Most assuredly needs a nap.

Someday, I will get enough sleep at night again, and this will enable me to think clearly enough to organize my thoughts into cohesive, blog-worthy sentences. Because a good blog is necessary? I don't know. Whatever.

Until then, I shall dazzle you with my wit and accomplishments.

My 6 a.m. bench press is slightly more impressive than before. I say slightly because it was already impressive, of course, but I think much of the improvement comes from the fact I actually get up before dawn to do such a thing whereas before I did not. Anything one does before dawn is likely to be more impressive than at any other time of day. ...apart from eating a pan full of brownies, of course.

I almost have the Durufle Requiem (that's just my current favorite movement) memorized for the chorale concert in April. Almost. 

I finally went grocery shopping.

I discovered I desperately want a Kinect. 

I think blondes should not have giant black eyebrows unless that's really what happens to grow out of their face. 

I laughed out loud, twice, at the Oscars last night. I find this impressive especially considering I only watched them for about 20 minutes. Chris Rock made me snicker for at least a good 3 minutes afterward. And Robert Downey Jr...is so hot, and he knows it. I find this equal parts obnoxious and fantastic. I'd watch his narcissistic documentary, much to my probable dismay. I adore Christopher Plummer. Angelina Jolie is just weird. Billy Crystal is boring, not funny. Cirque du soleil was cool. Meryl Streep is so freaking fantastic. 

Uh...I'm much nicer than I used to be. But I still say stupid stuff in the out-loud fashion I'm desperately trying to avoid in my quest to practice the art of "just because it's true doesn't mean you should say it."

This confession probably doesn't negate my blonde comment.

For the record: my bed is my favorite material possession, though it comes in close contest with my snowboard. If it wasn't weird and fairly unwarranted, I'd take a picture of it and frame it and...I don't know...find some other way to show my gratitude for it. I don't know how or why that shows my love and devotion for a mattress, or why that's a thing I should write, but I did say something about my inability to form cohesive sentences lately, right? Somewhere at the beginning of this post? I just think this is probably how people feel about someone they love...can't wait to see them again, don't want to leave them...my sentiments exactly.

I have nothing else to say about any of this. 

Because I need a nap.

I shall write whatever portion of a sentence I please. 

It's such a good thing I posted today. Lives were changed.

In our extremities, we came to know God.

This filled my soul today...I will always love Nauvoo. I have always had a special place in my heart for the people who lived there, and everything they experienced. Especially after spending time there personally, there are specific people I really look forward to meeting one day. 

"In our extremities, we came to know God."

It really cannot come without sacrifice.

I love that promise; that blessing...that we truly can come to know God through our trials. But it's even about so much more than just individually coming to know God, it's opening the way for others to find that knowledge as well. Sometimes the very idea; the very promise we can come to know Him, and help others do so as well fills me with such gratitude and love that I cannot seem to find the words to fully express it. 

"His life and mission is central to all human history."

He really does live. It's not a nice story, it's not a hoax. It is very real, and that knowledge continues to fill me every day of my life. We can exhibit extraordinary faith in Jesus Christ throughout our lives, just like they did. In fact, we need to...without taking those steps forward despite what may come, we will never truly feel that connection and the reality of the love of our Heavenly Father.

I love Elder Andersen's testimony at the end.

...the perfect pattern for our own lives...

For the record, I've been driving in the snow and ice since 1998.

Sunday was crazy. 

Let's just take it from moment A to Z.

I woke up at 5:30 a.m., just like every other day. (Except Saturday, thankfully...)

Drag myself out of bed. 

Open the curtains in my room.

Snow.

Noted. 

Got ready as quickly as possible.

I'm grateful no one else is awake yet because speaking before 8 a.m. is generally painful to me.

We're talking physical pain.

Race out to car. I love having a garage. No snow scraper needed.

The roads aren't my favorite, but it's fine. 

I pick up Aubs. Another thing I love about choir...we finally get to go together. :)

The roads are still not the greatest, slushy/icy/snowy, but we made it to the point of the mountain just fine.

And then the snowplows came. This sounds like a good thing, right?

Wrongo bongo. This means everyone slows down to 20 mph and we can't pass them. At all.

Usually this is fine, but we have to be changed and in our seats by a certain time each morning...and we're officially not going to make it.

asdkjfpq9384u2389ueq;wildfja;skldfj.

Yep. I meant every word.

The snowplows finally cleared after what seemed like forever.

I think there were cars lined up for miles behind us. 

We sped up to a fairly normal driving in the snow speed.

Maybe we hit ice/slush...something...

Whatever it was sent my car spinning all over the freeway.

I think my biggest fear was that my best friend was in the car with me, and sure, my car was going to get smashed, possible personal injuries, but...I wanted to die at the thought she was going to get hurt too. 

My hands were frozen to the steering wheel, and my mind felt like it went into slow motion.

I wanted to close my eyes. Just squeeze them shut and pray for it to end soon. But I managed to keep them open.

The only thing I could hear was Aubs repeating over and over again, "It's okay, It's okay, It's okay, It's okay..."

And in my head, I was screaming, "NO IT'S NOT! We're going to die!" But actually speaking in that moment was beyond me. I was too scared of what was going to happen once we finally stopped spinning. Oddly enough, Aubs managed to keep me calm.

Sigh. 

Somehow we finally stopped.

Facing the other direction, on the other side of the freeway, right next to the barricade...

But not touching a thing.

And remember the miles of cars behind us not a few minutes before?

There wasn't a car in sight. 

We sat there just breathing for a few seconds.

I managed to turn the car, and we started driving again, slowly.

I don't think I was able to breathe normally until after the broadcast, almost three hours later.

It wasn't until we had been driving for a few more seconds that I noticed the absence of cars.

The only explanation I have for the fact we lived through that experience, without a scratch to car or injury to self is that Heavenly Father knew where we needed to be, and for whatever reason, it was important we arrived safely that morning. 

I still have no idea where all those cars were, because they didn't pass us for another couple minutes.

That is how I know miracles happen. 

Without a doubt. 

I can NOT believe we didn't get hurt.

The rest of the morning went off without a hitch.

We pulled up to an open spot right by the gate instead of having to park underneath and run through the tunnels.

Timesaver #1.

Changed. Check.

Picture credit goes to my tech-savvy grandfather who snapped this shot from the t.v. with his fancy iPhone...and the pause button in the top right-hand corner I neglected to crop out.  Thankfully, this shot does not show me making a scary singer face. Fear #1 aborted.

You only wish you could wear my outfit right now. :)

At first, because we were so late, I got placed on the very back row.

They might have handed me a giant block to stand on so I'd be tall enough. hahah.

Then they moved me down a bunch of rows, because standing on a 2' block is semi-ridiculous.

Plus, the lady next to me asked if I was 19 or 20.

When I quipped back with a whispered 29, a ripple of gasps went down the row.

Really though. I heard it.

I simultaneously rolled my eyes and snickered. If only I could have all the money those ladies lost on betting I was born in the '90s. ;)

All of that aside, it was such a fun morning! I loved every second of the rehearsal and the broadcast.

Every second of it.

My family came, and a few friends also showed up...and also my best friend Aubrey managed to live through the morning with me. Did I mention how grateful I am for our lives??

Just checking.  

 My family was so excited, and I think my mom was bursting.

My little nephews were so CUTE, and were excited beyond words that "Dara" was on the big screen. 

My name is difficult for small children. They may destroy my name because they're tiny humans with endearing tiny voices. Everyone else must use my real name... (KATIE.) ;)

In other news, my dad made my favorite home-cooked meal when we got back to Brigham that day...homemade ham & cheese rolls. Hot pockets are a poor man's version of this delectable treat. 

My mouth is watering at the sight.

Aside from still being alive, and singing in the broadcast that morning, want to know what my favorite Sunday activity was?

Playing monster with my nephews. :)

best. time. of. my. life. 

I'm still catching my breath. 

The thing is...I just might be on TV.

This Sunday I'll be in my first official performance of Music and the Spoken Word.

< pause for moment of emphatic silence as you stare at the screen in awe and amazement >

That's right! Tune in at 9:30 a.m. MST this coming Sunday morning, and if I'm nice enough to the camera men beforehand, you just might see me. But even if you don't see me, I'll still be there. Singing. 

If you don't live in Utah and aren't sure when it's playing or on what station, you can go to the website:

http://www.musicandthespokenword.com/

and you can look up the showings for your area. 

If you can't watch it live for whatever reason, you can always go to the website above or HERE to find a rebroadcast.

I'll be standing somewhere inside that white circle below...

Also, I'm not in this picture. Don't feel confused. I just want you to have the highest chances of glimpsing this BEAUTIFUL face for a split second as you watch intently. 

Examples will help make this possible.

(Please remember the white circle will not be surrounding me as you watch the broadcast. I would also not recommend circling me on your screen, as it may ruin your computer or television.)

I'll try not to bore you with how fun it was to just sight read everything last night.

You might think weeks or months go into the songs sung each Sunday, but you'd be wrong.

We saw the music for the first time on Tuesday, for about 30 minutes, and ran through each song about three times total last night.

I loved every second of it. :) THAT is what I signed up for. 

Also, I would be remiss if I did not forewarn you about my overwhelming beauty as you glimpse me for the first time in all my choir robed glory.

It will be difficult, but I have complete faith in your ability to handle the situation with grace and poise.

Especially if you're a dude.

Because dudes probably read my blog....bahahha. :)

small truth: I have this fear I'll stumble over the words or have a cheesy look on my face if the camera does happen to find me. I pray this does not come to fruition. Ahem. Avoid judging me if it does happen though, okay? 

Ryan Murphy is hilarious. For the record.

I love my crazy crazy life. 

Soak up the sights and sounds.

I think I've listened to this song all day long. 

Okay, that's a lie. I took a break for lunch, and I've gone to a few meetings throughout the day. I didn't listen to it then.

But otherwise, I was probably listening to it. 

I'll probably be sick of it tomorrow but then again, maybe not. :)

Oh. Haha, and for those dear friends I accidentally tricked into thinking those roses were from someone other than my dear kind thoughtful friends, Adam and Brooke Watson, I apologize. 

Still holding out for that imperfect hero, kids. Still holding out. (And happy to do it, fyi.)

Two dear friends got engaged to each other last night, and I couldn't be happier for them. I love seeing people  I love really build something worth keeping forever. These two have definitely done that.

And I usually shy away from writing this kind of stuff on the 'ol blog because - oh, you know...people can misinterpret all over the place. That's okay. But I just wanna say it because it was a happy milestone for me.

A boy I dated once upon a time just got engaged recently as well. When I found out, I think even I was surprised by my joy for him and his pretty future wife. He has no way of knowing I'm happy for him because we haven't talked in a long time. It might seem weird to write that here, let alone to think it in the first place; especially considering how broken my heart was when we went our separate ways. 

But I think one of the many lessons I learned from that whole expanse of dating experience was that no matter how much you might think your heart is broken, no matter who broke it or how they broke it, there is always going to be a way to move past it all. I don't mean you'll just leave it in sad boxes buried along the way, but there's something beautifully freeing to be said for finally being able to really let go of what hurts you. It feels so much better than holding onto anything ever will. 

I even wonder if someday when we can see beyond this life, our appreciation for all those we thought broke our hearts or hurt us in any way might surprise us. I think I kind of hope for that. 

Recently I've found I've been able to apply that lesson to another part of my life. Forgiveness is such a gift. I don't think I realized how much love I could feel just by working on understanding someone else other than myself and my own feelings. That somehow...working to understand someone else helped me understand myself. 

That might seem like just a few words in black and white, and it may not mean much to someone else. 

But learning all of that means the world to me, and it has changed my whole world.

And yeah, I'm still listening to that song. ;)

The one where I make lists and summarize stuff.

Such a great week so far...

I was fantastically serenaded in the car on the way home from FHE. I will never hear "Oh what a beautiful morning" (It's his 4 a.m. work warm-up song, of course) or "Heavens Eyes" (his Sunday warm-up song...) in quite the same way ever again. Truly a masterful performance. I also cried laugh tears the whole time. Best idea ever.

(Let's just take a second to ponder how much we love Brian Stokes Mitchell's fantastic voice. Gah.)

I also watched a group of men enjoy The Bachelor more than I ever have. (With the exception of this highly entertaining review by a favorite blogger of mine.) I just can't stomach it this time around. It might be because the bachelor himself is a total dog (woof) and I can't stand anything about him. At all. Watching these guys watch it, though? PRICELESS. 

Tuesday was my favorite. My mom came down and we spent the whole day together. Pedicures, shopping, the works. Did I go to work that day? Why no, I did not. :) Did it feel great? Absolutely!

Valentines Day, single or not, is a good day. I even had rehearsal last night and it didn't bother me at all. (Though...I have to admit. All I wanted to do for Valentines day last year? SHOOT STUFF. And guess what? NO ONE would go shooting with me. A short game of laser tag might've even done the trick, but everyone was too lazy. I'm still upset about it.) 

5:30 came far too early this morning, but I managed to drag my sorry self out of bed and get to the gym to remind myself why I have to keep going. It's because I suck at pull-ups. FYI. It does feel great to get it all out of the way so early...

And since I didn't come to work yesterday, guess what was waiting to greet me this morning on my desk? 

That's right. I choose to leave the sender nameless just for mystery's sake, but let's just say I hold the sending party in the highest regard. Best day after Valentines Day ever. :)

My co-worker also gave me a giant homemade sugar cookie of love, which I confess I ate only after considering for a moment the workout this morning. Life is meant to be enjoyed, and sometimes that means enjoying every single bite of the giant cookie of love. 

< Insert mental picture of the most delectable sugar cookie you've ever eaten, as I did not feel the need to take a picture before I ate it. >

And now, lest you think all I talk about is food, I want this for dinner tonight:

That's all. 

Life Makes Love Look Hard.

Anyone who frequents Pinterest very often at all has probably seen this image floating around. I've seen it for a few days, but hadn't actually clicked on it to pursue the details behind the idea; mostly because my initial thoughts were, "Aw, that's cute. I'm not married. I'll pin this quickie boston cream pie recipe instead..." 

Ha. Problem #1: DeeAura. 

Anyway...I finally clicked on it this morning, and you know what? This might be one of my favorite "pins" ever. Just reading it almost made me teary-eyed. (Reiteration: I said ALMOST.) 

{10 things} That Have Made All the Difference

(I know, I know. I'm writing a post like this, and it's inspired by a pin on Pinterest. Haha. Let's look past that, okay? Cool.)

In a world so full of evil and darkness, (I swear facebook and the news is flooded with details of the most recent horrific act by someone in our world...and I refuse to even write his name on my blog, as my anger toward his deeds is intense,) it's like a healing balm to my soul to read this couple's beautifully uplifting goals and aspirations to be better and love so much more.

I may not be married, but I've done my fair share of dating (cough) and I come from a family of 10. I've had more roommates than I care to count. (I stopped counting when it go to 65ish, and that was a few years ago. WHEW.) I know relationships take work every single day...they take all our patience at times, and they have their ups and downs. I've discovered the ones that last are the ones we invest our whole selves into, and are open to the painful changes that usually come with that whole process. You're likely to discover things about yourself you don't like. That's...really fun. :) Family, friendships, marriages...these are so much more important than anything else I have ever pursued. So why shouldn't they have the most foolproof plan of all?

One of my favorite dating lessons I've ever learned was in Alma 32. My darling friend and her husband suggested it to me as we visited one sad night when my dating relationship at the time was...struggling. I was so worried, and couldn't think of a thing more I could have done, or could do, and I was so fearful of what the future might bring. If this wasn't working, and I was doing everything I could...it would probably never work, right?

I started at about verse 25 and read to the end, using the seed as my relationship(s). I realize some of you out there probably knew about this beautiful passage of scripture in relation to dating before, but I had never considered the possibility that it might be talking about something other than my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have to tell you simply: That was the most healing thing I could have read to help me through that inevitable break-up, and the months that followed. I vowed then and there I would not lose hope because somewhere out there, there would be someone who wanted to work on all of those things with me. That I wasn't supposed to do it all alone. It's something I'll never forget, and I hadn't come across something quite as inspiring on the subject until I came across this creative couple, who clearly love life and each other. It's not hard to see why when you look at their goals.

Maybe this mental musing was mostly just for me. Ahem. :) I get tired of the effort of relationships sometimes...new ones AND old ones. That's not to say I don't love every single relationship I've ever had...at least on some level. ;) But every now and again the thought comes to my mind that maybe it's just easier not to date. I'm cool with my life the way it is.

But then I read Alma 32, or this surprisingly...not...annoyingly perfect blog post by this couple and I realize there's more to it than that. * sigh * And I want it. You know, all in good time...I'm the girl who usually needs a good year or two between real dating relationships. I know. Emotional pansy here. ;)

Love is 1000% worth every effort it takes. I do know that. So let's just make sure you and I don't lose hope in its worth...even if the details along the way sometimes might make your brain and heart feel like scrambled eggs. Burnt ones. :)

I want to speak to your Supervisor.

Once upon a time, I took a new job as a supervisor for a phone center at BYU. Sounds like a terrible job, maybe, but in the middle of the crazy of some days, there are HILARIOUS moments. Also, there are about 30 students who work there, and they make me laugh pretty much every day. I wish I could record some of these things.

Artistic credit goes to Chris, the happiest phone agent I've ever met. bahahha...

But here's my recent favorite work moment:

Caller: (who has been angry and complaining to agent for over an HOUR because they're not getting what they want, in spite of the patient agent doing their very best to help and calm her down.) I want to speak to your supervisor.

Agent: I'd be happy to transfer you over.

Caller: Wait. What's your name?

Agent: gives first name

Caller: What's your last name?

Agent: I'd rather not give that to you.

Caller: Fine. Now what's your supervisor's name?

Agent: DeeAura.

Caller: DeeAura? No. I don't want a student, I want an adult; a full-time person. Your supervisor.

Agent: I realize that, ma'am. Her name is DeeAura.

Caller: DeeAura? Really? Her name is DeeAura?

Agent: YES, ma'am. Her name is DeeAura.

Caller: And she's your full-time supervisor.

Agent: YES.

Caller: Fine. Put me through.

Let's keep in mind, I can hear this entire conversation. I'm sitting right behind the agent. Let's just say my desire to talk to this woman was STRONG. I was also struggling not to laugh. HARD.

WOW! 

Lemmee at 'er.

HEY, LADY. Exactly WHAT is your problem with my name?! Would it make you feel better if he said my name was Nancy? Or, I don't know...Barbara, perhaps? I'm sorry my name doesn't inspire confidence in egotistical maniacs. But I digress, exactly how can I help you today? Because, in spite of your blatant ignorance and erroneous accusations, I actually am willing to help you. IGNORAMOUS.

Mehehehe...I sort of love knowing somewhere out there is a lady completely frustrated because my NAME isn't good enough for her. :)

Hahahaha....oh, the things we choose to ruin our days....hahahha...I'm sorry, I still think it's funny. :)

Once again: Chris gets all the credit.

Even with all that, though? I still love what changing my job has done for my life. Thank goodness for change. And thank goodness for 30+ undergrads with a sense of humor. :)

Too many scarves?!?! More like too many crepes.

Well, once again, my blogging has...been found wanting. I'm still trying to figure out how to have time for everything these days. 

So pardon me when I fall off the face of the earth. :) I'm just swimming through the sea of rehearsals that have once again re-entered my life!

This past weekend, my roommates and I had a housewarming party. A housewarming party for us, by definition, included HUNDREDS of crepes, and so many people crammed in our tiny little house we almost couldn't move. It really was a good time, trust me. My lack of pictures from the event is by no means an indication of a lack of fun. 

I had a lot of favorite things from this night: #1, of course, must go to my three AMAZING sisters who drove the two hours from our little hometown of BC to attend, and really...they ended up helping me make what we later calculated to be over 300 crepes. 

GOOD.GRIEF.

But as crazy as it was (our next party will require much less cooking, trust me) I LOVE being with my sisters. I love cooking with them, and I only wish I'd had more time before the party to just visit with them! But honestly, I owe them BIG time for all their help. 

I love these girls so much. How lucky am I to have them for SISTERS?

Now, that being said, let's not forget the two treasures I found in my room after the droves had departed. I think they're supposed to be my very own personal "housewarming gifts" in addition to the very thoughtful (and surprising) ones we received as roommates...

Item 1: Sport Scent MACHO Aftershave.

Very funny, guys. 

Only...it actually WAS funny because I didn't even notice it in my bathroom until two days later.

That was a good laugh. :)

This gem, found below, was the last thing I saw before almost falling into bed that night. 

Let me tell you this much: it is CREEPY to find something in your room that doesn't belong. Something you know you didn't put there. Something...with tiny wings, a tiny halo, and a tiny harp.

It just brought every creepy clown/doll movie scene or suggestion I've ever known flooding back to my mind.

And then? Then it was hilarious.

WHO PUTS A CREEPY DOLL IN SOMEONE'S ROOM?!?!? 

I have my suspicions. Maybe because one friend came upstairs before the party wearing a good number of my scarves that he'd draped all over himself while rummaging through my room. I might have him on my suspect list...even if his heavily scarved presence made me think immediately of Joey from that scene in Friends when he comes out wearing ALL of Chandler's clothes. 

bahahah. "I'm wearing EVERYTHING YOU OWN."
see here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q--6wtCPHg8

I wish I'd taken a picture of Braden, wearing most every scarf I own. Of course, we'd block out the lecture he gave me about owning too many scarves. 

Because that's ridiculous. 

You can't own too many scarves.

By the end of the night, we were all exhausted, but happy. We might have ignored the crepe explosion in our kitchen until after church the next day.

Maybe.

And I wore a scarf to church.

Definitely.