I'm going to New Hampshire today.
And I'm really excited :)
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Music, sweet music
My last post was dripping with negativity and a bad attitude. I feel weird keeping that up there and for using this blog as a way to let off steam. I guess it transformed into my journal for the day. But I should have never said those negative things about my professor and the class. I am very grateful for my education and that I even have the opportunity to go to classes. Most people don't.
I'm sorry.
SO! Let's have something a little more happy shall we?
MUSIC
I got the Mormon Tabernacle Choir CD "Love at Home" for Christmas and I think I have listened to it every day for two weeks now. It is beautiful. I love the peace it brings into my apartment and can not wait until I can play it in my future home.
I also love classical music. I have two gorgeous classical CD's I inherited from my Aunt Berda when she passed away a year and a half ago and always listen to those after "love at home".
I am so grateful that music has the ability to calm and invite the spirit. I have never been one who's been up on the latest bands, or even listen's to the popular radio stations. I've only been to two concerts in my life, N'SYNC (anna, remember the dancing water?) and The Fray (I was on a date and knew like two of their songs--*awkward*). I listen to Mr. Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole and the like. Michael Buble is like the most modern music I listen to. The most rock n' roll I get is with music my dad listened to growing up. I remember being really really little listening to "separate ways" by Journey and deciding that it was my favorite song ever. It secretly still is. I love belting that baby out. Michael Jackson also stole my heart with his music.
Here's my point, and you may disagree. A lot of music right now, on the radio is hard to classify as music. It's hard to listen to and hard to sit down and enjoy. There's great stuff when you want to go running, music when you want to get pumped up and even stuff for dancing/warming up for dance classes. That's how I'm exposed to modern music-when I'm warming up for PAC.
Is my hair still brown or do i see flecks of gray? I remember going and visiting my cousin Rosie. I not only looked up to her for having a billion hamsters, the coolest sketch books, or the best paper dolls (Adele? was that her name?). I loved her stacks of CD's and when she strummed on the guitar. I remember asking for a guitar that year for Christmas because I wanted to play "kiss me" just like she did. I got the guitar-just three years too late :) But she could sing like no one else and I loved sitting and just listening to her beautiful voice.
Music is powerful and can motivate a person to do a lot of things. Those things can either be bad or good...so be careful of what you're listening to.
And on goes my MoTab....
I'm sorry.
SO! Let's have something a little more happy shall we?
MUSIC
I got the Mormon Tabernacle Choir CD "Love at Home" for Christmas and I think I have listened to it every day for two weeks now. It is beautiful. I love the peace it brings into my apartment and can not wait until I can play it in my future home.
I also love classical music. I have two gorgeous classical CD's I inherited from my Aunt Berda when she passed away a year and a half ago and always listen to those after "love at home".
I am so grateful that music has the ability to calm and invite the spirit. I have never been one who's been up on the latest bands, or even listen's to the popular radio stations. I've only been to two concerts in my life, N'SYNC (anna, remember the dancing water?) and The Fray (I was on a date and knew like two of their songs--*awkward*). I listen to Mr. Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole and the like. Michael Buble is like the most modern music I listen to. The most rock n' roll I get is with music my dad listened to growing up. I remember being really really little listening to "separate ways" by Journey and deciding that it was my favorite song ever. It secretly still is. I love belting that baby out. Michael Jackson also stole my heart with his music.
Here's my point, and you may disagree. A lot of music right now, on the radio is hard to classify as music. It's hard to listen to and hard to sit down and enjoy. There's great stuff when you want to go running, music when you want to get pumped up and even stuff for dancing/warming up for dance classes. That's how I'm exposed to modern music-when I'm warming up for PAC.
Is my hair still brown or do i see flecks of gray? I remember going and visiting my cousin Rosie. I not only looked up to her for having a billion hamsters, the coolest sketch books, or the best paper dolls (Adele? was that her name?). I loved her stacks of CD's and when she strummed on the guitar. I remember asking for a guitar that year for Christmas because I wanted to play "kiss me" just like she did. I got the guitar-just three years too late :) But she could sing like no one else and I loved sitting and just listening to her beautiful voice.
Music is powerful and can motivate a person to do a lot of things. Those things can either be bad or good...so be careful of what you're listening to.
And on goes my MoTab....
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
my rant and rave
I just went to my final for my Design in the Home class.
BLAHHHHHHHH
It was just a little tour of my professor's home and then we picked up our graded big projects. I pulled of a glamorous c-.
Here's the story. We had a blank floor plan. We had to design all of it, color it with $40 colored pencils and then mount it very nicely on a board. We also had to get samples of flooring, paint, and pictures of how we envisioned our lovely homes. Correction: how we envisioned our professor's lovely home.
During the class, people would constantly be going up to the professor and asking if he liked this color, or if he liked this carpet choice. They wanted to know what his opinion was because he was grading it.
Let me back up to the first day of class:
"This class is graded solely on creativity. I want to look at your design and be inspired. You will be graded on your talent."
Talent and creativity according to who? So people would pick colors that they knew he would like. They would use marble and place built in bookshelves so he would like them.
Because I will be designing a home in the future that my professor lives in? I don't think so.
So I decided something. As my classmates went to class every morning and waiting patiently in line to get his feedback and find out if he liked what he had chosen, I mean, what they had chosen to design. I slept. I didn't go to class and I did my project on my own time. I colored it the way I wanted. I chose paint samples that I liked and flooring that I thought was practical and pretty. I liked the feel of my board and the way I shaded my couches.
He did not.
I'm not here at BYU to try and please my professors just to get a good grade. I'm not here to design the perfect home for him either. I didn't go and spend $50 dollars on my mounting board like he said I would need to. I bought it for $3. I wasn't going to pay for my grade, nor grovel at his feet just so I could get a good grade.
I love education and learning. I just don't love the game we have to play to get good grades.
BLAHHHHHHHH
It was just a little tour of my professor's home and then we picked up our graded big projects. I pulled of a glamorous c-.
Here's the story. We had a blank floor plan. We had to design all of it, color it with $40 colored pencils and then mount it very nicely on a board. We also had to get samples of flooring, paint, and pictures of how we envisioned our lovely homes. Correction: how we envisioned our professor's lovely home.
During the class, people would constantly be going up to the professor and asking if he liked this color, or if he liked this carpet choice. They wanted to know what his opinion was because he was grading it.
Let me back up to the first day of class:
"This class is graded solely on creativity. I want to look at your design and be inspired. You will be graded on your talent."
Talent and creativity according to who? So people would pick colors that they knew he would like. They would use marble and place built in bookshelves so he would like them.
Because I will be designing a home in the future that my professor lives in? I don't think so.
So I decided something. As my classmates went to class every morning and waiting patiently in line to get his feedback and find out if he liked what he had chosen, I mean, what they had chosen to design. I slept. I didn't go to class and I did my project on my own time. I colored it the way I wanted. I chose paint samples that I liked and flooring that I thought was practical and pretty. I liked the feel of my board and the way I shaded my couches.
He did not.
I'm not here at BYU to try and please my professors just to get a good grade. I'm not here to design the perfect home for him either. I didn't go and spend $50 dollars on my mounting board like he said I would need to. I bought it for $3. I wasn't going to pay for my grade, nor grovel at his feet just so I could get a good grade.
I love education and learning. I just don't love the game we have to play to get good grades.
Monday, April 11, 2011
It's who you know...
Someone asked me today if I was from Minnesota--because he thought I had an accent? This was at the grocery story, after I had talked to my mom for a while. Then he told me to tell my mom hi. It was weird.
I have a project due tomorrow and I needed something from the bookstore. Like...the board to mount it on. It closed at six. I have class until six. It made me sad. I almost bought a wrap at L&T but decided that I needed to save that six bucks for my future married life. Then I went to the grocery story. I spent nine. Ironic.
Today we went and looked at a pretty little basement apartment and it was just right for us. Don't you love how things just always seem to fall into place sometimes? Beautiful really, those tender mercies from the Lord.
But I would not have found this lovely place if it weren't for the people I knew. I remember the first time someone told me, "it's not what you know, but who you know". I remember being really really angry and deciding that I would prove him wrong and never ask anyone for a job or whatnot. I also remember my friend asking me (before I made the touring folk dance team), if I had started to suck up yet. I thought that was absurd. I wanted my talent to get me on the team...and don't worry I didn't suck up and it took me two years to get on...
But this statement is generally true. I've learned it's not a bad thing either. Here are some examples:
My uncle works at BYU, we're printing out invitations at BYU with a nice little discount. This isn't bad
We found that nice little apartment through my mom's friend's sister in law...blessing.
Our dear friend Cody is letting us borrow his car this summer while he's in Alaska...again, tender mercy
So my point.
I have no shame in what I'm about to ask. Tanner and I need jobs. But we only need them for the month of May. So if you know of anything that is temporary or whatnot...could you just let us know? Thanks.
And it's really nice to know you.
I have a project due tomorrow and I needed something from the bookstore. Like...the board to mount it on. It closed at six. I have class until six. It made me sad. I almost bought a wrap at L&T but decided that I needed to save that six bucks for my future married life. Then I went to the grocery story. I spent nine. Ironic.
Today we went and looked at a pretty little basement apartment and it was just right for us. Don't you love how things just always seem to fall into place sometimes? Beautiful really, those tender mercies from the Lord.
But I would not have found this lovely place if it weren't for the people I knew. I remember the first time someone told me, "it's not what you know, but who you know". I remember being really really angry and deciding that I would prove him wrong and never ask anyone for a job or whatnot. I also remember my friend asking me (before I made the touring folk dance team), if I had started to suck up yet. I thought that was absurd. I wanted my talent to get me on the team...and don't worry I didn't suck up and it took me two years to get on...
But this statement is generally true. I've learned it's not a bad thing either. Here are some examples:
My uncle works at BYU, we're printing out invitations at BYU with a nice little discount. This isn't bad
We found that nice little apartment through my mom's friend's sister in law...blessing.
Our dear friend Cody is letting us borrow his car this summer while he's in Alaska...again, tender mercy
So my point.
I have no shame in what I'm about to ask. Tanner and I need jobs. But we only need them for the month of May. So if you know of anything that is temporary or whatnot...could you just let us know? Thanks.
And it's really nice to know you.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Circles
I'm in the library again.
I am irked by the level of noise that surrounds me.
I have to do a presentation on an assigned artist for Humanities. I was semi dreading this but it proved to be a wonderful experience. Remarkable really. It's the reason I'm writing this post.
Wassily Kandinsky was his name. I won't go into his biography or anything but he was the man. Modern and abstract was his specialty and he was an art theorist. He believed that color and form had the ability to penetrate the human soul. He wanted there to be a connection between artist and viewer and believed that certain shapes and certain colors communicated different things.
I always viewed modern art as sometimes strange. I want to hear what the artist is saying when I look at a piece of work. I have felt the spirit through dance, music, and the written word but never through a painting.
I had to pick one piece of art to represent my friend Wassily. Just one. And he has so many. All of them were loud and weird and I thought-how in the world am I going to explain this man to my class in three minutes through this one painting I have to choose. I found one.
Wassily wanted the viewer to experience something when they looked at his work. I experienced something when I saw this.
http://www.wassilykandinsky.net/work-49.php
Wassily said, “the circle is the most peaceful shape and represents the human soul”.
I believe it.
I am irked by the level of noise that surrounds me.
I have to do a presentation on an assigned artist for Humanities. I was semi dreading this but it proved to be a wonderful experience. Remarkable really. It's the reason I'm writing this post.
Wassily Kandinsky was his name. I won't go into his biography or anything but he was the man. Modern and abstract was his specialty and he was an art theorist. He believed that color and form had the ability to penetrate the human soul. He wanted there to be a connection between artist and viewer and believed that certain shapes and certain colors communicated different things.
I always viewed modern art as sometimes strange. I want to hear what the artist is saying when I look at a piece of work. I have felt the spirit through dance, music, and the written word but never through a painting.
I had to pick one piece of art to represent my friend Wassily. Just one. And he has so many. All of them were loud and weird and I thought-how in the world am I going to explain this man to my class in three minutes through this one painting I have to choose. I found one.
Wassily wanted the viewer to experience something when they looked at his work. I experienced something when I saw this.
http://www.wassilykandinsky.net/work-49.php
Wassily said, “the circle is the most peaceful shape and represents the human soul”.
I believe it.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Stream of Consciousness
I'm sitting here, at the library, at 10:30 on a Wednesday night.
You're probably thinking, good for you! You're studying-well I'm obviously not right?
I looked down at my hand where a stamp lies. BYU it says. In red. (ironic?) I just pounded my head on my desk thinking:
I WILL NEVER GET OUT OF HERE.
I have been at this glorious University for four years. FOUR. I'm ten days away from what should be a graduation because, well, I've been here for four years. But I'm not graduating.
True to senior form however, I have a nasty case of senioritis. Spell check says that's not a word, doctors would probably agree as well. In my expertise, however, I can tell you that it does exist.
Today my dance trainer asked if I had been tested to see if I was crazy. This was after I told him about my dream that while on stage, my floor opened up into a dark abyss with lava spouting and my fellow dancers were being sucked under one by one. I was the only one left standing and the audience LOVED the dance.
That makes me think.
One. I probably really am crazy and should go get checked.
Two. Why did the audience love this show I was involved in? PEOPLE WERE DYING.
And then I remembered that human beings for some silly reason love to watch people die. They even call it entertainment.
This made me think back on one Saturday during my freshman year, when I was sick, I sat and watched a whole season of 24. I watched people get murdered time after time and I was entertained.
Why is violence tolerated? Why do we watch this and call it "fun"? Where is the humor in watching a man slip on a banana peel and get hurt? I realize this is extreme...but still.
I was reading on wikipedia tonight about these authors and artists that I have to write a paper on. I'm trying to look at these paintings and decipher their hidden meanings. AND I AM SO BORED. Then I got worried that I didn't like studying and that made me a bad student and why wasn't I interested in learning all of the sudden? ahem...senioritis. Then I turned to Tanner (who was reading boring stuff for Biology) and I said, "I am so glad I'm not majoring in Humanities". Because let me tell you something. I love learning about things I'm interested in. But then is that stretching me and causing me to grow? I could easily sit down and read a 25 page research article about parenting and food and families. So I'm obviously in the right major. Even if I won't get out of here for two more years. Dance is another factor in the graduation delay and apparently all my friends are going to die anyway during the show tomorrow so is it even worth it?
So here's some advice-do things you love to do and major in something you're passionate in. You were given different talents and abilities and I think, even interests so that you could bless the world and those you meet.
And yes, I'm crazy.
You're probably thinking, good for you! You're studying-well I'm obviously not right?
I looked down at my hand where a stamp lies. BYU it says. In red. (ironic?) I just pounded my head on my desk thinking:
I WILL NEVER GET OUT OF HERE.
I have been at this glorious University for four years. FOUR. I'm ten days away from what should be a graduation because, well, I've been here for four years. But I'm not graduating.
True to senior form however, I have a nasty case of senioritis. Spell check says that's not a word, doctors would probably agree as well. In my expertise, however, I can tell you that it does exist.
Today my dance trainer asked if I had been tested to see if I was crazy. This was after I told him about my dream that while on stage, my floor opened up into a dark abyss with lava spouting and my fellow dancers were being sucked under one by one. I was the only one left standing and the audience LOVED the dance.
That makes me think.
One. I probably really am crazy and should go get checked.
Two. Why did the audience love this show I was involved in? PEOPLE WERE DYING.
And then I remembered that human beings for some silly reason love to watch people die. They even call it entertainment.
This made me think back on one Saturday during my freshman year, when I was sick, I sat and watched a whole season of 24. I watched people get murdered time after time and I was entertained.
Why is violence tolerated? Why do we watch this and call it "fun"? Where is the humor in watching a man slip on a banana peel and get hurt? I realize this is extreme...but still.
I was reading on wikipedia tonight about these authors and artists that I have to write a paper on. I'm trying to look at these paintings and decipher their hidden meanings. AND I AM SO BORED. Then I got worried that I didn't like studying and that made me a bad student and why wasn't I interested in learning all of the sudden? ahem...senioritis. Then I turned to Tanner (who was reading boring stuff for Biology) and I said, "I am so glad I'm not majoring in Humanities". Because let me tell you something. I love learning about things I'm interested in. But then is that stretching me and causing me to grow? I could easily sit down and read a 25 page research article about parenting and food and families. So I'm obviously in the right major. Even if I won't get out of here for two more years. Dance is another factor in the graduation delay and apparently all my friends are going to die anyway during the show tomorrow so is it even worth it?
So here's some advice-do things you love to do and major in something you're passionate in. You were given different talents and abilities and I think, even interests so that you could bless the world and those you meet.
And yes, I'm crazy.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
salsa and other
I wanted to share this killer recipe for homemade salsa...
I can take no credit for this however. The recipe comes from the lovely woman I nannied for last summer. She made this one time and I about died. I love most salsas enough to drink them but this one is just AMAZING. It's so easy too!
In a blender combine:
one can italian stewed tomatoes
two cans mexican stewed tomatoes
one white onion
one bunch of cilantro (I cut off the stems)
one jalapeno
I usually do the ingredients in stages because my blender isn't big enough to do it all at once.
It is seriously that easy and make enough to feed a large party. Like, I usually have to give some away to my neighbors-and they don't complain. It has a consistency similar to Los Hermano's which I love but I'm sure you can make it chunkier by hand dicing everything. Try it! :)
Also, wedding plans are coming along nicely. I have my last dress fitting next week, a bridal shower coming up followed by engagements that weekend. We bought our favors today and things just keep getting crossed off our list. It's quite nice. I like my smaller list.
We have also recently discovered that we will be very poor after we wed. It will also be near impossible for us to work this summer. We have the month of May off after school then leave for Europe the month of June, married a week after we get home in July and then traveling for the rest of the month. So if you find anyone who wants to hire someone for the month of May...please let me know?
I can take no credit for this however. The recipe comes from the lovely woman I nannied for last summer. She made this one time and I about died. I love most salsas enough to drink them but this one is just AMAZING. It's so easy too!
In a blender combine:
one can italian stewed tomatoes
two cans mexican stewed tomatoes
one white onion
one bunch of cilantro (I cut off the stems)
one jalapeno
I usually do the ingredients in stages because my blender isn't big enough to do it all at once.
It is seriously that easy and make enough to feed a large party. Like, I usually have to give some away to my neighbors-and they don't complain. It has a consistency similar to Los Hermano's which I love but I'm sure you can make it chunkier by hand dicing everything. Try it! :)
Also, wedding plans are coming along nicely. I have my last dress fitting next week, a bridal shower coming up followed by engagements that weekend. We bought our favors today and things just keep getting crossed off our list. It's quite nice. I like my smaller list.
We have also recently discovered that we will be very poor after we wed. It will also be near impossible for us to work this summer. We have the month of May off after school then leave for Europe the month of June, married a week after we get home in July and then traveling for the rest of the month. So if you find anyone who wants to hire someone for the month of May...please let me know?
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