The monotony of this semester is strangely beautiful. For some odd reason, I actually feel slightly enthusiastic about my education, and am doing my homework to the best of my ability, in a timely fashion. Perhaps it is the fact that I feel very challenged this semester. Partly, the music department telling me that I won't be able to "handle it" has given me the incentive to prove them wrong. But I must admit, it is very hard. I barely have enough time to do everything. Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, Physics III, Music Theory III, Duke City Sound Chorus, The 505 Chorus, The Subwoofers, and private piano lessons (which require 3-4 hours of practice a day) are draining my energy and my will to intently care about people. Though, I am trying to make some new friends. Perhaps I pigeonholed myself into this little circle over the past few years. That action has had an overall detrimental effect on my happiness. I am starting to reach out to new people, who I have deemed "good" and worth conversing with. Some of them share my interests, some of them share my morals, and some of them I just find amusing.

Now, certainly we are all at least a few steps removed from true reality. Oddly, right now I feel more removed than others seem to feel. Of course, others may not even think about it, but I feel I am slightly removed even from my first person view of the world around me. I am more aware of everything that is happening in my vicinity, yet less aware of my actual self. Maybe this means I am, in fact, less removed than before. It is odd. I feel more numb, yet also more sensitive. It is a beautiful symbiosis that has resulted in an overall addition to my understanding of the world around me.

Also, I really like barbershop singing. This gives me more happiness than anything else in my life right now. Ah, harmony.