The End of Another Semester

Well, that's 5 semesters down, 3 more to go!


This was my first semester at the university (I was at a community college before). Being at the university has allowed me to finally meet and hang out with other gay people. Our LGBT organization has about 30 people in it, mostly lesbians lol. I now wear a rainbow wristband wherever I go, although not while at Dad's house. Mom has seen it but I don't think she knows what it represents, or at least hasn't said anything about it.

Other than meeting fellow gays, nothing has really happened on that front.

The semester ended better than expected grade wise. I figured I would barely pass one of my classes, but I actually got a B, which was my lowest grade this semester. I also got a personal email from a professor I had for two classes (he's also my adviser). He commended me on a job well done this semester. He said it was a pleasure having me in his classes, and how how he always enjoyed reading the papers I wrote for class. Similarly, I received a compliment from another prof about how well I write. The first prof also urged me to join the Model NATO club at the uni and attend a conference in D.C. in February. He said, "we could use a person like you in our group!"

Unfortunately, I have something else planned for the weekend of the D.C. conference. It's only a Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra concert, but I already bought the non-refundable (of course) tickets. Also, it's a Christmas/birthday present for Dad; they will be playing music from his favorite composer. However, I am interested in taking part in the club once the new semester comes around.

On another note, Alex and I are considering getting an apartment together near campus next semester. He's tired of dorm life and I'm tired of living with my mother lol. I'm not sure if I can afford it or not. Using the financial aid money I received this year, subtracting tuition cost (which will probably go up next semester), and then subtracting rent for the year, it's only leaving me with a little over $1,000. That's not including the electric bill (the only utility not included in rent), nor groceries. So, I don't know if getting an apartment will actually happen or not, but it's something that is being discussed.

In the last year, I've taken up music writing as a hobby. So far I've only really copied what others have written, but recently I bought a few books on music theory and composing that'll teach me a thing or two so I can write my own stuff. I have a music program that I use to write and playback music for all instruments. The sounds aren't terribly great, especially when compared to the real thing, but it gets the job done and is fun to play around with and arrange existing works.

For Christmas this year, I did a version of "Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas!" by John Williams (who else?) from Home Alone 2. If you recall, last year I did a rather poor arrangement of "Somewhere In My Memory" from the first Home Alone film. Hopefully this year's is better :P

Here's my version:

listen to ‘MuseScore - Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas - John Williams’ on Audioboo

Here's the real version (with lyrics):

Drag Show!

Yesterday I went to my first ever drag show! The uni's LGBT community, which I am a part of, hosted the show at the university and had entertainers from the Pittsburgh area (a few alumni and current students) and Ohio performing. I went with a lesbian friend I have made in the LGBT club (most members are lesbians).

It was an amazing time!

Before the going to the show, I just told Mom I was going to "a show" at the university, but then after I got back home that night I told her it was a drag show. I even showed her a rainbow wristband I bought at the show. She didn't question anything (I am not out to her), she really only said, "oh, that sounds like fun."

So, yeah!

New York City!

Greetings, everyone! I got back from New York City yesterday. It was a good trip!

I saw Craig Ferguson at Radio City Music hall

Visited the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid

Saw The Phantom of the Opera

Visited the 9/11 Memorial

Went to Rockefeller Center (Top of the Rock)

and went to the Empire State Building

The following are pictures taken on the trip. You can click each picture to view it in detail! I don't have time to explain each and every picture or the trip itself in detail (supposed to be doing homework), so if you have any questions please ask them in the comments section and I will respond! :)

Craig Ferguson at Radio City Music Hall:

Radio City Music Hall

Craig Ferguson, from my seat

Craig Feguson

The USS Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum and Space Shuttle Pavilion:

USS Intrepid

USS Intrepid

USS Intrepid

USS Intrepid

A Lego model of the USS Intrepid (see sign below)

 Some buildings...

Times Square

Pictures from The Phantom of the Opera:

From my seat, front row center of the balcony

 Some random pictures:

The Statue of Liberty from Battery Park

St. Paul's Chapel has been standing since the late 1700s. It is located right next to Ground Zero but survived the collapse of the Twin Towers

A bell donated by the City of London to New York City a year after 9/11

The new World Trade tower - One World Trade Center (aka Freedom Tower)

 The following pictures are of the 9/11 Memorial:

The Survivor Tree - It was located in the plaza of the former World Trade Center and barely survived the collapse of the towers. It was recovered, nursed back to health, and replanted in the new memorial.

The following are pictures taken at Rockefeller Center (the first set) and the Empire State Building

The Empire State Building

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The Phantom of the Opera Overture