Giving Thanks

It's been a while, I know, but I thought I'd take advantage of Thanksgiving break to let you all know what's going on in my life.

Two Sundays ago (the 13th) we had our Youth Symphony concert. It was awesome, and I can't believe that I have only one more semester, which means only one more concert. I love everything about YS, especially the rehearsals, but there's something totally different about a concert and performing in front of a crowd of people. It's just about my favorite thing in the world, because I get to share with so many different people the gift of music, which is one of the greatest gifts; a gift of beauty.

Last Sunday there was an International Mass and Festival Dinner at the Newman Center, and we were honored to have the bishop as a guest and celebrant of the Mass. Besides performing the Bach Double with Jen for the dinner program and talking with the bishop about Bach, Rome, and Vanilla Ice, I had the best baklava ever. Right after the dinner, Jen, Mike, and I ushered at the WSO concert, which is the next best thing after YS.

Yesterday I got the new Scott Stapp CD, and it is great. I highly recommend it, especially if you like Creed, or music with inner meaning and Catholic messages. Go here to listen to some of it.

Today I finished The Seven Storey Mountain, by Thomas Merton, and it was excellent! Read it, read it, read it! It's amazing! There are too many good things to say about it. After that, read The Life You Save May Be Your Own, by Paul Elie. Great books...

Okay, that's about it for now, and I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving. Every day I am thankful for my faith, my family, my friends, school, Youth Symphony, School of Community, my health, and so much more. I am blessed more than I realize. I am also grateful for the ability to share the beauty of life with everyone around me, and for the beauty that you all show me. Thank you!

God Bless