It stuck me a little while ago how fascinating it is to go back and read something you've written a while back. It could be a week, or even almost half a year ago - as with my last post. It's fascinating how much has changed, how much has happened since the last time I made an entry and I feel like I need to keep recording this down; because life is such an adventure, eventful and exciting, with unexpected twists, surprises and delights. I don't want to forget it all.
Since my last post, I've been to Germany, visiting a small town called Bad Bertrich where a piano festival run by Professor JP was held. We stayed in apartments, cooking for one another on some days, and eating out on others (we mostly got shouted those dinners out - from a German Barbeque to the most wonderful dinner MH shouted us at her hotel). Stress was quite a factor on most days. We would wake up at 8.30 every day, grab some bread from a small bakery, rush to the practice rooms, do a few hours there, then have lunch, back to practice rooms (or exploring, as I like to do), attend Masterclasses (or BE in the Masterclass *scary*), drift off into sleep at the concerts, finally have dinner and enjoy pretty much the only 'free' time we had - watching Supernatural and Modern Family!
Sometimes we would go to the German bathhouse. Their idea of a bath is pretty much like a HUGE pool (indoors and outdoors) with some heavy water sprayers here and there and much warmer too. There were hot tubs, but I won't discuss that to much detail. Those who have heard my German spa story would know what I mean :/ I actually got my right ear completely blocked by the water there when I went for a swim - yeah, you could literally do laps.
A big highlight was the wine tasting tour the Festival paid for. We woke up early to catch a bus that took us to a bigger town by the river. From there we were taken by a small ferry to a certain village along the river where the wine tasting was. Our organiser MS took us to this wine tasting house and the best part of the day arrive. LOTS and LOTS of wine! They just KEPT coming! Bottle after bottle. The winemaster would take out a few bottles, pour some into everyone's glass and tell us in German what it was - we'd taste and if we didn't like it, there was a big glass for us to pour the wine we didn't want. Later, he put some bread, cheese and ham on the table for us to eat, served with lard. Lard is very very popular in Germany and it doesn't seem to make them any fatter! A lot of the Germans had big bellies - but I honestly think that's because of the beer.
Meeting Professor JP would probably be the biggest highlight of my trip. You'd think a 75 year old would be walking slowly with a crane, maybe suffering from hearing loss and even some memory loss. This man had more energy than us, cracked jokes every five minutes, sculled beer like it was water and loved food almost as much as he loved music. But most importantly, JP, as scary as he initially appeared to be, took care of us like we were his own children. The thing that I admire most about JP is his attitude to music and teaching. It's like he is a great big ball of love. In his playing, his way of teaching, you could tell that everything he did was for the love of his art and his students. At the end of one particularly difficult masterclass for me, he said something I will never forget. He said, "Chris, I wouldn't spend so much effort and time teaching you this piece if I didn't believe you could do it." At the time, I was at the end of my wits, trying to play this to his standards, applying rubato and all the changes he wanted me to do. I loved every lesson that I was in.
And though I may put all of this experience in a fair light. There were moments where I was just completely overcome with stress and disappointment. MH is an amazing teacher and mentor, but there were moments when I felt that she was very harsh on us, especially during the festival. It was my third Masterclass with JP and I played a piece by Beethoven which I had practice so long and so hard for. I completely messed it up. I was so frustrated with myself, especially because I couldn't do correct all my rhythmic mistakes nor play the piece properly for the man I was trying to impress most. The Master class did not go very well, and to make matters worse, instead of being comforted, I got told off even more for making a mess of the piece. I was more angry at myself than anything. Why couldn't I play it well?! All that hard work for what?! I walked alone back to the practice rooms to correct my mistakes and halfway through I just couldn't hold it in any longer and everything I was feeling just rushed out of me.
So you see, it wasn't all happy fun and games. But I guess, like with all stormy nights and dark tunnels, the light's always just around the corner and for me, that was winning the Audience 1st prize at the Student Recital.
Other highlights would probably be the lush green scenery all around us. We were in the middle of a valley, surrounded by really green trees. The Germans take great care with their flowers, arranging them in bright colours on their window sills, road lamps and at the side of the street. It's amazing how much flowers and colours can do to liven up the place.
Anyway, that would be a quick summary of my first 2 weeks in Germany. I figured I'd do a bit of the past and recount a bit of the present - balance things out a bit.
Went down to North Sydney College of TAFE on Friday to apply for a Chemistry Course. I didn't do Chemistry for HSC (No sciences :P) and my mum's condition for me to take another GAP year was to do the Chemistry course. It's only for 6 months, 4 hours a week. It was to fill a pre-requisite for Monash University and hopefully, with a good UMAT and a good interview, there's a chance I could get in. Well, that's what my mum wants anyway. I'm still gunning for my music thing!
The people there were very nice and the Chemistry teacher seems like a pretty cool teacher. I kinda feel like I'm back in High school again. And it's a bit exciting to be honest.
Saturday was a complete waste of a day. I spent it watching Castle (GREAT SHOW BTW =D) and Psych (another awesome show). I think I'm really into detective and crime mysteries at the moment. I think I'm starting to like Castle more, especially for its extremely witty lines, the great connection between the cast, the nature of the murder mystery and the relationship between Castle/Beckett and Castle/Family. So fun to watch!! =D
Sunday - Youth Group (Don't forget the Lyrics/Musical Chairs game I invented turned a little too competitive) then Church and then lunch, coffee with Connie at Parra.
One thing I did find out about myself was that since my Europe trip and my huge dilemma about my career, I've grown to like talking about deeper subjects. Although games and sport (esp the tennis) still interest me, after talking to so many people overseas about their cultures, their lives and their philosophies of life, I've found that I've matured and that I love talking about culture, art, different ideas and travelling. It's hard to explain and though I try to deny that it's true, I think I've matured even more? I don't know, but I like what I see when I try to envision what I would like to be my future. I just hope I can work hard enough to achieve those things and that He will be there to give me those things that will bring me happiness.
I think it's almost time for me to go to bed. I'm trying to do a post more often. With photos and stuff soon.
:)
