music free my soul - Lijie: Journal

So...I am typing away in Boston...the sun is out...it is a beautiful day...the public transportation in this city is quite an adventure...and just as entertaining as the one in NY...one really does not need tv in the city...though Internet is a different matter...someday, we all may have little wireless routers attached to our bodies...the other day, I was approached in the subway system by a man asking for spare change...he had a smart pair of Nikes and nice Nautica Polo to match...unfortunately i had no change to spare...

Just for the record, the thunder storms in this city are fucking fantastic!!! And this is coming from someone raised in good ol' rainey Washington, suicide capital of the US, or so I've been told, and in turn, have told many. And no, I have not googled this fact.

Here I am, typing away on my laptop, sitting in my new room, in a new city...bean town...Boston. Home of the Red Sox and Boston baked beans, which I have yet to try. A friend of mine affectionately dubbed me a "masshole". That's one I haven't before. It is hot, wet, humid, hot...like the inside of a mouth after a jalapeno pepper. And i love it. Love the heat, love the newness of everything, love being in the eastcoast. Love how unconventional everything feels, even the stench of the T and walking everywhere.

Though I must admit, I am NOT looking forward to the cold. I hear it is Brutal. With a capital B.

As for music...I do have more news coming...but I'm not ready to disclose yet...give me a few more weeks and I will write more...

with love. your artist,
-Lijie-

for those who understand the power of a good cup of coffee...it truly is a wonderful aroma/taste/feeling to have first thing in the morning...it seems to wipe the sleep from one's eyes...

God bless great coffee.

I am back from England...what an amazing, mind-dizzying, fantastic, beautiful, historic adventure...

Firstly, for anyone going to London, make sure to go on a their Guided Walking Tour. The tour guide is usually (I met 2 from Austrlia. I never said they were English!) funny and full of stories and anecdotes of the city's history.

Secondly, while traveling, try to stress as little as possible. Especially BEFORE leaving. It usually leaves little time for packing, remember people's addresses for postcards, making sure airline/passport info is on hand. You know, little things like that.

So go to London, listen to the musicians that play music in the tube (which=subway), take loads and loads and LOADS of photos...and talk to people and be charmed by their accents!

And on your way back from England (flying from London Heathrow to Manchester) you can kill time at the Manchester Airport by doing Soduku (if you're into that kind of thing) or watching the tv in the International Terminal (Gooooo Spice Girls)!!!

It is the eve of Christmas, and I was sitting outside the house…not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse (I hope not, though mice have never frightened me so much…)

That’s about all I know of that nursery rhyme, and with my own alterations at that.

It is a full moon. Though I am not an astrologer of any kind (unless reading occasional horoscopes count as such), I believe having a full moon on Christmas Eve must be a rare treat. And what a beautiful sight! The moon, the stars, and then an airplane passing across the sky... It reminded me of when I was really young (now I’m taking you back to my childhood) and of the days when my mom and I lived in China. Back then, parents could leave their children to stay overnight at school (like boarding school though not as rich-sounding. And it felt more like some sort of punishment). Anyways, my little playmates and I would often play outside after dark (can not recall if that was within school rules or not, but that really doesn’t matter anymore does it), and when a plane would fly overhead, we would all scamper to the top of the slide and yell at the planes to take us to America…!

Which makes me come to the conclusion, dreams do come true! Exclamation mark!

Ok, thanks for reading. Must head out. About to be late for a Christmas get-together-singing session at a friend’s house (though only fashionably).

With love,
-Lijie-

hello good people of the world. how is everyone? better than good/well i hope.

i just had to write a quick blog and comment on how fantastically painful it feels to go running on a crisp Saturday morning and feel the burn of fresh cold winter air filling the lungs. a sensation that i should pursue more often, but alas, this musician =/ marathon runner (where =/ = not equal sign). wish this generic web format would allow one to use cool symbols and such so that readers do not have to guess and try to decipher my self-created codes. but oh well, such is life.

seriously though, for those of you familiar with the great northwest, know that it is a rare and blessed event to have sunshine in winter-time, and must be journaled immediately before rain comes...again. especially when just a few days ago, governor Chris Gregoire (the gov of Washington state) declared a state of emergency for 18 counties. it was quite a horrific site, watching the local news and the images of people rafting from flooded house to flooded house...mother nature and her moody temperament.

did you think i would write about music/new song in this blog? not today folks. but maybe in the near future = )

love to you all and blessings to the families whose homes were ruined in the Washington floods. clothes and blankets are coming your way.
-Lijie-

hi y'all. writing again, maybe i'm making up for lost time...or maybe i just wanted to. yeah!

i hope you all know how much your support means to me... today, i received an email message from Cherie from Florida (2 froms in one sentence. and "froms" isn't even a word! word.) ok, back to serious journal entry. she wrote such a nice message...made me all warm and tingly inside = ) smile.

so thank you Cherie. and blessings to everyone!

xoxo. -Lijie-

sorry to neglect those who check back and read the journal entries. no excuse, i plain forgot. between writing songs, writing to-do lists, writing not-to-do-lists, writing in an actual book journal, the web journal was neglected. i will try and not let them happen again, but key word try. which means, no promises, humans are humans and chances are, i will forget again.

with that disclaimer aside...

started a new song this morning, will not give away the title yet as titles come and titles go...some they stay and some...we forgo! = ) there i am, showing off the rhyming talents. hope you know i'm kidding.

so back to the new song, yes, well, just started it this morning and will try to finish up tonight. some songs come easily, hopefully, this is one of them.

on an off note, i was taking a little stroll this morning while practicing some vocal stuff. this dog, being walked by its female owner, just stared at me, like i was saying something in dog-speak that was totally profound. or maybe it's just the imagination running wild again....hmmmm...i like the something profound rationale. much more cool, and amusing.

title joke aside...i arrived in Idaho last night late night...and though i was exhausted...sleep was not easy to come by...i kept hearing Uma Thurman's voice...i was listening to a book on audio during the 13 hour drive and she was the narrator...it's not like she speaks to me often...or ever...

and this morning's shower was one of those interesting battles where the water would be at a good warm temperature, and then suddenly peak to dang-that's hot, then drop down to oh-my-God that's cold. But if one were to take the average of temperatures, it would even out somehow. even if it did not, does it really matter?

okay, must go get ready for ISU performance. Go Bengals!

sitting at a coffeeshop in downtown Olympia...the weather is beautiful today...BEAUTIFUL...so beautiful that I am somewhat surprised at myself for walking inside a coffeeshop during my lunch hour...it's okay...i still have 25 minutes left...must type/think fast...

i love the smell of coffee...even if i am trying to avoid it...it has the strongest effect...keeps me up until the early morning...yes, even decaf...

you know when you hear a sad story, stories about your heritage...and it breaks your heart...?

online definition of an admiral.

4. Any of various brightly colored butterflies of the genera Limenitis and Vanessa.

Actually, there were other definitions as well that related to the navy, ships...but the one above was my favorite. So that is where I am right now, typing away at the Admirals Club at JFK Airport in New York. Where I would love nothing more than to hop over to Manhattan...but the layover is for 3 hours. 3 hours, where it is a tad too long for a comfortable layover (not that layovers are ever comfortable), and a tad too short to go and explore. I'm not sure if American Airlines actually meant that their club is a butterfly club, but it seems like a nice idea. Definitely a spin on the navy/ship club.

I met a very nice man on the plane from Boston to JFK. He's the one that invited me to the Admirals Club. It's a lounging area for "select" American Airline members ("select" meaning paying club members). There's tv, a full bar, big couches, free apples wrapped in saran wrap at the front counter (reminder to grab one on the way out), and INTERNET. And don't worry, he's not the sleazy/pick up kind of guy. Just a nice gentleman, father of two little girls, trying to help out a musician lugging around a guitar with nothing to do for 3 hours.

Thanks Louis.

i have taken three baths today, and one shower. and if you include the bath i took around midnight, that would make it four, and if you add the one i will take later on, that will make it five...i do not know why. i just had an urge...correction...i had several urges...

this past weekend was spent recouperating from the past tour. it's strange, no matter how long or short a tour is, a week, a month...i find myself exhausted. you wouldn't think that driving/being in a car for 13+ hours to end up sitting in a hotel for an indefinite amount of time to be exhausting...but it is. last week, i left for Idaho on Tuesday, then headed to Spokane on Thursday. After the show at Gonzaga, my sister (God bless her for wanting to come with me) and I were suppose to start the drive home. But that was not meant to be. Our automobile decided not to work post performance at a gas station. It was quite frustrating really, because people would go through the trouble of jumping the car for us, it would run for a minute, and then decide to just die...if cars can mock people, then it mocked us that night. several times.

Normally, I would have lost it. Seriously, my patience, my mind, my sense of humor, any rationale for that matter...but this time...broken down automobile in a city I barely know...with my sister next to me...some strangers helping out...a nice man named Tim who towed my car (without asking for his usual service fee, even though he had to get out of bed late night), I was thankful! Laughing! My sister probably thought i was crazy. actually, she does think i'm crazy, God bless her. I love my F**ing job. I LOVE it. of all the ways that one can find themselves in a somewhat "inconvenient" situation, i am so glad it was while travelling, playing MUSIC.

i hope i don't sound like i'm full of it, because trust me, i'm not. I'm well aware of the fact that i am 27 years old, living at home because it is the only way i can afford to play music and focus on music. so for anyone who may have thought that i was cool because of the whole music thing...well...my apologies for disappointing you in the cool category. BUT, i am happy to let you know that if you hear a clicking sound when attempting to start your engine and it does not turn, it may either be your starter or your altenator (however the heck you spell that word). You know it's your starter if your lights/radio...work. But if they're dead, then it's your battery or that one word that starts with an "a" that i'm not sure how to spell.

going back to the whole being exhausted after a tour thing. so my sister and i finally get back home on Friday night, and i have done not much of anything, except sleep/bathe/read/played the piano a few times. well, i did perform at a Chinese New Year party on Saturday....and i plan on going to yoga tonight to try and get back on course...speaking of, must sign off or I will be late...!

thanks for reading this random babbling.

with love to you all. -lijie-

Sitting in my hotel room…actually…it’s not a hotel, it’s an inn. I’m not too sure of the difference, but either way, there’s a bed, table, some chairs, tv, bathroom…you get the picture…

“Little Black Book” is playing on cable tv, I just finished practicing some songs on the guitar (and finished a new one *_*).

It’s a new year…it’s almost hard to believe…but I think I think that every time the ball drops…

Well, I like the way the New Year has started so far. I’m in Idaho (no, U-da-ho, just kidding = ), on tour, performing at Idaho State University (my first time in Idaho might I add). The staff have been amazing, took me out to dinner tonight (salmon and a baked potato….mmmm…and an endless supply of teaaaaaaaaaa = )

“Do you believe in happy endings” character Stacy

“yeah, I think so…how about you?” character Bean (?)

“yeah, I do. Isn’t that funny…I still do?” character Stacy

Yes, I was distracted by the movie and had to fill you in. It’s one of those movies about a girl who discovers that she does not know her boyfriend as well as she thought, and begins to poke around his “Little Black Book” and ends up meeting his ex-lady friends. Well, I won’t give up the ending (and I can’t, even if I wanted to because the movie hasn’t ended yet), but it’s always funny to me how…in movies, everyone says the right thing. I know, I know, OF COURSE they say the right thing, they have scripts. Yes, duh. Well, I guess I’m one of those types that sometimes lives in a fantasy world…and I think to myself…why isn’t life like that…ever?...I try not to…but it’s the hopeless-romantic in me...sigh...

Changed channels, now I see the governator of California, swinging some barbaric weapon over his head…must be “Conan” or something… Speaking of Conan, how funny is Conan O'Brien! I secretly love him.

Okay. That’s all for tonight. Sweet dreams everyone. Much love. Peace out.

Ps: I’m not good at goodbyes = )

It has been raining for the past...I don't know how many days...that's how many! So many I've lost count. And when it rains in Washington, it doesn't just rain, it RAINS...On the upside, it's an excuse to stay in and stay warm. The downside to rain...slugs. Ugh. Grotesque little creatures. Though not very fast...but still disgusting. I remember once when I was young, I awoke to a slug crawling up my window pane, and I almost yacked. In retrospect, it was OUTSIDE my window. But still, uggggggghhhhhhhhh.

Okay, no more talk of slugs.

Just got back from performing in Berkeley. LOVE that city. Did I mention I lived there briefly? Would have lived there longer but my then full-time job was sucking the life out of me. Plus my landlord was a bit of a nightmare...Anyways, I always love performing at UC Berkeley. The students are great. Makes me smile just thinking about it. Hope to go back soon...

I am sitting at my computer in Washington, typing on our family computer while my two brothers watch “Myth Busters” in the kitchen. Certain herbicides can cause your pants to explode. Huh.

The last few months have been…an emotional roller-coaster…

Quick story of the adventures of VJ and Lijie.

Before leaving San Francisco, I had one more show in Las Vegas and decided to ask VJ (full name Van Joseph) to come with me. And of course, VJ and I had ourselves quite an interesting time in Vegas. If you’re thinking gambling, booze, and naked people, you will be disappointed. It was more like one game of slot machine (I lost 25 cents), super-sized daiquiris, over priced henna tattoos (Eden…), and sleeping at airports because hotel reservations fell through. Good times. VJ, you were a wonderful travelling partner and our next fine dining experience is on me!

And now I’m at home, and I feel like I’m on a short sabbatical, which is really nice. Really REALLY nice…

I find myself stumbling over words (I mean, more than I usually do) because Chinese and English have become one big smorgishborg inside my head. I confuse others, and even myself. = )

In retrospect, when I think of China, it was beautiful, sad, crowded, and lonely, all at once. And I feel lucky to have spent most of my time with family. But it also means I was living in a bubble for 3+ weeks. A bubble of food, smoke, and constant laughing.

I wonder if the people of Beijing will ever see a clear blue sky like the one above California.

We are so different, and yet the same...

I love watching people on bicycles, especially the little ones that sit on the back seat. Today, I saw a woman carting a crate the size of a refrigerator on the back of a 3-wheel bike. I thought to myself "she rocks!" I find it interesting that for so many, life in China is a 14 hour work day, spent sitting outside their shop/food cart. The days are slow and leisureIy, nothing like what I have become accustomed to in San Francisco. I love red and/or greenbean popsicles, with its sandy texture and slight sweetness (especially the ones that have real beans). Delicious! And I love the little babies with their beautiful chubby faces.

I do not mean to make China seem like a beautiful, magical place. Because I must be honest, the air is dirty and I will not claim to understand or know how the government rules. But I feel fortunate to experience another culture and to spend time with my family; they are great people. GREAT people.

But how I miss sponges! Oh to be able to hold the prickly little rectangle while washing dishes is a luxury I have not experienced since my stay in Baoding (my aunt in Beijing had one green sponge, and I now realize its value!) Forget dishwashers, give me sponges galore! People in China prefer either using 1) their hands 2) a wash cloth. Huh?

I can't believe I sang in front of 1000+ people...I was told that there may have been 2000 people, but it's hard to tell when there were people standing outside the fence and watching from dorm roof-tops. The outdoor concert was held at Da Nang University with several different acts, held in a court-yard located in the middle of a set of dorm buildings. I could see students sitting on their windowsills, watching the show. Some had legs hanging out of the window. I had no idea what 1000+ people looked like, until I got on stage. And then it seemed...like a lot.

It's funny that the phrase "a Starbucks at every corner" does not apply here. I have not seen one. NOT ONE! Daily caffeine now consists of packets of Maxwell House Instant Coffee, and tea (of course).

And I can't help but wonder, what would my own life be like if I had stayed here.

I feel like a broken record player, but the pollution is difficult to bare. Maybe if I had always lived in China, I would be accustomed to brown skies on sunny days. But it is not the case. The only blue sky that visited during our stay (and it was a subtle, greyish shade of blue, not deep and magestic) was after a night of thunder and rain in Beijing. My mom and I were staying with our aunt on the 26th floor of her house/apartment (most home owners own their own apartment versus a house built on land. Most Americans with homes have "ping fang," meaning "flat house") and when the winds blew in the middle of the night, I feared that our building would topple!

Though I am a smoker, it is difficult to eat a good meal while engulfed in a cloud of never-ending smoke (when you are at a table with men, there is almost always someone smoking). In most upper-scale restaurants, patrons have the option of renting a private room. End-result: Smoker's room. Cough cough. Puff puff.

My biggest gripe, and the one thing I may never be able to get use to, are public stooping toilets. When I was young, I feared falling into the thick batter of you-know-what . Now that I'm older, I still fear falling into the thick batter of you-know-what. If you've seen the movie Trainspotting, you'd understand why. And no amount of scented anything can overpower the smell of thick batter of you-know-what. The latter always seems to win. I would rather take a roll of toilet paper and head to the hills.

That being said, I'm going to go to bed. And dream of fluffy clouds that smell of cherry blossoms and pumpkin spice. Hmmmmm...

My aunt brought my mom and I back to Baoding, the city where I was born and raised until the age of 5 1/2. We passed by the pre-school I once ran away from when a teacher locked me in a closet (a long story). The school has been completely rebuilt, no longer requiring students to urinate in outdoor toilets (which were once holes. Actually, if my memory serves me correctly, they were more rectangular in shape than circular. But holes nonetheless). We also visited my cousin's old neighborhood where she and I would run around like tom-boys. I am somewhat shocked that this place was once home; and from what I recall, a very happy one. I know it may seem shallow, but it's difficult to imagine that a run-down one-room shack could create such happy and fond memories. But it did (smile).

Baoding is masked by a layer of pollution, something I never noticed when I was young. During our tour of HeBei University (the first performance location), it was difficult to smile because of the dust.

My uncle and I smoke Chinese cigarettes morning, noon, and night (for those who did not know me as a smoker, smoking is a habit I hope to kick. Please pray that I will stay strong. Thank you.) The cigarettes are harsh, like Marlboro Reds. I have been told that Chinese women rarely smoke in public. Most females are closet smokers. I can understand why as I light up at restaurants, and feel the presence of many eyes coming towards my direction. Unwanted attention.

Besides an abundance of cigarettes, chopsticks, and bicycles, almost every house will hold a supply of sunflower seeds (or watermelon seeds, or seeds of something I did not know could carry seeds). My family and I often watch tv, accompanied by the sounds of seeds being cracked, and the occasional inhale of a cigarette.

When my mom and I first arrived in Beijing and stepped outside of the airport, the first thing I thought was "wow, this city is polluted." I've been to Beijing before, but it seemed this was the first time I actually took the time to experience my surroundings. Because we arrived on a day where it had sprinkled rain earlier in the day, the air was thick with dust. The drive back from the airport was an hour of tree/people/building/street watching. And I thought people in LA were aggressive drivers! Drivers in Beijing just GO. My kind of city = ). I do not know how people on bicycles have the courage to ride amongst the lawless traffic.

Yesterday, my aunt took my mom and I to a park built during the Ming Dynasty where the emperor of China use to live. We walked on the center pathway (where only the emperor could walk) and we felt like emperors for awhile (roughly for a minute before other tourists/visitors had to pass us on the trail).

The food here is AMAZING (dumplings, wontons, red-bean popsicles) and everything is so inexpensive! Five adults can eat a full course lunch, including alcohol, for around $5. Just to reiterate, that's five American dollars for five grown adults.

So far, the only music I've really been able to experience is practicing my guitar and attempting to write new songs in the guest room of my aunt's house. She lives on the 14th floor of her building, and the view outside her window is breathtaking. Just don't look straight down.

We have to purchase an outlet adapter as my camera is about to die, and my laptop is officially sleeping until further notice. SO...please visit back in a few days for new updates. Much love from China-lijie