Get over it

Get mad, then get over it.
Colin Powell

Bet on Patience

In any contest between power
and patience, bet on patience.
W. B. Prescott

Curlicues

Fresh flowers for a Sunday morning

Comedy has to be based on truth. You take the
truth and you put a little curlicue at the end.
Sid Caesar

Curlicues and light: the beautiful new glass votive I
received from my friend, Pat, as a congratulatory gift
for earning my Master's Degree. The light simply dances!

Change for the Better

Any change, even a change for
the better, is always accompanied
by drawbacks and discomforts.
Arnold Bennett

I've been up for 3 hours now, and have heard, read, or come across the word CHANGE close to 20 times! Just what kind of change am I in for today!? Last week was Daylight Savings Time, so it's not that. I've already rotated the tires on my car. Adding more exercise and activity to my life? Check. Tackling and maintaining a daily Bible Study? Check. Might this refer to the insertion of another job (Kagan) in my life, and the time I will need to allow to refine my craft? Perhaps it's a change of health - a shift toward finally feeling better!

It's Official!

(click on the words above)

My Inner-Youth

Young people need models, not critics.
John Wooden

While I'm not always sure what kind of role model I am to my kids, I know that I try each and every day to let them know they have someone who won't judge them standing in their corner.

Here's a letter from a former 6th grade student:

Dear Ms. G,

I am writing to you on the account that you have been a major impact on my education. I always feel ready to learn when I walk into your room - yeah right! Your class rocks! You've made old people, that were the composers of their time, sound awesome, and we crack jokes about them. You host the best special because you're the coolest, funniest and most energetic!

I like how you can relate to us by seeing movies like Pirates and you can talk about it. It's a nice way to keep in touch with your inner-youth. You're the funniest, too. I liked when I wore pants that zipped into shorts and you told me "Boy, put your pants on!" Good times, uh?! I can picture you right now, you're saying, "Good Lord!"

With lots of laughs,
Marc A.

An Uncommon Way

When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world. George Washington Carver

Quick Quips

"I've got it Ms. G. - I've completely
remememborized everything you
told me!" ~ Second grade boy, ready to go!

--- ~ --- ~ --- ~ --- ~ --- ~ --- ~ --- ~ --- ~ --- ~ --- ~ --- ~ --- ~ ---

Me: "Any questions about what I just said?"
Elisa: "No problem, Ms. G. I've been doing this for 10 years.
Me: "Elisa, how old are you?"
Elisa: "7."

Conquer Not

I knew we were getting down to the very last thoughts in the bottle, but we're actually down to the last 10! I've been pulling a thought from the thought jar since January 1, 2009, and this morning I just had to know how many were left inside. The sheer routine of posting each day has been therapeutic at times, taxing at others, overall - amusing! Whatever shall I do on day 11? :o) Ideas!?

He who angers you conquers you. Elizabeth Kenny

Ah, learned this one the hard way YEARS ago. Oh wait, I learn this lesson just about every week. I am reminded of this again and again and...like when people at work can't figure out how to get their dishes from the table to the dishwasher. I must strive to understand that there must be an invisible shield, preventing them from bypassing the counter or sink, and allowing them to place their food-filled dishes in the big, water-filled box that cleans things.

OR when my downstairs neighbors play touch-football in their living room. I must not let their shouts, tackles, and full-contact body slams anger me. I should focus on the fact that the more they exercise, the more they will realize their apartment is too small, and that they must move to a larger abode...as soon as possible.

OR...okay, enough of this. Anger? Gone. I shall not be conquered.

Ignore.Laugh.Fight.Win.

First they ignore you, then they laugh at you,

then they fight you, then you win. Mahatma Gandhi

I win. I'm hoping this post doesn't come off as boastful....just victorious! This is EXACTLY what happened to me during my last year of college. I was in one of my final music education classes, and we went around the table, sharing what we'll be doing next year. After 2 or 3 people shared something about hoping to be working at Borders and have some gigs on weekends in the Twin Cities, it was my turn to share my employment goals.

I informed my class that I'd be teaching elementary school music in a year-round school district in Castle Rock, Colorado.

This seemingly simple statement was the source of instant mockery, probably for the following reasons:

• Wisconsinites usually don't understand nor believe year-round school districts actually exist, and if they do, it doesn't work
  
• most of the people born in WI die in WI, thus Colorado was a foreign land to them
• elementary school jobs were in high demand, and being hired seemed like a long-shot
• nobody else at the table had any actual plans made for their first year of employment

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you..." Most of my classmates passed it off as Brenda over-dreaming. One instructor actually laughed, saying I'd never be able to afford the sales tax, it would be too expensive, etc.

"...then they fight you..." Others fought me on the facts surrounding teaching in a year-round school district. Some thought that not having the 3 month summer would be a deal-breaker, and that I'd be back in Wisconsin within the year.

"Then you win." I would like my UWEC classmates to know that I am currently an elementary school music teacher in a year-round school district in Castle Rock, Colorado. I win.

A Blog's Best Bud: Condron.us

Okay, so I'm always curious as to what brings someone from Mississsippi or Maryland, much less JAPAN or MEXICO, to my little ole blogspot blog. When I checked the little gadget that tracked my readers, I noticed these new visitors had reached my spot from Condron.us, a site that allows you to browse other people's blogs! It's unreal! As if I didn't already spend ENOUGH time surfing the web, reading blogs, here is a program that does the hunting for me! Every few seconds, it switches to another blog site, giving you a wide array of choices. Thanks for the shout-out, Condron.us! Sweet!

Don Quixote meets Disney

It's kind of fun to do the impossible.
Walt Disney

HA! I read this right after the doctor told me to stay quiet for 48 hours to allow my throat to heal! Brenda. Silent. In the same sentence! Talk about impossible! I returned to the doctor today, not feeling ANY better than last week, and my throat culture was a tad bit scary, and now I'm on some equally as frightening steroids and anti-bacterial meds to get me back in the game. AND silence. So much for teaching this week! UGH!

Thankful for Bread

There are people in the word so hungry, that God cannot appear to them except in the form of bread. Mahatma Gandhi

This reminds me of our Disciple lesson this past week - we've been discussing the promised land, the exodus, laws of the land. Tons of laws. Weird laws laws and regulations about everything from mildew to not wearing men's clothing (if you're female). A couple of odd ones about no tattoos, not turning to mediums/spiritualists, not eating blood. Good reading, that's for sure.

Anyway....we read about manna appearing to the people of Israel, and that, even after being delivered from slavery, they still were still finding things to complain about. This is where the bread comes into the picture: even when provided for in the desert, they still griped about, oh who knows what, lack of flavor? Variety? Unreal.

Then again, I've never been a slave. Never followed someone through the desert. Never actually eaten manna with thousands of people. Regardless, it was a reminder to me to be aware that God appears in my life in very odd, very unique ways, and that I need to be aware at all times. And thankful. Definitely thankful. Even for bread.

Well Done

Well done is better than well said.

Benjamin Franklin

Walking your talk is so much more important to me than talking your talk. I need to SEE what you believe, WATCH what you mean. With that being said, I'm off to get things done!

Creation of Thought

Concentration is the ability to
think about absolutely nothing
when it is absolutely necessary. Ray Knight

I tried my very best to concentrate on absolutely nothing all night. Well, that's not entirely true - I did concentrate on the music I was listening to. I attended the Cherry Creek Chorale's concert of "The Creation" by Haydn. Loved it. Such high-quality music, right in my own back yard (Bethany). Orchestra was spot-on (amazing bassoonist and timpani player), the Chorale was energetic, and the soprano soloist (from Regis!) was amazingly clear in tone. I tried my best to think about absolutely nothing while enjoying this concert, as my week was full of enough details. Tonight was a gift for me!

Natural Conclusions

Too many pieces of music finish
too long after the end.
Igor Stravinsky

HA! One of my second graders said nearly the same thing yesterday! We were listening to a Minuet by G. F. Handel, and the form was A section, Be section, A section, B section, A section ....you get the point. Well, my kiddos did too, and one little guy said that we should have ended it after we heard the A and B section 4 times - "we get it, Ms. G, it ended two sections ago!" As if I was playing it longer just to belabor a point! HA!

The bigger point was that the kids are beginning to feel as though they know when a piece should naturally conclude - that's something I can't explicitly teach them. Feeling when a piece of music concludes can only come with experience, listening skills, and a little dose of common sense. I couldn't believe I was having this kind of conversation with 7 year olds! Hooray!

Measuring Up

A pint of sweat saves a gallon of blood.

General George S. Patton

Ah, Wednesdays. A full day, by any measure. Here's hoping the funk I was clearly in yesterday has cleared, and that I can enjoy this middle day of the week. Meeting, teaching, piano lesson, food-prep, Bible Study. Pretty sure I'll go through more than a pint (of sweat, thank you!) today!

Duck

Just take the ball and throw it where you want to. Throw strikes. Home plate don't move. Satchel Paige (American baseball pitcher)

I'd suggest ducking. The balls are going to be thrown. RARR.

Mutual Understanding

The fact that no one understands you
doesn't make you an artist. Unknown.

So much for my artistic flair! This brings me back to the chapter I was assigned when we were opening Flagstone. Each member of the Planning Team was assigned a chapter from Stephen Covey's Book, "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People", and my chapter was habit 5: Seek First to Understand, then to be Understood: Principles of Mutual Understanding. I am reminded of this chapter whenever I need to deal with someone new, someone I don't initially understand, or when I'm misunderstood myself. There is always more to the story, more that might help me better understand the other person. I couldn't have been assigned a better life lesson!

Without further delay...

While we are postponing, life speeds by. Seneca (4 BC – AD 65) Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, dramatist, humorist, tutor, and advisor.

Yet another gentle reminder to GET GOING. I have a few things to complete before the weekend is over, most importantly, GRADES. (Didn't I just post about this!?) Nothing like clicking on six different things per child (over 200 kiddos), and then waiting while the computer decides to slowly save. Ah, patience.

I'm going to the later church service today, and then meeting up with the 20s/30s crowd to go to Le Peep for Le Lunch. I'll hopefully finish those grades inbetween that and dinner with Ann and Susan. See, I'm not really postponing things...just doing them later!

Oh, and Happy March! Can't tell you how glad I am for this particular February to be behind me. I'm hoping...praying...March is a calmer, less stressful month.

Eyes on the Prize

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.

Henry Ford (1863 – 1947)
Founder of the Ford Motor Company, father of
modern assembly lines used in mass production

Common Sense of Humor

Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing.

William James (1842 - 1910)
Pioneering American psychologist, philosopher and medical doctor

It is Well

Remember that happiness is a
way of travel, not a destination.

Roy Goodman (1930 - ) American politician

Well, if yesterday was a way of travel, it would have been the "your flight is canceled - we've lost your luggage - the seats are full, you'll be in the trunk- we've seated four screaming babies on all sides of your seat - your credit card has been denied - we've lost your reservation - please buckle your seat belt, as we're experiencing hurricane-like turbulence - even the flat tire went flat" kind of travel day.

Thank goodness it was Ash Wednesday, which of course, brought me to an evening church service. Seated next to Marie in an absolutely packed sanctuary, I was reminded of what the big picture really looks like. There was a stunning cello player who, teamed with our amazing organist, presented the kind of calm I was desperately seeking. Brahms, Fauré, Chopin - their melodies filled the sanctuary and created a mood somber enough to begin Lent, yet hopeful enough for the coming Easter. Worshipping in the company of good friends and good music always seems to make things well with my soul.

Building Character

Pretty sure this applies to the first 30 years of my life...

People grow through experience if they
meet life honestly and courageously.
This is how character is built.

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884 - 1962)
First Lady, diplomat, activist

Too busy? Whatever do you mean?

I'm sensing a theme to this week's quotes... Speaking of success,
let's take a look at Mr. Thoreau's busy life!

Success usually comes to those
who are too busy to be looking for it.

Henry David Thoreau (1817 - 1862)
American author, poet, naturalist, tax resister, development critic,
surveyor, historian, philosopher, and leading transcendentalist.

Just What do I Know?

Interesting way to begin a new week - on a quest to find the secret to success.

The secret to success is to know
something nobody else knows.

Aristotle Onassis (1906 - 1975)
Shipping magnate

Tote-ally Wonderful!

I was the lucky winner of Chance's 100th blog posting, and she made me this terrific tote! She said she finished it in-between feeding new baby Abby and taking care of AJ! She's amazing, as is my new tote!

Yes, it's pink and green. PINK and green. Perhaps I've turned a new leaf, being 30 and all...love it! Can you see the polka dots on the inside!? Too fun!
I use it to carry my many books for Bible study on Wednesday nights. It's a one-of-a-kind masterpiece!

Thank you, Chance!

Mission (Bay): Impossible

I just returned from four, INTENSE days of Kagan Cooperative Learning Boot Camp in San Diego, California: Ann, Angela, Karen, and I were selected to be part-time trainers for Kagan, which means we get a higher level of training, their up-to-the-minute PowerPoints to train with, and we'll work for them a minimum of 10 days a year. Woohoo!

Hyatt Mission Bay - the view from our hotel room!

On the moving walkway at the San Diego Zoo!
This was before the really hard work began...

This family of gorillas was amazing - so interactive!

I have an official headshot - ha! Cheese!

The hard working bunch: Jackie (floral jacket), Ann,
Angela, Brenda, Karen, Monique, Laurie Kagan

Ann and I celebrating my 30th birthday

at a restaurant right next to the ocean! We made it!

Sheboygan

Why put lots of time into thinking about a creative blog title when you are from a place known as "Sheboygan!?" Oof da. Here are a couple of highlights from my visit to the tundra known as WisCONsin.

Linda Jacobs and I at South High. Aw....

The Cheese Stands Alone. Next to a cow.

Professora Cecchini from UW-Eau Claire. Sweet P.

Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, IL.
We are über geeks. Über geeks with nametags.

Here is the 5 year old I used to babysit!
Matthew is now 18 years old and a senior! OY!

Three generations: Dot (79), Mom (56), Brenda (29).

My Frank! An early birthday gift!

The lighthouse/marina in Sheboygan, WI

Impossibly True

I'm feeling a bit better about what was formerly known as my impossible list of things to do. I'm ticking them off of my list, one by one, and truth be told, I just might be able to come out of this weekend ahead of the game!

Once you eliminate the impossible,
whatever remains, no matter how
improbable, must be the truth.

Sherlock Holmes (first featured in 1887)
Fictional detective

Just Keep Smiling

Someday soon. Someday soon I'll return to normal blogging. Someday soon I will not have 5 page to-do lists. Someday soon I will not fall asleep while studying. I am so swamped right now with work right now (the yearbook is due in a month, and I think only the page numbers are in place! UGH!) Thanks for hanging in there, stopping by to view the quote of the day, and not deleting my blog from your reading list! Soon!

Wrinkles should merely
indicate where smiles have been.

Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)
American author and humorist

High Expectations

You have to expect things of yourself
before you can do them.

Michael Jordan (1963 - )
Professional basketball player and professional businessman

Time to Dance

If you can't get rid of the skeleton

in your closet, you'd best teach it to dance.

George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1970)
Irish playwright

Words

I return to the classroom today - hooray! I can't tell you how excited I am to be back in my classroom, doing what I enjoy, and spending time with the kids! Woohoo!

When ideas fail, words come in very handy.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
German dramatist, novelist, poet, and scientist

Plenty to Say

We survived! I'm not sure how, but Ann and I are headed home. UNREAL.

Never speak ill of yourself: your friends
will always say enough on that subject.

Author Unknown

Enjoy the Trip - I'm 30!

My 365 day journey has begun! I am celebrating my 30th birthday here in San Diego, California. I'm busier than busy, I'm crazy overwhelmed, AND I just need to remember to enjoy the trip!

A birthday is just the first day of another 365 day journey around the sun. Enjoy the trip!

Author Unknown

No Argument Here

Not really planning on arguing with anyone right now. My words and my brain really need to get along right now. They need to be partners. PLEASE do not argue...silently OR through words! HA!

Silence is argument carried out by other means.

Che Guevara

Think Again

OH MY GOODNESS. I am completely overwhelmed right now. Ann, Angela, Karen and I are trying our darndest to keep up with all the information, and it is impossible! Maybe not impossible, but really challenging for SURE! UGH! So of COURSE, I had to pick this quote today. I don't even know how we even had a moment to get on the internet. We're off to another meeting in 15 minutes. SERIOUSLY!

Okay. Must change my thinking. We are happy. We are lucky. We are competent. I think...

If you don't like something, change it.
If you can't change it, change the way you think about it.

Mary Engelbreit

Always Do Right

Today is Day 1 of training - we're observing an awesome trainer today, so it's a great way to begin! Let's hope we'll always do right!!

Always do right - this will gratify some and astonish the rest.

Mark Twain

Outside the Lines

We are in San Diego right now!
What a happy quote for the big 100!

No Limits

Perhaps this is the final kick in the can I needed before heading off to Boot Camp tomorrow! I'm frantically working...I mean, I'm working with calmness and precision....to compile all the information I've collected over the last few years in regards to the trainings I've observed. I'm hoping that these notes, handouts, etc. will help ME lead the group in San Diego, and allow for a constructive and productive training! No limits!

Oh, and I happened to notice this was Post #99. That makes tomorrow #100. Still mulling over what I will do...

Argue for your limitations,
and sure enough, they're yours.

Richard Bach (1936 - )
American writer

Laughter

From the moment I picked your book up until I laid it down, I was convulsed with laughter. Some day, I intend on reading it.

Groucho Marx (1890 - 1977)
American comedian and film star

Attack

I'm leaving for the airport in 3 hours. I'm going to board the plane, fly to Denver, retrieve my car, and drive home to Castle Rock. This is how I'm going to attack the day...

Problems worthy of attack prove
their worth by fighting back.

Paul Erdös (1913 - 1996)
Hungarian mathematician

Wholesome

I hate the word wholesome.

Julie Andrews (1935 - )
English actress, singer, author and icon

Soaring

One can never consent to creep
when one feels an impulse to soar.

Helen Keller ( Edison (1880 - 1968)

American author, political activist and lecturer

Perspective

I have not failed. I've just

found 10,000 ways that won't work.

Thomas Edison (1847 - 1931)

American inventor and business man

Budget cuts, anyone?

A people that values its privileges

above its principles soon loses both.

Dwight Eisenhower (1890 - 1969)

United States President and 5 Star General in the US Army

A Single Soul

And you thought I might miss posting for one day! Not a chance - just a little late in the day! It's been a full one - most of the day was with Dot (grandma). Lots of prayers for Dot's friend and her family tonight - we visited her in hospice earlier today.

Had a wonderful evening with Suz and Linda. I do love the fact that I didn't read the quote of the day until now - it's a perfect way to end the day:

What is a friend?
A single soul dwelling in two bodies.

Aristotle (384 - 322 BC)

Greek Philosopher

Interruptions

"Chi-ca-go, Chi-ca-go..." we're going there today! It's snowed a bit and I'm pretty sure the temperature doesn't even register on the scales, but we're headed out. Museum of Science and Industry - good stuff!

Never interrupt your enemy
when he is making a mistake.

Napoleon (1769 - 1821)

French military and political leader

It's all Relative

I'm off to Brandon, WI to visit with Megan and her two little girls -
both of whom I've never met! Then, it's back to Sheboygan to meet up with Jamie, then over to Belgium to see her little niece, Ellie and sister Jenni. What a happy day!

Friends are relatives you make for yourself.

Eustache Deschamps (1346 - 1406)

Medieval French poet

Healthy Signs

Updated: 9:44 pm - Progress - yeah, not so much. I visited my childhood church today, and they are completely in turmoil. This group disagrees with that group, this person is upset with that person. Compromise is not a word found within the walls of that building right now, and it might be too complex to fix. Ugh. It's kind of like when you walk into a room where two people have been arguing - the tension is clearly in the air, and you don't want to upset either party. THAT would be my childhood church right now. I'm praying (literally) that they can work through their creative differences, and unite toward what needs to be a God-serving church in the community.

On to better more happier things: I got to spend the evening with Linda, my dear friend and mentor. Just one evening and I am already more peaceful. We are always able to unpause from our last conversations, and pick up with the most current issues in our lives. Just great conversations with a cherished friend.

Honest differences are often
a healthy sign of progress.

Mahatma Gandhi (1869 - 1948)

Political and Spiritual leader of India

A Why to Live

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Saturday, January 31, 2009

He who has a why to live

can bear with almost any how.

Friedrich Nietzsche (1844 - 1900)

German Philosopher

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I am Going to Get There

Well, of COURSE this is the quote that I had to pick for today...

--- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ ---

Friday, January 30, 2009

You got to be careful if you
don't know where you're going,
because you might not get there.

Yogi Berra (1925 - )
Former Major League Baseball Player and Manager

--- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ ---

Well, wrong wrong wrong. Here's what is going to happen today:

1. I am going to calmly drive to the Denver International Airport, avoiding any and all traffic delays.
2. I am going to get through security without being strip searched for the 4th year in a row.
3. I am going to patiently wait in an airport terminal with my laptop plugged in so that I don't lose laptop power on the plane and have to converse with the confirmed bachelor next to me.
4. I am going to successfully land in an ice-free airport in Wisconsin. Not Tennessee. Not Georgia. Wisconsin. You betcha.
   
5. I am going to meet my parents at baggage claim, and proceed to have a pleasant and entertaining 11 day stay in Sheboygan, WI. Yes, Sheboygan.

In Memory of Lavender

Disclaimer: I have Chance's permission to share this story about Lavender, the now-deceased Betta Fish. She had commented on my post about my little fish still being alive, and it made me laugh out loud! Chance is on my mind right now because tomorrow she and her husband Andy welcome a new little one into the world!

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Have I ever told you story about the time Andy and I took our betta with us to Steamboat for Thanksgiving because it was sick and needed daily medicine drops?

Well...it was also the time that we were excited to tell Andy's parents that we were expecting Addison. A time when upon such news, you want to really appear responsible and organized in front of your in-laws.

Lavender was the betta's name...because it was purple...very original...I know. So anyway, Lavender rode up with us in the cup holder of my Rav 4. We get to our cabin and Andy unloads the car. The next morning I go to give Lavender his medicine and I can't find where Andy put him in our tiny cabin...oh that's because Lavender is STILL in the cup holder in the car...FROZEN to death! Great...we were just responsible for giving our fish medicine drops and we are suppose to tell his parents we are expecting a child to take care of! Needless to say...I haven't owned a fish since. AJ has been fine so far though. HA!

"P-r-o-c-r-a-s-t . . ." aw, later

GoodNESS! I have found a million OTHER things to do today, instead of what I absolutely SHOULD have been doing. Brenda Lynn!

The did list:

• Played with an absolutely darling baby - Erin and Ashley came to visit today - what a little sweet pea!
• Watched way too many episodes of Murder, She Wrote - I am seriously addicted to the Hallmark Channel
• Played through my new Ragtime piano book - a ton of songs I had never played
  
• Looked at old college photo albums - feeling a bit nostalgic
  
• E-mailed friends
• Blogging - how else could I tell you all of this earth-shattering news!? Important stuff, I must say.
  

The should of done list:

• Grades, anyone!? Pretty sure that my A Track Grades aren't going to fill themselves in. As much as I wiggled my fingers at the computer. Abracafinishmygradesa! Nope. Didn't work.
• Packed my suitcases for my trips to Wisconsin and my trip to California - capris in one, a parka in the other!
  
• E-mailed the people I was supposed to e-mail
• Yearbook. Oh, boy I'm behind on this one...
• Did I mentioned my grades? And this is only 1 track of grades!

I'm going to go watch some more Murder, She Wrote. While I pack. And finish my grades.

Wrinkles

--- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ ---

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Wrinkles should merely indicate
where smiles have been.

Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)
American author and humorist

--- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ ---

100% of the Shots

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Wednesday, January 28, 2009

You miss 100% of the shots you never take.

Wayne Gretzky (1961 - )
Retired Canadian professional ice hockey player

--- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ ---

Ann and I were just talking about this quote the other day, although I couldn't remember who had said it at the time. It's that give it your all attitude - the you can't possibly complain about what you don't have if you didn't get off your hide and chase it down yourself kind of mentality. I'm up for 100% of the shots!

I feel like I am about to seriously neglect my blog right now, as I'm preparing everything for my trip to the tundra known as the midwest. It scares me when everyone over in Wisconsin is rejoicing at temperatures that have two digits. That's a bit alarming for my outer extremeties.

I am sitting at my kitchen table, surrounded by technology! I currently have:

• DVDs burning,
• CDs burning,
• CDs playing,
• I'm on hold with a customer service rep. on the phone,
• I'm blogging and grading on my Macbook,
• My Garmin Nüvi GPS is charging,
• My cell phone is texting me, and
  
• Miles, the tech man is remotely accessing my computer from PC Tablet from California to install updates and the necessary software I'll need for my Kagan Cooperative Learning training (in a week!)

THIS is how I get 100% of the shots - multitasking and having others assist! HA!

Who We Are

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Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Happiness is inward, and not outward,
and so, it does not depend
on what we have, but on who we are.

Henry Van Dyke (1852 – 1933)
American author, educator, and clergyman

--- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ --- ∞ ---

I have to laugh at the picture of Henry Van Dyke that I've posted here - doesn't look all that happy! I know, I know...it comes from within. Well, he needs a serious boost of within-ness!

True Measure

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Monday, January 26, 2009

The true measure of a man is how he treats
someone who can do him absolutely no good.

Possibly attributed to Samuel Johnson

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Happy Day

Oh, what an absolutely happy day! I officially became a member at Bethany this morning, had a marvelous lunch with Marie (what a lady!), and then enjoyed a well-needed choral fix. Here are some of the exceptional pieces the choirs performed this afternoon:

• Ave Verum Corpus - Mozart
• O Magnum Mysterium - Lauridsen
• Bogoroditse Devo - Rachmaninoff
• Hark! I Hear the Harps Eternal - arr. Parker/Shaw
• How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place - Brahms

These are choral masterpieces, and they were performed beautifully! I haven't sung these pieces since our college trip to Europe in 2000. The middle three songs I listed I sang in France, Germany, and England, and here they were being performed the day I join a new congregation. Unreal. The musicianship exhibited this afternoon was both astonishing and inspiring. The conductors had actually been a part of Robert Shaw's choirs in Atlanta, so they had firsthand knowledge of the man. Personal stories and pictures were shared, and I have a renewed respect for Robert Shaw.
The audience were able to sing the final piece, Hallelujah Chorus from the Messiah, along with the choir, which you KNOW I loved. The church was packed - as in 'please move to the center of the pew and would you mind if this nice lady sat on your lap' kind of full. I had no idea so many people in Denver enjoyed choral music so much! What a happy day!