Embouchure

At her and Abdul Muhib's farewell party, Linda asked me for a flute embouchure lesson.

I felt so honored. :) Here's our first...it took all of 1 minute.

In this picture, we're pouting our lips in demonstration of going up in pitch. Now see if you can do it. Oh, and please send me a picture.

They've Got Rhythm!

I love rhythm, and it has been fun and rewarding to see my students experiencing and enjoying rhythm too. Here are some group and individual shots of students clapping rhythms off of the white board (Above: 1st graders; Below K-5).

Bee Haven

I stopped by a patisserie (bakery) on my way home from errands this afternoon. I've seen a few bees in patisseries before, but this was really quite excessive. They were flying over my head, landing on me occasionally, and walking all over the buns behind the display glass.

Here's a closeup. See the bees?

The men working in the patisserie were proud of their bees. Their moto could easily have been "if the bees love 'em, you will too!" I was surprised to see one of the men demonstrate how "tame" the bees were. He pinched one out from underneath the display countertop and let it crawl along his arm.

What on EARTH Am I gonna do now?!

I am so ready for a break, and at the same time, I am wondering what on Earth I'm going to do with my time when I'm no longer busy.

Well, a few things are guarantees: I'll be spending time with my family and friends, going for walks, running errands and having fun at the same time, playing tennis, enjoying my nephews and nieces, talking over tea, meeting my sister's fiance, participating in "wedding talk," going to the Fresh Market, playing sequence, watching Hitchcock or whatever-else-suits-us-movies during highlighting sessions, playing the flute (piano/flute duets, Mom?), going to the New City Cafe, and taking a road trip. The list goes on and on. :) What alot to look forward to!

Busy? Here's A Good Reminder

"Don't ever let yourself get so busy that you miss those little but important extras in life---the beauty of a day...the smile of a friend...the serenity of a quiet moment alone. For it is often life's smallest pleasures and gentlest joys that make the biggest and most lasting difference."

Oliver!

The musical Oliver is finished! Yippee! I am proud of the students, and I'm exhausted. I can't blame all of this fatigue on the musical, for I did spend about four hours at the beach for Kathleen's birthday today. We layed out, took walks, and talked. Kathleen, Lisa, and I ran along the beach for a ways and then jumped in for a swim. The water was beautiful and invigorating.

A ROSE by any other name...

You are like a rose stemming from the hand of God;
Pull back the petals to reveal the beauty within.

Refreshing Re Treat?

You bet'cha! The orange juice was just one of the many refreshing aspects of this trip.

Group Art

The creative what'cha'macallit pose inspired by one of our members

Boys

These boys are great! The one on the right is one of my saxophone players! :)

The Retreat Gang

We may not look tough, but if there's any doubt in your mind, we'll take you to our leader.

Tourism?

I haven't looked up the definition of tourist, but I've always cringed at the word.
I have come to the realization, however, that everyone is probably a tourist as some point or another. Afterall, I did assist in keeping this city's tourist proceeds coming in. Here is one of the shops that I succumbed to.

Gem in the Ruft

The city is a network of buildings and of pathways leading up and down steep inclines---a city full of people....working day in and day out to keep tourism proceeds coming in.

Wheat is Healthy

And I was still hungry....

Raodside Snack

My friend Autumn and I stopped for a flower snapshot. Yummy!

Hold on! Look who's driving!

Norm, our fearless driver. Driving can be fun!

Fly By 007

Here we are, two cars packed full of passengers, and two of these passengers wielding walky talkies.......travel entertainment. We are on our way to a hopefully relaxing retreat in the mountain city of Chouen.

Lemonade Characters

From left to right: sleeping beauty, the little old woman who lived in a shoe,

chicken little (in the white), and rooster.

Lemonade Goats and Pigs

Some of the stars of the show: the goats, the pigs, and Hicham (our sound tech.). The spectacular goat costumes, including horns and real sheep's skin, were being finished five minutes before the performance. Record timing!

Lemonade Musical

The 1st/3rd grade musical presentation of "Lemonade" was so much fun. Here's a group shot of several of the students.