The length of time that has passed since I've last visited this blog is really awfully ridiculous. I've seriously considered deleting the blog many times, but at the request and protest of my family/friends, I've decided to give blogging another try.
So, in an attempt to rectify myself, I'm posting a review of 2013 in pictures I've taken. Some look like postcards- but I really did take them. :)
I hope you enjoy!
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January
February
March
April (Bahamas/Turks and Caicos)
Made my first chocolate cake. And yes, it was delicious.
Went to Mt. Airy, aka. Mayberry for the first time!
fractured my foot. Definitely not something I'd like to revisit at any time.
May
Recuperated from school/spring 2013 semester.
June/July
with my dad, made a cool Sopwith Camel for a banquet my friend and I decorated at a youth camp. It was awesome!
Cheered and won for the South at Dixie Stampede.
August
Partial relocation to Greenville, SC
September
Learned about strange keyboard instruments in Piano Lit. class. Ah.
October
Enjoyed the fall leaves and colors, and practiced piano.
November
Performed a very successful Graduate Piano Lecture Recital at UNCG, with the assistance of Dr. Stewart.
December
Said farewell to my beloved Toyota Corolla, and was fortunate to find a great deal on this great VW Passat- it's a great car!
Celebrated a great Christmas with the family in NC.
In many ways, 2013 has been a sad year...too many deaths, too many goodbyes to loved ones. It's been a hard year. Many things haven't been enjoyable, fun, or even nice at all. But with the dawn of the new year, I'm reminded that even through the not-so-nice moments of 2013, God has great things in store for 2014- and I'm looking forward to observing his faithfulness and love in new ways.
Here's to 2014! and to being more consistent at posting on this blog thing.
Well, it has been a verrrrry long time since I've posted on this blog! Nope, no excuses. :) Just really too busy enjoying life long enough to pause and share anything. I do however, have something to share today. It's a soapbox topic, so be fore-warned. Don't read if you are prone to be easily offended. And above all, don't say, "I know who she's talking about!" because you'd be totally mistaken. This isn't based on the actions of any one person, just based from observations. and lessons I'm learning myself. So, now that you're completely freaked out and scared to read....
Some habits we acquire as children, it seems we never quite seem to outgrow. Thumb-sucking usually doesn't last too long. But some things just seem inherent to human beings and stay with us, even as we age. And some of those things are super annoying- really.
If I could name just one thing that annoys me about human beings, and the human race, it would be excuses. I HATE excuses! "I'm late because of a wreck." "I can't pay you today because I lost my checkbook." "The kids aren't behaving well because we've been really busy and exhausted." or, one of my all-time favorites: "I didn't practice or bring my books to my piano lesson because they got wet in the shower." no, REALLY? I thought everyone took their piano books into the shower with mr. rubber ducky. Not! Every time I hear an excuse, I think of several comments I could make.
1) has it ever occurred to you that I just don't care? or maybe (gasp) that no one really cares about your lame excuse?
2) did you know that you are not the only individual in the world who has had a bad day/experienced inconvenient circumstances today? lots of people deal with a lot of stuff every day, and 9 changes out of 10, no one really needs to hear yours.
3) grow up. just...grow up and deal with it!
And, 9 chances out of 10, if I were to say any of these comments, the individual would be absolutely horrified, appalled, and completely offended. What's worse, they probably wouldn't even understand the reasoning for my frustration with their excuses. To them, their excuses are engrained in their nature, and are perfectly legitimate. These types of people are so accustomed to blaming others for their problems, that they escape reality and responsibility for their lives by making millions of excuses. "The kids distracted me, so I ran the red light." "My cell phone fell so I wrecked trying to reach it." (hint: it never works to blame inanimate objects...it just makes you look uber stupid.) and the list goes on and on. "The office has been working me really hard, so I didn't make it to church." etc. etc. etc.
Excuses often begin legitimately, and innocently, and maybe at first they truly are legitimate. However, when we begin placing blame for our problems- no matter how seemingly minute- on others, the dog, the pastor, the kids, the car, the red-light, whatever- we are essentially saying, "I am a victim of my environment, and I am not responsible for my reactions to daily life. The world is a tough place to live in, and life is hard on me. I can only deal with the cards I've been dealt in life. I am not responsible for my actions or responses to anything- I am a victim." The pattern here: lack of responsibility.
Irresponsibility creeps in so sneakily, you won't even recognize its clandestine patterns of deceit in your life. Some excuses may begin as legitimate. "I don't participate in youth activities because I don't have anything in common with anyone else." "I didn't practice because I had homework." "I didn't show up to practice because I forgot and got busy." But when you examine the root of the problem, how legitimate are your excuses, really?
-Not participating in activities because of lack of common ground isn't an excuse; it shows your inflexibility and unwillingness to get along with others and try to reach out to others.
-Not practicing piano because of homework is not a valid excuse either; it shows your failure to plan and prioritize your time and accomplish the most important tasks before goofing off.
-Skipping an appointment or scheduled meeting shows your lack of respect for another person's time, and your lack of responsibility in keeping track of your life. It's YOUR life, and no one can prioritize it for you.
Someone once told me something I've never forgotten: "You will make time for what's important to you. The things that aren't important will fall behind." It's all about accepting the challenge to be responsible for your actions, responses, and your life. Excuses mask the issues of irresponsibility and priorities. So the next time you catch yourself giving a lame excuse for being late or forgetting something, why not just try, "I'm sorry I'm late...my fault" instead. It goes over way better, and actually gets you out of thinking up a lame excuse- win, win situation.
It's your life. Be responsible for yours, and leave out the excuses, and everyone will take notice and love you for it!
Well, that's my profound thought for the day. week. make that month. :)
Today was a particularly difficult day for my family and I as we made arrangements to move my grandfather into a nursing facility close to us. This chapter- Psalm 18- really stood out to me today, and I trust it will encourage you also.
Truly, God is perfect, infinite, all-powerful, and He doesn't need my help to be awesome.
Psalm 18:29-35 (NLT translation)
The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness. 29 In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall.
* Our God is so awesome, that nothing takes Him by surprise! He has the power to do anything under the sun, and the power to equip us for battle.
30 God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promisesprove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.
*Don't you love the 'ta-da' feeling of this verse? "God's way is perfect." the end. Why do we question His ways? Stop second-guessing Him! God doesn't need a supervisor.
31
For who is God except the Lord?
Who but our God is a solid rock?
*Don't worry about having a back-up plan when you rely on God; He's It. He's where the 'buck stops,' and nothing gets past Him.
32 God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect.
33 He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights. 34 He trains my hands for battle; he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow.
*God knows what trials await us, and He will adequately prepare us for each and every one of them- and give us the strength as we need it.
35 You have given me your shield of victory. Your right hand supports me; your help has made me great.
Tonight, I'm sitting in that right hand, trusting it will support my family and me in the days and weeks to come as we care for my grandfather during this final stretch. With the help of the Almighty God, He will make me victorious in this continuous battle of trust, and give peace in the most difficult of times.
January has come and gone, and so far my new year's resolutions are doing quite well! :) (give or take a few 'off' ' days.)
Here are a few things I have enjoyed this year so far. Thought I'd share.
1. My devotions. I'm reading Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling." If you're unfamiliar with it, check it out here. It's an overwhelming journey learning to walk and live in the Presence of Jesus, and trust Him with every problem and thought.
2. A new addition to our family: Clear Play! I can't find enough positive words to describe this new technology we've purchased! Check it out on their website. Basically, it allows you to watch videos and movies and bypasses negative elements, language, etc. with the option to change the settings for each movie you watch. Super cool!
3. Working on my Chopin Pedagogy Project. It's actually more fun than it sounds. I get to play some of the most sophisticated and beautiful piano music ever written- and call it 'homework.' :) Check out the Nocturnes by Chopin if you love relaxing piano music. Warning: you may fall asleep.
5. Enjoying scenery around me. I spend a lot of time on the road, and it's relaxing to observe the scenery. This was a beautiful sunset in High Point a few weeks ago.
6. Eating good food. I love eating. Period. And, while I have been eating healthier this year (and enjoying the results), there's nothing like good ole Lexington BBQ, hush puppies, and sweet tea. Mmmm. Good for what ails ya! I love living in the South. :)
Then, there's mom's peach cobbler. Sugar free, except for the icecream. Wow- it's truly awesome!
7. Random projects. I love crafty projects! And, these are a few I came up with.
I have several dozen (no exaggeration) plastic easter eggs left over from last year. Blech. SO, brilliant me, decided to do something with them. So I painted and glittered them. I also painted polka dots on some of them. Anyways, they're pretty cute!
The nest, Well. *clears throat* I wanted a cute little nest. Found one for $20.00, and thought to myself, "self, I can make that." So I did. With moss from Dollar Tree...and a Chinese Noodle Bowl dinner. Ha! No joke. I cut the bowl in half and hot-glued moss to it, and ta-da! Not difficult, cheap, and it's cute. Perfect combination!
And, since it's February and Valentine's is soon approaching, I made cookies today for students and Sunday School kiddos! First time making the icing recipe and it was amazing!
And. yes. that's a random green Shamrock on the right. March is soon too...right? :)
Try saying, "I trust You, Jesus" in response to whatever happens to you. If there is time, think about who I am in all My Power and Glory; ponder also the depth and breadth of My Love for you.
This simple practice will help you see Me in every situation, acknowledging My sovereign control over the universe. When you view events from this perspective- through the light of My universal Presence- fear loses its grip on you. Adverse circumstances become growth opportunities when you affirm your trust in Me no matter what. You receive blessings gratefully, realizing they flow directly from My hand of grace. Your continual assertion of trusting Me will strengthen our relationship and keep you close to Me."
There is something very unsettling about the end of a year, and the beginning of a brand new one. With the beginning of a new year, there are set before us a whole new set of unforeseeable circumstances, difficulties, problems, and frustrations. Of course, with that, there is also the joy in surprises, delightful events, and the suspense of the unknown. Whichever set of circumstances will ring in the new year, here is a wonderful thought on 'trust' by Sarah Young:
"Trust ME with every fiber of your being!
What I can accomplish in and through you is proportional to how much you depend on Me.
One aspect of this is the degree to which you trust Me in a crisis or a major decision. Some people fail miserably here, while others are at their best in tough times. Another aspect is even more telling: the constancy of your trust in Me. People who rely on Me in the midst of adversity may forget about Me when life is flowing smoothly. Difficult times can jolt you into awareness of your need for Me, whereas smooth sailing can lull you into a stupor of self-sufficiency. I care as much about your tiny trust-steps through daily life as about your dramatic leaps of faith. You may think that no one notices, but the One who is always beside you sees everything- and rejoices. Consistently trusting in Me is vital to flourishing in My Presence."
-God-
As I approach the coming year, there are many things I will strive to accomplish, flaws I will endeavor to change, and things I would like to occur in my life. It's a rather powerless and humbling realization that I have absolutely no idea what will happen in the coming year. Yes, I have a vague calendar of academic events, but as for day-to-day happenings? I have no idea. I may not be able to control the circumstances and happenings in 2013, but I can control my response to them, and maintain my connection and trust in the One who approves the coming events.
"Trust and obey, for there's no better way to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey."
Ah: the end of another week. So hard to believe that September is nearly gone and October is right around the corner!
I decided to devote this blog to suggestions of music, for your enjoyment. Anyone who knows me is aware that I literally live and breath music. Well, it's true! I love it. :)
So- if you enjoy music, and are tired of listening to the same thing over and over, here are some of my favorites that I frequently recommend to people. (especially light classical and easy listening.)
Spotify: Free internet download (you have to have Facebook to get it), and allows you to listen to unlimited (with commercials) music. You can find virtually any artist or album by just typing it in the 'search' box. It's great!
Pandora Radio: Make an easy free account by simply using your email address, and create free online radio stations based on your favorite songs, albums, or artists. I listen all the time!
Now, for a few musical recommendations:
Andre' Rieu- Violinist from the Netherlands. His live DVD's are not only filled with beautiful music, but are also quite funny and very entertaining. My students (and I) love him! He plays music varying from light classical to Movie classics (Moon River, etc.). It's great relaxing music, and there are several of his albums on Spotify as well as Pandora. A few of my favorite albums: Romantic Moments, Dreaming, Homecoming, At the Movies, and Greatest Hits.
Canadian Tenors- Terrific guys vocal group; they sing light pop/classical. Really love their sound! On Spotify as well as Pandora.
Straight No Chaser- 10-men from Indiana who sing amazing! I especially love their holiday/Christmas stuff. Check it out- it's phenomenal!
Julie Andrews- No introduction needed. She's my favorite female vocalist of the light classical/Broadway genre, and is truly a legend. Her Christmas albums are especially beautiful, if you're not a fan of Broadway music. Pandora and Spotify.
101 Strings Orchestra- Really enjoyable, beautifully played light classical/easy listening orchestral favorites. Love them! Pandora and Spotify- and most libraries. Amazon has free downloads, sometimes.
Phil Coulter- Irish pianist who often collaborates with famous flutist Sir James Galway. His albums Celtic Horizons, The Celtic Minstrel, Winter Crossing, and Highland Cathedral combine piano light-classical feel with celtic-easy listening. Sounds strange, but it's beautiful. Check it out!
Jim Brickman- Pianist. I don't like all of his songs because they tend to be repetitive, but his Disney album is quite nice, as well as Picture This and his Christmas album, Joy is a favorite. His pandora station is my favorite! Really nice studying music, or anytime music.
Mantivani Orchestra- Great easy-listening orchestral music. Everything they do is extraordinary and beautiful. See what you think!
Secret Garden- European violinist/pianist husband/wife team. Their music has a beautiful instrumental (and some vocal) feel, and is extremely relaxing. He actually wrote the famous song "You Raise Me Up," as well as most of the songs on all their albums. Earthsongs is one of my favorite albums. Check it out on Pandora or Spotify!
Kenny G- Goes without saying, he is one of my favorites! His Christmas music permeates our house year-round! Miracles, Faith, Greatest Christmas, and everything else is a favorite. My favorite non-Christmasy album is Classics in the Key of G. It's a balance between light jazz and easy listening.
Yiruma- An Oriental pianist with a unique playing style. I really enjoy the Yiruma station on Pandora; it's very relaxing and beautiful!
James Todd- A cellist who truly plays from the heart. I really enjoy his cd's! They are beautiful. Pandora station is nice, too. Check out the album "Forrest Cello."
I hope you check out a few of my recommendations and let me know what you think!
To close this blog post, here is a video of a legend and fantastic singer- Andy Williams. The world of music is richer because of him, and he will be missed! Moon River is one of my favorite songs. Enjoy!
Another favorite- Autumn Leaves, also by Andy Williams.
Recipe for Apple Spice Bars coming soon to the blog...a Fall tradition in my house!
