Step by Step

A New Year

2011-12-30T17:05:00.000-08:00

2011

What a year. I spent the entire 2011 in another country. And what a life changing experience it has been!

People say the greater the risk, the greater the reward. The most important things I gained this year are confidence, stamina, tolerance, patience, the abilty to adapt to change and new people, embracing new cultures, and leadership. If I told you the story of how I gained all these great attributes you would be reading for days….because the journey has not always been easy. I had to say goodbye to people that I spent time with for months and formed bonds with, and then say goodbye within a matter of months…way too soon for me. I had to step out of my comfort zone on stage as well as in my personal life. I had to let love go and be away from family and friends back home. But I also found so much love around me and I gained new friends that have touched my life and will remain a part of me for a very long time. And I have a job that I really love!

2012

I am looking forward to 2012. After surviving 2011, I know that in 2012, anything is possible. I just have to set my goals and go for it! And trust that God will lead me where I am destined to be and send the right people to guide me along the way….as ALWAYS!!!

Happy New Year friends. Whoever reads this I wish you joy, peace, happiness, and prosperity.

Clips of my Singapore experience:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDQmneGCGsA&list=UUeqMrbDkYc3dIx76tkdneag&index=1&feature=plcp

Man Getting Down!!

2011-12-15T14:10:00.000-08:00

So I was out today running errands at a mall in Singapore. Then I noticed this man dancing and could not help stopping and watching him. He was getting down and had some serious moves. It just goes to show that if you set your mind to it and get creative, you can really make money. This is not the first person I've seen out at the mall. There's another older gentleman that sings and people leave him money daily. And his voice is really nice.

That takes guts! Some people can't work regular jobs so they have to make a way. You can either choose to sit on the couch or make a move like this man!

That's all for today.

Peace and Love,

Jael :)

Tough Choices-Career vs. Love

2011-09-27T14:38:00.001-07:00

Life is filled with tough choices. All of which can determine the type of life you're going to have.
This year, 2011, has been filled with major decisions for me. It's been a fulfilling year, even still. I've been in Singapore all year and it's had it challenges but overall many more highlights. The group I perform with opened for Ludacris and T-Pain this year, both of whom I'm big fans of. And I have grown tremendously as a performer. Most importantly, I am working, doing something I really love to do, and that is sing.

One of the hardest parts of this year though was letting go of a significant other. We tried to make it work in the beginning, but he couldn't take me being gone for so long, so he broke up with me. That was tough. So tough, that I almost went back home because I did not want him to leave me. Why am I writing this? Because, I need to get it out. I love what I do. But do I love it too much that I could not go back home to my boyfriend that I left in LA? I wish I had his support. But I do understand where he was coming from.

So, I'm really trying to stay focused while I am here. I have some exciting projects to look forward too here in Singapore and I have made some great friends!

I still think about him though. And I've tried dating again and that is hard too.

Just keeping it real.

Peace and Love,

Jael :)

Singapore

2011-01-09T09:54:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm experiencing the culture of Singapore now and performing here.

It's like nothing I've ever experienced before and I am enjoying this Chapter of my life.

I'll be able to tell you more soon. The people here are really nice and appreciate good music. I am recovering from the flu now. I was under the weather three days before now. I'm so glad that is over. I am so committed to staying healthy now. I don't wanna go through that again, especially when your family is not around to take care of you.

I hope everyone's New Year is turning out well so far. I like January b/c I always feel like I can start the year off fresh and with my best intentions to make it a prosperous year.

Well, stay tuned for more updates.

Peace and God Bless!

Jael :)

One of the best singing experiences-LA Dodgers

2010-09-25T23:47:00.000-07:00

Singing at the LA Dodger Game was one of the best experiences of my singing career. I know it may not seem like much, but to me, it was significant and a turning point. The song, itself is so important, especially right now with our troops holding it down for us. And just the fact, that someone gave me a chance. I audition and apply for many things, and I experience a lot of rejection. So when someone says yes, we want you, I don't take it for granted..EVER. This musical journey is filled with rewards, but also many many sacrifices (being far from family, job security, relationships) This year alone, has been tough. But in that moment, I felt like God was telling me, "I'm listening and I got you."

God Bless America

2010-09-25T01:06:00.000-07:00

Back in LA...back on the Grind

2010-05-17T22:33:00.000-07:00

I'm back in LA. I feel refreshed and ready to get back on the grind. I am still a bit tired though. I guess just getting back used to the time. I am preparing for 2 performances this week. I know it will be fun and I can exhale when it's over.

I think this is going to be a good summer for music. I finished my album and now I just have to get it mastered and start promoting it. Yes, even when you think you're done..there's still more to do. It's all a process.

Well, I have to be up early tomorrow.

Chow for now.

Best,

Jael :)

At Home

2010-05-12T14:50:00.000-07:00

Well, I must say this has been one of the best vacations that I've ever had.

I'm in Charleston, SC. I have been working on music and spending time with my family.

The weather has also been nice. It's good to get away from your normal routine and see other things and visit loved ones. We get so caught up in our lives that we forget about others. Not on purpose, but we all just get so busy..we barely have enough time for ourselves. I saw both my Grandmas. They look really good and their health is decent for now. Spent time with dad, we even hung out downtown one day. I played with my baby cousins, so many of my cousins just had babies within the past year. I wonder if I'll ever be ready for kids. I have a new respect for all the mothers out there. That's a job!!! And my family has been feeding me a lot, so I know I gained 10 pounds already.

I know it will fall off when I get back because no one cooks the way my family does in LA. Back to rabbit food!

I still have a couple more days, so I plan to enjoy them.

Peace out for now!

My Sunday

2010-04-18T18:57:00.000-07:00

I sang on the choir at church today. It was a really good service. We sang "They That Wait" by Fred Hammond. It was an upbeat song and the choir had a lot of energy and was gettin' down. We had to be there at 6:30a in the morning for the service that started at 7am. I was so sleepy, but when it was time the sing, the energy just came. Thank God! I like singing on the choir because I like the words in the songs. The more you say something out loud, or even sing it, the more you start to believe it, and the more it just kinda sticks with you. So being that we have to memorize these songs, I have the opportunity to memorize inspirational words that people write to remind me that I am not alone and that God is there looking out for me. For me, this is a good way to worship.

I am just chillin now. I plan to practice a song on the piano that I am trying to memorize. It's one of my original songs. But I need to find some grub first.

Well, I hope everyone had a good weekend. Back to the grind on Monday.

Peace and Love,

Jael :)

Youtube videos

2010-04-16T01:36:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I spent the whole day today with a brain crunch. I had a goal of uploading some performance videos to Youtube. It took several days to finish. I had to go through each tape, try to pick the best moments on stage, load them into the computer, edit, and upload them on Youtube. I finished yesterday, but it took me the whole day today to get over this brain crunch/headache.

But it was worth it. Because now it's done. And I can move on to something new.

I am glad the weekend is almost here. It has been a weird week. I have been feeling a bit homesick. But I'm trying to hold out on going home until our family reunion in July. Even though the cousins from New York never remember us after the reunion and I can't tell you any of their names either. It's like each city stays in their own click. Which defeats the whole purpose of a family reunion, right? Oh well. It's all good though. I'm excited anyway to see everybody, especially my Charleston peeps.

Well, until next time.

God bless,

Jael :)

My first blog

2010-04-07T22:37:00.000-07:00

I'm experiencing some major life changes right now. I took a leap of faith recently. I know these changes will help me become the person God meant for me to be. I have some great people in my life. I think it's so important to keep positive people around you. Because negative people will only try to bring you down to their level and they really don't want to see you happy if they're not.

I read a quote that states, "To a great extent, the people with whom you choose to associate influence the direction of your life." This is so true.

I've had a long day...so I won't write much now. I watched American Idol tonight. One of my favorite contestants, Big Mike, almost got kicked off, but was saved at the last minute. And Rihanna performed. I'm a fan of her..I love her image and I think she's a strong young lady.

Okay..bedtime..I have lots to do tomorrow.

Peace and Love,

Jael :)