Here is a YouTube video that shows an exerpt from the "music and memory project", with reneowned neurologist, Dr. Oliver Sacks narrating (his work was portrayed in the movie 'Awakenings').
http://www.musicandmemory.org
The video shows Henry, an elderly man with dementia in a nursing home, who is not able to communicate or respond when spoken to. His reaction to hearing his beloved tunes from his young days transforms him -- not only does he respond to the stimulus, but then he is actually able to verbally respond to questions. For a brief period of time, he is restored to himself.
"What does music do to you? It gives me the feeling of love...I feel a band of love and dreams..."
"Music brings a sense of identity back to people who are 'out of it'" -- Dr. Sacks
What a gift.
P.S. And while you're at it, take a peek at Cab Calloway music on YouTube, and say that "Henry sent you". I looked at a few videos, and saw in the comments section, that many people had written, "Henry sent me here".
I'd never heard of Cab Calloway before, and now have learned about another great musical artist.
Thank you, Henry!
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Friday, April 13, 2012
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Complete state of flux
I've posted it before (too often, perhaps), about how difficult and frustrating being in a state of transition is. One part of me is so keen to just get on with this career change and hit the books, while the other part wants time to come to a screeching halt, as school is starting too soon (just over 9 weeks from now).
In the meantime, work continues on as always. No paperwork has started yet for my leaving, honestly I don't even know yet what the procedure is. I've been told I'll likely get my leave approved, that various people and committees have discussed it, and they all think it is OK. I just don't have any closure on that front yet, so that's why I haven't started any formal proceedings with HR yet...because there is a big difference between paperwork for a leave of absence, and leaving permanently.
I'm also in total confusion about working part time. I've decided that teaching music is the way to go, and I'm pondering the pros/cons of going to work at a music school, or setting up a private music studio. Also, the fact that I've been out of school for a number of years has to be factored in. I think I've somewhat forgotten the realities of studying. My schedule may look empty enough on paper, compared to a full-time work week, but studying has to be included. Will I have time to even teach music??? I also have a 'mommy' and a 'wife' role to play, on top of everything else....and one of the main reasons I'm leaving my current job is so that we have a semblance of work/life balance. Am I taking on too much (theoretically)!?!?
However, all this is still thinking, and nothing is yet actual.
Get my drift, about why I'm feeling that everything is in a state of transition, yet everything is still exactly the way it's been for a long time???
A small part of me just wants this whole issue to go away, and simply stay on the known track. This won't happen, but it would just be so easy.
Another thing that would be so simple, is to forget nursing school, and set up my music studio and teach music full-time. I already have a second career ready to go -- it is there for the taking. I used to do it. Again, so, so simple on so many levels.
Yet, I just cannot shake off this crazy medical "thing". I use the word "thing" as I cannot quite describe it -- perhaps "vocation" is the most appropriate word. I know I will be so disappointed and let down and frustrated if I don't take this nursing school opportunity. Teaching music would be easy, rewarding (at times!) and fun. But in the long term, it isn't my 'passion', like the medical 'thing'.
Don't get me wrong -- music is a huge part of my life -- and I am very much looking forward to teaching children again. I will definitely teach again. It is just that it doesn't pull me in like medicine does. I guess as far as careers go, music is a love, a definite part of my life since forever, but not truly my vocation, not a "need".
I guess I'm just looking to finally have some clarity and some decisions made. To finally have something on paper and out of my head.
Yep, some clarity would be great and very appreciated about now. Hopefully it will come sooner than later. :-)
Happy Canada Day !!!!!
In the meantime, work continues on as always. No paperwork has started yet for my leaving, honestly I don't even know yet what the procedure is. I've been told I'll likely get my leave approved, that various people and committees have discussed it, and they all think it is OK. I just don't have any closure on that front yet, so that's why I haven't started any formal proceedings with HR yet...because there is a big difference between paperwork for a leave of absence, and leaving permanently.
I'm also in total confusion about working part time. I've decided that teaching music is the way to go, and I'm pondering the pros/cons of going to work at a music school, or setting up a private music studio. Also, the fact that I've been out of school for a number of years has to be factored in. I think I've somewhat forgotten the realities of studying. My schedule may look empty enough on paper, compared to a full-time work week, but studying has to be included. Will I have time to even teach music??? I also have a 'mommy' and a 'wife' role to play, on top of everything else....and one of the main reasons I'm leaving my current job is so that we have a semblance of work/life balance. Am I taking on too much (theoretically)!?!?
However, all this is still thinking, and nothing is yet actual.
Get my drift, about why I'm feeling that everything is in a state of transition, yet everything is still exactly the way it's been for a long time???
A small part of me just wants this whole issue to go away, and simply stay on the known track. This won't happen, but it would just be so easy.
Another thing that would be so simple, is to forget nursing school, and set up my music studio and teach music full-time. I already have a second career ready to go -- it is there for the taking. I used to do it. Again, so, so simple on so many levels.
Yet, I just cannot shake off this crazy medical "thing". I use the word "thing" as I cannot quite describe it -- perhaps "vocation" is the most appropriate word. I know I will be so disappointed and let down and frustrated if I don't take this nursing school opportunity. Teaching music would be easy, rewarding (at times!) and fun. But in the long term, it isn't my 'passion', like the medical 'thing'.
Don't get me wrong -- music is a huge part of my life -- and I am very much looking forward to teaching children again. I will definitely teach again. It is just that it doesn't pull me in like medicine does. I guess as far as careers go, music is a love, a definite part of my life since forever, but not truly my vocation, not a "need".
I guess I'm just looking to finally have some clarity and some decisions made. To finally have something on paper and out of my head.
Yep, some clarity would be great and very appreciated about now. Hopefully it will come sooner than later. :-)
Happy Canada Day !!!!!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Working during nursing school
To work or not work during nursing school? Yes and no.
It certainly can be done. I worked full time when I did my Master's degree (and graduated top of the class, if I might be so bold as to add that tidbit of info!) :-) So I know first-hand that it can be done.
But this upcoming school stint will be very different, in that I am no longer a single, childless woman. I now have mommy and wife responsibilities (and I love that!!!). I've seriously considered working part-time at my current job during my first couple years at nursing school, but between work, school, studying, and day-to-day life stuff, it may just be a bit much to do. I still think it could be done, but it goes counter to one main reason I'm leaving my work -- namely because our current work/life balance (or lack thereof!) is burning us out and stressing us all.
However, I do think I will work part-time doing something I used to do a long time ago. Teach music! There is a music school very near our house, where I would like to teach for a few hours each week. The commute is extremely close (I could even walk there), and I wouldn't have to go through the effort of setting up my own piano studio just yet. I dream one day of having my own little music studio.
Ideally, I'd love to work part-time as a nurse, and part-time as a music teacher from home. Those are my two areas of work/life that I'm most passionate about, and always have been. Imagine actually having both of them as "work" -- goes with the motto I love most -- "do what you love, love what you do." It may finally be coming true for me. Yahoo! :-)
I used to teach piano in high school, under the guidance of my own piano teacher. After finishing my Gr. 10 RCM piano exam in high school, I went on to study music at university and graduated with a BMus. degree. Then I got my current job, and was so happy to have a job, that life took me down my current path. So I definitely have the qualifications to teach, as well as experience (albeit a long time ago!). But when I honestly look at how I related to the children I taught then, compared to what I know now about children, I have a completely new and deeper understanding and appreciation of how children are. I will definitely now be a much better music teacher in terms of how to motivate them, cultivate their musical abilities and encourage them.
I've been wanting to make music a greater part of my life for many years now, and it looks like that time is coming closer now. And I think perhaps it might be a better idea to make a clean break from the work I do now, rather than making an even more protracted transition. I love writing and will always do some form of communications-related work in my life (be it public health nursing or freelance writing), but just not in the particular industry I am currently in.
It amazes me somewhat, what the spin-off effects of making one major life decision can have on other parts of your life! And I mean positive effects! :-)
Onwards and upwards.
It certainly can be done. I worked full time when I did my Master's degree (and graduated top of the class, if I might be so bold as to add that tidbit of info!) :-) So I know first-hand that it can be done.
But this upcoming school stint will be very different, in that I am no longer a single, childless woman. I now have mommy and wife responsibilities (and I love that!!!). I've seriously considered working part-time at my current job during my first couple years at nursing school, but between work, school, studying, and day-to-day life stuff, it may just be a bit much to do. I still think it could be done, but it goes counter to one main reason I'm leaving my work -- namely because our current work/life balance (or lack thereof!) is burning us out and stressing us all.
However, I do think I will work part-time doing something I used to do a long time ago. Teach music! There is a music school very near our house, where I would like to teach for a few hours each week. The commute is extremely close (I could even walk there), and I wouldn't have to go through the effort of setting up my own piano studio just yet. I dream one day of having my own little music studio.
Ideally, I'd love to work part-time as a nurse, and part-time as a music teacher from home. Those are my two areas of work/life that I'm most passionate about, and always have been. Imagine actually having both of them as "work" -- goes with the motto I love most -- "do what you love, love what you do." It may finally be coming true for me. Yahoo! :-)
I used to teach piano in high school, under the guidance of my own piano teacher. After finishing my Gr. 10 RCM piano exam in high school, I went on to study music at university and graduated with a BMus. degree. Then I got my current job, and was so happy to have a job, that life took me down my current path. So I definitely have the qualifications to teach, as well as experience (albeit a long time ago!). But when I honestly look at how I related to the children I taught then, compared to what I know now about children, I have a completely new and deeper understanding and appreciation of how children are. I will definitely now be a much better music teacher in terms of how to motivate them, cultivate their musical abilities and encourage them.
I've been wanting to make music a greater part of my life for many years now, and it looks like that time is coming closer now. And I think perhaps it might be a better idea to make a clean break from the work I do now, rather than making an even more protracted transition. I love writing and will always do some form of communications-related work in my life (be it public health nursing or freelance writing), but just not in the particular industry I am currently in.
It amazes me somewhat, what the spin-off effects of making one major life decision can have on other parts of your life! And I mean positive effects! :-)
Onwards and upwards.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Registration day today
Well, it is official. As of this morning, I have registered for my upcoming classes for the fall and winter semesters. I must admit, that the times, they have certainly changed, since I last registered for an undergrad program!
This morning's online registration was streamlined and efficient, with all the information about my file accessible at the click of the mouse.
No more filling out paper forms, waiting in line, getting somebody to sign off on the form and then receiving the almost illegible bottom copy of the 3 or 4 papers that made up the form. Remember having to "press hard with your pen when writing, as you are making multiple copies"? Lol! That is most definitely a thing of the past.
The schedule seems very empty, particularly in the fall term, as I have been given credit for some courses from my previous degree. However, I must remember that there will also be lots of studying involved to fill the days, not just attending several classes. Being a student is most definitely different than being a working person. Once you leave work, it is done. Once you leave class, the real work begins!
I am also thinking of maybe working part-time for the first part of my program, until clinicals start. Once they start, I think working at my current job will not be possible. I have some amazing options for taking leave from my job (I have wonderful options at my current work -- I just wish I loved the work itself!!!). However, this is all theoretical speculation at the moment, and would certainly make for a very, very full schedule. There are also family commitment to consider, and one of my main reasons for changing careers, is to be able to have a more balanced life, where I can spend more time with my children.
My "gut" is telling me to just move on and make this change for real, and part of me wants to return to teaching music to a few students, as a PT job while in school. I have a degree in music, and used to teach piano a long time ago. May be time to re-visit that option....this option would definitely be more conducive to having more family time.
It is starting to feel much more real now, at long last!!! Whew...
This morning's online registration was streamlined and efficient, with all the information about my file accessible at the click of the mouse.
No more filling out paper forms, waiting in line, getting somebody to sign off on the form and then receiving the almost illegible bottom copy of the 3 or 4 papers that made up the form. Remember having to "press hard with your pen when writing, as you are making multiple copies"? Lol! That is most definitely a thing of the past.
The schedule seems very empty, particularly in the fall term, as I have been given credit for some courses from my previous degree. However, I must remember that there will also be lots of studying involved to fill the days, not just attending several classes. Being a student is most definitely different than being a working person. Once you leave work, it is done. Once you leave class, the real work begins!
I am also thinking of maybe working part-time for the first part of my program, until clinicals start. Once they start, I think working at my current job will not be possible. I have some amazing options for taking leave from my job (I have wonderful options at my current work -- I just wish I loved the work itself!!!). However, this is all theoretical speculation at the moment, and would certainly make for a very, very full schedule. There are also family commitment to consider, and one of my main reasons for changing careers, is to be able to have a more balanced life, where I can spend more time with my children.
My "gut" is telling me to just move on and make this change for real, and part of me wants to return to teaching music to a few students, as a PT job while in school. I have a degree in music, and used to teach piano a long time ago. May be time to re-visit that option....this option would definitely be more conducive to having more family time.
It is starting to feel much more real now, at long last!!! Whew...
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