She Sings

Thanksgiving 2008

Wow. What a long Thanksgiving. I had turkey thawing problems which has not happened to me in a long time. I blame the refrigerator. We ended up eating at 10pm. No big deal though. I really enjoyed not having to be anywhere or on a schedule. I puttered around baking, cleaning and sewing. I am making a few blankets for Max. A true holiday indeed. In the end I had my family and good food and what more could you want?

One thing I am really thankful for this year is Max, of course. I am thankful I have a such a wonderful family and good health as well. Some of the harder lessons of the past year have helped me to appreciate those things much more.

Rhianna was on the "A" Honor Roll for the first time which is also something to celebrate! Rachel received a 98% on her nursing final and is getting an "A" so good news there too! Jon is preparing to sign his contract and will soon have a job waiting for him next year which is something to be thankful for in this economy. Our district is preparing for major budget cuts so I will have my fingers crossed that I will still be employed next year. We will see. Life is good! (knock on wood)

Traditions

Traditions are the rituals that bring people together. Our 3 year tradition of Thanksgiving with our friends the Maldonados is over now that they are down South ya'll and we must go back to our own Thanksgiving ritual. That will be hard to do because I think we had had only one Thanksgiving in this new house before David and Kecia moved back.It takes time to break in a house you know. Hard also because I have to cook more ;). Not to mention my "kids" are so big now.

With my new role as Grandmother, however, I have a responsibility to carry out traditions for the next generation. Our Grandson's family is going out-of-town to Wisconsin for Thanksgiving. Rachel and Pete have to decide whether to stay here in and have dinner with us or travel. I hope they stay but it is their choice. I wouldn't want to be traveling with a four month old that just had his shots but to each their own. Max will understand more about what's going on next year anyway.

I have recently started a new tradition. Buying out Gymboree and Baby Gap and Old Navy with clothes for Maxwell! Little boy clothes are *so* cute and Max really carries them off well! I finally purchased a car seat base to have in our car so we don't have to keep moving it to get him in our car. They are pricey but it is worth it to be able to slide him right into the car. I had all new tires put on the car and other little leaks fixed so the vehicle will be safe for him. You can't be too careful with that precious cargo. He is beginning to smile and coo as well as respond to music and movement so I have found a few toys for him as well. I think one of the best new traditions I have found is to just sit and relax holding that little angel in my arms. There is nothing better than that. Nothing.

Famous

USA Today featured our little town. Cool...

The King

The King of Saudi just left the Clinic. He was in town for the weekend and his entourage of @800 support personal cleaned out our retailers. They literally used moving vans to load merchandise onto the two Saudi 747's at our little airport. Tracy and I witnessed alot of that shopping while we were mall walking. Can you say $$$$$$$!!!!! Very good for our local economy! This is such an odd little town!

On a side note, tonight is the big night! My program! AHHHHHHHHH!

Qua Cau Gio Bay

We have Heritage Night at my school every other year and this is the year for it. It is only a few weeks away and I am very anxious about it. I like to do it but it is a tremendous amount of extra work outside the regular school day and puts my nerves through the ringer. The students love it though and I learn so much every year.

This year I decided to have only third through fifth graders sing in the hope that we could squeeze in more songs for each grade level. The third graders are doing the continent of Africa and our songs include one from Ghana, one from Morroco and one in the Swahili language. Fourth graders are covering Europe with two French songs, one German and one Spanish. Perhaps the biggest challenge, however, goes to fifth grade. They are hitting Asia with one Taiwaan, one Cambodian and one Vietnamese.

I am really excited about the fifth grader's songs. We have a family from Taiwaan so the mom is helping me with the song and will accompany us on the Pipa. The Cambodian song I have done before but this time I am adding more instruments to accompany it. My favorite this year by far is the song from Vietnam. I just happen to pick a really cool folk song. I didn't know at the time that it is traditionally sung at Autumn festivals (perfect for us!) and is often acted out. I have been lucky enough to have a native speaker in each of the four sections of fifth grade save one. They have helped us with pronounciation so I think it is going to come out real nice. We will have actors, recorder acc and lots of props including scarves in the colors of the Vietnamese flag (red and gold). My Vietnamese students have really enjoyed their role in helping us and have made new connections with me. One of my girls brought it a small gift for me. It looks like a little handmade ocarina painted red with a cobra on the top. It is really cool. It was such a sweet gift. I was left kind of speechless and reminded why I do what I do.

Here is our Vietnamese song:

Qua Cầu Gió Bay

Yêu nhau cởi áo ối à trao nhau
Về nhà dối rằng cha dối mẹ ớ ơ
Rằng a ối a qua cầu
Rằng a ối a qua cầu
tình tình tình gió bay
tình tình tình gió bay

Yêu nhau cởi nhẫn ối à trao nhau
Về nhà dối rằng cha dối mẹ a à a á a
Rằng a ối a qua cầu
Rằng a ối a qua cầu
tình tình tình đánh rơi
tình tình tình đánh rơi

Yêu nhau cởi nón ối à cho nhau
Về nhà dối rằng là cha dối mẹ ...
Rằng a ối a qua cầu
Rằng a ối a qua cầu
tình tình tình gió bay
tình tình tình gió bay

We have all learned so much about the language and culture without ever setting foot in Vietnam. I feel very fortunate to be in a buiding with so much diversity and a Newcomers program. I am still nervous as heck though!

Michelles (with two "l's") RULE!

What is the name of the new first lady ya'll!! That's what I'm talkin' about!

History!

What an amazing feeling to sit with my family and watch history being made! While I regret that my mother did not live to see this day, the joy in my daughter's eyes reflects the sentiment I know mom would have felt as well. This would have been so meaningful for her.

I have deep respect for McCain. His concession speech was so very gracious.

It will be very hard to get to sleep tonight!

PS, Another reason not to actually live in Idaho-it's a *red* state!

CDA

Someone in Coeur d'Alene is giving me love every day! Who could it be? My nephews or niece? In any case, it make me think of CDA and how I miss it. I think it will be our vacation destination this year. We have been going to Idaho the past few years but have stayed in the southern half of the state. I've no reason to go there now so CDA here I come!

I am sad that we will not be moving there at this time. Jon has accepted a local position and for the time being, we will remain in Rochester. Financial considerations, Rhi's school and our Grandson were contributing factors to our final decision. We do hope that we will be able to have a summer home in CDA and eventually retire there. For now, saving big time for retirement and getting rid of all debt is our goal. I can't believe my husband finally has a real life job! *Hee*

Obama 2008!

What?

What is wrong with people! Our neighbor ran into Rachel as she was exiting the cul-de-sac. Max was in the car and instead of asking if everyone was OK, she comes over and starts yelling at Rachel. After *she* hit Rachel's car. With a baby in it. Jeez... I am losing faith in people altogether sometimes. Rachel and Max are both OK, but this lady is not going to admit fault so it's going to be a fight with the insurance companies. Happy Halloween...