Since my last entry I have done so many things... to touch on a few... I turned 28, fell in love, started a new musical project, left buenos aires, visited my family in California, spent time in Colombia, performed on a morning show, returned to Buenos Aires...let me catch my breathe... and expand on each point as I can think of no other way to properly share all of these happenings.
My 28th birthday party was epic... my friend Arnaldo threw me a dinner at a "Peña" - which in Argentina is a cozy restaurant/venue where they serve typically regional delicious concoctions and invite various folklore artists to perform. Between the band singing me happy birthday, to the beautiful chocolate "torta", to the impromptu concert given by me and my main squeeze (who I had met just 11 days prior) the night was utterly magical... I will remember it as long as i live...
Which leads me to, yes, you read it correctly and much to my surprise... I have fallen in love again... to a Colombian named Daniel - his artistic name is "Maqui", he's a singer/songwriter/musician like me, go figure. It just so happens that when we met he was just beginning the process of recording his new album... giving me the opportunity to jump right in and be a part of it, which I looooved...
He's brilliant and I pretty much adore him...on the off chance you haven't already overdosed in perfection... his day job is as an elementary school music teacher **swoon**
The absolute best part about my meeting dani is that since the day we met we have been singing together, which leads me too...
I have started a new musical project - a duo called "individúo" alongside my hot latino - we have been performing all around from Buenos Aires to Bogotá - mostly covers of well known songs - however we have some of our own compositions in the works.
Being an artist: rad
Being able to share your artistry with your partner: priceless
"Mi amor, what do you want to do today?"
"I don't know, I thought maybe we could cook breakfast, play music for a few hours, then head to that private party we've been hired to play"
I know... it's ridiculously awesome. I'm enjoying every minute of it.
Which leads me to... after nearly two years of expat life.... I finally returned home to California - and had a DELICIOUS holiday time with my family and friends... seriously, I could chart out each day in the meals I devoured - no one should go that long without good mexican food, or in and out burger for that matter. It was totally indulgent... I cuddled on the couch and watched criminal minds with my mommy and my sister...I walked along fisherman's wharf eating clam chowder in a breadbowl with my poppa...I cried when I saw the golden gate bridge and had bottomless mimosa brunch in hayes valley with my beloved friends....visited my "happy place" on the top of russian hill.
batteries officially recharged.
And then... as if life wasn't fantastic enough, I completed yet another dream by visiting Colombia... but I had never imagined it would be to meet the family of the man that I love, spend time with him and his cousins in Santa Marta on the coast, play impromptu concerts on the beach in national park - Tairona, perform on live television on Colombia's biggest morning show "Muy Buenos Días" or hop on stage with our new duo in a festival for the little town of "Tinjacá"... no my friends, I couldn't have dreamed up any of that - that was the universe's bonus package.
I'm going to allow a few pictures to give you a glimpse of what this trip was like...
So I'm officially "home" now in Buenos Aires ... it really does feel good to be back. Driving home from the airport at 6am, I stuck my head out the windown and breathed in that old familiar smell of wet summer air, smog, and history, and I wanted to scream out "MI QUERIDO BUENOS AIRES!!! I LOVE YOU!!!" ... oh who am I kidding... I totally did, I was the crazy blonde girl with her head stuck out of the car.
I'm now back to my routine. Still working for the investment mag I helped start up nearly two years ago planning for eventual world domination with that, dancing salsa and tango many nights a week, catching up with my lovely buenos aires crew, pilates twice a week at one of my best friend's dance studio, music music and more music, rehearsing with the duo, translating for the rock band bañares at the hotel faena on wed nights, teaching voice, back in the studio to finish the final mixes on my album and i'm happy to announce... por fin... REAL JOY is just a heartbeat away from being born into the world and available at a store near you ...
wow. i'm exhausted. that recap took a lot out of me. i eagerly await your questions, comments, and concerns.
love you all like a bottle of chilled norton dulce natural wine on a march evening in buenos aires.
T to the JOY
