「I wanna thrive, not just survive」

That’s a line from Switchfoot’s song “Thrive”..

I LOVE the lyric; it describes current me so perfectly - I was crying like crazy when I first listen to it few days ago!

Back to my life. My teacher finally stopped last Sunday (her last day at my music school). It seems like I can’t bear losing both so I might ask to stop temporarily for music lessons at my music school. If I return, I’m going to change my instrument (hehe)…

My mother bought a compilation of Beethoven’s masterpiece (Dover’s publication).. mostly are difficult pieces but I want to try learning his pieces for real this time. I’m gaining interest in Beethoven’s music lately :D

Also, I’ve been reading mangas lately.. especially ones that feature piano in it.. Imagine my agony when I realised the mangas I’ve been reading are ongoing ones (not complete) – it hurts to not know! HAHA.. anyway, there are some that makes me think (“I’ll buy the original manga then <3”).. Like “Akatsuki no Aria” and “Kimi no Tame ni Hiku Chopin” (KimiCho)..

KimiCho features a chibi version of Chopin which I find so endearing. Oh.. I got into reading this when I saw a comment that said it reminded him of Nodame Cantabile. It does, really. But in KimiCho’s case, the Nodame (which is Kinoshita Kazune) is an unpolished gem! Well, it wasn’t stated if Kazune is a prodigy but she possess a sound I think similar to Nodame.. (the guy also like Kazune’s piano hehe).. But Kazune isn’t fortunate enough to have a family that supports her love for the piano. She’s from a “deep” countryside with no piano teachers (a catholic priest taught her piano) and she had to work hard in secret (unbeknownst to her family) to get into a music college. I find it inspiring.

I just ordered the fourth volume from HMV :D (will order the third one via yesasia)

Change

Recently, I placed another order from BookDepository… was planning to get the super-cheap (68% off!!!) Hunger Games trilogy set – became a bit doubtful at the last minute & alas, it’s sold out before I can even say “Nah, I’ll buy it later!”… haha

Anyway.. I became doubtful because I found some music-related (ABRSM) books that I wish to purchase. In the end, I chose a book on scales (ABRSM’s guide).. and another book by Diana Wynne Jones that I never read before.

Oh. My teacher wished to stop teaching at my current music school. Seems like her reason was she doesn’t want to go all the way to KK in the weekends to conduct classes. She can continue to teach me though if I want. I just have to go to her house on the weekends (nearer to my home too!).. To be honest, I’m a bit reluctant with leaving my music school… but ABRSM exams, that one I can apply by myself online… and.. I don’t know.. I’ve been there for almost 5 years already (wow, I just realised this lol)… Of course, my decision would lean more to my teacher’s favour because I can’t bear meeting and getting used to another new teacher.

Short Update for 2013

ARGHH. Life is giving me lemons & I don't know how to make them into delicious lemonade.

How are you, my dearest music diary..?

Updating here for things related to music only: 

• I already received my ABRSM certificiate for Grade 5 Practical Piano two weeks ago...
• Currently I'm learning Grade 6 pieces (so far so good :D)...
• Peeked into the scales etc for G6; tried those I should have known from G5.. to be honest, it's better now that I caught up with my music theory (currently aiming to take G5's ABRSM music theory exam), those scales with plenty of sharps and flats don't really scare me much anymore...
• Last week, I started driving to piano class by myself (ho ho ho)... 
• My sister is currently taking diploma for music; she's learning to play the violin for the first time... The last time a violin existed in our house was a violin given to my father as a gift, which my child self took liberty destroying it (I'm horrible, I know!)... Gosh. I planned to learn to play the violin from my sister later haha...
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