Life isn't measured in minutes, it's measured in moments

If only the smell could be transmitted through the screen... you could also smell that intense orange scent that has now completely filled our home. I have to slalom between the boxes of oranges, tangerines, grapefruits and lemons in my kitchen now, but I am not complaining! 😁 Yes, today we had another orange-picking activity, and I even had the temptation to make another guessing game post like the last time when we picked oranges from my student's orchard. The result would be very similar to the last one so it wouldn't make sense to transform this post into a guessing game. And also, I would feel like I was repeating myself, as if I didn't have other things to share with you.

Far from it.

There are too many accumulated things that are here, waiting in the draft, and in my mind, but I think my main issue is that I don't know where to start. 😂 Plus, I don't really like to overshare my life lately, so many times I choose to keep quiet. But let me try to tell you at least a few words about how my February went by and about the beginning of this month, March. If you are eager to hear, you will stay for a moment and read the post. If not, it is fine as well.

Yesterday (Saturday) was my first day off in a while. Like a completely free day. Usually, I would have a rehearsal with little violinists or a concert with my students (as last Saturday), maybe a lesson, or I would practice for several hours to prepare the new pieces for some of the upcoming events. However, yesterday I did nothing, literally nothing.

_{Oh, well, now I remember that I recorded a video with instructions for my students on how to study the exercises we learned last week. Pffffff, I thought that I really did nothing work-related, but you see, I was wrong. 😂}

In the afternoon, we took a longer walk with my husband. The cold made us search for a café where we could have a hot cup of tea or coffee. We entered a very cosy one that we already wanted to visit a few times, but it was always fully packed. The atmosphere looked inviting, and through the window, one empty table was waiting for us. Ok, it was our place. Until... until we found out that they were not preparing tea at that time of the day (around 7 p.m.), just served beer or other cold drinks hahaha. Oh dear, I wanted a warm beverage. 🍵

Several hundred steps later, which seemed just a moment in that walk, we stumbled upon Momento. That one was also on our bucket list to visit. Happy to find a free spot (it was so busy with young people socialising and having some cocktails), I looked at the menu and chose a smoothie. Yeah, I know, just some minutes ago I wanted a cup of tea, and in the end I picked a frozen smoothie of banana and forest fruits. I almost picked a combo with another berry; however, I liked the colour of the straw for the forest fruits combination, which helped me with the choice.

You can think now that it was silly from my side and just hope that in more serious matters I make decisions based on sensible information and needs. 😂

And I do.

Let's take for example my new job. I mean the new new one, as I already have a new work since the end of September/beginning of October. Those who remember that we moved to another city will also remember that last year I still used to drive to our old place to give lessons at the music school where I worked. After several months of postponing the decision to quit there, I finally did it in June, without a backup plan. And then, as a miracle, I got that call from a local music school: "We need a piano teacher... are you available on Thursdays and Fridays?

Of course I was. 😍

The pieces of the puzzle were fitting together perfectly. I can't even say how much I enjoy this new place and the way we work, the way I feel appreciated, respected... and then... in February, another call from another local school: "We need a piano teacher as a substitute..."

Without the fear of losing anything, but with the gratitude for the new opportunity to meet more people from the same profession (musicians), I started to negotiate with the coordinator. Mostly schedules and days I am available. And guess what!? Things worked out and we managed to get everything in order quicker than expected. So here I am with Miss Samick, on the mission to transmit the passion of playing the piano to my new students. More than half of them are adults, which is cool. Though I don't plan to stay for more than a few months in this school, one student already told me: we won't let you leave. 😂

Are you still here? Ok, I may speed up this post a bit, I dind't realize I would talk write so much. You see, Miss Samick is not the only piano I am collaborating with. The next one is an old friend already; it lives in a big rustic, castle-like villa in the middle of the mountains. In November of 2024, I already played here at a private party for the owner and her friends. It was a girlie evening, a special night accompanied by piano, which they loved.

Being a remarkable evening, that lady called me in January to play for her friends again (she calls them sisters). With pleasure, of course. This time I had experience with what to wear - I mean, how many layers, as the first time I played here, it was very cold. It was at the beginning of February, so I calculated that with an extra black shirt under the official, nice black shirt and with a suit jacket, I would be fine. And it indeed was more than enough.

For the next activity, which happened just two days after the girls' evening, I was more comfortable with a sleeveless shirt. We were recording some footage with the mandolinist - this time without her neighbour. 😁

We had to make a couple of recordings to pick the best one for... hmmm, I think it is better at the moment just to leave it to some future occasion to talk about this project and also how it develops, etc,.. _{I am not sure if anyone is still here to read this much of my stuff, and there is more to share. 😅}

Another day I was grateful for in February was the inauguration afternoon/evening of a new dental aesthetics clinic. I agreed with the owner about the date and repertoire some weeks before the event. I knew it would be a cool place, however I couldn't imagine it would be that nice. This first photo is still at the beginning, before all the people arrived. The organisation was great, with a famous local catering service that served the food and drinks, and event planners who were responsible for decoration. I was responsible for the music 😁, and later a violinist also joined me (she was a surprise for the owner).

In addition to guests, friends and family members of the clinic owner, the inauguration was also attended by the facility's architect, interior designer, the artist who created the large mural on the wall (handmade), another artist who created the painting on the first floor for the waiting room, the entire team of dentists and doctors...

The painting is made with a technique of wrinkled paper, to highlight the importance of the natural appearance and process we go through, that we can find beauty in our ageing skin and wrinkles as well. The woman we see in the painting is Daphne, and her metamorphosis into a laurel tree. The owner explained to me about the message of the painting in detail and took me on a tour through the rooms and all the equipment. I was amazed by everything, and although a week has passed since this event, I am still hyped about it. 😁

So, it seems I was able to keep this life update short, right? 😆 I didn't want to take much of your time, of your minutes, so thank you if you made it until here... I could keep it even shorter and just say...

Life isn't measured in minutes, it's measured in moments. 😊