Sunday, January 31, 2010

Well, New Year Fest is over and I had a great time (especially today). We lost all four of our games yesterday--two were very close and tough losses--so we got put into the loser's bracket and won both of our games by a landslide today. Winning is more fun than losing...

I stayed to watch the rest of the games. The Phoenix men did very well, making it to finals and losing to a nationals team by two points. Again, a tough loss.

The Phoenix weather is starting to become beautiful again. 71 and slightly breezy today, sided with the infamous lack of humidity--it was nearly perfect for a tournament. And I played with the glorious mountains as a backdrop. I still do love it here.

Now, back to the ol' grind. Practice practice practice. It never ends.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Four games today. So so so so so tired...
Today is the first day of the New Year Fest ultimate tournament! It's the tournament that VOTS hosts every year, and I am so excited! I haven't played in a tournament since last July in Florida.

I'm playing on the Phoenix-based women's team, PHX-ation. There are way too many girls for one team, so we split into two--the one I'm playing one is called "Quick PHX" for this tourney...and for some reason we're wearing scrubs? Pretty funny.

Anyway, I'm amped up and ready to go. QUICK PHX!!!

Friday, January 29, 2010

One of my students...

A: "Back in my day, kids your age didn't HAVE cellphones."
E: "What did you have?"
A: "We had..."
E: "Dinosaurs!"

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

So one of my flute colleagues today asked me if I worked out and lifted weights. She asked me this because she "can see the muscle lines" in my arms every time I wear a short-sleeved shirt.



Of course I lift weights. Every day. Can't you tell?

(lol!)

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

My day was going so well, and then I suddenly I got a phone call that made me very upset. And then I started to cry, and I missed out on valuable practice time because you can't practice and cry at the same time.

PSA to my readers:
Don't be a big ol' meanie head. Just don't.

Also, I'm not a child, so you don't get to treat me like a child anymore.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Two thoughts tonight:

1) Lately I've been going to PHX-ation (the Phoenix women's club team [ultimate]) practices. There's a tournament here in Phoenix coming up next weekend in which I will be playing. I have never played with all women before, and I have to say, it's really fun. Come to think of it, not only have I never played with all women before, but I realize now that I have never really had a chance to HANG OUT with all women before (besides the few times we set aside in T-ville, all of which were really awesome). These girls are cool cats. I fit in like I never could with a group of guys...cause you know, in the end, I AM a girl. And as far as the ultimate goes, I still make a lot of dumb errors, but the girls don't judge me for it (at least not outwardly). And somehow they seem more systematic about their plays. I like that.
Anyway, moral of the story: girls are cool.

2) I was driving home from practice today and I started thinking about the different places in which I have lived and the tendencies of the drivers in these places:

In Titusville, the majority of the residents are retirees, and they drive like it. I have a saying about Titusville drivers..."they either drive really really slowly, or they drive really really slowly." So there ya have it.

The majority of the residents in Tallahassee are college students. They sure don't drive like senior citizens. Nope, in fact they drive like they have never learned to drive before. Tallahassee drivers are terrible. It's like they don't know the rules of the road. I don't miss driving there.

And then there's Tempe. The drivers here are very aggressive. I don't know what exactly that says about the demographic here, but it's what I've noticed. I've only lived here a short four months or so, and in that time I've had maybe three instances where I absolutely had to SLAM on my breaks because someone pulled out in front of me. They have no fear here. Keeps you on your toes.

------------

AND I feel great right now. Today I had four hours of class, three hours of flute practice, three hours of ultimate practice, and one hour of biking to and from school. That's 11 hours of "stuff." If I can still feel great after a day like that, I must be doing something right.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

My New Year's resolution is to go to bed earlier and get up earlier. So far so good.

Also, there's something so appropriate about listening to Beatles on Saturday mornings. I think this goes back to New York for me--my early early childhood.

Friday, January 22, 2010

I haven't updated in a while. That doesn't happen very often...

Things are good.

I don't remember if I've written this before, but I have this theory that everyone always has a song stuck in their head. You zone it out if you are concentrating on something else, but it is always there nonetheless. I have a default song that I think of if nothing else is in my head. This used to be In the Mood, but recently it has changed to the fourth movement of Brahms' First Symphony (the theme at 0.40). I don't know why my song has changed, but it's interesting to speculate on the possible reasons.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Well...I don't know if it was a tasty nutritious dinner, finally forcing myself to get out of the apartment, the good news of getting a new student, or time giving my antibodies a chance to work, but for the first time in 7 days, I finally feel like myself again. Praise the Lord.

Oh and look. I'm a teacher!:

The Music Store

The Arizona Flute Society

(click on teacher roster)

Monday, January 18, 2010

Nothing like this to make your day.
I took a turn for the worse today. Why is this stomach bug lingering so long?

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Almost done unpacking! Whew! This takes a long time!

Friday, January 15, 2010

It's back to Tempe tomorrow. I had a really great time in Florida. It's the center of my social life and practically all of my family is here. It's home. And I will miss it dearly.

But when I'm here, I get comfortable, and I forget that I have dreams. It's time to realize my potential once again. Life is for the livin'. I'm all in.

Goodbye friends. This is not my first goodbye, and it will not be my last.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Still not 100% yet, but I am feeling much better. Mark and Ash...thank you for all the care. I don't know what I would have done without you guys. Jacqui, I am really sorry that I was not able to get together while in Tallahassee. It was one of my goals to catch up; however, I was bedridden nearly my entire stay. And to everyone else: thank you for the prayers. I believe they have helped because I believe in the power of prayer.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

I'm very, very sick with a stomach bug. I'm not going to go into details, but it was a pretty terrible day. Pray for me please.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

By popular request, my blog is being updated right now. Update complete.

Monday, January 11, 2010

I bought Vampire Weekend's new album for $3.99 today. Totally worth it. This music just makes me happy. I can't describe it. This band appeals to me in a way that no other band ever has. If my personality somehow transformed into a band, it would sound like Vampire Weekend. It's true that it's often not very deep music. But it's perpetually upbeat, full of energy, very intelligent, and most of the time is "classically" proper. And you never get sick of it...

Sunday, January 10, 2010

My break is going so quickly now. My flute is back, so no spare time anymore.

Yesterday I went to see the Blue Man Group. It was awesome. So much musical exploration. And they made fun of modern rock stars in a way that only the Blue Man Group can.

Today: Melting Pot with mom. Holla.

Tomorrow: Medieval Times with the Villains!

Tues-Thurs: Tallahassee!!

Friday: Stargate and my last night in Florida! eeks! egrechts! acht stuecke!

Friday, January 08, 2010

My flute still isn't here and I'm about to have a mental breakdown.

Edit: IT'S BACK!!!! Oh joyous day!!!
Sometimes I read other people's blogs, and they make me sad about how superficial my blog is. I wish I could make these deep profound statements, struggle with theological issues, review books and movies with actual thoughts. I sometimes think that there must be something wrong with me, that I have no desire or ability to write this way, that is seems a chore rather than a delight to write in such a fashion.

But I inevitably always end up resigned to the thought "that's just not who I am." My brain doesn't work that way. And in the end, what I write about is special too in its own way. People seem to enjoy my blog, sometimes it makes them laugh, so why should I want more than that? I am who I am.

Maybe these people who are making profound posts read my blog and wish they could write the way I do--you know, quirky-like. You never know.

Thursday, January 07, 2010

I want my flute back. A friend of mine today said that not practicing builds up (for lack of a better word) a tension inside you--one that only playing your beloved instrument can release. I know that as soon as I get my flute back, I will hear how terrible I sound and want to put it down again right away; nevertheless, I want it back. It's my own. MY. OWN. My preciousss...

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Flute still not back. Truth be told, it's getting a little boring around here. I never thought I'd say that.
You can't replace these guys. You just can't.

Monday, January 04, 2010

Life is good. Two of my good friends from home got married (the reception was the most fun I've had in a while), I have been hanging out with the the 'villains a whole lot, and I have a lot of time due to my flute being with my repairperson for yearly maintenance. Doesn't get any better than this, folks.

Oh, and bt dubs, my phone is done derping. Call away.

Sunday, January 03, 2010

An exploration in spelling with my dad:

shrimp=schrip
broccoli=broccly
ketchup=ketshup

It's not so much that he doesn't know how to spell...it's just that he doesn't really care.

Friday, January 01, 2010

Wellp, they're sending me a new phone, and it should be here within 2 business days. Finally.

Those poor AT&T service professionals. You can tell that they have to read from this script, and it just sounds like a terrible job, no creativity or opportunity to actually interact with the customer. I wish I could make it better for them.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne!

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne.
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
So...a little late, but my 2009 in words:

January:
Played picc in USO for the first time. Worked on grad school stuff, booking hotels and all that. Took a hit, was very close to giving up. Practiced A LOT. Went to court for my ticket. Got second in the FFA competition once again. Did the ASU audition and loved it. I had a feeling...

February:
Audition mania. Traveled to Chicago for Northwestern, Houston for summer festivals, Austin for UT. Practicing like a madman. Did some recordings for competitions and summer festivals. Played my biggest part in USO by snagging the picc part to Shosty 9. Had a good time on Valentine's Day. Joined the Tallahassee Ultimate League, but did not play yet due to auditions.

March:
Truly a blessed and happy month. Was a star on blackboard! Finished my auditions when I traveled to LSU in Baton Rouge. Spring break spent at the beach at home with my friends. Started playing in league and absolutely fell in love with the sport and its players. Tossed around a lot with various people. Went to court and lost. Had friends come up for my birthday and make it one of the best birthdays ever! Stopped practicing because of audition burnout (felt it was deserved). Practiced and had a good time with the sextet. Was happier than I have been in a long time.

April:
Continued to not practice a whole lot. Finished up my final assignments for school. Was lazy in general, but still felt that I deserved it. Continued playing in league and still loved it. Became closer friends (CLOSER friends) with some of the ultimate people. Played in league on Easter and brought "Easter cookies" to share. Made my grad school decision and was very excited about going to ASU. Played in the Creation with my teacher and the Poulenc Sextet with my friends. Went to my first tournament (Mixed Emotions) and loved it! RUF banquet.

May:
Graduation. Disney cruise--a very relaxing and friend-filled celebration. Had a guy situation blow up in my face. Was a little sad for a while. Surprised my mom by coming home on Mother's Day. Surf N' Turf tournament. Moved back home for the summer. Started work again and hung out with the 'villains, watching Firefly and other happenings. Started hanging out a lot with a certain somebody.

June:
Serenity party! Started playing hometown ultimate three days a week. Rehearsals with Dan. Sunshine State Games tournament. Thought about telling somebody something important, but didn't do it--the right time never came. Traveled to Tempe to find an apartment, found one but in pain from strep throat. Played in the scrimmage with the high school ultimate group and won by a landslide. Continued hanging our with the certain somebody.

July:
Spent the fourth in Tallahassee! A good time, and the last journey there. Got very angry right before I left. Bachelorette with my mom. Swan Boat championships ulti tournament. Played for the Pro Series. Traveled to Oklahoma and watched one of my oldest and dearest friends get hitched. Traveled back with a bunch of guys and learned how to play Magic, teaching them MASH. A difficult conversation where many mysteries were unveiled, and the aftermath. Continued with work and much ultimate.

August:
My recital!!! And playing at the beach afterward. Universal with people I didn't know quite so well. A goodbye party for the ages, and a stunningly late night before I left. 3-day long road trip to AZ, and putting my apartment together for an entire week. My first experience of valley ultimate. Started school and had a bit of a hard time adjusting, but loved Arizona nonetheless.

September:
Hard drive crash. Got my teaching job. Began VOTS ultimate league. Was a little sad all month because I didn't have many friends. Went on a few fail dates. Practiced a lot. Jin's birthday and my first taste of an VOTS ultimate party on the same night. A good night...

October:
Regionals and infatuation. The resulting happiness, and the letdown afterwards when he didn't follow through with his end. Began teaching. Concerto competition. PROJECT concert. My first hike up Camelback. Playoffs and the World Series with Yankee haters. Recordings. Halloween VOTS-style. Playing in two VOTS leagues--Cheaper Than Gold on Tuesday and (Will Marry for) Green Card on Friday. The beginning of something lasting.

November:
Yankees win the world series. Brown's Peak. Squaw Peak. Picacho Peak. Don't Look Back. Got the swine flu, missed an entire week of school. Not a fun time. Thanksgiving at home, walking along the shore.

December:
A cool band concert. Stressed about a theory paper. Fail mock audition. Haircut and donation. Moved home for winter break. Another successful Christmas party, and another great Christmas. Traveled to NC to meet the parents. A rad New Year's party.

And there ya have it.