On this lovely 65 degree Texas November day, I am glad to pronounce that Fall is my top favorite season. It's not boring and depressing like the winter, and here in Texas the weather is perrrrfect compared to the spring and summer months of blistering heat.
Not to mention, there's no shortage of foods like apples, squash, pomegranates and sweet potatoes etc...
And gorgeous red, orange, brown, and rich earth-tone hues...
Plus, it comes with things like Thanksgiving and the MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE (there's a chance I look forward to this more than Christmas sometimes...)
And of course, all of the above in one way or another give licence to wear those rich lovely colors in the form of sweaters and jackets and scarves all the time... and I love ANY excuse to wear them...
And if I'm being honest, I'd have to say that I also think fall is the most romantic time of year. I mean think about it... boys look super delicious in sweaters, and scarves make you feel super pretty like a princess, and what's better on a cold evening then holding someones hand?? I can't think of anything right now.
I think I reeeeally love fall though because at the end of fall comes Christmas, and fall is this big long, golden-colored Christmas count-down filled with Christmas songs and movies and parties, and lottttts of family and buying/making presents, and remembering to be grateful for the people that mean the most to you. I'm sort of in love with fall.
Grateful for:
New brake pads.
Quote of the day:
(the whole "Prophets of the Restoration" page on lds.org!)
I already know what I want for Christmas! The 1986 NUTCRACKER MOVIE. When I was really little, I used to watch our tv-recorded version over and over and over and over in our apartment, and then I'd dance around our living room to our nutcracker cassette tape. It truly inspired all the years I took ballet/lyrical/jazz, and even gymnastics and drill team dance classes. I really think it's the reason I LOVE classical music (the secret's out!!), and I'm not kidding; cry when I go to a ballet.
With sets conceived by Maurice Sednak (who wrote "In the Night Kitchen" and "Where the Wild Things Are") it is unabashedly 80's-tastic with its gross overuse of pastels and too many velvet-y textures, but I think that's what makes it such a delightful, dreamy masterpiece. It's waaay too under-rated, but this overly-sugary-almost-indulgent rendition of one of the most famous ballets of all time is very much my favorite.
My breath still catches in my chest when I find a clip of the Prince and Sugar Plum Fairy pas de deux on random websites (and yes, I'm always searching for them!). Patricia Barker's technique is an outrageous combination of perfect technique and delicacy. 25 years later, it seems like ballet has become much more athletic and forceful and striking. 1986 was right in the peak of this explosion of soft colors and makeup and too many fabric flowers--and the result in the world of ballet was this smooth, delicate, sweeter technique. I love it. Even if it means the Nutcracker Prince himself is a slightly scrawny dude.. and has a creeper mustache... it's alright, I still get a crush on him when I watch him dance in this pas de deux.
Seriously!! Crazy legit talent and grace!
(I won't make you look at his face up close...)
It's decided. I shall buy it for myself for Christmas. I may need to buy a VHS player as well.
Grateful for: My mum.
Quote of the day:
"Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you'll be criticized anyway."
-Eleanor Roosevelt
This is how much of a fan I am; I really did dress up as you for Halloween. No one knew who I was, but I loved my costume. I felt extra awesome for the night. Thank you for sharing your wonderous talents.
Your biggest fan,
Amanda
PS- My mom is clearly a fan too. We would like to see you in concert. Please come back someday.
I've been working on a project over the last few days that has required me to look through most of the pictures I have saved on my computer. Conclusion from my jaunt down memory lane: it's surprising and hilarious how much we change. Physically, emotionally, socially, intellectually, spiritually. It's funny too how we forget how much we've changed. I WAS thinking that I was an ever-immature child-inside-an-adult's-body who enjoys watching the Disney channel with the kids I nanny, and almost daily discusses princess trivia. I have realized though that only a few short years ago, I used to love some clothes I currently find hideous, I used to spend hours listening to music and talking about things that I now find comical, and I had HUGE crushes on boys for reasons that have since slipped my mind.
A few years ago, I was one of those girls too who genuinely thought... well honestly I think it was more like expected (because it just logically made sense--since that's what EVERYONE did...) that college was a time to get married, and I simply would not finish it without being married. Well, here I am; I graduated over a year an a half ago, I'll be 24 in a few months, and juuust in case you were wondering, I am not married. (hahaha) Let's think about this though; I DO have a degree! And I've had multiple -literally life changing- work experiences and internships. I've also met and worked and served with countless numbers of incredible women and men, and also specifically, UNBELIEVABLE children who floor me with their talents and understanding of and vigor for life. I have been to London, Australia, Hawaii, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and Paris. I have eaten real Belgian waffles and seen the Eiffel tower sparkle at night. I have been through the temple and made sacred covenants with my Father in Heaven.
So here's the "Aha!" moment; none of these things had a "marriage prerequisite" attached to them. AND, some of these things would not have been a possibility had I been married! Food for thought.
When I started college, I didn't have a clue about my own potential. I had no idea what potential I had to BECOME a student, or a teacher or leader or advisor. I didn't know I could travel to multiple destinations by myself to meet up with friends at international destinations. I didn't know I would find in myself capabilities through my years as a student, which would require of me a level of dedication and work I did not know I could take on. I did not know I could overcome the challenges I've had to face socially, scholastically and mentally. I didn't know I would ever have the courage to play my ukulele at a talent show or sing a duet at my graduation, or a stake women's conference! Never EVER thought that. I NEVER thought I'd even CONSIDER Grad School, but here we are; researching graduate programs is a daily occurrence for me these days. Masters degree?? Me??
Yes. I definitely COULD do that. And that's the bottom line. This post is NOT meant to be an expression of my dreary and sad thoughts about my lack of a husband or children. It is my written reminder to myself that I am CAPABLE OF MUCH MORE that I originally perceived. I can BE or DO ANYTHING I want to.
I'm ranting a little bit. But this is something that has been on my mind constantly for months and months now. I know you and I have in us a well of possibilities and talents of which we haven't even scratched the surface yet. DON'T FORGET THAT!!! Life is longer than tomorrow and next week and full of days and people and possibilities and detours--but listen; those detours are what get you on the path to ALL you can be. Not just a part of it. What are some things you want to accomplish??
Things I want to accomplish:
-be a published children's book illustrator
-go to Grad School [specific field of study still undecided :)]
-be a CAREER lady. (who would've thunk?)
-get married in the temple
-have as many children as humanly possible
Grateful for:
Mustard yellow and pea green macaroons. (citrus and pistachio flavored though!!)
Quote of the day:
"Because scriptures are generated from inspired communication through the Holy Ghost, they are pure truth.We need not be concerned about the validity of concepts contained n the standard works since the Holy Ghost has been the instrument which has motivated and inspired those individuals who have recorded the scriptures.
Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high.They can become the key to open the channel to communion with our Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ."
Dearest world of Bloggers and Blogging,
I have missed you.
I've missed journal-ing with pictures and with your help.
I've missed reading updates from my favorite peeps.
I've missed finding new cupcake recipes.
I've missed your witty words, pictures and colors.
I don't think I'll ever leave you again for so long.
Wellll... half of the time I've been away, I was in Paris. Aaand I'll be honest, given the chance dear blogs, I would leave you again in a heart beat for such a beautifullll, artistic-soul place.
Just sayin.
So I purchased an actual album, and printed out close to 200 pictures, and made a REAL photo album of my trip--it's suuuper cute and I'd love to show you. So you should stop by sometime and I'll tell you all the stories from my trip. Until then though, here's a little taste...
First of all, let this play while you look through them... it reads like poetry and has lovely lyrics about Paris... my favorite: "I couldn't quite perfect that nonchalance..."
. . .
First bit of Paris I saw... I came up from the train station... and there it was! The beautiful Arc de Triomphe!
Napoleon DEF thinks he's the coolest thing... but this Arc is pretty spectacular I must admit!
Then ONWARD!! To the Eiffel Tower!!!
And a little float down the Seine.... while the sun was setting... whatevs.
I love these guys! And Paris has the MOSSSST beautiful sunsets... it might be beautiful all the time. In the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening, definitely at night and even when it rains. It's kind of a magical place.
Aaand, I might have worn high heels to Versailles... I wanted to be super stylish... but I didn't think through the whole concept of Versailles being a palace... with a big, huge cobble-stone driveway out front. I'm sure I was entertainment for quite a few people.
Inside was rather gorgeous though. It was worth it to be dressed up!
Hall of Mirrors: wonderful. I imagined myself in a ballgown.
NOT KIDDING: THE most delicious thing I've EVER eaten.
People come here and write their name and the name of the person they love on a lock and then lock it forever onto this bridge... again I imagined myself, aaand my hot future husbie locking our little lock with our names upon it... I was in Paris; it happens. Everyone's in love there. It might be worse than BYU. Just sayin.
The LOUVRE!!! Life changing!!
Glass pyramid. Outside.
And inside.
Little Miss Mona Lisa.
La Liberte... aka "Viva La Vida" album cover.
Cupid's Kiss
Venus de Milo
And Winged Victory: my favorite!!!
"Funny Face"!!!! I knew I'd seen those stairs somewhere before! This is the most beautiful scene in that movie! And when I think Paris, it's synonymous with Audrey Hepburn.
Don't worry; I did sing "God bless the Outcasts" while inside Notre Dame.
Cutest 85 year old couple in all of France.
They told us how/showed us where champagne is made. And took us to the most delectable French meal. (we had water, not champagne with our pretty food) For reals it was the most beautifully-plated meal I've been presented in my life.
And then we took a bit of a stroll.
And once again I used my imagination; this time seeing myself as an Elementary school teacher tucked away in a cute little French town somewhere.
We then proceeded to do some imaginary shopping at galeries lafayette.
And do you remember in "An American in Paris" the 18 minute ballet sequence?? Where Gene Kelly dance-follows the girl of his dreams through different scenes of Paris? Do you remember this one by the fountain?
Welll, I found the fountain I think inspired the movie-set one... and did my own little ballet sequence.
And then, to wrap it up we got crepes with nutella by the Eiffel tower...
Which sparkles at night.
I loved it. I recommend it. I want to go back with my super hot future husband. I'm so grateful to have gone; it was a trip that came at a time in my life where I needed a new perspective asap and was undeniably blessed with one. The world is a beautiful place full of wonderful human beings who have lots of life and experience that I'm grateful to learn from. I'm glad to be reminded that the life operates differently in different parts of the world, and it's okay if I don't function quite like my neighbors. I'm so soo glad that inspired people have used their talents to create art and architecture and music and food and even fashion to beautify the spaces around them. I hope I use my experiences for good to enlarge my understanding about my life and the role I need to play. I will do my best not to forget the lessons I've learned and perspective I've gained from my delicious little stay in PARIS!
Grateful for: TRISCUTS. Yum.
Quotesss of the Day:
"Paris is always a good idea." --Audrey Hepburn
(and also a bit from Conference...)
"As a means of being in the world but not being of the world, it is necessary that we communicate with our Heavenly Father through prayer. He wants us to do so; He'll answer our prayers. The Savior admonished us, as recorded in 3 Nephi 18, to 'watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you. ... Therefore ye must always pray unto the Father in my name; And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you.' "
--President Thomas S. Monson
