Alyssa Moon

My new craving...

2011-11-17T13:32:00.001-08:00

The past week I started a poison challenge with one of my friends at crossfit... we take out something bad in our lives, and add in something good. if we do the bad thing, we owe the other person 100 burprees for time. if we don't do the good thing... we owe the person another 100 burpees for time.
it's been real. i can say that i've checked off every single day! my challenges were: take fish oil/multivitamin everyday, get 8 hours of sleep, no sugar and 90/10 paleo, and workout every day (with 1 day off a week). It has been awesome! I love seeing the check marks at the end of each day, and I'm feeling so much better after knocking all the crap out of my system.
Here is an awesome recipe that I got from one of my close crossfit friends. :) Enjoy!

Ingredients:

3 Lbs of Chicken, cubed (any cut you want, I used breasts)
3 Cups Organic Pumpkin Puree
2 Cups Bell Pepper, Diced (Color of your choice)
2 Cups of Red Onion, Diced
3 Jalapenos, diced and seeds removed (if you want)
1 Cup Chicken Stock
1 Cup White Wine (Optional)
28 Ounces Organic tomatoes with their juice, diced
6 Ounces Organic Tomato paste
1 Cloves of Garlic, minced
3 Tbsp Chili Powder
2 Tbsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
2 Tbsp Fresh Cilantro, diced
1 Tbsp Cocoa Powder
1 Tsp Ground Coriander
1/2 Tsp Sea Salt
1 Whole Cinnamon Stick
2 Tbsp Coconut Oil for Dutch Oven

Process:

Heat your coconut oil in a Dutch Oven over medium heat
Saute your onions until lightly browned, then add your bell peppers, jalapenos, and garlic and saute for another 5 minutes
Add in your chicken, chicken stock, white wine, organic tomatoes, organic tomato paste, chili powder, pumpkin pie spice, coriander, salt, and cinnamon stick and simmer for 20 minutes
Stir in your pumpkin, cilantro, and cocoa powder and cook for an additional 5 minutes
Reduce heat to low and let sit until ready to serve or serve immediately
Enjoy and if there is too much, you can freeze it and eat later on in the week

My favorite dishes in the entire world!

2011-10-18T10:41:00.001-07:00

This is an excellent guilt free spread, tastes like guacamole!
Cilantro Cashew Cheeze
1 1/2 t garlic (about 2 cloves)
1/2 t sea salt
1 cup raw cashews
2 1/2 T fresh lemon juice (1 lemon)
1/4 c packed fresh cilantro leaves
1/4 cup filtered water
Place garlic and salt into food processor; process into small pieces. Add cashews and process into a paste. Add lemon juice, cilantro, water- process to mix well. Store in fridge.

Cilantro-Lime Chicken & Zucchini*(Serves 2-4 people)
• 4 bone-in, skin-on, chicken thighs
• 1 large lime
• 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 Tbsp. Ground Coriander
• 1 Tsp. Ground Cumin
• 2 Tsp. Sea Salt
• 1/2 Tsp. Freshly ground Black Pepper (to taste)
• 3. Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Zucchini – as many as you want
Preheat oven to 375.In a small bowl, combine the coriander and cumin with2 tsp. sea salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper.Coat the chicken with the oil and on season both sides with thespice mixture.Pan-fry the chicken on medium-high heat for 5 minutes oneach side. Transfer to oven, and bake for 32 minutes. Smallthighs may take only 30 minutes.Remove from the oven when done, and garnish with freshsqueezedlime juice and chopped cilantro.

*Zucchini makes a great addition to this dish - I cut them in halflengthwise, season with olive oil & pepper, and put in the ovenwith the chicken when there are 16 minutes left. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar.

Top 6 Reasons Why You Haven't Lost Weight

2011-09-27T10:58:00.001-07:00

My friend Maria has been really inspirational in going on my paleo journey, and I about fell over and laughed when I read this article. Enjoy!

We've all heard it....
Losing weight equates to simply monitoring "calories in vs. calories out". Or, increasing your workout duration and frequency. Right?
Unfortunately, it's not that simple. There are many misconceptions about losing weight and some of the information below may surprise you.

1. Sleep
Probably the most misunderstood cause and effect when dealing with weight loss. Lack of sleep will mess you up in terms of hormones. Specifically cortisol (fat-storing hormone), leptin (the hormone that tells us when to stop eating) and ghrelin (hormone that stimulates appetite). Not enough sleep will cause your body to wake up in a stressed state, leptin and ghrelin receptors will be elevated, triggering an increase in appetite. You will be hungrier, have an increase in cravings and end up snacking needlessly or eating more frequently than necessary.

2. Stress
We're not just talking mental stress; physical stress can be damaging to your health in ways you may not even realize. Chronic levels of stress elevates cortisol (yep - again) which, in turn, creates havoc within our bodies - causing muscle breakdown, insulin resistance and increases in fat deposits. Add on to this the unfortunate fact that many try to fight off stress by increasing exercise, and you set yourself up for a wreaked, broken down system that will, eventually, lead to more serious health issues. We all have stress, learning to manage that stress will produce amazing results in your life.

3. Emotional Eating
Just about everyone has been there, done that. You're bored, you're in front of the computer screen or TV, you're stressed, tired, frustrated, upset....I could go on, but the fact is, during most of those times, you really aren't hungry (can you recognize real hunger?), you are simply reacting to a circumstance. When that reaction is a regular part of your life, weight loss is elusive and, as a matter of fact, weight gain is on the doorstep.
Make sure you are getting enough protein and healthy fats in your meals in order to avoid the reaction to circumstance. Keeping those nutrients on the list of priorities in your meals/snacks will balance your hormones and enable you to handle those stresses more efficiently

4. Dairy
For a good number of people, dairy stalls fat loss. Just because you're not "officially" diagnosed as being lactose intolerant or having a dairy allergy, doesn't mean dairy does NOT do your body good. Dairy is insulinogenic, meaning it stimulates insulin secretion in a BIG way. Although many think lactose is the problem, it's not. It's both the protein and carbs combined that cause the insulin load. We're talking milk of all kinds, yogurt, cheese (uh-huh...cottage cheese also), including anything with whey and casein (yep, powders too). Just how bad of an insulin load? Worse than a piece of white bread! In the end, you will have to experiment yourself to see if dairy is causing you problems. Eliminate it for 2-3 weeks and see.

5. You Think You're Eating Healthy, but....
The majority of your food comes from a box, can, bag, and package or contains more than 5 ingredients. Your plate is full of carb-loaded, gut irritating noodles, your fridge is full of sugar-ladened yogurts, your cupboards contain processed, 20-ingredient cereals and you eat whole wheat bread because you think it's healthy. Is this you? This is not real food and it certainly isn't going to get you any closer to optimal health, as a matter of fact, with each bite of said foods, you are taking steps further from weight loss and taking steps closer to annual weight gain, metabolic syndrome and autoimmune disorders.
Disregard the claims on those packages and boxes - take control of your health and commit yourself to better health.

6. Liquid Calories
Ahhh...the smoothies that are either purchased or made at home, the protein shakes that are consumed every morning because it's the most convenient way to get some protein on the way to work - easy breakfast (right?), or the bottle/mega-jug of soda/fruit juice that sits on your desk at work. All delicious to sip on and, aside from the soda, seemingly healthy. Or is it?
If we're talking weight loss and body composition, I have to give a resounding "NO!".
Think about the amount of fruit that goes into a smoothie - some have up to 5-6 servings! Let's say you make a smoothie at home and put in 1 banana, 1 c berries, 1/2 strawberries and perhaps some juice - would you eat all that fruit in one sitting?? That amount of liquid calories will create a greater insulin load when consumed. It makes it a heck of a lot easier to over-indulge in fruit when processed into a smoothie.
Protein shakes are essentially a dairy-based liquid protein substitute (remember the talk about dairy??). Now, that's not to say that protein shakes do not have a place in an athlete's diet - it can be very useful - but for most people (especially those that have weight/body composition issues), relying on a daily protein shake in place of real food/real protein will only hinder the weight loss process.
If you have a choice, choose to eat your food rather than drink it.

House!

2011-09-07T11:12:00.000-07:00

I love my new home. I just walk in the door and think- this is mine.

I have decided on a soft rustic and contemporary style. I found this picture for my bedroom, and I think it fits perfectly. Now, I just have to find the right frame.

Paleo

2011-07-17T22:35:00.000-07:00

About a month ago, I really decided I had to commit to changing my eating habits. I was eating ice cream, pizza, hamburgers.... basically all the wrong food. I would crave sugar like nobody's business. If I hadn't had a small amount of sugar by noon, I had a termendous headache. I had a really hard time saying no to eating more food that I thought tastes good. That's when I realized I owed it to myself to stop. I am a diehard crossfit athlete. i thought if I was doing crossfit- I was doing enough. But in reality, 80 percent of our body composition is due to what we eat. So now, I've been working on a paleo cookbook so that I am not tempted to just have the convenience of 5 buck pizza, or 2 buck hamburger. My friend has a family of 5 and they eat for average 17.25 per day... which is incredible. So, if she can do it- why can't I? Funny enough, there are versions of pizza paleo style. It doesn't have the processed bleached flour in it, and it is much healthier. I get sick to my stomach when I have my students ask for a treat, and the treat has to have something with sugar in it. If I handed them an orange, they'd probably give me the worst look in the world... "like, really, alyssa?" So aside from that, I entered into the paleo challenge by crossfit 22. It's a 60 day challenge. You get 1 point a day for working out, and 1 point a day for eating everything your supposed to, and an extra point a week for the challenge of the week. This past week we had to run a 5k. It really has pushed me to my limits, and I've been able to see the results. Here's what my trainers has to say about paleo:

For those of us adhering to a Paleo way of eating, we are quite aware of the benefits our bodies experience when we cut out processed foods. The first 2-3 weeks can be hellish as you go through mind boggling withdrawals - your body literally goes through detox. It takes a solid 10-14 days to rid our body of the gut-inflammatory foods effects. It feels like it's simply not worth doing because your energy levels can hit rock bottom, your athletic performance is laughable and your mood is - to say the least - wicked. After the 3rd week, however....magic! You begin to shed excess fat, your energy begins to increase, you start to hit some pr's, your body just feels and starts to look good. Suddenly, the food you gave up doesn't seem to be the first thing you think about in the morning and the last thing you dream about at night.

So here is to paleo, because it's a life style change and it's what is really whats going to make me and my body happy!

Self Image and Believing

2011-06-05T20:58:00.000-07:00

I had a great conversation with my mom tonight about self image and believing in ourselves.

We laughed and said how funny it is that not everybody thinks the same, and that we all come from different situations and family backgrounds. It didn't matter if you had a million dollars, that doesn't mean your a genius- infact you might be the dumbest person on the block! Despite that fact, you still have your challenges, they are just different.

I'm just so glad that I had a mom that cared enough about me to teach me how to pick up on things intellectually, emotionally, physically... in all aspects. She taught us *all my brothers* that sitting still and not being motivated, well, that was just a horid habbit. I told her that now I'm not in school, I emotional go stir crazy because I don't have a lot to do other than teaching and practicing. There must be a sensory stimulus about being outside like working in the yard, learning music, climbing mountains, doing triathalons, crossfit, or being in school even though you sitting on your butt studying all day long.

Believing in yourself, having the discipline to reach your dreams, and acting upon what you really want is what really matters :) The only person you have to impress is God, so take everybody else's opinion with a grain of salt.

So, I might not be what other people want me to be, but I am sure as shootin the person that I am today is the person that I've chosen and I couldn't be happier about pursuing my dreams and becoming the best version of myself ever. I think it's time that I give myself a little more credit, and believe in myself on a more general basis. That goes for everyone too :)

Cuz we all know that we'll never be happy without doing our personal best.

Breakfast Cupcakes

2011-05-28T09:27:00.000-07:00

Breakfast Cupcakes are fun, fast and healthy!

10 medium eggs
1 pound ground beef or sausage
Teaspoon garlic salt
Teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Olive oil spray
Avocado

Preheat oven to 350. Brown ground beef over medium heat. In a large bowl, combine eggs, basil, garlic salt, and pepper. And cooked ground beef to bowl. Spray 12 muffin tins with olive oil. Pour even amounts of mixture into muffin tins and bake for 20 to 15 minutes. Top with fresh avocado, salsa, or your favorite condiment.

Missing your mayonaise? This is a great substitute recipe

1 egg
1 TB. lemon juice
1/4 tea dry mustard
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup flaxseed oil

put egg, lemon juice and mustard in blender and blend 3-5 sec
as you blend, slowly add olive oil and flaxseed oil
blend until mayonaise is thick
store in tupperware in the fridge.

for more awesome healthy recipes visit: http://www.marianutrition.blogspot.com/

courtesy of crossfit!!

Summer is Underway

2011-05-25T12:00:00.000-07:00

I guess there just hasn't been too much to say! It's been a busy semester, with teaching 35 kids each week. I've really enjoyed it!

Summer is underway, and I'm in a practice room for 4-6 hours a day and training in Crossfit. I've been doing crossfit for 2 months now (continuously) and love every minute of it. I've lost a total of 10 lbs and 15 inches so far. I'm shooting for another 10-15 lbs, but if I don't- and I just loose the fat and turn it into muscle then that's great too! I'm excited about this life change. They have taught me not be so concerned about the vanity part, but more importantly the the nutrition and living a better, healthy life.

Here's to my junior recital in August! It's going to be a blow out!

23 is the perfect age

2011-03-01T19:54:00.000-08:00

Honestly, in my opinion 23 is the perfect age.

It's going to be the best year of all. I'll be a senior in college, I have established my piano studio, and I have the best relationship with my husband that I have EVER had.

23 is going to be the PERFECT year. Just you wait. :)

I can't tell you how excited I am for my birthday next week!!

Can't Decide

2011-02-08T06:28:00.000-08:00

Should I do.....

the Chopin Ballade in A Major or G minor?

Scriabin Etude Op. 8 no. 12, or Rachmaninoff Musical Moment #4?

Should I keep my Beethoven I learned last semester, and finish off the rest of the movements?... Or should I learn a new one.

So, we're going to take a poll. Tell me which one you think is cooler. It's quite simple, go into youtube.com, and type in the names of the songs I told you. then, pick horowitz, richter, or lang lang for the performers and you'll be set.

The effect I want for my senior recital is all show, musicality, and well- just to push myself to be the best pianist I can be (in my undergrad).

I'd love to hear your opinion!

My new found

2011-01-26T09:54:00.000-08:00

2 nights ago, I thought I was fine. I thought to myself, I have this under control.

9pm rolls around... and I have the chills to whits end. It reminded my of the katy perry song that says "your hot then your cold...." I stayed home from school yesterday. That was a HUGE thing for me. Tuesday and Thursdays I'm in school from 7:30am-3:00p.m. and that is a TON of information to be missing.

But during this new found time. I installed Netflix on my parents wii, all by myself. Then, I found documentary after documentary. One in particular was about Beethoven and his life. After recently studying beethoven in depth last semester, I was interested about what they had to say about him.

Let's just say...They were pretty accurate, but some things were drawn out of proportion.

But, it hit me during this movie. Just like nuclear fusion. just BAM!

I live for music. I can't get enough of it, I want to know more of it, I want to become the best me that I can be so I can share that with others. Music is my life. My mom and husband tell me that if I could be two things, it would be a musician or a dermatologist.

Because I'm obsessed with complexions, and music. Enough said.

New Piano Studio Website

2011-01-07T15:45:00.000-08:00

I'm excited to announce that I have my own piano studio website.

It has everything from my bio to billing information, calendar of events, contact info, registration, login for students to see when their scheduled lessons are, payments online, etc.

I've spent a lot of time on this, and I'm so excited to say that it's finally here!
Check out the link below.

https://moonpianostudio.musicteachershelper.com/

Advancement

2010-12-11T13:33:00.000-08:00

My Advancement Repretoire:

-Ravel Sonatine 1st Movement: Modere

-Widmung Dedication By Schumann/Transcribed by Liszt

-Beethoven Sonata No. 7 in D Major Op. 10 No. 3 1st Movement

My first CD of Classical Repretoire will be completed in May!

The Little Cow

2010-11-16T21:49:00.001-08:00

My friend Lindsey shared this. I just thought it went along well with everything in my last post about pushing ourselves to become better and being the best that we can be.

The Little Cow

“A master of Wisdom was walking through the countryside with his apprentice when they came to a small, disheveled shack on a meager piece of farmland. ‘See this poor family,’ said the Master. ‘Go see if they will share with us their food.’ ‘But we have plenty,’ said the apprentice.

The master said, ‘Do as I say.’ The obedient apprentice went to the home. The good farmer and his wife, surrounded by their seven children, came to the door. Their clothes were dirty and in tatters. ‘Fair greetings,’ said the apprentice. ‘My Master and I are sojourners and want for food. I've come to see if you have any to share.’

The farmer said, ‘we have little, but what we have we will share.’ He walked away, and then returned with a small piece of cheese and a crust of bread. ‘I am sorry, but we don't have much.’ The apprentice did not want to take their food but did as he had been instructed. ‘Thank you. Your sacrifice is great.’

‘Life is difficult,’ the farmer said, ‘but we get by. And in spite of our poverty, we do have one great blessing.’ ‘What blessing is that?’ asked the apprentice. ‘We have a little cow. She provides us milk and cheese, which we eat or sell in the marketplace. It is not much but she provides enough for us to live on.’

The apprentice went back to his Master with the meager rations and reported what he had learned about the farmer’s plight. The Master of Wisdom said, ‘I am pleased to hear of their generosity, but I am greatly sorrowed by their circumstance. Before we leave this place, I have one more task for you.’

Speak, Master.’

‘Return to the shack and bring back their cow.’

The apprentice did not know why, but he knew his Master to be merciful and wise, so he did as he was told. When he returned with the cow, he said to his Master, ‘I have done as you commanded. Now what is it that you would do with this cow?’

‘See yonder cliffs? Take the cow to the highest crest and push her over.’ The apprentice was stunned. ‘But Master...’

‘Do as I say.’ The apprentice sorrowfully obeyed. When he had completed his task, the Master and his apprentice went on their way.

Over the next years, the apprentice grew in mercy and wisdom. But every time he thought back on the visit to the poor farmer's family, he felt a pang of guilt. One day he decided to go back to the farmer and apologize for what he had done. But when he arrived at the farm, the small shack was gone.

Instead there was a large, fenced villa.

‘Oh no,’ he cried. ‘The poor family who was here was driven out by my evil deed.’ Determined to learn what had become of the family, he went to the villa and pounded on its great door. A servant answered the door.

‘I would like to speak to the master of the house,’ he said. ‘As you wish,’ said the servant. A moment later a smiling, well-dressed man greeted the apprentice.

‘How may I serve you?’ the wealthy man asked. ‘Pardon me, Sir, but could you tell me what has become of the family who once lived on this land but is no more?’ ‘I do not know what you speak of,’ the man replied. ‘My family has lived on this land for three generations.’

The apprentice looked at him quizzically. ‘Many years ago I walked through this valley, where I met a farmer and his seven children. But they were very poor and lived in a small shack.

‘Oh,’ the man said smiling, ‘that was my family. But my children have all grown now and have their own estates.’

The apprentice was astonished. ‘But you are no longer poor. What happened?’

‘God works in mysterious ways,’ the man said, smiling. ‘We had this little cow that provided us with the slimmest of necessities, enough to survive but little more.

“We suffered but expected no more from life. Then, one day, our little cow wandered off and fell over a cliff. We knew that we would be ruined without her, so we did everything we could to survive. Only then did we discover that we had greater power and abilities than we possibly imagined and never would have found as long as we relied on that cow. What a great blessing from Heaven to have lost our little cow.”

Growth is only achieved outside our comfort zone.

Hard Work Pays Off

2010-11-16T20:37:00.000-08:00

After this semester, I will have only 3 semesters to go for my undergrad. This semester has been especially difficult for me, I've had some personal set backs and I've had some academic challenges. I had to put all the other distractions away, but that didn't help because I still kept on being distracted. Whether it be by family, or serving people. I figured those were good enough excuses. I don't think my professors cared that much about my "personal excuses." (I don't think God really cares for our personal excuses either)
But, I'm proving to myself each day that I can do it! I had 2 big history tests this past week, and a coaching with dr. conner. It was a pretty stressful week. I got my results back on my history tests, and I am very proud to say that I got an A on both of them! I even had to analyze a Wagner Tristan and Isolde opera expert- and that was so incredibly challenging. My coaching with Dr. Conner went well... a lot better then what I expected. I take one day at a time.
Now it's onto my advancement and finals. My advancement is the key to allow me to work with the piano division faculty with teachers in a more intimate setting. I will get to learn how to develop my skills, and become a better piano performer and a teacher with being able to collborate with the piano area faculty.
A lot of people don't understand what it takes to play the piano at the level that I do. It isn't just playing notes, it isn't the technical ability that is required to play. Music lives and breathes, just like we do. It has sentences, passages that are secrets inscribed into the music seeking out to deliver a message. It takes so much concentration- so much hard work. It is a never ending process. Even more so than I can imagine. I honestly had no idea what I was getting myself into. My piano teacher told me in the beginning "This isn't a beauty pageant. This is one of the hardest things you'll ever do, but one of the most fulfilling."
This is truly the best thing that I have ever done for myself in my life. It has taught me more concepts and principles in the past few years then I have learned over the last 5 years. I know God doesn't want my excuses. Take lemons, and make lemonade. I will strive every day to be the best that I can be. I know I wouldn't be who I am today without having to break down who I am, find the faults and make it that much better each time by building it up.
My piano studio is up to 14 students. I keep on getting referrals, and I am really enjoying building relationships with the families that I teach. I see their progress, and to see them raise the bar each week is such great accomplishment. We will have a Christmas concert, and I'm very excited to have all of them play!
P.S. I bought my juries dress from Dillard's this past weekend. It wasn't expensive, it is very feminine and can be used for all sorts of occassions. I am really excited because my philosophy is "If you feel good and confident about the way you look, you'll play well too." and that hasn't let me down yet.

Distorted Reality

2010-11-09T10:17:00.000-08:00

Self esteem for me is a constant daily struggle. I am always over analyzing things, always wondering if I said too much or not enough. Everyone wants to be accepted for who they are and what they look like. Everybody deserves to be loved.

"Thank you Dove for realizing the world has created an impossible standard, and standing up and doing something about it." --Sarah Webb

1 Midterm Down....

2010-10-05T20:04:00.000-07:00

Got my hair fixed. I just want to put it out on the table that it is everyone's own personal judgement if they are happy with hair and how other people do it. Me personally, I don't think paying someone to do a crappy job and having to loose 3 1/2 inches of my hair that i've taken so long to grow out is exactly what I want to do. Personally. If your okay with it, and can live with it- more kudos to you.

One midterm down, 3 to go.

Orange

2010-10-04T11:43:00.000-07:00

To pump myself up for a week of 4 midterms... I decided Saturday last minute to get my hair done. I had gone back and forth, because I didn't want to spend that much money. But, my friend insisted that we get rid of my 3 inch regrowth. It was looking pretty bad..

We were talking and laughing, having a great time. I even told her that I hate it when you go to hairdressers and they do opposite of what you thought that you had explicitly told them to do. Like make blondes orange, or chop off 3 inches and cuts dramatic layers when you ask for a light trim "I'd like to keep my length".

Word to the wise: stick to one hair dresser. Once you find one that you like, don't try something new because someone is going to give you a deal.

Everyone at school today said "Oh, you got your hair done!" ... Yes. I sure did. You can tell that they are saying it to be nice, instead of saying "Alyssa, your hair is orange." I would take a snap shot, but I'd rather not be embarrassed forever. A few days, and weird looks at the mall that even caused me to put on a baseball cap was enough for me.

Now... if things go like they did this past weekend like orange being the new blonde, and uneven and trashed cuts like I have, I'm gonna have to leave it to the man upstairs about my midterms this week. Wish me luck.

Society in General

2010-09-29T16:57:00.000-07:00

It is really stuck out to me this week how people aren't on the same level in life. We don't have all the same understanding as each other. We all go through different things in life, and our expertise and talents are all completely different from each other. Thats why we're different, and God intended it that way.

I honestly thought that because I have a certain understanding, that everyone has that same understanding.

... Guess again.

I realize though, that I don't need to justify myself. Just because someone feels a different way about something, does not make them an expert about it. It doesn't mean that they (or I) have all the answers. We are here to do our best in what we know how, and grow along the way.

I've had a few people made comments about my piano performance major about how in the world could I make money with that kind of degree, why I should pay as much as I am for school, why I couldn't work full time like other college kids, if I would have a page turner at a recital, or how it makes me a better person...

In the 14-17th centuries, aristocrats were educated on the understanding of language, geography, music, art, literature, etc. The people that were experts like Michael Angelo, Leonardo Divinci, John Dunstable, Josquin were expected to deliver excellence, and they did without fail. Not because of their social status, but because the aristocrats were educated and knew excellence.

Let's face the facts. Our society is not educated as it used to be. Our time is spent in so many day to day activities that are routine like taking care of family, or working at a full time job, or just doing mindless things that don't amount to anything.I feel terrible that in our Society that there isn't much appreciation or understanding in Music. It's getting less and less. It much more focused to media, or the new hip things to do. There is facebook, television, cell phones, misc things in general. Who would want to study, or read a book on history?

I'd encourage everyone to go and read a book about history, or a topic that you don't know much about. Go sit in some classes at a college, or a community center. I don't know about you, but I haven't gained any knowledge on Facebook or television other than I am not happy with myself while doing it.

As I listened to the prophet he asked us in women's conference to not focus on what other people are doing and not judge. I think this is such a great talk, one of my personal favorites from our Prophet. I think ways we can do that are not focusing on what other people are doing, and becoming better ourselves. If anyone has the best advice, he does.

The Difference Between

2010-09-22T22:49:00.001-07:00

A professor who you ask help in confidence... and a professor that embarasses you in front of the entire class.

My professor edited (aka went to town!) MY paper I wrote last weekend. Then, she discussed everything I said in my paper in class as far as "what not to do" for the Final Paper due friday. Well, I'm glad that I had her look at it, because the rest of the class was probably on the same page as I was. I just wish she had handled it a little more diplomatically and personally instead of discussing (ok, she was hashing it) it for the first 20 minutes of class instead of doing lecture on a test that we're having in a week and a half. My teacher is extremely animated. Let's just put it that way.

I would have appreciated her feedback, and I do appreciate it. Just not the way she went about it.
Some professors at the U, I just don't get. Luckily I'm not married to them, and I don't have to work for them the rest of my life. Otherwise, life would be pretty sticky.

I won't ever forget this experience.

staying true

2010-09-20T19:03:00.000-07:00

I just want to report as a record that I have not signed in or been tempted to log in to facebook over a week now. I haven't watched t.v., and haven't really "Watched the clock tick by". Everytime I do, I remind myself why I'm doing it- and then force myself to be productive. That being said, I wrote a 10 page paper this weekend BEFORE "the night before" cram that I usually am in. I'm very proud of myself, because honestly... I didn't know how in the world I was going to tackle this giant monster of a paper.

We were supposed to argue the point that Beethoven is considered classical or romantic. Honestly, he's neither. In my opinion, he combines the two into his own style. So, that's what my paper was about. I don't think I will have any problem doubting the knowledge that I've attained these past few years about music, as I know I have grown in so many ways. Every single time I get more things off my to do list, the more my confidence is growing. I honestly think that has been the one thing that has been holding me back. I'm scared of what I'm going to become, and if I'm worthy of it.

I don't know if that has any correlation to the fact that when I was on "Facebook" that I was comparing where I was at in life compared to everybody else. "Checking out" what everyone else was doing. But now, honestly I have seen it bless me so many different ways and I feel so much better about me, and what I'm doing. I know I am where the Lord wants me to be, and I don't think I've ever been this happy in my entire life. I'm not saying everything is perfect, nothing is ever perfect... I still have my own issues, and my trials. BUT the most important thing is: I know who I am, and I know what sacrifices it's going to take to get where I want to be and I deserve it!

Voice of the Spirit

2010-09-13T11:22:00.000-07:00

Voice of the Spirit

President Faust has some amazing things to say regarding my last post. A cute girl that I don't even know in the library showed me this randomly in the music library.

Let the Holy Spirit Guide

2010-09-12T00:01:00.000-07:00

Tonight I had the great opportunity to hear President Hanks talk at Stake Conference. I love the Bountiful Stake, because not only is there a "general stake conference" on Sundays for 2 hours, but the adults get to have a private session for 2 hours the night before to help them prepare for the next day. We got to hear President Olsen speak about the Testimony of Christ, President Morgan spoke about the Inconvenience of Service and what blessings it brings to our lives, the Y.W. President spoke about leading our children in virtue, and how it can be applicable to our lives as well. We got to hear an amazing musical number (for a ward choir) conducted by Dr. Huff, who was a professor of mine at the University of Utah, and now has taken a position at Utah State University and has moved away. He did an amazing job. It was the perfect exit performance.
But the most touching subject for me was President Hanks talk about the hymn "Let the Holy Spirit Guide."

Here are the lyrics to the song:

1. Let the Holy Spirit guide;
Let him teach us what is true.
He will testify of Christ,
Light our minds with heaven's view.

2. Let the Holy Spirit guard;
Let his whisper govern choice.
He will lead us safely home
If we listen to his voice.

3. Let the Spirit heal our hearts
Thru his quiet, gentle pow'r.
May we purify our lives
To receive him hour by hour.

I've highlighted the topics that President Hanks addressed. He began his talk by stating that through calculations (although they might not be 100 percent accurate) that there has been more then 70 billion people on this earth. Now, if there was more then 70 billion, and the advisary took 1/3 of the hosts... then that means there is close to 30 billion hosts that try to tempt us on a daily basis. Not counting the ones ON the earth that have already been taken over. He figured the calculation to be 5:1, 10:1 if you count the people that have bodies as well in this world. They are studying your game film. You have to ask- in what ways will the advisary be able to get me?
There is one way we are able to fight this terrible world. When we are baptized, we aren't suggested that we take in the holy ghost. We are told "and now I say unto you... receive the holy ghost." If we listen to his still small voice, he will teach us what is true. If we listen, we will have light and knowledge in our lives. If we choose to receive him, he will lead us safely home. We have the opportunity to stand in this day and age, and take control over our use of time. President Hanks is a new owner of an ipad, the coolest gadget ever. However, even though there is so much good that can be done with electronic devices-such as a cell phone, or ipad, or computer, internet, television, in that same moment there is also still the temptation of turning on pornography, facebook, bad entertainment that drags us down, stop us from having quality time with our families, computer games that take up hours and hours of our time, etc. It is only a few seconds away. He advised everyone to stay away worldy things and the entertainment of today's society. The more good we put in our lives by doing service for others, and testifying of christ, and involving the holy spirit... the happier we will be.

In the second verse is when it hit me straight to the heart: He said that let the holy spirit guard... he can be a protector for us. If we are in tune with the spirit, we can listen to his still small voice. He can lead us safely home. Then he continued onto say that the Advisary wants us to be upset with each other, and then turn our anger and frustrations towards God. But, if we turn to the holy spirit, we will be able to let those feelings go. I know personally, I have struggled with some relationships lately. Relationships that I have wanted for so long, but honestly never felt worthy of having. I kept chasing after them. I would cry a lot, thinking I am not good enough, or I must have done something wrong. After hearing President Hanks talk, I am completely fine. I know that the advisary wants me to be upset, and not feel the spirit. I can honestly say that I feel so full of love and peace, and that I'm so excited for what is ahead instead of looking back trying to fix everything. I know as long as I'm in tune with what God wants me to do, everything else will be okay. I have decided to allow the holy spirit to heal myheart, and help me make the govern choice. I want him by me all the time, to fight off the 10 bad guys all the time.

So, it's time for a change. I'm deleting my facebook, all my wordly distractions (except for my blog, because its been an influential bookmark for my history of my piano program, and life itself) however- I will be going private in 30 days. So, please leave your email address (or email me at alyssamoon@gmail.com) if you'd like to continue to read my blog.
I'm going to focus on having that still small voice, teacher, and receive him into my life.

I am so grateful for such wonderful priesthood leaders. I feel priviledged to have the life that I do, and I would not take back getting my education in school for nothing. If I didn't get my education in school, it would be just as regretful as if a young man didn't serve a mission. I am so grateful to have the family that I do. I have wonderful brothers who are incredible examples to me. I have a loving husband, that works hard to do what is good and has fun along the way. I have great parents that have brought me up in the gospel. I have wonderful parents for inlaws, that are like my own parents in many ways. I love them all so much. I love my heavenly father.

Let us all do our best to let the holy spirit guide, and receive him into our lives that he might lead us safely home.

Sugarcold

2010-09-10T10:48:00.001-07:00

We started out pretty early.... about 730am got to the trailhead

Trail? Who needs a trail when we know which way is up and which way is down. Prettier views anyways.

Top of sugarcold (sugarloaf) it was freezing up there. We would have gotten a picture of both of us, but our fingers and toes were so cold all we could think about was getting back down to our car. We were going to do Sugarloaf, Mt Baldy and the American Fork Twins... but we basically got froze off the mountain. It was about 45 degrees on the top, and 60 degrees in the valley on Labor Day.

Our proof we were there.

Yes! I'm cold! Can we go now?

No words.... Just cold.

The view around 9:00 am.

10:00 am... back at the car. The end.

I love our honda, it has the coziest seats to sleep in (or on?). I am really attached to that car, as much as it doesn't look very good on in the outside... it holds so many good memories! I want that car to last a long time. Knock on wood.

It has begun....

2010-09-01T21:28:00.000-07:00

The school year has started.

I'm excited for my classes, I'm in for a good semester. I was really stressed out about it in the beginning, but now I understand that this is where I need to be. Things will be good, especially because I'm only taking 14.5 credits. It will be a nice break from the 18-20 I took last 2 semesters. Either way though, 18 versus 14.5 there is no excuse- there is STILL plenty to do. My classes are harder, and take more outside class time and I am really wanting to focus on actually learning and develop good learning habits this year instead of cramming for all of my tests. I learned last year, but I don't think I retained all the information AS well as I would have liked.

So, here's to the semester! I got my planner and my awesome new "technical" backpack- which can be used for a variety of things, instead of JUST school (how resourceful am i?) haha. I'm excited to go hike a mountain with it now. So, there might be a cool post this weekend. :)

Happy Labor Day! I can't believe summer is over.... *sniff sniff*

I am the new... the only.....

2010-08-23T11:24:00.000-07:00

Recipient of the

National Award

by the

Utah Music Teacher's Association

for being the

Teacher of the Year!

This is a highly competitive award, and I would hate it if I downplayed this at all.... because I have worked incredibly hard for this award. The award is given to individuals who demonstrate leadership responsibilities to their peers and colleagues, achieve academic success (my 4.0), collaborate with the community and leadership, and promote success by dedication, commitment, and a positive attitude. It isn't word for word what the award is, but I did the best I could for remembering what was on my award.

I was presented the award at the award ceremony for the Summer Arts Piano Competition at the University of Utah last Saturday night, where I was publicly announced to all University Music faculty, all my peers in the piano performance program (doctorate, masters, and undergrad), and about 1000 other people that were highly influential in the greater salt lake community.

Although nothing has been set in stone yet, it is opening millions of doors of opportunity. Projects, job offers, community leadership volunteer opportunities, and other misc. items have opened. I am very proud of my achievement!

Celebrate BIG 5

2010-08-08T22:26:00.000-07:00

Well- I COULD make this a really long post. But, I'm just going to summarize life the past few weeks.

1. Jake and I celebrated our 4th anniversary on August 4th. We went to our favorite mexican resturant called Baja Cantina in Park City.

2. We are going to go do some more canyoneering down in Zions this next weekend with ourr Moon family. I can't wait to go do some last hiking before school starts, and enjoy some awesome amazing fun company. Go squitters!

3. Jake and I, and my family enjoyed a trip up to Cassie Olsen's family cabin in Swan Valley, Idaho. It was absolutely gorgeous. We went to Jackson, hiked up by inspiration point, and jenny lake. Saturday, Jake took off on a 2 day hike to Mt. Moran for 12,600 feet. After my family left the next day- I stuck around to pamper it up with Julie and Cassie with playing ticket to ride, sitting on the deck watching the river, eating dinner at a beautiful lodge (and best beef tenderloin I've ever tasted) and enjoyed wonderful company. Thank you Julie and Cassie for all of your efforts!

4. I have successfully achieved my 4.0 this semester with 15 credit hours. Now, I just have to get back in the mood of things for school to start back up in 2 weeks. :)

5. I have successfully made my first batch of wheat bread. It turned out perfect, and I couldn't be happier. I've made rolls alot- but this was my newest and latest achievement!

I'll never eat a french fry again....

2010-07-24T21:54:00.001-07:00

For the past 2 years, my crazy adventurous husband has tried to get me on top of a mountain. I finally summited Timp 2 days ago in 6 hours. The entire hike took me 10 hours, because of my anemia. I felt like I was in outter space. The average time is 6 hours total for anyone to do this hike. It was hard, but I'm glad that I did it.

We (as a couple) have logged over 40 miles of hiking in the past 2 weeks. That's more then the last 4 years put together, and we're not stoppipng here.

At the top of the mountain. My husband is so hot.

Check it out. I'm suffering from major virtigo at this moment.

You don't see this, but next to me are a bunch of 8 year olds that summited the mountain. They went down the "fun" way of sliding through the snow. We couldn't go that way, because Jake ripped his pants in the butt and didn't want to make it worse :)

I think the funniest thing out of the entire trip was on the way home how creative we got so that we could afford to get some food on the way home. I was looking through one of my old planners the day before and found a 5 dollar bill. I also had a free meal at cafe rio (jake's favorite "fast food" resturant") So, I went to In N Out Burger and he went to cafe rio.

After we got food, he looked at me in the car and said "Fries are the symbol of fat people." ....I just starred at him, and looked down at his 24 point (1500 cal) cheesy burrito, and looked back at him and laughed.

My New Job!

2010-07-19T09:29:00.001-07:00

Among teaching piano students (which I am still very actively looking for if anyone knows of anyone in the need of a piano teacher!) I decided it was time for me to get a part time job while I finish my undergrad degree at the University of Utah. Last year was easy, because I was employed by the music department teaching for the Prep Division. But my new job is being a research study assistant for the Neurology department in Research Park. I am really excited to start this job, and it will be a great department. They said the last person who left, left because they had to move for med school. So, that says something about management... I'm excited! The doctors are great, very easy going and fun to be with. I hope that they work the same way. I love the flexibility of this job, because I basically work when I can between school and if I can't then I don't. That is something really hard to find in a position! I'm grateful for all the blessings Heavenly Father has given me.

Big NEWS! We've moved.

2010-06-24T22:20:00.000-07:00

My mind has really been on goals lately- have you been able to tell?

All I can think about is what I WANT to be when I grow up. I want to know everything NOW. I want the instant gratifications that we are all so guilty of. Like having debt paid of NOW. School being done NOW. Having a Career instead of a stupid job... NOW. Getting more students.... NOW. The list goes on and on. (By the way, though... I am teaching... so if any of you have beautiful kids that are 5+ that want (or need) lessons- please let me know!)

I was talking with one of my really good friends today, and we were talking about how life is what you make it. It really does take hard work and determination to really reach beyond the limits. You can't just let the days pass you by, each day is a process of becoming and molding yourself into who you want/destined to be. I know what I want. I just have to realize the sacrifices to get there, and then put my mind to work. I know I won't settle for anything less then my best.

SO the determination for me is the hard part. I'm always finding something small and part of the "instant gratification" side of things to fill up my time. Such as.... I got a refund check for 27.00 yesterday in the mail. Well, I could have chosen to go and get a pedicure, or a new shirt, or out to lunch with some friends. But, instead.... of that instant gratification... and immediate guilt afterwords.... I was successful by putting it towards paying off school loans. It felt impowering. Whoo Ra Ra! But, it's a day to day process. Just because I got one check, doesn't mean that there won't be another. I've done really good not eating out (at all basically) because it doesn't make sense to spend 30 dollars on a meal... one meal... when I can make a good enough meal myself for maybe a third the cost- or less and it's ten times as healthy because I have portion control and I know what is IN the food. Sacrifice today for what you want most for tomorrow. I think I'm gonna write that in BIG BOLD letters above my room door so I see it everyday. So here's to my commitments, my determination, and my impowerment. I will succeed.

Big news! We moved. ... Not very far. It actually feels like a mini apartment now. Literally. ALL we are missing is a kitchen. I'll be posting really cool pictures soon. I'm pretty proud of myself. I have free rent, I'm able to go to school (without 20 million dollars in debt), and I really feel like I have my OWN space for the first time in.... who knows. a year and a half? .... this whole living with the parents thing all started when school got so expensive. Which, I realize I'm not the only one doing it. I shouldn't be ashamed, or feel guilty. I'm making the sacrifice to stay out of debt. Why did school tuition go up to $4,500 dollars a semester right when I decided to really push through and go back to school? Why does Nursing school cost so much money....?? Either way. Whatev. I'm coming out ahead because of the several paragraphs before this. Sacrifice today for what you want most for tomorrow.
Tuition raising: It's just all part of the Government scam. I'm probably acting like an old woman, griping and complaining while I Reminise when I watched my brothers write out a check for school for 1200 for 18 credit hours when I was a senior in high school. Either way. I'm so grateful for loving parents who want me to be the best person I can be, and have talents and develop them. I'm so grateful for pressure to be the best that I can be. (Literally) I'm so grateful for their sacrifices that they are so willing to give for me to go to school. They both know that I would never be myself and the best person I could be without taking the road of school or music. Love you mom and dad.

So here's to my goals this summer:

take each day one step at a time.

determination is the key to success.

don't settle for anything less then your best.

Of course, my goals get more specific on a day to day basis. but I'm not going to bother you with the day to day misc. items. :)

pictures to come..... YAY!

Step 1

2010-06-10T09:17:00.001-07:00

So I wasn't kidding when I posted my "new goals and such". I am pretty proud of myself too.

I ran consistently on the tredmill on an average page of 6.7 miles per hour (or so the dumb thing told me) for 45 minutes straight. It felt pretty good. I swear I kept increasing my speed and running mainly above 7.0 but that is what it said. I was really focusing on my contact with the ground and my hips thrusting forward and not letting my calves take all the weight. It works really well. Not to mention, I watched Hannah Montana and Chicken Little on the Disney Channel because of course there wasn't anything on. I miss the days of winter where all the awesome cool episodes are on abc and nbc. what happened. why does summer tv always suck.

Then, after that I successfully did my own reps of arms, abs and back. I am so excited!

Now the most important thing is consistency.

New Goals & Such

2010-06-05T08:27:00.000-07:00

So I was having a really fun conversation with my friend Liz yesterday... and we were talking about Jake and his awesomeness on climbing mountains. I told her

"There was a point for him where he couldn't do anything that he wanted to do without huffing and puffing and he couldn't live that way. Now, he can do whatever he wants. He feels good and he is healthy."

Yes, my Jake is the extreme when it comes to doing anything outside. He has all and any of the gear he could ever want (magically by getting graduation presents, christmas presents, birthday presents, and maybe spending a little money on the side... he is incredible with the deals he finds for what he wants. I can never complain) Some people might think he is a little crazy, but honestly... I'd rather have him harness his energy doing something active and outdoors that he loves- then be staring at world of warcraft all day.

I've been thinking alot about what I said. I really want to be like that too. Granted, I KNOW it will be a process. But, I'm gonna speed up that process. I really want to be more healthy, and if there is something that I can do outdoors- I'd really like to just be able to go and do it.

Here's to my new goals. I really want to get into road biking, and running more. I want to learn how to be the best, and I think training for a marathon, or a triathalon will help me accompish that. It's a goal- with a deadline with a step by step process on how to get there. ;) Not to mention, if I have any questions- I have an expert on hand- Heidi Jane! I know one thing- you have to WANT this for it to happen.

NOW EVERYONE HERE CAN HOLD ME ACCOUNTABLE. I expect you to!

We are pleased to announce

2010-06-03T12:36:00.000-07:00

that your scholarship has been renewed for the 2010-2011 year! Congratulations on your outstanding academic achievement.

Heck yes baby! I really wasn't expecting this, because I didn't get notification in April. But, I do say... a brownie obsession is in order. :) A GOOD ONE. with lots of fudge.

Then, I need a 2 hour run or bike ride. :)

That helps me be motivated for this summer... as much as I'm lacking. I have a hard time caring about these dumb classes.

But I did find out that I have a cummilative gpa (including generals of 3.909!) How cool is that.

Just because I was an average 3.5 student in High School doesn't mean I was dumb. I was just lazy, and too caught up in boys. :)

Much Ado About.... ABSOLUTELY nothing!

2010-06-01T06:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I broke down. Yes, I did.
I have been EXTREMELY good about not spending money, not doing things that are outstand ingly crazy... and running around everywhere. Ya, I pretty much hate being alone in the house now. Let alone locking myself up in a practice room for hours and hours. Sometimes I really have to question WHY I chose such a lonely bachelors degree. HAHA....
So, I went to Fashion Place Mall. That place is like Medicine or warm chicken noodle soup start to my soul. Normally, I'm an in and out type of person when it comes to shopping. Not yesterday. I spent 4 hours going from store to store... trying on different things... debating "is this me?" ... Needless to say 3 hours and 45 minutes went by, and I had really done well. I managed to walk away from the JCrew sale that was going on .They had some really cute tops.

Then I ran into the Nordstrom's half yearly sale. Oh... How I love you... Nordstroms. You are so much better then Buckle. SO MUCH better....
Big Stars, MEK and Miss Me jeans... any cut, that are normally 136 dollars... marked down to 70. .... Um, that's a killer deal.
Fancy cute tanks for the summer fun..... 12-17 dollars.
Basic Layers are that incredibly hard to find that last... 8 dollars
Meeting old friends from High School that you never thought you'd see again.... not priceless. But we'll pretend.
Then, after Nordstroms (4 hours and 2 minutes later) yes I'm an in and out kind of girl. Even when I find something I like...
I knew that Jake desperately needs some nice jeans if he wants to look descent when he goes out with me. Thanks to my handy dandy 50 dollar gift card, and 3 10 dollar off hole punch cards I've been saving for this occassion... I found him the perfect jean. I could have bought him a 29 or 30 waist... but I stuck with the 32's just to be safe. Big Star Voyagers are nice pants. :) And spending 30 dollars for a 100 dollar pair of jeans, that makes EVERYTHING worth it yesterday.
Plus, going out the door with my wallet still full... that felt pretty darn good.

Not to mention I got to go to a bachelorette party last night totally stylin.... :) Perfect ending to a perfect day.

Now- someone just give me the trick to loosing 8 pounds asap... and it will be a perfect LIFE! haha.

How I Use My Spare Time

2010-05-21T13:01:00.000-07:00

Once I get lazy.. I just stay lazy. However, I did have the opportunity this past Monday and Wednesday to attend my newest class: American Indians Tribes. The couple that teaches it are absolutely unforgettable, and they are a cute grandma and grandpa. Something tells me that this class will be a piece of cake. The last day of the class- we'll celebrate by having our very own pow-wow! Heck ya! (Plus, only 10 people in the class- that is pretty dang sweet.)

We learned about the Havasupai Tribe, the Yahi Tribe and some tribes that are all over the America's in general. We talked about the food that they have contributed to the Americas- and basically it's everything. Potatoes, corn, vegetables. It was absolutely incredible. They were all artists of magnificent sort. The "Gram and gramps" as I've nicknamed them brought a ton of pottery for the class to look at. I'm really excited about this class.

This is a picture of the last native indian to live in the americas. They nicked named him Ishi because it meant Man in his original language. He could not communicate in English. His language was foreign to everyone except for one person in the world. Which would you guess Ishi is? Some people said the one on the left. NOPE! haha. He studied with an anthropologist named A.L. Krober (to the left) and if you have to watch a documentary- this is the one to watch! Absolutely fascinating.

I successfully made Cafe Rio for a group of 30 people. I know that doesn't seem like a lot to you-but with my love of cooking.. everything was done fresh. My favorite part was seeing all the left overs, and having cafe rio for like 4 days straight. I marinated the pork the night before, and I'll tell you what- it really turned out great!

I love Movies. But, I didn't really get into the whole reading thing until the Twilight books came out, then I really proved to myself that I could read. Since November 2008, I haven't read one book. Go figure. So, I started these two books. AND I'll tell you what- they are so amazing! I love learning. I think I've decided I like documentaries, or interesting stories like the glass castle. If you need some good books to read- here is some to put on your list!

My sister in law Kelly lost 20 pounds in 6 weeks doing this platinum body fitness. The trainer, Joe Scott gets a bunch of us women (mainly mom's) and men (yes, MEN) and trains us like non stop. So, I started it to get into shape to start being able to be more active this summer. Let's face it, studying for finals and practicing on a bench for 3-4 hours a day isn't practical when summer is around.

This past monday, a bunch of my piano friends got together and went to dinner to TGI Fridays. They have the BEST chicken fingers, and last but not least the FAMOUS desert there called the Brownie Obsession. Ask my friends, sometimes I've had to get my "Friday's Fix" once a week! I've been doing good the past month when the month before I noticed every other line on my debit card was TGI Fridays. LOL. Not very practical for a spending account OR a PLATINUM body... but hey, every girl needs a little chocolate. I'm willing to run for 1 hour to get one of these babies. :) I'm mad I didn't get a picture, because most of the people that went are leaving to New York for 3 weeks this summer for a piano camp, or they are headed off to doctorate school at Manhattan, or they are going to Eastman for Grad School. I'm pretty mad I didn't get a picture that night, we all had a great time! But, I'm sure it'll happen again soon.... hopefully.

Needless to say, we were celebrating a good semester, a successful monster concert, me being dubbed the new President of the UMTA Chapter at the University of Utah, and being awarded the Student of the Year award. Not to mention, successful recitals on their part- and of course, just having a good time!!

My dad has been in Germany the past 2 weeks. We just found out he'll be there until next Thursday, when he was supposed to come home this weekend. SO, each time that he leaves he gets perdium to eat out. Well, he never uses it. So normally, he just pockets the money. So, my mom and I always take advantage of this. My dad doesn't like mexican food very much (okay, not at all) and so Jentry (my brother) his wife heidi, me and my mom went up to Baja Cantina and had a WONDERFUL meal. Our waiter was a little crazy, but hey- the food was great. :) Thanks mom, I mean dad, I mean Northrup Grumman! I owe you one.

Last but not least- the DEATH Bike Ride. No, it was really fun. Jentry let me use his full suspension bike while he and heidi were down at the Iron Girl Triathalon in Las Vegas! Heidi finished 2nd in her age group, and 46th overall. AWESOME JOB HEIDI!!! :) This bike ride was no finishing 2nd in my age group, and not 46th overall.. infact I remember I counted 53 people that PASSED me on this bike ride. But, I did finish and it was a great day!

Let's not mention how I started a job this past week too, at a School of Massage Therapy and how they told me I would be getting paid X amount of dollars, and the owner comes in and drops it by 10 dollars an hour. That definitely did not make my day. I wasn't even tempted to go back.

But, I do have some interviews with the school of medicine at the University of Utah and with some doctors around the valley that would I'm sure pay me more then what I would have been getting there! What a joke!

I figured out my repretoire for my sophomore recital this december.... and it's going to be KILLER amazing. Infact, speaking of piano- I better go get practicing if I wanna have a life tonight!

So no, I won't be having a baby. Not for a VERY long time.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions! I love living my life to the fullest! :)

Now- it's back to work, full time school, and LOTS of play :) I'm SO excited for this summer!

What do people do with all this time?

2010-05-13T10:21:00.000-07:00

Seriously- I am turning into a turnip. I don't know what I'm thinking I'm doing.... because I am SO bored everyday! I think when I get bored- I get even more lazy. Yes, it reminds me of summer days as a child- but the fact is... I'M NOT A CHILD ANYMORE! :( haha.

So- people that have suggestions for using their time off- please send them over. I didn't know that people had to have hobbies to use up their time if they didn't work. I am always the type of person that I measure success by money, I know it's something I'm trying to change. But, let's be realistic. I'm just not used to all this. SO PLEASE SEND OVER THOSE SUGGESTIONS!

I met with the Piano Area Chair this morning. Ahhhh... It is so amazing, EVERYTIME I think I'm gonna get hounded ... or in trouble.... I get this huge crazy feeling inside that everything is okay and I need to be more confident in myself. So, me thinking- oh no, I did something wrong last week at the Monster Concert.... I came to find out that I was awarded the Utah Music Teacher's Association Student of the Year award. It is going to be presented to me in front of 1000 people, by the Piano Area Chair (Susan Duehlmeier) and I'm assuming Merla or Gretchen (Prep Division Faculty) at the Summer Arts Concerto evening on August 25th. I can't WAIT! I'm so excited!!

Okay. Well! I better get working on whatever I'm gonna do this summer. :) Let me know what YOU would do with all this free time!

<3

Sneek Peek of Monster Concert!

2010-05-10T10:54:00.000-07:00

(Side note: I've realized that this blog isn't just my journal- but everybody else can read it too. And sometimes things I say might be offensive. So- to those who I might have offended... I'm really sorry. I just use this as my journal, and sometimes I don't really realize that it has affects on other people.)

FINALS ARE OVER!

MONSTER CONCERT- FINISHED!

(3.0) Theory II- A
(1.0) Musicianship II- B (YES, I know, I'm not very happy)
(3.0)History-A
(3.0)Private Lessons- A
(3.0)Pedagogy- A
(4.0)Career Development- A
(.05)Concert Attendance- A
(1.0)Accompany Practicum- Unknown
(1.0) Womens Chorus- A

Not my 4.0---- But dangit I'm close!

So Now- I need a job. ANY HINTS?!?

here is a tad of the monster concert we put on. the guy in the white jacket rearranged all the songs for piano. he is incredible!

the songs i played in aren't in here- but, i hope to be getting them really soon.

See Ya In 2 Years!

2010-05-05T14:54:00.000-07:00

... AND THIS COMPLETE MUSIC LIBRARY GOES TO JARED IN JANUARY- NO EXCEPTIONS!

My brother departed on his mish for the next 2 years. He's in the MTC for 8 weeks, with all you can eat buffet and even a little blue card to let him get snacks and do his laundry. Hopefully he'll have enough money to do his laundry, otherwise, I wouldn't want to be his companion.

Then he's off to Coasta Rica. Heaven knows, at least he's going to a partially civilized place that he'll be okay with the food. Or his IBS might perk up again. If so- he'll be stuck for life. P.S. He definitely left his trademark in the bathroom before he left.

My mom even has cookies waiting for him at the MTC... They've been there oh... probably ... 2 weeks. Luckily they are good for a month. LOL.

I'm partially torn about Dallin going. He's always been the younger brother- sometimes annoying, and most the time the one who understands me the most while my other brothers are off married and doing whatever.... .... cars, triathalons with their wife, or just more cars... who knows. I'm gonna miss his sarcastic attitude.

Dallin told me last night in the car on the way home from DQ (his choice above all, I was betting it'd be inn and out.... I guess not for being 9:30 at night) that I said the most intelligent thing at the "dinner table" that he's heard me say in a long time. Something about how your close relationships influence how you become as a person. I'm glad that I could restore a little faith for him about me before he left. LOL. Otherwise- I'd be screwed! Luckily, I have 2 years to get even smarter. Hurray.

So for having 3 finals today, and staying up till 12:30 last night and saying good bye and all that mushy crap.. and having to get up at 6 am. I think I made it. I just hope he made it to the MTC without missing anything... like signing out of his facebook.....

JURY April 29th, 2010

2010-04-29T18:30:00.000-07:00

Hi Alyssa,

You played beautifully today. I hope you were happy with your performance.

You were able to play the Haydn with confidence and energy. The Liszt was just right. You fixed everything and it flowed very well. I've read the faculty comments and they are all very positive (with a few suggestions as usual).

In addition, you looked beautiful. Your hair was so cute and so was your outfit.

A very successful performance for you today.

Congratulations!!!

Lenora

YES!!!!!! I KNOCKED THIS ONE OUT OF THE PARK! You have NO idea what a HIGH this is!!!!!!!

Plus- how could today not be the best day in the world when you get to celebrate it with your 3 best friends at TGIF with a brownie obsession. This day could not get any better....!!

Performance April 24, 2010

2010-04-24T10:11:00.000-07:00

Well- I made it through my semester recital. I don't think I was as nervous as I thought I'd be. I sat down, breathed... and then pretending like I was putting a gigantic clock over me and the piano, and that was it. Nothing else.

Have to say, with everything really coming down to a breaking point the past few weeks. I needed this. Even if I didn't do as well as I knew I could of- It was still a success. Now, I'm just gonna work my butt of for juries next Thursday.

I don't think I'll have much a life between now and two weeks from today, with my little brother leaving on his mission, all my finals, and performing for juries.

Now- I just need to remember to eat and drink water, and get enough sleep. Otherwise- I'll really go mad.

My Favorite Teacher

2010-04-15T07:57:00.001-07:00

My Theory teacher, who is also finishing up his dissertation for his PhD. We all love him.

AND YES- This was scanned in from my friend's study guide for her Theory 1 Final Exam at like 1:00 in the morning.

I'm resulting to being OCD

2010-04-08T13:23:00.000-07:00

HUGE HISTORY TEST

24 HOURS OF PRACTICING

PERFORMANCE CLASS

DOMINANT 7TH CHORDS QUIZ MUSICIANSHIP

QUIZ- THEORY ON SUBMEDIANTS AND MEDIANTS

I have literally gone insane this week. Dispite going to bed at 1130 or later because I'm so sick with my iron pills- that hasn't helped much. I have left the house a total disaster, to only wake up this morning and spend the first 2 hours of the day (7am-9am) cleaning like a mad woman. Then going back to bed until 12? (I must be insane, I tell you.) I've also concluded that I'm OCD. I am such a perfectionist (that's something I already knew, but really- I'm resulting to being OCD.)

Tuesday night- the night before my HUGE History test that was worth a majority of my grade I kept telling myself I was ready. I had been studying constantly the past week, and when I quized my good friends I knew all the answers off the top of my head (and it wasn't because I was the one reading the flash cards either... hehe.... ok sometimes. but it was good practice! ya!) We'll see what happpens next week. Pretty sure that I got an A... but sometimes I do stupid things, like switch answers last minute that were right in the first place. :)

I had a killer lesson this week! YA! Seriously, that is such a HIGH. I really turned my Un Sospiro piece around, and it was such an accomplishment for me. That piece has been a HUGE barrier for me, and I was stressing out to the max that I wasn't going to be ready for Juries at the end of the semester. I went to my performance class on Tuesday night- and I made it through a performance. It wasn't the best I had ever played it, but that was also a lot of pressure to play in front of 15 other Piano Performance Majors.

Heather Smith (my good friend I've told you about in a previous post) is married to a Chiropractor named Dr. Jason Smith. He is on medical drive in bountiful, and I'm tell you. That man is so knowledgeable. He has been in practice for 12 years, and been case studies for over 20 years. He spoke at the performance class about the "6 Secrets that Every Pianist Should Know" so I'm just going to sum up what he said because I never want to forget!

-BALANCE is the most important factor. (Thank goodness for wii fit!)
-Taking breaks from practicing (30-90 seconds every 30 minutes)
-Getting adequate rest at night
-Consuming a proper diet
-Adequate intake of Fatty acids and antioxidants that promote healing and immune function
-Stretching ("Lengthen before you strengthen")
-Your brain (cerebellum) needs aerobic exercise, a minimum of 30 minutes/day

I don't think this just pertains to Pianist. I think this is a guideline for a healthy every day life. Taking breaks for things is always a good thing, not just from crazy people like me that like to have a part time job at the piano sitting on your butt! haha. I really enjoyed Dr. Smith's presentation, and there is so much more to what he said. But, if you have any pains or problems- I would suggest checking him out!

Dispite from my other two tests this week- I've made it through. Maybe I was so exhausted from everything, that's why I slept for another 4 hours after I got up this morning. Who knows! But, I made it through. I'm proud of myself.

I spent pretty much the entire weekend putting all my CD's and my mom's CD's on the computer, and updated my ipod and my computer- and I have to say MUSIC has really gotten me through this week! Thank you John Mayer, Anberlin and Collective Soul!!

So if this isn't pushing yourself to the outter limits of being in school- I don't know what is!

5 Week Countdown

2010-03-29T19:24:00.000-07:00

5 Weeks till it's over.... then "summer" is so called here.

I'm excited! .... Nervous, but excited. I scored major points with my Accompany Practicum professor (Dr. Conner) who isn't the easiest to please. I work hard, I see the results.

I got nominated for the "Volunteer Student Teacher" Award at my school. How exciting! I never thought I'd enjoy working with goof ball kids on the piano.

I'm just going to cross my fingers the next 5 weeks goes as well as the last semester did. It seems that midterms came too fast, and now we already have tests again! .... What the heck?

Monster Concert is coming up! ... I haven't learn my pieces yet. I think it's a pretty good idea to learn the pieces I'm doing for juries FIRST before I jump into that. :D I'll have a good week and a half to get them down pat solid.

Should be a huge hit. 13 PIANOS ON STAGE- 26 Piano Performance Majors- and little kids coming and playing with us too? Especially when we're jamming out to hits like stayin alive, dance melodies, and thriller :)

I think I chose the right profession. :D

How fairy tales really end...

2010-03-19T07:06:00.001-07:00

Cinderella

Snow White

Little Red Riding Hood

Sleeping Beauty

Jasmine (Aladdin)

Belle (Beauty and the Beast)

The Little Mermaid

I will find a way....

2010-03-17T22:20:00.000-07:00

I don't know how I'm doing it. Since I've finally accepted the fact that I'm sick, and I need to slow down... I've realized how sick I really am.
Thank heavens for Debbie- who is willing to take me to whole foods so I can get the right pills that doctor asked me to take. Because I'll be honest, I like to avoid being responsible when I can. Especially when it means that I have to take a uncomfortable trip to a store I've never been in, and find a 2 inch tall bottle in that whole BIG place full of LOTS of things. Especially something that I'm scared of, and not knowing what its gonna do to me or how it'll make me feel.
I got a blessing the night before all my midterms started. I was crying saying I couldn't do it- and I just wanted to stop school. But I went...and here are my results:

Theory 1120--A
History 3640--A
Musicianship 1120--A
Concert Attendence: All done (A)
Career Development-- None (but I have perfect attendence, plus some = A)
Pedagogy 4825-- A
Accompany Practicum -- A

Choir-- Concert got canceled, but I still have my A for perfect attendence
Private Lessons- We'll see (finals the one that counts)
I really can not see any logic behind all these grades.

Either I'm just naturally gifted, so I just know how to take tests and attend classes that require attendence. There is NO physical possible explaination. I am just so blessed.. because I know Heavenly Father is there for me... he knows what I want, and He knows how hard I'm willing to work for it.
I won't lie, I'm a perfectionist. My dedication and commitment to someone or something is undeniably abnormal, and is incredibly strong. If you dare tell me I can't do it--- I'll prove you wrong. I guess I've grown up with parents that told me what I couldn't do, and therefore-- I did. (Not always the best idea, but I turned out okay. ) My clothes, hair, makeup have to be just right before I leave the door. (Ask Genny .. If there is one thing wrong with the color of my hair, I'll throw a fit! I'm not kidding!) I have to make my bed, and brush my teeth, fold my clothes and put them away each day. I clean like a mad woman a lot- especially when I'm frustrated. I am extremely picky about my cleanliness. If the toilet paper is turned the wrong way on the stand I can't help but to turn it around. (haha... go ahead and laugh i know i'm a nerd) :)

I don't think I could handle B's...and He knows that.
Thank heavens for our blessings. Now I can focus on getting better before the final stretch of finals in just 5 weeks!

Music IS My Life

2010-03-10T21:29:00.000-08:00

In the music building... It is almost like a small town....
Everyone knows everyone.. and normally everyone gets along
(unless your wind emsemble or singers)
It's easy to get caught up in "who is the best" and "who can interpret the music the best"
At my school, I don't think there is one day that I don't hear the names Josh Wright and Mike Stewart. They are both extremely talented, but I dont' understand why people compare themselves... because comparing only brings you down. I think it's important to evaluate your own progress.. and be able to project the feelings you feel or what the composer felt. What is the story to be told?
Some people use music as an escape, some people play music because it is abstract or we are virtuosic storytellers, some people like the connection through history and bringing the past to the present.
As Mahler said "The Music IS my life" and he doesn't mean that it is his life, and his time- but a story to tell.
For everyone it's different. But everyone all has the human innate nature to feel safe, valued and loved. At the piano, making music... that's where those qualities can be found.
People who are dedicated, and no matter how hard the road... they never give up- those people are the people I admire. One person in particular is Heather Smith. She has worked so hard, and she has never given up. She played her rehearsal for her senior recital for me, and I was just totally blown away. Just because you aren't Josh or Mike- doesn't mean that you don't have something special too.
Thanks for being such a wonderful example Heather. I just love you to pieces! I'm so excited to be at your recital front and center on Friday night with Rotten Tomatoes!

Life is No Fun

2010-03-09T19:28:00.001-08:00

For everyone who doesn't like depressing blogs.... please quit reading now. I need to vent some frustration....and I don't want to get hand cramps from writing in my journal. And- I'm sure when I'm farther down the road, I'll look back at this "blogger journal" and laugh and say ... ya, i remember when.

My iron ferritin level is at a one, my hemoglobin is at a 8.2 and my hematicrit is at a 29. What the heck people, I shouldn't even be walking or standing right now. (At least, that's what my doctors say.... but yet, here I am.) I get so frustrated when Lenora asks me to do something on the piano, and my mind knows exactly what she wants- but I literally don't have the ENERGY to do it! I am so tired of being tired. I'm so tired of not doing the things I love, and being adventurous. I'm tired of looking like a GHOST half the time, I'm a walking zombie! Literally! And talk about the headaches- and the kidney pain (which I'm experiencing right now)

Lets face it- This is NOT normal.

I know what I need to be doing, but finding someone to help is a different story. I'm sorry- Doctors- I'm not going to spend 1200 dollars on a "suggestion" on how to get better. AND- sitting there for 6 hours while they pump iron into me? ... I have plenty of other things I don't have a choice to be doing, thank you very much.

So thank heavens for Doctors that are natural pathic....psycho doctors that really do actually care and take a look at the DEEPER side of things. The ROOT CAUSE. It's just interesting how much Health care really costs. Unfortunately.

So- I lay my case. I'm sick of being sick. I think this is one of the biggest reasons why I'm not happy... I just don't feel ..... at all!! I'm sick of doctors only trying to pull in "Dollars" instead of help with my physical condition. Life is NO FUN this way! I'd never recommend it! I just want a solution, and the crazy part of me says... I want it now. Too bad it's a process.

So... why this semester is the worst of them all, and I honestly don't have the energy or strength to continue... . If the Lord wants me here, he'll help me as long as I do my part. I don't know how any other possible humanly physical way to do it. I'll do my best, but I need to Lord to carry me through the rest.

4 MORE DAYS!

2010-03-03T10:24:00.000-08:00

4 Days until I am the BIG 22

5 Days until I have 4 Midterms in 1 day

7 Days until my Music History test on Unit 2

7 Days until my first performance class- better get crackin!

10 days until my sight singing and dictations midterm for Musicianship

16 Days until my Term Project is due in Music History

17 days until Spring Break

deleting Facebook

becoming a total hermit

running 5.5-6.5 miles per day

blasting up my music

studying perfusively away.....

PRICELESS.

Paradox of our Time

2010-02-28T10:15:00.000-08:00

The Paradox of Our Time
by Dr. Bob Moorehead

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgement; more experts, yet more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; big men and small character; steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce; fancier houses but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember, spend some tiem with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember to say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

3 Pieces

2010-02-23T08:13:00.001-08:00

Liszt Un Sospiro Concert Etude No. 3

Haydn F Major Sonata 1st Movement

Chopin Etude Op. 10 No. 12- "Revolutionary"

1. Completing some serious goals this week in my practice time and making it "QUALITY" and not QUANITY

2. Logged 30 miles running this past week

3. Healthy food

I'm finally growing up!

Two Principles for Any Economy

2010-02-17T14:58:00.000-08:00

I read an article in the November 2009 Ensign by President Uchtdorf, and really appreciated what he had to say....

"It is often in the trial of adversity that we learn those most critical lessons that form our character and shape our destiny."

First Principle: WORK
How I admire men, women, and children who know how to work! How the Lord loves the laborer! He said, “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread,” and “The laborer is worthy of his hire.” He also gave a promise: “Thrust in your sickle with all your soul, and your sins are forgiven you.” Those who are unafraid to roll up their sleeves and lose themselves in the pursuit of worthwhile goals are a blessing to their families, communities, nations, and to the Church.

The Lord doesn’t expect us to work harder than we are able. He doesn’t (nor should we) compare our efforts to those of others. Our Heavenly Father asks only that we do the best we can—that we work according to our full capacity, however great or small that may be.

Work is an antidote for anxiety, an ointment for sorrow, and a doorway to possibility. Whatever our circumstances in life, my dear brethren, let us do the best we can and cultivate a reputation for excellence in all that we do. Let us set our minds and bodies to the glorious opportunity for work that each new day presents.

Second Principle: LEARN
you have a duty to learn as much as you can. Please encourage everyone to learn and become better educated. If formal education is not available, do not allow that to prevent you from acquiring all the knowledge you can. Under such circumstances, the best books, in a sense, can become your “university”—a classroom that is always open and admits all who apply. Strive to increase your knowledge of all that is “virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.”11 Seek knowledge “by study and also by faith.” Seek with a humble spirit and contrite heart. As you apply the spiritual dimension of faith to your study—even of temporal things—you can amplify your intellectual capacity, for “if your eye be single to [God’s] glory, your whole [body] shall be filled with light, … and [comprehend] all things.”

LDS.org - Ensign Article - Two Principles for Any Economy

Unlocking The Door

2010-02-07T18:37:00.001-08:00

After giving a wonderful performance, a highly accomplished pianist was approached by one of his fans. “You played so well,” said the admirer. “I would give my life to play the piano as well as you.” The pianist responded, “I have, I have.”

To develop such remarkable talent, this performer had literally given his life. He had disciplined himself to practice for hours each day, setting aside other desires so that he might achieve what, for him, was a higher goal. The key to all his success was self-discipline.

When we hear the word discipline, we often think of punishment or a highly restrictive and perhaps even harsh environment. Some might resist or resent discipline because they feel it limits their freedom. But the kind of discipline practiced by the pianist did not take away his freedom; it gave him freedom—freedom to perform and bring great joy to his audiences. True self-discipline is not confining; it is liberating. It grants freedom to do the things we really want to do.

Self-discipline focuses our efforts and gives us the power to reach our goals. Each hour of disciplined practice, each decision to keep moving in the right direction, each step toward a well-defined goal makes us better and allows us to do more. There is nothing more restrictive than unmet potential. Through self-discipline, we discover our true potential and make it a reality. That is freedom.

It seems that those who achieve the most in life, like the concert pianist, decide what they want to do and then stick to their task no matter how long or difficult the way. They have learned that self-discipline is the key that unlocks the door to our hopes and dreams.

A Romantic Evening

2010-02-03T22:56:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know what you are all thinking about. Valentines is less than 2 weeks away!

Fortunately, it is on a Sunday. It means we all get to relax!

To celebrate the festivity of "Valentines"

There is several faculty that is putting on a BEAUTIFUL show at the University of Utah @ 7 p.m. Kristen Gunlogson (Vocal), Dr. Heather Conner (Piano), and a few other prestigious artists will be performing.

It will be an AMAZING night!

Thoughts as of late

2010-01-29T19:42:00.001-08:00

8:42 on a Friday Evening.

All the chores are done for the day.

Can't spend money [life of a college student]

Life just tends to be one day after another right now

Wake up.... Time for bed.

Everything in between is a blur.

15 minute showers with hot water, and a water softner [turned on] is a luxury.

Avoiding facebook to get homework done is a must

[maybe i should just delete it]

craving of a good meal... but dreading all the work...

anxiousness to go to the gym and burn off that stress

wanting of a clean home... to only find it never stays that way

these are my thoughts as of late.

1. Getting an A on my 4th species Quiz in Theory

2. Volunteer Teaching at Newman Elementary

3. Lewis and Clark

Sniffle

2010-01-21T14:17:00.000-08:00

What's been in the air lately? I have caught the bug. Ugh. Please go away. I'm in school right now, why could you come the week before school started.

I've been doin good! I've lost 3 more lbs, and only 4 lbs away from my target weight! I tried on some jeans this past weekend.... just to see for my birthday thats coming up.. and I lost 2 inches on my waist! So excited. I am almost tempted to run a half marathon. On my own. Haha. LOVE the Nike Run App!! Amazing.

So- I heard of this trend that people write 3 things they are grateful for each post, instead of doing it on fabulous fridays. Because I won't lie, sometimes I forget. Haha.

So here are my three things.

1. Going to the Temple today
2. Running- Nike Runn (they are one in the same)
3. Hair Dryers- No more Straighteners!

Grateful

2010-01-15T18:19:00.000-08:00

1. My wonderful Mom- Even though she has a really hard shell, she is such a beautiful person on the inside :D I am so grateful for her. She encourages me to be the best version of my self each day. She knows exactly what to say to me, and says everything I need to hear. I love you, Mom. Thank you for always caring. <3

2. Sacrifice- I realize that I always had what I needed. I don't remember a time that I ever had to do without (unless my parents had us go without and we just didn't know better) As I've adjusted to being more independent the past 4 years, I have realized that you get to choose each day how you are going to live. The biggest questions I ask myself on a daily basis are (but not limited to): Are you going to eat unhealthy foods? Do you exercise? Do you get good grades in school? Are you a positive uplifiting person? Are you going to spend money on this or that... carelessly, or is it a necessity? How do I delegate my time? Are the friends I have good, uplifting people? Or do they bring me down? Would I act the same, if Christ was in the room with me?
I've learned that having an old car (with duct tape on my window, and peeled paint, broken door handle) has saved me a lot of money. I've learned that life can be just as good, if not better to go without. I've learned that having a healthy body and maintaining it brings satisfaction. I've learned how to delegate my money, and say no to the things I don't need. I'm grateful for the discipline in my life that makes me that much more in control. Because without control, I know I could never be happy. (It's a weird thing to be grateful for, I know)
I like to think about it as my own personal "word of wisdom" :D I'm a nut, I know.

3. Exercise- I've lost 7 lbs since december. A lot of people say that I don't NEED to loose weight, I'm just fine. I'm sure I am. But, it has been a long time since I've been able to exercise this much since I got really sick this past summer. My brother's wife, Heidi, has really been a good influence on me. She is running the Iron Girl in May. She has her goals ALL over her house, in her car.. and I'm sure at the hospital where she works. It is really hard to exercise, and to find the time to exercise. But, I decided that I'm worth it. I owe it to myself. Because no one has to live with myself but ... me. There is nothing I can think of at this moment that is more rewarding then getting done with a good workout that has just kicked my butt, and I'm sweating and gasping for a drink of cool water. (I know, sounds gross- right?)

That's my list for today. Just tidbits of things that have been on my mind. What are yours?

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Blessings

2010-01-07T15:13:00.000-08:00

Dear Alyssa:

Recently funds have become available for additional scholarships. It is my pleasure to inform you that your Scholarship has been increased. You will receive an additional amount of XXX to assist you in meeting the cost of attendance at the University of Utah for the 2010 spring semester. Congratulations!

Amber Cook
University of Utah

The biggest blessing of all is that this was the exact amount that I was short for my tuition this semester. I know my Heavenly Father knows me individually, knows my struggles, and my dreams...He knows my heart.

Success

2010-01-04T08:41:00.000-08:00

I have accomplished every one of my goals.

EXCEPT for the eating ice cream...

because I did have some home made yogurt with fruit in it

and I don't know if that crosses the line of not.

HURRAY!

Now ... One more week of no school, and then I better be ready to kick my butt into gear!

Ahead of the Times

2009-12-25T13:47:00.000-08:00

I decided since everyone will be starting to blog about their "new years resolutions"

I wanted to get a jump start.

I'm already going crazy just sitting around and decided I could be a lot more productive

I am determined to have some

"Resolutions over the break until school starts up again resolutions"

I like this idea.

Here is my list-
*Drop 5 pounds
*Run 30 miles

*NO ice cream or junk food (this one will be hard!)
*Make some more goals for the new years, but do it month or week by week
*Spend time with those special to me- family
*Answer my phone calls, don't put my phone away for days
*Practice 20 hours a week
*Do something nice for one person each day, outreach to others
*Organize my recipes

I decided since I am able to BLOG about this, YOU will hold me accountable.

So, I'm going to post my list 5 times

ON:

bathroom mirror

on the sealing above my bed

across from the bathroom toilet (haha, i know i'm funny)

my closet doors

my car by the gas gauge.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I hope yours was as special as mine.

Loves,
Alyssa

My Kind of Music

2009-12-18T21:21:00.000-08:00

I absolutely LOVE this piece.

I WILL play this at one of my recitals. Just you wait. It's going to be AMAZING!!!

P.S. Result of Juries:

Hi Alyssa,

A beautiful performance today. Congratulations on a fine 1st jury. Your playing was superb!
Lenora

ALL DONE!

2009-12-17T12:23:00.000-08:00

WELL! I did it! I finished the semester TODAY!!!
I am also proud to announce that I worked hard, and got a 4.0 GPA!
HECK YES BABY!

I need to celebrate....
But now I'm thinking... what else do I do with myself for the next 2 weeks?
..... I guess I'll have to stock bloggers while I'm here, and figure it out. :D

Merry Christmas!

Today's the DAY

2009-12-15T10:19:00.000-08:00

TO-day is THE- day!

First time performing in front of the music faculty.

And they know when you make mistakes. And they give you a letter grade based on one performance.

They don't clap, or smile. They say "thank you" when you are finished.

So incredibly nervous! :)

I'm sure things will go just right. I'll keep you posted, dear journal.

The Perfect Shoe

2009-12-06T20:42:00.000-08:00

I love shopping.

But for some reason- it seems like everytime that you find stuff that you actually want is when you don't have money.

Then when you DO have money- you can't find anything.

Well... fate decided to bring money and my new shoes together. I couldn't be happier with my new shoes.

They will serve every purpose- being able to play the piano, and to walk correctly in heels, AND being able to pedal and look very classy and professional.

(see there is more then just ONE reason why I deserve to get these shoes. which men think clothes and shoes are all the same. but no, i have 3...4.......5 great reasons that Jake couldn't turn me down)

I couldn't be happier. :)

(and mine isn't just plain black--- oh no. it is a "ascot patent" leather- which means it goes with EVERYTHING!!)

The Plunge

2009-11-30T07:24:00.000-08:00

It's the plunge before finals. 2 weeks.

it's going to be a very busy december.

especially cuz i go to school up until the 19th of december (where is Winter Break, again??)

Jake is even done 4 days before me, I guess they give seniors a break.

but I thought I'd say what i'm grateful for, because Liz asked everyone to. Not by my willingness of choice. (haha)

soft blankets. good friends. hot choco from dougandemmys. running shoes. hot showers. watermelon. meeting up with old friends. decorating. shopping with my mommy. jake. family. dallin with his awesome jokes. alarm clocks. yes alarm clocks in plural. haha. old fashioned pillows. being surprised. flowers. christmas trees, and ornaments. snowboarding, wakeboarding. boating. hiking. pictures. and many more....

i challenge you to write a blog post about what you are most thankful. even though it's only a few days after thanksgiving. i loved liz's comment about how we should do this everyday, just without the binge eating of thanksgiving holiday. haha. (but wouldn't that be nice)

God Does Hear and Answer Our Prayers

2009-11-25T11:36:00.000-08:00

Ugh! Sometimes I just feel like I could just walk out and quit. Learning is such a process, and it stretches your mind to unbelievable heights! When it consumes your thought process every single day, you find yourself secretly desiring to have a break.... When is my break? .... If I stop for a break, I won't go back.

I've decided that I could never settle for mediocre. I want the best! And gosh dangit, I'm gonna be the best the I can be. We're here to develop our talents and skills to be the best that they can be, and not throw them in to a pit deep of 10 foot sand. So, then why is it that sometimes we want to?

I know I would like to. Sometimes. I won't lie. You have to hit a wall sometime in your life, where you feel you aren't progressing. But it's how you push on after you hit that wall. I have to keep telling myself this over and over again in my head... literally all the time. It's hard when you have all this political stuff going on around you, and you're just like "shut up!" I just need to focus on what I need to be doing! Go away!

So last night, I went to another one of my performance classes. Goodie. I've been the how many of these in the past month? I just wanted to get it done and be over with. So, I got up there. Played. Sat down. It went okay for me. I wasn't satisfied, remember, I told you I hit this wall.... the wall that seems like it's never ending and I'm gonna call it Steve. My "new" best friend companion.

My teacher said we all really improved this past week, but of course she is says that. We do improve! (I just couldn't see where I improved) There were some outstanding performances! We are 3 weeks away from playing for the faculty and it's all being poured down our throats with everytime we touch a piano! The tense panicing feeling is there. DEF DEF DEFINITELY. I know I can feel it. I think I can feel it because whether everyone else says I played great or not- I know where I messed up. And the faculty will know. There becomes a higher expectation, and gives you plain anxiety. It's anxiety, and my grade. It's my MAJOR for crying out loud. SO, consumed with doubtful thoughts... and prayers to help me get passed this new best friend called steve.... and nightmares resulting in being attached to a steinway piano falling apart when i play. (haha, that is actually a funny dream now I think about it. But it didn't seem that way at the time)

Then I get an email that night, It says:

Alyssa,

Your playing was wonderful tonight. You're really improving every week. You really have a great talent and I'm so glad you're magnifying it. Don't ever let anyone tell you not to do this..........you must do it because you have a great gift.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Lenora

God does hear and answer our prayers. I have yet to see a time that he doesn't let me down. I'm so grateful for my mentors, and my peers... for encouraging me to be my best that I hope to be for myself and for my Heavenly Father.

p.s. Apparently there are grand steinways and libraries in Heaven. There isn't any music in hell. It all rises up to heaven. So, I guess I have nothing to worry about. :)

Jump Start

2009-11-24T12:54:00.000-08:00

I have definitely taken a jump start on the holidays! LOL... Here I am procrastinating (which is really my best friend today) and blogging, updating my blog, downloading cute fonts. I am hating myself, but loving it at the same time!

Upcoming Events that will take place in the next few days:

* CABIN
*JAKE'S 25TH BIRTHDAY
*CHEESECAKE FACTORY
*TURKEY DAY
*SNOWSHOEING
*SNOW FIGHTS
*BUILDING SNOMEN
*SNOWBOARDING! (my favorite!)

Okay... Now really.... I gotta get back to work! :)

Halloween Festivities

2009-11-07T23:32:00.000-08:00

Josh, Liz and I kickin it in the 15th row of the Black Out Game:

Utes V.S. Wyoming

Can YOU find Michael Jackson?

Utes won! Heck ya baby!

My Second Mom

2009-11-07T15:39:00.000-08:00

My piano professor is like my second mom.

She calls us her "piano children." I am SO grateful to have her influence in my life. She is SO amazing. I learn so much from her every time I'm in her presence.

This past week, I had my first performance class recital. I played a Haydn Sonata #23 in A Major, and a Chopin Nocturne #20 in C sharp Minor.... it went VERY FAST and very well! (Totally not expecting that!) I was the first to go (by volunteer haha) I figured if I got done, then I could relax and just watch the others, instead of being distracted as the others were playing. As I watched the other performances, I learned a lot. I learned about how you and the piano become one as you are playing, and everything in yourself is exerted out with the piano. It's something I really never understood before. But definitely a big mark to put down in the history of my piano career.

Everytime I go to have a lesson, my hands get all clammy, and I get extremely nervous. I think to myself... THERE IS NO WAY !!! I don't know how I am going to do this. (And I know Lenora can read RIGHT through me....) Haha, but each time she encourages me to reach to the ultimate limits. Each time, I reach one step closer. Even though it's by hard work, many tears and frustrating thoughts, and perserverence to the end...Even though I can't see the change myself because I'm so CLOSE to it.... there is a big difference.

Yesterday, She said "If anyone else was here, they wouldn't understand what I was saying and would call me looney!" ..... the best part about it.... it's true. (We do think she's looney sometimes. but for the better, we all are!)

It's hard for people to understand why I am going to school for a piano performance music degree, why I practice so much every single day, and I work so hard in school. It's hard for me to think that I'm really not going to graduate until I'm 24... and still want to do more. It seems forever away, but with everything I'm learning i wouldn't trade it for the world. The thrill of completing a piece to the point that it is at a performance level, and the high that you get by performing it well.... that is an indescribily liberating feeling.

I have met so many amazing new friends. I have learned and will keep learning. I have really found who I am, and it feels SO good.

Thanks Lenora, for pushing me two feet first into this program. Thanks for being my second mom!!

going private

2009-11-07T15:30:00.000-08:00

email me at alyssamoon@gmail.com or leave your comment with your email address!!

the world we live in

2009-10-22T08:28:00.001-07:00

jake is a senior this year. needless to say, he has a VERY bad case of senioritis. Maybe it's because of stupid teachers. I'm not sure. He was telling Ben last night that he wishes that he wasn't in school. Debbie (his madre) cut Jake off and said "you don't hate school...."

Jake and Ben look at her and say "You do your senior year!!"

Then Ben piped in and said "Well, then after your graduated you say... It wasn't that bad."

Back 400 years ago, the world didn't care if you had a piece of paper saying that you knew all this information. Today... we do.

Back 100 years ago, we didn't even have computers. We were just coming out with the first cars for crying out loud.

But, Ben was talking about how he can tell a difference in people that he works with that have finished their education and those that haven't. I was thinking about that, and I have to agree. My experience at Verizon was the same (even those that was so long ago). I could see the difference, it wasn't just a feeling. There is some kind of discipline that is gained by finishing school and getting that 8 1/2 by 11 " piece of paper.

So, in some ways... it's more then a piece of paper.... it's sticking to the end.

when am i gonna be done, again?

...dangit.

[for good times sakes]

2009-10-19T10:14:00.000-07:00

(and i know this picture is messed up... but i can't figure it out on a computer that isn't mine!)
dear liz-

this blog is especially made for you.

for the fact that you probably wouldn't have discovered so soon

the true side of Joshua Horton...

but in the end makes you the perfect couple.

heres to hands, noogies and our dear old friend alysia :)

fall break is almost over.....

2009-10-16T17:46:00.000-07:00

and i am proud to admit that i have done almost nothing this entire week.

now for this weekend.... i've got to cram for 2 midterms next week. I knew i should have spaced it out. :)

It's been a lot of fun spending so much time with Jake. He's a nerd and a half. But I'm 2 nerds. So.... he isn't that bad off.

Well.. Off to practicing... and trucking along for 8 weeks until the next break which i already have a to do list for.

*Shopping
*Snowboarding... A LOT (thanks for free passes with my dad's work!)
*Cabin
*Farm
*Parties
*Friends
*Family
*Warm Hot Coco and cuddling in a love sac while watching a good movie.

it won't be hard at all!!

blue october?

2009-10-04T20:51:00.000-07:00

My institute teacher has a funny saying....

"Blue October" -- Yes it is a song by Jacks Mannequin. But it also symbolizing how some people feel after conference.... perhaps my institute teacher specifically. He also went into the Fact that President Hinckley was once interviewed by Larry King, and told him that we don't drink caffine. Anybody want a Mt. Dew? Vise versus, no one is perfect... even a prophet of God. They are just ordinary men. I don't know how I got off the topic. Back to my institute teacher....

He reasoned with the class simply because he gets to hear for 8 hours (10 with priesthood) how he is not measuring up to expectations, and that he really needs to be doing better. He already knows what he needs to do better... and now he has apostles and prophets of God telling him again?

I thought this was kind of funny, because I've always thought of Conference to be a motivator about the things I can improve on. It kind of reminds me of Revolution January...

Vise Versus. I thought everything that was said was very appropriate, and inspirational. I absolutely loved Elder Hollands talk, and maybe I'm biast because I've met him in real life and had a real conversation with him. But, he was very powerful. It made me want to do everything that I can to stand as a witness that the Book of Mormon is true, and Joseph was called of God. That this church is true. I'm glad to be apart of this day and age.

This weekend was very special. Saturday day, I went to breakfast with my good friend Caitlin and a bunch of her friends (my old friends I hadn't seen for almost 4 years) from high school for her birthday. It was a blast. Happy 22 Birthday Caitlin!! Then, I came home and went to work on making Jake a very fancy surprise dinner when he got home. After studying with a study group for 4 hours that afternoon. I got home, prepared everything for Jake's surprise and waited.... It turned out perfect. I should have taken pictures. I made homemade breadsticks, homemade sphgetti, and all the odds and ends to go with it. (I'm so glad that I took some time off of life to learn how to cook... it was so worth it.) And today, I am happy to say that I masters the Lion House Dinner Rolls and French Bread. Now, I just need to learn how to make their huney butter and clam chowder.

We closed the evening with a movie called "Gifted Hands" It is about a young colored boy named Bennie Carson back in the 1960's that thought his brain was dumb. Well, he ended up being the #1 Neurosurgeon in Pediatric care at John Hopkins Hospital. To get there, I'll let you watch the show. But, we (Jake and I) would definitely give it an A+++!

Conference weekend was a good one! I hope yours was too!

It doesn't get better then this

2009-10-03T12:37:00.000-07:00

Brrr.... It's october.

I'm shivering cold...

and it's not even December yet!!

I will be honest.... life hasn't been on the easy road for the past few months. We've had a lot of struggles. I keep waking up every morning and praying to heavenly father that I'll be the best I can be that day, and that he'll guide me in the things I need to be doing. I've struggled with some health issues since they suffaced when I was first married (more so lately then ever). I've struggled in school, and ...I've really struggled with myself. Obviously, that isn't something that I want to brag about. It's a fact that I know everyone faces. But nonetheless, I'm still here and feeling good- so He is there.

There are some days where I just want to pull out my hair and say to myself "Have you gone crazy?!" or "Why do I have to go through this?" I'm sure many of us ask these questions. But, Heavenly Father seems to have me on his list, and gives me "opportunities" that make me a stronger person. I just have to remember: He wouldn't ever give us something we can't handle.
Even though my Heavenly Father is there, and He shows me each day in small simple ways that He cares, I still get wrapped up in the materialistic things in life. That's where Jake comes in. He has been SUCH a good friend these past few weeks, and I feel like I've really gotten to know him a lot better then I thought I even could. He's been there for me, and I have been there for him through thick and thin. I know that no relationship is perfect, but I really do appreciate the relationship we have. It hits home when I think of how things could have been, and how things have changed dramatically in the last year. Its just another testimony to me that Heavenly Father really is interested in the intimate details in our lives, and things will play out how they need to.

Everything leads up to today, and thats what molds you into the person that you become.

I really want to thank Jake for being there for me, there are a lot of times that he's been my only friend. Also, for the other friend that has been there (Caitlin), Thank you.

Life isn't all about the materialistic things, it's about the relationships that we have and the example we set.

fabulous friday

2009-10-02T09:43:00.001-07:00

1. A on my music history test *check* (let me know if you need any of my notes liz...haha)

2. A on my musicianship test *check*.... which was simply amazing because i'm not just anybody when it comes to singing.... i lip sync.

3. its the weekend, and even though we're just as busy on the weekends as we are on the weekdays, it's nice to know that we only have one more week until fall break.

4. i've learned an important concept that it doesn't matter who your professor is, you are in charge of learning the material whether they try to make it confusing or impossible or what. vise versus, it make me feel special knowing i'm accountable for my own learning.

5. I found out my bro is moving to AZ for med school next summer... congrats to them! I am so proud of you, jentry!

peeka boo

2009-09-11T09:10:00.000-07:00

I see you!

Shout out to Liz: I love reading your blog. You are so gosh darn creative!!

I am technically in class (shhh, don't tell. but others on are facebook, so I don't feel too bad)

life is good.
here are some top highlights

1. schools going well...
2. i can't live without my franklin covey planner
3. my students are so darn cute and smart!
4. so much for working out, just go walk around campus!!
5. studying about musicians to better understand their music.... amazing.
6. i need to have a play date with some girls and get a break from all this mess! anyone in?
7. fall is almost here... so sad. but i am excited about sweaters and comfy clothes.

The hatch

2009-08-31T15:20:00.000-07:00

Life has been a little hectic lately. Along with starting school for the first week... I am still managing to help out my work (because they haven't found my replacement) 24 hours a week. My head is almost underwater, so hopefully sooner then laterrr... we'll get someone trained. But, I can't complain- the money is nice. I just need the time for other things!

Our new favorite addictions: LOST (Season 1 moving to Season 2...), gift certificates to Cold Stone and Homemade Cafe Rio.

School is good. Jake and I are in for a semester, that is for sure. Jake is working up at the Hospital, and handling one of the most stressful nursing college semesters (16.5 credits plus 20 hours a clinicals a week PLUS working part time). He's staying busy, that is for sure. We see each other when we can, but we are finding that sleeping is the most time that we really spend together. It'll be nice to have a break over Christmas.... (can it come faster??) Things are transitioning well for me (besides the point I'm still kind of working for my old job). I have taken 15 students for this fall semester, and I am really excited to start teaching them. :) It takes a lot of time coordination, which is something that I'm going to have to get used to. I'm staying busy... but with Jake being gone so much, I normally don't have any tempting distractions. Practicing is coming easier.... because I can literally lock myself in a sound proof room with a steinway piano (who could complain about that) and practice for an hour or two between my classes. It's easier to reinforce concepts practicing each day, and being consistent.

Life is good- I probably won't blog much, because we're so busy doing other things and there isn't really going to be anything exciting going on during the school year. But, I'll do what I can to keep this blog updated.

Hope life is well for everyone!

Lone Peak

2009-08-10T16:37:00.000-07:00

Cool, huh?

Silence has Broken

2009-08-10T12:12:00.000-07:00

all i have to say is....
HECK YES.
I HAVE MAINTAINED MY 4.0 GPA YA'LL.

I got 2nd highest score in my class.
On the bugger of a math test.
I am freakin' walking on cloud nine right now.

silence

2009-08-07T10:35:00.001-07:00

Multiple Choice Test
24 questions.
4 Hours.
ridiculous.

At least I can say its over.
Now
there's just
silence.

i'm think i might die with the pain of the unknowing.
i'm convinced the professors do it for torture
and their own entertainment.
ridiculous.

3 Years?

2009-08-03T08:10:00.000-07:00

Yes... tomorrow will be our 3 year anniversary. I can't believe how fast the time has gone, and I still feel like we should be in our 1st year! lol.

We got a killer deal up at Anniversary Inn in Logan, because my mom and dad stayed for their anniversary the night before. We didn't have a camera (yeah, I know... I can't believe it) so i'll do my best to paint a picture with my 1000 words.

Saturday night, we went to dinner at a little Italian Bistro called Le Nonne's. To visit their website, click here. It's actually an old antique cute house, back in the trees that was turned into a resturant. We sat out on the patio, and there was a guy playing music on his guitar... just like you would hear in the movies. the owner is from italy, and i have to admit... the food was SO good! very authentic, and clean. :) We loved it. We will definitely go back up, just for that resturant for a special occasion.

Sunday, we took a drive and went to mirror lake. We figured we could have driven to st. george with all the driving that we did. It was a lot of fun to just sit and talk and look at the scenery, and make last plans for the ending summer (only 20 more days left until school starts)

It was a great anniversary! I have to say that Jake got off the hook this year, it was supposed to be his year to plan something .... I guess I'll have him take a different year to make up for it.

Jake amazes me everyday. He has always been such an example to me, and helps me try to be a better person. I always know he is a constant in my life. I love him so much, and I'm so grateful to be apart of his life!

Fabulous Friday (Finally!!)

2009-07-31T08:14:00.000-07:00

1. country music- i know, i never thought I'd say that. I'm crazy. but, thanks to Genny... I've been converted.

2. running-like so fast it's not even funny. it gives you such a rush!

3. randomly bumping into long time friends- i ran into one of my old friends from high school that I was really good friends with senior year. It was so awesome to see Madison, and reminisce about crazy chemistry lab, nutrition with harbertson with the 30 something girls in our class, and our internship class we had together. :) Good times. It fun to see how people change over time for the better. It made me smile.

4. cafe rio- i know it's probably 15 points for one meal, but it's so worth it.

5. Nordstrom Anniversary Sale- Amazing.

6. Anniversary Inn- can't beat 40 bucks for one night, because your mom knows how to work killer deals. heck yeah baby.

weird girl chemistry

2009-07-23T09:22:00.000-07:00

why do girls subconciously strive for change, but consciously hate it?

i don't get it.
someone please explain this weird chemistry in our minds that goes on.
boys... they are just content with things as they come
and if they don't... they're just fine?
blerg.
i'm guilty as charged...
but that doesn't mean i can't hate it!
i always have to have something to look forward to.
i know deep in my mind, i can accomplish anything i want to in this life.
and so can anybody else.
and the things we do the most, are the things we are best at.
but you always need....
something to work for.
something to strive for with the sweat of your brow.
life has so many options.
curse options.
i need a manual for my life.

i can't really deny that the past few weeks i've been having a melt down.
a new chapter coming this fall... i'm a bit nervous of what the future has in store.
i find myself sometimes even running away from the idea.
thinking... "hey, it's alright if i just leave things as they are."
but then reality hits... and i think to myself.
"are you going to happy looking back in 20 years?"
hell no
.... and when i say that i mean....
HEEEEELLLLLL NO.

it was said when i was little, i was a daredevil.
it's hard not to be with you grow up with 3 brothers
and do all the "boy" stuff that they get to do.
but i can't really say that i've been that way since jake and i were married.
i always liked the idea of security.
who in their right mind wouldn't like that idea??
but since being down to slot canyons in zions....
and seeing Jentry's wife Heidi.... (holy crap that girl is athletic!)
i've come to find that i still have that spark in me.
you'd have to for jumping 10 feet down into a pool of unknown... yucky, gooey water
better yet, jake did persuade me to jump off a cliff in lake powell that was oh... 15 feet high.
it took me a few minutes.
everybody said "it'll be over in 2 seconds!"
(mind you, even Wendell (my father in law) jumped off with
Eliza, Nate, Genny and Eli)
... but i did it.
so as i did that... with two feet off the ground... (where i'm stable and secure)...
i'm going to jump.
sometimes life involves risks.
so i'll hold my rose, and cross my legs
and say in a high squuueaky voice...

HERE I GOOOOOOOO!

And Then Some...

2009-07-09T20:49:00.000-07:00

Josh and Liz's Wedding

CONGRATULATIONS JOSH AND LIZ!

merkley ranch

Moon Lake

INSIDEout

2009-07-06T14:20:00.000-07:00

today is a blah day.
do you ever have those days?
i feel like i haven't gotten anything done worth while. just starred at a computer screen.
at least i can say i'm one step closer
to paying off the 7k that it will cost for jake and i to be in school this fall.
yes, thats right. stupid economic recession.
so today i feel like i'm wearing my inside on my outside.

Despite the fact:

I had a killer weekend with a killer husband
nothing beats the great outdoors and hiking for 4 hours, and learning how to fish for 1 hour.
gotta love the farm- duchense in the summer rocks.
i beat jake at shooting targets with our .22 pistol. heck yes baby!
sweet sweet fourwheeler rides... and i got to drive. double bonus.
nothing beats the classic pyro tricks of fireworks:
roses, duct tape and sparklers.
thats all that needs to be said.
plus, the entire town being able to fit in a picnic park area to watch fireworks
and being able to drive straight home around traffic- cuz we're from the city.
to top it off- home made peach cobbler and the best company in the world.

nothing gets better then the 2nd 1st 4th of July with Jake. :) (I know, confusing right?)

31 Ice Cream

2009-06-26T08:32:00.000-07:00

Last night, I was in the Sugarhouse area doing some errands. My favorite great aunt lives in a condo up there, and I just decided out of no where to go and visit her. She is such a wonderful lady, I look up to her in so many ways. She tells the most wonderful stories and I just had to share one.

My Aunt is always telling us how she is independent and loves being alone in her little condo, and how blessed she is throughout her life. One morning, her car wouldn't start. So, as she was walking back inside to call AAA to help her, an AAA truck drove past. (The lord knows how to take care of aunt Fay) She stopped the man in the truck, and he said he would be right back. He came back and told her that her grandkid's must have turned on the back light in the car because her battery was dead. After he got the car started again, he told her to go for a drive and get it running for a little while. So, she got in the car and went and got her cleaning done... and a car wash. Then all the sudden... the car just went into auto pilot and drove straight to 31 ice cream. Of course she had to stop and get a banana split!! (My Aunt Fay is Faymous for Banana Splits) Then, once she was done and got back into the car she was able to control the car again. LOL. Silly Aunt Fay.

Now everytime I drive by 31, I will always think of Fay and how her car just "Went into Autopilot!"

The Greatest

2009-06-18T11:14:00.000-07:00

The last 2 days, being alone without jake, and driving home by myself I got into a rut of thinking about all the negative things going on.
so to remedy these feelings I treated myself favorite shake from iceberg.
Chocolate Chip Malt.
... But i only felt 2 inches added to my waist, and a sore feeling of guilt.

All the sudden, I'm having a heartattack of gratitude. Last night, something just sparked and I just have to shout out to all the people I love.

I have the greatest ...
friends.
brothers.
jen. heidi.
parents.
doctors.
instructors.
Heavenly Father.

but the person who keeps me going the most...
Jake.
I truly have the bestest hubby ever.
He rocks my world.

I have the greatest life.

If I threw all my problems into a pile with everyone elses, I would take my own bag back.

If you want to focus on the negative things, Satan will let you find them.

But he won't get me.
ha!

Zions Here We Come!

2009-06-12T14:46:00.000-07:00

and we're off!

Like Gigantor

2009-06-07T21:07:00.000-07:00

Jake and I are preparing to go to Zions next week for some joyous fun.

So, in "preparation" he took me on a hike up Bell Canyon. We reached the top, and our camera died. No fun. Oh well, I guess we'll just HAVE to go back this week. ;)

They make the beginning of the hike look so serene, enticing and beautiful...how could you say no?

Me. With rocks, dirt, trees and grass.. with some shrubbery.

The very beginning. It didn't seem too hard......

Then I accidentally fell, and hit my shin on a rock. It was all inflamed - blue purple gangish green and red. It was only missing two colors of the rainbow.

This is the trail we hiked- awesome huh? Yeah, that's where I almost died.

Watch out for those rocks... and people. they might come tumbling down.

My favorite picture of my favorite person on my favorite rock. :) I'm going to bring some chalk next time and write all over it. And kill innocent ants with my trail mix nuts. Oh how I love the great outdoors.

What can I say? Green leaves, brown wet dirt, and rushing water. It hits the spot. Yum.

Haha! Gotcha. He wasn't expecting this sweet picture. This is taking 100 pictures per second. You can't stop me now! Fire power!!
....Isn't he cute??

Almost to the top. We are two sweaty love birds. On a mountain. <3

The white in the background, my friend, is the waterfall. Like gigantor.

Of course, this is when our camera decided to fall off the face of the planet and die.

then end.

(Little Miss Piggy)

2009-06-05T11:40:00.000-07:00

I did post a new post! BUt, I saved it in my drafts from Tuesday- so it posted it BEFORE my previous post! So, check it out below!

I expect you girls to do the tags!!!

Fabulous Wednesday!

2009-06-03T18:15:00.000-07:00

My family has a tradition on Fridays to name 5 (in this case 6!) things that are going good or you are grateful for in your life. I know it's not friday.... but I just got to finishing this post!! :D Haha..and I have a few more to come. I'm still researching the most creative picture. :S (Thanks Liz!)

1. I am so happy to be around good family :D We got to tend Wendie and Russ's wonderful children last weekend, and we had so much fun! I hope they had just as much fun as we did!! I love being close to my parents, my brothers and their wives. I love being close to family!!

2. It summer time! I am SO excited! I just want to go outside each day and just play! I would seriously consider a full time nanny job in the summer just so I could go outside with the kids and play!! Jake and I are going to Zions in 2 weeks to hike Slot Canyon- It's going to be so much fun to spend time with him and to be in the HOT weather!!

3. Jacob! He is such a hard worker. We just moved all of our stuff out of Moon's garage (finally), and he moved and packed everything up and out (with a little help of our awesome cousin adam! Thanks Adam!) Jacob is such a hard worker! Love you sweetheart!! Thank you!

4. NEW Music :D .... It's so nice to finally have completed a piece and to move on. Don't get me wrong, I love the music that I have been playing- But it's nice to have a change once in awhile!!

5. GOOD friends In particular- Josh and Liz! You guys are awesome!! (loved your invites by the way, so cute!!)

6. Last but not least.... I got a scholarship for school!! I am SO excited!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm living the dream! I am so grateful for Jacob, and close family and friends! My life would suck with out you. :D

Tagalicious

2009-06-02T10:39:00.001-07:00

Thanks Lizzard!!

"with as much creativity as you can muster, show your heart in: a picture, a poem, a song or piece of music, a phrase or quote, an item of clothing, a place and (just for fun) a disney princess. if you want to join in, tag 6 more blogs."

PICTURE

POEM

"I cannot go to school today"
Said little Peggy Ann McKay.
"I have the measles and the mumps,
A gash, a rash and purple bumps.

My mouth is wet, my throat is dry.
I'm going blind in my right eye.
My tonsils are as big as rocks,
I've counted sixteen chicken pox.

And there's one more - that's seventeen,
And don't you think my face looks green?
My leg is cut, my eyes are blue,
It might be the instamatic flu.

I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,
I'm sure that my left leg is broke.
My hip hurts when I move my chin,
My belly button's caving in.

My back is wrenched, my ankle's sprained,
My 'pendix pains each time it rains.
My toes are cold, my toes are numb,

I have a sliver in my thumb.

My neck is stiff, my voice is weak,
I hardly whisper when I speak.
My tongue is filling up my mouth,

I think my hair is falling out.

My elbow's bent, my spine ain't straight,
My temperature is one-o-eight.
My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,

There's a hole inside my ear.

I have a hangnail, and my heart is ...
What? What's that? What's that you say?
You say today is .............. Saturday?

G'bye, I'm going out to play!"

SONG
"My heart is yours to fill or burst
to break or bury
or wear as jewelry
whichever you prefer"
-Dashboard Confessionals Hands Down

QUOTE

"The reason I talk to myself is because I’m the only one whose answers I accept."
-George Carlin

ITEM OF CLOTHING

PLACE

DISNEY PRINCESS

I tag:

*Ali
*Stacy
*Genny
*Kelly
*Natalie
*Rhondi
*Celeste
*Ray-chill

A Doctor's Philosophy

2009-05-20T09:13:00.000-07:00

My friend Rachel blogged this this morning, and I about fell over laughing! Enjoy!

Q: Doctor, I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good!

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!! ..... Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy? HELLO Cocoa beans ! Another vegetable!!! It's the best feel-good food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape!

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets. AND.....For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.

1. The Japanese eat very little fatand suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fatand suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
4. The Italians drink a lot of red wineand suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

CONCLUSION Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

AND REMEMBER: 'Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming 'WOO HOO, What a Ride'

Family Pictures!

2009-05-19T11:32:00.000-07:00

Jake had SO much fun with our new Camera :) I don't think the photographer liked him taking pictures very much cuz he would constantly tell him to go take pictures of the quail by the back part of the yard. LOL...

Here are some snapshots!

For some reason, this blog won't let me type between pictures.... weird.

The top is my nephew Isaac- He's almost 2 years and he is SO cute :) I just love his big blue eyes.

The next one, Jake shot at what the photographer was taking... (Maybe that's why he got mad haha) It's all the grandkids with Grandma and Grandpa. There is a lot!

Then there is Genny & I. I love this girl so much! She is always so fun to be around!

Last but not least! The sisters and sister in laws. Everybody but Rachel! Sorry we missed ya Rachel!

I didn't get a picture with Jake, cuz he was the one taking the pictures! I did go online to daniloff today, and looked at the ones he took! There are some good ones! Hopefully I'll be able to post some pictures of Jake and I that were taken soon!

American Idol

2009-05-15T11:41:00.001-07:00

Want more American Idol videos? Click here.

American Idol

2009-05-15T11:25:00.000-07:00

I don't know if I can say that I have ever seen Debbie ( my mother in law ) watch TV in all the 3 years I've known her. But, I came down the stairs one night to watch the opening season of American Idol- and she was there! Even after her nights off- she would have Wendell watch it again with her. (Sometimes we watched American Idol 3x in one night!) I'm sure she appreciates that DV-R! It's weird, I've never watched a show with my "family" before. But, sure enough- Tuesday and Wednesday nights are the Moon Clan American Idol Family Night!!

I have to vent though.... I really don't want Adam Lambert to win. He has been such an egoist the entire time, and I really don't like his attitude. I think my favorite performances of Adam have been earlier in the season, because that's when he really came out and surprised everyone by showing his stuff. I remembered those performances, and had them stuck in my head for days at a time!! I think Paula and definitely Kara have fed his ego by calling him a Rock God. That kind of crossed the line. Now, it's just the same thing over and over again. The tongue sticking out when he goes high, and the seductive looks when he goes low. Plus, he wears girls pants? What the heck? I can see his widy tidies line!!!

I don't really think that I would listen to Adam all that much, he's amazing, he's got the talent. But I think it'd give me a headache.

I was kind of glad that Danny left. He keeps on saying "Don't bring up my wife.." But he does, every single time he sings a song. Everything revolves around her. He was really talented, but I didn't like his raspy voice all that much.

I absolutely LOVE Kris's music. He is something that is relevant, and that I will listen to OVER AND OVER AGAIN. I'm definitely hoping for him to win!! Go Kris!!

Side Note: Can I just say, that I love David Cook's new album?? :D

ITS A WHOLE NEW WORLD OUT THERE!

2009-05-06T20:17:00.000-07:00

Huney.... I shrunk...... US! Jake took this picture :)

We finally crashed- and got a nice camera for pictures of our awesome adventures this summer!!

More to come!

The CHEAPEST HOUSE ever!

2009-04-27T11:13:00.000-07:00

Jake came home last monday night- and told me he bought a house. My eyes went so wide, and my mind was going everywhere "How in the, what the, how did you.... ?" He LOVES to play pranks on me, especially because I have a big G for Gullable stamped on my forhead. So, I just played along and said "Oh that's great huney! I'm so excited!! Can you tell me where this "house" is at?" He informed me that it was mobile. Then I proceeded to ask him 20 questions. His responses were: It is mobile, no loan or mortgage required, the bathroom is HUGE and never gets stinky, it is small- one bedroom, but has LOTS of windows! We have a wonderful kitchen, with an open fire.... Okay... Have you caught on yet?

(Picture soon to come!)

He thought he was pretty smart. It arrived the very next day, and when I came home from work- it was already set up in the backyard. "Now, all I need is a bed!" He really has done all of his homework, and found our temporary home for 50% off, and is getting so excited for summer!!! Can't say that it hasn't rubbed off on me at all... Going to work every beautiful, warm morning is getting more difficult by the day. :)

I am falling more and more in love with Jake every day- He is my best friend, even when he teases me a lot. :) I am so grateful that he loves me for me, and would never expect me to be anybody different then who I am.

She'll be coming around the mountain when she comes.....

2009-04-17T09:52:00.000-07:00

Jake found our camera last night :O) hehehe...We're going on a date with Adam and my friend Natalie, Hopefully Jake and Sara, maybe...Genny and Mysterious Bob... SO, hopefully we'll come back with lots of goodness! and UPDATED pictures! :)

Rachmoninoff's Concerto No. 2 is being performed tomorrow at abravenel hall.... and I am getting tickets as we speak! (TGFSD!) (aka Thank Goodness for Student Discounts!) It is one of my favorite piano concerto's! It'll be one special date to take Jake on!

2 more weeks at school! It's going to be crunch time, but I am SOOOO looking forward to get out of these classes and move on to the next ones! Jake is really excited to being done too! We are both really burnt out- our teachers have basically tried to kill us this semester. :)

Jake and I are making exciting plans for this summer! We are hoping to go down to Zions Canyon, Lake Powell, the Farm, MAYBE Glacier National Park San Diego and Yellowstone! (I don't know how we're going to get the time! We are really wanting to get into the hiking and camping trips this summer :) We decided to celebrate the end of the semester- we would hike Timp! If anyone would like to come, the more the merrier! I am really excited. I haven't been able to hike and do outdoor things for the past few years because of my health- but I am so much better now! I am so glad my husband enjoys the outdoors!!

We have all of the condo items done, and it's put in the past! It was so stressful to have to deal with, and I am just SO glad it's over! :) We can move on with our lives, and get back to normal life! We loved living there, and were sad to see it change!

Jake applied for a program called the Valor Program with the VA Hospital. They select 3 students from each school to participate in this program, and it is extensive paid training, and clinical hours. We are excited and hopeful because he has an interview with the U of U staff on April 27th! :) Now, I'm running around trying to help him with interviewing questions, and making sure he looks snazzy. If anyone knows where I can get a nice, tall tailored cut white shirt- Please let me know! :) I am so proud of him!

A Good Week Is....

2009-04-10T12:00:00.000-07:00

A'cing 3 major tests out of 4 classes

2 1/2 hours of consistent practicing each day

working 32 hours this week

Laughing with my boss at a cool youtube video

going to the gym 4X

getting all my "to-do's" on my planner done

going out to the farm for general conference

going to the temple grounds at night, and watching the sunset :)

no saturday class tomorrow for "Easter Weekend" ;)

and a snickers bar for a treat.