oday is my mom’s 60th birthday.  I can’t believe my mom is 60!  It’s incredible how much the concept of being “60″ has changed over the years.  60 is definitely the new 50.  I’ve been reflecting on my mom’s birthday a lot the past month or so, much the same way I’m sure parents do with their children.  I have come to the conclusion that I have the best mom in the world.  I’m sorry to everyone else’s mom, and I mean no offense, but my mom is just… THE best.  Not that I’m biased of course…

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am currently taking a sociology class at UCLA.  The reading and the class discussions so far are absolutely thrilling (the last class was especially exciting when a student had to be removed from class by campus police, but I digress…).  So just as I was in the middle of doing one of my readings from a book called “Emotional Intelligence” by Daniel Goleman, I heard about the earthquake in Haiti.  At first, I didn’t realize the extent of the impact.  Then I turned on the TV, and the news was showing a before and after shot of the capitol building in Port-au-Prince.  I couldn’t believe it.  The place was completely destroyed.  It made me think about how I would feel if I saw the White House like that.  How disconcerting to see the building which represents the center of your country completely decimated.

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“…it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

hat was a quote inscribed on a gift that my mom gave me for Christmas.  I love it, and it’s probably one of the most important things that I not only came to understand, but learned how to ENACT in 2009.

What a mixed bag 2009 was!  I had some fantastic moments in my career.  I sang for the Dodgers not once but twice.  I performed at LA Pride.  I worked on a new project with fantastic producers, remixers, writers, and managers, and 2010 will start off with a bang as that project finally makes its way to the ears of the listening public.  I started singing with my church choir and that has opened so many doors professionally AND personally.

Not to say that 2009 didn’t have its low points………. but the last quarter of this year made me feel really proud of myself.  It proved to me that every day is indeed a new day, and a new chance to pick yourself up.  I’m starting to learn better resiliency skills.  I’m learning to expand my horizons.  My class at UCLA was such an eye-opener as far as showing me that there are many dimensions to life, and to me (I’m taking another class starting next week!).  I also learned that happiness isn’t dependent on where you are or what you’re doing… as spacey and new-agey as it may sound, happiness truly is a state of mind.

To sum it up, I am ending 2009 happier than when it started.  So 2009 – I consider you a success!

I wish you all the best in 2010.

had a really nice Thanksgiving.  Nothing especially eventful happened, but I had some really humbling moments that made me feel extremely grateful for the life that I have.

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was so busy this weekend! Friday started a marathon of things to do (including fighting off what I think could have turned into the flu or a really nasty cold). It was crazy — but instead of feeling drained and dreading Monday, I feel energized. Read the rest of this entry »

et me express once again how much I am thoroughly enjoying my Psychology class.  It seems that every week I have an “ah-ha!” moment, and I’m genuinely so fascinated and focused on all of the topics we’ve discussed.  People are so infinitely interesting to me – I feel absolutely rapt while learning about the many aspects of Psychology and the human condition.

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