From Ten Years Old to Hollywood

I finished my last of eight different school concerts this past week, and I enjoy hearing the feedback from parents and faculty at our various schools. People seem very pleased with the music program, and the progress of our music students from the beginning of the year to our final Spring concert. At one of my eastside schools, some grandparents of one of my students approached me after our concert and said "You do an excellent job, how long have you been doing this? Do have a degree in music? You look like you are ten, like one of the kids... which is a good thing!" I thought that was so funny- old people telling me that I look like I'm ten years old. I mentioned that I earned my music degree and have been teaching for 3 years.

In contrast, I had another concert at one of my westside schools this week. I really enjoy conversing with the lunch ladies at this school. They are so nice, and if they see Andy and I working on the stage, they often bring us treats. The day of the concert we had some down time after rehearsing with our students, and these lunch ladies came over and said that I have a face from television, and that I look like an actress, but they couldn't recall exactly who. As we were talking they decided that I look like Katie Holmes. So, within a few weeks, I was promoted from looking like a ten year old to an actress. Not bad!!!

Often I meet people who say I look like someone they know, either their friend or cousin, and when I went to Europe last summer, I met a darling woman named Jill in our tour group, who was from south africa. She was so sweet, and I loved her accent! She thought I looked just like Katie Holmes, and she wanted a picture of the two of us. She said that she was going to go home and tell all her family and friends that she met Katie Holmes and she is the cutest, sweetest person. I'm curious if anyone tells you that you look like someone famous or someone they know? Do you have one of those familiar faces?

Good Friday

Yesterday was a good day! The weather was sooo beautiful! I took the day off of work, and slept in, which was nice. And it was so good to see my grandparents before they went up to the temple where they serve regularly. Grandpa liked my new car. I showed him the sun roof, and he said something about standing up and poking out his head for the drive. He is so cute.

In the afternoon, I took my car to the dealership, and they added a cable so my ipod is now directly attached to the car. I am so excited- it has such a great sound! While I was waiting in downtown SLC, I crossed the street and went to a bakery called Les Madeleinne. They are known for an incredible dessert pastry that takes two days to make. Andy highly recommended it, so I bought one, and it was amazing. It's almost like a croissant, but better. It's flaky and kind of crunchy on the outside, but the inside is gooey and magically delicious! Especially when it comes straight from the oven. Apparantly there are only several bakeries across the country that even make this dessert. Interesting.

Last night I went on a date with some people in my ward. We made 'tuscan chicken sandwiches' and ate them at the park. The weather was perfect! My date just broke his hand this week, which was all wrapped up, and my friend Mira, who we doubled with, ended up giving him the biggest sandwich the four of us made. It was pretty entertaining watching him eat it with one hand. Even though he could barely get his mouth around the sandwich for a bite, he single handedly ate the entire thing (ha ha). Then my date and I walked around to see what other couples were doing, and we joined some friends who were drawing with sidewalk chalk. It was fun. Then our whole group played Apples to Apples for a while, and we ended the night throwing water balloons onto the sidewalk we had colored. It was pretty fun! Also, the brownies I made were a big hit! I just used a mix, but added chocolate chips, and topped with cinnamon. It was Mira's idea, and it turned out great!

My Fabulous Birthday!!

I turned 26 on Thursday, and it was a great birthday!! My family and friends called me throughout the day to sing to me and wish me a happy birthday. I loved it!

I had a concert in the morning, and my students were so cute! They were so well behaved, and played well, and they wished me a happy birthday. I told them that their concert was on a special day :) and that the best present they could give me was a good concert, and they did!

After our concert, I received a call from someone who wanted to see my jeep that I put up for sale on ksl.com So I made arrangements with Dad to meet her. She loved my jeep, and wanted to buy it! That is so awesome that I was able to sell it the same week I listed it! I loved having that car. It meant a lot that it was my grandpa's, and he took such good care of it. I have lots of good memories with my jeep. It was so great for moving too, and carrying around school instruments. My grandpa and I took great care of it, and it was such a nice looking car, and really clean inside and out. It was hard to let it go, but the fact that this cute woman was sooo excited about it, and just loves it made it much easier to let it go. I'm happy, and grateful that I was able to sell the jeep in this economy at the price I was hoping for. Yay!

In the afternoon, I met Andy and his wife Michelle at the Gateway, and they took me to Star Trek for my birthday. It was so fun!! Thanks Andy!

Then I went home, sold my car, and then Mom, Dad and I went out to dinner at Texas Steak House. It was sooo good!! There were a lot of people there celebrating their birthday, because the waiters and waitresses were constantly singing to patrons, and having them dance and say "yee-hah!" I did not mind that I didn't stand up and say "yee-hah." We had a good time. And we ended the evening with a birthday party! It really was a great day, and thanks to the special people in my life for helping make my birthday special.

MY NEW CAR!!!!

Last night my Dad went with me to the car dealership to go car shopping. I was not expecting to find one, and my plan was to test drive a Nissan Altima, and a Ford Fusion. The salesman highly recommended a Hyundai because they are very reliable, and have great ratings on consumer reports, and come with a terrific warranty. As were looking at cars on the lot, we saw this one, a really pretty blue Sonata. It is really nice, has a big trunk, with fold down seats, a sun roof, a fabulous sound system, great gas mileage, comfortable, and even has some extras, like the controls on the steering wheel, and they are going to install an mp3 device into the console so I can attach my ipod. Yay!! It is very exciting!! I am happy. Thanks Dad for coming with me!! This is a picture that he took of me on his iphone last night after I officially bought my car. I will post more pics later.

A single (and handsome) replacement please

With the recent budget cuts, my co-worker Andy and I started looking for other jobs, both in and out of the district- in case they really did cut our music program. He has good technology skills, and he mentioned that he would really be excited about an STS position if he was offered one in the district. Well, today we had another concert, which went well. The kids, and parents and faculty are great! After the concert was over, and everyone left and we were finishing up, Andy mentioned that he was offered the STS job, and he is going to take it. I understand- after 16 years of teaching music, a job change can be a good thing, and he feels like it will be a more permanent position-one that won't be looked at with budget cuts. But we have worked sooo well together. And the idea of a new partner seems weird at first. I realize that this isn't going to be my job for the rest of my life, and of course people will come and go, but I am sad, because we really hit it off. Andy said, "I didn't know what to expect when I found out my partner would be a young, single woman, but it's been great." (ha, ha) I have loved working with someone who is responsible, fun, has good ideas, and has handled our scheduling and technology equipment, and is a good friend.

Andy said that working with me was actually a con of going to another job, because we really make a good team, which was really nice of him to say. I love my job, and I have learned a lot working with him. I know that things will be fine, and now I will probably be the team leader, which means I will make up the teaching schedule, among other things. And I will definitely use Andy as a reference. I appreciate that Andy said that I am not just your typical three-year teacher, and I will be a sought after teacher. How nice!! I hope that my next partner and I are good friends too. I will miss working with Andy. but I did ask him a favor-- if he could find a replacement who is tall, dark, single and handsome. That's the least he could do right?

A Special Mother's Day

This Mother's Day was special. I love my mom so much, and I am so grateful for her loving support, optimism, and kindness. She is the most amazing listener, and so sweet and thoughtful, talented, and fun. I have truly enjoyed all the fun trips we have been on together the past few years. She is my faithful traveling companion. We have been to Disneyland, Europe, and Sea World together, and I look forward to many more fun trips and wonderful memories in the future. This summer we, along with my Dad and Grandpa, are going on a cruise to Alaska. I'm so excited! My Mom has always encouraged me to take advantage of wonderful opportunities to develop my talents, and share them with others, to travel, and live with hope and optimism. I remember hearing this quote by Pres. Benson about mothers that was shared in one of my religion classes. He said, "If you want to draw closer to the Savior, draw closer to your Mother." I think that is a beautiful thought. Mothers truly nurture, and bless us throughout our lives with their Christ-like love.

I had the amazing opportunity of hearing Elder Richard G. Scott speak in my home ward this past Sunday. He talked about womanhood. There was an incredible peace and reverence there. I know that he is called of God. I am so grateful for our leaders, and that I know that there truly are prophets on the earth today. It was really neat to be there, on Mother's Day, hearing him speak, and sitting right next to my wonderful mom!

I am so thankful for all the amazing, beautiful, Christ-like women in my life, including my mom, my sisters, grandmas, aunts, cousins, and dear friends, who all inspire me, and bring out the best in me and others. I love our conversations together, your smiles and hugs, kind words, incredible support, and your righteous examples and testimonies. I really enjoyed spending time with my family and friends this weekend!! My Grandma is so cute, and she has such a charming personality, and her hugs make my day!! I was so touched when Elder Scott said, "Woman is God's most grandest, wonderful, and precious creation."

And the verdict is..........

YES!!!!!!! I am soooo happy and sooo grateful... I have a job!!!! And I love my job!!!!! This has been a special, memorable day. I have the most incredible feeling, knowing that I still have a job. What a blessing!!! I had signed up to speak at this Board Meeting tonight, and the Board gave me the chance! The Board was very considerate, and put our item near the front of the meeting. It was so wonderful to be able to stand up, and personally express the positive impact of the Elementary Music Program on behalf of the music teachers. I mentioned that each music team teaches at least 500 students twice a week. I talked about how our program reaches all students, not just those who can afford to rent an instrument and provide private lessons. I talked about how my teammate Andy and I received over $13,000 in grant money the past two years to be able to purchase nearly 70 brand new, high quality instruments. I also talked about how we have students from the School of the Deaf and Blind who love being in music!! One such student's Dad said to me after our Spring concert that music is the only thing he has EVER stuck with, and he can't wait to sign up again next year. That was a very rewarding experience. At the end, I thanked the parents for all their positive comments about the program on behalf of our 4,000 kids. (When I said that, two of the Board members turned their heads like "Wow! 4,000 kids!!" And I thanked the Board for reading all those letters and commenting back on them. I'm so grateful I was able to get the chance to speak.

Our Superintendent said "We are not cutting the Elementary Music Program. It doesn't make sense only after three years, and it is so successful... Principals throughout the district have commented on the need to either keep it and add to it, but definitely not cut the program in half, to just one day a week." My students and I have so many thank yous to write. Tomorrow I get to tell my students that we are coming back next year. Hooray!!!

After the meeting, a reporter from the Deseret News approached us and asked us questions. There were four of us music teachers who shared our thoughts and feelings about music and the Board's decision. This reporter then said she wanted to come to our schools and take pictures for this article. She asked, "but who should we take pictures of?" She turned to me and said, "Katie, you were the only one brave enough to stand up and speak; We are coming to your schools tomorrow!" I am thrilled!! I will definitely post this awesome article.

I feel like I'm on cloud nine. I know that God lives and guides our lives. I feel so incredibly blessed! Music is truly a blessing in my life. It is a joy to share that with others.

The big day!

Well, this is the big day, where the School Board is going to decide if they are going to keep our music program for next year. I anticipate that it will be another long meeting, and, of course, our music program is on the very end of the agenda. The last meeting was several weeks ago, and 4-1/2 hours long! And we had so much parent support, but they all left before 11pm when our issue was finally brought to the forefront. I sure hope this one is shorter, although I am grateful that we are finding out today! And we are hoping for the best! Apparently the Board has received more positive feedback on the elementary music program over any other issue ever before. Yay!! But I have applied for other music positions to look ahead just in case. Wish us luck! My friend Jamie and I (we work together) will be going to the meeting together, but beforehand, in honor of Teacher Appreciation Day, we get a free dinner from Chipotle Grill. That makes me happy! And we decided to watch American Idol before the long anticipation of the Board Meeting. There is always a silver lining, isn't there?

You are all invited!!

I LOVE tap dancing!!! It is the best kind of dancing. It is my favorite because I love creating rhythms using my feet! I could teach my percussionists a rhythm, and demonstrate it on my feet. That is pretty cool! And it's the best aerobic exercise for your whole body. It makes me happy to know that every Sat. I have dance. It's a great outlet from the busy week to go and concentrate on something totally different, and dance the afternoon away :)

May 29th and 30th is our tap recital at Kingsbury Hall at the U of U campus. YOU ARE ALL INVITED! Anyone who is here in UT and wants to come, I would love it! I am performing in two numbers with the Advanced Tap class, and two of my classmates are performing a challenging duet on stair steps. It looks so fun. Let me know if you want to come!

This Linger Longer was painful

The other day I was teaching music to a really cute 6th grade class in the morning. I was leaning my elbow against the piano as I gave them instruction on one of our songs, and as I went to turn around and play the piano for my students, I accidentally wacked my funny bone against the corner of the piano quite hard; I have never in my life bumped my funny bone so hard, and it hurt soooo bad! I felt pain and numbness shoot down my arm. And had an audience of onlookers awaiting my reaction. I said "That really hurts!!! Ouuuuu!!!" as I started laughing. I was telling Ben (our outstanding Medical student) this story later, and he clued me in on the anatomy of my elbow (love it!). My Ulner Nerve was actively hurting for the rest of the day, and at all of my other schools, whenever I bent my elbow it was really painful. I'm just glad that I didn't pass out, because I have heard of that happening to other people (i.e. be careful playing ping pong). Can you imagine what my students would have done if that had happened to me? My co-worker Andy had a bad accident using some wood working tools a while ago, and got a deep cut on his finger. When he was telling me this story I said, "And then you said, "Gee willikers that hurts," Huh?" He said, "Yeah, that's what I said." When I told Andy that I really wacked my elbow while teaching, he teased me by saying, "and then you said 'Gee willikers that hurts' didn't you?"