After reading CND’s post the other day regarding music education, I began to reminisce about my days as a music student.  I took private piano lessons for years at the insistence of my mother (in addition to music classes in school).  Though I was less than thrilled to spend my childhood afternoons practicing chords with my tenacious music teacher, in hindsight I am grateful for the experience.  I now have a love for music and a cherished talent I have been able to cultivate, an opportunity and experience many do not have.

In addition, my experiences have bestowed upon me a great appreciation for music teachers everywhere and all that they do.  From putting up with snot-nosed bratty kids to their patience with those of us who struggle, they are truly some of the most dedicated in the world.  Hats off to music teachers everywhere.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention released a study this past Tuesday that states an estimated one in four teenage girls in the United States has at least one sexually transmitted diseases.

Not only is this information incredibly disturbing, but it is frightening.  It is a small glimpse of where this country is headed and it certainly illustrates the areas where parents are failing.  Education, especially sex education, begins in the home.  No matter what your stance may be on teenage sex (abstinence versus safe sex), it is imperative that you teach your children safe and responsible practices.   Teenagers often do not have the cognitive ability to understand the how severe or lasting the consequences of their actions may be and they certainly won’t if you do not inform them.

For resources to help you talk to your kids about sex education, visit the Parents Sex Ed Center, provided by AdvocatesForYouth.org.

To all you avid, loyal readers of this engaging and entertaining blog… I’m Aubrey Jean, the latest blogger to join the All American Soy crew. Have you ever seen those “bag tags” that everyone is doing on their personal blogs? Well, if not, today is your lucky day! I am an adamant believer that a glimpse into a woman’s handbag is a glimpse into her soul, so what better way for all of you to get to know yours truly than taking a gander into my very own purse.

Caution: The following may contain embarrassing, ridiculous, or awkward items - readers are forwarned.

• 1. Palm Centro Phone - As a workin’ woman, this is the one thing I cannot live without. I think I may be getting carpal tunnel of the thumbs from all the emails I type on it.
• 2. Keys - which open my car, house, and office. Oh and Mr. Albert, my pet owl.
• 3. Wallet - now what bag doesn’t have this? While I will spare you the very long list of items in there, I will say it includes numerous credit and bank cards, various customer reward cards, some spare change, perhaps some postage stamps, old receipts…you get the idea.
• 4. Gum - I have an oral addiction to gum that’s so strong, I think I alone could keep eclipse in business.
• 5. Chapstick - one of my (many) beauty musts, Burts Bees is one of the best kinds out there.
• 6. Lipgloss - In conjunction with the previous item, this is also one beauty product I must have. Victoria’s Secret has the most amazing lipgloss in their Beauty Rush line.
• 7. Pen - How many times have you been out and about and desperately needed a pen? I like to be prepared for any writing emergencies that may come up.
• 8.Concealer - My MAC concealer pot goes everywhere I do; you never know when that damn zit is going make an appearance and totally ruin your day.
• 9. Dietary Supplement - Some of you drink gallons of coffee every day - I take a Zantrex energy pill and stay skinny. Suckers.
• 10. Kudos Bar - Cause you never know when the munchies are going to strike…and at only 100 calories a bar, how can I resist?
• 11. Lotion -For soft, supple hands all day long.
• 12. Hairspray - To keep my immaculate tresses in place at all times (Dove works great and is cheap!).
• 13. Junk - This is the inevitable pile of crap that can be found in the depths of every woman’s handbag, which includes old papers, loose change, garbage, and perhaps even a few lose birth control pills: Ladies - don’t leave home without it!

Successful businesses have great principles that can be applied to home life. You just have to get creative. One, of course, is the strategy of organization. Every successful business and home needs a system of organizing. Without it, life will be chaos. But that principle is pretty basic. So let’s move onto something a little more challenging. And that is the ideal of enterprise risk management. Enterprise risk management can be a complicated thing to learn about, but here are the four basics:

1. Avoidance of those practices that have an increasing risk.

2. Reducing the impact of those risks.

3. Sharing a portion of the risk in order to reduce the impact.

4. Accept the outcome.

Now is the time to brainstorm. How do you think you can apply these principles to a successful home life?

OK. Sorry. I just couldn’t resist.

Have you ever thought about what types of things you want your children to learn about? I am not a naturally musically-inclined person, but I do see the importance of music education. And I don’t necessarily mean about teaching kids to play instruments. I think this is great for those who actually like to do it. I, for one, never could seem to excel at the clarinet in fifth grade. But then again, I didn’t put much effort into it. I only lasted a year.

But I still think music education is crucially important. It is just as important as learning History in school. There are so many great past composers and others who have contributed to make music what it is today.  Just like with any other subject, one can not know where music is going if one doesn’t first know where music has been.  I think all students should study Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Gershwin, and many others. Children these days already know a great deal about modern artists (Pop, rap, and country singers), but what about the classics? Shouldn’t they be able to recognize and appreciate classical music? Shouldn’t they know some of the recorded beginnings of music? The importance of music to different cultures? This is all important and very interesting stuff, but the problem is that most people aren’t aware of any of it. Usually only those who study music extensively know the great details of it all. I think it is about time that we, as well as our youth, get educated about music. It is never too late to start learning, and why not start now with music?

There are so many successful businesses; it makes me wonder what their secret it. I’ve recently found out that one great way to promote your business is to find a great firm that deals with Utah SEO. Also, well-balanced organization has amazing results. If a business can stay organized, it is much easier to focus on the other needs of the company.

Most of us have had some experience with it, and if you haven’t…consider yourself one of the lucky few. Debt is rising to astronomical proportions in the United States and the average American household carries nearly $6,000 in credit card debt alone every month. With widespread speculation that the economy is headed for a recession, the mortgage home crisis, and the rapidly losing value of the dollar, there has never been a better time to face debt head on and begin eliminating it. Freeing yourself of debt will enable you not only free you from financial bondage, but help you financially prepare for the future of you and your family.

So, ladies and gents…let’s get started!

• Cut up your credit cards! You can’t use them if you don’t have them. Taking them out of your wallet or leaving them at home is not nearly enough and you may still be tempted to use them. Get rid of them entirely!
• Tacking your credit card debt may seem like on overwhelming and entirely impossible task, but a little organization can make the job a little easier. Gather together all the statements for all the cards you are currently carrying a balance on. Figure out which one you are paying the highest interest on and begin paying that one down first. Put as much extra money as you can afford to that card each month. Once that one is paid off, start with the next one, and the next one, and so on until they are all paid off.
• If you qualify, do a balance transfer to a card that has a lower interest rate or (if you’re lucky) one with no interest for 12 months. Budget accordingly so you can have that card paid off within those 12 months and you will not pay a dime of interest.
• Reducing debt and becoming financial savvy no doubt entails sacrificing some of your luxuries. Whether it’s going to get a coffee each morning or eating out every night, cut back! Get a manicure every other week instead of each week or limit your budget when it comes to entertainment. You will be amazed by how much you can save (and put towards your debt) each month if you cut back just a little on your favorite “luxuries.”
• President Bush recently approved an economic stimulus plan in which millions of Americans will be receiving tax refunds ($600 for singles, $1200 for married couples). Use that money to pay down your debt!!!
• Review your current mortgage and car loan (if you have one); are you living within your means? Consider trading in your fancy car for a more practical one and you may be able to cut your monthly car payment in half. Consider downsizing if you have more space and a larger mortgage than you know what to do with. As far as mortgages, try researching different early mortgage payoff plans to find out how you can pay off your mortgage sooner than expected.
• While it is important to pay off your debts first, once that is accomplished, you should begin building a sizable savings account. Finance guru Suze Orman recommends having at least eight months salary saved up. This way you and your family will be financially taken care of should anything happen such as losing your job or an injury that prevents you from working.