Chinese New Year

Happy Year of the Ox!  

Carrie and I went to the Chinese New Year celebration today.  Brian, another music teacher, met us there.  Originally, I was meeting my bro's girlfriend, Krystal, and her friend, Jill.  We did meet up, but I got there before they did, so I was done looking and eating when they got there.  We chatted a little and watched a couple performers.  Then they went to eat.  We had a good time.  The food was not outstanding....  Oh well.  Nothing can be as good as the Greek Fest....

We did get our names written in Chinese!  WooHoo!

Carrie and I left and went to a little bag/monogram shop.  Carrie found a black duffel bag that had pink music all over it!  I had to have it!  So I bought it and had it monogrammed.  It should be in on Tuesday after 5 p.m.  I can't wait!

Then I went grocery shopping....  Blah! 

Now, I'm about to start lesson plans, cleaning, and putting away groceries....   

The Triad

Ashley, Katie Jane, and I met up tonight at the Barnes and Noble.  We sat and caught up for a little while and then I got a strange text from Heath...  It read 'What are you talking about?'  Now I had not talked to him in a couple of days.  So this was an odd text until I realized I was being STALKED!  So I informed my friends that I thought we were being stalked and they started looking around for Heath.  And there he was, at the table diagonally behind us.  He had been there the whole time and I never even noticed him!  I'm so observant.  So, Heath joined us and we all chatted for a while.  

Afterward, the girls and I went to Jim N Nicks for dinner.  It was delicious!  We laughed so hard at everything.  It was so much fun.  Then we headed to Hobby Lobby.  It was great fun.  I wish we could spend more time together :)

Ok, I hear ya

Well, apparently I'm slacking on the blog again.... So, I have been informed of the last time I blogged :) So, back by popular demand.... (I think I may just blog on Wednesdays from now on. That is the trend lately...)

Last week, I was at a music conference. It happened to be held at The University of Alabama! ROLL TIDE! Thursday was ok. I really only enjoyed one session, about National Board Certification. The presenters were both certified and were talking about what to expect. It was very informative, especially to those who have not started the process. I did appreciate some advice they gave, as I have started the process. Friday, was AWESOME! We did a lot of drumming with Jim Solomon. I loved it. He is a wonderful clinician. We even had a drumming session Friday night! Saturday was not good either. We had two reading sessions. But I think the clinicians didn't realize they were presenting to elementary music teachers. They brought in music that my kids could NEVER sing, even if I had them everyday. It was just too hard. Oh well. I did enjoy seeing old friends and I even got to see a few professors from college. All in all, it was a great week. One other thing to note, was the FABULOUS recorder group. They were absolutely amazing! I've never heard children play recorders so well. I'm only a little ashamed that they play better than I do....

Now, on to the best part, the food! Thursday, I had to introduce the presenter right after lunch. SO we couldn't go too far. We went to Newk's. I had never been but it was delicious. I had a white bbq chicken sandwich and pasta salad. YummO! That night, a few of us went to the original Dreamland for some ribs and white bread. Super.... Friday, we ventured to a little hot dog shop that Ms. Annette told me about. OMG! Those are the best hot dogs!!! In fact, Carrie and I went back on Saturday for lunch too. Their slogan is "It's all in the bun" and they are right! It's like texas toast.... MMMMMM! Carrie and I went to Japanese on Friday night. It was yummy too. Overall, the week was filled with excellent food.

Ms. Annette and Mr. Chuck let me stay at their house during the conference even though they were out of town. This was a tremendous help because the hotel was about $160 a night! And I stayed 2 nights! I could not have done it! Crazy! So, thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Jones for opening their house to me!

Well, I do have some other stuff going on, but I gotta save something for later. And this was a long post...

But I will say, my mom had a birthday Sunday. So.....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!

I know, I know

I should be posting more than once a week.  BUT I have a good excuse...  

The charger for the laptop MELTED!  Thank God it did not start a fire!  Apparently some wires frayed and it melted the charger.  So, no charger means no power.  No power means so laptop.  No laptop means no blog....  The good news...  I got my new charger today and it was covered by AppleCare!  WooHoo!  That stinking charger would have cost me $80 without AppleCare.  Apple sure does think highly of their chargers...

Well, tomorrow I head to the state music educators workshop.  It lasts through Saturday.  We should have fun!  I'll be glad to have a few days away from the lovely kiddies...

I hope you enjoy the rest of your week!

Good Morning, World

So, it has been a while since I posted....  Sorry, dear readers.

I just haven't had much to blog about.  Yesterday, I went to work, only to have to leave at lunch because of a terrible migraine.  I went home and went to bed.  I slept all afternoon and most of the night.  I woke up for brief periods but went back to sleep.  I hate migraines!  I wish I knew what triggered them, cuz I would not do that anymore!  I might even give up cheese (some of you know how big a deal that is) if it would make these things go away!  

Today is my long day.  I have my regular schedule of classes, school choir, church 5 yr old choir, and sanctuary choir.  I get out a little after 8 p.m.  Then I have to drive the 30 minutes home.  Wednesdays are so tiring!  

Good news!  Tomorrow, Ms. Annette and I are going to the Celine Dion concert.  That should be a ton of fun.  I can't wait.  WooHoo!

Well, I gotta get ready for class.  Have a great day! 

Gotta Love It...

...When you are so old that a "big night out on the town" has you in bed by 11:44 p.m.  That's right, dear readers, I went to see a friend from grade school thru high school sing tonight at a bar! And I'm still in bed right now, checking email and blogging to you. I'm telling ya, I'm getting old. I remember the days when I was just leaving to go to the bars. Not anymore. We'll leave that for the college kids. By the way, check my friend out of myspace, Kristy Lee. She is amazing!

Have a great weekend!

Don't miss the winner of the one year blogiversary contest. I announced it in the previous post. 

And the winner is....

Watch the following video to see who won the One Year Blogiversary Contest!  Thanks to all who entered. 

CALLING ALL ENTRIES!!!

Ok, tonight is the night! All entries for the One Year Blogiversary must be turned in by midnight central standard time! I will be drawing a winner tomorrow after school sometime. 

For a complete list of rules, please click "here".  

Best of luck to everyone. I have had some GREAT entries!!!

Now on to other great news!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SHANNON!!!

Don't Forget!

ONE YEAR BLOGIVERSARY CONTEST!

Make sure to enter the contest. You can read the rules and enter, by clicking here! Make sure to do it!!!

Ready, Aim, FIRE!

As I mentioned before, I did get to shoot my gun last week! Yea! I do have a few pix to share. Ignore the white bag tied to my belt. It was holding the shells. And I've since been told that I'm too tense when I shoot. So, I've got to relax!  Imagine that, Ms. Highstrung needs to relax :)

Are my eyes even open?!

Look closely. You can see the three cans flying apart. They were sitting together in a pyramid.

My can and I

Fine in '09!

My motto for the last month has been "Hate 2008, Fine in '09!" 

So far, we are off to a good start. I had a wonderful time yesterday with some friends hanging out and then ringing in 2009 with a few friends (KJ, Christie, and Mike) listening to an awesome band. My friends and I decided we were not starting '09 the same way we started '08, so we went out. I hope a fun time was had by all, even though we had to drag KJ kicking and screaming to get her to go with us. However, no butts were grabbed and no hair was chewed. So, all in all, that should have been a positive bar experience for KJ. I don't know about KJ and Christie, but I had an AMAZING time!   

Now for the part you've all been waiting for....

The one year blogiversary contest!  

The rules are simple. Leave a comment on this post stating your fave blog entry from the whole year. Make sure to put your name in the post if you usually post as "anonymous". I will put all names in a container of some sort and pull one out randomly. That person will win.... SOMETHING! Yea!  I don't know what that something will be yet. I'm still thinking. It may depend on shipping prices and who wins. Also, if I don't know you personally and know how to get in contact with you, leave an email address just in case you win.  

The contest ends on January 8, 2009!  Make sure to have all entries submitted by midnight central standard time on January 8, 2009.  I will hold the random drawing on Friday, January 9, 2009 and post the winner. This will all have to occur after work, so don't look for it too early in the day. 

Good Luck to all contestants!

Happy New Year!