The Area of My Expertise

     The piano is an amazing instrument with black and white keys!  On the piano, each black and white key is crafted so uniquely with each one having its own sense and style.   The black and white keys are slippery, delicate, and smooth and are remarkably firm to the touch.  Most people don’t really think about how a piano is constructed, but there are numerous sorts of plans to design this special instrument.  Many piano makers spend hours and days putting all the parts of the piano together to make this wonderful instrument that many people still play today. 

     In addition, each black and white key has its own unique sound and quality.  In order to get the right sound, that you may want, you need to have or come up with a simple, yet melodic tune and a steady tempo.  When you play a sort of melodious piece, you may notice that your hands start to “float” from key to key.  Any sort of key, whether it is black or white, can help your hands float because they each have their own personality. 

     Furthermore, black and white keys are an essential part of the piano.  The black and white keys allow the piano to make any sort of acoustic sound that you may have created.  Many times, well known pianists will sit down at the piano in a concert or at home, and may notice that a note is not in tune and this will drive them crazy.   The piano cannot be made without the special construction of these wonderful black and white keys.  Even though, each part of the piano has its own job to do, the keys are an absolute essential to the piano.

     Also, there are different brands of pianos that you can choose from.  For example, there are Yamaha’s, Steinway and Sons, and Kawai pianos.  Each piano manufacture makes their keys differently and each piano brand has its own unique sound effect.  When you are used to one sound of a piano and you hear a totally different sound from another piano that tells you that there is a minor difference in that brand of the piano’s keys.  No piano has a wrong sound to it.  But your ears are the most crucial part to the playing of the piano and they can also tell you if your piano needs a tune-up or repair.      

     In conclusion, all black and white keys make a beautiful, well crafted sound.  Many people find this instrument to be relaxing and enjoyable, even when they dread practicing.  Remember there is no right or wrong key, even if it sounds strange when you play it for the first time.  In the end, it is the combination of keys is what makes a beautiful and majestic sound.     As stated by the great composer, Johann Sebastian Bach, "There's nothing remarkable about it.  All one has to do is hit the right keys at the right time and the instrument plays itself."

"Stranger in a Strange Land"

     Every kid remembers the first time they lived away from home.  For me, the first time was a four week stay at Camp Kiniya for Girls which is a YMCA camp in Lake Champlain, Vermont.  A friend’s mother from school recommended this camp to my mother who could not wait to sign me up.  I checked the camp out on the internet.  Everyone seemed to give it a five star rating.  But as things turned out, this fun filled camp experience was a total nightmare for me.   

    
     Before camp started, I received a long list of things to bring, all of which had to squeeze into a trunk with wheels.  Then all of my clothes and supplies had to be labeled with my name and camp ID number.  It felt like I was getting ready for boot camp.  Finally, the day came to leave Virginia and head for Vermont by car.  It was a long trip but I was told Vermont was beautiful and that I would just love the cabin sitting on Lake Champlain.  Yeah right. 

     After 10 hours of driving we arrived at Camp Kiniya.  My first impression was that things looked rather primitive.  I then was told to get in line for cabin assignment.  When I approached the line, I noticed something strange going on.  A woman was lifting each girl’s hair with a wooden stick and poking around for guess what?  LICE! 

     Fortunately I passed the lice inspection test and was given my cabin assignment.  The cabin was one of the older ones.  Not a new one like my friend had stayed in.  It was old, smelly and looked like it was going to collapse any minute.  There were some nice bunks with a view of the lake but I received the upper bunk by the squeaky screen door facing the dark brown stained wall.   The restroom was miles away from this particular cabin which was not a plus.  Later I would find out that mice and squirrels also shared the cabin.  We were not allowed to bring any electronic devices such as iPods or CD players.  The cabin was grim.  My parents gleefully waved good bye and then drove off into the Vermont sunset.  I cried. 

     I didn’t know a soul and the girls were not friendly.  It rained for two whole weeks so horse-back riding and swimming were out along with other outdoor sports.  I enjoyed the singing after dinner.  Speaking of dinner, it was prepared by Russian cooks who shopped at Costco.  The food was always the same.  Pasta with pesto and bologna sandwiches, were constant items on the menu.  I usually held out for dessert which was ice-cream and cookies.  It killed the after taste. 

     Once the rain stopped, we were encouraged to participate in water sports.  This sounds good but the water was freezing after two weeks of rain.  I wore my sweatshirt and pants to the lake but that didn’t stop me from turning blue from top to bottom.  A lot of the girls were accustomed to cold water but not me.  Speaking of cold water, I never had a hot shower the entire time I was at camp.  

    Most of the girls were excited about the overnight hiking trip planned for the last week.  I packed my sleeping bag, shorts, t-shirts, jeans and hiking boots.  I wasn’t sure about this hiking trip but it had to be better than swimming in the ice cold lake.  As it turned out, I was lucky to come out alive from this dreadful expedition.  We encountered five moose and one bear.  There was also a wolf that howled all night.  This may sound hard to believe but it did happen.  There were outhouses but no showers.  The temperature dipped down at night but slowly came back up during the day.  We walked eight miles to the top of the mountain and had Vermont cheese and bread for lunch. This was the highlight of my camp experience.  Yeah right. 

     When my parents returned to pick me up, they wanted to tour the camp and chat with all the camp counselors.  I could not believe they were prolonging my torture.  My parents had received letters saying that I was having a great time.  I did not know this until I got home.  They were so jubilant that I didn’t have the heart to tell them they had spent good money for me to have the worst time of my life.  It seemed to take forever for us to leave the camp.  Once we were on the road, I closed my eyes and fell into a deep sleep.  I guess the problem was that I am really a city girl to the core.  I eventually told my parents the truth about summer camp.  They said that someday I would laugh about the things from Camp Kiniya.  Yeah right.