So long, no posts...

Sorry 'bout that yall...but life has been crazy! 
So now that it's summer time, I have made a huge decision...

I am happy to announce that I am no longer a music major. 

I know...are you shocked? 

I am too.

So here's the deal...

I have planned to study harp performance since my junior year of high school. All of my life I thought that I needed a plan for EVERYTHING. I believed that I needed to know every step and be a step ahead of everyone else. This way of thinking has actually pushed me back because I never took time to really just free my mind of unconscious, unnecessary stress. When I was accepted into a prestigious music school over a year early, I immediately jumped at the opportunity and began preparing to skip senior year of high school. THANK GOD I did NOT do that! My 2010/2011 freshman year of college certainly placed enough pressure on me. 

Why was freshman year so stressful?

Yeah, everyone knows I went through really tough personal issues and depression the first semester, but that wasn't what hindered me from loving to study music. For a while, I thought I was just so depressed that I hated practice...but even after God helped me push past that dry season, practicing still stressed me out. Band discouraged me. Music school requires so much time. No time for extra Bible studies, workouts, cooking, parties, or football games. Yes, I did take out time to be social, but then would feel guilty for not practicing. To make a long story short, practicing and memorizing music is not only a ridiculous amount of mental work, it is physical work too. Not only that, it just takes up so much time (minimum 3 hours a day). This time spent practicing is indoors on the harp. Plus most other classes (theory and piano) also keep me indoors at the keys...which gets old for me. I simply want to be able to spend time with friends and keep my love for the harp as a LOVE - not a requirement. 

So...What am I studying now?

I am happy and relieved to announce that I will study Apparel & Merchandising. How perfect, right? I was definitely meant to be a fashion major. I am thrilled about upcoming classes and a breathable schedule. Don't worry, I will still be taking private harp lessons with my professor. I will never stop playing and composing music.

My harp professor is still the BOMB DIGGITY!

She is so special to me and I appreciate her love and direction. I cannot express how thankful I am that I have her unconditional support as I switch majors. She has tremendously shaped me as an artist in only one year. I truly enjoyed every lesson with her. She is an amazing teacher and one of my closest friends. My change of major has nothing to do with her - it was simply a change - no, a REALIZATION of heart. I know that one day, I will run my very own jewelry store and studying merchandising will propel me to succeed in the retail industry. 

WANT TO CHECK OUT MY JEWELRY STORE NOW? www.LaBellaSO.com

<3

SOPHiA MARiE