First Things First

  Hello all! The talented and lovely Hallie and Halie are doing a link up called First Things First!
So here's the deal  - there will be a different "firsts" every week. I am OBSESSED with this idea. I love learning new things about people - especially about my favorite bloggers!   It will be awkward, funny, weird, random and embarrassing firsts.
So grab the button off their page, spread the word, and link up with Hallie at Life:Oceanside and Halie from Penguins, Pasta and Polka Dots.     The questions:

What was your first Job?
My first job was the summer of 10th grade and I worked at a uniform store. (Thrilling, I know). I begged my parents for a summer job and a friends parents owned the store. I remember going in and interviewing. I think they asked me all of 5 questions and then proceeded to talk golf with me for the next hour (my sister and dad both played in college and the owners knew this). Thankfully, I got the job and started a couple days later. I liked helping people, but felt uncomfortable when I knew people who came in and had to measure their waist lines for their clothing. Especially boys I knew - and cute boys I had crushes on. It was a good first job. :)

First Car?
Oh, my sweet first car. My wonderful parents gifted me a 2003 Corolla in 2002 for my 16th birthday. I LOVED that car. Seriously, it was my baby. I was so proud of it and thought my parents were insane for giving a beginner driver a brand new car. Yea, not going to happen with my kiddos. I drove it all the way through college and up until a month after we got married. My mom, husband and I were going to church one day when a kid slammed into the back of my car and pushed us into the curb and SUV in front of us. Thankfully, no one was hurt. But my sweet car bit the dust.
I  cried when we went to the impound lot to collect some remaining items from it.  My baby had been with me for 10 years and treated me so well. I now have a new car, but I smile every time I see a similar Corolla on the road.

First Date?
Is it bad that I don't really recall my first date? I wasn't allowed to date until 16 and even then, it was more group dates/hangouts. However, I do remember my first date in college. The guy was a friend of my roommates and really nice, but  I didn't want to go, and felt bad for saying no to the poor guy. Looking back, I should have just said no because I did something horrible - I brought my best friend on the date! Yea, awkward. When he called to let me know he was on his way to pick me up, I casually mentioned my friend was coming. Dead silence. The shock on this kids face when he came to get me was priceless.But graciously, he took us BOTH to dinner. And paid for us 2 ladies. Which was really nice considering what I had done to him. Needless to say, I wasn't asked out again by him.

Things that make me smile

My refreshing night cream after a long day at work...

Russian Roulette by Essie...

A tea cup candle that fills my house with a vanilla scent...

 

Sometimes, it's the little things that can bring a smile to my face.

 

For the love of music

Music.

 

 So much could be said about it.

 

There are songs that are fun driving in your car with your friends, songs that make you sad or happy, angry or mad. Then there are those songs, the music that evokes something deep in your soul. That score of music that you hold your breath on. Those lyrics that give you goose bumps on your arms. The melodies that make your heart beat rise and fall. You are forever changed when you hear it.

If you haven't experienced that type of music let me suggest the one that I go to over and over. It's actually a book by Victor Hugo written in the 1860's turned into a musical. It's a story of the French Revolution, an ex-convict Jean Valjean and his story of redemption. I highly suggest the original London cast for your listening pleasure.

Each time I hear this musical, the drums leading off the orchestra in the overture, the escape and heart of Valjean, the struggle of freedom of the characters and the epic beauty of the casts voices makes me grateful that God gave people a gift of music. I can't describe it all, I don't see how anyone could. But know, it's the type of music that changes you.

 

I found some clips off of YouTube that only capture a glimpse of this stunning score. The man singing is Colm Wilkinson, the first Jean Valjean. This is the 10th Anniversary piece, now its 25 years going strong.

 

Here is the 10th anniversary.

 

 

And the 25th anniversary.

Oh, and did I mention it just became a movie?
Yea, I just lost my breathe too....