Region Orchestra Music

We got our music for Region Orchestra a couple days ago and it all looks really fun and not too hard. Here is the 5th movement of a piece by Georges Bizet we will be playing.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DNGMoMNLRY

I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!! :D

Great news everybody!!! I made region!!! 4th chair, philharmonic orchestra! I'm so excited!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for all of the support (especially you, Ashley)! Other than that school is super busy as usual and I can't wait for Thanksgiving break. I'm playing lacrosse outside of school and our first tournament is this Saturday! If there's one thing I've learned recently it's to live with passion no matter how many times you fall. Just get back up and try again. And LOVE. Love life, love family, love time, love food, love learning, love sleep, love those that hate you, love the simple things, love new experiences, love challenges, love to laugh, love to invent, love you. And SMILE! :)

Prioritizing

Hello,
Since school started up again life has been one giant marathon with no time to catch a breath. Orchestra has been amazingly fun and incredibly hard. You know that goal to make Region? I never thought it would be this hard. There's just not enough time in a day to do everything and I'm pretty sure most people on this wonderful earth feel the same way. I believe the key to getting things done is to prioritize your life or let your life reflect your priorities. If you're like me than you may have a lot of important things in your life and not know which to put first. Imagine the person you want yourself to be 5 years from now. What are the things that you can do today that will make you that person? What is most important to you? Is it your family, your job, your love of music, your enthusiasm for being healthy and fit, your passion for helping others? When making a to-do list put those things at the top of the list. One key in accomplishing goals is that you love what you're doing, so make sure what you love is at the top of your list. "Have you ever packed a suitcase and noticed how much more you can fit inside when you neatly fold and organize your clothes instead of just throwing them in? It's really quite surprising. The same goes for your life. The better you organize yourself, the more you'll be able to pack in- more time fr family and friends, more time for school, more time for yourself, more time for your first things," (Sean Covey- The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens). A good way to do this is to own a planner. In Sean Covey's book mentioned above he talks about the effect of planning weekly. Simply take 10 to 15 minutes on a Saturday or Sunday evening to plan out your upcoming week. Make a list of your "BIG ROCKS" or those things that are most important to you or top priority. If you're having a hard time deciding what your big rocks are make a list of your different roles in life such as family, job, student, friend, newspaper editor, teacher, and then a section for yourself. Put your priorities into these categories. For example, under Friend you might write "Catherine's Birthday" and under Me you might write "Write in journal every night". Block out a specific time that you might get these things done like making a reservation. For the tasks that don't have a good time write in a place it can easily be seen. Lastly schedule your small pebbles, other little to-dos or daily tasks. Try your best to get your most important things done this week, but don't fret if things need to be moved around. The simple act of planning ahead will keep you focused on what you need to do and help you not to forget those little things as well. The only things that can't be recycled is wasted time so live life in the moment and never give up. "Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal," (Henry Ford).

THANKS!

Smiling During the Hard Times

Since school started up again, I haven't had any time to write. Each of my classes demands a lot of studying and working. Despite all of its caoticness, I really am loving school! The orchestra music we're playing is really hard and I'm not doing too well in class keeping up but I'm going to just keep working and try to practice it a little more. The music we're playing is Concertino Pastoral by John Ireland and Suite by Leos Janacek. You can listen to part of them on my blog at the Youtube browser. I got a new private lesson teacher this week and I really like him. He's a good teacher but he's not overly demanding and he lets me know what I need to fix. So, things are going great but I do need to enhance my practice efforts a little this week now that I've got my other classes under control. One thing I love about going to school taking challenging classes and living like a vampire because you're up late studying is that in the end you're really strong and other challenges seem so much easier. I've been really working on enjoying life to the fullest and focusing on what's most important. In President Monson's conference talk he said, "In the 1960's, during the Vietnam War, Church member Jay Hess, an airman, was shot down over North Vietnam. For two years his family had no idea whether he was dead or alive. His captors in Hanoi allowed him to write home but limited his message to less than 2 words. What would you and I say to our families if we were in the same situation- not having seen them for over two years and not knowing if we would ever see them again? Wanting to provide something his family could recognize as having com from him and also wanting to give them valuable cousel, Brother Hess wrote- and I quote: "These things are important: temple marriage, mission, college. Press on, set goals, write history, take pictures twice a year." In order to live life to the fullest we must do what we love to do, love everyone, smile, find joy in simple things, dance and sing, pray more often than you think you should, and help others. A simple smile can change a thought, which could lead someone to do good throughout one day, which could change the days of many other people, and a change in one day could have enough power to affect the next day and the day after that and eventually even change the lives of many and also in the end isn't your own day just a little bit better because you found a reason to smile because you served because you loved and lived each moment to the fullest?

Supposing

More

In

Life is

Excellent

Have a great day!

Whew! Glad that's over!

Okay, so the first day of school wasn't exactly what I expected. Most of my teachers seem incredibly tough. I start out the day with journalism. A good way to start out the day in my opinion. My teacher's really sweet, outgoing, and easygoing. After that I go to orchestra. The first day of school we already had to bring our instruments, but it was definately worth it. I didn't need another class of sitting listening to rules and procedures. I'm already loving chamber! There's no more lecturing, no pep talks. We just pick up our instruments and play. :) One bummer about my schedule is after that I have all four of my core classes. My teachers are all strong-willed women who aren't going to put up with anything. A little frightened by all four martinets, I was questioning whether I could survive this year when I decided I'd set a goal! I really feel that if you want anything you need to decide that you're going to work for it. You need to put it in writing so that it can never be erased or left in the dust and you need to converge all of your desires into a promise, a commitment that you will not give up until you have reached the top. I, Shannon, promise that I will not just strive to do, but I will do all in my power to make my frighteningly strict teachers look like angels. I will stay organized, be on top of things, dig a little deeper, be prepared, and heed every counsel my teachers give me. I will not survive; I will thrive! Well, I gotta get started. I have a lot of work to do! But wait! I can't stop with that. How can I know what it takes to get there if I don't place the steps?

What I'm going to do:
1) study and review each night in every subject
2) start assignments as soon as I know about them and don't procrastinate!
3) don't rush it. really think hard and dig a little deeper into the question. Think differently.
4) stay positive and be determined to learn.
5) don't stress, stay organized, trust God.

Sacrifices: sleep, time with friends, computer or tv time
Benefits: better chance of getting into BYU, high GPA, confidence, wonderful treasures of Knowlegde

Am I willing to make the sacrifice?:
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Personal Purity through Self Discipline

Today I had an amazing lesson given by my teacher that as usual seemed to be just what I needed to learn. That nerve-racking, but happy day of going back to school comes again tomorrow. I have no idea what to expect, but that it's going to be another hard year. I've got an AP class and the rest pre-AP, spanish 3, journalism, and of course orchestra. I tend to stress myself out easily and that made last year almost unbearable. I do fine in school, but it's sometimes not as good as I expected of myself... So, this year I've decided I'll work as hard as I can, but let myself have fun and when my brain is overloaded with too much to do I'm just going to breath and get it done. My only expectation: to be true to myself and remember that I am not alone. "Fear not I am with thee, oh be not dismayed for I am thy God and will still give thee aid. I will strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, upheld by my righteous omnipotent hand." I've also got an AMAZING family and wonderful friends. :) So anyways, stress can be good, but it's important to use that stress for good that you might accomplish whatever it is that is on your mind. The lesson today was on gaining Personal Purity through Self Discipline. Here's a great quote we read, "Thunderous applause filled the concert hall. One of the world's greatest violinists had just completed his final selection of the evening's program. Eagerly, a woman made her way to the stage in hopes of expressing her admiration to this great artist. Threading her way through the crowd, she finally reached him. Shaking his hand she said exuberantly, "Oh I'd give my life if I could play like that!" He promptly responded, "Madam, I have!" After reading that I knew I had to put it in my blog. :) I don't really want to give my life to playing my viola though it is a huge part of me. I do; however, desire to give my life to my God. He can offer so much more than we could ever imagine and plan for ourselves. One of my best friends has recently expressed an interest in coming to church with me. It seems like I was always thinking of someone else to share the gospel with but she was always there waiting and I believe it's because I let God provide a way. I've seen many other blessings in my life besides that one that came because I put my trust in God. I believe it is so important for man to come close to Christ. He suffered for us, it's the least we can do to involve him in our lives and give him the opportunity to make us the best we can be. And that takes self-discipline. Nobody said it was ever going to be easy. We must have the will power to choose a good choice over a bad one and a better choice over a good one. Our spirit can control our bodies! "One of the false notions of our society is that we are victims of our appetites and passions. But the truth is that the body is controlled by the spirit which inhabits it" (Terrance D. Olson). "Some become enslaved with compulsive habits or yield to appetites or to improper actions, and plead that they are helpless before their habit- that they are compelled, persuaded; that temptation was stronger than their will to resist. But we can choose... we can break bad habits; we can acquire good habits; we can choose what we think by the sheer determination to do so" (Richard L. Evans). It's not going to happen all at once, but each time you choose to improve yourself will bring you one step closer. And each time you discipline yourself you will become stronger. Satan is not able to tempt you unless you let him. "When you are overtaken in a fault, or commit an overt act unthinkingly; when you are full of evil passion, and wish to yield to it, then stop and let the spirit, which God has put into your tabernacles, take the lead. If you do that, I promise that you will overcome all evil, and obtain eternal lives" (Brigham Young). It's your choice.
Love you all! :)

FUN FUN FUN! Now back to work.

I didn't get a chance to write yesterday because I spent the night at a friends house, but there's lots to say about it! We had our second rehearsal for orchestra this summer only this one was with all four of the orchestras. There were so many new faces of incoming freshman and so many missed faces from last year. It's so great to be involved in a group where you can get to know different people and have a blast with them! I have friends in orchestra that I've been playing with since the first day I ever picked up a viola in fifth grade and I've met many new ones along the way. Yesterday we got some more music that we'll be playing all together in a couple weeks for our parents to start the new year. After the rehearsal we met at a local park for a picnic. There was food, music, talking and laughing, and my favorite, sand VOLLEYBALL! It was so great to get back to old friends and make new ones. The fun and excitement of the party was doubled when it started to pour. (FINALLY! We've had a very dry summer though there's still been plenty humidity.) I left the party uncomfortably wet and sandy, but it was definately worth it!
I was fortunately very proactive earlier in the day and managed to practice a good 30 minutes. I can really see that I'm improving and I feel more confident every day that I'll be able to make it! I even found a buddy! One of my viola friends in orchestra since sixth grade wants to letter this year, but she's a little behind so she's asked me to teach her a little. I'm busy enough as it is, but I really feel if I take the time for it not only will I hopefully get to see her succeed, but it should also test my knowledge of the music and prepare me if I ever want to teach music. I've found that after helping someone else I feel like I received more strength as well, but if you're the one struggling with a goal don't be afraid to ask for help! Even super heroes need a little assistance every once in a while! :) I came upon this really good poem about trials. I hope you like it!

The tree that never had to fight

For sun and sky and air and light,

But stood out in the open rain,

And always got its share and rain,

Never became a forest king,

but lived and died a scrubby thing.

The man that never had to toil,

To gain and farm his patch of soil,

Who never had to win his share,

Of sun and sky and light and air,

Never became a manly man,

But lived and died as he began.

Good timber does not grow in ease,

The stronger the wind, the stronger trees,

The farther sky, the greater length,

The more the storm, the more the strength,

By sun and cold, by rain and snow,

In tree and men good timbers grow.

Where thickest lies the forest growth

We find the patriarchs of both.

And they hold counsel with the stars

Whose broken branches show the scars

This is the common law of life.

Douglas Mallock

So if you're having difficulty you're lucky. If you perservere you'll be stronger in the end. Keep it up!

Wahooo!!!

Today is a day to celebrate! Well, for me at least and hopefully for you, too. I practiced a whopping hour and 15 minutes!! It was great and I really feel more confident that I can not only make region but get a high chair placement as well. :D It's such a great feeling when you know you've completed something you set out to do especially when it's hard. This is something I want all of my readers to experience more often after reading my posts. But, more important than feeling good about yourself when you're unstoppable and successful is knowing you're still a wonderful person when things don't go perfect. When we fail we actually succeed at finding a way you can't succeed and learning from our mistakes. If you feel you don't appreciate yourself enough. I challenge you to say three positive things about yourself each time you look in the mirror. YOU ARE AWESOME!!!! Our toughest critic is most often our own self which can help provide the best motivation when a challenge is before us; however, too much criticism can lead to poor self image. So save a few compliments for yourself!

Our next best motivators and truest critics our the people we surround ourself with, the people that love us and want us to succeed. A great idea when planning to accomplish a hard task is to tell someone who's opinion you value about your goal. This way another person besides yourself and God knows if you fail. Update your friend every once in a while on how you're doing with your goal. You'll hopefully get some positive feedback and also have fun bragging about yourself. :) Even better with a hard task is to find a hardworking friend you can accomplish your goal alongside. I am a cross country runner and though I love to run alone to think things through and be a part of nature, I have found that if I really want to push myself it is so much easier to do if I have someone to run with! I can't imagine our world's fastest sprinters could ever run so fast without that adrenaline stemmed from the excitement of competition. When you are alone and you just don't feel in the mood to do what you've told yourself to do think it out. Consider the drawbacks if you don't. Pay closer attention to the future than to your present desires. It takes strong will power to do something in your heart when your brain is working up excuses and rationalizations! Follow the "Nike" theme and JUST DO IT!!! You'll feel glad that you did! Overall, keep a positive attitude and don't give into moodswings. :)

Keep it up!!

Distractions are BAD!! Keep your focus! ooOoOoo SHINY!! ;)

Today, my orchestra met for rehearsal before school starts to get our first pieces. I was super nervous at first and afraid that everything was going to be so hard, but I survived and I loved it!! It was so great to be surrounded by people sincerly trying to learn the music and enjoying every moment of it. I love chamber!!! Okay, so unfortunately today was kind of a hectic day getting ready for back to school, going to rehearsal, and then going to a church activity. So, I didn't practice. I blew it!!! And only on day 3 of my new goal! The good news is I know what I need to be more careful of in the future. A good part of my day was spent doing things that were important but that could wait. So here's a hint. When you have too many tasks on that to-do list, Put first things first. I find myself constantly getting distracted from the most important things and then lose confidence in myself because I didn't get done what I promised myself I'd do. The good thing is habits can change as we set goals! "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." I'm not perfect. My weakness: distractions. My strength: the Lord. Tomorrow I will practice first thing in the morning. I've got lots of new pieces to work on, but I still need to practice region music! :)

Hello world,
Okay, so let's get busy. You've chosen your goal whatever it might be. It could be to go to the moon. That's a measureable one because you can step foot on the moon and say you've completed your goal exactly. But let's choose a more common goal, the infamous, "I want to lose weight." It's true that is measureable. That goal gives you something to reach, but most likely you're not going to be satisfied on the scale after a hard day finding yourself one pound lighter. So, let's say you decide you want to shed 15 pounds. That's a great goal! Now Step 2 is.... drum roll please... Count the Cost. You need to be sure you know what you're getting into before you start. That way you avoid setting yourself up for failure. So ask yourself, "What will it require?". Now I'm not talking about taking pills or slathering on cream. No, I'm talking good hard WORK! Try to think of atleast three things you're going to do in order to reach your goal. One: Exercise 5 day's a week. (If you're already doing this and haven't seen much result after a good 6 weeks. Analyze you're work. If you're doing weight lifting, which I suggest, you may be adding weight in muscle while you lose excess fat. In this case it takes time to see results on the scale, but you should be seeing a difference in the way your clothes fit. Otherwise, ask yourself, "Am I really putting in my best effort or am I slacking off sometimes?") Another reason you might not have seen much progress could be you haven't fit your diet to your energy level. So, let's make Two: Eat a balanced diet of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, some dairy, and meat in occasion. Make it 6 small meals a day rather than 3 large meals. This will keep your metabolism going more throughout the day whereas when you eat a large meal your metabolism slows a little in order to digest it. Try to avoid eating much sugary desserts, but allow atleast one day a week for you to do this. Also find alternatives to your favorite desserts. For example, instead of cake or icecream, try an oatmeal raisin cookie. Also remember to drink plenty of water!!! Three: Get atleast 7 hours of sleep every night (perferably 8 or 9). Getting enough sleep raises your metabolism so you burn calories faster! Okay, so now that you've decided all that you're going to need to do in order to reach your goal, think about all of the blessings you'll gain if you do complete your goal. A stronger self-esteem, a slimmer body, confidence, health, less worries. Now considering the sacrifices you'll have to make and the benefits receive in the end if you follow through, determine whether you're willing to make the sacrifice. You must be dedicated because if you start and quit you'll only feel worse about yourself in the end. And now with all of this said and done you can't start yet until you PUT IT IN PEN! Someone smart once said, "A goal not written is only a wish." If you want it to happen write down your goal, what you're going to do, the sacrifices, the blessings, and sign the bottom when you are sure you can accomplish it.

What I must do
One: practice an hour and a half every day of concentrated effort... no laziness!
Two: save up money for Region Clinic and get up early on Saturday to attend
Three: go to private lessons every week to get help from my teacher
Four: Trust the Lord and take time to get to know him. He will give me the strength and the knowledge I need to improve myself.
My sacrifices
time with friends after school and on the weekend, time on the computer, watching tv, or other leisure activities, Sleep!

Blessings
A HUGE confidence build in my playing ability, an opportunity to become a better musician by playing with the region orchestra, one HUGE step closer to getting my letterman jacket!!!!

Am I willing to make the sacrifice?
OOOHHHHHHH!!!! YEAH! - Shannon

Well, what are you waiting for? Get started! Good luck! :D