I'm still here...

It's been 2 months since I've posted here...my life has gone in many directions since then. I'll attempt to sum it up:
- I started visiting grad schools. University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University, University of Illinois, and Western Illinois University. Definitely applying at both Illinois schools, probably looking further into the Pitt schools. I also plan to check out Rutgers and SUNY Purchase.
- I attended literally at least a dozen amazing concerts in at least 3 different states. Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, some recitals (both student and faculty), some chamber music, Eric Whitacre's Paradise Lost in Chicago, Akademie für Alte Musik in Champaign, concert version of The Magic Flute at the Meyerhoff with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Felix Hell in York, PA, and I'm sure there are a few I'm forgetting.
-I played a musical. Godspell. First show for which I've played piano; that was a new and interesting experience. It was horrific at first since the pit only rehearsed once before tech week, but by the end of the run, it was an absolutely awesome experience.
-I accompanied a recital. Well, half of one. Repertoire included Reynaldo Hahn's L'Heure Exquise, Robert Schumann's Dichterliebe (I-VII), Schumann's Widmung, and a few musical theatre things. It generally went really well, I was really excited and incredibly relieved when it was over.
- I got a job. Mind you, a job and absolutely not a career. It's basically appalling...hotel housekeeping. Coworkers are uneducated and uncultured, but I do attempt to share classical music with them. I listen when I can and always study scores at lunch. We'll see how long I survive. The thing is, I got this job on a whim and it suddenly enabled me to stay in Lancaster until grad school. Essentially, I will probably struggle with life and finances a little, but will hopefully be a happier and more productive musician in Lancaster. I know at home I would be miserable and unable to practice, so I'm praying that I can remedy that here.
-I signed a lease for a new apartment which is going to be less than amazing, quite frankly. My room will be tiny and amenities will be scarce, but it'll be cheaper. It's basically what I'd call a college dive. Oh well.

So in conclusion...
I'm preparing to enter the year of the starving artist/hipster. Prepare yourselves.