I am thinning out my bookshelves with a trading service that I recently ran across. I was a little nervous to give my thumbs up before I knew for sure, but so far, it is pretty awesome! Because I would want to know if you found something you liked, I thought I would share. Plus, it stemmed from my frustration with trying to sell things on ebay and amazon...
My brief explanation:
1. Find books and/or DVDs you are willing to part with.
2. List books on Bookins.com by ISBN or DVDs by UPC number.
3. Create a "want list" of items you would like shipped to you.
4. Books you want to get rid of ship to others at no cost to you. You simply print the pre-paid postage and drop it in the mail. You receive points based on your items' original price and popularity.
5. You can exchange your points for books or DVDs on your want list, which are shipped to you for a flat $4.49 shipping and handling fee. They use anything that might be left over to pay for heavier items to be shipped, upkeep on the website, credit card fees, etc.
When you do the math, you can see that if the book isn't worth $4.49, you probably wouldn't chose it, but how about a DVD of Grey's Anatomy Season One? Yes, please! Too bad I didn't have enough points before that was snatched up. One last thing, it's a great way to go green!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Dairyland, U.S.A.
I was a chaperone on a band trip this weekend.
We went to the Wisconsin Dells. There is quite a bit more there than I was expecting. I don't know as though I would want to spend a whole week there, but it is a fun destination.
We started with Tommy Bartlett's Exploratory. It was like a science/math/technology fun-land that hasn't been updated since the 80s. They seemed to enjoy it anyway.
Friday night the band performed a bit of pre-show entertainment at the "Broadway Dinner Theater." Newsflash: Wisconsin is no where near "Broadway." Actually the show, Fabulous 50s, was pretty good. Most of the students really enjoyed it, which surprised me.
Friday night curfew was 11:00 p.m. As we were checking rooms we realized that there was a girls' room adjoining a boys' room. This did not necessarily mean trouble, but let's not provide opportunity. My roommate and I switched rooms with the girls to prevent any potential situations.
Saturday morning at 2:30 a.m. someone knocks at the door. In a heavy daze I stumble to the door and see through the peep hole that a freshman boy is standing outside the door. "Do you need something Tyler." (Shocked look on boys face) "Uh, is Sami in there?" "No, she's in a different room now, and I'm not telling you which one. You need to go back to your room."
I think it was quite a shock to the poor boy. I walked down to their room ten minutes later to make sure there were only four boys there. I slept well after that, but found out the next morning that other chaperones had dealt with other situations. Fortunately nothing out of the norm for teenagers on a school trip. Perhaps I should add that everything was well on the conservative side of what happened on a few trips while I was in high school.
Saturday we went to Mt Olympus Water and Theme Park. It is still early spring, so only one outdoor roller coaster and two go-kart tracks were open. After that we went shopping. Sometimes I don't feel like shopping and would rather not. It was one of those afternoons. I did find some Wisconsin cheese curds that made the afternoon worth it in the end.
Wisconsin Dells, WI is home to the largest Pirate's Cove Mini-Golf attraction. They have five courses, 90 unique holes. We had an unlimited wristband, but we only made it through 18 holes. I'd love to go back and spend a few more hours there someday.
Today we woke up, checked out of the hotel, and drove back home. I had a good time, but I will probably not volunteer to go on any school trips in the near future. Teenagers can get a little irritable when they are tired! *yawn* Time for a nap for me!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Another link off the old paper chain...
Click Here for Image
Here I am, at the last parent teacher conferences for this season of life. I’m not actually blogging. I bring my laptop on conference days so I can entertain myself with internet research. Usually it is choir related, so I feel that it is justified. Alas, the wireless connection is not working. I’m back to writing things out by hand in a Word Document.
I have had many parents wish me well for my future journey. I’m glad to hear that. Perhaps these last few weeks will be the brightest of my time here. I’m working on enjoying each day. Just recently I found great joy in sorting through books on the bookshelf. I enjoy separating my belongings from those of the school. I wonder if they would miss the set of African drums I ordered last spring.
I have collected a lot more sheet music since I started working here. I’m not really sure the best way to store it. I’m going to have to get some new containers. The ones from college are overflowing and falling apart.
One of my choir and music theory students is going to join band. I’m so excited for him. He’s one of those kids that needs some redirecting on occasion when he gets picked on. I think he’s funny and a smart kid. His dad just called a friend of theirs and is going to buy him a trumpet. That is the sort of thing that makes my heart happy. Getting him involved in more ways will hopefully keep him on the right track.
Did I mention yet how boing this is? I’m just going to keep typing about it. In the last 5 hours and 45 minutes I have talked to eighteen families. Some of them I speak with for five minutes or more, but most of them are very brief. I have not yet seen any of the parents that I “invited” to conferences. I’ll be making phone calls tomorrow.
I wish I had internet connection and a secluded corner where I could watch lost. In the seven and a half hours I have been here, I could be finished watching ten more episodes! Even considering the time I’ve spent actually “working,” I think I should have been able to polish off eight episodes!
So what have I been doing to occupy my time? I sorted through octavos, mine from not mine. I listened to some horrible Alfred publishing “new releases” on their latest CDs. Horribly cheesy, lots of “fluff” music. I finished entering grades into a spreadsheet that figures their percentages. I ate pizza and a piece of pumpkin roll-up. I’ve walked to the faculty lounge to get my mail, read my mail, walked to the bathroom a few times, walked to my room for more stuff to sort, walked to the fountain to refill my waterbottle, walked to the bathroom again. Then I cried that the internet isn’t working.
I just talked to a favorite parent of mine. When I told him his daughter would not be performing on the Christmas concert, he said she had it coming to her and he supported me. YAY!
It is now 6:23. Just over one hour left. I see a few students from solo/ensemble contest. They lost two points because they were short on time. Unfortunately, that is my fault and I’m going to have to own up on it. It made a difference between a II and a III. I would have wanted to cry if it was the difference between a I and a II! The crazy thing is the music has the time of 2:50 printed at the top. I timed it myself and it was just over 2:30. When they sang on Saturday, it only lasted 2:04. Yikes. I guess we were more worried about running out of breath than the time.
One hour. Sixty minutes. Up to 24 families.
I am T-I-R-E-D!
I have to admit though, sometimes I really enjoy a good laugh with a student’s parent. The parents of the good kids always come to conferences. 45 minutes.
Let’s talk LOST again. I’m going to have to take several days off because I am about 6 or 7 episodes ahead of Heather. It was difficult enough to talk to her about the Season 2 finale since I was already five ahead. If Bryan is reading this, I’m going to catch up to you soon! I feel like I am well on track to being done by LOST weekend. Which will be a duo celebration: last contract day at Dunkerooville AND watching LOST! YAY!
I’m keeping my eye on one of the parents I need to talk to. I may have to tackle her if she tries to leave before talking to me.
I’m so glad I did. Things are not always as they seem! Someone lied to me, and I don’t know who it was!
Thirty families in 7 hours and 15 minutes! It’s time to pack up friends.
In conclusion, these days can be stressful, humorous, long, productive, dull, gratifying… It’s a grab bag of emotions actually. The best part would be if we could squeeze it all into about four hours. That would be IDEAL!
Ms. Zwiefel, singing out.
P.S. I figured out when I got home that my computer couldn't connect to the internet because of a button on my laptop had been pushed. GRRRRRRR....
Here I am, at the last parent teacher conferences for this season of life. I’m not actually blogging. I bring my laptop on conference days so I can entertain myself with internet research. Usually it is choir related, so I feel that it is justified. Alas, the wireless connection is not working. I’m back to writing things out by hand in a Word Document.
I have had many parents wish me well for my future journey. I’m glad to hear that. Perhaps these last few weeks will be the brightest of my time here. I’m working on enjoying each day. Just recently I found great joy in sorting through books on the bookshelf. I enjoy separating my belongings from those of the school. I wonder if they would miss the set of African drums I ordered last spring.
I have collected a lot more sheet music since I started working here. I’m not really sure the best way to store it. I’m going to have to get some new containers. The ones from college are overflowing and falling apart.
One of my choir and music theory students is going to join band. I’m so excited for him. He’s one of those kids that needs some redirecting on occasion when he gets picked on. I think he’s funny and a smart kid. His dad just called a friend of theirs and is going to buy him a trumpet. That is the sort of thing that makes my heart happy. Getting him involved in more ways will hopefully keep him on the right track.
Did I mention yet how boing this is? I’m just going to keep typing about it. In the last 5 hours and 45 minutes I have talked to eighteen families. Some of them I speak with for five minutes or more, but most of them are very brief. I have not yet seen any of the parents that I “invited” to conferences. I’ll be making phone calls tomorrow.
I wish I had internet connection and a secluded corner where I could watch lost. In the seven and a half hours I have been here, I could be finished watching ten more episodes! Even considering the time I’ve spent actually “working,” I think I should have been able to polish off eight episodes!
So what have I been doing to occupy my time? I sorted through octavos, mine from not mine. I listened to some horrible Alfred publishing “new releases” on their latest CDs. Horribly cheesy, lots of “fluff” music. I finished entering grades into a spreadsheet that figures their percentages. I ate pizza and a piece of pumpkin roll-up. I’ve walked to the faculty lounge to get my mail, read my mail, walked to the bathroom a few times, walked to my room for more stuff to sort, walked to the fountain to refill my waterbottle, walked to the bathroom again. Then I cried that the internet isn’t working.
I just talked to a favorite parent of mine. When I told him his daughter would not be performing on the Christmas concert, he said she had it coming to her and he supported me. YAY!
It is now 6:23. Just over one hour left. I see a few students from solo/ensemble contest. They lost two points because they were short on time. Unfortunately, that is my fault and I’m going to have to own up on it. It made a difference between a II and a III. I would have wanted to cry if it was the difference between a I and a II! The crazy thing is the music has the time of 2:50 printed at the top. I timed it myself and it was just over 2:30. When they sang on Saturday, it only lasted 2:04. Yikes. I guess we were more worried about running out of breath than the time.
One hour. Sixty minutes. Up to 24 families.
I am T-I-R-E-D!
I have to admit though, sometimes I really enjoy a good laugh with a student’s parent. The parents of the good kids always come to conferences. 45 minutes.
Let’s talk LOST again. I’m going to have to take several days off because I am about 6 or 7 episodes ahead of Heather. It was difficult enough to talk to her about the Season 2 finale since I was already five ahead. If Bryan is reading this, I’m going to catch up to you soon! I feel like I am well on track to being done by LOST weekend. Which will be a duo celebration: last contract day at Dunkerooville AND watching LOST! YAY!
I’m keeping my eye on one of the parents I need to talk to. I may have to tackle her if she tries to leave before talking to me.
I’m so glad I did. Things are not always as they seem! Someone lied to me, and I don’t know who it was!
Thirty families in 7 hours and 15 minutes! It’s time to pack up friends.
In conclusion, these days can be stressful, humorous, long, productive, dull, gratifying… It’s a grab bag of emotions actually. The best part would be if we could squeeze it all into about four hours. That would be IDEAL!
Ms. Zwiefel, singing out.
P.S. I figured out when I got home that my computer couldn't connect to the internet because of a button on my laptop had been pushed. GRRRRRRR....
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Photo Update
Pictures to follow, but I'm going to make dinner first... Will I actually post them today. I plan to...?
(in response to Holli's comment) Okay... but if it the excuse "I was watching LOST" works, then I should be off the hook. Season 2 rocked!
I interviewed at Iowa, thought it went horribly, was offered a TA position, and accepted the placement. I realize I should have kept blogland in the loop, but I didn't make the official decision until a week ago. In terms of how often I blog, that's like five minutes ago!!!! I'm sad about not moving to Mankato. Then I realized that the biggest reason I wanted to go to that school was because of its location. (Most of my readers are from this area...) Iowa is a stronger career move. Since I am quite decidedly still single and can do whatever I want, I'm going to have to go with the better option career-wise. The financial side of it was pretty hard to turn down too. Is it all about the money? A little no, and a little more yes. I like free schooling. :) ("free-ish" if we're getting technical) I'm really excited because the position comes with options for cheap health and dental benefits. You know you're old when you're excited about dental insurance...
My sixth grade student handed me this picture today. I'm not exactly sure what it means. I also don't really care what it means. It's good for a laugh, I guess.
Check out this SWEET plate I made with friends! I'm really pleased with it. Of course there are a few places I wish I had put a little more glaze, but it adds to the charm. "Mistakes" add character! The plate is sitting on a mirror. Don't let this picture confuse you. I was too tired to take another one and I couldn't wait until tomorrow for natural lighting. Sorry...
I'm going to sit back and watch the penultimate episode of season 2 and the season finale. Maybe you didn't need to know, but I did need to use a big word in this post.
(in response to Holli's comment) Okay... but if it the excuse "I was watching LOST" works, then I should be off the hook. Season 2 rocked!
I interviewed at Iowa, thought it went horribly, was offered a TA position, and accepted the placement. I realize I should have kept blogland in the loop, but I didn't make the official decision until a week ago. In terms of how often I blog, that's like five minutes ago!!!! I'm sad about not moving to Mankato. Then I realized that the biggest reason I wanted to go to that school was because of its location. (Most of my readers are from this area...) Iowa is a stronger career move. Since I am quite decidedly still single and can do whatever I want, I'm going to have to go with the better option career-wise. The financial side of it was pretty hard to turn down too. Is it all about the money? A little no, and a little more yes. I like free schooling. :) ("free-ish" if we're getting technical) I'm really excited because the position comes with options for cheap health and dental benefits. You know you're old when you're excited about dental insurance...
My sixth grade student handed me this picture today. I'm not exactly sure what it means. I also don't really care what it means. It's good for a laugh, I guess.
Check out this SWEET plate I made with friends! I'm really pleased with it. Of course there are a few places I wish I had put a little more glaze, but it adds to the charm. "Mistakes" add character! The plate is sitting on a mirror. Don't let this picture confuse you. I was too tired to take another one and I couldn't wait until tomorrow for natural lighting. Sorry...
I'm going to sit back and watch the penultimate episode of season 2 and the season finale. Maybe you didn't need to know, but I did need to use a big word in this post.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Dare to Dream
I've been watching LOST! I started last weekend with Holli and Miles. We watched both parts of the pilot episode and then two more episodes. I was hooked. That was Saturday, and right now I am beginning episode 14. Let's just say I have a lot more time on my hands since the March concerts are out of the way and the grad school audition is over.
After the first night of viewing, I had a dream. Hurley was helping someone with an injury, and he seemed to have a strong medical understanding of what he was doing. I asked him where he had studied to be a doctor. He said, "Dunkerton."
This morning I had a dream that I was graduating from UNI with my master's degree. I was scheduled to sing at the ceremony. I had on my cap, gown, and all the sweet accessories any person could ever earn while in college. Medals, funny looking collars, you name it. The problem was I got lost trying to find my seat. Yeah, I'm going to blame LOST for that one too.
The really weird thing is that prior to Saturday night I couldn't tell you the last time I woke up during a dream. **Insert Twilight Zone theme music here.**
P.S. LOST is awesome.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
I'm tired at 8:45!
I went for a nice bike ride today! It was great!
I'm taking a much needed study break... Blah! The choral lit. diagnostic at the U. of Iowa is not pass/fail, but I don't want to look like an idiot.
My fridge art.
What I'm watching on TV.
Funny story of the day. I go in to talk to the Superintendent and he jokes, you can ask me anything you want as long as you're not going to quit. And I go, "oh," all sad-like. He figured it out and then felt really bad. Talk about AWKWARD! I laughed. He took it really well and was super-supportive. He once knew someone who went into the same field and did not get accepted to Mankato. This makes me look awesome! Haha.
The next step is to "leak" the info to the rest of the staff, type a letter of resignation, post the job internally, and then see my job advertised!!! How crazy is that!?! Crazy-Awesome is what it is. I don't feel like making an official announcement, which is why I'll tell a few people and the whole school will know by noon. Ah, small towns. The countdown is well underway. I'm thinking that I'll make a paper chain soon. Last year I already had one started by this time.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Refreshed!
I had a great weekend!
Friday - Teacher inservice! YAY! I spent the afternoon organizing my office. Friday night - Art Club with the teacher's. They painted. I mostly crocheted, then later tried my hand at watercolors. My "art" is lovingly attached to the fridge.
Saturday - Most of the day was spent as a couch potato. :) Then church, which was great, and hanging out with friends. We enjoyed O.P. pizza and a movie called The Visitor. I liked it, but the ending was not as conclusive as I was hoping.
Sunday - Slept in, ran errands. Bought food for two new dinners this week.
Monday - Accidentally woke up at 7:30, the time I usually leave for school. Told the principal that I'm not coming back. Woohoo! Opened all the windows in my apartment. Watched "Dancing with the Stars."
Next post will be in complete sentences, maybe.
Friday - Teacher inservice! YAY! I spent the afternoon organizing my office. Friday night - Art Club with the teacher's. They painted. I mostly crocheted, then later tried my hand at watercolors. My "art" is lovingly attached to the fridge.
Saturday - Most of the day was spent as a couch potato. :) Then church, which was great, and hanging out with friends. We enjoyed O.P. pizza and a movie called The Visitor. I liked it, but the ending was not as conclusive as I was hoping.
Sunday - Slept in, ran errands. Bought food for two new dinners this week.
Monday - Accidentally woke up at 7:30, the time I usually leave for school. Told the principal that I'm not coming back. Woohoo! Opened all the windows in my apartment. Watched "Dancing with the Stars."
Next post will be in complete sentences, maybe.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
Ah, my arm!
I'm assembling props for the junior high talent show. I made a fake arm and a moon tonight. I also thought you might find the list of other props I gathered. A bit random. :)
branches
pail
tin cans
comic book
lamp
cardboard thermometer
calendar
photo
fake mustache
sponge
handkerchief
broom
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Update
I've been rotten at updating this. Even the last few posts have not been all that interesting. Here's a little bit of everything I've been up to.
Faith -
I have been working through a Fruit of the Spirit Bible study with my small group. Beth Moore is so passionate, and I adore her sense of humor. This study is just what I need at this point in my life.
For the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. -Galatians 5:22
Family -
Mallory is such a treat as ever. I also appreciate Alissa as she is into her teenage years in full force! Nicole is doing well at her job. Mom and Dad are doing well, and Rhylee and I spent some quality Aunt/Nephew time on Saturday. Getting him and myself dressed and loaded into the car on my own was no easy task. I did it twice. :)
Friends -
I miss you all. Today was one of the more lonely days in awhile. Rest and relaxation by yourself is great, but boring.
Work -
Leaps and bounds better than January. Still, ugh. Junior High Talent Show is March 12th. The stress level is high. Ironically, the "Fruit of the Spirit" for this week's bible study is peace. I'm interested to see how that plays out.
Grad School -
I haven't heard back from Mankato. I have an audition at the U. of Iowa on the 23rd of March. Their program intimidates me. I'm hoping that I do well, but I also hope that things work out for Mankato...
I enjoy reading everyone's blog, and hopefully I'll be sharing more items of interest with you.
Faith -
I have been working through a Fruit of the Spirit Bible study with my small group. Beth Moore is so passionate, and I adore her sense of humor. This study is just what I need at this point in my life.
For the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. -Galatians 5:22
Family -
Mallory is such a treat as ever. I also appreciate Alissa as she is into her teenage years in full force! Nicole is doing well at her job. Mom and Dad are doing well, and Rhylee and I spent some quality Aunt/Nephew time on Saturday. Getting him and myself dressed and loaded into the car on my own was no easy task. I did it twice. :)
Friends -
I miss you all. Today was one of the more lonely days in awhile. Rest and relaxation by yourself is great, but boring.
Work -
Leaps and bounds better than January. Still, ugh. Junior High Talent Show is March 12th. The stress level is high. Ironically, the "Fruit of the Spirit" for this week's bible study is peace. I'm interested to see how that plays out.
Grad School -
I haven't heard back from Mankato. I have an audition at the U. of Iowa on the 23rd of March. Their program intimidates me. I'm hoping that I do well, but I also hope that things work out for Mankato...
I enjoy reading everyone's blog, and hopefully I'll be sharing more items of interest with you.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Supernanny to the rescue!
I kid you not! I found out today from another teacher that one of the Dunkerooville families has been on Supernanny! Wow! You sure learn a lot at an inservice! I was pretty surprised, because I have the oldest daughter and she is such a sweetheart. Apparently she has twin brothers that used to be quite a handful.
I am actively hunting down the episode. Season 3, episode 3...
Friday, February 13, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Blogger Therapy
I'm taking a sick day. I have about 17 or so left. I'll never use them all. I do have headache, but it's not overpowering anymore thanks to ibuprofen.
I think the stress of my job has done it to me. When did I become such a weakling? I hardly ever get sick. I rarely lose my temper. I'm struggling lately with the negative thoughts that pop into my head sometimes when I think about work. Thankfully, I'm working through an amazing Beth Moore study on the fruits of the Spirit. God's timing is great on that one!
I'm hoping this "sanity day" helps. I made the mistake of reading my school e-mail this morning and am now upset about what a parent wrote to me. If your child is causing me this much stress I WILL remove him and give him an F! The parent feels I'm singling out his child and that in his opinion removal is "not a viable option." Obviously he doesn't know a damn thing about me, or he would realize I would never do so it it was not absolutely necessary. His child is the reason for at least 2-5 people dropping chorus at the end of the second quarter. I am not being unreasonable here. How is this happening to me?!? I used to think I was a fairly competent teacher, considering of course how little experience I have. E-mail just ruined a perfectly wonderful sick day! Grr...
72 teaching days, 4 of which are early outs... I'm not counting the band trip or honor choir days. 71 actually, since I will DEFINITELY be using my other personal day!!! I sure wish I had the kind of job I could give 2 weeks notice... (I would have been done five months ago!)
If I kept typing, I could include a lot more complaining, but I'm done.
Have you heard of the book Why Zebras don't get Ulcers?
From Wikipedia (so it must be true, haha)
I was a bit of a hypochondriac yesterday and called my sister R.N. and told her I was having an irregular heartbeat. Which is probably true. I'm a musician, I know steady beat! It's probably fine. I think I need to exercise more regularly. I promise I'll go to the doctor if it keeps happening. I'm fine now. My heart is just being ignored... Which brings me to my last and final topic for this morning. Friday is "Go Red for Women," so wear red if you like, but more importantly take care of your heart! Advice I should heed as well.
I feel a little better now.
...about five minutes later. I HAD to add this as it made me laugh out loud! I recently thought, "I'll never get a golden apple award for what I've done at Dunkerton. I wonder if there's a rotten apple award?" Come on, that's funny!
I think the stress of my job has done it to me. When did I become such a weakling? I hardly ever get sick. I rarely lose my temper. I'm struggling lately with the negative thoughts that pop into my head sometimes when I think about work. Thankfully, I'm working through an amazing Beth Moore study on the fruits of the Spirit. God's timing is great on that one!
I'm hoping this "sanity day" helps. I made the mistake of reading my school e-mail this morning and am now upset about what a parent wrote to me. If your child is causing me this much stress I WILL remove him and give him an F! The parent feels I'm singling out his child and that in his opinion removal is "not a viable option." Obviously he doesn't know a damn thing about me, or he would realize I would never do so it it was not absolutely necessary. His child is the reason for at least 2-5 people dropping chorus at the end of the second quarter. I am not being unreasonable here. How is this happening to me?!? I used to think I was a fairly competent teacher, considering of course how little experience I have. E-mail just ruined a perfectly wonderful sick day! Grr...
72 teaching days, 4 of which are early outs... I'm not counting the band trip or honor choir days. 71 actually, since I will DEFINITELY be using my other personal day!!! I sure wish I had the kind of job I could give 2 weeks notice... (I would have been done five months ago!)
If I kept typing, I could include a lot more complaining, but I'm done.
Have you heard of the book Why Zebras don't get Ulcers?
From Wikipedia (so it must be true, haha)
Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers written in 1994 by Robert M. Sapolsky, a highly acclaimed professor at Stanford University. The book proclaims itself as a "Guide to Stress, Stress-Related Diseases, and Coping" on the front cover of its third and most recent edition. The name stems from Sapolsky's insistence that animals out in the wild are less likely to have stress induced by constantly worrying over jobs, relationships, or other fears that plague humans and lead to ulcers, hypertension, decreased neurogenesis and increased hippocampal neuronal atrophy and several other maladies. Sapolsky focuses on the effects of glucocorticoids on the human body. He illustrates how such hormones may be useful to animals in the wild escaping their predators, but the effects on humans, when secreted at high quantities or over long periods of time, are much less desired. Sapolsky walks us through endocrinology's history explaining how the field reacted at times of discovery and how it has changed through the years. Praised as "One of the best science writers of our time," by Oliver Sacks, Sapolsky offers witty footnotes and several anecdotes which make the reading that much more interesting. While most of the book focuses on the biological machinery of the body, the last chapter of the book focuses on self help, an aspect of the book in which many readers are very interested.
I was a bit of a hypochondriac yesterday and called my sister R.N. and told her I was having an irregular heartbeat. Which is probably true. I'm a musician, I know steady beat! It's probably fine. I think I need to exercise more regularly. I promise I'll go to the doctor if it keeps happening. I'm fine now. My heart is just being ignored... Which brings me to my last and final topic for this morning. Friday is "Go Red for Women," so wear red if you like, but more importantly take care of your heart! Advice I should heed as well.
I feel a little better now.
...about five minutes later. I HAD to add this as it made me laugh out loud! I recently thought, "I'll never get a golden apple award for what I've done at Dunkerton. I wonder if there's a rotten apple award?" Come on, that's funny!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
There Will Be Rest
My audition at Mankato (!!!!!) will be February 17. I have an interview at 2:00 and will conduct the Concert Choir from 3:05 to 3:15. This is the piece I will be studying diligently until then to make sure I am ready. If you don't LOVE it like I do, then maybe it's okay that you and I are on different career paths. :) I think it's AMAZING! I had my choice of three songs. I went with this one because I can find heaps of recordings to practice with and already have a lot of the chords in my ear. I've heard it performed live several times by some pretty amazing choirs at regional and national conventions.
Side note, I spent my day listening to seventh graders sing "Hot N Cold," "All-American Girl," and the Friends theme song as they prepare for their talent show auditions. I can't wait to go to grad school!!!!
The poetry in this piece is pretty amazing.
There will be rest, and sure stars shining
Over the roof-tops crowned with snow,
A reign of rest, serene forgetting,
The music of stillness holy and low.
I will make this world of my devising,
Out of a dream in my lonely mind,
I shall find the crystal of peace, --above me
Stars I shall find.
---Sara Teasdale (1884-1933)
Monday, January 19, 2009
Singin' for Obama
Sorry about the commercial. This is video from my local news. KWWL Channel 7! :) They tell me about all my unexpected vacation days!
This is the kind of choir I want to conduct someday. Perhaps a more mature sounding group.... but the same sense of excitement and dedication to their art.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Seriously. Seriously?
Similarly - This link was sent to me by Miles about a month or so ago.
http://www.yankodesign.com/2008/08/18/compose-music-all-high-tech-like/
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Malloryisms
I found a scrap of paper in my desk while I was looking for things.
"When you say pick everything up off the floor, do you mean the bed and stuff? Can you write that down?"
"If you're allergic to food, does your hair turn green or do you get sick?"
"I have a friend who got his tonsils out. Well it was either tonsils or lungs, I think maybe lungs."
"When you say pick everything up off the floor, do you mean the bed and stuff? Can you write that down?"
"If you're allergic to food, does your hair turn green or do you get sick?"
"I have a friend who got his tonsils out. Well it was either tonsils or lungs, I think maybe lungs."
Melbourne the Living City
This music has been run through my head whenever I'm thinking of Melbourne or an observation tower. This is the cheesy video you can watch near the gift shop. CHEESE in it's finest form.
The Cold Day List
20 degrees below zero, 45 degrees below wind chill...
Here it is...
X Watch the Today Show (not sleep through it)
X Buy groceries for school treats tomorrow
___ Bike indoors :)
X Finish Blue Like Jazz
___ Dye my hair
X Prepare school treats for tomorrow (I'm holding off on a few since we might not have school?!?)
Make tacos for lunch (Having lunch with a friend instead of coffee)
X Quality time with God
X Coffee time with friend (or call and cancel...)(changed to lunch!)
X Wash dishes
X WATCH GREY'S ANATOMY (that doesn't need a list!)
X Find skit book
___ Laundry?
X Call Tara
X Look for CD with college papers saved on it
___ Sort college pictures for future scrapbook project
X Find cheesy Melbourne commercial (This was spontaneous...)
X Take a nap
I'd better get to it! Today I celebrate May 28th. When the date actually rolls around, we'll be in school!
I didn't get to everything. Some I finished up today (January 17). In the end it was a very productive week.
Here it is...
X Watch the Today Show (not sleep through it)
X Buy groceries for school treats tomorrow
___ Bike indoors :)
X Finish Blue Like Jazz
___ Dye my hair
X Prepare school treats for tomorrow (I'm holding off on a few since we might not have school?!?)
Make tacos for lunch (Having lunch with a friend instead of coffee)
X Quality time with God
X Coffee time with friend (or call and cancel...)(changed to lunch!)
X Wash dishes
X WATCH GREY'S ANATOMY (that doesn't need a list!)
X Find skit book
___ Laundry?
X Call Tara
X Look for CD with college papers saved on it
___ Sort college pictures for future scrapbook project
X Find cheesy Melbourne commercial (This was spontaneous...)
X Take a nap
I'd better get to it! Today I celebrate May 28th. When the date actually rolls around, we'll be in school!
I didn't get to everything. Some I finished up today (January 17). In the end it was a very productive week.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
It's Cold!
Nearly 50 below wind chills are expected! It's crazy to me that skin can freeze in less than 10 minutes. I'm hoping that the superintendent thinks it too cold to have children outside! Yes, I already had one snow day this week, but I wasted it. My own fault I guess. I was LAZY! I suppose you might think that laying around is okay on a snow day, but I would have liked to accomplish a bit more. Tomorrow, when we have another day off (or if...) I'll make a list and let you know what I do with my day.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Hotel Zwiefel
This place has been busy lately!
Friday, January 3 - Mom and Mallory came to stay the night before we left to go to Burlington to visit relatives. We ate at Applebees and watched Enchanted.
Saturday, January 4 - An ice storm changed dinner with friend Bryan into Bryan staying on the sofa de Zwiefel. We scraped together some food out of my well-stocked "bare" cupboards. You know the kind... there's plenty there but nothing to eat. Pizza, baked beans, pina colada jello. We watched the Chargers win!
Sunday and Monday - I rearranged the things I had been storing in the guest room to make way for...
Tuesday, January 6 - Friday, January 9 - My friend Kate needed a place to stay for a few days since the dorms were closed. She is a part of the small group of college women I lead in bible study once a week. We had tons of fun, and she brought baked goodies. Always a plus!
It has been so wonderful having house guests lately. The couch and guest room are currently vacant. Make your reservations today!
I'll leave the light on for ya.
Friday, January 3 - Mom and Mallory came to stay the night before we left to go to Burlington to visit relatives. We ate at Applebees and watched Enchanted.
Saturday, January 4 - An ice storm changed dinner with friend Bryan into Bryan staying on the sofa de Zwiefel. We scraped together some food out of my well-stocked "bare" cupboards. You know the kind... there's plenty there but nothing to eat. Pizza, baked beans, pina colada jello. We watched the Chargers win!
Sunday and Monday - I rearranged the things I had been storing in the guest room to make way for...
Tuesday, January 6 - Friday, January 9 - My friend Kate needed a place to stay for a few days since the dorms were closed. She is a part of the small group of college women I lead in bible study once a week. We had tons of fun, and she brought baked goodies. Always a plus!
It has been so wonderful having house guests lately. The couch and guest room are currently vacant. Make your reservations today!
I'll leave the light on for ya.
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