You know what's a really great feeling? Being missed.
To be missed implies a history. 1) I know who you are, 2) I like seeing you, 3) I noticed that you were gone.
Ahhh....
I got to kickboxing tonight after not being able to go last week at all, and this is on top of a reduction in attendance overall the last couple months due to work commitments. So after class my instructor and a couple of girls from class came up to me and told me all of the new things they tried last week and said that we should really try them out next Tuesday because they knew I'd really like them. There was laughing, a casual touch on the arm to emphasize a point, and a general ease in conversation. Details that of themselves aren't really a big deal but one day could add together to be something great: friendship.
And that would be a big deal.
1.16.2009
In gratitude
(An open letter to the reference librarian at the University of Michigan-Flint.)
Dear Reference Librarian:
Please accept my sincere gratitude for your endless patience and unwavering dedication to the pursuit of reference materials.
I am in awe of your knowledge of the proper way to request a copy of an article from a journal that doesn't exist at our library. It worked far better than my method of throwing my hands up in the air and shouting "Why doesn't this stupid library own anything???"
And thank you for saving me from printing (and paying for) 384 pages of a dissertation called Tooters and Tutors. The 'email this' button will allow me to read first and print second (an axiom that might make a good reference librarian t-shirt slogan, don't you think?).
I appreciate the reminder that I shouldn't forget my library card/copy card in the copy machine. You're right, it did take me a week to obtain and it absolutely would be a shame to lose it on the first day.
Oh, and I didn't forget that you were the one who caught the fact that I had requested my seven books be sent to the Ann Arbor campus instead of ours. Good catch, Mr. Librarian!
So, thanks again and next week I will try to use my "library voice" when shouting at the computer/card catalog/New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, second edition.
Sincerely,
Jessica
Dear Reference Librarian:
Please accept my sincere gratitude for your endless patience and unwavering dedication to the pursuit of reference materials.
I am in awe of your knowledge of the proper way to request a copy of an article from a journal that doesn't exist at our library. It worked far better than my method of throwing my hands up in the air and shouting "Why doesn't this stupid library own anything???"
And thank you for saving me from printing (and paying for) 384 pages of a dissertation called Tooters and Tutors. The 'email this' button will allow me to read first and print second (an axiom that might make a good reference librarian t-shirt slogan, don't you think?).
I appreciate the reminder that I shouldn't forget my library card/copy card in the copy machine. You're right, it did take me a week to obtain and it absolutely would be a shame to lose it on the first day.
Oh, and I didn't forget that you were the one who caught the fact that I had requested my seven books be sent to the Ann Arbor campus instead of ours. Good catch, Mr. Librarian!
So, thanks again and next week I will try to use my "library voice" when shouting at the computer/card catalog/New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, second edition.
Sincerely,
Jessica
1.09.2009
'Too' funny
In a recent lesson, I've started talking to one of my younger students about tonguing, using one's tongue to provide definition to a note, like saying the word "too". This student's mother sits in on her lessons, so she was there too.
Me: (to the girl) Do you remember what tonguing is?
Her mother: (under her breath) Something I got grounded for in high school...
Me: (to the girl) Do you remember what tonguing is?
Her mother: (under her breath) Something I got grounded for in high school...
1.02.2009
A hefty resolution
This entry has been weighing on the back of my mind since I first started this blog on the last day of June. Actually, I've been thinking about it for the last couple years. Which is a long time to think about something and not do anything about it. So, I'm going to finally get it out in the open, which I believe must be the first step in doing something about it.
I'm going to write my paper.
Yes, THE paper. And then I can finally get my degree and become Dr. Price. (That looks kind of weird to me as I type it...)
For those that don't know, I currently hold ABD ('all but dissertation', usually, but in this case, 'document'. Document = way shorter than dissertation) status at MSU. That means I've taken all the required courses, played all the required recitals, passed the hardest test I've ever taken in my life (that the professors said "set the gold standard" for the history comp, please forgive that tiny indulgence of vanity) and the only thing that stands between me and getting my doctorate is this paper.
Here's my plan.
I recently left my job at Spring Arbor. It was time to go; the commute was too long and there were too few flute students to justify the time it took to be there. I used to teach there on Fridays. Now, my Fridays are completely open. Fridays will now become my research, and eventually, my writing days. I think that if I can contain the mess that this researching and writing will become, I can handle it and it won't completely disrupt my life.
Today is the first Friday of 2009.
I am going to do this, and it will be done by 2010.
I'm going to write my paper.
Yes, THE paper. And then I can finally get my degree and become Dr. Price. (That looks kind of weird to me as I type it...)
For those that don't know, I currently hold ABD ('all but dissertation', usually, but in this case, 'document'. Document = way shorter than dissertation) status at MSU. That means I've taken all the required courses, played all the required recitals, passed the hardest test I've ever taken in my life (that the professors said "set the gold standard" for the history comp, please forgive that tiny indulgence of vanity) and the only thing that stands between me and getting my doctorate is this paper.
Here's my plan.
I recently left my job at Spring Arbor. It was time to go; the commute was too long and there were too few flute students to justify the time it took to be there. I used to teach there on Fridays. Now, my Fridays are completely open. Fridays will now become my research, and eventually, my writing days. I think that if I can contain the mess that this researching and writing will become, I can handle it and it won't completely disrupt my life.
Today is the first Friday of 2009.
I am going to do this, and it will be done by 2010.
12.31.2008
Some quality alone time
Yesterday I made a trip to the happiest place on Earth... no, not Disneyland... IKEA! I just love IKEA and consider myself to be an expert on maneuvering in the store. I know where all of the secret passages are and always carefully plan my route before even going through the doors.
Jeff, however, hates going to IKEA. As much as I love it, he hates it. So I've learned that it's much better to leave him at home when I go. Apparently other women have learned that as well...
My purchases yesterday included a giant mirror, 3 ft. x 4ft., weighing about 35 or so pounds. It was a little unwieldy. As I stood in the parking lot pondering how I was going to fit the mirror into the trunk of our Saturn, a very nice woman walked by.
"Say, that's a pretty big item for a pretty small car! Would you like some help?"
"Wow, thanks! That'd be great! My husband bowed out of coming today."
"Oh, well I purposely go when my husband is at work," she replied. "Otherwise, I'd just kill him."
Jeff, however, hates going to IKEA. As much as I love it, he hates it. So I've learned that it's much better to leave him at home when I go. Apparently other women have learned that as well...
My purchases yesterday included a giant mirror, 3 ft. x 4ft., weighing about 35 or so pounds. It was a little unwieldy. As I stood in the parking lot pondering how I was going to fit the mirror into the trunk of our Saturn, a very nice woman walked by.
"Say, that's a pretty big item for a pretty small car! Would you like some help?"
"Wow, thanks! That'd be great! My husband bowed out of coming today."
"Oh, well I purposely go when my husband is at work," she replied. "Otherwise, I'd just kill him."
12.19.2008
Walking in a winter wonderland
We had a snow day today and everything was cancelled! So we went for a walk around the neighborhood and enjoyed winter's splendor.
We love this house... it's for sale... any takers?
Home again for tea and fresh bread. What a great day!12.18.2008
Well, no, but it kind of looks like it, doesn't it?
Recently Jeff was a guest musician in my Saturday Young Musicians classes. He was there to demonstrate the soprano, alto, and tenor saxophones.
With the 3 year olds, I like to use comparison words to help them build vocabulary. So I'll ask them things like, "Which saxophone is bigger?" and "Which saxophone sounds lower?" I also think it's useful to ask follow up questions so they have a chance to explain why they think that. Sometimes I get unexpected, but clearly rational, answers.
Jeff brought his prized vintage alto (a great jazz horn) to show them. It was made in the mid-60s, so it looks pretty used. There are large patches where the lacquer has rubbed off and the brass is exposed, and some of the lacquer that has remained is turning a little greenish or orangish in places from oxidation. After playing and talking about that horn, he held it up next to the tenor, which was made only about 5 or 6 years ago. It's in pristine condition. Beautifully shiny, no visible scratches, and a uniform color all over.
"Which saxophone is bigger?" I asked.
"That one!" they shouted and pointed at the tenor.
"Which one is older?"
A short pause, and then "That one!" as they pointed at the alto.
"How do you know?"
A longer pause and then one girl finally said, "It has mold on it."
With the 3 year olds, I like to use comparison words to help them build vocabulary. So I'll ask them things like, "Which saxophone is bigger?" and "Which saxophone sounds lower?" I also think it's useful to ask follow up questions so they have a chance to explain why they think that. Sometimes I get unexpected, but clearly rational, answers.
Jeff brought his prized vintage alto (a great jazz horn) to show them. It was made in the mid-60s, so it looks pretty used. There are large patches where the lacquer has rubbed off and the brass is exposed, and some of the lacquer that has remained is turning a little greenish or orangish in places from oxidation. After playing and talking about that horn, he held it up next to the tenor, which was made only about 5 or 6 years ago. It's in pristine condition. Beautifully shiny, no visible scratches, and a uniform color all over.
"Which saxophone is bigger?" I asked.
"That one!" they shouted and pointed at the tenor.
"Which one is older?"
A short pause, and then "That one!" as they pointed at the alto.
"How do you know?"
A longer pause and then one girl finally said, "It has mold on it."
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