Please Don't Take Lady Gaga Away From Me

I have an exciting new development in the world of half marathon training.

In the OC 5K I recently ran, ipods were prohibited.  This is, apparently, normal.  I think it's for safety reasons.

Well, this is tough.  I LOVE to pump to some Lady Gaga while running.

The race was only 30 minutes, though, so I could handle it.

However, I was super nervous about the lack of music in the half marathon.  I will be running along for upwards of 3+ hours and all I will be able to think about is what is going on in my own brain?!  Yeah, that won't work.

Well, it turns out that I was a big dummy.  I didn't even read the packet for the half marathon.  I just assumed.  And you and I both know what happens when you assume.

It turns out that you CAN have ipods for the half marathon.  I am literally 100% more confident about this race.  

JUST DANCE! It's gonna be okay...

Really, Maria? Really?

That's how I feel after what I am about to tell you.

I am in love with Eminem.  Yes, the rapper.

This is weird.

I have always appreciated rap music.  But I can't stand when people say the N-word and speak about women the way that some most rappers do.  This is unfortunate, because there are some excellent musicians out there and I always felt like they were wasting their talent by making a career of hip-hop.

Well, as one of my many new-years resolutions (which I will update you about later), I decided to give rap a try.  Josh is into it and gave me the down-low on the most influential and important rappers of all time.  So I started with Eminem.  I decided to start with his latest album, Recovery:

That's as far as I have gotten, but let me tell you, I have listened to this thing over and over and over and over again.  It's incredible.  You NEED to listen to it.  I don't care what kind of music you like. 

I was wrong.  He isn't wasting his career.  I was being judgmental (another thing I am trying to control as a New year's Resolution).

I had already heard both singles, Not Afraid and Love the Way You Lie.  But every song is amazing.  There are lots of bad words and lots of things that aren't necessarily respectful things to say in everyday life, but it is just incredible.  

Listen to it.  Call me if you need a copy.

The Night Before His First Program

Josh's first school program is tonight.  He is super excited and nervous and I am too!  His whole fourth grade is performing.  Students are reading The Night Before Christmas as narrators and every few stanzas a different class will perform a song.  Most of them were written or adapted by Josh, me, and his students to fit the story. 

One of the classes is even performing a longways set dance as the "reindeer" on the sleigh.  They will be wearing reindeer antlers with bells!  All of the other kids are going to be wearing "Christmas Eve" attire.  A.K.A. Pajamas.  It should be super cute. 

Programs are scary and nerve-wracking.  We, as teachers, get all worked up and try to make everything perfect for a bunch of 6 year olds!  They end up performing a stellar program full of great musicianship (especially for little kids). Meanwhile, all the parents remember is the cute kid in the front who just stood there and waved to his mom.  I will have to remind myself of that in two weeks for my program!

Wish us luck!

Yay! Gaga: 2010 Video Music Awards

She won every award she was nominated for!  Sometimes I feel crazy for liking her, but, dang is she talented!  Yes, that is a raw meat dress.  It looks so REAL!

My Crippled Body, Heart, and Brain

Maria N. Thomas:

Josh and I have been so busy.  It is so exhausting. Our schedule for a few days:

Yesterday (Tuesday):  Went to work all day.  Came home and packed.  Left for Cumberland.  Spent the evening at my mom's.

Today (Wednesday):  Drove to Hagerstown, MD.  Had interviews for jobs that are not even posted.  Drove back to Cumberland.  Visited my (too young) grandfather who has lung cancer.  Drive back to Morgantown.  Had a meeting with my Home Group from church.  Came home.  Got a scary phone call about my family.  Booked a hotel for tomorrow.

Tomorrow (Thursday): Go to school and work all day.  Then drive to Salisbury, MD after school.  6-hour trip.  We will get there a little after 10pm.  Stay in a gross, cheap hotel.

Friday:  We both have interviews early in the morning.  Then we will drive the 6 hours back to Morgantown.

Saturday: Wake up and drive to Fairmont to babysit a 6-month-old and 20-month-old all day.  Drive home that night.

Sunday:  Sunday school teaching in the morning.  Then go to church.  Then drive to Pittsburgh to watch the PSO.  I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS CONCERT SINCE I WAS BORN.  **More about this below...  Drive home from Pittsburgh Sunday night.

Monday:  Go to work.  I have a phone interview Monday morning during my plan time for another job.  Then teach all day.

Tuesday:  Election Day.  No School.  PTFO. (Pass the eff out)

**Note about the PSO concert:  When I was a junior in college I took what was probably the most demanding class of my life.  But here's the thing:  after being in the class for about 10 weeks, I stopped caring.  So during my lecture time 3 days per week, I would sit at my desk and make lists.  I decided to make a Bucket List.  Nothing too ridiculous... I didn't want to climb the tallest mountain or jump out of an airplane or anything.  My list, after careful reflection over a period of a few weeks, only totaled about 25 things.  Two of these things were:  See the Sibelius Violin Concerto performed live.  See Shostakovich Five performed live.  A stipulation:  These will only count if they are performed by reputable orchestras with great conductors and horn sections.  This weekend, the Pittsburgh Symphony is playing a concert.  Here is the program:

Heinz Hall

Sunday, May 09, 2010 at 2:30 PM

Manfred Honeck, conductor

Hilary Hahn, violin

                                                                           

Sibelius: Violin Concerto

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5

I'm going to kill two birds with one stone!

--A side note:  my grandparents and my mom could use your prayers right now.  Send them our way, please!

Dancing with the "Stars"

I just must make a comment about this television phenomenon.

First of all, this is the first season that I have ever watched. I cannot make any judgments about the past.

I will also shamefully admit that the only reason why I started watching is to see Kate Gosselin. Even when it seemed as if everyone was against her and her world was crashing down, I sort of secretly felt a lot of pain for her. I really liked her even when she was being ridiculous and making a lot of poor choices. I think it is because I feel like I am a lot like her.

So, anyway, I kind of wanted her to do well so she could prove everyone wrong and be really successful at something. I thought she had it in her. And I will admit, she looks great.

I was wrong.  She is just terrible.  I could do better.  My 10 year old brother could do better.  His 2 year old puppy could do better.

Now, I may keep watching.  I still have some hope.

I just wish they would make a reality show with ONLY professionals so I can watch trained people be musical and artistic.  But no... I would have to pay $80 to see that from a balcony...

Parties

This weekend Josh and I traveled to Cumberland to attend my grandparent's 50th wedding anniversary party. We had no idea what we were in for. I knew that it was going to be planned well, but it was amazing! There were about 100 people there, beautiful candle centerpieces, a 3-tiered cake, waiters, great food, and tons more. Each of their 6 children gave a little speech, which was really nice. My dad catered the entire thing by himself! WOW-EE. They ended their evening by renewing their vows.

This morning we went with my cousin, Luci, to pick out a flower girl dress for her. She was so excited to buy a new dress. It is so beautiful, too. Poofy white dress with red flowers on it... soo cute.

Josh and I are going to a MICHAEL BUBLE concert in Pittsburgh in 3 days!!! We are so excited. It was our Christmas gift from Josh's parents... such a great idea. We are leaving after school on Wed. afternoon and seeing the concert that evening, which happens to be St. Patrick's Day. We probably won't get home until the middle of the night and I have to be at work on Thursday morning. Yeah, Thursday might be a rough day this week! But I am soooo excited to see him. He is one of my very favorite artists of all time.

This coming weekend I am finally having my jewelry party. I am really excited to do that and get some free jewelry! It is all so beautiful. I never used to be a fan of jewelry. I would find one necklace and one pair of simple earrings that I really liked and I would wear them everyday. Now I am excited every day to pick out jewelry to match my outfit! So I hope lots of people are able to come to the party.

Yes, that is the extent of our very exciting life.

It's 70 degrees!

A look at my day:


Crap.  This morning I woke up late.  I got to school on time.  Crap.  I realized that I left my lunch at home.  It was too late to go back.  Oh, I will just call Josh and ask him to drop it off this afternoon.  Crap.  I forgot my phone, too.

I am walking up the steps in my new pretty shoes.  Already I have three compliments on them.  I get upstairs... Crap.  I already have three blisters from them.

Oh well, at least I have a long plan period this morning to get all that stuff done that's been on the to-do list for a while.  Crap.  Vice-principal asks me to go watch another class while the teacher is in a meeting.  Planning time--gone.

THEN---all was better.

Good lessons.  Day went by fast.  I took my last class (of 2 students) outside to play on the playground this afternoon.  It was so nice outside! Came home, ate something for lunch and took a nap.  Woke up and went to zumba (yay).  Came home and made pork chops and asparagus for dinner.  Watched the new episode of The Office with Josh.  Did the dishes... [don't ever tell Josh, but I enjoy doing the dishes in the evening.  Sometimes I complain about it, but it's just because he never does them.  It's me standing my ground.]  Now I am watching The Marriage Ref, which is a ridiculous show, but kind of funny.  Then I will watch Chelsea Lately (my favorite) and THEN the world premiere of the 9-minute music video "Telephone" by Lady Gaga featuring Beyonce at 11:30. woot.

Gaga

I have to admit something very personal.  Something I am just a tad bit ashamed of.  Something I thought I would never say.

I love Lady Gaga.

There, I said it.  It's done.
 --------------------------------------------------------

Up until about a month ago, my only knowledge of Lady Gaga was seeing her on the red carpet or in award shows.  She is nuts.  Those outfits are ridiculous.  I thought to myself that there was no way she is normal or sane.  I just assumed by her wardrobe that her music was dark, twisted, and totally out there.  See the following pictures:

Well, Josh got the album 'The Fame' and just randomly put it on my iPod.  I went on a run about a month ago and decided to try it out during my exercise.  OMG.  IT WAS AMAZING.  It is the opposite of what you would expect to hear.  It is the most exciting, catchy, happy, make-you-want-to-dance music I have ever heard.  No matter what mood I am in, I put in Lady Gaga and I am instantly dancing and singing... no joke.  It's just amazing.

If you don't know much about her music, check it out.  Seriously.  It will change your life.

MAHLER FOUR.

One of my favorite things ever.  I have a bias.  It was the very first symphony I ever played.

The time was June, 2008.  The place was Hot Springs, Arkansas.  I was alone.  It was one of the best trips of my life.

I auditioned for a music festival, The Hot Springs Music Festival.  The audition process is simple.  Record yourself playing excerpts and Mozart, send the tape in.  DONE.  Well, I was put on a waiting list.  Crap.

The best part about this specific music festival was that the tuition AND room & board were all free.  Rare find.

After hearing nothing for another few months, I figured that my chances weren't good.  So I got a summer job and was preparing for the long summer of practicing for my recital, which was scheduled for the fall. 

Well, the day before my job was to start, and the week before the festival started, I got a call.  They wanted me to come--a horn player canceled.  Normally, someone would might feel a little like second best.  But not me.  I checked my bank account, called my mom for some financial support (and she gave in) and booked a flight for five days out.

I had never flown alone before and had no idea what to do.  Luckily, my good friend, Lizz, drove me to Pittsburgh to catch my flight at 5am.  I was on two teeny tiny flights to get to Little Rock, Arkansas.  A scary man driving a van took me to Hot Springs--about an hour away. 

So, the water there really does come out of fountains in the streets and stuff.  And it really is naturally hot.  And you can drink it.  But who would want to drink hot water out of a fountain in the ground when it is already 110 degrees in the summer?  Not me. 

On top of that, we stayed in an old dormitory.  Gross.  Bugs.  Alone in my own room (thought I was getting a roomate).  Dirty shower and bathroom.  Hot.  Nothing to eat. Drink. Or do.

I had to walk over a mile to each rehearsal.  At first, alone.  After I met friends, with them.  With my horn on my back.  And my music.  And my stand.  In the heat.  In Arkansas.  In June.  Over a mile to the rehearsal, almost a mile to the nearest deli for lunch and back, more rehearsal, then over a mile back home that night.  To play a concert in the heat.  Every day.  I lost some weight while I was there. 

I was practically the only person there under 21, so I was left out of some festivities and was forced to instead... read.

Sounds terrible, huh?

Well, let me list the AMAZING things that happened to me.

1. I met, played with, and played for the horn teacher there, Lowell Greer.
2. I lost some weight and started the process of getting in shape (which I ultimately ruined that winter HAHA)
3. I met SO  many friends there---most of which I am still in some contact with!
4. I played with some really awesome musicians... some teachers and professionals, and some great students.
5. My horn section of seven was really cool--and I was the youngest :o)
6. I got to play the following pieces of music for the first time (in the TWO weeks I was there):

• Tchaikovsky, Cappriccio Italien
• Strauss, Also Sprach... representing Horn 6!
• A Haydn mass--which I got suckered into and ultimately loved.
• Mahler, Symphony #4--my first symphony ever.
• Many, many others.

7. I learned how to travel by myself--even though I had an ugly experience on the way home.
8. I really fell in love with playing the horn on that trip.

Tonight, Josh and I are going to Pittsburgh to see the PSO perform Mahler 4.  This will be my first time hearing it live.  SO EXCITED.  There is something about that symphony that makes me feel so good.

...

I have had a LONG weekend.

Friday after school I came home, got ready, and went to Pittsburgh with Josh to see the PSO.  It was great.  Best I have ever heard them play.  Got home around 1am, went to sleep.

Saturday I woke up to find out about some crappy family news.  Then I spent the next few hours on the phone.  Then went on a long run.  Then ate some lunch and took a nap.  Woke, went out to dinner with my sister, came home, and drank some wine.

Today I went to church, accidentally volunteered for a huge social after church which took forever, found out more crappy news, and came home.  I took a bubble bath and now I am in bed early.  I am not even finished with lesson planning for tomorrow... OH WELL.

I also have a huge week coming up with lots of plans and stuff.


On a brighter note, yesterday was absolutely beautiful.  And I am going for an interview for a second job tomorrow evening.  I need some extra dough for this wedding thing!  Early to bed.  Hopefully early to rise :)

Days of the Week

Sung to the familiar tune of the Addam's Family theme song:

Days of the week *snap* *snap*
Days of the week * snap* *snap*
Days of the week, days of the week, days of the week *snap* *snap*
There's Sunday and there's Monday,
There's Tuesday and there's Wednesday,
There's Thursday and there's Friday,
And then there's Saturday!
Days of the week *snap* *snap*

Back to School

Well, we are back to school... again.  After what seemed like a second winter vacation, it looks like we may have a full week of school!  The kids are more wild than they were last week!  I haven't been raising my voice much, but it is already tired after one day... yikes.  As I was walking through the halls, I realized that I could hear ALL of the teachers teaching.  And they weren't yelling or angry.  They were just speaking normally... loud.  Maybe I teach with more volume than I technically need.  I will try to use a more conversational volume tomorrow.  See how that works.

On a more exciting note, starting next week, the Kindergarten is getting into their "Ocean, whales, and ocean animals" unit.  This is really super exciting for me.  I sometimes like to coordinate my lessons with their units and WOW am I excited.  These are only some of the things I have planned for the next two weeks:

At the Bottom of the Sea (song with dance and instruments)
Swimmy, by Leo Leoni (book)
Aquarius, Music for Creative Dance Vol IV (song. with book, the class will make larger animals by working together, --similar to the moral of the story in Swimmy)
Aquarium, by Saint-Saens (mvt of larger musical work)
Charlie Over the Ocean (song with game)
Baby Beluga (sing and act out animal mvts)
Whales, Music for Creative Dance Vol I (uses whale sounds and underwater-themed music... not sure what I will do with this yet)
The Whale Pokey (Hokey Pokey with fins)

SO exxxxcited!  Sometimes I think I am destined to be a K classroom teacher or daycare/preschool teacher JUST so I can have units and create activities to go with them. haha.  Maybe someday.

I teach a class of 3-4 students with autism twice a week.  They are WONDERFUL... I have fallen in love with all of them.  But I am working on ME more than them.  I have a hard time explaining my instructions to them.  They need a different delivery than I am used to.  So I am working on that.  But I am proud to admit that they have come a long way so far and I am just excited to see where they go.  This week and probably next week  we are working on ALL NONVERBAL cues.  I am starting with huge peices of solid color poster.  Green means go and red means stop.  Should be easy...  We will see :-)