So far 2011 has proved to be a productive year. Life has been progressing and things haven't been this good in awhile. I've had a change of heart regarding some issues while staying focused on what really matters to me personally.
It's funny how life works. This time last year I was dead set on moving to New York City. I was saving every penny I could in hopes for a new start. I was totally convinced I was done with teaching and I was ready to fully dedicate myself to my music. I did go to New York last summer, found a place, had a few interviews only to learn that what I really wanted and needed for fulfillment was already here in Jacksonville.
Here I am a year later, still teaching. I've recently finished up everything I needed to do to earn my professional certificate, and I'm actually certified in both Music K-12 and PreK/Primary now. I'm discovering why I enjoy teaching music, and even though the future for public education remains cloudy and bleak at best I'm still confident that what's supposed to happen, will happen for the best. Anything and everything regarding the budget is out of my hands. To spend time worrying about something like that is fruitless in the first place.
The band is doing better than ever. We now have a steady flow of gigs and are in the process of finishing up our CD (which will be available next month!) We have a fairly big show at Jack Rabbits on April 7th, and we get to sell tickets. At first I was a bit uneasy about the whole ordeal because selling tickets to see a local band can prove difficult. However, it's been going well and we only have a few left. Hopefully the CD will be finished by the time the show rolls around.
I don't know why I write these blogs, but it feels good to write them. I guess I kind of use it as a log of events. Anyways all in all life is good.
I'm glad life is going so well for you. I'm even happier that you guys didn't move to NYC just as we moved to Jacksonville. Being close to good friends again has opened my heart. We all have big dreams for ourselves, but life has a funny way of showing us what really matters. Which is usually the people around us. I've never been happier, and I'm glad I get to spend my life close to people I love.
ReplyDeleteI think we write blogs because we hope people are reading. At least, that is why I write. It helps me open myself up and allow people in.
I feel relieved reading this post. I'm glad that you're more focused in your teaching. I just know you're a brilliant teacher, and while everyone has to follow their own paths, I'm happy that your path has led you back to teaching with renewed determination. Good luck with everything. Whatever your reason, I hope you keep posting!
ReplyDeleteWe do have a pretty good time don't we?? lol
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely correct, Chelsie. Life has a funny way of letting us learn for ourselves, what is best for us. This can be painful at times, but it's necessary. And it's always so nice when you stop over thinking and realize that what's best is generally what's around you. Now this isn't always the case, but when it is you automatically know :)
Kate, thank you so much! I'd like to think that I'm pretty good lol. I don't know what changed, but something did. I think that I might have actually been mad at myself for enjoying teaching. This problem occurs with me from time to time. It sounds extremely shallow, but I see so many people in my age group who are off either traveling or making lots of money, and I think I get angry with myself for not being more like them. Sometimes it's difficult just exisiting and accepting yourself. Anyways as a result of these child-like thoughts, I will deny myself something I enjoy (in this case, teaching). I'm just now getting to a point where I'm becoming O.K. with myself and in turn I'm accepting who I am and what I do, whether it's teaching or making music. It's been a very long process, and I have a long way to go, but if I didn't what would be the point right?
ReplyDeleteThank you for the encouragement, my blogging friend in California!