fantasy football.... WINNER

The fantasy football season just ended and yours truly is the winner! First place, baby! Mike got second place and said that he is not going to help me next year :) (I'll still beat you Mike!) I encourage all ladies to come out and join the league next year! It makes watching the games so much fun and its really cool when you win!

New Year's Eve!!!

I had really fun New Years Eve plans with Mike and my friends this year. We were going to the Q101 party at the Hyatt and Mike and I had a room at the Westin and dinner reservations at Gibsons. Little did I know that the night was going to be way more awesome than I expected!
Mike picked me up in his clean car to take me to dinner. He looked so handsome in his suit and hot blue shirt and haircut. I was wearing this fun sparkly black halter-top dress so we were all dressed up for the evening. He took me to dinner where he had apparently planned to propose to me! There was a crying baby behind us however and it was a little cramped in the restaurant. He wisely decided to wait.
After dinner, Mike suggested that we go on a walk. I said "no!" because it was cold outside and I was wearing a tissue with a little jacket over it. (his plan B was not going to work!) So we decided to check in to the hotel. My dad had a suite set up for us and we walked in and boy did it look beautiful! It was a nice suite with a huge bed and my dad had champagne for us for New Years! Mike poured some glasses and motioned for me to sit on the couch with him.
Now for the month leading up to this big night, Mike had been sneakly lying to me about engagement related things. He mentioned to a friend of his, in front of me, that he had no idea how much an engagement ring costs. He said he had a surprise for me around New Years and on New Years Eve Eve he gave me a Bears jersey. I was under the impression that this was NOT going to happen, and I kept pushing those thoughts way way back in my mind.
Anyway! Back to the couch! So we were sitting there and Mike said "so, I've been meaning to ask you something.." (at this point I'm thinking..."no suzanne..he's not going to propose...cool out") and he said "what is your New Years resolution? I said something like "uh...i dunno....to stop swearing so much?" (awesome Suzanne.....perfect thing to say right before a proposal!) Then I asked "so, what's your resolution?"
Heres the fun part. (for me) Mike then said "well, my resolution is to make you my wife.." and THEN he got down on one knee and said that he wants to start the new year out right and asked me if I would marry him! I dont remember much else because I kept looking at the BEAUTIFUL ring that he showed me. Then (after I said yes) I cried... a lot... and hugged him and kissed him and was just so happy! (I still am!) Then I called my parents and they were super excited. I wanted to call everyone I knew, but Mike suggested that we enjoy the evening and go to the party! (he's pretty level headed) :)
So then Mike and I met up with my friends and finally Monica noticed my ring :) I think that I told everyone at the Hyatt that we got engaged that night. Random girls in line for the bathroom, the bar tender, the DJ... It was such a fun night!
I am such a lucky girl. Mike and I are two peas in a pod. I'm so excited to start our lives together!

Seminar

This morning I went to a seminar at Northwestern with Mallory Thompson about conducting. It was really a great experience. We started with an exercise that involved absolutely no talking, just following her non-verbal communication. We threw around an imaginary ball and skipped around the room and stuff... so it was fun as well as informative :) A lot of what we discussed was geared towards teaching older kids, but I think that I can definitely apply what I learned to my 5th graders. One of the biggest things that I took out of this was when Dr. Thompson talked about how people are motivated...and what seems to work the best whether it is intimidation or humor or whatnot....and she said that the thing that motivates people the most is inspiration. And the more I think about it, the more I believe it. I am very attentitive and motivated by Mallory because she is so inspiring! So if I can be inspiring to my 5th graders then maybe they will be more motivated to practice..... we'll see. :)

football update

i'm still in 1st place. girls rule, boys drool.

band kids

Its days like today that makes me really love my job. I have 5 kids who want to play "Mambo No. 5" for the Elementary School Variety Show. (the clean, Disney version...) They all started playing their instruments in September, so I thought "how the hell are these 5th graders gonna play Mambo No. 5?" I arranged an "easy" version for them though and I have been helping them out after school with it. Their enthusiasm is amazing... we even came up with dance moves to the song. Anyway, they played it today for the audition and the judges LOVED it. My kids were so excited! It was so cool to see them be so excited about band and playing their instruments! This is their first real performance and it just went so well. It makes me believe even more strongly that it is important to keep beginning band in schools. Instrumental music is such a valuable program and I'm glad that I can play a small part in keeping it alive.

why my weeks are awesome

I have the best job(s) in the world for many reasons, but my favorite reason is cuz my schedule ROCKS! Not only do I get to teach kids at multiple grade levels, but I get to be at 5 different schools every week. It makes it very exciting! My schedule closely resembles a bell curve. I ease into my week on Mondays by teaching at the high school from 8 till 1 (with a little break from 9 to 10) and then I have a break till 2:30. Then I go teach 2 lessons at the middle school and then I'm done with work for the day! Then I teach full days at 2 different elementary schools (complete with afterschool meetings) on Tuesdays and Wednesdays with the peak of my week being Northshore Concert Band rehearsal on Wednesday nights (till 9:30!). Thursdays I have that same midday break and then I go teach 2 lessons at a different middle school...then I'm done! Fridays I teach clarinet lessons at the high school from 10 till 12:00. EASY. So as you can see, my schedule is awesome. AND I get paid! I'm a very happy girl.

football

I'm in a fantasy football league. The only girl out of 16 players. I thought that I wouldn't really get into it very much but I got lucky a few times and now I'm in first place! It really makes watching the games more interesting and I have learned a lot more about football. I hope that I can keep my lead! This week is going to be a tough one!

hi!

So, I'm notorious for telling people more than they need to know about me. I'll always add that little tidbit of information that nobody really cares about. But ya know what? Thats me! This blogger will give me another outlet for that strong aspect of my personality. (and Mike wants me to do it for some reason...) So welcome and enjoy! :)