Can You Keep Up?

Aargh! So much to do and so little time to do it. This week is Cray-zay! FHE, Institute, Destiny's Child, Caribbean Vacation...mix in 20 loads of laundry, dusty suitcases and a stressful workweek...and you've got my life! Hee-hee. I am SO not complaining. I am so blessed to have so many fantastic things going on in my life. Yes, yes, YES! I am the luckiest girl in the world!

Zoom...Zoom...Zoom

Aw, how 'bout those cutie-patooties that performed in the Newport Beach Temple Jubilee! This weekend was the Newport Beach Temple Dedication. What a weekend! We spent most of Saturday at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim...the Jubilee and THEN we got to hear President Hinckley speak.

You're doing great. You're better than you think you are. We have confidence in you. May you have the strength and the will and the resolution to do what is right at all times.

It was fantastic. President Faust accompanied him and spoke to the congregation as well. Needless to say, it was fantastic. The Church is true and the leaders of the Church are called of God.

The Celtic Dutchman

I am a sucker for the arts. I know that "the arts" can be a pretty vague term but let's just say that the second I hear an orchestra or see a painting...I am drawn to it. It's like it calls to me. Okay, enough of the cheeziness...I have a point.
Tonight I was flipping through the channels and landed upon KOCE (it's the Orange County branch of PBS) and they were broadcasting Andre Rieul: The Flying Dutchman. He never actually flew so I'm not sure why PBS felt the need to title the program that. Anyhoo, Andre Rieul is a famous violinist that tours with the Johann Strauss Orchestra. A-mazing! I heart PBS. And I heart Andre Rieul. The orchestra was incredible. They played some beautiful arrangements.
THEN, it only got better. One of my favorite programs, Celtic Woman, followed Andre and his fantastic orchestra (or Strauss' fantastic orchestra, rather). It may have something to do with my obsession with the Celtic culture but, either way, there is a special place in my heart for the step dancing and fantastic fiddles that accompany the music of the Celtic lands.
Finally, to the reason I am even blogging this in the first place. I'm not even sure what to say or, more importantly, how to say it. When I was watching both of these programs I thought, "Now, this is true beauty." Maybe that's a "duh" comment but I really felt that. There is something so powerful about music and the arts that encompasses and expresses beauty in a way that no other medium can. Languages are generally so limited and do not contain the words or nuances needed to express such a complex idea as beauty.
Okay, enough of the philosophizing. Bottom line, I'm just really grateful that the Lord has instilled in me a love for the arts. I'm grateful for mentors that have shown me how to appreciate a canvas or an instrument that can express emotion and life views in a way that nothing else can. It is truly a beautiful thing.

These Words

Read some Byron, Shelly and Keats
Recited it over a Hip-Hop beat
I’m having trouble saying what I mean
With dead poets and drum machines

I know I had some studio time booked
But I couldn’t find a killer hook
Now you’ve gone & raised the bar right up
Nothing I write is ever good enough

These words are my own
From my heart flow
I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you
There’s no other way
To better say
I love you, I love you…

I Am a Common Man

Everybody needs a good love story once in awhile. I got mine tonight. There is something about Noah and Allie's love that just takes my breath away. It sounds SO cheezy but it is SO true. It literally takes my breath away. Oh, wait...maybe that's just Ryan Gosling's skill. Hee-hee! Just kidding. The book is so well written and the movie is incredible. I remember the first time I saw "The Notebook" in theaters. I was with my best friend, Chazlyn, and we were bawlin' our eyes out at the end. A lady came back to ask us if we were okay 'cause we were cryin' so much! Ah, the memories.

I am nothing special; of this I am sure. I am a common man with common thoughts, and I've led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten, but I've loved another with all my heart and soul, and to me, this has always been enough.

I know it's fiction but there is something about seeing such powerful love that is so inspiring. I wonder. Noah and Allie were literally CRAZY about each other. Allie was all Noah thought about and vice-versa. How does that happen?! I can't even begin to understand it! But it doesn't make me love it any less. I want that same passion for life that they had for each other. And maybe someday I'll have that passion for another person. Heaven help us when that finally happens. Hee-hee!

Whirlwind Weekend

Man! The past four days seems like a blur! My mom came to visit and we had the time of our lives! It was so good to see her and play with her and love on her and laugh with her. Seriously, I had forgotten how hilarious my mom is. What a crack-up! Pictures to follow...but this was our itinerary.

Friday:
Flew in (boy, were her arms tired...hee-hee!)
Universal Studios
Pageant of the Masters

Saturday:
LA City Tour & Movie Stars Homes Tour
Downtown Disney
Dinner @ Cheesecake Factory

Sunday:
Church
Recovery Time

Monday:
Office Visit
Newport Beach Temple Open House
Key Chain Hunting in Laguna Beach
Lunch at Johnny Rockets
Flew Home : (

It went by so fast and we were SO exhausted but it was SO much fun! I am so glad she got to come visit. The California sun wasn't shinin' so brightly but we had a good time. The whole fam is comin' in December...that'll be four times the fun...can't wait!

Teaser

I'd like to revoke the previous blog stating that Kimberlini was moving in with us. She has received a better offer (although what could be better than living with me, I don't know) and will not be moving into our apartment. So, back to the scrambled confusion of square one. It's so good to be home.

Summer Lovin'

This is the 3rd time in just as many years that my summer has included a Jack Johnson concert. And lemme just say that it gets better every year. However, as much as I love the great state of California...UCSD's got NOTHIN' on The Gorge at George. Not a single thing. The concert was fantastic and I fell in love with Jack all over again (seemingly impossible, I know...nevertheless true). He is such a great musician and a fanstastic human being. He does so much good. Anyhoo. Enough about my crush on Jack...which, I might add, is harmless, respecting the fact that he has a beautiful wife and a cutey-patootie son named Moe. Hee-hee! So, Jeni and I met up with Holly, Dan and Co. for the concert. Great seats. Great pizza. Great weather. It was just plain ol' great!

To Say or Not to Say

Kim is going to move into our apartment! Clap, clap, clap! Yay! I love you, Kim...wherever you are! Kim's moving in so we can stay in our apartment through at least November. I don't think it's the best situation, per se, since it's just delaying the inevitable...but it'll be nice to push that stress back for a bit longer. Granted, the decisions have been made and the lease is more or less signed, sealed and delivered...but I've learned a thing or two during this little escapade.

This above all: to thine ownself be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
William Shakespeare, "Hamlet"

Since moving down here, I've really developed a more real sense of independence but I still allow my fear of people's reactions to my decisions color the decisions themselves. It's really too bad but I'm getting closer and closer to really becoming my own person and allowing myself to be in a position to be the best woman that I can be. I'm learning what environments I am happiest in and I am learning how to create those environments. At the risk of sounding VERY cheezy...it's very liberating to know that I am in absolute control of my own happiness. My happiness or lack thereof is my own fault. Either way. Pretty cool, huh?

A.L.O.

A.L.O opened for Jack Johnson this weekend in San Diego. And while I wasn't immediately impressed...they definitely grew on me. I think most of it stems from the fact that Zach (keys & vocals) played for Jack during his set later in the night. He is definitely one talented dude! Good music and even better lyrics...minus the Pecs song! Okay, so maybe I kind of liked the Pecs song...but just a little bit. It wasn't my favorite or anything. Honest, it wasn't.

And in this life we're free to dream what ever we want to
But that doesn’t' mean that your dreams are gonna come true
Instead as a way of getting us to move
Life dangles your dreams in front of you
And unable to resist the temptation
We continue

Good times all around. I'm really glad we hit Jack up for the 3rd time in just as many years. It was worth the hours spent on the 5 stuck in traffic and sweatin' our bums off in Jeni's non-air conditioned car. I love you, Jeni's car...wherever you are! And I love you, Jack!

Blessings, Blessings Everywhere

I've been semi-stressed about the whole moving situation but last night...a ray of light broke through the crowds...I mean, clouds. Hee-hee. Shantel has decided not to move just yet and is doing everything in her power to maintain our contract so that we can stay in until the end of the year. So, cross your fingers, everybody! I hope it all works out and we won't have to move until January-ish.

Home Life

I think I'm gonna stay home; have myself a home life.
Sitting in the slow-mo and listening to the daylight
I am not a nomad, I am not a rocket man.
I was born a house cat by the slight of my mother's hand.
See, I refuse to believe that my life's gonna be
Just some string of incompletes; never to lead me to
anything remotely close to home life.

Wishin' and Hopin'

In the midst of the joys of planning ahead, I spend too much time wishin' away the days. Some of it is wishin' away time 'til the next payday. Some is until it's the weekend. What is WRONG with me? It's not a very nice feeling 'cause it makes me one of those people that's never satisfied. That makes me feel yucky.

Newport Beach Temple

When I was at Fluor, I worked next to the SWEETEST lady...Carolyn Hoag-Hansen. She was such a sweetheart and I had the chance to invite her to the Newport Beach Temple Open House before I left and she accepted! I took her and her husband to the temple. It was a beautiful experience. They were very reverent and respectful of the temple and they were VERY grateful for the invitation. They are fantastic people and I hope they had a positive experience with the temple. The Spirit that resides there is so incredible. I love it! And I can't help but want everyone to have the opportunity to visit it and partake of the sweetness. The temples are very beautiful but it's so much more than the physical beauty. It is truly the House of the Lord. I feel so blessed to have a temple so near to me.

Moving

Melissa and Shantel dropped the biggity bomb of the century and told us they're movin' to Utah. And while I am very happy for them...I am not so happy about having to find a new place to live. Rar! They're names are on the lease and so when they move...we ain't got no home! Stinky. I guess we're not TOTALLY without options. It's just that 4 girls in a 3-bedroom makes for super cheap rent...well, cheap by OC standards anyway. So, Jeni and I are on the hunt. We've got a few friends that may be in the market for a move but it's going to be a pain either way we look at it. I'm NOT looking forward to it. It's times like this when I just want to live alone so I don't have to depend on anyone.

Blog Content

I spent some time be-boppin' (yes, be boppin') around some other blogs and I cannot help but feel that mine is lacking content that would paint an accurate picture of who I really am. On the one hand, this blog is primarily for close friends and family who just want to know the basics. But on the other hand, there is so much more to me than cutesy pictures and play-by-play blogs. I can't decide whether or not I want to use this as more of a creative outlet or not. Perhaps I'll start adding quotes from books I'm reading or pictures of paintings I think are fantastic. Let's just go from there. One thing I do know is that I have a hard time "lettin' it all hang out" to millions (hypothetically, of course...i don't think more than 5 or 6 people have ever seen this blog). And, to be honest, I'm not one to sit around pensively and struggle to know the mysteries of the earth. Don't get me wrong...I can certainly APPRECIATE the mysteries but it's not something that weighs upon my mind every second of everyday. Does that make me sound shallow and undeveloped? So be it. We'll see how it goes.

Land of the Free

I love Rachael. I love her because, like me, she is perfectly happy chillin' at the house watchin' movies and eatin' pizza every once in awhile. She takes joy in the little things and is often content to just be. Anyhoo, to celebrate the Independence of our beloved country, we got a pizza, rented some movies and took a minute or two to look at all the fireworks. It was actually really neat 'cause the house we were at is on a hill overlooking San Clemente that allowed us to see San Onofre, San Clemente, Mission Viejo and Laguna Beach fireworks! It was a great vantage point.

The Ladies

Happiest of Birthdays

I have the best friends in the whole world. Hands down. I know I'm hard to live with but it seems that the Lord keeps blessing me with people that are willing to put up with me. I'm a lucky girl.
So, for the big 2-4 the girls got together and threw a birthday party for me...Hollywood style! They reserved the theater in our complex and decorated it with stars, a faux HOLLYWOOD sign (it was a beaut!) and my very own red carpet. Cute Kim walked me up to the room and when I walked in it was completely dark and flashes were going off everywhere. I was so confused. Then I heard, "Miss Peralta, smile for us!" "Over here, Miss Peralta." "Paula, can we get an interview?" And then I realized what was going on...PAPARAZZI! I started crackin' up and, of course, took a minute to strut my stuff on the red carpet.
After cupcakes and sparklin' cider, we hit Downtown Disney for some dinner at The Rainforest Cafe. So fun! It was fantastic! Definitely one of the best birthdays EVER! Props to Jeni & Co. for makin' my day super special!

Temple Call Center

Rachael and I spent the past month working most Thursday nights (and a few Saturday afternoons) at a little corner of Moneyline Lending Services for Mike McBride who was put in charge of arranging VIP tours for the Open House of the Newport Beach Temple. It was, indeed, a most riveting time. I'm fairly certain that I've never been so bored in all my life. There literally was nothing to do. We had to bring books to read, cards to play and websites to surf. And while I'm grateful to the opportunity to serve, I will honestly say that I am glad its over. Good times.