A Quick Update

As I indicated in my last post, Sunday was a day completely set aside for cantorial practice, homework and studying for the big test on Monday.

On Sunday it seemed like some of the melodies were starting to “click”, but I still have much work to do. The lesson on Monday went well, as did the one today. Every time I go I get a new piece and sometimes multiples, so it for sure will not be boring! The instructor seems to think that I am making good progress, as today he told me that he thought I was “firing on all cylinders”. I am glad that he sees progress, as it boosts my confidence in what I am doing and is reassuring.

The big test on Monday turned out not to be as difficult as I thought, although I did spell some things wrong and used the wrong sex verb once. Nonetheless, I got a 93 on it so am pleased by that. Speaking of sex, now I find that even the numbers are different if you are talking about an object (or person, of course) that is classified as male or female. And, of course, there are lots of exceptions! And on top of that the numbers used for time or female objects/people and those used for male objects/people do not follow the standard “rules” for male and female forms of words. Well, a couple do. OY VEY!!!

In the meantime, the new stuff is coming hard and fast. I bought the CDs that go with the book so that I could hear more repetitions of the dialogues, and hopefully that will help make this a little less difficult. I guess I have to remember that I’m not 20 anymore and it is going to take extra work. The instructors don’t seem to be concerned, so I guess I shouldn’t be either.

This coming weekend I am going to a settlement for Shabbat. I will be leaving on Friday afternoon and probably coming back Saturday night. I am looking forward to the opportunity to meet new people and experience another Shabbat with fully observant people. (No, I do not know the people whose house I will be staying at. That is just the way it is here!)