Let Freedom Ring

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

Another Door

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

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

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

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

He Is Not Here

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

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

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

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

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

My Unplanned 2009

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

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