Like a ton of bricks

It hit me today. I guess I haven't thought about it much because it's taken so long to get here.

3 (major) moves.
Two universities
3 BYU rejection letters.
One BYU-Idaho acceptance letter.
One BYU-Idaho Associate's Degree.
One UVU acceptance letter.
I-can't-even-count-how-many auditions.
An engagement.
A wedding.
One 2-year break.
Five jobs.
One business.
Tears, blood, sweat, failures, joys.
Six years of total schooling.

In a year, I will have a diploma. A Bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance.

In a year, I will be deciding where to go for grad school.

In a year, I will be able to call myself "a professional."

As I think back on these six years, it's been a wonderful and awful experience. I have made and lost many friends. I met the love of my life. I have grown as a person, a woman, a daughter, a sister, a friend, and a wife. I have grown as a musician, a professional. I have come to love myself and my gift enough to want to develop and share it.

I want to grow. I want to succeed. I want to be an example to my children, to my students, to anyone I encounter that anything is possible with enough determination and love and faith.

School. Music. Life.

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!

I feel so NERVOUS!

So, Bryan has been working SO hard on a script, a business plan, and a Kickstarter campaign for about 6 months now.

In the next 48 hours, we launch our Kickstarter campaign.

Tonight, I talk to several siblings and friends about how to pledge and help make our dream a reality.

And... I'm TERRIFIED.

I'm the kind of person whose mind always goes to the worst-case-scenario.

This is slowly turning into one of those moments.

You see, people look at Bryan and I and think we're crazy.

Yes, Bryan quit school.
Yes, I'm working full-time and going to school so Bryan can be home more to work on this whole thing.
Yes, we're taking some huge risks starting this business.

But let me just say this:


When you look down on us-- and vocalize it, for that matter-- for taking a chance on our dreams now when we have the time and motivation to do it, it doesn't help.


You know what does help though? Support. Any support you can give.

So, this is why talking to my siblings and friends is becoming scary...
I'm afraid they don't believe in us enough to make the pledge.

Can I ask my readers something?

Don't you want to be part of something that could change someone's life?

When it's live, I'll post a link to our Kickstarter page so you can be part of something that will change not just our lives, but everyone's who is involved in this project...

If you want to, follow our journey here.

Believe in us. It sure is a lonely road to making your dreams come true.

_ _ _ 
I'm sorry this post is kind of bi-polar and not really me, but it's how I'm feeling right now...

The First Half of the First Week of May

aka The Half of the First Week of H-E-DOUBLEHOCKEYSTICKS!

Sunday was just a rundown of the madness that would be this week.
Monday wasn't too bad. Not extraordinary, but not unbearable.
Tuesday I got the flu. yay.
Wednesday I got my hours shortened at work not just for that day but for Thursday also.
Thursday I found out that I won't be able to attend an amazing opportunity to get private German lied coaching from an amazing German soprano because of Wednesday's problems and a shift mix-up.

So far, this week has basically been crap. In small words.

But here's to better things:

This morning, I'm having breakfast with my amazing friends from school as a "Hoorah to the end of the semester! Here's to a wonderful summer!" send off. Nothing like food and giggling with your friends for a few hours to make your worries go away.
Tonight, I'll get off work and still have time to make it to the ward party. Again, hanging out with my friends at a carnival: not too bad.
Friday night, Bryan and I will prep for our crazy weekend. Hopefully, I'll have pictures and lots of stories to share about that.

Less than a WEEK til I go to Colorado for my best friend's wedding.
Three days til I see my mommy :)

Until next time, my friends!

Remember how I disappeared for, like, 4 months?

Hi friends.

I know, I know, I've been slacking. But, hey! What do you expect from me? Sometimes I'm good and oftentimes I'm terrible. Just be grateful you're getting an update now! Ha! :)

This semester was one of the best semesters of my college career. Hands down. I feel like I excelled so much more than I ever have and had so many opportunities opened up to me that made me a better person and performer. It's been such a phenomenal experience! I love UVU!

I took the Opera Workshop class (OpShop for short) this semester. It made me realize so much more how I love performing. And how I am not one who would do well in a classroom with students, but rather in a studio. I know, it's crazy. I love teaching. Really, I do. But honestly, if I'm going to do what I love all the time, the best way for me to make a living and do that would to be to teach privately. So, that's happening. Bryan and I are working on putting together a little "business plan" type thing for me to bring around and start getting voice and piano students.

Anyway, going back to OpShop and why I wanted to talk about that in the first place:
1. I LOVE GERMAN. I'm convinced that when Schubert was composing anything for high voice, my voice was the one singing in his head. And the language is just so lovely! (Yes, with the hacking and all).
2. I was cast as Dorabella for the Cosi fan Tutte scene. SO. MUCH. FUN. I would do it again a million times if I could. And, my Fiordiligi was (who am I kidding? IS.) AH. MAZE. ING. I want to be her when I grow up. For realsies.
This class made this semester so worth it. I mean, I took good classes that I enjoyed and learned a lot from. But this experience was one that literally changed my life. It makes me see the Lord's hand in my life so much more when I can recognize the blessings instead of thinking about the trials. I love my Father in Heaven! I love my Savior! They are so wonderful to me!

Bryan is doing great! Work is treating him well, he's working on a script, we're putting together a kickstarter campaign... There really isn't much more we can say besides The Lord blesses those who have faith in Him and who do all that they can do. It's awesome.

Life is good. It's even grand. I'm trying to be better about writing on here because I can say so much more here than I can anywhere else.

Hello.

I'm Kelsey, and I suck at life.

Well.... Blogging. Yes, I suck at blogging. I honestly love it, but I'm terrible at keeping up! I can never figure out why!

As a little update to our busy life, Bryan is doing fantastic! He's working on two commercials right now--on his own! Yep! Ladies and 'Gents, my cute hubby is doing his own production work! He's excited but still kinda... I'm not sure how to describe it. Stress? Anxiety? idk. Meh, whatever! He's living the dream :)

Me, on the other hand, I'm just cruising along with school. I'm come to reason with the fact that it's going to be about 3 years instead of 1.5 years before I graduate, but I'm doing what I love and I love what I do! My voice teacher has been away since the end of October doing The Barber of Seville in Beijing, China. (Poor soul, his life is so hard... NOT!) He comes back after Thanksgiving and honestly, I'm SO HAPPY. I've been practicing every day and working on my music, but I'm just ready to have him back. Other than that, work is work and all that jazz.

So, in ONE WEEK... Bryan and I are trekking down to Phoenix to see my family for Thanksgiving. I honestly can't tell you how happy I am to be (1) getting out of Utah and (2)getting away from the cold and bracing myself for snow. 70 degrees, here we come!

It's Octo-brrrrrr!!

Which means, I've been riding my bike in the fall air. It's been pleasant.

My poor little beach cruiser is still squeaking, though. I may need to take some WD-40 to it.

School is crazy. But it makes me happy. I honestly wouldn't want to be anywhere doing anything but what my situation is RIGHT NOW. I get to sing every day and I get to analyze music and understand even deeper why music is so breath taking. It's a happy time.

Here's a little sneak peek as to what I am working on:

Disclaimer: I am NOT the person singing on these videos lol. These are just pieces that I am trying to work on. Who knew I was a soprano?!! ha!

Oh! had I Jubal's Lyre from Joshua by G. F. Handel

Pale et Blonde from Hamlet by Ambroise Thomas

Why, hello there!

WOW.

You'd think that Bryan and I moved across town, started school, and haven't had a moment's sit down in like 3 weeks...

GAH!

As you can tell, it's been a mad house around this little family's home (no, I'm not announcing anything besides the craziness that is my life).

We moved. Yes, we're in our new apartment. Oakhurst is treating us pretty well :) Although, I'm not super fond of the rust stains on the counter in my guest bathroom ***grumblegrumblegrumble*** I am super happy with pretty much everything else! The first night here, Bryan and I laid in the bed and were just gazing at how enormous our new master bedroom was. And yes, I just said master bedroom! 2 Bed, 2 Bath, one HUGE APARTMENT! At least, compared to Wymount it is much bigger :)

School is... Awesome. Yes, I just used school and awesome in the same sentence. I love being in school, strange as it is. And I love being able to sing all the time again. I also love the fact that I'm getting exercise every day! I've been riding my little beach cruiser to and from school everyday. It is tiring (especially after riding uphill and then having to run up 4, sometimes 5 flights of stairs before getting to class) but it feels good.

Bryan is living the dream! The MPS (Motion Picture Studio) is shooting the Goshen stuff right now and he's gotten to go on set once already! It was his first night shoot and they shot the Gethsemane scene. I'm so jealous! It was so good for him, though. Like I said, He is living the dream!

Other than that things have been pretty normal around here. I'll be posting about my birthday soon. But not today. For now, that's it!

Back to School

YIKES!!!

Yes, I am going to be going back to school as an on-campus student tomorrow for the first time in two years. Since Bryan and I got engaged, I have either been working or taking online classes. Needless to say, I'm not sure how well this is going to go over

A much needed update.

Oh my HEAVENS.

It's been a while.
Can't you tell that I'm working full-time and taking 12 credits?!!!

Hi. I'm Kelsey. And I don't think I'll be making it to my 21st birthday.
Holy hannah!

Anyways, the last time I posted was, like, a MONTH ago!!! So, we must recap :)

My brother-in-law got married in March!! (woot-woot!) I wish I had pics, but facebook won't let you save images anymore :( boo.
But it was so beautiful! Leah--the blushing bride--asked me to do her hair and help her get in and out of her dress at the temple and for the reception. It was such an honor! I love this girl to DEATH! We are so similar, it's kind of awesome :) We did a traditional South African dance to introduce the wedding party, there was dancing, good treats... It was just all around a grand ol' party!

We had our FIRST Easter as a married couple this year, and my little sister came!!! It made me so happy to have Kylie here with us!

The Easter Bunny came a day early with our baskets... (She must have known we would be spending Sunday with Bryan's family **winks**)Bryan wanted the soccer ball, Kylie wanted a monkey, and I thought the little bumble bee's were too cute to resist. SO AWESOME! :)
I made us breakfast burritos Saturday morning and Kylie helped me set up my Skype. I felt so old trying to maneuver it. She was laughing at me half the time, I swear!
The afternoon rolled around and we took Kylie to the BYU vs. Colorado State Softball game!
It started totally pouring rain, but we had SO MUCH FUN! BYU dominated, so the game ended in the 5th inning. We curled up in our blankets, ate hotdogs and pretzels, and cheered on our Cougars! So fun!

AND IT GETS BETTER!

After the game, there was a meet-and-greet with the team! They handed out posters to everyone who came down to the clay and the team signed them.

Livin' the dream!!!

Then we went back to the apartment to color eggs! But we ran into a problem...
I didn't know that you needed vinegar for the egg dye. So, we ended up making faces :)

Then I started school. I'm taking 12 credits. Online. Again. You'd think I would have learned my lesson. Oh well... I have 2 A's, 2 B's, and 1 C so far (I'm working on that C. It needs to get higher!)

My nephew Tristin was blessed on May 1st. He's getting so big! It was also fun to see most of my family that weekend. I missed my mom and dad.

Eliza asked me to do her hair for her FIRST EVER PROM!!!! Her dress was amazing and she looked amazing! It was kinda fun watching her come down the stairs and seeing her date's reaction. His jaw basically dropped and he said, "Wow! You look amazing!" It was fun :)

Today was my first REAL day off in about 2 months. Every time I've had a day off from work, something was going on with the family; wedding, baby blessing, prom, blah blah blah... ANYWAY, Bryan and I went and hiked the Y --which is hard but SO FUN--but on the way down, it started POURING rain and we got SOAKED!!! It was pretty funny :) After getting home and cleaned up, we went to the mall for a bit and got me my 16-bar audition book (more on that later). Then we came home and I finished homework. It was a good day.

Tomorrow I will give my first lesson as a Relief Society teacher in my ward. I'm super excited! I've missed teaching! I'm a little nervous, but I know that the Lord will bless me and those that are in my class to have the Spirit and be inspired to teach one another.