I know that some folks have BIG issues with music being so readily available on the internet for free listening, downloading, etc. For me, it's been a WONDERFUL way to connect with my teen.
We come from a long line of musicians. For her, it's on BOTH sides of the family. Her musical tastes, however, are much more eclectic than the generation before her. She listens to groups like Owl City, He is We, and Fine Frenzy. If you don't recognize those names, don't worry, you're not alone. What makes her taste eclectic is the music she listens to right along with those names: The Beattles, Sara Barielles, John Mayer, and Taylor Swift. She also loves French music. Anything by French artists she loves. She's got this amazing violin music that comprises arrangements of pop songs and heavy rock. It's cool because you recognize the tune and then think, "Wow. They're playing that with violins!"
What is MOST amazing, is how it bridges the two of us. Yesterday, on the ride home, I was listening to the radio when "Free Fallin'" came on. We were both singing at the top of our lungs when she asks, "You've heard the John Mayer live version haven't you?" Well, of course I hadn't. Unfortunately, my life has become so busy and complicated that I have given up trying to KEEP up with pop music. "Oh, mom," she says, "you've got to hear this!" So, she plugs her i-touch into the auxiliary jack and turns it on. WOW! What an amazing remix! Now, I'm not so far behind times that I don't know who John Mayer is, but I had missed this wonderful acoustic song. We both got home and went in the house singing together. A sweet memory was made that day.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Growing Up
From the time my teenager was about 8 or 9, she made it known how much she was NOT looking forward to growing up! I have prodded her several times to find out why she feels this way, and I never get a straight-forward answer.
We were talking this morning on the way to school about some college information she had gotten from the school of her dreams. She made the comment that her best friend sort of "groaned" when she heard what the packet was. I asked her why she groaned, and her answer was "she doesn't want to grow up either."
It's foreign to me to feel this way. I was always ready to be grown up - to do things adults did - to be on my own, independent. I'm not sure what it is she is dreading, but I'm going to keep on prodding until I find out why.
My suspicion is that one of these days she is going to want to do something that she is not quite old enough to do. When that conversation takes place, I will have to remind her that she is the one that didn't want to grow up.
We were talking this morning on the way to school about some college information she had gotten from the school of her dreams. She made the comment that her best friend sort of "groaned" when she heard what the packet was. I asked her why she groaned, and her answer was "she doesn't want to grow up either."
It's foreign to me to feel this way. I was always ready to be grown up - to do things adults did - to be on my own, independent. I'm not sure what it is she is dreading, but I'm going to keep on prodding until I find out why.
My suspicion is that one of these days she is going to want to do something that she is not quite old enough to do. When that conversation takes place, I will have to remind her that she is the one that didn't want to grow up.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Tuesday Nights
Tuesdays are generally pretty long days for my teenager. School all day and then babysitting a preschool and one elementary aged young boys. Dad took the opportunity for the ride home today while I finished up at work. Maybe he had the coveted conversation with my teenager today.
Dinner was ready when we all got home. Thanks Dad! Dinner conversation was your basic "I like the chicken." "The baked beans are good." "What do I do with the leftovers?" Very boring typical dinner conversation. Oh, and yes, we do still eat dinner together at one table sometimes.
Unfortunately, tonight's conversation did take a detour to a somewhat "awkward" topic. I will not disclose the exact topic of conversation so as to save face for my 14 year old, but suffice it to say "She still gets to see him outside of school, just on different terms."
The rest of our conversation was typical. Questions answered with shrugged shoulders and one word answers. I know she's tired and tomorrow has the opportunity to be better.
Dinner was ready when we all got home. Thanks Dad! Dinner conversation was your basic "I like the chicken." "The baked beans are good." "What do I do with the leftovers?" Very boring typical dinner conversation. Oh, and yes, we do still eat dinner together at one table sometimes.
Unfortunately, tonight's conversation did take a detour to a somewhat "awkward" topic. I will not disclose the exact topic of conversation so as to save face for my 14 year old, but suffice it to say "She still gets to see him outside of school, just on different terms."
The rest of our conversation was typical. Questions answered with shrugged shoulders and one word answers. I know she's tired and tomorrow has the opportunity to be better.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Memory
The ride to school this morning was so very pleasant! Monday mornings are late days and so they are usually a little less stressed with both of us betting a little more sleep.
The conversation this morning made me laugh and smile and really appreciate the person my teenager is becoming. Problem is, I cant' remember it!
I know it was some great content, and I was anxious to post it on this blog, created just to pass on the wonderful conversations we have. But blasted if my memory has completely failed me. I tell the folks I work with "I can't remember past the end of my nose" or "I have the memory of a gnat," but you think I would remember things as precious conversations with a teenager. For Pete's sake, they don't happen every day!
Ah well, maybe it will come to me in a dream tonight. If not, I'll just have to try better tomorrow. Maybe I will record some reminders next time into my Blackberry.
The conversation this morning made me laugh and smile and really appreciate the person my teenager is becoming. Problem is, I cant' remember it!
I know it was some great content, and I was anxious to post it on this blog, created just to pass on the wonderful conversations we have. But blasted if my memory has completely failed me. I tell the folks I work with "I can't remember past the end of my nose" or "I have the memory of a gnat," but you think I would remember things as precious conversations with a teenager. For Pete's sake, they don't happen every day!
Ah well, maybe it will come to me in a dream tonight. If not, I'll just have to try better tomorrow. Maybe I will record some reminders next time into my Blackberry.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Cartoons
A few months back my teenager and I were discussing cartoons "little kids" watch. Like Barney, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Sponge Bob, etc. The topic of Power Puff Girls came up. I told my teenager that she probably wouldn't enjoy it as much as she did when she was a little girl. That it had probably lost its appeal.
Boy did that make her shiver! I was informed, in no uncertain terms, that the Power Puff Girls were still "awesome." To prove it, she began recording the show, and, of course, watching it. Just to prove her mom wrong.
This morning, as she was watching an episode, she and her dad were talking about the insinuations the cartoon eluded to that she now caught on to, but had no CLUE as a little girl. Something about the Amish was in this particular episode. "I had no IDEA there were so many insinuations in this cartoon!"
It's funny, as we grow and become more aware of the world around us - become more self-aware - we suddenly see things a little bit differently. Yes, she still enjoys the Power Puff Girls; she has made her point. But I think she enjoys them for a very different reason.
Boy did that make her shiver! I was informed, in no uncertain terms, that the Power Puff Girls were still "awesome." To prove it, she began recording the show, and, of course, watching it. Just to prove her mom wrong.
This morning, as she was watching an episode, she and her dad were talking about the insinuations the cartoon eluded to that she now caught on to, but had no CLUE as a little girl. Something about the Amish was in this particular episode. "I had no IDEA there were so many insinuations in this cartoon!"
It's funny, as we grow and become more aware of the world around us - become more self-aware - we suddenly see things a little bit differently. Yes, she still enjoys the Power Puff Girls; she has made her point. But I think she enjoys them for a very different reason.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Lunch
This is my teenager's first year of public school. She spent the first 10 years of her education in private schools. Now, I know what you're thinking, "Private school! Must have been nice." Well, it wasn't all nice. Yes, there were the uniforms and the great academic opportunities. There were some sports programs and small classrooms. But what was missing all those years was "school lunches."
For the first few years of her educational experience, she took her lunch to school. It could be a sandwich or any other normal cold, sack lunch, OR it could be "heat up" food. Aka, something that could be cooked in a microwave. The only problem was too many students and not enough microwaves. So most of the time my teenager chose foods that did not require heating. One year, the main snack was Funyuns. Everyday, no matter what else was in the proverbial lunch box, there was always a bag of Funyuns. Later on, the school did begin to serve actual lunches that were provided by private caterers and was, for the most part, really good food.
Fast forward to 10th grade and first year of public school with a high school attendance of about 800 as compared to a classroom of FIVE. Big shock to the system. The hardest adjustment was sort of unexpected. The lunchroom. Her entire public school career included daily lunch of cookies or vending machine food. The lunch line, evidently, was intimidating!
Today, my teenager gets in the car and says, sort of nonchalantly, "I ate the school lunch today." Well, when I picked my chin up off the seat of the car, I asked her where she got the courage and what did they serve and was it any good? Turns out, she has actually gone through the lunch line with some of her friends, she just didn't eat any of it. On the menu today, spaghetti. As to the quality, "It was OK, but the bread was REALLY good." As to future school lunches, the jury is still out.
For the first few years of her educational experience, she took her lunch to school. It could be a sandwich or any other normal cold, sack lunch, OR it could be "heat up" food. Aka, something that could be cooked in a microwave. The only problem was too many students and not enough microwaves. So most of the time my teenager chose foods that did not require heating. One year, the main snack was Funyuns. Everyday, no matter what else was in the proverbial lunch box, there was always a bag of Funyuns. Later on, the school did begin to serve actual lunches that were provided by private caterers and was, for the most part, really good food.
Fast forward to 10th grade and first year of public school with a high school attendance of about 800 as compared to a classroom of FIVE. Big shock to the system. The hardest adjustment was sort of unexpected. The lunchroom. Her entire public school career included daily lunch of cookies or vending machine food. The lunch line, evidently, was intimidating!
Today, my teenager gets in the car and says, sort of nonchalantly, "I ate the school lunch today." Well, when I picked my chin up off the seat of the car, I asked her where she got the courage and what did they serve and was it any good? Turns out, she has actually gone through the lunch line with some of her friends, she just didn't eat any of it. On the menu today, spaghetti. As to the quality, "It was OK, but the bread was REALLY good." As to future school lunches, the jury is still out.
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