Author Archives: Andrea Hylen

Day 92- On the Road: Authors Part 3

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Tuesday, April 13

Authors in the Next Top Spiritual Author Contest- Part 3

I know that everyone has a full life and it takes time to listen to the videos and audios. I am personally feeling transformed by watching and voting for the authors. Listen, enjoy, and vote, if inspired!

11. Beth Rosen.  Beth is amazing! I would list all of her accomplishments, talents and interests here, but…watch her video instead. I met Beth on the SHARE area for the authors in the contest. She is high energy and is on the group site to encourage, connect and enlighten. Her book is called: It Does Matter and So Do You. Check out her video  http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=667   

12. Betsy Muller-  Betsy is the founder of the Indigo Connection and is an energy coach. She also has 29 years of experience in corporate America. I met Betsy on Facebook, watched her video and felt an instant connection! Her book is called, “Energy Makeover: Simple Self Care and Soul Care for Creating a Magnificent Life” Watch her video here-  http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=799

13. Eugene Pitout.  Eugene has had quite a journey of studying and experiencing spirituality and metaphysics. I met him on the Share site for the authors in this contest. About one minute into his audio, I felt like I was entering a relaxed meditative state. So glad he is feeling guided to creating  meditations!. His book is called, “I Create Therefore I Am.” Listen to his audio here  http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=2087

14. Phyllis Abbott.  Phyllis has a powerful story to tell about depression. Her energy is very soft and low key. I can see how important her story is for someone who is struggling with depression. I have attended spiritual retreats with Phyllis and she is passionate and filled with love about sharing a message with people and helping them heal. Her book is called, “Awakening.” Watch her video here: http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=423

15. Raija Rintapaa.  Raija is a minister of spiritual peacemaking who lives in Finland. I met her in Oregon at a spiritual retreat with James Twyman. We were both ordained as ministers at that retreat in 2006. I love reading her simple messages of love and hope on her Facebook page. She is pure love and a gentle soul. Her book is called “Fearless Connection: How to keep your freedom in a relationship.  http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=11

Enjoy the spiritual wisdom, and heart centered connection of the authors and Vote! Thanks so much.

My book is Open to Inspiration: The summer a woman discovered herself with a teenage daughter and the Jonas Brothers on a 10,000 mile road trip. http://www.NextTopAuthor.com/?aid=49

Top 250 authors go to Round 2.

Posted in Andrea Hylen, Beth Rosen, Betsy Muller, Eugene Pitout, Live A Life Worth Celebrating, Next Top Author contest, Open to Inspiration, Phyllis Abbott, Raija Rintapaa

Day 91- On the Road: A Journey of Creativity

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Mon, April 12, 2010

A Journey of Creativity

I want to support you in expressing more of who you are.

I want to encourage you to create, to write, speak, dance, and play. Creativity, and the expression of it, is as important as food, water, shelter, and community. As human beings, we need to express ourselves creatively.

I feel like I have an opportunity right now to share more about creativity. I am in a contest and I am expressing myself through my voice. I am on a journey that can help you to awaken to a deeper part of your path of creativity. I am here to encourage, nudge, and inspire you to deepen your own journey.

On Mondays, for the next few weeks, I am going to share a brief description of the journey I have been on as a writer. It is one form of creativity. I hope that it sparks something in you that leads you to a discovery of something that wants to wake up right now! I will share an overview of ideas and resources every week. Use the ideas and allow your own Divine expression to come forward.

As you read about my journey, my greatest desire is that it spark something in you. A remembrance. A new idea. A passion. It may happen immediately or it may surface later today or sometime this week or month.

You have all of the answers inside of you. Sharing my journey is something to help you stimulate your own answers.

My journey  of writing:

I was always a journal writer. I had a diary as a teenager and I loved to write about feelings, thoughts and observations. I was always curious about why people acted the way they did and I wrote about it privately. Just for me.

In 1991, when I was pregnant with my third child, Cooper, I became a daily journal writer. He was born with a congenital heart defect, had two open heart surgeries and died at 19 months from a neuroblastoma cancer. Hannah, my 4th child, was born two weeks after Cooper died and a year later I developed an autoimmune condition that took over my life for two years.

I had a lot of thoughts, feelings and emotions to write about!

I was in book clubs with groups of women for about ten years. We explored our creativity and spirituality once a week. Two of my favorite books were by Julia Cameron, “The Artist’s Way,” and “The Vein of Gold.”  Julia’s idea of morning pages, walks and art dates were some of the things I began to incorporate into my life. They really stirred the words and self-expression. I had connected with the women in the group through friendship and homeschooling our children.

If a book group interests you, gather friends or find a group on-line that meets in your area. The library, a local bookstore or a group like Meet-up is another way of connecting with new people.  Julia Cameron’s books are available at the library and in bookstores. Support a local bookstore!!

In 2004, I had the thought of writing a book. I thought it would probably be a “how to travel with your children” book because so many people asked me to write down tips I had learned. I was homeschooling my children and life felt very full.  I felt like I was “fed” creatively and spiritually but something else was bubbling inside. I had to write. I don’t want to be overly dramatic here, but seriously, sometimes it felt like I would die if I didn’t start writing. Have you ever had that feeling? A desire so strong that you had to listen to it or die?

I decided to go to a coffee shop once a week for 2 hours and began to explore the ideas that were bubbling inside of me. I wrote down things that interested me, areas I thought I had experience, and I looked through old journals for ideas.

In my day to day life, I wrote down words, book titles, billboards, songs, dreams and vanity license plates that inspired me or stirred my heart.

A few months after starting this, my husband was diagnosed with cancer. My passion for writing was channeled into journals again and e-mails to family and friends to describe the details of my husband’s cancer and treatment.

After he died, I still had the desire to write, but the idea of a book did not surface until 2 years later.
                                                              *********

Today is the beginning of  stirring the pot. See if the things I wrote here stir anything in you. It might be a moment of remembering a passion you had as a teenager or a child. It might be something that you put on hold when life happened and you thought, well someday I will…

Please write things in the comments section to share with each other. Your own ideas and stirrings. If you have questions for me, go to: http://www.formspring.me/andreahylen

Next week, I will talk about the first book I co-authored and how that emerged at an Evolutionary Women Retreat.

If you haven’t voted for me in the Next Top Spiritual Author contest, you can go to this link to register on the site,  view the video and vote. Thanks!
http://www.nexttopauthor.com/profile.cfm?aid=49

Posted in Andrea Hylen, Live A Life Worth Celebrating, Next Top Author contest, Open to Inspiration, Writing

Day 87- On the road- Introducing authors Part 2

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April 8, 2010

Introducing Next Top Spiritual Authors Part 2

Here are the next five  amazing spiritual authors I will be introducing to you over the next few weeks. Bask in the energy of their messages. Like a daily spiritual practice of seeing the beauty and heart-filled messages being offered here.

6. Amber Welsh – Amber is a medical researcher, writer and change coach.  I met her through an e-mail list with spiritual peacemakers and connected because of the contest. (One of the beautiful opportunities) Her book is called Perspective: Finding Magic in Every Day Life. View her video here- http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=758

7. George Harris – George is a Minister of Metaphysics and Spiritual Peacemaking. I have had the opportunity to attend 2 James Twyman spiritual retreats with George. We were in a core group of ministers that met every week for a period of time after one of the retreats. He is an incredible communicator, minister and facilitator. His book is called, One with God/One As God.  Listen to his audio here http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=34

8. Gina Villa-Grimsby.  Gina is a minister of spiritual peacemaking. We have supported each other on Facebook for a long time and I have great respect for her journey. Name a life challenge and she has experienced it personally! Her book is a memoir and is called, The Optimystic Ride.  View her video here. http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=91

9. Jean Roorda.  Jean is a writer, teacher, spiritual coach and parent. I met Jean on Facebook! Her book is called Our Next Step: Right Action and Right Relationship for a Radically New Human Experience. Check out her video http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=2046

10. Kimberly Coots. Kimberly is a minister of spiritual peacemaking who I met through some very good friends. She is the founder of project heart space, a free on-line resource to inspire people to awaken to their hearts. Her book is called,  Divine Worth. View her video here: http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=139

Enjoy the spiritual wisdom, and heart centered connection of the authors and Vote!

My book is Open to Inspiration: The summer a woman discovered herself with a teenage daughter and the Jonas Brothers on a 10,000 mile road trip. http://www.NextTopAuthor.com/?aid=49 

Top 250 authors go to Round 2.

Posted in Amber Welsh, Andrea Hylen, George Harris, Gina Villa-Grimsby, Jean Roorda, Kimberly Coots, Live A Life Worth Celebrating, Next Top Author contest, Open to Inspiration

Day 86: On the Road. Have a project idea and need money?

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April 7, 2010

Have a project and need money?

I am always thinking about how to connect people and ideas and resources. I am passionate about it. And this passion was recently rewarded when I discovered the pepsi refresh grant project.

I was following a few people on Twitter to learn more about the world of tweeting. Demi Moore was involved in a celebrity challenge with pepsi refresh to raise money for an organization that helps victims of sex trafficking. To receive $250,000, she needed daily voting. It was an easy way to support the organization. I included the voting in my daily routine of coffee and checking e-mail. She won the contest and Gem Girls now has $250,000 to train more people to go into communities and help young girls. Awesome!

Once I had registered on the pepsi refresh site, I saw that I could vote for 10 different projects every day.  I read and explored the passionate ideas from many organizations and voted for them.

One day the light bulb went off in my brain. I thought about my daughter, Mary and her husband, Jesse and their organization, Dramatic Adventure Theatre. I thought about the fundraising they did every year to raise money to take theatre artists to Zimbabwe and Ecuador and now for a project in Louisiana. I suggested they look into applying for a grant.

They applied and are in the contest this month, April 2010.  The grant is for $50,000 and will fund a project in six communities in Louisiana. To vote and find out more information: http://www.refresheverything.com/dramaticadventure

Part 2 of this story is the brainstorm I had a few days ago. I have watched the process of Dramatic Adventure Theatre as they applied for the grant, submitted the grant, prepared for the voting, and now the things they are doing to spread the word and receiving votes.

I started to think about you. I have watched Mary and Jesse and began to see how they could share ideas with other people who have a project idea and need money. It may be for you or you may know an individual or organization.

They want to take you along on this journey with them. Mary and Jesse have decided to share the things they have learned and to hopefully inspire other people to look for funding resources in unusual places. Every Wed, I will post a blog with the latest information and learning.

Next Wed, they will share tips on filling out and submitting the application. I hope it will inspire you with ideas and infinite possibilities. In the meantime, sign up on the site, review their profile and VOTE every day!

Posted in Andrea Hylen, Dramatic Adventure Theater, Jesse Baxter, Live A Life Worth Celebrating, Mary K. Redington, Open to Inspiration

Day 85- On the road Introducing Authors Part 1

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April 6, 2010

Day 85-On the Road
Introducing Next Top Spiritual Authors Part 1

This is my humble offering to introduce you to some of the other authors in the contest. I will be posting links to five authors on Tues and Thurs for the next few weeks. Enjoy the energy!

Here are five of the amazing authors:

1. Cathy Matarazzo- Cathy is a singer, songwriter, minister of spiritual peacemaking. On her video she shares some of her music along with her message. I met Cathy at a spiritual retreat in Colorado with James Twyman. Her book is called Freedom Wake … where it all begins. To view Cathy’s video http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=121

2. Jamie M. Eastman – Jaime is a Goddess, a mother and an author. I met her through the Prosperity Tribe of Kristin and David Morelli. Her book is called Flashpoint. It is a fictional story based on the power of intention and quantum physics. Listen to her audio http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=2635

Scott Brandon Hoffman- Scott is a comedian who lives in Los Angeles. I met him at the Lynn Rose WOW Factor a few weeks ago. His book is called-Living in a Human Suit. Check out his video and book subtitle on-line http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=2329

Susan LeClair- Susan is the founder of Divine Parenting. http://www.divineparenting.org/ She has a huge heart and is always reaching out to communities of people to support the opening and connection to the heart. I met Susan at a Spiritual Retreat with James Twyman. She is pure light and love. Her book is called. Life with Steve: Ascension Through Relationship Check out the audio description of her book here. http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=242

Tambra Harck- Tambra has a radio show called Joy of Love and Life. I met her through the Prosperity Tribe with Kristin and David Morelli. She had the inspired thought to invite Next Top Author contestants to her show over the next month. The fan page for her show is http://www.facebook.com/joyofloveandlife Her book is called Sacred Truths. To listen to her audio http://www.nexttopauthor.com/?aid=2109

Enjoy the wisdom, love, and laughter of the authors and Vote!
My book is Open to Inspiration: The summer a woman discovered herself with a teenage daughter and the Jonas Brothers on a 10,000 mile road trip. http://www.NextTopAuthor.com/?aid=49 

Top 250 authors go to Round 2.

Posted in Andrea Hylen, Cathy Matarazzo, jamie m eastman, Next Top Author contest, scott brandon hoffman, susan le clair, tambra harck

Day 77: The Next Top Spiritual Author Contest

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March 29, 2010

Day 77: The Next Top Spiritual Author Contest

I am inspired by the authors who have entered this contest. I am inspired by the heart-felt calling of 2500 people who have entered the contest with gratitude, humility and a deep passion to share a message that has the potential to make a difference in someone’s life. To make a difference in many lives.

And more than any other time in my life, I really, really, really, understand the concept of the different energy we each carry and how we are all needed to express ideas and allow this to flow through us.

In the last week, I have watched videos, listened to audios, read the book descriptions and voted for about 20 authors in the contest. Here is one important thing I want to share with you.

We all matter. Our words, energy and inspiration matter. We each carry a uniqueness, even when we say the same words.

I know that I will not connect with every author’s energy and message. When I started to view the videos and listen to the audios, I decided to look at each one with a deeper perspective and to see the unique expression of each author. I thought about how each of us can touch the life of someone. I thought about the people in my life who would connect with the different energies being presented. I closed my eyes and felt the love and energy from the person.

We all have a personal story of why we entered the contest at this time. I will be sharing links to some of the authors in a blog on Tues and Thurs for the next few weeks. I hope you will take the time to listen to some of their book ideas and feel the power of their messages. It may be a message for you or someone else.

Here is a brief story of how I signed up for the contest:

I entered the contest on Feb 4. I had spent a year clearing a house and deciding to move from the East Coast to the West Coast. During the first week of February, I started to throw my hands up to the heavens and beg for an answer. What am I doing here, God? How can I serve? Why did I let go of everything to move across the country?

And on that day, I felt that I just needed to start moving my body. I didn’t know what I was doing here or where I was going. I love California and the land and the people and the creativity that is happening here. I feel at home here.

But, even feeling at home, I need to find a way to earn money and eventually find a place to live. I was feeling very squirmy on that day. I started with demanding some answers and finally I allowed myself to sink into a deeper place of calm and patience within.

After a long walk, I settled into a table at a local Panera with my laptop. I started to work on my book Open to Inspiration. I was feeling curious as to the next steps of getting my book published. I wonder…

Bing!

I heard the sound that announced a new e-mail in my inbox. An e-mailed invitation to enter The Next Top Spiritual Author contest had arrived . As I read about the steps and concept of entering, I knew that this was the foundation and the structure that I needed.

Thank you, God, for such a quick response to my prayer. A light was shining on the next step.

This is where I have been focused for two months.

Round 1- Create a video or audio pitch for your book. An opportunity to really look at the message and present it in less than 3 minutes. (Some of the videos/audios are longer)

I have taken walks on the beach and in the mountains.  I have looked deeper and deeper within to find the core message so that I can reach the people who are waiting for the unique expression of my message.

Tomorrow I will post links to five authors.  I would love if you would vote for me, too. Here is the link:

http://www.NextTopAuthor.com/?aid=49

Posted in Andrea Hylen, California, Live A Life Worth Celebrating, Next Top Author contest

Day 22: On the Road- Nick Jonas Week Part 2

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Jan 30, 2010 Berkeley, California.
Last concert of the NickJ winter tour AND Hannah’s Birthday.

Happy 17h Birthday, Hannah!!!!

By arriving early, we had six or seven hours to hang out and explore. Berkeley was a place I had read about for years. I had always wanted to hang out there.  It was a dream come true to be here!

It was gorgeous, sunny weather and there was lots of time to walk and explore the city. The street vendors brought back memories of being 13 again. Same jewelry: leather hair pieces, shell jewelry, metal chokers with beads. Was time standing still or was it a turn on the wheel? The same fashions from the 60’s and 70″s back in fashion again!

In my exploration of the town, I found a restaurant called Indian Palace with a buffet of Indian food; a coffee shop in one of the buildings on campus; and a study hall in the student union area with a diverse group of students, homeless people and Jonas fans. It felt like this was a community where anyone could be anything they want to be. We were all welcomed onto campus.

I saw so many people I had met at Jonas Brothers concerts over the last two years. I ran into Mikey and Michael from the Verizon Wireless recording studio on wheels.  I hadn’t seen them since last August when they joined another music tour. Nick had requested the studio bus for the day in Berkeley. He had been writing music during this tour. Maybe he was recording the song Stay that he first introduced in DC a few weeks ago.

I can’t remember the names of everyone I saw in Berkeley, but there were conversations, hugs and memories and connections. I met some new people and we shared our passion for Nick and the Jonas Brothers and the Administration.

Hannah tweeted a ticket request for me on twitter. I did not have a ticket when we arrived and the box office didn’t have tickets yet. She found someone who sold us a ticket for $20. Thanks to the Jonas fan with the extra ticket!

The venue was really cool. It reminded me of the Meyerhoff in Baltimore where the Symphony orchestra plays. There were tiered seats on either side leading up to the balcony areas. I always felt like royalty when we attended the school programs at the Meyerhoff. Susan Gardener, a friend, would arrange for group seats for the home schoolers and we would sit in the tiered seats.

My seat at this concert was all the way at the top. When I arrived at my seat, there were two girls sitting together. One of them was in my seat. I recognized them because I met them earlier in the day.  They wanted to sit together and asked if I would switch seats with one of them. Of course! I was more than willing to do that. I gave one of the girls my ticket and she gave me hers.

The usher helped me find the seat. Well, surprise, surprise! Her seat was 15 rows closer and in one of the tiers. What a gift! The seat was at the beginning of a tier and there was no one in front of me! I felt like I was dancing with the band all night. THANK YOU JONAS FAN!

Side view across from my seat. I love the tiered seating! :

My view of the stage:

NickJ on guitar:

 

NickJ on piano

Tommy Barbarella, keyboard (Prince’s New Power Generation band):

Sonny Thompson, lead guitar (Prince’s New Power Generation band):

Michael Bland, drums (Prince’s New Power Generation band):

 John Fields, bass guitar (music producer for the Jonas Brothers and many others and multi-instrumentalist)- this picture was on Jan 29

The Administration gathering with NickJ for an official last photo with Rob Hoffman, the Jonas photographer.


This was the last show of the tour. Here is the difference between this show and the last night in Los Angeles. In Los Angeles, the last night was the celebrity extravaganza. The Jonas Brothers on the stage together. During the week there were stars showing up every night. The Honor Society. The stars of Camp Rock 2, the movie, the Jonas Brothers filmed last fall. The stars from the JONAS TV show. Celebrities and stars and the celebration of this winter tour with family and peers from the entertainment industry. 

In Berkeley it was a celebration and closure for NickJ and the Administration band with their fans. They had been on a journey together. It was an evening of warm moments. You could feel the heart connection of the band. They looked at each other and hugged each other as this journey came to an end. They played music from their hearts. They played and joked with each other. They sent love out to the fans.
The concerts were all great on this tour. Tonight you could feel like they were a family at the end of a family vacation or reunion who were saying goodbye to each other, for now. This was a side project for all of them. 
I am grateful they took us on this ride with them
Posted in Andrea Hylen, Berkeley, California, Hannah Hylen, Jonas Brothers, jonas watch, Live A Life Worth Celebrating, nick jonas, Open to Inspiration, The Wiltern Theater

Day 18: On the Road- Nick Jonas Week Part I

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January 26-29, 2010

It took one year to the day to get here. One year ago, on January 26, I left the Freedom Formula Experience in Los Angeles with the intention of flying home to Baltimore and clearing the stuff out of my house. With each room and each step, it became clear that we would sell the house and move to LA.

One year later…Here we are!

Now on to NICK JONAS WEEK PART 1:

We spent the first four nights in Los Angeles at the Wiltern Theater on Wilshire Boulevard with NickJ and the Administration. Arriving in LA and seeing Jonas fans and NickJ as the focus for the week was fun and familiar.

Here is an overview with some of my pictures:

Jan 26, 2010

The weather on the first day at the Wiltern Theater on Wilshire Blvd was pouring rain. I was looking for parking when Hannah found the “stalking” spot with a gathering of Jonas fans and asked to be dropped off in the rain.

As I drove around, I saw the Verizon Wireless store where we had danced to the Honor roll dance and had a free meet and greet with the Honor Society in August 2009. Hannah and I won a soundcheck with the Jonas Brothers that day. It was right across the street from the Wiltern . On that fun summer day last August, I had seen the subway area, the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf on the corner but I hadn’t noticed the Wiltern. Another opportunity to see new things in an area that is becoming more and more familiar.

I met a family in line at the ticket booth. It is always fun to see the looks on people’s faces when they find out I love the Jonas Brothers, too! I am not suffering. I enjoy the music, the concerts and the people who go to the concerts. It’s fun!

I had seats right next to the girls from the ticket line. It was fun singing with them and I enjoyed my new found love of tweeting a few details and pictures during the concerts. There are people all over the world who enjoy the concerts via tweets and videos. Isn’t technology amazing?

Concert:

I sat in Level 2, Row F. Here is the view from my seat.

 
I think these are really good seats. The only challenge is how everyone in LA is so tall! In this section, people were sitting down during Diane Birch’s set, but when they stood up for NickJ, I had to bob and weave to see between people and take pictures. It didn’t stop me from dancing and singing!

Nick had a different look in Los Angeles. The first night I called it casual James Bond. He wore a light brown leather jacket. He has such a sweet smile of happiness in this picture.

This is another one of the hometowns for the Jonas Brothers. Los Angeles is where they record music and film their show Jonas. They live and play here. There is a sense of comfort and hanging out with their friends and family. It happens in NYC, too.

Every concert is great wherever they are.

Jan 27, 2010

Beautiful weather today. I started the one thing I have been dreaming about for months. Long walks in nice weather. Today I walked about 40 blocks. While Hannah waited for the band to arrive, I walked to the bank and took in all of the sights and sounds of the city. I love LA!

Concert:

Diane Birch is the opening band on this tour. My favorite song is Valentino. High energy dancing with lots of audience interaction. My favorite lines are:

Valentino
My tears don’t show, but oh, honey they flow

Here are two links to this song, if you haven’t heard it.
The first one has the words and the singing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Hub2jz2OUc

This second one has a ton of newspaper clippings, pictures of Diane and quotes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ29k0ysfEU&feature=related

She loves to take pictures of the audience in the middle of the show and posts them on Twitter.

NickJ came on stage with an LA style suit and wearing glasses. After two songs, he was so cute when he told everyone that he didn’t need them, it was for fashion and then took them off. Thanks for keeping it real Nick!

Cool staging:

 
 

The Administration:

NickJ
Tommy Barbarella, keyboard (Prince’s New Power Generation band)
Sonny Thompson, lead guitar (Prince’s New Power Generation band)
Michael Bland, drums (Prince’s New Power Generation band)
 John Fields, bass guitar (music producer for the Jonas Brothers and many others and multi-instrumentalist)

The band is so good. The talent and experience of the band has really made this concerts special. Here is a link to one of the songs to give you a flavor of the difference in the music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zumYAr-ub0&feature=related

Jan 28, 2010

Hannah and I went to The Jay Leno Show on this day. We arrived at 8am to get in line for stand-by tickets. Hannah received a text from a friend of hers, Blaise, who thought a friend of hers had tickets for both of us. The friend who had the tickets wasn’t there waiting with us in line, yet. There was a lot of waiting around.

Finally around 1:30pm, a group of girls behind us said they had a ticket for me and Hannah got a ticket with Blaise and her friend.  (Sorry to Hannah’s Jonas friend, Daryen for changing the driving plans for today. Still figuring out the driving and logistics in LA)

Learning another part of the LA scene. How to get tickets to TV shows!

When we entered the studio, I felt a little bit like a traitor. I had been on Team Conan during the Conan-Leno craziness! I have to say that Jay Leno is really an amazing performer. He was warm and it really felt authentic. The taping is an hour. It is a live show with no retakes.

I think the Conan-Leno thing was an NBC behind the scenes problem. NBC wanted to lock in Conan and made Jay go to the earlier time period. It was crazy from the beginning 5-7 months ago. Okay, on to the show.

The guests on the show were Massachusetts Congressman Scott Brown, Bill Paxton from Big Love (one of my favorite actors) and finally NickJ and the Administration. I was ushered to a floor seat near the TV show band. Hannah was taken to an area right in front of the stage for Nick Jonas. Once again, I do not fit the “profile” of a Jonas fan. They put me with the group that supposedly didn’t know Nick Jonas. Ha! Ha! If they only knew…

Concert:
I had a really great seat tonight. Level 2, Row 2. There was filming in the venue that evening, so the section to my right had all of the seats removed and a camera with a swinging arm. Maybe they were recording the song, “STAY,” a song Nick wrote while on tour. Here is the version he sang on Jan 27:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tcucrs42F24&feature=related

Nick wore this suit on the Leno show, too.

 
 

I am immersed in Los Angeles and loving it.

Jan 29, 2010

We connected with Daryen (the Jonas fan from Florida) in Manhattan Beach today. She was leaving a hotel there and staying in a hotel in Burbank so she could be part of a group who were interviewing Garbo, the Jonas Brothers bass player, the next day. Hannah and I were leaving for Berkeley after the concert tonight or we would have invited her to stay in our hotel.

We were stuck in a traffic jam for hours but finally arrived at her hotel, dropped off her suitcase and headed to the Grove LA for an Honor Society meet and greet.

Tonight was an ending of the concerts. You could feel it in the energy of the band. It is the end of the whirlwind, the interviews, the national TV show events and the end of concerts in a town that is one of their homes, Los Angeles, California.

Berkeley is the true last concert but tonight was a celebration of the whole tour and all of the people who had supported Nick in making this dream come true.

I have to bring up the alien story. At every concert, Nick was trying to fill some of the time with a conversation on stage. He used joke books and now this alien story. He wondered why the audience didn’t really react when he said he met an alien. Okay, I want a show of hands. How many of you secretly believe that maybe there is life on other planets or galaxies. “It could happen.” (quote from Angels in the Outfield)

All we really want to hear about is his day. He doesn’t need to be funny. I want to tell Nick to let go of the joke books and the alien stories and tell us about the details of his day. Talk about the Jay Leno show experience or what you had for breakfast! Be yourself and share the day to day stuff. That is all we really want to know.

Nick rocking it:

On this last night, I was on the aisle seat. Section 3. Row 1. Across the aisle, right next to me were JONAS stars Nicole Andersen and Chelsea Staub and Chelsea’s friend who is a musician.  Their friends and TV stars were coming all night long. Security had to sit next to them and shoo people away all night. The picture taking was out of control.

Nicole and Chelsea:

 
Chelsea and her friend, the musician (I will look for her name)
 

Joe and Kevin and Nick and Frankie came on stage together. This is perfect. They are all here in Los Angeles getting ready for the Grammy;’s and then the filming of JONAS, their TV show.

Singing their songs together and Nick’s songs. It was fantastic!

Here is a video of them singing Who I am. Sound is a little rough. Hannah was so close to the speakers, it was hard to record this. I love how Joe didn’t know all the words and they improvised some of this. A glimpse into how a show comes together. They were all so happy. It was a great way to end the tour in LA.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI4eGcCfxU4&feature=related

And Lovebug:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wM1xhAq2HoE&feature=related

After the concert, we drove to Fresno for the night. Halfway to Berkeley and ready to celebrate Hannah’s 17th birthday and the last concert of the tour.
*******
FYI: My Food places for four days:

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf- free wireless, great direct trade coffee and food, a place to connect with Jonas fans. A haven from the rain.

Bagel works-Satisfied my bagel craving. Missing my East Coast bagel shops!

Jamba Juice for a carrot juice with a shot of wheatgrass juice.

Ralph’s grocery store for after the show sandwiches and sushi and snacks.

Posted in Andrea Hylen, California, Hannah Hylen, jonas watch, nick jonas, The Wiltern Theater

Day 15: On the Road: Solvang, California,

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January 26, 2010

I had an incredible trip down memory lane a few days ago. When I was 13, my family lived in Minnesota and my grandparents lived in San Jose, CA. My sister, Joanne, age 11 and I were invited to fly to California to spend a few weeks with them. We flew into San Diego and drove to San Jose. Along the way, we toured and visited the San Diego Zoo, Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, and a little town called Solvang.

The trip was a dangling carrot to do well in school and to get all A’s and B’s on our report cards. When the final report cards came, I had a C in one of my classes. How could my parents tell my grandparents that the trip was cancelled? We didn’t see them very often and the details and airline tickets were all set. My parents went to Plan B. I was required to write a report about my California trip. It was truly a blessing in disguise.

I am pausing at the keyboard for a moment because I just realized that that was a foundational piece for what I am doing now. On that trip, I took pictures, and collected brochures, pictures, ticket stubs, placemats and even sugar packets. I learned to observe and record everything. I still have the scrapbook and report. I have read it numerous times keeping the details and memories alive.

Fast forward to the present, Hannah and I took our cats to the Santa Barbara area to meet the potential foster couple, Richard and Emrita. The closest town with a hotel that was pet friendly and affordable was in Buellton. It was an additional 30 minutes from Santa Barbara, a beautiful drive through windy roads, along the ocean and through the hills. I had reserved the hotel on-line and was following the directions. When we pulled into the town, I had a flashback memory and told Hannah that I had been here before. I didn’t remember all of the details of this sleepy town, but I remembered Andersen’s Restaurant. This was the same restaurant where I had saved sugar packets and a placemat for my scrapbook. This was the restaurant where I ate split pea soup with my grandparents and Joanne before entering the town of Solvang, a Danish town where we spent the night. My grandfather was born in Sweden and traveled to the United States when he was 10. This was a town where I learned more about my heritage. Many similarities between Sweden and Denmark.

Once again on this journey I have been led to a place I visited as a child. The memories of my childhood are awakening something in me. I am looking at the places I am revisiting with fresh eyes. I remind myself to look deeper. Ask more internal questions. Listen for answers. And reflect on the magnificent orchestration that is happening. The more awake I live, the more I see, the more my ideas and perspective evolve.

Hannah and I ate at Andersen’s. I bought treats from the Danish bakery, took pictures, and walked through the town of Solvang, weaving new memories with the old.

The other story to tell you is the connection with the couple who is fostering my cats for awhile. They are incredible people, Emrita and Richard. They have five cats. Emrita is an angel. You can see that she has such a connection to nature and the animals. Such a calming energy. Richard has a radio show called, “Tell Me Your Story.” He is passionate about life and the guests and topics. Here is the link to his radio show: http://www.richarddugan.com/tmysradioshow.htm

I heard about Richard through my friend, Katy Manna (www.livewiththelightson.com) who was a guest on his show in January 2010.

I visited with Richard and Emrita for two hours. We talked about animals, nature, our love of the ever evolving world. Questioning where we are headed. I felt at home with them immediately.

Hannah and I are going back in a month or so. Richard will interview us on his radio show and we will see the cats.

I am delighted by the synchronicity that is unfolding.

Katy Manna helping me look for a home for my cats in Baltimore.
Katy Manna and Richard Dugan connecting on his radio show.
A discussion they had about animals and sharing about fostering cats.
Katy connecting Richard and me. Richard and Emrita saying Yes to fostering.
Needing a pet friendly hotel in the Santa Barbara area
Following an instinct to select a hotel 30 minutes past Santa Barbara.
Remembering the restaurant, Andersen’s and the memories of my childhood.

Awake, alive, curious, and Open to Inspiration.

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Day 13: On the road: The gifts in the delay

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January 24, 2010

I am a girl of action. I love to do, do, do. I love to-do lists and checklists and planners and goal setting. This leads to the true life-long learning process of my world. Patience and the Art of Being. Any other Doers out there who struggle with their ability to BE?

I remember the first time I consciously prayed for patience many, many years ago. The next week was filled with delays. I was stuck in traffic jams and long lines at the bank. I got it! Pray for patience and you actually have to practice it. It is not a gift that is given with a snap of the fingers. It is something that has to be experienced.

For my latest journey, why am I surprised about the many gifts in the weather delay of staying in Phoenix for 5 more days?

First gift was the time I had with my daughter, Liz. We set boundaries and created space in the apartment working through the initial stress by communicating more and finding ways to support each other. When Liz was gone all day, Hannah and I fed the dogs and took them for extra walks. I worked at the table and sat in the chair that is her usual workspace. On the day she was home all day working on schoolwork, I went to Border’s with Hannah. I loved the Seattle’s Best coffee, the great wireless connection and really comfy chairs. It was very cocoon-like. I started writing again and revising the book draft I worked on a year ago,loving the flow of ideas and words.

Liz and I had a few deep, thoughtful conversations. One day she made a delicious polenta and tempeh sandwich to share with us for breakfast. It was a mock “Egg McMuffin”. A delicious dish that became the background for more discussions about food. She has made some remarkable, inspiring changes in her diet. I had questions for her which led to more connections. How do we eat consciously? How do I find healthy, ethical choices on the road? How do I nurture my body? How do I function in society when I am hungry and don’t have healthier choices? We could have talked on the phone, but there is something about having the conversations while we cooked and ate a meal together.

Liz is a senior at Prescott College. Most of the classes are independent study and then a senior project. One day we went to Paradise Cafe together. She was revising and rechecking the requirements for her degree plan. I was clearing out my e-mail inbox. While I sat there, an e-mail arrived from the Omega Institute in New York. I asked if she had ever considered going to the Women’s event in September. It would be a perfect fit for her degree and would tie in with her senior project. We talked about this for an hour weaving the details of a road trip she is taking with her grandmother, my mother, in the fall. The journey will be a part of her senior project. Two generations connecting and sharing on the road.

Gift #2 was the beginning of taking walks again. Every day there was an opportunity to walk and appreciate the landscape of cactus and Gambel’s quail. The first time I saw a Gambel’s quail, I felt like something magical had crossed my path. They are so beautiful, colorful and energetic. I breathed as I walked and let the ideas flow through me. I felt more connected to myself. There was time.

Gift #3 was the time to connect with my cats. We had time to settle in and cuddle and adjust to all of the travel and changes. I had the opportunity to watch them adjust to Liz’s apt and the dogs and a new routine. I knew that they would be alright in the foster home.

Everyday something new appeared that helped me to enjoy the time and practice the art of patience.

I encourage you to look at where you are in your life right now Really take a look at the things you have wanted and by waiting or redirecting your course, you are surrounded by gifts.

Posted in Andrea Hylen, Arizona, California, Hannah Hylen, Open to Inspiration
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