Happy New Year!

Lawyer Family Christmas Tradition (our first time carrying on this tradition)

Hello Family and Friends!

Seasons Greetings and Happy New Year!

Jeanne and Joseph on July 4th. Coudcroft, NM

I've already shared somewhat of an annual message, but it wasn't all that official. This blog post will be more appropriate.

We recently moved in August to Chesapeake, VA, where I am the Music Librarian at the US Army School of Music at JEBLCFS (Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story) in Virginia Beach. We love the area. I love living one mile from the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Preserve, but Jeanne could do without it. She says it's just trees and water for miles and not much else. LOL. Jeanne does love our proximity to the beach.

Joseph and I on one of our Ballahack
Airsoft Saturdays

Joseph's English is amazing for how short of a time he's been in the states (two years). He's good at being sarcastic and talking back, which is when you know someone is comfortable with the language. He asked if we can get him a car when he gets his driver's license. Heaven help us. Joseph still loves Legos, even at the age of 15, and he imagines some very creative things. Joseph and I have found a hobby that we do together. We saved up some money and bought some airsoft guns. Airsoft guns are like BB guns, but they are battery operated, fire larger plastic BBs, and more like models of actual military weapons - fully automatic, made with metal and built to scale and weight (they do make cheap plastic ones, but don't bother with those - they don't last more than a week). Joseph's gun is an AK-47, and mine is an M4A1 with a scope. There is an airsoft course nearby called Ballahack Airsofton 100 acres of forest and swamp where we go and play war games for a full day. It's a blast! (don't worry, face protection is required). We're planning to go again in December, and we're also planning on building a gun rack together for our expensive "merchandise". If any of you fathers and sons are looking for something to do together, I highly recommend finding an airsoft course in your area (and please take Sam with you - he said airsoft is sweet). If you don't have the guns, they usually can rent them. By the way, we just bought the Mary Poppins DVD, and it's quite cool that, though Joseph loves guns, he can't wait for us all to sit down and watch Mary Poppins together.

Jeanne's photography has always been great, but being in her second year at Academy of Art University (BFA-Photography) has really paid off, and she keeps moving up in quality with every course she takes. She's discovered a talent for still life photography, but still does AWESOME portrait photography. Jeanne's stuff blows the tacky-cheesy competitors out of the water. Jeanne is also second counselor in the Relief Society at church. We just had the RS Christmas party at our house, and we rented a 40-ft ladder in order to put lights on the highest peaks.(we now have a very tall-steep house with lots of peaks - talk about a light-hanging nightmare). Jeanne also LOVES her craft room. The largest room in our house is the FROG (finished room over garage) and it is Jeanne's craft room combined with our audio-visual studio.

I am also in my second year at Academy of Art University, but as a grad student working on an MFA in Music for Visual Media/Music Production and Sound Design. This has been my most challenging semester, as I'm taking both advanced music theory AND music arranging.  

I'm doing all kinds of growing at my new position. Most Army units have tight control through the chain of command over where each person is, what they are doing, etc. The job I have now is almost like being a civilian. There is a chain of command, but they're all scattered about doing their own things. I'm totally in charge of the Library, and only report to my supervisor once in a while through emails. There are no daily formations (roll call) like in most Army units. I've had to improve my time-management, project management, research, librarianship, policy making, etc. The Army has just separated from the Navy School of Music (formerly the Armed Forces School of Music), though we're all still in the same building. As a result, the Army school has to be accredited through the Army's accreditation process. As a result, I am tasked with writing the SOP (standing operating procedures) for the library. In other words, it's my responsibility to make sure the library is professionally run according to national academic accreditation standards. I've really enjoyed learning all about librarianship and leaning how to manage a library. I'm learning some very valuable skills. At the same time, I have some time to compose and arrange music, and then place my music in the library. I know, I'm sneaky.