Back to the Books

Hello from Oregon State University! The campus and our new diggs are lovely, despite the occasional manure smell from the pasture across the street. We're feeling a little more moved in every day. Clothes are slowly finding their way to new homes (especially when there is a desperate need to discover a pair of shorts in this wickedly hot weather), dishes are being discovered (Erik just found the colander in the boys' room), and study spaces are coming into being.

The adjustment to being a student again has been both difficult and rewarding. Difficult for many reasons. The boys have not adjusted well to the idea of Mom being in view, and yet unable to easily focus on them. As someone who has formerly depended on quiet solitary space for study, transitioning to attempting to focus on academic literature while boys are jumping on you and screaming for attention has not been easy. As an non-TA, non-"research" grad student... an office was not in the offering. Also, the music building is on the other side of campus, and without a bike, with children at home, and walking in the heat - the idea of walking there just to study is simply out of the question. At the same time, the class-work itself was much more than I had anticipated (although, from a learning perspective, that's a great thing). On the first day of class, I was handed music and told to be ready for rehearsal that evening. Other students in the class knew what to expect, and received their music earlier in the summer. I had registered late, as I didn't anticipate having housing here in Corvallis in time to take the class. Until this evening, I've felt like I was cramming hard for a final every day. In a way, I was. However, so far, the work has really paid off. I'm learning and improving much, which is the goal! (Not to mention I already have the opportunity to stand in front of 100+ voices, wave my arms, and have music of the masters resonate before my ears!)

We're finding solutions to the problems we've met: making office/study space in the bedroom (including the purchasing of a desk and mirrors, and a new computer as our laptop is dead) , landing the ideal job as the Community Assistant for our housing community (I get to be an RA all over again, hurray!), and juggling our time to maximize efficient study/family time.

My favorite solution we've found is having picnic dinners on days I have class and rehearsals. This allows me quiet study time after class, I don't have to wipe myself out walking home and back again just to grab dinner, and I get outdoor play time with my BOYS. I'm SO grateful to have such an amazing supportive husband/father-of-my-kids. He's truly lived up to every expectation of my pre-marriage rose-colored-glasses-he's-perfect days.

Erik, I love you!

As a friend commented on Facebook, if I'm looking forward to doing my homework, I'm obviously in the right place. I really am passionate about what I'm studying. I may not be as technically refined (yet!) in my conducting as the others, nor have the vocal training that they do (but I am learning!), but I'm having a great adventure and look forward to the leader/conductor I'm becoming. Future choir classroom.... wa'chout!