Music Has Consumed My Life

 ...and I'm not that upset about it. It really has been quite a musical couple of weeks and it's not over yet! Last Tuesday was my school choir's Winter Concert, which I think went very well. On Friday the a Capella group I am a part of sang for the teachers during their lunch and on Saturday we sang for some cool old people (a motor-home club I think?) at an awesome restaurant. Before that on Saturday I had my piano recital.

There was a little boy at the piano recital who did an almost perfect Nightmare Before Christmas version of Jingle Bells. I'm not sure it was on purpose but it made my entire day. It was a complex piece too!

This week, as if that wasn't enough music- I have been going to rehearsals for my friend. She is having a small group of people go sing for a place for developmentally disabled adults where her mom works. That's happening tomorrow!

Then to finish it off on Friday, right before Christmas the a Capella group is going to go caroling. Which should be a lot of fun. We picked my sister up from the airport last night so she is home and I am ready for Christmas. It's the most wonderful time of the year!

The Grotto and a Quick Hairstyle

The day after the Mumford & Sons concert I went to go sing at the Grotto in Portland. After three hours of sleep and going to a rehearsal at 6:45 in the morning I was not feeling my best. In order to trick my brain I decided to do something quick with my hair. I got so many compliments on it, I figured why not share it with you. 

1. Grab the hair in the front (bangs) and start french braiding.

2. Continue the french braid along the side of your head until you almost reach the back.

3. At this point, stop french braiding, and just "regular" braid the remaining hair, letting the braid fall down, joining the rest of your hair.

Simple simple!

Every year around Christmas time my choir, RebelSingers, makes a trip to the Grotto in Portland to perform. The Grotto is a National Sanctuary built around a rock cave at the base of a cliff.You can read more about the Grotto at The Grotto Website. During the Holidays, they do a fantastic festival of lights, a petting zoo, choir performances, it's simply amazing.

We sing in the chapel, which has amazing acoustics and really is one of the coolest rooms to perform in. During one of our quieter songs, I heard someone sneeze, and thought nothing of it. The next day I learn that a kid threw up. I have never experienced that before, and I hope I never do again. I'm just glad I wasn't one of the unlucky victims that was hit. It makes me shudder still.

All in all it was a really fun night. I almost fell asleep a couple times on stage- but it was well worth it. It's sad to think that was my last year performing there...

"The Call"

Can you spot me? I'm there!
I know I've been a little internet absent lately- but I have a good reason! This past weekend I was a part of two Veteran's Day Concerts, which premiered the song "The Call" from Grammy-nominated composer Dave Metzger. Seriously so amazing.
The song was commissioned by the Willamette Master Chorus and they asked us to join them in their concerts. Veteran's day is kind of a big deal where I'm from. 
Dave Metzger wrote the score for Kung Fu Panda and the Broadway version of The Lion King. Oh and you know the music that plays with the Walt Disney logo before every Disney movie- he arranged the newest version of that too. He's the closest to famous that I've ever-encountered, and I got to talk to him. The whole thing was a really cool experience.
But that's over now! So hopefully I'll be on here more often before I have to leave for Thanksgiving! I miss all my lovely bloggers!
The song starts a few minutes into the song by the way. I love my parents dearly, but they just don't get technology. 

November Playlist

Today seems like a good day to post my November playlist. At about 6pm I'll be on my way to a giant choral/orchestra rehearsal for a Veteran's Day Song, The Call, composed by Dave Metzger, he's a Grammy winner guys (Lion King on Broadway music...) and he's from Salem, Oregon. I'll have to share more about that experience after it happens, for now enjoy my November music! Christmas music is right around the corner....

Okay... I've already started to listen to it. :)

Who's the Newest Rebelation Member?

That's right- yours truly...and I couldn't be more excited! Rebelation is the small jazz ensemble at my school and after a year in concert choir, two years in the large auditioned group Rebel Singers, I made it to call backs and well, I guess they went well.

I'm really looking forward to next year, even though I have to be at school at 6:50 am. Yeah, really. I have a bunch of music to look over this summer too! 

I am almost done with school, tomorrow is my last day! I will be celebrating by going to lunch with friends afterwards and then sleeping in the next week at least. Yes! I will (and have already started) to remodel things on here- so forgive me if it looks a bit messy.

I Love Jeff Buckley...and My New Ukulele

Well folks- yes I did just call you folks- It's been a crazy week. Even that's an understatement  I'm wrapping up classes because my last day of school is next week, graduation was Wednesday and I had to say bye to all my seniors, I had a party to go to Thursday, auditions Thursday and it's not over yet!

I got call-backs for the Small Jazz Ensemble Rebelation! and have to have that music all ready by Monday. I have a dog training thing to go to tomorrow afternoon, a wedding reception tomorrow evening a final essay to work on and a resume to send in for a possible job.

I AM SO READY FOR SUMMER.

My new Kala Soprano Ukulele got here yesterday and I've been playing it as much as possible since. I absolutely adore it! AH! I also adore Jeff Buckley. He was taken away from us way to early in his life. I listen to him all the time and you should too!

Sorry for the totally random post, I feel as if I've been neglecting my little blog lately. Once summer starts hopefully I'll be posting so more interesting and frequent things. Hopefully.

Have a fantastic weekend everyone!

Eye Alaska: Outfit

Jacket & Jeans: American Eagle. Shirt: PacSun. Bracelets: Gift and TOMS.

This was from a few days ago, I think Thursday- when it was actually sunny! I'm disappointed I didn't get a better picture of the shirt, which has a wolf on the front and sheep! Said shirt is actually a band shirt for Eye Alaska. I bought this shirt more than a year ago and I am listening to the band for the first time currently. They are actually pretty good, don't ask me why I waited so long to figure that out.


I really wish it wasn't Sunday today, I'm not ready for another week of school. I still have some work to do today that I don't want to do and a solo to work on for choir. A solo I totally wasn't expecting to get. It's in Alice In Wonderland (the song in the opening title of the Disney version). All the rest of the girls who auditioned were great and I thought I did awful. I was happy I tried out because I didn't chicken out, and then turns out I get chosen to sing it. Life is funny, isn't it?


Hope everyone has a lovely Sunday and a great week! :)

OSAA State Choir Championship...and a Truck!

I'm just going to start by saying I should be studying for the AP Bio Exam on Monday, but this is a lot more fun. 

Now that that's out of the way, on to the fun stuff! Yesterday was the OSAA State Championship. South Albany Rebel Singers got 7th in 5A and 2nd for academics. We had very tough competition this year- including a 6A school that moved down to 5A (they got first, big shocker). I am very proud of us, our performance was awesome, we even got a standing ovation. Oh Yeah. :)

We all went to Shari's for dinner. Those poor people. 50 teenagers, choir kids none the less. We ate so much food and laughed a lot. I have the most fun with these people.

Although we were expecting to place better, and there were a few tears shed; we can't be upset with how we did. We are amazing.

Last but not least- I got my truck! It's a '94 Ford Ranger and I love it. I spent all day today cleaning and Amandafying it. Finally I have wheels!

Well it's study time for me, have a great weekend everyone!

I'm just full of excuses.

It's been a week since I last posted. A week! That's bad. I promise that once life slows down a little I'll start posting more often. Here's just a hint of the craziness lately:

• After miserably searching I finally found a truck! A '94 Ford Ranger. I'll post pictures tomorrow when I get it!
• I'm going to the OSAA State Choir Championship with Rebel Singers on Friday! Woo!
• Monday is the AP Biology Exam. I am so incredibly nervous. I really want to get the credit so I can skip basic college Bio. Eek!
• I have an essay to write tonight. Go procrastinators!

Along with all the usual insanity of life. 

I got a tan on Sunday, an actual tan. And an actual burn, on my chest which you can see. It hurts. Blah, I never burn. I love my earrings and that shirt because it didn't touch my burn. Best sign ever. In the woman's bathroom at The Electric Station in Eugene.

The Dogs! My Misty is on the left. Sedona is at the animal shelter. Maybe I'll do a Shelter Spotlight on her soon. We have awesome Garter Snakes in our yard. Nail stickers=my favorite.

Bella, Camellias and Sexiness

It was definitely one of those weeks, hence my absence. I got a lot accomplished though, which is a good thing I suppose. On Thursday, I went to my league festival with Rebel Singers (my high school choir, we got 5th at State last year!) and we did awesome! We qualified for State a second time and we were told we were "Total G's" and looked "Hella dank". Mission accomplished. 

I applied for yet another job and also made my appointment for my driver's test. I'm so nervous! I guess I should really start driving again... 

Last but not least I chose my song for auditions for Oklahoma on Monday (can you tell I procrastinate?) I will be singing In My Own Little Corner from Cinderella. I'm pretty nervous about that too actually. I just need to relax, but that will probably never happen. Oh well, who needs relaxation, sleep, fun, etc. anyway?

Let me introduce you to my new friend Bella. Bella is a little energetic Corgi mix and she is just adorable. 

Those are Camellia flowers on my front lawn and I get to see them everyday. Pretty pretty pretty.

Last but not least, I give you my Smartwater bottle. Yes, it does say: "green is toadally sexy" 

Have a great rest of your weekend and a good week! :)

Christmas in March!

I recently ordered some clothes online (online shopping <3) and they were finally delivered to my house! Yay! You should have seen me, it was like Christmas morning. Now...it just has to get warmer so I can wear them. 

I am exhausted today because the last two days have been so jam-packed. Thursday I had school and a District Choir Festival. I love my choir, I don't know what I would do without it. Friday was school, a choir festival at George Fox University and we got back just in time to see my school's production of You Can't Take It With You, which was fantastic! It's been a good two days, and now I have a lot of catching up to do schoolwork wise. Oh joy.

Hope everyone has a great weekend! :)