Pennyroyal Tea

I've just came back after two days in New York with Jung-in and Alex. Previously, I have discovered the city in terms of scenery and academics, but this particular journey is my first approach to the arts. We went to two concerts by Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the conduction of Pierre Boulez at Carnegie Hall. Abstractly, I got to attend the performance by one of the prominent "Big Five", with one of the most important figures of the time, at one of the most renowned music venues in the US - at an unexpected price of $10. At first, I neutrally went there to "try out" the new music of the 20th century, a genre to which I'm not accustomed. However, after the second night, I felt very contended; not that I'm drawn to the music, but I'm convinced by the ideas it experiments - especially Elliot Carter's polyphonic Réflexion and Edgard Varèse's two very interesting compositions, which see percussion as a very own method of self- and rhythm- expression.

We spent today morning walking around Greenwich town. Just by looking at the luxurious stores on the streets and the number of famous residents, one can tell how wealthy this town is. But it's the recreation of the neighborhood that I enjoy a lot; outside the mansions and marketplaces, there are trees and parks and ponds, making it a nice place to live in. After that, Jung-in and I drove lost to Durham and Madison town, which happen to be also very wealthy and celebrated ones in Connecticut. The small size and exuberance of the towns slightly make me think back of Henniker, and feel naturally at rest. They are not the things I could easily see at New London... a little bridge over the river, an art-decorated garden, or on-the-hill houses...

Now, I'm back to my sweet room, which is wallpapered by posters and maps, but felt upset again by the recent tragic accident. Her funeral will be held tomorrow. Although I don't know her personally, the fact that she was a wholeheartedly devoted activist strikes me deeply, and for the last few days I cried so much that I thought I could not stand it. I pray that she could rest in peace forever because after the happiness she brought to the people, she deserves the utmost bliss.

And at the very moment, I am lying on my floral bed reminiscent, listening to Frank Zappa with an open-eared attitude and ready for the two upcoming journeys.