I didn’t know that tenors could drool that much

The moral of the story is to never begin a Wolf opera without some sort of caffeine source. Let me tell you the story. Yesterday I innocently sat down to do some of my Music history Listening List. I have to watch a variety of operas for our 19th century opera section. I watched Turnadot a couple of days prior to Friday and I enjoyed it even though some of the lines lacked creative genius. The music was wonderful and the tenor-though cumbersome – had an amazing voice. So anyway, on to Wolf (the German Composer, and not the animal). I had to watch Tristan and Isolde; I thought to myself how long can one soprano sing? Well, the answer was clear as glass on the back of the DVD box. “Running time 244 min.” Yah, one soprano, one mezzo, a tenor, two basses, and four hours of intense pretty much no plot progression OPERA!!! I sat down at 6:30 determined to make it to the improve session at 10:30. Yah, I watched the entire cursed thing straight through no break, not even for the bathroom. Talk about your exhaustive past times. I resorted to 3 squares of cookie dough to soften the pain. Caffeine of some sort would have been a better idea. It was a good thing that the night was not over lest I would have dreamed of the tenor - who slobbered profusely when singing high – in his long black dress.
The improv of Mind Your Head was the perfect end to my laborious diversion of the afternoon/evening. I ended my night with a night of companionship which I haven’t enjoyed the likes of in about a month now. This semester has made me miss my friends, and they are all still around, (Curse you all you professors who have made this semester a social nothing on the social ness scale!)

No song, instead I am in Wichita getting ready to eat Sushi for the first time. I will let you know how it goes.

Memories

Tonight I took a trip down memory lane.
This evening I had the opportunity to watch one of the shows that I grew up on. Today’s Special was a large part of my childhood. Muffy Mouse was my all time hero for a long time. I appreciated her state of the art apartment as well as her incredible rhyming abilities, which I must say I tried to emulate as much as I could. For others of you who remember great public television channels how about these shows for memories, Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood (the incredible hulk episode was the best), Reading Rainbow, Square One (including Math Net of which the Whit’s End mystery was the best ever), Sesame Street (Linda was my favorite, I had my own signing with Linda book), Zoobaly Zoo (Wazzat was my favorite. She was some kind of pink animal who played the key board.), Little House on the Prairie (Didn’t everyone love Manley?), Bob Ross and his happy little trees, and Toy Boy and Santa for the holidays.
What has happened to the television of today? Japanimation is just not as good as good old Channel 8 television.

Good things

Recently I have been having some new thoughts about life and my role therein. I am not ready to finalize any of those thoughts in words, but I did want to state this thought. I am a broken person, made complete by God’s love and grace. Because I am complete in God, I have no need of anything that He will not provide in His time. And that is awesome. Also I wanted to state that chapel was good today as well. The speaker made the statement that God wants us to perceive his qualities by reaching out and touching Him just like a blind person reaches out to touch and see.

Song: I don't know the name, but it is the "What, oh what else can I do" song with the sweet intro.

Panda's Writing Style

This evening I was inspired by my good friend Panda, who had a Lynn J. essay to write and didn’t know what to say. Here is what she came up with:

“Growing up I was always told that everything happened for a purpose, and that God had a purpose for my life. Reading the Bible and reading about Jesus’ life, everything he did also had a purpose. He knew what he was supposed to do and he knew everything that would happen to him. Wright tells his thoughts ogggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg. This really sucks butt. How about we not do this anymore. (To the tune of Veggie Tales) If you like to talk to tomatoes, if a squash could make you smile, if you like to waltz with potatoes up and down the produce aisle. Have we got show for you, Veggie tales, veggie tales, veggie tales veggie tales veggie tales. Borccile, celery got to be veggie tales lima beans color green peachy keen veggie tales. There never ever ever ever been a show like veggie tales.
(To the tune of This is the song that never ends) This is the essay that never ends yes it really sucks yes sucks my friend. One night I started writing it not knowing what to write but I continued writing it the end was out of sight but this really sucks.
(To the tune of Cheers Theme Song) Sometime I want to go where nobody knows my name, and I always stay the same, I wanta be where I can’ t see my troubles are all the same, I wanta go where I can play some games.
Application: (To the Tune of Jesus Loves Me) Jesus loves me this I know for lynn jost really blows he makes my day really suck then I sit like a duck. Yes I hate lynn jost but don’t take it personally I just needed 11 more words now this essay is complete.
(287 words)” - Coppied from the Panda Bear Computer.

Yah, it met the word limit. I am not so sure if she will turn it in or not. She is a pretty stubborn person, (she didn’t earn the nickname stubby for nothing). Yes, this is the normal kind of thing that happens to one’s writing style when one is plagued by CONTINUOUS L. J. essays. I wonder at the trauma that this poor bear has endured struggling with the enormous amounts of Life and Teachings swirling around in her head.

Good Morning

A lot has happened since Saturday night, some good things and some bad things. I am doing alright though. I am looking forward to my first week without a test this semester. It is nice to have a bit of a calm before the storm that will come as semester comes to a close.
I went to the band concert last night. The band sounded wonderful and I was especially impressed with the solos. My mom and I especially appreciated the Gong. It was ….well….really loud. I don’t have much to say. Perhaps later I will find some fun anecdote to share, but until then, it is back to the grindstone.

No song for the morning.

"Someday I am going to be 40"

Life is full of firsts and lasts. I have been reminded of that many times this week. Personally I like firsts a lot and though lasts are often hard to swallow, I have learned to appreciate them. Since Thursday (when my alarm-clock did me wrong) beginnings and endings have been on my mind and particularly this evening. Possibly because this wonderful junior year is coming to an end, or perhaps it is because I just watched three friends in their last formal production together. (Most likely this is the reason) (It touched me, it was truthful, it was beautiful, it was professional, it was human, and it was my friends.)
I recently saw When Harry Met Sally for the very first time. Besides being touched by the old couples who gave their stories, flabbergasted and puzzled with Harry’s thoughts, and humored by Sally’s impending breakdowns, I was impressed with one of the last lines of the film. I can not quote it to specificity, but Harry says something like this, “When you find the person who you want to spend the rest of your life with, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” I loved it for two reasons A: I am hopeless romantic and love it for its honest qualities. and B: Isn’t that the way we should treat all of the beginnings and endings in our life? We should be so excited about what God holds for us that we run blocks and blocks, miles and miles, years and years, just to get there to Him to live our lives. (Ha! Who says you can’t find truth in a romantic comedy?) Perhaps I am over analyzing the situation, and perhaps that When Harry Met Sally has never had this affect on anyone before, but this is me, and that is what I think.

Song: We’re Gonna Be Friends – The White Stripes

Once upon a time...

Once there was a girl who spent her time in school. The girl had a good day and then decided to drink some coffee (at midnight) because she liked the taste. The lovely girl then decided to go to sleep. She tossed and turned, and not because there was a pea under her mattress, but because the lovely girl liked the taste of coffee. After some time the girl decided to consult the all powerful Medicine Cabinet - found far from her bed on the other side of the room - and it gave to her a special potion of Tylenol PM. This was an extremely rare potion found in the great and mighty land of Wal (Mart). The girl took this potion not understanding the spell that the all powerful Medicine Cabinet wished to cast over her. The girl slept the sound sleep of one whose alarm clock wakes them up in the morning, but alas the alarm was also under the spell of the all powerful Hillsboro power line and it too was in a deep sleep. The girl and the alarm slept until the alarm clock lover of the lovely girl’s alarm clock (Ahem, room mate’s alarm clock) woke the sleeping girl and clock. The joy at the awakening was les than impressive, for the alarm was an hour and a half too late for the girl to go to the ball of her favorite wand waving master (instrumental conducting). The girl stumbled out of bed determined to set things to right. She called the wand waving master who told her that indeed there were many spells afoot during the night for he had experienced technical difficulties with the wand waving ball band (a.k.a. The CD player.) and had not been able to begin the ball at all. The lovely girl sighed and knew that her world was again set to right.

Song: Though I feel Alone – 100 portraits Water Deep

different stuff

My life has become a different world and continues to change around me. I have just finished some important things in my classes and I am glad for that. Yet, my summer has been recently been occupying my mind. This summer I will be taking some classes via Hutchinson Community College as well as through ACCK. I am also going to work with PrairieView Kids camps this summer. I am excited to do something new (THAT IS NOT INVENTORY!!!) It will be a challenge, but it should be a good experience.
Speaking of good experiences, I had my first Bible Simulation at Tabor this evening. I didn’t think that it would be a good experience because I have some very stubborn vocal people in my class, but to my surprise I was able to filter the extra verbage and we had a good discussion.
If anyone is free next Saturday night and are in the area, I would encourage you to make the trek to Tabor to watch the play “The Drawer Boy” it should be an extremely good performance of three of my favorite people.
I know that this is random, but hey, so am I.
My sister recently got her first dog. It is a Lahssa Apsa (I know I didn’t spell that right) any way it is the cutest thing. It looks like an ewok with oversized eyes. She is a sweet little thing, and I am excited to get to know her more this summer.
An interesting fact about me to end the evening: Someday I would like to … perhaps… drive a car in a race. (there that is the most odd of my aspirations) Yes, sorry mom, someday I think it would be fun to be in a driver in an Indi car or perhaps even a Nas car. Something about the speed is attractive.
I am not currently listening to a song, I am but a meer observer of the people in the computer lab. People are interesting.

short and sweet

Sorry I haven’t posted in a long time. I have been amazingly busy. I went to CA on choir tour. I will tell you all about after my recital on Sunday. Yes! I am almost done!
Short and Sweet.

Well, here is an official update on my life.

Item One: Life and Teachings of Jesus is hard on me. On a good note, I finally finished my rough draft to my formal. On a bad note I am turning it in early so that Lynn can rip it apart and expect me to pick up the pieces and turn it into a masterpiece.
Item Two: Choir is going well. I had a concert in Topeka this morning. It was a long drive there followed by a good concert, followed by a long drive home. I was able to somewhat sleep on the way back. I was resting my head on my fist while it was wedged between the window and the back corner of the 15 passenger van. Every time we went over a bump I clocked myself in the face with my fist and then my head would bounce back and forth between the window and the support beam of the roof. Needless to say I probably would have done better staying awake.
Item Three: Choir tour. I am heading to California for the first time with 45 ish of the coolest people I know. We get Rex to drive our buss again (as opposed to Pick Ax Charley…a driver that we had on high school choir tour) I am not excited about the exceedingly long buss ride over night. I am going to need to get my hands on some super good sleeping pills. (Anyone want to help me with that one?) We get to see lots of stuff and I am excited
Item Four: Life in general is good. I love my friends and we have a lot of fun. However I miss my family. Spring does not allow much time to see them.
Item Five: I have found a new passion. I am starting to become enthusiastic about kitchen equipment. I frightened one of my guy friends with my passion for my new mixing boles the other night. (Sorry) Then I went and bought a muffin tin, and a mixing spoon. Amy’s mom got her a soup ladle from the Pampered Chef and I am impressed with the superior quality to wal-mart brand.
Item Six: Ok, now I am stalling from doing my homework. Perhaps I shall go read some of Upside-down Kingdom. For some reason I am curious about the social messianic implications of the temptation of Jesus. [Hugely Sarcastic Statement Preceding This Bracket.]

Song: I Will Survive

What is the life expectancy of a Beta?

I am getting to be pretty sorry about entering frequently. I will try harder, but I can’t promise anything.
Here is a random question; do fish become more likely to spaz with old age? My fish seems to have little spasms more often lately. He is an old fish (about two and a half or so) and I would like him to live to the ripe old age of three or four. Perhaps he will even outlive my sister’s zebra fish. (Which only lived as long as it did because I saved it from her flushing him LIVE down the toilet. That would be an unpleasant end for any creature, even if it was a mean grouch that picked on her neons.)
This evening I had two wonderful chats. First I had a visit from a friend from childhood, Dana. We went out to dinner and then talked for a while. It was great to see her and hear all about her adventurous life in Florida. The other conversation was with my musical friend Amy. It was good to get to talk to her. We spend so much time together, but I miss just hanging out for fun.
We listened to the Phantom of the Opera, The Brendanburg Concertos, and West Side Story. Ah….The good life of procrastination.
Well it is about time for me to get some sleep.
Tomorrow I am going to see a woman about a basement. Wish me luck!

Song: I’ve Got Friends in Low Places

Tomorrow will tell....

Well, it is time to wind down.
I would like to be out with the kids at Druber’s, but alas, I must rest for my recital jury tomorrow. I am hoping that my cold goes away so that I can hit that b flat clearly. (just a minor detail, ha, yah right)
I am listening to Jeremiah Was a Bull Frog, and will probably follow that up with Low Rider, or Jesse’s girl. It is good pump up music for tomorrow. (I know that Debussy and Schubert would roll over in their graves to hear that I warm up to their music with Low Rider.)
Jeremiah Was a Bull Frog always reminds me of long road trips with family. All we needed is humongous Dairy Queen shakes and that song. Good times

Song: yah, Jesse’s Girl

I need a break, and decided to borrow one of Becky’s friend’s ideas for an entry

If I were to write my past self a letter what would it contain? You have to understand that this is a little hard for me to remember everything that I would want to address because I am not at home with all of the snap shots of childhood and stuffed animals and other such memorabilia (including the most awesome pensile collection from the 80’s ever. I have three words for you Lisa Frank, and Glitter! YESSSSSSsssss!) But despite the lack of nostalgia, I will begin.

Dear Jenni (in elementary school),
(Which was what everyone called me before college, a strategic move to sound older, it didn’t work so well)

It has been such a long time since I have seen you. (And I am kind of glad because I don’t know if I could handle all of the hyper activity any more) I can imagine that you are doing well as a happy kid. I just wanted to let you know some things for future reference so that you will have an extra bounce on what is to come.
On the subject of family.
Dad will finally finish his schooling. He will get his PHD and then everyone will call him Doctor Hope for a while, and he won’t like it. (But inside I think he might). Just to let you know, he still will be fun. Sometimes to the point of mild embarrassment, but never too much. (And he will stop talking about the deficit, but he will never stop repeating what mom says.)
Mom will stop home schooling, (yah, you end up at Elyria,) and eventually she will get a job at Body and Soul (which will be your first legitimate job. Remember to smile and be nice to the annoying guy from the Christian news paper. Even people who break and then do not buy expensive merchandise deserve a second chance, but never more than one.) She will like work and the people she works with, except when Jean punches out the computer screen (twice, thinking it is a touch screen). Oh yah, and mom still looks like she is 29.
Don’t worry about how much you fight with Kati; it is only going to get worse. In fact in the years between your junior high and high school differences you will not be physically able to say anything nice to each other at all. But then after she goes to high school you will start to get along. (Do not insult her feet, or tease her about how she is afraid about sock monkeys it will only set you back) You will really start to like her a lot after you leave for college, but that doesn’t mean that times will be easy. Just don’t get discouraged
Now about you.
Don’t worry about your hair, it will be better once you learn how to use a curling iron and blow drier. Makeup will help, but once you get to college you will be sick of it, so don’t wear it unless you have to.
Make sure you don’t throw away all of your leggos. You will want them when you are older. But you can get rid of the Barbie that you chopped the hair off of. And please don’t make the mistake of forcing Wedding Doll Midge into your cool 80’s fanny pack, her head will fall off I guarantee it.
Don’t hold your breath about the trampoline and porch swing that you want. You don’t get them till your last two years at home. (Then you break the trampoline the night before your graduation from high school because your sister thought she could mow the lawn)
School at Elyria will be fun. Make sure you get to know Mr Siemens, he is a good one to have on your side. And don’t let Mr. Nelson or Mr. Franklyn get to you. You know that they enjoy making students mad.
About the whole guy thing, I know that Bret Jantzen looks good now, but just wait till you meet Jacob Lynn. (I know that he will be shy, but make him talk to you). In fifth grade you will find the perfect man in Jacob Kaufman, but he will resent you for your mad music skills and will insult you behind your back so don’t fall for him like you want to. When the world brings you Dusty Pruitt just keep telling yourself… “He will become an insulting egotist even though he will grow up to be tall dark and handsome.” You will forever refer to him as your arch nemesis, and you will create a black hole just so that you can mentally throw him into it whenever he calls you fat, or loud, or ugly. Perhaps someday even now he might be maturing just inch by inch. There is only one guy who you meet in high school who will be worth all of the admiration you give him. Even though the end will be painful the relationship is the most exciting in your youth. You will be able to call him your first love, and although he chooses another in the end, you will still mean a lot to him. (Just make sure Amy is there when he calls to tell you he is engaged so that when you freak out you are not alone)
When you get to College the guys are nicer and better looking. Just don’t fall for the first guy that hits on you in Theory class, you don’t wind up with him anyway.
College will be the best! Don’t get upset about your major, you will wind up liking it in the end. Start thinking about pranks not, because you are going to need the ammo. Don’t study too hard. It is taxing on the brain. Keep your friends close they love you and would do anything for you. Don’t be afraid to try new things (like the Clarinet you are going to like it.)

Song: The Time of my Life

This is for the people I love

I am beginning to notice the amazing people who I come in contact with every day and throughout my life. I have friends who have lived through so much and their faith is steadfast. I am not saying that they do not question from time to time, but even in their questioning they remain faithful to God and to the people who love them. This is a tribute to those who are sad and troubled or were sad and troubled and who have lived life in spite of these things.
I am thankful for my friends who have and still live through times of depression. May God’s Joy surround you.
I am thankful for my friends who have lost their mothers and fathers. May God be both mother and father to you, and may He provide you with people to love you as parents do.
I am thankful for my friends who are loosing loved ones in these current days. May God comfort you and your family. May he give you people to lean on and to cry on.
I am thankful for my friends who have and are survivors of chronic diseases. You inspire me to trust. May God strengthen your trust in Him.
I am thankful for my Mom and Dad who are experiencing life alone again. May God give you times of immeasurable joy incomparable with times before.

Song: Only Hope - Switchfoot

I am in love

Hee hee, I made you think twice right? Yah, the whole love thing is just to say that I am in love with the Les Miserables sound track. Now before you stoop to the “then why don’t you marry it?” forth grade thing, I need to remind you that music is my passion so I am allowed to say that. I understand that Tabor would never do it, but I sure wish that they would.
Hmmmm what else….oh yes, about my last post, I am pretty sure that I am a porch swing being sprinkled by the occasional breeze from a sprinkler. That is just about right.
Well, I think early to bed for me tonight because this week is going to be a bear. (Huge, looming projects and papers are my favorite!!!!!)

Song: A Little Fall of Rain

what would you be?

If you were an animal what would you be? Honestly, think about it and tell me. It is interesting for me. I am pretty sure that I would be a golden retriever, or perhaps a bearded collie. I can’t really tell you why, but those are just about right. Or perhaps, and don’t think that this is too cheesy; it might be a dolphin just because I love the water.
If you were a kitchen appliance what would you be? This is one that stumps people. I am thinking that I am going to go on the lines of a warm appliance, mostly because I hate the cold. Not a toaster, because you can burn things so easily in them, and it takes me a while to truly warm up to people. Maybe more of a teakettle. It is kind of old fashioned, and timeless at the same time. It is also used for comfort or medicinal purposes.
If you were an object out of doors what would you be? I think I will leave this one up to you. Perhaps I will answer this down the line, though I am leaning towards a sprinkler or a porch swing.

My KMEA day (TGIF)

Well, to day I had a surprise. I went to KMEA (Kansas Music Educators Association) and pretended to be a Kansas music educator. It was kind of fun. I talked to the Emporia state people about their masters program, and I also talked to the Kansas City school district people about working for them someday. I have often thought in that direction, but I would want more schooling or more experience one or the other. I also ate some amazing free chocolate, pizza, and a tiny cup of pie. It was super good. My friend Lee was there also and it was so good to see her. I miss her bunches.
So here is the other deal in my life. It is 1 am and I have no clue what I am going to do tomorrow. I could go back to the conference, or I could drive home and see my sister, parents, and do laundry because I am running out of clothing. I am also trying to save my money and going to kmea tomorrow would be detrimental to my savings.
I watched the movie French Kiss tonight with some girls. It was a good film, but completely unrealistic. (isn’t that the definition of a chick flick? Honestly, whose life turns out that way? Her fiancé leaves her and she is magically able to get over him within the blink of an eye because handsome European thief sweeps her off of her feet by accident. HA! I am normally not a party pooper about these kinds of films, and even though it blows my mind, I liked it. Why did I like it? Is it because I am a hopeless romantic? Is it because it took place in Parris and I got to see places that I have been? Or was it sheer entertainment? Shoot. I will never understand.
That is about all folks. I am running out of nothingness in my head to write about. (and I still don’t know what I am going to do tomorrow.

Happy Birthday to my lovely sister

Today is my sister’s birthday and I would like to pay tribute to her on her special day.
I first met my sister in the Kansas City airport. I was young and hyper jumping up and down like electricity with no grounding wire, and she was a wide eyed infant 14 weeks of age and chubby as can be. I am pretty sure that I liked her, it is hard to remember emotion at that age, I do remember that my favorite jelly bracelet broke that day and I carried it around hanging out of my mouth. My mom didn’t like it she said that it was gross and that it looked like a worm. I remember the plane landing, and my first glimpse of Kati and the man carrying her. The last thing that I remember about that day was the toll booth on the way home. (strange yes, but what else do you expect from me)
Another favorite childhood memory of my sister was when I was in elementary school. I am not sure of the specific age, but we still were into dress up. We played the imaginary game Princess Lilly Feather Flower with my best friend Jana. Kati was always Princess Lilly Feather Flower and we addressed her as such while blinking on every syllable. (sounding like, Prin cess lil ly fea ther flow er. Yah, I know, it was awesome) Another awesome game that we played was nuns. We ran around with arm chair covers on our heads as our nun caps.
Sad to say, Kati and I did not get along so well through junior high. We finally started to see eye to eye around my senior year, and today I am happy to say that she is one of my greatest friends.
The next picture is one that I love. It is from last year, and now a year older she is 18 years old. Crazy as ever, and full of spirit.
Happy birthday young’en

Tonight I learned something

Tonight I learned something about myself. I consider myself to be an optimistic person that has faith in people, and I genuinely think that I am. Yet, tonight I learned something new. I have known it all along somewhere in this stream of subconsciousness, but I never put it all together. Well, here it is.
There are some people in this world in who I will never loose faith in. No matter how many times they disappoint me or fail to live up to my standards, I will still have faith that they can and will learn from their mistakes and right them later on. Yet, I do not give myself that freedom. When I am with people (meaning guys, even guy friends, yes you guy friends if you ever might possibly read this), I give up on me. All that it takes is a couple of odd glances or loaded comments and I am ready to re-format my whole personality. I say to myself, “Well Jen that was only about the goofiest miss placed comment that you ever could make, now keep your silly odd mouth shut and reformat yourself into an attractive (and I never believe that either), demur (ha! Snow ball’s chance in Ahem), sensible (wouldn’t know it if it hit me in the head), person. But the problem is that I am not demur or sensible and because of this I give up on me. I say, “social skills, I just need social skills, (or like Napoleon perhaps I need wicked num chuck skills, or mad dance skills.)” Yet, (there is always another yet) I have dawned upon the stone of truth on which is inscribed, “If you keep faith in so many others who have disappointed you, then why do you give up on yourself? If you have problems that you are willing to work out with others and live with them, then why in Bob’s name do you have a problem living with yourself.” So I dust off my boots and say to the me in the me “Self, you don’t have to hide among the other parts of you that are all stage scenery (fake and alterable). Lay it all on the line; that is how you will discover truth about you and your friends.” So when I want to be serious I will be, and when I want to speak with nothing in mind but what escapes from my soul (even if it is about the most out of touch thing ever) I will. Even if no one laughs, cries, sympathizes, or identifies.
So, yah, that is about all. Ha, I just about apologizes for thinking out loud, but I decided that apologizing would be conflictual with everything that I have dared to admit. So I will instead leave you with a good night till it be morrow.