I'm Back!

I guess I'm just a little overdue for a new post. :) Since it's been a little while, I'll start with the most current events in my life and work backward from there. Earlier this week, I returned from a trip to Canada and New England with two girlfriends from church. We saw many new places, drove A LOT, and ate good food.

First stop: Prince Edward Island- home of Anne of Green Gables. We visited several A of GG sites such as the house above which the book is based on. Also went to the Village of Avonlea and the home where L.M. Montgomery grew up. I loved the beautiful green countryside, rolling hills, dark blue water, and red cliffs. Everyone there was extremely nice and proud of their heritage. On Friday we had a delicious lobster dinner at the New Glasgow restaurant. The menu: all-we-could-eat homemade rolls, seafood chowder, salad, slaw, potato salad, mussels, lobster, and a huge selection of pies, cakes, and ice cream. Delicious! We were there for over 2 hours and were pretty much eating the entire time!

Me, Virginia, and Lisa.

2nd stop: Halifax. After 2 nights in PEI, we took our rental car on the ferry and drove another 6 hours to Halifax, Nova Scotia. That night we went to an Irish Pub restaurant in town, walked along the boardwalk, and ate COW ice cream (so good!). Dowtown Halifax is set on steep hills that go right down to the bay. Though it wasn't quite as quaint and friendly as PEI, I was glad we visited. The next morning, Sunday, we went to a church there and spent the rest of the day driving to Maine.

3rd stop: Bar Harbor, Maine/Acadia National Park. I loved this part of the trip...it was absolutely beautiful and definitely recommend it! We only spent a few hours in the park, but I could have easily stayed there another few days. I love the coast and enjoyed being free to explore!

4th stop: Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire. Virginia and I dropped Lisa off at the airport to head home and we made our way to stay on the lake for a couple of days. We stayed with a church family who takes care of the Marriott's summer properties and we had everything we could want right at our fingertips. We spent our time hiking, jet-skiing, hot-tubbing, playing tennis, reading/relaxing, etc. Our host family was very generous and took good care of us!

5th stop: Boston. Virginia and I dropped the rental car off in Portland and took a bus down to Boston. Here we saw several historical sites, enjoyed some "Boston Chowda", went to the original Cheers restaurant and ate some delicious Boston Creme Pie. That night happened to be the final game between the Celtics and the Lakers, so our timing was impeccable. Too bad the Celtics lost!

6th stop: NYC. My sister and brother-in-law live in the Big Apple and they kept me too busy to take any pictures. My dad also happened to be in town this weekend (perfect for Father's Day!) and we were wined and dined. On Friday we went to Matsuri (delicious sushi!) and walked around a park that has been built on old elevated RR tracks. On Saturday, we ate brunch at Schiller's Liquor Bar (yep, you know me!), wandered around the Met for a few hours, had the most amazing dinner at Quality Meats (sounds like a butcher shop, but definitely not!), and saw Billy Elliot on Broadway. Thanks Allison and Paul for a fantastic weekend in New York!

While I was in New Hampshire, my little sis Erin got her mission call to: Tokyo Japan!!!!!! She enters the MTC on Sept. 22nd. Hooray, I am so excited for her!

Also this year:

• At the end of May, my colleagues and I presented at the National Suzuki Association conference in Minneapolis on the Suzuki program at our school. It was hard work, but successful and we've been asked to publish an article in the journal. Our program is so unique and the more awareness, the better!
• Finished my 3rd school year at Parker and have almost been in Houston for 3 years now. Unbelievable! The year flew by and I survived teaching a weekly class of 20 kinder violin students and a daily class of 30 1st and 2nd graders. It was a little rough at times but I made it and don't have to do that again for another 2 years!
• Can't really think of much else. In November, 6 of us spent Thanksgiving at a condo on Fort Walton Beach Florida. That was fun. Other than the above, I guess my almost-year of non-blogging has been fairly uneventful. :)
  
  
  
  
  

Allison's Wedding

Allison, the 2nd child in my family (just after me), got married last Saturday...a Benne first! She had her wedding ceremony in the Manhattan temple and then a beautiful reception at the Central Park Boathouse. Everything went so smoothly and it was fun spending the extra time with my family. Allison married Paul Stowell, a nice guy who also works in Manhattan. We recently found out that his mom's cousin taught my mom the gospel...small world! Allison and Paul are so great together and so happy. I am SO excited for them!!!

I love this last picture...got lucky with a shot from the airplane. Ironically, those clouds are the reason why we got stuck on the runway for 3 hours before taking off, causing me to miss my connecting flight and have to spend a night in D.C. Not sure it was worth it, but I got to witness about 30 minutes of majesty. My sister saw this picture and reminded me of Elder Uchtdorf's first presidency message in the June Ensign. He said:

I think back on my days as a pilot and those times when thick clouds and threatening thunderstorms made all appear dark and gloomy. In spite of how bleak things looked from my earthly vantage point, I knew that above the clouds the sun beamed brightly like a dazzling jewel in an ocean of blue skies. I did not have faith that such was the case—I knew it. I knew it because I had experienced it for myself. I did not need to rely on other people’s theories or beliefs. I knew. In the same way that aerodynamic lift can transport us above the outer storms of the world, I know that the principles of spiritual lift can take us above the inner storms of life.

I'm so grateful for the things in my life that allow me to lift above the "clouds and storms" and

experience moments of joy and beauty!

Summer travels

As much as I enjoy being a teacher, I think I might enjoy my summers off even more. Though I didn't plan any trips as adventurous as Japan, I've had my fair share of travels. And, I'm not quite finished yet!

North Carolina
One of my North Carolina roommate's got married and I decided to take full advantage of the invitation. I spent two weeks there spending time with old friends, visiting relatives in Pinehurst, and traveling to the Outer Banks with my Houston friend, Virginia. I'd forgotten how much I love it there!

Pinehurst is one of my very favorite places in the whole wide world!

At the Outer Banks, we stayed with my high school friend Deanna. So fun to catch up!

I managed to get myself up at 5:30 am to witness the sunrise. Well worth it!

Cape Hatteras and Bodie Island...I love lighthouses!

Chicago

I flew from Raleigh to Chicago for my sister Allison's bachelorette party and bridal shower. She's getting married in New York this Saturday!!! Her fiance grew up in Chicago and we stayed with his family. I'm so glad we met them before the wedding! The next day, I drove to St. Louis with my parents and sister Erin.

My sisters Erin and Kim

Me and the bride-to-be

Erin and a couple of our future family members.

Chicago fireworks from Lake Michigan.

St. Louis

I spent some time in St. Louis with my family and then some friends from Houston flew in Thursday visit for a couple of days. On Friday, we went to Carthage and Nauvoo, Saturday to St. Louis, and then rented a car and drove back to Houston on Sunday. Quick, but fun!

Pioneer fun!

Only in Texas...

A little bit of Texas pride, anyone? For those of you who have wondered if Texas pride is as prevalent in Texas as it outside of the state, I'm here to clear the air for you...it's worse. To prove my point- I just received a forward from a co-worker who was born and raised here. Yes, it's completely serious. The title of this email is TEXAS IS!!!! For Texas only. Too bad! Feel free to skim if you'd like; you'll get the idea!
This'll make you proud!!
Have you ever looked at a map of the world? Look at Texas just for a second. That picture, with the Panhandle and the Gulf Coast , and the Red River and the Rio Grande is as much a part of you as anything ever will be. As soon as anyone anywhere in the world looks at it they know what it is. It's Texas .

Pick any kid off the street in Japan and draw him a picture of Texas in the dirt and he'll know what it is. What happens if I show you a picture of any other state? You might get it maybe after a second or two, but who else would? And even if you do, does it ever stir any feelings in you? In every man, woman and child on this planet, there is a person who wishes just once he could be a real live Texan and get up on a horse or ride off in a pickup. There is a little bit of Texas in everyone. Texas is the Alamo . Texas is 183 men standing in a church, facing thousands of Mexican nationals, fighting for freedom, who had the chance to walk out and save themselves, but stayed instead to fight and die for the cause of freedom.We send our kids to schools named William B. Travis and James Bowie and Davy Crockett, and do you know why? Because those men saw a line in the sand and they decided to cross it and be heroes. John Wayne paid to do the movie himself . That is the Spirit of Texas . Texas is Sam Houston capturing Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana at San Jacinto . Texas is huge forests of Piney Woods like the Davy Crockett and Sam Houston National Forests . Texas is breathtaking mountains in the Big Bend . Texas is the unparalleled beauty of bluebonnet fields in the Texas Hill Country.

Texas is floating the rivers of the Hill Country on a hot summer day.
Texas is the beautiful, warm beaches of the Gulf Coast of South Texas.
Texas is beaches you can drive on and have many memorable bon-fires with close friends.
Texas is that warm feeling you get when someone asks where you're from.
Texas is the shiny skyscrapers in Houston and Dallas.
Texas is world record bass from places like Lake Fork .
Texas is Mexican foods like nowhere else, not even Mexico .
Texas is chicken fried steak and world famous Bar-B-Q.
Texas is the Fort Worth Stockyards, Bass Hall, the Ballpark in Arlington and the Astrodome. (guess now the Reliant Stadium too).Texas is larger-than-life legends like Michael DeBakey, Ann Richards, Denton Cooley, Willie Nelson, Buddy Holly, Gene Autry, Audie Murphy, Tommy Lee Jones, Waylon Jennings, Farrah Fawcet, Janis Joplin, Sandra Bullock, Kris Kristofferson, Tom Landry, Eva Longoria, Darrell Royal, ZZ Top, Eric Dickerson, Earl Campbell, Nolan Ryan, Sam Rayburn, Howard Hughes, George H. W. Bush, Lyndon B. Johnson, and let's not forget GEORGE STRAIT, PANTERA, the Big Bopper, Tex Ritter, George Jones, Clay Walker, Mark Chestnut, to name ONLY a few.Texas is great companies like Dell Computer, Texas Instruments, EDS and Compaq, Whataburger, Southwest Airlines, Bell Helicopter and LOCKHEED MARTIN AEROSPACE, Home of the F-16 Jet Fighter and the JSF Fighter, Valero.
Texas is NASA.
Texas is huge herds of cattle, beautiful horses and miles of crops.
Texas is home to the world famous King Ranch.
Texas is home to the most amazing sunsets of gold over an empty field. Texas is hundreds of deer running around neighborhoods and fields. Texas is skies blackened with doves and fields full of deer. Texas is a place where towns and cities shut down to watch the local high school football game on Friday nights and for the Cowboys on Monday Night Football, and for the night In Old San Antonio River Parade in San Antonio. To drive across Texas is to drive 1/3 the way across the United States .Texas is ocean beaches, deserts, lakes and rivers, mountains and prairies, and modern cities. If it isn't already in Texas , you probably don't need it. No one does anything bigger or better than it's done in Texas ..... By federal law, Texas is the only state in the U....S. That can fly its flag at the same height as the U.S. Flag. Think about that for a second. You fly the Stars and Stripes at 20 feet in Maryland , California , or Maine , and your state flag, whatever it is, goes at 17 feet. You fly the Stars and Stripes in front of Klein Oak High or anyplace else at 20 feet, the Lone Star flies at the same height - 20 feet.
Do you know why?

Because it is the only state that was a Republic before it became a state. Also, being a Texan is as high as being an American down here. Our capitol is the only one in the country that is taller than the capitol building in Washington, D.C.
And we can divide our state into five states at any time if we wanted to!
And the best part is that,
We can become a republic again at any time the voters of Texas choose, and we included these things as part of the deal when we came on.
Texas even has its own power grid!
Did I mention Live music capitol of the world?
GOD BLESS TEXAS !

And, to finish with my own little side note: Every morning my students say the Texas pledge immediately following the pledge of allegiance: "Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible." Who knew?!

Grand Champions!!!

Yesterday, my co-worker, Lisa and I took 22 violinists, 1 violist, and 16 cellists to San Antonio to perform in a music festival. After months of hard work, we came away with 3 trophies: Superior Rating, Best in Class, and Best Overall! We competed against instrumental and choral groups from the elementary to high school level and were amazing! After our performance, we had a great time at Sea World. I am so proud of my students and everything they've accomplished. Way to go Parker Strings!!!

Jumping for Joy!

And, finally, a HUGE congratulations to my cute, lil' sis Kim, who is now officially a college graduate. Woohoo...you made it!!! Wish I could have been there!

I'm alive!

Once again, I'm long overdue for another update. Everything continues to go well: work, church, and social life. I cannot believe that May is almost here; only 5 more weeks of school! Haven't figured out any definite summer plans, but for now, New York, North Carolina, and St. Louis are good possibilities.

The last few months have been busy ones. In February, we had our 30th annual Parker Suzuki workshop, and though it's a huge undertaking, it all went really well. I'm so proud of my students! The weekend was also a fun one because my parents came to visit for a few days; it was exciting to have them experience my everyday life. I'm always on "vacation mode" when I visit them, so now they know for sure that I actually do work hard for a living! I definitely kept them busy; here's a quick summary of our activities:

Friday: visited my school, attended our concert, had a yummy lasagna dinner with a family from school and some other teachers.

Saturday: went to a Farmer's market and bakery, saw a few local attractions (the Presidents' heads, waterwall, Art Car museum, and Galleria), and ate at a favorite Mexican restaurant.

Sunday: went to Church, visited my mom's cousin and his wife who live only 15 min away from me.

Monday: my parents stayed through Monday, so that my mom could observe the parent/child music class that I teach. I actually found out that morning that a news crew was coming to film a clip about our program, so it was fun to have them there for that. I was on tv! Click here to see!

Since then, I've kept busy with Solo and Ensemble Festival, TMEA (a music teachers conference in San Antonio), trips to San Antonio, Galveston, and Enchanted Rock State Park, multiple church meetings, and a move into a new house! I moved just down the road into my friend Erin's house and though my room is smaller and I now share a bathroom, I love my new roommates and the open space!

Okay, now for some pics (sorry for the bad quality):

Spring Break- Port Aransas (near Corpus Christi). Time for:

Relaxing on the beach.

Having fun with some great girls!

Taking a ferry across the Bay.

Eating good food!

Being a tourist!

Splurging!

Hiking/Climbing at Enchanted Rock State Park

The International Festival in Houston. Scott and Randon drove in from San Antonio. Randon used it as an excuse to wear his kilt!

Eating fried alligator. We had frog legs, too...yum!