GRMR String Quartet State Competition

Tomorrow, thursday night..... my string quartet and I are leaving for a state competition in Ellensburg.

For the past months we've spent with one other, I can say my passion for music has really grown and matured in so many ways. Learning from and being surrounded with 2 seniors and a junior, have really changed my perspective in music. Well, not just music... but basically everything. They've played a huge role in stretching my mind to think beyond the obvious. They've helped me in so many ways.

The string quartet we've formed has been one of the highlights of the school year. Together, we rehearsed for hours and sacrificed time/freedom to do the best we could. I say "to do the best we could" because we never really had a specific spot we were reaching. We just wanted to put forth our best effort and show that throughout our music, represent KM, and have fun in the competitive environment. And really, we did do our best. Although none of us expected to go to State and were just expecting a 1 Superior score from the judge, we always did our best even if we had the slightest doubt in the back of our minds. We never had professional coaching from anyone. We practiced all by ourselves, and did it as a team. After the competition, as we were informed that we made it to state bceause we were the regional champions for the GRMR small group competition, beating 26 other teams, everyone was so happy and thrilled. That moment was so unforgettable, and I will never forget the rush of adrenaline I felt in my heart. I felt really proud and I knew that everyone in our string quartet family really deserved this, because we did all this by ourselves.

That was on March 14th. Now....we're leaving at 6 PM tomorrow for our State competition which is on April 24th on a friday. Doesn't time just fly? Especially when you're having fun, or being productive. Well, I'm leaving thursday evening to rehearse with the group, since our performance is at 8:10 AM. [We're the 2nd group to go.] We will be bright bright and cheery, so we can make a good impression on the judges, and of course.... be awake when performing! I'm just so happy with the improvement everyone in our group has made. Together, we've bonded, learned from one another, and have become passionate about the music we make together regardless of how many times we've played it. At first, the bond between each member in the quartet wasn't very close. But as we helped each other out, rehearsed at Logan's house, and started conversations..... we did get closer. The bond and time experienced with the members of a string quartet play an immense role in the music, and connection.

All those hours of rehearsals on weekdays, weekends, and breaks were worth it. Most definitely. On weekends, we we would rehearse from 5 or 6 PM, and get home at 9:45 PM. Sometimes, we'd get home past 10 as well. On school nights, we'd usually get home at around 8 - 9:15 ish. Then when we had coachings in Seatte, Dashpoint, and other areas. Preparing for this competition and just bonding as a string quartet is really time-consuming, but definitely worth it. Well, after becoming regional champs, we took our rehearsals a lot more seriously, and finally starting getting professional coaching from famously known musicians such as Elka [logan's private teacher], Quinton Morris, and John Schandle. Our very first coaching was from Elka. I just felt so honored to meet these people that were well-known in professional musical circles or recognized nationally in the music industry.

I feel privileged as a freshman, to be able to go to state with upperclassmen that share the same connection and passion with me for music. I feel really grateful to be meeting big people, and having professional conversations and coachings from them at their house. I don't want to boast or brag, so I want to let everyone know that I'm not any better than anyone else. I'm not any more qualified, or capable than any other human being. It's just that I've come this far, because I really was passionate about the music, and the fact that I received plenty of feedback from my fellow string quartet members. Thanks to them.... I know I can lead the orchestra next year a lot better than I thought, and grow as a musician.

Thanks so much everyone. I feel so grateful, blissful, and excited. Seniors Logan Ellis, Kailee Wright, and junior Eric Siljig really deserve some recognition. We've been through a lot together. In orchestra, outside of school, and in rehearsals.

Even if we don't place in state or get the score we expected.... as a string quartet we truly did try our best, and we improved in so many ways possible. We're all grateful to just represent KM by making it to state, and going to a state ensemble competition. What made us even more proud was the fact that KM didn't go to a state music ensemble in the last decade!

Well, before I go, I'm really going to reflect this school year and remind myself to be thankful, and just have fun for friday. Although I'm glowing with happiness, I feel guilty in some ways because this blog sounds like I'm a total attention-getter. Sorry. I just write things out to speak my mind, and what's going on in my life. And, I wanted to inform everyone how thankful and appreciative for their kind words.

This is probably the first time I'm not nervous to perform or compete with others. It's because I feel confident and ready for tomorrow. I hope all of our hard work pays off!

WISH US LUCK GUYS! :D Love you all, and thanks for the support.

GO ROSAMUNDE STRING QUARTET OF 2009!

Evaluation on the song Spring Time

Summary:
The song Spring Time by the korean pianist, Yiruma, is a mellow, sad, yet peaceful song to the ears. When you listen to it, it instantly warms your heart, and wants you to close your eyes to think of all the past pretty memories you had in your life. Well, at least that's how it's like for me. I'm not sure, but I think this song was in a korean drama as well, because several of Yiruma's songs are used in asian dramas. In this song, the melody starts out at an alto pitch, and as the climax of the song gets nearer, the the pitches get higher and more chords are heard throughout the piece. This song is not very dramatic, but more of a song you can listen to when you can't go to sleep.

Evaluation:
I would give this song 5 out of 5 stars. I've always loved Yiruma's songs because they're so peaceful, and passionate. Just listening to each of his songs warm my heart! Definitely, Spring Time is one of my all-time favorites. This piece isn't too fast, or too slow. The speed, pitches, and everything is just perfect [at least in my opinion.] I know that whenever I need to clear my mind, or just relax... I can always listen to this song and feel at peace. Although Spring Time sounds very mellow and sad in some ways, it also brings a sense of hope, and a "new beginning." Especially the part after you finish listening to the climax. It's just like a breath of fresh air.

Overall, it's kind of hard trying to describe this song, because really... it can bring different emotions and feelings for everyone. It all depends on the way you take this song, and what your situation is. Good thing is, Spring Time is a song you can listen to any time regardless of the situation, or mood. The main reason I listen to this song is because it's calming, and meaningful. Five stars!

Evaluation on 2009's School Spring Break

Summary:
Spring break. It's a time for kids to relax, sleep in, hang out with friends, have time to talk on the phone, to check your myspaces/facebooks, and just time to do everything you've missed out on. School breaks/vacations are always exciting for students & staff members, because it gives you the opportunity to do things you couldn't do on school days. Well, spring break lasts one week, and it started last saturday. This will be my first spring break in high school. How exciting. [Not, ha.] Anyways, during spring break I can gurantee you that a lot of kids will procastinate and slack off when it comes to homework. Why? Because they think that they will have all the time in the world, when really.... when one is having so much fun, time seems to fly by faster than you think. Overall, spring break is just very enlightening & delightful to students, obviously because there's NO SCHOOL! (: I just hope everyone uses the time we have this week wisely.

Evaluation:
If I would have to rank this year's spring break from a scale 1-10, it would have to be around a 4 or 5. Why do I say this? Well, actually all of my breaks this year haven't turned out like what I expected, nor have they been relaxing. Sadly, breaks to me are no longer considered weeks of relaxation, hanging out, or free time. Instead, they're a time for catching up on activities, making up for lessons, doing homework, and eventually sleeping in. The only thing that really satisfies me this spring break is the fact that I will be getting a lot of sleep. Before I start getting to anything big, I'm going to warn my readers that this post will basically include a lot of my complaints about spring break. Hopefully, you can endure my incredibly long, boring, and painful rants.

So.... before spring break starts, most people exchange ideas and plans for what they want to do over break with their friends. They talk about what movie they'll watch, when they'll go shopping, or "chill." Well, I on the other hand have something different in store for me. So if you're curious, you'll be wondering, what exactly am I doing this spring break? 4 words: a lot of things. Complaint # 1: My piano teacher expects me to finish a huge, advanced piece just in one week of this spring break. We started working on the piece before, but things were pretty slow because I was busy with other things. Problem is, even though I'm on break now, I really don't know how I'm going to do this. This piece is incredibly difficult in so many ways, and I'm so depressed that I have to cram all this practicing in. Sadly, I can't even take my teacher's words lightly because she believes I can do this, so I can't let her down, or dissapoint myself. So much pressure, this sucks. :( But at least I don't have any violin lessons & byso rehearsals in bellevue this spring break, so I'm very, very, very happy! Next several complaints [skip this, and go to the next complaint if this part bores you]: Well, here's just a basic idea of my schedule: Last saturday: piano lesson, string quartet rehearsal, extra hours of piano & violin [because my private teachers are giving me more pieces to work on since it's break], & hw. Sunday: Church, piano & violin practice, and hw. Monday: Piano & violin practice, IRP group meeting, hw. Tuesday & Wednesday: Piano & violin practice, homework, IRP group meeting, and String Quartet rehearsal at 6 PM & 7 AM. Thursday: piano & violin practice, homework, and String Quartet coaching @ Seattle University 2:00 PM. Friday: Piano & violin practice, and homework. Saturday: piano lesson, instrument practicing, homework, String Quartet rehearsal, [maybe] IRP meeting. Sunday: hw, instrument practicing, church. Next complaint: Sigh... I really don't like how I have to include my instrument practicing on my schedule since it should already be an everyday thing. Darn these time-consuming pieces! Now I have more things to do. :// Well, I could rant and complain forever, but I think I should stop here for the reader's sake. As for me, it's actually helping me relieve my stress, ha.

Sigh... well look on the bright side. At least I don't have to go to school. Last Complaint: But then, I'm pretty sure I won't be able to talk on the phone often with my friends or hang out with them this week. Sorry guys. So overall.... this spring break won't be a time for me to lazy or relax 24/7, but it'll be more of a productive, work week. Oh well, it feels good to get things done. I'll feel accomplished, haha. Wish me luck guys! I'll try to stay positive, and realize how I should take advantage of the time I have. This spring isn't that bad, at least I can still catch up on some sleep! Hope everyone has a great spring break! You guys deserve a break after all the projects we've been getting lately, phew.

Evaluation on TV

Summary:
TV's have been around for decades, and people watch them on a regular daily basis. People have certain shows they love to watch, and so they tweak their schedules to make time to watch those episodes. TV's are a main source of entertainment to children and adults. When you're bored, tired, hungry, or even hungry.... TV always seems to be the answer. It seems to be the cure for baby-sitting, and especially for boredom. Although TV's are big in communication and seem to entertain people, there are a lot of negative things that follow along with the simple pleasures as well.

Evaluation:
Sometimes, watching TV becomes a habit and can form into an addiction. Eyes are glued to the screen, and children become couch potatoes, sitting on the couch for hours - eating chips, cookies, ice cream, junk food, and even skipping family meals to watch an episode. It's so easy for TV to take over one's life. I mean, if you constantly crave to watch TV every single day, and you can't go on a day without watching your favorite show.... that's a problem. But if you just watch at the most an hour of TV a few days a week, that's fine. But I personally, don't watch TV. It's just every now and then during break, I take the time to watch about 30 minutes of any random channel that's on the TV. Then I get up and usually go practice my instrument or I sleep in. I don't even have a certain show that I watch daily or weekly. My parents never provided cable for my brother and I, because they didn't want us to be influenced by inappropriate things and "waste time" when we had other priorities to take care of. When I was kid, I always wanted to watch TV. I thought it was unfair that everyone else had cable except for me. If my friends came over my house, they would always ask, "Hey, so do you watch LOST? I love Survivor! Did you watch that last night?" and my brother & I would always have to reply, "We don't have cable." I never really took into consideration that watching TV for too long was a "waste of time," quoted from my parents. I thought it was only normal for people to watch at least 1-2 hours of their favorite shows everyday, and discuss about them the next day with their friends. Actually.... it's just a bad habit that society has adapted to. Overall, connecting to my past has allowed me to appreciate and be thankful for what my parents have done. Although as a kid I complained about not being able to watch TV everyday and not having cable, if it weren't for my parents.... I'd probably have my eyes glued to the screen everyday. Therefore, I don't think TV is the best way to use time or even turn to as a source of entertainment. There are plenty of other ways to have fun while being productive. As long as you don't sit on the couch for over 2 hours watching TV everyday, it's fine and it won't do you any harm.

Evaluation on High School Relationships.

Summary:
Many people have been in fun, blissful high school relationships, and many have been had their hearts broken as well. High school relationships are common to have in your teenage years but unfortunately, they can be dangerous and bring negative changes as well. Relationships are always fun, and to spend time with "that special someone" is always another memory to cherish, and would never be considered a waste of time. It's because you like that person and have mutual feelings for them. But even though relationships are enjoyable, memorable, and make you feel like you're the happiest or even luckiest person in the world.... they always end. Especially high school relationships. Why do I say that? It's because high school relationships are frivolous, and teenagers are so young to fully comprehend what true love is. They don't know the basics of responsibility, of truly supporting another person than themselves, and sacrificing. Teenagers are still kids, and not adults.

Evaluation:
As I said before, I believe that high school relationships are frivolous. People don't take them seriously, and they aren't real. Sure, they will always remain as good memories to reminiscence every now and then.... but they aren't that important at that age. They shouldn't be thought about 24/7, because isn't that just a waste of time? It's a waste of the person you are too, because you're wishing to be with someone else, when you should be worried about doing your best. Even if a couple considered themselves serious in a relationship, high school students are most likely not responsible and mature enough to control themselves. Isn't that why girls get pregnant? Isn't that the reason why students fail classes, because they lose their minds and forget about everything but that one person? I think it's best to focus on yourself, your goals, and school at such a young age because that's when you're still growing, and building a foundation for your future. If you slack off during that time.... you miss all the opportunities, and you lack so many standards that your classmates earned while you were mentally off-task. And even if a couple was dating for all their 4 years of high school, it would extremely difficult emotionally & mentally to continue that relationship, because once they enter college... they have to live independent lives when they're attached to one another and incomplete. But you see, college is a place where you really have to know where you stand, and who you are. If you aren't using all of your potential and carrying independence, it's going to be challenging to keep up with such a rigorous and demanding environment. Overall, I'm not saying high school relationships are totally unecessary, and are for slackers. I'm just saying... they're just for fun, and even though at that age you say that you're in love, you're only 14-18. You haven't experienced a lot of things in life yet because you still have a far way to go. But it's possible that you have deep feelings for another individual, or become infatuated for someone. Anyways... my point is that, high school relationships will not last forever and as a student, one connection between a person shouldn't take control over your life decisions.

Thought You Would Return

Summary:
The korean song, Thought You Would Return is a love song, sang by 2 singers - a boy & a girl. The two artists - HwaYobi [female] & KCM [male] sing together with lyrics that relate to an extremely sad relationship. HwaYobi & KMC are acting like the characters of the couple that have had their heart broken. The main idea behind the lyrics of this song is that although the couple broke up and had new lovers at the time, they were still carrying strong, mutual feelings for one another & wanted to go back to the days when they were together. This song is very touching & depressing, and I suppose people who've been in relationships and could relate to these words. The lyrics go something like this:


Boy:
Wondering who you are looking at
Wondering who you love now
Wondering if you still think about me

The person to protect and care for you
To meet that person
Wondering if you’re okay

Girl:
Now that it’s over
Now that I don’t have the confidence
I can only look you in the eyes of the picture I hang
Wondering if you’re happy
Wondering if you’re really doing great
Wondering if you really forgot about me, what would happen

Boy:
Still thinking you would chase after me
Still thinking you’d be sorry and have tears down your face

Girl:
Like a fool
Wondering if our love would happen again
Not even being able to erase you
Today again, I cry alone

Boy:
You’ve changed a lot,
Saying that you are beautiful
Wondering if he is good to you
Mind full of words wanting to spill out the truth
But there’s always one thing I can never say
Having to bury deep within my soul once more

Girl:
Still thinking you would chase after me
Still thinking you’d be sorry and have tears down your face

Boy:
Like a fool
Wondering if our love would happen again
Not even being able to erase you
Today again, I cry out your name


Girl:
Not being able to forget you as I love another
Because you’re my only one

Boy:
Inside my soul
The love I feel
Oh how much I yearn to express
Today again, just for you I cry out your name

Girl:
My only love

Boy:
My love….

Girl:
Is only for one

Evaluation:
I would definitely give this song 5 stars! Although the translation of the lyrics aren't the best, if you listened to the lyrics in korean, you would would be able to feel the same emotions the singers felt as they sang too. Also, the melody of the song Thought You Would Return is just beautiful, and the background music fits perfectly with the 2 vocals. I was really pleased on how 2 voices could blend & match with one another so well. I personally love it when the 2 vocalists sing together and create beautiful harmonies. HwaYobi & KMC are both very experienced & well-known singers in Korea, so it wasn't really a big surprise to me that they sounded extremely well. Overall, this song was just amazing and wasn't a waste of time to listen to. It was very meaningful.

Evaluation on Math.

Summary:
Math is something that will always be used everywhere we go. Without the use of math, we wouldn't have buildings, computers, and technology. If you look up the word "math" in dictionary.com it says: the systematic treatment of magnitude, relationships between figures and forms, and relations between quantities expressed symbolically. On the other hand, I've go to say that I personally hate math. It's my least favorite subject in school, but the class can be pretty fun at times. Maybe it's because I'm more of an "artsy" person. I tend to fall into the category of liberal arts, fine arts, that kind of genre you know? Well, I've always hating having to deal with strict guidelines, rules, and logical reasoning, especially when it comes to work. I would get confused, and my brain would hurt every time I would see the numbers, letters, and symbols all squished together. But even though math is such a pain, it really is helpful and without it, our world would be completely different. Math is something that will constantly be used in real-life and bring great changes, so instead of complaining like I am right now.... you should appreciate the benefits it brings to our world. *Haha. I still appreciate math though, believe me.

Evaluation:
Why is math so important?
Every fact of life on earth uses mathematics in one manner or another. For instance, when you drive a car, you are computing your speed and how many miles you have gone. Balancing your checkbook also uses math. Even musicians use math when playing their instruments.
Besides just that, math is needed in nearly every job from a high school summer job such as a cashier to an architect, math skills are always needed. Any job or employer prefers an employee who knows math well and is skilled at most aspects of math. Math is prominent in all aspects of life.

Although math may not always be the easiest, or most enjoyable subject, it's essential that you have the skills of problem solving and logical reasoning with you, because math will always be used in the world. It's funny how I dislike math with a passion, when I'm in a double accelerated Alg. 3 & 4 class. But, I guess it all depends on the individual's personality and their likes.

Anyways, my point is that math is a widely used subject in the world, and is very important in a student's education and future jobs.