Recipient of Kindness

"Sometimes when we are generous in small, barely detectable ways it can change someone else's life forever."

-Margaret Cho
 
There are MANY people that have positively affected my life by the small little things they have said or done: family, friends, leaders, strangers, acquaintances. It is from this latter category of the generosity and kindness of an acquaintance being potentially life-changing that I wish to share a story with you today.
 
In February I went to a national string teacher conference in California. While I was there I met many people from across the country and caught up with previous teachers of my own. On one occasion, I ran into a previous teacher who was talking to another woman (we'll call her "M") and began talking to the both of them. I found out that this other woman was also from the Valley, was soon to be retiring from teaching, and was looking for other private teachers around her area to pass students along to. She asked for my information, which I gave to her, and that was it. I went one way, they went another. I didn't think much of it- if I got a few more students, awesome. If not, oh well.
 
Well, starting in March I began receiving emails from parents inquiring about me giving lessons to their children. These parents had been given my information by this same teacher I met in California. Already, 3 families have expressed interest. So, just by this fact, I was indebted to M, this woman that I had talked to for five minutes for actually passing along my information.
 
Then, in the middle of April, M emailed me. She hoped that I remembered her, and briefly reminded me about her retiring, etc. Then she told me that she was moving to a smaller residence and (due to a lack of storage) had a bunch of teaching stuff that she would like to GIVE to me if I was interested.
 
I felt an overwhelming rush of gratitude as I read this.
 
I replied to her email and we were able to set up a time for me to come over to her house this last Saturday. There she showed me all of these amazing materials- books, music, posters, games, awards, worksheets, flashcards, brightly colored batons- and it was all for me. Well, some of it she is looking to sell, but the other 8 boxes-literally, 8 boxes-were for me. To take. For free.
 
While she showed it to me, I asked her her story- where had she taught, etc. It was very interesting to hear all that she had done, and all that she was planning to do now that she was retired. As I looked at all of these materials, I again was overwhelmed. Why had this woman chosen me to GIVE this stuff to? This was easily worth hundreds of dollars. I asked if there was anything I could give her for this. Her reply? A hug.
 
So we piled it all into my car, filling my trunk and backseat. I asked her if I could stay in touch with her, and she said she would like that.
 
So, this woman, who I BARELY KNOW, has inspired me beyond belief. I feel like everything I do regarding teaching should be to honor her kindness and generosity to me. I don't know how to express my gratitude. I mean, I'm talking about some of the most influential books regarding music education that I have been wait-listing are now sitting in my front room. A WEALTH of knowledge and resources, 10 steps away from me. I really wish there were something I could do that would adequately show her my thanks.
 
So, I hope this story of someone's generosity and kindness has influenced and inspired you today. I know this experience has made me reflect on generosity and kindness, and how I receive it. You don't expect something like this from a stranger, so maybe that is why it has touched me so deeply. Maybe I wrongfully take generosity and kindness for granted when it comes from my family, because they are supposed to give it to me, right?- but wait, they don't have to either. Their generosity, kindness, and love is just as amazing and in need of gratitude. I hope to be able to realize all of the great love and kindness that people show to me, no matter who they are or how our paths have crossed, and show my appreciation and gratitude for who they are and how they have affected my life. I hope to also be the kind of person that chooses to positively affect as many lives as I come in contact with as well.
 
Have a great day!

Rank #116

I just saw this.

According to a study by careercast.com (As seen here) which ranked the best jobs in the U.S. based on environment, income, employment outlook, physical demands and stress...


"teacher" is ranked #116...


Just under "office machine repairer" and just above "sewage plant operator". 


:-)

My Life in Paradise (Valley)

Hello all!

Oh goodness, things have been BUSY recently. There is so much to say and not much time to say it. So, you'll have to deal with the condensed soup version.

I got a job teaching in Paradise Valley at 3 elementary schools and 1 middle school. So far so good. It definitely keeps me busy.
I just moved into an apartment 2 weeks ago. It's nice being so close to where I work. Plus, it's a pretty nice place.
*Shout out to Melanie and Will for the couch- thanks again. And, of course to my mom, dad, and siblings for ALL of their WONDERFUL help in getting me moved. I don't know what I would do without you.
I went to California with Jen for the American String Teacher Association Conference. It was a long drive (Phoenix to Santa Clara, CA), and the conference was long (I went to sessions from 8-5 Thursday-Saturday). I'm so glad that Jen came with me. She is such a wonderful sister.

So, I'm just trying to transition into being a real "adult", trying to be brave, and venturing out into the real world. I'll just say that I've got a lot to learn about myself and about life. But, in the words of my wise sister Janae "It will hurt, but you are brave". Did any one else ever get to this point (out of college, first real job, out on your own) and think, "I don't want to be a grown up"?. I hope I'm not the only one. Well, I have thought that many times (and thought about many other things as well) and have realized that no matter how much I think I may want to, I can't freeze time or go back in time. I have to grow up, so I better just step it up and do it. At the same time, when I really think about it, I don't want to have to stay unable to progress or go back and experience things I've already made it through. Yeah, it may "hurt" and be scary, new, and unknown, but I hope that there are good things ahead. I just have to remember that I can do all of this "grown up stuff" and it will all be okay. I hope, at least...

"Be not weary in well-doing", right?

Thanks for your friendship and love. Hope everyone is well.

The Past Happenings

Goodness, everything has been busy and exciting. Here is a little about what has been going on (Warning: This post contains enough material for 4 posts, at least. I as the author am in no way responsible for your eye soreness or any physical or mental tiredness that may result from reading all of this in one sitting):

I graduated!!!- Yes, on December 17th I graduated from ASU. It was definitely a filled day. Before we even left for the commencement at 9am, I grabbed the wrong end of the curling iron (on my last curl, too…) and burned my right hand pretty badly. We sprayed it with burn spray and it kept getting better throughout the day. Commencement was pretty nice. The whole time I had no idea where my parents and grandma were, but they said they found me because of my shriveled, little burned hand laying in my lap (so, I guess burning my hand was a good thing?). My favorite part was getting to stand up when they called our honors ranking. After we all “graduated”, I went outside and was surprised to find that I found my family right away. In our haste, mom and I had forgot to say where to meet at the end (and I hadn’t taken in my phone), so I just went to where I last left mom, and there they were. That worked out nicely.

We went over the Grandpa and Grandma Brooksby’s for a little bit, then Mom, Dad, and Grandma Hopkins and I went to “My Big Fat Greek Restaurant” for lunch. It was SOOOO good. Yum…
Afterwards we went BACK over to gma and pa’s and chilled there for a while. Jenny, Brandon, and Nae met us there and we all headed off for Convocation (where they call your name and you walk across the stage). I had to be there at 3 to line up but it didn’t start until 4. Again, I almost didn’t find my family while we were in the arena, but this time I was smart and had my phone, so I was able to text my dad and find out where they were. I met up with everyone afterwards, where gma and pa gave me a lei (it was so pretty) and we took a few more pictures.

But wait, there’s more!!!

So, then we headed straight over to the Jr. High I was student teaching at because I had a concert to conduct and play the piano in. I was really proud of the students and all that they accomplished this semester. I thought they did really well on my pieces.
Afterwards, we finally got to go home and, no…wait-  we went to Serrano’s and got dinner. There was a man playing the guitar and singing songs, and he sang quite a few to/with us. Grandma H knows quite a few songs in Spanish/Portuguese, so she was singing along to a couple of them. Then all of us started singing the Christmas songs he was playing. It was a lot of fun.

For my graduation gift, I got an iPod touch. I really like it. It will be good for so many things. Right now I am really enjoying the audiobook subscription I purchased as well as the games- a favorite= Boggle. You actually shake the iPod to shake up the letters. One of the big reasons I decided this would be most useful is its internet capabilities and recording abilities. I bought a nice microphone (the MityMic) that plugs right into the earphone jack (is that what it is called?), so now I can record my students and other good things  (keep reading).

Christmas- it was really good- Good gift giving and getting, cause that’s what it’s all about, right? :-) Grandma H stayed for the whole week, so that was nice that she was here. Gma and Pa came over for dinner too- it was just a great day. We got quite a few really awesome games, so we were thoroughly enjoying playing them: Quiddler, Would You Rather…, and (added later by myself) Xactica. Check them out.

For gma and pa B, I presented them with what I am calling “The Story Project”- I will be recording them telling stories, reading poems, etc. with my iPod and mic, and then sharing it with everyone else in our family. I am really excited. Today I got some good stuff from both of them. Now I just need to figure out how to put the audio up on their blog.

So, What Now?- Well, I am in the process of seeking employment- I’ll let you know how it goes. Oh, and I learned how to knit last Wednesday !! (wo hoo!) I’m working on a scarf right now. Maybe I will put some pictures up of the process.

Coming Soon

In a month and 3 days, I will be graduating from ASU. I am so happy and excited, amidst the overwhelming feelings of much to do and not much time to do it.

1 Month... That's it. Then into the (somewhat) unknown. What am I doing in the spring? I have no idea. I need to get working on that too...

It always works out somehow.

Bookspree

Ha ha, that sounds like a new not-my-last name attempt. Hello Ms. Bookspree.

Really though, I went on a bookspree at Amazon.com and these are my spoils, along with what I think they will do:

"The Inner Game of Music"- change my life
"The 5000 year leap"-change my gratitude for my life
"Glenn Beck's Common Sense" -see above, maybe...

"A Whole New Mind"-add dimension to my life

"How Muscles Learn : Teaching the violin with the body in mind"-help me teach better

The other 4 books on their way are all about violin playing/teaching. Books that I have wanted for a while now. I'm so excited.

One problem-with them all being so interesting, I'm having a hard time not wanting to read them all RIGHT NOW! Oh well...

To come... "Saturday is a special day, it's the day we take Two Four-Hour Tests ?!?!? Arizona Educator's Proficiency Assessment, here I come!

Apologies, etc.

Today while in the car with the family I am a nanny (sort-of) for this summer, Debra (my "boss", the Mom) and I talked about blogging; The woes (such as 2 months sans post, ahem...) and non-woes, etc. More or less, if I am to have a blog, I guess that means that I should operate within it properly. So, here is my apology. I will make time to share my little experiences with whoever is interested.

Quickly- I've just been busy working as a nanny/semi-mom during the week. Cleaning, cooking, running kids to and fro, doing laundry, etc. I feel I've adjusted to what I do there, which is always a good thing. They are the nicest family ever. I really enjoy spending my time over there.

That's my summer. Hopefully I can go somewhere for a little trip before student teaching starts Aug. 15.

That's all for now. I'll be back soon.