bassoon camp and my favorite pieces.

This summer, I have been focusing almost completely on music.
Mainly with the bassoon. (Which I fondly named Maximilian, Max for short)

I started off going to a Bassoon Workshop for two weeks.
I don't think I've every experienced anything like it.
There were other workshops for other instruments going on at the same time as well, so there was also a Trombone Workshop, Flute Workshop etc. 
The program is advertised as "classical music immersion" and they mean it.

On the weekdays, there are classes, from 9am-12pm and then 2pm-4pm. Any time in between that, we were essentially allowed to do anything that we wanted.
Most of us spent that time practicing in the cute little practice huts that were scattered around campus.

The people there were amazing.
At school, it's hard to find people who enjoy classical music and play an instrument with the goal of making it part of their life.
At camp, almost everyone wanted to either major or minor in music.
It was really, really, really nice.

I was definitely one of the worst people there, but that's alright because I don't have that much experience.
Although the teachers were still strict regardless, I learned enough at that camp to make up for a damaged ego.
I also improved a lot, mainly because I became a practicing machine. (2.5 hours a day!) 

Those of you who don't play an instrument probably don't understand why on earth I would willingly go to a camp that's essentially music boot camp.
But the thing is, music makes me happy.
It just does.
I often find myself listening to a piece, and I'll start to smile. Just because.

And I saw a faculty tuba recital there.
The finale was a tuba quartet.
Amazing? I think yes.

And finally, here are a few of my favorite pieces.
Libraries also often have full scores, so if you can read music, I would recommend looking along as you listen, so you can see just how the magic happens.

• Prokofiev - Symphony No. 5 Second Movement (Allegro Marcato), Especially love the brass part at 5:39-6:56. Amazing.
• Gershwin - An American in Paris, This is piece is about, well, an American in Paris. You can almost see him meandering around France. There are car horns (The trumpets going DA-DA-DA in the beginning) and during the slow section in the middle, I visualize him sitting in a swanky cafe watching the sunset.
• Beethoven - Symphony No. 5 Fourth Movement (Allegro), As far as I'm concerned, this movement is like a giant dance party.
• Bartok - Concerto for Orchestra Second Movement (Giuoco Delle Coppie), I love this movement. It's lots of fun, and it's meant to be sassy and playful. It also starts off with a bassoon duet, and then later, a bassoon trio, which makes me a bit biased. 
• Saint-Saens - Danse Bacchanale from Samson et Dalila, This is one of those pieces that makes you want to get up and dance. The Youtube recording skips the gorgeous oboe solo in the beginning, but it the full thing can easily be found on Spotify.
• And if you're up to some bassoon concerto awesomeness, the Mozart and Weber bassoon concertos are stunning.

If you have pieces that you like, write a comment or email me, and I will definitely take a look. 

HARRYPOTTERHARRYPOTTER.

 ** Warning, contains minor spoilers.

I SAW THE HARRY POTTER MOVIE.

I know I'm pretty late, because it came out more than a week ago.
I saw it yesterday, and wow. It was so good.
The whole movie mainly consisted of fight scenes. I normally don't like that in a movie, because I enjoy seeing something with a complicated plotline.
But for this, it worked.

It's probably because it's the finale and everything, so it had to end with a bang.
And end with a bang it did.
I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.
But because I had to go to the 3D showing, (The tickets for the normal one was sold out) when I started crying I had to take off the glasses to wipe my eyes.
And it's hard trying to watch a movie, wipe tears away, and clean 3D glasses while simultaneously sobbing your eyes out.

I'm the type of person you don't want to sit next to in a theater.
When I watch a movie, I laugh in all the wrong places and I talk to myself.

There was this one thing that Voldemort said, and I thought it was hilarious.
It was when Harry went to the Forbidden Forest to go get killed.
And then He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named said, (If I remember correctly) "The boy who lived, come to die."
I thought that was hysterical.
I tried to contain it, but I ended up bursting out laughing.
I just thought that if I was Voldemort, the to-be conqueror of the world, I wouldn't pick something as ridiculous as that to say.
It sounds almost smug and petty.
It's as if he's saying, "I'm going to kill you. Again. Because you lived the first time I tried. So yeah."
I think I'm the only one who thinks that's funny.

And if there was an MVP of the movie, it would have been Neville.
He was just plain heroic.
But I think it was sad how didn't really have a big role in the movies. He was just "one of the classmates".
He was always one of my favorites, second only to Fred and George.

It was an amazing movie. The ending of it was good too.
THE DADDY HARRY GREW STUBBLE. <3

And that concludes my geeking session.
It all ends.

Did anyone get that?
Since it says "It All Ends" on the HP7 promotional posters?
LOL I'M SO FUNNY.

.... ok I'll leave now.

an ode to the elderly.

I love old people.

No, it's not some weird sexual fetish that I developed. You may think that comment wasn't necessary, but when I told some people that I love the elderly, this is exactly how they interpreted it.
This is either a common reaction, or I need to get new friends.
But either way, I want to avoid a misunderstanding.

There are some people that hate old people.
They complain that they have wrinkles, they're slow, bitter, and they talk too much.
But I think that makes them cute.

I love seeing elderly couples that hold hands.
You might call it weird or gross, but I think it's amazing that love can last for over fifty years.
And my inner-romantic hopes that one day, that would be me.

And have you ever talked to one of them?
Because they've seen so many years go by, their wisdom is just staggering. Every time my grandpa opens his mouth, I feel like I've gained a generation's worth of knowledge.

Finally, their wrinkles.
I don't know why people get plastic surgery to prevent them. I think they're beautiful.
Whenever they smile, I can't help but smile back.
It's like a Contagious Elderly Spirit of Joy.
The C.E.S.J for short.

So thank you, senior citizens.
Thank you for putting up with teenagers and kicking us off your lawn.
Because we deserve it.
And in fifty years I'll hopefully join you all, and we can all talk about meaningful topics to share an endless amount of wisdom gained from our lengthy lives.

Keep being awesome. 

i'm a bookworm and proud of it.

I freaking love the library.
At the one I go to, there's a huge bookshelf solely for the purpose of displaying books that are for sale.
And although it looks like a regurgitated mess of paper, they have tons of good ones in there.

They also cost a dollar per book.
A dollar per book.
And they're not old or water damaged either.
They look like they're almost new.
And they're a DOLLAR EACH.
I still can't get over it.

When you go to Barnes & Noble or Borders, an average paperback costs about 12 dollars.
At the library, I can buy 12 books for the price of one.
I feel like an endless amount of possibilities have just revealed themselves to me. 

I got eight books.
Including The Kite Runner and The Lovely Bones.
I've been wanting to read them for so long, but I could just never get my hands on a copy.
And now I own them.
Plus six other great books.

This is going to be a great summer.

tissues make me happy.

There's a saying out there that says how you can find happiness in the small, little things in life.
And today I found one.
On the description of a tissue box.

This is what it said:

The right touch to turn your day around. Whether you're stuck in a rough patch, feeling under the weather, or just in need of some extra kindness and care, KLEENEX Ultra Soft tissue will pamper you with indulgent softness that lifts your spirits and inspires a smile.

I seriously don't know if I should be amused by just how ridiculous and absurd this is, or impressed by the wordiness.
But the one thing I know is that's the most hardcore tissue description that I've ever seen.


And I can't believe that I just blogged about a tissue box.

narwhals.

Narwhals, narwhals, swimming in the ocean. <3

wishing you a happy holiday.

I'd like to take a break from all the food that I've been eating, and wish you all a happy Christmahannukwanzadan (Hope that covers everyone), or for those who aren't celebrating anything, have a nice day at home. (=

My family and I aren't exactly religious, so when Christmas-time rolls around, we pretty much sleep in, have dinner parties, and enjoy the alone time.
... we sound like such losers....

But I love the holiday season.
I love the lights that everyone has on their houses.
I love the candy canes.
I love the smell of christmas trees.
I love the snow.

So, have a nice one! And if you believe in 2012, we have about two years left to live, before the world explodes, so make it a holiday to remember, bahaha.


<3 Fi

tetris.

Tetris is probably my favorite thing in the entire world. And I'm not even kidding.
This is the only game I play anymore.
Because Pokemon, Xbox, and Call Of Duty just don't make the cut.

lovelovelovelovelove

When you think about it, it takes SO much talent to play Tetris.
You have to think really quickly and have good reaction time in the higher levels when the blocks start coming down really fast.
You have to be smart, because if you just place blocks randomly, you won't get a good score.
And you have to think ahead, because it shows the block that'll come next, and you need to keep that in mind.

It takes more skill to be good at Tetris, then it takes to be good at mindless shooting games that are currently popular.

And it's really fun. =D
So here's the link, in case you want to play it. Cause you know, it's kinda awesome. 


On a normal day, I fall asleep playing this. <3 Fi

hobo gloves.

How amazing.
I can't describe how much I worship these things. No joke.
I know it sounds weird.
But I would sell my soul to fingerless gloves.

They keep your fingers warm!
They allow you to keep doing things you want in life! Like writing, texting, or playing the piano!
They come in stylish designs that will make your friends think you're super cool!
They're cheap!

I got a pair this weekend at the Nordstrom Rack. And they were 20% off. And then another 10% off.
Which equals... a lot of savings.
I think they were about ten dollars.
Not quite sure.

But it's the best decision I've ever made. So go buy a pair. Because gloves are stupid because you can't do anything if you have them on.
Except for snowball fights.
Gloves are good for snowball fights. (:

And now a little song to make you happy...


Oh yeah, we got our first snowfall yesterday! It was when I came out of the pool after swim practice. My hair froze into little icicles. <3 Fi

thank you.

 Just a small section for people I'd like to thank in my life. Because it's okay to get cheesy at times like these. (:

So, thank you....

... Dad for always being there for me.

... Mom for forcing down my burnt baked goods and being able to smile and tell me that they're delicious. 

... stray cat for making my life a little more exciting by creeping by my front door.

... Kat for making me laugh in homeroom.

... Snooze Button for making me late to school every day.

... Henry for giving me motivation to study harder so I can get a better grade than you.

... socks for keeping my feet warm.

... Jan for preventing me from dying of boredom in Orchestra.

... Chris for making me laugh at swim practice, even though the coach is trying to make us die from exhaustion.


... Emily for being my first friend.

I don't know what I would do without you all. <3 Fi

i get married.

As of now, I'm proud to announce that I am officially "married".
Yes lads, that means I'm no longer single.

I'm kidding.
I'm getting married to my insane Jewish friend. Her name is Alison.


It started out as a huge joke. But my friends decided to take it to the next level.
Here's the conversation that started it all:

 Cast: (Nicknames are used to protect from creepers)

Me: An not-so-average asian girl.

Alison: An amazing Jewish girl who straightens her hair every day.

Kat: A half African-American and half White girl. 

David: A guy who wears a brown hoodie and has curly hair.

Kat: Alison, sitting next to a guy typically means you are attracted to him.

David: <looks at Alison. who's sitting next to him>

Alison: *insert heaps of denial here*

Me: Kat she's mine. Alison and Fiona, couple of the year. 

Alison: <laughs> Asian-Jew love, right here.

Kat: You should get married.

Me: I'm not buying the multi-million dollar ring.

Kat: THIS IS SO EXCITING.

The next day, I come into school with everyone knowing that I'm married.
And making assumptions.

Before I go on, I would like to let everyone know that I'm completely straight.
I mean absolutely no offense to anyone who is not like me. In fact, one of my best friends is gay.

So, moving on, everyone knows.
And it's quite embarrassing, to say the truth. I was only trying to help Alison out.

Thanks so much Kat.

But it wasn't all that bad.
Alison purchased me a strawberry flavored Ring Pop and proposed to me in a parking lot.
Because everyone knows that a parking lot is the most romantic place on earth.
That is, until we got kicked out by the store owner for "loitering".
Shame on him for not recognizing a proposal when he sees one.
I bet's he's not married. 

We're making it facebook official tomorrow.


Because we all know that it's not legit until it goes on facebook.  :D <3 Fi

DADDY'S HOME!

He's home from month-long business trip on the other side of the world.

I'm so happy. (:

He's suffering from jet lag, but that's okay.


I can hear him snoring on the couch downstairs. <3 Fi

lets get down to business.

Mulan is my life. And it took me until today to realize that.
How?

Because I knew all the lyrics to the "I'll Make a Man out of You" song.
All of them.
All of them.

Before you judge me, this was my absolute favorite movie when I was little. Most watched princess movies like Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast and all that jazz. But Mulan was just different.

That's love, right there.

It had it all. Ninja moves, a sassy dragon named Mushu, thrill, an awesome sountrack and hot guys.
Yes, I found Shang the army captain person mildly attractive when I was seven.
He was the major hunk of my life until I started liking real and non-Disney guys when I turned eleven.
My obsession was so complete that I was slightly jealous of Mulan.  But she was pretty awesome, so I forgave her.
And if I didn't, then Mushu would eat my face when I was sleeping.
So forgiveness was a win-win for me. 

It's also pretty dramatic. I admit to crying a few times during the movie.
Especially when Shang (*swoon*) found out she was a girl. And was all "A life for a life." and then leaving her.
You should know, that at a tender age of seven, I didn't understand how there weren't as many women rights as there was today. So quite frankly, I didn't get why Mulan dressed up as a guy, and why it was so awful that he found out. But all I knew and needed to know, was that it was sad.
Really sad.
Like burst-into-sniffling-tears sad.

I think I'm going to watch Mulan Two on YouTube now.


Shang > Edward Cullen, Justin Bieber, Jacob Black, ect.  <3 Fi