Tall people.

Well, I'm home. And since I've been home, I've made more in this past week working for my dad than in two months at my minimum wage job at school. Glorious minimum wage.

I've also seen The Shins. It was wonderful.

James Mercer, Yuuki Matthews, Jessica Dobson, Richard Swift, Joe Plummer

Excellent concert. James Mercer has a beautiful voice and I love him.

New favorite. 

At the same time, I think I'm more infatuated with the bassist, Yuuki Matthews. I'm find him quite attractive. Also, Joe Plummer from Modest Mouse? Incredible. 

Anyway, I think there's something bizarre in New York's water...like growth hormones. Everyone at the concert was at least a foot-and-a-half taller than me. During that time between the opener and The Shins--the time where people started pushing each other to get to the front--I got separated from my friends. The world's tallest couple divided us.

"I think this girl's friends are behind us," Tall Woman said. I guess she noticed me trying to communicate with Mackenzie and Aly.

"It's okay, we can see over this one," Tall Man responded.

Happy Easter!--Celebrating it the American way.

Really quick: my blog is one-year-old as of yesterday! Moving on. Last year, I finished finals and was home to celebrate Easter. This year, I'm still in school. But no worries.

It finally hit me the other day that my family never really "celebrated" Easter. Yes, we talked about the religious aspect of it, but besides that, I only remember one year we hid eggs in the front yard, but because I was terrified of nature due to lyme-disease-ridden ticks, that was the end of that.

Oh, and I also remember from my childhood the high school field was filled with the little chocolate eggs and at the blow of a whistle, all the little kids ran the field and fought each other to gather the most eggs. Then we stopped going. I think someone was trampled? I could have dreamt that. But it was the Hunger Games. We shamelessly used our baskets as clubs as we clawed at each others' fists to grab their chocolates.

I was over at Crystal's for dinner last night and everyone at the table, with the exception of me and Crystal, receives gifts on Easter. It's like Christmas and Halloween combined! I mean, even Pope Benedict XVI got a 550 pound, 7.2 feet tall chocolate Easter egg.

As I learned yesterday (Nicolle described it to me), Easter is a very Catholic religion, in that sense. And seeing as how Southeast Asia was exposed to Christianity at a later century, we Asians don't have Easter gifts and such.

But today, I found this.

Mm. So good...and I may or may not have made this for myself.

My own Easter basket! Full of deliciousness, but alas, no new iPod (someone I spoke to yesterday got tech stuff like that for Easter).

Hello. It's been a while.

Hey there. Remember me? It's Eden. I promised I would write every week...I'm sorry I haven't. I also said that I would stop apologizing for not writing. Sorry that I did it again. And to motivate myself to write and you to continue to read, here are the next two topics that I will post about: my intrigue list (LMFAO, the duo, is number one) and people who laugh at everything I say.

But here's what has happened since I wrote last.

Audio-Files. (audio-files.com)
Audio-Files is a new television series that highlights up-and-coming independent bands across the country (and many come from Provo). This is the new account that I am working on with my PR lab. I am having so much fun working with this client, mainly because it deals with music. Like it on Facebook.

Thank you Imagine Dragons. (Acoustic version of "It's Time.")

If you're in Provo this Thursday, there is a free showing of Audio-Files' first episode. It's free, but you need to register for seats. Do it. I'll be there.

Speaking of Imagine Dragons, they are from Las Vegas. Guess where I went St. Patrick's Day weekend? I went to Vegas with my Nicolle and my Camille. It was exciting and new. I learned very fast not to look at the ground. Unfortunately, no one told the little seven-year-old who was there with his family. He picked up the cards like they were pennies and collected them like they were Pokemon. I'm never bringing my kids to Vegas. 

Some nights.

Some nights....some nights I think too much....I'll get to that in a second.

Onto Some Nights. fun. just released a free streaming of their not-yet-released album. I've listened to it multiple times already and I absolutely love love love love love this song. (And I apologize for the f-bomb in there.)

First, some comments on the musicality:

2:07 - 2:34 ish is what I love the most about Nate Ruess. He just gets so personal in his songs and isn't afraid to talk about his fears. I also love that he sings about his parents a lot.

3:11 ish. I have to admit, I was really thrown off by the autotune, was sad for a couple minutes, but after listening to it a couple more times, I think Nate uses it to his advantage. I mean, in "Be Calm," about every 15-30 seconds, he switches up the song. The autotune created another instrument out of his unique and wonderful voice.

Now onto deeper thoughts:

I don't know. I just love this song. I think it's because I can kinda relate. Not in the way where he doesn't know who he is in the music business, but in the sense that honestly, some nights, I don't know......some nights, I also ask myself, "What do I stand for?"

In an era of conflicting and passionate ideas all throughout the spectrum, when one side says one thing and the other another, it's easy to just cover my ears, hum to myself and merely watch from the sidelines.

I realize now that I need to pick a side. And after thinking aloud, having a fervent prayer in my heart and being with a great friend--a best friend, I know now what I have to do, what I stand for.

I only pray that God provides me with the strength to see it through, to help me stand firm in my convictions.

I love you, my friends.

(I realize that I could have expounded and gone deeper...apologies if you were expecting more.)

Good night.

Midterms...but not really.

With the classes I'm taking the semester, I only have one midterm coming this week. So in the time I should be spending reading, sleeping and eating, I'm looking up videos. I'm sharing them with you.

But now that I'm done, I'm off to study my brains out for History 201. And when I say I'm off to study my brains out, I really mean I'm going up to Salt Lake.

Too. Much. Information. To. Memorize.

The concept of this video is very interesting and quite creative. Also, I love Russell's voice.

I love NBC. I just realized that the majority of the shows I watch are broadcasted from this channel--30 Rock, Community, SNL, The Voice--and they're singing a song from "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying" (weird...I posted about Community, The Voice and "How To Succeed" in the same post).
#savecommunity

Look out Provo, here comes Eden.

My friends. The time has come.

My training wheels have...arrived.

So yes, I have blogged many times about my new bike and how one day I will ride it once I've gotten over my fear.

That one day is one day closer.

Pretty soon I'll be zooming around Provo on my bike. And I will not be afraid. I have found comfort and inspiration from the words of this little boy.

Even with an orchestra and bagpipes and such, why is it that background music makes anything that much more exciting?

Though, confession: I think the bagpipes can be very beautiful. Also, they remind me of "Braveheart."

Anyway, I'm stoked about riding my bike finally. I've teased Utah enough with even the mere thought of riding my bike. There's no snow, so there's little chance I will slip. And pretty much, I will never fall, since I have wheels on both sides to protect me. 

Now, I know that by having such bicycle accessories may bring about three different reactions:

1. "Aw, Eden! Good for you! You can do it!" (Complete with back pats.)
2. "Really Eden? Really?" (With eyebrows raised.)
3. "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!" (Finger pointing included.)

I know this because when I have told people about my training wheels, these were the only reactions I got.

Finger pointing wasn't necessary, friends. But I still love you.

Have a good day, everyone. Here is a song for you.

p.s. Check out The Calendar Owl.

Simple Song, The Shins

I awoke this morning and said to myself that I needed to blog. Then, I remembered Nicolle said I needed to look up The Shin's new single. So I did.

I'm listening to it now.

And now I can't remember what I was going to blog about.

I love it.

My new project.

Three things.

First, I'm seeing Aretha Franklin perform tonight.

Second, New Year's is just around the corner. I don't have many resolutions, but I do have a big project I am working on. However, feedback on this project is well needed and much appreciated so please comment!

What I am trying to do is to consolidate all the happenings of Provo/Orem into one calendar (and should I expand?). It's a bit of a taxing experiment so I want to know if I should continue or not.

Click above or here to see the calendar. (Also, go to the January calendar to start seeing events.)

The reason I named it The Calendar Owl is first, because I like owls (the song may have had an impact on such an adoration of the animal). Second, I've practically become nocturnal trying to get the event details/finding places and such...so I've become an owl.

Third, some of my resolutions include...
1. Drinking more water.
2. Getting over my fear of the bicycle.

3. Learning Cantonese fast....before I go off to Hong Kong for the summer.
4. Working my butt off in order to get into the PR program.
5. Tweeting more.


And that's really all I can think of now...

Happy New Year, my friends. Take a cup of kindness yet, for days of auld lang syne.

The Christmas Story

Christmas traditions. I love them.

The days leading up to Christmas, we listen to Christmas music all day, erryday. My personal favorite? Frank Sinatra's Christmas record. Round and round it spins on the record player.

Every Christmas eve, my family and I gather around in the family room and huddle as we drink hot cocoa. We listen to the fire crackling as we watch "It's A Wonderful Life." One by one, we fall asleep to the film and by the end, we wake up to in time to sing "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and "Auld Lang Syne" with the citizens of Bedford Falls.

Right before everyone drudges into their beds, we read the Christmas story, the birth of the Savior of the world, the birth of my Redeemer. Christmas is a time to celebrate the anniversary of that blessed birth.

It really is a wonderful life.

Oh, then we stay up the rest of the night watching "A Christmas Story;" Deck the halls with boughs of horry, fa ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra.

Luke 1:26-33

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth.

To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her what manner of alutation this should be.

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

My lost wallet.

I got a bike. That's right, I got a bike despite my fear of them.

It's a beauty, though. Purple with yellow accents. But this is not the reason for this post. 

Around 6 pm Monday, I was headed out to dinner with my anthropology class when I realized my wallet was missing. Rachel, thankfully, covered for me that night.

2:21 am Tuesday, I get a phone call. It was my one chance at sleeping in, but all I heard was my phone buzzing and buzzing and buzzing. It buzzed again because the caller left a message. I went back to sleep. 

2:25 am, buzz buzz buzz. This time, noticing that it was the same number calling, I listened to the messages.

"HeyyEden," the guy slurred. I got chills hearing my name come from an unknown person. "I have yourID. So, callmeback. xxx-xxx-xxxx."

Next message.

"Hey Eden, it'sNigel again. Um, so I don't only have your ID. I haveyourwallet. And I'm going to Hawaiiin the morning and I just can'tgo, I can'tgo, there withyour wallet. Sooocallmeback."

Chills. And a pounding headache. I was pretty creeped out. I considered calling my dad, but it would be 4 in the morning there. I logged onto Facebook and saw that Daehyeon was online. I called him and he told me to wait till the morning. I think it was because it was 2 in the morning that I thought I needed to ask someone what I should do. 

Study, studyy, studyyy.....FACEBOOK

I'm sorry I haven't posted. I've decided not to have a set a day for blogging as that will get your hopes up and then I will let you all down yet again...because I know you all refresh my blog every Tuesday just for a new post. Admit it. It's what you do.

From my favorite blog, besides my own (I kid), Hyperbole and a Half.

I think I'm going to just stop apologizing for neglecting you guys. So this will be the last time.
Wait, I'll apologize now for not being consistent in the future.

Okay, now no more apologizing.

Finals. I only have two left. Score. Thank goodness for in class finals and essays. Hated doing them, but now they're over before finals week. And now I can take my sweet, sweet time taking my New Testament final and writing my anthropology essay.

I've been pretty bad at studying and writing essays though. A couple nights ago, I went to Nicol's house to study and we were planning on studying 6 pm - 12 am straight. Around 9 pm, we both got ADD and decided we wanted to watch a movie. So we called up Estelle and Jesse and we watched "He's Just Not That Into You." Ugh, Scarlett Johansson made me sick. (Christmas break UPDATE: just watched the Biography Channel's segment on Scarlett. I kept on gaining and losing and gaining respect for her again and again throughout the whole thing. Love the Biography Channel.)

Romantic comedies will be the death of me.

And Facebook. Facebook has been so entertaining lately. Thank you friends for posting awesome things.

I've tried occupying the library. There are literally no seats available. Every corner, every hallway, every elevator is inhabited by students and their books. 

But the Tanner building is completely empty. Seriously guys, study there. Or study with me. I watch movies and then pull all-nighters. It's fun.

Good luck, my friends, with your finals. If I can help you guys with anything, let me know. I am good company. And now I have a bike so I can come to you. (I'll get the brakes assembled and the tires pumped first...then I can come to you.)

Have a beautiful week, my friends. Work hard.