Royal Wedding Bliss

Today was the Royal Wedding and I caught the very end of it...so here I am watching the re-run on TLC.  Kate's dress was absolutely gorgeous, Prince William's reaction of her was amazing...it makes me think of what my wedding will be like when I find the right guy.  It definitely makes me dream more and more.

Anyway...today was a gorgeous weather day!  The 8th graders had their dance tonight and I had a girls night of relaxing and hanging out for my birthday :-)  These girls definitely help living out here worthwhile :-)  They are some of the best girls around and all we can do is laugh when we're together.

Here are my top 5 for the day:
1. Gorgeous weather all day :-)
2. Girl night with 5 wonderful girls :-)
3. Seeing the Royal Wedding
4. Still getting sung to at school for my birthday
5. Seeing excitement in my students who are in the Honor Choir for their rehearsal tomorrow :)

Twenty four voices, With twenty four hearts, With all of my symphonies, In twenty four parts.

I had an amazing birthday.  Between student and co-worker cards and gifts to a tornado warning and singing "Happy Birthday" to me about 6-8 times...I am just wiped!  This is going to be a very busy weekend but a great one none the less!

My top 5 for the day:
1. Dinner with my parents and grandmother for my birthday dinner.
2. Movie night at youth group with homemade cupcakes and peanut butter thing from youth group girls :)
3. Gifts and cards from students and co-workers and friends (especially a homemade sign for my desk) :)
4. Being safe in the tornado warning
5. Constant singing of "Happy Birthday" all day :)

You are stronger, sin is broken You have saved me...

Well...one day to the big 2-4.  It was so hot today and very humid.  I was really sweating by 8:30 in the gym for chorus and we were barely moving.  On the bright side...my friend Charlie came to visit because he has an interview in a neighboring town.  We went up to Ridgewood and went to The Office for dinner and Ben and Jerry's for dessert.  It was a great way to end the day.  It's off to bed so I can function tomorrow :-)

My top 5 for the day:
1. Mentor meetings :-)
2. Recording for the drama camp this summer :-)
3. Walk through Ridgewood on a gorgous evening :)
4. Students yelling "Happy Birthday" to me as I left school from the playground...only a day early.
5. Sleeping with the windows open :)

I lift my hands to believe again You are my refuge, You are my strength

The new Chris Tomlin song, "I lift my hands" has been playing on my computer all day.  It truly can hit home.  The weather was absolutely gorgeous today and I couldn't have asked for a better day to be a traveling teacher.  I would give this day 2 thumbs way up :)

Top 5 for the day:
1. Warm weather and driving with the windows down.
2. Zumba with more friends and co-workers to keep it going another 6 weeks :)
3. Cleaning the apartment because of a visitor tomorrow :)
4. Notes from a student :)
5. Mainly decent songs on "Glee"

It is written, Christ is risen, Jesus You are Lord of All

Overall this has been a really good day.  I've been in a great mood, great weather, and even worked out a little bit today.  Just a few more days and it's my birthday with great friends and a great weekend ahead :)

My top 5 for the day:
1. Talking to a great college friend :)
2. Running/walking in the gorgeous weather!
3. Students writing all over my board!
4. Feeling positive all day!
5. Relaxing night of no school work :)

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling over death by death, come awake, come awake, Come and rise up from the grave!

Happy Easter everyone!  Overall this was a pretty good Easter!  Being able to sit with my parents as opposed to sitting alone in church was definitely a plus and having gorgeous warm weather was a huge plus.  It's always wonderful to spend time with family (even though we were missing one).  The drive home was miserable though because it was raining and traffic was horrendous on Route 80 East.  It didn't help that I had a headache from the constant weather change.  Well...it's back to another week at school, and this week looks promising since I have a great friend coming to visit and a weekend jam-packed of fun things.  I'm also starting my daily 30 minutes of aerobic exercise tomorrow (as long as the weather holds)  :-)

Top 5 things from the day:
1. Skyping with Mark down in Franklin, TN :)
2. Early birthday presents from family and coming home to a birthday present :)
3. Warm weather to celebrate Christ overcoming death for us.
4. Dinner and talks with family
5. One-on-one talks with my mom <3

The enemy has been defeated, death couldn't hold Him down!

Today was such a rainy day...and yet my umbrella was left at my parents house...go figure hah.  After putting up my Christmas present from Ellen on my wall (yes a few months late hah), my day got started.  I had a chance to spend some time with Mom and travel all over Northern New Jersey today.  Overall this has been a pretty good day especially since my laundry is almost done, and my lessons are pretty much done for the week.  Today was a great day to curl up on the couch with the puppy also :-)  My brother recommended a new band called "Needmore" and I must say I really like their sound.  Check them out!

My top 5 for the day:
1. Getting my laundry done!
2. E-mails from students just to say hi :-)
3. Home cooked meals :-)
4. Watching "Friday Night Lights" with the family :-)
5. Feeling better about life :-)

Ellen's Christmas present to me...I finally have every wall with something on it :-)

And by His wounds, by His wounds we are healed

Good Friday everyone!!!  I started out thinking today that it's interesting to see that a lot of people are out and buying things on the day that our Savior gave up his life so that we may live.  I just find it interesting.  I'm looking forward to spending the night with my mom up at my apartment after we stop at Emergence for their Good Friday service.  It'll be nice to experience a different church besides our own and she can see where I go when I don't go to Mendham :-)

My top 5 for the day:
1. Getting some necessities for Jen's wedding :-)
2. Being woken up by a loving puppy
3. Good Friday service at Emergence with Mom
4. Spending a day with Mom
5. It may be Friday..but Sunday's coming!

And I fall down on my knees, 'cuz I know your love will capture me

My brother's song he wrote a few years ago is stuck in my head all night.  Especially this line, "And I don't know why you came into my life, I don't know why"...a lot of things happening lately and I don't know why.  It was an interesting day since the kids were DEFINITELY ready for their 3 day weekend.  This is a great night to just relax with the parents :-)  I'm looking forward to have a couple days off!

My top 5 for the night:
1. A night of reflection, discussion, and experience on the last days of Jesus at Youth Group.
2. Mentor meeting :-)
3. Discussion/relaxation with a co-worker/friend towards the end of the day.
4. Kindergarten pictures I got due to music fun day!
5. Being home and relaxing with my parents :-)

God blessed the broken road...that lead me straight to you....

I'm currently watching "Hannah Montana: The Movie".  Don't judge :-)  I'm a Disney girl and always have been and always will be.  I am currently enjoying this movie and loved that Rascal Flatts was on and did an acoustic version of "Bless the Broken Road".  Love them and that song.  I'm really looking forward to tomorrow and being able to be home with my mom and dad for the first time in a few weeks.  Well...

Here are my top 5 for the day:
1. Warm weather
2. Finding out great news about a friend and his potential job
3. Coming in from choir to find notes written all over my board
4. Visit after school with some middle school students while on bus duty to hear all about their field trip!
5. Knowing next week is going to be a great week due to a visit from a friend, my birthday, and a lovely birthday celebration with some of the girls :-)

Some really awesome 7th and 8th graders

This girl has to make sure she compliments the band director also hah!

'Cuz baby your a Firework...go and let your colors burst

With the exception of some really awesome friends that I have hear...Zumba definitely helps make the week go by faster.  I wasn't really looking forward to it today, but once I got there it felt great.  I enjoy being around those women and not feeling self-concious.  It gives me a nice break to focus on myself for an hour.  The best part is that I can come home and just relax and refocus myself.  I think as long as I keep up with this whole "do a physical activity a week" with EC Community School, I'll be able to keep myself focused.  Well...Glee is finally back on..and I'm interested to see where this goes....

My top 5 for the day:
1. Zumba of course :)
2. Excitement from the 5th graders due to John Williams songs.
3. 2 days left of school for the week.
4. Some awesome girls to hang out with next weekend for my birthday :)
5. Letters from students :)

And we'll be....a dream

Starting to feel better is always a highlight of the day.  Today was the day I had to break the news to to the choir about pulling their favorite song, but the song we're replacing it with I think they will start to like a lot.  I'm so glad this is a 4 day week.  I can't wait to go home and see the family and the puppy.  I also can't wait for next weekend which is the day after my birthday :-)  Some really awesome friend is planning a girls night with some of the other girls at her place for the night :-)  This is just going to be a great birthday next week!  Well...I have some work for school I need to do, so...

Here are my top 5:
1. My daily weekday note from a student :-)
2. Seeing what the proof of the t-shirts for Six Flags will look like.
3. Lunch and after school talks with a great friend.
4. Having wonderful, supportive co-workers/friends.
5. Grocery shopping in under a half hour :)

My 6th grade sopranos are awesome :)

How many times will it take for me to get it right?

Yes...the song "Get it Right" by Glee (an original) is my song for the day.  It's been a pretty relaxing day.  I know it's early to be posting, but I have no plans for the rest of the night so I just want to write.  I never know exactly what to write here...but whatever I'm writing is getting the job done.  I'm looking forward to this 4 day week...with Easter at the end.  I love Easter.  It's a great day that we celebrate the one who gave his life for us and rose again 3 days later.  I also enjoy being with family, no matter how crazy it may get.  I love my family and this year will be a little weird since Mark will not be joining us.  I was hoping to go down there for the weekend and spend time with him and my parents, but we couldn't get cheap enough flights.  Oh well, there's always Memorial Day hah.  Oh, and I'm feeling much better today!  Anyway...

My top 5 for the day:
1. Clean sheets and towels after being sick :)
2. Making a home cooked dinner and planning on lots of leftovers for the week.
3. Only have to plan for 4 days.
4. Texting with friends...and a possible phone call later :)
5. Relaxing through the day and knowing this is going to be a better week than last week.

Rain down...all around the world we're singing Rain down

This has been a wonderful Saturday.  Since I am still sick, I spent the whole day in bed.  Relaxed a lot and even had a visitor come and keep me company :)  Overall, I'd say it was a great day because it's pouring outside and has been most of the day and I didn't have to go out in the rain.

Top 5:
1. Sleeping in :)
2. Starting to feel better by dinner time.
3. A visitor to keep me company and watch a movie to help me feel better :)
4. Reading for fun.
5. Hearing that friends are ok after a tornado hits 300 ft. from the house.

Holy God, You're bigger than me

It is finally Friday and this cold is just getting worse and I'm so grateful to have a weekend to hopefully sleep it away.  I'm looking forward to seeing my best friend from high school tomorrow...it's been too long since I last saw her.  It's been a long day...and a very emotional one at that.

Top 5 things from today:
1. Surprise visit from some students for the 5 minutes snack period today.
2. Laughs with co-workers at CPR review after school.
3. Getting daily letters from a student :)
4. Seeing the 3rd graders play on the djembe drums and their excitement with the guest speakers :)
5. Talks with some co-workers and friends :)

There is a God who loves me...

This cold just keeps getting worse.  Overall though, I try my best to not let it get the best of me.  I can't let a cold get to me especially because I have high energy students who need me.  Today was a good day overall.  Students and students at youth group really make my day.  I don't know how to explain it, but they just know how to make me laugh.

My top 5 for the day:
1. Meaningful talks at youth group.
2. Beautiful weather with sunshine and warmth.
3. Going to support a friend, student and their family in their time of need.
4. Hanging out with some youth group girls before youth group.
5. Dinner at the diner with my mom.

When You move I move...I will follow You

Needless to say...today has been a very rough day emotionally for me.  Things don't always go as planned (in my case..a lot of things don't usually go as planned).  But when things surprise you and they always do...it makes receiving the surprise that much better.  With all this rain..I'm surprised I don't have "Rain Down" stuck in my head yet.  Well, I have a night of working on 5th and 6th grade lessons and stuffing some Friday Folders to give to the homeroom teachers...

Here are my top 5 for the day:
1. Receiving a card from one student and an awesome picture from another student :)
2. Having a supportive mentor/friend and my mother when hard times come :)
3. Chats with various friends and co-workers :)
4. A random phone call from a friend to check up and make me laugh :)
5. Listening to Eric Whitacre music <3

Notes from my students to make sure I was feeling better :)

Lord I give You my heart, I give You my soul, I live for You alone.

When you are sick, you just have no energy to think of songs.  This is the first song that popped into my head after I was reading a fellow blogger's blog.  So much is going on and I feel like I can't catch up.  I can't focus on my 5th and 6th grade lessons because of the 8th grade projects, and I can't stop focusing on the 8th grade projects because grades are due Wednesday.  My throat is feeling much better tonight, but now my sinuses are awful.  You can even see it in my eyes...I'm just wiped.  My nose is stuffy, there is so much pressure in my head.  The advil hasn't kicked in and I know I should have just taken the Nyquil and gone to bed.  I'm thinking of going to bed soon and just lay in bed with my eyes closed and hope the pressure dies down.  On the bright side, I do have 5 positive things:

My top 5:
1. Decent 1st grade classes for the 2nd day in a row!
2. Skittles from a special student to make my day :)
3. Meeting after school for the drama camp this summer and getting the script to look at :)
4. Meeting about the 6 Flags trip with my fellow co-workers :)
5. E-mail from a friend in France about her coming to NJ in a month :-)

And Now I Fall, Fall On Your Grace, I'm Coming Home

What gorgeous weather we had today.  It was bright, sunny, warm, and I could drive with the windows again.  I had an overall great day today (minus the whole...me feeling sick starting around 5 o'clock tonight).  It was my first day with the 5th and 6th graders for the quarter and it's going to be a really quick quarter.  That means...summer is right around the corner :)  I am so excited and ready for summer.

Here are my top 5 for the day:
1. Phone conversation with my best.
2. Having stupendous 1st grade classes.
3. Warm weather.
4. Going into school with a surprise from some students :)
5. Getting some grades done :)

My surprise from my 6th grade students

Sweet redemption song, You took my shame, took all my wrongs...

This has been a very moving, emotional, and perfect timing weekend.  The quarter ended Friday so I start a brand new (and last) quarter with my students.  I was away on a retreat to Lake Champion in Glen Spey, NY with the Junior High students from youth group.  It was a great weekend, not only to watch the students reconnect with God (and some for the first time feeling God's presence in their life) but also for me to reconnect and refocus my life.  I have realized I have set some priorities a little too high and should really focus on God's call for my life and spend more time with Him.  I've been placing my job and my life before Him.  He has a great mission for my life and I am eager to hear where I need to be going.  For now, I know that my mission is to be a music teacher and influence students in a positive way.  I know that right now I am at Eastern Christian for a reason and I am beginning to understand that I am not only at EC for the students, but also for myself.  This school has really changed who I am, shown me where my heart longs to be, and opened my eyes to this temporary home that I am living in.

These weekend retreats always go by way too fast and always leave lasting impressions on my life.  Wether I remember the retreat and how I felt in 2 months will be a different story.  I am starting anew.  I am starting a new life and putting God first and seeing where He leads me.  I am very excited about this and am excited to see how all the students continue on His mission for their life.

Top 5 things from the weekend at Lake Champion:
1. Car rides with some pretty awesome 6th graders (singing, hearing stories, jokes).
2. Seeing 2 students of mine at LC with their church.
3. "Project Experience" and understanding the broken world we live in.
4. Club sessions and students feeling the presence of God for the first time (the room was filled with his presence and you could feel it).
5. Hearing students stories from the weekend and how God has impacted them in a day.

MHCC "Ignite" Grade 6-8 2010-2011

As white as the snow, make me pure...

Well today has been quite a long day.  First I couldn't shower due to my bathroom being fixed so I had to wait until after school to shower at the church.  I was still running late even though I had more time AND was going to the elementary school.  Overall, teaching wasn't too bad especially because the 7th graders had their "Compassion Day" and over half of them were 'mute' for the day and couldn't talk.  It was funny to see how all the 7th grade students managed throughout my test because I told them they had to take the test with their disability.  I think it really helped bring the disabilities to life for them.  Youth group was fun because it was small group night and had a chance to hang out with my girls.  Tomorrow's Lake Champion for the weekend with the Junior High and I'm very excited to spend some time with them.  They make me laugh :)  Well, I must head to pack for tomorrow so I can get out of here on time tomorrow and get some sleep before a sleepless weekend :)

My top 5 for the day:
1. Dinner with my parents.
2. A shower :)
3. Bonding with my small group over "Apples to Apples"
4. Seeing the last of the 8th grade projects present :)
5. Having wonderful 2nd grade classes today :)

You are my Hope, You are my Strength, You're everything I need

It was such a gorgeous day outside today and now it started to rain again.  I'm glad that I'm in for the night and am going to start watching "August Rush" in a bit for two classes on Friday.  Two days away from the end of the quarter and I am really nervous that my 8th grade projects will not be turned in on time.  I'm missing A LOT of projects from the last 2 classes.  Maybe tomorrow's class will surprise me.  My fourth graders surprised me and almost all of them tested and passed their white belts.  The topping to my day though was finding out that they are in the process of fixing my bathroom, so which means I am not allowed to shower for 2 days.  Seriously??  Good think they have a shower at my church so I can shower tomorrow afternoon....uggg.  The one plus is that I didn't work out today so i didn't have to worry about taking a shower somewhere.

Here are my top 5 for the day:
1. Staying on top of my 7th grade grading.
2. Coming in from hallway duty to find notes on my board.
3. Last day with my 7th and 8th grade Gold groups (Smile! Jesus Loves You...was the 7th grade motto)
4. Funny notes to me in the 7th grade open ended questions.
5. Mentor meeting :)

Can you hear the Sound of Melodies rising up to You God

If you haven't noticed yet, I try my best to use song lyrics as my titles.  I must say the weather wasn't great today (a lot of rain until the end of the school day) but overall not a terrible day.  My 8th graders presented their final projects about an artist of their choice and answered questions based on the artist's life, their personal music life, and both their faith and the artist's faith.  It's my favorite project to grade because their personalities really come through in these projects.  My 4th graders are really doing a great job at playing recorder and are really surprising me.

Well, here are my top 5 things today:
1. The warm weather we had at 7 o'clock this morning :)
2. Zumba of course makes me feel great!
3. 8th grade final projects and where NO ONE WAS LATE TO CLASS!
4. Reading a student's blog over and over because it made my night last night and keeps me in a good mood!
5. E-mails from students :)

Here am I all of Me

The song "Take My Life (And Let it Be)" by Chris Tomlin was the last song playing in my car before I got home...and it really hits home.  I am working hard at trying to do this and say "Here I am Lord, it's all for you".  Some days are easier than others and I think every day God wants me to learn something.  I never know what it is, but as I sit here and reflect on the day I can find things I have learned.  Patience and trust are the two major things I am learning the past few weeks.  I know God has big plans for my life and I just need to wait and see what he has in store.  Overall this has been a pretty decent day and my students always make me laugh.  There were some pretty good quotes today!

My top 5 of the day:
1. A third grade student so concerned about me getting married that he talked to God in the middle of class and decided to tell me "Miss Siegel, I just spoke to God and he likes to speak to me in my mind and he doesn't lie. He says you are going to get married next year!"
2. The weather warming up (Spring is in the air)
3. Relaxing Monday night
4. Sectionals and solo auditions with my choir kids
5. Helping a student in her time of need

This is why I love my students...they make sure I know what day it is and who wrote on my board :)

So Heaven meets Earth like an unforseen kiss

I hate how weekends go by way too fast.  The nice part was that I got all my school work done yesterday so I could enjoy today and not worry about having to get work done.   Going to Mendham and not seeing my brother lead worship was a little weird, but overall was fun especially since I got to see some babies I haven't seen in awhile and some friends I haven't spent time with.  This week will (hopefully) go by quickly since the Junior High Lake Champion Retreat is at the end of it :)  The one sad part of this week is that it will be the last time I teach the 8th grade students.  The quarter ends Friday and that means both 7th and 8th grade students will be done with music for the year (8th grade is done with music forever unless they continue in band/chorus/orchestra in high school).  It's sort of bittersweet because I love my kids.

Well here are my top 5 things today:
1. Wearing a cute outfit to church
2. Spending some time catching up with a friend
3. Helping and watching the youth band rehearse
4. Holding a little baby :)
5. Having a relaxing night :)

I hear Your voice and this is my Awakening

"Awakening" by Chris Tomlin has been playing on my computer all day, along with a few others like: "Your Love Never Fails", "How He Loves", and "With Everything".  God truly provides and answers prayers.  He doesn't always answer prayer exactly how we want it to, but he still answers.  I met my new landlord today and he isn't raising my rent :)  This is a huge answer to prayer because I won't have to move and I feel very comfortable with him.  He was very interested in the apartment and making sure I didn't have any complaints.  Now let's see if I can convince him to let me have a pet :)  Today overall was a pretty good day since I got the bathroom cleaned, got my lessons mainly done for the week, got the 7th grade test typed up, and made beef casserole!  I'd say overall...not too bad of a day :)

Top 5 for the day:
1. Having plenty of leftovers so I won't have to make dinner for a few days
2. Skype with family in PA
3. "Awakening" by Chris Tomlin
4. Meeting the new landlord and being asked to stay in the apartment
5. Sunshine coming through all my windows letting me know that Spring is here

I surrender to You, Lord

I'm so glad it's Friday.  The first 3 days back at school were really great, but yesterday and today especially had me feeling like I was before break.  I am just counting the weeks until summer...we're done with 11 so we're down to 10? There were some really good moments today especially when I got a chance to audition some choir students for solos and talking with students before school.  I am noticing that when I get a chance to spend time with students hearing about their day and what's going on with their life, that's when I have some really great moments in my day.  Knowing I'm making a difference in their lives is more rewarding than anything else.

My top 5 for the day:
1. Relaxing evening in my sweats and watching TV.
2. Getting a wedding invitation for a summer wedding for a great friend and great news from an awesome couple :)
3. Seeing the excitement in a student's face about Honor Choir music.
4. Auditioning choir students for solos and getting a chance to talk to them.
5. Little e-mails from students knowing I'm impacting their life (little do they know they are doing the same for me).