But I have to have that...

I know I have strayed from speaking of musical things as of late but I think this topic is rather worthy of discussion.
Topic: Food. Really good food and the inability to attain the good food.

Two friends. Same story. End result...despair.

Day before: two friends decided to attend the local bbq, The Branding Iron. However, this is not just regular bbq.
This is bbq at its best. Art in brisket and fried okra form. It's just good.

Next day:
Friend #1:
She gets up and goes running in hopes of burning some calories before the festivities begin.
She comes back home with feelings of accomplishment and decides to eat some cheese and crackers to keep
her stomach prepped for heavenly bbq on a plate.

Friend #2:
She gets up, drinks some OJ and gets on her Wii fitness to burn approximately 44 calories in order to
have the desired appetite for her lunch...rather her feast. :)

Two friends drive up to the local bbq place and wonder why it looks so empty?
As they walk up to the door, they realize that the restaurant is closed for the holidays.

"No! Why? How can this be?" as they continue to dramatically challenge the lack of good bbq they would have consumed that day. It was tragic no doubt. Expectations failed. Desires pushed aside and never to be experienced. Yes, put a picture of puppies in front of their eyes and they still would have been wallowing in their disappointment.

Result:
They decided to go to the alternative bbq place in town which is probably where all the other branding iron lovers resorted to.
Of course, the brisket was lean and kept getting stuck in their teeth, the okra was far slimier than usual, and interestingly the sausage tasted like waffles with maple syrup. They like waffles but they were expecting bbq today. Overall, they felt like they were being overly critical but it was merited for the lack of excellent bbq they were expecting.

Sometimes you have expectations and they aren't met. You work so hard for something so good and it still doesn't add up.
Such is life. Sometimes there are good bbq moments but most of the time, there aren't...cherish the former as much as you can when they come your way.

Tip: We recommend going to your favorite places before the holidays because you never know when they will be closed. :)

<3
C

Nighttime

I'm not a night person but nighttime has become wonderfully pleasant for me recently.It's when I get to crawl into bed in my comfy clothes, turn on my nighttime playlist of relaxing songs, read and write my thoughts down for the day and just breathe. I have the best memories of taking nighttime drives with a friend and listening to songs so fitting in our lives at that moment.

Nighttime,
fond of you am I,
with peaceful bliss
you invite me stay.

Sincere and earnest
are your lullabies,
a sweet smile gathers on my face.

My slumbers aided
by your comforting conversations,
and liberty of allowing me,
without reservation in:

thought,
time,
action,
feelings,
laughter.

Thank you.

Love,
C

Inside

From "Letters to a Young Poet", Rainer Maria Rilke--

"So dear Sir, I can't give you any advice but this:
to go into yourself and see how deep the place is from which your life flows at its source you will find the answer to the question of whether you must create. Accept that answer, just as it is given to you, without trying to interpret it. Perhaps you will discover that you are called to be an artist.

Then take that destiny upon yourself and bear it, its burden and its greatness, without ever asking what reward might come from outside, for the creator must be a world for himself and muts find everything in himself and in Nature to whom his whole life is devoted."

<3
C

PS passed to me from a dear friend. <3

A time I fell in love

Friends,
What a week it has been. You know what puts a damper on things?
Getting sick.

It kind of ruins the plans, expectations, fun, and relaxation you had in mind.

I got to see family this past weekend. It's still great how things work out despite the busy-ness of the Christmas season. There may be frustration and miscommunication about who is coming to whose house and when they are coming and why they haven't figured out a better system of coordinating who travels each year...these disruptions always occur but when we get together, things seem to be alright. Laughter and merriment seem to adorn the aforementioned chaotic mess.

This week I've had the honor of being a bridesmaid in a beautiful wedding. It was truly a fairytale. Winter weddings are really wonderful. I felt so invited and happy to be a part of a celebration. It was lovely.

A dear friend of mine paid me a visit yesterday even in my sickened state. She's a sweetheart for putting up with my yucky self. It was an enjoyable time and each time we come together, it seems absolutely effortless picking up where we left off.

We watched The Holiday...a fantastic, warm fuzzy feeling and absolute girly movie. Sometimes, I wonder why we, women, willingly let ourselves be tortured by such sappy scenarios. However, there's something about watching these movies with your girls and being able to squeal, sigh, laugh and vomit at what is taking place in these character's lives. The hope that you build for two people to find each other and stay together despite the turmoil in the middle of the movie (cue sappy I miss you music) is captivating nevertheless.

The getting sick part this week was absolutely no fun, my friend but the laugher and joy this week has been great.

I know that even though this season is full of joy, there is emptiness for many. I know there are some who long to be closer to a someone else, some mourning the loss of a loved one, some wishing this season turned out a bit differently for them and so forth. I wish I could give those people a big hug and say it's going to be ok. I think something I caught on to from the movie was that, there are many ways to fall in love. Many ways and do remember that. There are many ways for you to love and be loved.

Love,
C

"every now and then on my mind yeah"

Joys this week:

1. choir kids learning parts of a song I just wrote and rocking it.
2. seeing little ballerinas dance at a recital, falling and getting back up with a smile again
3. talking about music from the 1700's with my students as if they are angsty songs still applicable today to our relationships and lives
4. shamelessly replaying the same song in my car on repeat and loving it more each time
5. holding and comforting a person I hardly knew who was crying over love and brokenness
6. the stillness of the day=no wind
7. really good hot chocolate I just had tonight. the marsh mellow ratio was just right. it was just good each time.

Sometimes, one needs to list the joys out...because they do exist. They don't replace the emptiness or sadness we feel but they remind us that it's going to be ok despite whatever it is we are going through. I know I sound rather silly listing these details out...from ballerinas to hot cocoa...really Casie?

Actually, yes. :)

Love,
C

PS beautiful song: I have loved you wrong--The Swell Season

you're 22

**MY MUSIC IS ON ITUNES AND AMAZON. Please check it out! :)**
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/casieluong


When you're 22,
you're stubborn and bold
make mistakes,
wading in new waters.

When you're 22,
you face decisions never faced before,
people you've never faced before,
fall on your face like never before.

When you're 22,
the nursery rhymes and songs change,
new songs are written,
new songs are sung.

When you're 22,
there's still much to learn,
to feel to yearn,
for something more.

Optimism,
looking up,
hope,
a chase,
something new starts to awake.

Updates on my music life: still writing and working on some new material. Got music up on itunes and amazon. Exciting! Going to get more songs recorded beginning of next year. Brainstorming up another benefit concert!

I am enjoying my work at the highschool with the choirs. It has been a semester full of frustration, despair, music making, and laughter. We just had our Christmas concert and it was fantastic. :)I was proud of our kids. It's been a great semester full of music and being 22. I love it. All of it. <3

<3,
C

far from

Never say never,
of want to separate,

It's a natural bond,
that can be severed,
from having endured much.

Stand here,
stand there,
when I'm hurt,
be closer.

When he's scared,
be closer,
when she's confused,
be there.

Find her,
no matter where she is,
be near,
no matter how much he refuses.

whatever you do, never be far from.

Love,
C

Moments

Let the Rain-Sara Bareilles

I wish I were pretty
I wish I were brave
If I owned this city
Then I'd make it behave

And if I were fearless
Then I'd speak my truth
And the world would hear this
That's what I wish I'd do, yeah

If my hands could hold them you'd see
I'd take all these secrets in me
And I'd move and mold them to be
Something I'd set free

I want to darken in the skies
Open the floodgates up
I want to change my mind
I want to be enough
I want the water in my eyes
I want to cry until the end of time

I want to let the rain come down
Make a brand new ground
Let the rain come down
Let the rain come down
Make a brand new ground
Let the rain come down tonight

I hold on to worry so tight
It's safe in here right next to my heart
Who now shouts at the top of her voice
Let me go, let me out, this is not my choice

And I always felt it before
That the world was filled with much more
Than the drowning soul I've learned to be
I just need the rain to remind me

I want to darken in the skies
Open the floodgates up
I want to change my mind
I want to be enough
I want the water in my eyes
I want to cry until the end of time

I want to let the rain come down
Make a brand new ground
Let the rain come down
Let the rain come down
Make a brand new ground
Let the rain come down


I love these lyrics. It's funny because a couple of weeks before I always skipped this song but recently it's been in my mind alot.

Music just does that...it finds its way into your life at the right moments whether it is giving the aha, aw, oh, ugh, ouch, hmm, yeah, sure, whatever moments...it gives life to whatever moments you are going through.

me+life+moment=let the rain

Love,
C

I get it

Friends,

sometimes you hear something, see something written and go through life thinking you've understood it.
then life happens, and you realize you never really got it.

Priorities,
faithfulness,
big world,
scary indeed.

don't you remember what I said,
don't you get it?
I'll keep on,
and on and on,
reminding you.

Stop it.

It's here in my mind,
written in me,
finding its place
to stay.

I get it.

not sure if this makes sense...if not, it didn't take too long to read so there you go.

Love,
C

Ps hope you "get" something soon too friends. It's a bittersweet feeling.

Eat up the goodness

Friends,



The Two Can Share Concert went splendidly! We had a rocking show and so much fun on that stage!

Altogether we collected 341 canned goods and about $50.00 in monetary donations.

It was absolutely amazing to see all the college student volunteers come together.






Everyone did a great job and my heart could not have been happier. I got to make music with some really cool people and see how awesome it is to come together and help out people in the community AND doing it with such gusto. awesome. :)

Thank you for everyone who made it out to the show. It was a dream come true. :) I think my favorite part of the night...well there were many but I enjoyed talking with my bandmates up on stage and talking to the audience. I am glad people didn't mind me rambling up on that stage and for that, you are very special people. :)


Some quotes for the night from our speakers,

"I think it is great the Portico student group chose this organization to benefit! I think there are some very passionate and talented students involved in Portico and they are doing some amazing things in our community! "
-Lindsey Rogers of KAUZ news

"Everything was very organized; the greeters at the front door, Brittney and crew in back kept everyone moving right along. I was proud to be a part of such an excting evening provided by wonderful young men and women!"
-Becky Browning of Faith Mission

I hope people were moved, had fun, stood up and clapped, and felt apart of something bigger.

This was a good start friends...keyword: start.

Love, eat up today and enjoy the beautiful, wacky people in your lives,
C

If cows can

Friends,
As all of you may know, I've had a benefit concert on my hands for awhile and I believe it went well. I had a blast up there on that stage with my amazing bandmates and amazing band of family and friends cheering me down below. :)

As some of you may know, there was much planning put into this past event and although I enjoyed most of it, I learned rest is an important factor.

As I was riding in a car, I noticed pastures upon pastures filled with cows and other animals. They were all resting for the afternoon. I thought to myself, if cows can take a rest, certainly I can right?

Yes, work, progress, putting myself out there, practice, and goals are all very important things, so is rest. Rest should actually reside at the top of that list.

As much as the benefit concert made me so proud, made my heart so happy, helped out the community, entertained many....rest, rest, rest rang in my ears.

It's happy, helpful, entertaining...rest, that is.

<3,
a restful C

Look at me

Friends,

I'm like...

a child with a new toy,
a girl who is ready to see her friend's reaction to the cake she made,
a pair of jeans that is loved to death,

a fall candle,
a new music book,
a favorite CD that on repeat,

a puzzle newly finished and screams to be displayed.

The benefit concert has made its way here and everything is finally coming together! It's crazy how it was such a puzzle 3 months ago and I was frantic in trying to find the corner pieces of it...but after the frustrations and confusions of grouping the pieces with similar color schemes together, trying to force-fit some pieces together, and staring the pieces together in the face for hours, a picture is coming into view.

Come see what we've done. I believe it looks pretty great.

Two Can Share Benefit Concert for Faith Mission
Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010
Akin Auditorium at MSU
7:00 pm-9:00 pm
*Bring two canned goods

<3 <3 <3,
C

the good kind

"There is a design, an alignment, a cry
Of my heart to see,
The beauty of love as it was made to be."
-Mumford and Sons

It's performance time this week. It doesn't seem real that the date is finally here! Waves of nerves pass me periodically throughout the day. I've been listening around and people are talking about the show, the music, me...and at first thought, I am thinking, how awesome...my name is getting put out there and people are talking about it...then I start to think, people are talking about me? Really? This is strange.

I'm excited. I've been excited from the very start...when the thoughts came running through my head and made its way on paper, through word of mouth, brainstorming, in songs, jam sessions, flyers, prayers, hugs, more dialogue, confusion, and it's about to come alive.

I'm nervous. I've been nervous from the very start...when thoughts of will this come through started happening, when I wasn't sure my music was good enough, the ideas faltered, people were busy with other events, etc....

well after reading this over, I think the excitement outweighs the nervousness...there is such things as good kind of nervous right?

"Just do what you need to do and everything will fall into place."
"Well, make sure not to run yourself down."
"I'm just pretty icing to the awesome cupcake that you have been baking."
"Relax Casie, everything will be fine. Promise."

...yeah what they said. :)

It's the end of Tues...tomorrow's Wed....then Thurs...then Friday and then Saturday.

I can't help but be nervous but I also can't help but smile.

<3
C

Yay :)

Two Can Share on KAUZ news


<3
C

Haze

Sometimes you have to go through some of the bad to find good...dunk your head in the water bin to bite into one of those apple? I don't know how finding the good through the bad compares to bobbing for apples but it's a strange concept isn't it? By the way, have you done that before? I haven't...secretly wish I have but then again I probably wouldn't. What if I could never get the apple out of my teeth? That's horrifying. I may have some bad dreams tonight...anyways, I digress... back to the first statement, you know what I mean right? I guess that is how I see this whole process of going through the bad stuff to find the good...it's just a strange concept...when many times you wish you could just pick the apple up with your hands from the water...easy as that.

I get the opportunities to participate in so many musical endeavors lately...whether it's accompanying people, teaching music, being a member in a band...I'm learning so much more about myself, my abilities and where I see myself going.

I admire people who deicide to choose a different profession other than music because they might possibly abhor it otherwise if they continued their music career. Is that where I stand? As I am trying out these different musical situations, it's the question of "will this make me hate music and shut off my stereo at the end of the day?" that makes me decide whether or not I could do one of these jobs as a living.

Right now what keeps me going is the music I am making with my bandmates and my solo stuff...I'm not sure if they know what a big and wonderful part of my life they are but I am glad for it.

Even though I am rather limited in my musicals experience as of now, I'm starting to see some things more clearly...what I want out of life concerning music. I don't want to ever tire of it. Ever. It's so important to me. So even if things may be difficult to sit through right now and I may not be enjoying some things...clarity will come through.

**********************************************************************
Guards

You're a haze after the rain,
against brighter shades of leaves,
coming once in awhile,
you shine, you shine brighter than the rest.

Keep me in waking nights,
the wash of your laughter still remains
as the haziness resides.

Trust time.

Can I look at you and remain this way?
You're something golden in my eyes,
yet holding it in tightly to your chest,
you're so much more guarded than the rest.

I would be willing to stay,
find the point of making you sway,
away, away now.

You're just guarded, that's all,
unaware of my stares from the rest.

<3
C

PS Picture taken in Bayeux, France.

Temporary Frost

Hey friends,
today I had a talk with a friend about life and contentment. We were feeling under-appreciated about our strengths and gifts and needed to rant about it.

Granted that just fueled our discontentment but it happens right?

I started to think more on this when I got back to my house. It's easy to feel discontent with where you are in life...job, physical state, house, finances, spouse or lack there of, spiritual, the grays, the needs, the wants, the shortcomings, the light at the end of the tunnel that seems too far gone...the list is endless.

Then I thought, if I am so consumed with being discontent, many opportunities, good or bad, will escape my attention. Yes, it's very hallmark-esque...however, it's true. How hard is it for us to stay content...actually be ok with where we are at...wrestle with the pains, the aches of something not there anymore. It all passes with time. I mean where we actually look at everything in the face and say "sure, why not?".

Robert Frost talked about the road less travelled; the road less realized too perhaps? How lonely that road is? One where contentment seems to overflow and drown out the doubts, worries, fears and uncertainty.

Christmas is coming around soon...let's rethink contentment.

<3
C

A line

Friends,
you know when there's lots going on and you have so much to do but you're just at a standstill...for no particular reason...I'm not bitter at everything I need to get done, nor depressed or overwhelmed...just not doing anything right now but writing to you.

I'm in the midst of working with my sister on my website for my music and I'm trying to come up with a one liner that sums me up. I wish it came easily to me like my name...I want it to be concise but say alot...is deep but doesn't seem like I had to overthink to come up with it, not too cheesy...ugh I am a pretty cheesy person, not too dry, cliche....hmmm...

my friend is getting a book bounded for her brother. She is in the middle of writing a forward for him and she is at a standstill as well. It's like we both have alot to say...her about her brother...me about myself...but when it comes to committing it to paper or an electronic source...we hit a wall.

me...my music...I love music...I love teaching music...playing music...writing it...composing it...my dreams consists of opening a music school at an all girls shelter international or national...helping kids be creative with the gifts given to them...music....my blog was called making music along the way?...I love simplicity...

simply music??? perhaps? does that sound like a something from bath and body works? that place smells nice...not gonna lie...many times I did go in there just to spray myself and walk out smelling lovely.

simple dreams of music?
just me and just songs?

how do I put myself into a sentence...if I were to describe me...and my music...grrrrr

I'm just a simple person who likes detail. My piano is always a mess full of books sprawled on the floor. I can't get enough of new music books. Billy Joel will always be my background music for clean up days, I celebrate the old and new sounds. Something about the warm voice of Doris Day makes me want to melt inside and when Christmas-time hits, Vince Giraldi takes reign of my CD player, my eyes light up when I hear an interesting rhythm, it all just comes easily to me.

Pivots around in my head
Rolls off my eyes
into the staves
5 lines,

dots here and there,
flowing in different forms,
her story and his,
mine rolled in there somehow,

exchanged for a different way of communicating,
speaking to the old and young,
sometimes you can't sum up sadness,
happiness is just upbeat,

healing in repeating phrases,
angriness in broken chords,
makes several severe statements,
in simply sung refrains

may spirits be lifted somewhat
higher
brighter,
finding truth for you and me.


I hope there is something in your life that you cannot really live without and that you keep dreaming about day and night.

Love,
C

Every time

Friends,
as I am looking over this week as well as the next...I shudder at how much that needs to be done.
It's unbelievable.

From keeping tabs with media in advertising, rehearsals, work, extra stuff outside of work, studying, keeping up with peeps, the Joneses, their kids and their kid's kids and their dogs and their kid's dogs...oh and chilling out...that fits in there somewhere I think.

It's times like these that I am glad for the people in my life who tell me, it's ok to breathe. It's healthy once in awhile.

I don't even know why I am blogging for I don't have too much to say. Nothing exhilarating and exciting.

I guess it's kind of like my daily runs...I run by this particular house where a man who I assume, lives alone. He tends to his garden closely. I think it's his prized possession...it's one of the best scenes I take notice upon during my runs...flowers, trees, plants...looming everywhere. I kind of hope other people see it and enjoy it as much as I do. For such work to be put into a garden, recognition is most certainly merited. It's kind of refreshing...and then there's this path that I take and every time I run past a particular house, I am guaranteed to smell apple/cinnamon scented candles...I love it. It makes me smile every time.

I's these routine things that happen. it's not mind boggling but it's there and it's nice every time.

Cheers,
C

Gotta keep at it

Dearest friends,
Just got in from a performance and before shut eye, I've just got to write.

Performances are an interesting animal altogether. I love them. I got to see other fantastic musicians perform. I hope they keep making music in the years to come.

Amidst the laughter and conversations, more so my awkward/nervous rantings on stage, I think it went well.
I had fun. What was my favorite moment? Hmm...let's see...scatting...even though it was a trial run...it was fun. The unexpected, "I have no clue what I am doing but I'm doing it anyway" feeling...that was cool.

Unexpected things always happen on stage...some things that made myself cringe on the inside and others made me surprised in a good way. People may or may not catch them...and I guess I tend to forget that point. I think they caught just about everything and more! Sometimes you get it, sometimes you don't. It is what it is. I just gotta get over mistakes and maybe even enjoy the fact that whatever I did made myself cringe...at least it got some sort of reaction right? ha! oh the experiences.

Uneasiness,
good or bad,
slowly...let notes fly in the air,
uneasiness,
steady, steady my dear,

Unexpectedness
let the moment sink,
settle, rise and flow,
Unexpectedness, Uneasiness
let it all go.

Thank you to all my friends who support me still. It's weird not seeing your faces often anymore. You all are very special to me.

<3
c

What makes you

Friends,
Today has been a day. That's all I can say. a good day.
It's late and I have reading to do and relaxing before my eyes come to a close.

You know those moments you just want to lose your temper and stomp out the door in hopes people caught your bold statement? That was me today...but I held my tongue...tied it down while it was squirming to speak and you know what? The situation actually got a bit better. Who would have thought? Lesson learned? It's still going to take a while but it's a start.

Later, I ran into a friend from way back when. It's great when this happens. You don't realize how much has changed in your life until you run into an old friend who knew such a different you back when. It's a good and strange feeling all at once.

I wrote a song for a dear friend of mine. I tried to match it best with what is important on her heart. So I played it for her today and she loved it. That meant so much to me. As I was playing through it she squealed with joy. You see, some people make crafts for their friends, some bake cakes, some cook their favorite meal, some take them out...I write songs.

I write songs that make people feel, smile, cry, laugh, relate to, speaks truth, and according to my sister, this is what makes me who I am. :)

Going to read now friends. I love to read...there is never enough time is there? I would read while walking and be as graceful as Belle in Beauty and the Beast...but unfortunately I would run into things. How did she do it? Such is Life!

Love,
C

Highlighter

Hey friends,
today was midterm elections day. I'll admit, as much as I was tired of hearing about campaigns and who is better and such,
I was excited about everyone coming together and putting their say in.

Highlights of today:
-elections
-radio interview to advertise my benefit concert
-eye doc's report: my eye allergy/scar tissue seems to be recovering (oh the little medical mishaps in life)
-gave a demo to my nurse at the eye doc's office and made her day which in turn made my day
-went grocery shopping with parents at a vietnamese market...always an adventure

-realizing even though this may be a crazy week, it is worth it...just have to wade it through.

That was my today friends. Hope yours have some highlights as well.

Much love and highlighters,
C

Attraction

Friends,
I was in church today and I thought about attraction. I know, great topic to be thinking about in church huh?








"It was a cool autumn day when a girl in a pink dress sat on a bench in a park named Winters. Why it was named Winters is an intrigue. Maybe it's after a rich lady widow, the season itself, or some important governor.

She sat down and looked around.

There were trees, a swing set blowing in the wind, mild littering, dogs roaming about with their owners, children hopping on stones to avoid drowning in hot lava below them, and a dashing young man sitting across the park from her.

Now you must be wondering what caught her attention and I am sure you hoped it to be the gentleman.

Something about him just drew her gaze. She remains nonchalant as she casually glanced his direction above her sketching in her little black drawing book. Was it his casual composure? The confident way he seemed to be studying his book? Just how sure he looked? How absolutely sure he looked about everything, the way he read and pondered about the things he read...you would have thought he was cheating and reading a script of "how to look sure of yourself while sitting at a park".

The girl in the pink dress just sat back and sighed.

As the young gentleman was peering above his book, he glanced around at his scene, the trees, children and dogs, afternoon sun glow, empty swings, and the girl in the pink dress.

Naturally he disguises his actions as much as possible as he glanced her direction. What was it about her that commanded his attention? The simplicity of her dress? How she didn't seem to try too hard to impress anyone? How mysterious she looked while drawing something? Was she drawing him and if so, this was making him all the more self conscious...Was it the confident way she seemed to handle herself as if she was a devout park attender who comes regularly therefore making him feel out of place?

The young man just sat back and sighed.

The girl sat up and closed her drawing book that hoped to bring a scene to life.
The boy sat up and closed his book that longed to infiltrate an imagination."

<3
C

Eyes

Friends,
It's about 1:30AM...and I am wondering why I am not asleep right now.

I just had a fantastic time baking with a friend. I forget how relaxing it is just to bake, talk and laugh.

Then I got to hear some music my friends made. :)

Moments like these, I thank God, close my eyes and smile. <3

Trying to stay awake,
feeling the need to do so,
as if I am expecting something to happen.

To keep connection
on going and forth,
would be something.

it would be something
too terrifyingly inconceivable,
something worth staying up for
till sun meets the eye.

one day it shouldn't be so hard,
as she mulls it over,
we'll just keep waiting,
we're so used to it.


<3
C

PS pic taken in London right by Westminster's Abbey.

Jars

Hey friends,

Isn't this fall weather just perfect besides the sneezing, watery eyes, sinus headaches, nose-blowing, overall miserable state of being...isn't it just beautiful? I mean, in the summertime all I wanted was to sit outside during the cooler part of the day and rest but there were mosquitoes...and now I want to sit outside all day long in this beautiful fall and what happens, I start to sneeze and my allergies decide to have a fiesta. fantastic. oh life.

anyways, today I got word of a performance opportunity at my former college which my band and I are definitely taking hold of! I'm not going to lie...I am really excited about it. I love my college and the people there. For me, it is one of those places full of happiness you just want to take, put in a jar and keep it just like it is forever. It feels like it has been forever since I have been back and I can't wait. Of course, this time, I get to bring new friends with me and make new music and I can't tell you how excited this makes me.

How much can change in a year? a lot and it's great. There are songs I wrote a year ago that sound completely different this time around. They speak up a bit more and have a bit more fun. I can't wait to bring this new music back to the old I left at my college a year ago and see what my friends will think. Will they like it? think it's mainstream? find it dull? be bored? jump for joy? be inspired?

I don't really know.
All I know is, I am really excited about all of this.
I think I will put all this excitement in a jar and call it a night.

Buona notte,
C

I found it.

I noticed a newsfeed that I get from NPR daily which features different musicians...and the other day they were highlighting Alicia Keys...ok I know what is going through your heads...another rendition of "fallin" or "if I ain't got you babe"...but please set that aside as I share with you how excited I was to find her interview.

During her interview, she played some Marvin Gaye, Fats Waller, old time rags and original pieces...it was impressive. While describing one of her shows, she talked about taking a portion of her concert to just play some solo piano work (jazz, classical, rags etc...) then finishing up with her original songs. That made me extremely happy.

I found it. This is what I want to do. :) Best of both worlds!

Well dear friends, got a nursing home to go to and set up some gigs there, work then finishing up some home recording!

Love, love, love,
C


PS make sure you take a break sometimes and go crunch some fall leaves under your feet please? :)

Grocery list

Friends,
I told you I would...:)

It's Friday and oh how we all adore Fridays...

So I went to store and purchased the following items:

-Orange juice (...because I am paranoid about getting sick although I believe it is just allergies)
-A bottle of Goji berry juice (because it was on sale and looked intriguing and healthy?)
-post-its (who could run out of post its honestly)
-pondered buying halloween socks but didn't
-observed a little old lady wearing this moo-moo and wondering if I will be able to pull it off when I am older.

well that was my day today at the grocery store. stay well friends.
don't let the allergies bring you down. we will survive.

love and oj,
C

Happiness hiding...

Friends,

Hope all is well as the leaves start to fall and crinkle under your feet.
I am doing splendidly. In fact, it has sort of struck me odd that I have been so content and happy this past month.

Sometimes I start to wonder if I blink, will I wake up from this dream? I mean seriously...this has got to be fake right?

My songs have started to sound oddly...dare I say....peppier? Honestly, that feels weird for me to write because a year ago, most of my songs were contemplative and probably pretty depressing. I would tell my friends about a new song and they would reply, Casie, is this another one of your depressing songs?

However, like I said, my songs these days have been happier? Happy, sad, angry, bitter, soulful...I guess you write songs where you are at in life...and I think I am actually ok with where I am at in life. Every place in life is temporary and I know I won't have these moments forever so I'll just take it as it is and stop over thinking (that's a new one for me!).

On the other side of things, some dear friends of mine have been going through dark times and I have been able to step in and bring some love and cheer into their lives. It's awesome how things work out like that sometimes.

Goodness I am rather "reflective and bloggy like" in these entries...thanks for listening to me...don't worry next time, I'll just make a list of things I got at the grocery store and leave it at that...no reflection, point, theme, metaphors, existential fluffy things I promise!!

Elated elephants,
C

Fall Mornings

<3
C

Comfortable

Friends,

I love fall. I love the smell, pumpkins, clothes, sunrises, sunsets, warm colors, change, leaves. I think most of my family and friends are tired of me going on and on about fall but they all seem to agree what a relief it is after our hot texas summers.

This week I was thinking about life and how it is full of: hard work, hardships, health issues that remained unresolved, war, hurt, disconnect from people you love, fear, doubt, noise and the list goes on. Have there ever been times that it just all hits you?

Ask people what they want most in life...you'll get varied answers but most will probably choose "a comfortable living". I guess that hit me more so this week...the word "comfortable". Where is that point? so I find myself continuing to work towards becoming "big and known" and then will I be "comfortable"? It just got me thinking...

Here and now. Yesterday, was a beautiful fall day. I got to meet a new person who shares my love of music and is coordinating a gig for me, run off to play music at a wedding rehearsal, meet up with a friend to make music which turned into partaking in a nice conversation outside in fall and then having a late night talk with some friends.

As a result, I have more music work, places to be, being bitten by mosquitoes that seem to love me more than I love fall, and a little sleep deprivation but I'm quite content.

Casie, what would make your life most comfortable?

A. being famous someday
B. having a beautiful house with a music room and wrap around porch someday
C. get some music and books published someday
D. soaking in the here and now
E. still puzzled with this word "comfortable"

Yep, gotta go with E. Alright friends, I also gotta go and get ready to see some newlyweds off with wedding musak!

Your truly,
C

Someone heard

Hey friends,
My song, "Just Songs" got played on a radio station in Commerce, TX this evening and I was more than ecstatic.
It makes me smile knowing someone heard it in or near that city.

It was my mom, me and best friend on speaker phone gathered around my computer to listen to the online radio stream. :)
It was a great moment and I hope to have many more like that to come.

As long as there are opportunities for me to take, I will keep making music...wait what am I saying?

Opportunities or not, I'm still making music.


<3<3<3
C

For you

Sometimes you get hugs,
sometimes you get a friendly smile,
sometimes you get a laugh,
sometimes you get a "hey chin up",
sometimes you get a favourite type of cookie,

but they are not

a certain person's hugs,
a certain person's friendly smile,
a certain person's laugh,
a certain person's "hey chin up"
a certain person's favourite type of cookie,

this is a shout out to all my certain persons...you make my world a lovelier place.

Love and miss you,
C

This is what I write when I an not satisfied

"If I could have that dress
with pretty wavy lines, polka dots, soft fabric,
stripes, curves, flowiness, twirling action,
hoop skirt, blue colors, fringes, red colors, purple colors,
v-neckline, bow in the back, fun factor, sexy factor,
cute but classy factor...

If I could have all that, my dress would look awful."

Rethink what you have and be satisfied.

<3
C

Sweetness

Hi friends,
Hope you are enjoying your day! It was labor day today and I did some labor but not too much. Hope you had some rest as well.
My family and I went to our usual breakfast restaurant this morning and we were talking about people and how people treat people. There was the usual waitress dad sees on his lunch breaks. Little detail: dad usually brings an extra cup to refill ice and water for work. One time he forgot his work cup. However, she got him an extra one that she should have technically charged him for but it's just one of those nice things people do sometimes. We chatted with her for awhile and I got to meet this person who treats my dad nicely every time he is there.

There is not much to the story. It's just refreshing and nice to hear people caring for each other.
We need that reminder sometimes. It's not about the times you are happy for a happy reason like: the weather, good financial circumstances, or birthdays...but the times when money is hard to find or your really don't want to be there for your all day shift and you still don't mind sharing a bit of your heart with someone.

that's impressive and a beautiful thing.

Sharing the sweets,
C

Goooooaaaaalllll

Hey friends,
Yes, it has definitely been awhile. I just got a job as a part time piano accompanist at a high school. It's quite exciting. When I walked in to the high school, I felt like I was back in it. The rambunctious kids and music competitions starting up all over again.It was a crazy feeling being back as a "teacher" sort of, although I do not feel like it at all. I know a little more piano and I have college years under my belt but I look like the next freshman down the hall.

I'm still making music though. I think being at the school helped me to see that this is not my future right now even though I grateful for the opportunity. It's great to get paid for music but I have a benefit concert to plan for and gigs to perform at and that is where my heart lies at the moment. It's resting ever so peacefully there.

It's always easy to look over on the other side and think it is so much greener. I think I have been struggling with that lately...wondering if this is where I am to place my roots for a little while or should I be in L.A. (ugh I don't think I would belong there because I would have to dye my hair blonde and have a tan?), New York (I would be closer to my bff but it's kind of cold?), Rhode Island (because it's near the sea and sounds exotic...I do like seafood...)...what other music place is there? Oh! Austin, TX...it's a fantastic place but not yet...(I do mean to go back to check it out more). However, I am not in any of those places and there is no sense in sitting and pondering why I am not there. That's just wasting time Cas!

I think if I am honest with myself, my only reasoning for packing up and jetting is to be different. Honestly that never gets people anywhere...ok maybe it gets some because they are following an epiphany for seeing new landscapes, they are ready to move on (don't get me wrong it's not a bad thing)...

So take this commentary as a grain of salt...but for me, moving just to be different and see different is not honest for me right now. I'm going to stick around where I am at, soak it all up because this life is temporary and only I can make decisions for me and be whoever I want to be wherever I am. Sounds so simple doesn't it...usually that means you've missed the tiny print at the bottom.

Enough for some serious pondering...I think I am going to get some ice cream because all this thinking works up all my energy...so therefore, ice cream is appropriate. in fact...it's always appropriate.

1. Awk moment on a date--let's get ice cream!
2. baby just born--aww so cute, maybe she wants ice cream...
3. park with friends-ice cream man!
4. Grandma has dentures--how about ice cream everyone?
5. making up with a loved one--hey I brought you some ice cream.

I heart you all and ice cream too.
Casie

Oh Otis Redding you!

"It's so early, so early in the morning
So early, so early in the morning...

And I've got you
And you've got me
And we'll have each other
And we don't, we don't want nothing but joy."

I love discovering songs of old. True soul. Just saying it all.

Totally unrelated: Today as I was jogging, I noticed the place where the opossum was laying dead the day before before was clean.

I thought, how sad, no one will ever know that opossum died except for whoever drove over it and me. No one will ever give it another thought. Then I thought, what if there are people out there without someone to give them a thought when they die?
Ok rather morbid for a morning jog. Sorry. So as I was walking back home, I thought again (I tend to do it alot) about that, then wrote a little song in my head for the dear opossum or dear person who is not remembered when they pass away.
It went something like Mr O. (for opossum) but first I started out as Mr. P (b/c that's the syllable you say...) anyways,

"Mr. O, you'll never know the hearts you stole. If it were me, I'd still plant a tree, for you. You're a keeper, a dreamer, a rather rambunctious feller and if no one will ever give you a thought again, Mr. O., Oh, you know I will."

Naturally the song left my head before I hit home but for that moment that was my shout out.

Love,
C

"Playing piano in that pink hotel"

"Well I crossed the lake and mountains, ended up in hollywood.
Playing piano in that pink hotel just like you said I would.
I kept looking out my window hoping one day that you would come,
going every shade of blue under that California sun."

-Diane Birch, "Valentino"

Love that song. I had the lovely honor of playing piano (not in a pink hotel) and singing some tunes at our hotel in New Orleans.
It was glorious. I hope people enjoyed it as much as I did. Later, I jammed with other singers as well. Always a good time getting musicians together.

I also got to sing a song I had written, "Mr. Offended" as well. There are some parts that are loosely connected to New Orleans.
It was one of the best things I have ever done...to sing a song that is connected to the city.

Jazz, a relaxed atmosphere in fact so relaxed that I think it had an influence in my voice...it was enjoying those lower smokey notes more :), chill hotel staff, fantastic sites, humidity that gives my hair some good volume, even those silly one way streets...thanks for your music and culture New Orleans.

My voice and songs, here's to you.

Love,
C

Serendipity

Dictionary defs:
1.an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident.
2.good fortune; luck.

I just love saying the word. Still haven't seen the movie yet.
These are lyrics from Greg Holden's "Serendipity".

My eyes are faking all the sights.
For every page that i read, comes another to write.
My wheels are spining out of control
and i feel, yes, i feel like i am ready to roll.

So,
I have seen all i need to rome free, within these streets.
Climbing up walls that are never too tall, feeds my soul.

My words are music to your ears.
For every story i tell comes a sequel that you must hear
and i wander your pages in search of a plan.
For every chapter i pass draws directions of where i am
and where i am going.

And i have seen all i need to rome free within these streets
climbing up walls that are never too tall, feeds my soul.

And i am seeing time, explaining it's better line, to me.
Toring out pages with illustrative lines, you'll see.
And i fall down under your watchful eye.

Hmmm
And i have seen all i need to rome free, within these streets.
Climbing up walls that are never too tall, feeds my soul.
And i have seen all i need to rome free, within these streets.
Climbing up walls that are never too tall, feeds my soul.

Dear Greg,
you rock.

Thanks,
C

Nothing to do with music

Friends,
you know those kinds of days where you look forward to sleep. It's like taking in the smell of pot roast in the crock pot or freshly baked bread right before seeing it. I can smell the sleeeeeepppp. It smells incredibly fantastic. Can you salivate at the thought of sleep. I believe it is possible.

It's been a glorious day and I hope it is concluded with glorious sleep.

Buona notte,
C

Right now

Hi friends,
today my voice was not cooperating. I thought it was a mutual relationship but we just aren't there yet. So I decided to write a song fit for where my voice was at today.

I am not entirely done with the song yet. I'll admit it sounds more pop/radio-like.
I have not written many songs that have that sound like pop/radio music.

It got me thinkin', songwriters find their genre eventually after years and years of experience. I am not there yet but the great thing is, I absolutely love where I am at right now. Some songs I have written are sad, happy, slow, jazzy, country?...right now I am piecing puzzles of different genres and sounds I am familiar with. Where they are good or horrid, it's really fun and I just love it.

So I guess singer/songwriter genre is where I fit in right now and I am perfectly fine with that.

<3
C

Myspace

YOU EXIST BECAUSE??? Just wondering.

not <3
C

Anyways

I had lunch with a friend today and we got to talking about artists, performing and presentation.
So much in this line of work as a musician has to do with how to present yourself. Honestly, this is something I am puzzled with.
I don't have an answer right now, a "packaged Casie" to present at this point.

I guess the puzzling thing is "how do I package Casie?". Does she come in a "brown paper package tied up in string", shiny wrapping paper, a box, rectangle with flashing lights, a simple clean cut striped box, one prepackaged gift you get done at JcPenny's?

All I know right now is that regardless of whether this goes anywhere, I'd still sing and make music in my room, in a corner, anywhere. I'd make music anyways.

<3
C

Happiness...Zen...SQUEAL

LIttle things to get excited about...alright that I get excited about.

1.) I have a functioning computer I will probably cuddle with tonight.
2.) I looked on my myspace and noticed that total plays for today: 1, everyone counts.
3.) My CD played in Hastings today. (I found out through a text...even better)
4.) I cut out paper hearts and made little notes for special people far away from me. (I love doing this)
4.) After ice cream and conversation, what came out: I got to eat a flavor that goes back into my childhood, butter brickle
and came to the conclusion that it's perfectly fine for wanting someone to learn about who you are.

5.) As for the Hastings concert, best time. The crowd was spectacular and even though first song was completely rough,
I acknowledged it, laughed, moved on and the show just got better. Thank you to those who came out to see and sing along with me. See you at the next show!

Peace,
C

One more day

Hey friends,
I have a performance at Hastings tomorrow at 7 pm! I hope people come.

Am I terrified?
Yes, always for a performance.

Will it go well?
I don't know, you will just have to tell me!

Am I excited?
More than you know.

Hope to see you there!

<3
C

Alittle discouraged

I know you are thinking "Already Casie?". Hear me out. You know those few things you count on when all is going wrong, those things you know you are good at and no matter how bad things are, you still have something to hold on to.

Well, today I was going through some of my songs and things were not clicking for me. Either I was too tense or just wasn’t focusing on my music. Then I go on and listen to covers on Youtube…now it is usually pretty easy to find some entertaining performers. However, I ran into some pretty good singers.

Of course, I start comparing myself. Thinking I am behind times and just don’t measure up. This is a bad thing to do. Not smart Casie. I couldn’t take myself away from the computer. After feeling a little down, I decided to sing through some of my own originals only to find myself not enjoying it at all.

Lesson: don’t compare yourself to other musicians. Learn from them, enjoy what they do and remember, they aren’t you and can’t do the things YOU do well. Ok, got my inspirational Oprah moment out of the way.

After taking a break, I chatted with my colleagues from Vietnam who work at a girls shelter I interned at a couple of summers ago. I told them about my myspace and they listened to my songs. It was an exciting moment for me really. I got to share what I love with people I care about.

Lesson: there will always be someone doing something better than you, looking prettier than you, acting cuter than you, eating healthier than you, becoming more talented than you who also recycle and walk the elderly lady across the street every morning but what makes life so very interesting are the things that matter, those moments shared between you, song and people. They matter.

This is why I do what I do.

Sharing the love,
C

For you and for me.

Hi Friends,
This is blog about my music journey, thoughts, quotes, songs running through my head that I love or am plan tired of, questions, comments and concerns.
Feel free to comment or email me.

Thanks for taking the time to read these probably all too trivial thoughts but I couldn't imagine not being to connected to you in some way.

This is for you and for me.

Love,
C