Now we're well into June, and I'm enjoying my summer vacation...aside from scattered bits of cabin fever. In the last few days, I've found some big reasons to smile. Here they are, in no particular order:
1. Job Interview!!
I've been invited to a pre-screening interview on Tuesday for a middle school band position in a town about 35-40 miles south of where I live. If I make it through this round, I'll be invited back the next day for a regular interview. This makes me think that there are a lot of applicants for the job--we all know that finding teaching jobs in California is difficult right now. So I don't know how good my chances are...but just getting an interview is so, so nice.
On Sunday night, I emailed the head of the department I taught for this year to gently ask for the letter of recommendation she had promised me last month. On Tuesday, it arrived in my inbox--and it is glowing. A better letter could not have been written. I now have two excellent letters from this school district to submit when I apply for jobs, which will hopefully make people wonder just why someone with seven years of satisfactory evaluations suddenly turns into a bad teacher in her eighth year.
Oh, that's right. She didn't.
3. "A Beautiful Sound."
Yesterday, I met with the new Chorale director, Dr. Magen Solomon, for 15 minutes to sing for her. She wants to meet all current singers to hear what our strengths and weaknesses are. It's not an audition, just a chance for her to hear what Chorale has and know what she is getting into.
I was awed by her at the conductor auditions. She has an amazing ability to get the sound she wants from us by giving awesome visualizations.
Yesterday, she ran me through some vocal exercises to get an idea of my range (she was quite impressed by how low I can go--into tenor territory. Teaching high school tenors how to find their note will do that!). As we got into higher territory, I could feel my control over the sound slipping a bit. Eek! Magen stopped me and said, "When the sound is wide, it falls a little flat." She sang an example. "Imagine a skinnier sound." She started playing the piano again, and the sound that came out of my mouth was "skinnier" and better in tune. She was able to give me a simple visualization and it helped me to make my sound that much better. In under one minute.
This lady is amazing. I am very, very excited about what she will do for Chorale this fall. Our previous directors have been wonderful, but I think she's going to take us to a new level.
When we finished the little vocal exercises, she tapped the highest note I had sung and said, "What note do you think this is?"
I tried using my relative pitch to guess. Finally I said, "Oh, a B-flat? That's about as high as I can comfortably go most days."
"It's a C."
I just gaped. "But I never hit high C!"
She smiled. "You just did!"
"That's one of those 'on a good day' notes!"
She shook her head. "No, I don't think so. I think it's an every day note for you."
Overall, Magen seemed quite pleased by my sound, and was very complimentary, telling me I have a beautiful, natural voice for someone with little training. We agreed that I need to work more on my breathing.
Chorale is going to a whole new level this year--I'm more determined than ever to stay in Stockton.
4. STRONG
I met with G. the Meanie today, and he really put me through my paces. I did 100 sit-ups, several squats, box jumps and ski jumps (jumping from side to side, up onto a box), single-leg knee raises, among other things. I held a push-up position for 30 second intervals, and finally, for a full minute. It wasn't a problem. My body has gotten so strong, and I love it.
Being me, though, I am still overly self-critical. I look in the mirror and see fat thighs, and the leftover fat on my tummy. Turns out most people seem to be seeing a lot less fat and a lot more Pretty Meg. So I'm working on catching up my self esteem to what I see in the mirror.
It helps, though, that I am kicking butt at the gym. I can sprint on the treadmill at 7.5 miles per hour (a couple months ago, impossible). I can sustain this for one-fifth of one mile (.20). I can do cross training and resistance training exercises that a few short months ago left me feeling half-dead. Today, I recovered so quickly that G. said, "That was easy for you!" I just smiled and replied, "Not easy, really, but I don't feel like I'm walking through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, anymore." This got a big laugh. He comments all the time about how much stronger I am, and its nice that the improvements aren't all in my head. My legs are short and a little on the stocky side, but they are fierce. My arms are starting to show some lovely definition.
I love feeling so STRONG.
5. Match
I'm back into exploring the online dating world (via Match). It's interesting how, six months ago, I got very little response, and now, I'm getting a lot more interest. I don't love that we're such a looks-concious society, but I do love that it's easier to find people to talk to. I'm currently communicating with a guy who lives in a nearby town and I'm hoping it will turn into a date or two. I really need a chance to wear my new Steve Madden shoes.
6. Books, books, and more books
Which will be detailed in a whole new post coming in a few minutes. ; )
7. Family and Friends
Miz Minka is coming to tea, and on Saturday, Summer and her husband Ben are having a party at their house in Oakland (complete with pinata!!). On Sunday I'll head up to Mom and Dad's for a night, so that I can attend the Flag Day barbecue that Dad's veteran's group is hosting. My friend Meghan and I are trying to work out plans to hike Angel Island soon.
Yes, things are looking up. : )
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