After not playing for a couple weeks because of scheduling and homework, I was surprised how easily we were able to slide back into the minimal skills we had required. After warming up and practicing for a little while, we tried playing a game, and although we were a little confused about some of the rules, I think it was a good improvement.
However, I think in order to improve, we will need to practice some more outside of our weekly meetings, or else we need to meet more than once a week. I've come to like playing tennis, and if I can fit more time in my schedule to go and play more often, I would in a heartbeat.
Today I was especially stressed and I found it very relaxing to run around and play and worry about the game and nothing else. None of my other issues worked their way into my brain, and all I thought about was tennis, which was a pleasant change.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Piano Lessons
Now that "Primavera" is completed, I am working on an accompaniment piece, "Ode to Joy" which I will be playing with a cellist. I am really nervous about performing with another musician, especially because I have about 4 months to get this piece ready, and I don't have much time to work on it right now.
At my lesson today, my teacher had me practice with the cellist, and I was not ready at all. But what she taught me was very valuable. When playing with someone else I can't stop and correct myself, I have to keep going and pick up somewhere if I get lost and stop. Also, it is very important that I keep the left hand going with the basic melody, because that is what the audience hears since I am not the main performer. The cellist is what the audience will be listening to, which is nice since I'm not sure how ready I'll be in a few weeks. I just need to work on practicing more, and focus on not correcting myself so I can get into the habit of just continuing on if I mess up.
At my lesson today, my teacher had me practice with the cellist, and I was not ready at all. But what she taught me was very valuable. When playing with someone else I can't stop and correct myself, I have to keep going and pick up somewhere if I get lost and stop. Also, it is very important that I keep the left hand going with the basic melody, because that is what the audience hears since I am not the main performer. The cellist is what the audience will be listening to, which is nice since I'm not sure how ready I'll be in a few weeks. I just need to work on practicing more, and focus on not correcting myself so I can get into the habit of just continuing on if I mess up.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Tennis
This is the second day of tennis, and this time, my partner and I had a better idea of what we were doing. After practicing and getting used to the power needed to hit the balls across the court, we can now get a fairly good volley going.
I never realized how much practice and work goes into learning a new sport, or how technical some sports can be. We overheard some tips an instructor was giving a student on the court next to us, and we tried to encourperate some of those, but I think we need to start at a very basic level and work with getting a volley going each time and especially our aim. I thing that if we could aim, the game would be a little easier, so I think that is what we will work on next.
I never realized how much practice and work goes into learning a new sport, or how technical some sports can be. We overheard some tips an instructor was giving a student on the court next to us, and we tried to encourperate some of those, but I think we need to start at a very basic level and work with getting a volley going each time and especially our aim. I thing that if we could aim, the game would be a little easier, so I think that is what we will work on next.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Hiking
In preparation for my backpacking trip through the Grand Canyon this summer, I am going on several hikes to get in shape and get used to the elevation change. Today, I hiked to the Peter Grubb Hut outside Colfax with some other Girl Scouts. It was a lot of fun, but since I haven't been hiking at elevation or doing that rigorous of activity in a while, I'm really tired now! It took about 4 hours, and it was around 5 miles round trip, with a few hundred feet of elevation change. It was something I'm not used to, but I need to since the Grand Canyon is around 1500 feet of elevation change in 4 days of hiking.
We talked a lot on the trail and took some funny pictures, and some more serious ones. I loved how blue the sky was, and there were a few white puffy clouds that looked awesome when I took pictures of them. Also, the trees were nice to take pictures of since some were losing their leaves, and some were evergreens, so it provided a nice contrast with the red and green leaves of trees.
I'm glad I went since I now know how much preparation I need to do in order to be ready, plus I had a great time hanging out with my friends.
We talked a lot on the trail and took some funny pictures, and some more serious ones. I loved how blue the sky was, and there were a few white puffy clouds that looked awesome when I took pictures of them. Also, the trees were nice to take pictures of since some were losing their leaves, and some were evergreens, so it provided a nice contrast with the red and green leaves of trees.
I'm glad I went since I now know how much preparation I need to do in order to be ready, plus I had a great time hanging out with my friends.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Tennis
Today was the first day I started playing tennis. Due to scheduling conflicts, I haven't been able to meet up with my partner until now. We both are new to the game, so we spent today practicing techniques and getting the hang of the game. For next time, I'm going to look up rules and some pointers on how to play so we can start working on improving our game.
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