January 16, 2006 at 5:59 AM
Another week has gone by. More exams. More lessons. More chaos. Another week begins, will someone please stick me in a coma a wake me up after exam period ends??I took a few days off school this past week in an effort to have a bit of breathing room and mental space to prepare for my upcoming violin exam. Unfortunately and fortunately that free time to relax and focus on the task at hand got taken up by extra meetings and more violin lessons to help make up for my teacher being away and to help in preparation for the exam. In the process, after tuesday's gruelling lesson purely on technique, I had a pulled muscle in my left arm so had to limit the practicing for a couple of days until my lesson. The lessons have been good but I'm starting to get frustrated and am at the point where I can't really start to pick pieces apart anymore because it's not getting any better I'm at a plateau stage with this repertoire.
This weekend has been also somewhat interesting. Yesterday I spent mostly vegging only practicing and hanging out on the computer, avoiding homework that's due (which I am still avoiding) and also trying to find a sign of improvement in my sick dog. She's almost 11 now and she can't hardly walk and won't walk unless she has to use the washroom or something. She looks so sad and pitiful, it really breaks my heart. Her tail doesn't even wag anymore, she just stares at you pleading for help somehow.
Today, I had the chance to run through my entire exam repertoire for the recital portion of it in a big church which was nice. I was particularly pleased with my slow movement of the Barber concerto. It just worked. Things were in tune and felt easy. I was relaxed and it really just felt so absolutely right. Then this evening I was off to a faculty dinner. That was a first for me. I have never been to any type of staff party or dinner so this was intimidating and exciting! I got to meet some people I didn't know and enjoyed the company of those I did know. It was a potluck and some of the dishes people brought were really unique and very very yummy! I tried a couple of dishes I had never had before too. I contributed a sugar-maple pie. A really nice addition to the evening was faculty got up (including myself!) and played chamber music on a little tiny stage area perfect for 3 or 4 people to perform.
Well I should get to bed....*sigh* Please send your prayers for my dear sweet dog. I've had her since I was 6!
I wish I could tell you not to worry about your exams, and you'd stop, jut like that. It's easy for me to say, being already down the road and seeing how little they mattered in the long run. I have a feeling that it'll work out for you just fine. You seem very smart and gifted.
Neil
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