Serenity

It is amazing how many times this semester I have been able to come home, early in the day, and lay in my bed, just because. I have spent the last 3.5 years being busy, and now, I'm just tying up loose ends.

I would love to fill this downtime with a job though...but that is another frustrating post...

But it has led to my aforementioned addiction to the Discovery Health channel. Which I must be thankful for.

Anyway, I am really trying to appreciate this downtime before the craziness of student teaching begins. As much as I am ready to be finished, I know in about 6 months I'll be wishing to have this semester back. But I also know I'll be happier than I have been doing music in the last 2 years. I don't like that music here at JMU doesn't excite me anymore, and I know where to place blame, but I really believe that student teaching is going to rejuvenate me and my appreciation for music.

There is a lot of paperwork that goes into student teaching apparently. This semester has made me a lot better with paperwork. A blessing, considering I'm about to be a teacher.

Also, weather-Gods, I'm going to consider the last 2 days a blip. I'm sure tomorrow will be 72 degrees and sunny again. Mhm.

Quad Quad Quad Quad Quaaaaad

The best part about JMU is without a doubt, Springtime on the Quad. Every year, we suffer through Winter, slipping on ice, shielding our faces from the piercing wind, tears streaming down our faces (yes, it gets that bad), and bundled up in our most un-cute outfits. The snow days are appreciated, yes, but the cold, glooomy weather puts you in a bad, unmotivated mood.

However, with suffering comes reward, in the form of sunshine, dresses, biddies, frisbees, and football, all taking place on the gorgeous JMU Quad.

Thank the Lord for Spring. I'm in a much better mood now.

Makes Me Think

So there is this website called "makesmethink.com". I picked up on it from a friend, and have come to love it. It's similar to those "f my life" and "my life is average" sites, where people post an anecdote that begins with "Today, I..." but it is not superficial, distgusting, boring or unfortunate. They are just simple, happy, sad anecdotes based on moments that "make you think". Check it out, they are wonderful.

Lock Your Car Doors, Friends.

So I have never locked Big Bertha's doors. Ever. I've had her for 5 or 6 years now, and she's a cutie, but honestly, no one would steal that hunk o' junk. She has manual windows, locks, the works. So I'm lazy and just...don't lock the doors. It's easier.

Well last night, I learned a valuable lesson on why NOT to do that anymore. And this is how...

I took my baby sister out to dinner at Outback. We had a nice meal then wondered to the other side of the shopping center, and I treated Kelly to a little eyebrow waxing. No big deal.

So we mozy on back my car...there it is! We're chatting, etc...then we open the doors, and sit in our respective seats.

Why does my car wreak of cigarettes?

Why are there tissues everywhere?

Why is the bedding in the back seat?

This is not my car.

Gross.

I sat in someone else's car, without their knowing. And it was dirty. And it felt so wrong.

Then I kept thinking...who has accidently sat in my unlocked car? How many times has that happened to poor Big Bertha? How many times has she been violated in such a way?

With that, I made a vow to always lock my car.

Except in my driveway. Because I came home and nay locked my doors.

Forever 21, You Overwhelming Beast...

Another busy Spring Break day. Went to Ihop with Mom at 7 am (I am a good daughter, and their pancakes are to die for), bought a new car battery, got my TB test shot, given to me by a cute Asian lady who said, "there will be hurt," but what she doesn't know is I'm a champ. Then I went and installed the aforementioned car battery in to Big Bertha. Poor baby....she's chugging along. I'm paraying she lasts until I can afford a newer one.

Because let's face it...Ma and Pop and pretty much over supported my pa-tooty. As am I.

Then I went to Forever 21 to exchange a top I bought yesterday that didn't fit right.

Now I have to ask...WHY do you need such a big Forever? Maybe I'm not girly enough, but sometimes I walk out of there feeling so drained...physically...emotionally...spiritually...and on some occasions, financially. I loved this shirt when I bought it yesterday. Then I tried on the new size, and hated it. THEN I spent the next hour wanderng around, trying on different shirts, dresses, skirts...nothing.

Then finally, I found these simple solid colored tank tops for 4.50. HELLO Fabulous Finds. I purchased for, and owed the store 21 cents. Sorry, but that is legit. Give back 1 shirt, get back 4? Yes please.

But alas, as frustrated as I get with the enormous, monsterous beast that is the Forever 21 at Fair Oaks Mall, I continue to return every time I go to the mall, which is rare. Why? Beacause it is drt cheap, the Fabulous Finds are often amazing, and if you look and gig hard and long enough, you will find something. Or 4 for the price of 1. And lastly, because I am a woman. And shopping is in our DNA, and cannot be avoided.

And then I blog about it and feel very shallow at the end. Oh well.

Wake Me Up, Carpet Cleaner.

Woke up around 9 am this morning. Haven't slept in this break. I don't really like sleeping in much anymore. This is likely because the weather is beginning to turn toward Spring, and I feel happier in the Spring. I've been missing some Vitamin D in my life. Totally changes my mood.

Anyway, I am currently on my living room couch, typing a blogpost because...well Senor 1 and Senor 2, who are probably the nicest people I have ever met, are cleaning the carpet. I'm pretty sure they're trying to jip me by charging $5 extra than what we were quoted, but what the hell? It's BEAUTIFUL out, and I do not care. Vitamin D, baby.

And they're cleaning. And I love cleaning. I think we are subconciously bonding over that.

Cleaning is my favorite thing to do. And I will scrub from top to bottom. I am sure I'm neurotic, and I am certainly OCD, have been my whole life, but nothing makes me more ready to do whatever I need to do in a day like cleaning my house before. Before I leave for every break, I always dust, vacuum, organize, and mop my entire townhouse. This is because I love coming home to a clean house. If I have homework to do, I won't do it until everything around me is spotless and just so. Everything has a place, and is typically in height order.

Yesterday was a very productive day for me. And instead of waking up and doing homework, I had to clean my parents entire house before I could start any homework. I think I use it as a boost to get things done, because cleaning, I love, homework, not so much. But if I preceed the homework with cleaning, I get on a roll and don't want to stop. Smart subconcious.

And right now, all I can think about is how clean the carpets are going to look. I'm so excited.

Can't wait to run outside again today! It was so beautiful yesterday.

Task for today is my Vocal Pedagogy paper outline. Yesterday I completely finished my Student Teaching Portfolio, minus recommendations, which took roughly 6 hours, and then decided to do my Program Notes for my recital...which is not until May 1st. But they're done! So all I need to worry about is memorizing my repertoire, which seems to be going smoothly. The outline shouldn't take terribly long, assuming I can access JMU networks from here. This is a boring paragraph.

I need a recital dress.
And Spring dresses. Because the time is coming.

SPRING!!!!!

It is SO gorgeous out. Doing lots of work then getting my butt outside for a run to take advantage of this. SO beautiful!

Enjoy the day everyone!

Sprang Breakz

Well, considering my semester is devoid of any overwhelming amounts of responsibility, I wasn't in "desperate need" of this break, but I am happy to be home. I just spent a nice, busy day with my family, taking Colleen back to CNU, and then ordering pizza, watching reruns of Saturday Night Live, a family tradition, and now the Oscars. 2 dogs sleeping around me. A nice break from college-ness.

AND BEAUTIFUL WEATHER TODAY! Very refreshing, and I cannot wait to get back to JMU to let Spring take over, and bring that amazing ambiance that only Spring can bring. The student body seems to quadruple almost. I'm positive that will put me in a pretty amazing mood. It has the last 3 years. The bushes in our front yard have been dead for too long. It's time to see some color here. The valley is such a beautiful place, especially in the late Spring.

And, Monique just won Best Supporting Actress and I'm all about it.

We had lunch with my Aunt and Grammy while in Newport News today. Everyone needs a woman like my Grammy in their life. She is a Saint. Perfection, for sure. I couldn't even begin to describe her, so I won't. But she's amazing.

Not much else to say. Definitely going to be busy this week. Memorizing music for my recital, Student teaching portfolio, program notes, etc...more work than I've done all semester. It's fine.

The Four Year Itch

So maybe my blog is becoming a little depressing, but I am really starting to itch to get out of here. It is breaking my heart a lot, how ready I am. But at the same time, I'm ready because I am sooooo happy and soooooo excited to start this next chapter in my life.

I'm sitting at my computer, looking at beautiful high resolution pictures on one of my favorite websites, interfacelift.com. It's full of beautiful pictures of nature in its most beautiful forms from all over the world, and I'm thinking, college is holding me back. College is holding me back. Just like home and high school were holding me back 4 years ago.

This is a natural process, and I think I'm on the right track.

But college is keeping me in one place, and I am itching to move. Methophorically and literally. I've found something special, something that gives me a million other things to look forward to, and where I am now is kind of a dead end. I've gotten what I came here for, not without disappointment. (Sorry about it, JMU School of Music, but you actually blow). And I'm ready to take those skills and roll.

I feel like every post might always relate to my next part of life. It's fine.

Today...

I am so happy.

The Countdown.

Today, for the first time in about a year and a half....I was excited about Student Teaching. I guess as a Music Education, I should have spent the last 4 years consistantly happy and excited about those particular 4 months, but I really lost the love for a while. And in some ways, I don't think I've gotten it back completely, but parts of me are feeling it again.

Going into Junior year, I was still excited about where my major was taking me. I was so involved. I was doing well. I was recognized. Chorale President since I was a sophomore. Section Leader. Member of the top 2 ensembles. ACDA. Beginning to teach on campus. It went on and on...I was "perfect". I've struggled with that word for a long time.

Then bad things happen, and your view of everything else changes completely. When life slaps you in the face, and I mean bitch slaps you in the face, with loss of monumental portions, significant for you, and even more significant and life changing for those around you, other things fall by the wayside. It becomes far more important to take care of each other then to learn your music.

I do not believe this changed how I felt about music. I think I felt the way I feel now for a while, but it was repressed. But these life events change you, and make you grow up. And think looong and hard about where your life is going.

Senior year. I'm moderately checked out. Bare minimum. Not loving any musical moment in particular the way I used to. Hope I like this degree.

So I have decided. Practicums need to last sophomore through senior year. I have finally figured out what is missing: kids.

I went to the Turner Ashby High School musical last weekend. I hated the show (it was Les Miserables...students were awesome, show, not so much), but a part of me felt so rejuvinated to be around students. Just their presence helped me. I didn't teach, I didn't work with them, I didn't even know any of them. But it reminded me of where I'll be in September, and I am so excited again. It feels amazing. And I wish I could be in a classroom everyday. Soon enough.

Also...I'm grumpy because it's cold. I need Spring.