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Dresden, Summer 2010

what's different?

My super cool French cousins took this photo, which I think is awesome.  They are so creative.  You can check out my cousin Camille's blog here and here.  She takes great photos that are truly inspiring and whimsical :)

Photo copyright to Camille Champenois

flowers, woods, puppies, and magic

I was so honored last week when my friend Kristen Vise asked me to model for a photography project.  You can check out some of her other works here.  For the project, she had to use techniques employed by photographer Anna Wolf (whom I am now obsessed with).  Here are some of the photos...they are magical:

All photos are copyright to Kristen Vise.

les demoiselles de rochefort

Les Demoiselles de Rochefort, 1967.  A French classic that I loved as a child.  Sometimes I think of this song (in the video below) and wish I had a recording of it...can't find one any where though!  I've been preparing for the OPI (oral proficiency interview) for French by watching French movies, and I came across this one and had a major wave of nostalgia.  If you like classics and musicals and France, you should watch this movie!


And....Yes, that's Gene Kelly :)

i'd pick more daisies

This poem is framed on the wall of the puellae bathroom in Square Books in Oxford.  I love it.  This poem is so encouraging, especially for us young folks.

If I had my life to live over-- I'd pick more daisies

by Nadine Stair

If I had my life to live over, I'd dare to make more mistakes next time. I'd relax, I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.

You see, I'm one of those people who lived sensibly and sanely, hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I've had my moments, and if I had to do it over again, I'd have more of them. In fact, I'd try to have nothing else. Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day. I've been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat and a parachute. If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.

If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daisies.

i'll have a...tartini in g minor...

Lately (as in the past three years) I've been really bored with my music repertoire and I haven't had much time to work on new pieces.  It's taken a while for me to find something to look forward to working on...but  I'm happy to announce that I have finally found my new endeavor!  Guiseppe  Tartini's sonata for violin in g minor.  This piece will be my spring/summer project.

 Here is Perlman, my favorite, playing the second movement.  His playing really gives me a sense of peace...his expression alone makes me feel like nothing else matters besides music.  He plays with such ease and confidence.  He makes it look way too easy.


  The next video is Perlman playing the third...which is WAY above my level.  Nonetheless--enjoy!