Recital Poster
February seemed to be a good month for me. On Monday, February 16th, I performed my senior performance recital on both oboe and English horn. Unfortunately, I was sick with a cold and head congestion which made things a little more difficult and often times rather interesting. But I was still able to get through the recital. My dress was absolutely beautiful and I am currently trying to find another place to wear it! I don't have pictures yet as my camera was not used, but hopefully will soon from others! My parents came out on Sunday after their church service and we enjoyed a late dinner. Monday was spent preparing for the recital and reception following. My aunt and uncle from Rochester were kind enough to bring their chocolate fountain and supply chocolate for the reception. My mother brought another fountain from a colleague at work. I was almost more excited about the reception than the recital itself. In attendance at the recital were my oboe studio and other various school friends, along with members from my local church. I was so excited to see everyone. As a special surprise, my Aunt Kathy and her two sons, Matthew and Tim, drove from Indianapolis to see me and attend the recital. I loved being able to share the night with all my friends and family. It meant so much.
The other exciting news of February is my acceptance to Calvin Theological Seminary. This past Thursday, I was at church doing some work with the secretary and received a phone call from a young man named Eric, who introduced himself as my student ambassador. He is a second-year Master of Arts student and was very pleasant. He encouraged me to attend the Seminary Preview Day in March, which is an opportunity to visit the campus and meet with professors and other students. I was somehow curious as to why I would be assigned a student ambassador before I had been accepted into the seminary. On a hunch, I checked my email from the church computer, and there in my inbox was the acceptance email. I immediately called my parents and told them the good news. I have some place to go in the fall! In Friday's mail, I received the official letter in the mail along with other information. The Seminary Preview Day happens to fall on the Friday of my spring break, so I'm preparing for another road trip west! I'm excited about this new chapter opening in my life. There is a lot I will miss about Fredonia, and western New York in general. But I am ready to move on, step forward into the future. This semester cannot end soon enough!
The last good thing about February was the surprisingly warm temperatures which melted all of the snow from January before my parents arrived for the recital. This is a picture of my deck, looking out my kitchen doors, with the snow at about its deepest.
It would melt down, and more snow would then arrive. Now there is brown grass and though it tries to snow, its rarely very successful. Dunkirk Dan, New York's famous groundhog, predicted an early spring and so far he seems to be right on. We've had days in the 50s where I've barely needed a coat to go outside. I believe 50 degrees in always warmed at the end of winter than the end of summer. Temperature is relative, and even the high 20s we've had this week seem pleasant. Here's to hoping the snow is done for the season!
