International Christmas

Having a family member overseas during holidays and special occasions is made easier by Skype. It also helped that we had that first-Skype-Christmas under our belts. First year was hard.

This Christmas, Julia watched Isaac open his first presents (in his cute candy cane footie PJs!), and then we watched her unwrap the presents I brought from home. I love that I can tell exactly where she's sitting in her house. It may seem small, but it's huge.

I also love that Sone and Nouy are my friends, and I was able to wish them a merry Christmas. I even taught my brother a phrase or two in Lao, and he impressed the girls with his language skills.

This is not the Christmas we're accustomed to, but it's wonderful. We are blessed. And we are thankful.

Look Who's One!

That would be my nephew, Isaac.

(Not Issac, Isacc, or Issacc. That's Isaac - one s and two as.)

This is our boy at Disney yesterday. He has a thing for the Mouse.

So sweet! This was after one of those giant balloons popped. I don't blame the kid; it was loud!

Happy first birthday, Isaac James. We love you!

Photo Credit: Erica Clements

Dear Vang Vieng,

I love your mountains, your rivers, and your caves. Your drunken foreigners I could do without.


Sincerely,

Jessie

(Yes, I was there today.)

A Few More Pics For Mom!

Even a sister pic like Daddy requested!

Pa and Koy and some strange creature...definitely not Mickey or Donald Duck! This was at a school book fair.

Julia and I at Patuxai.

After learning to ride the motor bike! See, Mom? Helmet and all. :)

Excited to get $6 massages (!) today after school! We're going to some other cities Friday and Saturday. This week is flying by! I am not looking forward to the long flights home. I told Julia that it's not a sacrifice being here; it's getting here that's difficult. :)

Learning About Laos

-I'm putting my music education to good use by teaching Christmas carols to Julia's students. Yes, I'm even using some of the methods I learned in my courses and internship.
-I'm 275 pages into Dicken's Bleak House. I've been trying to read this book for at least three years but never made it past the first 50 pages. Only 725 more to go!
-I tried papaya salad, which is unripe papaya, tomatoes, hot peppers, noodles, some fruit we don't have, sugar, and fermented fish sauce. It was okay until I tasted the fish sauce.
-I've grossed out Julia's Lao roommates by "only" taking one cold shower most days. Yesterday I broke down and showered twice, but I just hate having cold, wet hair two times in one day!
-I bought a classic Mickey backpack. Ridiculous, right? But I'd never find it this cheap at home!
-I learned how to drive a motor bike. Don't worry, Mom. It was just out in front of the house.
-Being here reminds me so much of Chihuahua, Mexico, except with tropical greenery and humid air. The dirt is red, and the people are very kind.
-I accidentally wear my shoes in the house sometimes. It's really a gross habit, if you think about it.
-No happy dances (or any dances, for that matter) at the dinner table. No bad faces if you don't like the food either. You have to pretend it's the yummiest thing you've ever tasted and then be suddenly full.
-Peanut M&Ms are my comfort food. I don't feel too bad eating Julia's candy stash since I carted the 5lb bag halfway across the globe.
-MSG is used as table salt here. I'm trying to avoid that headache trigger, but it's not always easy. Gluten is hard enough! Hooray for rice, rice, rice! Everyone has been so kind and accommodating about my gluten intolerance. Sone speaks in Lao for me at all the restaurants so we're sure there's no miscommunication.
-I love Julia's Lao roommates! They are so kind! Before you can blink, they've washed the dishes, swept the floors, and crocheted you something special. I came here hoping to help, and I'm being served left and right. I finally demanded to do the dishes this morning. (But then the sink leaked and I had to ask for help anyway.)
-This is the way to see a country. Hands down. Julia takes me to all her favorite places and points out the best foods and markets while at the same time making me feel as comfortable as possible. Best of all, she shares her friends with me, and I can see why she's crazy about this place.

A few photos from this week:

Cookie baking with Julia's students at "cooking club" at Julia's house.

Julia and me with one of her classes.

At Buddha Park with Sone and Nouy (sisters and Julia's Lao roommates).

 

More sisters at Buddha Park. :)

(Sone made that cute hat for me!)

Livin' in Laos

I made it to Laos! I have no idea of the day or time, only that I'm here with my sister!
If my estimations are correct, I can count on one hand the hours I've slept over the last three days. But it's nighttime, and I'm tired, so I'm hopeful for a good adjustment.

I got a true view of the city today as we drove from the airport on Julia's motor bike with my luggage.
We went back out for a fellowship meeting (I held a guitar while on the back of the bike on this trip), and I fell asleep during the singing while on my feet. I didn't know that was possible. Thankfully, Julia caught me, and I made it through the remainder of the service.

I ate two delicious, non granola bar or airplane-packaged meals today.
I'm already practing some Lao phrases.

Tomorrow I meet some of Julia's students!

Smiles All Around!

This shot was snagged by Mrs. T in church yesterday. I'll let you figure out why PC might have asked Ty and me to come up front yesterday...and why we're all smiling ear-to-ear.

(It may or may not have to do with the diamond on my finger.)

Concerto Competition

I've learned a lot over the many months of preparation for this concerto competition, both musically and spiritually. I'd love to write an entire post about it soon. For now, here's the video of my performance with Erin at finals last night. We felt we gave it our best and were very happy with our performance. In the end, we were not chosen as the winners, but we're okay with that. This whole thing has been a journey for us, and we recognize God is up to something bigger than concerto competitions.
You can't really see me, but sound is what matters most anyway. Hope you enjoy!

Window Friend

I woke this morning to a little scratch, scratch at my window. When it persisted, I finally rolled out of bed. I already knew what it was - this same scratch, scratch that kept me from drifting into dreamy land the other night. As I approached the window, pockets of light shown through creating a silhouette of a little figure. He was gone, but the face and paws lingered, printed on the window.

Yes, friends. There is a rat living on my back patio. This morning didn't really phase me, but when I saw him in the moonlight the other night I ran screaming for my dad. Guess I didn't scare off the rat.

Besides, there are other things on my mind...like the concerto competition finals tonight!
(And I should probably mention a host of other assignments and internship-related things, but I can't think past tonight!)

Happy Thursday! One more Thursday, and I say farewell to the fall 2011 semester!

Look Out, Tom!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Double the Fun!

Last night my friend, Erin, and I gave a recital featuring various solo works, four-hands pieces, and the first movement of Poulenc's Concerto for Two Pianos. The school concerto competition is next Tuesday, and we plan on entering our piece. I love playing ensemble music. As a pianist, it's easy to get lonely. :) Collaboration is just too fun! 

Poulenc's Sonata for Four Hands

Scherzo from Rachmaninov's Six Morceaux 

Poulenc's Concerto for Two Pianos

Look at all that support! We were truly blessed!

(It's funny, but I know exactly what part I'm playing here.) 

This is becoming a favorite and comfortable place.

Recitals are stressful, but somehow an audience makes the music come alive for me. With all the hours spent alone in a practice room, it's refreshing to play for other people. It's a one-shot deal, but it makes me want to go all out! Can't wait to do this again!!

Photo Credit: Megan Jacobs

Disney Boy!

Photo Credit: Kellen (Amanda's SIL to be)

Soul Food

"Preaching the gospel to ourselves every day gives us hope, joy, and courage. The good news that our sins are forgiven because of Christ’s death fills our hearts with joy, gives us courage to face the day, and offers us hope that God’s favor will rest upon us, not because we are good, but because we are in Christ."

--Jerry Bridges, The Discipline of Grace: God's Role and Our Role in the Pursuit of Holiness

Repost? Philosophical Piano Lessons

I found this post in my drafts folder, and I'm not sure I ever published it.
The original date is August 2010. Wonder of wonders, I find myself in very much the same place fifteen months later in my journey of art and faith. No, it's an intensified place.

This morning I am playing in a master class for a well-known pianist and pedagogue. I am very excited, but I am not as prepared as I would like to be. And that is just going to have to be okay. (I cringe even as I type this!) I am working as hard as I possibly can right now without losing my sanity. Despite the imperfections, I want to give all of my creativity and feeling.

Stumbling upon this old post was timely for me.

"Do we understand the freedom we have under the Lordship of Christ and the norms of Scripture? Is the creative part of our life commited to Christ? Christ is the Lord of our whole life, and the Christian life should produce not only truth - flaming truth - but also beauty." --Francis Schaeffer
--------

August 2010

I had my first piano lesson yesterday, too, and it went better than I'd expected. (Have I said how much I love our new music building? Boukie's office has a window! I'm convinced my artistry will deepen purely because of the effects of natural lighting.) I'm working on Bach's second Partita. Here's a clip of the sixth "movement," which I'm far from even starting at this point. Enjoy listening to and watching one of the most renowned pianists of our time! She is brilliant. I am so inspired! If you're curious as to what I'm spending so much time on right now, you can listen to another one of Martha's recordings from a much earlier date. I love putting good music at your fingertips. I'm such a teacher.
Oh, but such a learner! Yesterday after my lesson, I came to the conclusion that I could look at a single page of Bach every day for the rest of my life and still find something new each day.

Boukie was pleased with the work I'd done, but told me I needed to be "more imaginative." In his exact words, "You are way too anal. Your life is too black and white. Music doesn't fit neatly in either category." While I know that he is in part referring to the fact that I'm "religious" and "moral," he really got me thinking beyond Bach and piano.

Because I believe that the Gospel affects every aspect of my life, I have to take into consideration what it means for my musicianship to exist within this realm. Shouldn't my musicianship be a reflection of my Relationship with the Good and Holy God? I read this morning from Deuteronomy 6, where God tells the people through Moses just how present His Law is to be in their midst. It was meant to be totally integrated in their way of life - in their existence. That was a big "woah" moment this morning.

As much as I'd like to deny what Mr. B said about me, I know it to often be stingingly true. I'm a perfectionist, a high achiever, a spiritual moralist.
How is it that my piano teacher knows so much about me? The answer must be that my personal life is reflected not only in the way I talk and act, but also in the sounds I create.

If you're following my train of thought, this led me to ask myself this question: Am I "anal" (to use Boukie's description) in my approach to spirituality? Do I worry so much about particulars and rights and wrongs - important things, don't get me wrong - and miss out on singing the sweet song of my Savior?
I am a perfectionist, a high achiever, a spiritual moralist.
The answer is an overwhelming yes.

Just as a piece of music is compromised when the heart is not fully engaged, I compromise deep soul nourishment when I neglect to spend time in the presence of God. I have experienced the pure melody of soul satisfaction, and still I do. I should just be.

News Flash!

This ad will run in my church e-news today:

Support the building fund and the arts...simultaneously! On Sunday, November 20, Jessie and Erin will give a piano recital to raise funds for our new church building. They will be performing solo works by Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Rachmaninov, Liszt, Prokofiev, and many more! Additionally, they will be performing Poulenc's Sonata for Four Hands and Concerto for Two Pianos. Here's how to help out the church while enjoying great music: tickets are a suggested donation of $7/person. All donations go directly to the church building fund! Checks must be made out to the church (memo line: building fund) As students, we cannot receive payment in cash or in our names. Please do not bring money to the concert, as this would be an infringement of University rules. The concert starts at 7:30PM.

Shoot me a text or an email if you're interested, and I'll give you more details!

Halloween Heyday!

It's that time again! Yes, time for the Halloween Musicale! Isaac and James were here watching the Gator game with Dad in the family room. One of my boys (grade 2) is a huge Gator fan, so he spent a lot of his time yelling at the TV with the men. :) Too cute!

Tori and Caroline (Tali's sisters!) helped me with my 80s costume! Watch out, OGC. I think I may wear my hair like this to church tomorrow!

Emma, her cousin, and Regan came early and helped me set up and bake some goodies. They also loaned me some cool props! Thanks, girlies!

Can you say hair?

I gave all the treats spooky names.

The butterbeer was soooo sweet looking/smelling that I didn't even try it! (It was chilling in the fridge when this photo was taken.)

Ms. Williams and me with her witch! I transported her in my little two-door yesterday. She stretched from the trunk through the back seat, and her head came through to the front. Too funny! Thankfully I remembered to turn off the cackling before driving home.

The whole gang! Those are some legit costumes!

Concert time! All the kids played wonderfully!

We played a duet to end the program. I love the look on the girl's face in the bottom left corner. So priceless!

Enjoying their munchies!

Annnnnd a few pics with some of my students!

Such a fun day from start to finish!!