And all that... "Jazz"?

Just a funny story. So my friend had contacted me because he heard about a jazz concert last night through the Embassy. Tickets were 10 manat and asked if I wanted to go. I like music, I like jazz, and I like company, so why not. So we get over to the Philharmonica and I manage to buy the tickets and we go in and get our seats. As the ensemble comes out we kind of look at each other and agree… that’s a lot of wind instruments for a jazz concert. Sure enough, they start playing some classical national Azerbaijani music (those were literally the only four words of Azerbaijani I understood from the announcer). The music was really great, but definitely not jazz. After this piece they did a pseudo-jazzy number that was quite enjoyable. Then they switched back to a very traditional classical piece that I recognized but I don’t know the composer and clearly there were no pamphlets or playbooks. Then the best part… the finale. This tune starts going and I’m sitting there thinking… I recognize this. In my mind I start singing along, “I feel pretty, oh-so-pretty…” Yes, they were playing West Side Story. Not only did that play that song, they played a compilation of different songs from the entire West Side Story musical, including, “I feel Pretty”, “Maria”, “Cool, boys”, “The Jets at the Dance”, and (this was the best), “I want to be in America.” (I have a thing for West Side Story… let me live.)

My friend and I considered that maybe we had gotten the wrong tickets or something but the ticket definitely even said jazz (albeit in Azerbaijani). Ohh, Azerbaijan. Thanks for teaching me what jazz music was. I really didn’t expect all the wind instruments.

Anyways, I really apologize for not updating any sooner. I’ve been uber-busy and I feel like I barely have time to do anything. It’s weird how all of a sudden, life just kind of crept up and I have plans almost every night and all day during the weekend. When I come home, I don’t want to write on my computer, I want to either relax or sleep.

This weekend I’m going back to the hamam, meeting up with some various students, and going to the opera. I’m sure that something else will come up, since it always does. I had a bit of a disaster today, though. I’ve been sick with basically a head cold, nothing too terrible. I went into my internship and after about an hour I started feeling super nauseous and I literally could barely sit there. I told them I had to leave and pretty much ran out and hopped in a cab. About a minute into my cab ride (and the cabdriver trying to talk to me) I opened the door and started puking out the side. After this, the cab driver shut up, thankfully. I got home, and continued throwing up. I feel a bit better now. I have no clue what I ate, since I only ate bread and cheese this morning. I’m taking it easy the rest of the day in the hopes that I don’t come down with the flu.

Also, HALLOWEEN is coming up next weekend! I've heard of some parties and I want to have a costume, (nothing elaborate) and this means I need help. I obviously didn't bring anything with me, so I need something that is easy to make. Any ideas?