Let me tell you about this great book...

I must mention this book I am reading. I am really enjoying it. It is called Physik by Angie Sage. It's actually the third book in a trilogy. (The first two books are titled Magyk and Flyte.) It is a young adult fantasy-fiction book about a young boy named Septimus Heap. He is the seventh son of a seventh son, which makes him powerfully magical. I liked Magyk, which had a chapter about a "rubbish chute" that had me laughing out loud, and Flyte, but my favorite is Physik. If you're looking for a good book to read, give these three a try. Don't let their size discourage you. They are hefty books, but they are written for a young teen. It's not tough reading for an adult, but the story is good enough not to bore.

Let me know if you have read anything good. I'm always looking for suggestions!

Music Makes the World Go 'Round!

It's been more than a month since the last time I posted anything. I won't make excuses. This is why I was never good at keeping a journal. I write diligently for awhile and then I go for six months without writing anything. I refuse to feel guilty. I'll just write when I can. That's all I can promise.

I have decided to write a post about the songs that have had meaning to me throughout my life. They are not all necessarily songs that I love or even like. They are songs that evoke certain feelings or bring on specific memories.

Let's start at the very beginning (a very good place to start)...

1984 --Wake Up, Little Susie by The Everly Brothers
This song was my favorite song when I was about six. It's the first song I remember really really liking. My Dad had the record album, and I always requested it. I thought it was such a funny song. I didn't really get it. It's about a young teenage couple who get in big trouble after accidentally spending the night together because they fell asleep. It was actually written in 1957, but I didn't discover it until about 1984.

1986 -- Cyndi Lauper's She's So Unusual album
I know this isn't a song... it's a whole album. This was the first album that was ever MINE. I think my Dad bought it for me. I was obsessed with Cyndi Lauper. I thought she was so cool with her totally 80's hairdo and clothes. My favorite song on the album was probably a toss up between Girls Just Want to Have Fun and She Bop.

1990 -- Hangin' Tough by New Kids on the Block
Yes, I was a fan. I even went to a concert once. I had posters on my bedroom wall. I'm not ashamed. I was 12... it's what 12 year old girls do.

1992 -- Jump Around by House of Pain
Everytime I hear this song, It takes me straight back to stake dances.

1993 -- The Sign by Ace of Bass
I had the whole cd. I listened to it A LOT. It's a fun song! (It surprised me when Kari liked it because she was all about the country music.)

1995 -- Lump by The Presidents of the United States of America
"Lump lingered last in line for brains, and the ones she got were sort of rotten and insane." What's not to like about a song containing that line? This one reminds me of my brother Drew. We used to sing it taking turns doing every other word. That's a lot harder than it sounds like it would be.

1996 -- The Power of Love by Celine Dion
I had a roommate at Ricks who listened to this song over and over and over and over because it reminded her of some missionary she was "waiting" for. I say "waiting" because she sure did date MANY other people while "waiting." In fact, she married one of those other people.

1997 -- I don't remember the name of the song. Kari will know it. It goes "He sends chills up and down, up and down my spine." I think it's sung by Tanya Tucker?
This is another one that was played on repeat by a roommate. (Not the same roommate who played The Power of Love.) We used to dance around a lot to this one. This same roommate also listened to "Oh L'Amour" by Erasure a whole lot also. I still remember every word to that song.

1999 -- Never There by Cake
Again, this one holds memories with my roommates at BYU. I remember calling the radio station once to request it. I flirted with the dj, and then they played my request on the air. It was quite exciting at the time.

The next several years were a musical blur. No specific song really stands out to me in particular. I think this was my Sarah MacLachlan phase. I own several of her cd's.

2004 -- My Humps by Black Eyed Peas
"No, no drama. No, no, no, no drama!" I remember riding in the car with Val, singing along with this song while dancing. I think we laughed so hard we had to pull over.

2005 -- Since You've Been Gone by Kelly Clarkson
My nephew Kyle loved this song. He sang along to it in the car when it came on the radio. He was only about 3 at the time. When Drew and Marquesas sang with their band, Marquesas would sing this song and dedicate it to Kyle.

2008 -- TBA
We'll see what songs have an impact on me this year. That remains to be determined.

I'm sure I left out tons that I just can't think of off the top of my head, but when I hear them I immediately reminisce. What songs have meaning to you? Feel free to leave a comment with an important song in your life.