Since school began, I've been on a pretty good roller coaster of emotion, not to mention sleep deprivation and time management. The other teachers tell me, "welcome to the school!" as though it was completely normal to have absolutely no spare time, live at school, and talk to nobody else but other teachers at lunch occasionally. Luckily, most roller coasters have a lap bar or a seat belt!! I might need to throw up after the ride!
Just before school started, I had an appointment with my stake president, calling me as elder's quorum president. This would be fine, normally, but a YSA ward takes just a little more time and planning with things like Home Teaching than you might normally spend in a family ward, what with all the turnaround from the dorms and people constantly in and out of the ward (no, that's not an exaggeration). So, now I'm juggling a reasonably intense calling, three nights a week play practices, plus the regular teaching load and prep for that, and trying to eak out a social life... It's kinda not working.
Most of the time, I'm pretty content, but this week has thrown me a few curve-balls that I wasn't quite ready to swing at. First, we auditioned my choir for a state event! This part wasn't so bad. They had a weekend to get ready, and then sang for me. Audition results? Yeah, a whole another ball game! Between parents, students, and administrators, I'm a little frazzled right now! One student who didn't make the cut told me I suck at my job. What is up with that?
I got to come home tonight, which is a huge plus, and I was even in town by 4:00! This is practically unheard of with my current schedule. Some nights, I watch videos or movies in my classroom while eating supper while I'm waiting for play practice to start. That's not so bad, either, but it would be nice just to have someone to talk to once in a while when I'm eating. :) Every now and then, I have a group of students who stay with me part of the time, but that's not always fun for me... If you can imagine!
All in all, things are going considerably well, even with the high stress situations! I need to find a couple of fun non-school, non-work, non-music things to do occasionally. Any suggestions of hobbies I could take up?
But, on the lighter side of things, I am getting to be quite an accomplished muti-tasker, where I'm accompanying and directing a choir, and I'm starting to loosen up a little bit to where my job is a lot of fun. If my little sister wasn't going to be gone this weekend, I think we might even have gone fishing. But, alas, she'll be with the National Guard, so I'll have to find another fishing friend.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Monday, October 22, 2012
A Bone to Pick
Living in America is a great thing. We have some great things to be thankful for, and some awesome freedoms that most of the world doesn't have. Here we are in the greatest country in the world, and how? Hard-working people who know what it takes to be successful and not in just economic, monetary ways.
A few minutes ago I spent some time on Facebook, looking at what is happening in the lives of the people I care about -- friends and family. The more I use it lately, the more I hate it. While a lot of the time, I am just trolling around, looking at things and seeing how people are doing, sometimes, I am also guilty of posting a lot of random junk on that site. I'm noticing something that I strongly dislike, though. There's a new trend that we are posting lots of "funny" or "that's so true" moments in pictures that either belittle, insult, or degrade people, groups, or events.
Folks, I'm as guilty as some others at posting things I feel are either important or really funny, but we're starting to get to a point where I'm insulted in lieu of some of the insulted groups or people. For example, why is there a super-popular shared photo of a scantily-clad late-pregnancy woman with a caption of, "I'll bet she isn't smiling now." Or something to that effect. Is that supposed to be funny? And why are we still passing that around like that's something that everyone should see?
That's just one example. Some of those e-cards with messages about how men are dumb or how women are super-needy are super-offensive, too. You don't have to agree, but the last time I checked, those types of messages are extremely ineffective at changing people's minds. Ladies... you want your man to treat you like a queen? Don't be a jerk to him, either. There are a lot of guys that would bend over backwards to impress you... if you let him. Men... if you want to get a lady, don't be a complete jerk to her. Seriously... You should be trying to treat her well.
Ranting? Maybe. But I'm noticing more and more that people are turning super-selfish. It's all about me. Why can't I have what I want? How about the "flash mobs" that keep showing up in Wal-Mart stores in low-income areas and cleaning the place out? I mean, really? You just couldn't live without that T.V. enough that you had to bust into a store with sometimes hundreds of other people and leave with a very expensive piece of technology? Lame. If you are really that strapped, maybe you should consider your budget and cut back on other things and get your money in order so you can get the things you need and, in about a month or so, you'll have more than enough money for that T.V. you wanted.
Do you want to know just how powerful we can be as a human race? Reach out to people. Learn their story. It's impossible to hate someone whose story you know. Humans are capable of extreme abilities, talents, intellect, and possibly the most important, emotion. Rather than using those abilities and emotions to press for selfish, inward things, why don't we try using our love for good? With or without religion, people can do a lot of good in their homes, communities, and the world. Get off the internet for a while. Spend time with people you care about, look out for the people around you. Learn some new vocabulary words and stop swearing. I think you'll find that with an expanded vocabulary that you sounds more intelligent and people will understand what you're really trying to say in a clearer way.
Friends, behave. Be kind. Love each other. We're never going to make it through all this crazy stuff if we don't try to respect one another. You don't like a business point of view? Don't give them your money. That's what America is about -- you have a choice where to do your business. Don't like someone's opinion on a political matter? Make sure you have your own and respectfully disagree. Friendships should not be destroyed on a matter of opinion. If you've got faith in your life, develop it. Love God. Read His word. Live the way the scriptures teach. Even if you are not actively pursuing an active religious life, you will find that just by reading the scriptures, you change over time for the better. That's a promise.
Some of my ideas may be a little old-fashioned, but those things worked. Did you ever hear of a mass shooting at a school in the 30s or 40s? Were we in major economic crisis during the 1950s? Even if we were, people took care of each other. Now? We're taught to avoid strangers, belittle each other, ignoring people is common, love is cold. It's too bad, too. If people were willing to just show their love to each other a little more, this world would be a completely different place.
A few minutes ago I spent some time on Facebook, looking at what is happening in the lives of the people I care about -- friends and family. The more I use it lately, the more I hate it. While a lot of the time, I am just trolling around, looking at things and seeing how people are doing, sometimes, I am also guilty of posting a lot of random junk on that site. I'm noticing something that I strongly dislike, though. There's a new trend that we are posting lots of "funny" or "that's so true" moments in pictures that either belittle, insult, or degrade people, groups, or events.
Folks, I'm as guilty as some others at posting things I feel are either important or really funny, but we're starting to get to a point where I'm insulted in lieu of some of the insulted groups or people. For example, why is there a super-popular shared photo of a scantily-clad late-pregnancy woman with a caption of, "I'll bet she isn't smiling now." Or something to that effect. Is that supposed to be funny? And why are we still passing that around like that's something that everyone should see?
That's just one example. Some of those e-cards with messages about how men are dumb or how women are super-needy are super-offensive, too. You don't have to agree, but the last time I checked, those types of messages are extremely ineffective at changing people's minds. Ladies... you want your man to treat you like a queen? Don't be a jerk to him, either. There are a lot of guys that would bend over backwards to impress you... if you let him. Men... if you want to get a lady, don't be a complete jerk to her. Seriously... You should be trying to treat her well.
Ranting? Maybe. But I'm noticing more and more that people are turning super-selfish. It's all about me. Why can't I have what I want? How about the "flash mobs" that keep showing up in Wal-Mart stores in low-income areas and cleaning the place out? I mean, really? You just couldn't live without that T.V. enough that you had to bust into a store with sometimes hundreds of other people and leave with a very expensive piece of technology? Lame. If you are really that strapped, maybe you should consider your budget and cut back on other things and get your money in order so you can get the things you need and, in about a month or so, you'll have more than enough money for that T.V. you wanted.
Do you want to know just how powerful we can be as a human race? Reach out to people. Learn their story. It's impossible to hate someone whose story you know. Humans are capable of extreme abilities, talents, intellect, and possibly the most important, emotion. Rather than using those abilities and emotions to press for selfish, inward things, why don't we try using our love for good? With or without religion, people can do a lot of good in their homes, communities, and the world. Get off the internet for a while. Spend time with people you care about, look out for the people around you. Learn some new vocabulary words and stop swearing. I think you'll find that with an expanded vocabulary that you sounds more intelligent and people will understand what you're really trying to say in a clearer way.
Friends, behave. Be kind. Love each other. We're never going to make it through all this crazy stuff if we don't try to respect one another. You don't like a business point of view? Don't give them your money. That's what America is about -- you have a choice where to do your business. Don't like someone's opinion on a political matter? Make sure you have your own and respectfully disagree. Friendships should not be destroyed on a matter of opinion. If you've got faith in your life, develop it. Love God. Read His word. Live the way the scriptures teach. Even if you are not actively pursuing an active religious life, you will find that just by reading the scriptures, you change over time for the better. That's a promise.
Some of my ideas may be a little old-fashioned, but those things worked. Did you ever hear of a mass shooting at a school in the 30s or 40s? Were we in major economic crisis during the 1950s? Even if we were, people took care of each other. Now? We're taught to avoid strangers, belittle each other, ignoring people is common, love is cold. It's too bad, too. If people were willing to just show their love to each other a little more, this world would be a completely different place.
Overwhelmed?
So, now that school has been in for nine weeks, it's time to give an update! It might be best to do this more frequently, but I'll cross that bridge later. Over the last nine weeks, it's been a roller coaster ride of great happy moments and low dark moments, as many things have, but I'm feeling more optimistic now than I was a couple of weeks ago!!
A few weeks ago, I felt like I was finally getting into a groove in my classes. Life was just cruising along so well, until suddenly my calendar showed homecoming week. This started my mind making a "Rage Comic" face. For homecoming, we have a parade, spirit week activities, football preparation, pep assemblies, and odd schedules. Of course, I'm not complaining, as I enjoy all of these things to some degree, except when they include play practices, regional rehearsals for extracurricular activities, and the regular early-morning meetings. All in a days' work, of course, but... WHAT?! So, anyway, I got two parade floats pulled together, had a band play in the parade, took part of my middle school students to the football game to play in the pep band at the game, and managed a regional rehearsal for my choir students.
Well, I survived homecoming, of course, and even had a lot of fun with it! The kids had a blast, the parents were a treat to work with, and I even managed to keep my hair -- even if I did paint it blue for "crazy hair day."
Since then, most schedules feel exceptionally doable. I'm sure that won't last too long, but I'm never quite sure from week to week. With only three weeks left until the play opens, we're starting to get to crunch-time. Likewise, there are around 60 days until my band and choir concerts and I only get to see those kids every other day! I'm feeling a little bit of stress right now just thinking about that part!
Let's see... I don't want to write a whole spiel on work. How about this part? I got made Elders' Quorum President shortly before school started this year. My councilors and I have been working on home teaching for two months now, and we're only just almost ready to pass the assignments out... I feel like a total slacker, but we just haven't had a chance to get the rest together. Ay, ay, ay... Meanwhile, the Relief Society is dancing around us with callings, visiting teaching, and all sorts of great things.
Gosh! OK, so I'm complaining a little bit again... I don't mean to play the "who's more busy" game, nor do I mind doing my job and serving in my church, but sometimes, I just want to suddenly up and go far away just to get a break!
Anyway, life is good. I am alive, but sometimes, I have to poke myself and make sure that, yes, I really do exist! I'm looking forward to the next break so I can get a little more sleep and a little bit of time for me and being social with others. :-)
A few weeks ago, I felt like I was finally getting into a groove in my classes. Life was just cruising along so well, until suddenly my calendar showed homecoming week. This started my mind making a "Rage Comic" face. For homecoming, we have a parade, spirit week activities, football preparation, pep assemblies, and odd schedules. Of course, I'm not complaining, as I enjoy all of these things to some degree, except when they include play practices, regional rehearsals for extracurricular activities, and the regular early-morning meetings. All in a days' work, of course, but... WHAT?! So, anyway, I got two parade floats pulled together, had a band play in the parade, took part of my middle school students to the football game to play in the pep band at the game, and managed a regional rehearsal for my choir students.
Well, I survived homecoming, of course, and even had a lot of fun with it! The kids had a blast, the parents were a treat to work with, and I even managed to keep my hair -- even if I did paint it blue for "crazy hair day."
Since then, most schedules feel exceptionally doable. I'm sure that won't last too long, but I'm never quite sure from week to week. With only three weeks left until the play opens, we're starting to get to crunch-time. Likewise, there are around 60 days until my band and choir concerts and I only get to see those kids every other day! I'm feeling a little bit of stress right now just thinking about that part!
Let's see... I don't want to write a whole spiel on work. How about this part? I got made Elders' Quorum President shortly before school started this year. My councilors and I have been working on home teaching for two months now, and we're only just almost ready to pass the assignments out... I feel like a total slacker, but we just haven't had a chance to get the rest together. Ay, ay, ay... Meanwhile, the Relief Society is dancing around us with callings, visiting teaching, and all sorts of great things.
Gosh! OK, so I'm complaining a little bit again... I don't mean to play the "who's more busy" game, nor do I mind doing my job and serving in my church, but sometimes, I just want to suddenly up and go far away just to get a break!
Anyway, life is good. I am alive, but sometimes, I have to poke myself and make sure that, yes, I really do exist! I'm looking forward to the next break so I can get a little more sleep and a little bit of time for me and being social with others. :-)
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