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! 

Decemburrrr

Hey y'all. It's been a while up in here so let's get to it!

Last time I checked, we had done the anniversary post...yes! That is correct. Well, let's do a month play-by-play!

Rest of September:

After our anniversary, was my birthday! Since I'm in school it's not like we can do anything super crazy, but we went to Serrano's for dinner, which was delicious. Did we do anything after that? Gosh I don't remember. I'm becoming a party pooper for my birthdays. I don't like spending that much time over it.

October:

Because I'm *that* exciting, it was a crazy blur. 17 credits worth of classes will do that to you. Well, the first of the month was general conference, which was obviously wonderful. I spent my time between sessions decorating, which was super cute.

The next weekend after that, my brother-in-law Max got married to his childhood sweetheart! It was the sweetest thing. They've known each other since they were like 7 or something like that. Bri is the sweetest and it was a beautiful day!

That led into fall break, which was a nice little break till the semester came down hard. I was mainly focusing on getting all my music learned for my recital, as well as working at rehearsals for the student lab production of Cendrillon {Cinderella} at school. Not to mention auditions for Mozart's The Magic Flute were coming up, and apparently it was custom to have the callback material learned before callbacks to show you're prepared and serious! Just add that to the list of music I had to have learned and memorized, sheesh! {By the way, I totaled up how many songs I had to have learned and memorized over the whole semester and it came out to 14. No wonder I couldn't retain anything by the last week of classes} Nevertheless, I did my best to learn the Papagena duet (since Papagena was my first, albeit very bold choice in a role that I preferred). Also, because I am not that wise of a person at times, I didn't take some advice that I had received to learn the 1st Spirit's callback material as well, and lo and behold, I got a call back for 1st Spirit in addition to Papagena. I had to learn 13 pages of music in one day! God Bless Hope Douglass, for she saved me that day. I mustered through the callback, though I definitely could have handled myself better. I take myself way too seriously at times. My Papagena callback went well, though I couldn't remember the words at some points and the music stand my audition partner and I were sharing was further away from me and I couldn't make out the words! Oops. I thought overall it wasn't bad, but I didn't think Papagena was realistic since I was competing against two grad students and another senior. A very long 3 days came and went, and Taryn texted me at like midnight telling me to check my email and LOOK WHAT I FOUND:

I could hardly believe it! I was half asleep and thought my eyes were playing tricks on me! Fortunately enough people auditioned where they could double cast the principals, so here I am on the docket! I am so excited to be part of this production, and to have a fun role! 

In the excitement of auditions and callbacks, which were held on 10/30 and 10/31, we did not celebrate Halloween this year. Which is cray, but honestly with these results, I didn't mind one bit. 

November:

The first weekend was the Marine Corps Ball. This time around was so much fun! Especially since I'm starting to remember people and we had an awesome group at our table. It was held at a Double Tree Hilton way up in North Scottsdale, and it was huge! Wayyy bigger than the last few years, which was awesome because we were so smooshed the last few times. The food, as always, was to die for. I even tried the salmon on my plate and it was actually really good! The dessert was so fancy.

This was like a chocolate mousse with a crunchy crust on the bottom. Noms.

This was a key lime cheesecake! So good!

THEN, literally the next day was the dress rehearsal for Cendrillon, and the following day the actual performance! Talk about a busy weekend! Cendrillon was a such a fun experience and was perfect as my first opera. I was La Fee (fairy grandmother) and I hammed it up, per usual. I made so many new friends and got to know people I met before way better. It makes me sad that I don't get more time here to hang out with these special people!

 These hooligans.

THEN my life went in to hyper-recital mode. All but one of my eleven songs were new this semester and I was working as I hard as I could to get it ready by November 23rd. GUH. But I made it to that evening with relatively no problems, except a minor meltdown about parking (I know, I'm such a loser haha). The recital started and I did it! It was actually super fun, and I was super relaxed, even when I had to make up a few words in my French songs. I DID IT! We had yummy sweetbreads courtesy of my in-laws and all in all it was a good night. And I couldn't have done it without my amazing accompanist Hope. She rocks my socks. And I REALLY could not have done it without my amazing voice teacher Anne Kopta:

 She is amazing and has helped me grow so much over the past year! I just love her.

 Also, I felt pretty that night sooooo shameless selfie time.

And my poster, that I designed myself with the help of Google.

My recital was the day before Thanksgiving, so I got a nice long break to relax after surviving the majority of the semester! We had Thanksgiving with my family and some extended family at my parents' new house and the community clubhouse. Yummy food and good company. The following week was the last week of classes, meaning wrapping up my finals (because my instructors were awesome like that and I only had to show up to one final during finals week!) and attending dress rehearsals for the Holiday Gala concert at ASU Gammage. I will never get used to singing on Gammage stage. It is so much fun. And the concert was a major success! Even after all the craziness, I managed to come out on top!

Straight A's, baby!

In other news, I bought this beautiful wooden table off of Facebook! It needs to have a major overhaul in sanding and repainting, but it will be nice to finally have a kitchen table again!

I have been majorly enjoying staying up late and sleeping in to an ungodly and unhealthy hour, all while systematically deep cleaning my house. Well, now I am because I have been helping my sister Ashley pack and clean her house in preparation of their move to Alabama. At first I wasn't too keen on her leaving, but I know that is where she and her family are needed right now. It was kinda hard to say goodbye, but I plan on visiting her this summer! 

Also, in another crazy turn of events, I joined Mary Kay! If you don't already have a consultant, come to me! There are reasons why I decided to join, which are valid and I feel like this will be good for me. And I'm excited to make extra money while I'm at it.

 Almost all my Christmas shopping is done, I just need to order Ian's gift and I'll be set. I'm also trying to muster the motivation to clean our room and bathroom but...I don't have any excuses. Thanks for reading, my lovelies! 

I Have A Problem...

Hello again! It's been like nearly 4 months since my last entry. Whoops. I guess that happens when you wake up for a long day of work and school every day for 4 months. You tend to not have too much time aside from all the bloody practicing and homework. Blegh. Any who I'll give out a nice little recap of the past semester:

Overall I have absolutely LOVED school. Yes, my days were long and I was running on very little energy, but I managed to keep a good attitude and have fun. No joke. I haven't been this happy with myself as an individual or felt this accomplished in WAY too long. I have also been kind of deprived of any real social interaction after getting married and then just working and staying home. I haven't been forced to talk to people outside of my coworkers and family. I actually made friends! Isn't that crazy?

Anyway, I'll just say a couple things about each class I took and then move on.

Biology: Oh. My. Gosh. Never. Again.

Communications: I thoroughly enjoyed this class. My professor was simply amazing and my classmates were really great people. I actually miss those personalities and seeing them every day. I also enjoyed the material, I just found it overall a great class.

CGCC Singers (Concert Choir): SO much fun. I haven't sung in that large of a choir in 3 years, and it was refreshing. Don't get me wrong, I love singing in a smaller group because there are things you can't do with a large choir but can in a small one. It also goes the same way. I loved having both. And Marc Denton, the director, is an amazing director and our pianist Mary Ellen Loose is simply phenomenal. Don't even get me started with all the talent that is there. I am so excited to learn more here.

Aural Perception: First of all, my teacher Vance Acker is probably the coolest guy I've ever met. Hands down. It was also a cool class that pushed me to really listen (music people, that phrase will make sense to you).

Piano 1: It was such an easy class. I didn't learn a whole lot just because it was the very first piano class and I had to take it, but it was an easy A and I don't mind that.

Private Voice Lessons: Gee whiz I haven't actually practiced so much in my entire life. Both of my voice teachers (Kaarin and Alexis) pushed me to do better and it was really satisfying when I worked hard for it and improved. I love both of them as teachers and as people.

That's about it. Oh, and I got all A's. I think that's a pretty good accomplishment as well. :)

Other than that, the only other exciting thing I have done is lost my hair virginity and dyed my hair....RED!
I am so in love with it. I have never dyed my hair before so I'll admit I was a little nervous scheduling my appointment at the salon, but my stylist could not have done a better job.

It looks more brown-ish in the picture, but trust me, it's pretty red. It makes my blue eyes pop!

Alright, now I come to my original reason for this post.

I have a problem. 

I can't stop looking at pretty dresses. I can't. I get caught up in all the colors and fabrics.

This November, I get to be the lovely date of my handsome husband to the Marine Corps Birthday Ball. This is a black tie event. The most formal of formal events. The high-ups and all the Marines are on their best behavior. It's pretty dang exciting stuff. Ian already bought our tickets since they were cheaper in advance. I would have gone this last year, but being the protective and caring person he is, Ian went by himself to scope it out and spare me from any embarrassing drunk Marines. Fortunately, that behavior never exhibited itself at the ball (perhaps afterwards, but we don't care about afterwards). So this year, and the years to come I WILL BE ATTENDING THIS MARVELOUS EVENT. This is a big deal to me. Buying a pretty dress and "painting the town red" and going to a BALL FOR CRYING OUT LOUD is a huge deal to me. I never went to my Junior and Senior proms (because all the boys at my high school sucked and I found no point to spend a bunch of money partying with girls because I could do that for FREE at home. Call me old-fashioned but yeah). The idea of feeling pretty if just once a year will be a nice change. Any who this means that I need to find a pretty, classy dress for this event. Now as pretty and inexpensive prom dresses can be, they are a little young for me now. Not saying they aren't gorgeous dresses, I just don't want to look like his little sister tagging along with him instead of his wife. Initially I had found THE dress I wanted to wear:

It's so perfect and so pretty and I am in love. The only thing I'd do is add some black lace on the back, and wear my black half-tee underneath to cover my G's and it's done. If you know me at all, you know I'm all for online dress shopping. This beautiful dress would easily be $300 at Dillard's. Instead, I could order it off of JJ's House (which I've ordered from before, they're great) and have it custom fit for literally half that. Simply wonderful right? Of course, it would look so great with my long, beautiful golden locks. But that cascading waterfall of gold is now been replaced with ravishing red. Yes, it would look pretty but jewel-tones would look SO much better to really make my new hair color pop.

The search has once again began. And since it's so hard to find not-matronly formal dresses that are still modest, I have resulted to looking under "Mother of the Bride" dresses. Because let's be honest, I will NEVER look that good by the time my children get married:

(actual dress description: Trumpet/Mermaid Sweetheart Floor-Length Charmeuse Lace Mother of the Bride Dress With Ruffle)

Seriously people? Only in my wildest dreams. I don't even look that good NOW. Anyway, you get my point. But here are the options I have come to. These first dresses are for in case I don't get into the shape I plan on being by the end of the summer:

(imagine this a pretty Jade color)

(Maybe Jade or Emerald)

These are if I get into the awesome shape I hope (Knock on wood) I am in.

THIS JUST THIS I LOVE UGH

(imagine this not brown, probably black)

You get the idea. I may be a tidge too excited, but JUDGE ME I am having fun. So there. And if all else fails, I can get this gem of an ensemble ;)

I can't believe that one costs like $150. lawlz


Anywho, my musings are over now. Have a beautiful day my lovelies.