When I checked my phone, I saw a missed call from my brother. He rarely calls so I decided to call him back. He asked (again) when I am planning to shop online. I usually shop and send the items to my aunt, who will collect and pack the items into one box, and sends them to me once the box is filled.

He is again shopping another musical instrument. Mind you, he knows how to play the guitar, drums, a little piano and the violin. But it all started with his very first flute. Good thing my mom supported him during those times when he wanted to buy the best flutes.

And look at him now, he can play any instrument that he would want to. Even if he’s the only one in the family who’s musically talented, he was able to learn, all on his own.

Gift shopping is almost complete. This year, we decided to get our couple friends couple gifts. Even relatives who are married, or have been dating for years, we decided to get them couple gifts. But for some, mostly women, we decided to add a little token. So while my brother is asking for a top line 6 multi-effects for this year, that might have to wait for another year. We’ve already got something different for him, but still something he could add to his collection (guitars, amps, etc) for his DIY home studio.

My brother has given my daughter a violin years ago, but we never brought it with us. First, my daughter still doesn’t know how to play it. Second, she is still too young to be enrolled to our preferred music school. They only accept 7 years old or older.

But whenever we visit my parents, my daughter tries to play it, and my brother will patiently teach her how.

Yeah, it’s really nice to see and take pictures of her trying, but listening to her is a different story.

Since I’ve gone back to dancing, I’ve started paying attention to the dance music when attending parties. I’m not referring to kiddie parties (which actually comes to my mind when I hear/read that word) but instead, young adult parties. One time we went to a cousin’s party, I noticed the big change in the equipment used. I once saw pioneer cdj 2000 at Guitar Center online, but I was amazed to see it in person. The DJ’s “workstation” looked all organized without laptop and yet they can accommodate requests from guests’ USB, DVD’s and SD cards, and from there, they can immediately do all the mixing. Coolness.

I bet my youngest brother would be excited to try one of those left handed electric guitars. You see, he’s a different ambidextrous. He eats and does most common tasks with his right hand but writes and plays the guitar like a left-handed. But he can’t use the other hand for the same task. It’s like each hand has its own skill. Now I wonder, which side of his brain is more often used.

My daughter would love to own a guitar, but when my brother tried to teach her some tricks. She smiled, refused and acted uninterested. She tried holding a violin (also from my brother) once or twice but my mom and I cringed on the music she produced. Of course, she’ll be needing some lessons but she refused when I offered and asked her if she wants to be enrolled to violin lessons.

And now, she was telling me her interest on the mandolin. Seems that my daughter has this fascination on string instruments but can’t quite decide yet which one to play.

I really hope she decides soon so we can enroll her to some lessons while she’s young.