Out on the Town

I'll be honest, my trip to SLC tonight was a first time trial and error thing. I've been up to Salt Lake City before of course, but I always had plans. Tonight my ward did a trip and everything everyone did was completely spontaneous. I think I could have handled things better and done more. There is nothing much to tell about before the trip so I'll skip my shenanigans at home for tonight.

My dad dropped me off at the local church where the bus our bishop arranged was parked. I left around 6pm, and I thought I was late. I should have known better, the bishop had planned to leave at 6:30, but told everyone to arrive at 6pm. Anyone that knows our ward knows that we are almost always famously late for everything. I am one of the few truly punctual ones and was the first one on the bus. We left only 3 minutes late at 6:30 and someone started handing out treat bags. At the time the bus lights had just been turned off, so I couldn't really see what it was that I was about to eat other than something caramel covered and a few other things. Even now I'm not 100% sure what the caramel covered stuff was, but it had the same crunchy feel of something like cheese puffs or something. It definitely wasn't popcorn, I'd know popcorn anywhere. Other than the mystery snack I found M&Ms, and mini milkyways, and Butterfingers in the bag. I was kind of hungry and I get carsick on an empty stomach, so I was really grateful for this stuff.

I just want to say that the trip was okay, but it could have been better, anyway you'll see...

I didn't talk much on the bus, as is usually the case when I'm on the road. I had come bundled up in my new black coat, a black, blue, and purple scarf and my cream colored hat that has ear flaps that keep my ears warm. I decided to take the jar and scarf off, but left my coat on while I was in the bus. Anyway so after 45 minutes we finally got to SLC and the bus driver let us off at one of the entrances to temple square. I started out my two hours there with a girl named Heidi and her friends. We went to the visitors center and took a restroom break and headed back outside after with our group. I guess she didn't really want to be there for very long, so we found another group I could be with after she left not to long after that. The second group I was on was looking around temple square and it was make up more people I know. I usually get rides with Whitney to church, she was there along with two people I've known for a long time, Stacy and Koa ( might be spelling that wrong). There was a couple others, but I don't remember who they were now.

I should probably mention that my hat and scarf were back on now because it was freezing and windy outside.

We decided to head back to the Temple Square visitors center where we saw the Christus and paintings, and watched a short film. We took a photo in front of this scene, but I don't have the photo of us all yet.

After this we just wandered around temple square to the Tabernacle, and what I think is the assembly hall. We also saw the nativity scene, and it had narration and beautiful music with it. Sadly I didn't get any videos or pictures because it was so packed. I was amazed how many people were out despite the really cold and windy weather.

I was thinking at this point in time, about 25 minutes before our departure that I could have spent my time wiser. It was 8:50 and we were getting back on the bus at 9:15. We decided to head to the mall ( where I now think I should have been the whole time) and maybe get some hot chocolate if we had time. Sadly we started talking to someone that went up with us that we met there and so we only got to see the amazing trees, including the big Christmas tree and the fountain. I didn't get to go inside any of the stores this time.

Last picture of temple square.

Anyway, so we got back on the bus and went home. I grabbed another treat bag for my way back and so did some others. I surfed through facebook and Stumbleupon on my way back to kill some time.

I went to the store with my mom sometime afterward, but it was just to get some anti flea stuff for Panda because she has been itching a lot. I also pointed out a 32oz water bottle I need very badly while I was there. I'm hoping I get it for Christmas.

Nothing more to tell.

Lights & Sounds

Today would have been a horrible day to sleep in. I actually got more than 7 hours of sleep last night thankfully. I woke up at 10:37am and got out of bed. At the time I was feeling lazy and so I just snacked on the crackers that were by my laptop on my table. I watched Degrassi: The Next Generation for a while and then listened to music. I had a chicken and rice burrito for breakfast and because of my cold I downed a few packets of Emergen-C as well. That stuff, especially when it is combined with Ionic Fizz a Magnesium Plus does wonders for colds. It helps get rid of them much faster, all the nutrition does so much.

I was a mess, and I knew I needed to fix it. Mom would have had a cow if I hadn't washed my hair properly before the Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert featuring The Muppets. I picked out a movie, I always listen to a movie or a book when I'm in the shower. Some people might think this is a little T.M.I, but I think it is funny. Today's selection was Toy Story 2. I was pretty confident that no one else was planning on using any hot water, so I took my sweet time. After I was done I got a glass of milk and went back to what I was doing before.

It was 3:00 when I decided to take a short nap. Mom, Dad and I were planning on leaving around 4:00, but we ended up leaving around 4:30. Mom was a bit panicked, but not too much. We had to go pick up my cousin Jill, well at least I think she's my cousin anyway. She is the daughter of my mon's niece (?) so it is a bit confusing for me. Anyway, so eventually we got out the door and I decided not to wear my scarf and hat because it was going to be around 47 degrees outside tonight.

We picked up Jill and got on the freeway. There was a Utah Jazz game also going on tonight so traffic was crazy! It normally would have taken us 45 minutes to get to Salt Lake City, but it took us twice as long this time. We stopped, went and slowed down more than I can count and I think we saw like 3 or 4 different accidents on the way and a lot of police cars.

When we got into downtown Salt Lake City dad dropped the rest of us off at the entrance to Temple Square. Mom went off to get ready in some other direction while Jill and I walked to the Conference center and found our door. Here are some pictures.

Crossing the street to the conference center.

Here are some from before we went inside the actual main part. We had to stand in line for 5 minutes.

Here is one of Jill standing in line with me.

We waited for a good hour and 15 minutes for the concert to start. I just played games on my phone and read part of "The Golden Spiral" by Lisa Mangum while I was waiting. I was so glad when it finally started, I felt a bit anxious. I had never seen The Muppets in person before.

The lights went dim and the choir started singing. The first song was half way done when all of a sudden Big Bird walked out from the left side of the stage singing the same song to himself. He acted like he didn't even realize it started and everything stopped suddenly. The choir director asked him what he was doing and he said he was waiting for them to start. The choir director said that they already started, everyone was laughing by now. Big Bird got nervous andquietly got everyone els's attention. Very slowly the rest of the Sesame Street muppets came out of hiding pretending like everything went according to plan, it was hilarious. Big Bird, Burt, Ernie, Elmo, Count, Cookie Monster, Roseta, some other pink muppet I don't know the name of, and Grover were there. Explaining everything to you would take forever, but I'll give you the highlights.

The count helped with the 12 Days of Christmas organ solo. He narrated it half way into the program. He was so hilarious and commented on each other gifts and how many birds ther were. Big Bird got do conduct the choir, it was a special arrangement of the Sesame Street theme, it was amazing. Elmo went to Temple Square and on camera showed off the Christmas lights at Temple Square. He came back and later did a song with Cookie Monster about getting to know people at the concert and gaining new friends. Roseta and the pink Muppet got to do a song with a choir member, I forgot what it was about sadly. Bert and Ernie sang "Sing A Song" with the guest singer. Bert was nervous, but Ernie talked him into singing, you know how stubborn Bert can be sometimes. Grover was backstage in the control room and had segments throughout the concert. One of the segments Cookie Monster was looking for cookies and came into the control room when Grover wasn't there and asked everyone if they had any cookies and it was a stage of emergency. Everyone thought it was hilarious. Just then Grover comes into the control room and asks cookie Monster what he is doing. Cookie monster explains the situation and Grover starts to say something, but I don't remember what. Anyway, while he is talking Cookie Monster somehow ends up eating Grover's headset and it was totally hilarious. I think Grover was talking about the meaning of Christmas and how it was more than just about cookies or something like that. Grover then shouts to the people to go on after Cookie Monster eats the headset and he realizes no one could hear him so he opens Cookie Monster's mouth and shouts down his throat. The next part of the program starts after this. The guest singer was Santino Fontana, and he was amazing. Everything was colorful and bright and three was trees, and dancers, and everything was just so perfect.

Here is a video

Credit for the next 11 photos goes to Mormon Newsroom and this article Tabernacle Choir & The Sesame Street Muppets

Every other photo is mine.

After the concert was over and everyone was despersing Jill and I stayed for 10 minutes until mon told us we could go look at the Christmas lights. We left the conference center and headed straight to Temple Square where I proceeded to take a ton of pictures.

After about 15 minutes and a lot of picture taking my mom found us at the Reflection Pool by the temple on Temple Square and we headed into the Joseph Smith Memorial Building to look at the decorations and the view on the top level of Temple Square. While we were there we also got hot chocolate as well. I should probably note that the elevators are so fun to ride on there, they are so fast it is ridiculous, but not like dangerous fast. On the second floor we even got to see the chapel that they have there. It is crazy how I didn't even know they had one there considering how many times I've been.

After this we headed to the car and headed to a nearby town where we went and got something to eat. The freeway wasn't nearly as bad this time so it didn't take long to get out of the city and to the nearby town. Mon and dad were planning on going to Wendy's but I suggested that we go to In N Out burger and we went there instead. Dad, Jill and I got shakes, we all got hamburgers, and everyone except for mom got a shake. Everyone was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food, especially dad. Well, I suppose I wasn't surprised because I already knew it was great. Anyway, we got back on the freeway and ate our food on the way. We drove Jill home and then proceeded to go home ourselves, it was really fun.

Anyway, sorry if this seems rushed, I'm trying to practice not over explaining things on my blog. Hope you liked the pictures. :)