It's Wednesday night and I just finished putting in a load of laundry. Yup. Real life stuff. It keeps you busy.

In the time since I've been back from Nashville, I have had to do so much contemplating about my future. After consulting more than a dozen people, I think that I've realized that I need to take a few steps back from various areas in my life. Socially and romantically, I've been investing so much of myself lately that it often feels as if I'm drowning in those issues. I need to realize that my heart has to be healthy for the rest of me to be ticking along well enough. That's one step back.
Second, I have to realize that I can't do everything. O.K. I'm now taking another big step back -- and a deep breath to go with it! I have always had a bad habit of putting too much on my plate, and this semester has presented me with a lesson once again -- I'll say it again -- WE CAN'T DO EVERYTHING. Reality check, Brianne! I've been pressuring myself to map out my last semesters so that I graduate by May, 2006. The thing is, I'd have to take on more than a full load of classes this coming summer, fall, and spring... that's 10 or more classes each semester. Is it worth it? Is it healthy? Probably not. I'm beginning to be able to admit that even to myself..... PROGRESS!

My wise, wise brother gave me perhaps the very best advice of everyone when he said, "You have to ask yourself: Do you really want to get to the next part of your life just to find out that you're not as prepared as you could have been had you paced yourself a little better?" Another friend told me that I need to recognize the fact that I'm still in school and that I will never have this same type of learning opportunity again in my life. True. Yet another one of my flaws -- not being able to live in the moment and enjoy the NOW. I'm always hoping, planning, and working on something for the future. It's a wake-up call, if nothing else.
Basically, it looks like I'll probably walk at the graduation ceremony in one year and finish up my last classes over the summer of 2006.... then intern in Nashville (or New York.... or L.A. I guess if I can handle the materialism of it all). Nashville is the most likely candidate at this point.

PHEW! Deep breath.

Last but far from least is my news regarding the International Folk Festival that took place last Thursday night, March 24, 2005. My parents flew out from California just to see it and overall, I'd say that it was a pretty awesome experience. I'd never performed on that stage before.... I've rehearsed, had a photo shoot and recorded on it....but this was my first time with the bright lights and the sounds and energy of about a thousand people consuming me. For the first time in my career thus far, I was actually able to be in the moment as I sang with Summer. It was bold of us to get up and proclaim our spiritual identities, and we did it with passion and enthusiasm. Also, performing with Captain Pablo and the Great 8 was fantastic and tons of fun with our ragtime medley. Thank you to everyone who made that night happen, those who were in attendance, my fellow musicians, and most especially to my parents for being unbelievably supportive. I am so lucky. So very lucky.

Well, I will update you soon.... more projects are startin' to pop up here and there, so I'll have more news to report. I hope all of you are well. Take care!

~Brianne~