Yesterday and today I spent a large chunk of my day sewing costumes for La Serna High School's musical Ragtime. While I was cutting fabric and sewing a bit, I was thinking about why I keep doing this year after year (it's only been two years since graduation).
I've come to the conclusion that it's not because I need volunteer hours, or I feel obligated because my brother's in the show, but mostly because I like feeling a part of something that is important. Giving students the opportunity to be a part of a show can be life-changing; it's a way for students to interact with each other, gain the success and satisfaction of creating and making something from scratch, and students get the opportunity to work with adults who care about them who are willing to talk to them and help them improve in their performance skills as well as their own growth in character.
There are a lot of events and groups who are doing important things in the world, so what makes this different is that I believe in this cause too. In fact, this is what I want to do with my life. I would love to gain the skills to properly guide and direct students in music. I believe that music has the ability to effect and touch people in a special way unlike any other. It incorporates beautiful melodies and harmonies, poetic lyrics, and emotion created by the performer. The purpose of music ultimately is to affect. As a teacher, this not only includes affecting the audience, but providing one's students with opportunities, as I believe Mr. and Mrs. Carter and many other adults part of La Serna's Fine Arts Department are trying to do.
I am excited to be able to be a part of this magic at La Serna. I'm not trying to relive the past, because everyone needs to grow up at some point. Also, I'm not saying that I'm grown up, because I'm far from that classification and we are all constantly learning. But by graduating and stepping away from the bubble, I can appreciate all that these adults have done for me and begin to see how it has effected me. This is a time in my life where I can begin to see the developing character in myself, the reasons why the believers in this program continue to work so hard year after year. Now, not only do I wish as a student to continue to learn and grow from the adults who believe in this cause, but I also am beginning to have the power to create an environment for other students to experience what I have.
This is why I love sewing costumes.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008
I love Friday nights!
I'm sure you all know that I'm a PARTY ANIMAL!...not. But I can assure you that I do enjoy last minute visits from best friends on Friday nights. And this Friday night did not disappoint.
Kristina randomly called me around 8-o-clock this evening, which was such a nice surprise. Unfortunately I was not exactly coherent due to an extremely painful sinus headache (imagine the density and weight of a few bricks on your forehead and upper cheeks). But this loud and silly conversation led to a very fine evening of true friendship at its best.
After I got off the phone, I popped a few sinus pills and ibuprofen into my system and just waited for the pain to subside, and for Kristina to call me back with a confirmation. Then I realized that I had to pick up my brother at 9-o-clock, when the current time was 8:59. So I called Kristina back as I was flying out the door, telling her that I am going out, but will return before she makes it to my house. The point to this part of the story is that I still had a horrible headache which made driving suck. Also that my mom was there to pick up my brother. And I had to get back home to tidy up the house a bit before Kristina got there. ugh.
Okay, so I fly back into my house (sometimes I think I should just get a broom), and start the clean-up process. Fortunately, my room wasn't too bad, and whatever I didn't have time to put away in its proper place, was put in a properly-good-place-for-the-time-being on top of my bunk bed (at least it has some purpose). Kristina walked in just as I finished piling the load on the upper bunk.
Well, Kristina and I had a groovy time listening to music, dancing and signing, and just good ole talking. My mom came and talked with us for a while before she got ready for bed. I'm really glad I was able to talk with her for a little bit and that Kristina was so cool about it. I didn't see my mom at all today, and it was nice to share what we each accomplished within the las 18 hours. =D
Kristina was telling me about her ASL class, and a guest speaker came in to class and he was a dancer/signer, and he does both at the same time. He showed her class one of the songs, and thanks to Kari's downloads on to my computer, I had the song Pump It. I love you, Kari (and I'm not just throwing that word around; I really do love you)! It was so cool the dance and signing that Kristina was doing. I think what made this so intriguing for me is because when I led music for the preschoolers at church, I tried to incorporate sign into the worship, and this was another example of combining sign with music and dance.
For most of the rest of the time we just talked, and talked, and talked...it's what we do. And we talked about many-a-things. Like when we hung out last, and the quizzes we made on facebook (which were very difficult). It was really interesting to me to talk about the logic behind making our quizzes and intentions behind each question. In my mind I purposely made the quiz more difficult so that people might be more inclined to ask me questions about the quiz, kinda like an ice breaker. Kristina included questions that she knew at least one person would know. She, like me, also didn't want to make the quiz too easy, because what's the fun in that?
Also, Kristina agrees with Alicia that I need to clean out my closet. I do appreciate the fact that she assured me that I don't need to be saving clothes for my granny days.
The friendship that I have with Kristina is such a breath of fresh air. Embarrassment does not exist in our friendship. Everything is so low key (sometimes to the point of flatness, not your butt. And isn't it funny to have "point" and "flatness" in the same thought)...[rereading what I wrote to contine the thought process]...(oh my music jokes are sad)...okay, that anything that needs to be said is said. Fear does not exist. Offense does not exist. We accept each other in all of our glories and mistakes.
This was a great Friday night.
Kristina randomly called me around 8-o-clock this evening, which was such a nice surprise. Unfortunately I was not exactly coherent due to an extremely painful sinus headache (imagine the density and weight of a few bricks on your forehead and upper cheeks). But this loud and silly conversation led to a very fine evening of true friendship at its best.
After I got off the phone, I popped a few sinus pills and ibuprofen into my system and just waited for the pain to subside, and for Kristina to call me back with a confirmation. Then I realized that I had to pick up my brother at 9-o-clock, when the current time was 8:59. So I called Kristina back as I was flying out the door, telling her that I am going out, but will return before she makes it to my house. The point to this part of the story is that I still had a horrible headache which made driving suck. Also that my mom was there to pick up my brother. And I had to get back home to tidy up the house a bit before Kristina got there. ugh.
Okay, so I fly back into my house (sometimes I think I should just get a broom), and start the clean-up process. Fortunately, my room wasn't too bad, and whatever I didn't have time to put away in its proper place, was put in a properly-good-place-for-the-time-being on top of my bunk bed (at least it has some purpose). Kristina walked in just as I finished piling the load on the upper bunk.
Well, Kristina and I had a groovy time listening to music, dancing and signing, and just good ole talking. My mom came and talked with us for a while before she got ready for bed. I'm really glad I was able to talk with her for a little bit and that Kristina was so cool about it. I didn't see my mom at all today, and it was nice to share what we each accomplished within the las 18 hours. =D
Kristina was telling me about her ASL class, and a guest speaker came in to class and he was a dancer/signer, and he does both at the same time. He showed her class one of the songs, and thanks to Kari's downloads on to my computer, I had the song Pump It. I love you, Kari (and I'm not just throwing that word around; I really do love you)! It was so cool the dance and signing that Kristina was doing. I think what made this so intriguing for me is because when I led music for the preschoolers at church, I tried to incorporate sign into the worship, and this was another example of combining sign with music and dance.
For most of the rest of the time we just talked, and talked, and talked...it's what we do. And we talked about many-a-things. Like when we hung out last, and the quizzes we made on facebook (which were very difficult). It was really interesting to me to talk about the logic behind making our quizzes and intentions behind each question. In my mind I purposely made the quiz more difficult so that people might be more inclined to ask me questions about the quiz, kinda like an ice breaker. Kristina included questions that she knew at least one person would know. She, like me, also didn't want to make the quiz too easy, because what's the fun in that?
Also, Kristina agrees with Alicia that I need to clean out my closet. I do appreciate the fact that she assured me that I don't need to be saving clothes for my granny days.
The friendship that I have with Kristina is such a breath of fresh air. Embarrassment does not exist in our friendship. Everything is so low key (sometimes to the point of flatness, not your butt. And isn't it funny to have "point" and "flatness" in the same thought)...[rereading what I wrote to contine the thought process]...(oh my music jokes are sad)...okay, that anything that needs to be said is said. Fear does not exist. Offense does not exist. We accept each other in all of our glories and mistakes.
This was a great Friday night.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Some of my Favorite Recipes
Norwegian Meatballs
(I served this at our family Christmas luncheon)
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup milk
1 TBS cornstarch
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 TSP salt
Dash Pepper
1/4 TSP ground nutmeg
1/4 TSP ground allspice
1/4 TSP ground ginger
1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef
3 to 4 TBS butter
Gravy:
1 TBS butter
2 TBS all-purpose flour
1 cup beef broth
1/2 cup milk
Salt and pepper to taste
Minced fresh parsley, optional
Combine egg, milk, cornstarch, onion, salt, pepper, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger. Crumble beef over mixture. Mix well. Shape into meatballs. Melt butter in a large skillet. Cook meatballs in skillet for 10 minutes or until no longer pink. Place meatballs on paper towel to drain. Keep 1 TBS of drippings for gravy.
Gravy: Add butter to drippings. Stir in flour. Add broth and milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Season with salt and pepper. Return meatballs to skillet; heat through.
Yield: 6 servings
Test Kitchen favorites. Reiman Media Group, Inc. 2005
Nestle's Milk Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
(I just made these and they're AMAZING, I had to blog it)
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 TSP baking powder
1/2 TSP baking soda
1/2 TSP ground cinnamon
1/4 TSP salt
3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1-1/2 TSP vanilla extract*
1 large egg
2 TBS milk
1-3/4 cups (11.5 oz pkg.) Nestle Toll House Milk Chocolate Morsels
1 cup uncooked quick or old fashioned oats
1/2 cup raisins (optional)
*I used 1 TSP vanilla and 1/8 TSP almond extract
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Beat butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extrract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Beat in egg. Gradually beat in flour mixture and milk. Stir in morsels, oats, and raisins. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
Bake for 10 to 14 minutes or until edgres are crisp but centers are still soft (watch for edges is key). Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
Yield: about 3 dozen cookies
Other recipes hopefully to come: Coconut cupcakes (Kari), Disneyland Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, Dark Chocolate Fudge
(I served this at our family Christmas luncheon)
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup milk
1 TBS cornstarch
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 TSP salt
Dash Pepper
1/4 TSP ground nutmeg
1/4 TSP ground allspice
1/4 TSP ground ginger
1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef
3 to 4 TBS butter
Gravy:
1 TBS butter
2 TBS all-purpose flour
1 cup beef broth
1/2 cup milk
Salt and pepper to taste
Minced fresh parsley, optional
Combine egg, milk, cornstarch, onion, salt, pepper, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger. Crumble beef over mixture. Mix well. Shape into meatballs. Melt butter in a large skillet. Cook meatballs in skillet for 10 minutes or until no longer pink. Place meatballs on paper towel to drain. Keep 1 TBS of drippings for gravy.
Gravy: Add butter to drippings. Stir in flour. Add broth and milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Season with salt and pepper. Return meatballs to skillet; heat through.
Yield: 6 servings
Test Kitchen favorites. Reiman Media Group, Inc. 2005
Nestle's Milk Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
(I just made these and they're AMAZING, I had to blog it)
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 TSP baking powder
1/2 TSP baking soda
1/2 TSP ground cinnamon
1/4 TSP salt
3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1-1/2 TSP vanilla extract*
1 large egg
2 TBS milk
1-3/4 cups (11.5 oz pkg.) Nestle Toll House Milk Chocolate Morsels
1 cup uncooked quick or old fashioned oats
1/2 cup raisins (optional)
*I used 1 TSP vanilla and 1/8 TSP almond extract
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Beat butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extrract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Beat in egg. Gradually beat in flour mixture and milk. Stir in morsels, oats, and raisins. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
Bake for 10 to 14 minutes or until edgres are crisp but centers are still soft (watch for edges is key). Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
Yield: about 3 dozen cookies
Other recipes hopefully to come: Coconut cupcakes (Kari), Disneyland Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, Dark Chocolate Fudge
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Book List 2008
I can finally keep an annual record of the books I've read, without it getting lost among my journals and other random papers.
2008
1. Angus, Thongs, and Full-frontal Snogging -Louise Rennison
2. Knocked Out by my Nunga-nungas -Louise Rennison
3. Demon in my View -Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
4. Dancing in my Nuddy-pants -Louise Rennison
5. The Unthinkable Thoughts of Jacob Green -Joshua Braff
6. Then He Ate my Boy Entrancers -Louise Rennison
7. Startled by his Furry Shorts -Louise Rennison (2/9)
8. Love is a Many Trousered Thing -Louise Rennison (2/9)
9. The Lovely Bones -Alice Sebold (3/17)
10. The Great Gatsby -F. Scott Fitzgerald (3/20)
11. Twilight -Stephenie Meyer (6/16)
12. New Moon -Stephenie Meyer (6/27)
2008
1. Angus, Thongs, and Full-frontal Snogging -Louise Rennison
2. Knocked Out by my Nunga-nungas -Louise Rennison
3. Demon in my View -Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
4. Dancing in my Nuddy-pants -Louise Rennison
5. The Unthinkable Thoughts of Jacob Green -Joshua Braff
6. Then He Ate my Boy Entrancers -Louise Rennison
7. Startled by his Furry Shorts -Louise Rennison (2/9)
8. Love is a Many Trousered Thing -Louise Rennison (2/9)
9. The Lovely Bones -Alice Sebold (3/17)
10. The Great Gatsby -F. Scott Fitzgerald (3/20)
11. Twilight -Stephenie Meyer (6/16)
12. New Moon -Stephenie Meyer (6/27)
13. Eclipse -Stephanie Meyer (7/14)
14. Boy Meets Girl -Joshua Harris (9/6)
I also will now keep track of the books I want to read. If you have any book recommendations, let me know!
1. The Great Gatsby -Fitzgerald (recommened by Cruz)
2. The Lovely Bones -Alice Sebold (r. teacher)
3. The Girl with the Pearl Earrings (r. Aunt Peggy)
4. The Red Tent (r. Aunt Peggy)
5. Beethoven -Maynard Solomon (r. Uncle Leo)
6. No David, No (r. Sean)
7. The Twilight (r. Sarah)
8. The Count of Monte Cristo (something I just need to read)
9. The Artists Way -Julia Cameron (r. Melodie)
10. Rick Steve's Guide to Europe (r. Kari)
11. A Raisin in the Sun -Lorraine Hansberry
12. The Secret Government -Bill Meyers (Dad)
13. The Commoner -John Burnham Schwartz (Aunt Peggy)
I also will now keep track of the books I want to read. If you have any book recommendations, let me know!
1. The Great Gatsby -Fitzgerald (recommened by Cruz)
2. The Lovely Bones -Alice Sebold (r. teacher)
3. The Girl with the Pearl Earrings (r. Aunt Peggy)
4. The Red Tent (r. Aunt Peggy)
5. Beethoven -Maynard Solomon (r. Uncle Leo)
6. No David, No (r. Sean)
7. The Twilight (r. Sarah)
8. The Count of Monte Cristo (something I just need to read)
9. The Artists Way -Julia Cameron (r. Melodie)
10. Rick Steve's Guide to Europe (r. Kari)
11. A Raisin in the Sun -Lorraine Hansberry
12. The Secret Government -Bill Meyers (Dad)
13. The Commoner -John Burnham Schwartz (Aunt Peggy)
14. Flowers for Algernon -Daniel Keyes (Cruz)
Sunday, February 3, 2008
A Line Skirts
Those of you who know me, know that this past year I had a crazy obsession with a-line skirts with very colorful patterns. I think this obsession has faded as I have been introduced to other articles of clothing, such as pencil skirts (I think), leggings, and 3/4 length shirts. I'm not saying that I have completely disregarded my a-lines, but I am much more open to the idea of wearing other styles. I also believe my most commonly worn color within throughout the fall/winter seasons is black. I still appreciate color, but black has been the color of choice.
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