A dog, some pearls, and a scarf

Never should one underestimate the encouraging power of a scarf or a dog. The presence of either on a particularly cold and sleepy day is as comforting as knowing one is almost done with one's first freshman semester.

This past week was a busy one, full of choir rehearsals and skipping some classes and going to others. Besides the inevitable beloved reading and homework. I am enjoying the winding down that is taking place in my classes, except in the ones where I have a final paper instead of exam. I am hopeful that I'll get the ideas that need to come so I can write the papers well, and finish the classes as I've started them.

The choir rehearsals are for a concert today, where the University choir will blend with several other choirs (church and otherwise) to perform a Christmas concert in the Kimmel Center in downtown Philly. I am so excited--it has been such an unanticipated blessing having choir in my schedule this year. The director is wonderful, and really talented at leading our 60-something choir. We will sing some breathtakingly beautiful melodies this afternoon, and a number of my best friends on campus are either singing with me or have bought tickets to see it. That's because they're lovely.

Any choir performance is my favorite chance to wear pearls. Really, I think everyday is a great day to wear pearls. My dad gave them to me, from Japan. Some of the ladies in the other choirs were making sure we college student girls had pearls, and I could say that, yes, I do have some. I love how they hang heavily around my neck, how they warm up after fifteen minutes, how they always remind me of Dad, family, and home.

Speaking of home, I should tell you about the scarf. I was sitting in my seat at rehearsal and greeting the people who walked past in my section, and one lady had the same scarf on as I've seen my sister wear a thousand times. A beautiful, sky blue and cream, cashmere scarf. I commented on it and told her my sister had the same one, and it was lovely to think of her when I saw this lady's scarf. Then during our break an hour later, she plopped herself down next to me and asked me about family, home, and my sister. When break was over, she took off her scarf and wrapped it about my neck unquestioningly and said, "Well, I'd like you to have this, so you can be reminded of her for right now, and so you two can be samesies when you get home." It made my heart and I quite warm.

The dog in the intro is named Maggie. She and I took a marvelous nap yesterday on my roommate Emily's couch. It was so nice to spend a night at Em's house, seeing her world and enjoying her neighbors and parents and home-cooked food. I was very content.

So I've written of the possibility of getting any real work done today, what with the concert and rehearsals taking up all day. And that is fine, because I'm set for Monday. But I must get to the bus now, making sure I have everything. There's a great fog out there today, so I will enjoy the cross-campus walk very much.

I wish you all a happy December, and I'm glad I finally sat down and wrote an entry. It's nice to spill thoughts and goodness into the blogosphere. Peace in this busy time of year, and God bless.
xox