Barnes N' Noble

Today I took a trip to Barnes N Noble with my dear friend L-dawg.

Both of us avid book lovers, L and I were very excited about this trip. We usually don't have the time or money to go, but since I recently received a very nice gift card for my birthday, and since this was the last day of classes, L and I decided to celebrate by going book shopping.

Going places with L is pretty much guaranteed to be a good time. Between his odd sense of humor (quite similar to mine) and vivid imagination, I never fail to be entertained. So here, for anyone interested, are some of the things that happened on our trip:

• After arriving at the store, L and I spent the first 15 minutes reading children's books aloud to one another. We found some really good ones, including "I Want My Hat Back" (which we both bought a copy of) and "I Have a Trumpet!", an elephant and pig book. 

• L walked around the store for 5 minutes trying to found the "Essays" section, insisting that asking for help was a sign of weakness. When one of the employees finally asked if we needed help finding something, I had him guide us to the section. Cue the dirtiest glare I have ever received from L-dawg.

• It turned out the "Essays" section was exactly where we had been standing when L decided to go looking for it.

• L laid down and cried on the floor because there were no essays by E.B. White.

• L complained that the essay shelf was not big enough.

• L cried some more about E.B. White.

• L kicked a display in his E.B. White rage.

• L yelled at me for not buying enough books (even though I already had 3 in my hand and have a shelf full at home that I still need to read).

• L, still upset about the lack of E.B. White essays, told me "Thanks for nothing ERIN"in his typical, grateful fashion.

• L asked the woman at the checkout counter if they had discounts for students. Upon receiving a negative response, he proceeded to ask, "Well, do you have discounts for male students?"

Thus, as expected, it was an entertaining trip. On the drive home, L-dawg read me "I Want My Hat Back" one more time, and then sang me (along with his ipod) everything from barbershop quartet to Sting to Stevie Wonder.

I dedicate this post to Princess Meghan, the third member of our little family, who had to go and graduate and move to (sort of) far away lands. We miss you Meggers!

-ErBear

Roller Coaster

I hate roller coasters. Roller coasters make me nauseous.
I like swings. Even though swings also make me nauseous.
But I'm getting off point.

This semester has been a roller coaster of emotions for me.

As January rolled around and I was getting for my last semester of college, I was convinced that this was going to be an easy semester. I had it in my head that I would have way more free time than I knew what to do with.

The first few weeks were pretty nice. I didn't have too much work and I was just enjoying getting back into the swing of going to class after a semester of student teaching.

February came around and with it Roberts Concerto/Aria competition and Wind Ensemble tour. I was excited for both, and things ended up going pretty well (obviously), but I could slowly start to feel myself slowing down a bit.

March arrived, and I realized the free time that I once imagined was now long gone. In fact, I began to wonder if it had ever even existed at all. My schedule was suddenly filled with performances, concerts to attend, and rehearsals for my recital. Not to mention still going to work and my classes!

Even though I was so busy, I still felt like my trumpet playing was the best it had ever been. I felt on top of the world. Nothing could get me down!

As my recital date approached, I was filled with a mixture of nerves and excitement. This was the real deal! My LAST recital of my college career!

Then, as all recitals do, it came and went in a flash. Months of preparation. Hours of practicing. Late nights. Long rehearsals. All over in 45 minutes. 

I got hit with a mild case of the post-recital blues. I was worn out, completely exhausted, and my body basically begging me to get sick with the cold-bug that had been going around... but no. I could not let it! Wind Ensemble & Chorale concerts were next weekend, and then Concerto Aria the weekend after that. I had to keep going!

I made it through the Wind Ensemble concert and Chorale concert this weekend, and my physical being is finally feeling like it is at wits end. RWCCO concert Saturday and 2 major papers due on Monday and Tuesday are all that stand in between me and actually getting to relax a little. I'm trying to find that great "nothing can drag me down" attitude I had back in January, but I have occasionally found myself slipping and starting to settle for lower standards. 

So here I am on a Wednesday night. 

This morning I had big plans of spending my evening working in the library on my theory paper.

This evening after wind ensemble I barely managed to drag myself back to my apartment.

This morning I planned on making a great dinner for myself after wind ensemble rehearsal. 

This evening I somehow found the number for Bill Gray's and managed to order food that I barely had the energy to pick up.

This morning I figured that before heading the library tonight I would do laundry, dishes, and some apartment cleaning.

This evening I threw 2 loads of laundry in and then started watching TV.
That reminds me...I started 2 loads of laundry that I need to finish before bed. Dang it. 

- Erin D.

A Plea of Pain

Throbbing, Throbbing, goes my head
As I arise from my bed.
A headache it seems is beginning to form.
This is not usually a post-nap norm.

To practice, To practice, I must go
But as I step out into the ice cold snow
Sharp pain pierces through my skull
This headache is now a migraine in full.

Piccolo, Piccolo, high and shrill
Stabs through my cerebral cortex like a drill
I try to switch to my E flat
My brain becomes a baseball, the trumpet is the bat.

Advil, Advil, I need to take
For the outcome of my evening is at stake
Down the hatch with some water
To hopefully perform a headache slaughter.

Pounding, pounding in my head.
"Go away!" I sternly said.
"The advil  you took is not helping!"
My brain started painfully yelping.

Sadly, Sadly on my couch.
I sit while my shoulders slouch.
Nothing seems to be the cure
This will be the death of me, I am sure.

Migraine, Migraine, go away
For my trumpet, I must play.
Tonight's rehearsal is my dress,
So do me a favor, and depress.

2013

So here we go! Brace yourselves! It's a'comin! Here is my cliche New Year's "Year in Review" blog post!

The past week or so I have heard a lot of people talking about how glad they are to bring in a new year. During our Christmas Eve church service, the pastor began talking about how 2013 has been a really tough year for so many people, and everyone is really looking forward to a fresh start with 2014. As I pondered that thought and tried to think of some of the hardships I've faced this last year, I realized something - 2013 was actually probably one of the best years I've had in a long, long time.

This year was a big breakthrough year for me. It started with fresh new beginnings, as I moved out of my townhouse on campus and blindly walked into a rooming situation with someone I did not know very well. Little did I know that the person I was moving in with would soon become not only my best friend, but my sister in Christ as well. Meghan and I hit it off instantly as friends, and I have been so blessed with a roommate for this entire year who just totally lifted me in every way. Honestly, I'm not sure that this year would have been as good as it was if it wasn't for her constant prayer and support. Anytime something did seem to be going downhill, she was right by my side giving me a big hug and praying for me and uplifting me with scripture. What a true blessing she has been!

Our first big snowfall together

After Meghan's (second) senior recital

Pumpkin picking this Fall!

Meg's graduation day. Oh how I will miss her!

While my friendship with Meghan grew, we were both truly blessed by another wonderful friendship that I had begun toward's the end of our Fall 2012 semester. Shortly after the year began, Meghan and my little family of 2 soon turned into a family of 3 as Lucas entered our lives. I cherish the memories of all the nights we spent, while other college students are age were out partying, sitting on "couch" watching M*A*S*H and Doctor Who and having a wonderful time together. Lucas and I will most certainly miss having Meghan around this semester!

One of our many M*A*S*H nights

Reunited after a long summer!

On a Bill Gray's run one snowy night

Last day together before Meg graduated :(

This summer came with lots of excitement as well. I started out my summer by taking 3 weeks of classes so I wouldn't have to take too much my final semester, and had a great time staying up in Rochester and extra 3 weeks. I got to see my first Rochester Lilac festival, and my friend Audrey and I got to go out and have some great nights together. Even with all the fun, I still finished my summer semester with a 4.0... my first ever!

Audrey and I at the Lilac Festival!

 One of the biggest highlights this summer was seeing two of my best friends - David & Brynn - get married...and even being in the wedding!!! I've watched these two grow in their relationship the past year and a half, and it was such a beautiful thing to see them commit to each other for life. The wedding was a blast and I had such a wonderful time with fantastic friends.

A few days before my Brynnie got married!

Mr. & Mrs. David Shewan :)

The wedding party

After the wedding, I spent the remainder of my summer watching my nephew Caiden 5 days a week... and we had so many wonderful adventures!

Heading out on one of our many car trips

Baseball day with our best buddy Shawna

Lunch date at Nagels

Photo Credit: Shawna Oberst

Fall 2013 marked a huge time in my college career as I embarked on my journey into student teaching. I have to admit I was not that excited at first, but within a week of my first placement I knew that teaching is where I am meant to be. My high school placement especially became a very special one for me as I fell in love with each and everyone of my students. I can honestly say that I love everyone of them, and I hope they learned as much from me as I did from them. I passed my student teaching with flying colors and ended yet another semester with a 4.0, giving me a cumulate GPA of 3.55... so I will graduate Cum Laude in May!!! :D

First day (left) of student teaching in September, and then last day (right) on December 12.

So yea, 2013 was wonderful. And honestly, I'm a bit sad to see it go. 2014 is going to come with a whole new set of adventures... my roommate and a majority of my friends graduated this December, so there will be a lot of room for making new friends. I am graduating in May, which means I will need to find a place to live and a real job. So many unknowns lie ahead of me for 2014...but I'm ready. I cannot wait to see what the Lord has planned!!!

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." - Jeremiah 29: 11-13

- Erin

Admitting Defeat

Doctor Who.

All my friends have been talking to me about for the last 2 years since I got to Roberts is Doctor Who. My roommate is obsessed with it. Her family is obsessed with it. My best friend Lucas is obsessed with it.  Several of my other Roberts friends are obsessed with it. A majority of my Csehy friends are obsessed with it. My church friends are obsessed with it. And even my boss here at Roberts is OBSESSED with it.

Because of this, I found myself constantly frustrated because everyone would always be making Doctor Who references that I didn't get, to which they would respond, "Oh you just wouldn't understand."

So last year, I tried watching the first episode of Doctor Who (the 2005 series), and I thought it was the DUMBEST, most absurd episode of television I had ever seen ever. And I let all my Doctor Who friends know it. Any time they even mentioned the Doctor to me I'd scoff, roll my eyes, and declare that Doctor Who was just TOO nerdy for me.

So here I am... about a year later... admitting just exactly how WRONG I was.

You see, as I mentioned before, my roommate and her family are all HUGE Doctor Who fans. That being said, they all have these matching Doctor Who/Minion shirts (pictured below), and this year they brought me one. I was deeply honored by this sort of "we-consider-you-family"-like gesture, but immediately realized that there was no way I could go walking around in this shirt with a TARDIS on it and not really know anything about Doctor Who.

The "Minons have the TARDIS" T-shirt

So, I decided to put my pride aside and give the Doctor another chance... and let me tell you, I am really glad that I had a week and a half of nothing going on before student teaching.

I watched the second episode, and said to my roommate, "Well, I guess this isn't that bad."

I watched the third episode, and said to my roommate, "Yea, this is kind of okay."

I watched the fourth episode, and said to my roommate, "I might actually like this show."

It has been a week and 2 days since I started watching Doctor Who, and I am now on season 5.

I'm totally completely obsessed. I have laughed. I have screamed. I have cried. And I have done A LOT of talking to my television screen. 

My roommate and our dear friend Lucas, both avid Doctor Who fans, have been loving watching me take in every precious moment of the series. They love seeing my reactions, and I can now see why they have been trying to convince me to watch the show for so long.

I have only one complaint*, and that is this - the show is EXTREMELY sad. When people had talked to me about it before I became a fan, all I heard about was how cool it was, how funny it was, and how brilliant it was. But no one EVER mentioned to me how horribly sad the life of the Doctor really is. I wish I had been at least a little forewarned. 

This scene pretty much spliced my soul in half.

But all that aside, I still continue to watch the show. I can't stop. It's addicting. And wonderful. And even though I know that I only have one more episode with David Tennant left to watch, and I will be greatly saddened, I also know that I will fall in love with Matt Smith eventually. After all, I thought I'd never get over Christopher Eccleston... now look at me. I'm in love with the 10th Doctor! I guess that's just how it works with the regeneration cycle.

Anyway, off I must go! I've only got a few more hours of free time left to watch Doctor Who before my life becomes consumed by student teaching!!!! Priorities must stay in tact!!!

- Erin D.

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* - Ok, so I actually have a second complaint. Just one name - Martha Jones. Yuck.

How I know it's time to go back to School

1. I'm really starting to miss being in Orchestra and Wind Ensemble.

2. I've had an awful hankering for Mighty Taco lately.

3. Family Video called me today and said they miss me, so they're giving me a free rental I can redeem in the next two weeks AND I get half off all month. How in the world does that place stay in business?!

4. I'm starting to get "When are you coming backkkk?!" texts from all my friends.

5. I'm seeing a lot of friends from Csehy and high school talking about going back to college. How come they get to go already?!

But it's okay. Because in less then a week now, I'll be packed up in my jeep on my way back to Rochester!

On Being a Musician and Working Out

I think my knee knows tomorrow is a training day. It started giving out on me and really aching about 15-20 minutes ago, as if to say, "No! No! We can't do that! Can't we just stay inside and watch movies?!"

Either that or it's just going to rain tomorrow.

Anyway, I've been using this app called C25k  to get myself in some sort of good shape. It takes you from "couch potato" level to being able to run a 5k in a course of 9 weeks, working out just 3 days a week. Tomorrow is Week 2 Day 2 for me and I'm feeling pretty good about it! Wish I could say the same for my stupid knee...

You see, I've been living under this facade that I am a musician so I don't need to be in any sort of good shape because I need to dedicate all my time to practicing.

I'd like to know the same thing Christina.

Well obviously that's just a bunch of garbage. If anything I need to be keeping myself in excellent shape because I'm a musician! How the heck do I expect myself to hold up my trumpet, with good posture, and have enough endurance/energy to play for long periods of time if I keep up these AWFUL living habits?! I have already noticed a difference (for the better!) in my playing and energy levels in general since I started running last week. 

I think this is a common misconception amongst many young musicians. Starting in grade school, the band kids are kind of separated from the athletic kids. Many TV Shows (GLEE being a great exception) always seem to portray band kids as dorky, asthmatic, and anti-social. 

What I got when I searched "Band Kid" on google images

In reality, musicians actually make AMAZING athletes. In fact, most of the professional musicians I know could kick any athletes butt in an ultimate frisbee tournament any day of the week. Even in 100 degree weather. Ultimate Frisbee is a favorite event at the music camp I have attended most of my life, Csehy Summer School of Music. When I was in my final years as a camper, we took our free time frisbee playing to the next level and turned it into a huge tournament called the CUPPA Cup (Csehy Ultimate Professional Players Association Cup) that involves a pretty serious drafting process.  The music faculty all get very into it, and the captains of the teams are usually made up of that week of camp's conductors or teachers (and the occasional chapel speaker). This tradition still holds strong today, as I've gone on to be a counselor!

My team, Pure Muscle, was one of the original CUPPA Cup champions! 

I'm the one dressed in all black.

(Team Captain was the infamous Benjamin Harding)

So here I find myself, struggling to break myself out of these bad habits I've let myself fall into. I used to be in such good shape when I was younger. When that picture was taken I was in some of the best shape of my life. Unfortunately it was also very shortly after that picture was taken that I feel ill for a year (eventually diagnosed with Celiac Disease) and just have never been very active since.  But I'm not going to let that be the case any longer!!!!! I will be able to run a 5k* in 7 more weeks!!!

I'm gonna see if my roommate will dress up as Robin so we 

can run a 5k together like this

Now I just gotta start working on my eating habits...

- Erin


"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." 
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

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* - I just need to find a 5k to run!