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On My Mind Today…

February 5, 2014 By Lena

…Love.

First love, summer love, the thrill of falling head over heels.
Old love, motherly love, the fierce satisfaction of being somebody’s whole world.
Platonic love you have for a friend; a sibling, a person in need.
The love you send to someone who has suffered a loss.

Yet to me, perhaps the most interesting “love” is the unrequited type; a crush, so to speak. A regular at your favourite cafe; the co-worker you secretly yearn for. A friend who catches your eye and holds your heart. The absolutely unabashed need to make a person notice you. Notice me. Notice me.

Your mind, monopolized with questions – questions about your appeal, fate, worth. Your body, taken over with vanity, lust and greed. Your heart – each beat pulsating hope, hope, hope.

Notice me.

When I think of unrequited love, no song puts my thoughts into words more profoundly than Bic Runga’s “Sway“. Runga, a New Zealander of Chinese decent, perfectly and melodiously tells the tale of every girl’s crush. Although the song is almost 20 years old, I can still remember the chills I felt when I first listened to the lyrics:

And here I go losing my control; I’m practicing your name so I can say it to your face…

Oh, I’ve been there!

Don’t stray, don’t ever go away… I should be much too smart for this, you know it gets the better of me sometimes
When you and I collide, I fall into an ocean of you, pull me out in time, don’t let me drown
Let me down, I say its all because of you

And here I go, losing my control… I’m practicing your name so I can say it to your face
It doesn’t seem right to look you in the eye, and let all the things you mean to me come tumbling out my mouth
Indeed its time to tell you why, I say its infinitely true…

Say you’ll stay, don’t come and go like you do
Sway my way, yeah I need to know all about you

And there’s no cure, and no way to be sure… why everything’s turned inside out instilling so much doubt
It makes me so tired, I feel so uninspired! My head is battling with my heart, my logic has been torn apart
And now, it all turns sour, come sweeten every afternoon…

Say you’ll stay, don’t come and go like you do
Sway my way, yeah I need to know all about you

It’s all because of you, it’s all because of you.

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Bic Runga Sway, fun, music, unrequited love

I Hope You Dance.

August 23, 2012 By Lena

As my first born – my baby – starts school in exactly two weeks, I’ve been a bit “off”.

I’ve been a bit excited, and a bit scared. I’ve been a bit concerned, and a bit nervous. I’ve been a bit sentimental, and more than a bit emotional. And, I’ve been a bit sad.

I’ve spent the last four years knowing that this time would come, and yet somehow, I don’t know where the time went.

And so I’ve caught myself humming this song on and off for the last few days – “I Hope You Dance” by LeAnn Womack. Last night, thinking of Ryder and the beginning of his journey, I drifted off to sleep in short prayer, thanking God for my infinite and often unearned blessings… and for our many, wonderful opportunities to dance.

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder; You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger.
May you never take one single breath for granted… God forbid love ever leave you empty handed.
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean; Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you’ll give faith a fighting chance; And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance…
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance; Never settle for the path of least resistance.
Living might mean taking chances, but they’re worth taking… Lovin’ might be a mistake but it’s worth making.
Don’t let some hell-bent heart leave you bitter; When you come close to selling out, reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance; And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance…
I hope you dance

I hope you dance

(Time is a real and constant motion always rolling us along, tell me who wants to look back on their youth and wonder
where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean; Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you’ll give faith a fighting chance; And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance…

Dance!
I hope you dance

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: back to school, Family, music, sad Lena

Wednesday WHOA!

April 4, 2012 By Lena

WHOA!

I forgot all about the deliciousness that is Robbie Williams. Today, remembering the drive to and from work, when “Feel” would inevitably make its way into radio rotation. And I – a naïve 24 year old, hoping to feel real love too – would inevitably turn the volume up.

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: fun, music, Robbie Williams

Way Back Play Back Circa 1982

January 9, 2012 By Lena

Yes, I know we just welcomed 2012. And everything’s great.

But if I had my way, I’d take the first time machine back 30 years to 1982, when the music was actually good. Lady Gaga? Puh-lease. Time to crank up The Go-Gos.

Now this I can fist pump to.


Also from 1982?

Physical, Olivia Newton-John
Eye of the Tiger, Survivor
I Love Rock N Roll, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts
Jack & Diane, John Cougar
Don’t You Want Me, The Human League
Tainted Love, Soft Cell
Let’s Groove, Earth, Wind and Fire
Don’t Stop Believin’, Journey

Hmm… let’s see what’s on an “All Hits” pop radio station at the moment…

BodyBounce, Kardinal Offishall feat. Akon

Oh. My, Barf.

What are some of your favourite hits from the 80’s? (Oh I know, there are too many to list. Okay, one of your faves?)

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: fun, music

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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