Happy to Be Here

Good day!

Do you have a bucket list? At the beginning of this year, I started a list called '101 in 1001,' but I never finished it. Actually, I lost it. A friend asked me about it last week, and I brushed it off, but then I was looking through my desk and I found it! I wasn't even going to look for it, but it appeared, so I decided to try finishing it.

The list is 101 things I want to accomplish in 1001 days (approximately 2.75 years). I got the idea from a blog I follow and I like it because it sets a deadline for getting these done. It creates a sense of urgency, I guess. I've attempted it before, but again, kind of forgot about it after a while.

Anyway, I found it and am trying to finish it. I've got 50 items so far, halfway there! And, of those 50 items, I've completed 2 already-- Hike in Zion and Attend Holi Festival. Both of those were fairly easy to do, but I'm doing things! That's amazing. Other items on the list are things like Go to Therapy and Attend 50 Festivals and Learn Calligraphy. I'm trying to think of a mix of items that push me to step out of my comfort zone, but also are fun. They also must be things that I want to do. (Because what would be the point if I didn't want to do the things?!)

This week, instead of a theatre production, I attended a Jazz Concert. I love a jazz concert. They're so much fun, and you can tell that the musicians are having a good time. One great thing about Cedar City is the variety! I wish that there had been things like this in my town when I was growing up. I wish that I'd had the opportunity to see adults playing instruments and adults on stage, because I never knew that was an option. I honestly could not see the point of pursuing music because I didn't think there was any future in it. And now I see old guys playing in bands, having a grand old time, and I'm envious of them because I didn't know.

Obviously, I could learn to play an instrument now, and maybe I will, but I do have this pesky fear of failure or not being good enough that's holding me back at the moment.

Improv this week was good. I was dreading today way more than usual-- I actually woke up and my first thought was, I don't know if I can go tonight. It was an actual fear and I felt it all day. On my way to the theatre, I considered not going because I felt that I couldn't do it. I forced myself to go inside, and I'm so glad that I did.

We played a game called Forward and Reverse, which is just a regular scene except the host can, at any point, tell the players to rewind or fast forward the scene. It's a hoot. The second game was called Bad Advice, and it's a panel of characters that give advice to the audience member who has asked a question. We had to create our own character instead of someone telling us what to do, which is a change. My character was Tatiana, the lifestyle blogger, and I just self promoted and told stories about myself that didn't answer the questions at all. I thoroughly enjoyed both games.

It's been a good week and I'm happy to be here.

What a life we live.

Flying Time

Hey there!

I'm always kind of surprised by how Wednesday sneaks up on me every week. Lately, I feel like time is just moving by so fast. I can't keep track of the days and before I know it another week has gone by! It's scary, because I want to be sure to 'live while I'm alive' (or whatever), but how can I when I don't even know what day it is?!

Anyway, it's been a pretty good week around here. I guess as long as the weeks are good, I don't mind so much that they're going by fast.

Friday night, we went to SUU's production of Urinetown. I had never seen, nor heard of this musical, but apparently, it's famous (and it's Heather's favorite). I had no idea. It takes place in a world where there was a drought or something, so the government restricted water usage, and private companies began providing and charging for basic necessities like toilet access. Then the characters decide that they should be able to pee freely and they revolt. It's reminiscent of Les Mis in a way.

I enjoyed it so much! The dancing and singing was amazing, as it always is at SUU, but it was hysterical! I especially enjoyed the narrator character, or rather the actor who played him. He was amazingly talented and played the part so well. I love seeing people who are so gifted at what they do, and who seem to truly enjoy doing it.

Saturday morning, Katie and I went to Heather's baby shower. It took place at her aunt's house, except her aunt lives in a dreamy farmhouse that overlooks an actual farm with animals and everything and it was just the most magical morning. I'd been there before for the Tour of Homes, but it was amazing to actually spend time there. The aunt runs Red Acre Farms, which is a big part of the local farmers' market here in Cedar. All of the food that was served was from the farm-- there was yogurt they made, and I'm sure the eggs in the quiche were laid there on the farm. I had some chocolate milk and I'm fairly certain it was made with goat's milk.

I was just in awe the whole time because it feels so quaint and like the people who are living there truly love what they do and are happy to live a slightly alternative lifestyle. I admire that so much. I admire the passion and hard work I'm sure it has taken to get them where they are.

The baby shower was sweet. I only knew Heather and her husband's mom, but it was still so much fun to celebrate Heather and the arrival of Charlie. She was due this past Tuesday, but he still hasn't made an appearance.

Heather actually came to Improv tonight. I didn't really expect her to be there, but she was and she killed it. Every week has focused on a type of game, and this week was Guessing Games. You can probably imagine how it goes, but there are 4 players and 1 player leaves while the other 3 are assigned a character, and the 4th person comes back and has to figure out what the other 3 are throughout the scene.

In my scene, I played that I was in a courtroom, so I pretended to be a lawyer and threw around what little courtroom jargon I know. One girl played that she was walking on ice no matter where she was, and the other guy played that after every sentence he spoke, he had to strike a pose (just to give you an idea of how it goes.) It was a good time, but I learned that I am extremely uncomfortable on a stage when I don't have anything to do. I just stood there, like, I don't know what to do with my body in this space! I'm much more comfortable when I'm talking and interacting with another person.

It's good to notice those things, because it gives me something to work on and be aware of. At the end of every class, we circle up and tell what we enjoyed or learned that class. One girl said that she enjoys seeing how we all improve from week to week, and I love that! I love that we're supportive of each other and growing together. Even though we're all at different stages, both in life and in comedy, we have something to learn from the people we're playing with. I'm so happy to know them all.

What a life we live.

Happy

Helllllllo.

It has been a slow week around here. This was the first weekend in a month that I haven't left Cedar City. I had big plans to do all my laundry, clean the whole house, finish my taxes, and do good, productive, adult things that need to be done.

I'm happy to report that I did some laundry. Adult Sarah does adult things.

Improv this week was so much fun, and honestly better than last week. We did scenes instead of step out games and I am much more comfortable with scenes. The difference between the two is, in step out games, the players are given a topic and they step out (into the circle or onto the stage) and make a joke about it, and in scenes, the players are given different suggestions that affect the nature of the scene they're playing.

Ugh, I tried writing that several different ways, and that explanation still doesn't help. I'll just tell you about what we did tonight. We played a game called Accents. (Maybe you can guess how it went?) There were 3 players and they were given a location for the scene, with a person offstage pausing them every few minutes and telling them what accent to speak in. The players then kept playing the scene in the new accent. It would change, and change again, and it's so funny because people are really, really awful at accents. I am really, really awful at accents.

But it was good because it forces you to pay attention to how you're speaking, while also trying to move the scene forward. There were moments when every person on stage was waiting for someone else to speak because they weren't sure how to do the accent. I cannot confidently do a Southern accent, and I literally grew up with it. My English accent is poor at best, and if I you ask me to do Australian, I'll try my hardest, but you would never guess that Australian was the goal. It was a painful game, but at least I tried!

Heather's husband asked me before this round of classes started why I would voluntarily do something that makes me so uncomfortable. (And it does make me incredibly uncomfortable.) I answered that I know it's good for me. Every time I step off the stage, I am both impressed and proud of myself for doing it yet again. When I'm playing, I just accept that this is my reality, and I must get through it. It's always a highlight of my week.

I feel like apologizing for how much I still talk about Improv, but I'm not going to. I wish I could convey how much I truly enjoy every class, even though I truly dread every class. I'm still so excited about it and it's not often I feel this strongly towards something.

Other things I've done this week include two volleyball games Monday night, dinner with some friends Friday night, and a play Saturday night.

The play we went to was called 'Molly and Peter.' An SUU student wrote it, how cool is that?! It was about the struggles of growing up in an LDS family. I admit, it might be a niche topic, but here, it was amazing. There were sex scenes, coming out of the closet scenes, jokes about Family Home Evening, and picture perfect families-- it had everything that is hilarious about Mormons. And it was great because even though they were poking fun, it somehow managed to still be respectful of the people and the religion.

One of the things I love about Cedar City is how much the people value the arts. We Cedarians love events. We love festivals, parades, concerts, and plays. We love the arts. It's one of the attributes that keeps me here. Where else can you live in a small town and also have so many opportunities for live entertainment?

Lately I find myself pausing and realizing that I feel happy. Usually its not for any particular reason-- I just feel good about where I am and what I'm doing. I have things to look forward to and I'm surrounded by good people. What more could I ask for?

What a life we live.

Colors of Spring

Hello!

It has just been the best two weeks!

My sisters, mom, Katie, and I went to the Holi Festival at the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple up in Spanish Fork last weekend. This was our second year going and somehow it was even better than the first! Plus, I've been looking forward to this weekend for months and it did not disappoint.

I loooove this festival. The atmosphere is so incredibly happy, light, and encouraging. Everybody is there to have a good time. We got there a little before the gates open, and there's just so much excitement in the air! The key is to go down and reserve your spot right in front of the stage. The first event is a guided yoga class. The guy teaching it was funny and intermingled in the crowd as he taught. Then comes the fun part-- Indian dancing! The girls are in brightly colored saris and they so patiently teach the basic prayers and dances. It's one of my favorite parts of the day!

They songs start slow and traditional, but grow in tempo and excitement until the whole place is jumping, dancing, and yelling! It's so hype and the energy is so high! I don't even know how to put into words how enchanting and magnificent it is to be in the middle of it.

Every hour on the hour, there is a countdown to the color throw. This is another favorite. Everybody is shouting the countdown, and the throw is so beautiful. When the colors are in the air, everyone is jumping and celebrating. It's just the most fun a person could have on a beautiful morning in Spanish Fork.

As the day goes on, there are bands that play, dancers that teach dance. To the side of the stage, there's an ongoing yoga class you can join in on if you want something slower. Mid-afternoon, the Bollywood dancers get on stage to teach us more moves. Gracie and I were front and center for the majority of the day-- it's the best place to be! There's a video on Facebook and you can see Gracie and I dancing. Gracie said it looks like we were having and the time of our lives, and honestly, I think we were.

Most of the week days were fairly uneventful, but Friday the family headed towards Ely, Nevada. This is the second year we've gone there for Easter, and if this becomes a tradition, I am perfectly fine with it. I truly enjoy that small, sleepy town. There's not a whole ton to do, but we always have a ton of fun! This year, we went out to Great Basin National Park to the Lehman Caves. I love a good cave! Our tour guide was so, so good. She was funny, informative, and knowledgeable. It was a solid tour.

Afterward, we went to the White Pine County Museum. It was a typical county museum, but I love museums, so I didn't mind. They had a few train cars in the yard out back sitting on the tracks, so we were balancing on them and started racing. Dad and Amy went back to the hotel afterward, so us kids walked Main St. This town loves art and murals. There are beautiful murals on almost every building! There's a small grassy area between some of the buildings that have several sculptures, and a labyrinth. We walked it, all ended up in the middle, then ran out. We were laughing so hard by the time we all reached the end. I'm so glad we all can get along and have fun together now that we're older. They're seriously my favorite people.

Saturday night, we attended an Easter Vigil at St. Bartholomew's Church. I think it's interesting to go to services in different churches. We very obviously did not know what was going on, but the people were nice and just helped us along. Sunday morning, Dad and Amy went to church, and us kids went garnet hunting on Garnet Hill. There are thousands of garnets just waiting to be found. I'll be the first to admit that I was terrible at it. Gracie and Zane were finding them left and right, while I could not find one to save my life. I finally found a few tiny ones, but they paled in comparison to the large ones the others found. It was a great end to Easter weekend.

We started up improv again today-- this time the class is Games 101. It was so much fun tonight! A lot of the same people were there from the last class so that was nice. It got rowdy and it was amazing, and I so enjoy having 2 hrs to just let go and be silly.

I feel so incredibly blessed to be living this life.

What a life we live.