Saturday, October 23, 2010
Decide to be happy
Here is a real test of what I've been trying to live out, "Happiness is a function of accepting what is." The fact is, I only have my elementary kids 2 days a week instead of 3. And yes, that has made preparing for concerts way harder. Not just because I get less time with them, but because they have more time in between classes to forget everything we've worked on.
But here's the reality. I have six weeks. And I'm just going to get as much done in those six weeks as possible. And if I have to cut a song, or make something easier, than I will just have to do that. My recorder players may have to read off music, instead of memorizing it. I may have to pick an easier song for some of my grades. But I can make it work. God will provide me with a way.
Think happy thoughts Ashley. And pray.
But here's the reality. I have six weeks. And I'm just going to get as much done in those six weeks as possible. And if I have to cut a song, or make something easier, than I will just have to do that. My recorder players may have to read off music, instead of memorizing it. I may have to pick an easier song for some of my grades. But I can make it work. God will provide me with a way.
Think happy thoughts Ashley. And pray.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Teaching: Year Two
Well, year two of teaching is feeling much more organized than year one of teaching. I have more systems in place that have helped out a lot with my organization. Stuff that seems really obvious now, but when I started just didn't occur to me. Like a basket where kids can turn stuff in without having to bug me about it. I mean, duh, obvious right? But it didn't occur to me until part way in to the year last year. Now I have a more organized place for my lesson plan binders--and I've started keeping seperate binders for my middle school and elementary school stuff.
And (although we'll see how long this lasts) I've made it my goal to try to leave school two times per week by 4:30. Usually, I don't get out until 6 or later, but I've decided that doing that all the time will eventually drive me crazy.
So I have to say, year two so far is pretty great.
And (although we'll see how long this lasts) I've made it my goal to try to leave school two times per week by 4:30. Usually, I don't get out until 6 or later, but I've decided that doing that all the time will eventually drive me crazy.
So I have to say, year two so far is pretty great.
Friday, July 16, 2010
New Roomie
So today, who shows up to hang out but my new friend, Mr. Mouse. That's right, a mouse has decided to keep me company in my apartment. Instead, I have provided Mr. Mouse with his own apartment (a mouse trap--but one of the nice ones that won't kill him). So far he hasn't shown up, which might mean he's left the premises, but I'm going to leave the trap out for a while longer anyways.
Getting stuff done at school--creating an instrument inventory list, a catalogue of all the music in our library, you know, all sorts of fun stuff! Actually, it feels really good to be getting this stuff done, since all last year I kept saying that I'd get it done, but kept putting it off until summer. Once this is all done, I'm going to hunt down our curriculum director. I don't actually think she knows about the music curriculum, but I've worked off a super old curriculum I found in the filing cabinet for the past year, and I'd like something that's more up-to-date (if there is one that's more up-to-date). Otherwise, maybe I'll have a new project!
And seriously, how does one meet people? I just don't understand. I'm not really one for hanging out at bars, and even if I was, do people just go there alone? I don't get it. This should have been a class in college. "How to meet people when you're not already taking classes with people who are your friends." That would have been practical!
In other news, I bought a jump rope. Not one of those little girl pink ones, but a real grown-up jump rope. I don't know if it's the novelty, but I think I like the jump-roping better than I like going for runs. The directions my rope came with (I know, right, directions for a rope?) told me to do 30 second of jumping, 30 second of rest, until basically I couldn't stand it anymore. I can only handle about 20 minutes before I start screwing up my timing on the jumps, and have to call it quits for a bit. But it is waaaaaay fun.
That's it. Bye.
Getting stuff done at school--creating an instrument inventory list, a catalogue of all the music in our library, you know, all sorts of fun stuff! Actually, it feels really good to be getting this stuff done, since all last year I kept saying that I'd get it done, but kept putting it off until summer. Once this is all done, I'm going to hunt down our curriculum director. I don't actually think she knows about the music curriculum, but I've worked off a super old curriculum I found in the filing cabinet for the past year, and I'd like something that's more up-to-date (if there is one that's more up-to-date). Otherwise, maybe I'll have a new project!
And seriously, how does one meet people? I just don't understand. I'm not really one for hanging out at bars, and even if I was, do people just go there alone? I don't get it. This should have been a class in college. "How to meet people when you're not already taking classes with people who are your friends." That would have been practical!
In other news, I bought a jump rope. Not one of those little girl pink ones, but a real grown-up jump rope. I don't know if it's the novelty, but I think I like the jump-roping better than I like going for runs. The directions my rope came with (I know, right, directions for a rope?) told me to do 30 second of jumping, 30 second of rest, until basically I couldn't stand it anymore. I can only handle about 20 minutes before I start screwing up my timing on the jumps, and have to call it quits for a bit. But it is waaaaaay fun.
That's it. Bye.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Merry Christmas! (Just kidding!)
I've been working on picking music for my bands and choirs for our holiday concert, which means I've been listening to basically Christmas music for hours at a time. I love Christmas music and everything, but this is a little silly--its July. Oh well.
T-minus two days until my birthday. I love the days leading up to my birthday. I get all excited, because my family asks what I want for my birthday, and then I get to think up all the stuff I've wanted, but couldn't afford since Christmas! My birthday is basically perfectly placed. Six months after Christmas, I have a birthday. Hmm...does this all make me sound selfish? But come on, everyone loves getting presents, sometimes we just pretend we aren't as excited, because we don't want to sound like jerks. But I'm excited for my birthday! I think my family and I might go out to eat at the melting pot, which is a fondue place. You order different fondue stuff (cheese, chocolate, etc) and they make it and melt it at your table. I'm excited about that too.
But, soon after my birthday, I'm gonna head back home. I have to get to work on school stuff. I've been working on cataloguing my music library, since the system when I started working there was piles of choir music, and band music randomly stuffed in file cabinets. So I wanted to get that all done. Plus, I ordered stuff with my remaining budget money, and it arrived. One of my favorite things is to get boxes of music stuff, and get to go through all of it. That, and I like the teaching stuff too. You know, whatever.
I know, my life is super exciting.
T-minus two days until my birthday. I love the days leading up to my birthday. I get all excited, because my family asks what I want for my birthday, and then I get to think up all the stuff I've wanted, but couldn't afford since Christmas! My birthday is basically perfectly placed. Six months after Christmas, I have a birthday. Hmm...does this all make me sound selfish? But come on, everyone loves getting presents, sometimes we just pretend we aren't as excited, because we don't want to sound like jerks. But I'm excited for my birthday! I think my family and I might go out to eat at the melting pot, which is a fondue place. You order different fondue stuff (cheese, chocolate, etc) and they make it and melt it at your table. I'm excited about that too.
But, soon after my birthday, I'm gonna head back home. I have to get to work on school stuff. I've been working on cataloguing my music library, since the system when I started working there was piles of choir music, and band music randomly stuffed in file cabinets. So I wanted to get that all done. Plus, I ordered stuff with my remaining budget money, and it arrived. One of my favorite things is to get boxes of music stuff, and get to go through all of it. That, and I like the teaching stuff too. You know, whatever.
I know, my life is super exciting.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
First entry
I was starting to feel sort of like a sponge, wanting to read everyone else's blog, and not having my own. I felt really silly when I would get mad that people hadn't updated their, and then I realized I didn't even have one. So now I have a blog that I can ignore too! (Or, maybe I'll try hard to write, who knows!)
I like the idea of writing in a blog, but I'm not sure I have a lot to say. Here are some basics.
My life is pretty awesome. Nope, not perfect, but I'm happy with where I'm at. Got a job I mostly enjoy, got a terrific family, got some fantastic friends, close with God. What else do I need, really?
So, the job. I'm teaching pre-K through 8 general music, band, and choir. It keeps me busy, usually entertained, and sometimes frustrated (especially the choir part) but mostly I have great kids and we make some great music.
Friends--well, I made a friend in my new job town, so that brings my total number of friends up to 4 (kidding, I think...maybe not). But I live in a town where people my age are few and far between. I'm probably the only single person who is not underage for miles. So yeah, it can get kinda lonley, but not so bad. Besides, according to cohort (old college class), I'm an introverted person anyways. It's mostly been right up my alley.
One thing I've really enjoyed is that I no longer feel like I'm competing constantly to be the best. I always did that in college, even when I didn't want to. The worst part is that I never was the best, but I spent all that time working at it. I often regret that I didn't go out more (I know, who would have thought I would say that?!?!)
Now, I'm working hard to be awesome, but I've also convinced myself that sometimes its okay to leave work with a messy desk, or without all my papers graded. I also haven't run out and gotten a master's degree, or tried to cure cancer. I'm trying to be reasonable, and just be nicer to myself. I'm still working hard (even got a $10,000 grant for Orff instruments!) but I'm not driving myself insane. It's been really nice. I'm still a type A personality, but I'm trying to relax just a bit more than I used to.
Life's good, and even the parts that aren't are still pretty good.
I like the idea of writing in a blog, but I'm not sure I have a lot to say. Here are some basics.
My life is pretty awesome. Nope, not perfect, but I'm happy with where I'm at. Got a job I mostly enjoy, got a terrific family, got some fantastic friends, close with God. What else do I need, really?
So, the job. I'm teaching pre-K through 8 general music, band, and choir. It keeps me busy, usually entertained, and sometimes frustrated (especially the choir part) but mostly I have great kids and we make some great music.
Friends--well, I made a friend in my new job town, so that brings my total number of friends up to 4 (kidding, I think...maybe not). But I live in a town where people my age are few and far between. I'm probably the only single person who is not underage for miles. So yeah, it can get kinda lonley, but not so bad. Besides, according to cohort (old college class), I'm an introverted person anyways. It's mostly been right up my alley.
One thing I've really enjoyed is that I no longer feel like I'm competing constantly to be the best. I always did that in college, even when I didn't want to. The worst part is that I never was the best, but I spent all that time working at it. I often regret that I didn't go out more (I know, who would have thought I would say that?!?!)
Now, I'm working hard to be awesome, but I've also convinced myself that sometimes its okay to leave work with a messy desk, or without all my papers graded. I also haven't run out and gotten a master's degree, or tried to cure cancer. I'm trying to be reasonable, and just be nicer to myself. I'm still working hard (even got a $10,000 grant for Orff instruments!) but I'm not driving myself insane. It's been really nice. I'm still a type A personality, but I'm trying to relax just a bit more than I used to.
Life's good, and even the parts that aren't are still pretty good.
