All Done, Time to Relax!

Random Update

***I'm very much glad that tonight was my last concert! The kids were great, and earned yet another standing ovation (Yeah!) ***

***My open house is Sunday. Please pray that I get some reasonable offers on the house, I really would love to be out of here by June sometime. Check out the Riverfront Times for more information.***

***One more month of school!***

***Pray that the possibility of a full-time position becomes reality when they have their next principal's meeting.***

***One more month until the lease is up!!!!!!!!!***

***Summertime job acquired (start next week). Graduate Classes arranged. Mini-Vacation in-the-works. 10 year high school reunion coming up.***

Yeah, I know it's boring, but it's nice to cross things off one's 'to-do' list of life. Pbbt :)

Odd Happenings

So Katie and I are standing outside the church where our choir meets. We were chatting it up about going back to school (yes we are both going back, for different reasons of course.) Anyway we're the last ones there, and our director comes out saying "Are you girls ok?" We say "Yes, we're fine, just talking." He says "Well you should go I wouldn't stick around this area with the bad people around." His words, not mine.

Anyway, he leaves, Katie and I jump in our cars, and as I'm pulling around to leave she waves me over. Turns out someone had busted out her ignition. We later found her xm radio stolen, her cd's gone, and the door handle was cleverly broken underneath the handle. We called the cops, twice. Once to report the incident. The second to actually report the stolen items discovered later. We believe the perpertrators were almost caught by the other people leaving earlier before us and therefore they missed a good portion of the other goodies they could have removed like the sub, and the woofers, and the custom mods under the hood etc. Good thing that the microchip shut down the ignition; at least it works like it says it does.

Kate called her insurance, husband, family, tow company. She has a report number with the police who didn't even come out to do the report! HOW RUDE! It was all over the phone. Sure, they'll come over for my ex-roommates' stolen license plate, but not an attempted theft of a car with actual valuables missing inside and damage done?

The ironic thing is our director asked us if we were ok,; I guess we spoke too soon. At least we were speaking at all, and I was around to wait for reinforcements. What if we hadn't chatted and I left already or our director left too? I guess idol chatter can be good for something, even if just to pass the time in crisis. I just hope things get situated for Kate and Dennis.

Journey to the Planet Earth

Today after watching the usual Tuesday shows, I saw a program on PBS called "Journey to the Planet Earth." It is very depressing hearing about the state of our planet. Basically many of animals will be extinct in our life time, no joke! After having the recycling assembly at school last week and the bird santuary visit today, I decided I definitely need to make more of an effort to make sure at least my paper and aluminum get recycled. I have recycling facilities at school and so I have no excuse not to recycle at home (I already do at school). I wish I had curb side recycling like I did in Kirksville. So when I get paid I'm buying two additional trash cans to collect paper and aluminum to take to school.

I just keep thinking this everytime I almost throw away a can...one aluminum can has the ability to power a tv for 3 hours.

90 Degrees and Loving It!

Wow, this week's weather has been amazing! Today it is all the way up to 90 degrees (F)! I refuse to turn the a/c on because it's too early for that, and I'm enjoying the warm weather. Nothing like cleaning your house and doing yard work on your day off. I'm treating today like Sunday. Nothing like using the bag on a push-it-yourself mower. The hills in my front hard are killer with the bag, but I wanted it to get the rest of any left over Fall leaves etc. since my house is on sale.

I wouldn't say that I'm less stressed about the impending changes occuring within the next few months, however, my status is I'm leaving the worrying up to God and giving it to Him. My dreams are reflecting my sense of worry and anxiousness, but at least I was able to put that energy into cleaning and yard work. Somehow, some days doing those things makes me feel good. I'm still anxious, but I try to get by and do what I can to keep busy.

I went to my parents' house last night to visit and give my Mom her MK order. She was showing me all her gardening adventures and the latest and greatest improvements to the house which is starting to look less like a Spec home by the minute. It's about time we had colors beside white on every wall! I talked with my Grammie and she was reminising about how we were best friends when I was a kid. I told her yeah, I remember. How could I ever forget? She is like a Mom who is also your friend. She's always trying to give me stuff though, and I try to tell her I don't need or want it. I did allow her to give me a candle for my house, so as not to hurt her feelings. It never fails, every time I saw her as a kid she bought me things, and she still tries to do that now. I said, "Just because I'm visiting doesn't mean I deserve any gift or money, Grams. I just wanted to say hello and see how you were." Grams, "I know, that's why I like doing it." I think my Grandma would give me the world if it was hers to give. I'm not sure why. We've always been close. I think she will like having me around if I end up moving back home. I'd like being around just for that reason.

Shelf Life

As a Mary Kay consultant I tend to order products for customers as well as myself. I am very glad that MK has a return policy as I managed to pick out a lip color that while nice, doesn't look well at least with my current hair color and skin tone. Needless-to-say I was wondering as to the current shelf life of make-up. I've never had any known problems, but I just wanted to be sure. Check out this article to see if your make-up is too old.

Basically, eye color (3 years max) seems to last the longest while mascara lasts the least amount of time safely (4 months). Hint: Don't Use your mascara comb like a pump, instead turn it to renew the color or remove excess. Moving it up and down only drys your mascara faster.

I should stop worrying so much...

I have so much stuff going on it's been madness in my mind, as I'm sure you've noticed. Somehow today I felt like God was bringing me a little bit o' peace. After staying up Sunday and putting my applications out for PCT as a possible job alternative, I decided during my plan time today at school what to do with the job situation. I was already leaning in one direction to begin with, I guess I needed a little nudge. That little nudge was just my secretary asking if I had turned in my contract yet. She wanted to make sure she didn't lose it, or that I hadn't forgotten it was due. I replied with a 'not yet.'

I did a few calculations, summated all my decisions in my brain and twenty minutes after the email decided to sign my contract. I haven't lost faith in teaching just yet, and I trust God to take me where I need to go. If He feels I need to live at my parents working .79 and going to school then so be it. If He wants me to be full time, living on my own or whatever, going to school then that's fine too. I'm not ready to start over in my job placement again. I have no desire to be at any other school.

I still feel that little 'what if' in my head when I look back at my first job, but I know the that success the current teacher is having, has a lot to do with what I put into place my first three years there. Heck, she is still carrying over some traditions I started as evidenced by the concert schedule. The program is growing as I expected, and I'm very happy for my once freshman/sophomores who are juniors/seniors making I's in solo and ensemble. Should I tell the new teacher "Thank you?" I don't know. I've kept out of being around on purpose, so the program could truly be remade. It's on it's way, and I have to think I had something to do with it. My passion for music paved the way, I even left a good deal of resources to encourage and foster the program's growth, which is more than I can say was left me. The people I was 'at arms' with are now gone and the majority of hard work done, which will pave the way to a brighter tommorow for the students. Good for them ;)

Things are hopefully looking up, keep the prayers going, because it's not over yet, not by a long shot.

G is for Good

With all this talk today about fractional positions, electives being cut at the middle schools etc, I was glad to come home, check the mail, and find my results from my cholesteral levels to be very good. (At least I can have some ounce of good news, however small.) I guess since heart disease runs in my family, I have to start getting these things checked. So for your enjoyment, I leave you with my cholesteral test results. It's really, that exciting ahahahah :)

Cholesterol total: 147 (should be less than 200)

LDL, bad cholesterol: 68 (should be less than 130)

HDL, good cholesterol: 72 (you should have 40 or more, the more the better in this category)

Triglycerides (blood fats): 34 (the higher the number, the more likely you will develop clogged arteries, should be less than 150)

It makes me feel great to hear the recommendation levels on the bottom of the page: "Continue with your same diet and exercise program." So take that! Goooo South Beach!

Do you know what your levels are? (This is my public service announcement for the year :)

V for Vendetta

You should go see this movie. It's very interesting, and very good.

Guess what? I don't have TB!

Ok, so the title's a little strange, but I couldn't think of anything good. Yesterday I had to go back to the Dr. because they forgot to give me the PPD check to make sure I don't have Tuberculosis, and of course I need this on file before they will let me register. Well it's close enough to tommorow that I can tell you I don't have TB. The dumb thing is I have to have another party do the reading to prove me right. My last Dr. just let me call them and tell the results. So at least my school nurse can do it so I don't have to go back for the negative reading (in other words, there is no bump or mark of any kind where I had the test done).

In other news, I just got my teaching contract today for next year. It's pretty crazy that they want our response in less than a month, especially when I'd be taking a 9k pay cut because of decreased enrollement. They aren't sure if a traveling position will be open or if we can officially fill the missing classes by doing Title 1 tutoring or some other duty. It's a tough call... I'd basically be going back to my 2nd year teacher salary. I'm barely making it on my current salary, let alone afford a cut. Happiness at a job means a lot, but I'm not sure if I can afford this cut, unless I officially move in with the parents.

A friend of mine officially broke up with her boyfriend to whom she was previously engaged. She is selling her condo with him, and was planning on purchasing a place. We would then plan to be roommates, and I could live cheaper than I am now, with someone I know to be a good and normal person, and still have the same 'luxeries' I do now (by luxury I mean doing my own laundry at home, having a place to park, my own room, a back yard, close to work, freedom to do just about whatever...etc.) She doesn't know what she is going to do because her contract went even smaller than mine. I know she will look for a new job if there are no opportunities to be full-time. I on the other hand I'm not sure what I'll do.

I want to stay because I like where I am. I'm not prepared to start another job in teaching again. I at least will not be going to another school district; I'll say that much. I'm leaning toward signing the contract and hoping for the best. I want to double check about my benefits still being in place. But I will most likely stay. I will have 80 minutes less teaching time every day, which means I could be coming in later or leaving earlier. I could use that time to study or make it a point to exercise, but I'd definitely have to live with my parents.

It's not so much my parents that are my concern. My concern is living across from my brother. My brother is in a world of his own suffering from constant diabetes problems, memory loss due to seizures, and mood swings. In the past, I would have had the entire upstairs to myself. Wheras now, my Grandma also lives there in my brother's old room. I really wish the basement were even partially finished. Enough for a big bedroom with a small study area, a living room area, and a full bathroom. If/When I move back I'll take the upstairs bedroom (my old one) and sweat to death in the summer b/c my brother won't keep the air on (supposedly he says he will keep it on for me, and if not then maybe he'll consider switching rooms which btw are both the same size only one has an extra closet (mine).) I'll then set up shop in my mom's study that she used for her Master's and have a little living room in the basement.

The other concern is the 45 minute (all traffic!) drive every day to work. If I so much as left 15 minutes later to go to HS. It took me an hour just to get to Webster Groves. I'm worried what it would be like to get to No. Co. every day from really far South, So. Co. What if I forget a book or a paper? I can't run down and grab it. (Maybe my Grams could help, but she has a life too.) It's all a matter of finances vs. mental health. Right now I lean toward mental health. I have a feeling that if I just trust God, my job will work itself out. I'm also going to look into being a PCT at the hospital, it won't pay as much probably, but I'd get tuition reimbursement.

Just craziness. Uncertainty is good sometimes, but when it comes to money and jobs and life decisions it's really stressing.

PS .... I would post my house listing to advertise but I don't want random people knowing where I live. So far just as of yesterday 38 people looked at my house online. Keep praying, I need it!

Goodbye house!

Well, it's official. My house will be on the market starting tommorow. Many repairs and super cleaning jobs were completed. I moved boxes around and tidied the storage area. Melia and I discussed pricing and we hope to sell fast and close around June.

All my hoops are mostly complete for school. I completed the Financial Aid visit Monday. I passed my recert for Healthcare Provider CPR. I went and got my drug screening. I went to the Dr. today for my required physical, I even had my cholesteral checked. All I have to do is make copies of the my card when I get it, and send these things in. Yeah!

Everything would be great, other than my roommate not bothering to read my post-it notes reminding her of what is up. I even sent her an email and gave her a free card to go get a relaxing massage. I just don't understand why someone would be wierd about me cleaning the house for them. I should start a whole new blog just for this segment of my life alone entitled, Wierd Roomate Stories.

Unexpected

I can't believe how much I got done in one day. It made me feel like all my worries were for naught. Monday I finished my FAFSA, met with the Financial Aid person, had extra time to get the drug test done, and then to go home eat, and go to CPR. Originally they told me I missed the boat for CPR, but then someone cancelled and she called me just in time for me to get there.

I passed. I didn't like my teacher (neither did my partner), and wished I was in the lady instructor's group because that's who I had last time two years ago. This guy acted like if you asked a question because you were confused with the video something was wrong with you. Seriously, don't be a teacher if you are going to make someone feel dumb for asking questions and then say "feel free to ask me anything, that's why I'm here." For example: Me: "So are we supposed to give one minute of CPR first to both adults and children and then get help if no one is there, or should we get help first?" Him: "Well what did the video say?" Me: "It wasn't particularily clear what one should do if someone wasn't there (for adults) for you to ask them to call 911, whereas the child's was, which is why I ask." Him: "Well what was the chain of survival for the adult?" Me: "Early Access." Him: "What about the child then?" Me: "Early CPR" Him: "Well there's your answer then." He basically picked on anyone who made one mistake and made a big deal about it. I'm sorry I've only taken CPR twice (this being the 2nd time), if I or the other students forget something, don't treat us like dummies, help us fix the situation instead of belittling us. He was very humilating for all of the girls in our group. He left the guys alone because there was a fire-fighter and a army person. How Rude! We came here to learn, not to be treated like crap, with a smile. Glad that's done. Next time I take it, I'm making sure I'm in the group with the woman instructor.

Sorry. I guess being a teacher it irks me when other teachers do their job poorly. I understand having a bad day, because certainly I have those too. At least I try to be patient, instead of rolling my eyes at another student while the one having trouble is confused. There was another girl who was obviously "English as a Second Language." She had never taken CPR before and needed extra help. He treated her very poorly (using raised voice sometimes, rolling eyes toward me etc.), she's translating everything you say, at least give her time to figure it out and walk her through it, everyone learns differently. I should have written this on the comment form, but instead I just gave lower scores for the instruction because I didn't want to be 'picked out from the crowd'.

Anyway, I'm going to be being my packing adventures today. Anyone else think the snow is crazy? First day of Spring and it snows. All those poor daffodil flowers will die now, bummer. Not sure why, but once the snow started my sinuses went hay wire. I even lost my voice for a few hours last night. Strange. I haven't reacted to weather changes like that in a LONG time.

I know I don't sound poetic or exciting or even really informative lately, but that's just how it goes. By the way, the movie called "Winter Solstice" is not worth your time. I rarely fall asleep during a movie, but this one almost had no plot.

Enough already!

This last week was CRAZY! I found myself venting to Eric today, simply because I was sick of being a slave to my own life. I was feeling trapped and stuck and that just makes me want to scream sometimes. Everyday this week I had to be at school early and at least two days I stayed late. I had two extra rehearsals during the week for this choir performance today and tommorow, one of which was right after one of my big student concerts (of which we got a standing ovation). Then I had to go to another one today because he didn't feel we were prepared. Honestly I kept making mistakes because I'm BORED of singing the same thing over and over because 12 of us can't figure out how to sing in unison. Anytime I messed up was because I zoned out and wanted to go home.

That's all I could think about this morning. It's my Spring Break darn it, and I really didn't want to be spending two of my days singing for this Gregorian Chant concert. It's cool, it was fun, might actually be fun tonight and tommorow, but now it's just old for me. I'll be very happy when we are done. You think I'd be excited to have a big solo part in this thing, but quite honestly I'd rather be getting ready to move or playing around with friends. Have you ever just been forced to be 'on' all the time, and you get to a point where you can't take it anymore and need a break? That's me right now. UGH!

Now that I'm done whining and complaining here's the news of my exciting journey through life. Monday I'm meeing with Financial Aid and taking CPR at Meramac. The rest of the week will be spent getting my house ready to go on the market. I'll be moving some things over to the parental's house and making it look like no one really lives here. I'm not really sure what to do with the roomie other than remind her the house will be on display, which I already mentioned two weeks ago.

As for my current job, I'm being rehired at .79 for sure (we lost some sections) and that means I'll end up traveling again probably, if the option is there. I'm not sure what I'm doing with this yet, other than since I'll be moving back home, as long as this ensures I can leave early (since I won't be teaching) and still get full benefits, I can handle the decrese in pay. On the other hand since I'm taking more college grad credits, maybe I'll have enough to bump up a salary schedule by next year. Depends on what I have time to do. For nursing school, I have to jump through all these hoops before they'll let me register. They are requiring a lot more than Maryville did, ie a drug test, fun fun.

Anyway, that's it for now. This post was mostly random junk, but read if you will my random, unexciting ramblings for the day.

3 more days!

3 More days until I'm done with Phase 1 of the SB diet. I can't wait to have some carbs back in my life baby. All these leafy greens are great, but my digestive system is mad at me this time (maybe because I was sick last Friday who knows). I'm having dreams of chocolate covered strawberries (sugar-free chocolate of course) and whole grain pita with my hummus and tomatoes again..... yum!

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On another note, I got home today and the neigbhor is selling their house too. I hope that doesn't look bad for me, however, my house is better kempt and has a bit more to offer :) (ie finished basement, wood burning stove, 3 bedrooms, a covered deck, nice landscaping, hard wood floors underneath the carpet, lots of exterior updates, I could go on etc.)

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Four more school days until our concert. 7 days until 'the big solo' as "Chastity." One more week until Spring Break!!!! Two more weeks until my house is on the market!

Wicked and Son of a Witch

The book discussion I used to frequent, much more oft than I do now, was reading Wicked last month. I finally finished it about two weeks ago and hungered for more. I went to the library and checked out the "7 Day Loan" edition of Son of a Witch from the Best-Seller Shelves. I had to renew (or exchange rather), but I finally finished reading Son of a Witch (the sequel) yesterday. I'm not sure why I was so compelled by these books, but I absolutely loved them. The ending was beautiful.

I miss reading so much that when I return the book to the library (due today), I'll have to find another one. I almost forgot how I really enjoyed reading, espeically for fun. My problem usually stems from the question of what to read. Having been told what to read for most of my life (especially from all those high-school summer reading requirements about women's struggles etc.), it's hard to know what are valuable books and are also very interesting to me in the fiction sense. I wish I could find a list of quality fictions books of all types (not just the classics) from which to choose for my reading pleasure. I am sometimes overwhelmed at the infinite possibilities, even at my teeny-tiny library off "The Rock Rd".

Coming soon.....

It's unofficially official!!! My house will be going on the market hopefully on March 25th! Melia seems to think that it will sell fast. Keep your prayers going! I'm going to need it!

Beach Update

So far I've lost 7 lbs and counting. I guess it really helped that I've been sick for the last two days and haven't really eaten anything for obvious reasons! Trust me, the sickness wasn't worth the extra 2 lbs. Well, I'm off to the store to get some eggs and turkey bacon. I'm finally hungry, and I really hope my sickness is done with me, so I can start eating things other than sugar free jello and not lose it 10 minutes later. YIKES!

Back to School!

Today I just found out I was accepted into the nursing program of my choice. YEAH! I will be working full time and going back to school, but it will be worth it. I've been wanting to complete the RN I started a few years back, and this is my second try at doing it. In other words, I was originally going to Maryville but I simply couldn't afford their private school price, so I had to drop out. I will be going to school for less time and earning an ASN, but afterwards I understand that some hospitals help cover your tuition if you want to earn a higher degree of which I will probably do so later.

In the meantime wish me luck! I have to go through a bunch of hoops to get everything going, and I'm also planning on selling the house! Mucho prayer is needed if you are of the praying sort.

Back to the Beach

Well I finally finished reading my South Beach Book. This time around I thought I would actually try following/eating the recipies in the book rather than making up my own based on the food allowed. So far some of the recipies have been really good. I think I'm eating better food when I make an effort to follow a specific regimen, rather than eating whatever looks good at the time (or is convienant). It's taken a lot of grocery shopping planning and food preparation on my part, but the good news is, I enjoy the food I'm eating a lot better than when I was just making things up as I go along. Yes I'm missing my Sweetarts snacks at school, but I'll survive. For instance today I was offered a banana laffy taffy, a brownie, a twinkie and a juice box (because of special reading week and a student leaving party). I probably would have saved or eaten at least half of that today had I not been on the diet.

On the other hand I'm noticed a bit of dizziness when I start to get hungry again, so I'm thinking I need to up my eating of the 2 recommended the quiche cups to maybe 3.

Here's one recipie I thought very strange at first (by looking at the ingredients). Who knew ricotta cheese could be a dessert?:

1/2 cup part skim ricotta cheese
1/2 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1 pkg sugar substitute (splenda)
Dash expresso powder (I couldn't find this at the store so I used cinnamon)
5 mini chocolate chips (I guess they let us cheat with this one)

Mix it up and eat. YUM!

Since I had Mahi Mahi around, I substuted this recipie for the salmon and it was YUM too!

1 pc of Mahi Mahi
2 tsp e.v. olive oil
2 tsp fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp salt
Pinch Pepper
2 Cloves Garlic Minced
2 tsp Rosemary Leaves

Mix up the ingredients and brush onto fish. Broil at 350 until done.

"What to do?" and other things

What to do?

As I'm approching March I'm trying to get my life's decisions in order. First I need to find out what is going on with my application to Nursing School. Second, I need to put the house on the market. Third, I need to decide if I want to attempt living with the parental units or try to find a cheap place on my own. On the fourth, topic I can do nothing but wait and see (I'll tell you more later.)

So tommorow I HOPE to call the college and figure out the status of my application (I know they have everything, I just need to know when I'll find out the big question.) Then I need to get in touch with my Realtor and get my house market ready in the next couple weeks. The third factor depends on several things: Am I going back to school? What will happen with the forth topic? Am I willing to give up some freedoms to save a lot of money so I can get back on track a lot faster?

My leanings (ambitions) include: Yes, I'll be going back to school; Yes, I will sell the house. Yes, I will attempt to live with the parents for at least for a semester; Yes, my current situation in the fourth topic will change in some direction.

Random Facts I learned today:

You know that 5 second rule when you drop food? You should scratch it, especially if the item is wet/sticky. Studies show you can pick up MAJOR bacteria.

The sidewalk is cleaner (bacteria-wise) than your kitchen floor at home.

The average family brings about 3 lbs of dirt in their home each year.

A dog's mouth is NOT cleaner than a humans', however, both a human and dog mouth have a slight antiseptic property (slight being key.)

Ordo Virtutum

PLEASE JOIN US FOR THIS EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE

Hildegard von Bingen’s Ordo Virtutum

Saturday, March 18 at 8:00 pm and Sunday March 19 at 2:00 pm

St. Louis Abbey Church on the St. Louis Priory Campus

Presented by the Saint Louis Women’s Chorale

Under the direction of Scott Schoonover

Tickets are available at the door. Adults – $15, Students and Seniors – $13.

The Saint Louis Women’s Chorale proudly presents the rarely performed medieval musical drama Ordo Virtutum, or “Play of the Virtues.” Written by Hildegard von Bingen around 1150, Ordo Virtutum transcends the plainchant style common at that time with unusual intervals, cascades of notes in extended melismatic passages, repeated melodic cells and extraordinary vocal range in monophonic lines for female voices. The performance will take place in the St. Louis Abbey Church at the St. Louis Priory. This semi-staged production features soprano Ann Hoyt. Also enjoy the sounds of medieval instruments.

Directions - From Highway 64/40 east or west, exit north onto Mason Road. Drive a short distance north on Mason Road. The campus is on your right after you pass Priory Lane. If you reach Conway Road, you have gone too far.

The “Play of the Virtues” - The story of the Ordo Virtutum is simple. A Soul, still imprisoned in the human body she must wear on her journey through life, presents herself to the Virtues to be accepted into heaven. But the Virtues offer no easy transformation. All they can promise is their help in fighting the temptations of the world through which the Soul must still pass. Disappointed, the Soul feels she can no longer resist the world’s blandishments, and leaves in the company of the ever-present Devil. The Virtues mourn her defection but find strength in their ability to work together to the glory of God. When the Soul returns, besmirched but penitent, they accept her back, and together they help her conquer the Devil.

The music for the Ordo Virtutum is closely connected with the Latin text. Hildegard uses different tones, modes and melodic treatments to represent various virtues, vices and emotions. There is a vibrant connection between the emotional imagery and the expressive melodies in this moving work that goes far beyond its origins as a morality play to become a spiritual celebration of goodness and life – all within the confines of the plainchant style.

The Composer - Hildegard von Bingen was an extraordinary person. A 12^th century visionary, poet, composer, prophetess, theologian, natural scientist, prolific writer and administrator, Hildegard was consulted by bishops, emperors, and even popes, on both secular and sacred matters. Born in 1098, Hildegard entered the convent at the age of eight. She eventually became abbess and started her own monastery in the Rhineland near Bingen. Ordo Virtutum was composed there, probably for the dedication of the new convent. In addition to her extensive body of prose, Hildegard wrote 77 religious poems, all with music. She lived to the age of eighty-one, working productively until the end.

The St. Louis Women’s Chorale was founded in 1995 to create a community of women dedicated to performing music by, for, and about women. Our mission is the performance of quality repertoire for women’s voices. As American women in the 21^st century, we have a voice unlike any in history. Through participation in the St. Louis Women’s Chorale, women have the opportunity to find and experience the power of their own voices and to let those voices be heard in St. Louis, across Missouri, throughout the United States and around the world.

***I am one of the soloists (Chastity) in this performance and am also one of 12 of the small ensemble of singers (the virtues) from the bigger choir. Come and see us! Here's the translation if you want the full story.***