Arrivederci e ci vediamo!

Welp, here we are. This is it. My last night at home. It feels surreal. I have nervous butterflies, but I'm so excited. I report to the MTC tomorrow morning at 12:40. And I'm leaving in 45 minutes to get set apart. Aahhh! Sometimes you just need to yell. But it's a good yell. I can't wait for tomorrow, to get to meet my new companion, get that name tag, realize that I'm really doing this thing... haha.

Thanks to everyone who came to my farewell on Sunday. I was overwhelmed by all the familiar faces I saw and can't believe how nice people are. I love all of you!

I know that this is THE true church on the earth today, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (or as I'll be saying for the next 18 months... La Chiesa di Gesu Cristo dei Santi degli Ultimi Giorni!) I am so grateful for the Atonement, and that because of it we have a chance to return to live with our Father in Heaven. I know that Joseph Smith restored this gospel and that The Father and His Son appeared to him in the Sacred Grove. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a real and true prophet and that he gives us the guidance our Father wants us to have. I love this gospel, and I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to share it with the people of Italy. I love all of you!!! This is my testimony, and I share it with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Wish me luck! Ready or not...

Follow me during my 18 months at this blog over here: http://sorellaforbesinitalia.blogspot.com/

Next week!!!

AAHHH!!! Next week is the week. I am kind of freaking out. But in a good way. I've had all my nervous panic attacks that I think I will have (I hope...) and now I'm just ready to get out of here. It is crazy how fast the time has been flying. But I get more and more excited everyday.

A few things you might want to know before I go:

- I set up another blog that my mama will be updating with letters and photos and other tidbits while I am out there doin' some good. The URL is http://sorellaforbesinitalia.blogspot.com/ Follow it! I mean, only if you want updates on how things are going across a continent and a half and an ocean...

- My farewell is this Sunday if you are in Utah and would like to come. 9 AM at the CC Stake Center at 13400 S. 1300 E. in Draper. I would love to see your shining faces. I am really getting nervous for that...

- I got my hurr did today. In case you wanted to know. It's shorter.

- I AM SO EXCITED!!!!

That's all folks. I love you all! I'll probably post at least one more time before I peace out. In case you were concerned...

Warning...

So, I just want to warn all of my peeps out there that I'll have to say goodbye to in 3 weeks: I'm really bad at goodbyes. I kind of become an emotional wreck. I really learned this when I said goodbye to my two sisters and their families last week. It was horrible. I cried. A lot. I'm sure I'll cry when I have to say goodbye to you. I know it's only 18 months, but I'm learning it's going to be a lot harder to say goodbye than I thought. Even though I know what I'm doing is the right thing and I'm very excited for it. So, just wanted to warn you. Be prepared.

Another thought, I really love this song. My sister showed it to me while I was staying with her. I also have an unusual fascination with Lady A's "Just a Kiss" and "We Owned the Night." I normally don't like country very much, but I love these guys. Just thought I'd throw that out there...

Oh! Also, I've always loved Ingrid Michaelson, but the words to this song are absolutely amazing. Love it:

Boy, how I'm going to miss my music...

Friends

This post is dedicated to friends.

I have been blessed with some of the greatest friends a gal could have.

I thank all my amazing friends for being there for me when I needed you most.

You know who you are.

To the friend who I called crying, missing so desperately that someone I had tragically lost just months before, and you showed up 5 minutes later with ice cream, a movie, and a shoulder to cry on. And you cried with me. I'll love you forever for that.

To the friend that came into my life at precisely the right moment, and made my life a little brighter than the darkness I had felt I was in. You told me I did the same for you, and that made me feel even happier. It seems like I have known you forever, and I will love you forever.

To the friend who was there when I suffered my first broken heart. I didn't need to say anything, you just knew I needed you. And you knew exactly what to say to ease the pain. And didn't mind me boy bashing your ear off...I couldn't help it...

To the friend that sat in the car with me and talked about missions for over two hours after I told her I was seriously conflicted. You really eased my fears and helped clear up the fog that was holding me back from making the decision, which I know for a fact is the right one. I will forever be grateful for that.

To the friend that I treated horribly after being told you had done something to hurt me, and I didn't even think to come to you to find out the truth because I was so blinded by my infatuation with the one who told me. You took me back as if nothing had happened when I finally talked to you months later. I'm so glad we are back to being the good friends we were before, and thank you for forgiving me.

To the friend who I called after having been flaked on by a substitute for my classes when I was out of town, asking for help, and all you said was, "I have a date, but you sound troubled and like you need me so I can push that back. I'll do it. Because you're my friend." No lie. How great?

To the the friends that love me unconditionally, and forget the stupid things I do in the instant I do them.

To ALL my friends: I love you and am so grateful for you.

On friendship:

A good pal and I were recently talking about our histories with friends, and we have had similar experiences throughout recent years. We both have at some point in our lives decided that we have had good friends, but also bad ones (or not really bad, just not the greatest...). We know what it is like to be let down, and to be in need of a friend and they don't come through. Which is why we have both decided to be the best of friends we can be so as OUR friends never feel that way because of us. I really try to be there for my friends. If a friend called me in need, or even if they didn't call but I still know they need me or something is up, I want to be able to say I did everything I could to be there for them.

Friends come and friends go, but boy am I glad to have known all of those friends that have made an appearance in my life.

To friends!

Called to Serve!

These last few months I have deserved an "F" on blogging. I've just had so much going on. It was an absolute crazy summer full of a lot of heartache and confusion and drama and at times sadness. But I am happy to say I have come out on top. And, as I'm sure you've all heard by now, I have been called to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! I will be joining forces with several other missionaries in the Italy Milan mission to spread the happy message of the Restoration of the Gospel. I am so excited. So, as this is my first blog post on the topic, I've decided to go through each step that got me to where I am today and record it here. It's a long post, so I don't expect you to read all of it...just sayin'...

THE DECISION

This was NOT an easy decision for me. The idea of a mission first came to me last spring (of '10) when I was sitting in church with my roommates and I had the idea. I mentioned it to a few people, but as I was just under a year away from turning 21, no serious talk or thought was put in to it. I returned to the idea in the fall of '10 and mentioned it to my parents, but for some reason I couldn't get really excited about it then, and felt there were things I needed to take care of and I needed to go to school for winter semester. My 21st birthday passed, I started dating someone and lost all thought of the mission for a few months. A few weeks after that relationship ended, I felt extremely confused about what step I should take next. I had had a few professors talk to me about applying for grad school and beginning in the fall. I was excited about the idea, but something about it didn't feel right. The same went for trying to find an internship in New York City, and then a humanitarian trip to India that I had planned for in July and even started raising money for. Nothing felt right. I had no idea what I needed to do or even what I wanted to do. My confusion must have been obvious to my parents, because one night we sat down and talked about what I was doing with my life, and they brought up the idea of a mission again. After lots of prayer and a couple of visits to the temple, I knew that it was a good idea and I needed to really start considering it again. I started my papers and they were done within a week. However, I was still unsure about life and, to be honest, quite afraid of the idea of a mission. I didn't feel like I was ready and prepared for such a huge step. But after two months of worrying and stressing and avoiding talking about it with anyone, my bishop pulled me into his office and we had a nice chat. He said exactly everything that I needed to hear, and I knew without a doubt that I needed to just take the leap of faith and I would receive the help I needed as I went. The next week, my papers were submitted to my bishop, and the INSTANT I pressed "submit," relief washed over me. I felt so incredibly calm and knew without doubt in my mind I had just done the right thing. The week after that I had my stake president interview and my papers were submitted to the mission department.

THE CALL

10 days after my stake president interview, I was at work stamping out cakebites at about 3:40 when my mama sent me a text with a picture of a big white envelope with a caption that said something like "look what came today." It was a Friday. I wasn't expecting the call until the next Wednesday, so you can imagine my surprise. My parents had been concerned about being gone when my call came, as they were leaving for Europe the following Tuesday. We had been praying all week that there would be a way we could get my call before they left, because I wanted them there and they wanted to be there when I opened it. My mom remembered she had a friend that worked in the church office building and had asked if there was anything she could do. She said there wasn't, because the calls were issued on Friday and they wouldn't be printed out until at least Tuesday morning. My parents thought of every possible thing they could have done, and even started thinking about postponing their trip, which we didn't want to do because it would have cost a pretty penny. My brother showed my mom how to work skype so they could at least see me do it. We kept praying. Friday morning, my mom received a call from her friend at the church office building. She said she remembered she had a friend that worked in the office of the First Presidency. She had contacted her and told her the situation. Her friend informed her that they were issuing the calls at that moment and she would see what she could do. My mom got a call just a little while after and was told she could come pick up the call at the office building right then. The call had been sitting in the office of the First Presidency. About an hour later, the call was in my mom's hands. Tender mercy. It wasn't until a few hours later that I got the text. My mom knew that if I knew the call was at my house, work would NOT have been a possibility. And she was right. Within 20 minutes of getting the picture text, I had set things up at work so they could finish everything without me, I cruised home, had texted my friends and family that I had my call and would be opening it at 5:30. The family and friends came, made their guesses on the "where in the world" board, and enjoyed Sweet Tooth Fairy treats while we waited for all necessary family members to be there.

I was so nervous. It felt surreal. This big white envelope I was holding in my hands couldn't be what it really was. I kept thinking "I'm really doing this. No turning back now." The excitement was also building up inside me. I thought FOR SURE I was going to go stateside, and I kept saying that as I twirled the envelope over and over in my hands, because let's face it, I wanted to go foreign, and I knew if I got my hopes up, I would feel disappointed for even just a moment. I didn't want that. And besides, everyone I knew had gotten a stateside call. Which is great! But you know me, I like the world outside of the good ole United States. And I wanted the challenge of learning a foreign language and adapting to a foreign culture. So there I was, sitting on the fireplace, waiting for Uncle Jim. The second he walked in, I started ripping the envelope open. I opened it, flipped it around, and covered the letter with the booklet so I couldn't see where I was going before everyone else. I started reading "Dear Sister Forbes," and had to stop for a second. This is real! "You have been called to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints." Whoa! Oddly powerful. "You are assigned to labor (the booklet slipped and I saw the Italy part...JOY) in the Italy Milan mission." NO FREAKING WAY was the first thing that went through my mind. Italy. ITALY. I'm in LOVE with Italy. The second thing that went through my mind was "Will and Anna." Two friends who just returned in the last couple of months from the exact mission. Crazy!

I was so overwhelmed with joy and excitement, as was my family. My mother quickly rushed up to hug me. I think she may have been even more excited than me... if that was even possible. Italy Milan. I depart November 16 for the Provo MTC.

THE PREPARATION

So far the preparation has been pretty slow, as I was working full time and haven't had much time to do everything I need to do. I've been shopping and I think I have all the clothes I'll need (thank goodness they now encourage sister missionaries to look GOOD...ha). I have most of the books I'll need. I've been reading Preach my Gospel, trying to get really familiar with it. I go through the temple next week. I'm trying to gradually wean myself off of facebook, hip hop music, and my phone. And I've received a letter from my mission president in Milan. I get more and more excited as I go. But the time is flying by SO fast and I'm feeling more pressed for time every day. I'm realizing how hard it is going to be to say goodbye to my close friends and family. I have had my first real goodbyes this week (had to say goodbye to my dear friend Patrick who I won't see again until I come back, as well as my brother-in-law). Tomorrow morning I'll have to bid farewell to one of my dear sisters and her two kids. And then next Tuesday to another sister, her husband, and their three kids. It's rough, to say the least. I know we'll still be able to talk on the phone until I leave, but not seeing each other in person for at least 19 months will be rough. Good thing I know what I'm doing is the absolute right thing. Hopefully that will make it easier... I hope...haha. Once I return home from the midwest next week, we'll be really trying to hit the preparation hard. I have a lot to do to get ready for this great call.

THE MISSION

The Italy Milan mission covers all of Northern Italy, the italian part of Switzerland, and spreads south into Tuscany. There are four stakes and two districts within my mission. I will be joining the ranks of approximately 150 missionaries in the Milan mission. I have been reminded that I will be joining the important work of not only sharing the message of the restored gospel, but preparing the Italian people for the temple that will be arriving in Rome in the future. What a great responsibility! I can't wait to get started on this great and important work I have been called to participate in. It is sure to be the greatest experience of my life.

time for a vacation.

this is the view i'm enjoying as i write you this post.

this family vacation came precisely at the right moment.

here i can escape from the drama that always seems to find it's way to me back home.

here i can clear my mind, get away from my regular routine.

i've really been able to THINK.

it feels good.

here's to being away for the next week.

may my pale complexion not suffer a burn.

may i be able to finally accept what i need and really want to do, and have the courage to do it.

may all my friends back at home find the happiness they are chasing.

and may these dolphins playing just off the shore stay close for the remainder of the week.

p.s. we're going to disneyland tomorrow.

someone knows how to cheer me up.

I can now tell you....

one of those big names I was talking about that was going to be in the web series I'm working on is...

Snoop Dogg!

THE Snoop Doggy Dogg.

Our director announced the good news today that it is official and contracts have been worked out and Snoop Dogg will be joining our cast playing the character Papa Skwaught.

We'll start shooting hopefully the end of August.

Woop! I'm excited.

I like to choreograph things.

Here is my latest. I taught this at Club Style last night. We had to kind of rush through the ending, so it's a little rough, but we're going to fix it up and extend it next week. What do you think?

So I'm working on this web series...

It's called Dr. Fubalous.

The show is going to be a comedy, and it follows two medical doctors who are trying to simultaneously juggle hip-hop careers alongside their medical duties. The doctors have big plans with their music until competition steps in their way. Arch nemesis rapper, Tyrannosaurus Death, shows up in town and isn’t willing to leave without a battle: a hip-hop battle.

The series will have 6 episodes. I am in charge of all choreography for the music videos, which will be in the first, fourth, and sixth episodes.

I can now announce some of the amazing cast we will have on the project. First up, Tyrannosaurus Death, played by Danny Trejo:

Next, Ma Cakes. Played by the ever hilarious Glozell Green. You will all know her from this fabulous video that went viral:

We will have a guest appearance by the amazing Lindsey Stirling, who was on America's Got Talent:

And also an appearance by the super talented Karmin. I like this version of Super Bass better than the original Nicki Minaj version:

There are a few other names I wish I could add to this list, but as their contracts are not finalized, I can't publicly declare who they are. But just know, this thang is gonna be HUGE. I wish you could hear the music tracks too. They're amazing. I can't wait.

It has begun yet again...

So You Think You Can Dance. And I'm already amazed by the talent of not only the dancers, but the choreographers as well. This last week definitely did not fail to impress. I already have my favorite couples. But these two take the cake:

Do you watch this show? Who are your favorites? I can't wait to see more.

Life.

Life has a funny way of throwing us for a whirl sometimes. Both for the good and the bad.

Today I received a call saying one of my friends from high school took his own life yesterday.

I haven't talked to him since the beginning of my sophomore year of college, but it is still so strange.

This incident has got me thinking a lot. Do I reach out to my friends when I feel or they seem that they are in need? Do I wander around oblivious to the feelings and emotions of others? Do I ever try to make life just a little bit easier for those around me?

I think I am lacking in these areas. I wish I could be better, and I wish I could have been there to help my friend. It makes me sad that I hadn't reached out and got back in contact with him in so long. Now my chance in this life is gone.

I have a new resolve to be better at keeping old friendships and building up the new, and really being there for my friends when they need me. Heaven knows they have helped me through so much.

An expression came to my mind while we were talking about talents in church today. I want to live this with all my heart and I truly feel the power behind it now:

"Be the answer to someone else's prayer."

I have been learning so much more to never hesitate to serve at every opportunity you can. I will do my best. And you should join me on this mission!

We can be the answers to someone else's prayers!

Book on Tapeworm

I've probably told you all about my friend Ciera's band because I'm kind of obsessed. If you haven't heard them yet, here's them recording in the studio. They'll have an album out come September. Hopefully. Their music is so amazing. They write everything themselves. Just lovely. Enjoy!

Video streaming by Ustream

Video streaming by Ustream

I fail at blogging.

My blog is mad at me. I haven't been giving it much attention. I've just been crazy busy with school and new choreography projects and huge decisions... sorry blog. Neglect you no more I shall.

So just a few things:

I'm really happy SYTYCD is back. It is the best show ever, pretty sure. I absolutely love the top 20. I can't wait to see all the amazing dances that will happen this season.

My web series is really starting to pick up on production. We've almost got our whole cast locked in (there are some pretty sweet names on the list) and it should be pretty sweet.

I got back to teaching yesterday. I only had three students. Summer enrollment bites. But it still feels great to be back teaching and choreographing even more.

I may have some big news coming up here pretty soon. Be excited for it.

I really like Beyonce's new song "The Best Thing I Never Had." Kind of fits my current situation... ha! Love it. It's over there ---> on the playlist if ya wanna hear it.

That's all I gotta say today. But I'm sorry blog followers! I will sincerely attempt to be a better blogger.

Who run the world?

No words are necessary for this one. Start at 3:00 for the greatest performance EVER.

Beyoncé runs the world.

Things that inspire me

My entire family

Good music

Great friends

Good movies

Amazing and meaningful choreography

"Fix You" choreographed by Travis Wall

Laura Edwards

Happy Endings

Big cities

questions

do you ever feel like you're stuck? like the whole world around you is moving on and progressing, but you're not going anywhere? that you're not on the same page as everyone else, but falling behind?

sometimes i wonder, are all of these things, the opportunities and experiences i have coming my way, are they what i should be going after? the right things that i should be pursuing? is there something i'm not doing that i'm supposed to be?

do you ever think you get answers to questions, but then wonder if the answer is just what you want rather than what you need?

do you ever feel like you're not the real you? like there is someone hidden inside that is trying to come out but that you are somehow preventing that from happening? do you ever feel unhappy with who you've become?

do you ever wonder where you are supposed to end up? what you will be doing? who you'll be with? what will matter most to you? who you will be?

these questions have been on my mind today. i have a lot of choices facing me. some small and rather insignificant. some that are huge and life changing. everything needs to be taken into consideration. and so many questions will be asked. you can only pray for guidance and hope you make the right decisions.

for now, this song embodies perfectly how i feel today, along with the amazing animation. they are a beautiful combination that are really making my day.

this song too. so perfect.

INDIA!

I am excited to announce:

I AM GOING TO INDIA!!!

I am so incredibly excited. Let me tell you a little bit about what I will be doing:

I am going as a volunteer for the Rising Star Outreach program.

I first heard about this program a few years ago when a family in our ward did it and absolutely loved it. Then last summer my roommate participated in it and had only good things to say. "You literally wash the feet of the lepers, Kell. It will change your life forever." I've wanted to do something like this forEVER and now I finally have the opportunity. My roommate playing with the kids in the school:

So, what they do: Leprosy in India is considered a curse. Those who contract the disease are outcast from society and are often consigned to remote leprosy colonies where they have no choice but to beg for their survival. Rising Star Outreach helps these families by educating their children, offering medical treatment, and, using micro-credit, giving parents a way to go from begging on the streets to becoming self-sufficient.

So as a volunteer, you rotate between doing three different things throughout the three weeks you are there: Mobile medical units with doctors and nurses that go to the leper colonies to offer free medical care, assisting with construction in the colonies, and tutoring/teaching english to the children in the school. Amazing, right?

I will be staying in a volunteer hostel that is right on the 14 acre campus of the school. Completely safe and taken care of.

I will be updating my blog as often as I can while I am there to share my experience with you.

I need help in getting there! If you would like to help out this amazing program and sponsor me, (each volunteer is required to raise $1,750, a small portion of which covers my stay), please go to www.risingstaroutreach.org/volunteerpartners and put my name, McKell Forbes, as the volunteer you are supporting. I would love you forever if you made a contribution! Anything helps. For more information on Rising Star, go here.

I will keep you up on the details! It is going to be amazing!

Flashback

I've been thinking a lot about my study abroad last spring. That was a year ago. It's so strange how the last year has flown by. I miss those girls that I spent two months with on the greatest adventure of our lives so far. I haven't seen some of them since then. Sad. But I came across my videos from the trip and this did a lot to brighten up my life. Imma post a few every now and then just to reflect back on the good times. And to share them with those that are in them. I think they will enjoy it...I've got some really great ones that were totally forgotten.

Driving along the Greek coast and Claire's British tour guide impersonation:

From a monastery on the highest point of Athens just as the city lights came on. Gorgeous!

in.somnia

as a college student, sleep is hard to come by. therefore you can imagine my frustration as i lie awake in my bed with sleepy eyes, a headache, and too many thoughts to count. Just a few of the thoughts that now plague me, and although some may sound nonsensical and cacophonous to you, they make perfect sense to me:

"it would be nice if my landlords would provide us with decent mattresses; this dip is getting the best of me."

"I'm super attached. This is new..."

"I forgot to take the second quiz..."

"RENT. Crap."

"I wish money wasn't an issue."

"What happened???"

"I wish my friends wouldn't forget about me after they got married... understandable though. I guess. Whatevs. Psh."

"Get me out of Utah."

"Three months isn't THAT long and I can handle it, right? Right?!"

"Asthma. Possibly pneumonia. I'm prone. Kidding. But really..."

"INDIA! INDIA! IIIINNNDIA!"

"OneRepublic, Good Life."

"grocery shopping."

"I really need yet another job."

"'Sometimes there just aren't enough rocks.'"

"Mmm beach house..."

"A year ago I was in Europe. Look at me now."

"'Look at me now....look at me now....'"

"I NEED SLEEEEPPP!!!"

also, i hope you like the remodel. change is good. definitely good.

I took my last final for my last required class yesterday. Needless to say, it feels great.

News:

I am considering starting grad school in the fall at BYU. My professor thinks it would be a great idea. As do I. I don't really think I want to attempt a post-grad life without a Masters in this economy. Blah.

One of the teams I teach has taken 1st at their two competitions. And I have gotten 5/6 perfect thirties on my routines on the scoresheets. That makes me feel real good.

It was my little sister's birthday yesterday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY GORGEOUS AMAZING BEYOND TALENTED SINGING DANCING LITTLE SISTER. Teach me to be like you.

That's all I have to say about that. Just wanted to let you know I was still alive. As my friend Katie Beth said on her blog, people blog the least when they are the happiest. This MUST be true.

Life is good.

My life be like

Here are pictures of Brittany Ann's wedding. It was so gorgeous. This little lady has been the best friend I could ever ask for and has been there for me through thick and thin. I'm so happy that she found Grayson. The two of them make quite the couple. It was a happy day and one of the most gorgeous weddings I have been to.

Also, this last Monday I went to the Local Natives/Arcade Fire concert. It was SO great. Arcade Fire is one of my favorite bands, and they are amazing live. They were so fun to watch and just dance around the whole time. I tried posting a video of my favorite song, We Used to Wait, but since I recorded the whole thing it was too long. ha. So this is another great one called Wake Up. My second favorite. It reminds me of riding trains through Europe, because I listened to it a lot while riding trains through Europe. Happiness. Love them!

Now I am just trying to get ready for finals. I'm quite nervous for this round because I haven't done so well in some of these classes. I have to pretty much ace these finals to get decent grades. Wah. Wish me luck.

And lastly, I have been asked to choreograph a web series directed by Scott Winn, a former BYU film student who has worked on tons of amazing projects. Ask me who is starring in the series... Oh, just Antoine Dodson and Danny Trejo. THE Antoine Dodson and THE Danny Trejo. I think it's safe to say that my name as a choreographer has the potential to explode out into the world in these next couple of months. Excitement! I can't wait. There will be 6 episodes with a music video in each. We start shooting May 15. I'll be sure to keep you updated on this exciting project.

I know, I'm behind

I haven't blogged in a long time. There is just so much going on that I haven't taken the time to do it! It has been an epic two weeks since I last posted. So, for an update:

-My best friend Brittany Ann Blood (now Brittany Ann Pollock) got married two weeks ago. I started a post for this but I couldn't get pictures to load. I'll keep trying, because it was one of the most beautiful weddings I've been too and you must see pictures. I love that girl dearly and I am so happy she found Grayson. They make quite the couple.

-My students had their first competition and one of my teams won! They're great.

-I presented my senior thesis! It went really well and my professor and thesis advisor, Martha Peacock, paid me some really nice compliments. There are some new possibilities that have opened up that I need to figure out. I'll keep you posted.

-There may or may not be a significant other in my life now... who brings me chocolate while I'm in the library late at night preparing for my thesis or flowers the next morning before presenting it...

-We had the Club Style showcase on Saturday. It went really well! I'm kind of sad it's over, but it's kind of a relief at the same time. I'll be sad when I'm not in charge of that great group of amazing people anymore. They really are all quite fantastic.

I'm going to try to be better at posting, promise. I've been terrible but now that I'm done with my thesis I just sit around in the days doing nothing. Prepare to have your newsfeeds overrun...

In parting, I share this delightful song with you that I have a renewed obsession with: (he has one of the most beautiful male voices I have ever heard)

21 in Vegas

So, as you may know, last weekend I ventured on down to Las Vegas for the MWC championship basketball game. It was a super fun trip. Friday night we went and saw the Jabbawockeez show at the Monte Carlo, which was fantastic. We then dressed in our "Jimrwockeez" outfits and went out on the strip to film a little music video. We kind of drew a lot of attention. I got a black eye in an unfortunate car incident where the two people next to me were messing around and one came flying my way, knocking her head into my face. Ouch. I woke up the next morning with some new pretty color under my eye. Some of us in the morning went down to the fitness center and ran into Cecil O. Samuelson, President of BYU. Also some of us saw Jackson Emery and Charles Abouo. Cool. After a brunch at iHop, we went back to the hotel, put on our Jimrwockeez outfits again, and walked to the game. It was madness. And again, we drew a lot of attention. Unfortunately, our seats were way to far up for our Jimrwockeez powers to really work, and we lost horribly. But it was still fun. After the game we went to the Excalibur buffet for a huge dinner. Then we went back to our hotel rooms, took a power nap, and got ready to hit the town. Being in Vegas with this crew this time around was different. This time I was 21, and it's kind of a right of passage in Club Style to go dancing in Vegas when one turns 21. We couldn't get into any clubs without having to pay an outrageous charge, so we wandered around for a bit looking for a good lounge to hang at. They were playing some good music everywhere we went but we settled in at the Koi lounge at the Planet Hollywood hotel. Tyrone and Char, good friends from Club Style in times past who now live in Cali, came down for the party as well. It was so great to see and dance with them again. It had been since last April since I had seen them. Too long. That was a fun night. The next morning we packed up and went to church at the UNLV institute and got on the road. We stopped at the visitor's center of the temple in St. George to say hi to Jonathan's grandparents, but they were nowhere to be found. So we continued up north. It was a great and very successful trip. I have great friends. I'm so glad that we can go on a trip to Vegas and not have to worry that anyone will do anything stupid. They are great people and I'm so glad we've all become super close. We are now in the process of planning a trip to Moab in a few weeks before everyone splits ways for the summer. We like to party. :)

Here are some pictures from the great weekend: (they're a little out of order)

outside the Jabbaz theater

Jonathan is super excited to be in Vegas
in front of the Jabbaz stage
We draw attention wherever we go
Road trip!

Char, Danielle, and I before heading out to go dancing

Outside the stadium. Gorgeous sunset, right?
Our seats in the nosebleeds
All the Jimrwockeez together before the game
The eye the morning after.
The fellaz
Cheeeese!
We partied hard...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I'm Irish! I say it all the time. Just have to make sure you know...

It's days like this that I really wish I could go back to Ireland, the most beautiful country I've been to. I'm having a craving today for the irish stew here:

McDermott's Pub in Doolin, Ireland. The best pub experience we had in Ireland. Dad and I went here after a long day of driving from Kilkenny with a stop at the Rock of Cashel.

Kilkenny Castle:

The Rock of Cashel:

View from atop the Rock of Cashel:

I wish I could experience the breathtaking views of the Sally Gap near Enniskerry again:

Or stroll along the streets of sunny Doolin just after a rainstorm again:

I want to once again feel that thrill of standing on the edge of the 700 foot Cliffs of Moher:

And I want to wake up in a quaint little B&B and eat porridge and eggs and tomatoes for breakfast:

Someday I'll own a cottage in Ireland, and I'll go back often. For now, I leave you with these Irish blessings on this happy Irish day! Enjoy it for me! (because I am far too busy to party like a true Irishwoman).

"May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rain fall soft upon your fields, and until we meet again may God hold you in the palm of his hand."

"May those that love us love us. And those that don't love us, may God turn their hearts. And if he doesn't turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles, so we may know them by their limping."

Also, you should listen to the Irish pub favorites Pandora station. Or the Celtic station. They're both great.

Uh, yeeeaaahh...

Remember how I got a black eye on Friday? I've decided I can't sport this look with my baggy clothes, high tops, flat brim hat, and beats by Dr. Dre headphones. I get a lot of second glances here on BYU campus. I think they think I'm a real gangster...

today is a blah blah-g day

I'm suffering from severe senioritis. And it is painful.

I no longer can decide what I want to do with my life this summer. Something about New York didn't feel right, so I guess we'll have to figure something else out.

I am really excited for springtime/summer. This surprise winter storm last night really made me angry.

Teaching teenagers is a challenging feat to accomplish. They drive me crazy sometimes.

I miss all the outdoor activities I used to rock at: mountain biking, snowboarding, hiking, kayaking, camping... this summer I'm determined to return to my outdoorsy roots. Starting with a trip to Moab in April. Who's in?

Intrusive people bother me. Sometimes, you just need to stick to your own bidness. Leave me to mine.

My senior thesis is not turning out as great as I was hoping it would. I have two more weeks to bring it up to the greatness I think it has the potential of.

I got a new driver's license yesterday. The photo is probably the worst one in the history of driver's license photos. I was smiling, she told me not to smile, and in the instant of me being surprised and not smiling she took the photo. It looks like a mugshot. Seriously, it's bad.

I'm going to Vegas this weekend for the b-ball tourney. We're gonna watch Jimmer and the rest of the Cougars kick some butt. And I get to see some great friends I haven't seen for almost a year because they decided to get married and move to California...yeah, you know who you are! I miss you kids. Excitement.

Some days (every day) I wish money wasn't an issue. I have this fantasy that this weekend in Vegas I'll put one coin in the slot machine and win 15 million dollars. Wouldn't that be fantastic?

I want to see the Adjustment Bureau. Real bad.

I'm still obsessed with the new Adele album. Her lyrics are simply brilliant. My favorites today: "I let it fall, my heart, and as it fell you rose to claim it. It was dark, and I was over until you kissed my lips and you saved me. My hands were strong, but my knees were far too weak to stand in your arms without falling to your feet. But there's a side to you that I never knew never knew and the things you'd say they were never true never true and the games you'd play you would always win always win. But I set fire to the rain, watched it pour as I touched your face. Let it burn while I cry because I heard it screaming out your name, your name..." GREAT right? Brilliance. And that's only the first part of the song. I'll say it again, if you haven't got the new album, GET IT!

I'm SUPER excited for the Arcade Fire concert in April. "We Used to Wait" is one of my new favorite songs. I've had that on repeat too.

Life is insane. There is too much to do and not enough time. And yet, here I am blogging. But this is a blah-g so I just say what's on my mind and it takes no more than 10 minutes. Justified.

Thinking about graduating in 9 months kind of freaks me out. And that's all I can say about that now, because I'm kind of freaking out.

St. Patrick's Day is next week. I don't think I'll be able to have my usual party until a week later. That's alright, right? Next week is even more madness.

I have a new favorite dessert. Remember how I love cheesecake? Then remember how I love pistachio gelato? Well, there is such a thing as pistachio cheesecake and it is, I tell you, quite fantastic. I had some on a date a little while ago and we went back a few days later because we loved it so much.

Remember how I love the people I work with? We had another staff meeting last night, and they are just so great. And fun. And hilarious. Being a dance teacher is probably one of the best ideas ever.

I've been having a lot of nostalgia for my childhood lately. I think this was brought on (as strange as it is) by driving by a dairy farm a few days ago. The dance studio I grew up in was right across the street from a dairy farm, and I was taken back to the days of living at said studio. Good times were had. Also the summer days of growing up in Draper. It is a great place. Wouldn't have chosen any where else. I miss those easy days.

Today is one of those days I just want to run away. Do you ever just feel mad at the world? I do every once in a rare while. And today I do.

I really like THIS today.

Fin.

How did I get here?

I'm sitting in my living room. It is 2:19 AM. I have 2 papers due tomorrow. How far into them am I? You ask?

Paper 1: 8.5 pages out of 15. Due at 9:30 AM

Paper 2: .5 pages out of 8. Due at 5 PM

What's running through my head?:

"I guess that's what I get for trying to juggle so many different things:

Club Style which has its showcase in less than a month

Teaching 4 classes plus extra practices because it's competition season

12 school credits

DVA student advisory council

Helping a friend campaign for BYUSA Exec. Direc.

Relationships

Figuring out what to do with life this summer

Planning a bridal shower/bachelorette party for my BFF that gets married in 2 weeks

Etc. Etc.

....well, if I fail, or more likely die, there's always greener grass on the other side. Right?"

Meanwhile I've got my extra large Diet Pepsi, wheat thins, and Adele blasting through the Beats by Dr. Dre. Survival tonight may be possible, but the repercussions tomorrow should be severe. Wish me luck, friends. I shall see you on the other side. If I make it there safely.

When opposites attract...

magic can happen.

Exhibit A:

Remember when I was saying Adele's new album is my favorite? And remember how Kyle Hanagami and Miki Emura are two of my favorite choreographers?

MAGIC!

Once I was in this music video...

So Divine Comedy asked us to help them out with their latest parody video. Can you find me? Check it out:

(p.s. if the words aren't showing up, push the red "cc" on the bottom right)

Never have I ever

been so obsessed with a new album. I have had it playing constantly since I bought it on Tuesday. If you don't know what I'm talking about, I'm talking about this:

Nothing moves me like music does, and this album has the mother load of moving, emotional tracks that make you want to cry but yet make you extremely happy at the same time. There isn't a bad song on the album. I can't even imagine being able to sing like this woman can. She blows me away. If you are human and you like good music, you MUST buy this album. I promise you will not be disappointed. You must experience its greatness for yourself. Here's another one of my favorites:

NYC in photos + something amazing

Radio City, Guerrilla Girl, MoMA, the Cloisters

Rothko room at the MoMA, Times Square, Carnegie Deli, Mary Poppins on Broadway

Starbucks, The Met, debating Rembrandt, Van Gogh room (AKA happy place)

Van Gogh, in front of the Met, free champagne for my day of birth, Ah! Alcohol!

Times Square, Chuck Close, Roxy's Cheesecake, Sunday on the Met steps

On another note:

If you haven't heard the new Adele album yet, BUY IT! Seriously, one of the greatest albums I've ever heard! My favorites on the album: Turning Tables, One and Only, Someone Like You, and I Found a Boy. I'm serious, BUY IT! It was worth every penny. (well, I used a gift card to buy it, but still, I highly recommend it!)

An ode to Adele:

How do you know exactly how my life is at this moment? And how can you sing about it oh so well and so clearly? Why did this album just barely come out yesterday? I'm completely obsessed. With you and your music. Please never stop being so brilliant. Sincerely, me. McKell. Lyn Forbes.

"You've been on my mind, I grow fonder every day. Lose myself in time, just thinking of your face. God only knows why it's taken me so long to let my doubts go. You're the only one that I want. I don't know why I'm scared, I've been here before. Every feeling, every word, I've imagined it all. You'll never know if you never try to forgive your past and simply be mine. I dare you to let me be your, your one and only. Promise I'm worth it, to hold in your arms. So come on and give me a chance, to prove I am the one who can walk that mile until the end starts."