Thursday, December 30, 2010

goodbye 2010, bring on 2011

The new year creeps up on you doesn't it! Before you know it, it's another set of New Year resolutions you want to write. I usually want to write about 10, but this year, I think 5-7 would be more reasonable.
It's been a real year of setting up new things, getting rid of the garbage that was part of my life and really preparing for 2011. There were definitely a lot of firsts this year - going on and performing on a cruise, performing in stadiums as part of The Artisans, the formation of the Artisans, performing my crossover songs ...
All i can say is it's been a good year but 2011, BRING IT ON!!! I haven't been as happy as I have been this year ever, but i know 2011 will bring me even more joy! I can just feel it!
Spending NYE this year in Saigon and this will be beautiful!
Good luck to you all for 2011! May it be filled with happiness, joy, success, amazing friends and above all, good health! without health, you will be able to do nothing.
LOVE and GRACE,
Van-Anh xx

Maiden voyage

A blog i wrote whilst on the cruise....
Aloha lovelies!
No, I’m not in Hawaii but at the very top point of Australia, Thursday Island. On a Tuesday that is! There’s also Friday Island which was directly across from is. I’m doing my first ever cruise show and I have to say, I’m pleasantly pleased and surprised. You hear stories of cruises all the time, good and bad but this has been such a pleasant trip so far!
I embarked in Darwin and I must say the flight from Melb – Adelaide – Darwin was less than pleasant. It was horrific actually. Having done a few shows in Melbourne (which was frickin awesome having the opportunity to perform at the Netball and Hockey Centre in a 360 degree stadium!), I had about 8 hours of sleep over 3 days. What was the result of that was throwing up 5 times in those flights. I was horrified because I had heard about seasickness and all that jazz and had not prepared ANYTHING. I was throwing up before I even got ONTO the damn ship! Having said that, when I got to Darwin, I wasn’t throwing up at all and my stomach had settled. It must have been some virus or just pure tiredness.
As I stepped on the liner, it was beautiful. Lights, just like a luxury hotel! It’s got everything from a library, net café (which is ridiculous because it’s 50c a minute!), spa/pool, observation lounge on Deck 10, multiple bars and check this, 24 hour room service with unlimited food and drinks everywhere. And my suite has a piano in it to practice on!! MAN I could live like this – getting fat and playin’ music. And yes, all gluten free available too!
I was super nervous before my 1st show but the crowd was wonderful and so supportive and truly enjoyed it – word has spread and they are totally coming tomorrow night for my 2nd and last show too on the Silversea Shadow where I will disembark in Cairns!
Everyone on the cruise is so lovely and really enjoying themselves (as if you wouldn’t when you have such fine cuisine!) It’s super humid at this end of the world. Some people I’ve met at total cruise-a-holics! They continually travel. A lady who is blind had travelled for 20 years on the Silverseas. When she spoke to me and asked me my name at the dining table, I was like ‘Van-Anh’ and she asked ‘are you of Dutch descent?’. I was a little surprised but then she said she was blind and it all made sense. The ‘van’ part. She had been travelling for so long that she walked around without a walking stick because she knew where everything was! Amazing!
There’s people from everywhere – Canada, USA, South Africa, quite a few from Australia. I’m surprised I hadn’t gotten seasick but it’s been really calm. Raining every afternoon just like in Asia.
Anyways, I should really sign off for now. 11 sleeps til xmas! WOOTTTT!!!
With smiles and grace from the seas just off Thursday Island,
Van-Anh xx

Friday, December 3, 2010

Moving on ...

Gosh it's been a while and before you know it, 22 sleeps til Xmas! How it strikes so quickly! Quite the ridiculous if you ask me. Having said that, my spontaneous shopping has paid off because I've got presents down pat ... And god bless online shopping :)
What a week! Moving studios to a beautiful place, settling in all the students and parents, playing at 4 concerts, packing up, unpacking, organising and repacking my life for the next 2 weeks!
The Artisans Melbourne debut is Dec 9th at Spencers Live! 419 Spencer St melbs! Tickets at the door for $20 so c'mon down folks :) it will feature our lead singer Thanh Bui, drummer James Jennings, bassist Brendan Clark, guitarist James Manson and myself on keys playing all of our original stuff with an EP set for release mid Feb 2011!!
Of course surrounding all of this is the International Artist Academy Melbourne showcase at The Cubby House Sunday 5th Dec.
Then, my first cruise show!!! Really don't want to get seasick (please please please!!!)

For now, adios because beauty sleep calls.
Love and grace,
- smiling at life from my iPhone :)
Van-Anh
 

Tickling the ivories Copyright © 2011 -- Template created by O Pregador -- Powered by Blogger