Our busy week is nearly coming to a close.
Sunday night/Monday morning my son returned from his Memphis choir trip. Monday evening was prep for their forensics tournament. Tuesday was the forensics tournament.
Since the church installed a new digital soundboard system on Monday and Tuesday, the choir needed to be out in full-force on Wednesday evening so the engineer could assist in setting the sound cues and balance. Otherwise I'd have given us an evening home to relax, but we went to church Wednesday night. The new system sounded awesome!
Thursday we finally got to take advantage of an evening to relax, but my son had to work on his solo numbers for regionals. Tonight was movie and pizza and his buddy came over. They wanted to have a sleepover but I said absolutely not.
Because Saturday morning is regionals and he has to be up early for his solos.
Then Sunday afternoon he's trying out for the youth worship band as a vocalist. The contemporary music director told him she'd like to see him get some stage experience on a smaller scale first before the worship team in the big service. However, she did go on and on about his mature vocals. Very impressed.
So after Sunday we'll have another busy week and then hopefully find some time to get some rest and relaxation come the following weekend.
Wait - it's Easter next weekend. Scratch the relaxation time.
Maybe next month.
Showing posts with label Memphis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Memphis. Show all posts
Friday, April 3, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
They're On Their Way
My son called a little while ago to tell me that they'd crossed into Oklahoma on their way back from their Memphis trip.
Just a few more hours and he'll be home. Said he had some awesome news to tell me when he got back. I asked him if they won the grand prize contest trophy, but he wouldn't say anything more.
The little stinker!
So now I have to wait until around midnight for his return to find out this great news. By then I may be too tired to care.
Naaaah! I'm so excited for him - I just know they won.
He did share with me that their teacher told them that the school was going to require them to attend tomorrow morning.
Say what?
Their schedule (approved by the school, mind you) showed that they were excused from school tomorrow since their return would be so late. He's got an important forensics tournament Tuesday that I will be participating in as a judge (oh the power!). Those kids are going to desperately need some sleep.
Unless they won the grand prize. Then I can understand their desire to be present for accolades when the results are announced at school tomorrow.
So I have to wait a few more hours to discover the results. Great - now I won't be able to sleep either.
Just a few more hours and he'll be home. Said he had some awesome news to tell me when he got back. I asked him if they won the grand prize contest trophy, but he wouldn't say anything more.
The little stinker!
So now I have to wait until around midnight for his return to find out this great news. By then I may be too tired to care.
Naaaah! I'm so excited for him - I just know they won.
He did share with me that their teacher told them that the school was going to require them to attend tomorrow morning.
Say what?
Their schedule (approved by the school, mind you) showed that they were excused from school tomorrow since their return would be so late. He's got an important forensics tournament Tuesday that I will be participating in as a judge (oh the power!). Those kids are going to desperately need some sleep.
Unless they won the grand prize. Then I can understand their desire to be present for accolades when the results are announced at school tomorrow.
So I have to wait a few more hours to discover the results. Great - now I won't be able to sleep either.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
It's What Mother's Do Best
Tonight is the start of my son's big Memphis choir trip. I know he'll have a really good time.
Only thing is he started sniffling quite a bit in the last 24 hours. I'm a little concerned that he may be coming down with something, so I sent him with a good kit of some helpful medicine to get him through - just in case.
Of course, he'd never in a million years admit he wasn't feeling good, particularly if that meant missing a trip.
Oh boy. I sure hope he's good come June when he leaves for Europe.
But this is only a few days out and then home again. They've got a full schedule of activities, concerts, and such so I hope his voice holds up. Then next weekend he's got two solos to sing for regionals and the group songs. Then there's state. It's a busy month coming up.
I know he'll be fine. Just being overly-protective.
It's what mother's do best!
Regardless, I know the trip will be fun for him even if he isn't feeling quite up to par. I told him to be sure and take some pictures of Graceland for his grandma. She was quite the Elvis fan in her younger years.
Meanwhile, I'll be home praying for a safe and productive trip - and throw in a prayer that he's feeling okay.
We mother's tend to do that too, you know.
Only thing is he started sniffling quite a bit in the last 24 hours. I'm a little concerned that he may be coming down with something, so I sent him with a good kit of some helpful medicine to get him through - just in case.
Of course, he'd never in a million years admit he wasn't feeling good, particularly if that meant missing a trip.
Oh boy. I sure hope he's good come June when he leaves for Europe.
But this is only a few days out and then home again. They've got a full schedule of activities, concerts, and such so I hope his voice holds up. Then next weekend he's got two solos to sing for regionals and the group songs. Then there's state. It's a busy month coming up.
I know he'll be fine. Just being overly-protective.
It's what mother's do best!
Regardless, I know the trip will be fun for him even if he isn't feeling quite up to par. I told him to be sure and take some pictures of Graceland for his grandma. She was quite the Elvis fan in her younger years.
Meanwhile, I'll be home praying for a safe and productive trip - and throw in a prayer that he's feeling okay.
We mother's tend to do that too, you know.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Finding the Passion
Spring break is now sprung.
Yes, my son and I returned safely home Saturday night and he returned safely to school this morning.
They're getting ready for their Memphis trip and festival contest. Then it's regionals and state competition. This year they have enough guys in the various choirs at school that they are able to participate in state large group competition for the men's category. It was great hearing an entire choir of guys at their last concert!
My son also has two solos he's been preparing for competition and regionals. Really hope he does well and is able to make it to state as a soloist. He's been really busy.
Won't believe this, but he also tried out Sunday afternoon for the worship team at our church. We have two different types of services - classic service, which is where I sing with the choir and praise teams, then contemporary service where my son currently attends. Contemporary has a worship leader and then alternating worship teams that lead music.
I wasn't sure if they'd let him try out since he's only sixteen but they had him sing a little bit, practice some of the harmony part and then sing with one of the ladies. Don't know if he'll get it or not, but that doesn't really matter so much to me.
I'm just so proud of him for taking courage and trying out. It's really been such a great year for him and I hope it continues to be so. He's really stretching himself and exploring his gifts. I'd love to see him find a way to utilize his passion as his source of income someday.
It's something I wish I'd have figured out a little sooner. I just didn't know which way to turn when I was younger, as I was really good at several different things. Would have been nice to have had someone help guide me in that regard.
Which is one reason why I'm really trying to pay attention to what he'd like to do and surround him with opportunities to get out there and just do it.
Next stop - Memphis.
But Europe is coming.
Yes, my son and I returned safely home Saturday night and he returned safely to school this morning.
They're getting ready for their Memphis trip and festival contest. Then it's regionals and state competition. This year they have enough guys in the various choirs at school that they are able to participate in state large group competition for the men's category. It was great hearing an entire choir of guys at their last concert!
My son also has two solos he's been preparing for competition and regionals. Really hope he does well and is able to make it to state as a soloist. He's been really busy.
Won't believe this, but he also tried out Sunday afternoon for the worship team at our church. We have two different types of services - classic service, which is where I sing with the choir and praise teams, then contemporary service where my son currently attends. Contemporary has a worship leader and then alternating worship teams that lead music.
I wasn't sure if they'd let him try out since he's only sixteen but they had him sing a little bit, practice some of the harmony part and then sing with one of the ladies. Don't know if he'll get it or not, but that doesn't really matter so much to me.
I'm just so proud of him for taking courage and trying out. It's really been such a great year for him and I hope it continues to be so. He's really stretching himself and exploring his gifts. I'd love to see him find a way to utilize his passion as his source of income someday.
It's something I wish I'd have figured out a little sooner. I just didn't know which way to turn when I was younger, as I was really good at several different things. Would have been nice to have had someone help guide me in that regard.
Which is one reason why I'm really trying to pay attention to what he'd like to do and surround him with opportunities to get out there and just do it.
Next stop - Memphis.
But Europe is coming.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Post-Interview Interview
I've been on the phone almost non-stop since I returned home from my interview. Since my son has his big contest concert tonight in preparation for their Memphis trip, I'd better go ahead and blog while I have time.
As I've mentioned, it's been more than ten years since I last interviewed for a job. When I get a job I usually stay for quite some time. It's a matter of loyalty, you know. To prepare I emailed and talked to a friend of mine that has been in HR most of her adult life. In order to feel somewhat good about the process I wanted to ensure I was "up" on the current interview techniques. The most important thing she told me was to just be myself.
I must have been well prepared because the interview went very well. We talked, asked questions of each other, and just discussed our general viewpoints on certain related issues. There were several times I was very frank, but I got the impression she appreciated that. Later in the interview she highlighted certain components of their culture. Each time it was a reflection of something I'd told her earlier about my own viewpoint. Ding-ding-ding, we have a winner!
Needless to say the interview went for about an hour and ahalf - pretty good, I'd think. They're going to be making decisions on candidates for secondary interviews soon. I've a good feeling I may be in the running.
As I was driving home I reviewed the job description she'd handed me. If I may be so bold, it sounds like the job was written just for me.
Hey, it is a fairly new position too. Hmmmm. :-)
As I've mentioned, it's been more than ten years since I last interviewed for a job. When I get a job I usually stay for quite some time. It's a matter of loyalty, you know. To prepare I emailed and talked to a friend of mine that has been in HR most of her adult life. In order to feel somewhat good about the process I wanted to ensure I was "up" on the current interview techniques. The most important thing she told me was to just be myself.
I must have been well prepared because the interview went very well. We talked, asked questions of each other, and just discussed our general viewpoints on certain related issues. There were several times I was very frank, but I got the impression she appreciated that. Later in the interview she highlighted certain components of their culture. Each time it was a reflection of something I'd told her earlier about my own viewpoint. Ding-ding-ding, we have a winner!
Needless to say the interview went for about an hour and ahalf - pretty good, I'd think. They're going to be making decisions on candidates for secondary interviews soon. I've a good feeling I may be in the running.
As I was driving home I reviewed the job description she'd handed me. If I may be so bold, it sounds like the job was written just for me.
Hey, it is a fairly new position too. Hmmmm. :-)
Monday, February 9, 2009
Layoff Disruptions
Last week I had to make a difficult decision.
Our upcoming annual writer's retreat is this weekend down at Osage Hills in Oklahoma. Funny - a Kansas writer's group going to Oklahoma for their retreat.
Hey, there's good reasoning behind that.
So anyway, I've been looking forward to getting away from the hustle and bustle to spend a long weekend doing nothing but writing and meeting with my fellow writers. It's a wonderful opportunity I look forward to every year. Our first year was freezing cold, a dusting of snow and active wildlife all day long. Perfect writing atmosphere! Last year it was cold but rainy the whole time - another perfect writing year. The wood was just a bit wet and hard to start though.
The layoff has sure thrown a snag into my life's plans. Since I have not yet secured ample employment, I canceled my cabin reservation last Friday. Kinda hurt. Yes, I have the money to go right now, but there's no telling how long I could end up out of work. My savings may need to last awhile at this rate.
Plus, for some strange reason, my son isn't off this Friday this year. They always end up with the Friday before President's Day out of school for teacher in-service. It's been that way for as long as I can remember. Looked at the calendar last week and he's got school.
Go figure.
So that rather sealed it for me to cancel my plans. With my son being in high school, I hate to take him out of school. His big choir trip to Memphis is coming up next month too, so he'll be out a few days for that as well. A few of his classes require him to actually be in class to complete his work (like drafting), so he'll have enough to catch up on shortly. Don't need to throw another make-up day into the mix.
So it's all working out for the best. For that I can't complain.
Even if I will miss everyone. To my fellow critiquers - have a great time. I'll be thinking about you. :-)
And if for some reason you hear pebbles on your windows or something drops down your chimney, remember that I'm miles away.
You can't blame it on me this time. It's probably Gary.
Our upcoming annual writer's retreat is this weekend down at Osage Hills in Oklahoma. Funny - a Kansas writer's group going to Oklahoma for their retreat.
Hey, there's good reasoning behind that.
So anyway, I've been looking forward to getting away from the hustle and bustle to spend a long weekend doing nothing but writing and meeting with my fellow writers. It's a wonderful opportunity I look forward to every year. Our first year was freezing cold, a dusting of snow and active wildlife all day long. Perfect writing atmosphere! Last year it was cold but rainy the whole time - another perfect writing year. The wood was just a bit wet and hard to start though.
The layoff has sure thrown a snag into my life's plans. Since I have not yet secured ample employment, I canceled my cabin reservation last Friday. Kinda hurt. Yes, I have the money to go right now, but there's no telling how long I could end up out of work. My savings may need to last awhile at this rate.
Plus, for some strange reason, my son isn't off this Friday this year. They always end up with the Friday before President's Day out of school for teacher in-service. It's been that way for as long as I can remember. Looked at the calendar last week and he's got school.
Go figure.
So that rather sealed it for me to cancel my plans. With my son being in high school, I hate to take him out of school. His big choir trip to Memphis is coming up next month too, so he'll be out a few days for that as well. A few of his classes require him to actually be in class to complete his work (like drafting), so he'll have enough to catch up on shortly. Don't need to throw another make-up day into the mix.
So it's all working out for the best. For that I can't complain.
Even if I will miss everyone. To my fellow critiquers - have a great time. I'll be thinking about you. :-)
And if for some reason you hear pebbles on your windows or something drops down your chimney, remember that I'm miles away.
You can't blame it on me this time. It's probably Gary.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
One Step Closer
Wow! My son received his passport in the mail already. We just ordered it about two weeks ago (right when I was coming down with the junk).
The site said it could take up to twelve weeks. I was sweating it because he has to have a copy of his passport into the organization by February 1st when the last payment is due.
Nothing like cutting it close and living on the edge.
Guess I shouldn't have worried. Maybe this time of the year is a bit slow and they don't have a backlog. Maybe they just liked his picture and some young lady got his application and decided to rush it through in hopes she might get to meet him some day.
Okay, okay - you never know what a girl will do for a cute guy.
So much for the weird thoughts. Anyway I almost fell out of the car when I realized what it was. Figured it might be the copy of his birth certificate. Nope - out fell his passport booklet.
My son was ecstatic!
I think for the first time since all this started the trip became very real, and the passport meant he was one step closer to getting there. It's hard to believe we'll be celebrating Thanksgiving in two weeks. Christmas will be here and then the New Year. My annual writer's retreat in February, spring break and the Memphis choir trip in March, Easter in April, end of school in May and then he's off to London and beyond come June.
My gosh - I better get busy saving some more. He's going to need some spending money too.
The site said it could take up to twelve weeks. I was sweating it because he has to have a copy of his passport into the organization by February 1st when the last payment is due.
Nothing like cutting it close and living on the edge.
Guess I shouldn't have worried. Maybe this time of the year is a bit slow and they don't have a backlog. Maybe they just liked his picture and some young lady got his application and decided to rush it through in hopes she might get to meet him some day.
Okay, okay - you never know what a girl will do for a cute guy.
So much for the weird thoughts. Anyway I almost fell out of the car when I realized what it was. Figured it might be the copy of his birth certificate. Nope - out fell his passport booklet.
My son was ecstatic!
I think for the first time since all this started the trip became very real, and the passport meant he was one step closer to getting there. It's hard to believe we'll be celebrating Thanksgiving in two weeks. Christmas will be here and then the New Year. My annual writer's retreat in February, spring break and the Memphis choir trip in March, Easter in April, end of school in May and then he's off to London and beyond come June.
My gosh - I better get busy saving some more. He's going to need some spending money too.
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