No White Chirstmas

In fact, it seems more of a late fall type of Oregon. The sun was up this morning when we opened presents. Now, we are carrying on with a family tradition. We spend Christmas watching some of the new DVDs we received. We watched "Up" as a family earlier and now Jamie, Dad and I are watching "Star Trek." The smell of Ham is in the air. Mmm...I love Christmas dinner!

I got a lot of great things for Christmas...

2 pairs of converse shoes
a pair of cute purple flats (shoes)
several DVDs
3 books
armano chocolate (dark chocolate (Madagascar)
lots of cute clothes
money!
gift cards!
something dad brought back from Israel
an ornament
socks
a colorful scarf
a handmade sign with the 9 "Be's"
handmade jewelry
a game

This morning we had sausage, bacon, waffles, and eggs! It has been a very good, non-white Christmas day! Now, I must figure out how to get it all home...

Merry Christmas!

Tedious Scheduling=Rewards?

I think it will be beneficial for me to schedule out the next few years of my life in days, weeks, months and years. I know it is a little tedious, but I feel like this is needed. I even have some "back-up" plans for diffrent directions that my life could go. I have had friedns tell me to go by days, weeks and months and maybe one year. Basically, a set goals and schedule out how to achieve each of them. I think this may be a good idea. I will keep everyone posted on how it is going and some of the formatting I am using. I will also have pictures of my bedroom, before and after. I am moving SOME furntiure (like my desk and bookshelf) but nothing too drastic!

Small update, but hopefully more soon!

Doctor Who and The Hunger Games

I just finished watching the current Doctor Who. Season 4 who David Tennant is amazing. I wish He could be the Doctor for one more season. That would be fun to be an actor or an actress on Doctor Who. David Tennant did point out that if he doesn't quit now he never will and it could be a very good thing or a very bad thing and he does not want to be on a show where he has over stayed his welcome. He also pointed out that refreshing the Doctor every few seasons keeps the show new and fresh, more interesting to watch. I wish we had BBC on the television...and that David Tennant would stay for just one more season. He is amazing and so was Christopher Eccleston. I love the current Doctor Who series and hope the "Eleventh Doctor" proves to be just as amazing. I am concerned though. Theroretically, the Doctor can only regenerate Tweleve times so he needs to be careful and not die again for a while. Could you just imagine yourself being a part of such an amzing series?

Another project that I am going to love is The Hunger Games movie. The release date is set for 2011. I hope the movie is not rated R (it is a violent book with no sex, very little nudity and no swearing that I can remember). I would love to have a role in this movie as it is one of my favorite books. But I would have to look like a sixteen year for the part that I want or look like a menacing teenager to play the role of the other Hunger Games participants. I am not sure I could pull any of those off. It is a fun thought though!

So, I had to blog of to amazingly epic shows that are gracing or will grace all television sets and DVD players in the coming months!

Now, off to bed. School is early tomorrow and work will be long.

Rest in Peace Heather...now a teacher in Heaven

Article that I am about to post for you surfaced very early this morning (around 2 am). They finally released her name. I was one of the first to receive the phone call that she died (at 9:30pm). I slept about four hours last night and am still in shock. She taught me a lot about life and never gave up on her students. She was a funny person...she taught me how to perfect my colorguard technique, but did not perform colorguard very well (she did say once that in the next life she will be a guard groupie and performer...after she teaches the gospel to others). I like to think she was one of those people who annoyed God because she wanted to come down to earth so bad and he finally let her...under one condition: she wouldn't stay long. The whole state of Utah is in shock. There are two vigil's today (one in American Fork and one in Riverton) that I will be attending. I help teach dance to colorguard students and today I have a meeting in Salt Lake City (after church), to help us teachers figure out the best way to tell our students and to help them cope too. God no longer needed her here. She did her part. He called her home to be the most amazing teacher he will ever have in heaven. (please note, I was told she did save the students even though the bus did role, because if it hadn't, the bus behind them would have hit them and caused more fatalites). Everyone give your thoughts and prayers to the Christensen's, American Fork and Riverton High School and all those whom were greatly affected by this wonderful woman!

"INKOM, Idaho — A bus carrying a celebrated Utah high school band swerved off an Idaho interstate and crashed on its side, killing an instructor and injuring some students, police and a school official said.

Two students were rushed by helicopter ambulance Saturday night to a hospital in Pocatello, John Miller, director of the American Fork, Utah, high school band, told The Associated Press. Another 12 were sent to a hospital by ground ambulance with serious injuries, and 30 students were taken to a hospital for minor injuries, he said.

Idaho state police said a preliminary investigation showed that the bus driver had a medical condition that caused the crash.

The Salt Lake Tribune said witnesses at the scene identified the person killed as Heather Christensen, the school's woodwind instructor.

The crash occurred around 7 p.m. MDT on Interstate 15, about two miles north of McCammon and 50 miles north of the Utah border, as the band headed back to American Fork High School after a competition with several other bands in Pocatello.

Miller told the Salt Lake Tribune that the teacher killed in the accident tried to avoid the crash by grabbing the steering wheel when the driver lost control and the bus veered off the road. Miller said the instructor tried to get the bus back on course, but fell out of a window as the vehicle rolled.

"She loved her students, they were her life. I know she died trying to save them," Miller told the newspaper.

Forty-nine students were on the bus that tipped over, Miller said. Altogether, a total of 222 students were on the trip, divided into four buses.

James Kimball, 16, a band member at American Fork, told the AP that he saw the bus swerve off the road and go on its side in a ditch off I-15.

"I was on the bus right behind it. We were watching a movie and I looked forward and saw the bus bouncing across the side of the road," the high school junior told the Tribune in a separate interview. "The bus flew off to the side, bumped across a couple hills and rolled over."

Distraught students sang church hymns after learning of the instructor's death, Kimball said.

Mike Huestis, the band's assistant director, told the newspaper that authorities worked to ensure that all people on the trip were accounted for and examined for injuries. Police said the bus had about 50 students, two adults and one driver on board.

Huestis traveled to the competition in his own car and was ahead of the buses. He did not see the crash, he said.

Kimball said the band, one of Utah's best known, won the Pocatello competition. The school's bands have won the Utah state title for the past 19 years. The school band also performed at President George Bush's 2005 inauguration and marched in the 2007 Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in New York."

Love you Heather Christensen. Thanks for being such an amazing teacher and friend. We will not be the same without you.

You Know You've Lost a Friend When...

You know you've lost a best friend when the following take place...

1. You cry everyday knowing that she will not get the chance to she it.
2. You look at her blog every time it is updated and feel sad that you are no longer a part of her life.
3. You notice she is happily moving on without you and you are trying to make it through the day without her by your side.
4. She visits your state and sees all her friends...except you.
5. You ask her mother everyday if your best friend is doing okay.
6. You worry about her everyday.
7. You start hundreds of emails to try and get her back, but none of them seem to express your feelings correctly.

Yeah, I miss my best friend and I want her back! I just don't know what will bring her back...

Does she know that I have BIG dreams and I don't want anyone to give up on me, especially her. I always work very hard for what I want, I just need to people to come along for the journey. She is on my list of people I want to not give up on me...EVER. Never give up on who I am, or if I am lost never give up on finding me, never give on my ideas (even if they never happen), just never give up on me.

I have decided to make a list of only some of the people I would not want to leave my life ever...

1.Grandma and Grandpa have to be at the top. From the day I was born that were always proud of me and always tell me like it is. They are the only healthy grandparents I ever knew and I thank them for always believe I could and still can achieve the impossible! They will leave this earth someday (I hoping not anytime soon) and when that day comes I will have to work harder than ever before just to make then the proudest Grandparents anyone has ever seen!

2. Momma and Jessica Dupaix- my best friend and her mom (who is like a mom to me). Before our little tiff, Jess always taught me to be strong and was a rock in my life, since July I have felt unsure about everything. She means the world to me and if she is still willing, she will be a bridesmaid the day that I get married (which will not be for a while). Momma Dupaix has always made me laugh and has never turned her back on me, even when my best friend decided she was not happy with me.

3. All my paternal Aunt's, Uncle's and Cousin's. To all my cousin's, we grew up together played many computer and other games and had fun doing so. I take great pride in learning wisdom from my aunts and uncles and I would hope that even though I am far away from most of them, they are still proud of who I am and what I do!

4. My Aunt Lindsay who is great at giving advice and occasionally spoiling her nieces!

5. Aunt Nancy who is always offering to help out any of her nieces whenever the going gets tough!

Again these are just a few. I will post more about this later.

A Long Weekend (or Just Three Days)!!!

A whole has been happening since last weeks post. First, I am way excited for this three day weekend. I have a lot planned. I am going to throughly cleaning my room (and give before and after pictures), go to a bridal shower for a dear friend, watch the BYU/Oklahoma game, read a lot of books, finish homework and sleep-in (I think sleeping in will be my favorite part of the weekend). I am already starting on some of my weekend plans by staying in the library for a while to finish my homework and spend some quiet time reading! I think I am going to enjoy this weekend!

Something else I have to dot his weekend is be really honest with a friend. I am going to attempt to talk to my best friend again and what I have to say probably going to upset her even more, but I must be honest with her. I can't lie to her. That will not get us anywhere in our relationship. I think this fight may escalate a little more, but things need to be said. She has to hear the truth. It will not be fun for either of us, but it must happen or I will loose my best friend forever and I can't allow that to happen.

Surprise Break Before Class

We had a quiz in Ballet today (the first quiz of the new semester) and then did some floor work. The treacher decided to let us out of Ballet early today (Ballet goes from 8am-9:30am and we were let out at 9am) which is nice because I can go get some breakfast and update my blog. A lot has happened recently and I have been taking everything in stride. Jamie and I had a very long talk yesterday and I have come to realize how greatful I am to have my big sister as my roommate (I just hope she feels the same way). Then my father called last night because he found out how rough of a day I was having and we had the same talk Jamie and I had earlier. I love my Daddy! Maybe that is why I am a Daddy's Girl! I have had a lot thing think about recently and have had a lot of things come my way that I never expected.

I have been busy as ever. I have already been assigned two papers and they are both due Monday. I am expecting some math homework today in class, but luckily, I only have math three days a week instead of four or five! This weekend will be very busy, but I think I will survive!

My love to all! Now time for breakfast and math (10am-11am) and then my scholarship meeting!

For Those Who Do and Don't Know...

A lot has happend recently. ore like within the past few months or so things have happened and I have finally started seeing the bigger picture. I have realized that I am going to face some hurt along the way and much of the time I am not going to like whatever is happening...BUT I must do one or more of the following...

1. This is the most important and therefore the first on my list. I must trust in the Lord no matter what. I must rely on Him even through the worst of times. I must remember that when all else fails, He will never leave me and I can always go to Him for anything!!!

2. I have love from many people in my life.

3. No matter what, life is going to freaking hurt but it is what I do to with the hurt and the pain that will determine my path!

4. Life goes on, whether I want it to or not.

5.Everything happens for a reason!

I have learned a lot and still have SO much more to do. To Jess, I love you! For everyone else. I love you too!

Let's Just Start All Over Again...

School starts tomorrow. I love school, I just wish I had a longer break. I have classes MW from 8am-Noom, TTH 8am-9:30am and Fridays 8am-11am. Busy life, busy schedule. Hopefully I get the job I want.

Best Friend...Where Art Thou?

I still have no idea why my bestest best friend in the whole world has decided to cut me out of her life. No matter how hard I try, I feel like I am about to lose her completely. To my "pudding" if you are reading this...come back to me. Please hear my side of the story. Tell me what I did worng. Please...

My Trek to Utah!

I get to trek to Utah...in a car (not a handcart) with my mom and little sister tomorrow at the crack of dawn (6am; I believe that is the departure time). I think I will do another six hour stretch tomorrow (I drove six hours on the way up here). I am somewhat excited to go back to Utah but I am sad that I couldn't stay longer just to see more people and do some more things I wanted to do (like go to Seattle and OMSI, go camping at the beach, go for a long bike ride, goof-off in downtown Portland, etc.). I think next year, I shall do Spring Term and take a month off work to come to Oregon for a month! I can come in July when we have the Ward Campout. I am sad that this is my third (or fourth???) time missing it in my whole life. *sigh* I am not too thrilled about school just because it means less free time on my hands. Oh well!

My Time in the Library

I am currently taking a break from an assignment to post this blog. I have noticed that I don't have a particularly heavy term schedule, I just have a lot of little papers to write. I am taking the second part of Old Testament, a student development class (Career and Majors Exploration), and an intermediate Jazz class. Not too hard, right? Yep, I am in the library writing the beginning of one of my papers due this term. I think I am going to go until it is completely written and some revisions so that it is out of my way tomorrow since I have a few job interviews during the day tomorrow. I think I will be home at about 5pm or 6pm, go with Hannah to get dinner, MAYBE go to FHE (I got released from my calling as FHE mom a little bit ago so now I am not as obligated to go), and clean the stove and the oven and part of my room tonight since cleaning chcks for our building are on Wednesday. Needless, to say I will be quite busy the next few days. I don't think I will even get to or answer my phone until tomorrow evening if I am lucky. I started cleaning the tub today since I always fail that part of the cleaning check (except for last time). I smell like bleach and the occasional person that walks by the table I am currently sitting at (with my computer) likes to look at my old bleach covered shirt (I did not feel like dressing up today for school so instead I am wearing sweat pants rolled up to my knees, since it is 90+ degrees outside and a very old t-shirt with bleach and paint stains). I will look better tomorrow even though I do have school. I will have job interviews until about 2 pm and then I will be on BYU campus revising my paper and starting the next assignment that is not due until midnight on Friday (or Saturday very early morning if we are being technical here). If there is time I will hope the bus from BYU to UVU to get a transfer credits request form so that all my credits here will transfer at least Fall. Speaking of transferring credits I need to stop by the religion department today to transfer my religion classes to the UVU Orem institute of religion so that I can receive two of the three graduation certificates for graduation from institute!

Just hope and pray that I don't lose my sanity. Although I think I may have done so already, but we'll see how the day plays out. I just better remember to grab my "to do" list tomorrow or I am toast. I need some kind of vacation...oh wait, I think my roommates and I are going to Logan, Bontiful and Ogden on the weekend of the 24th of July (that Friday is the state holiday pioneer day). I think we are going to leave on the afternoon of Thursday the 23rd and coming home on Saturday or Sunday evening. We want to go and see the Ogden, Bontiful and Logan temple, get family history for both the Gudmunson and Cummings side of the family, see parts of Hannah's mission, then drivng down to Salt Lake City and temple square, see the Oquirah Mountain temple open house, stop at the Draper, Mt. Timp, and Provo temples and have an all around good time. Then, we plan to hit the Manti and St. George temple later just to say that we have been in and seen all the temples in Utah!!!

Okay, enough blogging...time to get back to work (school work that is).

A Long and Busy Day = Burnout?

I think I am going to lock myself in my room and not come out until I have tackled at least half of my to do list. I still need to finish throughly cleaning my room (not just the floor, but actually organizing everything as well), finish my last assignment of the term, get a schedule going for tomorrow, finalize my fall schedule for school, and continue looking for work (still no luck yet). So, I have decided that today I will not get on facebook or watch any T.V. (even if I finish everything) to complete my burnout (meaning I will have breakfast, but not eat a lot today until at least half my list is done). I know, it is a lot to do, however, if I get all this done today then tomorrow's list will be so much easier and I will reward myself with the blessed oppertunity of sleeping in (I may even have a relaxing day...you know, like swimming at the Carriage Cove pool, watching a movie or two, etc.). I just have to focus on today and hope I at least get my room, my assignment and some job hunting done (note that my assignment is practially finished, I just need to edit the paper and submit it via Blackboard)!! Now, off to get breakfast and start my busy day!

A Change in Behavior

Some days I have no clue what is going on. My roommate is back to the person we all know and love. She is not mad anymore. It can be exhausting sometimes to attempt to figure out people's behavior.

I promise some pictures coming this way soon. I have a few art projects and before and after pictures of my room clean and (hopefully) decorated. Yep, short entry tonight.

Caught in the Middle

Wow, a lot has happened since the last post. Basically, some roommates are a little annoyed with each other. Time for some tough love, truth telling and stubbornness to resolve all of this. Bring on the tension. I know what I am going to do and say, it is just a matter of getting through to people. *sigh* My life is a bit exhausting at the moment (and it doesn't help that I have not recently slept well at night either). Some nights I end up crying because of the situation. Ineed to act quick.

P.S. I have not made a decision about drum corp yet.

Frustration followed by confusion

First of all, stop being such a hypocrite. You tell me you get frustarted because of something I said and then you say it right back to me AND got mad because I called you on it. That is not cool. Second, I know you are mad at me and when I decide to sit down with you to talk about it, you blow me off. I want to fix this. I know you are mad at me. I can see it. Anytime, I decide to open my mouth you roll your eyes, scowl at me, and then make snappy remarks (or ignore me). If you have a problem with me then tell me so that we can resolve this together. Is that too much to ask for? Before all this happened you would be so excited to invite me on walks with you, you wanted to always talk to me and invite me to events. Now, I feel like you feel obligated to do anything with me...almost like it is a burden. I don't even know what I did wrong.

*sigh* I am frustrated. I am having problems with a roommate who just so happens to be as stubborn as I am. I think she hold grudges longer than I do though and I don't know why.

I am also VERY confused. I so want to do drum corp this year and have the potential of receiving a scholarship from UVU and BYU because of drum corp, but Mom is pressuring me to get a job this summer because Mom and Dad will not be able to support me if I don't. It's a scholarship. I am confused. My heart is telling me to march, but my Mom is telling me to work.

Somedays, I hate having to make difficult decisions.

Reading Day??? Yeah Right...

Tomorrow is supposed to be our reading day (study day before finals). Except that tomorrow I will be awake bright and early to start my day. I will be at school for at least half the day studying in the library and rehearsing my movement final for Monday. By the way, I have two movement finals on Monday one right after the other and my psychology final is immediately afterwards. I think a nap will be in order that day. Or maybe I will go to bed early. Whichever comes first.Then I have one final a day Tuesday to Thursday while I attempt to start Spring term at BYU (which starts Tuesday). I think I may die just a little.

Glorious Sun and I am Stuck with Finals...

Oh man the weather is amazing here. Funny part is that we got about four inches of snow last week and now we are having cloudless skies and warm weather (warm enough to wear shorts and flip-flops)! The unfortunate part about all of it is the stinkin' week of studying and next week is supposed to rain. Ugh...several finals (six to be exact) in only a few days. I have some papers to finish and hopefully I can enjoy tomorrows sun!!!

I found a sun to do a performance to next semester for one of my capstone dance classes!! I am thinking of doing Love Story (Taylor Swift) meets Viva la Vida (Coldplay) by Jon Schmidt. I will attempt to upload a video of it cause it is so amazing. Beautiful triplet harmonics with perfect rhythmic beats for pas de duex partnering and coupe leaps! I hope to start putting the process together for everyone soon!!! I will record as much as possible! It really is beautiful!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v3d6SFcDys (youtube link-only if the link below doesn't work!



Enjoy!

March Madness...

This blog has nothing to do with basketball by any means. This is more of how insane March is and is going to be. It is only March 8th and I have had little sleep these last few days. This week is not going to get any easier. I am busy everyday of the week with school and studying as well as some dance rehearals on Wednesday and Friday and the last of my midterms on Tuesday evening. Here we go...bring it on...

I Did Go On A Walk...

Until just recently, Utah has had amazing weather. On Sunday, my roommate Victoria and I went for a nice two hour walk along the Provo river. We have been hitting to 60's for a while! Just recently though we are in the 40's and overcast. I did go for a walk a while ago.

Amazing Program!!!

So last night I had to cut some music for dance and was having some difficulty finding someone who could do it on such short notice and for free. I emailed a friend of mine who is a band teacher and has to sometimes cut music if she knew of any programs that were cheap and worked well. She emailed back and gave me a reference to a program named Audicity. After some installations, I was able to download a free version of this program and it is working wonders. I could edit, cut, change tempo, change the speed, record my own noises, pick from an array of pre-recorded voices and noises, overlay and overlap, enhance a note, make pauses, you name it, it probably can do it. I could even edit music down to a millisecond which helped with the song I was cutting. I can take one section and work on just that particular part for a while. I am way excited. I can fine tune my music over the next several weeks and get everything ready without stress and worry (cause I am stressed, worried and freaking out right about now). I can even have it adaptable to all music and computer systems. This is a great idea. I can slightly relax regarding dance, but only slightly. I just had to blog about this amazing gift that was given to me!!!

Draper Temple Open House

I am so excited. Today, Hannah (my roommate) and I are going with some friends from the ward to the Draper Temple open house at 1:30pm. The Relief Society president got a bunch of tickets and invited Hannah and I to go with her and some other ward members. I have never been to a temple open house so this will be a fun first for me. I have seen board casted dedications of the Nauvoo Temple and one other temple (I don't remember which one though, but I know I've seen at least two). Draper is not too far away. It is about 20-40 minutes depending on traffic. I am excited!!!

So, my mom is in town until tomorrow afternoon. It has been nice having her here. Before she leaves tomorrow we get to see our "cousins" for breakfast (long story about them being family and all). The Cleghorns are coming! They leave tomorrow night. Tonight, I get to see my pregnant adopted sister. She is having a boy in April (I get to be an aunt!!!)! Mom wants to give her some baby clothes that never made it to Utah when Mom sent them for Christmas. We are going to have a very full table at dinner tonight! It will be fun to see everyone though.

I have a very busy weekend coming up. Homework, family time, cleaning my room (man, does it need cleaning) and meetings, concert rehearsals, and a small performance are going to occupy a majority of my time. Needless to say, school is in full swing. Therefore, I remain busy. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Yes, We Can!!!

I am so mad I have school today. The Presidential Inauguration is today and I have to be stuck at school while a historic event occurs. I can not wait for President Bush to leave (I really don't like him at the moment...don't get me started on the Border Patrol agents he did not pardon). I think this country needs a President to will actually get things done. I am glad he realizes that we can't stop the war in less than a year, otherwise he would have never gotten my vote. Although if McCain didn't choose Palin I probably would have been torn between the two. Palin scares me and does not need to be in the White House. Anyways, I am excited!!! I have friend that attend University of Utah and will be in the Marching Band and on television for 30 seconds or more. Finally, change we can believe in!!! Yes, we can!!!

Less than 24 hours

yep. I leave for Utah at 12:50pm tomorrow. It is a bitter sweet moment. I am glad to be on my own again, but I enjoyed free meals and free laundry. It will be okay though. I am not looking foreward to any of the snow though. I am snowed out. It is even snowing here...RIGHT NOW. We are going to get about 2 inches and then it turns to rain. We are having flooding issues through most of the state, but since Mom and Dad live on a hill that don't have to worry! I am just hoping there is limited snow tomorrow when we leave. I don't want to be stuck in the airport. Gah...