A theological post

I am taking Rel C 351 Survey of World Religions from Brother Gaskill, and I am freakin' excited!

First of all, Brother Gaskill is quite entertaining and extremely sarcastic. It will prove to be an interesting class.

Secondly, I am looking forward to expanding my horizons. Many Mormons fail to respect and understand other religions, and I am glad I will not longer be one of them. (I never disrespected them, but I am definitely going to gain an unbiased understanding of them.) I would love to simply type up all of the benefits, but I won't bore you.

This class will give me much food for thought. My first class ended with the following question:

Does God want all people to be "Mormons"?

My immediate response was... of course! However, I soon realized this may not be so...

What about Mother Theresa? She probably could have not have had such a far-reaching influence as an LDS Relief Society president. God has used and inspired many nonmormons.

Why will there be so many who pass through this life without becoming "mormon?"

The general consensus of the conversation was that the Lord is in control. He knows what He is doing. God wants all of his children to be exalted and knows what each needs to reach exaltation. Everyone becoming "mormon" during this mortal life might not be His plan. If it was, He probably would have set up missionary work a little differently. Living a righteous life according to your beliefs and knowledge is much more important. I would rather be a devout Catholic than an inactive "mormon." Many good people will readily accept the gospel in the Spirit World instead.

I am grateful, however, to be a member of the LDS church. The knowledge I have brings me closer to the Savior and brings peace and happiness to my life.

That's it... I quit! Part II

I failed.

Actually, I made it Tuesday and Wednesday without dessert or candy. It was very refreshing.

I have a family with a huge sweet tooth and a boy. Enough said.

I will try again soon though...



P.S. Did you know that the Smart Cookie in Provo is now... CLOSED! *gasp* Luckily I got some before it closed. There is still one in American Fork and one coming to Fort Union. Very, very, very sad day.

The real meaning of DTR

I am taking a break from studying (since I don't take enough of those... ha) by writing in my blog. Actually, I just finished part of an assignment so I am rewarding myself. I swear my abilitiy to focus lately has been nonexistent... ask Meagan...

So, I had my first real ever DTR last night. How does the non-Mormon world exist without them? (Or, do they exist but without that terminology?) Actually, I find them annoying, awkward, and unnecessary... usually. Just go with the flow... (I guess I can't really say with my lack of experience... but this has been my opinion, however uncalled for it may be.) I do believe they can be beneficial means of communication, especially if both parties have a different view of the relationship. You know... one or two of these might have saved me a little heartache...

Okay, I told a little white lie... I think I have had desires for a form of DTR in the past...

Anyways, this reminds me of a little story. It's not my story, but I quite enjoy telling it. So, there was this boy chasing one of my cousins. Well, they had been on a couple of dates, but my cousin was trying to avoid him. Anyways, this boy called her, tolded her he needed a DTR, and would pick her up shortly. My cousin was shocked--he had no reason to expect any relationship at all! Well, he picked her up... and there was another couple in the car!! Talk about awkward... After much anticipation, they arrived at Del Taco. The boys got out of the car, and the girls looked at each other confusedly. Then the boys explain that they needed a Del Taco Run... Oh, boy, my cousin was mad...
Good story, huh?

That's it... I quit!

Yesterday, I ate more unhealthy than healthy food.
Today I am headed in that direction...

However, I quit. No more sugar for a week. I need to regain my self-control and unaddict myself to sugar. I may make exceptions... but they better be good!

I am writing a blog in order to hold myself accountable. Expect to hear the results of this test next Monday evening.

If you have been in the same boat as me, feel free to join me in my expedition.

I've heard that it takes 3 weeks to form a habit... I may extend this experiment.

Our Journey Home

I mentioned in my previous post the touching WC devotional on Friday. The girl giving the devotional created a "found poem," a poem made up of quotations from other poems. She wrote a found poem quoting various parts of all of our music and reflecting the theme of our concert. Here it is:

[We are] far from home
In the nighttime of [our] fear
Amid th’encircling gloom
Sick, sad, simple
Weary, weeping, wild
Should we die before our journey’s through?

Lead, kindly Light

Keep the home fires burning
Keep thou [our] feet
One step restores
One step renews
One step rewards
One step enough for me
‘Til we’ve seen this journey through

Sister, surely goodness and mercy shall follow
And the messenger shall say,
“Welcome home”

We’ll find the place which God for us prepared
We’ll find such harmony
We’ll all feel glad
We’ll make the air with music ring

Happy day!
Hurrah!
Lauda!
Hosanna!
All is well!

And in the house of the Lord,
I’m going to live forever.

Not hard to tell why I, along with many other singers and audience members, thought it was a great concert, huh? Don't worry... I will definitely be blogging again when the concert airs on PBS.

I already miss WC. I have thought about trying to rearrange things in order to continue WC. However, sooner or later I have to move on. I know it is my time to move on. It was an amazing opportunity, and I am forever changed.

Happy birthday to me!

It's my birthday!
I am 22. I am old.
It was a good day.
My lunch consisted of an ice cream sundae, fruit, and pizza crusts. My sister and cousins surprised me with dinner and made me one of my favorite cakes. They sang to me at the ward talent show. A boy surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a meaningful note. My family called to talked to me. I got to spend time with some of the people that mean the most to me in my life.
All in all.. it was not just a good but a great day!

Ode to Women's Chorus

A little background information: Tonight and last night I performed in my last choir concert, “A Pilgrim’s Journey Home.” This concert was a HUGE production. The preparation (and even aftermath) included hours and hours of practice and recording. You may have heard of the last big choir productions, Songs of Praise and Remembrance and A Thanksgiving of American Folk Hymns. They play them all the time in the HFAC. Well, this will be comparable… they plan to sell it to PBS. Just imagine the stress involved, the details of the music, the set, the uniforms, the makeup, the audio and visual recordings, etc… especially if you consider the fact this is a great chance to spread the hope and joy found within the gospel of Christ to others.

I do not even know where to begin. I just sang at my last choir concert, and countless emotions are running through my veins. Many experiences and emotions have built up over the past three years. Perhaps though, I will just cover the events of the night and touch on some of my feelings. I only wish my words could do justice to my feelings.

Due to late nights of recording, rehearsing, homework, and stupidity, I was exhausted Friday night. I was sore, tired, and stressed, along with my fellow WC members. However, the show must go on. For the first time ever though, we were actually ready for the concert. We knew the music like the back of our hand and could focus on the nitty gritty details (lets reach f rather than mf at this specific spot). It is quite the rewarding experience to push the music that much closer to perfection. We were all exhausted, but we all nailed nearly all of our music.

For those of you who don't understand, singing is hard. Of course, you have to learn the music: each pitch and rhythms... exactly. Meanwhile, you have to support your sound with breath and not have any tension... in your throat, tongue or anywhere else in your body. This includes good posture, resonance, etc. It is a continual process to build technique. While thinking about technique you also have to think about the expressive qualities of the music (i.e. phrasing, dynamics, etc.). This perhaps takes the most time, and it is planned out measure by measure. Meanwhile, you have to connect to the music personally: what does it mean to you? Then, as part of a choir, you have to always keep your eye on the conductor and follow his/her hands exactly... You honestly have no idea how much there is to think about and do....

Everything began to sink in during our preconcert devotional on Friday…
I was reminded of the great opportunity I have had to sing in WC:
The opportunity to bless others’ lives through music and share my testimony with others. What a great message the music of this concert contains:
This life is a journey, but Heavenly Father will lead me home. He is my shepherd, and “He anoints me, guards me, and loves me.”
I knew it was not a good thing if I was already starting to cry…

Oh, how I will miss the Spirit I felt daily in Women's Chorus!

Saturday’s performance proved to be even better! I was more refreshed and well aware that this was my last concert! I was determined to give 100% of myself emotionally, intellectually, spiritually, and physically.
I always cake on the makeup for choir concerts, but the makeup had to be extra special for the TV of course. We had a film makeup specialist come and talk to us… even the boys wore makeup… haha. That was funny watching their faces get powdered.
Before going on stage, Sister Appolonie saw me, and said “You look like a hot, suntanned babe. Where’s your bikini… oh wait, you don’t have one of those.” We were supposed to be silent before going on stage…

Oh, how I will miss the dresses, the earrings, the makeup... and singing with beautiful girls!

Fortunately, we recomposed ourselves before going onstage, and it was a magnificent experience! I sang beautifully and bore my soul along with 170+ other girls. It was absolutely glorious! It not only strengthened the testimonies of the audience members but also my own. As I sang throughout this concert, the Spirit bore witness to me over and over of the existence of Our Father in Heaven and his knowledge of us and his love for us. I do not know how anyone could sing or hear this music and not feel of Heavenly Father's love!

Oh, how I will miss the opportunity to bear my testimony and feel others' testimonies through music!

The last few songs with the philharmonic orchestra and combined choirs were the most powerful for many singers. You have no idea what it feels like to sing with all of them! The audience immediately gave a standing ovation!! I stood their soaking in the experience as the applause roared, the conductors bowed, and the choirs and orchestra members smiled.
p.s. Elder Dallin H. Oaks and Sister W. Tanner attended Friday night. Sister Sheri L. Dew attended Saturday night.

Oh, how I will miss blessing the lives of those in the audience, hearing the roar of the applause, witnessing the standing ovation, and feeling an overwhelming since of accomplishment and gratitude.

Oh, how I will miss the talented choir directors, especially Sister Appolonie. She is so loving and so talented. I love her! Oh, how I will miss my singing friends. Some of the girls I have seen every day for the past years. Oh, how I will miss the peace choir music brought daily into my life.

Most of all, I will miss the experience of singing with others. Of learning to blend with others. Of simultaneously bearing testimony through song. Of being in the middle of a rich, luscious chord. Of hearing a chord "lock" into place. Of singing the melody. Of singing in unison and sounding as one. Of being enveloped by glorious sounds.

Music anyone?

In these troubled economic times, I thought you would appreciate some advice...

I highly recommend you check out gomusic.ru. It's a Russian music website, and you can buy music for about 15 cents a song! Actually prices range from about 9-19 cents. You even get discounts if you buy the whole CD. Occasionally the music may lack in quality and some newer songs may not be available yet.

Here is how this website works: First, with a Visa add money to your account. Then click away! The songs are mp3 files, and yes, you can play them on itunes or in your ipod.

How can you refuse buying a song for 15 cents????

Note: FYI, the system changes ocassionally. Currently you cannot add money to your account without adding at least $30. In the past, you have been able to add amounts of $10 or $20. A few times, they have taken away the Visa option and you have to do it through the phone. Just think how much music you could buy for $30 though... a lot more than the 30 songs you could buy on itunes!