I Have Survived

Well yes, of course I have survived my one and only written exam. I studied like crazy, and remembered what I studied. What would you like to know about: Offertory chants or St. Gallen nuemes? How about chant modes or the history of Christianity and chants up to the 8th century? "Nothing", you say. I understand. I spilled out what I know on four sheets of three-hole notebook paper. Six questions and about an hour and a half later I finished an exited the room with my classmates, having had a sort-of mini d'eau je vous experience. I was back in third grade writing my name in the right hand top corner of the paper. My handwriting looked the same as it did then in third grade!! It was weird.

I am trying to remember when it was that I last took a test. My last graduate course that required a written exam was in 1980 or 81. Let's see...that's nearly 30 years by my calculation. Whew. Am I that old? Don't answer that, please.

I must say that I am glad this exam is behind me. The subject matter we have studied this fall is instrument in contextualizing Gregorian chant and I have learned so much that will help me to sing this very challenging repetory.

So what is next? Well I have essentially three papers to finish, two are almost complete, one to start and music to practioe and memorize. So back to the books I go. But one last thing.

Are you wondering about the weather here in Limerick? I want to tell you that right now I am so grateful to be inside. The winds must be gusting over the River Shannon at about 75 mph and the rain is coming sideways against my bedroom window. If I didn't know it was raining I would thing I was back in Watertown experiencing a major blizzard. This weather is a combination of Ithaca and the North Country(Northern New York State). I feel right at home.

Love from Glocca Morra!