that one time, when my life was made

So a few weeks ago, I found out that Bon Iver was coming to play in Salt Lake with a band called The Staves.

As Bon Iver is one of my very favorite bands, I got really excited... Until I found out that it was already sold out, and that even if it hadn't been sold out, tickets were $40-$70, which I certainly can't afford at this point.

I had accepted the fact that it wasn't going to happen.

Last Monday, I got a text from my lovely friend Tad - "What are you doing tomorrow night? Wanna go to a Bon Iver concert?"

I just kind of sat for a second, then completely geeked out. I told him yes, I would absolutely love to. Then I told all of my friends who would appreciate the news, because I simply could not hold it inside, and made a Spotify playlist of both bands that would be playing. I immediately loved the Staves, and thoroughly enjoyed listening to so much Bon Iver :)

Anyway, fast forward to Tuesday night. Tad picked me up, we went to his house and waited for his brother to go pick up his date, our friend Monique, then made sandwiches and headed to Red Butte Garden, where the concert was going to take place. We waited in a nice long line outside the amphitheater - got to hear The Staves doing sound checks, which made the wait nicer - then went in and found a spot on the lawn inside. We ate our sandwiches and drank tasty juice and waited for The Staves to come on.

And then they did.
And then Bon Iver did  later.
AND THEY WERE ALL SO FANTASTIC.
I wish that I could fully and adequately describe in words how it was to be there.
Music is such a powerful medium. But more on that later. I have a whole post worth of thoughts on that topic. ;)

Anyway, I officially crossed seeing Bon Iver live off of my Bucket List. But I'd be okay adding a "x2" next to it. Or maybe like "xhowever-many-times-they-come-for-the-rest-of-their-togetherness," because I'd be totally okay with that as well. Everyone that performed did incredibly. They are all so talented....

Suffice it to say that -
1) I love three-part harmony.
2) I love Bon Iver, especially their self-titled album.
3) I love live music.
4) Live music gives me butterflies. (I've tried to make moves but it's usually crowded... S'pose I'll make do with boys for now. Sigh.)
5) Almost everything is better outside, even if it's kinda chilly.

Thanks to Tad, Monique, Sean, The Staves, Bon Iver, Red Butte Garden, Red Butte Garden's sponsors, camera phones (however crappy), free stuff, autographs, and the beautiful, clear night sky. Also to my Father in Heaven who made all of those things... The guy knows what he's doing, that's for sure.


Seriously?
Life. Made.

Marvelous Monday: {Back to School Edition}

So just a note here - This post was started last Monday, and finished just right now... So it's a hybrid. Haha. :) Two weeks together here. In my defense, I barely had time to breathe. Enjoy!


Guess what, y'all?

I started college!

Supas cool, right?

Yeah, pretty much. 

But before I get more into that, two things:

Awwww, little kids!

Awwww, cute proposal!

Men... You should be like Randy. :)

And also, I want to marry Kyle. What? I didn't say that.

Kid History is the best!

'Kay, commercial break over.

COLLEGE! :)

Things I loved about today:

-Umm hello, I started college! :)

-Music Therapy with Maureen Heaps... She's hilarious!

-Thinking about mantras

-Maxi dresses, or as Kari calls them, church pajamas

F21 $22.80

-Wearing dresses

-50 minutes classes!

-Finding thrifting buddies!

-Online window shopping!

-Going on adventures with old friends...

(Hannah!)

 

(Walker!)

-And with new ones. :)

 

(Alex!)

-This building (the Merrill-Cazier Library) 

-My roommates and neighbors :) 

(Lauren, Kaitlyn, Dalton, and Ben)

-The awesome things I find all around campus 

-Downtown Logan! Main street is the bomb. 

-Having days off of work, when I get to adventure with my friends even more :) 

(Eric!) 

(Alex and Eric drinkin' some tasty root beer) 

-Sitting on a couch outside a furniture store and waving at people in cars who are driving by. For an hour. :)

-Weird, quirky people who put signs like this in their yards 

-Wondering what this means 

-Family Home Evening (Ward style)! Dodgeball. With some extra rules. 

-These boys:

(Alex, Eric, and Daniel. Being creepsters.)

-This awesome collage. And also the school that it depicts. :) 

-This cool game that you play with just a cue and 8 pool balls! I fail at it. 

-Ending off the night with a fantastic movie. :) 

-Getting new clothing!

-Comfy clothes

-Wearing jeans instead of shorts because it's finally cool enough outside!

-Having my own practice room for an hour every weekday

-The fact that I get to play a Steinway to practice, even if it is an upright

-Having all music classes, except 2!

-Two Institute classes!

-New friends, old friends, and in between!

-Once again... Cute boys. :)

It all makes me feel like this:

(Only less grimace-y and more overjoyed)

Happy back to school, everybody. :)

Bob Marley had the right idea, for sure!

I have heard a lot of my friends comment on how sad or unmotivated they are of late. This saddens me! So I decided to make a happy post. :)


Go check this out! I thought it was really interesting to see that many of these are things that I am encouraged to do as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Which just makes me more grateful for my religion and faith! I also especially loved that they mentioned music. I don't know what my life would be without my music!

Anyhow, this is an article on Time.com that has 20 suggestions that, if you live them, will help you to be healthier and happier. Here it is: Health and Happiness

Now enjoy this joyful montage! :)

In the words of Bob Marley:
Don't worry about a thing... 
Because every little thing is gonna be all right! :)