Le Travaille Commence!

The work begins!

Hello every one, sorry I haven't had time to update the blog in a while. What has happened?

- I conducted/rehearsed an orchestra for the first time

- I've started babysitting 3 french children

- Classes are kickin' my butt

So lets begin! First I'm going to copy a message I sent to my family describing my experience conducting the orchestra last tuesday night. If you've already read it, you can skim past:

Where do I begin?

I admit that I felt twinges of nervousness throughout the day, and finally really had time to reflect on the nervousness that evening on the car ride over to the rehearsal. But as I sat in the car thinking about things, I realized- how can we be nervous about the things that we want? When you spend countless hours working toward a goal, and the opportunity is at last presented, then how could I be worried about it? I should only be excited, expectant, and above all, thankful. I have been talking the talk for months, all about wanting to be a conductor- and at last the world had challenged me to walk! What more should I expect? For it to be easy? I know each of you have faced challenges far more daunting in your life, so I have nothing to complain about.

Rehearsal went well while I was playing flute; it was great to play in an orchestra again! Then after about 1/2 and hour, the director explained that the amercian he had introduced last week was going to conduct the orchestra. There was sort of a murmer of "oo!"'s and I grabbed my baton and hoped up there. I said a little introduction of "I'm honored to have this opportunity. Please excuse my french, it's not good, but I'll try. Hopefully the music will go beyond the language difficulties" Every one was very nice with big smiles, waiting to see the cute little girl conduct. haha.

The piece I conducted was Bizet's Farandole, which you can hear on youtube at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUot1r2QSow&feature=related

It's quite appropriate because the Farandole is a dance that comes from this region in France! It's a very fun piece to play and conduct! If I had to summarize the experience, I'd have to say it was fun. Very exciting, and very comfortable for me! There was only one moment where I thought, "holy crap, if my parents could see me! Leading this whole group of musicians!" while the rest of the time was me thinking, "oh gosh, how do I explain what I want to in French?!" or "why aren't the violins together?" I rehearsed the orchestra as best I could, pulling out parts that needed help and explaining the sort of feeling the music needed to have. It's one thing to have a conversation with a french person about your school and interests, and another to say, "please phrase the melody this way- and don't rush! listen to the timpani here!" haha

When the evening was done, it was an odd feeling: nothing about me had really changed, but it was like there was an added part of me then. A new flavor in my life- something that I had never tasted before. Sort of like when you go to another country the first time, and when you leave, part of it has stuck onto you, become a part of you.

In other news, I've been hired as a babysitter/teacher to work with 3 french kids on improving their english, which is already pretty good, as they lived in NYC for 4 years recently. We prepared a little snack together the other day so they could read the recipe to practice their english and then get to complete the act with making the snack- we made Ants on a Log! [celery, peanut butter, raisins] Yum!

Matteo [6] in the back, Carla [8] presenting her creation

Thomas [11] on the left

The week has just been full of classes, work, trying to jog most days[its tough to fight all of the nutella and bread here!], practicing organ when I can, etc.

Friday night though one of the directors in the Vanderbilt in france program hosted all of the students at her house for a dinner. Was a lot of fun! She was the woman who first encouraged me to think about studying abroad! Seen here, in the center.

Friends enjoying the evening!

So the weekend hasn't been very eventful, I've just been trying to stay focused on work- big test and a couple of little papers due this week, but I really want to keep good grades here. It's tough, but I mean, this is my junior year! It's really counting now... ahh.

I went to the market yesterday [saturday morning] and spent about 10 euros on tons of woooonnnderful fresh fruits and vegetables! I got to have a brunch of delicious sweet fruit while I did some score studied of Dvorak New World Symphony, which I'll be conducting at this tuesday's orchestra rehearsal! How awesome of a way is that to start the day?

All of my love!

-me