Dear Liz,

So...a lot has happened over the past few weeks. A lot. I know we haven't talked much about it (because I cry through it) but I do think about you all the time. I am happy that you're happy. I'm am happy that you're in love. Everyone has a true love story and I guess yours is just uncoventional. Something none of us were expecting. You never did like following the crowd. Just remember how much I love you and how much you mean to me. That is probably why I have had the hardest time with it all. You have been my best friend since we were little and I felt like over the past few weeks you have been pushing me away. I know you did not mean to, this was all new to you too. I hope that you always remember that I'm always here for you even though you'll be in another state. I hope that you will always know how much I love and care for you. You will always be in my thoughts and prayers. I will miss you with all of my heart but I know it's time for you to start your own journey. Just don't forget your family and don't lose touch. You'll never lose us.

The day you told us you got married James showed me this video. I had to hold back the tears because it reminded me of you. Two beautiful melodies that come together to make a perfect match. I hope that John will make you happy for all eternity.

I love you!
Love,
Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v3d6SFcDys
(I can't figure how to get the video to show so you'll have to click on the link)

Jodi Picoult

I adore Jodi Picoult. She's an author. An amazing author! I have to admit that I have only read two of her books but loved every moment of them. They both have effected my life in many ways. One thing I truly love about her writing is that she writes from everyones point of view. Each chapter is from a different characters point of view of what is going on. Even though she writes that way, you are still surprised by the ending. Even though you know completely what is going on, you still don't know how the end will be. I love that!! The two books I have read are The Pact and My Sister's Keeper. Both heart renching stories. Ms. Picoult tackles important topics and puts heart with it. For example, in the The Pact it's about teenage suicide, in My Sister's Keeper it's about a child with cancer. There's so much more to those books then those simple topics, but I didn't want to ruin anything if you haven't read them. My Sister's Keeper has recently been made into a movie starring Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin, Alec Baldwin and Sofia Vassilieva. I can't get the trailer to download from work, but here's a link to watch it. Try not to cry during the trailer, let alone the movie.
http://www.oprah.com/media/20090424-tows-my-sisters-keeper
The actress, Sofia Vassilieva (you might recognize her from the TV show Medium), is about 17 in real life and had really long beautiful hair, she decided to shave her head for the movie instead of using a cap. At such a time in a girls life when appearance is such a big deal, I thought that was really special that she did that.

Jodi Picoult has a lot of books that I'm anxious to read. The next few on my list are:
Nineteen Minutes, Perfect Match, Change of Heart, Vanishing Acts, Salem Falls and Plain Truth. If you get a chance, go to her website www.jodipicoult.com to read about each of her books.

Reading is such an important thing in life and I'm thankful for wonderful writers that can take you to new places, make you think about things you've never thought about, and for making you feel new feelings.

Heading to Logan

This afternoon Hutch and I (and my parents, sister-in-law, Hutch's cousin and one of our good friends) are going to Logan. The main purpose is to see one of my favorite musicals, The Drowsy Chaperone! The tourning company is coming through and performing in Logan. I'm really excited to see the show. I'm also excited that we aren't coming back until Saturday. We will be touring around Logan, going to the cheese factory (mmmm....cheese!), get some Aggie ice cream, eat at the Bluebird Cafe and see my brother. There's also an indoor pool and hot tub at our hotel so we'll be able to do some swimming. I'm very excited to have this relaxing weekend!!

Sometimes I'm Selfish

When I get into work the first thing I do is turn on my computer. Since there are so many computers on one system it takes a little while to completely turn on. Once it is on, I open my work email (my personal yahoo email is blocked) and check those messages then I open the internet and go to my blog. I anxiously await while it pulls up my blog and I scroll down to see who has written on their own blogs. Sometimes no one has. It makes me sad. I think "what?!? am I actually going to have to get right to work instead of reading what my friends are doing?" See, that's the selfish side of me. Well, the more selfish side of me is that I don't write everyday. So I want everyone to write but I don't expect myself to. Yes, selfish.

I hope everyone got a chance to go over to Ben & Jerry's ice cream yesterday. It was free cone day! A couple co-workers and I went over to the Gateway and had some yummy free ice cream. I had Chocolate Macadamia. It was really good!

And Candice Gets the Part Of...

The Cat In The Hat!!

I was shocked that I got that. Out of all of the characters I was called back for, I sucked up that audition most. It should be a really fun production and I'm excited to find out who else was cast. I'll give more information on performances a bit closer to them.

Wonderful Quotes!

"Nothing is going to startle us more, when we pass through the veil to the other side, than to realize how well we know our Father, and how familiar his face is to us." ~President Ezra Taft Benson

"The future of this world has long been declared; the final outcome between good and evil is already known. There is absolutely no question as to who wins because the victory has already been posted on the scoreboard. The only really strange thing in all of this is that we are still down here on the field trying to decide which team's jersy we want to wear!" ~Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"Have you had a patriarchal blessing? Are you preparing to get one soon? Think of this-what does a patriarchal blessing say? Have you ever heard of one which says, 'I am sorry - you're a loser. Do the best you can on earth, and we'll see you in about seventy years.' Of course not! And you never will, because of the divine qualities each of God's children has inherited. A patriarchal blessing is like a road map, a guide, directing you in your walk through life. It identifies your talents and the good things that can be yours." ~Sister Elaine L. Jack

No One Mourns the Wicked

Last night I got to see the touring company of Wicked in Salt Lake. It was wonderful! We saw the understudy of Elphaba and was awesome! I really loved Glinda (the 'ga' is silent)! She had this Molly-Shannon-esq personality to her. It was hilarious! My only complant was when Elphaba sang "The Wizard and I" she was holding the 'r' in "wizard". She said the "ard" in wizard like you would say the "ard" in "hard" but held the 'r' longer then any other letter. It annoyed me. She only did that at the beginning of the song then near the end she sang normal. I don't get it. I, of course, teared up during the song "For Good". That song reminds me of so many people in my life that I can't hold back the emotions.

"Because I knew you, I have been changed For Good."