Amazing Summer

August 30, 2009

Part of me feels guilty for not faithfully blogging all the wonderful events of the past four months. But when I realize that I was too busy living life to write about it, I don't feel so bad! Tomorrow marks the beginning of the end, in a sense. The end of my days at BYU. With graduation in the bag for April I'll be starting my last year of college, guns blazing. But, before beginning that chapter of life, here are the highlights of an amazing summer:

BYU Singers Tour to the UK- the 3 1/2 weeks spent in Ireland, England and Wales were full of amazing experiences. It was exciting to visit Europe for the first time in my life; to see cities and buildings centuries old, to walk cobblestone streets and pause for a photo op in a red phone booth. We sang in beautiful venues and met all kinds of people. But . . . being away from McKay was hard and I couldn't wait to get back. Once home I had 15 days to finish up the wedding plans. I had big plans to do all sorts of extra, productive things done. In the end, the bare minimum got done - and I was happy with that.

I Love to See the Temple- On June 1 I went through the temple for my own endowment. My whole family was there, including Randy, which was a great experience. I imagine how rewarding it was for my parents to be there with all of their children (I'm sure Brian made it!). Five days later was my wedding day. June 6 was the most gorgeous day I could have asked for! The sky was blue with white puffy clouds, everything was in bloom and the sun was shining brightly. The rain from the day before (and after) let up for one perfect day. I awoke around 4:30am, feeling oddly normal, and yet full of nerves at the same time! My friends came over around 5 am to help with my hair and make-up. When everything was in place, we made the hour-long drive to Salt Lake City. The experience at the temple was perfect! Women everywhere helped with my flowers, dress, etc. It was a beautiful morning. McKay and I left the temple husband and wife (and a bit more calm than when we entered!). Cliche as it may sound everything went like clockwork that day. It couldn't have gone more perfectly. We took pictures on the perfectly manicured temple grounds, went to our luncheon (on time!), and finished the day with our reception in Spanish Fork. We dressed our cultural hall up with Christmas lights and tulle fabric draped across the ceiling. A live jazz band provided world-class music and atmosphere. A flaming crepe buffet provided a show and delicious refreshments. After a stream of ward members who watched me grow up, McKay and I had our first dance, threw the flowers, and took off for the Grand America Hotel. It couldn't have gotten any better.

Bahama Mama- The next week was spent honeymooning in the Bahamas. We stayed at a resort on the ocean and spent our days on the beach, in the pool, napping, eating and just being lazy. It was a needed break from the previous months of school, touring and wedding planning. We had some funny experiences with a crazy woman on the beach who braided my hair - and then drove us who knows where through a torrential rain storm to an ATM so we could pay her! We also met up with our new friend, Jasper, who hooked us up with some DVD's for our room. He drove up in a white Jetta, seat reclined and bling rings on his fingers. We did business in his car as we flipped through CD wallets full of burned DVD's labeled with misspelled names in scrawled sharpie. We got 6 DVD's for the price of 4 - only 2 ended up being worth our time - but it was a classic experience! We ate a red snapper at the weekly "fish fry" who still had his teeth and eyes. We found a huge conch shell as we walked along the beach one night. We snorkeled at Paradise Cove and rented wave runners for an afternoon. And, because I had never done it, we skinny dipped around 1 am one night! All for the story :)

Extended Honeymoon- the rest of the summer ended up being like a continued Honeymoon. McKay worked during the day and I taught piano and put our new home together. Our evenings were spent doing whatever we wanted! We watched 2 seasons of 24. We played tennis. We frequented the Provo library and watched some Best Pictures. We ate tons of sushi. We met new couples in our ward and had them over for dinner around our tiny fold-up table. We went through a Gin Rummy phase and played cards in bed, using a Dr. Seuss book as a table. We stayed up late - we went to bed early. We took naps for hours and hours. We ate hundreds of popsicles and drank more diet cokes. We took a weekend trip to Colorado to rally for health care at a town hall meeting with the president. We got Chinese take-out and watched Ferris Beuller (my first time!). McKay celebrated my birthday all month long! We milked the summer for all it was worth, and did a pretty good job, I think.

Well, we're up to date! Maybe I'll be better about staying current now. It's been a great summer. Here's to a great semester!

Irish Dream

May 8, 2009

I write this week's blog from Belfast, Ireland. The first half of tour has been wonderful so far! The scenery is absolutely beautiful; postcard perfect. We arrived in Dublin last Tuesday and enjoyed lunch at a little Irish diner. The drive to the city of Cork, where we stayed for five days, was just the beginning of a feast of rolling green hills dotted with sheep, wildflowers, little cottages and old stone walls. Once in Cork we stayed at a four-star hotel in the heart of the city. We participated in the Fleishmann International Choral festival where we placed second and were awarded the Peace Prize (essentially the Miss Congeniality of the festival!). We were actually quite happy to receive that prize inasmuch as competitions are rather foreign to BYU Choirs and the goal of our tours is to share the Spirit and our love of music. We had a wonderful concert at a beautiful cathedral while in Cork. The people have been so hospitable: they feed us LOTS of desserts! And they do desserts well here :)

After our stay in Cork we spent two days in Limerick. We visited the Blarney Castle and I made the trek up to the top to kiss the Blarney stone! So now, I should be blessed with "The Gift of the Gab", or the gift of eloquence. Fingers crossed! The gardens on the castle grounds were beautiful. Little bridges and waterfalls and rivers and flowers and tons of trees. Seeing ruins hundreds and hundreds of years old was amazing. But as I walked up the tiny and cold staircases and in and out of the rooms, I was grateful for my modern home - though it's never been called a castle, it is infintely more comfortable and luxurious than that ancient castle would have ever been. Also, while in Limerick we visited the Cliffs of Moher - which are the famed Cliffs of Insanity from the Princess Bride. This has been a highlight for me so far. It was cold and windy, but the wind blew the fog from the cliffs so we were able to see the lush green wrapping all the way around the ocean. It was remarkable. I kept taking pictures hoping I could capture what my eyes were seeing. But nothing beats being there.

Two days were spent in Derry, or Londonderry depending on where you are from. It is right on the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, which are two separate countries. Ireland is separate from the UK but Northern Ireland wanted to stay part of Britain. Thus, the name discrepancy. Also, Ireland uses Euros and Northern Ireland uses Pounds. However, you can only use Irish pounds in Northern Ireland, but you need English Pounds for England. It's never been so hard to get people to take my money before!! Anyway, in Derry we had a concert in a really nice hall. We combined with a youth choir from the area and had a wonderful evening. Earlier that day we walked the walls of derry and visited a cathedral.

Today we left Derry and drove to Belfast. Along the way we saw some of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen in my life. We drove along the coast of Northern Ireland, which was breathtaking. We stopped at a place called the Giant's Causeway. It is a place on the coast where huge rectangular rock formations just naturally occur. We were able to go right down to the ocean's edge and climb all over these incredible rock masses. The forecast called for a cold and rainy day, but once we were on the road the rain let up and the sun came out. It was incredibly windy but we were able to enjoy the sun as we watched Atlantic Ocean waves pound in against the beautiful rocks. We also saw a breathtaking full rainbow as we continued our drive along the coast this afternoon.

At about 6 pm we arrived in Belfast and met our host families for the next two evenings. I am staying with a fabulous couple who had a daughter in BYU Singers about 7 years ago. They are both from Ireland and have a cute home. We are very comfortable and just enjoyed a great home-cooked dinner of salmon, potatoes and a new favorite vegetable: Leeks! How have I missed leeks all these years?? Of course we had dessert afterward: wam pie and fresh whipped cream. I'm in love wiht the Irish people!

Well, that pretty much covers the highlights of the first half of the trip. We'll be with host families from here on out and we are scheduled for either a fireside or a concert every night for the rest of the trip, starting tomorrow. I have absolutely loved this experience so far . . . but I'm dying to get home to McKay :) and my family. I'm counting down the days til the wedding and am so proud of the fabulous announcement McKay designed. Everyone, get ready to be impressed.

Until next installment, love from your Irish Singer! And as a final note, if you want to read daily details of the trip, visit www.singers.byu.edu/blog. We have our "choir mom" on tour with us taking pictures and blogging each night. Cheers!

Drive Me Crazy

April 26, 2009

It was a dark and stormy night . . . well, really it was just dark . . . but it had been incredibly stormy earlier. And the gloomy ambiance was still lingering in the air. It had been a packed day: piano lessons at 9 am, a bridal shower, six hours of Singers rehearsal plus a concert, my final apartment cleaning check assignment, and a boot on my mom's car as she innocently parked at my apartment to help with the final move-out process. As the clock struck midnight we had only one thing left on our list: a trip to Wal-Mart for some final tour items. Exhausted, but driven to check one more thing off my list, I began my journey along the dark, wet streets toward Springville.

I usually go the wrong way to Springville's Wal-Mart, but last night my mind was sharp and I went straight to the correct intersection that would take me to my destination. As I neared the stoplight I passed an officer busting some rowdy kids packed in a pick-up truck. "Suckers", I thought. "I'm glad I'm not them!" and I flipped my right turn signal on, only to be met with an orange and white striped "Road Closed" sign. "Blast!! Now what?" I thought. I should have taken the "wrong" turn earlier; at least then I'd be on a familiar detour! Frustrated I flipped around, careful to observe traffic laws as the flashing lights of the nearby officer heightened my cop-paranoia.

A few blocks down I turned, hoping to be able to re-connect with the right road eventually. Instead, after several blocks, I was met with another road closed sign, and an arrow pointing me back the way I came. Ugh. Another U-turn. Backtracking about a block I decided to try a different road. I coasted up to a stop sign, flipped on my blinker, saw the stopping car to my left and took my turn through the intersection. Bam! Flashing lights behind me. "Dang it! Just what I need tonight!" I quickly ended the call with my mom (waiting at Wal Mart) and rolled down my window. Squinting against his flashlight, I looked up at the officer with my best distress mixed with innocence face. He explained that I am supposed to come to a complete stop at a stop sign and asked to see my license. I rummaged through my bulging backpack for my wallet and asked, my voice brimming with legitimate exhaustion and stress, "Can I get to Wal-Mart from here?". He half chuckled and responded with "Well, yes and no. Let's get this taken care of first and I'll help you out."

I handed over my license, grateful to know he'd find my record clean, and prayed that he'd let me off with a warning. I was fully prepared to turn on the tears and explain my upcoming trip and wedding if the word "ticket" was uttered. Minutes later he came back, let me off with a warning and gave me complex directions, through residential streets, to Wally's. Filled with gratitude I went on my way. Following what I thought were his directions, I weaved my way through some neighborhood streets. All of a sudden, and with no signs or warnings I found myself approaching a construction pit filled with strange pipes and construction paraphenalia. I slammed on my brakes and skidded to a halt on the loose gravel, literally inches away from a disastrous accident. With my heart pounding in my throat, I threw my car in reverse and tried another route. Finally I found myself on the right road!!! Hallelujah. Just one more turn and a roundabout and I'd be home free!! In my excitement, I accelerated to around 43 mph. Then, as if in a recurring nightmare, I saw the familiar blue and red flashing lights in my mirror. No!! No no no, I said as I pulled over. Two times in ten minutes?!?! What next? Hoping it wasn't the same officer I rolled my window down and was met with a much younger officer. He gave me his name and the license and registration schpele. I handed the paperwork over and asked him if I was going too fast.

"Yes you were. Do you know what the speed limit is on this road?"
"I actually don't," I replied, fighting back overwhelmed tears. "I've been lost in all this construction and I'm just trying to find my way to Wal-Mart . . . . and actually, you're probably going to laugh at me . . . but I got pulled over about ten minutes for not stopping all the way at a stop sign and the officer told me how to find my way here. I'm just trying to meet my mom at Wal Mart." I spilled my story, hoping for mercy from this young, fresh deputy. He smiled and asked if I knew the officer's name who pulled me over. We discovered that it was his chief deputy/superior officer guy.
"Well, you just tell your mom that Springville police are harrassing you. Go straight down through that roundabout and drive safely." He handed back my documents and let me off. Grateful and emotionally maxed-out, I drove slowly the rest of the way to Wal-Mart, composed myself and met my mom for an evening in the "trial and travel" aisle.

What a night!