A High Note

For the past two days, I've subbed for an orchestra teacher. I enjoy taking music assignments because I love hearing the kids play and I get to travel to a few schools throughout the day. Seeing more places and more kids is exciting.

I started both days at Matthew's school and, while their orchestra has only five kids, we had a lot of fun in such a low-key setting. The teacher left the full music for me, so I played along on the piano with them today (after practicing yesterday), and it went swimmingly. I'm proud to say that those were not two wasted days for them.

The second school I went to had very well-behaved students, and they were fun to lead and listen to. I'm so glad this teacher leaves the music; I can better conduct and correct when needed. It's elementary music, so even though I can't play a violin, viola, cello, or bass, I know enough that the kids have no idea that I can't. I never thought I was a good actress, but I've gotten a lot better at conducting and teaching music since my first go at it. And I'm not bad at all for thirty to sixty minutes at a time.

At the last school, which is a junior high (Gasp!), the kids came in, tuned, did a worksheet on defining musical terms, and then we rehearsed their new songs. The tuning went fine, I was able to help some kids with the worksheet, I let them practice in sections for a bit, and then we played together for about twenty minutes. It went better than I expected it would, and I wasn't as uncomfortable as I thought I would be.

Yesterday, the junior high had a fire drill so we didn't get to rehearse together, and I was okay with that. However, I was not okay with losing my class during the fire drill. Those are not the same as in elementary school; the alarm went off and the kids flew out the door. By the time I turned off the lights, only a few kids were left. I tried to follow them, but I found myself rushed through a sea of people, half of whom were bigger than I. So when our herd finally stopped, it took me a good five frantic minutes to locate at least one of the kids I had met only twenty minutes ago. All 32 were there, as I informed the man who drove by on a golf cart, and when the noise stopped all was well.

During one of the junior high classes today, the choir teacher who shares that room sat at her desk for a bit. While the kids were working, she complimented me and asked for my name. "So you're a music teacher then?" No, but I play one sometimes.

The highlight of this assignment might have been this afternoon when I had the eighth grade chamber orchestra. It's probably the closest I'll get to conducting the Boston Pops. They were awesome. We made it through three entire pieces, and I was even able to follow along without getting lost. Ha! One of the songs they played was this. But that's not us. :) By measure three I was thinking, Oh I know this!



It was a fantastic two days, and I hope to have more opportunities to "teach" music. I've had many fun and productive days with orchestras, bands, and in general music classes, too. It's notable I'm not a sub you have to leave a video for. And any music teacher who knows I sub yet rolls the dice to end up with just anyone can go suck an egg.

Farewell

No one could bring Professor Snape to life as he did, but I will forever love him as Colonel Brandon. 

"Oh, that there were more bachelors of five and thirty with a sensible countenance and gentlemanly spirit." ~ Jane Austen

I Get By with a Little Help from My Friends

I just texted my pal Aimee that the less time I spend with people, outside of my family, the happier I am. So I might become a hermit. Or clinically depressed.

Cue call from Mom.

I'm fine really. Or I will be, anyway. Tomorrow is fresh, and I plan to feel less down and defeated. As Aimee says, "Remember the quality of people who are hurting you today. They are people who consistently put themselves first without concern for anyone else. Don't let them drag you into their ditch."

I am playing that wisdom on repeat. Also, my pal Jennifer says text counseling is the wave of the future. I think they're both on to something.

21-Day Challenge

It's not so much a challenge as it is me trying not to ruin a streak. You know how I get with those.

Last Tuesday, I started the 21-Day Yoga Challenge. It's a four-DVD set I borrowed from the library, and it has some of the best yoga workouts I've ever done. I think there are seventeen choices ranging from 15-45 minutes each. That's enough to avoid boredom and targeting areas encourages me to sometimes do more than one per day. Also, these stretches feel fabulous, and I truly feel the yoga is opening up my back and relaxing the pain.

Bring on Days 8 through 21!

Question

Or eight.

Why is it that so many people take selfies in their cars? Those things are everywhere. Are we really that on the go these days? Is there truly no better time to have your photo taken? Or are people just too bored at stop lights? Or maybe they catch a glimpse of themselves in the mirror and think, "Damn, I look fantastic!," so they whip out their phone and take a photo? Wait. Are there people who do that? Finally, though I always wear mine for safety, am I the only one who thinks that a seatbelt sash is not a fashionable accessory?

I'm not sure how long I'm going to have to wait until the pendulum swings and society agrees selfies are stupid. But until then, all you selfie-takers, would you please try to step it up a little? Go outside. Get creative. Stop making duck faces, and please get out of your cars!

Thank you.

It's a Beautiful Morning

My Saturday mornings are something I look forward to all week. Running with my close friends at a peaceful park and then enjoying coffee with them afterwards is the perfect way to start the weekend. It can't be beat, and when I got out of my car this morning, I decided to really enjoy my run and attempt to capture and share with you the beauty that surrounds us each week.

Aimee started a half hour before Jessica and I. The two of us began running just before sunrise at 7:30 a.m.

There was fog in some places and steam coming off the water.

Seeing the morning light is worth getting up so early. I'm grateful I'm a morning person.

This is what halfway looks like. 

This is Ed. He's the nicest and most talkative guy you'll ever meet. He wakes up at 3:00 a.m. and walks eight miles at this park. Every day. I was compelled to break my no-selfie rule for him. And I did. Now we all know why I don't ever take selfies.

Bunnies are everywhere so early in the morning. Sadly, I didn't run into any coyotes today.

This is one of my favorite paths.

That blue dot is Jessica.

The sights around every bend were stunning today.

This is my happy place. It's important to have a happy place.

This was taken towards the end of my run.

I'm already looking forward to my next visit.

Here Comes the Sun

Oh thank goodness. I hope it's here to stay because that was far too many consecutive days of gloom for Arizona. And me.

It's been raining here almost constantly since Monday night, and I'd had enough of it. By yesterday afternoon, I'd settled into quite a funk. I don't know how people can live in really rainy places. It was cloudy or partly cloudy most of the time in Pittsburgh, but it rarely rained for weeks on end. I can't imagine living somewhere like that after being in Arizona for seventeen years. I've found I need the sun in order to thrive.

Four days of cold and wet weather was uncharacteristic for this place. I'm thrilled to see the sun again.