Letters.

My best friend Mary recently left for basic training for the Navy. I've been missing her terribly but her absence has led to something exciting... writing (and receiving a few...) letters! It has been so fun writing her every day. Letters are her only contact with the outside world and knowing that makes me so much more eager to write her.

Anyway, e-mails, texts, phone calls are all fine and dandy but there is something special about writing and receiving letters. I think I may turn over a new leaf and try to do it more often. So fun...

Weddings...

It's that time of year when everyone is getting married. I don't think I'm even going to any weddings this year, but my family has received quite a few invitations in the mail. It has got me thinking about my possible future wedding...

I remember one time at Veritas, Ryan gave a talk that basically said, "Guys, you shouldn't fantasize about women's bodies. Girls, you shouldn't fantasize about your weddings." I'm not fantasizing about my wedding but when being surrounded by weddings it's hard not to think, "I want to do that... and I don't want to do that..."

Today's post on Design*Sponge got me thinking about weddings even more. This couple's wedding is pretty much my dream wedding. It looks so quaint and artsy, I love it. If I could somehow pull that off really inexpensively, my wedding would totally be like that. I also really like this couple's wedding. I love this bride's wedding dress... (above is a picture of their wedding, taken by a Holga for those who care, aka Joel).

Anyway, I'm not fantasizing about weddings when I don't even have a boyfriend. I'm just acknowledging what a cool, artistic representation they are of the beautiful union of two people in love through Christ. Pretty cool...

¡El verano está aquí!

Summer is here! Today was my first official day in Kansas City and it feels great! I slept in, spent the afternoon with my wonderful friend Jessie and her boys, ate dinner with my family, went to a movie with Cory (Star Trek... it was SO good!), and dominated playing Rock Band here and there. It was a nice blend of relaxation and people time. For all of those who are thinking, "You lazy person... get a job." I got one! I will be working at my church but I don't start until Monday so I have a few days to relax.

Here are some things that I am hoping to do this summer:

1. Read at least 5 books (one being the 4th Twilight book, and the other four I'm looking for suggestions)

2. Visit Valeria in New York

3. Watch all 10 seasons of Friends (I need something to do after 10:00 when everyone else goes to bed)

4. Catch up on some shows that I'm behind on, mainly Heroes and Big Bang Theory (possibly Grey's Anatomy and Gossip Girl, if I have time and if I'm up for the drama)

5. Watch lots of Wheel of Fortune with my family as well as hanging out with them all the time

6. Spend lots of time with Jessie and the boys (if they'll have me...)

7. Be crafty with Sarah

8. Hang out with my cousins, aunts, and uncles as much as possible (maybe going to some concerts with Anthony and starting a band...)

9. Learn some more songs on the piano or maybe even write my own (doubtful, very doubtful)

10. Spend lots of time with the Lord and grow more into the woman that He's designed me to be

So there it is. My wish list for the summer. I can't wait...!

Erin McCarley

Like I mentioned in my last post a girl named Erin McCarley opened for Matt Nathanson and Jack's Mannequin last night. She played guitar with a guy playing piano and a guy playing drums. Her sound is pretty similar to the female sound that is popular right now (e.g. Sara Bareilles) but I liked it anyway and her songs were pretty catchy! I am thinking about buying her album next time I get paid!

One of the highlights of her performance was when she sang the "Do do do do" song (which after a little research I discovered it is called "Tom's Diner" by Suzanne Vega). It was pretty fun and the keyboardist busted out some beat boxing which is always a good time. Click here if you want to see a video of her singing it. Below is a video of her most popular single right now.

Concerts.

I went to a concert tonight! Erin McCarley opened for Matt Nathanson and Jack's Mannequin (pictured above). They were all very good. I just love concerts...

I love being there, seeing the music being produced right infront of my eyes. I love how I feel completely engulfed by the music. I love how the beat vibrates your body way down deep to your soul. I love watching the musicians dance around stage playing their instruments. I love dancing to the music myself (concerts are one of the few places I will sort of dance in public...) I just love everything about concerts (except for the people who crowd your space and take your spot).

Everytime I go though, I also have this ache in my heart that makes me want to be a musician. Does that happen to everyone else? Doesn't everyone dream of becoming a rock star? I will always dream of being a musician... probably because I love concerts so much.

Balmorhea

I've talked about this band before, but Balmorhea is quickly becoming one of my very favorites. I bought another one of their albums last night, All Is Wild, All Is Silent, and it exceeded my expectations by FAR. Their music combines all of the things that I currently love about music. I say currently because it seems like over time my taste has changed, but currently I love:
1. Acoustic guitar
2. Strings
3. Piano
4. Kind of vocals- meaning they sing but it's not really about the lyrics, it's about the sound
5. Harmony

So, thank you, Balmorhea... for giving me a reason to get excited about writing papers because that means I get to have alone time with your music.

Here is a video of a combination of two songs from their newest album. (I know sometimes you're too much in a hurry to a watch video, but just click on this and go check your mail, or Twitter, or Facebook and have it as your background music. You're opinion of good music will be transformed...)

Happy Mother's Day!

Sadly I am not home for Mother's Day this year. I am heading home on Wednesday and had a lot of homework to do, so I thought it would be more practical to stay here for the weekend. I was going to send my mom a card but I don't really like cards and I know she says she likes my blog, so I figured I would write a little something here!

My mom is one of the coolest women you will ever meet. Actually, she is probably my favorite person alive, no lie. (Sorry to everyone else who wanted the title, Mom's got you beat.) Here are some things that I love about her:
1. She's an incredibly wise, Godly woman and a great role model to me.
2. She is an amazing mom and wife and is, once again, a great role model.
3. She loves to play games.
4. She and I have a similar sense of humor so we find each other funny.
5. She's a great listener and people really feel loved by her.
6. She has incredible self-control and I hope to be as skinny as her someday. :)
7. She's good at what she does at her job and does it cheerfully even though she doesn't love doing it.
8. She's so encouraging and finds the good in just about everybody.
9. She remembers details and will follow up on the little stuff that everyone else forgets.
10. She's my best friend.

The list could go on and on but I bet you she's a little uncomfortable because she generally doesn't like a lot of attention. (Humility, that's another thing I love about her.) So, thanks, Mom, for being a wonderful mother and friend! I love you so much!

I actually decided to make my mom something this year. I can't give it to her until Wednesday but I thought I'd take a picture. It's a clock! I know it looks kind of funny, but it makes more sense if you see it in person. I think it will go well in my mom's bathroom with the other tree paintings that I did. This clock was inspired by a project on one of my new favorite sites, Design*Sponge. Here are the directions on how to make your own!