Leaving Xanga

My mom frequently tells me that I should update this blog.  "It helps the family keep up on your busy life," she says.  I just can't bring myself to spend much time here anymore.  Changes in the hosting program and many, many other priorities have led me to neglect the site.  So, I'm moving on to a different site.  If I have so many other things demanding my time, why start a new blog?  Well, one reason is that...

I just returned from a trip to northern California.  A few of my college friends live there and they were gracious enough to subtley suggest and then facilitate a visit to Chico.  Since I'm certain that my extended family will be interested in the many details of the trip, I've decided to start a series of Vacation Vignettes.  A new blog location seemed appropriate for my foray into travel writing.  So, I will now be located at www.wrenshack.wordpress.com.  I'll hope to "see" some of you there!

So Valentine's Day was fun this year...  I received four valentines apart from the cards and presents my family sent.  Two were from my little 7 and 10 year old students and one was from Kat (teaches on the faculty at TMC).  The final one was from a male piano student who is about my age...and I didn't really get the slogan on the card.  Can we say "awkward moment?!"

I now have 15 students/lesson spots committed at my private studio.  Granted, one of those spots won't be filled until March, another is on vacation for an indefinite amount of time, and a third has some pretty serious health concerns, but it's still 15 students!  I'm having a great time keeping up with them all!

TMC keeps me busy: teaching class, teaching piano, accompanying, planning piano camp (website should be done this week), and working on the final scheduling for the pedagogy program.  When not teaching at home or working at school, I spend some quality time at Ann Taylor Loft.  I also have multiple things going on at church.  So, I don't really have a lot of down time...

This was my first Christmas away from home...  I missed my family.  I'm grateful for cell phones and Skype because they made the holiday easier!  I'm flying home towards the end of next week and will get to stay for 10 days.  The trip can't start soon enough!

I'll be teaching a theory class at TMC next semester!  It's a remedial/introductory course to the basics of music theory/aural skills.  I am so excited!  I will also be teaching a piano major in addition to my current studio of non-piano music people.  The main piano professor became unexpectedly ill towards the end of the semester and so I got to temporarily teach several of his students.  One of them spoke with Dr. Mays following his return to campus and asked if she could switch teachers and study with me permanently!  I was really surprised when I heard about it, but I'm looking forward to the challenge!

I'm still praying for piano students at my home studio.  I'll be temporarily up to 9 in January (I had two new students register for spring) but one of my girls is moving back to Nebraska for a few months.  She leaves in early February.  I'm going to miss her and her family - they are some very special people!  I'm specifically praying for three more after-school students and four homeschooled students who can come in the morning/early afternoon.

Working at Ann Taylor Loft has been a little crazy since holiday season started.  Last week I was at work at 6am for a few days and then 5am on Saturday.  I had a cold and was pretty sick by Saturday.  My boss let me leave after I finished mopping the floor and getting the store ready to open.  I was so glad to get home and take a nap!  I'm feeling much better now. 

Since I'm "on break" (sorta) I'm doing lots of reading, watching movies and football, and enjoying some down time.  One of the books I'm currently reading is Jane Austen's Guide to Good Manners.  It is a fascinating little book and it enlightens several scenerios in her novels.  I've decided that Enchanted is one of my new favorite movies!  Oklahoma plays in the Fiesta Bowl on January 2nd.  Hopefully I will be able to watch the game! 

Tomorrow I'm going to Whole Foods after work to purchase a few blood oranges.  I have several blood orange products (sorbet, Italian soda, and a candle) and I'm quite excited to actually try the fruit.  If it tastes anything like I expect, I will be eating lots of them!

I spent Thanksgiving in Malibu - definitely a new experience!  One of my roommates has an aunt who lives in a rather palatial house on a hill and hosts the yearly Thanksgiving celebration.  My roommate and her aunt were both kind enough to invite my other roommate and me along for today.  I enjoyed my time there (and finally got to eat some of the famous spinach balls I've heard about for two years) but missed being with my family.

Black Friday will find me at Ann Taylor Loft running around trying to wardrobe the women of Santa Clarita.  Should be a wild day!