Miscellaneous

My college has an interim course that only lasts three weeks in between Christmas break and the new semester. My class is really easy, so it has been rather like an extension of the break. It is really nice before the whirlwind of classes begins again in February. I will be starting biochemistry/organic chemistry, latin, anatomy, religion, and choir.

The cold snap at the beginning of the month broke and we had some temperatures above and around freezing before getting really cold again.  I am in awe of the chickens who are able to take such cold temperatures! We did give them a heat lamp on the night that was going to be -20 to -25, but they took the rest of the frigid weather in stride and still give us around 4-5 eggs a day from eight chickens. They are really big homebodies this winter, and don’t like to go outside the coop unless the temperature is pretty warm.

I am teaching three ballet classes this year, and they are going really well. This year teaching ballet feels a lot more natural. Around this time last year I was just starting to feel the rhythm of the balance between fun, discipline, and learning, but this year it didn’t take nearly as long to get used to it.  Around this time of year we start preparations for both ballet exams and the spring recital. I really enjoy picking out the recital music, costumes, and choreographing the dances. I have a new source for new pieces of music to use for my classes-the Augustana College Symphony. I heard them playing Danse Macabre at the fall concert in October, and the string-led theme was so beautiful I knew instantly I was using it for a ballet class.

January is moving by fast, and I’m trying to resist thinking about little green seedlings. There’s still a lot of winter to go.  In the meantime, the other kids and I have been making the most of it by going ice skating at an outdoor rink nearby. This has been a lot of fun, and I hope to go several more times before it gets too warm.