Summer and My Next Recital Update
Soooooooooooooooooo. How you’ve been?
Honestly, I do feel a bit bad for writing this blog two months after my last blog. I wasn’t busy or anything….but I think I was productive and I’ve been doing pretty well.
After the recital, I took a month-long break, but then I decided to try some new things I’ve wanted to do. I’ve been working out consistently and taking swimming lessons with fitness goals in mind. I took an Investing 101 class and a budgeting webinar so that I could plan my expenses better, treat myself sometimes, and at least, my future self will thank me. I also recently picked up the piano and some music production, even though I knew it was going to be a huge learning curve. And I finished reading a book on the new Kindle I bought on Prime Day. Did I mention I like to have too many hobbies? On top of all that, I had great audition submissions for acting, too. As I’m typing this, I’m beginning to realize how much I did this summer, but honestly, all of it was at my own pace.
Which brings me to my big announcement, I am preparing for my next recital! It’s also going at my own pace, too…which can also mean slow, hahaha.
However, I’ve learned my lesson to take it easy this time. My goal was to have my recital this upcoming winter, but I haven’t set a date yet. I’m still debating between December and January. Who knows? Maybe it will be delayed until next year, and considering how time flies, it would be in spring. I think what backfired last time was that I set up the date too soon. While it was a good thing to set a deadline goal, I think it made me feel too overwhelmed and pressured as the time got closer to the date. So, no set date yet!
Another thing that is different this time is that I don’t know what to sing for my recital yet. I haven’t created a list of songs, however, I do know that I want to try to sing in four languages, instead of three. I remember I planned all the songs while I was waiting in line in my car to get COVID testing when the whole Omicron variant happened back last year. It got me determined to pursue my recital, too. Even though I was opened to change songs, I stayed with the list I had.
There were a few Italian and musical theatre songs that I wanted to sing for my next recital, and I started researching classical German songs. I wanted to get ahead and make my arrangement of songs, but I realized that that is probably not the best idea. Last time, I had to take a few songs off the list since I couldn’t learn them in time. I mean it was okay and I was relieved, but I did feel a bit disappointed. So, I thought, why do it right away when I have time? Also, I want to take the steps to learn the song instead of rushing myself to sing it like how I usually do. My vocal teacher and I discussed it, and she recommended that I should focus on three songs at a time. And when I complete a song, that’s when I can add a new one. That way I don’t feel too overwhelmed and I can take the steps of learning each song, especially since I’m trying to improve my reading of the music sheet. Plus, it gives me more opportunities to find new music to sing.
However, I am worried that I am not as disciplined as I used to be. I’m not going to lie, I’ve been procrastinating lately. I don’t know if I am feeling burnout with my personal life, with my job, or if I am adding too many things to do every week. I also procrastinated on this blog, but I am feeling a spark while writing this…I read in a book that the way you become motivated is by just starting. I’ll figure it out though. Let me know how you get inspired to work on something.
Also, let me know what books you recommend - like I mentioned, I’ve been reading on the Kindle lately. I don’t have a genre in particular, but I would love to read a book that makes you think.
It’s summer, and it is hot as f*ck outside…so stay cool. 😎 Until then, thanks for reading!