REALLY, do what you LOVE!

So, after the day I had today---I thought--wow I should reallllly BLOG about this stuff.

Then I logged in so I could blog a little and I saw my last post.  July 6, 2014.  I remember that day.  I was highly upset with life that day.

It was a hard summer.  You know the one after you graduate from college at 35 YEARS OLD and no job and the job opportunities were dwindling right before me.  It was hard. 

I interviewed at a school that I thought was going to be the job of my DREAMS.  I had just completed my Internship 2 at a local middle school  and I could not wait to get start in the band world.

But after 2 weeks--actually longer than that---that DREAM job slammed closed in my face.  I could not believe it.  It felt like it was MINE.  I was at that school for HOURS.  I thought they LOVED me.

I kept searching the websites for openings.  And the band positions kept closing just as quickly as they opened. 

And then, there was just nothing.  Nothing that I really could apply for due to distance.  And when I say distance, I mean like over an hour away.  Over an hour---is just too far when you add up the gas and hours away from family.

Then I got a text from a friend.  She asked if I would be willing to teach elementary music in Little Rock.  Oh, I was just blahhhhhh about the whole thing.  I honestly thought she was crazy.  I looked at the job requirements and was like NOPE, not gonna happen!

She said JUST CALL them.  See, the job requirement said Masters preferred and they wanted someone with piano skills.  I was like NOPE and NOPE.

My friend assured me that I would be fine, just call and set up an interview.  She said "Trust me."

The crazy thing about this friend is that I would have never met her if it wasn't for Origami Owl.  I direct sales business I joined about 2 years ago now.  She caught my eye on a FB page and I wanted to something nice for her because her son was in remission.  Well, the something nice turned into her wanting to do a party---a fundraiser actually.  She runs. A lot. :) And she runs in honor of her son.  She is really an inspiration. 

So, not long after the party, she signed up to sell Origami Owl too.  Her and I have so much in common that it is crazy....She was in school to be a teacher and she graduated right before me, she plays flute, and there are many other things too.  

Well, I trust Tara, so I called.  I was like here we go again.  Setting myself up for heartbreak, but I had to try in case it WAS meant to be.  The what ifs would have killed me.  I called, and my interview was set for the next day.

I put my trusty little interview suit on and drove myself to Southwest Little Rock.  Now, this drive was different.  I was actually fighting back tears because as I drove to the interview I had this amazing feeling take over me.  I was driving to MY school.  MY SCHOOL.  This is was MY TEACHING POSITION.  I knew it.  I was about to start teaching elementary music in Little Rock, AR. 

See, for some reason or another I have been pulled to Little Rock---yeah, at first it was the military---but we can't seem to get orders out of here.

So, I pull up to the school, and I was like YEP, this is MY school alright. 

I went inside, met with the principal and about 20 minutes (if that) later, I was out the door. 

There was no way I got this job.  20 min?? Seriously.

Well, the days went by, no answer.

Days and days of looking at my phone every 2 seconds for a phone call?  Nothing.

School was starting in 1 week.  1 week! And I knew he had not made a decision, because I had just talked to him.

Then the phone rang.  FINALLY---it was the principal offering me the job.  OMG, I didn't even know how to act.  I just know I was like YESSSSSSSSSSS!!!!! I was crying, I was ESTATIC!

Then I was like, what the heck?  You think you can teach elementary music?  And I was like YEP, you need a paycheck and you can do ANYTHING you put your mind to!

After one week of preparation---well, not even that when you count meetings---It was time to put my game face on!

I fell in love INSTANTLY.  I was initially scared.  I didn't think I was tough enough to work in a Title 1 school in Little Rock, Arkansas. 

I LOVE the students at my school so much!!! I am hooked, and I plan on staying with these students for as long as I am able. 

We are military.  And that makes me super sad sometimes.  I have been dying for orders for so long, but I have now found a reason to stay in Arkansas.  The kiddos at my school.  It seems like this was all part of His plan for sure.  The Lord knew what he was doing.  He knew that I could handle this school and that they would  love me as much as I love them.  He knows I don't know EVERYTHING I need to know about elementary music---but He knows that I have love for these kids and that I have such high expectations for them. 


Anyways, how I feel into this position wasn't really what I wanted to blog about, but I will save it for later...It's nothing in particular really.  Just the ups and downs of a FIRST YEAR TEACHER. lol :)

Do what you are passionate about...psshhh, whatev.

I was going to blog but EVERYTHING I had to say was very, very ugly.

I am just going to leave it at that I guess.  I am not very happy that I just spent the last 5 years of my life busting my butt and I am going to be a substitute. 

We better get orders so I can really say that this all happened for a reason.

NOW is right on time....

These are my Post Origami Owl Convention thoughts....I figured I need to blog about them since I can't quit thinking about them.

This convention was a life changing experience for me.  Being surrounded by women from all over the country who all have the same goals in mind.  Women who have come from completely different walks of life.  Women struggling financially, women struggling with their sick children, women struggling with divorce...and some women who were not struggling at all.  We were all there together like sisters--one big family. 

I was surrounded by women that know life happens, and that everyone makes mistakes and that living in the past is just not the way to happiness.  Maybe you didn't make a mistake, maybe BAD THINGS just keep happening to you.  It can kill your inner spirit.  I know, I can relate. I am more of the bad decision girl.  I went through a time in my life that when I look back, I don't even see how that could be ME! It makes no sense to me!! I would cry, ask God for forgiveness, but I was not forgiving myself. 

I let it all go at convention.  I know that I am forever changed.  I know can be happy regardless of my past.  I just had to let it go.    The past is OVER.  You cannot go back and change it. 

"Your journey has molded you for your greater good.  And it was exactly what it needed to be.  Don't think that you have lost time.  It took each and every situation that you have encountered to bring you to the now.  And now is right on time."  ~Asha Tyson

Isn't that an AMAZING quote??  Don't you feel all warm and fuzzy inside when you read that?  I do!  Let me tell you---I don't like the situations I have been in, but has it molded me?? ABSOLUTELY.  I am a stronger person, and because of these situations, I can never be a person that judges someone. 

Am I PERFECT?  Absolutely not.  Do things get on my nerves?  Do people do things that make me scratch my head?? YES.  LOL  I wouldn't be human if they didn't I guess. 

Am I more understanding and compassionate? YES.

Why do people judge others??  I still can't figure it out.  Especially the ones that claim to be the biggest believers in God, yet they don't forgive and they are always passing judgement.  I will just assume that something they faced in their own life has made them that way.  I won't judge them. (I am however, CONFUSED)

Moral of the story...You can use your experiences to live with love and gratitude.  (AHHHH, I LOVE THE SOUND OF THAT)


Do you believe that someone who makes mistakes or bad decisions don't deserve love?    Everyone reacts differently to things going on in their life.  Some people are an open book, some will bottle their emotions and fight the demons within---until they have transformed into something they are not. 

Everyone deserves a second chance.  Think about your children.  If they make a mistake, are you going to disown them?  Quit loving them?  I am thinking NOT.  You might not agree with their choices, but I have a feeling you won't stop loving them.  :)

Treat your friends and strangers the same way.  Show a little compassion and understanding. 

Words and actions change people.  For the better----and the worse.  Don't let your words and actions change someone for the worse. 


Thank you Origami Owl....There is no doubt in my mind that this convention in Arizona was part of MY journey...I was MEANT to be there.  It was definitely RIGHT ON TIME!!! 

Real life.

I thought I would let you in on a little secret.  I am a SLOB.  I have no organization skills whatsoever when it comes to my home.  It may look cute when you come in, but don't open any closets, cabinets, or drawers! :)

I should be ashamed, but I am not.  It's real.  I am not even going to pretend that I am trying to organize on Pinterest or anything.  When I see those organization pins..I laugh a little on the inside and wonder how many of those people pinning those things live just like this.  I bet more than some are willing to admit. hehe

I always think that if I had a bigger house that it would be differnt.  I am sure it would. AGAIN, laughing on the inside.

My junior high band director once told me, as I got into her very, very messy car, that all musicians are messy.  So, there you go.  I blame it on my musicianship. Sounds good, right??

I am however impressed with my organization of my notebook for school.  If I could organize all aspects of my life like I did that thing, my husband would be AMAZED!!!

By the way, I hate all these different crappy tupperware containers.

Do I wish my laundry room was clean? YES, YES I do.  There are items of laundry in here that haven't been touched since the first time they were worn because I don't want to wash crap one at a time.  I try to stay away from special items like this.  So annoying.

 

You can see my yellow pants on the floor, they are clean now---I am wearing them right now. hahahaha

 

 

My goal over break was to clean out all my closets.  Yeah, that didn't happen. 

 

 



Oh..this is a problem

8:15-9:15 Form and Analysis

10:30-11:45 Marching Band Tech

12:15-1:20 Classroom Management

1:40-2:15ish Recital hour/X period

2:30 LESSON

4:10 Band

This is Tuesday.
Ummm, my lessons are gonna suck.

What's your story???

I can barely contain all the excitement at this point. In 9 days I will be invited to start selling a product that I find to be the most amazing line of jewelry EVER.

It makes a wonderful gift for your daughter, mother, grandmother, best friend, aunt, cousin, YOURSELF.... :)  It is awesome!!! MORE TO COME!!!!  Online launch party, my website, parties at home...You are going to LOVE this. 

Love, hobbies, GREEK LETTERS, birthstones, and just plain ol PRETTINESS can be all yours CUSTOM designed!  I cannot wait for you to let me design one for you (and of course you can design your own)... I have several people in mind that I cannot wait to show them a locket that fits them perfectly!

I cannot explain the feeling that I got when I opened mine on Christmas Eve from my mom.  It was just perfect and I almost cried.  I have a locket that screams MARY. 

It's silver---which is my choice of jewelry.
Inside my locket you will find a little girl with K's birthstone, a flute, treble clef, peace sign, and my initial.  IT IS BEAUTFIL. How PERFECT is that?? Especially for those who know me!??

Good Thing

I just had an idea...stolen from someone else of course. LOL  But whatever it's a good idea.

Tell me your GOOD THING this week!!! I think this will help me and YOU stay positive when things seem to be getting you down.

Like for instance, I am starting to let flute bring me down a little.  SOOOOO, I need to think about the things that ARE going right and so do you.  SOOOOO, if you don't share on my blog at least comment on FB.