It's not Goodbye by Laura Pausini #LegendsOfTheFall

My brother would have been 51 this year if he didn't die so young. The song "It's Not Goodbye" by Laura Pausini really touched my emotion remembering my loved ones especially on my late brother's birthday. My late Dad's birthday is coming up too in a week and it just hard to think that I will never see them again.

Reminiscing the last time I spent with my brother made me so sad, the photo above was the last ride he gave when we visited my country back in 2008.  Two months after this photo was taken, he died of motorcycle accident.

Another loved ones we're all missing dearly is our dog, Bolt.  He died of Lyme's disease.  He was only 7 years old.  He was such a loving and the most gentlest and considerate dog we've had.  Bolt was my husband's favorite dog.

This was the last phioto we had with my late father.  He died 4 months  after this was taken.  It was a tough pill to take in.  He died 2 weeks before  my wedding.

I didn't have many pictures with my Dad and that kills me.  I never thought he would die such a young age and so suddenly.  What I regret is that I never told him I love him.

This song really bring me to tears listening to it while looking at the photos of the ones I am missing the most.   The movie Legends of the Fall is such a good movie, I would love to watch it again. I hope to see them again over on the other side someday when it is time for me to go as well.

 

Lady Gaga's Always Remember Us This Way

I love this reggae version of Lady Gaga's Always Remember Us This Way   from the movie "A Star is Born" with Bradley Cooper.   This makes me wanna watch the movie.

That Arizona sky burnin' in your eyes

You look at me and, babe, I wanna catch on fire

It's buried in my soul like California gold

You found the light in me that I couldn't find

So when I'm all choked up

But I can't find the words

Every time we say goodbye

Baby, it hurts

When the sun goes down

And the band won't play

I'll always remember us this way

Lovers in the night

Poets tryin' to write

We don't know how to rhyme

But, damn, we try

But all I really know

You're where I wanna go

The part of me that's you will never die

So when I'm all choked up

And I can't find the words

Every time we say goodbye

Baby, it hurts

When the sun goes down

And the band won't play

I'll always remember us this way

Oh, yeah

I don't wanna be just a memory, baby, yeah

Hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo

Hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo

Hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo

So when I'm all choked up

And I can't find the words

Every time we say goodbye

Baby, it hurts

When the sun goes down

And the band won't play

I'll always remember us this way, way, yeah

When you look at me

And the whole world fades

I'll always remember us this way

Slipping Through My Fingers

I love all the Abba songs but I didn't know this one until my daughter shared it with me. It's a perfect song for me and my daughter as she is growing fast. This song made me realized that my daughter is soon be heading out to college and that means that we will not see each other often. This makes me sad. I think this song is written for all the mothers out there who is anxious of their daughter growing up and leaving.

She's literally slipping through our fingers each day.  It's exciting to see her grow into a woman.  

  
Schoolbag in hand, she leaves home in the early morning
Waving goodbye with an absent-minded smile
I watch her go with a surge of that well known sadness
And I have to sit down for a while
The feeling that I'm losing her forever
And without really entering her world
I'm glad whenever I can share her laughter
That funny little girl

Slipping through my fingers all the time
I try to capture every minute
The feeling in it
Slipping through my fingers all the time

Do I really see what's in her mind
Each time I think I'm close to knowing
She keeps on growing
Slipping through my fingers all the time

Sleep in our eyes, her and me at the breakfast table
Barely awake I let precious time go by
Then when she's gone, there's that odd melancholy feeling

And a sense of guilt I can't deny
What happened to those wonderful adventures
The places I had planned for us to go
Well, some of that we did, but most we didn't
And why, I just don't know

Slipping through my fingers all the time
I try to capture every minute
The feeling in it
Slipping through my fingers all the time
Do I really see what's in her mind
Each time I think I'm close to knowing
She keeps on growing
Slipping through my fingers all the time

Sometimes I wish that I could freeze the picture
And save it from the funny tricks of time

Slipping through my fingers

Schoolbag in hand, she leaves home in the early morning
Waving goodbye with an absent-minded smile

Second Place for Art Contest

This is one of the many events that I wasn't able to post right away because of my desktop computer crashing.  I have no artistic inclination so I am very amazed of how my daughter could draw and paint well.  I think she has the genes of my husband's side of the family.

This contest was sponsored by the Weirton Area Museum and Arts Center.  My daughter's former Art teacher at St. Joseph, Mrs. Wright, told me about it so I told my daughter.  She didn't do her piece until Madonna High School handed them the invitation.

She looked very sleepy here, she painted till late at night so she could submit it the next morning.

Here are the five entries from Madonna High School.  Her piece was second placve.

This was one of the last events she participated into before the  pandemic hits.

With one of her favorite high school teacher.  It was nice of him to go there and support the students.

With Mallory O'Brian, our former neighbor who also attends MHS.  Her piece was the 1st place.  

My husband and I went there as well.  It was pack full of people from different schools.

Calligraphy Pen Set and Few Arts our Daughter Drew

A family friend sent a calligraphy own set for my daughter’s birthday, she loves it.

 I have no artistic skills with pen and paper so I’m so glad that my daughter has her Dad’s genes when it comes to arts.

 She sketched this from the picture when they were still younger.  We all met up atDisneywotld and since then our families have gotten close although we live far apart.  She planned on sending this to her friend but changed her mind.

She sent this one instead.

Music Recital 2019

Torrance Music Studio held their annual  recital a little early this year so that  the older students who are graduating can attend without schedule conflict.  I am so glad that our son returned  once again in playing piano.  He gave himself a break for a year but we encouraged him to try it again this year and he is enjoying it actually.

Our daughter was the only one who participated in the recital last year .  We missed watching our son play as well so were so glad he is on it again this year.

I remember the first time that both of them played in 2015 recital, it was a joy to watch both of them.

We also enjoyed their performance the following year, 2016 recital.

2014 was the very first recital for our daughter.  She played the song that she won playing at a talent show.

In the same year, she  attended music classes in Duquesne University and also participated in their  recital.  It was a great experience for her but unfortunately he was stressed out attending  there so we told her it ain't worth it if she's not enjoying it.

I am glad that both of these kiddos love music.  I love it when they are at home practicing and playing songs on piano.  Our daughter enjoys piano more than violin.

Mrs. R. Fedoush is an excellent music teacher for our kids.  She is  very patient and really hones their talent.

After the recital, we had some refreshments at Taco Bell.  In the past years, we usually  go out  for a dinner with friends but this year was different because they couldn't make it to dinner so we just treat the kids with something light.

Our daughter's godmother attended and gave her a bouquet.

These are some photos taken after the recital when we came back home.

Below are the videos we managed to record. Hard to get a good one when you are sitting at the back. EJ played Mier's Firecracker Boogie Rylie played Bruchner's Buds and Blossoms on piano and Tchaikovzky's Waltz from Sleeping Beauty on violin.

Life is in the Soil: Dig Deeper Art Contest Winner

Our son won the art contest that the West Virginia Association of Conservation District (WVACD) held last school year. His art work won for the school and was chosen to represent his grade division to compete for other entries from other schools. He received $30 as a school winner. I wish his artwork would have been returned to us so I could display it in our art room but it was sent to represent for the National competition to be judged in October.

View this post on Instagram

My son’s entry to the Life is in the Soul: Dig Deeper “ Northern Panhandle Conservation District Art contest won 1st place in his category. His poster was sent to the National competition to be judged this October. I’m proud of you @e.joops.hw . He received a $30 check as a prize. #ArtContest

A post shared by Chubskulit Rose (@chubskulitrose) on Jun 1, 2019 at 8:34am PDT

In July, he received another check from the WVACD and he was so happy.  He was never interested in joining contest because he feared of not being chosen.  We told him that it is okay to try, if he wins, it's good but if not at least he gained an experience.  Now that he won something, he is motivated.

View this post on Instagram

Our son was overjoyed receiving a mail today. It included a congratulatory note from West Virginia Association of Conservation District along with a check. He won the 4th-6th grade Division of the WVACD #PosterContest.

A post shared by Chubskulit Rose (@chubskulitrose) on Aug 8, 2019 at 5:17pm PDT

My daughter won the same art contest few years ago but she didn't make it to the national contest.  One positive side was, she got her art back.

EJ's #Anime and #Manga #Drawings

My son's interests come in waves.  Sometimes, something would trigger his  interest in arts and he would start drawing and doodling.  The anime shows he watches inspired him to start drawing his favorite anime characters.    I think they are really good  but he thinks he isn't  good in arts like his sister does but as an avid supporter of my kids, they are equally talented.  Our son just need to be  inspired and  guided in order for him to do the things that he can.  Here are some of the manga series anime characters that he drew.   Your feedback will make our little guy happy and it might inspire him to continue.

Eren Jaeger, Levi Ackerman, Mikasa Ackerman - Attack on Titan

Asuna Yuuki - Sword Art Online

Natsu Dragneel - Fairy Tail

Saitama - One Punch Man

Natsu Dragneel - Fairy Tail

Vegeta Breigh - Dragon Ball Series

A Time To Heal Racism : Art Contest Winner

Our daughter won the Catholic Campaign for Human Development  art contest dubbed as "A Time to Heal Racism".  As a grand prize winner, she received  an all-paid ($325.00) one-week Summer Camp in Camp Bosco.  It's a great  learning opportunity but we couldn't send her alone to participate  in the said summer camp.  She was scared to attend alone.  It's one of those  fears she has, being  far from us and not knowing the people she is going to interact with.  We were also worried about it so we didn't force her to attend.  

Anyway, her original  work was sent to Washington D.C. for the national contest.  it will be displayed for  educational purposes so it won't be sent back.  I am glad they sent us a photocopy of it. 

Aside from the art, they were also asked to write an essay for this contest.  I will update this with her original content. to explain her entry further.  To some it might just look like different shapes of cut out  art paper but there's a reasoning behind it.  The different colors represents the skin colors of different races  working together towards unity and peace.  I think if we put some compassion into our hearts, the world would be a much better place to live.  

View this post on Instagram

Rylie Cottrill (Grand Prize) and Emily Burskey (3rd place) were winners of The Diocese of Wheeling Charleston Campaign for Human Development’s Creating on the Margin Arts Contest : A Time To Heal Racism. Rylie’s work was sent to Washington D.C for the national contest. Her prize is a one week summer camp stay at Camp Bosco. Great job!! We are proud of you both! #ArtContest #HumanDevelopmentCreatingOnTheMargins #aTimeToHealRacism #WashingtonDCnationalContest #catholicschoolsofweirton

A post shared by Weirton St. Joseph (@weirtonstjoseph) on Apr 4, 2019 at 1:32pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

Our kids have always been into #arts ever since they were little. Our #travels have always been a pleasant experience because they would busy themselves #doodling or doing some type of arts. I always pack #coloring #books and #crayons for them and it eliminates boredom in the #airport✈️ .

A post shared by Chubskulit Rose (@chubskulitrose) on Apr 16, 2019 at 4:22am PDT

8 Incredible Web Sites Every Music Teacher Should Bookmark

A Guest Post by David Turner

The internet has provided some excellent teaching resources for anyone who wants to learn, teach, or play music. Websites exist to help you do everything from learn to read sheet music to compose music of your own. Listed below are eight good ones:

SFS Kids (www.sfskids.org). What kid doesn't like purple skin tone and neat online gadgets with names like "the composerizer"? The San Francisco Symphony has put together a top-notch site that includes a music lab where kids can learn about things like rhythm, tempo, and pitch, a radio where they can choose to listen to classical classics like "Fanfare for the Common Man" or "Flight of the Bumblebee".

musicgames.net (www.musicgames.net). If there's one thing kids like more than purple people eaters, it's playing games. This site has gotten more awards for their games than you probably knew there were games, and with good reason, too. Play them online for free or choose to download and add save features to your game. With titles like "Alice in Vivaldi's Four Seasons" and "Mozart's Magic Flute," you can't go wrong.

Corridos sin Fronteras (www.corridos.org). A music site aimed primarily at Spanish-speakers, Corridos was part of the now conluded Smithsonian Traveling Exhibitions. But the site is still a great way to learn about a musical genre unique to the Americas, and you can even write your own "corrido" after listening to the samples—classics like the "Corrido of the Scolded Child".

New York Philharmonic Kidzone (www.nyphilkids.org). Although it requires Shockwave, the NY Philharmonic's site for kids is worth it. Want to meet some actual musicians? Find out more about a particular composer? Or just play lots of cool games? It's all here, and much, much more, on the well-designed, graphic-user-interface focused site.

Ricci Adams musictheory.net (www.musictheory.net). The home page presents you with three simple choices: lessons, exercises, or tools. An excellent resource for teachers to use as part of a music lesson curriculum, not so much for you to plunk Junior down in front of the computer.

Classics for Kids (www.classicsforkids.com). Another site that's directed more at teachers than kids, CfK gives you chance to find out "What it's like to be a composer," and sign up for their online newsletter for more ideas about how to have fun with music.

playmusic.org (www.playmusic.org). Intro page with little animated dudes (and dudette) playing various instruments. Click on any one of them and link to bio pages of famous musicians, websites to help you compose your own music, or orchestra journal articles. Included because of the graphics-rather-than-text that will appeal to many kids in the video generation.

Pattern Block Rock (http://www.philtulga.com/patternblock.html). When you're tired of trying to teach kids the value of a half note versus a quarter note, check out this site, which uses different color "pattern blocks" to play drum sounds over and over. Just what you needed after a day of noisy kids, right?

David Turner is very interested in helping students who want to pursue a music degree online.

Healthy Soils are Full of Life Art Contest Winner

Our daughter was the school winner for the Healthy Soils are Full of Life Art contest sponsored  by the Northern Panhandle Conservation District on May 5, 2017.  She received a cash award sent as check in the mail.  We were not able to  go to the  awarding ceremony due to schedule conflict with her sports but it was really a good opportunity  where her art talent shined.  

Artsy Kind of Day at St. Francis Xavier School

Our  trip to Moundsville became an artsy kind of day for the  kids, thanks to the kind  lady who offered  to let the kids use their art room while the    parents are dismantling the  playset outside.  It was so nice of her to let us  in the school building and let the kids used the art supplies.

My son  made something for his Dad and my daughter painted something for me.

He also played with playdough and   painted something for the lady.

This is what he  made for his Dad.

This goofball lady can be very creative  most of the times especially when she is bored.  Over the course of summer break she have painted like a dozen of different paintings.  I will have to share it here soon.  I don't mind buying her materials  because she can really put them to use.  My plan is to remodel our basement and use halp part of it for their art works.

She warned me  not to post it but I thought she did a great job so I posted it lol.

My daughter painted me, I think she did a good job considering the short time she spent on it. A previous #birthday #gift. #DaughtersPaintingOfMom #Art

A post shared by Chubskulit Rose (@chubskulitrose) on Jun 15, 2018 at 8:57am PDT

To the lady at St. Francis Xavier Parish, thank you very much for making my children's  stay in Moundsville an awesome one.  You didn't have to do that but  you did so I appreciated it so much!