November 8, 2005 at 9:17 PM

Life is getting back to normal. First, thanks to Robert and Eric for your comments in my last entry. I ended up declining the Swiss offer for a multitude of reasons, including the high cost of living, not wanting to leave my young daughters for three months, not wanting to stop violin lessons with my wonderful teacher, and the realization that there will be other opportunities to move to Europe in the future. One main reason I want to do it is so I can learn to speak another language fluently, and Swiss German (which is very different from High German) wouldn't really have been the most useful choice. Maybe next time I'll find something in France, German, Spain, or Italy, which I'd like better.

So, the stress of that decision is over and I can get back to focusing on my violin. Virginia said I could start on the Saint-Saëns' Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, which I'm really excited about. I think I was ready to take on a new piece, because I have this renewed enthusiasm for practicing. It's definitely a challenge for me, but one I think I can handle. I've said this many times before, but...what a difference a good teacher makes! I've made so much progress in the six months I've worked with Virginia, and it's just so depressing to think of the thirteen years I wasted as a child with mediocre teachers.

My 2.5-year-old daughter has apparently picked up on my enthusiasm, because she now begs to play with my violin every time I start to practice. I let her pluck the strings and sometimes she bows (with my help) while I finger some kid's song. I've started looking for a Suzuki teacher for her, but many of them don't take kids that young. I could start teaching her the fundamentals myself, but I'm afraid of passing on any bad habits I might have, now that I know how poorly I was taught in my early years.

I've been doing well trying to practice every day, even for just fifteen minutes, but last night I fell off the wagon. After a full day's work and a very intense three hours of Spanish interpreting at the clinic where I volunteer, I just didn't have the mental or physical energy to play. So I watched my "Art of Violin DVD" instead, figuring that I could learn something by watching the old masters. Tonight, I'm back to playing. Promise.

From Scott 68
Posted on November 8, 2005 at 9:36 PM

maybe you could get her a little baby violin of her own?

From Karin Lin
Posted on November 8, 2005 at 9:43 PM

Yeah, I'm thinking about getting her a foam or cardboard one, but she might not be satisfied with that. If she's going to have a real one, though, I'd like her to learn how to play it correctly, hence the search for a teacher.

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November 8, 2005 at 9:17 PM

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