Erica Miss America

Christmas

2011-11-06T15:28:00.005-07:00

Ok. So I figure I should update my blog since some exciting things are happening in my life right now. Bwahaha. This is sooo bad. Well for one I passed all my classes mostly A's and 1 B. Grr about that B+. I'm sure everyone knows what happened. But anyways. Last weekend Mel and Matt invited to go with them to Utah and see the lights at Temple Square. It was so magnificent. It really helped me feel the Christmas spirit, especially looking at the sweet and simple Nativity in the reflecting pool. This is the time to reflect on the birth of our Saviour and our relationship with Him. He is the Son of God here to save all mankind if we come unto Him. As we were walking around Matt and Mel so cute. I really hope something (eh-hem, the big M) comes of it. =) He is a great guy.

This years Christmas Concert at BYU-I was sooooooooooooo wonderful!!!!!!!! I am once again grateful that I could be attending this great school. It's been such a blessing and has helped me grow so much. We played in the I-Center with Broadway's Brian Stokes Mitchell. He has such an amazing voice and stage presence. We played his own arrangements of Little Drummer Boy, and many other familiar Christmas tunes. The choir played as well and the orchestra played Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker.

I also got to be in the back-up ensemble for Ed Calle, a wonderfully talented saxophonist from Miami. That was fun being up on stage. It was mostly little kids in the audience. Frosty the Snowman, the Grinch, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, and Santa all showed up.

Now that the semester is over I'm home for several weeks enjoying Christmas with Mom and Dad. I've been sleeping lots, doing puzzles, playing cello, reading, and just relaxing too much. It's going to be interesting during the Winter semester because I'm off track til April. I just really hope I get a job. I hopefully have a couple students lined up for me. Anyways. It's weird being the only kid home for Christmas. But it's also been good. I've been doing some crafts! I made a necklace--which you can see on Facebook. And I made a couple headbands. The next thing on my list is a skirt, or this adorable button bracelet I saw on Pinterest.

Next week I am off to Oklahoma to spend New Year's with Petre. I've known him since May and we've talked almost everyday since then. I feel we're just friends but you never know. I'm just excited to meet him face to face. He can be incredibly sensitive and a complete pain but he's been a good friend.

Tevon's Endowments

2011-09-18T19:57:00.002-06:00

Ok. So I have to say something positive after all that. Tevon got her endowments yesterday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe how much has happened within the last year or so with her. I've seen everything through, from her baptism, to the time she got to do baptisms for the dead, her endowments, and her soon to be sealing! I am grateful and full of joy at how much she has grown. I love her so much.

So I went to Pocatello yesterday and spent some time with Mel. It was so much fun. We just went grocery shopping and hung out. Then I drove to Twin Falls for Tevon's endowment and then we (Chelsea LeSueur, Jennifer Parry Seiter (they taught her as well) and her future mother and sister-in-law) went out to eat at this cute little Italian restaurant. It was amazing. I had chicken artichoke fettuccini. Unfortunately for me I left the leftovers at Mel's. But that was fortunate for her because she thought it was way super good.

Thoughts from 1st Week

2011-09-18T19:44:00.004-06:00

I had a fairly good first week. I learned a lot already. I'm not going to say much about what I learned. I think I just want to vent. ...ohmigosh!!! HELP ME WITH MY ROOMMATE situation. I'm going crazy being the oldest one. I'm 24 and all the other girls are 18 and 19 and they don't really include me. My room roommate, Michaela, is real nice, though. We stick together which is good. What keeps me sane is 2 doors down is an apartment with 4 return sister missionaries. I just bawled my eyes out today just so fed up with everything. After I composed myself I went over there and hung out. There's such a different spirit in that apartment. They were watching the Joseph Smith Movie and were still having fun but it was...different, good. I hope I can make it through this semester but after this I'm out of those apartments if I'm not rooming with anyone my age or a return missionary. Thank goodness it's only til December.

Our ward has 3 Relief Societies. It's crazy how many girls we have. But unfortunately I'm not with the girls I've made friends with (April, Whitney, Sarah, and Jessica) but there has to be someone I can be good friends with in there. Lauren is the RS President...her and I didn't really hit it off well before this...She's a great teacher and great person but...SO FREAKIN' LOUD ALL THE TIME with 2 of my other roommates ( Thea and Grace). Oh sooooooo Thea, Grace, and Lauren made dinner tonight and were going to have a bunch of people over.....um........was I invited?????? NOPE! It ticked me off. I didn't want to invite myself but it's not like I could make my own dinner, even though I really want to right now. I'm starving. And tired. I can't sleep with them all laughing and being loud. Time to invest in some heavy duty headphones.

So. What am I to learn from this? I'm not sure. We'll see. OH! And I made it into Sinfonietta. Just found that out tonight as I was checking my BOISE STATE account. Why on earth did he send the audition results there??? I am upset because I was so upset I didn't make it in but apparently I did. And now they've replaced me. GREAT! jpigahrpoietjhgflkbdj lkjkltjioregjfdbnlk,vjwpoqrlkJAFCSN*O#9uoi5rqlkj

First Impressions of BYU-Idaho

2011-09-11T12:47:00.002-06:00

WOW! I can't believe I am finally here! This is so exciting, a little nerve wracking, but I am thrilled to be here. I got here on Thursday and checked into my apartment. It's a 3rd floor apartment (yay! More exercise for me) and I live with 5 other girls--Melanie, Thea, McKayla, Grace, and a girl whose name starts with K, I think. I just met her briefly last night. There was a lot of drama getting her in, but not caused by her. So far things are going alright. Melanie and I have bonded a bit. McKayla is my room roomate, she seems sweet and quiet. I'm not sure how I feel about Thea but we'll see. I am definitely the oldest in the group. Everyone else is freshman or sophmore. But there's an apartment full of return sister missionaries a couple doors down. So that's good.

So far I love my ward. We have Relief Society first, Sunday School, and then Sacrament Mtg. Church was really good and I met some great girls, and I saw a few potential quality guys. Not a potential guy, but I sat next to a guy who graduated the same year as me (2006) from Capital High School. His name is Matthew Young. He also teaches Sunday School. April was one of the girls I met. She gave me a hug as I was leaving church today and said we should hang out. She lives in the apartment with all the rms. It was so sweet and it made my day. Tender mercy of the Lord.

Friday I took my music theory and ear training placement exam. I blew the sight singing exam but he still put me into Musicianship 3, which is the third out of 4 levels. Woot woot yeah! I'm pretty proud of myself considering that I haven't taken a class like that in 3 years. I'm sure I'll pick up on everything pretty quickly.

I went to I-Night last night and saw Kirby Heybourn's comedy act. It was really good. It felt good to laugh.

Campus is great. I feel such a great spirit here. I will also definitely get into shape. I walk five steps and I can already feel my muscles at work. =)

I also went to the Women's Conference on campus. It was alright. I think what threw me off a bit was how they did the music. The organist was really slow and then we did some weird exercise for the rest hymn. But I enjoyed the speakers. There was a brother who conducted the meeting who read a short children's book called "I Don't Care Pierre." It's about this boy who doesn't care about anything until he's eaten by a lion and who spits him back up and he starts to care about everything, his family, what he does to others, etc. Caring is a divine attribute and we should care about our identity as women and daughters of God. We should care about our relationship with Heavenly Father and others, our covenants, how and who I influence because this is no ordinary time and the women of the Church are no ordinary women.

NERVES!!!!

2011-08-25T22:51:00.002-06:00

Wow! Can I say that I have been sooo anxious and nervous about BYU-I?! I am so grateful for the Priesthood my dad holds and that he's able to give blessings of comfort and guidance because I sure needed it. I've been studying music theory and ear training like crazy. I have to know sooo much and I haven't taken a class in 3 years. Yikes. =\ But I found this awesome website www.teoria.com that goes through all the chords and their inversions, harmonic progressions, melodic and rhythmic dictations, etc. HOLY COW! It's amazing! I've never been able to hear so well the chords. I hope that I can remember when I take the test on Sept 9.
I've also been nervous about roomates. 5 girls kinda freaks me out a bit. Hopefully I get good roomates and who are my age, like I requested. I also don't know what to expect from my cello professor, who is also the orchestra conductor. I'm afraid to be principle, which might just happen....eep. But I am a lot more calm about it today than I have been.

Snickerdoodles =)

2011-08-18T21:44:00.003-06:00

Ok. So I've been on the search for an amazing Snickerdoodle recipe and I found one!!! OH WOW! These are scrumptious. A little crispy on the outside (not hard) and gooey on the inside.

2 3/4 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 salt
1/2 shortening
8 TB (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened. You can use salted. It turned out fine for me
1 1/2 c sugar, plus 3 TBS
2 large eggs
1 T ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift flour, baking soda, and salt into a bowl. With a handheld or standing mixer, beat together the shortening and butter. Add the 1 1/2 cups sugar and continue beating until light and fluffy, about 5 mins. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour mixture and blend until smooth. Mix 3 TBS sugar with the cinnamon in a small bowl. Flatten the balls into 1/2 inch thick disks spacing them evenly on cookie sheet. Bake until light brown, but still moist in center. The recipe says 12 mins but I baked mine for 8-10 mins. Also add a teaspoon of vanilla and they are to die for!!

Fudge Brownie Pie w/ Hot Fudge Sauce

2011-07-14T17:49:00.004-06:00

Found this is the Hershey's Best Loved Recipes book. I know the picture doesn't look that appetizing, but it's soooo good. I love the hot fugdge sauce.

2 eggs

1 c sugar

1/2 c (1 stick) butter, melted

1/2 c flour

1/3 c cocoa

1/4 t salt

1 t vanilla extract

1/2 c chopped nuts (optional)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 8-inch pie plate. Beat eggs in small bowl; blend in sugar and melted butter. Stir together flour, cocoa and salt; add to butter mixture. Stir in vanilla and nuts, if desired. Pour into prepared pie plate. Bake 25-30 minutes or until almost set. (Pie will not test done in center.) Cool; cut into wedges. Prepare Hot Fudge Sauce. Serve topped with scoop of ice cream and drizzled with sauce. I topped it with fresh raspberries from the garden. Delicious!

Hot Fudge Sauce

3/4 c sugar

1/2 c cocoa

1/2 c plus 2 T evaporated milk

1/3 c light corn syrup

1/3 c butter or margarine

1 t vanilla extract

Stir together sugar and cocoa in small saucepan; blend in evap milk and corn syrup. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils; boil and stir 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in butter and vanilla. Serve warm.

Easy Peach Cobbler

2011-07-10T16:59:00.004-06:00

Alright. I've realized that...I DON'T KNOW HOW TO COOK!! Haha. I'm almost 24, single, and still a college student. Someday I'm going to have to cook meals for my family everyday. I better start learning now! So I've been gathering recipes and typing them out in hopes to print them out and make a recipe book. My goal is to woo my future husband with my cooking....haha...right. =) Anyways. I've started with simple recipes. I kept some recipes that I loved from people on mission. I came across Easy Peach Cobbler given to me by Coco Scott. Super easy and probably everyone already knows about it. But when she made this for Sister Iotita and I, I could NOT stop eating it. It was sooo good and I was already in this weird funk because I was about to go home in a week or so. But anyways, here it is. Enjoy!

1 stick butter (melted)
2--3/4 cup sugar (1 for mixture and 1 for fruit)
3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup milk
1/4 t salt
1 t baking powder
1 1/2 large cans (13 oz) drained fruit. (I just used 1 large can because I like the bread part more than the fruit part of the cobbler)

Put melted butter in 9x13 casserole dish. Mix 3/4 c sugar, flour, milk, baking powder, and salt and beat well. Pour over butter in dish. Do not stir. Mix together fruit and 3/4 c sugar. Pour over mixture. Do not stir. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 35-40 minutes. Top with ice cream or evaporated milk. YUM!

2011-07-04T16:39:00.002-06:00

I LOVE SWIMMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My parents are housesitting for a couple who has a pool and hot tub. LOVE IT!! I went there Saturday and then earlier today. I've got the sunburn to prove it. It was the first time I've been swimming since coming home from my mission. I would have a pool when I'm older if only it didn't cost so much. It's so relaxing. I went with Mel, Tevon, and Kourtnie. And now I'm waiting for my friends to pick me up to go to the demolition derby at the Meridian Speedway. Super stoked. I've never been before. Should be great. Well I g2g!

Some Good Buys, or Boys as Mel Would Say =)

2011-06-30T16:19:00.005-06:00

I found some good buys today at Savers. Seriously LOVE that store!!! I got a really cute Jody(haha) dress. It's a 1950s style dress. I got it for $8. And then I got a cute swim top and bottoms all for $10. I look adorable in it. Seriously, when did I ever look good in a swimsuit!?! And then a sweater cardigan thing and a basic black skirt. Then I found a black fitted bed sheet that'll go with my maroon sheets I bought the other day. I wanted different sheets for college, a more grown up theme. So eventually I want it black, maroon, and silver or white. I think it would be cute. And then an indulgence of white shorts. They're not necessary but so cute. I've been looking for shorts/capris for awhile but they all look funny on me, at least from my perspective. And then I got a shelf/ hanger dealio. It'll be good for all my necklaces and stuff like that. Overall my purchases, with an extra 30% off costs $29.50. I know I don't need to be spending anymore money......eeek. But I did narrow things down a lot and got what I thought was the best for my money and the cutest. I actually got this dress for cheaper because there was a small rip on the side. I got $2 off. YIPEE!! AHH! It's so cute.

The KO Hip-Hop Cello-Beatbox Experience: Julie-O

2011-04-22T01:19:00.000-06:00

AMAZING!!!!!!!

March Updates

2011-04-08T00:00:00.003-06:00

This last month has been super super busy what with rehearsals and concerts. The BSU Symphony Orchestra had their first concert of the semester playing some awesome stuff. And then I was in the Treasure Valley Community Symphony out in Ontario for their concert. And then I was in the pit orchestra for Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella put on by the BSU Theatre Dept., and then there was Spring Break. I GOT A JOB!!!! I work at Zamzow's again. It's a good job. I am a cashier at the store on Chinden. It's a bit of a drive everyday but it's so worth it. It feels so good to work. I always come in with a smile...at least for now. I'm sure there will come a point in which I won't come in smiling. But for now I'm going to enjoy it while I can. I work with some great people--like Steve who I worked with at the Fairview store. I love it here so much more than Fairview. It's so much more relaxed. Let's see...well. I am going to BYU-I for sure. They offered me a full tuition scholarship and I am way stoked! I got into the Spring Fall track which means I'll be in school April-July then Sept-Dec. I'll be starting this September. I'm nervous, too. I have to take a music theory and ear training efficiency exam. It's been a while. Yikes. I got A's and B's in those classes but still. I got a laptop! I am using it right now. It's a Toshiba. It's a beautiful thing. It's even got a 10 key pad! I always hated typing in long series of numbers on a laptop. I'm going to Utah on Saturday and Sunday! I'll finally get to see little Mason Harl Judd. He'll be blessed on Sunday. It will be a short trip but so worth it. Oh! And I'm going to OHIO!!!!! May 24-31 I'll be jetting off to Ohio with my sister, Julie. It will be tons o' fun seeing everyone that I miss and love. To "a land of heritage rich and bold" I go! YAYAYAYAYAY!!!!

I GOT IN!!!!!!

2011-02-20T01:40:00.002-07:00

WOWOOOWOWOOOOOOT!!!!! I got into BYU-I!!!!! I am soooo stoked. I came home last night from an awesome birthday party (more later on that) and checked my email and there it was! I screamed I was so excited. But I woke up the parentals. They thought I was dying...ooooops. =) Sorry Mom and Dad! Love you! Thank you for all that you do and supporting me in my decisions. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to going to school here. Boise State has been great but I need something more now, something on a spiritual level. I'm sick of the drugs, alcohol, party, and language of the people here. I hear it all the time and it tires me. And Tevon, a girl I taught in Ohio and she got baptized, is going to BYU-I in April. I hope to get on the Fall/Winter track so I can at least see her. I miss my Ohio friends.

So about the birthday. It was for Becky Armstrong. It was her 30th. We suprised her by taking her to the Taj Mahal....not in India., but in downtown Boise. I drove.....oh gosh...that's a whole other story...Anyways. It's an awesome Indian restaurant. We waited and hour and a half for food. Julie and I were getting quite angry but everyone else (Cole, Trevor, Becky) were calm. I wish I could be patient. Our food finally came. It was soooooooooooo yum-o! I had chicken korma and coconut naan. To die for! Then we went back to Cole's and had cake, opened presents, and watched one of Becky's favorite movies--Cool As Ice. It's with Vanilla Ice. It was funny seeing all the early 90s outfits. Oh boy....

Today I slept in, cleaned, and played some music with the parentals. We jammed out a bit on Minor Swing. We're not nearly as good as these guys http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpmOTGungnA. But we faked our way through it with me on cello, Dad on guitar, and Mom on autoharp. I so wish I could improvise well. All in all it was fun!

2011-02-18T14:21:00.003-07:00

Kay. So my bestest friend told me I have to update more often. So here Andrea. Things that have happened since the 4th of February.

Biggest news is that I'm an auntie again! YAY! My sister, Emily, had her 3rd boy on February 10th. He is soooo cute! His name is Mason Harl Judd. He was 8 lbs 15 oz 21". BIG baby! I can't wait to go see him. I don't know when that'll be, though. =( He only lives in Utah. Should have made it happen this weekend but I didn't set it up with Emily.

Another item of news is that I teach the 2nd Sunday Relief Society lesson. AHH! I've never taught like that before. I mean besides my mission. I've always been the pianist. Always. I think there was a moment that I was some Family History thing but that didn't last long. But I think I did a good job teaching this last Sunday.

I've been keeping busy working on my Music History research paper. Yuck! I actually like my topic this time around (I failed the class the semester before leaving on my mission...ooops.) But the teacher is so much better! He's not as hard. I'm doing it on Marin Marais. He's a viol player and composer. He's freakin' amazing...I guess. But I finally finished my annotated bibliography. I apologize to my parents for putting up with me during that whole thing and I apologize for things that will happen in the future pertaining to this paper. I am not a writer at all! And I get very frustrated when I have to write anything for school.

There. I updated!

2011-02-04T16:28:00.004-07:00

Let's see.... what is worth talking about today? So I've been watching quite a bit of foreign action movies. They are crazy! Some wicked karate or tae kwon do chops. It's really kind of gross, some of those moves. But Ip Man and Chocolate are pretty good. Makes me want to take classes like that. I could kick someone's butt!

School is good. Sometimes I wonder why the heck I'm in Music Ed. Most people know what they're talking about but I really don't. Ha. But then I get little answers to my prayers. I have a cello friend, his name is Sam. He came into the practice room today and just starting talking to me and showing me his composition he's working on. He's writing a musical, an epic tragedy. It was along the lines of playing a certain song and gaining eternal life. The only thing is you have to play it with your heart. I know I have felt music in my heart. I know I can do this. It lifts me towards heaven-I mean I know it's not necessarily going to factor into my eternal salvation but...it just made me think. Thank you, Sam! You're amazing!

New Cello Repetoire

2011-01-17T17:09:00.004-07:00

I had my cello lesson today and this semester I am going to be working on the Schumann Cello Concerto. I am stoked. It's interesting and all over the fingerboard. It's got multiple personalities in there, too. SWWWWEEEEEET! So here is a link to Rostropovich playing the concerto. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwOisqjXUEo I am also playing Beethoven Sonata #2 in g minor. It will be great. I haven't played a Beethoven sonata yet but now I am!!!

Well tonight I'm headed to a lesson with the missionaries and then to Home Evening. I'm excited for the lesson not so much H.E. It's weird that they don't call it family home evening anymore. Anywho.

Thoughts on Forgiveness

2011-01-16T16:08:00.002-07:00

There have been quite a few setbacks in my life but nothing compares to what I'm experiencing now. I am learning first hand what it means to forgive. I love my Heavenly Father and the chance that I have to be here on earth and to go through life experiences that will make me stronger and more worthy to one day enter into His presence. I am finding great peace and strength in the covenants, or promises, that I have made in the house of the Lord.

A talk was given to me by my mission president that changed my perspective on forgiveness. It's called "Why We Forgive," by C. Terry Warner. He writes, "We have little to say about many of the events that befall us, but much to say about how we experience them, how we understand them, how they influence us. This distinction miraculously opens up a bright window of opportunity, the opportunity of forgiveness. It permits us to remember wrongs done to us without believing they have damaged us irreparably, without feeling helpless or hopeless. We can remember those wrongs without retaliating in our hearts, without writhing in animosity and vengeance." It's a choice to be the scapegoat or the forgiver. I want to be the forgiver and I'm still figuring out how I can do that. If I refuse to forgive I reject the Atonement. "Forgiveness may not be wasy to extend. No work is more demanding or, I believe, more significant. It heals individuals; it heals families; it heals generations united by blood or adoption. To forgive another might take years or become the work of a lifetime, and that is just as it ought to be." It's not going to happen overnight. I know through fasting, prayer, and temple attendance that I can be the forgiver. The Lord is showing me the way.

I'm BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-01-12T11:46:00.005-07:00

Okay. I am going to try and start blogging again now that I am home from my mission. It was such a wonderful experience! I am soooooo sad to not be in the Great Ohio anymore. I met so many people from all walks of life. I saw them change and sacrifice for the gospel of Jesus Christ. I encourage anyone who has a desire to serve the Lord to go on a mission. JUST DO IT! It's so worth it in the end. We had a motto in our mission, "It's not about us. DO WE GET IT?" I know that that 18 months was not about me, although I did learn and grow a LOT, but it was about the people I met and taught.

Dayton's Best District!!!!!!!! (Miamisburg July-November 2010)
Tevon Shortridge got baptized!!!!! In Moundbuilders I served with Sister LeSueur and trained Sister Beck. This is Sister Beck in this pic. (Moundbuilders May-August 2010) The Bonds and Coco Pope's family in Beavercreek. I served with Sister Iotita. She was from Kiribati. If you don't know where that is that would be no surprise. It's a teeny tiny island near Fiji. (Beavercreek August-December 2010)

My life right now consists of getting ready for school, finding a job, and brushing up on my cello skills. I am starting school next Tuesday and continuing my Music Education degree. I have been practicing so much that I have a blister on my thumb. That's not good. My music has a lot of thumb position. Hope this goes away soon. I am also working on transferring to BYU-I in the fall. I have most of the application finished. I just now have to make a video for my music scholarship audition. I'm playing the Haydn Cello Concerto in C Major Mov't 3. It's super fast. This is how I got my blister in the first place. I'm also playing Brahms Sonata in e minor. Wish me luck because I SO WANT TO GET IN!!!!!!!!!!!! Boise State has been great to me. They've helped me develop my talent so much. But now I want something more and I think I can achieve that at BYU-I.

JaNae's Wedding

2009-06-15T11:36:00.005-06:00

Saturday was my friend, JaNae's wedding. She got married in the Twin Falls Temple for time and all eternity to Brandon Anderson. He's such a good guy! It was a beautiful and fun wedding. I was one of the bridesmaids. Here are some pictures from the wedding. I only got one photo of JaNae and Brandon. My camera needs new batteries. =(

The Happy Couple! They are adorably in love! <3 id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347610693166628850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OEOKWyJpejo/SjaHl7NG__I/AAAAAAAAAJo/Ss55H9H0tjU/s320/100_1375.JPG" border="0"> The reception was at Brandon's house and he has horses!!!! They ate my synthetic flowers. =(

Oh! And I also caught the bouquet! HAHA! You know what that means?!?! Teehee. =)

2009-06-03T16:37:00.001-06:00

This is my gorgeous Lady Margaret Passiflora that is growing along the back fence in my backyard. It is SSSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOO pretty! But it kinda looks deadly. Haha. I'm so excited. There's several other buds that are coming up.

Mission

2009-05-18T12:44:00.006-06:00

As I'm sure ALL of you know by now, I'm going to be serving in the Ohio Columbus Mission! GAH! So I never really got video or picture of me ACTUALLY opening my call up and reading it

2009-04-12T18:33:00.002-06:00

What an amazing day already! I went to the Stake President for my mission interview. I should be expecting my call in 2-6 weeks! I am soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm nervous to. But, I know that the Lord will strengthen me. I have to keep the faith. I love this gospel and I'm so excited to serve the Lord and His children.

Update update update

2009-03-06T22:13:00.004-07:00

Yeah. That was a pretty bad headache last night. I've never cried because of one before. Hope that never happens again. Now I know how you feel, Mel. I'm sure yours were worse. I have very little motivation for school right now. I did do some school work today and I wasn't bored out of my mind. I usually end up writing "I can read BORING things" on all my papers...just to motivate me. It doesn't work most of the time. heh...

I was sick pretty much all last week. It totally sucked. I didn't go to school for 3 days. I was just sneezing and coughing and I had a fever. Yuck. I tried going to my lesson. I played for like 10 minutes and just asked if I could go home.

I finally got my bow rehaired! It's so nice! It cost me $50. Ugh. Believe it or not that was the best quote I got for the quality of work. I'm sure I could have gotten cheaper at Dunkley's or Telfords but not as good quality. Some guy wanted $85. But my cello still buzzes. It bugs the crap out of. It needs repairs but I can't afford them. Plus, why repair when I'm not going to use it for a while. That's a little bit of a sad though. =( I played in area concert class yesterday. It was okay but the bow still needed to be warmed up with some rosin so my chords didn't sound like I wanted them to.

So you know how guys wear button-up shirts with the sleeves rolled up? WHY??!?!?! Why do they do that? Don't they know how much it makes my heart pound. It's such a turn on. Love it! There's this guy at work who did that yesterday and I about died. =)

A couple of days ago Julie and I went and took a hike up to Table Rock. It was a lot of fun! I am out of shape but it was such a clear, nice day.

The hills are alive with the sound of music! With songs they have sung for a thousand years

I'm going to just face it...my face needs some help but other than that this is a good picture.

2009-03-06T00:04:00.000-07:00

I have a headache. Bleck. Ohh ho ho ho ho ho ho ohahahahaha ohehehehehehree.

2009-02-19T20:54:00.002-07:00

Yesterday turned out to be a pretty good day, even though it started off bad. I went to my appointment with the bishop and he encouraged me to go! YAY! I have felt good since. I am so excited! He said I could leave as soon as May. Eep. I don't think I will leave that soon...I'm a bridesmaid in June, afterall. Don't want to miss that. I wasn't planning to tell anyone yet at school but I had my lesson today and Dr. Hodges just went off on all these questions about next semester and year. So...I just told him. I won't be here next semester. "WHAT?!?!?!" That was his reaction. Haha... Then I told him I would be gone a year and a half and he was so sad. He told me I had better come back. He's planning on me doing the Elgar Cello Concerto! OOOH! YAY! I love that one. Dvorak is better but harder. So yeah. I am pumped to serve! YAY!

2009-02-18T12:44:00.002-07:00

Hate those days when you do things you totally regret. Or you just feel so stupid because you don't know the answer when you should know the answer. It's been one of those days where I wish I could start all over again starting at midnight. Actually I would probably start from the beginning of this year. I'm taking a string pedagogy class and I'm the only cellist. Thing is, I don't know a lot of repetoire and I never REALLY think about what I'm actually playing and then have to explain myself in words. Well...I do think about what I'm playing and how I play it, I just never really say it out loud so it sounds stupid or I say the wrong thing. As for regretting things...well if I regreted it I wouldn't want to tell you about it. Now would I?

I'm a little nervous for my appointment. I have no idea what he's going to say or even what I'm going to say. We'll see when I get there I guess.

Mission

2009-02-17T12:40:00.002-07:00

I have been thinking about a mission. This isn't something new. I've thought about a mission since 9th grade. It's been off and on whether or not I want to go. But I have made up my mind for the final time. I WANT TO GO! I want to serve! YAY! So my biggest issue (I'm not sure you could call it an issue) was actually talking to my bishop about it. Talking to him about it makes it seem so final and afterwards a lot of stuff happens, right? Well this morning I had the courage to call him up and make an appointment. It's tomorrow at 5:30! WHOA! I'm excited and nervous. I'm sure it will go just fine. I'll let you know.

2009-02-14T19:54:00.002-07:00

Well. I didn't win. =( I'm a little bummed but I am so happy with who won! Henry, this violist, has been trying out every year. He's REALLY good but has never gotten through. And Jenny, a violinist who is SUPER good got in. And there's this marimba player who is amazing. There's others but I was really happy with those. I played in concert class on Thursday. I got a big cheer at the end. It made me feel better and right then I was happy that I didn't get through. I don't think I could have played that piece for much longer. It's flashy and exciting but it tires me out.

Oh the joys of Singles Awareness Day! I came home and Julie was soooo excited about showing me something she got. She told me to just wait in the foyer(teehee) and then she pulled MEL out of the family room! I was soooooooo excited! Melissa's home! YAY!

I have eaten wwwwwwwaaaaaaayyyyyy too many sugar cookies. Bleck. =)

Preliminaries

2009-02-09T11:43:00.003-07:00

Guess what?!?!?!?! I got through to the finals for the concerto/aria competition! Totally did NOT think that was going to happen. I came into Mr. Purdy's office barely warmed up. I got there 10 minutes before I had to play. It went okay until I got to the last page. TOTALLY did not remember anything! I completely blanked. I was doing it from memory and I have done so for about a month. I was comfortable with it. Tip for anyone who thought they had something memorized. Doesn't matter how much you think you may have it memorized it probably isn't as much as you think. So I had to start over and play the last page again. I was sooooo upset. I was also making squeaky sounds on the high notes--especially the G way up the fingerboard. I just walked out of the room and didn't say anything until Peggy Purdy(what a sweetheart she is), my accompanist, said something to me. She gave me a hug and I started to cry a little. I thought for sure that I wouldn't get through but I got a text while in class from JaNae congratulating me for making it! And then I got a phone call from Mr. Purdy that confirmed that I got through. Now I just have to get through finals. They're on Wednesday at 7pm. I don't know exactly when I'm playing but any one is welcome to come and listen.

2009-02-06T11:26:00.003-07:00

Let's see....I played in Area Concert Class yesterday. It was just in front of the string players. I played Haydn memorized! YAY! I kept the energy and was pretty calm through out the entire thing until the end where I just lost focus and stopped playing for a couple measures. But I don't normally do that...so. Hoping that doesn't happen in my prelim on Monday. Yeah. Preliminaries for me are at 8:30am (YUCK!!!!) on Monday. I know who I'm up against. Hoping I'll get in the finals. I think I will but you never know.

In my quartet we're playing Dvorak Quartet No. 11. I LOVE IT!!!!! Too bad there's no video or anything. But it's just so intense, strong, and meaty. I am sooo happy with my quartet this semester. It's the first time I've been happy about it since my 2nd semester Freshman year. We just sound so good together. Our tones and energy. YAYAYAYYAY!

Anyway. That's what's happening.

McCall

2009-02-01T22:14:00.003-07:00

Friday was an absolute blast! I needed it, too. Rebba, her sister Mallory, and I went up to McCall for the opening day of the Winter Festival. I got work off and had the entire day to spend in McCall. We got there around 2:00 and looked at all the sculptures, walked onto McCall Lake, saw a wedding proposal(so cute!), went tubing, went to Maverick like 4 or 5 times for food, and then we watched the fireworks. Here are some pics.

This was fun! It was a bear fishing on a lake but there was a slide with it, too!

A dragon! Cool.

Making snow angels on McCall Lake.

That snow was so deep and hard to walk in but so fun! Worth getting soaked.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-01-27T12:49:00.000-07:00

Break ups suck. Enough said.

School and Such

2009-01-21T12:51:00.003-07:00

Schooooooool! YAYAY! Today I had Instrumental Conducting. I guess it's okay. I just don't like that it's at 8:40am. I am not a morning person. Then I had Music History. I'm not looking forward to spending much of my free time researching Viols in the Tudor Court. I also had Music Pedagogy. We just learned about some instruments that preceded the violin like the rebec, rebab, vielle, viol. I did kind of get in trouble in Music History. I was sitting next to Georgie and she pointed out a sentence on the syllabus. It said "Use me." I couldn't help but laugh a little...actually it was just one loud laugh. HA. Yeah. Thankfully Dr. Hodges was substituting and he's not so strict and he knows me. You better not do that again!! Oh! And I love that we're ACTUALLY stand partners for the first time in...........I don't know how long.

We are playing Enigma Variations by Elgar, Symphony No. 94 by Hadyn aka Surprise Symphony. And The Unanswered Question by Charles Ives. The Engima Variations are soooo beautiful--especially Nimrod. Gorgeous!

So I walk to school. I like just walking and listening to my iPOD. It's kind of cold so last night I stopped by Starbucks in the library and got a white hot chocolate. It was so delicious! YUM! Last night I made Canadian Bacon Brocolli Cheese Soup. It was also delicious! Put twice as much cheese in, though. I'll put the recipe on here later.

Music is like totally for sure sooooooo AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-01-14T20:47:00.005-07:00

Update Update. New Year's was fun. I had Hesper over at my parents and we had clam chowder(yum) and played games. He totally beat me in Chess..I used to be pretty good when I was 10. Not so much any more. Then I just went home and practiced because I wasn't tired. I'm working on the 3rd movement of the Haydn Cello Concerto in C major. It's a lot of fun. At first I was really resenting it. I DO NOT like the classical era all that much. Maybe it's because the cello parts are boring and all the sudden you have a really ridiculously obnoxious section and then it's back to boring steady eigth notes. Bleck. But, the Haydn has so much pep! I get to go fast! YAY!!! Here's a youtube video to check out. His bow hand...it's amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!flawless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqlUng5Djbs

I'm hoping to do the Concerto Aria competition with this piece. It's coming up in February. If I won I would be playing with the BSU orchestra on the Spring concert in....MAY?? April? Well, sometime this semester. =) Fun! I have wanted to do the competition for several years but never felt prepared enough or had a piece that I really wanted to play with the orchestra. Haydn's not my first choice but I'm happy with it. What I really want to play is Lalo Cello Concerto in d minor. But since everyone basically plays romantic pieces for the competition, Brian had me do something not romantic. =( Here it is. I've played the entire thing with a piano but playing with an orchestra would be a blast! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qNMOOtfIkA&feature=related and here's the second half http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ejh0LG1XIQ&feature=relatedLove how passionate and Spaniardy it is. Maybe someday I will play it.

School starts in 6 days. Yay....Actually I am kinda excited. I'm taking a Music History class which covers music from before 1600. And I'm taking Instrumental Conducting. And a pedagogy class specifically for the cello. That is what I'm psyched for. And of course orchestra and chamber music. I was pretty set on not doing chamber this semester but I told my teacher and he just gave me this look...so I'm taking chamber.

I saw Bride Wars last night with my roommates and Georgie(^__^ happy?! lol). I thought I would be wasting $9 but it was actually really good. Really funny.

Well. That's all for now. I am so tired. I didn't get to sleep until 1:00. Bleck. I actually turned off the lights at 10:30--the earliest in a LONG time--and my eyes were really heavy but sleep didn't come until later. So, hopefully sleep comes tonight.

2008-12-28T13:15:00.007-07:00

Yesterday was actually a pretty good day. It wasn't filled with lying around watching movies and eating a bunch of junk food. Well....I did eat a lot of junk food yesterday but I didn't sit on my butt so much. It started out with cleaning the house, then going to a burger joint called Marv''s. I had a reallly good burger--Pepperjack Bacon Cheeseburger. mmm....Yum-O! Then I played rock band and pretty much ROCKED it on the guitar...even though it was set on easy. =) Then I hiked the hill outside the Judd's house with Dad. The view was spectacular! The rocks here are amazing. They are all red because of the iron. And it's not mud, it's sand. After taking the small hike, Dad and I played ping pong. Yeah...that was interesting. We weren't keeping score because we both sucked. I don't like small balls, or anything for that matter, flying at my face. =)

We also took some sister pictures, too. Here are two of my favorites. We look so much alike when you put us all together.

Christmas

2008-12-25T14:40:00.003-07:00

Merry Christmas everyone! Well...everyone who reads that and that would be my fam...and Andrea. It was and still is a good Christmas. We woke up at 8:00ish and opened presents. Well...the majority of the presents were for Easton. We just opened stockings. Yay! And guess what I FINALLLLLLLLLY got? A rockstop!!!!!!!!! For the longest time I've been using a piece of plywood with some holes drilled in it and a crappy, ratty piece of string on it. Oh, and it's not even mine! It's my friend's. Some guy made it for her a lllllooooong time ago. I usually forget to bring it for concerts and recitals, too. So. Now, I have a nice one. One that's black and adjustable and just sooo awesome. Thanks Mom and Dad!

Probably the best present ever. My sis has been writing a book. A REALLY good book. And as a present to the entire family she had it printed up all nice and bound. She had us scavenger hunt for it. Everyone started looking at it and noticed who it was dedicated to. I looked at it. It was dedicated to me. Wow. I'm tearing up just thinking about it. I was speechless. All I could do was cry. It's....wow... thank you. You are such an awesome sister!

Well, I wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and I will be back for New Year's. YAY for 2008! It was a fun year..honestly!

2008-12-24T10:45:00.002-07:00

Wow. Update! So I'm in St. George enjoying Christmas with my family. More importantly, my nephews! It's so much fun to play with Easton even though I wake up to him saying "Go, dog, go." over and over again. It's so cute. Lincoln is adorable and he's got the cutest hair. So much of it!

Another update...hmm...I am eating way to many goodies. Can't get enough chocolate! So gooooood! Another thing is that I passed my juries, which is where I have to play cello in front of my professors. I was quite relaxed, except while playing my solo Bach memorized. I wasn't planning on going for a level change but they just decided to put me in 300 level. I have one more level to pass. I'm pretty excited. Oh, yeah! I switched from Music Education to Music Performance. I feel so much more comfortable.

Pretty much that's it.

2008-11-26T01:51:00.003-07:00

Oh! And I have a new nephew! He's sooooo cute! His name is Lincoln David Judd. YYAAAY! I can't wait until Christmas to see him.

Shopping and a Movie

2008-11-26T01:45:00.002-07:00

Wow. Update. Um. What's been going on in my life? Hmmmm....well. Today was a cool day..I guess. I went shopping and found a hat that I really want but will wait until Black Friday to buy it..maybe. I did buy some black nail polish, though. It's really cool! I like it. Makes me feel a little like a punk...which I'm totally not. And then I went to see High School Musical 3 which actually didn't turn out to be as bad as I thought it would be. It's still really bad in that really good way. Ha! We were the only ones in the theatre so we got to make fun of it as much as we wanted to--which we did a lot. Then I just played a lot of piano and cello.

I'm so excited for Thanksgiving. Looks like the fam will go out shooting after all. Yay! Even thought I've never actually hit a clay pigeon before it's still fun. I've knocked down a couple of rustly old cans and almost maybe hit around the target. It's still fun though.

2008-11-06T22:08:00.002-07:00

So, tonight Julie and I watched the Office. Oh. Jim. Why can't you just dump Pam and be with me?!?!?!?!? You two are just way too cute for each other. Oh my heart. We had cookies, chips and sour cream, AND brownies. Good times. I mean, seriously??? How can you not fall in love with this face, this body, THAT SMILE??!?!?!!!!

2008-11-03T22:05:00.003-07:00

This month is exciting already! On November 25th I will have another nephew! OHMIGOSH!!!!!!!!! So excited. I think he's going to come early, though. Like, November 16th. I think Emily will go into labor on the 15th, deliver the 16th. The 15th is my Mom's birthday. Easton was born September 27th. One day after Mel's and my birthday.

So, I have been given an opportunity to play in Sun Valley for some Handel cantata thingamajig. Anyways. It's the 14th-16th and I would be given hotel, food, and get this $600!!!! WOOT! I totally want to do it. I already rescheduled a test to do it. Now I just have to get work off...hopefully it will be ok. It's been so slow so I hope it won't be a problem.

I will be voting tomorrow...for McCain. Obama just scares the crap out of me.

That's all for now.

2008-10-24T22:37:00.002-06:00

Tonight Julie and I went to Johnny Carinos. Actually, it's just called Carino's Italian Restaurant now. It wasn't very good at all. Not at all tasty. And the service wasn't that great, either. Oh well. Right now we're at my place and we're just hangin' out watching Brotherhood 2.0 and now watching Mr. and Mrs. Smith. I feel really sick. I ate too many of those delicious chocolate white chocolate chip cookies. ooooooh. my stomach. yuck.

SICK!!

2008-10-22T16:47:00.002-06:00

Wow. Yay for being sick for the 3rd (or is it the 4th?) time this semester alone. YAYAYAY!!!! I love it! But, I am getting a little bit more motivation...except for Japanese. Really don't like that class. Don't like the teacher and don't like what time it's at. I can barely concentrate on English in the morning. What makes you think I can concentrate on a language I don't even know that early?!?!!? Well...anywho. I just thought I'd update this. Oh, yeah! Last night, my family and I saw Wall-E. It was adorable! I heard people didn't like it so much because there was like no talking in it...but it was really good! I recommend it.

2008-10-17T10:23:00.001-06:00

I feel like life is just sluggish right now. I have no motivation whatsoever to do school work. Ugh. I hate it. I do, on the other hand, feel like working and earning money. I wish I didn't have school and that I could just work and get the salary needed to support myself. Anywho. I got to let Summit outside. He's whimpering. Ohhh.

101 Things About Me

2008-10-13T13:48:00.006-06:00

Let's see. My sister, Mel, did this on her blog. I hope I can find 101 things about me. Here goes.

1. I love to sleep. Any time I get the chance to I will. Like, right now, totally want to sleep

2. I am principle cellist in the BSU Orchestra and really don't have a desire to be most of the time. Second chair would be fantastic!

3. I love to read. But lately I haven't had the patience to read. I still have to finish Breaking Dawn. DO NOT tell me what happens!

4. I was in Japan for less than a week but had a blast! And turned 21! No sake, though. =( jk

5. I eat way too many brownies. Betty Crocker makes the best ones. Guiradelli (sp?), not so much. Pillsbury's pretty good.

6. I performed in concert class on Thursday and pretty much rocked the house! HAH! I played Brahms Sonata No. 1 in e minor

7. I used to be obsessed with Star Wars and now I don't really know anything about it.

8. Animorphs was my favorite series when I was little. I have to thank Julie for reading those to me.

9. Sound of Music is my absolute favorite musical! That and Singin' in the Rain.

10. I was the first one in my family to not have bangs! And the first to have bangs when they came back in style.

11. I was the last one in my family to get glasses. Haven't switched over to contacts, though. I hate sticking things in my eyes.

12. I am terrified of dams. Hate them!

13. I love camping! I want to go camping! GAH!

14. I crack my knuckles way too much. But I blame Dad because he taught me how one day after Sacrament meeting. Thanks.

15. I have size 10 feet. It used to be hard to find cute shoes, but Payless makes cute shoes for big feet.

16. I have lost like 15 pounds. I am now a size 12! HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Yay! It's been years!

17. I used to hate being a redhead but now I love it because it's not like flaming red or barely red. It's pretty much perfect, in my opinion.

18. Ross is the best place to buy dresses. I buy practically all mine there. And it's cheap!

19. I've only been to one concert that wasn't an orchestra concert of some sort. And I don't even remember the band's name. It was at the Fair this year. Help me out, Mom and Dad.

20. I used to have seizures when I was little.

21. I really don't remember a lot before 4th grade.

22. I've never had a cavity. Almost but not quite! Hope I don't have one the next time I go to the dentist. Knock on wood.

23. I am the Relief Society pianist. In my last ward and my ward now.

24. I am a very shy person. If I don't say anything to you it doesn't mean I don't like you. A lot of people don't know me in the Music Department because I don't really talk a lot.

25. I have been teaching cello for 6 years now.

26. I wish I tried out for music scholarships at more schools

27. I don't like my nails even a little bit long. Right now they are bothering the crap out of me but I can't find my fingernail clipper.

28. My toenails are almost always painted bright pink.

29. Speaking of pink, I have a pink cello case. It's pretty crazy.

30. I have never been kissed. That's about to change, though.! =

31. I love lotion. Total opposite of Mellie. But I don't like having dry skin, or the look of dry skin. It's gross.

32. I don't wear lipstick and don't plan to. I don't like the feeling of it. I like chapstick, though. A neutral colored chapstick that keeps my lips moist. Gap chapstick is good.

33. I don't really wear jewelry. I have it, but don't wear it. I just wear a CTR ring that I've had since I was 16.

34. I work at Zamzows. You know? Nobody knows like Zamzows.

35. I swear I live in the loudest, brightest room in my house. I can hear everything that goes on in my neighborhood. Like last night, somebody was looking for their dog and they were crying. I asked one of my roommates who lives downstairs if she heard it. She didn't. And she's a light sleeper

36. Only have had....3 dates in my life. That's excluding the ones with my now current boyfriend.

37. I used to be such a messy, untidy person. Now I'm not really.

38. I actually enjoy walking to school.

39. I don't think I'm going to be a Music Education major anymore.

40. I want to be a Performance major and go into pedagogy in graduate school

41. I wish I could live in the country

42. Now that Japan is crossed off on my list of places to go, Great Britain or Prince Edward Island is on the top of my list.

43. I've been to New York, but not New York City

44. I like to garden.

43. I used to HATE salad. I used to put it under the table and pretend I ate it. Eew. But now I like it.

44. I have always liked brocolli

45. Prefer apples over bananas any day.

46. Someday I hope to learn the Elgar Cello Concerto. It's beautiful

47. I really want to learn Julie-O by Mark Summer. It's a freakin awesome cello piece!

48. I don't feel very good right now. Too much pecan pie. I didn't even eat an entire piece but it's so rich.

49. I am sooooooooooooo excited for Julie to be home! Yay for playing piano and singing together!

50. So I've been writing this over a few days and now I am no longer a member of the VLC!!!!!!!! Wow! Finally!

51. Kissing is weird

52. And I'm not sure I'm good at it. Eep

53. I really should be sleeping right now

54. I have a test tomorrow that I'm going to fail. YAY!

55. I am now addicted to Brotherhood 2.0! Thank you, Julie!

56. I mentioned previously that I don't wear jewelry. That is true, but I do have my ears pierced and every once in a while I put earrings in them just to make sure they don't plug up again because someday I may want to wear jewelry. Who knows?!

57. I really want Japanese food

58. I ate too much ice cream tonight

59. I hate it when people chew with their mouths open.

60. I want a family some day, maybe no less than 4 kids.

61. I won't settle for anything less than a temple marriage.

62. Twilight is one of my favorite books

63. I wish I could just sleep, read, and play music all day.

64. I think I'm a pretty forgiving person

65. I tend to easily, genuinely care for the well-being of people

66. It's really hard to think of 101 things about myself.

67. Fall is my favorite season

68. Then Spring

69. Then winter

70. Summer is my least favorite season

71. I like the color blue

72. but now I'm leaning more toward green. .

73. I look better in green, too

74. My favorite hymn is Where Can I Turn for Peace.

75. I used to scrapbook but not so much anymore.

76. All I ever listened to when I was younger was country music. Now I've broadened out a bit.

77. I have never been stung by a bee. Knock on wood

78. I have never broken a bone. Knock on wood

79. I am a Libra....even though Astrology is a bunch of bull crap

80. I love doing crossword puzzles and other word games

81. Whatever happened to reading the newspaper? I used to read the newspaper all the time.

82. I have been friends with my best friend for 7 1/2 years. Wow! I totally remember the day we met. Good times

83. Phase 10 is my game...at least in my family.

84. I used to be good at chess

85. I'm taking Japanese right now and am not really enjoying it. It's too early in the morning. One more hour later and it would be just fine.

86. I've only composed 3 times. Let's see. The names of those pieces are....Fall Hayrides-inspiration from the wallpaper in my kitchen, and I don't remember the other names...

87. I really like curly hair.

88. I've only ever highlighted my hair once and then dyed it back to it's original color months after doing so

89. I wish I was in California right now visiting my sister, bro in law, and my little nephew

90. I don't tan. I BURN!

91. My nailbeds suck.

92. My favorite activity to do with my family...sing around a campfire or the firepit.

93. So embarrassing to admit but might as well tell you. My nickname when I was little was Ca Ca, or just Ca. All you who speak Spanish out there knows what it means...

94. I drived with an expired license for 14 days. Not really bad but I got pulled over........

95. I hate being pulled over. It's scary

96. I like dogs. Curly haired muts are the cutest. Seen a couple at Zamzows and they are sooo cute!

97. I have a long day tomorrow and I'm not looking forward to it.

98. I am now liking more flavor than sweetness in the foods that I eat.

99. I love being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It can be a little challenging sometimes but it brings me so much joy and happiness and comfort

100. I love my family dearly

101. And I am made of even more awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow. That was hard. Took like 3 days!

Life After Japan

2008-10-12T17:01:00.002-06:00

What is happening in my life after Japan? Hmm...well not much. I performed in concert class just this last Thursday and I think I did pretty well. My hands were cold and I was a little nervous, but I got a good applause. So, I'm thinking of changing my major to Music Performance. We'll see how things go. There is so much crap you have to deal with in Music Education. Not that I can't deal with crap. But it's so time consuming I don't know how I'll get practice time in. Seriously! And to get my cores in is a headache.

So, things with Nathan are going really well. We don't see each other as often as we would like to but we make sure that time we do spend with each other is worthwhile. Um. That's really all I have to say about that. =) HA! Not saying I got kissed, though. Darn it. It'll come and I'll tell you when, too.

I've got homework to do so I'll blog later. I have to say that I am sooooo excited to see Julie tomorrow! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She's coming home finally. She's been in the States but not in Boise. I can't wait for her to show me how to put on my yukata. She bought the robe and the obi for me. I bought a hair accessorie, the socks, shoe, and handkerchief. I am excited! I'm going to wear it for Halloween.

2008-10-12T16:51:00.002-06:00

I KNOW my face looks really weird here but come on! 6:00 really cute guy! HAH!
At Fushimi Inari. Have you seen Memoirs of a Geisha? Really good movie.
Drinking at Kiyomizu Temple.

Overall, the trip was amazing! I really hope to go back there some day. There was so much more I wanted to do.

2008-10-12T16:47:00.003-06:00

More pictures. I really don't know why they're turning out really small..... but the first one is at Sanmon, one of the 3 largest gates in Japan. We went on top of it, too! The second one is at the Golden Pavillion, or Kinkakuji. It was raining and Julie was being a butt. The next one is I don't remember where but I love my pose!

2008-10-12T16:32:00.004-06:00

Okay. So, it's been awhile. Oops. Quite a lot has happened. Well, just one thing really. I went to JAPAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Holy crow! Did I really go? It doesn't seem like it. It was so fast. I was only there like 5 1/2 days. Not enough. But, Julie did a good job showing me around. We spent the first night and part of the next day in Tokyo. Then we went to Kyoto and spent the rest of them time there. Here are some pictures.
Oh yuck, I look like crap. But, then again I've been on a plane for way too many hours and I'm sick and I'm on drugs that Julie gave to me to feel better but they only made me feel more tired. Thank you, Julie! This is in the Sakura Hotel in Tokyo.

Julie in Harajuku. It's a crazy shopping center. I wish I was more awake and I wish I bought more stuff because there were some crazy things there.
Do you know Hana Yori Dango?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? Gah! Ebisu Garden Place. It's where Tsukasa and Makino met on their first date.

2008-09-23T00:14:00.001-06:00

Guess I should tell you all that Nathan and I got back together. Just taking it slow, you know. We'll see where it goes.

2008-09-22T17:27:00.002-06:00

Wow! Have I been busy! Getting ready for a trip is soooo tiring. I have to catch up on all my homework, maybe get a wee bit of practicing in, and pack. Packing takes FOREVER!!!!!!!!! I have been getting hardly any sleep, too. I can't wait til I'm in Japan! HOLY COW!!!!!!!! Like 1 more day! This is soooo crazy! I never thought it would happen! Well, I got two more lessons to teach and then I'm done for the day.

Too Many Gigs!

2008-09-15T11:27:00.002-06:00

Wow! Never again will I do 4 gig type things in one week! That was way too much! Last week was the longest week ever! I had Hannah's wedding rehearsal on Thursday, then Friday I had the Institute Spectacular, Hannah's wedding on Saturday, and playing in Sacrament Meeting on Sunday. Phew! It was a lot of work.

After church yesterday there was choir. JaNae, the choir director, had to leave and asked me to take over. That was a little nerve racking but I think it went well. We sang A Child's Prayer. After choir there were a couple of us who just stayed and sang from the Children's Hymn book and the regular hymn book. It was a lot of fun. I played piano and Lynnette, my roommate, a girl named Heather, a guy named...crap don't remember, and some other guy were standing around me. I think we'll make that some kind of tradition. It was so much fun!

DUEL!!!

2008-09-09T12:06:00.004-06:00

I slept into today. I didn't need to but it felt soooo good! I stayed up late studying Psychology. We're learning about memory and ironically I don't remember a thing that I read last night. =) Anywho. Last night I went to FHE. It was fun. There was volleyball (which I did not participate in because I can't hit the ball at all) and homemade ice cream. The ice cream was AMAZING! So cold and creamy. Instead of playing volleyball, JaNae and I rehearsed for an audition for the Institute Spectacular. We're playing a duet originally for 2 violins. It's called Duel and it's by Bond. It's SOOOO cool! I'm going to be playing the second violin part. I have to transpose several octaves down. And we also cut it so it won't be so long.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZY0xk0VeDs\

We obviosly don't have all that techno stuff going on in the background but it still sounds flippin' awesome! And we're not going to dress like sluts....dang! If we get in, which i definitely think we will, we will be playing this Friday at the BSU ampitheatre at 8:00ish. I'm sooo excited!

2008-09-05T10:54:00.002-06:00

I decided to drop my weight training class. Not because I don't want to take it but because I don't have time! Gah! I am soooo busy! Usually my days run from 8:00-7:00 straight! Maybe an hour break if I'm lucky. But during my breaks I have to practice. I have been getting no practice time in because of other homework. Now that I've dropped the class I'll get like 2 more hours of practice in each week.

I am so tired. I practiced at the Morrison Center until 10:40 and didn't get home until 11:00 where I had to practice Japanese and read for my New Testament class. I went to bed at 12:00 but could not sleep until 1:00 even though I was exhausted. Today I dragged myself out of bed at 8:15. Ugh. I hate being tired. Hopefully, I can make myself go to bed early tonight. Maybe not. I still have tons of practicing to do.

So Japan is coming up! YAYAYAY! I'll fly into Tokyo and stay there for the night in a hostel. Then Julie and I will head off to Kyoto! WOOT!!!! I need to make a countdown! 19 more days. I need to start making a list of what I need to bring, get some good walking shoes, and earn as much money as I can. I guess I'll have to donate plasma. Ugh. I HATE needles. But it's $50 each time. No! I can't make myself do it!

School

2008-08-30T22:13:00.005-06:00

I have been pretty busy. School started this week. I am taking Japanese, Psychology, Orchestra, Chamber, Weight Training, lessons, a New Testament class, and a mission prep class. The teacher, Brother Scott Grace, is amazing! He has that deep voice that just rings through you. If any of you know Brother Westover, that's what his voice is like. And he's so knowledgable.

Japanese is ok. We're learning hiragana. I already know hiragana, so I'm ahead. So, I told my teacher that I would be going to Japan for a week. I would be gone for test. eep. She kinda freaked out when I told her. But, she's calmed down. She told me it would be my cultural activity and that she would let me take the test. Phew! I was praying for that to happen.

Weight training is cool. We really haven't gotten into hardcore workouts of anything. We did a condition test or something like that, just to see how we progress during the year. I did 9 pushups!!! I have never been able to do a push up! I have no clue how that happened! I was sore for a couple of days but it felt amazing! I have also been riding my bike to school. I feel a tremendous difference in my energy and appetite. I've lost 5 pounds already!

Orchestra is ho-hum. Blah. I'm principle cellist and I REALLY don't want to be. I want to focus on other things--like Japanese and a possible mission. The orchestra should not have a less than half-hearted section leader. But, we are playing some cool stuff like Corigliano's Pied Piper Fantasy. It's weird. It's very 20th century. There's some interesting techniques involved with it, too. Like we have to play behind the bridge, and col legno(that's with the wood of the bow which produces..well it sounds like rats running around) and sul ponticello (near the bridge, which gives it a scratchy sound) and FALSE HARMONICS!!!!!!! Cellos never get false harmonics! These are when you put your thumb firmly down on the string and put your say 3rd finger and lightly touch an interval of a fourth above. It's a higher pitched sound. We're also play Rachmoninoff's Isle of the Dead, and Saint-Saens' Danse Macabre. It will be an interesting program. If you're wanting to here happy, delightful, cheerful music, I wouldn't go to this concert. If you're in the mood for dark--this concert is just the thing! It will be on Sunday October 19th at 7:30pm. MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Yesterday at Yesteryear, Do It Yourself Doggie Detailing, and the Fair

2008-08-21T11:16:00.003-06:00

Yesterday my day was actually full! It started out with a 7:30am meeting at the Zamzows Corporate office in Nampa. It was way too early and the guy who was training us was having technical difficulties and it was his first ever training session. So...the meeting ended at 9:00. After that, I decided to stay in Nampa and look around at all the antique shops and used book shops. It was a lot of fun. I had to wait until 11:00 for most of them to open, so I just walked and drove around aimlessly, and went to Fred Meyer. When the stores opened I went to Yesteryear Book Store and bought two musical scores for a total of $6.50! I bought Sibelius Symphony No. 2 and Beethoven Symphony No. 4! I'm excited! I stopped and talked to the cashier, who happened to be the owner, and he talked about how he used to play the upright bass and how he traveled with it. SO COOL!

When I came back to Boise, Mel wanted to take our dogs to Do It Yourself Doggie Detailing. So, we took Summit to get his nails clipped, went back home, and took Lady to get her nails clipped and get her shaved. She looks SO good!

Then almost immediately after we came home my parents, Mel, and I went to the fair. We watched Chicago--they were really good! Mel and I left early during the show because I could not breathe. Too much smoke! But, we wandered around the expo and looked at the booths. We didn't go on any rides, which was fine by me! I've got a weak stomach when it comes to rides. As for the fair food we ate--a really good chicken sandwich, ice cream, smoothie, and of course CHURROS!! Yum!

So, what am I going to do today? Well, I just kinda woke up. I was having too many good dreams, which at the moment can't remember any of them. I work and then I have a studio class with the new cello teacher, Brian Hodges! I'm kinda nervous for that. He said he wanted to hear the audition music--eep!

Pizza and Quizzes and Olympics

2008-08-19T19:39:00.003-06:00

What did I do today? Hmm..I taught my lessons and then I went to Pizza Hut with my friend, Hannah. I love pizza! Pizza Hut isn't my favorite, but it was yummy!

So, I'm kinda addicted to blog quizzes. The best site for blog quizzes is www.blogthings.com It's fun! Check it out!

Now I'm watching diving and eating some brownies!

Twin Falls

2008-08-14T22:28:00.008-06:00

Here are pictures of the Twin Falls Temple. It was very beautiful!

Mel, Me, and Mom at Twin Falls. The falls were magnificant!

Dad and Mom. So cute!

Men...so indecisive and ugh. They just bug! Of course he should be with me but nooooo!!!

HAIRCUT!!!

2008-08-06T22:10:00.009-06:00

Hey! I need to get a haircut, so I want your guys opinions. Here are some pictures. Comment on the one you like most.

3.

4.

Kinda joking on this one! But I kinda like how crazy it is!
5.

6.

I really kinda like this one!
7.

But, I like this one, too!

Sorry I have so many. But I want options. So, go ahead! Choose for me!

2008-08-06T19:51:00.002-06:00

So the temple was beautiful! Wow! I've never been through an entire temple before. It was so clean and pure. But, it just made me realize I am not ready for the commitment of marriage and that I have so much to learn about it. I really don't understand it at all. If I'm going to get married I want it to last forever. I want it to be a temple marriage.

2008-08-05T13:23:00.002-06:00

Today, my family and I are going to the Twin Falls Open House--that is if we ever get out of the house. Mel makes a big deal out of EVERYTHING!!! She feels rushed to get ready and she's just really grumpy and it's really kinda making me mad. Miss Prissy Priscilla. Anywho. I'll apologize to her right now, but really she should be apologizing for her behavior. This is supposed to be a spiritual experience.

Anyway. It felt so good to sleep in today. I didn't have to work. They (management) are cutting back all employees hours. That way they still get to keep all their employees. Nice but not nice. I still need the money. I like having the extra day off, but I like to have that extra $40 in my pocket.

Mornin'

2008-08-04T08:51:00.003-06:00

All my body wants is sleep, but my mind won't let me! It's like when I wake up my brain hurts but my body's tired. I hate being sick! I also wake up really thirsty. I drink so much water as it is. And because I'm thirsty, I have to get out of bed and get a drink of water. Ugh.

I had a dream last night that I had layover in San Francisco to Japan for like 12 hours. Ew. I'm so glad it's not that long. I arrive at 6:48am and leave at 11:25am. Still long but not 12 hours! And I also forgot my money and cell phone. EEK! Scary!!!

Church

2008-08-03T18:48:00.004-06:00

I bore my testimony in church today. It was the first time I had done so in a long time. It wasn't at all eloquent, I started blubbering the moment I got up there. Being sick didn't help, either. It was very short, just saying how thankful I was for family and that someday we would all be able to live together eternally. I just want to say that I'm thankful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What a wonderful blessing it has been for me! I am thankful that the Lord has guided me through these rough years, months, and days. Without the Holy Ghost's constant nudging, I don't know I would do, or where I'd be. Thankyou!

2008-08-01T21:37:00.001-06:00

YAYAYAYAAYAYAYAYAAA!!!YY! I am so excited! Breaking Dawn comes out tonight! I haven't bought it yet, I'll do that at the party. Not a smart decision but, hey!

2008-07-31T17:41:00.002-06:00

Turns out it's just a harmless garden spider. It's actually beneficial and kills the bugs. Still! I don't want it anywhere near me.
I went home early from work today. I'm so tired and tired of being sick.

Ew Ew Ew Ew Ew Ew Ew Ew Ew Eeeew!

2008-07-30T21:35:00.003-06:00

Man, I really wish I could upload pictures or even video onto this blog. Darn usb thingy. OMG! There is this HUGE HUGE orange spider right outside the dining room bay window at my house. It's eeeww! Huge! And right now I think every little thing is a spider touching me. Yuck! The thing is, I have to pass it to get to the water faucet outside. I didn't notice it the first time I went through, thank goodness it didn't jump on me and attack me! But, I sure noticed it on the way back. I had to muster up the courage to go back in there and turn the water off. Oh gosh! Creepy! I'm thinking it's possibly a brown recluse. Let's hope not. I'm going to bring the picture into work tomorrow. They can diagnose it for me. Gah! It just gives me the willies.

Sick Sucks

2008-07-30T18:08:00.002-06:00

Being sick is not fun. I couldn't get to bed last night because I couldn't breathe. I then had to wake up at 6:30 to get ready for the meeting out at corporate. The class was kind of all a blur. I was so tired and praying that I wouldn't fall asleep. Some guy came in from Florida and taught us all about Nutravet. They sell all-natural vitamins and other stuff for dogs and cats. Informative but really...at 7:30 in the morning, who really gives a crap? Not I!

After the meeting I went to Nathan's to pick up my book. Yay! I can read Twilight again! He wasn't there, which was probably a good thing. His mom was, though. Seriously, sweetest lady ever!

After coming back from Nampa, I was almost going to preorder Breaking Dawn. I just couldn't get myself to do it. It's not even that expensive. Maybe I didn't want to buy it because I really don't feel like going to a midnight party. All I seriously want to do is sleep. I tried but I can't. I still can't breathe and it's too bright in my upstairs bedroom. Darn sunlight. Haha! Now I'm eating Cream of Wheat and writing in my blog. I'm so bored. I practiced but I stopped because it's tiring. Uggh. I hate being sick!

My Not So Eventful Eventful Day

2008-07-29T21:45:00.003-06:00

Wow. What a day. I started off by working at 9:00 to 2:00. Let me tell you, work is getting BORING, somewhat eventful, and hard at the same time!! I really don't know much of anything. Well, I know stuff but not nearly as much as the managers or anyone else who works there. So, sometimes I think that they get a little frusterated with me. I have to answer phone calls and most of them I am unable to answer their questions. Questions like "I live up in McCall. What products should I use on my lawn up there?" I don't know! I was guessing the Recharger Fertilizer would work but...so I got my manager and he said any of our products would work. He just kinda seemed ticked that I didn't know. Oops. Sorry. I don't know what the soil's like up in McCall. Oh! And another thing! I got written up AGAIN! That's the 3rd time I think this month! I have never gotten written up before! Sure, I've gotten phone calls from corporate about what I've done, but not this! Oh! That just made me so mad. I had ran a credit card for $28.01 when the purchase was $58.01. Oopsey! And they have this section where I have to write an explanation for what happened and why it happened. The thing is this incident happened July 15. HOW THE HECK AM I SUPPOSED TO REMEMBER THAT FAR BACK! I just wrote that I must have not been watching what I was doing (it gets busy. Sometimes too busy to really watch and know what you're doing) and I also wrote how am I supposed to remember that far back? I was a little ticked. So, I signed it and the manager was supposed to sign it but he hadn't yet. He hadn't even read my explanation. We'll see if he does when I go back to work on Thursday.

So, after work I went to teach cello. My favorite student didn't show because he had some event going on. He always makes me laugh. He is really talented, too. He's in 6th grade and he can already do a 3 octave D major scale. My students in 10th grade can't even do that! It kinda scares me because I want to be a good teacher for him, and I don't want to lead him astray! He's so good!

Andrea came over after that and we made chocolate chip cookies. I feel sick. I ate too much dough and too many cookies. Anyone want any cookies? Mom, Dad, and Mel--I'll bring some over tomorrow. So...I have been really nervous all day. I am going over to Nathan's tomorrow and dropping off my stuff. The thing is that I didn't want to call, but I knew I had to. So, I called his cell. No answer. So I dreadidly called his house, got his mom...Yeah. She went off on this whole shpeal(sp?) about how sorry she was about what happened and she wasn't really sure what happened and she just told me how she thought how great and nice and wonderful I was....such an awkward moment. I didn't really know what to say. I wasn't expecting her to say anything. She also said that she's been getting my text messages.....at least I didn't write anything mean. I hope she didn't go through his old texts. AWKWARD! Anywho.... so that's what I'm doing tomorrow after a 7:30am meeting at the Zamzows Corporate office. That is waaaaay too early of a meeting. We're learning about Nutrivet. I think that's dog stuff. I'll find out tomorrow.

2008-07-27T21:56:00.002-06:00

I slept way too much today but it felt sooo good! I haven't been able to really sleep for awhile. Anywho. I went to one of my best friend's bridal shower yesterday. I cannot believe she's getting married!!!! Her and her fiance look so cute together. EVERYBODY'S getting married! Gah! I plan on not getting married for another 10 years! Haha!

Last night, my sisters and I went to see Dark Knight. It was kinda creepy. I can see why Heath Ledger could go crazy with his character. I've never seen any of the Batman movies. People say Batman Begins is really good. Well, I guess I'll have to go and rent it. There are a lot of movies, well not a lot, but some that I want to go see. I want to see Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, Mamma Mia, WALL-E, Hancock, and X-Files. If anyone wants to see any of these movies just call me!! Oh! And I have to countdown to the Twilight movie!!!! How many more days? Let's see......137 more days! WOW! And only 6 more days until the Breaking Dawn comes out! HOLY CROW!!!! SO EXCITED!!!!!!

2008-07-18T20:05:00.004-06:00

Blah. My life is boring! Work, work, sleep, watch tv, work. Yippee! Tomorrow I'm going to be playing at a wedding at the Botanical Gardens. You'd think if they could afford to pay for a wedding there, they could afford to pay a little more for the entertainment. $40. I'll take it, though. What else?

I'm feeling really bad for what I had previously posted and I want to sincerely apologize for doing what I did. I didn't mean to offend. I was tired, cranky, stupid, and was not thinking. I am very sorry. I am embarrassed and ashamed.

The computer I'm on is possessed! It shows that no programs are running and yet you can hear voices on it. Little ads and people talking. It's creepy, especially when it happens at night. Sometimes it just plays music. But it's mostly just voices. Voices...voices...AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

Lalalala.....lump in my OATMEAL!

2008-07-16T12:34:00.002-06:00

Or should I say Cream of Wheat? That's what I'm eating right now.

Anyway! So, BIG NEWS!!!!!!!!!! Last night I bought myself a ticket to JAPAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am psyched! OHMIGOSH! I am sooo nervous about the passport and the money, though. The ticket alone cost me $1076. I got a discount from a student travel agency. I have in my Japan piggy bank $126.87. Maybe enough for a day in Tokyo! Eek! So, I bought a bike from my roommate for $50 to save on gas money and I'm just going to scrimp and pinch--no going out for food and no buying any dvds. I buy way too many dvds. Any other suggestions to save money please comment to me!

Here's A Little Game To Play

2008-07-14T23:47:00.003-06:00

This is in response to Julie's blog. 15? 15 favorite movies?! That's a lot! Hmmm....let's see. Oh! For anyone who wants to play along here are the rules.

1. Pick 15 of your favorite movies.
2. Go to IMDb and find a quote from each movie (you find quote lists a bit below all the actors).
3. Post them here for everyone to guess.
4. Edit the entry and put the movie in italics when someone guesses correctly, [and put who guessed it and the movie]--(I'll do this when everyone has guessed)
5. No googling / using IMDb search or other search functions.

Here goes:

1. I wonder what grass tastes like.

2. She's so refined. I think I'll kill myself. (so hard to choose one from this movie! So many good quotes!)

3. A woman happily in love, she burns the souffle. A woman unhappily in love, she forgets to turn on the oven.

4. I'm like a vault baby, locked down!

5. Because heels are a male invention designed to make women's butts look smaller... and to make it harder for them to runaway.

6. The heart dies a slow death, shedding each hope like leaves. Until one day there are none.

7. Oh yes, the past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it, or... learn from it.

8. It is not fair, sire. You have found my weakness, but I have yet to learn yours.

9. Still, a girl likes to be crossed in love now and then. It gives her something to think of... and a sort of distinction amongst het companions.

10. -I'm not scared of you. -Well you really shouldn't have said that. (haha! awesome!)

11. I'm more worried I might break one over yours, carrots.

12. Excuse me. When did the Mongols rule China? (a lot of good quotes!)

13. I'd kill to dance like that. It's like sex on hardwood. (Sorry for that Mom and Dad. It really is a good movie, though.)

14. I just want you to feel you're doing well. I hate for people to die embarrassed. ( I could have chosen any number of quotes from this movie. But, I decided to make it a little more challenging)

one more. hmmmm....

15. Well, there's the usual things: flowers... chocolates... promises you don't intend to keep...

Good luck to all! **SEND ANSWERS TO MY EMAIL! That way, the answers won't be given away in the comments!** If you don't have my email it's cello_chica3@juno.com

Movie, Book, and Work, and Dessert!

2008-07-13T16:25:00.004-06:00

Update in my life...let's see. I have been working a lot. About 30 hours a week. Oh! Last night I actually hung out with a bunch of people I didn't know. I maybe knew 3 people there and there were like 30. They were all from my ward, though. We watched a movie outside on a projector. It was outside a townhouse on the drive-way. There were a bunch of couches. It was actually kind of fun. We watched Casino Royale--some James Bond movie I had never seen before.

So, I'm trying to read The Host by Stephenie Meyer, but it's really kinda hard because I'm expecting Twilight when I read it. The story's a little hard to follow, too. But, then again, I'm just at the beginning. I am SOOOOOO excited for the next book to come out! AHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Less than a month to go! Totally going to the midnight party!

What else is happening? Hmmmm......OH! I was late to work yesterday, but didn't get in trouble. I was supposed to be in at 10. I woke up at exactly 10. OOps! It was a loooong day at work. Vaccination Clinic Day! So many dogs! There was one that ran outside and I helped chase it. It went into the street and almost got hit. We finally got it cornered under a car. That was probably the most exciting thing that happened yesterday.

Well, I'm going to eat the brownies I made! I am so excited! I love brownies! I don't think my roommates like me making them. They never do eat them when I say they can have one...I know one of my roommates doesn't like eating sugar (she is crazy!) and chocolate (she is even crazier for that!). Oh! Ohmiohmigosh! These are soo good! Yummy!

2008-07-07T20:05:00.000-06:00

I am now single! Finally!

2008-07-06T15:20:00.003-06:00

Hey! I haven't blogged in a while so...here I am--blogging! Not much has been going on. I've been trying to keep myself busy by continuing to garden--I've added more petunias and some marigolds to my flower bed. I have also had unusual urges to clean! This NEVER happens! I mean I like things kinda in place but lately I've wanted things to be clean and tidy. So, I've been wiping down counters, dusting, cleaning windows, doing dishes a lot more, and now I have the urge to clean the outside of the house I live in. It needs to be de-cobwebbed and there's leaves that need to be picked up. But, alas, it's Sunday! I'm trying to observe the Sabbath. It's hard to fight this urge. And I know this isn't going to last long! They never last very long.

I WANT TO TRAVEL!!!

2008-06-26T10:55:00.002-06:00

Last night my sister Julie and I were talking about traveling. We want to travel all around the world. Here is a list of places I want to go! (in no particular order)

-Japan
-Great Britain
-Prince Edward Island
-San Francisco
-Bahamas
-CANADA
-Washington DC
-Boston
-NYC
-Egypt
-Australia
-New Zealand
-France
-Germany
-Oregon Coast
-Forks, Washington =)

I'm sure there are a lot more places I want to go but at the moment I can't think of anywhere else. I just want to go somewhere!!!

Something to Blog About

2008-06-24T14:42:00.003-06:00

I turned on 90.3, which is the classical station for all of you who read my blog and don't listen to classical music on the radio and/or don't live in Boise, and heard this amazing symphonic piece! It was so cool! It was only on the first movement of three so I had to listen to the whole thing before finding out what it was. It was Symphony No. 1 by Sibelius. It is so cool! Here's a YouTube thing I found. http://youtube.com/watch?v=BIVKR54qTDY

I should also post another one of my favorite pieces. Symphony No. 2 by Brahms. http://youtube.com/watch?v=m7m-8pQb8tE&feature=related

And an AWESOME cello concerto by Gulda. http://youtube.com/watch?v=SUYy3TxrJ78 I want to play it some day but I can't find the sheet music.

And while I'm posting pieces I should definitely post Dvorak Cello Concerto. It's every cellist's dream to play this.. Well, it's my dream! http://youtube.com/watch?v=xxYbF-Yzdf0

Blah Day

2008-06-24T14:39:00.002-06:00

Nothing much is going on in my life right now. I'm teaching cello today and I just want to sleep. I was late to work...oops! Um...what else? Oh! I'm about to wash my car. It is soooo filthy! I should take a picture. It's really ugly. Well, that's about it. I'll blog more when there's something to blog about.

Garden Update

2008-06-19T22:58:00.004-06:00

Haha! Finally have a picture of part of my garden. Actually, my dad planted this butternut squash. I didn't. I was weeding while he was planting. Bless him! He had to take out sooo many rocks (look at the pile of 'em in the corner)! Today I finally planted most of my flowers. I am so excited! It's going to look so good! I planted lobelia, impatiens, geraniums, petunias, and something else which I can't recall. Anywho. It's pretty!

Brian Hodges-My Kinda Celebrity Crush

2008-06-18T21:43:00.004-06:00

Okay. This may be a little creepy of me but hey! This...is going to be my new cello teacher! I pray that I'll be able to concentrate! He is sooo hot! Ok. It's not the best picture of him but trust me. In person, he is woo, amazing! And the fact that he's an awesome cellist who went to Eastman (one of the top music schools in the country) makes him even more amazing!

My Life at the Moment

2008-06-18T13:29:00.005-06:00

It's been a while since I've updated! So, what's up in my life right now? I'm looking for another job. I am sick of Zamzows! It's taught me a lot and I will miss the discounts, but it's just time to move on. So, I picked up applications to Downeast Basics, Bath and Body Works, Mervyns, JC Penney, the Body Shop, Hallmark, and I think that's it. I'm going to pick up applications today to Fred Meyer, Ross, and Bed, Bath, and Beyond up on Federal Way. Hopefully, I can easily transition from one job to the next. I don't want to be out of work for long.

Last night Dad and I worked on my garden. We planted my butternut squash. The soil at my place is soooo rocky. There was this huge rock that we actually found out that it was a big thing of cement the builders just decided to plop down. I also weeded more. I'm almost done weeding! It's such hard work but rewarding.

My Dad and I went to look at bikes today. Yeah. I'm buying a bike! I'm psyched about that! Hopefully, I'll save some gas money. It's flippin' ridiculous!

Cello Strings are the Devil!

2008-06-11T23:02:00.004-06:00

Nevermind about the computer. I just remembered I desperately need new cello strings. They're at the point where they can't really stay in tune anymore. Oh...I really don't want to buy them. They are sooo expensive. An entire new set of strings will cost me about $200. $200!!!! What the h-e-double hockey sticks! Grr..... So upsetting. My A and D strings won't cost that much, maybe about $20 each, but I get hit hard on the G and C strings. $75 for the G and $85 for the C. Eek!

2008-06-11T14:16:00.002-06:00

I finally put weed control on my weeds today. Finally! The weather has been horrible. It's been cold and rainy. This is not June weather! But now it's kind of sunny and should be for a couple of days. About time! My flowers need to be planted. Sorry that I don't have pictures. I lost the usb connector thingy for my camera. Next on my list of things to buy is my own laptop. They're so expensive, though. I really don't want to, but I think it's necessary.

What else is on the agenda today? Hmm..I think I'll go shopping for a computer right now. I have enough money. Yeah, that's what I'll do. Well, I'm off!

2008-06-08T22:44:00.004-06:00

So, I'm looking through my cd's and see this orange and marroon striped cd. I put it in my cd player and I start hearing this wonderful, harmonious music! It's got a beat, too! I start dancin' and singin' (thank goodness know one's around). I listen to 'Bye Bye Bye' like 5 times. And 'This is I Promise You'? One of the cutest love songs ever! I mean, what ever happened to *NSYNC?????!!!! I loved them! JC, never really was into you but you were okay looking. Joey, yeah..cute. And Chris....I have no idea what happened to you. You always had the really weird hair. Ooh...Lance, you fine!...until the world found out you were gay. Sad. And Justin, you were, are flippin' sexy! I mean you brought it back!! And your hair. I LOVE curly hair! Anywho. I just thought I would share to the world that I was an NSYNC fan.

Redeeming Love

2008-06-06T10:58:00.006-06:00

So I'm reading this book one of my friends recommended. It is so good! It's called Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. I absolutely recommend it to anyone who wants to read a story about God's love and His timing.

California's gold country, 1850. A time when men sold their souls for a bag of gold and women sold their bodies for a place to sleep.

Angel expects nothing from men but betrayal. Sold into prostitution as a child, she survives by

keeping her hatred alive. And what she hates most are the men who use her, leaving her empty and dead inside.

Then she meets Michael Hosea. A man who seek his Father's heart in everything, Michael obeys God's call to marry Angel and to love her unconditionally. Slowly, day by day, he defies Angel's every bitter expectation, until despite her resistance, her frozen heart begins to thaw.

But with her unexpected softening come overwhelming feelings of unworthiness and fear. And so Angel runs. Back to the darkness, away from her husband's pursuing love, terrified of the truth she can no longer deny: Her final healing must come from the One who loves her even more than Michael does...the One who will never let her go.

A powerful retelling of the book of Hosea, Redeeming Love is a life-changing story of God's unconditional, redemptive, all-consuming love.

Roomated

2008-06-06T10:45:00.004-06:00

This is a new term my sister made up while we were Facebook chatting. It means to somehow be bothered by a roomate. Like every night I wake up to my roomate coming in at 3-6:00 am. EVERY NIGHT! Then she doesn't close the door. I'm really obsessive compulsive about having my doors closed, especially when I'm the only one in the room or when I'm sleeping. Well, I'm just ranting. But with good reason. On those nights that she comes in I'm usually having REALLY good dreams and I don't usually have dreams, and when I do I don't remember them. But this dream last night was especially good. I did not want to be woken up from it! Anywho! So I try and tell myself to dream it again (never works, by the way). So I just deal with it. But then I get woken up again by someone mowing their lawn and by something that sounds like a tree being put through a shredder. I enjoy my beauty sleep. Is it too much to ask for one night undisturbed?

My Garden!

2008-06-03T22:13:00.005-06:00

So, I have decided to start gardening! After all, I do work at one of the top pet and garden stores in Idaho--Zamzows. Nobody knows like Zamzows! Yesterday I just went totally crazy at work and bought $59 worth of garden stuff. I bought a tomato plant and a big pot to put it in, some really nasty smelling Zamzows All-Purpose Garden fertilizer crap, like 3 jumbo packs of flowers and some Gladiolus bulbs, planter mix, gloves that actually fit me and that are a cute green color, oh and some glucosomine tablets for one of my dogs. Anywho! So yesterday I just started digging up weeds and I planted my tomato plant and some of my flowers. There's this little corner in my backyard and I plan on making it my little vegetable/flower garden. I am so excited!!!! I want to put in some zuccini, summer squash, and maybe even strawberries! Who knows?! When it's not dark outside I'll take some pictures and post them.

2008-06-03T22:08:00.001-06:00

This is my new blog! I'm excited about it! Woot! I'm not much of a blogger but my sisters blog and so I wanted to try it out.

Erica Miss America

Christmas

Tevon's Endowments

Thoughts from 1st Week

First Impressions of BYU-Idaho

NERVES!!!!

Snickerdoodles =)

Fudge Brownie Pie w/ Hot Fudge Sauce

Easy Peach Cobbler

Some Good Buys, or Boys as Mel Would Say =)

The KO Hip-Hop Cello-Beatbox Experience: Julie-O

March Updates

I GOT IN!!!!!!

New Cello Repetoire

Thoughts on Forgiveness

I'm BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JaNae's Wedding

Mission

Update update update

Mission

Preliminaries

More pics and some video!

McCall

School and Such

Music is like totally for sure sooooooo AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas

Shopping and a Movie

SICK!!

101 Things About Me

Life After Japan

Too Many Gigs!

DUEL!!!

School

Yesterday at Yesteryear, Do It Yourself Doggie Detailing, and the Fair

Pizza and Quizzes and Olympics

Twin Falls

HAIRCUT!!!

Mornin'

Church

Ew Ew Ew Ew Ew Ew Ew Ew Ew Eeeew!

Sick Sucks

My Not So Eventful Eventful Day

Lalalala.....lump in my OATMEAL!

Here's A Little Game To Play

Movie, Book, and Work, and Dessert!

I WANT TO TRAVEL!!!

Something to Blog About

Blah Day

Garden Update

Brian Hodges-My Kinda Celebrity Crush

My Life at the Moment

Cello Strings are the Devil!

Redeeming Love

Roomated

My Garden!