Let it GO

A story tells of a merchant in a small town who had identical twin sons. The boys worked for their father in the department store he owned and, when he died, they took over the store.  Everything went well until the day a dollar bill disappeared. One of the brothers had left the bill on the cash register and walked outside with a customer. When he returned, the money was gone.  He asked his brother, "Did you see that dollar bill on the cash register?" His brother replied that he had not.  But the young man kept probing and questioning. He would not let it alone. "Dollar bills just don't get up and walk away! Surely you must have seen it!"

There was subtle accusation in his voice. Tempers began to rise. Resentment set in. Before long, a deep and bitter chasm divided the young men. They refused to speak. They finally decided they could no longer work together and a dividing wall was built down the center of the store. For twenty years hostility and bitterness grew, spreading to their families and to the community.  Then one day a man in an automobile licensed in another state stopped in front of the store. He walked in and asked the clerk, "How long have you been here?"  The clerk replied that he'd been there all his life. The customer said, "I must share something with you. Twenty years ago I was "riding the rails" and came into this town in a boxcar. I hadn't eaten for three days. I came into this store from the back door and saw a dollar bill on the cash register. I put it in my pocket and walked out. All these years I haven't been able to forget that. I know it wasn't much money, but I had to come back and ask your forgiveness."  The stranger was amazed to see tears well up in the eyes of this middle-aged man. "Would you please go next door and tell that same story to the man in the store?" he said. Then the man was even more amazed to see two middle-aged men, who looked very much alike, embracing each other and weeping together in the front of the store. After twenty years, the brokenness was mended. The wall of resentment that divided them came down.  It is so often the little things that finally divide people- words spoken in haste; criticisms; accusations; resentments. And once divided, they may never come together again.  The solution, of course, is to let it go. There is really nothing particularly profound about learning to let go of little resentments. But for fulfilling and lasting relationships, letting them go is a must. Refuse to carry around bitterness and you may be surprised at how much energy you have left for building bonds with those you love.

The 5 types of piano teachers you'll meet in Malaysia

I never realised it until I was an adult.
But having a musical education makes you a better rounded person.
At least a classical one. Sorry, you YouTubers and jammers.
So now it comes to my kids' turn to have a music education and I would never deny them any opportunity to learn something new.
Scouted for 2 weeks to buy a piano. Became an expert in the process and learned tons about the inner workings of a good piano.
All for Estelle Sophie Ong. Luckily her BFF is also learning piano so she has interest in it too.
Next step: Looking for piano teachers.
Interviewed 5 in all (oh yes, the picky helicopter parent) and decided on one finally.
Type number:

1. The Aloof: You call her number and she says she wants to come over to see your child. Fine, you text her your address and you don't hear from her the next 7 days. When you call her back, she has the gall to ask "Who is this?".
Teaching piano business must be GOOD.

2. The Auntie: No age discrimination here. But when you talk like you've been teaching since the 19th century, then I really have to doubt if my daughter can learn any contemporary musical references from you.
Keep it current lah, Auntie. Then people can relate to you, ya know.

3. The Hater: "Is your daughter naughty? I don't do naughty kids" AHHH? You teach kids piano right? If you cannot understand and tolerate kids then er...Miss, I think you may be in the wrong line. OUT!

4. The Human Calculator: How far is your house? ok, mileage will cost you additional RM40 per month. Huh? But your house is 5 km away? Yes, but it will inconvenience me. Hello teacher? I think you also better change your business model.

5. The Right One: I hope so.
From the start, she was enthusiastic. Setting realistic expectations (very important for this kiasu dad). Being detailed about books etc. Also saying it's' ok if we change our minds as long as we tell her 2 days beforehand.

Now...to see if Estelle Sophie Ong can sit still for an hour every Saturday and tinkle on those ivories....