Still Alive

So, I decided to write a little post just to let you all know I'm still kickin'. I got behind on a few posts and school started, and well, I'm sure you understand. It's a familiar story.

This semester has been easier yet harder than previous semesters. I actually have a lighter credit load (only 16), and opera rehearsals were actually reasonable and didn't completely take over my life. But I've had a serious case of senioritis. I just want to move on to the next phase of life, as much as I've loved this one. I go through periods of being reconciled to where I am, and then I'm itching to get it over with all ready. If I just didn't have to take those dumb classes I don't want to take... ; ) I know, right? Why can't I just have what I want?

Okay, I'm done. It really hasn't been that bad. I'll be doing some updates in the semi-near future (meaning within the next two months), but in the mean time, here's a run-down on some things I've done this semester.

I'm taking Ballet 1010. This class has been a combination of hey, I kind of like this! and what in the world was I thinking? It's been good to have regular exercise and to learn some new skills, but some things have really been a stretch for me, in more than one sense of the word. :)

I directed two scenes in our productions Vixens, Rascals, and Saints. One was from Wicked and the other was from The Marriage of Figaro. I was also in two scenes.

I'm preparing for my Senior Recital, which will be on January 30th.

I work at the Braithwaite Fine Arts Gallery on campus. Love my job.

I teach three violin students, and one voice student. Unfortunately, my 12 year old violin student thinks she wants to quit. :(

I've been bit in a major way by the creative bug. I frequently look for good ideas online. Finally one day, I decided I didn't care how busy I was, I felt like making something, and by dingo I was going to! So I'm working on an afghan. I find crocheting rather theraputic. I made a super cute hat on Sunday for my friend's baby that was born a couple weeks ago. And Terral got me a sewing machine for my birthday and I made my Halloween costume with it.

Okay. I feel caught up enough. :) Pictures coming soon! Well, maybe only semi-soon...

A Fish Story

Back in October I planned a small fishing trip with by brother-in-law and a friend. We loaded the canoe on the minivan and left town at 6 a.m. We got to Newcastle Reservoir just before the sun came up. Newcastle is now known for it's mix of Rainbow Trout, Small mouth Bass, and Wipers. A wiper is a hybrid between a Stripped Bass and a White Bass. There is not other lake in the area where these fish can be found.

Although plenty of trout were being caught with worms I was after a wiper. As the day went on I had only had one good bite and I had lost the fish before I got it to the boat. I was beginning to think that I wouldn't catch my wiper after all.

At one point our lines were tangled and we drifted towards shore where the lake was shallow. We fixed the lines and began to paddle off. Suddenly my pole bent hard and I was sure that I had a lunker of a fish! My excitement was shattered when I realized that my "lunker" was a snag. We turned the boat around to un-snag my lure. I could see under the water that my lure had caught on to a small detached bush under the water. I slowly reeled it in to unhook it and begin fishing again. I realized that I could see a fish swimming around as if it were interested in what was going on. It was a wiper! The fish began to swim away and my pole started moving along with the bush that I had caught. After a fight I reeled in a bush and a fish. Someone had snagged their line on the same bush but they broke their line off. Later the fish came along and took the bait getting hooked onto the bush. Who knows how long that fish sat there hooked to a bush before I came along and caught the bush!