry...or if you aren't, you should be! :) Things have just been incredibly busy here...busier than they ever have been. It's tough to keep up with everything. School takes up most of my time on weekdays. I have 2-4 hours of rehearsals every day, a 3-hour class every Thursday evening, and a 2 hour class on Wednesday mornings. I also have at least 4 hours of commitment to my horn teacher every week, as part of my assistantship. Add 3-4 hours of practicing per day, and at least 1 hour of homework a day. Plus, on Tuesday nights I coach a youth band program at UWM. And then, Holly and I are involved with church activities for about 5 hours on Wednesday nights. That's what's going on. Where do I have free time? Pretty much on the weekends...which are full of random chores and activities. So, you can understand why I may take a while for an entry. I apologize to all you devote readers out there who are dying to know how Luke and Holly are doing (not so much me, I'd imagine). I'll try my best to keep you informed.

And for those of you who are curious about how I am doing, I'm doing well. School is a lot of fun so far. I play in the UWM symphony orchestra, wind ensemble & a brass quintet with other grad students, and I'm having so much fun playing in them. The orchestra is playing a lot of fun music, so that's exciting. The wind ensemble sounds really good, and we perform a lot with them this semester. The brass quintet is just plain fun, and pretty good, too. It's all fun, and I look forward to all the performances coming up later. I'm also enjoying working with my teacher. The classes I'm taking is a lot of work, but so far, I'm hanging in there.

Yes, as I've said before, I made a good choice coming to UWM. I love it here.

I really will try my hardest to write in here more often, if only just a paragraph or two.

Take care and value music...especially the music of Dvorak.

The streak continues

I've been principal horn (that's 1st chair) in an orchestra for the last five years. It started with the CWU Orchestra during my 3rd year. By the time I graduated, I had worked my way up to principal chair of the Mid-Columbia Symphony in the Tri-Cities in Washington, which I held up until we moved to Wisconsin. Now, here at UWM, I have successfully auditioned to the principal chair of the orchestra. It's just such a great feeling to move into a new area and make a good impression. It's also cool to continue my streak of seeing 1st horn parts on my stand with at least one large ensemble, and to see that chair sitting there waiting for my butt to occupy it every rehearsal. I make such a big deal out of this not only because I obviously love playing principal horn, but also because I never thought I'd get to be principal horn, let alone for this long in my life. It'll probably be over once I graduate from UWM, so I'm gonna enjoy it while I can.

Don't get me wrong - Playing section horn (2nd, 3rd & 4th chairs) is a pretty amazing experience, too. I'd be happy to have a career as one of these. But still, I love principal horn the most, and I'd want that job most of all. Plus, it the professional world, principal hornists are paid more!

So orchestra rehearsals will start up soon. I also made it into Wind Ensemble, which is the top concert band at UWM, although they haven't announced chair placements yet. I think that they do a little more rotating of parts in Wind Ensemble, while in orchestra, my section with stay the same for the whole school year. Other than those ensembles, I'm started up with classes and stuff, and I think they're going to go well. It's just two classes, and they'll have a lot of work involved, but they'll still be quite rewarding. I've also starting horn lessons with my horn professor, which are going fantastically well, and will continue to. It's cool having a desk in the horn studio office with my professor. I feel so...important there.

On top of all the great things about school, I've also made a few great friends here already. Holly and I had a few of them over last weekend, and had a really great time. They're all grad students, too. Each of the grad students I've met here have been really awesome people, and I'm getting along with everyone quite well. Now I'm eager to hear the skill level of all these musicians!

As you can tell, I'm really loving UWM. I made a good choice.

So while I'm busy with school stuff, Holly will be mostly at home with Luke. Actually, she's doing her best to get involved with activities away from the house. She's going to be involved with a women's bible study with the church we go to. She's been hanging out a lot with one of our new friends, who is a wife whose husband is also a UWM grad student. Holly's also looking to do some babysitting.

As you can see, Holly and I will be doing totally different things in our everyday lives, while still trying to get as much time as we can together. During the week, I won't be able to be home much. But so far on the weekends I have no commitments to keep me from home. Once I find a part time job, that may change, though.

And what about Luke, you ask? Yes, I made you read most of this blog entry when all you really wanted to read about was Luke. Well, Luke's doing fine, of course! He's just growin' and growin'. He's been pretty vocal, although it's all jibberish, still. Nothing else spectacular is happening as of now. You'll hear about it, don't worry.

Sorry to be out of touch to all you eager readers. I've had a busy week. I'll try to write more often.

Take care and value music.

Summer is ending...

Probably the most interesting summer I've had so far. It definitely was not an easy time, with have to move,  travel a ton (not only across the country, but also between our parents' houses beforehand), getting adjusted to having a baby, and getting ourselves established in Shorewood, WI. We still haven't sorted every little thing out, but we're pretty much settled in our place with no more unpacking needed. Now, I'm looking for a part-time job. I am already making a few bucks extra helping out with a youth wind ensemble program here at UWM, and I have 1 student I'm teaching lessons to. But, more is better. Holly's been looking into baby sitting, since she's experienced with that and definitely responsible. So wish us luck as we search for jobs. Never a fun process, but always quite rewarding. I'm counting on it to be much easier to find a job here in the city instead of in eastern Washington...mainly because I'm not required to speak Spanish.

One thing's for sure, I love living in the city. It's actually been something I've always wanted to do, based on the fact that I've always been fascinated by big cities every time I've visited one. I enjoyed the kind of neighborhood I grew up with, and that sort of area would probably be the ideal place to buy a house in and settle down, but for now, the city works well.

School starts on Tuesday, and I'm excited for things to get going, although next week for me won't be very busy, since ensembles don't start until the following week.

Holly and I have started watching this show on Netflix called Heroes, which ran for 4 seasons from 2006 to 2010. It's like a sci-fi drama, but the sci-fi element is much more mild that normal, which means Holly can tolerate it a little easier. It's about ordinary people who find out they have some sort of superhuman powers, and how these random people somehow meet each other and work together to save the world from certain disasters. One guy finds out that he can hear the thoughts of people. A high school cheerleader finds out that she can regenerate any injuries she gets, including reviving herself from death. A Japanese dude can actually stop time, giving him the ability to teleport. Another girl has super strength. It's a really awesome show that Holly and I are drawn into. You should really check it out.

We're going to have some of my new friends from UWM over today. They're all fellow grad students in music. Should be a fun time!

Take care and value music.