My Awesome Year in Review- 2009

I decided to do my own year in review today. Hope your 2009 was as good as mine!

Okay, I am going to do this by month.

January- Well, this was a very important month because not only did it start 2009, it was the end of a very rewarding marching band career in the Pride of Broken Arrow. We performed in the 2009 Tournament of Roses Parade and that trip was awesome! We had an amazing week of traveling, fun, performing, and more fun, oh and a lot of traveling. I was thinking today that a year ago today, I was in Disney Land getting ready to march in the New Years Parade. I got to go to Disney Land! I want to say thank you to my band directors for giving me the opportunity of being in the "grandest band in all the land." From winning the Grand National Championship in 2006, to spending 4 amazing seasons making friends and memories that will last a life time.

February- I had fun learning the string bass in orchestra- yet another instrument to add to my list of played instruments. I also got to participate in my very first and only All-State Honor Band. It was a blast! Interesting sleep conversations, meeting some amazing musicians, getting out of school, getting free stuff from the convention, and of course performing on my favorite instrument-the Contra Alto Clarinet! Started hankering down for my last concert band state competition (having fun, but making some serious music!). This month was pretty big when it comes to music, I tried out for my music scholarship and placement in the OBU Symphonic Band. This was difficult because my instrument broke once I got to Shawnee. I remember that my sight reading was the tuba solo in the fourth movement of Holst's Suite in F. It wasn't really sight reading for me, I was honest though!

March- I fell in love with the Ukulele again, I fell for it hard core this time. I won tickets for a concert and had to give them away because of an after school wind ensemble clinic! At this point, we were finishing up our pieces. Band Banquet! This was truly the closing of my Pride career, with my one and only award of most improved! Oh, did I fail to mention, I was the only girl in my section? I had some awesome big (and 1 little) brothers! Finished my mural in my room! I started getting out and walking/running with the pups. We had some fun, got some good exercise, and relieved some stress! Lost a few pounds too! I got a job at Taco Bueno, little did I know how much grief I would get from this job.

April- Getting a little discouraged in Wind Ensemble, but Mr. Tomlinson pushed us to be the best we could be, and we accomplished a lot. April 4th- started Taco Bueno. I gave blood for the very first time! I got hooked! Playing in the saxophone quartet and the clarinet choir. Learned how to manage an ensemble, have fun making great music, and overall just having fun with some awesome musicians. At this point, I am starting to realize graduation is getting closer. Swine flu hits and so does my having fun watching the world go crazy. Good in between month.

May- May was a life changing month for me. On the first of May, I got my rooming assignment and information that day. Little did I know, I would have the most bestest roommate I could've imagined for. Had some issues with the neighbors and trying to form a gang in front of my house, caused dad to sleep with a loaded pistol next to his bed. Learning how to jump rope for exercise, lots and lots of work. Gave private lessons for the very first time, thus sealing the deal for teaching music. I found out an interesting combination of foods that was actually pretty good- salsa and hotdogs. I had my very last concert band concert, a good run of 2 years in Wind Ensemble, 2 years in Symphonic band, and 1 year in the concert band. I was given the opportunity to play amazing music literature that even my college band won't touch! Had my very first wreck involving driving OVER a car. Luckily, nobody was hurt, and no hard feelings. This wreck happened to happen exactly one week before graduation. "Lost my uniform" and got to be the only one to keep their Pride uniform. GRADUATION!!!!!!!! I got to walk across the stage and get my diploma cover. Yes, just the cover, but I did get my diploma later. I got some amazing gifts, like a visit from my grandparents that live in Washington. I enrolled for Oklahoma Baptist University and officially became a bison! GO BISON!!!! Having some major issues with Taco Bueno. My last VBS as a youth helper, we dived into the Australian outback and had an awesome time with the kids. Amazing Month.

June- My month of fitness. I started walking with the dogs again plus some jump roping. I also mowed the lawn for some exercise! The goal was to be able to run/walk the 5k at Falls Creek. I got my frogs this month! Only one tadpole and the froglet survived, but I am thankful. I officially got addicted to Farkle and addicting everyone else around me. Your welcome. Major issue with Taco Bueno. They threw my car keys in the trash, that night, I gave my notice and luckily I had another job lined up for me. Literally, at this point, Taco Bueno was no bueno. Last Falls Creek! I was excited, but it was a bittersweet week. I was the oldest one, and had an amazing time. You know how I mentioned that I wanted to run the 5k? I did! I also recruited some members of my church to do it too!

July- Started my new job as a desk clerk for Days Inn South, amazing job, definitely the best job I have ever had. I also started the insane job of leash training my cat. Let's just say that didn't end too well. She did go to the vet and got a good bill of health!Got into cycling. Fixed up my bike and started riding the trails that are next to the turnpike. Good stress reliever! Brianna took hold of my Facebook account and posted many odd things about me, thus started the war of hacking each other's facebook. People started wishing me a happy birthday before my actual birthday! All in all, good month.

August- A very happy 18th birthday kicks off another life changing month for me. I was getting ever closer to move in day at OBU! Unfortunately, I lost my birthday dinner. I got my laptop that eventually led to me being hooked to the computer. Found out my car is having battery issues two days before move in. It is time! The big day came to move onto Bison Hill in the newly renovated WMU dormitory. With the pressure of a dying alternator, we got myself moved in and situated. I donned the legendary green and gold beanie and started my college years as a bison! I met my amazing roommate and got a reminder that a few friends from high school were going to OBU, one of those happened to include a Miss Sydney. Little did I know she would be essential to starting a relationship that will last and also introducing me to her roommate Miss Kara. For my first weekend on the hill, us three girls and Mr. Jon went on a late night trip to slide park. I got to make some amazing relationships in the symphonic band! I started searching for a church for the very first time in my life. At least my roommate went with me to the first one on the first weekend. I got my regular clarinet that I would be taking private lessons on from the amazing Dr. Giacona.

September- Classes have started and are going quite well. Books are coming in left and right, causing me to have an amazing time checking my mailbox! Classes started off great with awesome professors and new friends. Speaking of friends, my relationship with Kara and Sydney grows stronger. The hunt for a church is still on, but is interrupted by the Twin's birthday and labor day weekend. The twins turn fourteen reminding me that I have lost my psychological grip on their minds. In two years, they will be driving and I will be staying off the road to avoid potential collisions even though we may be several cities apart.

October- This month was a true in between month. It was filled with a visit to Edmond, OK to watch the 2009 Pride of Broken Arrow win another state championship and awe the audience (especially me) in the process. I got to know my roommate better, but I also found out that she was transferring at the semester. This was sad for me because I found out that I was going to be losing a roommate and friend that had been a definite aide in helping me get used to college life. Kara and Sydney sealed the friendship with a long talk of Skype. Again, this was month was an in between, but important month.

November- Brrr, it got cold in Shawnee! I had to go get my coat, then come to find out, it would be 60+ degrees! Finishing up assignments, worrying about finals, and getting caught in a tangle of misunderstanding occurred in November. Friendships were strengthened, especially between Kara, Sydney, and I. Thanksgiving came upon us and gave us a period off of school that was much needed, and well taken. I started my research paper on pornography that led to interesting results, and some inspiration I got for the paper was from Law and Order: SVU. I got hooked and stayed up all night to watch these episodes of pure horror. Catching up on a little bit of practice, and starting to value a certain roommate even more went on during November. Good month November. Good Month.

December- Guess what? It's already December and as I'm writing this, I have 45 minutes left to finish up my review of 2009. Finals went great, enjoyed a spectacular musical put on by my church, and the stress of moving back home and losing a roommate started to bear down during December. December though, is always the month to look back on the year and enjoy the memories the year has provided. I met my 2 best friends, ended my high school band career, graduated high school, started college, and ended my first semester at Oklahoma Baptist University. What better year could I have had? I couldn't ask for a better year to be spent with better friends, new and old, and a better family. Thank you for an awesome year!

The class of '09 was destined to shine and boy did we!

Oh, think about ten years ago when the world was worked up on the millennium. Crazy huh?

Thanks Again for a Great Year!
Seale

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all! I would like to say a few words concerning the music that surrounds this holiday like a warm blanket on a cold winter's day. Speaking of cold winter, where I'm at, this is the second time in history that Oklahoma has declared a blizzard warning!

Music is very important to culture and society. It seems to be especially important when it comes to praising the most high God. Music is used to express joy and sorrow, used to praise and worship, and is used to lift spirits in times of trouble. I have a personal tie to music as it has affected my life tremendously.

All throughout elementary school, I was the lead singer for all the musicals. Yes, you read right, I was a singer. That all changed though when I entered sixth grade and joined band. I played alto saxophone and absolutely loved it. Music gave me a venue to express myself.

As I entered high school, I joined the competitive marching band known as the Pride of Broken Arrow. This was a journey. I learned what kind of a musician I was and what I wanted to do concerning my career. I wanted to be a band director. I wanted to give kids/teenagers a chance to be able to find themselves through music like I did.

Music for me is also a way to simply relax and settle down. I will frequently lie down and just listen to sweet music that I have put together in my iTunes playlists. I also have a variety of instruments from my alto sax, ukulele, to my father's banjo that he gave to me. Lately, I have been figuring out Christmas tunes by ear like We Three Kings, Carol of the Bells, Away in a Manger, and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.

As the snow is blowing all around, I am cuddled up with my fleece blanket, laptop, and ukulele just enjoying this Christmas eve as I listen to Christmas tunes, and I wish everyone a very merry Christmas!

Issues

This is going to be an interesting semester. I have a new roommate that has entirely way too much stuff. I probably have one fourth of the room. I have no place for my fish and frogs next semester, and hardly any room for my own clothes. I really hopes this works out because right now, it isn't looking too good. I know she doesn't read this blog, so I am going to rant because I can.

I will have pictures on here soon on how cramped I am. All those articles you read about roommates, they seem to be true with this one.

She insisted on changing the order of the room. I like it, but still. Her decision, not mine.

She takes up almost the entire closet, no more changing in there anymore. I must go to the bathroom or showers to change because of my modesty.

The wardrobe in the room doesn't have a bar. She wanted me to put in a service request for one because she has more clothes than will fit in the closet even though the closet has 3 bars that are currently in her possession.

I was extremely lucky to have a roommate like Ashlee.

Thank you Ashlee for being the best roommate that I could have imagined for my first semester of college.

I'm not going to say anything else. I shall have a good attitude...hopefully.

Over and Out,
Seale

Pink Glove Dance!