March mayhem

March roared in like a lamb and out like a lion. Wait, is that the phrase? It doesn't matter. This was during the height of my post-NYC-feeling-sorry-for-myself-for-not-having-a-job funk. I took a break from life and interviews to attend all three days of FanX. And on the very last day of the month I was offered an amazing job with a surprisingly high salary. A Mercurial month indeed!

On the first day of the month, I joined Nichole as she fulfilled a wish: we saw the touring production of A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder. She was the one who first brought it to my attention, and seeing it with her was perfect symmetry. The musical was brilliant! Witty, and quick-paced, and very, very British. We laughed and laughed and marveled at the leading man's stamina (he rarely left the stage) and the other leading man's versatility and quick-changes. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for something silly and clever.

Mom and I drove to Provo to see the Provo City Temple during one of the final days of the open house. It is beautiful inside. I admired that they strove to keep as much of the original architecture and furnishing style as they could. I like the contrast between the dark wood and the bright and airy carpets and tapestries. It's a tiny building, but filled with everything necessary for a House of the Lord. I'm glad Mom wanted to go. I wouldn't have known what I was missing, and I'm glad I didn't miss it! Afterwards, we had uncommonly good pancakes at Penny Ann's. I love having one-on-one time with my mom. Our day trips were one of few good things about being out of work!

Liz and I intended to go to the Ogden Temple, but unluckily it was closed and neither of us had thought to check. So we drove a little further to the Brigham City Temple. It was smaller than I expected and really cute inside. One of the workers showed us around a few of the sealing rooms and explained that each of the temples pays homage to where it is located, so this one has a lot of peach blossom motifs (I didn't know before that Brigham City is known for its peaches. I'll have to check them out in the autumn). 

Aaron and Anna hosted a swimming and pizza party at Aaron's apartment complex. It was low-key and fun. He's a darling uncle and the kids love him. The adults do, too, come to think of it. It's hard not to love Aaron!

I saw Zootopia on opening night with a couple of friends. I liked it a lot! Pixar lately seems to have an agenda in these movies, but oddly it was one of the first couple of lines that really resonated with me. Judy as a tiny bunny tells her parents she wants to be a cop. Her parents know this is an unlikely career bath for a rabbit, so they tell her that sometimes you have dreams and you don't achieve them, and that's okay, too. Judy then goes on to achieve her dream of being a cop and solving a huge mystery and all that, but I appreciated the almost throwaway moment where her parents acknowledge that even though your life may not be what you dreamed it might be when you were young, it can still  be pretty darn awesome. Sometimes dreams change. Sometimes you change. I needed to hear that right then.

Later that night, I blew a tire, but that's another story.

I saw one of my oldest friends perform as a narrator in a delightful Stake production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamboat. Michelle hadn't done a play since we were in high school. She sparkled onstage -- she should do it more often!

I saw one of my oldest friends perform as a narrator in a delightful Stake production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Michelle hadn't done a play since we were in high school. She sparkled onstage -- she should do it more often. I sometimes complain that Joseph is performed too often, but it doesn't stop me from enjoying it every time I go. I love the music!

On Saint Patrick's Day, my mom invited me over for corned beef and cabbage, and her famous sugar cookies. I played with baby PJ in his new cardboard-box house. He's such a charming boy!

I saw the movie Brooklyn later that night. It felt appropriate to see a movie about an Irish girl who finds herself in New York, then goes home to see what might have been had she stayed. All those lovely accents and costumes. Highly recommended!

 Nichole and I supported Larissa in a darling production of Snoopy. It had similarities to You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, but not many. It was a lot of fun, though, and I liked a lot of the music. Talented people having a good time together. And Larissa was wonderful as always!

I auditioned for Big River at Hale, and to my surprise, I was called back, too! I wasn't cast, but I felt good about my work, and grateful they wanted to see me a second time. To celebrate, I ate a donut. The fluffy kind with chocolate frosting. YUMMY!!

Free pancake day at IHOP (I donated to charity, so it wasn't free, but I didn't mind giving money for a good cause AND good food). Then some time at the Salt Lake Temple. I tried to spend some time at a temple every week while I was unemployed. I didn't quite make it every week, but I got pretty close.

After my first job interview, I decided that I had to treat myself. McDonald's ice cream is only a couple hundred calories, so I thought it was a decent choice. I needed something after that interview. It was two hours long and it was harrowing!

Not my cutest outfit ever. If I ever interview for another new job, I'll have to buy something new.

After a few months' respite, we had snow near the end of the month. I got to wear the squashy purple coat and stylish boots I bought for New York City, so I didn't mind traipsing all over to do errands on a particularly snowy day.

Volunteered to judge a high school drama competition. It was hard work and I enjoyed it. The kids had worked hard. Some were better than others. But they were all supportive of each other and positive and the excitement was palpable. Trying to pick a first, second, and third place during the medals round was TOUGH! Everyone else by default tied for fourth place, but there were at least five kids who could have been in the top three. Made fifty dollars and had my faith in the future restored. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon.

This photo of my nieces makes me giggle. Zonks isn't paying attention, just walking away with her dessert, and Breezy is posing like a loon. They are such dear girls.

Lastly, on Easter Sunday I pulled this dress out of my closet. I bought it five years ago and it didn't quite fit back then. Now it fits perfectly. I had a lot of compliments on it. Adam said I look like Belle from Beauty and the Beast. And now I want to cosplay Belle. I feel pretty when I wear it. Not bad for a $6 find!

April is going to be big!