Some Days...

I have learned many lessons in my life. One big one was the realization that there will always be someone better than me at whatever it is I'm trying to do. That's a beautiful and terrifying thing to know, but it keeps my head on straight. It's always good to recognize that people can surprise you. Anyway, that is why I love this so very much. Victor Borge was a total genius, by the way.

Things I've Learned This Year

As I come to the end of another school year, I'm reflecting back on what I've learned. This has been a particularly interesting year, the first with my quartet, in a new state, with new responsibilities. So here are some pearls of wisdom I've come to know...

1. When life feels out of control, paint your toenails. Things seem just a little bit better when your toes are pretty.

2. Don't eat at restaurants which have what they serve in the title. To be honest, I've known this for a long time, but desperation really drove it home on a recent trip.

3. If you can't say anything nice, leave the room. It's okay to take breaks. Especially if there's a threat of physical violence or emotional abuse hanging in the air.

4. The viola rocks. This is obvious, but I thought I'd stick it in here.

5. If you run into someone you haven't seen for a decade, don't assume they're the same person they were 10 years ago. Let people grow up.

6. Accidents are just that. They're not the end of the world.

7. Road trips are not complete without 80's on 8 and 90's on 9. I love me some XM Radio.

8. If you live in the mountains, you may have to shovel a foot of snow off your car in May. Deal with it.

9. Kids have no concept of age. One kid guessed I was 80. One guessed I was 40. Guess which one freaked me out more.

10. My 20+ years of musical training mean nothing to the general population. For them, it's most exciting when I play Coldplay or do sound effects on my viola. This is okay. You never know who is going to take this and run with it. These things won two little boys over to my side recently. They now want to play the viola. It also makes people think I'm cool. Really, I guess this means fake it till you make it.

Cheers! To life lessons!

It's a Month

This was my mid-April to mid-May:

3 flight attendants yelling at me that I can't take my viola on the plane, 2 car accidents, 1 cancelled flight, 4 hours waiting for that cancelled flight, 1 failed competition, 5000 things I need to do, 3 things I have done, 1 bout of food poisoning, 1 boy trouble, 1 beloved dog death, 8 million verbal comments I have filtered in the last month, and 11 large boxes waiting for me to pack and move.

In other news, I ate here. This pretty much sums up South Bend cuisine. Sorry it's sideways, but I appreciated the truth in advertising just waaaay too much.

On the flip side: 2 little boys who want to play the viola after hearing me, 1 little girl who told me I'm pretty like a princess, 3 great colleagues, 2 days before I go home, 1 week spent in Aspen, 2 months to look forward to spending in Aspen, 1 beautiful tree outside my window, 2 new recital dresses for an amazing deal, 1 night of good sleep, and 3 amazing series of books to put things into perspective. The world isn't so bad after all, is it?

I would like to end this post with a note of confidence from one of my favorite fiction writers, L.M. Montgomery: "Isn't it wonderful to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?" Thank you, Ms. Montgomery, for your years devoted to enriching the human soul. You have inspired millions of little girls to use their imaginations, and you have spoiled us for anyone except Gilbert Blythe.

I Know What You Did Last Month...

Warning: this blog post is only for those over 11.

So, apparently I'm a horrible person. But at least I'm in good company... see, last month, I totally ruined a kid. At Disneyland. My sister-in-law and I were standing in the loooong line at the Indiana Jones ride, and we got to talking about how much we love the Magic Kingdom. She mentioned how sad she was the day that she figured out it wasn't really magic. I responded by saying, "Yeah, it's like figuring out your parents have been lying to you about Santa Claus." Well... although we thought we were being quiet, about 5 minutes into this conversation, I saw a VERY traumatized-looking 10 year old boy standing awfully close to us. Yep. Heard every word. My sis-in-law and I realized our mistake at the same time, and she wrapped things up by saying, "Well, at least Santa's real." A noble attempt, but the damage was definitely already done. So yeah, we shattered a kid's hopes and dreams about Santa and Disneyland... all on the same day. Whoops.

I Try So Hard...

...to stay on the straight and narrow. Tonight= utter failure. It all started when we set up a small house concert for some friends of our teachers. When we showed up at 5:30, my 2nd violinist and I immediately groaned... drat! A cat. We are both super allergic, and so our 1st violinist gave us both an Allegra, which he takes for his allergies. About 20 minutes later, my heart started racing and things got blurry. Then I started giggling uncontrollably. Then I started crying, then giggling again. My quartet-mates began to be concerned when I stopped being able to stand up straight without swaying, and my eyes got really bloodshot. And then we played a concert. For total strangers. And my teacher who I hadn't seen in a month. Who were sitting three feet away. Wow. Then we mingled and I had to answer questions that were barely making sense to me. I really hope I didn't say anything too weird, but I have no idea. As we were deciding whether or not I was safe to drive home, I sobered up a bit and just got really tired. Don't worry, this blog post is proof I made it home. However, everyone in my quartet, as well as my viola teacher and academic advisor, have decided it's rather hilarious that I played a concert high as a kite tonight, so I don't think this will die down anytime soon. Well, at least I stayed away from the champagne!

Words To Live By

Philippians 4:13 for Pete's sake!

That Lovin' Feeling

So, in this, the month of lurve, [snicker, facepalm], I've decided to do a special holiday edition of HOW TO.

This can apply to all of you out there. Whether you have a crush on someone or simply want to show your loved one that you care, you can accomplish a lot simply by making a really great Valentine. Creativity counts, but if you need to get the juices flowing, here are some ideas of things that are sure to bring joy to your special someone:

1. For the long-term couple. You will need a heart keychain, a silver key, and a black magic marker (thin tip). Attach the heart keychain to the silver key. Upon the key write the words "key to my heart." Awww. This should instantly bring a smile and a tear to your bf/gf's eyes.

2. For the countrified couple, you can make a wonderful Valentine. You will need: scissors, glue, paper, and the John Deere catalog. Cut out pictures of tractors and lawn mowers. Fold a white sheet of paper the hot-dog way. On the front, paste the pictures. Inside, write "I find you mower and mower atractorive every day."

Instant gold.

3. For the city dwellers, a nice piece of artwork says you care. If you're a little short on cash, nothing says romance like papier macher. Or something like that. You will need: lots of wallpaper paste/glue, newspaper or other paper torn into long strips, and gold spray paint. You know the drill. Get to sculpting, turning these mere scraps into a lovely bust of you to put in your special friend's home. When dried, spray the whole thing with gold spray paint, to simulate a fine metal sculpture. It will always remind them of you, and it will serve as a conversation piece for posh dinner parties.

4. For you men: women love a manly man. And who is more manly than the likes of Davy Crockett or Paul Bunyon. The last one is even named similarly to a foot problem... super manly. That is why I propose you go whole hog this Valentine's Day. You will need: a coonskin cap, some sort of leathery fringed jacket, and a banjo. Oh, and probably banjo lessons. Combine all ingredients. Go see your beloved. Let her know just how beloved she is by singing her this song:

I went walking in the woods

To shoot myself a deer.

I turned around and suddenly

In my heart was a spear.

It was your lovely face I saw

Inside that blessed wood.

You looked fine as a porcupine,

Except for twice as good.

That first look took me in real fast,

The second even more.

By our first date I couldn't even

Stand outside your door

Without my heart a-poundin'

And my palms a-sweatin' too.

And so that brings me here today

To sing my tale to you.

If you will only say you will

Be mine for all the time,

Then I'll go shoutin' down the street

And up the farthest climb.

We'll settle in that blessed wood.

I'll love you every way.

So say you'll be my misses now

Upon this Valentine's Day.

So there you have it, folks. Four different ways you can bring a little love to this Valentine's. Don't say I never helped you out!

Filling My Reservoir

Yesterday I went to the Frick Collection, one of my favorite museums in NYC (although I feel that I say that about every museum except the Guggenheim). It's amazing. It's the personal collection of one Henry Clay Frick, a big steel magnate who was in business with the likes of the Rockefellers and Vanderbilts in the late 1800s-early 1900s. His goal was to purchase art that was "easy to live with," and that really comes through in the viewing of it. There is nothing brash, aggressive, or violent. Although there are many shades of human history, landscapes, portraits, and objects, the pieces inspire thought and reflection, never offense. As my friend Elliot said to me yesterday, "It's like dessert for the eyes."

The collection is housed in Frick's 5th Avenue mansion, built with its display in mind. Frick always intended to leave his art to the public upon his death, and he went to great lengths to arrange the works in an interesting manner. It is a completely unique viewing experience, because nothing is in chronological order, and you will see an ancient Ming vase atop a 16th Century French table, underneath an El Greco, flanked by 15th Century Italian alterpieces. This may seem chaotic at first, but it makes you see the art in a different, more holistic and global, way.

Mr. Frick truly loved his collection. It's said that at night he would go downstairs and stare at his artworks (especially a self-portrait by Rembrandt) for hours. He said, "I only hope that the public will gain even half the enjoyment I have from these works." Well, he certainly touched me. Going to the collection yesterday was the perfect foil for the chaos and stress in my life right now. I found myself smiling, laughing, even crying as I beheld the outpouring of the human soul. It refreshed me for the challenges of the next two weeks, and it enriched my soul.

To me, Henry Frick is the ultimate art benefactor. I love seeing what he chose to include and what he chose to exclude. Whatever his reasons, his spirit and love for the arts, both visual and decorative, shines forth when you have the privilege of walking these halls. I just feel like saying thank you, Mr. Frick, for having a love of beauty and peace and for making that passion available to all those who came after you. This post is dedicated to you and to the wonderful centuries of artists who share your dedication.

For more information on the Frick go http://www.frick.org/.