On Stage - Round 2 - "Olivia"

Cage - Rough Cut

Olivia

(Verse 1)

A little girl, you cried.

Your mother didn't treat you right.

You ran away, so afraid.

She didn't want you.

Her words still haunt you.

*(Chorus)

But, don't give up, Olivia!

Your life's been hard.

You've known the pain of many hearts.

Don't give up, Olivia!

Your life's been hard.

But you may yet, get a new start.

(Verse 2)

Put in a home, a new life.

But instead of love, you only found more strife.

You ran away again, again afraid.

Now on your own, you feel so alone.

*(Chorus)

(Verse 3)

Hope seems gone, your freedom lost.

Working to support yourself, school is the cost.

Learning was your only love.

Then stealing for your needs, all they can see

is your delinquency!

They say, “You gave up Olivia!”

They say you chose wrong,

you had your agency all along,

because this is the land of the free,

there's meritocracy,

be anything you want to be!

But I say…

What about Olivia?!

Where was the love she needed

to give her a good start?

Don't give up, on Olivia!

Her life's been so hard

Please give her, a new start.

Olivia, Olivia,

Don’t give up, Olivia!

Earthquake

There have been earthquake drills in my life,

but I didn't heed their warnings or advice.

You know when disaster comes to play

that the time to prepare has gone away.

Left with the rubble all around,

even fate could not have foretold the sound

of my heart breaking, aching, crying out now.

It feels like all that's left in my heart is doubt.

(Chorus = *)

And then tomorrow the dust will clear.

The darkness you have felt will disappear.

The fear will fade. Wait and see!

The light will come back. You can believe.

Although at times you made the wrong choice.

You put aside the silent, searching the world for noise.

The soft and peaceful moments are there.

Just lay upon the Lord your every care.

*

(Bridge)

Yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

I will fear no evil, for Christ is my friend!

*

On Stage

So not yesterday, but the previous Friday (11-11-11), I performed "I Am Here to Stay" at my ward talent show. So I met that last music goal of mine to perform a song I wrote on stage! Now to get more practice at not being so nervous doing so.... :)

A Comfort-first, Curious, and Creative Daughter of God

For my multicultural education class we were assigned to make a cultural diorama, choosing 3 objects that represent our culture and who we are.

My "Holy" Shoes

I grew up in Southern California with a stay-at-home mom and an auto-mechanic dad. I didn't know at the time, but this was rather miraculous, considering the cost of living in So Cal. We have always made due by being frugal. We rarely got rid of anything we hadn't used to it's fullest potential. I am not saying we didn't have money for new shoes, but this view of money in combination with my comfort-over-fashion attitude has meant that I will stubbornly wear what my father would call my “holy” shoes.

God's Gifts to Me

Although I got my “punny” sense of humor from my father, I got my chronic curiosity and desire for knowledge from my mother. Any little thing either of us was interested in would lead us to the library. We would check out books on insects and try to identify the neighborhood critters, and my mom would always be spouting off plant names when we went on walks. These experiences have led to my faith being built on a foundation of observing God's creations and wondering about the world around me. This is a main reason for why I studied biology and now want to teach it.

In addition to collecting information about God's creations, I like to collect pieces of them and keep them around my room as little reminders. Reminders, not only of God's love, but also of the memories of people and places associated with each one. I would not be me if I didn't have this collection of friends and memories.

 (In case you are interested to know what a few of these items represent:


The Bougainvillea blossoms are a papery flower that are everywhere back home. I picked this bit while on one of many walks with my cuddle-bug of a little sister. I picked the leaf here in Provo fours years ago, Fall of my freshman year. I was with my forever-friend Nicole.)

Creative Aspirations

Since I was a kid, I've loved rhymes and alliterations. I've been writing silly poems since elementary school and cheesy songs since middle school. It was then that I fell in love with music by Michelle Branch, a young singer-songwriter that made it big, at least in my eyes. Since then I have had this dream and creative aspiration to learn how to play guitar and do the same, although minus the “making it big” part. I have also had the dream of getting something published. Just this semester I have successfully met my goal of writing a song on my own guitar. I also got my first rejection email in response to submitting some of my poetry for publication.

My creative aspirations are a key part of what make me happy to be me.

I Am Here To Stay

     Oh, what a great image. Lol. But yeah. Here is my new song. :) But that is the end of the story.
     The story begins with my love of Michelle Branch music from my pre-teen years and my admiration that she wrote her own songs. I have since then written songs, but they all stayed in my poetry notebook, because I couldn't accompany myself. So I set a goal to learn how to play guitar. Took the beginning class a year ago last Spring...Check! And I had the goal to write a song on my guitar, so I could serenade people... Just last month... Check! And this is the 2nd song that has fulfilled that goal. (I will record the 1st one soon). Next up... perform on stage? Hmm, it might be awhile. :p

 Oh, and upon demand, here are the lyrics. Sorry by guitar was louder than my voice.

 

Hey, you told me I should run,

But I can't see why.

A princess isn't meant to be saved.

Let me stand by your side,

Lend you sight, be your guide.

Just please let me stay!

CHORUS 1

I (don't want to) give up today.

No, I (don't want to) run away.

All the world may (come) to fight us,

But I (prefer) to stay.

Yes, (please let me) stay.

I know there's dragons, pirates, thieves,

And of course I'm scared of these,

But I can hold my own with a sword.

Who cares for treasured gold

From stories 'ever old?

When our love shall be our reward!

CHORUS 2

I (won't) give up today.

No, I (can't) run away.

All the world may (try) to fight us,

But I (am here) to stay.

Yes, (I am here) to stay.

Yes, treat me like a queen,

I'm a fan of chivalry.

But you're my prince and I wish to stay by you.

I know alone you are strong.

You may win before long.

But together we can't lose!

CHORUS 3

WE (won't) give up today.

No, WE (refuse to) run away.

All the evil of darkest night

we will conquer and set right

We will greet the light of day

But WE ARE HERE to stay. 

Yes, I am here to stay.