Another trip

I left my dog & cat again this Saturday under my brother's care this Saturday. I hate it when they give me the looks, which say "You are abandoning us again" Anyway, left around 1 pm to pickup our cellist. Left her place around 2pm heading toward CT. What was supposed to be a 5 hours drive from her place turned up to be a 6 hours one because of the mysterious construction. I never understand why constructions on highway are year round projects, and I never seen anything being done whenever I pass them. Anyway, the hotel we stayed in was call Dolce Inn. The room appeared to be really nice, however, the bed is so uncomfortable that I really did not get the rest I needed to recover from a long drive and gain enough to perform a big concert. We managed. The concert was luckily at 3pm on Sunday, so at least we did not have spend the whole day wondering around after checking out of the hotel at 12pm. That is another thing I never would understand, if the hotel check out time is prior to 12pm, then, what are traveler supposed to do if they need to be in town working for the rest of the day? Most of people don't go to a place to just stay for the night, they are there for a purpose which would probably take the whole next day. It really does not make sense for one has to check out by noon, and carry everything around with them, and try to get to another hotel for the night's sleep, and do the same thing all over again.

Anyway, the concert went pretty well. The audience loved the program, which we were happy with. This is a very well educated audience. It always really nice to play for an audience which really enjoy, and understand what we really are trying to express through music. Not the usual ... oh you fingers move so fast, that was a great Tune, I like the way you look on stage, I don't like the way you look on stage, you should try to match your dresses, love your program why didn't you play Mendelssohn Piano Trio since you call yourself Mendelssohn Piano Trio, or what instruments were you playing on? love the sound as if the instruments could speak by themselves. Anyway, one audience member used to play viola, Betty Williams was her name. She told me lots of interesting stories of the great artists whom she encountered or work with during her younger time. So many real personalities came a live by her narrative for me. I was so happy, I felt like I am a little girl again listening to stories I love from a great grandma.

The drive from CT to Grantham PA was long and tiring especially after that big program. Luckily we found OutBack Steak House to recuperate some of our energy to go on with the rest of our long journey. We arrived Grantham at about 1 am.

The idea of teaching 2 full days at school immediately after the trip was painful and almost unrealistic. Both Peter & me had been constantly encouraging each other to go on as the day went by. I wondered if this is about 3 years ago, would I feel as tired and burnt out as I do now? Just another hour, we can rest in the hotel... Tomorrow, yet another day of teaching...

I am so looking forward to open the door of my home tomorrow night, and greet my dear Totoro & Tiger as they awaiting at the door... One more day, I will be home!