"Good Morning, Good Morning, to You!"

Maybe not 1AM like in Singin' in the Rain, but close. On Saturday I had a hair appointment for a close friend who was sealed in the LA temple this morning. Can you say "Holy early in the morning, Batman?!" Try 3:30 in the morning. Yep. We got going at 4AM with lots and lots of curls and hairspray, and didn't start to put the finishing touches on her makeup until 7AM. Right on time. Good thing I love to do hair...and I love her. : ) She was such a beautiful bride! I'm so happy for her and Walt. Congrats, you two! 

By Immersion

Yesterday something incredible happened: Stash Dabrowski was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. There aren't words for me to describe how I felt and how I feel now. Stash is an amazing person. In his welcome the bishop talked about what a great guy he is and how little he had to change in order to be baptized. I have to say I completely agree. It's been such an edifying experience to be a part of Stash's conversion, to say the least. I know that yesterday was the beginning of Stash's new life and I am so proud to have been able to watch how the gospel has improved his life thus far. Having him as a friend is and has been such a blessing to me and so many others. Thanks, Stashua! You're the greatest.

UN-believable!

Good news! - I quit my job at the recycling plant today, unknown to my supervisor! Rude, right? I know. But wait. Don't judge yet. Let me explain-

So for anyone who talks to me on a regular basis, you know I was not too fond of this job in the first place. It's early in the morning, the other workers freak me out, I think my supervisor secretly hates me, it smells, it's tedious, boring. Okay, you get the point. Now for the punchline: I, along with all the other employees, have not been paid for about a month now! Awesome. Love it. 

...No. Not so much.

Well on top of that, I got up yesterday morning, dragged myself out of my warm and comfortable bed and started to prepare myself mentally for the day ahead of me: four and a half hours at recycling, four at the after school club. I can do this. 

So I get in the truck and start the oh-so-wonderful drive to the oh-so-beautiful San Fernando Valley. Now for those of you who don't know how traffic is here, it should only take me about ten minutes to get to where I need to go in The Valley. Here is the harsh reality: it takes me about 2o-25 minutes to get to New Earth recycling plant; about five to seven minutes on the freeway, and anywhere from 10 - 20 minutes weaving my way down Topanga Canyon until I get to my lovely job. Okay so continuing my story, I finally do reach my destination about fifteen minutes late (hey, they're not paying me on time, I don't get there on time) only to find out that I'm not needed.

"Oh, you didn't get a phone call?"

"Um...no."

"Oh, all the other employees did."

Awesome. And still no paycheck.

Needless to say, this was kind of the last straw for me. To make an already long story longer, I resolved to quit yesterday. I don't need this! : )

Even though I haven't been treated in the most respectable manner, I thought I would be courteous and at least come in to work today and let everyone know,"hey, I don't need this. This is my last day." On my drive over I'm kind of nervous; I've never quit a job before, I mean I've only ever had one other job to begin with. But I'm determined so I suck it up and brace myself. 

"One more turn," I think to myself. I grab the steering wheel and pull it to the left. I grab it again just about to turn into the parking lot when - What the...?! 

You have got to be kidding me. The gate is locked. Empty lot. No phone call. And no paycheck. And you guessed it-no more recycling job for me! 

Really?

Oh My Gosh!

No doubt about it! I have had no time to tell you all about Lionel Hampton! Needless to say, I had a BLAST! So much fun. I won't bore you with all the details of what happened when, who said what and where... I will say that I learned a lot. 

It's amazing how simply listening to a few concerts can improve your musicianship. I don't know if you know who Benny Green is, but you should. INCREDIBLE pianist. Anywho, yes. Listening, as I have so often heard, is the key. (My high school choir teacher will be so proud). But really, I didn't even really realize what a difference a few days of fabulous concerts performed by incredible musicians had made until I was sitting on an airplane on my way to Seattle early Saturday morning. I felt empowered, strangely enough, by the things I had heard and seen throughout the week. I know that I have to do something in music. Honestly, I don't know if it's necessarily because I'm good at it. I just don't know what else I would do. These are the thoughts that ran through my head as I walked out of the Moscow, Idaho airport, which is the size of an elementary school cafeteria. 

I did feel very empowered that day, and for several days afterward. Maybe it's mostly because I had gotten to sing on stage with Bobby McFerrin the night before, in front of a fairly large audience. It was incredible, to say the least. 

I want to write more. I really do. But this is long as it is. And registration is not going the way I planned so...The End. : )

Song of the week...

There is a lot to tell! I wish I had like 5 hours to just write it all down! Unfortunately...I have not the time. But I will tell all. I promise. For now...be satisfied with this fabulous music. It's a favorite, redone by the wonderful Jamie Cullum. Enjoy! : )