Back in November, I started taking a Jazz class with some other ladies in my neighborhood. I love the workout part, and I love getting to hang out with these amazing women. I was also really excited to fulfill a lifelong dream of learning how to dance. Lately though, I've been a little discouraged about it, mostly because the other women have danced when they were younger--and it is easy for them to jump back into the swing of things. But, I feel like I'm a beginner who accidentally signed up for a senior level course. I've been frustrated, and I still go back and forth about whether or not I want to do this. My stubborn and determined high school self has resurfaced and keeps telling me not to quit just because it is too hard. She tells me about how I ran cross country and kept at it even when I came in last almost every race. After all, she argues, isn't this about proving something to yourself? And then my yearbook quote comes back to haunt me, "There is nothing I can't do once I decide I can." Way to be sentimental and profound in high school Dev. It'd be so much less pressure if you had just done one of those joke quotes. *Sigh*. We'll see what happens. I may just find a dance class that is more at my level. That is probably what I'll do. That's not giving up, right?
So, the discouragement from dance actually led to a good thing. I was reflecting on the whole situation one night before bed. I was thinking about how far behind I was, and how jealous I was of those women who hadn't dance for a decade or two, but still managed to pull off the grace, flexibility, and skill of a dancer. I was thinking about how I used to be really good at piano, and how those skills have been slowly deteriorating. Just as I was about to get really depressed, I had an inspired thought that went something like this, "You know Dev, I bet if you took piano lessons again, it would come back really quickly like it did with those girls in dance. You just need a jump start." So, I told Brian I wanted to take piano lessons again.
On January 8, I had my first piano lesson in over ten years. I felt a little foolish, and I was more than a little apologetic. But, I feel great! It feels so nice to practice again and to have someone that I am accountable to.I told my new teacher that I wanted to learn how to play the organ (since it is only a matter of time before they ask me to do that), and I want to do some fun stuff--aka classics. Right now, I am working on my relationship with Bach and Haydn, and I feel like I'm back with old friends. My teacher and I are kind to me about how much practicing I can get in. I get accolades if I sit down for only ten minutes! Much different than when I was a kid ;) (But Mom, now that I'm paying for my own lessons, I totally get it.)
Now a funny story. A few years ago, I heard of a website called Zazzle.com where you can upload your designs and sell them on T-shirts, mugs, stationary, or pretty much whatever you can think of. I uploaded a few designs that I had made for my sister's bridal shower and wedding. Nothing came of it, and I forgot about it...until about two weeks ago when I got an email from Zazzle saying that someone had purchased one of my products. I laughed and laughed. I earned $0.45, but I don't even care! Someone liked something that I made, and that feels pretty darn good. So I spent last Saturday putting a few more things on my store. Maybe in another two years, I'll earn another $0.45.
Oh, and I also dream and drool over photography studio lights.
So in case you wondered what else I think about and do besides the joy that is motherhood and the
