My Good Ideas

I come up with at least 3 great ideas every day.

Only now (well, yesterday) have I decided to start keeping track of them in my "Good Idea Journal." That in itself, I would say, is a great idea.

Idea No. 1: appreciate the things I have already accomplished.

Today is my birthday and I can't help think about the things I have accomplished as a young professional in my short 24 years and the journey I have yet to travel. I have a lot of things I want to accomplish (at least 3 ideas for different books, workshops, presentations, and curriculum.... just sayin'), but it is nice to take a step back and appreciate the things I have done. I spend a lot of time in my head... its a nice use of my time to appreciate myself. I've completed an internship, passed a board exam, moved home, increased my musicianship and my clinical musicianship, read new books and tried a bunch of new things. Pretty good.

Its nice to be able to take a step back after going and going and going for 5 years to obtain my degree and certification. The slower pace of building relationships and getting a little bit of experience has been a (mostly) welcomed change.

June brings more meetings, more sessions and a wedding. I am hoping to have more to report about the school I've been working with. I will know more after another meeting in a couple of weeks. But for now, I am going to enjoy my accomplishments and growth and my birthday cake.

Nordoff-Robbins

Just found this video on YouTube. It's worth a look!

FIND IT HERE

The Blogging World

There are a few different music therapy blogs out in the blogosphere these days. Some MTs are really trying to grab ahold of the information age and use it to their advantage- for informing public, for marketing and for advocacy.

I often stop and think about how my blog compares to the other ones out there.

I think I try to give snap shots of the things happening in my life. This blog has not taken a turn into advocacy at this time.. not to say that it won't transform over time. There are plenty of other music therapy blogs aimed at providing resources and technical information and others aimed at painting more personal pictures.

One that I stumbled upon while I was looking up other MT blog was The Mindful Music Therapist. <http://mindfulmusictherapist.blogspot.com/

I had the pleasure of sitting in on a presentation by Roia and it was amazing. I enjoyed her perspective and her ability to be completely candid. Her presentation was on taboo topics in MT- it was wonderfully uncomfortable and I learned a lot.

http://musictherapyresearchblog.com

This highlights some of the research happening right now and incorporates podcasts. I think that's pretty cool.

http://nordoff-robbinsmusictherapy.blogspot.com/

here's a blogger at the Nordoff Robbins clinic that I just found after a quick search.

There are tons of other sites out there including ones by former classmates now colleagues (http://brianna-lifesasymphonyplayyourpart.blogspot.com) and other popular figures in MT at the moment.

Kat Fulton's http://www.rhythmforgood.com/ always has something interesting on it.

If you have a quick second, its kind of fun to see what else is out there. MT is a broad field with many models and ways of doing things. Its nice to be reminded that it takes all kinds and that the number of online resources is certainly growing.

Its been fun, but now we're done

I used that as a transition song today during sessions. It seemed to work. The kids were super cute and into the music.... well as into it as you could be when there's a random stranger in the movement room with a guitar. They were precious. My little experiences worked well and I left a session plan with the director of the preschool to give her an idea of what the experiences were addressing.

I think it went well. I got some nice responses and they did well with the experiences in terms of my "expectations" or "playing rules." We'll see. As Julie pointed out, there's not much you can do about an audition. You can't change anything about it after it happens and you just do your best to prepare for it. Then you have to let it go. Soooo they will decide if they want that type of programming at their school.

Side note--- the director of the preschool was apart of my sister's high school graduating class. random.

On my way home it started to rain which is a perfect excuse to change into my sweats and pack up my stuff from Peaches' house. That's where I'm at. I feel relieved that the session is done and that they have to decide. And I'm excited to be back at home. Between my LA trip and Peaches sitting, I haven't been home since last Monday and I'm looking forward to having a couple of days of down time before another work day and my birthday. THen after my birthday, I'm off to Utah for a music therapy meeting type thing.... so I guess things don't show much sign of slowing down, but at least I love what I'm doing and what I have planned. That's the important thing.

Wednesday

My sessions are this morning!!!

I'm feeling a little nervous because I've never met any of the kids and I'm not sure how everything is going to go. I guess I'm not nervous because I doubt my ability to do a session, must nervous that there are a lot of unknowns going into it. But I think they will understand that right? I hope. I have my session plan and I've practiced some of the music and the way I'm going to try and give directions. Its going to be interesting. I either have TOO much planned or not enough. I guess I will find out.

I'll update afterwards.... well after I clean up my stuff and pack my bags (Peaches' parents come home this afternoon).

My sissy comes home for a visit on Friday! I'm very excited.

Okay. Time to look over my plan again and be zen about the whole thing.

Tuesday

Tuesday comes between Monday and Wednesday.

Monday I had a couple of sessions and I have a story.

Music Therapy Story of the Week:

I was doing a drumming group at a day program for older adults. I have clients as old as 97 in that group. In fact one of my 97 year old clients was singing harmony with me on a few songs. Anyhow, We were singing an old classic- a song that everybody knows when this other woman started making up her own verses. They were great. The fit in the structure of the song and she just kept singing them out. I changed the music a little bit to just a simple improvised chant about playing together and this woman started speaking rhythmically..... well.... rapping. She was rapping about being kind to each other, taking care of one another and that "everything will be alright." So I took some of what she was saying and put it into the chant. It was a real organic type of thing. But her rapping was amazing and the content was brilliant-- universal but also related to the previous song. Shoot. I love those moments.

Now Wednesday I am doing a session at a preschool. Its the preschool thats connected with the school I've been talking to since January. I'm doing two sessions tomorrow morning- one for each class. They are trying to figure out if MT is something they want to add into their preschool program. So the purpose is to show them that they do. :) They may not know that they want it and I have to show them that they absolutely do. Soooo I have to make sure I know what I'm doing for tomorrow. I don't think I'll feel confident about it until I actually get in there or figure out what kind of music I'm doing to do. My plan right now looks pretty good, I just need to go over it. I think I may bring copies of it to show the director--- my plans are organized by experiences (greeting, instrumental improv etc) and underneath each experience I have goals, objectives, and rationales listed. It's pretty genius if I do say so myself. Most of that is for me. I like to be clear on what I'm working towards and WHY. In case someone asks, I can straight up tell them what I was going for and if it worked or not. :)

Alright. It's also Tortilla soup Tuesday, so I'm headed down to Gilroy (I've been dogsitting my bulldogter, Peaches) for lunch and to pick up an outfit or something for tomorrow.

That be all folks. Send me happy thoughts tomorrow morning!

A Chewed up Flip Flop

I arrived at Peaches' house for a girls weekend and what did I find?

A chewed up flip flop. As you can see here, It doesn't look much like a flip flop anymore. What you can't see here are the little bits of foam and strap that were scattered all over the floor. Oops.

I felt for this flip flop. This flip flop and I are sort of kindred spirits. For just a few days ago, I felt a little like this flip flop-- sort of ragged round the edges with little pieces of my self floating around in odd places. With work, the school stuff and playing back to back shows, I hadn't a whole lot of time to put all my pieces back together. And in my recuperation time, I often worried about other things which makes recuperation time less recuper....ative.... restorative? It made me more tired. A while ago I had planned to visit friends in southern california and I decided that this trip came at the perfect time.

I got to hang with music therapy friends, observe sessions, talk shop, and babysit my friend Paolo. He's the cutest. And smartest. I got to have dinner with one of my mentors which turned out to be extremely therapeutic. I got to go out with my boys (the bassist and guitarist from the Band that I was in at the regional Conference) after observing some sessions. We ended up at this wonderful pizza place for pizza and beer. AND to make things better, it turned out to be karaoke night at this place. My friend D and I brought the house down with Up Where We Belong. It was classic. I left this morning feeling more like myself and very happy. this was just the little trip that I needed and I am thankful to have the flexibility and opportunity to take a little trip in the middle of the week.

This weekend I am hanging with Peach while I prep to do a demonstration session at the school I've been working with- I am looking forward to that. I've got my books to read and a white bulldog to keep me company. AND for dinner tonight I will be enjoying fresh greens (lettuce and spinach) from my garden. yum. I am back in action.

I have made it through the Garden

I finished my run of Secret Garden last night and it was a great show. I'm sort of sad to see it go- now that I finally got comfortable with it but it was a good experience. I feel like a better player for it.

Speaking of playing, I will be playing at the Gilroy Wine Stroll this afternoon. Hope to see you all there.

Now that my shows are done-- at least for the next two months (we'll see)--- its back to music therapy full time. I really enjoy and love being involved in shows and the money isn't bad. But its nice to return to my real thing.

I do my Sunday rounds tomorrow and then I'm off to LA on Tuesday to see some music therapy friends, observe a few sessions (hopefully) and kibbitz. I'm looking forward to it- then back right away for another few days with Peaches. ..... so I guess I'm just as busy. Oh well. Thankfully my friends all live a little north of LA, so its not like driving to Orange (where I have to go through LA). It makes the trip much shorter.

I have to get up a moving. I'm definitely going to need my coffee before even thinking about what the heck I will play for the wine stroll. I haven't had much energy in between shows and being sick to prepare for it. That always makes things interesting. :) We'll see what happens.

Feeling Better

It has been a week and I am finally feeling better.... for a couple of reasons.

1. I am feeling healthier. Most of my symptoms are gone. Although my blood pressure is up and my agita is flaring watching the Sharks game. I was flattened out for a whole week with whatever it was.

2. The Secret Garden is going well. Not as stressful as I thought it would be- even the school shows... although I was spoiled because the other keyboardist (with whom I'm splitting the run) came to play the school show for funsies. It was wonderful to have another keyboard there to even things out and create a bigger sound. It worked so well that I think (and HOPING) the musical director is going to try and get another keyboard for the rest of the school shows. please please pretty please. Keep your fingers crossed for that.

Things are moving a head for me. I'm scheduling a demonstration/pro-bono music therapy session at the preschool for the school I've been talking to and working on moving forward after submitting my references to the assistant executive director of the school. I have a few more secret garden shows and the Gilroy Wine Stroll on Saturday. Then I'm off to LA to see friends and observe a therapist or two in action. I am really looking forward to that. Plus I'll get to see my special little buddy, Paolo--- Casey's son. He'll be 1 in July. He's adorable and very advanced... must get that from his aunt lauren. ;) I told Casey I'd be up for babysitting for an afternoon or something and I'm looking forward to that.

In other news, I feel intensely proud of my friends. my best friend just did a cabaret show in ny which resulted in this youtube video I think she's pretty fierce. go team.

System on the mend

I think I've been feverish all day without really knowing it. I couldn't find a thermometer around here. I was really cold. Then I was really hot. then cold again. then hot. Anyhow, I ordered in - which was delicious- and then slept for a little bit. When I awoke, I invited peaches for some nighttime-cuddles and a movie and after that... I started feeling A LOT better. My body temp feels like its regulated and back to normal and I'm less achy. I have a little bit more pep in my step. Thank Goodness for my Bulldog Nurse Maid.

Florence Peach-engale

She is very attentive, obviously.... you know between naps and things... as long as I don't bug her. ;)

System Failure

Holy cow. I am wiped out. I guess with the down time today, my body had time to catch up... except that I caught up with some nasty bug thing or something--- scratchy and closed throat, very little voice and this afternoon added cold. I refuse to call them chills. I've done nothing today but read, watch movies and catch up on my news and emails from the past week. But man, do I feel pretty bad. I haven't even practiced yet. Yikes. Maybe I will feel up to it after dinner tonight. I'm ordering in- spaghetti and meatballs and soup. I'm quite excited about it.

That's it.

I have my work dates for the month of may- but I am also making a trip down south to see friends and observe some fellow therapists.

Also this week: Happy Birthdays Mom and Dad. xo.

I have returned...

from inner space.

Yes, the run of Starmites has concluded. The lines from the finale of the show say it all, "it wasn't a dream; no it wasn't a dream. it was magic, but it wasn't a dream." There some wonderful memories and moments from this very long weekend. Every time I do a show, I feel lucky to have been able to be apart of the whole process.

here's a picture of my home for the past week. my little music stand and my light and to the right of the conductor. That pit is dusty and dry. Whenever I play I go through a tube of chapstick because my lips (especially- for some reason) get really dry. Not that you needed to know that.

The show was great fun. But, I am also exhausted in every way. My body hurts from sitting in a pit all week long, my muscles are tight, fingertips and wrists a little achy and my brain is just about ready to shut off for a couple of days --- you know before the next thing. But it was all worth it.... Worth it for the kids and feeling their sense of accomplishment after nailing the show and bringing down the house and worth it for building relationships with the other musicians in the pit. If you could really see what we do down there between scenes--- well, you'd figure out why they put the musicians below the stage. :) We're a little rowdy. AND after seeing/hearing the show so many times, we also develop our own lines, choreography and rituals.

Also, as you can see, musicians can get injured on the job. ;) I was running something with the cast this afternoon

and I looked down and I was bleeding. Epic, right? Its actually just a small cut. I guess I was really into the moment. I'm not quite sure how it actually happened. :) I suppose that's how I go about all of my business- go big or go home. I leave a little bit of my passion, and heart, and spirit behind---- but I think in this case, the kids in the show do too. AND they can feel when you do that- when you put in the extra effort for them.

I love working with the kids and supporting them in that way. At this age, 8-14 years old, they are in it for the fun. Some of the older kids from the next production came to the show this weekend and sang a song from their show during intermission. It actually made me kind of mad. I didn't think it was appropriate promotion of their show. Coming to show should be about supporting the kids in it, rather than plugging your own thing-- in my opinion. I didn't appreciate that. And they were a little obnoxious and telling me they were excited for me .. "We're so excited for you guys"....... like we should be excited to play for you? or excited to play the score? (which in some cases is more of a pain than exciting) It rubbed me the wrong way.

I'll stick to the younger kids. With that said, I have a couple of days off before filling in for some shows for the older kids. I'll be playing in the pit for The Secret Garden for a couple of shows the next two weekends.

But now- I am exhausted and will not be playing any piano tonight... maybe not until tomorrow night. I do need to practice for The Secret Garden. I will be flying solo (the only keyboard) for the school shows and this is one of the hardest (if not THE hardest) score I have ever played. I want to feel prepared. But there's only so much I can do and practicing now would just be stupid. :)

So I will be stretching everything out, heating up my rice bag and crawling into bed.

Thanks for being patient in-between blog posts!