Chapter 24: Dropped Dough

Today was the Sunday Session of General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I absolutely love Conference and it's always at the perfect time of year because it's just when I really need answers and a pick me up. This year was amazing and I learned more about myself, my life, and the gospel. I know this church is true.

On another note, I wrote down an interesting story of an experience I had today. I call this one Dropped Dough.

Here's a funny story: I was making gluten free cookies for my sister. I was sort of half listening to conference. Well I put the butter mix in the bowl with sugar and oats to mix for the dough. Then I thought I would bring it in the study room where my computer could be set down better and mix while watching conference. Well when trying to carry a computer and bowl.....it happened. I dropped the bowl and the partly mixed dough dropped! Plop! Right on the ground. My reaction: EFF! Onto my roommates ethernet cord, and on the rug. Ew. So I started to clean up. Then, as I was angry and frustrated, Elder Oaks spoke about how Joseph Smith could not translate the Book of Mormon when he had angry feelings. Yeah, object lesson right then and there. I started to laugh and cry at this while continuing to clean. I can't listen/hear the Spirit when I'm angry. Even though I was doing something good (cookies for my sister) I wasn't listening to conference and soon my dropped dough became my anger and I just focused on myself and unfairness. Lesson learned. I needed to listen to conference. And smile when cleaning. Because the anger automatically drives me away from that Spirit and I am rude. God always blesses us. It's almost as if I were angry with God, and that's not right. I remember thinking sort of talking to God, "yeah I'm pissed". That's not right. And now I know God wanted to tell me something. I'm sure my sister will understand as she wasn't expecting cookies. At least the dough was partially mixed so it was a clump of dough rather than the liquids/oats separated and splattered. I'm a really lucky girl.

So after having that experience, I realized how stupid I can be sometimes. And how my relationship with the Lord is very unique. He makes sure to give me experiences that are a kick to the head and that are often full of humor. And I thank Him for every one of my experiences like that. After all it's just what I need. And the Lord knows what's best for me and my life. :)

Chapter 23: Voice Class

It's been awhile since I have last blogged. School is in full mode now and I've been quite the busy girl. Thank goodness though because the time is going by faster than I thought, and that means that winter is soon to be here.

My classes are alright, but my favorite class is voice class. I registered for this randomly in a sense. I guess I have always wanted to take a class like this, but didn't know what to expect, so I just registered and hoped for the best. The best came. Before going to the class I was worried it would only focus on opera. Thank goodness I was wrong. I am learning about the basics of singing and the proper way to sing. Not only that, I am breaking out of my shell and singing in front of people. My nerves are lowering! That was my main goal. And of course to improve my voice as I am not a professional singer for a reason.

Today was particularly a great class. We did one-on-ones with the teacher. As I arrived I stretched out, and warmed up. Then she wanted to see what my range was like. Who knew I could go high? I always thought that my voice was getting a little lower range over the years, but I can still hit (by the way never say hit a note in this class, I learned my lesson) the high notes. So correction, I can still sing the high notes. And during my warm ups she asked me if I worked out. Haha, looks like those ab workouts are paying off! I learned a lot about my singing during that brief lesson. I have a lot to work on, and I am going to improve.

My main goal is to be able to sing a solo confidently in front of a crowd of people. Hopefully I will have a chance over winter break. And I am not going to back down. If someone asks, I will gladly accept.

On Sunday I had my first chance to break out of my shell. I was able to sing (along with another friend) a song for our friend's baptism. We sang "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing". I was terrified, but once I was up there singing, I felt a little better. Haha. It wasn't perfect, but it was the first step to my singing abilities. I sang in front of a lot of people, and people I knew at that. I got through it, and my voice isn't all that terrible.

So now that the first step has been taken, I can move on. I can improve, and I can get stronger. It's one exciting journey for sure. And today during my lesson I learned another lesson. She told me that I have a loud singing voice (loud as in not obnoxious or whatever she was trying to say), but that I am a shy person. I guess that's just it. Music is my way of not being shy. I can express a little more and I can really show more emotion or whatever. But seriously.....there's a reason music is in my life. :) And this I know for many reasons (thank you patriarchal blessing).

I am going to continue to sing and take any opportunity I can. For once I am doing something I have always wanted to do. I took a chance, and now look. I am singing once again and I smile every time.

Music has the power to change us. It's beautiful and inspiring. I hope that I can show people the power of music.

Chapter 22: Sick Day

I understand that I have not written for awhile. This would be due to my lack of having something I want to write about. But today, well, today is my sick day. At least that's what I am labeling it. I have gone to bed way WAY too late these past several days. 3AM is not a normal bed time. Not only that, but I wake up around 7AM (before my alarm) most mornings. This would be due to the lovely sun, and well, whatever else is wrong with me. I actually love it, until I get to the days when I really really want to sleep in. My sleep schedule is really off, and now I am sick (due to other reasons as well I am sure). So today, even though I couldn't sleep in, I got out of bed from the 4 hours or so of sleep that I got, and got on with my day. This morning was different though because I didn't really have any motivation. My throat killed and I was sure that I was losing my voice. Luckily waking up helped and I was able to shower and get some things done. I feel much better now, but I have been fairly lazy today, and this is a new feeling for me (well, summer was lazy, but that's different).

I have high hopes for this semester of school. Mainly because I am motivated enough to work extra hard. This would be because I really want to pass the time by as quickly as possible. Although this is impossible, it's the feeling of it. Plus I want to go home winter break and make it worth it. Good grades this semester, it's going to happen. I've only had two days of classes, but I know that these classes are going to have a lot of work, a lot of reading, and a lot of studying. I mean, this is school after all. I've enjoyed my classes so far, and my professors aren't too bad. My favorite class so far is my business course, and it's probably going to be the hardest. Most work. But I will learn the most as well.

I have at least gotten more organized today. And I have gotten out of my apartment. Being inside for too long can make anyone go a little crazy. So walking to the grocery store was really nice. I unloaded some boxes and organized to see what I have, and what I need to get. For instance, I now know that I need some filler paper and ink for my printer. I cleaned enough that my desk doesn't look horrifying and I should probably put sheets on my bed.

Boston is a great place, and I am getting more used to it. But I am also still attached to Utah (as I always will be). I still don't really look forward to going to Boston as I should be by now. I get more excited about getting out of Boston. But I do love coming here don't get me wrong. I love the excitement of something new. A new adventure in a sense. Boston always changes when I get here. New people, new living area. I now live in South Campus which is awesome. I am close enough to my classes, but far enough that I feel like I am going somewhere else. I am in a different place all the time. And I am always meeting new people. My ward here changed a lot because those who left (graduated, married, transferred, or left on a mission) and then there are those who are new (transfers, freshmen, return missionaries, internships, work). It's exciting, just really weird. I feel like I don't know anyone, but I am getting to know them.

So this sick day, isn't so bad. I would have loved to run or at least gone to the gym, but when you wake up wanting to somewhat die, it's not a good idea. Right now I am better thanks to liquid and food though. I even turned in a job application. So I wasn't completely unproductive thank goodness.

Stay busy. That's my goal for now. Live in the present and work with what you have. Stay busy.