My OperaJust An Observation
Saturday, November 19, 2011 9:24:57 AM
Sinus surgery is the PITS!
Hidden Sorrows...
Sunday, October 2, 2011 5:12:37 AM
In my general music classes, I have the students answer a journal prompt--a question or two regarding something musical. This past week, the question was, "Name a song that would be the theme song of your life. Explain why."
Often, 7th-grade students come up with some rather amusing answers to a question like this. I love reading their answers, however. They're almost always good for a chuckle or two. Until...
One young man--I will call him Jason--explained that his theme song was "I Should Have Been a Cowboy." He went on to explain how he loves cows and horses, guns and all things "cowboy" in nature. But then his explanation took an unexpected turn.
He explained that he had lived a really tough young childhood, especially after his parents split up and his mother abandoned the family. For awhile, it was just Jason and his dad...until his dad was busted for drugs, Jason was removed forcefully from the home and placed with his grandfather, whom he didn't really know. Now his father is in jail and Jason lives with his grandfather. His grandfather is a rancher. And Jason loves his new life.
He said that he liked the song because it seems hopeful. Now that he has a new life, Jason says he is filled with hope for his future and expects good things for the rest of his life.
Jason is a wonderful, helpful, curious, intelligent young man. I would never have guessed that his life had such trauma. "In the quiet heart is hidden sorrow that the eye can't see" goes the song. Jason has shown a remarkable resilience in overcoming his hidden sorrow and trauma.
Jason is one of my heroes.
Often, 7th-grade students come up with some rather amusing answers to a question like this. I love reading their answers, however. They're almost always good for a chuckle or two. Until...
One young man--I will call him Jason--explained that his theme song was "I Should Have Been a Cowboy." He went on to explain how he loves cows and horses, guns and all things "cowboy" in nature. But then his explanation took an unexpected turn.
He explained that he had lived a really tough young childhood, especially after his parents split up and his mother abandoned the family. For awhile, it was just Jason and his dad...until his dad was busted for drugs, Jason was removed forcefully from the home and placed with his grandfather, whom he didn't really know. Now his father is in jail and Jason lives with his grandfather. His grandfather is a rancher. And Jason loves his new life.
He said that he liked the song because it seems hopeful. Now that he has a new life, Jason says he is filled with hope for his future and expects good things for the rest of his life.
Jason is a wonderful, helpful, curious, intelligent young man. I would never have guessed that his life had such trauma. "In the quiet heart is hidden sorrow that the eye can't see" goes the song. Jason has shown a remarkable resilience in overcoming his hidden sorrow and trauma.
Jason is one of my heroes.
Organized? Grrrrrr....
Wednesday, September 28, 2011 12:30:37 AM
I love my job at the junior high school near my home. This is my second year there, and the kids this year are absolutely fantastic! We have two general music classes with 25 and 27 students, respectively--a lot easier number to manage than the 42 and 44 I had in spring semester. The mixed chorus started out with 82 kids enrolled, but as usual, the number eventually pared down to 69. The Show Choir (called ShowstopperZ) has 36 enthusiastic, chattery kids.
Sure seems difficult to get myself organized this year, though. Last year I had to rebuild the vocal and general music programs from the ground up. This year I'm trying to fine-tune the programs, as well as start and maintain the Show Choir class. But I'm struggling with paperwork organization this year.
Paperwork has never been my forte, anyway. I get to it once every 6 months, if I absolutely have to, at home. Unfortunately, that same time frame doesn't work at all for a public school teacher! It seems the more paperwork I complete, the more there is to do!
I hate feeling disorganized. Un-organized? Mis-organized?
*sigh*
Sure seems difficult to get myself organized this year, though. Last year I had to rebuild the vocal and general music programs from the ground up. This year I'm trying to fine-tune the programs, as well as start and maintain the Show Choir class. But I'm struggling with paperwork organization this year.
Paperwork has never been my forte, anyway. I get to it once every 6 months, if I absolutely have to, at home. Unfortunately, that same time frame doesn't work at all for a public school teacher! It seems the more paperwork I complete, the more there is to do!
I hate feeling disorganized. Un-organized? Mis-organized?
*sigh*
An "Interesting" Summer
Saturday, August 20, 2011 3:29:33 PM
Been away for awhile. It's been good catching up on your blogs, friends. Y'all have been having some intriguing discussions/serials. Can't decide if I should laugh or just shake my head! :laugh:
It's been an interesting summer--as in the old Chinese curse: "May you live in interesting times." (Whoever came up with that must have been a sadist at heart.)
Without boring you all with the details, suffice it to say that I'm really glad the summer is over and life is going on. School starts Monday, and I'm (almost) ready for it. This is Marissa's senior year, she's in Madrigals at her high school, and she's really looking forward to performing with this premier vocal group this year. Richard has all sorts of "irons in the fire," so to speak, and is taking good care of us all. We lost a pet last weekend due to renal failure. He was that beautiful cat that I'd mentioned before.
I need a summer vacation to get over my summer vacation!
Glad to be back.
It's been an interesting summer--as in the old Chinese curse: "May you live in interesting times." (Whoever came up with that must have been a sadist at heart.)
Without boring you all with the details, suffice it to say that I'm really glad the summer is over and life is going on. School starts Monday, and I'm (almost) ready for it. This is Marissa's senior year, she's in Madrigals at her high school, and she's really looking forward to performing with this premier vocal group this year. Richard has all sorts of "irons in the fire," so to speak, and is taking good care of us all. We lost a pet last weekend due to renal failure. He was that beautiful cat that I'd mentioned before.
I need a summer vacation to get over my summer vacation!
Glad to be back.
Happy Father's Day!
Sunday, June 19, 2011 2:15:07 AM
To all fathers, may you have a wonderful, joyous Father's Day!
Ahhhh...Spring Break!
Monday, April 18, 2011 2:45:15 PM
We're on spring break this week.
So much to do at home...so little time.
What a delightful dilemma!
So much to do at home...so little time.
What a delightful dilemma!
A Benefit of Age?
Thursday, March 3, 2011 5:54:24 PM
I was doing some cleaning today and found a ticket stub from a sporting event held recently. Ten years ago I would have stashed that stub somewhere with the intent of putting it in a "scrapbook." Today I tossed it in the garbage without a second thought.
I wonder if, as we become older, we begin to recognize and appreciate the things that REALLY matter in life more than the silly little things that have no eternal ramifications at all?
For instance: a friend of mine had her feelings hurt pretty badly by one of her friends and peers. Rather than let that hurt and anger simmer in her mind for weeks, she chose to dismiss the comments of her friend by saying, "She doesn't know me that well, nor does she know my circumstances. She doesn't have the right to judge me, so it's not important what she thinks." She was quite sincere in her expression of this dismissal.
I was pretty impressed by my friend's maturity. I experienced a similar situation with someone else the same day, and as my friend and I talked about our situations, I marvelled at her equanimity and her ability to dismiss the hurtful, judgmental words of the woman in question.
I've been reading a book called "The Power of Resilience," by Robert Brooks and Sam Goldstein. (GREAT book!) My friend displayed an amazing sense of resilience when she chose to dismiss the hurtful words of her acquaintance.
I wonder if I'll ever be mature enough to do that myself?
I wonder if, as we become older, we begin to recognize and appreciate the things that REALLY matter in life more than the silly little things that have no eternal ramifications at all?
For instance: a friend of mine had her feelings hurt pretty badly by one of her friends and peers. Rather than let that hurt and anger simmer in her mind for weeks, she chose to dismiss the comments of her friend by saying, "She doesn't know me that well, nor does she know my circumstances. She doesn't have the right to judge me, so it's not important what she thinks." She was quite sincere in her expression of this dismissal.
I was pretty impressed by my friend's maturity. I experienced a similar situation with someone else the same day, and as my friend and I talked about our situations, I marvelled at her equanimity and her ability to dismiss the hurtful, judgmental words of the woman in question.
I've been reading a book called "The Power of Resilience," by Robert Brooks and Sam Goldstein. (GREAT book!) My friend displayed an amazing sense of resilience when she chose to dismiss the hurtful words of her acquaintance.
I wonder if I'll ever be mature enough to do that myself?
Three Years and Counting...
Tuesday, February 15, 2011 4:41:51 PM
Today is our third wedding anniversary. It's been a wonderful three years! I told Richard when we married that I wanted 35 years, with option to renew. I will definitely exercise that option!
Love you, my dear.
Love you, my dear.
Back in School...
Tuesday, January 4, 2011 12:13:11 AM
...and you just can't go wrong listening to Dan Fogelberg all day!
(He's our composer this week!)
(He's our composer this week!)
A New Year
Friday, December 31, 2010 6:15:39 AM
I love New Year's Eve. I love the chance to start again, to ponder the past year--its successes and even its failures. It's like a "do over."
"So last year wasn't so great? Then we can start again."
"Actually, last year was pretty awesome! Then maybe we can keep good times going!"
Many folks don't care for New Year's Eve, or New Year's Day. Maybe that's the difference between a pessimist and an optimist. I'm told that a pessimist expects the worst and sometimes is pleasantly surprised when things actually go well. And an optimist is always disappointed because things never turn out the way an optimist hopes.
I still prefer optimism. But maybe you don't, and that's okay. Here's a song for you, one that I've always liked.
Happy New Year to all of you! "We'll be just fine."
"So last year wasn't so great? Then we can start again."
"Actually, last year was pretty awesome! Then maybe we can keep good times going!"
Many folks don't care for New Year's Eve, or New Year's Day. Maybe that's the difference between a pessimist and an optimist. I'm told that a pessimist expects the worst and sometimes is pleasantly surprised when things actually go well. And an optimist is always disappointed because things never turn out the way an optimist hopes.
I still prefer optimism. But maybe you don't, and that's okay. Here's a song for you, one that I've always liked.
Happy New Year to all of you! "We'll be just fine."
Starphoenix
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