Those students...

Those students who you feel you know so well. Those students who drive you crazy. Those students you would stay after every day to work with. Those students who make you laugh. I've talked about those students before. And maybe my job really does make me happy. But tonight at the 8th grade promotion ceremony (2nd one of the week,) I got teary eyed. The 8th graders I've had as students since they were in 3rd grade are finally moving on. They were literally my "first" students. I had their classes at 8:45 in the morning my first year of teaching. They were my first 5th grade band class. Ive had a fun 4 years of band with them. Pushing them. Laughing at them, laughing at myself with them. Teaching them. 

Tonight they played "Over the Rainbow" as a small ensemble. All by themselves. I was tense, I was wringing my hands, I was thinking the Melody and harmony and feeling the beat in my whole body. And when they got through the 8th notes they tended to rush without rushing I felt my shoulders relax. As they played their final 8 measures I smiled back tears. They are my students. I taught them how to do that!! I wish them the best of luck in everything they do. And I only hope I made a similar impression on them as they did for me!!!

And I know now that "over the rainbow" will forever have an incredible meaning to me. 

Thank you Kassie, Nathalia, Gavin, Edward, Logan and Adriana. 

Tourist at home

Sunday my friends helped remind me how nice it is to spend a nice day being a tourist in our home town! I've lived in/near Cleveland my whole life and have actually had chances to do most of the main sites and activities. But yesterday we covered some new stuff. 

Once a month, Severance Hall gives tours for free, so we signed up for one. It was cool to hear about what it was like when it first opened, as well as see some back rooms where the owners, conductors and musicians hang out. 

After the tour, we headed to Lakeview Cemetery to see some of the historic buildings there. I have been there before, for family funerals in the beautiful Wade Chapel, but I had never been to president Garfield's memorial! WOW! I had no idea there was such a beautiful monument with such an amazing view here in Cleveland!! 

Later on in the day enjoyed a nice bike ride on the west side along Lake Ave. more sightseeing! 

I am thankful I live in this city. I never thought I'd be moving back after college, but I'm very happy I'm here! 

The kids, they make me happy!

Ok first, I haven't posted in a while. Just got into a period where I wasn't setting aside to post quickly, and then as it fell further behind, I kept forgetting. I would think about my thankful or happy thought often, but not at times when I could write it down. So now I am going to get back on track!! 

I am not going to go back everyday I have missed, but I'll just say that life has been pretty good. Nothing outrageous, but satisfactory. School has been keeping me busy, I have had some great running and swimming days, both for myself and with friends, and had a great vacation in charleston, and then put in bay! 

But for today, I'm proud of my students. I'm happy for them. We ran an honors band workshop and concert today for our top students. Although I had many kids not show, the ones that did, did a great job!! I got to spend the morning working with good middle school flutes, then in the afternoon the 60 kids played together. I had a few of those "I love my job" moments! Even despite spending my whole Saturday with a bunch of middle schoolers!!