Once Upon a Time, A Blogger was Born {20}

I have always been very skeptical about blogging. I have tried keeping a blog in the past but I have always deleted it because I never knew what to post on it and I was always terrified of the unknown people who could read what I blogged about. My experience with keeping a blog in Writing 150 has changed my whole perspective on blogging.

Every aspect of our lives is impacted through the use of the Internet in one capacity or another. It gives us the ability to connect with individuals from all of the world in a matter of seconds. Recognizing the power of speech and the individual power that I can have as a blogger inspired me to give blogging a second chance. Initially getting into the swing of blogging was difficult but once I made it a part of my everyday life my ability to blog started to come more naturally.

Fast forward a few months and now I  have over 30 drafts lying in my blogging arsenal just waiting to be released to the world. I have always loved writing and blogging is an effective outlet for me to voice my opinions and feelings about the world around me. I remember my father telling me as a little girl that I needed to make sure I kept a steady journal. I started out with good intentions but over the years my journal entries became further and further spread out. I have decided to continue my blog with the hopes of creating an online journal that I can conveniently access from my phone and computer.

Through my analysis of my entries I have discovered that the theme of my blog is about life, mine specifically. At the start of the semester my Writing 150 class and I set out to discover our personal stories. My blog has given me the opportunity to see my personal story enfold before my eyes. I already feel one step closer to knowing who I am as an individual and determining what can of story I want my life to be.

Dear friends and fellow bloggers, stay tuned... A blogger was just born.

Happy Birthday Walt {19}

Growing up on a farm in Missouri; Walter was taught the meaning of hard work at a very young age. Most people who knew him when he was young said that he would never amount to much in life. Boy did he prove them wrong. Walter's dream of being an animator was continuously challenged. His first employer encouraged him to quite the business because he lacked talent and originality, his first company went bankrupt (a demon that was always haunting him), and one of his best cartoon characters was legally stolen from him. Amidst these daunting circumstances Walter set off for Hollywood with just 20 dollars and a suitcase filled with dreams. 

After gaining recognition for some of his short films Walter decided to embark on a challenge that would be scorned by all and eventually gain the nickname " Walter's Folly". After years of strenuous labor, mortgaging his studio, and selling his car; Walter became one of the biggest innovators in the film industry when he released the first full-length animated musical feature. No one, not even Walter,

could have predicted the success of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. To this day, it is considered one of the greatest feats and imperishable monuments in the motion picture industry. Even with the major recognition he received from the film, Walter still felt incomplete. He told his family that he wanted to give back to the world and do something good for society that would have a positive impact on generations to come.


One sunny afternoon Walter decided to take his two daughters on a date to the park. While he sat on a bench watching his daughters go 'round and 'round on the carousel he realized his dream. A dream that he would be told was impossible, but nonetheless Walter worked to make it come true. After years of tireless work and a substantial amount of disappointment Walter's dream came true on July 17, 1955. As he stood before an audience of thousands of individuals and proclaimed, "To all who come to this happy place; welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past.... and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams and the hard facts that have created America ... with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world."

Walt Disney never knew how huge of an impact he would leave on the world. He showed that even in the face of defeat anything is possible. Through his endless hard work and determination he was able to make his dreams come true. Walt Disney has always been an inspiration to me and I hope that I can have the courage he had to make my dreams become a reality. Happy 113th Birthday Walt, your legacy will live on forever. 

Curses are Made to be Broken {18}

Moving down to Provo initially seemed like a great idea until I saw the red and blue lights flashing behind me, signaling me to pull over. I arrived at my apartment on the brink of tears only to see my roommate sitting on the floor crying over the unexpected death of her phone. Over the course of my first few weeks of school I watched as my roommate's luck seemed to improve, as mine progressively got worse. My first speeding ticket began the onslaught of unlucky circumstances that encompassed my life after I moved to Provo. I noticed that all areas of my life were being affected by this unlucky curse. 

My first trip to the grocery store I was terrified by the ominous look that the cashier gave me after I he had wrung up my groceries. He stared at me as he said, "Well this is creepy..." Immediately I felt the pangs of dread creep into my stomach. Of course my total had amounted to exactly $6.66. I turned to my roommate with a worried look but she reassured me that everything was going to be okay. Little did she know that I had already seen the growing fear in her eyes.

My second week of school turned into devastation when the stucco on the side of my parent’s garage demolished the entire passenger side of my brand new car. I struggled to figure out how I was going to make ends meet as I was faced with an increasing bill of expenses. 

As school progressed my curse continued to make itself known. One of the busiest weeks of school was impacted when my computer crashed in the middle of an assignment. I stared horrified at the black computer screen only to discover that none of my documents had been backed up on an external hard drive. That week I heavily relied on the compassion of my teachers as I tried to recreate week’s worth of assignments in a matter of days. Little did I know that this was just the beginning of my struggles with electronics.

Things seemed to be looking up until a treacherous walk through the parking garage took a turn for the worse. I stood unmoving as I helplessly watched my two-week-old iPhone tumble off of the pile of clothes in my arms. My roommate turned in horror, realizing what had just happened. Her eyes moved from my phone lying facedown on the pavement to the horrified expression on my face. She looked at me in pity as she

said, "Pick it up Jess." An inhuman cry of sadness burst from me as I saw the shattered cracks that covered the length of my once perfect phone. I couldn't help the tears that consumed me that day. I didn't know how anything could get any worse but little did I know what was in store for me the following week.

After a few odd glitches my world was turned upside-down when my laptop suddenly decided to go to the grave. All would have been fine and dandy had my external hard drive not decided to call it quits at the exact same time. Again I had to rely on the mercy of my teachers. Any other school I think my life would have been doomed, but the kind nature of BYU's professors saved me once again. 

Despite the difficulties that plagued my first semester, every curse, even the darkest ones, have a silver lining. The following are some of the remedies that have helped me lighten my load and turned some of my saddest moments into humorous memories: holding a funeral for my laptop and dedicating songs such as "Bring Him Home" from Les Misérables to my dearly departed laptop, ravaging the pantry to make burritos at unruly hours of the morning (fondly known as "Burrito Party Time"), building a fort with Christmas lights under my bed, and taking the time to feel my emotions so that I could turn them into positive energy.

I have learned that regardless of the difficulties that I face, whether it comes in the form of a speeding ticket or the loss of a major assignment, no challenge has presented itself that cannot be overcome through faith and optimism. I am truly grateful that what I have learned in fairytales is true—every curse can be broken.

10 Things to Know as a BYU Freshman {17}

So it's BYU that you've chosen is it? I commend you for selecting an excellent academic institution to pursue your collegiate ambitions. Here are ten things that will aid you further in your future ambitions as a Cougar (or as they were once known, a Zoobie—this term is not as widely acknowledged anymore).

1. AT ALL COSTS, try your best to avoid what are commonly known as the “Stairs of Death”. I naively thought there was just one set of ominous stairs but oh how wrong I was . . . Not only are these endless staircases spread-out all across campus, but they are also almost impossible to escape. I would highly recommend investing in some good tennis shoes.

2. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, lose your BYU ID. This small little plastic card is your golden ticket to accessing the printers on campus, the dreaded testing center, and can even be used to charge expenses to your student account. (If you do happen to lose this valuable little card and you are in a complete panic because you have a test in ten minutes, fear not! Your driver’s license can be used as proper photo identification to enable you to be admitted into your test. Journey on!)

3. In the movies college campus scenes depict students approaching random strangers to say hi as they pass by each other on their way to class. Let me Well there’s a reason why they call them moments from movies. It is very common to see students faces glued to their electronic devices as they are walking to and fro on campus. (Dare to be a brave soul and say hello to your fellow students.)

4. The creamery can be your best friend or your worst nightmare. Use it wisely . . .

5. Is there a massive line for the printers at the library? Fear not for there are printers that students can access in almost every building. Although some of them are difficult to find, with a little exploring and a few friendly inquiries, you are well on your way to a new printer.

6. At some point you may be told that there is a desirable phone application called Tinder that you should absolutely download, because that’s apparently how people meet these days. This is a lie, put down your phone and stop what you are doing immediately! As my roommate so wisely stated, "Nothing good ever comes from Tinder." Keep as far away from this dangerous vice as possible.

7. BYU’s campus is a lot bigger than it seems. Make sure you become acquainted with the locations of the different buildings while scheduling classes or you will end up undesirable circumstances like mine—running across campus each day like a madwoman in the attempts to reach my classes on time. Trust me, ten minutes is not enough time to get to classes on the opposite ends of campus before the bell rings without ending up looking like a banshee that’s just been released from it’s imprisonment.

8. If you want a parking spot remember this: Get there at eight or it is too late!

9. Utilize your campus resources! There are counselors, classes, lectures, seminars, etc. that are all organized to help you excel as a student. BYU has tried to make your experience as a freshman as easy as possible to ensure your success.

10. Listen to the bells. Do you feel like you're about to scream? Is that medical analysis due tomorrow and your computer just crashed deleting all of your copies? Stop and listen to the bells. Every hour the Centennial Carillon Bell Tower, home to 52 bells, plays Come, Come Ye Saints. Sometimes if you're lucky you will be subject to a live performance from the 90-foot bell tower. These bells, on several occasions, have restored my sanity.

An Attitude of Gratitude {16}

I have always loved the Thanksgiving season. There is so much to be thankful for that I wish there would be more of a conscientious effort to show our gratitude throughout the year and not just in the season of gratitude. This year I have felt especially grateful to the Lord for blessing me with so many wonderful things in my life. Below are a list of a few of the blessings in my life that I am especially grateful for this year:

1. The opportunity to be able to study at an exceptional institution such as Brigham Young University.

2. A family who has always supported me and offered unconditional love to me even when I did not deserve it.

3. The ability to enjoy a wonderful thanksgiving feast with the people whom I love more than anything on this planet.

4. Two baby kittens to look after and play with when I go home. My life would be incomplete without those little love balls of fur.

5. Modern technology that enables me to stay close and keep in touch with my family that lives far away.

6. Wonderful roommates that have made my first semester at BYU unforgettable.

7. The power and influence that music has played in my life. If there is one thing that I miss more than anything, it is the ability to sit down at a piano at play for hours on end.

8. Sustaining energy that enables me to go absurd amounts of time without sleep and still be able to function and complete my assignments.

9. A wonderful job that helps me pay the bills. I love my little piano studio and I am grateful that I have the opportunity to teach so many talented young individuals.

10. Most importantly I am grateful for a Redeeming Savior who has been by my side through all of lives trials and triumphs. Without Him I would have nothing. I will forever be indebted to my Savior for the unconditional love He has always rendered towards me and on my behalf.

My Moment in Time {15}

     The brilliant lights threatened to blind me as I stepped onto the crowded stage. I tried to not think about the fiery train that billowed out behind me and threatened to trip me with each step. The moment my eyes found the comforting sleek, wooden bench I tuned out the deafening roar of the audience. As I took my seat the hall ushered in a profound silence. I took a deep breath to steady my racing heartbeat as I placed my fingers on the cool keys. The hundreds of eyes peering at me threatened to awaken the fear within me but I fought to maintain my focus. This moment was mine and mine alone.

     “Make sure you are on your best behavior tonight Jessica.” I nodded obediently as we stepped through the tall glass doorway.  As I beheld the splendor of the room surrounding me, the grandeur of the building took my breath away. The elaborate golden staircase, the dark green lush carpeting, and the magnificent sculpture that held the very appearance of a mounting flame of fire were all aspects that impressed upon me the magnificence of Abravanel Hall. My anticipation mounted as we wandered our way into the luxurious performance hall. The golden tiers and enchanting chandeliers mesmerized me as I sat awaiting the conductor’s entrance onto the stage. A hush grew over the audience and the orchestra members sat up attentively as Maestro Joseph Silverstein took his position on the podium. When the concert came to a close, pride swelled within my heart as my eldest sister Hilary took her place amongst the talented musicians. From the moment Hilary’s fingertips graced the ivory keys to the flourish of her final chord my soul was inspired as a yearning to be where she was developed within me. Even at the tender age of five I knew that I would do whatever it took to be where she was.

     Years later I sat completely immobilized as I listened to the names being listed. I knew my audition had gone well but was it strong enough to set me apart? As I heard the last name listed I numbly hung up the phone. I looked into the questioning eyes of those awaiting my deliverance of the results. I quickly cast my head down as I mumbled, “I wasn’t chosen.” The faces around me darkened as the news settled. “There’s always next year,” said my mother comfortingly. I bitterly retorted, “You’ve been saying that since I was eight. How many more times do I have to receive Honorable Mention before I realize that it’s not going to happen!” I tried to fight the tears that threatened to overwhelm me but my composure faltered, as the world around me became a blur. I felt a warm hand touch my back as I heard my mother whisper, “Think about it Jessica, I really think that it could be your year.” The internal conflict grew as I determined whether the risk was worth the reward. I had sacrificed everything and basically lived on the piano for the past nine years of my life but my efforts seemed doomed to reap no compensation. I felt my resolve begin to crumble as my determined dream threatened to spark an ember of hope within me. What if it really was my year?

     Over the next year my days were filled with complicated rhythms, dancing melodies, and passionate themes as I strove to perfect Sergei Rachmaninoff’s First Piano Concerto. My dreaded audition drew nearer as I thought of the advice my teacher had given me when I informed him that this would be my final year competing in Salute to Youth. “Pick a different piece Jessica. This is too challenging and it is never selected for that very reason!” Little did he know that those words would only inspire me to strive harder to master my own personal Everest.

     My stress and anxiety peaked on the day of my audition. I knew that all of my years of hard work weighed on this single performance alone.  As I sat down to perform I took a deep breath and let the nerves run through my fingertips as I struck the first chord of my piece. The audition flew by in a whirlwind and I left the stage with ease, knowing that I had performed to the best of my ability.

     The hours of the day sluggishly passed as I awaited the dreaded phone call with the results of the chosen finalists. Regardless of the positive nature of my performance I knew that my chances were slim considering the other sixty talented musicians I was competing against. I had to stand out from not only the other pianists but also amongst all of the instrumentalists and vocalists. The pain overwhelmed me as I picked up the phone to listen to the message that would determine my fate. I waited in agony as the Education Chairmen listed off the names of the featured soloists and I froze in shock as I heard her say, “And our final soloist is… Jessica Coombs.” The disbelief that washed over me was overwhelming. Was it true? Could it really be? Was my dream that I had developed as a young girl really going to come true?

     Reality converged with my dreams as the lights of Abravanel Hall poured down upon my fingertips.  I shattered the silence around me with a series of crashing chords. The orchestra propelled me forward in a frantic race as we brought to life the 3^rd movement of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s First Piano Concerto. Our race came to a dramatic finish with the boom of our final echoing chords.

     The beauty of my moment shined above the years of defeat. Tears of joy streamed down my face as Maestro Vladimir Kulenovic said to me, “Jessica tonight I saw no student, I saw a true performer. You have a bright future ahead of you and I look forward to seeing your name.” I fervently shook the conductor’s hand as a reverence of gratitude grew within me. I could not contain the sunny grin that spread from cheek to cheek as I spotted my mother walking towards me through the sea of faces. In the trace of her beaming smile I could hear her tender words, “It’s your time,” but this time I actually believed her.