Tidbit

Hello!
Well, I couldn't sleep, so I decided to post. Christmas Eve! It really snuck up on me... Did it sneak up on anyone else? I got all the wrapping done for today, and I am so excited! You know, I still end up not sleeping, and waking up at 3:00 am. This year though, I am not going to see what is out under the tree. Just waiting in my room and journaling. *forces self to relax; fidgets, and gives up* Oh who cares! It's Christmas!
You know what we watched tonight? We watched Miracle on 34th Street. I like that one!
Well, that's pretty much what is running through my head.
Just a tidbit.
PG

Hello! I am here! Busy as ever... :)

Hallo everyone!
Just doing a check-in/update!
Winter hit us... We are officially snowed in! We have about a foot of snow, and about one inch down there is a layer of ice. It is fun to walk to the chicken yard and make really loud crunching noises. I love winter!
Piano-wise, I am on a two week break from lessons, but still practicing hard as ever! I am currently learning Debussy's Suite Pour le Piano, Toccata in C# Minor; Cat and mouse, by Aaron Copland; and Scarlatti's Sonata in C Major, K.159/L.104.
I am also caught up in school, and for those of you who don't know, I skipped 8th Grade, and am in Highschool. It is tough, but I'm making it. I am also writing a book! It is called Timechamber, and it is based on a dream I had. Basically, it is about two children who stumble across a group of people living in a cave system. Now, these people aren't, like, cave people, they are a religious group from many centuries back. It's pretty complicated, so if you want to read it let me know!

Have a great winter, Christmas, and New Year!
PG

Basic Schedule

The next day we had to go to our first day of classes. This was interesting. First I had practice so I went to the nearest practice hut to practice since the hut on my schedule was To Be Announced. As the supervisor came along she knocked on the door and asked me, “Did I sign you up?” Oops. “Uh, no,” I said, “I didn’t know I had to sign up.” “What is your practice hut number?” she asked. I showed her my schedule and she told me which practice building to go to. I thanked her and went where she told me to go. A couple times when I was here this happened and I tried not to feel like a juggler’s ball. I walked to the practice hut that was open, and started practicing. Soon a junior girl knocked on the door and told me she was supposed to be in here. I asked her the time and she told me it was 10:00. I thanked her and tried not to panic. I was supposed to have had my next class five minutes ago! I didn’t know where to go so I was just wandering asking people where the chapel was. Soon I met some people who know where it was I needed to go to. They also had to go there so they walked with me. When we got there, it was 9:55. The girl’s watch had been off. Whew. So I went in with the people and had my next class. This was master class for piano. I think it was a very important class because not only is it required for my major, but it is also a good time to play in front of others without performing in a recital. You also get constructive criticism about your pieces.

My next class was 11:00 organ. The organs we played in this class were electric but we did get a tour of the United States second largest pipe organ which I will tell you about later. I had no idea where this class was supposed to be so I ran all the way back to my cabin to look at my schedule and map. After locating the organ building on the map I ran and found it. There were two organs and a piano in the small front room. There were about twelve chairs and thirteen people. Apparently, there were too many people there so the teacher dismissed two people. We had a really fun class, but that first day we didn’t get to play the organ. Instead we learned foot exercises and looked at a book that had pictures of all the different types of pipes that were in the organ. We played the next day.

After organ I went to lunch. Then we had rest hour. This was when we had to be quiet and we got to rest or we could write letters. It was basically private quiet time. I have to say that was probably my favorite time of day! I wrote a lot of letters to my friends and family. But when I didn’t sleep, I was really tired in my next class.

After rest hour I went to 2:00 piano skills class at Frohlich. Here we did sight reading, scales, and musical dictation. After the first class we went to the scholarshop to get books. I still didn’t have my ID card that let me access my account, so my teacher paid for my book. As we were walking back, she told me that she was bumping me up to the next class. I felt really happy! 3:00. After I got my books, I went to Intro to Acting. In this class we practiced stretches and various improvisational skills, such as the game “Freeze”. In this game we just chose a scene and picked two people to act it out. Then someone said, “freeze!” and when they froze the “freezer” chose a place to take and started another scene etc. We didn’t do much the first day, but we did play games like “Kitty wants a corner” and stuff like that and do exercises. I knew I was going to like it here.

After acting I had another practice session, but again I was in someone else’s room. So I just went back to the cabin and cleaned my area and waited for an hour. After that hour, E got back from teaching archery and waited for every one else to get back before we all went to dinner. After a few days I figured out my practices, and memorized where my classes were. This made life way easier. On Mondays we went to breakfast in our pajamas and later in the day we went to mixers. Mixers were where the Intermediate boys and girls got together and danced and talked etc. Our week of classes started on Tuesday, and ended on Saturday. On the school days and Mondays, we had to wake up at 6:50 am to go to the flagpole that didn’t have a flag and hear any announcements. Sometimes there were no announcements and the cafeteria wasn’t ready yet! This was rare though. This was my basic schedule for the next three weeks.

Day 3

The next day we all got our schedules, and we wrote them down in our notebooks, and went to breakfast. Then we just played around, except for the drills. The drills were really annoying!! We did a tornado drill, and that was really hard, because we all had to link our arms together and walk sideways. The place where we were going was down a flight of steps so that was pretty dangerous. Then we had to run to the wall and put our hands over our neck and bend over and lay on the ground that way. It was hard! But better know what to do than be stuck unknowing. That was what helped me keep bent over for 5 minutes! After that we all played around for a while. Then there was the LSP: lost swimmer procedure! That was really boring but it was also informative. After that we had a relatively uneventful day.

Day 2

During the night I had a dream that I went out to the front room and my baggage was there. When I woke up I realized that it was a dream and that my luggage probably still hadn’t gotten here yet. So I got up and went to the bathroom and when I came back, A walked up to me and told me my luggage was here. I would have jumped for joy but the stuff on E’s shelf wasn’t very stable and everyone else was sleeping. I got dressed but I only had an orange tee shirt and I was supposed to wear light blue polo shirts with the camp logo. This made me slightly uncomfortable. Later that day I got a note that I had Intermediate piano placement signups. I went to Stone Hotel and waited to sign up. There was a very long line and when I finally got to the room, I signed up and got a map with a reminder telling me where the audition was and when. Then I went back to the cabin. At 1:50, I realized I was late and ran to Frohlich and went up to the second floor which is where the audition was supposed to be, but when I looked at the sign I saw it said, “Intermediate piano auditions: room 1155.” Back down to the first floor I went, found the room, and sat to wait. I got a piece of paper with music on it to look at before I played it so I was ready to play when my turn came around. I went in, and played. I could have done WAY better, but I did how I did, and it all turned out fine. The only thing that bugs me is that on the scales, I was supposed to play a D major scale, (which is the second scale I learned) and I messed up on it! That REALLY bugged me! But the people were really nice.

After auditions, I went back to my cabin and played around. At 5:00 we all went to dinner, and at 9:30 we went to bed. Or at least I tried to. When E and A were finishing up with bunk talk, A came over to where my bunk was and saw me crying. She asked me if I needed to take a walk and talk about how I was feeling etc. I said yes, but it was so dark out that we just sat on the porch and talked. I was SO homesick that as soon as I was outside I started to bawl! She cheered me up by reminding me how hard I tried to get here and how much I wanted to be here. Then she told me she had also read The Lord of the Rings about three times like me! We also looked at the fireflies flickering on and off and I told her about a book on tape called Wolf Story. It is about a hen named Rainbow who has all different colors of feathers. The reason I thought about this is that near the end, the wolf catches some fireflies and uses them as a lantern. He goes to catch Rainbow and he starts to dig at the walls of the chicken yard, but he scrapes his nose. So he tries to dig side ways and scrapes his side on the cement wall that the farmers son has put down to protect his chickens due to the previous attack. He does this to his other side and his rear end, and then he is caught and tamed by the son of the farmer. She thought that was really funny and I felt a lot better, so we went inside. This time I was able to sleep.

Much delayed Interlochen Report Pt. 1

Hi Readers,

Here it is, sorry it was late. November will be update month for me. This is still a rough draft, but we don't want to keep you waiting any longer.

Piano Girl

In this report I will tell how I went to Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan. First I recorded some of my pieces and sent them in as my audition tape. I registered online and chose my classes. After a few months I got a letter saying that I had been accepted to Interlochen and had qualified for financial help. Reading this I wondered how I would get the rest of the money to pay tuition. Mom said we could sell eggs and I said I would teach piano. One time we were at the church and the wonderful coordinator suggested that we hold some kind of fundraiser and we asked her if we could use the church for a benefit recital. She said yes and we held the recital in the sanctuary. I played some pieces and the people came and most donated. Luckily I raised enough money to go to Interlochen. I started to pack and shop ASAP and found out even more why I didn’t like the mall. The cool thing that happened was that Dad said that he was going to just go and do some grocery shopping at Fred Meyers, going home and picking us up when he was done. Instead about half way through shopping at JC Penney (you wouldn’t believe how hard it was to find 2 modest swimsuits there!), he called us and asked us where we were. We told him and he said he would meet us there. He carried all of our bags and then when we were done, he drove us home. After a few days Mom helped me pack and wash all things that were going with me. It took us about three days to finish! Once we were ready, I got a haircut and was ready to go!

On June 23^rd I woke up at 6:00 am and got dressed. Then mom helped me get ready to go. When I was ready to go I went in to Boy’s room and said goodbye. Dad started up the car and helped me get my stuff in. We rode to SeaTac and went to the ticket booth to check my baggage and get my boarding pass. Once we had done that we went to the gate and said goodbye to each other. Soon after that I got on the plane and got in my seat. Even though I didn’t realize it at the time, Mom and Dad stayed until my plane took off. During take off, we saw Mount Rainier on a cloudbank. Awhile after that I looked down and saw how flat the land was. It looked like a quilt. After about 4 more hours, we landed in O’Hare. When everyone else was off, a flight attendant took all the unattended minors to a room in the airport.

The room had a desk where you check in; to the left of the door that you come in through there was a bathroom. Past the bathroom there was a room that I think was a rest room for the little kids who were tired. After that there was a place with vending machines, and there was a small office tucked away next to the desk. The main room was filled with chairs occupied by kids. There was also a TV and some blocks for the little kids. After an hour and a half, we all went to the food court and got lunch (or in my case, brunch). The cheapest food was a Mc Donald’s. Yuk. I just got a chicken fingers and fries. The healthiest choice, I thought. Wrong! I had a stomach ache for the next half hour from it! Then we went back to the UM room. In a half hour we went to the next flight.

This flight was very short: 45 minutes! When we landed, an Interlochen staff member met us at the jet bridge and escorted us to the baggage claim to pick up our bags to find that my duffel bag was missing. There was a table where all of the staff people were so I let know what it looked like. There was a truck outside for baggage and a bus for the kids so put my suit case on the truck and got on the bus. After waiting for 45 minutes for everyone to get on that we could fit, we left for the ten minute drive it took to get to Interlochen. When we did, all the Intermediate and Junior girls got off and went to their divisions’ headquarters to sign in. I waited in line to get the sign in sheet, and when it was my turn to get my name tag, they said it wasn’t printed out yet. Then I went to the infirmary to get signed in there. When I was done at the infirmary I went back to HQ and finished by finding out which cabin I was in. I went to go find my cabin and when I did, the counselors in charge of the cabin met me at the door. I will just put first initials for anonymity. They were E and A. When I found out that my luggage wasn’t there, I started to panic. All that I had was the church dress that I was wearing, and the stuff that I had in my backpack. When my cabin mates got back from the campus tour, they loaned me some things so I could make my bed and have pajamas to sleep in.

Updates in letter form.

Dear Piano Girl,
You (and any readers still hanging around here & checking posts) may want to take a look at this article.
Mama

Dear Readers,
Piano Girl and I promise posts here During the month of November. Written by both of us. Inspired by the Nov. event that begins with N's and has a lot of O's, I think.
LB

She's home!

She has lots of stories, and pictures to be developed. I will do my best to update here tomorrow.
LB

Lost badges and checks and socks, oh my!

So apparently, if you have a check for the the Scholarshop (for uniforms), you don't want to send it to the business office, or they will lose it. Now I know. I am not sure what was up with her name badge (which is apparently as big a deal to not have as she was making it to be!), but it is supposed to be taken care of immediately. She does have money available on her name badge swipey-thing, so she should be fine. And she apparently got all her uniform clothing. I hope she got all her red socks- we couldn't find them anywhere here, so I sent her with cash to buy those.

I have to cancel the check for the Scholarshop and send a new one, but she should have everything she needs now. Phew! Hard to advocate from 2000 miles when all you have to go on is a couple of letters!! I found a Yahoo Group for the other parents in her division, and this has helped me deal with her being gone better. It is comforting to hear from other parents who are either doing this for the umpteenth time, or the first time like we are. The moderator was able to tell me exactly who to talk to this morning when I called, and I think that made it much easier.

I am sending out a letter tomorrow- anyone want me to say hello to her from you?!
Proud Mama

3 letters today.

Letter #1
Hi guys,
This is really fun!!!
I am so happy!
I miss you a lot.
I got my luggage the morning after I called and am saved. :-)
We had an Assembly and fire drill. At the assembly, one of my cabin mates, Coco, told me she knew how to flip people by the wrist! She is really fun! Another cabin mate, called Pooh Bear, is sooo funny! I get my name tag tomorrow.
Anyhoo, I love you and it's getting late.
Write you tomorrow,
Piano Girl

Letter #2
Hey Guys. I feel homesick. I really want to see you soon. I had my first private lesson and it went well. I want to see you soon. I had organ and I learned how to pedal. I was so not late today, I had enough time to watch the people clean the fish pond at the chapel where I take piano. I almost caught one of the fish.

I am not as excited as I was in my last letter. I feel sad. I still don't have my tag. I miss you! :-( We had a little better food for dinner, but it still sucks. I really really really really really really miss you! Love,
Piano Girl.

Letter #3
Hello guys and goyls, :-)
I have not been late at all today! I am loving organ. I also like Into to Acting. My instructor's name is N. We played a getting to know you game. It was fun. There is an Ice Cream Shop near acting class called Melody Freeze. I still don't have my ID card!!

It is rest hour. I am writing instead of sleeping. During our cabin inspection, we got a 93/100! :-) There was a contest for the best cabin lawn. We didn't win, but we had fun, and that is what is important, right?

Anyhow, after this, in order, I have piano skills, acting, and a leson. Yesterday, I was soo stinkin' bored! We had lunch before this. The cafeteria can't afford really good food, so we have kinda crappy stuff, like hard-boiled scrambled eggs, and overly cheesy mac n' cheese. But I find stuff.

My friend Coco is a vegetarian, and one day she tried some cheesecake that was aid to have gelatin in it. Since gelatin sometimes is made of hooves, she got sick. She has been vegetarian for three years, and she thought it had all gone down the drain. She loves animals, so imagine how she felt! *shudder* That would make me sick! Another cabinmate, S, is "very clean*".

I can't think of anything else to write, so bye.
Love you. P.S. I really (x 8) miss you and love you!
*from the movie Help

Proud Mama,
and yes, I will call and find out about the "stinkin' ID card".

One more day!

She leaves tomorrow. No, we are not ready. But we will be. I will catch you up later.
Proud Mama

Email from Interlochen

Hey all, I got this email from Interlochen today. Just spreading the word and the love.

Proud Mama

Hi Mrs. Needleroozer,

Thanks for providing such great information to us about Piano Girl’s quest to attend Interlochen Arts Camp. I know she will have a wonderful time, and we will all take very good care of her.

I write grant proposals to foundations and corporations, seeking scholarship and other financial support for Interlochen’s programs. Although I do not seek support for any individual student in particular, the success of my proposals does increase the amount that we can offer for student scholarships. The reason I am glad to receive your information about Piano Girl is that I am looking for stories showing how hard campers work in order to fulfill their Interlochen dream. These stories are very compelling to donors of all kinds, including those with whom I work. The immediacy of a journey like Piano Girl’s helps hammer home how vital a donor’s gift can be, and how meaningful. And when a child works so hard to attain an Interlochen experience, we know that s/he will get the most out of it, which is also important and heartwarming for many donors.

I will be sure to look for Piano Girl when Camp starts—just a few days away!

Thanks again for your time and effort in helping us tell the Interlochen story.

Ms. D.

P.S. My daughter, 13, and my son, 11, will both be starting their 3^rd summer of Interlochen Arts Camp on Saturday; as a family we’re delighted with the Interlochen experience. In fact, my husband and I met at Interlochen as Intermediate Campers way back when, and we both returned for subsequent summers. It really is a special place!

4 Days till Take-off!

Piano Girl and I overnighted all the paperwork and checks to Interlochen today- better late than never! We made enough to cover her admission fees, and some of the other expenses, and it is really ok that we will be eating rocks for awhile- this is so worth it!

We ordered a bunch of clothing from Interlochen (I guess this fall, PG will be advertising for Interlochen wherever she goes, because I am not going to be able to spend any money on new clothes!), and bought a bunch of stuff at Sears and Penney's (read here to see how I feel about mall shopping!). We still have a bunch of stuff to buy- phone cards, linens, travel sized shampoos, etc, but I think I can do all that at our local Fred Meyer. Now we have started washing and packing! We need another suitcase, as the Papa Dude is going to be traveling at the same time as PG, not sure if I want to buy one. It will all work out.

I am getting anxious about her flying alone, so by Saturday, I ought to be over that- always do my worrying ahead of time!
Talk soon,
Proud Mama

The Piano Girl Story

The admissions department at Interlochen requested that we write up the whole story of Piano Girl and her fundraising adventure. I know y'all know this story, but thought I would post it anyhow, as it took me a couple of hours to get it written up! What do you think?

Proud Mama LB

I suppose it all started when Piano Girl was two years old, and we found her plucking out Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on the toy piano-not with one finger, but with both hands on the keys. She begged us for piano lessons as a three and four-year-old, and began lessons at the tender age of five. She took lessons for about 6 months before her then teacher pulled me aside one day and told me she was unsure how long she would be able to teach our daughter, as she seemed very talented, and even at this young age, was a very driven pianist. If she didn’t sit at the piano for at least an hour every day, she would become cranky.

When she was 9 years old, she came to her father and I and told us she had decided when she grew up she wanted to become a professional pianist. Piano practice took up more and more of her time, and she thrived.

At the age of 11, she told us she had amended her life goal. We both experienced a sharp intake of breath, wondering what she would say. “I have decided that I don’t just want to be a pianist, I want to be the best pianist in the whole world.” With the determination and dedication she had shown up to this point, we had no doubt she could achieve this goal.

Piano Girl was accepted at Interlochen last summer, but she was unable to attend due to a lack of funds. Undaunted, she applied again, and was determined to attend. With the award of a merit scholarship from Interlochen Center for the Arts, the fundraising began. Piano Girl was determined to do whatever it took to make it to Interlochen, and we were committed to supporting her goals.

Piano Girl raises chickens and sells their eggs, and has many regular customers. She also chicken-sits regularly for a family who own 30 chickens, her payment being that she can sell their eggs also. She has recently begun teaching piano lessons to two young students and is currently seeking more. Last summer, she held a very successful first solo recital. She is currently investigating options for future fundraising, from getting more chickens, to earning money by recording piano pieces for a digital recording studio.

Following the success of last year’s recital, she decided to hold another one this summer. With the support of her current piano teacher, she prepared and presented an hour long program, playing pieces from Bergmuller to Granados. This became a community project involving over 400 people,with the community pulling together to support Piano Girl. Everyone went out of their way to donate time, effort and money, providing everything from food for the recital, to frequent flyer miles. The internet community became involved as well, with donations accepted through the blog we created to keep people updated, as well as a friend hosting a raffle on her company website, all profits going to the Piano Girl Fund. The whole event was a huge success, and all of her expenses have been covered.

Through this experience, Piano Girl is learning that she in control of her life and can make her dreams happen. We are so proud of her and can’t wait to see how she grows during her stay at Interlochen. She is looking forward to being surrounded by a community of musicians, where others live and breathe music as she does. She tells us it looks like a nurturing and safe environment. “I hope I can be an inspiration to others who want to pursue their dreams.”

I think we have done it!

I think we have just barely made it! Today I am doing some work on the Piano GIrl project, so I will post an update later, but I *think* we have made just enough to cover the entrance fees.
Proud Mama

Another Update

Well, monies have been trickling in from folks who were unable to attend the recital, and Piano GIrl has her first piano student! She has been trying to find pupils for the last year, and finally did! The good news is that the mama of this new student was willing to pay for 2 months of lessons in advance in order to help bring in some more funds for project Interlochen. Yay!

We still need at least $800. to cover the admission fees, and I haven't even begun to think about ordering all the camp clothing and other necessaries. First things first. So again, if any of you haven't yet donated to this cause, or if you have one of those rich patron of the arts uncles, you still have time!

Proud Mama

Recital update

We had beautiful weather, lots of good food, and many wonderful supporters show up yesterday. Piano Girl played well, and fun was had by all.

Many of the folks who came yesterday had already pledged or purchased a key, so it was wonderful that they came to support Piano Girl. We collected almost $600. yesterday. Amy finished her raffle yesterday, and drew names for prizes. She raised $350. We totalled up all the checks and cash, and with egg money, raffle money (Thanks Amy, and thanks to all of you who bought raffle tickets!), and all, so far we have raised a grand total of $1900. How cool is that? I will be sending this to Interlochen by Tuesday.

Special thanks to Mattanata Studios, Puget Sound Digital and the Banner Team, The Foil Hat, and the Food Team (You know who you are, I didn't want to post names). Thanks to all who came and supported Piano Girl.

There are 3 more weeks till the Piano Girl is scheduled to leave for Interlochen. We still have over 50 blank keys on her banner. There is still time to donate to her Music Fund. I am still determined that she will be attending. If anyone has any quick fundraising ideas, or a rich aunt or uncle who would love to be a benefactor to a talented young musician, let me know!
Proud Mama

Raffle update, and heeeeerrrrreeeee we go!

Because Paypal was down most of the day yesterday, Amy at The Foil Hat has extended the raffle-ticket-purchasing-deadline to 2:10 pm PST or 5:10 CST. You still have time to purchase tickets and win an awesome prize! I hear Libi's washcloths are worth their weight in gold, let alone a few raffle tickets! Head on over and check it out.

I will check in here later this afternoon, right now it is time for hairwashing, and then the putting-on of a fancy recital dress, a run-through on the piano, and then we head out!

Think calm, confident thoughts for Piano Girl.
TTFN,
Proud Mama

1 day left!

Hey all,
One day left until the concert event of the season! Come one, come all, and pledge your support to this amazing young artist! Use the Paypal button! Buy raffle tickets! Plan an impromtu trip to Bellevue, Washington! Just kidding on that last one, but I do wish you could all be there tomorrow.

Everything (except for plastic tablecloths) is ready for tomorrow. I am excited, and a little anxious, so I know the Piano Girl must really be a bundle of emotions today. I will be gentle with her, and not expect much in the way of chores or schoolwork today. She can just sit at the piano and play all day today, and you won't hear me complain!

Wish her luck, and we hope to see you there if you are local.
Proud Mama LB

24 keys down, 64 to go, and 4 days left!!

Yay! Everything is coming together nicely. The banner is finished, a beautiful cake and food are being provided, I have both the video and sound recording set up, the program is lined up and being printed, theFoil Hat raffle is going well, I sent out over 400 invites, airline tickets are being researched and frequent flyer miles have been donated, and people have been writing checks and using the Paypal button in the sidebar. We have 24 out of 88 keys filled already, and have raised just over $1000. so far. That is enough to send in the check for the deposit! We have met 1/4th of our goal, and the event hasn't happened yet!!

Thanks so much to everyone who has offered support to Piano Girl, in all the many ways you have. What a community project this has turned out to be!

I will post the program as soon as it is ready, for those of you who are out there in cyberland and won't be able to attend. The good news for you is that we are going to be recording the performance, and making CD's! Elizabeth wants to "sell" them for donations.

There is still plenty of time to donate if you haven't yet, by either using the Paypal button in the sidebar, or by buying raffle tickets over at The Foil Hat. I thank you, and Piano Girl thanks you.

TTFN,
Proud Mama