It is the 10th of October. Glorious, glorious, glorious October. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways... Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more temperate.
Summer was WILD! In a good way. Such fun, such adventure. And now we are settled into the beautiful routine of fall. I have not been so diligent in keeping this blog updated with the happenings of life. Sometimes if I disappear for a little while, there is a cause for concern. I might be drowning in life and don't really want to talk about it. Thankfully, at least for the time being, that is not the case. There are just so many good things happening or things that I want to be doing, I haven't taken the time.
Here's what I've been up-- a snapshot of my time and brain space, if you will.
1.. PLAYING PIANO. This is one of my chief joys in life. I've always wanted to be a better pianist and it has been a source of shame and frustration to me that I am not better than I am.
Yikes, Betsy! That seems a harsh thing to say to yourself.
Why yes, it is harsh and not very healthy, if I do say so.
Let me explain. In the MANY piano students I have taught in the last 16 years, I know that learning to play the piano comes much more easily to some than others. Everyone can learn and reap benefits, but the fact is, it IS, in fact, easier for some. And I am not one of those. I have to practice and I always have had to practice to teach my fingers what to do. I don't have great muscle memory in my fingers, so I have to train them to do what I want them to do. That is not the case for some. I don't memorize easily. It's frustrating to work so hard and still sometimes not see the results I want.
For a long time I felt some shame and embarrassment that I wasn't better. Considering how long I've played, I should be better. I should have a better understanding of music theory than I did. I didn't want people to realize that I really wasn't as good a pianist as they thought I was. When Bethany and then Cannon really got into singing, I desperately wanted to be able to accompany them singing our favorite musicals. But most of the music was too challenging for me to play well enough for them to sing to.
So, in my embarrassment and frustration, I said to myself, "Betsy--there is no reason you can't get better and become the pianist you want to be. You tell children all day long that if they want to get better at piano, they have to practice. So, freaking, just start practicing!"
And so I did. I started practicing more. I started studying music theory more. Most days I practice for at least an hour. And I love it. And it still takes more work on my part than it would for many others, but that's my reality. And guess what? I'm getting better! A lot better! I'm almost feeling qualified to teach others:)
2. TEACHING PIANO- We are in "recital season" when my students are preparing pieces for both the Halloween and Christmas recitals. Finding the right pieces for the right students is time consuming and I have been spending quite a bit of time organizing my music collection in a way that will make assigning pieces for future recitals much easier. A little over a year ago, I added monthly group theory lessons to the mix and getting to interact with the kids in a different setting has been quite enjoyable and invigorating. Ooh-- good word, "invigorating". So exciting times there.
3. GENERAL CONFERENCE and THE BOOK OF MORMON and PROPHETS and TEMPLES Seriously! Am I right? I love the Good News, the Glad Tidings, The Plan of Happiness, the Nourishing Word of God. In the last few years it has come alive for me and it brings me so much joy and peace. Scriptures and time in the temple have become something I GET to do, rather than something I'm "supposed" to be doing. It really is good news-- who knew?
4. THE THEATER and CONCERTS-- I've been rather spoiled as of late in getting to go see so many plays-- and going to plays is my favorite way to spend an evening. Here are a few of the shows I've seen (or am looking forward to seeing) lately: --Sweeny Todd at the Draper Historic theater with Abe and Ben and Bethany, Funny Girl at the Eccles with Abe, Jersey Boys at Pioneer Theater Company with Andrea, Bright Star at Scera with Bethany, The Magician's Elephant at Hale with Bethany (my Christmas present), Newsies in Bluffdale starring my own dear offspring, Arsenic and Old Lace with Jeff and Alice Allred at Hale Center Orem, Mrs. Doubtfire at Eccles with Andrea and James, Bandstand by Do Good Theater with Elinor and Hunter and Ben and Bethany, Anastasia at Bluffdale with the family (Cannon and George are doing ballet in it) REO Speedwagon and TRAIN at Usana with Abe, Imagine Dragons at Usana with Abe. I'M SO SPOILED!
5. ORGANIZING TO MY LITTLE HEARTS CONTENT-- I know I'm not the only one who delights.. nay, THRILLS... at the very idea of bringing a wee baby bit of order to otherwise chaotic scene. I've organized the kitchen pantry, the linen closet, the garage (that was a doozy), the costume collection, my piano music. Thinking of ways to better organize and store stuff, and ways to use our limited space more efficiently brings me so much joy! Now, is it possible that this desire is really just my attempts to control the natural uncertainty and disorder of life? Of course it is! But I see no problem with that. I can think of worse ways to deal with my lack of of control.
6. DIET COKE WITH A COUPLE SHOTS OF VANILLA-- Speaking of worse things I could do, diet coke with a shot of vanilla is not one of those "worse things". I drank a big Diet Coke from Swig on the day of Bethany's wedding. Something switched in my brain and I've had one pretty much every day since April 4th. I take myself on a little outing to the local Maverick and then sip on my little pick-me-up throughout the afternoon. Ahhh, so refreshing. Judge me if you will. I am aware it is not the healthiest choice I could make, but as I said, I can think of a lot worse pick-me-ups I could imbibe.
7. BYU FOOTBALL-- its a great season, 7-0 as of last night. Cannon is obsessed with college football and it's been great fun to cheer alongside him and Abe.
I started this post on October 10th and and finishing it on October 19th, but no matter:)
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