Waltzing Matilda and Kazoo

Strictly for those that enjoy self-torture (recognize that I am sharing a very personal hobby with you):

I put a spell on you

Latest recording, just for fun, singing notes that I can't really reach and what not, enjoy:

Hello Dolly

This is strictly for your entertainment or, more likely, amusement. Don't take my low voice and kazoo too seriously, please:

Hello Dolly from Monica Huang on Vimeo.

Ian Hobson and Black Hole

Last night, David and I went to see internationally renowned pianist, Ian Hobson.  He was AMAZING and INSPIRATIONAL.  I have never felt more proud to be not only a fan of classical music, but a player of classical piano. 

Random video of him playing...

The tall, English gentleman was visiting Elon for the second time in his life.  Last night he came to celebrate Chopin's 200th birthday and played this wonderful, glorious program: Ballade no 1 in G minor, Op. 23; [12] Etudes, Op. 10; [2] Nocturnes, Op. 62; & Sonata no 3 in B minor, Op. 58.  I almost cried.

Below, due to bordeom and "freetime", I have a video for you guys of my latest song cover.  I love the songs from the band She and Him and have recorded a cover of the song "Black Hole".  Sorry for the awkward video background, I just needed something to be happening while I sang:

Black Hole from Monica Huang on Vimeo.

Lyrics, so the world can sing along:

My eyes are so bleary 

I guess I'm young but i feel so weary 

I've tried to express it 

But I think its all a bore 

Its at the heart of me, 

A very part of me 

Speak slowly, I can't hear you 

My mind keeps spinning closer and closer to the rain on the roof, 

And the rain in my head, and the things that you said 

People take it further ahead 

And it just gets so foggy 

It's nowhere in here 

And its everywhere else that I don't wanna be, 

But I'm stuck here getting misty over you 

I'm alone on a bicycle for two. 

Speak slowly, I can't hear you 

My mind keeps spinning closer and closer to the rain on the roof, 

and the rain in my head, and the things that you said 

People take it further ahead 

And it just gets so foggy 

It's nowhere in here 

And its everywhere else that I don't wanna be, 

But I'm stuck here getting misty over you 

I'm alone on a bicycle for two.

Poll

I'm starting to think that no one reads this blog.  

If you're out there, please watch these videos and comment with which song version you like better.  This afternoon, while avoiding my thesis, I recorded both of these covers* of the song "Why do you let me stay here" (She & Him) with the program Audacity.  All of the vocals are yours truly and the guitar (that's been distorted by too much "noise removal").  While I won't tell you which one I like better, I will say that I think I sound better in one of them.

Enjoy:

#1

#2

Tomorrow I get to go back to Camp Royall and make up for all of the Autism I've missed the past month!  I'm sooo excited.  David's going to come and volunteer too :)

Love,

Monica

*And I acknowledge that I may have screwed up the lyrics in the song...

Hodgepodge post of three unnecessary things

1) This is one (of a tentative four) of the "one-a-day paintings" that I am making for David to hang on the naked white walls in his new dorm room:

2) JFF (just for fun), this is what I would look like with blue eyes (a bit freaky):

3) Me trying to entertain but just being awkward, instead:

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM & DAD (hope this doesn't ruin it)!

Mr. In-between

Kenny and Jordan: totally unrelated to this post, but totally called for

Week 7 is almost halfway done (I can't believe it)!  It is definitely a change in pace from last week (high functioning adults), and my energy levels have reached an official, all-time low. But I absolutely love and adore my camper in spite of this.  In many ways, his imagination and love for the pool remind me of my little one from week 3.  However, my camper this week is smaller, younger and a little more stubborn/grouchy.  

I'm just beginning to understand him, though.  I expect that by the end of the next 12 plus hour day, I'll know him as well as I know some of my friend's cell phone numbers (i.e. almost by heart).  And, hey, I've already begun to assemble an impressive repertoire of counter-behavior strategies.  For example, tickling and pretending to be any of a variety of species from the genus of "big cat" have consistently demonstrated themselves as surefire ways to turn his frown upside down*.

*knocks on wood