Thoughts on lately.

The stories my phone is telling me (AKA a week in the life post)

Oct 22, 2025

How much life can you fit in a week? Apparently, a lot. As I was scrolling through my photos this morning, it hit me how full this life is.

In lieu of my normal “thoughts,” here are some photos from this past week—proof of life and proof of why my brain can’t focus on any one thought at the moment.

🌟 Brandon and I played in the parent Trunk or Treat Band for the kids’ school fundraiser. It’s our fourth year doing this, and each year gets a little more ridiculous. Dress up as zombies from the year the school was founded and wear matching school uniforms? Why not? The setlist included Lady Gaga, The Talking Heads, and (of course), K Pop Demon Hunters.

🌟 Last Monday, we spent some quality time with our youngest at the ER. It’s a long story that ended in her needing both stitches and a cast for a broken finger 🥺. Once the trauma of the injury had subsided, it really was a sweet time for the three of us to be together. And once the “happy meds” kicked in and Hattie kept telling us how “refreshing” it felt to get stitches, Brandon and I couldn’t stop laughing.

🌟 On Wednesday (the day after the stitches), my tire popped on the way to work but I didn’t notice it until it was parked in front of the music building. Roadside assistance was delayed and notified me that they would be arriving at 12:30 PM…right in the middle of my guitar class final!

I needed that tire fixed. So, I did what any hot mess professor would do. I marched my class outside and we sat in a circle right by my Toyota so students could play their final with the sweet soundtrack of tire maintenance in the background.

🌟 On Wednesday night (the night after the stitches!!!), I had the opportunity to host a conversation for our NAfME-C chapter meeting at West Chester University. Music Education students came to learn about what it means to find your identity as a teacher and live in your values. The conversation was co-led with my dearest, Kimberly McGlonn, and the entire event was coordinated by Matt, my college student and former high school student! Both Kimberly and I have taught Matt since he was 14, so it felt extra special to be there together. (Matt, once a student in my beginning guitar class, is now a GUITAR MAJOR! Teaching is so cool.)

🌟 On Saturday, Brandon and I had an early anniversary trip (18 years of marriage next month 😱) to see Grizzly Bear perform in Brooklyn. Victoria from Beach House joined them for five songs, and it was truly the most moving musical experience I’ve had in years.

We were starving after the show and ended up at an Irish Pub (!) that was hosting a Metal cover band called Black Ice, and it was truly the strangest musical experience I’ve had in years 😂.

🌟 I heard Aziz Ansari talk about this meme on Amy Poehler’s podcast. I love hearing other people talk about how they live without smartphones or social media. Like Aziz, I also have friends send me funny memes or reels since they know I miss them online. This one is so me.

🌟 Some of my library holds came through today and I’m especially excited about this book. So much is messed up with the economy of art-making and sharing and how artists are compensated (helllooooo, starting a whole publishing company for this very reason). I’ll report back.

What about you? What do your pictures from this past week show? (Do you like these types of posts? Should I do more “week in the life” roundups?)

Inspiration

🎧 If you haven’t listened to Grizzly Bear, start with Veckatimest.

🎧 Doctors are amazing!!! When the ER doctors were sewing Hattie’s finger, I awkwardly asked them if they’d ever seen The Pitt (they had). I love listening to a senior resident instructing a student. Ah! It’s so cool.

Creative

🌟 I’ve been sidelined from my circus classes because of a frozen shoulder diagnosis 😭. This feels like a dumb thing to share in a Substack, but I’ve relied on others who have been through it before, so I’m putting this out in the universe in case anyone wants to talk about my experience!

🌟 This morning, I’m presenting at Montclair State University on the topic of creativity. One of my favorite creative exercises for music educators is this: I have them break up into groups with a variety of instruments. Then, I instruct them to read the last text they sent to someone. “Imagine that text was a line in a movie. What type of soundtrack music would immediately follow?” After that, they have five minutes to improvise music that would accompany the line. The end results are always hilarious and creative, helping participants feel comfortable creating together. I’ll try to capture some examples today!

Thanks for subscribing and reading. I hope your week is full of humans in the best way.