New changes and new beginnings

Once again, it has taken me forever to get on here and write. I'm not sure why I get so unmotivated to write on here, except maybe media and other distractions in general. Things have been such a whirlwind. I have learned so much in such a short time. Let's recap the summer:

I have become a piano player, although beginner skills at the moment. I have goals of what I want to play, but am content with taking things one step at a time. I have gained an appreciation for the instrument and become picky with the brands I play. :) I actually accomplished more than I thought I could. I was able to play "body rhythmics" with all the notes and the chords at the speed the kids were singing and doing them. The second time I impressed myself was being able to play the chapel songs while singing and leading them as the kids sang with me. I sweat bullets, but I was able to get through it and do it! If I can do all that in a summer, I cannot imagine how much dedicated practice time will get me.

I learned office work and filing, along with scheduling. I was able to increase my people skills and compromising skills. It was a lot of work. I know that I don't want to be a principal or director of a school in the future, but wouldn't mind helping or heading up some other form of admin. I have a greater appreciation for those that work in school offices/admin.

I became better at accepting compliments. If you know me, then you know this is one of the hardest things for me to do. Ask me to brag about myself and you get lots of "ummm"s. Ask me to take a compliment without running from it, it's big. I worked with people who were not shy about telling me what a great job I was doing or that I was the best they had worked with. They willingly showed appreciation and gratitude. It was one of the hardest things I had to learn to take and listen to. It has changed me into a more confident person, but oh so emotionally rough for someone like me.

I learned how to receive instead of always give. Not being able to give to others when they need it or when something comes up has been difficult with the giving heart that I have. Actually, I have been on the receiving end of many other "givers". I am learning that no matter how independent I am, everyone needs a little help sometimes.

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Perhaps I am being so contemplative because I learned that no matter how long ago someone has left this earth, there are still things that make your heart ache for them. Emotions and I are not particularly friends, but every once in a while they show up and surprise me. Today has been one of those days. Besides Friday having been my last day of work at a place I have grown to love, I heard "Blessed Assurance" in my grandpa's voice. It was a congregational sing-a-long at the church talent show. I could hear his voice in that song, not to mention imagining my whole family singing it together in our beautiful harmonies.

The whole weekend has been emotional. Like I said, I had to say goodbye to people and children that I have worked with all year. It's such a wonderful place to work and I've built friendships with so many. They helped me through some tough stuff this past year, not to mention truly feeling missed when I left. Then I saw my best friend, who I hadn't seen in almost a year, on Saturday. Catching up and just spending time with him was great. I'd forgotten how much talking together and just hanging out makes me feel better. Then today, I went to the talent show supporting one of the families I have gotten to know better because of working at that school. And now, Monday I start a brand new job with a brand new age level with a brand new method. I'm going to be a first year teacher for the 4th time (technically).

All these changes are great and exciting, yet bittersweet all at the same time. My emotions are a little wild this weekend, but I am hoping they will go back to being at bay again for a little while. Maybe as this new journey progressing, I will be more inclined to write here than I have been before...