For those of you that were in the know...I was back for a SHORT visit last week. Nobody needs to be reminded as to the disasterous state our economy is in these recent months. As I am sure everyone is affected on some level, our family has felt the blow as well. And just when everyone was down in the dumps...I FLY over from Taipei to cheer everyone up!
My trip was actually a business trip to interview the cast of High School Musical 3 for the premier of their new movie. But with some manuvering on my part, I was able to get 3 extra days in LA to visit with my loved ones. HOW HAPPY WAS I?! I cannot begin to count the ways...it was a long overdue visit! Despite the fact that I was unable to visit with everyone I wanted to...I had a great time! Regardless, three days is simply NOT enough. There was gift giving, family hugging, star sightings, gossip exchanging, roller skating, ice skating, car dancing, yogurtland yummy-ing, friends' new boy-toy meetings, etc...the list goes on! (go to my facebook page for pictures! there's a link on my profile)
All in all, it was the break that I needed. Things are going fairly well here in Taipei...but sometimes just being close to the ones who love you unconditionally can do wonders for the soul. So, for those of you who get to be around those people (even if i mean driving a couple hours to see them! better than flying 14hours!)...don't take them for granted. Appreciate the time you have with them, and tell them how much you care about them...cause even though they may know it deep down, it's always nice to hear it straight from the horses mouth! DO IT ALREADY!
XOXO
Monday, October 27, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
LOST IN HONG KONG. (written 08/22/2007)
Lost. Completely and utterly lost. My selective hearing made it impossible for me to remember if my aunt told me to meet her on Li Yuen Street East or West. My nose led me down one street and then up another alley way. The smell of Dim Sum and freshly baked pastries ignited my olfactory senses. My salivary glands went into overdrive! I licked my lips and called upon the forces of my willpower to keep walking down the street past all the enticing eateries.
At last! I escape the seductive food district to find myself realizing every woman’s fantasy--I had stumbled upon the shopping district! Oversized billboards and colorful posters decorated every inch of available space. Fashionistas and businessmen lined the sidewalks. My eyes feasted on all the latest trends from Prada, Chanel, Vivienne Tam, Coach, Lacoste, and many more! The steady stream of people rushing from store to store made it a challenge to stroll in a slower cadence for some fabulous window shopping.
For a micro-minute I envisioned myself living the lap of luxury. Early morning spa treatments, lunch with all my posh friends at the Ritz, afternoon trips to all the brand name shops to view their latest collections, and an elegant dinner at the most exclusive restaurant. But lets face it...I could never live like that! Maybe it would be nice once every couple of months, but that is not what life is about. Where’s the spontaneity? the adventure?
Eventually, my sore and blistered feet lead me to a nice little local gift shop, hidden among giants. Where I indulged in some little trinkets for my siblings, and bought some postcards for those times when the flood gates to my creative genius opens up and I’m inspired to write.
I rise up from my makeshift seat, a rusty metal round thing with pieces of cardboard on top. I check my cell phone in hopes of receiving just one bar of signal. Still nothing. Exasperated, I turn about face abruptly and walk in the opposite direction. Lost in thought, I doggedly scuttle down the street. In my frustration, I was unaware of the preordained accident until i ran head-on into a helpless lady carrying an armload of shopping bags. I apologized profusely and scrambled to help retrieve the littered purchases. In the midst of ramblings, I look up and stare right into the eyes of my long sought after aunt! My savior--I was found.
At last! I escape the seductive food district to find myself realizing every woman’s fantasy--I had stumbled upon the shopping district! Oversized billboards and colorful posters decorated every inch of available space. Fashionistas and businessmen lined the sidewalks. My eyes feasted on all the latest trends from Prada, Chanel, Vivienne Tam, Coach, Lacoste, and many more! The steady stream of people rushing from store to store made it a challenge to stroll in a slower cadence for some fabulous window shopping.
For a micro-minute I envisioned myself living the lap of luxury. Early morning spa treatments, lunch with all my posh friends at the Ritz, afternoon trips to all the brand name shops to view their latest collections, and an elegant dinner at the most exclusive restaurant. But lets face it...I could never live like that! Maybe it would be nice once every couple of months, but that is not what life is about. Where’s the spontaneity? the adventure?
Eventually, my sore and blistered feet lead me to a nice little local gift shop, hidden among giants. Where I indulged in some little trinkets for my siblings, and bought some postcards for those times when the flood gates to my creative genius opens up and I’m inspired to write.
I rise up from my makeshift seat, a rusty metal round thing with pieces of cardboard on top. I check my cell phone in hopes of receiving just one bar of signal. Still nothing. Exasperated, I turn about face abruptly and walk in the opposite direction. Lost in thought, I doggedly scuttle down the street. In my frustration, I was unaware of the preordained accident until i ran head-on into a helpless lady carrying an armload of shopping bags. I apologized profusely and scrambled to help retrieve the littered purchases. In the midst of ramblings, I look up and stare right into the eyes of my long sought after aunt! My savior--I was found.
ABOUT ALISA
Alisa was born in the United States, but has a multi-ethnic background. Part Caucasian, part Chinese and part Jewish, Alisa has had a unique upbringing. Her love of music goes back to the womb. At the age of two, she told her mother, "Mommy, I want to be a singer," and has pursued the dream ever since. Comments like, "funny, you don't look Jewish," taught Alisa to embrace her uniqueness and celebrate her individualism through song and songwriting.
Before her professional career began, Alisa nurtured her love for singing by joining show choir all through junior high and high school. Her natural talent was showcased in many school functions and countless solo competitions. Alisa always said that she didn't care about the trophies and plaques, the only thing that mattered was, "inspiring someone to love music as much as I do".
In 2005, Alisa was entered into the ETTV Asian Idol Competition. Where she was awarded 1st place in LA, and then 1st place in the U.S. Alisa then went on to compete on an international level in Taipei, Taiwan. After graduation in 2006, Alisa was invited to participate in a national group singing competition held in ShanDong, China. After 2 months of competing with over a hundred finalists, Alisa was one of the select few to be offered a contract by Warner Music China. In August of 2007, Alisa was once again invited back to ShanDong to appear as a guest singer on Season Two of the group singing competition. While in China, Alisa was also invited to perform for the Qingdao International Beer Festival. Upon her return to Taipei, Alisa was invited to singing on the hit show, Million Star Avenue, as a challenger to the current contestants. Alisa was the first person on the second season to receive full stars (a total of 25) from each of the judges. After successfully winning two challenge shows, Alisa was then signed to Universal Music Taiwan, and is now in the process of producing her debut album, due to come out by the end of 2008.
For the past three years, Alisa has elected to postpone her educational studies in the states and has thus divided her time between Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, and the U.S., going wherever music leads her. Her time in Asia gave Alisa many interesting opportunities to perform in both English and Chinese. She is fluent in both, and her goal is to grow as an artist into a international singer and songwriter.
Before her professional career began, Alisa nurtured her love for singing by joining show choir all through junior high and high school. Her natural talent was showcased in many school functions and countless solo competitions. Alisa always said that she didn't care about the trophies and plaques, the only thing that mattered was, "inspiring someone to love music as much as I do".
In 2005, Alisa was entered into the ETTV Asian Idol Competition. Where she was awarded 1st place in LA, and then 1st place in the U.S. Alisa then went on to compete on an international level in Taipei, Taiwan. After graduation in 2006, Alisa was invited to participate in a national group singing competition held in ShanDong, China. After 2 months of competing with over a hundred finalists, Alisa was one of the select few to be offered a contract by Warner Music China. In August of 2007, Alisa was once again invited back to ShanDong to appear as a guest singer on Season Two of the group singing competition. While in China, Alisa was also invited to perform for the Qingdao International Beer Festival. Upon her return to Taipei, Alisa was invited to singing on the hit show, Million Star Avenue, as a challenger to the current contestants. Alisa was the first person on the second season to receive full stars (a total of 25) from each of the judges. After successfully winning two challenge shows, Alisa was then signed to Universal Music Taiwan, and is now in the process of producing her debut album, due to come out by the end of 2008.
For the past three years, Alisa has elected to postpone her educational studies in the states and has thus divided her time between Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, and the U.S., going wherever music leads her. Her time in Asia gave Alisa many interesting opportunities to perform in both English and Chinese. She is fluent in both, and her goal is to grow as an artist into a international singer and songwriter.
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