Arise

Teaching in America is different from teaching in China. Teaching music is way different than teaching English. That's not really a strong statement or argument to start a blog post on. I just can't seem to come up with a sentence that would overall connect everything that is running through my mind so I thought I would throw out some obvious facts out into the open.

Student teaching is a time of transition, a time of straddling two worlds, still a student and almost a full fledged adult. Working with and teaching kids who are only four years younger than you. Nothing gets past them. I talk to kids every day, celebrate with them as their acceptance letters to college roll in, as they rehearse endless hours for their musical, and as they look for distractions in class as opposed to working on music theory worksheets.

I had some free time at the piano today, as I had a free period and the choir room all to myself. It was truly a blissful thing. It was as if any composition that had ever sprouted from my fingertips was recanted to fill the choir room, everything just flowed with little thought or hesitation. While in this process a song that I had written my senior year of high school began, and my mind was sent on this train of thought between the similarities and differences between being a senior in high school and a senior in college. I was horrendously troubled about leaving high school. It was so much fun, I had friends and memories and  I loved nearly every aspect about it. I can tell you that leaving college is going to be horrendously troubling as well. Times of transition and change are not my forte (musical pun!). Back in the day (all four years ago) in efforts to deal with all that was occurring I decided to express myself through a healthy outlet of composing and writing song after song. Today I was given a fresh wind of all that had settled.

Ever been moved by your own writing? It sounds really weird to say, but in reflecting upon the insight that I had four years ago, I realized today how moved I was by what I had written. That person was a different person, and yet I was still able to communicate to the me of today. And by no means am I saying this to 'pump myself up' or to say 'woah, I'm such an inspirational person'. Eww...never. I was just moved at the power of words and imagery that specifically radiates with what I'm experiencing at my current stage of life.

For as much as I am loving my current life in the day-to-day, I am (unhealthily) choosing to ignore the major transition that is quickly creeping up on me. A time of transition and making decisions, a time that I am not looking forward to in the least. We all have major places and turning points in life. I wanted to encourage you with the lyrics of the song that I wrote. Today, they provided for me a release and realization. Hopefully you'll be able to take something away from them, or at least temporarily dwell in the emotion of change.

Arise (May'07)

"Remembering yesterday, sadly watch it slip away.
Lost in the Memories of what has been,unsure of whats to come.

A part of me left behind as I replay those memories inside my mind.

Wishing for moments I cant get back as tears stream down.
 

As darkness falls the night prevails.

((chorus))
Im starting over.

Another dawn will soon arise and shine.

A new beginning, I gotta leave all my past behind.

It's time to move on.

Wondering who I will be, will I ever fulfill my destiny?

The past forever a part of my soul,
torn between two worlds.

And now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
May these memories never fade, I pray.
May they calm the night

Gray skies unveil the break of day.

My dreams are ready to ignite.
No turning back,
Pray to God I'll be allright.
No Mistakes,
I'm stronger than before.
Spread my wings and soar.

Im starting over.

Another dawn will soon arise (arise).

A new beginning, new adventures I can't wait to find.

Embracing the memories.

Learn from the past, it's time to move on.
A new beginning, new adventures I can't wait to find.

I'll find my new dawn."