This weekend was, once again, filled with performances. The music school where I teach hosts 14 performances over two weekends every May, and all the teachers and administrators breathe a big sigh of relief (mixed with the tiniest tinge of melancholy) once it's finished. Though it's wonderful to see and hear such a mix of students and teachers perform, it's also incredibly exhausting and anxiety-inducing.
I gave several extra make up lessons this week to make sure some students were prepared, and when I wasn't working with them, I was working on my own songs. I was so pleased with all my students, and the students of all my colleagues. The technique and attention to detail that has gone into their training is superb, and wow did they shine! But more importantly, they were brave.
In case I haven't said it enough, performing terrifies me, like in the same way that some people are terrified of flying or spiders. Standing in front of others and sharing your heart is intimidating and unnerving. There are some songs that we sing that completely strip us bare, and we stand, naked, before an audience, praying only that it will be worth it in the end.
Though I've practiced it for months, this song still hits a bit too close to home for me. Andy confessed at dinner that he fully believed I would burst into tears on stage, and sat there considering what he should do when my break down occurred. Thankfully, I held it together.
Story: Lizzie finally becomes pregnant, only to miscarry and find she cannot bear children. She sits in the nursery, singing to her godson, while family and friends are in another room celebrating the boy's christening. (There is a break in the recording because our iPad ran out of space in the middle of the song, so we had to re-film the ending after everyone had left.)
So, there it is...me, at my bravest.
You go be brave this week, too!
Remember, I'm always cheering for you.
Dear sweet girl you were wonderful, just wonderful ! And you looked lovely. Very proud of you. You set two challenges for yourself with the choice of that particular song combined with the fear of public performance. Your very brave and I'm very proud of you.
ReplyDeleteFriday morning I woke up with a stomach bug and missed work. I felt like a limp biscuit but friday afternoon I drug myself up and plopped myself down in front of the computer and spent some time on ancestry.com. I can't remember if I ever mentioned that genealogy was a interest of mine. How I first became interested is a story for another time. I don't know if you have any interest in family history or not, I think some people find the subject dry and boring. I would encourage you while your grandparents are still living to ask questions and get as much info as you can from them, their own lives as well as their memories of their parents and grandparents.
Sharon I ordered my garlic for next fall today. I first became interested in growing garlic when I read a blog post written by a woman living in northern Idaho. She lives on a farm and I think if garlic can make it thru the frozen winter of northern Idaho it can tuff it out in St. Louis.
This afternoon I found a book blog called booksonthenightstand.com. I saw that they have book fairs for their readers. When I saw they were going to have one in Ashville, North Carolina my interest was peeked. I love Ashville. Have you ever been there? Upon further reading I see the event sold out quickly. Have you attended any book fairs?
Again congratulations my friend, you were great!!!
Oh, no! Stomach bugs are the worst!!! Are you back to normal yet? Sometimes it takes awhile. Take care of yourself. Was someone there to take care of you?
DeleteI love genealogy!!! In fact, I tried ancestry.com for a while but they didn't have much in the way of our family. I've talked to my parents and my grandparents about some things, but I still don't know much. We don't even really know the origin of my maiden name, (super long story that I will share with you someday) though we've been told Hungary, but who really knows. We do know that the name meant "roofer" so apparently our ancestors built roofs?!? I do need to spend more time asking them questions. Maybe that should be an adventure this year...
Have you found out a lot about your family through your search? I did find out this year that I'm part Native American (a great, great, great, etc. grandmother was Native American) so I thought that was kind of cool.
Again, you are so encouraging!!! Can you believe that a parent of one of my students bought that dress for me?! It's totally my style with the spinning skirt and the look and I loved the girlie way it makes me feel with a little petticoat underneath. One of my students exclaimed, "You look like you just stepped out of the 50s!" To me, it's a compliment.
I appreciate you taking the time to listen...
I've never been to Ashville, though I've heard it's just beautiful! I checked out the website and it looks interesting. I've never been to a book fair (unless we're counting the ones in elementary school) and I didn't even realize that they were a thing outside of school. Have you ever been to one? I'll keep checking out the book blog for any good reads.
So, is it time for me to get jealous? Is this your last work week or do you have one more?
Simply beautiful. I never would have guessed you had a fear of singing in front of people. What a powerful song choice..... Way to show the world "how big your brave is"!
ReplyDeleteHi, friend! Thanks for listening - thanks for commenting! I have a proposal for you - I'll facebook!
Deleteps. been singing brave all week!
I have this week to work, off on monday, will finish up on friday. Looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteI made it thru the bug ok. Thank goodness I had the weekend to to regroup and get ready for this week.
When I went to the book site I was just looking for a source of book reccomendations. I jotted down a few titles to check out. I have never been to a book fair either. It might make for a fun weekend trip especially if it happened to be at a nice location that you would like to visit. I'll try to get more into the website this summer. They should annouce next years book fair sites later this year. Maybe something to keep in mind for next year.
I have been to Ashville three times, all on family trips over the years. Besides the beautiful location in western North Carolina and it's proximity to the Smokey Mountains is the draw of Biltmore Estate. Built by G. W. Vanderbilt II in 1895 it is still owned by a Vanderbilt family member. Everytime I've been it's always been in the summer. I would like to see Biltmore House and the estate decorated at Christmastime. Another place for you to add to your travel list !
Your maiden name is a trade name like mason, baker, cooper, or tailer (taylor). I think to question your grandparents about family history would be a great adventure! Try to find out any military service, find out as many maiden names as possible and maybe your ancesters occupations. There are many military records at ancestry.com and many veterans are buried at veterans cemetaries which helps you locate your ancesters resting place. I've not had the greatest luck tracing the Jones line but have found a great deal of info on the women they married so maiden names are important. It's also interesting to know if your ancesters were farmers, merchants, or maybe a tradesmen. Because sometimes their profession was passed on. If the father was a farmer the land usually passed to the eldest son, this info helps when looking at land deeds. If the father was a blacksmith maybe the trade was passed on to a son or son-in-law. Their occupation can also help identify them as they move from place to place.
I also have a Native American woman in my family but I don't know how to follow her line maybe that's something we can work on this summer if you would be interested. I've found many surprises since I started doing research and I'm sure you will also.
Have a good evening, my friend.
One more week for you! Yeehaw! ;)
DeleteFrom the book site you sent me I started rabbit-holing to other book sites and that's where I saw a bunch of recommendations for Fangirl, which I've already started. I think I'm going to like it and it will be an easy summer read after a long school year.
We should go to a book fair next year! Keep me posted on the details! My sister's sister-in-law lives in Asheville and she says it's just beautiful. Someday...someday...
How would we even begin to trace a Native American woman? I actually know quite a bit of info, I've been asking my family for a long time, though I think it's time to begin to write it down. My parents actually know quite a bit. Maybe a fun project for the summer/fall. I teach Monday-Thursday and Saturday, but this fall I will stop working Saturday and only teach Monday-Thursday. I'm looking forward to it! My Mon-Thu will get a little longer, but it will leave more time for adventure on the weekend.
Have you ever been to St. Louis? You should come visit, particularly in the summer. There are so many free, fun events, and if you let me know well in advance, (so I can clean!) Andy and I have a spare bedroom, so you wouldn't have to pay for lodging. You wouldn't have to hang out with us all the time, you could come and go as you pleased, but there is a lot to do at very little to no cost. I will warn you, the temps have been known to get up to 108 with 100% humidity. ;) Still we've got A/C!
Have a great long weekend!
Sharon, you still out there somewhere in the big universe ?
ReplyDeleteSo sorry it's taken me time to respond. I'm not always at the computer and that's the only way I know how to respond to comments. It simply won't let me do it on my phone. sigh.
DeleteI've been working on scheduling my summer students since so many are out of town and wanting different times. It's a bit stressful, but that's been consuming my time this week. I have today and Saturday and then I get a week break! Yeehaw!
You're on twitter, aren't you? I don't think you follow me, but check my twitter post in a few minutes for a picture meant just for you. This is how I'll be spending my time off...
Also, are you familiar with Seussical? When I saw "big universe" it reminded me of the song, Alone in the Universe, from that musical. If you don't know it, you should take a moment to listen to it on YouTube. Great song for young kids and kids at heart!
Have a great day!
Not on twitter but I checked your twitter pic. Thanks so much ! Looks like someone is in for some good reading time. Enjoy your time off and let me know how you like Fangirl and the other teo books.
ReplyDeleteThis week I started reading zenhabits.net blog every morning and so far I have really enjoyed it.
Have a nice evening :)
I read the first page of fangirl and was giggling. I think it's going to be a good one, though it's probably for a much younger audience.
DeleteThanks for the zen blog share. I've only read one, but I'll go back to it. Looks great!