Yes, I cry during Disney movies, too...

I admit it, my heart strings dangle conveniently for every songwriter and film director to tug at as they see fit.  I just got finished watching "Rise of the Guardians" by Dreamworks.  On the surface, it's your standard protagonist-goes-on-journey-of-self-discovery-and-finds-his-place-in-the-world kind of flick.  Did I buy into it, hook, line and sinker?  Yes.... yes I did.

Without giving away too much, I will say that part of the movie involves 'finding your center' - the thing that drives your purpose and ultimately, your decisions and actions.  That bit crashed through my "Oh, it's just a cute movie for kids" defenses without much resistance - especially since the Santa character was basically talking about ME when he was talking about HIS 'center'

So I'll cut to the chase - I have to stop pretending that I want to be a competitive music teacher.  The world seems to want me to want to be a competitive music teacher - to add the words "award-winning" to the NRHS Music Dept. Banner.  But the truth is, that's not my 'center'.   Every time I think about it, I get depressed and have serious feelings of inadequacy.  All of my friends who are competitive music teachers are good at it..... and they ARE good teachers.  Their students feel a sense of pride and purpose, and I envy the drive and commitment that those teachers inspire.

But that's not me.  My center has always been my sense of wonder - the thing that hooks onto a piece of music and whisks me away to where it wants to take me, and I go along as a wide-eyed child.  That's the experience I want to pass along to my students.  Every time I stay true to that, I do well, every time I stray from that (which is often) I don't.

So like every other Disney/Dreamworks cliche'... I need to stop pretending I'm something I'm not, and drive home the advantage of being who and what I am, because obviously I am appreciated for it.

Roll credits.

A short, open letter to God from an agnostic....

Dear God,

Hi, how's it going?  I know I don't talk to you very much.  I try not to ask for too many favors, especially since I haven't signed on for a full membership.  I know how annoying  a free-loader can be.  Anyway, I just wanted you to know that if I ever turn into the kind of parent who would try cover up my son's mistakes - you have my permission to smite me.  Well, you don't really need my permission.... but I just want you to know that I wouldn't hold it against you.  Thank you, that's all.

Maestro

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This is not in response to the parent meeting that I had last week (Sorry, I was supposed to keep you all updated).  That meeting went well.  Really well, in fact.  Everyone went away happy.  Nuff said.

Nope, this is an entirely different kid, who (along with a friend) skipped my class yesterday.  I found it kind of suspicious so I checked - no other teachers had marked them absent.  But apparently, mom called the office and tried to tell them that I had made a mistake, and that he was in class.... except that obviously he wasn't.

*sigh*

Probably not smite-worthy.  Maybe a little bit - a holy palm print on the forehead.  That would do.