Tag Archives: Switchfoot

Dear Diary, Say Cheese!

Twenty Four

day sixteen.

Twenty four oceans
Twenty four skies
Twenty four failures
Twenty four tries
Twenty four finds me
In twenty-fourth place
Twenty four drop outs
At the end of the day
Life is not what I thought it was
Twenty four hours ago

And, happy birthday!

The thing with all the different happenings in the past few days is that it made me feel that I’ve been celebrating my birthday for so long already, starting Saturday, that finally getting to my actual birthday felt…well, like it’s not new anymore. Yes, I’m still excited, but it’s kind of winding down, and well…in a way, I’m glad, even if I do feel a bit sad.

My phone has been ringing with messages all day, friends are buzzing me on YM and my Facebook wall is filled with messages that I have yet to reply to. I just had lunch with my teammates, got a cake and a cute gift from my goddaughter, and it’s a relatively nice day. I look forward to tonight when I have dinner with my family and get one of the shoes I’ve been wanting to get since last month. This year’s birthday has been all about shoes, I wonder what that means. :)

I wore a dress today, too. And although it isn’t a new dress, it’s probably the most comfortable I’ve felt wearing something girly in the longest time. Even if I ate a lot during lunch (Shakey’s! ♥), I still feel pretty. Beautiful, even. :) Again, I love wearing dresses. And I’m still looking for more clothes. The reward of losing weight. :)

Earlier today, I got to talk to an old friend, who finally remembered my birthday on time. It’s a nice way to start the new year, and somehow it gives me hope that all is not lost between the two of us. She asked me what I feel now that I’m a year older, and as I thought about it, I realized that I don’t feel as lost, as opposed to how I felt a couple of years ago. I can’t say that I’m already rooted or in Maslow’s terms, I’ve reached self-actualization…but I guess it’s safe to say that I’ve gotten rid of some of my struggles and baggage from last year.

Still I’m singing Spirit take me up in arms with You
And I’m not who I thought I was twenty four hours ago
Still I’m singing Spirit take me up in arms with You

Twenty four reasons to admit that I’m wrong
With all my excuses still twenty four strong

See I’m not copping out not copping out not copping out
When You’re raising the dead in me

So what’s it going to be on my 24th? I’m seeing changes, lots of it. My brother’s wedding, for one. And renovation of our house. And I’m betting there’s more, because life likes throwing curve balls…but I’d like to believe that I can react faster this time. :)

And You’re raising these twenty four voices
With twenty four hearts
With all of my symphonies
In twenty four parts
But I want to be one today
Centered and true

I’m not afraid of these changes. At least, not as much as I used to be. The thought kind of makes me uneasy…but my God is bigger. And I have been blessed with great family and awesome friends, and I know that they’ll always be there and God will always be there, and there’s nothing that can separate me from His love. No calamity, tragedy, guy, loneliness, even happiness can ever separate me from His love. Ever.

I want to see miracles, see the world change
Wrestled the angel, for more than a name
For more than a feeling
For more than a cause
I’m singing Spirit take me up in arms with You
And You’re raising the dead in me
Twenty four voices
With twenty four hearts
With all of my symphonies
In twenty four parts.

This year, I’m going to be open to opportunities. I’m going to stay positive and see the good thing in every situation. I’m going to believe that my 24th year in this life is going to be an awesome year. Yes?

Thanks to everyone who made this day special. ♥ You guys are equally awesome. Now I’m off to hear mass. :)

Edited to add: To celebrate my birthday online…I created a formspring.me account! Ask me anything!

Dear Diary, Entertaining Angels, In His Steps

Hello, Hurricane

Hello, world!

I meant to post soon again after my last post, but work and my new shift got in the way. When the weather is like this, I like being on day shift, but my body clock is making it hard for me to adjust. I realized when I was looking in the mirror after my work out earlier that the dark circles under eye are back. Hello, eyebags.

On another note, Switchfoot released their latest studio album last week, entitled Hello Hurricane. Remember those Mess of Me CDs that I hid a couple of months ago (where did those go, anyway?) ? This is where this song is included.

Hello Hurricane
I bought the deluxe version of the album through iTunes (of course, get the real thing!) when it was released and listened to them in passing. Then I was distracted by Mae, so it took only today to really listen to this new album.

Then I read the story about what the title track was about from Jon Foreman himself…and guess who almost started crying? (Emphasis mine, btw)

This is a subject matter that I speak of with holy reverence. Having grown up on the East Coast I know firsthand of the houses lost, of the dreams turned into nightmares. I take my shoes off and recognize that this is a matter that is dear to our nation, especially of late- with every passing hurricane season. Last year, with Habitat for Humanity we helped to build a house for a woman who lost everything in Hurricane Katrina. The hurricane had taken her city, her house, and her leg. As she relocated to Baton Rouge and learned how to walk as an amputee, her mantra was this: “I walked out of my house and my life in New Orleans on my own legs, I’m going to walk into this one the same way.” This is the spirit that I wanted to capture with this song, and moreover with this record. The storms of life might take my house, my loved ones, or even my life- but they cannot silence my love.

Yes, the reactionary impulses of hate, fear, and despair really are defenseless against the storms of this life. And yet, this selfless love really might be stronger than death. Perhaps, the kingdom of the heavens really is at hand, ready to give, ready to love. And with this love as my song I will overcome. In surrender to divine love I will find my strength. “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love another.”

After everything that has happened, this song is just so fitting. Hello hurricane, you’re not enough, you can’t silence my love.

If you haven’t gotten the album yet…well get it! :-) Seriously. I hope the CDs get here to the Philippines, everyone could use the hope that Switchfoot sings about in this album.

Hello Hurricane
Switchfoot, Hello Hurricane

I’ve been watching the skies
they’ve been turning blood red
not a doubt in my mind anymore
there’s a storm up ahead
hello hurricane
you’re not enough
hello hurricane
you can’t silence my love
I’ve got doors and windows
boarded up
all your dead end fury is
not enough
you can’t silence my love
every thing I have I count as loss
everything I have is stripped away
before I started building
I counted up these costs
there’s nothing left for you to take away
hello hurricane
you can’t silence my love
I’m a fighter fighting for control
I’m a fighter fighting for my soul
everything inside of me surrenders
you can’t silence my love
hello hurricane
you can’t silence my love

Big, Fun and Scary Things, Entertaining Angels

Happy Switchyear!

Day 10This night two years ago, I was in Cuneta Astrodome, screaming/singing my lungs out as Switchfoot rocked the house. :D I was also very tired that day, from lack of sleep and lack of food, because we had to arrange everything for the concert. Wait, let me correct that — I was tired for almost an entire month because of all the ticket selling too! But then again, I don’t think I felt the exhaustion until after the concert.

Switchfoot in Manila (Photo by Andy Barron)
Switchfoot in Manila (Photo by Andy Barron)

So. Where were you last September 10, 2007? :)

* * *

It’s been two years and that night still ranks as one of my favorite nights. There’s something about the rush of the event, the excitement and the busy-ness of a concert night, not to mention really nice and humble and awesome artists to make a night memorable, you know?

I’m listening to their albums right now, and I have to say — I missed them! Their stay here two years ago was just too short, plus I haven’t been listening to their albums for a while, so this is the right night to listen to them again, me thinks.

And what do you know, they’re releasing a new album soon!  Hello Hurricane, out November 10, 2009! :)

As a treat, Switchfoot has been hiding copies of their first single, Mess Of Me around the world. I was wondering how it would get to the Philippine shores so I tweeted to them…and what do you know, they’re giving away the single on Twitter, too!

But, there’s a catch. Once they send you the track, you should burn it in a CD and hide it in your area for other people to find and do the same thing too. Kind of like a modern scavenger hunt, only with one item. :)

Mess of Me :D
Mess of Me :D

I was thrilled to get a direct message from Switchfoot, but it took me a few days before I actually got to burn CDs and hide them. Sorry, it’s been a long time since I last burned CDs, and work was horrendous. Anyway, I finally got to burn some CDs before the long weekend. And I only got to find it a hide all of them today (yeah, I know):

The Hunt for Mess of Me
The Hunt for Mess of Me

Left to right, top to bottom, the CDs are:

  • In the back issue magazine stand in a small Booksale branch in Sta Lucia East Grand Mall — look for the Jonas Brothers. :P
  • In between two Stargirl books in National Bookstore Cybermall, in Eastwood, Libis.
  • Near the beverage area in the Fitness First lounge in Robinson’s Metro East (you’d have to be a member to get in, though).
  • In the Bearista basket in Starbucks, Eastwood Mall.

I wish I could’ve gone to more places to hide the CDs, because I really wanted to have more people have them, but alas, I am challenged with the transportation. Oh well. But I know more people has them, so keep your eyes peeled, you might just get a free CD. :)

But if you can’t find them, fear not. The guys have made a video for the song and you can watch it here:

[youtube]y9lg7Utdnyk[/youtube]

Told you they’re awesome. :)

Manila misses you already Switchfoot! Come back soon! :)

10/30.

Entertaining Angels

David Cook sings Switchfoot's Dare You to Move

8 Comments

Like I said, I’m not much of an American Idol fan, and after David Cook’s Always Be My Baby, I hardly listened to any of the other songs anymore (I’m selective that way). But then I read from LandofBrokenHearts.org that David would be singing Dare You to Move…well, I just fell in love with him even more:

[youtube]V2gcVqkpNAs[/youtube]

And of course, there’s the AMAZING I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing, which almost made me hyperventilate while listening:

[youtube]K5AqiA3-QvA[/youtube]

Now, I’m no music know-it-all, and I am not saying he’s the best among the two other contestants (haven’t heard any song from the other two yet), but I love love love him. I love his rocker voice. And I love that he sang a Switchfoot song. ♥

Imagine this: David Cook and Switchfoot singing Dare You to Move together. Ahhh! Can I faint now?

David Cook FTW? I want to! But even if he doesn’t become American Idol, I’m sure he has a bright career ahead. :)

Dear Diary, Entertaining Angels

For the love of Dave

3 Comments

Okay, I admit.

I’m a big fan of mp3s.

I’m not much of a CD person. For one, they’re expensive. Yes, they’re cheaper than an Emily crib, but it hurts to spend so much money on a single CD. >_> Another thing is, the CDs of the artists I like doesn’t even reach our shores. I can get stuff from my dad, but at the back of my mind, I’d rather buy a book than buy a CD whose mp3s I already own.

I know, I know. If you love the artist, you wouldn’t mind spending for them…but that’s why I spend all out if the artist has a concert here. I mean, I even sell tickets for their events. Then again…that’s not the same. And not all artists I love actually come here.

Oh, but it’s not that I haven’t bought a CD ever. I’m a proud owner of two Jennifer Knapp albums, Warren Barfield‘s first album, Building 429‘s Rise, an Avalon CD given by Ganns, Our God Reigns by Hillsong, Audio Adrenaline’s Hit Parade, 2 Jars of Clay CDs and 3 of Switchfoot. It’s just that I’d rather download them since it’s easier…and yes, it’s “free.”

Now before you go all mad at me and scream, “PIRAAAATE!!!!”, let me say something first. It wasn’t until I got to meet one of my favorite bands, Switchfoot, till I changed my mind.

Backtrack to that concert, I bought two of their albums (Learning to Breathe and The Beautiful Letdown, and I managed to convince Tim Foreman to give me the broken Oh! Gravity CD for free :P) for the purpose of having them signed later on (it’s also why I bought Jars of Clay CDs before, just in case I can have them signed, at least I have CDs). I got them signed, yay, but that doesn’t mean I’d stop downloading, right?

A few months later, Switchfoot becomes independent, and then Jon releases his two EP, Fall and Winter. I was tempted to just download it, and I saw someone upload it on Multiply already. And then I remember how I sold CDs during their concert. I realized that I really loved this band, and because I know them personally, I can’t just rip them off or else they won’t be able to produce music anymore (took me that long to realize that, huh). It was then I decided that I’d buy his EPs online, and so I did (and they rock).

Now another one of my beloved artists, Dave Barnes, is releasing a new album soon. And I’m so darn excited. But I don’t want to just download his album. It doesn’t feel right anymore (and it should never have felt “right” in the first place). Now I admit I wouldn’t have found out about him if not for my friend’s patience in getting his songs, and I wouldn’t be able to even find out about him…but now that he’s releasing a new record, I thought I’d show him love as a fan and I’d actually pre-order his CD ((I’d pre-order it because I get more perks with the pre-order than if I just buy it after it’s released :P)). Yes, I will actually buy it. Thing is, it ships only in the US and on April. I have a friend who’s in the US right now so I guess I can ship it to her…but then again she goes back to the country on May. Can I wait that long?

Hm. I can, I can! FOR THE LOVE OF DAVE! And hopefully after that, I can save enough of my online earnings so I can buy his other CDs. :)

Oh, and I haven’t downloaded a song or album for the past three months. That’s a good thing, right? :) I’m hoping to find a way to actually buy all the CDs of my favorite artists, just so I can give back to them for making such great music. Give me time (and money), I’ll get them all. Promise.

And one more thing. Before I go, if you don’t know who Dave Barnes is…well, here’s a sample of one of my favorite songs:

[youtube fJuVbWy5dRU]

Entertaining Angels, Randomnities

On Artists and Outrageous Concert Prices

8 Comments

Ack, my lips are so itchy. I’m praying these are just windburned lips and not some kind of lip allergy from using a more than six months old lip shine. Eep. I’ve been dousing it with petroleum jelly for the entire day and it gets itchier after I eat since it becomes dry, and it’s so annoying. :/

I accomplished some things for one of my goals for 2008 for this month, which I will post about in an update soon. It’s got me a couple of thousand bucks poorer though, but I’d like to believe that’s an investment. Besides, I badly need them. :D Heh. In the next week I’d be accomplishing some other goals too, which means more late time going home from work because of lots of meetings. I’m kind of nervous about tomorrow’s meeting, though, since it’s my first time to hea one, and I’m not yet entirely sure if I understood everything. I’m not regretting being placed in this position though; I’m just nervous. Pray for me, please? :) After that, I shall prepare for my first ever presentation during our general assembly on Friday. Eep. :o Which reminds me, I planned to work on one document I should be emailing by tomorrow today, but then…there’s such a thing as work-life balance, so let’s make use of that. I’d have time tomorrow. :)

Speaking of work-life balance, I just heard from some friends that Maroon 5 concert tickets for their March 5 show in Araneta Coliseum are already available via TicketNet…and check out these prices:

Patron VIP (101, 103, 1st 20 rows) (Reserved Seating) – PhP 10500
Patron (Reserved Seating) – PhP 7875
Lower Box (Reserved Seating) – PhP 5250
Upper Box A (Reserved Seating) – PhP 3938
Upper Box B (Free Seating) – PhP 2625
Gen. Admission (Free Seating) – PhP 1575

Look. At. Those. Prices. More than a thousand bucks for General Admission?! My gosh. What can you see from GenAd anyway? And ten thousand for one ticket? What if you’re on the 20th row already, is that still worth P10,500? OUTRAGEOUS. That’s even more expensive than assisted living software (I think)!

Then again…I remember Josh Groban front seat tickets are P25,000 each…so this looks small compared to that. BUT STILL! The most expensive ticket I ever bought was for the Jars of Clay concert three years ago…and that’s really close. Switchfoot’s highest priced ticket is even cheaper than Maroon 5’s General Admission. :-o

Yes, they are big artists…but the tickets are just…whoa. I was planning to watch, but my wallet is seriously disagreeing with me; and if I do decide to watch, I could say goodbye to Sydney.

And now this makes me wonder who else will be going here this year. I haven’t heard any news from our bosing during the Switchfoot concert, since I guess she’s busy…so no news yet of who will be coming here that we’ll be able to help organize. Switchfoot is coming to the Pacific, but not passing by Philippines so I am totally envious of Gharri who will be in Malaysia at the same time they are. :P Here’s my current artist “wishlist” though:

  • Brooke Fraser (I heard she visited the Philippines early last year, but not to perform but as a part of some movement…I’m not sure if it’s World Vision).
  • Dave Barnes (Dream on, Tina :D).
  • Matt Wertz (Bring him with Dave!)
  • Jars of Clay (I still dream of being able to hug and have a picture with Dan Haseltine).
  • Switchfoot (Once is definitely not enough).
  • Anberlin
  • Mae
  • Bethany Dillon (Her show does not have to be in a big venue…a small venue would definitely be better :D)
  • Lifehouse
  • Relient K (Appetite for Construction tour here too? Please? :D)
  • Nichole Nordeman (She could do a show with Bethany? Hee.)
  • TobyMac

Ah. I could list so much more…but I’ll stop here. :D Now I have to finish watchig this Ugly Betty episode and finish the book I’ve been meaning to finish since last yesterday. Have a great week everyone. :)

Randomnities

Happy SwitchMonth!

2 Comments

Grace and I met up with Happy earlier during lunch and as we were gabbing about MacBooks and whatnot, I suddenly realized…

It’s been one month since the Switchfoot concert in Manila.

Awww! This time last month, I was still screaming my heart out during the concert. I can’t believe it’s been a month but there’s still remnants of the entire experience. :) I still miss them all, and I never fail to smile whenever I hear their songs, and I just love reading news about their tour (thanks to LOBH and Switchfeed!) and Jon’s blog. Although I’ve stopped listening to their songs everyday (haha, still on Matt Wertz mode!), their songs still have a special place in my iPod and my heart.

And I absolutely can’t wait for the next episode of the podcast (as Gharri would say, binibitin tayo!). I’ve been constantly checking my RSS reader and my mailboxes in case Mr. Andy Barron finally posts the new podcast with Manila in it. Andy! When are you going to post it?

[Right, as if they’re actually reading my blog. Hmmm.]

So to everyone who are involved in the Switchfoot concert last month — theStreet Team, the fans: HAPPY SWITCHMONTH TO ALL OF US! :)

And if ever one of the guys (Andy, Chris, Ryan, Jon, Tim, Jerome, Chad and Drew) ever drop by here even accidentally — Manila misses you! :)

Last work day of the week tomorrow! I’ve been so busy the past few days that it makes me wonder if I have enough time to finish everything. But it’s okay, I love my job anyway. :) Tomorrow I finish two pending requests (and more?) and then we have a team dinner at Marikina at night ‘coz it’s payday. Wohoo. And more stuff coming in this weekend, so I’ve got to keep my energies up. :)

Good night everyone. :D

In His Steps

Learning to Breathe

Hello good morning, how you do?
What makes your rising sun so new?
I could use a fresh beginning too
All of my regrets are nothing new…
– Learning to Breathe, Switchfoot

Ah yes, another Switchfoot reference. But don’t blame me for it, I really love this song even before I got to meet them in person, and besides that isn’t the point of this entry.

A couple of months ago, I posted something about me struggling with my prayer time. It’s been almost two months since I posted that, and I feel like a “status report” is just right this time…right? I know none of you are asking, but let me write about it for a while. :)

To be really honest, I thought after writing that entry, I would be on my way to perfect prayer-dom, as in back to how I used to pray in college and before I got my new job. Of course it wasn’t like that, at all. I continued to struggle, and I continued to miss my prayertime. Sometimes I didn’t even get to pray at all. Sometimes because I was busy, sometimes because I chose to be busy instead of setting aside time. I’m not proud of it, but that’s what’s happening. And sometimes I feel like I could never go back to where I was.

I figured that one reason why I don’t pray as much was because I didn’t wake up early…but waking up early is such a chore for me now because I am not really pressured to go to work early. I only go to work early because of my brother, and when I get there, I get occupied by work that I don’t have time to pray anymore. Then I figured, maybe I need a Bible at work. I’ve been meaning to get one and that should really motivate me to pray, right? So I got one. And I admit, this new Bible improved my dismal prayertime, and I actually found time to pray when I got to work. That’s good, right?

Continue reading Learning to Breathe →

Dear Diary

The hype won't get you through

1 Comment

I was surfing around innocently, trying not to look for Switchfoot stuff because of the detox mode, but I happened to chance upon this:

Tickets Now Available for Switchfoot and Anberlin Concert at SWOSU

Tickets are now on sale for an outdoor concert featuring bands Switchfoot and Anberlin as part of the Panorama series at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford.

The concert is set for October 4 at 7:30 p.m. at Milam Stadium on the SWOSU campus in Weatherford.

Advance tickets for the event are $20 for SWOSU students and $25 for non-SWOSU students. Advance tickets for groups of 15 or more are $20. All tickets at the door will be $30.

Full article here.

AHHHHHHH! Can someone sponsor me and Happy on an all-expense paid trip to Oklahoma on October? Please? Come on! It’s Switchfoot AND Anberlin! They’re like two of my favorite bands EVER! Get me there, pleaaaase?

*stops begging* Okay, okay, I shall stop this. But seriously. If I can watch a show where Switchfoot will play with ((I have to emphasize with because the two bands aren’t really performing together, but in the same show and venue)) Anberlin, I will definitely be a happy little girl. Throw in Mae and I will be a crazy happy little girl. :)

Dream on, Tina! Yes, I will dream on, because God won’t put a dream in my heart that He has no intention of making come true (Did I say this right?)…right Lord? *bats eyelashes*

You think travelpro will be able to help me to get there?

Okay, let it go. :P

Continue reading The hype won't get you through →

Dear Diary

Post-Switchfoot thoughts and some detox

3 Comments

Again, sorry for the lack of entries. The work week was kind of crazy, not to mention that I still have a hangover of what happened last Monday night, I pretty much pushed blogging out of my mind. Seriously, how could you think of anything else besides that? Haha okay, I shall stop talking about it because I’m supposed to be on detox mode now, but obviously I’m not.

*Is currently listening to Oh! Gravity album* :D

But before I stop talking about it, I’m honored. My previous entry has been mentioned here and here. :D I am honored. Again, it’s been an amazing experience, and we all can’t wait to have the guys back here for a longer stay. :)

Oh, and can I just say? I can’t help but feel so kilig when I see switchfoot.com referrals to my blog. :D Wheee!

Continue reading Post-Switchfoot thoughts and some detox →