My brother would have been 51 this year if he didn't die so young. The song "It's Not Goodbye" by Laura Pausini really touched my emotion remembering my loved ones especially on my late brother's birthday. My late Dad's birthday is coming up too in a week and it just hard to think that I will never see them again.
Reminiscing the last time I spent with my brother made me so sad, the photo above was the last ride he gave when we visited my country back in 2008. Two months after this photo was taken, he died of motorcycle accident.
Another loved ones we're all missing dearly is our dog, Bolt. He died of Lyme's disease. He was only 7 years old. He was such a loving and the most gentlest and considerate dog we've had. Bolt was my husband's favorite dog.
This was the last phioto we had with my late father. He died 4 months after this was taken. It was a tough pill to take in. He died 2 weeks before my wedding.
I didn't have many pictures with my Dad and that kills me. I never thought he would die such a young age and so suddenly. What I regret is that I never told him I love him.
This song really bring me to tears listening to it while looking at the photos of the ones I am missing the most. The movie Legends of the Fall is such a good movie, I would love to watch it again. I hope to see them again over on the other side someday when it is time for me to go as well.
I love this reggae version of Lady Gaga's Always Remember Us This Way from the movie "A Star is Born" with Bradley Cooper. This makes me wanna watch the movie.
This year's music recital was done a little earlier. In the previous years, Torrance Music always hold in June but due to graduation and other events of the older kids, they decided to do it in April. I like it in June because it isn't cold anymore but April I guess is okay. It was raining though on that day so that was a downside.
The event was held at Memorial Baptist Church on Sunday, April the 15th.
Glad to have a family like the Howells, they never missed to attend my kids special event, we appreciate it very much.
I offered to make my daughter's hair but she did not want me to do anything with itm, she said it looks fine the way it is. Makes me a bit sad that my daughter does not want my help anymore. She's almost 13 and so far, she hasn't show any interest in makeup or any other cosmetic stuff. I think she will grow up just like her Mom lol.
This is Ms. Fedoush, her piano teacher. She is a wonderful teacher to my daughter. She is very patient and kind which we love very much. She's the reason why my daughter plays very well in piano. Due to school events and the scheduling of her piano lessons, my daughter asked if she can take a break with piano for a while. I hope she would still consider going back to taking piano lessons again, I would miss it if she stop playing because she is good at it.
This is Ms. Tipton, she's our daughter's violin teacher. This is her first year teaching and also my daughter's first year of taking violin lessons. She wasn't gonna play during the recital but because Ms. Tipton is leaving, she wanted her students to showcase what they have learned from her. She is graduating from her teaching degree from Franciscan University and she has a job offer in Ohio so she is leaving the area. Fortunately, she have recommended another violin teacher who will assume her position which is nice.
Rylie made some thank you cards for both of her teachers.
As a tradition, we went out to have dinner , this time, we went to Theo Yianni's.
The Howells always have a bouquet for her in every recital.
Our little girls is definitely growing. In my eyes, she is still my little girl even though she act and feel like she is 20 already lol. I miss the times when I can do her hair and those things that we did when she was little. As she grows, she changes.
She played The Flight of the Mourning Dove on Piano and Fiddlesticks on Violin.
St. Joseph School's music choir had their Christmas pageant this year at St. Joseph Church last November the 30th. Both of the kids are part of it. Our son sung at the choir and our daughter was one of the narrators, she also sung at the choir after the play.
I wasn't able to watch the play because I was assigned to help two other Moms in assisting the children with their costumes and ensuring the peace and quiet at the back of the church while the play is going on. My husband came home early that day so he could watch as well. I gave him the task of taking pictures. He managed to record a couple of short videos of the play.
The same choir also performed at the Serra Manor to share some cheers for the holiday to the senior people living at that assisted living place. They went there during the school day so we weren't able to go but I am sure it gave the old people some exciting moment listening to them sing. Kudos to Mrs. Bernardi, their music teacher, for organizing this and for patiently teaching and working with the kids.
Torrance Music had a Christmas carol at the Geriatric Center here in Weirton. This is the place where old and sick people are being taken care of. It was a really nice event to be able to spread cheer to these old folks who most often don't have anybody or don't have any family anymore.
Last year was held at Serra Manor, the adjacent building where senior assisted living was. That was a really nice one as well.
Our daughter played a classic song. We arrived there early so she got to practice her piece before everybody arrived.
Below is the video of the last part of the performances. My daughter performed last and she was disappointed she messed it up. When she practiced, she was flawless. I think it's the nerves.
I hope that they would continue doing this because it really makes a big impact to those people who needs a little cheer during this time of the year. Some of the old people were singing to what the kids are playing so it was really nice.
Torrence Music finally hired a violin teacher, it's the moment our daughter have been waiting for. We got her a violin last Christmas but we couldn't find a teacher near our area. During the recital, the owner of Torrence Music talked to us and said that they have a violin teacher. My daughter's piano teacher mentioned to her that we have been looking for a violin teacher that could teach our daughter.
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Last night was her second lesson and she said she love it. Before her class, we went to Center for Arts and Music in Wintersville and bought her some supply like shoulder rest and humidifier. The teacher seem to like Rylie because she already knows how to read notes and stuff so it is easier for her to explain stuff to our daughter. She also gave us a list of some to her things to get. I am glad she is into music.
I wish I would have had the resources to learn music instrument when I was younger but I am happy that we could provide the privilege to our daughter to enjoy her music interests.
2017 is our daughter's 4th year of playing piano. Their recital was held on June 4th at Weirton Memorial Baptist Church. She was put into the second group of performers this year . On her first three years, she always performed during the first group so it was a bit different this year. I also miss our son participating into the recital. He stopped taking piano lessons when he started playing football.
The founder of Torrence music asked her if she would play two songs since the performers on the second group was short and she practiced for a second song but for some reason, when the audience applauded for her first performance, she decided not to play the second song.
Here is the video of her performance. She played the song by Garth Brooks, "The Dance". She dedicated this song to her Dad since it is one of my husband's favorite country song.
Before April come to a close, let me share our daughter's performance during the Thursday Music Club's 66th Young Musician Honors Recital on April the 13th at Vance Memorial Presbyterian Church in Wheeling West Virginia.
We always admire this church whenever we would pass by it last year when our kids would play tennis match and we never imagined that we would one day get to see the interior part of it. This church was the venue of the recital set by the Thursday Music Club, the group that held the audition at West Liberty University where our daughter performed two songs and got a superior rating.
All the students that received superior and superior with honors were invited to a recital. This was our daughter's second time auditioning and getting invited but it's her first attendance to the recital. Last year's recital was postponed due to there were not many students who got the superior rating.
Rylie was very anxious coming to this recital. She told me a couple of times while waiting for her turn to play that she couldn't remember the notes. I calmed her down by telling her that she will be fine. She was so nervous that she was sweating bullets and her palms were cold as ice. We prayed for her and she did really well and didn't mess up. She was relieved!
They served refreshments and cookies after r= the recital but we didn't wait since we still have to go back to Weirton. Below is the video I took of her performance of Seafoam, one of the songs that she performed in West Liberty University during the audition. Enjoy.
The Thursday Music Club of Wheeling, hosted the annual Young Musician Audition at West Liberty University. It was held last March 31st. This was our daughter's second year of participating.
Her schedule to play was 8:34 pm, I thought that was late but it was okay. We went earlier anyway and the ladies at the registration were very thankful that we came early. They said that they have been there all day and were already exhausted.
This is what she wore on her audition. The navy blue dress was a gift I gave her for Christmas and she bought this leather jacket with her won money that she earned for dog sitting.
We didn't buy anything from http://www.guitarcenter.com/Gibraltar/ but if you want to look at a great selection of accessories for your music needs, they have a huge selection.
She did some last minute practice before we left.
The required composition that she played was the Sonatina Op. No. 3 by Clementi. It's a long piece and she did really well. The comment she got from the judge was "Bright, Sunny, clean, clear sound, perfect for this classical style. Excellent temper control and balance; I admire your focus and concentration. Very good technical execution and preparation".
Her second piece, the second choice composition was the Seafoam by Helen Boykin. The judge comments was "Beautiful tone quality and atmosphere. Regarding balance, the running six tenths are fine but the left hand melody just needs to sing out more. Generally good, even sixtenth; Good feeling for the condenza in the middle"
This years judge was Dr. Gerald Lee, he was a Chinese American. He gave her a superior rating. The highest is Superior with honors.
Last year, not many participants received a superior rating so the Annual TMC Young Musician's Audition Honor Recital was cancelled. This year, it will be pushed through because more participants received the superior ratings my daughter included. The event will be held on April 23rd at Vance Presbyterian Church Sanctuary.
Here's the video I recorded of her performance. Hope you enjoy.
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During my father-in-law's wake, there are songs being played that makes me really weep. I still remember those songs when my kids were still babies and my FIL would sing those beautiful songs to them on the swing and my kids would fall asleep in his arms. It's hard to think that he is gone now but I am glad that we have so many great memories to look back to. I was browsing through music videos on Youtube and found this one that really touched me and made me think of my FIL, my own father, and my brother. Sometimes, when I think of them, I can't help but wish that they are still here. This song "When I'm Gone" by Joey and Rory is a perfect song in this moment, check it out!
When Joey and Rory recorded this song, they have no idea what's in store for them. Few years later, she died of cancer and this video just made me cry hard because I just started loving this duo's music and to learn that she passed is very sad. I also love this song that their family's friend have written and sung for the Feek family.
I saw my daughter's wish list for Christmas so that's what we got for her. I am glad that "Santa " is no longer a secret now, they can tell exactly what they want for gifts. Along with other gifts, Rye Bean has a new set of colored pencil. She go through this very fast so we got her a new set.
She also wanted a Doodle Chaos coloring book. She have so much fun coloring very little character in this book. One page takes a long time to finish that's why she loves it because it keeps her mind occupied.
She is very inspired by the creator of this doodle chaos, he is a young Filipino. She wishes she could create something like this.
She love to read so I got her some new books . This is a series so it would take time before she could finish it.
She love to read before she sleeps so I thought this Kandle flex was a great accessory for the books sh e has, This way, she can read her books in bed without the bright light in the room.
According to her, the best gift that she received is the violin. She has been planning to take a violin lesson so we got her one. Unlike trx cymbals, the violin and piano will not give me a migraine as the sound very soothing. We are still looking for a violin teacher in the area so she could start taking lessons. Meanwhile, I told her to watch some YouTube videos maybe she can pick something to start with.
One of the many things I look forward to during Summer is the music recital. Torrance Music only has one recital every year so we always look forward to it. Whenever my daughter need something for her music, I always check http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ first because they usually have what I am looking for. They provide a lot of music accessories and instruments at their website so it is kind of my go-to shopping store online. I am not sure what song my daughter is playing for the recital this year but I can't wwait. Below is the video of her recital performance last year.
Like most people in our society, you've witnessed beautiful performances and have daydreamed of making such lovely sounds yourself. Whether you'd like the attention and accolades that come with playing in public or you simply want to play an instrument in the comfort of your home for your own pleasure, getting started is the hardest part. Follow these simple steps, and you'll be well on your way to becoming the songbird you've always aspired to be.
1. Decide on an instrument
It's easy to imagine that you'll want to play every instrument under the sun. If you have the funds, you may be tempted to go out and buy a ukulele, a drum kit, a guitar, and a keyboard, promising yourself you'll become proficient with each one in due time. You'll be more satisfied with your efforts, however, if you take things one step at a time and stick to a single instrument until you're genuinely comfortable adding another one to your repertoire. The keyboard and guitar are popular choices for beginners, but if you're more interested in rhythm than melody, drums may be a better option. If you'd prefer not to buy an expensive piece of equipment, your voice is an instrument, too!
2. Make a plan for how you will learn
If you can afford it and have the time, private lessons are a great option. If you're like most busy adults, you may find it more convenient to learn at your own pace using materials you can access whenever you have a spare moment. There are so many learning materials out there, it can be difficult to choose the right ones for you. C.R. Carole has a number of workbooks available, teaching music theory for beginners. Once you've figured out how you'll learn the basics, it's time to come up with a practice plan. Pencil practice time into your schedule, blocking out at least 30 minutes a week if you want to make decent progress.
Learning to play an instrument may seem like a daunting process, but if you stick with it, you'll end up with a lifelong hobby that can get you through difficult times and bring joy to the people around you. I wish you the best of luck on your musical journey.
When I am feeling stressed, music is my way of calming myself. One of my favorite songs of Meghan Trainor is the Like I'm Gonna Lose You with John Legend. I thought they did a great job with this song.
I am having a bit of anxiety thinking about moving. I know that it is for the best but I shake off the feeling of leaving my very first home. I came to love this home and I maintained it the way I wanted, it makes me sad to leave this home. I can't even remember how the kitchen on that other house looks like. I know that it was a smaller kitchen compared to this current one that we have but I am hoping that it has slides for pantry or else we wil have to buy. My husband is already thnking of replacing the cabinets since it is old but it is going tobe a long time before we can do that. I should be excited but here I am anxious about it, oh boy!
I love it when our daughter is into the zone of playing piano. She can sit there and play for hours if she is in the mood. The funny thing that she does is when I tell her to take a shower, she would sit in front of the piano and play first before she finally go in the shower lol. Anyway, before I look at the selectionn of these Hohner Harmonicas , I included a short video of her practicing the Summer's Nocturne by Catherine Rollin. Enjoy!
There were so many interesting activities at the Google for Doodle in 2014. One of the many that both of my kids enjoyed was the sound that is coming from a musical painting.
The crew have set up different wiring and connected it to a laptop and every time the kids connect the wire to a different line on the painting, it creates a different sound.
EJ was very fascinated with it. He was very serious when the Google crew was explaining it to them.
I love that the judges were also present, they walked around and interact with everybody in every room.
Rylie met a girl that she was very comfortable in talking to the whole time we were there.
During the activities, the official photographer was focusing more on certain students. He was taking lots of pictures. I realized at the end that those were the winners.
It was a great opportunity not just for our daughter but also for our son.
So even though she did not placed during the national/final round, it was still a win/win for them. We were just happy that our daughter got to represent the state of West Virginia as the state winner for the category.
I encouraged the kids to try for the 2015 but they did not want to do it. I think it has to do with the fact that they somehow lost a guidance for art in school. My daughter's gifted program teacher left and the new one is just starting and also the art teacher has retired so there's really not a lot of art going on in there.
Maybe next year, they will be inspired and try again.
We will cherish the great memories that we had out in California. They were just so happy that they were able to be at the Google Headquarters.
