The first thing that came into my mind was music. I started playing the clarinet in 4th grade. This is where I learned to read music. I played clarinet through 7th grade. In 8th grade, I switched to the oboe. I only played oboe a little in 10th grade, including a trip to Colorado Springs, Colorado with band and orchestra, which was a blast!
After I learned to read music, I started picking notes out on the piano. My brother, Dirk, showed me the basics of the keyboard and got me started with a couple of old books my parents had. Then my mom taught me to read bass clef. I basically learned on my own from then on. By 8th or 9th grade, I could play the piano pretty well for never having lessons. I could read music and figure stuff out, but I wanted to get better. I finally started piano lessons. Unfortunately, I only took them for just over a year before I got too caught up in friends and school, and stopped lessons. I did learn some theory during that time, which was good.
I still love to play the piano, though the clarinet and oboe have only been pulled out a couple of times since I finished school. I recently was called to play the piano in Relief Society. I've enjoyed that, but it will be nice when I'm a little better at the hymns. I definitely need to practice each week. A few years ago, I played for the primary. That was my favorite calling ever.
A few weeks ago, I was asked to be one of the pianists for the ward choir. Now, that is challenging me! I got the music the day before my first practice. I'm not the best sight reader in the world, and it's hard for me to keep up when I don't know the music. I'd feel more comfortable with a few weeks to practice a piece before needing to play it for people. The choir doesn't stop when I make a mistake, obviously, so I can't either. I'm finally getting good enough at the songs that I can keep up for the most part. Another problem was that I didn't really practice playing the parts separately - I mostly practiced the accompaniment. And I didn't know my scales well enough to play for warming up. I've been practicing a ton - a few hours each week - and I'm getting better. The next songs I get, I will practice the parts alone first. Every time I make a mistake, especially when people are listening for their parts, I feel bad, and wish I were a better pianist. Luckily, I think I will get the hang of it as I play longer, and it will be easier.
As for differences, I play for different purposes now. I don't play much at all unless I have a reason - like church, a funeral (I played for John's grandpa's funeral a few years ago), or choir. A couple of years ago, I learned a Christmas song and played it for a few people, just to get myself to play something. When I was younger, I played the piano a little about every day. Now, I have to squeeze the practicing in between caring for 2 little kids. Most of my practice time is when they are in bed - luckily I have a practice pad that mutes it so it doesn't wake them up. I'm grateful I learned to play the piano when I was young enough to have the time and patience to learn.
Another thing I loved as a child, and still do, is reading. I loved curling up in bed with a good book. I used to always lay in bed in the morning and read before doing anything else. With small kids, I haven't been able to do that much at all, but I still always have a book in progress, and usually sneak in at least a few pages before falling asleep at night. I used to read almost all day when I wasn't in school and had a book I was really into. Just last weekend, I started a book that I really wanted to do that with, but had other responsibilities. It's like that with Harry Potter, and other favorites. In first grade, I remember taking Green Eggs and Ham to school and "reading" it to my class. My teacher was impressed with how well I read it, but I really did it mostly from memory. I remember reading The Secret Garden in 5th grade as an assignment. It's one of the first books I was assigned to read outside of school. I was the only one in my class who actually finished it, and it is still a favorite, on my shelf right now. Reading has always been relaxing for me.
The last thing I'll write about now is crafts, especially crocheting. My mom taught me how to crochet when I was 10 or so. This is something else I'm glad I learned when I was young. I don't think I would have learned it as an adult. I remember making a hot pad and getting frustrated with how uneven my stitches were, and skipping stitches all the time. I would look at my mom's work and wonder why mine didn't look like hers. I think children have more perserverance than adults, for many things. I kept trying, and it's a skill I'm grateful for. I don't make nearly as many things as I used to. I did crochet a shawl for Abby last month, and I'm currently working on some booties for a neighbor. Recently, my craft time has mostly been spent elsewhere. I like scrapbooking, card making, and I've done a little cross stitching. I made a Christmas stocking for Abby that I finished last year. My goal is to make Landon's by next Christmas, and start on John's and mine. One Christmas, I made a Barbie dress for John's mom. I enjoy crafts, especially looking at a project when it's all done and knowing that I made it, whatever it is.
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