{ Hello }

I am a double-degree fifth-year from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, majoring in Hispanic Studies and Composition.

Studying both Spanish and music at an undergraduate level has completely enlivened my interest in and respect for these fields. Even though I've been studying Spanish since middle school, I never really realized how much I enjoy learning a new language until I had the chance to spend a year living in Buenos Aires, Argentina. For me, studying outside of the country was an essential part of my Hispanic Studies major. Actually, I think getting out and exploring the world is an essential part of any great college education, no matter your major.

Oberlin has also really opened up the world of contemporary music to me. Composition has been a great way for me to explore new creative ideas. Personally, I'm very interested in experimentalism and indeterminacy. Any time I can get performers to play something of mine that is a little bit outside of their comfort zone, I know I'm doing something right. The Composition department has taught me to explore new places just as much as Hispanic Studies has.

Aside from trying to be a good student, I have — among other distractions — held down a couple different staff positions for the Oberlin Review, taught an ExCo course on typography, sung in the Collegium Musicum choir, and cooked Tuesday lunches and facilitated discussions in Fairchild co-op. With my two majors and all of my other interests, I have absolutely no clue what I want to do after I graduate. May 2010 is getting awfully close!

{ Entries }

11.16.09				Making ourselves at home Why live off campus?
09.21.09				Time to teach There are many opportunities at Oberlin for students interested in education. The Spanish in the Elementary Schools program, for example, has given me the opportunity to stand face-to-face with 20 real-life fourth graders.
07.30.09				Sometimes I pretend to be a photographer Sometimes, when I have just a bit of extra time on my hands, I take out my camera and see what interesting sights I can capture.
07.21.09				My book addiction I have a habit of picking up library books that look interesting, checking them out, bringing them home, and letting them sit around for months on end.
07.05.09				Socialists, bagpipes, and bees, oh my! My job working for Conference Services is a bit lackluster at first glance, but I do get to see the various summer programs that take place in Oberlin up close and personal.
05.11.09				For Randy I never knew how much Randolph Coleman meant to me and how much of an impact he has made on my life until he retired.
04.20.09				Concerts galore New music is alive and well in Oberlin, but so is the old. A look at the concerts I attended or performed in this past week.
03.26.09				Back on the homestead When it comes to breaks, I use them as time to relax and recharge, which means I tend to ignore any classwork I've brought along in my suitcase.
03.16.09				Good places to work A run-down of my favorite study spots around Oberlin.
03.01.09				Trying to save my semester I must have gotten off on the wrong foot--my work this semester is not really up to par. I seem to be falling behind in just about every class I am taking, even the ones with no homework.
02.16.09				What's the deal with double degree? I have always had mixed feelings about composition. I suppose that's why I am a double degree student.
02.01.09				I'm not usually this scatterbrained I have a lot going on, and the semester hasn't even started.
01.27.09				Things that have kept me distracted recently A list of recent distractions. This is what has been keeping me busy recently.
01.15.09				Starting to think beyond Oberlin Today I visited Career Services to get some quick advice on my résumé and on finding the right gradate program. It feels like I'm a junior in high school all over again.
01.13.09				Moving in and life off campus Last Sunday I moved into my house for this semester. Now I officially live off campus.
01.03.09				Returning: Waiting for the shock My first few thoughts on returning to Oberlin after a year studying abroad.
12.12.08				Study 2.0 Today was my final exam for History of Argentine Music. This is how my studying unfolded on Twitter.
12.11.08				Study away: My advice I have one week to go in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Before I find myself completely overwhelmed readjusting to life in the U.S., I thought I would share a few pointers for anyone who thinks studying abroad is in their future.
12.04.08				Wandering around Tigre A couple days ago, I decided that I would take advantage of all of the free time I have on my hands and set out to Tigre, a city located in the delta of the Paraná River, a half-hour train ride from downtown Buenos Aires. I got lost exploring the island, but it was worth it.
11.24.08				Dining on tennis shoes and other such mishaps I am learning more and more that there is no single moment when you suddenly become fluent in a second language.
11.17.08				Music here, music there My second semester abroad is finally winding down, so I decided to look back and share a couple anecdotes that highlight differences in music and music education in the U.S. and Argentina.
11.07.08				Getting things in order Yesterday, my friend Ezra and I put the finishing touches on our application to teach our ExCo (Experimental College) class on Experimental Typography for a second time. It was easier this time around; all we had to do was update the syllabus, update our budget request, and complete the short application from the ExCo committee. No faculty recommendations, no interviews this time. It really couldn't have been easier. That is, unless we were on the same continent.