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!