My Birthday Wish

My friend in Washington has concert tickets to see three of my favorite artists -Train, Matt Kearney, and Andy Grammer- the weekend before my 18th birthday. But I don't have enough money to pay for airfare back to the mainland.

All I want for my birthday/Christmas is to be able to go to this concert with my friend.

I am trying to raise money to do this. I need about $500. PLEASE help me by donating to my Birthday Wish Fund through the Paypal button below. Every little bit counts; even small $5-10 donations help and are greatly appreciated.

Please help me have the best birthday ever. It's my 18th. Once in a lifetime. Why not?

Food, Music, and Dishes

I have been spending quite a bit of time in my kitchen recently. The baking bug got me, so last weekend I made Chooloate-Chip Strawberry Muffins, and a loaf of amazing Cheese and Herb Pull-Apart Bread. It was stunningly delicious.

All this baking means I have been doing extra dishes. I don't mind. Whenever I am in the kitchen I turn the radio up loud and sing along. If I am in a good mood I dance, too. That is why I volunteer to do dishes, especially alone. It's relaxing and fun with my music. (I'm a big music person, if you haven't noticed).

My parents out of town this weekend, so I get even more kitchen time; cooking so my younger siblings don't starve.

500 and some MUSIC!

WHOA! Almost 500 page views?! Are you kidding?! I never thought that would ever happen...thanks guys. =]

Lets have a party! Whew! I love excuses to party. Not like I ever need one... ;)

Okay, I know I have been MIA for quite awhile, and I am very sorry. Know that awful thing called school? Yeah. It's killing me. But, IT'S ALMOST OVER!!! :D
Just a few more days, and we are freeee! And then I shall blog more....hopefully. I actually do like blogging...I just never have time! Gah!

Now! I want to party! SO - Since music is huge to me and it is one of the things that has gotten me through school, I want to share some of my current favorite songs with you!

One Week - BareNaked Ladies
You can thank Mister D for this one, he played it for me at our homework party the other day. It is just such a crazy fun feelgood song! =]

Keep Your Head Up - Andy Grammer

This is my current pick-me-up song, thanks to Mister S. It just always makes me feel better!

Rolling in the Deep - Adele

This is sooo fun to sing! haha I get pretty into it...Really, who doesn't love it? =]



I Just Wanna Run - The Downtown Fiction

This is my moody/bad day/grumpy song, I guess. I really like it because it is exactly how I feel sometimes.

Sigh No More - Mumford and Sons

This is another of those moody song, but it so peaceful and beautiful!

(Notice - be careful with Mumford and Sons. Some of their songs, like The Cave or Awake my Soul, are lovely, but others, like Little Lion Man, have some nasty swearing. It is a good idea to stay away from those. I can tell you from experience even one bad word in a song, and that is the line that is stuck in your head alllll day.)



Goodness, I am on a roll here! Hope you don't mind. If you do, oh well. It's my blog! muahahaha!

I have so many other songs I love! I will have to post them later...would you like that? Yes, no, maybe so?

SO. MUCH. MUSIC!!!! :D

Okay, last one for now -

Who Says - Selena Gomez

I know, I know, but it is such a cute song! With such a great message! =]

There you go! Some wonderful music, ended on a happy note!

Hahaha punny!

Oh goodness...

As Zion's Youth In Latter Days

This was the song we sang in seminary this morning. It hit me pretty hard, it is so beautiful.

As Zion’s youth in latter days,
We stand with valiant heart,
With promise shining in our eyes,
Resolved to do our part.
Upon a noble past we build;
The future fills our view.
We face the challenge of our day
And pledge we will be true.

The truths and values we embrace
Are mocked on ev’ry hand.
Yet as we listen and obey
We know we can withstand
The evils that would weaken us,
The sin that would destroy.
With faith, we hold the iron rod
And find in this our joy.

Thru test and trial we’ll have our fears,
But we will not despair.
We’re here to serve a righteous cause;
Truth gives us strength to dare.
We’ll love, and learn, and overcome;
We’ll sing a joyful song,
As Zion’s youth in latter days,
Triumphant, pure, and strong.

( Hymn 256 - A Zion's Youth In Latter Days
Text: Susan Evans McCloud, b. 1945. © 1985 IRI
Music: Irish melody; arr. © 1985 IRI)

"O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.

   Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.

   Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day."

          - Alma 37:35-37

"And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.

   Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him."

          - Alma 53:20-21

In Memory

Today was an awful day, for various reasons I don't need to get into, though some of you may know. It was one of those days where you just want to huddle in a corner and cry, or hug someone and never let go.

One days like this, I invariably turn to music. It is inevitable. Music is a huge part of my life, and so here are a few songs I turned to today -

Overall, the days is encapsulated by one of the stunningly beautiful pieces we are currently playing in our school band - An American Elegy by the amazing Frank Ticheli. It was composed in memory of the tragedy at Columbine High School.

(More great Ticheli pieces found here)

Another of my favorite composers is Eric Whitacre. A few of his wonderful pieces -

The gorgeous October-
              woodwind and string arrangements

Sleep

Lux Arumque (Light and Gold)

Choral and woodwind

 

Another beauty - Fantasy on a Japanese Folk Song by Samuel R. Hazo

These are my songs of the day. I hope you find them as beautiful as I do.