The Lion or the Tin Man?

I had a humbling experience today. I got on the bus at the same time as a homeless man today. It was very obvious he's been without a roof for awhile. He was carrying about 8 plastic grocery bags filled mostly with recyclable materials (plastic, paper, etc.) In one bag he had a very dirty blanket which I can only assume is his bed. Situations like this both break my heart and make me incredibly uncomfortable. I definitely border on the side of paranoia of being assaulted or stolen because I know I haven't the means to really fight back. I only say this because I think this selfish fear of mine keeps me from helping others sometimes. Like today, as I was sitting on the bus across from this man, it occured to me that I had an unopened bottle of water and the first thing I thought was that I should offer it to this man. I can imagine he would appreciate a gesture such as this. I kept trying to get the nerve to speak (worried that something negative could happen from initiating any contact), and before I knew it, he was getting off the bus and I'd missed a perfectly good opportunity to help someone with a gesture as simple as offering a bottle of water to someone who really could have used it.

This really made me think. Why do we let ourselves get in the way of helping others? Sure, I have good reason to worry for my safety being alone in a city, but shouldn't I trust that if I aim to do God's will He will take care of me?? I feel like I have the heart of the servant, I'm just not sure I have the courage. Am I alone in these thoughts? It is my prayer that next time, I will have the courage to help when I see the opportunity.

I Met a Tool and had the Guts to Tell Him So!

So I get on the bus yesterday and it's standing room only, except this kid (he had to have been 20 maybe) is sitting in a seat with his backpack sitting in a seat next to him while people are forced to stand. So this guy walks up to him and says, "hey can i sit down?" And the jerk says, "where am I supposed to put my stuff...on my lap?" I, currently standing, say "Yeah, that's what everyone else does." And the jerk refuses!! So the nice guy walks past me and calls him something I will not repeat and offers me a seat that just opened up in the back. I kindly refuse and say, "See I'm a girl and have manners!" And everyone on the bus snickers. This guy was such a jerk. A few minutes later a seat in the front opens up and the jerk takes his earphone out and says to me (very rudely), "hey I think a seat just opened up for you." I walk past him and say (very sarcastically), "Oh thank you so much! You are so considerate! YOU ARE SUCH A TOOL!"
Seriously, where is the common courtesy that our parents taught us? Has it been completely lost on anyone younger than us? i mean, this guy was more concerned with his backpack having a seat than giving it to one of the 20 people standing! Things like this just infuriate me! I mean is it asking too much? I'm not mad about standing...I'm able-bodied but to see someone outright refuse to move a backpack for a person to sit down. I literally wanted punch that guy in the face! Am I totally off-base here? When did people stop being people? This makes me sad for our world...seriously.

Reasons Why Ben Makes Me Happy

Today marks one year of Ben and my relationship. Most of you know we went to high school together and I had a HUGE crush on him my senior year (he claims the same but he never acted on it if he did!). We parted ways after high school and reconnected 8 years later! Now here we are one year later and I'm loving every minute we get to spend together. Here are some of things that make me most happy about Ben...

- He always holds my hand even we are just walking a short distance.
- He has the job he's wanted since he was a little kid (a pilot!). We are both so passionate about our careers. I love that about him~
- He is so laid back and easy going. Nothing worries him. He rolls with the punches better than anyone I've ever seen!
- He's not embarrassed to wear a fake hair fro (in fact, he looks for reasons!) Because of this trait, I've learned to not be so self-conscious. See video below.
- When he looks at me, it's like I'm the only person in the room. Nothing makes a girl feel better, am I right?!?

I can't wait to see what the next year brings!

Anniversary Gift

I would like to thank my old roommate Karessa for sending me this present to celebrate my one year anniversary with Ben. We had big plans for him to come to Tucson and go to the symphony but he got sent to New York to pick up a new helicopter. So I will be celebrating our one year mark at the symphony by myself. It has been a great year though...if this video is any indication!

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Letter of Complaint

Dear Bus Driver,

You may not recognize me but I'm the proper lady you rudely left at the bus stop after I RAN across the busy street in my high heels and book bag just to make it to your door AS you were closing them and you looked at me, shook your head and said "no way."

YOU WEREN'T EVEN MOVING YET! Better yet, the doors weren't even all the way closed yet. So because of you, I was forced to wait an additioned 12 minutes in the Tucson heat and wait for the next bus.

Seriously, that's the equivalent of a slap in the face. You saw me running to meet you and I made it, yet you still found happiness in leaving me behind. Seriously, have I done something to offend you or the SunTran bus transit system? Because just last week I waited an HOUR to get home because the bus made room for a very much intoxicated person who tripped and fell and cracked their head. I had no problem being patient and I expect nothing less from you. Except I wasn't even late! I made it the bus and you still left me! Seriously, I'm just talking common courtesy here.

SunTran, you run a terrible bus system. And to make it worse you seem to employ mean people as your drivers (no offense to the nice ones)! I've been nothing but kind to you, waiting patiently, riding quietly, giving my seat to the elderly person without one. Obviously, you only have affection for other mean people...are you in a club together. The kind where you gang up on the nice, polite person just for grins and giggles?

Because of you, my day has gotten off to just a terrific start so let me thank you for that. Maybe on my way home, you can make my day complete by running over my foot or something!

Thanks for nothing!

Sincerely,

April, daily bus rider and irritated customer

Calling All Music Teachers...

I am working on a book (yes literally a book) for one of my Ph.D. courses. It is about integrating music history into the general K-5 music classroom. Ask your teacher friends, students' music teachers what their favorite resources for music history are and how they teach it in their classroom. If I use any stories or teaching strategies I will give credit, of course!

So this is a little experiment in snowball sampling. Pass on the word to anyone who might have some input!

Have a great weekend!

Are You Sorry?

So I ran into the crazy bus lady again (see a few posts down). I was sitting at the bus stop with my ipod on trying desperately to avoid having another conversation when someone asks me a question. i can't be rude so I take out my earphones. Within seconds crazy bus lady is standing next to me and she says, "Are you sorry?!?!...Are you sorry you chose THIS school?" I said, "No, I really like it here so far." And the guy next to me asks, "So they have a pretty good music program?" And I said, "yes they do." And the lady looks away and says, "hmmmph, not by MY standards." You have no standards! This lady has no clue what she's talking about. Case in point, the guy continues to tell me he used to go to college but plans changed and he was unable to finish. Crazy bus lady chimes in, "yeah...well I had plans for the priesthood but that didn't work out"

What?

Apparently she's on my bus route so stay tuned for more crazy bus lady stories!

WARNING: Racism Ahead...

So today I was walking through Target and two African-American teenagers (why aren't they in school, by the way?) walk by me. I probably gave them an inadvertant dirty look because they were acting ridiculous. Right after they pass me, I hear one of them say , "ooooh, she's scared of the black guys" in a very taunting way. I thought about stopping and telling them they were being tools and they are totally off-base. Isn't it sad that they use their skin color as an excuse to look down on everyone else when they are the ones that need to adjust their thoughts and behaviors? I was highly annoyed because who are they to judge me. I just needed to vent! Bottom line...don't act stupid in public and you won't get disapproving looks!