One morning when I was 12 years old, I woke up and heard the most interesting song coming from my kitchen.
My initial reaction went like this:
"What the crap, since when do mom and dad listen to opera music? Weirdies!"
Oh the wisdom of a preteen......
As I lay there listening, I realized something.
It was like the voice had reached out and grabbed my heart with an iron fist, and vowed to never let go.
And that moment was when I fell in love with the ever so dapper Josh Groban.
Seriously though, my obsession was a little out of control.
His music had such a powerful effect on me that I filled an entire journal with rants about how I was going to walk to L.A. and meet him.
Either that, or just become a famous singer and woo him with my talent.
(Both being very practical goals, obviously)
Also, I used to sign my journal "Grobangurl" every time I wrote.
And joshgroban.com was the first website I ever surfed.
I know, my cool meter is just off the charts!!
Through my deep love for Josh Groban was also born a love for Charlotte Church.
And in my desperate effort to be a singing powerhouse like her, I decided to audition for the advanced womens choir in 8th grade.
(Women's? Really? We were 13 and 14 years old...)
As luck would have it, I made it into the choir.
And thus, my love for ensemble singing was born.
You thought this was going to be a rant entirely about Josh, didn't you?
Tricks.
It's actually a rant about choir too. And how much I freaking love it.
New York City, circa 2006.
Best choir ever.
Just a little snippet to give you an idea of what I participated in on a daily basis.
Doesn't this picture just ooze sassiness?!
So I have been listening to Eric Whitacre radio on Pandora for 2 days now, and it's filling me with so much emotion. First, because the music is just outofthisworld beautiful.
Second, because it makes me miss my music-filled days.
How lucky was I to be surrounded by people who loved singing as much as I did,
and all through high school?
Answer: pretty darn lucky.
So really, all I have to say is I am incredibly passionate about chorale music.
And I miss it desperately.
Just listen to this, and maybe you will understand why.
I had about 50 of those last week while I was home.
At Nicole's reception, watching so many people I know and love celebrate the beautiful event.
Laying in bed talking to Kaylie, about everything under the sun.
At dinner with my family on Saturday night, crying because we were laughing so hard.
On the beautiful drive home listening to awesome soundtrack music.
I feel like I say this a lot, but I am so thankful for those moments.
They always seem to come right when I need them, and have a perfect way of reminding me that life is so sweet.
And really, when do we NOT need to be reminded of that?
And on a completely unrelated note, listen to how sad this is:
Josh Groban will be here in concert in a few weeks. And for the first time since I was 13, I will not be going.
My heart is breaking. The legacy is over!
Ok maybe it's not that sad. But kind of. A little bit.
- As much as it probably shouldn't, retail therapy
(aka shopping. calling it "therapy" dissipates the guilt a little bit...)
makes me feel so much better about life.
Especially when you find smokin deals. And really cool moccasins.
- When you want/need to feel hardcore about life, just listen to your workout mix.
By the time you actually have to go run/bike/swim, you will be so pumped that you can conquer the world.
Maybe this has been my routine for 2 weeks now....
- Sometimes it's cool to skype with your dog.
REALLY cool.
After all, whose NOT trying to look at this face all day long?
- As much as I love how much certain music is associated with certain memories and people,
I really DON'T like this:
When you feel like you can't listen to certain songs or artists because they are associated with said people and memories. Some things just leave a bad taste in your mouth, you know?
- I really miss teaching and taking piano lessons. My inner classical pianist is slowly dying....
And I can't believe I just admitted that.
- I have seen my family a TON this summer.
But that doesn't change the fact that I am stoked out of my mind to go home tomorrow.
Just cross your fingers that I don't melt before I have to come back to Provo....
- On a more serious note, I have learned that patience really is a virtue. And one that I need to work on, as was made apparent to me on multiple occasions this weekend.
I am thankful for things like that.
- I really like not knowing what is ahead of me at this point in my life.
I am excited for fall semester.
A new ward.
New friends.
New classes.
Lots of new relationships.
As well as plenty of old familiar faces.
Basically I'm just very happy with where I'm at in life.
