how i got my ears pierced − 1 May, 1976
ever since 3rd grade i wanted to get my ears pierced but my parents both refused saying i was too young. then one day i decided to strike a deal with my mom. from the time i was 9 years old i entered piano competitions not because i wanted to but because my mom and piano teacher expected me to. i was never motivated to win since it was not my choice to enter each year. however, i did put in just enough effort to make it to the semi-finals.
my teacher and my mom tried their best to motivate to practice harder but i just didn't. i decided this year was going to be different. one day out of the blue i asked my mom, *can i get my ears pierced if i make it to the finals of the piano competition?* her eyes lit-up, *the finals?* she asked with a thrill in her voice. *yes, the finals,* i said confidently. *of course!,* she delighted, *but only if you make it to the finals.*
the deal was struck! i felt triumphant. finally, i'm going to get my ears pierced. every day after school i practiced piano, not for my typical half hour but for an entire hour sometimes for even two or more hours. bartok, bach, debussy, chopin, it didn't matter because i was on a mission. i was going to get my ears pierced no matter what. nothing could stand in my way.
the day of the competition was finally arrived, this was only the preliminaries. there were fifty or so young children playing the same pieces, all hoping to make it to the semi-finals. we drew numbers out of a book. the judges were hidden behind a screen so they wouldn't judge us by our appearance but our performance. after all the children performed, the judges deliberated and then the numbers were called-out. they called my number. i made it to the semi-finals.
a month later, the semi-finalists gathered once again. we all competed under the watchful eyes of our parents and piano teachers. by now, i had been practicing a minimum of two hours a day. for the first time in my life i played the pieces by bach and debussy flawlessly. i knew i nailed both pieces. i felt soo excited. i felt like a firecracker ready to explode because i was *finally* going to *finals* and get my ears pierced. when they were calling out the numbers of the winners, i knew i would hear my number. and i did! afterwards, strangers and other piano teachers approached me and my mom and congratulated us for my performance. i was happy! so was my mom and piano teacher
now i was in the finals and the number of competitors dwindled down to eight. all the other kids told me how they were practicing five hours a day. waking up at six in the morning practicing before school then more after school and all weekend long. the pressure was on. i had only practiced three or so, hours a day. i didn't have to win because i was already getting my ears pierced but these poor kids *had* to win because they were afraid of disappointing their parents and teachers. the children played their hearts out, i just played *ok*. it was no surprise when i got honorable mention but it didn't matter to me because i was getting my ears pierced! in my mind i had already won!
my teacher and my mom tried their best to motivate to practice harder but i just didn't. i decided this year was going to be different. one day out of the blue i asked my mom, *can i get my ears pierced if i make it to the finals of the piano competition?* her eyes lit-up, *the finals?* she asked with a thrill in her voice. *yes, the finals,* i said confidently. *of course!,* she delighted, *but only if you make it to the finals.*
the deal was struck! i felt triumphant. finally, i'm going to get my ears pierced. every day after school i practiced piano, not for my typical half hour but for an entire hour sometimes for even two or more hours. bartok, bach, debussy, chopin, it didn't matter because i was on a mission. i was going to get my ears pierced no matter what. nothing could stand in my way.
the day of the competition was finally arrived, this was only the preliminaries. there were fifty or so young children playing the same pieces, all hoping to make it to the semi-finals. we drew numbers out of a book. the judges were hidden behind a screen so they wouldn't judge us by our appearance but our performance. after all the children performed, the judges deliberated and then the numbers were called-out. they called my number. i made it to the semi-finals.
a month later, the semi-finalists gathered once again. we all competed under the watchful eyes of our parents and piano teachers. by now, i had been practicing a minimum of two hours a day. for the first time in my life i played the pieces by bach and debussy flawlessly. i knew i nailed both pieces. i felt soo excited. i felt like a firecracker ready to explode because i was *finally* going to *finals* and get my ears pierced. when they were calling out the numbers of the winners, i knew i would hear my number. and i did! afterwards, strangers and other piano teachers approached me and my mom and congratulated us for my performance. i was happy! so was my mom and piano teacher
now i was in the finals and the number of competitors dwindled down to eight. all the other kids told me how they were practicing five hours a day. waking up at six in the morning practicing before school then more after school and all weekend long. the pressure was on. i had only practiced three or so, hours a day. i didn't have to win because i was already getting my ears pierced but these poor kids *had* to win because they were afraid of disappointing their parents and teachers. the children played their hearts out, i just played *ok*. it was no surprise when i got honorable mention but it didn't matter to me because i was getting my ears pierced! in my mind i had already won!
Comments:
Oblivious (January 31, 2007. 08:43pm)
It's amazing what a little incentive can do for a child.