Oh blog how I've missed the

Well, I guess that since my first term here at Winona State University is almost over I guess I could get everyone caught up on my life.

I've been pretty busy with school, 18 credits keeps me really busy. I've also declared a Dance Minor on top of my Music Education Major. To help with my minor I've been doing a lot with dancing. I'm part of the Winona International dancers and it has been a lot of physical work for me and I think I've lost a couple of pounds do to it. I've also been working out a lot at the new wellness center here on the WSU campus and what ever weight I'm losing in fat I'm gaining back in muscle.

Here are a couple of pictures from my dance group.






























On top of being in the Winona International Dancers I'm also involved with the Newmen center choir and we sing on Sunday's at the 7pm mass for the college students.

My family has also kept me pretty busy. I've been doing a lot of traveling lately and my most recent travel was to Shakopee to meet the newest additon in the family. Owen Michael Balow, Son of Dave and Jenny Balow, was born October 29th, 2010 at 2:24 am. That really got me excited for the week as I went up to meet him that following weekend. It was good to be able to see my family since my aunt, uncle and one of my cousins were back so it was nice to see them. It was a long drive to get up there but it was worth every minute to get up there. I've also made some different trips over to WI to see my grandma. I love it here and the fact that I'm closer to my family.

Here is a quick Picture of me and my new cousin and my aunt.




















Well to look at next term, I'm going to have a lighter load compared to this term. I only will be carrying 16 credits compared to 18 credits this term. My classes will be split almost in half in terms of my Major and Minor.

Well I guess that wraps up this post. I promise to try not to let my blog slip away from me.

Winona Schedule

Well I finally got my Winona Schedule settled. I'm going to be carrying 17 credits this semester. Throughout the next few years I'm going to be really busy. My advisor says that in my Spring Semester of my THIRD year, I'll be in Student Teaching. I can't believe how much longer I have to go and I'll have my dream.

My school schedule is as follows:

Monday:
9-9:50am: Conducting I
10-10:50am: Music History
11-11:50am:Jazz in the Schools
12-12:50: Music Education Seminar
3-4:30pm: Symphonic Wind Ensemble
5-6:50: College Rdg/writing

Tuesday:
9:30am-10:50am: World Music
12:30-1:20: Orch/Instrumentation
2-2:50: Brass Methods

Wednesday:
10-10:50am: Music History
12-12:50am: Saxophone Studio
3-4:30pm: Symphonic Wind Ensemble
5-6:50pm: College Rdg/Writing

Thursday:
9:30am-10:50am: World Music
12:30-1:20pm: Orch/instrumentation
2-2:50pm: Brass Methods
5:30-7pm: World Music

Friday:
9-9:50am: Conducting I
10-10:50am: Music History
3-4:30pm: Symphonic Wind Ensemble

As you can see Mondays are my busiest days and Tuesdays and Fridays are my Light days.

Closure

I recently was able to let some feelings go for some people that I love. A few weeks back I was able to say good bye to my grandma properly. I was able to get back into her house. I hadn't been able to get in since the day of her funeral. I know my Grandma is in a better place but it took a huge toll on my life to have to let her go. May 20, 2009 was a tough day for me. That night we didn't think she was going to make it through the night, so I got called at around 2pm that day that I should proabaly come to Rochester. So I took care of my dog and then headed out knowing that my grandma was proabaly not going to make it. I got there at around 3 3:30pm being that traffic wasn't being friendly. I stayed there until 11pm that night and throughout the night I had broke down twice. For the week leading up to her death I had undergone a lot with nightmares at night about what had happened and overall just my spitual look at things. May 28, 2009, the day had started out normally, I was sitting down in my living room just relaxing when my mom calls me wondering if my dad had called the house. I had a feeling that something was up and knowing my luck my dad walks in about 10 minutes after I hung up with my mom. His words were, "Ryan, this is hard for me to say but, your grandma passed away." I was supposed to work that night but lucky for me, I had really nice managers and I went in and told them that grandma passed away and that I wouldn't be able to come in and I'll let you know of any plans that get made today.

I spent the day over in Rochester with my family and got the plans made. They made me and my aunt the musicians at the funeral. Me and my aunt, Ann, played "Seek Ye First thy kingdom of God" as a prelude that day.

Overall, I'm happy that I was happy that I could let her go properly. Rest in Peace Grandma, I love you and miss you very much. I know that you still look down on me. I'll never forget your sense of humor when ever I came to visit. One thing that will stick is how you teached a lot of people as well as me to be a better person and musician. Thanks for the memories while you were here and I know I'll always remain your little grandson when we meet again. R.I.P. Louise Ann Heydon

How life can be rewarding

I recently found out how life can be very rewarding. I just heard from my parents that I won a $1000 scholarship towards my tuition at Winona State University. That's what I get for being very musical. I also know that people in my life are very good to me and care about who I am unlike a select few that I wish to not associate with anymore.



I feel very fortunate for the people I have in my life. I wish that there was a way for me to thank them for what they have done for me.

I feel very lucky with everyone in my life even though I'm going through a rough time.

First Time Blogger

Hello everyone......this is my first time blogging so i'm new with this. let me tell u all a little bit about myself....I'm currently enrolled at Riverland Community College going for a AFA in Music Education. I'm going on to Winona State University to finish up my BS in Music Education. I am a very well rounded player. I mainly play Saxophone (tenor). I also play piano, organ, Flute, Clarinet, String Bass, as well as alto and baritone sax.

Aside from my music, I also work a lot of hours at Cash Wise Foods. I also do a lot of volunteer work with Big Brothers, Big sisters of Southern Minnesota. I also do volunteer work through my church whether it be ministry or music.

Well I guess that wraps up this post.....Keep ur eyes out for more to come with this.