American Idol Finale: Season 9! I was so NOT there... Oh wait. YES I WAS!!!

So, I am still counting today as a Monday... and SOOOOOO:


Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Now, I shall begin to tell about my amazing week... *sigh* I can say that I HAVE been very blessed in so many fun ways! So, let's no prolong the fun stories any longer...

I so did NOT get American Idol Finale tickets for the Tuesday show last Monday night and nine hours later hop on a plane to LA. I did NOT rent a car, buy a plane ticket, call/find a friend to stay with, and pack a suitcase in an an hour and half time limit so as to get enough sleep for the following day. Then when I went to bed, I did NOT spend the whole night waking up with bubbling excitement anyway! Haha...

Break Time from "Not Me Monday": So, on Tuesday morning, I awoke to grab my stuff and head to the airport with my friend Sarina (a pic of us after a LONG Wednesday experience is on the side!) so that we could be in line for our Am. Idol tickets by noon. We had a smooth plane ride there (thanks to Delta - back was whack - SO bumpy... No thanks to US Airways), and then had a little stress time when we found out our car rental place was having issues. Finally, we canceled that reservation and hopped on a bus over to Avis's rental stop, and rented a car from there. When we finally got on the road, Sarina got to experience a bit of my stressed side as we tried to figure out the GPS machine (I had never used one, so at first it was weird for me... I loved it by that evening) and find our way from the airport to the Nokia Theater. I really feel like I know my way around LA & West Hollywood now, though. Anyway, we got there by noon, parked, I took a breather, we met Janae and her friend, and we got a tickets!

We had decent seats for Tuesday night - back of the main floor - but it wouldn't have mattered cause I was just WAY excited to be there! Kris and Adam both did amazing that night... except for the coronation song. Now, I know that Kara has written some great songs and sings great (If your don't believe me on that, watch the playbacks from her "bikini experience" on Wednesday night's show), but that song is just NOT that great. Sorry. It's cheesy and dull... Too bad for Kris and Adam though cause it was nothing special to end Tuesday night with.

Anyway, both the boys did AMAZING with their first songs, GREAT with their second songs, and DECENT with what they had to work with for the final songs. The show was great to watch, I was loving each moment - drooling over both boys and their beautifulness in appearance and voice... Sorry, it's true. Haha! Oh, and Carrie Underwood performed after and was SO great - as always!

Overall, Tuesday was great for the show, and afterwards we stayed with Janae in her downtown LA, beautiful apartment and had a good time visiting/catching-up... We all went to London Study Abroad together!

Oh, and sidenote: There is a place in downtown LA that everyone should check-out when you got through there... Yogurtland! Haha... It is seriously the coolest little hang-out/date spot you could imagine... Okay, maybe I just really liked it, but it was super cool! They offer a bunch of different soft serve, but real, frozen yogurts and toppings, YOU measure it out to the amount and kind you want of everything, and then pay accordingly... cool concept because you get EXACTLY what you want... and the spoons were cute. Haha!

Now, Wednesday.... back to "Not Me Mondays!"

I did NOT have tickets to the Wednesday night show... Okay, I really didn't. SO, I did NOT walk around and talk to the people in charge of the theater, the show, etc. asking for opinions on how to get in... Then, we so did NOT show this girl where to go to get in line, and she did NOT offer us her extra ticket spot! Haha...

So, break time again: We had a ticket for ONE of us, and then this girl, Joanna, being the doll she is did some talking to the guy in charge while we ran to have lunch with Janae and get her food, and got ANOTHER spot for us. LOVE HER! Haha... So, we waited in line for a long time with her and got to know her really well - way cute girl! - and then around four they let us inside to "place us" seat-fillers.

Now, let me take a time-out and explain what a "seat-filler" does. A seat-filler is there to look cute and make the audience look full, specifically when someone important is not currently in their seat. Thus, we were placed in the first THIRTY ROWS in "celebrity seating" and told that this was our spot until someone came to take that spot. Then, when that "important person" came we were to move to another available seat.

I started in the sixth row, in the middle left section and Sarina started way far left a few rows back. Then, someone came to take her seat and she moved over to sit by me. That is when Lisa Tucker and Mandisa from Season 5 of Idol and the show House of Pain came and sat next to us. Granted, we did not know they were from season 5 cause we both didn't watch hardcore till last season, but I thought they were on House of Pain or some show like that. They were both very sweet and chill... We talked to Lisa more than Mandisa, though I did tell Mandisa she was "workin' it in that green dress!" Haha...

Anyway, after a few moments I got moved back to sit in the tenth row a little closer to the middle, where I stayed the rest of the show! Sarina stayed in that previous sport the whole time, so we were BOTH very lucky! It was SO cool to be there, but even cooler to be THAT CLOSE to the performers. I was sitting right across from Amanda Bynes and Janice Dickinson, in back of Christina Applegate, and in the same section as David Cook, Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, Heather Locklear, the girls from iCarly, and so many other celebs... but more than that, I was RIGHT THERE for the performances. I was right next to the stage and right in the experience of the idols and other performers...

Jason Mraz, Queen Latifah, Rod Stewart, Cyndi Lauper, David Cook, Fergie & Black Eyed Peas, Santana, Lionel Richie, Steve Martin (who know he wrote music?!), Keith Urban (GREAT performer!), KISS!, and QUEEN!!! Flippin' QUEEN!!!!!! I know, Freddie is gone, but STILL.... AMAZING. I sat there in complete and utter awe. I was in LOVE with this year's line-up.... In LOVE. Plus, all the Idols did fantastic and it was just so inspiring...

kiss @ Yahoo! Video

I was SO moved many times by their genuine love for music and performance. ALL I wanted the whole time was be up there with them, sharing my voice and passion. Yea... haha! Next year? Haha... I don't care in what medium it happens, but I know that I MUST share the talents I have with the world... Plus, I have really decided that life is not worth living if we do not expand and discover the reasons that Heavenly Father has placed us here. There are MANY reasons I feel that I was placed on the earth, and at this specific time, but one reason I feel is to share my love for music, theater, film, and my passion for entertainment... esp. good, clean, fun entertainment. We need more of that...

SO, after the show (THAT WAS AMAZING!) we skipped outside to our car to get our cameras - not allowed in the Nokia - and headed to the interviewing arena. No fear, I am posting pics as I type... Haha!
We got there as the top ten (minus Adam and Kris) and Paula were out and we took a ton of pics of them... Then, shortly after they were in interviews that brought out Kris Allen - our newest American Idol. We took pics of him and then got asked by one of the producers if we wanted to go into a taping of American Idol Extra - Heck YES, please! Haha...





We saw Kris get interviewed a little bit, and then they finally brought out Adam... They are both SO sweet, but I must say that Adam just has this whole attractive element about him. Kris is beautiful and SO talented, more of what I would listen to more often, but Adam... He is almost untouchable in many forms and maybe that is what is so attractive...


I don't know! Haha... Seriously, he was just VERY genuine and sweet, but also VERY attractive... Sarina and I could not stop looking at him and his cute little smile. Haha! You can judge for yourself and enjoy all the many pictures I have posted...

I have one of each of the top five except Allison, because I didn't get a good one of her... I also have one of Megan cause she is from Utah as well, and one of Anoop, cause he represents the South so beautifully and was my FAVE! Though Adam DID carry some heavy competition forth... :)

Okay, enough of that. I am rolling my own eyes at myself...

The show finale was amazing, inspiring, and I am excited for my audition in a few weeks... Cross those fingers! Haha... It's one in a million, but in the words of Kelly Clarkson's song Long Shot - "It's a LONG shot, but I say why not! If I say forget it, I know that I'll regret it... It's a LONG shot, just to beat these odds... but if I never take there's no chance!" Haha... Thank you, Miss Idol Season One... haha!
*muah*

Song of the Day: Well, I have posted a link for Adam Lambert's Performance with KISS from the Finale above, and everyone should watch it cause it was AMAZING! Even if you're not a Kiss fan... plus, when on a huge screen you can see my head in the background... Haha!

BUT, the song of the day is actually going to a JOB, if you will.... I have picked some different options for a song I might potentially use for auditions... I wanna know thoughts, so check out a song or two from the list below that you don't know.... They are good ones! :)

SONG LIST:
Foolish Games or Meant For Me by Jewel
Open Arms or Faithfully by Journey
Lost by Anouk
(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin
When I Fall In Love by Nat KIng Cole/Celine Dion
Feels Like Home by Chantal Kreviazuk
I Turn To You by Christina Aguleria or All-4-One
Old Love by Eric Clapton
All I Know by Garfunkel
Killin' Me Softly by The Fugees
One Fine Day by Natalie Merchant
I Could Fall In Love by Selena
Winter by Tori Amos
Heavily Broken by The Veronicas

Here I Go Again... Hello L.A.!!!!!

So... I just happened to have ANOTHER stroke of luck. In the past few hours, I have been the most spontaneous I have EVER been! I have: Bought a plane ticket to LA, rented a car, packed my clothes, found a place to sleep in LA, and all because.... Dun, Dada, Dun!!!

I got American Idol Finale tickets!!! Haha... I am beyond stoked... This finale is gonna be TIGHT! Maybe, I will even meet Anoop and Allison. That is not TOO much to ask for, right? Last year I met Jason Castro and Ramiele, so maybe....

I will report in three days about the AI finale and my AMAZING last two weeks of life... Can I just say, the Lord is good to me? The Lord IS good to me. Really, he knows what I need and when I need it... He loves us all so much.

Peace y'all!
*muah*

The song of the day: I have been working with a local band these past few weeks that I have loved since my sophomore year of college - they are TIGHT! Their names, you ask?

Truman! This is their song, I Want You There, from their upcoming album to be released on June 12th after they open for Kelly Clarkson on June 11th in Orem, UT. Sorry... I gotta talk my boys up something good... They are AMAZING and some of the most sincerely, caring people I have ever met. Really. ENJOY!

Outbreaks and Breakdowns.... and Discovering Superwoman.

I believe that the student body at the school I work in decided that today would be a great day to go insane. I don't know why. I don't know what could have prevented this. Perhaps nothing could have stopped the mayhem of behavior... There must be something in the school water fountains...

Good thing I drink bottled water.

Today I dealt with FOUR (Count em' - FOUR.) behavioral issue breakdowns. These kids wouldn't even try to approach their favorite things, like free-choice silent reading. I do not simply mean that these children would not "comply" or "obey..." I do not mean that they wouldn't do anything. No. These children FLIPPED OUT... There was kicking, flopping on the floor, yelling, crying, and more whining than a therapist could handle. Who was in charge or making sure that these students were okay and getting them do some work (including the state testing that is going on this week - could be a supporting cause or the outbreak)? Who had to take care of the rampant breakdowns, one right after another all day long?

... That would be ME.

It's okay because they are kids that I love and adore (usually - haha!) and I like helping them calm down and talking about their feelings... However, it was a LOT today and I just wish I knew why everyone decided to crack on the same day. I could say that it WAS the state testing, but that it only true up to a point... No. This was just a day that every kid decided to let their problems from home, personal feelings of inadequacy, petty annoyances, etc. come out full-swing for the world to see.

I felt like I was a mother without ever having children... I really love those kids, but did they all have to breakdown TODAY? Haha... I guess this proves that as a mother if I have more than one child at a time, they might choose to break down at the same, exact moment. In fact, I am sure that my brothers and I fed off of one another most of the time. God bless, literally, Jon and Kate with their sextuplets and set of twins...

Overall, I would say this was a good day.

I guess every girl DOES have a bit of superwoman inside of them... and today I found my part.

*muah*

Song of the Day: I went to High School with this band!!! They are fabulous - so talented and nice guys... They deserve all the support and press they are currently receiving, and I hope their fan-base and success continues. They use to be called Sparky's Flaw (I liked that name), but now we have... PARACHUTE!!!

Parachute - She Is Love
Uploaded by UniversalMusicGroup

Listen to Parachute's first single, She Is Love - a great song and awesome message! Love it. Love them. You should love them too.

Awareness!!!

So, I decided to speak up for a moment about something that has recently become very near and dear to me... The fight against Breast Cancer. Now, before you stop reading - hear me out. This will be a short entry and I think that everyone should know where I am coming from and how easy it is for YOU and ME to help EACH DAY. Yea.

Things this past month have been a bit... I will get the “scarier news” out of the way first. I didn’t want to write about this because I didn't want it to become "public knowledge" until I knew exactly what was going on... Even then, I am not gonna broadcast it more than the blog my friends read.

I spent a bit of time in the hospital this month getting tested because they found a lump in my left breast. Now, before you freak out, I am fine; COMPLETELY OK! This past week I went to the doctor for an ultrasound and they found that the lump wasn’t cancerous and actually was filled with liquid… sorry if the it TMI.

Anyway, liquid is always good – means no cancer - and so I am safe and it should “go down” over time. If it persists over a year’s time then I have to get it cut out, but for now I am just keeping an eye on my body. All women should keep a closer eye on their body... I found the lump a few months ago, but it wasn't until it was a few months later and it wasn't gone that I went through having it checked, having the doctor's, my mom, and myself worry, and finally figuring out it was fine... It was really scary.

Anyway, what can YOU do to help more women out there that have breast cancer or might have breast cancer? THIS: Click on the link below and then click the big pink button that says, "Click Here To Give - It's Free!" Bookmark the sight and then click it EACH day... That's what I do and it feels good to contribute.

http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2

*muah*

Song of the Day: I sang one of my favorite songs of all time at my ward talent show this past weekend and had a blast! A friend of mine recorded it and it's posted up on YouTube - Check out Linze Struiksma singing Jewel's Foolish Games - one of the best, heart-renching songs ever written... (The recording starts sideways, but changes after about 15 seconds! Enjoy!)

Remember When Wednesdays...

I don't know that this will become a tradition, but I am kinda feeling the need to create a catchy title and decided that "Remember When" is often in my vocab about the events that have recently conspired in my life... Thus, "Remember Me Wednesdays" are being born... hopefully they live on.

Sidenote: When I say "Remember When" it often means something that recently happened, and is not regurgitating my childhood. There goes those big words again...

So, let's get down to business. Remember when I got a speeding ticket two weeks ago? Yea. I'm sure - well, positive - that none of you knew. It's not something you broadcast - but this story is just TOO GOOD not to share. It was a speeding ticket in front of the school I work at for going five over in a school zone, and I was pulled over just as all the parents were dropping off their kids... Yea. So, all the kids saw "Miss Linze" get a pulled-over and many of the younger kids were upset that I had "done something wrong." Not that speeding isn't wrong - it is... but, it was the last day of the month and the police were on the prowl... welcome to America. Procrastination strikes again- even in our local legal system.

Anyway, the day I got the ticket it was all the buzz at school - the kids thought it was funny, I did not, and the teachers were all willing to comfort me with their "five over?!" complaints. Haha! The buzz died after a few days of good ol' goading from the eighth graders. However, the ticket still remained... and in Draper, a ticket in a school zone (no matter how low) means you have to go to court.

Yea.... Yea.

So, today I went to court. Happy Earth Day to me... I went to a court session with some fairly intense offenders and then three of us with traffic violations all taken at the same place, on the same day, by the same officer... Two of us, only written up as five over. Now, here is where the story gets better.

The kids had finally begun to forget about my ticket - okay, they had COMPLETELY forgetten about the incident. Well, this morning when I arrived at court and was filling out my personal information sheet - and signing my life over to the judge - I heard a farmilair voice behind me say, "These kids are here to do observations of the court process for a class field trip... Can we go in for this morning's session?"

It is entirely what you think... Some of the kidergarteners from my school had shown up to observe the court dealings that morning... They waved hello excitedly as I walked in and sat behind them. Then, when my name (near the very end, might I add) was finally called they were confused as I stepped forward to speak publicly with the judge... Just so you know, I would have rather quietly faded into the background and paid the dang fine. However, they MAKE you step publically forward... Yea, yea. I bet y'all already knew this, but your main homegirl had NO earthly idea.

Anyway, after I was done receiving my sentence, one of the mom's called me over to say hello and I proceeded to need to explain to the children that, "Miss Linze made a bad choice by not paying attention and speeding a few miles over the speed limit. I no longer am in trouble though..."

So, not only did I get the $100 fine and one session of wacthing little children at the crosswalk outside of the school(They want to make you feel guilty by watching potential little children you could hit. Touche.), I also had the "oppotunity" OR awkward punishment of confessing & explaining my crime to five year-olds on a class field trip. I thought that the judge should have knocked off the crosswalk watching session for that, instead of laughing at the situation. Yea.

As much as this sucked, it was pretty hilarious. Okay, it was really hilarious... Let's be honest! At least I got a good story out of it... And, all I had to pay was a $100 for that story. Ouch.

*muah*


Sidenote: Anoop was voted oss tonight! So was Lil' Rounds, but I wasn't sad about that... Homegirl can sing, but yea... I've expressed myself regarding her. Anyway, I was sad to see Anoop go, but he'll be back for the finale and the tour, and I love everyone in the top five. So, I guess it works... His golden tones will def. be very missed by this little southern shorty, though.

Song of the Day: Their new CD came out like two weeks ago and I got it right away, cause they are AMAZINGLY TALENTED!!! Who are they?! Yes. Rascal Flatts! Haha... Thus, today's song is kinda their whole new album... haha! However, I know that doesn't count, so please check out Rascal Flatts' songs, Here Comes Goodbye.

I also really love She's be California and Once - I am going post the video for Here Comes Goodbye... I don't really like talking in music videos, but the story works well with the video, and the piano in the snow is BEAUTIFUL!

Remeniscent to the Tides of March!

I have been meaning to blog about lots of different things on here, and put a lot of pictures from the past few events in my life... I just have failed to do so. Thus, I am taking time tonight to do so before I hit the sack!

Now, before I go any further I am inclined to do a small recap of recent events of which I will be posting pictures... Sidenote: I don't know why I write so proper on my blog a lot of times when in real life I use phrases like, "homeboy was all up on it" or "girl better be checkin that!" Yea.

Okay - Last month I went to LA for a few days to see American Idol, Season 8 live - it was awesome! It was a great little trip... Speaking of Idol, I also went to David Archuleta's concert at the end of March and LOVED it with all my heart and soul. DANG, that boy can SING!

This is a picture of me and Sarah- not the one in Portugal- one of my close friends who went on the trip with me to LA for AI Live! It was SO great having her on the trip with me - she is a hoot!

The next pic is one of my temporary lepracy! I have never peeled before and it SUCKS... in case you thought it was cool, cause for some reason I thought it would be funny to peel... What was I thinking???


These two photos are of me and my girls with our David Archuleta tickets for the concert! Haha!


Check out our "OH MY WORD - IT'S DAVID!!!" faces... Haha! Classic.



Below are a few awesome photos of David Archuleta himself... Aka: THE-Voice or Mr. Golden Tones...






Speaking of American Idol, as I do often... I am half loving and half hating this season. it's unfortunate that many feel this way because the talent is incredible... I am still a huge advocate of last season, but I have grown to really, REALLY like a few of the contestants in this current season. However, the producers are out of control this season with their vibrant, blantant push toward support for certain individuals. Now, this is present each season, but it is so ridculously apparent this season, it drives me a bit mad. I'm just wishing it was more about the singing, and half of the time I feel as though they are slipping from that focus. Hm...
Well, if I ever do have the chance to be on the show, at least I feel that I know how the game is played with a little more clarity... as much clarity as you can aquire without being in the position, I suppose...

I have a fear that one of my favorites, Anoop, might go home this week... I hope not! I am all for Lil' Rounds gettin' the boot. I mean, homegirl had it goin' on at the beginning, but I think that she peaked very early on and then started a steady decent. She has NOT done a good job in WEEKS, and really since she sang in the pre-Top Ten show... She's got a good voice, but she's pitchy and not exciting to watch or listen to... each performance is - flat. You just don't remember her as "amazing" or valuable to the music industry. My opinion, but I think that SHE should go this week. Straight up.

I have grown to be a fan of Adam, Kris, and definetly Matt - that kid has SOUL, and should be getting more praise for how amazing he is! He's getting gypt a bit... However, I have come to LOVE Allison Iraheta. I know, some people say her voice is to scratchy or unrefined... I love it. I love her style, personality, her quirky look, her song choices (for the most part), he tone, her performance technique, and her voice overall. She can SING! Anyway, I am hoping to see her for many more weeks... My bet - she gets into the bottom three again and ends up at the bottom this week or next and the judges use the save on her... Then, she shoots forward to third place. Just a thought. Y'all should check out her performance of "I Can't Make You Love Me" - I was thinking about using it as my audition song last year... not anymore! Haha... She was incredible!

Sidenote: Anoop's version of "True Colors" was also INCREDIBLE! I wish he did that every week and then people would see what I see... He is DANG good.

Anyway, life is good...
*muah*

Song of the Day: Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me..." Haha! Surprised? You shouldn't be. I love this song - always have, always will... I am posting Allison's version because it is THAT good... serious. Enjoy! :)

I am so NOT watching The Hills right now...

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have NOT been doing this week.

So, I promise to write an article again that is NOT a Not Me Monday article at some point in my life... haha! However, I do enjoy these moments of internet admittance, though. Thus, here it is:

I am NOT currently watching the season premiere of The Hills, in which I did NOT set aside specific time to do so... and I am NOT missing valuable sleep time to do so... NOPE.

I am also NOT currently texted my friend Kay back and forth through the entire episode about every thing that each person says, does, AND wears... Yea. NEVER.... right?

I am NOT loving every moment of it.... Okay, maybe I am... :)

Oh, and I did NOT just see a commercial for Jesse McCartney's album and have the strongest desires to go to his concert. I will NOT go.

Sidenote: Yes, I will go.

In other news, work was oddly stressful today... I just am SO fed up with the seventh grade class! They are so disrespectful, and the teachers are all SO DONE. Thus, I - an aid- went off on them today in numerous classes and have kind of let them have it! It was classic, but made my whole day feel off. I don't regret it cause I was calm and in check when I talked to them, but very stern and obviously upset. The teacher thanked me up and down, but still... I just felt edgy all day until I left school then... Boo.

Here is the recap of my weekend: Friday was cultural awareness day at my school - and it was CRAZY! It was one of the most "wanna-be-organized" days of my life, and all the kids were hyped up on weekend excitement. It was cool in some classes (the kids traveled between classes to talk about different countries) because some teachers made their country amazingly awesome... England was GREAT! They had the classroom set up like The Globe Theater and put boys as all the actors - i.e. boys even playing Juliet - and doing mini scenes and had a jeopardy game being played about the country... It reminded me of our Study Abroad... I really need to go back!

That night I went with two girls from my ward, Emily and Luz, and my sister to a Grizzly's hockey game - haha! It was a blast, but that team SUCKS. Really - they are SO bad. Haha! At least it was fun... When we were done, my sister and I watched a movie together and went to bed early to get geared up for...

LDS GENERAL CONFERENCE!!!

Haha... I loved it so much! I was very impressed with the themes that stuck out to me of faith within adversity and trails, temple work and the importance of our temple covenants, using the Holy Ghost, the importance of member missionary work, and talks pointing toward the economic crisis. My favorite talks were Elder Uchtdorf's talk - he just words things in a way that I relate to - and President Monson's closing remarks... I also loved Kevin W. Pearson, of the Seventy's talk.... I heard Utchdorf's talk from priesthood was incredible too - a must-read in the Ensign. I always flip to the priesthood messages first though cause they are what I did not hear yet. Anyway, conference weekend was just what I needed. I was very impressed with each talk, and how it applied directly to my life in some way - as usual.

We are encouraged to share our testimonies and such, so I think I will spend a moment in the next entry expanding upon that and my thoughts... :)

Life is good - a little stressful today, but great! Tomorrow is the middle school soccer game, an awards ceremony for Kay, and hoepfully getting my stuff back from the LA trip... ?

*muah*

Song of the day: Plain and simple... From Kelly Clarkson's new album, All I Ever Wanted the song Long Shot. It means a lot to me right now... Reach for your dreams, go for those things and people you want in life, and dream big. The end.

Now, go listen to the song.
(Sidenote: The entire album is great - it's my favorite album of hers by FAR!)