IrishOboe

This weeks highlights . . .

Inspired by the experience of being listened to I went to Bible study determined to listen to others.  It might not have been so noticeable to others, but I had a small, but decisive victory in restraining my tongue and opening my ears.  I am eager to continue the challenge.  It was a blessing, though I still caught myself eager to jump in quite convinced I had something very important to say.

I continue to have my mind blown open by my harp teacher with obvious, but simple ideas that should have occurred to me but didn’t because I’m so used to doing music THIS WAY.  I could get frustrated at my stupidity, or I can get excited that hopefully after some time here I’ll be able to look outside the box myself.

I composed a punctus at the last minute for my meeting with Ken.  That means, I added a bit to the medieval Estampie he’s been teaching me by ear.  It came rather easily (I didn’t have much time so I couldn’t be perfect) and about half of it was worthy enough to keep.  Ken helped me fix some of the problems.  Though my bit sounded cool, there were some parts that weren’t in the style and once he pointed it out I could tell why.  I still think it sounds cool, but the fixed version fits in with the whole, which I suppose is the point.  Now I get to do two more.  Ganbarimasu!

Thursday was the Ascension holiday so a group from church (plus one) went on a hike, or at least we’d planned to but the weather was drizzly and rainy all day so we just went to Biel, looked at the choppy lake, took a train to the cute village of Twann (plenty of jokes possible with that great name) and had a pricey, but good meal of fish from the lake.

In an unusual display of bravery toward the phone, I’d called up the mother of my Florida German teacher since I had recalled she lived close to Biel.  We met for coffee and it was nice to chat with her.  She had lived in Tennessee in the 50’s and had interesting stories to tell about segregation and life as a foreigner in America’s south.  I hope to see her again and in good weather so I can see her house and gardens.

I’m falling in love with the fiddle.  I just love to get it out and play slowly upon it, sing through it, experiment with it, get to know it, and in those moments when everything clicks, become one with it.  I always love the beginning stages of learning anything because progress is so quick and obvious.  I can sometimes play through a piece without squeaking.  Now, I just have to make that consistent.  Of course, there are times when I pick it up and it never clicks, but there’s enough progress to keep me encouraged.  Plus, the music is just so darn cool!  All that loving did not go to waste, and I had a great fiddle lesson Friday.  I did not play my best, but it was much improved from last time.  My teacher even said “I’m impressed.”  I’m hoping that means he wants me back for more. ;)  Of course, now I have a number of new concepts to be aware of and to try to figure out how to get across in my playing, but what he said made sense and I could hear the difference in the way he played, though I couldn’t reproduce it just then.  If you can hear it, you can get it.  If your ear fails you, you’re just lost . . .

Right after the fiddle lesson I had a humbling, but good meeting with CY.  He gave me some harder ear training quizzes and I didn’t do as well.  That’s good, I’d gotten cocky after the first time and now I know I should study and practice a bit . . .  But we continue to connect on a number of levels and share interesting ideas.  That, my friends, is cool.

I believe much of why those lessons went so well is because I’m finally learning better how to put my heart in the hands of the Lord, not worry about myself because he will surely work out his purposes, and aim at bringing joy to others while enjoying where I am now.  It’s just such a habit to get worried and feel totally inadequate and unprepared going into lessons it’s hard to shake.  The idols of the heart are strong, but the Lord is stronger.  He continues to show me in little ways how much I am incapable of controlling my life and how impossible it is to thwart His ways.  Great is Thy faithfulness!

For the prayer and worship time I brought cookies and milk and my poor, neglected oboe.  Poor thing has sat lonely on the shelve for at least two months now I made myself bring it to the jam session refusing to worry about how my old reeds would sound.  It certainly felt strange, but it also felt good to play again and it lifted my heart to see people enjoy my oboe again.  Unfortunately, or fortunately, it led to being invited to play in church Sunday.  Why not?  Reed, shmeed.  I need something to force me to play anyway.  I don’t want to be one of those people who never touches the instrument again after graduation!  I do enjoy playing even though it comes with some tough baggage.  Earlier I was asked to play harp for the next service, but I need the week to prepare for that.  It will be my (non-pedal) harp debut and I’m wondering what my nerves will do.  Yet all this detracts from the fact that the night was a wonderful time of worship, prayer, and fellowship with my brother and sisters in Christ.  It’s a wonder to me that more people don’t come.

Today dawned bright and beautiful and stayed that way: blue skies, bright sun, flashing green and colorful flowers.  Ah, what a welcome change!  I appreciate Florida weather the more I live away from it, but isn’t that always the case?

I took a trip to Fribourg with Stephan and we enjoyed walking around the old town that’s half French speaking and half German speaking.  We climbed the cathedral steps and had a picnic on the river.  I’m grateful for my friends that plan trips since I seem to prefer holing up in my room and practicing rather than planning any outings . . .

The day in pictures:

That tongue rivals Aunt Prudence's! 

 Look!  A funicular powered by sewage!