Dude, that's freakin' AWESOME.

Recently, my hands appear to have been eating themselves from the inside out. A two-inch cut on the back of my left hand, numerous hang-nails on both hands, a deep paper cut on my right-index finger and a random hole near my right thumb. (not to mention the slice the shaver took from my left ankle) Staring at the two-inch cut, it occurred to me how incredible a human body is. In a week, all these maladies will disappear, never to be remembered. Years ago, I was holding the family cat, when someone turned on a hair dryer. The cat freaked out, and left me with very deep slices in my palms and scratches on my arms, from his razor claws. The cuts were so deep, I was sure scares would be left even after healing. To my surprise (slight dismay, it would have looked awesome) after the full healing, no trace can be seen in the slightest. No other material in the world will heal in such a way. Of course, most materials are not living and producing cells as the human body, but think about it. When you take a petal from a rose, it won't regrow it. Trees will heal over, but as many lovers have discovered, the perfect scare is left of what was carved into it. All other materials, once broken, scratched, cracked, are broken forever. Some humans go to extremes to leave large and visible scars, or sometimes damage is too severe to recover completely. But the every day stuff, like paper-cuts and cat scratches disappear. Now that's awesome.

Saturday morning came, and the Institute Singers rose for a long day of singing. Along with 300+ vocalists, we entered the LDS Conference Center and beheld the wonder of 21,000 seats. Tourists are not normally allowed onto the pulpit in front, but up we filed to the choir seats to look upon the thousands of seats that would fill to capacity the next week. The view is incredibly intimidating, but the structure is incredible. The organ behind the choir seats makes a sound that resonates through the human body, sending chills and goosebumps on the skin. Singing with more than 300 people for not only 21,000 people present, but a world-wide audience of millions, and a massive organ (organ facts are appreciated). Now that's awesome.

That afternoon, most of the Institute Singers went to record for an upcoming event for the LDS church. In the recording studio, we began to sing the music we had rehearsed for less than 3 hours for. Those in the recording booth said "Basically, you guys are too good. We need you to sound like a bunch of youth." That my friends, is awesome.

The recording session took five hours, yet at the end we were all still singing. There was talk of going to dinner and watching movies. We had a performance the next night. Spending 8 hours straight with the same people and asking them to come back for more - freaking awesome.

Everything's Amazing, Nobody's Happy

Short cuts.

We are all acquainted with SparkNotes. Helpful notes that are a quick way to become familiar with a book you are less inclined to read from cover to cover.

We are all acquainted with Facebook. A network of keeping in touch with people you may not otherwise have the chance. Sometimes too much information, as you get their daily, some times hourly updates on moods, activities and relationships.

Brace yourself for the next image: the most up-to-date, teenager friendly version of Pride and Prejudice.

Recent events that were mildly irritating, but mostly entertaining.

1. I answered the phone at work today and was shouted at by a recording "DEAR HOMEOWNER". I hung up on them at that point.
2. Sitting in a business driveway waiting to get into traffic, a boy (around 20 years of age) walks down the sidewalk in front of me, stares and waves as he passes. I ignored him.
3. A small jewel fell out of it's place in a new ring of mine. It fell to the ground, and I promptly bent over to pick it up. It is no larger than the dot of an "i" on this screen. My dog came over thinking my intent was to give her attention. She stepped on it twice before I could grab it. Finding the superglue, I opened the lid and tried to squeeze a tiny portion onto the ring. Nothing came out. I squeezed the rectangular bottle using the other sides, and it came gushing out, but missed the spot where I needed it. I finally got some into the hole, and put the jewel in. The jewel stuck to my finger instead. After fighting with it for a few seconds, it went in. My fingers were covered in superglue. I walked into my bedroom, proud that I saved such a small jewel, turned the ring over and noticed three more jewels missing.
4. Spring is officially here. If you will recall several events from last year concerning bugs and more bugs and more bugs. I have already found a spider in the house, and the front porch light was covered in small green flying things earlier this week. I am not looking forward to the new friendships.
   

Ten Good Reasons Why a French Man Should Not Teach French.

A friend of mine found this list that I wrote for her way back in Junior High, probably in 2002 or 2003. There's a story behind each one of them of course. Our French language teacher, Mr. Baigue was....well, just read.

Ten Good Reasons Why a French Man Should Not Teach French:
10. They bring smelly cheese to class
9. They are obsessed with french food (such as wine)
8. They tell the class the most gruesome details about snail hunting (after the class has just eaten lunch)
7. They think that there is no difference between French and American punishment
6. They won't let you speak English
5. They think that they are your parents and they get to baptize you under a new french name.
4. They enjoy topless women!
3. They want to make money off the rich kids in class by taking them to France.
2. They think Americans are stupid.
1. They are just plain stuck up.

Of course, I lacked tact and wit, but I was 100% honest.

That Easter Morn

That Easter morn, a grave that burst
Proclaimed to man that "Last and First"
Had ris'n again
And conquered pain.

This morn renews for us that day
When Jesus cast the bonds away,
Took living breath
And conquered death.

Thus we in gratitude recall
And give our love and pledge our all,
Shed grateful tear
And conquer fear.

*Text: Marion D Hanks, Music: Robert Cundick.

Protein.

Today I purchased a bottle of Odwalla Vanilla Al'Mondo Soymilk Protein Drink. On the front of the bottle the label reads "18 grams of protein per bottle". In the box with the nutrition facts to the right of this statement (the bottle is rectangular) it reads "Protein 10g. Servings per container about 2". . . . . Ok, so I'm a Classics major. Humanities. My brain isn't automatically inclined towards mathmatics. . . but srsly. I guess this is where the "about 2" servings comes into play.