Back to school...

Another school year has begun, and I can hardly believe I've been teaching 10 years.  It gets harder each year, however, though you'd think the opposite to be true.  I sometimes laugh to myself that I studied counterpoint, took several language diction classes, 4 years of theory and history to say everyday, "If the notes go up, sing higher.  If they go down, sing lower."  Literally, it has come to that.

I do love teaching music, however, and don't think I could stomach another topic, or teaching kids who don't want to be in my room.  If only they sang in tune more consistenly, it would sound more like music, and less like abuse.

I forsee many changes in my near future regarding my life, and I don't quite know which direction to take.  This year is about letting go, and seeing what my heart finds.  It's terrifying, but I'm looking forward to making major changes.

Forgettable spring

I'm terrible at keeping up with blogging, but I love reading the blogs of my friends. The insanely beautiful weather has held up, and now, with April among us, it feels like a true April, which might be my favorite month. I love the rain. I love the grass growing wildly, more vibrant than the day before. I love planting, being outside, even doing outside chores, before the nasty Kansas heat kicks in.

Aside from the beautiful weather, it has been a rough few weeks. With the random passing of a friend and colleague, life has me asking many questions, and non-stop. They invade my sleep, wake me up, and still leave me with no answers. I am a very pragmatic person, and demand to know the reasons behind things. It's hard to succumb to the truth that I am not running the show, and life is not black and white.

I look forward to getting away this summer as much as possible, and enjoying my friends and family scattered throughout the country. I just wish I had more money to visit more people. It's hard to narrow it down each summer.

Feelin' Good

While I'm feeling this way, I am inclined to blog. I am extremely happy. January is my favorite month to teach. I feel like everyone, without even having to say it, feels renewed and empowered to start the year anew, vowing to work harder, whine less. While this lasts, I'm going to soak up every second of it.
Also, the unseasonably warm Kansas weather is completely confusing me. It is like March outside. We have not seen snow or ice, but it's bound to come, which is fine. I just hope it's one beautiful storm, then we can get back to March.

Happy Holidays

Wow. Totally forgot I had a blog. Am I so boring that I have nothing to say? Actually, yes. I work a TON. When I'm home, I am buried under the best two animals this world has ever seen.

Anyhoo, on my way to the Free State Holiday Party. Today was the last day of the semester, and I have no plans for break. "Boring again", you say? Maybe to you, but Chris is also off, so we shall do nothing together. Plans for the break:
1) Watch The Godfather and The Godfather II. I've never seen either of them. Don't judge.
2) Get back in the exercise habit. At least a little bit.
3) Sleep as late as I can everyday. This won't go past 9 am ever, but even that sounds like heaven.
4) Relax, de-stress, get my thankfulness back. I've turned into a grinch.

That is all for now. Merry Christmas to everyone reading this (hi Geneva!)
love,
hilary

Summertime

Oh yes, my friends. It is now, officially, summertime! I was supposed to go to school today to do grades, check out, clean up, but hells nah. I did that crap early. Slept until 9:30 this morning, still in my jammies at 1:32, and getting my herr did soon. Looking forward to cooking, watching movies as late as I want and enjoying a summer without school. I graduated last weekend (actually, I defended my thesis last July, so it wasn't that big of a deal), so I think I'm gonna get me a pool pass, some books, and see how the other half live.

If you too are enjoying summer, make yourself a cocktail now. Why not?

THE wedding

Ok, I admit. I watched the Royal Wedding. To be fair, I just watched the promenade from the Abbey to Buckingham Palace, and the kisses. Have to admit, though, my favorite part were just all of the hats. What kind of party can I attend, donning one of these crazy designs? Thanksgiving dinner? A play? Harbour Lights Thursday nights? I love them!

My So-Called teens

So I just recently discovered live streaming of Netflix through my Wii. I've never really used either too terribly much.

Anyhow, I decided to watch the entire season of My So-Called Life, one episode at a a time, and I must say, it brings back memories. Not just memories of watching the show (and believe me, when I was 15, I could recite the season verbatim), but memories of being awkward, and feeling invisible and like you're making everything up in your head.

I look back at pictures of myself at that age, and I looked just like Angela Chase (played by Claire Danes). Overalls, flannel shirts, obviously dyed red hair. What's interesting to me is how quickly tears came to her each episode. I would bet Claire cried an average of 3 times per 47 minute episode. It seems much harder for tears to come now, but when they do, man! I have to stay well-hydrated just to keep up. I cry now for reasons other than boys and friends. I usually just cry because I'm tired. There will be the occasional commercial that gets me, or even reading an obituary in the paper of people I've never known. Man, I'm old. I read the freaking obituraries each day? Wow.

Anyhow, I challenge anyone to watch a show they were incredibly familiar with during that changing period in their lives. I feel certain you will revert right back to where you were, but be thankful of coming out of it all alive, and hardly scarred.