You Want Me To Dress Up Like What?!?!!....Alright!

A friend of mine suggested that I do a post including all the costumes I've had to wear throughout my dance career...so I am! I couldn't find pictures of ALL the costumes I've had, there's just been too many! But I tried to find as many as I could. As a dancer/actor you are asked to be some pretty strange things..some we enjoy, others not so much! But that's what keeps it interesting!

                                                        Maidens and Mummy in Thriller

                                                  Fosse reindeer for Osmond Christmas Show

                                                            Club Calloway dancers

                                                                      Zombie in Thriller

                                                             ..............Can't remember!

                                                                          .....Waitress

                                                           Modern day Romeo and Juliet

                                                      Moulin Rouge Can-Can Dancers

                                                                            Ape in Tarzan

                                                                               Cats

                                                                       Scarecrows in Thriller

                                                                             Army Girls

                                                                   Frankenstein's Bride

                                                                          Giselle Willies

                                                    Flutter Fish in Mermaid.......incomplete!

                                                                       Grease Kids

                                                                     More Grease Kids

                                                             Tarzan....We were flowers??

                                                                    Panda in Thriller

                                                             Beauty School Dropouts

                                                                            Flapper Tappers

                                                                       Beatles Show!

There are so many costumes missing here! Maybe I'll be able to track a few more down and add them! But, this is what I do! I dress up as whatever I'm asked to, and have a blast doing it!

Remeber That One Time?!?!

I was reading a journal entry from a couple years ago, and it was all about my friends. I took parts of that entry and decided to post it here in a "Remember that one time" fashion, so my wonderful friends could be reminded of some of our silliest and craziest moments :) A few are a bit more recent that just popped into my head. Enjoy! 

Megan, Marni, and Katie: Remember that one time we went to Moab for a girls trip? We decided to float Big Ben (is that right?) in the middle of the night, with nothing on but our life jackets? And.....remember how I missed the Eddy!?!? Just hanging on to a rock for dear life until ya'll came to my rescue :)

Nate and CJ: remember that one time we went to Moab for spring break? And how I'd never been mountain biking before, but you threw me on a bike and we did Slick Rock? or Porcupine Ridge? Good times! And remember how we couldn't find a spot to camp, so we emptied out the back of the jeep and used it as a glorified tent?

Garrett: Remember that time you hit me in the head with a golf ball? Or the time you swerved the car and I bashed my head into the window? Or what about the time we went up to Mary's lake with a couple people and we were the ONLY ones who jumped in? Or at Megan's wedding how I couldn't lift my arms past my shoulders because of the dress...made for some good dancing!

Jess, Nate, and Drew: Remember that one time we.............................................................played a drinking game with milk and Tahitian Noni, and the disgusting events that followed (particularly off your balcony)?!?! Or all the times we went bowling and tried every ridiculous thing we could think of? Or what about the time we threw water cups out of the jeep...and the doughnuts? Or the time we tried to light fireworks off in the drain pipe? Genius!!

 

Jess: Remember that one time we went 140 MPH on your bullet bike?!....Sadly, no picture for this lol

Nate and McAllen: Remember that one time I almost tipped Nate's jeep four wheeling?!

Megan, Marni, Katie: Remember that one time we went to San Clemente and got absolutely FRIED!? There wasn't a patch of unburned skin on any one of us! And how when we went to dinner that night, we all got stuck to the booth?!

 Erica and Chase: Remember that one time we hiked the narrows!? And at one point I thought I was told there was a spider on my back...so I did nothing but stand completely still and scream at the top of my lungs until I realized it was on my BAG?! How quickly the screaming ceased!

Dayna: Remember that one time we did "cupcakes" together for "It's a Wonderful Life?" And how we somehow managed to bump and all the glasses and bottles on MY tray fell to the floor, but yours didn't?! And how pleasantly awkward that moment was? Ahhh, LOVE!

Tyson and Jamie: Remember that one time in St. George we tried to triple up on one  long board in the parking lot of the mini golf place, and almost ended up laid out in the street?! We'll never learn :)

Natalie and Kaitlyn: Remember that time we went to GREECE!? Specifically, remember when we were hiking the volcano and Natalie just couldn't hold it anymore!?!? Never laughed so hard :)

Melissa: Remember 5 years ago when we were on Odyssey II, and the ballet dance we did? And how we both WENT DOWN in those dang point shoes the same night!? Still watch that video and laugh so hard it makes me cry :) Remember how everyone at Elite used to think we were sisters!? Close enough.

Thanks friends! You've provided me with so many ridiculous, unforgettable, fantastic moments! You're all the greatest people I know,  and I love you dearly! To those of you from the BHS crew...so glad that after all these years we are still great friends, it means the world to me to have you in my life! Hope this brought back some good memories friends! Love you! 

When It Rains, It Pours!!!!!

I don't even know how to begin this post....It's just been a really difficult few weeks. I like it in St. George, I know a lot of really great people here, and I've definitely enjoyed the outdoor aspect of this beautiful place. However, this is the first time in my entire life that I've ever been truly homesick...

I think the first time I left home without my parents for more than a week was when I was about 12 years old. I went on a tour to California with my clogging team, and was under the supervision of my coach. I know it was hard for my mom to let me go, and to trust that everything would be okay. And I think it was even harder when I jumped on the bus and didn't even look back after our initial goodbye. I have always been very independent in this sense, and love to see new things on my own. I've been that way ever since!

I moved out right after high school, not too far from home, but far enough. Since then, I haven't lived at home again except a couple months between places. I spent two summers alone in San Francisco dancing. I leave for about a month every spring to tour Europe with the company I dance for. The past two summers I've spent in St. George working. After all the years of long absences, and not a single feeling of homesickness (weird word), I am suddenly overwhelmed with a deep desire to get back home.

I miss my dearest friends. Even though I don't see them all the time when I am home, its a comfort knowing that they're close. I miss my family, a lot. Maybe it has something to do with getting older, that I feel more connected to my family. I especially miss my nephew, I have a deep love for that kid. I miss my own decorated apartment, and my bed! I miss the girls that I would be teaching right now if I were home. I miss the job that I would be doing at this time, and the people involved.

I have always loved the idea of moving far away, or buying a one way ticket to someplace crazy, and working my way back. I still love these ideas, and plan on acting on them. However, I think I'm going through a stage/phase in life where I need to be close to the people and things that I love most and am familiar with.

I've had a some experiences the past few weeks that have just about pushed me over the edge. So many times I wanted to get in my car and drive straight home, and not come back at all! I was lucky to have a day off last week, and was able to go up north for a dose of my job, friends, and family! Though tiring, it was a great couple of days, and it's just what I needed to get me through another couple of weeks.

I'm a happy person, so when I feel down, it really bothers me! I like to laugh and play, and when things get in the way of that it really takes its toll. BUT, I was blessed with a small miracle this past Sunday and Monday.....what miracle??? RAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! One of my most beloved things in life is a good rain storm, it's just invigorating for some reason. On Sunday afternoon it POURED!!! And it was amazing!!! It started right after I got out of church. I ran outside immediately, and took a little more time than necessary getting to my car. I drove straight home, threw my purse into my apartment, and walked out right back out into the rain. I just stood in it for moment, and danced in it for another. It felt like every crappy feeling I'd been having was literally washed away. Then, as I was studying on Monday afternoon, it happened again. It was completely sunny, and out of nowhere it just came down! I didn't even bother to put shoes on, and ran outside once more. I just stood there, happy as could be. I stood there for the entire time it rained (only lasted about 5 minutes this time), and was completely drenched. Whatever it is about rain that gets me, I couldn't be more grateful for it. ITS BEAUTIFUL!!! There is nothing I needed more than this little miracle :)

          So, as Jo Dee Messina and Tim McGraw would sing, "BRING ON THE RAIN"!!!

Radom Facts That Make Me, ME!

So, going along with my initial reason for starting this blog, I thought I would sit down and think about all (or as many as came to mind) the random things about myself that make up part of the puzzle that is ME! So here we go!

* I LOVE diet coke! I have been trying not to drink it lately (I know it's pretty much horrible for you), and it's been about a week since my last drink lol.
* I love the rain! I wish it would rain (and I mean downpour for a good couple hours) at least once a week.
* My favorite color is baby blue. My favorite color combination is baby blue and brown, or brown and turquoise.
* I'm a "slow and steady wins the race" kind of a girl (It's taken me 5 years to get my associates!!!!). BUT, I WILL accomplish all my goals...eventually!
* I'm horrified of needles
* I have a pretty casual style, but love to dress up if there is an occasion!
* I really don't like makeup. On a daily basis I wear mascara, that's it. When I dress up, I throw on some eye shadow.But for the most part, I could do without!
* If money wasn't an issue, I think I would do NOTHING but dance and play outside. That's it!
* If I could get away with it, I would love to elope..kind of, (closest family and friends would surely be invited to the temple), spend a week in our house/apartment/trailer (whatever it happens to be) getting settled in, go on our honeymoon to wherever, send out a "Hey, we're married!" announcement, tell everyone when we got back, and have a big housewarming party instead of a reception. IDEAL.
* Movies make me cry more than anything
* If I could have one thing this very moment (this applies to every moment of my entire life really), it would be a dog! One that I could take camping and hiking, who would sleep on the floor by my bed, and do everything with me.
* I try live in the moment...spontaneity
* I sort of love awkward moments, even when it's at my expense
* If dreads didn't totally ruin your hair, I would definitely give it a try
* Even though I'm a dancer, I HATE dancing at clubs....not my thing! BUT, I'll still go if the company is irresistible (AKA odyssey peeps)!
* I have a difficult time asking for help
* I'm a little kid at heart. I think I'm a mature person, but in any fun situation I can get to be like a giddy 5 year old.
* I have an extremely difficult time expressing/explaining my feelings or emotions in words
* I love to drive to clear my head, especially at night, and definitely fast
* I'm terrified of pregnancy
* I'm a quite/shy person most the time, mostly because I'm a people watcher
* I love playing games...mad gab, catch phrase, charades, cards, whatever
* I can't get enough of my friends, they're all the coolest people I've ever met
* My nick name is Molls Balls, or just Balls (depending on the person) and rightly so! I rarely hear just Molly anymore :)

That's kind of all I can think about right  now, but I think it's a pretty good list!! It's sort of fun to sit down and list all the weird, unique, random things about yourself! I'm sure I'm missing a good chunk of information here!

Promise Yourself

     A very good friend of mine shared a quote with me and several other people, a long time ago. He printed a small copy for everyone, and it still hangs on my wall today. I just happened to glance over at it this evening, and I read through it again. I've been thinking a lot lately about how I could better myself, and I think the things mentioned in this quote may help! I think it's worth sharing, and hopefully someone else will find some motivation, comfort, or hope in it like I do!

Promise yourself...
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimisms come true.
To think only the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
To think well of yourself and to proclaim this pact to the world, not in loud words but great deeds.
To live in faith that the whole world is on your side so long as you are true to the best that is in you.

-Christian D. Larson

     I went ahead and highlighted a few points that I think I'd like to focus on! Not to say that those are the only noteworthy things in this quote, as I think they ALL are! But it's always easier to focus on a few small things at a time, rather than too many at once. I think it's important to remember that we are all a work in progress, and always be! We are "under construction", always striving to better ourselves and our way of living. This is a good thing- so when you fear there are too many things to fix, remember it doesn't all happen at once! Even if you hit rock bottom a few times, its okay- "Ruin is the road to transformation". Just pick a few things every so often and work away!

My Hero!!!

     I know a lot of girls say this, but I'll say it again, I HAVE THE BEST BIG BROTHER EVER!!! I seriously can't express how much I look up to and admire my brother Mike. Ever since I can remember, I've wanted to be just like Mike! I would do everything I could to tag along with him and friends, and it worked for a while! I just remember thinking that everything he did was the coolest thing ever, and I wanted to do it too.
    
     He started taking piano lessons, then I did. He was really into soccer, and then I was. He started playing another instrument other than the piano, so I tried a few different ones. Skiing was our favorite for awhile, until he switched to snowboarding. It only took me one ski season to decided to make the switch. There are plenty more, but you get the point!

     Every time I tried something that he was in to, he wouldn't just brush it off and think "there she goes copying me again!". Not at all. In fact, he was always very helpful and supportive! I remember playing soccer numerous times in the front yard, trying to pick up on all his moves.  When I sucked at pretty much everything, he simply told me what would make it easier!

     He was as patient as he could be when he took me snowboarding, and explained everything in the greatest detail possible.

     He bought me my first pair of climbing shoes, and took me to the climbing gym with him all the time. He also took me climbing outside and would talk me through every climb, teaching me technique as I went.

     He took me on my first big mountain bike ride, and never once got frustrated if I fell behind.

     He taught me how to wakeboard, and didn't have a problem driving the rope by me EVERY time I fell, which was often in the beginning!

     He took me on my first back packing trip, which was one of the best trips I've ever been on to this day!

     He took me fishing more times than I can remember, and was always there to help me with my line!

     Needless to say, I have found joy in many hobbies thanks to Mike!! I think he's also instilled a passion for adventure in me. I am always looking for fun and adventurous things to do thanks to him! He has taught me so much about life, I can't imagine where I would be without him, or what kind of person I'd be without his positive and adventurous influence in my life! Thanks Mike for being the best big brother a girl could ever ask for. You've provided me with a deep appreciation for the joys in life, and set such an extraordinary example for me all these years! Thanks for all of your love and support, you're truly the greatest! You are my hero Mike and I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!