"...Like a weasel sucks eggs"

These past 4 days I spent in Cedar City, Utah where my dad's family comes annually for the Utah Shakespearean Festival; good show! We were lucky enough to see 3 "Shakes" ; "As You Like It", "Comedy of Errors", and "Henry V". I was amazed by the ability of the actors to hold 3 different major roles, along with a couple of understudy roles! But mostly, I was amazed by the talent of these people. Especially in "Henry V", the acting was phenomenal. Both "As you" and "Comedy" were very entertaining and at times hilarious. I have to say, I've become a much avid Shakespeare fan- although, the way the reader (or actor in this case) presents (including facial expressions!) the line can make a simple statement a hilarious line. But anywho, It was a lot of fun being with family eating, which we Wrides do best! Every time we saw each other- "Okay, which meal are we eating now?" Regardless that I've probably gained a few pounds this past couple days, it was an awesome time. Lounging by the pool, watching movies, and being with fam.
Well before Cedar, my fabulous sister Kate showed my mom, dad and I around BYU campus, well most of the important stuff. I learned some of the nicknames like the JSFB, and the JSB, and the Wilk, and MOA and HFAC, ahh good times:) Plus we had some of the chocolate milk and we all know that that is about 1/3 of the reason anyone would go to BYU. The other 2/3s is because its a good education and its cheap:) Just Kidding. I was really excited and it opened me up to a lot of thinking for this summer, "So, future. Whats going to happen?!" I have about 15 info papers about music programs, English programs, and more... I'm not done reading all of them yet! But then after being in Cedar City watching the shows, it makes me really want to go into theater, because I absolutely love the fact that acting gives one the opportunity to be someone they're not; just for a moment. For example, I can't recall a time that I've ever really screamed or yelled at someone, but a role in a play that I got in 7th grade gave me some therapeutic yelling, and it felt really good! Never will I ever intentionally do that, but I find it a lot of fun to get into a character that is NOT your normal self! And something I realized while watching the shows is that you have to have (and excel in) the weird/embarrassing/odd roles such as a troll, before you can have the good ones! But aside from theater, I love music, I love books, and I love writing! So... maybe I will be an over-dramatic song writer. :) Good thing is I still have some time to decide!
But besides all of this, we survived our 3 1/2 day trip to Utah, nothing but corn in between Ohio and Wyoming, lots of bonding time:) Anyways, I still have a week of vacation before our drive home and then behind- the- wheel, even though I've probably driven more hours than anyone my age... yeah, taking turns driving 2,000 miles, I've done my share of hours. :) But then sch**l starts and the stress will return. For the meantime, I'm going to ride the Alpine slide, eat Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, go to a Bee's baseball game, and so forth and so on.

by the way, the title of the post was one of my favorite Shakespeare lines from "As You Like It"

Pink Notes

One of my favorite fast-read books is Icing on the Cake written by LDS author Elodia Strain, and the sequel Previously Engaged. They are fast and cute and at times pretty funny! Anyway, to get to my point- The main character carries around a little notebook with her and when she witnesses something "noteworthy" (good deeds, funny stories, memorable people, etc.) she will write it in her "pink notes". SO- without further ado, I'm going to start my OWN Pink notes. So be on the lookout for the Pink notes, and we'll see how long they last:)

OK, It's Alright With Me

So, this summer's been busy; Girls Camp, turning 16!, Youth Conference, EFY and there is still another month left! Iwas a YCL this year at girls camp and we were "The VonTrapps" WAY fun! I loved being with these cute 12 year olds. I had a great partner, and it was challenging, but I came out of this a much better person because of it. She was very quiet and reserved, so I was having to step out of my own comfort zone to help! But we had so much in common and I'm so grateful for that experience.
Theen was Youth Conference- at home this year. It was focused on service,. which was a really AMAZING thing. We painted buildings, did family indexing, sorted clothing, washed cars, visited elderly, lots of fun stuff! I had a blast and met some really awesome people!
THEN was EFY! Ugh, i miss it! I roomed with Heather, my sister-in-law's sister, again, and this year, Amy and Kasee (friends from church/ school) were in our group! How crazy is that?! I had SO much fun! I had an amazing counselor, Jessica!! She's serving a mission in Tempe, Arizona this September. yay!
THHEEEEN for my 16th birthday... I got a ticket to see WICKED in the Gershwin theater in NY!!!!!! I was so excited and it was SO STINKING AMAZING! I absolutely loved it! I went with Emily and Jorge Luis- so much fun.
On this coming Friday, Mom, Dad, and I are going to UTAH! DRIVING! AHHH!... whatttt?! well that will be another exciting trip story! :)

Life is Wonderful

Wedding time is winding down- only one more reception in WA. I'm really excited because I've never been to Washington state and my mom and I are staying with Tammy and Travis. The wedding was beautiful and Kate looked gorgeous and she glowed all day. They are a very cute couple. The day was unbelievably perfect; great weather, fun company, everything went smoothly. The friday before the wedding, I got a phone call from Kelley S., the president of Womens Chorale at school and from Leah Graefe both of whom are members of T.W.E.L.V.E. They were calling me to let me know that I was a new member of 12! I could not believe it. not at all. Twelve stands for Twelver Wonderful Energetic Lovable Vocal Entertainers. and there are 12 of us. 6 girls and 6 guys. Next year I'll be the only junior girl while the other 5 are seniors. I'm really excited. About 2 weeks before auditions, I decided that I wasnt going to audition and sign up for some other classes. The day of auditions, I felt myself saying, "what could it hurt?" Little did I know that Mrs. Riley and the judges loved my audition and would ask me later to audition for 12. I am so grateful for this opportunity! Now its time to go shopping for my outfit:D
Oh and btw, I FINISHED MY AP TEST! Ahhhh, it feels so good to say that. I prayed and fasted and had my dad give me a father's blessing the night before the test, and I felt pretty great about it. I know that the priesthood has saved me a number of times in my life, especially May 14. :) I'm so grateful for my dad who holds the priesthood who can guide me in my life and give me blessings when I feel that I need them.
Another tender mercy- the largest tender mercy of my life so far, happened on the way to the airport in SLC going home to VA. Uncle Jeff was driving his big SUV and we were on our way after a quick prayer with Grandma Wride. On neighborhood road, a small toyota car was driving in opposite of us. At the very last second, he changed into the very lane that we were in , heading straight towards us. God bless him, Jeff swerved to the left into the other lane and just missed the car. Unfortunately, the small rusty truck behind us didn't see him in time to get completely out of the way and he swerved to the right, getting the greatest impact right on the driver's side of the car. Debris flew every where and the cars spun and spun; the sound of crunching metal and breaking glass will forever be embedded in my brain. Jeff during this whole 5 second time frame is yelling "He's trying to kill us! He's trying to kill somebody!" My first reaction is complete and utter terror. After Jeff pulled over the car and jumped out of the seat along with my dad, my thoughts were calmed a bit as I surveyed the cars outside. I felt my mom hug me and I realized that my uncle had just saved our lives. Granted that hitting the huge SUV with the little white toyota probably wouldn't have done too much damage, it quite possibly could have sent someone to the hospital-therefore missing our flight. As my mom, dad, and uncle called 911 as fast as they could think I sat there feeling a mix of sorrow, joy, fright, and shock. After about 5 minutes I mustered up the animo to get out of the car with mom. I didnt dare get too close to the cars because I've seen my share of driver;s ed videos. The driver of the small white car had a 15 month baby in the backseat. The first ambulence to arrive took him to the hospital alone, while the man was being asked questions by the police. My dad and Jeff both said that he was most likely on something because he was completely bewildered by why he was there, and whats going on? I believe that Jeff was guided by the spirit that day and I am so grateful that he was in tune to the spirit enough to save us.
The past friday was the VA reception, which was really fun:) the house was all fru-frued up with tulle and ribbons and bows. Good stuff. The Coxes came down to help out, which was very needed. I say it was a success! Plus LOTS of left-over coconut cake. :)

Life in Technicolor

You know those days when you wake up you feel like you can solve world hunger and save the whales before lunch, but then 10 minutes later you decide that staying in bed is just as good? Today was one of those days. Exercise? Ha, I'd just eat a gallon of ice cream later. Homework? Nah, I've been sick- I've got to take advantage of that excuse when its true! But hey- start a blog? Sounds good! Where do these random sparks of organization come from?!
WELL, my life has been pretty hectic these past couple of weeks, and is bound to become even more hectic within the upcoming weeks. Heritage High School's Production of MY FAIR LADY is coming soon, 2 weeks! I don't think we know all the music yet! But its one of my favorite musicals, so no High School musical will ruin it for me!
HUGE news- KATE'S ENGAGED. Woah, I'm the only single one in my family. Dang- I'll be the loner in family games! Haha, just kidding. I'm super excited for her and her Brock. She has an uber gorgeous ring and dress, oh and face. :)
I, FINALLY, finished the science fair. But alas, thanks to all that hardwork, I'm in for more. Yes thats right, I made it to regionals. So we'll see how that goes. But for anyone who has ever used the five second rule (my science fair project- does it work?) to justify eating a piece of food that was on the floor, incluiding myself, STOP NOW! It's Nasty! I wont include photos for the sake of saving your lunch. Oh and bologna is gross.
The AP tests are coming-ugh I cringe at the thought. Luckily, I'm only taking one AP class this year, (world history) whereas next year I could be take anywhere from 1 to 4 AP classes. I cannot wait till I have no school work. The reason I would never be a doctor. WAAAY too much school. Plus, I have a weak stomach:) .