Ah, Middle School

As my profile says, I am a middle school teacher. A middle school music teacher, to be exact. I have six classes - one orchestra in each grade (six, seven, and eight), and three general music classes. I LOVE teaching orchestra. If I never taught general music again, that would be just grand, in my opinion.
So here's a little about each of these.
Orchestra 6 is beginning level, and have only played their instruments since September. They are sweet and hardworking, but quite chatty. On the upside, they're still in the "I want to make my teacher happy" mode from elementary school, so they're easy to rein in. They're doing very well for how long they've been playing, and work very hard.
Orchestra 7 has played instruments for about a year and a half at this point, and this particular class is struggling right now. We have a lot of special needs - special ed, ESL, socially challenged, etc. - in this class, and it's hurting them. They also don't practice much to make up for being especially challenged, so they're having a rather hard time. One of the cello players is getting kicked out for HORRIBLE behavior, so we'll be down to two cellos next year with that class. Bummer.
Orchestra 8 is the TALKERS class. My biggest challenge with that class is getting them to SHUT UP. My viola section in particular is really difficult. Turds. They're quite talented, and about half of them actually practice at all. They're an interesting group. I have some really serious musicians in that group - kids who will play as amateurs for probably their whole lives, and two or three that love it enough to do it for a living. They're really into it. Then we have three or four that don't care at all...so it balances out:)
General music is more or less awful. The kids don't care at all because it's an elective, plus it's music, and how hard can it really be, right? And they WILL NOT stop talking. So we do a lot of writing sentences, listening to music in silence, and writing essays on the value of listening to your teacher. Grr. We're studying rock music in that class right now, which I don't really like, but they love it, and it's a way to get them interested in music, so I'll deal. We've already done classical and jazz, so we're doing well. Next comes gospel and contemporary Christian music, something I'm particularly excited about. Aretha, anybody?
So while I really can't stand teaching general music, it's been a good experience and I've learned a lot from it. I do know that I can do it now, though. And that's a good thing to know.

So there's a little about my job life:)

Leah

Pictures from Thanksgiving

Well, they're a little out of order. Oh well. This is Sticky Bean with Uncle Jim.

Punkin' and me!

We were sleeping all over the house...23 people total!

Believe it or not, this isn't even the turkey coma. We just like to sleep. This one is Moose and the Artist.

Lord of the Rings Monopoly, anyone? I wiped the floor with everyone the first game, and Moose ruled round 2.

This is Drat! It's a fast-paced glorified Solitaire game. It's amazing. If you've played Nerts, this is Nerts without a partner, essentially.

The Artist with cousins Anna and Kate. Aren't they lovely?

Sticky Bean with his Grammy!

And with Papaw...

And with his great-grandma...

And with Aunt Abbie...(are you sensing that we love this baby?)

Cheesecake! And not that solid, southern garbage, but light, fluffy, REAL New Jersey cheesecake. Stella's cheesecake. I'll tell you about Stella some other time.

Anna helping set out the fudge (Moose actually helped me make it...it's a man's work, let me tell you!

The Artist making apple pies (they were delish!)

Uncle Jim frying turkeys. Please just fry your turkeys once. You'll never want baked turkey again.

Look at that amazing food! Aren't you thankful that God not only provides, but LOADS us up with blessings? God is good, all the time.

Now, you have to understand that at our house for Thanksgiving, we do something called Pig Pie. Yes, capitalized. It means you have a small slice of every kind of pie. Apple, pumpkin, cherry, and cheesecake, with a piece of fudge, of course. Why choose? Pig Pie, friends.

Abbie, graciously helping Moose refrain from slipping into turkey coma. What a sister.

Another tradition which somehow never gets photographed is one that Padre started a few years back. The women cook all that food, you see, and wash our own dishes while we're doing it. And we clean the house, and it gets to be a lot of work. So Padre decided that the men would wash the dishes after Thanksgiving dinner. Oh yeah. Talk about mega brownie points with the ladies. So I made his favorite - real rye bread. Because he washed the dishes from it :D

It's been a lovely holiday, and I've really enjoyed having FIVE WHOLE DAYS off of school. YAY. And now it's only three weeks till I go to spend Christmas break with Punkin' and LoggerDave! I'm excited. :)

Aaaabadeeabadeeaba...that's all folks!

Leah

Random Dozen, early this week

1. Are you sticking to traditional Thanksgiving foods this year, or are you being culinarily adventurous?

Mostly traditional: fried turkey, mashed potatoes, apple/sausage stuffing, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole (my sister was told "that must be a white-people thing" by her roommate), cranberry sauce, crusted grape salad, homemade bread, pumpkin, apple, and cherry pies, cheesecake, apple cider. Did I forget anything? Last year The Mother Ship made sauteed Brussels sprouts with pancetta and pignoli. She was the only person who liked them. Weirdo.

2. Tell me something concrete that you're thankful for. (Something you can literally touch, see, etc., not a concept like "hope.")

Having both of my sisters here at the same time. We're best friends, and we're hardly ever all together. It's exciting.

3. You knew the flip side was coming: Share about something intangible that you're thankful for.

The love of Jesus. And family.

4. Share one vivid Thanksgiving memory. It doesn't have to be deep or meaningful, just something that remains etched in your memory.

The first time Padre announced that the men would do the dishes since the women had cooked. Shock. Joy. Amazingness.

5. What is one thing that you know beyond a shadow of a doubt is going to happen this Thanksgiving because it always does, year after year?

Somebody will tease The Mother Ship about lumps in the mashed potatoes. It's a family joke.

6. Do your pets get any left-overs?

It depends. If Padre puts away the leftovers, yes, because as much as he wants to be a mean old curr, he just can't resist the puppy eyes. If the Mother Ship puts stuff away, poor Pete won't get anything.

7. Does your family pray before the big meal? If so, do you join hands while seated, stand, repeat a formal prayer or offer a spontaneous prayer? Who does the praying?

Yes, but we always thank the Lord before we eat. We always hold hands, usually while seated, unless we're eating buffet-style (which we will do on Thursday, with 23 people), in which case we will hold hands while standing up. Unless they want to sit on the kitchen floor. Padre prays or he asks someone else to. It varies.

8. Will you be watching football in the afternoon? If not, what will you be doing?

What else do you do on Thanksgiving Day?

9. There are two distinct camps of people on this issue: How do you feel about oysters in the dressing/stuffing?

The Mother Ship always makes apple and sausage stuffing, which sounds weird but is AMAZING. Personally, I can't stand oysters. They make me gag. The Mother Ship and Padre like them though.

10. Do you consider yourself informed about the first Thanksgiving?

Yes, and I always remember that they had stale popcorn. Yum yum.

11. Which variety of pie will you be enjoying?

Pumpkin, cherry, and apple, as well as cheesecake. I will be enjoying all of them—that's called pig-pie. And another of our traditions is that we eat pie for breakfast on Friday. I'd say I'm going to have to work it off, but we all know that won't happen.

12. Do you feel for the turkey?? (This is a humorous throw-back question related to the 12th question in another Random Dozen!)

Oh heck no. It's delicious. I could never be a vegetarian.

And in other news (laziest transition EVER), I turned on the water this morning to take a shower, and nothing happened. Nothing. I have no idea what's wrong with it. Naturally this would happen when it's 5:30 in the morning and I'm the only one up. Naturally.

Leah

Name That Musical!

Alright kids. I'm a musical nerd. And you will be too, if you read my blog. So. I'm going to give a line, you tell me what musical you think it's from. Here's round one of Name That Musical!

"Jist you wait, 'enry 'iggins, jist you wait!"



So? Do you know what it is yet? I'll tell in a day or two. And someday I'll post pictures from our photoshoot. Someday soon, hopefully.

Leah

Photoshoot with friends

Today I went down to the river/old town and took pictures with The Artist and some other girlfriends. We stopped and ate peanut butter fudge and I was told I don't look old enough to be a teacher. And we tried instruments and ended up jamming in a music store nearby. Pictures are coming:)

Leah

Alright! I'm giving in!

I hate trends. Really. There's nothing like acting like part of a herd of cattle to make you feel good about yourself, right?
*rolls eyes*

So this whole Twilight thing isn't something I've gotten into. I haven't read the books, seen the movies, or joined Team Edward or Team Jacob. Plus it's about vampires. I mean, really? Come on now. But my students rave about the books constantly, argue over Edward and Jacob, dream about seeing the midnight showing of New Moon (out last night), and on and on and on.
And then there's my student JP. JP is an 8th grade kid with Asberger's Syndrome, a social reject (wants to be cool but is actually kind of a jerk), struggles in school, etc. And he's obsessed with them. He gave me the run-down of his favorite book (I forget which one it was) and after that, for once, behaved in my class. And I told him just for that, I'm going to read them.

So I'm giving in.

Gag.

I'll let you know how they are. Hey, maybe they'll be great and I'll be pleasantly surprised. You never know.

Leah

This Week's Random Dozen

1. If you could master one sport, what would it be?
Fencing. It's awesome, in a 1587 kind of way.

2. When you make a major purchase, do you go with your gut instinct, or do you do research to make an informed decision?
Definitely do research. I don't ever believe the people in the store.

3. There is an old kids' game that says you can find out what your movie star name would be by using your middle name as your first name and the name of the street you grew up on as your last. What is your movie star name?
Grace Marshall.

4. Would you rather give up your favorite music or your favorite food?
Favorite food. I'd curl up and die without music.

5. There are two types of banana preferences. One is pristine yellow, almost to the point of being green; the other is spotty and more ripe. Which is your preference?
The almost green one. I like them a little sour.

6. Your favorite tree is?
Magnolia. Besides being beautiful, I have really good memories of climbing the magnolia at a friend's house when I was little.

7. On a scale of 1-10, how tech savvy are you?
5 or 6. I'm not really great with the computer/iPod stuff. I have to have someone else explain it all to me. Once I learn it I'm good though.

8. Has H1N1 touched your family?
Yes, because one of Moose's friends had it, and my school is "strongly encouraging" all staff members to get the vaccine. *rolls eyes* Like it's been tested and been proven to be safe or something.

9. Are you an analytical person, or do you just accept things the way they are without questioning or scrutinizing?
It depends. Politically and spiritually I'm very analytical - always questioning and wanting things proven to me. Personally, I just accept things like they are. I believe people unless I have reason to do otherwise.

10. Is your personality more like that of a dog, cat, or Koala?
I think a dog. I'm really friendly and open, but I sure bare my teeth and growl if you threaten/hurt someone close to me.

11. Do you keep in touch with friends you made years ago?
Teen Missions Int'l friends, YES. We're very close. Friends from college, yes, definitely. Childhood friends? Not really.

12. You are checking out at a grocery store. In the express lane, there are more people than the regular lanes, but of course, their load is less than those in the regular lanes. Which lane do you choose (assuming you qualify for the express lane) and why?
It depends on how many more people there are and how fast the cashiers are moving. Sometimes the "express" lanes are HORRIBLY slow, so I go to a regular one. It would depend on the situation and how much of a hurry I'm in.

That's all for now!

Leah

Things to which I am looking forward (because I can't end a sentence with a preposition):

1. My sisters coming for Thanksgiving.
The Artist is coming home from college tomorrow afternoon and I. Am. So. Excited. I grew up all spoiled because I had both sisters around all the time, and now I'm the only girl in the house, minus the Mother Ship. I'm ready for some girl talk. Punkin' is coming late Sunday night. I can't wait to talk to her - not that we don't have phones, but you know, she's a wife and mommy and she gets busy. Now I get to talk to her all the time. For a week. :)

2. The weekend/Thanksgiving break.
Ok, so I still have to work Monday and Tuesday next week. Why, I have no idea, because it's not like the kids are going to pay attention to A WORD we say. All they're thinking about is FIVE DAYS AND NO SCHOOL. So this is reheheally worth the time. Not.

3. Talking to my aunt about teaching.
My aunt C is a teacher, and has been for nearly 20 years. I like to pick brains about teaching whenever I can. My grandparents were teachers too, actually. Thanksgiving will be a regular professional development weekend for me:)

4. (Hopefully) the ASTA conference in February.
I'm trying to get my county to pay for me to go to the ASTA conference next year. ASTA stands for American String Teachers' Association. The conference is in California this year and it's AMAZING. So I'm hoping. And praying.

5. Going to Tennessee for Christmas.
This year, I am spending almost my entire Christmas break in Tennessee with Punkin', LoggerDave, and Sticky Bean. I'm excited. Ok it's only two weeks but still.

What are you excited about? (Oops. There's my sentence-ending preposition. Oh well.)

Leah

Wordless Wednesday

(I know it's supposed to be Wordless...but this is Sticky Bean.)

An Explanation + Fam Intros

So maybe you just read the title of my blog and wondered, "What's a cadenza?" Or maybe not. But I'm going to pretend you did. Work with me here. A cadenza is basically a spot in a piece of classical music where the performer gets to make up something. Improvise. If you're cool, anyway. If you're not, you play a cadenza somebody else wrote. Really though, it's supposed to be the point where the performer makes her statement about the music. Makes it her own, so to speak. So this is my new cadenza - my thoughts about life's music and me making it my own. Enjoy.

First of all. The fam. I adore my family (most of the time!) so here's their intro.
Padre: The Padre is what we term visionary. Meaning he always sees the possibilities. One of his most famous lines is "Two weeks, seven hundred bucks. No problem." Mmmhmm. Sure, Padre.
The Mother Ship: The Mother Ship is the perfect compliment to Visionary Padre. She's along for the ride and even remembers to make his colonoscopy appointments. What a woman.
Stretch: Stretch is my older brother. He's Mr. Political in the house and is always spouting the latest headlines. Hey, at least we have an alternative to CNN. Stretch is also going to Air Force basic training in 2010. Nothing like having a hairy man holler at you to make you love your mom, right?
Punkin': Punkin' is my older sister, married, with an ADORABLE nephew, Sticky Bean, whom you will see in many, many pictures. Many. Her husband, LoggerDave, is pretty much amazing and we love him.
Then there's me:)
Next is The Artist, my younger sister. She says art is all she can do (dyslexia, tracking problems, NOT a visual learner, visual processing disorders, wears reading glasses...) which is not true. She makes everyone laugh. The Artist is very relaxed and laid back, until someone says abortion is ok or the Indianapolis Colts are bad. Either one gets her really hacked.
The youngest in the fam is Moose, my sixteen-year-old brother. Good-looking, great at soccer, ridiculously in shape, hard worker, and eats like he's facing a seven-day famine. All the time. He's a great kid.
And then there's Pete, our stupid, hairy mongrel who is afraid of leaves and barks at two-year-olds. He's a moron. I did not ask for that dog - they got him while I was at school. I don't pretend to like the beast.
There are also The Artist's two hermit crabs, Abbot and Costello. She left them here when she went away to college. Gee thanks.

So there's the fam. They're pretty cool...pictures are coming.


Leah