IrishOboe

Niko’s friend picked me up soon after I got home from school and went to Niko’s new place for her thank-you music party. She had about ten people over and the theme of the night was music and food. I didn’t eat until after I’d played, but I had plenty of time to eat the many different dishes while Niko’s violin teacher played. I played Over the Rainbow with Niko then I played a few random pieces by myself. I don’t have much music here and I don’t have the piano part to anything so I just played some excerpts that would sound halfway decent on their own. Of course it was good to perform again. I keep thinking that I’d be happy in a life without a heavy dose of music, but then I pick up my instruments again and I start to think otherwise. I simply like too many things!I did a semi-decent job at following the conversation. Context helps a lot, but I still have a very small vocabulary. One thing that pleases me is that those words I know I know well and can understand them when they are spoken and produce them easily. I don’t have the struggle listening like I did when I was in Spanish class. I learned by listening so when I listen I either catch the meaning or I don’t know the words. It’s very nice not to have that middle step of processing get in the way! Of course, then it doesn’t help if they slow down and speak clearly if I don’t know the vocabulary at all . . .

I played again later on for a newly arrived guest, and we talked until I was quite tired. My 9pm bedtime gives me a lot of trouble, but it was a lovely evening and reminded me of some lovely evenings of music, food and company that I’ve had back home.