Category Archives: Teaching

Christmas, Random thoughts, Teaching

Another performance done!

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Tonight at Good Shepherd Lutheran School we had the Christmas concert for K-2.  I have three students in that age group, but only 2 elected to perform, both in 2nd grade.

They met me in the practice room where we usually have lessons to get tuned, run through their pieces, and then I asked them to pack up so I could take their violins up to the sanctuary where the concert was being held.  They returned to meet their class.

I got up to the front of the church and unpacked the violins to get set up… and realized one of the girls no longer had her bow.  She also hadn’t zipped up her case, merely velcro-ed it…which I didn’t notice until I got to the church.  (I guess she was nervous, because she certainly wasn’t thinking clearly!).  I went back downstairs but couldn’t find her bow.  I had her play using the other girl’s bow.  I asked her what happened to her bow, and she said, “oh, it’s on the second piano.” (which is an organ that needs to be plugged in, though the practice room has no plugs.  don’t ask).  Okay…why? Why is it on the organ when I asked her to pack up?  Ugh.

Anyway, the girls played very well, and afterwards I found her bow right where she said it was.  Wow.  That story is very confusing, huh?  I am too tired to fix it, but I really wanted to tell it Smile

Suffice it to say, I was proud of their performances!

In other news:

I bought a beautiful tree skirt today for the Christmas tree!  Last year I didn’t have a skirt for the tree, and the year before was just a cheap-o one that looked pretty raunchy by the end.  I was perusing Christmas decorations at Target and I saw one I really liked, so I bought it.  I’ll put up a picture later, it’s too dark now to get a good one.  I also bought a few new ornaments for the tree (it’s nice to get a few new ones each year).

I’ve done a bit of online shopping for gifts over the past week or two—and packages have been arriving at the house!  I did Christmas cards tonight (at least phase one) but tomorrow I hope to do some wrapping and really make the tree look nice.  I may need to buy more Christmas cards—I got some nice ones, but I thought I had some left from last year and it turns out I did not.  Exchanging Christmas cards seems very old-fashioned in today’s “digital age” but I really enjoy the tradition.  I think it’s important to keep that going.

Alright, I’m going to post-date publish this entry and go to bed.  Happy Wednesday, readers!  (I have been rereading the Harry Potter series and am working my way through Goblet of Fire right now.)

HBBC:  dec 7: 7 servings f/v:  1 point, 1 hour workout with Mike: 4 points, 1 mile walk: 1 point, total: 6 points

dec 8:  7 servings f/v: 1 point, 3 mile run : 3 points, total : 4 points

Christmas, Random thoughts, Teaching

Christmas Decorating

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I want to get a new tree topper and maybe a few new ornaments.  But I’m pleased with the tree!  It’s a really nice shape this year.

I only had two students cry today.  Is this normal?  I don’t think I’m mean—usually I think the students cry out of frustration.  I just try to be kind then and offer kleenex. 

One of them cried because I took away their stickers.  Maybe I shouldn’t have, but I was frustrated.  Remember the sticker chart from before? I opted to continue using it just because…well, I got tired of the begging and pleading, and decided there wasn’t a huge harm.  And there wasn’t except for the one student who has a real love/hate relationship with the chart.  He got three more stickers for songs completed, but then in prep for the concert last week said he didn’t know one of the songs.  I told him he would lose his sticker if he didn’t relearn it (I know he was more than fully capable of doing this with minimal).  He didn’t relearn it and ended up not performing it.  Now, in my mind, the sticker chart is the songs the child KNOWS and can play.  When we play games, I take my assignments from the chart.  The same student today refused to play another song on the chart that he knows.  He said, I don’t know it.  I said, really? because the chart says you do (and I know he can play it).  He refused to try, so I ripped the two stickers off and told him he’d have to redo them.  Then he started crying.

I feel bad, but I also hope this makes him realize I am serious about my threats.  I told him he can get them back at any time by simply playing through the song, and in fact he can play with the music.  I think that’s reasonable.  Thoughts?  Did I go overboard?

My other tough love student:  the one I told last week that she needed to buckle down and learn her piece or she wouldn’t be able to play the concert this weekend. WELL!  She was my first private lesson today and she came in with a big grin on her face.  I knew this was going to be good.  She had improved EXPONENTIALLY.  Was it perfect?  No.  But I could tell she had worked hard and knew the piece much better.  I told her how proud I was of her work and how she showed me she could really perform well under pressure.  I’m glad I was tough on her, because it paid off. 

My spinning class that I signed up for (just a five week session) got canceled due to low enrollment.  The question is:  do I sign up for a Jan-March weekly class or do I wait and see what happens at my gym?  (They are expanded and adding a spinning room, but I don’t know the schedule.)  The weekly class is only about $6 per class which is quite reasonable.  But my gym would be free…but I don’t know how busy it would be? or when the classes would be. 

HBBC:  Day of rest: 0 points, 7 servings f/v (this is becoming my daily goal!):  1 point, total: 1 point

Teaching

Grandparent’s Day Recap

My students did terrific in their performance this morning.

When I arrived at the school (about 20 minutes early),  I decided to go around to the classrooms and collect the students’ violins so I could check tuning and set them out.  Two of the students “didn’t know” we were performing today!  Seriously.  I was pretty annoyed at that–I can understand forgetting your instrument, but I cannot understand two kids who obviously haven’t listened to a thing I’ve said for weeks (we’ve been preparing for about three weeks, plus I emailed the parents).

We performed last on the program (there was singing and talking.)  The kids were a little nervous, but they did a wonderful job, and I am very proud of them! I hope the grandparents were pleased 🙂 I know I am–no matter how frustrated I get at them in class, I know it’s worth it when they stand up and perform so well.

I ran 4 miles outside…it was pretty cold today!  I need to get some long running tights.  It was a rough run–I was exhausted but somehow managed to forge ahead.

HBBC:  4 mile run: 4 points, 7 servings f/v: 1 point, total: 5 points

 

 

Performing, Teaching

Grandparent’s Day

I always get stressed before my students perform.  Tomorrow morning’s performance (at the weekly Chapel, but for a special “Grandparent’s Day”) is at 8:30 am; therefore I am stressed tonight.  Firstly, I have to get up VERY early to be there on time (6:15 to 6:30 am, very early for me).  Secondly, I don’t know exactly what is going to happen so I am not sure how tuning will happen or what the set up is.  Thirdly, there is of course the usual stress as to whether the kids will behave, freak out, etc.  We are only doing a few pieces, but this is the first time I am “performing” for the school and naturally I am nervous for myself as well!  Wish me luck Smile.  It’ll all be over by 9:30 or so…and then I’ll have another week before another student performance.  (This month contains FIVE different concerts.  Luckily I am not in charge of any of them, we just show up and play.)  The kids will be great of course—they have been working hard and we have likely over-rehearsed. 

Today was a day off from work, so I decided to double down on workouts.  I am still within my two week unlimited Bikram time frame, so I figured I should head back and torture myself again.  Wow, it was still very hot!  I had a lot of trouble feeling like I was going to pass out.  Maybe I was pushing myself too hard?  The teacher lectured me after class about not going directly from trying the posture to sitting down (instead, I should stand with arms by sides first) but I really didn’t want to pass out.  I’ve fainted in my life, and I know how it feels when I am about to.  That is not the time for continuing to stand.  She also suggested I should wait to try a posture again until I really feel up to it.  Maybe I will go to a larger, busier class next time so I won’t be the only one sitting out!  (Yes, I know it’s meant to be non-competitive.  Not my forte!)

Then I had a workout with Mike.  First one since Thanksgiving—it was tough but as usual fun.  I am feeling more like myself again after all the butter!  (You know, from stuffing and turkey and pies and cookies).

I also did tons of emailing—I think I’m actually caught up on my “correspondence.”  It’s amazing how much time goes into communication/scheduling with the parents and teachers. 

HBBC:  90 minutes Bikram Yoga: 4.5 points, 1 mile walk: 1 point, 60 minutes cardio/strength workout: 3 points.  Total: 8.5 points.

Teaching

Monday night

Whew!  I survived my first day back at work since Thanksgiving break.  I was dreading it, but of course it was a fine day.  In fact, the kids were wonderful, probably since they were well-rested and in good moods.  We worked hard on our concert music!  In orchestra I also worked with the kids on following a conductor—I’ve been primarily leading from the piano or the violin so I wanted to focus on conducting.  We’ll do more of that in the future, as they need more experience.

My private students were great as well.  I’ve been all about keeping violins up today!  It really does make a difference in the sound Winking smile  Plus watching your bow really helps keep it in one place on the string. 

My cookie party was a great success!  I am too tired to upload any of the pictures I took.  Suffice it to say there were tons of cookies and I may have sampled many.  Cookies may be the greatest food ever!  I am grateful for cookies—a portable, small, delicious dessert.  And my friends are seriously the best cookie bakers ever.

No points today for the HBBC.  Didn’t get enough fruits/veggies to count and it is my rest day.  (Stretches sore legs.)

Teaching

Thanksgiving Vacation Begins!

Ah, the sweet feeling of freedom!  Three whole days off.  Tonight I’m doing a long blog post, and I’m going to cover a bunch of stuff. 

Firstly, that’s what I’m thankful for today:  vacation time!  I am thankful to have three days off from work.  I am going to be super busy though, but it’s all fun stuff like running, baking pies and cookies, getting ready for a party, that sort of thing.  And really I have FIVE days off, because Saturday’s itty bitty wedding should hardly count.  So I am VERY thankful for the awesome holiday (Thanksgiving) that gives me a long, long weekend.  I shall return next week refreshed and ready to face all of my students again..for three weeks!

Okay, so what have I been up to lately?  My weekend was good, though it didn’t turn out quite as expected—after the mac and cheese class at the Kitchen Conservatory, Chris and I were just too full to continue onto our friend’s party.  With bursting stomachs and mild regrets, we had to head home.  But let me tell you a bit about the class.

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We wore these aprons… There were 12 in the class, and each couple was responsible for a different item.  The menu for the meal was as follows:

Rum & Ginger Cocktail (pictured above, in Chris’s hand)

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Fennel Apple Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette

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Ultimate Baked Macaroni & Cheese with Peas & Bacon

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Orzo with Mascarpone & Butter-Poached Lobster

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Souffléed Mac & Cheese with Gouda & Smoked Paprika

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Key Lime Sorbet

Chris and I ended up being responsible for…the salad.  Which was a little boring, but we ended up being glad because we didn’t have to shred a ton of cheese.   We got to take all the recipes home, so we can recreate them (if desired).  My favorite was probably the Lobster Mac, but they were all pretty tasty in my book Smile I also really enjoyed the rum cocktail, though Chris didn’t care for it.  It was a mix of Ginger Beer and Rum.

So, that was Sunday.

Monday:  Taught all day, and then went to the new Harry Potter movie!  We went to see the movie at an Imax theater, so the screen was huge.  I loved the movie!  *SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT* I was so broken up when Dobby died…I always lose it when that happens in the book, and the movie did a great job with that scene.  Just awful!  Also, I am *scared/delighted* that we have the answer to the question nobody asked: “What sort of underwear does Harry Potter wear?” 

Tuesday:  Semi-crazy day!  I have been hanging onto a coupon for one week of unlimited Bikram Yoga for a few months now.  For those of you who don’t know, that Yoga that is done in a super hot room.  A friend of mine swears by it, but I have been pretty nervous about giving it a try.  I decided that this would be a good week to do the unlimited week.  Well, I showed up for class today, and they tell me I CAN use my coupon, or I could save that and purchase two weeks of unlimited for $39, for new students only.  So I can’t do that the other way, I must purchase the two weeks first if I want to use it.  I thought about it a bit, and decided to go all the way and really commit myself to three weeks of Bikram.  I figure, that way I’ve definitely given it a shot, and then I’ll either keep it up somewhat (probably more like one class a week or less) or chalk it up to experience. 

I had talked to enough people who have gone to the yoga classes to know what to expect.  They are pretty strict there as far as arrivals, no talking, no drinking water during poses, no leaving the room except in emergencies, etc, and I knew that going in.  Anyway, the class was TOUGH.  I would do a few poses, then have to sit/lie down due to feeling overwhelmed by the heat (dizzy, faint, nauseous).  They say that is good, however…  I was drenched in sweat (and yes, the room stinks!) from the beginning…by the end sweat was a part of me.  I made it through the class—I didn’t leave, I didn’t die…and I’m going back tomorrow for more.  I’m told the second class is easier, and the sooner you return the better. 

After that I had a quick lunch with my friend at a smoothie/salad place right nearby (brilliant marketing plan—people feel that they have burned tons of calories so can eat “healthy” foods that are likely stacked with calories…), went to teach my final students before break, and then to the gym for running.  Got a Thanksgiving race coming up!  I did 3 miles running then logged six miles on the bike waiting for Chris to finish his workout.

Tomorrow’s plan:  Bikram Yoga, pick up race packet for Thanksgiving race, last minute grocery shopping, workout with Mike, BAKE PIES AND CAKE, potluck dinner…pretty busy day for my vacation, don’t you think?  Should be great fun!

So for the HBBC:  90 minutes of Yoga: 4.5 points, Treadmill Running 3 miles: 3 points, Stationary Biking 6 miles: 2 points. Total points for day (only got 5 fruit/veggie servings Sad smile ): 9.5 points. I hope half points are allowed!