She works hard for the money (though not getting paid)

Phew, what a week! One down, about 14 to go, hehe. And in case you were wondering, I am exhausted. Hehe. Up by 5 am every day, back home about 11-12 hours later. I can' say the time has flown by because I spend most of the day observing or doing little jobs here and there, but definitely not a waste of time. Wednesday, Mr. A told me I would work first with the Concert Band, but I was pretty surprised when he had me take home a score that night to start the next day--eek! So yesterday I led warmups and my first rehearsal, which went quite well! Today they were a little more used to me so they weren't quite the little angels they were the day before, hehe. I was rather freaked out about the one day notice, but seeing how things unfolded was a huge boost, even if the next day did not go as well. I'm excited that by the end of week one I've already gotten twice as much time on the podium as I did all through college. At the same time, I can't help but feel a little apprehensive about it and I'm not sure why. Well it's super late on Mary time, so it's about bedtime for me!

Leave notes--take care!

Plot it out in black & white

Well, nothing earth-shattering to write today, but I did make it through the first 2 days of school--that's 3 classes per day and about 180 students total. I've mostly been helping out with folios, music, attendance, copying, etc...but I did lead warm-ups with the Symphonic Band (I'm surprised I even know what a 4-beat pattern is at 6:45 am) and the Concert Band, whom I met yesterday. I still feel a little awkward but I am trying to focus more on what I am hearing rather than "oh my gosh, please don't screw up," ha. Although, realizing it's not the end of the world when I make mistakes isn't necessarily a bad thing, either. I don't really seem to know what to do with my time outside of school, ha, though I'm sure once I start rehearsing with the ensembles, there will be plenty to study!

On a more random note....I saw an awesome episode of scrubs today, and I believe the neighbors above me must own a Wii system or something, it sounds like people are jumping across the room, ha. And I got sunburnt. Boo. (I told you it was random.)

That's about it for now, leave comments (which seems to be more and more in vain, but I'll keep saying it, ha)

Nothin' unusual, nothin' strange, close to nothing at all...

2 more days til school starts, eek! Guess it's time for another recap of the week...

My cousin Sarah came last Saturday for a night--we went shopping, more shopping, grocery shopping, and had takeout, yummm :) sunday, we went to church and checked out one of the Sunday School classes--there was a girl that had just gotten back from a mission trip to Africa...I was jealous, hehe.

This week was full of teacher workdays...I did some odds and ends here and there, but nothing major. I met many of the freshman in the 9th grade band, though, so that was cool--they looked scared, ha. I remember those days--heck, I'm re-living those days, ha!

Jennifer moved in Thursday and her stuff moved in Friday--seems like all of the Speight family has come this weekend! I saw the Bourne Ultimatum today (by myself, I didn't feel like seeing the movie Jennifer and Mama were going to see--chick flick, blech). It was pretty cool but watching the chase scenes gave me a headache, ha.

Not much else went on this week...I think I'm just anxious to start classes and ease into this whole student teaching thing so it's no longer this looming, intimidating mountain I have to face and I can just start climbing, step by step. Keep me in your thoughts and leave comments! (Please?)

Peace out for now!

Another one bites the dust...

I know, I know, I'm slipping already...blame Jennifer, she's the one who wanted DVR :) (Just kidding). Well, for a recap...last Friday, I got internet (that I pay for, ha) and cable, so I played with that for a while before trying out the coffee shop down the street (which I love!). Speaking of new loves, I love the Psychology Today magazine--it's great. (I suppose I'm making up for no more psychology classes!)

Sunday morning, I tried our Providence Baptist down the street--big place! Then Mom, Dad, and Jennifer came for the day--we finally have bought furniture for the apartment, which should be here this time next week! We had Macaroni Grill and who do I see but Jessie, the ONLY person I know in the Raleigh area, ha. Small world. Jennifer stayed the night and we watched way too much TV. Monday, we got my car fixed (brakes...who needs 'em?)

Guess who came to see me Tuesday...Kathryn! :) I got my first glimpse of downtown Raleigh and the Armadillo Grill (which was yummy!) Then we went by Enloe to visit her alma mater and Burrages (which I could spend hours in!). It was so good to see her and learn a little bit more about Raleigh! After she took me back home it was time for rehearsal...and it was a HOT one!

Wednesday was another lazy/errand day, ha, then Thursday morning I packed up the car and went back to Boone! It was good to see everyone (even if the meetings were a little "less than stimulating," but oh well!). Surprisingly, the trip was easier than I thought! I was worried going back up the mountain and not having anywhere to stay and all that jazz would make me miss it, but I actually was a little homesick for my apartment, so I guess that's good! But I DO miss my friends and it's going to be weird not seeing them all the time. I drove back after my meetings (rather anxious about student teaching, yet again, ha) just in time for the first football game at Leesville Road--we won! (They played Queen in the stands, hence the post title). I'm glad I don't have a cooperating teacher that yells at me like I'm 8...and my heart goes out to those who have a certain person as an advisor....eek!

*Phew* So now you know much more than you ever wanted about the last week. Sarah comes tomorrow to visit for the weekend, then teacher workdays start Monday! Mr. Albert told me he'd put me to work, so at least it'll be nice to get a week of a schedule before I go full fledged into 6;45 rehearsals every morning! Eek!


Now, for something completely different, a little tidbit that I found in a Psychology Today magazine (thank you, Wake County Library!)...

So both men and women are interested in a partner with a good seense of humor (aka GSOH), right? Women typically use humor to bond....yay, giggling; men, however, use humor to compete with each other (practical jokes, put-downs, etc...) Apparently studies show that how much a woman laughs around a man is indicative not only of her interest in him, but also in his desire to date her. The article even suggests that a woman's laughter and a man's sense of humor have evolved because they are desired in relationship, so it's another way men "compete" for women. on the other hand, how much a man laughs in a conversation does not seem to matter....she wants someone who can make her laugh, he wants someone who will laugh at his jokes. In fact, if a woman has a more masculine sense of humor--aggressive/competitive--it's a turnoff for guys. BUT, the article does say women who find men who enjoys her humor shows that he is supportive and has a strong self-esteem.

Kinda interesting, huh? What do you think?

Hot fun in the Summertime...

Haven't posted in a few days, woops! (I guess stealing internet isn't that reliable, hmmm). So now, for a recap of the last few days...

Tuesday, I ran some errands which included exchanging a bath mat, having someone walk away with my new bath mat, getting a new bath mat to buy, then finding the other one (luckily before I purchased the second). Adventures at Wal-Mart seem to follow you everywhere. I also now have a Wake County Library Card and am probably a little too excited about that considering I probably won't be reading anything except "band" books and music scores...*sigh.*

Tuesday night was a rehearsal night for Leesville; unfortunately, the yard lines were not painted, so we were not able to play around in the 100 degree heat....darn. Afterwords, Mr. Albert gave me a book to read, "Rehearsing the Band;" thoughts of top names in the band world in reference to rehearsing. Good stuff.

Wednesday was pretty lazy, but I did drive to Creedmoor to have dinner with Jessie (roommate #3, excluding summers) and her husband. The two of us grabbed lunch at the mall today and she helped me pick out student teaching clothes--many thanks for that, I don't know what exists outside of my jeans and t-shirt wardrobe :).

With 104 degree heat today, tonight's rehearsal was inside again, which likely means the football game will result in a "park and play" halftime show. I led the warm up today, though it seemed that I was warming myself up to them rather than warming them up to play, ha, but at least my first time on the podium has passed and that pressure is gone. Next rehearsal is Tuesday night--they're calling for nicer weather, finally!

Grama is out of the hospital, so hopefully she's all better!

So I guess my life is pretty uneventful...que sera, sera, I'm sure I'll wish I could have this week back once school starts! Now, what to plan for a weekend in Raleigh....

Take care!

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end...

I seem to be setting a trend of song lyrics for entry titles...big surprise, huh? :) I believe I will grant reprieve from the last rather lengthy entry and keep this one short and sweet, hehe.

This afternoon I made a trip to Greensboro to hang out with Sam and Jess, both of which are leaving me for bigger and better things, but all too soon. :( Both will be going to grad school on music performance, Sam up north in Hartford and Jess down south at Florida State. I think I need to get used to "big city" Raleigh before I go to a REAL city, hehe. We went to (you guessed it) Barnes & Noble, only to find that the Cafe was closed, ha, so opted for some Ben & Jerrys to tide us over before an awesome Asian dinner (fear not, we got our Starbucks fill after dinner!) Anyways, it was good to hang out again, though I suppose it hasn't really hit that it may be a long time before that opportunity comes again...I'm used to them being about 1/2 a mile away! Though I know it doesn't compare to the fact that they've been roommates for 3 years! My prayers will definitely be with them as they start over at a new school, though 4 years older and wiser than before ;)

Not much else has gone on today; however, listening to Shostakovich 5 on WCPE during the drive back to Raleigh made me want to play in an orchestra again. I've never really been a solo player (sorry, Dr. Beebe), so maybe participating in a community orchestra or even band might get me picking up my bassoon more often (that is, if I still remember how to play, hehe). For your listening (and viewing) pleasure...



Marching Band rehearsal is tomorrow night! Perhaps I'll ask Mr. Albert about any playing opportunities he might recommend. Until next time, adieu! Leave comments!

PS--So much for short and sweet...missed you today, Lila!

Let's start at the very beginning...(a very good place to start)

As I write tonight, I am sitting in my new apartment (which I love) in Raleigh, listening to Diana Krall (doing a WONDERFUL Joni Mitchell cover), finally getting around to what I have promised myself I would do all month--starting a blog that I will hopefully keep up with (trust me, there have been many attempts). If anyone reading knows me personally, I tend to be really good at rambling, so I attempt to keep entries brief and to the point (with, of course, my parenthetical tangents). So, as Joni Mitchell now plays, I'll brief through the summer--which seems to have started forever ago, but definitely flew by quickly (Rather opportune, as Joni sang "Summertime is falling down" as I typed that...)

About mid-June, after a few weeks of going between Greenville, Emerald Isle, and enjoying my last couple weeks of "Boone freedom," I was (FINALLY) given a placement for student teaching in the fall at Leesville Road High School in Raleigh. Less than 2 weeks later, my sister, Jennifer, and I secured an apartment in the area. The day after, I moved back on campus to prepare for my 3rd year as a camp counselor at Cannon Music Camp, which was to last for 4 weeks. I could write pages about Cannon--I had a great cabin of girls, soaked in what I could at camp, and tried to utilize my last opportunities to hang out with friends before many cities and even states separated us. It was hard, but the clearer my mental image of me working at Leesville Road became, the easier it became to look forward rather than back.

The day after our "Last Supper" as a camp staff, I moved out of the dorm, out of my apartment, and drove to Lees McRae, where I would stay the last 3 nights of Leesville Road's band camp. I regretted not being able to see the initial pre-camp rehearsals in Raleigh to get a hint of how the whole season really started, but no use dwelling on that! I learned early that this program is definitely not what I am used to, so i am eager to learn! It is a renowned program throughout the state (and beyond, apparently!), so I was (well, am) a bit intimidated by that fact, but Mr. Albert and the students couldn't be more down-to-earth.

So now I am here in Raleigh, my 5th night as a Raleigh resident. I have spent the last few days settling in, unpacking, enjoying the quiet isolation (aka not surrounded by teenagers!), and getting used to the completely foreign world of Raleigh. Yesterday, I had my first "guest," Sam, who informed me that turning the wrong way apparently makes me lost, hehe :P. Today I visited Wilson (SO nice to not have to drive 4 hours!). Grama was sent to the Greenville hospital after an episode she had Friday morning (I guess they are calling it a minor Heart Attack...scary). She seems to be doing well though, so definitely good news! We had a mini birthday party for Brendan, who will turn 4 on Tuesday. Jennifer's "stuff" will arrive this weekend, and I suppose she will follow a couple weeks later before starting her new job early September.

*Phew!* That was rather lengthy...tomorrow I travel to Greensboro to hang out with Sam and Jessica before they leave me for grad school FOREVER (hehe, jk, I hope...). I will write more about the upcoming semester later (whether or not you're interested...I'm mostly reminding myself). Until then!

P.S. Leave Comments so I know who (if anyone) is reading!