retail therapy worthiness

Wow, its been a whirlwind of a month. Exactly one month since my last entry. I swear I tried to do one after I got back from Adelaide but Easter came along of which I must admit, was eventful to say the least. My stylist and website designer, Nicky Kent (http://www.takealeap.com.au/) flew up along with photographer Jackie Tran to shoot for my up and coming website (http://www.vananh.com.au/) - Do check it out. Nicky, thank you for your amazing dedication, for believing in me, for your work around the clock. You are an absolute gem! Jackie, thank you for your amazing photographs. I can't wait to share them with everyone. Thank you to the team at Theme & Variations, Willoughby for letting me use their amazing concert grand Steinway as well as their space for the shoot. And thank you to Leonardo Salinas (http://www.leonardosalinas.com/) and Manning Cartell (http://www.manningcartell.com.au/) for their amazing dresses.

Here is just a sneak peek of what he has done:

Photography: Jackie Tran

The complete website should be all up within a week or so with the holding page up already. I'd love to hear your thoughts and get feedback.

Then, came a week of preparing for what is to come..concerts in QLD (Annual Heart Reach Australia Benefit Concert) followed by another in Canberra, closely followed by Sydney and then another Bridal show at Luna Park's Crystal Palace.

I've been honoured to be asked to play with Eminence Symphony Orchestra (http://www.eminenceonline.com/?q=about) so that is an up and coming project I'm really looking forward to.

All that aside, there have been things I've realised having met certain people, having experienced hardship, pain, hurt, happiness, failure and success all within the last month - everything happens for a reason. Some things are just out of your control whether good or bad. Even if you WANT to control it, it's out of your hands and your feelings take over. Whatever it is, you must be strong because that will pull you right through to that goal of yours. People around you may not have faith in you; some may be supportive all the way, some may try to cut you down by spreading foul things but a very wise teacher told me something once at a piano competition - 'you are a horse. And you have your ...whats the word...those things which covers the horses to keep them on track..yes, those. You have those on...and you gallop, you race, you keep your eye on the goal'. I, to this day, strong believe that. Headstrong. Heartstrong.

It's also really funny what you can get out of a shallow movie such as 'Confessions Of A Shopaholic' - it made me realise, you can go and buy all these things to make things seem better, but in the end, they are just things and if you have no one to share your life with, then what is it really worth? zilch in my books! I must say, retail therapy DOES work, but yes, it is only momentary....then it's back to the drill.

I leave you with a thought by A.Hamilton which I've been toying with the past few days: 'If you stand for nothing, you'll fall for everything'.

Signing out for now for an early night,
stay smiling!
gracious love,
Van-Anh

P.S I've jumped on the twitter bandwagon. You can twitter me @ www.twitter.com/vananhpianist :)

P.P.S Lest we forget...Have a safe Anzac Day weekend everyone.