The days and weeks and months just seem to be flying by! Where does the time go? From time to time when I sit back and take stock of my little life, I wonder how I have packed it all in, then other times I'm overwhelmed by everything left to achieve on my bucket-list (wait, I don't have a bucket list, oh dear that's another thing to put on my "to-do" list!!!). After Bali, a driving licence, apartment hunting with JB and next career move will be my top priorities!
I've recently started getting back into the swing of listening to classical music. And I don't know why or quite how I stopped. You see, I went to music school for the majority of my school years and I have so many wonderful memories of performing. I also remember the stress just before going on stage, the incredibly intense pressure when competing and the sheer joy of chamber music which I discovered when I was 14. Music was a huge part of my life up until the age of 18, when I turned down a scholarship to study at the Royal College of Music, because I wanted to "get out and see more of the world". Between the ages of 9 and 18, I attended 2 music schools, and the Junior Royal Academy of Music (which was a Saturday school), and it became a little claustrophobic for me as I realized that everybody knew everybody else from all these musical worlds of mine. I know I made the right decision for me. But some days I miss it and wonder "what if I had gone to the RCM". JB and I bought an electric piano about a year ago for the apartment, so I'm lucky to still have music in my life and I'm grateful for that. What do you remember from your school days? Do you ever look back and reflect on a career path not taken? (I'm not encouraging you to wallow in regret here! I try not to have regrets in life, it seems like a lot of negative energy!)
I have decided to abandon "Pinterest of the Day" and "Films" on my blog. I saw a nice idea on a recently discovered blog, The Lost Girl (it's a new blog too, so why don't you pop over and visit it, to show some blogger support!), where a song of the day is listed in the post. I may start doing this.
Anyway, to get back to my current life and away from the reminiscing (!), things have been pretty busy! After Ryan's visit from Cambridge, my sister came to visit us for a long weekend when we had some beautiful weather! Sadly Bus Palladium was closed, so our night out was brought to a short end, but we managed to fit in a picnic in Buttes Chaumont, Chez Gladines, Velib'ing through Paris, Ô-Chateau wine bar, Fred&Ginger restaurant, purchase of Nuxe products and plenty of chats in between! Then Marianna was here the 14-15 August, and we tried out Pomze restaurant. I found a review on LostNCheeseland's blog and we all were really impressed! There was a dinner menu of 33 Euros, and apple was incorporated into every dish. We opted for a white Bourgogne to drink with our meal, but if I went back I think I'd try the cider-tasting menu! It was lovely to see Marianna, she is nearly done with her Masters and has an exciting internship waiting for her at the end of all the dissertation angst! I have to say that Whatsapp and Skype both play a huge part in my friends abroad and I being able to stay so connected with each other. Modern technology is quite simply marvelous! Do any of you rely on modern technology to be in touch with friends/loved ones?
The weather has been waaaaaaaaaaaay to hot to bake anything recently. I've discovered a blog on the Great British Bake Off, which is of great comfort to me as I haven't gotten round to finding a way to watch it online or on TV! My sister bought me the book for Christmas for 2011 and it's great!!!!
Anyway, I shall leave you with some images from my summer : ) I hope you're all having a lovely week!
Music of my week:
Rachmaninov Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini
Rachmaninov Piano concertos Nos 1&2 the 2nd movement of the 2nd concerto has shades of "All by Myself" in it
Samuel Barber Adagio for Strings
Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue
Over and out, Lou xxxx