Once I was in this music video...

So Divine Comedy asked us to help them out with their latest parody video. Can you find me? Check it out:

(p.s. if the words aren't showing up, push the red "cc" on the bottom right)

Never have I ever

been so obsessed with a new album. I have had it playing constantly since I bought it on Tuesday. If you don't know what I'm talking about, I'm talking about this:

Nothing moves me like music does, and this album has the mother load of moving, emotional tracks that make you want to cry but yet make you extremely happy at the same time. There isn't a bad song on the album. I can't even imagine being able to sing like this woman can. She blows me away. If you are human and you like good music, you MUST buy this album. I promise you will not be disappointed. You must experience its greatness for yourself. Here's another one of my favorites:

NYC in photos + something amazing

Radio City, Guerrilla Girl, MoMA, the Cloisters

Rothko room at the MoMA, Times Square, Carnegie Deli, Mary Poppins on Broadway

Starbucks, The Met, debating Rembrandt, Van Gogh room (AKA happy place)

Van Gogh, in front of the Met, free champagne for my day of birth, Ah! Alcohol!

Times Square, Chuck Close, Roxy's Cheesecake, Sunday on the Met steps

On another note:

If you haven't heard the new Adele album yet, BUY IT! Seriously, one of the greatest albums I've ever heard! My favorites on the album: Turning Tables, One and Only, Someone Like You, and I Found a Boy. I'm serious, BUY IT! It was worth every penny. (well, I used a gift card to buy it, but still, I highly recommend it!)

An ode to Adele:

How do you know exactly how my life is at this moment? And how can you sing about it oh so well and so clearly? Why did this album just barely come out yesterday? I'm completely obsessed. With you and your music. Please never stop being so brilliant. Sincerely, me. McKell. Lyn Forbes.

"You've been on my mind, I grow fonder every day. Lose myself in time, just thinking of your face. God only knows why it's taken me so long to let my doubts go. You're the only one that I want. I don't know why I'm scared, I've been here before. Every feeling, every word, I've imagined it all. You'll never know if you never try to forgive your past and simply be mine. I dare you to let me be your, your one and only. Promise I'm worth it, to hold in your arms. So come on and give me a chance, to prove I am the one who can walk that mile until the end starts."

I belong in this big city

Words can not describe how fantastic my New York adventure was last week. It was the most perfect week.

Day #1: We took the red eye flight Monday night and arrived at JFK the next morning. We took the train into the city, were able to check into our hotel, and rested for about 45 minutes in our rooms. We then went to the Cloisters, a medieval division of the Metropolitan Museum of Art clear uptown. I saw the Merode Altarpiece, the piece I'm writing my senior thesis on. That was exciting. We then got some lunch at a Texas BBQ joint, walked through central park, and visited the Frick collection. I loved this collection. They had some Van Dycks, Rembrandts, Whistlers, Holbeins, etc. etc. And the house where it was was just gorgeous. We then walked about 10 blocks to the Solomon Guggenheim museum to enjoy some great modern art. They also had a great collection of many important works. Loved it. We then went and checked in at the CAA conference and got our badges and our program guide. Right across the street from the Hilton (where the CAA conference was) there was a movie premiere happening for "Just go With It." We were able to sneak a peek of Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban, Adam Sandler, and Jennifer Aniston. Quite exciting. Then we got some dinner and called it a night.

Day #2: Some of us got up early and went to Christie's Education Center with one of our professors whose friend is the director of education there. She talked to us a little bit about the education program (it is somewhat like Sotheby's) and then took us to the auction house. We were able to sit in on an auction of decorative arts. It was crazy to see how fast those move and how quickly the prices can go from $500 to $20,000. I was intrigued. We then got to wander through the collection of items that were up for sale. And you can touch everything! That was exciting considering I'm used to being in museums where things beep at you if you get too close (I may have had it happen to me a few times...). I handled a drawing by the artist Guido Reni. Excitement. Then a few of us headed to the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art). This was probably my favorite museum of the trip. I may have been a bit emotional when I saw Van Gogh's "Starry Night." I've mentioned that I love him, right? After our trip to the MoMA we went to a session of the CAA Conference where a Guerilla Girl was speaking! One of the founders, Frida Kahlo! She gave a great presentation, and afterward we met her and got our picture with her. One of our girls even cried. That's how excited we were. In the picture our faces look like Christmas morning. It was a happy day. After our excitement here, we went to Bubba Gump in Times Square for dinner. It was delicious. Then I went and took a street jazz and a house class at the Broadway Dance Center. I was on a high after that. It has been far too long since I took a really intense dance class. I miss it. Then I just walked back to our hotel, chilled in the lobby for a bit, then we all went to bed.

Day #3: In the morning Claire and I went downtown to see Wall Street, The Statue of Liberty from Battery Park, and Ground Zero. Claire had never been to New York so she had to see these sights. While she went to another session at the conference, I went on a hunt for some high tops. And I found some. Two great pairs at the same store I bought my favorite high tops ever last time I was in New York three years ago. Happiness. Then we went and heard one of our professors, James Swensen, present at the conference. He did a great job. Then we ran over to the MoMA for a second round, and it was just as great as it was the first time. Then Ciera and I strolled down 5th ave. and did a bit of shopping at H&M and Urban Outfitters (really we just looked. I bought a pair of great boots from H&M for pretty cheap though. and that was all). Then we went back to the hotel and hung out for the rest of the evening. It was far too cold to be outside for long.

Day #4: We got up, ate some falafel pitas for breakfast/lunch, and went to hear two of our professors, Martha Peacock and Heather Jensen, give two of the best presentations I heard at the conference. They amaze me. Then we ate dinner at Carnegie deli, where I got a turkey sandwich that had about 2 pounds of turkey on it. I couldn't finish it and felt a tryptophan overload later. ha! Then we went to the Whitney Museum of American Art to check out their collection. They had a few good Hoppers and Demuths and Scheelers. And then I went and took another street jazz dance class, hung out in Times Square, and got some cherry cheesecake from Carnegie Deli to share with my roomies.

Day #5: My birthday!!! We got up, went to see if we could get some broadway tickets, went shopping on Canal Street (all I bought were some Ray Ban knock offs for $5), ate at the delicious Europa Cafe for lunch, and then went to the matinee of Mary Poppins with cheap student tickets in the balcony. It was such a great show! At one point, Bert was dancing on the ceiling. Brilliant. We all were so happy when at the end Mary Poppins flew up right in front of us. I think one of us cried. It was a happy moment. And then after Mary Poppins we went to the Met. That place is so huge I kind of felt a bit overwhelmed, but overjoyed at the same time. I was really excited when I walked into a room full of Van Goghs. Some of the most beautiful ones I've seen yet. I love him. Did you know? After the Met, one of our local friends took us to this great Jazz club over in the Hell's Kitchen area where there are tons of great secret restaurants that I didn't know about. They had a live jazz band and dancing, and they even gave me a complimentary glass of champagne for my birthday! (No, I did not drink it. It sat on the table like the awkward child). It was an amazing meal and so much fun. We partied in Times Square for a bit afterward and ate some Roxy's cheesecake! The best cheesecake in all of NYC. Thanks to all my friends for making my birthday so fantastic! It was really one of the best birthdays to date.

Day #6: We woke up, packed all our stuff, and caught a cab to church. I love going to church in the city. So many interesting people to see and meet. I met up with two of my friends, one who lives there and one who was visiting her for the week. After church we stopped at the Hot and Crusty in the Upper East side, a really delicious bakery Claire and Brittany discovered, for breakfast. Their apple croissant was to die for. We went another round at the Met to see what we missed the night before, then went back to the hotel, changed and got our bags, and caught a train to the airport.

This trip is definitely one to remember. One of the best and most perfect trips ever. I love that city and I just felt like I belonged there. I really felt like a local walking the streets and riding the subway everywhere. I can't wait until the day that I live there for real. Wish me luck in trying to accomplish that.

I'll do another post with all my pictures soon.

A few things before I depart for the concrete jungle where dreams are made of:

Sometimes (like this last week) I just forget I have a blog. But then again, it has been an INSANE week. Here are some things that happened/are going to happen/or that I realized this last week:

1. I went to classes 2 days this last week. I'll be paying for that later.

2. I auditioned for So You Think You Can Dance, so the two days of classes I missed for it were worth it. I got a call back but was cut during the second day. Next time (if there is a next time) I want to be WAY more prepared. And actually have an idea of what I'm going to do so I'm not such a nervous wreck. Watch for me on national TV come summer!

3. I shook Will Wingfield's hand (season 4 contestant and now stars on the LXD series on Hulu). I was very pleased.

4. Nigel Lythgoe is really hilarious. And I'm actually going to miss Mary Murphy's screams this summer (she has just recovered from a round with thyroid cancer).

5. Really great friends that you can trust with anything are very rare and hard to come by. I found out about a little betrayal by a close friend of mine this weekend. It stung quite a lot. Don't try to hide things people. The person you don't want to find out these little secrets always finds out. It's better to just be open and honest.

6. On the upside of this little betrayal, where friends are lost, friends are gained. And in this case, even greater friends! I love it.

7. I found a house to live in next year! I REALLY love it. And I'll be with three really great friends from Club Style. I'm hoping we'll be able to get it. Pray for me! ha.

8. The month of love sucks. Except for my birthday (which is this Saturday...). Even when I did have a boyfriend in February it wasn't anything special. Why do we have Valentine's Day again? I guess it is a nice excuse to get flowers and pretty and nice things, and the whole secret admirer bit has been quite entertaining to see. But really, is it all necessary?

9. I really love my family. They are just great. And so supportive. I just really love them.

10. I'm headed to the concrete jungle where dreams are made of tonight. I couldn't be more excited. I'm going to take dance classes, see some great art (including the piece I'm writing my senior thesis on), and go hear some great art historians speak. It is a birthday trip of a lifetime. I will report all about it when I get back. With pictures. And stories. I CAN'T WAIT! (p.s. if you have any tips or places I need to go see in New York, those would be fantastic. I'm looking for something great and somewhat cheap to do for my birthday). PARTY!!!

I know, I'm a slacker.

I've really been falling behind on blogging. My apologies. Life is crazy.

I don't have a whole lot to blog about, so I'll just give you the quick update:

- School is good but hard. I don't like two of my classes. They are the GEs I've been putting off until now. I wish I would have just gotten them over with in the beginning.

- Club Style is keeping me busy. We're now preparing for our showcase in April. We're going to have some good numbers I think. My friend Yulong, who has done some choreo for the club, asked if I wanted to do a duet with him. I'm excited to get started on that soon too. He is an amazing choreographer. I'll post vids when I have them.

- So You Think You Can Dance is coming to SLC next week to hold auditions. I don't know if I'll be missing class to go try out, but I have tickets to be in the audience for one of the call back days. I'm excited.

- I'm REALLY looking forward to spending some time at the cabin. It's about time for my dose of fresh mountain air. And maybe I'll see some celebs in PC. My friend shared a pizza with James Franco last weekend. It's a good thing he told me over the phone, because I would have strangled him in envy had we been in person. I love James Franco.

- Which reminds me, if you haven't seen 127 Hours, it is fantastic. Just close your eyes and ears when he cuts his arm off. That made me pretty sick. But I was balling at the end it was so powerful.

- Also, the King's Speech is absolutely incredible! One of my new favorite movies. Colin Firth was phenomenal. As were Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter. All star cast, if you ask me.

- I have gained a new love for the tv show Modern Family. SO funny. Watch it if you haven't seen it, but I would recommend watching it from the beginning so you can understand the characters and not be weirded out by their strangeness. But really, hilarious show. My roommates have caught me laughing really hard to myself a few times. You will too if you watch it. Promise.

- I'll be in New York in just over a week! That I can't wait for. I love New York, as New York loves me.

I think that's all I've got for now. Not too much, I know, but I'll try to stay more on top of things! Til next time...

In dreams awake...

I came across this quote today by Henry David Thoreau and really loved it:

"Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake."

After this week, I think I'm closer to my truest life.

Let me tell you about it:

So, Thursday in my consultation with the Sotheby's man, I experienced a harsh yet enlightening and encouraging/exciting reality check. I no longer will pursue a career in art auction houses (apparently they are extremely competitive and you don't make that much money and you have to specialize in only one area while remaining in NYC for pretty much your whole career). I am going to shoot for the gallery/private dealing life.

Thank you Warren Winegar, for your brilliant advice. I am currently researching and applying for internships in New York City for the summer, as you advised.

Excitement!

What else is great about this man's visit to the BYU campus, is that he worked with the marvelous Martha Peacock to work out a new undergraduate major: Art History with a Business track. I now will only have to take 3 business-related classes at BYU and I will have the experience I need to get a career in the gallery scene.

Sotheby's could do no more for me, they say.

So some excellent news (especially for you, father) is that I no longer need to lay down $50,000 for a master's degree but could be just as successful with a BA in Art History with a side of Business at BYU.

Although this new program may postpone my graduation date to April 2012 rather than December 2011, I think it's worth the extra time and money.

Have I told you I love my school? And my professors? Because I really do. They are so incredibly amazing and provide only the best for their students.

As I said before, I am researching galleries in New York City for an internship this summer. And to Mr. Winegar's advice, I will pick an area to specialize in. Right now I'm thinking American art from 1876 on. Or maybe late 19th century/early 20th century European art. We'll see what I can find.

I'm so incredibly excited about this new insight I have been given into what the art business world is really like. I have very little experience with it, being born and raised in Utah, and this experience this last week has opened my eyes.

I'm SO incredibly grateful for the education I have been blessed to receive at BYU, which was ranked 11th in the nation's top-ranking recruitment schools in 2010 (which means it's the 11th best school to have on a resume when applying for jobs or graduate schools).

I feel like doors are opening and I'm learning more and more where my life path is taking me. I can't wait to jump right in to this new and exciting, albeit harsh (Mr. Wineger related the New York art business scene to the film "The Devil Wears Prada") world!

It's kind of scary sometimes to think of how fast the world is turning and time is passing.

But I really feel like I am now just following Mr. Henri's advice to "Live Living!"

Life is GOOD

I'm back!

It has been far too long since I last blogged, I know. I've been real busy these last two weeks. I finally have finalized my schedule. I feel pretty good about it. It's going to keep me real busy, but I think it's manageable. I'm doing my senior thesis this semester! Ah! The good news is, after I get it done this semester, I'll have more freedom in the fall and can take whatever the heck classes I want. And not have to stress about them! Miracle. It will be fun.

I still have to blog about DisneyWorld. So stay tuned for that.

Also, I'll be 21 in on month from today. Just thought you should know.

And also, I have a private consultation with the former head of Clientele Services at Sotheby's, New York tomorrow.

Sotheby's. As in where I want to go to grad school. Ha!

Wish me luck...