Merry Christmas

Austin and I took our first picture that was not taken by me holding the camera up to our faces so I just had to share. We spent a lovely evening with our friends Lisa and Dan hanging out and decorating Christmas cookies! It was a nice way to kick off the Christmas break.



The pig-like creature is a javelina (indiginous to this area). The really weird on on the top right is Austin's artwork. Mine are on the bottom. I'm especially proud of my Christmas tree with strung lights on it.



Tomorrow I leave to visit my family and to meet the newest addition to my dear friend Amanda's family! I CAN'T WAIT! Merry Christmas Everyone!

3 Down, 3(ish) to go!

I've officially reached the unofficial mid-point of my phD studies! If all works out, I should be graduating and making everyone I meet call me Dr. Stephens by May of 2011! I spend most of my time overwhelmed by the crazy work load and stressing about money but I really do feel truly blessed to even have the opportunity to attempt this degree. I often find myself in over my head wondering if I'm actually capable of this high level of study but I try to thank God everyday for giving me the chance to try.

This semester was especially stressful. Here are some of the high (and low) points:

HIGHS

Teaching went really well! I tried out a couple of new ideas and they were successful! YES!

I interned with a professor and gained a lot of new teaching ideas (as well as a line on my CV (curriculum vitae)

I presented some of my own research at one of the largest music education conferences in the U.S.

I managed to cultivate a few new friendships for which I am thankful!

Austin and are closer than ever!

LOWS

I was in a Latin American Music class that taught me nothing about Latin American music because half of it was in Spanish and I do not speak that language!

I gave my first F ever...I'm not going to lie, it felt kind of good. The student didn't do ANYTHING! This might make me sound like a bad person but I'm okay with that.

I was the only grad student in a theatre class that turned out to be 90% group work. As is my luck, I got the slacker of all slacker groups. Go figure! (I could go into a lot of detail about the ridiculousness that was this class and my group but it's just too much to type. Ask me about it next time I see you!)

My epilepsy made a ridiculous comeback at Subway in the middle of the semester...awesome

I spent all semester registered in a class called "Writing a Book." The only assignment was to write a book. I procrastinated and wrote it the weekend before it was due (this could be counted as a high I suppose)!


Things to look forward to next semester?

My assistantship has been doubled which means twice the money and I get to observe student teachers (something I've been interested in forever!).

I am presenting my very first workshop on teaching at the Arizona Music Educators Association conference in January.

Start thinking about my dissertation topic and proposal


For now, it's time to forget about school, relax, and look forward to spending CHristmas with my family and a quick visit to Amanda just in time to meet her baby boy #2!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

My Amaryllis

Over Thanksgiving my Mom brought me an Amaryllis. It's doing really well! It started as a bulb and is well on its way to blooming!


Week 2



Week 4

Fancy Date

I know I haven't been posting much lately but that's mainly because there is nothing exciting happening in my life. Grad school is my entire life and it's really not that much fun. But on Sunday, Austin and I got all dressed up and headed to Phoenix after church to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. They put on a good show, but more than that it was wonderful to spend an entire day with Austin and not worry about school work. I will admit it, this man spoils me rotten!

Of Course, I know that Song!

In the midst of the two most stressful weeks of the semester, I just had to share a funny story. My students are taking their guitar tests this week. They get to choose any song to play. A student comes in and the rest goes something like this:

AS: What are you going to play today?
Student: "Silent Night"
AS: Sounds good!
(Student begins to play and sing in two completely different keys, I stop student)
Student: Is this guitar tuned right?
AS: Yes it is, I think you started a little high, let's get your starting pitch.
Student: Don't make me sing any higher!!
AS: (thinking...what? Did you just hear what I said?)
(AS gives the starting pitch).
AS: Would you like me to sing for you while you play?
Student: No I got it. (Student begins to play and sings in the same wrong key as before)
AS: (Stops student). Why don't I just sing the song and you can accompany me?
Student: Do you even know this song?
AS: (blank stare)

I should mention that I sang all five verses of this song on Monday in class while the students played the guitar chords! Ha! Silly undergrads!

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.'

Dear Mom and Dad,

I got straight As again this semester. The going rate used to be $5/A. Do I still get paid? Also, since I'm a doctoral student, I would like to suggest that the price should be slightly higher. I mean, PhD classes are much more difficult than Mrs. Nachtigall's high school math class, right?

Love Your Daughter (who's almost 28 and STILL in school),

April

A Real Odd Couple

So since I haven't started my temp job yet and I'm done with school, I have time to enjoy some of the more relaxed actvities like watching Regis and Kelly and The Price Is Right in the morning (I deserve some much needed R&R!). I saw this story on Oprah today and just had to share. I think it is just so sweet!

Is It Over Yet?

It's been a long time since I've posted. This semester has been an absolute nightmare! I took 12 doctoral hours...apparently I went temporarily insane when I made that decision because the work load has become almost unbearable. Luckily, I'm down to two projects left. My poor cat seems to be attention deprived because every time I sit down at the computer to write (which is all I do at home lately), this is what happens:








Thomas jumps on my desk and sticks his nose in my face. Poor thing just wants to be played with! Very soon dear Thomas. And when he's not on my desk, he is laying next to my chair. My apartment is so messy right now from a project I did involving a lot of paper, glue and scissors, he's taken to sleeping on a plastic bag that I am yet to pick up.



Hopefully I will finish up the semester in a couple more days. I have one research study article to write and one journal article to write.

Lessons I've Learned this Semester...
NEVER TAKE MORE THAN 9 HOURS while working and teaching on the side!

Lesson learned!

This Needs to Happen More Often!!!

Watch this video...



How amazing is this? I wouldn't have been able to see this and not smile the rest of the day! Apparently, it was promoting a show in Belgium. This is how life really should be...like in a musical!! People just start dancing...even though it was planned, it's still nice to think about. Check out the reactions of the onlookers.

Trip to California

The last weekend of Spring break I drove to Riverside, CA to visit my brother and his family. It was so great to relax and just hang out with them. I had a really good visit and I LOVE that I'm close enough to see them a little more often! Thanks for a wonderful weekend!

These pics are from Saturday morning when we went to the park.











Isn't Julianna just about the sweetest girl you've ever seen? She has such a sweet disposition to match!



I'm loving getting to know Noah!




The rainbow I left behind in California

Tombstone, AZ

Since it's Spring break and I have a lot of work to accomplish so I don't get to go on a fun cruise...but Austin did take me to Tombstone, AZ! We headed out on Monday morning and had the best day! We went to Boothill Cemetery...





A Wild West show...





And a gunfight! All in all, we had a really great day!

Mt. Lemmon in the Winter...

Last Tuesday, it actually snowed in Tucson. Ok, it was merely a dusting and I didn't get any at my apartment but it snowed nonetheless! Mt. Lemmon is very close to my house and I know they get snow so Austin and I decided to drive up Mt. Lemmon so I could get my winter fix! I was needing some good snow and cold weather! Here's what we found...




SNOW!!!




This was so funny! People were making snowmen and putting them in their trucks to take back to Tucson! We saw truckloads of snow being brought down the mountain...apparently people really wanted snow in their front yards. Although I think they were in for a big disappointment...leave with snow, come home with water...



At the top, there is this great little mountain town. We stopped at a pizza place got some hot apple cider and a pizza and just enjoyed the atmosphere!