Many people have said "I eat, drink, and sleep..." fill in the blank. Well, tonight, I experienced something close to this.
As I gazed out from the balcony, the lights grew dim. The band took their place on stage and the conductor followed. Compared to an orchestra (which is more formal), jazz bands are more laid back. You can clap, whistle, and cheer when you're moved. Through the songs that made one want to sway (at the least) or possibly even grab a partner and start swinging up the aisles (at the most), people were moved to motion.
I, on the other hand, found that motion wasn't enough. When notes were played that stirred my heart, I breathed the music in. I could taste it on my tongue and see vibrant melodies with my eyes. Music like this allows me to feel myself truly alive. Like many people, music connects with me, but I don't just like music. I breathe, taste, and feel it through my being. God has blessed me with music and speaks to me with it. How does He speak to you?
Monday, November 22, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Hav-ta-do's
All today,
I forgot
of what to do
and that's alot!
So then I shall
make a list
on sheet of paper
or on fist.
My hand seems
a bit too small
to write every to-do
and all;
So with black on white
I shall fuse
All of my
hav-ta-do's.
I wake up and
you may have guessed
that I have somehow
misplaced my list!
Too much to do,
no time to find;
my list is gone,
oh, nevermind!
I'll start with laundry
washed and dried,
then put it up
beside the Tide.
Next, stuff the dishes
into the wash
and hope it doesn't
begin to slosh.
Vacuum, dust,
sweep, and mop;
Oh no!
I've got to grocery shop!
Make sure I have
money enough;
Man, this economy
is getting rough!
Refill on gas,
go to the bank,
clean out the hermit crabs'
sandy tank.
Put up the groceries,
and water the flowers.
Now I stink
so I'll take a shower.
Must call people back
and do my jobs;
make the beds,
kick out any slobs.
I run to exercise
and suddenly slip.
Oh my gosh!
Is that my list?!
The day is done
but it seems I lose.
I still have too many
hav-ta-do's!!!
I forgot
of what to do
and that's alot!
So then I shall
make a list
on sheet of paper
or on fist.
My hand seems
a bit too small
to write every to-do
and all;
So with black on white
I shall fuse
All of my
hav-ta-do's.
I wake up and
you may have guessed
that I have somehow
misplaced my list!
Too much to do,
no time to find;
my list is gone,
oh, nevermind!
I'll start with laundry
washed and dried,
then put it up
beside the Tide.
Next, stuff the dishes
into the wash
and hope it doesn't
begin to slosh.
Vacuum, dust,
sweep, and mop;
Oh no!
I've got to grocery shop!
Make sure I have
money enough;
Man, this economy
is getting rough!
Refill on gas,
go to the bank,
clean out the hermit crabs'
sandy tank.
Put up the groceries,
and water the flowers.
Now I stink
so I'll take a shower.
Must call people back
and do my jobs;
make the beds,
kick out any slobs.
I run to exercise
and suddenly slip.
Oh my gosh!
Is that my list?!
The day is done
but it seems I lose.
I still have too many
hav-ta-do's!!!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Jr Church Teaching
I was signed up to teach Jr Church (ages 2-4yrs) on Sunday. My sister, two brothers, and one of my brother's friends came to help. I wanted to be more prepared than we usually are for teaching jr church. Our usual way of teaching comes the day of. We look in the bulletin and find out that we're down to teach. We rush down stairs, read through the material as fast as possible, and assign different sections between us. This time, though, we were ready! I'd gotten the typed materials a week before! ...and looked at them the day before! I got props, snacks, and crafts ready before getting to church early.
When we all got down there, I gave a quick run through with my co-teachers and got things as ready as they could be. We had five little boys. It reminded me of teaching my two-year-old class through the summer of '06. Four out of five were very controllable and did what they were told. The fifth we will call Matt. I would say "Matt, please come sit with your friends" and he would respond with "I might want to later, but right now I don't feel like it". He's a smart kid, but a troublemaker. For some reason, I am attracted to troublemakers as they are to me... at least as kids or youth are concerned. I guess its the challenge of wondering who will win (and hoping its me).
Throughout class, Matt kept acting up. He wouldn't sit and listen. He would try to outwit me by not answering straight forward. He knocked crafts down. He wouldn't participate with much of anything. Thankfully, I had enough help that it was a "teacher" to each student.
During snack time, he finished before anyone else. In order to keep him around his seat, I began a conversation with him. He carried it very well and was distracted enough to stay put for a while. In this convo, he told me he likes tractors, is a drum major, is a tv star, and investigated who put dirt on the table (which was a few crumbs from snack). He was super cute!
When it was game time, he knocked one of the crafts down. I put him in time out. I explained why and how long. He cried and said he wanted his mommy. Still, he sat there which surprised me a bit. Everyone else kept doing what they were doing and left him to whine. When his time out was up, I went over and explained again. He let me pick him up and he stopped crying. I put him down and he went on.
Right before class was over, when we were getting the kids' things to them, he came up to me. He started apologizing for everything I'd told him to do that he didn't and the things I told him not to do that he did. He remembered everything (from beginning to end). No one prompted him to do this either. I had forgotten most of them even. I gave him a big hug and told him that it was okay. He left me with a grin on my face.
I tried to get all them to remember the lesson (about Ruth) and one of the kids said we learned about "Jesus". Well, even if they didn't exactly remember what the lesson was, I'm sure they learned something, had some fun, and reminded me of how wonderful children are. (PS For a while, I've been thinking that I'm glad I don't have children right now and how much responsibility/time it takes to have children. I'm still alright with not having a kid right now, but I have a renewed spot in my heart for one {or more} of my own one day.)
When we all got down there, I gave a quick run through with my co-teachers and got things as ready as they could be. We had five little boys. It reminded me of teaching my two-year-old class through the summer of '06. Four out of five were very controllable and did what they were told. The fifth we will call Matt. I would say "Matt, please come sit with your friends" and he would respond with "I might want to later, but right now I don't feel like it". He's a smart kid, but a troublemaker. For some reason, I am attracted to troublemakers as they are to me... at least as kids or youth are concerned. I guess its the challenge of wondering who will win (and hoping its me).
Throughout class, Matt kept acting up. He wouldn't sit and listen. He would try to outwit me by not answering straight forward. He knocked crafts down. He wouldn't participate with much of anything. Thankfully, I had enough help that it was a "teacher" to each student.
During snack time, he finished before anyone else. In order to keep him around his seat, I began a conversation with him. He carried it very well and was distracted enough to stay put for a while. In this convo, he told me he likes tractors, is a drum major, is a tv star, and investigated who put dirt on the table (which was a few crumbs from snack). He was super cute!
When it was game time, he knocked one of the crafts down. I put him in time out. I explained why and how long. He cried and said he wanted his mommy. Still, he sat there which surprised me a bit. Everyone else kept doing what they were doing and left him to whine. When his time out was up, I went over and explained again. He let me pick him up and he stopped crying. I put him down and he went on.
Right before class was over, when we were getting the kids' things to them, he came up to me. He started apologizing for everything I'd told him to do that he didn't and the things I told him not to do that he did. He remembered everything (from beginning to end). No one prompted him to do this either. I had forgotten most of them even. I gave him a big hug and told him that it was okay. He left me with a grin on my face.
I tried to get all them to remember the lesson (about Ruth) and one of the kids said we learned about "Jesus". Well, even if they didn't exactly remember what the lesson was, I'm sure they learned something, had some fun, and reminded me of how wonderful children are. (PS For a while, I've been thinking that I'm glad I don't have children right now and how much responsibility/time it takes to have children. I'm still alright with not having a kid right now, but I have a renewed spot in my heart for one {or more} of my own one day.)
Friday, November 5, 2010
Music Stories
Tonight, I had the opportunity (as I have had once or twice a year) to hear an orchestra. Strings, percussion, and piano. Beautiful!
The songs played were a various assortment of dark and happy, adventurous and calm, as well as recognizable favorites and new. Through these notes on paper, stories are told. Each person has the potential to visualize experiences that are usually not the same as the person sitting next to them. Each is unique from the same piece of music!
At one point, my mind told me to jump off the balcony and float on the music to the top of the room. I also had the urge to begin singing to songs that have no words and that I had never heard before. Luckily, I didn't... Only in my mind. Music is very influential and can speak without words.
If you haven't gotten to listen to an orchestra live, you need to try it! Next, is jazz ensemble!
The songs played were a various assortment of dark and happy, adventurous and calm, as well as recognizable favorites and new. Through these notes on paper, stories are told. Each person has the potential to visualize experiences that are usually not the same as the person sitting next to them. Each is unique from the same piece of music!
At one point, my mind told me to jump off the balcony and float on the music to the top of the room. I also had the urge to begin singing to songs that have no words and that I had never heard before. Luckily, I didn't... Only in my mind. Music is very influential and can speak without words.
If you haven't gotten to listen to an orchestra live, you need to try it! Next, is jazz ensemble!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Time and Money
I probably can't count how many times I've heard the quote "time is money" (originally from Benjamin Franklin). Today was completely full with scheduled time and money spending. I got my cracked window shield replaced with a non-cracked shield ($299); cleaned the guest rooms and had lunch (while doing laundry); had my car horn fixed ($70... what?!); went to check on Toby and ran to the bank (+ gas money); picked Thomas and Casey up and took them home; got ready and went to zumba toning; came home, took a shower, and ate dinner. Its gone from one thing to another, costing my time, money, and most importantly, energy.
Another thing I've noticed is that I've been searching my cabinets and refrigerator for something sweet. One thing I did not do today (which would've cost me time, money, and energy) was to go to the store. I feel the need to have something sweet to munch on... but maybe that goes back to the "I don't have any more energy" thing. Hmm...
Another thing I've noticed is that I've been searching my cabinets and refrigerator for something sweet. One thing I did not do today (which would've cost me time, money, and energy) was to go to the store. I feel the need to have something sweet to munch on... but maybe that goes back to the "I don't have any more energy" thing. Hmm...
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Stitches
I woke to the buzzing sound that says "pick up your phone; someone's calling you". Mom told me that Toby was hurt. My heart skipped a beat. He's alright, but he cut his two front legs (right above his paws). I met Dad at the vet's and they took Toby in. We got there around 8:45am and I finally got to pick him up at 3pm.
I hate that we can't live together. My job won't allow dogs to stay so he lives at my parents'. I long for the day when he's totally my dog. I pay for what he needs and spend some time with him, but I don't get to see him everyday. Now that he's hurt, I especially want to be with him.
I hate that we can't live together. My job won't allow dogs to stay so he lives at my parents'. I long for the day when he's totally my dog. I pay for what he needs and spend some time with him, but I don't get to see him everyday. Now that he's hurt, I especially want to be with him.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Costume Alter-Egos!
I've always loved Halloween! Ever since I was little, I would try to be creative about my costumes (especially when it came to cost). My costumes have never won a prize and some are usually ambiguous to anyone but me. Still, I love dressing up!
This year (for handing out candy both at Trunk-or-Treat and Chris') I was a monster. I had a cute monster hat, a blood donating shirt turned into a "bone" donor shirt ("Feed your Monster"), my cassowary bone, snake vertebrae necklace, black nail polish, and ripped jeans. I think (to an extent) we all like pretending we are something else. Why else would so many people want to be actors (other than the fame and fortune). ;)
I was subbing on Friday and heard another teacher talking to his students. He said "I love seeing what other people dress up to be because then I get to see their alter egos." I laughed for a bit and then started thinking about it. We usually dress up in something we have an interest in. Little girls like dressing up as princesses. Little boys as super heros. Older boys as something scary or funny. Older girls as flirty or creepy. We all get to dress up as anything we want, yet we usually choose an external way to show characteristics that draw attention to who we really are or secretly want to be (though it might be in a more melodramatic way).
I was a cute monster. Not scary, but laid back. Cost-efficient and had creepy accessories. What can I say? I like to be cute (not ugly) and not scare people too bad; at the same time, I like saving money and have a darker side at times. I love wearing more comfy clothes and want other people to feel comfortable around me.
What did you dress up as? Does it "fit" you?
This year (for handing out candy both at Trunk-or-Treat and Chris') I was a monster. I had a cute monster hat, a blood donating shirt turned into a "bone" donor shirt ("Feed your Monster"), my cassowary bone, snake vertebrae necklace, black nail polish, and ripped jeans. I think (to an extent) we all like pretending we are something else. Why else would so many people want to be actors (other than the fame and fortune). ;)
I was subbing on Friday and heard another teacher talking to his students. He said "I love seeing what other people dress up to be because then I get to see their alter egos." I laughed for a bit and then started thinking about it. We usually dress up in something we have an interest in. Little girls like dressing up as princesses. Little boys as super heros. Older boys as something scary or funny. Older girls as flirty or creepy. We all get to dress up as anything we want, yet we usually choose an external way to show characteristics that draw attention to who we really are or secretly want to be (though it might be in a more melodramatic way).
I was a cute monster. Not scary, but laid back. Cost-efficient and had creepy accessories. What can I say? I like to be cute (not ugly) and not scare people too bad; at the same time, I like saving money and have a darker side at times. I love wearing more comfy clothes and want other people to feel comfortable around me.
What did you dress up as? Does it "fit" you?
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