My Word for 2010

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature." -Helen Keller

Last year I made a long list of little things to accomplish, and in general I was mostly successful. I reconnected with my tribe and forged new relationships with positive and inspiring people. Although I've experienced a bit of a movement relapse in the past two months, I drank more water and ran The North Face Endurance Challenge half marathon. Also, I did repaint the kitchen- twice. Once at my old abode and at my current home!


This year I am inspired by Boho Mom, who has forgone creating a litany of resolutions in favor of a single word. It's like a mantra for the year that is full of intention and empowerment.

My word for 2010 is Adventure.

Molly and I have made a joint resolution to be more daring. Adventure does not need to be grand foray into the wilderness, deep sea voyage, or aeronautical feat. It means taking the risk to lose sight of the comfort-zone shoreline, even if only for a moment. Adventure does not mean being reckless with myself or others, but to be more fearless with opportunity and adversity. Each and everyday is an adventure.

Cheers to adventure! What is your word for 2010?

Be amazed...

When I stumbled upon Aleksandr Hrustevich, a young Ukrainian accordionist, I was absolutely mesmerized by his talents. His grace and skill is indescribable. Listen as Mr. Hrustevich plays Summer from Vivaldi's The Four Seasons. Be amazed.

I wish I may...

This week Jamie asks, "What is your spirit wishing for?"

My spirit wishes for movement.

Image from chromasia.com

In the past few months I have spent so many of my waking hours glued to my laptop working on my final portfolio. Yesterday I submitted lesson plans, projects, assessments, essays, and score studies that stacked up at 1 1/2 inches thick, and it was printed front to back. My body has become all too familiar with my desk chair, as comfortable as it is. I wish to run, to stretch, to play, to move freely.

The portfolio process has also stirred my spirit. She is anxious, albeit a touch nervous, to move on to the next chapter. I seek that first career, the thrill of opportunity, the next adventure. My spirit needs to move forward and onward.

What does your spirit wish for?

Zůstat plovoucí.

Zůstat plovoucí.
Stay afloat.

It's that time of year again. The semester is coming to a close, projects are mounting, caffeine is pumping through my veins, and a good night sleep is becoming a luxury. There are days I feel like my brain has the consistency of strained squash and it may be in danger of leaking out my ear. I feel skittish and totally unmotivated at the same time.

Several of my student teaching peers have expressed similar feelings. Molly and I were talking about these weird sensations- simultaneous anxiousness and sloth. We have always survived the end of the semester push. It just feels particularly steep this year. I wonder what it affecting so many of us in such an unusual way. Thoughts?

Anyway, I have been trying my best to focus my energy and be a busy, busy bee. This is what I have been up to:

It is t-minus ten days until my student teaching portfolio is due. I have completed 6 out of the 10 artifacts and accompanying essays. Two are currently in some stage of progress, while the other two are on tap for early this week. I have been typing, editing, scanning, video taping, and re-editing like a mad woman.

Check out these examples of student work I am using in my portfolio. It is from the third grade theme and variations unit. The students picked a simple shape as their theme and made three variations on that shape. Like music composition, the students had total freedom of how they chose to vary the shape. The only guideline was the theme needed to recognizable within the variation. The students were so creative- I had a hard time picking which examples to use!

Love the fish!

Circles were a popular theme. I thought this one was particularly well done.

That jack-o-lantern is the best!

Score study, rehearsal plans, more score study, lesson plans, and more score study. I can sing Holst in my sleep. It's not a bad thing.

Attended the American Orff Schulwerk Association conference. It was a phenomenal learning experience. I meet a lot of interesting people, attended some very creative sessions, and picked up some great books. I heart books.

The high school marching band gave a great performance at the holiday parade downtown last week. The late evening rehearsals really paid off. The band sounded fantastic!

Student teaching observation by my university supervisor this week. Need I say more?

The holiday craft fair and breakfast is this coming weekend. The students plan, organize, and run the whole production. It is going to be a very busy, albeit fun, week!

What projects have you been investing your energy in?
Here's to keeping afloat!
Merry Writing!

Goodness!

Oh my, oh my! I cannot believe that it has been nearly three months since my last post. Honestly, I cannot believe that the first quarter of school is over and that Thanksgiving is just around the corner. The past few months have been a whirlwind of activities, projects, lesson plans, private students, performances, and conventions. I have been wearing many, many hats- I love dressing up!

Here I go!

The biggest bonnet I have donned has been that of an elementary teacher. So far student teaching has been a truly positive experience. The first quarter was spent teaching general music at the elementary level. It was a load of work to prepare for seven or eight K-5 classes a day, as well as after school activities, but I found the work to be satisfying. There were days that felt longer than others and less than glamorous moments, however far fewer than I initially expected. I had the opportunity to help young minds develop as creative artists- the process of guiding students through their first composition projects was amazingly fun. So far I learned that K-5 general music is both very demanding and rewarding work, and I can see myself happily teaching at this developmental level.

This week I transitioned to the high school. So far so good. Many new names and faces to learn. I now wear the hat of a conductor and tuba and horn teacher.

My most favorite hat!
Check out Julie Lynn Ivens on Flickr.

Last month Molly and Kelly designed and organized the most amazing event- the Massacreade. It was full of art, music, mischief, and mayhem. The Famous Graves had the pleasure of performing two sold out shows with the Echelon String Quartet, Evan Flynn, and Mr. Zak Larson. Best of all, I got to wear the most amazing feathered hat and fangs.

It was wonderful to catch-up with my blogosphere friends this past week. More adventures to be posted soon. Before January. I promise!

I will be taking a cue from Carmen on Monday (No School!)

What hats have you been wearing as of late?

Extraordinary Inspiration

Sometimes great strokes of inspiration comes from the most fleeting and unexpected moments. It is the little encounter that causes a sparkling of wonderment, reverence, and insight to swirl through our heads. The moment becomes nested in your mind and heart.

I experienced this sensation while working at the summer band camps a few weeks ago.


A fellow instructor and I were walking back from the dining hall to the arts center after a particularly brick-like lunch. We were strolling along on a rather unremarkable stretch of sidewalk we have traveled countless times in the previous weeks. While I was looking up at the graying clouds wondering if it would indeed rain, he was looking along the ground. He scooped up a pine cone and put it to his ear. "Listen," he said. He put the pine cone up to my ear and plucked the spears like an African Kalimba. Different high pitched and woody tones vibrated from each spear. "This is a good pine cone," he said as he gently placed the conifer into his shoulder bag.

My heart stirred.

As I walked back to the dormitories that evening, again looking toward the skies, my mind finally managed to translate the flutterings of my heart:

Look at ordinary things in an extraordinary way.

Truly inspirational.

What moments have inspired you?
Merry writings.

Surfacing

I cannot believe that 6 weeks have passed in such a whirlwind. I feel like I have barely clung on to the surface of the earth! Where has the summer gone? I feel as though it has just flown by, and I have little to show for it- not even a tan!

Our quaint view.

The move was less than smooth. The new apartment had been abused by the previous tenant and needed much attention before it felt like home. Spreading Spackle, sanding, priming, painting, and installing shelving consumed more time than I anticipated. However, our wee space now looks and feels clean, cozy, and well cared for. I will share some before and after pictures in the near future.

This weekend I bought some lovely little succulents to share the window sill with the kitties. So far the little plants have not fallen victim to kitty carnage- perhaps they do not care for the texture? The window is the reason the Muffin and I picked this teeny-tiny apartment (a studio with a 12 x 15 living space). Our sunlight filled window faces south and peers into the side alley shared with an old 3-story home. We have the good fortune of viewing the nearly 3-story tall maple tree that consumes the small back yard. I am curious what color the leaves will turn in the fall. Perhaps my favorite part is when the wind carries in the bright tinkling of our neighbors wind chimes into our home.

Succulents. Yes, those are ceramic donkey planters.
They are from my G-ma. I adore the weirdness of them.

Speaking of sound, the weeks of band camps moved at rocket pace. They were over in the blink of an eye. Middle school week was wonderful- the kids were truly phenomenal. I had a fantastic pair of oboists to coach for the week. They were both sponges- eager to learn, energetic, and open to trying new techniques. Despite the age difference of the two (he was 14 and she was 11), they encouraged and supported each other every day. I wish I could have kept the pair for another week...or always.

The Famous Graves played for the Tuesday recitals both weeks. The students were great to play for, and I had a wonderful time performing. Middle school week served as a great warm up for Gallery Night. As Molly mentioned, I thought we gave a top-notch performance. I am already excited about our next rehearsal and the upcoming recording process.

Postings will be more regular. It feels great to write again and visit all of my blog friends again. Cheers!
Merry makings and writings!