First-ever piano lesson leaves me wanting more

There are countless studies that show that learning multiple new things at once as an adult can drastically increase cognitive ability.

A senior living blog on discoveryvillages.com states that learning new things can make the brain of an older adult 30 years younger in as little as six weeks.

With that in mind, I showed up to the School of Rock, located at 2037 W. Grand River Ave. in Okemos, to add just one more thing to my “things I am currently learning” list.

The staff was especially kind and the atmosphere was VERY rock-‘n’-roll with chalkboard walls and lots of pictures.

I chose piano for my first free lesson and, upon googling, quickly found out there were more benefits than just being able to play some of my favorite songs.

Learning piano can also improve counting and math skills, improve reading comprehension, help with language skills, strengthen hand-eye coordination and, most importantly, reduce stress.

Sign. Me. Up.

My instructor met me at the door and introduced himself as Joey Lindstrom with more enthusiasm than I expected. We happily chose a practice room and immediately got started.

I learned a little about notes, chords, octaves and scales. It was a complicated

MALLORY STILES ASSOCIATE EDITOR stilesm3@star.lcc.edu

10 minutes, but only because I am completely musically ignorant.

Joey did an excellent job at explaining and re-explaining when things didn’t quite make sense.

The next 19 minutes were spent on me attempting to play “Let It Be” by The Beatles, and the very last minute was spent on high-fives because I actually did it!

I absolutely loved my time in that music room and left with a feeling of genuine joy, so much so that I called for details on what it would cost to make it a regular thing.

The adult package is one private lesson and one band rehearsal a week for $329 a month. School of Rock also arranges for the school’s adult band to perform every few months at a different venue in Lansing to give performing experience to its students.

Don’t let your talent go undiscovered. Sign up for your free first lesson at www. schoolofrock.com.

The other question you should never ask a woman

As a woman, there is always someone who is asking you, “When will you have kids?” or “Don’t you want to have a baby before your time runs out?”

It doesn’t matter if you have achieved your goals yet, or if you are in a healthy financial or mental space yet. There will always be someone who is pressing you about starting a family.

Before I have kids, I want to travel to at least 20 countries outside of the Unit-

JUANITA KELLY-Hill Staff writer kellyj38@star.lcc.edu

ed States. Here is a list of the top 20 places I ab- solutely have to visit first:

Japan, Greece, Maldives, Jamaica, Honduras, Belize, Turks & Caico, Italy, France, London, Egypt, India, Ghana, Canada, The Bahamas, Bali, Dubai, U.S. Virgin Islands (Technically part of the U.S., but you know what I mean), Cayman Islands and Bora Bora.

Notice I didn’t put any countries from South America or Australia. That is because the wild life there freaks me out.

I also feel like I need to spend my years under 30 being selfish, focusing on myself, and exploring the many things the world has to offer.

The point of the story is to stop asking women when they’re going to have kids. You never know their plans or the battles they may struggle with.

Having children is not all there is to a woman’s life. So don’t ask me when I plan to have kids.