An ever changing life requires an ever changing blog. You can look in my archives for funny kid stories from my time as an elementary music teacher but I'm moving up in the world...the academic world I mean and I'm moving on to college students. It's our little corner of the world and this blog is just a page or two out of our book.
So I've been a terrible blogger and will definitely try to be better (if anyone out there still reads this). A LOT has happened since last May. The biggest thing is that I now live here:
Kentucky! I took this picture on my walk yesterday. I'm surrounded by some of the most beautiful landscapes I have ever seen...that's says a lot coming from this Colorado girl! I will try to write more later but for now. Greetings from Kentucky!
Since entering grad school, I feel like the amount of "fun" posts I have published have diminished greatly. Now that my comprehensive exams are done and passed and my coursework is completed, I hope to have a bit more fun as I move toward the end of this degree!
Before traveling to Oklahoma I had to the opportunity to spend some time with all of my favorite Tucson people at some of my favorite Tucson places!
Myself, Marin', and Tiffany at Tiffany's going away dinner.
Marin' and I travelled to Phoenix to see Les Miserables. A friend I used to perform with in high school is in the tour so we got to take a backstage tour and spend some time with him after the show! I always enjoy time spent with Marin'!
Jan and Lindsey at lunch after church! Beautiful girls, inside and out!
Jonathan loved my friend Camilo's motorcycle. He was so happy playing with it! He was a very proud boy!
Apparently I lack follow thru...I couldn't manage to make it through the 30 Song Challenge. I'd say this was a bad habit but seeing as I'm one dissertation short of making everyone call me "Dr." I feel like I finish most things I start.
Sorry blogger world...I just couldn't finish that particular challenge.
In other news, this year has seen many milestones thus far. Like:
1. Passing my written comprehensive exams
2. Passing my oral comprehensive exams
3. Dissertation proposal passed
4. I am now an official "doctoral candidate" and ABD (all but dissertation) at the University of Arizona.
5. I turned 30
6. Completed my first on campus interview for a collegiate teaching position (hoping to hear soon if I got the job)
7. Completed all necessary coursework for my doctorate.
Hopefully I will blog more regularly (and have a more exciting life to blog about) in the near future!
There are a lot of people who no longer listen to the radio on a regular basis. There's no need for it with our mp3 player cell phones, iPods, etc. Why listen to the radio when you have your entire music collection at your fingertips? I still listen to the radio...everyday. I love the radio...both am and fm. Call me old fashioned but I just like knowing what other people perceive as being good and popular music. Of course, the radio's downfall is that it will overplay a song until you can no longer stand the sound of it (they should really fix that). This is a song I hear on the radio often and it now has special meaning. Two days after the shootings in Tucson, a radio host had the mother of the little girl who was shot and killed. At the end of the interview, the DJ asked what her favorite song was and that they would play it and it would be in her honor every time they played the song from then on. This was the song...
This one is tough because I really can't recall changing my mind about a song. I love the radio and listen to it everyday. One HUGE downfall of the popular music radio station is that they will play a hit CONSTANTLY. This repetition sometimes tires me of the song so I'll go with a song that the radio has ruined for me by playing it every five minutes. I don't hate it, I just got really tired of it. Ha!
This past week I had the opportunity to travel to Flagstaff, AZ with my good friend Lisa. She plays with the Flagstaff Symphony and she asked me if I wanted to take advantage of the super cheap trip. I got my teaching load covered, rescheduled my work hours, packed up a few things, and my dissertation and hit the road! What a refreshing break from my final, most stressful semester of coursework yet! The Colorado-like weather was just what this girl needed!
Wednesday we went to the Grand Canyon. I've never been and was absolutely amazed by the beautiful landscapes God has painted. The pictures do no justice to what I got to experience!
On Thursday, we drove to Sedona. The plan was to do some shopping, eat lunch, and go for a hike. Unfortunately, the weather was quite cold and we were worried about time so we shopped, ate and went on a shorter hike than originally planned. Such a wonderful day!
The week came to an end with the symphony concert on Friday night. The Flagstaff Symphony played with The Kruger Brothers, a bluegrass group from Switzerland. The music was beautiful and refreshing. These guys love to perform and it showed. If you like bluegrass, you will enjoy them! Check them out. It is so refreshing to watch these musicians perform.
I even got to see snow! We woke up to snow on the ground on Friday! I haven't been snowed on in years!!
I feel so blessed to have had this week to run away and enjoy beautiful weather, great friendship, and God's wonderful creation!
I grew up listening to ABBA and have always loved this song. Music is my life in every form and fashion. It's my hobby, passion, and career. To quote ABBA, "Who can live without it? I ask in all honesty, what would life be without a song or a dance what are we? So I say thank you for the music, for giving it to me."
Please don't judge me...I know it's cheesy, and ridiculous, and immature...but every time this song comes on my iPhone (yes, it's on my iPhone), I turn it up and sing at the top of my lungs. It's such a happy song! Plus, my good friend Karessa and I used to sing it together when we were roommates back in San Antonio. I know I'm way too old for High School Musical but when I was first teaching my students loved it so I watched it...ya know, to fit in. Ha! Enjoy!
I LOVE this song! I listen to it when I'm stressed out, I listen to it when I'm sad, I listen to it and sing every word at the top of my lungs in my car. It's such a fun song! It doesn't matter how I'm feeling, if this song comes on my world is slightly better.
Hate is such a strong word. I don't HATE this band, actually they have some decent songs. But I have never really liked Rob Thomas' singing voice. Anyone who sings gone as "go-hon" is not on my favorites list. Ha! His singing annoys me. So that's why I chose this song for today's challenge:
* I apologize if I've offended any Rob Thomas fans out there!
This challenge is difficult for me because music does NOT help me fall asleep, in fact the opposite is true. If it has words, I tend to listen to every word. If it's instrumental, I will lie there and analyze the form of the movement. Music invigorates me so this is an especially difficult task. So I leave you with this,,,
Explanation: In college, I spent two summers on a mission trip in East Germany. Every night, I'd lay down to sleep with a "Best of Dean Martin" CD and I would play "On An Evening in Roma" over and over (thank you repeat button on my discman...yes, discman) until I fell fast asleep. I'm not sure why this song was so comforting but when listening to it I was always taken into a day dream about some great adventure I was about to go on. I still think of my time in Europe every time I hear this song!
You can dance to lots of songs. As an elementary school music teacher, this is one of my favorites! Try to listen to this and be grumpy...I dare you! It's so happy!
I found this video and thought it was worth sharing. Though I would like to make the distinction that when it comes to test scores there is a strong correlation between music and test scores but causality cannot be proven. So much goes on with the brain during musical activity and that alone is a strong basis for music education. The social outcomes (self-discipline, teamwork, confidence, emotional outlet, etc.) are among the most beneficial reasons to participate in music. There is so much good in participating in music. Please, please, please support the arts in education!
I loved this song so much that I sat and listened it to it, pausing and rewinding over and over so I could write all the lyrics down! Who misses the 90s...anyone, anyone? I'm pretty sure I can still sing this whole song by heart. LOVE IT! What ever happened to Savage Garden??
This was one of my favorite songs during my senior year of high school (yes, it's been almost 12 years since high school, yikes!). I went to prom with my very best friend, Tim. Tim and I go way back to 5th grade and he's still very dear to my heart. I waited all night for this song to come on because I couldn't wait to dance to it with my best friend (whom I'm sure I had developed quite the crush after being inseparable for so many years). The song finally came on and Tim turns to me and says, "We've been dancing together all night, let's dance with other people." WHAT? I was heartbroken! Of course I got over it by the end of the song, you know how dramatic life can be in high school. But every time I hear this song I'm transported to that ballroom twelve years ago, wearing a beautiful lavender dress, and wishing I was dancing with Tim. You'd think it would be a bad memory but it's not...it's quite a sweet one actually. Enjoy "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None the Richer.
In college I had the opportunity to spend two summers in East Germany. I had some of the most wonderful adventures on these trips. I saw much of Europe, met some of the most amazing people, and while hoping to change peoples' lives, mine was changed. On an outing with a church group, we went to Eisenach, birthplace to Bach and home to where Martin Luther translated the Bible into German. After walking up what seemed like thousands of stairs, we stood in the great hall. Above the doors was "Ein Feste Burg", meaning "A Mighty Fortress." We stepped into the hall and sang this beautiful hymn.
There was something so special about singing that hymn in such a historical place. Every time I hear this hymn, I'm taken back to that hall where Martin Luther once stood.
I could choose from hundreds of songs for today's challenge. I've decided to go with "Music Box Dancer" by Frank Mills. It reminds me of my grandma. I think it was probably on a tape we listened to in the car, though I don't have a specific memory. But every time I hear this song, I pause and think about her. I feel like I was always surrounded by music in her presence. Whether it was driving in the car or listening to music on her record player and dancing around the living room. As a child I always wanted to learn to play this song on the piano. I think Grandma Amerine was probably a pretty big influence in my decision to study music. I haven't learned to play "Music Box Dancer" yet...but I will.
This song was number one for five weeks in 1968. A CNN reporter claims it is the worst song of all time. I remember hearing this song as a child and crying...not just little sniffles but bawling my eyes out. I was so moved...who knows why but I still have a sad/sentimental reaction to this song. So grab a box of tissues and listen to "Honey" by Bobby Goldsboro.
I had a hard time with this one because there aren't many songs that I downright dislike. So I decided to go with songs that annoy me and this is the first song that popped into my head:
I apologize if this is now stuck in your head for the rest of my day. What a silly song...
As a music teacher, I don't know that I can say I have a "favorite song." That is just too difficult. But when contemplating this question, the first work that came to my mind was Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. Not only is a beautiful masterpiece that brought tears to my eyes when experiencing it in a concert setting. The meaning behind it is what I love most.
As many know, Beethoven became deaf in his adulthood. He had a very unhappy childhood as well. He felt it was music that literally kept him from killing himself. The 9th is one of his last works and was his last performance as a conductor. So why is this troubled man writing about joy? I think it is remarkable. When he considered ending his life he said he didn't because he felt he had more music to write. As he slowly became deaf, his music became more troubled, dissonant, and angry. Yet, this final symphony is filled with joy and victory.
Beethoven was completed deaf when he premiered this symphony. When it was over, the audience loved it but Beethoven couldn't hear. The first violinist stood and turned Beethoven so he could see the great reaction that his final symphony received.
The entire symphony is beautiful, I will leave you with the last part of the final movement featuring "Ode to Joy." Thank you Beethoven, and thank you Dr. Fletcher for teaching me to love Beethoven - both the man and his music!
A friend of mine is doing this and I thought it looked fun! Music is such a big part of my life. Next to God, family and friends, it's probably the most important part of my life. As music education slowly disappears from our schools I realize more and more the need to be an advocate. As I look at this list for each day, I realize most of these songs are from my childhood. Many of which I learned or connect with school, family, and/or friends. Many of these songs would not have meaning to me if had not been for the music class I was in. While this is not an act of advocacy, I do believe it is a reminder of just how meaningful music can be in one's life. I would LOVE for you to join in on the challenge and explore some of the most meaningful music in your life!
"The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul." - Johann Sebastian Bach
Disclaimer: This is a 30-day challenge and I plan to finish it but it may or may not take more than 30 days! Give me a break, I'm writing a Ph.D. dissertation! :o)
So if you don't like silly guilty pleasure songs, I give you permission to move on to the next blog. This song came on my iPod yesterday and every time it does I have the same reaction. Bliss! I love singing this song, I love listening to this song. It alleviates a moment of stress. So if your Monday needs a smile, I'll let Nancy Sinatra provide it!
Zooey Daschenel has also recorded this song. I like it too!
Since visiting the Titanic Exhibit, I've rediscovered my soundtrack to Titanic: The Broadway Musical. The music is quite beautiful. It's the perfect balance of the fun and excitement of what the passengers felt and the eeriness and foreshadowing of the upcoming doom. I couldn't find my favorite song on you tube (I wanted the Broadway cast), so here I leave you with the opening of the musical. Enjoy!
So I struggle with clutter. I always have loose paper, handouts, articles, etc. all over the place! They are used in ongoing projects (like my dissertation) so as soon as I put them away I have to get them right back out and I am left with piles...everywhere!
After three years, tonight my desk went from this....
To this....
How did I not think of this sooner? I mean, I'm about to have a Ph.D. and never thought of this simple, $6 solution to the craziness that is my desk? Oh my...Maybe it's because my brain is full from reading books like this....
Really? My attempt to have a small celebratory activity each week of my final year and I've only blogged about nine of them? I will say I've had a few more than this but I have not maintained my once a week celebration. I'm too busy studying for my written comprehensive exams! I guess I'll just celebrate big when I'm done with this silly Ph.D. ha!
This weekend me and several of my favorite gal pals in Tucson went to brunch at a Tucson favorite, Bobo's. The pancakes are bigger than your plate and delicious!
After a fabulous brunch, we headed downtown to see the Titanic Exhibit. It was wonderful! I highly recommend it to anyone!
It's a traveling exhibit so be on the look out! At the beginning of the tour, they give you a boarding pass that resembles the actual boarding passes. On the back of the pass is the name and information of an actual passenger. At the end of the exhibit you get to look up your person to find out if they were saved or lost at sea.
Of the five of us, two were saved and three lost at sea. We heard great stories and tragic stories and it was overall a wonderful day!
What wonderful friends I've been blessed with here in Tucson!
I love Haydn. I may have shared this cello concerto movement before but it's just so beautiful. It moves me. Today was a stressful day. I am feeling the stress of my dissertation proposal and upcoming written comprehensive exams. Tonight as I was getting ready for bed this movement came on my ipod. It's Haydn's Concerto for Cello in C Major, mvt. 2: Adagio. Whenever it comes on, I simply stop and listen. Haydn only wrote 2 cello concertos (if my memory serves me). I don't know why he stopped at two because both are quite unique and beautiful So sit back and enjoy!
p.s. I was listening to it and writing this blog so I don't know what the video looks like. Consider yourself warned in case it's dumb. In which case, close your eyes and enjoy!
A member of the church I attend wrote this song and put together the video to honor those involved in the Tucson shootings. I think he did a really great job. It's a touching piece. Please continue to pray for this city's healing.
I haven't had a chance to get any good pictures of everything that's been happening in Tucson, but my friend Kelly took some pictures at the hospital where the victims of Saturday's shooting are being treated. You can see them here
To open last night's memorial service, the Tucson Symphony Orchestra played Aaron Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man." It was originally written in 1942 for the Cincinnati Orchestra in response to the U.S. entering WWII. I think it's a beautiful piece and was perfectly appropriate for the service.
Something you may not know about me is that I'm OBSESSED with listening to music on records. To me there is nothing better than listening to a good hit on a record, the way it was originally recorded and played. I love it all! I have a pretty nice record collection having been given my mom's and my grandparents record collections to start me off on my own collection. Well about 2 years ago my record player died and I just got a new one for Christmas! It came in the mail today. Instead of working on that pesky dissertation proposal, I am spending my evening rediscovering my records. One of my favorites is Ray Charles' "Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music." If you haven't heard these songs, you are definitely missing out! I highly recommend it! Take a listen!
So I'm sure most of you have heard about the shooting in Tucson yesterday. It was shocking to hear about and know that it happened so close to home. Today I realized it was closer than I thought. Two of the victims, Dorwan and Mavy Stoddard were members of a local Church of Christ. Dorwan was shot while trying to protect his wife. Mavy was shot but is okay. Dorwan passed away at the scene. You can read more about them here. Today at church everything was put aside and time was spent in prayer for all the victim's and their families. It was a very meaningful time of worship. A reminder that God is near always, especially during times of crisis. After church I found out that one of my fellow music education friends was very close to another victim that was killed. My heart hurts for so many people right now. Please pray for the victims and their families. Six have left this world while approximately 12 others are injured or in critical condition. It is my personal prayer that all will be comforted and know that the Lord is good and very present.
If you feel so inclined, send a note of encouragement to Mountain Avenue Church of Christ to let them know their brothers and sisters in Christ are praying for them during this difficult time.
I seriously love Pioneer Woman. Last night I made my first flat apple pie. It was delicious! Thank you, PW (and Mom and Dad for the cookbook)!
The semester starts this week, so my PW cookbook will probably get put back on the shelf for about...4-5 months while I FINISH this degree and attempt to get myself OUT of the desert!
So I love the recipes of Pioneer Woman. Unfortunately, I NEVER have time to cook nice meals during the semester so I like to take advantage of the little bit of extra time I have during breaks and do some cooking. My parents gave me Pioneer Woman's cookbook for Christmas and I couldn't wait to try out some recipes. Last night I made her chili and today I made Ranch Style Chicken. I seriously think this is one of the best meals I've ever made.
Of course mine is not as photogenic as the pioneer woman, but just as yummy nonetheless! Oh to not be in graduate school and able to cook good meals on a regular basis...sigh.
