Day 3 & 4

Thursday: I had my first day with Dr. Snedeker and I think it will be a fun class. I turned in my Research Proposal and we discussed our drafts of the Objective and Subjective writings. I feel like I was pretty spot-on in my understanding of the assignment.
Dr. Widenaar is growing on me. He has great energy and intent, but is pretty scattered. I have learned some cool shorthand on Word, Excel and Youtube links. I am filling my shopping cart with mental ideas for technology and its future role in my classroom.
World Music is amazing. We discussed Calypso music and music from the Caribbean, played some games that other groups had created and delved into prep for our own game that we would be doing on Friday.
Spent the evening trying to not go crazy in the Library and work on my listening guide for World Music on a song called Ta' Umai. It is awesome.....

Friday: We met Dr. Smith this morning and I need to find a time to meet with him one-on-one. We took a tour of the Music Library and than did a class report where we found a book and gathered info about it... was ok.
 Booked it to Tech and had a good time there as well. I am excited to familiarize myself with Sight Reading Factory.....
World music was awesome again. We did our game today and then jumped into Latin American music. I love all these styles and think I could be an Ethnomusicologist in another life..... Then he gave us time to work on our stuff and I have my project figured out roughly.
Worked at Brenda's tonight and finished 2nd listening guide and presentation prep. I will be talking about the Hybridization of music in out day (mixing more than one style to make it sell.) I like this project and think it will put itself together.

This is quite fun! 

Day 1&2

Theory Exam... I did okay. I was expected to remember everything I learned (and many things I didn't) in college. I felt confident on the listening portion, and then I got to the melodic and harmonic dictation and was not so hot. I did well on many other aspects, but clearly have a lot of holes in that part of my education.

Tech Class: soooooo, I am not sure how I feel about this class both days have been interesting, but I feel like I can learn things, I simply need to have a good attitude.

World Music: AGH! This is an awesome class but we only 5 days to do it all... and it is a 4 hour class. I am learning how to focus that long and push myself like mad. I love it. I enjoy the teacher and the content is extremely fascinating. I look forward to the next 3 days... yikes!

History Exam.........................it's over?!? I clearly have always struggled with this content area and still do. I surprised myself on the listening portion, but did not know most other things........the end.

Food and Fun: I have been doing well to stick to the food I brought and make meals. Didn't buy a single thing today! I have really enjoyed spending time with Eric. We had some great life discussions and lots of laughs and stupidity, a la two music nerds.

Over all, I love this experience, but am missing home and my sweet wife and babies :)

Happy 4th/Here We Go!!!

Well, just drove up to Ellensburg, WA with Eric Noyes and am all settled in and ready for my new adventure at CWU. I am freaking out a little, but also grateful for all the loving support. Here we go!

Summer and Master Prep...

I am getting ready for my first semester as a Masters Student in Ellensberg, Washington. Central Washington University. I will working on my Masters in Music Education and am looking forward to this experience.

I start in 2 weeks and will be taking 15 credits in a 3 week span. I am a little overwhelemed, but also feel like this is the perfect program for me. I am not an online school-goer and therefore with thrive in the face-to-face instruction. I also do not want to be doing classes and teaching at the same time, therefore a 3 week program that allows me time to work in the summer like mad and then focus on teaching throughout the year is amazing.

I have truly been blessed as I finish my 2 year of teaching to feel motivated to start my 3rd and am very excited for the changes I will be making.

Also,

I am happy to announce that we are expecting a little boy in September!!!!!!!!!! I don't blog often therefore realize that this should have been in a different order or separate post, but regardless, I am so excited!

Shani has been a trooper and Zoë is starting to get excited or somewhat grasp the concept. I love my little family and am excited to balance out the genders and have another eventual priesthood holder in our home! We like the name Heath Jason Harper and are looking forward to him joining our family! Due Sept. 26th.

Well, wish me luck on the craziness that is 2016 and I hope to be more consistent as the year progresses!

2016

I am looking forward this year! I have been looking am many things in my life that I would like to change and this is the time to do it.

First, I want to look for further education. My friend Eric Noyes recently informed me of a Summer program at Central Washington University. This program is built for educators who are teaching and getting a masters. It would be a great adventure for me and I am highly considering it. It would allow me to get my masters in three years and keep working.

Second, I would like to be more athletic. Shani and I are going to enlist in a Biggest Loser Competition at the REC and a Lazy Iron-man Competition. February 1st-March 28th.

Last, I would like to improve spiritually and so I have taken up my goal of reading the standard works. 10 pages a day. So far it is going great!

Here's to an amazing year!

Perfect Timing | EDGE Homes

Perfect Timing | EDGE Homes

Late Nights and Thoughts in My Head

... it has been too long...

Here's to the recap! 

I love being a Father. Zoë is so amazing. She makes life fun and exciting. I honestly am so blesses to have her in my life. She is growing and becoming a little person with a big personality and she makes me feel like I am so important to her. I am blessed to be a father and to watch my sweet wife be an amazing mother. 

I started and finished my first year as a school teacher! Success. I have grown to love being a school teacher. I have grown to love choral music even more, and enjoyed watching the power it can have on a group of people. I have grown to love my kids, most of them, and I am happy so say I can do this again! 

I love singing. This year Shani and I had the chance to sing in a professional religious choir, Lux Singers. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and I feel I grew musically.

 

I am looking forward to the year ahead. Being a father, a 2nd year teacher and a 2nd year member of Lux.

I am planning on applying to the BYU Masters in Music Education this December and well see what is in store there. I am also setting the Goal to do a half Ironman in 2017..... I have high ambitions and therefore will do it. I am sure this next year will be one I won't forget.

To another fantastic year, may I write more here, an sooner!

Sincerely,

Mr. Father. Teacher. Tenor. Triathlete.