A Moment You Wish You Could Relive - Day 23

I’m stumped.  Is that bad?  It’s not that there aren’t moments I want to relive, because I have some great memories that I would love to relive but at the same time, if we relive those moments over again, are they really as special the second time?  That’s my fear.  Instead I look forward to creating new memories that I’ll carry with me forever.  But for the sake of this topic, here are some amazing moments in my life, in no particular order (and of course I know there are some escaping my mind purely because I want to write about them right now):

-Trip to Paris with my parents and sister

-Every trip to Disney World

-Receiving my acceptance letter to Berklee College of Music

-Performing with my best friend Tracey at the variety show our junior year of high school (every performance we did together was awesome but this was the first one and we blew the world out of the water.  I will never forget how big our smiles were that day.  Not sure if I’ve ever smiled that big before.)

-Graduation college (not graduation itself...I passed out and hardly remember it, but the act of finishing my college education).

-Packing up my life and moving across the country, getting stuck in Utah (I never want to relive Beaver City, Utah again!)

-Every moment I was able to prove my singing abilities to someone (whether that be my vocal teacher, choir director, the rest of the choir, or other people singly).

-The night I went into NYC with Ida to see Wesley Jeremiah for the first time to gauge my interest in management.  Now they’re The Lumineers and as they say it, the rest is history.

-Every time I see The Lumineers live it reignites the fire to push them to the success they deserve and spread the music the world needs to hear.

-Being a “junior” bridesmaid in my grandma’s wedding - how many people can say that? 

-Three words: THE. COPY. CATS.  (For those of you not in my family, this was the band made up of my sister, cousin Drew, cousin Shawn, and myself.  We rocked!)

-Standing in front of the door at my grandma’s old house staring at my mom and aunt after eating my ice cream and realizing I lost (and apparently swallowed) my first tooth.

-The “jean shirt club” - an extension of the copy cats

-Being in love

Okay, so that last one I do hope to relive at some point.  And I know it’s not a moment, it’s a feeling.  But that feeling led to so many amazing moments and memories just because every minute with that person was never long enough but was full of happiness.  Nothing beats that feeling.  And all I can do is hope that I stumble upon it again one day. 

Five Things You Couldn't Possibly Live Without - Day 6

Five Things You Couldn’t Possibly Live Without:

1. Music
2. Family + Friends
3. Love
4. Paper + Pen (my computer would do as well, but really I just want the ability to write)
5. Water (which I will turn into tea or coffee or some other beverage! ;) )

This is an interesting topic really, that actually challenged me.  And I feel like when I look at this list, it’s kind of a “cop-out.”  I mean really, the things that I have on this list, I would expect most people to have (or at least most of the things on this list).  Here’s my breakdown:

1- MUSIC

Music is my life.  It’s what I went to school for, it’s what I wake up each morning for, it’s what helps me clear my head, it’s what I know and love.  I couldn’t imagine a life without music being involved.  If I was ever stuck on a deserted island, I’d need to get a radio station with non-stop music, a guitar, or something so that it could still be in my life.  Otherwise, I’m not sure how I’d continue.

2- FAMILY + FRIENDS

I know, I know, everyone would say their family and friends.  But let’s stop for a minute and realize the truth in the statement.  We surround ourselves with people who make us feel good about ourselves, who support our every decision (no matter how crazy they may seem at times).  The people who take what little time they have to come over when you’re having a bad day to try and cheer you up.  The people who want to spend time with you.  It’s crazy sometimes how we can think we know who our friends are and then when something happens, all of a sudden we realize who our friends are not.  Or suddenly they drift away all because they’re stuck in their own little “high-school” world and we hung out with the wrong person and now we’re not considered “cool” anymore.  Those aren’t the people we want around us anyway.  We want the people who drag you to hang out after finding out you and your boy broke up, despite the fact they know you really just want to hang home and mope.  We want the people who will do everything they can to see you when you come to town for 2 jam-packed days before heading back to the west coast.  We want the people who are so proud of every step we take in our lives, they don’t mind being a financial assistance for longer than some would deem necessary because they know it’s appreciated and not being taken for granted (thanks Mom and Dad!)  Sometimes we have to stop, take a step back and look around to realize how difficult life would be without some of these people.

Just some of the ladies at the ‘final’ Wesley Jeremiah (aka now, The Lumineers) show in New York City before I moved to LA and the band moved to Denver. 

There’s just not enough Ida in my life.... <3 you purdy lady!  (P.S. This picture is from when you refused to marry me!)

Did I mention it’s also the people (and musicians) you wouldn’t mind being stuck on the side of the road with when you’re on tour trying to get to a show on time...

And while it’s in the current state of affairs - it’s the friends who remind you that you’re beautiful after some dumb guy at the gym (who really was probably trying to find a reason to talk to you but came off as a jerk instead) makes you feel bad about yourself. 

3 - LOVE

I’m a hopeless romantic..what can I say?  Yet, I really don’t believe in love.  In many ways, I’m pretty sure Disney has been lying to me all these years (right Melissa?!)  For some reason, they decided to put these “princesses” out there for all little girls to dream that some day their “Prince Charming” would come sweep them off their feet and they’d live happily ever after.  Well y’know what?  That’s not how it works.  Sorry to break it to you but love is not easy.  In fact it’s full of pain and heartache.  It’s one of the most bittersweet concepts out there.  But I’m not just talking love between two people, but rather love and passion for different things in our life - our careers, our family, our friends, our pets, our hobbies, our passions, etc.  Love like that is what keeps us going everyday - like mine for music! :)

4 - PAPER & PEN

My computer would do as well, as really all I’m looking for is something to write and record my feelings and inner thoughts.  Writing is freeing and really allows you a moment to say everything that is on your mind.  Whether it be writing in a journal (for your eyes only), writing a blog (for the whole world to see), a play or movie or book, or a song (which I find extremely personal), writing allows you to express some kind of emotion.  It can help you get through some of the hardest times in your life or share and document some of the best times in your life.  It’s therapeutic.  It’s something that I can’t and wouldn’t want to lose. 

5 - WATER

Let me admit right now (though I’m sure most of you know), I have a major addiction to caffeine!  I drink many cups of coffee or tea each day, but I’m also the girl who is often carrying (and guzzling) a bottle of water through out the day.  Aside from the fact that we need water to survive, it’s delicious and versatile.  So if the only thing I had was water, I could not only keep hydrated while working out and at different points throughout the day, I could feed my need for caffeine.  Now that’s important! ;)