SUMMER!

School is over for the summer FINALLY! It was a relatively painless process, I have to admit, although my stress level shot through the roof. And finals week this year was the easiest I've ever had because I don't have any actual tests, just final projects. Also, I'm moving into a great new apartment with a wonderful person. I'm so excited to get into a newer, bigger place. It isn't that I don't like my roommates, I actually really do, but I just feel so crowded living with 5 other girls. My new apartment only has 4 girls (instead of 6), plus a washer and dryer in the apartment. I can't tell you how excited I am! Plus, my mom and dad are coming up to help me, which will be wonderful because I've been dying to see them.
Also, spring is finally taking a hold, and this weird weather seems to be stabilizing, giving us perfect weather. (How long it will stay this perfect temperature remains to be seen.) However, since I have a rare free day on Tuesday, I think I'll drive up the canyon and look at all of the new green-growy things.

Not Me Monday

Dang it, late again. Oh well.....

I definitely didn't forget to set my alarm last night, which definitely didn't leave me with only 10 minutes to get ready this morning.

I definitely didn't leave a big project that's due tomorrow until tonight. And I'm definitely not going to bed with it only half finished.

There's no way I haven't even started packing even though I'm moving in 2 weeks. And I've already found all the boxes I could ever need too.

And finally, I'm far too responsible to even consider just going to bed, and pulling the covers over my head until the end of finals week. Not me, I wouldn't do that.....

Forms Of The Truth

My mother was a high priestess,
set between the moon and the sun
She said who'll stand with me,
for all the sinners to see
an example of what can be done.

I said Mom I'm a sinner
and I'm proud of all the things that I've done.
Dip them all in chocolate and I've eaten them one by one,
and I weigh all of myself against you.

I don't know why I follow, cause I knew
that in the quietest moments
I could see right through
many elaborate forms of the truth

Oh dear high priestess
come down from moon and the sun
cause you are just a woman,
and I have grown into one
And I've weighed all of myself against you

I don't know why I followed cause I knew
that in the quietest moments
I could see right through
many elaborate forms of the truth

Music Review #1

I've been debating about whether or not to do this for awhile; actually the reason I haven't is because I have an innate fear of sounding too presumptuous. I certainly don't know everything about music, but I do know what I like, and what is good music versus what is popular. Plus, I'm always looking for good music, and I know there are some people out there who are also doing just that. So here it goes.... My first couple of CD reviews......


Lenka is one of my new favorite artists. Unlike most new artists, who think that their music must be dark to be meaningful Lenka breaks that mold by showing us the exact opposite. The Show was the first single released off of the CD, and while it isn't the best song of the CD (that title belongs to Bring Me Down, a surprisingly upbeat breakup song) it provides a great overview of what you're going to get by listening to this CD.
For a first album, this one is surprisingly polished, and while Lenka's vocals aren't exactly one of a kind (to someone who's never heard her before, you may mistake her for Regina Spektor) what her voice lacks she more than makes up for in song originality, especially in the folk-inspired Force of Nature, a tune that could have easily sounded far too overdone is instead refreshingly original.
A solid start to what is sure to be a great career, this album is a must for anyone who enjoys alternative pop.
Download: The Show, Bring Me Down, Live Like You're Dying, Force of Nature
Skip: Nothing. Every song on this album is worth a listen.


Erin McCarley (also a new face in the music scene), brings a lot to the table with her first album. While listening to it, one can imagine that her childhood was very sheltered and once reality set in, she recieved a couple of royal smack downs. With lyrics like ...O wise one, if you're such a someone, why do you give nothing to anyone? one has to wonder what kind of disfunctional relationship she was in that inspired such hate.
But don't judge a CD by it's lyrics, because while one might think that her lyrics might best go to a hard rock tune Erin McCarley manages to shake things up by keeping all of her tunes surprisingly light.
It's a good CD, and it provides a promising start to her career; but her songs tend to sort of blend together, and while her lyrics are memorable I had trouble remembering what lyrics belonged to which songs. Her melodies also tend to blend, which makes it hard to remember any songs in general, and the title track Love, Save The Empty is probably the best song/most memorable of the CD.
Her jazzy, breathy voice stands out because her CD doesn't sound engineered like so many pop singers do today (Hilary Duff and Lindsay Lohan anyone?), and I would love to go to her concert to see what she sounds like outside the studio.
Download: Love, Save The Empty; Blue Suitcase; Pony (It's OK); Hello/Goodbye; Pitter-Pat
Skip: Sticky-Sweet; Gotta Figure This Out

Dreams

Yesterday I had a dream that someone didn't think I was good enough to be a professional stage manager. I woke up literally in a cold sweat, because the thought of failing at what I've chosen as a profession terrifies me. And the truth is I don't know if I can do it. I certainly don't want to fail, but then, who does? Failure usually isn't expected, and I don't think it's ever welcome, and yet, it happens. And I'm so scared that it's going to happen to me.

Don't get me wrong, I want this. More than anything I want to be a college graduate; and I have worked too hard to just give up.

Giving up isn't an option; so why do I still have this little voice in my head telling me that everything will be better if I just run and hide?

I love spring. Especially up in Provo where it lasts longer than a week, unlike down in St. George. This is the time of year when you can walk to school while listening to your iPod, or drive up the canyon with a few friends just to enjoy the weather while blaring music. Don't get me wrong, Winter is nice for a few reasons, but Spring brings light and color back into a world that Winter turned gray.

Dear Life-

I recently discovered this blog a few weeks ago through a mutual friend of ours, and it blows my mind. This couple lost their daughter several months ago because she choked on a piece of apple, and this couple's strength in the face of such a huge trial amazes and sustains me. I've never read anything written by someone who is so much pain, and yet who refuses to give up their belief in the Church.
The pain that they are currently facing is palpable in every word posted, and they end practically every post with a picture of the daughter they lost. They cling to each other with the knowledge that they will see her again when they leave this mortal world, and that is what keeps them going.
I don't really know why I'm posting about this couple whom I hardly know, and who don't know me at all, except to spread the word about these amazing people who manage to function as normally as possible while trying to swim through an ocean of pain.
I've known about this couple for a few week's at most, but they have made me realize just how good I have it. So much could go wrong in my life that isn't. I'm supremely blessed, and I thank those two for helping me to realize it.
I wish I could give something to this couple to help them feel better, something tangible that I could hand over and they could physically hold onto. As it is, I'm praying for them as hard as I can.

I have discovered a new weakness for fudge shoppe caramel filled cookies...... Curse you Keebler!!!

I went out on a limb today, and it wasn't too bad....... huh.... Interesting.

iTunes

Is wonderful when all of your music is on it. However, when your computer crashes, and you can't get the files off of your hard drive because the broken computer somehow flew out of your hands into the nearest wall..... Anyway, long story short, I can't get my old files off of my old computer to put on my new computer. This means I'm missing over 1,000 songs from my library. Those who know me know how much I love my music, and should realize just how much this upsets me. I'm kicking myself for not backing up more of my music. Luckily it's all still on my iPod because I haven't synced my new computer with it yet. Anyone have an idea how to get music off my iPod to my computer?

Computer crashes

A computer crash is fun for the following reasons:

1. The pure excitement of losing 5 years worth of information in exactly 3 seconds.
2. The exhilaration of watching your iPod's battery life slowly drain over the course of a week.
3. The wonderful tingly feeling you get in your fingertips when you want to slam it against a wall.
4. The adrenaline rush you get when you actually do slam it against a wall.
5. Having to get up two hours earlier than usual to use a computer on campus.

I recommend you all try it as soon as possible so you can all feel the same immense frustration...... I mean therapeutic cleansing...... that I've experienced these past 2 weeks.

Also, my show opens in 2 days, and nervous doesn't even BEGIN to describe me.

Friday Night

Now, normally I refuse to admit to anyone that I do have a fondness for a certain teenage pop star's music, but in this case a line from one of her songs totally describes my life right now:
"It's Friday but there's nowhere to go"
Anyway.......

I'm bored. End of story.

Go, Dog. Go! and other things

I'm sitting here in rehearsal (which take place every Tuesday and Thursday from 9am-5pm) wondering if there's any chance of us ending early today so that I may go take a much-needed nap. I think I've gotten about 8 hours over the past few days. Though I'm not worried about me so much as I'm worried about my bed. I'm sure it lonely. It got used to seeing me a lot more over the Christmas break, and it's probably wondering if it's done something to offend me. Unfortunately for my bed, the only way it feels it can make up to me is by giving me a good night's sleep. And as we all know, if I'm not in my bed, it can't very well lull me into the sweet oblivion of bedtime. It's probably very sad. As am I, bed, as am I.

Also.......

The Longer Post I Promised

This post will be longer, but just to warn you, it probably won't be really interesting. I'm mainly blogging because I'm alone in my apartment (all of my room mates have left for home already) and the semester is over, so I have nothing to do. I mean really nothing. It feels so strange, no joke. It's funny how much time you have when you don't have to work, or go to class, or do homework. Like yesterday, I had the time to help a good friend move. He's an amazing person, and a wonderful artist. And without his paintings on the walls, his old apartment looked amazingly bare. I'm excited to see how his new apartment turns out.
I'm almost done with my Christmas shopping, which is fantastic. I'm especially excited to give my sister's their presents. And I think I will pop out to get a few stocking stuffer type things, just to help out my parents.


Also, I slept in until 1 pm today, just because I could!

*My friend has a blog that has some of his photography and stuff on it, it's amazing. Please check it out by clicking here

Longer post to come....

But for now, I thought I'd just share with you all a new and slightly disturbing love for A*Teens.

Click Here....... You know you want to.

Best Facebook Status Ever

"I claim one up on Edward Cullen because I'm not a fictional character."

Kudos to all the real men who live in an Edward-ified world.

Thanksgiving

This break came at the perfect time. I feel so relaxed and not sleepy. Being home is quite a change from Provo, and while I do miss all of my friends, it's really nice to spend time with my family. Also, CHRISTMAS!!!! I love it!

What's wrong with a new beginning?

What's wrong with a new beginning? It means an old one goes stale. But what if you really don't want to let go of the old one? Is it better to leave before it gets stale, so that it always stays fresh in your memory? Or will going leave me with nothing but an empty place in the pit of my stomach? One thing is clear, and that is if I do decide to let go if this, it will be for me, and because I think it is the right thing to do. These wonderful people deserve someone who has more time and energy than I do. Me stepping down early will merely give my wonderful, competent assistant the chance to become that person. Plus I'll have more time to sleep. Which I'm really looking forward to.

I get to go to the BYU football game!! With my whole family! YAY!