Sunday, July 31, 2005
Okay, okay - an update. :) But only on the condition that I don't have to debrief about work. It's been going well, but I don't have the energy to process through it all in writing. Just maybe some anecdotes here and there. :)
I think this is probably the worst yet I've been about updating my blog, huh? I wonder if it will end up being just a college thing for me. Hopefully not. :-P I keep trying to use my old strategy: just posting something short each day and not worrying about catching up on everything that's happened since the last post. Perfectionist that I am, though, that mindset always creeps back in.
On Friday, I went back to Castro Valley for the annual Jenny Lin Concert. My brother and two of my cousins were in it this year. The directors picked a lot of good music (as well as some questionable pieces...), and I really enjoyed the performance as a whole -- congratulations, everyone! :) I arranged the Student Coordinator ensemble piece for them this year ("You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban), which was fun to see performed on stage. It was definitely challenging to arrange for such a random set of parts -- violin, viola, string bass, piano, flute, clarinet, trumpet, and three altos -- but I enjoyed the project and I think it turned out well. The Foundation presented me with a very thoughtful thank-you gift: a huge bag full of teaching supplies and goodies! I'll have a lot of fun using the stuff with my kids. :)
The Jenny Lin Concert also tends to be a reunion event for us CVHS alumni. This year, I got to see Jelli, Alicia, Melinda, Andy Tung, and Matt Wong (the regulars), as well as Ben Draper, Flora Kuo, Anna Van Sant, and Kristin Gundred's mom. Jack and Heidi were also there, but I'll see them again next Friday at Deborah Groody's annual "Hill Group" dinner (an annual gathering of her old violin students). I'm really looking forward to catching up with everyone!
Since I barely blogged at all this month, here's a list of July highlights and things I'm thankful for:
- kidnapping Brian on his birthday for...mini-golfing! at night! (bop's inspiration)
- catching up with Wendy Lu
- hanging out with meeeeeep
- fun bop housewarming!
- being able to walk to work
- Testimony Core getting on its feet for next year
- getting email updates from friends on summer missions (David S., Sabrina, TJ, Wendy)
- David and Mindi's EXCITING NEWS!!! :-D :-D :-D
- reading Harry Potter 6
- starting to read The Chronicles of Narnia for the first time (I'm on Book 3)
- successful birthday surprises for bop :)
Friday, July 29, 2005
Sunday, July 10, 2005
Today is my last day of "break" before I start work tomorrow! Wow. It's hard to believe that I'm really starting my career as a teacher. I know I'm in for quite a ride, especially if I stay with it for the long haul, but I look forward to seeing what God has in store for me. :)
Our school director just sent me an email *yesterday* telling me that, for the next two weeks, Emerson School is actually hosting a special intensive writing program called "Write Now." It's open to outside students (I guess kids from other schools who are on summer break), so there will be considerably more students there than normal. Peter (the director) assured me that they'd ease me into the program once I get there, but it still makes me a little nervous. Who else thinks it is highly ironic that my first experience as a teacher will be from an intensive writing program? :-P The first week will focus on "Expository Writing," and the second week will focus on "Creative Writing." Here goes nothing, I suppose... But really, I am excited to start tomorrow. :)
It's been a good month since graduation - just the right amount of time off before starting work. I've been keeping busy just with trying to get organized at my apartment, working on arrangement for the Jenny Lin student coordinator piece, and spending a few days at home here and there. Our week in New York was pretty fun, and I'm really glad I got to see my cousin Aaron at this age before he grows up too fast.
Melisa and I have been faring pretty well with cooking for ourselves, and we've been having fun decorating the apartment, too. I won't go into too much detail so that those of you who are coming to visit can see it for yourselves. :)
I'm hoping to update more regularly from now on, but we all know how these things go. :-P I'm going to double-check that I have everything ready for tomorrow, and then get a good night's sleep! TLBY. :)