When Sean and Meag were little, I went back to AMC to get my degree in Music. I had no idea what I was really in for until I got there. Sure music what what I was most passionate about but until you're in the thick of it you have no idea that you will be leaning everything there is to know about ALL music! It was, in fact, the hardest thing I'd ever done.
Although the kids were now in school, I was overwhelmed with guilt and stress and work! When I was home, I had to balance being the mom I was accustomed to being with getting my homework and studying done. The stress was unbelievable.
I started walking taking better care of my health to help regulate that stress and to get myself into a better place, emotionally and physically. This career in music education has been no different in the areas of stress and business. It is so easy to become over committed and as a mom, that again leaves no time to do what I need to do for me.
That stops now.
The new situation with having to now take over the instrumental program in addition to what I'm already doing at the high school will be perhaps, a bigger challenge than getting my Masters at BU while working! I will be of no use to anyone if I am not better equipped to step up to all of the added stress and workload. And thus a new journey begins....
I hope to have the details posted later today or tomorrow so stay tuned.... This blog is about to morph into something besides the daily knitting lessons, although I hope they will forever remain a part of my journey!
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Day 54 - Why are my posts taking weeks to show up??????
Oh, the joys of technology! I have no idea why my posts are appearing three weeks after I write them but it certainly makes my reading them more fun!
Yesterday, I attempted to discover where I'd left off on Meag's spring sweater but I am not really good at finding the needle in a haystack. I may have to frog it and begin again. I hate to do it as it's a really long cast on, but I'm only 1 1/2" into it so maybe it's better to count my losses now. I really need to find time for that "happy place." These days, work and life have been trying my patience and we'd all benefit from Mom finding a little time for peace!
On a totally different note, I have begun to allow myself time to write again. I have been working on finishing up 5 songs and have recorded the first two. I've been away from the performance aspect of my craft for far too long and this has really been motivating and inspiring! I've shared some of my pieces with some experts and some other trained musician. All seem to like what I've produced and I've gotten some really great constructive critiques which have allowed me to improve some things. I guess the real test is the family and friends I've shared them with. After all they are a more realistic sample of a potential audience. As hard as that's been, they've all loved it! Such a scary ledge to jump from but it's getting easier each time.
I've had some interesting doors open lately and if I can just get through the next 6 weeks with grace, who knows what next year will bring. I do know that it will be different in many ways and I can't wait!
Okay, off to rip it, rip it, rip it!!!!!!
Yesterday, I attempted to discover where I'd left off on Meag's spring sweater but I am not really good at finding the needle in a haystack. I may have to frog it and begin again. I hate to do it as it's a really long cast on, but I'm only 1 1/2" into it so maybe it's better to count my losses now. I really need to find time for that "happy place." These days, work and life have been trying my patience and we'd all benefit from Mom finding a little time for peace!
On a totally different note, I have begun to allow myself time to write again. I have been working on finishing up 5 songs and have recorded the first two. I've been away from the performance aspect of my craft for far too long and this has really been motivating and inspiring! I've shared some of my pieces with some experts and some other trained musician. All seem to like what I've produced and I've gotten some really great constructive critiques which have allowed me to improve some things. I guess the real test is the family and friends I've shared them with. After all they are a more realistic sample of a potential audience. As hard as that's been, they've all loved it! Such a scary ledge to jump from but it's getting easier each time.
I've had some interesting doors open lately and if I can just get through the next 6 weeks with grace, who knows what next year will bring. I do know that it will be different in many ways and I can't wait!
Okay, off to rip it, rip it, rip it!!!!!!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Day 39 - Game Day - precious time together
So yesterday was a great day of fun games at my brother's house. Dan and I went with the kids and John and Glo and the girls were there as was Grandma and Jill's boyfriend. It was amazing to see that here were were two families with teenagers and college students enjoying each other's company all day and evening. We played lots of new (to us) board games, had a lovely dinner, and played some more. It was great!
My brother has loved board games as far back as I can remember and he's got quite the collection now. I'm not talking about Monopoly or Life, but games of intrigue, strategy, and thoughtful plotting against your opponents! It's really quite fun! My family has become hooked on several of these and it really nice to have something that brings us together that is not electronic! I've even found some of these games online so I can try to get better at them before the next beating; I mean gathering!
On another note, today is officially the last day of vacation and that makes me very sad. A friend of mine joked about my week of cooking, knitting and baking and said "the women's movement wants a word with me." (or something to that effect!) The truth of the matter is, of all the jobs I have had, I love this one the most! I get the most fulfillment out of doing and caring for my family. Does that make me weird? Does it make me some kind of sub-par female? I don't believe it does. There are plenty of us out there who prefer that role to those we've had to take to make ends meet or to try to secure our future financial status, or even our children's' futures.
I was lucky enough to find a career that allows me to explore and submerse myself in something I'm passionate about (music), but truthfully, I get more out of being a good mom and wife. (and no, Tim, I am not a Stepford or my house would be clean and tidy!)
So although tomorrow I will go back to work and try to teach and inspire my students, and my family life will become confused and chaotic with skating, soccer and a number of other things interfering with the day, today I will embrace this last day of precious time and cook a comforting meal, bake and awesome bread, make some rich and decadent dessert and find time to knit and snuggle my family!
My brother has loved board games as far back as I can remember and he's got quite the collection now. I'm not talking about Monopoly or Life, but games of intrigue, strategy, and thoughtful plotting against your opponents! It's really quite fun! My family has become hooked on several of these and it really nice to have something that brings us together that is not electronic! I've even found some of these games online so I can try to get better at them before the next beating; I mean gathering!
On another note, today is officially the last day of vacation and that makes me very sad. A friend of mine joked about my week of cooking, knitting and baking and said "the women's movement wants a word with me." (or something to that effect!) The truth of the matter is, of all the jobs I have had, I love this one the most! I get the most fulfillment out of doing and caring for my family. Does that make me weird? Does it make me some kind of sub-par female? I don't believe it does. There are plenty of us out there who prefer that role to those we've had to take to make ends meet or to try to secure our future financial status, or even our children's' futures.
I was lucky enough to find a career that allows me to explore and submerse myself in something I'm passionate about (music), but truthfully, I get more out of being a good mom and wife. (and no, Tim, I am not a Stepford or my house would be clean and tidy!)
So although tomorrow I will go back to work and try to teach and inspire my students, and my family life will become confused and chaotic with skating, soccer and a number of other things interfering with the day, today I will embrace this last day of precious time and cook a comforting meal, bake and awesome bread, make some rich and decadent dessert and find time to knit and snuggle my family!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Day 9 - Knitting Therapy
Lesson of the day: Breathe deeply and knit
Today was a particularly long day at work. I am always excited to get working on new music with my students but getting back into the routine after the long break always leads to more work to be done! Also, this move my family has made has been one true test of character. It is always difficult to move I guess, but the uprooting of the family does not only affect the children. I am finding that I must also find my way in new territory. It is frustrating, confusing and most of all, lonely. For this, I turn to my knitting.
I found some time to continue my journey into "toe-up" sock knitting. Socks are so much fun to knit anyway, but this new challenge also keeps me thinking. Learning something new at 40 is wonderful. I am much more patient with myself and appreciative of the feeling of accomplishment. Yeah me!
I am going to go enjoy another hour or so of this project and go to bed early. Tomorrow, I will post pictures of all of these works in progress (or finished) and try to keep this blog more visually appealing.
Today was a particularly long day at work. I am always excited to get working on new music with my students but getting back into the routine after the long break always leads to more work to be done! Also, this move my family has made has been one true test of character. It is always difficult to move I guess, but the uprooting of the family does not only affect the children. I am finding that I must also find my way in new territory. It is frustrating, confusing and most of all, lonely. For this, I turn to my knitting.
I found some time to continue my journey into "toe-up" sock knitting. Socks are so much fun to knit anyway, but this new challenge also keeps me thinking. Learning something new at 40 is wonderful. I am much more patient with myself and appreciative of the feeling of accomplishment. Yeah me!
I am going to go enjoy another hour or so of this project and go to bed early. Tomorrow, I will post pictures of all of these works in progress (or finished) and try to keep this blog more visually appealing.
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