How will I greet this day?

COLDPLAY in Los Angeleeeeeees!

I must admit, I haven't always been a fan of Coldplay.  I had this weird misconception that they were trying to imitate U2 (whom I love) and I got bugged at that.  I know... silly, but I had a friend quickly point out the error of my ways.  LOL  So, now I am a huge fan. Their music just speaks to me.   

Can I just say this was an awesome night and I am sad that it has already been a week since we were there?  Ashley and I drove out for the weekend in California for this long awaited concert.  We were so excited and rocked out to our Coldplay songs the whole way there!  (well most of the way)

Anyway, to the good stuff.  The concert started at 7:30 and we got there super early, but the opening bands left a lot to be desired.  Pretty sure I would classify their music as "Honky Tonk Reggae!"  Eww, not a good combo.  LOL  Our anticipation for the band to come on only grew stronger as we endured these other bands.  

Since boredom set in prior to CP we went crazy with the camera!  Here are some pictures of Home Depot Center as it was filling up and being set up.  

   

And here are some of Ashley and I getting pumped and being crazy!  

     

So, since we arrived so early, we kept wondering if the seats would fill in around us and if there would be people that would sing and dance like we planned to the ENTIRE time.  We were pleasantly surprised when this darling couple had tickets right next to us.  They were super energetic and started introducing themselves to us right away.  And here is my favorite part... they mentioned that we looked like we were super young.  I said "Oh really?  How young do you think I am?"  The lady said 20!!!!  Her husband said 23, but heck I'll take it.  I was floored!  I asked Ashley if I should tell them how old I really am.  Anyway, I did and it turned out they were the same age.  So funny.  MADE MY NIGHT! After the concert started we didn't see too much of that couple though, since they were quite amorous for most the concert and we were too busy dancing and singing until we had no voice.  And speaking of that, here is a picture of Ashley ROCKING OUT!!!  

YELLOW!  It happens to be Brenna's favorite song and it was so fun.  Wish she was there with me too!  They threw out these giant yellow balloons and everyone volleyed them around.  FUN!  I almost got one... dogvomit!  Our pics are a bit blurry, but we did the best we could with our little cameras and low light.  :)  Edited*** to add my favorite song(s) from the night.  The encore song was "The Scientist" and IT WAS AMAZING live!  But my favorite song at the moment would have to be "Death and all of his Friends", so I thoroughly enjoyed that one live.  Please note that it was difficult to even pick these two songs as the WHOLE concert was A-Mazing!!!  

        

There were a couple of songs that brought out my emotions... "Fix You" and "The Scientist".  But even through the tears, I sang my heart out and danced.  

Throughout the whole concert Chris Martin kept saying how bad he felt for those of us in the back of the stadium, although I am sure he does this at all his concerts, he walked back to where we were.  He was about 30 feet away from us and we were dying!  They set up and started singing "Green Eyes"  I am sure he was singing it to me... right?  (I know my eyes are blue-green, but whatever) Then, they had the drummer sing a song and then "Billie Jean" to honor Michael.  HAHA!  I was cracking up.  After a few songs they had us do the wave with our cell phones and it was A-Mazing!  I have video of all this stuff, but had some difficulties putting it on my computer so that is to come, but for now here are some more pics.  (if you want to see any of them bigger just click on them)

        

And here is one more that I took during "Yellow". That is one mighty fine profile!  

 At the end of the concert, they announced that we were all getting FREE CDs!   So, even though we were deliriously tired and had almost no voice left from screaming and singing, we found some energy to sing along the whole way home to 9 live songs!  Such an awesome CD!  It has "Glass of Water" on it.  We hadn't heard that one until that night.  YUM!  Can't wait to go again!  

COLDPLAY!!!!

Need I say more?????? I don't think so... but there is more coming when I have a minute.  Here is a pic of Ashley and I outside the Home Depot Center.  

The soundtrack of massage...

One of the things taught at school is that not only is massage therapeutic, but it is an art form.  I LOVE THAT!!!  When using the proper body mechanics, it can look just like a dance.  This goes hand in hand with what they term "beingness"... connecting with your client.  Of course the person you are working on is either asleep or just has their eyes closed, so they can't see all that dancing.  They even recommend that we close our eyes.  

It's no secret that I have a love for GOOD music and last night was the first time we got to practice massage with lyrical music.  GOOD stuff!  The songs our instructor chose were perfect. Last night was the first time, I really felt like I was in that place.  It's amazing how music can take me away from everything.  It has such a profound effect on me.  It triggers memories and deep feelings for me.   The music she chose came from artists like Jack Johnson, Bob Marley, Norah Jones, and even "Amber" by 311. There were some other songs I didn't recognize and loved, so I'll be stealing those ones as well.  :) 

I might choose those ones and some songs from my current soundtrack in life, which are:

Damien Rice (LOVING HIM) "Dogs" and "Amie" and "Volcano" and "Cannonball"  Umm... or just any of his

Imogen Heap "Goodnight and Go"

Coldplay "Spies" and "Life in Technicolor"

Keane "Sunshine"

Ophelia of the Spirits "By the Boab Tree"

The Shins "Weird Divide"

The Go Find "Bleeding Heart" and maybe "Over the Edge"

Sufjan Stevens "All the Trees of the Field"

U2 "Love and Peace or Else"

Of course Enya and some Erasure. Oh and some Sarah Mclachlan. 

Edited** to add this amazing guy Sigur Ros  "Samskeyti" (acoustic)

I am seriously so excited for this.  Looking for suggestions for other songs.  I am told that some people bring their own soundtrack.  They told us that one guy brought speed metal for his session.  Perhaps it relaxes him.  What music relaxes you?  Or inspires you? I'd love it if you share.  

I'll be calling those of you that volunteered to let me practice on you soon.  I think we get our tables next week.  Thanks for volunteering!  

I will leave you with these quotes I found about music that I really liked.  

And the night shall be filled with music,
And the cares that infest the day
Shall fold their tents like the Arabs
And as silently steal away.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The Day Is Done


He who sings scares away his woes.  ~Cervantes

(I especially like this one... haha! That's me)


Music was my refuge.  I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.  ~Maya Angelou, Gather Together in My Name


Were it not for music, we might in these days say, the Beautiful is dead.  ~Benjamin Disraeli


Music is what feelings sound like.  ~Author Unknown


There's music in the sighing of a reed;
There's music in the gushing of a rill;
There's music in all things, if men had ears:
Their earth is but an echo of the spheres.
~Lord Byron

If in the after life there is not music, we will have to import it.  ~Doménico Cieri Estrada

I have my own particular sorrows, loves, delights; and you have yours.  But sorrow, gladness, yearning, hope, love, belong to all of us, in all times and in all places.  Music is the only means whereby we feel these emotions in their universality.  ~H.A. Overstreet

New favorite scripture and prayer request...

My new favorite scripture encompasses everything I HOPE for. 

It is 2 Nephi 31:20  "Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.  Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life."

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PRAYER REQUEST

I was speaking with my friend Tara, and she was telling me about her brother (Eric), who is accused of voluntary manslaughter (among other things).  She doesn't blog or do Facebook, so I asked her if she would like me to make mention of this here and she agreed that he could use all the help he could get. He was involved in a freak accident with a motorcyle and a few other cars.  The cyclist did not make it and now my friend's brother could go to jail for life.  He is married with 4 kids.  The motorcyclist was part of one of those big groups that ride together and that group has vowed not to rest until he is put away in jail for life.  He is going to court the next two weeks and he really needs a miracle.  I believe with all my heart in miracles.  I have seen the hearts of people soften on so many occasions within the last year.  I know that prayers are answered when we pray with real intent and sincerity. So, if you are the praying type, please add him to your prayers.  If you care to join me, I am fasting today for him with a prayer in my heart.  

Thanks for reading and have a super Sunday.  

Coloring with my peeps...

I have been wanting to buy some canvas for my kids to draw me pics to hang around the apartment since I have no pictures up yet.  Last weekend, they were on sale at Joann's so I got the kids each one and some oil pastels and they went to town.  

At first, Jake was uninspired.  He, for some reason thinks that he can't draw like Brenna can.  I mentioned his growing love for baseball and all of a sudden the light bulb turned on and that was all it took.  

Brenna's picture is all about happiness and candy.  LOL  I love that it says "smile" on it.  It sort of reminds me of the line from "Notting Hill"... "Happiness isn't happiness without a violin playing goat".  Not sure why, but it does.  

Jake's picture... now who would ever say that this boy can't draw???  I love them both so much and can't wait to get them on my walls.  I plan on getting some more canvas and putting these hand drawn pictures all over the place.  

And... that's me doing my anatomy homework (studying Osteology here).  My kids think it is so awesome that I get to color on my homework!  I kinda like it too.  Did I mention I LOVE school?  

Where can I turn for peace?

First, I have to apologize for continuously writing about my struggles.  They are some of the biggest I have faced in my lifetime and venting them here with such great feedback really helps me to feel encouraged and loved.  So thank you for bearing with me.  

I was reading my young friend Jessica's blog and found this.  I think this would be a great daily devotional for me to add to my other two talks that I listen to.  It seems that, despite my trying to do a lot of the things that he suggests in this short video, I still manage to get down on myself.  For those who wonder if this means that I am doubting my decision, the answer is NO.  That is not the case.  I knew there would be consequences to all this and that is what I am facing now.  

And, in a LOT of ways I am facing it ALONE.  I have had MANY spiritual experiences throughout the course of all of this that have helped build me up and I know that Heavenly Father is there for me, but it is a different type of alone.  It is one I have felt for many years now.   It is one that I know how to remedy, but it isn't the right time yet.  I still feel everything that I mentioned in my last post, but some days/weeks are harder than others.  

I have AMAZING friends that have stood by me and taken great care of me.  And by that, I simply mean the prayers, and unbelievable thoughtfulness.   A couple of weeks ago, I had the day off for my birthday and I got to go to lunch with some of Brenna's friends Courtney, Lora and Chelsea(who are mine too) and their amazing moms, Carrie, Tara and Tara. We went to NYPD and had some yummy pizza.  Before I got there the girls used the paper plates and crayons to color pictures and sweet notes for me.  Then they serenaded me with "Happy Birthday".  I was welling up as they all gave me hugs.  I have to say, this MADE MY DAY!  I felt so much love from and for these sweet girls!  Here is a picture of them hanging on my wall in my apartment (since I haven't put pics up yet, hee hee!) 

In our Professional Development class at ASMT, our teacher talks A LOT about "Breakdowns".  What are breakdowns that we have in our lives?  For some, it could be financial, others could have toxic friends or addictions that bring them down and many more.  But, he had to mention  all of my breakdowns first... divorce/separation, not having enough time with your kids...  I lost it!  (There is also the fact that I have NEVER felt like I am done having children and Brenna wrote me a list of 25 reasons I need to have a baby girl).  I sit in the front row of class, so I couldn't just inconspicuously get up and leave.  I stayed in my seat and just wiped my tears as best I could.  Then, later in the class, he put on a CD with the song "Why Can't We Be Friends?" (love that song) and asked us all to dance as a group.  Then he looked me straight in the eye and got a big smile on his face.  "Oh NO!"  I thought as he approached me with his hand reached out.  Yep, he took my hand and pulled me to the center of the class to dance with him.  I fought it at first, saying "NO, NO!" But in the end I gave in.  While it was only a matter of seconds, I am sure my face was bright red! 

 Although, this was completely out of my box, it made me smile and laugh and I am grateful to refocus on the GOOD things that are happening.  I am the recipient of MANY blessings!  

Just bought this yummy song...

The chorus reminds me of my kids.  The rest of the song is good too, just doesn't apply to my kids.  

"Goodnight and Go"   by Imogen Heap

"Why'd ya have to be so cute?"

"...Impossible to ignore you"

"must you make me laugh so much?"

"any excuse to stay awake with you"