Since I last posted, I believe I have neglected to mention that I have been subbing a few times.  So far I've only been called by one school district.  Close to a month ago I substituted three times in one week!  But boy do I have a story for you!  Ok, so two weeks ago I had the most terrible luck with substitute teaching, and I mean being able to accept calls.  So if a school calls early in the morning my dad usually picks up the phone and runs it across the house to me so I can take care of the rest.  Well, at any given part of the day, we usually get some telemarketer calls that usually involve some 800 number and if we see that on the caller ID we ignore it and let the ansering machine catch it.  Anyway, this particular school district that has called has an automated voice system.  One week our phone did ring at like 5;30am two mornings in a row, and the ID was displaying an 800 number so my dad ignored it.  By the second morning I had my suspisions that something wasn't....quite right.  I had recieved a mailing from the school district about the system that was in use and I remembered there being a number involved.  So I looked into that and sure enough, the number was THE EXACT SAME NUMBER!!!!  Oh was I not happy at all, I got partially screwed out of getting some teaching opportunities.  Here's the thing.  When I asked dad what had the ID said before when the school called and he swore to God that it said the school district name.  Ummm, no, it doesn't.  so we've been a lot more careful and watching for that particular number to appear, and pretty much no matter what it is, if the phone rings at 5:30am we are answering it because it's likely to be a sub call.

let's see I think the weekend before that incident was our local fair.  I went on friday to see the cavalcade of bands show where a lot of the local school marching bands come out and play their halftime shows and then at the end they all come together and play a couple old-time marches (haha nothing like sousa, how could I forget!)

Today, I got to see a folk song group that did a presentatoin at our local library as a part of their art series.  the did a really good job!  The did folk songs from all over the world; not jsut America, but from Ireland, Greece, The Balkans, The Shetland Islands....I think JB would have really like the one from Greece they performed, I really wish he could have heard that one.  It really made me start thinking of him alot and I was sortof daydreaming of being with him feeling the ocean breeze looking out over the Mediteranian, and watching a georgous sunset (seriously I've seen pictures from not only him but from another friend that is there too right now, and they are just amazing!....and I'll stop being romantically mushy right now)

Last sunday I got to conduct the anthem in church.  That was lots of fun!  I always enjoy doing that!  I even got to partially be in charge of thursday rehearsal this past thursday.  We were rehearsing "Go Light Your World"  (it's probably a familiar praise hymn, if you know it).  Anyway, the biggest work out of that was trying to get the rhythms right because some of them are syncopated.  Haha, I think I ended up at one point clapping in people's faces, and one of the old sopranos didn't mind it at all!  We also got to some other songs that were pretty up beat, so I was definatley getting a work out that night.  Oh and apparently I'm not allowed to move because the same soprano came up to me and said that I'm such a great help that they need to keep me.  But here I'm thinking I need a job!!!  I should probably mention that alot of these people in the choir can't read music, but they certainly can carry a tune!  I believe most of the tenors and basses can read because they were brass players back in their hey day, but most of the altos and sopranos can't.  And really all they say is as long as I see a note on the page go higher than the previous one, then I know the pitch goes higher and then the same goes for the opposite direction (lower than the previous note, the lower the pitch).  No matter what experience little, or big, we have in music, we all have some internal/unconcious knowledge of it.  I mena, the majority of a population can keep the steady beat to a song right?  That's the very basic fundamental of it all!  And some can go even further than that , like, repicating a rhythm of a melody from a pop song or to maybe even a TV show theme.  I know people say "oh I'm not musical"  Yet we all have a some form of music in us, whether it is vocal or percusive.  Really, can you honestly say that you are not musical if you are drumming on the stearing wheel in your car to a song, or maybe just making something up because you're bored?  Also we are in the 21st century people.  Nearly now all bets are off with what theory says we can do.  There really no right or wrong way a song can be composed now, you could hum some tune that you can completely make up, and it can be considered music these days.  One composer a long time ago made a live composition where the setting was a concert hall, he came up to the piano on stage and just sat there.  If somebody in the audience coughed, that was part of the music....seriously people.

Ummmmm....I guess it's time to get off the soap box now, hahahaha.  Tomorrow is Columbus Day so I probalby won't get called in for tomorrow (yay, free day!).  That leave plenty of time to read.  I'm currently working my way through four books that JB is having me borrow until he returns.  All are really good; I think the hardest one is Jesus and The God of Isreal.

Speaking of JB's return, there is a good chance (not all details have been ironed out yet), that I'll get to see him for a week once he returns, so I might get to meet him at the airport in Harrisburg!!!  Ahhhhh!!!!  I hope it all works out real smooth (I don't really have any causes for doubts).  I haven't been in an airport for a long time.  The last time I think I was at one was when we met my grandparents at BWI in Baltimore and they were visiting for Christmas.  I was like 10!!!!  But just imagine, if all goes well, I'll be seeing him in allmost A MONTH AND A HALF!!!!!  HOLY COW!!!!!!  (bet you can't tell how excited I am for that, lol)

Alright I think that's all I have for now, I'm glad I finally found some time I could update, and I'll try to do another one soon

My life goes on in endless song
above earth's lamentations,
I hear the real, though far-off hymn
that hails a new creation.

Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear it's music ringing,
It sounds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?

No storm can shake my inmost calm,
while to that rock I'm clinging.
Since love is lord of heaven and earth
how can I keep from singing?

While though the tempest loudly roars,
I hear the truth, it liveth.
And though the darkness 'round me close,
songs in the night it giveth.

No storm can shake my inmost calm,
while to that rock I'm clinging.
Since love is lord of heaven and earth
how can I keep from singing?

No storm can shake my inmost calm,
while to that rock I'm clinging.
Since love is lord of heaven and earth
how can I keep from singing?

Hey Everyone!

ok so since my last post I have been much much better!  Really!  I really don't think it was what I said it was when I kept saying I was feeling that way, I truly believe that it was just a dose of reality that just kind of smacked me across the face.  And so, I've been able to be and act a lot more calm when it comes to JB being far away.  I mean.  Soon in about 4/5 more days, it will only be 2 months and 6 days until he gets back!  I'm terribly excited for it, but I also don't want to wish these wonderful days for him away so soon.  The song above I think really helps to remind me of how patient I really should be and that God is all in this and won't lead me astray.  My church choir will be singing this as their anthem tomorrow (sunday).  It's a beautiful Shaker Hymn! 

Otherwise, not a whole lot has been happening since I last updated.  I've been trying to do all the reading I can and so far I've been doing well I guess.  I feel kind of behind on my personal quota for today but it will be alright in the end.  So yeah, I just wanted to update letting everyone know that yes, I am still alive here.  Oh!  Silly me!  I shold mention that I had to opportunity to substitute teach three times after I last posted!  and that was all during the week before this one (no one called during this week). 

Alright, not sure what else to mention right now.  Until next time people, have a wonderful week!

Hmmmm, let's see what I have to talk about today.  I was hoping to have updated on Saturday, but I just didn't get to it.

So, as for the church situation, the vote came to the majority of the congregation wanted to depart from the UCC,  The vote was like 50-something to like 18, which was sort of suprising.  Well anyway, right now the church is in an independent state until they are welcomed into the denomination they are seeking to join.  Yes I'm still attending, and I don't necessarily plan to just jump ship from the church, because I would still like to help out with the choir; they more or less do need my voice.

Also, I believe I have found a new TV show that I like.  It's Glee, and whether you have heard of the show or nto, I would definately recommend it to those who are either music educators, or those that are supportive of the arts staying in the schools.  It definately shows how 1) cliquey the students can be and 2) how some faculty or administration can be a pain in the you-know-what when it comes to music programs. 

So right now JB is in Athens, Greece studying abroad during his fall semester of his senior year.  I'm very happy for him that he is taking this opportunity to do so.  I really wish I had the money to do it while in college.  I really wish someday I could take up that opportunity.  I've never really flown before, so that would be an experience in itself, not that I'm afraid to fly, because I'm not.  I've seen many a picture from another friend I know who is also studying abroad there in the same program, as well as from JB too, and it looks like they are having a fantastic time.  I only wish I was there with him.  All I do is just sit here like a bum,  which is pretty much against my will.  I miss him.....ALOT!!!!!!  I absolutely can't deny this.  It's hard to keep myself distracted or busy, when all I want to do is hear from him.  We've been in touch a couple of times since he's been there, but I feel like such a spoiled brat, because first of all, classes for him started today, so he's going to have homework probalby starting tonight, and so I do know that I know I'll have to be patient with him because he's not going to have the same span of time to be online as he did during the summer.  I've known this for a long long time now, and i don't know why I can't get over this.....withdrawl, I guess, I want to call it.  I really hope I can get over it, and just think about how much fun he is having.  Whatever I'm going through right now (depression/withdrawl), I just hope it lessens over time.  I'm doing my best to keep relaxed, and focus on anything positive.  I guess all I can do is ask you to pray for me.  Please leave any adive, encouragement, etc, because I feel like I could use it right now.

Edit:  alright, so when I initially wrote this, I was, well, rather weak, in my sorrows. after a nap I felt better, and I really do believe I need to just trust in God's strength a lot more than what I have been doing.  Of course I will miss JB every single day.  But believe me the feeling of being near or on the verge of tears is, getting old, quick...yeah.  It certainly isn't helping me get the things I want to get done in a day.  Now that I got to chat with JB for a few hours before he retired for the night, now I really have to take hold of the reins ond just be much more patient, because I know how busy he'll soon be.  So I apologize for my previous foolish attitude earlier

Love you, miss you, hope to hear from you soon.

Sorry I haven't updated in a while

So I had a good visit with Jess.  We met at a Sheetz in York and then she drove us down to her apartment in Laurel Maryland.  I also got to meet her cat, whom is very adoreable.  That eveing, we tried to grill turkey, but that didn't work out as well as we thought.  You wouldn't believe how long it  took for us to finally have dinner that night.  Anyway, Saturday was the first time I got to take the metro to DC in a very long time.  The last time I remember doing that, was when I went on a field trip with my youth group to DC.  When we got there, we stopped in at a CVS to get some bottled water for our long trek.  The first thing we saw was the zoo.  I will soon have pictures up of what I all saw there and those picture are courtesy of Jess.  Next we kind of  back tracked and went to a Thai food restaurant.  Now I can't really say that I've had authentic Thai food before but what I had was very good!  I will say though that if you are not a very great fan of nuts then I should not recommend this to you because they do use a lot of nuts or penut oil in their food.  Next we took the metro again to another section of DC so we could see the Capital, Unfortuantely we were not able to see inside the capital because when we got there it was like 30 seconds until closing time, which stank.  Oh well, I at least have a picture of me stanking infront of the capital building.  Ooooh I have a very cool fact for you!  Did you know that it is 3 miles from the Washington Monument, to the Capital Bulilding?  I had the opportunity to stand exactly halfway between the two and could see both of them!  So anyway, we got to see a couple exhibits at the Smithsonian an dthen we tried to catch a free concert at the Kennedy Center but we didn't make it (well, we got to hear the very last chord of the entire performance, really), but regardless, It's a beautiful facility.  We then stood out on a patio that had a fountain on it and just beyond the patio is the Patomac River.  So basically, I got to look right into the state of Virginia!  It was then time for us to head back home.  Before heading straight home we drove into Silverspring to get dinner at like an open-air Mall I think it was.  Anyway, we ate at the Macaroni Grill, a pretty nice Italian food restaurant, but there is a fun twist to it.  You see, they put a big sheet of paper over the table and give you crayons, so that way you can keep busy while you wait for the food.  And seriously, the Employees ENCOURAGE you to do this!  So as Jess and I waited we were doodling and writting silly messages to eachother.  Before leaving.  We went to a Cold Stone Creamery.  It's a pretty cool ice cream chain.  They apparently sing as they work, if you give them a tip or say some kind of words (not sure what) but at one point they were talking/singing smack about Ben &Jerry's, which was pretty awesome,  Jess even had them sing Happy Birthday for me (eventhogh my birthday was just this past Sunday).  Anyway, I bought the best ice cream shake EVER!  Cake Batter with little vanilla cake squares in it.....A-MAZING!!!  Finally on our way back home, we kind of got into a minor car accident.  We were patiently waiting to make a write turn, when all of a sudden this crazy guy comes out of no where and clips us.  So she had to exchange some car insurance business, and it both police and insurance agency (Progressive)  beleive that it was entirely the guy's fault.  So everyone is fine, no one was hurt.  Sunday,  Jess and I went to church.  She goes to a pretty big church wtih contemporary worship.  Monday she safely retruned me back to the same Sheetz and dropped me off at my parents. 

Then between the 7 and the 17th, I got to spend some great time at JB's house.  There were a couple of days that we went to a book sail where he got several good books.  I also checked out what the music section had at the sale but a lot of it was either sheet music or hymnals I beleive.  Not that that's bad, but I was hoping for somethign more like text books on Music Theory, or Music History or something, but no such luck.  I even got to participate in both a book discussion and a bible study while I was visiting him.  I had a good time at both. 

Let's see in other news.  Ummm, I would personally like you to keep my church in your prayers as to what they might do denominational-wise for their future.  I'm ok with them switching, I suppose, but what I don't like is that, if they switch to another denomination, it would be the beginning of an end of a good relationship with people that I've got to know for many years, since like Middle school I think.  I mean sure, I probalby will still go, but with my dad's job situation, I have to transfer my membership to another church (in the UCC), which is ok, because  Whenever I get married, there's a good chance that I would be changing anyway.  I'm personally sick and tired of teh bull crap that's been going around.  And I especially don't like that when this "study group" was making this presentation, When ever my parents had a comment, those people would do nothing but humiliate and call them traitors.  This I VERY MUCH dislike!  It just makes me sad that it more or less goign to happen that I will have to say "Hey I was confirmed at a church that no long exists!"  and that kind of rubs me the wrong way. 

So anyway, school is about to start again, and so I'll be awaiting a very early morning call from whatever school would want me to sub for them, wish me luck!

ok I'm back, so it took me so long to update

My vacation was great and relaxing.  We mostly stayed at my Grandma Degnitz's house, but while there we saw my Aunt Lisa and Uncle Bill and my sister's God parents.  We also got a visit from an old friend of ours that went to our church camp before and we got to see her grandson.  Church camp went very well.  I think my favorite part was going to see the Labarynth (and I totally forgot how to spell that correctly).  Other activities that went on durning that week were vespers, a couple different presentations on various topics, Age group meetings, and the last night was Kareoke, which was a new thing tis year. 

I'm still looking for a job yet, but I'm still trying to be hopeful and possitive, amongst all my stress for searching everyday.  Also keep my dad in your thoughts as well, he's hoping to get an other interim possition that will be south of Lebanon by the end of next month

I'm looking forward to the weekend and weekend and week after that.  Thsi weekend I'll be seeing my former roommate from college who lives in DC.  Then on the 7th, I get to see JB for one last time until he flies off the Greece.  I'm so excited for him, but I already can't fathom how much I'm gong to miss him like crazy.  haha, I wonder already that on the day he leaves, if I'll be like "is it December yet?" But no, I do wish him tto have a great time while he's over there.

I honestly can't think of anything else to talk about right now, so I'll update again sometime soon