Remembering Dawn Black on her birthday

Almost 12 weeks ago, one of the best people I’ve ever known, Dawn Black, went to heaven suddenly at the age of 39. Today would have been her 40^th birthday. I've been thinking a lot about her influence in my life the last few weeks as I've talked with multiple family members and friends, and gone through pictures, notes and memories from the last 16 years (recently I mentioned that I’d known her half my life, and it had been a pretty good half life, to which she responded, “What are you-a radioactive isotope??”). As I've thought, the song "O Love that Will Not Let Me Go" came across my mind. Partly because it was the last offertory Dawn played in church, the Sunday before she died on Tuesday. I remember because we played string prelude that night, so after she practiced her solo, I went up to the stage to prepare to play along with her, and we talked about how I love this hymn and it is not used often enough. And the more I've meditated on it, I've realized that the first verse especially is how Dawn lived her life.

O Love that wilt not let me go,

I rest my weary soul in thee;

I give thee back the life I owe,

That in thine ocean depths its flow

May richer, fuller be.

Dawn was one of my favorite people in the world. She started as my choir and violin teacher, but quickly became one of my dearest friends. When I first met her, I was sixteen, and a sophomore in high school. She came to interview at our school and I got out of class to practice the songs she would be conducting. The only thing I remember from that was when she told the choir “Pretend you're really old, like 35!” In retrospect, that was a pretty good indication of what she was like. When I was a junior, she came as our new music teacher, and I have to be honest and say I wasn’t happy she was here, so I avoided her. It has nothing to do with her and everything to do with the fact that she wasn't Mr. Miller our previous director whom I loved and still do. Typical teenage behavior right? Not sure how long it took me to get my head on straight, but for sure by Thanksgiving I knew better. 

It's not an exaggeration for me to say that knowing Dawn changed my life. Almost everything I do (I'm a teacher and a musician) has been influenced by her. Many knew and loved her-I'm definitely not the only one with special memories, but I'd like to tell you a little about Dawn, how God used her in my life, and share a small sample of some special memories.

Dawn was talented. Extremely talented. I accompanied for her voice lessons, and I especially enjoyed the few times she'd drop whatever opera music she was practicing in front of me at the piano in between lessons and I'd get to play for her to sing. Wow. Chris Anderson's article was right-her voice was AMAZING, but the humility with which she served and used it has always been an example to me. In fact, I can hear her voice saying "You don't need me" about something or another, which of course I disagreed with, but her point sticks with me. I never heard her bragging on herself or her talent, or talking about the things she’d done, even though she had every reason to do so. In fact, recently, she said this in an email to me “I sang a solo in Rutter’s Requiem when I was in Chorale. Those were the days. Now I might only be fit to turn pages.” (this apparently was the solo mentioned by Chris Anderson in his beautiful blog post-"Dawn Black Rests") I also remember going to her voice lesson once. She told me beforehand that it wasn’t going to be very good because she was sick. She then proceeded to hit an E 2 octaves above middle C in warmups. I’ve always said I want to be sick like that someday. Hasn’t happened yet =P Also, I'd been taking violin for a VERY short time and we had this conversation: 

"You're going to get better than me, and then I won't be able to teach you anything."

"When's that going to happen?"

"Next week!"

That never happened, but the point is, she used her talents to serve and glorify God, not bring attention to herself.

She was always committed to excellence in music. Whether playing the violin, singing, directing the church or school choir, or even playing violin with a mountain dulcimer group, it was important to do the absolute best possible. She didn’t expect something we couldn't do, but she definitely expected our best effort, and she had a way of bringing that out in her students. As I watched her across the room in choir practice and warm-ups, not once did I see her slacking off or giving half effort-she was always using proper technique and singing to the best of her ability. In our dulcimer group, she worked kindly and humbly to help the group become the best they could possibly be.

AACS National Competition Spring April 2000. It was just the two of us that year.

Excellence wasn’t the only thing though. I learned from her example to have fun in music, and life in general. Like when I asked her how hard a piece was that she had chosen for me to play: “Oh, it's easy. Just 17 flats in the key signature, mixed compound duple triple meter, spiccato bowing, and goes to 17th position. “ Or when I texted her asking about songs on the christmas program and she replied "Yeah, our theme is Christmas Bits and Pieces, so we'll do a couple fun ones even though I'm vehemently against fun." Riiight…… Or the songs like "Take Me Out to the Ballgame", "Count on it" and more. She loved playing in dulcimer group. I can picture the smile on her face as she played the fast part of a fiddle tune with the group. We had so much fun (maybe too much =P) at those rehearsals and performances.

Our choir my senior year. I'm pretty impressed with the facial expressions she got out of us. 

Dawn was one of my major inspirations for teaching, and in my first teaching job, most likely the only reason I survived. I didn’t study education as an undergrad, so when I started as a music teacher, EVERYTHING I did from the mechanics of teaching music to classroom management techniques were things I picked up from watching her as her teacher’s aide. I taught music for 6 years and used many of her ideas and even phrases and mannerisms-they worked =) Mostly though, it was her care and love for her students whether they loved her back or not that has motivated me to attempt to show that same love for the students I come in contact with. Also, being a fellow "non-outgoing" person, I watched and learned little ways to get to know people and show love without being loud and flashy.

Two of my favorite teachers ever. Dawn on my right, and Kristen Drinnon on my left. June 2006 at my sister's wedding.

I learned so much from her that wasn’t “book learning”.

• Make mistakes with confidence. When you’re performing, play like you mean it, and most people will never know the difference. If you look and act self conscious though, any mistakes will stand out.
• As I saw someone posting on FB, she had a way of getting people to do something they wouldn't on their own. Such an accurate description! So many things she'd drag me into doing that I ended up loving. Never something too hard, and never something I hated, but something I probably wouldn’t have thought of or attempted on my own.

Staff Christmas party, December 2000. Dawn's mom says we both look like kids here. I had been taking lessons since September of that year. She could have done an incredible job without me, but let me get involved and gain valuable experience.

• She was always learning and trying new things. Voice, piano, and harp lessons, learning to make quilts, new art techniques, etc.
• There’s always a way to serve. Painting backdrops, church music, VBS music, even painting faces during VBS-there’s always something she was doing to serve others and the church. She also found opportunities for others to serve and encouraged them to do it. 
• I learned about hospitality from her. I will miss the periodic texts or calls asking me to come over. It was never a complicated event, but she opened her home and spent her time to fellowship and encourage me.
• Dawn was very competitive (but not unkind in her competitiveness). Recently she told me I needed to come over. After I agreed, she said her kids had been whipping her in games. So basically, she wanted someone to come over that she could beat. In the same vein, in high school, a group of us were at her place for a sleepover and we were playing Phase 10. She was losing, and decided it was time for bed. We got up in the morning, resumed the game, and she beat us all. One of my favorites of the texts I have saved was this one from last fall (when her mom was in town): “You are invited to a black-brown [Braun] party Sat. evening. You will eat and then lose at games.”

If you knew Dawn, you knew she was funny. Hilarious, really, though sometimes quietly hilarious. So many of the goofy things she said weren't premeditated, and if you weren't listening closely, you'd miss it since she didn’t usually stop to laugh at her own jokes. Life with Dawn was full of moments when she would say something crazy and I’d have to fight to keep a straight face because I was supposed to be paying attention to whatever else was going on. It was so much fun to be around her just waiting for whatever goofy thing she would say or do next.

One of those moments where I was supposed to be paying attention and she was probably saying something crazy.

• She was constantly making faces at me, and others. Often before an individual or group fine arts performance, she would crack some sort of crazy face to break the tension and help us relax. She also would make faces across the room, from the congregation to the choir loft, from the choir loft to the congregation, or as we passed each other in our vehicles dropping off kids in the school parking lot. This is one of the little things I really miss.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Dawn. I didn't take it (she gave it to me), and have no clue who did. If anyone out there recognizes it, I would love to hear the story!

• One day she was late to school because the cows next door got out, and being the good Wisconsin farm girl she was, she took the time to put them back. She told me the story, and mooed at me every time she saw me for weeks after that.
• This email was sent while I was in college (obviously, before she and Brian were dating =P ) : "I am now in the church's all-male play. Mr. Beck can't find any eligible males and neither can I." 
• Once I was practicing in the church auditorium early in the morning, with most of the room dark. (my dad worked before care) As I was in the middle of a run up the piano, she slipped through the door directly behind me on the stage, and screamed at the top of her lungs. This started a tradition of scaring each other in the back hallway-current BBCS students and staff, let me know if you need some ideas for this. Ha.
• Over the past year, while I was job searching, she kept giving me ideas for jobs to keep me here at BBC. We went back and forth for a while. She told me I could work as a sub, and when I told her I couldn't live and pay bills on that, I got this string of messages:

         "sell paper airplanes"        

         "teach cello lessons"

         "walk dogs"

         "take leaves"

         "rake, not take, you leaf thief"

• Her kids love to tell jokes, and recently she'd begun answering Gabe's "Knock Knock...." with "Who dat??"
• In 10th grade I misspelled the word potatoes at the state spelling bee. She wasn't there, but I told her about it in following years. That particular word and spelling in general became a running joke. For years she would misspell words on purpose just to be funny.
• She was not a fan of vegetables. At the Jr./Sr. one year, Pastor Mike asked "Did you eat all your veggies, Dawn?" (she hadn't eaten any, I'm pretty sure) She replied, "No, I saved them all for you!"

This picture was taken at that Jr. Sr. banquet. This would have been spring of 2000. 

• At a youth activity outside, she was in an extra goofy mood, and we were talking about mosquitoes. She said the reason she didn't get bit was because she eats a lot of garlic. Mrs. Rossiter said, "Really??" and she said "Yeah, haven't you ever heard of garlic deodorant?" When Mrs. Rossiter said no, Dawn said "neither have I."
• She ended an email with:

          "Say hi to Dr. Gilliam.

          Hi to Mrs. Dunbar

          Hi to Dr. Cook

          Hi to Ruth

          Hi to Sally

          Hi to Mildred

          Hi to Gertrude

          Don't be rude ha ha

          -DB

         (only the first 3 on the list are real people =P) 

• For months she'd been asking me to let her turn pages for an offertory (it was her dream to do this, apparently). I kept telling her "No, you'll make me laugh" and she always replied "Yeah, I will". So, in February, I was scheduled for an offertory and finally decided to let her turn pages. I picked one I could not possibly do without a page turner, and I spent hours practicing it. I remember vividly the conversation when I asked her to do it-we were talking across the aisles of the auditorium. I asked her if she could, and she said, "Sure, when?" I said, "Next Sunday morning" and she said "nope!" I said "Whaaaatttt??!?!?" She said she couldn't do Sunday morning. Too scary/hard. I looked at her and said, "You can do this!!! You made me do hard things in high school like playing in orchestra after 3 weeks of lessons." She looked furtively back and forth, then looked at me and whispered "I must have been high!"

As musically and artistically talented as she was, I think Dawn was best at being a friend and loving people. Most of all she loved Brian and the kids. I remember when she and Brian started dating-so much fun to watch. She used to holler across the auditorium or over the intercom: “I love you Mr. Black!” It wasn’t just words though. Especially in recent months I saw her love and concern for her husband as she supported and prayed for him through nursing school. She loved her kids-anyone who saw her with them knew this.

She always gave wise and biblical counsel. She was not afraid to tell me if I was thinking or doing wrong, and she was always ready to encourage me biblically. On the other hand, she did not respond quickly and offer worn out platitudes-she took time to think and responded with thoughtful biblical advice. Because of this, I almost always took the advice she gave-I knew my issue had been thought through and responded to from a biblical perspective. I was a very shy, timid person before I met her. Still am in many ways, but she pointed out some things in this area I needed to change. Also, her love for me gave me confidence to get past many of my fears. Most recently I was sad about a job I didn't get. I told her I knew the truth of God's word, I just had to keep reminding myself. She said, "Don’t worry, I'll help you remember." Later on that day I had a text from her "Trust an unknown future to a known God. Love ya." I have constantly come back to these words in the past few months. I know she prayed for me and many others, and we miss those prayers so much!

She loved her students, whether she saw them often or not. I was in and out of GA over the years since high school, but she never treated me with any less love during those times I wasn't able to, or just didn't , stay in touch like I should have. She was often going to visit friends or former students just to see them and talk.

Dawn knew how to love people in small ways. She was always making some sort of connection with friends, family and students. If you had an interesting or funny experience with her, she would remember and bring it up years later. Just ask my brother Will about the spider. Since I was her teacher's aide and accompanist, I was in her classroom a lot. During a music class, I would sit off to the side and observe until she needed a pianist, so sometimes I'd have a book with me while I waited. Once apparently she slipped this note in my book while I wasn't looking: "What are you looking at? You can't read!" I found it in the middle of math class after I'd finished my work. This is another habit/tradition I learned from her. Something very simple to show love. It became a game to leave random notes in random places. I think I succeeded at least once to slip something into a song she was directing =) She would often email, text or leave a note- "Have a crummy/rotten day" which I knew meant the exact opposite. I have lost count how many times I heard the phrase "You're fired" (I was never hired =P ) often after I apologized for something I'd messed up. I always knew though, that she meant the opposite. These are small practical ways to show love to others that I attempt to use every chance I get.

I’ve thought about this a lot, and if you take away every part of me she impacted, I don't think there'd be much left. Her legacy will live on in the multitudes of people she influenced. I miss my friend so much. I’ve lost count of how many times over the past few weeks as I've thought about all of these memories that I've momentarily wanted to pick up my phone and text her to say "remember when...." before I realize (as a side note I’m glad I ignored her when she told me to throw out the old emails because “no telling what I said!”). I take comfort, though, in Pastor Regier's words that she is not regretting her new neighborhood, and that when she got to heaven she wasn't greeted with "you're early!" Also, she's not frustrated with her uncooperative voice any more (it hasn't been what it used to be recently) And as my dad said, she didn't cease to exist-she had a change of address.

Something else that has been a help to me are these words she wrote when I graduated from high school: “[God] has a plan for each of us, and most times the lamp shines in our path to reveal only one step at a time.” 

This was taken at my high school graduation in May 2001.

At my sister's graduation May 2014 (our last picture together)

I also think about how she's enjoying that heavenly music she was so looking forward to. Years ago, in Katie Thackrey's voice lesson, Katie was singing Gesu Bambino, Dawn was playing the violin, and I was at the piano. When we finished, Dawn was so excited about how beautiful it sounded and said this: "It's so beautiful sometimes I can't stand it, and the music is going to be so much better in heaven. I can't fathom it, I can't imagine it, I can't wait!”

God used Dawn in my life in so many ways. I’m extremely grateful, and now I’m the one who can’t wait!

Back to School

For the first time in 6 years, I'm a student! No, not in Puerto Rico. I know, the blog title is "Notes from Puerto Rico." I haven't figured out anything inspiring to change it to yet, so you're stuck with the current title. Any suggestions are welcome-though I'm not sure I want to eliminate PR from the title......the island and the people are still a huge part of who I am.

One weird thing is that I'm in a room by myself. I was supposed to have a roommate, but she decided to live off campus. So, the good news is, I've got lots of space and lots of quiet. The bad news is also lots of quiet which is rather boring before classes start. Oh well. I KNOW I will appreciate it once the projects get going. Which is soon, since classes started today. I think I'm going to like all my classes-I've still got 2 left that I haven't had yet, but I know those will be good too.

It has been quite a week for me-sooooo many mixed emotions. I am really excited to be back, but at the same time I miss my friends and students from PR-you can't spend 6 years with people and not have them embedded in your heart. I also had the uncommon privilege of working with the same students every year, so I really got to know them. I miss speaking Spanish as well, but I am attending a Spanish church, which I love.

I have also experienced moments of terror-as in, "What in the world was I thinking? I can't do this, I've been gone too long!" But you know, that's one of the things God is working on me about-I tend to have a lot of fears and worries, and he's put me in a place where I have some different fears and worries than I've had lately, and I'm being forced to deal with it.

And overall, I'm thrilled to be here! It seems to me that the Lord has repeatedly confirmed in my heart that this is where I'm supposed to be right now. I have been completely enjoying chapel-the music, the preaching, everything-like I didn't appreciate it the first time around. I think this could be a really profitable time for me spiritually. I have already noticed the difference in my own heart, and I'm really excited about what the Lord is going to do. I've enjoyed seeing old friends, visiting churches that I love, and seeing former teachers who I also love. It's been so much fun to be a floor or two above friends I haven't seen much if at all for the last 6 years. I've caught myself often just marveling at the fact that I'm really here! It's kinda weird because everything is so familiar, but it's been sooo long. It's also been neat to see how God has just put everything in place-details for my health form (that was difficult to take care of with no insurance), little things that I needed (a drying rack and car shade for a dollar each at a garage sale), BIG things that I needed (like a car), and since I've been here, taking care of books for less than my goal of $100, putting me between Spanish speakers in chapel, and so much more. It's just been so neat to see His working in my life. It's not been an easy thing to pull up roots and move, even to a place that I've been before, but it's the right thing (following God's leading always is), I'm happy to be here (though I do miss everyone) and I'm looking forward to what God has for me in the future.

Now, if all of that made sense, it will be a miracle! I told you-I have so many jumbled emotions right now. Well, that and it's so late at night that I should be in bed. But, I really wanted to share some of the things God is doing in my life. Thanks for listening!

Unexpected Detour part 2

Friday a week after the surgery was the first time I actually got out. In the morning some of the ladies got together to cook, and I went along to sit and do nothing while they cooked. It's kinda funny, but doing nothing so exhausted me that I went home and slept for a couple of hours before Rebecca came and picked me up to go to the volleyball game. The kids saw me walking up, so when I got to the gate there were 10 or more of them waiting for hugs. They were so cute-"Teacher, did it hurt?" "Teacher, what happened?" "Teacher we prayed for you EVERY day!" "Teacher, did you get the gift cards? We made some for you." My team was especially glad to see me-so far I had missed a practice and a game for which they had had two different coaches (who are excellent, by the way, but hadn't been with the girls, so didn't really know them). Thankfully I had Abel there to help me out warming them up, and hollering instructions-it gets so loud they can't hear unless you scream, and I could barely speak at regular volume. They lost, but I can see improvement, and I'm really looking forward to seeing how they progress throughout the year. I have a small team (both in amount and height) but a really sweet group of girls-I love them! After sitting practically the whole time and doing nothing, I was again extremely exhausted, but opted to go to Rebecca's for a movie night instead of being bored by myself at home. I'm glad I was able to go.

On Sunday morning Wendy came to pick me up, and on my way down the driveway I slipped and fell because of the rain. Thankfully nothing surgery related was hurt, but I did have to go back inside to repair my outfit and clean a scrape on my foot. So I got to church 10 min late, and thankfully Pastor didn't comment when I came in. I didn't end up playing for choir or special music-my getting there late prevented that. Sunday afternoon I went to Rebecca's for lunch, then a nice afternoon nap before evening service, when I did play for choir. The rest of this week I have basically been killing time-lots of internet, and watching cable. Tuesday night I went to practice (where again I had an assistant-I tossed no balls, chased no balls) and had students ask me, "Teacher, where did they cut you?" and "Can we see?" I really do enjoy these girls. We had a good practice, then I went to see the softball games, and after that went with Shelly and Rebecca to get some milk and water. I ended up finding some good things on clearance too. I wouldn't recommend this as a diet plan, but I'm hoping this forced healthy eating habit will be a good jumpstart for me.

This morning I went to see the surgeon-getting there was an adventure in itself, but again, we weren't there but maybe and hour and a half, or 2 hours-which is another blessing. The doctor told me he would prefer no driving for 60-90 days (!) but he knew that was impossible so we'd try for 4-6 weeks. The goal is to avoid hernia-apparently he had to open a little more than normal, so the hernia risk is higher. If I had to brake hard, which is quite a common occurence here, it could cause some damage. He said he'd operate again, which would be good for him, but not so much for me. Also, no lifting over 5 pounds. Resting I don't think I'll have a problem with-I think the exhaustion will require it, but the driving and lifting are going to be the hard parts. I am SO thankful that I am living close where it is not too much of a hardship for people to take me places-I live about a mile from school. Tomorrow I'm heading to school to teach piano lessons at least. Hopefully I'll be able to come home in between and get some rest.

Unexpected Detour

So it took an emergency surgery to finally induce me to write again-I make no promises about this becoming a habit (the writing, not the surgery) though I would like it to do so! On Wednesday night a couple of weeks ago, I started to feel some stomach pain, which I thought was just hunger magnified a bit since I didn't eat until after church because my car wasn't working and I couldn't go home. I figured out it wasn't hunger when I couldn't sleep all night from the pain, and in the morning I called Wendy and asked her if she could take me to the doctor. The miracle of this was that we were in and out of the doctor's office in less than an hour! Unheard of here in PR......The doctor diagnosed gastritis and gave me a prescription, but when I couldn't keep the meds down and the pain was getting worse, we decided to go to the emergency room.

Wendy dropped me off and went to park, and by the time she came in they had already called me back. Memories are a bit fuzzy here, but eventually Mrs. Santana came, and somewhere in here I got morphine for the pain, and eventually a sonogram. I had to wait 2 hrs for the results, and they told me I would have to have my gallbladder out the next day. So, I called mom and let her know (we had been communicating all day-she told me "If they have to operate, either you're coming here or I'm going there!). They took me to a room (or rather a curtained off section) and later that night Mom told me she was coming the next day. Mrs. Santana went home, and on Friday morning she made a trip to JCPenney to get pajamas for me and other necessities. She was and continues to be such a blessing to me!!! She got there around noon, and they had told me I'd go into surgery around 1 or 2, so we were making sure everything was ready. They took me back, I talked to the anesthesiologist, and then proceeded to sit there for 5 hours! Apparently at the time they were to take me back for surgery they had 3 emergencies come up (one including an emergency c-section). After about 3 hours, they finally gave me something for my headache, and let mom (who had just arrived) come back to see me. I don't think I have ever been so happy to see my mom! By 7 I was in surgery, and headed for recovery by 9. Mom said while I was in surgery, she and Pastor Daniels and Mrs Santana were all in the waiting room, and I think Mr Santana was there at some point too because he picked mom up from the airport (Mrs Santana was going to do it but she didnt' want to leave while I was in surgery which didn't end up being an issue) One blessing was that my nurse in the recovery area was the mother of a former student-a comfort to see a familiar face. Around 2 AM they woke mom up in the waiting area and told her I was being taken to a room. Saturday and Sunday blur together a bit, but I had around 20 people total come to visit. They were such a blessing to me! Some brought food and snacks for mom, some brought balloons and flowers for me, Mrs Rojas went to Borders and bought me books, and then brought me a cd player and music (as she put it, "Sarah Approved Music"), someone else brought me a cake (which was saved for later), Wendy brought me a balloon and a webkinz pet, and one of my sweet volleyball players picked out some socks for me in our team colors (I had complemented her on her very cool socks at our last practice). Then of course Mrs. Santana and the many times she traveled back and forth to the hospital and brought me things. Saturday night Mom went back to my apartment and straightened up-she did my laundry, washed my dishes and cleaned my house!!!!

Sunday morning she came back, and we listened to a sermon on my phone since we were missing church. I had several visitors in the afternoon, and after church, Dr Dudley came back up to the hospital and brought us pillows and blankets, another huge blessing!!

Monday morning I finally was able to go home-poor mom had to run all over the place dealing with discharge papers, and finding someone to translate for her. This was all definitely an adventure for her since she doesn't understand Spanish-when someone came in the room she would ask me later "what did they do and what did they say?" I was very thankful the Lord has allowed me to learn Spanish-it has never been more useful, I think.

When we got home, I was able to rest so much better in my own bed, and while I was asleep, Mrs. Santana came to take mom to Walgreens to get my prescriptions. During these 2 days, mom and I watched almost a full season of the Cosby show-so hard to watch that and not laugh!!! On Tuesday, Rebecca took mom shopping to get some good healthy food for me to eat. On Wednesday Mr Linnemeir brought my car back, and the bill said "Paid in full by friends". Mom had to leave Wednesday, and on Wednesday night Mrs Santana came to sit with me during church, and she brought food, read a devotional with me, and washed my dishes.

So vacation is officially over. I can't believe how fast it went. Of course, I did pack 9 million things into it. Earlier this week I went to the beach with some friends-great fun! I did get slightly sunburned, but not too bad. You would find me at the beach more often if not for all that sand.

I did finally finish the blanket I was making for Carla

Here's an up close view:

As you can see here, it's longer than I am tall:

On a side note-it's a rather nice picture of me, don't you think??

The next order of business is to wash it and get it sent to Carla. Easier said than done. I think I'm going to temporarily stitch the sides together so I can wash it in the machine (can you imagine washing this thing by hand?) without getting the "waves" -don't laugh, that's what the pattern called them-stuck on something in the washer. Then to decide whether to lay it out to dry, or give it a go in the dryer. Decisions, decisions.

Yesterday I got the last of my "needs" for furniture-I have a platform for my bed and am no longer sleeping with my mattress on the floor. So far since I've moved I've obtained for little or nothing (mostly for nothing) a full mattress and bed platform, a extremely comfortable microfiber couch, a very nice bookshelf (a necessity considering my obsession with books), a refrigerator, a tv, a vcr, a dvd player, and a good solid kitchen table with 4 chairs. So I was going to post some pictures........

but unfortunately they're on my desktop which is currently incapacitated, and my surgical knowledge of computers has been exhausted. So you'll have to wait...until Christmas, when I hopefully can rescue my data with Dad's help, or until I actually remember to take my camera and walk around the place. Anyone's guess as to which one comes sooner.

Tonight was also fun getting a backpack-Staples had this deal that ended today, where if you get a backpack, you can get the entire purchase price refunded as a staples gift card-and I've needed a backpack for my laptop, since it's kindof annoying to be carrying 37 different bags through the airport as I did when I came down this time. I used to have a backpack, but it reeks of things associated with the beach. Not any of the good things, I assure you. I went to look online, but, and BIG SURPRISE here, they were out of stock of all their backpacks on the site. I almost gave up, but remembering that my mom taught me better than that, I called her. She happened to be in the vicinity of a Staples, and she went in and asked if she bought it, could I fill out the rebate-there's no Staples here in PR, and the rebate is one per person/household. They said that would be fine, so mom went to check out the backpacks. She would describe it to me, tell me the name, I would look it up online, then ask her and Anna what they thought. We talked about 4 or 5, and probably would have done more if it hadn't been 10 minutes til closing time at Staples. Finally we decided on one, and finally the deed was done. After she got home, we got on the phone again, and Dad filled the rebate form online with my address and everything. So, pretty soon I should be getting a Staples gift card in the amount of the backpack. Any suggestions as to how it should be spent? laptop accessories? school supplies? a computer desk? (scratch that one, I'd have to ship it) I guess I'll wait and see what things I'm really going to need this school year. Although, if they have my pentel RSVP razzle dazzle pens (medium point, black ink with colored barrels) I may just have to get a lifetime supply.

So I haven't been doing much these days, and it's been nice! I lost quite a bit of sleep the week before I came back to PR, and I think I've recovered mostly. I've been enjoying internet on the laptop, maybe a little too much. I've also been working on the blanket I'm making for Carla, and watching random tv shows. I also made my first venture into the world of warehouse shopping-if nothing else, the Sam's Club membership may pay for itself in cereal and cleaning supplies. A lot of bulk things I can't really use since I live by myself-duh! I think if I lived in the states I wouldn't even bother with a membership, but here it makes a difference.

Today I went out and got some tostones con ajo-fried plantain slices with garlic-which I seriously have been dreaming about since I left PR in June. They were sooooooo good! Now I can make the tostones at home, but I've got to figure out this garlic business.

Tomorrow I think I'll go to the pulguero (flea market)-I haven't been in months, maybe even over a year. Usually it's obnoxiously hot when I go, but hopefully since we've had all this rain, it will be tolerable.

Speaking of rain-I am loving the cool temperatures, but am dreading turning on the shower since my hot water is solar heated. Usually the hot temps here make a cold shower even desirable, but since I've been back(it's rained every day), I haven't even turned on the air conditioner (it's not working right now, but that's beside the point), and the past few nights I've even slept without fan because I was getting cold. Now how's that for strange-July in PR and no fan needed at night?? The other oddity has been that my washed dishes sit for a day or more in the drainer drying and they're still slightly damp. I am looking forward to the sun coming out so that I can walk around outside without being afraid I'm going to fall and kill myself. I can fall just fine on my own, even without the extra help of grimy stairs, and slippery tile where I park my car. However, like I said, the cool temperatures have been nice, and I'm sure I'll be even happier about it when I see my electric bill!

Well, I'm back in Puerto Rico after summer break, and I now have a laptop and internet access! I hope that means I'll post more. Some summer highlights were a trip to the GA capitol, a Braves game, many shopping trips with Anna, a trip to Greenville to see Ruth and her family, spending time with Amy on that trip, spending the life savings that I don't have at the BJ bookstore, majesty music and soundforth, a trip to Sixflags with Ian, VBS at church, seeing and spending time with old friends, many trips to Chick Fil A, and now that I'm back, Carla's wedding and seeing Wendy and her family.

Yesterday in first grade, I was tempted to laugh, but managed to restrain myself. We were talking about the Baroque era, how it was a long time ago, and how things were very different. As we talked about Bach, I was explaining that Bach loved God, when Nathan raised his hand to ask, "So they knew about God way back then??"

Well, I got everything moved and I'm loving it! The new place is bigger, cheaper, and closer-although that didn't satisfy one of my helpers. He's 6 yrs old, and as we're carrying boxes out of the old house, he asked, "WHY are you moving?" I answered, and asked if that was ok with him, and he answered, "NO!" Anyway, moving day was almost fun-I had 6 people helping me, all very good friends (and 3 under the age of 13), so we did have some good times, and got it all done in about 3 and a half hours. Ok, at least moved, that doesn't count any unpacking. The most fun was going out to eat afterwards, and shopping. Maybe I'll be able to post pictures soon-my next door neighbor offered use of his wireless internet......
And on a side note, I love how I have been able to make friends from many different countries and cultures-on Friday, I was riding to a bridal shower with friends, and we noticed that not only were the 4 of us from different countries, we were from 4 different continents! One from England, one from Zimbabwe, one from Bolivia, and me from the US. It's so neat to see the bond we can have as sisters in Christ coming from such different places!

Well, there is officially no reason for me to rush to get a tv as soon as I move in order to see the NCAA championship. If I get one, great, I'll watch it (basketball is one of 2 sports I will watch no matter who's playing), if not, life goes on. Yep, Jayhawks lost! Hard to believe, but sadly, it's true. And I didn't even get to see a single game. Probably good though, because I would have been frustrated.
As for other things, I've been busy preparing for Easter music, spring piano recital, and various "performances" of my piano students. One student will hopefully be doing a duet with me for Easter, another will hopefully do a duet with me for the recital and sometime later for church (this same student will play in his sister's wedding this summer) and another will hopefully play in the recital and later in church a hymn that I arranged for his level.
My middle school girls made me laugh today in PE. The class has 29 girls, 7th and 8th graders, so as I'm sure you can imagine, never a boring moment. Last week, we started soccer, which we will be working on for this last quarter. Last week I did something that may seem crazy, but there was actually a method to my madness (for once in my life). We played a 14v14 game with barely any explanation or practice. It was a mess, but I intended it to be. If I start with drills and practices, they whine and complain about why they have to do this and "can't we just play a game?" etc, but when they see that they are lost, they are eager to practice and drill the skills they need. So why did they make me laugh? Last week, I had maybe 2 out of the 29 happy to play soccer-the rest were whining and complaining. This week? As soon as they saw me in the hallway, asked what we were doing, and heard me say soccer? I had maybe 2 out of the 29 that were complaining. The rest were overjoyed and cheering. I really do love middle school-they are soooooo interesting......
And tonight, ASL class again. Which may come in handy pretty soon, considering how my throat is starting to feel after the way I abused my voice today.

Moving and March Madness

I think second term may describe the first. I really do hate moving-that's why I'm trying so hard to get as much as possible done ahead of time. I never thought I'd be so excited about boxes. But you know what, I am! It was kinda frustrating this weekend going through stuff and organizing it and having not a single box to put the stuff in and get it out of the way! I asked at school, and I was told I can use as many as I want as long as I bring them back. So, I'm taking a few at a time and packing them as full as I can-mostly with books, books, and more books, and oh, by the way, did I mention that I have a few books?? I'll also try to get as much of my kitchen packed as possible and just be eating from paper plates, etc. for the next couple of weeks. I've found out that I have a bed, or at least most of a bed. Ok, so it's not in my possession, but it's available. There's still one part of it that I don't have that I'm not really sure what it is-I didn't really understand what it was, but we'll figure that out when the time comes.
One other nice detail that I'd forgotten to mention so far, is that this apartment comes with cable, which really isn't all that necessary in my life until it comes to March. Ok, so it's not technically necessary......unless you're a Kansas basketball fan. Which I am. Have been since before I was born, or so I'm told. Now I'm not moving until the 30th of March, but I will be moved in time for the Final Four and the Championship games. Let's just hope there's something good left to watch.

It's relatively official-I'm moving during spring break. I talked with the landlady today, and everything's set for me to move March 30. I hate moving! But, again, the closeness of this apartment, the price, the size, and the area will be worth it, I know. The moving shouldn't be too bad though. I've had 3 people/families who have already told me to count on their help, and a couple of others who have mentioned helping. If moving must be done, it might as well be done with friends!

A couple of student quotes:

It's my mom's fault. It's that she has a lot of things in her hair.
-Julio, 5th grade (his comment when he came to get his late slip)

I'm really not that much of a behave-y person.
-Daniel, 3rd grade (he was explaining to me about his bad day)

And now, I'm off to sign language class.

Field day and other events

Last Friday we had field day, and it was a little different this year, since we couldn't have it at the track (the track was under repairs for special olympics events). We used the outfield of a rather large baseball park, and set things up with ropes and cones. I was out on the field working with the races instead of in the scorer's tent like I have been for the last 4 years. It's a lot more tiring being in the field (we were in the sun from about 7:45 to 3:00) but I enjoyed being able to interact with the kids more. I teach just about all of them that were there, so they would come to me excited to show off their ribbons and tell me about their events.
In other news, I will most likely be moving during spring break. I have lived on the same street (I moved from one side of it to the other about 3 years ago) for almost 5 years. There's an apartment that became available that is about 2 minutes away from work with NO traffic, as opposed to 10-15-20 minutes where I live now, depending on which direction, what time, and how much traffic there is when you go. In PR, it's often quite difficult to go to and return from a place in exactly the same way, especially if it involves getting on the interstate. Also, I can think of about 3-4 variations of how I can get to school, each one having its own strengths and weaknesses depending on time of day, etc. So this new apartment is much larger, is much closer, and I like the yard! Seriously, I'm a country girl at heart and there's just something about sitting out side being able to see green, and not hearing cars-just the coquis (a puertorican frog that sings "coqui, coqui" at night) The banana and mango trees and the flowers don't hurt its appeal either. It's not completely for sure, but that's the general plan right now. I may be questioning my sanity in a couple of weeks (some of you probably already question my sanity), but I'm looking forward to being moved in-notice I did NOT say I was looking forward to moving!
A couple of student stories for you:
-I was teaching about even and uneven rhythm patterns in 1st grade music, and trying to get them to think, I clapped an uneven pattern, and asked them this: "If the first pattern I clapped was called 'even', what do you think this pattern might be called?", after which I clapped a skippy type pattern. Christian raised his hand and shouted, "Odd!!"
-while I was giving instructions in 7th and 8th grade girls PE, one of the girls shouted, "Teacher, your eyes!" Made me a little nervous, wondering what she saw, so I asked, "What's wrong with them??", and she replied (again shouting), "they're beautiful!"
Tonight is ASL class again-I seem to have a pattern (however shortlived it may be) of writing on Wednesdays. Maybe that's because I have a longer break in the morning and can get more of my school work done before the afternoon. A couple of weeks ago, we told Bible stories to the class. I had been joking with my teacher that my story was "Abraham not kill his son. The end" which amounts to about 5 signs. I chose the story of Daniel and the lions den though, I think mostly because I think the sign name for Daniel is cool. We would tell our stories, and then our teacher (who is deaf) would repeat the same story, giving facial expressions, helping with order of signs, missing details, etc. It's been a lot of fun, and I've learned so much.
And now, I just realized that I don't think I ever posted that I've got a "new" car. Classic (my old red car, so named by Hulda) did its time, and has been given away-it wouldn't pass inspection and someone drove by and asked what I was going to do with it. Since it was just going to the junk yard, I told them that if they would take it off my hands, they could have it-they did me a favor by taking it so I wouldn't get another ticket for having an unstickered car in the street. Yep, you read right-ANOTHER ticket. Anyway, the Lord opened up the opportunity to buy a 1994 Buick Skylark from one of the ladies in the church for a decent price. It has had issues of its own, but at least I'm not falling through the floor. =) Also, since the new one has a tape player, I've really enjoyed hearing service tapes from Bible Baptist as I drive around. It's been fun to hear familiar voices singing and preaching, and I always enjoy singing along with the music.

I got my car back today, not that any of you would know that it was in the mechanic since you probably think I've been off in the mountains of Tibet to find myself. I don't think I've ever been so happy to spend $500 in my life, but since I've been without a car for almost a month, I was plenty happy to part with the money. I'm looking forward to using the car-grocery shopping, etc.! In other news, last night I enjoyed hearing Dr. Bob Jones III speak in a conference in Levittown. Several of us from church went over there, and I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. The message was exactly what I needed to hear, and the music was very nice as well-it was especially nice since I was able to just listen. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE what I do here, but it is also a blessing to hear and enjoy good music that others have put together. Tonight we'll have ASL class again, and I'm looking forward to it. I'm learning a lot, and the people in the class make it........... interesting.

Yep, I'm still alive. Busier than ever this year, though. Of course, I say that every year. Anyway, I was helping in 3rd grade today, and read a paper that made me laugh. They were supposed to be describing the trip that a train took, and part of one girl's description was "threw a lake."

And another-again I asked Daniel what he was thinking about, since it certainly wasn't piano. His reply (without a moment of hesitation)? Marshmallows and tomato sauce.

Winding down

Yes, the school year is winding down. Actually, I wonder why we call it that? Seems to me it's just getting busier. We've finished one graduation (college) which was really nice, and we have three more before we're done. And 2 weeks after the last graduation, we have a wedding here-my first since I moved here, and my first to play for. Should be interesting, but I'm looking forward to it. One of my piano students will also be playing in the wedding- "Taco Bell's Cannon" as we like to call it. =)

Student quote of the day

This actually happened a few days ago, but I had forgotten about it until now. Nathalie and I were in my office, and with the recital coming up soon, we decided to go to the chapel to practice, since the piano is different there. This year for the first time, we have id cards for students and teachers. The teachers' cards open locked doors, so we often joke about "having the power" or being "powerful." I was saying to Nathalie that I had to get my card before we left so that we could get back in, and I was also joking and saying that I was "powerful," to which she replied, "No, you are NOT powerful. GOD is powerful." Not much you can say to that one.

5-5-09

Well, the piano recital is officially over. I actually enjoyed this one a good bit more than last years' recital (although I enjoyed that one too). This year, all the kids had their songs memorized, so that made life tons easier on them and me. Now, the big things coming up for me are graduations, which really are a lot less stress than anything else-I just have to show up and play, not too much thought required. So, the big stuff for me this year is finished! I can't believe this year has gone by so quickly.
This one's short, I know, but I must go home, get my laundry, and go to the laundromat-we're going to Culebra on Friday, and I need clean clothes! (and hopefully my newly ordered snorkel equipment will arrive soon)

4/30/09

I got my car keys back today! Apparently they were able to put down some sheet metal, braces and a two by four so that I'm not doing an imitation of the Flinstones. The metal bar that the drivers side seat is anchored to snapped (it was/is very rusty) and poked a decent sized hole in the already almost rusted out bottom of the car. I haven't ben driving it for a whilek, because should the seat decide to fall through completely while I'm driving 65 mph down the highway, the outcome would not be pretty. Mr. Zimmer says it's pretty badly rusted, and he doesn't know how long it will last, but the fix should buy me a little more time-I'm trying to make it without having to buy a car at least until I come back from the summer.
In other news, piano recital is coming up on Tuesday. All the kids have their songs memorized, which makes life one hundred times easier. More stories about the recital to come later, off to the last college choir practice before graduation!

March Madness

Well, it was fun while it lasted. KU lost by 5 Friday night. It was a pretty exciting game, and at least I got to see it, but I'm still sad they lost (that, and it's so long before I get to see them play again). I also figured out how to get cold in Puerto Rico-go out at midnight! Not that I do that on a regular basis, but the game was over 11:45 ish, so when I went out side, I got to experience "cold" Puerto Rican style. (it was probably high 60s low 70s) I also got to take advantage of an interesting law on the way home-between 12AM and 5 or 6AM, you can run stoplights as long as no one is there. It's actually in the drivers manual that, if you can do so safely, you do not have to obey the red light. Apparently it's partially to reduce crimes at that time of night, or so I've heard. I only got to take advantage of it once-at the other lights there were cars there.
And the student quote for the day:

While watching the game, I was telling Carlos that I've been a Jayhawk fan my whole life, in fact I went to games before I was born, to which he replied "Wow. Then it's a wonder you don't have feathers!"