been awhile.

I guess it's time to summarize what's been going on. I think the biggest thing that's happened was that my brother, Austin, left to the Montana Billings mission. I can't believe it's already been a week since he's left, but I'm happy that he's doing what makes him happy.

I am still in the course of looking for a job. I got an email about a job that would be open to me, but I'm not sure if I could even handle GRAVEYARD shifts. I have enough trouble staying awake during the day, let alone in the middle of the night. I really want a job, though. I get the feeling that my family thinks that I enjoy sitting around all day, but it's just the opposite. I really want to get out of the house and do something.

What I've been doing lately it learning songs by ear. It's actually been really exciting for me, being able to make music to songs that don't have it. So far I've learned "Collect Call" by Metric, "Hurricane" by The Hush Sound, and I'm in the process of learning "3 Libras" by A Perfect Circle. It takes little things like this to keep me from going insane.

I guess I should mention that I've been called to be the ward organist, with no organ experience whatsoever. I wish I could say that I'm excited, but I'm more nervous that anything. I am in a small singles ward, so I guess it's better than a large family ward. The only downfall is that I have to play EVERY sunday.

Mountains

Though a lot of people would say my life is a vacation since I don't work and I haven't started school yet, I still need to get away sometimes. My house, though I do like it, can be very boring and all the days are starting to blend together. This weekend was just what I needed.I was in a new environment, in the mountains. The only thing that sucks is that there wasn't any cell reception and, for those of you who know me, know that I text just a little too much. It was kind of nice to not check my phone every five minutes to see if someone messaged me.

I did some pretty awesome things, but something I really enjoyed? Might come as a shock, but I actually watched Oprah. I know, I know, Lame, right? But, it really wasn't. She talked about so much stuff that hit close to home, and I found myself crying. Ugh. I hate to say it, but I really get caught up with peoples' stories and problems, and my heart goes out to them.

Not much else to say, except that it is the first of August and I cannot believe summer is almost coming to an end. It seems like just yesterday it was beginning. Bring it on, Fall. Well, that is, if Utah decides not to skip you this year and go straight to Winter.

UVU, here I come

Last night my mom and I filled out my FAFSA. I have to just say how utterly annoying it was, finding information about taxes and pretty much putting my life onto a form. It turns out I only qualify for a low-interest student loan, which I will get as soon as I get my acceptance letter. Yes, I know I'm accepted, though not because I'm full of myself. It's free enrollment. =P

I kept telling myself I didn't want to go to college this fall, and that I could put it off until January. Now that I've signed up I am so excited to get going. I can't wait to get my degree in 4 years and begin to teach students about English, a topic that I love. My friends will vouch for me when I say that I'm a grammar nazi. I find myself correcting even little mistakes, even though it can annoy my friends a lot.

Being an English teacher has been my dream since around 7th grade when I had my first English class and realized how good I was at it. No, I'm not trying to brag, but I'm not going to lie. I also think I have a knack for writing and reading, which has helped me with things along the way. Whenever I come across a word I don't know, I don't just ignore it. I look it up, and I make sure that word stays in my vocabulary.

I'm so ecstatic for everything to pan out. These years are going to decide what I do for the rest of my life and, although that is a little bit scary, it's also amazing. I can't wait to show the world what I can do, and make differences in peoples' lives.

Eclipse

He scans the skies

On this occasion that happens so little.

Not nearly enough for the love he feels.

She is light.

She is life.

She is everything.

How can she even look at him?

He is merely a rock,

Cold and lifeless.

“Moon,” she calls

As she makes her way to him.

Of course, she beams a smile.

She moves leisurely,

As though pacing herself

For the event she treasures so dearly.

Does he know?

Does he know how much she loves him?

It has to be written all over her face.

The two meet,

Finally entwining in their loving embrace.

“I’ll never let go,” he whispers.

But, alas, he must.

She slides away as gradually as she came.

This joyous occasion is bittersweet.

And yet, again,

He sits.

He waits.

For the day he will get to hold the light for the world once more.

Concerts

This summer I have been to the two greatest concerts of my life, Imogen Heap and Paul McCartney. Though both very different in their musical sound, I enjoyed both immensely.

I first started liking Imogen Heap back in 2005 when my brother, Taylor, introduced me to her brand new album "Speak for Yourself". I found myself listening to this album over and over again, every song. I then continued to download her previous album, "I-Megaphone" and also her album in the band Frou Frou entitled "Details". Her earthy voice and such a different sound drew me to her.

Paul McCartney, however, is a different story. My dad grew up a rabid Beatles fan, and I'm proud to say that I'm the child who followed in his footsteps. I can remember the first Beatles song I took to liking was "Penny Lane" when I was about 10. Ever since then, I have enjoyed the Beatles, and all of their solo careers.

I was so happy when my brother got me a ticket to Imogen for my birthday in May, and I immediately started getting excited. I had seen Imogen two times before, but I could honestly listen to her all day and never get bored. This concert, though her other ones were amazing as well, was the best of the three. I was probably about six people back from the stage and had a perfect view. She played songs from all three of her solo albums, and even one from Frou Frou. I enjoyed every number, and some even had me tearing up. I recorded some of the songs, which can be found on my youtube account, kittymewmew13. This concert will always stay with me and I can't wait to see her for the 4th, 5th, and 6th time!

My dad called me one evening and told me he got me a ticket to Paul McCartney. It was just earlier that day that I was listening to the radio and they announced he was coming to Utah for the first time. I got way excited, and my dad only added to it by buying me a ticket. This concert came into my "10 days of fun", which included my brother's, Taylor, wedding, a family Disneyland trip, and then Paul McCartney. I had never been to an outdoor concert before, so I wasn't sure how it would sound, but Paul sounded AMAZING! For 68 years old, he sure knows how to perform! I found myself tapping my foot and singing along to all those songs that I heard growing up. My favorite of the night would be a tie between "Hey Jude" and his cross between John Lennon's songs, "A Day in the Life" and "Give Peace a Chance". The following video is not from the concert I was at, but it does show this beautiful rendition.

Song of the Day:

Lady Gaga? Better: Greg Laswell

Let me start by saying that I like Lady Gaga... but seriously. I cannot understand why I do, or why millions of others do. I swear there are some subliminal messages in her songs to make people like them. All of her songs make me want to dance, which is an awful sight to see. Sure, she writes her own songs, but none of them have the deep meaning I usually look for in music.

If I were to recommend some good music for you to listen to, I'd highly suggest Greg Laswell. He's mainly easy listening, and his music is really unique and his lyrics are a joy. My favorite songs by him are probably Farewell, Girls Just Want to Have Fun, and This Woman's Work.

Well, today continues the job search. I even slumped down to applying to Wal-Mart, and I'm kind of hoping their standards aren't too high for me to get a job. I am hoping to attend UVU in the fall, and I don't want to rely mainly on my parents and loans to pay for it. I want to save some money for a change, instead of spending it on pointless crap at the DI. (This is my new habit.)

Song of the Day: Scar Tissue by Red Hot Chili Peppers

How Can We Do It?

I saw this video on a friend's page and it just touched me. How can two creatures so different in sizes, backgrounds, and attitudes bond? It got me to thinking if they can see past differences, why can't we?

I've decided that I'm not going to be the judgmental person that I've concluded I am. In all honesty, it's hard not to judge a book by its cover. This video, and all the others of Tara and Bella, really explained that it doesn't matter where you're from, what you look like, but it's what's on the inside that truly matters.

I want to branch out my horizons, and sit with that kid sitting alone. So what if he's classified as a "nerd"? We've all got a little nerd in us, no matter if we show it to to the world or not. I don't want to be remembered as that snob who rejected, but instead be remembered as the one who accepted no matter the circumstance.

Song of the Day: So Much Mine by The Story