I’m not a coffee addict, but I learned some important insights about earning your worth, from a coffee shop. Namely, how much to charge for a bit of service. My design teams met at one coffee shop (let’s call this Coffee Shop #1), so it’s my go-to. The baked goods are familiar and I think no one will make fun of my coffee ignorance. They…read more
Last summer, my sister had a vision of joining a hip hop dance crew and competing around the world. We visited hip hop dance studios around town, eventually coming to a street dance studio. A sign behind the glass proclaimed a 30-minute wait, beyond that, worn carpeted stairs. To give a little context, street dance is ultra-free, making up moves on the spot (in Step Up, the hip hop…read more
Ah, the Olympics! I follow figure skating because I love the beauty of the skaters’ physical and psychological journey. Skaters are learning even as they step on the Olympic ice; we never know if they’ll nail the jumps, but we’re coming along for the journey. Plus, who doesn’t like a mash of music, passion, and risk of death-slash-broken-bones? Here’s some of the best ice skating…read more
I’m writing this first thing after breakfast with strands of my hair still painted in purple Greek yogurt: We act based on what we see in ourselves. Maybe you’re nervous about performing piano or teaching your talent to others. Ann Makosinski told me she used to speak quickly because “people didn’t care” what she had to say– this girl invented the body-heat powered flashlight. People loved…read more
I met a blogger for coffee and discovered my bubble! The bubble is where you’re so different that no one can give good advice. Like being the solo pianist amongst the orchestra’s strings. When I get an email from Satya Khan, I’m reminded that her breath-taking moments are in a bubble as well. Except, her bubble has a clear system. I’m in a blog bubble, but…read more
Imagine you’re going on a road trip. It starts strong in the garage and you have goosebumps of anticipation. But when you’re driving along, the road is blocked with construction. Most people would find a way around the road block. This can be applied to getting stuck in life– half the time, we act like we’ve fallen off a cliff, when we just need a…read more
We all take breaks, sometimes for weeks or months. People give up practicing music because “it takes too much time”. But really, it’s just a choice to practice smarter. Wouldn’t it be fun to show off your playing, anytime? Here’s how to play your favourite pieces– without sounding like a train wreck– after your break.
We had a slight teensy little bit of snow. The weather is always a topic of interest in Vancouver. It’s socially acceptable to discuss the weather with close friends. Here are modern piano solos that I’m infatuated with right now. These piano solos remind me of interesting weather. Cooler weather, to be exact. Perfect for some piano music in a warm place. The videos are shown below…read more
Recently, I came close to having my face ripped off. Through it all, I learned how to be professional. Maybe you don’t have to get your face pounded either; I can share mine with you. In September, Tony knew that I was forming a design team when he snatched my fallen papers from the ground. Oh, thanks. When he asked to join my team, I…read more
“What do you write about?” I smile and scour my brain before I open my mouth, because I don’t have a good answer ready. Like most, I dislike the term networking, and I refuse to attend any party that’s a ‘networking event.’ But I’ve found good buddies at events in town. Here are my top tips for surviving at events (and getting the most out of them).