Several 'First's

Hello! I can always tell when it's been a while since I wrote when I have to think back through the entire week to tell you how I am.

This week has been monumental because several different 'first's. And here they are:

First Haircut: A while back, I had (somewhat jokingly) volunteered to cut Sarah's hair if she so desired. Then, Tuesday night, as we were brushing our teeth together preparing for bed, she mumbles through her toothpaste "Ab-dehle, wew ou at ma air?" which turned out to be a request for a fulfilment of said promise. So right then and there, already close to midnight, we gathered all the necessary equipment and I dove in. It wasn't a complete cut; Sarah's hair was layered but she wasn't pleased with the large difference between the top and bottom layer, so my job was to shorten the bottom layer. I fully expected it to be a disaster, but it actually turned out well. It was interesting experience, especially since everyone who came into the bathroom during the cutting had their own comments and bits of advice. Hair cutting: the newest exciting Willington 2 floor-bonding event!

First Warm-up: Yesterday was the first time that I was up in front of the GECC (Glen Ellyn CC) and totally in charge! I had previously been in front to help lead the one half of the choir in a complicated rhythmic pattern while Dottie led the other half in a conflicting pattern. But other than that, I had only been sitting on the sidelines. So Wednesday I emailed Dottie and said how I wanted to make sure I was using my time effectively, and, in essence, could I get some stage time? She emailed back, saying "why don't you lead warm-ups tomorrow?" I was a little unnerved at the short notice, but was able to pull together something. I thought it went rather well, especially considering I wasn't sure if I'd freeze up and not be able to demonstate vocally at all! (This fear is not totally unbased on reality, since for the last five years or so, whenever I have tried out for solos I have suddenly not been able to produce much sound.) But that didn't happen, and I felt pretty comfortable in front of the kids. The only negative feedback I got from Dotties was that at the end of the warmup, the kids' voices were too tense. (This was because she had told me to do something related to a certain piece, and since it contained lots of dissonces, I was making the kids form and resolve them. So they were thinking about holding their part, rather than producing pure sound.) Still, she thought it went well overall, and told me to plan something for Monday, too.

First Snowfall: We had our first snowfall of the year yesterday! True, it was only for 45 minutes, and none of it lasted, but they were good-sized and very white snowflakes. It has definately been cold enough to warrant a winter coat - the wind is amazing!

First 'End of Quad': Hurrah! Today was the last day of A Quad, and now we're on Fall Break! I have chosen just to stay on campus, since it's not really a huge amount of time (a four-day weekend) and it's sometimes less stressful not to be guest. My plans include practicing, possible some getting-ahead work, hanging out at the Wade Center, and making chocolate truffles at the home of a recent Wheaton grad who goes to my church. Today I had my World Music final, which went moderately well. I'll have two midterms when I get back, so I guess I'll do studying for them, too. Anyway, I'm going to try to balance fun stuff and work. Most of my friends are gone, which makes it less motivating to play: Sarah A is gone to Texas to visit a friend, Sarah D is home in Washington, Liz is home with the mumps, Beckee ditto, Brynna went home, Dan went home, which leaves.. Brett, almost no one! But I don't really mind solitude, mostly.

Adelle