A Christmas Stroll Around Temple Square

It begins to truly feel like Christmas when I can walk through a snowy pathway, covered with Christmas lights and poinsettias. I went with Spencer to the Christmas Devotional by the First Presidency this year and this our stroll through it all.

The Nativity Scene

and me

In front of the orange-lit Christmas tree and the Assembly Hall

A special place to warm up

In front of The Reflection Pool

The Nativity Scene in the pool is right behind us, all lit up

Merry Christmas, Everybody!

My Date At the End of A Crazy Week

I have four more weeks of this semester left. During this time, I go through everything to make sure I am realistically on track. I do admit that, no matter how much work I do, I never am. When it comes to music, there is no end--all you have to do is turn in all you can, progress as well as you can and hope it's good enough to pass. After assessing the next four weeks, I have come up with this rough draft of a check list: I need to complete two films, one more orchestration, perform in an opera concert, perform in an aria competition, sing for juries, perform in the ensemble concert, finish another semester of math within these next fours weeks. Not to mention, I have to memorize 6 Spanish, 3 French, 9 Italian, 4 English, and 7 German songs.

The good thing is that I lost track of what I have accomplished for this semester. Once I finish a task, I take a big breathe of relief and move on. I can't wait to do that December 16th.

What I do like is how I get li'l breaks to be with my cute li'l nieces and nephews. Like this li'l guy. Baby Ethan and I took a li'l break from the composing, the memorizing, the theory and the practicing to hang out on a Friday night.

Ethan had fun watching himself on the computer

This chubby cutie was my date tonight and I LOVED it.

Today's Kinda Day

Hello! Today is a cold 'n' windy November Tuesday and I see that I haven't blogged lately... but I don't really know what to blog about. So I'll just talk about a subject that is screaming at me: TODAY!

Today is a cleaning up, hurrying up, searching for a dang parking space, taking notes, conducting an orchestra, composing film trailers, memorizing endless amounts of solos, arias, duets, answering my students' questions, reading blogs, parking in teachers' parking and hoping I don't get a ticket and then finding one sitting on my windshield,

studying up to be prepared for tomorrow, avoiding annoyances, getting out of waste-of-time banter, registering for more classes next semester, talking to the teachers, asking to be taught s'more to understand EVERYTHING I can kinda day.

And it's only 1:30 in the afternoon.

I'm looking forward to (trying to look forward to) a piano-playing and practicing, studying even more, memorizing even more, working out, being with Spencer and getting ready for tomorrow morning, and getting a restful sleep kinda night.

I hope tomorrow is a more productive and successful day.

The Last Of Summer

If you know me at all, you know how much I love the heat, sunshine, beaches, swimming and year-round summer. Welp! Utah has some of that stuff about 1/4 of the year so I lived it up as much as I could. Spencer and I went to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New Mexico for the beaches, fishing, water parks and a bunch of other summer-y things. We did what we could to keep the summer days going even though that season is long gone. However, it's late October and there have been some warm, sunny days here and there! Yeah! So we did what we could to hold on...

A Sunday afternoon at Cascade Springs. Here is a picture of Spencer and all of it. I like this picture and all the layers and textures of Cascade.

Here we are at one of the 'staircases' of Cascade Springs.

This is right before we left because it was getting pretty cold. It was a hard thing to accept.

Then we left for Crystal Lake Saturday afternoon where it would be nice 'n' sunny. No, we had no idea we would be fishing in the snow-capped mountains...

...But we kept on keeping on with a fire and had a great time, cooking and eating the fish Spencer caught like a champ. I pulled a couple in and I was in charge of cooking the fish there (I have two, dangling from that stick I'm holding). I was so back-woodsy, you have no idea.

A Sunday afternoon in the Provo Canyon is always a good thing. We did our usual BBQ and, this time, Spencer's brother, Brandon, and his wife, Kia, came along and we played football until really, really late.

As hard as it is to accept, summer is gone...

...But I had so much FUN!

Now I've gotta come up with things to do for the cold times... My mind's a blank. I need cider and things to do for super cheap. Any ideas?

A Spontaneous Trip

On a regular Thursday afternoon, I was doing some work for "Miss Kris Music" and I got a text from Spencer, asking me if I would be able to leave in a couple hours for the west coast. I said "YES!" and he gave me the choice of Oregon or Northern California and we narrowed it down to San Francisco. A couple hours later, we were on the road. We arrived at 4:00am and stayed at his aunt's home. What I loved is how we were able to drive twelve hours and had a blast the entire time.

The first day was spent between China Town and Union Square. Spencer was so sweet, wanting to buy me cute li'l things and take pictures of us wherever we went. Just walking around and experiencing the surroundings was so much fun. Spencer played with a Chinese band, we ate at the Oriental Pearl, and we walked around the Macy's there because it was stinkin' rinkin' huge! We didn't get everything done that we wanted but it was getting late so we took off.

The next day was spent walking from Pier 39 to Lombard Street and everything in between. Crab sandwiches, clam chowder; busses that go from the streets into the ocean, incredibly steep streets and beautiful homes. The beach was one of the best parts for me. Being able to walk on soft sand and smell the seaweed, while feeling the salt water is my kinda heaven. The big ships a few yards away was a cool addition, too.

We wanted to go to Alcatraz but that--along with a bunch of other stuff--is saved for another trip. Instead, we spent the rest of the evening at the Golden Gate Bridge. We figured it was a good last thing to do before we headed home. That was the only time we didn't enjoy the ride--driving out of San Francisco.

The weekend before Fall 2010 Semester was so much fun and relaxing. It was wonderful to leave without plans and do whatever we wanted, whenever and wherever we wanted. And to do that in San Francisco was perfect because just being there was good enough. With so much to see and do without paying a cent. It was pretty great.

I Like To Look For Rainbows

On a day like today, I have a hard time staying indoors. The sky's sunny & bright one minute, then it goes gray and loaded with lightning & thunder the next and then back again. But, through it all, it was a beautiful day.

In between classes and studying, Spencer and I decided to take a break and have a li'l picnic. We met up and sat in the shade of a big tree in the front of UVU. It was a great break from school and everything that goes along with that. Plus, it was good to absorb some of that sunshiny-ness before the storm really hit. For the rest of the day, the sky was gray, rain and hail fell hard and lightning & thunder kept getting louder, brighter and, sometimes, scarier.I couldn't help but notice the people around me. Kids were jumping and playing around, drivers would splash through puddles on the street and I got to see one of those cute picture-moments where a couple gave a goodbye hug & kiss, oblivious to the elements around them. Going from one place to another, I couldn't help but prance around (for whatever reason, I think that will keep me dryer than if I were to just walk. It is more fun--that's for sure!). That is what I love to do in the rain--play and dance around, watching the lightning light up the city and the rain clean the streets. Even a picnic underneath a tree to keep you fairly dry is fun. It's so much better than staying indoors, waiting for the storm to pass (Who knows when that will be, anyway?).

And, when it is over, the sky will seem brand new; the dust and dirt will be washed away; the grass will be greener and the sun will shine bright again, just as it always does. So to this story, I would like to share a few things:

• Have a 'picnic' whenever you have the chance
• Look for the joy (it's there), no matter the conditions
• The 'storm' may be needed to make the 'grass greener' and wash away the grime
• Behind the heavy clouds is the sun, ready to shine through
• Even a storm can give you a spectacular view
• You can wait indoors and hide away or you can be in the action and witness God's power

I know, I know. It's cheezy but I always think of this children's song (one of my favorites) that means many things to me (I added my own verses, just for kicks and giggles):

I Like To Look For Rainbows

I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain

And ponder on the beauty of an earth made clean again.

I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain;

I want to be the best I can and live with God again.

I know the storms of trials will pass away someday;

I'll feel the sunshine warm my soul and dry my tears away.

I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain;

I want to be the best I can and live with God again.

I know that I can smile and always feel His love;

And seek for joy and power in my Father up above.

I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain;

I want to be the best I can and live with God again.

I'd like to thank my Father for sending me the Son

To help me through the clouds and rain, 'till all my work is done.

I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain;

I want to be the best I can and live with God again.

Ebben... Ne Andro Lontana

I love La Wally, I love this aria, I love my dress, I love the cape, I love my hair-do and, as scary as every second was, I love that I did it and am excited to do it again soon! Hope you like it!

Let Freedom Ring

If I had an audio recording of Abraham Lincoln, George Washington or any other historical figure who fought for freedom, I would use it. However, In the spirit of Independence Day and for the month of July, I would like to share a piece I made, called Let Freedom Ring. I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.

Another Door

It's the end of a very weird day. It started at 6:00 am. I got up and got ready, thinking it would be a regular day at work, followed by working out and school stuff. Welp, by 9:30, I was leaving the company I belonged to for three years, angry and uncertain. Not knowing what else to do, I went to the next familiar place I spent the last three years: Utah valley University. As I was walking around the music building there, I ran into my long-time, dear ol' friend, Megan. She asked me what was new and I told her about my recent, jobless predicament.

"Kristine, don't be angry at the door that shut on you or you wont see all the other doors that have opened." Wow, Megan! Whatta woman. Here she was, living proof of that--now married and pregnant after years of fighting for a better life while serving, giving hugs and smiles along the way. Thanks, Meg.

So I went to work, quit being angry and started working to find those 'open doors.' I sent out emails, put out posts, talked to friends and put out the word that I want to have my dream job and be a full-timer in music. Thanks to no longer being chained to a desk eight hours a day, I got to babysit four of my favorite fifteen 'sobrinos'; I got to study opera singers' and composers' auditions and work on my own repertoire and compositions. It felt good to really be able to sit down and really spend quality time, engulfed with music. Pls, I got to sit and have lunch with My Spence (awe...).

I just checked my email. Someone would like to be taught vocal lesson. Looks like I'm stepping through another door. Today was an interesting day but I still worked, I still got paid for something and I got reminded of some very important things: 1) some things need to be let go to make room for something greater, 2) if you never give up, you cannot fail, 3) it's okay to cry but it's more effective to smile and get to work and 4) life is beautiful--the grass may be greener on the other side, but that doesn't mean you're not knee-deep in a flower bed. Yeah, I guess that's my point: life is good, even on days like today.

He Is Not Here

In many ways, Easter is a greater time to remember and celebrate the birth and life of Christ. With the Passover, the actual season of Christ's birth and death, Spring comes. New life begins as a reminder of Christ's life and purpose.

With each year, the holidays become more special for me. 2010's Easter Sunday was the best, yet. I got ready for Conference and opened Jenn's basket of Easter goodies that she got for me (thanks Jenn!). Spencer picked me up and we went to conference. For any Christian faith, President Monson's talk was the perfect Easter talk. I needed to hear it (just as I did for every talk given this year) and I left conference even more grateful.

After reading about Christ's last days on earth, The Passover and everything I could think of that happens during this season, I wanted to make this day more meaningful. Spencer and I made an Easter dinner after General Conference and he surprised me with my favorite gift: a plant. It was perfect and I took it with me to dinner with my Easter basket from Jenn. :)

I'm sure you could guess why Spencer gave me that as an Easter gift. I'll see it every morning and remember. I'll remember that, because of all that He did, I can live again. I can live again with everyone I love--with my family. Yesterday was a special day and I am grateful for this beautiful time of year to remember Christ and what He has done for me, my family and the world.

Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the a sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

My Unplanned 2009

I had a list at the beginning of 2009 of ten goals that I would achieve. I am a goal-oriented person but, life doesn't turn out as you plan and changes have been made. When I looked at my final list in December of 2009, I felt like a failure since most of my goals were not achieved. When I recounted 2009, I caught some achievements in there that weren't planned but helped me grow closer to everything I want to become--I just took different unplanned steps to get there.
10. I am two semesters closer to graduating and will graduate in 2010 with a pretty good GPA (after eight years of academic hell)
9. I created a few compositions that got me into a program to work with professional composers in the film industry in 2010
8. I got through intense physical therapy (two hours a day, three days a week for five months)
7. I tried out and made it as a soloist in one of the UVU dance concerts against dance majors. What-what!
6. I got up the guts to audition and made it as a 1st/2nd soprano in a professional choir
5. I got through an entire year of not having any dairy (against my will but what are you supposed to do when you find out you're lactose intolerant)
4. I turned 28 years old on the 28th (how often does that happen?)
3. I was in a healthy, meaningful relationship that I walked away from, knowing there was something better in store for me (for all you people out there who don't get it, that's a hard thing to do)
2. I did the work and, oddly enough, am considered a fluent Spanish speaker now. Go fig.
1. I can proudly say I am better than I was a year ago, in every aspect :D

One year of unplanned turn of events has left me, thinking 2009 was a pretty great year.

Haven't Met You, Yet

Jenn sent it to me and I fell in love--with the song. This song is mine. And I'll tell you why...

1. I love marching bands and was in the marching band all four years of high school (percussion & clarinet); yes, I am a full-on music nerd from SoCal (Tor! That was for you, Toots!)


2. I love dance of all styles and majored in dance in college and you may just catch me dancing to this song when I think no one is looking...


3. I only date men I meet in grocery stores who sing to me (I haven't dated in a while)


4. I have blond hair and I wear pants with necklaces


5. I love grocery stores so much--you don't even know


6. I've got a thing for Michael Buble and I want to work with David Foster (David Foster is the one who discovered Michael. Thanks, Dave!)


7. I keep a spare bed in aisle 5


8. Confetti is totally my thing


9. I'll sing to cashiers for discounts (I got a free receipt last time)


10. Many a Latino have told me that I look and sound like I'm from Argentina when I speak spanish. The girl he's singin' to is from Argentina. There's another reason!
11. I haven't met him, yet, and I wonder where he is

2009 Fads Oops! I Meant '2009 Goals'

I prepared for this year, wanting to make it eventful and full of so many events. I made goals that I thought to make such events full of achieved goals but I realized, as December came to an end, the goals made were beyond my control or unreasonable, hence acheiving them was not ever possible. Here were my goals:





10. Acquire food storage for the 2012 death of my existence... 2012 was two years away so I ate it all


9. Make sure Taylor Swifts finishes all her speeches... Kanye blew it


8. Back-up the U.S. President... He hasn't done anything worth backing, yet


7. Find all cats, make them dead and turn them into trees so that it's greener and global warming stops... Cats are so fast


6. Be the best flu fighter in the world... I don't have the tools to measure that


5. Make an "I Got an App For That" app... I need a better phone


4. Give all dogs a crib, a stroller and a Gucci bag... Paris, Britney, Torrie and Boy George beat me to it


3. Create a reality show of smart people who don't need a reality show to pay the bills... They didn't go for it


2. Be a good American, despite that I am a white, heterosexual, religious American who loves America... Guess not


1. Fly off into NASA (inspired by Kanye West)... I don't have the equipment for that





As you can see, there were no events this year. Maybe next year, I could show blue people a better way of life, teach all of the celebrities' children about Wal-Mart or bring back the payphone.