Wellness and Love

My dad told me that he read an article on ways to improve your life and one of the things you should do to improve your life is to write everyday. It's good for you to write about your day and organize your thoughts before going to sleep. Probably is good for you on a psychological level or something. The article also specifically mentioned writing on a blog. This is because you should be writing as if you have an audience. It's ok to talk about what ever you would like, but just the point of view and writing style should reflect a conversation or a book or an article to some degree. It's interesting. 

It's been a crazy couple of days and there is a lot to talk about as always, but I would rather not reiterate the events because that can get lengthy and boring. Today I'd like to write about a personal response I had to a Facebook posting. Now don't worry and start rolling your eyes because you think that this post is about discussing a controversial topic. Fear not. It's benign. I don't remember the status word for word but it went along the lines as "a little bit of me is in love with a little bit of you," or something like that. And this struck me a little bit. I realized that I have forgotten what it is like to be head over heels for someone or even just "crushing" on someone. We all know that giddy feeling, butterflies in our stomachs; don't try and deny it. 

I'm not saying that I need it or that I am seeking it or think that I should be seeking it; no, not in the least. But I will say I miss it. I have found more joy and a similar feeling recently when I wake up and read my Bible. It's rare that I feel motivated to spend quality time with God , so it's interesting that I am now almost excited to do so. It's a fantastic thing, really. Sadly, I cannot say that I feel as elated as I do about God as I remember being about a crush. Is that a bad thing? I can see it both ways. 

Fact is, I miss it. I miss that experience a little bit, even though it usually causes more drama than it's worth. But because  I am missing something so worldly, perhaps I should be focusing and finding this feeling in God. It's a tough to imagine and quite honestly, in my physical worldly mind, doesn't sound as good. But I know that's a lie, because God is enough. 

This was basically just a rambling post, but helpful in my "analysis" of the needs of our emotional and spiritual desires and even health. 

Mother Falcon Performance

I case you didn't know, I recently had the opportunity to compose my own arrangement of a song with a good friend of mine for our last high school concert ever! I won't go in to a lot of details now, but essentially, we wrote a cover for full symphonic orchestra of a song called "Serpent Tongues" by our absolute favorite band, Mother Falcon. It was a great experience! Now, the recordings are finally online for public listening, so please enjoy :).

Check them out here: https://soundcloud.com/kristina-lu

My own rendition of Mother Falcon's new album cover for You Knew

Oh! And by the way, I also started a concert blog: http://klucoloradoconcerts.blogspot.com/

The swimmers, they churn up the water;

But does it get any softer?

No. 

For a while, yes. 

But forever? No. 

What's the Point?

What's the point of negativity and looking for the worst in something or someone? You can't possibly be enjoying it if your complaining about it? Or is it that you enjoy complaining and that's why you do it? Will it change anything?

Someone please let me know.

The Standing Ovation

As a very involved performing artist, I have seen many musical and theater performance. Additionally, I have also been in many performances. Now, I know everyone has their own opinion and everyone has different tastes, but one thing that slightly bothers me is the phony standing ovation.

Like stated above, I know a thing or two about being on the stage side of a performance and I can remember a few concerts that I have had the privilege of participating in that have been honored with a standing ovation. For example, this past January, I was playing with the district honor band under the direction of Allan McMurray, director of the Director of Bands in the College of Music at the University of Colorado in Boulder. We played "An American Elegy" by Frank Ticheli which is in memorial of the victims and the families and friends of those involved in the 1999 Columbine High School shooting. If you have never heard this piece before, it will change your life. Each note and tone is symbolic and meaningful (listen to this specific performance here). But anyways, that's a whole tangent for another time. My point is that that piece and the performance the band had was something we were proud of and did in fact receive its own individual standing-o. An it's a great feeling knowing that you did your best and and more importantly, that it spoke to and touched the audience.

However, it bothers me that nowadays, or at least at the high school level, that standing ovations are just something given out of courtesy. Don't get me wrong, I am all about giving props to anyone who has put in the time and effort and courage and practice to get up on stage and preform and I will always clap and acknowledge someone's great accomplishment, but I feel like now, a standing ovation follows every performance, even ones that it is clear are mediocre. In contrast to my other example above, I have also been a part of many disappointing performances but still people rise and cheer even though it is clear that it really wasn't anything special. I understand why people stand - to be nice - but when you stand for every thing, it diminishes the significance of the standing ovation when so actually witness something spectacular.

That's just me on my soap box, sorry for the rant.

Congratulations?

In today's world of short-lived marriages, whenever someone tells me how long they've been married I always feel the need to congratulate them. I am most sure if it is our of encouragement or praise or recognition or what, but I always do. However, after doing so I always feel slightly awkward. It's as if in saying that I show doubt towards their marriage or marriage in general. That's not what I intend but I feel that it can come off that way.

It's sad how short marriage seems to last these days. Is it weird or in appropriate to congratulate those couples who have made it 5, 10, 20, 30+ years?

Those Asian Kids, Ep. 1

First Episode of Those Asian Kids!

The De-Articulator 5000 replays your voice back into your ears at a delayed rate making it so you physically cannot talk!

Song we tried to sing: "Five Years Time" by Noah and the Whale

Music: "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" by Vampire Weekend