Great weekend so far!

My sister, Tiffany, came down south this last Friday and Saturday to celebrate our friend, Katherine's 21st birthday.  Friday night we had a great girls night and then Saturday we went to the Hollywood Bowl and saw John Williams live in concert!!!!!!!!  He was conducting his own music and it was absolutely AMAZING.  It was just incredible sitting through a concert hearing all of the beautiful music he's written.  For those of you who don't know who John Williams is, he has written the music from:

Star Wars

E.T.

Jaws

Indiana Jones

Superman

Harry Potter

The Olympics

Sabrina (the remake)  

Jurassic Park

Hook

... and many many more greats.  If you're interested, here's a link to his many compositions:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002354/

Sitting through the concert, I was in awe of all of the beautiful music he's composed.  It just makes me wonder what goes through a person's mind who writes such awesome music!  Really... how do you do that??  How do you hear the melodies and arrangements? Orchestrations?  AMAZING.

 

That was a great start to the long weekend.  Tiff had to go home Saturday night, but this morning (Sun), my Auntie Susan and cousin Brooke picked me up and brought me to San Diego.  We're now staying with and visiting with my cousin Jessica... it's the first time I've gotten to visit her at her house and it's just been really relaxing and nice to laugh and let your guard down with people who know and love you.   We also went to BJ's and had pizzookies tonight... mmmmmm :)

A couple more days of fun and school starts on Thursday!  Eek!  :)

Happy 21st Birthday, Katherine!!

Today I miss...

Burrito Loco tacoooooooooos!!! Mm...

I miss...

people who love me and give me big hugs.

Tired...

Music rehearsal camp is finally over... 27 total hours of singing in the last 3 days.  Enough said.

But good news! I finally got my new laptop... Macbook Pro! :)  It's so pretty... and now I can finally reconnect with all of you.  For those of you who didn't get one of my contact cards, my new address is:

Tamara Shibata

8432 Magnolia Ave. Box 1216

Riverside, CA 2504

(My cell is still the same... and so is my email address... poglovertcs@juno.com)

I have school email, but I'll mainly be using the juno address.  Just in case you didn't know, I LOVE snail mail :)  But who doesn't?  

It's only been 3 days, but I can already tell God is going to be teaching me a ton here.  It doesn't quite feel like home yet, but I'm getting settled.  It still feels like I'm on a trip and will be home soon.  I've met a ton of random people so far.  No lifetime friends yet :)  but I'll get there.

Love to all :)

I made it...

I'm finally at CBU - moved into my apartment yesterday and have already unpacked all my stuff. Finding a way to store all of my shoes was a task, but I found a way :) I'll post pics of my new place once I get my new laptop on Monday (my roommate is letting me use her comp)...

So yesterday was move-in/check-in. My family came down and helped me move my stuff in, took me to Target to get a few essentials and went on their way. I unpacked a little and then went to a music student meeting for announcements, then dinner in the Alumni Dining Commons and music registration (picking up music, pictures, and signing up for private instruction). Then I went over to an ice cream social in the ADC and met my Focus Team leaders (that's the group I'll be doing activities with during orientation). They were very nice and we had fun just visiting. Then back to the apartment to unpack more and sleep...

Today was a LONG day. Singing from 9am to 9pm. TWELVE HOURS... in case you didn't add it up :) I'm exhausted, yet refreshed at the same time. Lots of good music, sight reading, and tons of amazingly talented musicians. It's pretty overwhelming. I've never really been in an environment like this. Doc put me on the spot to sing in front of everybody already - geez, I thought I'd be okay on the first day! :) He played this game where he picked a song with a long solo and he'd just pick different people to sing the solo for awhile and then pick another person. When he explained it, I was dreading it, then thought he'd only pick veterans, but no. I was wrong. I didn't have much time to think... as I was avoiding eye contact, I heard "Shibata!" and looked up to see him point at me and start the music... eek! It went well, but it's just really intimidating cause there's just so much talent here! So pray for me if you think of it! :)

Okay, I need to sleep now.

I miss you all and hope all is well. Please keep me updated with your lives. Shoot me an email or give me a call...

HISTORY IN THE MAKING

Taco night has been conquered... Tonight, Tamara Shibata finished a full plate of tacos (One plate = 6 tacos). It may not seem amazing, but you can't judge until you've tried it.

TRY IT.

Record:
Date: Monday, August 28th, 2008
Start time: 5:21pm
Finish time: 6:06pm
Tacos consumed: 6
Pain? Yes.
Vomit? No.
Again? Sure...

Dare to try? :)

More than you'll ever know...

My dear friend, Shelanie, introduced me to a new song this past week and it's been in my head ever since. It's called "More Than You'll Ever Know" by Watermark. The more I listen to it, the more I can relate to it. It pretty much sums up my relationship with my friends and church family over the past few years... God is good and has blessed me with people in my life that I can truly thank him for everyday. I think I'll be sharing this song in church next Sunday (Aug 17th) - so when you hear it, please know that I am singing it to you...

Somethin' brought you to my mind today
I thought about the funny ways you make me laugh
And yet I feel like it's okay to cry with you
Somethin' about just bein' with you
When I leave I feel like I've been near God
And that's the way it ought to be
Yeah

'Cause you've been more than a friend to me
You fight off my enemies
'Cause you've spoken the truth over my life
And you'll never know what it means to me
Just to know you've been on your knees for me
Oh you have blessed my life
More than you'll ever know

You had faith when I had none
You prayed God would bring me a brand new song
When I didn't think I could find the strength to sing
And all the while I'm hoping that I'll
Do the kind of praying for you that you've done for me
And that's the way it ought to be
Yeah

You've carried me
You've taken upon a burden
That wasn't your own
And may the blessing return to you
A hundred fold

Cause you've been more than a friend to me
You fight off my enemies
Cause you've spoken the truth over my life
And you'll never know what it means to me
Just to know you've on your knees for me
Oh you have blessed my life
More than you'll ever know
Yeah yeah yeah

More than you'll ever know...

Offering

The sun cannot compare to the glory of your love
There is no shadow in your presence
No mortal man would dare to stand before your throne
Before the holy one of Heaven

And it's only by your blood
And it's only through your mercy
Lord, I come.

I bring an offering of worship to my King
No one on earth deserves the praises that I sing
Jesus may you receive the honor that you're due
Oh Lord I bring an offering to you

Take my life and let it be
Consecrated Lord to thee
Take my moments and my days
Let them flow in ceaseless praise
Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of thy love

Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for thee
Take my voice and let me sing
Always only for my King
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from thee

Take my will and make it thine
It shall be no longer mine
Take my heart it is thine own
It shall be thy royal throne
Take myself and I will be
Ever only all for thee
Ever only all for thee