Ventura College Symphony Orchestra

I had mentioned in a previous blog that I had enrolled in school and was going to begin taking classes to finish up my AA so that I could transfer to Channel Islands to complete my BA and get my teaching credentials. With that said...

First day of school was last night. This class is Beginning Orchestra - Wind Instruments. When I registered for the class I imagined that I would be in a room with just woodwind instruments...

I arrived at the campus an hour early to pick up my parking permit and to get the lay of the land. I found my classroom 30 minutes prior to the beginning of class (7:00 p.m. - 9:50 p.m.).

I opened the door - peaked in and then slowly backed out. I thought I was in the wrong place. There were already several people in the classroom. My ears were ringing with the sounds of scales coming from Cellos; violins; Basses; a French Horn; a Flute and an Oboe. I stood in the hall for about 10 minutes and then decided to open the door again. This time my heart was racing. Talk about first day jitters... A lady sitting at a table spotted me and invited me in stating that they don't bite - they only nibble - and then she smiled. I thought "okay... this isn't so bad".

She asked me to sign in and indicate what instrument I play. I don't remember the conversation - but I remember disclosing that I hadn't played in 25 years. She had a slightly worried look and then handed me 6 pieces of music for Clarinet - 2nd part and then directed me to the first seat in the clarinet section.

I looked over the music. Two pieces by Mendolssohn - one is a symphony the other is a piano concerto. There were two other Concertos - don't remember who the composers are. There is a Jane Eyre Suite (absolutely beautiful) and one other piece that we didn't get to.

The first 30 minutes were introductions and attendance - nice way to calm my nerves.

There was a gentleman about the same age as dad who sat next to me. Very interesting man. He asked me about my music back ground. I revealed the lack of practice over the past several years and begged him not to listen to me. Inside I was terrified that I would be discovered as a fraud. I had been looking at the music and couldn't remember the fingering for any of the notes. The symphony clarinet part was written for an A clarinet and I had to transpose the notes in my head - that was a nightmare. I bailed out a couple times on the conductor who wanted to hear my sound and I pled with him - explaining that I was having difficulty getting any air through my instrument. He laughed and skipped over me.

Later in the evening he asked me how I was doing; reassuring me that the strength in my mouth would return in no time and encouraged me to practice every day. He then asked me if my mouth hurt. I told him no, but my thumb hurt from holding the instrument. The whole orchestra laughed.

My partner - the older man - told me that I have a beautiful sound when I play and that I needed to play a little louder. He also went up to the conductor (the instructor) and told him that I play beautifully...

At one point during rehersal I magically remembered my fingering and began to feel elation. I also felt a little euphoric... it was odd and at one point I thought I was going to burst into tears.

I guess I didn't realize how much I loved to play the clarinet and how much I missed it.

I had been asked by several members of the church to audition for the Ventura Orchestra and I had always told them no because I hadn't played in so long. Even though this is not the Ventura Orchestra, this is a start. I think I finally figured out what I want to do when I grow up.

We have two concerts this term:

October 24, 2009
December 12, 2009

THE FAIR HAS COME AND GONE

Well the last day of the fair was yesterday.

In the past, the final weekend of the fair would have been my biggest entry day. With the lack of sleep Friday morning and the late night Friday night I could not bring myself to crawl out of bed and cut all the fresh flowers in my yard and get to the fair grounds before 10:00 a.m. Saturday morning.

Floriculture entries are my best entries every year and I usually get blue ribbons and $ premium awards. Even with that knowledge I still could not get out of bed.

However, there are still two entrants that I have not spotlighted. Myself and Alex.

ALEX - KICKING AND SCREAMING

Alex has been disappointed every year that he has not been a part of the Gonzales Family frenzy before the fair. This year I made a point to have him participate. He was not happy in the beginning and grumbled the whole 12 hours we spent in the kitchen baking. He entered 8 baked items and two craft items:

BAKED ITEMS:

• Toffee cookies - 2nd place - red ribbon
• Pecan Pie - 1st place - blue ribbon - THIS IS FANTASTIC! Especially for a non-baker
• Pumpkin Pie - 1st place - blue ribbon
• Zucchini Bread - 1st place - blue ribbon & BEST OF CLASS!! HOLY COW!!!! Who knew?!?!?!
• Oatmeal cookies - 2nd place - red ribbon
• Rice Krispie treats - 1st place - blue ribbon
• Peanut Butter cookies - 2nd place - red ribbon
• Chocolate Brownie bites - 1st place - blue ribbon

63% of his entries were outstanding and the two hardest recipies he did the best on.

Alex was astonished. Victor and I were very proud of him.

CRAFT ITEMS:

both from scout camp

• Weaved basket - 2nd place - red ribbon
• Weaved chair seat - 3rd place - white ribbon

Mesa High Achiever

We received a letter from the Principal and Superintendent of Mesa Union School:

Dear Student and Parents:

Your child Allisa Gonzales demonstrated outstanding achievement during the 2008/09 school year by scoring an Advanced level on California Standards tests (CST) in both English Language Arts and Math. We want to congratulate you and your child for their status as a "Mesa High Achiever." We know that academic excellence is the result of students, families, and teachers working together to take advantage of all available educational opportunities. We wanted to celebrate your accomplishments during the past school year and encourage you to continue your successful efforts in the coming 2009/10 school year. While we believe that every Mesa student has the ability and opportunity to go on to great academic success in high school, college, and beyond, we think your child is clearly on the path to success at the best colleges and universities in the world.

Sincerely,

John Puglisis, PhD Marilyn Renger
Superintendent Principal

THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT

Last night Victor and I stayed up until 12 watching a marathon of Eureka episodes on SYFY to catch us before the new episode this evening.

A rerun came on after that and it was one that Evan really liked and he asked if he could stay up and watch it before he went to bed. We told Evan that was fine, he just needed to make sure that everything was locked up and that he turned everything off before he went to bed. Aislyn joined Evan in the living room to watch the show.

At about 1 a.m. we hear several quick raps on our bedroom door and the voice of one of our children saying something about Victor's Red Dodge Ram. Victor and I quickly dressed and went outside to see what they were talking about... dun DUN DUN

As we are walking out the front door Evan and Aislyn explain everything that had transpired before they knocked on our door:

• They heard a noise outside the front room window - a bang of sorts - Aislyn's eyes are enormous
• They heard another loud noise further out in the street
• Then... the truck alarm goes off
• They look outside they don't see anything
• They turn on the hall light
• They go to Grandma's room
• Grandma goes to the front room and turns on the outside lights
• Grandma goes outside
• Evan and Aislyn come and knock on the door

Victor and I discover that the rear driver-side window has been knocked out.

I call 9-1-1

At the end of the street we see several figures - one on a cell phone. At the other end a car starts up and drives down to these dark figures and picks them up. They drive by - Victor already has a flashlight and shines it on the car to see the people and to get the license plate number. Victor yells the number out to me and then instructs me to get his cell phone, wallet and the keys to the Durango.

Victor leaves and follows the teal coloured car

A sheriff shows up and inspects the truck; asks where Victor is - I of course explain that my husband has gone after the suspects in my car. Within minutes dispatch is coming over his speakers explaining that the supsects are being pursued by a man in a silver dodge durango and that he is giving each change in direction as it happens.

The sheriff smiles at me and asks "Is that your husband?" I said "Yes" with a big grin on my face. He tells me that he will be right back and takes off in the direction the one man pursuit is taking place.

An hour and a half later...

My husband has returned home. Two sheriffs have arrived and the suspects have disappeared (Victor didn't want to run the red lights). The sheriffs stated that in this case it would have been fine to run the red lights.

They tell us that there were 5 other cars broken into before ours and that they have been trying to catch these guys all night. Victor came the closest to catching them.

Victor had his brand new golf clubs in the back seat of his truck. We are certain that is what they were after. Unfortunately for them the Gonzales family moves very quickly and they were caught off guard and got nothing. In their haste they also left behind the crow bar that they used to smash the windows. We got a close enough look at them that we know that they did not have any gloves on their hands and that the crow bar has finger prints! :) They are so busted!

This morning we discovered that they had broken into two other cars on our street.

I have had 3 hours of sleep. Does anyone have any tooth picks?

BEST of CLASS - Evan

Evan participated in the baking frenzy for the fair and did quite well.

BAKED ITEMS:

Peanut Butter cookies - 2nd place - red ribbon
Toffee Cookies - 1st place - blue ribbon
Rice Krisipie Treats - 2nd place - red ribbon
Pumpkin Bread - 1st place - blue ribbon
Carrot Bread - 2nd place - red ribbon
Pecan Pie - 3rd place - white ribbon (his pie just fell apart) :(
Oatmeal Cookies - 2nd place -red ribbon
Pumpkin Pie - 2nd place - red ribbon

Evan has been begging me to teach him how to embroider and has watched me as I have done some Swedish Weaving projects. The day before the entry date he pulled his huck towels out and thread that I gave him for Christmas and instisted that I show him how.

TEXTILES:

Huck Towel - Traditional Swedish Weaving design - 1st place - blue ribbon
Huck Towel - Teddy Bear design - 1st place - blue ribbon
Dream Catcher - 1st place - blue ribbon

CERAMICS:

Eastern Island Head Clay Vase - 2nd place - red ribbon
Eagle Coin Bank - 1st place - blue ribbon & BEST OF CLASS (BIGGER BLUE RIBBON)

The best part for me and Victor was that Evan really worked hard and saw the results of his hard work.

This is the first year that Evan has entered quality work and received a BEST of CLASS recognition. We are very proud of him.

In addition, Evan participated in summer school at the high school and took his 9th Grade Health Class and earned a "B" grade. We are very proud of his efforts and excited for the new year.

Evan starts High School September 1st - what a great birthday present! Seminary starts September 8th - so much for sleeping in. :)

AISLYN TAKES ON THE VENTURA COUNTY FAIR

Aislyn did "fairly" well at the Ventura County Fair and she had a good time doing it.

Baked Items:

Toffee Cookies - 2nd place - red ribbon
Butterscotch chips cookies with nuts - 1st place - blue ribbon
Pecan Pie - 1st place - blue ribbon
Peanut Butter Cookies - 1st place - blue ribbon
Butterscotch chip cookies - 2nd place - red ribbon
Pumpkin Pine - 1st place - blue ribbon
Oatmeal cookies - 3rd place - white ribbon (the cookies were the size of a quarter)
Rice Krispie Treats - 1st place - blue ribbon

Poetry:

Comet Haiku - 3rd place - white ribbon
Milky Way Haiku - 3rd place - white ribbon
I AM Poem - 2nd place - red ribbon

Crafts:

1 pair of earrings - 1st place - blue ribbon
Decorated Gift bag - 1st place - blue ribbon
Decorated Scripture bag - 1st place - blue ribbon
Silk Flower Arrangement - 3rd place - white ribbon
Ceramic Horse Tooth Cast (Science project) - 3rd place - white ribbon
Sewn flannel blanket - 3rd place -white ribbon (first attempt at sewing)
Ceramic casting - 3rd place - white ribbon
Decorated Father's Day Frame - 1st place - blue ribbon
Decorated Father's Day Frame - 2nd place - red ribbon

Handmade Cards (applied arts):

Gold and Black Butterfly - 1st place - blue ribbon
Silver bird - 1st place - blue ribbon
Blue Jay - 2nd place - red ribbon
Red Butterfly - 1st place - blue ribbon
Cardinal - 2nd place - red ribbon
Gold Butterfly - 2nd place - red ribbon
Bird with gold breast - 1st place - blue ribbon
Bird with gold head - 2nd place - red ribbon

The fun thing about Aislyn and the projects she works on is the time and effort she puts into it. Aislyn is so detailed and creative. She knows how she wants something to look and uses her imagination and ingenuity to come up with a solution. She does not race through the task and is quite obsessive until complete. (I wonder where she gets that from).

Aislyn was very excited and pleased about her accomplishments this year. I know that she will do even better next year.

TAKE ME TO THE FAIR - ALLISA

Well Allisa was the baker this year at the fair. A bit of a pro she raced through her baked items and crafts like there was not tomorrow. It showed with a few of the placements she received.

Baked Items:

• Oatmeal cookies - 1st Place - Blue Ribbon
• Pumpkin Pie - 2nd Place -Red Ribbon
• Pumpkin Muffins - 2nd Place - Red Ribbon
• Easy Muffins - 2nd Place - Red Ribbon
• Gooey Chocolate Brownies - 2nd Place - Red Ribbon
• Mexican Wedding Cookies - 1st Place - Blue Ribbon
• Rice Krispie Treats - 2nd Place - Red Ribbon
• Peanut Butter Cookies - 2nd Place - Red Ribbon
• AND OF COURSE her famous Pecan Pie - 1st Place - Blue Ribbon

Handmade cards:

• Green Leaf Image - 1st place - Blue Ribbon
• Tree Image - 1st Place - Blue Ribbon
• X-mas Wreath Image - 1st place - Blue Ribbon
• Red Flowers Image - 3rd Place - White Ribbon

• Butterfly Images (1) - 2nd place - red ribbon
• Butterfly Images (2) - 3rd place - white ribbon
• Butterfly Images (3) - 2nd place - red ribbon
• Butterfly Images (4) - 1st place - blue ribbon

• Bird Images (1) - 2nd place - red ribbon
• Silver Bird Images (2) - 2nd place - red ribbon
• Red Cardinal Images (3) - 2nd place - red ribbon
• Blue Jay Images (4) - 3rd place - white ribbon

She also tried her hand at jewelry making and made three pairs of earrings (1 set) - 2nd place - red ribbon

She also created two flower arrangements:

• She made flowers out of tissue paper and put them in a vase - 1st place - blue ribbon
• She made a silk flower arrangement for Mother's Day - 1st place - blue ribbon

Last Saturday she woke up early with me while I was preparing my home grown flower arrangements and she decided to create her own. She entered a live flower arrangement in the Floriculture department and received 1st place - BLUE RIBBON

Overall Allisa did a good job and when she did her best it showed. Allisa learned this year that it is not always best to have the most entries and that quality does matter. She had fun with her entries and will participate again next year.