I have been playing and singing in the Dementia unit at work and there is something that always amazes me. I learned about this in college from one of my professors, but didn't really believe him until now.
When I am playing and singing some of the traditional songs, the residents can sing them word for word. And then two seconds later won't even remember their own name! Music helps the right brain and the left brain work together - which makes it harder for somethings to be forgotten.
I remember in highschool and college putting things I needed to remember to a song. There are songs for our A, B, C's and the States. We can go our entire life and most likely will not forget those as they are deeply ingrained in our brain.
I had a teacher in Jr. High that would play Jazz music during tests and quizzes as it helped students relax and "let the brain ooze the right juices."
I believe that music is a very powerful tool. We see that in movies - we wouldn't know there was a scary part coming if it wasn't for the music. We see that in commercials - we all know the T-Mobile chime. We see it in the stores - music now has a warning label if it is considered violent. We see it in our everyday lives - there is always a song that fits the mood we are currently in.
Alright - I am headed to bed! Planning my trip to Utah! So excited...
In talking with a friend, we were discussing the various ways we relieve the stress we encounter in our everyday lives. I already knew the answer (I find that one quite easy). Music.
Whether I am playing, singing, listening, watching or thinking about it music is not only a huge stress reliever, it is a HUGE part of my life. I remember being a little girl and taking voice lessons and warming up to: "Ma, Me, Mi, Mo, Mu" and one of the first songs I sang was, "Sing, for the Lord is Listening!"
My family has always been musical, we have all been involved in some form of music in during our lifetime. The biggest inspiration was my brother Justin, I will never forget his performances and the excitement I felt when he was up on stage singing. To me, he was a star! My dream to be in a show choir like Stagelight started with Justin and then grew bigger as I watched Matt and Kari also enjoy participating in Stagelight.
My love of music is deep and when I thought that it was over, I felt broken. But, I still have one good ear that I don't think shows any sign in loss of hearing! It has only made my appreciation for still being able to hear something so precious to me deepen.
I am learning the guitar right now, something that I have wanted to do for a long time. I feel like I am doing alright, although I have some sore fingers!
I feel blessed that I can hear harmony in my head while singing, that it is such a natural thing for me to hear. I am grateful to be in a family that has allowed my love for music to grow and parents that paid LOTS of money so I could learn piano, singing and dance. I am especially grateful now when stress is in my life that I have been taught ways to let it out...
WARNING!! - This is going to be a venting entry to my blog!!
UGH! In my apartment complex we do not have reserved spots. That being said, my friend came over for a visit and parked her car in one of the normal spots that was open and plowed! Apparently, someone thought that it was unfair for her to be parking there and took a stool to her trunk. The reason I know it was a stool was because it was sitting on her trunk when she got to her car.
What right does a person have in vandalizing anothers possessions? What the crap!? I was so angry when she told me that - I went downstairs to get the stool and it has since disappeared. If I see it out in the parking lot tomorrow, I am taking it to the guardhouse and they will see an ugly side of me. I called them already tonight and explained what happened - they said that she will have to call her insurance company and file a claim.
If they could look at my blood right now they would see it boiling with rage. It is stuff like that which make me want to go and take my shovel and bash it into several cars!
Just today as I was shoveling out the parking spot where my car had been parked for the last week or so, I had three cars try to pull in. I looked at them with my shovel and shook my head no. Seriously!? Do you think that I just spent 45 minutes scraping away snow and ice so someone else could park there?? I was standing in the spot! This was before I even went to move my car back! Ugh - frustrating day!
I hate snow - I hate snow more that I am in a place where they don't know how to drive, plow, be polite, be cautious and think in the snow.
When all the world is white... Do you sled down a hill? Do you make snow angels? Do you create a snow masterpiece???? Is that what you do? So do I!!
I am currently in the process of living in DC's biggest snow storm since 1922... And I am loving every minute of it!
Friday the snow started at approximately 10 AM and stopped Saturday around 5 PM. I am living in a Winter Wonderland!! :)
I went along with my friend Bob to go and pick up the AWD vehicle we would be using in case staff needed to be picked up for work. I volunteered to be a driver - when it was mentioned in the meeting that I was one of the drivers, the room literally fell silent! I wanted to scream - I AM FROM UTAH!!! THIS IS NOTHING!!! But, I held my tongue and they finally said that I would be a good navigator for the driver.... Men!!! Ugh!
I arrived home at 8 PM on Friday and ran upstairs, dragging my roommates out of their rooms and off the floor because we were going to enjoy this snow! After waiting 30 minutes for Molly (who claimed to be born ready for snow) we made our way downstairs! My excited wasn't contained!! I was giddy like a little school girl! :)
We threw a few snowballs around and I showed Molly my incredible strength by pushing her down into the snow! He he he! Then I found out the saddest news! Neither Molly or Andrea had ever rolled/built a snowman! WHAT!? I couldn’t believe it! So, to work we went! I had already planned on building a snowman and so I grabbed an extra scarf and hat (I had 30 extra minutes while waiting for Molly!)
I showed the two of them how to properly roll a bottom and we stuck the snowman by the road so everyone could enjoy our masterpiece! I quickly put the two of them working on the middle section, while I rolled the head. It took all three of us to lift the middle section onto the bottom part, but we did it!! I lifted the head to the top (because I’m strong like that) and we put the finishing touches on Rita, our snow-woman! We used pecans for the eyes and mouth. Andrea and I found the perfect sticks for the arms. We were lucky while rolling the bottom, a little pine cone popped up and I could tell it was asking if it could be her nose.
Once that project was completed (with many compliments by passers-by) we decided it was time to make snow angels. Andrea, being from sunny California, never made snow angels and so Molly showed her the steps and coaxed her through her first one! It was excellent! It was finally time to call it a night and we went upstairs where I promptly fell asleep on the couch…
Saturday morning dawned bright and early with sounds of a saw “gently” coaxing us out of slumber… Ha! With the snow being so heavy, it caused one of the trees on the property to fall down.
Andrea went to work making her deliciously perfect cinnamon rolls! I believe this is going to be a tradition with us… They are divine!!
That afternoon, I offered to make lunch for a couple of co-workers who had to go do some driving and also removing trees that had fallen at work. They arrived and after lunch Brian treated us to some tunes on the guitar… He even put up with my trying to harmonize to some of my favorites that he plays!
I am grateful to be living where I do because we still have power, heat, food and Internet! Just across the street there is no power! In fact, there have been notices sent out because quite a few members in my ward are without power as well. Yikes!
I hope you enjoy these photos from my fun-filled snow days here in DC!
