Hello
and welcome to my blog!I'm
Brittany, and I'm majoring in Music here at Judson College. I have a passion for Christ, music, and people; and I love
quotes, polka dots, and the color purple. I live about two hours away in the small town of Dadeville,
Alabama, and I like to think of Judson as my home away from home. Some
of you may
have followed me through last year’s blogs as I had my first
experiences as a freshman. I
invite you to join me this year as I share new experiences as a
sophomore, and keep you informed about Judson’s music ensembles.
Well, it's that time of the year again. Pictures of turkeys pop up as door decorations, and if you're not one of the select few getting their wisdom teeth taken away, you're also thinking of yummy food that makes our mouths water just by thinking about it. I even tried to make my blog font look like thanksgiving (did it work?) Even still, many minds will...
...simply...
...float...
...away....
...to that seemingly...
...distant time...
...commonly referred to as...
Thanksgiving break.
I have to admit, I'm pretty excited about no classes for 10 days, even though many of those days will be spent catching up and preparing for the weeks ahead in my classes and final exams.
While school and rest will be on the brain, I'm also ready for the spirit of Thanksgiving. Memories and traditions such as cooking with my mom, watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade, and being surrounded by family are all things that come to mind. While all these things are part of Thanksgiving for me, I can't forget the reason for this holiday. I would like to dedicate this blog to some of the things I'm thankful for, along with a few explanations.
1. My Savior
I hope this is at the top of everyone's list! Without a doubt, I know I would not be where I am today without God's saving grace and the love He has shown me. He truly does care and watch over each of us! I have been reminded of this through many things, even in the past week. It's easy to overlook things like safe traveling, a professor moving a test you're not ready for, a good grade, or just having a great day, but it makes me smile sometimes to just think, "that was definitely a God thing."
2. My Freedom
Where do I start? Freedom to worship, to state my opinions, to vote, and to receive the education of my choice. I'm so thankful to have grown up and to be living in an environment where I am able exercise freedom.
3. My Family
I like to think of my family as the people I can always count on, no matter what. They are constantly showing me support, and I know if I need them for anything, they'll be there. I am so blessed to have a family as tight knit and reliable as mine have proven to be.
4. My Friends
I have made so many friends since coming to Judson. I have also formed a tight sisterhood bond with some of these girls, and I know they've got my back. I truly believe God gave us friends as a second family.
5. My School
There are few places where you can get as many experiences as Judson offers. As a student, I have the opportunity to participate in many things, such as Judson Ambassador, FAITH ensemble, Delta Omicron, Class Officer, and many other things as well. This school offers you a place to grow, discover talents, and learn that being the best you can be is not an immediate achievable goal, but a continuous process.
This list definitely does not even come close to the things I am thankful for, and I'm pretty sure no list could ever reach its completion. There are SO many blessings in each of our lives, and while I may have mentioned some major ones, many blessings are found in everyday life! This Thanksgiving break, I hope we all stop and realize what this time is all about. It's pretty simple really . . .
Giving Thanks
This Thanksgiving, while I will be doing the same traditions and activities, along with a few new ones, I will also be pausing to reflect on my many blessings, and I hope you will too!
"Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what He has done."
Someone told me this semester, "Brittany, you seem to be meeting yourself going and coming!" I don't know how popular that phrase is, but I've found it to be a funny way to look at the hustle and bustle that has come with my activities this semester. So, for this blog, rather than talking about just one thing, I'd like to give you a true run through of a Judson girl's week. Here it goes!!
Saturday: Game Day
I participated in my first Hockey Day this year. I remember staring out my window, working on homework, last year and saying: "I'm gonna play next year, no matter what." Well, even with my schedule, I found a way to participate, and I'm so glad I did! As a member of the Jr-Frosh team, I had so much fun practicing and playing. I learned it's a great stress reliever!
Saturday night: FIRE!!!!
What can I say, my suitemates are the best! I was sitting in my room when the alarm went off in Holly Beth and Bethany's room. Jumping up, I hurried in to their smoke filled room to see them waving pillows and trying to open the window . . . and then the dorm alarms went off! Read more about the most interesting and humorous fire drill ever in Audra's blog!
Sunday = Day of Rest
As funny as it may sound, my roommate and I dedicated this day as a literal day of rest. After such a busy week, the word exhaustion was an understatement. God really knew what He was talking about when He said we needed a day off!
Monday: Where did it go?
After Spanish labs Saturday night, Heather and I decided to go grab a cookie from Subway. This may seem like a random thing to do, but we've learned it's a great way to get off campus for a break. Subway cookies are pretty tasty, and make a great treat before cracking open the books!
Tuesday and Wednesday: MIA!
These two days went by so quickly, and were filled with so many events, meetings, and classes, writing about them would take a blog in and of itself. Let's just call them Frequent Flyer Miles. =) They prepared me for the days ahead, and all the more thankful for the weekend!
Thursday: BLACKOUT
What goes through your mind when you hear this word? If you're a current Judson student, maybe you think of basketball games, and showing your support for the team by wearing as much black as possible.
Maybe a movie or band comes to mind, or black out as in passing out. If you're trying to think outside the box, you might have thought something like "Is that the opposite of White-out?"
Well, the kind of blackout I'm referring to would fall under the category of "none of the above." Last night, I returned to my room from meeting, and all of a sudden, the lights went out! After some investigation, we discovered the town had encountered a blackout. We had a grand time stargazing and completing our nightly activities by flashlight.
Friday: Keep a song in your heart
This event is yet to happen. In a matter of hours, I will get to hear a fellow music major give her Senior Recital before her graduation this December. I can't wait to hear her performance!
Saturday: Scholarship Day
Ahh, the day I fell in love with Judson. Tomorrow, rather than being the prospective, I'll have my first experience as a "Lady in Red," AKA Judson Ambassador! While I am not yet qualified to lead tours, I will be helping the prospective students find their way around campus, answering any questions they may have, and anything else I can do to make their visit as great as mine was! Also, I'll be in Tucker Hall with those participating in music auditions! Of course, I'll also be singing with FAITH in the Chapel for the opening program in the morning! I'm looking forward to meeting many future Judson girls tomorrow.
I hope you enjoyed my insight into a Judson girl's week. Though we may stay busy, we always have room for fun, and many humorous events occur during each and every week.
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
Tedeschi, I will fear no master class, and you, Brittany,
will be right there with me."
I muffle a giggle as I read my newest incoming text from Amanda. The butterflies and knots find their way back to my stomach as I realize what I am getting ready for.
It's not just another class, it's a Master Class.
I am about to play my piano piece in front of a concert pianist, and hear the opinions of someone who has toured places all over the world with the music he performs.
Last night, Judson had its first Concert Lecture of the year. Simon Tedeschi, Pianist, and Mariia Gorkun, violinist, presented a stunning performance, and left the students of the Master Class feeling a mix of inspiration and knots in our stomachs. How did I feel, you ask? The words that come to mind are nervous, nerve wracked, first Master class ever, incompetent, and a few other feelings that are hopefully normal to experience before playing in front of a Concert pianist.
I walk to Tucker and find Jessca, Miriam, and Amanda, all looking about as nervous as I am. "At least I'm not the only one" I think to myself. We spend the next 15 minutes exchanging encouraging words and "we can do this" attitudes. Dr. Brown, our piano teacher, walks in, and says with a smile "you should feel inspired!", and proceeds to tell us the order we will be playing. I couldn't help but lean over to Jess and say something like "Yes, I feel inspired to practice about 10 more years before I play for this man!"
I run through my piece once more before heading to my seat. Soon after I take my seat, Simon Tedeschi walks on stage. Jess is first on stage. As I watched this man make suggestions, my nerves slowly started calming. Maybe this won't be so bad....
My turn finally comes. I walk on stage and play my Mendelssohn piece the best I can with my shaky hands and skyrocketed pulse.
Note to self: work on performance nerves!
I won't go into every detail about my lesson with Mr. Tedeschi, but I can definitely say I have a long way to go before I reach a musical level even close to his. It turns out Dr. Brown was right, I should and do feel inspired! Mr. Tedeschi made suggestions on legato touch (this literally means "tied together" and means to play the notes smoothly and connected), dynamics (things like when to be soft and when to be loud), and gave me some insight on what my piece should sound like. It was interesting to hear him say some of the same things Dr. Brown mentions in my lessons, and to be reminded of a few things I didn't have down quite as well as I thought I did!
After my first Master Class, I can definitely say, once again, that I feel inspired. I am looking forward to my next practice time, and hopefully an opportunity to participate in another Master Class soon!
Be not afraid of going slowly; be afraid only of standing still.
~Chinese Proverb
With ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance, all things are attainable.
One of the most interesting classesI have attended while at Judson occurred today at 9:20AM.This morning as I was getting ready for class, I looked beyond the bathroom door to see my roommate staring off into space and mouthing words to herself.I glanced at her with one eyebrow raised and said, “Heather, what are you doing??”I looked down to see three 4x6 index cards in her hands and realized the answer to my question as she answered, “practicing my speech!”Over the past few days, I have found my roommate sitting in the floor of our closet with these note cards and a timer, sitting on her bed, computer in hand (her lap actually), and as I found her this morning-mouthing words to herself. Quite often, her concentration is given away with that furrowed brow look.
So determined…
While I had an idea of what her speech would include, a few days ago I walked over to where she was working, and she hid the computer screen from me.Not until I give the speech! It has to be a surprise!
Fast Forward: Speech Day
I walk into class, sit down, and prepare to fill out a speech critique for one of my fellow classmates.
Sexual Harassment Awareness
Soccer
Columbia
Video Production
Fireworks
And of course… a speech titled
“Judson Girl”
With that, I’ll leave you to check out some tidbits of Heather’s speech!
Jugglers of time, unexpected detours, and AE events
As Judson girls, our tendency is to do everything on campus we can fit in our schedule, and then a few other things.We learn how to juggle our time in order to participate in these activities and still have a blast!
Unique – We have a president who talks to us and hangs out with us, our campus is small, and we are a women’s college founded on biblical principles
How many college Presidents do you know of that can call every student by name?It is not uncommon for me to pass Dr. Potts on the sidewalk and hear him say, “Hi Brittany, how are you on this fine afternoon?”He also attends sports events, participates in the faculty/student softball game, and even heads out to fish with the Piscatology class during the summer.Our President is very active in campus life, in addition to his other responsibilities.
Determined to make good grades, complete our degrees, and not get caught when participating in Judson’s secret traditions
Remember what I mentioned above about Heather? “So determined…”You would be hard-pressed to find a time during the day when there was not a lab, help session, or study session going on at Judson.We take pride in doing well in our classes, and we have professors willing to help us learn, even if it means a little extra time out of their day.
Serious about our sisterhood, the friendships we make, and preserving our long kept traditions
I have made friends I will keep in touch with long after my Judson years have come and gone. When you come to Judson, you don’t just find classmates, you find Sisterhood, and eventually, a home away from home.
Observers of those who have gone before us, and those who are to come
We rely on our big sisters and the senior class to walk us through traditions, and observe their actions so we can pass Judson’s traditions to those who are to come.
Noteworthy – our accomplishments are noteworthy
Among other things, Judson College was named in U.S. News & World Report as a Top 20 in the Nation for Liberal Arts Colleges from the High School Guidance Counselor survey, has a wall in Jewett full of Judson girls and their accomplishments, and don’t forget that 100% acceptance rate in medical school!
Of course, Heather’s speech included a few more explanations and stories from personal experience, but all these things make Judson the school it is today.I hope you enjoyed her acronym. I know I did!
