Winter Wonderland?

Yep, it snowed again. Not sure how I feel about that. Oh no wait, I do. Lovely to look at, hate to be in. I didn't mind the snow at all at the beginning. Actually I loved it. If it has to be cold, it might as well snow right? Well it's been so warm and sunny in Cedar, that I didn't have to even wear a jacket. I was so ready for summer, and then the above picture happened. We got between 8-10 inches in 1 day.

Well this is going to be a really fast post, since I am low on time. Yesterday was a terrible day-couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel. I knew it was there, I just couldn't see it, and figure out how to get to it. I was freaking out about choreography-(HOPE),jobs/money, sleep deprivation, packing, cleaning, school deadlines etc... Today was much better, and enjoyable. Thank goodness for the alto section in HOPE who make me laugh hysterically, free food all over campus today, and some other really kind friends!

I have had a job interview, but I am almost worried about taking it. I would be a convention/activities leader of sorts for summer guests at on-campus housing. Could be a really inconsistent, low paying-high stress job, and might not allow me to get another job-which could be a problem.

I am having guy problems again. Though perhaps not quite as freaky as before, but very persistent and unwelcome. I have no luck with normal and male in the same sentence up here. My tactics; avoidance, and maybe a fake boyfriend. I am sticking faithful with the no make-up for Lent, but instead of social/dating siberia, it seems to have had the reverse effect; why I know not.

I am coming home for a really quick stay tomorrow,but I can't promise visits to anyone, as much as I would love to see you all. I really miss everyone very much. But at this point unless there are further developments, I will be getting to Mesa on Friday, and leaving Sunday morning to go up to Salt Lake. I am really excited to see my family, even though it will only be shortly. Oh and Eric, I am bringing a batch of those pumpkin (pumkin?) cookies for you.

Just an Extra

So this is something I had to watch for a class; Sir Ken Robinson (from England), who is lecturing on the problem of education systems and parents crushing creativity in children, and how to cultivate it. It is really funny and insightful. It takes 20 minutes to watch, but is well worth the time!

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html

Uneventful Stress

So, I am sorry to confess to the readers that I have nothing amazing, humorous/embarrassing to report. Today is free pancake day at IHOP, and I am hyped. I love free food, and no cleanup. (I hate dishes with a burning passion). It has been tremendously busy, and I feel like I am getting nothing done to speak of. I have been fighting sickness, but not ever getting it full on-everyone I know is sick here. (I'm doomed!)

This week is going to be extra-ordinarily busy, and I am really wishing I had a car. I have to choreograph for HOPE, as well as put together a dance solo to Think of Me. (also for HOPE-could be really interesting.) All Fine Arts Majors are required to put in 30 service hours in production a semester. So for the next 2 and a half weeks, I will be working wardrobe for the dance concert, 4-6 hours a night. Midterms are this and next week. Krys' sister is having her baby tomorrow-YAY! My house is a disaster, and someone's going to have to clean it. I am going to have to fit work in there too. So this is going to be a really stressful week.

In other news, there is a possibility I will be coming down to Mesa for the first weekend in spring break, and then to Salt Lake for the remainder. It would be like a day and a half in Mesa, but still worth it! However, I might not be going anywhere because of the dance concert. (I don't know why the faculty decided to have a show during spring break...no one will be there to see it.) But since I am only helping with wardrobe, hopefully I'll get it off. (Cross your fingers)

For summer job? Who knows. I would really like to be an Au Pair, or a European nanny, but that is going to be difficult to work out. I have to stay in state, to get residency, and most of the jobs I'd have to be there for about a year. Don't think my professors will look too highly on me missing school, and forgetting how to dance. So we'll see what happens. At this point I think I am going to just stay in Cedar, and work two-three jobs. Yesterday, I recieved an academic scholarship, and I am very pleased, so that eases some stress a little, especially with residency.

Later on in school, I am thinking about doing study abroad. If I do, I want to go to London. That would be incredible!!! It would be cheaper to do it that way, than any other way. If not, I will have to get pretty fluent in French, pretty fast. Of course, I don't see this taking place till like the end of my degree, but still, that would be fabulous!

And lastly, I have a friend in dance who decided that for Lent, she would be giving up make-up. What a crazy girl right;)? She's totally serious too. She has to wear make-up for dance performances, but she's going to wash it off before she even goes to meet family after the show. Well yesterday was her first day, and she was asking girls to do it with her. So this morning after I got out of the shower I was about to put on make-up and then I was like...'how 'bout not'. So yes. I am going to be make-up free for the next 39 days(job interviews, modeling, and performances being the exception). I thought I looked okay this morning-Then I started dancing, and got sweaty, and red. Let's just say I have exiled myself to social Siberia...and most especially dating Siberia. Ben will be pleased. It will be a fun experience, and it will save me time, and money.

Update of Sorts

It's been a very busy, stressful month. I had way more on my plate in high school, but I think the difference is having to make and clean up dinner, and big girl things that are a different kind of stress. I realize it's stress, but it has a different texture than the kind I am used to, so I am not sure how to react and handle it just yet. It's throwing me off.

HOPE choir is way early, and I'm not sure what I think of it yet. It's fun and the kids are crazy-go-nuts and silly. We have a couple performances this week, one which includes 'singing valentines'to staff and students all over Cedar City. Should be entertaining.

Work? Can it be called that? I seriously have the most rad jobs in the world! They pay me to read textbooks;which translates to- they are paying to educate me. And in my other jobs, they pay me to watch old movies! How cool is that? All I do is turn it on, and off, make sure the volume is good, and the that the kids don't kill eachother. That's it. I think I will keep this job for the rest of my college career.

So on the weekend I went to the insitute dance with my roommates and friends(above picture), and that was a blast. I love dancing! And this time, I didn't have to ask guys to dance! (there are only enough guys to satisfy about 1/3 of the girls, and only 1/2 actually will dance. So dumb...if you have no intention of dancing, why did you come to a dance?)
On Saturday, I went to a HOPE birhtday party, and we played games, and that was fun, but I had an embarassing experience. Ever heard of the game winkum? Well if someone asks you to play it, say NOOOOO!!!!!! It is this terrible game that everyone says is fun, and maybe it is if your a big, strong person, but for week midgets like me, it is a terrible game. It's basically trying to get away from a partner to another person. They grab/tackle/yank you back, and it's difficult to escape unscathed. (I have bruises and carpet burn all over, in places where it shouldn't be!)
So as I was trying to get away from a particularly tenacious partner, after several tries, I leapt at my next chance,and she grabbed my legs in a deathgrip! I struggled and held out my hands for the person I was running to-he tried to pull me to him, and she pulled me back harder, and all of a sudden my pants were down at my ankles. Yep, I got panced. (not sure if that's how you spell it.) They just flew off. Thank goodness I was wearing spandex underneath, though it didn't do much good. All the guys gasped and looked away, and the girl apologized profusely, and overall it was a pretty funny experience, rather comical in fact, but I will wear a belt if ever I play that heinous game again, which I think is safe to say I will not.

Back to School

I got back home to Cedar about 2 weeks ago, ending a much too short Christmas break. I felt like it was only a week long! I hate how fast time flies! So a lot has happened since I got back. Besides just about keeling over with the temperature shock (sunshine to snow are quite the contrast.)and falling on the ice every chance I get, it's nice to be back. Dance is fabulous, I had a hard time adjusting at first, but with the exception of Julliard, I don't think I could have picked a better school to dance at. I am still getting a major whooping, but I love every minute of it. The dance professors have been bringing several professional choreographers and performers in for master classes which have been absolutely amazing! The most exciting part is Jody Smith from the Shapero and Smith Dance Co. is setting her inspiring dance piece 'To Have and to Hold', on the students and faculty at SUU, and let me tell you it is incredible!!! It's a world famous piece, and it is beautiful, and such an honor for the school and getting the privelage to watch the process!

So as for that heinous cold I had during the week of finals, I pretty much coughed out a couple ribs, and tore a ligament in the front of my rib cage. Only I could have accomplished such a feat. I mean come on-who does that? After the first couple days, I could hardly dance, so I went to my new chiropractor 'Dutch', and he saved me!! I can dance again!

In other news, I got two jobs which are both so convenient for me! The first, I don't start until mid-February, which is running a class once a week, showing films for a drama class, and the other which I just started a couple days ago is reading books onto tape for blind or dyslexic students. These are both perfect for me, because it means I can do it at my convenience, and I won't be walking home in the dark and getting attacked by the demon dogs! Also at a last minute request, I joined HOPE choir, which is our institutes show choir. It's going to be a lot of fun-if I can get up for it! (6:30 am! It's seems so much earlier than marching band for some reason.) I have had some fun weekends (the above picture is 'an ugly sweater party', which was way fun. I actually like this sweater. The gal on the left is my totally awesome roommate Krysta, who is really tall. As it so happens I am standing on a stool.) Life is great! I am enjoying myself, and I feel very blessed.

Love Becky

Finals, colds, and break!

I feel really quite disorriented in relation to time. It has been a very fast 2-3 weeks, and I will be home within a week. I am excited that I will be able to have more time this visit. It will be really nice to get away from the snow for a couple of weeks too. (I know you'll all be so proud; I haven't slipped on any ice yet!)

As soon as I got back to Cedar after Thanksgiving break it was crank time. This semester has been really quite tranquil, but I was feeling a little heat for finals. I am really excited that I finished yesterday, and I have a week to hang out with roommates, and not worry about anything really. On monday I woke up with a rather nasty cold, and was rather peeved that it decided to land on the week of finals. But thanks to Sonic milkshakes, and sleep I made it through!

As in other news, I dropped my minor, and am now doing Dance Education with an emphasis on costume design. I am really excited to explore that option, even though I think it is going to be a lot of work. See you all in like a week!

Turkey Break

So due to a wonderful change of plans, I am coming back home to Mesa for Thanksgiving break with Lauren and Erik's family! I am so very excited, to come home. That means I will get to see my family, and people that made Mesa home. I think I am really going to enjoy the more temperate weather as well. (It seems Cedar City can't make up it's mind whether to get cold or stay stuck in summer weather.) So in countdown today, I have only about 8 more days before I head home.

In other news, I am not sure if I will be able to do the ballroom team next year unless I come into a great deal of money, because some of the team members on the lower teams have told me that they have been practicing for 5 hours a night, and early 6 O'clock rehearsals in preparation for their showcase. That leaves no time for a job...and the cost is atrocious. But dance in general is going well for me; I feel as if I have broken past a couple of barriers this week. I'll see you all in about a week! (Boz, can we make peasant bread when we go home?)