Naughty

I discovered the fun of the musical Matilda this summer with my sister in NYC. I have since been listening to the soundtrack and find this song that Matilda sings to be quite an interesting concept. She looks at some fairy tale story characters and the fate that befell them and asks a question are they subject to fate or could they just change their story. Matilda feels little in the world but doesn't think that that should stop her from being able to change her life (which as we all know was a crappy one with her parents). The idea that yes, sometimes we need to be "a little bit naughty" to change our fate is really saying that sometimes we have to move outside of our comfort zones, outside of the fences that have been put up and go after what you want. I've highlighted some of my favorite lines of the song below for your consideration.

Naughty. From Matilda the Musical

Jack and Jill, went up the hill
To fetch a Pail of water, so they say
Their subsequent fall was inevitable
They never stood a chance, they were written that way
Innocent victims of their story

Like Romeo and Juliet
T'was written in the stars before they even met
That's love and fate, and a touch of stupidity
Would rob them of their hope of living happily
The endings are often a little bit gory
I wonder why they didn't just change their story?
We're told we have to do what we're told but surely
Sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty.

Just because you find that life's not fair it
Doesn't mean that you just have to grin and bear it
If you always take it on the chin and wear it
Nothing will change.

Even if you're little, you can do a lot, you
Mustn't let a little thing like, 'little' stop you
If you sit around and let them get on top, you
Might as well be saying
You think that it's okay
And that's not right!

Cinderella, in the cellar,
Didn't have to do much as far as I could tell.
Her Godmother was two-thirds fairy,
Suddenly her lot, was a lot less scary,
But what if you haven't got a fairy to fix it?
Sometimes you have to make a little bit of mischief.

Just because you find that life's not fair it
Doesn't mean that you just have to grin and bare it
If you always take it on the chin and wear it
Nothing will change.

Even if you're little, you can do a lot, you
Mustn't let a little thing like, 'little' stop you
If you sit around and let them get on top, you
Might as well be saying
You think that it's okay
And that's not right!
And if it's not right!
You have to put it right!

In the slip of a bolt, there's a tiny revolt.
The seeds of a war in the creak of a floorboard.
A storm can begin, with the flap of a wing.
The tiniest mite packs the mightiest sting!
Every day, starts with the tick of a clock.
All escapes, start with the click of a lock!
If you're stuck in your story and want to get out
You don't have to cry, you don't have to shout!

'Cause if you're little you can do a lot, you
Mustn't let a little thing like, 'little' stop you
If you sit around and let them get on top, you
Won't change a thing!

Just because you find that life's not fair, it
Doesn't mean that you just have to grin and bare it!
If you always take it on the chin and wear it
You might as well be saying
You think that it's okay
And that's not right!
And if it's not right!
You have to put it right!

But nobody else is gonna put it right for me
nobody but me is gonna change my story
sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty.

Renaissance Festival

Its fun to dress up and leave the modern world behind and journey to the land of mythical creatures, knights, ladies and Shakespeare. Its a place where people are driven by their emotions of love, honor and passion.
It was great fun to celebrate AnnaLisa and Elizabeth's birthday. Thanks to my good friend Becca for the loan of the clothes I dressed up as an elf with pointy ears. Of course, no festival is complete without the joys of sampling as much fair food as possible. I particularly loved my Huntsman Baked Potato which had a BBQ Turkey on it. YUM!

It was a beautiful day and a great way to celebrate the birth of two wonderful people in my life. Thanks for the memories ladies and gent!

Elf Kara

The Dueling Fools who had fun playing with words. Not bad looking either ;)

Chris, Sandi, Elizabeth, Kara and AnnaLisa enjoying a show.

The beginning of the Jousting Competition. This is a demonstration of how it's done.

Coming Soon Aunt Kara....Again!

My sister is too adorable. She always comes up with the cutest picture collages. This one just might be my favorite one she has put together so far. I'm so excited to be an aunt again. 

Congratulations to Sam and Kayla!

Oktoberfest

It's time for the second annual Oktoberfest and what a fest it was. My roommates were amazing in helping this event go off with smashing success. We had over 12 kinds of rootbeer including homemade butter beer (a Harry Potter recipe). We cooked up a bunch of bratwursts, made some German potato salad, cucumber salad and pretzels to feed our guests. We had so many friends come to visit and share in the evening with us. It was a great time. Who knew that Mormons could have such a fun time with so much to drink and still wake up sober?

Meet the Mormons

Tonight I had an inspiring evening with my dear friend Jenny Ellen. We went to Shoppers to grab some cronuts and then headed to the Balston theater to see the latest church film Meet the Mormons. It's a documentary that's  put together to help people get to know who we are as a church, what our beliefs are, and how we are just ordinary people living our lives in the world. What unites us around the globe as a church is our shared belief in Jesus Christ as our Savior and the son of our Heavenly Father.

The film started by asking people in the middle of Time Square who we are. It then went on to share stories of six different people from around the world who are members of the church and how the gospel has helped them in their lives. We meet a bishop in Atlanta, GA. The Navy football coach in Annapolis, MD. A fighter/mother in Costa Rica. A humanitarian in Nepal. A 92 year old candy bomber vet who helped bring joy to those in Berlin. And lastly, a mother preparing to send her son on a mission. I was very inspired by the stories that were shared and the love that each story shared for the gospel in their lives. What I really liked about many of the stories was how almost everyone one of them was  aware of their surroundings and they found ways to help their communities, wards, and families fill the needs in their lives. They didn't do things because hey were asked to, but because they felt inspired to give and serve.

I was very touched by these stories and felt inspired to also seek ways to do good around me. As I think about it though, I realize that I am trying to do good. I have found a love for visiting teaching and teaching out to those who are in need of a friend. I love serving in the temple each week. I love preparing lessons for my temple prep class even if it's just for one person. I look for opportunities to serve and reach out to include people in my circle of friends who otherwise may not be asked. When I am out and about and  see things that remind me of people I pick it up for them to let them know I was thinking about them. So while the things I do are not huge or worth a great deal of attention ( and I'm not writing this for or seeking attention) I can take comfort in knowing that I  trying to make a difference wherever I go.

I am proud to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and  the peace and joy it brings to my life. If you have an opportunity to see this documentary, you should. You will feel inspire  by the stories and get to know the members of the church a little bit more. We are good people just trying ot following the teachings of Jesus Christ in our everyday lives.

Spark of Creation

This song has become one of my favorites this past year. If you are driving behind me in the car and see me singing out lout enthusiastically you can probably bet that I am singing along to this song. It comes from the musical Children of Eden by Stephen Schwartz. I had the opportunity to see this show live earlier this year and it has continued to stick with me as one of my favorites. The song is performed by Eve who is discovering the creation around her in the Garden of Eden and feels this desire to be able to do more. Its what helps her decide to partake of the fruit of the tree of knowledge to become more like Father.

For me this song gives me the desire to go and explore the world around me, to try new things, to seek to create new opportunities and discover my full potential in life. It's such an inspiring song that "kindles the pulse in my veins" every time I hear it. Go out there and do something, see something, explore something, create something, be something, and remember that you Heavenly Father wants you to succeed.

THE SPARK OF CREATION

I've got an itching on the tips of my fingers
I've got a boiling in the back of my brain
I've got a hunger burning inside me, can not be denied
I've got feeling that the Father who made us
When he was kindling a pulse in my veins
He left a tiny spark of that fire, smoldering inside

The spark of creation, is flickering within me
The spark of creation,is blazing in my blood
A bit of the fire that lit up the stars
And breathed life into the mud, the first inspiration
The spark of creation

I see a mountain and I want to climb it
I see a river and I want to leave shore
Where there was nothing let there be something, something made by me
There's things waiting for me to invent them
There's worlds waiting for me to explore
I am an echo of the eternal cry of
Let there be!

The spark of creation, is burning bright within me
The spark of creation, won't let me rest at all
Until I discover or build or uncover
A thing that I can call, my celebration
Of the spark of creation

The spark of creation, may it burn forever
The spark creation, I am a keeper of the flame
We think all we want is a lifetime of leisure
Each perfect day the same
Endless vacation
Well that's alright if you're a kind crustacean
But when you're born with an imagination
Sooner or later you're feeling the fire get higher and higher
The spark of creation!!!

Anything Can Happen

I've decided to start including song lyrics that inspire me. Today's song comes from the Broadway Musical Mary Poppins. The song is entitled, Anything Can Happen. My favorite line is, "If you reach for the heavens you get the stars thrown in." What a nice thought. Reach for as high as you can and you don't know all of the other small things that will also come into your life that you were not expecting. 

Mary Poppins

Anything can happen if you let it

Sometimes things are difficult but you can bet it doesn't have to be some

Jane

Changes can be made

Michael

You can move a mountain if you use a larger spade

Mary Poppins

Anything can happen it's a marvel

Michael

You can be a butterfly

Jane

Or just stay larval

Jane & Michael

Stretch your mind beyond fantastic, dreams are made or strong elastic

Mary Poppins

Take some sound advice and don't forget it

Winifred, Jane & Michael

Anything Can Happen if you let it

Winifred

 I wonder.....

Winifred, Jane, Michael & Mary Poppins

Anything can happen if you let it

Winifred

You won't know a challenge until you've met it

Michael

No-one does it for you

Winifred

No-One but yourself vacillating violets get left up on the shelf

anything can happen just imagine!

Mary Poppins

That should be my epitaph I wear the badge in honor of this world's free thinkers

Winifred

Those who see beyond their blinkers

Jane & Michael

Jelly isn't jelly

Winifred, Jane & Michael

Till you set it

Anything can happen if you let it

Mary Poppins

  Anythingcan happen if you let it what good is a whistle

Bert

Unless you whet it

Bert & Mary Poppins

Broaden Your Horizon

Bert

Open different doors

Bert & Mary Poppins

You may find a you there that you never knew was yours

Bert

Anything can happen

Mrs.Corry

Raise the curtain things, you thought impossible will soon seem certain

Bert & Mrs.Corry

Though at first it may sound clownish see the world

more upside-downish turn it on its head then pirouette it

Bert, Mrs. Corry & Lamp-lighters

Anything can happen if you let it

Mary Poppins

If you reach for the stars all you get are the stars

but we've found a whole new spin if you reach for the heavens

All

You get the stars thrown in if you reach

for the stars all you get are the stars but we've found a whole new spin if you

reach for the heavens you get the stars thrown in

Anything can happen if you let it life out there waiting

so go and get it grab it by the collar seize it by the scruff one

you've started living life you just can't get enough

Anything can happen it's official you can choose the super

or the superficial sally forth the way we're steering obstacles

start disappearing go and chase your dreams you won't regret it

Anything can happen Anything can happen

Jane & Michael

Anything can happen

All

If you let it

High Flying Adored

It was another fantastic evening spent with my former coworker at the Kennedy Center. The evenings entertainment was Evita. I love this musical. Unforgettable songs like Don't Cry for Me and High Flying Adored will leave you floating on air. The performers did an excellent job. I loved the girl playing Eva. Che (while no Ricky Martin) did a great job as well as Peron.

To quote Peron, "when you act, you take us away from the squalor of the real world."

Oh how many times have I wanted to use this line to get a guy to recognize me, "I'd be good for you, I'd be surprisingly good for you."

And we should all walk around with the attitude of, "Stand Back, You want to know whatcha gonna get in me? Just a little touch of star quality!)

Finally, girls you need to remember you "is a Diamond."

A fabulous night, another great show. Oh how I love musicals!

Call to Serve

My favorite email I receive every week is this:

Dear Sisters:

I have you scheduled to serve at the Temple this Weds. evening, October 8th.

Please confirm that you can be there with "Yes" and

"No" if you cannot come.

I'm so happy the temple will be open next week as I have really missed being there.

I hope to see all of you Weds.

Thanks,

 

 

I love when I can respond Yes because I feel like it is a call to serve the Lord and I love to serve the Lord. When I have to say No due to other things that I must attend to, I feel like I am saying "No Lord, I can't help you this week." This breaks my heart every time I reply no. I want to be known as someone who can serve the Lord when asked to do so. But something that struck me at conference this week was the story about how sometimes we must help ourselves first before we can help others. Those times when I am not able to serve in the temple and say no are usually times when I am out of town or sick. Being out of town comes with living far from family. And no one wants someone helping them if they are sick. Spread love not germs right?

 

Still this is my favorite email to get every week and it brings me great joy when I can respond with a big YES!