Dreamchasers

Tonight I went to a benefit concert for my alma mater, MKHS.  Let me rephrase that…tonight I went to see Joseph Vincent perform.  I HEART JV.  As if my previous post wasn’t enough (Rhythm of Love), I must elaborate on my love for JV, Sonia and Sherwin.

You know how I’m into the bullet list thing, so here’s the timeline of the past few days…

Wednesday, 7/27

-       11:00PM – Found out that Joseph Vincent was performing in the 626!  What?!  Thank you, Twitter!

-      11:15PM – Ask Sherwin to go, but he says that he doesn’t really want to go…

-      11:20PM – Ask Wendy to go (because she’s a JV fan too), but she can’t go, has plans already

-      11:25PM – Ask Brandon to go (because he’s into striving Asian artists on YouTube), but he doesn’t really want to go either…

-      11:30PM – Ask Daddy to go (because he’s a JV fan also), but he and Mommy have a party to go to

-      11:35PM – Ask Hongie to go (because she’s Asian too and might like some of the artists), but she says she’ll pass

-      11:35PM – Decide that I’ll find someone to go with me, so I buy two tickets

-      12:00AM – Sleepytime!  Go to bed SUPER excited about the concert but wondering who else I could invite that might want to go…

Thursday, 7/28

-      11:00AM – Text Sonia to see if she would like to go to a concert with me
-      11:01AM – Sonia writes back saying that she’s in.  Then she asks, “who are we going to see?”

-      11:03AM – Explain to Sonia that it’s a benefit concert, but that this artist, Joseph Vincent, who I really like is performing, so I really want to go.

-      11:04AM – Sonia responds, “oh, the guy in the video on your blog, right?”  (I realize that she knows JV from my previous blog post, so I get excited that at least she knows who I’m talking about)

-      11:05AM – Sonia writes back (abridged version)…I don’t care who we’re seeing or what we’re doing, I just enjoy your company.

-      11:06AM – You ROCK, Sonia.  Love you girl…love that you’re so in and don’t even know the set list.  XOXO

-      11:07AM – Sonia invites Sherwin and I over for dinner, so we plan to go to the concert, then to her house for dinner.  Can’t wait. J

Saturday, 7/30 – CONCERT DAY!!!  EEeEeKkkKk!!

-      4:50PM – Arrive at Sonia’s to pick her up (running late, as always L)

-      5:15PM – Sherwin drops us off at the Barnes Park Amphitheatre

-      6:00PM – Concert starts!

-      6:30PM – Good act, but waiting for JV…

-      7:00PM – Still waiting for JV…

-      7:30PM – Still waiting...

-      8:00PM – JV makes a cameo with another performer (good duet, but still waiting for JV’s set)

-      8:15PM – JV HITS THE STAGE!!!!!!!!  SOOOO GOOD and definitely worth the wait!!!! J

The benefit concert was called “Dreamchasers.”  The acts were talented individuals who are striving for a successful career in their craft.  Many of them, if not all, are on YouTube and just working hard to live out their dream.  Their message, said a few times throughout the night, is to find something you love and are passionate about, and pursue it…chase your dream. 

I love and have passion for God, Sherwin, family and friends.  I’m constantly reminding myself to chase what God has planned for my life and to pursue a deeper relationship with Him.  I continue to chase and pursue life with Sherwin.  We kind of had a full day today and Sherwin took care of everything; (1)lawn chairs and (2)water bottles in an igloo, all packed in the trunk for the concert.  (3) Brought e-tickets.  (4)Dropped us off and picked us up from the concert.  (5) Brought dessert to Sonia’s for dinner.  I couldn’t ask for a better person to share the rest of my life with…love you, #1.  Love, love, love my family and am so grateful for friends.  Tonight, Sonia patiently sat for 3 hours +, shared in my excitement and anticipation for JV and also had her husband prepare a yummy dinner for us (and we were hours late because I didn’t realize the concert would be so long)!!  Sonia is also one of my BM’s and I am so thankful for her.  Sonia, I agree…it doesn’t matter what we’re seeing or doing, I love being with you. Thank your coming with me tonight, for sitting thru a 3-hour concert where you don't know any of the performers, for being an awesome BM (I can't belive you bought a book on how-to be a BM!), but most of all, for being the friend you are.  I couldn't imagine life without you; love you.

Sorry for the long post and for such sporadic entries.  I promise to try to get better.  So many life events to share, not enough time, but I hope there will be more to come soon!  Below are some pictures/videos from tonight.  Find what you love and are passionate about; then chase it relentlessly…enjoy! 

And my fave JV (original) song...

EeEkKKkk!!!

7 days and counting....CAN'T WAIT. :)

Hello Kitty Meets YogurtLand!!!

OMG!!!! Two loves in my life are joining forces!!! Can't wait until 7/21!!! See article below (thanks for the notice, Wendy!)!!

Hello Kitty gets a taste of Yogurtland!

7/14/11 - Alicia Kelso

Yogurtland has teamed up with Sanrio Inc., parent company of the iconic Hello Kitty brand, for a late-summer, limited-time promotion that includes an online/mobile sweepstakes.

 The promotion kicks off in Guam and Hawaii July 28, and in Mexico City on Aug. 4.Beginning July 21, and for the subsequent six weeks, Sanrio's Hello Kitty, My Melody, Keroppi and Chococat merchandise will be available at participating Yogurtland locations in the continental U.S.

The collectable, limited-edition, co-branded products include a Hello Kitty plush wearing the signature Yogurtland uniform, key chains, and T-shirts featuring all four characters. Retail prices will range from $3.50 for a key chain to $19.99 for a T-shirt.

Alexis Eldridge, vice president of marketing at Yogurtland, said the frozen yogurt chain was looking for a brand to partner with that was aligned with its demographics and business philosophies.

"Yogurtland and Sanrio are two synergistic brands with comparable business philosophies. Sanrio has legions of multi-generational fans (see, multi-generational...not just for kids :)) which align well with Yogurtland's fun and family-friendly environment," she said.

Janet Hsu, president of Sanrio Inc., added that the company's legion of brand loyalists meshes well with Yogurtland's atmosphere.

"This partnership is a perfect match since Sanrio and Yogurtland are two brands that foster creativity and innovation while maintaining the highest levels of quality," she said.

In addition to the collectible merchandise, each Yogurtland customer will receive a specially designed cup and one of four biodegradable collectible spoons featuring the Sanrio characters.

Finally, during the partnership, Yogurtland and Sanrio will also host a promotional sweepstakes for fans to enter for a chance to win special prizes. Fans can enter in-store with a QR code on a mobile phone device, or online.

The grand prize is a $1,000 shopping spree on Sanrio.com. Second prize is free frozen yogurt from Yogurtland for a year, and third prize is an exclusive Yogurtland/Sanrio gift card for the winner and 10 friends. The fourth prize winner gets a Hello Kitty Beach Cruiser bicycle.

Eldridge said there will also be exclusive offers just for the brands' social media fans via Facebook and Twitter.

"The partnership will provide Yogurtland guests additional opportunities to share their enthusiasm for both brands by taking home special collectable items that will be enjoyed by everyone in the family," she said. "We want to further build our brand equity, differentiate against the competitive set and obviously drive traffic for retail."

Founded in 2004 with headquarters in Anaheim, Calif., Yogurtland has more than 125 locations in the U.S., Japan, Mexico and Guam.

The brand was listed among Technomic's fastest growing chains in 2009, with a 157.7 percent sales growth.

Take me out to the ballgame...

Earlier today, Wendy invited me to the Dodger game. I’m not really a baseball fan, so I told her that if I went, the experience might be wasted on me but that I would happily go to spend time with her. I know that she could have gone with many others tonight, but I’m grateful that she chose to take me. The four of us, Wendy, Tom, Christopher, and I, enjoyed every minute of the night – yummie food in the VIP lounge (or whatever it’s called), Dodgers winning, and beautiful fireworks to end the night! Have a good weekend, all!

Oh, one more thing...my #1 was also at the game with friends for a bachelor party. Even though we didn't sit together, the fact that we were at the same place, at the same time, made the night even better. *sigh*...I LOVE that man (and my Samsung camera with super zoom)!

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

Hello again! 

I am so sorry that I’ve been MIA…it’s been a crazy few weeks and life has flown by.  I don’t even know where to start, so naturally, in true Leah fashion, here’s the month in bullet points (in rough chronological order):

• Made the final decision on the bridesmaid dresses – signed, sealed and delivered
• Met with our DJ – negotiations/contracts still pending, but have at least found the one!
• Had our first pre-marital counseling session - topic, family; next session, finances (yikes!)
• Road trip to San Jose – love, laughter, friends and family...priceless
• Dress arrived – ordered the wrong sash, now ordered the right sash, almost had a meltdown at the fitting  (FYI - meltdown not related to the sash, for all of you calling me the B word that rhymes with gorilla :P)
• Future in-laws (and Aunties) were in town – visited the Oneonta, Langham and had yummy Saladang dinner with both families
• RSVP’d for Macy’s Sip and Scan Registry Event – gotta love the Homestore at South Coast Plaza!
  

I’ve realized… life is crazy.  Life is busy, overwhelming, and hectic.  At the same time, life is wonderful.  Life is beautiful, precious, and amazing.  Life is love…

I am continually reminded of the blessings God has given me.  To all those who have loved, encouraged, and supported me – I am truly grateful and I love you.

I’ll try to get better at being a more consistent communicator.  Until then, here’s my current anthem.  Cheers to family and friends, to turning 30 and getting married, and an Amen to the phenomenal God who is orchestrating it all!