Photography LOVE

I love photography! I just can't wait to get out and take pictures most days, it calms me down and makes me happy. I also love band (shocker, right?)! So, taking pictures at pep band is SOOOO fullfilling for me!! especially because it makes other people happy too :) (er, most of the time... some people HATE the camera...) I just thought I'd post a few of my favorite pictures from last week's game. By the way, people must learn to stop moving- like completely- when taking a picture, that, or my camera needs super powers!! haha :) Blurry=Bad, haha but can sometimes make really scary pictures! :) these are only a few, but I thought they were some of the best.

More to follow! :) fun times!!!!

Yay For Surviving!!! (and more)

Why the need for celebration you ask? there's a very long list, but mostly, i'm just proud that tomorrow is friday and I havn't significantly ruined something!!!

On tuesday night, I tried out for Utah Youth Symphony again (for next year). I amazingly wasnt too nervous, but the audition songs repeated themselves in my head so many times i KNEW I was scared. I ran downstairs, a little late, and kissed my mom goodbye. As I stepped out the door it hit me. My french horn was still in my room. Genious. :) haha so, running, i grabbed my horn, and jumped into my car. I put in my practice CD, Shostocovich's 5th Symphony, and drove as safely and quickly as possible. I arrived at the Libby at the same time my audition was suposed to start!!! I rushed to the thrird floor where I found several other musicians waiting to audition. Luckily, my friend Alex, who plays the clarinet, was prepared and went before me!!! When I went into the audition, Barb, my conductor was smiling as always and kindly greeted me. She's SOOO nice!! She thanked me for the performance a few weeks ago, then I did my audition. It was so easy to play for her!! I'm really greatful that she has helped me to find a whole new confidence with my horn playing that wasnt there before. She never stops encouraging and uplifting, and that is the best kind of teacher. She's a good example to me. She said I definately made it into the Symphony next year!!! YAY!!!!! I'm so excited!!!! I've had a blast this year, and can't wait for next year too!!!

After a nervous breakdown last night from stress, I was glad today was better than I expected! I got a good score on my AP Chemistry test, and, even though it wasnt my best score, felt pretty good about the quiz in AP American too. The lesson this morning in Seminary was perfect for me too. It seemed so inspired after last night!!! Brother Coleman taught us about how to manage our lives better. He told us that our Heavenly Father was proud of all of the good and even great things in our life, but if we weren't making enough time for the essentials in our life, we were missing the point of life itself. I shouldn't run my life so hard that I can barely sleep, let alone function from day to day! I know that as I look to fulfill those essentials in my life though, that God has, and will help me, and I am so eternally thankful. He has turned my most pesimistic days into happy, fullfilling ones!!! Today was a great example, and I would feel ungrateful to have not shared how blessed I have been!!!

Tomorrow is friday!!!! I'm going to Utah Youth Phillharmonic with Emily, and playing in the Pep Band at the Bountiful vs. WX basketball game. I can't wait!! It should be a fantastic day!!! I've made it!!! yay!

Follow the Yellow Brick Road...

Random title? yes, I know. But for some reason it popped into my head!! Maybe it'll have something to do with this post. :)

Yay for January!!! I'm almost done with my 2nd Term as a Junior, and I have loved every minute of it!! Yes, it's been stressful, and yes, I think I've lost a lot of hair and sleep, but I have definitely grown in more ways than I can count!! (and that's mentally and spiritually thank you, NOT in weight {which is a miracle in itself, with how many cookies I eat...} ANYWAY....) I'm so grateful to have amazing friends!!! Who, by the way, are amazing at writing in their blogs often... so! New Years Goal #3 found!!! Write in blog more than once a month.

I've been loving having more time on my hands with the only-study less-homework thing going on with all these finals!! I've finished a few books, and had more time to spend with my family!!! My mom and I made sugar cookies and BOY were they delicious!!! They had blue frosting... minor detail? or awesome and quite yummy? duh. (hehe!) I'm super grateful to my family!!! and even if sometimes they tell me the truth.... "You're wearing THAT dress to prom?" (er, I like this dress Brendan...) or "You know, your brother isn't the only one in this family that likes the sound of his own voice" (MOM!! ouch. haha!)- we all can laugh afterwards and still have a great time!!! I think that in itself can be called the "miracle of the family".

It's been fun getting ready for Prom too- mom and I have been looking for dresses, so we get to spend a little girl time! I love it.

I'm REALLY looking forward to the Utah Youth Symphony performance at the Tabernacle this Saturday (at 7:30)!!! I have lots of extra (free) tickets that are needed for admission!! If anyone wants to come, it really will be an AMAZING concert!! We're playing Tchaikovsky's 2nd Symphony "The Little Russian" and Rimsky-Korsokov's "Capriccio Espagnole". both songs promise to be exciting and VERY Russian/Spanish

Another goal I have for myself is to wake up ON TIME and to do my best to not procrastinate!! really, procrastinating is my main problem... I procrastinate going to bed.... waking up... homework.. etc. but I DO get it done!!! I know that I'll be happier AND more awake if I would just keep to a schedule!!

And no matter how crazy life gets, I wont ever stop following my Yellow Brick Road!!! I am so grateful for the blessings that I've had and the opportunities I have!!! Whenever I think of my future, I need to be better about remembering that the Yellow Brick Road goes forward. Yes, I can see it in my rear-view-mirrors, but just because I don't know the road of occupation to follow, it doesn't mean that my Yellow path will ever leave or reach a dead end!! I can be happy each and every day of my life, no matter what happens, and look to it with optimism and joy!!

I can't wait :)

Christmas was a BLAST!!! I had a wonderful time with family and friends!!!! on top of all that, having a break from school was SO nice.

I'll tell you though, teachers really didn't hold out when we got back!!! The first day back in AP Chemistry was a Semester Exam... but, after studying for 4 hours last night, I got 68.5%!!!! :D I was so proud!! Okay, I know that sounds awful, but, with the average looking like it was around 40%, that's really good! It wasn't as difficult as I expected (thank goodness no Thermochemistry); I can only hope the AP test in May will go as well. I have another test tomorrow in math, but I'm not to worried for it. After a 14 hour school day yesterday, all I'm worried about is when I can take another nap :)

I'm so grateful to have been able to survive the first two days back at school after such a good long break!! If I make it through these next two weeks, it will be a miracle worth celebrating!!

A week from Saturday is our Utah Youth Symphony performance at the Tabernacle on Temple Square!! I'm SO excited!!! BUT, our first symphony is Tchaikovsky's 2nd, that begins in a BEAUTIFUL horn only solo! I'm playing it!!! Although the nervousness is consuming, there is only one thing to do now: Practice till my lips fall off and crawl away!!!! I just keep telling myself I'm ready, and i KNOW I can do this. It'll be amazing!! and the music is very beautiful, so, if any of you need a concert report, or just want to listen, ticket info is online! just google Utah Youth Symphony :)

There have been so many blessings in my family's life recently!! I'm so grateful to have such wonderful friends and family as I do. I REALLY can't thank them enough. :)

I'll try to put some new pictures up here of everyone, or of my photography, but, alas, homework calls!!! I'm off to fight the evils of ignorance! and the sins of procrastination!! (to be continued)