Monday, January 23, 2012
Life These Days
I thought I would take a little longer than a minute to talk about what I do and what I plan on doing. It's counter-cultural. It's humbling because I have so far to go. It's also far-fetched at first glance. When I talk about my methods of learning, I have to talk out of both sides of my mouth. I support college education and think it is extremely vital to a properly functioning world... but I'm currently not going to college and have no plan on going back. I took classes for a year and a half. It was not a waste of time. It was extremely foundational. I use the knowledge I acquired during that period of time every day. So why didn't I go back?
Well, the easy reason was that I just couldn't afford it. When the time was right for me to go, the money was there. So lack of finances definitely helped make that decision. But remove the financial factor, and the decision was still not an easy one. I got a lot of counsel from different people in the particular field that I am pursuing and all of them agreed: college is helpful, but not essential. As long as I can prove what I know, there is opportunity. It doesn't necessarily matter how or where I learned how to do it. It matters that I can do it. So what is this "it" exactly that I'm trying to learn?
This is where it's a little embarrassing. I tell people that I'm independently studying filmscoring/songwriting. Think filmscore, and you automatically think major film. John Williams. No, I'm not trying to be John Williams. Think songwriting, and it sounds like I'm trying to be... oh I don't know... Taylor Swift. I'm definitely not trying to be Taylor Swift (although she is adorable). I'm trying to be the best I can possibly be, but I'm not trying to be famous. If a miracle happened and I got a chance to be a part of a major major major project, I'd take it. But for now, here are my goals:
I'll tackle songwriting first. I started writing songs about five years ago. Right now it's more of a hobby than anything else. It's an outlet for creativity, and so when a song is finished I feel a huge sense of accomplishment and release. If I had a goal with songwriting, it'd be to continue recording my own songs, independently, and hope that it encourages whoever listens to it. I write about my experiences, what God is teaching me, my relationships with other people, my hopes and dreams, and I realize that a lot of that is relative to others. So if someone else is able to identify, is encouraged, and is drawn closer to the Lord by listening to a song of mine, then I consider it a success. If God has bigger plans for my songs, then I'm open to that. If they're used in churches, then that would be incredible. If they end up on the radio one day, that'd be icing on the cake. If I go on tour, well that would just be a dream. But I don't expect any of that.
Film scoring. It's something I thought would be so cool. I originally wanted to study commercial music (in short, writing music for commercials. Correct title: spot artist) because it would help me gain experience in writing for different genres, thus helping my songwriting abilities. My parents have always encouraged me to add complexity in my songs... which requires more thought, time, and skill. I figured studying film scoring would help out in this area. During the process of figuring out how I would go about learning this, I discovered that I really did like film music and that, hey, writing for an actual film would be fun. It was also during this time that I met John Campbell, and once I found out more about what he does... well, I discovered my new dream job. In some ways music for commercials is very similar to film scores, but shorter (good for my short attention span). Down the road, if this was something I could actually get good at, I'd love to do scores for the independent Christian film world. If it went bigger than that... I'd probably accept. But again, that's dreaming big. I found out that life has many sound tracks... What about the music that they play at Disney World? Or Miami Sea Aquarium? Or even the mall? Granted, Muzak makes a lot of those decisions, but someone has to compose the actual music. It's the behind the scenes type work that I like.
My ultimate dream job? Wife and mother. Short and simple. I've thought and prayed about how to find a balance between working and starting a family. I feel like as long as family comes first, the two can work together nicely. I feel like God has given me passions and talents for this area, and that once I have a family of my own, it would not be glorifying to God to just throw them out of the window. Either career can be done at home, on my own schedule, and can work around having a family.
But since the whole family thing seems a loooong ways off, I'm satisfied to stay in my garage and learn.
My techniques for learning? Listening, Reading, Doing.
I don't have a fixed curriculum. I listen to a lot of music. I read books and blogs. I watch a lot of tutorials off of macprovideo.com. I youtube and google quite a bit. I take a lot of notes. Now doesn't that sound professional? I know, it doesn't. But again, this is a field where I just have to prove I know what I'm doing. If I need help proving that, I found out Berklee has certification tests I can take for a resume. I might do that.
I can get discouraged at times thinking nothing I'm doing is actually credible. But I feel like this is where God wants me, and that He's made that clear. And really, there's no better place to be than at the center of His will. He's provided opportunities to learn, to create music, and to study under professionals in this field. I am very blessed.
So until something changes, I keep writing.
Well, the easy reason was that I just couldn't afford it. When the time was right for me to go, the money was there. So lack of finances definitely helped make that decision. But remove the financial factor, and the decision was still not an easy one. I got a lot of counsel from different people in the particular field that I am pursuing and all of them agreed: college is helpful, but not essential. As long as I can prove what I know, there is opportunity. It doesn't necessarily matter how or where I learned how to do it. It matters that I can do it. So what is this "it" exactly that I'm trying to learn?
This is where it's a little embarrassing. I tell people that I'm independently studying filmscoring/songwriting. Think filmscore, and you automatically think major film. John Williams. No, I'm not trying to be John Williams. Think songwriting, and it sounds like I'm trying to be... oh I don't know... Taylor Swift. I'm definitely not trying to be Taylor Swift (although she is adorable). I'm trying to be the best I can possibly be, but I'm not trying to be famous. If a miracle happened and I got a chance to be a part of a major major major project, I'd take it. But for now, here are my goals:
I'll tackle songwriting first. I started writing songs about five years ago. Right now it's more of a hobby than anything else. It's an outlet for creativity, and so when a song is finished I feel a huge sense of accomplishment and release. If I had a goal with songwriting, it'd be to continue recording my own songs, independently, and hope that it encourages whoever listens to it. I write about my experiences, what God is teaching me, my relationships with other people, my hopes and dreams, and I realize that a lot of that is relative to others. So if someone else is able to identify, is encouraged, and is drawn closer to the Lord by listening to a song of mine, then I consider it a success. If God has bigger plans for my songs, then I'm open to that. If they're used in churches, then that would be incredible. If they end up on the radio one day, that'd be icing on the cake. If I go on tour, well that would just be a dream. But I don't expect any of that.
Film scoring. It's something I thought would be so cool. I originally wanted to study commercial music (in short, writing music for commercials. Correct title: spot artist) because it would help me gain experience in writing for different genres, thus helping my songwriting abilities. My parents have always encouraged me to add complexity in my songs... which requires more thought, time, and skill. I figured studying film scoring would help out in this area. During the process of figuring out how I would go about learning this, I discovered that I really did like film music and that, hey, writing for an actual film would be fun. It was also during this time that I met John Campbell, and once I found out more about what he does... well, I discovered my new dream job. In some ways music for commercials is very similar to film scores, but shorter (good for my short attention span). Down the road, if this was something I could actually get good at, I'd love to do scores for the independent Christian film world. If it went bigger than that... I'd probably accept. But again, that's dreaming big. I found out that life has many sound tracks... What about the music that they play at Disney World? Or Miami Sea Aquarium? Or even the mall? Granted, Muzak makes a lot of those decisions, but someone has to compose the actual music. It's the behind the scenes type work that I like.
My ultimate dream job? Wife and mother. Short and simple. I've thought and prayed about how to find a balance between working and starting a family. I feel like as long as family comes first, the two can work together nicely. I feel like God has given me passions and talents for this area, and that once I have a family of my own, it would not be glorifying to God to just throw them out of the window. Either career can be done at home, on my own schedule, and can work around having a family.
But since the whole family thing seems a loooong ways off, I'm satisfied to stay in my garage and learn.
My techniques for learning? Listening, Reading, Doing.
I don't have a fixed curriculum. I listen to a lot of music. I read books and blogs. I watch a lot of tutorials off of macprovideo.com. I youtube and google quite a bit. I take a lot of notes. Now doesn't that sound professional? I know, it doesn't. But again, this is a field where I just have to prove I know what I'm doing. If I need help proving that, I found out Berklee has certification tests I can take for a resume. I might do that.
I can get discouraged at times thinking nothing I'm doing is actually credible. But I feel like this is where God wants me, and that He's made that clear. And really, there's no better place to be than at the center of His will. He's provided opportunities to learn, to create music, and to study under professionals in this field. I am very blessed.
So until something changes, I keep writing.
My classroom.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
These Dishes
The boxes have come out of storage. "Grace's China" is written in cursive on each side along with a few "fragile" warnings. I've always known that there's more than dishes in these boxes, but was recently reminded of the sentiment that they contain.Somehow the boxes had gotten wet, so I had to move the dishes to a different location. As I rinsed each piece of china, my mind raced forward.
-I pictured unpacking them in a tiny house that will one day be my home.
-I imagined putting them on display in a china cabinet that probably came from Salvation Army and was a splurge for my not-so-well-off husband and me to get.
-On that same note, I envisioned them being one of my most valuable possessions. And here's why:
I have no idea what they're financially worth, and frankly, I don't care if they came from Dollar General (although I highly doubt they did). They are invaluable to me because of who gave them to me. These dishes were given to my grandmother as her wedding present, and now she has passed them on to me. DeDe means the world to me. All my life I have been blessed to be near her. I have learned with her, laughed with her, cried with her, prayed with her--she is one amazing person. I marvel at her insight and her love for the Lord and hope that one day, somehow, I can continue on her legacy.
In the mean time, the dishes are again, packaged (thank goodness I found a use for those sheets of Power Rangers tissue paper--really, why was that in our house?!). The dishes are in my hope chest... waiting. I hope to put them on display one day. I hope to have you over at my house and serve you something tasty on them. By the way, those angels are salt and pepper shakers... awww!
And while I'm thinking about it... I consider myself so blessed to have close relationships with both sets of grandparents. Even more, I am blessed that all four of them love the Lord. Praise God for His goodness. James 1:17
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Garden
Howdy.
Well, I have decided that I won't blog every day. Yep, another resolution out the window :)
Not really.
I realized that I can run out of stuff to write about pretty fast, so I'm thinking once a week. Every Monday. In the mean time, here's a new song.
Garden by Grace Coleman
I realize it's a bit repetitive. I usually try to shy away from that, but sometimes I just need to reflect and say something over and over again until I believe it.
The melody also took me back to when my family and I visited the botanical gardens in Washington, DC. Absolutely stunning. Thus, where I found the inspiration for the first verse.
Well, I have decided that I won't blog every day. Yep, another resolution out the window :)
Not really.
I realized that I can run out of stuff to write about pretty fast, so I'm thinking once a week. Every Monday. In the mean time, here's a new song.
Garden by Grace Coleman
I realize it's a bit repetitive. I usually try to shy away from that, but sometimes I just need to reflect and say something over and over again until I believe it.
The melody also took me back to when my family and I visited the botanical gardens in Washington, DC. Absolutely stunning. Thus, where I found the inspiration for the first verse.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Jan 8
I don't have much to say today except to quote from the hymn we sang this morning:
I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.
I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain
I need Thee, Oh, I need Thee
Every hour, I need Thee....
I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.
I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain
I need Thee, Oh, I need Thee
Every hour, I need Thee....
My view.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Jan 7
Today was filled with all sorts of wonderfulness. Spent almost the whole day babysitting my favorite little guy. Then I picked up my awesome friend Leah and headed to Erika's house for a pinterest party. What is a pinterest party? Well.. it looks something like three girls making a huge mess of Mexican food in the kitchen... it turned out quite tasty. And I only had to make the lime-cilantro rice twice!
Once again, stuck with my phone as a camera... but it's a picture! In other events, I actually used a sewing machine today and it didn't blow up or anything. Leah and I are spending the night here at Erika's. And I'm tired. Good night all.
Once again, stuck with my phone as a camera... but it's a picture! In other events, I actually used a sewing machine today and it didn't blow up or anything. Leah and I are spending the night here at Erika's. And I'm tired. Good night all.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Day 6 (more like day 2)
Highlights of the day:
I dropped a chair on my big toe. It really hurts (Not a good highlight)
Grabbed dinner with my grand parents. They are truly grand. (Good highlight)
AND I went to my first soccer game. Ever. So, here is my picture as both proof and my picture for January 6 :) Had a great time watching and chatting with one of my best friends, Erika Rein. So thankful for her.
A photographer, I am not. That, and my phone takes TERRIBLE pictures... I should start carrying my camera with me so they're not 100% lame.
Well, to make up for the poor quality of that photo I will attach something else. Shout out to my friend Daniel Pardo who is letting me borrow one of the most epic musical compilations my ears have had the privilege of listening to. I've literally been playing it ALL day. The mail man came up to my door and said, "Something sounds good!" Daniel may not get it back... Anywho, the following is a link to my favorite song off the album "Goat Rodeo" featuring Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile, and Stuart Duncan (Yeah, I had never heard of the last three people either). Actually, I can't decide between Attaboy and Quarter Chicken Dark, so you get both. Aren't you lucky.
So far 2012 is going pretty well. Hope it is for you too! God is good.
Oh, here's something I've been mulling over lately... Psalm 84:11 is one of my favorite verses because of the first half which says "the Lord is a sun and shield; the Lord gives Grace and Glory" I think you can see why. But the second part is what's been sticking with me lately... "No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly" ...it goes hand in hand with Romans 8:28. However, I think many people glance over the qualification... "those who walk uprightly" and "those who love God and are called according to His purpose" But as I've been talking this one through with my friend Laura, I'm realizing that sometimes those "good things" that God does not withhold from us are hard things. They don't feel like good things at the time because they hurt... but they're good because they are shaping us into who God has created us to be. They are sanctifying us, making us holy, making us more like Christ, and therefore it is indeed good. Man, just thinking about that amazes me. If you're striving to be like Christ and are facing something difficult, be encouraged. This is a good thing.
I dropped a chair on my big toe. It really hurts (Not a good highlight)
Grabbed dinner with my grand parents. They are truly grand. (Good highlight)
AND I went to my first soccer game. Ever. So, here is my picture as both proof and my picture for January 6 :) Had a great time watching and chatting with one of my best friends, Erika Rein. So thankful for her.
A photographer, I am not. That, and my phone takes TERRIBLE pictures... I should start carrying my camera with me so they're not 100% lame.
Well, to make up for the poor quality of that photo I will attach something else. Shout out to my friend Daniel Pardo who is letting me borrow one of the most epic musical compilations my ears have had the privilege of listening to. I've literally been playing it ALL day. The mail man came up to my door and said, "Something sounds good!" Daniel may not get it back... Anywho, the following is a link to my favorite song off the album "Goat Rodeo" featuring Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile, and Stuart Duncan (Yeah, I had never heard of the last three people either). Actually, I can't decide between Attaboy and Quarter Chicken Dark, so you get both. Aren't you lucky.
So far 2012 is going pretty well. Hope it is for you too! God is good.
Oh, here's something I've been mulling over lately... Psalm 84:11 is one of my favorite verses because of the first half which says "the Lord is a sun and shield; the Lord gives Grace and Glory" I think you can see why. But the second part is what's been sticking with me lately... "No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly" ...it goes hand in hand with Romans 8:28. However, I think many people glance over the qualification... "those who walk uprightly" and "those who love God and are called according to His purpose" But as I've been talking this one through with my friend Laura, I'm realizing that sometimes those "good things" that God does not withhold from us are hard things. They don't feel like good things at the time because they hurt... but they're good because they are shaping us into who God has created us to be. They are sanctifying us, making us holy, making us more like Christ, and therefore it is indeed good. Man, just thinking about that amazes me. If you're striving to be like Christ and are facing something difficult, be encouraged. This is a good thing.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
A picture/post a day...
What am I getting myself into... I never thought I'd do this, but since I've been clogging up everyone's news feed on facebook with pictures, I figured I'd just do it here under a New Year's Resolution that I had no intention of making... This also means I'll be blogging EVERY DAY.
yikes.
Well, I realize that it is already five days into the new year. However, like I mentioned earlier, I've already been taking some pictures so I'm only like, two days late. Let me fill you in...
Today, January 5th, I am back in the "studio" recording a recently-completed song. We'll see how long this takes.
While I may not have taken this picture on the actual 4th, we'll say that I did. My sound libraries came in the mail.. I'm still riding the wave of excitement. :D Now I'm just waiting for a hard drive dock to come in the mail so I can actually use them. I am happy. I am poor.
This must have been January 3rd... this is what happens when I leave my sister in my room alone. It will stay there. And yes, that's my deodorant chillin with Shia Labeouf, who is just just hanging out on a necklace.
See ya tomorrow! And the next day. And the next.
yikes.
Well, I realize that it is already five days into the new year. However, like I mentioned earlier, I've already been taking some pictures so I'm only like, two days late. Let me fill you in...
Today, January 5th, I am back in the "studio" recording a recently-completed song. We'll see how long this takes.
While I may not have taken this picture on the actual 4th, we'll say that I did. My sound libraries came in the mail.. I'm still riding the wave of excitement. :D Now I'm just waiting for a hard drive dock to come in the mail so I can actually use them. I am happy. I am poor.
This must have been January 3rd... this is what happens when I leave my sister in my room alone. It will stay there. And yes, that's my deodorant chillin with Shia Labeouf, who is just just hanging out on a necklace.
See ya tomorrow! And the next day. And the next.
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