Jenephraim.

...So if you didn't notice from the past few posts-- my brother got married. 

www.richmegmedia.com

I don't pretend to be a professional videographer on ANY level, (if you want to see some crazy good videography check out my friend layne's company). In fact this is the first time I've actually used the video setting on my nikon (for some reason using my little point and shoot is less intimidating).

Anyway, I had a lot of fun putting this little wedding video together.

I wish I could have gotten more; but being in the wedding party made it hard to video the actual ceremony (or anything else happening while I was supposed to do something bridesmaidy 

{which is the entire day of the wedding}...). 

So enjoy the video, friends and family! 

I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

www.richmegmedia.com

{Major shout-out to Rich and Meg who were the photographers for the big day. 

They were so nice and patient with my little-sister-who-sometimes-also-does-photography-isms, and they have some truly stunning work!}

Baby Gabe.

I have the sweetest niece and nephew, and as previously mentioned in previous posts I was so blessed to spend some precious time with them and the rest of my family this weekend. Since I stayed with my brother and his wife this last week I had pl-ennnty of time to video and photograph the little cutie. Here's a video we can show to his girlfriends when he starts dating. 

Gabe, this ones for you!

ps- the quality of this video does not do his adorableness justice. Just stating a fact. 

Happy Thursday, Friends!

Dance Log 20

This is ever so belated friends, but I knew some of you would be interested in our final showcase for the Repertory Choreography class this last semester. I hoped to have more dances available to watch, but unfortunately our little digital camera ran out of battery. Tactile Sensations was a pretty fun little production to be apart of.

What talented dancers and choreographers! 

(Especially for a university that only offers a dance minor.)

I was able to be in 5 of the 13 numbers in our show which was super fun. I was really sweaty and tired. I wish I could post all of the dances, because they were all very interesting and unique, but some of the only ones Gideon was able to completely tape were the following. I hope you enjoy them, friends.

Into the Kiln

Dancers: Kelly Saunders, Colette Miller, Alyssa Tolman

I really loved choreographing this piece. Both of these clips were dress rehearsal, so the lighting is pretty off and some of the dancing and sound isn't exactly what it should be, but I'm still proud to call it my own. These dancers are serious rockstars.

Never Again (Solo)

I feel really really lucky that I was able to do a solo piece during the show. As mentioned before this was dress rehearsal, so lets pretend I don't stumble around about halfway through the dance, ok? Thanks. I fell in love with this music earlier in the semester and tried to create movement that reflected my interpretation of it. Very very grateful for the opportunity to perform this one.

Isn't it crazy that the semester is over? Furthermore, isn't it crazy that summer is practically here? (Although, it was strange to go from sunny texas to flying over snow covered mountains in idaho...) FurtherMOST, isn't it super crazy that I'm weeks away from moving to Salt Lake and starting in on a Masters program that up till March 22 was only a dream of mine? (No, literally, I had dreams about the program that convinced me to actually audition again.) Isn't it crazy? Cue crazy music. Today I got an email giving me instructions on how to register for my first semester of GRADUATE school. I guess that means I really got in; it wasn't just some freak mistake that they sent me an acceptance letter.

It's mad, mad I say! 

(I said that with a Harry Potter British accent. Not just british. Harry Potter British. There's a difference.)

Thats all for today friends. Happy Dancing!

treasure.

While I was home I found some old photos that made my heart happy. I wish I would have photographed more to share (since I'm missing several from our little family), but I wanted to share this treasure.

My dad and mom baking bread when they were just starting to fall in love.

Isn't she lovely?

This photograph of my brother josh and I is significant because it was the only one I could find with him holding me where I was not screaming my head off. 

Apparently we got off on the wrong foot as children.

And there's yours truly, friends. 

I think I had just discovered gymnastics.

How I love to be home.

Dear Texas,

Thank you for a splendid week with family. 

Thank you for precious time with my adorable niece and nephew. 

Gabriel Perez, Baby Model, Too Cute For Words.

Thank you for allowing your lovely sun to stay out as long as possible, and for keeping your wind blowing throughout the south plains without so much as a raindrop. Thank you for the photoshoot fun, the shopping, the mani pedi, and the 6 bahama bucks. 

Thank you for the gorgeous day for my brother and his sweet bride's wedding.

Good week, Texas. Good week.

just happy.

Two giants of the workplace left their respective offices last week friends: 

The first was michael scott of Dunder Mifflin/ Sabre. 

The second was myself.

In preparation for my graduate school adventure, I left the office reception position that I've held for over a year. Before I got my acceptance letter, I imagined I'd be so happy to leave; not because it's a bad job- it's a great job- but because instead of worrying about work, I'd be looking forward to a new adventure. And at first, I was so excited to be moving on, but the closer and closer it got to my last day, the more bummed I got, and the more second thoughts came crawling into my head. Boise has been so kind to gid and I. We both have (I guess had) great jobs a spectacular ward, and my favorite apartment I've ever had for super cheap. 

Today is the first day that I haven't been employed in a long time (not including my photography, which actually is fairly consistent), and I anticipated myself being depressed, feeling totally unproductive and worthless; eating ice cream and peeps in my underwear in front of a book, or worse internet TV. Although that wasn't too far from what really occurred, I'm pleased to announce that today has been nothing short of 

phenomenal.

Things that I've done today:

-skyped with my best friend in the world (highlight of my week)

-laundry which makes our house smell fresh and clean

-a bit of spring cleaning

-washed the dishes

-unloaded the dishwasher

-yoga & pilates with Jillian and Bob.

-listened to a few conference talks

-got dinner started.

-took out the trash.

-tried on my wedding dress just because (vintage stunning amazingness)

-edited over 300 images (about time)

-scheduled 2 more photoshoots

-talked on the phone with another friend as well as my mom and sister.

-fine tuned some travel plans for Texas next week.

-ate peeps and ice cream while in a bathrobe (better than just underwear, right??).

And it's only 3:30, Friends!!!!

There's no way I could have ever got so much done on a regular monday with my office responsibilities. I know I didn't earn a paycheck today, but I feel like I've gotten so much accomplished. More importantly, I'm feeling happier than I've felt in a long time. The reality of going to graduate school in a program I've been wanting to be a part of for years now is finally starting to set in, and I'm just so happy about it.

Thats all, friends. I wish you a lovely day.

of easter eggs...

 

just a few pictures from our eastery celebrations, friends...

 ...notice gideon's  totally original egg decor design complete with edible sprinkles...

I just love that boy.

Dance Log 19

So tired, friends. 

Fact: when I'm not in the office, I'm in the dance studio. 

I've had late night rehearsals for the past several weeks, and it's just starting to really get to me. I shouldn't complain right? I mean, compared to a graduate program, this literally is nothing. But I'm so tired. Today and Thursday are our final presentations for our choreography assignment which is what we'll be performing in the showcase next week. I'm super excited; the last time I performed onstage was Russia (not including the time Gideon proposed to me while onstage). I'm pretty sure my piece is going to be the weirdest one in the whole show. I guess wierdness is in the eye of the beholder, but if the piece goes as well as it does in my head it'll be the most beautiful wierd you've ever seen. 

Actually, now that I think of it, my piece might be average as far as weirdness goes. 

It will be a very interesting show; a lot of variety. I can't wait. There's nothing like the moment just before you leave backstage and enter the spotlight. This show won't have as many people as the other shows I've been able to experience. There won't be a full auditorium and a complete set of performance equipment and lights. There aren't any extravagant costumes. There won't even be a real curtain. But I can't wait. And that excitement only confirms my confidence that entering into a graduate program is the right decision for me. 

I've had second thoughts several times; but then again, they're not second thoughts as much as fear speaking through rationalizations. I keep thinking about the most trivial things: my arches aren't pretty enough, I'm not experienced enough, I'm not thin enough (which ps easter did not help with. Is it possible to have a hangover from jelly beans chocolate eggs and peeps?). The list goes on and on. But the fact is, it's my choice to do this. I've been given the opportunity, and I can't let it slip through my fingers regardless of how many easter colored candies I've eaten in the past 42 hours. I'm doing it. And I can't wait.

So. Back to the show. We were going to call it, "Wild Women", or "Hussy It Up", (not because there's any promiscuity, but because dancers have a strange sense of humor), but in the end we've decided to title our show "Tactile Sensations". It will be held in the Peterson Theater in the Morrison Center on BSU's campus. We're having our dress rehearsal on the 5th of May, and our shows are going to be on the 6th and 7th which are a Friday and Saturday. Saturday has a matinee. For those of you who are interested, feel free to message me, or call. I do want to be sure to emphasize that this isn't a professional performance; it's very much just a showcase of our class. But if anyone is interested, we'd absolutely love to have you.

Happy Tuesday,

Dear April,

So relieved that you are here.

 When I was getting ready for my audition, I would just think to myself, "Soon, April will be here, and I will not have to be worried about my audition." Then, after my audition, I thought, "Soon April will be here and I will know whether I've been accepted or not." Now april, you're finally here. My audition is over, I have my acceptance letter, and you, in all your sunny glory, are here at long last. I hope to fill your days with eating fruit while wearing sunglasses. I look forward to putting my winter clothes into the beginning stages of hibernation by packing them away. I look forward to flip flops and maybe even a pedicure (a farewell to pretty toes since I'll begin my dancing in june and my feet will be atrocious in no time). I look forward to photoshoots. I  look forward to your showers, and wearing my rainboots in them. More than anything, I look forward to enjoying this lovely city of trees for the next short weeks I have left. Thank you for the blossoms. Thank you for the wonderful conference we enjoyed. 

April, this month you are my absolute favorite.

five happy things this weekend:

1. Catching mom trying on my heels...

2. Getting to see my oldest brother and his lovely fiance.

3. Getting to see my sweet little niece. 

(And my beautiful sister.)

4. This video clip of my mom talking to my little niece while my dad was trying to take a nap.

5. Best. Conference. Ever.

(but I think I say that every time.)