I am noticing a trend that occurs with almost every event that we have been on with IDC. At first I do not really know what to expect, but I never expect the museums or people to be as interesting as they actually are. They are incredible. The International Center of Photography, the Metropolitan Museum, Thomas Neff (at the meet the artist common event), Fall for Dance, Snapshot Photo Day, and now Jeremy Geffen and the Chinese Festival at Carnegie Hall not only exceeded my expectations, but also blew my mind!

I would never have thought that I would enjoy a music festival. Music is not one of my interests. Yes, it’s nice to have the radio playing while I’m on a long car ride. Sometimes if I’m having trouble sleeping then some soft tunes help me fall asleep. But I am not one of those people that turn music on the minute they get home. I can’t study or concentrate at all when music is playing in the background. I am simply not a “music person.”

Because I do not value music as much as others, I thought that the music festival was going to be a waste of my time. I was entirely mistaken. Similarly, I had never seen ballet before and did not think I would enjoy it. Again, I was incorrect. This happened with almost every event we have been on, and I finally recognized that there was a pattern.

These events have opened my eyes and my mind. I can now appreciate music, art, theater, and writers in an entirely new way. When I look at the syllabus I no longer say to myself “we have so many events! They are such a waste of time.” I now say “we have so many events! I am so excited!” And I really mean it. The events are captivating and exciting and I can't wait to experience the rest of them.

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