one, two, THREE!

"Three" seems to be Ramona's favorite number as of late...and appropriately so. Yesterday was Forest's and my third wedding anniversary. Where has the time gone?

As a side note, I do not take responsibility for the fact that, in this video, Ramona is wearing her clothing backwards.

Cello for the Forest

A couple of weeks ago I was asked by a friend to participate in a photo shoot at Allerton Park. She positioned a chair at various points along a forest trail and had me sit there and play while she whipped out her camera and created (hopefully) the images she was looking for. Below are some samples of her work, more of which can be found at http://jenikaslens.com/?p=973.




Last night I was privileged to play in a very different setting--on a small stage with a new community orchestra called the United Orchestra of Urbana. Although it was the group's first performance, it will likely be my last time playing with them, as our time in Urbana is steadily drawing to a close. Because this is the place where I acquired much of my learning and love for music, it was especially meaningful to be part of one final orchestra concert with some familiar faces, and to know that, as always, Forest was in the audience, listening.

Squeezing the most out of St. Louis

What we saw, heard, and tasted on Tuesday:

Living, learning, and packing it all in

Life has a lot to do with change, and change has a lot to do with learning. Learning, at times, has a little something to do with coursework and books, as it did for me this semester.
Coursework:
MUS 527: Classical Performance Practice
MUS 560: String Literature

Books:
Over 20 books checked out from the University of Illinois and other libraries

Results:
-a 17 page paper on stringed instrument fingerings of the late 18th and early 19th centuries
-a 15 minute presentation on the development of cello fingerings
-a 20 minute presentation on Heitor Villa-Lobos, with excerpts performed from his works for cello and piano
-7 graduate credits towards a Master of music education
-increased confidence in teaching classical era repertoire
-motivation to practice
-a renewed appreciation for Franz Schubert
-undying gratitude for Jana, who cared from Ramona almost every hour I was in class

With those two classes completed and that stack of books slowly being returned to the library, I have begun focusing my attention on other subjects. At the moment, I am particularly interested in the methodology behind packing an apartment into boxes while simultaneously packing those boxes into that same apartment.

Cello Farewell-O

This past weekend I pulled together a final cello recital for my current students.

I used to be taller than Andrew, Sebastian, and Aidan. Aurelia is catching up to me, too. My, how they've grown.
I kind of wish their families could move to Iowa with me, too.

Sweet Iowa Home

The house hunt is over.

We took a quick trip to Cedar Rapids this week to look at some houses and neighborhoods. Parry drove the entire way, Teresa shared helpful observations, and both of them provided Ramona with ample attention when Forest and I were occupied with the seemingly enormous process of home ownership.

Although it was only my second time in Cedar Rapids, it is gradually beginning to feel like home. And now we actually have a specific structure within that city to call our home: a raised ranch with four bedrooms, two and a half baths, a fenced yard, fantastic counterspace in the kitchen, and its very own washer and dryer.

One small step for Mona, one giant leap into toddlerhood

How quickly a year goes by, and how quickly a babe turns into a toddler.

Dear Ramona,

You've been with us for twelve months now, and we hope to continue to get to know you for many more, but here are a few things we've learned about you so far:

-You prefer outdoors to indoors

-You do a great impression of a dog

-Your smile is like sunshine

-You are fascinated by mylar balloons. One got caught in a power line by our apartment and you pointed at it for weeks, long after it was limp and deflated. I got you one on the way to your birthday party at Grandpa Parry's and it entertained you the entire 45 minute car ride over

-You know how to party and put on a great show

-You like to share

-You are frequently the recipient of fan mail and gifts

-You used to love posing for pictures, but have recently become too distracted

-You enjoy the simple things in life

-You like trips to the park

-You attend church every Sunday and make lots of friends

-You express your creativity with pianos, large or small

-You love pointing at light

-You don't love wearing things on your head

-You may very well be aware of your birthday and when it is. You arrived exactly on your due date in 2009, and this year you stubbornly waited to take your first steps until you were twelve months old, on the dot.

As your mother, I am honored that those first steps were made in my direction . . .

. . . and, as your mother, I feel immensely blessed to have you as a daughter.

Happy Birthday Ramona!

Love,

Your Mommy