i heart music

Last week I was feeling a little down about a few things in life. Not being done with school, not going off to a fancy far away grad school, not feeling like I had really accomplished much in awhile, feeling overwhelmed and behind at work, etc., etc., etc., blah blah blah. I enjoyed an evening with a super fun friend (the other Katie) and it was relaxing to just not worry about anything else. Just have some dinner (and buy a cheap pink sparkly bling watch) with a friend--and her cute son. It was a welcome night off, and I was happy and recharged by the end of the night. We met at the Gateway Mall and walked around for a little while before going to California Pizza Kitchen for dinner. (I found a little black hair in my pizza, and got my meal for free.) Realizing I didn't have enough validations, and no cash, I stopped at Bath and Body Works in hopes of finding something cheap to justify them giving me a validation. I wiped a few colors of lipstick on my hand and after making my selection, I asked the Salesperson for a tissue or something to wipe my hands with. Duh! I forgot they have a sink in the store with scrubs and soaps and lotions to try. She suggested I try a sugar scrub, so I did. It was so neat! I've used salt scrubs before, but the sugar scrub was totally different. The thick sugar chunks dug into my palms and it was exhilarating! I found that they were on sale, so I picked one (or two) up. It attributed to my lifted spirits.

I had been feeling so out of touch with music. I haven't had violin lessons in about 3 years, and I was really feeling sad about that. I called that day to set up violin lessons with the renewed determination to finish my music degree (that I'm so close to having anyway...assuming some credits transfer...). My goal is to audition for the U of U music program (in probably a year), and hopefully even be offered a scholarship. I'm not sure how long it will take me to finish, but I don't care. I'm ready for the committment!

When I got home, I called my violin teacher, and was almost in tears as I tried to explain to him how empty my life has felt without the constant musical involvement. (Teaching violin to 6 year olds just isn't enough...) I immediately pulled out my violin and drew my bow across the strings. The most resonant sound came streaming out, and again, I almost cried. It was so relaxing, and such a relief, to once again be practicing. I played Unaccompanied Bach Partitas and Sonatas for nearly an hour. My fingers were red and raw, and my neck was bearing the visual signs of practice once again. I was so happy. It was all I could do not to cry. For fear of sounding cheesy and cliche, I hesitate with this next part; My heart and my soul long to sing through music. I've never been a strong technical player, I've always been a musical player. One of my Music Theory teachers at Weber once said he doesn't care what Heaven is really like as long as he is in the orchestra. I want to be in that orchestra.

I once again felt complete as I practiced. I can't wait for April 15th - the day my lessons begin again. There is something so relaxing (though it can be frustrating too) about music, and creating music, and interpreting music, and feeling music.

P.S. I'm always taking new students that are dedicated. I start as young as 3, and have had LOTS of teacher training. Pass the word along!