Hare Krishna. Hare Hare. Hare Rama.

Saturday was my first experience with the (semi-)Hindu Festival of Colors in Spanish Fork.  When I "went" Freshman year, we were stuck in traffic for 2+ hours and we didn't make it in time.  Last year was London.  This year, we left 2 hours before it was supposed to start and had to walk about a mile to get there.  What I'm trying to get at, is that this is a big deal in our area.  It has morphed from one throwing to 3 days of throwing and a bajillion people covered in chalky color.  The Hindus do it to celebrate the coming of spring.  The BYU/BYU-I/high school students that go celebrate a weekend of getting a little bit colorful. 
There is the temple (of course), then there is the rock band, the llamas and the chalk. 
Pictures describe it best.

{pre-chalk=all clean}

{a little bit was thrown at us as we walked in...clean, fresh people are prime targets for those who had been there for a few hours}

{SO MANY PEOPLE!}

{my hair's still pink}

Photo cred to Ali

hare krishna! time for spring!

get up and shake the glitter off your clothes, now...

..."cuz that's what you get for waking up in Vegas" (Katy Perry)

Last week, I reached a milestone birthday.  And it's served me pretty well, so far, I must say.  Even though there are perks that I'm never going to participate in, no matter how long I live after 21, there are some that I do get to relish as an old lady at 21. 

These include, but aren't limited to:

• being able to get faster seating at restaurants since you can be seated at the bar
• walking around a 21 and over section of any place and not having to worry about being carded
• in some concert venues better seating since they have a 21 and over area (probably what I'm most excited about)
• buying cooking wine (which I'm not allowed to do at BYU, however)
• and what I feel is full adult freedom (besides stupid 25 limit on rental cars)

I had a good birthday.  I always try to make my birthdays great, even if no one is in on it with me.  But don't worry, I remind people WAYY in advance so they can start saving for my presents and parties and such ;)
This year, my FHE family had a combined birthday party for us and they found a Mexican Winnie the Pooh pinata. Pret-ty awesome.

{the birthday kids with Mexican Winnie the Pooh}

On my actual real birthday, I had a little work party with ice cream cookie sandwiches.  Then class and some homework (blah) and an impromptu screamfest in Brigham Square with Amber ("21!!" "Wooo!" "21!!"  "Wooo!!"  "21!!" "Yeahhh!").  I didn't feel like attending my evening class, so I watched some movies and got pizza with Ali, Annie, Kelly and Seth.  THEN my lovely and wonderful neighbor Laura threw me a cake and ice cream party.  She's so fabulous for doing that for me.  That really made my day.  I polished off my celebratory day of birth with a dance party.  Nothin' better than that.

{besties}

{Laura, Kelly, me, Ali}

Well. A couple of months ago, I was having a phone convo with mi madre (typical) and she mentioned my 21st birthday was coming up this year.  She informed me that this was a monumental birthday and that it should be celebrated accordingly.  I was like, ok, so like a new iPod or something and she was like nooooo a trip to Las Vegas, dummy and I was like oh, ok, that's a better idea. 
THURSDAY
Drove up with Annie and Anna to make it by dinner time with momma and grandma Rosie.  We ate at the Monte Carlo (which is where we stayed for the weekend) and chatted.  Since it was dark by then, we walked along the strip.  I still can't get over how cool the buildings are.  My London love Anna Hayes is from Las Vegas and she suggested her most favorite gelato place in literally the world at the Bellagio, and since I'm a huge fan of that gelato stuff, I followed her advice first thing.  That was probably my favorite thing from the trip: eating amazing gelato and watching the Bellagio fountains for like an hour. 

{I just couldn't get over how cool the buildings were}

FRIDAY
Annie, Anna and I walked around the different hotels to check them out since they have different themes (like Excalibur is medieval, Luxor is Egyptian, etc). Then once the walking around was makingus sweat, we practically ran our white little bodies to that large pool at the Monte Carlo.  It's amazing what a little sun can do for you, tan-wise and happiness-wise. 
We walked around Sigfried and Roy's secret gardens at the Mirage where they keep their lions and tigers from their shows. The gardens also had dolphins, so that was funnn. 

{I guess I have this thing with having to sit on fake animals. maybe it's because I want to sit on the real ones but this the best I can get}

{white lions...who knew?}

We got all spruced up and went to the Luxor to watch Kris Angel's Mind Freak Cirque du Soleil.  My fam and I saw the Cirque when it came last summer, so momma and I figured that an illusion show would let us get the full Cirque experience.  But it was the same ole same ole illusions, nothing too impressive.  But it all still boggles my mind.

SATURDAY
My mom and I have always been big rollercoaster fans.  She grew up next door to Six Flags in Valencia, CA (she even worked there as a teenager) and so, naturally, we grew up with Six Flags, too, for whenever we would visit Grandma Rosie and Grandpa Roger.  So it would make sense to go on one of the Vegas coasters, right?  Our choice was New York New York, and boy was it fun.  My brother and I have this thing where we like to sit in the very front and scream prematurely so that the people who can't see as well as us kind of freak out.  I continued that tradition, brudda.
Then LOTS more pool time.  The Monte Carlo is where the Jabbawockeez have their performances and so they gave us a surprise performance poolside.  They're SO COOL!!  They also opened the other big pool for the first time that year after wintertime that day and so they had a DJ and everything.  Perfect timing for us!

We ate at the hotel again by a big screen TV so that we could watch the BYU vs. SDSU game.  We lost AND we were surrosunded by a bunch of drunk SDSU fans.  Just peachy.  The show for Saturday night was "Phantom" at the Venetian.  Always such a great musical.  Perpetual goosebumps.

{walking around the Venetian}

Pretty awesome break from life in Provo, UT, I must say!!

hermana adams

This weekend, I had the opportunity of being a stand-in sister missionary companion. Allie was already technically a missionary when she flew in on Saturday and so I always had to be with her.  It was a new and interesting experience being a pseudo-sister missionary. When we started to bake some treats on Saturday, I instantly walked over to turn my iPod on so we could jam while we baked.  But then I realized the only jamming that we were allowed to do was to EFY music and MoTab. Then I was about to suggest us watching a movie while everything cooked, but then I realized that this was something that was not allowed, either.  I went to a meeting for my calling and she had to tag along since she couldn't be by herself.  It was fun getting a little taste as to how missionary life is.
Last night, me and her family went to CPK for dinner (love that place) and then all of our friends and some more of her family met up at Brick Oven for some dessert. It's been a fun few days celebrating the send-off for Hermana Adams.
We do love our cookie monsters.

{oregonians...}

Today she goes into the MTC (Missionary Training Center) here in Provo and I'm so excited/anxious/nervous/estatic for her.  She's always been one of my most considerate and loving friend and has always been such as inspiration for me.  I know that that she's going to scare the hell outta the people in Oakland California (if you know what I mean...).
Go get 'em, girl.

yesterday was thursday...

Happy Friday, everyone!
"We so so so so excited!"

To Glee, or not to Glee?

I'm back! And how refreshing it is. I really love blogging and I'm always thinking about it when I'm not doing it.
Yesterday in my Brit Lit class we discussed Matthew Arnold's "The Function of Criticism", which I didn't really understand until the discussion, but now I'm a fan!  Actually, more of a fan of the criticism part. Since I'm required to read and interpret everything critically for my major, I've become a critical person. Not in the negative connotation of the word, but as in the critical thinking connotation of the word.  I won't bore you with the whole discussion (which I finded interesting, but that's because I love my major ha), but basically one can be a critic only if they have some sort of authority on the subject or experience in the field, particularly experience on the other side of the critique.
This week's critique is about one of my favorite shows, Glee.  My credentials for being a critic on this topic is the fact that I've been a musician most of my life and I'm a fan of the show.  But who's to judge? I'm going to critique it, either way. A bit of history, first. When it first became big, I avoided it because I just didn't like it and didn't like how much everyone else liked it. I also didn't like one of the episodes that I heard about/saw clips of because it was dirty. But then I watched my first official episode and instantly became hooked. I LOVED the music, most of all.  So I became a faithful Gleek.

Back to the dirty part. Every once and awhile, a dirty episode would come on and I would have to be careful with which episode I chose to watch.  But I still LOVED the music.  Since the beginning of this year, however, I've had to be more and more careful as certain relationships and characters progressed during this season.  But I still LOVED the music.  The past month or so I have been irritated by the show.  I still LOVED the music, BUT the show's plot was disappointingly turning for the worst.  Openingly supporting and creating homosexual relationships for both male and female characters.  Promoting pre-marital sex not only in life, but in high school life.  Accepting the fact that there is underage drinking and there's really nothing to do about it.  Then tainting the wonderful music that we've enjoyed this year with pieces to enhance their views on these subjects ("Afternoon Delight", "Blame it on the Alcohol", "Like a Virgin", etc). 
What probably upsets me most about this is the fact that they have had feel-good episodes.  These are the episodes that I've loved watching.  Episodes about dealing with death.  Learning to accept yourself for who you are.  Serving those who need help more than you do.  Using music to unite family and friends.  It really can be inspiring and fun to watch.
Here are some examples of my favorite moments:

Mercedes trying to comfort Kurt after his dad goes into a coma

"Imagine" with the Glee kids and a deaf choir

I just love the dancing! Especially since it's Artie (who's in a wheelchair in the show). Feel-good episode.

I just love weddings. And this song.
What also upsets me is that I know that most of the viewership comes from high school and college-level kids who are drawn in by the fun music.  Shoot, that's how I got hooked!  Now I have to deal with this crap that they've thrown in between the songs. 
You may ask why I don't just stop watching.  Well, I might just do that.  I can still find good music elsewhere.  But I will still miss the Glee that I loved before.
For more on this subject, which I thought was interesting and well-put, here's from (professional) critic Robert Bianco from USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/reviews/2011-03-15-glee15_ST_N.htm

birfdaye

So yesterday was my birthday. If you forgot, shame on you. If you remembered, thanks for the fun day!
I WILL put up pictures and I WILL blog about it. When I get the time.
But. I just wanted to say how excited I am to see my judmom tonight as well as Grandma Rosie in a little place that I like to call...VEGAS!
Have I said how much I love my mom? This WHOLE thing was her idea. And I quote: "Michelle, it's almost your 21st birthday. That's a big deal. LET'S GO TO VEGAS!"
Ok!
Also, last week I was talking to my Grandma Rosie on the phone and she said: "I'm so excited for Las Vegas.  I am so ready to let loose!"  Ok, my grandma is a proper British-subject-immigrated-to-America-wife-of-a-retired-detective kind of woman.  So hearing that made this trip a whoooole lot much more exciting ("a whole lot much more"? Come on, English major).
After work, I pack. After I pack, I drive. After I drive, I arrive in Vegas. After I arrive in Vegas, I see them.
SOOO CLOSE!

only one more week!!!

My judmom and grandma rosie will join me, annie, and anna in this place of crazy next week!
I had a dream about it last night. I'm so excited!

...this also means that I'll be 21 in less than a week. EEK! I have no idea what to do in Provo to celebrate. Ideas?

The 5 People You Meet in Heaven

{good good book--I demand that you read it sometime}

I know this may sound a bit macabre, but I have a mental list of people that I'm really excited to meet once I die. They are sometimes people who aren't as famous (or infamous), but who are the awesome people behind the scenes.  I thought I'd blog about it, since I just added a new person to my list.
1. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. That dude was Cray-zee. But I have this theory that the geniuses in history weren't the most sane people, and since they thought outside the box, they were able to fulfill their fullest genius capabilities.  And Mozart is the perfect exanmple of this. He constantly had music in his head and because of this he was a little weird, but by the time the music was out of his head, he had created something amazing.
2. Abigail Adams. The wife of John Adams and I think the driving force behind his success.  They were the best team.  She lived during a day when being a well-educated woman was just starting to be ok.  Not only was she was well-educated, she strongly encouraged education for her kids.  She had to live for I think it was 6 years, raising the kids by herself, while John worked in Europe for America's independence.  She had spunk and I hope I get to have a chat with her someday.
3. Frederic Chopin. I recently discovered that one of my favorite Polonaises by Chopin was written when he was only 7 years old.  He only lived for 39 years and yet he composed most of my favorite pieces.
4. Clara Schumann.  Wife of classical composer Robert Schumann.  I just learned more about her tonight. She was one of his students and 9 years younger than him and her father didn't approve of this romance, so they waited until she was 21 and didn't need her dad's permission to marry Robert.  She was really really good at the piano and was at one point more famous than her composer husband.  She would go on tour when Robert had a depression swing and, being a woman, she would have to tote her children around and be her own manager (book her own concerts, sell her own tickets, clean up afterwards, etc).  She had so much talent, which was recognized, but she was successful because of her own hard work.
5. Walt Disney. I mean, we were the generation who grew up with the classics, right? There's a reason that his theme park is the happiest place on earth.  PLUS I love how his legacy/company has remained fairly uncorrupted. The movies are still G and PG and are still big sellers and fabulous. Fancy that.
6. The Beatles.  I know some of them are still alive, but by the time I can meet them, they'll most likely be dead.  Do I really need to explain why I want to meet the group that revolutionized the rock/pop world?
7. Queen Victoria + Prince Albert.  One of my favorite couples of history.  She wore black and set out his clothes for the 40 years until her death.  One of their greatest accomplishments was endorsing the arts in England and helping the poverty issues in England.  Plus, who can really deny that it's impressive to start being a queen of the most powerful nation when you're an eighteen-year-old girl?
8. Rosamond. She was my great-grandma on my mom's side, who I didn't have the chance to meet.  This last Christmas, my mom gave the adults in our family Rosamond's autobiography that my mom worked really hard editing and compiling.  My grandparents started crying and it was a really special moment for our family.  I haven't finished it, but I'm already excited to meet my spunky British great-grandma.
9. C.S. Lewis. I recently read The Screwtape Letters and I've seen the Narnia movies.  And from what I've experienced, that guy got it.  His doctrine in some areas is a little interesting, but for the most part, I firmly believe that he's doing some great work right now.  I can only imagine how interesting a conversation would be with him and I look forward to having that opportunity.

(Sorry for you OCDs out there who are bugged by me stopping at 9)
These people have influenced my life in positive, diverse ways and I can't wait to meet them, someday.

*PS: for some of my readers who are interested in learning more about what I firmly believe in, watch this: