No Day But Today!!

     Alright....I should have blogged about this awhile ago...but I got distracted, life happened and all that jazz. Anywhoosers last Thursday I got the amazing opportunity to go see Rent live at Pioneer Theatre Company located up on the University of Utah's campus; and it was INCREDIBLE!! Rent has been my absolute favorite show for a long time now and it was so awesome seeing it live! I have seen this show sooooo many times that I have actually lost count; but each time I see it I pull something else out of it and this last time was no different.

 

(the amazing cast in one of their pictures from the playbill)

     This particular cast did such a fantastic job! Their chemistry was realistic and their relationships beautiful. In particular, however, I was absolutely riveted by Fabio Monteiro who played Roger. Now I don't say this lightly, Roger is my favorite character and I am extremely critical of anyone playing that role (sometimes unfairly and unrealistically so...) but Fabio Monteiro was, in a word that I have already overused in this post, incredible. Every time he took the stage I could not take my eyes off of him. He brought such a unique and powerful energy to the role that I immediately re-fell in love with the character, in "Your Eyes" and "One Song Glory" his beautiful voice and brilliant character created a memorable experience. The rest of the cast was equally as brilliant and their show tugged on my heartstrings, made me laugh, cry and cheer.
     Rent is such an incredible show and I truly believe that it changed my life. This production, like all the others I have has the pleasure of seeing, stayed true to the message at the heart of Rent: live life to its fullest and don't let your past hold you back.

   NO DAY BUT TODAY!

Positoovity

I strut my stuff with lotsa confidence!

Cause though I lack an awful lot

There is one thing that I got-

I got positoovity

I got positoovity....

Cause once you've heard that word

There ain't nothin' you can't do!

So let that positoovity work for you!

This is quite possibly the best mantra that I have ever gotten from a Broadway musical (or any other source for that matter). It's from a song in Disney's The Little Mermaid The Musical, which I love, love, LOVE!

Really go listen to the soundtrack...it's incredible..and will bring a smile to your face guaranteed (unless of course you are a heartless ogre...but that's your own issue)

Anywhoosers Positoovity just makes me want to be positive! I listened to it tonight right before I went to work and it totally changed my whole attitude. Immediately I was happier and definitely more willing to smile at everyone, because as the song says with positivity (or I guess positoovity :-p) there's nothing you can't do. And that is so true. My beloved French teacher Mdm. Durst over at Olympus always like to quote one of the coaches there in saying that a positive attitude changes everything, which it really, really does!! I full heartedly believe that positive affirmations will make a situation turn out for the better.

Tonight at work I felt reassured in this belief. More than one person commented on how nice my positive attitude and that it was so good of me to be so positive. It's always nice to know that one's positivity isn't all for not, that there are people watching and appreciating it.

Even better about tonight was Elder M. Russell Ballard and his sweet wife coming into my work (they are the first couple in the above picture)

I'm always SO starstruck when they come in. He just eminates goodness and light and I have never met a kinder woman than Sister Ballard. She is probably one of the sweetest people alive and I hope to be half the woman that she is some day. Seeing one of the Apostles or the Prophet in person is always such a testimony builder because there is just this light that radiates from their eyes, and their wives are definitely the same way. There is a defintie energy of kindness that just flows from them. Seeing them in person, doing everyday things like eating in a restaurant reminds me that they are human, just like me, and that maybe, just maybe if I work at standing as a witness of God at all times and in all things and in all places I might someday have the light that shines through their eyes.

Even in his photograph the light of Christ is in his eyes and kindness is etched upon his visage, and the cool thing is that it is not just Elder Ballard's photo that is like this. All of the photos of the General Authorities of the LDS church give off the same things. It is a true testimony to me of the goodness and truth of these men that lead this incredible church.

However the best part of my entire evening I must say is that as Elder and Sister Ballard were leaving he turned, waved to me and said "It was nice to see you again." Elder Ballard knows who I am! He may not know my name but he recognizes my face. How cool is that?!? Like I said: Seriously starstruck!

So yes positivity can make your whole day awesome, and I am so glad that the song Positoovity reminds me of that, and it's so upbeat and catchy...just makes me wanna smile!!

Not only does Positivity make your day better, it makes the days of those around you better. Positivity not unlike a cold is totally contagious but with a much better result.

SERIOUSLY. AWESOME. NIGHT!!!

I Promise I'm Worth It

Sometimes it feels as if Adele just knows my life, and understands exactly what I need to hear in a song.
Her song "One and Only" is gradually becoming my theme song for this point in my life.

"One and Only"

You've been on my mind, I grow fonder every day.

Lose my self in time

Just thinking of your face.

God only knows why it's taken me so long to let my doubts go

You're the only one that I want.

I don't know why I'm scared,

I've been here before

Every feeling, every word, I've imagined it all.

You'll never know if you never try,

To forgive your past and simply be mine.

I dare you to let me be your, your one and only.

Promise I'm worth it, to hold in your arms.

So come on and give me a chance

To prove I am the one who can walk that mile until the end starts.

If I've been on your mind,

You hang on every word I say.

Lose yourself in time,

At the mention of my name.

Will I ever know how it feels to hold you close?

And have you tell me which ever road I choose, you'll go?

I don't know why I'm scared,

'Cause I've been here before

Every feeling, every word, I've imagined it all.

You'll never know if you never try

To forgive your past and simply be mine.

I dare you to let me be your, your one and only.

I promise I'm worth it, mmm, to hold in your arms.

So come on and give me a chance

To prove I am the one who can walk that mile, until the end starts.

I know it ain't easy giving up your heart.

I know it ain't easy giving up your heart.

Nobody's perfect

Trust me I've learned it

Nobody's perfect

(Repeat 3x's)

So I dare you to let me be your, your one and only.

I promise I'm worth it, to hold in your arms.

So come on and give me a chance

To prove I am the one who can walk that mile, until the end starts.

Basically my anthem for life right now. Favorite part (as in the part that I will replay the whole song for if I miss it the first time) = "Will I ever know how it feels to hold you close? / And have you tell me whichever road I choose, you'll go?"
....Love Adele so much.

50 Secrets...Shhhhhh

I’ll admit it..I stole this idea from a friend of a friend :p but I saw theirs and really wanted to do one of my own so I did and here it is.

1.       I believe in magic

2.       Sometimes I pretend that my curling iron is a lightsaber

3.       I wish I was Audrey Hepburn

4.       Rent changed my life. – Thank you Jonathon Larson

5.       I geek out over Broadway musicals

6.       Clowns are probably the scariest things on the planet

7.       The thought of being completely alone really scares me

8.       Diet Coke really is the nectar of the gods as far as I am concerned

9.       I love to dance in the rain

10.   I’m addicted to my phone

11.   I have a slight obsession with quotes

12.   I sometimes get jealous when I see the guy I like talking to another girl, even when I have absolutely no claim to him whatsoever

13.   I actually really love weddings

14.   I believe in guardian angels

15.   Diamonds really are a girl’s best friend

16.   I’m in love with quotes from One Tree Hill

17.   Breakfast at Tiffany’s is my absolute favorite movie

18.   Sometimes I wish Hogwarts was real

19.   I can’t wait for my Prince Charming to come along

20.   There are times where friendship is thicker than blood

21.   I read to get away from my life

22.   America’s Next Top Model is my guilty pleasure

23.   23 is my lucky number

24.   I miss being on stage

25.   Sweats are probably the greatest invention ever

26.   Sometimes my tongue is too sharp, and I say things without thinking them through first

27.   Greece is at the top of my list of places I really want to visit before I die

28.   I really do love The Great Gatsby

29.   I have a tiny obsession with shoes

30.   I think about my grandpa at least once every day

31.   When I was little I wanted to grow up to be my cousin

32.   I fall for the idea of a guy before I really get to know him

33.   Hugs are the best thing in the world

34.   I love listening to the soundtracks from movies

35.   I love ALL three of the Pirates movies

36.   I fall in love easily but falling out of love is the hardest thing for me to do

37.   I tend to be a bit of a cuddle slut

38.   In some situations I believe in love at first sight

39.   Ghost Adventures is my favorite show

40.   Sappy love songs really make me happy

41.   There is a relevant Shakespeare quote for every moment in life

42.   I seem to have a thing for returned missionaries that served in Spanish speaking missions

43.   I still love Peter Pan

44.   When I am seriously angry I bake or sing showtunes at the top of my lungs

45.   I believe in miracles

46.   I’m actually a really shy person when it comes right down to it

47.   My snuggie is one of my most favorite possessions

48.   I love to just sit and listen to the rain

49.   I love snow when it is falling but hate it when it’s just hanging around

50.   When I see him my heart skips a beat and my stomach does a flip flop