This is my Idahome.

I went into this blog looking to point out to others (and myself) the good things about living here in Rexburg and going to school at BYU-Idaho. I'd say mission accomplished. I love it here, and I think that it's time for me to be done with this blog. I won't take it down, but this little space has served its purpose. I started school a little upset I wan't going somewhere else, and with the expectation that nowhere else could hold a candle to California life. Now I'm starting my junior year and the only thing I hate is the snow (and even then, it's okay sometimes).  Thanks for taking this journey with me!

#20 Choir

Tonight Jenna and I attended the Collegiate Singers Invitational Concert. I was practically in hysterics the whole time. I just loved it. The Collegiate Singers are...I can't even find the right adjective to describe the quality of their performance. To compare to my high school program for a moment, they're bigger than Madrigals, but smaller than Chorale. They remind me of the MTSAC Chambers in that their set was inspiring and edgy and they changed formations between almost every song.

Then was Vocal Union, the jazz group. I'm thinking I'll audition for this in the fall. Maybe then I'll stop being the family jazz failure. Also awesome. Their set included a fantastic solo by my buddy Doug (who made my American Gov class bearable this block) and the song "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing." That brought memories flooding back from when Expressions did the same song my junior year of high school. Man, I miss being in choir. (That's where I met all my friends...maybe that's why I have little to no social life these days.)

Then was Jazz Combo #1--just a rhythm section and a flute. I am opposed to flutes being used in jazz on principle, but this wasn't so bad. While they were playing, I had this crazy daydream about my brother Dallin coming up to visit during his spring break--there's gonna be a Jazz Combo Showcase around that time. I was exploring solutions to basic questions like "where would he stay?" and "what would he do while I was in class?" See, this is why I have a hard time with straight up instrumental songs sometimes. My brain gets in the way with words. I like words.

The last few songs were glorious collaborations between the rhythm section of the combo and the choirs. Brazilian bossa nova always makes my day a little brighter. The very last song was a great big gospel number with everyone all together with swaying and clapping and sheer energy and joy (just like at Upland!). 

Makes me all...nostalgic.

#19 The Taylor Chapel

image via 

The inside of the Taylor Chapel (shown above) is beautiful. I was there for a stake Relief Society fireside today and realized for the first time how architecture can be conducive to a spiritual environment. It's simple--not distracting like some Catholic churches I've been to. The walls are white. The pews and stand are made from light wood and the pipes of the organ adorn the wall. But the best part are those tall windows lining the east and west walls. Light pours into those windows and all the light wood and the white walls reflect it all over. It's probably the brightest room on campus. Even at night, the artificial light in the room is emphasized by those windows--all the brightness of the room is framed by by the deep blue night. 

But all this is only fitting, considering that it's a chapel. The only thing that could possibly be brighter are the hymns played on that piano or organ; the testimonies borne and the Gospel light preached from that pulpit. The Taylor Chapel is a celebration of light. It is a place both to see and to receive it.