Dear little blog,
I'm sorry I have neglected you. Life is busy. Here is a re-cap of the summer's events.
June
Our lease in Lakemoor was up on the 15th so we packed up and moved to my parents temporarily. It was a long move out because we did not rent a truck. Piece by piece, Kyle, his mom, and I loaded up her van and my dad's Element to make about 20 trips back and forth. I then cleaned the place for 3 days so that it was spotless and we would incur no additional charges.
Kyle started his internship with GPMF and got really involved in the festival.
July
We found a place in Chicago (to meet the residency requirements of GPMF) and move in on the 9th. We love our new neighborhood and it is nice to be here in the city. Kyle and I did the whole move BY OUR SELVES. Never again. 3 flights of stairs over and over are no fun.
I kept myself busy with helping family, going occasionally to the barn, and lots of working out. I am really loving this whole no real responsibility thing. I also helped Kyle at the festival with a project that needed volunteers. Oh, and did I mention that I am now selling my hats and things on Etsy? Buy them please!
August
We have to decide if we want to stay in Chicago. Our sub-lease ends after next month and they want to know if we want to stay. After going back and forth a thousand times, we decide that my commute to work sucks big time and I would rather leave our darling neighborhood for some sanity and for less of our hard earned money going to OPEC. So, the hunt for new residency begins again! (and move number 3 of the summer)
School started on the 25th and I am so glad to be back at work. I love my job.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Crochet projects
So, I have been an avid crocheter for the last few years and after many requests, I have decided to start selling some of my favorite pieces. Photos are up on my Flickr site under the name musicgirl816. Hopefully my Etsy shop will be fully up and running soon!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Why I Love My Job
I have been having a rough go lately. Lots of sad things. But, I always have a reason to smile when it comes to my job. I was feeling a bit down this morning and walked by a classroom that I teach music to. They were all singing the songs from their concert 2 months ago. So funny.
Later today, we were watching a video clip and the FBI warning popped up as it always does. A student then asked me "What's the FBI?" I explained that the warning was about how it is not allowed to copy the move. A third student then exclaimed "You gotta pay them $25,000 and spend up to 5 years in federal prison!" I asked this student if their teacher told them this. She told me no and that she has just read the warning every time she sees it. The first student then asked "What's Federal Prison?" I hope I don't get phone calls tomorrow....
We are learning about the 4 instrument families in second grade(Percussion, Strings, Woodwind, and Brass.) When I asked if someone could name them I got concussion, bass, wood, and gold.
Later today, we were watching a video clip and the FBI warning popped up as it always does. A student then asked me "What's the FBI?" I explained that the warning was about how it is not allowed to copy the move. A third student then exclaimed "You gotta pay them $25,000 and spend up to 5 years in federal prison!" I asked this student if their teacher told them this. She told me no and that she has just read the warning every time she sees it. The first student then asked "What's Federal Prison?" I hope I don't get phone calls tomorrow....
We are learning about the 4 instrument families in second grade(Percussion, Strings, Woodwind, and Brass.) When I asked if someone could name them I got concussion, bass, wood, and gold.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Who wants to have larger class sizes and more unemployed people?
So, today the Governor of Illinois gave a speech on his proposed budget for the next fiscal year. 1.3 billion dollars are proposed to be cut from education.
Um, Gov. did you remember that you guys still have not paid us for last year? How about larger class sizes? Remember those? Yeah, not a good thing. With less funding comes cuts to the teaching staff, with cuts to the staff your student to teacher ratio goes up. Also, the "extras" get cut too. Even the extras that are mandated get cut and waivers are given so that we can just get through till later.
In Illinois, the fine arts subjects (music, art, drama, dance) are technically required. But, they are not required to be taught by a highly qualified, subject specific certification if the school cannot afford the extra position. Physical education is required by IL state laws for every student, 5 days a week, grades K-12. This is also to be taught by a highly qualified, area specific, certified teacher. But, in times like these, waivers happen and recess can count as PE for the day. The number of minutes for daily PE is also not specified. A school giving kids 10 minutes a day is following the law as much as a school providing 30 minutes a day.
Because every elementary education major is required to take 1 music, 1 art, and 1 PE class they can be considered highly qualified in that area. I am in no way trying to take anything from Elementary teachers. I love, admire, and respect every single one. I work in elementary because I also love it. But, ask most of those teachers and they will tell you that they don't want to sing/draw/dance/run/jump rope/etc.n front of their students. Usually because they say they are not good at such area. That is why we have specialists. To teach the special areas. Anyway, the classroom teachers have enough on their plates with having reading/math/science/social studies/being a mom to 20+ people.
By cutting so many positions, our already underpaid and overworked classroom teachers will just be eve more tired and worn out from having almost 30 (maybe more) little lives pulling them in 30+ ways.
IN conclusion, dear state of Illinois, lets think of something else to cut rather than education funding. This is our future you are cutting back on.
Um, Gov. did you remember that you guys still have not paid us for last year? How about larger class sizes? Remember those? Yeah, not a good thing. With less funding comes cuts to the teaching staff, with cuts to the staff your student to teacher ratio goes up. Also, the "extras" get cut too. Even the extras that are mandated get cut and waivers are given so that we can just get through till later.
In Illinois, the fine arts subjects (music, art, drama, dance) are technically required. But, they are not required to be taught by a highly qualified, subject specific certification if the school cannot afford the extra position. Physical education is required by IL state laws for every student, 5 days a week, grades K-12. This is also to be taught by a highly qualified, area specific, certified teacher. But, in times like these, waivers happen and recess can count as PE for the day. The number of minutes for daily PE is also not specified. A school giving kids 10 minutes a day is following the law as much as a school providing 30 minutes a day.
Because every elementary education major is required to take 1 music, 1 art, and 1 PE class they can be considered highly qualified in that area. I am in no way trying to take anything from Elementary teachers. I love, admire, and respect every single one. I work in elementary because I also love it. But, ask most of those teachers and they will tell you that they don't want to sing/draw/dance/run/jump rope/etc.n front of their students. Usually because they say they are not good at such area. That is why we have specialists. To teach the special areas. Anyway, the classroom teachers have enough on their plates with having reading/math/science/social studies/being a mom to 20+ people.
By cutting so many positions, our already underpaid and overworked classroom teachers will just be eve more tired and worn out from having almost 30 (maybe more) little lives pulling them in 30+ ways.
IN conclusion, dear state of Illinois, lets think of something else to cut rather than education funding. This is our future you are cutting back on.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
refreshed
I just came back from the Illinois State Music Education All-State Conference and feel so refreshed about my profession. It is so nice to be around others who do the same thing I do and who are also enthusiastic about it. Now I am filled with so many ideas and am ready to try so many things that I learned.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
the mid 20's rut
I don't post often. Not because I don't want to but, because I don't feel like I have anything worthwhile to say. I wanted this blog to be a whining free zone. So, I try to now whine and complain like a high school student. I read lots of other blogs of people close to my age and not close to my age and am always amazed at the things they have to say, what is going on in their life, or how they seem to have a purpose for their writing. So, I looked at myself and thought? "You are smart. Why be boring? What is prompting this total lack of creativity and ability to discuss issues?"
I was stumped.
Then, today I was talking with a friend and she was expressing some of the same feelings that I have had.
Mainly:
Where did all my friends go? I used to have friends.
My life does not suck but, where is the life I thought I was giving myself.
Am I letting my future self down with the choices I am currently making?
We realized we have what we will call "the mid 20's rut".
We are out of college so, that period of self discovery and carefree, responsibility free is over.
We are not in our first year out in the world either. This makes going to work less exciting/terrifying. The idea of being a grown up and paying the bills has worn off too.
We are also not financially secure yet and struggling to pay all of the bills.
What we also saw is how many people we know are having children. Many of those people seemed to have a more interesting life as well. Is the first 18-20 years of someone's life what makes us interested? The growing up project is what I will call it.
People need big projects. Something they have to devout themselves to entirely. Something that consumes a majority of their life.
What if this point in our lives is where we are searching for our next big project?
We went to school for 18 years. That huge life project is now over
When you have a child, it is like the next big 18 year project.
Are we conditioned to be in that cycle of working on the enormous project that is growing up? Once you finish the project, you must do it again but as the coach rather than the player?
So, what about the time in between our growing up projects, the time between being player and coach.
We find another project. Some may throw themselves into work, a new hobby, or a new passion.
Others may just skip the interm projects and go right to the coach stage of the growing up project.
I am not saying I want to stop everything I am doing and have a child just so I can have my next 18 year project.
I need to find my new project. Be creative again. Less boring. Just because you are 24 and married does not mean you have to have children or have to be depressing and boring.
Suggestions are welcome.
I was stumped.
Then, today I was talking with a friend and she was expressing some of the same feelings that I have had.
Mainly:
Where did all my friends go? I used to have friends.
My life does not suck but, where is the life I thought I was giving myself.
Am I letting my future self down with the choices I am currently making?
We realized we have what we will call "the mid 20's rut".
We are out of college so, that period of self discovery and carefree, responsibility free is over.
We are not in our first year out in the world either. This makes going to work less exciting/terrifying. The idea of being a grown up and paying the bills has worn off too.
We are also not financially secure yet and struggling to pay all of the bills.
What we also saw is how many people we know are having children. Many of those people seemed to have a more interesting life as well. Is the first 18-20 years of someone's life what makes us interested? The growing up project is what I will call it.
People need big projects. Something they have to devout themselves to entirely. Something that consumes a majority of their life.
What if this point in our lives is where we are searching for our next big project?
We went to school for 18 years. That huge life project is now over
When you have a child, it is like the next big 18 year project.
Are we conditioned to be in that cycle of working on the enormous project that is growing up? Once you finish the project, you must do it again but as the coach rather than the player?
So, what about the time in between our growing up projects, the time between being player and coach.
We find another project. Some may throw themselves into work, a new hobby, or a new passion.
Others may just skip the interm projects and go right to the coach stage of the growing up project.
I am not saying I want to stop everything I am doing and have a child just so I can have my next 18 year project.
I need to find my new project. Be creative again. Less boring. Just because you are 24 and married does not mean you have to have children or have to be depressing and boring.
Suggestions are welcome.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Sitting here on the couch with a snoozing bulldog on my lap.
A nice boring day of being home and getting a few things accomplished around the house.
I finished a hat today and a pair of fingerless mittens. Someday, I will actually get my stuff on Etsy rather than just giving it all away. I think I have a yarn addiction. The craft stores should have my picture behind all the registers to tell them to not let me in near the end of the month so that I don't spend all the money on yarn. I did manage to take pictures of most of my projects before giving them for Christmas, Birthday, etc. and today I finally put the pictures on Flickr. I am slightly productive!
A nice boring day of being home and getting a few things accomplished around the house.
I finished a hat today and a pair of fingerless mittens. Someday, I will actually get my stuff on Etsy rather than just giving it all away. I think I have a yarn addiction. The craft stores should have my picture behind all the registers to tell them to not let me in near the end of the month so that I don't spend all the money on yarn. I did manage to take pictures of most of my projects before giving them for Christmas, Birthday, etc. and today I finally put the pictures on Flickr. I am slightly productive!
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