#11 (Star Struck)

I made a quick trip to Chicago this weekend with Alie and Alisson to see a Gershwin concert in Millenium Park. Alie's boyfriend's dad, Kevin Stites, was conducting the orchestra so he got us great seats. The concert was really great. It featured four current Broadway stars: Norm Lewis, Harolyn Blackwell, Marin Mazzie, and Jason Danieley. But the greatness did not stop at the end of the concert. The three of us got to go backstage with all of the Stites family, and then on to the cast party! I got to hang out and talk to Kevin Stites (who conducts on Broadway), Norm Lewis (who is starring in 'The Little Mermaid'), Harolyn Blackwell, and many other big names in Chicago theatre! It was so amazing! I was like a little kid that couldn't stop giggling. I know I made an impression on Norm and got teaching advice from Harolyn. What a night! I could get used to this lifestyle.......

Ancora Imparo,

Jon Rohner

#10 (Europe and a job)

I had planned on keeping my blog updated during my travels in Europe. However, internet access was expensive and hard to come by. Let me just say that it was absolutely amazing. We begain in London, then to Paris, Switzerland, Austria, Venice, and Germany. That over 16 days with over 200 music students from Kentucky and Southern Indiana. I'm still working on getting my pictures up on facebook, so keep checking.

But now I have much bigger news than Europe.....I HAVE A JOB! I am not the band director for Charlestown High School and Middle School. There is so much to do and plan now, I feel a little overwhelmed. I just have to remember that this is what I've wanted for many many years. Wish me luck.

and I need to come up with a new signature...

Jon

#9 (Changes)

I'm still looking for a job. Since that is the first thing anyone asks me about, I figured I would just put it right out front. Me = still unemployed. I did not get the job I interviewed for a few weeks ago at Union County. I did not even get an interview for the job I had my hopes up for at Seneca High School. Thankfully, other opportunities are coming. I have an interview tomorrow at Trimble County High School in Bedford, KY. Its only about 35-45 minutes away from Louisville. Also, there is a job in southern Indiana that has a possiblity for an interview. So my idea of the perfect job keeps changing. At this point, having a job will be the perfect job. I can't wait to just get my career going.

Another change in my life is about to occur. I've never been to mainland Europe, and that is changing next week! I, along with several of my friends, are chaperoning a trip to Europe with the Kentucky Ambassadors of Music. This is a group of high school students in both band and choir from all over the state that travel to Europe to perform and be tourists. Most states have them. I really wanted to go with the Arkansas group when I was in school, but never had the money. Well, now is my chance! We begin out rehearsal camp on Thursday and then fly out on Monday the 30th. We fly to London, then travel from there to Paris, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, and Italy. We finally arrive back in the USA on June 15th! I'm so unbelievably excited!! After travelling to Ireland last summer, my desire to travel was really sparked. This is such a great opportunity. And one of the best parts is I get to share this trip with several close friends: Alie, Liz, Kevin, James, and Phoebe to name a few! If I get a chance, I'll do some international updates! Oh, and I might get to see Sharon while in Germany! and I have now officially used too many exclamation marks in this entry. Therefore, I'm done.

and I'm still dating. Its still good...in case you were wondering.

Peace, Love, & Equality,

Jon Rohner

#8 (Catching Up)

I've actually been very busy lately, so now I'm catching up on the blog.

Two of my best friends, Amy and Ben, got married this weekend. It was one of the most beautiful ceremonies I've even seen. Amy was radiant. Ben cried. And well, I cried a lot as well. One of the best parts about the weekend was getting to catch up with all my friends back in Arkansas. I got to have lengthy conversations with Alie, Nathan, Mr. Plunkett, Amy, Ben, Carly, and many more. It was so nice to get nostalgic and remember all the good times from high school and college. It was quite refreshing, but I was ready to come back to Louisville.

Louisville really is home to me now. Arkansas is a place I visit to see friends and family. I never thought my life would bring me here. Wow......

So I'm dating again. And it is great! I'm too much of a gentleman to put any more details on the blog, but feel free to ask. I'm sure I'll tell you all about it. ;-)

And for those of you that have been keeping up with my bathroom drama.....it is working again. I got new walls, ceiling, vanity, tiling, and fixtures. It looks great so far, especially since no water is dripping in the ceiling. If you don't know what I'm talking about, check out the videos on my facebook profile. It's quite entertaining.

Also, I had a job interview last week. I'm not sure I want this job, for various reasons, but the interview went really really well. It did a good job boosting my confidence for future interviews. There is a job I really have my hopes up for, so keep your fingers crossed!

And there is the quick, vague update. More to come later.

Peace, Love, & Equality,

Jon Rohner

#7 (Mom)

I'm not big on cards. Birthday cards, get well cards, Christmas cards....I just never send them. I am becoming very good about sending thank you cards. I believe those are the most important. I've sent out several lately for all the money and gifts I received for graduation. Well today, I received another kind of card from my mom. This is what the front of the card said:

It seems like only yesterday
that you were the little boy
who loved to learn new things -
the curious child who
captured so much of my attention.
You needed me so much then...
and you grew so close to my heart.
But as time went on, you grew more
independent and more confident -
and I watched with mixed feelings
of pride in your accomplishments
and uncertainty of how the future
would change our relationship.
How could I have known
that as you grew older,
I would grow to know you in a new way -
to learn new things from you,
and to see in you a man
that brings more pride to me
than words could ever say.
No matter how much time passes, son,
I want you to know
you will always be close to my heart.
- Sharon Valleau



For those of you that know me and my mom, these words couldn't be more true. I cried when I got this. I love her very much. That is all I can say about that.

Peace, Love, & Equality,

Jon Rohner

#6 (Me Time, a Wedding, and a Good Morning)

So I'm still in a very good mood. It has now lasted a week, so I think its here to stay for a while. Even though I have not had a lot of social contact lately, I've enjoyed the time alone. If I have missed phone calls or not returned them, I'm sorry. I've needed some "me-time." It has given me the opportunity to think, de-stress, and be productive on things that are left behind during the busy school year.

In other news, my best friend Amy Dunivan is getting married on June 6th. I'm so very excited about this wedding. Amy and I have been best friends since high school. She is marrying my big bro in Phi Mu Alpha, Ben Wainscott. I couldn't be happier for the two of them. Because gas is so expensive, I had to plan my only trip home this summer around the wedding. I'll be back in Jonesboro, Arkansas on Thursday, June 5th, and have to come back to Louisville on Monday, June 9th. I know its not a lot of time, but its all I can afford this summer. And sorry to a lot of my friends, but I will be spending the majority of my time with family.

I love random, positive occurances. This morning, as I stepped out of my aparment on my way to the store, my good friend Alisson just happened to be walking by. Alisson is one of those peopel that instantly put a smile on your face, no matter what mood you are in. We gave each other a big hug, then I gave her a ride to work. Not a big deal, but it really brightened my day. And then, when I went to the post office, there was a check from the Commonwealth of Kentucky for $50 to reimburse by Teacher Certification fee. I didn't even know that was gonna get refunded! So two good things just happend unexpectedly. Who knows what else the day may hold??

And today's picture has nothing to do with the blog, but now I get to punch everyone who read this!

Peace, Love, & Equality...

Jon Rohner

#5 (Optimism)

So things are starting to happen, just like I thought they would. I got a phone call from a local band director telling me that a certain job is officially open now. It is being advertised in the district first, then will be opened for outside applicants. This director went so far as to email someone in human resourses to tell them I was interested. This looks promising!

I also receieved an email from another school thanking me for my application and saying I should hear from them soon.

In similar new, my friend Ryan Riley got a job as the band director at Pocahontas High School in Pocahontas, AR. Congrats Ryan! Now if only the rest of us could find jobs as well.

So there is a quick update, off to the gym and then seeing Indiana Jones tonight at midnight!

Peace, Love, & Equality....

Jon

#4 (To-Do List)

I have now lived in the great city of Louisville, Kentucky for 2 years. While I have enjoyed every minute I've spent here, the vast majority of my time has been spent on school. I realized this past week there are many things in this city that I want to do and see before I start a job that could take me away. So I've made the decision to experience Louisville this summer. Here are the things I want to see and do (in no particular order):

1. Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory

2. JB Speed Art Museum

3. Watertower Art Museum

4. Kentucky Derby Museum

5. Cherokee Park

6. Glassworks

7. Louisville Bats Minor Leauge Baseball Game

8. See a show at Actors' Theatre of Louisville

9. Six Flags

10. Falls of the Ohio

11. Louisville Zoo

12. Huber Winery

13. Louisville Ghost Tour

And that is all I have thought of so far. Who wants to come along for the adventure of finally discovering the city that means so much to me?

Peace, Love, & Equality...

Jon

#3 (Cold Medicine and Lost)

I'm sick. Sneezy, runny nose, body achingly sick. Blah. Thankfully, I have nothing go on right now that this is keeping me from doing. I have time to rest and get over it, so that's something positive.

The cause of this illness is my mom and aunt. When they came up for graduation last weekend, they were both very very sick. Needless to say, they were a lot of fun to hang out with. Just kidding, mom. I was so thankful they made the 8 hour drive to see me graduate, even though they were bothing coughing so much they couldn't sleep.

So I guess my graduation gift was a cold. haha.


In other news, I got my computer back from the repair man. I spilled an entire glass of OJ on my laptop earlier this week. (I'm clumsy). So now the computer works fine, thankfully, but the keyboard is driving me crazy. Some of the keys are moving slow and lots of them are clicking against each other now. I'm not sure if they put it back together ok. I'm pretty sure I could pop the keys out and clean it. Maybe I should check with a computer savvy friend first. Expect a call Jason.


And Lost is the best television show ever! This season is amazing. And since I'm sick, I've spent all day on the couch rewatching Season 1. I need to go buy Season 2 so I can watch it tomorrow.

Peace, Love, & Equality...

Jon

#2 (Orange Juice and lost post)

I just typed an entire post about how I spilled OJ on my laptop. Blogspot deleted it.

boo.