The Partial Black Friday Experience

I experienced my first Black Friday with Maddi tonight. (She called it Black Thursday since it's not quite yet Friday.) And not even fully. We just went to Wal-Mart at around 9 o'clock to buy some movies and to get out of the house and holy tamoles... we had a hard time finding a parking spot... it was absolutely crazy!!! We were thankful that they were letting people inside, but we weren't quite sure how we were going to get around. Push and shove people was what we were looking at, but fortunately we didn't have to get too rough. I only took one picture of us and it's not even a good one. We even went to Target and didn't even stop cause they were making people wait outside and we had to get home. Half way home, I realized that I should have taken a picture of everyone there since it was a part of our adventure, but I neglected to do so. That's okay though :) Anyways, I got two new movies to add to my collection (it's getting quite large in number, not huge, but I've spent a lot of money on $5 movies! haha). I got "Yours, Mine and Ours". Mom and Maddi told me that it was a good one, so I got it and then I bought "A Knights Tale"... I've seen it once, but I don't remember much. Haha, anyways, Thanksgiving was good. I'm thankful for everything in my life. Hope you stuffed your faces and I hope that no one went hungry today. Have a good rest of your weekend and if you're out doing Black Friday, don't get trampled.

Sadies 2011

Normally it's against everything in my well being to blog more than once in a day... but these are special circumstances... haha. I'm WAY behind and I have LOTS to share. About three and a half weeks ago, I went to Sadies with Drew Cornwall. (Freaking love this kid... one of my FAVORITE people EVER.) And I just wanted to share some pictures with you, cause that's just how I am. I would share more, but I don't have them all yet. So here are my favorites of what I have so far :)

Tied for first for the best dance date I've been on. I only wish I had more pictures to share with you! Thank you Kayla for taking our pictures for us!

Fast Ball

My future is basically being thrown at me at 98 mph... if not faster. For the longest time I was absolutely dreading going to college, moving out... moving on. Sometimes moving on has a sad connotation along with it, but this time it's just about moving on to bigger and better things. It's the next step of life and it's the next challenge I still have yet to face. (Especially the living on my own part...)

I was dreading the decision of which college to go to. Absolutely nuts. Well, I applied for two colleges. The first one I applied for was SUU. Felt excited about it, but then I went down there for the Shakespeare Competition the second week in October.... and to be perfectly honest, it just didn't feel right. I didn't like it. Then by the time I had gotten my acceptance letter, as well as a $4000 acedemic scholarship, I had already decided on a different school that wasn't even in the options earlier on. Not even at college day. I wish I had thought of it then. I just feel really good about it though. So guess what?

I'm gonna be a UTE :)
I applied and last Tuesday I got my acceptance letter.

No wonderful, save my butt scholarship yet... but even my dad, who's worried about money more than I am, said that I should go to the school that feels right rather than the school that offers me more money. Of course I pick the second most expensive school in the state, but hey, what's right is right. There's no doubting it.

I even stole my mom's Utah sweater,


(I was trying to hold it up and take a picture at the same time. Fail... I know.)


and I'm ready to give it back, only hoping that I'll be able to receive one for Christmas. Haha, but I told Carly the day after I got my letter, I would wear the sweater to school. We were both shouting for joy and hugging each other that morning. It was really exciting. I'm also applying for other scholarships. I'll probably be sure to let you know how it goes. Two months ago, I wouldn't have been able to tell you what I wanted to do with my life or what I wanted to be. Well, as of now, I'm going to the University of Utah, and it's going to be fantastic. I already know it.

Quick story:
On Halloween, we went up the canyon to go ziplining in the dark (which was freaking amazing by the way) and I wore the UofU sweatshirt. Well, my uncle works up there and let me tell ya... he's a die-hard, devoted BYU football fan. I did wear the sweater just to see what he would say. He did say something. He told me that I was disowned, and that I was NOT allowed to cheer them on. Well, then I told him that he would probably never speak to me again and that I had applied there. He actually congratulated me and said that it's a great school and he's proud of me (but also added that I'm still not allowed to cheer on their football team... so ridiculously funny).

Anyways, there are so many other things that fall under this subject, but let's just say that life's throwing a fast ball, and I'm not quite sure I'm ready for it, but at the same time, I'm so ready, it's not even funny! I'm embracing ever second of my senior year though. This is the time for me to do anything and everything. (Which I am... :))

Today was just an all around brilliant day...

Today was my first day in chamber... and let me tell you... it was WEIRD. Normally Carly and I split ways after seminary, but today we got to walk to class together!!! I was warmly welcomed into the class by all the kids and Durtschi. It was magnificent. They're singing this mile-long song called "Carmina Burana" that they've been practicing since the beginning of the year. Yeah... I'm totally lost. It's not even funny. I've had the music for about a month and a half now, but haven't bothered to sit down and actually try to learn the latin... or the notes... in fact, I bought a version of it that the London Symphony did, and it's INCREDIBLE, but a little far-fetched for me right now. I'm sure that if I really work towards it and spend countless hours on it (that I don't have) then I would be able to do it. Hm... Christmas Break project maybe? We'll see. They're performing it this weekend, and there is no way in the dark underworld that Hades rules over, that I will learn it by then, but they're performing it again sometime after the new year. I'll most likely make an effort before then. Promise. :)

Anyways, it was weird being in a small, mixed choir. It's definitely going to take some getting used to. We also started some Christmas music, and it was magical. Seriously, I can't wait for it. Christmas chorals are my favorite to sing.

Speaking of Christmas, it's getting cold. I hate that it snowed today. It should at least wait till Thanksgiving. (Haha, just a little side note there.)

So here are a few things that I noticed and little things that happened in chamber today:

• I'm singing alto 1. I haven't sung alto 1 since junior high. This should be interesting... I mean, you would think that alto is alto, but when you're used to singing the lowest among the women, you definitely get used to it. I don't know, I guess it's just a choir thing. But it'll be a learning experience from here on out.
• Hayden Knudsen? Yeah, he can SING. Holy tamoles. That kid can totally rip it out.
• My sight singing has gotten a lot better since I started practicing with hymns at church. Never thought it was that big of a deal, but it's awesome.
• There are three Michael's in chamber. SOOO weird. Mike Alder, Mike Thurman, and Mike... uh... HA I can't remember the other one's last name. He'll probably never read this, so I don't really have to worry about offending anyone.
• Quote of the Day by the one and only Steve Durtschi:
• "The stage can do two things for you; it will either shove you under a bus, or it will glorify you."

Haha, so epic. Today was just an all around brilliant day, from the perfect seminary lesson (about eternal marriage, which I always love), getting to sing again with people that I adore, and making the coolest potato head dude in photo today, as well as looking and feeling awesome today. It was sweet. The Book of Mormon I can definitely thank for an amazing life. Whenever I'm really good about studying it, I tend to be more calm and at ease with my crazy hectic life. That's NOT a coincidence, and I know it. Anyways, have a wonderful night. :)