NKOTBSB

For the past couple of months, you have probably heard that the New Kids on the Block and the Backstreet Boys were touring together this summer. You probably have even heard their new single together, "Don't Turn Out the Lights". Well, two Saturdays ago, I was lucky enough to attend the NKOTBSB concert in Boston. I know what you're thinking and Yes, I was jealous of myself. Yes, it was beyond incredible. Yes, the guys are looking better than ever.

Needless to say, they have come a long way since they began...

New Kids on the Block, circa 1986

NKOTB now

Backstreet Boys circa 1994

BSB now
(photo credit: 1 2 3 4 5)

It was my first time seeing NKOTB live and my third time seeing BSB (my second time seeing them within a year). Growing up, my family friends were 5-6 years older than I was and I admired them like no other, so naturally, my love/obsession for the Backstreet Boys began around the age of 6. That is why I knew every single word of every single song that they performed that night. On the other hand, I only knew a couple of the staple songs by the Kids, such as "The Right Stuff" and "Step by Step". However, I had a blast dancing along to their songs anyway... and now I am not ashamed to say I am a huge fan of them too. They performed for two and a half hours - two and a half hours well spent, in my opinion, with a hefty set of 14-15 songs each. I swear I have never seen so many grown women jumping up and down, singing "I Want It That Way" at the top of their lungs as much as I did that night. I sat in the balcony for the first time and even that didn't hinder my experience in any way. I came to the concert with a fully charged camera and I took so many pictures and videos that it died on me two-thirds of the way through!

Overall, it was just amazing to be a part of a once-in-a-lifetime experience. There are reasons why the Backstreet Boys are the best selling group of all-time, with the New Kids on the Block right behind them, and both groups certainly reminded their audience why that is the way that it is. NKOTB and BSB were two different generations of groups that literally shaped American pop culture during their times and to come together and sell out arena after arena many years later really shows the impact that they had on the music industry. The show was phenomenal and if you haven't missed out on their tour yet, I suggest purchasing tickets ASAP. You do not want to miss out on this unique, entertaining experience!

All nine of them

 NKOTB performing a ballad

 BSB

Can you tell that white suits are a staple to any boy band ballad?

The best part of the night was at the end when NKOTB and BSB donned their personalized Bruins jerseys during their encore of "Everybody" and "Hangin' Tough". The B's were playing in Game 2 of the finals that night so it was great for the guys to show them some support!

 

Now, the only question is how long will it take for *NSYNC to reunite!?

What's your favorite NKOTB/BSB song?
Who's your favorite boy band?

Day Sixteen: A Song That Makes Me Cry

What is a song that makes me cry?

John Mayer's "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room"

I would marry this song if I could, that's how serious I am about it. This is my favorite version of this song of all-time. I have about four versions on my iTunes, but this one trumps all. The first three chords that John plays at 0:53 are enough to tug at my heartstrings. The guitar riffs, the rawness in his voice, and the meaning behind the lyrics... *sigh*. "Slow Dancing" has gotten me through the toughest of tough times and I'm able to listen to this on repeat for hours upon hours.


Seeing John perform this very song is definitely on my bucket list. Once this happens, I will cry like a baby until my tear ducts are all dried up... and then die a happy camper.

It's not a silly little moment,
It's not the storm before the calm.
This is the deep and dying breath of
This love that we've been working on.

Can't seem to hold you like I want to
So I can feel you in my arms.
Nobody's gonna come and save you,
We pulled too many false alarms.

We're going down, and you can see it too.
We're going down, and you know that we're doomed.
My dear, we're slow dancing in a burning room.

I was the one you always dreamed of,
You were the one I tried to draw.
How dare you say it's nothing to me?
Baby, you're the only light I ever saw.

I'll make the most of all the sadness,
You'll be a bitch because you can.
You try to hit me just to hurt me
So you leave me feeling dirty
Because you can't understand.

We're going down, and you can see it too.
We're going down, and you know that we're doomed.
My dear, we're slow dancing in a burning room.

Go cry about it - why don't you?

My dear, we're slow dancing in a burning room,

Don't you think we oughta know by now?
Don't you think we shoulda learned somehow?

Day Twelve: A Song I Want Played At My Wedding

What is a song that I want played at my wedding?
Correction: What are THREE songs that I want played at my wedding?

I don't have the one song that I want for the first dance at my wedding, but here are some songs that I would want played, regardless.

1) Matt Nathanson's "All We Are"
This song was actually my prom song and we had chosen it right before Matt Nathanson was entering the mainstream. I love this song though and I think it would be perfect for a wedding.

"Cause all we are, we are, all we are, we are
Every day's the start of something beautiful, something that's real"

2) Chris Brown's "Forever"

This is one of my favorite songs in the entire world. Every time it comes on, I drop everything and just start belting out the lyrics and dance. In no way, shape, or form do I condone Chris Brown and his behavior, but I can't overlook the fact that this is an amazing song and it would be the best song to get everyone on the dance floor! (and I completely, totally LOVED this song way before the JK wedding dance video popped up on YouTube -- although you have to admit Jim & Pam's wedding scene is just as wonderful!)

"It's like I waited my whole life for this one night
It's gonna be me, you, and the dance floor
'Cause we've only got one night
Double your pleasure, double your fun
And dance forever... forever on the dance floor"

3) Michael Buble's "Some Kind of Wonderful"
I have always been a big fan of Michael Buble since his first album. This song on his latest album is so fun. It reminds me of the '50s/'60s. It's very upbeat and always puts a smile on my face when it comes on my iTunes shuffle. I think this would be a great song for all the couples at my wedding to dance to.

"I only know when I'm in your embrace
Then this world seems a better place
And something happens to me
You know it's some kind of wonderful"

Day One: Favorite Song

What is my favorite song?

Music plays an important role in my life as a musician and a simple lover for music. I do believe that a certain melody can touch my heart and a certain lyric can and will heal my heart. It can get me through a tough day or help me celebrate a good day. It is difficult for me to choose just one song that would be a favorite, but if I had to choose, it would be:

Jason Mraz - "A Beautiful Mess"

I listen to this song when I am feeling down and need a good cry. I listen to this when I am reflecting on my day. I listen to this when I need inspiration and encouragement. I have been lucky enough to have seen this song performed live (acoustically, my favorite) as the finale to his encore - perfect ending to a perfect night.

I have spent a great deal of time trying to figure out the meaning behind every lyric of this song, but I don't think I ever will. I just think it's inspiring how this person finds beauty in the mess of it all ("it" being love and life in general). It's an oxymoron, indeed, but the most beautiful and truthful one I've seen. It is certainly important to recognize and accept one's flaws and imperfections as it is to accept one's beauty and, in my opinion, it is ideal to have the best of both worlds. Life will always be chaotic and disorganized, but with the right people, it will always turn it into something beautiful and positive.

"With timeless words and priceless pictures
We'll fly like birds not of this earth
And tides they turn and hearts they disfigure
But that's no concern when we're wounded together
And we tore our dresses and stained our shirts
But it's nice today, oh the wait was so worth it"

I'll Never Break Your Heart.

The last time the Backstreet Boys sung this to me, there were still five of them. However, this song became a lie in 2006 when my heart broke into pieces the day I found out Kevin Richardson was leaving the group. Kevin was the tallest guy in the group with the bushy eyebrows and baritone voice. He was never my favorite, but I still felt as though he was a member of my Backstreet family.

In my early years, I was -and still am- completely and utterly obsessed with the Backstreet Boys. My family friends who were 5-6 years older than me would always listen to BSB whenever I was over their houses, and they clearly influenced me to join the bandwagon. When I was 9, I would listen to the Millenium album on repeat, and once the Black and Blue album came out, I listened to that until the songs started to skip from overuse. In the summer of 2001, my mom surprised me with tickets to see them on their Black and Blue Tour (yes, the tour that got postponed due to AJ's drug rehab). The original date of the concert got pushed to September 10, 2001 (I know). It was my first concert and I had so much fun! We had awesome seats and I made a poster and everything. In the middle of the concert, they surprised us and showed up in the middle of the arena, instead of the stage, so they were even closer to where I was sitting. Of course, at 11 years old, I was positive that they made eye-contact with me at one point.

I wish I could embed this into the post but YouTube won't let me... click here for footage of a concert from their actual tour and feel like a young teenybopper again (side note: seeing mothers with their young babies in the audience made me laugh. My mom bought earplugs and had them in the whole time when she took us)...

... which leads me to this conclusion: you are never too old for a BSB concert. On Tuesday, June 8, I will be attending my second BSB concert in Boston! I am as giddy as I was 9 years ago and I don't care what anyone thinks of me. I'm going with one of those family friends mentioned above, who is now 24... Like I said, you can never be too old. Don't judge us :)

Tell me whyyy, ain't nothing but a heartbreak. Tell me whyyyy, ain't nothing but a mistake. Tell me why, I never wanna hear you sayyy, I want it that wayyy.....

"Play Somethin' Country" - Brooks and Dunn

The Weather Channel does not lie. It did rain today... a lot of rain. I was not a happy camper since we had b-e-a-utiful weather earlier in the week! On Wednesday, my friends and I even walked down the Cliff Walk to lay on the beach for a few hours. I can't believe that it's just raining a mere two days later. Soooo ridiculous. I have never experienced so much rain in a short time period!

That is why I want summer to come NOW! Lately, I have been listening to country music more than ever before, as if some Kenny Chesney and Lady Antebellum could make the sun come out. I am a huge fan of country music, and whenever I'm home in the summer, the radio in my car is always set to a country radio station. I have only been to one country concert so far, but it was so worth it. I went to see Brad Paisley, Jack Ingram, and Kellie Pickler in the summer of 2007. Taylor Swift was also a part of this tour, but came down with bronchitis the day before this show. I was devastated, but Brad Paisley definitely turned things around for me. I bought tickets to see him again last summer, but ended up not going, due to a work commitment. So he's coming back to Massachusetts this summer, although he's filling in for K.Ches and headlining at Gillette Stadium. Side note: Dear Mr. Paisley, I know you're talented enough to perform at Gillette, but next time, for my sake, please come back to your usual venue in the future. Although I love you, I simply cannot afford to fork up $90 to see you when I only had to pay $33 just twelve months ago. Thanks, miss you!

Anyway, I am hoping to go to the Tim McGraw, Lady A, and Love & Theft show in July, but until then, here are some of my favorite country songs that remind me of summer:

1. Gloriana - "Wild at Heart"

"Stick your hand into my back pocket

Light me up like a bottle rocket

I just wanna free fall for awhile
That rebel moon is shining
Those stars burn like diamonds
Hell bent on chasing down that crazy spark"

2. Keith Urban - "Somebody Like You"

(I actually saw this whole show on TV and the story he tells before singing this song is adorable!)

"I wanna feel the sunshine, shining down on me and you
When you put your arms around me
You let me know there's nothing in the world we can't do"

3. Kenny Chesney - "Never Wanted Nothing More"

"I'm what I am. I'm what I'm not

I live to love and laugh a lot, and that's all I need"

4. Dierks Bentley - "Free and Easy"

"Got the sun shinin' on me like a big spotlight

So I know everything is gonna be alright

Ain't no tellin' where the wind might blow

Free and easy down the road I go

Livin' life like a Sunday stroll

Free and easy down the road I go"

5. Brad Paisley - "Mud on the Tires"
(This video makes me laugh so much!)

"Moonlight on a duck blind, catfish on a trot line
Sun sets about nine this time of year
We can throw a blanket down
Crickets singin' in the background
And more stars than you can count on a night this clear"

6. Taylor Swift - "Our Song"
(This is the ultimate 'warm weather' song, because my teammates and I used to blast this on our bus rides to away meets every year)

"Our song is the slammin' screen doors,
Sneakin' out late, tapping on your window
When we're on the phone and you talk real slow
'Cause it's late and your mama don't know
Our song is the way you laugh
The first date 'Man, I didn't kiss her, and I should have'
And when I got home, before I said 'Amen'
Asking God if he could play it again"

and the most current song:

7. Lady Antebellum - "American Honey"

"There's a wild, wild whisper
Blowing in the wind
Calling out my name like a long lost friend
Oh, I miss those days as the years go by
Oh, nothing's sweeter than summer time
And American honey"

Even if you don't usually listen to country music, there's no denying that these songs will put you in a good mood! Hope you enjoy them!

"And even though we all can still do more, there's so much to be thankful for" - Josh Groban

The countdown officially begins, since there are only 7 days left until Thanksgiving break starts, and only 9 days until the holiday! I thought this week was going to go by so slowly (and maybe it's too early to tell) but it's going by pretty quickly in my opinion. I have no more exams to study for and one 4-page paper to write until break, so I am very relieved!

Since it is Thanksgiving season and all, I am thankful for many things:

[Family]
I am thankful for having two wonderful parents, who always put their children's needs in front of themselves. I can be a (spoiled) brat sometimes, but they always make sure I am content and will do whatever it takes. I'm thankful for their ridiculous hard work, dedication, and love... not to mention their willingness to pick me up from school at any time. I am also thankful for my brother (although we act like we hate each other half the time) and I am so proud of how smart he is.

[Abington friends]
Regardless of the distances between us, I know I can always turn to them for a good laugh or time. They all have helped shape me into the person I am today and I would be nothing without them!


[Salve friends]
They have helped me feel comfortable here when I wasn't so sure at first. I love our Monday television nights and the fact that we can laugh at each other for no reason at all.

[PCC friends]

They have given me the best laughs, the best times, and the best memories. I am relieved that a lot of us have managed to stay in touch over the years, and I will always believe that Abington & Middleboro were destined to be one town!

[co-workers]

They are 50 of the craziest, funniest, and friendliest people I have ever met. I had the best summer, thanks to them, and I always look forward to our reunions!

[#1 best friend]

I am thankful for his compassion, kindness, thoughtfulness, and especially for the way he believes in me.

[Panera Bread (not kidding)]
I am thankful for their You-Pick-Two deals (half broccoli cheddar soup, half caesar salad), $0.99 Chocolate Chipper cookie, Cinnamon Crunch bagels, and lemonade. Whether I'm at school or home, I am thankful that there is always at least one Panera that is 15 minutes or less away.

[AHS Track & Field]
I am thankful for the dedication and self-esteem that I gained from being a runner. I am actually thankful that I was forced to be a 400m runner last year, because it pushed me to believe in myself (thank you, Mr. Lanner & Mr. Duggan).

[Jason Mraz & John Mayer (and music in general)]
When the rest of the world fails me, these are the two men that I turn to. I am thankful for the "We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things" and "Continuum" albums. I am thankful that they are two absolute geniuses. I am thankful for music for being a wonderful foundation for friendship. I am thankful that I am a musician.

[Salve Regina University]
I am thankful for Salve Regina for providing me with a college education. I am thankful for their overwhelming generosity in financial aid, and I am thankful (and proud) that I am a first-generation college student.

[James Lafferty & One Tree Hill]
You know where to find me on a Monday night at 8PM... parked in front of the television, drooling over the hotness that is James Lafferty/Nathan Scott. I am an avid fan of One Tree Hill (I've seen every episode aired since the pilot episode in September 2004!) and I like to think I can vicariously live through their more-than-necessary drama...

And of course, I am thankful for good health and all that jazz, but here are a few other miscellaneous things...

- Hooded sweatshirts
- Jim & Pam's romance on The Office
- Pandora Radio
- the shuffle option on iTunes
- FML.com
- Disney movies
- New England weather (most of the time)
- LIFE!! <3

"Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough" - Oprah Winfrey

"You just can't beat the weather here in autumn" - Chase Coy

I can't believe November is already here! Where did the month of October go!?

The rest of October was wonderful. I went home the weekend of the 24th to spend some quality time with my family. My parents and I sat down by the fireplace, roasted marshmallows, and watched a movie together. That Saturday, my mom and I went to the Natick Collection and I hung out with my Abington friends! For Halloween, my best friend here at Salve and I stayed at Massart with her twin sister (also one of my best friends). We ended up at a party in Brighton and we went back to her dorm and hung out afterwards. It was a very fun Halloween. Not too crazy, and very laid-back... just the way I like it.

Last weekend, the same friend and I went to see A Christmas Carol 3D in IMAX at the Providence Place! I was expecting it to be as good as The Polar Express (one of my two favorite Christmas movies) because it's directed by the same person; however, I found it to be slightly disappointing. It was cute (and somewhat frightening at the same time) though.

Speaking of Christmas... I am already looking forward to the Christmas season! It puts me in the best mood. I was at Derby Street on the first of November and they were already playing Christmas music! Here at Salve, my friends and I have already busted out the *NSYNC Christmas album (the best Christmas album ever). We went to Starbucks last week and got the Caramel Apple Spice... mmm. I love walking into Starbucks and smelling all the different, delicious aromas in the air. I love the little red Christmas cups too. I also cannot wait to go ice-skating in Newport, especially with one of my good friends who is coming down next month. She's been going to school in Wilmington, NC so I am very excited to see her! Ice-skating has always been one of my favorite things to do since I was little (I used to take figure skating lessons several years ago and wanted to continue, but unfortunately, it got to be too expensive). I'm so excited!

... Not to mention that the infamous Christmas tree has already arrived in NYC at the Rockerfeller Plaza! I have seen the Christmas tree here in all its glory before... absolutely gorgeous.

I'm getting a little ahead of myself though... let us get to Thanksgiving first!! Two more weeks until... all of my friends come home from college (especially those @ Syracuse, D.C., North Carolina, and Florida)... I have Thanksgiving dinner with my family... the annual Abington-Whitman-Hanson football game (GWP)... the Christmas tree is put up... lots of baked goods & desserts... PCC reunions... Black Friday for shopping... and many more fun-filled events in just a short weekend!