“Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase!”

This weekend, I went with my family and a friend to see the Lion King on Broadway. It was, of course, fantastic. I appreciated that they used the original score but added authentic African music to the performances along with traditional African dress. The character costumes were incredibly creative as well. This performance is great for kids and the kids get a little culture at the same time. Perfect.I must make a special note regarding the actress that plays Rafiki; her voice… was… stunning. It gave me goosebumps every time.

During the opening act, Circle of Life, my 9 year old daughter said, “It’s so beautiful, I kind of want to cry.” Awwww…I knew exactly what she meant with that comment.  Inside I was secretly elated hoping she really will be a lover of the arts! She already loves music, plays, dancing, and drawing…and now she can appreciate the performances that same way.

I’ve always hoped my kids would share my passion for the arts.

“To be nobody but yourself in a world that is doing it’s best to make you someone else, is to fight the hardest battle you are ever going to fight. Never stop fighting.” – E.E. Cummings

“Live, travel, adventure, bless, and don’t be sorry.” – Jack Kerouac

I booked my flight to Europe today! I am going back again!

After my trip this past April, I officially caught the travel bug. I’m obsessed and in love with Europe.

I am leaving in March. I know, I know…it will be cold. But with the conflicts at work and the amazing flight prices, March was the perfect time to go. I’m kind of excited to break out some cold-weather clothes again too. I am from the Mid-West (no stranger to winters there) but have lived in sunny California for the last 5 1/2 years, so I am yearning for that other style of clothes.

We will be flying into Dublin, Ireland on March 3 and 21 days later I will leave from Frankfurt, Germany. Most of the in between stuff is undecided, but I have plenty of time. I am going with two other people for the first 10 days, but will then be on my own. This will be my first time traveling solo and I’m kind of excited about it!

Is it March yet?!

I had NO idea this show was even still on the air nowadays, but was sad to just hear that it will no longer be. Watching the attached YouTube video of the opening credits brought back some major memories! Was Labar Burton still the host all this time?

Man, talk about a walk down memory lane….

http://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/182.Final_Encore_for_Reading_Rainbow

“We can’t all come and go by bubble.” – Elphaba (from Wicked)

I just returned home from enjoying the Broadway performance of “Wicked.” It was FANtastic. Wicked is the story of what happens in Oz before Dorothy arrives. The “real” story of the Wicked Witch of the West. I read the book a couple years ago in anticipation of the Broadway adaption. I was finally able to attend, since “Wicked” is on tour in San Diego for the month.

The actors were flawless, the lighting was great, the dancing was spectacular, and the singing gave me goosebumps. There was even humor! The headliners, that played Elphaba (the Wicked Witch) and Glinda the Good Witch, stole the show. Appropriately. I had heard friends rave about this musical, but it deserves even more. It is not surprising that it has one a Grammy and three Tony’s. I want to go again!

I was excited to see that “The Lion King” will be touring in San Diego in October. I shall be buying my tickets soon!

First things first. I love IKEA. Everytime I get the new catalog, I browse through it considering a bunch of new ways I would like to ultra-organize my home. Last summer I re-did my living room and and office area so it’s now organized, complete with loads of bookcases. (that I have already managed to fill, and am now stacking books on their sides above other books. It’s a sickness, this book buying thing.) I now decided to organize the kids bedroom. Out with the old, in with the new. They are no longer “little” kids they tell me, so time to upgrade the room. Kiyah is really exploring her creative-self, so I want to create her an artist’s nook.

Saturday came around and off I go to. I am incapable of going to IKEA in less than an hour or… two and this visit was no different. When I finally reached the warehouse at the end of the store, I was told the desk, in the color I wanted, I wanted was out of stock. Noooo! He said it will be in tomorrow. I am SUCH A procrastinator, that once I have committed to something I absolutely cannot fathom having to get that urge to do it again. After an internal temper tantrum, I headed to the self checkout, shoulders drooped, with Kiyah convincing me she wouldn’t mind a black desk instead. I considered it…but it would throw off the whole room and I would have to change everything else, so decided no. Well, after ringing up the first item (the blue bag you have to purchase because IKEA doesn’t use paper or plastic anymore and I forgot to bring the one I already own) the stocker guy came up to me and said he found my desk! How sweet that he was searching for me in the hordes of shoppers checking out.

Now, after this two hour shopping experience, I wheeled out my purchases and realized…the desk box was a big too big for my tiny Mazda. Luckily, a very nice gentleman helped me Tetris the box into my car. When I was first wheeling the desk up, he saw me and said… “No, no. Muy grande, muy grande. NO.“ while shaking his head. I refused to believe it…until we tried to squeeze it in the backseat. “How about this angle? Pull! Now push! Try this angle. Nooo… pull the front seat back…now push the seat up…now put the desk here.” Finally…it fit! Phew! I was SO glad. I absolutely REFUSED to have to come back with the only friend I know with a truck. Unlike the Midwest, trucks aren’t so common in San Diego! Somehow I found a tiny nook in the backseat for Kiyah to sit, covered in bags, on the way home! After other errands, I was happy to be home, but still had to organize the kids room. I swear I had them prepare the room a bit, but it sure didn’t seem so. The purging took FOR-E-VER! It lasted into Sunday…BUT the good news is they room is much reduced and organized. I was annoyed, that after the two hour spree, I forgot the one simple thing I wanted for MY room. All the stuff I bought for theirs…and I forgot a couple boxes of these hooks that cost $3.99! Dangit! I was hoping to use them to organize my necklaces, hats, and scarves finally. *sigh* Anyway, I will have to go back this weekend. Besides, I need another new bookcase!

I know I am overdue with my blogging. I know. My birthday came and my blog just stopped. What is it; at 27, I just stopped having anything to say?

Not so much (I hope).

I took a week to spend some time up in Northern California…and am just catching back up on life. I will, hopefully soon, update my blog with my travels… as soon as the boring “life” stuff is caught up.

Grrr… laundry, groceries, errands, WORK… how I loathe you.

Thanks Kristen!!

“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” – Miriam Beard

Yesterday, for my birthday, my friend Kristen got me the book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die. The book lists popular and not-so-popular destinations around the world, a quick description of why one should visit, and why it’s on the list. I’ve, of course, heard of the book before, but it’s such a thoughtful, fitting gift for me this year.

It was so perfect, considering my travel passion. There are some places or experiences listed in the book that I will surely not make my personal list, but since I want to see the world, this is a good inspiration. I can now use this as extra motivation to get out and see a wide variety of places! It will be especially helpful for making my way around the U.S.  While, I don’t travel to necessarily only “see” things, following the things to “see” will help me make my way around the globe and have all the experiences I crave…eventually. (fingers crossed!)

So far, as of 7/15/09, I have only seen 66!! I’ve got some work to do! I’m going to keep a running list of my progress on a separate blog page.

“Inside every older person is a younger person – wondering what the hell happened.” – Cora Harvey Armstrong

Today is my birthday. I have to admit, I’m not very excited about them anymore. I turned 27 today… 27. How did that happen so fast? This past year has brought around some changes in me I’ve noticed. As I reflect on the past year, I’m considering…what are those changes?

1. I find much more comfort in quality family time.

2. I have learned how passionate I am about traveling and this has infected so much more of my life. It affects my budgeting, planning, and reading.

3. While I still like going out with friends, I am much happier staying home or doing “low-key” things. It is actually my preference most of the time.  Last year this was NOT the case.

4. My kids have changed into little people (not little kids) overnight. I’ve noticed so many changes in them. They are growing up so fast. I have stepped into a very different type of parenting now.

5. For the first time in years, maybe ever,  I know where I want to land. Europe.

6. As much as I loved books before, I think I read double the amount now.

7. I have finally really thought about my ambitions…and am making them happen.

8. It is OK to say “No” to plans and invitations.

9. My taste in music as almost completely changed. I really don’t know why, but I like it!

10. I still have no desire to have another Vegas weekend.

“While we try to teach our kids all about life , our kids teach us what life is all about.” – Angela Schwindt

I am reading over my 8 year old son’s birthday list right now and wanted to share. Here is what it says:

My Birthday List

What I want for my birthday is:
1. Transformers
2. Lakers jersey
3. Coloring by Numbers
4. a Video Game
5. Matchbox cars
6. Puzzles
7. Rush Hour car game
8. a yo-yo and iPod like Kiyah’s (his sister)

When you are done with this you can get me anything you want for my birthday. You are a very good mom and nice mom.

P.S. I love you so much with all my heart.

It is so sweet at the end, but I’m cracking up at how nice it is that he is allowing me to get “anything I want” “when I am done with this.”

Haha. Goodness.