Self-Defense

I took a self-defense class with my friends Stefanie and Holly. We are offering a class to our students and wanted to show them some of our skills.  Enjoy!

P.S. I really could kill you...don't mess me with!

American Idol - Top 10

THE MUSIC OF MOTOWN - Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson

Smokey Robinson looks good for a 69-year-old!  Seriously he must be doing something right.  He's a hot old guy!

Matt - "Let's Get It On"

I really liked Matt this week.  I loved that he started out at the piano and moved to the rest of the stage.  He did a great job and he has really started to stand out among the crowd.  I hope he gets to stay around for awhile!

Kris - "How Sweet It Is"

I noticed that Kris sings out of the side of his mouth and sometimes that bothers me but he is definitely talented.  I loved his song choice and think he is definitely a favorite among the ladies.  I liked him more tonight than I ever have before.  He kind of looks like John Mayer too!

Scott - "You Can't Hurry Love"

This has always been on of my favorite songs since I was a kid.  I love watching Scott play the piano but he still isn't impressing me with his singing.  He's not bad but he's not incredible either.  He doesn't stand out to me, it's just a little blah for me.

Megan - "For Once In My Life"

Megan sounded a lot better when she was practicing with Smokey.  She did not do well tonight.  I usually love her jazzy voice but it just was not there tonight.  She sounded off throughout the whole song.  She was definitely gorgeous tonight though!  I hope she gets to stay around and prove herself.  I don't think she should be on votefortheworst.com either!

Anoop - "Ooh Baby Baby"

Anoop did a pretty good job.  I do wish he would have done something a little more fun or creative.  I agree with Simon that he did a good job but he looked have asleep.  I like seeing his personality when he sings and it just missing for me tonight.

Michael - "Ain't Too Proud To Beg"

He's just a cute guy.  I love that he smiles so much when he sings, you can tell he's having a great time on the stage.  I think Michael did a better job tonight than the judges thought.  I do agree that he won't make it to the end but I don't know that he was the worst tonight.

BREAK TIME

Sometimes I feel like the judges make comments just to influence America.  I'm sure they do that but I wonder if it's something they actually plan.

Lil - "Heatwave"

I had big expectations for her tonight and I was a little let down.  She did a good job but could have done much better with another song.  Her outfit and hair were perfect for the song though!  Simon was actually a lot nicer than I thought he would be.

Adam - "The Tracks Of My Tears"

I thought I'd never be a fan but he made me one tonight.  I didn't even recognize Adam tonight.  He did an incredible job on the song.  He showed a side that I never knew he had in him.  

Danny - "Get Ready"

I cannot say it enough!  I LOVE DANNY GOKEY!  He's an awesome performer and has such a great time on the stage.  I like he raspy voice too!  He's just fun.  I think I'm becoming a little bias about Danny...but it's my blog so I can be. :)

Allison - "Papa Was A Rolling Stone"

I had pretty high expectations for Allison tonight too.  She did a really good job tonight!  I still can't believe that she is only 16.  I hope she isn't in the bottom 3 this week because she does not deserve it!  

Top 3

Adam

Danny

Allison

Middle 4

Matt

Kris

Anoop

Lil

Bottom 3

Michael

Scott

Megan

P.S.  Did anyone else notice Paula's fairy costume she was wearing tonight?  AND what was the deal with the mustache at the end?

American Idol - Top 11

Grand Ole Opry Week!  

Michael - I've always loved Ain't Going Down til the Sun Comes Up.  It's a fun song and Michael did an okay job with the song but it didn't do much for me.  I like his personality but don't think he'll be around more than a couple more weeks.

Allison - Okay I love this girl!  She is the only youngin' that I've ever really liked on the show.  She's cute, she's fun, and she's definitely got the funk. 

Chris - Pretty boy has a pretty voice but he hasn't really impressed me yet.  He just sat on a stool and sang a love song to all the teenie-boppers.  Simon just liked him because it wasn't real country music.  Come on Chris, give us a little more.  He'll stick around because of all the girls.

Lil - Independence Day should have been taken off the list after Carrie Underwood sang it on Season 4.  It's definitely a well-known country song but Carrie just blew everyone away when she sang it.  Lil did alright but she didn't impress me either.  Country just isn't her thing.

Adam - OH MY!  Randy Travis makes me laugh.  I love Johnny Cash so maybe it was the middle-eastern thing or something but I hated it.  That is not country...it was more like CREEPY.  Simon totally made me laugh because he said what I was thinking.  Boo Adam Boo!  

Scott - I'm still not a Scott fan.  I do think he did better this week than last but I wouldn't rush out (or turtle walk) to buy his cd.  He's ok and I think he'll get vote but everything he does is pretty safe.  I agree that he needs to "up his game" and I may like him more.

Alexis - I think that she needs to visit a counselor.  It seems like she has a lot of built up anger.  Maybe I'll offer her my services.  She's wasn't entertaining tonight.  I actually fast-forwarded through the middle of it.  

Danny - I LOVE THIS MAN!  He is so authentic and real.  Seriously...I cannot even express in words how much I like him.  I'm so glad he loves Jesus!  

Anoop - He got my attention tonight.  He shows such great emotion when he sings.  I really enjoyed his performance and am actually glad he got another week to sing!  Anoop stepped it up and did AWESOME!  

Megan - I've always loved this song.  My first love actually sang this to me a church camp on summer.  I know it's dorky but I was 15 and in completely in love. :)  Megan did pretty well for being sick. I hope she sticks around for a few more weeks at least.  How did she get through that song without coughing...when she kept coughing at the end???

Matt - I actually forget about him every week then I see him and he's really good.  I just can't remember him from week to week.  I hope he stays awhile because I do like him, I just want him hear more.

Simon and I were definitely on the same page tonight.  I agreed with all but one or two of his comments.  I didn't like Danny's wardrobe.   I did think that Anoop went from zero to hero.  His comment about Adam's song choice.  I've loved it all!

My Top 3

Allison

Danny

Anoop

My Bottom 3

Adam

Alexis

Lil

Unfair expectations

Recently, I realized that the music I listened to as a child has harmed me. My mom was and sadly still is a die hard Billy Joel, Lionel Richie, and Rod Stewart fan. I think if she had to choose, she'd stick with Rod. Car rides were filled with this music and I as a 5-year-old became a fan as well.
I always thought I would be an uptown girl. I expected to live in an uptown world. I never had a back street guy (unless you count my love for the Backstreet boys) and my mama never told me why. I've been living in my white bread world as long as any hot blood could BUT I'm still looking for my downtown man.

Another song I loved as a child came from Lionel... Say you, say me, say it for always, that's the way it should be. Say you, say me, say it together, naturally. I HAD A DREAM, I HAD AN AWESOME DREAM...

NO, NO I did not Lionel. You and Billy both gave me unfair expections about life and love.

P.S. I never thought Rod Stewart was sexy, I never wanted his body and I never wanted to tell him so. Just wanted to throw that out there...

Glasses

I had never been to the eye doctor before last week.  Apparently, my parents neglected me because I should have gone a long time ago!  I'm starting to get used to them and can definitely see better!  Here are my specs!  

The new rule...

...The Judge's Save!  WHAT?!  I do hate that the contestant has to sing then has one more opportunity to be rejected.  Come on American Idol...don't be cruel.  I wasn't a huge fan of Jasmine so I'm glad the save wasn't used on her but still hate to see a girl cry.  

Kanye is one of the cockiest people ever.  He did a horrible job tonight.  I like his song on the radio but his performance was just really bad.  Kelly did great!  I love when they bring back past contestants.  It's cool to see how far they have come.

I'm glad Jorge is going home.  I like him but don't think he's as talented as some of the other contestants.  It was definitely his time to go.

American Idol - Top 13

I'm going to do my best to give a personal recap of American Idol every week.  I may not compliment the actual singing, but believe me comments will be made.  

I'm not a big Michael Jackson fan but I really did love the selections.  I'm also not a fan of Kara, maybe she'll grow on me.  Simon is Simon.  I would love to see Paula fall of the stage when she jumps up and starts dancing.  Randy is my Dawg, he usually says exactly what I'm thinking.  

Maybe Melissa from The Bachelor will start singing and show up on American Idol since she's on every other reality show now.

Lil - First of all, is that her real name?  I do hope big shoulder ruffles come back in style.  I have a few shirts in my closet I'd love to wear.  She started off the show well and so far I like her.

Scott - I think he is talented but not extraordinary.  I don't like that the judges are all about his disability.  An individual should come before their disability.  I think he'll probably make the Top 8 but I doubt he'll go farther.  

Danny - I really like him and yes, a lot of it has to do with the fact that he loves Jesus.  I  like that he's a little funky.  He is crazy talented!  Simon made fun of his dance moves...but I thought they were awesome.  He is who he is and I hope that people can see Jesus shining through him.

Michael - I like him too!  It seems like he is a hard worker and really proud of where he has come from.  He's married...but out of everyone, he's my type! :)  He didn't have the best vocal but I think he has a ton of potential!

Jasmine - I love the young ones (minus David Arculetta, I never liked him) but I never want them to win.  I think it's because I feel like the older ones deserve it more.  I'm not sure why...just my own logic.  I doubt she'll make it very far.  I also think her mom looks a little like a love child of Michael Jackson and Paula...strange.

Breaktime - Because I'm a reality tv junkie, I like a little drama.  I wish we knew a little more about their relationships with each other.  I'm sure someone doesn't like someone and that someone is interested in someone.  I wish I knew these things.  I know I'm nosy but at least I admit it.

Kris - I've been to his hometown countless times.  Conway is a tiny town in Arkansas where my youth pastor grew up.  I liked Kris and I thought he had some potential but don't think he showed much tonight.  It is nice that he helped everyone else out.  He wins the servant of the week award.  His poor wife...Simon says dumb things....she's so cute and I feel bad for her.

Allison - I can't believe she is 16.  She's so young.  I hope she doesn't just sing rocker music.  Maybe that's what she wants to do.  If so, I'm not really interested.  iI like her hair and her raspy voice though.

Anoop - He seems like a guy I'd be friends with.  He's funny and very entertaining.  It was a little karaoke-ish.  He didn't do very well this week but I hope that he gets to stay around.  I really think he can do much better.  

Jorge - I love his hair...the curls are great!  He seems real genuine and so proud of his country and family.  I don't think he'll last long though.  He's got the fun accent and a great story but I'm just not sure people will vote for him.

Megan - I immediately loved her during auditions.  I cried when they showed her missing her sweet, little boy.  My first tears of the season are for Megan.  She's fun and cute and has a lot of personality.  One question, "Did she really kaw at the end?"  I'm excited to see what she does in the upcoming weeks because she'll definitely be around.

Adam - I'm not all about boys who paint their nails but he did a great job.  He was really entertaining and fun.  I'm sure Adam will be around for a long time.  I hope that he can work with all the different genres AI does.  

Matt - Another one who I think has some great potential.  I really like his voice and his piano skills.  Most of the music I really love and listen to is what I think he is best at.  Hopefully he'll be around for a few more weeks too!

Alexis - She's okay, not awesome but not bad either.  I'm not sure what I think about her yet.  I think she definitely wants to sing and she has a powerful voice.  Maybe she needs a little more experience on the stage.  

My Picks

Top 2 (I can't pick a 3rd...I just thought they were way above everyone else.)

Danny

Adam

Bottom 3

Scott

Jorge

Anoop (sorry Mariko, I like him...but bad song choice!)

 

56 pages later

I really liked college.  I loved the feeling I got when I finished a test that I knew I did well on.  I loved the feeling I got when I turned a paper in.  It's like this huge burden that is completely lifted and gone.  I can't do anymore thinking or editing or anything...it's done!  

So far, graduate school has been different than my undergrad.  I'm not as much of a procrastinator as I used to be and I think I'm stressing about it more too.  It seems like it should be the other way around.  Maybe it's because my grad classes are really important to me and I want to do well because I want to be the best counselor I can be.  

As I turn my 56 pages in and do my group presentation and my individual presentation tonight I hope I get that feeling back.  I hope to have a great sense of accomplishment and I hope that my professor actually likes what I wrote.  I'm a little nervous about that.  We'll find out soon enough!

More like my mom

I was in the grocery store last night and I started talking to the person in front of me at the checkout. It was then that it hit me....I am becoming my mother. People say that it happens but I have vowed since middle school that I would never be like her.

It's not that I don't love my mom...I really do! I just didn't want to be like her. She is crazy, she is ridiculously embarrasing, and she's loud! You who are reading this are probably thinking....yes, Jaci, you are these things but just last night I realized it for myself.

My mom talks to strangers every where she goes. So do I. My mom sings and dances in her car. So do I. My mom talks to herself. So do I. My mom tells true life crazy stories. So do I. There are so many things that she does that I now do. It's scary but true.