Open....

Hi All....

How are you guys?

Oh the main picture is the sunset outside my living room window this past Friday...

Well, I'm back. I sincerely apologize for not updating like I usually do. Things were happening and so blogging was one of the last things on my mind. I know that is bad but that is what happened. I've been going through some personal things that had me going through some motions.

Anyhoo, I had to go to NYC for work for 1 week. You would think I would be happy but I wasn't. Additionally, when I got there I simply wanted to go back to DC to my girls. But when I got there, i still felt incomplete somehow. But I do know why...

Anyhow.....

It is official. I have raised the money I need to go to Madrid! Yay!!! Now the issue is when I would go. Well based on what happens in US politics, in particular OBAMA, I will set my leave date. If OBAMA becomes the Democratic nominee, then I will stay here at least up till the elections then leave in January. If/When OBAMA wins the Presidency, I will stay here until inauguration day which is January 20, 2008 then leave.

Decisions!!!

Bad news...I am not competing in the belly dance competition on May 18. I registered too late. :( I've been rehearsing hardcore since December and it majorly sucks that I can't compete simply because I registered late and it is sold out. I found out last Thursday. I was so heart wrenched which worsened the state I was in regarding some personal stuff. Oh well....I will try to perform at a 3 day belly dance showcase in New Jersey in June but that is also sold out. However, there is a much stronger chance I can perform. We'll see how it goes...

So for the showcase in May. I decided I will perform 2 pieces. The first one is my song "Rise" which I've been working on relentlessly. I still have not added lyrics yet! Anyhow, I've started to make way on that. I don't know why it's been difficult to write. It is a pop/rock number. It is not the one that is currently on ITunes. It is a complete different song.

The second piece will be a flamenco tango piece I've been working on. I'm excited about this one too. It is several worlds away from "Rise" which will be fun to perform. These are 2 complete different voices. Funny...I feel so much more at ease singing flamenco then my pop/rock stuff that I create....

I've been living multiple lives the past couple of years as I've pursued my music career, work for this nonprofit as Director of Development (a title I just got...), and working at a law firm working crazy hours. My music has suffered drastically but I have to pay the bills.

I've realize that music/art, in particular my singing, is what will make me live life.. I ache so much when I don't sing. My vocal teacher and I tried to do a session over speakerphone while I was in New York because I just couldn't bear it anymore.

Anyhow, I won't make this too long.


I'm leaving you guys with a video of what has become my favorite song of all time. it is by the Colombian singer Leonor Dely. I received this video today as a gift from a friend of mine. She knew how much I loved this song and I was shocked that she remembered me to send me this video.

This song is titled "Invocation" (Ya Baha'u'l-Abha). A friend, a Baha'i, told me this song is about devoting yourself to Baha'u'l-Abha. I believe Ya Baha'u'l-Abha means "O Glory of the Most Gloriest." Leonor Dely is part of the Baha'i Faith. She takes Bahá'u'lláh's words/scripture and puts it into music and then this masterpiece comes out.

I am not part of the Baha'i faith, however, the music makes me feel I am part of the beauty that is Leonor's spirit thus the Baha'i spirit. I say this because the couple of people I know who are Baha'i are a couple of the most beautiful beings I have ever met, inside and out. My one Baha'i friend told me it makes him cry when he hears this piece. When I heard this I felt so much more connected to them as a person because they didn't know that my spirit flies whenever I listen to this gem.

Music does this...it trully connects the human spirits and peace is met for those few moments..

When I first saw this video earlier today, it made me cry because the beauty of Baha'i Temple which is shown here with the song in the background was just so overwhelming for me. I think also because of the personal things I've been going through, seeing this video with the music set the tone for me to cry... to release.. it felt good and painful at the same time....

I've been watching this video on repeat since I got it this afternoon! :)

Such a powerful piece if you just immerse yourself in the music with an open mind...

Although I don't practice the Baha'i faith, this song is also a positive song for me. It is about surrendering yourself to the positive, to life, to whatever sets your spirit to fly...whatever that may be...it's about unity...the oneness of you and life, the universe, the spirit...


I am so happy and proud that I am an open individual. I may not believe or practice a particular way of life but I am open and capable of seeing the beauty that is within us all...I hope i will remain this way or become that much more open if possible....

Anyhow...please listen to this gem...


AVIANA

P.S. Leonor Dely & Millero Congo with "Invocation" (Ya Baha'u'l-Abha).

P.S.S. Doesn't my picture fit the song?...methinks so.. :)