2010: A (Quick) Year In Review

Lots of things happened this year.

I started making a long list of all of the things I learned and realized that it comes down to just a few but important things:

1. Listening

great for my professional life, but also great for my personal life. I found out that there is always more to learn, especially with the people we think we know best. I gained a greater understanding of myself, my family and my closest friends because I really started to listen. I also made new friends, dated a little, led a retreat for high school juniors, and reconnected with old friends. I learned a lot from all of those relationships. One thing that sticks out still is that junior who said, "confidence is a choice, not a quality." Well yes it is. I remember that fondly now as I start to carve out my post-internship life.

Phew. I learned a tremendous amount by opening up my ears (and heart).

2. Balance

What can I say about that? It all comes down to balance. Balancing work and play, thinking and speaking, thinking and doing, talking and listening, planning and spontaneity.

3. Laughing

Sometimes you just have to laugh. Most of life's problems seem laughable. I've laughed my way through stressful times during my internship, conferences, an awkwardly funny trip through Ohio, a "wonderful" trip to Michigan (that one isn't funny quite yet.. soon though), and a HILARIOUS New York adventure. I am thankful for the people with whom I've shared that laughter and those situations.

4. Pacing

Things are often better enjoyed when savored. If you go through life and experiences at the right pace (often slower!), you often have fewer "regrets," catch those subtle details and for-go the need to apologize. It's like the rules of improvisation that I learned almost a year ago. If you go slow, don't hold on to the things that need to be let go, and don't ever stop... there's no need for apologies or regrets. Always move forward, but I am now determined to enjoy the ride.

5. Mindfulness

We grow up learning that we should be courteous and that "sharing is caring." For me, for some reason, it finally clicked as Mindfulness. I've spent so much time of my short 23.5 years being selfish, making my way through school and life, caring about professional success, and making my mind up about the world and people as I learn about them as it relates to me and my plan. I had a narrow focus... of course as I've grown up and let certain people into my life and saw certain people go out of my life, my scope has widened. But this year, it clicked. Mindfulness is being courteous, following through, thinking before speaking, doing the right and ethical things, taking other people's views and feelings into true consideration.... just being a good person but being aware of it. Each action has an intention behind it. Doing something because "its something that I should do" is not really a good reason. I end up "should"ing all over myself.

I think its a lot to think about at first- each situation in life calls for something different right? We made 80,000 decisions a day (starting with "Do I get out of bed now... or hit snooze one last time?). Each decision we make in the day leads to another decision and then another decision. Practicing a little mindfulness each day grows into a habit and gradually, requires less thinking and conscious awareness. You start acting, thinking and relating on a different level.

That is the secret (my secret, at least). All of the outstanding individuals I know are some of the most mindful and courteous people I have ever met: My ITD, my boss from the Fair, ST, co-intern, parents, family, friends.

I proclaimed 2010 as "The Year of an Attitude of Gratitude".... I learned a ton and lived quite a bit. Laughed and cried. Found some great ice cream parlors, made new friends, lost a wallet a couple of times, even took a jacuzzi bath in a staircase. What a fabulous year. Lots of growing. I feel very thankful for everything that occurred even the "bad" stuff. :)

2011... We'll see how this one shapes up. I'm thinking "2011: Mindfulness Matters"...? Hmm... sort of catchy. I'll keep working on it.

Gearing up for a New Year

I've been letting the big news of my employment sink in and also enjoying the holidays which meant ignoring my blog for a week or so.

Currently I'm house/dog sitting the fabulous Ms. Peaches. We've had fun times together including staying out of the rain, taking naps and playing ukulele. Turns out that she is not fond of the sound and rudely leaves the room. Today I'm going to work on some music therapy repertoire for my session on monday! Read a bit and hang with peach. I also am starting to think more about regional conference in April. My presentation proposal was accepted! I'm keeping busy.

Christmas was fabulous. We had fun and games christmas eve and delicious homemade raviolis and Christmas Day I fixed a lamb roast for my family that turned out to be extremely tasty! We don't do much for christmas any more, but I did receive some car mats for Knoxie from my parents. Thank you!

I start my new job on Monday, I can hardly believe it! This time last year I was packing up boxes, setting up a blog and getting ready to move to new york for my internship. My how this year flew by! It was jam-packed too! After 2010, I am excited to see what 2011 brings.

Some people really get into the whole resolution thing but I find that if I make them, I break them in like two weeks. But I find that if I decide to do small things that I am more successful. That means setting the bar real low! I love that. There are smaller things that I can do to work up to the big things and I will end up being more successful... like getting into the habit of eating regular meals (and less crazy snacking) or upping my exercise by doing something small everyday--- like going for a brisk walk or doing a bit of yoga- switching it up so I don't get bored. To me those are smaller things to focus on, but perhaps with a big reward. Maybe its psychological, but it works for me.

Soo... my tentative "goals" (I'm still fleshing them out) for the year 2011:

1. Music therapy stuff - maybe create one solid connection and start working on a possible contract or position. To me that's obvious and something that I'd do anyway.

But its good to write it down, then I become accountable.

2. Keeping better track of my life (especially finances, now that I will have some of my own regularly)--- you know.... being an adult and getting a little more organized. That might mean less Bevilacqua impulse shopping!

3. less sitting around. less snacking. more moving. :) I think having a job will help with that, giving me more to do and think about in the week. And it will give me more structure which means I can make time for more exercise.

I really want to take a kick boxing class but I think I'm going to wait to get something like a gym membership or signing up for classes until my income is more steady. Or find a gym buddy. Ty and I talked about that. I think its easier to get motivated when you have someone to go with. We'll see what happens. For now I love my yoga videos and occasionally (although becoming more frequent) taking it to the streets for a jog/walk.

What are some things you might be thinking about for the new year?

BIg News!

Its official.

I signed a contact today to be a independent (sub)contractor for a music therapy company (technically this woman) based in the east bay. She called earlier this week to offer me the position and I officially signed the contracts this morning! I will be providing music therapy in a few settings which results in just a few hours a month (10-12 hours) in some east bay-ish locations (Looks like I'll be spending a bit more time in palo alto). Its just enough to make some money, get some real life experience for my resume and still have time to work on other placements that are closer to home.

I am very excited. I start in January.

In the meantime... YAHHOOOOO.

Christmas Parties

I am christmas party-ed out. I am christmas open house-d out.

how exhausting.

Although I've been described as "precocious," I noticed how introverted I am this weekend. I had a bridal shower to attend on Saturday and 2 (technically 3) christmas open house parties yesterday. I made it to 2. But what I noticed was how draining it can be (for me) to be around a ton of people that I don't know. Its exhausting. It didn't stop me from attending the open house parties--- Every year my friend Aimee's mom make the best chicken salad sandwiches for their annual christmas tea. They are the best.

Anyhow, I like small get-togethers with people that I know. Then I can be precocious. Most of the time at big parties, I just feel a little awkward and a little overstimulated with chatter and a ton of people. I guess it is no secret that I love to have my alone time to recharge my batteries. That is probably the major reason why I loved living by myself throughout my Arizona school stuff. And I am aware of my "personality type" through the Myers-Briggs test, you know the four letter code ( INTJ all the way). But I guess I became a little more aware of the whole "I" factor this weekend. I thought that was pretty interesting.

Sissy arrives in CA today! Yahoo. I'm going to scoop her up from the airport this evening!

And the category is....

Wedded Bliss.

I attended a wedding shower this afternoon. It was a lot of fun. Thankfully we played few games none of which involved toilet paper dresses.

A quick update.

I heard back from the school where my friend's mom works. The assistant executive director was impressed with my resume and cover letter (I wrote a fantastic cover letter) but unfortunately they do not have opens at this time. She is going to keep my information on file. We are however, working to schedule an inservice for all of the staff. I've got some fabulous ideas. My hope is that they see my inservice and decide that they have to have me, no matter what. :)

I met with a friend of a friend who has been in the education field for many years. We talked about my options and what special education looks like here in the bay area. It was helpful to meet with this woman and she gave me a whole new list of places to look at. She also basically said that I need to get a masters in education or music education and perhaps look into other credentials. Sigh. She also suggested applying for jobs as an instructional assistant for kids of special education. I don't know if this is something that I'd really like to do.... but I see the value in it.

For now, I am enjoying the holiday down time. Its hard to look for job opportunities and things when everyone is wrapping up for the year. We will see what the new year will bring.

Sissy comes home monday yahoo! And I'll be house/dog sitting Ms. Peaches the bulldog next week. I am looking forward to both things.

Dad says....

that I'm behind on updating. Its only been a few days.

not much to report really.

The christmas tree is officially up and decorated. It is epic. I'll post a picture of it soon.

I attended the funeral service of a former teacher this weekend. She was battling cancer for a few years now and she was a teacher that I was close to. I was even asked to read out of one of her favorite books at her service. I prepared my reading and all, but I didn't prepare anything else to say. The other people reading at the service had wonderful things to say and I just read from the book. I felt pretty bad, like I let my teacher down--- just as I felt that I let my teacher down when our plans to get together fell through (just a few days before she passed). I ended up writing her a letter after the service so that I could say all of the things that I wanted to and "should" have said at the service.

As I have learned throughout this year, writing is certainly an outlet for me that works. I haven't quite decided what I will do with the letter yet. But I immediately felt better after putting the pen to paper.

Now I am in full holiday reading mode. I just received a book about music therapy, sensory integration and people with autism. Its a fascinating read so far. And I like the author. I had to read a book by the same author for school once. Basically, people with sensory issues relating to spectrum disorders have such a hard time processing sensory input because the sheer amount of information creates a fear/anxiety spiral physiologically. That prevents any other information- sensory information and thus typical functional behaviors- from moving past the emotional part of brain to the neo-cortex (the part of the brain that is responsible for thinking and reasoning). Sooo their "atypical" behavior is a result of fear and the flight, fright, or fight response. That means that therapy is aimed at calming the senses so the brain can adequately process all the information coming in. Phew. I think that's how it works.

I do love my holiday reading.

This is also shedding new light on spectrum disorders and will help if/when I get some meetings with organizations that service this population. Nerd alert.

BTW, my website is up and running. My sissy did a wonderful job. She is a whiz, for sure.

This week is sort of uneventful. I have to get my oil changed. And I have a meeting with a friend of a friend who wants to talk about music therapy and starting my career. Also, some groups from High School will be performing at Christmas in the Park on Friday night. I think I'm going to go up and catch some performances. I do love the Mexican Hot Chocolate they sell there.

This weekend is rather full. Friday's meeting, possibly caroling at the VA, Christmas in the Park and Mom's office christmas party. Saturday - bridal shower for Julie's sister. Sunday- annual christmas tea/open house at my friend's house in San Jose. And Sissy comes home Monday! Yahoo!

Goodnight moon.

Meeting

Today I met with the person who is looking to hire a music therapist and observed a session. It was great fun. I observed a session at a retirement community. The clients were fabulous. They were active and singing and playing. One lady told me to take care of myself... right after she asked me if I knew what she did with her husband. Then she told me "don't feel bad if you don't know. I don't know what I did with him either." What a hoot.

The whole situation seems really positive. It isn't official and I haven't signed anything. We will continue to see what happens.

It'd be a great way to get some real life work experience and work a few hours and save up some money.

In the meantime, I'm up at Ty's and we're watching trashy daytime television. It's wonderful.

Lessons

I'm getting on the lessons train here. I'm starting up piano lessons with a kid who lives down the street. I am actually getting kind of excited about it. I got some books and materials and am thinking about the best way to get started with note names and patterns and all that.

I learned by way of M&Ms. My teacher used to put M&Ms on the keyboard for note names... and then I'd get to eat them.

Boy, that explains a lot.

Woo hoo!!

I just got off the phone with someone who is looking to hire a music therapist in the greater bay area. After discussing my resume and the type of work to be done, this person invited me to lunch and observe a session later this week. It seemed positive, although I am a little hesitant to spare all the details as I'm sort of superstitious that way.

We'll see what happens!

Christmas Cheer

My christmas party gig last night went really well! It was a ton of fun and they seemed to enjoy the music. I'd call it a success.

Anyhow, as I awoke this morning from my peaceful slumber, I heard the sound of christmas music BLARING from the living room. I guess Christmas is here in our house. Aside from the music, there is one more tell-tale sign the season has arrived here in our house: Hanging Ornaments.

Mom and Dad got an already decorated christmas tree at an auction this weekend in support of Kids Discover Arts! Its a nice tree- for a fake one. We always get a big real tree. Always.

Mom and Dad decided to assemble this thing in the dining room this year. Its a lovely addition to the decor around here. Hanging ornaments is THE official sign that christmas has arrived and that "christmas cheer" is officially in season.

And by christmas cheer-- I mean phrases like, "NO! Don't hang that one there" and "No no, you see that hole there between that green thing and the dangling thing" and "This is so stupid. Who put the lights on this thing?" and "Really? No. That looks too gawdy" or "Geez these will look great stashed around Sissy's room." Tis the most wonderful time of the year!

Happy Holiday season everyone!

Getting Connected

I had lunch with an MT in Palo Alto yesterday. It was great sit down and talk with him about his own journey and his private practice. He says he hears of a few opportunities now and then and will pass some things on to me when/if they come. Other than that, he invited me to that group of MTs in the area that get together a few times a year. I guess there is a meeting in January. We'll see how that goes. I felt pretty good about getting connected and I think that is going to be a good thing. He is getting pretty established in the area and has a few feet in the doors of some places. I spent the rest of the afternoon in Palo Alto with Ty, Nicholas and Peaches. I was lonely for all three of them. They have been out of town for three weeks and I am very happy that they are home.

Tonight I am playing a christmas party gig. I have to finish up my final preparations for that. Load everything in the car and get ready. I just don't know what I will wear.

Gotta get going. But everything here is moving forward, just putting along.

Pictures!

Here's a few snippets from our Thanksgiving

Dad's beautiful turkey.

It was sooo delicious

Mixing drinks! -------->

<----- I'm helping. Sort of.

My Sissy didn't make it home this year. Her presence was missed. That's her usual chair. We thought this would be appropriate.

That's it.

New development today on the job front. I'll post about it a little later. I don't want to talk about it too soon. :)

I was lazy and didn't make my cold call today. Oops. But I did write a cover letter for my maybe upcoming meeting. I felt productive despite chickening out on the phone call today. I did however go down and help my mom decorate the office christmas tree.

Meeting with a MT guy in private practice tomorrow for lunch. I'm looking forward to it.

Preparation

Tomorrow I am going to make my first "cold" call.

Through some other contacts I was referred to an organization in the area that provides services to people of all ages with developmental disabilities. One of their campuses even includes "creative and performing arts buildings." I am very curious about what that means exactly and if they are using those buildings in the wide array of services they provide.

So I did a little research and I decided to give them a call tomorrow and find out more. They are looking to hire another therapist (speech/language) at this time, but maybe they are interested in what music therapy can offer their clients. I'm not sure. But it can't hurt to give them a call.

That's on the docket for tomorrow.

I have another phone call to make tomorrow to a music therapist who has been in this area for a while. I have a few questions for her. I've met her a few times at conference and she remembered who I was, so it will be nice to get connected.

I also have to finish up some materials.

Friday I am meeting a different music therapist for lunch. He just launched his private practice, so I'm sure he will be an excellent resource. He's already referred me to an email list and "support" type group of MTs in the area. I guess they meet a few times a year to get together and talk about how things are going, share resources etc.

Tonight I am headed up to my high school to catch the first christmas concert. My friend's sister is singing tonight and his mother invited me up for the concert and dinner afterwards. The mother has been instrumental in passing along my resume at her school and possibly getting a meeting with one of the directors there. I'm still waiting to hear about that. Anyhow, it will be nice to catch a concert.

I am finding that this process requires a lot of patience. A lot of waiting. I did happen upon a whole new list of organizations in my search today, so I have more research (and I'm sure cold calls) to do. I'm making my list. Checking it twice. Just like Santa.

So onward patience... I wonder if I can buy that somewhere. Perhaps I'll add it to my christmas list. Right under the shuffleboard set. :)