Okay, I'm not going to quit piano.

I've definitely thought about it. However, my perpetual optimism and work ethic have won out. Surely if I work very hard this summer and find inspiration in the right places I shall find success down a long, hard road. Hey, it's kind of like an adventure, right? That's all life is anyway. Some people take years to figure out what they want to do with their lives. I knew a long time ago. It will just take years for me to be any good at it. Evens out in the end, then.

For now, I practice, teach, and work, and hope it all pays off. I suppose God new I would be a very patient person, because I have to wait for lots of things most of the time. Like I have to wait for this headache to go away, or wait for appreciation for my hours of toil, or for lunch, or everything.

So I am going to keep practicing my Prokofiev Sonata and Chopin Ballade, waiting for a good opportunity to try them out again, and play them giving due justice to the composers, and my hard work of course.

Happy Memorial Day to all. Thanks muchly to all you troops, past and present (and future).

Katie Thompson, BM Piano Performance

Just trying it out. I have a degree. That's pretty cool, I guess. In the past four days I have taught, worked at the library, graduated from Baylor, moved apartments, driven six hours in a car, was master of ceremony for the English portion of a Buddhist scholarship ceremony, went to many stores with my mother, bought furniture, put some of it together, seen family and friends, done luandry, eaten, slept, played on the computer... okay things aren't as important to mention anymore (I shouldn't list all the way down to using the bathroom and brushing teeth and saying hello to pet fish, poor Herby, he's not doing well.) All that's left to do is fall in love or something like it, oh and practice, I haven't done any of that recently.

I should probably mention my senior recital. But I wasn't terribly happy with it so I won't say much. My master's recital should be much better, because I can start now and have lots of time to get it together.

I notice this about my family, they really like to eat, and I always feel like it's a lost cause if you're trying to avoid fast food or cheese. I was trying to not eat cheese for awhile and it's a duanting task, especially if you're like Wallace and really like cheese. And especially if you're family are all like Wallace too, and eat cheesy foods. Or go to cheesy restaurants. Perhaps living alone will give me the opportunity to not buy food that I shouldn't eat like cheese.

I am very excited about my new apartment. It will be just me and my stuff. I can keep it as clean or as messy as I like. I can leave a book there or a shoe there, depending on if I like it there or there. I can jump on the bed, but I won't do that. (my dad just asked what we should have for dinner "eggs, with cheese maybe?" and I stood firm! no cheese thank you, salt and pepper will be fine for me.) I can open a window, I can rearrange all the furniture. I can hide a cat (or a fish) in there somewhere. I can swing on my very own swing.

Even though I have a degree, it doesn't mean that my thoughts will all be profound from now on. Oh well.