Student Choreography Showcase 2009

Last night was the Student Choreography Showcase at Nevada Union, where 17 dance students were chosen to choreograph a dance to whatever song they want. It is amazing to see the young talent in Nevada County, whether it be dancers, bands, or artists. One of my very good friends, Fiona MacKenzie, was chosen to choregraph a dance, and she decided to do it to my sister's song, "Death Of A City." Before my camera died, I was able to get one full video and two half videos of the performances. 

Take My Hand by Shawn McDonald

Choreographed by Rachel Webb

Elephant Gun by Beirut

Choreographed by Rose Alicia Allen

Death Of A City by Moorea Seal

Choreographed by Fiona MacKenzie

I will try and get someone to video tape full versions of the dances tonight, so check tomorrow for that!

Unexpected Guests, Welcome!

Yesterday I got to hang out with one of my best friends who I rarely see anymore, because he attends Cuesta college in SLO. We went to sushi (of course) and .. I just remembered that the rest of my NC Roll is in the back of my car. I hope I remember to get that out soon... Anyways, as I was leaving, I saw some family friends who I used to babysit for. I was not expecting this, but they brought up my blog and how they read it! And then their daughter said, "was it you who put up that funny video of your sister?" Oh yes.. That was me.. Tye dye, head band, high socks and all.

For your viewing pleasure, here it is!

(UPDATE) Whoah.. It has an extreme delay. For a better view of it, check it out on my facebook.
 

Oh the world of online networking..
I never thought that they would read my blog.. I may just be lying to myself, but maybe there are a lot of people who read my blog that I never thought would! So, world, if this is your first time reading, hello and enjoy my blog!
Oh! They also did not fail to mention to their dinner guest who was a mathematitician, how much I hated math! Oh joy! Although they did recommend a book for me, the name escapes me right now but it basically went something like, "How To Not Hate Math." I should probably check that out some time. I think I could probably devote an entire blog column about my hatred of mathematics. Just give me the earth, some kitties and the Chronicles of Narnia, and I'm fine. I don't need math to love life, nor do I need it to clean teeth for a living. Take that!
But all of this is besides the point that I am welcoming you, my dear reader, to the wonderful.. scratch that, interesting and oftentimes odd and fanciful world of, well, my brain. In a blog. On the internet. Enjoy!

Among Other Things

Out of all of the interesting, momentous, and lovely events that have and will occur today, I thought I might point this out in particular, as I wrote on a cd that has a title scratched over it in brown/purple ink, I spelled out "CD is blank..." In my messy handwriting. 

Looking at it again, I thought, "Blank.. blank? blank..." 

How weird is that word?

Men

I thought that would be the most blunt title possible for this post.

Thursdays at Sushi Q are usually slow ones.. I am sent home at 8 latest, and spent most of the night folding napkins. But last Thursday was nothing of the sort. The night started of pretty busy, as predicted by all of us because Krudo, the sushi place down the street, just closed. Right around 8 o'clock, a table of 15 came in.. Oh hey table of 6 as well. Half an hour later, oh hey table of 10, and not fifteen minutes later another table of 6. Jeezo Peezo! What a crazy night. But all of that is beside the point of this.

As the table of 10 got more and more drunk, one guy in particular kept trying to catch my attention as well as Madeline's. Gross.. Late 20s drunk men with greasy long hair with obviously no social skills are not cool. As he walked to the bathroom, he saw Madeline and I sneak a bite of ice cream. "Uh-uh! I'm telling your boss! Ha ha!" And we just chuckled along... Until we gagged once he got into the bathroom. We thought his pestering would be over. We were terribly wrong.

As the night proceeded, I tried to avoid the guy, in hopes that I wouldn't have to talk to him again. This is where the Grinch would say, "Wrongo.."

I walked over to fill some waters, when I hear him and his friends talking about hot chairs..

"Do you prefer hot or cold chairs?" He said.

Oh great... He's talking to me. Bleh..

"I don't know.. I don't usually notice.." I said. "Probably cold, then I don't know someone has had an accident or something."

Pretty blunt, no? No.

"I didn't mean a toilet seat, I just mean in general."
I didn't mean a toilet seat either, buddy...

"I don't know, I don't really notice," I said in the most apathetic voice possible.

"You don't really notice?"
Who does this guy think he is?

"No," I said, frustrated now, "It's not the first thing that comes to mind when I sit down to do something."

"So like... A lukewarm chair?"

Oh my gosh, get this guy away from me before I destroy future generations of this man.

"Sure I don't know."

"wanna take a seat?"

Wow. You're smooth. Not.

"Nope." I stated. "And can't you see I'm working right now?"

"Your boss likes me though!"

I'm done with this thing of a man. 

"That doesn't mean he likes me."

And... Scene. I'm over it. I walked away as quickly as possible, and score one for Alexandra, and zero for the zero with a bad pick up line.

Sometimes I wonder if there is goodness in the boys of this world. And then I go home and get to hang out with a lovely boyfriend who is not a gross weirdo like this guy was. And I have people like Brian, Dustin, and Miles and who can forget the ever suave Curtis who redeem the realm of boys with their awesome wit, charm and sensitivity.. And overall good ol' manliness of the sort.

Fast

My boyfriend is gone for the weekend. I think I will go on a fast from all things internet for a little while. No facebook, blogger, flickr, youtube, wwtdd, myspace, random google searches that are completely useless...

Things to do this weekend:

1. Clean my room

2. Not go on the internet

3. Hang out with someone I haven't seen in a while (any takers?)

4. Work on homework.

5. Go to sleep before midnight. Every night. Thursday through Sunday. This will happen.

6. Cut my own hair but if that is a failure, go to a real salon for the first time in 3 years.

7. Spend some quality time with God.

My goal is to stay off until Monday. Let's hope for the best.

It Is Well With My Soul

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Romans 15:13

On Sunday, quite a few of my friends who go to BYU Idaho lost a friend due to a fatal car accident. This blog is dedicated to them, as well as Josh's family, in hopes that I can bring them a little glimpse of hope while they are feeling quite lost right now.

Whenever I am struggling with something, whether it be overwhelming school work, bad news or the loss of something I loved so much, I listen to this song to clear my head and give me reassurance that God is with me. My dear friend Ben once had me listen to it when I was struggling with life, and it has become a stepping stone to my recovery over any let down in my life.

The story behind the song makes it even more meaningful. This song was written by Horatio Spafford and Phillip Bliss, and was written after many traumatic events in Spafford's life. In 1871, his only son died, and shortly after, the Great Chicago Fire ruined him financially (he had been a very successful lawyer). In 1873, he planned to travel to Europe with his family on the S.S. Ville du Havre, but was delayed due to business concerning problems following the fire. He sent his family ahead of him, and while crossing the Atlantic, the ship rapidly sank after colliding with another ship. His four daughters were killed during this accident. His wife had survived, and while Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his ship passed where his daughters had died.

This man was struck with such tragedy, yet God still gave him the peace and comfort to keep moving forward. It is so beautiful to hear of people with such faith and perseverance, and I thank God for such people, because they inspire me to never give up hope.

I pray that whenever you are faced with heartbreak, you can find tranquility through God and through the music that he has placed in people's hearts such as this one. Know that I am praying for all of you that are suffering through Josh's death, and may he be remembered through eternity in yours and everyone's hearts. May he have beautiful and perfect rest, and may you find it in God as well as you grow from this heartbreak.

Please let his family know that I am praying for them.

The Clouds Shout "I Wanna Snow!"

I love the winter, but I don't like when it's so cold that my fingers get skinnier, because then my rings fall off.

Found

Yesterday when I was watching CSI with my mom, this really beautiful sort of psychadelic electronic indian-esque song played in the background. I am always surprised by the great music choice on CSI Las Vegas. Anyways, the song was "Prince of Peace" by School of Seven Bells. This is the first time I've ever heard of them, but they are quite good!!

The band consists of twins Alejandra and Claudia Deheza, and Benjamin Curtis. AMG gave them a 4.5 out of 5 rating, and NME gave them a 9 out of 10. The New York Times calls them "a promising blend of psychadelic and futuristic."

Here are a few songs I found on Project Playlist. Unfortunately Prince of Peace wasn't on there, but you can find it on their music myspace. That is definitely my favorite song of theirs, so I would suggest you go on there. But if you're lazy, just listen to these few I found on Project Playlist. Enjoy!

Curiousity Enhances the Tuxedo Cat

I'm looking up facts about the breeds of our two cats. Addie is a Tuxedo cat, or TC, and I'm pretty sure I just found the most ridiculous and false facts about tuxedo cats:

NASA is making plans to allow a tuxedo cat to be the first pet on the Moon, with studies indicating that TCs are also well suited for the Mars missions. (Yeah okay...)
In recognition of their formal attire, tuxedo cats are the only felines admitted to performances of the metropolitan opera. (And then they can meow along with the women in viking hats)
People who have agreed to serve TCs as food providers and toy throwers are more attractive than the average humans. (Models only.)
People who win lotteries are statistically more likely to live with TCs. (I'm hoping that this will occur in my family...)
Plants grown in houses where TCs reside are healthier and generally 20-50% larger than plants in non-TC households. (What, is their pee laced with Miracle Grow?)
Tuxedo cats can add single digit numbers and perform simple integrations. (2+2=Meow)
Tuxedo cats can, in an emergency, drive a car. (I'll keep that in mind, then next time I'm in an emergency with my cat...)
When a full moon occurs on the vernal or diurnal equinox, TCs can become invisible. (So that's where Addie disappears to on the equinox!)

In conclusion, don't trust what you read on the internet. 

Cat Naps and Power Outages

Wake up in a flash, to cold hands and feet.

What's new?

But this is my whole body... I'm freezing!

Open the blinds, and more fresh powder covers my driveway

The trees sway with happiness.

The local deer play in our backyard,

one following another, loving the fluffy clouds at their feet.

The power is out, but they don't mind.

Neither do I.

I daydream away at the thought of living with Amish people.

That green and white blanket we have had for so long.

Turning the couch around to face the fireplace, 

everyone seems to congregate to the living room for the day.

Cat naps by the fireplace, warm fur and soft paws

I lay on the floor with Wellington, and rest my head on my pillow...

For.. A... Nice....

Three thirty comes around, and as I awake, 

Wellington has successfully not moved a muscle for hours.

As I prepare for spaghetti night with the Ivey's, 

I sit in the room by the stove which has brought me warm comfort

every snowy winter power outage,

and I thank God for the seasons, for adventures, 

and for peace.

Kids Say the Darndest Things

I am so glad some commericals are enjoyable to watch. There is the E*Trade baby, which is always creepy.. The iPod commercials that make you wanna dance.. Here is one I just watched, and it is so precious!

My ultimate favorite commercials I have ever seen are the Trigon Commercials. I love cheeky spunky little kids more than anything in the world. Remember that Chewy commercial a long time ago with little kids saying things they shouldn't? Like, "my sister dresses like a floozy!" and "my mom said she can't believe you wore white!"? That was so funny. I can't find it anywhere on YouTube..

Anyways, here are the Trigon commercials. Love it!

...And Spanish!

Ooh i's growin' now!

She had red ripstrick

He was injured... Injured bad...

Mooreal Seal Designs

(All photos by Alexandra Seal and Moorea Seal)

The time has come, my friends..

Well, almost.

Tomorrow, at noon, my sister will be selling her handmade jewelry on her etsy shop. 

My sister, Moorea Seal, is a 22 year old living in Seattle, WA and attending Seattle Pacific University, who will be graduating this June with a degree in illustration. She has always astounded me with her beautiful works of art, not only in illustration, but clothing and jewelry design, mixed media artwork and so much more. 

Tomorrow, my sister will be opening her etsy shop. She is selling necklaces as well as earrings. All were handmade. Moorea's boyfriend, Curtis C. Craig hand crafted all of the wood pieces, and Moorea assembled and designed.

For every item you buy, 15% goes to Camp Hammer to help with their children's ministries.

This jewelry is a perfect gift for your girlfriend for Valentine's Day, and with it comes the satisfaction that you gave back to a great organization that will use your money carefully and much appreciation.

So tomorrow at lunch, while you are browsing online with nothing to do, go to my sister's etsy shop, you won't be disappointed!

My First Crane Takes Flight

(All images found on Google)

In Japanese tradition, the crane signifies honor and loyalty. It is said that if one makes 1,000 paper cranes, your greatest wish will be granted. 

One of my life goals (I know, I am pathetic) is to learn how to make an origami crane. I have tried at least 15 websites, and more youtube instructional videos that I can imagine. But today. Today, I did it. I made an origami crane. Praise the Lord! I doubt I will be determined enough to make 1,000 in my life, but it is a nice thing to think about :]

Thank you Origamifun on YouTube, for helping me complete one of my many life goals.

Watch this video to learn how to make an origami crane!

Music First, Baby Second

Wow. Super pregnant M.I.A performed at the Grammys alongside Jay-Z, KanYe West, T.I., and Lil Wayne. As she sang "Swagger Like Us" with the four rappers, she danced and shimmied all over the stage.

Obviously music was much more important than her well being, because she performed on her due date!! That's crazy! Her publicist told the Daily News that M.I.A. was performing at the Oscars regardless of when the baby is born.

Let's hope for the best, and that she either pops that sucker out asap or holds it in for a few more weeks, because the Oscars are in 13 days!

Here's a video of her performance at the Grammys. She can pull off any outfit and look adorable.

On The Bright Side

I live in a place surrounded by pine trees, birds, deer, creeks, cool breeze. Up until last summer, almost all of my friends hated it. They wanted the city, tall buildings, warm weather, and big cars... Anywhere but here. As much as I miss my peers from high school, it is nice to now be almost completely surrounded by people who want to be here. It is nice to mutually love the nature and beauty around me with other people. 

Nevada City, I will never hate you. You are the greatest.

Questionable Cuts

Some days, I just want spunky short hair that is crazy and messy and has no knots in it. Dream hair of the moment:
Alison Lohman (who starred in White Oleander and Big Fish, two really lovely movies)
PS She has really nice eyebrows.


I cut off all of my hair in 4th grade and gave it to Locks of Love. I was thinking about doing that again, but I would have to grow my hair out a few more inches. Too bad... Because lately I have just wanted flowy pretty pixie forest nature short hair. But I also love my long dancing pulled back or all around my face blowing in the wind long hair right now.
Any thoughts on which I should go for?
I wish you had the ability to circle an answer on Blogger. My dream blog would have this capability:


But really.. Any suggestions?

Love Letter Part II

Dear reader,

If you want to win my heart, buy me everything from Forever 21 right now.

Everything is so inexpensive and beautiful!

Baggy capris yes.

$27.80

Head scarves yes.

Strappy scrunchy high heeled boots yes.

Destroyed denim yes PLEASE.

$22.80

This belt. One and only.

Pretty little summer sandals.

Scholarly vests yes.

$22.90

Little Indian shirt yes.

Flowy earthy dresses yes.

PLAID SHIRTS YES.

$19.80

Ahh.. My love.. fringe vests yes.

Brings me back to the good old days of school in England.. Yes.

$19.80

Pretty dresses that make me feel girly yes.

Love always,

Alexandra Seal