Sunday, October 18, 2009

Any recommendations??

Anyone have a favorite book, or something they're read lately that caught their attention??

I've recently started reading a lot more in my free time (it's the only thing keeping me sane during this crazy 4th year) and I'm struggling to know what to read. I hate to admit it, but I've never been a big reader, so I feel like I've missed out on so many great books I hardly know where to start.

I think my problem has always been finding the right type of book to read. I've always viewed reading as something strictly educational, and as a result, I have sitting in my bookshelf a ton of half read history books that I could never really get that into.

Just recently I've started reading fiction, and have found a new love!! I can't believe I've been missing out for so long!

So...I'm taking suggestions. What are those books that you just love? You know, the one you can't put down, or the one that you've reread over and over.

I'm currently working on "The Glass Castle" (not actually fiction, but incredibly interesting), and up next is a recommendation from a friend to read "The Secret Life of Bees", but I'm moving fast....so bring on your recommendations!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

You know you've failed when...

In a piano lesson a few days ago I asked one of my students to identify the following symbol:


I was hopeful I would received the correct answer: "a sharp", or maybe even something close, like "a flat" or "a natural."

But instead I received this answer: "a tick-tac-toe board?"

Obviously I'm not getting through to these kids!!

(Take into account, she is only 5, BUT STILL!)

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Unexpectedly awesome!

This past weekend Ben and I had planned to meet our friends Chris and Katie in the Thousand Islands for a relaxing weekend of conference and hanging out. We were so excited to meet up and spend the weekend together. Katie had found a great condo for us to rent, with plenty of room to accommodate adults and kids...and with INTERNET, so we could watch conference.

But unfortunately, we were the victims of FALSE advertising! Our poor friends drove all the way from Ithaca to the Thousand Islands, only to find out there was no internet at the condo. They contacted the owner, who gave them the total run-around, wouldn't return their phone calls and didn't seem the least bit interesting in dealing with the situation.

Our car was completely packed with all our gear and food for the weekend when we got the call from Chris. We were kind of at a loss for what to do. We couldn't very well justify going anyway, and just not watching conference, but the idea of just not getting together seemed like such a bummer. We'd been planning on spending conference weekend together for weeks now, and we couldn't wait to hang out (not to mention they have two of the cutest kids ever and we were really looking forward to playing with them all weekend!).

The other options were for us to drive to Ithaca, which would have taken at least 6 hours, or for them to come to Burlington...after they had already driven several hours to get to the Thousand Islands.

Luckily for us, our friends are such good sports and they decided to drive all the way to Burlington so we could spend the weekend together. You guys are the best!

We had such a great time together watching conference, eating out, going to Shelburne Farms, walking along Lake Champlain, and just being together. There's nothing quite like best friends! We love you guys. Come back soon!