One School Day Done, Many Left To Go

Today was my first day of 10th grade. I've got to say, I was actually pretty happy to be back. I love the way our school has A days and B days instead of 7 periods every day. This way we only have 4 classes a day and we get an extra elective class. Also, we have twice as long to do all of our homework.

My schedule is like this.

On A days:

1. Concert Choir
2. Advanced Theater
***Lunch***
3. Advanced US History
4. Algebra 2


On B days:

1. Spanish
2. Advanced Chemistry
***Lunch***
3. Intro to Business
4. Advanced English


As you may have noticed, all of my core classes are advanced as well as 2 of my electives (theater and choir). What have I gotten myself into!? I think I can handle it though.

I'm so lucky. I got to begin the school year with my 2 favorite classes! I think this year is going to rock.

The only not-so-fun thing about the start to my school year was the bus. You see, last year we had a really great bus driver. Her name was Karen and she was super cool. Our bus was large enough to fit all of us and she modified the route so it wasn't all loopy and we got home sooner. Everyone was happy.

But not this year.

This year we have a new bus driver and let me tell you. This guy is a stickler. He got upset at us because last year my bus stop was on one corner, but this year apparently it's across the street at the other corner. We were all waiting where we had last year and the guy totally stopped at the other corner and then chewed us out for standing at the wrong corner! And the bus we have this year is smaller too. On the way home most of us were 3 to a seat. And did I mention it was unreasonably hot out? I know, you who live south of here will probably laugh at me (Jamie...) but it was a shocking 90 degrees at least! And we were all squashed together on a too small bus with an irate bus driver!

I certainly hope they do something about our bus. If not, one of my neighbors says there's another bus that passes our neighborhood and is (hopefully) less crowded.

In choir this morning we played with overtones (post on those coming). Overtones are basically notes that you hear but aren't really there. I'll explain it better in another post. The concert choir is a large group. I've always been in smaller, treble choirs. I've never really sung songs with tenor, baritone, etc. parts. My director originally had a list of 75 students in this particular choir, but now there are 101 of us. To be honest, it's sort of intimidating. I'm not so much of a large group person. And I'm one of only 5 sophomores. But I think I'll get used to it and I'll really enjoy it. Actually I already do enjoy it.

In theater class we got going by playing improv games such as "Freeze Tag" and "Add and Subtract". In these games, you have a few people acting out an unscripted scene (that's why they're called improv games- we improvise) and people in the audience can call "Freeze" and go up and change the scene. I think these games are a lot of fun.

I am fortunate to have a very laid back math teacher. Her thing is that if it helps us learn and it doesn't distract the other students, then it's okay for us to do.

And tomorrow I get to have another sort of first day with the other half of my classes.

I'm excited to see what God has in store for me this year!

I'm Alive!

Hey there! This is going to be super short, but I just wanted to reassure you that I am, in fact, still alive and well. We've seen a lot of neat things on this trip so far including enormous trees, diving pelicans, and incredible sunsets. Anyway, see you all in a few days!

I've Had an Exciting Few Days

After escaping the rainy weather earlier this week, we returned home and had some pretty nice weather!

On Thursday, my dad and I went boating out on the river near our house. I used my kayak and my dad tried out his new solo canoe. We saw a blue heron. It kept flying ahead and landing, flying and landing, and we followed it about half a mile up the river.

On Friday, I went on a wonderful bike ride with a friend. There was a book sale at the public library that we stopped at. Then we crossed the street and visited the farmers market and an annual art event called Art Splash. Art Splash is where local artists get to show off their work and hopefully sell something. Later, around 8:30 or so I rode my bike alone down to the park. The light was perfect and I took some great pictures.

On Saturday, we experienced what I believe was the first day this summer, maybe even this year, where there was literally not a single cloud in the sky. I rode my bike to the park and was there by about 9:30. There was nobody there yet so it was wonderfully quiet. I sat by the river and read for about an hour, two ducks keeping me company.

When I got back it had warmed up quite a bit so 2 of my neighbors and I decided to get in my inflatable pool.

Yeah. That was interesting.


Then another friend called and invited my parents and me over for dinner. It was quite tasty. My parents and her parents have so many similarities, they're practically twins!


On Sunday morning, I got up at 6, just in time for the sunrise. It was spectacular!

Once we were all awake, we went into town. It was just the right temperature.

To finish off the day, I rode my bike to the park again and captured the sunset. Those pictures are still on my camera, but it looked just like the sunrise, with the rays, and the clouds, and the color...


Around 4 this morning, I was awake and I thought I saw a flash of lightning, but I always think that so I tried to go back to sleep. Then I saw another. It was definitely lightning.

Back-story: About a week ago I prayed for a good thunder and lightning storm since it's been a pretty long time singe I've seen one. He obviously answered my prayer.

So I kept watching and eventually I heard thunder, waaaay off in the distance. And after a few soft flashes and rumbles, I noticed it growing louder, brighter, and closer together, but still a good way off.

And I prayed silently, Alright Lord, I asked for a good storm. Can you give me just one good flash before I go back to sleep?

Not 2 seconds after that I see the brightest flash I have ever seen, followed closely by the loudest thunder I have ever heard, followed by the most startled parents I have ever heard. It even shook me up a bit. Okay, a lot.

Okay Lord, thanks, but I think that's enough... Can I just go back to sleep now?

And the storm passed over without any more super bright flashes or super loud rolls of thunder, and I fell asleep to the sound of distant thunder and falling rain.

What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops?

(This post was originally titled "So Much For Escaping the Weather" but was changed after I had a sudden realization. Just thought you might like to know.)

So after writing yesterday's post about our miserable weather, my parents and I decided that we just couldn't take it anymore so we packed up and headed to my grandparents' home. You see, they live in a part of the state that is notably drier than where I live. It seemed like a brilliant plan at the time.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm happy to be out of the house, it's just that it doesn't seem to matter where I go because it's still raining. But at least when I look longingly out of the rain-spattered window, I see a change of scenery. That's nice.

We did actually get out a bit earlier today despite the light drizzle. We visited a couple of nearby waterfalls and walked around. We had a good time, even with the rain.

(I'm testing out some watermarks. What are your thoughts?)

I realized something though: It's weather like this that makes my home such a lovely place to live. Without all of the rain we get, there wouldn't be so much beautiful green.

I also recall seeing a fire danger meter on our way. The fire danger was "low" because of the rain.

You've got to love the rain. It drives us crazy sometimes, but after a good downpour, everything is so fresh and clean. It smells wonderful, it feels light and refreshing, and I think to myself, that wasn't so bad.

It got me thinking: The Lord sends us rain whether we like it or not. We'll complain, we'll beg Him to make it stop, we'll try to escape it, but He knows that we are like plants; without water, we can't grow. He sends those downpours our way in order to help us grow and make us stronger.

Isn't that thought reassuring? It was for me.

And, of course, being the music nerd that I am, two songs popped into my head:









So as much as I would love to see some sunshine, I know that I am truly blessed to live in a place where it is frequently raining. It's summer, and a bit of rain can't change that. I'm going to make the most of it.

This is Not Summer.

I woke up to the sound of steady rain- for the fourth morning in a row. The morning is cool, wet, cloudy, not at all like the summer mornings one would expect this time of year. It's the middle of July, but here, it looks more like April.

Lately, I've been lamenting over the fact that I would really really love to go swimming but the weather doesn't want me to apparently.

But one good thing ("good" thing) about the lack of nice weather is that there's tons of time to read! Yesterday I finally got my hands on a copy of Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo and read it all in one sitting. Now that was one riveting story!

Also, our public library has these things called "book bundles". They're groups of 3 books, all with different themes like "pirates", "horses", etc. and you read the three books in the bundle, fill out a little tag that goes with it and turn in the tag for prize drawings. Well, the other day I actually won a drawing. And I never win drawings.

My prize? 2 coupons for frozen yogurt. That made me very happy. Now if only the weather would warm up a bit so I could use them...

Right now I have this song running through my head. It describes my predicament perfectly.








I wish I was in California...


What about you? You all have been strangely quiet... How's your summer going?

Pictures and Major Happenings From the Choir Festival

I apologize ahead of time for the picture-heaviness of this post, but I figured you'd prefer to see pictures, rather than have me go into lengthy descriptions. 

 

 

 

 

Choir festival 2011:

I was very excited since my choir hadn't gone on a trip since 2007. We'd tried to go to some, but there were never enough people. However, with only 8 singers this year, we still went. Singing in such a small group was a great experience. It brought us closer together and gave us confidence.

I'm not really sure why we flew since it was less than an hour long flight, but I was excited to get some good shots from the plane.

And besides, you don't get pretzels and soda on a bus, do you?

This is where we stayed.

Lovely, isn't it?

This was one of my favorite songs that we sang. And not just because it was catchy. Take a closer look:

This had us laughing pretty hard!

On the second day, we got to walk into town. They allowed us to wander around before our flash mob. We pretty much had free reign as long as we were with a partner.

This is the view from the path leading into town.

I went with a few of my friends to try on accessories. That was amusing.

And then we got food. (My friend, featured in the above photo, was completely oblivious to the cameras as she gazed lovingly at her ice cream)

The clock tower that plays obnoxious music very loudly and for an unreasonably long time.

 We stopped at a very tiny amusement park and since I'm not one for crazy rides, I was the official photographer.

Then we rushed to the location of our flash mob (sorry, no pictures of the actual mob, and my video didn't turn out so great).

After the mob, we were escorted to...

A giant red wagon!

Yes, the handle is a slide.

We took group pictures on the wagon.

And then we made a pyramid.

On the way back to the place we were staying at we stopped to feed these little guys:

That there is a marmot. They like to eat cheerios.

But even more, they like to eat cheerios from our hands!

Other than feeding the marmots, I was also amused by 2 of my friends in particular.

Yeah. You get the point.

Giant rubber bands. They were meant to help us with vowels, phrasing, dynamics, etc. But they also made a great weapon!

My director set aside 10 minutes for me to talk to Dr. Brunner the composer, about, well, composing! I'm actually working on a separate post laying out what I learned. No photos though :(

On our last full day, we had a concert at a theater in town. 

Someone doesn't know how to spell. See the mistake?
 We were laughing pretty hard about that. It's choral, people! Choral!

After the concert, we had a catered dinner which turned into a full-blown dance party, thanks to these two again:

(Love this shot!)

Yeah cameraman! (He had a super cool camera contraption)

Sometimes I wonder...

But I haven't even shown you all the best part yet!!!

The best part: The wardrobes!

My roommate and I kept expecting to open it up and find Flynn Rider inside, knocked out cold by a frying pan while the girls in the room next to us were in search of Narnia.

We went to Starbucks on our last morning, then flew home. It was fantastically clear and sunny.

Phew! Sorry, that turned out a bit longer than I had anticipated. If you read looked at the whole thing, then you deserve a prize. Unfortunately, I don't have one for you. Except that you're finally done with it. Isn't that rewarding enough?

Hello From the Festival!!!

I'm sorry, this isn't going to be a very insightful or eloquent post. Just warning.

It's been a very busy two days. I'm pretty worn out but loving every minute of it! Yesterday, we had 3 rehearsals. We got to work with Judith Herrington, who arranges choral music. Then we listened to an a capella group.

Today we rehearsed a ton and practiced the piece we did for the flash mob. Then we walked into the town. On the way we saw marmots and we fed them cheerios. Our flash mob was at a mall. It was very successful and we were apparently on the news!

After dinner, we got to meet David Brunner, a composer. I was able to ask him some questions about publishing work and stuff. I'll hopefully get to talk one-on-one with him if Kris can arrange it. We'll see. If I get to, I'll post a Q&A. Maybe even have an official interview. Now that would be neat!

Alrighty! Goodnight!

An Update and a Song

Howdy folks! It is likely that by the time you read this post I will either be at the airport or on an airplane.

I am attending a 5 day choir festival with 7 other girls from my out-of-school choir! We will be working with 2 composers while we're there as well as meeting other choristers, performing in 2 concerts, and even participating in a flash mob! I can't wait!

So anyway, I probably won't have any internet access while I'm there, so don't expect anything from me until Saturday.


But while I'm gone, please enjoy this! This is my latest brilliant composition. I apologize  for the dreadful, fake-sounding instruments... But you get the gist of it I'm sure.





Isn't it lovely!?What do you think? I'm thinking it would sound better with a live orchestra. I don't know, just a thought...


Anyway, have a fantastic week!

Yesterday, My Year Was Made

Yesterday afternoon my mom and I went with our neighbors to see Mary Poppins at the Keller Auditorium. It was absolutely fantastic!

Actually, it was more than fantastic. It was...

We got shirts that say that. It certainly does sum it up.

This was the second Broadway play I've seen. I'm so glad we got to see it!

They did change the storyline quite a bit, but I think it worked better for the stage. Like instead of the creepy penguins in the "It's a jolly holiday" scene, they had dancing statues. I preferred the statues. And the Supercalifragilisticexpealidocious (wow... I typed all that!?) scene was very different, but tons of fun and full of energy.

One thing I found especially neat was the use of light. In one part, Mary released a bird. When she let it go, they used a light as the bird and made it look like the bird was flying off by moving the light. Hard to explain, but it was really neat. Another neat thing they used it for was rain. It looked incredibly real!

While I was watching, I found myself paying extra attention to things like how they moved and spoke. I noticed that their movements were often completely over the top, but to the audience they looked normal. Sometimes as a performer I'm scared to exaggerate my movements, but I know it's necessary. If you hardly move, the audience won't see it. I also noticed that I could easily hear most of the consonants when the actors spoke. I know that if they spoke like that in normal conversation it would sound strange, but on stage they have to or else it's hard for us to understand them. In some ways it was reassuring to me that even if I think I'm going over the top, it's to help the audience follow the story.

One thing that made me very, very excited was in the very beginning when all I could see was the conductor of the pit orchestra. He had a baton! And he was conducting! An orchestra! Just think... One day that could be me! Yes, that made me quite happy.

If any of you get a chance to see Mary Poppins on stage, definitely go see it! It was an incredible show and if I could, I would totally see it again.

It May Not Be Hot Enough to Fry An Egg...

But it is hot enough to shatter a tabletop!

 So my mom just went outside a bit ago and all of a sudden she heard a shattering sound. She looked over and saw this. At first, she thought that us kids had thrown something over the garage and it had landed on the table, but that was not the case. The best we can guess is that it was the heat.

This day just keeps getting stranger!

Just Another Day In the Neighborhood

It's Here!!! It's Finally Here!!!

As of now, it is officially summer! Here in my corner of the world, the weather has been a bit unpredictable; perfectly beautiful one minute, raining the next. I was overjoyed upon opening my eyes this morning to find the sky clear and the sun shining! It's already in the mid 70's, unlike the past few days where it hasn't gotten above 70 at all! We're expecting a clear, warm first day of summer.