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| Arun's in the tux. Don't know the others, but he wanted them in the picture! |
Arun Garg is an incredibly talented and hardworking pianist who studies at Peabody Conservatory. A former student of the music school where I teach, we've only recently become friends. He gave a recital at Steinway Piano Gallery tonight, and I figured that it might be one of the last times I could hear him play for free, and I didn't want to miss the chance to cheer him on. The theme was Water Music and my favorite piece of the evening was Debussy's La Cathedrale Engloutie, which he played so beautifully. Arun has a delightful personality, loves to be around people, and has wonderful thoughts about music, piano and teaching. Maybe he'll be a teacher one day...
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| One of the greatest! |
Steffani, wonderful, funny, kind Steffani, celebrated her 70th birthday this week. Steffani has an infectious joy that touches everyone she meets. Completely honest, both with herself and others, she always has a smile on her face, even as she faces many hardships. She's such a wonderful human being, and makes each week that much brighter. Steffani is loved by all that know her, and I have the privilege of being her piano teacher. She plays each piece with conviction and care, and has reintroduced me to many pieces that I had long forgotten, or introduced me to pieces that I had never heard.
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| That smile! |
Megan texted me on Friday asking if I could hang out with Noa during a few photo sessions at Creve Coeur Lake. Megan is an accomplished and hardworking photographer. (She and her husband, John, run Straw Productions.) I jumped at the chance to spend some time with Ms. Noa, and Megan insisted on paying me back with photography. So Andy and I got all decked out in our best smiles, and then Noa and I spent the morning eating breakfast, taking in a lacrosse game, walking around the lake, making up silly songs, and playing a rousing game of peek-a-boo! It was a great way to start the day!
I have some amazing people surrounding me. People that I might not have chosen as friends if there had been some random friend line up at the beginning of time. And I've been wondering: What if I had chosen any other path? Would I still have met these people? Were we destined to meet, no matter what choices we made?
I never could have guessed that any one of these people would be such a supreme joy in my life. They make my life more interesting, more fun, and so much more wonderful.
Who are the "surprise friends" in your life?
I have given up on the tofu. I really don't like tofu but I thought if I could find the pasta I would try it at least once.
ReplyDeleteThe lasagna was great. I will certainly make it again. It's a large recipe so I halved it and froze half. Very nice to have something already prepared to pop into the oven.
I have the sewing machine in the same room as the computer. Now that it is going to remain out I think I will make a cloth cover for it. I have only made two aprons .I need to get some notions like rick rack, buttons, and contrast thread for the others.
Yippie yi yo ki yay the flooring man!! Don't let him leave without giving you a starting work date. You have been far more patient with the slow process of repair work than I would have been. Much to your credit.
No plans for the holiday yet. How about you, any plans?
You are my "surprise friend". Thanks for the friendship;-)
I'll have to try the lasagna. I still don't have any zucchini, but I'm hoping I'll have a couple in the next few weeks.
DeleteA sewing machine cover sounds like a great idea! Where do you get your materials and notions from? We have a Joann's Fabrics right down the road and they usually have some great deals on notions if you're watching their coupons. Just a thought...
So, we chose some flooring that we both agreed on, a bit darker than the color we have now, but nice just the same. At first they were going to give us a cheaper looking tile, but I put my foot down. You would have been proud. ;)
Andy and I will head out tomorrow to Hannibal, MO for the holiday. His parents have a little place out there and we're going to take our tent and camp in the yard. ;) We'll stay until Friday and then we'll have to come home so that Andy can get to work on Friday night.
The park behind our complex holds an amazing fireworks display each year, so I'll sit on the lawn and watch that on Friday night, and then I'm going to Forest Park to celebrate St. Louis' 250th! I'm looking forward to the weekend, and to not working for the rest of the week. I'm ready for a little break!
Cyber hug, "surprise friend!" I hope you get out there and enjoy the 4th!
Sharon your US v BEL didn't come thru to your blog.
ReplyDeleteMy mother was preachers kid. I read the 31 signs to her and she laughed. She said it was no fun being a pk because you were always under scrutiny. Personally I think my grandmother had the harder job of being a preachers wife! You need the patience of a saint.
Just took some ribs out of the freezer to grill tomorrow. Hope your enjoying your time off, have a happy 4th.
I actually grew up surrounded by people that were forgiving and kind, so the scrutiny wasn't as bad as I'm sure others faced. Still, I have some pretty hilarious stories from my pk days...
DeleteRibs?! What's the secret, Julia? I've tried twice and ruined them to such an extent that Andy doesn't even want me spending money on them any more. Were they delicious? Did you go see fireworks anywhere?
I'm not sure why you can't see the post, because it's showing that it's there. If you still can't see it let me know and I'll paste it in a reply. Nothing too fancy, just watched my first soccer game. Not a big soccer fan. Are you? I just don't know enough about the game to know what's going on. But apparently it's a big deal all over the world, so maybe I better start paying attention? Maybe...;)
Hope you have a great weekend. I'm off to Fair St. Louis to see the fireworks with a friend tonight. Hope you had a fabulous 4th of July!