This is the Title of an Uncreative Violinist.:)

A serious update is needed!  After the Christmas Eve service I played last weekend, we headed to my in-laws for Christmas where we were greeted with loads of presents under the tree.  I really loved all my gifts: tons of giftcards, sheet music of Prokofiev Violin Concerto No. 2 from my MIL, and a brand new Tonareli violin case from my husband which took me by surprise.  That was probably my favorite gift, because it was also very unexpected.  I had wanted to order one several months ago, but my husband told he didn't think I "needed" one and to forget about it.  So I pouted and promptly forgot about it until I opened that big blue bag on Christmas morning. And today is my birthday--the last one I'll spend in my twenties:( But it's okay, because I'm ready for a new decade, plus I'm determined to make my 29th year a great and memorable one. For my birthday, my mom wanted to spend the day with me, so we first went to an Indian buffet for lunch.  After that...

Funny how life just gets in the way of your plans.  Ryan was planning on leaving for home tonight after work, but during the night, I heard him throwing up and it continued on all night.  Poor thing!  He didn't go to work and stayed in bed instead.  My dad arrived late in the afternoon and we had dinner at a vegan restaurant called Loving Hut that my brother wanted to try.  It was okay.  I'm really not into veganism.  I got the Thai Curry with the veggie protein, and while it didn't taste bad or anything, it had a really weird texture to it, and I just got tired of eating it after awhile.  It didn't satisfy me.  If I had to survive on a vegan diet, I'm sure I could--I just prefer not to:) After dinner, I did some random shopping at Target and picked up a few more stocking stuffers for the in laws.  I got a clutch for the SIL and red gel pens for my BIL since he's a high school math teacher and I figured he could always use red pens for...

Wheeeee!!! Three more days until Christmas!  And one more day of teaching before my 9 day break.  I have this Friday off, so I plan on doing some last minute Christmas shopping (everyone is almost take care of, just small stuff like stocking stuffers) and possibly spending time with my Dad if he decides to come up that day.  If not, I'll probably see him on Saturday and hang out with him then.  He wanted to hear me play in a string quartet I'm a part of for a Christmas Eve service that evening.  At first, I wasn't really sure about my dad driving back home after a midnight mass service, but we'll see how our plans pan out.  If I don't have enough energy to be on my way after the service, I'll just sleep at home for a few hours and then leave on Christmas morning. I know I've gained a few this month--I have to partially blame that on my students who have been giving me treats the past few weeks:  cookies, other baked goods, boxes of chocolate, bags of...

Ummm...so Christmas is next week??!!  What the heck!  Well, I've gotten almost all my shopping done.  I'm still at a little bit of a loss over my brother and sister-in-law, but I think I've settled (disappointingly) upon creating a smorgasbord gift basket for the two of them, with an assortment of girlie type stuff for her, and manly stuff for him--and perhaps a gift card for a restaurant so the two of them can get out once in awhile away from the kids.  I hate to say it, but being around those two does NOT make parenthood look appealing;  fortunately, I'm aware that having kids doesn't really translate into your life completely ending--I've seen other couples lives remain intact, so there's proof that it's a personal choice.:P I also made a big purchase for the hubby who has been asking and asking for a Northface Triclimate coat.  I want to get him some other stuff, too, but I'm not sure what.  Maybe cookies because he's been stealing the ones...

It's been a long week.  With the arrival of December come the expected holiday gigs for most musicians and I've been busy with them ever since the beginning of the month.  Lots of rehearsals (some necessary, some not), driving all over the place, doing more laundry to clean all my black concert attire (okay, and maybe caving and buying MORE black attire. I just can't help myself) and meeting new musicians as I go along.  I keep seeing the same people at all my gigs, which is nice because I have a chance to actually talk to them and get to know them.  Unfortunately, one of the gigs I've accepted is for a midnight mass service on Christmas Eve.  It's going to last until 1:30am.  It will be hard playing knowing that my husband and dogs will already be with his family by that time.  I will join him early Christmas morning, though, so there is no real reason to complain.  I also have that whole week off which I'm looking forward to. This past weeke...