#60: first harvest and more

Parsley... yum :)

Cilantro

Basil

#13: Take Piano Lessons

I hate to admit, but my mother was right. I regret the decision I made to stop taking piano lessons when I was younger. I became so bored with the lessons, never got a chance to play songs that I really enjoyed, and dreaded recitals. Lame excuses, I know. (I didn't entirely give up on music though. With the guidance of an amazing mentor in high school, I fell in love with the guitar. As a music minor, I took two guitar and voice classes during my undergrad at St. Mary's but these didn't seem to fill the void that was left from my break-up with piano.)

This past Christmas, Nick gave my a keyboard and I signed up for piano lessons with three other girls at St. Mary's. Able to read music but out of practice on the piano, I was at an awkward level, s0 our teacher worked with us each individually during our one hour time slot, two days a week. I was SO stoked to be back and playing, until I found out we had a recital at the end of the semester. NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! I wanted to drop the class, so I called Nick to explain the situation and he convinced me to just do it.

And of course, it was totally worth it.

Having to practice playing piano this past semester definitely helped get me through the stressful and crazy days. Playing piano is so calming and inspiring. (Admittedly frustrating at times.) I actually loved going to lessons this time around. We began with learning folk melodies from tons of different cultures, along with many different scales and technique exercises. My favorites pieces I played this semester are: Duet Exercise #42 by Ferdinand Beyer (because this meant I got to play with my piano teacher who is a phenomenal pianist), Arches by Paula Dreyer, Op. 39, No. 1 by Kabalevsky, and Moon River from Breakfast at Tiffany's.

All of a sudden- it was time to choose our songs for the recital. It was too late to drop the class. I had to do it. NOT stoked. My piano teacher selected Memory by Andew Lloyd Webber (from the musical Cats) for my recital piece. I practiced religiously, and tortured Nick, my parents, my friend Molly, and even the little girls I babysit, who all endured listening to me play the song for them (or via Skype) in hope to be comfortable playing in front of a crowd, which is clearly not my forte.

I survived the recital and actually ended up playing decently. You know that feeling you get after succeeding at something? ... like you can save the world? Yeah- that's how I felt.

I absolutely love playing piano again :) Lessons learned: 1. Don't be a quitter 2. Practice makes perfect 3. Music is medicine for the mind. 4. Don't touch a Baby Grand, you'll just get greedy.

Next piece to conquer: The Entertainer by Scott Joplin

Thanks for reading! Love, T

#60 Herb Garden Updates...

Parsley

Marjoram