I'm dreaming of a [non]white Christmas.

I woke up this morning to about 2 feet of snow.  Usually I grumble a little because #1 It's snowing and #2 that means the snow plows come out around 6:30 AM to take care of things and it wakes me up.  But like the rest of Provo, it was unusually quiet this morning.  Which means no snow plows.  Which means klutz Michelle gets to half walk/half slide down the stairs to her car in snow that hasn't even been walked in (should've realized that boots>Vans in this weather) and then gets to be late to work because she miscalculated how behind the snow would make her.  No snow plows=snow.  Go figure.

Where I will be in 2 days:
{Santa Clarita, CA}
Thu

Partly Cloudy 56°/44° 
Fri
Partly Cloudy 61°/46°
Sat
Mostly Sunny 60°/45°
Sun
Partly Cloudy 58°/45°

Where I'm at today:
{Provo, UT}
Tues
Rain/Snow 31°, 100% precipitation

Hm.



So far, so good on not falling though...that's a feat all in itself!

Christmas is only 2 weeks away.

To celebrate, here's a beautiful story that I happened across while studying Anglo-Saxon poetry.
The Three Trees

finally, some truth

I have this issue with not being able to just sit and do nothing.  Even when I eat, I have to been reading/watching/talking to someone.  I was making dinner tonight (Mac 'N Cheese...oh, the life of a college student), and while the water was boiling, I was reading the WSJ.  Page after page of reading about suicide bombings in Pakistan and riots in my beloved London and reviews about President Obama (negative...), I came across an article by the famous movie critic, Roger Ebert called "Getting Real About Movie Ratings: Roger Ebert on why the only letters that should count at the multiplex are 'G', 'T', and 'A'".  I found myself agreeing with every single thing in that article.  I like Roger. 
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703766704576009343432436296.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
He discusses how the rating system is so messed up and the MPAA has gone downhill since the 1970s when it was first started.  For example, I was disappointed to hear that the new movie "The King's Speech" was rated R in America because I wanted to see it.  But then I found out that it's rated G in Quebec and 12A in the UK (which means you have to be accompanied by an adult if you're under 12).  I can just go across the border and not feel guilty about seeing this movie, right?  Well, the movie is still rated R in America for lots of F-words.  What does this mean?  That America's holier than thou? 
I don't think so, because he also talks about programs like Screenit.com and how it "tells you exactly what [the movie] contains".  For example, in "How to Train Your Dragon" (which I just adore), it's "rated PG for sequences of intense action and some scary images, and brief mild language."  Screenit.com reveals that it has lines like: "All hell is going to break loose in my undies" and "Thanks for the breast hat".  Adults will chuckle at this since it's older humor, so what will the kiddies do who look to their parents when they don't understand the adult humor?  They'll just chuckle along with them.  I have Disney movie Sunday nights with a friend of mine and we definitely pick up on things that we didn't when we were a child.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Disney and Pixar and Dreamworks.  They have made some fine motion pictures.  But for movies like "The King's Speech", I would like to be better informed on what I'm getting myself into.  What's a single letter going to tell me about a 1.5-2.5 hour film?  What's going to be fed to my brain that I will never be able to get rid of?  As Ebert put it, "At a time when literally any content can find its way into most American homes, what's the point of singling out theatrical films? It's time to admit we've lost our innocence."
So, yes, Roger, we should fix our rating system.  Or get a new one entirely different.  Or not leave it up to one company, who seems to try to be a crowd-pleaser.  Either way, it's terrifying that we have lost our innocence.

{If you haven't seen this movie, GO! DO IT NOW!}

cure for the common music drought.

...and just in time for finals!
I love music. I'm studying it at school. I've studied it for most of my life. I love to listen to it. I love concerts. I'm into all sorts of music.  I have pre-sets for classical, country, hip-hop, alternative, Christmas music on my car radio.  I love music.
And it has been an aurally scrumptious treat having all of these great new albums come out recently!  So finger-lickin, that I want to share my reviews and opinions and favs for a few so you can munch.  No, I'm not getting paid for this, but I should because my name is Michelle and I support this message.
1. Ingrid Michaelson, Everybody
Why yes, I DID see her in concert on her tour to promote this album.  And it's better live, can you believe that?
I personally think that this album is better than the first.  She keeps the same Ingrid-isms from the last album (repetition, cutesy love themes, light and bouncy background), but adds a little bit more warmth and depth to the musicality of the songs.  Even though her cutesy songs seem like they should be picked up and hugged, you can't deny the raw talent of Ingrid.
FAVS: "Soldier", "Sort of", "Mountain and the Sea"
RATING: 5 outta 5

2. Sara Barielles, Kaleidoscope Heart
I have been, am now, and always will be a big Sara Barielles fan.  I also went to the concert from the tour to promote this album and (is this even possible?) I loved her more.  She has so so much soul that she admits she's afraid to show.  But we love it, Sara, it's so worth it!  She, too, just has a lot of raw talent that is evident both in her album and live.  So easy to sing along to and to feel good to.
FAVS: I love them all for different reasons, but I had to choose..."Breathe Again" (she called this her "sit in a corner by yourself" song), "Gonna Get Over You", "Machine Gun" (shows off her powerful voice in the chorus), "Say You're Sorry", "Uncharted"
RATING: 5.5 outta 5

3. Taylor Swift, Speak Now
WAIT! Don't run away or stop reading.  I used to be a disliker of Taylor, but, alas, I have been drawn in.  Not by her voice, but by her lyrics.  This chick is my age and is so successful because she is someone you can relate to.  I felt the same with this new album.  She says what she wants and doesn't care if you figure out who the song is about (did anyone else notice that "Dear John" is not only about John Mayer, but uses the same guitar sounds as Johnny boy? You go girl).  I'm not a huge fan of country, but I think that Taylor does a good job of combining pop with country, making it more upbeat and less...country. 
FAVS: "Speak Now" (such a cute/less mentioned love story!), "Back To December", "Mine"
RATING: 3.5 outta 5

 4. Neon Trees, Habits
Ok, ok this one came out in March, BUT I just discovered it.  I dub this the dance-like-a-5-year-old album, because it will make you want to do it.  I mean, they do it in their music video for "Animals", so porque no?  Habits takes you on a caffinated rollercoaster ride that doesn't let you take a break.  So so fun.  Oh, and they're from Provo, UT (represent!). 
FAVS: "Animal", "1983"
RATING: 3 outta 5

5. Phoenix, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
What a title.  This album sends me back to Portland, with its beat, its different sound and unique singer.  If you listen to this album, you can legitimately feel all cool and foreign because they originate from Versailles, France (it's in English, though, so put away those French-English dictionaries).  It's a funky album that I have to be in a certain mood in to listen all of the way through, but it's good.
FAVS: "1901", "Lizstomania"
RATING: 2.5 outta 5

6. Dan In Real Life Soundtrack
This one, too, is an oldie-that-was-recently discovered. So sue me.  Actually, you can thank me after you listen to this album.  This is good to study to because it has a couple of just instrumental songs.  Lots of sappy trumpet.  And fun.  Just light and frivolous. Oh, and if you haven't seen the movie, the soundtrack definitely enhances the effect.
FAVS: "To Be Surprised", "Let My Love Open the Door"
RATING: 3 outta 5

If there is anything that makes me happy, it's new music.  So I hope you listen and enjoy.
Here are some straggling singles:
-Kate Nash, "Merry Happy"
-Cee Lo, "Forget You" (I like the Glee version the best)
-Maroon 5, "Misery" or his cover of "If I Ain't Got You" from their new album, Hands All Over
-The Kooks, "Seaside"

Picking a Major

Fellow students, there is hope.  If you are like how I was when I first came to college, with no idea what I was to do with my life/schooling/career, I'm telling you now that it will happen. I can say this with confidence because I have had quite the journey.  Let's start with that.
When I was 14 years old, I discovered design shows on TV. And I fell in love.  I wanted to be an interior designer.  When I got to BYU, I was uncertain with how I was to accomplish this career goal, the Interior Design program no longer offered at BYU.  Originally, I planned on just doing the Music program and going to LDSBC for getting my Interior Design degree. Then I realized that the BYU Music program=death.  I thought that I was one of those really devoted music people, but compared to those people, I'm not even close.  That's why it's now my minor.
What to do next? what. to. do.  It's practical to go the business management course, then LDSBC for Interior Design, that way I can get the business aspect of the trade.  So I gave it a semester.  In a word, that was heck.  Statistics AND economics? What was I thinking?  I know so many people who love that and get that, but it turns out I'm not one of them. At all.
Next.
I left the country for 4 months. The cultural and informational download that I experienced there threw my major decision into a frenzy.  Like someone kicked a bees' nest.  I still loved architecture and the buildings in Europe are all so beautiful.  Continue with Interior Design? I discovered a love for art.  Art History?  I love to travel and to be emmersed in new cultures. International Relations?  Anthropology?  I spent a whole afternoon with Annie planning my schedule around Industrial Design.  After looking at the requirements and seeing multiple Physics and Calculus classes, my mind quickly changed again.
I had a summer to think about it.  I'm a Junior now. I've GOT to make a decision, already.
I took a class online for English.  I like to write. I love to read.  Can't go wrong with English, right?  Right, as it turns out.
And I LOVED it.  I still love it.  (See previous blog post)
The end.

Moral of the story and my advise to you: do what you love. Cut the practicality crap. Who cares if I'm going to have to go to grad school in order to really go anywhere with this with what I want to do?  And I can still decorate things, just not for a career.

STEPS TO ACQUIRING THE RIGHT MAJOR FOR YOU:

1. Whatever school you're at or currently interested in attending, print out or acquire a list of majors offered at the school.  Then go to town with process of elimination, baby.  Get a color-coated rating system down.  Highlight in different colors which ones you are definitely interested in, then use a different color for possible majors and then cross out the ugly, no-good-for-you majors.  Just get 'em outta the way.  Trust me, this helps.  Do this after each semester, too, because you're choices will most likely change a little bit.

2. Make lists.  Things that you're good at.  Things that you suck at.  Things that you could see yourself doing.  Things that you love to do for fun.  Let it loose, don't be shy or humble.  In fact, play your skills up as much as you can.  No one's going to read this. You discover lots about yourself.

3. If you're already in college, go to the advisement center.  Those people are literal professionals at this.

4. Start with General Ed classes.  They have such a wide range of subjects, you're bound to find a class that you like the most.  Annnnnd the classes that you don't like so much. 

5. Be open-minded.  I continually had English in the back of my mind, but I pushed it back (stupid practicality).  Go out and learn new things.  Don't do what you did in high school and stick with the people/activities/classes that everyone else did.  You are your own person and no one else can make this decision for you, so don't do what everyone else is doing.  Go to a play or musical.  Visit an art museum.  Take a ceramics or raquetball.  Get involved with a club on campus.  You can only discover what you're really good at by trying lots of different things.  Hey, you WILL find out what you're bad at, too. Plus, it makes for a fun college experience.

6. Trust yourself.  There's a reason you are where you are or you're going where you're going.

Good luck!

Mi casa es su casa.

I will board a flight in about 7.5 hours from now that will take me to my most favorite state in all of the United States=OREGON. 
Annie and I jumped up and down like little girls last night. 
Tonight I get to see: My mom (it's been about 3 weeks), the rest of my family (3.5 months), my dog (3.5 months), and my bestie Seth Hall (it's been about 2.5 years. NBD.)
I'M SO EXCITED THAT I CAN'T BREATHE OR FOCUS ON ANYTHING ELSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

{I heart Oregon}

Kristin Wiig demonstrates how I feel perfectly:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/114930/saturday-night-live-surprise



Best 2 weeks of the semester: Part One

Ok, so I might be a little presumptuous in assuming that next week will be the second part of the best 2 weeks of the semester, but, come on, this is what I get to look forward to: 
-going back to Oregon in two days. That place is the best and I really really miss it. Especially since today it started snowing in Utah. Joy.
-seeing my BFF Seth for the first time in about 2.5 years.
-hanging out with Annie, Seth, Lindsay and Hayley just like old times (and eating Annie's cookies)
-my wonderful family.  My sister told me that she's really excited for me to come home because we're going to eat a lot and fall into a food coma. And repeat. Love her.
-my puppy.
-seeing HPATDH again.

Speaking of HPATDH, this is what part one was like.
SUNDAY
I made my first casserole with my roommate Kelly.  We're so...Mormon mommy now.

{Brett and Kelly enjoying our Casserole}

Also that night was my Crepe-a-Palooza/Freshmen girls' reunion partay.  I ran into Audrey on campus last week and we talked about how much we miss the girls. So I planned a party full of sugar and talking.  It was really fun being able to catch up on the latest and greatest. 

Remember this?

{hikes + Morgan's Hummer}

{tie-dying}

{Halloweenie}

{model Sundays}

..and we kept with the oven picture tradition:

{two years later...}



WEDNESDAY

I went to the Sara Barielles concert with my good friend, Amber Whiteley and then Linds and her roommate came later.  Another thing checked off my bucket list.  I've been wanting to see Sara in concert since "Love Song" came out forever ago.  It was really fun, even with the mean ladies behind us. When you're in a crowded concert hall and you're sitting down in an area that has a pretty good view and more space than any other section in that area, YEAH you're not going to be able to see and YEAH people are going to crowd your space. You should've seen it coming and stood up and claimed your territory.  And stop whining about it.

Anyways...she played all my favorites from both of her albums and the band was so laid back and talented.

{Lindsay, me, Amber}

{I want to grow up to be Sara Barielles someday}



THURSDAY

It's the night I've been waiting for for a looonnng time. 

HARRY POTTER & THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, PART 1

midnight showing.

{camping out}

{notice the Hogwarts sign on our sweaters}

{Leslie/Hermione, Cam/Harry, Me-just heading to Hogwarts. NDB.}

I'm not going to write anything else about it because I'm afraid I won't do it justice.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

I met up with my Grandma Ericksen in SLC for dinner at Olive Garden and then Time Out For Women.  The only way I know how to describe it is it has the same layout as EFY, only it's for Relief Society.  There are speakers and musical performances both Friday night and most of Saturday.  My favorite speaker, though they were all good, was Mariama Kallon. She talked about her life while growing up in war-torn Sierra Leon and how she found the church and then served a mission for the church.  It was a heart-wrenching story that just wanted me to go down to Sierra Leon and bring everyone the Gospel and then bring them to America, away from the horrible things that they had to see.  She's a delightful woman who just loved life and wanted everyone to know that God truly knows every single one of us, no matter where/who/when we are. 

{Salt Palace in SLC}

Whenever I see a picture or learn about the lives of those who lived in, say, the 17th or 18th centuries, I wonder why I wasn't born then.  It would have been so cool to wear big dresses and hair and ride in carriages and go to balls.  But then I realize that I love indoor plumbing and heating and not wearing a corset. Also, I have weeks like this and realize that I'm so lucky to be alive. Now. In 2010.  And I'm surrounded by amazing people who understand me and still want to be my friend.  And I can go to school and not get in trouble for it.  And fly home to my family during the holidays.  And have the fullness of the Gospel in my life and the immense amount of blessings that come with it. 

I'm ready for Part Two.