Wow...has it really been over a month since my last post? I was so dedicated my first um..two weeks here. My only excuse is that I was too busy! This has been a crazy month, and I'm not sure where to begin. I guess I'm in China for a job, so maybe I'll start there.
Everything is going really well with the orchestra, and I think we're all having a good time. I know I am. We did an all Mozart concert earlier this month, where we played his Symphonies No.'s 39 and 41. I've always wanted to play 41 ("Jupiter"), and before that point didn't really know 39. I think I ended up liking 39 more! Yu Feng, our conductor, was amazing. He was kind of a bear in our dress rehearsal for that concert, and as a result I don't think that rehearsal went as well as it should have. What's funny is that as soon as the rehearsal ended, all the scariness and intimidation he held in his face was replaced with as smile! At least we know what to expect now. Anyways, the concert was great, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. We've done some other Chinese concerts in various venues because they are apparently STILL celebrating the anniversary of the communist party. We thought that would end July 1st! Apparently we were mistaken. We also recently had an all Beethoven concert (Symphonies 1 and 2), with a different conductor. We started rehearsals for this concert with Yu Feng, only to find out later that he was unable to do the concert because he had to judge and international conducting competition in Hong Kong. Yeah...he's a big deal...people know him. The conductor he was replaced with I think is or was a student of his. She demanded new stylistic things of us that conflicted with most of Yu Feng's ideas. Normally this wouldn't be a problem, but to be honest we weren't really taking what she said seriously until the day before, when we found out she was now conducting the concert. That is also kind of the norm for us here, finding out about things the day before it happens. I think we're all getting used to it.
Only my Cincinnati crew would understand this, but I think I'm going to try and become the Jasmine Choi of China. She is such a diva when she performs with CSO, with all of her emotional facial expressions and nearly jumping out of her chair because she moves so much. As distracting as it my be it seems authentic and I really appreciate how involved in the music she always is, and she is a beautiful player. I think it's a good thing to start doing too, because it shows that you're confident in what your doing, which is also something I'm working on. In our two classical concerts we've done I tried "doing the Jasmine Choi" and found myself having a lot more fun then usual, especially in the Beethoven, where our conductor wasn't as inspiring. Hopefully I'm drawing attention to myself in a positive way. Though I am moving a lot more, I am trying hard to remember to move on a horizontal plane with the floor, which I think Dr. Garner would really appreciate.
OKAY, enough with my ranting about nerdy music stuff. We had a 4 or 5 day break about 2 weeks ago. The weather was great, the pollution was minimal, I was excited about doing some shopping/sightseeing....and I was in bed, horribly sick the whole time. I went to the doctor (which for the visit plus three antibiotics was only $45!), and not until the past 3 days or so have I fully felt like myself. I blame the overcrowded subway. You know it's bad when it takes five trains before I can wedge my 115 lb. body + flute bag aboard. This of course is only a problem during the morning rush, so we're now forced to leave even earlier so I only have to wait 2 or 3 trains before I can fit. Beijing has made me become much more aggressive, and I now use my flute bag as a weapon to push people out of the way so I can get on. Yeah, I'm tough. Also, waiting in any kind of line is for suckers.
Now, we're on another vacation, though this one is much longer. We've been off for two days already, and we don't have a rehearsal until August 10th! The concertmaster (Lee), told us that we don't usually get a break like this around this time, but this past month and a half definitely warranted a much needed rest. We're all thoroughly enjoying it. We've all been sleeping in, I've been cooking more, and Chris and I did a little bit of sightseeing yesterday. The weather was so nice yesterday that he and I decided to venture off to the (New) Summer Palace for the afternoon. It cost us 30RMB each (roughly $4.50), just to walk some of the grounds. We weren't expecting to see everything, as the palace sits on some 730 acres, and we didn't get there until about 3pm. It was gorgeous. It's nestled right next to the mountains and is scattered with towers, pavilions, and temples. We entered at the east entrance, right next to Kunming Lake. There were boats of all sizes everywhere and it seemed like the whole lake was bordered with weeping willows. I love weeping willows, and love that they seem to grow like wildflowers here. I took a picture of my favorite boat I saw. Of course it was the brightest one in the water, as it was doused in golds, reds, blues, greens, etc., and had a dragon head and tail. I took pictures, but I'm having computer problems so I'll have to post them some other time. I'll explain later. For the most part we just walked around, taking in the sights. As beautiful as yesterday was, it was unbearably hot. I was more worried about Chris then myself, because he's gotten about four migraines since we've been here (which is bad for him). Of course maybe an hour and half after we get there, I was overheated, and started to feel nauseous. We bought some freezing cold water, and sat by the lake until I recovered. Chris was sweet and put one of the cold water bottles on the back of my neck. After a few minutes of rest, we started our journey home, where I made some AWESOME BLT's and cooked apples. I haven't had a BLT in forever, and will have to add it back to my regular culinary repertoire. I forgot how much I love bacon..mmm.
Hmm..so what else to talk about? I'll complain about my computer. So my computer is sucking. I can't use skype without it freezing or cutting out, and I know it's not the internet connection because Chris' computer works fine. Two nights ago I was talking to my sista on skype and I lost internet (sorry Becca) and it still won't reconnect. Again, it's obviously not the connection, because I'm on Chris' computer and am successfully using the internet. Last night the screen was super dark while I was playing a riveting game of Roller Coaster Tycoon. I couldn't remember what keys to press to manually make it brighter, and the wicked scary lightening storm outside our large living room window made me put my computer up for the night. This morning I open my computer and it's still too dark, even after I plugged it in, and it was on it's brightest setting. I restarted it, and it sounded fine, but the screen was black. I shut down, and turned it on again only to receive the same results. Maybe when Kyle (roomie/computer wiz) wakes up I'll talk to him about it. I would really rather not buy a new computer right now.
I was however, was actually toying with the idea of buying a Kindle or even a new ipod! While everyone else has spent money on gym memberships, personal trainers, clothes, purses, and accessories. I've only spent my money on public transportation (so dirt cheap), groceries, a cheap fold up bag (for groceries), a sweater and nail polish. I've been reading a lot more then usual since I've been here and have the time (I started the Twilight series...I'm now addicted). I bought a few books, but was thinking that when I move back, I don't want to have tons of books to worry about, so a kindle would be great. Don't get me wrong, I would much rather hold an actual book in my hand. They're also not too expensive. Hmm..birthday present? =D. I should start hinting now. I was thinking a new ipod touch, because of all the apps (some I want for practicing purposes), and I could be mobile with my skype. We'll see. I can't afford both right now, or either one if I need a new computer. Positive thinking...
Chris and I have also gotten a few gigs! We both performed solo pieces in a recital for a prestigious music club. Jeez, China has so much money. It was a beautiful facility. I whipped out a new piece I'd never learned before. I played three out of Four Short Pieces by Frank Bridge. I heard about the piece through Marianne Gedigian at Myrna Brown a few years ago, and have wanted to do it ever since. Originally a cello piece, it's pretty easy to learn. It has a really beautiful first movement, and some fun faster movements. They had a video camera about three feet away from our faces, and a photographer dancing in and out of my line of vision snapping photos. I put my "Jasmine Choi" on and it was a very successful performance. It was SO fun! I love doing recitals. Chris played the slow movement from the Mozart Bassoon Concerto. He of course wasn't happy with it (always too critical), but I thought he sounded great. We got paid 500RMB ($75) for about 8 minutes of playing each. I'll take it! We were asked to play on the next recital (hopefully a duet) August 5th. We'll see if we can find something since I left Villa-Lobos at home, as well as most of my solo flute rep. They were in the same folder. IDIOT.
Everyone mark your calendars. My birthday is coming up August 15th, and I'm going to be a quarter of a century old. Just thought I would mention it. Because of the time difference, I'm not sure when I'll officially be 25. I was born in Cali at I think 3:56pm, which would be almost 7am the next day. Hmm...that's alright, I'll just celebrate for two days. I expect gifts and cards (don't bother sending a card if it's not accompanied by a gift or cash). I'm obviously joking. I'm not even 100% sure what address to provide everyone. I'm working on that.
I'm starting to really miss my family, especially my mom. I'm sad to say it, but I'm used to seeing my sister at 6+ month intervals, but not my mom. I usually see her at least every 3 months. I wish she would get on skype webcam more often so we can use the webcam. At least it's something.
Today we're going to Solana, a new shopping center that has a lot of international restaurants. We're meeting our friend Liya (a fellow CCMer who just signed a 2 year contract with another orchestra in Beijing). She's from Taiwan, and there is a Taiwanese restaurant out there she wants to try. I don't think I've ever had Taiwanese food before, so I'm excited! Plus there's a grocery store there that has a lot of imported goodies, though it can be overpriced. Sometimes you just gotta pay.
Anyways, I think I've written more then enough to fill the month long void of no blog posts. I'm pretty spent from typing a post this long, so I don't feel like proofreading. Sorry if I use "to" in place of "too" or "there" instead of "they're." I'm only human. I love and miss you all, and will try to be better about posting, especially in the coming days where I really don't have a legitimate excuse for not writing.
Until next time!
~B
