Piano versus Violin

Xuanie has constant exposure to the guitar because he goes to a music play-date sponsored by a neighborhood church, and he has a baby-guitar, that’s completely out of tune. We have an electrical piano at home, gift from a neighbor who was moving out when we first moved in. But, in terms of watching performances, it’s the violin that captivates him the most. He’s seen a lot of Vanessa Mae, and Midori too.

When I asked him which instrument he’d like to take up, he always say he wants to play the piano, and gestured with his hands and moving his fingers as if he’s on a keyboard.

Whatever the instrument, I just hope he’ll grow up appreciating music. It’s been said that those who learn music has a calmer spirit as it takes a quietened heart and discipline to pick up the skills for a musical instrument. That’s my wish for him too.

No Lang Lang for sure. Lang Lang was already playing like a pro at the age of three, no?

Of Poison and Bean Sprouts

Sometimes, I wonder what Xuanie thinks of his conversations with me. So many times, I totally misunderstood him, but carried on the conversations without realizing we were on two different tracks altogether. Two days ago, at a Korean eatery, we had one such dialogue. The cause: he has not yet grasped the ability to produced the dipthongs clearly yet. I didn’t realize the miscommunication until many hours later:

Subject of Conversation is a bowl of soup with bean-sprouts (“Dou Ya” in Mandarin)

X: Xuanie wants to eat “Du Ya” (sounds like “du yao” –  ”poison” in Mandarin).

Me: No, “du yao” cannot be eaten. Just drink the soup.

I kept telling him poison is not for eating, and half the time, I was fishing out the bean-sprouts and encouraging him to eat them.

X: Xuanie likes “du ya.”

Me: No, silly boy, you cannot eat “du yao.”