tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31396158039592629432024-03-12T16:35:29.619-07:00Dance in the RainLife isn't only about getting through the storms but for dancing in the rain."Miss Kris"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04993555613563116443noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139615803959262943.post-39340556800536156832011-05-01T14:42:00.000-07:002011-05-01T14:45:45.641-07:00Guess What, Folks!Hello, Folks! Long time, long time. I did blog, though! Ye, I sure did. The only thing is that you'll have to go to 'http://spencerandkristicorbett.wordpress.com' to see my fun news!<div><br /></div><div>Also, check out 'www.UVUESOA.com.' I have some super cool events coming up at the Riverwoods for May! I'll be taking over that venue for the rest of the year as well, so my hands are pretty darn full. Let me know if you'd like to participate in any of it. :D</div>"Miss Kris"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04993555613563116443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139615803959262943.post-47155333871353767072011-02-07T14:44:00.001-08:002011-02-07T14:56:12.325-08:00New Life, New Name, New Blog<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-IiplWFEz9G-SyC-lm8HuFJb9bN8cvwIKuRPBloeUlaaMZmUSsEfDzHZbskkHnxUQQwFYPLiJyNAZSsohb54Gcsfb8yrXrENCknW3qz2TMfXgULpwRUSSCOlEHxR5arpEpYHe_fTnjI/s1600/Wedding+Picture+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-IiplWFEz9G-SyC-lm8HuFJb9bN8cvwIKuRPBloeUlaaMZmUSsEfDzHZbskkHnxUQQwFYPLiJyNAZSsohb54Gcsfb8yrXrENCknW3qz2TMfXgULpwRUSSCOlEHxR5arpEpYHe_fTnjI/s400/Wedding+Picture+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571084917246761682" /></a></div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Hello! I have a </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">new name</span></b></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> now 'cause I just got married! It's </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Kristine Stewart Corbett</span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I love my new name! I always wanted a middle name and now I've finally got one! I always thought 'Stewart' was a cool name for anyone, including a middle name for a girl, so I'm good over here. My maiden name means 'Anointed Royalty.' Now that I have a third name, my name means 'Anointed Royal Raven.' That's sup'm... </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">And I've been putting my different nicknames with my new last name and Spencer and I had fun with it. He brought up '</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Kiffy Corbett</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">' and '</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Kif Corbett</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">'. Isn't that</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> so</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> cute!? But I've got my '</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Kris</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">,' '</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Kristine</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">' but my favorite is '</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6666CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Kristi</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">'. I think </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6666CC;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Kristi Corbett</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> is the prettiest one. So that is how I will introduce myself to new people who want to meet Mrs. Corbett (me). Dohpe! I need to sign my name like crazy tomorrow and I have no idea how I like it. I've got work to do, fellas!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Since I have a new name, I have a new email address (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">KristineSCorbett@Gmail.com</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">) and a new blog (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">http://spencerandkristicorbett.wordpress.com</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">). So just use those ones from now on, okay! Thank you! See you over there!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7D4KxRwuYyG6pPT0KpHKMaDflClZt6tvMUg66whGMJ0wd4tqpCoNk2QJkUojLU8VuWZiHi7CmqF-iElnr8GZ5Q0lOTVqFB5PuRRYTixl7OU0MKv3DoTwtFxE_8sqlnA2COdAz66mtOQ/s400/Wedding+Picture+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571085101405722274" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div>"Miss Kris"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04993555613563116443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139615803959262943.post-59308999034009267452011-02-02T10:08:00.001-08:002011-02-02T14:50:35.645-08:00My Wedding PicturesCheck out my sister-in-law's blog (on my blog list). Laura posted some of the MANY pictures she took and I LOVE them! Check them out! :D<div>And THANK YOU for coming, supporting, partying, dancing, eating, helping, serving, singing and being part of my wedding day with me! It was a WONDERFUL day! Thank you, again!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">http://lauramorrisphotography.blogspot.com/</div>"Miss Kris"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04993555613563116443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139615803959262943.post-10488904232237344652011-01-18T10:37:00.000-08:002011-01-18T11:42:05.668-08:00Thank You<div>After preparing so many things for my wedding day, I have taken a minute to stop and ponder on what is truly happening. It's humbling and a sweet joy to get to know more of my Heavenly Father and His Son through this process.</div><div>Many of you may know the life I led from four to twenty-four years old. It's dark, confusing, traumatic and seemingly hopeless. Thanks for the angels on earth who helped me walk away from that, I learned how to turn to Heavenly Father without resentment and pain.</div><div>Learning to keep my chin up and keep running has changed my life. I'm not the best at it but I sure do try. I've fallen quite a bit, that's for sure. And many of those were doozies where I thought there was no repair good enough. Not only did I learn that is not true, I learned that I'm still being blessed through it all. When I look back, I see that Christ never turned His back on me; He never pulled His hand away. He held me and consoled me. When I was at my worst and made mistakes that I feel I shouldn't have, He was there even when I wouldn't forgive myself, crying with me, holding me and helping me back up.</div><div>Through all the falling, Heavenly Father helped me live a miracle--finding a man who found me right back. The simplest prompting followed and I knew Spencer would be a part of my life. A few more promptings and I knew Spencer could be The One. I've still fallen along the way but that never changed His help and I continued being blessed and guided and I got back up again. This time, I had my best friend and man of my dreams running right with me.</div><div>Why am I so blessed through all my mistakes and failures? Why am I this lucky? It's something I ask myself whenever I see Spencer looking back at me. Then the answer comes: Christ made this possible because He loves me and knows who I really am and has made it possible for me to get back up and become that person. Now I get to become that person with this miracle and blessing by my side.</div><div>I never would have thought, five years ago or earlier, that I would be preparing to marry the greatest friend I've ever had and the man of my {most ridiculous, long-shot} dreams in eleven days. I know this is a blessing from God because He was the one who helped me find this miracle. It wouldn't have happened without Him and I know this special day will be the greatest day of my life. Together, Spencer and I will continue to fall, get up, dust it off and keep running to become something greater. That's The Plan. I'm seeing more and more how sweet, fun, surprising, merciful and happy That Plan is and how welcome I am to live it.</div><div>There are no words that can be expressed (and it's silly to be on a blog) so, from the depth of my soul, I say, 'Thank you.'</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvd_2iaATtdLltaVHIG6SMZ5Vfv_uugLCpnycpUL4ehwOtrMzArLgBJRhKrr6FSMD-EclEXp5wODyIl108M3iN6fGFaAYmwomEVx2Z1kYdysNgGiKAAp50elSrn-u6Pxolrh9AuOpB_8/s1600/Temple+Square+2010+16.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvd_2iaATtdLltaVHIG6SMZ5Vfv_uugLCpnycpUL4ehwOtrMzArLgBJRhKrr6FSMD-EclEXp5wODyIl108M3iN6fGFaAYmwomEVx2Z1kYdysNgGiKAAp50elSrn-u6Pxolrh9AuOpB_8/s400/Temple+Square+2010+16.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563609952322423874" /></a><div><br /></div>"Miss Kris"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04993555613563116443noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139615803959262943.post-14236514845712083382011-01-10T20:37:00.000-08:002011-01-10T20:50:17.801-08:00Our Wedding Announcement<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIrLKIBC2_snqnZexJCZod0PnuDAa-oJmylAwcFNpTFNCi9oaqLvPQibkhQHnU_pgA21bfpxnpETFZplRprd6MKmxLxI-D_TqGihe-2hhjqC9TRxGng7L6Dvy5XxMCHHzDcVqJWRdOuk/s1600/Our+Wedding+Announcement.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIrLKIBC2_snqnZexJCZod0PnuDAa-oJmylAwcFNpTFNCi9oaqLvPQibkhQHnU_pgA21bfpxnpETFZplRprd6MKmxLxI-D_TqGihe-2hhjqC9TRxGng7L6Dvy5XxMCHHzDcVqJWRdOuk/s400/Our+Wedding+Announcement.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560783108678222482" /></a>So here it is. I LOVE it! Spencer and his sister, Laura, designed it (her photo blog is in my blog list) and Laura took the pictures. It's beautiful, classy, romantic, old-fashioned--all the things I like. Things are falling together very nicely. Just trying to breathe and live in these special moments with Spencer, our families and friends. It's been amazing to see how willing everyone is to give of themselves and their time. Thank you, Everyone, for your help and support. It's going to be a wonderful, memorable day, thanks to you."Miss Kris"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04993555613563116443noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139615803959262943.post-67538397919619927462011-01-04T10:32:00.001-08:002011-01-08T19:19:17.672-08:00I Met Him!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I loved it when a certain song came on the radio. I would sing it at the top of my lungs, imagining my life falling into place. I knew my life had big plans waiting for me and that great things would happen. I had no idea what or when or how but I knew it would. That was enough for me; enough to keep me excited and looking up, wondering what Heavenly Father was hiding behind His back, so to speak (this particular song helped me out with the 'excited'm fun part of it all).</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I was just fine with my current lifestyle because I was working for those greater things that I knew would eventually work out... It's funny how everything works out, huh. It </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">is</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> really funny to look back and 'connect the dots' and see what Heavenly Father has been putting together for you all along. For myself, I have found that He likes to surprise and spoil me when I'm working hard. I know it's not hard enough but, when I </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">do</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> try, He spoils me and in the most interesting, fun ways--in a way that makes everything come full circle. It ends up making sense and reminds me of very important, personal things--turning me to Him more than before.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">So I was single, working hard in school to get good grades to prepare to graduate. The place I was living in was... okay, okay, it was bad. But everything else was great. I was doin' my thing and loving it. Then I ended up writing my post January 27th, 2010(Haven't Met You, Yet), having no idea that I had already met him. At the time, this guy was my friend--a buddy I was happy to have.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It was early January when I was running late for class but I was hungry, so I stopped by the UVU food cart to buy an apple... and I ended up being a little bit later for class to talk to this sweet guy behind the cart.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In our first conversations of me buying an apple from him in the mornings, we found out that we had a whole lot in common. Then I decided to buy more food from him more often in the day just to have an excuse to talk to him. When a class was canceled, I spent that hour hangin' out with him and, eventually, I gave him my number and he asked me out on a date a couple days later. After that, we were inseparable--good friends right off the bat who were trying to take it nice 'n' easy. It was the nicest and easiest thing to move on to the next step. We felt comfortable and enjoyed it. There were times when we decided to try other things just because we wanted to make sure. Welp! Those never lasted more than a few days and my best friend and I would be inseparable again.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And this is where I think Heavenly Father likes to surprise me when I look back and 'connect the dots': I found this guy while buying food, just outside the music department during a time when I was just content with the fact that I knew everything would work out but that it just hasn't, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">yet.</span></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Plus, I had this list that I kept since I was twelve years old. The list of a hundred narrowed down to ten </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">very hard</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> things for anyone to have. I never met anyone with those ten things and I knew I would be alone until I did. Welp! Not only did Spencer end up having all ten, but he had the style that I like, the hair I like, the face, the cleanliness, the family, the imagination, the arms, the laugh, the humor, the open-mindedness, the adventurous attitude, the generosity, the sportsy-ness... Did I make him up or is this real? Yep. It's very real and Heavenly Father spoiled me beyond my imaginations, literally.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Welp, the other day, my song came on the radio and, without realizing it, I felt tears running down my cheeks. I met him! I found him and a year ago, when I was just doin' my thing, wondering what Heaven'y Father had in store for me.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I'm grateful I was hungry that morning--enough to risk being late for class--and I'm grateful Spencer decided to work in that particular area of UVU that particular semester (I wouldn't have given him the time of day, otherwise). I'm so grateful no one else was around so we could openly talk for our first time meeting. I'm grateful I wasn't looking for anyone but that</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> I was mentally and emotionally able to let someone in my life and that Spencer was the same.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It's a miraculous thing when these things happen, which makes it that much more fun when it does.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><object height="295" width="480" style="display: inline-block; background-image: url(http://www.blogger.com/img/video_object.png); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-position: 50% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; "></object><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AJmKkU5POA)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">I guess the only things left is to get married... My next blog will let ya know when that will be! :D</span></span></div></div>"Miss Kris"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04993555613563116443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139615803959262943.post-87435061122062187682010-12-15T19:03:00.000-08:002010-12-15T19:04:28.510-08:00A Christmas Stroll Around Temple Square<div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">The Nativity Scene</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8VieiO5PLAcbtEAyEAY16P5ipopTVw_TBsxdKovFDbjCjTzOp1-HfMYUV_oqF5OuFdEHnKI373umxhbtDcWl_-0Kzvn8e5qKGGcoXNnC3iyQ7qpf0Z1SiZiTRG2EU_RxRfo5ieQWa-M/s1600/Temple+Square+2010+2.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8VieiO5PLAcbtEAyEAY16P5ipopTVw_TBsxdKovFDbjCjTzOp1-HfMYUV_oqF5OuFdEHnKI373umxhbtDcWl_-0Kzvn8e5qKGGcoXNnC3iyQ7qpf0Z1SiZiTRG2EU_RxRfo5ieQWa-M/s320/Temple+Square+2010+2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551106811667183458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">and me</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hZFbgOqMMpQcJ5ifXCJroMZVE2Ed_HALN20W8djdZivLcQgvb2g_9XkE9pQmBADyahQiHqN9ZH2DPw-PY25E_7Pw3pEZTS9XgHwqWJNjCqWQw46D3YTLZ2VcPzwH99xZnEVPniPF2ow/s1600/Temple+Square+2010+3.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hZFbgOqMMpQcJ5ifXCJroMZVE2Ed_HALN20W8djdZivLcQgvb2g_9XkE9pQmBADyahQiHqN9ZH2DPw-PY25E_7Pw3pEZTS9XgHwqWJNjCqWQw46D3YTLZ2VcPzwH99xZnEVPniPF2ow/s320/Temple+Square+2010+3.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551106672128980690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">In front of the orange-lit Christmas tree and the Assembly Hall</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUPaq2G2Lu7T6B7EsBohgA5baDtB788NXs-5KKbbesXQYHegjCiqKK4agaEK1I-FCyhqxZxKqTbsxMgxoVBGferrWRiLL1enyJVHy1P9pEfXoQeXru4MwH-T1R74BDfPcvSiPzAyVzys/s1600/Temple+Square+2010+8.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUPaq2G2Lu7T6B7EsBohgA5baDtB788NXs-5KKbbesXQYHegjCiqKK4agaEK1I-FCyhqxZxKqTbsxMgxoVBGferrWRiLL1enyJVHy1P9pEfXoQeXru4MwH-T1R74BDfPcvSiPzAyVzys/s320/Temple+Square+2010+8.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551106385894456306" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">A special place to warm up</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMFiC1-IC9kUG4cQ9299Dxkg_hpqR4Y2hsfPoWLfJP1orX0azMlRQHZ5PQSXnEhjfEBLWbbgjcxq4W-Cy1ZIGk2VBfmWPjPyMQ-kizAHVxUMDqdtB6yNijJNaOKMRjX13yJ7CP7uiY-0/s1600/Temple+Square+2010+15.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMFiC1-IC9kUG4cQ9299Dxkg_hpqR4Y2hsfPoWLfJP1orX0azMlRQHZ5PQSXnEhjfEBLWbbgjcxq4W-Cy1ZIGk2VBfmWPjPyMQ-kizAHVxUMDqdtB6yNijJNaOKMRjX13yJ7CP7uiY-0/s320/Temple+Square+2010+15.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551106110819345858" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">In front of The Reflection Pool</div><div style="text-align: center; ">The Nativity Scene in the pool is right behind us, all lit up</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIyWxB3JRSZr7DrhqS1_V3iChCeNtNSvdpUkhdeteNUty8YP8eTnnEqYeIom408_YNEluFpdCPUy0PWPQaR12MScYuF3VuPdwye4I7GYRF1LCVr22RWf4dewLbXX0tQ1iAx0tPqgIGzw/s1600/Temple+Square+2010+17.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIyWxB3JRSZr7DrhqS1_V3iChCeNtNSvdpUkhdeteNUty8YP8eTnnEqYeIom408_YNEluFpdCPUy0PWPQaR12MScYuF3VuPdwye4I7GYRF1LCVr22RWf4dewLbXX0tQ1iAx0tPqgIGzw/s320/Temple+Square+2010+17.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551105850289683362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">Merry Christmas, Everybody!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgne5Q_35qFmx4hM-OgeKNR5ANceJCwgOcnDfFFnFlWXGK7UfUTPZOgOzOOn45NCqg8ELS8XtfhpgBLp8XpBK9vkXdsiUheN0IR4Zh-sg3pG8rqamoH5H8zi271okceKWtpnnj5l-GSbfE/s1600/Temple+Square+2010+11.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgne5Q_35qFmx4hM-OgeKNR5ANceJCwgOcnDfFFnFlWXGK7UfUTPZOgOzOOn45NCqg8ELS8XtfhpgBLp8XpBK9vkXdsiUheN0IR4Zh-sg3pG8rqamoH5H8zi271okceKWtpnnj5l-GSbfE/s320/Temple+Square+2010+11.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551105508165166802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><div><br /></div>"Miss Kris"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04993555613563116443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139615803959262943.post-4360132802150330822010-11-19T19:28:00.000-08:002010-11-19T20:30:59.647-08:00My Date At the End of A Crazy Week<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilb9NdrNphSsXhxus2CkPgvsjO-uBkKHz-lMSpKbYcbJgFnfdjmaB9AxIS3ytVPpLswfPoOGPZq-jYgE0PZ7bBk5elWaDRgOg2A1XPq1rqb14KyLnh_c-63S3RRTuF2RnnvPbokqh66Mg/s1600/Babysitting+Ethan+2010-11-19+at+17.03+%25234.jpg"></a>I have <b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">four</span></i></b> more weeks of this semester left. During this time, I go through <b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">everything</span></i></b> to make sure I am realistically on track. I do admit that, no matter how much <i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">work</span></b></i> I do, I never am. When it comes to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i>music</i></b></span>, there is no end--all you have to do is turn in <i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">all</span></b></i> you can, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i>progress</i></b></span> as well as you can and hope it's good enough to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i>pass</i></b></span>. After assessing the next four weeks, I have come up with this rough draft of a check list: I need to complete <b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">two films</span></i></b>, one more <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i>orchestration</i></b></span>, perform in an <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i>opera</i></b></span> concert, perform in an <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i>aria</i></b></span> competition, sing for <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i>juries</i></b></span>, perform in the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i>ensemble</i></b></span> concert, finish another semester of <i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">math</span></b></i> within these next fours weeks. Not to mention, I have to memorize <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i>6 Spanish</i></b></span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i>3 French</i></b></span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i>9 Italian</i></b></span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i>4 English</i></b></span>, and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i>7 German </i></b></span>songs.<div>The good thing is that I lost track of what I have <b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">accomplished</span></i></b> for this semester. Once I finish a task, I take a <b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">big breathe</span></i></b> of relief and move on. I can't wait to do that <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i>December 16th</i></b></span>.</div><div>What I do like is how I get li'l breaks to be with my <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i>cute</i></b></span> li'l nieces and nephews. Like this li'l guy. <b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Baby Ethan</span></i></b> and I took a li'l break from the composing, the memorizing, the theory and the practicing to hang out on a Friday night.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ethan had fun watching himself on the computer</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilb9NdrNphSsXhxus2CkPgvsjO-uBkKHz-lMSpKbYcbJgFnfdjmaB9AxIS3ytVPpLswfPoOGPZq-jYgE0PZ7bBk5elWaDRgOg2A1XPq1rqb14KyLnh_c-63S3RRTuF2RnnvPbokqh66Mg/s1600/Babysitting+Ethan+2010-11-19+at+17.03+%25234.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilb9NdrNphSsXhxus2CkPgvsjO-uBkKHz-lMSpKbYcbJgFnfdjmaB9AxIS3ytVPpLswfPoOGPZq-jYgE0PZ7bBk5elWaDRgOg2A1XPq1rqb14KyLnh_c-63S3RRTuF2RnnvPbokqh66Mg/s320/Babysitting+Ethan+2010-11-19+at+17.03+%25234.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541480281852799874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">This chubby cutie was my date tonight and I LOVED it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0b-lPjdmxD_RmuX76sue4B9Z-6n1zStPYEiV7icUivLwvm7Mapldv7H65JlUhX4C-xrSSAEg6-CQ7YQ3enMX0OZ3A6xivhqx4mkqmAk7p_QKxgpJDilzNIpzc7t3qOsg46icHO-F_E0/s1600/Babysitting+Ethan+2010-11-19+at+17.04.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0b-lPjdmxD_RmuX76sue4B9Z-6n1zStPYEiV7icUivLwvm7Mapldv7H65JlUhX4C-xrSSAEg6-CQ7YQ3enMX0OZ3A6xivhqx4mkqmAk7p_QKxgpJDilzNIpzc7t3qOsg46icHO-F_E0/s320/Babysitting+Ethan+2010-11-19+at+17.04.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541480189477923058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div>"Miss Kris"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04993555613563116443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139615803959262943.post-75597280826425110992010-11-16T12:21:00.001-08:002010-11-16T15:18:21.288-08:00Today's Kinda Day<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><i>Hello!</i></span> Today is a cold 'n' <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">windy</span></i> November Tuesday and I see that I haven't blogged lately... but I <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">don't</span></i> really know what to blog about. So I'll just talk about a subject that is <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">screaming</span></i> at me: <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">TODAY!</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrFf26IX48uEDBLNOXN5WpD0Ftp0mr1My4VGuIYD3_T1DyA-6yCdNrDUjIbcPXFnAL3DsX1nEZmh0_QRD9sRlYDRVn6AIM9NJFtQ2ahkNfeCUXABC9Y1Gp48IBQ6Fy7cQbWSBmx4YmmM/s1600/Photo+on+2010-11-16+at+13.36+%25232.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrFf26IX48uEDBLNOXN5WpD0Ftp0mr1My4VGuIYD3_T1DyA-6yCdNrDUjIbcPXFnAL3DsX1nEZmh0_QRD9sRlYDRVn6AIM9NJFtQ2ahkNfeCUXABC9Y1Gp48IBQ6Fy7cQbWSBmx4YmmM/s200/Photo+on+2010-11-16+at+13.36+%25232.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540286314005954498" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">Today is a <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">cleaning</span></i> up, <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">hurrying</span></i> up, <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">searching</span></i> for a dang parking space, taking notes, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><i>conducting</i></span> an orchestra, <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">composing</span></i> film trailers, memorizing <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">endless</span></i> amounts of <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">solos</span></i>, arias, duets, answering my students' <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">questions</span></i>, reading <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">blogs</span></i>, parking in teachers' parking and <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">hoping</span></i> I don't get a ticket and then <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">finding</span></i> one sitting on my <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">windshield</span></i>, </div></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVe-PkgdRyT_de2o1H6VtK1miuvtBqhCNbdDRepLV4rNlUXVNJAjVvjkZLfnTHpHxYg0mpICuXpALY0BZVCwZYZcou9lBCaRZbjmITp2RcVKld3e1iPHY2OOGnN2DgnHD9ZxbULg0CSg/s1600/Photo+on+2010-11-16+at+13.38+%25232+2.jpg"></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVe-PkgdRyT_de2o1H6VtK1miuvtBqhCNbdDRepLV4rNlUXVNJAjVvjkZLfnTHpHxYg0mpICuXpALY0BZVCwZYZcou9lBCaRZbjmITp2RcVKld3e1iPHY2OOGnN2DgnHD9ZxbULg0CSg/s1600/Photo+on+2010-11-16+at+13.38+%25232+2.jpg"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVe-PkgdRyT_de2o1H6VtK1miuvtBqhCNbdDRepLV4rNlUXVNJAjVvjkZLfnTHpHxYg0mpICuXpALY0BZVCwZYZcou9lBCaRZbjmITp2RcVKld3e1iPHY2OOGnN2DgnHD9ZxbULg0CSg/s200/Photo+on+2010-11-16+at+13.38+%25232+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540286065258686210" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">studying</span></i> up to be <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">prepared</span></i> for tomorrow, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">avoiding</span></i> annoyances, getting out of <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">waste-of-time</span></i> banter, registering for <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">more classes</span></i> next semester, talking to the <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">teachers</span></i>, asking to be taught s'more to understand <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">EVERYTHING</span></i> I can kinda day.</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9KCAqbyP0pEixGc5UXf14B1lS53JjP-AsanGqO0y7kvNP_aaEo0FklH2r-zDN2bo290J2QvOFYKVEKwTi6a2s_n1Hha0OcwZ-wZAE3oQLjH-E4fEoxRA56v0WQ_aRF1jxd_tOG62OTc/s1600/Photo+on+2010-11-16+at+13.36.jpg"></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9KCAqbyP0pEixGc5UXf14B1lS53JjP-AsanGqO0y7kvNP_aaEo0FklH2r-zDN2bo290J2QvOFYKVEKwTi6a2s_n1Hha0OcwZ-wZAE3oQLjH-E4fEoxRA56v0WQ_aRF1jxd_tOG62OTc/s1600/Photo+on+2010-11-16+at+13.36.jpg"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9KCAqbyP0pEixGc5UXf14B1lS53JjP-AsanGqO0y7kvNP_aaEo0FklH2r-zDN2bo290J2QvOFYKVEKwTi6a2s_n1Hha0OcwZ-wZAE3oQLjH-E4fEoxRA56v0WQ_aRF1jxd_tOG62OTc/s200/Photo+on+2010-11-16+at+13.36.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540285820386636706" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">And it's only <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">1:30</span></i> in the afternoon.</div></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-j4xOulLRkGb0U3seCRO6UIDCZZIRjIMiHNq0AZ5-DD25QGsHeCcKdVUQGdtiiQ3891A6QXM_AW8wHp0U-Me9q6Y36cyft5oEuytg2_otwWjpOtTPJX4xgeV1gPQS9N-7jK-TII0xcVM/s1600/Photo+on+2010-11-16+at+13.37+%25233.jpg"></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-j4xOulLRkGb0U3seCRO6UIDCZZIRjIMiHNq0AZ5-DD25QGsHeCcKdVUQGdtiiQ3891A6QXM_AW8wHp0U-Me9q6Y36cyft5oEuytg2_otwWjpOtTPJX4xgeV1gPQS9N-7jK-TII0xcVM/s1600/Photo+on+2010-11-16+at+13.37+%25233.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I'm looking <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">forward</span></i> to (trying to look forward to) a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><i>piano</i></span>-playing and practicing, studying even more, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">memorizing</span></i> even more, working out, being with <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><i>Spencer</i></span> and getting ready for <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">tomorrow</span></i> morning, and getting a restful <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><i>sleep</i></span> kinda night</span>.</span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-j4xOulLRkGb0U3seCRO6UIDCZZIRjIMiHNq0AZ5-DD25QGsHeCcKdVUQGdtiiQ3891A6QXM_AW8wHp0U-Me9q6Y36cyft5oEuytg2_otwWjpOtTPJX4xgeV1gPQS9N-7jK-TII0xcVM/s1600/Photo+on+2010-11-16+at+13.37+%25233.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-j4xOulLRkGb0U3seCRO6UIDCZZIRjIMiHNq0AZ5-DD25QGsHeCcKdVUQGdtiiQ3891A6QXM_AW8wHp0U-Me9q6Y36cyft5oEuytg2_otwWjpOtTPJX4xgeV1gPQS9N-7jK-TII0xcVM/s200/Photo+on+2010-11-16+at+13.37+%25233.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540285558091574114" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">hope</span></i> tomorrow is a more <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">productive</span></i> and <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">successful</span></i> day.</div>"Miss Kris"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04993555613563116443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139615803959262943.post-48277021219108394562010-10-19T10:04:00.001-07:002010-10-19T10:37:00.745-07:00The Last Of SummerIf you know me <i>at all</i>, you know how much I <i>love</i> 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...<div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">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.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvJ63PDXqMI47_OvjaoYzS45Jhyphenhyphen3pVFM1HNdNcsp1iZQCPL3eASzgc6b2Qs-OtJ11NHrG-8p6fVyE33qSq61YHUpYNXVH6-KjewIrITW_f9-sSa_6OiAnQTO_Ep1cbD75Jm7CAJG4S8Y/s1600/Cascade+Fall+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvJ63PDXqMI47_OvjaoYzS45Jhyphenhyphen3pVFM1HNdNcsp1iZQCPL3eASzgc6b2Qs-OtJ11NHrG-8p6fVyE33qSq61YHUpYNXVH6-KjewIrITW_f9-sSa_6OiAnQTO_Ep1cbD75Jm7CAJG4S8Y/s320/Cascade+Fall+2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529808203351673010" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here we are at one of the 'staircases' of Cascade Springs.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnrF2WHpcavEiwpJKfd4AWoInjQMoEcqSqwle67Vt1dq0-dLh0ON6IKcy7LFCr9Lv-qLrgKMgZ1oZHIRX4B9iR05Il6m9Fz-FjB1fYGGCJ7XuJYdsSyFDF_MDX_IxLt8BuHJyNq8q2Jg/s1600/Cascade+Fall+9.JPG"></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnrF2WHpcavEiwpJKfd4AWoInjQMoEcqSqwle67Vt1dq0-dLh0ON6IKcy7LFCr9Lv-qLrgKMgZ1oZHIRX4B9iR05Il6m9Fz-FjB1fYGGCJ7XuJYdsSyFDF_MDX_IxLt8BuHJyNq8q2Jg/s1600/Cascade+Fall+9.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnrF2WHpcavEiwpJKfd4AWoInjQMoEcqSqwle67Vt1dq0-dLh0ON6IKcy7LFCr9Lv-qLrgKMgZ1oZHIRX4B9iR05Il6m9Fz-FjB1fYGGCJ7XuJYdsSyFDF_MDX_IxLt8BuHJyNq8q2Jg/s320/Cascade+Fall+9.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529807894774837794" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">This is right before we left because it was getting pretty cold. It was a hard thing to accept.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMjI2ha9_7bTKIyqigxSbeP1kqcZ1N969uxC9zUT0-ILOT7biicShtGETesaN9dojv81lUKHf3ZeUHHyiJZzmeqWmV5lQannGGnLMinbZvNGPP0vkuWNr4wjPekDtRR3eAQTnV6jFdiY/s1600/Cascade+Fall+13.JPG"></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMjI2ha9_7bTKIyqigxSbeP1kqcZ1N969uxC9zUT0-ILOT7biicShtGETesaN9dojv81lUKHf3ZeUHHyiJZzmeqWmV5lQannGGnLMinbZvNGPP0vkuWNr4wjPekDtRR3eAQTnV6jFdiY/s1600/Cascade+Fall+13.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMjI2ha9_7bTKIyqigxSbeP1kqcZ1N969uxC9zUT0-ILOT7biicShtGETesaN9dojv81lUKHf3ZeUHHyiJZzmeqWmV5lQannGGnLMinbZvNGPP0vkuWNr4wjPekDtRR3eAQTnV6jFdiY/s320/Cascade+Fall+13.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529807766099775330" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">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...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBEFMJvciHFqg43IVCb8QIjR8as5KaVFi44rLm8Nj6xdE0BRXaiznIZUufPSBtu5e_dspcDdbW0hiqlLiX9u8dn3ne27qld50wwZyu6RZnrdD23qszEpMAWTBF6sixVzEV3O9UYCsmds/s1600/Crystal+Lake+12.JPG"></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBEFMJvciHFqg43IVCb8QIjR8as5KaVFi44rLm8Nj6xdE0BRXaiznIZUufPSBtu5e_dspcDdbW0hiqlLiX9u8dn3ne27qld50wwZyu6RZnrdD23qszEpMAWTBF6sixVzEV3O9UYCsmds/s1600/Crystal+Lake+12.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBEFMJvciHFqg43IVCb8QIjR8as5KaVFi44rLm8Nj6xdE0BRXaiznIZUufPSBtu5e_dspcDdbW0hiqlLiX9u8dn3ne27qld50wwZyu6RZnrdD23qszEpMAWTBF6sixVzEV3O9UYCsmds/s320/Crystal+Lake+12.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529807585004804370" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">...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 <i>so</i> back-woodsy, you have no idea.</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3G0UdD7pqS6rPO5zVx823NpmybLWINx39ovMElj3gw-LVyD7qXG0ckQr-nNzHrhaPUjqUNhpH16MIzb7iqheJSL5LJiv_glNJ0A9Jzwz3EGCQTQmh01MidcNihDjiPNYgJlU3h9VlQlY/s1600/Crystal+Lake+3.JPG"></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3G0UdD7pqS6rPO5zVx823NpmybLWINx39ovMElj3gw-LVyD7qXG0ckQr-nNzHrhaPUjqUNhpH16MIzb7iqheJSL5LJiv_glNJ0A9Jzwz3EGCQTQmh01MidcNihDjiPNYgJlU3h9VlQlY/s1600/Crystal+Lake+3.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3G0UdD7pqS6rPO5zVx823NpmybLWINx39ovMElj3gw-LVyD7qXG0ckQr-nNzHrhaPUjqUNhpH16MIzb7iqheJSL5LJiv_glNJ0A9Jzwz3EGCQTQmh01MidcNihDjiPNYgJlU3h9VlQlY/s320/Crystal+Lake+3.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529807302655315010" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">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.</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrPCr7KBCC_At_GqQCAYdumIorFh4WIo9TH5z_rl6N5Sr8OIt9cgj4Jwa-N9jqTmqdAO4apSp2A8Fyllqeb1Q201y-3yPFoSJZxcJvoqwLxr3zQZH4EUR4q5W-SXpDBNhUp2ZwIfQuDw/s1600/Sunday+Afternoon+1.JPG"></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrPCr7KBCC_At_GqQCAYdumIorFh4WIo9TH5z_rl6N5Sr8OIt9cgj4Jwa-N9jqTmqdAO4apSp2A8Fyllqeb1Q201y-3yPFoSJZxcJvoqwLxr3zQZH4EUR4q5W-SXpDBNhUp2ZwIfQuDw/s1600/Sunday+Afternoon+1.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrPCr7KBCC_At_GqQCAYdumIorFh4WIo9TH5z_rl6N5Sr8OIt9cgj4Jwa-N9jqTmqdAO4apSp2A8Fyllqeb1Q201y-3yPFoSJZxcJvoqwLxr3zQZH4EUR4q5W-SXpDBNhUp2ZwIfQuDw/s320/Sunday+Afternoon+1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529807169585041410" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">As hard as it is to accept, summer is gone...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmpezpzqssWGDbWAWJ09cnl_PAn9w5yg_YJnUr84Z62GB61Rir3qRDUtpdcbdruso7dUmqqcB_t5-Y38W08xbaUcnxzdosWi4wipn9fsXfRcYsu2Xjnw5rSqXwyS1emkyUXdozXwX6vI/s1600/Sunday+Afternoon+2.JPG"></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmpezpzqssWGDbWAWJ09cnl_PAn9w5yg_YJnUr84Z62GB61Rir3qRDUtpdcbdruso7dUmqqcB_t5-Y38W08xbaUcnxzdosWi4wipn9fsXfRcYsu2Xjnw5rSqXwyS1emkyUXdozXwX6vI/s1600/Sunday+Afternoon+2.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 221px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmpezpzqssWGDbWAWJ09cnl_PAn9w5yg_YJnUr84Z62GB61Rir3qRDUtpdcbdruso7dUmqqcB_t5-Y38W08xbaUcnxzdosWi4wipn9fsXfRcYsu2Xjnw5rSqXwyS1emkyUXdozXwX6vI/s320/Sunday+Afternoon+2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529806896722715010" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">...But I had <i>so much FUN!</i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">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?</div>"Miss Kris"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04993555613563116443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139615803959262943.post-83646453373227157922010-08-24T13:26:00.000-07:002010-08-24T14:44:05.764-07:00A Spontaneous Trip<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">On a regular Thursday afternoon, I was doing some work for "Miss Kris Music" and I got a text from </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Spencer, asking me if I would be able to leave in a couple hours for the west coast. I said "YES!" and he </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">gave me the choice of Oregon or Northern California and we narrowed it down to San Francisco. A coupl</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">e 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 </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">were able to drive twelve hours and had a blast the entire time.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15_WkjmuLqgSj9m6DEddXHKlNh-xAaOFxfPb53aqS5vSfePtpBfycy5n9FhZvnkZb7Q94o1y2kQTmoa0nsJk8Zr7NeDa2PnC216W39YU_zaam3ZstlnXNconYeynJ7htUGtXUNbypA_g/s200/China+Town+2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509094682679236962" /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The first day was spent between China Town and Unio</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">n Square. Spencer was so sweet, wanting to buy me cute li'l things and take pictures of us wherever we wen</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">t. 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 the</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">re because it was stinkin' rinkin' huge! We didn't get everything done that we wanted but it was getting late so we took off.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFikyifycWZVTBX0VC64rjKZXSyU6nD3a44qe4xSXMqhoc-0IH1v4PtG6AtQBdkhTPJ84RQVIiKWUNCQg5Wi-7K2KlUM32BCNYGhe3Luf0o8CPrdtKsyuw1NfGtw6GVVnfLuf3WoYclU/s200/Pier+39+8.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509093561810809410" /></span></span></div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">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 s</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">alt water is my kinda heaven. The big ships a few yards away was a cool addition, too.</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiZTOz2tFvM9VJXWIP3X_s8w3qybIQ7bBDOxvTQxilMCXlGZZQGlGrPYQqJyKoTSqYQNCteNDhwoIngId_EG6DTdCwUJ5WIXiG7SFKVQ3qE21Uow7Ihh4xRFCZZdwbkz7rvsW835rmB0/s200/Beach+3.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509091109459656274" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">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 Ga</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">te 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.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jWZElSF3RpYlf6lyNP9sf5BWTVO0ek3GS2MGw7Pj3YsHigeKwq3excei2vxp5_JznzfXe4c7ypncX4HFhAK_qN-lhzYA5Ivk6S7JbxZUR4ykZJWFphig1hw3x99b08GHzjaMwAkzt98/s200/Golden+Gate+4.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509092131247031458" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">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 </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">being</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> there was good enough. With so much to see and do without paying a cent. It was pretty great. </span></span></div></div>"Miss Kris"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04993555613563116443noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139615803959262943.post-83926663544082439892010-08-04T22:38:00.000-07:002010-08-05T13:31:27.176-07:00I Like To Look For Rainbows<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHfyBU7g2ct2xOTjOxGzqO1z1Bic9VPBDfta8b-LwvXuNvnTxZFG1apDKWcH3UiL1w4xBGzj5i_w7T0olpp3u3457PEsxSpL2wwFGCESNrQqsZLKiSQPxjx1u8UCGnE-NABqmGJtbAtQ/s1600/Rainy+Quote.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHfyBU7g2ct2xOTjOxGzqO1z1Bic9VPBDfta8b-LwvXuNvnTxZFG1apDKWcH3UiL1w4xBGzj5i_w7T0olpp3u3457PEsxSpL2wwFGCESNrQqsZLKiSQPxjx1u8UCGnE-NABqmGJtbAtQ/s200/Rainy+Quote.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501814751606321330" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">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.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">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. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">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.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">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?).</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">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:</span></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 140px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXH_BQfthfEqrdRYLzjjvQBfVlcvqVhlWnGUoYKWVnSS-1c9TLSaQohdonpQyWXJ6w3QK1z_h206gNe6IcbIRuuKmANGixkDw6fi6qiEmYzBNVPtOijdHsQWMhsA5yyDBhjYJXVe8_es/s200/Rainy+Umbrella+Girl.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501813600966617138" /><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Have a 'picnic' whenever you have the chance</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Look for the joy (it's there), no matter the conditions</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The 'storm' may be needed to make the 'grass greener' and wash away the grime</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Behind the heavy clouds is the sun, ready to shine through</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Even a storm can give you a spectacular view</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">You can wait indoors and hide away or you can be in the action and witness God's power</span></span></li></ul></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">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):</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>I Like To Look For Rainbows</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">And ponder on the beauty of an earth made clean again.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I want to be the best I can and live with God again.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I know the storms of trials will pass away someday;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I'll feel the sunshine warm my soul and dry my tears away.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I want to be the best I can and live with God again.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I know that I can smile and always feel His love;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">And seek for joy and power in my Father up above.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I want to be the best I can and live with God again.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I'd like to thank my Father for sending me the Son</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">To help me through the clouds and rain, 'till all my work is done.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:15.8333px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I want to be the best I can and live with God again.</span></span></div></span></span></span></div></div>"Miss Kris"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04993555613563116443noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139615803959262943.post-11064410764276573042010-07-11T11:13:00.000-07:002010-07-12T11:30:38.506-07:00Ebben... Ne Andro LontanaI 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!<br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NMBUba7Uods&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NMBUba7Uods&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>"Miss Kris"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04993555613563116443noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139615803959262943.post-62630982708687755532010-07-03T18:22:00.001-07:002010-07-06T16:41:32.049-07:00Let Freedom RingIf 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 <i>Let Freedom Ring. </i>I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.<div><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.odeo.com/flash/audio_player_standard_black.swf" quality="high" width="300" height="52" allowscriptaccess="always" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="valid_sample_rate=true&external_url= http://www.noriskinvestor.com/kristine/let_freedom_ring.mp3 " pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div>"Miss Kris"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04993555613563116443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139615803959262943.post-15831180167072144672010-06-28T21:25:00.000-07:002010-06-29T00:08:20.584-07:00Another Door<div style="text-align: left;">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.</div><div>"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.</div><div>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...). </div><div>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.</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMui9EAU1qgBJj8OqmFEr_BQEITO6nF45paKxc6CcFbO_gdOUZBDFo2U4pRjYMPql_i368UbNZMU-iXilt3m7nrtaPCbgbASUivA9AC-BN-jNkNwreaMt44GXfwUMaw3CnLCY3LRDDMSE/s200/Garden+Door.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488087246399946226" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 152px; height: 200px; " />"Miss Kris"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04993555613563116443noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139615803959262943.post-11784760111110249652010-04-05T15:28:00.001-07:002010-04-07T17:36:28.037-07:00He Is Not Here<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUszN3h1P2iLc1ilKiY5DZPrBgTgA-nJeU4cNGrIArS_FbY5H1MHIk6FYO2xzc2-aJtt0JikQQCESjBo1FGOP0VbDycUz0eZRn5dNQ_URPd56m8SmsLx8bA9vl_vnk4oGbQjtt-i6DN8/s1600/JesusIsBorn.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456792761220225826" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 200px; height: 194px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUszN3h1P2iLc1ilKiY5DZPrBgTgA-nJeU4cNGrIArS_FbY5H1MHIk6FYO2xzc2-aJtt0JikQQCESjBo1FGOP0VbDycUz0eZRn5dNQ_URPd56m8SmsLx8bA9vl_vnk4oGbQjtt-i6DN8/s200/JesusIsBorn.jpg" border="0" /></a> 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. <div><br /><div></div><div>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 <em>(thanks Jenn</em>!). Spencer picked me up and we went to conference. For any Christian faith, President <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Monson's</span> talk was <em>the </em>perfect<em> </em>Easter talk. I needed to hear it (just as I did for every talk given this year) and I left conference even more grateful.</div><br /><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456792650598384930" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 200px; height: 155px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_GCthqQPWvT_BnqBuukf105bL5OQWgFLsYAGkstbjE3pdOiJvGPSIL55W1gdxWrV46WfrmvpUNchgbs5axIP5vxbzLAjsA2lfeT3cilVFEfJMyg6WC4G5nH3YL-NaIbDDmBQJn1-bbw/s200/Palm+Sunday.jpg" border="0" />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. :)<br /><div></div><br /><div>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.</div><div> </div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456794224568827138" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjSLhObgYhHi9gaBJTLRUobzv25KynJzqfNRMIf-V2bvJ7vriYT2qemhRZW_td1Cg9lnIczxB-R2oj43dhzwFZFHZmy3DskBygHhH2Fb119vdB1nuF52dVAZWO79-FUj2Og0XfaqklmQ/s320/Christus.jpg" border="0" /><br />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.<br /></div><div></div><div></div></div></div></div>"Miss Kris"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04993555613563116443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139615803959262943.post-37588158285784566212010-02-20T09:44:00.000-08:002010-02-20T09:46:16.312-08:00My Unplanned 2009I 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.<br />10. I am two semesters closer to graduating and will graduate in 2010 with a pretty good GPA (after eight years of academic hell)<br />9. I created a few compositions that got me into a program to work with professional composers in the film industry in 2010<br />8. I got through intense physical therapy (two hours a day, three days a week for five months)<br />7. I tried out and made it as a soloist in one of the UVU dance concerts against dance majors. What-what!<br />6. I got up the guts to audition and made it as a 1st/2nd soprano in a professional choir<br />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)<br />4. I turned 28 years old on the 28th (how often does that happen?)<br />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)<br />2. I did the work and, oddly enough, am considered a fluent Spanish speaker now. Go fig.<br />1. I can proudly say I am better than I was a year ago, in every aspect :D<br /><br />One year of unplanned turn of events has left me, thinking 2009 was a pretty great year."Miss Kris"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04993555613563116443noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139615803959262943.post-90307990916520155042010-01-27T10:32:00.000-08:002010-02-02T13:34:49.512-08:00Haven't Met You, YetJenn sent it to me and I fell in love--with the song. This song is mine. And I'll tell you why...<br /><object height="295" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1AJmKkU5POA&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1AJmKkU5POA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><ol><br /><li>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!)</li><br /><li>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...</li><br /><li>I only date men I meet in grocery stores who sing to me (I haven't dated in a while)</li><br /><li>I have blond hair and I wear pants with necklaces</li><br /><li>I love grocery stores <em>so</em> much--you don't even know</li><br /><li>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!)</li><br /><li>I keep a spare bed in aisle 5</li><br /><li>Confetti is totally my thing</li><br /><li>I'll sing to cashiers for discounts (I got a free receipt last time)</li><br /><li>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! <li>I haven't met him, yet, and I wonder where he is</li></li></ol>"Miss Kris"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04993555613563116443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139615803959262943.post-35403115531243975142010-01-06T16:40:00.000-08:002010-01-08T21:44:30.631-08:002009 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:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />10. Acquire food storage for the 2012 death of my existence... 2012 was two years away so I ate it all<br /><br /><br />9. Make sure Taylor Swifts finishes all her speeches... Kanye blew it<br /><br /><br />8. Back-up the U.S. President... He hasn't done anything worth backing, yet<br /><br /><br />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<br /><br /><br />6. Be the best flu fighter in the world... I don't have the tools to measure that<br /><br /><br />5. Make an "I Got an App For That" app... I need a better phone<br /><br /><br />4. Give all dogs a crib, a stroller and a Gucci bag... Paris, Britney, Torrie and Boy George beat me to it<br /><br /><br />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<br /><br /><br />2. Be a good American, despite that I am a white, heterosexual, religious American who loves America... Guess not<br /><br /><br />1. Fly off into NASA (inspired by Kanye West)... I don't have the equipment for that<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />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."Miss Kris"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04993555613563116443noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139615803959262943.post-87990980067564694262009-01-22T15:53:00.000-08:002009-01-23T13:07:15.939-08:00Tupac vs. ObamaTo know my take on this whole presidantial thing, let's go back to the days when Boys II Men busted their smooth jams and MC Hammer was coming and gone; the days when Tupac and Notorious were alive and lyrically beating each other down until they each got shot and Micheal Jackson was onto only his 4th face lift. Awe.. those were the good ol' days. The days when politics, economy and history were rapped by The Fugees and they sneaked in another language that you would have to get smarter to know that the heck they were talking about (I think it was, like, French or something). I passed high school because u'dem! Der m'heart!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIAopxQHkO0VEig7oXZd_KqBJRPo2mO-geAc2vrYjK4qpLJiyFenBrxvKXrcb3nt6j97TiEGmFyEwjtAaID2IsYRr3oNraKXC_yg5gn1vPqMEDRecLEvFM0RHn8xH3UqvKc3TW9bekhq4/s1600-h/Biggie.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294287143485358226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 316px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIAopxQHkO0VEig7oXZd_KqBJRPo2mO-geAc2vrYjK4qpLJiyFenBrxvKXrcb3nt6j97TiEGmFyEwjtAaID2IsYRr3oNraKXC_yg5gn1vPqMEDRecLEvFM0RHn8xH3UqvKc3TW9bekhq4/s320/Biggie.jpg" border="0" /></a>I gotta bus' this point: The world we live in is alarming when every time I turn the radio station to find a good song, I have to turn it again because the newly found song is dirty and/or annoying. Well,...yeah, I still love R-Kelly's <em>I Don't See Nothing Wrong</em> but that's diff'ren'! That song's BOMB. But whatever happened to the songs about Mama and peace? Tupac, Biggie and the Boyz luv'd der Mamaz but that all seems to be so '90's. I'm listening to <em>Changes</em> and <em>Now That We Found Love</em>. Shoo'! Even Heavy D knew what was going on. Now, we've got Hannah-Bo-Bannah on the scene with her puberty fat, acting like she's got somethin'. And everyone's falling for it! Nowadays, The Disney Channel seems to be taking over the charts and nine year olds are hotter than I could ever be, telling me that Obama's great because he's black. (Not quite, High School Musical Cast, not quite). Well, I'm not falling for it! Hulkamania is still in my Top Ten Records and I will always have TLC's <em>No Scrubs</em> in my iPod so that Left Eye will always be wit' me. Now, I'm going to share a li'l secret with you: I always hated New Kids on The Block. Maybe that is anti-90's of me but that's just the way it is - some things will never change: They're crap.<br />BUT BACK TO <em>Changes...</em> Tupac had skillz poh-lit-tik-alie! Obama says he's all about CHANGE and I don't think anyone really knows what that means...still. But I see no changes. All I<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuIB5_cMxTN5ZOalKtYUSKWwhe6HES0dDYcRxmHTrrzT5ttTdVGriiU5jIiY23OPF-XSSJSoe7UQGY0UnLCb0ZvLlhIwVHP9t84P3ayj09D6AZAQ0DAUpMFRPKIMSjfMM905cBImaE9I/s1600-h/Obama+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294286766236768034" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 145px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuIB5_cMxTN5ZOalKtYUSKWwhe6HES0dDYcRxmHTrrzT5ttTdVGriiU5jIiY23OPF-XSSJSoe7UQGY0UnLCb0ZvLlhIwVHP9t84P3ayj09D6AZAQ0DAUpMFRPKIMSjfMM905cBImaE9I/s320/Obama+3.jpg" border="0" /></a> see is racist faces. Take the Inaugural Benediction for example, the colors were put in their own compartment by some pimped-out rhyme (which isn't fair because a lot of the ESL and Asian peeps up in 'er' don't unde's'and what da boyz' peepin'). Where was Twista and the turn table? Whatdu? Why you gotta be segregatin' right from the beginning? That's just the way it. But, with Obama, I have a feeling that things will never be the same, 'cause that's just the way it is. However, some things will never change like the war in the Middle EAS'! I don't know if this new color of a president will make any difference because I believe it is bes' to judge based on the content of their character and not the color of their skin. I think the great reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. had said that once.... why couldn't the prayer be based off of that, rather than some demo trape stolen from a wanna-be Disney rapper? I've got news for ya: Mama didn't raise no foo'! Aw-w-w-we yu-eah!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6mXG_exKu5mi2l0OmgYEJz4BXKZ-hCLq1uysF-9tfQuDd8vOXm5UGuU167nhi-dtoL7LNwz8FPlbP5VysKgg8AgbXC1IjFEu7ry3r_YoumlIrICbkIDHwzCF2L2DmEPR-NqLBF1HTok/s1600-h/Tupac+2.bmp"></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294287514064317538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 260px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnEJuwtrSXFvt8pK4vQTYpoItLtH2fUpVysdx9p6Bb5sFT1MN6lcJzH3Az864QEBapxfsoXLbF7zDZqwzZtQdO8OHDjWDAo1_hm3xv1bYqd4W_6MTXsOF7PoZ5z69MG-2cZ3idtHi-iE/s320/Tupac+2.bmp" border="0" />"Miss Kris"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04993555613563116443noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139615803959262943.post-8402887456339131412008-11-16T22:15:00.000-08:002008-11-16T23:24:52.206-08:00Thanks, Dad<span style="font-family:georgia;">Just like every year, I am preparing a Christmas concert for my ward. And, as usual, not many people show up or are willing to participate. After asking musicians and human beings who breathe to help out and join, I am often left with one member: myself. Okay, it's not <em>that </em>bad but the numbers of participants are pretty darn small. I don't know if my dad anticipated this when he taught us how to play different instruments, conduct and sing properly but he sure did a good job and has helped us more than he will ever know.<br />While teaching the choir today, I was playing the piano, conducting with my head, singing the solos, teaching the descants and making up different arrangements to make the music a bit more moving with my clarinet on one side and my violin on the other, ready to show them what the instrumental part will sound like. Am I bragging? Not about me, but about my dad. That man is so smart and so patient. He did so much for me that made me love every aspect of music. If it weren't for him, I would not have gone through all the schooling that I have. I think I would have graduated in generals and then called it good. But Nooo! I had to be trained in dance, voice, clarinet, piano, strings and then landed on voice with a clarinet scholarship in order to be at peace with my choices. I think it is because of my dad that I cannot play one instrument and be okay with it. If I ever run into a situation where someone needs a pianist and doesn't have one, I figure my time to learn. Same goes for strings, woodwinds, voice, etc. I haven't learned all the instruments but I'm working on it!<br />For Family Home Evening, we would sometimes pull out all these instruments and make up ways to play a certain song. Cari would play flute, Eddie on trumpet, Dad on sax (whichever one he wanted to play at that time), Jessi on piano, Mom singing alto (quietly in the background, thinking we couldn't hear her... so cute) and me on clarinet. These family home evening music sessions would literally go on for hours. Eventually, we learned to transpose and compose on the fly and learn to improv in order to make things work. By the time we were in high school, we were pretty darn nerdy and secretly loved it. Christmas was the greatest time for that because we would get out all the instruments and figure out ways to incorporate them. Not many people would be willing to participate in the Christmas concerts, so we Stewarts would compensate with the instrumentations. A few songs that were guaranteed to be performed were: Angels' Carol, Candlelight Carol, Away in A Manger, Angels We have Heard on High, Betelehemu, some Christmas medlies and Stille Nachte. After over twelve years of this, we have had a hard time being without it.<br />I no longer have daily practices with my brother and sisters and dad, nor do I stand in the living room and practice with the CD's while Dad is getting Sunday lunch ready. I've got the memories, though, and those are so special to me. A couple of years ago, I went with my family and a friend to the Sissel Christmas Concert in Salt Lake City, Utah. One song that was performed was Betelehmu, an African Christmas song that translates to 'Bethlehem.' I remember playing the congas for that piece, watching my dad conduct, hearing the soloists and exclamations from the choir members. I didn't say anything, but held my sister's hand who was sitting next to me with tears in my eyes, trying to hide them. I looked over and saw my sister doing the same thing. It was at that moment, without words, my sister and I shared all those memories of family and the birth of Jesus Christ. Later came away in a manger with the flute and oboe - something Cari and I played together every year. We just kept holding hands and, this time, we openly let the tears flow. It was a special time for the both of us - something we have grown to deeply appreciate and love.<br />Now, I'm grown and out of the house. Cari lives one city south and we will be helping each other with our own Christmas presentations. Both she and I are Choir Directors and know what to do as if we've been doing it for years. We have a lot of the same music, Cari has her flute, I have my clarinet and we will get together this week and rehearse. These are the times I live for. We will end the presentation with Stille Nachte - a family favorite. I will probably tear up while playing my clarinet, as I always do, remembering the birth of our Savior and how much I love playing music with my family. November and December are dear for me because floods of memories come back. I remember the birth, life and resurrection of Jesus Christ and how I shared that with my family and grew to love and live for it. I hope that, one day, I can somehow get with all of my brothers and sisters, gather around a piano while each one of us take up an instrument and play, and watch and listen to each other. It's amazing and I am so grateful that it has been introduced into my life almost 27 years ago.<br />With all that being said, I'd like you all to know that it's my dad who made it possible, who brought all that into The Stewart Family's life. If you grew up in Palmdale, served with me in Nauvoo, have gone to church with me, lived with me or hung out with me, you know what I'm talking about. :) Thanks, Dad.</span>"Miss Kris"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04993555613563116443noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139615803959262943.post-28340263553616163492008-09-25T16:50:00.000-07:002008-10-06T16:57:16.870-07:00Medieval PeopleI am sometimes asked what my biggest fear is. Some people would response with 'being alone,' 'speaking in public.' No, not me! There are two things that I am terrified of: Being attacked by a shark and Medieval People. Being attacked by a shark is self-explanatory--I just wouldn't want that to happen... at all! I usually have to explain the "Medieval People" one, though.<br /><br />You see, there are a certain bit of people in this world who I think should go bag to Medieval Planet.. or wherever. Middle Earth? Hermoine? I'm not sure. ANYWAY, it's the scariest when they dress up for a Lord of The Rings or Star Wars opening night and hang out at the movie theatre two days before the first showing. They would rather have pointy ears and have a mermaid for a girlfriend than have a regular life. Forget about studying up on Obama or McCain when there are vampire books and 'Armored Lady' porn.<br /><br />I remember the day this fear took hold of me. I was in a meeting in high school and a guy was sitting next to me. He had this sketch pad and was working on some of his pencil work and I noticed some of his drawings. He could have been a designer for Harry Potter--he was so creative! His dragons were pretty dang cool and his unicorns were outstanding. Then I saw it! The medieval porn. It was of this big-breasted woman with armor lingerie, hold a sword, ready to jump out of the drawing and pounce her nerdy creator. I started to scootch farther and farther away from that kid. I realized that dragons, pointy ears, capes and magic games go so much farther than sci-fi and fantasy books. It's a lifestyle of fantasy and a lifestyle of fantasy is dangerous, especially when it has to do with medieval people, running a muck with swords that they are too whimpy to carry in their lingerie armory.<br /><br />Yes, I wanted to be a mermaid when I was a little girl and my favorite animal was a horse, wishing that pagasi and unicorns were real. Then I looked at my closet full of magic capes and Peter Pan skirts and realized that I needed to buy some t-shirts and tennis shoes and read something non-fiction. My colored tights are long-gone and my pointy wax ears have retired and am part of society. I wish Medieval People would come to the same conclusion that I have: You are all scary and weird."Miss Kris"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04993555613563116443noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139615803959262943.post-83791491817523812642008-09-20T19:52:00.000-07:002008-10-06T16:58:09.241-07:00I Hope I Never Forget TodayI hope I never forget today, or, at least, that I have more days like this one. The guys and I went running our 18-miler today, up in Provo Canyon. First of all, it's late-September and, with the change in season, I was in awe, looking at how beautiful it all was. In addition to that, the weather was fantastic. Clouds would come rolling by, giving me a huge, cool shade and then drift away so that I could bask in the warm sun again and, throughout the run, it would get windy and rain a lot. It was so much fun! I kept putting on certain music when it would start raining to add to the moment (I highly suggest listening to Only One by Yellow Card when you hit your sixteenth mile, you're running under a roof of tree branches with leaves falling, wind blowing against you and rain cooling you off). Those moments were music video material, I swear! I wish I had a camera with me. I wish other people were there with me--we would have had so much fun together, running in the rain. I had a big smile on my face that I could not get rid of. I was enjoying the moment so much. I hope there are more days like today.<br /><br />I am not a fan of running, I will admit. I like to run to stay in shape. I don't think it's fun, nor have I looked forward to any of our big Saturday morning runs in preparation for the marathon. I made a goal to run a marathon at the beginning of the year because I've always wanted to know if I could so I decided that I would. Now that I am pretty close, I figure that this one will be my first and last. I don't enjoy putting my body through pain but I do enjoy reaching my goals that I set.<br /><br />To get my mnd off the pain, I sing. Yes, that's right, I sing while running. When no one is around, I sing as loud and long as possible. Today, there were a lot of Brian McKnight tunes that were perfect! When someone was coming up behind me or coming towards me, I just sang quieter and then went back up again. They probably thought I was crazy but that's how I roll.<br /><br />Anyway, the part that I do love about running is the people I meet and get to know. I've talked with fellow runners on the track, talked about when their marathon is, how well they're doing, etc. I find out so much more than that, though. These people are so happy and excited to do this. I guess we're all doing the same thing--bettering ourselves, pushing ourselves and taking care of our bodies and just feeling great about it. Even when I hit mile seventeen, I was still smiling, saying 'Good Morning' to everyone and it came right back at me. There were so many who I saw several times that day. One man stopped me because we kept passing each other. He looked like he was in his 70's and eating a peach, happy as can be and told me that I need to stop following him around. Cute guy. Another was crazy-fit, running with me for a couple miles. He kept telling me to keep it up and would talk to me, telling me to stop and drink more water, just being way upbeat and friendly. I've never met him before on the track and he is just an example of the many great people I meet while running.<br /><br />I just love being surrounded by people with the mentality of always pushing to become better and being happy and excited about it. I know their lives are hard and they struggle and get through trials but it's great to smile with them and just let it go.<br /><br />One speech I love is by Will Smith. He was giving advice to children and he said that there are two very important things in life: Running and Reading. Running because you are always trying to go farther and ignore the voices in your head that tell you to stop or quit and continue to push through it. Reading because, in all history, there has been someone who has had your problems or worse and has written about it, so read and learn how to get through it. I totally agree. I guess that's one reason why I run even though I don't enjoy it."Miss Kris"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04993555613563116443noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139615803959262943.post-48918833292849290262008-09-11T20:47:00.000-07:002008-09-11T21:49:30.002-07:00Be Cool BeansI could be completely wrong and many may disagree with me but I'm gonna say it anyway: being a single adult in 2008 is tough. I date a lot but I've found that, when the guy and girl decide to be exclusive, it automatically becomes a hang-out, texting relationship. The old-fashioned courting and true chivalry have become extinct and just a story that our parents can relate to and understand. However, I've seen enough Jimmy Stewart films to know what I want (if you've seen <em>Mr.</em> <em>Smith Goes to</em> <em>Washington,</em> you'll know what I'm talking about).<br /><br /><br />I'll be honest when I say I believed that chivalry was completely gone when both my grandpa's died. Kinda depressing, I know. Sorry. But they were the ones who told me what kind of guy deserves me--the one that seems to not exist anymore. However, I think that every good girl deserves those kind of men. You know? The ones who resemble men like President Hinckley, Jimmy Stewart and our own dear grandfathers in attitude, respect and manners. Hey! If the guy looks like Ryan Reynolds, that's even better, but that's just my opinion. Maybe guys are saying the same thing about girls--that there aren't enough true ladies anymore, like Audrey Hepburn and Deanna Durbin (if anyone knows who that is).<br /><br /><br />I am frequently told that I am too picky but, in this day in age, ya dang right I'm being picky! I have every right and so does every other single person out there who is trying to be the best they can be. I'm not about to analyze how the guy walks or what kind of shampoo he uses but I will make sure that he's nice to me ALL the time without any<span style="color:#000000;"> alterior</span> motives and that he is strong in what he b<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3-Cw5bpV55hfWuTNauD0oeHqo3gHAKvRGYLbi8mF6vFU9olJgYVC07B-wStIPywt1qCUKHTdSTc_FoArqgysuibbS800ecmhyphenhyphenaz9uL_AVL60fGbYKTqqSzkQ_NczW5RcGPdvVpGlTzQ/s1600-h/Bellagio+Garden+(8).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244990167039097746" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3-Cw5bpV55hfWuTNauD0oeHqo3gHAKvRGYLbi8mF6vFU9olJgYVC07B-wStIPywt1qCUKHTdSTc_FoArqgysuibbS800ecmhyphenhyphenaz9uL_AVL60fGbYKTqqSzkQ_NczW5RcGPdvVpGlTzQ/s320/Bellagio+Garden+(8).JPG" border="0" /></a>elieves in to be right. Why is that so hard to find? Hmmm... I'm almost 27 years old and I still don't have a concrete answer.<br /><br /><br />With all that being said, it's not really a concern for me because I <em>am </em>happy. I know that, if something goes wrong or I'm sad or depressed for whatever reasons, only I can change that. It would be the same even if I had a significant person in my life, so HEY! It's good times, either way. I'm happy because I want to be. So, to all those singles: Let's stay strong together, fight the good fight, be picky, work hard and be happy.<br /><br />I will admit that life would be funner to share with a Forever Buddy but I'm not about to sit around and wait for someone awesome to decide to find me. Not only that, but, before, my happiness was dependent on when I had a boyfriend. It's been so long since I've had one of those that I accepted it could just be me for the rest of my life (some people would think that I am being ridiculous but it's a possibility, believe it or not) and I'm cool. I'm cool beans all the way."Miss Kris"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04993555613563116443noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139615803959262943.post-41850610683061443732008-09-09T16:39:00.000-07:002008-10-06T16:59:13.539-07:00Thanks To Michelle & Everyone Like Her<div align="center">Hello! I've finally started one of these things! Josh would be so proud. <br /><br />I never really had time to sit and create one but, HEY!, I saw all my friends and family with the sweetest, most interesting and fun postings that I had to join in on the fun. ...But their fun seems more interesting than what I could come up with, so maybe I will just cut and paste from someone else's and hope that no one notices (even though I don't have kids, live in Vegas, nor am I married or graduated...). Awe gee! What can I write about? Dating? No way! Those are horrible times for anyone. Although, I do admit that it's nice to have tons of delicious left-overs in my fridge from previous dinner dates, instead of resorting to my cheese and rice meals.<br /><br />Okay, so I am going to UVU as a voice major. My teachers don't know whether I am a true Soprano because I have such a thick voice, but they are not sure if I am a Mezzo Soprano or Alto because I can go higher and lower than those particular ranges. When my teacher was saying these things to me the first time, I was in shock. Me? I have a huge range? I have a good voice? Whadu!? If you were to go back to my earlier years, you would understand. Just to give you an example, I ran into a fellow choir member from Palmdale about a week ago. She asked me what I was doing in school and I started laughing and told her that I am in the Master Opera program at UVU. She started laughing and said, "How did that happen? Before, we would try to get you to sing on pitch!" And we're not talking about some crazy aria, she was referring to "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." Yeah, I was horrible.<br /><br />I remember singing as loud as I could because, in my mind, I would sound just like the amazing vocalists if I sang louder. People would look at me in pain as I sang flat and thin. One of my dear friends, Michelle Goodman, told me to never stop singing, dancing or playing my music. If I loved it and it made me happy, do it, even when people said that I sounded awful. That meant so much to me because I wasn't one of those people who was 'born with it.' I struggled and worked hard. I remember one choir practice, Michelle told me to play this challenging organ piece and to "Just do it." As much as I would mess up, she would just laugh and tell me to play it again and again and again.... Even when there seemed to be no improvement, I took Michelle's advice and never stopped. I took voice lessons for four years, studied a few summers at BYU and participated in every music group I had the opportunity to go to. I know I'm sounding like a 'Has-Been' but I'm retracing my steps and I'm proud of what I went through. I was asked to play for the President of the United States when I was 16 years old, I played for a time with the Junior Los Angeles Philharmonic and, at the end of the year, my teacher sent my tape to someone in Julliard and I was then told that, basically, I made the cut to be accepted into Julliard. None of those things lasted. I didn't take any of those things further and I am grateful. I wouldn't have met and been through what I have if I chose those things. I wont go into detail but I think that I did what was right.<br /><br />Well, it was a special time when I was with Michelle during a couple of her last weeks alive. I remember sitting in front of her on the living room floor of their Colorado home and than<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxmQRRCPK9PJZ9kxx8y06ZKdaNZZdX3mT-5BVgSj2wVjIg-K9s0KrqxZhIqoeNS-lxdlaRnl7OTEw55Jj7G5saFf9WCwsRVlgz2f7ZSJLNbJ08JKqCZ97UTn-wDqjXk_9hydOP0U97Zs/s1600-h/Goodman+Family.jpg"></a>king her for telling me never to stop doing what I loved and for being another big sister for me. I don't think I will ever forget the smile that she gave me, especially considering how tired, weak and in pain she was. I gave her a hug and a kiss goodbye and told her I would see her later. I told her that, because of her, I would never stop. One month later, her husband Eric came to me an<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYM67pU7236fEvBbH0GBiqVRAwXD9vHWS8bP7JRf0eou3BksNiZuTEU4mCpURv6zKyhWEnJ6r2B6SQCini_K_A_Sw6gflIOa64WZtaJJG0K7XqmWFRQwKuNvyqs5goP-BL33_dXyKl88M/s1600-h/Goodman+Family.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244909810434324162" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYM67pU7236fEvBbH0GBiqVRAwXD9vHWS8bP7JRf0eou3BksNiZuTEU4mCpURv6zKyhWEnJ6r2B6SQCini_K_A_Sw6gflIOa64WZtaJJG0K7XqmWFRQwKuNvyqs5goP-BL33_dXyKl88M/s400/Goodman+Family.jpg" border="0" /></a>d said, "Michelle asked that you play the organ for her one last time." When I was playing, I did all I could not to mess up, to play with the chords and the phrases and "just do it." I don't know how it works but I would like to think that Michelle was behind me, telling to keep going, transpose, modulate and make it more beautiful.<br /><br />With all that being said, I guess Michelle is one reason why I don't stop, even when it seems that I'm not improving. When times were hard, when I got hurt or found myself alone, I turned to music and dance. I don't know what I would have done without that special solace in my life. I'm now in the Master Works Chorale and I am going to audition for one of the Messiah Solos. If Michelle were alive, she would tell me to "just do it." I've got a scholarship for clarinet and I am the Ward Music Chairman and Ward Choir Director. I just can't seem to get enough anymore. And I doubt that I will ever stop keepin' on, thanks to those who taught me to do so.</p><br /><br /><p>So for all you readers out there, I would say to always encourage people to work hard and to never stop doing what they love. You never know whose life you're going to save. </p></div>"Miss Kris"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04993555613563116443noreply@blogger.com3