It's the Final Countdown!

Heyoooooo

So last time I checked in, March had just begun! Ian started his new job, spring break was finally here, and I was frantically preppin for my senior recital. Let's go from there!

Senior Recital 

So wow! That happened, and it was insane. And super fun. You know you've grown a lot when you get to your senior recital and you don't have a single meltdown over the music (unlike my junior recital where I was literally forgetting entire songs from anxiety HA). Instead, I had a little freak out over my makeup, which I was not happy with at all but eventually put my vanity aside and kicked butt. I went out there, had fun singing some beautiful music, and then celebrated with my friends and family! I had an AMAZING turn out, I think the organ hall was almost full! So probably a solid 50 people showed up. Even my grandparents came out from Boise for the weekend, AND my dad came in from Utah. I felt pretty darn loved. Plus, the reception was beautiful thanks to my mom and mother in law. I had been planning every detail for months and it was even better than I had anticipated. A huge weight came off my shoulders that night and I could not be prouder of myself! Sure, there were some mistakes (I'm just going to forget that I even sang Willow Song for the sake of self-esteem and forgetting that crash and burn hahahaha) but overall it was about 90% where I wanted it to be, and I'll take that win. Anyway enjoy some peeectuureess.

The rest of the weekend was filled with general conference, Easter, and family. It was one of the best weekends ever!!


End of Semester

The rest of the semester was simply filled with me scrambling to learn my part in opera scenes that I had unwisely been putting off with my recital. Looking back, I should have and could have been more prepared, and I have learned from it. We had a super fun scene that was hilarious and chaotic, which made up for the fact that our scene didn't come together musically 100%, ever. haha and I mean that in the best way possible! I was told we were really funny, and that makes up for it. Oh well. It was a good experience regardless of a seamless performance, and everyone else in the show that night was phenomenal! I'm so lucky to know so many talented people.

I was also working with Anne on picking out the "fun" stuff, aka AUDITION ARIAS! FINALLY! I love concert and recital music, but let's be real, this is the music I've been waiting to dive into! And boy, have we!

Other than that, the rest of my semester was pretty laid back. Kind of anti-climactic leading into graduation, with hardly seeing anyone until the day of! Speaking of which...

GRADUATION Festivities!!

So back in February, I was notified that I had been nominated and selected to sing the National Anthem and alma mater at undergraduate commencement! Kind of a pretty big deal, considering this was for the entire undergraduate graduating class of 2018! It was held at Chase Field, where Ian said roughly 12,000 were in attendance?? INSANE. I have never performed for an audience that large, let alone in a venue this large either, LET ALONE BY MYSELF! It was a crazy day. I went to work, met Ian at a public park, drove to Chase Field and practically missed sound check because I hadn't received any email on what I was supposed to do that day (turns out the lady who was supposed to send it to me, forgot hahahahah /cries). I'm already a stress ball, so this kinda added to it. Fortunately the gal who was like "my person"/escort/buddy was super calm and really nice (her name was Melissa) I made it to sound check where I learned that singing in that large of a space with that many speakers can make even the most competent and confident musician feel like a total GOOB. Fortunately the sound guys were also SUPER nice and gave me inner ear monitors/pack, and I felt like a total pro. After sound check, we went up to the Audi Diamond Level and were fed dinner and I felt SO COOL. You don't understand. I was on Cloud Nine! I was referred to as "The Soloist" all night and I didn't mind one bit. +50 to ego, right there. Anywho, Melissa and I make our way to the field, and I got to hang out in the dugout with Sparky for a hot sec, and then go below the field as we wait to start the procession. I got to be on the stage on field for the whole ceremony! Anyway, I'm pretty sure I'm prepared, though I was a little nervous and it's time for the National Anthem and I had to nudge Michael Crow to let me through and I'm freaking out because maybe I was accidentally super rude to the president of ASU and I couldn't hear anything because of my earbuds and I get to my spot just to realize when the brass choir started that my ear buds WERE NOT EVEN ON and had to sing the National Anthem with no monitor but fortunately the ear buds themselves blocked out the reverb and I was with the timing and wasn't off and it was fine but I still was internally freaking out.

PHEW. Sorry for the run-on but it had to be done.

I then remembered to turn my pack on for the Alma Mater, which was better but I made up the words because that's just how it goes. By that point, everyone was screaming so nobody even noticed. But me.

I noticed.

heh.

I'll still considered it a success cuz they paid me $150.

Anywhere here's some more peeeectuuurresss.

 I almost forgot I did a pre-show interview so I'm now just waiting for Ellen to call me

It was definitely a 10/10 experience.

Then actual convocation came around 2 days later, but just for Herberger! It didn't feel real, but it felt very real at the same time. It's an odd experience! Part of me couldn't believe it was happening since I've been in school so long, I never thought I'd be finished! But the other part of me was like HECK YEAH I AM DONE AND I SO DESERVE THIS! Anyway, that ceremony wasn't nearly as exciting but I got to walk to it was worth it. My parents took me to lunch afterwards and we just hung out the rest of the day! Pretty good day.

HERE ARE MORE PHOTOS OF MY FACE

betcha didn't know I could float with no legs

So many wonderful experiences and opportunities, and even better people and relationships. /sigh They tell you it flies by, but you don't believe it till it does. 💗

Anyway.

Long story short, I did it.🌟

I think this is a new record...

HEYOOOOO this is a new record! It's been over 6 months since my last blog post. Wowza! Well much has happened since the beginning of August!! Let's dive in, shall we?

SCHOOL

Last semester was incredibly busy, trying, and amazing. I grew a lot over those few months, both as a human being and a singer. One of my highlights was being in the chorus for "The Bartered Bride"!! Honestly, I wasn't sure how much fun I was going to have at first but we hit the ground running and it was a fantastic run! I made SO many new friends and had an absolute blast!!

So many wonderful people all in one pic

My dance partner, Josh! SO glad we became friends! He made the show so much fun! He and I had a fun little "yodeling" bit during the circus scene. He learned the accordion just for the opera! I got to sing some high notes, so that's always a good time. haha


YOUNG WOMENS!

YW in Excellence

I really started to get my bearings in my calling over the last few months of the year. I've been in YWs for over a year now, and I can tell I have grown up a lot. We had a successful YW in Excellence, as well as New Beginnings (and when I say successful, I mean that we pulled it off without anything catching on fire LOL).

We helped with the ward Christmas party, had a Halloween party, had an etiquette dinner with the YM, have gone to the temple, and have gotten to know the girls  and I LOVE them SO! I love my calling! It's definitely hard and I'm being stretched, but it's a good kind of stretch. 

YW in Excellence

Ward Christmas Party Photo Booth

FAM BAM and FRIENDS!

I am so incredibly blessed to be surrounded by people who love me and support me just as much as I do them!! My mom and step-dad moved to Alabama tho in October, which kinda sucked a lot, but they've visited a lot since and they are coming down for my recital in a few weeks. ❤ One of my closest friends Taryn was Gilbert Days Rodeo queen and I got to go the rodeo for the first time since I was probably 12 and see her rock it as a real-life QWEEN!

she is too cool, guys 

We also do a lot of sangin' together, my friends and I. I kid you not, I'm drowning (in a good way) in talented people and I will never complain about it!

At the Gilbert Community Center singing for some crazy kids and their moms who are there for the free carbs

THE HUBS!

Ian and I celebrated our FOURTH anniversary in September! I would have loads of pictures BUT we didn't want to spend $20 on them because WE GOT TO SEE DOLPHINS for reeeaaalllsss It was magical!! Such beautiful and intelligent creatures! We got to get in the water, play with them and pet them. It was so cool. If we were rich I would have bought a whole album but alas, I am not. 

I have a hard time believing that we will hit the 5 year mark in 6 months! 6 months from today, to be exact! I don't feel old enough to celebrate that many years yet lol but here we are! Well, we will be. haha I love that human. He's the best one, in my opinion. 

Speaking of him, the Marine Corps Ball was great as per usual. We had some gorgeous pictures taken by Allie and had an overall good time. This was probably the most fun I've had at one yet!

 *swooooooons*

The rest of the year, including New Years and Christmas was wonderful as well. Since this year was technically my family's year to have us but they were in AL, we had Christmas Eve at Katie's house and then Christmas morning just the two of us at home. It was different, but a good kind of different. I made a yummy french toast bake that we ate after we exchanged gifts. It was a relaxing morning before heading down to Tucson to see Ian's extended family. My dad also came into town for a few days, which was fun! We shopped, went to the movies, and ate out (which all three things are such treats!). I love being able to have room for him to stay when he comes. Our New Years party was a hit, as always. We played games, enjoyed each other's company, and welcomed in what has been the best year yet!!

NOW! 2018!!

I've been in school for the past few months, frantically finishing learning my music/memorizing before my recital in 3 weeks! I was taking some online classes, which had me run ragged for the first 8 weeks of the semester, but thankfully those are over! I auditioned for grad school a few weekends back, and I nailed it!! I honestly have never walked out of an audition feeling to genuinely good about my performance before, and it was a good feeling. Cross your fingers ASU gives me money!😉 I also got a new job!! I work for a CPA/financial adviser in Mesa as an administrative assistant. I get paid to answer the phone, manage his schedule, and miscellaneous duties (especially during busy tax season!). It's a low stress job, which is a first for me haha, and my boss is super nice and very flexible with my schedule. I think I'll be sticking around for a while! I am learning so much about real-world stuff and so far this has been the best job I've ever had. Ian also started a new job this week working for a company that installs gates (all kinds!) and so far he likes it. Verizon was draining him of any motivation and drive left in him, and even though it was a little scary to have him quit without anything lined up, he's been much happier and that makes me happy. We've bonded a lot more since he's been happier and more relaxed---the person I married! 

Anyway, lots of good things in store for this McHardy clan. I can't wait for my recital, I can't wait to graduate, and I can't wait for the opportunities heading our way! Thanks for making it this far, lovelies!!! Till next time!