I think I know what I want to do when I grow up.

So, I know i posted like...15 minutes ago...but I think I figured out what I want to do when I grow up.

I'm hoping to get into the communications program, right? And I haven't know what I was going to do with it, but my plan right now is to Major in communications and double minor in music and family/human development.

I went back and watched the "Pork Chop" video. (you can find the link to copy and paste on my post entitles "This Girl")

I want to go to schools, I want to teach students to be kind.

I want to teach them the long term effects name calling has on someone.

I want to teach them how they could be building each other up, instead of tearing each other down.

I want them to learn to see the beauty in their classmates, not just the weirdos.

I want them to see other HUMAN BEINGS.

I want them to be the brave ones who will stand up and defend those who are different.

Instead of making it harder for them, realize that maybe they just need a friend.

That maybe that girl you are calling fat and ugly actually has something wonderful to offer.

I want them to know that THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL!!!

I want to try and prevent any other child from being me.

I don't want them to go home and struggle for years and years with self esteem.

I don't want them to have two shoulder devils.

One that constantly tells them how wrong they are, and one that won't let them hear compliments.

I want to teach students that. I want to teach children that.

What if I could make one hallway of one school just a little kinder?

Imagine how much good that could do.

I want to do that.

Who are you?

I'm glad that more people appear to be reading my blog lately, but who are you?

The last time anyone left a comment was last (i think) September.

I also had like...10 page views at 2:00 am the other day...who is reading at 2:00am? Why aren't you sleeping?

Again, don't get me wrong. I'm glad people are reading.

But I want to know what you have to say.

I don't have much to post today.

Moving soon, one final left. such the like. I can hopefully blog more this Summer.

So again, thanks for reading...but can someone leave a comment?

Prisoner of War

The show at Lehi last night was incredible.

"Prisoner of War" was based off the life of Lt. Corbin Willis. Mindy Nelsen's (The theatre teacher at Lehi) grandfather. He was a prisoner of war in WWII.

His story has fascinated her for years, and when she was 16 she started writing a script about his experience. Then 2 years ago, some of her alumni started helping her write the music for it.

If I lived closer I would go see it again in a heart beat.

It blows my mind that everything that happened was real. They took everything from journal entries. He was drafted 18 days after his marriage. When he was taken prisoner, they didn't know he had survived. His family had been told he was dead. The Germans didn't send any of his letters home.

*SPOILERS*

His wife, needing to move on with her life, ended up re-marrying before he came home. He was dead. Then he was alive again. The tragic part, she was pregnant with her new husbands child.

*END SPOILERS*

It truly was incredible. And I am stunned at the talent of the young boys who wrote the music. Especially since (to my knowledge) They have no formal training in composition.

Not to mention the acting abilities of these high school actors never ceases to amaze me.

Lehi is just freaking awesome.

Just a Saturday morning post.

I am so excited to go to Lehi tonight. I'll have to tell all of you about it when I get back.

I'm also suppose to be going to a baby shower in about an hour and a half...I should consider getting dressed.

I love pajamas WAY to much.

So the baby shower is for my first roommate. I can't believe that was four years ago.

It is so incredible to see where everyone has ended up. Most of the girls from my floor that year are married. and now one is even having kids.

Actually...I can't believe how many people from my freshman ward are married and have kids.

Then the rest of them are graduating or on missions, or just got back from missions.

Crazy.

There are time I really miss freshman year. Life was easier then.

I'm glad it's raining today. I like rain, I'm not excited to drive in it. But rain smells so good.

So I am so intrigued by who may or may not be reading my blog.

It says that I have people viewing it, but no one ever comments or anything.

The last time someone commented on a post was "A Ball Gown", a post I wrote last August/September. I secretly wish there was a way for me to see who was viewing. Mostly just because I'm curious.

Anyway, there is my Saturday morning post. It's nothing exciting. But at least I'm writing.

small happies

Yeah, I don't have much to say. It's late. I'm tired. And I realized that I haven't written in awhile. So I thought I should.

It'll be short and sweet because quite frankly, I'm really grumpy and tired right now. Mostly tired. I haven't slept a lot the last few days.

But, here were some positive things in the last few days.

Not cops while I have been driving drastically over the speed limit. Which P.S. I don't know if there are words for how much I HATE when someone tailgates you like you are going 15 under the speed limit, WHILE YOU ARE ACTUALLY GOING 15 OVER!!! (Don't judge, I was running late and I know it was wrong.)

Makenzie being the biggest sweetheart ever and driving my car home for me, thus allowing me to get to class on time.

Seeing friends from the Park.

Learning the cup song from Pitch Perfect.

Finishing my last speech.

strawberries. I don't know if there are words for how much I LOVE strawberry season.

The fact that I don't have to get up to an alarm tomorrow morning. That is pretty excellent.

Anyway...speaking of that...i'm going to bed now. I'm tired.

Bye.

I've got to be the weird one.

So, I'm sitting in church yesterday, and someone starts telling a story about how they were a clutz on there bike and totally fell over while they were at a stand still. They said "And the first thought that went through my mind was 'Did anybody see that?'"

Am I weird because when I do something clutzy or stupid like unto falling over while at a stand still my usual thought is "Why was nobody around to see that?"

It's so much funnier when people can share those moments with you, because it is so harder to laugh about it later when you have to explain it.

I guess that is probably a lot of the reason that I never really have embarrassing moments, I laugh at myself to much.

Until you get into spelling mistakes, I guess I'm embarrassed by my complete lack of spelling abilities...

Beside the point

The point is, does nobody else just laugh when those funny things happen? Like when I got trapped inside my own car about 20 feet away from my building. (I'm pretty sure I wrote a post about that)

I don't know. I just think slips and falls are funny. (as long as no one gets seriously injured.)

Go Find A Date Tuesday

So many things I could post about today.

My adventures of being sick on the couch all weekend? Actually, that one isn't very exciting. I lied on the couch all weekend miserable because it hurt to breathe...or move...or open my eyes... yeah, not exciting. Although, I did watch an episode of Dr. Who. not a bad show.

I could talk about working at the park again this previous Saturday. But really, all I remember is that a baby goat was born (that I forgot to go see, I was working the train) and my throat was killing me. And the drive home sucked because my illness was starting to kick in...I should probably thank the Lord that I made it through the day before the fever and chills hit.

Really nothing to exciting to report. I've already told you about the CD. I told you about baby animal days. I spent Easter at my friend Mandie's, with her family.

So I guess I will take Miss Christines idea. Christine who works at the park with me, who is roommates with April and also allowed me to sleep on their couch.

I told her about my "Date Idea List". See, a few years ago, I had some guy friends who tried to use the excuse "they had no more ideas" to not go on dates. So I decided to take their excuse away. I made a date idea list. At the time, it was only 3 pages, 3 columns on each page. We are now starting on page 8.

So here is my thing, I'm going to start posting one date idea, and a first date question at least once a week. (maybe if I tell you this I'll become accountable.)Hopefully in the beginning to middle of the week, giving you time to find and plan a date. Also, any dating questions? Apparently I give decent advice. Maybe this way we can start spreading this idea of "going on dates"

*Mandy getting on her soap box warning* Cause you see, there is this huge problem today with this whole dating thing. People are OVER THINKING WHAT A DATE IS!!!!!!! A date should be nothing more than you spending time with someone in an effort to get to know them better. ESPECIALLY A FIRST DATE!!!! IT IS NOT A MARRIAGE PROPOSAL!!!!!! It's just a date people. And guess what? They don't have to be long, expensive, or complicated. Thank you. *stepping off soap box*

So, Date Idea number one-
Visit an Interesting Local Landmark.

Simple right? But seriously, how many of us visit the "tourist spots" when we go on vacation or whatever, but we never see them in our own city?

And they don't even have to be popular to the outside world! For example, when I lived in Lehi one of the local landmarks there was the Haunted Hospital. (*Disclaimer, before visiting anything haunted on a date, make sure your date would actually enjoy it. If someone had taken me to the Haunted Hospital, I would have hated them for the rest of their lives.)

Maybe the Local Landmark is a cheese factory that has free cheese samples. Maybe there is a monument at one of the parks near by for someone great in the community. Why not find out and go see it together?

To simple? Okay, walk there if it isn't to far. Thereby extending the date. Or bring a snack along if destination permits. (Some local landmarks might be a museum or something, they tend to frown upon food near priceless artwork, can't imagine why.) While there, figure out why someone made a landmark of it this place.

Don't know how to find a landmark? GOOGLE!!! google is a wonderful thing. I probably can't tell you much about where you are locally, I can barely tell you about where I am locally. But go to your towns city website, or even go to the state website and look up a list of historical places to see. Seriously, you guys kind find anything on the internet. If I can find a way to watch all my TV shows with out having cable or netflix. (and I think I even watch most if not all of them legally...I have one website I use that I'm not sure on the legality of it...i should probably find out...) If Miss technologically challenged beyond belief over here can do that, you can find a local landmark.

Okay, we all got that idea lodged in our minds now? Just visit a local landmark, simple as that. Plus really, who doesn't love having random facts up their sleeves?

Now, onto the date questions. I had one friend complaining that he hates first dates because it's just a grill you about your entire life history. I don't understand why it has to be that way. Obviously there are the usual ice breakers. How old are you, where you from, are you in school, etc.

Because of that I am working on a list of first date questions, now this one is harder because it depends so much on the person you are with. If you are with someone shy who doesn't talk much, just have patience and may the force be with you. Most people open up after awhile. So the question list is still rough and I am always accepting more to put on the list. (especially if you have been on a lot of first dates, cause I really haven't.)My basic goal with these is just to make no pressure questions with no pressure answers.

So Date question idea-
Where would you love to travel?

See, no wrong answer.

Anyway, so there is my post for the day. Feel free to comment with any ideas that you have, or any questions that you would ask/have been asked on dates.

And until I come up with a cool catch phrase to end "go find a date Tuesday" with i'm going to rip off random movies and shows.

May the odds be ever in your favor.

Recording a CD

So last week we recorded our CD for Chamber singers.

It is a long long long process.

But totally worth it in the end.

Still you go, you sing one track through. (known as the bed track) and then take the next hour to go re-sing parts of the whole song over and over again.

The most annoying part is when they say the unheard of words "We got it perfect in that one take." because then it is followed by "lets just do it one more time." which means probably at least 3 more times.

To let you know how long it can be, here is a list of things that happen that will cause you to have to do a take over again or cause you to have to hold and wait.

1. As the temperature begins to change in the church where you are recording, due to the rising of the sun, sometimes the benches squeak from the wood expanding as they warm up. Do another take.

2. Someone's shoe squeaks just as the choir is cut off. Do another take.

3. A page was turned just a little to loudly. Do another take.

4. There is a plane flying above the church. Hold.

5. Motor cycle or truck goes by on the road outside. Hold.

6. When you think you are holding for a truck of some kind when you look out the window and realize that a farmer is plowing his field next to the church. Hold while someone goes out to talk to the farmer to see if something can be worked out where they aren't discing their field right now.

*Tangent- as someone who is descended fairly close from farmers. (My grandpa was a farmer.) I felt worse for the farmer. He was trying to beat the rain that was expected to come to next day, and I know that this is a livelihood. And really, who would think to call the owner of the field next to the church and ask them to not work in their fields on a certain day? I know I wouldn't. The part that was hardest for me was when people started making fun of the farmer. Not in a mean way, just trying to kid around and lighten the mood. I tried not to take it personally, but there is a huge part of me that is very defensive of farmers. I felt better the next day when I found one other person who felt bad for the farmer.* tangent over.

7. When the soloist is standing to close to the mic. Do another take.

8. When the soloist is standing to far from the mic. Do another take.

9. When the organist is dragging the tempo. Do another take.

10. When the rain is hitting the roof. Hold...Do another take...hold...okay, quick while it's softer.

That is a short list, there were so many other things that factored into everything. It was educational. One thing I'll take away is always phone the farmer.

But really, when this CD comes out, it is going to be incredible. And I don't say that in a cocky way. We just worked hard all semester, and in the humblest way possible, we are a freaking awesome choir.

If you ever get the chance to record with a professional recording artist (especially if it is bruce leeks.) Grab it and run! you will be tired and worn out in the end, but you will have an experience that defy's description.

Baby Animal Days

So, last week, was kind of a hard and long week. I have an uncle in the hospital, I was not getting enough sleep because of worrying about all the various things in my life and being a broke college student I was worrying about money. It happens.

So part way through my public speaking class my phone starts buzzing in my pocket. Me, being the excellent student I am ignore it, and check it immediately after class. (I'll be honest, the only reason I didn't check to see who was calling was because I was sitting on the front row and and someone was in the middle of a speech. I'm actually not always a good student.)

Anyway, so I check my phone, skip checking the voice mail and go to see WHO called. (if it was my mom, the message was probably "call me back") But no, it was from Tate. (For those who don't remember, he works down at This is The Place and is the one who took me to get my ball gown.)

Intrigued as to why he was calling I decide to listen to the message...which by the way just said to call him back. Long story short. (too late) He was seeing if I could come down and work at the livery the next day with the other pageant royalty.

YES!!!!! I love being down at the park, it has been BEAUTIFUL outside. (spring is finally coming/ here) They want me there at 9 in the morning, so I text April to see if I can crash at her place instead of having to get up at 6 and drive down.

I am so excited for the summer!!!! Here are some pictures of the Royalty working at the Livery. (Be jealous of how cool we are)

That would be (from left to right) April, Miss Deseret; Rachel-Anne, 1st attendant, and me holding BUNNIES!!!!!!!!!! They were so soft and so freaking cute!!!!!

Me showing a little girl a BABY CHICK!!!!! SO CUTE!!!!!!

That is a baby goat that is a week and a half old. It's half pigme. So it is TINY!!!! also, it's mother, she is an escape artist. Now she is teaching her children...I think it's so funny.

There were many other adventures of the day. I TOTALLY MILKED A GOAT!!!! And I got to feed a baby lamb. I helped with pony rides. and all of it in a tiara!

If I could handle heat better, (I get heat exhaustion REALLY fast) I would beg to be put in the Livery. I loved working with the animals all day. and seriously, there is nothing cuter than baby animals and little kids.