Video 7

Love,

Ann Ngo

First things first! I was able to perform not once, not twice, but FIVE times the last time I wrote…it felt SO good being able to step out on stage again after not being able to for almost a year.

So for Chinese New Years (a.k.a. as Tet in my culture) my Church’s youth group was asked to perform a dance, so I was lucky enough to get chosen to dance and I did…it was so very fun. I used to do Vietnamese traditional dancing for a couple of years, but since I got older I started to choreograph instead. So it was very refreshing being able to be on stage again and dance how I used to. We did the dance for a festival and it was a fun experience for everyone. A couple of weeks later for a Chinese New Years celebration at our Church, we were asked to perform the same dance, and it turned out pretty good…here’s a youtube video if you guys want to check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3QRka7a7P8 …Also during my Church’s celebration, I was asked to play the Taiko drums. That was so much fun. It was tiring after wards, but it was super fun.

So two Thursdays ago, my school held a talent show, which I decided to enter. Of course, I didn’t win anything or placed, but looking back, it really doesn’t matter because I got to share my music. I think that at the end of the day as long as I got to share a part of me with someone and changed them or touched them with my music, that truly makes me the winner. The performers were all good in their own way and super talented. I was kind of hoping to work with some of them in the future. Doing the talent show, I realized two things…how much I lacked…and how much I’ve grown…I know that I still need to craft my talent and make it better and stronger…but at the same time I realized that I’ve come a very long way since I started pursuing my talents…I know I still have a long way, but I’ve come to an understanding that as long as I keep trying, I’ll continue to grow and strengthen myself.

That following Sunday from the talent show, my Church held it’s annual charity event. I was able to perform another song and also dance. When I finished my performances for the night, one of my previous teachers came up to me and told me how much she loved my music. She expressed how much my music meant to her and how much it touched her heart. I honestly was so happy upon hearing what she said. It wasn’t because I was getting praised, rather it was because someone else could feel all the emotions into the music I put my emotions in. I’ve always had such difficulties expressing myself for as long as I could remember and writing was usually the only way I could express everything. My goal in my music is to just be able to express and convey all the things I feel deep in my heart and to be able to touch someone else with it. And being able to hear that from someone  really made me so happy inside. I really want to continue to somehow touch other people’s hearts with my music.

Wow, this is a very long post…and its very corny…haha well I guess I’ll end it here, even though I have a lot more to write. I guess I’ll save it for the next blog update!

Love Always,

Ann Ngo

Guess what else has been coming? lol If the title hasn’t obviously given it away I’ll write in big capital letters: INSPIRATION! That means new songs are on their way to being started and finished! I made some time today to get the songs I’ve started on from a month ago (give or take a month or two or six..lol) and I’m going to try to finish them within a week or two. See, usually what happens is that I get inspiration to start a song, but sometimes I can’t fully finish them because I get stuck. So what I have to do is put it away for a while and then come back to it later. So I realized today that I’ve accumulated A LOT of potentially good songs that I can finish if I put my mind, heart, and pen on paper.

So what new songs can you expect me finishing writing?
- “Unwanted”   This song is about how you’re unwanted by the person you want to be wanted by the most. (wow a lot of wants)
- “Without You” Basically a break up song. Trying to deal with being without the person you love.
“Dear Dad” This one is like a letter but in the form of a song. Its about trying to change the relationship between a dad and his son/daughter.
- “I like you, but…” The title is still pending. It depends…I kinda like the title. So this one is about liking someone else but knowing you can’t truly be with this person because you’re in love with someone else.

wow…I’m not so sure if I can finish writing the lyrics…but I’ll try! Anyways I think this is good for now! ^_^

xoxo,

Ann Ngo

So I thought I’d update my blog, although I don’t know who actually reads them. Oh well! So I’m a bit sad because it turns out that the voice lessons I though I signed up for at school is not available on my campus (my school has two campuses). Since I don’t have a lot of time, I really can’t commute to the other campus to take the hour voice lesson. Since I can’t drop the class without getting a big fat W on my record, I’m just going to take that hour and use it as either my piano or violin lesson. More than likely, it will be piano lessons. Maybe I can work something out with the teacher and alternate instruments.

I really feel so unproductive musically. Every time I go back to school, I just have such difficulty balancing my school work with my music. Hopefully I can record and write more soon! I miss being in the recording studio (a.k.a. AJ’s closet…for those of you who have NO idea what I’m talking about… A.J. decided to make the recording studio his closet…so the recording equipment i.e. the microphone is in his closet and I go in there to record.) The only thing that’s musical related is the show “N UR EAR”. I really hope you guys have been tuning in every Tuesday at 6:30 PM PST for the show at www.justin.tv/collision28.

In other aspects of my life, they’re pretty decent. I have a lot of things going on this next month:

- 30th year wedding anniversary of my parents
- My 21st birthday
- Tet (Lunar New Year a.k.a. Chinese New Years)
- My grandmas 80th birthday

I’m excited about everything of course! There’s also March…which will especially be exciting as well! I totally forgot! Speaking of Chinese New Years, there was a festival in the valley this past weekend! I actually was able to perform a dance, which I haven’t done in almost two years! It was so much fun! I stopped dancing (Vietnamese dances) for a while now because I started choreographing instead, so it was super cool that I got to perform again. There’s also a performing thing at my school that I’m thinking about doing as well (for piano and singing). Its kinda like a open mic night thing… I think it’ll be good for me.

Well I guess thats all for now! Just wanna post a quote:

“Just as Jesus created wine from water,
we humans are capable of transmuting
emotion into music.”
~ Carlos Santana ~

Love,

Ann Ngo

Luckily, I was able to enroll in a private vocal lesson class. I’m very excited about this class because I’ve never taken voice lessons before and I am really hopping that my voice gets better. It still sucks that I have to go back to school…it’s barely the first week and I’m already behind! (Seriously, I’m not joking…they’ve already given me a ton of homework.)

I miss my winter break! It was really nice being able to sleep in and do whatever I wanted to do. I was actually productive musically:

- I learned how to play the Super Mario Theme on the violin.
- I was able to record “Heartless”, my new song ft. Spektacular (which is coming soon!)
- I re-recorded “Brighter Days” and “I Dare You”.
- I was able to play the piano more and I’m currently learning how to play “Ave Maria”.
- I started playing DDR, which is actually good for me because I really need help with rhythm and I’ve been getting that with this game (on top of getting a good work out…lol)

Somehow, I’ll find a way to still be productive even with this crazy schedule. Anyways have a good day! <3

XoXo,

Ann Thy Ngo

So since I’ve been on break from school I’ve had a lot of more time to do the things I’ve been wanting to do. I’ve been playing both the piano and violin. Although it has been a while, it feels good to finally be able to do so. I’m starting to remember why I love playing those two instruments so much. Just the feel of the smooth white and black keys beneath my fingers or the way the bow moves up and down the strings really reminds me how important music has been to me. Even when school gets back and I might not have time, I’m really going to find time to play and work on crafting my music.

I don’t know how or when it began, but for so long now, I’ve been keeping myself from improving or moving forward. And I think that I’ve been using the excuse of being too busy because of work and school to not stop working on my music. Somewhere within these couple of months and years I somehow lost my passion. Maybe because I was scared of failing miserably or the fact that I didn’t get the support I wanted or needed. Or it could be the fact that I was scared of what others thought…but this new year I really want to change that.

So with that said! I really hope to finish my CD this year! I’m excited to see the new things that are to come in this year!

Cheers to 2010!

Love,

Ann Thy Ngo

Love,

Ann Ngo

I am too! I’m just kidding. I thought I should write  another entry before I got busy studying for my finals. I have three finals Monday-Wednesday…molecular biology, organic chemistry, and physics…if I can get to studying I will be fine! But I’m honestly so burnt out that I don’t want to. I know, “But Ann you must!”. <sigh> There’s just a lot of things going on personally right now that it’s just too hard to concentrate. I know I should probably keep myself distracted with studying and worry about the personal things after…but it has been a challenge. The good news? After my finals, I know I have a lot of new material to write about for songs…and in this process hopefully I can create beautiful songs and heal in the process. Wish me luck!

Much Love,

Ann T. Ngo

I know…I know…bad Ann for not updating her blog more often! I’m so sorry!  Again, like always school just keeps getting in the way of everything. But I guess the good thing about not blogging for a while is that I have a lot to write about now. So I am officially a co-host for a podcast called “N UR EAR”. Like I said previously, it’s all about music and I’ve been having fun doing the podcast with Tahir and Carlos. It’s really interesting and nice to hear all genres of music and learning more about each style. I feel like I’m expanding my knowledge of music and that makes me happy. For those who have supported Collision28 and our new podcast, thank you! For those who haven’t seen our podcast, you should check it out when you have the opportunity. We do it every week on Tuesdays at 6:30 PM pacific time. Usually Tahir and I have a pre-show where we perform little things, so like I said check it out if you can! It’ll be on www.justin.tv/Collision28

So, I’ve been extremely frustrated with the fact that I feel like I have no time to practice the piano. Thankfully, I have two to three more weeks of school and then I have winter break! Hopefully, besides enjoying the holiday season, I will be practicing my music. This includes reading music, writing music, recording music, and of course playing music! It’s going to be a music extravaganza! AND I won’t be just playing one instrument, but TWO! After probably about four to five years, I finally picked up the violin again and I started playing just a little bit. Of course I am extremely rusty, but I hope that will change after winter break. I bought really nice rosin for my bow and I got it in the mail today so I am going to start really playing the violin again. It’s a shame that I neglected it for so long! So I’m excited about playing it again!

So trying to save money for a performing keyboard has been a complete failure! I don’t know how, but I’m going to try really hard to save money for a performing keyboard. It’s going to cost around 1000 dollars…but I think my idea of performing has to be put on hold because I need to save and spend my money on Christmas gifts. It’s okay, as long as I stay positive and continue to work hard, I know that I will improve and become better day by day.

OK! So I just wanted to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! Hopefully you guys will enjoy it with your family or someone special, whoever you’re spending it with, have a fantastic and safe one! I’m going to be going to Church for mass and then spending it with my extended family. I’m thankful to God for blessing me with a wonderful life that includes my mom, dad, and three brothers. I’m also thankful for my boyfriend. And I’m thankful for all my friends as well! Again, Happy Thanksgiving! I will try harder to update more often! Bye!

Love Always,

Ann Thy Ngo