New member of the family!

yep, there is a new McNabb in the world! Here's my nephew. He's probably the first kid that I think is actually cute as a newborn. Its the mcmagic, really, and i sense its strong with this one.

Term One Concert Below!

The Concert is Up!
After many hours of work, Adam has worked his magic on the blog and posted my Term 1 music concert!
Watch and enjoy the randomness of my repertoire planning and the talent of my amazing students!
-Sarah

Waiheke High School Music Concert Term 1

Wednesday night. Tortellini. A new episode of Scrubs. Life is good on Waiheke. The fact that I am saying this today is a testament to how bad days can so easily turn into good ones when you live on Waiheke (and have a particularly fantastic husband).
In the morning, one of my fellow teachers looked at me and said "you don't look well." Well, I felt fine...so that's always a good way to start the morning.
Then, as I greeted the primary school music teacher, whom I have met before and corresponded with - she gave me a confused look and said.. "What is your name?(I told her)....oh, Sarah McNabb...I thought you were a kid." Awesome.
To finish it off, my principal told me that there will be 7 new additions to my year 10 music class (9th grade), which adds to the already delicate rainforest-esque eco-system I have in that class (thanks for the analogy adam:)). Even the slightest change seems to make classroom management a whole new monster.

But now I am at home, and relaxing. Tomorrow, another day. It may not start out any better than yesterday did, but at least I know I'll have yummy tortellini for lunch.

good morning,waiheke!

The view from our house on Friday morning:

High School Ad

BELIEVE we have a winner! The principal finally liked my latest design for the ad. So here it is:

No other news really going on lately. Except we saw Star Trek in Imax theater and it was awesome! And I have about 5 weeks left of work then I'm gonna be unemployed again. Hopefully, I'll have my degree NZQA assessed by then and at least have the A+ certification test scheduled. So, insha'Allah, I'll be more employable in about 2 months. That's if people don't start knocking down my door for my sweet as designs! :)

EDIT: btw, built my new computer desk yesterday too! Materials I used:
3 tier bookshelf x 2
white shelf
velcro tape
handmade designer paper
Total cost = < $50NZD I bought the white shelf at the local material store (Placemakers), similar to Lowe's. Then found some handmade paper at a Fair Trade store in Tauranga on sale so i bought two rolls. (only about a meter in each) Then Saturday, we found an awesome sale on bookshelves! 2 for $25, baby! So got a couple of those in black. Put them together then used the velcro tape to better secure the white shelf top. Using the velcro means i can quickly, easily take the desk apart so it won't be a pain when we move. I used enough (the length of the shelves) to firmly secure the top though. So it does take a little muscle to pull it apart. Here are the pics of the final construction.

Graphic Design

I'M beginning to see the pains of having client's as a Freelance Graphics Designer. I'm creating these brochures and ads for the local school mostly as a favor. I didn't have them sign any of the normal Freelance contracts or agree on any stipulations before taking the job. I saw the previous brochures/ads and knew I could create something better in my sleep. Unfortunately, I think they are under the impression that they actually have me contracted professionally for my design skills. I'm under no obligations in my opinion to give them the "perfect" design they are looking for. I've already exceeded the previous work. yet they have turned down my first designs and are asking for more. When I give them a look that says they are a bit nuts for asking for something else, they bring up that they'll "find some money to pay me" for the work i'm doing. A vague promise isn't the same as having it in writing. really, its not so much about the pay, even though these jobs should cost them hundreds of dollars a piece. nope. its more about getting my name out among the locals of what skills I bring to the island. it's just irritating that i'm expected to put a lot of time and effort into a job i'm doing almost pro bono since its for the education system that employees my wife. if it was a shit design like this one i fooled around with:












Then feel free to tell me to try something else. BUT when its a decent design like in the previous post or this one here:




or this:

then please. just thank the nice man for his work and move on.