Hermana Anderson's e-mail Aug 11th, 2011

Familia!!

Hola! Que fueron sus semanas? Bien, yo espero... Thanks again for all of your letters, packages, DearElders, stickers, cupcakes and prayers. They are VERY much appreicated by me, especially, but also by my elders, my companions and my compañeras de cuarto.

So.... this email may be a bit brief compared to my others for a reason I will get to in a moment. Because it's time for funny stories now. Claro. Alright. My companions and I had a very emotional companionship inventory outside one day last week. And we stole a whole box of tissues from the bathroom. And we can talk in English when we have companionship inventory, but afterward, we have to speak only in Spanish again. When we were speaking only in Spanish again, we decided we all needed to go to the bathroom and I saw Hna. Ahern picking up her stuff and I said, "Esta bien si no tiene sus cosas en el baño?" ("Is it ok if you don't have your things in the bathroom?") And she didn't understand what I meant, so I tried to phrase it differently. "Esta bien si solo usamos el baño afuera?" ("Is it ok if we only use the bathroom outside?"). This confused both of my companions greatly, and I was finally able to explain what I wanted in English and then we laughed at me for a while. :) And then.... During that same comp. inventory, we were talking about what our jr. high experiences were like, and I said, "Yeah... I was totally captain of the academic games team." And Hna. Martino had a really big smile on her face and practically yelled, "You're cool!!!!" (In a slightly sarcastic manner. Slightly) And guess who I ran into on Monday night!! The Eakins!!! Their going on a CES mission to Micronesia!! It was so happy to see them. We just happened to sit down across from each other in the cafeteria and we had a nice long talk. I'm going to try and find them again and get a picture taken with them. Oh, also, one of my elders broke his clavicle and has to wear a figure 8 just like Bella. But, his is much bigger.

Alright... So why this email isn't longer..... Remember how a few weeks ago I had a little upper resperatory infection? Apparently it didn't get all the way better, because I went to the clinic on Tues. with a fever and they sent me to get a chest x-ray and it turned out to be pneumonia. I got a shot of antiboitics that day and I've been taking pills for the past two days and I feel a lot better today than I have. I spent pretty much all of Tuesday asleep and ALL of Wednesday asleep. And my roommates and my companions and my coordinating sister and her companion have all taken really good care of me. They would take turns staying with me and I haven't had much of an appetite until today. But, every time I would eat something, they'd all get so excited! It was really a great opportutnity for me to help me to remember to be humble and grateful. Which I DEFINITELY am. :)

Tell Lauren, Noah, Jack, Bella, Addie, Terran and Will to be happy and to be obedient and to wear sunscreen (And to write me? Maybe?) ;)

Les amo MUCHISISISISISISIMO!

Hermana Anderson

P.S. (Mom/Dad/Megan:  Can you look up the TSA rules about personal items? I hear the backpacks don't count any more....)

Hermana Anderson's e-mail Aug 4th, 2011

Familia!!

Les amo mucho! Thank you all so, SO much for your letters, cakes, DearElders, packages and drawings! I can't even tell you how much they mean to me. Or how much my district teases me because I always have mail. It makes my experience here that much better to know that I have so many wonderful people behind me at home cheering me on.

Alright.... this week.... I still forgot the DearElder with the other Emails.... So, y'all will have to forward this. (Meggie..... ) ;)

This week has been GREAT!! I saw Geneil's sister Valerie! She's a teacher here and I saw her on my one month mark at the MTC! I was so happy I thought I was going to cry! We also had a little going away party for Hna. Peñailillo. Mom, your cake got there JUST in time! We picked it up right before class! It was such a happy coincidence because we knew we wanted to do something for her, just not exactly what! (I've sent some pics from the party home.) ;) And then.... I cried. A lot. It was sad to see her go! She is definitely a kindred spirit. And then..... they couldn't find a replacement for her, so she came back on Mon. Haha. I watched a discourse by Elder Holland on Sunday and he said, "Whatever I am going to be I owe to great teachers." I feel the exact same way. I have been blessed with great teachers in church, great teachers at school and now, great teachers at the MTC. Now, for the funny stories you have all come to expect and love. So, this week we were teaching each other (in Spanish) about the WoW, the law of the tithe and the law of chastity. And I was being the investigator and my missionary (Elder Kirkpatrick) asked me if I drank. And I said, "Pues...." ("Well....") and then he said, "Usted fumar?" ("Do you smoke?") and I thought he said, "Usted tomar?" ("Do you drink?") I said, "Si, solomente en Navidad." and he gave me a funny look. And I said (In English), "You asked if I drink, right?" and he said, "No, I said, 'do you smoke?'" And then we both laughed a little because only smoking on Christmas is kind of a weird tradition, right? And then I couldn't stop laughing for the next 20 mins. and he finally asked if he had a booger hanging out of his nose or something. And I said, "No, I'm still laughing about smoking on Christmas."

Alright. It's time to get Spiritual. Spiritual. (With Olivia Newton-John?? Get it??) Anyway.... So, I came up with an analogy this week. I was laying in bed during quiet time and thinking about how many of my needs have been fulfilled by people here at the MTC and at home. And I thought of a puzzle! I am a puzzle piece. I have been shaped and molded by my life expericence. I have strengths that stick out and I have weaknesses that are empty spaces. And in order to fulfill my purpose, I need to have my weaknesses filled by my companion's strenghts, my teacher's strengths, my district's strength's and my investigator's strength. And togehter, we will make one way awesome picture. But, if even one piece isn't there or doesn't fit, the picture isn't complete. I am so excited to continue finding my pieces and changing my shape with the Lord's help. Another thing that I have really appreciated is the change of TRC (ask returned missionaries for definition...). Now, instead of teaching a pretend investigator, we just talk with a volunteer who is being themself and invite them to come unto Christ. This week I think we're talking about personal revelation through church attendance and we got a new book specific to our time at the MTC! It's pretty dang sweet. I also learned in R.S. this week a cool acronym to help us remember to do the little things each day. PROS---Pray (morning and night), Read (scrpitures 5 mins. a day), Obedience, Smile! (A happy missionary will be a successful missionary.) The Church is true. I love Christ. I love Him more than anything else in my life. That's why I'm here. I want you all to know that I have a testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel. It's true. I know it. I feel it everyday. :)

Tell Lauren, Noah, Jack, Bella, Addie, Terran and Will to be obedient and to be happy! (It's easy! Their the same thing!) I know I say that every week, but it really is the truth. :) I promise.

Les amo MUCHOS!!!

Hermana Anderson

P.S. (Where are the family pics we just took?)

P.P.S. (My elders are so nice to me. They've been writing me anonymous notes all week.)

Hermana Anderson's e-mail July 28th, 2011

On Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 1:14 PM, Nellie Anderson <nellie.anderson@myldsmail.net> wrote:

Hola familia!!!

Les amo mucho! :) Wellp... Here I am at the beginning of Week 5. It may as well be Week Gamillion and one. Haha. I will have been here at the MTC for a whole month tomorrow! I can't even believe it. And thanks so much for my packages!!! They were so appreciated!! We had an Hermana with a birthday last night, and I most definitely shared all of my "dulces." :D

So... Here are some notable funny things from this week. We have a pretend investigator named "Boufanda," (which means "scarf") and she's a washer woman in Guatemala with 4 children from 4 different fathers. And she has a drinking problem. During a lesson with Boufanda (Hna. Ahern), we talked about the Atonement and God's love for all of His children. Boufanda said, "But I'm just a drunk washer woman!! How can God love me?" And I died. I couldn't stop laughing about it all day. Next, Hna. Hales (in my zone. she's great. All the hermanas in my zone are great, but I like her a lot.) wanted to weigh herself after the Sunday Fireside. So, she hopped on the scale and said, "What??!?!? How did I gain 7 lbs. in one day??!?!?!?!?" And I said, "Hna. Hales.... You are holding your scriptures." I think there were probably about 6 hnas. with us at that point, and we still won't let her live it down. I also got to play softball this week with some Elders and Hna. Ahern this week during gym. Hna. Ahern, bless her heart, doesn't have much skill, but she is out there working hard. So.... The Elders really like it when I'm on their team because I can kind of field and hit and kind of catch. Haha. And everytime I got a base or scored a run, they'd say, "Bien hecho, Hermana!" Which means, "Good job!" (..."Sister...") Haha. Anyway, I was talking with my Elders after gym one day, and I said, "Why do they do that? It surprises me a little. Because I'm a girl. Not a quadrapeligic...." And they thought it was true AND funny. Good times. Um... also, I got to sing in the choir this week! Sop I for the first time.... ever. Haha. at least in the last 7 years.... :) And I got to sing a high A flat at the end of "Come Come Ye Saints." Afterwards, my Elders told me that my face was on the screen pretty much the whole time and that the camera zoomed into MY face like 4 times! Just like I'm a MoTab soprano!! Needless to say, I was very excited. My awesome choir face efforts have finally been rewarded!! Also... this week was the death of English. It has been pretty hard, but since Tuesday night we have made it a district goal not to speak in English. Ever. We even had to write a "Querido Juan" letter to English! Mine was pretty good. But, when I was reading it out loud, I said, "Tengo un hambre nuevo" instead of "Tengo un hombre nuevo." (Which means "I have a new hunger" instead of "I have a new man." Take either of those how you will..... Haha) To me, the death of English is like Twilight. If Bella had picked Jacob. English is Edward. Creepy. Really old. Forever haunting me. But, appealing..... which is weird. And Spanish is Jacob. New. MUCH healthier realtionship and will be there for me for the rest of my life. Yep. Jacob it is.... Haha.

Anyway, here's for the Spiritual part. Three quick thoughts:  An Emeritus 70 spoke to us this week. I liked his talk, but I LOVED his wife's short testimony. The last thing she said was a quote from a Sister in one of their past missions. The Sister said, "I always try to do the hard thing." Me too, Sister. Me too. That's what the Gospel and Missionary work are ALL about. Trying to do the hard things. But, I know for a fact that's the only way we grow! Next, I have spent a lot of time lately thinking about how my companions could improve teaching-wise. Because it's one of my strengths, and I am always looking for ways to help. But, this week I realized that I have a GIANT beam in my eye. It says, "I DON'T KNOW SPANISH VERY WELL. HARDLY AT ALL, IN FACT" So, this week I spent more time worrying about myself and trying to make myself become better at the language. And it has made all the difference. We are more united as a companionship because I am working on me. Lastly, I want you all to read D & C 62: 3... I think. It talks about missionary work. And how everytime I bear my testimony, it's recorded in Heaven and the angels read it and rejoice. I found it in the temple today! (I was in a sealing when a baby with no first name was sealed to its parents. It was born 150 years ago.) It give me such comfort to know that Grandma Phyllis and all my dear, DEAR friends from the LH ward who've passed on can read my testimony and know that I'm here on my mission. I love the Gospel!!

Yo trato hacer la dura cosa SIEMPRE!

Hna. Anderson

P.S. Tell Lauren, Noah, Jack, Bella, Addie, Terran and Will to be obedient and be happy! (They're the same thing! It's easy!)

Hermana Anderson's e-mail July 21st, 2011

Hola Familia!!!

Quiero todos MUCHO!! Que pasa? I love getting all your letters and DearElders! I cannot tell you how much I appreciate them. Because it is A LOT. Suffice it to say, I am VERY grateful and if you hestitate because you think you only have mundane, every day things to say.... Please write me anyway because they are always very extraordinary to an Hermana who sits in a classroom for up to 10 hrs. a day. :) I love you all.

So.... funny thing happened to me this week. It all started at the fireside Sunday night. Pres. Sonne and his wife spoke. He is a branch pres. here, I think. I didn't particularly care for his talk mostly because the main theme was human weakness makes you a bad missionary. REPENT!!!! REPENT BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!!! (He did have a few good things, regardless.... He said to emulate good missionaries in the BoM. Will do, folks. Will do.) I've also been pretty sick the last few days (I was supposed to sing in Sac. Meeting, but I had NO voice!) and me and a few other peeps in my district had to leave campus and go to the BYU Student Health Center for drogas. And because I was sick, I missed some gym periods. During the last period, I was on exchange with Hna. Battaglia because she needed to pack to leave for the Guatemala MTC the next day. In our residence hall, a woman's voice came over the intercom asking, "Is there a Sister Anderson on this floor?" I said, "I am A Sister Anderson........." "Come to the front desk, please, Sister Anderson," she said. So.... Hna. Battaglia and I went to the front desk and the secratery directed us to a different room just down the hall to talk to Pres. Sonne. On the way, I jokingly said, "I hope they aren't going to tell me someone in my family died or something crazy!" And we sat down for a sec. and the receptionist said, "Are you Sister Anderson?" "I am A Sister Anderson," I said. Then Pres. Sonne came in and escorted me to his office. We sat down and he said, "Sister Anderson.... I'm afraid I have some bad news. Your Father's Father has passed away. It was very sudden. Your parents didn't give me a lot of details, but they would like to talk to you. They are on their way to Ogden." (Ok... really.... the Ogden thing should've been a read flag, but I was sobbing at this point so, it didn't really make an impression on me.) Pres. Sonne leads me to this room with a telephone and dials a number and hands it to me after confirming the woman on the other end was Sister Anderson. I pick up the phone and say, "Mom?" And all I hear are muffled sobs and then a woman who was DEFINITELY not my mom said, "Honey.... I'm afraid we have some bad news. Daddy's-----" And then I cut her off and I just said, "I am so sorry, but there has been a mistake. I am not your daughter, but I am so sorry for your loss." And she told me thank you and I put her on hold. And I went back to the waiting room and ran into Pres. Sonne and I said, "There has been a mix up. I am not the Sister Anderson you are looking for." And Pres. Sonne said, "You're not Jennica Anderson?" (That would've been a great question to ask, oh, about..... 10 mins. before then....) I grabbed Hna. Battaglia and we got outside the building before I could stop laughing and crying enough to tell her what had happened. WHO DOES THAT?!?!?!?!?!? WHO TELLS SOMEONE WITH A VERY COMMON LAST NAME THAT THEIR GRANDPA IS DEAD WITHOUT CONFIRMING FIRST NAMES?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Anyway.... It was really funny after it happened. I couldn't even tell it with a straight face later. I'm going to send a letter to Papa Bill today.... I can't decide If I should mention this or not..... Haha.

Hna. Battaglia left for the Guatemala MTC on Tuesday. I miss her a lot! She wasn't my companion, but the four of us Hermanas were pretty much a companionship, regardless. We helped her pack and clean and as she was leaving to get on the bus for the airport, me and Hnas. Ahern and Martino threw up our hands and shouted, "Hurrah for Israel!!!" It was so special. And she left me a craft that her 5 year-old sister made her and I didn't find it until that night. She hung it on my bed and I noticed it during companionship prayer. And I cried a little. She is such a great missionary. She is going to bring so many people the light of the Gospel and I can't wait to get to know her post-mish, too. We are very sympatico. ;)

So, for the spiritual side of the e-mail now.... We had a great time teaching in the TRC on Saturday. (Former missionaries, please explain this....) ;) We did our contacting and teaching in Spanish and our investigator cried about 3 times because the spirit was so strong and so sweet. I bore my testimony of how much God loves her and I also got to tell the story of the first vision. This gives me hope. It gives me hope because my Spanish is still pretty weak right now compared with where it needs to be in 6 weeks. But, I know that as I open my mouth it will be filled and that nothing will stop people from hearing the Gospel that the Lord has prepared to hear it. Even a slightly strange sister missionary from SL with barely any knowledge of Spanish. :D

I love you all so very, VERY much. Tell Lauren, Noah, Jack, Bella, Addie and Terran to be obedient and be happy. (It's easy! Because they're the same! And tell Will not to eat his boogers and that he needs to write/DearElder me! (Alma 60:6)

Te amo mucho!! La Iglesia es verdad!!

Hermana Anderson

Hermana Anderson's e-mail July 14th, 2011

Hola, familia!!

Que tal? Thank you SO MUCH for the camera! I've sent pictures home today already! Eet's the best! I love eet! The MTC is still great pretty far. I really love playing soccer here! The other hermanas who I play with all speak Spanish, and whenever they see me on campus they yell, "oh, esta la jugardoa!" Apparenly, I'm REALLY good. Haha. News to me! I just love playing and my compañera de cuarto, Hermana Martino, plays too! She hasn´t played much before, but as with life in general, she is always determined to push herself to get better. She is a great example to me and I love her very much.

Ok. Time for funny stories with Hermana Anderson. On Tues., we had Ingles is Stupid Day. We had planned to go all day without speaking English, but we all kind of gave up after gym. I predicted our room would be VERY quiet. And I was right. Haha. So, when we were in clase, we were talking about ¨Los profetas antiguas en la biblia." Elder Ritchie was trying to get clarification on how to talk about them in a way to tie back in with the modern Gospel and he said, "Oh, si! Es el mismo de Noé y los diez manamientos!" (Oh, yeah! It's the same as Noah and the 10 commandments!!) Also, our maestra, Hermana Peñailillo, loves us, but thinks we are so strange. Elder Davidson was trying to ask her if her name meant "platypus" in Spanish, but just looked at her and said, "Hermana...........platypus?" And she looked confused and slightly concerned. And I laughed so hard I cried. So, from then on, every time she gives us that look or we give it to one another, we call it the "Hermana Platypus Look." (Platypus in Spanish is acutally "ornitovrinco," just in case anyone wondered...) One last funny story before I get down to brass tacks. One of the other teachers, Hermano Blazzard, told us a story from his mission about a greenie talking to investigators. This is what the greenie said, "Escalo los montagnes! Sin ropa! No tengo ropa! No ropa! Solo fuerte!" After a while, the companion took him outside and said, "Elder, you do know what 'ropa' means, don't you?" "Rope!!" "No, it means 'clothing.'" Needless to say, the greenie ran back inside and yelled, "Tengo ropas!! Tengo ropas!! Tengo MUCHAS ropas!! (The translation of the greenie's mistake:  "I climb the mountains. Without clothes! I don't have clothes! Only strength!")

This week I have been reading in a few different places in the scriptures, but I want to share a couple with you that are near and dear to my heart. I esp. love Ether 12:27. It talks about weaknesses and how God gives them to us that we may be humble. This first stint at the MTC has been one continuous humbling for me. I know that without the help of the Lord and the Holy Ghost, I'd totally be sunk. When I teach in Spanish or bear my testimony, the words come so easily. Because the Lord is preparing me to teach His children who need me. And I am trying to be exactly obedient so that I can continue to enjoy the blessing of the Lord's aid. Another scripture I found this week that I LOVE is Alma 43:46. The first three lines or so sum up exactly how I feel about being here. "And they were doing that which they felt was the duty which they owed to their God." Heavenly Father has truly blessed me with so many wonderful things and wonderful people. And I feel that it is an honor to serve Him in this way. I love the Gospel so much and I know that it changes lives and blesses families for eternity.

Tell Lauren, Noah, Jack, Bella, Addie, Terran and Will that I love them and to be good and eat their veggies!

Con muchas amor,

Hermana Anderson

P.S.So... Guess what. I can have my pink cardigan here.... Mommy? Would you mind washing it and sending it to me? And also, it think it has a small stain on it. :( On the right side. And I could also use a few more t-shirts (like 2...) and somemore socks. And, please send 4 of the Carenessa tops! So I can get rid of the GINORMOUS medium ones! (Which means Aunt Murn can have 1.) ;) And... can you send my purple DI shirt and my purple and grey skirt? Preease? Pretty Preease? 

P.P.S. Please, please, PLEASE keep the DearElders coming! They make my whole day! And then, I write you back A LOT on P day. I promise. ;)

Finally!!

Hello all!  

This is Lizzy's cousin Megan :)  I finally got access to Lizzy's blog so I can post all of her e-mails, just like she wanted.  So here goes!

If anyone is interested, her e-mail address is: nellie.anderson@myldsmail.net

This one is from her first week in the MTC.  July 7th, 2011:

Hola otra vez, mi familia!

How are all of you? How was fireworks? What is going on in the outside world?? Haha.

Things here are pretty dang good. I get to learn so much about the Gospel and on Monday, we did our first Teaching Resource Lab, which is where you "meet an investigator" and teach them the first lesson. It went pretty well for the first one, I think. But, my favorite part by far was testifying at the beginning of the lesson that there is a God and that He loves his children. I know the person I was testifying to was another missionary, but the Spirit was so poweful during that part of the lesson. It kinda went away in the middle because it was long, but it did come back in the end. :) 


So, I have a few funny stories for y'all.... So, my compañera, Hermana Ahern, was trying to bear her testimony en español and she said, "Yo se que Jesucristo suffrío por nuestro pescados." Which means, "I know Jesus Christ died for our fishes." (Pecados=sins, pescados=fishes. VERY important distinction. Haha) So, mis compañeras y mi were walking back to the room from clase and Hermana Ahern said, "Geez, I don't know how I'm going to go 18 months without even holding hands with a boy!" and Hermana Martino said, "Um........... blessings from the Lord?" Maybe that last one won't be so funny to you guys because you weren't there, but I thought it was HILARIOUS. So, we have to memorize The First Vision in Spanish and the last line is, "Este es me hijo amorado, escuchalo!" Which means, "This is my beloved son, hear him!" Elder Ritchie wrote it on the board to practice it and had misspelled "amorado," so Hma Ahern went to correct it. And then, Hma Battaglia changed "amorado" to "armando." When Elder Ritchie got back, he looked at the board and said, "I am so stupid! How did I write Armando instead of amorado??" And we laughed really hard because it was pretty obvious it wasn't his handwriting. So, now we talk about Armando a lot. Haha. Apparently, he's a guy we should listen to. We also have "investigadores" named "Bofonda" (Scarf) "Brujúla" (Compass) and "Pepe."

So.. Mom and Dad. I got to take one picture with my camera before it went kaputz. Is there any way I could get another camera? (This is also the one that ate all the pictures I had taken/needed for my grade for my make-up class...) I kind of need it soon because I'd love a few pictures of Hma. Battaglia before she goes to Guatemala in 12 days! eep! If you are going to give an answer and no camera, just DearElder.com me (all you need is my name and my box #, which is 358) so I can make other arrangements.

I hope you are all so grateful for the Gospel in your life. I know I really appreciate it, especially now. And I am so grateful that Heavenly Father thought me worthy enough to bring His Gospel to His Children. This is not a calling I take lightly and I assure you that I am working so hard. I love you all so very much. And I know that each and everyone of you have a personal Savior in Jesus Christ. He loves you so much. Much more that I do, which is REALLY crazy to me because I love you all so, so, SO much. Tell Lauren, Noah, Jack, Bella, Addie, Terran and Will to be good! ;) And the raptor lives again at the MTC! We have raptor fights sometimes before we go to bed. ;) Way before 10:15, however. WAY before. ;) Because obedience brings blessing and EXACT obedience brings miracles.

Te quierros muchas!!

Hermana Anderson

P.S. (SHAMELESS PLUG FOR DearElder.com----Please, please, PLEASE use it!! You can write it like and email and they give it to me the same day and it's FREE!! Gratis!! All you need is my box # (358) and my name (Hermana Anderson) You will be happy and I will be happy and we will both be blessed.) ;)

My last week (.....month) at SUU

"At that moment, in the town of [Cedar City], events occurred that are not, were not, and should never be considered an ending. For endings, as it is known, are where we begin." ---Pushing Daisies

Hello dearest friends. I write you for the last time from SUU. For, you know, 20 months, or so. I'm sorry it has been so long since my last entry. April was CRAZY. There were recitals and concerts AHOY. (My aria at the student recital the day after my last entry went really well. For those of you who might be curious.) :) There were TWO choir concerts since I last wrote as well. I also finished my essay on Salome (8 pgs. and change), I got two new pieces in my voice lesson to play with before/after the mission (A Mozart art song and "What's the Use of Wondering?" from Carosel) and I had my theater make-up and educational psych. finals today. (The make-up final was pretty cool. I did Papagena from Die Zauberflote. Which also meant I walked around with Shirley Temple hair all day and bird make-up to the other final.)

My thought for this week is a combination of a few things. Well, really... it's more plans for the next few months and an explanation of the quote at the top of this entry, which is the thought.  *Ahem* Anyway... So, I'm going to be heading back up to Salt Lake on Saturday and I'm going to stop in Manti to do a session in the temple with a friend. An I look forward to going to the temple at least once a week until I report to the MTC on June 29. I'm attempting to read the Book of Mormon in Spanish in preparation for the whole mission thing. Piece of cake. "Los hijos de Lehi..." ;) I will also be spending lots of time with the fam. It's just what I do in Salt Lake. I yike he hat. Alright. Time to explain the quote. Which I also altered just slightly. I have never done well with endings. Ever. I'm not the biggest fan of change. I fight and fight and I worry and I think it's going to be awful and that I will never be happy again. And sometimes I'm resigned to it and sometimes I am really sad and grumpy about it. And I go into it thinking that it won't be as good or the same as what I just left. And then one little tiny good or amusing thing happens which starts an avalanche of happiness and joy. So it has always been and so it will always will be. That's why I love this quote. It rings very true to me. "For endings, as it as known, is where we begin." Amen. Pass the biscuits. :) 

Rectials, reports and concerts (oh my!!)

It is that time, once again. Another week (and change), another post. Since we last left our heros... Oh. Wait. Wrong show. Haha.

So, this week has been a mix of emotions for me. There has been a lot of really good and some times of..... not..... so.... good. Monday started on a fairly interesting note. I had a paper due in my English class comparing and contrasting three different works of art in three different mediums with the same theme. I chose to use the poster from the original 1875 production of Carmen, a picture taken from the final dress rehearsal of the production the Met did last January (with Roberto Alagna about to cut Elina Garanca. Oh, no he didn't!) and a sculpture entitled "Carmen Castanets" by Salvador Dali. It was pretty fun to write the paper and I got quite fired up about it. (For those of you keeping score at home, that is one project down I'm doing on an opera) And then I talked to my prof. about a final project involving a painting entitled Salome and the opera Salome by Strauss. (2) Tuesday brought the extreme old age final for my make-up class. And that was..... interesting. :] My model looked more like a zombie than an old man after the latex, but what can ya do? I also got to go on a relaxing late night walk with a good friend. We were honked at like 3 times. What the what, Cedar. Wednesday was... very Wednesday-ish. I got a call from my aunt at 7:30 a.m., who thought she had called my mom. We talked about opera for a minute and then I frickin' ROCKED my practice hour. I nailed my high As in "In Uomini, In Soldati" from Cosi. And later, I had a hard time paying attention in choir due to the hilarity of myself plus the two other altos who stand next to me. Good times, oh, boy. We also had a night rehearsal. For our concert next week. At St. Jude's Episcopal Church. At 7:30 p.m. Also on Wednesday. I have a solo. In Latin. <<<That was not a shameless plug. Today was pretty dang good. The make-up final today was to make ourselves look like celebrities. I chose Bryce Dallas Howard and decided not to take my make-up off only to put more, different make-up back on. A lot of people kept telling me how good I looked. Esp. from far away. Baha. I also talked to my make-up teacher about doing my final project on a character from The Magic Flute (3). Different than the Queen of the Night I already designed for that class. (4). 

My thought this evening has to do with tomorrow. *Gulp* My first student recital. It may sound silly, but it's a big mile stone for me. I came here as a Freshman COMPLETELY TERRIFIED of all the talented voice majors. Knowing I wanted to sing in a choir in college, I had my voice teacher work with me on sight singing and aural skills for 2 or 3 months before I came down to school. Due to my involvement with On-Campus Housing, I had to be here a few weeks early. And the first thing I did after moving in was find out when choir auditions were. Or rather.... walk nervously into Prof. Guttenberg's office and ask if I'd already missed try-outs. And oh... the first day of choir. The first day of choir INDEED. (The music majors may skip this part, if they like. Because I've told this story a million and one times) :) I was so shocked that I had made it in to concert choir in the first place, terrified I didn't belong there and I knew not a single soul on top of that. Prof. Guttenberg recognized me and told me that I should be friends with a girl named Geneil, who hadn't come to class yet. A few minutes later brought the arrival of this Geneil-character. As is typical of Geneil walking into a room like that, everyone squealed her name as she went to sit down. (Don't even try to deny it.) I was so intimidated by this girl everyone loved and then we started warm-ups and I was downright petrified when I heard her sing. And not five minutes later did she ruin the whole charade by cracking some lame, ridiculous joke to the girl sitting next to her. That, ladies and germs, pretty accurately summarizes the way the rest of my experience has been in the music department. I try something new. I'm pretty ok at it. I get nervous. I psyche myself out. And then, I snap out of it because I realize that either a) everyone else is just as nervous as I am or 2) any variety of wonderful people help me realized not to take it too seriously. So, here's to...... consistency. :) Or, here's to hoping for it.

I hope they call me on a mission... :]

Ok. So I only have about 10 minutes to do this... therefore I will be brief

So I have been called on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I will be serving in the California Arcadia Mission and I will prepare to teach the gospel in Spanish. (I was REALLY excited about that last part... haha). I cannot believe how blessed I have been. So many wonderful friends and church leaders have inspired me over the years and given me the desire to serve and to become a better person. My YW leaders in particular have been so amazing. By watching the way they truly live the gospel, I came to a greater and deeper understanding of what that phrase truly means. I am grateful for two loving parents who only want the best for me and who have been so supportive of my desire to serve. I am grateful for an AWESOME extended family. I am especially grateful for my cousins who served missions and the examples of faith and love that they have been to me throughout my life. And I am so, SO very grateful for the amazing friends I have made down here at SUU. They have taught me a lot about life and basically showed me how much God loves me. Because He loved me enough to send me a million and 0ne guardian angles in the form of roommates and friends. Especially. Those crazy music majors. What would I do without them? I am a very, VERY lucky girl. <3

The Flowers That Bloom in the Spring

Hello, dear readers. :) So, this entry will blur the lines a wee bit. The week summary and the thought melt into each other. I'm sleepy. Bear with me.

Tonight was closing night/strike of The Mikado. It was a lot of fun, but it was sure a lot of work. Here is a basic run down of what I did each night. 

5:35 p.m.: Get my little buns to the Heritage Theatre
6:05 p.m.: Supervise make-up application of the chorus girls. I.e., draw on eyebrows, smooth out streaky white patches, blush cheeks, ect.
6:45 p.m.: Begin putting on wig caps and wigs. Usually were ready in the same order each night, which was funny AND helpful.
7:30 p.m.: Top of show.
7:50 p.m.: Assist with wigging and dressing of principle girls. I.e., lacing cumberbund/corset things and pinning pillows and capes.
8:20 p.m.: Watch the last of "Big, Black Box."
9:15 p.m.: Act I finale, do chorus fan choreography.
9:25 p.m.: Move set during intermission.
9:40 p.m.: Fly out various things.
9:45 p.m.: Wander around and chat until Finale.
10:20 p.m.: De-wig/costume principle girls.
10:35 p.m.: End of night


This was a great experience. It was a big learning experience on many, many, many a vase and jar. I mean, different levels. (I'm still stuck in G & S mode!!) On the practical side of things, I got LOTS of wigging experience. I had only attempted it once before this, and it was in a classroom setting. Now, I'm a pro! :) It also taught me to be patient and that sometimes, even when you think you know the best, you have to go along with what other people want. I am also grateful for the friendships I was able to develop and create during this process. It's always interesting to see how relationships grow and evolve during the rehearsal/performance process. You may think you know a person, but when you are constantly pinning silk kimono-type things shut, that's when you REALLY know them.

I think my favorite parts of all of this, however, were all of the little moments that happened outside or backstage rather than the actual show itself. I loved running lines and songs with people. I loved the side conversations backstage and in the dressing rooms. I loved the Disney/90's music sing-a-longs with the chorus girls as they got ready. I loved being asked questions all the time. I loved the way the girls all looked like little porcelain dolls with their false eyelashes. I loved the accidental 3 car dance party at a stop light that happened last night. I loved quoting lyrics and lines off the top of my head to create statuses encouraging people to see the show. And, most of all, I loved spending crazy amounts of time with my favorite people. What a great way to end a fantastic school year and prepare to begin another chapter of my life. Again, I am so grateful for this experience. For my final G & S quote, I would simply like to say that it has definitely filled my life with merry sunshine.  

Pish-Tush, Katisha and Kjersti-Puck :)

Several Little Maids from School

Mice, Valentine's Day and Other Four-Letter Words

Oh, oh, hey Readers, hey. Thanks again for reading my silly ramblings. I was once told that in theatrical design, an element appearing once is a mistake, twice is an accident and three times is a pattern. So, apparently all of my blog entries will follow the week update/thought pattern. :)

As most of you know, Monday was Valentine's Day. Not Single's Awareness Day or that nonsense, Valentine's Day. My mom sent me to school with FunDip and note cards to give out. I am five years old. But, I did have a great time. To me, Valentine's Day is just a celebration of love! Whether that be friend-love, romantic love, familial love or otherwise. It was so fun to see all my friends faces light up when I gave them a little note and some of the best 90's candy EVER. I don't know, you may be alone one Valentine's Day (I'm not dating anyone...), but you don't have to be lonely. Tuesday was crazy busy. I did get to have lunch with two of my favorite people, however. I did homework until call for V-Monologues and then went home and did more homework! Yay! Wednesday was pretty busy, too. We watched part of an opera called Dialogue of the Carmelites in my Intro to Opera class (duh), and it made me really sad. It was a bunch of nuns being executed near the end of the French Revolution. I think it upset me for two main reasons---I just don't understand how one can be so cruel to one's fellow human beings, especially innocent people! And the second reason is it made me think of last semester's opera (which was also about nuns). Moral of the story, don't be a nun. Thursday was NUTS, but it was super fun. I had a test in my make-up class that I ACED. Thanks to all my practice with the opera. I also had lunch at a sushi restaurant called Ninja with some of my friends. Here are a few cute pics I took. :) 

Schlaney and Taliah on the way to Ninja!

Geneil and Kjersti doing what they do best---looking cute and having fun

Trying to decide what kind of sushi (Geneil got the Vegas and Laney got the Cedar )

Yay!! Food!!

After that, I had a good voice lesson and then went straight into a production meeting! The make-up is gonna be so great. I'm excited to get in on it's feet. Following the prod. meeting, I had dinner with my best friend and then opening night of V-Monologues! It went great. The best night, I think. After the show on Friday, I took my roommate to Off The Cuff, which is an improv comedy group here in Cedar. Saturday, we spent the afternoon cleaning up after the mice that made their home on our pantry. YUCK. I would post pics, but they are really gross.

Now for the thought. This is the part dealing with the four-letter word. Love. This week has been one of reflection on that word for me. I don't recall telling anyone outside my family that I loved them until about Jr. High. Needless to say, it was kind of a big deal. After that, I did say it more, but I didn't and don't ever say it unless I really mean it. I am a very deeply emotional person, which is why I think I love acting and music so much. It helps me channel out the extra. Anyway, the combination of me being an emotional creature and having so much respect for the word, "love," I am unable to reciprocate unless I really feel it. Usually, when people I don't know very well (or even at all sometimes!) tell me they love me, I just say, "Thanks!" or I smile and try not to look really uncomfortable. :] I wish I could say, "I like you a lot, too. But I don't know you well enough to love you," and not look like a big weirdy. The people I do love know it, however. I feel like I tell them adequately, whether it's face to face or in my silly, little notes. So, that's my thought for this week. I hope it made sense. :)

Instead of homework, I opt for this (The 2-week version)

Aiight. So, this blog will follow a similar fashion as the last. But, don't get used to it. Week summary, random thought. Ready, go.

Last Monday, we found out that prof. directing the opera had major surgery. Utter chaos ensued. Haha. We are mostly back on track now. There was also a quiz in my opera class. I'm a nerd, but I was so excited. I LOVE a challenge. Tuesday I had a test in my stage make-up class and I feel like I did ok. I was responsible for a red carpet glam look on myself. And I looked good, but with all that schtuff on my face PLUS fake eyelashes, my eyes looked like 7 times their size. And I already have fairly sizeable eyes, so the effect was interesting. Wednesday was fun because it was the first make-up call for Mikado. It was interesting to see what was good in my designs and what still needed work. I think it's going to turn out really nicely. And by "nicely" I mean "HILARIOUSLY." Nothing worth mentioning happened Thursday, but Friday was all kinds of exciting. My best friend got married and I was her maid of honor. She looked so beautiful and she just radiated happiness. It was a great experience. And, then.... Lizzy got up at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday to drive home. I got to my cousin's house just in time to watch her kiddies. The highlight of the visit was singing Disney songs and playing the piano while her 2-year-old daughter sat on my lap. And my cousin just HAPPENED to get home right at the end of "Zero to Hero" from Hercules. Talk about impeccable timing! Haha. After an afternoon of shopping and lunch with Mom, we went to Aunt Mern's for a birthday party. And my temple recommend/mission interview with the bishop. (That was way cool. The bishop is my uncle. Haha) Sunday was my interview with the Stake Pres. and then back to Cedar. (3 hours, 15 mins. With a stop. That's how I do.) 

This week was kinda nuts. It all ran together. I had a presentation in my Education Psychology class that I ROCKED. It was on nonverbal communication. I showed a clip from Act III of Carmen from the Met. I had a paper due about beauty, specifically how it defines art. (Rocked that as well.) Voice lessons and practicing didn't go to bad either. I just need to work on not pushing the high notes in both of my songs. And yesterday was the publicity call for Mikado. Jana and I did make-up for the Mikado and Katisha and they both looked AWESOME. I am so excited for the real thing and to see everyone all done up.

Random thought of the week: As I get closer to entering the mission field, I can't help but thinking about my friends and family it what it's going to mean saying goodbye for a whole 18 mos., specifically about what it means with my SUU friends. I have loved and appreciated all the time I've been able to spend with them. When I first came to college, I had had a bad experience with a close friend that made me wary of making new friends. I thought that they'd end up hurting me or leaving me. But, through lots of patience (on everyone's part) I have learned that good friendship is stretchy... for lack of a better word. The Lord knows who you need and when you need them. :) That is also something I've learned. So, the moral of the story? If you need, me call me. No matter where you are. No matter how far, don't worry, Baby. Just call my name, I'll be there in a hurry. You don't have to worry. 

...Or something like that.

So this one time....

I decided to be all conformist and start a blog. :) That's just how I roll. So, here's how this first post is gonna work. I am going to give a week summary and then explore a thought. 

Run down:  Last Monday was pretty ordinary. It went a little something like this: Practice, work, classes, more work, REHEARSAL. A lot. Of that last one there. Everyone should be shocked. Not. Tuesday I had a make-up test deal and I totally forgot how to do corrective eye make up... So, I slapped some on at will. And my teacher didn't notice! Baha. Wednesday was super fun. I had ice cream with my good buddy Shaye and we talk a nice, long talk. Thursday I did lots of research for Mikado make-up and I got a new aria in voice lessons. I'm only SLIGHTLY excited about both those. Slightly. Friday was great for a number of reasons. I rented Cosi fan tutte from the library and then I couldn't decide between watching the second act or going to a dance. I opted for the dance in the end, though. No worries. I danced with one guy and he was ............ a special spirit. :] We danced in an awkward circle and he gave one word answers to all my questions. I also have a feeling he was cute to me at first glance because it was dark. Wah-wah. I think, however, Saturday was ma fave. I met with a partner to discuss a project at The Grind and felt all college student-y, finished Cosi and got sushi from Ninja with THE Geneil Perkins. It was sooooo yummy. I got the Vegas role. I'm a sucker for cream cheese. What can I say?

Here's my thought:  I am going to explain the title of my blog. As a theater student, I have to do a jury with the faculty every other semester. It is almost as scary as it sounds. Almost. They basically just ask what you've been up to and if you're passing your classes. In my jury right before Christmas, one of the theater faculty told me there's more to life than opera. And I don't believe that. For a number of reasons. Opera makes me happy. When I think of opera, I think of beautiful music, deep and emotional storylines and good friends. And those things plus the Gospel make for one good life. Lemme too joo. Hok?

P.S. (My mission papers go in for really really realsies next weekend!!! oo OO!!!)

Peace