two months in...

November has arrived and I have not died, resigned, been committed, nor beaten a child yet; what could be better? I've learned more in the last two months as a teacher, than I have in the last 4 years as a student (ok, that's a complete lie...I'm using hyperbole to prove a point). And not in the "what they didn't teach you about teaching in teacher school" sense, but more so about myself. Specifically, how I learn and acquire information and adapt, that's where I've noticed the growth. I look forward with great excitement to grad school, either full time or part time, just to be a student again and try out some of this new-found 'me'. This, teaching rather than going right to grad school, is exactly when I knew was right for me...I knew I needed to understand myself better as a student before I could go on. The logical thing to do when one wants to understand their student behaviors to teach, right? (hmmm...)

Really, I'm very happy. I miss Crane and people there terribly. But I don't miss being is a gross, bitter music school grind. Even though not every single element is going as I might have hoped, the big picture is there and at least its fresh and exciting every day. (That's not to say that most days I don't drive to school thinking: "Good lord, can't I just not do this anymore?" But then I get there and have a good time. And I even think the kiddies are stating hate me less, so that's good.)

Last night was our second concert of the year, technically. It was A Night of Torch Songs. I had a great time. I accompanied many singers, and I think that element of my teaching (being at the keyboard) is not only coming along well, but it will be adequate and will improve. Lucky for me, our band director is quite an accomplished pianist, so for the time I can throw anything really tricky in her direction.

I wish I was singing more. Last weekend I started some new rep. and once I decide for sure what I'm going to work on I'll commit to learning that whole cycle. (I'm toying between Morike Lieder and Ruckert Lieder. We'll see.)

Getting a pay check on the 15th and 30th of every month is pretty sweet, too.