Quick Jaunt to Tennessee

Hi Fam!

As you may know, Dad and I took a quick 

trip to Tennessee this last weekend, to see

Kayla and Kerry, and to see Kayla perform 

in The Crucible.

This is a shot as we were coming into Tennessee.

It rained like crazy!

I wished I could get a ton a pictures. It was so so 

beautiful! But we were on the freeway and hurrying 

to get there. I snapped this one as we were driving.

 There were rock walls on either side of us, and

there were just continual waterfalls all along the cliffs.

It was foggy and green and lush.

Gorgeous!

And isn't that orange truck beautiful?

This is the theatre.

It was pretty cool to go to the theatre 

district, to a real theatre, 

to watch our kid perform.

One more just for fun.

And a couple inside as well.

We got there in time for the Saturday matinee, which was 

so good. Can I gush a little and say 

how proud and amazed I was?

Seriously, where is that shy, reserved girl?

Not on stage. That's where!

After it was done Kayla came out and I was

able to get just a couple shots.

So exciting!

Kayla greeted her fans

Sorry for the bad lighting.

All the attitude.

She is a baaad girl!

Not Kayla's theatre, but it looked cool.

Also, notice the sky in the not too far distance.

Black! It was getting darker and windier as we

 headed for the parking garage.

As soon as we got in the garage the sky opened. 

We were under a roof but in an open stairway and got 

soaked because the wind was so crazy.

It was so much rain!

There were flash flood warnings all over

and I could see why.

 Dad and I headed for Kayla's house,

and Sue and Kayla went to get 

chinese take out..

It was delicious.

Then it was time to go back to the theatre for the

evening performance. Kayla, Sue and I went, 

while Dad stayed home and hung out with Kerry 

and napped. The evening show was with the

 second cast. It was fun to see it with the other

 performers too, and compare and contrast.

We slept really well, and with fluffy Frank, I might add.

We got up in the morning and went to the 

Presbyterian church with Kayla. 

It was really awesome to watch their rehearsal.

So on point. So efficient. So pleasing.

Also, they sang with such gusto!

It made my heart happy.

None of that namby pamby weak singing.

This is the woman of the hour after the last 

performance. I really enjoyed watching her

 performance grow with each show.

With handsome Kerry

So beautiful and happy!

With the voice teacher

And the vocal coach

And the co-star, Ian.

After that we went to go see the boat Kerry has

been building. Ah may zing! The kitchen is

bigger than mine. Full size appliances. Granite 

countertops. Three bedrooms. Laundry room. 

Party decks. Yes. More than one.

Mind boggling, really.

And then, we went out to a wing joint

and ate all the delicious fried food.

All of it.

And went home and I don't know what,

because we were so tired.

Next morning Kerry had to go to work (boo).

Dad and Kayla and I went to the campus

and Kayla showed us all around.

And we ate more fried food,

(Chili cheese fries and hush puppies)

And walked around a neat general store.

After Kerry came home we went and walked 

around some beautiful gardens.

 I was amazed at how different the plants

 and birds are there from here.

Then we went to a really cool place and ate more food.

(Yes. Really)

This place had fabulous decor and 

butterbeer and it was delicious!

It was a really fun double date.

And then we had to head back to Minnesota.

I was so sad to leave.

I always hate leaving you kids.

I think if I'm eighty I will shed a tear leaving you.

This is a tulip tree.

It was covered with these flowers.

And this is a barn I just thought was cool, 

somewhere 

in the endless state of Illinois.

And then we got home at 3:00 AM

and were very tired.

The end.

PS I have no idea how I got home without a single

picture of Dad and only one of me.

Weird.

So that's the saga.

Short. Exhausting. Wonderful.

Love you!

Gradumatated

Wellp, it's official. This girl is graduated from college. I'm pretty excited but there is one thing no one ever tells you about. I feel like I've lost a little piece of my identity, I've been a student since I was in Kindergarten till now. I'm a little scared of what I'm going to do next. I'm trying really hard to have faith though. Sometimes I just wish Heavenly Father would hand me a map and say here you go, these choices will bring you the most happiness enjoy your life! Alas, that would take away my agency and lets be honest, I don't like to do what people tell me what to do... heh heh... Anywhoo, I've been searching for something I can do this summer to make a little money and fill my time. Preferably not something horrible. I've applied for a mail carrier job, I've considered voice lessons but felt too shy (mostly because we'll probably move after Alex graduates). I've been thinking of looking onto the teaching English online to little Chinese kids. I've been looking for teaching jobs in the fall. 

Despite worrying about the future it's been a fun week. Alex and I have been cooking up the Wazoo. We made some DELICIOUS lasagna the other night. It had spinach and turkey sausage and was SOOOO good. We've been to the museum of Idaho, and DI. Yesterday we went Rollerblading/biking on a path and saw three rock chucks!!!! I went on a run/walk the day before and saw three deer in the same place. We've been having a lot of fun and just enjoying spring break. 

Sir. Rock Chuck

Today we went for a walk to the nature park and then went to Casa de Ochoa for lunch. It's a newish Mexican restaurant. They serve giant burritos that are like as big as your head and seriously I regretted eating all of it.... We also got a little sunburned! Haha! Welcome to Spring in Idaho. It's BEAUTIFUL here today though. 

Casa De Ochoa

Recently we rediscovered the joys of the public library. It's been so fun to go check out piles of books and read to our hearts content. We also finally had our water heater fixed!! Thank goodness for hot water.

 On Saturday we are planning to go to the opening day of the Idaho Falls Zoo. They have a brand new baby sloth bear which happens to be Alex's favorite animal.

Thats them... They're so cuuuute!!!! 

This is a video of him.

I hope everyone far away is doing well. I've decided to take yet again another break from facebook simply because it makes unhappy. So you'll probably be hearing from me a little bit more on the blog. I would love if you all posted too. I miss all of you very much. I was going through my computer organizing and I ran across a bunch of old pictures.

Hello!

Hi Guys! 

Pelican Lake

Things are rolling along here at home.

Dad trimmed that ridiculous tree out front.

I made my yummy squash soup.

I got to go out to lunch and shopping with a friend,

 which I haven't done in forever. It was super fun!

 And we went to Layne Bryant, which is a store

for "the full figured woman" (ha!)

and I was so skinny there!

I had to go down a pant size.

Pelican Lake

Spring is springing.

The ice has gone out on the lake.

Twice. For real.

 I am hearing birdies in the morning 

which is my favorite!

Dad and I took a drive one day so I could

get my nature fix.

Other days we have gone for hikes. 

Also my favorite.

Pelican Lake

Dad is working to get his boiler's license.

It will help him at the job he is at now, but

it will also help him to get a better job.

I'm working like a crazy on the music for Easter,

which is both aggravating and such a pleasure!

It feels so good to be doing music again!

It's also a bit unnerving because I feel rusty.

The only way to get good again, 

though, is to just do it.

I'm running on the

 "fake it til you make it"

 theory.

Pelican Lake

https://www.instagram.com/p/BR9YPEXFGd0/?taken-by=kimberlykh7

This ^^^ is what the lake looked and 

sounded like this morning.

It sounded like tiny pieces of glass tinkling together

and kind of squeaking and moaning with the wind.

So, I think for Easter I am going to make yummy

food on the Saturday, and then Sunday after

Sacrament meeting we will drive down to Mankato

to see Sam and have a picnic.

He can't really come home because he doesn't have 

Monday off and he has a show Saturday night.

What are you all doing?

By Pelican Lake

I came across this video (below) and really liked it.

I know it's trendy, or whatever, but I feel like she

has some really good points as far as

getting ourselves ready for general conference.

It's a couple of my very favorite weekends of the year.

I love the teaching.

I love the uplift.

I love staying home in my jammies

http://www.ldsliving.com/Al-Fox-Carraway-Shares-9-Amazing-Ways-to-Get-the-Most-out-of-General-Conference/s/84887?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=social_button

Whelp,

That's about it.

Life.

Choir.

Work.

Handbells.

Church.

Hike

Skype with Henry.

Repeat.

How about you?

Love you like a crazy!

The Mom

Pelican Lake

PS

Funny true story: I like to put

a poem up here sometimes and thought

of this one.

I remember Grandpa reciting this poem and telling

me it was one he had to memorize in "gradeschool"

(elementary school).

What I DON'T remember is all the talk about

breasts. 

What???

Or is it just me?

I think that I shall never see  
A poem lovely as a tree.  

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest  
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast; 

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray; 

A tree that may in summer wear  
A nest of robins in her hair; 

Upon whose bosom snow has lain; 
Who intimately lives with rain.  

Poems are made by fools like me,  
But only God can make a tree. 

Bertram Chain of Lakes

Adventure Time

Hi Fam!
Guess what? They cancelled school!!!! It's a amazing! I have no idea how much it has snowed, but it's supposed to snow somewhere between 5-10 inches.  They cancelled school before it had even started snowing! It's pretty ridiculous, but I'm not complaining. So let me update you on my life the past month.

I'm doing the pit for West Side Story! I'm soo happy to be doing it, but sometimes rehearsal gets long and I want to fall asleep because it's been 3 1/2 hours and so late at night... Here are two pictures of me...the one in the right is of Rebecca and I going to rehearsal.  She is the other horn player in the show.  She is only a sophomore, but she's cool.  I like her.  Also I like that picture.  Also I really like taking selfies in that elevator. The door is a mirror, and I have a new love of selfie taking...

I don't remember when or where the picture on the left was taken, but I like it.  So I put it on here :)

 I played in a recital the first or second weekend of school.  It was for a conducting master's recital.  I was really happy to play in it.  It was fun good music and they specifically asked me to do it.  Dr. McCauley is the director of bands here and he totally has my back.  It's fantastic.  Anytime someone goes to him looking for a horn player, he sends them to me.  I am so grateful for him.  He is also the guy conducting for West Side Story, which is why I got in on that.  It's nice, because my private lessons teacher favors other other grad horn student (who drives me crazy, and also sexually harasses the other girls in the music department.  I get left alone because I have a boyfriend. Lucky me :/ ).  But Dr. McCauley favors me, and I'll take it because he has lot's of connections!  The picture below is from that recital.  It's one I post on Instagram, but I really love it.  My hair and makeup were on point!  It was also awesome, because after the recital, everyone who played went out with the tab on the guy who's recital it was.  Free appetizers all night :) Yes, I took advantage of that hardcore.  Everyone else took advantage of the fact the he was paying for their drinks, and I was just like, MOZZARELLA STICKS!

These next three pictures are showcasing my hair.  I don't think I have ever had hair this long, and if I have, it's been a looooooooooooong time.  So I spend a lot of time taking pictures of it.  Because it makes me happy.

Right before the semester started again, Mike and I went on an adventure to the city, aka NYC.  We took the train.  Mike is super NOT PHOTOGENIC.  Which is most unfortunate.  I always be trying to get a picture of us, but they always turn out bad.  The one on the left is ok, but not great.  I told him to take a silly face for the next one and we got this one.  It's horrible of me, I gotta work on my silly faces clearly, but I think it's the only time that took a picture and we intended to have it turn out that way...

                                  

So this adventure took us to Central Park and the Museum of Natural History.  Also a delicious burger place. So here are some pictures of that day.  It was super fun.

This is Central Park.

This was the museum.  I told Mike that if this guy was still
alive, I would make him my steed, and I would cover his shell
in Christmas lights.  Mike was unconvinced.

  

This is a piece of the largest meteor to ever fall on the earth.  It is like
40 tons or something (Ok, I pulled that number out of my head. truthfully
I don't remember)

Another of my Valiant Steed.

Central Park.  Mike wouldn't climb on the rocks with me because
he didn't want to get his new shoes muddy.  I can respect that,
they were brand new and beautiful, so he took pictures instead.

Here's one I took of Mike from the rock...See the mud? I can't blame him
for not wanting to ruin his shoes.

This was our burger place.  We split a milkshake.  At this point my phone
was on the fritz so that's not awesome. But it was a good milkshake.
Also, Mike and his inability to take a picture.

My burger was SOOOOOOOOO good! It had bacon, blue cheese, pickles,
and some chipotle mayo sauce stuff.  It sounds like a weird combo, but it
was one of the best burgers I've ever had.  10/10 would go again.  10/10 would
recommend.  Too bad it was some hole in the wall and I don't remember what it
was called.  It's a weird thing, but I am 100% in love with blue cheese lately.
I basically want it all the time on EVERYTHING!

 I'm super excited next time I go to the city I'm going to go three places.  First the Steinhardt Conservatory! It's like the Como Conservatory, but in Brooklyn!  And then I'm going to stop at this place called DO (dough), because, YUM!!!! And then I'm going to end the night at New York Philharmonic and listen to them play Mahler 1.  It's going to be a good day :)

That's what I have for you.  Just living life.  Most days are rote and boring, and I have to work hard all the time, but occasionally I get to do something fun. :)  

Middle School *shudders

Okay just kidding. Middle school isn't THAT bad. But sometimes I come home exasperated. Kayla's post inspired me but also bummed me out. I am such a passionate human being and one thing I'm passionate about is singing and music. And lets be honest... opera is the best kind of singing and a... (pardon me while I put on my music snob spectacles) one of the best genres of music. It's so incredible what people can do with their own tiny tiny cords and face and mouth and lungs and stuff!!!!! Middle school singing is, pretty underwhelming for me. I feel like a glorified babysitter most of the time. Although today my eighth grade choir was on fire!! When they all sing the same vowel they sound amazing!!! We were very excited. Over all my student teaching is going really well. Next week I will be half way. I am actually really loving band too, although my dislike of saxophones has grown. Of course I would never tell them that ;) There are a lot of things I really do enjoy about being a teacher. When students see me in the hallways and say "Mrs. Gruber!!!!!" It makes my whole self just feel so awesome. When they are excited to see me or we make really good progress, it makes me feel so great and like I'm making a difference. I don't know if I'll teach forever but it is a great start. I'm doing well and missing the fam! Alex and I are pretty boring. Haha, he has three part time jobs on campus and has loads of homework and I come home completely exhausted every day. We've been watching a lot of parks and rec. It's a hilarious show. We also cook delicious dinners most nights... We LOVE to cook together. I hope you're all doing well and pray for you all every day! Love you!

p.s. guess what calling I just got...

yep. Ward choir director :'D Claaaaaasic

Here's a picture of us being weird and boring.

Just a Fun Thing

Hi!

Guys, I really want to zip line.

Particularly somewhere awesome. 

Check this out! 

And the bear is pretty cute too.

http://www.usatoday.com/videos/virtual-reality/vrtually-there/2016/12/29/-adorable-encounter-grizzly-bear-vr/95922112/?utm_source=taboola&utm_medium=exchange

Make sure you click on the screen and then use your

 arrows to see the whole 3D thing.

Jump ahead to about 2:00 in this one and watch

a little of this one too.

Very pretty!

( ignore the people. Kind of annoying.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKIPqY7KB2A&t=58s

That's all.

Mom out

Rehearsal Nights

Hey guys!
My thoughts on Mom's post- I think one of the best things we can do is actually post on this stinking blog. I'm so. bad. at remembering it.... SO, I thought I'd tell you about my night.



Specifically, I'll tell you about a love story since we're close to Valentine's day.

Mimi lives next door to a group of artsy guys in the crappiest, coldest part of the city. She comes in one day hoping someone can light her candle since it's getting dark and she doesn't have anything. She accidently drops her room key when she meets this handsome, kind, writer named Rodolfo who happens to live right next door to her. He tries to help her. (He's cold too, since he and his roommates just burned the manuscript for his drama to stay warm.)

They realize they're perfect for each other and fall in love. They do fun things like go to town, buy bonnets, sneak out of restaurants after eating so they don't starve on Christmas Eve (they had to pay rent) and help Rodolfo's friend Marcello with his crazy love for the town star, Musetta.

But Mimi gets sick and he becomes a jerkface to hide the fear that he's going to lose her. They reconcile and tell each other how much they love each other as their friends run to sell things for medicine, but Mimi dies before then. And it's devastating. 

That's the condensed version of La Boheme. And Puccini writes some of the most passionate music in the history of the world. I was sitting in rehearsal today with lines of people doing tech notes, chorus members dispersed around the room, and I was horribly sick trying not to cough more horribly than Mimi, sitting on the dirty floor watching these two actors sing about the pain and joy that come with love for each other in various states of rehearsal costume and I was still tearing up. The gut instincts of both hurt and love and excitement and loss that come with this opera are why it's one of the most loved operas ever. It's so beautiful. I get to sit on that dirty floor and see them rehearse this. I have singers coming to my school who would later perform in rehearsal giving me advice about my career and what they've done. And I get to work with a creative genius of a stage director who has given me quite a bit of individual direction. And I'm getting paid a little to do it.

I've had a little bit of a pity party week being sick, tired, and tired of not knowing all the things I feel like I should know at my age. Not knowing what your actually doing with your life will do that... But that one moment (in Act 3 where Mimi realizes that Rodolfo is terrified) that Puccini gave me tonight was the reminder of why I'm trying to pursue one of the hardest careers in the world. To explore, express, and share the human condition is a worthy lifetime goal I think. Opera sunk in its hooks and the more I do, the more I want it. It's about love. And dang it, I love it.

We move into the theater for rehearsal on Sunday!!! YAY!!! I'll post a picture of it maybe. The Tennessee theater is BEAUTIFUL.