So Many Foreign Roads

Today is January 3rd ( Yay, Happy New Year ) and I am leaving in less than 25 days, 22 to be precise. I figure as I am preparing to leave, starting to pack my bags, organize my lists, and say goodbyes, I should tell you a little more about myself.

So as mentioned previously, I'm Emma. A junior mathematics major, biology minor, at Saint Michael's College. I swim on the varsity team at school, lead an A Capella group, and I am an active representative in the Student Association. I'm a member of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, a peer tutor for various math classes, and I was an orientation leader this year. You could say I'm busy, but I've always found I do my best work when I have a full schedule.

Anyway, Today I should have been returning to Vermont for winter training with the rest of my team. They're leaving for the Puerto Rico training trip in two days. Since obviously I'll be in Africa soon, I'm done swimming until next season. It's actually kind of hard to see everyone travelling back up north, and not joining them. Though suffering through double sessions for two weeks isn't exactly what I call a fun, relaxed holiday break, being with the team is important to me. I've made some of my best friends on the Saint Mike's swim team, and I wish I were there to cheer them on through this tough part of the season.

Aside from school activities, in my free time, I read, listen to music, hang out with my sister, and just take time to myself.  One would probably say I read excessively. In the past week, I've polished off five books, and hope to finish a couple more in the coming days. For Christmas I received a Kindle Fire, and it hasn't left my side since I opened it.

I listen to music as often as possible. Music has been a constant in my life since I was little. Starting with listening to the ABC's in the car with my parents and playing recorder in second grade music class. Then, progressing to playing violin from grades 4 to 12, and singing in select choirs throughout high school. Music has always taken up a decent amount of time in my schedule.

Cliché, I know, but I enjoy listening to all genres of music, from Classical, Jazz, and Oldies, to Indie and Blues. I guess violin has trained me to love classical, Vivaldi and Tchaikovsky being favorites. If asked to pick a favorite artist, I wouldn't be able to, but, in the past couple months, I've been listening to a lot from The Black Keys, Bon Iver, John Mayer, and Roman Holiday.

So, one of the books I recently read, gave playlists throughout the story, and gave me the idea of once in a while, giving a playlist in my blog. This is what I’ve been listening to while writing my blog. If you haven’t listened to some of these artists, you should.

Give Me Love - Ed Sheeran
Long Way Home – Roman Holiday
Moon River – Frank Sinatra
Skinny Love – Bon Iver
Something Beautiful – NeedToBreathe
Towers - Bon Iver
January Wedding – The Avett Brothers
In My Veins – Andrew Belle
You’re Nobody Till Somebody Loves You – The Rat Pack
The Stacks – Bon Iver
Lay ‘Em Down – NeedToBreathe
Way I Am – Ben Rector
Someday You Will Be Loved – Death Cab For Cutie
Won’t Turn Back – NeedToBreathe

If you didn't catch it yet, I'll let you in on the secret of this blog. Every post's title comes from song lyrics. Most of the songs have certain significance to me. Today's post is Bon Iver, For Emma Forever Ago. It’s one of my favorite albums. Not only have I had friends sing this A Capella (members of the Saint Mike's all male A Capella group, Mike Check) but it was also the very first Bon Iver song I ever listened to. And of course the obvious, it has my name in it...

Well, if I haven’t bored you enough with my excessive musical history, here are a some fun facts about myself:
I can whistle three different ways.
I’ve fractured my rib.
I am incredibly impatient, and I get that from my dad.
My sister and I named our first fish colorprinter...
I don’t have a favorite color.
and my favorite animals are elephants, big cats, and giraffes. Oh my.

Okay, well that’s enough for tonight, I hope this gave you a little insight into who I am, so you can understand me a little more when I write these blog posts.
Until next time,
Listen, explore, and wander foreign roads for me.
Forever Ago,
Emma.