2012 Review

2012, to say the least, was not one of my best years. 

I know.. most of the time when you see blog posts reviewing their year they start gushing on and on about what was really great about the year and what they've learned. I can definitely tell you there were some great moments & I also can say that I learned A LOT. 

A lot of happiness, along with heartbreak. A lot of excitement, along with learning experiences. A lot of moments trying to figure things out about myself... and what I want.

I'm very hopeful that 2013 will bring a lot more happiness. As of where I stand right now, I feel myself getting closer to that place each and every day :) 

I'm proud of myself, yet scared of the decisions I make sometimes. 
I've learned that you need to live with and believe in the decisions you make for yourself to be better off. 
I keep reminding myself that I need to put all my trust and faith into God's timing, because I know he wants nothing but the best for me.

Maybe I won't be working for Disney or doing humanitarian work just yet, because God knows something greater is in store for me. Maybe the people who walk in and out of my life so quickly were only there to teach me a short lesson. Maybe the path I'm choosing school wise is the right place to go, and maybe not? 
Maybe this... maybe that. All I KNOW for certain is that I need to put all my faith in the Lord's plan for ME. As long as I do that, I know everything will be fine. 

That is one of the MAIN things I learned in this past year... and believe me sometimes it's hard. But, I have great people around me that help me get through it. 

I'm starting to do things that will help me GROW. 
I'm beginning to show people my love for singing for the first time in 20 years.
I'm letting people know how much I love photography and want to do that as a career choice. 
I'm going to go to places that help me reach that goal
I'm eager to go to the temple more often
I'm trying to be more proactive by going to the gym more than I did (once a week is a very good start for ME)
I'm cooking meals (which is Pinterest's fault... but it's been great regardless)
I'm hanging out with people that also help me grow more (especially spiritual growth)... That's what I need more than anything. 
& more. 

The second half of this year, I had completely lost myself. I had never been so out of it in my life. I had changed a little in a negative way, which was not good. But, now I'm thinking a little more positive each and every day. Thanks to the people who have stayed in my life and helped me get through this change & back to normal. I know they'll be there for me in 2013 and many other years to come :) 

I won't allow myself to get so down like in the past year ever again. 
So all I have to say now is.... DEUCES 2012. You are now my past.
2013... I welcome you with open arms and high hopes :)

In the Mood..

To sing some Les Miserables! 

I've been listening to the music since I saw the movie a few days ago... Let's just say, I can't really stop. 
So here's me singing 'On My Own'

Kinda messed up some of the lyrics since I just learned it, so bare with me...

That Time I Sang a Song

In the beginning of December, I went to a recording studio to make a Christmas present. I recorded three songs. Catch Me by Demi Lovato, Maybe This Time - Glee Version, & The Finish Line by Train. I was planning on going to the studio for a while at the time, but my vocal teacher told me my vocal cords have been swollen for what seemed like a month. I went to a real doctor and found out I had asthma and possibly heartburn. The doctor technically told me I was not allowed to sing for another month while I am on medication so my cords could heal up. I figured I'd just go in a record, THEN begin the one month of no singing because I scheduled to record a while back. It's funny because when my vocal teacher had told me for weeks that my cords were swollen I didn't understand how she could know by just listening. But as soon as I put my headphones on and heard myself in them, I could hear it bright as day. I was kind of upset with how my voice sounded throughout the session, but at the same time it was probably the coolest thing I've done! I love recording. If I had all the time in the world, I would have stayed their until I got every note and detail right. But, since time is money (literally in this case) I could only stay for an hour (I accidentally went over by 30 min). I did every song twice in that hour and one song three times. 

Here is one of the songs I sang that day. Before you judge too harshly, remember that my cords were swollen and I couldn't put my all into the song. That and I'm not trying to go anywhere with this, I was just doing it for pure enjoyment because I LOVE to sing (and it was a Christmas present) 

So without further adieu. My cover of The Finish Line by Train (P.S. It sounds better with headphones, seriously.) 

if you enjoy dancing and singing...

Then you'll enjoy my hilarious roommates and I celebrating the end of finals! 

Video #1 - Steph and I doing the hair flip dance

Video #2 - Classic roommate song; Pretty Girl Rock

Video #3 - GANGNAM STYLE!

Video #4 - We need somebody to love...

                                          

                                         

                                           

Oh! & to get you in the Christmas spirit.. let me and Jason sing ya a little Christmas tune. 

This was our first attempt (trust me, when we practiced we laughed every time)

Attempt dos! 

If you watched all of these.... You must have a lot of free time on your hand. Or you just wanted to see me sing and dance ;)

I hope you enjoyed those as much as I did. Life is fun.

Couple Shoot

This past Sunday I had a photo shoot with a really cute couple! They've been married for almost two years and you can tell that they were just meant for each other by how compatible they were. Looking at how they were goofing around together and being cute made me realize more what I want in a future spouse. Here are a few photos from their shoot! :)

Tradition

Traditiooooooooooon! TRADITION! 

In the Moulton Family household, on Thanksgiving, it's time to break out that good 'ol Christmas music. As a matter of fact... it's time to break out that good 'ol christmas tree!

Our family has had a tradition where we put up all the Christmas decorations on Thanksgiving day. I don't know when or why we started doing this on Thanksgiving... but we've been going strong (at least when the kids are home). 

Can I just say... I love being home on Thanksgiving. I've missed it SO MUCH. I feel blessed with such a great family. 
Let's also just say, I'm not ready to go back to Utah yet! A week is not long enough. 
Woah plot twist! Shocker there.

Until the next post! :) 

My First Recital

As some of you may know, I've been taking voice lessons at school. I had always known that I was going to have a recital at the end of November, so when I caught this obnoxious cough a little around the end of October, I started freaking out way more than normal.

It started as a cough, then my nose got stuffed and my ears got clogged. I went to the Health and Wellness Center about a week and a half before my recital. They told me I had really bad allergies and put me on a prescription. They told me if not much had changed in 4 days I should call them back. I waited about 6 days and finally decided to call. They put me on antibiotics  People gave me the weirdest looks when I told them I was antibiotics when I only had 'allergies'. Alas, my 'whatever this sickness is' didn't go away in time for my recital, so yes, I sang with a phlegmy throat. 

Here's a better sounding version of my video if you already heard it on Facebook. This version was recorded on my phone, but someone texted me during it so it got cut off halfway. Here's the two split videos. 

I'm glad I've finally sung infront of an audience. I feel good about myself even if I don't sound the best. I love to sing so much.

Until the next post :)

I Don't Really Understand

I've known people that have done things that aren't okay... but they are much happier and I feel like they receive more/constant blessings. Did I so something wrong? Because...

I don't know. I know I shouldn't compare... it just makes me sad. How can I be in the same state as I was a few months ago, on and off? Are greater things going to happen to me later? 

I hope so :( 

God's timing works in mysterious ways. It is just so hard sometimes. 
Like tonight. 

Christmas List!!

1. 50 mm f/1.8 lens

$102.99 - Link to online purchase - Amazon

It's time for a new one I'm thinkin! I'm taking a lot of portrait photography lately, so I think this would be a good thing to get :)

1a. Fotodiox Dedicated Lens Hood (for Canon EOS EF 50mm f/1.8)

$4.98 

If I get the lens above, this is something that I should get with it

Note: You can get these two in a package deal in the link of the lens I put above under 'Frequently Bought Together'

2. Digital Camera Bag

$89.99 - Link to product

I think it's time I got a camera bag. I look silly/unprofessional going on shoots with just my camera on my shoulder and no bag.

3. iHome iP4 FM Stereo Boombox

$159.99 or $143.99 (for the used one) - Link to item

I would absolutely LOVE this. This would seriously be the coolest things to have EVER & I LOVE music so it would't be for a bad cause!

4. Mossimo Supply Co. Black Soft Knit Flptop Solid

$10.99 - Link to Item - Target

These are perfect for when I have photo-shoots in the winter and my fingers are freezing. It's hard taking photos with regular gloves though, that's why I want the half-finger ones!

4. Brown Boots

$34.50 - Link to item - Delias

I only have black long boots. I want my own instead of borrowing my roommates! I'm a size 8.

5. $25 dollar iTunes Gift Card

I can never have too much music

6. Movies

I freakin lost my copy & I love this movie! You can get a used one for super cheap though.

6. Battery Charger

My phone usually dies super fast. It'd be a lot easier to just have this with me in my backpack or purse inside of trying to find an outlet or bring my long cord!

$10.59 - Link to item

7. Ipod Charger Kit

I'm kind of tired of borrowing other peoples iPod USB cords to charge my iPod. This would be very useful! 

$2.19 - Link to Item

8. Miscellaneous 

I'm usually game with any type of clothing. I wear clip on earrings (can never have too many earrings). A photoshop 'How to' book would be perfect. Just plain cash (For recording studio purposes) or gift cards are good too :)

Good luck Santa!

I should be studying...

Instead I'm just going to upload pichaaaahs of the last few weeks! 

Steph turned 21! What does that mean? Dinner at Wingers of course! :) 

Katie Came to visit!! Ihop trip it is! :) 

 We like pay attention in church.. I swear. 

 Most creative date I've ever been on. Get this. We drive up to Idaho with a couch in the truck. We go to the tetherball court where they filmed Napoleon Dynamite. They set up the couch and the movie and we watch it there, while eating tator tots, 1% milk and a corn dog (if you don't understand why that's awesome, you may want to re-watch the movie). I saw the biggest shooting star I've ever seen in my life that night too! Great night. 

 Just going to football games with my girl! 

Photoshoots with the beautiful Kenz! 

We didn't go anywhere for fall break... so we just hiked the wind caves. Not a huge fan of that hike to be honest.

 That one night I felt like a celebrity.Yes, yes I was Nicki for Halloween. It was the most ballin' costume I've ever done too.

That's just a gist of what's been going on lately... & for your entertainment... some good 'ol videos. 

Watch the original music video. You'll see why I'm opening my mouth so wide. I tried to be like him. Kind of a fail. 

This is a short song from the movie 'Think Like a Man'. I don't give it any justice... but you should listen to this :) to get a gist of what it sounds like

Hope everyone had a good Sunday. 

Until the next post :)

My First Paycheck.

This past weekend I shot my first family pictures. It is my cousin's family. They were really great to work with, despite the fact that I had all the girls throw berries at me to make one smile. I didn't ask to get paid but they ended up paying me regardless! I'm kind of feeling the pressure to make these look good! Here's a preview so far :)

Afterwards they treated me to ice cream and their cute girl showed me some of her dance moves

Yep. I quite like what I want to do with my life.