This is how the Robb Family watches a Movie

Yup. It's 2:00 in the morning. We decided to turn on a movie right before going to bed. Did anyone actually last through it? Never. It's just not our style. I guess I did manage to stay awake, but that's because I was working on my craft projects at the table. The big debate now is... do I want to wake them or just let them sleep on top of each other all night? I mean they do look so gosh dern comfortable right?

45 days of bliss

Ok... So I officially lived back in Las Cruces, NM for a whopping 45 days! I haven't lived here since I graduated from high school in 2003.  Now I am back, and it has been a total dream and for one main reason... (ok, there are multiple reasons, but I am going for dramatic effect here)... GREEN CHILIES!!! Yes... I live in the land of green chilies! They are amazing and pure goodness. If I could describe them to you I would, but there are no words fit for them. Now if you are thinking "well I've gotten hatch green chilies in a can and I don't see what the big deal is" get that thought of your head right now because those canned chilies are not even close to what I am actually talking about right now.  They are worlds apart.

One of the joys of living in a place that is the 20 mins from literally the "Chile Capital of the World" is that you can go anywhere and get good chilies on whatever you want. I am being completely serious... want a burger from McDonalds with green chile? Yup, you can get that here. Want to order a pizza from Papa John's with fresh green chile? Also totally on the menu. Even our local custard place used to sell green chile as a topping for their custard sundays.  It is everywhere you go, and I will never complain a second about it!

This is literally the view from the front door of my house. Those are all just miles of chilies. So beautiful huh?

So speaking of which... what did I do with my night tonight? Well, after I came home from work and the gym, I put 35 lbs of fresh roasted green chilies in freezer bags and stuck them in our freezer.  That's another way to keep the goodness last all year long.  You literally can go to Walmart here, buy a 20 lb bag of chilies in a garbage bag, go to the parking lot, and pay a guy $4 to a guy to fresh roast them for you on the spot. It's a beautiful process.

This is what they look like before... 

This is the roaster.

This is what they look like after. And they smell like heaven! 

So have I gotten you excited to come visit me here in NM yet? Sure hope so!

More evidence that it is the chile capitol of the world! Even the water tank says so! 

So since we are on this topic... I might as well confess something... remember how I said I have lived here for 45 days now? Well that also means that today was my 45th day of eating Mexican food at least once a day since I've gotten here. Yup... I have eaten Mexican food for 45 days straight.  Not for every single meal, but at least one meal a day is a burrito, taco, torta, green chile enchiladas, etc... It has been great! Just don't ask me about how all of my pants are fitting me right now. I got a gym membership last week to help remedy that dilemma.

So there it is... my first blog post from NM. And it was also about one of the greatest foods on earth! Next time I might actually try and talk about teaching and all the other stuff going on in my life :)

Most Recent Development....

Ok... so when you go to school to get a degree in something, the whole idea is that one day you will actually get a job doing that thing you studied right? I know... it's not that complicated of a concept, and yet when all is said is done... it doesn't ever turn out to be that simple of a process.  While sparing all the nitty gritty details about all of my jobs and thought processes over the last 5 years, let me just jump to the conclusion which is... I'm finally going to be working in the job that I've dreamed about and spent years trying to train for!

I am moving in a 2 weeks back to New Mexico to be the new orchestra director at Mayfield High School. So if you don't know the history already here it is... I actually went to Mayfield High School and was in the orchestra program there all four years under the direction of Kathy Dollahon.  That means I left the school as a student in spring 2003... Kathy always joked about me coming back to teach at Mayfield when she retired, but that seemed like something that was so far off in the distance that it really didn't even seem like a real possibility... I mean how would I know that I wouldn't already be married, or living in a different state, or working in another school... the list of factors was endless.

 Even when I found out she was retiring early in the year, I really didn't think that it was going to be feasible for me to apply and take the job.  I am half-way through my master's program and I love my life here in Utah. For a little while it didn't even look like the job was going to post either because the district is currently in a hiring freeze. I have been in life decision limbo for the last several months and it has been kind of crazy, but I do think that a lot of growth can happen during times of uncertainty.

After my application was turned in, there were four of us that were invited to come and interview.  The other applicants all had very impressive resumes and in most instances, a ton more experience. Fast forward even further... (I am leaving out a ton of details)... when I found out that I got the job, not only need it feel right to accept the position, but it seemed even sillier not to.  This means I start teaching in the middle of August and will be finishing up my master's program over the next couple of summers.

My Faculty Staff Badge

 In case you were wondering, will be moving in with my parents and will be sharing a room with my 11 year old sister for the next couple of months while I figure out what to do for a more permanent housing. So yup... that's my life update.

My bedroom for the next little bit... little sister and all :) My bed is the one on the left. 

Let me just quickly clarify... life is not always a bed of roses

Alright. Here's the deal.  I finally wrote my semester summary on Sunday talking about all of the things going on in my life... it was filled with lots of really great exciting things that fill my life right now... school, work, trips... but just so I'm not being completely deceitful here... here's the rest of the story:

• Deers hit in my new car? - 1
• Car accidents in my new car? - 2, but they both happened within 15 minutes of each other.  And for the record they weren't my fault
• Times my car was booted?- 1
• Times my car was impounded?- 2
• Hours I spent late nights in the library?- too many to count
• Number of assignments I did not procrastinate on?- none of them that I know of
• Number of credits taken this semester?- 18... not very wise to do as a grad student
• Number of life changing decisions that I had to make?- currently in that process and I'm not a fan

     Here's an example of a normal Lindsey-type crisis... So just this last Monday night... even though finals were done the Thursday before, I still had one last research paper to write.  I was so grateful for the extension on the paper that our professor gave us, but after enjoying a beautiful Easter weekend with the family, I left myself only 2 days to complete the research paper.  But since I knew the library was open both Monday and Tuesday night till midnight, I figured it wouldn't be a problem.  So Monday I go to work till 5 like any other day, go get an ice cream cone from McDonald's to help motivate me (naturally) and head back to campus. By the time I park my car and walk to the library it is 5:50pm. I walk through the front doors to hear music blasting through the speakers, which only can mean one thing... the library is closing! I turn to look at the door, and sure enough there was a notice posted that the library would be closing early due to the in between semester break.  I don't even know what to do! I run to a computer knowing that if I didn't at least check out books and start my paper that night, there would be no way to survive.  My chosen topic was on the historical background of Shostakovitch's Symphony no 10.  I notice that all the books for Shostakovitch are in German.  I don't read German. Next plan... change topic quickly... and... Stravinsky! Didn't exactly what particular aspect I would research about Stravinsky yet, but I knew I needed to grab books and grab books fast! Ten books on Stravinsky... check.  Arms full. I notice it's pouring rain out! Didn't even matter. The library was closing in approximately two minutes.  I finally get to my car now wet and frustrated.  As I set the books on my car and dig through my purse for my car keys I realize they are not there. Oh no, the Library!!! I leave the books just sitting on the top of my car (no worries about the rain though because I parked in the parking garage) and run back to the library.  It's sealed shut! I knock on the door.  I can see a security guard off in the distance but he neither hears nor notices me.  I can my bff to ask advise.  She suggests the police office to get let back in. I hang up the phone.  Just then a kid walks out of the library.  I snatch the door before it closes.  The kid set off the alarm so I security guard is now running after him.  It didn't matter though, I was in the building.  The other security guard let me back upstairs. I luckily found my keys and returned home.  When arriving home to work on my paper however, I do realize that 2 of the books I grabbed on Stravinsky were also in German (I was just too rushed to think about checking the languages). I also discover that my internet is out in my apartment.  I know I needed to research online some more just to help give my paper direction and to help me pick a topic.... Thank goodness for bff's though.  I was able to drive 35 mins to Britt's parents home in Pleasant Grove where she was staying the night and I was able to use their internet.  It was 10:30pm when I finally got there.  My paper wasn't even started yet.  Rest of the story in a nutshell is... Monday night all I accomplished was picking the topic and knowing what direction to take my paper. The good news is... after long hours in the library all night Tuesday and all morning Wednesday, I did get the paper turned in.... and it was mostly done :)  The end. 

Taste of Heaven!

Ok... so I don't know if this is the high quality stuff that most people blog about, but I really just need to describe the sandwich I am eating right now (it is made from all of the Easter leftovers)...





This is not the actual sandwich fyi


• Fresh Sourdough Bread- enough said
• Smoked Ham- smoked by Papa in his smoker
• Fresh Roasted Red Peppers- had roasted by Auntie Lani
• Smoked Gouda Cheese
• Brie Cheese- what can I say? I just LOVE cheese
• Avacado
• Fresh Basil Mayo- also made by Auntie Lani
• Fancy Tasty Yellow Mustard
• Organic Green Lettuce Mixture- product of Costco

I'm not even joking... it is like Heaven in my Mouth! Thank you Easter!

Semester Summary...

This was like the quickest semester I have ever experience! It just flew by all so quickly I've hardly been able to catch my breath.  Here's just a few notes on everything that's gone down since December.

Christmas Break-
       Spent with the family in New Mexico. It was a wonderful time as usual filled with all of my favorite traditions. The best part being the fact that we just stay in our pajamas all Christmas day long and play with each other while continuously snacking on Christmas goodies.




New Year's- 
         I left New Mexico just a couple of days after Christmas to hurry back to Salt Lake for the wedding of a roommate.  Such a great wedding. So happy for you still Melissa and Danny! (Little side note, Melissa and I actually tried setting Danny up with another one of our roommates. So glad that didn't work out).

        
        
The actual night of New Year's Eve was spent with two of my favorite girly girls ever! The activity of choice ended up being dancing our little booties off at the coctail lounge Spark (Provo Style). Greatest truth ever sung in lyrics... girls just want to have fun! We went, we danced, we conquered.










Other Choice Activities of the Semester-

          Crafternooning!!!! It's true! Nothing hits the spot like an afternoon of solid crafts.... hence the term Craft-er-noon! This is a photo from our crafternoon marathon day during Christmas break! We did everything from decorating frames to decorating our notebooks for the semester.







Snowboarding!!!

          Okay... so after living in Utah all of last year and only going snowboarding ONCE (and on the last day of the season) I decided there needed to be some major changes in my life! So what was done to resolve the previous year's crisis? Season Passes to the Canyons!  DeeAura, Whitney, the two Jasons, Bend, Cody, David, and a few others all broke down and bought the passes as well.  So what did we do with all of our free time? Yup, nothing but snowboarding! Almost every Saturday there was a group of us carpooling to Park City! It was such a great snow season.  Powder powder powder everywhere!!! The first day we went we packed lunches which we took time to eat while sitting down in our cars.... we later decided to rethink that game plan and decided to eat all of our snacks while taking breaks on the lift to enhance our time on the mountain. We are addicts.  I learned a lot about boarding this season.  Some of the better moments happened  through taking risks (no worries. I started wearing a helmet)... some moments resulted in exhilarating highs and others resulted in huge wipe outs. All part of the learning and the fun. You better believe a season pass will forever be a part of my winter vocabulary.

Schooliness! 
         Okay... I now understand why they consider 9 credit hours full time for a Grad student.  Well, I unknowingly decided to literally double that number this semester! It was definitely a lot of work and I think I just barely survived (although I really did learn a ton and had a lot of fun).  My classes this semester included the following:

• Score Analysis- how to look at, identify, and interpret different musical scores
• Orchestra Lit- wanna know what it feels like to be responsible for memorizing a hundred years of symphonies and be able to identify them all in a 2 hour listening exam? Take this class!
• Philosophy of Music Education- In this class you'll read until your eyes start to bleed, but you leave the class with lots of new ideas and being highly enlightened
• 2 Different Art Education Classes- Don't remember the course titles, but they were classes that I wanted to take to be better prepared to write curriculum focusing on interdisciplinary arts
• Cello lessons- this was the performance instrument of choice this semester. I learned lots and would even be happy to play for you the Breval Cello Sonata.
• Fiddle lessons- I decided I needed my violin skills to be more versatile.  It's a work in progress.
• Beginning Tap- okay... so it has my life's dream to be the next Jean Kelley... I now realize that tap dancing like him will be just that... always a dream.  Although I have great fine motor skills, I realize that my large motor skills are quite lacking.  And it wasn't a pretty sight.  That's all I'm going to say about that.
• Folk Ensemble- I love my Celtic Band! This was my second semester with them, and I still think it's a blast.  This semester I also incorporated a little bit of cello action into the group as well. It's just a whole side of music that I had never before been part of and I am quickly falling in love!

How I pay the Bills-

          I love love LOVE being a student, but I do need to eat and also be able to pay for my fun-time activities! How do I do it?

• TA for the String Education Department- grade papers for the class Careers in Music, take attendance for String Workshop, etc....
• Teach 3rd and 4th Semester Sight Singing- I don't mind teaching that class, but am so glad that part of my education is done and done.
• Assistant Conductor for the New Horizon's Orchestra- It's a beginning adult orchestra. It really is kind of cool. I love working with this ensemble. We make some killer music together. And in case you're wondering our oldest current orchestra member is 85 years old and going strong!
• Nanny for Life- If I can pick up a weekend babysitting, I totally jump on it! One of the best jobs I have!
• EFY Office Coordinator- Since I have to take classes this summer and can't be involved with EFY like I normally do, I decided working in the office would still be a great way to stay involved with this youth program! I love my job! 

Sam's Baptism-

            He's the final sibling to get baptized in our family so of course we needed to be there! We drove through the night on Thursday to get there and then drove back all day Sunday.  It was definitely worth the 24 hours of time in the car.  Sam is an Angel! No joke, all he wanted for his birthday was a Liahona (from the story of Nephi in the Book of Mormon) which you can see him holding in this family photo. 

Aloha Hawaii!

           Here was the initial conversation:

           Uncle Peter to Me-"When's your spring break?"

           Me- "BYU doesn't have one."

           Peter- "Well we have an extra room in our condo in March"

           Me- "Oh well if that's the case I definitely have a spring break that seems to be the exact same week you'll be in Hawaii. How convenient."

            Yup, I couldn't handle not having a Spring Break or missing out on that opportunity so I made one! Whit, Mom, Dad, and I all went to Kauai to meet up with Peter and Kristen for a magical week in Paradise! Our week's activities included lots of snorkeling, hiking through the jungle, kayaking, driving around in our Jeep Wrangler with the top down, paddle boarding, and jumping off waterfalls.  It was an Amazing week!

"I drove all night to get to you...." (literally)

            If you do not recognize those song lyrics they are from a more recent song by the legendary Celine Dion.  Now I'm not gonna lie, seeing Celine Dion in concert was never on the top of my personal top 10 list, but I am all about supporting friends living out their life-long dreams! So Celine it was! Britt, Emily, and I made the journey together to Vegas for this iconic show.  Due to our busy lives it was quite the legendary trip.  I worked till noon on Wednesday, met up with Emily and Britt, got sandwiches from Kneaders, and we hit the road.  As soon as we reached Vegas we went to our favorite store, H&M! Slightly detrimental to my bank account, but way worth it! We then hurried to the Celine concert which really was a killer show. We then hit up the Cheese Cake Factory for some food and made a quick stop at Anthropology before hitting the road again.  We drove through the night getting back close to 8am and right in time for us to be in our Thursday classes! Now that's what I call a road trip! Oh the joys of being young (although it did take a few days for my body to recover). Next Vegas roadtrip goal: Beatle's Love!

Well... this is all I can think of to share about for now... Life update? Check!

This time I mean it...

Okay... I know I've been horrible at this whole blogging thing, and every time I post I seem to make empty promises about trying to do better.  Well.... this time I hope this promise isn't an empty one. Really, I've decided it wouldn't be that hard to just take 10 min once or twice a week to write down a few thoughts.  Yup, this time I'm going to be better for reals!

The reasons for this newly restored determination are 1. I never document anything about my life 2. It really is fun and a great outlet for expression 3. This summer I am going to have more free time than I've ever had before 4. I do get quite envious of all of my friend's cute and witty blogs (not that mine will fall under either of those two descriptions) and 5. I'm tired of being the last blog link on my best friend's blog page because mine is never updated.

Britt... get ready for my blog to finally have a purpose and for it to no longer be in "last place."

The End.
But only for tonight. More postings to come soon. Real soon.