May 9th included Murder, Mystery, and Fireball

I am beginning my day in 4th grade. I am expecting it to be an eventful one. This afternoon is a play day for the 4th and 5th grades. I should have worn something different. I will have to go shoe-less because I am not getting these soaking wet.

Yesterday was Christopher's and Justin's birthdays. Last year we kidnapped them and took them out for Pizza in the middle of the night, so we knew we had to top that. Elise and I worked out butts off organizing a mystery dinner based on the game clue. We had it in the little theatre on the stage with stage lights and drippy candles. Everything looked amazing. I was afraid that people wouldn't get into it, but I think that everyone had a good time. After the dinner we unloaded everything at my apartment and did an enormous amount of dishes.

Later we drove over to Hillapalousa to see if anything was going on. It was over already, so we went to Justin and Elise's to play Fireball. I probably shouldn't be telling you this, so Mom, Grandma, and Grandpa, don't worry about my safety. Fireball is a game that Chris learned from the people who he went to church with in Indiana this summer. In the Game Fireball, You take a tennis ball and soak it in gasoline. Then you throw it above a candle so that it ignites. After the ball is on fire you let it bounce a few times without touching it because it is too hot right after ignited. Before the ball goes out somebody goes and catches it, and then you play a game akin to hot potato, only you are playing with a flaming tennis ball. The grass was so wet from the rain, it didn't light at all. The first few bounces leave little flaming patches on the ground, but they go out as soon as the gas burns up. I was surprised at how cool the ball was for being on fire. I have been told that the flames usually singe the hairs on your hands, but from today's inspection, all of my hand and harm hair is in tact. Elise was the only person who was less than thrilled about the activity. We got to play three times, and then decided that the neighbors wouldn't like the activity, so we went to the lake to continue. We only forgot one thing, the matches. So after driving to the lake to play fireball, and trying to light a candle with a car lighter (which doesn't work) we returned home.

Chris came over and opened the gifts from my parents and from me. All in all it was a good birthday. He also did his senior presentation yesterday and I think that he is glad to have it done. He did an excellent job.

Well that was my May 9th. I will tell you about today some other time.

nothing to say

I have started two posts today. I can't finish either one of them. I just don't have anything to say.

Today our office all went out for coffee at the same time. It was good. I got a pican bar to go with my coffee.

Blah...

Hickups strike again

So, I have the guilty pleasure of listening to Kidd Kraddick in the Morning. So, this morning while he was beginning to talk about last night's American Idol performances he got the hick ups. The entire show halted to talk about different ways to get rid of the hick ups. He even had Al hold his earl lobe and tap on his wrist six times. There were also suggestions to stand on his head and drink a glass of water, be frightened by Big Al, lay upside down on the sofa, and any number of other things.
All that I can say, is the only fool proof way that I have found to rid myself of the hick ups is to drink water from the opposite side of the glass. DO NOT try to do this standing upright. I have seen people try this. IT DOES NOT WORK. You will wind up with water all down the front of you.

Education Completion Dinner

Last night I attended the Education Completion dinner for graduates of Fall 2006 and Spring 2007. I must say that the dinner was great. Pioneer did an excellent job with the food. It was the best meal that I have ever eaten that was catered by the college.
The main speaker was a principal. (I know him from my student teaching experiences.) He talked about the differences in students, and how we need to acknowledge those differences in order to truly become teachers. He did an excellent job. The rest of the education department took the time to say a few words. We all took a group picture. And that is it. That is my last official act as a student at Tabor College. I thought that I was done after student teaching, but it never really ended. Soon students on campus will leave and I will be here working for alumni. Then I will leave and go out to do what I have been trained to do. I will teach elementary music kindergarten through fifth grade. I am excited; I am apprehensive; I am ready to know what this will be like.

garage sales

This morning I woke up at 6:40. Why? you may ask, well because it is the season of garage sales! Chris, Em, Justin, Elise, and I got up at the butt crack of dawn to drive all over Hillsboro and seek out plunder from other people's discards. I am now the proud owner of a new jacket (from Old Navy with tags still on, never been worn) and the VHS Newsies. I also got an old antique door from a farmstead. With Christopher and hopefully his grandfather's help, I will be making this door into a fabulous coffee table. (It may be the longest coffee table on record) Chris got a chair straight out of the 70's. It is in Great shape and it has great aesthetic lines. I am proud to say that I spotted it first.

Now all that I need to do is figure out when My garage sale will be. My sister and I are working on getting it all together, but we hit a couple of snags. It may be farther into may than we originally planned. I have heard some people say that this means that I won't have it at all, but I intend to have one, I just don't know when.

All this to sum up the fact that I really want to know where I will be living next year so that I don't feel spread out so much. I am ready to plunge into teaching. I just wish that the rest of life would order itself.

"My shepheard will supply my need Jehova is His name."

The most attractive man with a Butt Chin Ever

I rest my case.

That Touch of Mink

Yesterday I watched the Movie That Touch of Mink. It is a great old flick with Dorris Day and Carie Grant. Day plays a beautiful who has refused men's advances all of her life until she meets Grant a well spoken owner of some sort of credit company. Day falls for Grant who offers her a trip around the world with him but not in holy matrimony. In a backwards mix up, Day takes him up on his offer only to gravely disappoint him on their first "night" together when she breaks out in a rash from nerves of their "progressive" situation. She and Grant have a couple of other rendezvous mix ups, and in the end they wind up getting married. On their wedding night Grant breaks out in a rash because of their "traditional" situation. The audience can only assume that they get over their inhibitions, because the movie ends with a touching shot of Grant, Day, and their bouncing Baby.

All in all it was a clean movie that was based on Sexual Tension. How did film makers of the 50's (even though this film came out in the 60's) do that. They were successful in this film as well as dozens of others that I have seen. (Most of which contain Cary Grant, but only because I have had a Grant fixation for the past couple of months or so.) Why does sexual tension in current films end in a passionate love scene with the camera panning the couple as they undress each other only to pan away to the window or fade to black? Most of the time the love scene is not even vital to the resolution of the plot. Blah...

Change Gears...

Last night at Sonic I ordered three separate orders of almost the exact same thing in the course of 30 min and sent one of the orders to another car in the lot. It was hilarious and so much fun!!! Sorry to all of you Hillsburry sonic people.

I need to get more sleep.

Wash your hands

So,
Within the last month most of the people around me have gotten this bad cold which develops into a sinus infection which for Chris and Ashley has drifted into their ears and caused them much pain. I have observed that this stinks, and that we should all, as good human beings, observe some curtsies for those around us.

First: Wash your hands, a lot!
Second: If water and soap is not available, use hand sanitizer.
Third: Use disinfectant spray and spray all fixtures, handles, and door nobs. (at least 3-5 times a day
Fourth: Take a vitamin or some vitamins. They help boost the immune system and therefore stop the spread of germs.

I know that this post is somewhat pointless, and could be considered mildly annoying, but you know what...
It is what I wanted to contribute to the public today.

Tuesday's Reflections on Monday

On Monday I subbed. I went to Tabor to work till 10am then I subbed for the rest of the day. It was an interesting day. I don't know how to quite explain my entire experience.

It all began with computers class in which I had to constantly spur one kid on until the end of class. It was a TASK!

After Computers came Learning Support which is a fancy name for Study hall. In study hall, two of my students were arguing about whether Ozzy Osbourne still did drugs or not. They finally decided to ask me and make me the deciding factor. I simply said that whether he does drugs nor or not his brain is already fried enough that no one will ever know for sure. I did let the LS class our 1.5 min. early because they are freshmen and they never get to be at the front of the line to eat. They were quite grateful.

I ate lunch, and then went to "Boys Weights." This class consists of mostly upper class men who are larger than me. They ran a couple of laps, and we went to the weight room. They cranked their music, took off most of their clothes, and started lifting. I went to the office to read a book only to poke my head out of the door when I thought that they were killing each other. There was a lot of screaming, yelling, grunting, and indistinguishable cursing, but there was no fighting and that was what I was the most concerned about. After they had finished lifting, we all traveled back to the gym to stretch. I do not know if I was the victim of a random "pants-ing" or if the kid was just stupid to pull down his own drawers, but I definitely got inadvertently mooned on the way back to the Gym. I debated all of the uncomfortable things I could do to this semi-delinquent kid, but all in all I came to the conclusion that he would not become any less of a delinquent if I did sit all of them down and give them a lecture about appropriate behavior and school protocol. I was not offended by the butt. I was not angered by the butt. Mostly I was amused by it, but I did leave a note for the teacher to remind his class to keep their pants on until they reached the locker room.

Compared to that, the freshmen/sophomore PE class was a breeze. We went outside and played softball. I forgot how awkward freshmen PE class can be. I also forgot how funny it is. I had a good time, but towards the end of the class I had to go to the bathroom and so did about half of the other girls out on the field. They kept yelling, "Can we go now? Miss Hope! I have to go to the BATHROOM!!!"

All in all it was one of my more eventful sub days.

The band came home

Well, the band came back on Tuesdaay, and I am no longer the foster parent to one possibly pregnant Kitti. I have to be honest, I understand cats much better than I used to. I used to think that you couldn't give cats commands like, come, no, and down, but cats, or at least this cat, responds to general commands. Except for when she does not want to come into the house for the night. Then your best bet is to let her sit outside till she gets bored and beggs to come in.

It is good to have Chris back. He had a good time on Band Tour. He even got to eat one of my favorite kind of German Chocolate. (Kinder chocolate) I asked him to bring me Kinder Bueno (a variation of this chocolate),on the condition that I never say the word Nummies again. In a surprising turn of events, the little shop containing the chocolate was closed when he tried to go back and get some. I don't know if this means that I can still say Nummies or not.

This afternoon I am bound for the Foot's wedding. She is getting married in Oklahoma tomorrow so Amy, Rachel, Sharon, Elise and I are traveling together today to go to the rehearsal and help with things. We get to stay in a guest house all together. It should be a great time. I hope I am awake enough for the event. This weekend is FULL of stuff to get done.

As an update on the rest of my life: I don't like apartment hunting. It is stressful and should not be a necessary part of re-locating. Just pray that I find something the I like that is affordable and close to my school.

Sometime I want to hear the song Closing Time on the radio. Hopefully soon.

(Written from the perspective of) Saturday April 21

This morning I spent my time with Simba the cat. She is needy. We read a book, played, and ate breakfast together. Then she meowed at me for 30 min, and it was time for me to go.

At 2:00 I went to Charles, and we began our cooking adventure. We began with the Cake. It was amazing the ingredients were
1lb bakers chocolate
1 3/4 stick butter
1 tbsp flower
1 tbsp sugar
5 medium eggs
That's it. Then entire thing is made mostly of chocolate. AMAZING!
After that we worked on the bred (Italian sausage and herb), Green Bean casserole, peanut butter and jelly meatballs (Much better than they sound), French Onion Soup, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Cranberry Salad, and Pork chops and Rice. The food turned out amazing!

During the cooking, Rachel and I left to watch the promenade. I had a lot of fun watching the students drive up in their fun cars and watching them try to function like they normally would even dressed up in formal wear.

After that we went back and ate supper at the Remples, and then I went to take care of Simba again.

The evening ended at Rachel's where Becca and Aaron were baking pie. I froed out Aaron's hair, and Becca did the same to hers. They then got out their paints and painted with Bob Ross as we all watched. (the hair frowing was in dedication to Bob's awesome Afro!) I have to say that Aaron looked pretty good with the poof.

I was so tired that I turned in early, but after I left, Becca made her painting and another painting into impressionistic paintings with her Fingers. They look amazing!

It was a great day! One to remember.

Response to Sunday's earthday experience

So, I took the quiz that Doc has on his blog and these are my results. I am not sure how accurate they are because even though my part of Fern's house is only in the 500 sq ft category, the rest of the house is much bigger but I have no idea how much bigger. I think that obviously my biggest problem is the food issue. It is just so difficult to buy and eat food that is locally grown especially when I don't garden or can things.
Anyway do want to encourage anyone who reads this to consider the three R's (and not the scholastic ones) Yes, I am talking about Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Why? Because it is important for us to take care of what God has given us.

CATEGORY ACRES
FOOD 5.9
MOBILITY 0.2
SHELTER 3.2
GOODS/SERVICES 2.5
TOTAL FOOTPRINT 12

IN COMPARISON, THE AVERAGE ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT IN YOUR COUNTRY IS 24 ACRES PER PERSON.
WORLDWIDE, THERE EXIST 4.5 BIOLOGICALLY PRODUCTIVE ACRES PER PERSON.
IF EVERYONE LIVED LIKE YOU, WE WOULD NEED 2.7 PLANETS.
http://www.myfootprint.org/

So what did I do on earth day? After a globally awakening church service, I went to Wichita with Amy and Gallivanted.

It was a wonderful experience, but not very globally friendly. We browsed a lot of stores, and bought not much. I did get a pare of black dress shoes which I was really excited about because I haven't been able to find any that I would buy for about 5 months. I also got a little yellow shirt which I am wearing today. (Hurrah for more clothes to wear for teaching!)We also went to a new store called "World Market." It was like a cross between Pottery Barn, Bed Bath and Beyond, Ten Thousand Villages, and Whole Foods. It was a great place to shop around. Amy bought an incense burner for the incense that Jen Jen brought back from Australia.

After Gallivanting, we went back to Amy's house and strung necklaces. All in all it was a great day!

Desolate Hillsboro

Well, Here I sit. Not at the Library where I normally post, but in Justin and Elise's house. They (along with many other Tabor students) are on Band Tour and currently are traveling from Denver CO to Utah. I am Cat sitting for them. Simba is a good cat, but last night after I let her into the house she lost her collar and now I don't know if I should let her roam around outside without one on.... The dilemma of not knowing anything about the cat/collar relationship is much more troubling than I had expected.

Since Chris and Justin were gone, and Amy is out of town, last night I filled my empty afternoon and evening with 6 and 1/2 episodes of Gilmore Girls. I watched the first six episodes. Three of which I have not seen. I plan on continuing this faithful watching now so that Chris does not have to endure it while he is in the same state with me.

It is windy. There is a stiff south wind that I will have to ride my bike into on my way back to my house. It made getting here much too easy so I guess that I will have to pay my dues to the ever-blowing Kansas wind.

Today, I plan on spending the day in cooking Lab with Charles R. He is a wonderful cook, and is going to teach me some of the secrets of the trade. I am truly excited especially for the chocolate cake. The whole ordeal starts at 2 and will wind up around 6. I will let you know the outcome of my cooking experience.

Saving this for a busy day

So, I don't have time to post. I filled this out a long time ago and saved it for when I didn't have time to post.
Here ya go:

WHO IS THE LAST PERSON

1. You hung out with? My parents
2. Saw you cry: Someone at the Thursday performance of Over the River and Through the Woods
3. Went to the movies with you? Chris and his Family (Night at the Museum)
1. 4. You went to the mall with? Justin, Elise, Chris (For about 10 min)
5. You went to dinner with? My Family (for my sister’s Birthday)
6. You talked on the phone to? Thee Bookstore (ordering Senior Bibles for graduation)
7. Said 'I love you' to you and really meant it? Chris

W O U L D . Y O U . R A T H E R ?

1. Pierce your nose or tongue? Nose
2. Be serious or be funny? Funny
3. Drink whole or skim milk? Skim (cheaper and less fat!)
4. Die in a fire or drown? Fire of Smoke Inhalation (Is that a cop out?)
5. Spend time with your parents or enemies? Parents

D O . Y O U . P R E F E R . . .

1. Flowers or candy? Wild Flowers
2. Gray or black? Black (it is so classy)
3. Color or Black and white photos? Color (if it is quality color, then Black and White)
4. Lust or love? Love
5. Sunrise or sunset? Sunset
6. M&Ms or Skittles? Skittles or Peanut Butter M&M’s
7. Staying up late or waking up early? Neither (It’s the truth. My favorite time of day is between 10:00 am and 9:00 pm. I like daylight a lot, unless it is a warm summer night.)

D O . Y O U . P R E F E R . . .

1. Sun or moon? Sun
2. Winter or Fall? Fall
3. Left or right? (Brained, or Handed?) Right for both
4. 10 acquaintances or having two best friends? Two best friends
5. Sunny or rainy? Sunny
6. Vanilla ice cream or chocolate ice cream? Vanilla

A B O U T . Y O U

1. What time is it? 10:22
2. First and middle Name? Jennifer Kay
3. Nickname(s): Jen, Jenni, Hope, Krebs, Slick, Hot Lips, Looser (thanks sister), and Hopie (thanks Natalie)
4. What is your birth date? August 2, 1983 (Did you know that current high school freshmen were born in 1990?)
5. What do you want? To always be in God’s will
6. Where do you want to live? Anywhere, Hopefully outside of the USA for a while
7. How many kids do you want? I used to want six, now I don’t know if I want kids (No Clue)
8. You want to get married? Yes

U N I Q U E

1. Nervous habit: I bite my nails
2. Are you double jointed? No
3. Can you roll your tongue? Yes, I taught myself last summer
4. Can you raise one eyebrow? Not very well. I am working on it.
5. Can you cross your eyes? Yes
6. Do you make your bed daily? For about a month at a time, then I don’t for a while, then I do again

R A N D O M

1. Which shoe goes on first? Right (unless they are sandals and I am sitting, then which ever is closest)
2. Ever thrown a shoe at someone? People, Walls, Other Random Objects…
3. On the average, how much money do you carry with you? $5 or $10

O T H E R
1. Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut it? I always Twirl (What is the point of eating a long noodle when you cut it up?)
2. Have you ever eaten Spam? I don’t think so. If I did it was in junior high when spam was quite humorous to my good friends and I.
3. Favorite ice cream: Cookies and Cream, Coffee with chocolate chips, Vanilla
4. How many kinds of cereal are in your cabinet? Three: Bran Flakes, Rice Crispies, Golden Grahams
5. What's your favorite beverage? Pepsi, Ginger ail, Grape Juice
6. What's your favorite food? Ethnic Food (Chinese, Mexican, Indian, Italian, and lots more)
7. Do you cook? Yes

I N . T H E . L A S T . M O N T H . H A V E . Y O U ?

1. Had a b/f or g/f? Yes
2. Bought something: Yes
3. Most expensive thing you bought? A Dress (a very awesome dress)
4. Sang: YES
5. Been hugged: Yes
6. Felt stupid: Probably
7. Missed someone: Yes
8. Got drunk: No
9. Danced crazy: Yes
10. Gotten your hair cut: Yes
11. Cried: Yes
12. Lied: No
13. Snuck out of the house: No (sneaking out of one’s own house is a bit… pointless)

You Too

I am subbing at the Middle School today. I passed a teacher in the hallway. It was one of those "Long Hallway" encounter where you see the person approaching from far off and then debate for the next half a minute what you are going to say. I decided that I would speak first so that I was not caught unaware. I went with the traditional opener:

"Hi"

which was met with the reply:

"Doing well"

Not the correct response.

He had obviously thought that I would opt for the "Hi, How are you?" or the ever present "'Sup? (accompanied by head jerk)" option. But his anguish did not stop there. The "Doing Well" was complemented by:

"Doing Well, uhh... (Mutter, mutter, indistinguishable words...) Nice day..."

And then his voice trailed off as he continued his long walk down the hall to encounter his next...er...victim.

I only recount this encounter because I have the terrible habit of "You Too" when it is not applicable.

"Have a nice trip." - You too. but they aren't going anywhere.

"Good Luck on your apartment hunting." - You too. but they still have years of college to complete

"Get well soon." You too. but they haven't been sick since last July.

And the such.

So "Doing Well, Nice Day" guy. Keep Looking up! Because it is hard to make eye contact in the hallway that way.

Elise

This post is a dedication to my friend Elise.

Elise came to Tabor when I was a Junior. She has a sparkling personality that makes those around her feel great. She seeks God with all her heart and strives to be a wonderful wife, student, and vocalist.

Tonight Elise will give her Junior Recital with Andrew playing a trumpet concerto. I am delighted to also be singing her last number with her.

Good Luck Wonderful Friend. You will be amazing.

Tragedy

Tragedy Strikes Everywhere,
Sometimes the tragedies are personal, simply occurring within ones own person. They are emotional, mental, or physical trials that we do not let escape outside of the world of one.

Sometimes these tragedies escape our tall walls of self preservation and bleed over into the lives of the people we care about. Often this hemorrhaging of personal tragedy is beyond the control of the person bleeding. Sometimes they are completely unaware of their own tragedy, and sometimes they are unaware of reality altogether.

Tragedy can also come in horrific proportions such as mass chaos and the taking of innocent lives. These are the tragedies that get noticed. These are the tragedies that go down in histories. Terrorism, War, Mass Murder...

So, What do we do? How do we react? Prayer.
How do we help? How do we take action? Reliance on God to give us direction.
How do we mend? Only through the balm of the Living God.
How do we hope while others we love are still broken? By hoping in the power of Jesus Christ the Risen Lord.

I don't get it

Sometimes there are days that are so bizarre that it seems like I am dreaming. Yesterday was one of those days. Today I can only ask God, "Why?"

The rest of the weekend went well, but right now that seems pretty distant.

There is a Waterdeep song that keeps running through my head, so I will close with that.

Waterdeep: "Psalm 131"

Oh Lord my heart is not lifted up
My eyes are not raised to high for Thee
I do not think on things to great or marvelous
Or matters too difficult for me

But I have calmed and quieted my soul
Like a weaned child is my soul within me
I have calmed and quieted my soul
Like a weaned child with its mother is my soul within me

O Israel trust in the Lord
From this time forth and forevermore
O Israel trust in the Lord
From this time forth and forevermore

Wedding Buzz

Well, Tizz the season to get married. The summer months are approaching...

How many weekends are you traveling to weddings?
How many weddings are you missing to go to other weddings?
How much gas will be spent on the average trip to weddings this summer?
Is that why gas is so high? (curse fossil fuels!)
Do you have your wedding gifts lined up?
How are you helping your soon to be wedded friends?
What kind of bridal shower are you throwing?
How many bridal showers are you attending this spring?
How many Bridal showers did you miss because the Postal system did not work and you got the invitation two days after the actual wedding shower? (I missed One. Sorry Jill, the postal system failed me!)
Do you say yes to do the brides hair? Do you say no to the bride EVER?!?!?
Do you serve the punch or the cake?
How do you decorate the getaway car? Are you nice or mischievous?
Do you cut the circular cake in wedges or in long thin slices? (Try to cut the rectangular cake in circles!)
Are the groom's men banned from the vicinity of the punch bowl before the reception?
Are the groom's men banned from the entire reception? (Does that remind anyone else of King's Men?)
Do you take the "And Guest" or do you leave the "And Guest" at home?
What if YOU are the "And Guest," Do you go or do you stay at home?
Should I make friends with a pilot who can take me to Texas in May?
What do you say to His or Her side of the family in the somewhat awkward reception line? Does "Congratulations" really cut it?
Are you going to see these beloved friends who are getting married ever again?
Does this mean that your turn is coming? Will it ever come? (Probably round the mountain when it comes...)
What do you wear? Will it rain? Do you still wear the hot little dress to the wedding if it is cold? (YES!)
What would happen if you stood up and cried I OBJECT at the end of the wedding?
What if the "And Guest" stands up at the end of the wedding and cries I OBJECT!
What if the "And Guest" was your crazy uncle Bob?
Do I really go to Oklahoma 4 weekends in a row this June?
Should I rent an apartment in Oklahoma this June? (Probably)

Now I don't want people to get the wrong Idea. I actually love going to weddings. I am not a huge fan of receptions, but they have potential to be fun. I like the excuse to get out of town on the weekends to travel to weddings. I like staying in Cabanas in Oklahoma. I love my friends. I wish them well. I wish their husbands well. I pray for them in their first year of marriage.

So for all of you staring weddings in the face this summer, Shout Huzzah! And Don't Forget to weld the vents shut on your Get away car, or that thing is going to smell like Blue Cheese for months!

Cary Grant

Last night Amy, Rachel, and I watched Operation Petticoat and then we watched To Catch a Thief with Mike, Roman, and Chris. Both were excellent examples of later years of Cary Grant. I would have to say that Grant is one of my favorite actors of all time. Although there is serious rumor of him having a non traditional lifestyle, He is one of my favorite people to watch on the old silver screen. I would encourage anyone who enjoys old films to check out these two movies as well as, Arsenic and Old Lace, His Girl Friday, Father Goose, Charade, and Dream Wife. Each for its own Grant qualities. Our only beef with Grant? Why did you insist on wearing your pants so enormously high. I know that the era called for a tall trouser, but did you have to exceed height of any of the other people with whom you were on screen? Oh well... At least you made up for it in physical comedy, facial expression, good looks, and charm.

Cheers to you Cary! What a guy.

Yes No Maybe So

Do you ever feel like you are going round in circles chasing something? That is how I feel today.

Easter was great.

Friday-we went to Salina and drove around with my mom and sister. Then we went back to my house in Mac and ate Chinese food. We watched Open Season with my family. Then Chris and I watched Lady in the Water. His movies keep getting weirder and weirder.

Saturday-we went to Wichita to see Chris' family. The entire family was there. (both sides.) It was a colorful evening. I wish that we all weren't so tired. Everyone under the age of 24 looked like they were going to pass out.

Sunday-we lead music at our sunrise service at the reservoir. (my hands have never been so cold) It was 20 degrees out there. Then we went to 1st for church. Chris did a great job with the music. The choir sounded great! Then in the afternoon we went back to my parents house. We had a relaxing time there and then Kati and I died our hair. Mine is just a bit redder than my natural color, and hers is just a bit blacker than her natural color. It was a success.

Monday-not much has happened, just a lot of working and a lot of getting ready for senior night tonight.

I need a Nap

Potty Stomping

As most of you who read this blog may know, for the past three months I have been working as a Secretary here in the Alumni Department at Tabor. The office has been out of sorts for the past while due to a potty problem. The toilet on our half of the building has been "acting up," (not flushing as it is supposed to and running long after it should have stopped.)

We had the same problem about a month ago, and the Potty Stompers came. These men, who obviously have plumbing background experience, come into the office, take the toilet up off of the floor, put a large machine over the potty hole, and start it up. This machine makes a low rumbling sound which is accompanied by random sounds of vigorous stomping (which at times sounds like slow jack hammering). My office is adjacent to the bathroom, so the potty stomping is clearly heard from my desk. When these men come to stomp the potty, the other men who work in my office do the right thing and assist the potty stompers in any way they need. They check the progress of the stomping in the washroom, in the other offices, outside the office, and around the back of the office. After they fixed the problem last month, we got a new potty. This new potty was an estimated three to four inches taller than the last one that we had. (All in the office commented on the beauty and elevation of the new potty.)

Yesterday, the new potty broke. Today, the potty stompers are back.

If I were an olympian...

Last night, after teaching voice lessons, I went to Rachel, Amy, and Laura's. We talked and watched Dancing with the Stars. After that was over we watched Cool Runnings. This morning I got to thinking about what kind of Olympian I would be if I had the chance to be an Olympian.

(In this wondering I did not take into account my almost 6 foot frame since that dictates some of the events in which a person can participate.)

I found that I am most drawn to sports in both the winter and summer Olympics.

• I would honestly like to bobsled a lot. I know that it may seem cliche to say after I have just watched Cool Runnings, but I like to think that the film has no influence over my desire.
• I think that I would also enjoy slalom skiing. Something about the motion and the control of the skier is thrillingly precise.
  
• The Luge scares me beyond all shadow of a doubt, but if I prove to be good at it, I think it would be a blast. (I have similar thoughts about sky diving.)

As Far as the Summer Olympics go...

• Put me in a pool, and as long as I don't have to do the Butterfly I will be happy!!!
• Being on the diving team also would be AMAZING!
• Although I would detest playing sand volleyball in the little things that they wear, I would love having that kind of athleticism and endurance.
  
• I want to be a high jumper! Their event is the most awesome field event, right behind...
  
• THE HAMMER THROW. ('nouf said)
• If I could Compete, Really Compete in a Triathlon, it would be great. (I wish that I could only do the Swimming, and Cycling part. I hate running.)
  

So there are plenty of things that I would Love to do, but there are also things that I have no desire to even come near.

• I would NOT jump anywhere on skis, not for any amount of money, even if I was good at it.
• Boxing is completely out of the question. (can women even box in the Olympics?)
• Rhythmic Gymnastics, although similar to dance and as physically straining, has too much of a wuss reputation.
  
• Clean lifting 673,384,687,000 lb and putting the entire sum over my head does not have any appeal to me.
• No desire to run for more than to soar over a high jump bar. (I could run to train though, It is ok unless I have to compete at it.)
  

So there are my Olympian thoughts.

April First Weekend

So...
Friday I got to go out to Lunch with Panda and Amy. We had Mexican and it was oh so good. It was nice to hang out with these girls. Hopefully we will find more time soon.
In the evening, Chris and I went to Justin and Elise's for an upscale dinner. Justin is a wonderful cook. He and Elise made fillet min young, garlic mashed potatoes, green bean casserol, and a chocolate browney dessert with sauce and strawberries. Holly cow it was so good. We also watched "Strainger than Fiction." It was a great movie in fact I might buy it.

On Saturday I was a judges assistant at the Music Festival in the morning. In the afternoon Chris and I went to Wichita to run aaronds before going to a dinner at his home church. The evening had a 50's theme. His sister sand back up for one of her friends, and Clinton sang in a Barbershop Quartet. They did a great job.
On our way back from the concert I found out that two of my friends just got engaged. Congradulations to Phil and Traci!!!

Sunday was my last performance at Elbing. The kids did a great job. I am going to have to post some pictures of them. They are a small choir, but they are mighty.
Sunday afternoon I took a much needed nap, and then I cleaned my apartment. It looks good by the way. Hasn't been that clean in about a month.
I went to the spring concert. My favorite was the flok song section by Von Williams.

All in all it was a great weekend.

Life and other mysteries

So,
Brief update...

I will probably be deciding what I am going to be doing with my life within the next week. I will soon let you know if I will become professional teacher, or a graduate student.

For those of you who forget what it is like to prepair for, apply for and interview for jobs, it is tedious, time consuming, and somewhat stressful.

Right now Chris is sitting next to me, writing a computer program for his senior project. He is murming like a black choir in church during the sermon when something in the program works. This is what happens when the strengths of the left brain and the right brain are equal and therefore combat each other for stomping grounds.

Sometimes I think that the verse about God, "Now we see in a mirror dimly, but soon we shall see face to face." also applies to humans about humans. I think I see who I am, but because I am changing and growing so much as a person, I don't think I realize who I am. (At least for probably 50% of the time.)

Warning: abrupt ending.......NOW.

Fun things

I don't want to gloss over spring break. So I thought I would summarize it (mostly for my own memory benefit) even though I am a couple of days into the following work week.

Fun (and some not fun like cleaning) things I did over Spring Break:

Weekend and Monday
1. Got my car back
2. Cleaned out my room
3. Played Computer Games with my sister
4. Went to Target with my mom and sister

Tuesday and Wednesday
5. Spent the afternoon with Amy and Doc. (watched movie, ate pizza)
6. Had a sleepover two nights in a row
#. Cleaned, Worked on Applications, Thought about the future
#. Ate Dinner with Mom and Ashley (had Pizza)
7. Hung out with Erin, Rachel, and Amy and watched Bond, James Bond

Thursday
8. Fried Pizza. Yes, The aforementioned ladies and I fried pizza. You can look up Fried Pizza on Wikipedia. Because we used batter to fry our pizza, ours would be dubbed the "Pizza Crunch." There are some photos on the Internet of batter fried pizza, but they used corn meal and we did not. It tasted like a cross between a pizza role and a cheese stick. The idea originated in Scotland. One Fried Pizza sight was boasting on how fried pizza is just one of the reasons why the hart attack rate in Scotland is one of the highest in the world.
9. Went and saw "Bridge To Terabithia" (good movie)
10. Ate Lobster
11. Had Coffee
12. Talked about nursing stuff
13. Watched "A Far Off Place" (Movie made by Disney before Disney got wussy)
14. Stood in the Middle of Main Street

Friday
15. Cleaned
16. Worked on Applications
17. Lounged

Saturday
18. Recycled
19. Cleaned
20. Hung out with Sister
21. Ate dinner with my family (Enchilada Bake)
22. Jumped on Trampoline with Kati and Lee
23. Came back to the burro and went to bed

Sunday
24. Church
25. Lunch with Pastor Randy and clan
26. Made Soup for Sick Elise
27. Welcomed Chris Home
28. Worked on applications and portfolio
29. Went to bed and said by to my first free spring break in four year.

In summary,
I realize that I ate a lot of pizza. Seriously...what is with that.
I had a great time with family and friends.
I would do it all again

Random Goal: I want to take up Rollerblading.

Short

Well, spring break is over. It was a good chance to see family, hang out with friends, and get practically nothing done.

I finished another application and sent it in. I also am going to another interview today. This one is in Salina.

I think I am going through Menopause. Last night I couldn't sleep because I had Hot Flashes all night long. I was a Furnace one moment and the next moment I felt normal. This is not supposed to be happening to someone who has only been on the earth less than 25 years. However it is confirming my theory about the legitimacy of the quarter life crisis. Amy and I are beginning to believe that some people experience quarter life crisis just as people do when they are at their midlife point. Is this true? I don't know. Is it possible? Most Likely.

On Saturday I was talking with my sister, and we were talking about how she used to run around with the neighborhood kids when she was younger. She said, "That was when I was in shape. You have to be in shape to run around with neighborhood kids because they never stop." I got to thinking about how true this statement is. When you are young and hanging around with the neighborhood gang, you have to be ready for anything at anytime. I think that this could become a theory about life, but it hasn't had the time to mull around in my brain long enough to actually become something.

Ahhhh

I spent the day with Amy and Andrew. It was good. We watched Rear Window. We talked, ate pizza, drank orange juliouses and then played around on the Internet. I like times like this. Amy and I told Andrew about our 8th grade trip and JJ's Jinko Jeans. It was great!

I probably spelled Julious and Jinko wrong. Sorry

Back from home

I had a lovely few days at home. It was raining this morning when I woke up. It was nice to lay in bed from 8:00 ish to 9:00 ish and dose in and out listening to the rain. It continued to rain the rest of the morning. I packed up my stuff, stuffed the pooch in her bed, and hit the road. I stopped at W-Mart to get a key (I finally remembered!) and drove the rest of the way back to the burro.

I just want to say that after this weekend Akon's song that goes like: "Nobody wanna see us together, but that don matter, cuz I love you." will always be amusing to me. If you know my sister and her boyfriend, you may get a kick out of this as well. Just imagine Lee falling asleep on the couch, and my little Asian sister sneaking up on him and singing the first line of the song complete with the Akon accent (Kind of Jamaican or Island-ish). Keep in mind that she is singing into his ear at a somewhat loud volume. Lee wants to be mad, but he is laughing too hard because she sounds so Great as an Akon impersonator. HA!

I found this brightly colored, Bob Marley reminiscent hat this weekend and I wore it to Wal-Mart today. Just want to let you know that people treat you like you are younger if you wear a weird hat.

Random Thought flying by: Did you know that Target carries fashion clothes for dogs, but only for dogs in small weight categories.... Will this encourage more dieting among dogs? Only time will tell.

Garage Sale

So, For about 3 years, my sister has been bugging me to have a garage sale with her. The problem is that we always think of it way into garage sale season, and therefore are never ready in time. Well this spring all that is changing. I am biting the bullet and cleaning my room out. My room at home was never the same after high school graduation. It became full of beautiful things that I had received as gifts, I never got rid of my old stuff, because it fit fine when I took college things to college, and left home stuff at home. Over the years things accumulated as things do. I have already gathered 5 boxes of things to sell. I have spent the last couple of days going through, not even half of my room. GRRRRRR....I need a new system. It is good to purge. I am finding things that I had lost and was actually glad to find such as:

1 Khaki skirt purchased at the GAP and worn 1 time.
2 Pink Koosh ball from 1989 lost somewhere in the late 90's
3 Hoop earrings purchased to match a shirt that I frequently wear Lost sometime in 2005
4 Two amazing headbands which have recently come back into style Purchased in the early 80's and lost in the mid 90's

So you can see that the spree has been beneficial for me already. Who knows what is yet to unsurfaced itself.

P.S. Becky, If you read this I found some stuff for your science classroom. (1 Turtle habitat, 1 Can of turtle food, 1 outdoor light simulating light bulb, 1 Bottle water de-chlorinator)

God is in Control

Today I am going to audition for a position as Graduate TA at WSU. I am nervous, I just need to get in there and start. My audition is at 1:50. I would love to get the job. If I don't get it, I will teach next year and make money for a change.

I really want my Masters. I really want to be an amazing conductor. I am not yet, but this would help get me there.

God is in control. He knows where He wants me. He will get me there as long as I follow Him.

That's all...

Sad Strange Little Car

I took my car (affectionately known as Little Timmy) to Irv Schroeder's for maintenance on Tuesday night. I needed to get it checked out before Amy and I went to Saint Louis. I was thinking yah, probably about a hundred bucks for belt/hose type stuff. Little did I know that the Boots had come off of my power steering column and had caused foreign debris to get lodged in my column gears. (Who the hay knows that a steering column has boots. THESE ARE NOT MY BOOTS!!! WHOSE BOOTS ARE THESE???? I HAVE NO MORE BOOTS!!!) So, the grand total to fix my little purple friend was rocking somewhere around the "I don't have that kind of money" dollar value. This put a kibosh on the Saint Louis trip, and now I have to stop singing the "Meet me in Saint Louis Louis" song.

I am trying to find the good in this fiasco. Perhaps I am supposed to be stuck destitute in Kansas for the rest of the school year. Maybe this is God's way of telling me to stick around and rest and do maintenance on my life. In the end the answer is, "Who Knows?"

Well, Back to work. Off I go to save the world of Alumni Records and Spring Gold Outings.

I resolve

I don't normally resolve to do things very often. (I do not pronounce the t in often, but you can if you would like.) But I would like to resolve to write in my Blog more.

I went back and read most of my postings, and it made me sad when there were only a few a month, or in some months there were no posts at all. I like looking back at what I was doing a year ago and trying to measure how much has changed. Since I don't keep a journal, this is the best way for me to record things. I am putting this resolution on the blog so that I actually do it. I am not disciplined enough to work on things that I resolve only in my heart.
......

Today is beautiful. I am glad that the weather is so nice, because it helps me keep my stress level under control. I audition at WSU on Friday, and I am trying to keep my nerves under control. It should go well, unless my brains drain out my ears on Thursday night. (Which might happen because I have asked God to let me bomb my audition if I am not supposed to be at grad school next year.)

I think that I will spend some quality time in the library studying music and filling out applications. Someday I will read this statement and remember this transition in life. I hope that it will be a fond memory.

As the old song goes...
Que Sera Sera, Whatever will be will be, the future's not ours you see, que sera sera...

Tuesday feels like Monday

I am back at work. (my normal every day job) Yesterday I subbed for Lynn at the Junior High/High School. It went alright. It was an early morning. SNC starts at 7:30, and I have to be there before everyone so it means I need to be there at 7:10 ish. I know that the real world will soon make this a routine in my life, but I am trying not to think about it.

I was running an audition in the practice room, and I came out of the room to find 7 guys crowded around an I-book creating their very own R&B music. It wouldn't have been so bad, but they had hooked the computer up to the sound system in the room, and were blasting their creation for the world to hear out the open choir room door. They tell me all the time that they are too white to move while they sing in choir, but they write their own R&B (Ok it wasn't that good). (These guys need to stick to Frank, Barry, Michael, and the such. Strangers in the Night just works too well for them.)

This morning (Tuesday) feels like Monday. I gave a voice lesson at 7:30 (not easy to do). It is hard to change 15 years of breathing habits. After the lesson I came to work.

I am excited about Sharon's senior recital this evening. It should be amazing. I have said it before and I will say it again... That woman is the best accompanist I have ever had and will ever have!

That's all for now

The Approach of Spring Break

I am shocked that next week is Spring Break. I don't know what to do with myself. I am going to miss going on Choir tour. I do not believe that a person has truly experienced life without the experience of traveling with 35-50 people in your age range on a buss for endless hours of I don't know what. There are key experiences that I remember about each of the trips' buss rides.

Freshmen year I remember Spying and recording observations of "Best Friends" and other upper classmen choir members.
I remember leaving traditional seat partner Becky, and she had to sit with Chris H. She has never let me forget this.

Sophomore year I remember the Mad Libs that Jodi and Laura did in a Chinese accent.
I am not positive, but I think that sophomore year was the year that EVERYONE brought a Guitar on choir tour. And EVERYONE played theirs on the buss. All at the same time. All different songs.
Sophomore year was also the year that Becky and I tried to sit with different people every time we stopped. People kept getting mad at us for moving around and taking their seats. (This statement is written with furrowed brow and protruding lower lip.)

Junior year I remember what it feels like to spend two 19 hour periods on a buss in two shots. This time is including but not limited to one very uncomfortable night on two buss seats and one more comfortable, but more interrupted night on the buss floor.
I also remember watching the Wal-Mart Baby movie with what's her face Judd. (This was not a good selection of film for choir tour)
I also remember Becky and I getting stuck in the seat with lights that did not work, and documenting our feelings about this with one of the worst pictures that I have ever taken.

Senior year I remember making Chris watch Napoleon Dynamite in its entirety while he just wanted to sleep. (This was not me being mean, this was me being....well....being me. At least I didn't make him watch anything else.)
I also remember the 30 lbs of puppy chow that Elise made for the trip.
I also remember getting back on the buss after going to the Mall of America and seeing Roman's face at a Green state after realizing that he just dropped a chunk of cash on a Nice leather coat.

There are plenty of other things that happened on the buss on choir tour. Some of which I would rather not talk about. All of this to say. It was real, It was fun, I don't know if it was Real Fun though.

To those of you departing on Saturday,
Love your neighbor, and make sure the vents and lights work in your seat.

In general news:
I walked to work this morning. It was one of the most beautiful mornings that we have had this year. I wore a skirt and sandals, and the temperature was perfect. I am going to try to spend some quality time outside.

This week I am working for Brad (Tabor Choir) as his substitute while he listens to choirs in Miami or some place even warmer than here. (He tole me that it is raining there, and that makes me feel a little bit better. I hope he gets some sun shine, but that man is as happy as a lark as long as he is listening to good music.) I am so ready for spring. I love the feel of spring. Something about it just makes me feel like I can breathe easier. Like there is less pressure in life, and there is time to spend time with God, friends, and nature.

While I am talking about spring, I just want to give a shout out (I have never given a "Shout Out" before so bear with me) to daylight savings time. Mind you, I don't like falling back, but springing forward is awesome! I know that people loose an hour of sleep, but we gain another hour of light in the evening and that is wonderful!

In other news:
I am interviewing with WSU (grad school) and Salina Public Schools
I am also in the process of Applying at a couple of other places.


In shocking news:
My Kitchingroom is clean! It has not been clean since the beginning of the Tabor Phonathon which took most of my free evenings durring the week. And seriously, who wants to clean on Saturday morning. Not me!

In Good News:
I just finished reading the Chronicles of Narnia. They were just as good as when I read them when I was little. I am going to read The Hobbit next. I haven't read it yet, and I am excited to do so.

Update on the Random Rescue of Vegetation

Oh yah, The plant that I stole accounted in the blog "The Random Rescue of Vegetation" Died this year.
Take a moment of silence and then read about how Jill Fisher and I robbed Max Terman of a peace plant.

home again

Well I am back at home for an evening. I seriously think that I only get a chance to write when I am here. Something about not having internet at my home in the burro….

Well, I graduated. It is official. I just started working my first post college job. I am the Administrative Secretary to the Director of Alumni Relations. (Basically this means that I get to enter computer data and help plan events at Tabor. I like it, and hey, it kind of pays the bills)

I am taking the Praxis test tomorrow. It shouldn’t be a big deal, but I have been cursed with Test Anxiety for as long as I can remember. Hence I have been nauseated for the past three or more days.

On a lighter note, I am a certified substitute teacher. I have worked three days in the past two weeks. The first two days were in a choir classroom, and the third day I subbed in a band classroom. One thing that student teaching and substitute teaching has taught me is how to perfect “The Look.” This “Look” must have the sheer power to stop human thought, action, and emotion within a second. It must have the strength to incinerate ego in one pointed glance. And it must not be influenced by the utter ridiculousness of the typical classroom.

Finally, I will leave you with this…
I was leaving the school on Thursday afternoon (after teaching band) and one of my high school students ran up to me and gave me a huge hug. She brightened my day to a blazing gleam. The look on her face was radiant. I asked her and the choir director why she was so happy. It pretty much amounted to the fact that about five senior guys (who are very nice looking) had complimented her on her voice.
I say this because of my awareness of the effect that words have on people. I am trying to constantly remind myself not to just be careful not to say the wrong thing, but to strive to always be encouraging.

Christmas Eve

Christmas is here.

Yes, I know that it is truly Christmas Eve, but in my house, it may as well be Christmas. I just came back from Church. Pastor Tim talked about the wise men and how they came to find Jesus. He asked the question, “Who found Jesus, and who didn’t find Him?” It was posed to remind people what qualities it takes to find Jesus and realize him for all that he is.

And now for something completely different…

This holiday, as well as other holidays… I am surrounded with trays. I don’t have anything against trays, but where did the “holiday tray” idea come from. Who had the first holiday tray? Did it begin with an entire meal on a tray and then evolve to the traditional snack tray?

And now for something completely different…

This is the first Christmas with Eight people at my house. We often stay here in Kansas for Christmas and the rest of my extended family, except for my Grand Parents, stay in Indiana. This year is the first peak of what Christmas may become with my parents being the patriarchs of the family. Lee is coming with Kati, and Christopher is spending his first Christmas Eve with me. Tomorrow I will go to be with his family. Not many people get to be the inventors of holiday traditions. Many people just inherit their traditions, but in the case that we are 800 miles from other family we get to come up with our own. Although I miss all of my extended family, it will be good to find new ways to celebrate the wonderful gift of Jesus.

Ramblingsssss

This is the second to last day of my career as a student teacher. It is an interesting feeling. The semester has gone by so fast, that I didn’t even get a chance to notice how fast it was going. The weeks fly to the weekends, which are wonderful, but as equally short as the weeks.
The entire experience (student teaching that is) is summed up in a concert next Monday evening at in the high school gym. (the perfect, not so much, venue for a choir and band concert)
Over break (CHRISTMAS BREAK!!!) I will be working on studying for my PLT Praxis exam. Yuck!
I also want to begin working on a post which has a wonderful title. If it is good enough I will submit it to the paper for printing. It will have to be some decent writing. Better than this. I just want to join my gradually growing group of friends who write for the Free Press. (Notice the quality of alliteration in the last sentence) (Oh yah, Little A. my high school English teacher would be proud.)
So…..
I love Christmas, but I have a beef to settle with it.
What happens when I come up with a great idea for a gift, and I want to get it with another person (aka: Go halfzies) and the other person decides to up and want to get it all by themselves. It was my idea!!!!! My good idea is stolen!!!! I have to come up with a good idea, and my creative juices are not flowing as they should!!!!!
(All of the exclamation points may be annoying to read, but they truly convey my feelings on the matter)

Anyway, I am done with that rant.
Perhaps I will sing a different tune soon.
This was disjointed and somewhat un readable, but hey, so am I.

A breath

It is 11:44, I am sitting in the Vocal office, and I am taking a breath. This week has been full of ups and downs. I began the week with trepidation and depression. I did not want to leave my family and friends after Thanksgiving. I think that Thanksgiving had given me enough time to become discouraged with the general non-committal poor work ethic of students around the holidays, and I didn’t want to deal with it.
After a week back at school, I realize that all I can do is take life one day at a time. (A fact that I have been reminding myself for quite some time now, like my ENTIRE LIFE!!!)
This weekend looks like it will be a good time to do some relaxing and also a time to get some serious amounts of homework done. I won’t have to say that for much longer now.
So, for future reminder to myself, and others if you would like:
1. Don’t panic!
2. Pray a lot
3. Read Job
4. Know that friends will support you
5. Take time to laugh every day
6. Pull one Small practical joke monthly

"I have seen the others, And I will no other to follow me where I'm going"

Life is flying by.
Today has been one of ups and downs.
Let me start with yesterday. It was much more pleasant than today.
I got to go to Wichita yesterday and hang out with some wonderful friends. We ate out, and then went back to a home to watch a video creation. It was good to laugh with those people. I miss my friends who have graduated. I will become one of them in les than a month, and it is a bit frightening. I am so ready though. No More Homework! (for a short while at least)
This morning I was extremely discouraged during my concert choir. I just couldn’t conduct the song that we were working on. AHHH. I picked it because I knew it would be a challenge, but something with my brain and my arms was not connected today, because I couldn’t do what I normally can. I think exhaustion has made its way to my central nervous system.
Anyway…at least the 8th grade went well today. Let me tell you, those kids can get me going like no other class can. I feel like the general preparing for battle. I want to tell myself…..
“I have seen the others, and I will no other, to follow me where I’m going” (if you haven’t heard that song, you need to.”
Well, I have to gear up for one more class.
Tally ho!

a pause for a moment

Well, the semester is drawing to a close, as is my career as a student at Tabor College. I won’t get a chance to look back upon it until February some time, but I can wait until then.
Other than the fact that I don’t know whether I will make it through all that I need to get done in the next few weeks, life is going well.
I spent some of this last weekend in Wichita with Chris’ family. It was good to feel at home with them. I watched Katie’s half time show, picked on Clinton, and tried yet again to make friends with the dog.
I am so ready for thanksgiving. I miss my sister a lot. We are planning some serious bonding time together. It will be terrible if we don’t get to do everything that we want to do. It is kind of funny, our favorite thing to do together it rent a movie that one or the other of us swears that we will hate and cram together on the couch to watch it. We normally devour about 8 to 12 chocolate cookies then moan for ten minutes before eating another dozen.
Shenandoah is going well. We start our last performance in a little over two hours from now. It is a good show, and one that I will definitely consider doing again some day. I will have to have the good voices that we have in the men’s section in order to do it though.
That’s all for now….
I know that it is scattered, but hey those are my thoughts….

Ache

Yesterday I got my first flue shot ever.
Last night my joints began to ache.
This morning my joints ache and my stomach is upset.
Is this a benefit of the flue shot?
All that I can say is, I better get exposed to the flue a lot this year,
And I had better not get it,
Because right now I am not so much a big fan of it at all.

The high school opens Shenandoah today for the junior high.
We are going to do the first act for them as a teaser.
Rehearsal went well last night.
There were only a few flubbed lines, and some weird costume issues.
Note to cast members:
One may not wear plaid flannel under a white dress shirt.

No sense

Which sounds more beneficial to all of you?

1. Working for an evening with a cast of high school students on their first dress rehearsal. Assisting an experienced director who I respect, and who trusts me to work with her talented students.

or

2. Sitting in a night class. While sitting in a night class, and sitting in a night class.

Now, I have an inclination of my answer…but that’s not important.

MAPS Rhymes with ...

MAKE A RECCORD! RING THE BELLS! I ATTENDED A USEFUL IN-SERVICE DAY!!!!!
Today I attended a technology in service day. I actually learned some things. I got to sit and actually work with the programs that they were teaching us to use. It was wonderful. It is so much better than the maps testing in service that we had to go to last month. (insert enormous snore)
I actually feel kind of bad about hating that maps in service anyway, because I am putting it on my resume because it looks good. Man, those principals and superintendents are going to look at that and be Highly Impressed. They will say, “My, what a fine student who knows what Maps testing is. She must be a huge supporter of high stakes testing.” Little do they know….
Yah, anyway. I am going to go run a HHS musical rehearsal.

Dang it, I am smart!

In class on Monday night we talked about how as teachers we want to give kids the tools to be all that they have the potential to be. Well what do you do when you ask a junior in high school what he wants to be when he grows up and he responds with “a fire truck.” Then what do you do with the elementary school who actually thinks that he is a fire truck. (true story there is a kid that thinks he is a fire truck, but only on the days that he does not think that he is a dentist, or a cat.)
Then I think about myself. What do I want to be when I grow up? Is it wrong that I still don’t know. I mean, I think that I want to be a teacher, but sitting here in this teacher’s office with a world of music students coming to me for help with EVERYTHING musical and most things not musical, I think, is it for me?
I have the potential to be anything. Seriously…. I feel that I could even make it in Law school or Med school. Dang it, I am SMART.
Teaching????????

Chicken Patty, my new nemesis

In case you ever wanted to know….
If you step on a 1.57 inch square of chicken patty with your left heel on a tile floor…
The result is somewhat similar to the consequence of a cartoon character stepping on a banana peel.
One can be sure that they will end up on the floor in the position of a hurdler soaring over the bar.

My Soapbox

Last night I was highly impressed with my junior choir singers.
For those of you who read, and don’t know, I am the Junior Choir director at Zion Mennonite Church in the Middle of Nowhere. We are working on the song “Glory Train” for two voices. It is a great song. Anyway… I have a 4th grader in choir who has the ability to follow a music score, read music, and carry a part by himself while others are singing something different. He is what I would consider a choral genius for someone his age in this day and age of forgotten choral music. I also have a 7th grade boy who is going into the beginnings of his voice change and has a 2 and ½ octave range that is clear and pure as a bell. There is also a 7th grade girl who has absolutely no breathiness in her tone. Seriously! Where do these kids come from? I am becoming more convinced that the music world of elementary schools does not expect enough of its young people. We could offer much more technical training to students. Instead we forget the capability of the students. It is understandable that not all students are going to have the characteristics of these few at Zion, but I believe that if we challenged students in choral singing, we would see talent that used to be seen in youth choirs all over the world just a few hundred years ago.

This town is too small for all of us

Well, I have my first cold of the season. What a kick. It isn’t even cold outside yet. The fall is only one week gone, and here I am snuffling up a storm. Perhaps the pressure in my head will go away so that the kid’s voices will stop sounding like they are coming from beyond the grave.
Today a fifth grader asked me, “I saw you walking with someone the other day. Who was he?” to which I responded, “He is my friend.” To which he responded, “I’ll bet he is your close friend.” To which I wanted to respond, “Kid, Hush your mouth yuh kid yuh.” Instead I said: “where were we…” and went back to my lesson.
Dumb kids. (they are cute though, and I love um)

now that i know this works

Here are some funny things that kids have said to me:

The 3rd grade class asks?
What’s your name? And what did you do with Mrs. Baltzer?

Interaction with a 3rd grade girl:
Question 1: Are you married?
Answer: No
Question 2: Do you have kids?
Answer: I like kids, but I don’t have kids.

Quotes by Jacob (5th):
My Name is Trogdoor.
Strongbad told me the answer.
Can we sing it like Strongbad?

The 4th grade class asks:
Question: Who is that man?
Answer: Mr. Loewen. He is my teacher.
Question: Who is his teacher?

Quotes by Tatum (3rd):
Miss. Shope?
Miss. Koop?
Mrs. Shope?
What is your name?

I will try to give you more stories when I have more time.

2nd atempt

This is my second atempt at posting, but bloger is being stupid, and won't let me post, so I am trying again.
I just wanted to update this blog. I haven’t forgotten about it; I have just been busy. I am in the middle of student teaching in the Hillsboro school district. I work with students ages first grade through twelfth. I love it. It is a lot of work and a lot of stress, but it is what I love to do.
I am also helping direct Tabor’s musical Into the Woods. It is going to be an amazing production. You should get tickets if you get the chance. We had our first act run through last night. It was rough, but promising.
Tonight I am going to College night in McPherson, and hopefully I will get to see my friend’s new baby. She was born just a few days ago.
Well, that’s a short and sweet update on me.

Here and Now

Yes, yes, I know. I haven’t posted in ages.
I am currently student teaching M W F at Hillsboro elementary and T H at Hillsboro Junior High and High School. I am enjoying my time here. I have been teaching third through fifth grades for a few weeks now, and I am going to begin teaching Second grade today. I had my first informal observation today. My college professor came to observe me today, and it went well. He had good responses.
The life that is not spent at school and doing homework for my night class is spent at rehearsal for Into the Woods. (The Tabor Homecoming Musical.) The talent of the cast is phenomenal. It will be an amazing show.
I did get to go to the state fair last weekend. It was so much fun. Christopher and I drove there and met Panda, Cara, and Jen K. We went in most of the barns, saw all the animals except the pigs, and bought bracelets to ride rides. The best rides were the log ride, the farris wheel, and this one ride that spun and swung (it might have been called chaos.) Anyway…we rode about 16 or more different rides. I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time.
Hopefully I will go to College night at Body and Soul on Friday this next weekend, and then to the Bethel/Tabor in Newton this next weekend.
So that is an update on my life.
May God Bless Yours.

A good fish story that has nothing to do with fish

So I know that I haven’t posted in forever and a day, but it has not been because didn’t want to. I have been pretty tired from work and friends. The summer is flying by. I have had two work experiences that stand out more than the others. I will share these with you in the most picturesque manner that I can afford on a Saturday afternoon.

We took the older kids camp to the state lake to go fishing. It was a beautiful day. It wasn’t too hot at all, and the kids were having a great time. I was teaching one of my 12 year old girl campers how to cast with an open reel fishing rod. It is more complicated with the button reel rod, and she was doing an excellent job. Suddenly about 3 yards to the right some kid yells SNAKE!! There was a small water snake (I don’t know what kind) in the rocks not far from us. The counselors told the kids not to provoke it, an order which was completely ignored, and they wound up scaring him into his hole. (An unknown location not far from us.) Not long after another kid at the next dock over yells something along the lines of ANOTHER SNAKE. They went to look at it and it was much LARGER than the first one. By this time I was just praying that I wouldn’t step on one that I didn’t see. Well eventually the snake business settled down. My camper asked me if I would like to cast and I said sure. About half way through my cast I realized that something was entirely wrong with how the cast was going. I wound up in the place that is past the point of no return. I threw the entire STINKING FISHINGPOLE INTO THE STATE LAKE!!! After doing this I saw no alternative than to swim out (in the snake infested waters) to get the pole. It was still floating and I didn’t want to try to get it with another pole just incase the movement would sink it. I took off my shoes, and fully dressed I waded out into the water. About 3 feet out I realized that there was a sharp drop off. Soon I found that my feet did not touch and I was literally gliding out into the water trying not to disturb our slithery friend from his restful slumber. I retrieved the fishing pole, climbed out of the lake, and tried to dry off. Later when we were having our recap of the day, my camper told me that it was her favorite part of the day.

Wow, that took a long time. Perhaps I will save the other story for another day. I will give you a teaser. “Once upon a time, I took three seven year old boys to the Zoo, and I will never look at the exhibits the same.”

3 Weeks O' Work

It has been three weeks since I started my job at PV this summer. I have enjoyed it. Training was so much less of a boar since I missed the first 2 days of it, and since only five of the people who are working haven’t been here before. It made things run easier. I enjoy the people who I am working with this year. It is a closer group because we are smaller in numbers. The first week of camp was relatively uneventful, but not last week. Last week there were four therapeutic holds. (These are restraints of the patients for less than 30 minutes.) I was involved in one on Wednesday. I had a nine year old boy take off. Two other staff and I chased him for a block and a half then took him down in a front yard. Someone had arms, the other had feet, and I held his head. The little guy got me with his fingernails on my arm. He was mad, but calmed down in less than five minutes. He had a great day for the rest of the day. I didn’t know how emotionally exhausted it would make me, but I was beet. The rest of camp went well for me, but Lindsey didn’t have such a good go of Thursday. One of her girls is a little too flirtatious and wound up making out in the pool. Grrrr. I do not want teenaged daughters EVER!
On a lighter note, I have the day off and am going to spend it running around town getting things done. I will probably stop in and see sister at her place of work.

If anyone reads this, which I have not yet established, think of my Grandmother. She is in the Hospital with diabetic complications. My mom may be going to Indiana to stay with her soon. We are not sure what is going on but pray for a fast full recovery.
Thanks.

Vacation, and first day O' work after senior year

My Summer vacation. I know, I know. It is much too early to have had a summer vacation already, but I successfully took a summer vacation one day after coming home from college and have now arrived back at home and had my first day at work. (40 word sentence! Talk about your run on’s.) I left Monday with Chris at 5:30am. And then drove for 29,823,985,758,392,834 hours, 834,982,354,834 of which were spent going through Illinois. Honestly it took about 13 hours, but it did take 834,982,354,834 hours to get through Illinois. I arrived at my Grandparents house in Indiana and then Chris went on to Goshen where he is working for the rest of the summer. My vacation included an enormous flee market in Middlebury IN, shopping at the Lighthouse Place Outlet Mall, going into Chicago for a day, Eating Rootbeer Ice Cream Cones with the Grand parents and Chris, hanging out with my other grandma, eating at fine restaurant establishments such as The Walnut Room, Hammers, and Holly Macaroni, and a couple of trips to Lake Michigan. (62 word sentence, getting better.) It was a wonderful time. I wish that I could write more or expound to give you a better idea of all that I got to do, but it would be as long as a book, and who has that kind of time. I would like to give huge big thanks to my grandparents, Chris, Aunt Pat, and Vi (even though I didn’t get to see you) for the wonderful time that I had.
I am glad to be home. I started training for PV today. We have to go through a lot of the same stuff that we did last year, but I don’t mind. It is a good review, and hey, I get paid for it. I only got to work till 2:00 today because there was a bad storm, and the streets flooded. It took me three different rout attempts to get home. I finally came charging up the street in my low to the ground car. Dad thought that I was going to kill it, but I made it. Timmy must be part fish. (the car is Timmy) Anyway….I am beginning to get my head into the summer pattern. I will have more to say later. Right now it is time to say
Bye

This morning I woke up, and I had a bad stomach ache. I thought about it for a while, and I came to a conclusion. I have the reverse of what I had before college. Before my freshmen year I had pre college anxiety, and now I am a victim of post college anxiety. Before college it was mostly an anxiety of what I would face when I got to college, but now it is more of an anxiety over what I may loose. I have made the most amazing friends that I have ever had here at Tabor. The people who I have known throughout my years of school who are graduating with me mean more to me than I can express. May this be a tribute to them.

Amy – No one will ever be as loyal or as close
Amanda – No one will ever be as quick witted, hilarious, or easy to scare
Becky – No one will ever keep me speechless as long as you can, or be as sparkling as you are
Rachel P – No one will ever keep me on my toes so much, or care so much
Roman – No man (except one) will ever be as protective, or brotherly
Cara – No one will ever surprise me with weird moods like you do
Doc O. – No one will ever make me think like you do
Jonathan – No one will ever be as unexpected as you are, or as brave
Jenna – No one will be as eloquent as you are, or have as creative of a mind as you have
Jill – No one will ever make up wonderful morning songs like you
Landon – No one will ever make me as puzzled as you do, or be as evident in striving for strength of faith
Kindra – No one will ever make me laugh as you do
Mike B. – No one will ever be as honest as you
Val – No one will ever be as friendly as you are
Lucas – No one will ever be as passionate as you are about the things that you love
Rachel used to be W but now is R – No one will ever share like you do, or give hugs like you
Amy used to be M but now is T – No one will ever have Guns as big as yours or be as perseverant as you are
Nick – No one will ever be as passionate in new forms of ministry as you are

Although there will be people that come along who excel in these areas, I will always remember you for these things. I love you all. God Bless

There is always joy

So, when you were little was there ever something that you knew that you wanted to do before Jesus came back? Well, I was a child of high aspirations so I didn’t have just one thing that I wanted to do, but I had a bunch of things. I could go into the list of old things, but a lot of those don’t matter any more. I am not saying that i do not long for the day that Jesus returns, but I guess that what I am trying to say is this: Even though life on this earth is hard and we experience pain, the joy and good that we are allowed to discover outweighs a million sorrows.
God gives incredible joy,
Tonight it is through people,
Tomorrow it may be something else,
But there is always joy…

A lot on my mind

I should be working on my projects (multiple) that are due within the next week, but instead I decided to remind myself of today. I want to remember it. It was cold this morning. Honestly and truly cold. The clock in the bathroom was wrong, and it threw my entire morning off. I went to class and shivered through Church Music and Worship. I wish I could have concentrated. There was a lot on my mind. I went to pray at the 24 hour prayer after that, and then went to eat lunch. We also had our choir pictures today. How many men does it take to come up with one pare of black dress socks? Answer: A lot. After choir I read Harold Best, tried to read Harold Best with a lot on my mind, and then tried to fall asleep, with a lot on my mind. I did homework. Chris came over and we talked about how exhausted we are because of his birthday and the late night at Old Chicago. We went to dinner, and then I came back here, looked at a Pottery Barn Book that Laura checked out, and came down to write this...I still have a lot on my mind.
p.s.
I should change my calendar to May.

life is like...

Long time no post,
It is the end of the year,
There is no time for nothing,
I am working on learning how to be a teacher,
I am teaching third grade music tomorrow,
Becky told me that they are talkers,
I am going to do the cheesy thing and keep their attention by clapping mimics,
I hope that they don’t bowl me over,
Life is like a long run on sentence,
You never know when it is going to end…..

Almost Good Friday

Well, here I am…getting ready to go home for Easter 2006. Hurrah! I haven’t slept at home in my bed at my house in Mac town since Christmas 2005. I realize that this is only a period of four months, but for living 26 miles from home, I would consider this fact a bit sad.
My Senior recital went off without a hitch last weekend. It was good to get it done, and feel the relief of knowing that I don’t have to do that again at least for a long time. My grandparents ALL came down to see it. I was so happy that they could come. They literally drove for 14 hours here and back just to see it. I am so blessed.
We also had junior senior banquet last week. It went so well. Chris and I followed Angie, Sharon, Matthew, Landon, Amy, John, Roman, Rachel, and Rachel in a terrible blustering wind. It was at Rolling Hills Country Club. We ate, and watched the quiz bowl game show and the senior slide show. Then we took pictures and went to Chris’ house to see his family before we went to Landon’s house where we watched Dennis the Menus. We got back early-ish because I needed to sleep in preparation for the recital. It was an excellent time.
Now I am beginning to do the ceremonial gathering of the things that I brought to school with me that I most likely did not need in order to move them back to home. I do this in shifts because one fell swoop just plain does not fit into my little car. I have failed to find my laundry bag, so I am trying to fit 349,213,321,125, 769,097 loads of laundry into 1 (small) laundry basket. It is not so much working well.
Well, I still do have a bit to get done before I go home. I will perhaps post from my home, but perhaps not. If I do not, then have a wonderful Easter weekend celebrating the salvation that we have in Christ Jesus our Lord!

still here

I just wanted to say that I am still here. I am in my last week before my Senior Voice Recital. I think that I am ready. We will see what happens. My grandparents are coming down for it, and I am excited to see them. I got to go home yesterday with Chris and we ate Chinese Take Out. Mmmm. It was pretty good. It was nice to sit around home for a while and play with the dogs. Sad thing was that we had to drive back to school in terrible thunderstorms. I went slow, and Chris prayed. Well that’s about all. This is me, signing out.

Intro to Senior Choir Tour

Well, I am off!
I am leaving for my last choir tour here at Tabor College. I just want to say that I have a sorrowful sad sigh in my soul. (How is that for alliteration?!) But I will not concentrate on the lasts of this trip. Instead I will concentrate on the firsts.
1. My first choir tour to Minnesota
2. My first choir tour to South Dakota
3. My first choir tour with Rachel in choir
4. My first choir tour as the Vice President to Jonathan
5. My first choir tour with Secretary Beccus as my honest to goodness secretary
6. My first choir tour with a boy friend
7. My first choir tour as a senior
But, Remembering is good to
1. My last choir tour with Becky sticking her finger in the coat hanger and getting it stuck.
2. My last trip with the seniors who have been in choir with me for four years. (some of my best friends in the world)
3. My last choir tour with Rex as my buss driver
4. My last choir tour to try to find a seat with a light that works
5. My last choir tour…
I have had an amazing time in Tabor Choir. This opportunity has lead to experiences that I will never forget.

I am a teacher

Today I felt like a music teacher for the first time in a long time. There have been times in my life when I have known that I chose the right major, but lately I have doubted my decision. Today was an affirmation that even though it may not be the only thing that I do, I love teaching. I got to direct the Tabor Choir (by direct, I mean I got to do the entire rehearsal), It was nerve racking, but I had so much fun. Then I went to the middle school and was the substitute teacher for sixth grade music. The kids were challenging because they are used to a loose classroom, but I had a great time with them as long as they were on task. They learn so quickly it amazes me.
Other than these thoughts, I have been pouring my time into our spring show, The Anatomy of Gray. It is a good show, and we are opening tomorrow. This full practice schedule has worn me out and surely kept me from posting. It has been a great time with great people. It has been so long since I have not been working on a show that I don’t remember what it is like. I know that as soon as it is done I will miss it though.
I am going to go do homework. Good Night!

Sanity is overrated

Wow, I just want to say that I am going bonkers cranking out lesson plans today. It was my sister’s birthday last Thursday so I am also going home to see her tonight. Huzzah for family! Thanks to Bradley Dean I have a crud load to do for Church Music and Worship. (and that is after a hand cramping test on Friday that took 1:20 min.) Anyway…Sanity is overrated.
I am slowly going crazy 1 2 3 4 5 6 switch, Crazy going slowly am I 6 5 4 3 2 1 switch…

Valentine Reflection

Wow, I haven’t written anything on word perfect since the beginning of the computer days for the Hope house. I am currently posting from my roommate’s lap top and she has it. I am using this program for old time sake, and for the goodness of all mankind. Ahem.

Yesterday was a great, amazing, fantastic, scrumdidilumptious day! Today I was in the prayer room and someone made the comment that Valentines day is all about Love, and God is Love. Therefore valentines day is all about God. It was a great reminder of the way that we experience God’s love through other people. When I think about how much I love my family and friends, I try to imagine how much God loves me in comparison, and I am amazed.

P.S. My Mommy and Daddy took pity on me and got me The Emperor’s New Groove. (I used to own it, but it was stolen from me last year and I have been in withdrawal since then.) I am Soooooo Happy To Have It Back!!!!!
And then there is Chris..... :-) Wonderful.

This is not a statement

You and I in a little toy shop
Buy a bag of balloons with the money we've got
Set them free at the break of dawn
'till one by one they were gone
Back at base, sparks in the software
Flash the message "something's out there"
Floating in the summer sky
Ninety nine red balloons go by

Ninety nine red balloons
Floating in the summer sky
Panic bells, it's red alert
There's something here from somewhere else
The war machine springs to life
Opens up one eager eye
And focusing it on the sky
The ninety nine red balloons go by

Ninety nine decisions treat
Ninety nine ministers meet
To worry, worry, super scurry
Call the troops out in a hurry
This is what we've waited for
This is it boys, this is war
The President is on the line
As Ninety nine red balloons go by

Ninety nine knights of the air
Ride super high-tech jet fighters
Everyone's a super hero
Everyone's a Captain Kirk
With orders to identify
To clarify and classify
Scramble in the summer sky
Ninety nine red balloons go by

As ninety nine red balloons go by

Ninety nine dreams I have had
In every one a red balloon
It's all over and I'm standing pretty
In this dust that was a city
If i could find a souvenir
Just to prove the world was here
And here is a red balloon
I think of you and let it go

So, I like this song…I don’t so much know why. But then again, who really determines why we like the music that we like? Do we even determine our own tastes, or are they inherent? Can I like this song and 80 bazillion other kinds of music? Yep! I sure can. Why? Because I want to. Ba ha ha ha! Maybe that’s it. We like the music that we like because we do, and there is nothing that anyone else can do about it. Hmmmm what a quandary…