Thursday, December 23, 2010

Charles DeLee Pennington, my hero

I miss him already.
Today I said goodbye to my wonderful Papa, Charles DeLee Pennington.
Tomorrow he will return to Heavenly Father.
Charles DeLee Pennington has been known by many names. Yesterday, I learned my grandma first knew him as "Chuckypoo," the handsome air force stud that all the girls lined up to kiss. My mom and her siblings knew him as Dad, the always smiling, happy-go-lucky guy that loved them all so much. Some people knew him as a handy-man, always willing to put in ceiling fans or electrical outlets, Brother Pennington, a silly man from the ward, or a McDonalds manager, keeping the work environment enjoyable and spoiling his kids with happy meals.

I know him as Papa.
Everyone should be jealous of me and my cousins. We have had the best Papa any grandkids could ever have.
My Papa has a bald head. We always teased him about his bald head. I don't think I can count the number of times I kissed him on top of that head or asked him "Papa, do you use soap or shampoo?" He wore a cowboy hat and a southern drawl, and wore them well-- A Texas boy all the way through. My papa would make friends with anybody and everybody. Some of my fondest memories of Papa's visits set me at Home Depot, playing in the doors and with the faucets while Papa picked up stuff for a new project. I remember when he installed ceiling fans in almost every room of our house.
Usually when we'd go on these trips, we'd stop and McDonalds on the way home and pick up a Happy Meal.
I remember one time Papa decided to take Aubrey and I to the movies for a day. We went to three movies in a row, all at the movie theater. I can't remember what time we started, but can remember falling asleep during the midnight premiere of the movie Dodgeball.
I remember Papa and Grandma had a jar of coins in their Cedar City House and we would always have to ask Papa for a coin if we wanted candy from the gumball machine.
I also remember when Papa redid the backyard and put in a swingset for us grandkids.
My most recent memory of Papa was made this week. I had the chance to spend all of this week with Papa in the hospital. My Papa is a flirt. He loves to make people laugh. This week he told all of us how pretty the nurses at the hospital were and how he already had proposed to four of them!
Today I said goodbye to my Papa. I told him how much I loved him, hugged him and held his hand, and planted one final kiss on top of his head. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have had to have Charles DeLee Pennington in my life as my grandpa. I will always cherish the memories I have of him and be grateful for the wonderful example he has set for me of living the gospel and loving everyone around him. I am so grateful for the gospel and for the knowledge that I will get to see him again. I am thankful to know that Papa will be greeted by his family on the other side when he passes.
Papa, I love you.

Monday, December 6, 2010

110 Loves

This is one of those dumb Facebook notes people write that I did a while ago, but I actually kind of like this one! So I'm posting it here!!

1. I love honesty.
2. I love friendship.
3. I love eternal families.
4. I love good hair days.
5. I love good face days.
6. I love learning.
7. I love challenges.
8. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ.
9. I love the Book of Mormon.
10. I love adrenaline.
11. I love sleeping.
12. I love cuddling.
13. I love hugs and kisses.
14. I love music.
15. I love watching sports.
17. I love summertime.
18. I love Christmas music in November.
19. I love Andrea Boccelli.
20. I love being barefoot.
21. I love eating.
22. I love school.
23. I love being outside.
24. I love my saxophone.
25. I love dogs.
26. I love living in the United States.
27. I love facebook.
28. I love girl talks.
29. I love rough housing.
30. I love reading.
31. I love How To Train Your Dragon.
32. I love my phone.
33. I love sarcasm.
34. I love water.
35. I love singing.
36. I love procrastinating.
37. I love chocolate.
38. I love burping.
39. I love hot showers.
40. I love star gazing.
41. I love old memories.
42. I love sneezing.
43. I love board games.
44. I love driving.
45. I love napping.
46. I love the internet.
47. I love acoustic guitar.
48. I love piano.
49. I love life.
50. I love new clothes.
51. I love makeup.
52. I love Montana.
53. I love bonfires.
54. I love hiking.
55. I love folf.
56. I love relationships.
57. I love apple pie.
58. I love new shampoo.
59. I love clean teeth.
60. I love my bed.
61. I love my future husband.
62. I love optimism.
63. I love parks.
64. I love free music.
65. I love Google.
66. I love texting.
67. I love the smell of sagebrush.
68. I love jewelry.
69. I love unique art.
70. I love my High School band director.
71. I love pizza.
72. I love sunshine.
73. I love floor hockey.
74. I love sledding.
75. I love siblings.
76. I love parents.
77. I love flowers.
78. I love technology.
79. I love gym memberships.
80. I love jigsaw puzzles.
81. I love crossword puzzles.
82. I love dry humor.
83. I love dance parties.
84. I love the United States.
85. I love freedom.
86. I love movies.
87. I love new friends.
88. I love nail polish.
89. I love blogging.
90. I love camping.
91. I love Thai food.
92. I love air conditioning.
93. I love jeans.
94. I love sweats.
95. I love trail mix.
96. I love Super Mario Brothers.
97. I love yellow.
98. I love new socks.
99. I love awkward situations.
100. I love best friends.


10 Am's
1. I am Lacey.
2. I am a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
3. I am special sometimes.
4. I am a music connoisseur.
5. I am a college student.
6. I am American.
7. I am pale.
8. I am sarcastic.
9. I am a saxophone player.
10. I am a future band director.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

My Addiction

I have a problem.
A big one.
I love Christmas music.
I couldn't help but start listening to it the minute the first snowflake fell here in Rexburg. I think that was about two weeks before Thanksgiving...
Truth be told, I sneak Christmas music into my listening throughout the year. Don't tell.

There is just something about Christmas music that instantly brings me a feeling of joy. I recall reading the Christmas story with my family every Christmas Eve, shopping for presents for my friends or families, the Christmas my siblings and I all got sleds and headed out to the sledding hill as soon as all the presents were open, or Christmas mornings with my siblings where the clock seemed to be stuck on 6:59 a.m. for two hours (we weren't allowed to do presents until 7.)

Music is a big part of my life. It has been for very long time and I have this habit of associating memories with songs. Whenever I hear the hymn "Love at Home" I always think of my mom singing it when my siblings and I would either scream at or try to beat on each other . Or, when I hear anything by Bad Company I always think of the jam sessions I had during the opening shift at Wendys with my manager and my coworker at seven in the morning. My thing with Christmas music is that it can range from Frank Sinatra singing "Baby it's Cold Outside" to Whams "Last Christmas" to the hymn "With Wandering Awe" and all my Christmas memories surface and send me into Christmas euphoria. I love it. LOVE IT.

I think the main thing I love about Christmas is my family. My family is the best. THE BEST. I am thoroughly convinced that if every person had a family like mine, world peace would be obtainable (well...maybe worldwide love lol.) Anyways, enough bragging. My family has a lot of Christmas traditions. Every Christmas Eve we invite the missionaries over for dinner and to participate in the world-renowned Holyoak Christmas program to sing, read the Christmas story, watch the LDS short film Joy To The World or Mr. Krueger's Christmas, each open one present (yes of course we have awesome presents for the missionaries too), then head downstairs for some sweet pool action or a ping-pong tournament. We end the night by piling all the kids in the basement. In the olden days (before Aubrey had to go get married to Kenny, whom we all love) we would all pile into Aubrey's bed and stay up late listening for Santa then wake up super early and stare at the clock until 7 o'clock would come around so we could go open presents. Now us unmarried siblings pile into my room and generally pass out on my bed and wake up right on time (or a little after hehe) to open presents. I love it. After that we all head upstairs to search for the pickle ornament (whoever finds it gets a extra present. Bonus.) Then we spend all of Christmas day loafing and watching movies and eating delicious food...or candy. Whatever works.

Writing this is making me homesick. And I was just home last week. Wow.

I can't believe I just told you all my life story of Christmas (well actually not ALL of it, because I probably have a million more things I could say...) but that just proves my point. THIS is what Christmas music does to me. I flashback EVERY time! I think that is why I love it so much. I wish it could be Christmastime ALL THE TIME. Maybe that will be one of my New Year's Resolutions! To keep the feeling of love I get around Christmas with me throughout the year.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

I'm Lacey Holyoak and I'm a Mormon.

♪I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
I know who I am. I know God's plan. I'll follow Him in faith.
I believe in the Savior Jesus Christ. I'll honor His name.
I'll do what is right; I'll follow his light. His truth I will proclaim. ♪

At our Stake Conference last month, my stake president, President Kush, asked everyone to write their testimony down somewhere, whether it be on a blog or in a journal. I'm finally accepting that challenge.

I know for a fact that I am a Daughter of my Heavenly Father who lives in heaven.

I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. The greatest prophet there has ever been.

I know the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and that it is a book of truth.

I know families are eternal and I am so grateful for the family I was blessed with. I can't imagine my life without them.

I know Thomas S. Monson is a true living prophet and that he receives guidance for us directly from the Lord.

I know that through prayer we have a direct line of communication to the Lord and I know He hears our prayers.

I know that only through the Atonement of Christ and by His grace are we saved.

I know Jesus Christ is my savior. I know that He was sinless upon this earth and went through pain beyond comprehension so that I can return to my Heavenly Father.

I am so grateful for the life I have been given. For my wonderful family, my beautiful friends, and my faith. Without my church, without the gospel, I know I would be lacking in my life.

Thank you all for the kind words, the constant support, and the occasional slap on the back of my head. I love you all.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Vent.

Since I don't really believe in screaming out loud and scaring everyone, I am taking two sentences of my blog to vent.
*deep breath* AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Only 15 more days until Thanksgiving break. I can do it.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

GUM!

Tonight was the "adult" session of BYU-Idaho's 3rd Stake's Conference. I decided to go this semester and I am so happy I went. This is the first time I have actually attended the Saturday night session of Stake Conference and it was wonderful.

Anyways, I am sitting listening to the speaker and decide a piece of gum sounds REAL nice.
So I whip one out.

Orbitz.

Light Green.

Sweet Mint.

Delicious.

Then I turn and offer a piece to my roommate Jess. I am just about to put said piece of sweet mint goodness in my mouth and a thought occurred to me:

Why does gum have that weird zig-zag pattern?!
You know, the one that looks kinda like the tread on a tire??

I turned and asked Jess my mind-blowing question and she said it was so it was easier to cut the gum on the expensive gum-making equipment with the tread, so the gum would not get stuck to the cutter thing....if that makes sense. (Jess has been here for over four years now. She is basically a genius). I hope that makes sense!! If not you can call me and I will explain it to you. (Or at least hand the phone to Jess for HER to explain.)
This is her and I. In matching shirts we bought at DI last semester for our white glove. Yeah, we are awesome.

Anyways, I am Google-ing this question as we speak and Google has no answers. All I have learned so far is that the gum company Wrigleys made coffee flavored gum at one point and that long before I was born, people used to chew on tree pieces to make their breath smell good. Gross.

Google is being worthless. I will just believe Jess and let you know if I learn anything different about why gum is patterned.
Don't be too disappointed, everything will be okay :)

High School Flashback

Yesterday I was asked to go with some friends and play the Baritone sax at a high school football game. My first thought was YES PEP BAND! My second thought was....crap...I have never played the Bari before! I decided it was to be an adventure!
After my master class last night I borrowed my friend Tyler's Bari, got a mouthpiece and a reed, and hopped in this freshman trombone player's car with my friends Heather and Travis (my favorite Tenor and Flute players!)

Adventure One: The Drive To Blackfoot
Upon getting on the highway, we quickly learned that TB (Trombone Boy), is a madman driver. I spent most of the hour drive holding Heather's hand or pretending I was on a roller coaster. It was great.

Adventure Two: The Gig
We drove to Snake River High School's football game in Blackfoot, Idaho. Their mascot? The PANTHERS!

I was almost terrified by the idea of the ferocious Snake River Panther, but then noticed their mascot looked like a fuzzy purple dog, was named Pandora, and danced with the cheerleaders-- clearly a girl panther. We arrived in the middle of the second quarter and the Panthers were looking pretty good. The band?

Not lookin' so good.

Snake River HS has around 600 students and obviously 585 of those students don't appreciate band as much as I do. Their band basically consisted of one trombone, three flutes, one alto sax player (appalling, I know), some drummers (about three), and two trumpets. There was also an older man playing the tuba. I did not catch his name, but from his numerous stories I concluded he is related to about half of Blackfoot Idaho.
Great.
Heather and I situated ourselves at the back of the band and whipped our instruments out. The Bari sax weighs about 20 pounds. My alto probably weighs about five. Awesome.

I felt powerful.

So, I strapped myself into my harness and hooked up! It was SO difference hearing such a deep tone come out of the Bari. I couldn't help myself, I exploded into laughter. That didn't really help my playing much because it takes SO MUCH air to play the Bari! I was dying! Heather and I also had the same part a lot of the time, which sent us into more convulsions of laughter. Who knows why it was hilarious, but I promise that somehow, it was. It was great.
In fact, it seems we were constantly laughing last night, despite the cold. There was deep Bari laughter, same part playing laughter, and then there was the BEST LAUGHTER OF ALL!! TB was getting his flirt on with a high school blond!!!! Needless to say this supplied us with endless reasons to laugh. We laughed at TB, we laughed at the college-0bsessed high school child, and we laughed at the commentary we were creating of their conversation. Here's a peek: (B=blond, just for clarification. Also, as a disclaimer, I am sure that is not how the conversation went, it was probably much more normal, but it was more fun to think of it like this)

B: Oh my gosh, you are in COLLEGE?! *while playing with hair*
TB: Yeah, I'm pretty much hot stuff..
B: I always wanted to play an instrument, but I couldn't figure out all the buttons....
TB: Yeah, only a real man can play trombone...
B: I also always wanted to put my mouth on the metal mouthpiece...I guess kissing you would be like playing the trombone right?
TB: Yup, that sounds about right.

It was basically hilarious.
Maybe you had to be there? :)

Looking around I realized how different I am since I graduated. I remember getting all dressed up in my school colors (Purple and Gold) to rep my Sentinel Spartans for all the football games!
On nights we played halftime gigs for band I always rushed one out of my marching band uniform and into purple spandex, face paint, and colorful beads!
Example: This is Cody and I my senior year in our Drum Major get-ups.

I also remember participating in the cheerleader chants and ridiculous taunts to the other team.
I saw the same cocky boys that will always exist as long as high school exists. I also saw some of THOSE girls. You know, THOSE girls. Yeah. Don't miss that!

I loved high school sports. Now, I'm content to watch the game and people-watch the students and people around the stadium.

Ahhhh, growing up. IT'S HAPPENING!

After the gig we packed up our stuff, walked back to TB's car, and headed back to the Burg! If I thought the ride back was going to be a smoother drive, I was disappointed.
Not only was TB still a madman, he turned on Irish rock/funk music, blasted it, and sang. It was enjoyable for a while, then I thought my ears were going to bleed. Heather and Travis both took mini naps (Heaven knows how they fell asleep during that racket) and we arrived safely at the Snow.
What an adventure.
We had planned on watching How To Train Your Dragon (MY ALL TIME FAVORITE MOVIE) after we got back at my apartment, but that didn't happen due to a miscommunication, I guess. It has been rain-checked (yes it is a verb) and will be continued at a later date.
To end: Please go watch How To Train Your Dragon. It is the best.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Brain Talk.

It's funny how our brains work.

My brain can do the following: recall a funny memory, solve logical problems, create passages of music, remember inside jokes from way back, come up with the craziest dreams, directions around familiar places, or bring up a scene from the awesome home video collection created by the Holyoak children.

My brain struggles with these things: coming up with witty comebacks, remembering what I had for breakfast, understanding science, spelling of words (like genuine and conscience-- those are the worst), remembering to floss, even to remember saying my prayers sometimes (thank goodness I have the help of the constant reminder given to me at age eight), and remembering people's birthdays.

Isn't it funny that the part of our brains that controls memory is called the hippocampus? The hippocampus takes things we have gathered with our senses (things we've seen, smelled, tasted, touched, heard) and places it into our short or long term memory.

The problem I have with my brain today is that it keeps bringing back memories of things that would be better stashed that floating in my head right now. I read that our brains, as they store knowledge, attach memories to other similar memories. My deal tonight is, I keep hearing songs that I associate with old memories. I heard a song that reminded me of my ex (heavens knows that is never a good thing), I heard a song that reminded me of my childhood, and a song that reminded me of good times with my high school friends.
Isn't it funny how something so small can take you so far back in the past?

I am very grateful for memories though. Without them I would not remember my wonderful childhood, falling in puppy love, the feeling of accomplishment after writing my first song on guitar or piano, the anticipation I get on Christmas morning every year, the first time I touched piano keys, the day of my baptism, my first time going through the temple, the first time I met my best friends from high school, or my first year at Girl's Camp!

So to my memory I say, thank you.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Add. Manage.

Add.

Manage.

These are two options offered when looking at the dashboard of your blog.

Funny thing is, I feel like those are the two items I am struggling with the most this semester.

I started off the semester with sixteen credits. Then I added two ensembles making it eighteen, but by using the amazing power I have as a music major to make my ensembles count as one credit instead of two....I still am enrolled for 16 credits (with an 18 credit workload.)

Don't get me wrong. This semester is going really great! I love having Aubrey and Kenny nearby in Idaho Falls. I also am loving my apartment and roommates.
My only complaint is.....Add. Manage.

Those are my two verbs of the semester. Constantly more is added to my schedule which constantly pushes me to stay on top of managing my time.
I will add that time management is something I waaaaaaayyyyyyy struggle with!
That makes me laugh though because that is the main adventure of being a music major. Juggling time.

Oh, the irony.

Thank goodness for the scriptures being there to remind me "I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." (1 Nephi 3:7)

The church is true.

Now let the chaos begin!!! (or....CONTINUE!!!)

Now: Bedtime

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Happiness

I MADE SYMPHONY BAND!!!
This is the best news I have received regarding my career in music began!!
There are four saxophones in BYU-I's Symphony Band.
Kim- A senior that dominates on the saxophone both in jazz and classical [1st chair]
Then there's me on second chair.
My very good friend Heather is the only tenor in Symphony Band and is gonna rock it
and my other good friend Kaiti is playing Bari!
I also got into the jazz lab band which I am very excited about. So I am now in two ensembles!!! HAPPY DAY!!
This means I am going to be in the practice room even more than usual, but I think it will be so incredibly worth it!!!
Oh, happiness.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Once upon a time

I was a Sophomore in college at Brigham Young University Idaho. I am loving living with my beautiful roommate/best friend Leisa Marino. I lived with four other ladies as well: Dianna, an adorable freshman with the cutest personality, Jessica, my super-senior roommate from Spring semester, another new freshman named Whitney, who, because she has family in town, I have not really gotten to know very well yet, and Lauren, one of my best friends from Fall semester last year (2009).
I absolutely am LOVING being back in Rexburg. It feels like I never left. I have been to the temple once and am committed to going more often this semester than last semester. Also, I decided to be better about attending devotional this semester as well! I am committed to growing spiritually this semester!
I got caught up with an old friend (Alex Mitchell) today and am very excited about spending the semester reconnecting with him!!! Also, I have been bonding with Jessica, Leisa, and Dianna all day today and am lovinggggg it! There is something about new roommates that I just love. It's like you know you are going to be practically family so that beginning awkward phase of the friendship is basically nonexistent. [I will try to get a roommate picture up really soon!!]
I audition tomorrow for the Symphony Band here at the University and am REALLY hoping I can get in! Wish me luck!
As much as I love college, I really wish classes weren't starting in two days...I would love to have a few more days of roommate bonding/relaxing/loving life. Ohhh well, I guess I will get over it.
Another thing I am liking about being a Sophomore is that I am comfortable with my group of friends. Last year as a freshman I felt like making friends was a top priority, so this semester while I am always open to making new friends, I am willing to just let things happen how they happen :)
Anyways, I am being rude to my friend Kristin who came to visit Leis and I by ignoring her, so I am gonna end now! More updates to come! Love you all!

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Plain Jane

My life is uncommonly normal. I have never broken a bone. I have had the same favorite color for most of my life. I have brown hair and brown eyes. Sweatpants are one of my favorite items of clothing. I look the same in my baby pictures as I do now, over eighteen years later--bangs and all. In fact, just last night, my friend told me straight out that I have looked the same since I moved here almost eight years ago! [pictures first: big sister Aubrey Holyoak Johnson and I. Second: Me with my best friend Leisa Marino] Regardless, I am a very average girl. One thing I am so grateful for is the ordinariness of my life. My family is rock-solid. I am always cracking jokes to my friends that I constantly wait for some tragedy to hit my family because things always seem so good. Basiclly, I have a sitcom family. Most of the conversations held in our house consist of loads of laughter. I have great friends. I love my religion with all my heart. I look at the trials and struggles some others have to go through in their lives and I am so grateful that my life is boring in comparison. I have had my own personal trials, of course. My mom always told me that being a teenager is hard, and it is hard, but as I get older and closer to leaving the life of a teenager, I can see that any struggles I have had have really been miniscule. I don't know why my life has been basically easy so far. Maybe it's because of the righteousness of my parents or maybe it's because my life trials are further ahead in my future. I don't think it is because of my works especially. I am definitely an imperfect being. I know I have offended many people; I have made choices I am not proud of; I struggle with things that are easy for most people to overcome. I mean, I want to say I try my best, but I know I can be better.
Thank goodness I have the gospel to rely on whenever I do have my mini-trials or times I feel depressed or let down. I know that Christ and Heavenly Father love me. I know that my family will always be there for me regardless of what happens. I am so grateful for the challeges presented in my daily life that allow me to progress and learn. If not for those I would be at a spiritual stand-still.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

I, Lacey,

will be posting a blog shortly.

Now is not the time.

I will be retaining it mentally until I feel appropriate. [or have enough time to post]

Goodnight!

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Reunited and it feels so good!

I AM HOME! Back in Montana. I have been home for around five hours now and I already miss Rexburg...BUT, I am SO happy to be back in Montana for a few weeks!

People at school always assumed I am such a hardcore groupie for Montana because I've lived here my whole life. FALSE!

I was born in Topeka, Kansas. Home of the Sunflowers. I lived there until I was seven then we moved to Spokane, Washington. Home of a million Ponderosa Pine Trees (We had over thirty in our backyard alone). I lived there until I was eleven.
So you see, I have only lived in Montana for around eight years now!

What makes Montana so great though? Welllllll,

Incredible Views! (Yellowstone & Glacier)

The Montana Grizzlies! (of COURSE)
Small-town feeling! (People are so nice here...generally)
Big Sky Country! (Canoeing, Floating, Rock Climbing, Cliff Jumping, White Water Rafting, Hiking, Kayaking, etc)
The WEATHER. (It doesn't get humid!!! Only DRY! YAY)
Montana is just so great! It's home!
P.s. I got a haircut! Love that feeling!

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Lovin' Life

One more final and I am finished. Officially a sophomore in college! Time flies.
I have had a wonderful run in Apartment #213 this semester and am excited to come back for another great semester in the fall!
I was so blessed to end up with the roommates I did this semester. Each one of them is hilarious, caring, and beautiful! I love meeting people that I know I am going to keep in touch with and that love me! There is no better feeling than making new friends.
Anyways, Rexburg, it's been real and I'll see ya in seven weeks!
Love, Lacey

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Cursed Clumsiness

Okay ya'll, since I have more homework and finals due this week than I have had all semester, it's blog time! Procrastination nation here in Apartment #213!
This semester I have found a new love for caving. You may ask, what is this caving? Well, just what it sounds like- walking around aimlessly in caves! My favorite place is the ice caves about twenty miles outside of Rexburg. I have been to probably six caves this semester and loved them all...except maybe one.
On the night of June 4th (just a guess), my friends and I decided to head up to the ice caves for yet another adventure! We decided to hit up these ice caves that not very many people know of and thanks to the directions from my wonderful brother-in-law we knew where we were going!
It started out like a normal ice cave venture: off-roading in the mud, Cindy being flung around like a rag doll, the bumps causing all of us to have to pee, then TA-DA! There we were! We hiked down into the caves (stupidly I had decided to wear my Chucks, which have NO traction) and as usual our chivalrous men were a mile ahead of us doing their exploring thing :)
The floor was not as smooth as the other ice cave I had been to (this probably because not very many go there). We got to the end and somehow I ended up across the cave from my friends next to this sort of ice ramp. I don't really remember quite HOW I slipped, but I ate ice and I ate it HARD. I did one of those falls you see in cartoons! You know, when the cartoon runs into a glass door and slowly slides down as if gravity has lost some of its pull while time seems to stop? Yes. It happened. Thank goodness my glasses didn't break! They only decided to cut my face! Which I am actually very grateful for. It my glasses would have broken I would have gone blind for a while.
Only Tyson saw my fall so I laid on the ice expecting someone to come help me. *silence* Nothing.
I figured I could lay on the ice and make a big deal out of my throbbing cheeckbone/entire face, or I could get up and walk out. So I stood up. While we were walking out everyone started to comment on how huge my face was getting. It basically looked like I had an extra nose growing out of my left cheekbone. So someone handed me a chunk of ice and we walked out of the cave....and went and explored another one. Obviously my looking like a chipmunk in pain wasn't enough to go back to Rexburg and call it a night, so I played along. I mean, I couldn't rewind time and stop the fall so I might as well enjoy the rest of my night instead of taking it personal. (I did let my friends know that I thought they were the worst friends ever....but I was mostly joking)



I could feel my face throbbing as we drove back to Rexburg and knew I was going to have a nice shiner the next morning. Cindy spent the night that night. Waking up the next morning was almost unbearable! I looked in the mirror and wanted to cry! I looked like I had gotten in a horrible bar fight and been owned.
I walked to class embarrassed for the first day and then started to have some fun with it. You see, kids, LDS ones especially, have been raised to be very polite and while they would look at me and do a double take, none of them would actually ask me what happened for the first few days. (Also thanks to my glasses it wasn't as noticeable) My roommates and I brainstormed.
I told everyone I was a victim of domestic violence. My roommates told people I had gone to the rodeo and been selected to ride a bull and gotten kicked in the face. I told my bishop my roommate hit me. It was wonderful.
It took three weeks but my face is BACK TO NORMAL! Hooray! And life goes on!


Alright, time to focus!

Monday, July 12, 2010

Making Musical Sense

I have so many things I need to write about! I am such a slacker!! In my defense, it is the last week before finals and all my teachers decided to start a 'who can give Lacey the most homework' competition. As of right now, my BOM teacher is winning. Lucky me.

I'll write about my black eye, concerts, and my visit from mommy some other time (probably after school's out) but right now I want to talk about one of my main loves: Music.
For my Musicianship (theory/aural training) class I had to compose a short piece. I sat down today in the music tech lab at a piano and my mind nearly exploded. The possibilities were endless!!
A piano has 88 keys, 15 major scales, 45 minor scales, 7 modes, and many more augmented and diminished keys. How in the WORLD was I supposed to put together that would make musical sense? I couldn't sit on the piano bench pondering this question until my piece was due on Friday so I kicked it into gear.
Step One: I got a composing buddy. In this case it was my beautiful cellist friend Brennan! I am by nature a semi-competitive person. Makes perfect sense, eh? Okay, here's what I mean by that- If you throw me onto a sports team (excluding floor hockey and sometimes volleyball), I am more than happy to let everyone else play aggressive while I run around pointlessly, but when I workout or do something I am good at, I like to have somebody to work with and to keep me motivated.
Step Two: Procrastination. Everyone knows the best music comes to you when you procrastinate....NOT! I sat on that piano bench noodling for probably fifteen minutes trying to find something I liked. I thought about doing a piece with choral voicing. Then I decided I wanted to do an upbeat latin jam in keyboard voicing.
Step Three: Just Do It (courtesy of Nike.) I finally decided I wanted to write my piece in a minor key. I love the minor sound in music, plus I decided that I was so stressed from homework that in order to get my feelings on paper, minor was necessary.
I sat down and the notes just started to flow.
Love when that happens.
Regardless it is a very short piece. Mine ended up being only fourteen measures, but I am proud of it.
Step Four: Don't Push It. Because my piece was for a class, there were many musical rules, chords, and non harmonic tones (basically a bunch of extra hoo-ha) I had to follow. I was struggling getting the last few measures so I put it away for a while. Frustration doesn't really aid in writing music when you are trying to write a whimsical piece.
Step Five: Breathe. Play. Smile.
I played for some people in the music tech room and received some great feedback. I fixed my visible mistakes and then decided to go home. When I got home I decided to play for my roommates. What a wonderful choice. They were ALL compliments. Gotta love when none of your roommates are music majors and just think you are incredible :)
Ended my evening on a good note.
Now bring on night time and Education, BOM, and Choral/Vocal Methods homework!!

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Nonsense #1

As I am laying here using my friend Kortney's computer, at 4:25 in the morning, while sitting in what can only be described as a half-hazard attempt at a bed (I shoved the two uncomfortable dorm couches together), I wonder why I even decided to start a blog!
One- I have officially made it past the mark of being tired and am beginning to reach that point of being happily delusional so why NOT write a blog?
Two- I really wish I could keep up on my journal....but I rarely do. So a blog might give me motivation to get my thoughts on paper (er, internet? Here's hoping!)
Three- My sister and mother both have tried talking me into starting a blog before and I have just figured, what the heck! (If no one reads it, oh well. If people actually DO read it I might be embarrassed, but I suppose I can always delete whatever I do not want people to see- how comforting!)

What is on my mind.

My lovely friend Cindy and I just watched Letters to Juliet. It was poor quality both picture-wish and sound-wise, but I don't believe anything so tedious can get between a girl and a good love story! Anyways, after the movie Cindy and I talked about what it will be like to be in love. Not puppy love, or teenager "I-can't-live-without-talking-to-you-every-five-minutes" love, but the legit crazy type of love.
I don't want to say that I have never been in love before, because I have had a few boyfriends and felt love for all of them in some way or another, but I can't help but expect more from love. Is that wrong of me? Maybe the combination of Prince Charmings and Corny Romantic Average Jos in movies has influenced my opinion on the matter, but I can't bear to think that my "happy ending" will never come to be. I know that things will not be easy and "happily ever after" in love, but I do believe that love is everlasting and eternal. Everytime I see my parents together I am comforted that true love exists! I want that for myself eventually! (My parents are adorably/disgustingly still in love after over twenty years of being married)
I wonder if there is a specific way to go about reaching true love? I know there are millions of books out there with thousands of lists on how to find your soul mate, but do those HONESTLY work? I doubt it. From what I know and have experienced love is a trial-and-error type of thing. Hopefully I will be able to figure it out when it comes along!!
Well I am going to catch the three hours of sleep I can before its time to wake up!
Oh, and as a disclaimer to this blog entry: I am not looking to get married anytime soon. Breathe easy mom ;)