Lost & Found

(Image Source)

The other night, I came home pretty late and dropped my phone somewhere. I am the type of person to always have my phone with me, if not anything else, so a moment like this usually results in panic, a sleepless night, or thoughts of Oh no... Another few hundred dollars down the drain... But for some reason, I shrugged it off, went inside, got into bed and snuggled my pup until morning. I had no alarm, but I didn't care. I gave no thought that I had just worked, been at two different bars, and driven around town. My phone could have been anywhere.
The next morning, I woke up in total peace and tranquility. I walked out to my car thinking, if it's not in here, it's not a problem. It's just a phone. Must have been that thought that made the sweatshirt pocket gods smile down upon me, because I found it in the back seat of my car (back seat, I have no idea why.. I never go back there). Since then, I'm a little less attached to my phone. Not that I'd find it great and wonderful to lose it, but I've come to terms that if and when our paths separate, I think I'm gonna be okay.
I just stumbled upon this image, among others. I can only imagine my Apple friends shuddering in their office chairs as they view these images.

Question of the blog:
Finish this sentence: I never leave the house without _________.

Polar Bear 3 : Iceberg Cam 0

Body Clock Renovation 2011

Yaaawn!
Alright, who of you has a hard time waking up in the mornings? It's okay, I'm right there with you.
My grandmother passed away two weeks ago. She was the epitome of class, service, charm, and generosity.. And she did it all on time, with happiness, and in style. I am so inspired by her life, and I want to make some changes. My first changes have started with those three things, being on time, being happy while I do it, and doing it in style.
I just purchased my first real watch, a Michael Kors wrist watch, that's so blingin' and beautiful. My grandmother was a servant to all, especially in the education field for Southeast Asians after the huge immigration to Long Beach in the 80s. She offered so many ways to help, to teach, and to serve other people, and always did it in a manner that was humble, but not to the point of letting herself go. She had her signature red nail polish, as I blogged about before. She always had her hair done and respectable clothes and shoes. It wasn't in the fashion of looking down on those who didn't have it, but she just liked it, and she knew she deserved it. So, my wrist watch is part one of my lesson on how to live in style while also living a life that is primarily for other people. I am a servant, and I love to serve, and I love everyone.
Moving on. Being on time, guys. This is my ultimate goal. I am the type of girl that is so much more pleasant to be around when I've woken up at 10:30 am, but you know, that just isn't going to cut it anymore. I need to wake up earlier. So today marks the day of my BODY CLOCK RENOVATION 2011, where I will be waking up early and starting my day early and loving it in the process. Last night, I successfully made it to bed by 10:45, and was out by 11 pm. Despite having very realistic dreams (not nightmares. There's a difference) of the zombiepocalypse, I woke up at 8 am, drank some tea, woke Moorea up, and now, at 9 am, we are out the door to walk The Newo Pups and read at Broad Street Books, a dog friendly cafe in downtown. I am overjoyed with the thought that in a few minutes I will get some real caffeine in me, because it is way to early for me to be awake. NAY! It is just the right time for me to be awake! And I'm going to learn to love it!

Question of the blog:
What is your ideal wake up time?

In my 6 full days of being home, I have not accomplished these things:

1. Unpack from San Diego (I technically moved home in June)

2. See most of my friends

3. Do any sort of laundry (Luckily I have been living in my bathing suit)

4. Taken a single picture on my camera

5. Washing my hair more than two times

But in those 6 days, I have accomplished these things:

1. Been to the river 4 times

2. Made delicious homemade food (How I have missed the kitchen)

3. Watched a full season of Dexter

4. Googled "How to make your own body wash" over 10 times. I have yet to do anything about it though.

Hey, at least it's a start.

It's summer, I'm going to South Lake Tahoe tomorrow with my favorite group of cousins not related to me, and I don't care if I'm going with a group or alone, but I'm getting sushi tonight and there's nothing you can do about it.

Puppy Dog Eyes

Hi.

I'm alive, I promise! But we definitely have some things to catch up on.

Home. Summer plans. Puppy. Friends. River. Lots and lots of pictures I have yet to edit... GAH

To Sleep Or Celebrate

Took a nap just so I could stay up until midnight tonight. It's my 21st birthday tomorrow, and I'm so excited! But I'm so tired I'd rather just go to bed than stay up. This whole "getting old" deal is not as great as it sounded!

ALSO,

I had a really random dream where I was talking about Etsy during a meal, and this girl thought I was talking about the meat. The next meal I went to, I heard someone ask her what was in the ravioli and she said "Oh, it's Etsy."

So random.

Question of the blog:

What was your most memorable birthday?

Drink Up

I am so thirsty.

Why can I not quench my thirst?? And the worst part about it, is I'll be waking up all night now because I'm going to have to pee every hour.

But on a lighter note, I am traveling North to see some family in Long Beach tomorrow. Cannot wait to feel that familial love. That is one of the biggest reasons why I miss home so much.

Question of the blog:

It's a cold, rainy day outside, and you've just come home from a long day away from your warm and cozy home. What drink do you make yourself?

Left You Out To Dry

Yikes.

I've been a bit incognito lately. Avoiding most calls, some texts. I haven't taken many photos worth posting, haven't posted photos on Facebook in weeks, rarely post on here, or on any other sites I use.

To fill you in, here's my current status.

Long hair, wet and untamed. Post-gym, post-Stats exam, I am tired and ready for rest. I legtimitately sleep-walked the other night, and it really scared me. Been out and about, learning how to shoot good photos on film. Making so many new friends, from all over the world.. Switzerland, Denmark, Chile, Venezuela. I appreciate the university I live at. One of my oldest friends got married last weekend, I'll post photos later. I miss my best friend. Remaining busy, trying hard in school, playing, living life.

Sorry I sort of hung you guys out to dry and didn't check back in for a while.. I promise I'll get back on a decent schedule soon..

Question of the blog:

You've just woken up from a beautiful sleep. The light is shining through the blinds, creating a beautiful bar code across your floor and onto your sheets. It's morning, and blues and greens tell you that it's going to be a good day.

What do you do first?

Blood Tests

Dear Needles,

I don't really like you. I mean you do great things like pierce my nose and save people and stuff, but you kinda freak me out. While you sucked up my blood today for a panel of sorts, you made me all woozy and lightheaded. I got all pale and shaky, and you know, I really didn't like it. I hope one day that medicine advances so that they can test my body from something other than my blood. I'm carrying precious cargo and I've only got a few pints in there, and I'm not willing to share with you.

Sincerely,

Alexandra Seal

Happy Thursday

This was last night. My life is a joke.

But I did receive this today:

Dear Alexandra,

Happy Thursday. You've made it through another week, and we are so proud of you. Here is a free caramel latte, perfect temperature, just for you. Have a great weekend.

Love Always,

Panera Bread

Oh, how I love you, Panera.

Also- Today was the day. Where my car celebrated its 121212nd mile birthday. YEE!

Question of the blog:

Do you play any instruments?

If you could play any particular one you do not currently play, which would you choose?

Puttin' Those In The Backpack

If there's anything you must know about me, it's that one of my favorite pastimes is deleting people off Facebook. I don't know what pleasure I find in it, but the satisfaction of deleting or denying friends us just so great for the ego!
One of my pet peeves about Facebook, though, is when people don't keep their profiles clean. Clean, meaning that they don't delete their activity, so half of their page is just "So and so is now friends with So and so." I am a cleaner.
In the process of cleaning up my profile (I sound like it's a chore, or something I do regularly... Which means I obviously need to get out more..), I decided to take a trip down memory lane as I kept clicking "Older Posts" at the bottom of my page. Let me tell you, I once was a much sassier woman. These are some of my favorite statuses I've written in the past.

Anne Alexandra Seal is going to punch microsoft or the government in the face, whichever i get to first. (Ahh, yes. When my computer was blue screening every day, and my voter registration wouldn't go through.)
Anne Alexandra Seal is "your head looks like it was stuck in a meat grinder" oh hey...thanks mom. (This was right after a hair cut that I loved. And obviously it didn't go over too well with the parents.)
Anne Alexandra Seal is hoping she can find her voodoo doll before it finds her. (I had this weird voodoo doll keychain. I never found it. That's probably the reason for my continual bad luck.)

Anne Alexandra Seal cried thirty tears while watching the season one finale of Avatar. (no, but really.)
Anne Alexandra Seal 's capa was detated (self explanitory.)
Anne Alexandra Seal is moving to Narnia forever. Kbye. (Still going to happen one day. Just you wait. I bet NARNIA doesn't have universities!)
Anne Alexandra Seal kittens and cameras and dancing with hippies, boyfriend and sewing and new sets of sharpies, dancing to deadbeats with angels with wings, these are a few of my favorite things. (That was a good night.)

My life is so random.

Question of the blog:
What do you think should be a rule in Facebook etiquette?

A Moment Of Childhoodedness

I live in a town that is about 45 minutes from the nearest shopping mall. Kids in my town call it a "trip" to the mall, or even to In N Out. When I was younger, I felt so left out when I couldn't go to the mall every weekend, because that was cool on Disney shows. But now that I am older, I sort of have a new opinion on shopping malls and the populars.
Even now, as I go to the mall to buy glasses or spend a gift certificate, I feel like I'm not one of "them". Oh, you know who I'm talking about.. Mall girls! (Not to be confused with call girls.) But really. Those girls at the mall that give you the look down because you're not wearing the shortest skirt, and you're looking in the sale rack. As a kid, I was mortified when I was seen wearing something deemed "unstylish" by the popular girls.
The other day, though, as I walked around the mall, I had sort of a revelation. I am so glad I am not comfortable here. I am so glad I am not a mall girl. I am a dirt loving, camp song singing, river swimming, unstyled hair, Nevada City girl. I always have been, and I am so blessed to know that today, and not have insecurity or uncertainty that I am not the prettiest, most up kept girl.
Sort of a childish moment in my life, but I just sort of needed that humble moment. I am so glad I was raised here, 45 minutes away from the nearest mall. Salute my shorts!

Ninja Spider

There is a ninja spider in my room, that has been lurking me for the past two days. At least, that's how long I think it's been lurking me. This morning, it showed up on my desk, and as I grabbed my pile of guitar papers to take it out, it disappeared like a masked warrior, and went missing for hours. Then, as I was talking to my boyfriend on the phone, it fell from my ceiling, onto my body. I swear. And then I stood up, and after flailing around for a bit, looked around and it was nowhere.
Conclusion: Either I am dealing with the ghost of spiders past, or this is the sneaking dang spider in the universe.

Question of the blog:
Do you have any phobias?

Add That To The List

The Bane Of My Existence List.
Bane: n, A source of persistent annoyance

1. Scantron tests.
2. Hair ties snapping while you are putting your hair up.
3. People scratching their scalps.
4. Drinking orange juice after you have brushed your teeth.
5. Ke$ha.
6. Loose strings on clothing.
7. Women who are verbally abusive to their husbands.
8. Mismatching socks.
9. Markers that lose their ink half way through you what you are using them for.
10. Forwards.
11. Men with fake tans.
12. That one person in your class that talks too much.
13. Untrained dogs.
14. People who do nothing and still get straight A's.
15. Bad grammar.
16. Sneezing.
17. Twitter

The Head And The Heart

At some and many points, I hit complete rock bottom. And in a sense, that's where I am right now. I have erased my white board that rests faithfully by my computer, and written down what is going to happen. I need to change, and I am going to.
Tonight, I was dealt another hand of control, or lack thereof. With this hand, I was shown my life in its entirety, and how I really am not where, or who, I want to be. It was one of those moments where I had to sit back and think, "where did I end up like this?" Where did we end up like this? It's the head against the heart, or rather, my faith against my childish ways. It's time to grow up now, Alexandra. Time to grow up to have an innocent, childlike faith. That's when you'll really start growing up.

I'm going to be taking some time away for a while. In terms of blogging, I'm not sure. But this next week is going to be a little different in my life. It is going to be a time of prayer and process, a time to reconnect to some things I've left behind. It's time I go back to the time when things were better. Things will be better, I promise.

Question of the blog:
Are you the type of person who follows their head, or their heart first?

Alexandra Vs. Big Toes

(You and I, and the other eight, when we're getting along. The good old days.)

Dear Big Toesies,
Let me start off by telling you how much I truly appreciate your existence. I learned once that if you didn't have a big toe, you couldn't balance. So thanks for being there for me. You are a great help when I want to be really tall, and you are so patient when I choose to squeeze you into tiny little shoes and really high heels. You look so great in those teal and black pumps.
I want to apologize for this summer. I know I didn't protect you as best as I could have, and there were consequences. You we bruised at points, and blistered at others. I thought I learned how to properly protect you, but lately, I've been slacking. I am so sorry you, I mean I, am in so much pain right now. I'm sorry that I keep hitting you on things. You are fair toes, so I don't know why you're in the way all the time lately. I mean I almost cried at work tonight because you hurt so bad.
Or you know, maybe it's all your fault you are bruised and broken right now! Maybe it's you that is to blame! I challenge you to a fight, big toes of mine. Tomorrow, we settle this at the doctor. Either I've been careless, or there's something wrong with you! There will only be one winner!
Signed,
Alexandra Seal

PS Until the doctor's appointment, I promise to be as gentle with you as possible. I'll wear my Teva's because closed toed shoes hurt too much. I will take care of you, despite our friendly competition.

I Can't Remember This...

I miss my sister tonight.
This is a video of us on New Years. Okay so maybe we had some champagne, but for reals, I didn't know we were this weird.



Question of the blog:
Have any funny videos/pictures of good times with siblings or your closest friends? Share with me.

Lazy Lucy

What is it with you, Zandra?!
I follow through on my promises... But there's one thing I constantly say that never gets done.

"Let's hang out!"

I don't know what it is, but I say that to SO many people, yet it never happens. I know that I could be busy every day, if I really made an effort.. So that's what I'm going to do.

Question of the blog:
What's you're weakness, doing the dishes, covering people's shift at work, or getting somewhere on time? What is one thing you say you will always do, but can never follow up on it?

Okay, mooost aggravating night EVER!
To top it off, I want to punch Blogger in the face for not allowing my New Years Resolutions to transfer from Microsoft Word. Please don't abandon me, readers. I will blog asap. Promise.
Love you.

Wooden Bracelets Will Be The Death Of Me

Have you ever been confronted with an experience where you thought that things would never be the same after? Whether it's physical, or emotional, or whatever, I KNOW you have. Know it. Here was my adventure over Christmas break, which is still peeling and dry and red.
What is this, you may ask? Well, my friends, let me tell you that two little wooden bangles DESTROYED my arm. Awesome. I wore these pretty bracelets and the next morning I woke up with hives in the exact forms of them. For those who don't know, hives and I, we have a history. After being bitten by a bug in Nicaragua, I had chronic hives for like 9 months after. This was the first time I've had hives in a long time, but I know how to deal with it, so I did as I always do. The next day they started blistering. GROSS. The next day it was even worse, all over my arm. GROOOOSSSSS. Isn't it just great when you are repulsed by your own being and can't do anything about it?!?! Sheesh. It is now January 9th, and a steroid cream and bandages and such as later, my arm is still weird looking.
Back to my first statement, I am sort of worried my arm will get a scar from this. Worst of all, I won't even have a cool story to go with it!

Question of the blog:
What is one of your greatest scars on your body? And are you the type of person to hide things like that, or show them off?