happy valentine's day!

I've never placed much importance on it, but this year my husband gave me red roses and a box of chocolates---very classic and very sweet. It might've been the first time I received a proper gift like that on valentine's day.

Hey hey! That makes me sound like an unpopular gal... let me explain!

In America, the general custom is for boys to give flowers or chocolates to girls, right? The funny thing is, in Japan, it is the complete opposite. Oh, a girl might prepare all sorts of things, home-made cookies, chocolates, even a hand-knitted sweater, and if she has a crush on someone, this is THE day to let him know.

Valentine's day is the exception, because girls are supposed to be too shy to just walk up to a guy and ask him out. The idea was that girls wait for the boys. Well, obviously, times are changing, and it's totally okay now for girls to be expressive and bold when it comes to love, on any day of the year. In fact, it looks like gender stereotypes are teetering---guys are becoming a bit timid. (Sorry guys, it's true.)


So... can I tell you what I've been up to these days? I've been rehearsing for my showcase. It's a whole lotta fun everyday. My band sometimes busts out with an 80's hit medley jam session (no, folks, it's not gonna be a part of the show!) and I get totally jealous that I don't know those old tunes. If I knew them I'd be jamming with those 30-something cats. Well, I'm learning, so maybe next time.

Exactly one more week till the real thing. It's sounding better and better, and the visuals (which play an intimate role with the music) are starting to take shape. I've been blessed with some really cool creators (my husband's a part of the team) and I can already tell it's gonna look damn good.

Oh man it's not even 1 o'clock and I'm sleepy as hell. I'll be taking a book with me and hittin' the sack real soon. I'm reading a book about SALT. It is so intriguing, the history of salt... a real page turner this book is. (I ain't messin' with ya!)

Let me know if you're interested in seeing my reading list. Umm, they're not all about salt.

Good night.