So, I have all Summer to continue to prepare. Family and finances prevents me from going as soon as I planned, but do not underestimate me! I am still doing the trip. My goals for the Summer are to secure a handful of sponsors, set up some interviews and continue working on playing the violin to the best of my ability (which is no easy task when you don’t have a teacher).
I hope to start posting my workout routine, eating habits and violin progress once again. It got super busy last year! Hang in there!
New Years scares the crap out of me. That’s why I’ve been sleeping through it since I was five years old. Never celebrated it. It’s because people make such a big deal out of it; it seems too grand. Like something either really good or REALLY BAD is going to happen when that clock strikes 12. And quite frankly, I didn’t care about missing the good, and I sure as heck didn’t want to see the bad. But tonight, I am going to keep my eyes open. I am an adult now. Closing your eyes doesn’t make the monsters go away anymore. In order to be prepared, survive and MOLD change, I have to witness the way it takes place. I have to swallow it all in, build up the immunity and live.
So far, so good. Any suggestions?
Trying to find a purpose for the “ride of a lifetime” other than my own personal fulfillment. So far, my map takes on a symphonic theme with each prospective resting destination stopping at some great concert hall of a wonderful orchestra. I was going to start in New York at the Carnegie Hall, but I changed it to Boston.
Mapped:
After St. Louis, I am lost. Where do I go from there? Any suggestions? Remember, I am stopping for concerts and interviews.
As far as purpose goes, I have several ideas. 1) I could document the trend I see in orchestra audiences and its possible correlation to the financial troubles the symphonies run into. 2) Interviewing great violinists as a way to improve my own skills. 3) And so on and so forth… The list is never-ending as to what a cycle trip across America could bring awareness to and how it can benefit me on a more personal level. However, I need to narrow that down. Any ideas?
Biking about 13 miles to school each day, choosing a new route everyday.
“Is this me?” That question pops into my mind every time I find myself going up a steep hill on my bike. Every week, the routes I choose challenge my body and spirit. However, I love it. Who knew? I am athletic after all. I joined the school Triathalon team and hope to add swimming and running to my athletic pursuits.
For cycling, I am slow, so trying to build up speed requires 1) a high-quality, more expensive bike, 2) and even more challenging routes and at-home exercises. I must say though that I am now faster than five percent of the cycling population in my little town. How do I know this? I just know; don’t ruin my fun.
Thanks to the dooming beauty of technology, it’s possible for me to play in a band, orchestra or chamber ensemble with musicians miles away from me. Throughout my vlogging journey, I’ve met a lot of late starters–people who like me are insecure in their ability because of the age they started playing. However, together we are growing and taking our confidence to the next level. It’s really sad that most of the late starters I meet who are very discouraged in pursuing their dreams are not very old. When is 16 years old too late for anything? It’s a sad truth that many beginning teenagers are told they will never become “solo” musicians within the classical music world. I was 15 when I heard those words. Through technology, though, we can come together and support one another. This is so much fun!!
Here is my first virtual collaboration:
Orchestras are dying.
We focus on childhood music appreciation and education. This ensures future generations of classical music lovers. However, we neglect two age groups–teens and young adults. During this age bracket, they become indoctrinated into social groups which in turn persuade them to give up music, ideas and styles they once loved. Many of them quit instruments during this time because they start to get too busy or because their musical tastes change due to what’s popular or trending.
Before Sunday, I was happy about some new developments in my “mental” practice sessions. So, I had this post all mapped out. However, after accidentally killing my dog, my brain went back to the scattered confusion of the girl I was six weeks ago–unsure, less confident, sad and unmotivated.
