Hello Jess. I myself am new (and addicted) to this mucat cafe. Greetings from the Berkshire hills in Massachusetts. I know how it is to miss the local mountains but I'm sure they haven't changed much in your absence. They will still be here awaiting your return. I am not a proffesional musician either but play the guitar and sing for my own enjoyment and the ability it gives me to annoy people. I've also just started taking banjo lessons (don't tell anyone...you know how banjo jokes are). I can't wait to see how my power to irritate will improve with addition of banjo pickin'! Great to meet you...now get back to your studies! Kyle