F*lbright

Time to celebrate!

I received a F*lbright grant to teach English in Korea next year! Woot! Hooray! Huzzah! (and the villagers rejoice)

I was checking my email without reading the subject line when an email from an "Anne Hilton" popped up. "Who's Anne Hilton, and why didn't I report this as spam?" I thought. Turns out this particular Anne is the ETA program coordinator for Korea. The email began:

Dear 2006/2007 Elementary and Secondary ETA Grant Awardees: (Ummm...They must be mistakenly sending out the email to everyone because I haven't been "awarded" anything.)

By now you have received, (It MUST be a mistake since I haven't received anything as of yet.)

or will soon receive, a congratulatory letter from IIE stating that you have been awarded a F*lbright ETA Grant to Korea. On behalf of Mrs. Jai Ok Shim, our Executive Director, and everyone at the Korean American Educational Commission (KAEC) in Seoul, I would like to extend our warmest congratulations to you, as well. (*blink, giant gasp, stare)

It took a while to register that Maria had asked me what was wrong. "I got the F*lbright." "What?! You did?" she exclaimed. "I got the F*lbright...I..." (obviously I couldn't finish the sentence) I slapped both hands to my forehead and paced a couple steps while gathering my breath. Shaelah, who had been visiting, declared, "I'm calling home." I didn't know what to do with myself, so I ran up to tell Katie, then came back down to tell Steph, Ann, Megan, Courtney, Dani, Alicia and anyone else who was in the hallway. All of the above let out loud shrieks, applause, congratulations, and we must have caused quite a stir. Megan requested that I do a victory dance down the hall, and I did a couple steps just for her, but decided to contain myself the rest of the way.

It truly didn't sink in. My letter arrived in the mail on Tuesday. I didn't realize how worried I was that the email was a mistake until I held the paper in my hand. It wasn't an electronic glitch because I have the tangible evidence to the contrary. I'm going to Korea!

The program is 13 months long; I leave in July. I'll spend the first six weeks in orientation learning the language, cultural practices, and teaching strategies. Next up: the VISA process. Wish me luck!

Sir and Lady Galway

The Polish Chamber Orchestra with Sir James Galway and Lady Jeanne Galway gave a concert at the DPAC tonight. It was absolutely superb! The sound was incredible. Maria and I had 2nd row seats, so we got to see all the musicians up close and personally. The music selection was Mozart with an additional piece arranged for the 250th birthday of the composer. "The Magic Flutes" was composed by David Overton and consisted of clips from Mozart's many pieces. The Galways dueled it out. They both had golden flutes!

Sir James conducted the Polish Chamber Orchestra as well as giving a virtuoso performance. He ended with a tinwhistle salute to the Irish, playing Dannyboy...the sweetest sounding version I've ever heard.

Lady Jeanne has the most beautiful tone in her notes. I told her that afterword when they were signing CDs.

Noelle: You have the most beautiful tone!
Lady Jeanne: Why thank you.
Sir James: Hey, you didn't say that to me!
Lady Jeanne: No, she's talking to me, thank you very much. *while sticking her hand in his face

They were absolutely fantastic together.

Whenever I attend a performance such as this, I always feel a little twinge in my heart. It'd be a dream come true to be able to make music like that. What a wonderful gift to share with the world.

Saul Williams

Saul Williams came to campus today. He is an extremely talented poet and spoken word artist. His talent is impossible to quantify, and his person radiates beauty, in and out. Here's what he had to say tonight:

On how students can change the world...
"Choose a profession that you truly profess to be. Nothing less than that."

On politics...
"The power of being beats the powers that be."

On power...
"Power is in vulnerability."

That last one I am adopting as my mantra.

Saul has books:
DEAD EMCEE SCROLLS
SHE
SAID THE SHOTGUN TO THE HEAD
THE SEVENTH OCTAVE

Saul has CDs:
Self-titled
Penny for a Thought

Saul even has a film:
SLAM

http://www.saulwilliams.com

i presented
my feminine side
with flowers

she cut the stems
and placed them gently
down my throat

and these tu lips
might soon eclipse
your brightest hopes
(She, page 11)

The following is written about his search and discover of the female deity.

most beloved,
i am certain of nothing more
than your existence
a thousand ants
crawling under a log
may find themselves exposed
in my childlike search
for you

i have spent lifetimes
in monasteries
and drum stretched
villages
in expectation
of this:
our
ecstatic dance

my kali flower
i am eternally destroyed
by your love
no longer
am i eligible
for any worker's
pension
(Said the Shotgun to the Head, pages 21-23)

If you are familiar with the goddess Kali in Hinduism, this poem really strikes you.

V Day

Happy fabricated-consumerism day!

I had only skepticism about this day until I found a candy heart that said LETS READ on it. I hate candy hearts; they taste bad and now employ text messaging spelling such as LUV and RU=abomination. However, the LETS READ candy heart has renewed my faith in candy? no. Valentine's Day? no. that smart-ass nerd working for the candy company that tweaked the lettering from the original LETS DARE to its latter version? yes.

While we're celebrating everything V, check out this film website.

http://vforvendetta.warnerbros.com

F*lbright-Stage 1

After receiving the mail today, I finally got the letter I've been waiting for since October 21, 2005. That's right, F*lbright sent me a letter: not just any letter, but one that would result in depression, anxiety, or complete and utter disbelief. Did the National Committee forward my application to Korea and the presidentially appointed J. William F*lbright Foreign Scholarship Board? Was I rejected along with the other 80% of F*lbright applicants (40% of applicants for Korea). Would I find relief in knowing that I was rejected and moving on? NO! No relief there. I opened up the envelope, unfolded the two creases and read the following:

Dear Miss Easterday:
(Sounds like a polite rejection...oh well.)

I am pleased to inform you...
(pleased with rejecting me? I mean, come on. What kind of sick individual gets satisfaction rejecting poor a college student who's only fault is a penchant for world travel complemented by personal optimism for the service she can do while improving her professional and intellectual development, not to mention worldview?)

...that the National Screening Committee of the Institue of International Education (IIE) has recommended you for a grant under the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.
(*silence)
...
(*blink)
...
(*Noelle jumps, fist pumps, and apologizes to that individual she just called "sick.")

This letter is not notification of a grant since the number of recommended candidates exceeds the number of awards available.
(I know, I know. *Sigh I guess I can't tear up all my other applications just yet.)

Since selection is a lengthy process, the final decision may not be made before the end of June.
(Hmmm. So now I'll just have to wait for another letter sometime between March and June. That's right: I have a whole 12 weeks of biting nails, eating Skittles, and listening to The Darkness and Josh Groban to de-stress while awaiting news from IIE. But, you know what? It's worth it!)

I suppose I should have read the top of the letter to avoid all the mixed emotions, for it states in bold, "Award for which you are recommended: F*lbright Grant to KOREA, SOUTH."

So to sum up:
~I applied for a F*lbright Grant to teach English in Korea next year. Thirteen months long, the program would begin in July with an initial six weeks of intensive training in the language, culture, and teaching methods.
~The F*lbright selection has two stages.
~My application passed the first stage.
~I will not know if it passed the final stage until mid-March-June.

Skittles all around! Hooray for anticipation and the USPS (I received my letter a full two days AFTER everyone else).

This academic year, so far, in photos

Cubs

Recently, I had the opportunity to experience the true Chicago. Kristina, in her infinite awesomeness, took me to a Cubs game. I've never been a fan of baseball. I think it's boring. However, I can see why attending Cubs and Sox games is such an integral part of living in this city. It was a blast. We got there early and watched the warm up, during which I almost got pummeled by a ball whilst I was applying sunscreen. During the game I watched as fans proceeded to drink copious amounts of beer, only to complain that they were dehydrated and needed another one. A cute little group of old men in full Cubs uniforms had instruments and traveled the stadium playing between innings. They were quite good and very endearing. We left at after the 7th inning stretch (where everyone stands up and sings Take Me Out to the Ballgame) because the Cubs were getting pummeled themselves. In fact, I witnessed a grand slam...by the opposing team. While leaving Kristina remarked, "Well, you got to see another long-standing Chicago tradition-the Cubs losing."