OK, just a quick one before I go to bed. Today I had a two-hour rehearsal with a choir at Sebastian's school. There is a concert this week-end and they have been generous enough to include me, which a great because I love, love, love singing. We are doing a Stravinsky mass and also excerpts from Poulenc's Figure Humaine. Here's a link to a YouTube playlist of the BBC choir doing some, if you are interested.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A04BzES-xRY&playnext=1&list=PLF6B0C06D87E1019F

Sometimes the language thing is a little frustrating because often the words a conductor uses to ask for a certain sound are very carefully selected--language is so complex and subtle. Of course, I am pretty pumped when I can pick up which bar we are going from. Nevertheless, there is something universal and wonderful about music.

It makes me think of Pentecost which was interesting this year for me as language is such a theme. But in fact, I loved being able to recognize the gospel, despite not understanding every word. "Peace be with you. As the Father sends me, so I send you." No matter what language, God is always calling us to share in and be instruments of Peace.

Also today Asami shared her beautiful home-made rice-balls with me in class. I think next time I make bread, I will bring her some too. What a good day--shared food, shared music...


In any case, I am off to bed. Shall I post one more picture? I think so.

This is me after I tried running the Freiburg Half-Marathon route. I did it (21km) in about 2hr45min. And since then, I have decided I want to try training for a full marathon. So, I have been following a training program for about three weeks now and yesterday I did 20km in 2hr18min! Yoohooo!

And with that, I wish you Peace and everything good. Guten Nacht!