Category: Uncategorized

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Down a new rabbit hole

Well, I couldn’t help but dig a little deeper into the phenomenon that is the PS22 Chorus and (of course) the more I read and listened, the more intrigued I became, and the deeper I went into the rabbit hole.

One amazing thing I learned is that the teacher, Gregg Breinberg, founded the PS22 chorus way back in 2000! How did it take me so long to find them?!?

Here are a few words from an interview that blogger, Beth Hopkins, did with Mr. B (as his students call him) that I believe captures the essence of what makes this chorus so special:

“Not only are their voices beautiful; they are a delight to watch. Every single member of the Chorus dances and smiles, clapping their hands; their enthusiasm is reckless and palpable.
As someone passionate about creative expression, whether mine or that of others, PS-22 Chorus inspires me. They are artists. They are completely engaged in their performances. And their cooperative spirit and unabashed joy is something we could all use.” — Beth Hopkins

I think many adult singers could learn a lot about making music from these young people.

I could go on and on, but instead I’ll just share the links to a few of the articles and a podcast about the chorus and Mr. B. There’s been a ton written about them over the past twenty-four years — especially when they were invited to sing for the Academy Awards ceremony in 2011 (one of the links below is a video of their live performance)!

I hope you enjoy discovering them as much as I have.

Take Five: an interview with Gregg Breinberg

A Bit of Relief: The Long Distance Chorus (podcast)

Behind the music: How a teacher led his chorus to internet fame

PS22 Chorus: What’s the secret to their success?

2011 Oscars: Live Performance By PS22 Chorus

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Also celebrating 50 years

I’ve happened upon the PS22 Chorus a few times before, but today I saw a couple of videos that really touched my heart.

The first was their end-of-year send-off/graduation song to Taylor Swift’s, “Long Live.” Seeing these young people so connected — to the music, to one another — and feeling it all so deeply…well, it just moves me to tears.

Then I stumbled on the video where their teacher surprises his parents with their special song on their 50th anniversary. So sweet!

But one comment on the video really stood out for me:

“This video is proof positive that songs are timeless, ageless, and can make you smile and cry at the same time! PS22–thank you for joyously opening this musical time capsule from 1974 and creating a happily ever after moment for this beautiful couple! Happy Anniversary!”

What stopped me in my tracks was… “musical time capsule from 1974!” Hahaha! I was assuming his parents were “old,” only to realize that they got married the year I graduated high school.

I guess I’ll never get used to “being my age!” 🤩

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Appreciating my heart

Because I had a couple of bouts of atrial fibrillation during my bone marrow transplant adventure back in the fall of 2022, I’ve had to follow up with a cardiologist.

It was also recommended that I do a sleep study last spring.

So, today was both my annual cardiology check-in and learning the results of the sleep study.

I’m very happy to report that I’m A-OK on all counts. Yay!

(Well, there’s very mild sleep apnea. Though it’s not enough for the doctor to prescribe anything, I’m taking it as motivation to get serious about beefing up my self-care once again.)

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Attention is everything

Someone paired the above quote with a poem by Mary Oliver and the combination really hit home for me.

The Wisest Thing I Know
Ten times a day something happens to me like this –
some strengthening throb of amazement – some good sweet empathic ping and swell.
This is the first, the wildest and the wisest thing I know:
that the soul exists and is built entirely out of attentiveness.
-Mary Oliver

Many years ago at Science of Mind I learned another way of stating this powerful truth: Where attention goes, energy flows.

It makes sense to me that this is how we become (and how our soul-being is built) according to what we pay attention to.

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It’s getting to be that time

I guess I’m more attuned than usual to the approach of “letting go” season. I certainly don’t recall noticing so many little hints of red in the midst of mostly green foliage in past years.

I also happen to be gearing up to (hopefully) accomplish some letting go of my own — namely decluttering and releasing things I no longer use, need, or resonate with.

Hopefully, I can learn from the trees.

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Small consistent effort for the win!

This is something I’m trying to keep in mind on a daily basis. Like this morning, when I really, really didn’t feel like going for a walk.

Of course I fully understand that I’m — yet again — battling the good old “law of inertia.” That’s the law which basically states that an object will continue to be in the state of rest or in a state of motion unless an external force acts on it.

Having (for the usual excellent reasons — yes, I’m being sarcastic here) fallen away from my walking routine, I have in fact become a body at rest. And it’s taking a lot of force in the form of will power to get me moving again.

So I love this reminder that even walking to the top of the driveway and back counts as a small effort. All I have to do is make it consistent and I, too, will be able to claim the win!

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Back to date night

Attending last weekend’s reunion was a lot of fun, but this Friday I’m very grateful to end the week with a nice quiet date night.

Pizza and a movie with Ramesha — oh yeah!

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A few more reunion memories

I can’t quite lay it all to rest without sharing these last couple of photos.

First, my senior picture. Amazing how the now “me” looks at the then “me” and can’t completely comprehend any difference. Because underneath I’m just always the same “me!”

The second photo is from my 10th high school reunion, which I attended with my then-husband, Randy. Looking at it now, I marvel at how grown up I thought I was at 28 years old!