Dear Governor Rounds

Governor Rounds,

I have to say I am very disturbed by some of the proposed budget cuts for the state of South Dakota. Though there are many topics that I could write about, the one I choose to write about today is the elimination of funding and therefore the closing of the South Dakota Arts Council. This would make us the only state in the country without some sort of Arts Council.

As an upcoming educator, I'm very concerned what this means for the students of the state. The arts are something that everyone should have the opportunity to learn about and enjoy. It seems like when money gets tight, the fine art programs get the boot. I'm tired of it.

The South Dakota Symphony Orchestra receives much of their funding from the Arts Council, and their programs will be cut down drastically with this proposed budget. The South Dakota Symphony is one of the greatest things that South Dakota has to offer in terms of music. Taking this away from adults and children alike is not a smart move.

I realize this country is facing major hardships. Everyone has to cut back somewhere. I believe the biggest mistake would be to cut back on the arts programs. The next generation of musicians, artists, actors, dancers, etc. cannot have these opportunities taken away from them.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Shannon Smith

Memories

Just recently I went through some old blog posts. It was pretty interesting, because I'd forgotten I'd been involved in some things. It seems like parts of my life are a blur.

Tonight I looked at some mission trip pictures from high school. I really can't believe that was four years ago. Seems like a lifetime.

Tech Support

I spent at least half the day at work on the phone with two different tech support guys. Why? Because my computer was not functioning properly.

I decided I would hate to be a tech support person. You talk to people on the phone and sit for an uncomfortable amount of silence while waiting for the person's computer to do what it needs to do. It's crazy.

Though both guys I talked to today were very helpful, I didn't get started actually working on stuff until about noon. So...I stayed late to finish some stuff.

Hope I can get home early tomorrow.

Inspiring Words

Last Interim, I took a Black American History class. One of the required books was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s collection of sermons: "Strength to Love." If you haven't read this book,please put it on your "I'm going to read it before I die" list. I kept it after my class was over.

I've got one of my quotes in my info section, but I leave this passage with you to think about.

"At times we may feel that we do not need God, but on the day when the storms of disappointment rage, the winds of disaster blow, and the tidal waves of grief beat against our lives, if we do not have a deep and patient faith our emotional lives will be ripped to shreds. There is so much frustration in the wold because we have relied on gods rather than God. We have genuflected before the god of science only to find that it has given us the atomic bomb, producing fears and anxieties that science can never mitigate. We have worshiped the god of pleasure only to discover that thrills play out and sensations are short-lived. We have bowed before the god of money only to learn that there are such things as love and friendship that money cannot buy and that in a world of possible depressions, stock market crashes, and bad business investments, money is a rather uncertain deity. These transitory gods are not able to save us or bring happiness to the human heart.

Only God is able. It is faith in him that we must rediscover. With this faith we can transform bleak and desolate valleys into sunlit paths of joy and bring new light into the dark caverns of pessimism. Is someone here moving toward the twilight of life and fearful of that which we call death? Why be afraid? God is able. Is someone here on the brink of despair because of the death of a loved one, the breaking of a marriage, or the waywardness of a child? Why despair? God is able to give you the power to endure that which cannot be changed. Is someone her anxious because of band health? Why be anxious? Come what may, God is able" (p. 112-113).

Come what may, God is able.

Scholarships

I've been scouting the scholarship field again since most of my current aid is ending after this semester. I've found a few to apply for, but I've found myself just burnt out on the whole idea.

I don't really feel like I have any unique circumstances or outstanding qualities to wow the scholarship panels with. Most of the awards are only given to a few people each year. I know I need the money, but I feel like it's a waste of time.

If only I could have made it out of here in four years, but I honestly cannot imagine student teaching this spring, either.

Oh well. It will all turn out the way it's supposed to. Even if I'm up to my ears in debt for the rest of my life. Whoever decided college should be so expensive must have been nuts.

New Haircut!

I got a new haircut Thursday, and it didn't cost me a penny. :)

Jonathan gave me a gift card for Christmas to a salon I'd been wanting to try. I got a wonderful scalp massage, a reconditioning treatment, haircut, and style. Below are the results.
The top two pics are the style I came out of the salon with. Pretty cute, something I've done by myself before. The bottom two are the straightened version from Friday.

Pretty snow

The winter weather has put me in a sleepy state. It snowed most of the day today, which really didn't matter to me. I was inside most of the time.

Work was...work. I spent most of the day on one project. I've decided that the thing I have the least amount of patience with is machines that don't work properly. I spent a good chunk of time trying to fax a bunch of stuff...and the fax was busy, or wouldn't go through. I ended up just shoving them in envelopes and mailing them.

Also, my computer seems to play a game with me. Whenever it gets to about half an hour before I'm supposed to go home...everything starts stalling out. When I finally get everything to work and finish the tasks I need to, it's already a half an hour to an hour after I meant to leave. Very frustrating.

I don't mind the hours, or the extra money. However, I do mind that I needed to spend that time on other things--like my portfolio that I keep procrastinating.

Planning on going to bed in about an hour and 15 minutes. Looking forward to the sleep.

Picky picky

I'm trying to pick out my last song for my recital, and I'm having trouble.

My last piece is a Latin jazz piece. I have a book of transcriptions from some of Nestor Torres work. I've got two songs tagged. I just keep listening to them over and over trying to figure it out.

The one that I really want to do is a little more difficult. It would take a little bit of work. On one hand, I do have some time.

The second choice is a little easier, but still really fun.

Decisions decisions.

Poll

Quick poll to everyone:

If someone else sets something of theirs onto your desk...does it become yours?

Circle:

Yes or No.


Wait, you can't. Anyway, first day with everyone back and I'm already fighting for parking spots, finding random people's crap on my desk, and wanting to go to bed but knowing as soon as I do that at least 3 people will come into my room.

Love college. Tired of the dorms.

A little slick

The Sioux Empire was an ice skating rink today. Jonathan and I went to worship practice today, and did a little skating in the church parking lot.

Yes, worship practice. I'm singing on the worship team this Sunday. Somewhat nervous about it, but not too bad. It's just been years since I've done this sort of thing. Although, if I just keep singing and not be a "baby rattler" as Gabrielle calls me, I think I'll be ok. Gabrielle is the worship leader's 5 year old daughter. Apparently Zoe (his other daughter) and I were not singing at all, and we were baby rattlers. Hee hee.

After worship practice, we went to Jonathan's apartment, and I started a mound of laundry. We also vacuumed, and cleaned the kitchen a bit. It looks nice.

Needing some ZZZZZ's

How ironic. Last night, I could barely stay awake for the new year to roll around.

And tonight...I can't fall asleep.

I just finished reading the book "Fireproof," based on the movie that came out recently. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I hope to see the movie soon. The book has made me think an awful lot lately. I've had many people tell me that marriage is hard, very hard in fact. Yet, young couples rush off as soon as possible to say their vows and start their new lives.

The divorce rate is 50%. That alone should make someone think seriously about the fact that marriage isn't a walk in the park.

I don't really know what to think about all the Christmas engagements I've learned of in the last week. I'd like to be truly happy for these couples. But part of me wonders if half of them really know what they're getting into.

I cannot be an expert. I'm not married. But I do know that love is not just a mushy feeling. It's a daily decision, and an action. I don't think a lot of people realize this.

Just recently, I was talking to someone. The conversation turned to a gentleman and his wife who went to our church, but recently passed away. He said this couple had been together for something like 80 years. Both were in their 90's, and were married probably in the 18 to 20 year old range.

It's couples like this that give me a little hope. I'm sure they had their moments, maybe even years where things weren't so great. But 80 years! God used them as wonderful tools on this earth, both for each other as husband and wife, but also as servants for His world.

I'm not sure what else to say, other than I'll cut this short so I can get some sleep before work tomorrow. Happy New Year to all of my readers, as I know there are millions of you (ha ha). If you haven't seen the Fireproof movie, you should. Goodnight!