Updates

Why is January so boring? I'm enjoying the month, but there sure hasn't been much going on compared to the previous months! January is my least favorite month, because I just think it is the most boring month. March is a close second.

Anyway, today I just thought I'd share a few updates about my life. I really hope for some more interesting blog material and pictures soon!

Violin Update:

I can officially play a few songs on my violin (very simple songs, as I'm sure you can see if you look at the picture of the music from my beginner's book!) My instructor told me this week that I'm ready for a concert! And no, he was NOT serious. It's a very difficult instrument to play, and after hours of practice I still play squeaky, scratchy, and out-of-tune notes more often than I play good, solid, in-tune notes. But I'm getting better! This instrument has proven to be much more of a challenge than the flute or the piano. Not only is it hard to play, but my arms, neck, and shoulders tire after such a short amount of time, I just can't practice for very long each day (Not that I practice each and every day. But I try to). Part of that is due to the fact that I keep automatically raising my shoulder, which I'm not supposed to do. It's hard not to, and my Ukrainian instructor has to constantly say, "Jessica, don't raise shoulder!" Oops...I'm sure it will start to feel more and more natural as I continue to play. Maybe I'll have to post a video of me playing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" or "Hot Cross Buns." :-P

Movie Update:

Last weekend I mentioned that I was going to see the Christian movie "To Save a Life," and I promised to give a review if it was any good. But when Luke and I were in town to see the movie, we ran into his sister and her husband, and they were both going to the same movie theater to see "Avatar" in 3D. I hadn't seen it yet, so we decided to go and sit with them and see "Avatar" instead. So I have no review for you, but I may be going to see it this weekend instead. As for Avatar, it was worth seeing for the effects alone, but I'm really not into that kind of movie, so I didn't get into the story too much. And maybe this is just me, but I didn't like how they portrayed the US Marines as the "bad guys," especially in a time of war. I had to reprogram my mind after the movie and remember that I really do love The Marines, and they are not really evil people! Luke and I had a conversation afterward because we had just seen "The Book of Eli" a week before. Luke likes "Avatar" a lot more. I disagreed, though, and decided that I easily preferred "the Book of Eli." What did you think of either/both movies??

Book Update:

I am really reading a lot these days. Probably due to the fact that January is boring :-P Although I have only finished one book so far this year ("Love and Respect") I should be finishing a few within the next few weeks. I am a few pages from being finished with "White Chocolate Moments," which is a great Christian fiction novel by Lori Wick (very light, easy read). I am also going to be finished with "Crazy Love" in a few weeks when our Bible study ends. I'm also about halfway done with "The Shack." I started reading it, and then took a break because I was in the mood for a romantic novel. I'm a few chapters from being done with "Where the Red Fern Grows" as well. I am reading it along with the 5th grade reading class that I work with. This will be my third time reading it, but I haven't read it as an adult. I think the last time I read it, I was in 6th grade. I had forgotten how great of a book it was, but I remember what happens in the end, and I'm completely dreading that part, because I just know I'm going to shed a few tears in front of all of my students! My guess is that they will be crying as well, though. After all of those books, I have a couple relationship books waiting in the wings. We got "The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands" from Luke's parents for Christmas, and I'm really anxious to see what that's all about. And yesterday I was at a Christian bookstore, and picked up "His Needs, Her Needs" because I have heard great things about it. Whew, that's a lot of literature! I'm glad I'm well on my way to meeting my goal of reading 30 books in 2010. And...that was a long paragraph!!

4. House Update

Our attic renovations are sort of on hold for now. Everything is painted and ready to go. The carpet was cleared out weeks ago, and we are just waiting for the new carpet! It is scheduled to be installed on February 3rd (next Wednesday). It took the carpet people almost a month to install the carpet after we ordered it, so we are getting a little antsy about the whole thing. But anyway, once it's in we will be busy moving all the furniture back in there, and then turning our current living room into a dining room! Can't wait to share pictures when it's all done!

5. Life Update

And just a general update on my life. I'm hanging in there at work, and am genuinely enjoying my year. This morning we had a 2 hour delay, which was a complete surprise to me! I didn't even realized that it had snowed! Luke and I have been spending a lot of time hanging out at home, as I've mentioned before. We've been playing a lot of Rock Band, watching TV and movies, and loving our kitties! I personally cannot WAIT until the Winter Olympics! I'm sure our TV will constantly be tuned in. I LOVE the Olympics. And although I prefer Summer Olympics to Winter, I'm still excited. Figure skating is my favorite event. I remember being obsessed with Tara Lipinski when I was in jr. high. Do you remember her?? Seriously, I wanted to BE her. lol...
Anyway I'm rambling now, so I'm going to sign off. Have a great Thursday!!