We have had a fair amount of snowy days. We are all getting more used to it, and just deal. It’s been colder too, which is I suppose correct for January, but after such a warm Christmas, I don’t like it!

I’m used to being busier again. It’s funny, isn’t it, how you can be on a vacation, and think, oh, this is so nice, why do I work so hard? and then you are like, oh no big deal, I only have 6 hours of teaching students plus an opera performance, it’s totally fine because that allows me a 15 minute lunch break and another hour break in the afternoon in order to change, pack dinner, and maybe even answer some emails!

I am aware that not everybody can maintain my schedule. I barely do, on occasions. There was a point where I wasn’t so busy, but it was never when I was freelancing and teaching enough to happily live on. It’s not for the faint of heart or for those that don’t derive great happiness from working long hours. I think it’s important that we all admit that: this isn’t a job you can make an easy living at. And when I’m not working paid hours, there’s still plenty to do, and there’s always practicing to be had, and since my sort of year long break from practicing is over, I’m back at it!

My students will ask me how much I practice, and I find that hard to answer. On a good day, an hour! I do play practically all day, lots of slow scales, shifting, long bows, all the technique stuff they have to learn. But really practicing and learning music…not so much. I wonder if this is normal or if others manage to do better? Symphony players claim they need their easier schedules so they can practice their music, do they spend that time doing so? Practicing is always one of those things that nobody feels they do enough of, and it really is the “magic bullet” that makes the different between “talented” and “not talented.”

I’m mostly just rambling on a Friday morning. You guys! I was looking back through my old posts of my trip to Paris way back when, and I used to be so much funnier. It’s really unfortunate that I’m not anymore. I suppose that comes with getting older and getting divorced and being tired, but hmm…there’s a chance we are going to Paris this summer due to a work conference and I am super excited. I’m researching small house museums and what to wear on the plane so you are comfortable and not freezing, and what shoes to wear…shoes are always my city issue. I will wear a pair of shoes that I think is comfortable but then end up with terrible blisters. Or my feet will simply be numb by the end of the day. I need something that I can wiggle my toes in and feel like my feet can move and breathe, but that won’t rub them raw. And yet is perhaps a teensy bit stylish so the french people don’t laugh at me. (I.e. I’m not wearing hiking shoes). I have a few new ideas. Oh, and not Toms, because while I love wearing Toms and they fit the bill, I also need a shoe with a sole that won’t make me slip and fall on the marble steps (has happened twice in Europe before!).

We don’t want to spend the whole time in Paris. I’d also like to get out and spend a couple days in a smaller town or more country area, to get a sense of something else. Ideally somewhere we can just take the train to and get around by walking or taking public transportation. If any readers have any great ideas, let me know. I’m not certain this trip will happen, as it’s contingent on a few factors out of my control, but if it does, it’ll be in the summer, and will be at least 10 days in Paris.  (And I’m not opposed to spending it all in Paris, but figure that mixing it up a bit is a great idea too.)

As busy as today is (oh, and it is busy…any day you have to pack lunch and dinner is busy) tomorrow is a day off from work. We have a jazz show at night (so many these first months of the year) and dinner plans with friends, and I am planning a few projects at home, and working out, and it should be a lovely day. Sunday evening is free as well, which hasn’t happened in a few weeks, so I’m really looking forward to a nice weekend.

I’d better wrap this up so I can get to teaching. Have a great weekend, readers!