Seeing Hanson for the first time

Most of the people who know me probably know that I am a big fan of Hanson. I don't care what they say about it but to me, Hanson is not just all about the MMMBop. 

I was a big fan since MMMBop and so when they announced that they're going to have a concert in Manila last 2004,  I literally begged my mother to go with me. However, due to some circumstances, I was not able to go. My mom told me then that the next time they come here, she will come with me and watch them live. SO I held on to that promise. And waited... 

Until some time in November 2011 when I woke up early in the morning and saw on Facebook that they are coming back again in Manila on March 31, 2012! My, my! I couldn't go back to sleep after that. I was so excited because that was my birthday but then I knew that I wouldn't be able to go again because I'll be going to England to study a month before that time. Days passed and I started to feel sad about it and even thinking of asking to start on September 2012. But my friend told me not to be sad and told me to go on as she believe that I will see Hanson someday. Once again, I held on to that thought. And waited...

Until June (?) of 2013 when Hanson announced that they will have Anthem (their new album) European Tour. I checked the dates and alas! There was a date in London! I got tooo excited and I promised myself that whatever happens, I WILL GO. Before tickets went on sale, I researched about how IndigO2 looked like so I know what type of ticket I will buy. Then I learned that standing is the best option for me because I will get to see them closer. I bought two tickets and I told my boyfriend (now, my husband) that he will come with me. No questions asked. heh.

On the day of the concert, December 8, 2013 (that was Sunday), I went to London and later did I found out that The Walk was happening on that day. I was too late!!!! I could have gotten closer to them and chat with them for a bit! :( I didn't linger to that thought for too long because I don't want to feel sad. I wanted that night to be magical! 

My husband and I was on the queue by 6pm and they let us in at 7pm. The show started at 8pm with their guest, Sion Russell Jones. And then it was followed by Hanson. When I saw them for the first time, I couldn't believe it. I just told myself "this is it!" I was so happy. Words could not describe how happy I was. I was just so in love with the music and I could not believe that I am hearing the songs I listen to on my iTunes, iPod or iPhone LIVE! And let me just say, that they sound so incredible live! It's like I'm listening on their recorded album. That's how awesome they are! I wanted to take more photos but my iPhone makes it a bit impossible to take a clear photo of them. And anyway, photos won't help me capture their performance of the song, so I take videos instead.  Sometimes, the song they perform is just too wonderful that I just want to listen and sing along with them and taking a photo or video is not an option. :) 

Here's the setlist on that show!

1. Fired Up (where I got really fired up!)

2. I've Got Soul

3. Where's The Love (brought me back to the 90s)

4. Scream and Be Free

5. Tragic Symphony

6. Thinkin' 'Bout Somethin'

7. This Time Around

8. On and On

9. Penny and Me

10. With You In Your Dreams (where I became very emotional and teary-eyed)

11. Heaven (Bee Gees cover)

12. For Your Love (Isaac's solo) (been hoping that Ike will sing this)

13. Call Out My Name (Zac's solo)

14. Weird (Taylor's solo)

15. Juliet (Zac on piano!)

16. Already Home (where I got high because of its melody and everything. I love this song!)

17. Waiting For This

18. A Minute Without You

19. MMMBop (I've been dreaming of hearing this song live)

20. Get The Girl Back

21. In The City

22. Lost Without Each Other (thumbs up!)

Encore: 

23. Merry Christmas Baby

24. Run Rudolph Run (Chuck Berry cover)

It was a good 2 hour show. I wanted more and I'm pretty sure that it was not only me who wanted more. When the show ended, it was like I'm on a high. My husband asked me if I was happy and I said I was more than happy. I told myself that I will go to their future shows. And also try The Walk. :) 

-Mrs. W-

Don't rush!

I felt lighter.

Seriously, after I listened to Get It Right over and over again 2 days ago and blogging about it, it made me feel better. The last thing I said from my last blog seemed so powerful. I was up on my feet after that and I just felt stronger. And I KNEW that whatever this is, I can handle it. Add the fact that a friend of mine told me this,

 I know you're more than capable of handling yourself when it comes to tough things (and tough stains :D) 

I'm just not sure what she meant by tough stains. :)


Anyway. That and the Gospel I listened to last Sunday also helped. 

Let not your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, also in me.

It really made me  a stronger person. And by the way, that is what I've been asking God for a month now ever since this happened. :)

And then yesterday, it surprised me because my friend-turned-enemy about a year and a half ago sent me request... a friend request... on facebook. I couldn't be any more happier! THAT just made my day. I was trying to get things right and she was one of it and I thought she'd declined. I e-mailed her and here I was, hoping that she'll reply but at the same time, expecting that she'll turn me down. I was pretty much a... bitch to her then and her, turning me down, was really expected by me. I was just shocked when she didn't answer my e-mail but right away, she responded by friending me again on facebook. I was on the verge of crying when I saw her request! I was excited, nervous and was almost frantic (in a good way). Upon accepting her request, I immediately sent her a message and she responded! Exchanging messages with her was a relief to me and it's like nothing has changed between us (despite everything that has happened to us and me being a big bitch to her) and I very much like that. 

It seems like everything is falling into place as what I have asked Him. Maybe I was just in a hurry the last time that's why I feel so bad about (almost) everything and He taught me to wait and it was worth it and it reminded me of Jordin Sparks's song One Step At A Time,

Now you're feeling more and more frustrated
And you're getting all kind of impatient, waiting
We live and we learn
To take one step at a time
There's no need to rush
It's like learning to fly and falling in love
It's gonna happen and it's supposed to happen
That we find the reasons why, one step at a time

So.. lesson learned. Don't be too impatient. Everything is gonna happen and IT'S SUPPOSED to happen. We just have to wait and to trust in Him. And of course, pray. It helps. :)

I've never felt lighter... and happier. Thank You.

-F.M.W.

"How many times will it take for me to GET IT RIGHT?"

I LOVE GLEE. They cover songs beautifully. My iTunes are filled with Glee cover songs. But there was one episode this season (Season 2) where the Glee kids wrote their original songs for the regionals in which they won. Anyway, one of it was Get It Right written by Rachel Berry (in the TV show only, of course) after she talked with Quinn about Finn. She was so heart broken and hurt and went home and wrote this song. And on the regionals, she sung this with Brittany and Tina as her back-up vocals. 

It was a good song. Back then when I first heard this, I didn't really liked it as much as I liked Loser Like Me. But just last night, I was having one of those days (or night) feeling like... crap. Maybe it's because of the hormones. I still have my monthly period last night (lol! Is it appropriate to say that in a blog?) and you know, it makes girls really emotional.. And when I say emotional, it's not just sadness.. But.. that was what I felt last night. (Crappy period! -_-)

My mind just suddenly sang this and I, myself, was surprised. I had the urge to open my iTunes but was too lazy to open my laptop and besides, I gotta read. So up to this morning, this was what my head's been singing.-_-

I was emailing a friend of mine when I started to play this and it made me teary eyed. I said somethings to her which made me emotional as the lyrics sunk in. I had to compose myself so I won't start crying. And then I searched for its lyrics and bam! It struck me. I was feeling what Rachel Berry was feeling about (some) things... that she just wanted to fix the wrong things she's done but despite of her trying, she still got it wrong. 

I'm not gonna say anymore. I might end up whimpering. Here's the lyrics to Get It Right.


What have I done?
I wish I could run
Away from this ship going under
Just trying to help
Hurt everyone else
Now I feel the weight of the world is on my shoulders

What can you do when your good isn't good enough
And all that you touch tumbles down?
'Cause my best intentions
Keep making a mess of things,
I just wanna fix it somehow
But how many times will it take?
Oh, how many times will it take for me to get it right, to get it right?

Can I start again, with my faith shaken?
'Cause I can't go back and undo this
I just have to stay and face my mistakes,
But if I get stronger and wiser, I'll get through this

What can you do when you're good isn't good enough?
And all that you touch tumbles down?
'Cause my best intentions keep making a mess of things,
I just wanna fix it somehow
But how many times will it take?
Oh, how many times will it take for me to get it right?

So I throw up my fists, throw a punch in the air,
And accept the truth that sometimes life isn't fair!
Yeah, I'll send down a wish and I'll send up a prayer
And then finally someone will see how much I care

What can you do when you're good isn't good enough?
And all that you touch tumbles down?
'Cause my best intentions keep making a mess of things,
I just wanna fix it somehow
But how many times will it take?Oh, how many times will it take for me to get it right?


I guess I just have to stop trying...

-F.M.W. 

Sick Cycle Carousel to Boston

Sick Cycle Carousel.

We all know this song from Lifehouse. It is also one of my favorite songs from that favorite band of mine. And, we all have different interpretations on this one. Before, my interpretation for this song was just about love. Yeah.. LOVE. 

But as of now, I have another interpretation because these lines caught my attention:

'Cause I tried to climb your steps
I tried to chase you down
I tried to see how low
I could get down to the ground

I tried to earn my way
I tried to change this mind
You better believe that
I tried to beat this

So when will this end
It goes on and on
Over and over and over again

Keep spinning around
I know that it won't stop
Till I step down from this for good

This made me realize that I'm so sick of this freakin' 'cycle' I'm going thru. Each day, or maybe every 2 days or every week, this 'cycle' happens. I did everything to get out of it but something happens as I try to get out... as I 'try to beat this.' It's really making me go insane.

If shame had a face
I think it would kind of look like mine
If it had a home would it be my eyes
Would you believe me
If I said I am tired of this
Now here we go now one more time

SHAME. Yep. I've been there. And I'm STILL there. I felt ashamed (and still ashamed) of myself. I thought I'd let go but it keeps haunting me. I thought everything was fine but it's really not YET fine. Everything is like a disaster and I'm just so tired of it all. I just want everything to be 'fixed.' I want to have my normal, carefree, happy life back and be free of this cycle.

I've been hiding because this 'carousel' is haunting me and I don't know how it keeps on reaching me. I thought that by hiding, I can finally have my normal, carefree, happy life back. And I thought that by hiding, I can go to my own Boston. Yes, to Boston where I can start all over again as a NEW person. But hiding didn't do me any good. It didn't even bring me to my own Boston. Just got stucked in the carousel.

I have to 'step down from this for good.' I have to step out into the light. Start from there and get out of the spinning carousel.

-F.M.W.

Hanson Day 2011

If you REALLY know me, then you must already know that I'm a BIIIIIIIIIIIIIG fan of Hanson. And that they're my favorite band. :) 

Last May 6, 2011 was the 14th Hanson Day. May 6 was actually declared a Hanson Day 14 years ago in Tulsa, OK,  by the Governor back then. And it is in Tulsa where the band members live. ;) Also, their album, Middle of Nowhere, was released in the U.S. on that date, 14 years ago. It was supposed to be a one time occurrence but Hanson fans still recognize this date as Hanson Day. And WE will forever recognize May 6 as Hanson Day. :)

So, here in the PH, Hanson fans celebrated it. Instead of celebrating it on the 6th of May, we celebrated a day after that. Why? Well... most of the fans are already working. Can't do it also on a Friday night as some of them have work until midnight.. Something like that. AND.. our celebration wasn't just a 1 day celeb. We planned an overnight celebration. But I wasn't able to stay overnight. hihi.

We stayed in a hotel where they stayed when they came here last 2004. The original plan was, to be in one of the rooms of the brothers. Actually, we already reserved for Zac's then-hotel-room. But for some reasons, we didn't get it. boo! Hoh well. What's important is we enjoyed the day. :) And we have a room to stay in. 

It was my 1st time to attend a celebration like this. And it was soooo fun! We had this amazing and yummy cupcakes which has a Hanson something design on top of the icing. Ahh! I still remember its taste. Here are the pictures of that tasty cupcakes.

Hanson day 2011!

We also had this chocolate cake. I brought this. :D

Yeah.. we HAD a lot of sweets that day! Sugar high, beybeh! BUT.. I was quiet the whole time. LMAO! The sweetness of the cupcakes silenced me. -___-

Other than the foods we had, we also had this raffle. I didn't win. haha! But it's okay. We had this small form where we had to write who our favorite Hanson is, favorite song, favorite Hanson wife and favorite Hanson kid. Honestly, I had a hard time figuring out who my favorite was. haha! But in the end, I wrote Taylor ( I was TORN between him and Zac. lmao), Carry You There (though almost all of their songs are my favorite!), Nikki Hanson (Okay. The Hanson wives are just all beautiful) and then lastly, I wrote Penny. Penny is just so cute. Plus, I love her name. ;)

We also watched the 5 of 5. Though we weren't able to finish it. We also watched DWTS where Hanson performed.  ♫ Ice, ice baby! ♫

This celebration was a total success. We've been planning this since March and even invited other fans. We expected a lot of new faces but 2 is better than nothing. :))

On to the photos. :D

Yeah.. We had a tarpaulin. a VEEEEERRRY nice tarpaulin. :)

Told ya, we've been planning since March. :))

A bookmark as a remembrance.

This will be used more often because I'm itching to buy novelSSS.

This was the raffle thing. 

AND I had this as another remembrance!!

Suh-weeeet!!!

Also, on this day, I FINALLY got my Tayfarers! :)

Haven't used this one yet. hihi.

And finally, human pictures! LMAO

We planned all this. But we were not complete at this photo. 

The admins and the 2 new faces we met.

♫ Mmm bop, ba duba dop, ba du bop, ba du dop, ba du bop, ba du dop, ba du ♫

MMMBopping for 14 years.. and counting. :D

Photos are all mine except for the cake and the human pictures. :D

-F.M.W.

I've learned to breathe Switchfoot

Last February 8, 2011 (yes, I still KNOW the date), I found out that Switchfoot is coming here in Manila. I saw the details and I know from that time that I can buy a ticket and watch. The only question was.. who will come with me? 

I posted this poster to my facebook just to let my facebook friends here in Manila know about it. And if any friends of mine would love to go... with me. 

So far, that time, no friend of mine wants to go. boohoo. See, this is my only problem whenever a favorite artist of mine's coming here to perform. I don't know anyone who would come with me and watch. Last 2009, I watched Katy Perry here and I know that I have a friend who loves her so we watched. Guess I was lucky then. 

Then came March. A friend of mine posted a status saying that she wanted to go watch Switchfoot. Then hope came thru me. hahaha! I said that I wanted to watch too and then minutes later, our group of friends started commenting that they'd love to go too. So we decided that we're going to watch it. FINALLY! :D 

Then came the last week of March. The show's date was April 29, 2011 and we still don't have tickets. I was so afraid of the phrase 'SOLD OUT' so before I hear it, I told my friend that we should buy tickets already. And we did. 3 of us did, anyway. So there. We had a reserved seat and I was so happy that day! I only have to wait for April 29th to come. :)

Then came April 29th. I was totally in a Switchfoot mode the whole day since I woke up. I downloaded songs that I still don't have particularly songs from Hello Hurricane. :)) Yeah, I downloaded late. :)) Then 4pm came and I started preparing myself. The time says, 7:30pm and I have to meet  2 of my friends at Shangri-la Mall before we go to the venue. I got there almost 6pm. shoot! And I thought that it was still very early to go to the venue so we decided to eat our dinner first. The next thing we know, it's already 6:30pm. So we hurried out the mall and searched for a cab. Unfortunately, all cabs we saw were taken! And I can see heavy traffic. Oh goodness!

Then we ended up falling in line at Shangri-la Mall's taxi bay. I was shocked to see 2 long lines. o.O And it was already 6:50pm. But that was our only choice--and safest. At least we're sure that we can get a cab there.. BUT.. we'll be arriving late. :(

7pm. 7:30pm. 8pm. finally we're next in line to have a cab. We're just distracting ourselves so we won't feel down at the fact that we're already freakin' late at the show. We assured ourselves that the front act of the show are still performing. -__- Then when we were in the cab, a friend of mine called her friend (who's going to the show, too) and learned that the gates are not opened yet. What a relief! We're not late! :)) 

We arrived there around 8:30pm and we saw lines outside the venue. We're so happy and thankful that we are there... on time. :)) 

So we were inside now. We are seated at the left side of the arena. 2nd row. We're so shocked 'cause we're near the stage!!! I'll be able to see Jon Foreman very well. :)) At 9pm, Imago, a local band here, performed. They were the front act. Thank God it's them. I like that band. Then the lights went off and we were just waiting for Switchfoot to step on the stage and start the show.

Then boom! The crowd screamed and just made noise and I saw a person walked on stage and I assumed that it was Jon Foreman so I stood up and then lights were on and there he was! I was right! Jon Foreman and the rest of the band were now on stage. Of course, the usual, he greeted us. Said something in Tagalog. He even said "Astig tayo!" And the crowd made noise. haha! I'm not surprised that he knows that because one of their band members is a Filipino. Or Filipino-American. Whatever. But he, Jerome Fontamillas, who plays piano and guitar in the band, is a Filipino.

Then they played The Sound then Stars! What a way to start the show! This 2 songs are amazing!! And I love Stars! Everything about that song, I love. Period. They played it and I was so on rock 'n roll mode. I was head banging, slightly at first and I was singing and screaming at the top of my lungs! It was fuuuuun!! 

Then at the-almost-ending of the show, they slowed it down. They played Learning To Breathe and I was extremely happy! I was really hoping they'd play that and also Dare You To Move. Me, seeing Jon Foreman sing that favorite song of mine, made me feel soooo in love... with him! AHHH! He's all the synonym words of AWESOME! He's just.. FREAKIN' FANTASTIC!!

After they played Learning To Breathe, they played This Is Home.  And after that, bam! Lights off! They were gone! As in gone off from the stage! I was shocked! I just couldn't believe they would leave like that. And then I waited for a couple more seconds and they didn't showed up so I sat for a while. Then the crowd chanted "We want more!" And a few seconds, they were out the stage again! :D

Jon said "Is it okay if we play 3 more songs?" Of course we all said 'YES!' Then they started playing their last 3 songs. They first played Only Hope and I was stunned! Jon, with his acoustic guitar, played another favorite song of mine! It was a great performance. The crowd's singing along with him and after the bridge of that song, the whole band played. AMAZING! I haven't heard it with the drums and all. just. WOW.

2nd to the last song was We Are One Tonight. Hello head banging! :)))) Jon was everywhere! He also climbed up the bars leading to the 2nd level of seats on the other side of the stage! He stayed there singing while fans went beside him "hoping" to get a not-blurry picture with him :))) I doubt that. :)) Before the song ended, he was back on stage.

And before they played the last song, he said something about music and that music has been a part of him since he was a kid. Like an escape. And then he said "This is a song about movement." I didn't get it at first and the crowd were making a noise and then they started playing and I still don't know what the heck that song is. hahaha! But I was thinking (or was I hoping?) that it's Dare You To Move. Then, finally, the tune became familiar. It was Dare You To Move! I screamed! That song is just my most favorite Switchfoot song!! I was sooooo happy that it was their last song! It's special. It's like, Jon is singing to me. *sigh* :)) I tried to take less pictures from that performance because I just want to feel the music and give in to its magnificent rhythm, lyrics and everything and just sing along! :)) I didn't even want that performance to end. *sigh* But.. all things come to an end. After that song, they said their goodbyes and thanks and ended with a bow and a wave to the crowd. Now we all know that it's over. 

Lights On. I was still taking in all of what happened. I can't believe (still) that I saw them perform live. They were amazing! If they do come back here, I WILL BE THERE. And I hope they come back. They said that they love Manila.  Oh! Jon even thanked Manila for bringing Jerome Fontamillas (to earth! Yeah, that's what he meant. I can't exactly remember what he said.), who is one of his best friends! HA! For sure, they'll keep coming back here! :D

Switchfoot Setlist- April 29, 2011. Phil Sports Arena.

The Sound

Stars

Bullet Soul

Gone

Your Love Is A Song

Free

Always

Awakening

Meant To Live

Mess Of Me

Learning To Breathe

This Is Home

We Are One Tonight

Encore:

Only Hope

Hello Hurricane

Dare You To Move

They ended at 10:40pm. What a great night! 

So that was my Switchfoot experience! :D

Oh! I love Jon Foreman. Just as I love Jason Wade. Period. ♥♥♥

-F.M.W.

1st Song of the Day: 3am

Here I am blogging the first song my iTunes played for me. It's 3am by Matchbox 20.

To be honest, this wasn't the first song that made me like Matchbox 20. It was Push. I haven't even heard this until after I began to seriously LOVE them. :))) And I haven't put this song on repeat until now. I'm loooving this song. 

3am-- not a usual title for any song. I thought it's just about 3am and the (writer) singer just can't sleep. But it's not about that.  It's about the girl who says that it's 3am and she MUST be lonely. What is with this time? A lot of things go on at 3am. Is it the worse time of all? I just noticed that some 'bad things' happen at 3am. -__- 

Anyway.. I kinda relate to this song just now. Most especially the chorus.

She says baby
It's 3 am I must be lonely
When she says baby
Well I can't help but be scared of it all sometimes
Says the rain's gonna wash away I believe it

There. Well... I have been feeling lonely for a while and it's pretty scary. I have been fighting it but I keep on losing. It's not really obvious when you see me. You can pretty much see it when I tweet. :) 

OKAY. I don't want to elaborate the loneliness I'm feeling 'cause it'll make me even more... lonely. heeee! 

Just enjoy this song! 3am- Matchbox 20

She says it's cold outside and she hands me my raincoat 

She's always worried about things like that 

She says it's all gonna end and it might as well be my fault

And she only sleeps when it's raining 

And she screams and her voice is straining

She says baby 

It's 3 am I must be lonely 

When she says baby 

Well I can't help but be scared of it all sometimes 

Says the rain's gonna wash away I believe it

She's got a little bit of something, God it's better than nothing 

And in her color portrait world, she believes that she's got it all 

She swears the moon don't hang quite as high as it used to 

And she only sleeps when it's raining 

And she screams and her voice is straining

She says baby 

It's 3 am I must be lonely 

When she says baby 

Well I can't help but be scared of it all sometimes 

Says the rain's gonna wash away, i believe...yes

She believes that life is made up of all that you're used to 

And the clock on the wall has been stuck at three for days, and days 

She thinks that happiness is a mat that sits on her doorway 

But outside it's stopped raining

She says baby 

It's 3 am I must be lonely 

When she says baby 

Well I can't help but be scared of it all sometimes 

Says the rain's gonna wash away, i believe this 

Well it's 3 am I must be lonely 

When and she says baby 

Well I can't help but be scared of it all sometimes

-F.M.W.

1st Song of the Day: Stay With Me

I love music. Who doesn't, right? Every time I open my laptop, I always open my iTunes and play music randomly. So today, the first song that played was Stay With Me by Colbie Caillat.

The moment I heard this today, I thought of sharing it with... you. :) This is one of my favorite songs and this is a relaxing music. Colbie has managed to create a beautiful lyrics with a relaxing tune and it will make you listen to this over and over again. 

This is included in her Breakthrough album and may I just say that, that album is sooooo good! I love all of her songs there. Perfectly made! 

Here's the youtube link to Stay With Me. The video are made up of clips from the film The Time Traveler's Wife. Just a reminder, it is not the official video of this song. I just chose this video so it won't be boring to... watch. And as I was watching this, I thought it's perfect for the song. :D Enjoy!

Stay With Me- Colbie Caillat

We simply fit together like a piece of apple pie

I will be vanilla ice cream

And I'll sing you lullabies

I will love you in the moonlight

And I'll love you in the day,

Always

I love the time we spend

Like a watch from an old friend

I will help you keep your smile

Promise me you'll stay awhile

I will come to you in need

And I'll help you when I can,

When I can

Stay with me

Promise me you're never gonna leave

Stay with me yeah

Lets try to be the best that we can be

Take our time

We always joke together

Laugh till we're rolling on the floor

I like the way you dance around when you're running for the door

I will come to visit you

Even when we're old and grey,

Always

I love the way you make me feel

When you're asleep I'll take the wheel

Make sure to call when you get home

When you're driving on the road

I will come to you in need and I'll help you when I can,

When I can

So

Stay with me

Promise me you're never gonna leave

Stay with me

Lets try to be the best that we can be

Take our time

I'll come to you in need and I'll help you when I can

I will help you when I can

I will come to you in need and I'll help you when I can

I will help you when I can

Always

So stay with me

Promise you youre never gonna leave

Stay with me yeah

Lets try to be the best that we can be

And take our time

Oooh

-F.M.W