Well things have been busy, yes. But i'm busy doing what I love doing...which is practicing, training, going to rehearsals, and teaching (both musically and athletically).
Aside from playing in the orchestra at UH I am now in the Jazz Orchestra which I am enjoying for the most part. I haven't played in a jazz ensemble since my freshman year of college at SMU. I did truly miss it and I'm glad director Noe Marmolejo has let me sit in with the band. Some of the fellow jazz musicians in the band are very talented and it is a privilege of mine to observe them.
I have also begun teaching more students at my alma mater Spring Woods High School. This new experience has definitely become a very fulfilling one. In fact, it is so inspiring that I think I'll write a reflection about it later on in the very near future.
Training has been going well up until now. Although I have been officially training in an "off-season" manner since last August I didn't truly begin a season preparing regimen until January. And since January I have gotten stronger, faster, slightly leaner, and become a better thrower. However, I have for the past week been dealing with an injury which could not come at a worse time. I'm not quite sure what the problem is but pain has erupted into my right wrist which is also my throwing wrist. I haven't thrown in a week and tomorrow I will resume my throwing despite any lingering pain. If the pain persists any longer than another few weeks then I am definitely going to the doctor...something I HATE to do. My first meet will be in San Antonio for the UTSA Relays.
Also in the realm of throwing, I have begun thinking about a modest future as a throws coach. I have altogether had 4 athletes under my instruction and have enjoyed every minute of it. I hope to have more athletes come to me! Every throws coach I have ever been with has always portrayed sense of "sharing the love" as their most important priority in coaching and I am starting to realize this as I encounter more coaching opportunities. Teaching or coaching something you are passionate about ultimately turns into a sincere effort to share...and spread love. Anyways, I am beginning a site that is FAAAAAR from done. It only has 3 pages on it now and I hope to have about 7. There are also many mistakes in regards to grammar as I have only sketched out my ideas. I suppose I haven't officially made it public but here is what I have farted out so far. freewebs.com/jameskwonlee
Music has been going well and my lip injury is getting better. The scar tissue that was left behind is naturally beginning to diminish. However, with these types of injuries, a total erasure of scar tissue is very rare so I won't count on it as it isn't necessary for it to be completely gone. Nevertheless, I am happy with my progress. I have an audition for the Atlanta Symphony in less than a week. The only thing that has been sucking lately is that I have been getting a series of fever blisters on my lips that prevent me from playing. As my luck would have it, I currently have a big throbbing fever blister on my lip that has prevented my practice for the past few days...which is never a good thing when a major audition is only days away. All I can do at this point is be optimistic and see this as valuable time off.
I have been doing a lot of listening lately (Hearing some Brahms 4th sym as we speak) and finding more pieces that I have instantly fallen in love with. I'm eternally thankful for the gift of music...truly fantastic. I have come to the conclusion that I want to spend the summer learning Brahm's Intermezzo op 118 no 2 and Chopin's prelude no 13. I am definitely a wannabe pianist and this would be a great project for me.
And before I go I must mention a concern for myself...
A concern that has me wondering if I have lost a certain part of myself?
I remember a time when I wrote endlessly on just about anything that I either saw, experienced, felt, touched...whatever...with no regard to the possibility of being outspoken. And now it seems as if I have lost more than just the inspiration to write...that I may have lost my touch with what is around me. Although I take much enjoyment out of tirelessly pursuing music and athletics I think I have forgotten that no matter how busy I am and how devoted I might be that I must constantly nurture the child-like curiosity that all humans have the opporunity to possess. It's a shame how we often let our reactions to life be glossed over and swept up in a tide as strong as everyday routine. I do hope to write more...and more importantly...I beg God to re-open my eyes.
