I am still catching up on blogging about summer, even though today is the first day I'm back at law school. So far, I've had one class, and it has been good. Tomorrow will be more of a challenge with Complex Litigation and Civil Liberties.
But this entry is all about something I did this summer: Attended and assisted in putting on the Christofferson family reunion. My mom was in charge of it, but she had to work all week. So she asked for my help with the signs and games. Here are some picture of how things went:
The Family Sign and entries in the children's coloring contest.
Lorraine about to try "Minute to Win It'
We had all sorts of fun games.
Shane and Baby Mac. Shane brought a soda fountain from his job.
We had unlimited fountain drinks.
Cousin Todd doing a Q & A
Traditional family singing near the end of the night.
Most people weren't into it, but I sure was! I love this tradition!
Family, family, family.
And more family.
Nate & Sarah running some water balloon games with the young kids.
Overall I think it was a hit. I really love attending the Christofferson family reunion and the Canadian family reunion. I wish I could go every year!
I know I just wrote about a concert. But last night we went to another concert. And this one was EPIC and so much better. So let me say this up front: The Decemberists are really good recording artists. But they're just ok when it comes to putting on a live performance.
This is a Decemberist T-Shirt, freshly purchased at their Stubbs show.
It's good to know we're not the only ones that went to both shows...
The Arcade Fire, on the other hand, are amazing! I can't WAIT for them to come back to Austin. And to the same venue, the Backyard. Because now I know how to really enjoy the Arcade Fire show at the Backyard. Here's what we did this time:
We got to the show when the first band was on stage- Schamillion. Both of the opening bands were from "Austin" (aka some other town from Texas, like Odessa). Schamillion was like a Paramore copyband. Meh.
I decided to take a break from the scream-o maroon headed girl and take a bathroom break. The bathrooms at the backyard are kind of cool. Because they have real toilets, as opposed to port-a-potties. The downside is that there are no doors to the bathroom stalls- just shower curtains. And the toilets flush on a timer; like every ten minutes or so. So... the next person sees.... you know.
Russ bringing some beverages while we wait.
After that delight we found our spot on a rock just right of the stage. Russ wandered off to check out the food options and came back with two cannoli's (more about this tomorrow). The second band, Explosions in the Sky, started playing. Now, this band seemed to be pretty good. But then, they didn't sing at all. It was just instrumental. I liked it at first, but quickly became bored from hearing the same notes and chords over and over again for 40 minutes. Music fail.
After only a 40 minute break, the Fire was on! I mention this because it was impressive. There was some decent hustle from their stage crew. The Decemberists took much longer than that.
So here's how the actual show was:
1. Month of May: AF started with this song for obvious reasons. (it's the month of May). But I loathe this song. It just a lot of noise for me. I was glad they got it out of the way right at the first.
2. Rebellion (Lies): So much energy in this song, one of my favorites that they have. You couldn't help but jump around singing, "Lies! Lies!" There was a man walking, no running, around the stage with a drum hitting it with a drumstick. At some point the drumstick flew out of his hand and into the crowd (Hope no one lost an eye!). The man just kept on beating that drum with his fist. He didn't skip a beat. So much fun.
3. Neighborhood #2 (Laika): Earlier in the day, Russ and I were cleaning our bedroom, listening to AF, and I asked Russ, "Do you think they'll play this song?" It was kind of funny when they did. I call this song "Alexander." Because it's all about an older brother named Alexander and then about a neighborhood. It's not my favorite, but it's ok.
At this point I realized something. You see, I listen to AF when I study at law school. On this song I realized that I pretty much knew all the words from listening to it so much. Which is cool for the concert, but it makes me wonder if I learned anything about the law since I seemed to be busy subconsciously memorizing AF songs. SAD reality.
4. Haiti: This song is partially in French. AF also announce after this song that $1 of our ticket sales would be going to help local Haitian doctors treat people in rural areas. This just made me love AF more. Not only do they make awesome music, but they also have a cause!
5. City With No Children: Fun. Just Fun. And it talks about Houston (because one of the singers is from Houston).
6. Rococo: I have a love/hate relationship with this song. I love it when I'm with other people. but when I listen to it on my own, it gets on my nerves. So at the concert it was awesome.
7. Intervention: Before this song AF announced this song is about going to church and the things your parents don't tell you about church. Originally this song is on Neon Bible, which Russ and I got about a week before the show. Sadly, I didn't know it well enough to enjoy it.
8. The Suburbs, The Suburbs (Continued): Yes, they played these two back to back. Which Russ loved. This is one of their best songs. My friend Jess LOVES a part of this song, where the lyrics talk about the beauty left in this world. And she would have cried had she heard it live. It was so beautiful I thought my ears were going to fall off.
And if you've seen the music video, it's a bunch of kids biking around a neighborhood that looks just like where Russ and I live. Which, makes sense, because the video was filmed in Austin, probably in a neighborhood that had the same builder as ours. If you haven't seen it, check it out:
9. Suburban War: This song was so beautiful. But sort of sad. Still, I enjoyed hearing it live. I love the time and meter changes in this song.
10. Keep the Car Running: Another one from Neon Bible. It seemed fun, but I didn't know it.
11. No Cars Go: This was a lot of fun. We kept shouting "HEY!" at certain parts of the song. This never stood out to me when I listen to the recording. But shouting it live was rockin'.
12. Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels): AF said that this song was about moving from Houston to Montréal and the first winter up there; how cold it was, but the good parts too. Knowing this, I absolutely fell in love with this song. It's my new favorite!
13. We Used to Wait: I just about went crazy when they started this song. I LOVE THIS ONE! It's about letter writing, and after serving a mission where you live for letters, I felt like I could understand this song. AMAZING! Around this time, we had to get closer. So we pressed through the crowds until we were about 10 ft from the center stage. Much fish jumping ensued.
14. Neighborhood #3 (Power Out): AF said many thank yous and played this song. It's just ok for me.
Finally, they took the standard break while we "wooed" and clapped for them to come back out. After a few minutes, they reemerged, said thank you about a thousand times more, and played:
15. Ready to Start: I love the intro to this song. It just makes your heart pound. More jumping ensued.
16. Wake Up: Finally, they played perhaps their most famous song. Thanks to Motorola commercials, the trailer for "Where the Wild Things Are" and other commercials I can't recall. I videoed the intro, so here it is. This is the uncut version, so there's a few swears at the first as AF explains an exclusive t-shirt made just for the Texas shows (yes, I got one).
17. Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains): This was their final song. I was looking forward to them playing this song the whole night. The opening lyrics to this song say, "They heard me singing and they told me to stop, quit these pretentious things and just punch the clock." I feel like this a lot, because I am sort of a non-pragmatic dreamer. But this song is just fantastic. It was a great way to end the show!
Overall I had a blast. Here are a few other notes:
I lost one of my new earrings while jumping. : ( Note to future Chow: Don't wear big, cute earrings to concerts.
When I went to buy my t-shirt after the show, it was a cluster of people. There was no rhyme or reason to our attempt to purchase, just mass cluster eager to press forward. A little tween boy pushed his way up to where I was and got in front of me. He was not wearing a shirt. It was so gross everytime I was pushed into his babysoft back-skin or saw his no-hair armpit. I felt disgusting being so close to a half naked young man. Please note: Wear a shirt to a concert. If you take it off, then don't get into a crowd of people and make them touch your peachfuzz back. GROSS.
Arcade Fire probably said, "We Love Austin" about 100 times. And not just the male vocal, but all members of the band said it at some point. It made the crowd that much more energized to be there. The Decemberists on the other hand made fun of the "Keep Austin Weird" slogan. AF>D
Finally, as we drove home Russ said, "I'd love to see them in a theater". I absolutely agree. While it was fun to be outside and under the stars, I would love to see the AF in a more intimate venue, with less people. I think that would be amazing, and well worth the ticket price.
Whenever I meet people, I tend to get a feeling about them. A feeling like, "we are going to be friends". Or, "Mmm...we will probably never get very close, but it's nice to meet them".
Sometimes these... premonitions work out. Other times, they don't. Perhaps I am too easygoing and the other person is too easygoing and then because neither of us try very hard, a friendship just never develops. Then, with the people that I meet that I think it will never work out, it does! Why? I guess because we both try, we make time to do things together. Then we laugh and have fun and realize that we actually get along quite well.
I'll be honest, I haven't mastered this whole friendship thing. I recall in high school there would be these gaggle of girls, 7-10 of them that were absolutely best friends. I've never been that good at being a friend. I tried to fit in, but I just didn't fit with the group. I guess I'm a work in progress when it comes to friendship. I'm not there yet- but I am so much closer than I was when I was in high school.
It's just a mystery that I marvel at. I bring it up because this year I have had a friendship deepen by a devastating loss. This friend, let's call her NC, was a person I thought I would never really be close to. She was too young, too well put together, too bubbly, too happy, too open... just living life too fast I guess I don't know. I mean sure, NC and I have a lot in common. Both being dancers, both without kids, both in this funny little San Marcos area, both of us like to sing. We had out problems as teenagers, we've overcome similar addictions.
We have every reason not to try to be friends, or to be in conflict with each other. But life this summer has brought us together. We've worked with the Young Women together, sang in church together, had Sunday lunches together, game nights together. Still these things are just things that don't necessarily make a friendship last.
But this week she needed help. I reached out and she reached back. I've had friends at similar stages where I've tried to help but the other person does not reach back. The friendship dwindles to acquaintance and we end up just smiling at each other as we pass by. But this time it's been different!
Friendship is such a mystery to me. It doesn't always work out, even when I think it should. And then when I think it won't it does. While I don't understand it, I am grateful for it.
If there was a theme for my summer, I think it would be Friendship. I'm still learning a lot about it, but this summer has been a magnified lesson in what friendship is, and how to cultivate it.
I was organizing some photos on my computer today and realized I never blogged about a wonderful event Russ and I were able to attend in June.
So my friend Kyle, my moot court partner from law school...
got married to the coolest person. Her name is Brooke, but I don't have a picture of her.
Anyway, the wedding was AMAZING! The church was breathtaking. The words spoken were heart warming. The couple was so BEAUTIFUL. I didn't get any pictures inside the church, but here's the outside:
This is the law school gang that showed up. Yeah, I can't pose.
And the best part was... dancing with this really cute guy that was there.
So I've had a few unexpected days off and I've used them to clean- super clean- my kitchen. And work out for a few hours. And to read (currently: Team of Rivals). And catch up on sleep.
As I've cleaned, I put on Hulu and started to re-watch the first season of LOST (I know, I know, second post in a row mentioning this store- I do realize I am turning into LOST junkie.)
So I think my soul is a little down. You know, not doing fun things and being alone most of the day. But today, this part of LOST totally cheered me up. I thought I would share it with you.
How do you know you've had a good day? How do you know life is good?
I know when I end the day looking like this:
Saturday was a good day (again w/ the Eskanders). The Farmer's Market, the library, Hyde Park Café and Grill, Inception, and all the time in the car just talking.
I rarely get sick. No, really it is once in a blue moon that it happens. Well, okay it happens about 3 times a year. But still, I think 3 times a year is pretty rare.
A few days ago, I started feeling that old familiar feeling. A scratch in the throat. A sniffle here and there. A unexpected cough.
Last night it was a little more pronounced. The constant need to suck on a cough drop or a jolly rancher. The tissue in my hand on stand-by for a sneeze for ten minutes straight and then... ACHOO!
Today, there's no disguise. I sneeze, I cough, I get hot, I get cold. Blech!
I want to pour soup, hot chocolate, anything down my throat.
But, it's summer. It's 84º outside.
What do I do? I've taken Emergen-C. I've taken my vitamins. But how do I ease the scratch in my throat?
Camp this year was... different. Most years these girls just wanna have fun. But this year it was like these girls were ready to heal. Or deal with life. I guess most of them are getting older and more mature. But I cried a ton, I talked until I lost my voice, and I feel like I learned SO MUCH! I have a greater appreciation for the Gospel. For Jesus Christ. I felt overwhelmed with how much God loves and cares about these girls. I am so grateful I got to go to camp and serve these girls.
They are an amazing family that we met through the missionaries and the restored Gospel.
THEY ARE AWESOME PEOPLE!!!
Have you ever found a friend that it was so easy to be friends with, you forgot what it was like to not be friends? Or you felt like you didn't have to 'try' to be friends? Well, that's the Eskanders (except I sometimes refer to them as the Eskabar's. That part is not easy).
Pictured above is a Lego Rock Band session, featuring hits like the Ghostbusters theme song.
I can't really explain my love of Central Texas. I just happened when Russ and I moved here, I fell in love with Central Texas. I love the rivers, the heat, the food, the style, and on and on and on.
One event that I adore to attend every year is the Luling Watermelon Thump.
Now Luling, is an oil town. It smells like oil. There are oil pumps all over the city. I could never stand this if I lived there. But it's delighting to me whenever I visit.
And about that thump... this is year 57 in celebrating the H2O fruit. People work on the Thump year round. It's a full time job. We watched the auction this year and the #1 melon went for $22,000. Total raised from auctioning of watermelons: $100K.
Seed spitting. So many people want to compete, that you only get to do it if you've won before or if your number is drawn. Russ and I were not drawn this year. : (
Lastly, the Thump has great food. Watermelon lemonade. Fried cheese (see above). Crawbish (aka "mud-bugs"). And my favorite, Corn on the Cobb, dipped in a jar of melted butter.
Yes folks, at 3 am I was sitting around talking to a bunch of teen girls about beinga leader and I realized that I had to be in court at 8 am. So I shut it down.
7:00 am get up and out the door by 7:30
8:00-2 Court. It was a very unique experience.
2-3 Lunch with el hefe and Russell
3-4:30 Nap Time!
5-11 San Antonio trip for dinner/temple with a group of Kyle Stake Girl's Camp leaders
11 Bed (Finally)
Saturday:
5 am get up and organize ballet costumes.
5:30 check out hike for girl's camp
6:30 Hike Purgatory Creek with the Young Women
We did a geo cache. It was really cool. Pictures to come!
8:00 Realize we're lost. That we've hiked a couple more miles than planned.
9:30 Make it back to our cars. Our awesome bishop was there with breakfast tacos and orange juice. Yum!
10:00 Roll into my driveway where there is a clad of 4-10 year olds waiting to get inside, get into costume, and get their pictures taken for ballet.
I proceed to rangle kids for the next 2 hours in cute poses. ADORABLE! I love teaching ballet. I love to see these girls all dressed up. Pictures to come!
THANKS HIL for taking the pictures! Huge THANKS!
12:30 Put away costumes. Write this blog. Rest my dogs.
Not bad for 3 days! I can't believe I survived. It was one of those times that you plan everything and then when its time you think, "What was I thinking???"
Thanks to all who helped, contributed, etc. Now to go thumpin'
Russ and I had a short visit to Utah for my little brother's wedding. It was a quick but fun trip! Great to see the family, and see my little brother married off to a great gal!
But it's nice to sleep in my own bed. No more flying trips for me the rest of the summer. My only other big traveling event is Girl's Camp!
So now I can finally relax, sit back, and enjoy my summer.
I need a study break from finals. So I'll follow-up from my last blog post by writing about my summer plans. And, I'm going to use bullet points. I really love bullet points.
I'm working for the District Attorney's office.
I'm moving back in with my husband. (YEAH! It's been too long)
I'm getting my yoga teacher's certification done! Classes in May in Houston.
I'm going to Girl's Camp. Yup, 3rd year of being camp director. Such a good time.
I'm teaching 4 ballet classes. YIKES! It was supposed to be just two... but that's ok.
Floating the San Marcos River.
Painting the downstairs bathroom, the garage, and refinishing the bannisters.
Reading... for law school. Yeah, I might read a book or two, but I have to prepare for Constitutional Law. That class has an 8 hour final!
TRIPS:
Chicago in June for a law school org. I am part of.
Utah in July for a wedding.
NY in August? Canada in August? Maybe you'll come visit me?
Summer has never looked so good. Alright, back to the books.
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