Reflection #5

I am currently writing this article in the Starbucks Reserve at Chicago. Their tiramisu is good, while the nitro cold brew is fair because it isn’t cold enough. I have read on my eReader for a while, and I think it’s a good time to write something about the first half semester.

I have attended the college’s writer’s workshop three times in the past three weeks. As I started writing blogs more frequently, I want to do it better by learning from professionals. Being nervous at first, the experience was wonderful. Martha helped me identify what I want to improve, analyzed the blogs I like, and guided me how to imitate the writing style. Instead of pushing me to write, she was always supportive and caring about my feelings and thoughts. I really appreciate her effort, I feel less worried about the errors in my writings and became more focused about what I really want to care and write through the workshop sessions.

The Fundamentals of Improvisation course has been interesting and fun. Our professor, Larry, was a warm and nice guy. He chatted a lot with us during class, always encouraging us express our feelings and thoughts about what we played, giving constructional feedbacks to our playing style, and kept motivating us to try out different ranges and patterns. His teaching style was different from previous music lessons I had taken; he didn’t assign any compulsory tasks, instead, he encouraged us to try and play on the instrument and feel. I think this teaching method made me want to practice actively, and by practice I noticed the importance of basic skills, then I practiced them without being bored. Our innate motivation is stronger than any forces from outside.

3/24 Update:

The trip to Austin and New Orleans was great! I not only visited my college friend but also met his friends, and they are super intelligent and kind. Their different perspectives on things sparked more thoughts in me.

And that’s my wrap up for the first half semester, cannot wait to face final projects and more classes!