And There Was Light: Songs of Birth and Rebirth

This weekend the BYU Singers and Concert Choir performed together in concert.  The Concert Choir's program focused on songs of the nativity.  These songs are ones that we don't often hear at our Christmas Concerts at BYU because of their difficulty level and the very limited time that we have to prepare for our Celebration of Christmas concert.  If you take the video link all the way to the Youtube website, then you can see a break down of the pieces, with links that take you to the individual pieces in the program.  I hope that you enjoy it.  I am conducting the piece O Magnum Mysterium by Victoria (at about 2:04:38).

BYU Choral Showcase

This week I had the privilege of performing with the BYU choirs once again.  It was the annual BYU Choral Show Case.  This year was slightly different for me however.  I got to conduct one of the numbers.  O Magnum Mysterium.  Here is the whole concert if you want to watch it :).  We are the third group (and I'm conducting the second song.

Summer of Firsts: Lagoon Is Scary

Lagoon and I met this summer.
Although I was really scared, I went in to the park.
Goodness, there is a lot of stuff there.
Overcoming my fear was one of my goals.
Only went on a handful of rides.
Not because we didn't want to, but because time was limited.

I went with Tyson.
Since he got us free tickets, he got to pick the rides we went on.

Spider was probably my favorite of the roller coasters.
Centennial was the most memorable ride I've ever been on in my life :)
All I can say is it was the experience of a lifetime ;)
Rocket is the ride I just couldn't get myself to go on :(
Yes, I would go again!

A Summer of Firsts: Park City

"Live as though you were living a second time, and as though you had acted wrongly the first time."
~Viktor Frankl

I decided to do a little splurge for once.  It was quite an adventure.  I decided I wanted to go to Park City and stay the weekend.  I've been to Park City many times, but only for the day.  Then I would come home and sleep in my own bed.  I had always wanted to experience it at night and so I did.

Summer of Firsts: The Bobopsy.

"Now, you are family. Okay. All my life, I had a lump at the back of my neck, right here. Always a lump. Then I started the menopause and the lump got bigger from the hormonees.  It started to grow. So I go to the doctor, and he did the bio...the b...the bios...the b..the bobopsy.  Inside the lump he found teeth and a spinal cord.  Yes. Inside the lump was my twin"
~Aunt Voula - My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Summer of Firsts: Massage

"Massage is the manipulating of superficial and deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue using various techniques, to enhance function, aid in the healing process, and promote relaxation and well-being.

"Massage involves working and acting on the body with pressure--structured, unstructured, stationary, or moving--tension, motion, or vibration, done manually or with mechanical aids.  Target tissues may include muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, skin, joints, or other connective tissue, as well as lymphatic vessels, or organs of the gastrointestinal system.  massage can be applied with the hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearms, and the feet.  They are over eighty different recognized massage modalities. The most cited reasons for introducing massage as therapy have been client demand and perceived clinical effectiveness.

"In professional settings massage involves the client being treated while lying on a massage table, sitting in a massage chair, or lying on a mat on the floor.  The massage subject may be fully clothed or unclothed. In the case of the latter, the parts of the body that are not being massaged are usually covered with towels or sheets, but this can depend on the preference of the therapists and the type of work being performed."

Summer of Firsts: Bday Party

Every year on June 30th something interesting happens.  A number in my life changes.  I age.  Now, obviously this happens to all of us.  For some it brings an ecstatic sense of excitement: "One year older!  One year closer!"  For others, birthdays bring an impending doom: "One year older... One year closer :( ."  To each person a birthday carries with it a different emotion.  And indeed, that emotion can change from birthday to birthday.

Summer of Firsts: Rain!

Rain is one of the most interesting things.  I should say, I grew up in Oregon.  It rains all year long there.  We tend to just call it liquid sunshine.  I even know people who get seasonal depression when its too sunny and they're not getting rain.  Anyway, all this to say that I grew up with rain.  However, in all those years, I have absolutely hated rain.  The feeling of rain drops hitting my skin was like torture.  And it is something that I never really grew out of.

Yesterday however, it rained.  And I got to thinking about rain.  Its such a wonderful thing.  Rain is the bringer of life, the giver of needed nutrients, the great cleanser of the skies.  You can stand in the rain and feel completely rejuvenated and empowered.  You can also stand in the rain with someone you love, holding them close to you, and allowing every droplet's contact with your skin to heighten the sensation of being close to them.  Holding them in your arms.  And after all, who wouldn't like to be kissed in the rain?  Rain can just be so magical.  And with that out of the way, I now give you my first.

A Summer of Firsts

Not long ago I was reflecting over my time here in Provo.  There have been ups and downs, good times and bad times, friends made and friends lost.  I've learned a lot in my time here am realizing that this ought to be the prime of my life.  It hasn't been really so far, and so I've decided to change that.  This is my last summer here in Provo and also my last school year here at BYU.  So, I've officially declared this to be my Summer of Firsts.  I want to have as many first experiences as I can.  I want to completely live it up, and make some memories that I can truly cherish through out my life.  After all, I don't want to look back on my life and wonder where those years have gone.  So, I'm gonna post all of my first experiences here, I'll try and include pics as often as possible.  I hope that you'll enjoy the journey with me!

Theme Song of the Week

Learn to be Lonely performed by Minnie Driver

Theme Song of the Week

I have decided to start a Theme Song of the Week posting.  It basically describes my feelings for the week...thus its the theme song... of the week... theme...song... yes.  I hope you enjoy this one by Maroon 5: Payphone

10 Ways to Get Guys/Girls to Like You

I thought these videos were so funny, so I had to put them up on my blog... Enjoy

New Favorite Singer

Rumer is one of my new favorite singers.  She is British and totally reminds me of Karen Carpenter.  I hope you enjoy this hit from her recent CD.

Notice

For some reason my little counter widget got reset and no longer actually counts... It just stays at 1.  This is quite annoying....  Just so you know...

The Power of Choices

In life we are all given the glorious power to chose.  This God given right is one of the most powerful gifts we've been given.  Our choices come in a varying degree of importance.  Sometimes our choices are trivial, and meaningless.  For example, what we chose to wear in a day is of no lasting value...typically.  What we chose to do on our bday usually has no eternal ramifications.  Will I watch Judge Judy or Law and Order.  These are the least important of the choices that we make.  Conversely sometimes we make choices that have a lasting impact.  Choices of such a colossal import that the very heavens are shifted, be it in our favor or not.  Mountainous choices that need much deliberation, consideration, prayer, fasting, and consultation.  I have recently made one of these choices that has absolutely changed my world.

A Re-commitment to Kindness

Today I had the most interesting of experiences.  I decided to splurge.  I went to the CourgarEat to have myself a bit of a calzone.  I only had a few minutes to spare before going to choir.  I got my calzone and began looking for a spot to eat.  Unfortunately at the one o'clock hour, the CougarEat is not the most friendly of places for solitary snacking.  And there, I had a great experience.