Christmas month 2025

My lovely sister came up to visit me at the end of November and stayed for two nights. We played four-handed piano, played the board game Saboteur 2 with my kids, went to see the movie Eternity on Dec.1, and she even cooked a healthy dinner. In the middle of the month, she came north again to accompany me and help us clean the mattress. My kids had a great time playing 1A2B and Chinese checkers with her.

My mom came to our place the day before Christmas Eve and returned home after having lunch with us on Christmas Day. Felix played basketball and had lunch with his junior high school classmates on Christmas Day.

I met my junior high school classmate twice this month. She invited me to her place for lunch on the 26th and specially made chicken soup for me. That day, Felix sprained his left ankle while playing basketball at school, so we bought a pair of adjustable crutches for NT$550.

My brother arrived the day before his birthday. The next day, he and I had lunch at LE BLE D'OR and received a complimentary 6-inch cake. We celebrated his birthday together at night.

birthday month 2025 Xpark

My brother arrived the weekend before my birthday and stayed for 9 days. On my birthday, he treated me to lunch and accompanied me shopping. My children and he always have so much to talk about! We visited Xpark together before he went home.

My sister came up to visit me at the end of the month and stayed for two nights. We played four-handed piano, played the board game Saboteur 2 with my kids, went to see the movie Eternity on Dec.1, and she even cooked a healthy dinner.

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.