i have my first exam tomorrow, leading off 3 full days of exams that will then end my masters degree.
i'm mostly looking forward to the "blank" weeks afterwards, in which i plan to write things that are very close to me (pseudo-essays of sorts), and read more of the humanities that i sacrificed for the social sciences this past year (though i don't regret that decision).
but on the brink of what will no doubt be a splendid time in such an inspiring city as oxford, which has housed and nurtured some of the most stellar minds in history, i must first give credit to the heaps of individuals who have bit by bit crafted who i am today. i really do believe that we are all simply culminations of those around us, both intimate acquaintances and centuries-dead artists.
so as i was walking out of my room through the beautiful st. cross quad today, i realized that i want to make a bit more public the many people whom i feel have culminated in who i am today... i stand in awe of more people than i could ever recount in what i hope to be frequent blogpost tributes over the next months... but at least it's a start.
so my brief tribute today is to my dearly beloved chopin: thank you for etude opus 10 no. 3. and nocturne no. 1. and ballade no. 1. and and and and i could really go on eternally, he is truly my most played composer. there are few things which make me feel more, i mean truly completely feel and indulge in feeling to the very pit of my stomach than chopin's music. i turn to chopin in every emotion, and he always answers with flying colors. also, i find he is the perfect companion to exam-revision (which i have done much too little of, i'm afraid... especially compared to my comrades in african studies...).
so chopin, thank you a thousand times over for all the moments of transcendence you have given me.
more tributes to come, and to people i actually know personally....
9 comments:
ah, chopin, you ought to make a greatest hits list for all of us chopin novices, jooj.
is that picture of you? it looks like the dress you wore to your formal. very pretty, either way. i'm looking forward to more tributes, and GOOD LUCK on your exams!!
With that build up, I was expecting your parents to be first on the list... Chopin, eh?
What a great idea Joojie. We should all write esays on the people who have influenced our lives. It would take time and thought but think we could all benefit from the process.
You are an awesome girl.
Love you very much
Grammy
yes, les that is my back. i wanted a picture of the roses in my hair. :)
and ging - haha, true true. i'm just particularly grateful for chopin at the moment because of the hours at revision for my exams in which he has provided comfort... but i promise more immediate acquaintances will follow. :)
k, can i blow up that picture and hang it somewhere in my house? it is so beautiful.
so a few things -
1. thank you for finding my blog and leaving such a lovely comment - seriously so kind!
2. what a beautiful photo and entry. i was rummaging through a yard sale a few weeks ago and found a pile of chopin nocturnes and waltzes in record form - absolute bliss. i'm glad to hear such a tribute to such an emotionally and intellectually satisfying composer.
3. glad to hear from you and hope your last bit in oxford is going well....
seriously: beautiful, beautiful photo. and chopin! pure soul.
ready for more, jooj! :)
Oh man, I just came across this picture of the back of you and think it is absolutely lovely. Can I have your permission to paint it?
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