Fluffy water vapor

The past two weeks captured my imagination. It happened as I was 10,000 feet up looking out the window. 

Clouds like these were especially prominent. The smooth layer mimicked what was underneath--a vast, never ending ocean.

Often the clouds would suddenly part as if a big wedge was cut from the earth looking down into a deep chasm. (sorry--no picture). 

How blessed we are to be able to look at such a wonder so close. It is special--it could only happen in this day and age. It makes me feel very grateful for the opportunity to experience nature in such a way. 

Here the clouds mimic whip cream piled high atop a coconut cream pie. 

Or here the clouds mimic earth. 

Think about it. These beautiful shapes are essentially water--condensed water vapor.

I think it's cool. 

The end

I ended my career as a BYU college student by playing at the Utah Flute Association sonata competition winners recital. The recital wasn't exactly prestigious by any stretch of the imagination, but it was fun. In a way it was a fitting way to end the semester of doom. Why?

Because I had fun performing a movement of my favorite piece of all time. And not only did I have fun, but I nailed it--at least in comparison with my many other performances of the piece. One person came up and said I played that movement better than on my recital. At first I said to myself: Oh...what does that mean! Was I really that bad on my recital? But then I used my rethinking skills that I am trying to hone and I thought: No, that just meant I really had soul with tonight's performance. :) 

But what made me really happy, was Dr. Clayton. She is not a woman of many words, but her smile and the way she said "good job" made me feel like a million bucks. That is when your semester of doom becomes worth it. I showed the world that I could stick to my instrument and make it to the end. 

Katie, Dr. C, and me

We're really great friends. It happens when you push a gigantic stone up a mountain together.