Rest in peace, Peter Press. Your music and creativity will be missed...

Back in March of 2007, I auditioned for a new musical called Muscatine! The Musical and got in the chorus. It was a new musical written by Peter Press and Dan Warschauer. The experience was one I will never forget.

But it wasn't until we really started rehearsals in September 2007 that I became aware that Peter Press had cancer. It wasn't until we performed that I learned his prognosis was terminal; that he was dying of cancer. From looking at him during rehearsals, he seemed fine. But then again, I didn't live in the Press household so I didn't know how debilitating the treatments and effects of the cancer were eating away at him.

He passed away this morning in a hospice house up in Davenport and funeral arrangements are pending. While I won't be able to go down to Muscatine for the funeral, his family are in my thoughts and prayers and I'm reminiscing about my own time working on the musical and learning from Peter and his music.

Peter you will be missed, you, your music, and your creativity. And may you rest in peace now.

Slan go foill...

An adult goody-two-shoes...

I guess I could be described as the subject line in this post. I try to obey the rules as best I can, and get clarification when I need it.

There are rules and regulations in life, in the Church, and at work. I made a covenant with my Heavenly Father to obey the rules and laws set before me. As a result, I stick out like a sore thumb sometimes.

Last night, I was at work sitting at my cubicle. There's a rule up there on the calling floor that we can't have food up there so we can keep things neat and tidy (not to mention that it wouldn't do for us to have food in our mouths when we get calls!). I saw one of the other girls eating at her cubicle and I mentioned that I had gummy bears but that I was waiting until I was downstairs on my break to have one.

Her reply: "You can break the rules."

She just doesn't get it. I'm hanging onto the job with everything I have, and I will do whatever I can to stay on so I can stay out on my own.

That said, I need to finish getting ready for work.

Slan go foill...

Bittersweet...

Don't get me wrong. I love living in Coralville. I love being on my own; it's been a long time coming...

It's just very bittersweet, and tonight I was reminded of another sacrifice I had to make. When I made the move and took this job, I had to give up the monthly pilgrimage to Pat McGuire's to see Stephen's Green. I love Stephen's Green more than I can possibly say.

Tonight would've been another pilgrimage for me and I found myself thinking of what it would have been like to go to Davenport and see the guys, be on the stage as a Unicornette, kissing Andy and Martin goodbye. When I kissed them goodbye back in September (days before the Nauvoo conference), I had no idea it would be the last time I'd see them in concert.

All I have now are pictures, memories, and their CD's, and it will have to be enough.

Slan go foill...

Every member a missionary...

That's the motto of the church...every member a missionary. My main problem is that I don't like to push my beliefs on people, so I'm pretty quiet about it. I figure I can try to set a good example for people I'm around, especially at work.

Recently, I was able to use my singing talents as a missionary tool. The branch had a musical fireside this past Sunday. I sang a solo song "Only One (Jessa's Song)" from The Ten Virgins. A couple of months ago, I had participated in the Stake Relief Society's presentation of it. I played Malka, one of the foolish virgins, but her song wasn't very appropriate for this particular fireside. I also sang with the choir and I hope I helped plant some seeds of faith, especially in my nephew's heart. He's only 11 and he came up with my mom to hear Jeremy play his violin. Brannen just started taking violin lessons this year so I wanted him to hear an almost professional and see what happens when he applies himself. He liked it and I took him to meet Jeremy when it was over.

But a small part of me can't help but hope that seeds of faith were planted in Brannen's heart too. :) This lass can hope.

Slan go foill...

It's been almost a month...

It's been almost a month since I moved here to Coralville, at least it will be a month in two days. Since then, I've been marveling at being on my own. It's nice sharing an apartment with Kristy, a fellow convert to the church. I was talking with my buddy Jeremy last week about how great it is to be able to have pictures of the Savior, the temple, and a framed Proclamation to the World on the family hanging up on our living room walls. Back in Muscatine at my parents' house, I would've only been allowed to have those things hanging up in my bedroom. And it's also going to be nice to be home taught at home for once! Back at my parents' house, that wouldn't have happened (even if Josh would've felt comfortable making the trek to Muscatine). Dad always hated when I needed my home teachers to come over and give me a priesthood blessing if I was sick, or if they wanted to come over to home teach me. He always kept insisting that the house was a Catholic house. *rolls eyes*

It's also got its downs. I'm putting together a budget, and I'll be sacrificing some of the things that I like so I can live within my means. My trips to Bath and Body Works will be few and far between. It's okay; I have several things from past trips there and I'll be able to use them up. By the time I do in a few months, maybe I'll be able to splurge and make a special trip to stock up. I also won't be buying CD's as they come out. I'll be checking the coupons and bargain shopping for groceries. It'll be a challenge, but so worth it. :)

Slan go foill...

Mixed feelings about Prop 8 and the protests...

I'm a good Mormon girl. I try to obey the commandments as best I can.

But when it comes to Proposition 8 in California, I have some mixed feelings.

Here's why... I have friends who are gay, one of whom is a friend from high school. Why shouldn't they be allowed to make the lifetime commitment to who they want, even if it's someone of the same gender?

However, I understand the Church's stance on it: Marriage is meant to be between a man and a woman. That's what it says in the Bible and the Book of Mormon (not to mention the Proclamation to the World on the family that was brought forth a few months before my baptism). I even got an email from a friend today about her feelings on Prop 8, that marriage is supposed to be between a man and a woman and that's it. Satan is making efforts to destroy the family and if gay marriage is allowed, that would be another step in that direction.

I guess I have some serious thinking, study, prayer, and pondering to do...

Now here's where I'm getting disturbed, I just heard about protests being done at the Oakland and Los Angeles Temples. I may have mixed feelings about the whole thing, but I get offended when our church is being singled out about their stance on it.

That said, I'm heading for my bed.

Slan go foill...

Coralville Lass!

After a few weeks' hiatus, I'm back!

A lot has been going on during this time. I guess I can start from when I first came here.

I made the move the same day we had church on October 19th. After the fellowship meal, my buddy Tim, who happened to also be a friend of the couple taking me in, took me and my stuff over to the Welchs' apartment. It was in the complex that another friend of mine, Travis, used to live. Anyway, I got settled in and the apartment was within walking distance where I work, so it worked out very well for the first two weeks.

Kristy and I found an apartment of our own at the Scotsdale Apartments on Sixth st. As soon as we signed the lease and paid the deposit and first month's rent, we were able to move in. My parents helped some and we had some help from the gang in the branch.

We finally have cable and Internet. The only drawback on the 'Net is that my laptop is tethered down by cables, but it's okay. I rarely ever take it anywhere anyway. We also have a sofa and recliner, given to us for free by a family back in Muscatine, the Reicherts.

All in all, I'm loving my new life here in Coralville. I can feel that my Father in Heaven loves me and is mindful of me. It was He who gave me that prompting all those weeks ago to drop out of the play so I could get my job and move up here. I also love my roommate, even when she teases me. I can tease her right back. It's great!

That said, I must away so I can get ready for church. Watch this blog for pics of the new pad, and of me in my Halloween costume for the contest at work.

Slan go foill...