"Checking it off the list"

It has been a busy 3.5 months. There have been many things I have been involved in that are in addition to my regular MHS duties and they have taken an extraordinary amount of time. For those of you who don't know me very well I am someone who makes lists. I have found it extremely helpful to write down all the "things that must get done" even if compiling the list can be a little depressing at times! In any case, with the MAD Jazz performance last Monday and then formal picture day on Thursday I realized that they were the last of the "big things" on "the list!" It is amazing how good it feels. All year long as I complete another event or a big project I always make a big sweeping gesture in the air and "check it off the list."

Now let's not kid ourselves - there is a lot to do before school wraps on June 2 - but these things will be much more manageable - now that "the list" is smaller! The phrase must include the work "check." Have fun!

Do you have stress?

Do you have stress? I ask because this is the week I present a session on stressful situations at the state music convention in Minneapolis. I am doing the session with Karla Beck, former MHS choir director. We are having a lot of fun getting together to work on the presentation, but I have to admit, the fact that we are not quite done is starting to cause me stress!

On another topic, we have been making great progress in both bands on the music for the upcoming concert and contests. I hope that continues this week as I will only have three rehearsals this week due to the convention. The word is "stress."