Brava! Brava! Bravisimma...

This past Saturday I had the opportunity to go skiing with my sister Maren and a friend of ours from the gym. It was a really fun day and I was absolutely exhausted when I got home. After I dropped Maren off at home, I went to my mom's house to pick up my dog and maybe take a nap. I sat down on the couch and turned on the TV to find the 25th anniversary special of the Phantom of the Opera on PBS. I have somewhat of an obsession with this musical. I was unable to take my eyes off the TV for the entire three hour program. I was completely mesmerized and I had chills throughout the musical. Let me explain where my obsession come from...

When I was about nine, my neighborhood best friend, Ryan, got a copy of the soundtrack to Phantom. We started listening to it every day and started acting it out and lip syncing. We knew the story perfectly and knew every word. We even got to the point where we put on our own production. Costumes, lighting changes, and everything. I was Christine, Ryan was the Phantom, and my sister Angie was Meg. Ryan's sweet mom actually sat and watched us act out the entire thing once. I wanted to see the real thing in person, but I had to wait a few years.

The first time I saw Phantom live I think I was in the 7th or 8th grade. There's nothing like seeing it for the first time. It was pure magic. The second time I saw it, my high school boyfriend surprised me with tickets when I was 17. The third time, I saw it with my parents and Angie in New York my senior year of high school while I was auditioning for schools back east. I think the movie came out my senior year too. It was really well done, but there's something so special about live theater.

Anyways, I remembered how much I love the Phantom when I watched on Saturday. The 25th anniversary special is airing all month on PBS so I HIGHLY recommend that you check your local listings and watch it. You won't be sorry. From the opening auction scene "Sold! Lot 665 then...", to the closing scene beneath the opera house "Christine, I love you", you won't be sorry that you watched it. To further convince you, go here to watch the final scene.

Rose-Bud

About three weeks ago, my dear dear roommate and friend Rosie and her husband Jay were in town for a funeral. Since it had been TWO YEARS since we had seen each other, we had to get together. We met in Salt Lake for some Hires burgers and shakes and sat and talked and enjoyed being reunited. Rosie makes me so happy, as you can see:
We had made plans to have a roommate reunion with Amber and Nathan in St. George for New Year's, but unfortunately it didn't quite work out. This summer, ladies! I have a cabin with our names on it!!!