Abundance, Charity, and Goodwill Toward Men!

Hello All, The title of this blog post does not only encompass the name of the solo which I will be singing in the musical production coming up in my life, but more importantly, is my overall desire and hopes for this crazy stupid world we live in! Life is crazy. In so so so many ways. I don't even know where to start. The recent re-election of president Obama came quickly and suddenly and I realize that most of those around me are struggling for optimism, and solid ground. It's funny to me.. how everyone is freaking out. I understand that things have been hard the past four years, and that there were some decisions made legally that were questionable. But in the end, Heavenly Father's will was done concerning what needed to happen at this point in time. It's simply our job to hold our heads high and to keep moving. We're in for a lot of crazy things over the next four years I imagine.. but we can't let down now. Now, more than ever, we have to realize that it's time for us to bring our A-game and follow the commandments more fervently than ever before. We can't afford to get lazy and complain. I realize that I already made this statement on Facebook, but I say one more time as did President Thomas S. Monson, "The future is as bright as our faith." We need not fear. Everything will come around in the end.

Alright, next topic! So... school is crazy! I'm still trying to stay afloat in theory and do my very best in all that I do. The Christmas Carol is coming along just swimmingly. Yes, I said swimmingly. Hahaha! Man, I am such a freak about being in theatrical productions! I can't describe how much I love being in them. Once I am dedicated, I am dedicated for good. I've been working hard in the costume shop this week, and can't wait for the polished and finished product! Here is a little sneak peak, I play a sandwich board man at the beginning of the show before I get all Ghosty. I love it, personally. I'm a nerd.

We open three weeks from tomorrow, I can hardly believe it! What's next on the agenda, do you ask? Well.. a lot of things. Let's take it one step at a time. First off.. me and Trent have been ring shopping at a frequent rate lately. Crazy! I feel too young for this! And on Friday... is our five month anniversary for dating! I can't believe that it has flown by so quickly. I love that boy with all my heart, and I have loved every single moment that we've shared together. <3

Next! Once the Christmas Carol is over, I am on to a new stage adventure! I plan to audition for Legally Blonde the Musical with Queen Creek performing arts. I can't even begin to explain how much I love this production. AH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is one of my all time favorite shows, which I did get to see at gammage when it came through, and can't wait to see again one day! The show is going to go up in the time period of rehearsals beginning at the end of November, and going up in January. So fast! I can't wait though. And luckily, it will be over before the semester even really begins. As Meg Clifford once said, "This show is like pink cocaine!" I can't get enough. :)

Once Legally Blonde has ended, the semester will have begun shortly after. In reality.. a semester of school won't really be starting for me. I have decided to work full time for my parents down at GMS, and I am hoping to save and store away some monies. I am so thrilled to take time to do personal things that I need and love without having to worry about the homework. HALLELUJAH! I am planning to continue taking voice lessons, but more than likely from a new source than I have been. I am waiting to see if I can budget enough, but I am hoping to take private vocal coaching from a well to do professional voice over, screen, and stage, actress. I am becoming very serious about my performing, and I have big goals. My next mountain to climb you ask?...

That's right kids.... I aspire to be hired on with Disney to perform in the Magic Kingdom. I think about my childhood and how much I loved it, and how somehow I have managed to never lose that light in my life. I think of how much I love to perform, and how much I love putting a smile on the faces of others. I aspire to perform in one of my favorite places on earth, and to bring joy to others. It may be a long road, but I intend to be there one day. One step at a time. Well Journal, this has been quite a wordy post. But it has been quite some time, and I needed to get it all out! Life is sweet, and I know that with faith, it will only get better. I am so grateful for all of my many blessings, and give thanks to my Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ. Without them, I would be nothing. All my love, Calli

September in Review!

Hey there Journal, It's been a few weeks! But that's okay. I'm just hoping to update you real quick on what's been going on. Probably one of the most exciting things on my agenda is that I have been cast in.....

I am very grateful to announce that I will have the joy of playing Ghost of Christmas Present. I'm kinda obsessive about how excited I am for this opportunity!! In summary my character is sassy American who knocks some sense into Mr. Scrooge. I cant wait to belt it out and do my best. Ah! In other news, I'm just chugging along in school and trying my very hardest to pass theory. I've been going to see the tutor frequently and I am really happy to say that it is helping out a lot and that I am working up the chain to getting an awesome grade in the class. The proof is real :)

Other than that, I've been trying to work hard and just enjoying time with the people I love. We went to the D-Backs game last night and the boys kicked the Cubs, 8-3! Way to go, dudes!!!! In closing, don't ever forget that the gospel is true, and that Heavenly Father is always listening. He is always ready to answer our prayers, but far too many of us won't even take the time to ask. But once we do, he answers in His own way and time without fail. I know this to be true. All my love, Calli

Three Months of Bliss!

Dear Journal, Not only is today Sunday, one of my personal favorite days of the week, but today also marks three months that me and Trent have been dating. I can hardly believe it! Granted, he was in St Louis for about a month and a half of that time because of his summer job, but the fact still remains that I thought about him every day that he was gone and not a second went by where I wasn't thinking about wanting to be by his side. Ever since he has been home, life hasn't been perfect, but it has become glorified and that much sweeter. I rather enjoy the feeling of realizing that when it comes to relationships that you will never ever find yourself a perfect person to be with. You may be perfect for each other, but you are still both human and completely vulnerable to make mistakes. Perhaps the greatest joy I have found, however, is being able to care about someone and in turn have them care about me even through the mistakes, and the screw ups, and the ups and downs.

Haha this picture is from a lake trip that we went on recently. Trent was definitely the toughest guy there, hands down, and kicked some butt on tube wars. Although, he found himself alone on a tube that was quickly deflating and I was horrified to see him beat around the water as the tube folded up like a taco around him! But did he let go? Nah! He's too tough for that. In other news, I don't mean to toot my own horn but I just wanted to put in writing somewhere that me and my mother were the two who popped right up on the wakeboard and showed all the guys how it was done! Ahhh yeah. There were a few high school boys on the boat with us and I kid you not they were pulled about three times (not making it out of the water) then they would throw their hands in the air and say "I'm done! I'm done!" Now, before you call me hypercritical, I am all for trial and error. That's how you learn! However, they only tried about three times, then gave up! "Pansies!" I muttered under my breath. ;) Edison tried about a thousand times to make a light bulb. Success takes consistency!

Haha this picture just exemplifies the idea that we have way too much fun together. Everyone says that a picture is worth a thousand words, so I best give the story behind these ones, because there are about 3,000 words unspoken right about now! Trent had a job interview and didn't want to make a bad impression with scruff on his chinny chin chin! So I sat on his bathroom counter and giggled while he started to look like Santa Clause and then progressing to a Tony Stark look, then finally being smooth "Like a baby's behind!" {Oscar, anyone?} Anywho, the moral to the story is that life doesn't have to perfect, but that you can find perfect happiness, just as long as you know where to find it. Happy Sunday, and don't forget that with God, anything is possible. {That's what I keep telling myself thinking about the theory hw I have to do..} And as I leave you, take this scripture with you and may it give you courage: Ezra 10:4 "Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: We will also will be with thee: Be of good courage, and do it." All my love Journal, Cal

I'm Alive!!!!

Ten thousand yeaaaaarrrrssss! Can give you such a crick in the neck! No, it has only been just over a year. But that is still a very long time to not post a darn thing! So here we go! Dear September 8, 2012: It is seriously incredible to look at life in one year, and examine it and see how much it has changed the world around you, and most importantly how it has changed you as a person. This past year threw a lot of twists and turns and ups and downs and all arounds. There were times where all I could do was hold on for dear life, and hope that I would be able to make it through, even if I had my eyes squeezed shut just like on a roller coaster,or had my hands in the air while I screamed. This past year has taught me more than I could possibly put into words in one post. I only hope that even a fragment of what I have learned will be reflected in what I write from now on. A very wise woman once said that "Girls are poison until they are about 20." I think she was right! It's incredible thinking about how much I have learned about myself in the past few years, and feeling like now I can take on the world in a much more positive and optimistic way. Watch out world, this 20 year old has a grip on who she is. Here I come! This past year saw a lot of great times. I was in a few different shows, per the normal routine for me, my favorite production having to be Little Women. I found myself very blessed to have the opportunity to play the role of Beth, and in turn learn a lot of life lessons about the way we look at life, and the capability to love and serve others with all of our hearts. I'm not much of a reader, but music has clearly been something that always speaks to me. So when I found out that Little Women was now a musical, I couldnt wait to hear the music and see the story brought to life. Without fail, I fell in love with the story and lived every moment of the run of that show to the very end. I still carry the message and lessons that I learned in my heart.

In more recent news, (Though anyone who knows me knows that it is not particularly news), this past summer a dear friend of mine set me up and put me on a date with a returned missionary who was just fresh home off of his mission. She texted me and said, "Calli, I know who your future husband is!" and I replied, "Oh good! I'd love for you to clue me in! When do I meet him?" Within a few days, me and this mystery man made contact over the phone with one another, and the rest is history. We were set up on one date, and after only a few hours, we were toast. We were hooked. We were sunk. However you want to say it! Out of all of the things that I could say about this man..one of the first things that comes to mind is that he is pretty much a genetic copy of me, only man sized! I have people come up to me daily saying "You know, you two are freakishly alike!" And I just smile and say, "I know. Believe me, I know" :)

Trenton, (Oh yes, that's his name! Silly me!) has changed my life completely. I wake up every morning and think about just how lucky I am to have him in my life, and find myself wanting to be the very best person that I can be because of his impact on me. I know that we have a loving Heavenly Father who is very aware of us, and I know that he never intended for us to be alone. I know that he blesses us with guardian angels both seen and unseen, and gives us help all along the way. He is always with us and is calling to us to come unto him and to trust Him. All we have to do, is listen. Thanks for listening, Journal. - Cal