So at 7 pm, I told the external lawyer and deal team while we were on the phone that I must end the conference call now as I have to go support a school choir. One of the new bankers said, "ok, please feel free to go, your kid would be disappointed if you didn't turn up." I didn't get a chance to disabuse him of that and left for the concert hall in a hurry. har har.It must have been years since I went to a school event, don't think I remember being surrounded by so young people for a long time! They were, as expected, raucous and loud, but their happy energism and antics helped to relieve some of the tension built up from working on the rather intense deals recently.
It was strange seeing a few familiar faces in the audience - an ex-principal here, an old teacher there. Talking to EC's colleagues also made me realize that our working worlds are quite different indeed. I found myself slightly envying the relaxed and unpretentious atmosphere all around.
It was quite an enjoyable performance, with a wide repertoire of sacred, folk and classical music being represented. Being a school choir, it was of course not as polished as professional or international acts, but I think it is really great that the students get this exposure with a public audience. I enjoyed the Javanese pieces, as well the acapella rendition of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture best.
Being surrounded by so many junior college kids brought this song from the Broadway musical Avenue Q to mind, and round and round in my head.
I wish I could go back to college.
Life was so simple back then.
What would I give to go back
and live in a dorm with a meal plan again!
I wish I could go back to college.
In college you know who you are.
You sit in the quad, and think, "Oh my God!
I am totally gonna go far!"
How do I go back to college?
I don't know who I am anymore!
.....
I wish I could go back to college!
How do I go back to college?!
I wish I had taken more pictures.
But if I were to go back to college,
Think what a loser I'd be-
I'd walk through the quad,
And think "Oh my God..."
"...These kids are so much younger than me!"
(But you know, really, I don't think I want to go back to college now, growing up had its fair share of pains, and it's quite a relief sometimes to have shaken off all that teenage insecurity and angst.)
(However, I do need to find an excuse to go to New York City again to watch the musical. hmm)
(Photo: My psychedelic sneakers, which I don't think I would have been allowed to wear in junior college)
