for farewells

A weekend full of good friends - new and old - beautiful music, long, tumble weed invested drives to richfield, library excursions, and practicing sure does make for quite the wonderful weekend. But mostly, it was just great to see so many friends this weekend.
Practicing went well, though discouragment took it's course again, and to certain people...sorry...but i got a lot done. Jaron and Racheal, met Nick and I at the university and we headed down to the downtown library which was...big as usual. It's so intimidating to me and I've decided to not go there again unless I have a game plan. Any particular books/authors anyone suggests? I ended up getting two books. "Surprised by Joy" by CS lewis, which i'm supra exicted for and "1984" by George Orwell, which i hear is really really frustrating...but we'll see.
Crown burgar was our next distination and we had a good old time joking and eating an insane amount of grease. Mmmhmmm..my favorite.
The utah symphony was next, as we crazy college kids walked in, me in shorts and nick in a t-shirt. We got a few not so discret looks from the elderly, probably wondering how the youth of today has such little respect for such an art. Well, jeans or not, the symphony was fabulous. Korngold's Violin Concerto was my favorite part. The soloist was playing so hard she broke the string but her stage presence was superb! It didn't even phase her. The second violinist just pulls out another string and they started the third movement over. The Charles Ives section was interesting but did make me giggle several times. Particularly the last piece, "Variations on 'America'". I liked his piece about the meaning of life as well, but you might just have to do your own research on that one.
I wasn't feel well at all after the concert so Nick drove me home. Besides Ember Dawn was waiting and I felt bad when I walked in and told her I was going to bed and went to sleep. But it was needed, because we had an early morning.
We got up and were out of here at eight thirty to head to Richfield to a dear friend's farewell. Matt Palmer has been called to the Omaha Nebraska mission. Those lucky Nebraskans! Matt is a wonderful person and I'm so excited for him and he is enthusastic himself. I got to see Melissa Rowley and Keith also. We talked and laughed and shared stories and talked and laughed some more. It was a wonderful time!
I would love to talk about this more, however, bed is calling me and my eyes are really tired so...till next time...

PS I speak on May 31st, case anyone's interested.

For the chocolate lover..

So, first off, I would like to apologize to anyone I might've been a jerk to yesterday. I don't know what was wrong with me, but my temper just kept getting the better of me and after I got angry of myself about it, that opened the door to a whole bunch of negitive thoughts and many of you know how it goes down. One gets in and you spend the rest of the day fighting off negative thoughts and beating whoever is putting them in there out, which just made me more irratible. It was quite frustrating but I have wonderful friends who are forgiving and understanding. I appreciate them.
Second off, Cannoli is amazing. I made some homemade cannoli on thursday with my good friend Nick and it was my first experience with it. Wow as fun as the cooking was, which it very much was fun, it was a delectible sugary dessert of chocolaty goodness! And we all know how much I love chocolate.
Yesterday did get better after I went out to eat at noodles n' company. I'm glad I could discover that cheesy goodness as well! And chocolate cake again did it's trick and mended my unhappiness with myself. We spent about fourty five minutes in the Downtown library, which i find an amazing building and then headed back up to the university for the concert, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It went really well overall, even though I have had my fair dose of Pathfinders of Panama, Dusk and Resplendent Glory. The audience loved it and that is always such a high for me! "come thou fount of every blessing" is a beautiful piece and ironically what I really needed to hear last night. I teared up several times at the message and I'm grateful for a reminder of why I was feeling the way I was. "Prone to leave the God I love. Here's my heart oh take and seal it..." It's powerful and true. and when the organ comes in...wow! Little Amy did an amazing job cranking out that awesomly powerful organ part. We got a standing ovation of a packed house. I remembered why I am a music major.
Speaking of which, I finally feel like I've gotten off this plateau I've been on for the past year and half or so. I don't know what happened but all the sudden I find myself progressing rapidly and it's really encouraging! Kathy likes it as well, though she is not happy about my decision to go on a mission in June, but, I'm glad it's not ultimately up to her. I'm so excited to get out there and work! Every mission prep class just gets me more and more excited to share something so amazing. I've seen the changing power of this message and I can't wait to share it with those who are ready to hear it.
Today is looking up to be pretty beautiful as well. I slept in until 10 and didn't actually get out of bed till 10:30. I made my favorite breakfast, actually did my hair and am now about ready to get dressed and head up to the university to practice for a few hours. Then some friendage time will be awesome!
I should probably leave now for the bus. A UTA, what would I do without thee?

Signing off! See you next time....or maybe before.

For the birthday girl(s)....

It is indeed great to be back in school after a much too long week break! I'm tired again. Wonderfully, amazingly, feel good tired, like I'm actually getting something done! I've been working up my practicing back to where it should be but it will take several more days I think. And I've never felt so on top of homework but that might correspond with the fact that I've never had only 15 credits before. It feels great.
There was a huge mishap at the Univeristy today and it was really scary not knowing what was going on for a while. Nick called his mom and I called mine and we found out something about a broken gas line, explosive conditions apply. They ended up evacuating. It's a weird thing to think about but I found it fascinating how many people pulled together to make something like this run smoothly and with as little concern as possible. It was encouraging to see how quick and well people can respond to a disaster when it's really needed.
After that, my friend Nick and I went to Acme Burger Co. which I highly recommend! It's on the more expensive side but heavens it's not exactly your same old common burger joint! The modern feel and delcious lamb burger were definitly worth the money if you can find the time and money.
FYE called our names and we had a grand time browsing the well stocked "used" section and got a few classics. "Dan in real life" was probably my favorite and as we watched it, I felt quite content with how my birthday was playing out. I decided it would be wise to come back home after that, where i was unexpectadly sung to by my silly (in a good way) grandparents and uncle, followed soon with cake with whipped cream and strawberries. It was delicious and so sweet of them!
As of eleven minutes ago (10:34, to be exact) I entered my 21st year of life, offically making me legal. Wahoo...I think this might be a little more exciting if drinking interested me in the least. *shrug* It was a wonderful birthday, relaxing, chill and completely what I wanted to do! I'm blessed with amazing friends and got an overwhelming amount of birthday wishes, even from those I haven't spoken to in quite a while! Yay for facebook reminding them of my brithday. :)
My haircut is something I'm really starting to enjoy! It is flippy and fun and much more managable, which I am always okay with naturally. I do sometimes miss my long hair though.
Another update and countdown: MTC here I come! two months and seventeen days! I can't wait to get out there and working hard! I know it's what I should be doing and I'm very grateful for that. Just for a future FYI I am speaking on May 31st in the Plain City 3rd ward and would like to see as many people out there as would like to come.
I should really head to bed now...my eyes are threatening to slam shut without my permission!

Signing off from my grammy's kitchen and dial up internet...
Goodnight!

PS Happy Birthday Sister!(who turned 21 only four minutes after I)

For spring break...

So....Spring break is almost over, thank goodness...i'm ready for structure and more to live for than just TV and computer! I want to practice again, which means my stitches need to be gone. I want to not lay on this couch and watch Life and TLC.
Today was a beautiful day! Rarely are days as beautiful as today. It felt like heaven, and that is no exaggeration. it was not too hot or too cold and the breeze was refreshing! I am grateful for this earth and for beautiful days like today. I love nature and this beautiful green earth God has created for us!
The family went to this charming restaurant up in huntsville for birthday dinners. It was called Jackson Fork Inn Restaurant and I do suggest it to people looking for something new. It's a bit of drive but the atmosphere was charming and the food was fabulous with a great menu, something for everyone. After we ate, we five girls went to hastings and walmart and had a great time buying no bake cheesecake and meet the robinsons, which we are watching and eating right now. It's been a really wonderful day! I enjoyed it very much once I finally got out of the house.
I did it...I cut my hair. It is no the shortest it's been in...12 1/2 years! My neck feels strangely cold. It was hard, but I did it and it feels strangely exhilarating.
I get to go to provo with Jess tomorrow for some missionary shopping! Wish us luck!

For wheels...

Spinning momentum
Loosen rusty gears
Chip
Iron showers
Of red.

Moaning tempos
Metallic groans
Turn to creaks
and shrieks

Speeding up
Rolling drone
Circle
The metal wheels



So I'm on spring break right now and bored out of my mind. I can't practice, because my mom is worried about my healing mouth for the wisdom teeth pulling, which actually went very very well.
Dr. Jessen is a great oral surgeon, and once they got the IV in me(which took about a half an hour), the actual surgery only took about twenty minutes. The laughing gas was not fun to me. I hated the feeling of not being in complete control of my body. It gave me a headache and it made the lights about ten times brighter. But, it was over soon. I didn't feel much pain and only had to take three or four Loratab the entire recovery process. Swelling was almost completely absent. So, I was grateful that my prayers were answered and that I had a good doctor.
Spring break is boring though. Mom and I started Missionary Clothes shopping and that is supra fun! I'm just not really sure how to look like a missionary...but I just couldn't wait! And today we bought my birthday present together, which kinda takes the surprise out of it, but I knew what I was getting anyway. New Scriptures! They are pretty blue and real leather and will last me for a long while now. The ones I was given when I was 8 aren't really cutting it any more because they are falling apart.
I turn 21 in five days, ten hours and twelve minutes. It's crazy how quickly it's come. While I have enough time in my life to make it worth while? I hope so...there's a lot of people on this earth, but i'll make my mark somehow.

(This picture I took at the edge of town today; I should get up this early every morning for the amazing pictures!)
Reporting from Plain City....

For shakespeare...

This one's for you.....

A Sonnet Attempt, Wisdom Teeth and Spring Break
By Melanie Perhson
March 16, 2009

No rhyme can I describe when I do try
To keep the rules a sonnet passes through
No beat flows by upon the words I cry
There is no justice to this system brews.

I am the victim of the structured way
Just like so many who are lost in rhyme
A sun that no more brings much wanted rays
Perhaps it will go smoother at another time

Yet, here I write my woes of rhymes long past
What can I do about this creativity?
Or lack thereof as the case may be to rest,
It is a truth these rhymes are forced from me.

What else could I have done on my spring break?
Recovering from the pain my toothful wisdom take.



That is all...reporting from the same couch i've been on for the past three days...gross, I know.
*~Mel~*

For the wise...

It has finally happened! After months from the time I began my mission papers, I recieved my call in the mail this last wednesday! My little sister called me with the news and I headed up right after a brilliant wind ensemble rehearsal.
After making it to the pleasent view frontrunner station, mom picked me up and headed to the park n' ride to pick up jess, who I very much wanted to be there for the epic opening.
And epic it was! Once all of my family, (minus Ayleen sadly) It took me about five minutes to open it because I was so nervous! But I got the courage and read these epic words:

"You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Arizona Phoenix Mission. It is anticipated that you wil serve for a period of 18 months."

A huge swell of relief and joy entered my heart, finally knowing where I will be for the next year and a half. Good news for all you people who are going to write me letters *wink wink* I'll only be a state away. Snow and cold will definitely not be an issue as I will be entering the mission field in June, therefore enjoying the sizzling hottness of 120 degree weather. Wahoo!

So, with that bit of exciting news....wish me luck on my wisdom teeth surgery this day. I'm supra nervous about the sedation portion of it. I've never had any sort of surgery my entire life unless you count the 3 stitches I recieved in my finger when I was 8, which I don't. It is simply a weird thought that a bunch of people will be sticking their hands in my mouth and cutting it open while I'm "sleeping." I know...I think way too much about things.

Anyway, reporting from frontrunner Farmington station, over and out!