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It's been raining outside for the last few days, and I've been feeling gloomy and out of sorts this morning. It really escalated when I spilled my coffee on my favorite blouse. So, back in my room with the blouse soaking, I've decided to write down frustrating things and weight them out with good things that have happened and that I'm thankful for. I saw this idea on another blog and thought it looked like a great idea!

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 I failed my math test because I ran out of time and didn't get to answer all the questions.
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 I went to my teacher's office and she explained a lot to me and I feel so much better. I'm retaking the test tomorrow.

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 I won't be able to take design tech I (or any art classes) next semester because my class schedule had some last minute changes.
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 I stopped by the creative services office (it's awesome) yesterday and I might be working there next semester!

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The person who was supposed to buy my old Macbook backed out at the last minute today.
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 I might be able to fix it for my sister.

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 I miss baking and don't have a kitchen in my dorm.
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A friend literally just stopped by right now and brought me fresh-baked cookies.

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I lost a lot of my music library when my computer broke, and hadn't backed up my hard drive.
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I've been enjoying lots of great music on Noisetrade, like Josh Garrels, the Sleeping at Last Christmas album, Beta Radio, This is the Giant, Astronaute, and Rivers and Robots.

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I probably won't be able to do an internship next summer because I'll be working as a camp counselor.
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I'm meeting with the head of the science department next week to talk about the possibility of being his research assistant!

Istanbul in Black and White

Messing around on the piano. It's sorta my thing. I like to go to the practice rooms in the music building after classes sometimes and just play. Decompress. It's almost like I get to turn my brain off for a while, stop thinking and planning and analyzing. No sheet music, just let my fingers explore the ivory. Lately my problem has been that sometimes I come up with some decent stuff, but since it's by ear, I can't remember it the next time I sit at the piano. So. I've started recording improvisational developments on my laptop. Nothing fancy at all, I don't even edit or re-record. It's all raw and in-the-moment. 

 I've decided to try to "play through" the book of Psalms. Psalms was written to be sung, but I thought it would be cool to play them on the piano. Like, read a psalm a few times and meditate on it and then improvise an interpretation for it on the piano. I'll start with Psalm 1 later, but today I needed to read Psalm 62 and be reminded that God is my strength. Sometimes it takes reaching the end of my own strength and collapsing. Today was one of those days. I have nothing, am nothing, can do nothing apart from You. You are my Righteousness. You are my King. You are my Fortress. You are Faithful. You are good. You are love. You are true to Your word. You are Worthy. You are the Alpha and Omega. You are my Salvation. You are my Inheritance. You are Creator of all. You are in control. You are the Lord my God.