Piano Lesson Parodies: Episode 2

... because my piano (oh, and violin) students are always cracking me up ...

When moving up or down octaves on the piano, Sarah 'migrates Northward ... or Southward.' I don't know where she comes up with these things.

Upon playing a part of the song from his book, my clever high-school student asked, "Did I do that right?" I replied in the affirmative, "Yep, you did." "Well, that's new," he said. 

I asked one of my young students why intervals like these were called 2nds. I hoped the reply to be, "Because the two notes are right next to each other." However, his reply was, "Because they're not 3rds."

Sometimes it can be hard not to laugh ... not because I'm laughing at them, but just because things crack me up. I mentioned to one student about slowing down at a certain section of the song. She asked me, "Do I get slower on the right hand or the left hand?" I must admit, the thought of even trying that has never, ever crossed my mind!

As we were getting ready to play a duet one week, Mason asked me seriously, "Did you win a champion on the piano?" It was a struggle to answer him just as seriously, "No, I haven't." But it was one of the best compliments I've ever received!

One day I was headed into the office to get Mason for his lesson, and I heard our youth director (who teases kids mercilessly) say, "I don't know who Miss Toria is. Pastor, do you know who Miss Toria is?"
Of course, my heart melted at the fact that Mason called me "Miss Toria."
Pastor chuckled a little bit and then continued the teasing, "Mason, I want you to play in church on Sunday. Can you do that?"
"Nope. Sorry."
That was his very decided answer.

Sometimes I ask students to say the notes as they play. Some of them haven't mastered the art of 'saying' the notes... instead they sing them. Mason in particular has to always be on the pitch of what he's playing. So when he plays one octave higher, it is quite something to hear him sing (or rather, squeak) those high notes. But he's 5, so he can still get that high. I'm not sure what will happen as he gets older...

And the silliest thing ... when one of my favorite students played nearly a whole song ... and then stopped before the last measure to scoot up her bench. It struck me as quite ridiculous and it was a struggle not to laugh!

That Ye May Know...

Exodus 10:1-2

And the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him: 

And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son's son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am the LORD.

These verses made me think that sometimes God makes circumstances harder than we think they need to be. We can think of an easy way to solve the problem, but He doesn't always allow us to travel the easy path.

If everything were easy, we would have no need for God (and we would still mess everything up ...).

But when things are difficult to get to the end of - like the Israelites move from Egypt - we must cling to him; we must wait on him; we must pray; we must use courage that we would never have in and of ourselves. And in the end, we know that He is the Lord.

Instead of wondering at the difficulty, we should be looking toward the end result ... a stronger trust in God and a new knowledge of who He really is.

Because He is awesome!

He is thinking about us and has an expected end for us (Jeremiah 29:11).

He is working everything for our good (Romans 8:28).

He is doing everything for our sakes (2 Corinthians 4:15-18).

December Photo Challenge

My sister, Olivia, and friend, Abigail, put together a December photo challenge. I'm posting it here so that you can join in if you would like. Have fun!

My Month

October was one of the busiest months of my whole life, I think. It was a challenging month, and an extremely happy month, all wrapped up into one. Have you ever looked back on a time period and realized specific things you learned? That's how October was for me.

The month started right off with excitement and a few happy tears. Dad and Lawrence flew back to the States on October 1st. It was really hard for me to believe that it had already been a year since I had moved back to the States. It's weird how in some ways, lengths of time feel doubled ... and in some ways, they feel a lot shorter.

At Newark Baptist Temple with Uncle Frank

We made a trip to the college that Lawrence is going to begin attending in January. Being on the road for a few days made me realize how much I have grown to love being in one place. It truly feels like home!

Then my good friend Katie and her family got to come and stay with me for a whole week! It was so good to catch up, play games, laugh, and get to know her husband and two little ones more.

Izzy thought Dad looked like a 'papa' so she started calling him that! It was so cute.

We were able to go to Young's Jersey Dairy together on Thursday and experience the corn maze (and ice-cream, of course!).

I have to say that I was expecting a lot more from the maze. We jokingly called it a 'corn path' instead, because it wasn't possible to get lost in it. Even though I knew it was only a few acres, I envisioned a 10-square mile maze that you could get lost and stuck in for hours. Although, it's probably better that it wasn't that intense since we had little kids with us!

Kate and I went to a  big church sale on Friday and found all sorts of goodies. Friday evening we went over to the house of some friends and enjoyed our time there. The trampoline was a first time experience for the kiddos!

Saturday they introduced me to Chipotle. I've heard a lot about it, but never been there. It was a yummy experience! (as you can see, Izzy was really taken with the whole thing.)

One day I got home from work to find the bathroom decorated for fall. It made me grin!

As the time for Dad's departure grew nearer, everything seemed to get busier and busier. There was a lot to do the last few days before he left. Lawrence and I bought Christmas presents for everyone and sent back an extra suitcase. It was quite an ordeal. (We even wrapped them all!) Both of his suitcases barely squeezed past the weight limit ... but that's pretty normal with us.

That night, Lawrence and I went on a 4-hour shopping spree. Looking back, I'm not sure what came over us or how we had the fortitude for such a thing. Lawrence needed some work clothes, so it wasn't a completely unnecessary bargain-hunt. We even got our supper for a bargain from Little Caesar's pizza.
 

The weekend after that was jammed packed full of things. We got to spend time with the Carpenters to celebrate Paul's birthday.

Then November started and things started to settle back into a new normal routine. I started my job as secretary for the church/Christian school and it has been going well.

So there's my month-in-review ... a bit belated! I can't believe Thanksgiving is next week!

October Photography Challenge: Days 16-31

The last half of this month was super busy and flew by! I only just managed to get the rest of the pictures for the challenge. The second half was much more challenging for me ... the creative juices weren't trickling very quickly.

 16. something pretty

17. a smile

18. the sky today

19. pumpkins

20. a treat

21. autumn

22. something you love

This room! It's so sunny (when it's sunny out) and it makes me happy.

23. what you ate

25. apples

26. your shoes

27. something old

28. shadows

28. throwback

29. out the window

30. anything you like

31. a picture of you

October Photography Challenge: Days 1-15

Here is the first half of the photography challenge! I haven't done very well with taking each picture on the actual day, but I've been snapping them when I have time and it's been an interesting challenge.

1. a hot drink

English tea with milk and sugar

2. words

3. a fall outfit

4. a plant

 

5. my favorite verse

Psalm 73:26

6. sunshine

7. stack of books

Taken in the car!

8. my favorite color

Two of my favorites: Yellow and green.

9. journaling

10. music

11. the night sky

12. something new

New bedroom, new bedspread, and new curtains!

13. sisters

 

14. something cozy

15. golden hour

Which is your favorite? Have you joined the photo challenge? I'd love to see some of your pictures as well!

Ode to Summer

The new season is bringing changes with it as I move out of my 'first' house. I love the little cabin I've been able to live over the spring and summer. I love the peaceful seclusion of living out in the country. Going for walks down the lane, watching the birds, seeing the flowers, and being in the sunshine make me happy! I enjoyed several walks this summer and wanted to share a few of the pictures I took.

Here's a view of the back of the cabin:

Ok, I will admit that I added the lens glare to this picture ... :)

As of Friday, I've officially moved into the farmhouse. I am enjoying all the space and I love being back on the farm again. It has taken a little getting used to: being by myself in an entire house versus the one-room cabin! But I won't be alone for long, because TOMORROW is the day!!! I've been counting down the hours and minutes until Dad and Lawrence arrive.

Olivia asked me to do this photo challenge with her during the month of October. It looks like fun! If you decide to do it as well, I'd love to see your pictures!