Update On Life

Sorry it has been so long since I have posted anything! Life has been pretty busy, but I am really enjoying things. Right now I am student teaching at Logan High. I am teaching two classes - Symphonic Band and Intermediate Percussion - while I help out with Wind Band, Advanced Percussion, and Jazz Band. Then on Tuesdays and Thursdays we go to the Mount Logan Middle School and help with sectionals. Teaching has been great. It's everything I have been working for. My cooperating teacher, Dan Stowell, is great. He is a pretty easy-going guy who will listen to what I have to say. He's always laughing or making-fun of me in some way, but he has really gotten me to loosen up. He's just the medicine I need.

As of last week I have become involved with horses. Linda - Dan's wife - loves to ride. After we went to the Lipizzaner show I really, really wanted to take riding lessons. We talked it over and agreed that if I helped with 4-H she would cut down the cost of lessons. I eagerly agreed. Last Monday was my first lesson. Even though I have ridden Western before English is very different. We started with the basics. I learned about the saddle and how to mount. Linda lunged me in a circle while we practiced balancing and how to hold myself. The feeling was amazing! Linda said I was a natural and I would just fly through the basics. I hope so! We did some trotting. I learned how to post, about diagonals, and how to change diagonals. I left the lesson feeling so elated! Now I have been helping with 4-H and I love every minute I spend with the horses and the girls. On Friday Dan made us dinner while we discussed Portfolios. As we were sitting around the table I took a few seconds just to watch everyone. At that moment I realized I was where I needed to be. They all felt like my own family away from home. Working with horses is exactly what I needed in my life. I can't wait until lessons tomorrow, but it should go by fast. :)