HAWAII

My grandparents ( I call them Tutu and Papa) took me, my mom, and Bri to Hawaii from August 13-August 22. My Mom and Dad, Tutu and Papa, my aunts and uncles, and go there every couple of years. I finally convinced them to take me. We went to Oahu and Kauai. My aunt and cousin live on Kauai, so it was fun to see them! I loved everything about the trip! I got to sing in sacrament meeting in their ward and everyone was so nice to me! They hugged me and gave me their leis- just for singing! I love the kindness and love everyone posesses there- it doesn't matter to them who you are or whether they know you. They are so Christlike. I love that place!

Back to Normal Life

At this moment, I am in Hawaii. On Kauai, to be exact. I have been vacationing in Oahu and Kauai for ten days. Tomorrow, I must go home. Blah. And then school starts on Monday. And then it is back to the dreary life that I led before my Sr. year of high school. Lame. I am very scared to start college, mostly because it is going to be super intense and I won't ever have time to do the things I love ever again. My chances to be in musicals will be rare. And I am leaving behind all of the best friends anyone could ever imagine.

But, on the bright side, I had the most amazing year of my life! Hawaii is a great end to the spectacular life I led from August 2008-August 2009. And I am sure that eventually good things will come once again!

Why am I a Music Major?

Music majors are different from a lot of majors. They are four years programs, and you get to do one or two generals a semester. Also, most music classes are only one credit. So, while a lot of my friends are in five general ed classes (15 credits), I am in nine classes (15 credits), seven of which are music and all required to take the first semester. Here is my schedule for my first semester of college:

Monday/Wednesday
9:30-10:20: Sight Singing and Ear Training
10:30-11:20: Music Theory I
12:30-1:20: Concert Choir
1:30-2:15: INSTITUTE!!! Book of Mormon! Breanna and I are taking it together! I am so excited to have a class with one of my best friends!!

Tuesday/Thursday
7:30-8:45: Psychology 1010
9:00-10:15: English 2010 (yay for getting college credit in high school! I took 1010 as a Senior)
10:30-11:20: Music: The 1st Year Experience
11:30-12:20: Piano I

Friday
10:30-11:20: Music Theory I
12:30-1:20: Concert Choir
2:30-3:20: Master Class

I am also enrolled in Applied Voice Lessons, but I don't find out when that will be until school starts. It's pretty insane!

The Few Things I Know

As I look back on the past year, I have gained a lot of understanding about life and my Heavenly Father. I have had a million positive experiences in the past year, and a couple very hurtful ones. Here is what I know because of all that has happend:

Everything happens for a reason.
Many times, that reason will not be made clear to you.
Even though it doesn't seem like it, it really will benefit you in the long run, if not immediately.
Heavenly Father is my #1 fan and He wants me to be successful in all that I do.
Every experience He gives me brings the opportunity to become better.
Prayer always works. A lot of the time you don't get the answer you want; but eventually you figure out that you got a better one.
Jesus Christ always understands how I feel, even if no one else does.

After reading this, you're probably like "DUH! I've learned that all my life!" Well, I have too. And I have always known that these things are true. But now, not only do I know it, I've seen it apply to my very own life. It's very cool.

Bratlame: A Term of Endearment

Jacob and Myself
Ok, I never really had a strange nickname growing up. My mom called me Bret, but everyone else called me Bretleigh. In 7th grade, my friends started calling me Bret too. At the beginning of Senior year, Caitlin Leger, one of my best friends, started calling me Bretlet. Just this past February, my dear friend Jacob Cardinal, and one of my best friends, Sam Johnson, started calling me Bratlame Sandork. That sounds very mean, but pretty much mine and Jacob's whole relationship is making fun of each other. It's really weird to me that we are friends sometimes. Anyway, so Sam and Jake still call me Bratlame, and I actually respond to it. Suprisingly, I have grown quite fond of the name. I was just realizing that I will miss people calling me that when I go to college. That is all



One picture is of me and Sam. One is of me and Cailtin. You can figure it out.

Graduation

I graduated from Bountiful High School on June 5, 2009 with High Honors (I graduated with a 3.98 GPA!). It was a nice graduation: short and sweet. Afterwards we had an all night party. I don't remember much of my graduation because I had the Swine Flu. Although it is not deadly (as previously thought), it is still miserable. I was tired with a fever the whole time. So that is why I look gross in these pictures.

Last Days of High School

Senior Banquet

Yearbook Day

Swansong Assembly Day