Oklahoma city bombing

Today is the anniversary of the Oklahoma City Bombing. It's hard to believe it's been 14 years. I can remember where I was when it happened. I was in my Subaru crossing the Arkansas River on I-44. The morning show I was listening to was doing their 9 O'clock news and came in with the story at about 5 minutes after the hour. I think the bombing was at 9:02 so this was a quick responce. I went home and watched with the nation the recovery efforts. For me it was especially hard as these were fellow Okies.
Watching the memorial service the following Sunday was wretching. It stayed with me for weeks and still does to a small extent.

If you ever get a chance to visit the OK city bombing memorial, it would be time well spent. It will among other things remind you how life is so fleeting and how little control we really have on our mere existance. It's a place where we can go to reflect on our blessings and appreciate the wonderful life we have. So this anniversary reminds me to reflect on these things and that's definately not a bad thing to do.

State Testing, Susan Boyle and Choir Practice

Today my 3rd graders are finishing up their state tests and they have done wonderfully. Everyone I thought could pass... will, based on me walking around the room and looking at their responces. What great satisfaction comes at this time of the school year to see your kids really applying what you've given them. I remember watching one of my lower readers ponder a vocabulary question in which she had to come up with the right meaning for the word "stole" and while it took several attempts for her to come up with a responce, she got it right because she LOOKED for the context clue that made it "make sense" for her.

Last night was my first choir practice at the church we've been attending since October. Sandy joined the orchestra almost immediately but I was more hesitant to commit the time to a 90 voice choir. I haven't been part of a choir for about 3 years and it's been since college since I've done some of the material which this choir attempts. But I thought I would check it out. They've got me with the second tenors as that's where they needed me the most. I describe myself as a baritone with a rather nice range. My low end has suffered from not singing regularly and from age maybe. I can remember being a bass in high school and thinking what a macho thing it was to be able to sing "LOW" and thought all the tenors were just a little "girlie" because they couldn't sing low.

Well it was challenging for me and my sight reading was very rusty, but I think I'm gonna keep going and see what happens. It's one of those things where I have to measure my personal time vs. ministry. Theres gotta be some satisfaction for me to keep going. Maybe it will be new relationships that might be concieved. It will be challenging and that might be enough for me.

I need to talk about Britains Got Talent and the lady who wowed the judges and basically the world. Her name is Susan Boyle. When she made her appearance, the crowd and the judges weren't thinking the best as she is a little "simple" looking. But then she sang the whole place turned in an instant. She did a song form Les Miserables and nailed it. What a voice. You can check it out at http://video.yahoo.com/watch/4863134/12964979

State Testing and Jalapeno Cheetos

This week my 3rd graders are doing their State Profiency Tests so while it may seem a little stressful, for me it really isn't. After all, they either know it by now or they don't. So far they've done wonderfully and are taking great pride in doing their best. I've been blessed this year with some wonderful students. Seven of them qualified to go on a special field trip with the principal for meeting 100% of the qualifications of an online learning program called "Study Island". The most I ever had before was 4 qualify so this years achievement is exceptional.

Each year I learn to teach the material in a more effective matter and am already thinking about next years class and the approach I'm going to take. I am looking forward to that almost as much as summer vacation. NOT!

Have you tried the Jalapeno Cheetos that hit the Oklahoma market about 6 months ago. They are super addicting. I think they must have some kind of additive. I could swear I have an out of body experience while eating them. Maybe I just have a disorder. The funny thing is I used to not like Jalapeno peppers, but now I will put them on pizza, hamburgers and won't scoop them off any dishes that serve them with the entrees at the local mexican restarants.

Tonight I'm going to a choir rehearsal for the first time at a church Sandy and I started attending back in October. They mostly do a lot of the traditional pieces that I really haven't done in many years. It should be a great experience and am really looking forward to it.