1/1/11 - Happy New Year!

I can't believe it's 2011! I can't believe that I will be turning 30 this year! I can't believe that I've lived in the DC area for almost 3 years! I can't believe how great life is!

Speaking of turning 30, I was inspired by my roommates to make a list of 30 things that I want to do before I turn 30. One of the things was to write on my blog everyday for an entire month and January 2011 sounds like the best time to do that as I write about my life, dreams, ideas and much more.

After a long day of driving, napping and relaxing, I'm going to call it a day. Day one of blogging...check.

Elf Yourself

A couple of weeks ago my friend, Kim Walters and I decided that it would be fun to dress up like elves and sing for money outside the metro. We ended up singing for fun and had the best time of our lives! The pictures tell the story.

We started off at Unique Thrift Store to look for some treasures and we were not disappointed. We found elf hats, wigs, sparkly dresses and more.

It took us hours to put it all together...

Before and After

Photoshoot!

When riding the metro into DC we got a lot of looks, smiles and heard plenty of people whispering. We were trying to keep our cool but we couldn't stop giggling. A couple of people on the metro wanted to take a picture with us...and that was only the beginning. I'd say over the course of the evening at least 30 people asked to take pictures with us.

We found a spot that was in good sight of the National Christmas Tree (which is located in front of the White House) so people could take pictures with us if they wanted to. We started off by handing out mini candy canes to kids that walked by. Then it turned into taking pictures with kids, some Asians and other random people.

Then we decided to try out our "routine." We had practiced 4 songs and had some dance moves to go along with each one. (Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Here Comes Santa Clothes, Jingle Bells and We Wish You a Merry Christmas).

It was amazing to see the crowd form and the kids' eyes light up and even had some people sing along. Then the cheers came and the screams for more! It was so great! One of the funnest and best moments of my life. It was great to help people smile and feel excited for Christmas.

We had a great time and will never forget the fun we had!

A Lovely Thanksgiving Break

I was blessed to be able to go home, very last minute, for Thanksgiving this year. Thanks Mom and Dad for helping me make it home! It was definitely a much needed break for me. One of the highlights of the trip was going to Temple Square to check out the lights. Here are some pics of its beauty!

The luminaries were my favorite part. They were incredible. Each one was written in a different language.
World peace, that's what that is.

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At the BYU Museum of Art there is an extraordinary exhibit of Carl Bloch originals. Click here to read about it. If you are in the Utah area, the paintings will be at BYU until May 7, 2011 before returning to their original locations in Europe.
Some of my favorites included:

Gethesemane

Luke 22:41-44 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Healing at the Pool of Bethesda

John 5: 2-9, 16-17 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the Sabbath. And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the Sabbath day. But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

AND HERE'S MY FAVORITE BLOCH PAINTING

Why? Because I love old people; I love the old woman's countenance. I feel like she perfectly expresses God's love for even some of the smallest and insignificant creatures on this Earth.

Old Woman Feeding Sparrows

Matthew 10:29-30 "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered."

"God is in the details! Just as the Lord knows all of His vast creations, He also knows and loves each in any crowd—indeed, He knows and loves each and all of mankind!" ~Elder Neal A. Maxwell

Harp Recital

I had my harp recital this past Sunday in Springfield, VA.

I'm grateful for the love and support of my family and friends that came. Thank you!

Friends and family from VA and MD came to support me.

We literally had 2 weeks to put this together. Brett did a great job!

Now Put Your Hands Up!

I was going through some pictures today and found this little treasure. Enjoy!

Kaapu kaapu kaapu Hiroshima, Hiroshima Kaapu

"Kaapu kaapu kaapu Hiroshima, Hiroshima Kaapu"

My dad recently traveled to Japan for work and everytime I think of Japan, I think of the Carp's fighting song. We had it on a cassette tape and we would listen to it and sing along as we drove from Utah to Oregon.

Now I have something else to remind me of Japan...Hi-Chew!!

"Hi-Chew Hi-Chew Hi-Chew Hiroshima, Hiroshima Hi-Chew"

Their tastey fruity deliciousness always hits the spot. Well, I should have asked for a year supply because I have come to be somewhat addicted to them. I went for several weeks without them and then when I was in Costco last week, as I was walking down the candy aisle, there they were.

HI-CHEW!!!

I would have to say though, I wish Costco sold the grape flavor

because that is definitely my favorite.

My Heart is Melting