No pictures or epic words of wisdom today my friends. Just wanted to share some things that have gone through my mind today. No, I am not losing my sanity, anymore than was already gone to begin with.
First I thought I would just mention one of our smaller vans not only plays Fur Elise when it backs up, the driver has a horn in it now that plays the whinnying of horses and the woody woodpecker laugh. I am serious. I was not the only school member to witness this either. It made us all pause for a minute before crossing the street. It might be hard to capture the sound of this elusive musical van but I shall try my best.
Next on the list..a phone. Yes friends and family I have an iPhone. Let us not discuss the fact that all of the instructions are in KOREAN. Not that this wasn't an expected issue. Still it is rather frustrating all the same. Now there is rampant discussion amongst many of us on how to use this that and the other. The first issue is how to get the phone to make everything appear in English so we can even begin to understand the workings of the phone. Some of my colleagues are acting like Christmas has come early and are frantically trying to figure it all out now. I will be getting it figured out over the next few days and once I do I will happily share the information. I am still in the "how to turn off and on phase." It's a new and fun thing to have but it is just not top priority tonight.
Today I had three classes give presentations for me on musical composers and pieces and describe the historical context in which they were written. I cannot describe how amazed I was at not just one or two presentations but several of them. Just absolutely astounding in their quality for grade 9 especially. It makes me wonder if I can keep my expectations high enough?
Tonight I helped adjudicate some of the 11th and 12th grade students at their fall recital. For those of you in the music know this is what was played.... Flute Quantz Concerto in G Major, Piano Chopin Scherzo No. 3 Op 39, Clarinet Weber Concertino in E-flat Major, Piano Chopin Scherzo No. 1 in b minor. To say that this is college level is kind of an understatement. It is the end of September and this is what these students prepared to this point. Again...amazing. So I put in a good 12 hour day just physically at school. A little bleary eyed now I still am amazed at it all. Still it was a nice walk home after dark with a colleague. Winding my way through the apartment complex that I am learning now. I always like to walk by this one particular guard stand at night. There are usually two yellow kittens and the mama kitten I would imagine. They are usually close by the shack. It isn't uncommon to find cats in and around the area but these three are usually out every evening I walk by. Tonight I discovered why. Under the shadow of darkness there is a tiny bag of cat food out. I cannot say who it is that left this treat for the kittens. All I know is that I am not the only one who enjoys seeing them around. Funny little place I am living in now. Sometimes it puts a smile on my face.
Gosh, my ears could use some of that upper level music after the start of the year beginning band. We know 3 notes now!! Actually, I'm pretty tickled with my groups, especially my 5th grade band at Shadow Hills (50 members) and my 5th grade band at Amity (52 members). My principal at Amity walked by my classroom (the cafeteria) today on his way out to bus duty, came in laughing and asked me if I wanted him to do some more recruiting for me. I said "of course!" Can you believe 52 kids and not one percussionist? Yikes! I do have 3 trombones, 2 tenor saxes and 2 baritones, though! Yes, the day of a teacher seems to be more like 36 hours, but I can't imagine myself this happy an fulfilled in any other profession. Cheers!
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