Filled

Today I went to see Lamb of God by Rob Gardner in Birmingham with another girl in the program. It was a bit hectic getting there between transfers, purchasing tickets, missing the train we thought we needed to get on (though it turned out just fine), and wandering around in a city we've never been to before, but the program was 100% worth it.

I've seen Lamb of God performed a few times, now, and so I wasn't expecting to cry much. I was wrong. I was in tears after the first few measures of the opening number, and those tears pretty much continued on and off throughout the entire performance. The Spirit was so strong and I felt my own spirit being lifted up in the beautiful music and testimonies that were being born through it.

Jesus Christ lived. He died for us, and it is because of Him that we are able to return to our Father in Heaven. He performed miracles while he was here on earth, and those miracles have never stopped. He truly did voluntarily give up his life for each one of us, and it is because of His sacrifice that death has no lasting power over us. Each person in that performance today had a testimony of Christ and they bore that testimony with their whole heart while they sang or played their instrument. Though the performance wasn't the best one I've seen technically, it was absolutely one of the most powerful ones I have seen. There is truth and power in a testimony born sincerely.

I walked out of the Town Hall on cloud nine. I felt as if I had feasted, and I never wanted that feeling to fade (I still feel great, if a bit tired). Katherine and I met up outside the Hall and started hurrying towards the train station (as we would have had to stay in Birmingham for three hours if we missed the 4:10 train).

I guess we were letting our American show, because some guy walked up to us and started talking to her and telling her that he thought she was really nice. He wanted her number and kept asking for it, saying how nice he thought she was. Then he called his friends over and I decided it was time to go when they started to spread out a little bit. I was really worried about pickpockets, but who knows what, if anything, their plans were. Maybe they were just there to be wing-men?

I grabbed Katherine's arm and said to the guy that we had to catch our train and that we were running late. We walked away, but this guy followed. His friends didn't, though, which was good. Also, we were on a busy walkway so we couldn't have been in too much trouble. There were too many people around. I think. I'm really just glad we left.

Anyways, this guy kept asking for Katherine's number and she kept trying to say no. He said several times that he wanted to take her out for coffee, and she said she didn't drink coffee and that she wasn't allowed to go out, anyway. I wanted him to leave so badly.

Leave he finally did when Katherine gave him a pass-along card, and we hurried to the train station in time to catch our train. Moral of the story? Tell everyone here you have a boyfriend. Or don't talk to strangers. Or look both ways before crossing the street. Or eat your vegetables. I'm sure it's one of those.

Catching the right train proved to be a bit of a problem, too. We got on three wrong trains before getting on the right one, but, thanks to a delay in the right train, we were on our way without too big of a problem. Also, due to the aforementioned delay, the platform switched on us so that was one of the reasons for confusion. It was so exciting! I was just grateful that I'd learned how to read a train platform board last summer. It proved to be a vital skill to have.

And so, even with all the crazy adventures that happened today, I think it was the most rewarding day (definitely the most spiritually-rewarding day) that I've had thusfar. The Gospel is true and I am so grateful for its influence in my life. What's more, I'm forever grateful all Christ has done for me. He truly loves each and every one of us, and that offers me so much peace. It offers hope. Though his death appeared devestating at the time, three days later He rose again. And, truly, it is where we can find hope. With God, all things are possible. We may not see how at the moment, but "Someday, sometime, we'll understand." We simply need to trust in God and everything will work out. They always do.

The Best Sort of Worship

Sundays are my favorite. They're much calmer than the rest of the week over here, and I need that time to get a spiritual boost. So I love Sundays.

This Sunday was particularly special. I went to church and loved it, but then I came home and we had dinner an hour early because we were going to the London Symphony Orchestra concert tonight as a program.

It.was.incredible.

First of all, seeing this incredible group and understanding the instruments and how the orchestra and choir worked together made me immensely grateful for all the music I've been able to participate in throughout my life. I was blessed enough to be able to participate in both choir and band in high school, and a little bit into college and I can see how much they've shaped me as a person. Second of all, I miss being in a choir or band so much! Aside from ward choir, I haven't been in an ensemble for two years and I think I need to fix that as soon as possible.

The symphony started with Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D Major and I found myself crying a little bit both because it was beautiful and because it brought back some of my happiest memories. I've decided that Beethoven loved the bassoon because he wrote some beautiful music for them. He let them sing.

The solo violinist, Christian Tetzlaff, was absolutely incredible. He played with his entire soul and it gave me goosebumps. I was so caught up in the music that I can't tell you what anyone else around me was doing during the performance.

At the end of that number the audience erupted into applause. It was loud, it was long, and I clapped until my shoulders ached from my enthusiasm.

After the intermission the choir joined a larger orchestra for Brahms' German Requiem. I wasn't familiar with this piece, so I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. Requiems can be heavy and quite intense, and I wasn't sure I was up for that tonight. I needn't have worried. I loved every second.

Again, I found myself tearing up, and the Spirit was so strong. Also, German is a beautiful language when it's sung. Actually, it may be a beautiful language, period, but I haven't heard much spoken. I think I may have actually found my favorite requiem tonight. Give it a listen.

Finally, the London Symphony Orchestra is definitely one of the best orchestras in the world and I got to see them in person tonight. That is such an incredible experience that I definitely want to remember for the rest of my life. They're seriously my favorite group and most of the music on my phone is performed by them (just to put it in perspective). I feel so blessed to be here and to be able to experience all I'm able to experience. God is incredibly good.

Outside the Barbican Hall.

We had some incredible seats. I could see the bassoons quite well, in case you were wondering.

What is life?! If I could spend the rest of my time here in concert halls I think I would. For now, I'm content to remember tonight.

Bath

Bath was different than I expected, but it wasn't a bad place to visit. Our whole group was absolutely exhausted because none of us slept well last night (we were all sharing beds with our roommates and that's more difficult than I remember it ever being) and I think that contributed to our lack of enthusiasm for the city. I'll  have to give it a fighting chance if I ever come back to England.

We wanted to see as much of this huge city as possible in the little time we had, so we hit the streets at nine o'clock in the morning. However, it was Saturday and so the entire place was still asleep and we found ourselves a bit bored and grumpy. The earliest shops to open (aside from restaurants serving breakfast) opened at 9:30. We saved our touring for after the baths.

We went to the Roman baths as a group and I enjoyed it. The main bath smelled like gravy for some reason, though. Does it always smell that way?

As Kenna and I wandered through the remains of a part of Roman society I found myself amazed at the level of sophistication of their society. Our day has more modern conveniences, but the Romans had things figured out pretty well.

Touring the baths took approximately an hour and by the end we were hungry. We headed back to the hotel to load our belongings onto the coach and then we hit the streets again. I was amazed at the difference two hours made. Bath went from being a town almost devoid of life to a crowded city with almost no room to breathe.

We found a bakery that sold sandwiches for under two pounds and it was well worth the navigating it took to get there. The sandwiches were delicious.

We toured the beautiful Bath Abbey and then went back out to the street in search of a vintage jewelry shop Lizzie had seen (alas, the search was in vain and we could find no such shop).

After wandering around and getting grumpier as a group by the step we heard a group of men singing in the barbershop style. It was a street performing sextet and they were quite good. I'll include a video snippet of them later.

We stayed and listened for a few songs before Caitlin had us up and moving again. We were all significantly happier for having listened, though.

We made our way to the park and were allowed in without being charged the posted ticket price for entering. As we walked around we found a man singing under a pavilion and we decided we wanted to listen longer. A group of five girls got up from their chairs right as we showed up and so we had a place to sit and enjoy the show.

As it turns out, we were in Bath for the Bath Music Festival and it was my favorite thing. I could have stayed in that park listening all day.

We did, however, need to get back on the coach and return to London. I loved the trip, but I'm glad to be back in the Centre.

Bath Abbey

Every building in Bath is made out of the same material: Bath stone. It is not allowed to build any building out of any other material because they want to preserve the feeling and appearance bath currently has.

The park at nine-something in the morning.

This is the water from Javert's suicide in the Les Mis film that came out a few years back.

More of the park (which is empty because it, like everything else, was closed at nine).

I thought of my brother. There are TONS of Thai restaurants here in England.

This was an adorable shop.

This tree was HUGE! Behind the tree, next to the red doorway, is the archway where we found the sextet.

A funny sign we saw.

The inside entrance to the Roman baths.

Lizzie and Caitlin. We were so incredibly tired.

The main bath (this is the one that smelled like gravy).

The Roman baths in the foreground, a Gothic cathedral in the background. Time is easily traversed here.

Kenna at the main bath.

Oh look! Ancient Romans!

The inside of Bath Abbey.

From left to right: Lizzie, Sarah, Caitlin, Kenna

They had a Steinway! There were men (seen in the back of the picture) dissembling performance bleachers so there must have been a concert of some sort in the Abbey. I'm sorry we missed it.

This is my favorite stained-glass that I've seen here yet.

"The Casual Sextet" street performers.

And a snippet of them singing. The last song we stayed for was Goodnight Sweetheart and I've been singing it all day.

At the Bath Music Festival

I don't know the name of the guys performing, but I really liked them.

And that was Bath! Maybe I'll visit again sometime.

Cats or Dogs?

Any time someone asks me, "cats or dogs?" I say "birds." I suppose I find it a little bit funny, but it's also true. I'm allergic to the other two choices, and birds sing.

If I were ever to get a pet it would be a canary. And his name would be Mortimer. I think small things deserve big names sometimes.

Birdsong

Today was Monday. And usually Mondays in February are pretty rough and dreary days. This year, however, Mother Nature has decided to bless us with a taste of spring.

As I was walking across campus today I stopped and looked up for a minute at the birds flitting from tree to tree, and making the happiest sort of music. They felt springtime too.

I smiled to myself because birds are pleasant animals to hear, and I noticed that everyone walking by me had headphones in. I wanted to tug on their jackets and tell them that the song the birds were creating was more awe-inspiring than whatever was in their earbuds, but I didn't. I figured it wouldn't be appreciated.

But I had the accompaniment of birdsong on my walk home, and the clouds were splitting into a thousand rays of light and I decided that today was an incredible day.

Today, in February, we experienced spring. And you know? I'm so glad we did.

Wispy Ideas

It's the end of semester (there is less than a week of school left before finals. CRAZY!), all my projects are due in the next few days (and most all of them have a long way to go), I have to figure out work and other adult stuff, and I am stressed out of my mind because, while I can see how things can work out, I don't see how I'll be able to make that happen. And I won't. Not alone, at least.

So that's where I am right now. Naturally, I'm finding this the perfect time to clean the apartment (instead of writing one of two large essays due next week or studying for the last couple of exams I have before finals), convincing myself that reading a novel is actually a bad thing to do in this situation, listening to French music that I'm growing to love a lot, and write a blog post.

There are a lot of times lately where I've almost opened my computer to write and have instead gone and been responsible. Plus, these thoughts that have been floating around haven't been long enough to write a full blog post about them. So I'm putting them here and maybe they'll eventually sprout into a full-grown post. Maybe not.

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I had to get stitches last Friday because I was involved in a freak accident involving a kitchen knife (actually, I was doing dishes and tried to stop a knife from falling off the counter). Don't get in a fight with a knife. The knife will win.

As a result of the stitches I am no longer able to submerge my hand in water for an extended period of time. I have solved that problem with yellow cleaning gloves. Oddly enough, I really like the way my hands look in them, but I hate the way they smell after I take them off. But it's better than making my stitches go crazy.

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The weather has been beautiful lately. I rolled up my jeans today and wore a blousy shirt and flip flops. It was lovely. I'm ready for summer.

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I'm really excited to have my own home someday. My home is going to have lots of windows. And pictures. But it's going to be bright, airy, and lovely.

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The above song is my favorite song right now. It's adorable and the beginning sounds A LOT like this song here. I think it's okay though because they're from two different countries in two different languages. And the messages are completely opposite from each other.

Anyways, listening to that song (the French one) while wearing my happy outfit (as mentioned above) makes me feel so. . . content. And that is a good thing to be. You know? Life is good. It's quite lovely, actually.

Quite lovely indeed.

Beauty

Everyone has songs that resonate with them and will always bring back memories and sweep them away in beauty. This song below is one of those for me.

When I was in junior high or high school my parents got this CD called "Classical Romance." This CD is one of the most beautiful things ever created (it's a bunch of songs--operatic, broadway, or other--that are sung by famous opera stars. It sounds snotty and weird and I thought that right up until I listened to it. And then I fell in love.). The most beautiful song on that CD was the one above, Nella Fantasia.

I don't know if my family was going through a hard time and this song just spoke to us or if there is something in this song that just speaks to the soul. Either way, I remember my mom requesting that this song be played on repeat in the kitchen and she would just sit on a bucket and listen. It was a beautiful picture. This also happened to be the only song she would crank up the volume for in the car. This song is special. And I will always love it.

I also love The Piano Guys. They just posted a new video and I clicked on the link while I was doing homework. As soon as the music started playing I stopped. And listened. And cried.

When The Piano Guys do covers they combine two different songs to create something beautiful and unique. I love it. In the song below they combined Nella Fantasia and one of my favorite hymns, How Great Thou Art. And it became something beautiful and unique and memorable. Music is powerful.

While you're listening, if you don't want to see the beautiful scenery of Brazil, you can read the lyrics to How Great Thou Art. I think they add a lot to the song.

O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,

Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,

Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,

And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.

When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur

And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;

Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;

That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,

And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.

Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,

And then proclaim: My God, how great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

I am so grateful for music and the testimony it can bear. I know that my Redeemer lives and that he died for me. God really is great. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Magic

The sound of an orchestra tuning is one of the most magical sounds I've ever heard. It's as full as promise as those treasured words "Once upon a time"-- especially when followed by the taptaptap of the conductor's baton. . . When I hear that I sit up straight, I listen, and I wait to be swept away in a symphony. And, rarely, have I been disappointed. That's the magic.

Here We Go Again!

I'm packing once again. Thank goodness for music!

It's music like this that makes me think I can get through this laborious task of picking my life up in one place to dropping it off in another.

Here we go again! Here's to a new school year. This is certainly going to be an adventure, and for that I am grateful.

Love

My cousin , Trisha, used to spend a lot of time with me. We used to see each other at least three times a week, sometimes more. During our time together, I realized that she was always singing new songs about empowerment and loving life. She would show up every week with a new favorite artist, arrangement, or song. And she would just sing to herself as she was going about her business. I'm just now finding those songs she sang and I love them every time I hear them: they remind me of Trisha for one thing, and they make me feel so good for another.

The artist I re-discovered today was Sara Bareilles (I didn't realize just how many of Trisha's favorite songs were by this artist). It's happy over here in my music-filled bedroom.

Here are my two favorites:

You're welcome.

Love

Oh my goodness you have to listen to this right now because this guy is phenomenal! This is one of my favorite songs and he does such a good job covering it! I'm serious. Watch it. Right now.

Told ya so. You're welcome.

Yes, Please

If someone sincerely told me these things I just might fall for him :)

The music video is slightly disorienting so I'd recommend minimizing the screen while you listen. But if you want to watch, be my guest! :)

Alive Again

This is going to sound pretty nerdy but. . .

I

Love 

Band!

Oh how I've missed it. And, like with everything else in this world, I didn't know just how much it did for me until it wasn't there. And even then I didn't realize how much it feeds me until tonight. 

Tonight I played in a wind symphony.

It's the lower of the two non-audition bands, but I still love it. To be able to make music with a group, to move with a mutual purpose, to play. . . It gives me life. It lifts me up.

(This sounds super cheesy, I know. But I'm on cloud nine right now)

I've said this before, but it's as true today as it was the last time I said it. And the time before that, and all the times before that: music is and always must be a major part of my life. Without music, I honestly believe I'll shrivel up. Thank goodness I'm blessed enough to have music in my life. Because that way, I can truly live.

Christmas Music

These are a couple of my favorite Christmas songs:

Candlelight Carol by John Rutter

Still, Still, Still by Norman Luboff

Click Here

I'll Be Home For Christmas by Huff

Christmas is the best. Have a wonderful Christmas season!

An Epiphany

I think I finally figured out how to avoid almost falling asleep at work! I just need to listen to our classical radio station (and probably have some sort of food with me). Hallelujah! I was starting to worry about what to do!

Classical music is good. Good for my spirit, and good for my brain (I think). Thank goodness for it :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

There truly is so much to be thankful for.

I am so grateful for family, friends, and the gospel. They offer me so much comfort and aid in times of trouble. I can always count on them.

I'm thankful for music, freedom, and love. I am truly blessed. My Heavenly Father has been so good to me. He has given me everything. Everything! And there is so much to be thankful for. Truly.

What are you thankful for?

A Song

I don't know about anyone else, but I associate certain sounds, certain songs, with people in my life.

Someone I often find myself connecting things to is my dad.

My dad loves music, and he loves the same music he's loved since as long as I can remember.

So whenever I hear Enya I am immediately taken back to the nights where I would lie in my bed listening as the music mixed with the sounds of dishes being washed floated up in a symphony unique to my dad. He created it, and he created it often.

Another musician I associate with my dad is Yanni. I didn't realize this as the case until recently. He was driving me home from work and started talking about this pianist. Then, to illustrate how beautiful a certain song was he put on the cd as soon as we were home. Again, a familiar, beloved melody floated to my ears. I grinned.

I heard this song over the phone at work the other week and tried desperately to find it. Here it is. This song is a link to my dad. I hope you love it too. . .

Soneto de la Noche

I came across this song at work last week and have fallen in love with it. I hope I'll be able to participate in groups as good as this one for the rest of my life. University Chorale is good for an easy class, but it doesn't do for me what good music (like this video) does. For now I'll wait out the semester and then join an audition band. I miss the bassoon. . . A LOT!

In any case, I hope you enjoy this video as much as I do: