It's Official...

I have officially quit studying for my National Board Assessment.  The test is tomorrow at 8 a.m.  If I don't know it by now, I won't know it...  So, I've decided to take some advice and take a break for tonight.  (I can't promise I won't look over it tomorrow morning... Last minute cramming)  

There are six parts of the assessment:

1. Diagnostic Skills (identifying and correcting choral issues)

2.  Historical Repertoire (identifying historical time periods, discussing music from that time period, discussing music in relation to history/culture)  EEEEKKKK!!!!! I'm most scared of this one.

3.  Applied Theory/Composition (Vocal)  (write a song - so easy since I wrote 1/2 of my holiday program this past year)

4.  Instructional Strategies (Teach one concept six different ways, using aural, visual, kinesthetic)

5.  Music from a World Sample  (identify style or genre of selections of world music)  EEEKKK!  Again, I'm scared.

6.  Curricular Applications  (Given a song, describe how to teach the nine national standards - they choose four)

So I'm nervous about two sections and feel ok about the other four.  I'm so ready to be done with this test.  The bad part is I won't know the results until NOVEMBER!!  UGH!

Have a great weekend!

Memorial Day

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I would like to thank our veterans and the men and women currently serving in the Armed Forces. Everyone say a prayer for our troops today, whether or not you agree with the war. They are doing their jobs. They deserve our support.

Have a safe Memorial Day!

The Japanese Quest

As my love for Japanese grows stronger and stronger on a daily basis, I am on a quest to find the best grill in town. I have tried several. I prefer Sumo, but Bryan likes Stix. So, we are joining efforts to find a hibachi grill on which we can agree.

Sandy and I tried one over Spring Break near her house. We were not impressed by the disco ball birthday bash, nor the Carpenters played by pan flute, nor the fact that Sandy was not special enough to get a fork (I only got one because I chose salad over soup). Those were the least of the problems; the food was just not good at all.

A few weeks ago, Bryan and I went to a hibachi near his apt. I had heard great things about this establishment. Apparently the people recommending the restaurant had no taste buds and preferred their food overcooked. So once again, we were on the search for the perfect Japanese place.

Mr. Chuck, Ms. Annette, and I went to another steak house a couple of weeks ago while they were in town for a wedding. I liked it. Bryan liked my leftovers, but had been to that particular steak house before and thought it was dirty. I do remember mentioning that I was crunching something on the floor when I walked and the carpet was ripped under my chair by the grill. So, maybe he was right. The food was tasty though... (I think the waiter was flirting with me)

My school system sells coupon books to raise money. In this year's book, there was a coupon for another hibachi. Buy one meal, get one free (up to $13.50). As we looked at the menu, we realized that the only dish that was under that price, was the chicken. I always get steak and he always gets some sort of combo, usually shrimp and steak. So, I figured they would just take the $13.50 off and we would pay the difference, which is what they did. The soup was very flavorful, and had at least THREE mushrooms!! Wow! The salad was tasty and very fresh, but the dressing was a little too runny for me. The noodles were good too. Bryan even liked them (that's why he doesn't like Sumo - they serve noodles and he doesn't like them). I chose steak, as usual, but Bryan chose shrimp and calamari. I tried a piece of the calamari, but it was way tooooo fishy for me. He liked it. I only ate about three pieces of steak because I was so full. But those three pieces were delicious! I am so excited! Bryan and I have finally agreed on a Japanese steak house that we both enjoy!! (BTW, for those friends in my area, it was Yuki by Walmart).

As a side note, I am meeting some friends at Sumo... TONIGHT! Japanese twice in one weekend! WooHoo!!!! Then off to a bachelorette party!

Carrie!!

Carrie and I decided that TODAY would be our treat day for the Fact or Crap game!  We went to a local Mexican restaurant where I told her that part of her treat would be CHEESE DIP!  Then for dessert, a SOPAPILLA!!!!  WooHoo!!  We had a great time

On the way to eat, I picked up my prescriptions from the pharmacy.  I had two inhalers and 5 pills of an antibiotic.  It was $90!!!!!!!  What?!  I better get well soon.  I can't afford to be sick.  I'll make sure to get a record my medical expenses this year.  I may meet the amount required to claim it on my taxes.  

I went to the allergist/ENT yesterday.  I have an appointment for an allergy test (the one where they prick me with a gazillion needles) and a CT scan of my sinuses.  I had an Xray of my sinuses yesterday and he said my septum is perfectly straight, so no surgery for a deviated septum.  WooHoo!  My sinus cavities are mostly clear.  He has a little concern over the cloudiness in the cavity above my nose, thus the CT scan.  

Basically, no one knows why I've been sick for so long.  But I have three more appointments already scheduled to find out why.  We'll see.  

Have a great weekend!

THURSDAY THIRTEEN: Fact or Crap Edition "The Big Reveal"

Last Thursday, I asked my readers to prove how well they know me. I have come to realize that they all know me pretty well!! We had a 5 way tie. Although, Bryan would like me to point out that he got all 13 correct and he was being funny on #10 where he said I "steal" the internet and not "borrow". Tough luck, boyfriend, you knew the rules, "Fact" or "Crap". So, I was forced to have a drawing. (Normally, I would video the drawing, but I am sick AGAIN and I look pretty rough and was not going to put my poor readers through that) The winner is.....

CARRIE CRUZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations, Carrie! You have won a fun-filled trip to either Sonic or the DQ for some ice cream/snackie items. Your choice or you can pick another place for our adventure! Let me know what you would like! Hopefully, one of us will remember our camera and I can share our adventure with you, dear readers.

Here is a link to all the comments, so you can see who knows me! Click on the word "link".

Now for the answers....

1. My favorite color is pink. CRAP (It is purple)
2. I have had whooping cough. FACT (Recently)
3. I have one younger brother. FACT (22 years old)
4. I once was a pre-med major. CRAP (Nope, I've only been a music major)
5. My childhood dream was to be a manager for WWF wrestlers. FACT (I blame my mother for this. She took me to my first wrestling match when I was just weeks old...)
6. I am addicted to chapstick. FACT (I have been since high school)
7. P² and I are engaged. CRAP (Uh, no. I can't believe that people actually thought we were and I didn't tell them....)
8. My fave condiment is ketchup. CRAP!!!!!!!! (I HATE ketchup! It is my least fave. Mustard is my fave.)
9. I HATE roller coasters. CRAP (I love them!)
10. I "borrow" my neighbor's wireless connection. FACT (I do "borrow". She knows)
11. I collect keychains. FACT (I have collected them forever. I have a bazillion)
12. My favorite foods are Mexican and Japanese. FACT (It's always been Mexican, and I just recently added Japanese.)
13. I want 3 children. CRAP (No way. I have never wanted kids!)

Two Days Left!

Make sure you read my Thursday Thirteen: Fact or Crap edition! It is so funny to see which friends know me the best! Make sure to leave your answers in the comment section. I will reveal the correct answers on Thursday!


MAKE SURE TO TYPE YOUR NAME ON COMMENTS IF YOU DON'T SIGN IN. I HAVE ONE ANONYMOUS SUBMITTER AND THEY DID QUITE WELL!! (Shannon, I have yours.) Send me another comment if you submitted today so you can get credit for the chance at the prize.

So far, I have 5 comments and it is a close race! Keep 'em coming!

THURSDAY THIRTEEN: Fact or Crap?

Last weekend, P² and I hung out with Sandy and Mr. D. We went to eat at the local Mexican restaurant, "The Coz", and then back to Sandy's for some gaming. We thought some Wii would be fun. But originally it was supposed to be a board game night, so I suggested we play at least one. So Sandy got "Fact or Crap". It was definitely an interesting game. Sandy and I were horrible at it. One person reads a statement and the other players have to decide if it is fact or crap.

In honor of our fun time last weekend, Sandy and I have decided to do a Thursday Thirteen: Fact or Crap edition. On each blog, you will find 13 statements. You have to answer fact or crap to each statement. Please leave your answers in the comment section. Please have all answers submitted by next Tuesday. I will not post any comments until next Thursday. There will be a small prize for the person with the most correct answers. If there is a tie, I will have a drawing. Next Thursday, Sandy and I will reveal our answers in the Thursday Thirteen.

1. My favorite color is pink.
2. I have had whooping cough.
3. I have one younger brother.
4. I once was a pre-med major.
5. My childhood dream was to be a manager for WWF wrestlers.
6. I am addicted to chapstick.
7. P² and I are engaged.
8. My fave condiment is ketchup.
9. I HATE roller coasters.
10. I "borrow" my neighbor's wireless connection.
11. I collect keychains.
12. My favorite foods are Mexican and Japanese.
13. I want 3 children.

Be sure to leave your answers in the comment section. Check back next Thursday for the answers!!