Rhapsody Daybook

Disclaimer: Blogger appears to be having some sort of issue with this post, so if it's awful visually, please forgive me!

Praise the Lord, God of all that is good, for getting me through the hardest part of the year. Term two has finally finished, replete with a full orchestral recession, and I'm enormously grateful. Granted, I'm positively exhausted, completely burned out and still gnawing away at three big projects, but I made it and now I too can rest and say 'it is good'. Thank you Jesus.

The past few days were spent in (the remarkably putrid-smelling) Rotorua at a huge cross-Tasman music festival. Our choir was adjudicated and received a 'gold' ranking (yay!) and we all took part in massed workshops and festival groups. I was lucky enough to take part in Honours Choir, which was immensely amazing and heaps of fun.

Somewhat inspired by that event follows Daybook #3:

Outside my window.....

It's icy. Winter (albeit a pleasantly sunny one) has made its presence known with a couple of frosts. When we left Rhapsody at about quarter to eleven last night, there was already solid ice on the windshield. I know!

I am thankful for.....

• A term well completed and a great report.
• The many talented musicians whom I've had the privilege of listening to over the past few days
• Singing. If I haven't said it before (I know I have), I am so grateful to God for giving us the gift of music. I LOVE to sing! Thank you Jesus, for music. :-)
• God's love. Always.

I am thinking about......

NET. I want to go so much! Hearing everything about it has cemented my conviction in the fact that in 2014, as soon as I'm done with school, I'm headed to Australia to bring Christ to the youth and me to Christ. I'm very excited.

Learning all the time.......

Been reading articles on the ethics of plagiarism, microspores and the neuro-physisiological differences between genders. I'm a multi-faceted teen. Don't doubt it. :-)

On my nightstand......

• The Bible. :-)
• How to be a Hepburn in a Hilton World. Great concept, but kind of disappointing in its execution. Didn't finish it.
• Emma! Miss Fairfax has mysteriously received a pianoforte and Emma has been speculating wildly about who it might be from. Gasp. 
• Practice of the Presence of God- Still haven't started yet! I know! I've had no time to read lately.

I am creating......

A blog post. Sorry, but that's the best I can come up with write right now.

I am working on.......

Keeping my eyes open long enough to finish writing this. I'm suprisingly exhausted, even though (don't tell anyone) I didn't wake up until..... let's just say it wasn't afternoon (quite).

I am praying.....

• For perseverance.
• For Katrina's grandmother in England, who is extremely ill, that God will care for her as He sees fit; that He will walk beside her through the pain and suffering, and that, if it is her time, He will welcome her into the light of His presence with open arms. 

I am hearing......

The clicky clacky laptop keys. I love the sound of the computer keys. It's so soothing. I've always wanted an old-fashioned typewriter. Gosh they're gorgeous.

Other than that it's quiet. Peaceful. God's here in moments like these. Rhapsody was astoundingly loud. I'm glad for the silence.

One of my favourite things.....

Black and White movies. I've decided my five favourite B&Ws (and indeed pretty much my all time favourite movies) are... (drumroll)

• The absolutely stunning Gone with the Wind. 
• Sabrina with the lovely Audrey Hepburn. Pure genius.
• The bittersweet, heartwarming Casablanca
• and, for some comic relief, Animal Crackers (or any Marx Brothers movie for that matter!)

Oh! That's only four. Ah well, too bad. They're good ones.

Plans for the rest of the week......

I've drawn up a comprehensive (and colourful) schedule for the next six days in the attempt to tackle these projects. Please pray for me. And we leave for Samoa on Friday!!!! Soooo excited.

Quote of the moment.....

"My heart is steadfast, O God. My heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, O Lord among the nations. I will sing of You among the peoples. " Psalm 57:7

A picture I am sharing with you.......

My pwetty pwetty piano. Note the St. Thomas More newsletter randomly sitting on the ledge. 

Because I love music (if you hadn't gotten that yet!).

AMDG