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!