Eric Rudofker

Hey,

So I couldn’t decide whether to write about this or not, but this morning at 7:30am I got a tonsillectomy, meaning my tonsils were removed. I arrived at the hospital at 6:30am where I changed into a gown, answered questions, and got some vital signs tested.

Next, I said bye to mom and was wheeled into a big room where there were lots of other patients waiting to be wheeled into surgery. This is where I met the anesthesiologist, who asked me lots of questions while a nurse inserted my IV, filled with just liquid for the time being, to keep my hydrated. My doctor was a little late so we waited around a little bit. He arrived at 7:40, when I was wheeled into the OR. There were already nurses in there.

They inserted this medicine that stung when she put it in, but it made me very “drunk-like” very quickly. This is when I said something to the nurse that I don’t remember, but I do remember starting to feel the anesthesia and turning to one and saying, “goodnight”. What seemed like 2 seconds later (although it was about 40 minutes), I was laying in a new room with a nurse by my side and a significant pain in my throat. The surgery had been over for an hour. I told her I was in pain (I was surprised I could talk at all), and she gave me some morphine, and shortly after was asleep for another hour.

At 10am, two hours after surgery, I was wheeled to the short-stay unit, where I got a room to rest in. On the way I saw my mom in the hallway trying to make a phone call! My aunt was there to keep my mom company, and she was freaking out about how my new haircut looked good or something. It was strange. I was monitored for another hour and a half, and given my first dosage of painkillers. I don’t think the morphine wore off yet, because when I stood up the room began to spin. I waited a little more and tried to wake up my legs. When I could stand on my own, I was wheelchaired to the car and arrived at home. I slept for most of the afternoon. So far I’ve eaten some water ice (sorry if you don’t know what that is - it’s a Philly thing) and am thinking about having applesauce and popsicles for dinner. Sound fun? I’m in manageable pain, but I hear it’s supposed to get worse tomorrow. I’m a little nervous.

So anyways, how did your registration go? I’m curious to hear. Write a response here or send me an email.

Here’s a song:

Ziggy Marley - True To Myself
ziggytruetomysel

-Eric

All I can say is what an incredible experience! I lived with Anna, a 78 year old Italian woman (who didn’t know English) in Ravenna, a small city (70,000 people) about 120km south of Venice on the coast. We traveled on the weekends to Venice, Florence, Rome, and the Dolomites, a mountain range in Northern Italy. I’d love to talk to anyone about studying abroad or going abroad, so feel free to ask! While I did take over 700 pictures, here are some of my favorites:

Some music while you look:

http://blog.richmond.edu/ericpaa/files/2008/07/american-boy.mp3 Estelle - American Boy (ft. Kanye)
http://blog.richmond.edu/ericpaa/files/2008/07/makes-me-wonder-levan-remix.mp3 Maroon 5 - Makes Me Wonder (Levan Remix)

http://blog.richmond.edu/ericpaa/files/2008/05/octavessampletwo.mp3

That is a sample of two songs off of our new CD, yet to be named, due out Family Weekend (end of September).

The Octaves started in 1990 as part of someone’s senior project. 18 years later we’re about to release our 9th CD. The Octaves were really put on the map in 2004-2005 with the release of “Corner Pocket”, where we used a new, innovative production staff - the same staff we are using for this album, and the same we used for our last album, “Shotgun”. “Corner Pocket” was really impressive compared to our last effort, and “Shotgun” even more so. “Shotgun” was nominated for Best Album of the Year and runner-up for Best Arrangement of the year with “Come Clean”.

Well that’s the history. The point is, this is a great time to join the Octaves.
    Do you need to know how to read music? No! The group ranges from music majors to kids that just like singing the shower.
    Are the Octaves more serious than other groups? Sorry ladies, but it seems that the co-ed groups spend a lot of time distracting each other. If you want to join an a cappella group to meet girls, join a co-ed group. I don’t think our attitude is more serious than other groups, but in performance it shows that we’re more productive in rehearsal time.
    How much commitment is it? We rehearse three times a week, for usually between one and two hours. Family weekend comes up quick, so the first month will be pretty full. Also note that next fall during fall break we are going on tour, so plan on coming along. We’ll be going up north - not exactly sure where yet - but Philly, NY, Boston - along those lines. It’s not overwhelming. For example, last semester half of the group were in fraternities and the Octaves. If you want to go Greek, there are Octaves things you will miss, and fraternity things you will miss, but it’s possible.

So think about it. If you want more information about auditions and such reply with your email address or email me your email address and we’ll add you to our list - no problem.

See you in the fall!

Eric Rudofker         Lee Jablow
Music Director       President

“Two years of language?!” - My reaction upon reading the language requirements when figuring out classes. I dropped Spanish in 10th grade after deciding I didn’t like it at all. So I thought I’d try something new - Italian. Random choice.

The first week was a little overwhelming - I’m pretty sure starting any brand new language is. I just kept thinking, “How am I going to get through two years of this?”

In December my teacher asked an alarming question to the class: “So who’s coming to Italy with me this summer?” Excuse me? Turns out she found a language school in a small town on the Northeastern shore called Ravenna, and would be taking students abroad to study Italian at the school for five-weeks, and get two units of language credit - the entire 200-level.

So I’d have to do one year of Italian at Richmond, then five-weeks in Italy, and I’m done? That’s awesome!

It’s getting close - May 23rd I leave with fourteen other students, and return June 27. I’ll be living with an older woman named Mazzotti in a nice townhouse near the town center. The beach is five minutes away, we are free to travel on the weekends, and we’re forbidden to speak a word of English - our host families don’t even know English.

Studying abroad is really popular at UR. Well over 50% of each year’s Junior class goes abroad for a semester, but UR offers Summer Study Abroad programs (what I’m doing), that you don’t necessarily have to be a Junior to do (I’m only going into Sophomore year).

Also, UR’s choir that I sing in, Schola Cantorum, will be touring next spring break to Czech Republic (Prague), Slovakia, and Hungary (Budapest). The school covers about half of the expenses, and will be an amazing experience. If you sing at all and enjoy traveling, join!

I’ll be sure to share some pictures when I get back from Italy. If you have any questions, I can set you up someone who has studied abroad for a semester, or see if I can answer it.

-eric

Some Italian pop:
Nek - Laura non c’e’ Nek laura non ce