Audition and other sounds

Suzuki

I have to audition to be accepted in the program to start teaching Suzuki books 1 through 4. You don't need to audition to the intro class I'm getting next week, only for the ones after that.
Just looked up a couple videos online and I remember that the second piece I was able to play fairly well... 15 years ago! I still remember, it was right around the time I moved from being a 2nd violin at the orchestra to a 1st violin. That was a big deal for me.

Sad how I don't even have my music sheets here as most of my books stayed behind in Brazil when I left 10 years ago... I ordered it online with a CD as I won't have anyone available to play the piano part. This is what I have to study:

Seitz Concerto No. 5, I and Vivaldi Concerto in A minor, III


I'm not sure I'll be accepted right away, I'm so rusted...but I'll tell you this, if it does not work for June 2011, maybe for December or next June. It will work one day.

Yes, I'm already planning for the next classes after the one in Boston. I'm having trouble finding any classes that are driving distance (less than 6 hours) or not on Sabbath. Looks like there is one late June, in the Great DC/VA area. If they accept my audition, that is.

I'm still thinking if I want to do piano too... we'll see.

ASL

I'm excited and looking forward to the phone conference on Wednesday. I think I'll review the BABY Signing Time DVDs with Sara this week. She enjoys them so much anyway.

HAM Operator-to-be

There are three levels of certification to be a HAM operator. Technician, General and Extra. You need one in order to move to the next one. I found a site online and studied about 7% of the entire program that covers all three categories today. Hopefully I'll be able to get all three of them done on March 8 or 15. There are two HAM clubs nearby (30 minutes away in both directions) and they both offer testing for licensing. You normally start with one level, and you are able to operate on most frequencies... then progress to the next ones, but you can test in all three levels if you wish to do so. After looking at the material, I think I will. All the electronics/simple mechanics I had for Audiology were a good base for this - I think. Although I realize being certified won't give me full knowledge of HAM, at least I'll get that over with that part and then get a cool short Call sign.

But WhY? Why do I want to be a HAM operator? Here it is in one sentence: My dad was one. The last time we talked, I was in NYC and he was in Brazil, he called me through his HAM radio. HAM was his lifestyle, he lived and breathed propagation, electronics. He was an electronic engineer and even won several international contests. I wish he was hear to teach me all that he knew, but I feel that by learning about HAM I'm learning more about him and it will be fun to hear the off-station sounds at night. When I was little, I fell asleep numerous nights to the sound of his radio. I can still hear it: CQ, CQ, CQ, this is Papa Yanke, two, Papa Delta. PY2PD.