Happy Halloween!

Long time no see.  I hope y'all are doing well!  What about this weather we're having?  Crazy, huh!?  I hope you had a wonderful Halloween.  I wish I could've posted earlier, but alas, not enough hours in the day.

I had quite a fun day myself!  We all decided to dress up for Chorale rehearsal today.  Problem was, I had class from 8:15 right until time for Chorale at 11:30, so I trudged myself through the blistering air and snow flurries dressed in costume - people staring the whole way.  And my costume was quite subtle.  See...

I can only imagine how they might have looked at me if I went all out.  Makayla and I dressed as The Black Eyed Peas!

Side note: 

I realize that most of the photos I post, you can see in my Instagram feed as well.  I only do this to my absolute favorite photos so you can see them in all their glory.

I got back in town just in time to help promote "Seussical" downtown at Halloween happenings.  Once again, I bundled up in my winter gear and headed out to brave the conditions.  Well, maybe I'm a bit dramatic.  It wasn't that bad.  We handed out flyers and candy while singing songs from the show.  While I'm on the "Seussical" front, WE OPEN NEXT WEEK!!!  I can't believe how time just keeps slipping away.  It seems like we just started the show.  We have great deal of work to do before next Friday night, but the show is really coming together.  I always freak out during the weeks the precede the show, but I remind myself of a quote from Leonard Bernstein:  "To achieve great things, two things are needed; a plan, and not quite enough time."  Be sure to get your tickets before they are gone!

After I got home from Halloween happenings, we had a few special trick-or-treaters and then I had to hit the books.  Instead of watching Hocus Pocus for the 23980234958th time this season, I took a Music History quiz - the joys of being a college student.  Oh well.  Luckily I have tomorrow "off" if that's what you can call it.  I don't have to go to campus, but I will be catching up on homework, and continuing some classroom observations.

I finally made it to Knoxville for a much needed weekend with my boys!  The stress of school was really getting to me so I'm thankful that I took time to go.  The problem is - I miss them more than ever now.  I've come to realize that we never forget our friends.  We simply learn and adapt to live without seeing them on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis.  After spending the weekend catching up, I realized how much I really miss them.  I guess that's just more of an excuse to go visit more.

I guess that's all for now.

peace.

Fall Break

My dear faithful readers,

I give you my greatest apologies for not blogging lately.  I can tell you have been checking in frequently and I am sorry I have not posted anything for you to read.  There is no need to provide a million excuses because if I got started, we would be here all night.  Anyway, on to catching you up on my crazy but wonderful life!

Well, yet another Fall Break is coming to a close.  I plan on sleeping in tomorrow in hopes of storing up enough energy to help me survive the coming weeks.  All of you know that I am involved in everything under the sun.  A few weeks ago I finally came to the realization that I am going to be extremely busy for the rest of my life, so why not embrace it?  I am constantly on the go, but I wouldn't have it any other.  After reading through the last few posts, I realized that many of them hardly any direction and nearly no flow.  Sorry.  I guess that's what I get for blogging late at night when my brain has turned to mush.  

A few weeks ago, my precious little cousin, Hannah, turned 4!  We had a small party for her.  Nothing extravagant but I think she really enjoyed it.

My rehearsal schedule has been insane lately preparing for our first Chorale concert of the season, which took place last Sunday.  The concert went very well and was enjoyed by all!  Now on to Christmas music - my favorite!

A few of my Chorale friends!

This past Saturday night, we celebrated our friend Artie's 30th Birthday party.  We all dressed up as movie characters.

I went as Harry Potter and Tyler went as Indiana Jones.  Sadly, a lot of people didn't know who I was.  What is wrong with society these days?  Haha!  We had a wonderful time sitting around the fire pit and catching up.  Heather and Artie dressed as characters from 80's film Revenge of the Nerds.  Grayson dressed up as well.

Even though this photo speaks for itself, I will say that this is the most awesome kid ever!  Don't you just want to mush him!   He brings a great deal of joy into my life every time I keep him.

Last night was our annual Church hayride - always one of my favorite events of the year!  It was originally scheduled during my Concert last week, but due to the rain, the Church was forced to postpone, which was great for me!  My best friend Morgan was home for break as well, so we had a wonderful time catching up on the last few months.

Unfortunately, I was bitten by some terrible creature over ten times last night!  There must have been some bug in the hay because Tyler and Mom were bitten as well.  While observing today (more below) I began to itch.  One by one, small spots began popping up.  Oh no, I thought.  I've been in Elementary school one day and I already have the chicken pox.  I never had them as a child.  I did receive the vaccine and the booster, but you never know.  Turns out that I'm simply covered with bug bites.  Nothing a few Benadryl won' fix tonight.

I also have some EXTREMELY exciting news!  I will be spending my Spring Break in London!  I have been given the opportunity to take this trip with small women's vocal ensemble called "Ten Times a Lady!"  My voice professor directs this women's ensemble and asked if I would like to go.  Well, certainly.  Of course I won't be singing on this trip since it's the Ladies tour, but I'm sure we will have a wonderful time!  More about that to come!

I spent today observing in an Elementary school.  Although this was not my ideal way of spending my break, I learned a great deal.  It simply confirmed my passion to teach children.  I'm excited to see what the future has in store.

This weekend, I'm heading to Knoxville to spend time with my best friends, Brock and Jonathon.  As you probably read in a previous post, my plans to visit a few weeks ago were nixed.  Fingers crossed for no scheduling conflicts this time!

Friday night, I put my "mad awesome" Photoshop skills to use.  Actually, I'm terrible with Photoshop, but somehow I managed to create a Facebook coverphoto to promote the show.  All of the white space (to the left) is where the profile picture conveniently sits next to the Cat.  Anyway, I was pretty proud of it.  Tickets went on sale TODAY!  Call now before they are gone!  This is a show you will not want to miss!

Once again, I've successfully completed a blog post that hardly flows.  I guess that's just the way my brain works.  I always have a million things on my mind and I guess that's the way it will always be.  Mind as well embrace it.

peace and blessings y'all.

Rainy Day

Today was a wonderful rainy day.  This morning, I was awake bright and early for a concert dress rehearsal.  Trust me, as hard as I ran all week long, I would have greatly enjoyed sleeping in this morning, but alas, rehearsal beckoned.  Tomorrow is my first Chorale concert of the season and I'm quite excited about it!  For this concert, we will be performing a wide variety of genres including, Siberian, Jamaican, and some good ole folk music.  If I've already told you about this, I apologize.  I have so many things running through my mind during every second of the day that I barely remember my own name.

After rehearsal, I headed over to Heather's to hang out with my favorite little guy, Grayson.  We had a wonderful afternoon full of both play and rest.  It was the perfect day to be inside.  I fixed dinner and then we curled up on the couch to watch Monsters Inc.  After such a crazy week, I couldn't have asked for a better way to end it.

More to come this next week!

peace.

Wonderful Feeling/Feeling Wonderful

Happy Monday y'all!  Is that an oxymoron?  A Monday - that is happy?  I think not!  Despite the crummy weather, today was an exceptional Monday.  Why such a wonderful Monday, you may ask?  Well, I'm not quite sure.  After finally overcoming the zombie stage from waking up so early,  I entered a slight stage of panic.  This morning, I officially hit my mid-semester freak out period.  I woke up overwhelmed from thinking about all I have to do in such a short amount of time.  When are my next assignments due?  I have a million tests to study for - a million papers to write - a million songs to memorize and sing...the list goes on and on.  Those of you who know me quite well realize that I'm a worrier.  I constantly worry and stress.  Then it happened.  I experienced this sort of peace come over me.  It's hard to explain.  All I knew at that moment was everything will be ok.  All I needed to do was take a moment to sit back and listen.  It was like a smack in the face.  God doesn't speak to us in the chaos.  He speaks to us in the still, quiet moments.  As for today, He had to say STOP!  LISTEN!  If not, I would still be running around like a chicken with my head cut off.  Remember, when you start feeling this way, simply stop, take a deep breath, and listen.  It is a fantastic feeling knowing that no matter what, everything will work out.

Thanks to this experience, I completed an extreme amount of work this afternoon and evening.  What a wonderful feeling!

Have a blessed October.  Talk to you soon!

peace.