"We read to know we are not alone"

So let's just call this the Summer of Reading.

For some odd reason, I can't stop buying books this summer. I just finished V for Vendetta (my first graphic novel) and am wondering what to start next.

Here are my options:

Kurt Vonnegut-Deadeye Dick
Stephen Colbert- I Am America (And So Can You!)
Tim Burton- Burton on Burton
Marjane Satrapi- The Complete Persepolis
Franz Kafka-The Trial
Christopher Buckley-Supreme Courtship
Rob Bell- Sex God
Rob Bell- Drops Like Stars
Scott Turow- One L

Where oh where to start?

In other news, I have been really looking forward to the future lately. This year is going to be a great one, I have a very rooted set of friends, a new place, (tons of new books), new classes, I'm getting more involved in organizations on campus, and am working on some amazing music for my junior recital. All of these things are only for this year, but I can't help but be excited about the long road as well. I've decided that I am dead set on going to law school and am really excited about where it will take me.

I think I want to get more involved in photography. Lately, I have been trying to figure out some fine details about my camera so I can take great shots without having to buy an expensive point and shoot (digital SLR). I've also been messing around with Photoshop lately and could see myself working on some photography projects that I could possibly blow up and hang on the wall.

This blog post has been all over the place (as is my mind), but I wanted to end on some great news I found out today. I will be seeing Switchfoot live for the first time on August 13th and I could not be more excited. This concert will be different for me than others, however, because Jon Foreman's (lead singer) music has had such a powerful effect on my life and if I got the chance to meet him, I could only thank him for his gift. His solo Four Seasons albums has been a piece of music I have connected with during my aunt's last days in the hospital and on my search to be a loving follower of Christ.

Off to read!

this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose vis-à-vis an introduction

Thought this accurately depicted the NYC state of mind.

This is my last week in The Big Apple and I cannot describe how great it has been to be here for 6 weeks, but at the same time, I really miss home. I can't wait to get back to normal life, not catching a subway to a tourist filled square, working for the day, and taking a subway back home to a closet sized room for the night. I have had so many great experiences in the city and can't wait to share them with all my family and friends.

Going through this program has confirmed what I want to do for a living, but it also helped me to realize what I do not desire in life. I realized that I am not, nor will ever want to be a litigator. Yes, the name is ironic due to a certain school mascot I have a relation to, but it is just not me. I can't imagine going in front of a room full of people, a jury, and a judge who grills you with questions (on appeals court at least). I am fine working in an office, meeting with clients on a personal basis and settling the dispute via non-trial methods.

I am really ready for law school. I have this weird obsession with being busy, so I feel as if this could translate well into losing my life studying at said law school. I have always been open to an academic challenge and can't wait to experience this in law school.

The rest of this blog is completely random, but it is something I really need to talk about. There was a free NY Philharmonic concert in Central Park tonight that I did not attend. Let me first say that I think the NY Phil is absolutely amazing after seeing them in concert on Friday night. I am very impressed by their control and artistry. Alas, this is not the reason I did not attend tonight (aside from the reason that I am feeling under the weather). The real reason was the guest artist; Lang Lang. Lang Lang, if you are not familiar with him, has gained extreme international fame for being one of the "best pianists of our time". I could not agree with this statement any less. I will say that he has done an amazing job at opening the realm of classical music to people around the world that do not listen or appreciate the genre. I am not talking about this facet, however. As a pianist, I look at the overall presentation of the artist as a musician, both technically and musically. I will say that Lang Lang has incredible technique that allows him to tackle any piece. Where I stray from the popular opinion (mostly composed of non-pianists) is his understanding and presentation of the music he plays. He is incredibly "showy" to the point that sacrifices the music. It is my opinion that amazing music can speak for itself and does not require the performer to "put on a show" so to speak. Yes, Lang Lang can play every note written on the page, but what is that music when there is no emotional understanding? Lang Lang simply overstates too many things for me to appreciate him as a pianist. This has been a long rant about something pianists could spend hours talking about, but I just needed to say this (or blog in this case) to everyone. If you are not too familiar with pianists and are interested in researching or listening to a Chinese pianist, please go with Yundi Li. He is someone who really understands music and performs it in a way that gives meaning to the piece and respect to the composer.

Can't wait to come home on Sunday!

I look out the window, the birds are composing

Today was a great day.

I found a great Boba tea place around Columbia that is only a few blocks from where I am staying. The tea there was (dare I say it) better than Lollicup by miles.

After, I went to see the stage adaptation of The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis. I still haven't gotten to the book as it is directly after Mere Christianity (which I am almost done with) in the volume I am reading (and that I left at home). The play was absolutely phenomenal, I think I was the first one to stand applauding after it had ended. The acting was amazing, the messages were incredible, it was just an all-around great performance. My favorite line from the play (which I would assume is a dramatic reading of the book) was:

"Religion in moderation is no better than no religion at all"

Now on to a different subject. I wanted to express the power music has in my life and here is why:

After the play, I walked home, changed in to more comfortable clothes, grabbed my iPod, and went to Riverside park to lay down and look at the stars. Although it was a bit hot outside, I found a nice spot with a pretty clear view of the sky. I decided to choose Jon Foreman's Four Seasons as the soundtrack to the night. At that moment, sitting there, listening to my music and staring at the sky, I appreciated my life more than I think I ever had. Looking around I can see amazing trees, tons of airplanes flying through the skies, a million stars, all a part of God's amazing creation. On top of that, here I am, God's most complex creation, getting to live in this amazing world He has made for us. I thought about my aunt, who passed away last year, and smiled knowing she was right there with me. I miss you Bubbie.

Music just has an amazing effect on me, I feel like it's such an emotional outlet that can not be rivaled by any in the history of this world. I thank God every day for the power of music, especially its' effect on me.

I will leave you with a quote by one of the biggest musical geniuses of all time.

“Music is an agreeable harmony for the honor of God and the permissible delights of the soul.”- Johann Sebastian Bach