Tuesday, May 27, 2003

Posted 10:41 PM by Dezi Rollins, LSSP | 0 Thoughts

Wow! This has been such a great week so far!!! Over the weekend, we went bowling with the youth at David's church. He told me before we arrived that they were expecting 20 kids. So, guess how many showed up? 51! (No, that is not a typo).
Oh well, fun was still had by all. Earlier that day, I helped David pick out a keyboard. Which I'm very excited about! In fact, I think he's going to have to drag me away from the keyboard every time I come over......

Yesterday was Memorial Day. I did not know this, but Memorial Day was actually started right after the Civil War, as a way to remember the Union soldiers who were killed in battle. It then drifted down to the South and included all persons who were killed in the line of duty. It was first called "Decoration Day" and was designated as a day to decorate the graves of the soldiers. The first Decoration Day was celebrated on May 5, 1866. It was then later changed to Memorial Day, and is now a national holiday. On Sunday at church, Pastor Wagner talked about the meaning of the day, and why it was important to take time and remember those who died for our freedom.

As for Monday, I spent the day pretty much being a lazy bum, and watching movies. I definitely enjoyed the time to lie around and catch up on my sleep. Next week I start back to school, so there goes my sleep late time. Oh well. I like school, so that is okay with me!

Today was my last day at Dunbar Middle School. I have enjoyed working there on Tuesdays, and will miss the people that I worked with at that school. I will not, however, miss the copy machine, as it and I do not have an amicable relationship. In fact, it annoys me every time I use it. That is another story, though. Tonight I had two rehearsals to make, so that was interesting. The guy who plays the drum set for the 11:00 service on Sunday will be out of town this weekend, so he asked me to fill in for him. Considering I have not played a drum set in about two years, I was a little nervous prior to arriving at tonight's rehearsal for the service on Sunday. One of the guys on the praise team got there at the same time I did, so he and I went through some songs to give me a chance to warm up on the set. That helped a lot, because I could get a feel for what kind of sound they needed from me. Rehearsal turned out to be a blast!!!! The only thing they really said to me was to play louder and to put more weight into it. (For those of you that know me, that's a rather funny request). Someone did also ask me if I was big enough to play the set! Ha ha, what a kidder! Anywho, they all clapped for me and thanked me for coming, so I must have done okay. By the end of rehearsal, I was having such a good time!! Then I jumped in my car and headed out to Carrollton Band rehearsal. I made it in time for the last hour. That was so much fun! All in all, it was a fun day! And I am only a little bit caffeinated!

Well, I need to go get some sleep now. I hope everyone has a great week!!!



Tuesday, May 20, 2003

Posted 10:39 PM by Dezi Rollins, LSSP | 0 Thoughts

Well, so much for updating this on Sunday! I had a great weekend, even though it was pretty hectic. Saturday, David and I went to the Macaroni Grill with my mom's side of the family. We all have a get together once a month, and this was it. There was an operatic singer who was strolling around the restaurant, serenading various tables and talking with some of the patrons. He came by our table several times, singing and talking with several of us at the table. I went to the ladies room to freshen up after dinner, and when I got back to the table, the guy was talking to David, and asked him to sing something. Which, he did, but we did have to leave to get to the movie on time.

We saw X Men 2. I really enjoyed it. I also enjoyed that we got a free movie ticket as we left the theater because we were so cool! Actually, it was because the movie was ten minutes late in starting. I also decided that since we saw two movies that David picked this past week, I get to pick the next movie. Hmmm, what is some really sappy movie that is coming out soon? (just kidding, David)

Sunday, our church orchestra played with the school band during the church service. (my church is also a school). After the orchestra was finished, we rushed around and got set up for my students' recital. All of my students did well and it was a success. My mom took pictures of each student as they were playing, and also when they were receiving their award. (These pictures will be on my piano site as soon as I figure out how to post them. David put himself in charge of the background music (one of my Beethoven cds), which we had going while the students and their families were coming in, as well as during the awards ceremony.

Well, that about sums up my weekend. Thank you to Barbara and David for helping me figure out this HTML stuff!

I will now close with a neat quote that I found on a greeting card: "A woman who is convinced that she deserves to accept only the best challenges herself to give the best. Then she is living phenomenally."--Maya Angelou.

Sunday, May 18, 2003

Posted 9:10 PM by Dezi Rollins, LSSP | 0 Thoughts

Hey, I can now type in color! Yay! And I figured it out all by myself. (okay, with the help of a little function called Cut and Paste)

Anywho, obviously I am easily entertained. I've been such a BUM about updating my site this past week! Oh well. It has been a very good week for me. On Wednesday night, David and I saw The Matrix Reloaded. I enjoyed it, however, it was definitely more of a guy movie, in my opinion. I did like the special effects, and there were parts that were downright funny. If you liked the first movie, then you should go see the second one.

On Thursday, I had a nice lunch with Samantha, and then picked up my trophies for my students' recital, which was today. I like to give each of my students an award, complete with certificate and trophy. They all worked hard on their recital pieces, and in my opinion, they are all winners. Thursday evening was spent hanging out with my friend Ian, who is a fellow survivor of Clardy's Army, also known as The Colony High School Cougar Band. He, along with a couple of good friends of mine, is a student up at the University of Oklahoma. It was good to see him, as he is in town very rarely.

Okay, David is finished working, and because I am up at his office with him and he is my ride, I must go. However, I will finish this post later. Ciao!


Hi, now I decided to change colors.

Now, I'll type something in red. I also think I will quit changing colors, for now at least.

Tuesday, May 13, 2003

Posted 11:18 PM by Dezi Rollins, LSSP

On Tuesdays I work in a school out in Ft. Worth, called Dunbar Middle School. I typically enjoy my time out there, and today has been no exception. In the library, a group of students was interviewing some senior citizens who lived in the area, asking them about their growing up years and how things are different today. I was amazed at the stories that they told, stories of a simpler time.

The subdivision where the elementary, middle and high schools are is called Stop Six. This subdivision has apparently been around since the late 1800's. In fact, one of the local churches, Ebeneezer Baptist church, recently celebrated its 125th anniversary! The seniors who were interviewed ranged in age from early sixties to late eighties. One woman said that she has lived in the same house for 55 years, and another woman said that she has always lived within two blocks of the house where she was born.

They talked about how the area was very much wooded when they arrived in the 20s and 30s. They recalled how their familes would celebrate June 19th (which is the day that the Emancipation Proclamation took effect in Texas.) They would barbecue a goat in their yard, digging a hole if they did not have a barbecue pit. They had homemade ice cream, and if they were lucky, a watermelon.

In their day, having a baby was a somewhat different experience than it is today. A midwife would typically deliver the baby, with the doctor only being called for complications. The mother would then remain in the hospital for several days, and then was brought home in a makeshift ambulance. (One of the women said that with her first baby, she was brought home in a hearse. Does anyone else see the irony here?) After the mother and baby were home, the mother did not leave the bedroom, much less the house, and she was waited on hand and foot. (One woman, who had ten children, said that it was the best part about having kids) The mother would then be able to leave the house when it was time for her six-week checkup. A trusted friend or family member would be in charge of the other children while the mother was recovering. This person would take the children outside, and lead them, walking the perimeter of the house. This ritual was very important, and the process of choosing the right person to lead the children was crucial, as it was believed that the children would be like that person.

I enjoyed listening to this group of seniors talk about their lives and the changes that they have seen in our world. It was interesting to look at the pictures they brought, when the high school was brand new in the forties and fifties when their children attended. All in all, I was very glad to have the opportunity to listen to them talk, and I believe that I walked away a different person than when I sat down to listen.

Monday, May 12, 2003

Posted 1:39 PM by Dezi Rollins, LSSP

Here it is, Monday again. I had a great, but exhausting weekend! I went with David and twenty-one high school kids from David's church out to Cedar Hill State Park, where we camped on Friday night. We had great food, excellent company, and a lot of fun. Unfortunately, the chiggers took a liking to me, so I have bites all over! (I would hate to see what happened if I had not sprayed myself with Off). In fact, I'm trying not to scratch as we speak.........

Seriously, I enjoyed communing with nature. While I was driving a carload of kids Friday afternoon down Loop 12, Relient K blasting on my stereo, we came onto the top of a hill. As I was looking down, I saw the hills in the distance, green with grass and the trees, the sky above, with the sunbeams streaming down through the clouds. It was a sight that was truly breath-taking. The scenery at the park was truly amazing! David took pictures, so check his site for when he gets them posted.

Yesterday was Mother's Day. We went to lunch with my dad's side of the family, and then went out to visit with my mom's side. It was definitely an enjoyable and relaxing day. Mother's Day is an important day because it reminds us of all the accomplishments and sacrifices that mothers make for their familes, and gives us a chance to give something back.

My mother is a wonderful person and mother. Even as a little girl, I always knew that I was loved and that I was important in my parents' life. My mom stayed home with me as I was growing up. Even when she went to school at UNT, she arranged her classes so she could still be home in time to get me from school. During the summers, we would take day trips out to the museums, the Omni theater, or the zoo. I have fond memories of all these trips, and the company as well. My mom is a very intelligent woman, who has many different hobbies and talents. She is the person who bandaged up my cuts, tucked me in at nights, and comforted me when I was sad. She has helped me through the many good times and bad that I have had in my life; friends moving away, braces, learning to drive, graduations. She went to all my games, recitals and concerts that I had growing up, and attends them even now. My mom is the person that I could go to with any problem, and she will listen and offer guidance. She is my toughest critic and my biggest fan. So, Mom, for all these times, the good and the bad, thank you for being my mother. I love you!

And now, I'm going to go put some Benadryl on my chigger bites.....

Thursday, May 08, 2003

Posted 12:08 AM by Dezi Rollins, LSSP | 0 Thoughts

Well, the Stars did in fact lose the game. Wahhh! Oh well, they'll make a comeback next season! I am a big Stars fan. When I was getting ready to graduate with my bachelor's degree, one of my uncles asked me what I wanted for my graduation present, and I said a Stars sweater (also known as a jersey), with Jamie Langenbrunner's name on it. So, my family got together and bought it for me. It looks a little strange, because I have narrow shoulders, so the name goes from armpit to armpit, but oh well! I've worn it to each Stars game that I go to. (Although ever since he was traded to New Jersey, I cannot wear it if Dallas plays them). I get into hockey games, especially during the playoffs. In fact, it is a bad idea to call me during a playoff game, if I'm near a tv. One of my best friends called me Monday night, and the conversation went something like this:

Friend: So, today I did this, and then my manager really ticked me off, and then.....
Me: (watching the game)
Friend: So then I told him what I thought, and we had a great talk...
Me: (shouting at tv) NOOOOOOO!!! Anaheim scored! Booooooo!
Friend: Are you listening? Anyway, where was I? (proceeds to talk some more)
Me: Uh-huh, that's great. Hey, get back in front of your goal, Turco!!
Friend: So, then Brad Pitt came into my store and professed his undying love for me...
Me: Okay, ladies, tea time is over, let's play some hockey!!!!

Okay, so I'm not quite that bad! I do pay attention to what the person on the phone is saying (unless, of course, we are in overtime). I do tend to get into the game, though. I did stay up and the watch the game on the night the Stars won the Stanley Cup.

Enough about hockey. Today has been an absolutely crazy day! I was having problems with my domain registration, but David got it all straightened out. (Thanx, David!) One really cool thing that happened is that I took my cousin to Brook Mays today. She's entering sixth grade next year and has decided to follow in Desiree's footsteps (poor kid) and play percussion in the school band. So, I took her to Brook Mays and bought her a pair of drumsticks and a stick bag. Great cousin/musician bonding. Hmm, I wonder what bad habits I can teach her. Just kidding.

Anywho, it is late and I am tired. Goodnight, world!

Tuesday, May 06, 2003

Posted 6:54 AM by Dezi Rollins, LSSP

You know, I had this horrible dream last night. I dreamed that the Stars lost the game.....

Posted 12:00 AM by Dezi Rollins, LSSP

Okay, now the Ducks and the Stars are tied, 3-3, with 8 minutes left in the third period. Go Stars!!!!!

Monday, May 05, 2003

Posted 11:52 PM by Dezi Rollins, LSSP

Hello world! Welcome to my blog! It is called Excessive Happiness, which we got from the movie Patch Adams. David and I decided to call it this because I am usually running around like a crazy person! At any rate, I hope this site is educational, inspirational and informative. Or, I hope that if at least provides a snapshot into my life. I am trying to think of some fun things to add to the site. Any suggestions? Please e-mail me at psyck@yahoo.com. I was considering having a Dallas Stars trivia site, since I for some reason keep up with random statistics about the Stars. (Incidentally, the Stars are in the middle of Game 6 of the series, and are having their booties kicked.) Feel free to send me some suggestions for my site. Thanx everyone, and have a great day!