#5, #6, #45, #55, #203, #204, #245, #326

#5 & #6: Visit Two New Countries: Armenia & Georgia!
Many of you know that I went with the Friendship Chorus to Armenia and Georgia. They have a "cool" relationship with each other (mostly because of the friends they keep) but both have a long history with Christianity, so we saw a lot of old churches. Like first century. The difference between the two countries is very clear at the border. You enter into Georgia and it's like you've warped forward 60 years. Tblisi, capital of Georgia, is very modern and new, while Yerevan, capital of Armenia, is 2,500 years old. Yerevan also has a sweet fountain show. Both countries have lots of stray dogs, which is fun/sad. I had a great time in both countries!

#45: Have a Piece Written for CES
I was so psyched to have the first piece sent to me a few months ago for the New Hampshire concert I'm doing at CES in the spring of 2013. The concert theme, which has been hinted at in the goals list, is new works by New Hampshire composers, or composers with a connection to New Hampshire. All of them have lived in NH for a period of time, most of them still do. An exciting adventure!!

#55: Find a Republican Candidate that I like
Ok, I did this! But more on it later--got to save something!

#203: Go to a Museum
The Armenian Genocide Museum was very moving, but I felt like they were trying to prove the genocide happened the entire time. Probably because Turkey is so mean! Anyway, whatever your feelings are about the subject (mine is very pro-Armenia, but Turkey is my favorite meat) I thought it was interesting when someone said that people who live IN Armenia care about this issue, but care more about opening the border to Turkey for trade, in contrast to outside-of-Armenia groups who are really only focused on making Turkey and other countries label it "genocide".

#204: Go to a Museum
The Tretyakov Gallery has the largest collection of Russian art in the world. And it's air conditioned!!


#245: Visit a New Country: Russia
On our way back to America, we stopped by Russia! Spent three nights there and had a blast trying to cram the entire city in! It's big.

#326: Go to a Ballet
Instant Goal! I don't know why this wasn't on the list, but it should have been! The seats were too close together, there was no air conditioning and the orchestra was laughably bad. On the plus side, the tickets were reasonable, the seats were in a fantastic location and the dancing was great!...I think. I couldn't tell because my eyes were crying sweat. Anyway, I learned that you should not go to the ballet if:

1. There is no AC and it's the summer.
2. There is an awful orchestra and you are a musician.
3. You don't like paper fans.

Still, it was a ballet. And it was in Russia. And I wore a bow-tie with jeans.