Monthly Archives: December 2014

2014 in review

Posted on December 31, 2014 by maryannniemczura

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog. Here’s an excerpt: A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 1,000 times in 2014. If it were a cable car, it … Continue reading →

Posted in About the book, family, life lessons, Nostalgia, People, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Power of Music

Posted on December 27, 2014 by maryannniemczura

Musical notes, beats, rests, keys, sharps, flats, major, minor, staff, treble clef, bass clef, rhythms, voices, moods, time signatures, adagio, allegro, forte, chant, chamber, carols, classical, dynamics, fermata, leitmotifs, sonata, staff, concerto, tones, voices – all this and more characterize … Continue reading →

Posted in education, food for the soul, German-American Society of Central New York, interdisciplinary projects, Music composers, music director, piano, power of music, singing, Teaching, Teaching in Germany, video conferences | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

The Importance of Friends

Posted on December 20, 2014 by maryannniemczura

It is at this time of year after Thanksgiving and before Christmas that we turn more to family and friends. We renew and form new traditions and rituals during this time. Students are home from college with new-found friends and … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas Traditions, family, friends, life lessons, love, Thanksgiving, visits | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

5 Joys of having Hobbies

Posted on December 13, 2014 by maryannniemczura

-as an expression of love -as relaxation -as a diversion -as play -as a creative escape By definition, a hobby is an activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation. My recollection of both … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent Wreath, Christmas Traditions, family, friends, Fulbright Teacher Exchange, Hobbies, life lessons, love, Nostalgia | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Family Traditions

Posted on December 7, 2014 by maryannniemczura

December 6 is St. Nikolaus Day in Germany. Last night children put the biggest boot they could find outside their door. If they had been good during the year, Nikolaus brought them chocolate, fruit and small gifts. Those who had … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent Wreath, Christmas Traditions, education, family, Fulbright Teacher Exchange, Teaching in Germany | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments