During my travels to New Zealand, I wanted nothing more than to experience all that was culturally different than America. Learning some of the Maori language, developing a taste for a flat white and enjoying some of NZ's extreme sports were some things I simply had to do before I left the country. However, my choices seem tame compared to those of Marika.

Marika the newest addition to the 2010 UDMB Altos. Marika is from Germany and will be studying at Delaware for the 2010-2011 academic year. She landed in Philadelphia on Sunday and on Monday morning decided to take a walk to the music building to find out about ensembles. She heard the MB practicing and asked about joining "the band practicing now." Next thing I know, I'm driving this German exchange student up to the dining hall explaining how the band rehearses and performs during the season. Here's someone who has never even seen a Marching Band perform and she wants to be in one? Does she know what she's getting herself into!?

After watching our rehearsal for 2 hours, she was hooked. Now she's fitting in perfectly within the alto section. She's got great marching technique for a rookie and has a fantastic attitude. She tried desperately to get out of International Orientation but in the end wasn't able to do so. Her dedication is amazing and her spirit is fantastic. I am so happy to be helping her be part of an incredibly unique American experience.

Prost,

- Liam

Stories of Stupidity

To keep me amused over the summer, I'll be listing some stories from work that make me want to issue licenses to go out to eat. Whether it's complete ignorance of culinary terms, drink names or just plain English, it's these kinds of people Here's a few from my first couple weeks back.

• From a woman who ordered a Long Island Iced Tea: "This drink is really strong. How much alcohol is in this?!" Seriously lady? If you don't know what's in the drink, ask. Or don't order it. Just because it's called "Iced Tea" doesn't mean it's going to come out tasting like McDonald's Sweet Tea. (Disclaimer: McDonald's Sweet Tea is amazing and this post is in no way meant to discredit it's deliciousness.)
• From a woman ordering the Fiery Shrimp Linguini, made with chili oil: "This dish is really spicy. I don't think I can handle it" Seriously? SERIOUSLY? Thank you for wasting food. If only you had opened your eyes and read what was in the dish. If you can't read, either ask what something means, or stop complaining.
• From a woman who ordered a mojito: "Um, there's lettuce in my drink." No, ma'am, that's mint. A crucial ingredient in any mojito. The only positive of this customer is that once we explained that it was mint, she felt really embarrassed and laughed at herself. Thank god.
• Finally, thank you to the people who have come in faking gluten allergies. Some people actually have a condition that doesn't allow them to eat gluten. Please don't mock their disease by forcing the kitchen to go through hoops for your entrée only for me to catch you eating some of your date's fried calamari. You don't have to lie in order for us to give you that salad without the noodles. All you have to do is ask.

There's the first couple people who have been denied Dining Licenses.

More as soon as the stupid arrives...

- Liam

What to do...

Yesterday I had my playing exam for Symphonic Band. I wasn't expecting much to happen, since I was fairly confident on all of my music. After playing a lyrical section of John Philip Sousa's People Who Live in Glass Houses, Sarv (director of the UDMB and Symphonic Band), asked me what I'm planning on doing with my life. After telling her I just wasn't sure, we had a great conversation about the frustrations of the bureaucracy of education in the United States. My primary plan of action has been to combat these issues post-graduation. But this interaction with Sarv brings me back to a constant question I have: "Why do I want to do this?" People hate change. They love the sound of it (2008 United States Presidential Election), but they shudder when it actually happens (2010 Health Care Reform Bill). Most of the people in this country are apathetic when it comes to Education. They either think the system works or they have accepted that it doesn't. How can I possibly change this mindset when people just don't care enough? Fixing the educational system doesn't result in an immediate economic payoff. Fixing the educational system doesn't immediately make our borders more secure. Fixing the educational system doesn't immediately improve our lives. And no one is patient enough to wait for these positive changes to occur. So what am I doing? Why am I planning on jumping into a pool that has no easy exit? I love a challenge, but this just sounds like a problem where I'll never be satisfied with the solution.

So I'm scrapping that. I'll sing for money in the NYC Subways until Food Network lets me have a show. Or until I win the lottery...

Making a Difference

So this is about a week later than I wanted it to be, but here it is anyway.

Two weeks ago, I walked just a few blocks off campus to Newark Manor, one of the retirement homes in the area to sing for some of the retirees there with some of the brothers of Phi Mu Alpha. I cannot express how amazing it is to serenade these people. Upon singing For He's a Jolly Good Fellow, one of the men was dancing around in his wheelchair with the biggest smile on his face. He was in his late 80s and not doing too well health-wise but our song lifted his spirits, at least for that day. The joy that our simple act of singing could bring these people was incredible. The smiles on their faces was enough to keep me going through the rest of the day.

Luckily for me, I was able to touch even more lives with music that weekend. On Sunday, the UD Symphonic Band performed with the Academy of Lifelong Learning Band. This band's average age is somewhere around 80. Some members have been playing their instrument since the 1940s, some for only about 2 years. They played their set for us, then we played our set for them and then we played two pieces together. Was it perfect sounding? No. Did it have the most complex parts? No. Was it still an incredible experience? YES. The A.L.L. Band members were mixed in with us and we shared the experience together as one unit.

Final Point: Music is incredible. And you're never too young to appreciate it, or even make some yourself. Music rocks, and so do seniors... :)