What have I been up to?

Good thing you asked...

For 3 days a week I have been attending USM in Gorham in the mornings in pursuit of a degree in Music Education. Yes, I have been teaching for quite a while-- it is time to have the proof that I know what I do. These past few weeks have been an adjustment to the schedule and how it is affecting my family with daycare and general house upkeep-- we are all making it work. The goal is to fulfill the quota in this program in order to continue on to my masters. I have wanted to return to school for a long time-- it feels good to be back.

Of course there is the cost. I am trying to manage the payments while deferring the loan I have been paying for the past 7 years. I have not seen any financial aid yet or heard back from a potential scholarship. Could this website help? I hope I can continue to go-- it will all be written of on my taxes at least.

Rehearsals have continued. I have missed orchestra rehearsals with both Bates and ASO-- I can't make it and reschedule students if there is no spot to put them. USM has its own groups that I "must" join, but for now I have a busy schedule and cannot miss work that pays for the classes. What happened to the past 3 years of dedicated orchestra and chamber music? Can I get credit for that?

MaineStream has a gig tomorrow and then an average of around 2 each month. There is my tuition money (partially).

As for the books...two words. Amazon and the library. An old edition about the history of great composers is just as good as the updated, more pictures version. I saved over $300 this week alone!

Thank you