After all, we're only human.

Yesterday I was introduced to a new song, compliments of the shuffle setting on Cory Keate's ipod. I am now obsessed. We were all putting on our thick, acne-inducing stage make up at Pickleville when this song began playing out of the ghetto speakers McKenna so kindly provided the make-up room. They are pretty old school. No, correction: they are REALLY old school. But hey, they crank out the tunes just as good as any iHome or BOSE speakers would, so who's complaining? This song really caught my attention when the chorus came on.

After all, we're only human
Always fighting what we're feeling, hurt, instead of healing

Gosh, these lyrics nailed that to a T. I'm pretty sure anybody would admit that they have experienced this feeling at one point or another. Why is that? Why do we as humans fight what we're feeling? In so many situations, it would be better to just give into our feelings.

So here is a video of Jon McLaughlin singing and playing "Human". The studio version is a must buy off of itunes. You better believe that I purchased it as soon as I got my hands on my computer. This video is just his voice and the piano. He is AMAZING on those ivories. Seriously, this guy can play. Geez, he's got musical talent just seeping out of him.

I be lovin' LOVE.

Love love love. Something that dominates the average person's mind and heart a good percentage of the day. Whether it's loving a husband, boyfriend, sibling, friend, job, school, calling, etc. etc. etc., love is always camping out and waiting to overwhelm people when they least expect it. I'd like to expound on two love stories that have been on my mind this week. And yes, I said love stories. What can I say, I'm a sucker for a little romance. One is heart breaking, the other: quite possibly my favorite love story. EVER.

So for the first, I'm currently reading The History of Joseph Smith by His Mother. I haven't quite gotten to any information about the prophet himself, but the beginning chapters are about Lucy Mack's family and her background. I have been absolutely amazed at what an impressive family she came from. All of her siblings were extremely spiritual and obedient. They prayed, studied the bible, preached, had dreams and visions...they were all earnestly striving to know the truth and live righteous lives, without having the gospel on the earth. Knowing that the Prophet Joseph came from a family that was spiritually minded makes a lot of sense. When he told his parents of the First Vision, they could easier understand because of their past spiritual experiences. So anyway, onto the love story.

Lucy's oldest brother Jason Mack was an extremely smart and accomplished man. He met a young woman and honestly fell head over heels for her! Quoting Lucy, she said this of her brother's love for this woman:

"Jason became deeply in love with her, insomuch that his heart was completely hers, and it would have been as easy to have convinced him that he could exist without his head, as that he could live and enjoy life, without being united with her in marriage."

How cute is that? Well, the feelings were mutual and they became engaged. Not long after, he left with his father to Liverpool to receive a large sum of money. The two lovers promised to write letters. The lady only received one letter from him however. The dirty rotten scoundrel of a man who worked at the post office decided to do all in his power to break up the two. So he
a) tried persuading her to not marry Jason. Failed.
b) retained all letters from Jason. Failed again.
c) forged letters from a "friend" of Jason's, claiming that he had in fact died.
The jerk face still tried to convince the woman to marry him, and got shafted every time. Atta girl! But about 4 months prior to Jason's return, she finally believed his lies and married the post man. 4 months later, Jason returned and went to the woman's home to see her again. When she saw him, she instantly fainted. She never recovered her health and two years later, she died "a victim of disappointment." Aka: heartache.
This love story doesn't end so happily ever after, but I have to imagine that in a situation like this, Jason and his love will get to be together in the life after this. I don't know, that may be totally wrong thinking. But I think that the reason I found this story so intriguing was because of their deep love and devotion for each other. I think that's the kind of love that every person would hope to have with their fiance.

Alright, next story. Which I'm not going to discuss too much. This love story is that of Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy. Yes, it is Pride and Prejudice. Jane Austen knows just how to tug at the heartstrings of women in the world. Sheesh! I fall more and more in love with the story each time I hear it. I read the book as a junior in high school and have seen the Kiera Knightly version about a million and one times, including one night this week. I NEVER get sick of it. Honestly.

For a complete summary and analyzing of the book/characters click here.

Now, I'm sure that many people have their own sweet love stories. [Boy and girl meet and fall madly in love. So on and so forth.] They are all probably either seriously dating, engaged, or married. I am currently none of the above, so I ride on the books, movies, and friends that provide these stories. However, I have a lot of love in my life. Let me express a few things and people that help me to fully understand how to love to the fullest.

My family. Who better than to love to pieces? I'd dare say I have more love for them an any other thing or people in this world.

Jared. My little brother has more unconditional love than I could ever hope to have. He is the epitome of joy. His love can keep even the most depressed person wanting to live one more day.

Blue skies. I took this picture driving on the highway from Lava Hot Springs to Bear Lake one day. Life is so beautiful and moments like this, with just some simple clouds and sunny skies, help me realize how much I love this life of mine.

My friends. I'd dare say I have the best friends in the world. I'll argue anyone on that. Even when I've been gone for days doing Pickleville, they bring me right back into their arms as if I never even left. Friendships evolve, but my love for them never will.

Music. Love is seriously an understatement when talking about it. I like the feelings I get when I listen to a good song. I love the feelings I get when I play or sing an even better one. Simply put, music is love.

Best friends. Camille has been and always will be my best friend since about the 9th grade. We have both changed a lot through the years. We are busy now. Camille is even a mommy! So our paths don't cross as often as I wish they did. However, I love this girl like she was the sister I never had. When I think on all of our memories, my heart swells. She is amazing in every form of the word. I hope to be just like her one day...maybe when I grow up :)

Love rocks. Love blows. Love makes people feel like they have never felt before...whether that be for good or bad. I'm grateful for love in my life. I'm grateful for those things that I love. I'm grateful for those things that love me. Ultimately, I'm grateful for a loving Father in Heaven and Savior who have ultimate and unconditional love even when I make mistakes, which is quite often I'd dare say. To possess that kind of love is incomprehensible to me right now, but hopefully one day I will be able to understand. Mmmmm, love is great. I be lovin' LOVE.

Bloggin' on a Monday Afternoon

Just recently, I decided to pick up the habit of blogging again. I started a blog for my family a few years ago, but as a young high school girl, it was a little challenging to keep up with my own crazy life--let alone the whole family. So here goes blogging round 2. Only this time, I'm just taking care of myself. Of course, my family is a huge part of my life and they influence me more than probably anything else in this world so of course they will be mentioned a time or two. This Monday morning and now afternoon has brought a lot of thought. I feel like I've been thinking deeper about things lately. Maybe that's because I've had more time lately than the majority of this summer. Whoever made the oh-so-common phrase of "Lazy days of summer" sure didn't have their head on straight. This summer has been full speed acceleration since almost day one. Working two jobs (private piano teaching and the frame shop) plus being in two shows up at Pickleville has kept me on my toes. No doubt. Let me illustrate a typical summer day in the life of Megan Bagley:

1. Wake up in the morning (not feeling like P. Diddy might I add)
2. Shower, Breakfast, Yada yada...you know, the morning routine
3. Either a) hit up the frame shop or
b) scoot into the piano room and teach a few lessons
4. Come home and get some grub
5. Chill for about an hour or so (including but not limited to: facebook stalking, tickling the ivories, running or p90x, chatting with my mama, and so on)
6. Hop in my lil' car and make the ever so monotonous drive to Bear Lake
7. Throw on a smile and muster up some energy for a show at PVP
8. Drive home, eat a bowl of cereal, snuggle into my bed for the night.

A few of us cast members after "Bandito Rides Again"

This has been my routine day in and day out. For the most part. Occasionally, I get to squeeze a day at the pool in there or a night with the friends and I think that because of the craziness of my summer, these moments are that much sweeter. I have the most incredible family who love and support me all the time. My sweet mom is an angel. She is always helping me out by washing my costumes, fixing me snacks for the night, running little errand for me...the list is endless. I don't know if I will ever be able to fully give her the thanks that she deserves. I have awesome friends as well. We have started a fun little tradition called SNV. Sunday Night Volleyball. It is one night of the week that I can consistently count on seeing everyone. What a relief!

So to put a lovely ending on a nuts-o summer, things are starting to wind down now. There has been and will continue to have some changes. Come August 30th, a new semester of school will be here. I LOVE college. Utah State is the single most wonderful place I can think of. Great people. Great classes. Great everything. As far as work goes, I'm just going to teach piano full time. The frame shop will call me during their busy season, but other than that, our love/hate relationship has finally come to an end. Breaking up with it was inevitable. It was just time. Pickleville is allowing me to take some deep breaths now as well. Performances are just on weekends now. Thank the Heavens! I can finally start to live up those summer nights, just in time for them to end. So here are a few of my favorite summer 2010 moments up to this point:

Matt came home!

Tylee Anne Griffin was born. My best friend is a mama now.

Toy Story in 3D. Favorite movies of the summer? Toy Story 3 and Inception. Check them out.

Family Pool Day

Lagoon. It's where fun is.

Steph came to visit

Birthday celebrations at Pickleville

Night swimming at Kourt's

So to tie back in with my deep thinking I have been doing with the new found aspect of free time in my life, I've been able to set some goals and reflect on what things are important in my life. I feel like it's time to change some bad habits and form some new ones. A new year will bring a plethora of new things--some of which I can't control and some of which I have complete control over.

One goal that I am trying really hard to accomplish is that of not over-programming my life. Seriously, since I was like a junior in high school my life has been non-stop. Between cheerleading, musicals, school, dating, working multiple jobs, and just the hustle and bustle of everyday life, I don't feel like I've really had a second to just chill. And I don't mean chill with friends on the weekends. I have luckily found time for that. I mean a complete life chill. As in having nights where I don't have anything going on. So that I can act on a whim and do whatever I want, whether that be re-organizing my room, hitting up Spoon Me with the girls, hanging out with the fam, or reading a book. Gosh, how would that be to get to read a book 4 out of the 7 nights of the week? Hmmm, I wouldn't know. But that's something that I will be able to report on in the next semester. Hopefully. I am taking a break from the musicals, easing back on the hours of work, focusing on my studies, and planning on being spontaneous. (An oxy moron, maybe?) SPONTANEOUS. What a beautiful word.

The Lord has blessed my life so immensely. I find it easy to complain about the busy life I live, but I have been given so much. I have felt so happy the past week or so. Happiness has got to be the best feeling in the world. This past general conference, President Uchtdorf spoke to the Young Women of the church. Now, I'm technically not in YW's anymore, but I love what he said to them. His talk was entitled "Your Happily Ever After" and he said:

“Happily ever after” is not something found only in fairy tales. You can have it! It is available for you! But you must follow your Heavenly Father’s map. Sisters, please embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ! Learn to love your Heavenly Father with all your heart, might, and mind. Fill your souls with virtue, and love goodness. Always strive to bring out the best in yourself and others. Be strong and of good courage. You are truly royal spirit daughters of Almighty God. You are princesses, destined to become queens. Your own wondrous story has already begun. Your “once upon a time” is now."

Diddo to everything he said there. What wonderful counsel given to every woman by a man called of God. In thinking about this all, we have been asked to do so few things in comparison to what we have been promised. It doesn't seem fair. But, I'm not complaining. I'll dutifully strive to do my part to receive those blessings. I would love to have my "happily ever after." Easier said than done? Of course. But so worth it? Oh, absolutely.