Keeping up?

• Finish two page paper on how I will promote a community of learners in my classroom.
• Make a study guide for Music History chapter 33.
• Write a research paper about Shostakovich.
• Write a 16 page document about classroom management.

All due within the next 48 hours. Not sure how that's gonna work out.

Totally random

Today has been a somewhat random day.

For instance, instead of me having to drop all the work I was needing to do to work on this huge project, it was assigned to someone else. Usually I'm the assignee, not the assigner. It was different.

Next, I came back, ate lunch, and actually accomplished homework before band. That usually doesn't happen. Mostly because I usually just decide to be lazy.

Then, in band we had sectionals, so we decided to go outside. When it was time to get together with the entire ensemble, we all stayed outside and played in the wonderful sunshine. Random.

My last totally random thought for now is: Trail mix is not mixed enough for my taste. For instance, there are way too many raisins and almonds. There should be more m&m's, more peanuts and cashews, less raisins, and less almonds. Then I'd be happy.

Results of the big day...

I did it! :)

My recital was today at 2pm. A beautiful spring day. A great crowd. Some great music. I honestly couldn't have asked for anything more.

I'm very excited that the performance went well. I was telling Jonathan that up until today, I have never been happy with any of my performances in front of the public. Ever. Until today. Somehow (though I still haven't figured out how) I managed to pull off five songs and not let my nerves get in the way. It was a great feeling.

My dear friend Kaia said a prayer for me right before it started, and I know my family has been praying for me for a long time. God really showed up in a big way today to calm me down and allow me to use the gifts He's given me to the fullest. I'm so thankful.

Though I know not a lot of my recital attendees read my blog: Thank you. Thanks for coming. I really appreciate it.

Thanks to my teachers: Jennifer Hawkinson, Jonathan Neiderhiser, Nancy Wilcoxson, Dave DeHoogh-Kliewer...for believing in me all these years, and for the hard work on their part in making my recital happen.

Thanks to my accompanist: Carol Flower. Man, she is one heck of a piano player!

Thanks to my fellow classmates for playing with me on my recital: Kaia Mogen, Ronna Ringen, Lora Egan, Matt Ulmer, Sherri Jurgenson, Tom Sandhurst. You guys are awesome.

Thanks to my family: for driving hours to get here, for being dragged around Sioux Falls for two days, for helping me set up and tear down, and for their moral support and love they've always shown me. I could have never done anything without them.

Thanks to my boyfriend: Jonathan. He's been encouraging me through this whole process...even with all my whining, complaining, and busy-ness. Love you, honey. Thanks for always being there.

Thanks to my friends: for all your encouraging words and support!

And now...time for some relaxation. I asked for extensions on all projects due in the next few days, so I'm free as a bird tonight. Going to relax, watch a movie, and just hang out with Jonathan. Life is good.

PS. Pictures and maybe video coming soon?

Recital

The day has finally come! I'll give you all the juicy details about how it goes. :)

Nearly Here

The recital is only a few days away. How did this happen?

Sunday around 3 pm will be the best time in my college career so far, I believe. That would be after the recital. lol.

In the last two days alone I've been putting in hours and hours of practicing. Sometimes I wonder if it's enough. However, yesterday around 4 I was wiped out. I think that says something.

Today, I have a rehearsal with my accompanist, wind ensemble, more practicing on my own, and then hopefully I'll get to relax a bit tonight with Jonathan. Oh yeah, I need to write a paper by 5pm.

I hate these last minute assignments that say: e-mail to me by such and such a time. The thing is, the teacher won't get around to grading it for another month. So why should we have a deadline? Seems a bit hypocritical.

I'm very cynical about school and life in general. I'm very tired of the uncertainty of housing, jobs, summer plans, money, etc. I just want stability! Is that too much to ask?!?

Productive Morning

A productive morning so far. What can be better than sleeping an extra hour, not having to go to work, finishing program notes (hopefully), practicing, and picking up my cap and gown for graduation?

Ok, so I haven't done all of these things yet, but I will before the morning is over.

I'm very glad I decided to take the next three days off of work. I never realized how much time and effort I put into my job. It's nice to forget about it for a little bit. In spite of the fact that I like my job, it's nice to have a break.

What shall we do today, kids?

I know. Let's write on and rip down posters that other people have carefully placed across campus. Sound like fun?

Whether it was premeditated, or a drunken split second act...that's exactly what happened to a couple of my recital posters I put up on Friday. Frustrating? Yes. Retarded? Yes.

Jonathan says to not take it personally. And I can't, because I'm sure whoever did it had no idea who I am. But at the same time, who does that? How old are we again, people? I don't run around the place where you live tearing down your stuff!

I've never really had much confidence in people my age. I seem to relate to adults better, because I cannot stand an ounce of immaturity. Sure, I can be silly every once in a while, but most of the time I'd rather tell the screaming college girls to grow up. I do not deny that there are some pretty demented and immature adults out there as well.

Once again, another reason I'm ready to be done with this recital, school, and dorm life.

Not what I expected...

This week has not turned out like I expected. First...I came down with this crud that has me sneezing and blowing my nose like a crazy person. I can't think straight, can't focus, can't work on homework, and can't force myself to care about my pending recital.

Second: I expected my program notes to be done right now. Thank you so much, cold, for the interruption. I should work on them tonight. Hopefully.

Part of me wishes the recital was this weekend so I could get it over with. The other part of me is so glad it isn't, because there are a few things I need to wrap up.

However, high point of the day: my dress is in my possession. Hooray! My girlfriends are coming over to see it later this evening. Still debating on the shoes. I bought open toed ones, but then thought maybe my toes would be distracting. So then I borrowed a pair from a friend, but I'm not sure they work well. Ugh. I know! I should go buy another pair! lol.

I'm hopeless (see post below).

Shoes are my weakness.

Out of all the pairs of shoes I already own, I bought another pair of black heeled sandals tonight. I wanted something pretty to go with my recital dress. I think these will work just fine.

What was wrong with my other shoes, you ask? Nothing. Am I addicted to shoes, you ask? Unfortunately, yes.

Second addiction: earrings. Though my urge to buy earrings has faded since high school, I found that I couldn't resist a buy 2 pairs for $12 deal at New York and Company today. I keep stealing my sister's earrings every time I go home, so I thought I'd buy a few pairs that were a little out of the ordinary for myself. I like them.

Wish I could put pics of the shoes on here, but I can't find one that will let me copy. They're cute. We'll leave it at that.

Mother Nature is throwing a temper tantrum all over the Midwest.

That was my funny quote from yesterday. Somehow, all in the same state, we had blizzard warnings, tornadoes, and flooding all in the same evening. Weird.

I'm sort of on spring break. I've decided this week will be good for getting caught up/working ahead on school work. It somewhat doesn't really feel like break except for the lack of classes and a room to myself. Pretty nice.

I licked a monster in an elevator because I think I need serious help.

Type out the sentence you end up with in the TITLE of your note

Pick the month you were born:
January-------I kicked
February------I loved
March--------I karate chopped
April----------I licked
May----------I jumped on
June----------I smelled
July-----------I did the Macarena With
August--------I had lunch with
September----I danced with
October-------I sang to
November-----I yelled at
December-----I ran over

Pick the day (number) you were born on:
1-------a birdbath
2-------a monster
3-------a phone
4-------a fork
5-------a snowman
6-------a gangster
7-------my mobile phone
8-------my dog
9-------my best friends' boyfriend
10-------my neighbour
11-------my science teacher
12-------a banana
13-------a fireman
14-------a stuffed animal
15-------a goat
16-------a pickle
17-------your mom
18-------a spoon
19------ - a smurf
20-------a baseball bat
21-------a ninja
22-------Chuck Norris
23-------a noodle
24-------a squirrel
25-------a football player
26-------my sister
27-------my brother
28-------an iPod
29-------a surfer
30-------a homeless guy
31-------a llama

What is the last number of the year you were born:
1--------- In my car
2 --------- On your car
3 ----------- In a hole
4 ----------- Under your bed
5 ----------- Riding a Motorcycle
6 --------- sliding down a hill
7 --------- in an elevator
8---------- at the dinner table
9 -------- In line at the bank
0 -------- in your bathroom

Pick the color of shirt you are wearing:
White---------because I'm cool like that
Black---------because that's how I roll.
Pink-----------because I'm NOT crazy.
Red-----------because the voices told me to.
Blue-----------because I'm sexy and I do what I want
Green---------because I think I need some serious help.
Purple---------because I'm AWESOME!
Gray----------because Big Bird said to and he's my leader.
Yellow--------because someone offered me 1,000,000 dollars
Orange--------because my family thinks I'm stupid anyway.
Brown---------because I can.
Other----------because I'm a Ninja!
None----------because I can't control myself!

Now type out the sentence you made, in the TITLE line .

Feel bad

I think I just made the right choice, but I still feel bad about it.

I'm supposed to be tutoring a student for my grad Literacy education class. I was paired with a student from an after school program at one of the middle schools. I met her three weeks ago. I haven't seen her since.

Two weeks ago I drove to this middle school only to discover they had no school. Last week I drove there to find she wasn't there that day. I'm supposed to be meeting with her on a weekly basis.

This week I contacted a school counselor from a different middle school to see if she had another student I could be paired with. I just called the after school program to tell them I wouldn't be coming to tutor this girl anymore. I feel really bad about it, but I need a weekly appointment I can count on.

Am I a jerk?

The first of the lasts.

Hello faithful followers. I apologize for neglecting you.

These last few weeks I haven't even been able to sleep enough let alone keep up on my blog.

I'm finding that I've come upon the first of the lasts. Let me explain.
The University of Sioux Falls theater and music departments are putting on "The Producers" by Mel Brooks this week. I'm playing in the orchestra (which I love) and tonight will be our third out of the five performances.

I was talking to the saxophone player between acts last night, and she was saying how excited she was that we only had three performances left. It just hit me that these will be my last three musical theater performances at USF.

Yes, I have been complaining for the last two weeks about going to practices. Yes, I hate how disorganized the whole musical process has been. But once we hit the performances, everything falls together. Sure, nothing is perfect, but it is so much fun. I'm going to miss it.

I only have about ten more months left of being a college student. I'm terrified and excited at the same time. Part of me thinks: I've been a student for seventeen years! I don't know how to be anything else! The other part of me thinks: I'VE BEEN A STUDENT FOR SEVENTEEN YEARS! IT'S TIME TO BE SOMETHING ELSE!

Things are wrapping up so fast. February is waving goodbye to me as I write this blog post. I have less than two months until my senior flute recital. Only a couple more band concerts. Only a few more big projects. I'm overwhelmed.

In spite of the fact that I hate change, and the transition between college and the work force will be difficult for me, I think I'll be ready when the time comes. It's such a weird feeling. I remember the same stuff going through my head after high school. I was done, ready to move on, scared, but excited. Now I can barely remember high school, and I'm thankful I don't have to relive that experience. Will college end up being the same? A distant memory that I'm thankful I got away from?

Thanks for plowing through my ramblings. I was having a rhetorical conversation with myself. Ha ha! Producers reference!

Stop the roller coaster! I want to get off!

I have an overwhelmingly large amount of things to do, and I can't even begin to figure out how it's all going to get done.

I feel like I don't have a life, and the one I do have is consumed by these crazy projects.

Last semester, you better go by fast.

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.