November 20, 2004 at 1:44 AM

Well, the competition is over. It was a very intense and dramatic week. What I did not write is that I got sick mondaynight and that I had withdrawn, but on strong advise of James Buswell I did continue in the competition. However I used every bit of last energy in the second round and my Tchaikovksy yesterday was ok, but not like I am used to playing it. So the results: the Korean girl Bo Kyueng Lee got first prize, Erin Keefe second, I got fourth (thanks to my appalling second round) and Yue Lin from China fifht. The jury told me my second round was really not good, but because of my Bach in the first round, they wanted to let me pass anyways. And then to think that I was not happy with Bach either.
So, what did I learn from this: PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!! It has been a good way to get back on track for me, after a very difficult year, but more even, it has proved that if I work hard, I can do it. Also, I learned I am a master at playing mind games with myself, and I really need to work on that. And the way to do that is not by saying, no more competitions, no, I should do a lot of them so I get immuum to the stress and games that are going on during a competition.
I think it has proven to be a very powerful experience and I am going home with lots of new motivation and maybe also ambitions.
But first today another concert.I am playing Franck Sonata again, but this time with music! I don't want to worry about anything, I just want to play as good as I can. I am very tired, my arms are still not as it should be, but I am looking forward to it. Oh, the other thing I learned, never to cram as much as I did this time. On the other hand, I also learned that if it needs to be, I can learn pieces very fast, which is a comfort.
We are moving this afternoon to another hotel and then tomorrow Erin and I are flying to Seoul for some sightseeing! And on wednesday I'll be back in my own bed... yes!!!
Waiting for bread and cheese or "hagelslag"!
Greetings from Korea!
Carla

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November 20, 2004 at 1:44 AM

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