Oh I am so annoyed at Johel right now! Though I guess I can't get too mad because it is partially my fault.
Johel (Joel in english) is my bishop, and it is partially my fault because I let them find out I played the piano. See here's the thing, playing the piano for me is like a therapy session. I get focused on reading the notes it takes my mind off of my worries and the music calms me down. Unfortunately though I can't necessarily pack one in my suitcase, so my only chance to play at all is at the branch house. It's open on Tuesday nights when their having Young Men's and Young Womens, bishop is doing interviews, etc.
Let me explain how different this is from ward buildings your used to at home. I think in Indiana there was easily four pianos in the building (let's see, Sacrament room, Young Womens, Primary, Relief Society). This building has only one. And it is NOT a baby grand that they usually have in sacrament rooms. And in Indiana, you can just retreat to a quiet corner, nobody hears you play, nobody would even know you were there.
Not in this building. There's not a corner of it that you can't hear the music. Granted, the branch leadership has absolutely NO problem listening to me play. They absolutely love it. But I guess Indiana had gotten me into a false sense of security. No matter how well I played, I NEVER worried about being asked to play for anything. There were so many other better piano players, or there's always those people they always ask (Roxanne Switzer, Linda Head, Gina Williams, Adam Washburn). Goodness, several of the Young Men played better than I did.
So here I am thinking, "Ah, doesn't matter. I'll never get asked to play." Stupid me.
Within a week Johel asked if I could accompany the youth for a fireside. It's a song by Janice Kapp Perry "Learn of Me" that I am familiar with. I had heard them practicing it the other day acapella. But I guess Johel decided to jump at the chance at having piano music accompany them.
Problem is, they are doing this fireside next Sunday and we have conference this weekend. Not to mention I should probably play the song to familiarize myself right? So I'm having to go back and forth with him asking when can I practice not just the piano, but with the youth.
Oh well, I really shouldn't complain that much. Johel has taken very good care of me since I've been here. He has gone above and beyond what a lot of bishops would do. Granted I say that keeping in mind I am a very LOW maintenance member to take care of. Still, he emailed me when I arrived before I had even been at church to ask if I needed anything and he keeps checking in to see how I'm doing. He actually asked me to come in on Tuesday to sit down and chit chat with how I was doing and what I needed help with.
Then I find out from Erin later that he speaks English pretty well. What? I knew he has to travel to the US for work sometimes, but this guy has NEVER, EVER spoken to me in English. Not even when he e-mailed while I was in the US. And yes, my entire meeting with him was in Spanish. That turkey!
Hungarians were the same way. If they knew you spoke Hungarian, they would never speak English with you. So annoying! I remember my friend Laszlo, somebody in the states once asked me how well he spoke English and I said, "I don't know. I've never heard him speak it." And I never did.
Well, if this is my biggest complaint right now then I guess I'm doing well. Lisa Washburn would be so proud.
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