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So for those of you who weren’t aware, I decided to take a semester and go study in Israel.  Everything is different here; the food, the smells, the sounds, the language, and people, myself, etc.  But, everything here is right.  Everything is better and more meaningful here that I feel like I’m on a permanent high on life.  So far I’ve been so happy, and I’m counting my blessings.

I love that everything is different.  That the ocean is warmer, that the sand is finer.  That when you ask for directions people say “go straight”.  As if that means giving directions.  No wonder GPS’s are big here.  The crows are even a different color, and there are jungle gyms frequently scattered across a city.  Not just standard, “play-in-the-sand” kind that I see in LA.  But humongous, extravagant ones with slides that I even have a blast sliding down; ones with zip lines and tunnels, and crazy giant swings.

Enough of my rambling about playgrounds.  Here I’ve decided to take a slower pace, to really get to know myself and my surroundings, and to not spread myself too thin.  I’m going to be a master chef, a stellar salsa dancer, and a better person when I’m done here.  Not to mention, a more knowledgeable musician.

The music here is great.  I’m trying to absorb every facet of it; every corner and every nook and cranny that plays music, I want to be there.  I feel like I’m a detective, trying to collect clues to figure out why and how Israeli music is the way it is.  Why is it middle eastern but at the same time also Westernized?  What is this new version of American Idol? (its called Kochav Nolad, aka A Star is Born).  And who is it in this tiny country that is making it as a musician?  I’m taking a class called Israeli Music, and I’m learning that music is a huge part of Israeli culture and its history.

Finishing up the tour videos!  check back for the last few!

Yesterday was the best possible way to finish a month long tour.  We performed at Whole Foods in Petaluma in the morning, where we were received very well.  In fact, I received an email later on that evening by a man who had purchased my cd.  He wrote to me:

“Bought your cd today at Whole Foods in Petaluma.

It’s like a breathy glass of Guinness; rich, satisfying, and vaguely intoxicating.”

This was one the most beautifully descriptive and pleasantly surprising emails I have ever gotten.  My jaw dropped when I read it, and it was so inspiring to hear something like that about my own songs.

Later that night we closed the tour with a bang at Finnegan’s Marin in Novato, where Amanda grew up.  All her friends and family came, as well as my parents; who took the long trip from LA to be there.  The room was loud, roudy, and packed with people watching our performance.  There were times when there was no sitting room–people stood halfway outside the room to watch.   We then stayed up all night to edit video blogs.  Its as if we never wanted the night to end because we knew the next day it’d be over.  Well, we did see the sun rise:)

I cannot express how incredible of an experience and journey I have had with Amanda the last month of my life.  I have grown as a person, learned more about other people and about being a musician, and most of all, reaffirmed to myself why I ever fell in love with music in the first place.

Seeing people so captivated by my music makes me feel like I’m on top of the world.  I want to sing my heart out because I see that it is affecting others positively.  And that has always been my goal.  So I guess I’m on the right path.

To everyone I have met/crossed paths with (even for a moment) on this amazing adventure: thank you so much for the unending support and love.  I am so fortunate o have met you, and from the bottom of my heart, it means the world.

I will be sending out email updates to whoever signed up on my email lists.  And to those who didn’t and would like to get those, message me!  

If you’re in the LA area on July 11th, I have a show in Studio City at the Sportsmen’s Lodge at 8pm.  Bring your swimsuit, cause its a poolside show.  Featuring Tien Nguyen and Michelle Armstrong also. Best part? Its FREE:)

oh, and don’t stop watching those video blogs…cause they’re still coming!!