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.

And So It Begins...

Today I start a new chapter of my life... well I guess it kind of started a few days ago but let me start at the beginning.  After attending community college for three years and graduating with two associate degrees, I decided it was time to transfer to a University.  I had originally applied and was accepted at a state university and I was super excited because they had a great music program (for those of you who don't know I am a harpist and I'm majoring in music with an emphasis in performance and composition).  Then, I was talking to the harp professor that works at that state school (she also works at three other schools in the area).  I had told her that I was accepted.  She asked if I received any scholarships and I didn't.  So, she suggested that I apply at one of the other schools she teaches at.  Well, this said school is a private school so that mean tons of money to go there.  I told her I wouldn't be able to afford it but she said that they have lots of opportunities for scholarships.  So I applied... the night before the deadline for transfer application.  Talk about last minute.  After that I scheduled an audition for the conservatory of music... yeah they actually have a conservatory, not just a music department but a music conservatory.  :-)  I had my audition and they said they wanted me and that they would see what they could do to make it so I could go there.  Wow!  Then comes the day when the "envelope" comes in the mail telling me if I was accepted or not.  I WAS!!!! And, not only that but I had received an academic scholarship!  Plus, I received a grant from the school too!  :-)  A few weeks later, I get a call from the conservatory telling me that I received a scholarship for music too!  YAY!  But, that's not the best part... I was on campus one day submitting paperwork or some such and I passed but my orchestra conductors office.  They happened to be finalizing the budget for the year... they had some money left over and were trying to figure out where to put it.  My orchestra conductor said "I have a harpist out in the hall, lets just give it to her".  How awesome it that!  :-)  So, now I am going to a private University!!!  :-)  I still can't believe it.

This last week I had orientation.  I have been super nervous because it's a new school, new people, and a new city.  But, orientation went great and I met lots of people.  We had so much fun!  :-)  So, today I start my first day of classes at my new school!  So weird, exciting, nerve wracking,  amazing... like everything at once.  I know it's going to go great but I'm still nervous because I am starting a new chapter in my life.  And I mean really new... I'm not living with my parents anymore, I'm in a new city, and a new school.  Talk about huge new chapter!  But this year is going to be amazing!  I can't wait to see all that's in store!  :-)

Mmm... Chocolate!

A few months ago, I made a German chocolate cake from scratch... yeah, not from a box!  :-)  It was the first time I had made a cake from scratch... I usually use the box mixes.  I was kind of nervous about it, but it turned out great!  It was nice and fluffy, not too sweet, and very chocolaty!  I even made the glaze on top from scratch!  It tasted amazing! :-)