Day 11: I'm Thankful For...

Falling leaves!

I was standing outside the music building on campus this morning.  It was stormy and blustery and as I stood there, I noticed the wind plucking the leaves from trees and letting them dance through the air as they made their way to the ground.  It was such a beautiful magical sight and I couldn't help but smile!

Day 10: I'm Thankful For...

I'm thankful for this girl!

I'm so glad we've become friends and tonight's girls night was great!  Boots, BBQ, Booze, and Boys!  I....Booze!  ;-)  I look forward to many more great adventures and fun memories in the future!!!  :-)  And, you got new boots!!!

Day 8/9: I'm Thankful For...

Day 8

I'm thankful for Salsa!  No, not the salsa that you eat, although it is good!  Salsa, my wonderful dog!  My mom brought her out to visit me yesterday at school!  She is always smiling and happy and can always cheer you up!  :-)

Isn't she so adorable!

She likes to hold hands!

Day 9

I'm thankful that my ten hours of classroom observations for my introduction to music education class are done!  I just finished them today and it's one less thing that's weighing me down!  The semester is almost done!

Day 7: I'm Thankful For...

I'm thankful for my mom!

Most people would say their parents and a whole, which I am thankful for, but my parents each deserve a post of their own because I am thankful for both of them in different ways!

My mom is also my best friend and has always and will always be there for me!  I can't even begin to explain how much I appreciate having her in my life!  She is the best and I don't know what I would do without her!  She was a stay at home mom while I was growing up.  We would always do fun things together like crafting, tea parties, dress up, and all sorts of fun stuff!  I have so many great memories with her and the list just keeps growing because as we get older, the closer we have become!  She is one beautiful, talented, kind, amazing woman!  I could just keep going on and on about how amazing she is and how lucky I am to have her as my mom!

I love you so much mom!

Day 5/6: I'm Thankful For...

So, I missed the last two days... here they are.  :-)

Day 5: I am thankful for Fall!  

Fall is probably one my favorite seasons with the leaves changing colors and the cooler weather!  There is just a magic in the air when it's Fall!

Day 6: I'm thankful for the sunshine!

I don't know what it is about the sun, but my day tends to always be better when the sun shines.  I think I am solar powered because when it's cloudy (especially for days on end), it's hard for me to start my day and I tend to not be as cheerful as when the sun is out!  Plus, the sun just makes life beautiful and without it we wouldn't have beautiful sunsets or sunrises!

Day 4: I'm Thankful For...

I'm thankful for the harp!

I don't know what I would do without music in my life!  Playing the harp has brought me so many opportunities and the ability to share something with people that I am unable to explain!  Music has a magic that I could never live without!  I love my harp and being able to play it at the level that I'm at is amazing!  I would never be able to live without it!  Whenever I have to go a few days without playing, it drives me crazy and I can't wait to play again!  I'm am so thankful to have such a passion, and to be so sure about what I want to do with my life!!!  I love the harp and music!!!

This is the love of my life...Zel!  Isn't he gorgeous!  He's a six foot tall blonde and is always there for me!  ;-) 

Day 3: I'm Thankful For...

I'm thankful that I have the opportunity to go to college!  I am now on my fifth year of college...most kids would be sick of it by now, but I am loving it.  It's a lot of hard work, stress, and one heck of a crazy schedule, but I really appreciate all of the things that I have been able to learn over the years.  I've learned more that just what they teach in the classrooms, I've grown as a person as well. I wouldn't be who I am right now, if I hadn't gone through some of the stuff I have and learned things from those experiences.  

I may be taking a less conventional route through college, but it's been worth it!  I spent three years in community college and earned two associate degrees before transferring to the university I am at now.  If I hadn't spent the extra year at community college I wouldn't have earned those degrees.  And now, I'll have spent three years at the university before graduating with two bachelor degrees.  Spending these extra years has given me the opportunity to learn more than the average student that only spends four years in college.  And, to top it off...after six years, I will have earned four degrees!  But, it's not just about earning extra degrees...those are just pieces of paper after all.  It's that I've been able to learn so much more about music, what I want to do with music, more about myself and how strong I can be!  I've learned so much about myself!  I've also come to love music more than I ever have before because I have a deeper understanding and knowledge of it!  With transferring to the university that I am currently at, I have had many amazing opportunities that wouldn't have been offered to me had I not had the opportunity to go to college.  In the past year, I have performed at Walt Disney Concert Hall, been a hand double/recording artist/composer for a film, recorded a piece of music for a CD for my schools conservatory, and recorded music that will be on a video game!  The extra time that I've taken has also blessed me with an early partial acception for my masters degree to study with one of the top harpist in the world...which I wouldn't be applying for until next school year!

So, even though I can't wait for the semester to end, and sometimes don't want to go to class...There are so many things that college can offer that goes beyond just the classroom and I am so grateful to have that opportunity!

My beloved harp that has helped me have the opportunity to go to college and study my passion!

(this picture was taken in front of one of the many old buildings we have on campus!)

Day 2: I'm Thankful For...

I'm thankful for the magic of how people leave and enter our lives.  People are always coming and going from our lives and we never really stop to appreciate it.  Most of the time we are saddened when people leave our lives but most of the time when people leave, it's for the best.  Have you ever stopped to think about how your life has been since someone has left compared to when they were in it?  It's usually better with them gone because it has made room for the right people to enter your life.  Also, have you ever stopped to think about the true magic of how people enter your life?  You never know when or where you might meet one of your best friends, your husband or wife, a contact to change your career, etc...  That unknown is part of what makes life interesting and it is truly magical! 

I thought about this many times in my life...."why did they have to leave my life?", "why didn't it work out with that person?", "when and where will I meet the love of my life?"... I've also thought about what circumstances bring two people together to meet and become best friends or more than friends?  It is all truly magical and has no real explanation!  And, that is what I am thankful for...the true magic that brings people together and also apart.

Here are some pictures of my best friends and I!

We met in a marine biology class about four years ago...been best friends ever since!

We met in a music theory class about three or four years ago, but didn't hang out until about two years ago. But, since the first time we met, we've been best friends ever since!

We met through my friend in the first picture when we all went rock climbing about three years ago.  We finally started hanging out this last summer and became great, close friends!

We met during our first semester after transferring to the university I am currently at.  We were even roommates for about a month or so at the end of our first semester!  We've been great friends ever since... about a year now!

This guy, I met line dancing this last spring break!  We became best friends pretty much the moment we met!  We've only know each other for about six or seven months but it feels like so much longer.

There might be the stories of how we met, but it is magic brought us together!  <3

Day 1: I'm Thankful For...

I've decided to do a post a day for a year on what I am thankful for.  There are a couple reasons I have decided to do this... one of which is that I feel that with writing down something that I'm thankful for everyday for a year will help me to become a more positive person.  :-)

Day One:

In the spirit of Veterans day... I am thankful for the men in my life that have served and that are currently serving our country! Thank you for all that you have done and all that you do!

My great grandpa served in the Marine Corps during WWII.  He is now in his mid 90's and has been such an inspiration to me.

My Papa (grandpa) served in the Air Force.  He is fun to be around and has also been a big inspiration to me.  If there is something he wants to do or try....he just does it.  He lives life to the fullest!

My Grandpa (right) and Uncle (left) both served in the Navy.  I love these two so much!  They are such big teddy bears!  I know that they will always be there for me!

 My cousin (center) currently serves in the Army.  I am so proud of him with how far he has gone and what he has achieved since enlisting in the Army!  I know that he can and will achieve what ever he puts his mind to!  

One of my best friends currently serves in the Marine Corps and is currently deployed.  He is one of the funniest and sweetest guys you will ever meet!  He always knows how to brighten my day even if my day doesn't need anymore brightening...it somehow gets even better!  I am so lucky to have him in my life and as one of my best friends and I can't wait till you come home!

I am so happy to have these men in my life!  I am so proud of you all!  Thank you for all that you do, both with the military and in everyday life!

Happy Veterans Day!

Sweet Potato Oatmeal

Ever heard of the total elimination diet?  Well, my doctor put me on that because I was having an allergic reaction to something.  It basically eliminates everything.  There is no red meat, shell fish or warm water fish, no sugar, no gluten, no dairy, no eggs, no peanuts, no caffeine, no alcohol, no citrus or strawberries.  It's is a super healthy, very lean diet.  At first it was super hard and I could not figure out what to eat and I was always hungry.  :-P But I'm almost through my third week of it, and I've slowly come up with different ideas of things to eat.  My biggest struggle was sweet stuff.  I used to put honey on my oatmeal in the morning but I can't have honey anymore.   So I tried to think of things that were sweet to put on my oatmeal... sweet potatoes!  So I found this recipe on this really cool blog called Noms For The Poor.  It turned out pretty good for having no sweetener what so ever.  I think I'm going to do it a little bit differently next time because my sweet potatoes didn't cook all the way and my oatmeal had a consistency that was very slimy.  Here is my version of the recipe, and you can get the original recipe from this page on Noms For The Poor... Sweet Potato Oatmeal.  

Recipe:

1/3 Cup Rolled Oats

1/4 tsp Salt

1 tsp Cinnamon

1/4 tsp Nutmeg

1 1/3 Cup Coconut Milk (Any kind of milk will do)

1 Cup Shredded Sweet Potato

1 Mashed Banana

Coconut Flakes

In medium sauce pan combine milk, spices, and sweet potato.  Cook until the sweet potato is no longer crunchy.  Then add the Mashed banana and oatmeal and cook until you have your desired consistency.  Serve and sprinkle with coconut flakes.  You can add a little coconut milk to the top too.  :-)

Yummm!

Happy 93rd Birthday To My Great Grandpa!!!

Happy Birthday to my great grandpa!  Today he turned 93 years old and he's still going strong.  :-)  He is such a great guy!  I always love listening to his stories every time I go visit him and my great grandma... even if they are the same stories every time.  He has been such an inspiration to me too.  He has always kept busy  with his various hobbies... model trains, painting, gardening (he has the most amazing garden), and many other things.  I think that is one reason he has lived so long.  I love you Grandpa Roach!  I hope you have had a great birthday, and have many more great birthdays in the future.  :-)

This is my great grandpa when he was younger!  :-)

To A Better Semester!

Hey everyone, it's been a while... like since the beginning of my first semester at CU.  How'd it go?... well, lets just say I grew a lot and learned way more than just music.  But, I can say that all the trials and hardships that I went through this semester made me a better person, and showed me just how strong I am and it made me even stronger than I was before.

There were some good things from last semester too.  I was able to prove to my harp teacher and orchestra conductor that I did have the skill level to perform one of the orchestra pieces... Tzigane by Ravel (it has one of the hardest harp cadenzas ever written).  I was able to make good friends with one person... Nicchi.  We had a lot of fun last semester cooking, studying, and our twice a week lunch before our history class.  She really helped me through my semester.  I was also able to pass all of my piano proficiency in one semester!  :-)  Oh, and I started learning French (J'apprend le francais.  Je joue le harp.  J'aime la musique.).  :-D

But enough about last year, I am about to start my second semester at CU and I am determined to make it a better semester and a better year.  I am already starting out the semester better because I found a new roommate... (the last place/roommates were pretty horrible).  The place is in a much better area of the city, and I'll have my own room... which I recommend for anyone in college, it can make all the difference in your college experience.  :-P  Oh, an my new roommate is awesome!  She is super sweet and we hit it off really well.  Our other two roommates are my roommates two guinea pigs, Fabio and Luigi.  :-)  I think that we are going to have a lot of fun this semester but it might get a bit confusing at times considering how close our names are... mine being Lauren and her's being Laura.  LOL

I have a few goals for this semester and for the rest of my time at CU.  I am determined to be a better, more dedicated student and musician and to blow my teachers away.  I have also told myself that I am done with all the drama that goes on at school... I am there to learn and to grow and all the drama just inhibits that.  I am also going to get along with and trust my teachers advice more.  :-)

My biggest goal is to try and remain stress free as I have about 11 classes this semester... but only about 15-16 units.  It's still very demanding.  But, I am super excited because I have three classes besides my music classes that I can meet people outside of the music department.  Those classes are French 2, Cross Training/Flexibility, and Ultimate Frisbee.  :-)

On a non school note... I'd like you to meet my families newest furry family member.  Her name is Penelope. She's eight weeks old and only weighs two and a half pounds.