I have been quite diligent about my blog posting, obviously. So much has happened between January 1st and right now (September 3). 8 months' worth of stuff. I can't even try to summarize what has happened. I went to Austria and spent an amazing 10 weeks living and learning in Vienna. I grew so close to those friends I had with me and I learned so much about myself in the process. I became comfortable living in a city and taking a subway to school. I had the chance to feel rejuvenated in music, both my own playing and the amazing performances I witnessed. It still hasn't sunken in, months afterward, that I lived and studied in one of the most musically-rich cities in the world.

Then I spent the next 10 weeks at school, living with my best friends and finding so many great new people over the summer. I made friends that are so caring and passionate and interesting that I had never known at Dartmouth before. I got discouraged sometimes, but I think I overcame some major things that were holding me back. I grew up, if only a little bit. I gained back the optimism I had taken for granted freshman year.

And maybe things don't always turn out the way I want them to. But I know that I am blessed to have this life with all of its love and excitement and friendship and opportunity. I am so lucky to be where I am with these once-in-a-lifetime chances. And I hope that I will never take them for granted.