A Mid-Winters Afternoon Daydream

Snow. It is a beautiful thing. Majestic, pure, white, and peaceful. Seems like God's work at his finest. It is always nice to look outside your window in your hot room and stare at this beautiful thing without the interference known as the cold. I used to love Winter. I used to love everything about it. But after coming to Cold Culver Stockton I realized that I couldn't deal with it for that long. I realized that I do not like Winter at all. The only thing I like about the season is two things, Christmas and the scene. When I say scene, I mean the look of Winter. Not the feel. Cold stinks. But dead trees and snow are amazing. And thats about it. Especially when you are single. Because I know that there is nothing better than being able to cuddle up and watch a good movie in a warm room with a warm relationship. Nothing is better. But when you are single, the warmth of the room dies down and even if there are ten people in the room watching LOST, you still feel alone. The only person right by your side the whole time is God. And Jack Sheppard. When I woke up this morning to go to Delta Upsilon's Initiation, the weather was my favorite weather. A brisk, damp mist where you can smell the rain that has previously fallen and you can feel the mist and cold pulling on the inside of your nose. Chicago. My dream city. I know it is cold but the city is amazing and the weather is "clean" if that makes sense. I love it. And I can't wait for summer.

My Mood Tonight. Stream of Consciousness.

So it is Friday night. Almost everyone in Canton is at OC's Christmas Party and me, Rylan, David Lee, and Eric are sitting in my room just sitting on Facebook and debating on watching a movie. It is hot in this room. Whenever it is hot in a room, I get edgy. I don't like being in this kind of mood. People are talking. But I don't listen. I write. Or I try to. Its been a long day. Scratch that, its been a long night. People coming in and out of the room, yelling, talking about things that don't matter, bad planning for hanging out with people, etc. What a great Friday night huh? What do i need to be doing? Anything but just sitting here. I need to be at least watching a movie, listening to music, having real conversation. Am I going to? Probably not. But I think this is one of the nights that I need to be alone, outside, reading, in a dark room, something. Anything. I can't wait for break, where I can wake up, work out, play piano and guitar all day, and then go to sleep. It will be amazing. But will I miss anyone? A select few. And they know who they are. But there I go again, making music and God my number one priorities. Which I am perfectly fine with. Would I rather be alone and have music? Yes. Because with music, you are not alone. You can change people with your music. And right now, it seems like tonight would be perfect. This writing thing does help. I recommend trying if you haven't already. God Bless.

Music

Why should people appreciate music? This question was asked to me by my brother Rylan Swank. Since i am going to be a music teacher I think it is imperative that I show what I think music means to me and what it should mean to the world and why people should appreciate it.
Music is not just a form of expression. Music is a way of life for many people across the world. For me as well. I have grown up with music as a vital part of my entire life. Music changes my outlook on life. Like it can change yours. Music can help you understand what other people from different cultures, generations, and countries are going through. People can show through song and music the feelings that are trapped inside of them where no other form of expression can express it.
Music can also be used to express your own feelings. More often that not, people use other's music to "vent" their feelings, whether those feelings are for good or bad. and Music doesn't necessarily mean it has to be with lyrics. Some of the most moving pieces of music I know are instrumental. And Another way is to write music. I love writing music and it makes me happy because i can show my true feelings for something or someone.
Music is a way of life for everyone and I suggest listening to as much music as you can while you can! because you just may learn that you actually don't hate country music, or that classical music calms you down after a long day, and that music is what you are and can define what you believe.
So keep listening, keep playing, and keep writing. :). Let music be who you are.  Music= life=music. :)