Dreams Do Come True When You're Me!

There we were, me, Michelle, Ryan, Joe, and Jen, walking up the road that lead to the greatest concert of my life that I posted about here in April. I already was expecting the best night ever, but little did I know that things could get even better. As avid Pearl Jam fans, we got there plenty early and it paid off more than we could know. As we were walking and talking, a woman came down the road shouting, "Does anyone have a single ticket?!". I heard her, but was in mid-conversation with Michelle. Luckily, her cousin Ryan responded and said, "She does!" while pointing at me. Before I even turned to look at the stranger, she had grabbed my hand and told me to come with her. She literally began running up this hill. I said, "Ok! Where are we going?". We didn't get very far before she stopped in front of a big man wearing all black and a mic attached to his shirt. Next to me a woman was saying that this is Eddie Vedder's bodyguard and he's upgrading tickets. I did what I thought was needed and told the man I had a single ticket. He said that he needed two tickets in order to trade. The woman who had grabbed me chimed in immediately and said, "We're together!", so I followed her lead and said, "Oh, yes, we are together!" He asked for us to hand over our purchased tickets and in exchange handed us two FRONT ROW tickets to the concert. I was somewhat skeptical at first, thinking, is this a scam? Another fan that was next to me must've seen my skeptical face, because she confirmed it was real, telling me that the same thing happened to her last night in LA and to enjoy great seats. I looked down at the ticket in my hand and saw "Row 1" and looked up in shock at the stranger who I had to thank for this, asking, "Is this for real?!" I literally had chills. Me and Michelle, so happy!

She said, "Yes! We just got front row tickets to see Eddie Vedder! I know I don't know you but, thank you for letting me grab you!" I thanked her in return for doing so. She introduced herself as Sara and a friendship of a lifetime was formed. The friends I came with had followed me and also traded in their tickets for front row. We were all stunned and so happy and couldn't believe out luck. We all were anxious to check out our seats, and mine was dead center stage. I couldn't have been more front row and center.

The stage. And notice how the front row has a cluster of people already seated? Yeah, we were a little excited to already sit down, I'd say.My shadow is on the right. I sat down in disbelief and pure joy. And there was so much more to come.

Glen Hansard, my second (very close second) favorite musician opened for Eddie. I've seen this man perform multiple times and know all his Swell Season songs. He only played six songs total, but they were perfect. I sang along to the ones I knew (he did some covers I did not know the words to). He looked at me and smiled several times and it made my day. I was THAT close! Close enough to make eye contact and know it. Ha.

Moving on to the main man of the hour. Eddie came out and played the first three tracks of his new "Ukulele Songs" album in order, which I promptly and gladly sang along to, but was careful not to sing too loud to not annoy my neighbors (I'm a considerate fellow fan). Upon finishing the third song titled "Without You" Eddie got up from his stool and walked toward the front of the stage. I don't recall what it was that prompted me to get out of my seat and walk towards him. It's all sort of a blur. Maybe it was the simple fact that he had something in his hand and was obviously moving forward to give it away. So, I stood up and moved toward him (seriously felt like an out-of-body experience), and others on the front row followed my lead. By now Eddie was at the edge of the stage and reached out. I started to raise my hand towards his, and I could see out of my peripheral vision that other hands were rising up to meet his. What he did next is embedded in my mind forever. He distinctly, but slightly, seemed to shake his head at others' hands higher than mine and motioned/pointed his hand at me, non-vocally saying, "This is for her". In a state of pure denial, I reached up at his hand and he passed his guitar pick into mine. He turned to walk back to his stool and I returned to my seat, savoring the moment when I actually touched Eddie Vedder!

My new friend Sara added to the experience as she turned to me and said, "Oh my God! That was so for YOU!! How awesome!" I think she even congratulated me, and then repeated, "That was so for you!" I loved her even more in that moment. I think I said something in response, but can't recall what it was, I was just stunned. Michelle came over to hug me after the sweet exchange and I got a fist bump from Joe for it. It made me feel even happier that everyone around me was stoked for me. For the next few songs, I held that pick tightly in my hand. Eddie played for two hours and Glen joined him on a few songs, namely, "Sleepless Nights" and "Falling Slowly". I couldn't believe what I was witnessing. The two of them, on stage together, singing...my mind was about to explode.

At the very end of the show, the security guard walked by the front row, motioning everyone to get up and come up to the stage. He went by so quickly, though, and no one was watching him because we were watching Eddie. But as he passed me I saw him continuing to motion us up, so me and a few others began to move forward and the rest of the row followed. We got to be up against the stage for the last song or two. His second to last song was "Hard Sun" from the movie soundtrack "Into the Wild", and the stage background became this blue sky full of white clouds. At that moment, I literally felt like I was in heaven. Eddie got the signal from the stage crew that he could play one more song, and he chose "Dream a Little Dream", which again, solidified my heaven-like state of mind.

The whole thing, from start to finish, felt like a dream. But it was very real and I have a guitar pick to prove it. And 3,999 witnesses.

Back story: If you're reading this, thinking, "This girl is a little obsessed," know that Pearl Jam is the band I've always considered the first real band I ever liked as a pre-teen/teen (post my childhood Amy Grant and NKOTB phase), and I have stayed an avid fan all these years. My answer to the question, "Who is your all-time favorite band" has been and always will be PEARL JAM.

Hiatus

I'm back!!!

I took the month of June off from posting because, frankly, June was extremely uneventful. I did move back to Las Vegas after being gone for five years, which is pretty huge. This is the photo I had to capture after getting off the plane:


Home, sweet home. But besides that, I got nothin' to share about June.

Wait!

I'm so wrong! I met all of my babies!!! Well, both of my beautiful baby boy nephews and Meleah's sweet baby girl. I have plenty of photos of them, but I'll just share a few:


Behold! Forrest and Lucas!!

And, sweet baby girl Genevieve


I love them all so much!!! It's so much fun being around all these babies, but it's also sure making me want one. I need to get on that...eventually.

I'm currently in LA with my parents. We saw Les Miserables last night. It was so good! We all love the story and characters and music. Beautiful. My parents head back today, but I get to stay the holiday weekend! I'm so excited. I'm staying with my friend Kristen in Orange County and we're gonna go to parties and the beach and have girl talk! Yay!

Back to the Beach

I haven't been posting lately for good reason. I've been here


the last six days. Yes, a week in a beach-front house. In North Carolina, to be exact. I've met a lot of cool people that have stayed here, too, and all we pretty much have done is hang out in our swimsuits all day and party at the beach or pool. I actually boogie-boarded today! First time in years, and it was so fun! The water temperature was so comfortable and the waves were perfect.

More on the week later.

That's It

I can't complain about my last few days in New York. I took it easy and mostly just ate out with friends and relaxed. I snapped a few random last shots as I said goodbye:

I just became the owner of a new weekender bag with a giraffe print like this woman's purse. Oh, and that was my last subway ride.


Last view of my school.


I have the answer to this question.


NYPD, hard at work.


Random, weird band, also hard at work.


Sweet little Ava (aka: Spider(wo)man).


Last meal at Cafe Lalo (famous from "You've Got Mail").


Last glimpse of CP, in the cab on the way to the airport.


It's been a good ride, New York. Until we meet again!

One More Late Night

I went to see a live taping of "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" yesterday.


While I was there I realized it was one year ago this month the last time I went to that show when Meleah and Chance were visiting. I should make it a yearly tradition, because, after all, the month of May is one of the best times to come here, and I love being a visitor in New York City, I've decided.

I'm in pure bliss when I act as if I'm a tourist and not a resident. But that has not been my reality, hence, my "relatively neutral" feelings about NYC. Abby shared with me the existence of a book titled, "I Feel Relatively Neutral About New York" and here's the awesome cover:
She said it reminded her of me. Ha. I just may have to buy it. But again, my neutrality only applies, I think, to when I live here. I'll be back to visit and will love it again like I once did. I choose to come to school out here, after all! There was a reason behind that choice.

Eat, Shop, Shop, Eat

Last week was so much fun! I got to spend a few days with both my parents, and we went to a few food markets, because I knew my dad would enjoy them. My mom and I enjoyed them, too, but lets face it--I wanted to make sure he enjoyed himself somewhat the little time he was here. And knowing he would not care to do anything touristy or "New York", food markets it was. Then after my dad left it was just me and my mom for three days! We basically planned out our days according to where we were going to eat that day. We had a list and made sure we crossed them all off! We stopped in between to do a little shopping and sight-seeing, too. But yeah, mostly it was a food tour of NYC.
Wall-to-wall green in Central Park!
This spot was so beautiful. I had never been to this part of the park before. Glad I got to discover it before leaving.
The good ol' Jackie O. reservoir. One of my favorite views in all the city.
My last slice of New York pizza!!!! We did much, much more than these few photos show and had so much fun! I was reminded that I love being a tourist in the city and not a resident. Boy, I'm going to love coming back here to visit!

Graduation Day

These days I'm too preoccupied with the fact that I am soon leaving this city, so I haven't been on the computer much at all. But here are some photos from graduation!!Me and my classmate Germika (aka Superwoman!). I met her in the very beginning of the program at orientation. Same story with Jae, too. They are two of the few friends I made in school, yet, we never had classes together.

The rain stayed back while at Yankee Stadium. And Bill Clinton did a fine job on his speech (even my dad said so!).
My parents and I went straight from Yankee to my social work school ceremony at Avery Fisher Hall. It was just in time, too, because the rain started to fall.My mom has a few better pictures of this day, but I don't have access to them. It was a long, but great day and I'm so happy my parents were there to share it with me!!

Mom in NYC

My mom and Me at the end of our last day together in the city:


We've had a wonderful time these last few days, post graduation day. Once she is gone, and I have no one to hang out with anymore, I'll post more about what we've done.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

This is what the forecast shows for the week:


Insane. What are the odds that the one week my parents are here for my graduation it's supposed to rain EVERY SINGLE DAY. But so far, it hasn't been as bad as it sounds. Just an overcast, drizzle-type day. Let's hope tomorrow is the same. It's the big day!!! Now, it'd be nice if my professors would just post my grades already! Sheesh.

Yankees!

I got a sneak peek last week where my graduation is going to take place. Yankee Stadium!!!





I got so excited walking up and seeing the field. It was a church activity and was a lot of fun just to hang out.


Below is me and my roommate:


We sat in the bleachers and for the cheap seats, they weren't half bad. I splurged and got an ice cream that came in a cool souvenir cup!


It was freezing outside, but a really cute, nice guy let me wear his jacket. He also shared sunflower seeds and peanuts with me. I'm starting to care again about guys and dating. I really haven't since I've been in school. I'm waiting till I get home to do that, though. We shall see.

It's Real

Ticket in hand:


It's official...I'm in! You can't get THIS far, right, without having passed?! I've already checked for final grades twice, but they're not posted, yet. I wasn't worried about passing class, really...but just the reality of it all hasn't sunk in just yet, that I am done, never to return to academia again. It was a surreal moment, sitting in my last class, trying to soak it in and appreciate it. I actually finished grad school in the same exact classroom where I began, two years ago. I'm probably the only one in the world that would notice such a thing, or even care about it. But I thought it was pretty cool. It shows you how sentimental and observant I am.

Yesterday I got my hair cut at a salon that specializes in curly hair, and my hair feels great! It pretty much looks the same, cause it always does. Afterward, I picked up my graduation cap and gown rental for the big day, one week from today. Here's a sneak peek!


Now I just need everyone I know to pray for good weather for next week. It says it's supposed to rain every day! Oh boy.

Catchin' Up

Withing the last week or two I've been able to see and spend time with good ol' friends that have made their way to NYC for various reasons. First, Emily! She just graduated, too! We met up several times and ate and shopped and it was fun!
Following her visit, I got to see one of my friends, Alliy, who was a mission companion of mine. She stayed with me, which allowed for us to really catch up. Below we're at her booth at the trade show she was here for.
This was Friday, or better known as "the day of freedom," and I celebrated well, as you can see below. One of only a small handful of 7-Elevens in the New York City area, and I'm glad I came across it that day. Hits the spot! On Saturday I took a spontaneous trip down to Coney Island with another friend I needed to catch up with (though I failed to get her picture). I doubt I would've made my way there before I move away, so I'm glad I went. The pictures speak for themselves:
And the weekend ended (or the week began) with a lovely birthday party gathering in Sheep's Meadow in Central Park.I took my time getting out of there on the way home, and it was so peaceful.I saw ducks and turtles and flowers and lakes and bridges...I even saw a Red Cardinal! It was wonderful.

My Mother

Where to begin...My mother is my best friend. She is my support, my constant. She is patient with me when I call her and do nothing but complain. She never gets angry at me when I cut her off in conversation so that I can speak what's on my mind, rather than listen to what's on hers. My mother is so giving, she is willing, and always has been, to send me anything and everything I've needed while living far away and on my own, from California to Costa Rica, from Utah to New York, at whatever cost. She is realistic, not idealistic, in her thinking when I come to her with a concern or problem, which I appreciate. She is honest and gives all her time to her children and their children (just ask my dad). She spends lots of time with him, too, and demonstrates patience, even when he can be cranky and frustrating. She taught me to always say my prayers by kneeling beside me throughout my childhood, every night.I am grateful every single day, and every hour, for being blessed with a wonderful, kind, and loving mother. When I hear others complain about their mothers or say they aren't that close with theirs, or that they don't talk to theirs that often, I cannot relate. I don't understand.

My mother is the greatest blessing in my life.I love you, mama.Happy Mother's Day.