.

An Article

2012-02-13T22:53:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's from Elle Magazine, but after running into this article, I concluded that it was rather brilliant--funny, blunt, sweet--and I enjoyed it. In honor of Valentine's day, I am linking to it here: Things Memoirs Teach Us About Dating.

My Valentine's Day plans? A movie and fro yo with two of my best friends. And I couldn't be happier about it.

In the words of Anna David:

There’s so much more than romance in the world: There are friends and food and laughter and sights and smells and sounds and delicious, crispy, patatas bravas, and the more I focus on my love life to the exclusion of all those other things, the smaller my world becomes.

Love in a Box

2012-01-25T19:00:00.000-08:00

Today was so crazy.

Aerobics class. Work training. Bus. Home. ShowerPackLunchReviewforQuiz. Bus. Media Writing avec wet hair. Housing research. Nap on a couch in a bathroom. Symphony rehearsal. Peer mentor meeting. Bus. Home. Dinner. Homework. Bus. Public Relations class. Bus. Home.

Not to mention a million emails and phone calls filling in the gaps, trying to plan ahead for my life when I can barely see past today. The bathroom nap was quite delightful, actually. Book of Mormon class was cancelled so I decided to celebrate my new-found spare time in a deliciously unconscious sort of way.

The highlight of all of this was a quiet little gap amidst the packed schedule (see "Dinner"), which included listening to this lovely band:

And eating these:

Sweet potato fries. My go-to comfort food as of late. Recipe and picture found here, although I prefer to use garlic salt instead of brown sugar.

I ate and listened and realized I was doing just fine.

Rainy Day

2012-01-21T14:31:00.000-08:00

Image via

Eating toasted peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, letting semi-sweet chocolate chips melt in my mouth as I'm

Reading King Lear, curled up on a pile of fleecy blankets before I

Set the book down, close my eyes and daydream about someone to dance in the rain with as I

Slip into a deep mid-afternoon nap with the

Rain pattering soothingly on my window.

January's Playlist

Maybe you can tell we went to see Footloose?

Running Phenomenon

2012-01-20T07:50:00.000-08:00

Before the morning run:
I'm going to run a half marathon, dang it! Where's that training schedule?

During the run:
What on earth would possess me to run a half marathon? 13.1094 miles of torture is the most unappealing thing I can think of. Pain. Sweat. Lungs on the verge of collapsing. Stomach twisting nauseatingly.

After the run:
I should go look up dates and see if I'll be in town for the big race!

Seriously though, if I'm around in July (fingers still tightly crossed for D.C. but I have about a 4% chance of getting the position), I would LOVE to do the Bryce Canyon 1/2 . I think I'd love it. I tell myself that I would.

. . . I'd probably love it after it was over.

But really, who wouldn't want to run through this as the morning sun rises in the east?

Image via

Mantra

2012-01-12T22:14:00.000-08:00

Via Pinterest.

P.S. Peach herbal tea is divine.

A Peculiar Craving

2012-01-10T18:19:00.000-08:00

**Disclaimer: I am not pregnant.

Probably not the best way to start out a post, but trust me, it's all uphill from here. So here it is, I'll lay it out for ya:

This week I have had an incessant, thought-consuming, saliva gland inducing desire for. . . peppers. Yep. Green, yellow, and red, fried up in some olive oil with garlic salt to taste. It just hits the spot--it's rich, sweet, slightly salty, yet light and smooth and warm. And it feels so nice in my stomach.

I was thinking about peppers all day today, planning to bike to the grocery store in the dark through the chilly January air to pick some up. I thought I'd try the Creamery first, spare myself a miserable trip, and I lucked out--sort of. I might have spent $2.80 on a single red pepper.

But it was goooood.

I don't know what this is, a vitamin deficiency maybe? But at least it's vegetables, right?

All part of a nutritious meal.

Extreme Photography

2012-01-07T19:23:00.000-08:00

Today I'm defining extreme photography as:

-Taking pictures while moving 55 miles per hour
-On a rumbling snowmobile
-Driven by a nineteen year-old male
-Through four feet of powder
-Across the winding slopes of the Uintahs

I think the age and sex of the driver in question should be particularly noted; it seems to me that those characteristics fall into a higher risk-taking bracket. I drove as well, and although my confidence was shaken by a near run-in with a pine tree and a stint in some deep powder, I was cruising by the end of the day. Snowmobiling is no skiing. . . it's louder, and, well, yeah. Louder. More passive. Less in-tune with Mother Nature. But there's undoubtedly something enjoyable about moving fast through the wilderness and whipping through the air.

With that being said, you can't blame me for only taking these two:

And an obligatory nature shot:

On a somewhat related note, I recently entered one of my research papers into a university writing contest. If I luck out enough to get a cash prize, it's all going towards a camera. My current one is functional, but not much beyond that. It still runs on AA batteries. And I'm still a far cry away from purchasing my dream model, so if the contest doesn't work out, good old saving it is. Wish me luck.

Also. I adore Missy Higgins. The hair. The accent. The spunk and soul.

Song of my week.

The Lining is Silver

2012-01-05T17:36:00.000-08:00

I've found a new fool-proof way to boost your mood from a downer 2 or 3 to at least a solid 6.5

Step 1: Put on running shoes and prepare iPod with this song:

Step 2: Soak in the lovely, harmonious sounds of Relient K as you pick up speed and get on the running trail of your choice.

Step 3: Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Yes, exactly four times.

Step 4: Take your headphones out, tuck your iPod away in your pocket. Take in the sounds of passing cars, rustling leaves, and whirling breezes. Return a smile and wave to the cute guy (or girl, depending. . . ) running by. Breathe deeply.

Step 5: Sprint the last leg home. Gulp a glass of ice water and cook up a hearty meal.

Step 6: Recognize that you can't trust anyone to sustain your happiness for long. Except you. And maybe Relient K.

I love how Meg Fee said it:

i don't want a life that's perfect. where every day is good. where happiness never falters and gives way to longing or loneliness or pain. that doesn't interest me. why try and hide what makes us human? show me that. give me that. offer up your humanity, your fault-line of divinity, and i will spend each day forging forward into that land where language has no meaning. to that place beyond words where we find and love each other wholly and simply.

First Week in Numbers

2012-01-05T15:52:00.000-08:00

16.5- The number of credits I'm enrolled in this semester.
5- Classes to attend on Mondays and Wednesdays
11-hours spent on campus on said days.
15- Clementines I've consumed this week. They're my new apple.
4- Mugs of peach tea (instant relaxation and deliciousness to boot).
10- Hours on the new job. Getting paid to learn new technology? I'm down with that.
1- Application submitted to the Department of State. Summer job in DC? We'll see.
1- Trip to Urgent Care. An eye infection. And one wild bike ride to the clinic with only one functional eye.
3-Awesome professors. I'm excited for Media Writing, Intro to PR, and World Lit.
1- No, let's make that. . .
2-Beautiful outdoor runs.

Au revoir!

2012 (It Ain't the End)

2012-01-01T14:12:00.000-08:00

2012 has officially been ushered in, Martinellis, glass-clinking and all. I'm excited for the new year, but honestly, today just feels like another day. And there's something really comforting about that. I'm happy. I don't feel like I'm dragging myself through the day hour-by-hour, which is a huge blessing because that feeling defined a portion of 2011. 2011 was definitely a growing year-- the calendar equivalent of those rapid growth spurts that leave stretch marks on your legs when you are twelve. But that's what I said about 2010, wasn't it?

I'm heading into 2012 with a different outlook than last year. I'm not waiting for my life to drastically change, though I'm definitely feeling open to embracing new opportunities that may present themselves. For the most part, I'm content where I am, and feel good about the direction in which I'm headed.

I do have a few goals:
-Floss more (Teeth lovin')
-Get into a regular running schedule (Find some races to aim towards & a partner?)
-Sleep more (Or else my 8am classes are going to kill me)
-Vote! (Register. . . )

I could think of a lot more, but I think those are good starting points.

To tie up a few other loose ends from 2011, here is my Winter Break Soundtrack. Good stuff:

And some pictures from my trip to D.C. and the surrounding states:

Family at the National Zoo

Standing on the lawn of George Washington's Mount Vernon Mansion, overlooking the Potomac.

In the incredible National Gallery of Art. Can I just live there?

I've had a wonderful Winter Break. Being away from my family has made me appreciate the time I spend with them even more. I'm returning to school with a re-vamped wardrobe, (slightly) shorter hair, beautiful memories of skiing, touring, visiting, and relaxing, and an increased drive to ace this next semester.

2012. It's just the beginning.

Washington's Wharf

2011-12-29T18:38:00.000-08:00

Today we returned to a haunt of my childhood: George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate. As we trekked along the winding gravel paths leading us from Washington's mansion to the slave quarters and the dock on the Potomac river, Mom described forgotten memories from the time when we lived in the neighboring town of Alexandria. The Potomac took my breath away. It was silent and gray and still in the soft December sun.

Nenna

2011-12-25T13:57:00.000-08:00

I nicknamed my daughter when I was ten years old.

She is my earliest memory of a time when I wrote for someone else, simply because I wanted to. Although she was—and continues to be—only a dream, I wrote to her in a silky smooth journal with all of the earnest, motherly love my precocious heart could muster.

I never actually intended to name my daughter Nenna. Rather, I envisioned that it would be a mysterious, affectionate nickname that she would never really understand until her tenth birthday when I gave her the diary. Flipping through the pages of the lavender spiral-bound notebook, she would find quotes, magazine clippings, recipes, and pieces of advice from her ten year-old mother, all addressed to “Dearest Nenna."

This was the first time that I recognized the ability of writing to transcend time. It didn’t matter that I was only ten years old; it didn’t matter that I wouldn’t have a daughter for years and years. It never occurred to me that my advice might seem outdated and juvenile, or even humorous. I wrote for myself, what I wished I could hear from the past.

I wrote for my daughter, a more distant piece of me, imagining the echoes of my past colliding with the future.

"My darling girl,

2011-12-24T21:42:00.000-08:00

When are you going to realize that being normal is not necessarily a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage."

--Alice Hoffman

Taken from Wily Brunette

Unfamiliar Familiarity

2011-12-20T23:30:00.000-08:00

There is something strange about coming home after four months. It's unfamiliar familiarity.

You step through the threshold and the aroma of the house floods your nose, strong enough to evoke emotion-memories, subtle enough to prevent you from ever being able to recall it anywhere else.

You have to re-adjust your habits: simple motions and repetitive actions. The microwave is too high, the counters are too low. You grope around in the dark, swatting at the walls, trying to remember where the light switch is. Your foot rises and falls on level ground--you imagined an extra stair.

As I return to old places, detailed memories I'd let go flood back. Stepping into my room, I'm reminded of the new-house smell that marked my first months in West Virginia. The smell of paint and new carpet, blended with the memory of the music from my alarm clock, wearily sounding the return of another 5 am morning. And other vague sensory details associated with the swollen heart and twisted gut I thought would never fade.

My room heater hums and I think of lying on the floor, soaking in the heat like a reptile, phone practically melded to my ear, mouth spewing nothing and everything. Which reminds me of my first winter here: the endless snow days, trudging through a forest knee-deep in snow, sledding and eating pumpkin waffles with good friends. Beauty that I didn't fully see until it had passed me by.

Friends come and go. Years melt together. A little pain here, a lot of joy there.

Time, rolling forward, never stopping before the unfamiliar becomes the familiar, and the familiar becomes the unfamiliar again.

Sometimes

2011-12-12T19:24:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you leave seven page papers to the day before, relying on your ability to write like a madman under extreme deadlines. . .
It's finals season.
Sometimes you live off of frozen GoGurts like you're ten again. . .
It's called a healthy coping strategy.
Sometimes you don't get the job you wanted for external reasons. . .
And sometimes it's because of internal ones.
Sometimes it doesn't snow in December, and in fact, feels a whole lot more like a balmy October. . .
But you grin and bear it because it's prime running weather.
Sometimes you realize that what you thought was the worst place in the world. . .
Is actually beginning to feel like home.
Sometimes you're impressed by how much you've changed over the year. . .
Until you realize that the same things still make you laugh and cry.
Sometimes the best thing in the world is a hot shower. . .
With December's playlist blasting.

Breakdown

2011-12-04T18:48:00.000-08:00

Well, here it is, the last two weeks of the semester have arrived! These past few months have just flown by and I barely know where the time has gone. It feels oh so good to see the assignments on my various syllabuses get checked off one-by-one. I'm going to push through two more weeks of partying and studying (er--sorry, other way around, study then party), and then, as my good friend Jack Johnson relates, I'll be about ready to breakdown. Too bad I can't just surf and beach-bum my cares away. I can't tell you how much I've missed my queen-sized bed though. It'll be nice to settle between my fifteen pillows, and my huge, heavy comforter, as the snow drifts between the West Virginia hills. And maybe go to sleep before 2:00 am? Nahh, probably not.

(Wish I took this--photo courtesy of templesquarehospitality.com)

This Friday some friends and I went to the Gateway, walked around Temple Square and checked out the lights, and even took a trip down memory lane as we drove through my old neighborhood. This morning I was back in Salt Lake with a fellow Canadian to listen to Music and the Spoken Word in the Conference Center. It was such a nice way to usher in the Christmas season! I can hardly believe it's here. Between Relient K Christmas albums, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, I'm starting to get into the spirit of things.

Here's a blurb from the spoken word portion of Music and the Spoken Word that I enjoyed:

"Observe any family or neighborhood and you will find that the most precious moments usually take place during day-to-day living: a sister helps her younger siblings with homework, a mother tenderly cares for a sick child, a father plays catch with his son, a widow invites friends to her home, a neighbor shovels the snow, a teacher explains a concept at a child's desk. These events are not to be ignored or diminished just because they seem small or ordinary. They are meaningful in the most profound way, yet they are cloaked in the commonplace, the everyday. . . We may not hear angels sing or see a new star in the heavens, but we can sense in our souls when something significant is happening. When we do, we will find that these are not ordinary events at all."

Good luck with finals and wrapping up school, everyone! West Virginia, I'll see you soon.

Rumour Has It

2011-11-26T14:59:00.000-08:00

. . . that this is the catchiest thing to come off of Glee thus far.
Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

Doesn't the title just inspire you to start using British spelling?
"Rumour" sounds so much more elegant and mysterious than plain old "rumor". And can't you see yourself wearing a floor-length gown to the "theatre," as opposed to the "theater" where you might spend a dollar to see a film? Those English know what they're doing with their English.

As far as Adele goes, here is another cover that manages to do her justice:

The world needs more curvy, soulful, talented artists worth replicating. Adele, I'm a fan.

Fournier

2011-11-23T20:58:00.000-08:00

Photo cred: wiki music

Just think everyone should know about this guy. Because he's been in my ear a lot lately.

Sean Fournier. Download for free right here.

Personality, Professors & November's Playlist

2011-11-18T01:12:00.000-08:00

Forever 21 shirt + Pigtails = Halloween costume?

Yesterday I took the Myers-Briggs test for kicks. My results seemed surprisingly accurate:

E- Extroversion
N- Intuition
F- Feeling
P-Perceiving

In other words, not a single letter from the concrete, logical, and grounded side. Oh dear. So here it is, according to Myers-Briggs I'm:

Warmly enthusiastic and imaginative. I see life as full of possibilities. Make connections between events and information very quickly, and confidently proceed based on the patterns seen. Want a lot of affirmation from others, and readily give appreciation and support. I'm spontaneous and flexible, often relying on the ability to improvise and my verbal fluency.

I was delighted to discover that my writing professor and I have the same letter combination. Have I mentioned that I adore her? She's the kind of person who bakes cookies and brings them to class, who meets with you to go over your paper a second time, who tells funny stories about her mission and shares inspiring, thought-provoking personal experiences that are somehow completely relevant to different writing concepts we are discussing. She's the kind of person who brings up pictures of her kids and husband, sighs deeply, and says

"Oh you guys, this is what you have to look forward to. You have no idea how much joy is waiting for you."

I love that.

I love how she teaches for us and not just to us. She doesn't teach down to us, and for that I respect her so much. Our class is only about twenty people strong so we've become pretty close-knit this semester. We've had some incredible in-class discussions and I've made some friends I know I'll be keeping around.

In a different vein, November's been an excellent month for music. My tastes have been more acoustic, I've just been flowing with the cozy, chill fall vibe. I decided that I had a quintessential fall moment which I described in a recent missionary letter:

I am curled up on the living room couch, listening to some John Mayer classics and taking in the smell of delicious pumpkin chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven. When I glance up,the mountains outside the window fill up my view. They have a reddish hue from all of the changing tree colors, but no snow just quite yet. The trees closest to our apartment are bright yellow tinged in brown, but most of the leaves have fallen. The sky is bright blue with no clouds to be seen. It’s a perfect fall day in Provo.

I think Jack Johnson and John Mayer are pretty interchangeable in that first sentence. They're the sound of deep, slow, rich happiness.

So without further ado, November's playlist (containing much less of the aforementioned artists, but some good stuff nonetheless).

November by Paige Montgomery on Grooveshark

Life Slice

2011-11-17T17:52:00.000-08:00

Right now I'm sitting in the Cougareat, sipping a small, caffeine-free cup of Diet Coke. Basically it's doing nothing for me, but I'm hoping the taste will trick my body into revving up my energy. Placebo effect, eh?
I'm voraciously slurping--in the most refined manner possible--the last contents of the cup now, because I just took a gigantic bite of my hot and spicy chicken and rice bowl from Teriyaki Stix. They weren't lying about the hot and spicy. I've decided that the chicken and rice combo, or maybe just rice, is one of my go-to comfort foods. I feel like a list of said food is in order:

Paige's Comfort Food List
Peanut Butter
PB&J
Hot bread (tortillas, freshly homemade bread, pitas)
Burritos
Peach Popsicles
Orange Juice
Hot Chocolate
Grapefruit
Apples
Chocolate chips
Pretzels
Hot applesauce with cinnamon
Chicken and rice

Could be a lot worse, eh? (Please note my Canadian-ness in using "eh?" twice in the same blog post.)
Buy me any of these things and I'm yours forever. Or, at least a week.

The sounds of the food court are washing over me, a blur of feminine giggles and masculine guffaws and side-conversations. I'm awkwardly sitting directly in front of someone I recognize from high school and I'm trying not to make eye contact or stare. My lips are still burning from the chicken. Food and drink gone, I'm trying to find an excuse not to leave this table before I lock myself away in the depths of the Harold B. Lee Library, never to surface until my research paper is complete.

I mean it this time.

Right now, as I'm sitting here, I'm missing people. I miss my family, I miss my friends away at college, I miss my friends away on missions. I'm missing the depth of my friendship with those people. I have to remind myself that it never came quickly. Things of great value rarely just fall into our laps. Still, I can't help but think that it all came so much more naturally in high school. There's just so. many. people. here at BYU. And not enough time to really move beyond the preliminaries with everyone.

Lest you worry, I'm far from lonely or homesick. I'm constantly interacting with wonderful, intelligent people. I've met so many of them. I'm just growing weary of small-talk and starting to ache for one of those soul-searching, up-all-night conversations. Or maybe just a solid talk with someone new. Someone who is on the same energy level as me, who will get excited about things with me, who will talk about something other than school but still ask me what my favorite book is. Someone who I want to talk to just as much as they want to talk to me, and vice verse. Something new.

For now, I'm marching forward with my eyes open for some place-holders for my missing friends. And I have a feeling, just an inkling, that my heart might even open up some new spaces.

Scraping up the last bit of rice in my bowl, I watch a man and wife converse in Sign Language. They're laughing. I keep on thinking the man is motioning to me, I'm thrown off by his extraneous movements. There's something romantic about their silent conversation. It's private even in public, it's warm. It's lovely.

Maybe it's not just words I'm missing, maybe I'm just beginning to forget that feeling, the experience of sitting side-by-side with someone, saying nothing, and being totally comfortable with that. I think that's the true measure of a friendship. When there's nothing left to be said, you're happy to just

Be.

Follow Your Bliss

2011-10-31T22:53:00.000-07:00

“Follow your bliss.

If you do follow your bliss,
you put yourself on a kind of track
that has been there all the while waiting for you,
and the life you ought to be living
is the one you are living.
When you can see that,
you begin to meet people
who are in the field of your bliss,
and they open the doors to you.
I say, follow your bliss and don't be afraid,
and doors will open
where you didn't know they were going to be.
If you follow your bliss,
doors will open for you that wouldn't have opened for anyone else.”

― Joseph Campbell

For Your Music Funk

2011-10-21T00:03:00.000-07:00

Listen to what the girls in this Apt. have had blasting from their iPods through the month of October.

Unless of course you already hang out with us a bunch. In which case you probably have the lyrics to each of these songs memorized.

Grammar Love

2011-10-20T22:10:00.000-07:00

This picture solidified what I've thought for years: a good--no, impeccable-- command over the English language (or any other language for that matter, but that's a blog post for another day) is an incredibly attractive quality in a guy. Or maybe it's simply the fact that the lack thereof is extremely distasteful. It's all about the your/you're, definately/definitely, and the "lol". No man--or any guy hoping to fill such a title--should ever, ever type "lol".

Not ever.

Bonus points if he can correctly spell bigger words than me.

Waterton

2011-10-19T16:46:00.000-07:00

Today I rediscovered some pictures I took this summer at one of my favorite National Parks in one of my favorite places in the world: Waterton, Alberta, Canada.

The Secret About Me

2011-10-18T00:59:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I have thousands of words building within me

My words, they are sharp fragments of emotion piercing through my vocal chords
And when they're finally released, they come out in volumes
A novel for each fragment

Word upon word, line upon line
Trying to describe something I can't explain but only feel

Clarity often fails me because as I'm speaking (or furiously typing)
I'm discerning
It's a simultaneous process
To speak and write is to understand
Not to resolve

And that's the secret about me

When they're all out I'm empty
Not better but more clear

Often my words, they hang there,
Selfish, meaningless, ranting
Exposed

I wish I never shared them
Because hours, months, years later
I see how lost I was in my narrow context

But sometimes,
Just sometimes,
They bring meaning and depth
They form a bond from my heart to another empathetic one

It's that rare person to love me enough
To wade through the verbosity and
Acknowledge the process while skimming over the confusion spewing forth
The person who leaves me thinking
Yes, that is exactly what I meant

My very own paraphraser

Afterwards I'll be quiet for a time
I never was the biggest talker
Introversion will overcome
For when the words are no longer necessary
Then the sorting, the healing, the changing can begin

There are many words I regret
A few simple ones I'll never rescind
And many more waiting to come forth

That's the secret about me

First Collegiate Post

2011-10-02T01:49:00.000-07:00

Rachel, Julie, Lindsey, Paige

In order to fully immerse you in our college experience, here is the playlist of our semester so far. Selected songs represent blissful nights cruising in the car, roommate jam sessions, FHE sing alongs, and everything else we've been jamming out to as we get ready in the morning or do our dishes. Voila! Enjoy.

I ran into a long-lost friend in the library the other day. Instead of a typical greeting, the first thing out of his mouth was "Update your blog!"

I guess it's an external manifestation of what I already know: I have been rather negligent with my posts, especially considering all of the events that have transpired! And ugh, I promised myself I would never write an apology blog for not posting regularly. But I just blew that one, no?

Suffice it to say that I am having the time of my life here. I love the spiritual atmosphere, I love my writing professor (finally, a good one!), I love my crazy, fun, generous and accepting roomies, I love being on the Student Advisory Council, I love playing in the Symphony Orchestra, I love staying out late, meeting new people, holing myself up in the library (and succumbing to the sleep that often strikes as I nestle into a plush couch).

I even kind of love the feeling of pushing a shopping cart around and picking up my groceries, of learning to cook for myself (PB&J dinners have only happened a couple of times), of blocking out hours to write just because I can. I'm finding it satisfying to balance my check book and I'm starting to experience that nag in my stomach to get a job and earn an income, however small. I'm working on it.

It's a simple pleasure to stroll around campus with my sunglasses and red lipstick on, to feel the wind in my hair as I cruise down the hill on my bike as I head home for the day. I'm facing a thousand different options at every turn and trying to narrow them down to forge a path for myself, hoping that it's the right one in the end. I'm learning that time management is everything, because these four years are all mine and I won't get them back again. They are mine to serve and learn and study and discuss and play and sleep and eat. Mine to prepare for the rest of my life.

Socially. . . it's been very social. Basically I've discovered that you can find or create a party at any hour of the day or night. And when curfew comes, you just take outside, or somewhere else. So far I've learned to longboard, gone to Swiss Days, watched my first televised football game (and eventually figured out how the heck those downs and yards worked--don't judge), screamed my voice away at a few football games, watched a soccer game, hiked the Y, attended three classical concerts, performed with the Symphony Orchestra, played endless rounds of beach volleyball, had movie nights galore, eaten at In N' Out, gone for a 1 am Denny's run, attended three dances, hosted a DDR party in our dorm, planned two birthday parties, volunteered with the Utah Healing Arts, participated in a massive game of dodgeball, ridden around in an open air Jeep until the crack of dawn, and attended the morning session of conference. To name a few things.

Before my mother has a heart attack, rest assured, I'm getting my homework done. And it has been done well. I have the drive to do my work. The issue is that I don't necessarily have the drive to get to bed before 2 am.

Working on it.

I was struck by this verse the other night in my Book of Mormon study:
1 Nephi 21:16- Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

I love that image--being engraven upon the palms of Christ. It is both a figurative and a literal statement, for not only is He always mindful of us, but the scars on His hands stand as a witness that he loved us individually long before we arrived on this earth. I know I have been blessed throughout my short time here and I have felt His influence catered towards my individual needs in ways that I can't deny.

If you're a family member or friend that I don't see every week/live with, know that I miss you. I am fully realizing (though I never doubted it before) what a wonderful family I have come from and how lucky I am for all of the wonderful friendships I have been blessed to develop through the years. Thank you for your role in my life. Let's keep in touch :).

Look here, my dear. . .

2011-08-19T08:48:00.000-07:00

Listening to Steve Moakler as I unload the contents of my closet onto my quickly disappearing floor. I have several half-written blogs but few coherent words at the moment.

The time that has dragged for so many years is suddenly whipping me forward in a whirlwind, faster than ever before. My life is about to change. And I can't wait.

But right now I don't feel much of anything. The excitement will come, and with it, some lingering sadness. I know this much. But in this moment, all I can do is keep my mind present in each passing hour. Because my hours of safety and familiarity and comfort are slipping through my fingers. And sometimes, no matter how much you long for adventure, nothing is quite the same as your own warm bed and your mother's home cooking.

Download his album here

You won't be disappointed.

Dancing to Iron and Wine

2011-08-07T18:22:00.000-07:00

This weekend I went to watch a modern dance performance with my friends Emily (budding fashion journalist and bassist-extraordinaire), and Alex (hilarious, soon-to-be D.C. resident at GW--lucky girl). I absolutely loved it! Modern has to be my favorite style of dancing to watch. I've found that you can always count on two things when attending these shows: each act will be unique and engaging, and when the night is over you will rush home and download at least two of the songs you heard.

I was amazed by several of the dancers who were able to evoke deep and not necessarily straight-forward or obvious emotions in a very clear and striking manner. It was like they were creating an emotionally-charged outline--I saw rage, deep, sickening sadness, hopelessness, helplessness, spirituality, love, determination, and joy-- that you filled in with your personal experiences. The effect was a touching and thought-provoking experience. It's comforting to see such emotion displayed externally, to feel that you are not alone even in your innermost experiences of pain and bliss.

One of my favorite dances was choreographed to the song "Boy With a Coin" by Iron and Wine. I've loved the band Iron and Wine for a while now. Their music both breaks my heart and makes me want to twirl in my bare feet around a camp fire, or something wild like that. I suppose my bedroom will have to do.

I thought the music video was fitting. Enjoy!

6:20

2011-08-02T20:30:00.000-07:00

Six minutes and twenty seconds of peace. Drop whatever you're doing, take a listen.

Y'welcome.

Someone please tell me. . .

2011-07-31T19:14:00.000-07:00

When did my little brother become such a stud? I had a little beach photo shoot this weekend. Behold:

Little Boo was looking pretty GQ himself:

Characteristics of a Leader: Aung San Suu Kyi

2011-07-26T15:52:00.000-07:00

In the bold opening line of her 1990 “Freedom from Fear” speech, Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of Burma's National League for Democracy, declared that
"It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it.”
She went on to describe the three types of corruption her fellow citizens of the oppressed country of Burma most abhor: bhaya-gati--- allowing fear to destroy all sense of right and wrong, dosa-gati---taking the wrong path to spite those against whom one bears ill will, and chanda-gati---deviation from the right path in pursuit of bribes or for the sake of those one loves. In light of her release on November 13, 2010 from yet another prolonged house arrest, Suu Kyi has caught my eye as a sincere and devoted leader who, throughout her rise to influence, has consistently taken the higher road as she has avoided these three paths to corruption. Although I do not know that I could ever exhibit the strength and wisdom Suu Kyi has demonstrated over the years, I hope to one day similarly dedicate myself to a worthy cause and pursue it with such selflessness.

In 1990, the same year in which she penned “Freedom from Fear," Aung San Suu Kyi stood as the nominee for Burma's National League for Democracy in the first open election the stifling military junta had held in years. Though beloved by the Burmese people who refer to her with the honorific title Daw Suu, the military junta working behind the State Law and Order Restoration Council declared her to be a threat to the public peace and order and placed her under house arrest. Suu Kyi's confinement did not shake the confidence of the Burmese people in their passionate leader and her party overwhelmingly took the election with 83% of the seats in parliament. However, the junta turned a blind eye to these staggering results, and continued down their path of violence, unjust imprisonment, and suppression of the values of democracy. In opposition to the principle of bhaya-gati, Suu Kyi did not allow any fear she might have felt from this totalitarian form of government distort her sense of right and wrong. Routinely resisting the government ban on political gatherings of more than four people, she risked her life and her freedom in order to share her message of Democracy and hope for a brighter future with the Burmese people.

In my life, I seek to develop the moral courage to stand up for what I know to be true, despite opposition. I hope to exhibit Suu Kyi's conviction as I stand by my moral and ethical beliefs, and not allow the fear of rejection, ridicule, or physical or emotional harm prevent me from acting upon my sure knowledge.

Suu Kyi's release last November renewed her connection with the global media. In an interview with the BBC, her political strategy was ascertained by a reporter who asked her whether she wanted to see the military junta fall. Characteristic of her elegant and sincere manner, she replied
“I don't want to see the military falling; I want to see them rising to dignified heights.”
Profoundly influenced by the nonviolent leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi, Suu Kyi has avoided dosa-gati, or taking the wrong path to spite others. Rather than seeking to overtake the government by force, her life's work has been to prepare Burma for a nonviolent revolution, one in which the current leaders are educated and inspired to govern the country more justly.

I am particularly impressed that, as a female in a country where women traditionally have little power, Suu Kyi has not compromised her inherently feminine characteristics by attempting to intimidate or dominate Burma's horrifically oppressive government. What I learn from her example, is that aggression does not wield lasting influence. By seeking peaceful settlements, she has gained far more respect, and has been able to do much more good for her country. If I could take on any one of her characteristics, it would be this one: the ability to set emotions aside, and rationally and calmly discuss an issue with a conflicting party. This attribute is extremely advantageous, not only professionally, but personally as well. Suu Kyi stated:
“I don't think violence really pays, I think violence begets violence.”
In the same way, Suu Kyi believes that empathy begets empathy. In any situation, like Suu Kyi, I hope to be able to counteract aggression and violence with empathy and peaceful demonstrations.

Of all of the sacrifices I could make for a cause, the most costly to me would be my family. The loss of food, home, and possessions would be nothing compared to the loss of those that are most dear to my heart. During her time in Burma, Suu Kyi was faced with a new challenge: chanda-gati, corruption induced by desire through deviation from the right path for the sake of those one loves. In 1972 she married Michael Aris, a well-known scholar she had met while attending the University of Oxford. They had two sons and settled in England, though Suu Kyi knew that at some point she would have to return to her native home. Suu Kyi unexpectedly returned to Burma in 1988 to aid her ailing mother and during her stay became involved with the National League for Democracy. She quickly rose to the prominent position of General Secretary within this organization and, as a result, became a prisoner within her own homeland, held in bondage by a series of government-induced house arrests. For many years, she was isolated from her husband and sons in a country far away from her current residence. However, Suu Kyi's greatest challenge came in 1999 when she received word that her husband was dying from cancer. The government denied Aris permission to visit his wife during the last year of his life and Suu Kyi feared that the government would not let her return to the Burma if she left. Aris died without ever saying a final goodbye to her. Her desire to work for liberty and justice was so great that she could not deviate from her path, no matter how great the cost.

This event stands as a touching embodiment of wholehearted dedication. I do not believe that I will ever be in a situation as brutally conflicted as this, but if I were motivated by her drive and unwavering determination, I can only imagine the goals I could reach and the lives I could touch.

In her “Freedom from Fear," Aung San Suu Kyi summarized her ideal revolution. She said,
“The quintessential revolution is that of the spirit, born of an intellectual conviction of the need for change in those mental attitudes and values which shape the course of a nation's development. A revolution which aims merely at changing official policies and institutions with a view to an improvement in material conditions has little chance of genuine success.”
Aung San Suu Kyi's immense influence as a leader is the result of this very philosophy: not only should the government structure evolve, but the people too. Suu Kyi is leading this revolution of the spirit as she embodies the antithesis of bhaya-gati, dosa-gati, and chanda-gati by demonstrating great courage, empathy, and determination. These are qualities worthy of emulation by all of us. Her example inspires me to walk taller, speak out more frequently in support of my beliefs and values, focus more strongly on my goals, and show more compassion and understanding towards those who may disagree with or oppose me. In these things, I am determined to follow her example.

The Dream

2011-07-17T20:46:00.000-07:00

This afternoon I laid down in pure exhaustion and fell into a deep three and half hour Sunday nap.

As the hours slipped by, I began to toss and turn. My room sweltered in the mid-July heat and beads of sweat pealed down from my hairline, cascading over my eyelid and quivering on the side of my nose. I woke periodically, turning over on my side to banish the distressing, murky dreams still fresh in my momentarily conscious mind.

I fell again into the quiet darkness of the unconscious. And suddenly everything became very clear. Clear and cool and bright, a sparkling pitcher of freshly stirred lemonade compared to the grainy coffee of my previous dreams. I was crossing a stream.

The current looked benign and the water seemed deep enough only to graze the bottoms of my knees. I took a step, and then another, delicately tip-toeing over the smooth but jutting pebbles covering the creek bottom. And then I was swept under.

It happened just like that. I had no fear of getting caught by a current and no foresight that sudden danger was ahead. I certainly had no idea of the seemingly sudden depth and darkness of the creek. My entire body was submerged and I hung suspended, weightless like a spaceman, face turned skyward beneath the surface of the water.

Shimmering sunlight filtered down towards me and I caught glimpses of trees and the sky as I was rushed along the creek's frantic course. The lack of oxygen was suffocating me; I felt as though a pillow was pressed against my mouth and nose. Every part of me screamed to fight the current, to break the surface, but I could no longer feel my limbs. Totally physically incapacitated, I was as helpless as a rag doll mistakenly caught in a whirlpool.

I thought of my friends and family on the creek shore. They could pull me out, but I doubted whether they could see me, and if they could, whether they could catch up with the distance the current had already swept me.

My head spun yet I refrained from the urge to inhale water. It was a losing battle. My heart seemed to swell up into my throat and the reflex to breathe became more and more undeniable.

And then, I burst from the water just as instantaneously as I had been pulled in. My eyes immediately flew open and I awoke. It was as though my only escape from the watery depths was in the conscious world.

One could psychoanalyze my dream. It would be easy to derive apparent fears and insecurities from this strange sequence.

But I can only think of the invisible power that lifted me from the depths and endowed me with new life-giving air when I had nothing else.

Enchanted

2011-07-14T21:53:00.000-07:00

By this song.

I've been listening to it in loops thanks to a suggestion from my future roomie. The melody has a strangely soothing yet haunting effect on me. My favorite part is the first line. At first I thought he was singing "I bit my tongue in the awkward conversation." However, I was delighted to discover that the lyric is "I bit my tongue in the arc of conversation." Isn't that lovely? I love that image. Holding yourself back as a conversation crescendos and feeling the energy fall straight back to where you started from.

Polaroid

2011-07-11T18:47:00.000-07:00

Tall, dark and handsome, what else does he need? Oh yeah, maybe some Poladroid! Some beachy portraits from my family's day at Little Bow Lake with some editing help from this sweet app. Even if you're not a fan of the "retro" photo quality, the little polaroid camera that appears on your desktop and shoots out your photos to allow them to "develop" in front of your eyes is so worth it. Download it here.

Prairie Life

2011-07-10T21:38:00.000-07:00

We passed these stunning animals on the way to the family farm in Stavely, Alberta. Yes, that's right, family farm! Turns out, I come from a line of cowboy-boot-and-buckle-wearing, true-blue ranchers making a hard-earned living on the sea of prairie grass.

After being tucked away in the hills of West Virginia for quite some time now, there was an amazing sense of openess and freedom that overwhelmed me as I stepped into the prairie. The sky has never appeared so wide, nor the horizon so distant.

We visited a creek tucked away in a hidden valley well below the serenely flowing prairie grasses. As the creek winds its way through the tree-shaded valley, it eventually widens and increases in enough depth to create a small swimming hole.

Smooth, sandy cliffs contain the far side of the creek in this area, creating a soft contrast against the rich azure sky. These cliffs host hundreds of bird's nests as well as flocks of avid cliff jumpers. Swallows and leaping children fill the air.

I love the stories of my Nana and Papa coming here as children. I imagine them splashing in the crisp, tan water, oblivious to the way their live's paths would flow together.

Both of them with no idea of the way their children and grandchildren would travel for miles to reach the fabled swimming hole where their grandparents once swam after a long, hot week on the farm.

It makes me look forward to the day when I will look back and smile at the things I never could have guessed would happen. A day when my past is remembered by my children and grandchildren. Perhaps another day on the prairie.

Summer Reading

2011-07-08T15:54:00.000-07:00

Just finished:

This book was beautifully written. The author gave care to each word, artistically building witty and insightful descriptions of the life and mental state of a collegiate runner consumed by his sport. I found myself laughing at the subtly humourous passages and reading unusual and delicious descriptions out loud to anyone around me. Be warned, Once A Runner contained a lot more profanity than I expected, showing up in most of the dialouges. However, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the work.

A gem from the novel:

"It is simply that we can all be good boys and wear our letter sweaters around and get our little degrees and find some nice girl to settle, you know, down with...Or we can blaze! Become legends in our own time, strike fear in the heart of mediocre talent everywhere! We can scald dogs, put records out of reach! Make the stands gasp as we blow into an unearthly kick from three hundred yards out! We can become God's own messengers delivering the dreaded scrolls! We can race dark Satan himself till he wheezes fiery cinders down the back straightaway....They'll speak our names in hushed tones, 'those guys are animals' they'll say! We can lay it on the line, bust a gut, show them a clean pair of heels. We can sprint the turn on a spring breeze and feel the winter leave our feet! We can let our demons loose and just wail on!"

Now who wouldn't want to go for a run after that?

Still ebbing away at:

I've been reading this book since December, but that doesn't mean it's slow reading. It's just really, really long-- and justly so, her life has been one long adventure. Madam Secretary is (in my limited scope of reading), the best autobiography I've delved into. This book has all of the components: fascinating foriegn policy, touching personal accounts, and wildly funny anecdotes involving some of the world's greatest leaders. I've been so inspired by Madeleine Albright that after reading about her experiences at Wellesley College, I went ahead and applied.

Just started:

A classic! I can't believe I haven't read it before. It's a short book (a novella), and reads somewhat like a story book with no chapters to break up the prose. I think I will finish it quickly and the move on to:

I have a deep love for futuristic dystopian novels that I hope this will feed.

And then:

It's been sitting on my shelf long enough that I want to break into it and let the story free.

Hopefully I can get through most of these this month so I can fit in the rest of my list! Dad and I are watching The Great Gatsby tonight, I'll see whether it inspires me to read the book or not.

The Ranch

2011-07-01T22:20:00.000-07:00

We stayed at a close family friend's ranch in Southern Alberta this week and I managed to get my hands on a camera for the first time in a long while. I couldn't let these beautiful scenes escape me. Something about jagged mountains, flowing waves of grass, and sweet little blue-doored cabins tucked away in secret meadows fill me with elation and a delicious sense of mystery. The camera is my eye to the bubbling life and piercing yet elusive sense of reminiscence beneath it all. If only I could capture it better.

More to follow.

An Afternoon

2011-06-30T23:38:00.000-07:00

"Later she remembered all the hours of the afternoon as happy--one of those uneventful times that seem at the moment only a link between past and future pleasure, but turn out to have been the pleasure itself."

F. Scott Fitzgerald

That Moment When

2011-06-18T00:27:00.000-07:00

You confide in someone and they begin spewing solutions. You find your self saying "I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm fine." And you realize that all this time you wanted to be understood, you really just wanted to understand for yourself.

And then you start to believe it.

"If you hold onto the handle, she said, it's easier to maintain the illusion of control. But it's more fun if you let the wind carry you."

--Brian Andreas

Never Grow Up

2011-06-10T21:21:00.000-07:00

Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!

2011-05-28T11:17:00.000-07:00

Or, in the common vernacular rather than legalese: Hear ye! Hear ye! Hear ye!

Today I graduated. After four years of learning and growing on two ends of the country, I'm ready for something new! Hillcrest High, Morgantown High, it's been real.

Summer Is

2011-05-26T13:30:00.000-07:00

Red toenails and big sunglasses. Morning runs, breathing in the fresh, dewy air. My running shorts, now not only exercise-wear but daytime attire and PJs as well. My hair in a curly mess, relegated to a pile on top of my head. Thunderstorms and ripe strawberries. Lazy afternoon naps, book lists. Freedom and food and dancing wildly to my favorite tunes. My friends. Some here, some there, with prospects of many more beautiful days with them ahead.

Catch a Ride or Catch a Cab. . .

2011-05-07T10:29:00.000-07:00

Run :).

Lunch

2011-05-06T09:08:00.000-07:00

It's true, I can't stand cafeteria food. Even the act of sitting in the school cafeteria makes me queasy as I take in the unappealing sights and smells of school entrees. As a delicious alternative, I have been bringing a homemade lunch to school ever since I entered the public education system in eighth grade. Now approaching the close of my high school experience, I find myself reflecting upon this daily ritual which has unfailingly fueled my mind and body. My unusual habit of dividing my lunch between the four periods of the day has even bolstered my mid-day meal into a state of school-wide acclaim.

So just what are the contents of this magnificent lunch you might ask? I'll break down the Classic Paige Lunch for you.

First up: the PB&J.

Not just any PB&J, my sandwiches are strictly gourmet. I use whole wheat (preferably homemade) bread, organic chunky peanut butter, and berry preserves (ideally strawberry freezer jam). Yum.

Gala Apples

Two per day, in fact. I usually consume the first apple during homeroom and can be seen munching on the second through an AP Gov lecture on voting trends or the Iron Triangle.

Baby Carrots

These crisp and sweet vegetables get me through my math and AP Environmental classes. Sometimes I get amused (annoyed?) glances from other students in the class after a particularly loud carrot snap as I munch my way through the bunch.

Almonds and Raisins

This lunch item comes in several variations. Sometimes I only have natural almonds. Sometimes I have roasted almonds, or roasted almonds with raisins, or--my personal favorite-- roasted AND salted almonds with craisins. Definitely a craisin fan.

And finally, some form of citrus such as an orange or grapefruit.

One day as I ambled down the school hallway eating my peeled grapefruit, I was stopped by a horrified student who thought I was nibbling on raw meat. I assured her that looks were deceiving. The grapefruit is also interchangeable with oranges and mandarin oranges, depending on the season.

The result of all of these years of wholesome, tasty lunches? A well-fed, high school graduate! (As of May 28).

What will I do in college??

Senioritis?

2011-04-28T19:39:00.000-07:00

(Your favorite West Virginian)

Call it what you will. . .

But today after going to early morning seminary, I came home and crashed in my bed until about 10:30.

I did some studying, ate some homemade banana bread, practiced my violin, and wrote a scholarship application.

It was nice. Who needs high school? :)

A Truth

2011-04-24T21:50:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the things you think will never change--do. Time pushes in two directions: it sends the present spiraling backward and it grasps the future, drawing the unknown ever closer.
A blink of an eye, a shifting week, a passing month. Before you know it, the defining truths of your life, balanced so precariously in the tender palm of the present, begin to fade.

The future draws nearer, yet the echoes of the past still reverberate. The sound is swollen and heavy and throbbing, it fills the present. Much more than an echo, you realize it's a truth, a deep memory, caught between the dissipating past and the impending future. It is latched between the two sides, tearing slowly as they diverge. And no amount of pressure or care, anger or sadness, can restore it. You aren't strong enough to prevent the dichotomy between WAS and IS.

Time insistently pulls forward and backward and the sweet truth trembles under the growing rift. To ignore the echoes is impossible, to live in the present-past with the memory is delusional. So, you choose the forward-bound side and hope that when the tear is complete, the larger portion of the truth fell to that side too.

Tree Vlog

2011-04-16T09:13:00.000-07:00

Don't mind my just-woke-up hairstyle or Hunter's on-the-spot newscasting. Desperate times call for desperate measures ;).

Vlog... you like?

River

2011-04-07T18:00:00.000-07:00

I feel like I can inhale this picture and capture all of its olfactory subtleties in one deep breath. The smell is so familiar and distinct that I can almost taste it, taste the quivering olive trees and the sweetly pungent river mud. I close my eys and the warm sun runs over my shoulders and the flowing river and smooth smooth skipping stones fall beneath my feet.

My breathing space, my thinking space, my talking space.
The gracious host of the annual bonfire and the welcoming friend when my head is spinning.
A hiding spot and a meeting spot.

Home.

Jane Eyre

2011-04-01T21:14:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday I enjoyed settling down on the living room couch with Mom to catch up on the general young women broadcast (watch here). As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I always look forward to this annual conference which inspires me to rededicate myself spiritually to the principles and values upon which I ground my life.

The talks were all wonderful, but I was particularly struck by Sister Ann M. Dibb's reference to my favorite novel: Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte. Sister Dibb spoke about being honest and true and described how Jane, a penniless young governess, exemplified what it means to live with unshakeable integrity.

From an abusive childhood, to a stringent, miserable girl's school, Jane finally finds refuge as a governess at Thornfield Mansion owned by the brooding Mr. Rochester. Jane and Mr. Rochester fall in love, but Mr. Rochester holds a dark secret that prevents him from marrying her. When faced with the choice between living with the man she loves or standing by the principles in which she believes, Jane professes her convictions through this powerful soliloquy:

"Who in the world cares for you? or who will be injured by what you do?” Still indomitable was the reply: “I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself. I will keep the law given by God. . . Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation, they are for such moments as this. If at my individual convenience I might break them, what would be their worth? They have a worth, so I have always believed. Preconceived opinions, foregone determinations, are all I have at this hour to stand by. There, I plant my foot."

I hope that in my hours of greatest temptation and discouragement, I, too, will fight for my principles because of their great worth, not just in the sight of man, but of God.

On a side note, I am excited to see the newest film adaptation!

Haunted

2011-03-31T18:36:00.000-07:00

Taylor Swift takes on a chamber orchestra! And tries to play the cello. And goes a little goth for a country girl. Love the new album.

Brown and Blue New York

2011-03-26T20:05:00.000-07:00

Back from a lovely jaunt to New York City with the Stanford women (namely, Nana, Mom and Anne)!

Throughout the trip we were constantly bombarded by street merchants eager to sell us anything from a bus tour to a scarf or hot dog. It's pretty easy to see how these aggressive salespeople recognize tourists. I imagine their "Tourist Checklist" would look something like this:

Walks in a zig-zag pattern with head turned up to the sky

Camera and posed photo ops

Nose stuck in a map

Stands at a corner looking about in confusion

Ambles into the crosswalk just as the taxis rev their engines

Bumbles against New York walking traffic

Fails several attempts to slide Subway card and pass the gate

Being the sleek city women we are, we NEVER gave these sneaky marketers any reason to utilize their smooth sales techniques. However, when one impetuous young peddler tried to draw us into his bike carriage for a ride through Central Park, I thought I'd play it street smart.

"Do I LOOK like a tourist to you??" I retorted with a smile.

"Oh, no, not at all," he quickly assured. "Even natives can enjoy a ride in the park!"

News Flash

2011-03-11T20:25:00.000-08:00

Some country-wide news in the life of one Paige Montgomery.

Provo, Utah

Got my acceptance--not letter--email earlier this month! I rolled out of bed around 5:30 in a very grumpy state after a short night's sleep only to notice a text from my dear friend Julie. "Did you get your acceptance???" That could only mean one thing. . . I rushed to my laptop and sure enough, crowning my list of new emails was a message from BYU Admissions. Suspense built as the page loaded (somehow I don't think my dad told his acceptance story quite like this) and sure enough! I qualified to carry on as a third generation Cougar. I'm still waiting on three other schools in the Boston and Washington, D.C. areas, but for now my mind is full of happy dreams of dorm parties with the lovely Julianne Linton in Heritage Halls.

New York City, New York

http://amazingnewyorkcity.blogspot.com/
New York Citaaaay! ( Yes, I just got Empire State of Mind stuck in my head.) I am very, very, excited to head up to The Big Apple this coming weekend with Mom, Nana, and little sister Anne. We plan to check out some of the city's offerings and hit up Broadway! I haven't seen my camera in months but I hope to get some good shots and capture this fun little trip. Any good sightseeing suggestions?

Washington, D.C.

http://www.forbes.com/2009/02/17/most-expensive-colleges-business_0217_colleges_slide_2.html

I think it's apt that the picture I chose to describe my adventure at The George Washington University in D.C. a couple weekends ago happened to come from the Forbes #1 Most Expensive College article. Yep, that's GW. Hoping to soften the wildly out of reach price tag and to find an excuse to really dig into my Wieniawski violin concerto, I auditioned for the the Presidential Scholars in the Arts program. Throughout the day I enjoyed great food and an invigorating atmosphere. I interviewed with several professors, took a music theory test, made an audition recording in a stuffy office, conversed with some current students, and had a private lesson! I got a really great feel for their music program and would love to spend four years in the heart of D.C. as a political communications major and a music minor.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

http://www.mvdaily.com/articles/2006/11/pittsburgh2.htm

Heinz Hall, Pittsburgh. Look for me here this Spring! I am very excited to play in this stunning hall alongside members of the incredible Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. No word yet on what our pieces will be, but I can't wait to add my sound to the acoustics of the hall.

A Scenario

2011-03-01T13:38:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I day dream about getting a pair of Paige brand jeans simply to play out this scenario:

Innocent Bystander: "Wow, those are really cute jeans!"
Paige: "Thanks! They're Paige Jeans."
IB: "Aaaahhh."
Paige: "Yep. Like spelled with an 'I' and everything."
IB: "....."
Paige: "Cause it's my name."

If I ever get my hands on a pair, I will be sure to (subtly) let you know.

Acoustic

2011-02-17T19:23:00.000-08:00

Interesting how we let a voice become a part of our lives. The way it evokes vague, reminiscent emotions from years past and sharpens even our clearest memories. It's strange sometimes to remember the artist behind it all, to think of the way his melodies have sunk into not only our lives, but others' as well.

Matt has been the voice in my ear since the summer before ninth grade. After a bit of a departure from Relient K, I was happy to find his voice still strikes a familiar chord with me and makes my nose tingle a bit :).

Longing for. . .

2011-02-16T19:19:00.000-08:00

High school to end. Summer's light and warmth. My best friends. A good night's sleep. A change of scene. My thoughts to become more fluid. A ripe, juicy peach. :)

Not so much a list of complaints but rather of bright spots on the horizon. For now, I play the waiting game.

The Big WV

2011-01-29T10:40:00.000-08:00

As I glance out of the car window, sometimes I still see West Virginia through the same eyes as when I first moved into town. Taking it in, I am struck simply by the fact that I live HERE. Somehow, without fully realizing it, I have made a life in this rough and rustic place. Often I feel like a tourist as I take in the culture, the ghost-town buildings, the WVU fans, the rolling hills, and the tiny, tiny towns tucked away in the back hills.

Picture from http://www.virtualtourist.com/

Notice the rail rising above the buildings? That, my friends is the Personal Rapid Transit or the PRT, a little perk of the city. The PRT cars are forever whizzing students to various parts of the WVU campus and I use the PRT once a week to get to my violin lessons. Sometimes I like to imagine I'm riding a low-speed scenic rollercoaster.

Picture from http://www.flickr.com/photos/castelmar/collections/72157600012739571/

I'm no football enthusiast, but I can easily tell you that a big change in my new home is the fact that everyone is unified behind the Mountaineers. No BYU/U of U rivalries here. On game days it seems like half of the school is wearing blue and gold. Students walk through the halls with boom boxes on their shoulders blasting the game and a flatscreen mounted in the front hall shows the afternoon games in vivid (if soundless) detail. Teachers have been known to interrupt lectures to ask students for the latest scores.

I've been sheltered from the crazed student section and their couch burning rituals, but I did work a snack booth at a recent football game. What is the food of choice of the WVU masses you might ask? That's easy: pepperoni rolls. Apparently West Virginia is "The Pepperoni Roll Capital of the World." There are bakeries all around town specializing in the fine art of pepperoni roll making and I've heard many people boast about their mother's/grandmother's/great grandpa's super-secret-best-ever pepperoni roll recipe. Debates have sparked in class as to whether pepperoni rolls are best cooked with a pepperoni stick or sliced pepperoni. A few times a year the school holds a "Pepperoni Roll Day." The cafeteria ladies work overtime preparing rolls from scratch and freeze thousands of them. When the hallowed day arrives the news is broadcast gleefully from one student to another and the cafeteria lines pile longer and wider than ever before. Recently a one-pepperoni-roll-per-person rule was instated to the chagrin of students and teachers alike. I've yet to try one and I'll think I'll keep it that way.

Picture from http://www.ehow.com/how_5320184_make-homemade-pepperoni-rolls.html

I'm sure I'll come up with more quirky details, but consider this your introduction to West Virginia culture.

Happy List

2011-01-13T18:36:00.000-08:00

My violin when it's in a good mood.

The tips of my skis hanging over the precipice and the rush of anticipation just before

The plunge.

Autobiographies.

Hot chocolate.

People who laugh at my apple chomping in class and then show up the next day with

A tantalizing gala in hand.

Answers to prayers and divine comfort.

Missionaries.

Genuinely friendly, kind, and happy people.

The anxious ring of the telephone bearing news of a snow day.

Interesting, passionate teachers.

Interesting, passionate people.

Curling up in my bed in pure exhaustion.

Mom's muffins.

Young women's.

Leather boots.

Running and running so I can't think or feel anything until endorphins take over.

Classical music.

Dad singing karaoke and blasting his New Wave tunes.

And his witty Facebook statuses.

Not that I look.

Pink and white M&M's.

Handwritten letters.

Losing myself in a memory.

Getting a plethora of magazines every Monday.

Settling down to read them.

Laughing and laughing in the company of

Best friends and

Family

Feeling firmly planted.

Unconditional love.

Long, meandering walks through various terrains and wide open grassy fields.

Business casual.

People who embrace their curly hair.

Blog hopping.

Finding I can reach my goals.

Inner peace.

Arlington

2011-01-02T18:04:00.000-08:00

Arlington National Cemetary: a solemn tribute to the many Americans who have sacrificed for this country, a chronicle of American history and a resting place of honor. As I glanced out upon headstone after headstone, I was deeply struck with the thought of how each of the men and women laying beneath the ground must have been loved and missed. In this beautiful site, I witnessed the changing of the guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and lingered at the Kennedy's simple, yet dignified memorial.

Beginning Again

2011-01-01T10:49:00.000-08:00

Hello 2011! I have a good feeling about this year. In the distance I can see a vague outline of what will come to pass: acceptance and rejection letters will fill the mailbox, I'll study my guts out for my last four AP tests, I'll graduate with MHS class of 2011, I'll visit Utah, get a summer job, and eventually head somewhere to college. But for all of the specifics I have nailed down, it still feels like a vague outline that has yet to be colored by time.

I've been feeling word-spent since the recent onslaught of college application essays. I begged for essays, and that's just what I got! It's been an interesting process to say the least. The varying essay topics really forced me to examine my life from different angles, and analyze the changes that have taken place since the end of 2009 when I moved from Utah. 2010 was the most difficult and challenging year of my life. I changed schools and cultures and left friends and family behind in a time when I never would have chosen to do so. However, I have been blessed with the support of friends back home, new friends here, wonderful church leaders, a multitude of opportunities and learning experiences, and of course my family. It's been amazing how much traveling we have done together this year, and I've been grateful for the extra time I've had to spend with my parents and siblings.

Our most recent adventure took us to the National Cathedral and Arlington Cemetary in D.C.

The cathedral took my breath away. It was absolutely stunning. I loved the Christian perspective on our nation's history that it presented. As I quietly stepped through the dimly lit rooms, the stained-glass windows shifted colors across the vaulted ceilings and I imagined the ethereal notes of the Vienna Boys Choir filling the massive space.

Something like this.

Arlington Cemetary pictures tomorrow. Happy January 1st!

Save the Words!

2010-11-13T14:49:00.000-08:00

I think this is absolutely sagacious: http://www.savethewords.org/

sa·ga·cious /səˈgeɪʃəs/ [suh-gey-shuhs]
1. having or showing acute mental discernment and keen practical sense; shrewd: a sagacious lawyer.

Being the bibliophile that I am, when I heard that our resplendent (though often esoteric) word friends were plummeting from the Oxford English Dictionary, I was impelled to take one word under my wing and coax it back into use.

bib·li·o·phile /ˈbɪbliəˌfaɪl, -fɪl/ [bib-lee-uh-fahyl, -fil]
1. a person who loves or collects books, esp. as examples of fine or unusual printing, binding, or the like.

My lovely word adoptee was not chosen out of pigritude; rather, it spoke to something that ameliorates my life on a daily basis.

a·mel·io·rate /əˈmilyəˌreɪt, əˈmiliə-/ [uh-meel-yuh-reyt, uh-mee-lee-uh-]
1. to make better, more bearable, or more satisfactory; improve; meliorate.

The word? Psalloid: a stringed instrument such as a harp or violin.
As in, I need to spend some time with my psalloid tonight, application suppliments are due very soon.

So check it out! Adopting a word is the best way to win some smarts points, and you're sure to find one that will enhance your daily conversations!

Four trends I'm not following this year...

2010-11-06T13:53:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's just because I live in a small town with limited shopping options, but the unoriginal "must have" trends at my high school simply drive me insane! In general I'm not opposed to brand name clothing, but when there is a specific design showing up on 1/3 of the school's female population, it just exudes an unattractive conformist mentality.

First up on the trend offender list:

The "winged" Miss Me jean. I'll be up front and admit that I have a lower key pair. But the stitching? The wings? The bling? Pleeaaase. I actually heard one of the girls wearing a pair of these discussing the cost of her apparel as she sauntered down the hall. I think anything that is in your face saying "I paid a lot for this", or is the topic of such a discussion, should be avoided.

Number two:

My favorite trend to bemoan. The UGHH (Ugg). Now, I think Uggs are permissible in a VERY casual situation with sweats. But accentuating dresses and skirts with these clunky things? No good, very bad. Ughs are especially unfortunate when paired with leggings as pants. Leggings do not qualify as pants, nor should they ever. Something is wrong in your life if you don't have time to put pants on.

My third ugh-worthy item:

Pink sweats. Specifically West Virginia Mountaineer Pink by Victoria's Secret sweats. Enough said.

Fourth:

Coach bags. From wallets, to purses, to book bags, I've seen them in every color of the rainbow. Maybe it's good that the wide variety Coach provides fosters some diversity, and in small doses they can be quite cute. But.... they still dominate the school scene and carry the label very prominently. I can't decide which is worse: buying the $300 full priced bag to follow the trend, or getting the fake knock off to appear to carry the brand.

Reflection on a Plane Crash

2010-10-17T17:26:00.000-07:00

Though I've seen it months ago, this video was brought to my attention last Sunday in a wonderful Young Women's lesson on happiness by Sister Kelley. It has become of my favorite stories of love, hope and endurance.

A Revolutionary, A Monty, and Mother Goose

2010-09-26T08:06:00.000-07:00

My spine tingles as I stroll through cemetaries and imagine lives of those below. Their stories create a great mystery which is heightened by the wistfulness and fascination that bubbles within me.
A humble prairie cemetary filled with quiescent dignity stands among my memories. As the rain torrented down, I dashed from the car and clung to the iron-clad gate draped with ivy. Peering at the headstones ahead, I watched the grasses gently bend with the rain to the ground.
I still have vivid memories of a tour through a musty old crypt beneath an Austrian cathedral. Skeletons lined the torch-lit walls, and the ceiling seemed to close in on us as the open coffins came into sight. A tour just days later lead me through an elegant cemetary memorializing some of Europe's greatest classical composers. Each gravestone towered like a throne in remembrance of this genre's most highly acclaimed royalty.
Yet another cemetary took me surprise this summer: the King's Chapel Burial Ground residing deep within the center of Boston. This cemetary is characterized by the engraved skulls on each dark, crumbling headstone which casts a gothic glow about the yard. The ancient lot itself is encased by busy city streets and towering business offices; a resting place within the center of the bustling world. Created in 1630, the burial ground contains occupants such as John Winthrop, the first Puritan Governer of Massachusets, the midnight rider Paul Revere, John Hancock, a Mary "Mother" Goose, and many of Benjamin Franklin's relatives. Interestingly enough, a Montgomerie gravestone lay among names such as these.

Made Some Memories

2010-09-06T14:03:00.000-07:00

Up until now, I found myself categorizing my life into BM (before move), and AM (after move). Integrating into West Virginia has been a life changing challenge, and as such challenges go, it was more pushing and shoving upstream than going with the flow. This summer transformed into a beautiful three months full of blessings that would defy such trivial categories.

June

Resonated with music and solid friendships, as three sun-lit weeks slid blissfully through my fingers.

July

July proved itself to be a memorable combination of adventure, routine, and self-expansion. I experienced law in action as I edited and updated the West Virginia Senior Legal Aid FAQ book. At Point Counterpoint, I experienced the joy of musical collaboration, the frustration of immersing myself in a new clef and instrument, and the ease of sunbathing on one of the most stunning lakes in New England. So many experiences combined to make this one of the best months of my life: rodeos, kayaking, wild blueberry picking, late night swims, kind acquaintances and passionate musicians.

August

As I drifted away from a transcendent experience at Point Counterpoint, I was whipped up into a new venture with my family. We experienced Boston by trolley and boat, slipped through Niagara Falls, and visited nearly every church history site in between. I found the Sacred Grove where Joseph Smith received the first vision particularly touching, as well as a special family trip to the beautiful Boston temple. There is so much to discover on this side of the country!

As the days edged towards the beginning of school, Mom and I squeezed in two impromptu college tours of George Washington University, and Georgetown, and hosted some wonderful visitors from the home state.

September

September has brought back, once again, the busy Autumn schedule. With it comes a greater sense of calm and purpose as I dive into my last year of high school. The to-do list in my head seems never ending, and my mind is filled with so many new ideas that I can hardly sit still doing one thing for too long. I'm anticipating getting the most of what I can from this city, and when the time comes, moving on to greater things. I hope to work hard, and find some fun between the cracks. I hope when I leave, I'll leave behind a small segment of my life that I know I made the most of. I'll leave behind some memories to miss.

Summer Soiree

2010-08-16T19:14:00.000-07:00

Suspension

2010-07-16T10:27:00.000-07:00

Our neighborhood received a big addition! And I captured the magic of human ingenuity on camera.

I first noticed something was, shall I say, up, when I glanced out of the screened window of our second floor.

It wasn't until I saw this contraption that I realized the magnitude of the project...

The lonely house next door was about to receive its second half!

The wooden frame was uncovered, strapped up, and ready to go! Precariously, the crane began hoisting it into the air.

We collectively inhaled as the shell swung dangerously close to the edge of our home. Five feet too wide and our house would be toast!

We also said some prayers for the man down below.

And presto! No damage done. Who's up for moving in? :)

Happy Birthday, Mom!

2010-07-11T20:46:00.000-07:00

We love you! Thank you for all of your thoughtfulness and hard work on our behalf, you are the glue to the family and we recognize everything you do for us. Thanks for pushing us to work hard, learn our instruments, read good books, exercise, and learn of the gospel. Thank you for teaching us by example how to be leaders, to be proactive, to never take no for an answer, and to change our surroundings to create something beautiful and enriching. Thank you for being such a strong example of living the gospel, and thank you for your patience and selflessness. You are the best mom we could ever ask for.

Happy Birthday!

Stan man is completely adorable, and was very sweet about sneaking out of the house so Mom didn't see.

Anne's cute smile made the pictures. The complete set is pending, but we will have a summer set soon enough as per your request!

Summer Summer Summer!

2010-07-10T18:03:00.000-07:00

I found this picture from Summer '03. I was a camper at Camp Valor who couldn't wait for her turn to rope the hay bale "cow" as I flew down the zip line on a wooden horse. With all the finesse of a nine year old, I kept my cowboy hat intact.

Flashing forward, Summer '10 has been a strange mix of running around in a frantic flurry, and relaxing with a popsicle in one hand, and a book in the other. I absolutely adored our Utah trip, and I think I photo-documented it fairly thoroughly. Highlights include but are not limited to:

-Numerous food-related outings. Yummm. Let me count 'em: Cafe Rio (2), Pounders (1), Jamba Juice (4), TGIF (1), Noodles & Co. (1), Snow Shack (1), La Caille (1), Costa Vida (1), Einstein Bagels (1), Yogurt Stop (2), Chick-fil-A (1), Zupas (1), Subway (2). Plus some excellent homemade meals to boot. I was very well fed.

-La Caille. It was so fun to hang out with my date and the troop and their dates. Blake and I learned some new dances, and I certainly never stepped on anyone's toes... Later we all sipped lemonade as we listened to a speaker. The lowlight of the event was the gulping down of escargot. Lovely.

- Visiting Temple Square! I almost felt like a tourist in my own town, but it was so nice to see those sister missionaries again. We got the whole theater to ourselves in the visitor's center, and watched as many doctrinal movies as we pleased. The plethora of Books of Mormon in every language imaginable is quite a sight to see.

- THE Relient K sticker. Takami and I fulfilled our high school-long dream and planted it on the sign near the Fort Union exit in Midvale!

-Spending a week at the Intermountain Suzuki Strings Institute, and writing newsletter articles covering amateur and professional ensembles. In my spare time I enjoyed lazily lounging in the Juan Diego library and perusing their magazine collection.

-A weekend at a cabin with the girls. From stomping through marshes and splashing in creeks, to card games and s'mores, we did it all. Not to mention a photo shoot!

- Fulfilling the annual bonfire tradition. Cruising along in Si's convertable with the music blasting, reading letters left in my old locker, burning homework and negative memories, and the water game of course!

-Getting the Ute fan up on top of the Y. Anyone who hasn't done the hike to the Y (BYU) definitely should. The view of Utah valley is unrivaled.

July is now upon me, with a great potential for new memories. Already I've gone on a beautiful hike with some friends, helped film a movie for youth conference, spent a day at the pool, and possibly even seen Eclipse. Currently I'm spending my mornings doing clerical work at Morgantown Senior Legal Aid. I've even fit in some morning runs most recently! In one week I will leave for Point Counterpoint in Vermont. It's strange not knowing what three entire weeks will hold, but I'm looking forward to it. Speaking of which, I should be practicing! Updates to follow.

Three for Three!

2010-07-03T11:40:00.000-07:00

2008

2009

2010

Another successful BSSPJH bonfire, although we missed Shelby for the picture this year. Lots of homework burned, and many skittles consumed. We're getting older :). So lucky to have these girls!

Uintah Portraits

2010-06-26T19:51:00.000-07:00

I tried my hand at some portraits way up in the mountains last weekend. It was an awesome trip with some lovely girls and a sweet camera! I learned a bit about light through trial and error (some of these exhibiting the errors). You might recognize these faces...

A Beautiful Heart

2010-06-15T13:19:00.000-07:00

"Teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens. If children hear fine music from the day of their birth and learn to play it, they develop sensitivity, discipline, and endurance. They get a beautiful heart."

-Shinichi Suzuki

Another year of the Intermountain Suzuki String Institute is here! While I'm not participating in Chamber Days or the main stream of classes, I'm hanging around the host school Juan Diego this week.
I'm spending my time directing younger siblings to classes, catching up on some reading in the spacious and sunlight-filled library, and submitting concert reviews to the newsletter which is circulated daily.
I'm beginning to type up a paragraph focused on this incredible childrens violin group from Singapore. I just observed these young performers today (they must all be under the age of ten!), and I must say that they are aptly named Joyful Strings. Their technique was incredible, they obviously have had a highly disciplined childhood. Being here is also getting me excited for my Suzuki teacher training which will start next summer! It's a neat side (or full-time) job that I hope to take with me throughout my life.

I'm loving this visit to Utah, last week was absolutely chock-full of fun. My one wish is that the weather would heat up a bit! I've been missing flip-flop season.

Aloha!

2010-06-04T16:46:00.000-07:00

A summer welcome from Stanford, no provocation required.

Diamonds

2010-06-03T11:22:00.000-07:00

I recently rediscovered Marina and the Diamonds. She has a such a rich and original voice. So European...so strange... so awesome! I love her new album, the Family Jewels.

(Haha, hey! I figured out how to embed!)

Also congratulations to the graduated Seniors! Class of 2010 is a special group I'll never forget. I feel so lucky to have spent time with you at Hillcrest High School. Good luck moving forward, and keep bloggin' :)

Harper's Ferry (Helloo Summer!)

2010-05-31T19:46:00.000-07:00

(Please note: Anne's ballerina pose/tomboy shorts, Mom's fabulous H&M sunglasses, my HHS volleyball t-shirt is STILL in use, Robert is texting a GIRL behind Hunter, Peter chose the wrong day to wear black, Sister Edwards is about to slide off of the historical landmark. Noted.)

Today was the first of what I hope will be many delightful summer excursions! At 6:55 a.m., the fam loaded up into the trusty mini van and cruised into the hinterlands of West Virginia. We arrived at Harper's Ferry, a quaint ghost town with a history of disastrous floods and of an attempted slave insurrection lead by John Brown.

Speaking of John Brown... any Remember the Titans fans? I will be seriously impressed if any quote connections are made... sans Google.

Oh, it was beautiful! And so stiflingly hot. Our ventures included: gawking in a bizarre wax museum, perusing a lovely underground used book store, cool root beer from a bottle in an ice cream parlor, an informative museum, a tour through a stunning cathedral (I'm beginning to have an infatuation with stained glass windows), and some ruins and gorgeous vantage points!

(I spy two baby brothers)

Though the weather has been playing the part for a while now, it will still be one week until I can officially call it Summer. This school year has been a bizarre dichotomy between two realities, and quite frankly, I can't wait to leave it behind. Early Saturday morning I'm hopping on a plane for Utah where I will spend the highly anticipated month of June.

More to follow.

The Rut

2010-05-25T19:08:00.000-07:00

I'm stuck in a musical rut! Old sounds are getting, well, old, and I'm ready to revamp my iPod. I need some new tunes to set my alarm to, run to, dance to, and drive to ( I've got a lot of hours to fill to get that ever-elusive license). I'm ready to discover the sound of the summer of 2010! Plus most radio stations become a blur of static as I drive over hill after hill.

...Suggestions? Anything, everything!

(Preferably something that will induce this type of response)

Serendipity

2010-05-19T12:59:00.000-07:00

Thanks to some major miracles, I will awake to this view for three weeks this summer! But wait, you've got to hear the story.

Smack-dab in the middle of Vermont, Point Counterpoint is a chamber music-oriented summer camp that I applied to earlier this year. Not only does it offer lots of awesome musical experiences, but some boating, hiking, and morning runs too! The biggest issue was tuition. How would I earn my way with my time spread between testing and Utah travels? When PCP's director called to follow up on my application, I had to resign my position for session two. That should have been the end of it.

Interestingly enough, twenty minutes later the director left a voicemail urging me to call her back quickly. Very soon after she had hung up with us, a well-known musician had called in with an offer to sponsor a potential camper- he would cover full tuition and travel costs. She admitted that I wouldn't have been the first to come to mind had the timing been any different, but it seemed as though everything was aligned just so. In very little time, my name was off the tip of her tongue, and into the ear of the benefactor.

Who he is, and whether I will ever meet him, I don't know. What I do know for sure is that I can't wait to spend some extended time with my violin in such a serene setting. I know this opportunity will inspire me to in turn "pay it forward", and I'm so grateful for this blessing.

Vert

2010-05-13T16:58:00.000-07:00

So...

West Virginia bloomed. I can't believe the rain forest this place turned out to be! At only 75 degrees, the humid air clings to my forehead and the back of my neck.

The rain pours down in the night, and soaks the endless masses of foliage. And in the afternoon, the soft sun pulls the greenery towards it. I've sworn to myself that I'll bring a camera with me on my next 6:00 am drive to seminary. The way the mist floats over the hills in the early morning is magical!

I feel as though if I looked more closely, I could distinguish one of these buildings as my high school. In fact, if I squinted really hard, it would become a game of "I Spy". I would show you the library, the Public Rail Transit, Black Bear Burrito, the frequented Great Wall Chinese take-out, the WVU Coliseum, the rail trail, the place that sells those nasty pepperoni rolls, and the Creative Arts Center. I might even be able to pick out the Bartlett house, the Salvation Army, and the trail along Decker's Creek where track team runs. But I'm afraid one solitary picture, or even several couldn't begin to describe my life here.

It's much different than my mountain valley home as I last saw it.

I still reminisce about the mountains.

Ornate

2010-05-10T17:58:00.000-07:00

Stained glass
Flys me to the Vatican's highest turret
Sweeps me down to Austria's darkest, dankest, crypt
The mysterious longing
To be Indiana Jones
And Queen Isabella
All at once

If April Showers Bring Spring Flowers...

2010-04-23T12:56:00.000-07:00

What do Mayflowers bring? Pilgrims!
Spring showers also brought me this...

...and lots of this!

Utah is lovely, and my weekend was wonderful!

Unfortunately, nothing can forestall AP season.

It's Friday! C'est vendredi! Bon weekend mes amis!

Simple Gifts

2010-04-05T16:01:00.000-07:00

As I strolled through Bird-in-Hand last Wednesday, I was impressed by the Amish way of life. These people have literally separated themselves from all worldly influences, and continue to dedicate everything to their families, and their religion. They live simply; archaically by today's standards. However, the sky was wide, the fields were lush, and I sensed a different kind of happiness in the offing.

I was shocked as cars and heavy trucks whizzed through the quiet town road, completely disrupting the serenity. It was as though these vehicles typified much of the modern world: rushed, loud, and rude.

Although I don't think I'll ever cut off my electricity or ask my parents for a horse and buggy, I came away with a greater appreciation for the unembellished moments. In my own way, I can dedicate myself to family and religion. And I, too, can gain joy through the simple things, the simple gifts.

During the visit, a beautiful song from my childhood resurfaced in my mind.

Simple gifts

Tis the gift to be simple,

'tis the gift to be free,

'tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,

And when we find ourselves in the place just right,

It will be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gained,

To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed.

To turn, turn will be our delight,

'Til by turning, turning we come round right

'Tis the gift to be loved and that love to return,

'Tis the gift to be taught and a richer gift to learn,

And when we expect of others what we try to live each day,

Then we'll all live together and we'll all learn to say,

'Tis a gift to have friends and a true friend to be,
'Tis the gift to think of others not to only think of "me",

And when we hear what others really think and really feel,

Then we'll all live together with a love that is real.

Lyrics by Joseph Brackett, Jr.

Click here for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's rendition

Spring Break

2010-04-03T13:02:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe how much has taken place in one short week! Less than a week in fact. Since last Wednesday I:

Visited Bird-in-Hand, an Amish settlement.

Ventured to Hershey, PA, took the official chocolate tour, and walked the streets of Lancaster. (A lopsided, but still lovely view from our hotel window in Lancaster).

Visited the grounds of Valley Forge.

Fell in love with Philadelphia, and its Historic District.

Trailed through one of the most incredible art museums, and stood entranced in a comprehensive Picasso gallery.

Climbed to one of the most beautiful vantage points in West Virginia.

...And got stuck in a cave!

More to come!

The Walk

2010-03-27T20:55:00.000-07:00

Today I went for a stroll. Now you can come along too!

I couldn't leave without filling up on a good old PB&J. After apples and hot chocolate, PB&J's rank in my top list of comfort foods ( followed successively by clementines, gummy vitamins, and OJ).

It's such a beautiful day! Buds are blooming every which way, and the landscape wavers precariously between a soggy sort of Autumn, and a premature Spring.

Even the topiary looks especially green! I never would have thought I would be the neighbor with the spirally topiaries in their yard. I guess I'm redefining myself.

Onward.

As I leave our neighborhood, I consider the robot veterans who appear to have escaped their gated community mothership.

Mail's been low lately. I'm simply terrible with snail mail, but at least I have The Week magazine to look forward to... every week, in fact.

Looking both ways...

Yet several cars are honking quite agressively at me. What am I doing wrong??

I distance myself from the drivers, and step into a more fielded pathway. Deer tracks abound!

I'm lost in thought until suddenly I hear squelching beneath my feet. Looks like I've run into some flooding, whatever could be the cause?

I locate the stream and track it straight to the source:

An exposed pipe!

As I move into rougher territory, the grasses scratch my legs. I jump as cats and birds leap from under me, yowling and screeching.

Do Not Enter sign? Great, let's cross right here.

As the woods thicken...

I reach my destination.

It's a lonely park.

But one that is full with artistic potential. The yellow moss was simply inspiring, and I must return!

But for now I wave goodbye.

And commence the trek back home.

Chasing Spring

2010-03-25T17:27:00.000-07:00

Something about the recent high of 75, and the humidity settling in the air drew my mind back to warm memories from exactly a year ago.

I think the air holds the same essence of Spring with no regard to location. I'd like to believe that I could smell Spring on any end of the earth-a theory I'm willing to investigate.

First I'd breathe in the rainstorms and sunshine right here. As the sun grazed my shoulders, I would crinkle the spongy greenery beneath my toes. And as the world tilted, I'd cross the globe and observe the sun ushering in exotic flowers and waking brilliant butterflies. My escape from September.

I'd even chase Spring all the way to icy Alaska. It would take patience, but as the snow penetrated deeply, a whole kingdom of green would work its way up. Fields of flora and fauna, nourished through frozen opposition.

Before I knew it, I would be in the middle of it all. On my back, feeling the cushioning grasses, taking in smell of the air, the plants, the sun and the water. But not long before I'm running, slipping, and sliding. Pursuing the breeze, and the bumblebees, for it's a game of tag with Spring.
And as I gulp the crisp air, I am heady and alive. The sky is so light it could lift me up, and so blue it is an ocean; I am swimming beneath.

If only I could always chase Spring.

Impressive

2010-03-03T18:15:00.000-08:00

Wondering just how to catch the eye of that special lady? Stanford Montgomery, 4 year old in residence has the answer.

... Don a leopard suit?

Approved!

New Girl

2010-03-02T13:04:00.000-08:00

Today I can feel how much my mood has been lifted because of a few simple things.
A cheerfully loaned pen in seminary... an acquaintance babbling to me about their weekend... a conversation in history class... talking to someone new...a smile in the library...a thoughtful comment.
I took a new girl to her first class the other day.
I asked her where she came from, why she was here, what it was like where she came from, what she thought about it here. How could I not?
I remember what it was like, the feeling of those painful first weeks is still raw.
But I can now testify with a greater understanding of the healing power of a smile, a question, and an invitation.

A simple gesture means everything.

Two Prairie Portraits

2010-02-27T19:06:00.000-08:00

We took a quick stop during a long drive up to Canada. Stanford discovered some curious monsters lurking in the fields.

Ahem.

2010-02-22T15:02:00.000-08:00

So...
Paige Helen Montgomery: Track Extraordinaire, is back in business! It took some convincing, but the sports authorities have seen the light.

Now if only I could get myself down to a decent mile time. I'm feeling um, ten minutes? This winter was no good, very bad for staying in shape. The WV is entirely different than the Utah I grew comfortable with. I don't have a neighborhood or lovely parkway to go out and run in. And quite frankly, it's been blizzarding for months and I haven't felt the overwhelming urge to go out into the white mess. Believe it or not, my high school doesn't have a track- the school is just that old. And a membership to the gym requires enrollment at the University. Excuses, excuses, but getting back into shape is a journey in and of itself.

After Cross Country tapered off disappointingly for me because of an untimely oral surgery, I'm ready to put everything into a new, fresh season, and a healthy 6:00 mile!

The next couple weeks have quite a lot in store for me! This Wednesday Mom, little bro Hunter, and I are driving out to D.C. to get involved with some lobbying with the National Hemophilia Foundation's Washington Days. This event is particularly exciting to me, because we will be dealing with issues that have a direct effect on my family. My mom has been heavily involved with this advocacy, particularly in Utah. I can't wait to be in the middle of the action with her.

Next week I will be busing out to Charleston with a few other students from my school to play in the West Virginia All-State Orchestra! The music is quite challenging, and my roommates are awesome. Sounds like one big musical party.

Life isn't picking up where I left it, but maybe that's ok.

Fly Away

2010-02-20T15:11:00.000-08:00

I want to fly into this.

P.S.
I need a good camera.

Logical

2010-02-18T18:32:00.000-08:00

I wanna go to school, or get out of town.
Winter blizzards in WV don't just numb the fingers, they numb the mind too.
Besides the concern over missing 11 extra days of school, something else is causing me stress.
They're saying I can't play sports for a full 365 days!
That's track season AND cross country season, my friends.
Apparently when we moved from the hotel to our home, we violated a stringent sports regulation.
As if living in a hotel for six weeks wasn't difficult enough!
Head sports director stated that letting me run is an "emotional decision".
We stated that letting me run is a logical decision.
I am a student and an athlete!
Is it too much to ask to let me be both?

Big Snow

2010-02-09T11:58:00.000-08:00

Maybe you've heard of the smashing snowstorm (check out this news report) that has taken over the East Coast? The snow pile up here has been enough to cancel three days of school, and church. Flakes continues to soar from the sky, and I can't help but anticipate another day off. Rest assured, besides a bit of extra time for blogging, I have plenty of violin practicing and school work to do at home. Yesterday I finally hit the slopes at Maryland's Wisp Ski Resort. Though I longed for Utah's Alta resort, I found myself challenged by a couple steep, mogul-filled runs.

Today I ventured into the woods near our home. Here are some pictures to show for it:

My numb fingers...

2010-02-06T17:37:00.000-08:00

Really could have used these today! The acclaimed texting glove of 2009. As I clomped through a stunningly white-washed wood, I thought of how well I could maneuver my camera with only my thumb and index finger exposed. Unfortunately, my gloves weren't up for such adaptations. My camera was safely tucked away in my toasty bedroom anyway. I assure you that I am planning a more productive venture for tomorrow!

Petite Postcards

2010-02-03T06:37:00.000-08:00

Taylor Swift's American Greeting line, I could write lots of little letters on these :)

I enjoyed the entry in The Rockstar Diaries entitled "Little Letters". I have some to send too.

Dear UT,
I'm coming back! April and most of June! Help me remember what flat land looks like.

Dear ACT,
You crept up like an unwelcome friend and scared me from behind. How about cutting out that math section?

Dear D.C.,
I can't wait to get inside your legislative processes this month! Don't you love lobbying with Mom?
Also, can I please stay with you this summer? See you in a few weeks :)

Dear Dr. M.,

Throughout the violin lesson, I am constantly distracted by your awesome shoes.

Dear WV Roads,

Slick, curving, dark; you are positively frightening. Add your problems to my own procrastination and untimely move... it looks like I'll have my license by my Freshman year. Of college.

Dear Early Morning Seminary,

You're very early. In the morning. I humbly submit that you consider taking Fridays off.

Dear Tennis,

Please keep reminding me: It took me this long to serve a volleyball. It took me this long to serve a volleyball. It took me this long...

Dear UT friends (you know who you are),

I have bazillions of letters/ packages/ etc to send in the mail. Don't lose hope.

Sincerely, Paige

Hypnagogic Myoclonic Twitch*

2010-01-11T14:43:00.000-08:00

I'm falling, plummeting,

I tipped off a cloud.

Falling from towering berth,

My insides curl.

It's a brutal drop, and as my chest is thrust down

A cringe runs through me like a wave.

Waiting to smash through damp earth and boiling mantle,

I slam backwards and teeter oddly.

Eyes fly open.

Slightly spinning head,
Glancing left and right,
Tracing arms,
Assessing damage.
Covered in sheets I'm perfectly centered,
In my beautifully grounded bed.
3:00 AM.

*That strange falling sensation.

Portraits

2010-01-07T15:59:00.000-08:00

I can finally show you my Christmas gift to dearest Mom and Dad! I took the fam up to the top of the hill near our house and took some pictures of my siblings... smiling! I may have even captured a couple chuckles from the anti-photo himself- baby Stan. With a little help from Sam's Club ( WV doesn't seem to sport Costco's), I had a few printed, framed, and tucked under the Christmas tree.

Colbie Caillat Wrote My Twenty Ten Resolution

2010-01-04T14:26:00.000-08:00

Tied Down (With my additions or deletions in italics)

Ohhh I, don't know what to say

And I, have told you lately

That I'm tired of talking about the same old reasons my life has changed

Just taking it easy not worrying about my mistakes

Because I'm keeping it cool, now thinking about you, sticking around and if I should pay

Tied down,looking around and I know what I want so life won't hold me down

Oh I, I don't play games

And I, I have been learning

To just to let it all go and speak when I feel quiet

My mind done whatever it is I need to make clear and just say

That I'm keeping it cool, now thinking about you, sticking around and if I should pay

Tied down, I'm looking around and I know what I want so life won't hold me down...

Down....

2010

Don't you hold me down

Chrismahanukwanzakah

2009-12-23T16:50:00.000-08:00

     Little did I know that  the moment I stepped through the doors at MHS this December, I was walking straight into the world of political correctness.
    Let's get this straight: I'm all for acceptance, and in the same way, not a fan of marginalization. But there is one thing I can't stand: hypocrisy.
     It's surprising to see people stutter over the inclusive "Happy Chrismahanukwanzakah!", and fall miles short of a hearty "Merry Christmas!", while I am consistently the only person in my classroom to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.   I don't see this odd behavior stemming from any sort of controversy over the "One Nation under God" statement,  I feel it's directly a wanton disregard for patriotism.
     An odd statement I'm aware, coming from this proud Canadian citizen.   I'm definitely not the one tearing up over the National Anthem, or wearing a flag swim suit; I just like to see respect given where it's due.
I'm bothered that laziness and the heavy magnetic pull of peer pressure is actively pressing students down in their seats.
     The other day I asked my Muslim friend about her plans over Christmas break. She politely reminded me that she does not celebrate the season, and that she would be maintaining a typical (albeit school-free) routine.
    I'm navigating unfamiliar waters where a typical holiday greeting is exclusive, and the all-embracing Pledge is left to the nasally voice over the intercom.
    So I'll continue wishing Merry Christmas, and ask about plans for "break".
     Once school resumes, I'll persist in standing. Just yesterday I noticed another student rise from his desk.

Breathing Space

2009-12-14T15:31:00.000-08:00

One of the most beautiful color displays in nature occurs at the open and close of each day. I managed to capture this striking West Virgina sunset just as the sun melted into the hilltops.

This Skier

2009-12-13T17:54:00.000-08:00

Is missing her snow.

Every frosty bit of it!

Happiness

2009-12-12T17:01:00.000-08:00

On a stinging winter's night drive I was struck by the lyrics of The Fray's "Happiness".
     Happiness is just outside my window
Would it crash blowing 80-miles an hour?
Or is happiness a little more like knocking
On your door, and you just let it in?
     Happiness feels a lot like sorrow
Let it be, you can’t make it come or go
But you are gone- not for good but for now
Gone for now feels a lot like gone for good
     Happiness is a firecracker sitting on my headboard
Happiness was never mine to hold
Careful child, light the fuse and get away
‘Cause happiness throws a shower of sparks
     Happiness damn near destroys you
Breaks your faith to pieces on the floor
So you tell yourself, that’s probably enough for now
Happiness has a violent roar
     Happiness is like the old man told me
Look for it, but you’ll never find it all
But let it go, live your life and leave it
Then one day, wake up and she’ll be home
Home, home, home
As I considered the lyrics I recognized a new depth and understanding expressed by foreman Isaac Slade.
Within the length of the song, I had a string of musings. Putting fleeting impressions to words is difficult, but I will take you through to my conclusion.

I flew back to a warm summer's night,

The first time this song struck me

Isaac's ethereal moans

Yeaahh aaa mmmmm.

Between verses as he delivered "Happiness"

To start and end the show.

He sang:

Happiness feels a lot like sorrow

Both so all-consuming.

Happiness is a firecracker sitting on my headboard

A fleeting moment in the scheme of time.

I'm becoming a believer in joy. Something lasting, thriving, and ever present even in the uhappiest of times- a hope that's always with me.

Someone once said:

"Joy is a heart full and a mind purified by gratitude."

And how much I have to be grateful for!

No, I cannot say that this moment is happy.

But that is what it is, a moment.

I have reasons for joy, and I have a feeling that as I lose myself in my reasons for gratitude...

As for my happiness...

...let it go, live your life and leave it

Then one day, wake up, she'll be home
Home, home, home

I hummed

Yeaahh aaa mmmmm
I have many more warm summer nights to come.

Music for Christmas

2009-12-07T17:17:00.000-08:00

My favorite seasonal tradition is still alive in the hills of West Virginia! Our family was lucky to run into Boyd Edwards and his family in the early stages of our move. Upon the discovery that my siblings and I are music lovers as well, we starting jamming at the Edward's home one, two, three times a week. As a Stanford grad and music minor, Brother Edwards has an excellent collection of music. It's been fun to play everything thing from Bartok to arrangements by Michael McClean.

An oboeist, cellist, bassist, pianist, and singer have all been incorporated into several different arrangements. We've been playing in groups resembling a small orchestra, as well as lively duets, and joyful quartets. With some pertinent connections, the gigs are lining up! We've had the opportunity to play for three church firesides and one Christmas party already.

I'm so grateful for this shred of normalcy, and I'm so lucky to have the power of music in my life. It's something I love to share, and my favorite way to get into the Christmas spirit.
Also, in the month of November and early December, Hunter, Anne, and I have all found excellent teachers at the University. I'm also very grateful for this, and can't wait to see where violin will take me.