Para Tu

For my friends, from Mariah and Chibird.

Check out her awesome tumblr. :)

Things I Loved About Today

• Emma called and told me she had an extra ticket for General Conference. She invited me to go with her! I am so excited! Guys, do you understand that I get to go and see Prophets and Apostles?!? For real. I mean, you do too, but I AM SO EXCITED! I LOVE THESE PEOPLE! I love them because of Who they are representing. It’s truly awesome.
• I listened to Christmas music. Hahaha It just makes me happy to hear those tunes, full of sweet and savory memories. I sound like I want to eat the memories, but I just love Christmas. *munch munch*

• Jenni called me. She is my next door neighbor. I love that girl. We just talked for about a half hour. I really enjoyed just talking. I read her a poem and a half (she suffered through it ‘cause she loves me), talked about animals (her most favorite topic), and college. I have been talkin’ ‘bout ‘ollege ‘ately.
• I was an Initiator instead of a procrastinator !! It felt great to clean my room, study scriptures, and do homework when I got home from school.
• I feel clean.

Love,

Mariah

My Life in Music --Mariah

When I was about five something special happened; I started Kindergarten. Dear old Willard Elementary! Strangely, I don't remember learning at all... I do remember playing outside with friends, chasing them around. I had this spot with my very best friends in between these two large pine trees. We would go into that snug space to the old drinking fountain nestled inside. My friends and I would play, hide, poke one another, laugh and then do it all over again.

Every time I hear “Dream” by Priscilla Ahn, I think of these moments. I am five years old again, playing with my best friends. I don't think of the future all that much, and I am content with being me. As I continue listening, I can feel the different stages of the life I have lived so far.

In the song Priscilla Ahn tells a bit about her dreams. At first she says she had a dream she could fly from the highest swing. That is the kind of goal we have when we're young, right? We want to fly out of that grand ole swing and go as far as we can. Then as we develop and change, the swing isn't high enough. We're ready for grander heights, and Priscilla Ahn changes the swing to a tree, and then finally to the highest wing. Just like the idea in this song, my dreams have morphed, changed, been fulfilled, or forgotten—and that, to me, is what this song is all about.

I have come to realize that as our dreams change, we change as well. This can be good or it can be bad. I remember being quite freaked out when I first went to High School. My group of friends drastically changed. Suddenly those best friends I had acquired all throughout my elementary school career were into different things. Suddenly instead of bursting at the seems with conversation, it was a struggle to feel comfortable. It was a huge shock for me.

During the summer prior to my Senior year of High School I came across “Everybody's Changing” by Keane. It perfectly captured that feeling I had then. I felt the same, but all of my friends were changing! In the first verse Keane introduces someone who says they're going to stay the same. The singer responds, “but I don't see how you can”. Truth be told, I can't either anymore. How is it possible to stay the same when our experiences are constantly changing? We laugh, hurt, love, cry, learn, grow, and develop. This has since caused me to wonder... Who had changed? My friends, or I? As I grew older I learned that I didn't want to be the same anymore. I wanted to stay myself. I will laugh, hurt, love, and cry if it means I will be better than before.

I have learned many lessons from music throughout my life so far. I feel that as I continue developing another song that I love will always be applicable. In the end, when all is said and done, I just have to remember not to be afraid. “Be Not Afraid” by Jenny Phillips is a song that gets me right to the core, and helps me to be strong when I feel weak. I feel immense comfort and relief within seconds of its start. The word that comes to mind is sanctuary.

The road of my life has had potholes in it, like most everyone else's. There have been times when I have had to appear stronger than I really feel, or even am. I try my hardest to have a cheery disposition and bright faith that the future will be clearer, when in reality, I am often as scared as the next gal. Sometimes I get to the end of my rope and have no idea what I am doing or where to go next. I start wanting to give up. Inevitably, this song will come on soon after these bitter feelings. It comes as a relief, renewing my energy and brightening my hope. I soon find I have the strength to go on, and not only am I trying to be bright and cheery and believing—I actually am all those things.

To me this song is saying, “Don't give up! There is someone who loves you more than you will ever know, and you will not be alone on this journey. Let your heart believe.” Believe. I tell myself to believe I am worth something--worth a lot actually. I believe I am a part of something bigger than status, High School, and all the world offers.
It is truly amazing the way we can attach ourselves to music. I know that these songs will forever mean something to me. I find it ironic that even now I am attaching new meanings, even new memories, to these songs. It is my hope that I will continue to find beautiful music which will help me to feel empowered, uplifted, and ready for the future. This is the soundtrack of my life so far.

Works Cited:

Jenny Phillips. “Be Not Afraid.” Strong and Courageous: Songs For Youth 2010. Shadow Mountain Records, 2009. MP3.

Keane. “Everybody's Changing.” Hopes and Fears. Island, 2004. CD.

Priscilla Ahn. “Dream.” A Good Day. Blue Note Records, 2008. MP3.

Today

Today was slow, tortuous, and momentous, all at the same time. I woke up to a sore and swollen throat. I wouldn’t have woken up in time for school at all had it not been for that swollen and scratchy throat. I guess I should be grateful. –_- I woke up late and had to rush out the door.

College Day was today, which was awesome! I have gained some great insight, and I feel pumped for College. I know it’ll be hard, but I can do hard things. I liked BYU-I the best out of the three sessions I had. The spirit was great as I listened. I want to go down to see what it’s like. I have a great friend there who is really enjoying it right now. I am so glad she’s there--it’s the right place to be.

I feel like I am too big for this High School now.

 

I feel like me, but a different version of me. I look around in the halls and it feels like I am back at the middle school. I feel like the kids are small, immature, and confused. I can see now how preoccupied I was with trying to ‘fit in’. I mean, I wasn’t starving myself to be beautiful or buying the latest trends, but I was subconsciously monitoring myself. It feels sad now. I can see how the boys think they’re on top of the world when they are in charge and in their ‘prime’. I can see it all and it makes me uncomfortable. I wish that they could know that High School isn’t their whole life, and that they aren’t what everyone thinks they are or have.

Ok so I was talking about how I was subconsciously trying to fit in. Back on that note. This year I have sort of found out who I am. I am okay with being weird and being me. I am okay knowing I am different. I am more than okay with all of this-- actually, I am FREE! It is such a great feeling to not care what others think. I LOVE IT.

Choose today to be yourself.

Love,

Mariah

BYU Football

My dad's obsession of BYU football is really, really, REALLY scaring me! I do not think that it is healthy. At. All. Actually I know that isn't.
-Emma Rose
Spelling: 1

Whoa...

Magical. That is all that I may say.
Right now I am putting myself up for condemnation by my fellow peers. Well, I hope not. I hope that you may see what I see and understand what I understand. Sometimes though, it is quite necessary to show something that others may not understand as you might. This moment is one of those necessary moments. Many of you already know that I listen to piano music as I study. I love this habit of mine! Even though it is quite unique! The music has motivated me to keep going as I read long, long chapters or write until my brain cannot comprehend a thing. The music moves me to do much more than I can do on my own. I was drawn to a particular piano song named "Time To Say Goodbye". During an especially difficult day of working on assignments I went to find this song. Instead of finding the usual piano piece I found the original. What. A . Masterpiece. Such peace and wonder it brings.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbN0g8-zbdY

Please try to understand what I find in this most brilliant work of art. It may not be the usual music you listen to, it isn't what I listen to often but I dare you to not see it's beauty.
Love the awe struck Emma whose life has been changed by a song.
Spelling: 4.

Things I Love {not in order}

1. The Help—a poignant, memorable novel and movie about the ladies who were thought to be ‘separate but equal’, yet were anything but.
2. Keane’s old album, Hopes and Fears. I love this album because it is so easy to listen and get lost into. Somehow they know me. I can relate to many of their songs, and I find myself wanting to understand the others. I am really questioning why I like the music I like now. It takes a little bit of soul-searching, but I really enjoy it.
3. Conversations with Emma Rose. She is funny, intelligent, kind, spiritual, friendly, and thought-provoking. She is truly one of the best friends a girl could hope for. <3
4. All of my friends. Laura—so smart and crazy fun. Kemyla—so dedicated and crazy scary (just joking… (I added the just kidding for my safety)).
5. Yuriko. She was an exchange student who came last summer. She was my sister and great friend for two weeks, and I hope for a lot longer.
6. The Scriptures. I seriously get so much out of them—especially when I don’t wanna read them. Every once in a while I get this little crazy person in my head who thinks she knows everything. She tries to tell me I can skip one day of scripture reading and I will be just fine. Then the other Mariah shows up, you know, the good one who Heavenly Father sends, and talks some reason into my heart. He doesn’t apply to my brain. He goes straight for my heart (how does He know that always works??). Then I get to reading and find out I am not the only one. I start to realize a little bit more about myself by reading more about Him. That’s so weird, yet it seems like a matter of fact.
7. The Savior. I don’t know how He does it. He loves me even when I am not so loveable, calms me down, and always watches over me. He knows exactly how I feel. That’s amazing to me. He died for me and rose again for me. He did not do it just for me. He did it for all of us!

Love,

Mariah

SLEEP!

Sleep, sleep, sleep. With holes in it. Nothing more to say but that sleep, sleep, sleep would be oh so much more wonderous with out holes in it.

Kid History 6

 

“It’s the love that i’ve found—ever since that you’ve been around! …

It’ll help you get rid of your waaaaarts!”

Sunshine

Today has been great. I just feel like writing! I feel so good and free!

Emma, I love music. I agree music really effects our lives. It is amazing how music can change but it never really changes. The thing—or the person—that changes is us. A song can mean something profound to us at the time because it perfectly captures what we feel. I’m excited to see the songs I will identify with my whole life as my experiences grow broader.

So today I woke up at eleven. It was weird but it felt so good. I woke up tangled in my favorite quilt (all old and raggedy but loved to, quite literally, pieces) with my room a little cold. I love that feeling. It is the prefect feeling, that of waking up with the cold air but snug as a bug in your bed, feeling safe from the world around you. I got to read all afternoon. I did have some nagging thoughts about doing my AP Cal homework, but I quickly shoved them away for Monday. Besides, it should be pretty simple. It’s all review so far.

I bought Keane’s oldest album, Hopes and Fears. It is such an easy listen! I LOVE IT! I like “Everybody’s Changing”, “Somewhere Only We Know”, and “Sunshine” so far.

WELP.

Better hit the sack.

Love,

Mariah

Hellos, Music, and Randomsauce

Hello! This is Emma dearest. I just wanted to check in!

So I was thinking about what I could write about and I decided to talk about songs that have effected my life at the moment.

• For starters this is my "17 Year Old Theme Song"

I may have mentioned it before.

"War of My Life"-- By John Mayer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Me2bLFKZRc

"Come out angles, come out ghost, come out darkness bring everyone you know. I'm not running, I'm not scared, I am waiting and well prepaired. I'm in the war of my life, at the door of my life, out of time and there is no where to run."

This song means so much to me! I think everyone is facing their war of their life. Right now I am making big decsions that are coming so quickly! But "I got no choice but to fight tell it is done". I know that if I am preparied that no ghost or darkness can overcome me.

• Now on a less serious note, here is "Kid Remix #1" by the creators of Kid History

http://www.youtube.com/user/BoredShortsTV

For some reason I really think it is kinda catching..... haha. Plus it mentions our home state Utah! Rock on. Um... I am not sure if this really effected my life, but I posted it anyways.

• This song just popped in my head. I mentioned this to my friends in math and the whole story seemed to confuse them. It was the second or third day of school. I had woken up at 3:39 and was unable to fall back asleep. So, after waiting 20 minutes, I picked up my phone and went on facebook. One of my favorite bands had posted a video just moments before, so I took a look. It is odd, especially since I was watching it at four in the morning. Weird way to start the day. The song is a cover of Coldplays song "Scientist"-Which I absolutely love!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMfSGt6rHos&feature=youtu.be

So yeah. Let pigs live on the farm. This one did effect my day at 4:00 in the morning, in a strange way. P.s. Coldplay sings that song amazingly! So I will post that one just because I love the original!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RB-RcX5DS5A&ob=av2n

I think that is all for today folks!

Em__Ro!

Spelling: It says zero but I dont quite believe it.