I've been practicing the guitar for just over two years.

I taught myself how to play, and while I am definitely not a pro, far from it, I decided it was finally time to play my guitar so everyone could hear it.

This is one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite bands.

Time To Mend by Barcelona.

Barcelona has some of the best music! The vocals are lovely, the drums are incredible and the guitar is stunning! They are just that amazing! And sadly, no one seems to know about them. I think you should definitely check out their album Absolutes.

And so, without further adieu, my cover of Time To Mend.

Hello everyone! And welcome to my first ever...

Karaoke Ring of Death!

(Death... death... death...)

A bunch of us bloggers over at 20-Something Bloggers decided to have a big ol' karaoke party. This isn't the first round of play, but I just found out and couldn't wait to join!

Every blogger was welcome to send in a video if they wanted and it would be pa

This month's karaoke theme was drinking songs and alcohol in honor of St. Patrick's Day.

And I am so pleased to be the one posting the lovely Shelly's video. She is so stinkin' cute!

Isn't she a doll? I'm in love with her hair and her quirkiness. Go check out her blog.

I want you guys to go and check out my songs as well! I'm over at David's Blog and I sing some pretty wicked awesome karaoke! Go check it out and be sure to follow the ring and see everyone's videos!

Happiest Moment: Hugging Nashelle after seeing her show for the first time. 

Saddest Moment: Was also actually during the trip. I had a meltdown that Friday night. I'm not exactly sure why, but I was very upset.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I have a cold. It's not a huge deal, and I've been managing. I'm very doped up on all sorts of meds that my spell checker does not recognize. Zicam, Cold-A-Tak, Vicks Vapor Spray, Cepacol throat lozenges. I still feel a little groggy, but all of this has allowed me to go about my daily life with minimal discomfort. I'm being very careful with my medication, don't worry.

Although, on Friday, when I realized I was getting sick, I wanted to do all that I could to get over it. I had plans for the weekend, for crying out loud! So I dug through our medicine cabinet, looking through the array of meds for something that could kick my cold out of my system before it really took hold. I took some vitamin C, and read a few labels. Cold-A-Tak promised to get rid of my cold three times faster. It had the potential of being a miracle! Take five times a day for the first two days. I did the math, figuring I'd be awake for about 15 hours. "Okay! I'll take a pill every three hours then!" It was about hour nine that I realized that they expected me to take them every five or so hours instead of every three. Whoops. But there weren't any noticeable repercussions. Maybe I'll die of cancer of the roof of the mouth or something years from now.

I was able to attend the highly decorated dance because I was so heavily drowned in drugs. It was a little silly. When I arrived everyone was positioned in a circle. I felt myself groan. It was a single mingle type of dance. All of the boys were in a circle with their backs to each other, a girl facing each guy. You do a couple step-togethers, a spin or two and then the girl moves to the next guy. It's like speed dating to country music. I hate these activities. I tried to duck out...but was caught. I suppose there were a couple of guys that were very cute that I probably wouldn't have danced with otherwise...

The dance was a bit of a dud. Nothing special. I had to keep dodging a guy that I didn't want to talk to all night to the point of leaving the dance early. It wasn't a huge loss. I wasn't doing much dancing either way. Though, I did have a good conversation about marriage with a friend who was also frustrated by the dullness of the dance.

Sarah: I think I'm going to start fasting to find an eternal companion.

Kate: I'll fast with you!

Sarah: Every fast Sunday?

Kate: Why stop there? Lets fast EVERY Sunday. OR, every day! We'll be very tuned in to the spirit AND we'll lose weight!

It's the perfect plan!

Today, I woke up with a closed throat. Oh dear. If you recall, I was supposed to be singing in the choir. So I spent two hours singing through the song, sucking on a cough drop, and trying to work out the lump in my throat. It worked to an extent and I felt comfortable singing. Though, I do admit, I have taken my voice for granted. Once you lose something (if even for a few hours) it's much more appreciated. The choir sounded lovely! 

It's been an interesting weekend. I'm really hoping that my cold goes away soon.

Also! Happy Valentines Day! I've been spending it watching romantic movies. My dad also made blueberry pancakes for dinner which were fabulous! It's been a good Single Awareness Day.

You know, I've been trying to find events in my life that are blog worthy for nearly a week. Everything I do just seems too simple or mundane to create an entire blog post, let alone anything witty. I'm at a loss. So, I'm simply going to give you snippets from my life this past week.

I decided to start a gratitude journal. Well...blog actually. I decided that I needed reminding that there were good things in my life even though sometimes it doesn't seem like it. It's really only for me, and the past three days have been pretty great because of it. You are all welcome to read it, and I also encourage you to do the same. (I have yet to make it adorable, don't judge me.)

As of this morning, I have officially lost 20 pounds in 2 months. It's incredible what eating right and using appropriate portion sizes can do! I'm living testament that it works and hopefully will continue working.

I got roped into singing in a musical number in Sacrament Meeting on Valentines Day. It's not just me. It's a whole choir number. It's not a permanent choir, but I think that we should make it permanent. It's been so much fun, although challenging. We have one week to learn this song that has tricky four part harmony and piano and violin accompaniments. It's a BEAUTIFUL song. (And there are REALLY cute guys in the choir. Mmm. Music and musically talented boys. The best of both worlds.)

Sunday was full of butterflies and smiles. I know I said I don't think I'm feeling anything special for Pete, but I've always enjoyed it when a guy winks at me. He did so multiple times throughout the three hours we were both in the church house. Maybe the butterflies in my stomach were really feelings of guilt. Here was this guy that really seems to like me (for once) and I'm just not sure I can feel the same way about him. I've tried to make myself feel better by telling myself that he simply had an eyelash in his eye... that seemed to only plague him when he caught my gaze. Yeah. That's plausible, isn't it? Or maybe he hates me so much he has developed some kind of nervous tick that makes his face light up when he sees me. Am I doomed to only like guys that don't return the favor?

I've decided to go stag to the Valentine's Dance this Saturday. Is that pathetic? I don't think so. From what I heard from the guys at choir practice last night, they are all going, but don't have dates. No wonder I never date. The guys around here don't even ask girls to a free Valentines Day event. For crying out loud...

I just realized how much I loved this song. It's not new by any means, but I love it.

Full of Grace by Sarah McLachlan. Unfortunately the karaoke for this song was weird and annoying, so I sang over the top of her. (I'll admit that it annoys me when people do that. But I just needed to see how I sounded.) I really like it. Listen if you'd like! (If not...this post doesn't do much for ya.)