Monday, December 17, 2018
Friday, October 26, 2018
Shootings at School
I currently am a student at the University of Utah. There was a shooting after hours on campus on Monday. As a result, classes were cancelled on Tuesday, and we all went back on Wednesday. I think that as a whole, the campus handled it well. We are all still a little bit scared, but there is not quite the atmosphere of fear I've felt before with shooting threats.
However, when I was coming home from school Wednesday, I heard someone bashing on the fact that we did not have classes the previous day. She was older, and said that they still had classes when the terrorist attacks happened on 9/11. My main problem with this was not actually that they might still need the campus to do police investigations, but the psychological toll that things like this take on the students, faculty, and staff of the college.
When I was a junior in High School, one of my best friends there died over Christmas break. We were all informed when we got back that she had died. I cried that day in class. But I didn't go to the psychologist when they offered, like everyone expected me to. I didn't call home and tell my mom to come get me. I didn't take any days off of school. And that was really hard on me.
I understand that everyone in college is extremely busy, and none of us can really afford to miss classes. Two of my classes that were cancelled on Tuesday are some of the busiest classes I have. Yet sometimes we need to take a break and have a day to get that fear and sadness out.
It's hard to go back to a school when you feel someone is missing. Classes become difficult to focus and participate in when there is no longer someone there that was supposed to be. Going back to a place where you saw your dead friend all of the time is extremely saddening. It has to happen, but not just hours after you figure out about the death.
I really wish that I had taken some time off, or at least gone to the psychologist when I figured out about my friends death. But I didn't. I just cried all of the time when I got home and tried to keep my head above water with all of my schoolwork and such.
This is a really sad event, and many students are affected by it, whether they knew Lauren or not. Traumatic events can trigger memories of other events and lead to a whole lot of suffering in the mind.
Please don't be afraid to get help like I was. And don't forget your friends who've made an impact on your lives. It's okay to take a brain day after events like this, even if your schedule is extremely busy.
Tragedy is hard, but you don't have to deal with it alone. So please....don't.
However, when I was coming home from school Wednesday, I heard someone bashing on the fact that we did not have classes the previous day. She was older, and said that they still had classes when the terrorist attacks happened on 9/11. My main problem with this was not actually that they might still need the campus to do police investigations, but the psychological toll that things like this take on the students, faculty, and staff of the college.
When I was a junior in High School, one of my best friends there died over Christmas break. We were all informed when we got back that she had died. I cried that day in class. But I didn't go to the psychologist when they offered, like everyone expected me to. I didn't call home and tell my mom to come get me. I didn't take any days off of school. And that was really hard on me.
I understand that everyone in college is extremely busy, and none of us can really afford to miss classes. Two of my classes that were cancelled on Tuesday are some of the busiest classes I have. Yet sometimes we need to take a break and have a day to get that fear and sadness out.
It's hard to go back to a school when you feel someone is missing. Classes become difficult to focus and participate in when there is no longer someone there that was supposed to be. Going back to a place where you saw your dead friend all of the time is extremely saddening. It has to happen, but not just hours after you figure out about the death.
I really wish that I had taken some time off, or at least gone to the psychologist when I figured out about my friends death. But I didn't. I just cried all of the time when I got home and tried to keep my head above water with all of my schoolwork and such.
This is a really sad event, and many students are affected by it, whether they knew Lauren or not. Traumatic events can trigger memories of other events and lead to a whole lot of suffering in the mind.
Please don't be afraid to get help like I was. And don't forget your friends who've made an impact on your lives. It's okay to take a brain day after events like this, even if your schedule is extremely busy.
Tragedy is hard, but you don't have to deal with it alone. So please....don't.
Thursday, January 18, 2018
Musical Theatre Songs
So once upon a time, I'm a musical theatre nerd. And yes, that's theatre with an R-E not E-R. Because why not. That's honestly how I've always spelled it.
So I want to talk about my favorite musical theatre songs of all time. Now these will be broken up into categories, because there are so many songs to chose from, it's hard to decide just one.
Duets:
#2. "In His Eyes" from Jekyll and Hyde: "Love is worth forgiving for." I get chills every time I listen to that song. Or sing it. Or think about it. The song is so sweet, and it's about love. And honestly, I don't know anyone who's not at least a little bit obsessed with the idea of love. I love how the message is about finding your love and feeling at home with them. It's something that I think most people want to be able to find in a relationship. It's also about forgiving your love, which I just think is the cutest thing ever.
#1. "You Love Who You Love" from Bonnie and Clyde: "Maybe that's what made you love him all along." Honestly, this song is the most beautiful thing I have ever heard. Even though Bonnie and Blanche both fell for the criminals, they still love them and don't want them to change. They also say that they don't care what other people may think about their love, their love can last through anything. I love how their love can last a lifetime and they did not listen to what others thought of them. Although they weren't really doing good things with their lives, I still sure do love the song.
Girls:
#2. "I'm Not That Girl" from Wicked: "Don't dream too far//Don't loose sight of who you are." This song is just about the saddest thing ever, but it's still soooooo beautiful and relatable. That's why I love it in a nutshell.
#1. "That's What You Call A Dream" from Bonnie and Clyde: "Happy with the way things are." I just love how Blanche just wants a quiet life, even though it's not the one she chose. As I read in YouTube comments, someone said it's a "hauntingly beautiful" song.
Boys:
#2. "Bonnie" from Bonnie and Clyde: "They're the kind of dreams that keep you in your bed." Cutest freaking song ever! And also, Jeremy Jordan sings it, so HEAVEN!!! That's all I need to hear to be convinced it's the best.
#1. "Bring Him Home" from Les Miserables: "Let him live." Jean Valjean is finally realizing that Marius is a great person and is not trying to steal Cosette, he just wants to love her. And Valjean is such a good person and wants the best for his daughter.
Ensemble:
#2. "Ever After" from Into the Woods: "All is tenderness and laughter//For forever after!" It's a great ending, ya know, for the junior version, which I think is the best version anyway. And all's well that ends well.... :)
#1. "ABC Cafe/Red and Black" from Les Miserables: "It is better than an opera." I don't know why I love this song so much, but maybe it's all the freaking amazing male voices singing together for a cause worth dying for.
So I want to talk about my favorite musical theatre songs of all time. Now these will be broken up into categories, because there are so many songs to chose from, it's hard to decide just one.
Duets:
#2. "In His Eyes" from Jekyll and Hyde: "Love is worth forgiving for." I get chills every time I listen to that song. Or sing it. Or think about it. The song is so sweet, and it's about love. And honestly, I don't know anyone who's not at least a little bit obsessed with the idea of love. I love how the message is about finding your love and feeling at home with them. It's something that I think most people want to be able to find in a relationship. It's also about forgiving your love, which I just think is the cutest thing ever.
#1. "You Love Who You Love" from Bonnie and Clyde: "Maybe that's what made you love him all along." Honestly, this song is the most beautiful thing I have ever heard. Even though Bonnie and Blanche both fell for the criminals, they still love them and don't want them to change. They also say that they don't care what other people may think about their love, their love can last through anything. I love how their love can last a lifetime and they did not listen to what others thought of them. Although they weren't really doing good things with their lives, I still sure do love the song.
Girls:
#2. "I'm Not That Girl" from Wicked: "Don't dream too far//Don't loose sight of who you are." This song is just about the saddest thing ever, but it's still soooooo beautiful and relatable. That's why I love it in a nutshell.
#1. "That's What You Call A Dream" from Bonnie and Clyde: "Happy with the way things are." I just love how Blanche just wants a quiet life, even though it's not the one she chose. As I read in YouTube comments, someone said it's a "hauntingly beautiful" song.
Boys:
#2. "Bonnie" from Bonnie and Clyde: "They're the kind of dreams that keep you in your bed." Cutest freaking song ever! And also, Jeremy Jordan sings it, so HEAVEN!!! That's all I need to hear to be convinced it's the best.
#1. "Bring Him Home" from Les Miserables: "Let him live." Jean Valjean is finally realizing that Marius is a great person and is not trying to steal Cosette, he just wants to love her. And Valjean is such a good person and wants the best for his daughter.
Ensemble:
#2. "Ever After" from Into the Woods: "All is tenderness and laughter//For forever after!" It's a great ending, ya know, for the junior version, which I think is the best version anyway. And all's well that ends well.... :)
#1. "ABC Cafe/Red and Black" from Les Miserables: "It is better than an opera." I don't know why I love this song so much, but maybe it's all the freaking amazing male voices singing together for a cause worth dying for.
Sunday, September 10, 2017
And...
Guess what guys...
I'm a songwriter.
And it's pretty fun....
That doesn't mean that I'm good at it or I can make great melodies or accompaniments, but it's all good.
I at least like what I do.
And recently, I found the sheet music for one of the first songs I ever wrote that's actually good. And it's a lot different than what I've actually been playing...which is kind of weird, but I guess that it makes sense, considering I wrote it about three years ago, I haven't played it all that much, and I haven't looked at the sheet music since I wrote it. Yay!
Also, yesterday I went to homecoming. It was so fun. Actually the dance wasn't all that great, but I had a great time with my friend William and the rest of my group.
We jumped around and took pictures and ate at a fancy restaurant and laughed and talked....And I had a blast. It was my first date, and I had lots of fun. William and I spent over 12 hours with each other. But it was great. And I don't think I could have asked for better.
Also I felt so pretty in my dress with my hair all done. It was great. Best date I've ever been on...(but I've only actually been on one date.)
The end...
I'm a songwriter.
And it's pretty fun....
That doesn't mean that I'm good at it or I can make great melodies or accompaniments, but it's all good.
I at least like what I do.
And recently, I found the sheet music for one of the first songs I ever wrote that's actually good. And it's a lot different than what I've actually been playing...which is kind of weird, but I guess that it makes sense, considering I wrote it about three years ago, I haven't played it all that much, and I haven't looked at the sheet music since I wrote it. Yay!
Also, yesterday I went to homecoming. It was so fun. Actually the dance wasn't all that great, but I had a great time with my friend William and the rest of my group.
We jumped around and took pictures and ate at a fancy restaurant and laughed and talked....And I had a blast. It was my first date, and I had lots of fun. William and I spent over 12 hours with each other. But it was great. And I don't think I could have asked for better.
Also I felt so pretty in my dress with my hair all done. It was great. Best date I've ever been on...(but I've only actually been on one date.)
The end...
Monday, May 1, 2017
Alarm Clocks
Hi friends!
Guess what? I never wake up to alarm clocks. And they're usually really close to me.
Guess what happened on Saturday? Did you guess yet? No? Did you guess now? No? Well, guess already!!!
I fell asleep on the couch in our loft (which is on the other side of the upstairs as my bedroom). At 5:03 Saturday morning, I woke up to the alarm clock. Did I mention I never wake up to alarm clocks?
Yeah, that was exciting. I got into my bed and slept for another three hours, so I actually got up at a decent on Saturday. (Although, to be honest, I would have liked to sleep in even later, but eight is better than five).
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
My Favorite Books
I love reading. It's probably on of my favorite things to do. Like ever.
I know I have a list of my favorite books/series/authors on the sidebar of my blog, but I want to expand on my list. I want to tell everyone why these are my favorite books.
Harry Potter: I think everyone knows what this is.
Super fun story. This is actually one of the first book series I got into. And this is one I have re-read again and again.
Schooled: Basically a hippie kid gets stuck at regular school and is voted in for the eighth grade president.
This book is so funny and super cute. It's definitely for a younger audience, but this is one of the books that I have read multiple times, and that's something that I rarely do. All the kids in the school are fabulous in their own way, and even the bullies turn out to be alright in the end.
Princess of the Midnight Ball: This book is a spin off of the 12 dancing princesses. (I did a web series on this one, and I'm working on the other books in the series)
It's a cute love story. Also it's just a fun story in general. I fell in love with all of the princesses and Galen. I loved how unique each princess is, even though there are 12 of them. It's hard to make them all different, yet, somehow, Jessica Day George pulled it off. Each princess has something different about them that makes them really easy to bring to life and characterize (at least from a director/actor's point of view).
The Lynburn Legacy: Imaginary friend turns out to be real...and he can do magic.
This series is so cool. It's so intense at some parts, and it has some cute love stories thrown in there. I can't describe how much I loved these books when I read them. Just read them, they're the best thing that ever happened to me. Seriously.
The Raven Boys: Guy is looking for a king from the 16oo's. Also, his friend is pretty cool.
Super intense, great plot. Lots of stuff you didn't see coming. And all that jazz. (But be careful, there is some vulgar language.) Super, super good book, and really well written.
Falling Kingdoms: Evil king and lots of people conspiring against him.
Probably my very favorite book series I have picked up in a while. Super intense plot and really excellently written. A bunch of plot twists no one expected. And the author loves to kill people. Like, all the time. It's so fabulous. "Oh, you thought that person was important? Not anymore!"
Rick Riordan:
Percy Jackson/Heroes of Olympus: (Way better than the movie...) Son of the Sea God and all the jazz that happens.
It's a super fun story. It's so funny. Craziness happens. I'm the biggest fangirl there is. It's so great. The story is captivating at every turn. It's also excellently written.
Trials of Apollo: God turned to mortal.
This book comes after the Heroes of Olympus series. So funny. And a lot of stuff happens no one was expecting. There is only one book out so far, but it's great, and super funny. Did I mention funny? Also, Connor Stoll. I feel so bad for him, but no spoilers.
Magnus Chase: Dead kid's adventure in the afterlife.
Just like everything else by Riordan, this series is super funny. Magnus also has the best sword, like ever. I think Jack is my favorite character. Well, either him or Thor. It's great.
(Before you ask, no I have not read the Kane Chronicles...but I'm going to. Probably.)
I know I have a list of my favorite books/series/authors on the sidebar of my blog, but I want to expand on my list. I want to tell everyone why these are my favorite books.
Harry Potter: I think everyone knows what this is.
Super fun story. This is actually one of the first book series I got into. And this is one I have re-read again and again.
Schooled: Basically a hippie kid gets stuck at regular school and is voted in for the eighth grade president.
This book is so funny and super cute. It's definitely for a younger audience, but this is one of the books that I have read multiple times, and that's something that I rarely do. All the kids in the school are fabulous in their own way, and even the bullies turn out to be alright in the end.
Princess of the Midnight Ball: This book is a spin off of the 12 dancing princesses. (I did a web series on this one, and I'm working on the other books in the series)
It's a cute love story. Also it's just a fun story in general. I fell in love with all of the princesses and Galen. I loved how unique each princess is, even though there are 12 of them. It's hard to make them all different, yet, somehow, Jessica Day George pulled it off. Each princess has something different about them that makes them really easy to bring to life and characterize (at least from a director/actor's point of view).
The Lynburn Legacy: Imaginary friend turns out to be real...and he can do magic.
This series is so cool. It's so intense at some parts, and it has some cute love stories thrown in there. I can't describe how much I loved these books when I read them. Just read them, they're the best thing that ever happened to me. Seriously.
The Raven Boys: Guy is looking for a king from the 16oo's. Also, his friend is pretty cool.
Super intense, great plot. Lots of stuff you didn't see coming. And all that jazz. (But be careful, there is some vulgar language.) Super, super good book, and really well written.
Falling Kingdoms: Evil king and lots of people conspiring against him.
Probably my very favorite book series I have picked up in a while. Super intense plot and really excellently written. A bunch of plot twists no one expected. And the author loves to kill people. Like, all the time. It's so fabulous. "Oh, you thought that person was important? Not anymore!"
Rick Riordan:
Percy Jackson/Heroes of Olympus: (Way better than the movie...) Son of the Sea God and all the jazz that happens.
It's a super fun story. It's so funny. Craziness happens. I'm the biggest fangirl there is. It's so great. The story is captivating at every turn. It's also excellently written.
Trials of Apollo: God turned to mortal.
This book comes after the Heroes of Olympus series. So funny. And a lot of stuff happens no one was expecting. There is only one book out so far, but it's great, and super funny. Did I mention funny? Also, Connor Stoll. I feel so bad for him, but no spoilers.
Magnus Chase: Dead kid's adventure in the afterlife.
Just like everything else by Riordan, this series is super funny. Magnus also has the best sword, like ever. I think Jack is my favorite character. Well, either him or Thor. It's great.
(Before you ask, no I have not read the Kane Chronicles...but I'm going to. Probably.)
Sunday, March 26, 2017
Bunnies
Yesterday, my family decided to get bunnies.
Jess and I went to a bunny yoga class with a sister from our ward. There were a couple of little bunnies who needed a foster family for a while. Jess and I both looked at each other and then at those cute, cute little bunnies. That's when we knew.
We knew we were going to be the foster family. They were absolutely adorable.
Guess what? We are now fostering them.
We may only have them until June, but some time is better than no time, right?
Jess and I went to a bunny yoga class with a sister from our ward. There were a couple of little bunnies who needed a foster family for a while. Jess and I both looked at each other and then at those cute, cute little bunnies. That's when we knew.
We knew we were going to be the foster family. They were absolutely adorable.
Guess what? We are now fostering them.
We may only have them until June, but some time is better than no time, right?
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