An Update & Some Thoughts...

Sorry, it's been awhile. Much has happened, quick update:

Traveled to LA with Noteworthy and competed in semi-finals where we placed 4th, definitely not where we wanted to be but all things considered we were so happy that we competed and shared our testimonies through music. :)

Also, I've been attending spinning classes at Gold's Gym and I absolutely love them! So much fun, definitely hard work but the end result is fantastic! I feel soo good and ready for the day when the class is over!

I finished my senior thesis and received an A!
I was so extremely excited when I got my paper back, all of the work and effort of two semesters paid off! YAY! (I'm thinking about posting it here but it's really really long so I can't decide...would anyone actually read 20 pgs worth of research and on a 14th century altarpiece?)
Now just one more big hurdle before graduation (well besides a couple tests, and one more paper) I'm presenting my senior thesis on Friday April 9 in the MOA! I'm excited, it's all prepared, now I just have to actually present it. You're all invited if you want to come! It starts at 10 am and goes until 12:30 (I'm only presenting for 10 minutes, other students are presenting as well). It's in room 386 of the Museum of Art on BYU Campus.

And lastly, Conference was absolutely incredible, wasn't it?! I had so many insights and thoughts and many of my questions were answered. I think the greatest thing about conference is not necessarily the talks in and of themselves, but the opportunity we have to receive direct personal revelation. I know I often have thoughts during conference that answer questions that I've had for awhile, oftentimes these thoughts come and have nothing to do with what the speaker is saying. I testify that personal revelation is real and the the Lord gives us answers when we seek, and ask for them. I testify that the talks we heard were all inspired of the Lord. I testify that Thomas S. Monson is undoubtedly the Prophet of God on the earth today, and I testify that if we follow his prophetic counsel we will be happy and filled with peace. I testify that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that Joseph Smith translated it. I testify that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer and that he did rise on the third day and overcame mortal death. I testify with all my being that the doctrine taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true, and if we but follow the counsel, we will be happy.
Now, clearly I can't post about all my favorite moments or we'd be here well until October haha just kidding, but here are a few of my very favorite moments from conference:

Elder Holland "You shouldn't be serving tea anyway." (Hilarious!) ok but really,
"True love must include the idea of permanence. True love endures."

Elder Perry talking about how influential women can be as Mothers, and how we as daughters of God are divinely appointed to be Mothers.

Elder Packer "Fear is the opposite of faith, move forward with faith." (We must be moving in a direction to progress.)

Elder Ballard talking about mothers and fathers and being examples to their children, quoting Ralph Waldo Emerson,
"What you do speaks so loudly, that I cannot hear what you say."

Sister Beck talking about the importance women and mothers seeking appreciation and affirmation from appropriate places such as family, scriptures, and the Lord, NOT from the world.


Elder Bednar "The Book of Mormon contains the fulness of the Savior's gospel, and is the ONLY book the Lord himself has testified to be true."


Elder Uchtdorf, "The people of the city added on the base of the statue [of Christ] a sign that read,
You are my Hands."

With this last thought in mind, we as Gods children are also His hands, let's strive to do a bit better, and become more like our Savior.


I love General Conference and while I'm sad it's over, I can't wait for the talks to be posted online on Thursday!
I'm inspired by my dear friend Tiffany who just reached her goal of reading the Ensign with the talks from October Conference before this session started, I'm adopting this goal Tiff, thanks for the great idea!
I encourage all my friends and family to read and study the messages from General Conference, your testimonies will grow!

Senior-itis

It's here. I'm done. It's over. I'm ready to break out of school and never come back!!! Don't get me wrong, I'm very grateful for the fantastic education I've received, but I'm ready, soooo ready to move on and and be, well a real person, a real contributing member of society. My senior thesis is due this Friday and I am finishing that up right now. So exciting! I'm just very excited for it to be done and turned in because at this point I'm having a hard time focusing and being dedicated to school. I'd so much rather read books that I WANT to read and do things I WANT to do. I think graduation will bring a very nice change! I have a lot of projects and goals I want to tackle this summer without school to get in the way! Including sewing, cooking, being more crafty, learning how to make jam, how to can peaches/apples etc., and most of all I want to take an online photography class! OH and also packing for the big move to New York City! A lot of exciting changes are ahead, so I just need to hold on a little longer and work a little harder because as my Mom always says, "You can do hard things." Yes I can, which is why I will graduate soon with a degree in Art History from BYU! So bring it on school, because guess what I can do hard things, and I'm going to MAKE myself focus for just a couple more months and then I will say goodbye to your lovely challenges FOREVER!!

Thank You

I was reading the Ensign this morning and an article called "Two Words That Can Change Lives" caught my attention. The two words... Thank you. The resounding message I came away with is that I don't tell people nearly enough that I am grateful for them. I loved how the article started out.

"Think of the things you are grateful for. Think of the people who have taught you, encouraged you, loved you, and made a difference in your life. Now think back. Have you told them you are grateful for them and why? That is something we each can and should do. Tell them in person, by phone, in a note, or in a letter. We can start today. Let's do it!"

I loved the resonating message, let's be grateful TODAY! It has to start somewhere, and today is the day! SO with that in mind I am so grateful for so many people, most of all to my Heavenly Father he's given me everything and I really am so grateful for all He's done for me. I'm especially grateful for my knowledge of the gospel, for my knowledge of my Savior, for His love for me and for His all encompassing sacrifice embodied in the Atonement. I am thankful for the Plan of Salvation, for the knowledge I have of eternal life, I know that I can be with my family forever, what precious knowledge that is! I am so grateful for the scriptures, and for the testimonies of Christ written by ancient prophets that echo from their pages. I am so thankful for my family, each and every individual!! If I went through and named every person and why I was grateful for them I'm pretty sure we'd be here until next Thursday...however I would like to say thank you to

My parents: for always being there for me and teaching me what it's like to have parents who truly care and would do anything to support me! (Especially driving for 13 hours to watch Noteworthy's 12 minute set when we compete in California...wow now that's true love!)

My Other Parents: Mom and Dad Alemany I love you so much and I'm so grateful for your thoughtful words, and always being there to encourage me!

My Brother: T.J. you really are the best brother anyone could ever

ask for, thanks for always being so willing to help me!!

My Sister Annaliese: You are the best addition to our family!!! Thank you

for your love, support, encouragement, RECIPES, teaching me how to cook and to blog, and being such an incredible person! I love you!

My Sister Karen: Thank you for being such a bubbly happy person all the time and for sharing all of your fun adventures with us! Love you!

My adorable Sister Chelsee: I don't know what I would do without you. Thank you for listening, talking, laughing, sharing, and being the best little sister anyone could EVER ask for! I love you girl!

and lastly my incredible Husband: You're the best thing that ever happened to me, thank you for supporting me, loving me, appreciating me, and listening when I have long random stories :) I love you!

I'm so grateful for all of my friends, you're all incredible and you've each taught me how to be a better person in numerous ways!

Today I've made a goal to tell you all how much I appreciate you,

more often than I have been! Soooo......

Women in Art

This documentary from "Great Museums" is a great introduction to women in art. It highlights some women artists starting from the 16th century in Europe. But like I said it's a great INTRODUCTION, by no means does it hold all the wonderful information about women in the arts.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/131732/great-museums-a-womans-touch-national-museum-of-women-in-the-arts

Enjoy!

Self Portrait with a Straw Hat, Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun, 1780's.

Noteworthy Pics as Promised...in no particular order!

The Newbies with our ties and Nalgene's! :D

The NW luncheon with all the alumni...the newbie couch

Singing on campus

Singing on campus

After a dress rehearsal

Just bein our goofy selves :D

After our January Concert with our great fans from Hillcrest High School

At Kelsey's Wedding

Fall Photoshoot

Backstage of The Sing-Off

Just hanging out

We love..yellow?

Backstage with Nick Lachey

Like I said, we really do love each other! :D

Takin' a walk around WB's lot in our snazzy outfits!

On set with Deke Sharon, Brian Rooker, Kelly & J.T.

Cassie and I hanging out on set!

After our first performance!

After our performance Nick Lachey came over to congratulate us!

High Fives!! :D

Before the 2nd show meeting the judges...Me shaking Shawn Stockman's hand :D

Rooker our fav. wrangler gave us a tour of WB's lot!

The Friends Stage!!

On the porch of the Gilmore's house!!! We love Gilmore Girls!

Katie and I before going on stage at ICCA

Performing Stayin' Alive at the 2010 ICCA quarterfinals in Eugene, OR

Celebrating the WIN! :D

Sunday morning at church with Jo from Divisi! We love you JO!

The Low-Down: My Experience in Noteworthy...so FAR!

I haven't really shared any of my experiences with Noteworthy this year, and as it has been a fantastic experience, I will now share many of the crazy things that have happened this year. WARNING: COULD BE LONGEST BLOG POST EVER. I tried out for Noteworthy last fall and was soo nervous, the only reason I tried out (again) was because my Dad and Michael told me I HAD to. I was really nervous, I hadn't been singing in any groups for two years and I was starting to doubt my abilities as a performer. I tried out the first Friday back to school, and I honestly did

n't know what was going to happen. I sang "Anyway" by Martina McBride, and felt great about my tryout. I knew that I'd done my best and that was all I could do. :) I remember that night laying on the couch talking to Michael who was already staying up late to do some homework. I asked him if he honestly thought I could make it, and he said, "Siri I have no doubt, you're going to be in Noteworthy this year." (I was thinking to myself, ok well you have to sound all hopeful because your my husband and you have to support me.) I fell asleep on the couch, and for anyone who knows me well, knows that I am not friendly when I wake up in the morning, or from naps...Michael woke me up at 12:30 and told me that I'd received an email from the girls...we read it together and I was invited to call backs the next morning at 9 AM. I was excited but at the same time, I'd been to callbacks before, it was definitely an intimidating experience. We went to bed that night extremely exhausted. The next morning I had the best tryout of my entire life in callbacks. I KNOW I had so much help from Heavenly Father that morning. Learning the music was simple, and learning the dance seemed effortless, which is definitely not so characteristic for me. :) (as the other girls in nw will now attest to haha). After a 4 hour call back with 19 other talented girls, they told us that they might call some of us for interviews, better known as the "circle of intimidation." Micha

el picked me up and we were on our way to lunch at Cafe Rio, when SURPRISE Courtney called and asked if I could come NOW for the circle of intimidation. We turned around and headed back to the HFAC, I felt the butterflies in my stomach start fluttering around more crazy than ever, it's good to be nervous, I kept telling myself. We arrived and saw another girl walking out, she told me good luck and Michael and I went in together. I was so grateful to have him there with me...seemed much less intimidating :). We started talking to the returning girls and some former members who were helping with tryouts. It seemed to be going well. And then they asked Michael what he thought of Noteworthy and what he would think if I were to be in the group, as it is a huge time commitment, not just inside rehearsal but for gigs, competition, traveling etc. I truly think his answer is what made the girls want me :) He said, "Obviously you've seen how talented Siri is, and I truly think that it'd be a shame if she wasn't able to share that talent and be in this group her senior year." He continued by saying how much he loved me and how willing he was to support me in this. By this

time I was crying, along with the entire group of girls :). I figured that was a good sign. We finished the interview and left. Michael turned to me when we were outside and said, "Was that an ok answer?" I started laughing and told him that it was a VERY good sign that he made all the girls cry. haha then he told me that he didn't think he'd ever understand women. Later that day I got a call from Courtney while we were on our way up to Draper, she said she had one more question for me..."Would you like to be in Noteworthy?" (Insert abrasive scream HERE.) I couldn't stop screaming, but I calmed down en

ough to tell her that yes I would LOVE to be in Noteworthy. She said our first rehearsal was Tuesday. Wow I couldn't believe it!!! That Tuesday I met the girls...2009-2010 lineup for Noteworthy: Lizzy Early, Cassie Crabbe, Kelsey Rapps (now Pratt, she got married while we were filming for the Sing Off...oh the things we sacrifice for Noteworthy), Katie Jensen, Courtney Jensen, Amber Catherall, Amy Whitcomb, Laina Walker, and Siri Alemany!

And that was the start of the craziest adventure ever. Rehearsals started we began bonding as friends, and then became increasingly obsessed with each other, forming an everlasting sisterhood (and while this may sound cheesy, it's definitely the truth). In October we had our first gig and it went pretty well, the new girls, were pretty nervous but it was sooo much fun singing on stage with your best friends, who you know you can trust. At the end of October a meeting was called, all husbands/fiances were invited (only Michael and Alec) so we knew this was probably super important. Amy and Courtney announced that we'd been invited to compete on a new NBC reality show called "The Sing-Off" (Insert multiple abrasive screams HERE). We were obviously all so excited and of course we said YES! Then Court and Amy looked at Kelsey and Alec and announced that we'd have to be in LA on November 28 and start filming the 29th. Kelsey and Alec were getting married November 28. Alec looked at Kelsey and told her that she didn't have a choice, she was doing it, it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and there's no way he'd let her not compete. Talk about a supportive guy! Those were a couple of crazy months of rehearsals...and we couldn't tell ANYONE!!! Oh my goodness that was so hard. Finally the press release went out and we were able to tell people, what a relief that was. We worked it out with all of our professors (some more accommodating than others) and rehearsed, visualized, prepared, and rehearsed some more. We got to LA and met the other groups, oh my goodness it was like bonding with NW all over again. We love the other groups so much, it honestly felt like one big a cappella bash rather than a competition. We had so much fun filming for the show, and being "wrangled" around haha. (We couldn't do anything without permission, and couldn't go anywhere unless our wranglers knew where we were...kinda felt like elementary school again). Time for filming came and we performed our guts out, and felt so confident in each of our performances. We had so much fun, and I think that's the truly important thing. The night we got kicked off was so sad (contrary to the huge smile I had on tv when we got kicked off haha), we were sooo sad to be leaving. We had created incredible friendships with the other contestants, the staff, especially the fabulous stage manager Rob :) However we were so comforted and we knew that everything was going to ok. Funny story...the day after we got kicked off we were on our way to the airport and our wrangler (who will remain nameless) was driving. She looked at our plane tix said we were on Southwest and dropped us off at Terminal 5. We were already running kind of late, we got in line and thought we'd be fine. Well we get up to the check in counter and our tickets won't scan on the machines...the lady who was working there asked if she could see our tix, and then told us we were actually on Delta...which is in terminal 1. (If you've ever been to LAX you know how HUGE it is...kind of a big deal). So we picked up our bags and started RUNNING frantically through the airport, down the stairs, out to the shuttle, climbed on.......climbed off made it to Delta's line and started singing for people so they'd let us cut...well unfortunately we didn't make it in time. We missed our flight, which was actually pretty hilarious. We just hung out in the airport for about 4 more hours, making videos and coming up with ideas for our competition set. After Christmas break we had our show at the Covey Center the first week in January. It was sooo much fun (and props to the sound people...thank you for knowing how to do your job and mix a female a cappella group CORRECTLY, much appreciated). We were and are so appreciative to all of our fans who have supported us, written us letters, facebook posts, bought our cd's/tshirts/posters etc. and who in general are the BEST FANS EVER!!! WE LOVE YOU! After our show intense rehearsals started for the 2010 International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella competition. We were so excited to find out that we'd be competing in Eugene with our best friends, Divisi--whom we love and miss so much btw!!! It was such an exciting night, we got on stage, performed our set from muscle memory and felt pretty good about it. We honestly had no idea how it was going to turn out though, because according to the ICCA officials it was the hardest quarterfinal ever. Standing on stage during the awards ceremony...

Outstanding Soloist goes to Amy Whitcomb of Noteworthy for the entire set (Insert abrasive screams and jumping up and down HERE)
Outstanding Vocal Percussion: Courtney Jensen of Noteworthy (Insert abrasive screams and jumping up and down HERE) and Danny Cavero of UC-Santa Cruz Acquire for "Circle of Life"
Outstanding Arrangement goes to: Haley Steinberger of Divisi for "Fallin'" and Catherine Papworth of Noteworthy for "Stayin' Alive" (Insert abrasive screams and jumping up and down HERE)
Outstanding Choreography: Megan Schimmer of Divisi for "He Lives in You" and Courtney Jensen and Amy Whitcomb of Noteworthy for the entire set. (Insert abrasive screams and jumping up and down HERE)
3rd place goes to: Oregon State University Outspoken (289 points)
2nd goes to: University of Oregon Divisi (391 points)
1st place goes to: Brigham Young University Noteworthy (400 points)

Finally, all of our hard work and effort paid off! ICCA quarterfinal champions!!! Wow what a feeling! We are now preparing for semifinals which will be held on March 20 (the day after my senior thesis is due..yikes) in California at USC!! We are so excited! Thanks for everyone's support, I love you all and am so appreciative!!
Especially...thanks to my husband Michael who is by far the most supportive, hardworking, loving husband ever...I love you babe! Thanks for always supporting me, even though it takes soo much time! You truly are the best and I don't know what I would do without you!!!

(More pictures of NW to come in a crazy upload of the whole year!)

Goals--Revamped!

2010. A new year, and along with new year's celebrations comes new GOALS, as usual. I'm really good about setting goals, many of them, all the time, but I sometimes have a hard time reaching ALL of the goals I set for myself. I could go on and on about reasons, excuses etc. but I don't think that'd be beneficial to anyone. The true reason for this post is because I'm already falling well behind on some of my goals, begun a mere 2 months ago. I sometimes feel like there's always a piece missing, and I can't ever quite figure it out. For instance, no matter how hard I try I just seem to not want to get out of bed every morning and go running. (Not to mention that I absolutely hate running in the first place, I'm trying to change that, but so far I still hate it.) Anyway, I've decided to take it one week at a time, that seems manageable enough, and to be realistic about goals. I also figured that telling more people would help me feel motivated to do better and succeed! So my goals for this week are as follows:
1. Exercise at least 3X this week
2. Complete a 15 pg. rough draft of my senior thesis
3. TRY to stay on top of my other homework :)
4. make dinner at least 4X this week
5. study and get an A on my Humanities test
AND to top it all off...maintain a very happy attitude while I'm at it!
I seriously am so excited about everything that I'm doing in life right now, and I'm trying my best to live in the moment and not be too anxious for things that are coming (aka GRADUATION!!) ahem, anyway, I will update ya'll on my progress this week and let you know how it goes :) Thanks for listening (or I guess reading) it gives me more motivation to get all of this done!

So here's to new beginnings and the start of a new year, and to keeping our goals!!!
What are some of your goals this year?


*Disclaimer: Yes, I realize I'm posting about this well after the January-ian tradition, but still... :D