Random Update

This weekend, Andrew and I watched the movie Network. How have I never seen this before? It was a great movie, though a little depressing. And, it's still shockingly relevant today, even though it's over 30 years old. I finally saw the Peter Finch line that's quoted so often, "I'm mad as Hell and I'm not going to take this any more!" I knew it came from this movie, but I had no idea what the context was. Very timely... maybe even more today than in the 70's.

Andrew and I went to watch his son Zach perform in the University of Iowa Music Department's presentation of Handel's Messiah. They did the Easter portion, and the singers included both the University Choir and the elite Kantorei Singers. It was amazing. The concert was in St. Mary's Catholic Church in Iowa City, and the acoustics were spectacular. Everyone was top quality, but the soprano soloist really blew me away. I could have listened to her all day! During the Hallelujah Chorus, we all stood... that's the tradition. But I don't think I've ever been to a concert where the audience wasn't invited to sing along during the Hallelujah Chorus. Maybe it's because they were recording; I don't know. It was so hard not to sing along though! I had to mouth the words. I couldn't help myself.

I'm reading two very different books right now. One is called The Pirate's Daughter and is a fictional story of Errol Flynn's love child in Jamaica. I like reading about places in the world that are new to me. I'm at a place in the book now that is really describing the history of Jamaica's independence, and in that sense, the book is historical fiction. It has a terrible cover though... it looks like a romance novel. I'm glad I chose it for my Delta Kappa Gamma book club based on description and review rather than cover. There is romance in it, but I definitely wouldn't classify it as a romance novel. The other book I'm reading right now is called Stiff. It's about the history of human cadavers. Interesting, shocking, sometimes humorous, sometimes disgusting, altogether engaging. And totally the opposite of the other book!

I'm starting two big projects with the GOAL kids. They're some of my favorite units of the year. The 7th graders are starting their computer animations. This is an extension of the module they get to do in Modular Technology (Industrial Arts, for you old people out there). In Mod Tech, they're supposed to make a 10-15 second movie. In GOAL, they make a 2 minute movie. I wrote a grant last year for the software, and it's a blast. I hope they enjoy it. The 8th graders are getting ready to make documentary films. This combines the Betts' Autonomous Learner model of individualized instruction with the art of film making. Last year is the first time I tried it, and I thought it went well. I'm working with our technology department to make it even better this year. I can't wait to see what the students are going to research. They have to include an interview in their documentaries, and that was life lesson time last year... arranging an interview, phone skills, interview skills, writing thank-you notes, etc.

Tonight is the first rehearsal for Children of Eden. I love starting new shows. I still don't know much about this show, but I'm excited to work with Dee Ann and Jeri again. We're going to have a ton of three-part harmony stuff in this show, and that will be challenging and fun. We will definitely miss Suzanne though. The four of us were the narrators when FACT did Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat several years ago. It won't be the same without her... darned family reunion on show weekend!

Speaking of Suzanne, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! You are officially older than me today. I can enjoy it for a month and a day!

Hope you're surviving your Monday out there!

Too Good!!!!!

This is the dream, folks.  This clip is like someone saw inside my head and decided to bring all that insanity to life.  It's just so freaking awesome!

Frank... feel like reliving your past? I have a vision of this happening on the Pedestrian Bridge over the mighty Missouri River! I know. I'm a lunatic.

It's Been Too Long

It's been way too long since I last posted. I have several things to talk about. I'm back to school after Spring Break. Ugh. It's not that bad; I just got spoiled by a week off. I had a good break. I spent Tuesday-Friday in Council Bluffs, which went waaaaaaay too quickly. I loved spending time with Tracy, Steve, and the girls. One of the highlights from my trip was our painting day. Tracy's friend (and my friend too, through Tracy!) Kat opened up her studio to us for a day of painting. I have only painted on my friend Cate's island, and I always loved doing it then. It's a hobby I think I would love to do more often, but I don't think I'd do it enough to be worth the investment in materials that it would take. Anyway, Tracy and I bought our canvases, and we used Kat's studio and paint. It was so fun. It felt great to just create. And it was even better with my friends. Kat also wrote about it on her blog. She took some great pics of our palettes and also the ones below.

My Favorite Easter Treat

Yes, boys and girls, it's almost Easter. And for me, that means one of my favorite treats of all. Cadbury Mini Eggs. It's a very good thing that they're only sold once a year. I started working out with some other middle school teachers this week. Our principal's wife (beautiful, nice, fit... so easy to want to beat her) has sufficiently kicked my butt on two different days now. I'm more sore than I ever remember being, but in a sick, masochistic way, it feels good. Therefore, I will try not to buy more than the one bag of mini eggs I've allowed myself for the whole pre-Easter season. I will savor each and every one and ration them as carefully as I can. You may wonder what the big deal is with Cadbury Mini Eggs. Well, this candy blogger expresses my feelings exactly... click here to understand yourself.

Kindle Envy

OK. I'm not embarrassed to admit it. I have Kindle envy. Diane has one. Now Frank has one. I want one! Sigh. I don't need one at all. I know this. But, I still want one. Frank named his Toby. Sigh. I'd call mine Harrison Ford. Or Von Trapp. But for now, I'll just pout and covet. Sigh.

Eye Roll Alert: If You Vomit Easily, Ignore This Post!

Him: I love the way your face lights up when I tell you you're pretty.  

Me: I love hearing it.

Him: You smile and look a bit puzzled.

Me: I guess I'm not used to hearing it very often.

Him: That's an absolute disgrace.  You should hear it every day and twice on Sundays.

Anyone have doubts now about why the view is amazing from Cloud 9?  I hope he's not mortified that I'm posting this for the whole world.  I try to keep most details to myself.  But this one is simply too good not to share.  I want the world to know how lucky I am!

Weekly Update

My craziest week is done. Yea! Right now, I'm listening to Andrew sing Beatles' songs and fix tea.

***Time Lapse: 30 minutes***

Ah. Tea is over. Tea is a new concept for me... one of the benefits of a British boyfriend. I have just enjoyed tea with milk, crumpets and croissants with butter and black currant jam, and a digestive biscuit (I know "digestive biscuit" does not sound the least bit appetizing, but they're very good... especially when covered in a layer of chocolate, like these were). We have enjoyed a completely lazy weekend... just what I needed after this week.

This week basically consisted of me being covered in glitter from head to toe as I finished the stars for the backdrop for the show. I had glitter everywhere, and I do mean EVERYWHERE. The janitors were cursing me, and I don't think Andrew was too fond of it either. ;) The show opened Thursday night. I was so proud of the kids. They really stepped up and gave an entertaining, energetic performance. The audience loved it.

Andrew came to the show on Friday. It was surreal and wonderful because I'm not used to having someone there just for me. Usually that night is kind of like me against the world. It was such a good feeling, having someone there just to support me.

Friday's show was even better. That never happens with middle schoolers. Usually they peak on Thursday and then get over-confident on Friday. But not this time. We had just enough things to clean up that they really worked and kept their heads in the game. I was so proud of them. Here's an article I wrote for our website at school that gives some more details and shows some pictures.

After the Friday show, my wonder parents, Darien and Roberta, hosted the cast party. I dragged Andrew (he's such a good sport), and the kids had a great time eating; playing air hockey, Mario Kart (no idea if I spelled that right), ping pong, and pool; and watching the video of the show. There was so much food there. We all had a great time, but I was TIRED after. I always come down so hard after that night.

Saturday was a nice, lazy day. Andrew had some work to do, and I rested. Then we drove to Albia to eat at the Skean Block. We had both heard of it for years (Jeff used to love its Sunday brunches), but we'd never been. It turns out that it had actually been closed for a few years and just reopened a year or so ago under new ownership and management. It was worth the drive. It's right on the square, in a beautiful building with huge tall ceilings, exposed brick, and enormous windows. We each had prime rib, and it was delicious. I definitely want to go back. We came back to Fairfield and watched a movie called The Tall Guy, which was fun and funny. I loved it despite the fact that it had Jeff Goldblum in it, and I usually don't like him. Emma Thompson was in it, and she was great! I think it was from 1989. I never heard of it before!

Today I got to sleep late, and it was delicious. We had a thunderstorm, and it rained all night. I love sleeping during a thunderstorm!!! I had auditions today for the summer FACT show, Children of Eden. I know next to nothing about the show, but I think it will be fun. Now, I'm at Andrew's, and we're just enjoying a relaxing afternoon. Tonight we're having breakfast for supper. I'm a happy girl when I get pancakes!!