Funny Moment

So one of my undergrad students came to my office hours for some help. As he was leaving, he noticed that we have the same UA water bottle and he says, "we have the same water bottle...that's awkward."

What? Students are so funny.

The Perfect End to a Less than Perfect Week...

Hello All! Happy Friday!

So this week's been rough, I'm not gonna lie. I've had extra research put on my plate for a workshop at AMEA in January. This is a great opportunity but a lot of extra work that doesn't count toward my classes. It's been a bit overwhelming this week.

Last night made my whole week! I checked my mail (which I almost didn't do) and there was a package from my college roommate, April (yes we have the same name), and she sent me Bebe chapstick. This is the best chapstick ever and it's only in Germany! Then, remembering that Michael Buble has a new album coming out on Friday, I went to Itunes and it was already available! I guess this is a benefit of iTunes working on Eastern time and me being in Arizona! His new song, "Haven't Met You Yet" is my new favorite song. I LOVE IT! Here's the video. Seriously, could he look any happier to be doing what he's doing. I love him...he's so my boyfriend! Oh...and it was 51 degrees when I went to school this morning. Thank goodness for the break in the crazy Arizona heat! What a day!! It's the little things that remind me that the glass is half full, not half empty.



Have a blessed weekend!

On Being a PhD Student...

"Being a PhD student is like becoming all of the Seven Dwarfs. In the beginning you're Dopey and Bashful. In the middle, you are usually sick (Sneezy), tired (Sleepy), and irritable (Grumpy). But at the end, they call you Doc, and then you're Happy"

I'm in the sick, tired, and irritable phase...

Happy weekend everyone!!

First Week Back and "Trashin' The Camp"

I survived the first week of my second year of PhD studies. I have to say it feels like I never left! This semester will be rough as I'm taking two courses completely outside of my realm of knowledge...Survey of Directing and Studies in Latin American Music. Both should be great opportunities to learn and grow.

On another note, I found out that my financial aid was reduced at the last minute by several thousand dollars. You can imagine the extra strain and stress this puts on my shoulders as my finances will be VERY tight this year, and that's putting it lightly. Please pray that all will work out and God will provide as He has always done in the past.

All the grown-up talk aside, I would like to share a story. Do you remember the days when you would hear a song and just dance like no one was watching? I used to do this at my Grandma's house. She had this big stereo that played records. I remember putting on those records and just singing and dancing and spinning til I just couldn't take anymore. I feel that adults should not lose this luxury. Yesterday in the Elementary Music Methods course I'm interning in, I heard this song, you may recognize it from Disney's "Tarzan":



Today, I had it stuck in my head and just had to download it. Then something great happened...a smile on my face began to grow, and grow...next thing I know I'm snapping...standing up, step-touch step-touch and before I knew it I was jumping, twirling, clapping and dancing like I used to as a child! It was one of the most rejuvenating experiences of my week. I must admit, I did it several times!

So I invite you adults and kiddos alike, click play, stand up and just let go!! It's moments like this I remember why I do what I do.

Have a blessed week, dear friends!

Summer Vacation 2009

After working all summer, I took the week before classes started off and took a trip to see my sister, visit Grandpa in Colorado, have dinner with some wonderful friends from high school, and back to Oklahoma City to see great friends from college. It was a wonderful week. Here are a few pictures!


The beautiful faces that greeted me at the airport!




After visiting Grandpa and Freida in La Junta, Grandpa went up to San Isabel with us! It was a wonderful day! Grandpa took us to San Isabel a lot as kids and it was wonderful to share that with him again!








Jessica and I took the kids back the next day to do some playing and exploring!










We met Josh Rael, one of my most favorite people from Pueblo and had dinner in an airplane! A restaurant in Colorado Springs. The kids loved it...okay, we all loved it!




Next we headed back to Oklahoma City where I got to catch up with Amanda and April. I haven't seen April since her wedding in 2005! It was a wonderful weekend!

New Apartment

So after a month of living in my new apartment, I've finally unpacked the last box today. I am finally not ashamed to show pictures of my newly put together place! Austin helped a lot, which I appreciate!

Bedroom...




Living Room...


Dining Room a.k.a. Study...


Kitchen...


Bathroom...

New Look

The Tucson sun has been bleaching my hair something awful. I've spent most the summer looking like I had a blond dye job that had grown out! So this past week I got a haircut and decided to go a little darker...I think it suits me!

Nothing New To Report So...

So nothing new or exciting has happened to me this summer (although that will soon change), but I felt the need to update my blog. So please enjoy this fancy footwork Bach-style!

Zack Morris is Back

You may only love this if you grew up on Saturday morning Saved by the Bell like me. And I mean, not watching it in syndication you young ones! I mean, the brand new episodes we woke up to watch each week! LOVE IT!

Birthday Reminiscences

Yesterday I turned 28. YIKES! It's fun to think about where I've been and where I'm (hopefully) going.

Age 5 (or younger): My birthday dinner of choice...corn on the cob. It was my favorite food! I'm actually still a huge fan.

Elementary school: Birthday parties usually consisted of the slip n' slide because Colorado was just starting to warm up enough to use it!

7th grade - Backyard surprise party. I don't remember much about it but I know Josh Rael was there. I had the biggest crush on him and he gave me a little stuffed dog with a little angel pin. I still have them both. Josh is still one of my greatest friends I've ever had.

High school: Birthdays usually consisted of summer musical rehearsals or auditions. They are all a blur. I do know that I LOVED my high school summers!

College: Some of my most fun birthdays happened during our mission trips to Germany. Birthdays are a big deal to Germans and I was always showered with small gifts from the church, a fun German dessert, and I always got to choose a hymn to sing in church services!

San Antonio Birthdays: SO FUN! Enjoying downtown San Antonio all dressed up with wonderful girls like Lacy and Karessa cannot be beat. For my 25th birthday, i enjoyed an entire weekend of fun including one of the best experiences of my life...Beethoven's Ninth Symphony at the San Antonio Symphony. It was amazing and I cried.

Tucson Birthday: This year is my first birthday in Tucson. I was working so not much fun happened. Though I am so thankful to be working. Austin sent me some beautiful flowers, a teddy bear, balloons, and a huge dark chocolate candy bar. He's taking me out on Saturday for an official celebration. The day before my birthday, Amanda's parents were in town and took me out to dinner. They are so wonderful!



It's nice to look back and think about my birthdays because it makes me realize just how much I truly am loved by my friends and family. I'm so thankful for taking every path which has led me here because, although I sometimes question being here, I know God has a plan and has brought me to Tucson for a reason. Here's to another busy, stress-filled, hectic, wonderful year full of surprises and blessings!

Jeremiah 29:11 'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.'