Ok so I don't really have many pictures but at least you can maybe get a taste of what it is like here...

So...this is what it looks like everywhere.  It is very pretty...but sometimes I get almost claustrophobic because there are so many dang trees everywhere!  Sometimes I miss the bareness of St. George...and the redness...

This is one of the "lakes," the one we're not allowed to swim in.  It's pretty though. I took this picture sitting on a bridge thing and almost dropped my camera in the water because a spider was crawling up my leg.  Never sitting there again...

Closer picture of the island thing in the middle of the lake.  It's cool but random

Practice room cabins...I was stuck in mine for an extra hour because it was POURING rain and I don't have an umbrella....
(On a side note, yesterday the pianists moved in and a very very nice man lent me an umbrella and an extra blanket for the remainder of the summer....I owe him big time)










I took a video of it raining, because I was THAT bored in my practice room....plus I've never seen it rain so hard ever in Utah...the only time I've ever seen it rain harder was my sophomore year of high school when we went to Florida to get on a cruise ship...so yeah.  It was crazy

Here it is, I don't expect you to watch it, it's probably the most boring thing ever, but I'm putting it on here for my sanity's sake...because I need an excuse to stay on my computer until dinnertime because I have nothing else to do !
That is all.  Bottom line, it's pretty here.  Could do without the ants though...they are everywhere.  One just crawled out of my keyboard, and that is not a joke.
ps I feel like a missionary writing these little updates...or maybe a scout because I'm basically camping This still isn't band camp though...for those (one) of you who are (is) convinced otherwise.
Have a good day

Another new adventure

Welp, I am officially a resident of North Carolina for the next 7 weeks.  So...here is an update, for all of you who care, of what is up down here! (haha)
(Pictures to come)
The plane ride was uneventful, I am please to announce that I did not get lost in the airport, not even once!
When we got here, I was in for a real surprise!  I knew we'd be near the mountains, but I did not know we would be IN them.  It's like a forest campus.  It is very pretty, and everything is in a cabin, or is a cabin.  Even the practice rooms are little tiny individual cabins, way cute!  There are also two "lakes" (I would consider them to be more like ponds), and lots of hiking we have to do to and from rehearsals and meals and such.  Anyway we met the dean and then headed to dinner, and then I found my cabin.  There are 16 girls and one RA in each cabin, four to a room and we all share 4 toilets and showers.  One of my roommates I recognized, and she attended SOAP last year too so that was kind of cool (Also the guy who picked us up at the airport happened to be from SOAP too). 
I was totally homesick and cried myself to sleep the first night (I don't want any more sympathy.  I'm FINE now).
Day two was pretty uneventful, with the exception of seating auditions.  I am surprised at how few college students are here! I'd say well over 2/3 of the people I have met so far are in Graduate school, or attending conservatories like Manhattan school of music and the like.  Aren't there any NORMAL people here? (or, I guess that would make me the only abnormal one...hmmmm....).  I am also proud to announce that I am not last chair...yes, I have moved up in the world.
Today was a lot more productive.  I'm going to be in the library for work study-no idea what I'll be doing there but I guess I'll find out at a meeting tomorrow at NINE AM...shoot me...! We had our first rehearsal today, and it was way cool because there was thunder and lightning, and the auditorium is open air so is sounded pretty cool.  Other than that nothing has really happened so far.  Although I am having lots of time to practice my junior recital rep so that is good.  Anyway, I am starving so that's all for now.

Bye bye for now!

My last 24 hours in St. George have been adventurous!  I know I'm only going to be gone about two months...but I have become so attached to this place that even going up north for the weekend is sometimes hard! Seriously.  I love this place. 
Highlights:
Going to dinner with Annie and Greg, who came to visit me and I love them more than words can describe...plus we're going hiking later this morning and I get to drive up north with them!
Bowling and partying with Stormie and Erika...seriously, I couldn't ask for better roommates...I'm gonna miss them...!
GOING TO THE LAKE one last time! I didn't get swimmer's itch! (Which is a little sad because if I had, I would have gotten a free T-Shirt...but I guess in the long run it's better this way :)
Shakes at In N Out and meeting guys, and told them we'll meet them at a party but then didn't show up to it... they were mad hahahaha
Meeting some of our neighbors from across the parking lot
Stormie dyed my hair! She just put some peekaboos in but they look splendid...but we'll see if it actually worked when it dries ;) (I'm sure it looks fabulous)
Scrubbing that stupid nasty scooter....seriously it was so dirty...still is but looks a whole lot better and scrubbing it at 3 in the morning was quite an adventure!
Scootering to Swig...that's always a pleasure, and a tradition I am going to miss sorely on warm days such as this one
The drama of packing.  NOT funny at the time when I couldn't find my teeth whitening tray, my ipod, OR my phone charger, but now looking back I realize how dramatic I was being, and it was actually quite humorous :) (I found them FYI)
The anticipation of seeing my BFF, my family and my dog! (if only for a little bit...can't wait!)

Anyway...I'll let you know how things go...next time you read this I'm going to be BY MYSELF all the way across the country! Woot woot I REALLY hope I don't get lost in the airport... :/

More on Music

This summer is just full of music experiences for me.  Last week I got to view the music camp world from a teacher's perspective, and next week I'll be at the student's end instead.  So last week was Dixie's Castle Rock Music Camp, and I was a teacher's assistant along with 5 other majors, and 4 of DSC's music faculty.  I learned a lot about what to do and what not to do when teaching.
It is that it is a scary thing to be in charge of six kids all under the age of 16.  All the TA's were put in charge of a group of kids for the week, and my group was half the kids staying in the dorms.  So not only was I their guide for the day, but I was in charge of them literally 24 hours a day.  Do you know how hard it is to know where that many people are every second of every day for 4 days straight?  But, for the most part they were really good for me, and they all got along great!
I got every angle of teaching thinkable! I lead sectionals, helped kids with individual practice, coached a double string quartet,  (my quartet did so good that they got to play in the concert!) and was kind of a counselor to the kids when it came time for activities and meals and such.  Plus working alongside the music faculty was useful in me learning how to be a teacher. 

All the kids who stayed in the dorms

Playing Duck Duck Goose.  This was the second day and already everyone seemed like best friends!

Matt, Kenzie, Me, and Tara, a few of the TA's

Even the music faculty joined in on the fun!












  

Waiting for the chamber concert to start

 


The whole crew! (With the exception of the percussion students and my poor stand partner Hannah who hurt her back)

Musicians will do anything to be musical...even when they don't have access to their instruments!

Food for Thought...

There is a LOT on my mind right now.  Way too much to write as a Facebook status ;) hence the million blog posts in the space of just a few hours.  Bear with me.
 First of all...
I don't fight with people.  Ok so I know I argue with my sisters once in a while, sibling rivalries and stuff like that...but in general I get along with everyone and it's rare that I have a real live argument with someone, especially someone I'm not related to...I really don't have any enemies.  I try to stay out of drama, I never take sides, and I usually get along with everyone.  So...what do I do when I'm actually having a real argument with someone?! Lets just say I'm having a hard time living with the thought that someone is actually genuinely mad at me...it's killing me and no matter how many times I try to work it out it just seems like we fight worse.  HELP!!!
But enough of that ....
Glee party in D4 right now! Pretty sure we've listened to the entire Glee collection of music...

I have been converted.

I am so sick of cliche vampire and werewolf movies, Jacob, Edward, and all the shows and videos and movies that are emerging because of it.  BUT...I have started watching a show called Teen Wolf...and....as hard as it is for me to say it....I actually like it.  I mean it's no 30 Rock but it has a great story line and it's not the cheesy crap ...yet...guess we'll find out soon enough but for now, I'll take it. :)

My McDonald's days need to end.  It's really sad when they recognize you...

especially a booming business like that who gets millions of customers a day...

and to make it worse...it's the drive through that recognizes me.  Ok so I give SOME 

credit to Shirley but still....kind of depressing.  I'll just add them to the list right

after "Pretzel guy at the mall"........

On a random side note....I leave for NC in 3 days!!!  And I get to see Annie in just 2, and possibly FINALLY hike angel's landing this weekend.  We'll see but it's a definite possibility... :D

This might be the most random blog post in the world.  Just sayin.  Sorry it was boring.  Gotta keep yourself entertained when you're pulling an all-nighter with a roommate who is doing math homework... :P

Change...for the better!?

Exactly one week ago today, I had two jobs, was working on getting students, and trying to figure out a running schedule in the heat of St. George! I was planning on going to church at the Ivins YSA ward on June 19th.  And, I was looking forward to a lazy summer full of St. George and Avalon adventures.  Welp, no more!  My life has completely changed within the last week.
In January, I auditioned to get into a summer music academy called Brevard, in North Carolina.  They rejected me.  I was put on a "waiting list" (which I thought was basically a guaranteed no).  Then, in March, they decided to let me in after all with a scholarship!  But alas, I would still have to pay too much (it's originally a $5,100 academy...not gonna happen for me hahaha).  So I had to say no.  Well...about 6 days ago they emailed me AGAIN, offering me more money, and, well, it was a lot of money and it would have been stupid of me to say no.  
I'm not too scared about it, I went to Canada last summer for a music academy, so I kind of know what to expect, but there are a few new things that are freaking me out a little bit...

#1.  Did I mention that I'm leaving on Sunday?  THIS COMING Sunday.  Yeah...I'm freaking out a little bit about the time crunch
#2.  I have to learn all the music in one week.  8 weeks worth of music....I can do it!
#3. I'm going by myself.  This one freaks me out the most...I hope I make friends!! At least I'll have Bennett...
#4. I don't have a guaranteed job when I get back.  This one isn't too bad...because one of them said they'd rehire me...but we'll see if that actually happens
#5.  No way am I fitting everything in one single suitcase...


Anyway, besides those few teeny tiny things I'm super excited and if you REALLY want to know what I am doing while I am there I'm just going to write about it here...forcing you (MOTHER) to read my blog.  Muahahaha.  (*cough* might as well follow while you are there...*cough*) but I fly out from SL on Sunday at 7 am, and I get back August 8th!  It's a long time to be gone but my violin teacher went to this place when he was younger and he had an amazing experience and I know I am going to grow so much as a musician, so wish me luck!!
Here is the website, in case you want to learn more about Brevard.  :)

It's time for summer

So, as I was contemplating what I should write about tonight, while listening to Katie's #1 hit song on Itunes, ET, and eating Hershey's drops, it came to me.  I haven't posted pictures in forever!  These are always my favorite posts, so bear with me, as I know I'll probably go a little overboard...but anyway, here's what's been going on down here in amazing St. George!

Alex Boye concert, and last concert of the season!

There have been a lot of outdoor adventures lately! Hiking in Snow Canyon, scootering everywhere, the lake, spinny parks, and it just keeps getting better....now I just need to ride a dang horse...

Erika, our new roommate! She is way cute and we all get along great :)

Oh, no worries, my best friend is just MARRIED!!!!!

Discovering that I can paint my fingernails has become a whole new world.  Plus, the polish in this picture is the crackly kind.  Yep doesn't get much better than that!

Oh no biggie, the prophet was just the speaker at graduation...










Yep, some exciting things happening in the life of KateLyn Wall... hope I didn't scare ya too bad!

Bringin' back memories

The latest trend in good old D4 has been...drumroll please...Scooters! No, I'm not talking my vespa, or  anything with a motor for that matter. I'm talking real old fashioned micro scooters.  Bring back memories? It has for me!  My new roomie Erika surprised us one day by pulling these babies out of her trunk.  We have had some good times and

we've been everywhere on these things!  Took a ride around campus, been to Swig twice.  We went and paid the utility bill on them today, and we're even getting pretty talented at "synchronized scootering." (you think I'm kidding...video to come).  Stormie and I have been to the park on them a few times, we even saw a snake!  And they're even fun to ride around in the apartment (shhhh....probably not allowed...) seriously, I don't know why I didn't think about it before.  It's a good leg workout, and saves 100% on gas.  We've pretty much adapted to riding them everywhere we go, and it is so dang fun!  Seriously.  Bring back the old times! It's the perfect actitvity for when we're bored at midnight with nothing to do...plus it's free which is always a bonus! **humble living** 
Seriously.  With a little creativity, a scooter, a bag of Doritos and mini Reese's cups there is nothing we can't conquer. (Alright...add a diet coke to that list.  Who am I kidding...)




On a random side note, next week I get to TA at the Castle Rock Music Camp (http://castlerockmusiccamp.com) and I'm super excited! Since I wasn't able to attend Brevard, I at least get to do something randomly related to music this summer, if only for a few days.  And, even though it's not a camp where I am a student, I get to be on the other end of the scale as an instructor so we'll see how that goes :)