Family Vacation!

After the greatest concert ever (see post below) my family and I went on a road trip to Disneyland! We had such a great time for the 5 days we were there. Now, 5 days is a lot of Disneyland to take in but it actually was perfect. We were there right when it opened so we could be first in line for Finding Nemo or Fantasyland because those are the ones with long lines and no fast passes. But the rest of the day we could just hit whatever we wanted and not feel rushed. Since it is off season there is practically no one there so the longest you wait in line is maybe 30 minutes. This means you get a fast pass, stand in line to ride, then get off and use your fast pass to ride again. Love it! Brian, Ann, and Elise were with us and it was so fun to see Elise take in her first Disneyland experience. She didn't really understand too much of what was going on, but she loved the Pooh and Dumbo rides as well as introducing each of us to whoever might be our waiter or in the elevator. She is so fun!

After Disneyland we drove down to Arizona to visit Jason and Jen. Jason graduated from Law School at ASU! These three years have flown by and a lot of hard work, dedication, perseverance, and love and support from all for Jason AND Jen finally paid off. Jason is taking the bar in July and will be starting a new job with a firm dealing with medical malpractice suits and he'll be doing litigation. We are so proud of them! Love you guys!!! Also, they gave the most exciting news that a couple from Utah has picked them for adoption! In July they will be blessed with a baby boy! It has been a long, hard road with numerous obstacles but blessings are being poured upon them. I can't wait! Congratulations again!

After graduation my parents, Tyler and I drove to Tucson to visit my aunt and uncle Jan and Victor and their girls, Sam and Hailey. They just moved into a beautiful home! Sam had a dance recital that night and asked me to help with her hair and makeup. She kept asking me if I was an expert because I was doing such a good job. Ha ha! She is such a sweetheart and she did a great job performing. We had a short but wonderful visit with them and went on our way. We had a long drive home ahead. All in all, the vacation was full of memories and made me realize even more how much I love my family!

Every Season is A "Swell Season"

If you have not heard the musical wonder known as "The Swell Season" than I suggest you do so asap! Since being introduced to Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova (a.k.a. The Swell Season) I have come just about as close to my teeny-bopper stage of obsessing over 'N Sync as I can... yes I was one of "those". I would blame Justin Davies for introducing them to me but I have only him to thank really.

For about 2 weeks I didn't listen to anything else but the Once soundtrack. If you didn't know, Glen and Marketa won the Oscar for Best Original Song for "Falling Slowly" in the movie Once. I decided I must see the movie which turned out to be a wise decision and only intensified my desire to hear more. Luckily with the help of Davies I was able to and man, oh man, it gets better every time. One day he told me they were coming in concert and I about fell over partly because I was so excited for them to come and partly because my family was going to Disneyland possibly that day! I delayed buying a ticket and tried talking my parents into leaving the next morning so that I could go to the concert. This worked in my behalf because they agreed to wait until Saturday to leave and my birthday was in the mix so Davies gave me a ticket as a present (such a good friend!).

Well, the concert was last Friday, May 2, and Davies and I got there super early so that we could be as close to the front as possible. Somehow these people got to go in before us and had taken spots right at the stage. Dumb! We were a little bummed out but stayed optimistic because second row is still great! After waiting another hour the opening artist came out. He was Liam O Maonlai from Ireland and even though his music was really folk and he sang in Irish and Old English he was quite entertaining and really rather good! We then, of course, had to wait another half hour or so and during which I became a bit sleepy but then I had a peak through the side curtains and sure enough, it was Glen... that woke me up! I then realized (as if I needed a realization) that he was going to be right in front of me singing! That was the moment I decided that I was in love with Glen Hansard. I told Davies right then and come to find out, so is he! HA! He can call it just a "Man Crush" all he wants but I know what he really means...

Anyway, so finally the moment comes when Glen comes on stage. He opened by singing "Say It To Me Now" which is the first song I ever heard of his and, oh wow! Couldn't have opened the concert in a better way. I love watching him sing anyway because he gets so intense with every song as if it's the only song he has so to give it his all but to see it in person was amazing! It's kind of cheesy, but it reminded me of past dancing days when I would 'get in the zone' for each dance when performing or competing, so I can totally relate! (only half being sarcastic) The intensity of every song, even the ones from Glen's previous band The Frames, that I don't know, but soon will, were so awesome I cannot even describe it.

The people that had been standing in front of us the whole night had increasingly become intoxicated and one decided to make a new friend and invite her down to be with him. As into the concert as I was it's hard not to notice the progress these 2 were making throughout the evening and at one point just started to kiss non discretely. Awesome. Glen noticed them going at it, so he looked at me, pointed at them and gave a chuckle. I laughed, shrugged my shoulders and tried focusing on the concert again. Davies missed it all because he was checking the Jazz score from his brother and sister at the game, which is a good excuse, but won't get him eye contact with his secret love, i mean, man crush (whatever).

Song after song were sung and the enjoyment of the evening 'swell'ed by every minute. The end came all too soon but even though I was pretty much speechless I will be talking about this movie, band, and concert for some time to come.

(Now that school is out and I don't really own a camera anymore I spaced bringing one to the concert. Idiot! Luckily Davies was smart and brought one. The following are a select few, courtesy of Justin Davies.)

Liam O Maonlai

Glen Hansard

Glen's guitar. How neat is that?!

Glen and Marketa singing "Into the Mystic"... I think

Glen just singing his heart out!

Davies and I afterward showing our cheesy approval... well he is cheesy and I just approve :)