The Only Constant is Change

The last year of my life has been one big change broken up into lots of smaller changes. At the beginning of 2007 I moved to Ogden to be closer to school and to get out on my own. I lived in a great place and had great roommates.

In May I graduated, and one month later started a job at a software company in south Salt Lake. Living in Ogden, you can imagine the long commute I was faced with every day. I put up with traffic and high gas bills for 3 months before finally giving in and moving to Salt Lake. Not that I didn't want to live in Salt Lake; after living in NYC for a year and a half I wanted to live in the city again....but by then Ogden felt like home and I didn't know a soul in SLC, so I was a little apprehensive.

Supposedly I was going to live with a girl my age who served her mission in Temple Square, but served in my mission for 3 months as well. She moved some of her stuff into the apartment, I moved all my stuff into the apartment, and for the next 4 months I lived alone. She never completely moved in, my landlords weren't happy with her, and I was frustrated with the whole thing.

Also while this was going on, I was trying to find a ward to go to at the U, but never really felt quite right about anything. I felt really flaky, doing the whole ward-hopping thing and never committing to anything. At the end of December I decided to move home (to Layton) for a little while, and at about the same time, my former Ogden roommate said she wanted to move out with me again (to Ogden again). I admit I was kind of homesick for good ol' O-Town, and agreed to look at some places with her. Not long after, we found a great place at Christopher Village in South Ogden, right off Harrison Blvd. We both felt good about it and moved in a week ago, roommates for the second time around. We just couldn't live apart! :) The apartment is quite big, about 1050 sq. ft. with 2 bedrooms, 1 1/2 bathrooms, a den, living room, and dining area/kitchen. We found awesome deals on furniture (like a LoveSac for $50!) and have had fun decorating and making the place our own. I feel good about where I live now, even though I'm back to commuting every day.

Lask week I went to the ward I am supposed to go to, and was surprised to already know quite a few people. I felt good there, and when I went again today, I felt like it was home. So hopefully that means I have made a good decision and I won't be moving again anytime soon. So now, after moving 3 times, attending 4 different wards, and wondering what the heck I'm supposed to do with my life, I finally feel comfortable with where I'm at, near people I know.

I'll try to take pictures of my new apartment and post them soon.

Bryan Magana's Concert

Last Saturday, Jan. 12 I went to a concert/worship service put on my Bryan Magana, one of my friends from high school. He sings Christian music and recently recorded a cd of songs based off Song of Solomon. I know that's probably the most risque part of the Bible, but the songs are really good :) If anyone would like to listen to some of his songs, he has a few on his myspace page: myspace.com/bryanmaganamusic

After the concert a bunch of us went to Famous Dave's. It was way fun!

Chance, Danica, Jason, Nichol, and me

Bryan (the man with the voice), me, and Natalie

Hi my name is Elinor!

So apparently I'm most like Elinor Dashwood, who I believe is from Sense and Sensibility correct? I do remember her character, and I'd have to agree that we're probably pretty similar.

Jon Schmidt!!!

Last Wednesday, January 9 my company held their annual banquet/awards night at the U of U Rice Eccles Stadium. The food was YUMMY, but surprisingly that wasn't the best part. Near the end of dinner, our CEO announced that Jon Schmidt would be providing the entertainment for the evening! I just about flipped from excitement. I guess he played for them last year too, but I didn't know that. The best part was that my table just happened to be right next to the piano - talk about your private concert. Here are a couple of shots of him playing:

Here is the famous upside-down song.

His fingers were flying!

He only played 5 or 6 songs, but it was still awesome! He even played my favorite, Pachelbel Meets U2. While he was playing I kept thinking it would be way cool to get my picture taken with him, but I didn't know if it would work out. As soon as he was done, he walked away and I was quite disappointed but I said, Oh well. Then after I got up and was walking past the tables, all of a sudden he was in front of my face. Without thinking I blurted out, "Can I take a picture with you?" He looked a little surprised, but he said "Of course." So here we are:

My dream come true!