lack of sleep/excess of homework + sounds of summer: royksopp

i'm in a terrible mood today.

my room is right underneath my upstairs neighbors' kitchen and for the last week, i've been woken up at around 4:30-5:00am every morning by the sounds of someone stomping around upstairs.

it happened again this morning.

luckily, after about an hour, the elephant who lives upstairs left the kitchen and i was able to sleep again.

but i woke up an hour later.

and then a half hour after that.

and then another hour after that.

and so on and so forth until 10:45am.

i have a major headache and a spanish test to take today [which i am a little nervous about] so, all in all, i'm a little grumpy.

as we all know, the cure for grumpiness is good music.

enter royksopp.

my brother introduced these norwegian dudes to me last summer and love their electro-pop sound and dance club vibe.

it's impossible to listen to the opening track, "happy up here," and not have a smile on your face.

in fact, after listening to that very song, my grumpy mood is now 35% subsided!

it's a christmas miracle!

listen to this album on your next summer morning run or while getting ready for a girls night out!

favorite tracks:

happy up here

the girl and the robot

vision one

miss it so much

sounds of summer: best coast

best album cover art ever.

this has been my walking around rexburg soundtrack.

it's perfect for sunny and warm days like today.

this album, "crazy for you" by best coast has themes of secret crushes, unrequited love, and the glory of summer.

it also has a poppy, surf rock-y and even at times motown-y feel to it.

listen to it the next time you find yourself doodling your first name plus his last name all over your diary.

favorite tracks:

boyfriend

crazy for you

summer mood

our deal

happy

there are some mornings when the sky looks like a road.

all i want to do this evening is lay in a hammock with a good book and listen to joanna newsom.

especially this song.

guess what.

in exactly one month i will be graduating from college,

leaving rexburg FOREVER,

and embarking on a new phase of life.

i am a little nervous and completely stressed out,

but i'm still extremely excited!

now, if you'll excuse me, i'm off to celebrate by doing my homework at the park because it's finally warm outside!

hallelujah!

summer sounds: beach boys' party!

it just wouldn't be summer without them.

last year i posted about pet sounds, my absolute favorite album of all time, but this year i'm posting about a live recording of the beach boys called "beach boys' party!"

it's pretty self-explanatory.

but it's pretty dang awesome, too.

this record is so upbeat and fun and makes you feel like you're just hanging out in a recording studio with the boys singing songs together, goofing off, and laughing.

so, basically, put this record on, close your eyes, and you're in heaven.

fun fact: the recording of "barbara ann" that we all know and love came from this very album!

so, imagine "barbara ann" times ten and you've got this charming and fun record.

anyway, buy it/check it out from the orem library/borrow it from a friend and let the party of the century begin!

track listing [because they're all my favorite]:

-hully gully

-i should have known better

-tell me why

-papa-oom-mow-mow

-mountain of love

-you've got to hide your love away

-devoted to you

-alley-oop

-there's no other (like my baby)

-medley: i get around/little deuce coupe

-the times they are a-changin

-barbara ann

oh captain, my captain

my favorite photo of me and my dad

[i think i post this photo every year on fathers day]

today in relief society we talked about talents and gifts. at one point in the lesson, the teacher asked us to give examples of how the gifts and talents of others have blessed our lives.

i immediately thought of my father.

he has so many gifts that have blessed my life.

i made a comment about how my dad loves learning and teaching and how those particular gifts have blessed my life and the lives of others.

but there are so many other characteristics about my dad that i admire.

for instance,

his positive outlook and cheery nature have cheered me up and helped me to keep going when i feel like giving up,

he can always, ALWAYS, make me laugh when i'm sad or upset,

he has an insatiable sweet tooth [i love this because it means i get to bake something!],

he is very reliable,

he devotes a large portion of his time helping people [i feel like he's always helping someone with something],

he is very intelligent and realizes the importance of gaining a good education,

he has a firm foundation of faith and always turns to the Lord first,

he makes THE BEST aebbelskivers,

he is a hard worker,

he is an excellent teacher [i know this both by experience and by testimonials from his previous students],

he makes sacrifices for our family,

he spent a good thirtyish years in the coast guard and understands the privilege we have of living in this country,

he has seen the world and has awesome stories,

he is a very supportive great father and grandfather and always supports his children and grandchildren in everything they do [this means having to sit through hours and hours of dance recitals--sorry, dad!],

he loves music and was responsible for exposing me to the beach boys and the rascals at a young age [for which i am eternally grateful],

he is sensitive and isn't afraid to cry [i think this is my favorite quality about my dad. i definitely got that gene from him],

one of his favorite movies is the sound of music,

he will drop everything at the drop of a hat if me or one of my siblings needs help,

and he makes sure all us kids know how much he loves my mom.

i love my dad so much.

i wish i could be in utah right now to give him a big hug and a card in the shape of a necktie.

i love you, dad! i'm so grateful to have you as my father!

sounds of summer: jenny and johnny

i'm having fun now // jenny and johnny

[doesn't that album cover just scream summer?]

jenny and johnny is comprised of jenny lewis [of rilo kiley] and her boyfriend johnathan rice.

i first heard of the duo back in september, but didn't buy their debut album, i'm having fun now, until the day before thanksgiving break. i listened to it in its entirety as i packed up all my stuff for my week-long vacation and even though it was november, the catchy melodies and fun beats made me feel like i was packing for a fun beach trip.

all in all, this just a fun record!

i highly recommend playing this album at your next barbecue, in the car with the windows rolled down, or on your ipod as you take a stroll around town.

favorite tracks:

-big wave

-my pet snakes

-just like zeus

-scissor runner

-committed

ps: the heat came on this morning. it is june 17th. ENOUGH WITH THE COLD ALREADY, REXBURG! LET'S GET SOME SUNSHINE AND WARMTH GOING!

hoooooooold on for one more day!

if you're like me and seem to be in need of some motivation, look no further than wilson phillips.

ps: does this song remind anyone else of whip it?

i die laughing every single time razor pulls into the parking lot of the old warehouse blasting this song.

hilarious.

pps: i'm planning on starting a new sounds of summer series soon!

get excited.

i have wonderful music to share!

homesick.

[very very old photo of us jorgensens]

Kings Of Convenience - Homesick by Nemnogo-kuby

[press play before reading]

this is the fourth blog i've started in two days.

the other three are unfinished and will most likely remain that way.

it's been another difficult week and i can't help but glance at my graduation chain every five seconds, subconsciously willing the links to all disappear magically so i can leave this place forever and be with my family again.

i miss my family.

i think i miss them more this semester than i ever have in the history of my college career.

it's hard being far-ish away from them.

i was telling my sister how difficult it is to be four hours away from them because i know if i had the means i would go down to visit all the time, but i know, at the same time, that wouldn't be at all possible.

i'm so close, but so far away at the same time.

this distance has been a blessing and a curse, though.

i feel like the relationships i have with my siblings and parents have significantly strengthened over the years.

i appreciate them more now than i ever have in the past.

and although when i go home i don't show my appreciation and love for them as much as i should, i hope they all know how much i truly love them all.

i think about them every day, pray for them morning and night, and constantly wish i could be with them.

i really do have the best family in the world.

last night i was talking to some friends about high school and i was telling them that most of the time i preferred hanging out with my family rather than my friends.

that hasn't changed at all.

no matter what i'm doing or who i'm with, even now as a twenty-four year-old, i'd still rather be hanging out with my family.

it's comforting to know that even though i might feel a little out of place here, i will always have a place in my family.

anyway.

i'm going to stop writing now.

all this writing and reminiscing is just making me sad.

let's all pray that july 22nd comes in the blink of a eye.

teens in the 1940s sound just like native southeastern idahoans in the 2010s.

i'm surprised this hasn't been shown at byu-idaho.

i guess the reason why i don't date much up here is because i don't scarf down a whole thing of cotton candy in five seconds flat like a maniac [crazy eyes and all].

but, on the other hand, at least i'm not snooty janice or boring betty!

unless i AM boring betty...

maybe i should buy myself some cotton candy...

ps: shauna, the older brother in this video looks so much like alex!