"Promise to make me laugh? Every day. "

You probably recognize the title of this blog post from the LDS blockbuster picture entitled "Legacy." 

Then again, you might not recognize it if you haven't seen it.

This movie is really super important because as an 8-year-old girl, I fell in love with the character David and decided what I wanted most in love was someone who made me laugh and who loved me like David loved Lizzie. 

I'm only 30% kidding.

That's right. As an 8-year-old, that's what I decided.

And you know what?

I've been in love a few times since then, but nobody makes me laugh the way I wanted.

So my 8-year-old self might've been onto something... ;)

That's just in case you're feeling nostalgic or curious or something.

Go to 31:00  "...And I will make ya laugh..." The accent doesn't hurt, either. haha.

and then 35:15. Yup.

So anyway. On with my story.

My friend Carla brought this to my attention last night:

After reading it and crying laugh tears, I considered texting the phone number on the ad and just asking if he were A) Single, and B) over 22. Okay, 25. Okay no...at least 27. Maybe he could be just barely older than me. 

Now I'm just being demanding. 

Creepy 40-year-old men don't write funny stuff like that, right?

But I didn't do that. I didn't contact Mr. Doug, the seller.

Because he's probably 18 and trying to go on a mission.

It's just that I confess I am highly susceptible to people who make me laugh.

Even if they go by Doug. 

"Hey Doug..." I hear that commercial in my head every time I hear that name. 

Which might be more annoying than anything else over a span of time...

So nevermind, Doug. Funny ad, though. Real real funny.

And then the other day, I came across this couple on the youtube. (It's funny to call it THE youtube, okay?)

and then...

I snickered, and then I laughed a few times.

But mostly that's what I'm talking about.

People in love should laugh like that.

Even if the dude is ridiculous. :)

So that's the end of that story.

THE END.

So then here's the P.S.:

This picture is for all the people trying to look for me in General Conference this weekend.

I'm only assigned to the Sunday afternoon session of conference this time.

But I must be there on-call, dressed, music memorized for each session in case someone doesn't show up or something.

So I'll just be there the whole time dressed in a choir robe anyway.

Which is really cool, but probably warm.

I'm joking about stuff, but I really am excited. :) 

I also purposely chose a star to signify my whereabouts rather than a circle or square.

Because stars are just prettier.

And also I think if you're 5'4" and on the back row and standing on a stool to sing on national television, you deserve a star around your face.

But that's just a first world problem, and so that's also why I used a star. 

Oh, know you not that angels are near you?

This is because I don't blog anymore.

On accident.

Okay maybe on purpose. 

It all has to do with time, I suppose...

In the literal two seconds before rehearsal started in the Conference Center yesterday, I managed to take a FANTASTIC picture of my incredible good looks, and the organ pipes. It's impressive, I know. 

These days, if I have a second to blog, I...well, I don't. 

Instead I'm memorizing music.

Or driving to Salt Lake.

Or working.

Or dragging my bum to the gym before the sun gets up.

Or putting gas in my car. (Really though...the Costco gas station almost thanked me by first name yesterday.)

I've wanted to say something so many times about what a cool experience this whole choir thing is turning out to be, but every time I start to write a facebook status or write it on the old blog, it just seems so trite. So then I'll think about texting someone like my mom or my sister, but it seems such a waste to just tell one person...plus how do I describe that in a text? 

So I just tell myself I'll write it down in my journal as soon as I get home.

But then I get home way past my bedtime, and do you think I write it in my journal?

Noooooooooooooo. :) 

Head hits pillow: zonk.

I see my roommates on Sundays (...uh...usually...)

I see other people...uh...in rehearsals? Or at work? Or never.

Sometimes I see my family on a Sunday.

But if I do that, I pay for it the whole next week with exhaustion.

They only live 2 hours away, but...I have to do it in one day, and that's 4 hours of driving, and...there are only so many hours in the day. ESPECIALLY on a Sunday.

And can I just SAY again, for the record...dating is so odd. Everybody's story starts out so happy and sweet and fun and exciting...and then...THEN. BAM. 

That's random, I know. I just find myself wondering how it all goes awry sometimes.

And how I don't really have time for the drama these days...it would completely incapacitate me, and I think that might be a problem. :)

Ha! I promise I'm not whining, but it sure sounds like it, doesn't it?

This whole early mornings/late nights thing...worth it?

100%.

In little moments. 

Like when we're in rehearsals, and singing those words just calm everything down.

"Come unto Jesus, He'll ever heed you, Though in the darkness you've gone astray. His love will find you and gently lead you from darkest night into day."

"Come unto Jesus; He'll surely hear you...Oh, know you not that angels are near you?"

The best part of singing those words last night was feeling and knowing there really were angels near, even during a rehearsal. I've felt that before, but it never really goes away. The words by themselves are nice...but there's something about singing those words, and hearing the rest of the music fit all around it so intricately and perfectly...it's in those moments I find myself able to breathe. It's in those moments I feel like I remember my Heavenly Father does love me...and that the busy schedule doesn't matter. I have had more prayers answered through music in the past month than I've ever noticed before.

"I, your Lord and Master, now become your servant. 

I who made the moon and stars will kneel to wash your feet.

This is my commandment, to love as I have loved you.

Kneel to wash each other's feet as I have done for you."

Every time we sing those words, (you should hear the arrangement...it's completely beautiful.) I just cry. Because I'm a girl? Because I'm tired? Because of life? Eh. Maybe. But mostly, I love how personal the gospel is, and how personal my relationship with my Heavenly Father needs to be...because of His love for all of us. 

I feel like I'm quieting down these days, and it's a weird phenomenon. Instead of talking to a friend or a roommate about something that's going on, I find myself thinking about it more than anything else. I don't even write about it, and I usually do. But...let's just say I'm looking forward to General Conference this weekend more than I ever have before. I'm excited to sing, but I will always love the answers I find and learning from the words of living prophets and apostles. 

The blessings just keep on coming...I'm just trying to keep up on my part, I guess. :) 

And speaking of blessings...I'm so gonna be in Hawaii in June. :) I've never been, and I'm SO excited!! Maybe if you've been, you should tell me where to go/what to do. Seriously...I'm dreaming about it. 

Blogging about blogs is what I do after Daylight Savings because it requires zero brain power, and that's the kind of stuff we should be publishing on the internet.

My title is a paragraph.

Whoops.

Whatever. In other news...

It's BEAUTIFUL outside, and I'm sitting inside, at my desk.

I've cancelled anything during the lunch hour and reserved it entirely for eating outside.

In the beautiful sunshine.

Because it's March in Utah, and it's 57 degrees outside right now.

I'm in HEAVEN.

I'm also so sleepy.

A nap might be glorious as well.

Also, I caught up on reading blogs this morning while waiting for a report to download at work.

Super multi-tasker: here.

I have a few things to say about said blog review.

Kaley refuses to post great pictures on facebook, and this is how I manage to collect pictures these days. It's quite bothersome. BOTHERSOME, Kaley. ;) So, since I can't put it on fb, I'm putting it here. Because I like it. And the people in it. This was the night Aubrey and Erik got engaged, and we were all there at the end. That was fun. This was also the night it was reiterated to me what the guys got Jason for his bachelor party, and how they should get the same thing for Erik's bachelor party. I'm still experiencing the backlash hurl-effect (yes, I just made that up) due to this particular knowledge. That happiness on my face is because it had yet to be mentioned. AGAIN. 

When I'm not completely grossed out, it's actually funny. 

No, I'm not explaining it.

Because I'd have to say what it's called, and that's half of what makes it so sick. 

Oh but how is it so funny?!

Okay, I'm done recounting stories without explanation. 

My bee-yoo-ti-ful cousin posted this recipe for Fish Tacos today, and I am SO dissatisfied with my lunch leftovers now. I want a fish taco. I'll probably make them for dinner. 

After I hit up the grocery store, of course...

DROOL.

Anything with lime and cilantro. Holy crap, yes.

Concerning March Madness: I love watching basketball. Really, I do. It's my favorite sport to watch. LOVE. But I have zero desire to win a bracket challenge. It's purely social for me; judge away. I feel bad about this for about 2.5 seconds until I realize it doesn't do anyone any harm for me to NOT care. I'm just there for the fun, and probably the food, and my fake bracket is only going to give you one less person to worry about as you strive toward your super achievement of guessing who's gonna win while the playas play.

Now everyone who cares is infuriated with my confession.

Crap. 

Pass the nachos.

And my fake bracket.

Sometimes I wonder why I blog. 

3 minutes to lunch. 

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.