Cloud 9

I am literally on cloud 9.  

First of all, do you know Jordan Bluth?  This is key to the story I'm about to tell you.  So if you don't, let me help you out.  He is an AMAZING singer.  I first fell in love with his voice a few years ago when I heard him perform in The Forgotten Carols in Idaho Falls.  I then went on to purchase both of his CDs and am just in awe of his talent.  Here are a few videos to help you fall in love with his voice, too.  

I'm sorry, but I absolutely LOVE men who can sing.
Want to marry me?
Then sing a proposal.
It's that simple.

Ok, now that you are in love with his voice, let's move on to the second key important piece of information.  I am trying to get into a really good choir around here.  I LOVE to sing, but have put that on the back burner since college.  I really want to get back into it.  My first choice is the East Valley Mormon Choral Organization.  It is a phenomenal choir.  They were actually just chosen to be one of 12 choirs competing nationally in 2013.  (In TEXAS, Allyson!!!)  So I am hoping to land an audition with them.  The first step is emailing them a recording of me singing.  

Alright, now that we are all up to speed, here comes the best part.  Guess where Jordan Bluth lives???  That's right, two minutes from my house!  And I just got back from my second, private voice lesson with him!!!!!  I literally can hardly believe that just happened.  If you're not into the music scene, imagine this.  Private cooking lessons with Paula Dean, swimming lessons with Michael Phelps, dance lessons with Julianne Hough.  Any of those help you out?

And it gets better.  He could have just said oh your voice sucks, you'll never make it in any choir or in life.  But no, he said:

That is beautiful.

I'd take that sound in a choir any day.  It's phenomenal. 

I'd want that sound for all my sopranos.  It's really nice. 

It's a really, really beautiful voice.  

Really great work today, your already lovely voice is progressing quickly!

I am so happy.  

Well 98% happy.... he IS married.  Rotten luck.  :)

Holy Haboob

I am in love with the weather here.... 98% of the time.  

I could {and do} lay by the pool all day, everyday.  

 But sometimes, out of nowhere, comes these flash floods.  

The picture doesn't do it justice, but water was pouring down as if someone was dumping buckets.  The patio was covered with water.  No rocks or bricks showed, they were all completely underwater.  It was a little scary.  But my neighbors assured me we are high enough to be safe.  :)  I also learned that Arizona has a "Stupid Motorist Law".  Basically if you are stupid enough to enter a "flash flood" area and get stuck, you are responsible for any costs to rescue you.  

And today,  I got home from the pool, started a movie, and all of the sudden the light in my house turned red, and I went outside to see this. 

Thank you Brittany {my Arizona tour guide, via text/instagram}, for informing me of the official name for these "dust storms".  They are called, Haboobs.  Here's a crazier video.  He's much braver than me.  

{You might want to turn off the volume.  He put creepy music on...  freaked me out.}

Again, the pictures don't do it justice.  The sky was more red and brown.  It was crazy.  I literally was outside for about one minute and my phone was covered in brown dust.  I'm still rubbing it out of my eyes.  I'm just glad I left the pool before it started.  That would've been unpleasant.  

Here's hoping it didn't destroy my oasis.  I'll find out tomorrow.

I'd still take these random short storms, over Idaho's constant miserable weather.  

Sorry for those of you who are still there...  Haha.  

Here's some videos of the actual storm tonight.

F is for Friends Who Do Stuff Together

So long story short, my friend Jenny introduced me to her son, Jonathon (who lives in Tuscon) back in November.  We went out a few times and became friends.  He's in the National Guard and deployed this week.  So Jenny, Jonathon, and his sister Analee (who's in the Air Force in Tuscon) stayed at our house for a few days last week while seeing him off.  We jam packed those days with all kinds of Arizona fun...  

We went to Dave & Buster's, where we won a ridiculous amount of tickets and won me this awesome SpongeBob Glitter Lamp.

We went to the Aquarium.  

  

We saw the new Spiderman in IMAX.  

It... was... awesome!  I don't usually like super hero movies, but I love this one.   

We played mini golf in the heat of the afternoon.  All more prepared to beat Phil Mickelson in the next PGA Tour.  

We learned how to use my bbq and made delicious chicken.  

We found this little stinker IN MY HOUSE.  

But it was too fast to catch.  It's probably going to slither into my brain at night.  

We went to the ceremony for the soldiers.  

Very patriotic and interesting.  I especially loved watching all the families.  This one sweet woman got so emotional.  She had three children, one being a brand new baby.  She was really sweet.  

We got delicious food to ensure Jenny didn't get too depressed after Jonathon deployed and Analee went back to Tuscon.  

We attempted to go to the Ghost Town, but got rained out.  

We didn't leave our car, so I just took pictures through the window to prove we were there.   

And now everyone's gone and I'm officially alone.  

We'll see how long I survive.  Anyone want to come visit???

PS - Here is where the title for this post came from.  :)

birthday

Happy Birthday, Tyler!  

Wish we could have had a big party, like I like.  

Sometimes I just sit and wonder, how on earth my life turned out this way and why it had to.  This was definitely not in my plans.  But I really hope getting out of Idaho will help me in moving forward.  It was difficult still being there with all the memories and such.  It will be nice to have a fresh start.  

I am glad I was able to visit his grave one more time before I moved.  I was surprised to see a headstone.  From what I had heard from his family, they weren't planning on getting him one.  I thought that was so sad.  I understand that his family was ashamed, embarrassed, and confused by his death, but he still deserved a headstone.  One of his sisters finally got one, and I'm grateful she did.  

While I was at the cemetery, I read this talk.  It was really informative, and I highly recommend it for anyone  dealing with suicide.  It gave some powerful insights and great comfort.  I especially loved this passage, 

"As I think about the worry and agony of those whose loved one has taken his or her own life, I find deep comfort and faith in the Lord’s promise and blessing to us who remain in mortality: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27.)"

Love you, Scrub.  

The first week.

It didn't take me long to find a Zumba class nearby.  While I was looking for one, I was shocked by how pricey they all were.  The majority (that weren't offered at a gym) were between $10-15 for a drop in fee.  This one was only $5.  The downside was, I was the only white girl and the instructor spoke in Spanish.  But it was super fun and affordable.  Although it did make me realize that I REALLY want to get certified and open my own Zumba studio.  So as soon as I can find an available training, I am going to certify.  Watch out world!!  

Friday night I met up with the other first grade teachers I'll be working with.  We had a dinner at one of their houses and just chatted the night away.  I love them!  They are all young, relatively new to teaching, and so fun.  I am so happy to be working with teachers who are all so happy, positive, and ocd like me!  :)

My veggie tray.  Pinterest inspired pepper filled with dip.   

 They made us these cute signs for our classrooms.  Precious!  

 While my dad was still here we tried the "best Gelato in Mesa".  It was delish!  

We visited the pool everyday.  

He is loving retirement!  

 My new roommate.  Just chillin' on the tree in our yard.  Apparently they eat scorpions, so I'm going to let him stay and invite all his friends.  

the loooooong journey "home"

We stopped in Scipio, UT for lunch and saw these crazy forest fires that had been going on for 3 days.   

We spent the night at our friends' house in St. George, UT.  Once we were there, my dad said, "We're leaving at 6 am.  No showers.  We're roughing it."  Man that was tough.  Good thing I was driving in my car by myself.  I was pretty stinky.  :) 

My welcome sign.  Not so much the balloons and marching band I was expecting... 

Driving through Arizona was BEAUTIFUL!  

Sunrise

My new home!!  It was a cool 112 degrees when we arrived... 

 ...so we pretty much headed straight to the pool.  

 

The next day I took a truckload of boxes to my new school.  I mostly just unloaded them (6 loads with a dolly) and then stared and pondered how on earth I was going to make the classroom "mine".   

 My new school.  

the last few days...

Before I went back to Idaho, I was able to spend a day (literally one day) visiting my favorite people.  

My birthday buddy, Max! 

Wings with Mary and Michelle. 

 

Then I got back in the car for the first of many, many more hours of driving.  I arrived back in Idaho for some quick get togethers, packing, and leaving.  

Pizza with Jessica and Becka. 

I found many distractions from packing...

 Zumba and Chick Fil A.

Rexburg Rapids.

My dad drove down on Sunday, and we loaded everything up (thanks, Dusty, Laura, and Curtis for your help!) and started my loooong journey "home".