Rain.

And I always felt it before

That the world was filled with much more

Than the drowning soul I've learned to be

I just need the rain to remind me

I go silent when I have a lot on my mind and in my heart. The last few weeks have been one thing after the next: finals, performances, laying in my death-bed for 24 hours, graduation, senior recital, moving, work, wedding. But I've been with my family all the time and I have LOVED it. I haven't had this much family time since before I came to college so it was long overdue. Now I'm spoiled and all I want to do is spend all my time with them. I have lots of post coming with lots of pictures.

I got home Sunday night from from brother's wedding in Texas and I felt completely wasted. But it was raining and somehow that was exactly what I needed.

I can't really explain it, but I have always loved the rain. It rejuvenates me and cleanses my heart and soul. Weird, but true. Throw some thunder and lightening in there and I'm one happy girl.

I have a few weeks now to slow down and take in all the change from the last month or so before EFY starts (although, I wished that would start today). Thank you rain for coming in and washing away the things that needed to go and helping me prepare for the next step of this crazy journey.

Steamed Bum: The One Year Anniversary of Visiting China

Oh the children.

 This time a year ago I was in Beijing with Chamber Singers and was loving my life. I never posted as much as I wanted to about it because there are an overwhelming number of things to say about the whole experience, a lot of which are in my personal journals already. 

I will say this though: I was reading back in my journals from that spring to after I came home from China and noticed a change in myself. Towards the end of that school year I was feeling so small. I made some of the most difficult sacrifices I've ever had to make and it left me wondering if I would ever be deserving of good things. I didn't feel fulfilled and I couldn't get out of myself. 

Everything I experienced in China was what I needed to have a change of heart.

Even my family noticed a change in me. This new heart set the tone for the rest of my summer and it was one of the best I've had. I'm grateful for that opportunity I had to be there. It was a blessing really.

Changing gears now to reminisce about one of the absolute best memories of China times. The food. Now, unlike my siblings, I am not a picky eater. I'll pretty easily try anything at least once. I knew I wasn't going to have a problem with the food in China. Our hotel had buffet style meals for us every day complete with the english translation of what food we were eating. Here are just a few of such delicacies. 

Enjoy.

Acid Article Mutton - Tantalizing 

Onions Blasting Mutton - Divine

Chopped Garlic Rape(?!?!) - Scrumptious

Steamed Bum in Triangular Shape Stuffed with Sugar - Delightful

I'm not sure what pocket dictionary or online translation help they used, but I'm sure happy they did. 

For my other post on my time in China, click here

Checking In.

So... a lot has happened in the last month and a half. Here's what went down:

FEBRUARY (I pronounce the first R in FebRuary... get over it.)

• Bought a killer dress for my senior recital.
• Renewed my Brazilian Passport.
• Had a bridal shower for my dear friend Kacee. 
• Stayed awake 39 hours straight. That was particularly horrible.
• Lots of rehearsals for my Brazilian Jazz show.
• Sang for Chanticleer and went to their show.
• Met a man in Chanticleer that is the spitting image of Jon Hamm, aka Don Draper. AND his voice knows the frequency of my heart. (The fact that there are at least two men on the planet that handsome and talented gives me hope. He told me I looked like Natalie Portman - basically we're going to have beautiful children together.)
• Wept a thousand tears the night Kacee moved away for good.
• Sang on two radio shows (one Logan in, one in Salt Lake)
• Stressed out and lost sleep over my senior recital preview.

MARCH (I also pronounce the R in March)

• Had a great time singing bossa nova and samba tunes in a show and seeing many friends and family having a good time.
• My mom came to town. Spent a lot of time with my family.
• I went through the temple for the first time here in Logan. Incredible. 
• Accepted contracts to be an EFY counselor this summer in Texas, Massachusetts, and Palmyra, NY!  
• Went to Boise for Kacee and Shane's wedding - many tears of joy were shed.
• Spent the night with Jake and the wonderful Spjute family in Boise! I love momma Spjute. 
• Spent the night at the SLC Airport so we could make our early flight to Dallas in time.
• Spent a wonderful spring break on the beach in Brazil - Recife and Sao Paulo. 
• Prayed like I have never prayed before that I would pass my recital preview.
• Passed my recital preview with an A-. Tears of blessed joy!
• Gained weight - thank you spring break and delicious Brazilian food. 

And now it's the home stretch to graduation in a month! 

Everything is weird. 

And awesome. 

But mostly weird. 

So here's to more adventures!