Stranded!!!

So, remember how there was supposed to be an amazing blizzard just before Thanksgiving? Well, it finally made it to Utah Valley...only about five weeks late! I woke up yesterday morning to the beginnings of the grand storm. It wasn't really bad yet, but by the time work got out, it was terrible...lots of snow, and lots of wind. So, rather than freak myself out driving home to Provo, I went with Erin to her house in American Fork. It cut the drive by a lot, and after meeting at Walmart and getting some essential items, I didn't have to drive anymore...which did wonders for my stress level.

It ended up being a really fun night. We didn't do anything really, but there is something about being at home during a storm that I love. Forget about the fact that I would have to get up in the morning and drive to work in the snow again (which wasn't too bad since it was cut short due to staying in American Fork), it was just nice to be safe inside with nowhere to go.

And, at work today, to calm my nerves, I colored a picture. I don't know why, but somehow coloring helps calm me down and relieves my stress. Thankfully, the storm did eventually subside and I am able to be at home in my apartment tonight.

Merry Christmas! What a wonderful day. It was very different from other Christmases, but turned out great.

The first great thing was a complete surprise when it came to my presents. At my house, Santa brings one big present, and the rest of my presents come from my parents. I have been known to guess what my big present will be, and I've decided it must be a goal of my mother's to find something that I will love, but not guess. This year was a success in that way. I woke up to find my big present was actually a trip. I found a little airplane ornament (that my niece decided was definitely painted by elves) and a note saying that I have a round trip ticket to a place that we can decide. I'm so excited! I have been wanting to travel for a long time, and this year seems to be a great start to that.

This Christmas was the "off" year when it comes to my siblings and their in-laws. They all spent Christmas day with their in-law families. So, after Christmas morning and opening presents, it was just me and my parents since my little brother is in Africa on a mission. So, we did something completely different and went to a movie. We went to Tangled, and it was so fun. It's such a cute movie...one I will definitely buy. Then we just went to my grandparents and talked to them and my Aunt, Uncle, and a couple cousins. It turned out to be just a fun day.

I love the Christmas season and the chance we get to celebrate the birth of our Savior. What an amazing blessing we have to focus on Him for a month. The spirit of the Christmas season is probably my favorite time of year.

Lord of the Rings

Last night, I watched the last Lord of the Rings movie. It completed my full introduction to the movies...it was the first time I've actually watched them all the way through. After watching the first movie, I said I wouldn't make an opinion of Lord of the Rings until I watched them all. Now that they are done, I will give my opinion and share a few lessons I learned in the process of watching the movies...

First: Don't start your Lord of the Rings experience with the extended version. It's way too long! For someone who already loves it, I'm sure it's great. But as a first timer, it's too much. If I had made my decision about these movies after the first one, it probably wouldn't have been positive.

Second: Don't watch them when you're really tired. It is so hard to stay awake and to get all the necessary details when you are running on not enough sleep. Interestingly enough, I was exhausted for all three movies. :)

Third: They really are great movies. The more I watched them, the more I wanted to see. They have the ability to grasp your attention and take you in. Any movie that can do that is a good movie in my mind.

Give me a couple months or so and I think I will want to watch them again...but only when I'm not already falling asleep. Give me more time and I may be interested in watching the extended versions.

Music

I love music. I love finding new songs. I love playing the piano. I love singing. I just love music.

Music has a way of speaking to me. Certain songs capture my attention and help me describe how I'm feeling. This has happened many many times, and these songs become very important to me. For example:

A Little Bit Stronger, Angels Among Us, Better As a Memory, Close Your Eyes, Fallin' for You, For Good, Haven't Met You Yet, He Will, Hold On, I Told You So, I Won't Say (I'm In Love), If You're Not the One, I'll Be Okay, I'm Only Me When I'm With You, Let It Go, Letter to Me, Merry Christmas Darling, Once in a Lifetime Love, So Close, Somebody, Someday We'll Know, Take Me There, Teardrops On My Guitar, Tender Mercies, There's Your Trouble, This Is Me You're Talking To, What Heaven Sees In You, Where Faith Lives, Who Needs Pictures, Winner at a Losing Game, You Are Loved (Don’t Give Up), You Belong With Me

...All songs that, at some point or another, have been on repeat on my iTunes

...A few of many songs that have spoken to me

...All songs that remind me of a specific time in my life

...Many songs that make me think of a certain person

...All songs that carry an emotion with them, whether good or bad

I am so grateful for music and the powerful impact it has on me.