Thankful

I know it's already the day after Thanksgiving, but I thought I would list some of the things I am thankful for.  It's good to remind yourself every now and then all that you are blessed with.

I'm thankful for...

• my relationship with my Savior and Lord, first and foremost.  Without him, I would be nothing.
• my family, for all of their love and support.  Even when some of them drive me crazy, I know they will always be there for me.
• my crazy, crazy friends.  It takes special people to understand my crazy and be able to relate to it!  :-P
• my health.  I may not be the most fit person in the world (ha!), but I have no major ailments, and for that I am very grateful.
• my church home.  It's been tough not having a church in Springfield to go to regularly, but I am so thankful to be able to come back to FBC Farmington and feel welcome and loved.
• almost being done with school...for real this time!  I graduate in less than a month!
• a profession that I am happy in...music therapy combines music with helping people, just what I like!

Now the fun/silly list!  I'm thankful for...

• chocolate
• Pinterest
• Snuggies (I admit to owning a leopard-print one)
• movies that never get old (The Holiday!)
• sunsets
• my cats and my dog
• the way new books smell
• sleeping late
• the feel of clean sheets
• caffeine
• the ability to not get into Christmas mode until after Thanksgiving
• iTunes
• contact lenses
• cardigans
• the sound a symphony makes when it's tuning right before a concert
• my perfect guy (he's out there somewhere!)

I hope everyone was able to find something they were thankful for this Thanksgiving.  Now get ready for the Christmas season!  Until next time!

Denied

I received an e-mail from the Journal of Music Therapy editors earlier this morning.  Here's what it said:

Dear Ms. Jenkins,

 

I want to thank you for submitting your manuscript, “Functional Musicianship of Music Therapy Students Entering Internship,” for peer review. The reviewers agreed that the manuscript addresses an important topic, but did not recommend publication.  Primary concerns centered on methodology.

 

Although your manuscript was not selected for publication, the reviewers did provide some informative and encouraging comments that you may find helpful as you move forward with your program of research (please see attached letter).  It is also my hope that the reviewer comments will offer greater understanding for the reasons the manuscript was not selected for publication.

 

Thank you once again for your submission. We appreciated the opportunity to review your scholarly work and hope that you will continue to keep the journal in mind as a publication outlet for your research.

 

So, I got denied.  I know I shouldn't be upset...I mean, it was my first attempt at having a study published, having very little idea of what I was doing.  I gave it my best, and at least it got my name out there as a serious MT.  But I am upset.

 

The part that really aggravates me is all of the work I put into this study, virtually for nothing, and all of the BS I had to put up with to get it here.  I relied a lot on the knowledge of my professor/adviser to let me know what I was doing wrong, things I should add or change, etc.  I finished this study with such high hopes of it being published; he told me he couldn't see any reason why they wouldn't publish it.  And now I sit here, over a year later, not having the study published.

 

I shouldn't be so hard on myself.  It's just disappointing.  I can try and correct some things and submit it to a different journal, and knowing my professor, that's what will happen.  And I'm presenting this research at conference next week, so at least other people can hear about it. 

 

I guess I'm done ranting about it.  Off to class. 

Fall 2011

Hello all!  One of the things I love about Drury is its trees in the fall.  They are absolutely gorgeous!  During my undergrad years, I would walk around campus each year with my friend Erin and take pics.  Sadly, E-Mac is in San Antonio, but I was able to get a few pics from this year.  Here they are!

Happy Fall Y'all!!