Twenty-Something Resolution, Week Six

No pictures this week because it would have been rude to pull out my phone...

On Wednesday when I went into church choir practice, my music minister asked me how I felt about "old people" (his words, not mine).  I told him, "I love them!"  He then called me into his office and told me that he, along with some other church choir members as well as some colleagues I didn't know, were going to the Alabama Symphony Orchestra Friday and had an extra ticket.  I'm assuming he asked because 1. I am hopelessly in love with music, and 2. I am single, and he only had one ticket.  Of course I agreed, and he told me about the restaurant we would meet for dinner before.

When I first got this invitation, I knew that this would be my "new thing," because I'd never been to the restaurant.  We went to dinner at a place called, "The Pita Stop."  I believe it is a Lebanese restaurant, and I had NO idea what anything on the menu was!  Not only was the food new to me, but the setting was different as well.  I am used to being around people much older than me, primarily because I am an only child and my parents are rather old compared to me (mom was 40 when she had me).  However, because of this, I am usually with my parents, or at least my mom, when I am in situations similar to this.  This time, I was on my own.  If you don't already know, I've developed a bit of an anxiety around social situations in recent years.  I'm not sure how this came about, but it manifests itself in feeling extremely uncomfortable, increased heart rate, difficulty breathing (at times), muscle tension, avoiding social settings, avoiding eye contact at all costs, and feeling ashamed and unworthy.  So, just being there, without my parents as security, with people I did not know well and people I did not know at all was definitely challenging and out of my comfort zone.  I'm thinking of changing my resolution from "trying something new" to "getting out of my comfort zone," though those things are often synonymous.

But I digress.  The socialization was a bit uncomfortable at first, but the people were warm and inviting and made me feel at ease.  I tried a new food, called "Kafta Kabob Plate."  That is "House specialty, Lebanese style meatballs topped w/ melted provolone cheese."  Before I ordered, I told my dinner mates of my resolution, and they were incredibly supportive.  When I ordered, they cheered me on, saying, "Wow, that is something new!"  I still have NO idea what I ate, but it was delicious!

Later, at the ASO, I heard beautiful music.  If I began to describe the magnificence, I would be here all night and my one reader would give up on this post.  They played Trumpet Concerto in E-Flat Major by Franz Joseph Haydn, Trumpet Concerto No. 1, Op. 42 by Eino Tamberg, and finally, Symphony No. 4, Op. 36 by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.  It was skill wrapped in finesse covered with a fine glaze of mastery.  The ASO is quite possibly the best thing about Alabama.

So, all in all, I had an enriching, comfortably uncomfortable, and truly inspiring evening.  Soli Deo Gloria!

Twenty-Something Resolution, Week Five

This week at work was tough.  As you might know, I'm a Music Therapist at a hospital, and some days are rough because of the inevitability of mortality.  Yesterday was sad.  I won't go into details.  God's timing was impeccable, as usual, and I had already planned on going out for fun times with my Bible Study group.  We went to AirWalk, which is basically just a giant room filled with trampolines!  It was a nice way to get my mind off things and remember all the joy that life can offer.

What I discovered while jumping is that I'm getting older.  My back started hurting and I'm all sore today.  But it was fun while it lasted!  I'm glad I went.

This is me jumping, with my friend Andrew photobombing in the back.  The camera caught him in a cooler pose than me.  Oh well.

Twenty-Something Resolution Week Four

I bought lipstick today.  I have never done that before.  It's not like I've never worn lipstick.  I've borrowed it from friends and my mom, but I've never had any of my own, mainly because I don't wear makeup much.  I'm too lazy to mess with it, and I just don't care.  Also, I'm so used to playing clarinet every day, and I don't really see the point in wearing lipstick when it's just going to get smudged and mess up my reeds and mouthpiece.  Now that I don't play every single day, I thought I might as well.  But this won't change my habits.  I'll still probably only wear makeup once in a blue moon.
Anyway, here's what I look like:

Twenty-Something Resolution, Week Three

I did TWO new things this week!  Does that mean I can take next week off?

First, I'll start with what happened on Wednesday that I haven't had time to write about yet.
There is a Music Therapy intervention that our team have all been trained in, but we haven't been using it, because of concerns regarding the research to support the effectiveness and validity of the intervention.  This week, my colleague and I met with the therapy team, along with a distinguished Music Therapist for extra support, to discuss beginning a program to initiate using this intervention in our hospital.  It was the first time I was able to discuss/propose a Music Therapy program, and definitely one of the first times I felt confident in what I know.  It was all very grown-up.  Afterward, we were exhausted and energized all at the same time.  There's still more work to be done, but we are excited.

Second, I went to Montgomery this weekend.  I've never been to Montgomery, but I didn't really get to explore much.  I went for the Alabama Music Educator's Association (AMEA) conference.  Since August, I have been playing in a group called Alabama Winds.  This group consists of band directors and music educators across the state (including my own high school band directors), as well as retired music educators, and the occasional member without a Music Ed degree (such as myself).  It has been an absolute pleasure playing with them, and this year, we had the honor to play a concert at AMEA.  It was an amazing concert to play, filled with much musicianship and artistry.  We even got to play with Tom "Bones" Malone, who played with the Blues Brothers and on The Late Show with David Letterman (I think, I don't really know who hosts which show...)  Anyway, it was magical and I love to play my horn, and I have been so blessed to be able to play with such talented musicians.

Hooray for music!

Twenty-Something Resolution, Week Two

Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.
Some weeks will be naturally full of new things, some weeks I will have to look for new things to try, and some weeks will have new things thrust upon them.
This week has been thrusted upon.

I've had a slow leak in my tire for a few weeks.  I asked my dad to look at it, and he didn't see anything.  He even took it to Sam's for me, but didn't have them inspect it properly (because it was a 45 min wait).  He just told me to put air in it every once in a while, and then when it's time to get new tires, all will be well.

Except he was wrong.  Which, admittedly, doesn't happen often.  I noticed on Thursday evening after work that the tire had leaked some air - about 7 PSI below its recommended amount of air.  So, I made plans for the next morning to get a bit of air in it at the Goodyear service center conveniently located on my way to work.  While I was there, the gentleman who filled it informed me of a nail in the tire.  Here's the photo evidence:

It's small, but enough to cause a leak, and too close to the sidewall to repair.  The prognosis was not good.  I had to buy a new tire.

After a stressful day of adulting, I decided to buy one new tire at Goodyear.  The next morning, when I arrived at my Goodyear appointment, I thought all would be well, just get my new tire and go, end of story.  However, NOTHING is ever that simple for me.  The men at Goodyear put a new tire on to replace the original, and while they were routinely checking the other tires, lo and behold, ANOTHER NAIL!!  In ANOTHER TIRE!!  And guess what else?  It was also too close to the sidewall to repair.  I didn't take a picture, but I did make him take me back and show me, just to be sure.  He then told me my back two tires were worn, but I trust my daddy, who said they were fine for a little longer.  Long story short, I now have two new Goodyear tires and hole the size of $269 in my bank account.

I called my parents (even though I'm adult, I like to get some wisdom!) and mom decided that the guy probably put the second nail in himself just to take advantage of me because I'm young and a woman.  I, on the other hand, am more like Dumbledore and I always see the best in people.  Either way, once the nail was there I had no choice.  So, I sat in the waiting room, knitting, mourning the loss of my money, and hoping for Peter Pan to come take me to Neverland where I won't have to grow up.

Fun times.

Twenty-something Resolution, Week One

I might be cheating a bit this week, but I'm just getting into the swing of this new lifestyle, so my future posts should get better.  And to explain why this is cheating and why this is even relevant, you need a bit of a backstory.

Last year's resolution (one of them, at least) was to stop drinking soda.  Cold turkey.  Well, not quite cold turkey, because I wasn't addicted or anything, but you get the idea.  It wasn't that difficult, just a bit tricky every once in a while because there were times when my only options were soda and sweet tea.  Being from the midwest, I can't handle sweet tea down here in dixie, so I would just go without. Anyway, I completed it.  I expected to grab a coke on the first of the year, and I intended to, but when I got up to order my lunch that day, none of the sodas in the fountain looked appetizing, so I just decided to go with water instead.  Long story short, I haven't even wanted a soda yet.  Until last night.  On my way to church for choir practice, I had to stop at McDonald's for dinner.  Side-note: I don't like McDonald's, and the thought of it makes me cringe, but it's handy when you're in a pinch.  Anyway, I ordered my measly meal, and a carbonated beverage to go along with it.

So you might already be able to tell why this week's "new thing" is a bit of a cheat.  Because it's not really new to me.  I've been drinking soda for a majority of my life.  But what was new about this, was my reaction to the coke.  I HATED it.  It was too sweet, and bitter all at the same time, it covered my throat in gunky mucous, then later dried out my throat, and it made my heart race.

If you ever wondered whether Coca-Cola is an acquired taste, let me just tell you: it is.  And it isn't so tasty once you've un-acquired it.

Typical "twentysomething" New Year Resolution

I've decided that my new year's resolution is to try new things, have new experiences, conquer fears, and have an open mind about it all.  Every week, I will try to intentionally do something I've never done before, or try something that scares me (within reason, of course, I'm not dumb enough to put myself in danger).
Even if it's as simple as eating some food I've never tried and looks gross, I'm hoping to expand my world.  I'm also going to try doing this while saving money.  Don't know how that will work, but we'll find out.
So, I'm calling on you, people of the internet.  (Except I'm pretty sure only one person actually reads this thing.)  Keep me accountable and I'll keep you updated.

P.S. This is starting today instead of the 1st.  2015 started on a Thursday.  Give a girl a break.

Ferguson

I have roots in Ferguson.  If it weren't for Ferguson, I wouldn't be here.  I wouldn't exist.  My parents lived and met in Ferguson.  They got married, moved to another suburb of St. Louis, had me, and I grew up in St. Louis.  Not at all far away from West Florissant Ave.  And now, at this very moment, the eyes of a nation are looking to my city.

My heart is breaking.

I don't understand how looting, vandalism, and violence will create any positive change.  These actions showcase the worst of humanity.  Hate begets hate.  None of these actions will bring back any lives lost.

There is so much I want to say, but m emotions are getting in the way and I need to organize my thoughts first.  However, as per usual, I can express my thoughts and feelings surrounding this situation in song.  Here are the lyrics that I am holding on to:

"Imagine all the people living life in peace...  Imagine all the people sharing all the world."

"Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me
Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be
With God as our Father, brothers all are we
Let me walk with my brother in perfect harmony

Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now,
With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow:
To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally,
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me."