"I was a dancer all along"

I have never been an excellent conversationist.

Awkward silences love me, and often plague me at the most inconvenient times.

I don't express my honest feelings often.

There's always the fear that someone doesn't care, or unwanted attention will come my way, or someone could be hurt.

I was very fortunate at a very young age to discover a way around this little troubling characteristic of mine, with my dear friend Dance.

I'm sure you have heard people say this before and it may sound a bit cliché, but believe me when I say there is not better way to express "Hey, I'm really happy," or "I just want to punch you in the face right now, but I'll dance it out instead." You can release the happiest happiness or the saddest sadness this way. I have found no better way to express myself in the 20 years (almost 21) of my time here on earth.

Dance has carried me through some rough times. I don't share feelings with others easily, and at the worst and saddest times of my life Dance was there for me and encouragingly saying "let it out, everything will be alright."

I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the experiences with Dance that I have had. Dance took me to the opening and closing ceremonies of the olympics in SLC. Dance introduced me to some of the friends I have had for years, and I hope I will have for years to come. Dance has allowed an escape. Dance has made my life better. Dance lets me share and express and speak in ways I can't otherwise.

Dance has been my life since I was 5, and I am so incredibly grateful for that.

The reason this has been so prevalent on my mind the last couple of days is because of this little sister of mine. She amazes me. And she was singing a little song called "Dance Dance Dance" by Lykke Li the other night and the lyrics describe me perfectly, if I do say so myself. It is over there ---> in my playlist if you are interested in listening. The lyrics are as follows:

Having troubles telling how I feel but I can dance, dance, dance.

Couldn't possibly tell you how I mean but I can dance, dance, dance.

So when I trip on my feet look at the beat the words are written in the sand.

When I'm shakin' my hips look for the swing the words are written in the air.

Oh dance.

I was a dancer all along.

Dance, dance, dance.

Words can never make up for what you do.

Easy conversations, no such thing, no I'm shy, shy, shy.

My hips they lie 'cause in reality I'm shy shy shy.

But when I trip on my feet look at the ground the words are written in the dust.

When I'm shakin' my hips look for the swing the words are written in the air.

Dance.

I was a dancer all along.

Dance, dance, dance.

Words can never make up for what you do.

Oh dance.

I was a dancer all along.

Dance, dance, dance.

Words can never make up for what you do.

Dance, dance, dance.

Oh I was a dancer all along.

Words can never make up for what you do...

I was a dancer all along.

Good thoughts after a rough round of finals

Finals are over with. Hallelujah praise the Lord. Now here are some happy thoughts (or just thoughts) going through my head:

1. Finals are over. 'nuff said.

2. Despite getting an 80% on a final paper in my Southern Mesoamerican class, I am quite pleased with my self. I wrote that paper in less than a day and it came out 6 pages instead of 10, but my professor thought my comparison of Maya "friendly terminations" and damnatio memoraie of Roman Emperors was "fascinating." Yes, he said fascinating. Accomplished. I feel it. That comparison saved me from a big fat EFFE! ("F" in italian...)

3. Once again, all finals should be like Brother Bott's. His was painless, easy, open note, and I still learned a hecka lot from it. We grade them together in class and then talk about it as we go along. I like that method. Also, I'm going to miss Brother Bott. He is just fantastic.

4. I have really great friends. I'm going to miss them all as they go off to Texas, Idaho, Washington, California, India, etc. etc. for the holidays, but we will party when everyone comes back. And a great and epic party it shall be.

5. I'm going to DisneyWorld tomorrow morning. DisneyWorld! For 9 days! With a side trip to Harry Potter Land! That's right fools, be jealous.

6. Not only do I get to go to DisneyWorld, but it will be with my ENTIRE family! (Minus Bryan. Sorry Dr. Mason, we'll miss you). I LOVE my family and all the time we've been able to spend together these holidays.

7. Other great things are happening that will not be discussed here, but just know they are great and they are happening.

8. I know how to make an infinity scarf. And I'm kind of a pro.

9. Peppermint frosties from Wendys are delicious and a GREAT way to celebrate the end of finals with friends.

10. I don't have to think about ANYTHING except family, fun, and Mickey Mouse for the next two weeks. That just sounds fantastic.

I survived and I'm feeling really great about life! I hope (if you are in school) that finals went well for you as well and that now you can just focus on the happiness of the holidays and not having any real obligations. As the italians say it, cherish "la dolce far niente," the sweetness of doing nothing. I know I will surely be enjoying it.

Some Christmas favorites

THIS is my favorite Christmas song:

These are some of my favorite Christmas movies:

And of course:

This is my favorite Christmas tradition:

10 things I've learned while studying for finals:

(you'd think I would know all these things from past semesters, but you get slammed with new realizations, or ones that you forgot about, every dang time...)

1. Having an 8 o clock class is very unproductive and just a very bad idea. For example, while studying for my Greek test I read this in my notes: "Venetians are fighting the Turks in 1600s, Turks were using the Parthenon as a storage for their weapons and gun powder. Venetians shooted a rocket into the temple and it all blowed up." Really great grammar McKell. 10 points to you. And another comment from one of my friends I'm studying with: "Here's what I know about the Parthenon: It's in Greece. It's big. It bows. There was a giant statue of Athena in it. And it was blown up from the inside out." Also found in the notes: "the skanctuary of Akleipos..." that could be misconstrued as something entirely different from what it is...Classes at 8 am should be banned.

2. Studying in the weeks leading up to finals would be a good idea, even if it's only like 20 minutes a day or something. Cramming can be efficient, but only if you're brain is functioning at its full capacity, which mine is not these days.

3. Sleep is a must. I have been thinking I could survive on an average of 3 hours of sleep a night for the past week. That theory was disproved when I came home to study more and fell asleep for four hours last night. ha! I guess I needed it?

4. The annoying socialites that take over my normal study place on the 5th floor HBLL during finals are on my hit list. For serious. Go find your own place to study.

5. The Bookstore likes to rip people off. I got $11 back from a book I paid $70 for. $11!!! Ridiculous. We KNOW they'll just come back and sell that for $70 again. Idiots. It's a scam.

6. Having to worry about your students' Christmas recital and whether or not they are prepared does not add to my happiness during finals.

7. Toy Story 3 is a really great movie (my roomie and I may or may not have watched it at 12 last night...)

8. Christmas music does not help you focus on the task at hand. It only gets you thinking about the great holiday you will be spending in Florida with your family starting in 3 days.

9. Despite what you may think, people are incredibly willing to help you out during finals if you're missing a lot (and by a lot I mean the majority) of notes from a class. Shout out to Emily Larsen! You da bomb.

10. Brother Bott's form of tests, or "Celebrations" as he calls them, are the greatest and happiest form of finals there could be. All professors should strive to be like Bro. Bott. He is ranked #1 in the nationon ratemyprofessors.com after all.

There will probably be more revelations during these next two days of finals that I will want to share with you. You (re)learn something new everyday.

2 finals down. 3 to go.

Imma kill you finals. Imma kill you ded.

Rough week

So I haven't posted about anything that has been happening lately because it was kind of a miserable week. I pulled 2 all nighters and had SO much stuff to do and have been making a lot of trips back and forth to Provo from SL valley and Springville and have had several melt downs. But I received some really great news last night that helped bring me back to life. My dearest bestest best friend Brittany Ann Blood got engaged yesterday to Mr. Grayson Pollock. She called to tell me last night and the two of them came over to tell me the proposal story and show me the ring (which, by the way is GORGEOUS and dreamy). They were just glowing and it made me really happy. In fact I cried I was so happy. They are perfect for each other and I couldn't be more excited for their big day. :)

Brit and I at Thriller in October.

Also this week, I realized I have not watched a Christmas movie yet this holiday season. That is horrible. And I've hardly been listening to Christmas music. So I haven't really been feeling the Christmas spirit. Then today in church our sacrament meeting was all Christmas music and the reading of the Nativity story in Luke. That really bumped up my Christmas spirit. After church I came home and watched this commercial my roommate showed me and I REALLY am now feeling the Christmas spirit a bit more.

It makes me happy.

I just realized I'll be in Florida in a week. I'm excited but I can't REALLY get excited because I have other things on my mind and I haven't been able to think about that a whole lot. It will be SO fun to be with the family in the happiest place on earth. I could really use it after this extremely tough semester. Let's just hope I survive finals this next week...

I know I've been posting lame things lately with not really any details of what's going on in my life, but I saw this today and REALLY loved it. You're going to too. I just know. Just wanted to share. :)

Thought of You from Ryan J Woodward on Vimeo.

Things I have done. 2 years later.

So I did this two years ago when Nat tagged me for it. And I was just looking back and realized I can check off a few more things! Excitement. I want to keep updating this every other year. What things have you done?!

Things I Have Done

the bolded and italicized ones are things I have done, and the *s are things I've added since last time

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightening storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty (or at least as far as they let you these days)
18. Grown your own vegatables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train*
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors*
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing (indoors)
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person*
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain*
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone Whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp*
67. Bounced a check*
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job*
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car* (Well, with father dearest's help...)
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Visited the White House
86. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
87. Had chickenpox
88. Saved someone's life
89. Sat on a jury
90. Met someone famous
91. Joined a book club
92. Lost a loved one
93. Had a baby
94. Seen the Alamo in person
95. Swam in the Great Salt Lake (gross)
96. Been involved in a law suit
97. Owned a cell phone
98. Been stung by a bee

58/98 - How many have you done?!

(Copy and paste this then mark the things you've done) :)

Catch up.

So it has been two weeks since my last post, and yet SO many things have happened.

We'll start with a wedding. My dear friend and past roommate Courtney married another dear friend Blake the week before Thanksgiving. That was a happy occasion. I was there for the whole thing, from the beginning. It was so great to see them finally come to this point after everything that happened this past year. They are fantastic people, and they make an even more fantastic couple. I love them both.

Chicago. Chicago is AMAZING. I love that city, although I wasn't there long enough to determine if I love it more than NYC. (NYC is my city. In case you didn't know...). We got there in the late afternoon, checked into our hotel (which was in a GREAT location), and walked to Giordano's for some real Chicago deep dish pizza. Although I don't know if I was the biggest fan of the mass amount of cheese that was on the pizza, it was still delicious and definitely lived up to the expectation. We shopped for a little while after that and wandered around the "Magnificent Mile" (or whatever it's called) and had a grand ole time. The next morning we woke up and went to Navy Pier for breakfast at the Billy Goat Tavern. That was delicious. Then I went to the Art Institute of Chicago. I had to! They had an amazing collection! They had works from Van Gogh, Seurat, Renoir, Morisot, Cassatt, Wood, Whistler, Sargeant, Toulouse-Latrec, and tons of other greats. I was in heaven. Every room I entered I would say to myself "I am so happy." I didn't make it to the modern and contemporary galleries because I ran out of time. Next trip I'm going to have to go back. It was a much needed visit after the deprivation of good art I have suffered since returning from my spring study abroad. I'm a nerd for saying this, but I kind of felt like I was being reacquainted with old friends. Especially my dear friend Vincent Van Gogh. I missed that guy. Here are some pics from Chicago:

Anish Kapoor's Cloud Gate

Van Gogh's "The Bedroom." Happiness.

After Chicago we drove to South Bend, Indiana to spend Thanksgiving week with the WHOLE family. That was incredibly great. We haven't had the entire family together in almost a year. I love it when we all get together. We're fun. And there are always a lot of laughs. The kids were so fun to play with and I can't believe how much they have grown since I last saw them. They grow too fast. I loved when I heard my nephew singing in the morning and I went to peek in his room and he just sat up and smiled at me. I loved how my niece showed me her shoes and said we could now be twinners. I loved the dance parties we had. I loved the late night chats with my two older sisters after the kids had all been put to bed. I loved the amazing feast we all cooked up and the memories and tears shared about our dear grandma Saundra. We call Thanksgiving "her holiday." It really was. I thought about her a lot on Thanksgiving, just as I do every year during the holiday season. Miss her. I loved the madness of my first Black Friday shopping experience at Wal Mart (never again...). And I loved being able to take a family picture with everyone. It was a happy week. I can't wait to see them all again in less than two weeks in DisneyWorld! Party!

This last week has been killer. We planned a Mashup dance with the Salsa Club to benefit charity for BYU's Care Week. It was more stress for me than it needed to be, and all I can say is Hallelujah praise the Lord it is over with. We didn't have as great as a turn out that I had hoped for, but it wasn't too bad. We probably raised at least $300.

I'm really starting to gear up for finals. Finals get the best of me every year. I have 5 this time around. I also have a 10 page paper due on Tuesday. I have yet to start that. Life has been far too busy for me to even being able to think about that. Let's just say I'm kinda freakin' out. Things are crazy. I just can't wait until I finish that last final and head off to Florida where I don't have to think about school or work or internships and I can just play and be with my family for an extended period of time. I also am looking forward to the break because I will finally have time to just sit down, breath deeply, and really think about the couple of big life decisions I have facing me right now.

Despite the busy-ness, life is still good. I find myself down every now and then because of people or stress or bad grades or whatever, but it never lasts long and I pick myself up again and jump right back into the madness. What fun is life if there isn't madness here and there? Well, at least that's what I keep saying to myself...

I survive with the help of periodic comic relief finds. In case you are still reading this massive entry and are also in need of some comic relief, here is the latest from BYU's comedy sketch group, Divine Comedy. Pretty funny if I do say so myself.

I love my school...

In celebration of the release of Harry Potter, the bell tower played this:

My school rocks.

I guess since it's November...

I guess since it is indeed the month of November, that I will start posting more about what I am grateful for. I have a lot to be grateful for.

Today I am grateful for the amazing library database that BYU has. I would die without it.

Today I am grateful for the gift of dance. Last night I may have gone insane without the one hour break Club Style provided me with.

Today I am grateful for kind friends who go out of their way to help me out when I'm in need. Thanks, Patrick, for taking over on the food drive blitz with Club Style last night so I could have more time to work on my paper. Here's a shout out to you, Claire, for picking up junk for me at the D.I. for the assemblage we have due in two hours. And here's to you Andrew, for coming to pick me up on campus last night at midnight so I didn't have to walk home alone. And here's to you Spencer, for getting me a Twix bar during the late night study sesh last night to keep sugar in my system so I didn't die. You guys are great.

There will be more grateful posts coming.

It's time for another blah blah blah-g.

I really don't like school this semester. Weird. I normally love it.

I am graduating next December.

I will be 21 in less than 3 months.

I'm going to New York City for five days with the Art History department. One of those days will be my birthday. Happy birthday to me.

I love my major and the people in it. We have the most interesting conversations.

I hate this paper that I have less than 40 hours to write. It's due on Thursday at 8 AM. Barf. Can you say no sleep for the couple of nights?

I have to make an assemblage for my studio class, due tomorrow, but I have nothing to assemble nor the tools to assemble the things I don't have yet with. Nor the time to find things to assemble. Yikes.

I can NOT wait to leave for Chicago/South Bend on Sunday. Hallelujah praise the Lord.

I'm obsessed with the Usher song "There Goes my Baby."

Harry Potter is in 2 days!!! I'm going to dress up as Ginny.

I love the snow and wish it would snow more.

I have SO much choreography to do in the next 2 days but no time to do it. Sorry students!

It's hard being the head of a student organization. Apparently, when you are a leader, you get blamed for a lot of things that aren't your fault or accused of being unfair or neglectful or people think you don't know what you're doing. But I guess I already knew that from high school drill team. I know what I'm doing people!!!

So You Think You Can Dance is holding auditions in Salt Lake in February....

Christmas is fast approaching. I know what I'm going to make for my homemade family Christmas gift. And I'm excited.

I went shopping on Friday. It was much needed.

I love art. And I'm so excited to go to New York in February and finally see Van Gogh's "Starry Night." Have I told you he's my favorite artist?

I can't wake up to my alarm any more. It is getting increasingly difficult to make my 8 AM class on time. Or at all... ha.

I'm SO excited for DisneyWorld for Christmas. Partyyyy!!!

I miss all my nieces and nephews. All these dang cute pictures you sisters keep putting up kill me! But please, don't stop putting them up. I love them.

I'm done with my major. Except for my Senior Thesis course. But that will happen next fall semester. Weird.

I miss Europe. Real bad. Like there is physical pain every time I think of Europe. I really love it. I think I'm going to shoot for an internship there next summer... Siena perhaps? London? Dublin? Edinburgh? We shall see.

I bought some really great music the other night. It's helping to keep me sane. Lose Control by Timbaland and JoJo, There Goes My Baby by Usher, Somebody to Love by Usher, Ghosts n' Stuff by Deadmau5, Freak-a-zoid by Midnight Star (Bangerz remix). And some other great stuff. These are just my favies.

I have a renewed obsession with Mumford & Sons. Favs: Winter Winds and White Blank Page.

I wish my brain would work a little better for me. Sometimes I find myself just staring at my computer screen after trying to come up with something to write. It's not good. I've wasted a lot of time with this happening repeatedly.

I need some chocolate.

I hate my southern mesoamerican class. Only 4 more times in that class! Hallelujah praise the Lord.

I get judged sometimes around here when I say Hallelujah praise the Lord. Don't judge me.

I need a beach. Just for like a day. That'd be great.

One of my roommates from last year, Courtney, is getting married this Friday! I'm quite excited for her. I need to buy them a gift...

I like winter more and more every year, I think.

I just realized I have 3 more classes with my students until their Christmas recital. Cue panic.

Panic is just a constant feeling I'm having this week. Ah!

I need to get back to my paper... Til next time folks!

Library dayze

It has been one of those weeks. A library week. I've been spending quality time with my dear friend, 5th floor of the HBLL. As I said in my last post, I have three papers due next week. One in Greek Art and Architecture, one in Humanities of Asia, and one in Southern Mesoamerican Art. They all couldn't be more different. I've only started on one. Yikes. Wish me luck.

A few things that are helping me get through this rough week:
- This marvelous shift in weather. I love that I had to pull out the winter coats.

- The small group I selected for our next more advanced Club Style routine. They're going to be fabulous.

- Thanksgiving in two weeks from today! I can't wait to go party with the WHOLE fam in Indiana!

- Campus is looking very festive. Christmas trees and lights are everywhere. Joy to the world.

- My ward is going to Music in the Spoken Word this Sunday. I am very much looking forward to it.

- My sudden delight over classical music. I found a list of classical songs my YW leader in high school gave us. My brain has been working a lot better for me since I started listening to this music while I study. I put some of my favorites in my playlist --->

Also, I rediscovered the album I bought when I was in Vienna and we went to see Mozart's Requiem in Karlskirche. I can't stop listening to that either. Still, I think it is one of the most amazing musical performances I've ever been to. It was played on all period instruments and sung by a choir that specializes in Mozart's compositions. I found a clip of it on Youtube:

To see and hear it in the setting of that church was absolutely incredible. The acoustics were amazing. Also I've been thinking about the chamber orchestra concert mom, dad, kait and I went to in the Salzburg fortress. That was awesome. I want to go back. That's it, I'm going back...

- This article brightened up my day yesterday. I knew I loved the abstract expressionist art movement.

- I've been looking at a few internship opportunities for next summer. So far on my list of possibilities:

- The National Gallery in Washington D.C.

- A Sotheby's auction house in NYC

- There are a few galleries in NYC that look interesting

- A gallery in Boston

- The Chicago Institute of Art

- And even one at the National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin!

I think I'll apply for a few. Not sure if I'll get any of them, but I might as well try, right?

Despite all the craziness going on, I'm trying to stay positive and trying to manage my time so as not to get too stressed out. That can be real hard sometimes though and I find my self having little panic moments every now and then. After next Thursday, life will be great, grand, and wonderful again. Until then, I shall be hanging with my friend, 5th floor HBLL.

When life gives you lemons...

chuck them at people.

That's my new philosophy. I'm sick of those lemons.

The lemons of my life right now:

- 3 papers due next week.

- not having money to go to the Monsters of Hip Hop convention in Denver this weekend.

- having choreography blocks. i have no ideas in this head of mine!

- friends that are not so great of friends.

- lack of sleep

- too much to do and not enough time!

- finals are approaching too quickly.

So, I say to you, when life gives you lemons....

CHUCK THEM AT PEOPLE!!!

You'll feel a lot better about life.

I'm excited.

For the release of Harry Potter that is! I know, call me a nerd. Whatever. I won't be offended. I just finished the seventh book today in preparation for this movie. I know. I'm cool.

We have secured our tickets for the midnight release the night of the 18th! After we bought them, we all got really giddy and excited and my dear roommate shared this video with us. The literal Harry Potter trailer. You may think it's funny. You may think it's stupid. I, myself, was rolling on the floor when I watched it. Okay, I wasn't actually rolling, but I was laughing pretty dang hard. I am now sharing it with you:

I reeeeaaaallllyyyy like this video...

A great weekend

This last weekend was really great. And very eventful. Friday night we had a performance at BYU's version of Amazing Race, and then afterwards we went to a masquerade party. I definitely won the masquerade contest (I wore a Jabbawockeez mask and danced around a bit... ha). As a prize I got $10 at Sammy's in Provo and VIP status for the Spark party Saturday night. In the day on Saturday, Club Style was invited to participate in this "Get Our Kids Moving Event" in Salt Lake City to promote health and wellness. That was just kind of weird. The ladies that were running it were these somewhat scary cutthroat "Do our workout!" ladies. We drove all the way up to Capitol hill, where the flyer they sent us told us to go, just to find out nothing was there. So we called these ladies, and they said they had moved it to Valley Fair Mall and they sent us the flyer with that info. FALSE. They did not. It was kind of ridiculous. ha. But anyway, we get there, and it was going to start an hour later than when they told us. Boo. So they said we could perform after this marching band so while we were waiting we reviewed our routines and formations and things. Anyway, long story short, they ended up forgetting about us. So we just left and went to Salt Lake and got Belgian waffles and frites at In Bruges (which, by the way, if you haven't gone you MUST) and made a music video. The music video:

It ended up being a great day. And that night we all went to the Spark party. Which was great. We had a blast. Monday a few of us went to Thriller in Salt Lake, which is always great. Anyway, it was a great weekend. Now I have one more midterm in an hour and I still don't feel prepared. So I'm going to study for that now. I hope you are all great!

P.s. I love this song and I think you will too. :)

Fall is my favorite

I love fall. It is my most favorite time of year, with the leaves changing and the temperature dropping to just right, the occasional rain storms that smell oh so delicious... it's just a great time of year.

This weekend I got to get out and really appreciate the greatness of fall. I went up to the cabin on Friday to spend the night with the fam. Dad and I went on a long four wheeling ride and I got some great pictures of the fall colors up there:

When I came back to Provo on Saturday, I went up to the "Fork Fest" in American Fork. It's this music festival with a bunch of local bands. I went especially to hear my friend's band "Book on Tapeworm." They are absolutely great. Here's one of their songs they performed:

My friend is the cellist. You can't see her in this video, but you can hear her. They have a few more of their songs on YouTube if you want to look them up. I love them. They need to be famous.

After we listened to them, we went and caught the end of Joshua James' performance. He's great too. We had a lot of fun and most definitely rocked out:

Ben and Jon's "too much rock for one hand." or three for that matter... ha.

A week of fun.

Last week was BYU's Homecoming week, which means a week of some fun to coincide with the non-fun that midterms bring. Club Style was asked to participate in a few events last week and it was a grand ole time. We performed in Brigham Square during the noonday activities and marched in the Homecoming parade. It was a great time. I love those crazy kids.

Also part of Homecoming week, they put on "BYU True Blue Football" and they have a bunch of slip n' slides on Helaman Field with blue foam. SO fun. This was the first year I had done it because I always had to work or something in times past. I wish I would have taken a camera with me, but it probably would have gotten ruined since it was first raining and then I had blue foam all over me that was hard to get rid of. But man, it was fun. Here are some pictures of what it is like. I borrowed some of my friend's because like I said, I didn't have my camera. ha. SO fun.

I looked just like this. I had to run to teach looking somewhat like smurf after just a really quick shower. ha:

Once again, this is open for discussion.

As I'm sure you know, Halloween is approaching. Far too quickly if you ask me. The closer it gets, the more freaked I get. I do not have any ideas for a killer Halloween costume! And I vow to never go as a gangster or pirate ever again! (Because that's what I've been for like the past 8 years). I need ideas dang it!

A few of my friends have had ideas for parties we're going to. One group (Club Style) wants to go as the Glee Club. If this actually happens, I have been deemed Brittany, the dumb cheerleader. I like to say they gave that assignment to me because she is the greatest dancer on the show, not based on her I.Q. I wouldn't even mind going as her. She IS my favorite character on Glee. Maybe I'll go as her in the "Gaga" episode:

I think she's fabulous. I wonder where I could get a silver lobster like that...

Another group (the Art History nerds) all want to go as artists. Or 1 artist. Andy Warhol. Brilliant and ironic, no? Considering he implemented the consumer culture in his art with the often use of mass produced products or processes. Take his most famous work, for example, the Marilyn Monroe silk screens. We were thinking it would be funny if we all go as Andy Warhol, but everyone be a different color. ha! Funny. I give you Andy Warhol:

If Andy doesn't work out, we would all just go as our favorite artists. I would go as Vincent, of course. Vincent Van Gogh, that is. He was a red head too, you know:

But, in the case that these group ideas don't work and they fall apart (which they more often than not do), I need ideas for a solo costume. Stat. So kids, I wanna see that number before "comments" explode. Please if you would be so kind...

I like this:

One of my professors posted THIS on her Art History Salon blog a while back. Just one look at the title and you'll know why I loved it so much. It's very enlightening. I love it when my two loves come together! :)

Here's the video she's talking about. It's a bit eerie, but brilliant. And very relatable to the old master Girodet's work. Also, it's one of my favorite songs right now:

I love my job(s).

I love teaching hip hop. A lot. It's so fun and these kids I teach learn so quick. I've been teaching my two older classes this combo and they seem to love it. I'm proud. I feel very accomplished when I'm able to create choreography that works. Here is my latest. "Robot Remains." What do you think?

Drum roll please.

I have selected a new title! You all had marvelous suggestions and I thank you all for your input. But, after being reminded of one of my favorite quotes, I simply could not pass this title up. And the title I have chosen...

(This is where you drum roll...)

LIVE LIVING.

This expression comes from the book The Art Spirit by the brilliant Robert Henri. Robert Henri was an inspired artist and teacher from the early twentieth century. The Art Spirit is a collection of his words, teachings, and letters and has quite spectacular words of advice not only for artists, but things anyone can apply to every day life. I read this book in my American Art class last semester and most definitely felt inspired by it. I saw it sitting in my pile of books the other night and decided to take a study break to enjoy its words once again. So, the quote I came across again and remembered that I love so much is this one:

"The reason so many artists have lived to great age and have been so young at great age is that to such extent they have lived living, whereas most people live dying."

Awesome right?

Why should we be the "most people" that live dying? I don't know about you, but I would like to be young at an old age.

So here in this blog I will continue to record stories, inspirations, thoughts, commentaries, tidbits, and anything else I find notable that I encounter as I go about living my life to live it.

To you I say, LIVE LIVING!

Because who wants to live dying?

Suggestions?

Hey blog peeps. I need ideas. "For what?" you ask. I need ideas for a new title of my blog. After always seeing great titles like "Bagpipes on Bridge Street," "Love and be Loved," "More than just words," "The Fair Peacock," "im a free bird," etc. etc., I have come to the conclusion that just "McKell Lyn" isn't going to cut it in this world of exceedingly exciting blog titles. All the ideas I have come up with are just not that great, and my creativity is being used up elsewhere. So, in an attempt to make my blog more exciting, and somewhat awe-inspiring, I need your suggestions for a title. Please leave any ideas you have in the comments. Meanwhile, I will continue brainstorming and attempt to use what creativity I have left in this brain of mine. I thank you for your help.

Also, just to share and to prove that I really am utilizing my creativity skills elsewhere and not just making up excuses because I have a lack thereof, here is a video of some of my latest choreography. I had to post it on our Club website so it's more for review purposes than anything. But, here it be.

AND, in case you didn't follow my link I posted on my last post, here is the newest trailer for the first part of the last Harry Potter movie. I think I've watched it a total of about one thousand and eighty two times now? Seriously, I'm so excited. I don't think I can even convey how excited I am. Have you read the Harry Potter books? And if not, WHO ARE YOU AND WHY THE HECK NOT?! I am about halfway through the fourth one now and it is sooo great. J.K. Rowling is pure brilliance. Read them if you haven't because you will regret it forever if you don't. Not only because you'll be missing out on something great, but because if you don't I'll bug you about it for the rest of your mortal life. Just do it. I know you'll want to crap your pants after watching this trailer because you'll be so excited (I only say that because I know I did...), but just hold your hippogriffs (mythological creature from, indeed, Harry Potter). There are only 53 days, 2 hours, and 30 minutes left until it's release. Will I be at the midnight premiere? You better believe it.

ALSO, The Amazing Race started back up again today. Oh how I love this show. Let's just say I laughed really really hard when this happened on tonight's episode:

I probably shouldn't have laughed. Heaven knows I wouldn't want a watermelon catapulted into my face. But, I did laugh. Because it wasn't my face. And who would have thought that was coming? I love surprises.

Just an update.

Just for a quick update, here are some things I've been up to lately:

1. School. It's a shame that I'm saying this, but I really don't like any of my classes a whole lot this semester. Except for my mission prep class, which is fabulous. The Professor was ranked #1 professor in the nation on ratemyprofessor.com. He's great. But other than that class, I don't know whether it's that Mayan theology is too confusing to understand or that the professor of my asian humanities class uses the phrase "I submit to you that..." at least 11 times in every lecture, but I just don't enjoy my classes as much as I have every other semester. Yeah, me, not enjoying school. That's weird, right? It could also be that this has been the heaviest work load I've ever had. But really, it's probably just that I had class in museums and churches for two months and got used to seeing the real thing and being in new and exciting places every day. Everything after that is just kind of a downer. But still, I know I am incredibly blessed to attending this amazing university. Cougars all the way.

2. Club Style. We had 140 people at our practice last week. I'm so happy that so many people want to be involved, but it is dang hard to teach that many people. And they're all at varying levels of hip hop experience too. Tough. But so fun. And hip hop is my passion. I love to pop, lock, jam and break... oh, wait... name that movie?

3. Teaching. I LOVE teaching. It's tough to have to deal with little teenagers that just want to talk non stop sometimes, but so rewarding too to get to see them grow and learn new things. I'm like a proud mama. Already. And it's only been a month. Now if only I had more time to come up with some kick butt choreography. We're gettin' there though.

4. Family. I was able to spend the whole weekend with my delightful family. Sister Tam was in town with the two kiddies and it was quite a fabulous weekend. Just what I needed. I love my fam-dam-ily.

5. Friends. Despite my busy schedule, I was able to squeeze in a night of dancing with lots of my friends a night last week. Man, I love going dancing with Club Style kids. We know how to party. I don't think we stopped dancing for 3 hours. My friend Ryan is a DJ and his parties are always the best. Yes, there are fun places to go dancing in Provo, despite popular belief.

6. Exciting news. Yes, it is without a doubt true when I say I picked the perfect major. A field trip is being planned for February by BYU's AHA. To where? You ask? Oh, just NEW YORK FREAKING CITY! Four of the art history professors are speaking at a conference there and they've invited the majors along to attend. I would also visit all the great museums in the city, including (but not limited to) the Met, MoMA, Guggenheim, and possibly the Sotheby's collection. Praise the Lord. AND it will probably take place over my birthday weekend. So if all the planning goes well, I'll be partying in New York City for my birthday this year. What could be more perfect? I love BYU and my professors who take me to the greatest places in the world. Love them.

7. Glee. Pure joy is what I felt as I watched the season premiere of Glee. That show is fabulous. My favorite part was when they sang "New York," of course. No, wait, I loved the Lady Gaga song in the bathroom scene. Ooo but I loved "I want to be a Billionaire" by the new kid. Gosh, I just love that show and all the music on it. It brings joy to my life.

8. Harry Potter. I am once again obsessed. I haven't been like this since I was like 13. But in preparation for the first part of the last movie, I have been re-reading the Harry Potter books. So far I've finished #3 and have now begun #4. I forgot how great they really are. J.K. Rowling is brilliant. I also saw THIS today. If you weren't excited for the movie before, you should be after watching this.

Life is great. Life is grand. Life is wonderful.

(Bob was wise)