Our kids got 2nd in the nation!!!!!

AND we're the top public string orchestra in the nation... first place was this magnet pre-conservatory boarding school and we kicked booty without all the advantages they gots... we're pretty dang proud:)

It doesn't stop me from just wanting to strangle most of the kids, though. Great bunch, I swear, but they don't lie very well, kept wandering off and were basically a huge pain in the neck. At some point I get so tired of everyone yelling at me, angry with everything I do when it's for their own darn good, INCLUDING adults and such.. bah, I was ready to quit every day, but somehow I didn't say anything.

And who is the genius who designed a conference for kids and adults in a hotel that is half casino and even though people under 21 aren't allowed in the casino floor, that's the only way to get them to all their concerts all day long?!?!?! Little middle schoolers carrying cellos, dodging drunks around slot machines... it was priceless!!!

Jared met me at the airport with an adorable balloon that said "I love you" and he put it on my wrist so it followed me all over the airport as I ran around making sure my kids had rides. He privately told me it had been a close race between the balloons taht said "Happy Retirement!" and "It's a girl!" but he thought that they might leave some wrong impressions:)

At the big string conference, I knew my old violin teacher from ASU would be there and I was really nervous to see her.... she'd been supportive, but when I left, I felt like she considered me a disappointment becuase her other students were all so much more sucessful. I sent her e.mails and a wedding announcement, but she never responded. I was hurt, and knew for some closure I needed to just at least find her and say hi.

I did run into her (literally) and she rushed off to a meeting. She didn't seem very interested in seeing me at all, and it ached inside becuase I'd spent so much time with her for 2 years, learning and trusting her, and then I'm not good enough.

I was feeling pretty crummy that day, until I ran into my old viola professor from UNT - an AMAZING musician and equally as incredible as a teacher. Plus she's super professional and fun at the same time. She was so sweet, talked with me, couldn't wait to hear all my news (yes, Reva got married;) and was happy for me.

It left me with such a different taste in mouth. What a blessing she was to me in college, and what a blessing she was to randomly run into last Saturday.

I know I'm not the best violinist out there by far, and I've disappointed people along the way becuase I just never will be. But it's so nice when I meet people who like me for me and not my ability level.

Now, just concentrating on my awesome band and getting through the rest of the school year without randomly screaming "I QUIT!!!" I don't know if I mean it, but it would be so delicious to say sometimes... they'd all ahve heart attacks:)

SUPERCRACK is dreaming of doin' some craziness!!!

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