So, this class... even though it is called Slavic Linguistics, was not a class where we learned about Slavic Linguistics.  It was just taught through the Slavic department and used many Slavic examples.  The course actually taught the linguistic ideas behind bilingualism.  This was very interesting to me because I myself am (at the least) bilingual.

It was a really fun class, but there was a lot of readings.  It was okay though because some of the readings turned out to be really valuable. 

I was really happy that I was allowed to choose to focus on Swedish for the two papers I wrote and the research I put into the papers turned out to be really valuable as well.

My papers are posted in my portfolio:
http://www.yeonheeyim.com/slav-470---special-topics-bilingualism.html

My second year of marching band was pretty much a direct continuation of the first year.  I was still playing snare drum, but I had moved up a couple spots.  I say that it was like a continuation because although marching band is only officially in the fall, the band does things throughout the entire school year and sometimes during the summer too.  The drumline camp and band camp is in fact, during the summer. 

There's a couple extra cool things I got to do this year for the band though that was different from last year.  One, I got to help work on one of Dave's drumline projects and now there are pictures of me in Dave's book which is sold on tapspace.com.  This is really a cool book. 

http://www.tapspace.com/Stadium-54-pr-1.html

Two, I got to be involved in another of Dave's projects.  This one was an instructional marching percussion DVD that will be sold in Japan.  This is sort of silly because I might not know it, but in a few years... I might be big in Japan.

This class was like death for me, but I thought I'd try it out because I do like computers and languages.  Just not Java.

I learned in this class that computer coding takes a long long long time and I learned to respect well organized code.

ja, javisst. 

This class was fun.  Got to learn a lot about how the mind works and watched some cool videos in class... like the one about elevator psychology.  Apparently, if you get into an elevator with a bunch of people all facing one direction, you're likely to face that same direction because everyone else is.  For some reason, I didn't do so hot in the class, but I got to participate in a bunch of volunteer psychology experiments. 

Highlight of the class:  when the professor paid a student $5 to come down and dance on a table with her. 

The UW Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra!  This was the coolest experience I've ever had in a musical ensemble.  Well, for one... we had the supremely famous, Joe Santiago.

Ah-ha.  This class.  This class was private lessons with Joe Santiago.

It was pretty cool learning how to play the timbales, congas, bongos, bongo bell, piano, bass, panderetas, and more.  And Joe, what a character.  He was a great guy and I definately learned a lot. 

I sure did spend a lot of time in that basement room of the music building though.  Sometimes I'd be in there so long I'd have to bring a Subway footlong in there with me so I wouldn't have to leave for food.  That's the life of a musician though.  Practice, practice, practice... eat, and the practice some more. 

Okay, if I'm remembering this correctly, this was the quarter that Ralitsa began teaching our course.  I remember talking with Peter after my oral exam and having him tell me he wouldn't be with us anymore.  I was slightly devistated, but he assured me that Ralitsa was great... and she was great.  But, I do remember feeling like the work load was pretty heavy when she first started teaching us.  I guess I had been used to Peter being so laid back.  I guess I sort of fought it for a while too, but then realized the value of having homework everyday and managed to fit it into my schedule.   

I remember the first day Ralitsa came into class.  She was so young and small that I thought maybe she was a new student.  Then she asked us if this was the right class and got right up front and started teaching.  It surprised me, but also encouraged me.  Maybe I would teach one day. 

Another thing I noticed pretty immediately too was that Ralitsa had glides in her speech... namely the 'w' sound.  This triggered something in my head telling me that she was not a Swedish Swede.  Her accent was smoother in that respect (Since Swedes replace their 'w's with 'v's) and I thought it was pretty sweet.  This encouraged me too, because obviously I'm not a Swedish Swede. 

Yeah.  This class was pretty cool and I sure learned a lot about music!  I think we started from Gregorian Chants and got all the way up through the Beatles and some interesting experimental music and things.  It was great.  Trained my ears to hear forms and underlying motives in music and exposed me to a lot of different music.  Great course!

I don't know what I was thinking when I decided to take concert band.  I think I took it because if I didn't, it would be the first quarter with me not taking a music class.  It ended up being okay, and I got to play the Ascension from the Divine Comedy again.  You know, using a wine glass as a musical instrument is always fun!