I have to usher a concert today that I'm actually really excited about.
I have to go to a dance concert tonight that I'm excited about...
But I'm not excited about the critique paper I have to write about it.
Yuck.
I'm wanting to read/listen to a talk every day. I fee like I need it; feasting upon the words of latter-day prophets and apostles. Do you have any recommendations or favorites?Ensign, General Conference, New Era, The Friend... Don't matter to me! (Excuse my awful English).
I'm watching FRIENDS from the beginning
And I love it
I'm addicted to Once Upon A Time. It's bad.
My sister goes back to Alaska at the end of the month. It makes me a little sad.
My brother and his wife had their cute little baby girl 2 weeks ago! She's so beautiful!
We found out that a close friend of ours is expecting.
I'm excited, but I won't lie, I cried a little. Not the good kind.
So, my blog has been neglected a lot lately (if you haven't noticed).
But I had this idea... it's just getting the gall to do it. I'm so lame.
I want to get off Facebook for a while. I think it might help me get more focused on other things--like my blog! And my Instagram (I'm a little obsessed with it).
What do YOU think?
Anyway, holy cow life is grand! Can I just say that?
I REPEAT: LIFE. IS. GRAND.
Of course there are things that make me fall apart (which seems to happen a lot), but I'm finding that I just need to think about my blessings.
When people have been asking me lately about school and work, I've been trying to focus more on the good things rather than turning into that crazy complaining lady that you just roll your eyes at and want to stuff a pair of dirty socks in her mouth. I don't know any of those... **shifty eyes**
Anyway, it's been really good. I won't say "amazing" because I'm still struggling with a lot of things.
But all in all, I'm finding that God is near me. And I feel it.
I'm going to be very real for the next few paragraphs.
When Bryan and I got married almost 2.5 years ago, I was in a really good place. Mentally I was sound, spiritually I was focused, physically I was fit, and emotionally I was balanced. But it began to fade a little after the end of year one.
I stopped going to school.
My scriptures became dusty.
Working out became a scarcity and random.
Crying turned into an almost daily occasion.
I've gotten back to school. I don't cry as much, and only when it is healthy. But my body is tired and I'm losing all capacity to keep it healthy. God is becoming a stranger and my scriptures are still neglected.
That scares me.
I like to think of myself as an "athletic" person.
I love to dance.
I don't mind running.
I like playing sports.
But I have lost all desire to do those things.
Bryan is constantly asking me if I'm going to go to the gym with him, to keep him company and help him with weights when he needs it. I find myself not even considering or wagering. My response has been for the last little while a straightforward NO.
Where does this come from?
When we were dating, I'd go. The same when we were engaged. When we got married, I told him that I didn't like going to the gym, but I still danced regularly. We even got me some Zumba DVD's for those days when I didn't have time or the capacity to come up with my own workout.
But now... Nothing.
I have faith.
I feel the Spirit.
I try to remember that all things come from God--and thank Him for those things.
I keep a prayer in my heart.
I listen to uplifting music.
But how often do I get on my knees? A number that I am ashamed of.
How often do I read my scriptures? Not enough, for certain.
Our ward is doing a Book of Mormon Reading Challenge: 2 chapters or 4 pages a day from Sept 1st-Dec 31st. How far have I gotten since day 1? 1 Nephi Chapter 8. That's maybe 20 pages in. I've got a lot of catching up to do and a lot of changing to do if I want to make this part of my life.
I want to feast on life again. My sister-in-law wrote about me on her blog right after Bryan and I got engaged about how excited I was about life and how I loved the Gospel. Do I have that anymore? I like think that I do...
This isn't a bad place that I'm in. I know I'm blessed, more than I deserve. God is a gracious God for blessing someone as imperfect and lazy as I am.
I live in a time where I have to go to school so I can do what I want.
So, here I am.
Going to UVU.
And loving it. :)
I think that I needed to go back to school when I did because I was going crazy just working all the time. I feel like the store has been such a mess this summer and I barely survived it. But being able to sing every day and talk about music like it's a way of life (because it IS!) just makes me happy.
There are 3 audition choirs on campus: Women's choir, the Masterworks Chorale, and the Chamber Choir. I was in Women's choir all last year and loved every second of it! Singing in an all-female chorus is such a unique experience. I also loved all the women I sang with and our director is fabulous! This year, however, with work, I could only audition for the Masterworks Chorale. I went into my audition and could hardly look at Cherilyn (the Women's Choir director) because I was so sad. But as I finished my audition, Dr. Criddle looked and me and asked, "Are you sure you don't have time for 2 choirs? I would have called you back for Chamber." A-what?!! Chamber Choir is the "elite" choir on campus. Normally, Dr. Criddle picks choir voices for that group. This year, however, he's changing it up a bit: the choir is going to China in the spring so he wanted to gather up the good voices in the vocal department. So, it's official: Dr. Criddle thinks I'm GOOD. That was definitely a confidence booster for me, as it's hard to please him.
I'm so excited to be working with Tyler again this year in voice lessons. His wife (who is a contralto) is now teaching voice lessons on campus, so I considered moving to her studio. Plus, she's awesome and who wouldn't want to be Val's student?! Anyway, I felt, though, that Tyler really pushed me to find my soprano voice. I have a dark color and a wide vibrato, so most voice teachers have put me in the mezzo-soprano category. But the thing is... I can hit an E above the staff. Yes, folks. That is 3 ledger lines above the staff. B above the staff is a comfortable soprano note. I can hit it. Comfortably. I like singing low and jazzy in choirs because it pushes my range lower (I can sing tenor better than most tenors, lets be honest here), but I love crooning above the staff.
Ok, nerd moment over...
Bryan and I are putting together a small business plan so I can start teaching voice and piano lessons. I need to be singing every day, all the time. Teaching will help me do that :) I think we'll start small--just Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday teaching while I work part-time at the store and still go to school. When I get enough students, then I can go to work and tell them, "It's been real, but I'M OUTTA HERE!" (I'm still working on the exact script, but you get the idea).
Bryan is turning into a real freelancer. Yes, ladies and gent's: He's made a COMMERCIAL. And, he just book ANOTHER commercial through the same advertising company. They really like him. Hopefully this means that he'll get all their small projects (6-8 per year) and then we'll be able to finally start saving for a new car, a condo, and a baby (not pregnant).
Here's the 30 second spot, if you haven't already seen it on TV:
Yes, my super awesome, amazingly talented hubby did that. I'm so proud :)
My family is going to Disneyland in October. My whole family. That's all 8 of my siblings, spouses, grandkids, and my cute parents. Bryan and I are trying to figure out if we're going or not. I really want to go, but money is tight and we're trying to figure out if it's just the right time.... I sure hope we can go. I love seeing my family and I don't get to see them very often. And plus, it's the happiest place on earth! Where Bryan and I honeymooned over 2 years ago!
Well, just a few things on my mind today. Hopefully I can sum up the week, considering I haven't posted in a while... Don't worry! I have a funny waiting at the end for you :)
- My manager is back from vacation and I've found my brain again! It's been quite lovely
- I'm starting to get used to the fact that our car no longer has air conditioning. As much as I don't like t, I'm getting used to it
- I need to find a good Alfredo Chicken pizza recipe. Or try ad make one up myself. I can't afford to go to CPK or Pizza Pie Cafe every time I want one...
- I've come to the realization that I am NOT a morning person. Heaven help me when I have children someday...
- I still have to post a pic of my new hair... I'll get to that
- I found out on Wednesday (?) that my 2nd oldest sister and her cute family are going to be here this weekend! Woot woot!!!
- Last night we saw The Dark Knight Rises as midnight... All in all, a little disappointing. I enjoyed it, it was entertaining. But just a little disappointing
- I get to see Wicked in Saturday with my 3rd oldest sister!!! I'M SO EXITED, I COULD DIE!!!!!!!
Anyway, happy Friday. Go find your hilarious friend to be with this weekend :)
Well, it's Friday.
The one half-day I get at work this week
The day Bryan and I go to the temple
The day that might cause me to rip my hair out a little
BUT! I must remember the little things and just laugh.
Today is a day that I need to take some time and just vent about some things... Or be grateful. It's going to be a little bit of both.
- I'm grateful for my job, but it's driving me a little bit crazy this week. Tomorrow I only work a half day so that will basically save me.
- We're going to the temple tomorrow. Thank goodness.
- I'll be done with most of my big jobs at work by tomorrow afternoon, which is comforting
- I got my financial aid awards for school. Grateful, but not totally happy. I'm wondering if getting my bachelors is going to be worth all this someday
- I dyed my hair this last weekend. I love it :) pictures to come, I promise!
Since I'll be sitting in a car all day tomorrow, I figured I'd talk a little bit about why
i loveamerica.
I come from a strong military background.
Both of my grandpas served in World War II, one receiving a purple heart.
Three of my mom's brothers served in Vietnam.
My dad and all three of his brothers served in some branch of the military.
My dad spent about 3 years in Thailand.
A year of that time was spent engaged and married to my mom.
Bryan sometimes talks about joining the Army, if movies don't work out.
It terrifies me, but--to be completely honest--I wouldn't be a more proud wife than to have a soldier as a husband.
I have several friends who, upon graduating high school, joined the military.
It makes my heart so grateful for the sacrifice.
I know that this country was built upon a foundation of our forefathers,
in the hopes that its freedoms will never break down.
I was told once to uphold all the laws and rights in this country, so that this chosen land will prosper through to the last days and to the second coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I take that very seriously.
Every time I have sung The Star-Spangled Banner, my heart is filled with pride.
Every time I see veterans leading out the parades on the morning of Independence day,
1. Nerd glasses
2. Nostalgia
3. My big old' earrings (my newest love)
4. The new favorite "not so Christmas-y" Christmas song
5. Legit
6. Over-achiever
7. The best advice-givers
8. My favorite <3
I feel like everything I've blogged about over the last few posts has been kinda mushy.
What can I say? I freakin' LOVE my super hot hubby! ;)
lol ANYWAY!
Speaking of that super attractive man I get to see every day....
His birthday is coming up!
A QUARTER OF A CENTURY!!!
It's going to be action-packed and I'm feeling quite proud of myself for my plans.
I (unfortunately) have to work that morning, but that doesn't affect any of the madness!
I've got him 4 presents (which I will NOT announce on here because, believe it or not, he reads this!) which will be presented to the birthday boy throughout the day.
That evening at 5:30 pm. we will be going to the Desert Star Playhouse in Murray.
Bryan: Have you checked out or kickstarter page today?
Me: I've been avoiding it all day, to be honest.
Bryan: Well, you should.
Me: Why can't you just tell me?
Bryan: You just need to see it for yourself.
Me: (walks over to laptop. Turns it on. Goes to kickstarter page) $1,000?!!!
Yes, people. It's crazy, but it's happening.
Be part of something BIG!
Make the pledge!
_______________________________________________________
On to normal life things....
Work has been insane!
We're doing our big semi-annual sale right now and it has been the BUSIEST semi-annual sale I have been a part of in my 3 years at my job.
SO CRAZY.
But it's been good because we need the business.
I miss school. The end.
Bryan's work is absolutely crazy, too. They have a bunch of shoots going on right now, locally and all over the country, and Bryan has been alone in the camera room for about 3 weeks now because his boss is shooting and his co-worker is on set with the boss.
Poor Bryan, he gets calls all the time from people asking about check-outs. But he doesn't mind. It just gives him more to do.
Lately, I've been listening to/reading the General Conference talks from this last April. I worked all day on that Saturday, so I never got to hear the talks. It has been a sweet blessing and experience reading the words of the prophets. It helps me know that the heavens are opened; that God did not and will not leave us alone. He wants to give us guidance and show us that he has infinite concern for us. I know that one of the ways our Father in Heaven does this for us is by giving us prophets and apostles who know the needs of the Church and of the world. They are good men who love God and the gospel.
Things are going... Just going. I hope I can keep up.
