Soccer and Piano

I've been getting bored this summer, so, along with newly found interest in piano, I've also joined the Mondale summer soccer team. I recognized Erin Yeager at once. She is one of the newer dolls here, and she's very sporty. I was surprised how good I actually was at soccer! I'm not very athletic, but I really enjoyed soccer, and I'm really not half bad! Our Mondale team is called the Stars. We were conditioning today, and we had to of ran about 5 miles. It was torture, but at least I had someone to talk to. Today we also had a scrimmage, where you do a "fake" game against your own team, and I actually scored 2 goals! The coach put me with Erin as a forward. I'm a left forward, since I'm left handed (I don't think I've ever shared that here...) and I kick well with my left foot. I think I'm going to have a lot of fun.

Well, I've also been keeping up with my piano lessons. The teacher said that I did fine with A Whole New World, so now I'm moving onto Viva La Vida by Coldplay. (links to a piano cover of the song) I'm glad that the songs I'm learning are interesting, and not just scales and classical pieces. This song is a bit harder for me, just because of the very bold left hand. I'll keep working on it, and see if Brooke can make a video.

~Avery~

Piano and surprises

I had my group practice today, and I thought I did well. I played through the whole 1st page without any mistakes, but Ms. Remmy said that I didn't have a enough feeling and a robot could have been playing the piano for all she knew. Her critiquing didn't phase me much because I was just so happy that I was able to play the song! I only played the first page, but I'm very proud of myself for learning the music within only a week! Brooke made a quick video of it. Sorry for the buzzing noise (you can't hear it much), the neighbors were cutting down trees :P





And then, I got the biggest surprise of my life! Brooke told me yesterday that she had a surprise for me. I thought that maybe I got a new outfit, or she was taking me somewhere with her but no! She wouldn't tell me, and I had no idea what was going to happen!





I finish my song, and look out into the audience and see:


MARELISE AND BRIGITTE!

Marelise looks strikingly like Mia St. Clair, and Brigitte looks a lot like Nicki Fleming.




Can you believe that??? Marelise and Brigitte are my best friends back in France! I haven't seen them in forever, I've just emailed them, etc. I was so excited! I would've screamed if there weren't a bunch of people watching me!


We were all so happy to be back together! I've missed them so much. They've changed a lot since I've last seen them! Brigitte used to have short hair, and it is a lot curlier now, and Marelise got her ears pierced. They both loved my new glasses :)


I couldn't believe that they were here! I asked them why they came, and Marelise said that her dad was on a business trip in Chicago, and Brigitte was able to tag along. They were staying here in a hotel and then catching another plane on Saturday. She remembered the city where I live now, and it was only a 10 minute drive away, so they stopped to see me!

They have to leave tomorrow, but it was great to see them, and we still have the rest of today! They're sitting with me right now as I type!


~Avery~
-Brigitte <3
'*Marelise*'

Piano

I "dislike" (hate is a strong word) the piano. I've only been playing for a day or so, and it's all ready driving me crazy! The piano is a merciless instrument. If it can annoy you, it will. If it has a choice between cooperation and being stubborn, it'll be stubborn. If it..., well yeah, you get the idea.
I've been down at the music hall a lot of yesterday and all day today working on "A Whole New World" (from Disney's Aladdin). That song is HARD! I've heard some rumors that Ms. Remmy (the piano instructor) gives you a really difficult song to work on first because she likes to see you mess up! I don't really believe in gossip and rumors, and it seems ridiculous that a teacher would want to do that, but you never know. I was only assigned the first page to practice, since I'm a beginner, but still, it is hard.
I've been working a lot of the chords. This song is different from others because the chords are all in the right hand instead of the left.
After so many hours of practicing, I can't get the song out of my head! It's really bothering me :P

Wish me luck, I'm going to need it! :(

~Avery~

Trying new things...

Summer has gotten pretty boring... I liked relaxing at first, but now there's not much to do. And, go figure, it hasn't been nice outside. It is cold, rainy, and cloudy.

Brooke told me that I better get up and find something to do or she would find something for me. Well, I guess I didn't take action quick enough because I'm now signed up for piano lessons at the Mondale Music Hall. My teacher is Ms. Remmy, and she's nice enough, but very strict. I have a lesson every Tuesday, and a group practice on Friday. The lesson is individual, but on the group practice days everyone that's taking lessons from her will go to the music hall and study together. It's mostly technique lecture, and everyone has to play their song. I have to fill in "practice cards" that say I've practiced at least 4 hours that week, not including the lessons and group practices.


The bad part is, I really don't know anyone there. And another thing: I have no idea how to play the piano!!! Sure, I can read music and I know what notes go with what key, but that's it. I'm one of only 2 beginners in the class, which makes me really nervous. Everyone else is at least on an intermediate level. At group practices everyone has to play the song they're working on in front of the class, then Ms. Remmy critiques their playing. I hope I don't barf...or cry when I totally embarrass myself. I only have til Friday to get a good handle on "A Whole New World". I'm surprised that Ms. Remmy gave me this song. It is at least on an intermediate level, I think. I did okay sight reading, but I have to play it very slow. I'm not sure if I will be able to play this well or not by the group lesson. I sure hope so!





~Avery~