Definitely already ready

Coming to Centre, I was oblivious of how AMAZING CentreTerm is:

1. There are a bajillion choices of classes to take.
2. Many classes travel. (My friend Ashton is traveling to Puerto Rico and is snorkeling. It doesn't get anymore amazing than that!)
3. The schedule is fantastic. Some classes meet twice a day for 1.5 hours while others meet a whole 3 hours at once.

Now for my class...

I was quite excited to hear that I was enrolled in "The World of Duke Ellington" with Vince DiMartino. But I didn't know how popular Vince is. He's played with and/or met many famous jazz musicians. Ever heard of Louis Armstrong? Oh yes, he's met him! Prof. DiMartino is an extraordinary man who has tons of real life stories to share with us about how he's interacted with so many people.

Also, I was unaware of how influential Duke Ellington was and still is. Not only was he a classy fellow, but he was also a genius when it came to composing and arranging pieces. Many famous jazz songs came from Duke and I never even knew that. But the best thing about the class is that I'm seriously intrigued and attentive all three hours. I'm honestly never bored.

One day, we created our own little jazz band. I have to say, we were pretty darn good! Other days we watch clips of Duke playing or sometimes Prof. DiMartino gets out his trumpet and freestyles some amazing tunes. (He's performed with the likes of Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Barbra Streisand, and the Boston Pops.)

My schedule during CentreTerm:

8:00 - Wake up and take a warm shower (P.S. the bathrooms are FREEZING!).

8:45 - Grab a yummy bagel with vegetable cream cheese and a nice cup of coffee.

9:00 - Class begins and the jazz music is BLARING.

12:00 - I get out of class and head to lunch.

4:30 to 6:30 - Either tennis practice or gym workout.

7:00 - Dinner time and I'm ALWAYS starving.

7:45 to 1:00 - Homework, watch some Australian Open, or just relax.

It's quite obvious that the schedule isn't at all strenuous. I've already made a promise to myself to take a course my sophomore year that travels somewhere fun. I'm definitely already ready for the next CentreTerm.