Back to my Roots

Once upon a time, there was this young girl who had all the time in the world to do fun things she loved like hobbies, playing tennis, playing a musical instrument, writing poetry. So young, so full of life, this child had the world at her fingertips and was taking advantage of every opportunity that came to her. Possibilities were endless. Then one day, the young girl decided she wanted to pursue her dream of becoming an attorney. She followed her passion all the way to law school in Dayton, Ohio, and for three years she studied day and night to achieve her goal. Suddenly, she had no time for the activities she once loved, and soon her main hobby became studying and only studying. She graduated successfully from law school and went on to become a busy family law attorney and later an even busier child protective services attorney. Her studying hobby quickly became her job, and she relentlessly worked day in and day out. Until one day, when she met her soul mate, a guy named T, who showed her that life could be more than just work. He tried to convince her for over two years that she should make time for herself and for the things that she loves. Eventually, her stubbornness gave way, and she began to get back to the things that made her happy. Sure, she worked hard, but she also made time to play. She began to cook, to write for fun, and she turned back to her love of music. And all was good in the world. And they all lived happily ever after.

OK, so maybe that's a tad cheesy, but you get the point. Thanks to T, I've been getting back to my roots lately. One of these "roots" is to get back to writing for fun. I used to write short stories and poetry back in high school and college, but that kind of fell by the wayside as I began to focus on my career and getting through school and passing the bar exam. Then, as a new associate, your life is pretty much all work and no play as you work 10 plus hours a day. However, as I've gotten a little more comfortable as an attorney, I'm making more time for myself and things that I enjoy. T was a big reason I started this blog and am in the beginning stages of writing my first fiction book (very very beginning stages), and he's also gotten me back into playing music.

See, back in junior high and high school, I played the viola for a little over 7 years. Prior to that I played the violin in my elementary school in Alabama, but when we moved in the middle of my 4th grade year, I had to stop. The viola, for those of you who are not familiar, is very similar to the violin. However, it's normally a little larger, and the viola has a deeper sound with lower strings. The viola normally plays the harmony party in the orchestra, as well. I wasn't too shabby with my playing. I competed in solo contests and ensembles and won medals and ribbons (god knows where those are now), and when I got to my sophomore year of high school, I made it to the Advanced Ensemble, which was the chamber orchestra at my high school. I got to do a lot of things I wouldn't have ever gotten to do without orchestra, such as performing twice at Disney World and once in Chicago. It was a wonderful experience.

Now, because I was a little smaller than the average person at my huge height of 5'1", I couldn't play a normal size viola. They had to string the smaller sizes of the violin with viola strings, which is a bit unusual. Heck, when I was in elementary school, I played a teeny tiny violin, coming in at a 1/4 size. For most of high school, I played a 3/4 size violin with viola strings. When I made it to my senior year in high school, I finally got to the full size violin (not viola, mind you), so that in and of itself was an achievement.

So tonight, for the first time in 11 years, I will be taking viola lessons. T takes guitar lessons at this store in town, and while back he saw an ad for a new viola instructor. He brought it to my attention, and as is my normal style, I hemmed and hawed about it...money was tight, I didn't want to pay for the lessons and fix my viola. However, he paid to fix my viola so I didn't have that excuse, so finally, after a couple months, I bit the bullet and signed up. Tonight is my first lesson, and dude, I'm nervous. I haven't picked this thing up in 11 years! That's a really long time! I'm excited to get back to it, but man, is it a challenge.

So wish me luck! I'll have to let you know how it goes. This is one of the countless reasons why I love T. He wants me to be me, the me who I was before a lot of life's crap happened to me, before I was too busy to have much fun He wants me to be happy and to pursue my passion, and for that, I am forever grateful.

I searched high and wide for a picture of me playing in high school last night with no success. (Sorry!). But I know some of you like pictures, so here is a picture of 9 year old me in elementary school preparing to play my violin at a recital. (Aren't I adorable? Ha)

Have a good Monday everyone!