Tomorrow, tomorrow!

One more day until Derek's awesome birthday, and I am antsy! Today I finished the last bit of shopping I needed for his birthday dinner, and over the weekend we finished a huge 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle as part of the decorations. I overestimated my abilities to put it together, so there will be only one puzzle instead of the two I had planned.

This last weekend was mainly spent putting together the puzzle but also spent practicing and taking pictures, all in recital preparation. Leigh-Annie Fanny took my pictures and did the makeup, and we're just getting more and more excited. We had too much fun doing it. As you can see, she's counting down as well.

Today, to keep me busy and my mind off tomorrow, I will be working on my program for the recital and cleaning the house so I don't have to do as much tomorrow. I know, this update isn't that interesting. I promise you will soon see pictures of Blue Bayou-inspired decorations and FOOD. Until you see the cuisine, here's a list. For lunch I will make us some Monte Cristo's. They're bayou-inspired Chicken Cordon Bleu...and cheaply/simply made. The cheap way is this: You make a meat and cheese sandwich and grill it like grill cheese... except the bread is prepared like french toast (dipped in egg, milk, and cinnamon). Dip it in raspberry jam, and ENJOY! Weird I know...but oh so good! For dinner we will enjoy my first ever Sausage and Shrimp Jambalaya. I can't wait to see how it turns out. The recipe calls for 3 large onions. Mmm! For beverage, we'll have Mint Juleps (virgin). And for dessert, it's the classic cherry dump cake... only with apples! I'm beginning to think that I'm more excited about Derek's birthday than Derek is. :)

I just remembered that last week I made some bows for Liz. I got so excited about them that I bought supplies to make more. Enjoy.

Since I'm hyperlinking everyone's blog, I figure I should take to time to introduce you to a newcomer of the blogging world: Momma!

i forgot!

I don't know HOW I could have done it, but I did. I forgot my favorite holiday until I read my best friend Leigh-Ann's blog. So it's 4:35 and I just changed into green. How sad. Thanks for the reminder Leigh-Annie Fanny!

Our car is fixed and runs smoothly. Derek will be home soon (with the car) to work on homework and what not, and I will be helping him which means this blog is going to be short.

I spent all day with Jackie yesterday. It was really fun. We hadn't done that in a while. We went shopping, picked up my recital dress, explored an antique shop, bought stuff to make a felt Noah's ark for Reina, and watched "Sherlock Holmes." All in all, a wonderful day. Well, that's about it for now. I'll update longer soon. :)

Weekend Wallapallooza

The car wasn't able to be fixed on Friday, let alone diagnosed, so we walked home from school. It was a lovely walk. We didn't play at Porter Park because it was getting cold, but it wasn't so cold that the walk was uncomfortable. We took a short cut... on the railroad tracks. It felt like we were in a movie... bums with nowhere to go and no way to get there.

When we got home, we called some friends over, ordered pizza, and watched movies. By the way, all who doubt should doubt no more. The Domino's Pizza commercials aren't lying... it really does taste better. We've tried three of their American Legend pizzas, and they're awesome. I'd say give it a shot, but use a coupon (they have some on their website). Who can resist Memphis BBQ Chicken Pizza? (No, I did not get paid to promote Domino's Pizza, but I should have.)
We also watched a movie called "The Court Jester." It's an older. Angela Landsbury is a young, hot princess. It's funny. I recommend it. Brother Olsen let me borrow it. He kept quoting it. i recommend you look it up on youtube. :)

The chicks don't show their legs like that in the movie... how provocative for 1955!

Saturday was full of homework and taxes... quite worth the headache. Today we actually got up early (9:45) compared to our usual Sundays. It was quite refreshing. I think I'll actually be able to sleep well tonight. :)

Take me home tonight... be my little baby!

Earlier this week I went to D.I. and got two pots...among other things...because they were cheap and interesting. I was hoping to use them in the decoration process of Derek's birthday dinner. Well, today I found a way to use them. Derek and I bought two plants at the MC, and I believe they will look awesome in our awesome plant holders.


ALSO at D.I. I got a small bag of about 5 pairs of earrings for only $3.00. "But you can't wear earrings," you say? They are very ugly, awesome earrings. I have to wear them. I'm cleaning and sanitizing both the earrings and my ears... wearing them with care because they're THAT incredible.


The auto mechanic students here at BYU-Idaho finally gave us a call saying they could take Ol' Bess (our Honda CRV) and diagnose a problem. Derek took it at two, and so far the spark plugs, fuel injector, and something else is fine. They're looking at something else, and we're just hoping they can get it taken care of in the next half hour. Probably not. THEREFORE, our Friday night plans are postponed, and we just might walk home from school...which will actually be great because it's a nice day outside. We may spend some time at Porter Park swinging and playing on the playground equipment.


Something that is interesting to me is the fact that I have no "blog-followers." It's kind of sad and tugs at my confidence and worth every now and then. (Only a little) I know TWO people that read it but aren't following me. I FOLLOW YOU. Yes, this is my shout out/guilt trip. :) Just push the "FOLLOW" button on my page- you'll get updated on your Blogger Dashboard, and I'll feel like I have friends who think my ramblings aren't in vain. Honestly, it doesn't hurt that bad... but it could...soon. :)

Umm, so here's a list of things I get to do over the next 3 weeks:

.pick up my recital dress
.take picture for poster
.design poster for recital and get printed
.design program for recital and get printed
.practice...a lot
.go to Ogden for our new niece's blessing
.celebrate Derek's birthday all day via cooking and transforming our living room
.figure our where all our guests are going to stay Friday, April 2
.prepare our apartment for a buttload of guests
.possibly file taxes
.STAY EXCITED about the near-future events! (DONE!)

I'm not even going to list off the things Derek needs to do over the next few weeks. He has a lot of school and work. He kicks butt. The end.

Derek's birthday is only two weeks away, and i am so excited! Before it comes I have some projects to finish to complete the atmosphere of the evening. I'm working on my second of two paintings to cover the windows. Honestly, they look like a third grader did them, so I'll just call them Impressionistic and move on. (just in case you can't figure it out... river, trees, grass, lightning bugs, flower patches)

Yesterday, Jackie and I made paper lanterns. I got a little carried away, but it was so fun and easy and they looked so awesome, I just kept going. I'm getting some battery-powered tealights from the dollar store to sit inside them and help light up the room.

I'm planning on turning my floor lamps into willow trees. We'll see how that turns out.

I completed a couple projects for Jackie's apartment. Leigh-Ann and I added some pizzazz to Jackie's white canisters for her kitchen. I didn't take nay pictures of those, but I probably should. I did take a picture of the huge nautical star they have... I painted it black and added patterned paper to fit their strict theme. It looks pretty darn cool.

Opera Scenes was this weekend, and it was awesome. I've never had so much fun being a disgusting, ugly witch. The pictures really don't do me justice.

I was also a village girl named Gianetta with a single line of my own that I played with such perfection, the scene would have been ruined without me. (Not!) So much makeup.

Derek gave me some lilies for my performance. How sweet! One is in full bloom , one is beginning to open, and one is still waiting to grace me with its presence later. It's pleasing to know that I will enjoy the flowers for more than a few days. Lilies last a long time, especially if you have some not-yet-bloomed buds. Well, this is all for today. I need to make lunch for Derek... and plan dinners for the week.

Celebrate good times, come on!

So, the day I had been anticipating for the past few years finally came! Yesterday morning I had my final jury for my recital in April, and for the first time I was more excited than nervous. Brother Linford, Brother Olsen, and Kris Ciesinski were my jurists. AND they were all impressed. They were all smiles. After my first song Kris said, "I don't even know who this girl is anymore." They all commented on how much I've improved musically, vocally, and performing-ly. :)



Yesterday I was all smiles which made up for the lack of sleep both Derek and I have gotten this week. He did ANOTHER all-nighter Tuesday night... therefore I didn't sleep well.

Oh yeah! So, I passed my juries, and my recital is most certainly April 2 @ 9:00pm. All who can get here are invited, and somehow we'll find a place for you to sleep and a babysitter for the half hour or so for any kids.

I was surprised at the songs they asked me to sing. They were my less difficult ones. I still have a lot to work on...always. But I'm good enough to share my talent with all of you and be sponsored by the school. That's saying something.

The opera scenes performance is this weekend as well- Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30. That will be very entertaining- funny and dramatic.

Don't think I'll be relaxing from now until my recital though. I still have lots to do. Practice, improve, get my dress and hope the alterations worked out, make the programs and poster... and still find a job.

I AM SO EXCITED!! I'm also excited for Derek, a new client at work says he'll only work with them if Derek is his account executive. Cool.



I feel bad for Derek because I constantly have songs from opera scenes and my recital in my head...just small sections that I sing over and over again. I'm so sorry. It will all end soon.

all-nighter

So here we are. It's Monday 2:52 am, and we are not asleep. Derek has a presentation for class tomorrow and is still doing research. I've been helping slightly but got extremely drowsy with a queasy stomach so decided to go to bed. Obviously that didn't work out. As drowsy as I am, I can't sleep. Lots on my mind... mainly art songs. Hopefully that ends for a while after Wednesday. So I'm up again feeling weird and hoping sleep finds me soon. Until then I'm reading about composers of the songs I'm studying and encouraging Derek to keep up the good work. So here's his issue he's studying: merit pay for teachers, yes or no? He's assigned to the "no" half of the issue. As he studies it, he understands the "yes" side more, only if implemented correctly. Basically he's thinking there's not much knew to it... lawmakers are just trying to cut budgets by paying a few lucky teachers more and everyone else less.

Anywho... I'm excited for April. Mississippi family is coming (Mom, Dad, Sister)!!! I'll finally do my recital, which I am looking forward to instead of dreading more and more each day.

I'm excited for March (happy March by the way). My recital juries are in a few days, we have our Opera Scenes performance this weekend. St. Patrick's day... of course. AND Derek's birthday. THAT I am really excited for.

Last year for my 22nd birthday we ate at the Blue Bayou restaurant at Disneyland. It was the coolest eating experience of my life. So, this year on the 23rd of March for his 23rd birthday, I'm turning our apartment into the Blue Bayou as much as I can. Jambalaya, Mint Juleps, Mississippi River, paper lanterns, candles (lightning bugs) and so much more. I'll be sure to take pictures.

Well, that's all for this hour, I believe. Wish us luck of productivity for the next few.