this is my life

I have been watching jungle gold and gold rush the past 2 nights, and it makes me feel incredibly stressed... yet I can't look away. What does this mean?

A couple of my kids found out I went on a date this week...oh boy! (apparently some of them have bat like hearing...I swear I was whispering to my team). 1st comment though was "Miss Ward! I knew you weren't going to die alone!" Naturally, I thought of this song. Thanks kiddo....you are the best!

Sometimes I have dreams that are so on the border of reality, I have to take a few minutes in the morning and decipher wether it actually happened or not. And usually, it is something dumb like being asleep in my dream and people coming in my room...so I try to wake up enough to brush my teeth.... my brain is so weird.

I significantly lowered the number of shows in my Hulu queue while off track the past few weeks. I am not even going to tell you how significantly...

Which reminds me: #February17thIsOctober19th best news ever!

Remember how I moved to Midvale in January? Up 3 flights of stairs? I have to move down those 3 flights of stairs soon. Yup...moving again. But only 7 blocks away. Awesome.

I have a love hate relationship with the heater. Mostly HATE. I would much rather have it be cold and cuddle up in my Aggie sweats, slippers, and blankets, than turn the heater on. Most people don't agree with me.

Which also reminds me... I just REALLY need to make it to an Aggie basketball game soon. I have lot's of screaming to do... Who's with me?

Fact: I kind of dislike the thought of the twins being 16 and going on dates. It makes me feel old and weird. Yes, I said it.

My coworker and I are applying to present at the UCET conference in March. #soexcited #ultimatenerdalert. Someone should just buy me suspenders and a pocket protector already....

I literally had to talk myself out of putting up my Christmas happiness tonight. I LOVE Thanksgiving....but I just am so excited to decorate! I blame my mother.

Have a ever mentioned how great my job is? I work with some crazy kids, and some crazy adults, and I love it.

Now I leave you with some of my latest faves:

this song has been playing nonstop for several months

same with this song + the rest of the album, and this song + the rest of the album. Just can't get enough.

I admit.... I wasted a lot of time on this site a bit ago..... and just now.

Watch this.... I bawled my eyes out

Source: lumea.tumblr.com via Whitney on Pinterest

"Be vulnerable. Brene would want you to..."

Here is a fun fact:
I live for a good TED talk. (if you don't know TED...stop what you are doing and spend a couple hours watching the amazingness that the site has to offer)

I mean TED itself stands for technology, education, and design, which are by far 3 of my top 5 most favorite interests. So clearly, this site is just for me.

I love brilliant ideas, creativity, and witnessing amazing people at work, which is what TED is all about.

A few weeks ago, I was having a heart to heart talk with a good friend. We were discussing daily irritations, confusions, joys, and just the meaning of life and love in general. (pretty serious business, right?) Well during this chat (which I swear to you, was not entirely about dating, contrary to what you might be thinking) she asked me if I had seen this particular TED video. Brene Brown: The Power of Vulnerability. She told me how she breaks down vulnerability and how important it is in our daily lives.  I went home that night, and immediately looked it up.

Let me tell you. This talk is amazing, and precisly what I needed to hear. I watched it twice right then, it was just that good. She talks about connection, shame, and fear, but wraps it up in a hilarious and very relatable speech. Seriously, take 26 minutes right now to watch this video... you won't regret it.

I have since watched it 3 more times. And am referencing her in regular conversation (yes, the title of this post was something that really came out of my mouth....followed by much laughter of course) 

Here are some of my favorite quotes

• If you cannot measure it, it does not exist
• “Vulnerability is our most accurate measurement of courage.”
• “That's what life is about: about daring greatly, about being in the arena.”
• Lean into the discomfort
• “You’re imperfect, and you’re wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging.”
• "The people who have a strong sense of love and belonging, BELIEVE they are worthy of love and belonging."
• "I have a slight office supply addiction, but that's another talk"
• "I lost the fight, but probably won my whole life back"
• "Courage; it means to tell the story of who you are with your whole heart"
• Wholehearted people have:
• the courage to be imperfect, 
• the compassion to be kind to themselves first and then to others, 
• connection as a result of authenticity 
• the willingness to let go of who they think they should be in order to be who they are.
• fully embraced vulnerability and believe what makes them vulnerable, makes them beautiful
• "You can not selectively numb vulnerability. When we numb the bad things, we also numb everything... joy, gratitude, happiness, and then we are miserable."

Oh there are just so many great things about this talk. I can't wait to get my hands on her book and dive in even more. "Vulnerability is not weakness...." what a lesson! There are so many aspects of my life that I can and need to apply this to. It is about taking matters into my own hands, being truly happy with my life and making opportunities and experiences happen for myself. I love to create things, I love when things change for the better, but so often do I find myself not crossing that line of comfort, afraid of what people might say, or think. Afraid I might get hurt or let down. Afraid it won't work out, or feeling inadequate, weak and even unworthy of, or not good enough for a particular joy. "Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change." Clearly, everything she says are words to live by. So be vulnerable peeps, Brene would want you to...

images taken from TEDtalks-Brene Brown: The Power of Vulnerability

MoTab seats without the red snuggies...

How do you sum up an experience so incredible in one blog post? I'm not really sure. But this is an attempt nonetheless.

Let's just say I have this thing with amphitheaters and performance venues. It's the choir nerd in me, but acoustically speaking, some places are just better to sing in than others. For example, the shower is always a good choice. My laundry room is not...believe me, I have tried.

Well, let's rewind to back when I was in 6th grade, and the first session of conference was being held in the new conference center that April, I told myself I was going to sing there some day. Now, of course this initial dream came from the kid version of myself thinking that it would be when I am 60 and in MoTab with my super awesome husband of some sort. Thank heavens I didn't have to wait for THAT to happen.... it only took 12 years, but I finally made it to those cush-y, perfect posture, burgandy seats. This place is incredible. This was not my first time inside the conference center of course, but every time I step foot in this place, something else literally stuns me.

We could talk about how this place is over 1.4 million square feet, or how it is the largest auditorium IN the world. (#iknowweirdfacts) We could talk about how it seats over 21,000 people, and every time I have been to an event here, there are not many an empty chair in sight. We could talk about how the organ ranges 9 1/2 octaves, and the pipes alone range from a couple inches in height, to over 32 feet. We could talk about the gorgeous pulpit coming from Hinckley's black walnut tree, and how my heart aches a little bit whenever I see it.

I could keep going...but instead I will just have you know, that this was way more than just something to cross off my bucketlist. It was way more than just singing in a choir, and it was way more than a Relief Society broadcast.

I spent basically the whole month of September rehearsing for this, and each and every single rehearsal was been overwhelming, rejuvenating, and so rewarding. It sounds so cheesy, and I apologize since I normally don't get too preachy on this here blog of mine, but I have to document this somewhere, and this place just kind of works....

I had been hoping and wishing and praying for something to happen lately. I don't know what exactly I was wanting, I just knew I needed to be inspired somehow... and then this opportunity was literally handed to me.

It's funny how things work out, you know?

Let's just say it was perfect and I am a changed person. Highlights include, but are not limited to the following:

• Our director...I basically worship the ground she walks on now. A junior high choir teacher from Bountiful, and my new favorite person for real. So funny, and so inspiring. I asked her if I could be in every choir she directs....
• Having this be a 3 stake dealio meant I got to see old friends from my Holladay days, friends from college, and even make new friends. Who knew spending time with over 300 women could ACTUALLY be fun?
• Singing. Performing. Working my vocal chords. Ohhhhh how I miss the days where this was a constant occurance. Man, it felt good to be back at it again.
• Getting to sit in the MoTab seats WITHOUT wearing the red snuggies.
• Buying a new skirt. Hey, it's the little things too....
• Diving into the words of familiar primary songs, and making them come alive again. I never thought I could be emotional while singing "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus" but boy was I surprised when the waterworks started up, especially during the end ...'have faith, have hope, live like His son...'
• Singing my favorite hymn of all time "I Need Thee Every Hour," and trying to 'cry pretty' while doing it.
• learning that you can fight a sneeze by saying the word purple, and if you have an itch, just squish your toes together in your shoe. It works. I'm sold. 
• did I mention that organ? How about the digital button that plays 'Les Cloches de Hinckley.' That gave me chills 
• All the 'Sister Wives' jokes.... sick. Yet funny. But not... I still would like to know who decided on white button down blouses and black skirts for a group of women...
• Finally seeing the teleprompter....Don't ask me why, but this was a REALLY exciting moment for me.
• Sister Burton and I are pretty tight, (serious, we have inside jokes and everything)... so it felt kind of stellar to be there for her first broadcast
• FINALLY GETTING TO SING IN THE MOTAB SEATS!? Seriously people. Dream. Come. True. 
• Being within feet of the prophet
• Feeling the immediate sense of peace. Everything that was said that night was tailor made for me. Seriously. 
• Adding this to my future MoTab resume....just kidding...kind of?
• Getting the thumbs up at the end from Elder Uchtdorf. 

Obviously, September was a good month. That it was. 

Check out the main events:

Midvale YSA 

2,074 miles is far

There are the times in all of our lives when we have to face the facts of growing up.

There's the working, and the bills, 

and the major life decisions, 

and the dating crap (just wait for a fascinating post on that in the near future), 

and the bills,

and the dating crap  

and the blah blah blah....

And we just all think to ourselves

"How did this happen? I did not sign up for this junk, and I demand to be taken off this crap list..."

Maybe it's just me, but I have had that thought many a time even in my 24 years.

Well, today was one of those days where something just down right unfair happened.

My best friend left.

Now it was one thing when she got married 2 years ago,

I approved of this marriage and gave it the go-ahead...

plus I lived a 15 minute drive away at the most,

I couldn't really complain, right?

BUT, it's another thing when said husband decides to pull a fast one 

and transport my life line across the country!

Virginia?

VIRGINIA!

That's 2,074 miles away people.

35 straight driving hours.

Across like 10 states!

That's really far!

And really unfair. 

I'm just feeling particularly upset today.

I texted her after work, and she was just plowing through Nebraska...

(no pun intended)

And here I am in Utah, Katie Craigo less,

Revenge-watching-buddy-less (don't judge)

and feeling blue.

Who will reminisce of those dear Logan days with me?

Who will go to Citrus with me?

Who will I go on Ikea runs with?

Who will watch ridiculous movies with me?

Who will crotchet me awesome blankets now?

Seriously, this is no fun...

Let's just say a trip across those 10 states is in my near future. 

I will definitely be flying, and not driving 3 days, but

it is sure to be epic.

DC Cherry blossoms AND Katie is one trip?

Heck to the yes.

Is it April yet?!

I LOVE YOU LEEFER CRAIGO!

You are missed....obviously!

I hope the Cafe Rio out there is gross so you come back soon!

P.S. Katie I totally looked for our foot holding picture. That was a special moment we shared.... LOVE YOU!

Paris is always a good idea...

My heart skipped a beat...
anyone want to go, right now?

seriously, I am not joking right now.
I'm reaching desperation!
I'm sick of waiting!

ugh. Being poor and a grown up is hard.
Excuse my while I go watch my favorite movie now....

genius

this shouldn't have made me as happy as it did...
who's an ultimate nerd?
*this girl*

Source: stonefreedreamer.tumblr.com via Whitney on Pinterest

p.s. is it sept 12th yet?

wise words

this guy. 

ya, this guy,

always knows what to say...

definitely having a jason night. 

like always.....

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Sink Basket-Part 4

I know it.
I just know it.
You have been sitting on the edge of your seats for 5 whole days,
waiting and craving the latest slice of any news involving our dear friend Bronzie.
Right?
Well, I am here to tell you...I never heard back.
Nope. Never.
But....

On Sunday, I confronted the culprits, who painstakingly and confidently tried to convince Liz and I that they had no clue as to what we were talking about.
They went to all odds to convince us otherwise.

It didn't work. I know these things. So I just figured we would just eagerly wait until we heard from Bronzie the Basket.

But then game night take 4 took place.
There was laughter. And more cookies. And then in a matter of moments,
Miss Alexis was gone. poof. Just like that.
As my previous post shows, we received picture evidence that she was safe,
which also confirmed the culprits.
Poor Miss Alexis. We just knew she needed to get home soon, much like Bronzie.

So Monday came. A plan of action was thought of, and in process in a matter of minutes.
We don't mess around.
We dressed in black. Cranked up the only song that came to mind.
And were ready for our attack.

We were prepared to side swipe them. Ring the doorbell, catch them off guard, and barge in.
Liz was to find Alexis. I was headed for the kitchen to, of course, grab Bronzie,
but also to capture 'the special glass' in return.
I knew that was what I must take as payback.
It is, after all, a pretty special glass.

Simple plan right? We knew there were risks, but we were ready to fight.

But.... what were weren't ready for,
was getting caught.
Yes. Caught.
We rang the doorbell once, and when no one answered we were prepared to turn around and attempt at a later time.
But of course, at that time, and in that moment, said culprits decided to return home with their Frostys in hand, only to find two wide eyed girls in black hoodies standing on their porch.
There was no where to run. There was no where to hide.
There was only the option of admitting defeat.

Fail.

So... much laughter was held at the expense of Liz and I, but somehow we still managed to run in (ya, the door was unlocked all along), grab what was rightfully ours, as well as the 'special glass' and run back out with only little struggle. Actually there wasn't much struggle at all.
They let Alexis and Bronzie come home, and the 'special glass' is mine for an undecided amount of time.
Not much of a fight, but entertaining none-the-less.

So our friends are home safe, but this is not over. I do still have the special glass, and who knows what they might swipe at the next game night....

#i'llbewatching

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Sink Basket-Part 3

This is kind of part 3, because I still have yet to hear back from Bronzie...
BUT the culprits have been confirmed and a war has begun.
Why?
Well, game night took place again in my lovely home, and who goes missing?
Miss Alexis The Head.
We call her our 5th roommate, because we just love her.

Now, all that remains is her tiara. Sitting there, all alone, with no reason to sparkle.

Poor, poor Miss Alexis.
I was however sent this picture....I guess at least we know she is safe?

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Sink Basket-Part 2

Be sure you have read this post prior, in order to understand the fact that I am not completely insane...

So it took me a couple days to respond to the culprits Bronzie the Basket due to maybe one of the most ridiculous and stressful work weeks I have ever had, but I finally responded:

My Dearest, Darlingest, Bronzie,

Let me begin by telling you how over joyed I was to find your email and to learn of your safety. We have indeed been worried about you, and had begun to fear the worst. We were in the process of organizing a search party, and had almost reached desperation and sadly, even considered finding a replacement in hopes that we could vill the void. I am thrilled that this is no longer the case, the knowledge that you are safe and hopefully close eases our worries. We just need to get you home... 

We need you back in our lives as soon as possible. Your disappearance for the past 2 weeks has begun to take a toll on our lives,  Liz's vivacious laughing has diminished somewhat drastically, Lacey is a wreck, feeling guilty for never fully bonding with you, and I, well, I still sing in the kitchen, but the melodies have taken on a more melancholy and depressing nature. Please come back. We will stop at nothing. Your captors can't fully understand the importance of you in our lives, the way you keep things so organized and fresh, and how perfectly you mesh with the kitchen decor. Who are these people that have so rudely taken you from us? Especially after I had invited them in, offered them cookies and hours of laughter? To say I am shocked would be an understatement.

But regardless, my number one priority is you and your return to safety. Your sink is waiting, meat-water free, and sanitized to your specific expectations. So now all there is to talk of is the price. Are we talking a lump sum, or a series of payments? Are they looking for quality bonding time, or more material goods? Do your captors have a specific request? Do they enjoy scrumptious meals or maybe fresh baked cookies? What kind of people are they? Do some digging Bronzie. I know you can! I believe in you. The more information you can gather, the faster we can get you back. Listen to their every conversation, try to pick up anything you can. Ignore the smell. Ignore the grim. Ignore the powerful water pressure. Stay strong my favorite kitchen sink basket. We will see you soon. Promise.

Missing you desperately, 

Your #1 Fan...

Whitney

And now I eagerly await. Who knows what I may have gotten myself into....

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Sink Basket

Background: I am a very organized person. I like things in their place, and I like for them to look aesthetically pleasing. Some call it OCD, some call it clean. Some call it crazy. Whatever.

Well, when we first moved into this apartment, I bought this suction cup basket to hang in the sink so that the scrub brush and sponge had a little home. It has been pretty handy, keeping those 2 items out of sight from the counter, and allowing me to stay sane. Until about 2 weeks ago.

Game night take 1, was held on June 3rd. about 10 people showed up. I invited them into my house, made them cookies, and now at least one of them has betrayed me, and stolen my sink basket. The nerve! I thought that maybe someone just hid it, so I honestly have been searching the house for it. I know, I am a tad bit insane, but it is what it is. I had almost given up, my scrub brush and sponge have just been lying in the sink all....unorganized and what not, I was considering a replacement of sorts, until this email showed up. Let the games begin...

Hey girl hey - 

Please.  Help. Me. Now. 

So there i was, minding my own business while you were carrying on, inviting house guests into our sacred sanctuary.  When, all of a sudden, I felt cold hands brush the inner workings of my polished nickel exterior.  I tried to scream out in terror, however there were so many people gathered around eating cookies that no one heard me scream.  Then, the dark interior of a pocket. 

When I again saw the light and came to, I realized I was attached by my now, newly wetted suction cups, to a foreign land, a new territory, a stainless steel, cold, damp, smelly, sink.  It was, in every way, inferior to my previous home that I had grown to love.

I can only hope that you realized I was gone, for I am unable to count the days that I have been missing.  It's hard, dealing with the pressure of the water while the stiff bristles of the sink-cleaning brush drip dirty meat-water on my skin.

I need to get home.  I want to get home.  You treated me so kindly, while my captors don't fully understand the meaning behind sink sanitation.  I can feel myself growing apart from the plastic suction cups, partly due to the grime, partly due to my feelings of abandonment and loneliness.

I once overheard my captors claiming utter victory, and that they wouldn't stop at anything unless you were able to track me down, and bring ______________________ in trade.  In other words, what am I worth to you?  PLEASE.  Answer.  Quickly.

Whitney - I miss your singing in the kitchen.

Liz - I miss your vivacious laugh

Lacey...well, we were never really that close. *sigh*

HELP.  ME.  NOW.

longingly, and sufferingly - your basket until the end,

Bronzie.

SO there you have it. I definitely have my suspicions of who the captors are, and I will stop at nothing until Bronzie is returned to her lovely home...

I mean look at the yucky brush they have made her hold. All gross with the bristles all bent. And not even a cute sponge like our polka dotted one! Ugh, so sad! Poor Bronzie!

 Stay tuned for Part 2 :)

Why I'm Talking to You...

let's talk for a quick second about how being a grown up and having a social life do not go hand in hand.

lets in turn not talk about the fact that my social life is winning, and my grown up life is suffering.
deal with my snappiness tiny humans...i'm having fun.

let's talk about how i LOVE year round schedule. except for today. A-tracks last day today makes it really hard to want to finish out the next 3 weeks

let's talk about how i still giggle at the fact that my sister had NO idea who ricky martin was. #imsuperold

let's talk about this strange new thing i have discovered called flirting. actually, let's not talk about it. geez, nosy people

let's talk about how i wanted a few minutes of silence at work today, so i checked out the iPads. shoving an iPad in a ten year olds hand not only gave me a few minutes of silence, but an entire hour. *bonus* they were reviewing for end of year testing!

let's talk about how i have a plethora of Toms and people are starting to notice the fact that i wear a different pair everyday. #shoeproblem

let's talk about how i think in terms of tweets now. i used to think in FB status updates, then in blog posts, now every normal conversation involves hashtag dot dot dot...

let's talk about how moving to midvale in january was downright the greatest thing that has happened in a long time

let's talk about how much i LOOOOVE Jon McLaughlin and how I FINALLY got to see him in concert, and how I was MOST DEFINITELY front row, up against the stage.

let's talk about how JM could stand for Jason Mraz, OR Jon McLaughlin...i love my life

let's talk about how completely and utterly happy i am that Sara Michelle is back from the mish and we have already had so many wonderful adventures. #don'tleavemeinthefall

let's NOT talk about how miss jen jones hasn't even LEFT on the mish yet. noooooooooo

let's talk about how awesome my roommates are. they are the bee's knees.

let's talk about how my 4th graders are SERIOUSLY trying to get me married. there are at least 4 or 5 comments a week. serious.

let's talk about how much i look forward to hanging out with people from my ward. yes, i just said that.

let's talk about how my nails were painted for 2 days and it was the most stressful thing ever

let's talk about how much i love that my favorite summer shows are baaaaaack

okay, let's stop talking so i can go to bed now. yesssss.

the day i felt perfection and like death all wrapped up in one

my eyes are droopy.
my nose is stuffy.
my throat is itchy.
and i am battling what is either the worst allergies known to man,
or a terrible and dreaded cold from H-E- double hockey sticks (ya, I just went all 4th grade on you right there)
excuse me while i go chop off my head right now....

all of this may be the case, but yet I can not seem to close my eyes.
because right now, in this moment.
i am happy.
and i am exhausted.
that combination is also known as perfection.

why you ask?
maybe because life is a strange, twisted and a down right fan-freaking-tastic journey.
and i am currently loving it.
i feel like for once i have control of the reigns and i can do whatever i want, and be whatever i want to be.
it is a strange, scary and simply exhilarating feeling.

there is no saying what will happen next week. or next month. or next year.
and the thought of that in the past would have had me in a down right, eye-gauging, panic mode.
but not now.
i'm not worrying any more.
what good does that do? i can't plan out the rest of my life like some fantastic musical, because
A. i'm not talented enough to go all rogers and hammerstein on you
B. i would end up disappointed when it didn't go as i planned
C. people might stare at me during every song and dance number....(actually i KNOW they would stare.)
D. and i have not found anyone to play the dreamy male lead yet

but seriously. my main man Jason said it best "I won't worry my life away...." because he is a genius, and that is the truth. there is no point in worrying whatsoever.

life is meant to be spontaneous, and adventurous and i think the past few weeks/months, and the way the rest of the week is shaping out, is a clear indication that i LOVE spontaneity and adventures.

it is the beauty in being where i am today. the trials i have faced, and have yet to face, well, today i am grateful for those. because these pot holes and bumps in the road, have allowed me to find...me.
and have allowed me to truly find the joy in all of this.

it is a beautiful thing. and is something i have been searching for...i am telling you kids, prayer works.

so here is to more blissful summer nights, full of awkward singles ward FHEs, top secret ice cream club runs, flirting with boys, talking for hours, stories in the parking lot, zumba nights, taco tuesdays, poodle head stare-downs, softball games, battle wounds, and anything else that comes my way.

just pray i don't snap at my students after so many late nights....

and just because a post wouldn't be the same without a video.... 

even if it is old news, went viral a while back, and is so totally yesterday,

i just can't seem to get enough. so here. happy day to you. 

nice day for a... white wedding

It is wedding day for my pal miss Katie Jane, and I am just as happy as a clam for her.
Extremely ecstatic.
Simply celebratory.
Pleased as punch.
Jumping for Joy.
*insert any other cliche/alliteration filled ways to expressed my happiness.
But seriously, her new man David is quite the winner we have all decided. And she is smitten. Simply smitten. It is quite magical really...

I love weddings, all the lovey-dovey-ness in the air, it is simply magical, yet I can't help but feel a tinge of slad-ness. You know, so ridiculously glad and overjoyed for my KJ dearest, yet somewhat sad that she is leaving the Single Ladies club, (no we do not call ourselves the 'Single Ladies club', but hopefully you catch my drift.)

sidenote: 'slad-ness' was a term coined during my senior year, yes, we choir nerds made up our own words....quite often in fact. we were performing the classic 'Smile' for our ballad piece (not a male duck) during a competition and one part goes as such: 

"Light up your face gladness,

Hide every trace of sadness"

Somehow we kept combining the two lines into 'slad-ness', partly due to mistake, and then due irony, and then out of pure teenage humor I guess. It drove Mrs. Schmidt crazy....so obviously we kept doing it. And it has stuck in my vocabulary of awesome words to use, apparently.


Anyways, back to KJ. Yes I have this tinge of slad-ness, but the joy definitely triumphs. As her sister said at the wedding dinner last night, "We are thankful to David for coming into Katie's life, and improving her reading habits... by diminishing them. Katie has found her real-life love story now."

Ah man! How can you not just die hearing that?  and let's not even mention how David talks about her, and how I basically started welling up like a crazy person. Ya, that's right. I am an emotional person, and I love weddings. Deal with it.

So here is to the perfect May 11th wedding for my dearest, darling-est Katie. Cause seriously friends, I love weddings. And Katie. And the month of May.

Ahhh, bliss.

let us lay in the sun...

sometimes you have a crappy day,
and then you wake up and start over.
and realize that life is just good.
the sun was out,
the breeze was nice,
weekend plans are coming along quite nicely,
a student brought me a cafe rio gift card,
i even had a smile on my face when a student called me mom,
and another student called me daddy.
serious? daddy?
haha! life.
i just love it.
....apparently it is time for a wax?
*cough cough....awkward!

*who is with me? i'm in need of a picnic in the sun... yes yes indeed

grump

regardless the occasion or mood,

there is always a Gilmore Girls moment to explain my day to a 'T.'

I think I will go to bed and start over tomorrow.

Not until I listen to this listen for the 809,732,149 time since April 17th.

Hidden tracks seriously are the greatest little treasures ever.

And this is the best song on the entire album.

MY faaaaavorite.

the harmonies, OH THE HARMONIES!

I feel better already.

I. Love. This. Man. 

#obsessed

(yes, I just hash-tagged on my blog. judge away)

one of those days

preach Zooey. preach.

LOVE her.

LOVE this show.

that is all for now.

oh wait, except for this song.

so fun.

ok i lied, here are two more.

can not WAIT for these 2 concerts. YES!

and yes I just barely realized that sara bareilles is in both....go her!

and don't worry. 

more summer songs and happiness,
 coming your way!

many posts are in progress...go me!

Let's sing to be happy, to feel things, to communicate, and be heard...

It is a very lovely day indeed.

did I purposefully wait up for the exact moment in which I could hit the 'complete my album' button on itunes? 

and do I plan on staying up until who-knows-when listening to it all on continuous repeat?

well....you will never know will you?

oh this album is basically perfect. 

perfect I say!

and I can't wait for my pre-order package to come in the mail!

it will have an awesome new t-shirt, bumper sticker, and of course my hard copy of the album. 

yes... I realize that technically I purchased the album twice.

do I care?

no.

would I do it again.

heck to the yes.

gosh i love this chap.

very very much

and those are all 4 letter words. 

just sayin. 

oh this is an exquisite day if you ask me. 

my own worst enemy

Does anyone know where the off switch is?
You know the one that will allow me to still function properly, yet allow me to sit peacefully for a while without overanalyzing any and everything?
The switch that will allow me to just make a quick decision when needed.
The switch that will allow me to sleep peacefully at night, during the correct hours.
The switch that will allow me to just be.
The switch that will allow me to just interact with people.

Oh, where are you brain switch button thing?

I swear, I have a crazy brain.
it gets me in trouble.
in trouble with myself...but still, it's trouble.

I think a long run is needed tomorrow. Maybe that will help me find my brain button...

Or, I just need to calm down and find a way to embrace it...
This may help. How ironic that this was at the top of my pinterest feed as I was typing this. Awesome much?

I think yes.

Via good old pinterest 

i love my sister

this recent email from my 15 year old sister was just TOO good not to share...

"Today, I saw a commercial for the Snuggie. I thought it was stupid idea, but I couldn’t change the channel because I was under a blanket and I didn’t want my arms to get cold…"

no one can make me laugh quite like this girl can...even if sometimes i am definitely laughing AT her. but thats what sisters are for right?


also, 


the above mentioned is PRECISELY why i own a snuggie. 

its gonna change the world...

embrace it.

new favorite holiday

so, today is OBVIOUSLY leap day

...and though it may just seem like just one extra day shoved into the year, every 4 years...

well, its so much more… actually not, it really it is just that.

But yet,

i don't know why, 4th graders find this day FASCINATING

apparently.

we researched the history of leap year, did leap year math, learned about myths, legends, and traditions of other cultures and even pretended that we were reporters back when julius caesar made this business official. 

it was quite an entertaining afternoon. observe:

*julius caesar organizes leap year in rome, 45 BC

• of course BC brought up the whole 'before christ' series of questions, oh bother...
• “miss ward, was julius a little dude? you know like... LITTLE caesar? Haha

*In Pirates of Penzance, the hero, Frederic, is bound by contract to serve as an apprentice until his 21st birthday. Because Frederic was born on Leap Day, he won't reach his 21st birthday until he is in his eighties!

•  “miss ward that’s so depressing! how would you like to only be in your twenties but have the body of a wrinkly old person!”

*Women in Ireland have a special privilege on Leap Day: they can propose marriage to a man

•       “ooh! Miss ward its like the movie! Don’t you just love her dress in that movie, oh and her ring, oh yes!?”  wow

*Over the centuries, rules were created for Leap Day proposals. A man who refused a woman's offer of marriage had to give her a small present. A woman was supposed to wear red if she intended to propose on Leap Day—fair warning to her intended.

•       “MISS WARD IS WEARING RED!!! She is going to get MARRIED!” (dead serious…this girl got wayyyy too excited)
•       “so you mean a girl could just propose on leap day to tons of boys just to get presents? stupid.”
•  “miss ward you should do that!! Ooo can I come with?”
• "i dont think this is fair. i do NOT want some girl proposing to me"

*In Greece, it is considered bad luck to get married in a leap year. In India, it is bad luck for a happy occasion to occur in a leap year or month. In China, superstitious people believe that more accidents and mishaps occur during leap month, and that children born then tend to be "difficult."

•  “oh my goodness. Is anyones birthday in february? …oh phew! That would have been SO AWKWARD!”
• “speaking of awkward, its spelled awk-WARD. Haha GET IT miss WARD?”'
• "ahhh that must be why i forgot to eat breakfast this morning. bad luck..."

*We know that a year is 365 days, but it actually takes 365.242 days to revolve around the sun. That's 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 46 seconds. We can’t really add that extra quarter day to each year without messing up school schedules, alarm clocks, flight times, and just about everything else. Instead, we lump those extra quarter-days together into one extra day every four years to make Leap Year with 366 days.

•   “how do even they know that? What, did someone sit and stare at the sun for 365.242 days? then all dramatically starts yelling, Oww my eyes are burning!”

clearly, it just may be the fact that all 10 year olds are CRAZY, but it definitely made for an entertaining day. Clearly i have the...Best.job.ever. 

also this is great. crappy sound, but great

a special, ooey-gooey, love-filled day

i just love this day.
its fun and pink and sugar filled, and just full of love.
love is good. love is great. love is grand.
no matter what kind.
i wrote this post last year, and i still stand by it.
this is a happy happy day, filled with love and joy.
and although i think spending the day with 4th graders gives me a reason to just love this day,
i think everyone should love this day. because its just awesome.

also, this secret video from mr mraz made my whole life...yes, i am that easily pleased :)
happy valentines!
and mark your calendars for april 17th :) EEK!

also, im posting this again...just because i can. and because i love it. and because i cant listen to it with out getting emotional. why? because when i do, i relive this moment...and that was one happy moment. ya, im a dork.

oh yes.

ya, this just made my life...i am seriously laughing uncontrollably

Source: piccsy.com via Whitney on Pinterest

for now i will just spend my evening watching the Valentines movie marathon on FX...because i am cool like that

Beethoven's 5 Secrets

this give me chills. Probably because... 

A. It's the cello, and I downright believe that the cello is the most angelic sound on the planet

B. Beethoven's 5th is my absolute favorite classical piece. ever. serious. 

C. I love love love a clever mashup

D. I just think The Piano Guys are downright stellar

Description taken from their youtube page-

Story behind the song:
The Lyceum Philharmonic (Youth Orchestra) and its director, Kayson Brown, approached us with this idea. We loved it. It combined two of the things we are working to accomplish -- inviting people to classical music and inspiring young musicians. Steven Sharp Nelson had soloed with the orchestra the previous year and loved the spirit and the talent that the orchestra showed at such young ages (ages 13-18!) Together we developed the concept of "Beethoven's 5 Secrets," combining OneRepublic's tune "Secrets" with melodies and moments from all four movements of Beethoven's 5th Symphony.

We used 5 different melodies from the 4 movements of Beethoven's 5th Symphony (not including the "bridge" the orchestra plays in the middle). Try to guess where they are and where they come from!

What are Beethoven's secrets? He had many. His most prominent secret that he desperately tried to keep from the public and that caused him to be considered extremely eccentric, irritable, and hermit-like was his "weakness." He was deaf during most of his life. Imagine that...one of the greatest composers that ever lived could hardly hear. And yet, he wrote his life's greatest works after becoming deaf. He believed that art itself had "secrets" that had to be "forced into" in order to obtain art's highest level. There is no doubt Beethoven discovered many of the "secrets" of art -- people all over the world enjoy them every day. He was a true master of music, blessed by God. This piece and video are dedicated to him.

Perform "Beethoven's 5 Secrets" and the entire Beethoven Symphony No. 5 with Steven Sharp Nelson at Lyceum Music Festival this year! Work up-close and personal with Steven and other amazing professional musicians like the concertmaster of the London Symphony and Rotterdam Orchestra. Advanced players ages 13-21 are invited to audition. Visit http://www.LyceumMusicFestival.com for details

this thing called adulthood

that very title is a blog label that i use quite often, but i have come to the conclusion that adulthood is a strange feeling that comes and goes and at the oddest of times. for example:

did i feel like an adult when i moved out of my parents house?
no, i just felt weird

did i feel like an adult when i went to my first college class
no, i just felt overwhelmed

did i feel like an adult when i moved to salt lake
no, i just felt further away from home

did i feel like an adult when i graduated from college
no, i just felt confused

did i feel like an adult when i bought a new car
no, i just felt poor

did i feel like an adult when i got a real life job
no, i just felt excited

did i feel like an adult when i got a costco membership
yes.

did i feel like an adult when i bought a couch last week
yes.

what is this thing called adulthood? i find it odd and confusing. so i am going to go watch some boy meets world now...yes i own the first 4 seasons. judge me if you must.

I Won't Give Up...

Today I have come to the most interesting of discoveries.

Flirting gets you places.

Now don't get me wrong, I have realized this for many years, but have never taken into consideration that I have this power. 

Until today.

It was a simple January afternoon in Park City, Utah. Katie Jane and I were on a Sundance adventure. And two security guards were telling me I needed to be 'someone special' to enter this old building on Main Street. This old building on Main Street happened to be the 'Bing Bar.'  

It was then I realized that flirting was the only thing standing in the way between myself and Mr. Jason Mraz himself.

Yes. Thats right. Mr. A-Z was within reach and I wasn't going to let anything get in my way.

So I pulled out all the stops. I flirted with the security guard, even telling him I loved him... and landed myself in about the 3rd row, at a private, closed name-on-the-special-list, Jason Mraz concert where probably only 75 people at most were present.

Talk about a dream come true!

It was the most magical 70 minutes of my life... so far. Some of you won't understand or appreciate this, but this was a big deal for me. If you know me AT ALL, you understand this for 2 reasons 

A. I LOVE Jason Mraz with my whole entire heart

and
B. I don't flirt. I don't know how, and have been told so by a few people...nice, right?

But I did it today. 

We were led by a security man in all black into a dark a sketchy back alley type stair well, where I could hear Jason's sultry voice in the not so far off distance. Seconds later I stood in awe with my darling friend Katie Jane and we sang along and laughed, and I was just as happy as could be.

Observe:

 

and this new song from his new album, which he announced the name and date of AT this performance, is sure to be my favorite. it was probably my favorite one he did at the concert.

I know right?

Thats how CLOSE I was

I even saw Blythe Danner in her coke bottle glasses walk by later, Melanie Lynskey, and a couple other celebrities that I have already forgotten.

And if that wasn't enough, Liz and I drove back up a couple hours later and flirted our way into a free covered and heated parking spot! 

Cute boys in the parking booth. One had very sparkly blue eyes. Hum.... We also saw Joshua Jackson. That was nice. 

What a fascinating and downright happy day! Love!

Whit and Liz...and a famous person...not really, but thats okay. 

and if you are still confused as to why I love Mr Raz so much, this explains it all:

"Music is the medium I use to recover from life’s often deafening blow. I constantly reawaken thru music. The act of making music is how I tune in and/or tune out to solve life’s puzzles, trying to make the most sense of that which I can’t seem to stop questioning. In life there are problems. In music, if not a direct answer, comes a divine perspective." 

Taken from here. Simply Beautiful.