Insert Quote about Disney and Dreams Coming True

Wow. So much has happened within my first two weeks of college! The first week was pretty slow, since I was still getting used to the flow of my schedule, this past week zoomed by. 

Gosh, where do I even start? So much good news!

First of all, I am still surprised I am 2nd chair in symphony orchestra. It's a big responsibility for sure! I can only imagine the responsibility of the concertmaster.....

Lots of people complain about how "there's nothing to do in Rexburg". Are you serious?! Look around! There's stuff EVERYWHERE! I've done ballroom dancing, a hip hop workshop, other fun, social dances. I've gotten ice cream for $1 (did not know this was possible in America), Capoeira (Brazilian martial arts), had a Belgian waffle dinner. . . and there's a ton of other stuff I still want to do but haven't done yet. 

I have many performing opportunities here. The other day, I decided to go audition for BYUI's Got Talent. I auditioned with the same hip hop piece I performed at the Freshman Talent Show. The judges seemed to like it a lot, but then they asked what Disney song it was? Wuut? Turns out, BYUI's Got Talent Auditions are NEXT week. That day's auditions were meant for Disney numbers. So, they asked if I knew any Disney songs. I knew Pirates of the Caribbean, so I spontaneously played an excerpt from He's A Pirate, and they seemed pretty satisfied. Today I found out I AM performing in this Disney show called Magic Moments! Maybe I'll also perform in BYUI's Got Talent. . . we shall see! Anyways, after my random Disney audition, I was interviewed by the BYUI Scroll (college newspaper. I'm not sure how I feel about all this attention, but I guess I better use it in the most humble way possible; can't get prideful here and slack off!

Speaking of the newspaper, I Instagrammed a picture of myself blowing this GIANT bubbles last Friday and it ended up in the BYUI newspaper! That bubble-making was amazing. A random guy on campus just had a big bucket of soapy water and some rope and people came by and made bubbles. 

BUBBLEZ!!!!!! Perfect distraction.

Okay, now for the REALLY exciting news. . . Yes, it gets better. (drumroll please)

This Wednesday, my roommate, Macie, and I are attending a Josh Groban concert in Boise. SO EXCITED. Yesterday I checked the fan club page that I'm a part of (I'm so obsessed) just to check it out. I randomly signed up for a possible chance to meet and greet Josh Groban before the actual concert. GUESS WHO WON. 

FREAKING OUT. I AM STILL FREAKING OUT. I GET TO MEET JOSH GROBAN OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is one of those things that I've only imagined. I don't usually win raffles like that. I mean, I almost didn't really care if I lost because I already have REALLY good seats! But, HOLY MY COW I get to meet him! He gets to meet ME! (I didn't mean that in a cocky way) I want to be his violinist so badly. This is my chance! THIS IS IT. God is POURING blessings on me; I am so overwhelmed! 

Now that my life is absolutely PERFECT right now, let's hope things don't get out of hand. . . I know God can use me in great ways, but I gotta make sure Satan does not take over. 

In other news, I got to FaceTime my mom and the Fox family this morning. My first violin student, Rebekah Fox got baptized today! This is really the first time I have missed home. . . I wish I could have been present for Bekah's special day and eat my mom's delicious cooking and homemade salsa at our house, but I know Rexburg, Idaho is where I am supposed to be right now. 

Look at this precious nugget! Baptized and ready to become a true Daughter of God

I can testify to everyone that amazing things happen when we get out of our comfort zone! So, don't even think about the fear, just DO it. You'll be amazed at the impact you can make on the world. 

I'M MEETING JOSH GROBAN. 

Big Fish

COLLEGE. OMG.

It's finally here. The place I've dreamed about and talked about for years and now I'm really here in big kid school. My classes start tomorrow. 

This past weekend was freshman orientation, or Get Connected, as BYUI calls it. It was SO much fun! So many fun, social activities. I've met hundreds of amazing people from all over the country, and even outside the country. 

I had an amazing opportunity to perform in the talent show this past Friday. About 75 people auditioned and only 19 people got to perform that night. I made it, and I was the first to perform?

I'm not used to being the first to perform in concerts and shows like this. I'm usually toward the end. But, FIRST? Like, do they want to get me over with or something? It kind of freaked me out for a minute. 

I performed an original composition that my producer, River White, and I wrote. He named it "Dragon". It's definitely a Lindsey-Stirling-type-ish song, very dubstep and hip hop, so it was definitely one to pump up a crowd. As I did sound check and as showtime became closer and closer, I did not feel nervous one bit. I just got even more excited. I was so excited to have this opportunity to shine and show this new world who I am. I recalled performing in Carnegie Hall earlier this year in February with an orchestra. That hall is BREATHTAKING. The depth of the audience, the acoustics, the SIZE of the audience. I realized that I would rather perform for 5000 over 5 people any day. I have no nerves whatsoever. I absorb all the energy from the audience, whether they're screaming or not, and I spit it back out at them, and they give it back, then I give it back. It's like a cycle. 
So, I played my piece and had a paparazzi later, along with the other amazing talent show participants. BEST NIGHT EVER. I'm SO pumped to perform more often this semester, both classically and contemporarily. (is that a word?) I feel like a rockstar here. 

This wasn't actually during my performance, but I LOVED the view of all those iPhone flashlights. So beautiful. 

Aside from all the partying and socializing, I do have a degree to pursue. And what is that? Oh, yeah. String PERFORMANCE. Haaa! Perhaps some of this socializing does help get me an audience! The only thing I fear this semester, and future semesters, is balance. Balancing good grades, sleep, health, study time, practice time, fun, sanity....it's gonna be an adventure, that's for sure! 
And I'm SO. EXCITED. 

I am so blessed to have the House of the Lord just blocks away. City on a hill. SO BLESSED.

Dear, Father in Heaven, you spoil me way too much. 

How have YOU improved today?

I have never been much of a blogger, so I hope this goes well. Actually, I've never blogged in my life. When it comes to social networking or sharing my thoughts, I usually tweet something witty or upload a picture to Facebook or Instagram. 

Right now I'm in this awkward "in between" high school and college bubble, which has granted me an awesome and long summer, but now I'm basically just sitting around waiting to leave for college. Most of my friends are already in their college classes as I type this, and I must say that I envy them. However, this has given me more time to think about my future and what kind of person I'm becoming and whatnot. 

I have days where I am feeling very motivated and productive, and then the next day will be completely unproductive and lazy, which I hate doing but I guess I'm human. Other days just seem to be nonstop. So, I decided I needed to come up with some sort of motto every day to remind myself of what I can do better the next day: How have I improved today? I think the key to being a happy person is making someone else happy. So, Who did I help today? Did I make anyone laugh or smile? Did I smile or laugh as well? It's amazing what kind of influence we can be on others with the smallest amount of word or action. Like, the other day I was at Target and this mom was struggling with her three small kids and their back-to-school supplies, so I helped her pick out what's best to get while my mom spent basically an entire hour in the gardening section. I have to admit I felt pretty good about myself, almost like an actual helpful employee of Target (I know that store way too well). 
Then, for the sake of our own physical health, did I eat ANYTHING healthy today? For me sometimes the answer is absolutely not. I mean this is 'Merica and there's junk food everywhere whether you like it or not. Did I do any source of exercise? I think even if you do not have time to go run (or swim, which I've preferred lately in this Texas heat), just do 20 jumping jacks and stretch your muscles so you can get that heart pumping. (or you can go on Pinterest and look at pictures of people with awesome fit bodies and motivate yourself to exercise). 
Then, of course, did I get done what I needed to get done today? This is where I have to prioritize; what is absolutely essential to get done, and what can wait for tomorrow. Time management is also required for this.

After I've mentally gone through the pros of today, then I ask: How can I improve tomorrow? Maybe I'll be more productive/helpful tomorrow if I wake up earlier, and maybe I should watch this Netflix movie this weekend instead of starting it at 12 am tonight so that I'll be able to wake up earlier. Tomorrow I'll put peanut butter on my toast instead of too much butter (or nutella). I'll do the dishes before I check my Instagram feed, maybe even clean the counter tops which I hardly do. Instead of heating up a pizza pocket for lunch, maybe I'll actually look for a quick, healthy recipe on Pinterest or in a cookbook and whip up something that my body needs. 
Was I really rude or snappy at someone today? Let's work on that attitude tomorrow. Today I was in a parking lot walking back to my car and someone backed out of their spot without looking and bumped me, almost running me over. I instinctively yelled out "HEY!" and immediately shot my death glare at whoever was in the car about to curse at them, probably a stupid teenager. Then I realized the driver was this frail old man, and his face full of fear and humiliation. I walked around his car to go back to my car and he rolled down his window, politely apologizing. I took a deep breath to regain my patience and politely forgave him. It's amazing how the smallest things can really throw me off, even if I just stub my tow or my zipper gets caught. But, forgive and forget. Think of the big picture. 

Now, I don't ask myself this every day, but at least once or a few times a week. Did I create any memories? If something super awesome, or awful even, happened this week, I wanna write it down or somehow record it so I'll always remember it. The other day my friend Madi and I went swimming and we wore three different swimsuits at the same time because we couldn't decide which one to wear. Why not? Who's stopping us?
Life is short so be awesome. 

For all you HIMYM fans, his guy says it pretty well I'd say.

Madi Bass and I creating our own trends. YOLO. #ididnotjustsaythat

How have YOU improved today?