While you last.

I know it's barely July...but listen to this. 

Probably my new favorite song [and it helps that these two artists are two of my very favorite]. 

Music is a wonderful thing. 

[summer fling, anyone? #yolo right, Laur?]

A million at once.

Creative Arts is the most pointless class offered at Utah State. We had to go see "Miracle on 34th Street" this week...and after Lauren and I slept through the entire first act (it's been a long week. Don't judge.) we spent all of intermission snapchatting Jon, Bronson, Paige and our roommates, and making friends with the light technician. Ignore our faces...we were concerned, since the last play we'd seen had scarred us for life.

After Miracle on 34th....we discovered that Emi was the next attraction. Ladies and gentlemen, my best friend. 

My roommates and I have some interesting conversations...the highlight of this week? Adrienne told us that she thinks she was adopted. From the pound. So all week long, we've been teasing her about being a dog. It didn't help that her family wants to get another puppy, and we think they should name it Adrienne--since obviously they need a replacement for her. The day after this enlightening conversation, this slide came up in Creative Arts. [I'm telling you, we learn nothing important. Scratch that, we learn nothing in that class.] So of course we snapchatted it to Adrienne, and her response was a very passionate #woof. 

As a last hurrah before finals week, and the last concert before Hailee leaves, we went to see We Are the In Crowd, The Wonder Years, and...YELLOWCARD. It was incredible. And as soon as the first chords of Ocean Avenue were played, my entire life [at least since 8th grade] came full circle. Seriously, they were so good. 

And finally? The boys of 106 would like to wish you a Merry Christmas with their new wall decor. I have such attractive neighbors. 

Well friends. I have an interview for A-Team today [and I really really really want to make it.] and I have to teach relief society on Sunday. So I'm going to go teach a bunch of A-Team hopefuls how to successfully cradle a lacrosse ball and prepare a lesson on who knows what. Cheers to the freaking weekend, folks. 

Everywhere I turn.

November 10: Go Radio. Katy Perry. Mayday Parade. Yellowcard. The Killers. Taylor Swift. Anberlin. Adele. Ed Sheeran. Regina Spektor. The Black Keys. Bon Iver. Carrie Underwood. All Time Low. Christina Perri. Coldplay. The Eagles. James Blunt. Every Avenue. Sara Bareilles. Fun. Ingrid Michaelson. Jimmy Eat World. Katy McAllister. Lady Antebellum. Maroon 5. Parachute. Muse.
Just a few of the bands and artists I am grateful for today. Because without music, my life would be rather dull. I'm so glad I live in a world where we have millions, if not billions, of songs at our fingertips, and even more grateful for the love of music my mom has instilled in me.
Music has a crazy way of making you feel things differently, and it cements memories in your mind better than anything else. Songs like Just the Way You Are, Every Time We Touch, So Close, 22, and E.T. will forever be associated with specific people. Emi and I have a playlist that will always remind us of driving to hockey games, and a bunch of the Top 40's will always remind me of Homecoming and high school dances.
Not only does music help you remember things or bring about emotion, it impacts people--or at least me--on a spiritual level. I can listen to talk after talk by all kinds of speakers, and feel the Spirit. But the second the choir starts singing, or a musical number steps up, it's overwhelming. I cry faster during the hymns than during anything else. And I know that it's because music is one of God's greatest gift to us.
I love music, and I wish I had any talent at all in that area. But I'll stick with appreciating everybody else in that field, and be forever grateful for the sheer beauty that it brings into my life.

This could be the best day of my life.

There's a real post with some college-ish stuff coming tomorrow, but for now? Here's the best thing that   has EVER happened to me. Ever. Here's the long version of the story. In 8th/9th gradeish, I got completely obsessed with a band called Mayday Parade. Then, to my utter dismay, they broke up. Kind of. The two lead singers, Jason Lancaster and Derek Sanders had a fight. Jason started his own band...Mayday went their own way. And it was the best thing to happen to music, in the history of the world. Because Go Radio? Ten bazillion times better than Mayday. [Hate to say it, fellas, but it's true.] And I have this almost freakish obsession with Go Radio. They released their new album, Close the Distance last week, and that is seriously the only thing that Emi and I have listened to in our apartment since. 

But back to tonight. Go Radio is currently touring with Safetysuit--who we are now complete and total fans of. So we got tickets to the concert, and waited in line for three hours to get a place on the FRONT ROW. Let's just say if I hadn't reached obsessive fan-girl status before, I definitely have now. 

This right here is Jason Lancaster singing Goodnight Moon. And if you haven't already heard it, you should. Because it's beautiful. And they play it at the end of every show. 

Also, during our rotation with the Safetysuit super fans behind us, I found one of Jason's guitar picks that he'd thrown and no one had caught. So now? I have his signature on my phone (from when we went to their concert in May) and a guitar pick that I watched him perform with. Ahhhh. It's a good day in Ashleytown. 

After Safetysuit was done playing, we waited in line to meet the greatest band on the planet. So here's me, and my best friend with Steven, Matt, Alex, and Jason. [Notice how we're all totally touching, and imagine the high fives and handshakes that came after. YAYYYYY.]

Sidenote: This afternoon, Hailee texted me saying that she'd seen them all at Gateway. I was super jealous, she hardcore stalked them and creep-pic-ed for a little bit. And then, when we're taking this picture, Alex (He's the one between me and Emi) says, "Hey! We saw you at Gateway!" Ladies and gents, the band remembered my best friend. We're kind of a big deal. Also, Emi caught Alex's sweat towel. And he noticed. [Seriously the grossest object that has ever been in my car. Or within a mile of me. Who wants a hand towel soaked with Alex's sweat???]

The moral of the story is that today was a very, very, very, VERY good day. Like my shirt says....when it comes to "Go Radio or Go Home," I will Go Radio, EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

Perfectly content and wildly restless.

Somedays, things just go splendidly. A fantastic new Institute class, a massive waterslide for FHE, and then our weekly cheering section at our favorite boys' soccer game. We finally followed through and made our glitter poster. We're basically the best friends ever. I guess they're alright too--sometimes Mitch brings us Jamba Juice when we all get stuck home doing homework. We'll keep them around I guess.

Emi and I may have used an excessive amount of glitter, so we had to go shake it off outside so Lauren wouldn't try to strangle us in our sleep. So we went outside....launched it....

And the wind promptly blew at least a half pound of glitter into Emi's face. She's still covered, and it's not going anywhere anytime soon. 

And last but not least, Monday Night Lights rule my week. And I live in a pretty place. Even with all the nasty, grayish haze the sky is a pretty thing. And I'll just have to live with sitting on the sidelines of a soccer field until hockey season starts. :) 

In other groundbreaking news, Go Radio's new album Close the Distance came out tonight. Let's just say I cannot wait until the 25th. I'll probably just freak out as soon as Jason Lancaster gets on stage. 

If you have any desire in the world to listen to an incredible record, check it out on iTunes. Here's a link to preview it in the meantime. 

I say it because I care.

Going through my phone today, I realized there was a lot of stuff I documented, and never posted about. So I figured I might as well, now that I have some time.

First of all! April 24th...Emi, Hailee and I went to see Go Radio. First of all, if any of you have never listened to them, that should change. Quickly. Because Jason Lancaster (Pictured ^^^^) easily has one of the greatest voices in the history of ever. He used to be part of a band called Mayday Parade, but split up from them a little while ago. If you're interested, look up "What If You Don't" or "Why I'm Home" on YouTube. I promise you won't regret it.

Go Radio performed, but so did this band from Oregon called This Providence. That extremely fine fellow up there would be Dan Young with my best friend. And yes, he was even greater in person. Look up "A Beautiful Rescue." His voice...mmmmm. British accent and that face. It makes everything okay.

We took AP tests this year, far too many of them if you ask me, and attended way too many study sessions. Art History reviews marked the birth of the Unicorner and reminded us that we're not maturing as quickly as we're growing up. It's probably fine.

After we took our various tests, we decided that having a Zupa's within five miles of our houses was the best/worst idea ever. Two times in a week can't be good...except it's so very, very good. That would be my favorite ginger on our second outing of the week with a chocolate strawberry as big as her face. (Not really, but still.)

We don't do a whole lot of extraordinary things, (except get my phone signed by Jason Lancaster. That was pretty freaking awesome.) but we do a lot of random, simple things. And frankly, it doesn't matter what I'm doing, as long as I'm with these kids. Because they're the ones that matter most.

One day down.

I graduated from seminary today. (!!!!!!!!) One graduation done, one to go. Basically, I'm terrified/scared/nervous/stoked/amazed/excited to be graduating. Because for soo long, we all dream of graduating, of moving on; and now that it's here, I really don't know what to do. So as I sat on my driveway pondering life with one of my best friends, I started thinking about everything I've done/wanted to do/never accomplished.

-I wanted to be a photographer. I took photography classes sophomore year, and have mindlessly searched photography tips for hours on end. But I guess I don't have the patience, or something, because it never worked out. However, I have had the chance to do shoots with some fabulous photographers, and I hope I get to do some more soon.
-I wanted to be a class officer/SBO. Ran twice, but it never worked out. Looking back though, it's better that way. I had the opportunity to do so many other things that I wouldn't have been able to if I was busy being official. I did however, get to be part of the junior and senior class committees, which was basically the same thing without the jacket. I'd recommend it to anyone. :)
-I've always wanted to be a designer. I love clothes, color, and fashion, and I stalk websites and blogs continually. This year, I got to be part of the design board for the 2012 Prom Line at Kathleen's Bridal and Formal Wear in Kaysville. It was just a small realization of a silly dream, but it happened. And my prom dress was even more special since I got to help design it.
-I wanted to sing and dance on stage. I have an almost unhealthy obsession with Broadway, and I would have loved to be a part of that. But Musical Productions never worked out, and I haven't been able to find the time for any outside theater either. I have gained a better appreciation for the "arts" though, and I never miss a performance that my friends are in.
-I wanted to be on TV. Stupid, huh? But by participating in D-TV for the last 3 years, I had the chance to do just that every single week. Sure, it wasn't national television or even a local news network. But the people I was with everyday saw it, so it was kind of the same thing.

The more I think about it, the more I realize that I've done just about everything I wanted to in the last three years. No, I'm not some world renowned photographer, and my voice will never sell millions of CDs. But I'm proud of who I am, and the things I've done. And? I'm more than a little excited for the future.

In a somewhat related side note, I may or may not be participating in the Miss Kaysville-Fruit Heights pageant. We'll see.

Underwhelming questions.

Most nights, I get in bed around 10 or 10:30....and proceed to lay there, wide awake, until midnight. I'm not doing anything productive, usually sporadically checking Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, email, and Pinterest; but if I could channel all the brain power my mind generates right then, I could pass my AP tests in the first week of school.
Last night was frustrating, stressful, and not very much fun. But! While I was laying there, quite literally nested in my seven thousand blankets and pillows, and twisting my Disney Princess blanket in my hands like there was no tomorrow (it's a nervous habit, and yes, it is Disney. Deal with it.) the conversation in my head went something like this.

"So. NOW what?"
"What do you mean, now what?"
"I mean, this is a change, a big change. It's been a long time since things were like this."
"Maybe, but change is good. Change is real good. It'll all be OK."
"But, what if...."


And I promptly fell asleep. I have a problem with that, falling asleep mid conversation. Granted, it's usually with another person and not just myself, but still.
I woke up this morning and was busy and barely breathing until 7:45 (which really is saying a lot considering I was up at the crack of dawn and had an early morning meeting.) And I got a text from a friend, one I haven't really talked to in a while.

"Hey Ashley! I just wanted to tell you to have such a fantastic day! :) You're a great girl, with such a loving, kind personality. Keep being great. :)...Keep your chin up sug :) and pass it forward. You are wonderful! :)"

Like I said, I don't talk to this friend very often, and she has no idea what's really going on. But that message? Was just what I needed. And just reiterated the fact that no matter what's happening, who's fighting with who, and what is going wrong, someone up there is ALWAYS listening, watching, and looking out for us.

And suddenly, all those overwhelming questions and problems became insignificant.
"It's days like today, when life gets great."


(ALSO. I get to see the band who penned ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ those lyrics tonight with my best friends. Life is alright, I guess....:))

"I don't want to live [this] way, reading into every word you say."

I'm slightly obsessed with this song. BUT! I like this version even better. I may or may not have listened to her new CD, "Human Again" a bazillion times this week. (Okay, maybe not that many. But it was really something like 34, if my car is keeping track correctly.) Especially this song.


I love music. Especially when it means something.

Wildly convinced this is uncommonly beautiful.

This is easily the greatest video I've seen in a long time.

Also, the song (lyrics mainly) is fantastic.

Here's the lyrics for ya.

I have an addiction to covers of my favorite songs, especially by Boyce Avenue.

And a cover of my favorite Katy Perry song? This makes everything right in the world.

Enjoy.