" I now confer upon you the degree of...oh wait it's snowing..we have to CANCEL"
It has been a month since my last post. During which I was spending countless hours in the UMBC library, sleeping on friend's couches in College Park, and trying not to fall asleep in my classes. I also managed to rack up enough miles in stop and go traffic between Baltimore County and PG county to acquire the need for new front end brakes and a transmission flush. If there were a such thing as "frequent driver" miles I think I would be racking up nicely.
But alas, on this day, Wednesday, December 23rd, I can proudly say that I have FINISHED my undergraduate studies at the University of Maryland. Usually, this means that one has a graduation ceremony. A time to put on a cap and gown, wear University colors with pride, and listen to embarrassing stories that your parents will share with other relatives/family friends (maybe that's just my family...my mom and dad are both good at "remember the time Cate said yadda yadda when she was 4?"). But then it snowed...
This was no ordinary snow in December in Baltimore; a simple dusting or picturesque 2 inches that crunch under your feet. This was a BLIZZARD. It snowed, and snowed, and did not stop until this past Sunday (It began Friday night). It snowed upwards of 2 feet. When I went to dig my poor little Nissan Sentra out, the snow nearly went to my waist (I'm only 5'2").
Being that commencement exercises at the University of Maryland were scheduled to be held last Saturday and Sunday and a blizzard hit Maryland hard; of course they were cancelled. But alas, my story doesn't end here. They were cancelled AND they weren't rescheduled. Yup. No. make-up. date. at. all.
I got a really "kind" email that explained there would be no alternative ceremony and that I was "welcome" to walk in May. Welcome to walk? Welcome to walk? So you were just going to say "oh gee Ms.Hooper, you worked hard and paid us money to learn but there is no seat for you at the table. Well actually we'll be kind and squeeze you in six months from now."
Outraged I considered starting a petition..I took to twitter letting everyone know I was mad, and seeing that others (who weren't even December grads) were upset and disappointed too.
And what do you know? I got an email 2 days ago saying that my graduation has been rescheduled. That I could in fact walk..and I'll only have to wait 4 weeks to do so instead of six months.
So what if it's going to be a watered down ceremony in Cole Field house...they are still going to call my name. I still get to hear: Catherine L. Hooper, Bachelor of Arts recipient. So yea, I'll take that. I'll be in the house next month and I'll be grinning front row center like a Cheshire cat.
Showing posts with label Road to December. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Road to December. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
If I was a Rich Girl..
"If I was a rich girl...I'd have all the money in the world, if I were a wealthy girl."
So we're all well aware that we are in a recession. Part of my writing this blog is to sound off about what it's like to be graduating from college into a recession.
But I thought it would be interesting to share with you a list of random things I would do if I had oodles of money and could take some time off before I made my triumphant entry into the work force or grad school. I tweeted a lot of these on Sunday and subsequently blew up my followers timelines.....
1. Buy a tent and camp out in front of Madison Square Garden for a month.
Part "Survivor" part social experiment, part greatest publicity stunt of life (not to toot my own horn or anything like that), who wouldn't want to follow the adventures of a girl from suburban Baltimore living in a camping tent outside of one of the most famous concert venues/sports arenas in the world. I could totally blog about it (I figured my parents would be nice and not cut off my iphone service, so I could blog from that). I'd get to meet some interesting characters, maybe see some stars during concert load-ins. Everything I would ever need would be blocks within reach so that would be pretty cool too. I think there's a McDonalds across the street..or around the corner so there goes my lunch and dinner. I figure I could make some kind of fort that would publicize what I was doing, and maybe some tourist would feel sorry for me and give me a few bucks or buy me a sandwich.
Only thing is I'm one of the girliest people I know. I love my creature comforts. I like heat in the winter, I like my blowdryer and my chi flat iron. I like clean showers and clean bathrooms. I also like to look nice every now and then. I think it would be pretty hard when one is living in a tent. Oh well..I'd suck it up for 30 days.
2. Record the best mash-up album of all times
So we're all well aware that we are in a recession. Part of my writing this blog is to sound off about what it's like to be graduating from college into a recession.
But I thought it would be interesting to share with you a list of random things I would do if I had oodles of money and could take some time off before I made my triumphant entry into the work force or grad school. I tweeted a lot of these on Sunday and subsequently blew up my followers timelines.....
1. Buy a tent and camp out in front of Madison Square Garden for a month.
Part "Survivor" part social experiment, part greatest publicity stunt of life (not to toot my own horn or anything like that), who wouldn't want to follow the adventures of a girl from suburban Baltimore living in a camping tent outside of one of the most famous concert venues/sports arenas in the world. I could totally blog about it (I figured my parents would be nice and not cut off my iphone service, so I could blog from that). I'd get to meet some interesting characters, maybe see some stars during concert load-ins. Everything I would ever need would be blocks within reach so that would be pretty cool too. I think there's a McDonalds across the street..or around the corner so there goes my lunch and dinner. I figure I could make some kind of fort that would publicize what I was doing, and maybe some tourist would feel sorry for me and give me a few bucks or buy me a sandwich.
Only thing is I'm one of the girliest people I know. I love my creature comforts. I like heat in the winter, I like my blowdryer and my chi flat iron. I like clean showers and clean bathrooms. I also like to look nice every now and then. I think it would be pretty hard when one is living in a tent. Oh well..I'd suck it up for 30 days.
2. Record the best mash-up album of all times
I have a lot of crazy ideas for albums in my head. Like tons. This album would be some type of crazy mashup concept album. Not too sure what the concept is quite yet but walk with me for a minute...
Imagine an orchestra...let's say the University of Maryland Symphony Orchestra..cuz I put on for my Terps. So the University of Maryland Symphony Orchestra would provide a soundtrack, there would be mad flute solos. Well because I'm a trained flutist..so yea I would do a bit of soloing and then put some people from my former studio on as soloists as well. And then there would be covers of Jay-Z songs sung in an operatic style. I've always thought that Jay-Z needs to redo some of his music with some opera singers and an orchestra, so no time like the present. Ooo and some of the songs would sound like they were recorded underwater, like you were in an aquarium.
I would tap the best of College Park to make cameos, because like I said I put on for my Terps. So DK, Black Diamond, Sugar Junkie, J.Ferb, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, the Generics, Pandimonium, all of them would be on there. Get Task Productions and the Neptunes on it..it would be EPIC. I think I would go as far to tap in some DMV all stars too..Wale, Tabi Bonney, Phil Ade, some gogo bands. And being that I am from Baltimore there would be a club music inspired track.
It's rather ambitious of me I know, but I just think back to producers who have made amazing concept albums and have tapped in some of their musical buddies. People like Quincy Jones, Babyface (he's more of a songwriter though right?), Pharrell/The Neptunes, ect. I don't claim to be a producer but I seriously hear some pretty awesome music in my head and why not have it recorded?
3. Travel to Australia and hang out at the Sydney Opera House
This one is a bit more believable. If I had a couple thousands dollars to fly across the ocean and crash land in the "land down under."
I fell in love with the Sydney Opera House during the summer of 2000. During the Olympics I saw that magical place flashed across the screen and was in awe of its beauty, its size, its grandeur.
It would be beyond amazing if I traveled to the Sydney, hung out around the Opera House everyday and then got hired as a tour guide because I went on the tour so many times. Again, this would be a pretty awesome blog as well. The adventures of C-Hoops Down Under mate!
4. Teach Kids in the Hood about Mozart
Ok, ok I know some of you may read this and go 0_O? Seriously though I really want kids in the hood to know about classical music, and orchestras, and operas. I want to teach a music class to middle schoolers where I linked popular music with classical music, and especially jazz.
In order to really go further you have to understand where you came from, and you can really trace some popular rap songs back to classical and especially jazz influences.
For one thing Orf's "O Fortuna" from Carmina Burana is used sooo much. It's in Nas andPuffy's (he was Puffy then, not Diddy) hit "Hate Me Now," that whole track was influenced by that one sample. Also..how many kids are in love with Beyonce? A lot right? Well that whole Carmen Hip Hopera she did on MTV back in the day is based off of one of my all-time favorite operas, Carmen. That story, while not exactly rated G is a really exciting one. One that I believe would capture the interest of kids who are 12 years old in an inner-city.
Maybe it shows a bit of my own personal ignorance by saying "kids in the hood," but my point is this: it's bad enough that music education is being taking out of areas where kids need an escape from being force-fed information for standardized testing; why not make music education something that relates to their tastes?
Well, this runs the gamut of what I would do after I graduate in 6 weeks if I had a bunch of money and didn't have to worry about repaying student loans, and car insurance, and all that fun adult stuff.
If anyone wants to finance any of these fine ideas (really, I'm forreal here) feel free to contact me.....
Imagine an orchestra...let's say the University of Maryland Symphony Orchestra..cuz I put on for my Terps. So the University of Maryland Symphony Orchestra would provide a soundtrack, there would be mad flute solos. Well because I'm a trained flutist..so yea I would do a bit of soloing and then put some people from my former studio on as soloists as well. And then there would be covers of Jay-Z songs sung in an operatic style. I've always thought that Jay-Z needs to redo some of his music with some opera singers and an orchestra, so no time like the present. Ooo and some of the songs would sound like they were recorded underwater, like you were in an aquarium.
I would tap the best of College Park to make cameos, because like I said I put on for my Terps. So DK, Black Diamond, Sugar Junkie, J.Ferb, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, the Generics, Pandimonium, all of them would be on there. Get Task Productions and the Neptunes on it..it would be EPIC. I think I would go as far to tap in some DMV all stars too..Wale, Tabi Bonney, Phil Ade, some gogo bands. And being that I am from Baltimore there would be a club music inspired track.
It's rather ambitious of me I know, but I just think back to producers who have made amazing concept albums and have tapped in some of their musical buddies. People like Quincy Jones, Babyface (he's more of a songwriter though right?), Pharrell/The Neptunes, ect. I don't claim to be a producer but I seriously hear some pretty awesome music in my head and why not have it recorded?
3. Travel to Australia and hang out at the Sydney Opera House
This one is a bit more believable. If I had a couple thousands dollars to fly across the ocean and crash land in the "land down under."
I fell in love with the Sydney Opera House during the summer of 2000. During the Olympics I saw that magical place flashed across the screen and was in awe of its beauty, its size, its grandeur.
It would be beyond amazing if I traveled to the Sydney, hung out around the Opera House everyday and then got hired as a tour guide because I went on the tour so many times. Again, this would be a pretty awesome blog as well. The adventures of C-Hoops Down Under mate!
4. Teach Kids in the Hood about Mozart
Ok, ok I know some of you may read this and go 0_O? Seriously though I really want kids in the hood to know about classical music, and orchestras, and operas. I want to teach a music class to middle schoolers where I linked popular music with classical music, and especially jazz.
In order to really go further you have to understand where you came from, and you can really trace some popular rap songs back to classical and especially jazz influences.
For one thing Orf's "O Fortuna" from Carmina Burana is used sooo much. It's in Nas andPuffy's (he was Puffy then, not Diddy) hit "Hate Me Now," that whole track was influenced by that one sample. Also..how many kids are in love with Beyonce? A lot right? Well that whole Carmen Hip Hopera she did on MTV back in the day is based off of one of my all-time favorite operas, Carmen. That story, while not exactly rated G is a really exciting one. One that I believe would capture the interest of kids who are 12 years old in an inner-city.
Maybe it shows a bit of my own personal ignorance by saying "kids in the hood," but my point is this: it's bad enough that music education is being taking out of areas where kids need an escape from being force-fed information for standardized testing; why not make music education something that relates to their tastes?
Well, this runs the gamut of what I would do after I graduate in 6 weeks if I had a bunch of money and didn't have to worry about repaying student loans, and car insurance, and all that fun adult stuff.
If anyone wants to finance any of these fine ideas (really, I'm forreal here) feel free to contact me.....
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
F-E-A-R
"I remember you. This feeling isn't new. So please don't be scared of me. Please don't be scared of me." --Drake, "Fear"
Fear. It's a human emotion. It's one that we all experience at some point in our life, but rarely do we admit that we are in fact afraid. We'll offer remedies about what to do to battle fear, how hope lives within us all and that if you remain afraid, you will only stand in your own way. While it is true that fear can consume you if you let it, that doesn't make it any less real.
Lately I've been experiencing fear. In waves. It waxes and wanes like the tide, and isn't always a daily occurrence but it seems to be propelling me forward. Drawing me closer and closer to December 20th.
So why am I afraid? Where is this fear coming from?
I graduate from college on December 20th. Finally, after four and a half years of blood, sweat and tears, I will have a bachelor's degree. Great. Only problem is...where do I go from here?
The easy answer is out into the workforce. I know that I would like to go back to school, but going right away isn't an option for me, and frankly I can't take anymore of school. I need a break..my brain hurts.
So here I am, it's October and I'm planning my triumphant entry into the workforce. Yes, I said triumphant because in spite of my fear I remain hopelessly optimistic. I remember back in May when a lot of my friends were graduating they were all telling me how fortunate I am to be graduating in December. "you can ride out some of this recession" they said. "Things will be so much better by then" they told me.
Whelp, here we are in the midst of one of the worst job markets ever. Executives are getting laid off. What makes you think a company would create an entry level position when they can have an intern or student worker for half the cost? But that is the least of my worries. In fact, that is not really what I am afraid of.
I'm afraid of my career aspirations. Yes, I am afraid of what I have chosen to do with the rest of my life. And somehow, I have to let this fear propel me forward, make me hungry, keep me hungry, let it inspire me.
What I really want to do is have a career in the arts as an arts administrator and have a career in the music business. I believe I'm capable of doing both. But sometimes I get afraid. I become afraid of the dreams that I have because they're so big, they seem larger than life sometimes. I'm afraid because I know that I am going to be taking a paycut compared to my peers when I graduate all because I can't see myself doing anything else. I don't care if I take a job that only pays $20,000 a year if it's what I want to do. Shoot, I will be someones intern when I graduate...I don't care. But honestly, that doesn't make me any less afraid.
I've already started to make sacrifices to plan for my future and go after what I want. I moved back home so I wouldn't have to buy groceries and pay rent. I drive back and forth from Baltimore County to P.G. county everyday. I'm taking 15 credits and working 20 hours a week, and sometimes I can't help but feel afraid. Sometimes I wonder if what I'm doing is in vain, because nothing is guaranteed.
I'm graduating from college with a liberal arts degree. Sometimes I get annoyed when people, after I tell them my major, assume that I can't do anything with that degree. My degree is just a piece of paper that said that I worked hard, and I learned, and I'm capable of doing work. My paper is no different or less valuable than yours.
So this is my opportunity to vent, because I really needed to get this all out into the universe. I believe that hard work pays off, and that you should make sacrifices for the things you love, but I honestly can't help but feel fear every now and then...
Fear. It's a human emotion. It's one that we all experience at some point in our life, but rarely do we admit that we are in fact afraid. We'll offer remedies about what to do to battle fear, how hope lives within us all and that if you remain afraid, you will only stand in your own way. While it is true that fear can consume you if you let it, that doesn't make it any less real.
Lately I've been experiencing fear. In waves. It waxes and wanes like the tide, and isn't always a daily occurrence but it seems to be propelling me forward. Drawing me closer and closer to December 20th.
So why am I afraid? Where is this fear coming from?
I graduate from college on December 20th. Finally, after four and a half years of blood, sweat and tears, I will have a bachelor's degree. Great. Only problem is...where do I go from here?
The easy answer is out into the workforce. I know that I would like to go back to school, but going right away isn't an option for me, and frankly I can't take anymore of school. I need a break..my brain hurts.
So here I am, it's October and I'm planning my triumphant entry into the workforce. Yes, I said triumphant because in spite of my fear I remain hopelessly optimistic. I remember back in May when a lot of my friends were graduating they were all telling me how fortunate I am to be graduating in December. "you can ride out some of this recession" they said. "Things will be so much better by then" they told me.
Whelp, here we are in the midst of one of the worst job markets ever. Executives are getting laid off. What makes you think a company would create an entry level position when they can have an intern or student worker for half the cost? But that is the least of my worries. In fact, that is not really what I am afraid of.
I'm afraid of my career aspirations. Yes, I am afraid of what I have chosen to do with the rest of my life. And somehow, I have to let this fear propel me forward, make me hungry, keep me hungry, let it inspire me.
What I really want to do is have a career in the arts as an arts administrator and have a career in the music business. I believe I'm capable of doing both. But sometimes I get afraid. I become afraid of the dreams that I have because they're so big, they seem larger than life sometimes. I'm afraid because I know that I am going to be taking a paycut compared to my peers when I graduate all because I can't see myself doing anything else. I don't care if I take a job that only pays $20,000 a year if it's what I want to do. Shoot, I will be someones intern when I graduate...I don't care. But honestly, that doesn't make me any less afraid.
I've already started to make sacrifices to plan for my future and go after what I want. I moved back home so I wouldn't have to buy groceries and pay rent. I drive back and forth from Baltimore County to P.G. county everyday. I'm taking 15 credits and working 20 hours a week, and sometimes I can't help but feel afraid. Sometimes I wonder if what I'm doing is in vain, because nothing is guaranteed.
I'm graduating from college with a liberal arts degree. Sometimes I get annoyed when people, after I tell them my major, assume that I can't do anything with that degree. My degree is just a piece of paper that said that I worked hard, and I learned, and I'm capable of doing work. My paper is no different or less valuable than yours.
So this is my opportunity to vent, because I really needed to get this all out into the universe. I believe that hard work pays off, and that you should make sacrifices for the things you love, but I honestly can't help but feel fear every now and then...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
