Choice.

The Final Breakdown:


Yong Siew Toh, National University of Singapore - accepted
Manhattan School of Music - rejected
Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester - accepted
New England Conservatory - rejected
College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati - accepted
Oberlin Conservatory, Oberlin College - waitlisted
School of Music, Western Illinois University - accepted



Not too bad, considering the fact that a few years ago, this might well have been impossible to even imagine.

Then again, impossible is nothing. Right?

Geez. Advertisements nowadays.

***

It has been a full month since I received the unbelievable news that I had been accepted into Eastman. When I applied to the schools in the US, I never had a first choice, but Eastman was definitely ranked among the top on my list.

One month on, and it looks as if the wonderful opportunity to study there is gradually fading away.

No, I do not want to be negative or pessimistic, and no, I do not want to give up hope, but in life, one must be REALISTIC. One must make the right choices when the going gets tough, when things don't fall into place, and just hope for a brighter tomorrow.

During this period of thought, I have been evaluating the pros and cons of studying at Eastman, or Yong Siew Toh, for that matter.

At the end of the day, I may well have to make a choice - to do the right thing.