Stamp Camp

Stamp Camp - what is that, you may ask.  Well, it's a bunch of avid "stampers" getting together for a day of crafting.  We make seven projects during the four hours that we're there; we learn new stamping techniques, get the opportunity to glean from others' creativity, and have a day to spend visiting with one another.  It's great!  Ok, if you're not into crafting, scrapbooking, or rubber stamping, it probably sounds kind of dorky.  I'm ok with that!  We made some really cute projects today.  I'll have to take some pictures and add them to this post later so you can see why I'm so excited!

The other great thing about today is that I got to spend the day with my sister.  Missi is so overscheduled - well, to me, it seems that way.  She is always on the go; working full time, at activities with her Young Womens class, working out, at piano or voice lessons, or doing any variety of other things.  To have a day just to hang out with her was fantastic.  I picked her up for Stamp Camp and we stopped at McDonald's for our morning fuel (breakfast sandwiches and Diet Coke) and headed off to camp.  She and I work really well together at camp - we set up assembly lines in order to get our projects done in the allotted time (or ahead of the crowd even).  So for certain projects, she'll do the stamping while I punch out the pieces, or I'll go do the embossing while she's assembling the projects.  It works so well!  Then we both put together our "wish lists" of stamps and supplies to buy.  Since we pool our stuff together anyway, we make sure we agree on what each other buys so we can both use it! 

Afterwards, Missi mentioned she was going to make enchiladas tonight but was missing some ingredients.  So we went grocery shopping.  Now, one key ingredient for our chicken enchiladas...Campbell's Fiesta Nacho Cheese Soup.  Finding this soup in stores has been quite challenging lately.  We've both tried Albertsons, Safeway, Fred Meyer - nothing.  I've even made special requests at Albertsons and Safeway for them to order in the product - nothing.  So, after camp we stopped in at Top Foods and guess what, they had Campbell's Fiesta Nacho Cheese Soup!!!  We were so excited - more excited than anyone should be to find cans of cheese soup!  So, we cleaned 'em out!  Yep, bought every last can they had of it - so fun!

We ended up picking up some lunch for Eddie on the way back from the grocery store and after taking that to him, we decided to head to the mall because it seemed like the perfect day for a trip to Bath & Body Works (we LOVE Bath & Body Works)!  They have all of their Fall and Winter scents out right now - we went a bit crazy smelling all of the new products!  Made a little stop in the food court on the way out for some pretzels and Jamba Juice, and we were on our way again.

Missi ended up coming to our house to make the enchiladas.  Then the four of us, Missi, her boyfriend, me and Eddie, sat down and enjoyed a great meal together.  Even now, they're sitting on my couch cuddling, watching the Huskies lose to Arizona (14:17, Arizona right now with 6 minutes left in the 4th quarter...although Washington has possession of the ball...) while I'm on the other couch blogging and Eddie is surfing the net and watching the game.  Wait!!!! Four minutes left and the Huskies just scored a field goal = TIE GAME!!!  We have a chance to win this thing...nevermind...ASU just scored and the game stands at 17:24, Arizona with 5 seconds remainiang.  Well, that's the game!

Aren't sisters great!?

General Conference

Wow - what an awesome weekend!  General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was held this weekend.  This conference is an opportunity for Latter-day Saints around the world to "gather" to hear the words of the leaders of the Church, the modern-day apostles and prophets whom God has called to serve in our day.  Truly, these men are called of God, that much was so plain from the topics on which they chose to speak, the fervor with which they spoke, and their resounding testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.

General Conference happens two times per year; the first weekend in April and the first weekend in October.  It is comprised of 4, 2-hour general sessions, and a Priesthood session.  I'm the first to admit, this is a lot.  In the past, I have found myself less engaged in the Saturday sessions and pretty sleepy during the Sunday morning session.  This time though, Eddie and I were more dedicated in our desire to hear the words that the Lord has prepared for us.  What a tremendous blessing!

I'm sure one of the talks that many will remember for years was a talk given by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland in the Sunday afternoon general session.  WOW!  He told it like it is!  He talked of dangers in these last days metaphorically speaking of the heart as the center of our faith, loyalty and values, and then quoting the Savior when He said that in the latter days, men's hearts will fail them.  He explained that our Heavenly Father is so aware of our day, of each one of us individually, and that He has provided a way for us to resist the things that would distract us, or lead us away from the path that leads to Him, that we may overcome all troubles in all times.

Elder Holland expressed his love for and testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and of the divinity of Joseph Smith's calling as the Prophet of the Restoration.  He told of the many attempts to defame the authenticity of the Book of Mormon and bore powerful witness of the Book of Mormon as Another Testament of Jesus Christ, translated by the power of God through Joseph Smith, and written for our day.

I also loved the talk on temperance by Elder Kent D. Watson.  He talked of the charge to all of us to be like the Savior and the need for temperance in all things.  I was brought to tears with the words from Elder Brent H. Nielson of prayer, of furthering the work of building the kingdom, and of the Lord's awareness of our needs, our prayers, and that many of the rising generation will be the long-awaited answers to fervent prayers.  I found the counsel from Elder Dale G. Renlund especially moving - that we be not casual in our worship or in our relationship with our Savior.

Of course, I love listening to the prophet, President Thomas S. Monson.  "What have I done for someone today?"  I loved his message on service, especially his mention of warm fuzzies.  If you haven't already, guess you have to listen to understand that one!

What a fabulous weekend!  Isn't it amazing that we can watch and/or listen to these sessions in the comfort of our own homes?  Even more amazing that the audio files are available to listen to the NEXT day on http://www.lds.org/?  I was talking with someone in the temple the other night and she mentioned that she downloads the talks onto her mp3 player so she can listen to them again and again while she walks or does other various activities.  What a great idea!  What a great opportunity to not have this spiritual refreshment only every six months but as often as we want it by listening again and again to the counsel of our leaders?

Eddie - break out the Zunes, we have some downloading to do!

What was your favorite talk and why?

Something WICKED This Way Comes!

"We can't all travel by BUBBLE!" - just one of the fantastic lines from Wicked: A New Musical. I got to see it for the second time on Saturday, September 19th, at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle. Eddie and I saw it the first time back in March (on Friday the 13th), we drove down to Portland and saw it at the Keller Auditorium, went to The Cheesecake Factory afterward, stayed the night, then drove home the following day.

This time, I got to share the Wicked experience with my mom, two of my aunts, and some good friends!  We started the evening at The Cheesecake Factory in Seattle with a 55 minute wait for a table.  Since we were a party of 9, we told them we're ok splitting the party in two.  Apparently, even though they were told this several times, it didn't stick, we were all seated together.  That was fun but I think it is the reason for the long wait.  Anyway, so after a rushed meal, we walked 3 blocks to the theatre.  I love the Paramount Theatre.  It's absolutely stunning!  We were seated on the main floor in rows V and W, so just underneath the 1st Mezzanine.  We had a fantastic view and the set is...WOW!  The picture SO does not do the set justice!  There's a mechanical dragon over the top (because Oz is located inside the time dragon), a map of Oz is draped as the curtain, and there are tons of cogs and wheels, like the inside of a clock, on the sides and in the back.  Couldn't take a better picture...I got in trouble for taking this one! :)

I must admit though, compared to the Portland performance, this one was kind of disappointing.  The gal who played Glinda - yes, she was talented, but a bore compared to Portland.  Her voice was a bit disappointing as well. 

As for Elphaba, it was the same actor, Donna Vivino, as in Portland.  This time though, I think she was getting a bit bored with the show because she improvised...a lot.  At ont point, I just wanted to tell her to stick to the music and quit changing things!!  Nevertheless, she was fun to watch and is very talented.

The rest of the cast was pretty good too ~ many of the same actors as from Portland.  The actor who played Mrs. Morrible though - ugh, she was horrible (no pun/rhyme intended).  I think she must have blown out her voice or something because it was just painful to listen to her!

I love this story though, no one is what they seem.  You learn a lot about perceptions, intentions, and inner beauty!  I would definitely see the show again and highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it! 

2009 Voice Recital

Ok, so I wanted to add video to this post, but we're still trying to figure out how to convert the file so maybe that will come later.  At any rate, we had our voice recital the last weekend in August.  It was a lot of fun.  Missi and I both take lessons from the Brookfield-Jordan Studio.  They have a different idea of recitals.  Instead of everyone just standing up one by one singing a song, we put on shows!  We often perform operas, but this year was a little different.  The first act was a Gilbert and Sullivan review; shows like "H.M.S. Pinafore" and "Pirates of Penzance."  The second act was a Kander and Ebb review; shows like "Cabaret" and "Kiss of the Spiderwoman."  I was only in the first act but it was fun...and in English (different from previous years!).

While we did have chorus parts in the show, Missi and I each had a solo, we were also in a quartet together, and then I was in a trio in the finale.  Things went...ok on Saturday but Sunday was really the better show.  Darn, I wish I could upload the video!!  Oh well, at least there are pictures!

This is our quartet, "Strange Adventure," from "Yeomen of the Guard"

The opener was from "Pirates of Penzance"

(which included one of my favorite songs, "Climbing Over Rocky Mountains")

Missi portrays a madwoman (a stretch?) in "Cheerily Carols the Lark," from "Ruddigore"

And my turn in the spotlight in "Were I Thy Bride," also from "Yeomen of the Guard"

Another fun tradition, well fun for me this year - you'll see why, is that after the show on opening night there is an awards ceremony.  Many of the awards are for graduating seniors, scholarship recipients, and newbies, but this year guess who won the "Jr. Diva" award...drum roll, please...ME!  Yay!  It was also kinda fun to get recognized for winning 1st place in my category in the Puget Sound chapter of the NATS (National Association for Teachers of Singing) adjudication this last March.  A lot of work, but a lot of fun.  Even Eddie said he enjoyed the show this year!! 

Hmmm, maybe I'll invite people to come to the performance next year! :)