Lessons Learned in 'Eleven

2011: It was a good year. I received my college degree, traveled to Europe, got a solid job that I love, directed an entire show on my own, made some incredible new friends, and solidified friendships that I know I'll cherish forever. Plus, I learned some very valuable lessons, including (but not limited to) the following:

1) Spending quality time with a ukulele is always a good idea.
2) STYX is one of the greatest bands of all time. I know this simply by listening to their sweet tunage, and going to one of their concerts. Those men are quite wrinkled, but they love their music and rock so hard.
3) Throwing a pot on the wheel is one of the most rewarding activities--you are able to clear your mind while being productive and creating something useful. Love.
4) When you're in the market for a used car, always get it checked by a mechanic before making the purchase.
5) Valley Fever is not a joke! You can really catch it, and it will keep you down for weeks on end.
6) What I accomplish and achieve in my life is up to me. I am the only person who can hold me back.
7) Betsy Johnson earrings are a treasure.
8) We can learn a lesson from everyone that we meet. All we have to do is open our eyes and see what they have to offer. 
9) A budget is a must-have. I do not live paycheck to paycheck, I give every dollar a job, I roll with the financial punches, and I save for a rainy day. I feel in complete control. (Thanks, YNAB!)
10) You must let the people around you know that you care... it will add value to their lives as well as yours.
11) Pina Bausch speaks the truth: "Dance, dance--otherwise we are lost."

When it comes to 2011, there is no room for complaints.

And I have this feeling... a remarkable warmth inside my soul, that 2012 will be even better. I am eager to embark on all the adventures this year holds in its hand. If only I could peel open the fingers, get a glimpse of what lies in its palm, and see what is coming my way. Who will I meet? Where will we go and what will we do? What new lessons will I learn? Only time will tell the story. But I know, it's going to be a good one.

Thank you, Christmas...

There is just no better time than Christmas! Its goodness comes from a combination of things that I've touched on in previous posts: time with family, delicious food, exchanging gifts, lights, etc. However, I failed to mention the real source of Christmas spirit.

The true magic of the season comes from a united focus on the birth and life of our Savior, Jesus Christ. His teachings bring hope and joy, giving life worth and meaning. His sacrifice makes it possible for me to overcome all things, repent, and become the person I want to be. Because of His gospel, I know I lived before coming to earth and that there is life after death. I know there is a purpose for all we endure in this life and we can always turn to Him for strength and assistance. I know that our God is a just God, and He provides a way for all of us to be saved, and return home to live with Him again. I am so grateful to my Savior, Jesus Christ for choosing to follow the will of our Heavenly Father by coming to earth and teaching us (by example) how we can find true happiness in this life and the next. I am truly humbled by such a thought.

Thank you, Christmas, for being a constant reminder of the love I have for my Savior.


In conclusion--thank you, Christmas, for providing the moments when:
1) My brother opened a pot I had thrown, fired, and glazed for him, and liked it better than any other gift I had purchased. It sure made my heart swell.
2) We just sat around the dinner table talking and relaxing--waiting for the delicious food we had just eaten to settle.
3) Tears were brought to my parents' eyes when they opened a sentimental gift from my sister. I love that my parents get more presents now than the "kids" do, since all of us no longer have to ask my parents for money to buy them gifts. It is so much fun to watch them open things.
4) A favorite quote was put into practice through trips to the gym, hiking in the snow, and group yoga. ("The family that sweats together, sticks together."- Kent Mecham) This quote could also be applied to the time when all seven of us piled into my brother's extended cab and took an intense drive in the snow-covered mountains. It took an hour and a half, and it was warm in that cab, let me tell you.
5) My Mom said: "Every time I see that iPad it just calls to me and--ooooh!!--I just want to touch it!" Needless to say, she is having a lot of fun exploring the functions of her new high-tech gift, and the rest of us are also sharing in the joy. :)

Thank you, Christmas.

Is there a Santa Claus?

I so appreciate the words of newsman Francis Pharcellus Church in response to one of the most-asked questions of childhood. I never really inquired about the reality of Santa Claus, because I've always known the truth in my heart.

Aaaaand let's just roll it back, for a little sentimental brilliance: 

"The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see... Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders that are unseen and unseeable in the world... there is a veil covering the unseen world which not even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond."

I believe it.

Waiting for Christmas

The Christmas season is well under-way, and I could not be happier about it. Christmas is hands-down my favorite holiday, as I'm sure it is for most. I adore the lights, music, smells, decorations, and the thick feeling of anticipation--almost tangible enough to hold. But the thing about Christmas that really frosts my cookie, is the giving of presents. I LOVE giving presents. I keep an eye out all year for items that I feel my friends and family may enjoy. In my case, gift-giving is the true cause for any feelings of excitement during the holiday season. (Well, that's if we're not talking about food, which we're not.) Someone shared the following ad with me, and I just had to post it. It totally exemplifies my feelings year after year, and it does it with incredible style and thought.



I can't wait.

Thanksgiving Tribute

I LOVE Thanksgiving. And if anyone says they don't like it, I get really confused. Do you hate happiness as well? What is there not to like about this glorious American holiday? 

1) You get to feast on some of the most delicious dishes known to man. (Mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, fresh cranberry sauce, rolls, homemade strawberry jam, stuffing--I can't even continue, due to all the drooling.)

2) Pie is the star on the dessert menu. This should be the case at every meal.

3) Families have an excuse to travel great distances to see each other.

4) Football is in the air, on the TV, and in the backyard.

5) I am given another excuse to just ponder, reflect on, and verbally express how amazing my life is, and how incredibly blessed I am on a daily basis.

Thanksgiving is a win-win-win situation, and I cannot wait for this week's winning festivities. As a tribute, I have posted two low-quality videos of my family playing a soft game of football on Thanksgiving, three years ago. Nothing too spectacular here, but boy do they make me laugh. Happy Thanksgiving!

My favorite parts: "FUMBLE! FUMBLE!" and "Run! Run, Harrison, Run! Run Harrison!...oh, he's crying."

Candy, indeed...

A very bad cold/cough and burdensome fever has kept me close to bed-ridden the last few days. As a result, I was able to catch up on a lot of online window shopping. I came across many exciting new products: some things I would love to have in my possession, others that that would make great Christmas gifts. But everything I had browsed seemed boring and pointless once I laid eyes on these delightful roller-skates and learned the real meaning of eye-candy:

I have never, in my life, felt a stronger desire to own something that I would need less. I am swept away by the juxtaposition of funk and class that these sweet little debbies exude. When was the last time I owned a pair of roller-skates? 16 years ago. How often did I use them? Maybe three times. But who cares? Those candy-colored beauties just beg to be worn and flaunted...and I yearn for that opportunity. As long as I don't think about the price of a pair of skates of this magnitude, the dream will live on.

*Happy Halloween, everyone. But more importantly, Happy Birthday, Daddy-O. You are worth more to me than a million pairs of these righteous skates.

Dancing in the Buff

WARNING: This post is about to get real, raw, and un-cut.

This last week was the first time that I thought practically, I can see why some people choose to do nude pieces. I know--I surprised myself. The only reason I even thought such a think, was because I have learned to hate dance costuming. I have had to come up with 1-2 affordable costumes for each of the seven dance classes I teach, and it is the biggest headache I've yet to encounter. Also, most dance costumes are ugly, or ridiculously expensive, so I find myself resting between a rock and a hard place. And how the heck do I find one outfit that looks good on 20 different female bodies? (Not to mention, find something they don't complain about.)

After letting my mind wander, for what sometimes seems like days at a time, I thought "Wouldn't it be easy if we could all just dance naked? Think of the money I could save on costumes! Think of the time I could save from measuring, searching, and fitting. Think of the free range of motion! Yes, nudity is the answer."

But this thought was fleeting.

Nudity is not the answer, and here's why:
1) It is not so great to watch someone else be nude on a stage. (I have never witnessed full nudity on stage, but there was a frighteningly close incident involving a man in a nude dance belt a.k.a. man-thong.)
2) It would be risky! You are just asking to be accidently scratched or stepped on in the tenders within a group number, or get floor burns in places you never knew were capable of getting floor burns.
3) Any feeling of freedom would soon be replaced with an awareness of all the jiggling. It doesn't matter how skinny you are--if the human body is moving, then it is MOVING.
4) Sweat, everywhere. No further explanation necessary.
5) I guess it would be immodest...

I truly think the human body is a work of art. But that art should not be unveiled with movement on a public stage. After expressing and processing all my thoughts, I guess I'll just need to fork out the cash and find some real costume solutions. Even with the complaints I might get from some of the dancers on their dislike for a certain costume, I can tell them without hesitation, "Well at least it's better than dancing naked."