even more respect

I am seriously geeking out over here.

This is going to make it very clear how much of a nerd I am, but here:

 Violin AND The Legend of Zelda? Plus the video was pretty much awesome.

I cannot express the amount of respect I have for Lindsey Stirling at this moment.

Mind blown.

So awesome.

Also, while I'm talking about having my mind blown -

Haven't seen them with each other since 500 Days of Summer. 

From the caption on Youtube, I gather that they're pretty good friends!

After Zooey and Ben Gibbard get divorced (it still pains me to talk about that!), maybe she can marry Joe. Except that I want to marry him. 

I guess she can have him, but only because I know that they'd have beautiful children with voices like larks. :)

sometimes soul shows

When I was little, I desperately wanted to play the violin.

SO very badly.

My mother said that I needed to start with the piano first - so that I could read sheet music, and understand the theory behind it.

5-year-old Kira thought that was dumb.

I took piano lessons, and you know what? At first I hated them.

It took a few years, but I grew to absolutely love the piano.

I waited rather impatiently for 5th grade, when I'd get to play the violin in school.

Well, it finally rolled around, and I started to play. My parents even bought me a lower-end violin to practice and learn on. And you know what? After three years, I was a whiny little monkey and I quit, because I didn't sound like a professional yet. How dumb is that? Ooh! New bucket list item - 

76. Re-learn/get better (much) at playing the violin

Anyway, that brings me to the real reason for this post.

Meet Lindsay Stirling.

It is people like her that make me remember why I wanted to play in the first place - I wanted to be able to make music like this.

Maybe someday I'll be able to! For now, I'll stick to jamming on the piano, singing my lungs out, and pretending that I can play guitar. :)

I know that Christmas is over, but always a good time to celebrate Christ's birth, so here -

She is incredible, right? Super inspiring, too. Check out her story here.

While you're there, check out her blog, too! It's grand!

worst

Have you ever made a horrible mistake?
I have. Several.
Usually I learn something from them, so while I'd never do them again, I don't necessarily regret them.
I don't believe in do-overs, after all.
But this week I did something horrible.

I missed my best friend's birthday.
I feel so horrible.
She lives on the other side of the country.
I haven't seen her since August and probably won't for a good long time still.
And I didn't call.
Didn't even send her a text.
A dumb Facebook post would've been better than this.

I am officially the worst best friend ever.
Don't follow in my footsteps, lovely people. You will hate yourself.

marvelous {Christmas}

Well I hope that everyone had a super amazing fantastic marvelous Christmas!

I did! Full of family and Christ and happiness! And food... So much food...

Anyway, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and here is the marvelous:

Things I love:

-Jesus Christ

-Mary, for being probably the bravest and most amazing woman ever!

-Joseph, for being possibly the most fabulous husband in all history. Wow.

-The Shepherds, for spreading the word and for coming to worship baby Jesus. I am sure that Mary was grateful that He did not have to come into the world completely alone!

-The wise men, though they came later. They recognized a toddler as the future redeemer of the world. That would be so difficult... "Wise men sought Him, so should we."

-The smell of pine

-The DI right after Christmas (and any other time, but it was like... Ahhhhh!)

-Comfy shoes

-$2 cowboy boots. I am serious.

-Colorful cell phone cases

-My family

-Babies laughing

-Babies in general - they're kinda adorable.

-Cozy blankets

-Soft clothing

-Good deals

-Watching peoples' faces as they open presents

-Sleeping

-Getting a raise

-Looking awesome

-Sweatshirts

-Watching good movies that I have not previously seen

-Laughing at myself when I cry in Disney/Dreamworks/etc. animated movies

-Silver

-Christmas colors

-Getting things that I need from other people so I don't have to buy them

-Being spoiled (but only on occasion so I'm not a brat.)

-Charlie Brown

-The Wii

-Netflix

-Candycane Hershey's Kisses

-Delicious food

-People who care about other people

-The Christmas Spirit. It is real, folks. I will miss it a lot...

-Love

-Laughter

-Life

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night. :)

bittersweet

Today is the LDS mission farewell for my dear friend Andrew, who will be the first of my close man-friends from high school to leave.

It is also the homecoming of two older close man-friends, Sean and Ryan.

I am beyond excited to the two that I haven't seen for two years, but man... It's weird to think Andrew will be leaving. 

After him, more man-friends will start leaving in rapid succession.
Jake.
Parker.
Tad.
Walker.
Nathan.

...Spencer.

Best man-friend got his call last Wednesday.

Peru Arequipa Mission.

Reports to the MTC May 2nd.

Me?

Beyond excited for him.

He'll be a fantastic missionary.

He'll selflessly serve the Lord for two years.

Two years.

Two years, during which:

I will not receive calls at 3 in the morning.

I cannot text him to tell him about my day.

Snail mail advice will occur.

He swears I will get married.

I swear I'll stay unmarried, but if I get proposed to, I will politely explain the bet. Ha.

No listening to him play guitar in his car at midnight.

No surprise visits.

No singing hymns in the middle of the street (in the middle of the night).

No crying on his shoulder (figuratively or literally).

Two years, during which I will miss my best friend.

BUT.

All selfishness aside -

I am willing to share him with Arequipa.

The Lord needs him there.

As much as I hate to say it - 

Peru needs him more than I need him.

So?

I'll get lots of 

Stationery

Envelopes

Stamps

and

Patience.

And before I know it, the two years will be over.