Don’t get too excited, I don’t have one yet. And it still might be a while before I get one. I’ve been wanting a new violin for YEARS and have finally decided to go for it. I was considering getting a brand new one from a Luthier from Toronto, but if I don’t like that one I’m just going to go for it and go into debt if needed. It’s my job and my passion, and my current violin won’t take me as far as I’d like to go. I’m excited!!
PS – My wonderful hubby is thrilled and is supportive as usual. 
Today I did two of the things I listed earlier of my summer plans. I practiced, and spent time with my doggies and my hubby. Time with my fam was nice! Played fetch in the yard with the pups, and later with the pups and my hubby too. Actually, we had most of the day together. No gardening today though, as practicing comes first (usually..) and there was a slight emergency with our water heater… It exploded and flooded the basement. All is now well in the house, and hopefully my shower tomorrow will be toasty!
I have been super motivated to practice this summer, for two main reasons. First, my depression kept me from practicing far too much this past school year. Don’t get me wrong, I tried. I REALLY tried. and tried and tried. I think I am the strangest “depressed” person ever. Throughout it all, I still have maintained my goals and have attempted to achieve them. Unfortunately, that didn’t help like the books say. I would pick up my fiddle, begin a scale, and the tears would come. A scale! Something easy, that I’ve been playing for years. Now don’t start thinking that I’m just stressed over my degree, as the tears came all the time. On the bus, falling asleep, eating breakfast, you name it. Well, that’s over (for now, hopefully for ever this time!), so I’m determined to make up for lost time.
Secondly, I went to Banff for a month this summer to study and have learned sooo much and I don’t want to lose that information by not practicing! I had incredibly inspiring lessons and masterclasses, but that’s not what taught me the most. I learned that I need to practice more. I know, I know, that seems obvious, though most of my teachers have said “if you’re practicing more than 3 hours a day, you’re not practicing correctly!” Turns out that’s not enough. While in Banff, I asked the other musicians how much they practiced. The ones around my level all said about 3 hours per day. The ones a little better said 4, and the phenomenal ones said 5. So, my goal for the year is to do between 4 and 5 hours of practicing each day. I will still be happy if I get 3 in on a super busy day, but I will aim for at least 4, maybe 5 on most days. I’ll let you know how it goes!
