When it rains

Life is really happening right now. So many small and large stressors happening at the same time. It is one of those life moments where you really start to feel upset about your lot and blame the world.
DH lost his job and also ended up with a nasty head injury as the result of a fall just 2 weeks later. (he is ok) Dear family members fighting with their health. Other family members also losing jobs and getting in car accidents.

I have always tried to be the eternal optimist. Tried is the big part.
Yesterday I broke down and cried at every turn. Optimism left me for 24 hours. I didn't like it.
I am trying right now to look at these hurdles as something to jump over. Maybe we trip on the hurdle but finish the race. There will be no falling and giving up.
2013 is a year of new paths to take.

How do you pull strength from the deepest pockets of yourself?
Where do you look when all you can think of is blaming the world?

Piano shirts

As it is Friday, I can wear jeans to work today. This is what I chose to wear instead of a school spirit t-shirt. My students and colleagues have grown accustomed to my Friday Music need shirts.

Hi 5

Today's crazy music teacher outfit is brought to you by the threadless company and their awesome hi 5 shirt. Also by trendy pants from old navy and a crazy sweater my mom purchased for me. It is pretty much a perfect outfit for the first week after break.

Side note: we use high five at my school as an everybody listen strategy so it is doubly awesome for me.

Simply Seuss

Today's crazy music teacher outfit is accented by the amazing earrings purchased for me by my partner teacher.

Clinging to a Piece of Summer

 These are the basil plants on my kitchen window.
They were propagated from cuttings from my summertime basil plants. I just cut pieces from the big plants and rooted them in water. I brought my small planters inside and they are waiting at my front door to get these small plants.
They make me so happy because I love summer and miss the warmth, green, and seasonal tastes.
Just a cut of a basil plant added into my lunch and I am back to summer.

Road Block

I have been writing my statement of teaching philosophy for almost a month now. I think I have it and then there it goes. I am again at the point where I think I have it again, maybe for the last time. I have always struggle with writing. I like to blame it on my disjointed learning of the English language and how to write. I bounced back and forth in school between the high group and the regular group. This is no excuse as I am clearly an adult who is capable of learning.

*Update* 1:30pm-1/4/13
I think I am all done writing and like what I have. Now I just have to edit 30 words out to meet the word count requirement.

*Update* 2:35-1/4/13
Edited out 30 words, technically 4 words over limit. DH looked at it again, made changes that made sense.
I had a total meltdown as well. I have had so much editing and looking at by friends and colleagues that I am not sure if I will ever recreate this kind of work. Pretty sure right now that I am not smart enough or qualified to get a masters degree.
I submitted it anyway. I hope they don't all find me to be a fraud.

Some changes to the blog

I have decided to make a few changes to my blogging and decided to split my teaching posts to a new blog and keep the personal stuff here.
For the new blog visit:
http://katiemakesmusic.blogspot.com/

I am excited to do this as I bring more of my professional business to a different space. This also keeps my teaching twitter name and blog name the same for those who follow it.

-Katie

Winter Break

It is that time in my teaching life that is known as winter break. A time of resting, family, holidays, and so much more. In the new year we look for renewal and change. It will be quite a change in my life with DH looking for (and hopefully finding) a new place of employment.
The new year also brings IMEA also known as All-State, the conference I attend every year to get re-inspired as a music teacher. I can't wait to go and learn. I have also applied for a masters program and should soon be finding out if I will get to immerse myself in learning again. I should be blogging and tweeting the whole time with my new finds and learnings.
My resolution this year is to be happy. Happy with what I have, happy with challenges that face me, happy with the life I am given.

The year in review survey

A few years ago, my best bud wrote this survey and has completed it regularly. I stole it and somehow missed filling it out here for a few years. I decided this morning would be a good day to revive it. AS this is a personal blog with hints of teaching related stuff. Those who wish to be inspired by small children's quotes, stop reading now. 

1. What did you do in 2012 that you'd never done before?: 

I applied for a masters degree 

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?I am very bad at resolution keeping. I did continue to work out regularly and attempt to save money.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?: Many friends and colleagues gave birth. There are many new babies in my life.

4. Did anyone close to you die?:
No one particularly close.

5. What countries did you visit?: 

No new countries this year :(

6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?:
More financial stability. Less self inflicted stress.

7. What dates from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?: There are some events that are too personal to put on the internet. I will forever remember moving into our "new" apartment over my grandmother's home. Also permanently burned into my memory are moments where I convince my bosses to do zany things with the kids on the concerts, getting my new fancy camera, and the moment my husband told me he had lost his job. 

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?:

1. Getting recognized by the district superintendent for the work that the art teacher and I have been doing in our afterschool literacy group.

2. Getting my parent's 30th anniversary party pulled off.

9. What was your biggest failure?:Continually having to re-start my workout regimen. I do so well for a good while and then something throws me off for a while. 

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?:
Only small illnesses and injuries. None so significant that they need mention.

11. What was the best thing you bought?:  
A new coffee maker and the fancy new camera that my family bought for me.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?: My parents for the way they conduct themselves at all times.Especially when their children continually coemt to them with that we feel to be a "crisis."

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?:
Congress 

14. Where did most of your money go?:Bills

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?: A fancy new camera. Did I mention it?

16. What song will always remind you of 2012?:All of the songs we dance to in Zumba. It was the one constant in my workouts.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder?  mostly happier
ii. thinner or fatter?  a tiny bit thinner
iii. richer or poorer? both, I was richer but the last week of 2012 caused poorer

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?:baking, crocheting, crafting. Things I love to do

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?:my Facebook addiction

20. How will (did) you spend Christmas?:
Christmas eve and morning with Kyle's family and Christmas night at my parent's

22. Did you fall in love in 2012?: Stayed in love

23. How many one-night stands?:None, I should probably delete this question as I really will never change my answer.

24. What was your favorite TV program?:the Olympics

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?: I continued to really dislike members of the tea party who make our country more divided than before.

26. What was the best book you read?:I re-read The Journal of Best Practices I really recommend it to all. It explains relationships and Asbergers so well. Not to only be read if you want to hear about one aspect. Really, read it. NOW

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?:Mason Bates new composition "Alternative Energy"

28. What did you want and get?:

Canon Rebel T3i DSLR, a bigger place to live

29. What did you want and not get?:Better with money and losing excess weight.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?:
Lincoln but a close second would be Moonrise Kingdom

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?:
I turned 27 and I probably did some gardening and went to an outdoor concert. It was a not the most memorable birthday this year and I am good with that.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?:
 If I had been able to purchase a home. This is a few years out still. It is forever my goal.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?:

Elementary Educator. As comfortable as possible without completely losing professionalism. 

34. What kept you sane?: The dog. 

34a. Okay, what kept you less crazy? 
Most of the time my husband, my parents, good friends

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?:None of them? I have never gotten into celeb fancying. 

36. What political issue stirred you the most?: The election, civil rights for all Americans, gun laws (I hate weapons). I really can not understand how so many Americans want to take us backwards. Restrictions on women's health that are made by politicians who are not women bothered me to my core. I am so lucky to have a spouse who is equally disturbed by this. I wish so deeply that we could treat people like people no matter their gender, sexual orientation, cognitive ability, physical disability. 

37. Who did you miss?:friends who have moved far away

38. Who was the best new person you met?:
my Zumba instructor and not a new person but my good friend and new colleague Beth. She has been very good at restoring my sanity.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012:

So little is for sure in life.
40. Quote a song lyric that describes the past year:

I dreamed a dream...