Violin Remorse

I do believe that dreams can tell you a lot and hint to you about things you need to be doing better in your life. I can't tell you how many times that I have dreams where I am jogging and it is wonderful and feels good, and I think to my dream self, "I really need to do this more often!" And then I wake up. And I usually do not end up going jogging.

And then last night I had a dream that I tried to pick up my violin to play it, and I physically could not get my hand to go the way it should to play correctly. That was my cue: you haven't touched your violin for way too long!! And it's true. I feel so bad about it. And with the Christmas season coming up, I really need to get back in the groove, since our best family Christmas tradition is hosting our own private Christmas music recital on Christmas eve. The dream didn't get much better when I was trying to play the violin in a neighbor's backyard on a dirt pile, when the pile collapsed into the ground and covered my violin, and I didn't even notice for like 15 dream minutes.

Did I also mention that my dreams are very random sometimes?

Anyway. I REALLY should play my violin. I know it. But guess what? Next semester I registered for orchestra again which will require me to practice! Why am I best motivated by a grade for a class?

And for the record, this is how you properly hold a violin, as demonstrated by Albert Einstein. Yes, he plays the violin as well. So talented! (In my dream, my left hand was schrunched up to the violin instead of smoothed and relaxed like Albert's...in case you care)

Country Music and Fashion: They Don't Mix

The Country Music Association Awards were this week. No, I did not watch them, because I don't really care about country music. But you can bet that I saw the red carpet photos afterward. I love that kind of stuff. I always make it a point to purchase the Oscar edition of People magazine for that very reason.

And based on what I saw from those CMA awards, oh buddy, it did not look good. What is it about country music that makes people who usually have pretty good taste turn into horrible criminals of fashion? That twangy guitar starts to mess with their heads, and causes them to wear horribly tacky things. And THIS is why I don't listen to country music! I just don't want to risk it. As I was looking through the photos on yahoo's report on the show, it seemed like everybody was making the worst dressed list. This is not good.

Some examples:




















Martina McBride and Carrie Underwood: country singers. What were they thinking? (Just two examples of all the other country singers who had ugly outfits as well)

But what really gets me are the next two. Nicole Kidman and Gwyneth Paltrow. Nicole usually dresses fabulously. Until she married a country singer. And Gwyneth? Well, apparently, she's "going country" now. She performed at the show, and she did a pretty good job too, and even looked amazing as usual in her outfit she performed in, but she arrived at the show in a very unfortunate outfit. If Gwyneth can't even resist the urge to still dress nice and be involved with country music, then who can?!

Well, that's about it. Please resist the urge to dress like this. Sorry if this offends any country lovers out there. I still love you. Happy weekend! Love, Annie

The Bestie Concert Series

It has been one great month for concerts in Salt Lake City! And I am a lucky person, because I have a bestie who goes to all of them with me. Kimmy. I love her.

I first met Kimmy in the far away land of Romania. We immediately connected when the subject turned to music. Kimmy has great taste in music. And while I myself wouldn't call my own taste great, I do know that my friends say that I have great taste in music.

Oh Romania. Did I mention that I miss that place? Because I do. A lot.

Anyway, back to music. Kimmy and I are kindred spirits when it comes to music. Since we have been re-united in the United States, we have seen some pretty sweet shows. This summer we went to the Mountain Goats. I had always wanted to see the Mountain Goats perform and Kimmy came with me even though she didn't know them too well. Now that's true friendship, people.

And then, there was Ingrid Michaelson last week. Her concert was amazing. And Kimmy stood in line a good hour before I got there to wait with her. She stood in the freezing rain, and then together we stood in the hail storm. But we got in! Thanks to Kimmy. I'm telling you, if you want a legit friend, call Kimmy!

On Monday, Kimmy and I got to experience Sufjan Stevens together. It was wonderful! We were so happy after! (as seen below: man with beard is Kimmy's friend Rudy)

School may be blah and boring, but at least I have Kimmy. And Ingrid. And Sufjan. And, on Friday, Kate Nash! But mostly, I'm glad I have Kimmy! Basically, I have some pretty legit friends, and yes that includes all of you reading this. So, I hope you have a good rest of the week, and remember that I love you!

xoxo, Annie

Save the Subjunctive! And other activist protest ideas

While some college students may feel that protesting a cause like global warming or saving the animals in the ocean (ehh emm...Kimmy) is crucially important, I feel like there are other issues that are just as important. First and foremost: the subjunctive. Ever heard of it? Maybe, but do you ever use it? Probably not, because the subjunctive is dying. This is serious people! A part of our language is just disappearing: this is a big problem that people just don't seem to care about.

In case you don't know what the subjunctive is, I will explain, and give a prime example of how it is dying. Some 50 years ago, the musical Fiddler on the Roof opened on Broadway. One of the most well known songs was "If I Were a Rich Man." Did you catch that? If I were a rich man. Fast forward four decades. Gwen Stefani comes out with her pop hit rip off called "If I was a Rich Girl." What the what?! She just killed the subjunctive. This is not right.

That's why if I were (yep, were, not was) to head up a college campus activist protest it would be to save the subjunctive. It needs to be saved. And it needs to be saved more than the whales in the ocean. I guess I should take my protest to the school boards as well because teachers really are no longer teaching grammar in schools, which is a travesty. Americans don't even know their own language, which damages them for life. It's not your fault you don't know how to use the subjunctive. You weren't taught it or encouraged to use it. And just to help you out, here are some sample sentences of how to use the subjunctive, taken from the real thoughts of yours truly.

I wish Tim Gunn were one of my best friends.
If boyfriend were to come this weekend we could go to The Drowsy Chaperon for 10 dollars. (student tickets are the best)
I wish I were skiing. (This sounds weird, but it is correct)

Only YOU can save the subjunctive!

So, moving on to other activist protests. I have a friend who is ridiculous. He is going to protest for mens rights. He calls it his mens revolution. I would usually frown upon such a thing, but he wants to protest for mens rights on college campuses simply to get a reaction from all those college feminists. (And if I didn't know it was a joke, I would probably be one of them to throw paint on him or something)

And for all you redheads out there. A protest for ginger rights. And this one really did happen. My co worker heard about it when she was living in London. Do gingers really need more rights? Are they discriminated against? Actually, yes. A fellow sister missionary in my mission who is a ginger spent weeks trying to find a new apartment in Bucharest and no one would rent to her because of that (she also had an asian companion and that just added to it). I don't think that I discriminate against them, unless it's discrimination that I get offended if somebody thinks that I have red hair, and that I often say that attractive red head guys don't exist. (I have only ever met one) So I guess a protest for ginger rights could be productive.

If you would be interested in participating in any of these causes, let me know and maybe we can make a difference in the world! There is strength in numbers!

Happy Monday. Love, Annie

The Rut I am in

Remember my last post about my lack of motivation to exercise? Well, thanks for the suggestions. I appreciated them! My plan is to register for aerobics next semester...because a grade is a good motivator right? And I am going to enter to run in the Moab Half Marathon with this amazing person and that should be a good motivation as well. Holla.

And on that optimistic note, time to switch. I have realized that my lack of motivation stems deeper than just physical exercise. Last night I pretty much failed a midterm because I had no drive to really study or do the readings for it. And while I felt bad about it, I feel more guilty of what my professor is going to think.

I think I finally know what a person with a.d.d. feels like. And it's ridiculous. I can't focus when I am reading for class, I don't have any drive whatsoever to write my papers or pay attention in class. I try to focus and read Alexander Pope, and I just end up watching Keeping up with the Kardashians on netflix. What is wrong with me?! The Kardashians, really? But also, oh yeah, I'm a senior. And including the breaks I have taken to go to China and Romania, I have been doing the college thing for 5 years. I am ready to peace out!! I love BYU, and I love learning. But it seems like all my classes left are the ones I intentionally put off because they didn't seem that fun. And they're not. (Well, sometimes they are. I still love my major. And I still enjoy talking about literature all day. I'm a dork) But I am so ready to graduate. So how do I keep focus for 6 more months?

But I'll tell you what I do have motivation for: a social life. Sue me. I care more about hanging with my peeps than studying. And I have no self discipline! The best example is that it is a school night tonight. I should probably be doing homework and studying. But I'm not. I'm going to Ingrid Michaelson with Kimmy and I don't care, because Ingrid Michaelson is legit!!! (And Kimmy too) So I guess I need advice now on how to care more. Anything is welcome. And before you judge me for going to Ingrid, just watch her vid below, and you'll end up wishing you were coming with me.

So, there you go. I have a problem right now. Maybe Ingrid will inspire me tonight. Good music always does. Love you all!

(and please don't be creeped out by all the clowns in this video. It's a great song)

I want my mission body back

You're probably going "whaaa?!" Why would she want that? Don't girls who go on missions get all frumpy and fat and come home fat as well? Well, people, I don't want my brag, but this wasn't case. While I myself wouldn't say that I came home looking pretty dang good, my friends and family do say that I came home looking pretty fit (that's british for looking pretty dang good).

I felt that I had a point to prove to the world by coming home weighing less than when I started. To prove that it was possible to not gain a ton of weight on a mission. I was determined to prove everyone wrong. Take that! But proving that point turned out to be surprisingly easy.

Sure, I exercised. Well, tried to. Sometimes I was really good, when it was convenient. For example: living on the coast of the Black Sea and being able to run on the beach every morning: the best thing that could have happened. It was glorious. Then there were those dark winter months when I would roll out of bed, lay on the floor and do a few sit ups, and then lay there lifeless for the rest of "exercise time." And yet even in those dark winter months, my weight didn't sky rocket. And it's not like I was eating all healthy either. Sure, the food was fresher and luckily I had control over what I ate (no member meals three times a day, thank goodness!), but when my British companion taught me how to make english chips (as in fish and chips), I swear I made them at least 3 times a week! And what are english chips but thick french fries. Healthy? Not really.

But my point is even with all the odds against me, I was in way better shape then I am now. And it was all too easy then. I don't get it! I'm kind of trying now, but nothing is really happening. I know a lot has to do with the fact that I now spend most of my day in a chair or a desk. Doing nothing, as opposed to the mission days when I was often running desperately to catch a bus or subway train.

And it doesn't help when you have a boyfriend who loves to eat and go to restaurants as much you do. (See previous post), and who lets me complain to him how I think I'm getting a little gross and chubby but doesn't say a word or judge me as I eat another chocolate...or two. (And I wouldn't have it any other way!)

And then there is always the fact that I am now 23 and not a carefree 19 year old who can eat whatever she wants, do a little exercise and be good to go. I hate being 23! Ok not really, but in this case, most definitely.

Sorry to vent and complain and be a debbie downer, folks. But that's what is occupying my thoughts a lot lately (I blame it on my corduroy pants I wore today that always make me feel chunky.) But if you have any advice on how to get motivated and stay motivated to exercise, I welcome any suggestions! And I did go running today, so I am kind of off to a good start in writing this post. Anyway.

I love you all. Stay cool.

Hugs and kisses and rainbows,

Annie

Babies!

I have found a new favorite documentary: and it is BABIES. I watched this last week and loved it. Such a sweet theme: that motherhood and babies don't really change much, no matter where you are or what culture. It's all about the love.

My favorite was the Namibian baby because the culture was just so completely different from the others, and that baby sure had spunk! And the Mongolian baby was cool too. I just loved 'em all. But warning about the African scenes: there are a LOT of boobies, so if you can't handle it, then...well learn how to handle it, because you will be missing out if you don't watch it!!

And in honor of the fact that I will be seeing Mr. Sufjan Stevens himself perform two weeks from today (excited much? yes indeed!), here is the trailer for Babies, featuring Sufjan's musical talent. Oh, and btw: Babies is now on instant play on netflix: hit it up!

Happy rest of the week. Enjoy the Babies!!!