Contrasts

My hiatus is over. It was extended a little longer than planned. I caught a cold and had some laryngitis, but I am about fully recovered. My Aunt Irma said that a soprano can't have laryngitis! I full agree. Fortunately I got through my three day's of courses before getting sick and I had a full four days to recover. I see I am going to have to pace myself.

I ventured out this afternoon after four days and my first stop was the library. I think that it was while walking through the library and searching among the stacks that I suddenly had this sense of being a student again. I had a heightened awareness of my place in the context of the library,the significane of being a student. I was both a participant and an observer for that moment.

It is really wonderful to come back to school at my age. I come to it with a heightened consciousness about what I want to achieve. I mean what do most of us really know about anything when we head off to college at age of 18? We have a little life experience behind us and only some clarity of direction.

This time it is different. I come to academia with 44 years of life experience to draw upon. I come to my studies with a tenacity and dedication that was only partially possible as a young college student. Then I had to deal with leaving home and family for the first time. I had to make new friends and deal with sharing a room with a total stranger! And there were so many dilemas. I worried about whether or not I would have a date for the weekend or if that cute guy in the dining room thought I was also cute or even noticed me at all. I was on my own for the first time and was glad for a a curfew first semester. That got me out of a few situations I had know idea how to handle.I was so naive and gullible. Oy! And when I dressed for class in the morning and looked in the mirror I was either having a good day or an ugly day and if it was the later I might change my clothes at least four times before deciding on something that only barely passed mustard. Afterall, it was an ugly day. Nothing was going to look good. Now I only have to contend with not having a full length mirror. I am waiting for it to be installed. In the meantime standing on a chair in front of the bathroom mirror doesn't cut the mustard either!

Of course you see what I am getting at. I am in a place in my life where I can draw on my diverse life experiences and fully focus on my studies and goals. I have clarity and an objectivity. Instead of competition among my classmates there is collaboration. We are all mature adults here for our own particular reasons, but all with a passion for chant. We all bring different experiences to the plate and are helping one another. My classmates and professors are kind and supportive and that creates a wonderful environment for learning. I am loving academia. whi knows, I may stay for more than a year!