The Salzburg Global Seminar

I have tried to explain to some of my friends at BMCC what the Salzburg Seminar was all about. Many of them could not get the concept so this is how I would break it down for them.

"If you are a student who is attending college and you plan to get your degree, find a great job, make lots of money and do all the things you always wanted to do, and live happily ever after, then The Salzburg Seminar is not for you."

The Salzburg Seminar aims to give students a global prospective to their studies. It helps you to see that there is more to life and the world that what meets the eye. It is more than having what you want to make you happy. It opens up a whole big world and gives you a glimpse of what is happening out there and shows how each student can become an agent of change and betterment.

I have to say that my eyes have been opened and now I have a better picture of what I want to do with my life and how I can go about doing that. I have an important part to lay in making this world a better place to live in, and so does everyone else. I need to do what I have to do and do it to the best of my ability. I am glad I have exposed to people and resources that I can access as I fulfill my life's goal. Be sure to stay on this journey with me as the dream unfolds.

Salzburg: The Living experience

If I could wake up every morning for the rest of my life, look out my window, see the ice capped mountains beyond a shimmering lake, walk among the trees and feel the calm that I felt in Salzburg, I would be content.

One of the most beautiful places I have visited and stayed at so far in my life, my time at the Schloss Leopoldskron was a week of bliss. I spent as much time as possible outdoors and did not care about the cold. Water and mountains are my favorite scenery and I enjoyed every peaceful scenic moments in Salzburg.

Following are some of the pictures I took around the buildings we stayed in. I had the best time and would return at the drop of a hat.

The Schloss Leopoldskron from across the lake.




The grounds behind the Schloss toward the lake.

Looking toward the Alps from the rear of the Schloss.

Carnegie Hall Performance

I had an opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall with the BMCC Downtown Chorus but because I was in Salzbur for the main rehearsals with he conductor and the orchestra, I did not. Instead, I got a free ticket to a balcony seat and thoroughly enjoyed the combined choir of 300 singers, conductor by Dr Anton Armstrong, perform Gabriel Faure's "Requiem." It was absolutely beautiful and even though I did not sing, I am happy to have been there to enjoy.

After the concert, my choir director, Dr Eugenia E Yau, and her husband Jose, took us to a nearby bar and we had some drinks and pizza, all compliments Jose. We all had a grand time relaxing with the knowledge of a job well done behind us.

Congratulations to all!Special thanks to Dr Yau and all her hard work in providing this awesome, once in a lifetime opportunity.


Let the party begin. Jon, Gianni and me.


Gianni, Jon, and Pramela...can you tell the thorn from the roses?

Our very talented and awesome director and friend, Dr. Eugenia Yau and her husband Jose with me.

Introducing....the two tenors....drum roll please...

Dr. Yau with some of the talented singers from our Chorus.

Meet the "Three Musketeers," Peter, Jon and me.

Part of the group, enjoying drinks on Jose and (hungrily) awaiting the pizza.

Finals Week Is Here

It has begun! The long (not) anticipated week of finals, that bittersweet time for all students, is NOW!

I just finished my first final of the week and thank God it was Physics. I am so happy that is over and done with. I have one final for each remaining day of the week and then I am home free. Physics was my biggest worry and now I can breeze through the remaining exams in the subjects that are more to my liking.

Before going on, I need to backtrack a little and fill in all the gaps of the past month. As you know, in April, I spent a week in Salzburg and believe it or not, that week has changed my life in many ways.

I will be going back to that time and posting stuff that took place from my week in Salzburg till now. Happy reading.