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Just follow me there and you’ll make me smile ♥.

indie music at its best!

I love music. I do not, cannot spend a day without listening to music. I never leave for work without my Zune mp3 player on my bag. I love listening to music that contains good message and has greats music sounds. I listen all type of music; classical (I’m a pianist), jazz, blues, rnb, rock, French, country (Shania Twain), Korean, folk, and Christian. As you may know I’m a Christian or what I like to call myself; a “Jesus freak”. But I have a big problem with Christian music; it’s all the same and there’s no originality.  About 5 yrs ago I was given a soundtrack called “A walk to remember” and that’s how my love for Christian music started. I listen to a band called Switchfoot on the  soundtrack and I was amazed to know that they served the same God I did  because I didn’t know Christian music could be this good. After I started to buy albums by Christian artists such as Barlow Girl, Sixpence none the richer and Jennifer Knapp. After a few yrs Switchfoot became mainstream and their music sucked. I got bored of listening to the same albums and decided to take the path of discovering good Christian music. After yrs of searching I finally found what I was looking for.Here’s a list and believe me; you will be amazed too. Here are my top indie christian artists. Even if you don’t listen to christian music, one word of advice? Still listen to it cause it will blow you away.

” All the glory when He took our place, but He took my shoulders and He shook my face and He take and He takes and He takes” – Casimir Pulaski day

Favorite album by Sufjan Stevens: Seven Swans

Favorite Sufjan Stevens songs: To be alone with you (click to link to watch video), A good man is hard to find, Come on! feel the Illinoise!

1. Sufjan Stevens: discovering Sufjan Stevens was like finding a hidden treasure behind your backyard. And you feel really stupid afterward cause you repeatedly ask yourself how come you weren’t aware of this treasure. I discovered him in an MSN.com article on indie Christian music. Since I was fed up of the current Christian music (no creativty just similarity) I figured I had nothing to lose on checking him out. This guy is pure gold; his lyrics portrait a man who longs to know more and serve his God. Instead of declaring how much Jesus rocks Sufjan prefers to tell stories with a whole of creativity and so different than what you hear in Christian music these days. You will be blown away, I pinky promise.

“You are the anti-curse, death going in reverse, and I’ll love you to the very end” – The very end

Favorite album of Derek Webb: The Ringing Bell

Favorite song of Derek Webb: The end/the very end,What matters more (click on link to watch/listen to song)

Psst.. little secret: you can download the “Ringing Bell” album for free at : www.noisetrade.com

2. Derek Webb: I love his approach to Christianity. This guy is aware of what is happening in churches today and the christian world and he’s not afraid of  to say it out loud; the negative and the postitve. Let me tell you something about Mr. Webb; a lot of people don’t like him, especially Christians. In a song he wrote called “Wedding dress” Derek claimed that Christians are “whore” cause the church who’s supposed to be God’s bride has become adulterous, selfish, greedy. The churches prefers the lies of the world instead of the life given to us by Christ. I don’t know why people made such a big deal with the word “whore”! It’s metaphor! I guess people really need to register to Creative Writing courses! The Ringing Bell is a worthy album especially if you love the whole end 60’s early 70’s rock era just like me!

“At last my voice will joined with a thousand others one sweet chorus all of us singing hallelujah!” – The Spirit

Favorite album of Gileah and the Ghost train: their self-titled first album

Favorite song of Gileah and the Ghost train: The Emergency

3. Gileah and the Ghost train: I really love this band.  Their music are folk, so you will enjoy this album if your kind of music is Cat Power and  Sixpence non the richer. Beautiful music that makes you think at the time.  When I listen to their self-titled album I always think of myself being a princess in a imaginary world singing lullabies to birds and other animals and teaching them about the beauty of God. Yeah, I know I’m weird. Just buy this album will you? Pinky promise me!

Gileah and the Ghost train – The Light Princess

“oh bread of life, oh bread of life I will be healed and come Christ, Christ is my hope” – Christ is my hope

Favorite song of The Innocence mission: hum, can’t answer. Too  many…ok made my decision; Bright as yellow, No storm come

Favorite album of The Innocence mission: Christ is my hope

4. The Innocence mission: Don Peris and Karen Peris met at Catholic school with friends in the 80’s and soon became  The Innocence Mission.  Karen’s voice is indescribable. When she sings it’s like her voice will break at any second, but it never truly does. Her and Don Peris (her husband) creates beautiful music that never gets old. I discovered them through a song the band did that was covered by Sufjan Stevens (who’s  #1 on my list) called “The Lakes of Canada“  which is an amazing cover B.T.W. My favorite album of The Innocence mission is “Christ is my hope” which contains original songs of the band and hymns. Amazing album that even the Angels I bet would be impressed with.

Video: The Innocence Mission ” The Brotherhood of man” from the album “We walked in song”

” Up on a mountain Our Lord is afraid Carrying all the mistakes we have made” – Up on a mountain

Favorite song of the Welcome Wagon: Deep were His wounds, and red, Up on a mountain (click on link to watch video)

Favorite Album of the Welcome Wagon: Welcome to the Welcome Wagon (their first album)

Psst… little secret: to play along with the band’s music, find guitar chords on: www.asthmatickitty.com/the-welcome-wagon

5.  The Welcome Wagon: Similar to The Innocence mission; the band is contained of  a married couple Monique and  Thomas Vito Auito  who are based in Brooklyn, NYC. Vito is a pastor of a Prestybian church which is actually the church where Sufjan Stevens attends.  Sufjan is the one who actually produced the album and they are signed to Sufjan’s label. Therefore, they are similarities in Sufjan’s albums and the Welcome Wagon album. Still, the album is pretty good. The album contains original songs, hyms and a cover of the Velvet Underground’s “Jesus”. I brought their album on vinyl (I’m an oldie) a few months ago and I constantly listen to it. Amazing album

Favorite album of Jon Foreman: Spring and Summer

Favorite song (s) of Jon Foreman: In my arms (click on link to watch video), Revenge, March (prelude to Spring), House of God, forever, Moon is a magnet

6. Through the years I had extremely become disappointed with Switchfoot. What had happen to them since they joined Sony? Since they had join forced with Sony; I felt like they lost their unique touch and had become like every other band. They had failed me. Therefore, I wasn’t interested in hearing news from them. By mistake I ended up last autumn in a site that talked about Jon Foreman solo record. At first, I wasn’t interested in what he had to offer, but I gave myself a try. Jon Foreman only had 30 second to impress me. It took him 29 seconds for Jon to completely change my thoughts. In Jon Foreman’s 4 EP’s I had the Switchfoot I loved and enjoyed.The four EP’s  Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring are  each excellent albums. Each season symbolizes different meaning which are evident in each album.  I know it can’t help paying the bills, but I wish Jon would just go solo.

So my readers, I know it’s been long !So sorry if it was too long for y’all! But please, whether you’re Christian or non-Christian; still listen to it cause it will blow your mind away! And then come back to my blog and tell me what you think!I want to read all your comments

P.S Each of the albums cited above cannot be found in Christian bookstores; so just go to your biggest music store to find all the album!

a little girl who lost her daddy.

I didn’t watch the memorial cause I pretty much didn’t want to. But what captured my attention(it’s all over the net) and I am pretty sure the whole world is: Paris Katherine Jackson. Near the end of the memorial Michael Jackson’s daughter Paris gave a  37 seconds speech that left everyone who watched it in tears and deeply moved. The whole world knew Michael Jackson as an pop icon, but we often forget that Michael was most importantly a father.

Brave little girl.

Sleepless nights and a soldier at a future war

Sigh.The week is finally over and I am worn out! I have started a new job and it requires me getting up everyday during the week between 4h30am-5h00am. My body isn’t used to this kind of hard labor which results me having no social life. None, at all. Well, I never really had one to begin with. My ultimate goal for the weekend was me resting in bed eating bread with Nutella watching the Korean drama “City Hall” starting my favorite Korean actress Kim Sun Ah (the leading actress of My lovely Sam Soon). However, my mother made plans without my consent  for us to go our recently deceased cousin apartment to take her stuff. Geez, not how I want to spend my Saturday morning! Thanks mother.

“Remind me why I love you again, mom?” I ask her

“Because you’re my only daughter and I almost died while giving birth to you and your brother” she grins

” Do you have a better reason?” I ask her reminding myself how she always uses the same excuse, every single time!

” Because when you didn’t have a job; I lend you money. Multiple times” she answers back to me.

Silence.

She laughs like a 6 year old . And I feel like a total loser

My punishment? Do it her way.

Case closed.

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As the season til Korea is coming very soon; I am getting myself prepared. I have brought a ” Korean for beginners” book and after practicing, I can proudly say ” Jeonun Marie-iyeo” (which translate to I am Marie!). Pretty impressive. It is very important for me to learn how to speak Korean before I enter the beautiful Korean land! I’ve read so many stories of people living in Korea who quickly got infected by the “Homesick blues” because  they couldn’t communicate with Koreans.N either did they fully prepare themselves for the big change of area code .As  soldiers preparing for war; I am preparing myself physically, mentally and most important spiritually for my leaving and arrival in Korea.. But, I sadly fear it is not enough. You see my readers (if I have any!) despite the fact that I may/do speak Korean, listen to the K pop music, know the dramas, and drink soju; I believe that the color of my skin will be a barricade in Korea. In truth, times have indeed changed; still Korea remains a narrow-minded society when it comes to racial prejudice. Now, I am not saying that ALL Koreans are racist cause it is not the truth at all. But what I saying it that Korea is an Asian country; therefore, they aren’t many black people and biracial people of African/Black descent  in Korea nor in other Asian countries. Because I love Korea so much I wish I could hug every Korean I see in the streets. I am a very nice and approachable person, but because of the racial prejudice in Korea towards black people I am afraid that my skin color will be a motive for them to ignore me, judge me, put me down, not talk to me and not want to be friends with me. Because of the involvement of Americans in the Korean war; Caucasians are considered like gods in Korea. Black people? I don’t want to imagine how they perceive us. Racism exists all over the world. When people make racism comments at me in Canada I get over it  quickly because I find consolation in the knowledge that I am not alone in this racial war and the Word of God gives me might . But in Korea, when people will make racism comments at me; who’s going to be my refuge? (other than Jesus), where will I find the ONLY comfort food that can cheer up my sad soul? Where will I find a person who’s also struggling with racism just like me? Where can a stranger find refuge if everything is strange/foreign to him/her? I am afraid that in Korea I will feel like an alien who’s not part of the human race. Why? Because Korea isn’t my land. I am a Canadian who can pass for an American. I am an Haitian girl who can pass for and Indian. But I can’t pass for a Korean. I could have been born and raised in Korea, but I could never BE Korean. What makes a Korean Korean? Is it the color of his/her skin? Or is it the history and culture of its country that runs through his/her veins?  My sentimental heart is what frightens me. My heart possesses so much love for Koreans;  will it be crushed by them?

I leave you with a video of Korean-American hip hop singer called Tasha. Her full name is Natasha Shanta Reid(Korean name: Yoon Mi Rae).Tasha (picture on top)  is half African-American/half Korean. Here’s a little part of an interview Tasha did for a Korean magazine. She explains how hard it was for her being a biracial and rejected in Korea as a child:

“When I came to Korea as a young girl, I had no friends and couldn’t speak Korean, so I spent most of my time in a game arcade,” she said.The old lady who ran the arcade was my closest friend. Kids of my age only bullied me.They called me ‘negro’ and shouted ‘Yankee, go home’ at me. They told me to go back to my country with a ticket they were going to buy for me. I went to an international school,but there were only two students of African American descent including me, and I was still treated badly.” source: ShenYuePop

Music video:   “Black Happiness” by Tasha (Yoon Mi Rae) with English subtitles

April 2009:  Tasha (Yoon Mi Rae), her husband Tiger JK and their son Jordan Seo

Korean fever: presenting Hyun Bin

Before I make my last exist to bed I wanted to share with you the joy, the beauty called Hyun Bin (Korean actor).  For any of you (especially girls) considering stepping on the path of Korean dramas; beware cause your life will never be the same.  You are probably laughing or grinning, but I am not. I am actually very serious.  Korean dramas will change your life in a positive and a negative way.  It is  not a subject of conversation I want to embark on yet, but I want to give you guys a glimpse of the side effects in entering  Korean land. Whether you are Black, Italian, Irish or Asian when you first start to watch Korean dramas you will behave like a child who has become hyperactive after eating too much candy and energetically start to ask yourself  repeatedly these questions :

• How come I never knew about Korean dramas before?  Where was I born? Planet retared? This is too good! Oh crap! I’m gonna be late for work! Hmm, I’ll just watch 5 minutes, that’s all! Just 5 more minutes!
• This is crazy! Who’s the actor? he’s so cute! How come I never knew about him before? Where was I born? Planet retarted for retarted? He’s so beautiful! I need to google him! How far is the distance from my house to Korea? Are plane tickets expensive? Gosh he’s so cute!

If you have asked yourself these questions I am deeply sorry to inform you, but you have been diagnosed with the Korean wave disease. Korean wave disease is when your life has purposely become only living for Korean dramas, music, the food, language, the clothes, movies (pretty much the Korean culture).One of the many symptoms of the disease is that 5 minutes of being late at work will eventually turn into missing an 8 hrs work shift. And can eventually become missing wks of work.   The worst part of this disease is that it is incurable. Yes you have read it very well; incurable.  The positive side  is that you aren’t the only one diagnosed with this disease. There are many people like you and me suffering and each of us meet in one place where they can share our pains and sufferings: Soompi Forum. It’s the place to be.

Here are some testimonies of people of which Korean dramas influenced their life;

“My life was greatly influenced by watching Korean dramas. Korean dramas help me become a much better person because in Korean dramas you can see how the Koreans respect and value their parents. They don’t answer them back and listen in every word their parents are saying. I was amazed with this respect and I thought to myself that I should also respect my parents like that” – Anonymous

“With such a late introduction to drama series, I had a Santa’s list
of dramas to catch up on and follow as new ones were continuously
being released daily. Not too long after, I found myself malnutrition,
and schooling was worse. I was an A/B student in high school and at
the end of my first semester of college, my GPA dropped to 1.8. With
such poor academics, I was given a warning and told to improve. My
habit of going home straight after class and downloading the latest
releases did not change. At the end of my first year of college, my
GPA averaged in 0.82. As a result, I have been suspended for an entire
semester, lost financial aid tuition and many other grants, and worst
of all: disappointed my parents” – AZN

F.Y.I Everyone is different; Korean dramas will not affect people in the similar ways! Althought, enjoyable, really enjoyable; just becareful! And if you ever get locked in for insanity due to Korean dramas; don’t call me. he he

If I go back to my original cause of discussion is that I want to share with you my wonderful readers THE  man who has completely changed my agenda from being  social to none-existent! His name is Hyun Bin! Or call him Binnie. When I first lay eyes on Hyun Bin in “MNIKSS” my eyes had no more saliva.

Binnie became popular with the Korean drama called “My name is Kim Sam  Soon” which aired in 2005. The drama became a huge popular hit; 55% of the Korean population watched the last episode! Which was pretty much never seen before! After the success of My name is Kim Sam Soon, Hyun Bin went on to play other dramas such as ” The Snow Queen” and ” World Within”. Despite his acting ability and credibility; both dramas didn’t achieve the same success as My name is Kim Sam Soon.  So sad for my Binnie! Binnie is about to start in a new drama called ” Friend, our legend” a television remake of the 2001 movie with the same title.  The drama will first aired on June 27th! So let’s support Binnie! I also have to tell you that the movie contained a lot of violence; so expect the drama to be the same! I will watch the drama, but will behave like a 5 yrs old and just close my eyes when there’s gonna be violence. ha ha! this trick always works for me!

Here are a yummy picture of Binnie! And a teaser for the “World Within” . F.Y.I the drama was actually pretty amazing! I guess people weren’t used to a drama where the girl isn’t poor and the guy isn’t rich and a huge jerk, maybe that’s why the drama didn’t do so well. Oh what a shame.

Michael Jackson has died and I’m hungry

As you must have heard, Michael Jackson has died.  Yes he died. It made the cover of every newspapers in the world.  Farah Fawcett also died. But you probably didn’t know about her death since it was written in small prints. Yes, I  loved Michael Jackson like most people did. While most people didn’t, I forgave Michael for molesting a child the first and the second time. Cause that’s the type of girl that I am. I forgive. But people didn’t. No, they didn’t. Michael Jackson was weird and really strange for some.  People didn’t buy his “Invincible” album. It was a good album. Yes, Michael Jackson has died and I’m hungry. In case you forgot;  Farah Fawcett died. Yes, she died.

I want to share with you what I wrote in my prayer journal this morning on the subway at 6:15am on my way to work. This is my thoughts on the Jacko’s case;

“Dear Jesus,

Michael Jackson has died and I’m hungry. By now the whole world had heard the news. The other side of the world who was sleeping, has woken up in the morning to find out that their “idol” is no longer alive. They are now grieving. Now, I don’t know if  You are changing me for the better or  I’m just really really smart, but this whole thing doesn’t do me. When I first heard the news, it only took me five seconds to get over it. My clothes shopping and my current debts seemed more important than MJ’s death.  According to the world’s standards, Michael Jackson was considered to be the ” King of Pop”. He sold millions of albums, made girls go crazy gaga over him. He had “the” shiny gloves that can’t never be found on ebay, made the world record by having changed from two different skin colors in less than a year ! And now he’s dead; people will worship him, give him standing ovations, cry, weep, scream, give him life achievement awards. His albums will resurrect in the Billboard’s top 200 chart for the next few days and wks, his face will be on the cover of every celebrities/black magazines ect ect ect. This is the world’s standards; they worship false idols when they’re alive and will worship them more when they’re dead. But your standards Jesus is the most important standard! When Michael Jackson is going to appear before you Jesus, You’re not going to be like ” Yo, MJ those albums of yours were off the hook! Let’s do the moonwalk together!” Althought, it would be amusing to see you Jesus dancing with Micheal Jackson; it won’t happen.You’re simply gonna ask Michael ” What did you do for my Kingdom? How did you contribute in the advancement of my Kingdom?”. The world’s standards has put MJ on an idol plate full of candy, chocolate and sweets, but for You; it doesn’t impress you at all! You are not impress by the Grammy’s! You are not impress with the Academy Awards!  Those things doesn’t impress you at all! At the end of the day, Michael will not the judge by You differently ’cause he was  pop idol. Being a pop idol doesn’t give you an all access free card to heaven! You will judge Michael Jackson  by Your standards. And Your standards doesn’t value the numbers of awards won in a lifetime.”

My fellow readers I now leave you with a video my favorite song of Michael Jackson called ” Ben”. Yes, what you thought is right; Michael Jackson is lip-synching! Why did people believe Brtiney Spears to be first artist to lip-synching? Hmm, I wonder?

the year of cupcakes

I’m currently in a place in my life that I’m waiting wait for “that day”. Each day I wait impatiently for my dream to come to life. You see, God has called me to serve Him in Korea. That makes me happy as if I was on a island of bliss  surrounded by colorful butterflies and had all the chocolate I can eat. Because after years of yelling, screaming, more yelling and more screaming; I have completely surrendered my dreams to Him.And because I have surrendered my life and my dreams to Him; His dreams has become my dreams.  I am filled with joy and wonder cause I still don’t see what I have that is so special, yet I smile to myself because He loves me and He knows why He choose me.  Yes, He choose me. And that makes me cool. A very cool chick.  I know the day I will leave is coming sooner than I think. Hearts will be broken, tears will be shed, memories will working full-time.  But I praise and glorify my God cause what He has planned for me in Korea will be marvelous as a room filled with chocolate cupcakes and twizzlers.

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21

a poet and her poetry

Please carefully read this; it will blow you away.

When the pawn hits the conflicts he thinks like a king
What he knows throws the blows when he goes to the fight
And he’ll win the whole thing before he enters the ring
There’s no body to batter when your mind is your might
So when you go solo, you hold your own hand
And remember that depth is the greatest of heights
And if you know where you stand, then you know where to land
And if you fall it won’t matter, cuz you’ll know that you’re right.

Fiona Apple

be patient.

I’m ressurecting this blog after months of absence. Give me time and I’ll make you smile.

The Role Models by Jonas Lofgren

Sia and her Electric Bird.

Sia singing “Electric Bird” live. The performance is too cool for words. She barely moves her mouth as she sings, yet her beautiful voice shines like birds singing a melody.

What do you guys think of Sia and her beautiful performance?