ISSMA

The day for Rebekah's ISSMA competition arrived. We drove up with plenty of time to have time to move slow. Rebekah's teacher was there to support her. Her time also coincided with two other peers so we watched them as well. 

Rebekah's solo:  

Rebekah received her rating and was very happy. 

"G" for gold. 

We quickly went down to the table to receive said gold. 

Her first music medal! 

Then we went down to the local Pizza King and spent way too much money on two meals. After which we headed back to the school and waited for Da Boyz. Rebekah was somewhat frantic that Merrick was the last to show. No, he wasn't late, just the last to show. They had plenty of time to run their song and enjoy each other's company. 

The adjudicators were running late though. Eventually they got in to play their trio. I thought I was recording but half way through I noticed I was not. But Carter's dad was and he airdropped their performance to me. 

It was probably the best I've heard them do. They put a lot of work into it.

"G" for gold. 

Then we went to the Dairy Queen that started Don's working career and got some frozen treats. Afterwhich we came home and I forced some more pictures. 

The next school day Rebekah came home with her results. 

Solo

Trio

January

New Years Eve Sweet Rolls. I use to give some away. It made the fam unhappy. So now we just eat them all like the gluttonous people we are. But hey, it's only 3 times a year, so there's that. 

Because of Evie, we've changed the garage around. The Nox is a little smaller than Evie so it's going in the 3rd car slot. But it has to go backwards. I had great anxiety as I was learning how to do it. Here's Rebekah helping me out. 

Final product. Like a glove. 

Also, we had the electric charger installed. Very fancy. 

We had some good snow. Rebekah had fun. Think she was making a snow angel and Don threw a shovel of snow at her. But she's smiling, so fun, right? 

She also helped shovel the snow on the front walk. 

We had some pretty amazing sunrises, but it's way too cold to open the door for the picture. So I give you the following: 

This was a nice sunrise but I took the picture for the crows that I see every so often but are gone when I point them out to others. See - NOT crazy. 

January Books

 

Book about the events around the 19th amendment. I like the idea of this book but it was just poorly written. Felt gossipy rather than academic. 

Fascinating journal account of a young man growing up in Hitler's Germany. Very insightful to read about the events through the eyes of an ordinary young man. It also chronicles other events of German history through the eyes of one who lived it. Much I didn't know. Highly recommendable. 

Another fascinating less know history concerning WWII airmen who crashed behind enemy lines in Yugoslavia. Lots of interesting history. And I loved that I knew nothing about these events. Highly recommendable. 

Fantastical fiction about a teen girl and a magic diary. The book kept me interested. Not the best thing I've ever read but it was not the worst either. 

Ah, Brandon Sanderson. Although I admit to reading these so I can bond with my brother, I also have to say I'm rather taken with the author's ability to make me care about the characters. There are even moments when I call out loud to certain characters, "come on! we need you!" Crazy, but true. They are gigantic and quite the time commitment, but very worth while. And I LOVE that I don't have to worry about any crudeness in the books. 

I had high hopes for this history of Ukraine during the 1930's, but it's a bit like everything else I've read on the subject. In saying that, I in no mean wish to lessen the horror of the events, but once you've read a certain amount it tends to feel like slugging through grime. And the writing was a bit predictable as well. I'll let you know if I find a well written one worth reading. 

Some of these lectures are better than others. This wasn't the best. I'm highly interested in this subject matter but didn't feel I came away knowing anything new. 

Winston Groom is a great author. This book wasn't my favorite, although that may just be because the chapters on Stalin gave me nightmares. Literally. They were somewhat horrifying. Winston Churchill is one of my favorites though. And I do like FDR as well. So good read if you're looking to conquer all three at once. 

More Sanderson. See above for specific praise of Sanderson. This one is a shorter Storm Light Archive book that goes between 3 and 4. Again, love the characters. Fun and recommendable. 

A historical account of the eruption of Mount Saint Helens. It's a volcano eruption so it's not all pleasant but it's interesting information. Also much sadness and devastation so prepare.  

Kind of wanted more from this memoir, but then again it's memoir so I probably went into it with wrong expectations. I did learn that there's more to feeding birds bird seed than just buying seed and setting it out. If you're into birds and back yard bird watching be my guest and give it a read. 

Yes, another Sanderson. This one sounds like it's placed on Earth. Kind of sad there's not a follow up sequel but I did my research enough to know that one of Sanderson's descendants has asked him for a follow up so it may be in the cards one day. Good shorter easy starting point for new Sanderson readers.  

Every once in a while I go for the chic lit. Have to admit this one was not the best. The main character is not someone I liked or found real / interesting. And the love interest only worked because you as a reader knew it was suppose to work. Ah well. 

Basically we live in a world of constant migration.The author says that's a good thing and we should let it be. I don't agree with everything the author said but I don't disagree with everything either. 

Fantasy fiction about a war and two journalists. I liked some aspects of the story but it leaves it on a huge cliffhanger and I'm not sure I was invested in the characters enough to go on to the next one. 

Yes, you've already seen this one - even recently. After reading the next book in the storm light archives I wondered if I missed some things. So while I was waiting for the next available borrow, I went back and reread it. And yes, I missed some things. I may have to buy all of these one day. SIGH. Oh, and Lyft is my favorite. (Which if you've read the books you may find that ironic if you know me at all....)   

I did not love this book. I have liked Picoult's books in the past but not this one. I didn't like the main character, I kind of saw the plot twist coming, and the love interest was somewhat unbelievable - and if it was then maybe we need to dig deeper into the love interests past so we could question his motives / craziness less. 

Sanderson again. Have to admit, I'm not a huge fan of these. My brother says they're worthwhile so I'm continuing on but they're not as good as some of his others. Unless you're into space travel and aliens. 

Like Edgedancer, I reread this one too. And yes, I missed a BUNCH. And no I didn't realize I read SO much of him this month. Maybe it's an addiction.... I'll seek help. 

I was looking for something like Bill Bryson with a Scottish accent. This was not it. It was good but it didn't keep me as interested as, for example, In a Sunburned Country. 

History of four CIA spies after WWII. It was sadly interesting. The quote I took away: "We need to get away from this idea that we are always right and we are doing it to help them. We are not helping them. It is often easier to act especially with the belief we are always right than to wait and let problems solve themselves." That basically sums up the book. 

I wanted to like this Chic Lit more than I did. It's suppose to be full of British humor, which I usually like but this seem less like British humor and more like British crassness. I did like the point though - where you are in the journey does matter. 

The end of the third reich. Lots of history about what happened on those last 8 days. A few times in the book the author mentions it was as if after Hitler's death a spell was lifted off the people and they came to themselves again - albeit some slowly. It's horrifying really. But also good to look into and read more about so we can see signs of things like this happening again. 

Solo / Ensemble Prep

Rebekah chose to do ISSMA - (Indiana State School Music Association) - Solo / Ensemble this year. And - bonus - she allowed me to accompany her. Woo-Hoo!

The school had a dress rehearsal / recital night for practice purposes. Since I can't wear any of my Bee t-shirts to fancier occasions, I found some Bee socks. Gooooo BEE! 

 

Since I was at the piano and Rebekah was slightly (overly) nervous, I failed to record her performance. It was wonderful, however. 

Eventually came the real test: the trio. This was Rebekah's idea and she meant for it to be called her trio, however, because Walker falls after Bantz in the alphabet, it went down as the Bantz trio. She was NOT happy. The school director got quite an earful. And honestly, I'm proud of her. Stand up for what you believe in girl! 

Below find a picture of the trio checking for water - or emptying their spit - whatever you want to call it. While they are looking I'll sum up the trio experience. Rebekah was the most prepared out of the bunch. I was actually quite concerned for a very long time. Her private teacher is a professional Horn player, however he is not a "teacher" or a "director." Many times I would have to remind myself this was not MY thing and let it go. 

Having said that, I was quite impressed with the practice performance. 

The trio: Merrick, Carter, and the Bee