"Buy" One Get the Other Free

My younger brother and I went out to Kuala Lumpur yesterday. We had many things to do in the city but we had never driven in there by ourselves. It is very difficult to navigate this city. We found out that road signs were not to be trusted and polite drivers are a rarity.

We checked out KL Wesley where the recital will be and the acoustics will be great for us. We also went and visited the pastor. We needled our way through Petaling Street and found roasted chestnuts for about $2 a pound. That was quite a treat!

We headed to the airport to pick up Dr. Coats. We missed the correct junction to the airport and ended up looping around the suburbs. Thankfully we didn't miss her and the wait was nice. When she came out, I saw that she had someone else with her. Dr. Paul Stewart, MTNA President was at the baggage claim area at the same time. So we had another person unexpectedly.

We managed to get Dr. Coats to Crown Plaza Hotel before traffic got crazy. Dr. Stewart wanted to try the KL Monorail and we ended up having to use the monorail to get to his hotel, the Dynasty. I was supposed to pick out my piano that afternoon but we wanted to get him settled into the hotel. Little did we know that the piano shop is about 5 blocks from his hotel. We didn't waste too much time and managed to get everything done.

Before dinner, Justin and I helped them settle all the technology questions. Almost like another orientation session. Dinner was an outdoor steamboat/grill buffet at a restaurant called Talipon (Telephone). James and Jasmine took us there. I liked what we got to try: lamb, steak, sting ray, mussels, fish, cuttlefish, different tofu, and the lot. Made dinner a hands-on, communal affair. Hopefully we didn't drag Dr. Coats and Dr. Stewart around too much, but making them stay up a little would have helped the jetlag.

(Here's a picture of the restaurant, taken by one of my classmates Yee Tong, whom I ran into there. Arthur was also there.. what a surprise!)

We sent Dr. Coats off with tissue paper and Dr. Stewart with drinking water. ;) It was lots of fun having Dr. Stewart as our freebie! Somehow I forgot my business cards today. We navigated around a traffic jam and got home at 2 am. More later..

The Countdown Begins

Here we go, it's about 6 days to the first recital. My home is so noisy that I have resorted to practicing at my physician's home. They are in the UK so I can feel free to use their piano.

I have selected my weapon for the Kuala Lumpur recital. It's easy to get imitation everything in Malaysia (imitation Guess, Prada, Gucci, Dunhill.. you name it). The grand piano I'll perform on is a Steinway copy made by Young Chang, under license from some German company. Rather funny! I am playing on an imitation Steinway.

It's been crazy trying to get the logistics of the hall and pianos. Also most of the pianos need some work before they would be up to performing standards. My piano technician has been showing me the different actions of the pianos. I have examined pins and felts, and every nook and cranny of a piano. Pretty interesting and amazing! What a contraption!

Ticket sales and publicity is going on full swing. I am not quite ready for all the attention but I guess it's coming. There may be a mini press conference sometime but I don't know when. Just want to be presentable, this shorter hairstyle needs work :)

Malaysia Recital Preparations

I have 6 more days before I leave for Malaysia. I have all the gifts and stuff for people packed and ready. Now I have to get my junk together. I have not really done recitals in Malaysia before and I dunno where to start with my packing. I'm not a procrastinator when it comes to that but this year I can't start.

Last I heard the production company was going to dress us, do the makeup and hair and such. Hmmm.. so long as they do not dye my hair, not permanent anyway... :) and I choose my own shoes! I know that a professional film crew will be there at the recital in KL. I can't decide on which formals to bring home. Well, I'm thankful I have plenty to choose from.

Can't decide whether to take original copies of my music home or not. Dunno how I'm going to carry all that plus my laptop for carry on baggage. I would not send them to cargo in case they get lost. I also really want to drag my orthopedic seat cushion back with me.

As far as Malaysia goes, the CDs are in production and the first run is 5000 copies. They are selling for RM 50 each and concert tickets are $50 each too. We are prepared to autograph CDs after each concert, and I have a stack of business cards. I am not sure what piano I'll be playing on in Kuala Lumpur, but I'll have to deal with a Petrof for Ipoh and Teluk Intan. Don't remember that piano very well. My piano tuner back home will take care of the piano and my brother is handling the logistics of the moving.

Will have to continue my thoughts in another blog. It's late and I should not be blogging when I'm in the nice practice room at UA. :) Goodnight T-town!

Survived Camp Allegro

I survived Camp Allegro for the third time. I think now that I've finally figured some things out, I don't think I'll be teaching there anytime soon. This year's activities included: scavenger hunts, treasure hunts, visiting other barns, step-tag, musical versions of red light green light and Simon says. Liked that this year, the staff & volunteers were introduced at the beginning of the camp. I sure did not hear "who's my teacher?" as much.

Of my own camp experiences, I did come to realize at this camp that we don't have a camp theme song. I remembered to put in the suggestion before I left. I feel that since Camp Allegro has been in existence for the past 4 years, it's time to start a tradition that would unify the experience for all campers and staff. I will see what they come up with.

Summer Whirlwind

This summer is going to be quite a whirlwind. Finally, I can eat, live, breath piano which I have sorely missed. There have been some setbacks with an accidental cut, tetanus shot and then inflamming a nerve because I didn't wait to fully recover from the shot.

I am going to try to record some pieces tomorrow on the piano even though my hand is not quite fully recovered. I have been in a wrist brace for the past 3 days and it has helped immensely. Will keep my fingers crossed :) although I am not a recording artist.

If all things are in place, I should be back in Kansas for a much deserved break. I look forward to teaching piano again and I miss that so much. It is good to find out that it is so much a part of me.

Coming back to Alabama end of June to maybe a few recitals here. Then I'll cross the Pacific and go home to Malaysia to perform there. This will be my first formal recital in Malaysia and I am excited. I can see that there are many of my high school friends are sitting in the planning committee. It is certainly time for resolution and reconciliation.