Autumn
Autumn has made its early debut here although at times masquerading as late summer and as busy as I was (I’ve been asking myself with what lately?), I’m unprepared. My summer ballerinas still laid around and jackets for colder and wetter days are still unpacked. Enough said, my body is still in the mood for summer but mother nature has decided otherwise. While grocery shopping a couple of days ago, I noticed that there are Christmas cookies and gingerbread for sale already. Rows and rows of ‘em. Life is already fast-forwarded to Christmas mood in autumn. Unbelievable.

On relationship
Work has been taking precedence over private matters lately. Juggling needs and wants requires finesse. I’ve been receiving lotsa wedding invitations from friends near and far, attending parties with young parents and their little toddlers crawling around being cute. Seeing and experiencing these joyous occasions are just a tangible proof that people still have faith in marriage. On the other hand, it is extremely disheartening to see couples going separate ways after a couple of decades of marriage, when kids have grown up and marriage vows forgotten. It makes me wonder what was the point of tying the knot in the first place and save yourself from all the heartache later on when things are probably bound to go astray?

Not before I’ve had my first piano lesson did I know that Italian is the language of music.

The violinist was composed and self-assured as she guided the audience through the tumultuous piece from Tartini, Devil’s Trill Sonata, which is highly regarded as technically demanding for violin. While the pianist (my piano teacher) played the piano with such virtuosity that was awe-inspiring and bedazzling at the same time.

As I saw the pianist’s fingers glided gracefully with measured speed and ease across the piano keys, I couldn’t help but wonder, how long will I need to learn in order to be just half as good as him.

In retrospect, I’ve come to understand why I’ve developed such an aversion to the piano while I was young. I was bored to death as I had to practice those tuneless pieces over and over again, y’know, as a form of finger exercise.

However, learning to play the piano as an adult now, with more discipline to boot as repetition is important, just as  Pi put it in the book ‘Life of Pi’, I can say it’s a totally different experience. I learn to appreciate the music more. It was absolutely enjoyable, recognizing that song coming out of the keys is The Groovy Kind Of Love or I would nod with girlish exuberance when the piano teacher demonstrated the Scarborough Fair, asking me whether I remember that tune. Who doesn’t?

That is what I love about playing the piano. It is the music that comes out of it that serves as a balm to the soul.

But I’m having lotsa fun with my new found past time . The feeling is wonderful. Instead of watching longingly all this while at people playing classics like Pachelbel’s Canon (my absolute favorite!), wistfully wishing that I can play that piece myself too, it’s like a dream comes true. Although I’m starting with the easy version for now.

I’ve been practicing the beginner version of Scott Joplin’s The Entertainer lately, with diligence . I just love its rhythm, the tune and the playfulness of it, the song is simply awesome.

I’ve noticed one thing however that I have problems falling asleep when I practiced too long at night or shortly before bedtime. I wonder whether practicing piano can hyper activate the brain, eh?

One thing for sure, my fingers have never felt like they’ve been torn apart and s.. t.. r.. e…. t…. c…….h… e… d like this  before.

I arrived 10mins early at the piano school and had to wait outside the room for my turn because the piano teacher told me he has another student before my allocated hour. I was already deeply aware of the complex composition surging from behind the closed door.

W-o-w..the piece sounded very much like those being played in concerts by professional pianists. It continued without a break for the whole of ten minutes while I was waiting outside.

I was wondering to myself how long do I have to learn and practice to be able to play ‘close’ like the student and suddenly the door was opened and the piano teacher came out and greeted me with a warm handshake. Then I realized that it was he who was playing the whole time.

He seems nice and friendly and I fervently hope so because the last thing I need is discouragement from my own piano teacher. It’s nice learning everything all over again and I was like being transported back in time, yet everything now is seen through the mind of an eager student.

I had this strange feeling tugging at my subconsciousness when I heard the sound of a piano from slanted windows as I stepped into the old but well-kept two-storey building which formerly served as the local town-hall. I kept waiting for the old, familiar feeling to creep in anytime. But there was no fear, no apprehension, no anxiety.

The music school was having a music-carousel-day where visitors were allowed to experiment and play with all the music instruments available. I had a fun time, wandering from room to room marveling at the different music instruments and enjoying myself watching those small children playing zither with their tiny little fingers!

I had a chance to chat with the school’s coordinator and one of the piano teacher. I was told that they offered piano for rent for a small fee for those who isn’t sure about buying them at first. Isn’t it great!

Now that I’ve registered and school’s starting in October, I can’t wait. It feels nice being a student again .