Well, it's been a challenging semester so far. But before I say anything else, may I mention how relieved I am that I FINALLY got cable TV?! I now have the Discovery Channel, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News (even if it is a little too right wing for my liking), The History Channel, The Travel Channel, The Food Network, and Animal Planet (yes, I'm aware that I'm a softy when it comes to animals). I missed my mind-feeding channels! It allows me to continue studying/following current affairs and world issues while studying my music.
Speaking of music, I still adore Berklee, but I piled a lot on my plate this time around, and I've been feelin' the effects of it . It's amazing to me that I can spend my days studying one of my greatest passions. I began the semester by taking 11 classes. YES... eleven. I ended up dropping one course, and recently made the decision to withdraw from another for health reasons. Regardless of the amount of work it's been taking for every class, it is more than worth it. I've been working with more Jazz and Blues lately, and it's enabling me to manipulate songs that I've been singing for years in order to perform them in several different styles and tempos. "When I Fall in Love" is an excellent example of this -- I challenged myself to perform it with more of an authentic jazz swing rather than pop. It's one of the easiest songs of my repertoire, and now I can sing it in more than one way. I love that I am essentially expanding my skills and repertoire. To think -- this is only the beginning! Thanks to my music business course this semester, I've also been surprisingly enthusiastic about the idea of getting more seriously into the business side of the music industry. As of right now, I will most likely be majoring in a self-constructed Berklee major -- "Professional Music," with emphasis in Music Business and Songwriting.

As far as my health goes, I guess you could say that I am putting a lot of work into that aspect of my life as well. I've seen about 9 different medical professionals and doctors this school year already, and I'll be visting 4 more in the next few weeks. The good news is that I'm responsibly handling my well being and my knees are beginning to strengthen up. To think, I can actually kneel now without crying out in pain like an old woman!!!! The bad news is that it's VERY time consuming, energy draining, and it seems like the more I find out from doctors, the MORE I have yet to discover. I suppose that's a general rule to life though, eh?! Just like one of my favorite quotations by Michelangelo, "I am still learning." We never stop learning. Not only am I grateful for that, but I absolutely love it. So, I'm prepared to take on whatever comes my way. On the tough days, I always try to remind myself that it could be one hundred times worse, and it defintely could! I'm doin' just fine!

Those are some of the main issues in my life in terms of school and health. Personally, it's also been a huge challenge. It's difficult to be so far from friends and family. And even harder is when you realize that you're heading in a new and broader direction in life, and the people who used to know you are too far away to notice. These times are meant for learning and expanding our minds. I feel certain that I am on the right track. Sure, just like everyone else, I have a lot of things I'm working on personally, but at least the street signs along my path still bring tears of joy to my eyes and inspiration to my heart and soul. Thank you to all of you for the support that you provide to me. And it's not as if I actually need to remind you, but I am always here for each and every one of you as well. Peace and happiness to all...

~Brie~