Week One of CMA + the End of Summer
How is it possible that summer is already over? Does anyone else feel like we just got out of school, and now it’s time to go back! If your summer was anything like mine, it was packed full.
I was able to visit my youngest daughter and her family twice and enjoyed the extra time with my growing grandsons. My oldest daughter lives about 40 minutes from me, so we see each other often. Having extra time with family is always my favorite part of summer break!
Most of my summer was spent preparing for the launch of Carey Music Academy. I shared about why I started CMA in episode 21 of my podcast, Coffee with Christina. You can listen to it here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2301037/15551720-s1-e21-why-i-started-carey-music-academy.mp3?download=true. Seeing this dream come to life over the last several weeks has been exciting and a little surreal. There is SO MUCH that goes into starting a music school, and I am beyond thankful for my team. I couldn’t do it all without them!
During our first week, we welcomed almost 20 new students and are expecting at least 8 more to begin over the next few weeks. I am thrilled with these numbers! I strongly believe that CMA is going to make a huge impact in the Hattiesburg community!
The fall trimester at Carey opens next week. I’m not ready (of course!), but I am ready to see my students. It will be really nice to be back in a rhythm and routine. Going into this new year, there are a number of things I am really looking forward to:
· introducing my university and CMA students to new music I’ve discovered this summer.
· teaching two exciting courses that are in rotation this fall.
· planning events and performance opportunities for all my students.
· a new season in my church job as we welcome a new worship leader.
· a weekend getaway planned with a couple of girlfriends for the fall.
· giving my first solo recital in over a decade.
It is going to be a great year! While I still have much to do to be fully prepared, I am eager to begin.
Before summer is completely over, though, I plan on taking a day to shut out the world and reflect on the last few weeks and how to make the most out of the beginning days of the new year. I tend to get so busy in doing all the things that I fail to actually enjoy and appreciate the moments. Life is lived in the moments, and I don’t want to miss them! I recently heard someone refer to this as “mental time traveling” – reliving the past or anticipating problems in the future rather than living fully in the present. I have mentioned before that I am guilty of this, and I am making a conscious effort to be fully present wherever I am.
So, here’s to soaking up the last few days of summer and leaping head and heart first into the new school year. Sending all of you all my love. Take care, my friends!
