Krishna Color Festival

This was our second year attending the Color Festival (Holi Festival) at the Krishna temple in Spanish Fork.  While we were getting ready, I couldn’t stop thinking about how much gas it would take to get there, how much trouble it would be to clean up, and whether or not the kids would have fun.  But once we got to the temple, bought our colors, and Gavin got his hands on his first fist-full of powder, none of that mattered any more.

Having the kids with us this year made the festival even more fun than last year.  They just could not believe that we were in a place where it was ok to make a mess of themselves and other people.  Aliyah kept laughing every time she would throw color on someone and they would say “Thank you!”

Troy designed his hairdo around potential color combinations, and Gavin of course had to look just like his dad.  They looked like two technicolor Goonie-birds by the end of the day.

We got there early in the festival before the crowds got too big, and it was just right for us.  By the time we left there were so many people we could hardly get through them to get out.  One new element to this year’s festival was the massive mud-slide on the north hill of the temple.  We probably spent an hour just watching people fall down.  It was like a BYU-Meets-Krishna Woodstock.
Aliyah and Gavin were photo favorites with pretty much everyone, and it was fun to have photographer after photographer asking to take their picture. 
One warning to those considering taking children to the festival:  It is way too much fun watching your kids hit people with color.  Beware, or you may get to the end of the fun and find yourself out $80 in colors.  (How did that happen????) 
Even if you do find yourself spending a little too much money (or a lot), how much is too much for a memory you will never ever forget?  My point exactly.

Just as we were about to leave, we were joined by part of the Richardson clan.  It was fun to see Tyson, J and Joanna, Aunt Linda, and Haley and Trace and hang out with them before we made our grand exit.
Now all we have to do is start saving up for next year.  It’ll probably take that long just to get the powder out of our ears…
 

Living Legends

I am sweaty, stinky, and my feet hurt.  I am tired hungry, and gearing up for a long night ahead.  I could not be happier. 

This weekend is the 40 year anniversary reunion for BYU Living Legends.  The years I danced with this group were some of the best of my childless years.  I love dancing Folklorico, and have done it in many groups, but only with BYU could I use that talent to share the gospel.  There was just a different feel to that group, that not only were we connected by dance and culture, but by the desire to spread the gospel through dance. 

I am even more excited that the dance I will be performing is not in the “Alumni Showcase” but in the actual show with the current group of performers. 
I told Troy it’s kind of like if his Mission President called him today and said, “Hey, we need back in the mission!”  I never ever thought that I would perform on the De Jong stage, with Living Legends again in my life.  It’s a dream come true.

So here I sit, in the Wilkinson Center, eating a subway sandwich all by myself, people watching, and running into old friends.  It’s Déjà vu at it’s best.  In a few minutes I will head over for the final dress rehearsal before the show,  and theeeeen……….. SHOWTIME!

Here is a video of our original show, courtesy of BYUTV:  It’s a long video (the whole show) but you can skip through.  I’m in all the Latin American numbers and the Maori number.


Practicing on Thursday before the show.

Running into old friends in the Wilk (Meredith & Jordan Zendejas)

Spacing Practice.  Janielle Christensen directing the alumni for Go My Son.


Janielle Christensen directing Green Room.  The spirit was so strong we were all crying by the end.  What a gift to be involved in such a great show!


Michelle Wilson and Carina


Even after 6 years, my old shoes and my old earrings still have strips of gaffers tape with my name on them.  After all these years I’m still a part of the show! (even when I’m not dancing!)

Me, Meredith Zendejas (Schramm), Dezi Lynn Hendershot, Jordan Zendejas

Annya Becera & I weren’t in LL at the same time, but we have danced in many shows over the years together.  Jorge Sanchez was in the group when it was still Lamanite Generation, and he was my partner for La Vieja


The show went off perfectly!  I didn’t make even the slightest mistake, and I have never felt so confident and alive on stage.  It was like being given the chance to go back in time, knowing what I know now, and truly enjoy something I had always taken for granted before.  I guess you could say it was my own personal “It’s a beautiful life” experience. 

The crowd (full of alumni and LG/LL fans) was one of the best I’ve ever performed for.  I thought I would cry at the end, when we sing Go My Son and I Am A Child of God, but I didn’t.  I was so uplifted by the power of the words we were singing, I couldn’t cry.   I was too happy to be doing what I love most. 
After the show they held a reception in the Wilk for all the alumni.  The only problem, they had ordered the food in “white people” proportions, and it was gone in about 5 minutes.  No joke.  Still it was fun to mingle, chat, and watch videos of past generation’s performances.

Lohi Tui, Me, Leticia Michalek(Hames) (who was also one of my bridesmaids at my wedding) and her sister Adriana Michalek(Villamizar)

Vileena Begay (Peterson) and me

Top Row: Jen Fuentes, Charmay Lee, Adam Lee, some guy.  Middle Row: Lohi Tui, some girl, Meredith Zendejas, Channy Tuitele, some girl.  Front Row:  Me, Fili Sagapolutele, James Senior.

Ellen Fuentes, her daughter Isa, and me


Michelle Wilson, James Senior, Chauma Jansen, Chris Kryzmenski, Adriana Trejo
I am so very grateful that I had this chance to relive one of the greatest passions of my younger life, and to do it with the very same people who made it special in the first place.  What a great day!