Car Singers Annonymous

Is there anything better than driving in your car while listening to a great CD and singing along at the top of your lungs? I say unto you, Nay. Sometimes, it's just the bit of therapy I need to stay sane. When life gives you lemons, squeeze them into a cup and drink it down to soften up your vocal chords! Nothing calms me down after a stressful day at work better than climbing into my 2003 Honda Civic, throwing in Ingrid Michaelson's "Everybody" album and singing along.

Call me old fashioned, but I still burn mix CD's of my favorite songs to sing in the car. I probably have half a dozen CD's entitled "sing a-long" or something to that effect. I never listen to the radio because I waste too much time listening to stupid commercials and annoying DJ blabber and barely have time to sing out a single lyric to a song I actually know. Don't judge me. I'm sure someday I'll buy an i-Pod and catch up with the rest of the world, but until that day, I'm a CD-burning machine!

And another thing, I don't understand why I don't see anyone else singing in their cars during my commutes to and from work. Maybe the world would have a lot less road rage if we were all smiling and singing along to our favorite tunes. I mean, can you really flip someone off during the harmonious climax of "Lean on me"? And, how can you call someone an idiot while belting out the lyrics to your favorite love ballad? All I know is that I don't see enough car singing. Something needs to change.



On a lighter note, it's not supposed to SNOW in MAY. I remember one time back home it snowed in April and we all thought the world was coming to an end. But here it's TYPICAL to see snow in May and June??? I thought I left all that behind in Idaho! Well, I guess it will make the summertime that much sweeter. (and that much shorter...)

Black Holes and Revelations

So last night I had the awesome privilege of seeing MUSE in concert here in SLC, UT. And let me tell you, it was an experience. Amazing from beginning to end. I have loved MUSE for years, but I have been really bad at keeping up to date with their new music since I got home from my mission. I have just been hesitant to attend any kind of concert, and I honestly wasn't even very excited to go. However, as I walked onto the floor during the opening act, I felt the familiar, yet foreign feeling of the bass pumping in my chest. It had been so long since I had felt something like that. It was instant nostalgia. I never realized how much I missed going to shows.


The opening act, Silversun Pickups, were pretty good. I was actually very impressed. I had never heard of them before but they're music was good. I just pity anyone who has to open for an amazing band like Muse cuz, there is just no comparison. They had a chick bass player. It was funny cuz she totally reminds me of a good friend of mine. She even had the same hair and cute little petite-ness.


Muse was just amazing. I don't know if I can even find a word to describe them. I have seen some pretty awesome bands in my day, but these guys surpassed them all. Even Incubus and Franz Ferdinand who I thought were the best performers that I had ever seen. I guess it was just a combination of music that I love so much with the video screens, lasers and energy. They didn't mess around. They played one song after the next without wasting time talking about stuff we don't really care about. And the thing that made me respect them the most was that they didn't utter one curse word. My biggest pet peeve about musicians is their need to fill their live shows with expletives and inappropriateness. However, Muse was respectful and didn't belittle their music with stuff like that. It made me fall in love with them more.


My favorite part was when he whipped out the piano. Not only does he play the guitar (and keytar) like a rock star, but he can bust out classical piano like nobody's business. (Is this guy single??) I only wish they had played more piano during the show. One of my favorite things about Muse is how they incorporate the piano so mesmerizingly.
I could go on all day about how much I loved and needed this concert. Life has thrown me some curve balls lately and unwinding, rocking out and singing at the top of my lungs was exactly what I've been needing.
Thank you Muse!!

On a lighter note, I haven't had Sushi in like, 3 weeks! maybe even more....This calls for a sushi night.

Disney says....

So I was listening to Disney music during a road trip with my brothers and I realized how many life lessons we learn from these songs. Some are really deep and meaningful. Others are somewhat shallow and kinda funny. Here are some examples:

"Yes, I know I'm just an outcast
I shouldn't speak to you
Still I see Your face and wonder
Were You once an outcast too?"
-The Hunchback of Notre Dame

"You think the only people who are people
Are the people who look and think like you
But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger
You'll learn things you never knew you never knew"
-Pocahontas

"Yes, you want her
Look at her, you know you do
Possible she wants you too
There is one way to ask her
It don't take a word
Not a single word
Go on and kiss the girl"
-The Little Mermaid

"Now I see
If I wear a mask
I can fool the world
But I cannot fool my heart"
-Mulan

"When you got a hundred voices singin'
Who can hear a lousy whistle blow?"
-Newsies

"Masquerade!
Hide your face,
so the world will
never find you!"
-Phantom of the Opera

"High times, hard times
Sometimes the living is sweet
And sometimes there's nothing to eat
But I always land on my feet
So when there's dry times
I wait for high times and then
I put on my best
And I stick out my chest
And I'm off to the races again! "
-Newsies

"This equation; Girl Plus Man
doesn't help just you.
On occasion women can have their uses too.
Mainly to extend the family tree."
-Beauty and the Beast

"Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come smiling through
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish will come true "
-Cinderella

"You've got to show her you need her
Don't treat her like a mind reader
Each day do something to lead her
To believe you love her"
-Enchanted

"I am on my way - I can go the distance!
I don't care how far - Somehow I'll be strong
I know every mile will be worth my while
I would go most anywhere to find where I belong"
-Hercules

"Pretty is nice but still
It's just pretty
Perfect, my dears
Is me."
-Oliver and Company

On a lighter note, I had no idea that the human body could produce so much...moisture (to put it lightly). Being sick is no picnic....

The Ice Cream Workout

Yesterday my roommates and I were really excited to try this Hot Yoga class, where basically you do Yoga in a sauna. I have heard good things about this type of class and was looking forward to getting my trash kicked--since it's been a while... We heard about this place where you could go try the class once for free, and we were pumped to give it a whirl. As we pulled up to the facility, we noticed that it was conveniently placed right next to a Dairy Queen. We decided we would have to stop for a cool down after the class. Of course. What any woman would do, right? So as we were filling out our information sheets for what we thought was a free introductory class, they told us that we would indeed have to pay for the class--either $30 for 30 days unlimited, or $18 for the one time. Since none of us had ever tried this type of class before, we weren't about to lay down 30 bones in hopes that we'd actually like it and want to come back every day for the next month in order to make it worth it. We were bummed that our Hot Yoga experience did not come to be....But we still stopped at Dairy Queen afterwards. I mean....it was right there!
To be completely honest, I wasn't super bummed about missing the class because I was excited to attend FHE that night. Had the class actually happened, I wouldn't have been able to. It's nice when things work out like that.

On a lighter note, I could basically have a concession stand business out of my desk at work. I don't have any personal photos or knick knacks on my desk, but it is filled with crackers, candies, chocolate, fruit leathers and gum....What does that say about me? hmm........

Sushi Time!

Have you ever had one of those days where you just don't feel like doing anything. You'd just rather stay at home and chillax? Well, that's how I've felt this whole WEEK. Everyday, I would come home from work and just work on my Relief Society lesson and watch a movie... basically every day. Friday, I got invited to three really fun social events, but my heart was already set on watching a chick flick with one of my new found besties (a decision which I most definitely do NOT regret either, we had so much fun just talking and bawling over the movie).
However, by Saturday I was ready to go out and play! I got home from work and showered and got all readied...But.... I didn't have anything to do! My roommates were all out doing their own thing and so I ended up getting take-out sushi (again--which I must admit was inspired by the movie "2 Weeks Notice" where Sandra Bullock has the chinese restaurant's menu memorized and orders from it on a regular basis....I want to be like her.) and watched a documentary about the auditions for the Broadway revival of A Chorus Line (which was really interesting). The social event of the evening was going to the store with my roommate when she got home and cleaning/organizing the kitchen. Hopefully this week will be filled with socializing, so that I can get over the hermit rut I've been in this week.
However, all the preparation did pay off. I felt my R.S. lesson today went really well. OH, how I've missed teaching. I am one of those weird Mormons who prays that I get a teaching calling and cries when she gets released from them. In my opinion, a teaching calling is the best calling there is. My only complaint is that I only get to teach once every OTHER month. Sad Day.

On a lighter note: Now that I'm finally working and getting a steady source of income, I want to decorate my room. I have a ballet themed print that my friend made that I want to frame, but other than that, I got nothing....Any ideas??

Grow up!

Last night, I learned that I'm not simply awkward around boys, I am socially retarded around them! Last night my house was full of young, single, attractive young men, but I didn't even WANT to talk to any of them. And when I did get a chance to, I ended up offending half of them as soon as I opened my mouth. Long story short, I called it a night early and went to bed.
And tonight, I bought myself some sushi and edamame, plopped in front of my TV to watch Steel Magnolias and thought to myself "THIS is the life."

Oh a lighter note: I've decided that I have the eating habits of a child. Not in quantity, but in quality. I went grocery shopping the other day and I was trying to be really good. As I was removing each item from my cart I started off feeling really good about my purchases. Yogurt, milk, and fruit. But then I started to pull out... chocolate marshmallow mateys and EZ-Mac which took up the majority of my order. I thought to myself..."wow, I have the WORST eating habits!" Then, the cute guy in line behind me said "Hey! That's kid's cereal! haha" I probably turned beet red. I was SO embarrassed! But I do eat an abnormal amount of cereal. However, in my defense, cereal is one of those foods that can be for breakfast, a quick lunch, a lazy dinner, or even a midnight snack! Maybe someday I'll grow out of my childhood eating habits.

Valentines and Bed Sheets

I must admit. I am not a huge fan of Valentine's Day. Call it bitterness, indifference. Whatever you want. Both of those may or may not be correct. However, I do say that this year's Valentine's Day/weekend has been the best ever, by far. I went on a crazy fun triple date with some Awesome people on Friday. Let's just say tacos, Balderdash AND Mario Kart were all involved...need I say more?? Saturday I spent the the evening with one of my favorite people in the world, my roommate. We went to a "mocktail" party. Which is basically the LDS (dry) version of a cocktail party. However, it does not take booze to make me tipsy. About three drinks in, I lost all brain filter/control abilities. But it was fun. I drank so much, I tripped up the stairs of the next house we visited. I don't even think I want to imagine myself with actual liquor in my system. Scary! The night ended with the viewing of one of my favorite movies of all time, "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days." Sunday was the cherry on top of an amazing weekend. Church was especially amazing. Sacrament meeting was very inspirational. The topic? Why, Love and relationships of course! Though, each meeting was uplifting and spiritual, I must admit, the thing that left me pleased as punch was the fact that I gave my number out to two awesome guys today! Disclaimer: Guys don't ask for my number very often, so two in one day is probably some kind of record for me. All in all, it was the best Valentine's that I have ever had, which just reassures me more and more that I am exactly where I need to be right now. It also goes to show that you don't need an actual Valentine to enjoy the idea behind Valentine's Day. If you look around yourself, you'll see that you are surrounded with people that you love and people who love you back. Even if it's not in a romantic kind of way.

On a lighter note, I really need to wash my bed sheets. Every time that I set out to do it, the laundry room is occupied. I mean, bed sheets aren't something you can just throw into the washer overnight or something and then forget about it. If I don't get them washed, I have nowhere to sleep at night! Deciding to wash your sheets is a real commitment. Maybe I should just buy a second set of sheets so I have something to use while I wait for the time to wash the first set. But is that just being lazy? Can my laziness really justify the 15 bucks I'd spend on a while new set of sheets. All because I can't manage my time well enough to fit in a load of laundry?? Am I the only one with this dilemma? ...probably