Z is for ZERO 7

If a movie has a great soundtrack, it makes the movie that much better to me. 

I really enjoyed the movie Garden State starring Zach Braff and Natalie Portman.

Garden State had a fabulous soundtrack, full of great artists.  One of my favorite songs from the movie was  In the Waiting Line by ZERO 7.

It's a really chill, mellow song, and right now the only artist I can compare their sound to would be Dido, but that's a pretty bad comparison because their sounds are different.

Anyway, check out the Garden State soundtrack.  It's a good one!

P.S. Sorry!  This is such a sorry excuse for a post, but I'm really, really, really glad this challenge is over.  I'm glad I did it, but not sure I ever will again.  :)

Y is for YOUTUBE

I love YouTube.  I've never actually uploaded a video myself, but I have received countless good times while watching random videos that completely random people have made.

One thing that just blows my mind about YouTube is that people become famous from it.  They become rich from it.  It's insane.

If I knew that NOT knowing the answer to this question would make me famous, I would've stopped learning years ago!

Who knew having such an affinity for rainbows was so funny?



I don't know where I'd be if I couldn't watch this masterpiece with just a few clicks of a button.



And I'm pretty sure all of Britain was put to shame the minute this woman began to sing.

Let's face it, the world is a better place now that we have YouTube.

Okay, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but let's just pretend it's true for today.

X is for generation X

I think the differences between generations is so interesting.  I really ought to do more research on the matter.  

Anyway, according to this website, I am a generation Xer.  There are plenty of interpretations of when Gen-X begins and when it ends, but it seems most people agree that this generation was born between 1965 - 1980.  And, despite the fact that there are plenty of words that begin with X {most of which I have no idea how to pronounce, let alone define and write a blog post about} I'm going with characteristics of Generation X for my post today.

Here we go!


Gen-Xers are geeks. Some of the most influential Web sites of today -- including YouTube, Amazon.com, and Google -- sprang from the minds of yesterday's video gaming, flannel-wearing slackers.


Gen-Xers are independent thinkers. Gen-Xers are often referred to as first latchkey kids. As the divorce rate rose in the 1970s, Gen-Xers were left to look after themselves while both parents entered the workforce. As a result, many Gen-Xers developed independence and self-reliance. They prefer to do things their own way and thrive in casual, friendly work environments [source: Theilfoldt and Scheef].


Gen-Xers are artists. There are well-known Xer artists (director Quentin Tarantino and actors Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt come to mind), as well as those who are known only inside their own circles of expertise. Kevin Bradley and Julie Belcher of Yee-Haw Industries are making waves in design, bringing back old letterpress techniques. Abattoir's up-and-coming Chef Joshua Hopkins is reimagining whole animal and farm-to-table cooking. Sarah Marks and Lori Kishlar of Third Half Studios regularly make the rounds of festival and craft shows with their macabre anime-like melamine dinnerware, prints and textiles.


You can read more about this article here.


I think I fit into a lot of this.  I do like technology.  My independence is very important to me.  And I do enjoy music, a lot.  


Are you apart of Gen-X?  Do you fit into any of these defintions?

W is for WATER

Is there anything more lovely than the sound of water?  I seriously doubt it.

Source

I love the water.  I love to watch it, listen to it, walk in it, swim in it.  You name it.

Before I was married, I had a small water fountain in my apartment.  It was the best thing to listen to at the end of a stressful day.  There was always something so tranquil and rejuvenating about it.  

I have the tendency to worry.  It's an innate quality that I'm not too fond of.  I can recall a few times when my worrying has got the better of me which has some unpleasant consequences.  Over the years, I've learned how to control my thoughts and feelings so that I don't let myself get too overwhelmed.  Because, usually, my worrying is exaggerated.

I think that is one reason why I'm drawn to water.  It automatically calms and relaxes me.

I hope, once Isabelle is older, I can get another fountain for my entryway.  I think it's a great focal point and a nice thing for people to see and hear when they first enter an area.

And maybe if I'm really lucky, I'll have a pool in my backyard.  :)

INSTAGRAM wednesdays: V is for VIOLIN

I began taking violin lessons when I was six years old.  It all started when I saw a violin in a music store.   Since then, I've had 4 different teachers, have played in countless recitals, participated in school and university orchestras.  Nowadays, though, I usually only play upon request at church functions or funerals.

I'm hoping to get more involved with a community orchestra because it really is a skill I'd like to keep up as long as possible.

If any moms or dads out there are reading this, if your children express interest in learning a musical instrument, please indulge them.  My parents knew absolutely nothing about the violin prior to me taking lessons, and if that had stopped them from letting me learn to play I guarantee my life would be completely different.

Share your INSTAGRAM photos!  Grab our button {right} and link up at Karen's blog.

U is for UTAH

I live in a nice suburb just north of Salt Lake City, Utah.  With the exception of a few years I spent in Idaho, I've lived in Utah my entire life.  It's a great place to live, and I'm happy here.

And, in case any of  you are wondering

Yes, I'm Mormon.

No, I'm not one of 15 wives married to the same man.

Ok, moving on...

Here are a few things I love about Utah

An good skyline with gorgeous mountains

An awesome library (aka where everyone gets their engagement pictures taken) right in the center of the city

A place for Winter sports

And a place for Summer activities

At Christmas time, I can walk through this whenever I want.

And the newest addition to the city is an indoor/outdoor mall.  Only shop here if you're fans of stores like Nordstrom and Tiffany & Co. just to name a few.

So, there's a little tour of my place of residence.  Utah is an easy target, but when all is said and done, it's not too shabby.

MUSIC mondays: TRAVIS

I first heard of Travis back in the day when we actually bought physical CDs and when it was still considered AMAZING to be able to preview an album at a music store like Borders before actually buying it.  

In other words, I've been a Travis fan for awhile.

I would guess that if you're a fan of bands like Radiohead or Muse, you'd enjoy Travis.  Their music is beautifully written, unique and powerful.  It's chill, but rockin' all at the same time.  Definitely something you'd hear at a coffee shop or on a One Tree Hill episode.

My favorite songs by Travis are Re-Offender {featured in the One Tree Hill episode} and Love Will Come Through

Be sure to add Travis to your music library.  They're definitely a band worth listening to.