I have this amazing friend. Her name is Kelsa. Kelsa is by far one of the most determined people I know. It's her determination that lead her to get into amazing physical shape. It's her determination that powered her to finish her first marathon even though she experienced debilitating calf cramps from mile 14 to the end. It's her determination that has lead her to a managerial position within her company. And it's her determination that has lead her to accomplish her most recent goal.
As of this morning, Kelsa and her equally awesome husband Michael became debt free. Years before they have entered their 30s, these two skimped and saved and sold to eliminate more than $60,000 worth of debt tied to their names. There debt was what most people consider the good kind - student loans and car loans. But to Kelsa and Mike, that wasn't good enough. They wanted to be out from under all of it, so much so that they downgraded from a two-car to one-car household this year. Their determination kicked in, and now today they have eliminated having to pay others. Fitting since it's their anniversary, and this is the best present they could possibly give one another.
When Kelsa set out on this debt free adventure over a year ago, she initially was excited to think they could be debt free in four years. Based on her calculations, that's how long she thought it would take. Obviously it didn't take nearly that long. This doesn't shock me one bit though, because I know Kelsa and I know nothing will ever stand in the way of her achieving her goals. Nothing can match her determination.
Congrats Kelsa. I could not be more proud of you and Michael.
For Kelsa's own take on her debt free adventure, read her post here. And if you do, send her your congrats. She's more than deserving of it.
September 30, 2009
September 29, 2009
Nerves, What Nerves?
Throughout my eight years of violin playing from the fifth through 12th grades, I sat in first chair for only one concert. Usually, my friend Erin was sitting untouchable in first chair. She had this natural, raw talent whereas I worked for every pitch perfect note I hit.
When Erin and I moved up to the high school we played in the ninth grade strings group together. We weren't good enough to be in the orchestra. Well I wasn't. Half way through our first year in high school, Erin got moved up to the orchestra while I remained back with strings. Erin's move also put me front and center in first chair. And for that one semester I sat in the top seat, the strings had one concert. And that one concert was the single worst concert performance I had during my eight-year playing career.
I was a train wreck. I remember being nervous and missing one note, and then missing the a few more, and then my fingers failed me on an entire phrase. And before I knew it the concert was over, and I'd played less than half the music, sitting frozen for the most part in the top seat. It was so bad that my mom upon seeing me right after the concert asked, "What happened?" What happened was that I was a ninth grader who couldn't cope with the slightest bit of pressure.
Leading up to the wedding on Saturday I replayed this one event several times over in my mind. My deepest fear was that the debilitating nerves I experienced that one day over a decade ago would show up unexpectedly on my friend's wedding day.
I learned on Saturday that thankfully I'm not that same timid ninth grader I once was. On the Thursday night wedding rehearsal, my run through of the songs went really well. Plus the venue was perfect. Instead of being on the floor jammed next to the pews, I stood on a loft overlooking the ceremony while my music floated down to everyone below. I had a minor flub during the ceremony and one of my songs could have been about 30 seconds longer, but other than that, it went really, really well. And I knew it would. As we went through the rehearsal Thursday this calming feeling washed over me. I realized I wanted to be a part of this beautiful day. But not just to be a part of it, I wanted to add to it. The only way I could was to play as best as I possibly could. So I let the beauty of the moment, the happiness of the couple and my months of preparation be the relaxant to my nerves. No pressure. Just happiness. And music.
Here's to no longer being an awkward ninth-grader.
When Erin and I moved up to the high school we played in the ninth grade strings group together. We weren't good enough to be in the orchestra. Well I wasn't. Half way through our first year in high school, Erin got moved up to the orchestra while I remained back with strings. Erin's move also put me front and center in first chair. And for that one semester I sat in the top seat, the strings had one concert. And that one concert was the single worst concert performance I had during my eight-year playing career.
I was a train wreck. I remember being nervous and missing one note, and then missing the a few more, and then my fingers failed me on an entire phrase. And before I knew it the concert was over, and I'd played less than half the music, sitting frozen for the most part in the top seat. It was so bad that my mom upon seeing me right after the concert asked, "What happened?" What happened was that I was a ninth grader who couldn't cope with the slightest bit of pressure.
Leading up to the wedding on Saturday I replayed this one event several times over in my mind. My deepest fear was that the debilitating nerves I experienced that one day over a decade ago would show up unexpectedly on my friend's wedding day.
I learned on Saturday that thankfully I'm not that same timid ninth grader I once was. On the Thursday night wedding rehearsal, my run through of the songs went really well. Plus the venue was perfect. Instead of being on the floor jammed next to the pews, I stood on a loft overlooking the ceremony while my music floated down to everyone below. I had a minor flub during the ceremony and one of my songs could have been about 30 seconds longer, but other than that, it went really, really well. And I knew it would. As we went through the rehearsal Thursday this calming feeling washed over me. I realized I wanted to be a part of this beautiful day. But not just to be a part of it, I wanted to add to it. The only way I could was to play as best as I possibly could. So I let the beauty of the moment, the happiness of the couple and my months of preparation be the relaxant to my nerves. No pressure. Just happiness. And music.
Here's to no longer being an awkward ninth-grader.
September 23, 2009
New Layout
As you can see, I've redesigned my blog. The main reason for my doing this was so I could post my photos much larger than I could on my previous blog layout. I tried it out, and it appears to work.
The picture is still not as large as it could be, but I'll figure that out later when I've got more time. I actually need to mess around with the code, and I don't do code. Especially not right now. Right now, I need to be packing.
UPDATE: Done. I cracked my HTML code. My photos are huge, absolutely huge. I love it.
The picture is still not as large as it could be, but I'll figure that out later when I've got more time. I actually need to mess around with the code, and I don't do code. Especially not right now. Right now, I need to be packing.
UPDATE: Done. I cracked my HTML code. My photos are huge, absolutely huge. I love it.
Cabbage
When my friend Jenny's wedding was over, I remember thinking that I was a bit relieved it was behind me. Do not get me wrong, it was a beautiful wedding, I had an amazing time, but I was the maid of honor. I had a lot of work to do that week between setting up, throwing a bachelorette party and not dropping the rings during the ceremony. I said to myself thank goodness for the next one all I have to do is show up and play the violin.
Well that next wedding is upon me and guess what? I HAVE TO SHOW UP AND PLAY THE VIOLIN OHMYGOD.
I am taking a very early Amtrak train out tomorrow morning so I can be there for the rehearsal at 6 p.m. tomorrow. I really need to be there for the rehearsal. I know how to play my five songs, but I need to see how long it takes people to walk down the aisle. I keep imagining the bride walking down the aisle to a two minute song in 30 seconds, and then the awkwardness that ensues when I play for a minute and a half while everybody just wants to get on with the damn marriage already. So yeah, I have some things that I need to work out.
I also need to work on my nerves. I never did any street corner playing like I hoped. It remains that I know these songs really well in my bedroom with all the doors and windows shut. Outside that immediate area, I'm just not sure. This wedding will certainly put me out of my element.
Fortunately, I know a few people who are performers. They offered me advice and I've taken their sage words to heart. They told me things such as people aren't there to hear me play, they're there to see the bride. Also, if I mess up most people won't even notice. And lastly, they're all cabbage. The last one is my favorite. I like thinking of people as cabbage. It's better than facing reality, which is that I am playing all by myself in a room with 100+ people on the most important day of two people's lives.
They are all cabbage.
Well that next wedding is upon me and guess what? I HAVE TO SHOW UP AND PLAY THE VIOLIN OHMYGOD.
I am taking a very early Amtrak train out tomorrow morning so I can be there for the rehearsal at 6 p.m. tomorrow. I really need to be there for the rehearsal. I know how to play my five songs, but I need to see how long it takes people to walk down the aisle. I keep imagining the bride walking down the aisle to a two minute song in 30 seconds, and then the awkwardness that ensues when I play for a minute and a half while everybody just wants to get on with the damn marriage already. So yeah, I have some things that I need to work out.
I also need to work on my nerves. I never did any street corner playing like I hoped. It remains that I know these songs really well in my bedroom with all the doors and windows shut. Outside that immediate area, I'm just not sure. This wedding will certainly put me out of my element.
Fortunately, I know a few people who are performers. They offered me advice and I've taken their sage words to heart. They told me things such as people aren't there to hear me play, they're there to see the bride. Also, if I mess up most people won't even notice. And lastly, they're all cabbage. The last one is my favorite. I like thinking of people as cabbage. It's better than facing reality, which is that I am playing all by myself in a room with 100+ people on the most important day of two people's lives.
They are all cabbage.
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