Weekend shivers

Spent two days up in Matsumoto, singing outside, freezing my ass off....it was fun, but towards the end of the second day I was so cold I felt like I'd never get warm again. And have you ever tried singing when you're shivering? It's an unforgettable sound. Hideous
But other than that the trip was enjoyable and fruitful. Sleep was the decidedly lacking factor of the whole weekend, (heh) which was the only slightly down side, but hey, we're young and can catch up on freeday -- I hope. Was able to see some friends that live up there as well. GOOD TIMES :-) You guys are wonderful!!!
I'm doing the prep today for Ambie's birthday party tonight. Chocolate cake, jello shots all around, and a dress up...anything to do with the Zodiac. I thought I'd go with something really easy and so very "applicable" ...Virgo...dressing up in virginal white or something like that. Hahahaha
I don't have the time to get elaborate in my costume
God knows what the boys (namely Gene and Hik) are going to surprise us as.....This is going to be funny, I can see it already.
I'll try to take pics

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Ambie
May your days be merry and bright and may all your birthdays be filled with jello shots and crazy parties ;)
I love you
I really do

of wannabe Mexican food

I tried to make Mexican food...or something to that effect last night. Of course it didn't taste authentic, but it was a good try. It's difficult to make it properly here, as the ingredients are different or unavailable. Cilantro is extremely difficult to come by, and expensive as well.
Had a late night "rendezvous" (that almost sounds kinky...snicker) with Aich, Ambie, and the wonderful boys over vodka and ginger ale...and fresh squeezed grapefruit juice. (Concoction courtesy of Hik) Good times. It's good to be back with my friends here, tho of course I'm afraid my heart is kind of already somewhere else. But for now I'll make the most of my present situation.
We're out again tonight, the first full band show for me since I got back...and then out the door tomorrow bright and early at the ungodly hour of 6 am for a two day jaunt up in Matsumoto...charity concerts both days, singing almost all day. KILLER WIPE OUT. The jetlag hasn't decided to pass yet, so I'll need extra prayers, if you remember.
peace, love...and all that good stuff

space filler.....

I miss you...I thought you should know

I can't think of a title

I wish we had a scanner....
I got my pictures developed from my trip....some are pretty funny. Heh.
I'm trying to figure out a way to scan them or maybe I'll just take a digital picture of a few of them and post that.
Jet lag is slightly easing up. I survived the show last night. Of course I was a zombie on the train coming home afterwards, almost falling asleep standing up. It was good to be back on stage, and thankfully it went better than I thought it was going to seeing as I haven't been singing much for a month. And I LOVE my in ear monitor system. (just had to add that :-) ) Apparently when I was away, Mike started using my set and got attached to them..haha, so they bought me a new pair. Now Phil, Mike and I all have em. Good times.

You make me smile....and I can't figure why.

Gibberish

Jet lag....
Every year I experience it twice, on one end of my travels and on the other. Coming back this direction it's always more difficult to get over. Usually two weeks before I'm really feeling my normal (or shall I say abnormal) self. Unfortunately I don't have that kind of time to spend recuperating.
Shows await. I have my first one tomorrow night. I was supposed to go to one yesterday, the morning after I arrived back, but thankfully I was able to get out of it. I was in no condition to perform.
I've been walking around the past two days with a cloud in my head and feeling achy all over. Strangely enough, the cloud hasn't affected my thoughts, rather only how I respond to others around me. I'm pretty useless to hold a conversation with right now because of it.
So if I say something weird to you over the next few days while chatting or talking...don't hold it against me.
I am not myself
I can't quite figure who I am
I am here but not really
I am gone but not far
I am melancholy
I am vapor
I am dust

I am not making sense

Goodnight

Ack

Home

Had a semi-uneventful trip home
I say semi because of a few mishaps and interesting things that happened.... starting with the bus I was on to get to Mex City airport hitting a car on the way there...barely but the driver decides to pull over to the side of the road and do something or other while all of us passengers are wondering what in the world he thinks he's doing, as we could've easily missed our flights. Finally another bus was called and we all traipsed on over to that one, which got us to the airport just on time, thank God.
Mom went with me to the airport and we had a farewell Mechilada at a restaurant there. After which I lugged around my insanely heavy carry-on and tried to spend my last few pesos oh so wisely on important things like gum, tic tacs and beer. Heh.
Arrived in LA and spent the night at Esther's place. Had late night screwdrivers (the drink, people, the drink....get your mind out of the gutter....tsk tsk...hee hee) with her and the very cool guys she lives with.
The next morning while checking in to my flight back to Japan, I was totally shocked to see two of our very close friends and members of our band's fan club in line right ahead of me. What are the odds of that? They had been visiting the States for a few days and just so happened to be on the same flight as me. I hadn't seen them in months, the wife has been going through chemo for breast cancer (she's doing much better, TTL), so it was nice to spend time with them on the LONG flight back...11 hours.
Home now and only slept a couple of hours last night. I've been doing everything imagineable to stay awake all day. I look like a hag with the whole works of black bags and bloodshot eyes from lack of sleep. But at least no one's home today to gaze at my hideousness.
Dear God help me to sleep tonight!!!!

What a long and boring post...
I'll attempt to write something interesting soon

I love you too

and more....

Mexico...I LOVE YOU...I will come again (snicker)

Enjoying Mechiladas with D. Chris

More pics from Tepoztlan trip

Street market in Tepoztlan (or, in the words of Stephen, my bro-in-law "Tepozeland--the world of free tequila" -- heh...don't ask)

Browsing the street market

Some pics....

Abi...sampling the Tequila....Ahh such GREAT stuff....My favorite was the Chili one...SPICY!!!

Step-dad Chris looking oh so cool

Sisters...on the way to Tepoztlan

closing time

All good things must come to an end....
Two more days with my family here and then I head back to Japan.
It's been a wonderful, memorable visit. Too many things have happened...and some pretty important decisions regarding my life have been made. I just pray I have the courage to follow through with them.
I have taken a few pictures and will post them as soon as my bro-in-law and sister can get them off their camera. Nothing too exciting, tho.
Cel is visiting, which has been great fun. We're catching up from not seeing each other in almost 10 years. How we grow and change. Thank God. Just thinking about me at 14 and 15 is enough to make me cringe and feel rather ill.
Tonight we're going over to a friends house for a sushi party. Funny how I travel halfway around the world and end up eating Japanese food. It should be interesting, tho, as the sushi here is nothing like you'd ever eat in Japan...(can you imagine eating cream cheese or avocado in your sushi back at home????)
Heh
Going down to the Zocalo now with my sis to get last minute presents for my friends in Japan.
Laterz

duh

I really don't feel like blogging much
These past few days have been great -- time to read, reflect, spend time with my family...and drink beer...heh
Oh and also cook and help in the home here
And time enough to come to the conclusion that I tend to be very stupid and impulsive
When will I ever learn

Cervantino in a nutshell

So much to blog about
I was able to attend the last evening talent night/dance of the teen camp that they were having near Cuernavaca. Saw many old faces and met lots of cool new people too. Had too many people tease me about the "celebrity" thing, which thoroughly embarrassed me.
Sometimes I just want to blend in and not make a spectacle of myself. Especially in a new situation.
The next day I went with the team here to the Cervantino festival, which was AWESOME. Over 200 of us there witnessing up a storm, HG samples, souls saved...and even a new Disciple!!!!!!! It was an incredible experience and I feel so blessed to have gotten to be a part of it.
It was weird not being able to sing along to any of the songs, as they sing them all in Spanish here. (Note to self: must learn some Spanish)
I met a Japanese lady and got her saved, which was nice...being on familar turf. And a few more souls afterwards.
Another highlight was getting to meet this cool, beautiful one and her man whose blogs I read all the time, Kenji, who I hadn't seen since I used to take care of him as kid, quite a few other bloggers whose links I'll try to add soon, as well as making new friends, and catching up with many old ones. Sigh...I love Mexico.
I was asked to get up and sing a song on the last day.... ACK it was horrible. I'm so embarrassed...When I prayed about whether or not to do it, I got to "do the humble thing", so I agreed.
Sadly the song I chose to sing was one I had NEVER played on the guitar before and the boys that were going to play along with me bowed out at the last minute. I was slightly hoarse from hardly sleeping the previous night and felt like a fish out of water standing in front of hundreds of Family people (without a mic). Could it be any worse.... CRINGE
The things the Lord does to keep me humble.
But besides that, we had FUN!!! Little sleep during the two nights, but it was so worth it.
Good times
You're beautiful

Belated Birthday

I am a horrible horrible person and deserved to be whipped.
I forgot to wish Happy Birthday to my best friend Alisa who turned 25 on the 5th.
I'm six days late and I feel horrible. PLEEEEEASE forgive me. And I'll buy you something special while I'm here to make up for it...I PROMISE!
But apologies aside, I wish you the very best of new years, darling Al, and pray that your life will be fulfilling and happy, that your pregnancy and delivery this year will be smooth and easy, that you and your hubby and kids will be healthy and safe, and that you'll write or call me from time to time (snicker...I'll try to do the same). I love you sooooooo much!

This n' That...and a Happy Birthday wish

If you're interested in seeing a few pics of my time with brothers and sisters in LA, plus hear a great account our our Disneyland adventures and possibly other tales of debauchery (PLEASE BE NICE AUDREY AND DON'T EMBARRASS ME TOO MUCH...snicker)...then hop on over to my gorgeous big sis's blog and have fun.... (Tho I have to say I look gawdawful in the shots she decided to post...humph) Oh well

And a HUGE (two day late) Happy Birthday to my oldest sister Amber, who just hit the big 30!!!! I love you and so look forward to seeing you in a couple of days...after the Cervantino I guess.
She's a great big sister who I have had the blessing of getting closer too as we've gotten older. Mother of two and wife of a wonderfully crazy husband ...
I love you Amber and pray for your new year! We'll party when I see you for sure!!! XXXX

First day of recording here and my voice is already a little sore. Plus the altitude in Mexico City is difficult for me to adjust to everytime...I feel like I'm hyperventilating when I sing... there's just not enough oxygen to go around. Keep me in your prayers.
But it's great to be back in Mexico. I'm gonna enjoy the next two weeks THOROUGHLY!!!!

I'm still here

Yes I'm still alive...just haven't been online at all this past week.
Life is good, I'm having a smashing time.
My nephew is the spitting image of Disney's Dopey. Too cute.
Went to Disneyland with little (giant) brother and Audrey (big sis) yesterday. My brother works there so everything was free. Plus we got fast passes so barely had to wait in line. Good stuff. Stayed until about 11 pm and had a blast...we took pics so they will posted sometime next week, I hope.
Was able to spend a day with my darlin Esther... and meet some cool people (and fellow bloggers) at a little fellowship thing they had here for the area.
Going out with my sis and her friends tonight to some club called the Abbey...
And then onto Mexico this Monday
Cheers