Amanda's Nonsense

all you need is...music.

2010-12-04T12:23:00.000-08:00

Music has been a passion of mine since I was young. In first grade I joined my church choir, and began playing guitar and the recorder (I was a mean recorder player). I was 10 when I moved to the US, so I left my church choir and also stopped my guitar lessons. I started up chorus in 5th grade when they offered it to everyone, and also joined my church choir a few years later. I really wanted to play an instrument again, so I started taking piano lessons around 8th grade. That didn't last long. I don't know why, but piano wasn't really clicking with me, although I could listen to someone play piano, or any instrument for that matter, for days. I never stopped singing though. I joined all the choruses I could in middle school, and high school, and even joined the youth band at my church. I was involved in a lot the last 2 years of my high school career, and I loved it. I even based m whole senior project and paper off of music. When I graduated and went to college, I knew I couldn't live without singing. Freshman year I really wanted to join the showchoir at my college, but I had night class that prevented me from doing it. That first year I went through singing withdrawal! Thankfully my sophomore year I could join, so I have been doing that ever since, and I love it! I also love going to concerts, I can't count how many concerts I've been to, and I don't think I could tell you one that I didn't enjoy.

Anyway, getting to the point of this post, I went to a concert last night at the Hard Rock and found some great bands.

There were four bands that played, the first one being a band called After Z. What I loved about them was that their album is

based on a story. The story isn't completely finished yet, but from what I gathered, its a children's story that their whole album is based on. Their music is awesome, kind of Switchfoot-ish if I were to compare them to someone.

The next band was called Lightning Box. When the band first came on the stage I was shocked. They were 11, 14, and 15 year olds! I didn't know what to expect, but when they started playing, and the vocalist started singing, my jaw dropped! They were really great! They definitely have a great future ahead of them.

The next act was Howard Jennings. He has been opening for the main act for a few shows now, and he was excellent. He was just playing acoustic guitar, and singing these catchy, mellow tunes. He has toured with bands such as Vertical Horizon and Rusted Root. At one point his A string on his guitar needed changing badly, so he changed it right up there on stage, in the middle of his act - talent! haha. My friend and I got to meet him afterwards, and I made sure to purchase his cd. Such a nice guy!

The main act was Ryan Cabrera. He was the reason we initially went to the concert. I was a huge fan back in the day, and pretty much have his whole first album memorized. Sadly, I haven't listened to his latest 2 albums, but he played some songs from them and they were great. I also got to jam out to a lot of songs that I know and love.

The whole night was great. I love finding new, great bands that I can listen to, and, hopefully, see them do well in the future.

Just had to get that out there. I am supposed to be doing homework right now, but I had the urge to blog. =P

I definitely recommend everyone that I saw last night, Im listening to Howard Jenning's cd right now! Check em' outtttt!! :)

Howard Jennings and I

Where are you, Amandaaa?

2010-03-15T07:24:00.000-07:00

I stink. Not literally of course. But blogging wise.
Have I had free time to write? Yes.
Have I thought about writing? Yes.
Have I written anything? No.

You know why I'm writing now? I'm in the lab, with nothing to do until class starts. Woo hoo! At least this is something.

While I was 'away' I've had Spring Break, and a week of school.
Spring break was okay, I got to see old friends, and my old high school's musical (they did Oklahoma- it was really good!) Half way through break I got hit with the flu, lucky, lucky me. It was bad, and I am STILL recovering from it now. I had to stay away from everyone, and I was basically confined to the sofa and my bed for 3 days. Thankfully, I was well enough to venture out for the last two days of break. And by venture, I mean go to the grocery store. But not just any grocery store... the best one ever, The Market District in Robinson. and guess who was there! Curtis Stone, AKA, the "Take Home Chef" from TLC. He was doing a cooking presentation, and was very entertaining. He used a lot of audience participation, and was hilarious.
That was my lovely spring break. You're jealous, right?

Since then I've had a week of school, not much happening there.
This week is more school...holla! But on Wednesday I am going to see Michael Buble perform at the Peterson Events Center, I can't wait!

I suppose I'll go now...maybe I'll be good and read over my notes before class...

Lots of love,
Amanda xxx

Hello again, old friend.

2010-02-22T15:47:00.000-08:00

Why hello there!

It has been about a YEAR since I last posted. I am SO bad at this, I always tell myself when I start that I will make myself do a post every day, but it just doesn't end up working. But I am going to try to post at least once a week, starting today...but don't hold me to that.

What made me think to post something today, was my sister's blog. She just started one a week ago, and is posting EVERYDAY! So I thought, I should at least give a little effort to post. If you want to check out my sister's blog just click here, its about her being a single mother of my wonderful nephew Tyson, so I really recommend that you check it out, she's a great writer too!

What have I been up too in the last year? Well, I am now a sophomore at university and I am studying business! I am going to double major in Accounting and International Business. Business may sound boring to some people, but I absolutely love it! I am having a great time in college, and can't wait for what the future has in store for me.

School is all that I have basically been doing, but another big thing in my life is being an Aunt, I have been Auntie Amanda for 10 months so far, and I think its the greatest thing ever! I couldn't of asked for a better nephew, he's happy ALL the time and I love our time together. Sadly I don't get to see him and my family as much as I would like to (even though I only live 25 minutes away from home), but I cherish the time we spend together. Next week is spring break, so I'll have a whole week with him and my family. I can't wait!

I'll end my post here, because if I talk about too many things, I'll have nothing to talk about in the future!

Thanks for reading this...if anyone is =P

Lots of love, Amanda xxx

All About the Bluff

2009-04-15T13:07:00.000-07:00

I don't really have much to say today, but I thought I'd upload a video that Rachel and I made a week or so ago, that I forgot to put in my last post. It's all about our take on the Bluff =P

Enjoy!!

TweetCloud!

2009-04-10T16:49:00.000-07:00

I was on TweetStats.com today and I was checking out my Twitter Statistics.

I've been on Twitter for 1 year and 8 months! Crazy! Now it's EVERYWHERE, and now even celebrities have it. I have got to say it has always been my number one favorite website, though Facebook is a close second for obvious reasons!

Anyway, while I was on TweetStats, I checked out my TweetCloud, which is a cloud of the words you use the most on Twitter. Its amazing what you can do through Twitter, so I thought I'd show you my tweet cloud!

Apparently I use the word "going" the most! =P

~I edited the colors and such with Wordle!!

Yay New website!

2009-03-02T18:41:00.001-08:00

Wow, so so so so sorry I have not posted in a while. But now I'm on spring break and I finally have time to do things!!

Nothing too much has been going on, midterms and such, under 2 months of school left! Then I'm a sophomore in college. Wow. Time flies.

I discovered this new website today! It's www.dailybooth.com -- "Your Life In Pictures"

"Over time, your face changes. Your face shows emotion, your face shows age, your face shows thought, your face shows everything. Capture these little daily moments in a frame, day by day. See and share your evolution, your thoughts."

I haven't started using it yet, but I am determined to keep up with it and post a picture everyday!

Sorry this is short, but I'll leave you with a video that Rachel and I made. We were bored =P

Superbowl Sunday

2009-02-01T08:34:00.000-08:00

So it finally Superbowl Sunday!
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals
Of COURSE I'm rooting for the Steelers

I also heard this song on the radio, and thought it was EXCELLENT!
It's a parody to Beyonce's Single Ladies.
It's called "Steeler Ladies" ENJOY!

GO STEELERS!

Its Gonna Be a Happy New Year

2009-01-02T13:47:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Its 2009!!!!!

I hope everyone had a great 2008, I know I did.

In 2008, in a nutshell, I graduated high school and started university =]

It was scary, but I made the transition, and it has been pretty great so far.

I don't usually make new years resolutions, but maybe this year I'll make some, it seems like a good time to start.

Today is also a big day in my life. On January 2nd, 2000, I moved to the US.

It's probably the scariest thing I have ever done in my life, but if I hadn't of done it I would be missing out on this great life I have, and I wouldn't of met the people that are a huge part of my life now. I still miss England a TON, but I get to go back and see my family every couple of years and remember the great times I had there. Who knows where I'll be ten years from now!

I'll end this with a video that was made during the first hour of the new year.

It's a music video to the song, Single Ladies by Beyonce.

We know how to shake it =P

Happy Holidays =]

2008-12-27T16:47:00.000-08:00

Brumm Brumm Brrrrrasdlkjhs...

2008-11-24T08:56:00.001-08:00

So right now I'm supposed to be at the library to do some work.

BUT. My car won't start!!

Owen (thats his name) is my dream car, but he has had a few problems since I got him.

He has had 2 tire changes (faulty tires??)

Broke down on the highway (overheated =[ )

Had many oil fill-ups (his oil just keeps disappearing!)

And now he won't start!! (I'm guessing because I haven't driven him in 2 months =[ )

Now this adds to the list of reasons why my parents want to get rid of him. I suppose he is a pain but I still love himmm! (He survived a 8 hour trip to Virginia Beach this summer, and back!)

Now I must wait until someone comes home so I can use their car. LOVELY!

Lets Upload Photos Today! NOT!

2008-11-12T09:32:00.001-08:00

Facebook's photo uploader doesn't seem to be working for me, and I don't know why!

its blank! boooo

I'm a huge fan of taking and uploading photos to the web, especially facebook, and I am devestated by this find. I have to use the manual photo uploader that only lets you down load five photos at a time, and it takes forever for them to load.

If I want to make an album now, it takes a whole day!

FACEBOOK HELP ME!!!!!

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T10:08:00.000-07:00

I went to see High School Musical 3 last Friday and it was excellent! I am a BIG fan of all the High School Musicals, so I had a feeling I would like this one. It was by far the best out of all of the movies. The production was twenty times better and bigger with huge musical scenes. I really recommend it for everyone, it made me laugh and cry!

Thank you for all the birthday wishes! My birthday was a blast, though nineteen isn't anything special. Haha.

Today is Halloween! Have a great day and be safe!!

Home is Where the Heart is =]

2008-10-23T10:05:00.000-07:00

This weekend I went back to my high school to see the last home football game. Sadly they lost, but I got to see the band and they were amazing as ever!

I got to see some awesome people though, including Melissa and Alan because they came home from Towson and Penn State! woo

I'm going home again this weekend for my birthday, but not before I see High School Musical 3 Friday night =] That reminds me, I need to buy tickets now so I can see it!

This Saturday I think I'm going to Phantom Fright Night at Kennywood, I've never been, so that should be fun =]

Fireworks for a New Start

2008-10-10T09:23:00.000-07:00

I was on Twitter today and it occurred to me that I didn't have a real blog.

I mean, I had a Live Journal and Xanga site when I was younger, but I hadn't updated them in FOREVER.

So today is a new start, I have a new blog!

I had such a tough time deciding on what to call this site, because I'm not really going to be talking about one issue, just whatever is on my mind, so Amanda's Nonsense seemed right to me.

Last saturday there was a huge celebration for Pittsburgh's 250 year anniversary. I went to Point State Park on Saturday night to enjoy the firework that were put on. They were amazing! If you have ever seen Pittsburgh's Fourth of July Fireworks then you'd know that they are good, but these were ten times better!

I didn't get many great photos of the fireworks, but I tried, and I even got some video, so ill post that up later.

Pittsburgh is listed Number 1 as "America's Most Livable City", and I'd have to agree. I lived 25 minutes outside of Pittsburgh for 8 years and have just moved into the city to get my BSBA. I used to love coming to the city, because I always found it an interesting place. Now that I live in the city I love it even more! There is so much to do, and there is so much history about it. =]