I'm presently wearing a Firth Cougars shirt right now. Not quite sure how I feel about that yet. One of my choir students sang the National Anthem so I went to support him and test the mike, ect. He sang at 7:30, I was in my car at 7:41. I hate to brag, but it was probably the best performance at Firth in years. Last year a parent put together a few groups to sing the national anthem at the games, but usually they just said the pledge of allegiance. Impressive, hugh? So, I decided to take it over. Last week 8 girls sang in 3 part harmony, it was nice, but tonight one of my basses sang a solo, accapella, the way it should be done. He sang way better tonight than he ever did in rehearsal. And here's the kicker, his mom was just diagnosed with cancer 2 weeks ago. Her brother and sister both died of cancer last year! She'll probably die. He's living by himself right now because she's in some sort of rest home, or rehab place. He told me he was so nervous he didn't eat all day, and skipped school until choir. Bless his heart. He was so awesome though. People will be talking about it for weeks. Anyway Darin is still their of course because he is the assistant coach!!! Ugh!!!!!!!! All volunteer of course. If we aren't careful (and of course we aren't) our whole lives will become the Firth school district. I'm terrified.
I know you're all dying to know my schedule. Here goes.
5th grade music (where I teach Aliese 1-2 times a week)
Elementary school music (where I teach Anna 1 time a week)
6th grade band
7th/8th grade band
High School Choir
Most days, I love it. Some days I feel worthless or pointless, that the kids didn't learn anything, or have any fun. But then there are days, where I know they learned something and I had fun and I can hear them singing in the halls, something that I taught them, and it makes it all worth it. Shirley claims it will be easier when I have a pay check. Sounds sensible. I don't know though. On the hard days, when I'm exhausted, there's no food in the house, and no clean poats to cook on anyway, I am convinced I shouldn't work after I'm certified, and give up this whole big mess I got myself into. However, when I pray about it I am still convinced I am supposed to be doing what I'm doing. I seriously have never been so confused in all my life.
Anna is almost to the end of a 14 day goal of "yes days". What is a "yes day" you might be asking. A "yes day" is a day when Anna goes all day without saying no. You know those toddlers that only say "no" all day long? Well, Anna was never like that at ages 1 and 2, but must be a late bloomer because she is very good at saying no now. The reward at the end of the 14 days (she made a chart to keep track) is a tea party with her friends. It has been wonderful. So much less fighting. The party is set for Wednesday.
Aliese seems to be doing really good. She is emailing a friend from school on a pretty regular basis, loves her teacher and the new lunch choices at the middle school.
Gracie....sigh....I miss her and love her! She is such a delight. She just asked if she could watch a Dora upstairs and assured me she wouldn't be scared (shaking her head with large eyes).
I've started Twilight again. I'm almost done with the first book. I usually don't read books twice, especially so soon after reading it the first time. However, if I read a book I haven't read, I have a hard time putting it down, and I don't have time for that. So because I already know the end to the Twilight series, I can enjoy it without inhaling it. It's actually a lot funnier the second time too. I'm catching a lot of innuendos about vampires, that totally went over my head before.
For anyone that's interested, I will be at the beach house September 28 through October 4. I can't wait to sink my feet into the sand and smell the salty, seaweedy, wet air.
I'm tired. I love you all. Goodnight!
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8 comments:
Oh Rebecca, I envy you to have the energy to do all that you do. I know it is probably a real task sometimes. But it has to be a really wonderful feeling to have the talent to affect so many young lives. What a wonderful blessing. How long before you draw a paycheck? It is important to get paid, and then maybe you will have a little money to have a small amount of help in the house sometimes. It is the most wonderful blessing to come home to a clean house you didn't have to clean. Plus maybe all of your pots will get washed once a week. I for one am interested to know that you will be at the beach house on Sept 28th. Do you plan to come here at all this trip? I understand if you can't. I am sure we can work something out. I love you and yours so much. grandma
Your blogs are always wonderful to read! I agree, you DO need to have us over:) I miss you too. I think I am getting really family sick- I invited steph and jenni over for breakfast this morning- I love them and miss them, and I think a big part of the invite was that I am sooo missing family and home! Anyway- I think you are SUCH an amazing woman. I bet you are inspiring so many wonderful young people to sing and learn music, when they were too scared to before. For some reason you need to do this, and you must be way intune with the spirit to keep going when you really don't want to. I admire you for that. I love you so much! I'm sorry life is so stressful. It cracks me up that you guys are so involved in the school district. Pretty soon you'll be on the school board:) Head of the PTA? I love it. I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
Rebecca I loved your blog so much! So do teh girls like it that you are in their classes? Or is it embarrassing to them? That is so cool! I think it would be really fun to be a teacher, ALOT OF PREPERATON THOUGH- YOWSA. I think that would be the hard part. So did you ever make teh hackie sacks or what? I LOVED the story about Gracie shaking her head no with big eyes that she wouldn't be scared- so hilarious and cute. I love her and miss her so much! I'm so glad that ALiese is doign wel- andthat is just great about Anna and the whole Yes thing- what a great a idea! Where do you come up with this stuff? You're so smart! I love you-
oh yeah- and I'm gonna ask work off for those days- wouldn't miss it for teh world.
Looks like I am going to have to share you! Oh well, the selfish side of me wants to tell them all NO! But I can't do that! I loved your blog, I love to read your writing, it is so soothing and comforting. I think it's funny you are wearing a t-shirt from the school right now. The kids at your school love it I'm sure. So Darin is volunteering at the High School! He must love it! Good for him.
I agree with mom, when you get paid you can get some help. Plus the girls are getting older and will be able to do more. I used to feel like a slave when I was a child but I learned later that I was so fortunate to have the mom I had and that she worked really hard.
I have pondered the whole job thing myself a lot also. I think music is so important in the world, Heavenly Father equates good music to a prayer, so your little town needs it, and you are so inspiring. I have learned when I am confused it is because I don't have all the answers yet, and Heavenly Father has his own reasons for not letting us know everything at once. Sometimes he doesn't let us know everything at once because it wouldn't make sense yet, or because we need a lesson in faith, or because the reasons will come one at a time. You may do this for a season and then you may do it until you retire later in life. You will know. You are a righteous woman that loves the Lord, so He will continue to guide you.
As for days when you wonder if you have accomplished anything, know that you have. Teenagers are a rare breed, they can do so many things at once, and just when you think you haven't gotten through at all you will find that you made a huge difference in someones life the day you thought nothing happened. I say that from experience.
That is sad and happy about your bass. What a good experience for him at this time in his life! How lucky he is to have you!
I'm so excited to see you all, I was wondering if you want me to plan some fun things or if you want to veg. I was thinking of course the aquarium, and I think Aliese wants to go to Strawberry Hill again, and I was wondering about a lighthouse? Let me know if you have time. Otherwise we will talk on the phone maybe today. I love you!!!!!
Rebecca, Rebecca I'm commenting all the way from Prague. I'm so proud of you for all your accomplishments. That boy singing! That's why you're doing this! Remember that! The difference you ARE making in others lives!!!! I love you. I love hearing about you and your families lives.
Rebecca! I am so glad that I happened to check your blog!!!! I had no idea you posted. It was so good to get a broader picture of your life right now. I'm sorry you are so confused. I felt the same way and still don't know why I was supposed to be a teacher. It will be better when you get paid. And you are already making a difference....that kid whose mom has cancer....he skipped school all day except for choir? Wow. He must have a dang good choir teacher.
Hey Rebecca!
Do you remember me? It's Megan Stores here! (You were my very first piano teacher.) I got on some friends' blogs that led me to more friends where I saw yours and started jumping up and down.
Oh my goodness, how old are the girls now? It seems like forever since I've seen them.
I was hoping that I would get a chance to get in contact with you because I wanted to thank you for being my piano teacher. I never got to tell you the impact you had on me. I wrote an essay about you in my high school english class. I have had so many musical opportunities. Now, I write music and teach. I accompany six school choirs and a musical theatre company (etc.). I've gone long and far musically and I feel like I owe a lot of that to you. Talking to a lot of my friends who regret quitting their potential musical careers as a child, I found out something that applied to me that I thought you might be interested in. All of these people who quit, did so because their first piano teacher was crummy. I wonder if I would have too? I sometimes wonder where I would be now if I had had any teacher other than you. Your patience and natural teaching skills I cannot forget. I remember all of my lessons. I remember the excitement that filled the recital walls. You set me up for success when I was young and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate that. Music is my entire life, and you introduced me to that.
A long time ago when I played the piano in sacrament meeting, you gave me a card that had a white piano with red roses on it. I'll never forget it because I saved it. It is now laminated !!
Anyhow, thank you more than I can say. I wouldn't be living the life I have now if you hadn't accepted me as a piano student just about ten years ago. You taught me some valuable lessons that I will never forget.
I doubt Aliese remembers me and the other little ones I have only met once, but give them a friendly hello from your former piano student. You guys are great. Best wishes for you and your family!!!!
Sincerely,
Megan Stores
Email: Megnadoodle9@gmail.com
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