Christmas month 2023 金鶯露營 柯文哲

We did our 16th camping trip with my junior high classmate and her friends at 金鶯露營園地, Hsinchu on the second weekend of December.

I started to take Diovan again on Dec.21. The doctor prescribed one tablet (80mg) a day. I try to watch YouTube videos to do 10 min cardio every day.

My children and I spent the New Year holiday with my brother and mom in Taichung, my hometown.

birthday month 2023

Regis competed in his first speech contest last month and won 2nd place in 7th grade in the school! I was so surprised!

My mom brought us three eggs from her pet hen in the middle of the month and stayed for three days. After my father's cataract surgery on his left eye in Kaohsiung on Nov.27, my mom will have surgery for macular degeneration on Dec.7. Thanks to my sister and brother-in-law for taking care of them.

My sons participated in a piano competition at the end of the month, and my parents came to enjoy their performances.

Regis's piano learning journey

Regis has been playing the piano since 2015.

Regis's worked hard. On the way to the hall he told us he's nervous. He had a blackout in the last section. Luckily, the bell rang. What a great surprise to know he got 1st prize! The marks were divided into two opposing extremes. Three of the judges liked his performance.

After 3 week practice for the school talent show...

When we waited and watched others' playing in the music hall, Regis told me “Can I sit on your legs?” I know he's nervous. I’ve tried to tell my sons “Enjoy your performance. When you’re on stage, you share the music you’ve been working on with the audience.” I’m proud they made it!

8 year old Regis had prepared for New Taipei City Student Competition of Music since spring 2019. He practiced 4 pieces. The three compulsory pieces were Bach Invention BWV 785, Invention BWV 786 and Villa-Lobos Suíte infantil No.2 Allegro. His own choice piece was Kabalevsky Sonatina Op.13 No.1 Allegro. He's the youngest. I'm satisfied that he won 14^th place among 31 contestants!

Regis cried in the washroom after leaving the stage because he didn't memorize the score again when playing on stage. It wasn't unexpected. I know he wasn't prepared yet. He just started playing this piece without the music score two days before Asia Pacific Music Competition. Well, of course I felt a bit disappointed about his stage performance; on the other hand, it's a good experience and an opportunity for learning.

We worked on the speed. After one month, he did better at New Taipei City Student Competition of Music, which he'd prepared for since spring 2021. The three compulsory pieces are F. Couperin Le Tic Toc Choc Ou Les Maillotins, Schubert Moments musicaux Op.94 No.3 and Bartók Mikrokosmos No.141 Six Dances in Bulgarian Rhythm VI. His own choice piece is Chabrier Scherzo-Valse.

Regis' finger was accidentally injured by a classmate a month before the competition and he could only practice with one hand for a few days. Fortunately, it didn't affect him too much.