Glee Season 4!

Ok, so I am behind a little bit.  I admit it.  During the week, I'm a hermit who goes to bed super early.  Yep.  Oh, well.


So, where to begin?  I guess first of all, as soon as Britney, Tina, Blaine, and Wade/Unique started the whole "New Rachel" battle, I knew it wouldn't be any of them.  I knew that there had to be someone new that would show up before the end of the episode.  Was I right?  Of course.  Glee's fairly predictable.  Marley is definitely the new Rachel.

As for Rachel herself-I am pretty damn sure that she's going to have issues with that dance teacher of hers.  I wouldn't be surprised if she became a favorite student in the class only to find out some tragic story about her teacher that then haunts her through the season.  I'm not sure exactly what they're trying to set up, but something's in the works.  I have no doubts, though, that Rachel will work herself too hard in attempts to impress Kate Hudson's character.  Do we even know her name yet? 

I teared up when Kurt's dad started crying.  Maybe I'm too emotional, but that was definitely an emotional scene!  I'm glad Kurt's in NY.  I was super frustrated early in the episode that he was being the high school cling-on.  I always had a hard time with people who came back too often after graduating when I was still in high school.  I tried not to be that kind of a person, though looking back I may have been.  I think there's a sense when you graduate that you want to hang on to who you were and what you accomplished in high school, that you just lose the honest sense of how much you're clinging to the past.  Anyways, I'm glad Blaine pushed Kurt to leave Lima.  He needed out-the barista gig was not working for him.

Jake.  Jake, Jake, Jake.  I didn't see it coming, but I am not surprised by his behavior that he is Puck's brother.  He's got the whole smoldering good looks/smoldering anger thing going, which I think has to be a part of every high school-set show.  I've watched too many with these types of characters to think otherwise.  He's got a great voice, and I think he'll fight his desire to be in Glee for a while, but eventually give in.  He wants it bad.  We can see that in his face when he watched their rehearsal at the end of the episode.  He doesn't want to be someone's charity case, though.  Schuester is right, though-Glee did WONDERS for Puck, and I think it would for Jake, too.  I am really looking forward to hearing more of Jake's story, too!  Why doesn't Puck know about him?

Marley.  Yes, she may very well be the new Rachel.  I know that's my opinion.  Blaine can be the new Finn.  They'll need one of those, too.  However, Marley's got a little more interest in her character than simply being the new Rachel.  She's got enough going in her life to be wildly unpopular with her classmates.  It's obvious that no one seems to like her mom.  It's sad, because I guarantee you that they'll put some story in about why she's so overweight that will make it all make more sense.  You can tell that by Marley's reactions and her discussions with her mom.  Oh my goodness.  I have a feeling I'm going to love Marley's mom.  I kind of feel like I can relate a little bit-being overweight and all.  However, there's also this fighter instinct she has to make everything the best she can for her daughter.  I love that.  Marley's clothes don't look bad.  I hope she fully opens up to Glee about her clothes, her mom, and whatever the story is about her previous school. 

Brody.  I had to go look his name up, so don't feel weird about now remembering who he is.  I mean, maybe you listened better than I did when he introduced himself.  I may have still been in a state of shock after watching him step out of the shower in front of Rachel.  He is incredibly attractive, and he's obviously going to be a drama-inspiring character this season.  There's bound to be issues between Finn and Rachel due to this Brody character.  He seriously seems to be exactly what Rachel needs right now, though.  Encouragement and inspiration, plus the fact that he's been there himself.

I half expected Madam Tibideaux to give some sort of criticism to Rachel.  Maybe we'll see a little more of that later in the season.  She's got to push her in some way, or what's the point of all the drama at the end of last season?

Sue's baby, Robin. First of all, was it just me, or did the baby look like possibly there was some sort of disability there?  I mean, I'm not trying to say it was an ugly baby.  It just didn't look exactly normal to me.  I suppose, though, being Sue's baby it can't be normal, even if it seems that way!  I just mean, Sue's sister has a disability, and Sue could be a carrier or something, couldn't she?  I suppose this will either prove true or false as the season continues.

One last thing...the new cheerio captain is getting on my nerves.  Sure, Quinn and Santana were annoying, but this chick is literally a bitch.  I do not like her one bit.  How long do you think she has before she's part of Glee?  I wouldn't actually bet on it, but the way they do things, maybe by mid-season she'll at least sing in an episode.

Hey, Amy!  You were SO right.  They are definitely setting themselves up for a better story arc this year!!!  Last year seems so BLAH when compared to just this first episode!


Now for the music.  My favorite of the entire episode was New York State of Mind.  It was actually what made me think Marley was definitely the new Rachel.  Duh.  Anyways, it's a song I'd never heard, but I rather enjoyed it!
Call Me Maybe?  Cliche.  I expected Glee to do it.  I'm glad it's out of the way early in the season.  It leaves room for better songs later, and it was actually a good use of the song.  I'm not sure there would have been a natural way of putting it into the episodes otherwise.
Chasing Pavements.  LOVED it.  I didn't know the song before that.  I like the song, but once I discovered Adele sings it I was a bit disappointed.  She's obnoxious and overplayed.  However, Marley probably sang the song way better than Adele could've anyways.
What's the song Blaine sang to Kurt in the quad?  I liked that one, too!
Jake's audition song-I've always loved the Fray.  Never Say Never is a good song, too.  Good choice for Jake! =)
All in all, this episode had good music!

I hope I haven't bored you with my blabbing about Glee.  I just needed to put these thoughts down.  I have no intentions of posting about every episode, but I did enjoy writing this blog today!  Who knows.

Quick thought

"The place where God calls you is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet" - Frederick Buechner

*sigh*

I have been watching Pride & Prejudice (abbreviated P&P for the remainder of the post) over and over.  Like, seriously over and over.  It started the other night when I realized I had no internet until further notice (which has now been semi-resolved...more on that later).

I watched the 2005 P&P on Tuesday night when I was trying to wind down and get to sleep.  I absolutely love P&P, and every time I feel all ooey-gooey after watching it.  I don't know what it is about Mr. Darcy, but I just can't help watching time after time!  I didn't think much of it, because I tend to watch it on occasion.

However, just two days later, I watched it again!  I don't know why.  I think it might have been laziness, honestly, because I didn't want to go dig through all my movies to find something to watch.  Every time I watch P&P, I see new little details and see more subtle nuances in the film.  I think I've finally started to see most (I'd say all, but then if I find a new one I'd be mad that I said all!) of the subtle nuances and little details between Elizabeth and Darcy, but Thursday I caught a new one from Mr. Bennett.  I can't remember which scene, but it's at a point in the movie when Lydia comes to Mrs. Bennett and says, "Mamma, you'll never believe what I'm going to tell you!" or something of the sort.  Before Mrs. Bennett responds, almost under his breath/behind the scene, Mr. Bennett says, "She's going to take the veil."  I could not help but laugh at that!  It's so funny, and totally opposite of Lydia's character.  Of course, I'm sure you knew that.  At least those of you that are familiar with P&P knew that.  The 2005 version just has all these little humorous details that make me want to watch it repetitively.

So, then the next day I decided I'd change it up a bit and watch the long (5 hours and 23 minutes!) version of P&P from 1995.  Yep, the one with Colin Firth!  It's so different from the 2005 version.  I used to think I preferred Matthew Macfadyen as Darcy.  Oh, no!  I do not think that anymore!  I think I was used the Macfadyen's portrayal, but Firth "does the job credibly".  HA.  I think the 1995 version shows Darcy's feelings for Lizzie more clearly. 

Here's the ridiculous part: I went to Barnes & Noble today with my mom and my sister.  I wasn't looking for anything, I just went along for the enjoyment of the bookstore.  I love them.  Anyways, I was browsing through the "Fiction & Literature" section, and I kept finding books relating to P&P.  "Mr. Darcy" this, and "Jane Austen" that.  Really?  Do people actually read those?  It's fanfiction!  I hate fanfiction.  It ruins stories.  Ugh.  Anyways, I seriously have P&P on the mind this week.  It's my own doing, but it's true.  Even listening to a CD on the way home I told my sister that it was a song that Darcy could've sung to Lizzie.  *sigh*  It's a problem, I think.

Do you ever have this "problem", where you're constantly thinking of a book or a movie?

Amazing Vacation

I am planning a very long, very detailed post about my FABULOUS vacation to Florida (re: Disney World and Wizarding World of Harry Potter).  It's coming.  I promise.

"The Adult Vortex"

So, where do adults go to meet other adults?  What I mean is, if I want to diversify my group of friends, where do I find people who I'd actually want to be friends with?  I currently work at a school where the majority of the staff is much older than I am.  There are maybe 2 other staff members under the age of 35.  I am not currently involved in a small group/young adults group at church, because the churches I've been attending over the last two years have not had these sorts of groups.  For the summer I'm working with more people my age-ish, but there are still quite a few that are a good chunk younger than I am, and only one or two that are about my age.  So...where do I meet people?

My mom calls this the "adult vortex".  m-w.com says:
"Definition of VORTEX

1

: something that resembles a whirlpool vortex of battle — Time>

2

a : a mass of fluid (as a liquid) with a whirling or circular motion that tends to form a cavity or vacuum in the center of the circle and to draw toward this cavity or vacuum bodies subject to its action; especially : whirlpool, eddy b : a region within a body of fluid in which the fluid elements have an angular velocity"

 

I'm not sure if that definition actually relates, but that's ok.  I think her point is that I am not alone in this issue.  So, anyone out there have any suggestions?  I hate being so far away from my good friends in California and having so few friends here in Oregon.  I feel like my social life is lacking, and I am not motivated to get out and do things like I might be in California.

It's Over

My little babies graduated.  Preschool graduation was on Wednesday.  It's weird, but as relieved as I am, I'm also sad.  I'm going to miss it.  Of course, I jump into practically the same thing on this upcoming Wednesday-at the YMCA.  I'll still see most of my kiddos in the fall, too, because they're all going to be in music with me!  =)

BTW, for anyone out there who went to EDHS with me, one of my students' parents is close friends with Miss Petitt.  She and this parent went to high school together and then this parent moved to Oregon, got married, and had kids.  Small world, right?

Welcome to June...

So, it's June now.  How did that happen? 

Anyways, I was filling out my lesson plans for the next week and a half (yes, literally, that's ALL that I have left with Preschool!).  It's like...I don't have any time with them left.  Even though the last 2 days have been extremely difficult (kids not listening to instructions, yelling, screaming, crying for no apparent reason...), it's going to be sad at the end of the year.  At least most of them will still be my students next year!  I'll just be their music teacher instead!  =)

Speaking of that...the information about teacher changes went out in the school newsletter this week.  That means people are aware that I'll be teaching music and health next year, which means people will be coming and talking to me about it-ALL THE TIME.  I'm ok with that, I suppose, but I'm just not exactly sure how I feel about it.  Are they excited?  Are they unhappy?  Are they unsure?  I'm kind of excited, unsure, and nervous.  So, if I feel that way, wouldn't they be feeling that way, too?

Ugh.  I guess what I'm nervous about is that now that all of this has gone public, are people going to feel free to talk openly about how "awful" music was this year?  Or how they didn't think the concert was very good?  I mean, the current music teacher will still be around until June 15.  I sure hope that means that people will keep their mouths shut about it until then. 

I guess what I'm MOST nervous about, if I allow myself to really consider it, is the current music teacher's reaction.  Is she going to be upset with me, even though I didn't have anything to do with her not being there next year?  Sure, I'll be teaching what she's currently teaching, but I didn't take it from her.  It was given to me once they decided she wouldn't be there next year.  So...I guess I'm afraid she'll take her emotions out on me.  Let's hope she doesn't.

Um...yup.  That's it for now.  I have other things that I want to share, but I guess I should wait until I really have something to share, not just a kind of something.