Life is crazy.

And I love every second of the adventure. I went on my first real hike today. I went up to Eatonville with a friend of mine and one of her friends to hike near Mt. Rainier and it was a lot of fun, despite having to walk up all the hills. All the hills reminded me of Seattle, except with mud instead of concrete. And I'm pretty sure I prefer the mud (sorry, Seattle) but I can survive in the city. And at the end of the hike, you could definitely tell that I'm not one of those girls that's afraid of getting in the mud and getting dirty. I knew better than to wear something like really nice clothes (like something you would wear to an evening out or anything like that) or to bring a purse. Getting dirty on these things are inevitable. All three of us had some dirt on us by the end of the hike and I was by far the worst. But I don't really care. I had fun and that's the important part.

The views of the waterfalls were so worth all the hiking and hills and walking on logs over the river to get to them. It's amazing all the beautiful things you can find in the world that occur naturally. I could hike all day, if the weather was ideal, I had absolutely everything I needed with me, and some awesome friends to go with me. More hiking near, and even on, Mt. Rainier is a must after a day like today. I think going up to Mt. St. Helens is a possibility as well. When I'll find the time for all this, I don't know but I will find it somehow.

Pretty sure the funniest thing that happened while hiking was while I was crossing the river on a fallen log. I was about to get off the log and back onto the land and instead of stepping on land, I stepped on a branch and went into the river about halfway up my calves. Luckily enough for me, the current next to the riverbed wasn't all that strong and I was able to get out fairly quickly. And it wasn't as cold as I thought it would be and it felt kinda good.

Walking along that train bridge was scary when you looked down and saw the water between the planks of wood. Some of them were missing bits and pieces and made walking along them even scarier. Sitting on the bridge made for a great picture though. Yeah, you aren't supposed to be on it for safety reasons and the police don't want you on it but we were on the constant lookout for trains (not like we wouldn't hear something that big coming). Every time a car passed by (the road wasn't that far away since we were at the beginning of the trail), the thought of an oncoming train passed through the back of your mind, even though you knew it was only a vehicle on the road.

Towards the end of the hike, I kept hearing the same two lines from Carnival of Rust repeat themselves over and over in my head. I would have brought out Gir to listen to the song but I was having enough trouble trying to hear the other two people I was with when we were close to the waterfalls that I didn't need to add to the list of reasons why I couldn't hear what they were saying.

While at Subway, a remix of this song was playing. I hadn't heard it in a while, despite it being on Gir, and I thought it was awesome that they had it going.

I'm so easily entertained by music and I don't know why.

Sleep... What's that?

This last week has felt like I've gone through finals week, just without all the finals themselves. There hasn't been a day where I haven't done something or seen someone because they randomly showed up at my place with a Dr. Pepper (which totally made my day). Well, until today since I slept through stake conference because I was up until 5:30 this morning and slept until almost 2:30 this afternoon. Oops.

So according to a friend, I'm a "party girl" just because I went to two church dances two nights in a row. In my defense, I didn't spend a ton of time dancing as opposed to spending most of my time socializing with people in the halls and playing Apples to Apples in one of the foyers at Friday night's dance in Tacoma. Only at Bellevue's dance did I actually spend time dancing. The last slow song that was played was this song and all I could think of was the last person I danced with to it. The only reason why I remember it is because I can remember looking at his face and completely blanking out on the words. How do you forget the words to that song? You don't.

Speaking of Bellevue, I got to see the Seattle Temple for the very first time in person last night. I was so stoked that I finally got to see it for myself. Seeing pictures of it just isn't the same as standing just outside. I have three goals that involve the temple at the moment: See the temple at night (accomplished), see the temple during the day and wander the grounds (will get there one day), and go inside the temple (which is a ways off yet but I will get there). It was just so pretty last night that I had to take a picture of it. I'm definitely looking forward to accomplishing the two remaining goals I have for the temple right now. Especially since it'll be a while before I get married with the way my life is going. And in all honesty, I'm OK with that part of my life being on hold for the moment.  I'm not one of those LDS girls that are fully intent on getting married before they turn a certain age. If that was me, I'd be scared for myself and the rest of the world as well since that's never been who I was.

I don't know who told this girl that she could sing but her voice isn't exactly the best. And it sounds like that there's some auto tune in there as well. Or maybe quite a bit of auto tune in there. She's pretty but that's about as far as it goes. There is music out there that is so much better than her.

Speaking of better music, I got my hands on a copy of Poets of the Fall's new album Alchemy Vol. 1 yesterday and it is amazing, despite about three of the songs on it being repeated from two previous albums. But it's so worth listening to. "Sleep" is my favorite song off of this album that wasn't from a previous album. It's such a beautiful song to listen to. I could listen to it all day.

Being up early three days in a row and going to bed really late during the nights between =/= Staying awake the third day too well

Ever since Sunday, I've been getting up fairly early (well, early for me) at around 8AM, or at least attempting to get up about that time. Sunday was because I had to get to church (yay for church starting at 11:30AM); Monday was to get to Pierce around 11 for a visit; today (yes, I realize it's really early Wednesday morning but it still feels like it's Tuesday for me) was for a Pierce visit at 11AM/institute on campus at 12 noon. I was home at a pretty decent time after church on Sunday but I was home maybe half an hour after being gone all day Monday just to go back out and not walk through the door again until 5AM when other people in the house were just getting up and getting ready for work/school. Oops. So I got maybe four hours of sleep this morning before getting up again. So surviving today hasn't been fun. Any time there was a lull in my day, I wanted to pass out right where I was. Which most likely wouldn't have been good in a public library.

Despite being wicked tired today, I'm so stoked that I picked up a disc set of 20 of Alfred Hitchcock's movies. All four DVDs were $5, making each movie about a quarter a piece. $5 well spent? I think so. I absolutely adore Hitchcock's work. How could you not like the movies he's come out with? Then again, I love any movie that will thoroughly screw with your head and make you think. And Hitchcock's movies do that, even decades after they originally came out.

In October of 2009, I had the opportunity to go see The 39 Steps in a play adaptation at the Seattle Rep theatre. And of course, this caught my interest and made me watch the movie to see what the original was like so I could compare the two and figure out which I liked more. I was super stoked when I saw that The 39 Steps was included in the 20 movies on the disc set I bought. And it only took me a year and a half to get to the point of where I'd be able to see the movie. That's way too long to wait. But at least I got to this point. And the actors that did the show did a very good job with the minimalistic set that they used (which must have made striking set so ridiculously easy [yeah, I don't hang out with theater kids at all]). I'm hoping to one day to get back to the Seattle Rep for another show and am so jealous that my brother's going to see Of Mice and Men there at the end of this month. I tried to convince him to talk to the teacher who is taking the entire senior class (he's only in HS) and see if she'd be willing to let me chaperon. Unfortunately for me, I'm not allowed to go yet. But I really, really, really want to go with him and see it. I am determined to get up there and see something at the Rep. Or the Children's Theater since they do really good shows as well. Maybe both.

Because of one of my friends, I'm becoming very attached to Poets of the Fall. How could I not possibly get attached to them? They're pretty amazing.

The other night, DJ Apollo (the DJ friend of mine mentioned in a previous post) attacked my wall on Facebook with multiple YouTube videos. And I was stoked about it. Why? Just watch and see why for yourself:

Nathan "Flutebox" Lee and Beardyman @ Google, London

"Monkey Jazz" : BEARDYMAN & mr_hopkinson™

LES TWINS | YAK FILMS | WORLD OF DANCE 2010 Vallejo, CA | BAY AREA WOD

Salah judge showcase@BOTY switzerland 2010

B BOY SALAH GUATEMALA 2010 

Rowan Atkinson Live - Star of Mr.Bean - Funny invisible drum

The last YouTube video was posted mainly because Apollo knew I needed a good laugh. I don't think anyone knows how thoroughly entertained I am by Beardyman's "Monkey Jazz" video. I laugh like crazy every time I watch the video. And I'm jealous of anyone in any of the three dancing videos. Why? I'm a white girl with no rhythm. So I figure it's OK to be jealous of their skills.

My iPod is named Gir.

And he is definitely worthy of his name. He has a mix of music specifically for Sundays and music for every other day of the week. When I put him on shuffle, what's he do? If it's Monday through Saturday, Gir gives me a ton of Sunday music. I'll get three and four songs in a row that are for Sundays before getting something that's not Sunday related and it's just the one song before it's more Sunday music. If it's a Sunday when I put Gir on shuffle, then I get a ton of non Sunday music with a Sunday song between three or four songs, if not more. I love Gir (I mean, come on, he has my music and let's me use him whenever I want) but I wish he would get it right when it comes to playing the right music. I hate having to skip good music just because it's Sunday. But I do it, anyways. Plus it really doesn't help that I don't process what I'm listening to most of the time, so I don't know when to hit the next button until at least halfway through a song.

One of the best things that could have happened happened today: One of my favorite missionaries who was recently released from his mission (as in a couple of months ago) came to visit today! I was so excited to see him that I may or may not have glomped him. And I just had to get a picture since he left soon after Sacrament meeting:

I know it's kinda blurry and hard to see but he's definitely one of the favorites. And his showing up for church today just reinforced why he's a favorite. ♥


I've decided that my friends are crazy. Who else would sneak taking pictures in Target when you aren't supposed to do so? And not get caught in the process? But we are pretty cool, despite our insanity. And honestly, I think that would be the reason why people love us so much.

Last night, someone posted this song (although that isn't that exact video since I ain't got the patience to try and find it) to his Facebook and it was insta-love. I probably should warn him about the whole me "loving you if you give me enough good music" deal. But I don't think I will. (Unless he reads this post and finds out that way.) I used to joke around a bit with another friend of mine who DJs that used to give me music all the time that if he kept it up, I'd have a crush on him in no time. It's been a while since I've done that, though.

Ever get the feeling that you want to write something that will affect someone somewhere but don't have the words? I've been having that feeling a lot lately. And it bugs me that I don't have the words like you wouldn't believe. I hope that I'll eventually find the words.

I don't see how some people can do it

I ended up not eating almost all day today due to trying to get job applications into different places (and when I wasn't doing that, I was trying to watch Star Trek: Enterprise [which is something I don't see how anyone could like]). So I kinda just ended up forgetting about food. About 4PM, I realized how hungry I was and managed to eat something small to take the edge off since dinner would be soon. What I don't get is how people can willingly starve themselves. I realize that some people do it to lose weight but there are healthier ways to do it that actually let you have food. And besides, once you get to a certain point you look like a skeleton. How in the world is that attractive to anyone? That's so gross.

On a, shall we say, happier note, I was searching for something on YouTube by Elvis Crespo when "Hey Dude" showed up in the drop down list of suggestions. Curious, I chose that one and ended up laughing at how he says the word "dude." I don't know why I found it so funny (I have quite a few friends of various Latino backgrounds, so it really shouldn't have been funny) but I thought it was fairly entertaining and worth sharing.

I'm finding myself a bit more attached to Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas than I usually am right now. It's crazy to think that this movie came out 18 years ago. And people still love it. I don't think I'll ever give up my VHS copy of the movie until the film wears out to the point where the movie is no longer able to be played. Or the VCR dies and there aren't any more to be found. Then again, who uses a VCR and watches movies on VHS anymore? Besides me.

A whole week later and...

... I still feel like I don't have much to say on this thing, even as I sit here listening to Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Arsenal of Freedom." (Yeah, I know it's not music but it'll do for now.)

An institute class started recently at school and I've pretty much been the only person outside of the senior missionaries and the staff adviser. It's really weird being the only one in there that is on the younger side (as in early 20s) and isn't married. Don't get me wrong, I love learning (especially about stuff like religion) but it just feels weird being there. I'm sure the weird feelings will fade. Hopefully more people will be there next week and it won't be just myself.

The funny thing is, I skipped most of a Star Trek marathon to go to institute. I really wanted to stay home and watched 10 hours worth of Star Trek: The Next Generation (yes, really 10 whole hours of Star Trek) but I decided to be a good Mormon girl and go to institute, like I know I'm supposed to (and I was kinda hopeful that other people would show). I told one of my friends about that and his response? "Nope, Gospel comes first. The Enterprise is darn close though." I like the way he thinks. :)

Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody" has been stuck in my head for the last couple of hours and it's been driving me crazy. I like the song but even the best of songs get old when it's all you hear for an hour or two, if not longer.

YouTube actually gave me a couple of good suggestions when I was searching for something. I don't know why I hadn't stumbled upon the Vaccines before but I really like that song. They kind of remind me of another group but I can't think of the name of the group but I'll remember it later when I'm least expecting it (probably when I'm just about to fall asleep or something to that extent). I randomly came across the Airborne Toxic Event as well, even though I'm pretty sure I've seen that video before on VH1 or MTV before. The beginning sounds like there's some Asian influence in there with modern sounds and a sexy car. Note to self: Get CDs for both the Vaccines and the Airborne Toxic Event to see if the rest of their music is any good.

Time keeps moving forward...

... And sometimes, I wish it wouldn't move as fast as it does. There was a few moments this last weekend I wish I could have just frozen and stayed in until the end of time and beyond. Anyone else have one of those moments lately? I wouldn't mind putting Friday and Saturday on repeat, I really wouldn't. Especially parts of Saturday night...  (I didn't do anything like that, so get your head outta the gutter, you dirty minded reader you.)

Someone please tell me that I'm not the only one that doesn't want someone to teach me how to dougie. I think it's a weird song and haven't really seen the dance. Then again, I'm pretty much a white girl and probably shouldn't be learning how to do it anyways since I have almost no rhythm. Oh well.

I love my friends. We found the Mardi Gras table unmanned at school and hijacked the last of the masks. There just enough for everyone to have a mask (everyone but the guy in the green mask is a member of the Odd Squad). I even walked with a friend down to Financial Aide while wearing my mask and got a few looks from strangers. My day got just that much better.

Jarpteetza, the Firebird

Pierce is actually putting on a  pretty good show this quarter. They're doing Jarpteetza, the Firebird (hence the title). I had forgotten how much I loved Baba Yaga stories until I found out that Patrick was directing this particular show. After sitting in with the tech crew and reading lines with them at the beginning of the quarter, I had to read Baba Yaga and the Prince (which is, sadly enough, the only book I have about her).

Because of Patrick, it looks like I'm going to be even more involved with Pierce's theater. Yay? Depending on who is directing next quarter's show, I will either be helping out starting next quarter or this fall. Patrick's definitely directing this fall and has already said he'd like me to come in and help. So no getting out of it this fall.

Has anyone else gotten what this song is about? Why would anyone want to get married just because you have NOTHING better to do? Why even agree to it? I think it's ridiculous.