stay alive, drive 55

cedar was so good to me...

-st. george temple

-a big smile and hug from prof. modesitt

-pastry pub complete with chocolate tiger cake

-sky fest (20 some-odd hot air balloons launching at once)

-german pancake breakfast

-getting lost but eventually hiking in bryce canyon

-all of the above with great friends

-the funnest birthday party i've ever been to with new friends (including huck finn)

-church

-sunday writing ritual in my tree

-birthday celebration for the one and only skye complete with awesome conversation and the encouragement i've needed all month

(photo teaser courtesy of cheri. i'll get the disposable developed someday soon...)

did i mention i have great friends? i've been home less than two hours and i already want to go back. the only thing sustaining me is live recordings of mumford and sons. shocker, i know.

peace+love

i love my life...

...and all you people in it.

i'm only 21 and have experienced some pretty amazing things:
-singing "forever in blue jeans" on PCTV at the Neil Diamond concert with my best friend when i was 15
-traded a 5 buck pizza for Cold Stone with my little sister and her friend. i'm pretty sure the workers just thought they were cute.
-watched an owl take off in flight while driving in the Uinta's at night
-watched a moose running next to the car on the same drive

-gone skydiving

-backpacked europe

-witnessed nature at it's finest aka rock climbing/zion/hiking

-sung "desperado" with my best friend in front of half our high school

-crossed 22 things off my bucket list of 110

-hiked to the highest point in utah

-completed a triathlon

-completed 2 1/2 marathons

-rode my bike 448 miles through one of the most beautiful areas in this country

-watched a school come together to provide a dinner for 140 homeless people

-experienced making real music.

-lived in the greatest city in utah (cedar! if you were wondering)

-entered the temple and received my endowment

-raised $211 for charity:water thanks to YOU!

i could go on. i have a family who loves me and friends who inspire me to be a better person everyday. i lead a very privileged life. i attribute that completely to my heavenly father.

i've also made mistakes and done some really dumb things and had heartaches and hard times. but that is why Jesus Christ atoned for our sins our pains, making it possible to become perfect through Him and giving Him the chance to comfort us when we need it most. i have experienced the healing power of the atonement first hand, and that is why i am so excited to spend the next 18 months telling the people of santiago, chile about this "good news". i'm also very much looking forward to the next 21 years and (hopefully) more in this beautiful world.

p.s. thanks ali and brookie for the birthday shout-outs. i sure love you both. also, brooke, i love that song, so thank you for pointing out those lyrics so i'd actually think of them--

"hold on to what you believe in the light, when the darkness has robbed you of all of your sight."

i'll do my best.

peace+love

sam, sammie baby

happy birthday to my best friend in cedar...

thanks for

motivating me to spend more time in the library

letting me vent

being my hiking partner despite a lack of passion for hiking

introducing me to the tuna melt

being the best single ladies dancer i've ever seen

helping me move....twice

introducing me to some of my favorite people in cedar

getting me out of my shell

letting me be sam taylor

appreciating my music taste

being my theater attendance partner in crime.

i miss your face and your dance moves...youda youda best.

peace+love

melancholy

not to put a downer on life {let's face it, it's a joy!}, but sometimes i'm melancholy. and right now i'm somewhat melancholy. you see, i'm leaving my beloved cedar city for a while to embark on another adventure elsewhere ('twill be further explained at a later date...plus i have no idea where yet)...when i moved here 10 short months ago i did not expect to love this place as deeply as i do. if you are ever considering a move and need all the reasons to move to cedar city i will convince you this is a fantastic place to call your home.

i have this giant tree with faces carved into the trunk that i climb to go ponder and write.

and just up the canyon from my tree is a small cove carved into the sandstone where i go to ponder some more (or have good conversations with friends).

the colors are vivid. black soil against green foliage against red sandstone.

the weather is always perfect as there is a small but constant northward breeze (why always that direction? i have no idea).

i fall asleep at night to a symphony of crickets and wake up only to hear birds chirping outside my window. there are so many birds in cedar. big, beautiful birds. and in the summertime-bats everywhere at night.

cedar canyon is easily one of the most beautiful and surprisingly diverse places i have ever seen. crystal blue lakes surrounded by aspen groves next to lava fields.

and lets not forget cedar city's proximity to my home away from home, zion national park. a majestic sight everyone should see in this life.

then there's the lifestyle. the benefits of being in a city (with the exception of the severe lack of a music scene) with the perks of living in a small town. the pastry pub, the shakespearean festival (which comes with the most delicious raspberry tarts you'll ever taste), utah summer games, and last night we even had a senate candidates' debate. if you like hiking, camping, climbing, cycling, swimming, walking, reading, pretty much anything-ing, there's plenty of it to go around. especially hiking {but maybe that's just cause i'm biased}.

and the people. that means you, my bosom cedar friends. the people i've met and the memories i've made in the last 10 months have influenced my life in some small {or large} way that has made me a better person--or at least made me want to be a better person. genuine, high quality people. plus in the summer there are tons of tourists and i love tourists.

it's true, folks, cedar city {almost} has it all. {all we're missing is the ocean} my heart will break as i say goodbye, but not to worry....i'll be back before too long.

peace+love

somewhere O.V.E.R. the rainbow

that's right...finals are o-v-e-r, over! well, technically i have a final at three today, but it's my climbing class...which consists of climbing, setting up an anchor, and rappelling myself down. can you say fun final? oxy-moron, but not today! now that the semester is over, it's time for the

-highlights of spring semester 2010-

{in no particular order}
-getting ruby-
-finding paulie bleeker-
-discovering mumford and sons-
-spring skiing-
-c.a.l.i.f.o.r.n.i.a.-
-free dinners thursday nights at the episcopal church (what i affectionately call "episcopal dinner"). thanks rev. sue and congregation!-
-final season of LOST...sayid is going to break my heart and desmond is going to mend it-
-late night chat on the roof...what roof? the music building-
-camping out on said roof-
-living 45 minutes from zion national park-
-the pastry pub ...the only pub that doesn't actually sell alcohol-
-earning an almond rocha from my voice teacher-
-fabulous friends....seriously, fabulous-
-"so runs the world away" don't worry, i'm listening to it right now for the 5th time this week-

and during my summer of fun i'll be living in the college turned tourist town cashiering at cafe rio in the evening (where they call me "mamasita") and baking sweets at great harvest in the morning (as in before the sun comes up).

peace+love

sam and the shark

1. The strangest thing I've ever eaten was shark...and it was delicious .

2. My best friend is i have lots. but right now my favorite person is sam -he gave me a big huge hug today that made me feel better about life cause i'm staying here... (forget the fact he's sitting right next to me) .

3. If I could live in a different era it would be 1920's or 1970's because who wouldn't want to be around when public radio first came out? and who doesn't love 70's style? but i like living in 2010 .

4. I like fridays. and singing. and ice cream. and paulie bleeker .

5. If you only know one thing about me it should be i'm hands-down the most indecisive person you will ever meet. just look at my life history .

6. My favorite book of all time is To Kill A Mockingbird. if you've never read it, SHAME on you .

7. The one beauty product I couldn't live without is facewash .

8. Blogging is taking up the precious minutes i could be spending eating .

9. If I could star in a movie with any actor/actress I would want to work with Julie Andrews in a musical. it's truly tragic that she can't sing anymore .

10. One of the best feelings in the world is i don't know...but winning that almond rocha this week from my teacher whom i've always thought hated me felt pretty awesome .

peace+love

guess what? i'm human.

this week has been full of a mixture of emotions....stress, melancholy, sadness all jumbled in with happiness, giddiness, and euphoria. that's a lot to handle in one week. but intstead of discouraging you with details of my car problems, computer broken, failing a test, {worst cramps ever-tmi, i know} etc. etc. etc. i will dwell on the tales of happiness. for example:

-great friends. i have the best friends. they let me vent to them, keep me company, and make me smile. you know who you are--i love you guys. and will miss you immensely.-

-i won an almond rocha for my accompanist and i in my voice lesson this week...oh my teacher was on one but she doesn't make me cry anymore. she makes me laugh.-

-i've been wearing shorts all week...at least it starts out that way...then by about 4 it starts snowing...-

-the sun is shining today. which is good because today is "One Day Without Shoes". and that could get pretty miserable if there was snow on the ground.-

-i made dark chocolate brownies last night-

-um, right now if you are not a fan of LOST i feel very sorry for you. because the episode this week was beyond amazing and full of DESMOND DESMOND DESMOND! with a little sayid at the end...perfect-

-"having fun isn't hard when you've got a library card!" {click it, i dare you} i got a library card this week. it has dinosaurs on it. and i checked out a 750 page book of sherlock holmes' adventures. hours and hours of entertainment...for FREE!-

-today i'm listening to Mumford & Sons. what more do i need?-

welp, this is the longest post i've written in a while..and i've got to go repelling for my climbing class..pray i don't die. i love climbing. repelling frightens me, a lot. here i go to conquer my fears.

so, until tomorrow...

peace+love

sometimes, i feel like crying

but not today...
spring break =
a new road bike
crazy heart
jonah dumping dirt on my head
working for g-pa
sunshine
insanity
skiing
bad sunburn as a result
blisters on my face as a result
top hat video
too much junk food
the cabin
hot springs
sledding
laughing
don pedros
invisible children
changing my major
transferring schools (did i just say that out loud??)
too much driving

trampoline jumping
hanging out with my awesome adopted little sister
and more driving

peace+love

strange compliments

at the beginning of the semester, i noticed a new boy in choir--tall, skinny, and wears cool glasses. but, he seemed kind of young and all the music boys are weird so i'm generally not outgoing in choir. the other day while putting my folder away, previously mentioned boy approached me and said, "i just have to tell you, with your boots and coat, you look like an X-Men."
"thank you??"
"you look like storm or something. don't worry it's a compliment."
storm? ya, we both have short hair but mine is not silver, nor do i wear spandex on a regular basis, and i definitely cannot control the weather. oh, and i'm not brown. but she's hot, so i'll accept it.what's the weirdest/funniest compliment you've ever recieved? or just the best?
peace+love

young love

cedar city loves me:
-i arrived in cedar sunday night to the warmth of 3 letters. not bills. i love mail.
-in the middle of my first class on my first day back (monday) we had an earthquake. it was terrifying. i clutched the edge of my desk ready to crawl under as soon as something fell from the ceiling (as i was taught to do in grade school). luckily it was really small and short. later that night we had another tiny one. i felt it though. my heart now starts pounding at every rumbling sound or small tremor.
on the bright side, it got me on byu radio, just one more brick on my yellow road to stardom.
-i graduated from physical therapy today and fully intend to climb on saturday.
-i'm taking 18 credits this semester. 7 music classes + a half semester of intro to climbing.
-with the exception of wednesday, i've been up before 7 a.m. everyday this week...go me.
-news in the indie music world: greg laswell and ingrid michaelson are dating! meredith thinks they're married, but i'm skeptical. they will make beautiful music making babies. their babies may be beautiful, but mostly the music that their babies will make will be beautiful. they've already made a music baby...this song:

{via}
this made me laugh on this inside

peace+love

1 mas semana

classes are OVER! (for a month anyway)
juries are OVER! i sang my sight singing perfectly in a minor key then realized, oops, it's in f major...

at the end of the day, these are the memories (good or bad) i'll take from my first semester as a t-bird:
-watching a snake pee on kira at the choir party
-climbing to the roofs of the buildings on main street--and carving our names
-my first sit-start (bouldering term)
-the 10 minute drive on a dirt road out to the highway after spraining my ankle
-walking to campus on crutches for 2 weeks
-my "unique" visiting teaching companion
-jen carrying me on her back to the 4th floor of our apartment complex...twice
-being reminded how hard adjusting is
-army crawling through guano in mammoth cave
-bawling in a voice lesson...i love my teacher, i really do
-nuns...dancing to "all the single ladies" (sorry, you can only see the video if we're friends on facebook)
-nearly wetting myself in the library when i saw the woman in black
-sleeps with weesha and kelsey
-our sad attempt at fishing in a waterhole...cow pies everywhere...really, bryce, there are fish in here?
-our billion attempts to fly a kite
-sneaking our glass bottles into the movie...we felt very criminal-like we were sneaking in alcohol.
-finally learning to do a headstand
-visits from mis padres
-falling in love at the orthopedic surgeon's office
-then having my heart broken...ya, he's married
-the compliments
-the insults
the hikes:
-the narrows
-angel's landing
-kanarraville falls
-timp at 2 a.m. we'll see how soon i feel up to that one again
-climbing twice a week until oct. 21

narrows pics i never posted

as you can clearly see,
cedar is a great place to be
just one thing could make it better...
a lot more snow and crappy weather!
peace+love

driving stats

between Nephi and Fillmore (the scariest part of the drive between NSL and Cedar):

91 remnants of blown-out tires/flat tires
3 dead deer
3 broken down cars

"i'm so glad it's not me"...the Blair Thumb
peace+love

mmmm....winter

snow is painting the branches and the only thing on my ankle is a brace.

and tomorrow, two of my best girls are coming to visit me along with mi padres.
here's why:

SUU Opera Theater presents:
Vixens, Rascals, and Saints
November 13th-14th
7:30 p.m.
Thorley Recital Hall

also, i finally learned you can't be perfectly happy all of the time. but that's what makes the times you are so great.

peace+love

in an attempt to persuade kerri (my lil sis)

this week i:
-flew a kite
-went bouldering
-roasted mallows
-went to a movie
-hiked to angel's landing

and still had time to
-get 100% on one test and 99% on the other
-opera rehearsal 3 nights
-practice everyday
-write a sacrament meeting talk

i love my new school

peace+love

toto, we're not at byu anymore

today i was sitting in the library reading my history book when i saw something out of the corner of my eye...i looked up only to find a woman dressed in a full-length black dress with a black hat and a black veil covering her face walking very slowly in front of me--almost stopping...my heart began to pound and my feet got all tingly like they were ready to run away from any sudden movements...she walked to the end of the row of chairs, turned very slowly, and began walking away...creepy...
after that i decided i was going home to study, safe from any strange women dressed in black...when i told my friend lindsey about it she acted like it was totally a normal thing to happen at suu...when i told my roommates about it, liz informed me she was advertising for the fall shows of the Shakespearean festival, specifically "lady in black"--that play is going to scare the beegeebees out of me
peace+love

getting to know you

dear new roomies,
let me apologize ahead of time for my music...sometimes it is loud, usually it is not, you may or may not like what i listen to, but i have my own room so i don't feel that bad...
i'm sorry for my weird quirks...
i burp a lot--and really loud (though i probably won't do it in front of you for a couple weeks)...
please don't feel bad if you don't make a meat-less meal, i promise i'm not offended and i won't go hungry...
i hate bare walls...
i love sunflowers...
sorry if you don't like my singing or ukulele playing...
i get really hyper sometimes...
i am not a good cook, but if you like quesadillas i'll make sunday dinner every-so-often...
yes, i am always happy--except when i am not, but you will never see that...
with as much love as you can have for people you just met,
kelzone
peace+love
p.s. i live with another kell'y' so apparently i go by "kj" now

my observations

in the first two days as an suu student, i have already noticed several differences between this and the school i used to attend, good and bad and in between...these are in no particular order, but the first one is the first thing i noticed on my way to my first class on the first day of school:

1. hardly anyone had headphones in on their way to class...maybe it's the shorter distance between classes (as compared to byu) or the stronger desire to actually talk to people between classes...i like to think it's the latter...either way, i felt singled out and put away my iPod for the first time---ever...but really, people are friendlier

2. people smoke

3. people swear

4. guys have facial hair!!!! (i'm more than thrilled about this one)

5. my g.e. history class is going to be fairly easy (huge, but pleasant, shock there)-no papers, tests are non-cumulative, 50 question, multiple choice, all taken from study guide

6. my teachers are prof. or dr., not bro. or sis. (that one's going to take some getting used to)

7. a class of 35 is considered BIG

8. i went into the library to work on a project and the circulation desk lady told me where to find the cd and book i needed...i sort of stared at her for a second, then got the hint and got it myself...weird

9. i was the only one in the study area of the library on the first day of school...even more weird

10. I LOVE IT HERE
peace+love

p.s. i have a crush
his name is joe
he's going to ask me on a date
(that's my unwavering optimism talking-but let's face reality and my luck, he probably has a girlfriend)

3.14

i meant to post this yesterday, but happy belated pi day!not going to lie....i saw a lot of this, pi recitation (234 digits!), and other unbelievably nerdy things on campus....i love nerds in action more than anyone i know (maybe simply because i'm jealous, or that i find it incredibly attractive)...
i know my last post was a little dismal and gloom, but i've turned a new leaf...i decided i should make the most of my last month as a cougar-maybe hike the "Y" for the first time ever, make sure to read the reader's forum of "the daily universe" daily, "study" in periodicals (aka win free dinners for the next month), sit in the wilk everyday listening to a different recently returned missionary play "Waterfall" by Jon Schmidt, bake cookies for every guys house in my ward, go tunnel singing, walk to the cougareat and collect as many fliers from the wilk booths for events no one will attend as possible, sit outside on campus listening to guys play their guitars and sing hymn arrangements, and last but not least: meet, date, and get engaged all in 3 weeks time!- because in five months i'll be a thunderbird...
peace+love