Presents?!

I'm at work, but I'm definitely not working.

Christmas came and went!! Can you believe it?? I had a wonderful holiday, though now that I look back it barely felt like Christmas. Probably because it was completely different than any other way I've celebrated. From the beginning...I had to work on Christmas Eve. Throughout that week prior Mike kept asking me for my moms number because he wanted to talk to her. This information is worthy of one eyebrow raise. Then Christmas Eve morning my ring goes missing before I go to work. A note worthy of two raised eyebrows. Mike drove me to work that morning, and on the way there he's going off how he can't believe I lost my ring and how he also can't believe its been a whole year since we gave each other our rings. At this point I'm thinking something is going on. Before I got out of the car I asked him to look for my ring while I'm at work. Anyway, works over and he picks me up around 3ish. We were spending Christmas with his entire family up at Port Macquarie on the Central Coast. I love it up there. Its gorgeous. So on the way there Mike tells me he left my gift back at the house. The drive up there wasn't too bad. I ate and sang along to the radio. Then around 6:50pm Mike starts to get quiet and aggitated that he can't find his cigarettes. So we pull over at the gas station to get some. We head out on the road for about another 10 minutes before he pulls over again to a random shoulder of the road. I'm thinking he's gotta pee or something. He tells me that he didn't forget my present and that its actually in the trunk. I'm thinking I don't want my present now, just wait a night!! Then he says to me, "Look what I found today..." and he pulls out a diamond earring. Oh nice, he got me ONE diamond earring... then he says "Look what else I found..." pulls out my ring and drops to one knee "...will you marry me?" Oh my word!! Even though I knew we were eventually going to get married and I had a feeling he was going to ask, it never compared with the real thing of him asking. The look in his eye when he asked was something so special. It was beautiful. He was more gorgeous to me then than ever before. I said yes. So, Merry Christmas to us, we're officially engaged. YAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We spent the next two days at Uncle Marty's in Port then spent the next 4 days after in Crescent Head at Aunt Jenny's. I looooooove Crescent Head. Mike and I are thinking of having the wedding ceremony up there on her front porch. Its so wild and beautiful and serene. I'll post pictures. While we were up there we went to the beach, tried to surf, tried to dirt bike ride, played tennis, but mostly sat around. It was the best. Mike's family loves to hear me sing so they made me sing a bunch of times. It was so hard to leave. I did get California home sick while I was there. I missed my family and friends. I missed singing christmas carols and such. All in all, I had a very lovely Christmas. I look forward to New Years tonight, and an interesting 2009. 

postcards from nowhere

So, I think I'm gonna have to give in. I have been trying to avoid blogging something like this, but the temptation is getting unbearable. 

Here is a list of everything I miss back home...(in no particular order)

• long talks and lunches at Chilis
• hugs from Papa
• being in "Christmas Is..." or watching rehearsals of it
• DRIVING!
• singing showtunes in living rooms and practice rooms
• Guitar Hero tournaments
• DISNEYLAND
• Mel and the Gays 
• AUDITIONS 
• stalking about the Citrus music building
• ^ that includes the parking lot
• baking and movie watching 
• going to the movies
• Victoria Gardens
• Starbucks
• my yappy little mut dog
• ice blocking
• Cheesecake Factory, Wendy's, and Panda Express
• christmas caroling (souvenirs?)
• living rent free

Thats all I can think of for the time being, but I'm sure there is more to that list that I'm forgetting. 

a doozy

I tell ya what...songwriting is hard. You tell yourself the real pros, I mean the real geniuses, it just comes naturally to them. If its not coming to you it means you aren't a real musician. Is this true?? Should I spend the remainder of my career expressing someone else's feelings? Hmm... Or perhaps it just takes a bit of practice and finessing. Each songwriter has their own style. I guess its about finding my style? As I look back at my past attempts, I think I need to be more creative, think outside the box, and be more concise. Actually, I've always had the problem of running on and on. I'm not very good at summarizing, either. I just get caught up in the details...

Oo, I like that last sentence... How can I make that a lyric? Oh yah, I'm not a huge fan of rhyming. I feel like such a nob trying to rhyme. Like I'm writing a poem for my fifth grade valentines cards.

"You're so fine.

I wish you were mine.

You're what I like.

I wanna ride my bike."

Not all that compelling, huh? Ok well, fine, I wasn't really going for provocative, rather than proving a point. If I post a pet song of mine, one of my precious babies, you must promise not to laugh. Although, you may offer constructive criticism. I, on the other hand, may choose to take it, or offer it back to you to shove up your...

gratitude and the like

Thanksgiving came and went this year. Traditionally, when my family and I sit down to eat, before the prayer is said, we go around the table and say one thing that we are thankful for that year. Well, being somewhere else this year I didn't get the chance. Good thing I've got this nifty blog type deal to show all my gratitude!! Here goes for 2008...

I'm thankful for:

• Mom for being crazy amounts of supportive, especially when I told her I was moving across the globe. 
• Cast, crew, and officers of the Maasie for giving me one of the best experiences of my life, and I will never forget those awesome 6 months. (this is kind of an overflow from last year.)
• Skype. for keeping my relationship alive, haha.
• The Australian Government for letting me into their country.
  
• Mike. 

The list could really go on, but it would just get ridiculous. Even though I wasn't with the fam this year, I did get to chat with them all on skype and that was pretty awesome. I got to see the new baby, and of course all the other nieces and nephews. My family is crazy and I love them. Of course I miss all of my friends, and I can't wait for them all to get their acts together and come visit me....right?!

spaghetti bolognese

It makes me so envious that everyone always has such interesting things to say in their blogs. 

I don't really have much to say at all. I'm not necessarily upset about this, I just wish I had more things to say. There isn't a lot that I think "I have to write this down for all to read!!" And perhaps other people don't get that feeling either, perhaps they just have the time. I, at the moment, do not have the time. Here I go again, complaining about my job, haha. Its honestly not that bad. I get paid good money to hang out at the gym, haha. Its just not fun. I rephrase that...Its not fun when you're not making sales. Its tedious, boring, and just plain a waste of time. And not just my time, but my managers time. I honestly feel bad that she puts so much time into getting me pumped for the day and keeping my morale high when I couldn't care less. Maybe I'm selfish. Maybe I just hate my job and thats ok. Well, now I'm in a cross roads. Technically, I can only work there for another 2 months. So do I quit now because I hate it? Or do I stick it out for the last two months?? Today I thought to myself, " thats it, I'm turning in my two week notice tomorrow!!" But then I thought about how I'm moving soon and will need a bond. Also, my manager called me into her office and offered to micro manage me so that I can get better at my job. Oh gosh, I feel so awful, haha. What do I do!?!?!

On the other hand, Mike finally figured out how to turn our stove back on and I was able to cook a lovely home cooked dinner!!! We had spaghetti bolognese, (sp?) with salad, and garlic bread. We also had apple pie and ice cream for dessert. We even turned the TV off, put on some music and lit candles. It was so wonderful to finally be able to cook!! I didn't think I would miss cooking, but I really did. I beautiful ending to a not so beautiful day. Mike makes it better. Thats why I keep him around :o)

headache

So, Mike surprised me today by taking MY Wii back to the store and trading it for an XBox 360. LAME!! The only game we have for that is some basketball game. I don't even like basketball. While I was at church I was thinking "wow, I can't wait to get home and play my war game." Too bad that dream never came true. 

I went to the Tokyo Disney audition the other day. My first audition since I did "Millie." I was sooo nervous. I took the bus into the city and proceeded to get lost walking to the Sydney Dance Company building. I eventually found out it two store clerks and a security guard later. Of course, I'm the only black girl there, which I'm not complaining about, because it makes me stand out to the audition panel. Not that I needed that, because who is sitting behind the table?? Dan Solis!! I have sang for this man upwards of 6 times or more. He has yet to actually offer me a job, haha. But, none the less, I sang my little heart out for him. I sounded better than I thought I would, considering my lack of proper practice. I am a slight perfectionist, so I felt my performance left something to be desired. My voice was a bit sluggish and rough thru transitions. There were really only 53 people at the audition. A small turnout. It was awesome to see Dan, though. He was really surprised to see me. I'm sure he didn't expect to see someone he knows half way around the globe. Well, it seemed like he and the others enjoyed my audition, but then told me to come and see him in 6 months when they're back in Sydney. What does that even mean?? Did I not sing well?? Am I not what they are looking for?? Do I smell funny?? Hmm, and here I am thinking it went well. But, I guess I'll just wait and see what happens. And in the meantime, keep singing. I spent the rest of the day walking around the cd taking pictures and chillaxin. Then on the bus ride home I left Mike's camera on the bus. I never got it back. I hate that!! All those pictures gone...(of course, Mike didn't even care I left is camera, haha)

I had my first Aussie meat pie! It was awesome, and very different. Its a small pastry pie with meat in some kind of sauce and mashed potatoes and bacon on top. Its really good with tomato sauce (ketchup). I'm kind of used to calling it "tomato sauce" now, cause if I say "ketchup" they make fun of me, or don't know what I'm talking about. I also had a sausage roll, but that definitely wasn't as good as the pie, so I fed it to the seagull, haha. He and his friends like it. It was surely one of those "Mine?!" from Finding Nemo moments. Funny seagulls. 

Oh yeah, I took my braids out. So I'm back to my natural hair. My hair has grown quite a bit. its to the base of my neck. It hasn't been this long since high school. I was afraid Mike wouldn't like my short hair, but he is surprisingly its biggest fan!! He loves it. Too bad I hate him for getting rid of my Wii...

Labor Day?!

What exactly is Labor Day??! I should google it. I probably will when I'm done with this. Anyway, Labor Day was this past Monday. Even here in Aus they "celebrate" this most vaguest of holidays. Labor Day basically means no school, and short trade hours. I was given the glorious gift of working on this blessed day. It consisted of a lot of standing around, and staring at the walls of my office. In my extreme boredom I came up with this...

If I unfocus my eyes when I stare at the dark blue carpet I can see the illusion of ripples and waves. It gives me a vision of the deep vast ocean. An image I sorely miss. I'm instantly transported to a memory. Soft rocking, wind rushing, foaming waters. The view!! My, isn't it gorgeous?! The sky is a painters mixing board of colors. Yellow giving way to orange, melting into tangerine, spilling onto a spread of blue velvet. All reflected in the cool steely eyes of Mother Earth. Have you ever beheld such a sight?! A photograph tightly gripped in the hands of my memory.

Yah, so thats what happens when you are supposed to be doing work, but lack the motivation, haha. I was so happy to go home at 5pm as opposed to the usual time of 7:30p. You learn to appreciate small things like this. When I got home Mike informed me that he bought me a present. I love presents!! Mike bought us a Wii !! I know, very exciting!! He hasn't stopped playing it for the past 4 days. He buys a game, finishes it, then trades it in for a new game. I think his favorite is the PGA Golf with Tiger Woods. I haven't really played it all that much. I waiting to buy Guitar Hero. Once that gets here you probably won't be able to get me off the thing. 

7 days until the Disney audition!! I'm freaking out.

Umm...::sigh::

Everyone who knows me well knows that I have a very VERY bad habit of starting sentences and then...

Exactly!! I make a noise, start a word, or giggle, and then I never quite give follow thru. The point is everyone who knows me well knows I do this. Apparently Mike JUST figured out I do this (?!?!??), and its driving him up the wall!! I could have sworn I have been doing this since birth. I don't know where he's been, cause this is not a new development. He even threatened that if I don't stop, he doesn't know if he could spend the next 60 years with me doing that. I think its hilarious. I can be a very extroverted (?right word?) person when I'm comfortable, meaning I talk out loud even if I'm not talking to anyone imparticular. You know who else hates that I do this?? Ashley. She HATES it, and she gets sooo impatient when I do it, haha. Can't wait til she reads this, cause she's going to howl with delight that someone else shares in her annoyance. 

Hmm...I just...........hm, nevermind.

:o)

Sydney

So, I've been here in Sydney for a little over 2 months, but it feels more like 6 to me. I'm not quite sure why. Anyway, I am thoroughly enjoying my time here. When I first got here it was the middle of winter. Don't be fooled by "winter," its more like a California type winter where it rains a fair bit, but mainly a lot of crisp overcast days. I love winter so I wasn't complaining. Hats, cozy coats and sweaters...love it. Well, now the weather is definitely heating up, and I'm so excited to experience my first northern beaches summer!! Everyone is looking forward to it. I'm really only 3 blocks from the beach, about a 10-15 minute walk. I used to be 5 minutes but we moved. Dee Why is the suburb I live in on the northern beaches of Sydney. There are lots of interestingly named cities around here. For instance, Wollongong, Curl Curl, Manly, Warringah, Balgowlah...these are just some of the surrounding cities. When I first got here I obviously didn't have a job and I did pretty much nothing all day but walk aimlessly about the apartment and city. Very boring. But now, lucky me, I have a full-time job at the Fitness First. Fitness First is the 24 Hour Fitness of Australia. I'm a membership consultant. You would think it would be a pretty easy job. No. Its pretty much the hardest job I've ever had, but its very rewarding when you sit in front of those people and you give them the opportunity to live to their full potential. (That was so salesman like and boring of me haha) I have to admit I've become quite boring. I work all day, quite literally 12 hour days, and I don't go out much. But I do love being here in spite of my quiet living. Mike and I are happy together. Though I do very much miss home and all the people there that I love. 

Rusty

So, I haven't really done a lot of singing since I've been here in Oz. There is a serious lack of theatre, which they should really get on fixing. I don't sing much at home either, being as I life in an apartment, in close quarters with other people. Anyway, yah, haven't been singing a ton, except for the hymns at church. Well, when people ask me what I used to do in the states I usually tell them I made my living singing and that I'm a singer. Last night was the church talent show and lucky for me someone at church had signed me up to sing. So, me being the procrastinator that I happily am waited til 3 hours before the show to pick a sing and get music for it. I sang "Love Song" by Sara Bareilles (I never know how to spell her last name). I chose that song cause I know it and my mom always liked when I would sing that song in the car. Well, I sang it. And it was ruuuuuuuusty as, haha. I can still hold it down ok, but I realized just how much I've slipped in my skills. I'm gonna make it more of a priority to vocalize everyday to get my voice back where it was. Even though that means disturbing my neighbors. They're just gonna have to deal with it. And when I'm famous they'll think back and say "Wait, I know that girl from somewhere?!"

p.s. I did win 2nd place to some teen hula dancers in the talent show :o)

1 Year Anniversary

Yesterday, 04 September 2008, Mike and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary. Wow! I can't believe its been a whole year. It doesn't really feel like it. At dinner Mike said its more like 2 months, because thats how long I've been here in Australia. We had a lovely dinner out in Manly followed by massages by candlelight. But, I am an awful girlfriend because I didn't get him a gift...YET. Its coming...I just want to wait until I have enough time and money to get him something really special. He of course, being the incredibly sweet and romantic boyfriend he is, bought me a beautiful pendant and earrings. Gorgeous. But that was after the first necklace he bought me that he took back after discovering I didn't wear heart shapes :o( It was beautiful, but just not for me. I know, I'm an awful demanding woman. Why has he spent a whole year with me? I have no idea. Its probably because I make really good pasta, haha.