The other day while searching around for music to put on my blog, I came across this song and it brought back some memories. Some of you may know that I grew up in a buddhist household (Nichiren Shoshu buddhism to be exact). Well once a month we would meet at a members house and do evening gongyo (done twice a day-morning & evening), and receive inspirational guidance from our priest. So one evening after gongyo a family friend had this WONDERFUL idea!!! That at the next months meeting I would sing a song!!!!! Well of course everyone thought that was a GREAT IDEA, everyone except for me, of course I was terrified.
The song chosen: summertime.
For a month I practiced and practiced.
Then the day arrived. I was TERRIFIED, once gongyo was over I was introduced I stood up in front of everyone, and begin to sing in a very low voice, but don't worry the room was quiet so everyone could still hear my voice crack. If I remember correctly I only sang the first verse, when it was over everyone applauded- I mean really whose gonna boo a 10 year old at a religious meeting? I'd like to think that there was some lesson learned, or something deep and thoughtful that came of all this, but nope, nothing just memories.
Whenever I hear this song I just smile, so I thought I'd share so that you can smile too.
This rendition was sang by my new favorite artist Leona Lewis, on the show X- Factor (the UK version of american idol). Her voice was a little better than mine.
Footprints
This poem by Mary Stevenson, is one of my FAVORITES. It always makes me reflect on my life, and my family and the obstacles that we've overcome. Also it reminds me daily, whether I am facing challenges or not that I am never alone, that my savior is not only with us, but carrying us, loving us, seeing us through til the end. Selfishly until now I've only thought of myself and my family when reading this poem.
One night a man had a dream.
He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Scenes from his life flashed across the sky
and he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
one belonging to him and the other to the Lord.
When the last scene of his life had flashed before him,
he recalled that at the lowest and saddest times of his life
there was only one set of footprints.
Dismayed, he asked, "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,
you'd walk with me all the way.
I don't understand why, when I needed you most,
you would leave me."
The Lord replied, "My precious child.
I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering
when you saw only one set of footprints...
That was when I carried you.
I first fell in love with this song while listening to the album 'spirit' by my new favorite artist Leona Lewis, then last night I came across this video, it brought me to tears.
One night a man had a dream.
He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Scenes from his life flashed across the sky
and he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
one belonging to him and the other to the Lord.
When the last scene of his life had flashed before him,
he recalled that at the lowest and saddest times of his life
there was only one set of footprints.
Dismayed, he asked, "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,
you'd walk with me all the way.
I don't understand why, when I needed you most,
you would leave me."
The Lord replied, "My precious child.
I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering
when you saw only one set of footprints...
That was when I carried you.
I first fell in love with this song while listening to the album 'spirit' by my new favorite artist Leona Lewis, then last night I came across this video, it brought me to tears.
Guess what I got in the mail.....
For the past 3 or 4 years I've been obsessed with going to Italy.
My first challenge was overcoming my fear of flying which I did 2 years ago.
My second challenge has been to get my passport. It took me a year to actually go to the post office and get the application, then another year to get my birth certificate which I finally did in February.
Well for some reason while in new york Beth & I became obsessed with going to Canada.
So the day after we got back from New York I did it!!!
We went to Walgreen's and took a passport photo then we went to the airport post office filled out the form and paid some ridiculous fees.
and waited.......it takes up from 6 to 8 weeks for your application to be processed and for your passport to sent to you. That's snail mail, you can have them expedite your application process for a little extra $$$$. I didn't think that was necessary, considering I hadn't booked a flight.
WELL to my surprise a week and a half later I came home from work to find THIS precious little thing in my mailbox:
My first challenge was overcoming my fear of flying which I did 2 years ago.
My second challenge has been to get my passport. It took me a year to actually go to the post office and get the application, then another year to get my birth certificate which I finally did in February.
Well for some reason while in new york Beth & I became obsessed with going to Canada.
So the day after we got back from New York I did it!!!
We went to Walgreen's and took a passport photo then we went to the airport post office filled out the form and paid some ridiculous fees.
and waited.......it takes up from 6 to 8 weeks for your application to be processed and for your passport to sent to you. That's snail mail, you can have them expedite your application process for a little extra $$$$. I didn't think that was necessary, considering I hadn't booked a flight.
WELL to my surprise a week and a half later I came home from work to find THIS precious little thing in my mailbox:
New York City
I recently took a trip east and took a bite out of the Big Apple. And what a bite it was!!! I must be some what of a Californian Belle (i e Southern Belle), because the first thing I noticed is that people there are RUDE they will push you out the way, and if you're walking too slow careful e you will get stepped on, oh and the men (and I DO use that term loosely), will not I repeat WILL NOT open or hold the door open for you. In fact the men there will actually push you aside so that they can enter a building first or they will politely wait for you to open the door for them.
AND NO I'M NOT KIDDING!!! I'm even going to tell you what happens when you cross the street, or if you fall (no I didn't fall).......
Having said that I'd like to give my Californians & the men especially a huge pat on the back for being SUCH wonderful people.
I just had to get that off my chest, lucky for me I'm a quick learner, and my survival instincts kicked in, after one day of that non sense the folks there thought I was a native (smile).
Anyhoo I had a BLAST!!! One week wasn't nearly enough time to see and do everything so another trip MUST be planned. Our hotel was right around the corner from Times Square, and down the street from broadway where we saw lion king which was phenomenal!!!
Here's a list of some of the places we went and things we saw:
We did alot of walking, but the best way to get around the city if you visit is via subway (traffic is ridiculous) we got a 7 day metrocard for $25. The subway system runs often and takes you practically everywhere.
We had a great time in the city, at one time I wanted to move there but I think I'll just stick to visiting. I can't wait to go back!!
AND NO I'M NOT KIDDING!!! I'm even going to tell you what happens when you cross the street, or if you fall (no I didn't fall).......
Having said that I'd like to give my Californians & the men especially a huge pat on the back for being SUCH wonderful people.
I just had to get that off my chest, lucky for me I'm a quick learner, and my survival instincts kicked in, after one day of that non sense the folks there thought I was a native (smile).
Anyhoo I had a BLAST!!! One week wasn't nearly enough time to see and do everything so another trip MUST be planned. Our hotel was right around the corner from Times Square, and down the street from broadway where we saw lion king which was phenomenal!!!
Here's a list of some of the places we went and things we saw:
- wall street
- the naked cowboy
- terrence howard (who is starring in Cat on a hot tin roof on broadway)
- the hershey store (chocolate galore!)
- bryant park
- 5th avenue
- grand central station
- penn station
- Junior's Famous Cheesecake (not impressed)
- lion king
- stomp ($ave your $$$-it's just a bunch of noise & dust)
- madison square garden
- empire state building
- central park
- WTC
- rockefeller center
- trump towers
- United Nations Plaza
- St. Patrick's cathedral
- NBC store
- CBS store
- NBA store (this store actually has a basketball court inside of it!!!)
- Woodbury Commons Outlet shopping center 220 stores (we only conquered about 180 of them)
We did alot of walking, but the best way to get around the city if you visit is via subway (traffic is ridiculous) we got a 7 day metrocard for $25. The subway system runs often and takes you practically everywhere.
We had a great time in the city, at one time I wanted to move there but I think I'll just stick to visiting. I can't wait to go back!!
New York City
Here are some pictures from around the BIG APPLE:
we saw Lion King, stayed around the corner from Times Square, shopped at Woodbury Commons, caught a glimpse of actor Terrence Howard
5th Avenue, Grand Central Station, Central Park, Radio City Music Hall, The Late Show
Rockefeller Center, St. Patricks Cathedral, Trump Tower, Madison Square Garden, GOING HOME!!
World Trade Center
The Empire State Building
we saw Lion King, stayed around the corner from Times Square, shopped at Woodbury Commons, caught a glimpse of actor Terrence Howard
5th Avenue, Grand Central Station, Central Park, Radio City Music Hall, The Late Show
Rockefeller Center, St. Patricks Cathedral, Trump Tower, Madison Square Garden, GOING HOME!!
World Trade Center
The Empire State Building
Hollywood, CA
Tyler Perry has a new play on tour. Unfortunately it didn't come to San Francisco. But it did make a stop in the City of Angels. So off we went.
Hollywood, CA
January 18-20, 2008
Hollywood, CA
January 18-20, 2008
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