Because tomorrow my comprehensive exams start, and I'm freaking.
...and if I don't pass these exams then I don't graduate my masters program.
...and the study guide is 400+ terms, at least 100 of which I've never heard of.

Because yesterday was a fantastic day, and even if nothing comes of this new thing I've got going on I'm really enjoying it for now, and it's good to be reminded that nice guys are out there.

Because this whole album (which came out on my birthday!) got me through a horrendous breakup.

Because TSwift is clearly my spirit animal and someone understands all my feelings despite being so very young.

Because I don't care if everyone I know makes fun of me and my un-ironic obsession with Taylor Swift.

Because this song makes me happy, and I could use a big dose of that right about now.

A friend showed me this performance from the Ellen show, and I've been listening to it nonstop since. 

Ever have one of those days you have trouble describing because you know no one will get it except the people who lived it?

And you know that you'll remember it forever no matter what happens in the future, because it was  perfect. Even the imperfect parts. And you want to tell everyone about this day and this person because how could you keep it in? But you promised, you and this person, that it would just be for the two of you. Just for us and no one else.

Ever had one of those days?

I've mentioned it before, but Matt Nathanson is one of my absolute favorite artists. I never get tired of listening to any of his music, and I've seen him perform live 6 times (I think it's 6).

Lately I've been playing him a lot...at work, in the car, in my apartment. And everytime I hear "All We Are" my heart catches in my throat. Mostly b/c of this story: Counting the Days Until the World Goes Quiet

I dare you to read it an not get choked up. The gist of it is that a girl had to have surgery that would leave her deaf, and this was the last thing she chose to hear beforehand.

I'm posting a live version of the song, because I love what he says before he starts playing about life being short and living the way we want to every single day. About moving forward and also savoring each day. Anyway, I love this song, and I really want to internalize the message and remember it every day. To let go of high expectations for myself, to be 100% myself as often as I can be.

I tasted, tasted love so sweet
And all of it was lost on me
Bought and sold like property
Sugar on my tongue

I kept falling over
I kept looking backward
I went broke believing
That the simple should be hard

All we are we are
All we are we are
And every day is a start of something beautiful

I wasted, wasted love for you
Trading out for something new
Well, it's hard to change the way you lose
If you think you've never won

'Cause all we are we are
All we are we are
And every day is a start of something beautiful

And in the end the words won't matter
'Cause in the end nothing stays the same
And in the end dreams just scatter and fall like rain

'Cause all we are we are
All we are we are
And every day is a start of something beautiful, something real

All we are we are
All we are we are
And every day is a start of something beautiful, beautiful

I honestly think this song needs no introduction. So I'll just say that Sarah turned me on to this band from the UK and I've been listening to this song non stop.

And yes, that's Abraham Lincoln in the video.

I'm always looking for new music, and I have a few friends who reliably provide great suggestions. This one came from Julie, and I absolutely love it!

Beautiful voice, beautiful instrumentals, beautiful lyrics. The rest of the EP is great as well.

So, I know this is sort of a break up song, but I love it! (Aren't some of the best songs break up/angry songs?) I mean, who didn't see this coming? I adore Katy Perry.

Surely I've written about Eric Hutchinson before...but I'm too lazy to find that entry. I've been listening to him for almost ten years now, since he played the dining hall at GW my freshman year. Several shows (and years) later, he has a new video out and a new album coming out in a couple weeks.

I really love watching an artist grow and come into their own, and I know I'm going to love the new album, if this single is any indication.

Early morning on Mondays and Wednesdays I have yoga. I signed up as a way to relieve stress and bring a little more 'ohmmm' into my life to replace the 'ommmmmmggggg'

And so far? It's working. I get this great yoga buzz going and it stays with me most of the day. (Except on Wednesdays, when it's gone by 7pm because I still have 3 hours of class left and I just want to go home!)

On the first day of class my instructor told us that she likes to use non traditional yoga music (I guess instead of the usual new age stuff) and since then we've been treated to Radiohead, Sigur Ros, a bunch of artists I don't know, and Pearl Jam.

At first I thought this song might kick me out of my zen relaxation, but it's actually perfect.

So, enjoy! Breathe deeply. Namaste and all that.

Getting up at 4:30 for a flight, 1 cab ride, 2 classes (one mine, one I taught) and unpacking is not the recipe for a lovely evening...except for last night.

Instead of tired and cranky there was yummy food and pink roses and listening to music on the couch. And a certain someone who couldn't stop saying how much he liked this song. So now it's his ringtone when he calls. Yup, I'm a temporary resident of the Sappyland.

This isn't the version I was playing, but I like the black and white video, so...

And trust me, I'm sooooo painfully aware this version is from Twilight. But you have to admit, those movies have amazing soundtracks so I'm not embarrassed.

In two days I will be here:

To say I'm excited would be a major understatement. I miss the ocean and the beach and the sun. Even though it's been pretty in SLC lately, I feel like it's trick and it'll surely get cold again. But for five glorious days I am escaping to the West Coast with some lovely people.

I try to never be one of those 'I liked so and so before they were big' people but...it's true. I liked Phantom Planet way before this song was used as the theme for The OC. It's long been my traveling song, even though this is the first time I've been to California in years.

I missed music Monday. Sadface.

But then I realized that it's my blog and I can still post music today if I want to.

Finally watched Drive this weekend. I liked it, but not as much as everyone else. However, the music was fantastic. 80s. Tons of synthesizer. Loved. Especially this song...

So this running thing. It's awesome. Seriously. However...running outside in Salt Lake makes me really sick. Not in a metaphorical way, in a literal losing my voice, sore throat way. The combination of cold, dry air and pollution really did a number on me this past weekend. And I'm so frustrated, because you're not supposed to get sick when you're trying to work out, right? I was trying to do something good for me, and instead I'm stuck sounding like a smoker.

Oh well. Best intentions, right?

Which brings me to the song for today. Years ago I heard Heather Small's 'Proud'...can't remember where. I immediately put it on my gym playlist, where it has stayed. Fast forward and The Biggest Loser uses it as a theme song, as well as (get excited!) The London 2012 Olympics!

Now, I love the Olympics. And every time I remember they're this summer it makes me happy. I was trying to find the original video from when they were bidding for the games, it had the song and a bunch of school kids talking about the Olympics, and was really fun.

But I couldn't find it.

I did, however, find something just as good. Behold, a new(ish) promo video for the games featuring the song and a really clever gimmick. My favorite are the fencing businessmen.

Anyway, not to be too cheesy, but I hope if you're one of those people who needs motivation/inspiration that this can be it. At least for the next ten minutes or so.

Today I was running, and what you have to understand about me is that my tastes are a complicated matter. My music is pretty eclectic, and that holds true for my gym playlist. So one minute i was listening to Matt & Kim and then The Game featuring 50 Cent came on. And it made me run harder (in reality, I upped the speed on the treadmill).

Do you know this song? Hate it or love it the underdog's on top, and I'm gonna shine homey until my heart stops. 

I'm a pretty big fan, even though I mostly just relate to the chorus. It may seem dramatic to say that I have haters. But the truth is that everyone does. There are people in our lives who would rather see us fail so they feel better about themselves. Who are so competitive that they can't be happy when good things happen to us. That measure themselves against us and hate our success. That is the truth.

It's also the truth that sometimes, without realizing it, we become the haters. Think about it. Mostly, you're happy for the people in your life when good things happen to them, even if you're in a bad place. But there are some people who you just don't get excited for. Am I right?

This is sort of my anthem for when the haters get me down.

Go head and envy me, I'm rap's MVP. And I ain't going nowhere, so you can get to know me. 

I may not be rap's MVP (in fact, I am most decidedly not that)...but I like the message.

Usually these Monday posts are whatever I've had on repeat over the weekend/previous week. I tend to get obsessive about music and I'll listen to a song/album/artist nonstop for a while. And this week is no exception.

Do you know Ellie Goulding? You should. "Lights" is the single off her album, but the entire thing is amazing. She has a really interesting voice and I hear something new in the lyrics every time I listen. This song makes me want to dance, and the rest of the album makes me want to think/lie on my bed with candles lit/go for a bike ride/etc.

I am so so happy that music is such a large part of my life. I might have to write on this a little bit more in the future, but for now I'll just request that if you have a favorite song/album right now you leave a comment and let me know what it is. I find it really interesting to know what people are listening to. Or if you're too shy to comment here (all you 12 daily visitors who don't comment) then email me.

This was a weird weekend. A really good, weird weekend.

And ever since Mel posted on my wall that Fun. is coming at the end of March, I've been listening to this song on repeat. Sort of the best possible soundtrack for this weekend and since I've been thinking so much about age lately...well, it makes sense.

Tonight, we are young. So let's set the world on fire. We can burn brighter than the sun.

I have watched this video a lot of times. A lot.

PS: how is it possible that The Black Keys rocks so hard? And why are they coming to Salt Lake when I'm going to be in Europe (probably)?

Today I taught a college class for the first time. Not a presentation, not a mini lecture. A full class. My students. 70 of them.

I kicked ass.

And I'm not sorry for bragging. Because I put a lot of thought into what I was teaching, and I prepared. And it's that preparation that allowed me to throw some of it out the window and go off on a tangent that might have left me standing in front of 70 students staring at me with blank faces and metaphorical crickets chirping. But instead, we discussed. They raised their hands, they shouted things out. They were into it. And so was I.

Today I rose above. And it felt so good.

I used to hate this song, but now I love it. And it was perfect to listen to tonight. Too bad it's not the actual video from Glee.

I'm done! On Friday I sent in my last paper, returned my library book, and sold back my textbooks.

Today I graded the last final paper and dropped them off. And then I spent the rest of the day at work...my last day until 2012!

So I'm officially done. I (theoretically) have no responsibilities for the next 2 weeks. It's glorious.

To celebrate: Queen. Because this is how I've been feeling lately, and it feels so good to be free. This might be my new anthem.

The video is weird but it's Queen so...what do you expect?

I only recently discovered Best Coast but I'm really digging them (her? I'm not sure). I think this is my favorite song of the album, and the video is hilarious.