The World at 10,000 Feet

As we walked up the short trail, across streams and up the sharp rocks, we came to it - Cecret Lake in the Albion Basin up at Alta. The lake is in a beautiful location with great mountain scenery, which I will miss for the next two years, while I live at sea level.

A Place Lost In Time

I have always heard of haunted houses, but I had never actually been in one. I saw them afar off the highway, past the haunted swing in the middle of nowhere. It was a place that time had forgotten, haunted by memories of the past and I knew I had to investigate more.

I parked and walked down the long dirt road towards them. What I came up on was more than I ever could have imagined, a place lost in time. I saw a village, abandoned and dilapidated. A place where, many years ago, people had lived, struggled and eventually left. What I had really found was a time capsule, a museum of the past, where people visit and see how our ancestors lived as it slowly rots away into the Earth.

Although we may never know why they left, they still remain there in spirit. The feeling is eerie and not quite right. As I walked through the structures, I found their possessions. I saw where and how they lived. I imagined what it would have looked like in its heyday, the nice painted house with the white picket fence surrounding it, the springs of the once cushy bed and the closet full of clothes and blankets that would keep one warm through the cold Idaho winters. I saw the old chimney and imagined seeing the family through the window on a cold winter’s night talking together by the stove.

The village I found was a place full of memories of the past. And I knew I had to go back – at night!

Tom, Stacie and I had to get out of the apartment. After telling them what I found, we all agreed to go back to investigate the spirits and memories that were still at the village. We parked at the haunted swing and walked the long muddy road to it. As we got closer, it started to appear from the darkness of the night. We shined our lights through the window openings and found remnants of the past, objects forgotten, now found. I, being their tour guide, gave them the “grand tour” to and through the structures. We heard noises of creaking floorboards, animals and noises of the structures settling into the ground. I saw shadows in the corner of my eye, but I think that was just my imagination.
I was hoping to find ghosts, but never did. The place may be haunted, but one thing I know for sure, there are memories there, a spirit that people once lived there. And that feeling that is there will always stay there.

An Eerie Place

People lived here. I imagine a picket fence.

Here I am!

Through the shadows the house is visible.

What I think are ghosts...

Office Websodes are BACK!!!

I have posted them before, but now they are back and better than ever! I seriously laughed the hardest in these websodes than I have in The Office in a very long time! Enjoy!






Now for the final show!

The famous one pounder!

Have you ever heard of Archer, Idaho? Neither had I until we visited Big Judd's Country Diner for something famous. Tonight Reece, Levi and I visited for one thing, The Big Judd's Special, a famous one pound burger! And let me say, it was delicious!

Tasks

Things that need to be done before I leave to school:

• Buy a computer
• Shopping for clothes (need clothes for cold winters in Rexburg)
• IKEA
  
• Furnish my dorm
• Hopefully get to know who my room mates are before I go up there.
• WORK (need $$$)
• Get a new bank account. (My bank doesen't have a branch in Rexburg.)
• Finish my Duty to God
• Clean my room
• Buy textbooks
  
• PARTY!!!!!
  

I can get this done before I leave right?

P.S. I know I haven't been blogging lately. Summer Adventures to come soon!

Hiking

Last Saturday morning we hiked to the living room. It was fun! I had never hiked there before, although I had hiked most of the trail before, as it is the trail to the beacon. I never really realized what a beautiful valley we really live in.

Graduation Party

HORRAY! Graduation day has now come and gone. On Tuesday, O had a party to celebrate her graduation as she wouldn't be attending her own graduation because she would be in DISNEYLAND!!! Complete with a flowing white gown and hat, red and white tassel and even a chocolate lei (and a real one too!), O gave an excellent speech with an ever heartwarming quote from anonymous! We laughed. We cried. We applauded. Thanks O! It was by far the best graduation I have ever attended (even better than my own!).

I hope your dreams take you . . . to the corners of your smiles,
to the highest of your hopes, to the windows of your opportunities,
and to the most special places your heart has ever known.
~Anonymous

ONE LAST VIDEO...

This last video isn't a classic, but it is from my new favorite show, GLEE. I have high hopes for this show that rethinks the usual high school choir.
Well, I hope that you have liked diving into the weird and wonderful world of youtube. You really need to spend time on that site.
For now, I will go on a short one week hiatus. I am graduating! I will soon be back to real posts. I have much to talk about. Until then, signing off from a month of youtube. See you soon!

C is for cookie!

I know that I have already posted another Sessame Street video, but the show's 40th anniversary is coming up. Enjoy this classic clip!

A funny game

So you know of those crazy Japanese game shows don't you? Enjoy this funny marshmallow eating game!

Today I Met The [Girl] I'm Gonna Marry

Put Your iTunes* on Shuffle.
1. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
2. You must write down the name of the song no matter how silly it sounds!
3. Put any comments in brackets after the song name.
4. Tag at least 10 friends.
5. Anyone tagged has to do the same, because pointlessness spreads like a virus.

If someone says, "Is this okay?" You say?
One Tree Hill - U2

How would you describe yourself?
Belief - John Mayer

What do you like in a guy/girl?
The Christmas Blues - Dean Martin (WHAT?)

How do you feel today?
She Is - The Fray

What is your life's purpose?
California - Mates of State (Not even the good version)

What is your motto?
Somebody Loves Me - Unknown Artist

What do your friends think of you?
A Million Ways - OK GO

What do you think of your parents?
They Do, They Don't - Jack Johnson

What do you think about very often?
Something to Talk About - Badly Drawn Boy

What is 2+2?
I'll Be OK - Sondre Lerche

What do you think of your best friends?
Ya Got Trouble - The Music Man

What do you think of the person you like LOVE?
Don't Give Up - Eagle Eye Cherry (Didn't know I had that song. Never heard of the band.)

What is your life story?
Grace Kelly - MIKA

What do you want to be when you grow up?
A Kissing Fool - Michael Bublé

What do you think of when you see the person you like?
Stay With You - John Legend

What will you dance to at your wedding?
Hotel California - Eagles (HaHa!)

What will they play at your funeral?
Ocean Avenue - Yellowcard (Sounds like California is a big part of my life! Life's Purpose, Wedding, Funeral song!)

What is your hobby/interest?
The Time Of My Life - David Cook

What is your biggest fear?
I Want You - The Beatles

What is your biggest secret?
Better Together - Jack Johnson

What do you think of your friends?
Stay - Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs

What’s the worst thing that could happen?
Not Crying - Flight of the Conchords

What is one thing you regret?
This Love - Maroon 5 (Hate that song!)

What makes you laugh?
Night and Day - Frank Sinatra

What makes you cry?
Run Run Run - The Phoenix - (Never heard that song.)

Will you ever get married?
Lady Madonna - The Beatles

What scares you the most?
More Than Sorry - Ben Harper

Does anyone like you?
Shut Up - Black Eyed Peas

If you could go back in time what would you change?
Amsterdam - Guster

What hurts right now?
San Francisco Bay Blues - Eric Clapton

What will you post this as?
Today I Met The [Girl] I'm Gonna Marry - Darlene Love (I'm not marrying a boy!)

NOW I TAG YOU!!!

"Here Comes Treble!"

You can call us Al-cappella!



Contact Andy Bernard if interested!

Root Beer Freezes!

Today Martha and I made home-made root beer freezes. They were Delicious! All we did was blended vanilla ice cream and cold root beer (never diet) and froze it a little bit after it was thoroughly mixed. I can't wait to try it again!

A fun little Muppet's moment

Jan, you inspired me. I love the Muppets and Sessame Street! Below is my favorite song, Manah Manah. Enjoy!

TOUR '09, YES!!!

So I know that I haven't really written in weeks, I promised this to you day's ago, and to that I am deeply sorry. But for now, I have a lot to talk about. Concert choir tour was amazing! I had so much fun!
The bus ride was long, but fun. Not much to tell you there. Disneyland was by far the most fun. The rides, the magic, the memories... oh so many. For those of you Disneyland purists, yes I mean you E, you really need to check out California Adventures park. It has really changed for the better since it opened. There, they have Soarin' over California, by far my favorite ride. It gives you the sensiation that you are flying. Then there is Tower of Terror, a terrifying 13 story drop into The Twilight Zone. I forgot, you need to check out Toy Story Midway Mania. It is a game! Then there is Disneyland, the Happiest Place on Earth. Oh, how I love that park. It is truly clasic americana. All the rides are classic - all five mountains (Space Mountain is my favorite), Indiana Jones, Jungle Cruise, Small World, Pirates and oh, so many more! I didn't perform there, just watched the ensamble perform. A whole day at Disneyland is tiring, and expensive, but it is magical!
Newport beach was fun. We walked along the beach looking at the beach houses, where we found turtles in someone's yard. I was exhausted and slept on the beach for about an hour. I saw it - The Crab Cooker. Anyone who watches the OC would know what it is. I wanted to go in, but I didn't.
Nick, one of my room mates and I bought 40 bagel bites and ate them all. Now that I look back on it, this disgusts me.
Sunday was a neat day. We performed at an Episcopal church. It was interesting to see how others worship, but it felt as if something was missing. Then we performed at a fireside where Peter Vidmar, a famous gymnist spoke to us. It was a good day.
I was excited for Monday. We were in Las Vegas. On the way the choir stopped at Upland High School, in California and listened to another choir accomplish an amazing feat, Tuvan Throat Singing. Then we were finally off to Vegas. We stayed in a dump - Americas Best Inn and Suites, seriously the cheapest place in vegas, $30 a night. At night there was a security gaurd walking around. It was in a creepy part of Vegas, just off the strip, across the street from the MGM Grand.
As I said before, PHANTOM was amazing. I have never seen the play before, but I loved it. I want to go back again to see it. The stage was specifically made for that one play! The chandalier was HUGE and it scared me when it fell (Spoiler Alert!).
The Venetian and Pillazo were cool. We had a nice, ahem, buffet. The food was ok, but the ambianse was supurb! The mall there was expensive. Name brand designers filled the stores. One book store Alyssa and I found had rare books, one such being $28,000!
The Venetian has a real canal much like Venice where you can have a Gondola ride. Entertainers fill the mall - Ents, magical walking trees, the woman of the fountain, with water coming from their heads and fingers and the best was the real statue, a man (or woman?) standing still, creeply winking at times at certain people.
At Madame Tusauds, a wax museum, I saw all my friends. I saw James Bond, Indiana Jones, a friendly preacher, Ryan Seacrest and a creepy looking Simon, Spider-Man, Abe Lincoln and Barack Obma! The figures were creeply like the real person. I swear I saw one move, or maybe that was my imagination.
Overall, Beln was ok. She was crazy at times, but isn't that normal? My favorite was when she came behind me and started to hum the PHANTOM theme song. As she walked away she told me that it would be scarier if a chain smoker did it. I don't think so!
Tour '09 was seriously the most fun I have had in a while. I am sad that my senior year is almost done, although I am ready to graduate and be done with the drama that is high shcool. Thanks to all the people that make this possible and thank you to my friends. I will never forget the fun of TOUR '09!

Now for the PICTURES...

Small World

Toy Story Midway Mania

~Tower Of Terror~

Recognize This?

Turtles...

Beach

The Creepy Winking Statue

The Ents...

The Water Women

James and I

It's me and Harrison!

Neil Armstrong

Singing for Simon and Ryan. I look weird.

The canal and a gondola at the Venetian.

TOUR!!!!!

It's late. Tour was fun! Phantom was amazing... Pics and stories to come ASAP!

BEACH DAY!!!

*I don't mean to be gruesome, but I like this picture!

DISNEYLAND!!!

HOORAY! I am here!

On the road again...

So by now I have left for California for Choir Tour (Yes, this was automatically posted, written yesterday). I really can't wait for all the new adventures I will have. As I remember from last year, the bus ride was long, but fun. See you soon!

Stickers

Ben, it is done. I have finally completed the stickers you have been wanting for quite some time!

P.S. One more day until tour! Stay Tuned!