First Week Of School

I've made it through my first week of school as a middle school band director.

I could not have asked for a more perfect first week either. The kids were great, I felt very comfortable in front of them and they were well behaved.

I want to post more about all of this, but my access to internet is limited.

That's right, I do not have internet access at my new apartment right now for I am poor and need to develop some wealth before I think about getting those kind of luxuries.

Well, till next time... God bless you all!

Wear Ear Plugs

Today I wore ear plugs while doing yard work.

It made the whole experience more peaceful and gave me less of a headache afterwards.

If you care for your own lawn (which I believe all able-bodied people should) I highly recommend wearing ear plugs while using loud lawn equipment. i.e. mowers, edgers, weed-eaters, etc.

Just some random advice for you all today!

New word I learned today

My name is Adam Hymel (YaY!) and I read a new word today and decided to look it up.

The word is: aberrant

Dictionary.com has 13 results for this word that basically means "wandering or deviating from the normal course"

Click the word above to read more about it yourself!

Summary of Doctrine on the Eucharist

Today's research for my series on the Eucharist took me to EWTN's website. EWTN (Eternal World Television Network) is a Global Catholic Network (it's a TV station...).

On the site, I found a section with teachings on various subjects which lead me to the page containing information on The Holy Eucharist.

For my readers, I want to point you to the Summary of Doctrine on the Eucharist.

This summary spells out the hardcore basics really well.

The Source

Today I begin to post for a new "series" of mine. This new series will be on the Eucharist. I will be frequenting many websites and other sources to share with you.

For this first post, I will simply quote a line from the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Paragraph 1324 reads, "The Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life.""

I think we should all take a moment and reflect over what that means. I will share my answer in the near future.

God's blessings be with you all!

Why I Teach Music

Today I want to share with you something that was given to me some time ago that I found the other day while organizing my things. I'm not sure who gave it to me, most likely my Uncle Andy. If anyone knows where this might have originally been posted, let me know!


Why Teach Music?

Music is a science
It is exact, specific; and it demands exact acoustics. A conductor's full score is a chart, a graph which indicates frequencies, intensities, volume changes, melody and harmony all at once and with the most exact control of time.

Music is mathematical
It is rhythmically based on the subdivisions of time into fractions which must be done instantaneously, not worked ouit on paper.

Music is a foreign language
Most of the terms are in Italian, German, or French; and the notation is certainly not English--but a highly developed kind of shorthand that uses symbols to represent ideas. The semantics of music is the most complete and universal language.

Music is history
Music usually reflects the environments and times of its creation, often even the country and.or racial feeling.

Music is a physical education
It requires fantastic coordination of fingers, hands, arms, lips, cheek, and facial muscles, in addition to extraordinary control of the diaphragmatic, back, stomach and chest muscles, which respond instantly to the sound the ear hears and the mind interprets.

Music is all these things, but most of all music is art
It allows a human being to take all these dry technically boring (but difficult) techniques and use them to create emotion. That is one thing that science cannot duplicate: humanism, feeling, emotion, call it what you will.

That is Why I Teach Music!
Not because we expect you to major in music
Not because we expect you to play or sing all your life
Not so you can relax
Not so you can have fun
Not so you can trot around the football field in uniform

BUT--
so you will be human
So you will recognize beauty
So you will be sensitive
So you will be closer to an infinite beyond this world
So you will have something to cling to
So you will have more love, more compassion, more gentleness, more good--in short, more life.

Of what value will it be to make a prosperous living unless we know how to live?

That is Why I Teach Music!

"Orange Is In" needs your help!

Orange Is In (official site)

help steve replace his stolen gear!

On Thursday night, June 28, some jerkwad broke into drummer Steve Salazar's van and lifted all of his gear including all his drums, cymbals, hardware...even his freaking stick bag.

Steve is a fantastic drummer, a hard working musician and an even finer person. If anyone did not deserve for this to happen, it's him. While his gear may not represent tens of thousands of dollars, being a working musician with a family to support makes it difficult to replace gear on the fly, so we are asking for your help.

First, if you have ANY information regarding the theft that took place at Steve's home in south Houston last Thursday, PLEASE email us as soon as possible. You can click here to see a full list of all of Steve's gear and information about where the theft took place and the HPD case number.

Second, you can click the button below and contribute through PayPal either by using your own PayPal account or by clicking the "continue checkout" link to pay with any credit card. Every little bit helps.

click now to contribute

For all you bloggers and MySpacers, we'd appreciate all the help you can give in passing this info around to others via links, email, etc.

Thank you very much for reading this and helping to support live, local music!

Local Houston band "Orange Is In" needs your help!

What's Up...
HELP! Steve's Drums STOLEN!!!
What a crappy thing it is to be a thief. Last Thursday night, some jerkoff broke into Steve's van and lifted ALL his drum gear - drums, cymbals, hardware, even his freaking STICK BAG!!!
We're trying to help him recover his equipment or raise money to buy new gear. Steve is a working musician, so you can imagine how tough it would be to lose your work tools!!!
For more information on how YOU can help Steve and his family, visit the special page on our website. THANK YOU!!!

We'll have more info later this week on our CD release party and much more on our new disc, Come and Take It. Have a great Fourth of July and thank you again for your help!

Fr. Jack Spaulding: Go To Church

This is a video from LIFE TEEN on the importance of going to church.

So many people have excuses as to why they do not go or why they can't go... Breaks my heart...
Let's see what Fr. Jack has to say...



For more videos from LIFE TEEN, please click here.

For LIFE TEEN videos on YouTube, click here.

Andy Hymel's School of Music

Here is a link to an article about my uncle, Andy Hymel and his current success as a musician in the New Orleans area.

The article was written by a good friend of his, Nathan B.F. Gurley who plays bass with my uncle on many occasions.

Enjoy!

http://nathangurley.com/2007/06/22/andyhymelschoolofmusic.aspx

I'm a reflection

I am a reflection...

Do I really need to elaborate?

The above image speaks for itself...

Steubenville South Pictures

People:

Immaculate Heart of Mary LIFE TEEN

Event:

Steubenville South 2007

Sponsors:
Francisican University of Steubenville, Ohio

Diocese of Alexandria, Louisiana

Theme:

"All Access"

Verse:
"He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father." - Ephesians 2:17-18

Photo Documentation:

Click here to see for yourself!!!

The only album available for public view is the album I created for the conference. Enjoy! And God bless!

$$$ All Access $$$

Money...

There never seems to be enough...

It always seems like we're scraping the bottom of our income to pay our monthly bills, fix the car, or pay off last Christmas (and it's June!)

I ask a question in this post, and I want comments with answers!

Say you were given all the money you will ever need for everything. I mean money enough to pay all bills, make all purchases, and even a nice reserve for a luxury item now and then.

No, no games or catches... I mean ALL ACCESS to this money, FREE!

Would you take it knowing you would be locked into a life of security? Or would you reject it? Thinking that something given to you that freely isn't worth your time?

Think about it.

Remember, you have ALL ACCESS to this cash.

I GOT A JOB!

I should have posted this the day it happened, but the computer and me did not exactly spend time together...

I GOT A JOB!

I am now one of the assistant band directors at Arnold Middle School in the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District!!!

As far as I know, I will be teaching beginning low brass and directing the Concert 2 ensemble.

Needless to say, I'm really excited about this chance to begin my career as a music educator and I am awaiting the moment I step into the Arnold MS band hall as their new band director for the first time.

On The Hunt

I'm on the hunt for a job.

Not just any job, a band directing job.

I have a few leads.

I have some wishes.

I am promoting myself.

If any potential employer stumbles upon this blog while doing a background check on me, I ask that you please take note that this blog serves two purposes.

1. Spread the Love of Jesus. (I am very active in youth ministry)
2. Spread a little joy and knowledge to anyone who visits.

I will most likely begin talking more about music education in addition to all of my Catholic things soon.

Stay tuned! I really hope to become more active soon!

MONSTER!

I think what makes me laugh the most (besides the things that make us all laugh) is the fact that when I was her age, saying "Kick his butt" was not allowed either. Oh, how times have changed!

How Men Cook

BBQ, a real man's cooking.. It's the only type of cooking a real man will do.

When a man volunteers to do the BBQ the following chain of events are put into motion:
(1) The woman buys the food.
(2) The woman makes the salad, vegetables, and dessert.
(3) The woman prepares the meat for cooking, places it on a tray along with the necessary cooking utensils and sauces, and takes it to the man who is lounging beside the grill -- beer in hand. Here comes the important part.
(4) THE MAN PLACES THE MEAT ON THE GRILL.
(5) The woman goes inside to organize the plates and cutlery.
(6) The woman comes out to see if he needs anything. He thanks her and asks if she will bring another beer while he deals with the situation.
(7) THE MAN TAKES THE MEAT OFF THE GRILL AND HANDS IT TO THE WOMAN.
(8) The woman prepares the plates, salad, bread, utensils, napkins, sauces, and brings them to the table.
(9) After eating, the woman clears the table and does the dishes.
(10) Everyone PRAISES the man and THANKS him for his cooking efforts.
(11) The man asks the woman how she enjoyed "her night off." And, upon seeing her annoyed reaction, concludes that there's just no pleasing some women...

I'm Not Ashamed

"I'm not ashamed to let you know
I want this light in me to show.
I'm not ashamed to speak the name
of Jesus Christ."

I believe the above lyrics from "I'm Not Ashamed" by the Newsboys says it all.

It speaks volumes about who I am as a Catholic, as a Christian, and as a Disciple of Jesus Christ.

It is my belief that anyone who has accepted Christ as their Lord, and has chosen to fully give themselves to Him should have this same attitude.

DO NOT be ashamed to let people know you are a disciple of Jesus. So what if they laugh? Is there anything funny about it? NO! There is nothing funny about being a disciple of Jesus! Their laughter, then, is nothing short of misunderstanding exactly what being a disciple of Jesus means.

Shout it out today, tomorrow, and forever...

"I'M NOT ASHAMED TO LET YOU KNOW
I WANT THIS LIGHT IN ME TO SHOW.
I'M NOT ASHAMED TO SPEAK THE NAME
OF JESUS CHRIST!"

Heartbreak

It has been 2 weeks since Lissa and I parted ways as a couple.

I don't care if this statement makes me less masculine, but I feel heartbreak.

I spent 2 years and 3 months with her as my one and only, the love of my life and I'm feeling the emptiness that comes with the removal of something so wonderful from your life.

I'm not saying it should not have happened. There were a lot of things going on in our lives that eventually lead us to the decision to part ways.

I feel empty right now. I know God is on my side and will fill me with His love, but even God knows that it's only natural for me to feel this way.

I'll always love her...

7 Reasons to Drink Green Tea

Hey, If you happen to find this blog, this post is not an original work of mine. It was posted on Yahoo! Food.

I love green tea though, so I wanted to share it with everyone! ENJOY!


7 Reasons to Drink Green Tea
Posted Tue, Feb 27, 2007, 11:54 am PST


The steady stream of good news about green tea is getting so hard to ignore that even java junkies are beginning to sip mugs of the deceptively delicate brew. You'd think the daily dose of disease-fighting, inflammation-squelching antioxidants - long linked with heart protection - would be enough incentive, but wait, there's more! Lots more.

CUT YOUR CANCER RISK
Several polyphenols - the potent antioxidants green tea's famous for - seem to help keep cancer cells from gaining a foothold in the body, by discouraging their growth and then squelching the creation of new blood vessels that tumors need to thrive. Study after study has found that people who regularly drink green tea reduce their risk of breast, stomach, esophagus, colon, and/or prostate cancer.

SOOTHE YOUR SKIN
Got a cut, scrape, or bite, and a little leftover green tea? Soak a cotton pad in it. The tea is a natural antiseptic that relieves itching and swelling. Try it on inflamed breakouts and blemishes, sunburns, even puffy eyelids. And that's not all. In the lab, green tea helps block sun-triggered skin cancer, whether you drink it or apply it directly to the skin - which is why you're seeing green tea in more and more sunscreens and moisturizers.

STEADY YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE
Having healthy blood pressure - meaning below 120/80 - is one thing. Keeping it that way is quite another. But people who sip just half a cup a day are almost 50 percent less likely to wind up with hypertension than non-drinkers. Credit goes to the polyphenols again (especially one known as ECGC). They help keep blood vessels from contracting and raising blood pressure.

PROTECT YOUR MEMORY, OR YOUR MOM'S
Green tea may also keep the brain from turning fuzzy. Getting-up-there adults who drink at least two cups a day are half as likely to develop cognitive problems as those who drink less. Why? It appears that the tea's big dose of antioxidants fights the free-radical damage to brain nerves seen in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

STAY YOUNG
The younger and healthier your arteries are, the younger and healthier you are. So fight plaque build-up in your blood vessels, which ups the risk of heart disease and stroke, adds years to your biological age (or RealAge), and saps your energy too. How much green tea does this vital job take? About 10 ounces a day, which also deters your body from absorbing artery-clogging fat and cholesterol.

LOSE WEIGHT
Oh yeah, one more thing. Turns out that green tea speeds up your body's calorie-burning process. In the every-little-bit-counts department, this is good news!

When it comes to Jesus...