Religion

Thought of the Day:

"Daily, constantly, we choose by our desires, or thoughts, adn our actions wheter we want to be blessed or cursed, happy or miserable."

- Ezra Taft Benson

Yes, I am writing a post about religion. If I come off as self-righteous, trust me, that is not my intention.

I am LDS because I chose to be LDS. Yes, I was born into the church and was raised by the LDS standards, but there comes a time where you must find your own faith because you can't depend on your parents faith forever. When I came to that fork in the road (everyone does), I chose to be a member of the church. I didn't do it for my family, parents, friends, peers. I did it for me. Even if I chose the opposite, those said people wouldn't care... Yes they would be sad, but they would still love me.

A few people I've had to talk to are convinced that religious people such as myself are brainwashed and ignorant because we've believed in something for our whole lives. I'm sorry they think such awful things about religious people. I'm sorry they choose not to listen. I'm sorry they wont know the feeling I get when I pray, read my scriptures, play music, or when I bear my testimony. I hope that one day, they might feel that passion... even if they don't feel it in the LDS church, I hope they feel it with any church, or with God! 

HP7

Thought of the Day:

"Magic is Might"

- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

First of all, yes, I did just do an HP quote..deal with it! Second of all, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 was so good! I was seriously on edge throughout the whole movie. I don't think a 2.5 (ish) hour movie has ever held my attention for that long! With that being said, I am seriously thinking about re-reading the whole series.. after I buy a new set of course. Books 1-4 are so beat up and old that I can barely open up the books without pages falling out! I guess that's what you get when that's all you would read when you were little. :)

I love the HP books so much! I think it may be because I had this everlasting thirst to fight for what is right. To overcome whatever evil there is in the world and to change things for the better!! I think it's because I feel this way that I love books/movies such as HP, 1984, Hunger Games, V for Vendetta, Lord of the Rings, etc.

There were so many parts of the movie that reminded me of 1984 (Ministry of Magic... HELLO!!). After reading the series over again, 1984 is next! But only after I finish reading Fahrenheit 451 of course. :)

New subject: Judging

Seriously, it's bad.

Don't do it.

It's not fair to judge others before you even know them or their life story. Growing up, I've always had a difficult time fitting in with the Mormons in my school...or anywhere! Haha. Not just my peers, but even seminary teachers! Anyways, just be nice to everyone. Nobody deserves to be judged unfairly.

Things I Love

Thought of the Day:
"The best way to prepare for life is to begin to live"
- Elbert Hubbard



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Boston
London
Music
Pro Tools
Recording awesome music at school!
Getting a 98% on my French test
Discovering new music
Weekends
Books
French films, such as Amélie
Laughing till I cry
Sleeping in
Hott guys with hott English/French accents
Cooler weather (obviously that's not happening yet)
Gift cards (especially to Barns and Noble)
Free movies (movie theater jobs have its advantages)
Right now, I am feeling so good about what I am doing in school. Music. Recording. Editing. Mixing. All of it!!

C'est La Vie

Thought of the Day:
"Happiness depends on ourselves."
- Aristotle


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So, school this semester is actually going well! I love it actually, haha! I am taking a super awesome music editing class, I think that I found my purpose in life :) Studio Recording is also very fun, even though it is kinda tough. I am one of two girls in my class, let's just say that us girls have to work extra hard to be better than the guys AND to be respected as recording engineers! But I love it. :) Mes amies et moi are taking French together, I love it so much. I'm thinking about moving to France right this very moment! Even if I have to play my cello on the streets for money! I just can't get enough of it!

A few weeks ago, EVMCO (the organization I play cello in) premiered Rob Gardner's "Lamb of God". It was such a wonderful experience, I loved every moment of it. I honestly don't think I can ever be in another orchestra and be this happy. I am so grateful to be a part of this organization. When I first heard about EVMCO, I had less than a day to put together some pieces to play for my audition. I kid you not, during my audition it wasn't me playing. I was playing the cello, but it sounded so gorgeous and romantic! I am positive that I had divine help. For awhile, I was feeling unsure and didn't feel like I was good enough to be a part of such an amazing thing. I was talking to my dad about this before a concert and he said that because I had that extra help during my audition, it goes to show how much I needed to be a part of this organization and this is where the Lord wants me to be at this moment. Here's an extra little present. :)

One of my really good friends just left for the MTC almost two weeks ago. I am so happy for him, and so excited to hear all about his mission! In fact, I got a letter from him today! It's kind of crazy. I've had older friends all leave for their missions already and some are already back, but now it's the people my age that are leaving!

Untitled

Thought of the Day:

"When the gods wish to punish us, they answer our prayers"
-Oscar Wilde



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Let's take a moment and review Newton's third law:

"For every action there is an opposite and equal reaction."

Now, I know his laws pertain to motion, but I think we can apply them to our lives as well.

Por ejemplo:

Two weeks ago I was assigned to play the organ for sacrament meeting. I was freaking out because I was out of town and wasn't able to get much practicing in. Fortunately, the hymns given to me were extremely easy.

The following week I was assigned to play organ, again. But this time the hymns were insanely hard! Ahem - hymn 254!! Anyways, I totally made a fool out of myself and messed up ALL OVER THE PLACE!!!

Another example:

This summer has been fairly decent.
Reading a lot of books...and I mean A LOT!
Working - I mean hardly working!
Going off to California for good times, famous people and Disney Land.
Going for our midnight adventures that include grocery shopping (seriously), swimming, spooning people's houses (OK, that wasn't THIS summer...or last..But it was fun and I miss it.)

Will this semester punish me for having such a carefree summer and make my classes super unbearable and time consuming? Probably. I already have to study for a test, and school starts next week... I'm not joking.

Oh well.
Summer, it was great while it lasted but I think it's time that we went our separate ways. Maybe, in the future we can be together again.

Blarg.

Thought of the Day:

Life sucks...



and then you get over it.

Freshman Be Gone!

Thought of the Day:
"One man has enthusiasm for 30 minutes, another has it for 30 days, but is the man who has it for 30 years who makes a success of his life."
-Edward B. Butler


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This past school year has been hectic and as a result I have not been able to do much blogging. But don't worry, it wasn't all in vain.. I got good marks in school :)

Let's do a recap of it all.

My internship with the Symphony was great! I learned so much and it was a great experience.. I especially loved the free tickets! It's a shame that that had to come to an end, where did this school year go?!


Speaking of school years, my first year as a college student was great. I love it sooooo much more than high school. Enough said. It may be a little bit harder, but it's nothing that I can't do. :) Also, I have since changed my major. I'm thinking audio production? I would just LOVE to be the recording engineer for Mimi's amazing films in the future!

I've been a ward organist for almost a whole year! I was reluctant to accept my calling at first, but I grew to love it. The nerves of playing for a congregation were dulled, my playing got better (not in just the organ, but piano and cello as well.. and I'm not complaining about that!). But I am really grateful for this opprotunity to share and develop those talents. :)


I've been apart of the East Valley Mormon Choral Organization (EVMCO) as a cellist in the orchestra. My mom first told me about this group in September, she had heard about it from one of her patients. I Googled them and requested some information on them, I got an email back the next day asking if I would go and audition that night! Long story short, I threw together some audition pieces and made the orchestra! I absolutely LOVE it! Each rehearsal is the equivalent to going to church, I get musically fed as well as spiritually fed! I am incredibaly lucky to be a part of such a good organization, my thirst of changing the world through music is starting to be made possible!
If you need something to do this Friday... we have a spectacular concert happening at Gammage that you MUST see!
http://www.evmco.org/


All in all, this year was a good year. Not at all like I was expecting, it had it's up's and down's but I am grateful for all the knowledge that I had gained this year.

It's time the fat cats had a heart attack

Thought of the Day:
"You sort of start thinking anything's possible if you've got enough nerve."
- J.K. Rowling



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Lately I've been reading quite a good selection of books which include:
- "Hunger Games/Catching Fire" by Suzanne Colins
- "Uglies/Pretties/Specials" by Scott Westerfeld
- "1984" by George Orwell (Accompanied by Muse's new album "The Resistance")

After much thought, I've come to a conclusion. We must rebel..

I feel an uprising coming on.


Who's with me?

The Fall

Thought of the Day:

"Humor is a rubber sword - it allows you to make a point without drawing blood.
- Mary Hirsch



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So last Tuesday I had quite an exciting day down at the symphony. I made my first Fed-Ex shipment, helped put together a concert for this Sunday. It's a community play in, we need trumpet and trombone players!!! A lot of exciting things happened that day. After my long and busy day, FINALLY it was 4 pm..time for home!
Due to my busy-ness, I left the office a little later than usual. Whilst taking my walk down to the light rail, I talk to Mimi on the phone (like I always do), then I notice the light rail coming..but I was trapped on the other side of the street! So I run across the street when there was a slight break in traffic, as a result I almost got run over by a stampede of cars. Luckily I didn't, so don't worry.
I continue running down the light rail platform in hopes the operator will wait for me to board (did you know there are cameras ever where by the light rail?!), but he didn't. Disappointed, I started to begin to slow down to a walk, when all of the sudden I was flat on the ground! Somehow, I tripped and fell. Flat on my face..or my stomach really. I hurry and sit up, fix my dress (the whole world saw my butt!), and start picking up the stuff that fell out of my purse. As I do this, I notice I had holes in my brand new argyle nylons I just bought (they were so cute!) along with a good dose of skinned knees. I see this guy making his way towards me to help me up, so I hurried and got to my feet to avoid all awkwardness, as I'm doing this a car drives by and yells "HA HA YOU FELL!!".
Keep in mind, I was on the phone the whole time with Mimi..she didn't know I fell until I told her. My was it hilarious. I think this fall should go down in Brittany History..it' s worse than when I fell down during the Easter Pageant..on stage..during a performance!
Unfortunately, my body is unusual and ages faster than it should. I'm still hurting! I'm not liking this part of the aging process...I'm no longer invincible! :C

But I did learn valuable lessons:
- Don't cross the street when it says "DON'T WALK".
- Don't talk on the phone while running.
- Don't run when wearing heels!
And last but not least
-You're getting old.. don't be such a klutz.


If you were to somehow catch my great fall on video, it'll look something like this:

Typical

Thought of the Day:

"There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart"
- Celia Thaxter



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November has creeped up on us and Thanksgiving is weeks away! Where has all the time gone?
There are many things that I'm grateful for in my life.

My awesome sister, she does so much for me. Without her, I really believe I'd be a stupid 18 year old.. instead, she gave me my 22 year old mind....

My parents, who have let me dream big. They put up with it all. :)

My bestfraann, she's stuck with me for 6 years. It's nice to know people can handle who I am. :) She's super nice and always loads of fun.

I'm thankful for one of my teachers. She's helped me through my first semester of college. Without her, I'd be paying for the next two years. Literally.

I love my awesome new job with the Symphony. I have learned sooo much. I get free tickets to the concerts. My weekends have upgraded from juvenile fun to classy, sophisticated, ritzy fun. I love it.

I also am super grateful for my opporotunity to go to London this Spring! Now's my chance to meet some hott, musical British boys. Mmmmmm. Cannot wait!