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July 5, 2008 at 7:30 AM

Mostly, my summer life has been full of marathons and mountain races and loads of cooking. Nowadays when I reach for my violin in the evenings, it feels much like a bit of dessert rewarding my hard efforts of the day. In the winter, I practice for symphony and performances and upcoming recitals, but in the summer, I play for myself, and it is delicious.

Ms. Grossman, I am very happy for you. As a serious violin student heading to camps and trying to find as many connections and opportunities as possible, I have little time to play for myself, and when I do, I eat it up. I envy you, because I play violin not for myself, but for others. I must practice and do well to get to where you are today, and when I do, I will look back and know that it was worth it.

It was a pleasure reading your entry.

If you take your practice as seriously as I think you do, then you will likely go much further than I have as a violinist. I envy your diligence as a musician!:)
Sounds like a great summer. Professionals like you often do not get enough time to play for yourselves, and even amateurs like me have to divide their time between personal and orch-related playing. Keep it up and enjoy!
Hey, remember me? I feel the same way. This is my first summer off in 2 years. I'm enjoying Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays when I can put in about 5-8 hours of varied practice in a day. =)
Of course I remember you Tasha! Your summer sounds fun! Mine isn't really "off". I work 40 hours a week and train hard for races during my time off. I love my work, but I really enjoy some no-obligation down time with the fiddle every once in a while.
Well, mine isn't really off, either. I just mean from classes. I still have all my 34 students to teach...
Emily - to some extent you need to think of the equivalent of the advice that you get from financial planners: pay yourself first. You gotta put aside time for you.
Dang Tasha, you teach 34 students in the summer? That is my job in the winter!