My friend, Sara Warburton, is a fabulous photographer. There's no doubt about it. Her style, and her sense for art just makes her photos something else. Her visions are marvelous, and her final products are breathtaking. She could definitely go somewhere with this talent of hers! Which is why I'm putting her photography in my blog!
I always love going on adventures with Sara when she is in one of her "Artsy Photography" moods. She just never fails to impress me with her photos! I remember the first time I went out on a photo shoot in SLC with Sara way back when!
Ah, my first ever Sara photo.
Anyway, just thought I'd give Sara a little shameless advertising... Here is some of her work! It's impressive! Take a look!
No. Really... I have had this hunkering for fame these past couple of days. I don't think I would want to be Hollywood movie famous... Maybe Broadway famous, because that would be the SHIZ! But more recently I've come across this new fad of famous people via Youtube! Take this family for example...
This family is famous to only a couple Million people around the world.. BUT STILL! A couple million!? That's TONS of people! And not only do they get recognized everywhere they go, but they get paid for just turning on a camera and filming their lives! That... is legit.
Sure, I have a Youtube account... And sure, it would be super easy to just start filming myself and putting it on youtube... I don't know, maybe I will someday.
I think I speak for all of us when I say............. I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE FINAL HARRY POTTER MOVIE!!!!
The most anticipated movie of the year. At least for me. This July, the Harry Potter series will conclude with it's 8th, and Final movie -- PART 2!
I grew up with this Epic masterpiece! This right here, is my childhood people! And you better believe that I have tickets to an early showing. How early you ask?? Try 7:00 pm the night before! OHH YEAH!
I propose we start a countdown! YES! Yes that is what I propose!
I'm not sure if I should be happy or sad... After all, my childhood will be ending along with this film series. :(
For those of you who don't know, The Wind Caves are located about 10 minutes up Logan Canyon with a 5.2 mile hike from the trailhead. Mostly all uphill, and taking about 2 hours, the destination are a series of caves formed by erosion. The caves are so named due to the fact that they are open on 2 sides, allowing the breeze to blow through.
The day started off very early, waking up at 7:30 to drive to Logan and begin hiking around 9. The trail started off easy, with a gradual slope upwards for about the first ten minutes...
The rest of the way was pure Hell.
The trail started to get more and more steep with few spots of leveling out. About half way up the mountain... I started feeling sick. I ate breakfast early that morning since the last hike I went on, I felt sick because I thought I hadn't eaten. But it turns out.. that wasn't the case this time.
We reached a shaded area where, I, very winded and very sick, stopped to take a breather. I immediately sat down on a rock and started breathing in through my nose, and out through my mouth. Some fine adults who we didn't know took the time to tell us about some plants and continue their way up the trail.. But I couldn't continue. I told me friends, "Guys, I'm so sick right now." And they just laughed and wanted to continue on. When I told them that I was on the verge of throwing up, they asked me if I needed food or water. Both of which I had plenty of. Then, like a sudden burst of pressure releasing from within... It came.
Vomit.
Three times in fact. I felt so embarrassed. Here I was, puking my guts out, with 3 girls behind me saying, "holy crap... you really weren't kidding." After the upchucks had ended I felt GREAT! I went up the rest of the way with no problems :)
40 minutes later, we reached the destination. With spectacular views, and some professional photography sessions, it was well worth the throw up. ;)
HO-DI-YO-DI-YO! (That's some language for some kind of greeting... And completely made up)
Alright, so here's the low down. I practically love me some really good music. I wanted to make this post all about some of the most incredible music I have heard so far. And that's exactly what I am going to do.
For the first segment of this post, I shall be sharing with you my Top 5 most played songs in my iTunes. Hopefully they are songs you've never heard of. Because, let's get real here.. I love new music. But knowing me, you've heard of them. Ha!
The second part I'll go through some of my favorite covers done by either other artists, or just random people off of Youtube! Mostly I sit at home on my computer SEARCHING Youtube for some serious Cover action. There are some amazing ones... and some not so amazing ones... hah! I might share both.
And then the last part I'll give my top 5 most meaningful songs. It might get a tad bit spiritual and you might even cry... So get the tissues ready and LET'S BEGIN!
Segment 1 - Derek's top 5 played
#1 - "M.L.K." - The King's Singers
How in the world do I describe this song. Well, first off, I first heard this song in 2010 as Snow College Cadence was preparing to sing it for their final choir concert. I instantly fell in love with this song. Why? Listen to it! It's fantastic! The harmonies, the meaning, EVERYTHING!
#2 - "So Obvious" - Runner Runner
Alright, let's get real here. If you haven't heard of Runner Runner then you are missing out on the joys of life. A good friend of mine introduced these guys to me (Thank you Kensie) and they never fail to impress.
#3 - "Futile Road" - Jamestown Story
I actually came across this song in my first year of college. I was watching a show called "The Real World" on MTV (classy... I know) and this song came on during a very "dramatic" moment on this "reality" tv show. I liked the tune, so I found it on youtube and downloaded it. I don't know why I liked it so much, but I've listened to it so many times that it's #3 worthy.
#4 - "Beside You" - Marianas Trench
Once again, my good friend Kensie has pulled through with another great tune! Marianas Trench (from Canada) has something about their music that engaged the listener. This song, in particular, uses the harmonies in the background singing and the orchestration to capture your attention. All of M.T.'s songs basically do this. Their album "Masterpiece Theatre" is not your typical CD. It's more like, well, a Masterpiece. They use themes in their music that tie in all of their songs with one another. My favorite band and they earn the #4 spot on my top 5.. But they are slowly climbing to the #1 spot.
#5 - "Celebrity Status" - Marianas Trench
Alrighty... Who's really surprised here. M.T. is my favorite band, so therefore it only makes sense that they take the #5 spot as well. This was the 2nd M.T. song that I ever heard, and I think I have yet again, Kensie Migliori to thank. She knows her music. This song is fast paced, a mouth full of words, and a great tune.
Segment 2 - Cover Songs
Segment 2 is going to be a little different. I'm just going to put the links of the covers on here in no particular order and you go ahead and give them a listen. :)
Anyway, check out some more covers from these artists. Sam Tsui definitely has some worth while stuff as well as Justin Robinett. Check it yo!
Segment 3 - Sentimental Serenades
Well, it's definitely a fact that music impacts my life so much. Whether it be through choir or through friends passing on a fantastic melody, I love all genres of music. However, these next few songs definitely have a special meaning in my life. And here they are!
YES! KARL JENKINS IS A MUSICAL GENIUS! His "Adiemus" stuff is breathtaking. This song definitely gives me chills, especially when Cadence Girls sing it ;) This type of music will always have a special place in my heart because of all of the opportunities, friendships, and memories made through it.
A cheesy as EFY and gospel-pop music is... there's no denying that this song puts me in a fit of tears every time I hear it. There is a special story that goes along with this song.. I am hesitant to share it with you because it's so personal. So get ready! Here's where those tissues are needed.... :)
A while back, I was very much struggling with pretty much life in general. The trials I was facing were so intense to me that I had basically just given up. I had given up on life, my friends, my family, and even my Heavenly Father. It hurts to admit it now, but it's true. Not only that, but of course growing up in a predominant LDS community the pressure of serving a Mission was weighing down on me. A few years ago, my family had basically given up on the Church... My ward here in Tremonton had many flaws that my family didn't like. So, we became inactive. My senior year of high school is where it really hit me. My friend Cade and I had gotten into a very stupid argument about serving missions because I didn't want to go. Going away for 2 years to a foreign place, living nothing but the gospel, and being away from the people I love most just didn't float my boat! He gave me all the lectures about the Prophet has asked us to serve missions and it's The Lord's work... But I had my mind set that I was not going!
Senior year was almost over when the thought popped into my head... "Derek.. You have to make some serious decisions that are going to effect your whole life in a matter of weeks!" (That main focus was college). I decided to attend Snow College to obtain my Associates Degree. Before I went to college, I wanted to get my patriarchal blessing. So I did! And it said some stuff about serving my mission in there... I was like, "Hmm... Ok? We'll see.". All the time during my first year of Snow, the new people I would meet would ask me if I was planning on serving a mission! Of course, my answer was "I don't know yet" and they would look at me with disgust... Let me tell you, when someone judges you because you 'don't know' if you want to serve a mission.... it's very depressing how judgmental people are. No offense, but "Utah Mormons" have some serious issues in that department. I should know since I am one too... :D
The first year of college passed and I had NO idea what was going on... I know I wanted to attend another year of school before I made any rash decisions...
One night. as I was sitting in my room. I got this strange feeling that I should Youtube some Missionary homecomings. So I browsed the web watching all of these Missionaries come down that escalator and their crying mothers hugging them and welcoming them back. -- I thought of me and MY mother... I started getting emotional. Then, I clicked on this video here....
As soon as I starting watching it, and I heard that opening piano music... I broke down. I wanted to be THAT Elder and I wanted MY mom to run to me and I wanted my family to be proud of me. Most of all, I wanted to be proud of myself. As I sat there in a convulsing fit of sadness, I felt happy. I felt this warm sensation just pouring over me. My hear literally hurt because I was becoming so overjoyed! I envisioned my Heavenly Father standing next to me with his arm around me saying, "You know what to do." I believe the feelings I felt and the things I thought was special confirmation from my Heavenly Father that I knew that going on a mission was exactly the thing I needed to do.
How awesome is that?! That with a simple song my whole life changed for the better. With a simple melody, I became closer to my heavenly father. I find it incredible. I'm so excited to be telling you today, that I have made my decision, and it is not wavering in any way. I KNOW they are going to call me on a mission. And I KNOW that I will change the life of others.
Well this concludes tonight's post. I hope you enjoyed it :)
Well.. Snow College is over.... (insert sound of weeping here) Yes, I am sad. Sad because I had so many unforgettable experiences there. Sad because I made life long friends there, many of them I'll rarely see again. Sad because I will never get to experience anything like Snow again... It was where I belonged.
Look at me, getting all tender and stuff... Anyway, I'll miss Snow College very much, but it will always have a special place in my heart. Not to mention that when I have children, I WILL make them go there... So I'll go back someday! :D
The Cult! My best friends from Ephraim!
Part 2: This Is What I Call Home
But, after graduating from Snow, I moved back to good ol' Tremonton Utah! To put it on the map for those of you who don't know where it is. it's about 18 miles North of Brigham City, 23 miles from Logan, and 20 miles South of the Idaho-Utah border. Here's a photo ---
This here be Tree-town. Respect it.
As you can see, it's not much to look at. A lot of fields, and not a lot to do. But, it's home. A lot has changed over the years however. If you noticed, the last time Google Earth took a picture of dear old Tremonton was in 2005. Most of the fields behind my house are now subdivisions. My dad sold a lot of his land to contractors looking to build there. There is also a huge factory by my house (across the road where that big brown patch is) which packages lunch meat. Sometimes there is a meaty smell in the air, but after living with the smell of pig manure all my life, I can handle almost anything. So it's not too bad.
Part 3: Making the Transition
Being cooped up in my house all summer is going to be difficult. Most of my friends that live in or near Tremonton, (There are about 4 other "towns" around Tremonton. But it all sort of mushes into one) they are either away on Missions or working. And all my college friends live too far away to see on a regular basis. So I sit in my house, mostly sleeping until noon, waking up and watching the Food Network in a fit of hunger. Sometimes I read, occasionally I'll play a video game... The rest of the time I'm in a funk of of what I like to call 'Post-social Depression'. I was so used to the college life for 2 years, that moving back home and having all my high school buddies gone, well it put me in a state of shock. That's the only way I can describe it!
I know that there are still some of you high school friends somewhere out there. And I know a lot of you want to see me! But let me explain something to you..... For those of you who went away to college (Meaning not USU), you'll probably agree that making a transition between friends is kind of a weird deal. For example, my first year of College, I was very close with my high school friends that attended Snow College with me. I didn't want to branch out to meet new people. I was very content at where I was socially. I met new people and got acquainted with them, but I didn't really spend my free time with them. Then, some things happened in my close-knit group of high school friends and we fell away from each other. Well, I had no place to go but to those new acquaintances that I developed. Over time, those people became my best friends! I spent every hour of my free time with them, and not with my high school group of friends. I sensed that my high school friends thought I was being a real tool for ditching them and moving on to these crazy people ;)
Anyway, after my first year of college, I moved back home for the summer. Since I was still new to the transition of friends, it was a lot easier to hang out with my high school friends that were still around. So last summer wasn't a big deal. Then I went back to Ephraim for school that fall. All my free time was spent with my best friends from Snow (with some additions of course...). I never once hung out with my high school friends still at Snow (The ones from my first year). I still sensed some contention between us, so I tried to steer clear of that. If there's one thing you should know about me, it's that I hate confrontation. Anyway, the year went by.. There was some crazy roommate issues... Thing went down... Lines were being drawn, sides were being taken... And I moved back home! :D
The first thing that I did when I moved home is that I went to Disneyland with 3 of my best high school friends Britten, Shay, and Clay. Right from the start, I felt this weird feeling that I didn't belong. It was nearly identical to the feeling I felt the first time I made that transition of friends in College. I realized then that I was going to have to transition from my College friends back to my high school friends. Which is strange because I spent 12 years with these people compared to only 1 and 1/2... I noticed that I acted differently around my high school friends in Disneyland than I would around my College friends if they were there. So, moral of the story... If I seem a bit standoffish to you Bear River Bears still out there, I am trying! Haha! I promise! Just give me some time.
PHEW! That was a mouthful... Well, I guess... Handful... since I'm... Typing... BUT THAT'S NOT THE POINT! I'm back home and I'm pretty much bored out of my mind. I'm not employed. I am working on going on a Mission. So how do I keep myself from going crazy?!?
Part 4: The Man-Cave
To keep myself from going insane, I've noticed I've spent a lot of time on my room. Not 'IN' my room, 'ON' my room. I've turned it into my own little private sanctuary. A place where I can come and be with the memories I love the most. Let me take you on a tour --------
This is my "ME" wall. This is a compilation of some of my accomplishments in life. You'll notice the mask and the Les Mis book, those I got in Europe on my choir trip. The rest are posters of some of the plays and musical I've been in along with my Nomination medals from the Snow College Tony Awards. The shelf just has some pictures of my family and other stuff about me. Oh, and the Giant Otter... I painted that in one of my College classes. I am very proud of Frank.
This is my "FAITH" wall. Just some odds and ends of our church. It's small, but there's a lot more wall to fill :)
This is Part 1 of my wall of photos. It's pretty much self explanatory.
Part 2 is my pictures of all my high school dances.. Along with all my boutonnières. This wall is what started the legacy known as the Man-Cave.
And there you have it! My room! I know it's silly, but it's what keeps me busy. More is being added every day.
Well! It's 2:46 am and I have to wake up for some picture taking at 9.... So I bid you a goodbye. Congratulations on being some of the select few who got an inside look at my room... Those select few who decided to read this whole thing... But still, way to be!
