Oh, Klahoma

There is an owl sitting right outside my bedroom window. On one hand, I'm excited. That never happens in Provo. On the other hand, I'm annoyed. This will make things tricky when trying to fall asleep. Oh, Klahoma.

Long Time Gone

What should I be doing right now? Let me tell you. I should be looking up SparkNotes for the Italian book that I have a quiz on later today. I should be choosing 5 hymns to silently dictate for my Dictation class. I should be cramming for my Dictation final today. I should be making outlines for my Humanities final. I should be finishing my Music Theory final. I should be ripping up the Sudoku in the newspaper today so I won't be tempted to waste any more time than I am currently wasting...but what the heck. I feel guilty about my lack of bloggage so I thought i should remedy that problem.

Update: Life is good. With Christmas and finals coming up, I've been pretty busy. Actually, I take that back. I'm no busier than I was before. David is busier and somehow that makes me feel more stressed. He's got an Organic Chemistry test today and that's not even his final. Poor kid. Finals are going to be pretty brutal for him whereas I should be done by Wednesday or so. I've been trying to think what I can do while he's still studying and I have no schoolwork to do. So far I've come up with the following things:

1. Start/finish making Christmas presents
2. Stimulate myself intellectually with the 4th Twilight book that I haven't read yet
3. Bake. I really want to try gingerbread.
4. Clean. I haven't done that in a while.

That's all I've got. I'm pretty sure I'm going to feel like a little kid in Sacrament Meeting. I'll just hunker down with a coloring book and some Cheerios. If anyone has good ideas of ways to entertain yourself quietly while my boyfriend is studying, let me know.

Tonight David and I are going to his work Christmas party. He does research in a chemistry lab on campus. I asked David if they would talk about normal stuff or all chemistry stuff at the party. He assured me they wouldn't talk all about chemistry. That's somewhat comforting. I don't think I'll be able to turn the conversation to Baroque music or Postmodern abstraction, but hopefully I'll be able to say a sentence or two about something. Basically chemistry is not my scene, but I'm excited to meet some of David's coworkers/professors.

On Saturday, David and I going to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir concert. Yes, I know, my life is awesome. You don't have to remind me of that. David's parents were so nice to get us tickets. I'm so stoked. I've never been to one of their concerts. Plus, I just love being in Salt Lake. This will be the third time David and I will have been on temple square in the last month. First we went to the Bell Choir concert, then we just walked around to see the lights, and now we'll go see the MoTab. I love Christmas.

Ok, this next paragraph is going to leave most of you scratching your head. You'll wonder why on the planet I wanted to write about this. Yesterday in my Humanities 350 class, one kid gave a presentation on the artist Goya. He's a very famous Spanish painter from way back when. He showed us one of his paintings titled Saturn devouring his son. It's a painting of the myth of Saturn. It was prophecied that one his children would rise up and overthrow his power, so he devoured all of his children to prevent such events from transpiring. (Zeus eventually escaped this really disgusting fate and did overthrow his father) I have a picture of it posted below, but I tried to keep it small because it really is quite grotesque.

Anyway, the thing that I found most interesting was that he painted this on the wall of his house. It wasn't until years after his death that the painting was even discovered because his house was left to his children and grandchildren and stuff. During the presentation I thought about how frightening it must have been for his poor grandchildren to go visit grandpa when he had such scary paintings all over the place. And then I thought of my dear Uncle Chris. When all the cousins on my mom's side were younger, we would play in my grandma's basement. We had full reign of that floor, but there was one room you didn't enter...Uncle Chris's room. It was very dark and very scary and very much covered with Iron Maiden posters. The older cousins used to dare each other to go in there. I never did go in. I was so much younger and probably still upset that the older cousins wouldn't let me down the laundry chute.

Anyway, that was a very long explanation for a fleeting thought, but I couldn't help but laugh at the parallels. So really this painting was like the Iron Maiden posters of the 1700s. And while it's grotesque, it's somewhat appealing. I know everyone will think I'm weird for saying that...well, everyone but Breezy. One of the things I've learned through my study of art philosophy is that art doesn't have to make us feel warm and fuzzy all the time. Breezy used to use the analogy of a loose tooth. Even though it hurts when you try to push on it and wiggle it out, it still feels good in an odd way. In fact, if that's the only reason we like art, then we're missing the whole purpose of it. I could go into further detail but this post is already getting too long. So just ponder on that...

I've been tagged!

8 shows I love to watch:

1- The Office
2- Planet Earth
3- Blue Planet
4- What Not to Wear
5- The OC
6- Ooh, this is tough. I don't really watch TV...uh...Nova?
7- Tuesday Devotional
8- Hannah Montana...but only at Dave's apartment :)

8 favorite restaurants:

1- Gloria's
2- Sette Bello
3- Rubio's
4- P.F. Chang's
5- Cafe Rio
6- Zupas
7- Panera
8- Taco Bueno

8 Things that happened yesterday:

1- Slept in
2- Picked my car up from the mechanic
3- Went to Barnes&Noble, sipped hot chocolate, and read jewelry magazines
4- Watched the BYU vs. Utah game with David
5- Went to see the Bells on Temple Square with David
6- Got a shake with David and his brother + date
7- Christmas shopped online
8- Enjoyed not doing any homework

8 Things I am looking forward to:

1- Thanksgiving
2- No school next week
3- Spending time with my family while I have no school
4- Spending time with David while I have no school
5- Finals being over
6- Seeing Zoe
7- Christmas
8- My piano recital

8 Things on my wish list:

1- New clothes
2- Jewelry Supplies
3- Money
4- New shoes
5- A cell phone that gets decent reception
6- A grand piano ... Wish is the keyword there
7- A husband ... that should probably be higher on the list
8- An Italian vacation home

8 People I tag:

1- Breezy
2- Cassidy
3- Heidi

Uh...I don't think anyone else reads my blog.

Best wishes everyone!

A New Leaf

Last week David and I realized that we had reached the ultimate of all lameness. We watched so many movies last weekend it was pathetic. So we decided to change and actually do stuff for our dates.

On Friday night, we tripled with David's roommate Jason and one of his mission buddies. First we went on a scavenger hunt through the mall to find the coolest thing $10 could buy. We totally won with a 35-piece glitter glue puzzle. We fully intend to put it to use. Then we got a bite to eat at Costa Vida and went up to the canyon for smores. It was so nice not to be sitting on a couch all evening. Plus, we got to socialize with other people!

Tonight (Saturday) we doubled with his brother Jeff. We went to dinner at Cafe Rio (we are so original) and then went to a haunted house. Wow, I had never been to a haunted house and what an experience it was. Well, actually we did the haunted house and the haunted forest. The house was fine. I didn't scream, just held David's hand really tight. The forest was a whole different story. I was scared to death. Those creepy costumed people get so flipping close to you. Whenever they got too close for my liking all I could yell is, "You can't touch me! You can't touch me!" It's mildly embarrassing in retrospect. It is such a good thing David was there. If I had to go through that alone I probably would have found a secluded corner and sobbed until security came and found me to escort me out.

Funny story. Jeff's date's name was Wendy. One of the creeps that work there was dressed up like a clown and got up in her face and asked if she liked clowns. Of course she was freaked out and said no. So then he started chasing her but just before he ran after her he turned to David and asked what her name was. Poor Wendy was running away from a psychotic clown that was yelling her name! If it was me I might have gone into cardiac arrest, but instead David and I stood back and laughed. She bore it well.

I guess in a twisted way it was a little fun though. David got a kick out of watching me squirm and I got to stay really close to him the whole night. So all in all, it wasn't an entirely negative experience.

On a much more pleasant note, we had a ward social earlier and one of my friends took a good picture of me and David. I am very pleased.

Is it really too much to ask?

Last night after 2 and a half hours of sitting on David's couch studying, he asked me if I wanted to get a milkshake. I was kind of shocked because it was midnight and usually we shoo each other out at that time so we can go to bed. But we decided to go anyway.
Our adventure began at Wendy's. A frosty sounded great. But it turns out we weren't the only ones with that idea. There were like 10 cars in the drive-through! So we pulled away looking for the next closest place...Del Taco! Perfect! We got in the line for Del Taco when David remembers that Artic Circle has better shakes. So we reverse out of the drive-through and go all the way down State Street to find out Artic Circle closes at 10. No big deal, there happens to be a Wendy's next door. But of course that Wendy's is the only Wendy's ever that isn't open until 2 AM. At this point, the whole situation was just laughable. Since when is a shake too much to ask for? In the end, we went back to Del Taco and finally got our shakes. I got chocolate and David got strawberry. They were wonderful. My only complaint is that their straws are too thin so you end up sucking your brains out just trying to get any of the shake into your mouth. Next time we'll either go straight to Del Taco or just go a little bit earlier.

Isn't College Supposed to be Hard?

For the second week in a row, I have hardly any homework. I didn't expect this semester to be really hard, but I also didn't expect it to be so easy. I have maybe 2 hours of homework a night and that's if I'm working ahead. It can get a little frustrating when I seriously have no homework left to do and Dave is still has to work on his Organic Chemistry...and that's before he gets to Analytical Chemistry and Romanian.
I guess all my extra time has been nice with trying to restore order to my life. I now have both the time and desire to clean my room! And I can cook dinner for my roommates! And I can go to the gym! And I can make jewelry when I have the money to spend on it! I can take a nap! The extra time can be heavy, but I'm grateful for it. Undoubtedly I'll look back in a week or two and long for these days of easy-goingness.
I guess you could say my life is pretty good!

My Birthday

I had a fantastic day yesterday. I was a little worried it might be lame because I wouldn't have my family with me. It was actually my first birthday without my mom in town. It turned out really well though.
My day started at 6:45 when Jenni and I got ready to go to the BYU Lost and Found sale. I was hoping for a miracle find, but I just found a computer charger. I did need it though so it was a successful venture.
After that I came home my roommates took my to lunch at the Olive Garden. It was a very fun outing. Then I treated myself to a nap. Blessed unconsciousness! After my nap I had to fulfill my responsibilities and I graded papers. Then I listened to the Relief Society Broadcast with Keilani. Wow, I love President Uchtdorf.
My evening reached a climax when Dave came over. He walked in carrying a rose and a gift. I was very flattered and very flustered. He was a babe, as usual. We were matching...oops. He got me a very very very pretty necklace with a purple stone in the middle. Man, he has good taste! Well, actually his mom picked it out, but it was sweet anyway. He then took my to Ottavio's. Two Italian meals in one day...no complaints here.


Lastly we came back home for cake and ice cream that Keilani had so generously supplied.
I have wonderful friends and family that took very good care of my on my birthday! So thank you all for the birthday wishes.

Penguin Hunting

After about a month and half, I figure it's time to update the blog. What I should really be doing is homework, but I really don't want to practice sight singing or read the Tempest right now.

These pictures come along with a story. I have recently started dating a boy named David. I met him in the ward and the very first conversation we ever had began when he asked me what the best animal in the world is. I deliberated and answered the three-toed sloth. I was severely reprimanded for having chosen such a sissy animal and then I was informed that the real best animal is the penguin. I don't really know where his love for penguins comes from but he is truly devoted. (He bought a coffee table book of penguins this week...he's got it bad.) Anyway, so when I was home visiting during my break my parents and I realized that there are tons of these giant penguins all over Tulsa. You know those people who put dress up porcelain geese and put them on their front porch? Well this is what happens when those people get put on the fundraising board at the zoo. So my mom and dad and I went Penguin Hunting and caught a few on camera. We had a really fun time driving around the whole city just looking for these penguins.

John Mayer Concert!

This past Monday (July 21st) I went to the John Mayer concert with my friend Jordan. We bought tickets on eBay and had surprisingly good seats. From where I sat, John Mayer was probably 3 inches tall. The whole experience was pure bliss. My love and appreciation of this man reached its climax somewhere between his wicked guitar solo in "Good Love is On the Way" and "Neon." John Mayer is unbelievable. That concert was worth every penny and more!
Our pictures of John were all pretty bad but at least you can see him!

Jewelry Making

I finally got some of the pictures of the jewelry I made in Italy. Some of the pictures aren't the best but I'm really proud of the way they all turned out. This is only the beginning...

I Chop Some Parsley While Listening to Art Blakey's Version of "Three Blind Mice"

And I start wondering how they came to be blind.
If it was congenital, they could be brothers and sister,
and I think of the poor mother
brooding over her sightless young triplets.

Or was it a common accident, all three caught
in a searing explosion, a firework perhaps?
If not,
if each came to his or her blindness separately,

how did they ever manage to find one another?
Would it not be difficult for a blind mouse
to locate even one fellow mouse with vision
let alone two other blind ones?

And how, in their tiny darkness,
could they possibly have run after a farmer's wife
or anyone else's wife for that matter?
Not to mention why.

Just so she could cut off their tails
with a carving knife, is the cynic's answer,
but the thought of them without eyes
and now without tails to trail through the moist grass

or slip around the corner of a baseboard
has the cynic who always lounges within me
up off his couch and at the window
trying to hide the rising softness that he feels.

By now I am on to dicing an onion
which might account for the wet stinging
in my own eyes, though Freddie Hubbard's
mournful trumpet on "Blue Moon,"

which happens to be the next cut,
cannot be said to be making matters any better.

By Billy Collins

John Mayer and The Goonies

In my life, I have been a die-hard fan of many things. Some of these things include Nutella, NSYNC, and funnel cakes. These things bring me joy and satisfaction (too bad 2 of the 3 are foods that I shouldn't be eating). I would like to add something, or someone, to that list: John Mayer. Now, I'm not saying he's the most attractive guy in the world, because he actually has a rather large head, but there's a certain geeky appeal to him all the same. Anyway, my love for him is not because of his stunning physique or handsome face, it's something much better than that. Granted, I only see what he lets the media see but I'm really taken with his original thought and his willingness to express it. If you'll notice in his music, he's really good at avoiding cliches and generating new emotions, or ones we haven't consciously considered.

This all started when I was sitting in my hotel room in Rome being bored because I couldn't leave. It was too late and too dangerous. So I decided to check out the John Mayer website. Then I stumbled across his blog and I really fell in love with this post. It probably had something to do with the fact that my mind works just like this.

Go back into the beloved '80s films, and you'd be hard pressed to find a movie closer to the hearts of thirty-somethings than The Goonies. I'll spare you the synopsis, as you most likely already know it, but if you don't, no need to worry - you've seen 20 other movies like it in its time. The template: nerdy but affable underdog(s) suffer unrelenting ridicule by jocks in varsity letter jackets but ultimately have their comeuppance, usually stealing a smoking hot girlfriend or two in the process.

In the case of The Goonies, a band of awkward, socially outcast kids set off to find a buried treasure, narrowly averting almost certain death and outrunning, among others, a popular high school jock named Troy. Troy is one of the classic cinematic archetypes of the 1980s; the jock. He's good looking, rocks a period-relative hardcore Mustang convertible, and he's a total jerk. All we can do from the moment Troy enters the frame is to wait with baited breath to see Troy lose and the Goonies win.

And in that end, back in 1985 when the underdogs had their day, (and their bag of jewels), and the final credits rolled and we called our parents for a ride home, we realized something fantastic: It's true, we weren't Troy. But for the first time, thanks to The Goonies, we no longer wanted to be Troy. It was okay to be us, thank you very much.

Cut to present day.

What happened to the better part of a generation that once walked out of their local theater rooting for the Mikeys and Chunks and Datas of the world? They've turned into Troys. Troys who can't accept the differences in others and condemn the things they don't understand. Finger-pointing, trash-talking Troys.

Ask yourself: with whom do you identify more these days, Troy or the Goonies? And if you're reading this and you happen to be an Internet trash-talker, could it be because you think I'm Troy? Because honest to goodness, I've always fancied myself a Goonie; the underdog who toppled over the narrow-minded naysayers and walked away with a treasure.

So maybe this whole thing is one big misunderstanding and it turns out we don't need to go down as a generation remembered as having spent the '00s wearing our shoes like hats after all. Maybe it will turn out that we needed a little time to figure out that in the end we're all just a bunch of Goonies.

JM

Farewell Italia!

Hello Everyone!

Today is my last day here in Siena. Most of my friends have already left because I accidentally booked my flight a day after everyone. So I'm trying to kill a little bit of time. I figured since I was so bad at posting pictures and writing, I'd try to catch everyone up on a few highlights from my trip.

This is me and a few of my friends in Lucca. We had a free weekend and none of us had plans so we went with our friend Sandro to visit his uncle. While we were there we decided to rent bikes and ride around the city wall. It was probably one of my favorite days ever...and it helped that it was technically against the rules to rent bikes. It added some adventure to the mix.

This is me on top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The view is of the Baptistry in the Piazza Dei Miracoli. It was really rainy and stormy at the top of the tower...pretty sweet, huh?


This is the view from off of my balcony in Siena. It is so unbelievable. Even though you know it's Italy, you totally expect a little leprechaun to jump into the picture, don't you?


This is at the top of a very very large hill in Verona. We decided to hike up to the highest point we could see and look out on the city. Surprisingly, you can't tell how sweaty I am in this picture. It was a gorgeous view but holy cow was it hot. I'm sitting with my friends, Destiny and Natalie Price...quite possibly two of my favorite people ever.

These are just a bunch of cute houses in Verona. It was probably my favorite city.

Alright, that's all for now. My battery is about to die. I'll be home on Sunday so for now it's farewell to Italia. I hope you're all doing well. I can't wait to see everyone back home!

Natalie

Internship

Ok, now that I've gone almost a month without posting, I am here to tell you all that I am still alive. I am in Siena and I love it here. I live on the 5th floor of a little apartment with a view that you would not believe. I'm not on my computer right now so I can't upload pictures, but they are coming. I finished 2 weeks of Italian classes. They went well. My comprehension is a lot better now and I can actually use the subjunctive tense, but I am very glad they are over. I now am working at an internship with a jewelry maker named Simonetta. I really make my own jewelry and she really sells it. I made a bracelet that's on sale for €100 (150 USD roughly) and a pair of earrings for €65. I make something new every day and she pretty much lets me do whatever I want. The real victory will be if anyone buys my stuff. She told me today that I could make myself a pair of earrings so I could brag to my friends about them when I get back home. Ha ha, she's a funny lady. I'll post pictures later. Sorry I've been so lame at blogging. I'll try to be better. Love you all!

Natalie

P.S. For all those who don't know, I have an adorable little niece now. Her name is Zoe Marian Humbert. You can see pictures of her on Holly's blog at babyhumbert.blogspot.com.

The Latest

I went to the Vatican Museums today. We got there at 7:15ish with only 2 people ahead of us in line. Apparently that's unheard of. We didn't really have to wait very long at all. I can't believe how much beautiful art the Vatican has. We saw the Sistine Chapel. Wow! It's so beautiful. It hurt my neck to look up for that long, and it hurt my eyes because the ceiling is very high, but I enjoyed it so much. It is a masterpiece. On our way to the Sistine Chapel, we walked through the Borgia Apartment which is full of modern religious art. I was at the back of our group and a sculpture caught my eye. Everyone walked right past it and I was the only one left in the room looking at The Thinker by Rodin. No one else noticed it! It was so beautiful. It was only 2 feet tall or so. I also really loved the School of Athens by Raphael. It's very unreal. You think to yourself, 'I've seen this painting dozens of times and studied it so much that there's no way that I could actually be looking at it. Something so beautiful couldn't really exist, could it?' Oh, it can. Italy is full of things that make me think that.

We went to St. Peter's Basilica to go see the Pietà but the line to get in was at least 2 hours long, so we went to the Castle of Sant'Angelo instead. It was cool, especially if you're into artillery and stuff, but it wasn't my favorite.

Yesterday I was at the Villa Borghese. It was probably my favorite thing we've done so far. Bernini was such an incredible sculptor. I went in thinkign that I was going to like the Rape of Persephone the best, but I think I like Apollo and Daphne better. It was so delicate. It's a sculpture of Apollo chasing after Daphne, a nymph that is turning into a laurel tree. Locks of her hair are transforming into branches. There are roots coming out of her toes and she's covered in bark. The most unbelievable part was the cloth wrapped around Apollo. It is floating in the exact way fabric would be if he were actually running. The marble is actually transparent because it is so thin. I was astounded at the skill Bernini had. Bernini's David was also beautiful. His face is actually a self portrait and the emotion is very impressive. The best part is that you can get so close to the pieces. You can walk all around them and see every detail. After our first walk through the museum we were allowed to go off on our own. Nicole and I ended up being the only two people in the room with the David. I guess we were feeling especially mischievious because we both reached out and touched his big toe. My finger has touched what Bernini has touched. Definitely a memorable experience.

Of course we had gelato along the way. I had caramel and coconut today. The caramel was actually kind of gross. I've never had liquor but I imagine that's what it tastes like. The coconut was incredible! I love coconut. At the request of dad, I will provide a list of all the flavors I've had so far. It's really long...I eat a lot of gelato.
Coconut
Caramello
Chocolate coconut
Bacio (chocolate of some sort)
Gianduia (dark chocolate)
Nutella variegato
hazelnut
amarena (cream and berries)
profiterol (cream puff)
melone
stracciatella (chocolate chip)
raspberry
watermelon
chocolate
strawberry
orange cream
...and the list goes on. Gelato is my favorite food here in Italy, closely followed by the ravioli they serve here at our hotel. Oh goodness, it is heaven. I also really like the Kinder Bueno chocolate bars. They're filled with hazelnut cream. Everything in Italy has hazelnut in it. I don't know why American hasn't caught on.

After the Borghese Gallery we just played games in a the park there. It's so green. We played a game where everyone stand in the circle and one person is in the middle with their eyes closed. The person in the middle randomly points to someone and names an animal. That person then has to make the noise of that animal and the person in the middle guesses who that person is. I ended up getting called on at least twice. I think I had to make a grizzly bear noise and a seagull. I think they figured it out both times. The best by far though was the dolphin.

That's all for now folks. I'll try to be better at keeping you all updated.

This is wear the pidgeon pooped on me. It's a good thing I had gelato to make me feel better.

In case you were curious, Italy really is as beautiful as you think it is.

This is me making a wish at the Trevi fountain with my roommate Nicole. We often get mistaken for twins.

Day 1 of Touring

This morning I woke up and went to the Catacombs, which are ancient Christian tombs. It was a little creepy...just a little. They're all underground. Half a million Christians were buried there. They're a very sacred place and many Christians and Catholics make pilgrimages to see them. It was cool but it was a little weird to be underground with a bunch of graves. Right by the Catacombs is the burial site of hundred of Italians from World War II. Apparently some Italians killed 32 Nazis and in return the Nazis killed 10 Italians for each Nazi. It was very sad but very interesting to see all those graves.

Later in the morning we walked up the Appian Way. That road was built over 2000 years ago and we still use it today. Isn't that unbelievable? Cars still drive on it and everything. It was built a lot like tile floors. There are just a billion square rocks about 3 in x 3 in that are lined up. It was really cool.

When we go on our tours we have headsets that we use to hear Cinzia (our director) when she speaks. She speaks into a microphone which transmits to our headsets. We are very high-tech.
Last night we decided to take a stroll up to the Vatican and eventually it ended up at the Trevi Fountain, the Collosseum, and the Roman Forum. I was pretty tired after that. But I made a wish at the Trevi Fountain...and hopefully that means I'll be returning to Rome.

In about an hour I'm setting out on my first shopping excursion in Rome. Rumor has it that there's an H&M around here somewhere and we're going to fine it!

I hope all is well with everyone at home! I love you guys!

Natalie

Sotto il cielo di Roma

Not a whole lot has been happening to me. I mean, yesterday I got into Rome. I guess you might consider that kind of cool...if you're into that kind of thing. Ok, enough with the all this cool, composed junk...I'M IN ITALY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The plane ride was 11 hours of aweful but fortunately the flight ended before my life did. I didn't sleep well on the flight and so my first impressions of Italy were a little tainted by grogginess and grumpiness. We had to ride the subway to our hotel and some people did not pack as light as I did. Some people (who will remain nameless) packed two ENORMOUS suitcases full. One such girl was struggling to get off the subway with her bags and so I tried to help her and ended up missing the stop. First day in Rome and I already got lost on the subway. It was actually a lot of fun! Plus, the girl was really apologetic and grateful to me for helping her, so I made a friend.

We pretty much just unpacked and rested for the rest of the afternoon. I took an hour nap but I could have used another 8. Our hotel is called Hotel Pacific. Our group has taken over the top floor. I lucked out because my room has a balcony. Our view is just some other apartment buildings but it feels so good out there. Our shower is maybe 3 feet x 3 feet but it's no too bad.

Around 5 we went to get gelato and just took a walk. In Provo when you take a walk, the most exciting thing you see is maybe a nice car or a dog. On our walk we passed the Spanish steps, the Pantheon, and La Barca fountain by Bernini. Rome is incredible. My first flavors of gelato were melone (melon) and gianduia (a really really really rich chocolate). The melon was kind of like heaven in a frozen form. If I wasn't trying to branch out, I would eat it every time. On our walk I felt something hit my head. I thought someone had thrown something at me until I found out that that someone was a pidgeon. Yes, I have officially been initiated into Italian culture. I got lost, ate gelato, and got pooped on. Good day!

Today we went to Church in Rome. It was neat to see that the Church not only is the same in Utah and Oklahoma, but in Italy too. The Relief Society president is my favorite person I've met here so far. She was so enthusiastic and excited to see us. I'm really intimidated by the italians actually. I get all tongue-tied whenever I have to talk to them. I'm hoping that after I've been here for more than two days that'll stop.

I hope you are all doing well. I hope to figure out how to get pictures up soon. I'll be sure to take good ones.

Toodle-oo!

Natalie

Anticipation

In less than 24 hours I will start my journey to Italy. My adventures start at around 3 am when I wake up so I can leave by 4 and get to the airport by 5 to leave on my flight at 7:20. Obviously that kind of sucks. But on the other hand, I'm not going to sleep much tonight anyway and if I'm exhausted, I can sleep on the plane. For the flight I've got my iPod, Jane Eyre, possibly The Agony and the Ecstasy, and some Nyquil. Hopefully that will keep my entertained/unconscious for the 8 hour flight. I'm surprised that it's only 8. I thought it was 10-12, but no arguments here.

I am so excited to get there, but I'm also kind of nervous. For me anticipation and anxiety feel like the same thing so oftentimes the emotions coincide. It's just all so new to me. I've never left the country before. Can you believe that I am going to live in Italy for 2 months? Ah! Eeeh! Agh!

Disney Promotes Identity Crises

I have come to a realization about the Disney Channel. They promote identity crises in adolescents. I think I was reflecting on Hannah Montana when I realized that this concept of being someone else is a recurring and central theme throughout the Disney Channel and their movies.

For example:
1. Lizzie McGuire was ok just being herself UNTIL! she went to another country. Then she wasn't happy until she was the popstar.
2. In Brink, Eric von Detton was way cooler and actually got paid to skate for Team XBladz.
3. The Thirteenth Year...the kid turned into a freaking mermaid because being mortal just wasn't cool enough.
4. The Famous Jett Jackson is yet another example of a kid with two lives: One in Hollywood and one in a quaint country town.
5. One day she's Miley Cyrus, the next she's Hannah Montana...who's cooler? The fake one!
It's like they're trying to say, "You're just not good enough as a normal kid unless you have super powers, a secret identity, or a fin."

Now, you might be wondering what I am doing investing so much thought into this at age 19. The truth is that I'm still 14 years old at heart and I think that this is a cruel injustice to the preteen population of our society. Why don't we start making shows about the kids who go to school with one identity and don't have an extraterrestrial step-sibling? What about the kids who mature to adulthood without discovering a secret superhero heritage? I propose a toast. Here's to the kids who went through their awkward years without special powers and actually survived! Thank you Disney for letting me find out for myself that there are no short cuts through middle school and life is infinitely more enjoyable after adolescence.

I Love Books!

Literary experience heals the wound, without undermining the privilege, of individuality. There are mass emotions which heal the wound; but they destroy the privilege. In them our separate selves are pooled and we sink back into subindividuality.
But in reading great literature I become a thousand men and yet remain myself. Like a night sky in the greek poem, I see with a myriad of eyes, but it is still I who see. Here, as in worship, in love, in moral action, and in knowing, I transcend myself; and am never more myself than when I do.
--C.S. Lewis, An Experiment in Criticism

Isn't good literature so good? I love how C.S. Lewis put it. You can see with a myriad of eyes. To me, literature is a type of escapism. In moving beyond myself, I become myself. I don't want to say anything more because I can't come close to the poetic words of C.S. Lewis. So soak them up.

As is customary for all student wards throughout BYU, my ward hosted a talent show this past weekend. We had the usuals: guitar/singing, skits, parodies. But Breezy and I wanted to try something a little different. We call it "Acrobatic Adaptation." It's only a matter of time before the paparazzi catch on.

Hang Loose? Yeah right!

I think this whole hang loose thing is just an excuse for boys to show off their muscles in a picture. But then again, it is really hard to hold your hand like that and flex your bicep at the same time...hence why I'm not flexing.

Love

For a $1.50 this, too, can be your joy. Bless Costco!

Do you know how hard it is to smile with goggles on?

Last week while my family was in town, my dad took me and my little brother skiing. It was the most beautiful day I've ever spent on the slopes. It was probably in the high 40s, the sun was shining, and the snow was nice and fresh. I'm what we call a "Fair Weather Skier" and boy, did I get what I wanted. I don't go skiing often but I can appreciate why some people do. What a rush!

PT: The Cruiser

I'm a little slow getting this posted, but about 3 weeks ago my little Camry suffered some unexpected injuries. Another car whipped out in front of me and I couldn't stop in time so she collided with my bumper. Because I was not at fault, her insurance took care of my dear little Camry. He had go through some pretty intense reconstructive surgery though.

So while my car was in the shop, Progressive Insurance hooked me up with this stylish vehicle. I know what you're thinking...a PT Cruiser? I must admit I burst out in laughter when I heard it, too. But don't judge this book my its cover because this car was awesome! Maybe it was the I new car smell and decent paint job, but I'd take this car over mine any day of the week. I did have to give it back, but I got to enjoy driving a 2008 Cruiser for two weeks so I'm still feeling pretty lucky. So while they're the most inconvenient thing in the world, even car accidents can have their perks.

The Brittany...More Treacherous Than You Think

Shocking, I know. You didn't think something like this could happen in Provo, Utah, did you? Well, think again...because it did.





Someone dropped some Prego.

Things About Me to Know and Love

My feet don't match: one matches my Mom and the other matches my Dad
Orange is my favorite color of peanut M&M
Yellow and Green are my favorite colors
I like Hannah MontanaI speak Italian
I love Baroque music
Funnel Cakes are my specialty
NSYNC never gets old
I like to sing along to the Jackson 5 because pre-adolescent Michael and I share the same vocal range
My cheetah flats are my favorite shoes
I like to rock out in my car
I want to be a composer
If I could pick up any instrument and suddenly be a virtuoso, it would be the cello
Reading Twilight was a truly healing experience for me
I enjoy peanut butter in all forms
If I ever get a dog, it'll be a Yorkie
I go through a bottle of taco sauce about every week
In 6th grade, I won 2nd place in the Spelling Bee. I missed the word nausea
My favorite tree is the one south of the Clyde Building on campus
I love cardigans
Fireflies are one of my favorite things about Oklahoma
I love a capella music
Reese's miniatures give me goosebumps...literally
I've only ever had a Valentine on Valentine's Day once. In 8th grade, I got a Val-o-gram from my crush but it was in my best friends handwriting because he was too embarrassed to write it...or at least that's what she told me
I don't have tonsils
My nicknames are Nat (Mom), Nattie (Ben), Nattie Noo (Dad), Nonny (Jenni), and Nan (Holly)
In 3 months, I'll be sailing through Venice on a gondola, eating genuine gelato, and making a wish at the Trevi Fountain
If I ever dyed my hair, I would go brunette
I won't ever dye my hair
Sometimes my heart rate increases in my Humanities class because I get so excited
The smell of Target cures homesickness
Gemelli is my favorite kind of pasta
Nocciola (hazelnut) is my favorite kind of gelato
My first kiss was next to a dumpster
I love watching Pride and Prejudice (the LDS version) with my roommates
I'm going to be an aunt twice this summer!

Artistic Musings

"Beneath the colour there was a shape. She could see it all so clearly, so commandingly, when she looked: it was when she took her brush in hand that the whole thing changed. It was in that moment's flight between the picture and her canvas that the demons set on her who often brought her to the verge of tears and made this passage from conception to work as dreadful as any down a dark passage for a child." -Virginia Woolf, To the Lighthouse

And so it is with music. As an aspiring composer I have tried my hand at capturing the songs that float around in my head. I've sat at the piano for hours trying to dictate the melodies, harmonies, and polyphonies I hear, but what comes out is an over-simplified skeleton of what could have been, what should have been. There is nothing more frustrating than hearing symphonies but only being able to play something akin to Mary Had a Little Lamb.

Michael McLean wrote something similar in his Forgotten Carols. Speaking through the voice of George Frederic Handel he said to the effect of, "If they could only hear the music that's in my heart, they would let me sing." Truer words were never spoken. If anyone could actually hear what I hear, they'd listen. I'm not implying I don't have people that would listen to my music. I'm pretty sure my roommates would gather together to listen to me play chopsticks. I only mean that if they could hear my music, they would really understand me on a deeper level.

This is not an emo-kid cry for someone to understand me. That's not a fair request when I don't even fully understand that side of myself. I guess what all this is means is that there are great things to come. Someday I'll learn how to get out all this creative juice and when I do....drinks on me!

So this is the first official post. The other one was merely experimental and the effects of isolation. Here we go...my first step into the world of blogging.
Just a brief summary: basically, my life rocks! I live with the 3 most amazing roommates in the world. I live in a decrepit old apartment that may literally be the death of me if the Wasatch fault decides to fulfill scientific prophecy. I work for LDS Philanthropies doing all the work that is too boring for the rest of the employees to do. I am studying Humanities...don't waste your breath asking what I'm going to do with it because I don't know and honestly, I don't care. I'll figure something out. For now, I have the coolest major and I can't think of anything I would love studying more. In conclusion, I love my life.
Well that's all for now. Stay tuned for more thrilling adventures.