A Night At The Opera

…because going to the opera, is like, a thing.

I'm back from another successful weekend in Munich- this was quite an experience! Friday night I went to the opera in Munich, because the prima donna of our generation, Anna Netrebko, made her debut as Lady Macbeth! I just had to hear her sing live, you see. It was such a fanfare at the Bayerische Staatsoper. People of all forms of high society made their way to the royal opera house in their ball gowns, glittering in diamonds and furs, air kisses here and there, and the theater really came to life. I mean, Munich is a pretty fancy city. So when people do go to the opera, the standard attire is pretty nice already. But this was another level of fancy. Never had I seen people so dressed up for the theater- just like in the olden, glamorous days of the divine divas of the opera, back when people really would dress up. And of course, everyone their in their sparkling gowns and finest attire had done all this because of Netrebko. The house was completely sold out and full of energy. People stood on the streets with signs saying, "need 1 ticket!" Everyone, everyone had come to see the famous leading lady. The scent of expensive perfumes filled the halls. All the while with baited breath, we waited for her to make her entrance. The lights grew dim and the delicate intro (it's not really much of an overture) for Verdi's Macbeth began. I sat in my usual spot under the stage, next to the orchestra- where you can't actually see much of the stage, but when the singers come closer to the front you can see a bit of them. Netrebko of course sang her very best as expected, she is very professional. I saw Macbeth last year with a completely different cast, but the mise en scène was exactly the same. At some point in the third act, a ladies chorus comes on the stage completely topless but wearing bubblegum pink wigs (think of a Katy Perry video), all the while pulling long plastic-bag like things out of their mouths that appeared to be jackets, which they then proceeded to put on. Yup. It's a very typical stage design for the Munich Opera, they tend to gear toward modern, highly artistic stages.

Saturday I gave possibly my best and most fun tour of all. Early in the morning I found out that today was Brewer's Day in Munich, meaning that all the brewing apprentices were graduating, there would be a huge parade, a festival, a lot of bavarian dancing (including coopers), and best of all, FREE BEER! And this only happens every two years. Okay, for me the free beer wasn't the most important because I don't drink much in general, and I can't consume alcohol while giving a tour. However- my group was already having a lot of fun it seemed, and we happened to make it to Viktualienmarkt (Munich's main market, where the festivities were taking place) at exactly the right time. So we were able to enjoy a very traditional bavarian show, complete with whip-cracking and knee-slapping dances, but also most of my tourists picked up a free beer! I was really happy for them. And a really nice guy let me have a sip of his ;)

Needless to say, we had a lot of fun and the group was able to have a very special experience, and truly able to see how cool Munich is!

In the meantime I've been plenty busy with going back and forth from Innsbruck to Munich, starting a garden on the balcony (tomatoes, lemon verbena, peppers, and basil, amongst others!), turning 19 (that's right!), sleeping on tops of mountains, and trying to figure out my life. I've written new songs and started new projects, I'm studying to start driver's training, and I want to go to England next month. And that's just a little sample. Other than that, I'm trying to eat a lot healthier (that's why I'm going to England and why we're starting the garden). I have extreme attention difficulties and want to vastly improve my nutrition (nutrition is everything!). Seriously, before you try hard-core medication for anything, consider a change of eating style based on fresh and raw foods (intricate salads are the best). You'll experience a spike in energy and mood when you're better fed! 

My favorite salad to make is with romaine lettuce, rocket salad (arugula), tomatoes, cucumbers, some bell peppers (whichever color is up to you!), shredded carrots, a little red onion, a teeny bit of fresh garlic, some crumbled feta, and to complete with some dried oregano, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar! Super healthy and fresh, this salad leaves me full and totally satisfied every time.

Anyway my point is, before I would try some kind of stimulant from the pharmaceutical industry (such as Adderall), I'm going to start eating mostly fresh things from the garden and farms, not so much pizza, bread, dairy, and meat (though the meat thing is a personal preference for me, I just am not a big meat-eater in general).

Long posts are what happens when I don't write for a month, obviously. How is everyone else out there doing? Have a lovely start of July!

Much much love

India

And the song in my head is: Dear Boy by The Format

The Dance Must Go On

Spring has sprung and we are happy. Unfortunately I didn't finish learning Alejandro yet, but I made good progress and I'm excited to keep going. The weather in Innsbruck is so gorgeous. It's getting really hot and sticky and warm rainy. Everything springtime ought to be- and I am enchanted. And everything is on the up and up- there's a really good energy in the air! Things are changing for the fantastic. I can't wait to see what summer will bring. Plus I'm turning 19 in just over 4 weeks! It's my last year of being a teenager (thank goodness, haha). The main reason is most of my friends are at least 5-6 years older than me. I don't really feel 18 at all. And I never fit in with kids in my age group. It's just not my world at all. Whenever someone asks me how old I am, I always tell them to guess. The top guess is 22! The oldest I ever heard was 25, and that was really funny. 

Anyway, my week so far has been okay. On Tuesday I ran to the grocery store to get stuff to bake a cake, I was in a hurry so I took the skateboard. I haven't skateboarded in something like 3 or 4 years. And I fell. And I sprained my left foot. I really wonder how many times I've written in this blog that I fell down somewhere or dropped something. I really need to be more poised! Anyway, at first it only hurt a little and I figured nothing was wrong, so I kept skateboarding and walking. Then I went home, baked the cake (at this point I realized I couldn't walk anymore), and when I finished the pain really set in and I cried like I don't know what!

Then something amazing happened. Yesterday was also not possible to walk and it hurt, but today when I woke up nearly all the pain was gone and I can walk already (limping)! At this rate, I can dance again by next week! It's a miracle. I can't express how happy and amazed I am at how fast my foot is healing. The dance must go on!

Yesterday I went to the studio to fix some things, and I started the new recording of my latest song. I am really excited for this one. On Sunday night I watched the Sorcerer's Apprentice- I sat on the filming set with Nicolas Cage and Jon Turteltaub for this 5 years ago in New York. Suddenly after I finished the movie, a beat came to mind and words and melody and everything! True inspiration. This song is about how it really feels to be in love. I remembered the first time I did fall in love, which wasn't even a year ago. I didn't know if I was sick or there was something really wrong with me! And that's how they say it is, right? Well this song is about what it's like. I can't wait to record it and release it!!! (Will take a while, but it'll be worth it) ;)

Anyway, I'm busy singing away, writing, planning, imagining the future. Life is so unbelievable!

Love love love,

India :)

Music Tonight: Untouched by The Veronica's

Sturmfrei!

Sturmfrei is a cool word. There's no exact English word for this, but it's like when your parents go out of town and you're home alone. In my case, my favorite guy is out of town so I've got the apartment to myself for a few days. 

And boy, do I have a plan! Aside from a few pleasant surprises for when he comes home (I've committed to thoroughly cleaning the entire place for example), I've got a few ideas for how I will use the time for myself (I'm a little excited).

1. DANCING. The apartment has a gorgeous wooden floor that is absolutely perfect gettin' down. So I've decided to learn the choreography for Lady Gaga's Alejandro (one of my favorite songs, ever). I figured it's time to get used to choreographic dance, and why not learn from my favorite dancer? It's very tricky, but I always love a challenge. Maybe when I have it down I'll post a video ;) (hopefully this happens by Monday!)

2. Singing! Most of the time, we're at home working and either I don't have much time to sing, or it's too distracting. Well for the rest of the week, I'll keep working, but I will be singing very loudly as I do it. I listened to a Jack Canfield audio file the other day where he was saying how people know they're born for something. Like, how does a writer know he's born to write? Because he just cannot not write. How do I know I'm a singer? Because there does not exist a world for me where I don't sing! (My mom told me when I was very little and sat in the shopping cart at the grocery store, I used to sing while she shopped. So it's a very long-going thing for me I guess).

3. Minor music sessions. I had a musical epiphany yesterday in the form of Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. Music can really teach you a lot, and boy am I excited to go on a journey with these groups. It's easy to get lost in a deep sound or a moving video, and for me that has always expanded the musical part of my mind. Let's go!

It's almost Friday, so that's good news! Saturday I'll be back in the studio recording yet another two songs. It's getting bigger and better! Yesterday I had the most fun singing a new song written for me about a very funny subject... I'm just laughing and having a ball right now, I can't wait to let everyone listen to my work and hear feedback. I'm very proud of the stuff we're doing right now, and excited to release it. Dance with me tonight, and we will live forever! Who wants to come to the album release party (location immer noch undisclosed)? ;)

I'll be writing again soon. 
Have a sunny Thursday!

India

Music for the morning: Anybody by Bad Things (Shaun White plays in this band, I listened for the first time this morning- they're pretty cool!)

Jour et Nuit

My life is only a movement of constant change. It's like day and night, but from day to day! ...If that makes sense.

Anyway, yesterday I got my first two songs sent to me, which are still being edited, but the latest versions were awesome! Of course the one is a little heavy and sad, but it's cool to listen to. The other one is just a pure fun jam, with a super vintage feel. I can't wait to release them and share them with the world!

Today I'm going back to the studio and recording another two or three songs. Needless to say, IIIII'm excited!

Otherwise on the menu this week is composing, getting the rest of my life together, and so on... 

I am so ready to break out of my shell and out of the "old world." I just want to see and hear and feel everything. I'm dying to go back to New York (it's been 5 years on the dot!), I want to see Singapore, Peru, Russia, etc. Just bring it on!

I am also coming to an unfortunate realization that some things in my life just aren't working. It's up to me to fix and change them, but it's not the easiest thing in the world. There will be people I say goodbye to. There will be doors closing very soon from my side. It makes me sad, but I know in the long run, there's so many things in this world to see and experience, I won't lose by saying "no more!" to negative influences. I feel an extreme pull to get out of Innsbruck. It's a lovely town as I always shouted from the top of my lungs, but I feel like I need to be somewhere else right now. I'm thinking Chile or Hong Kong.

Anyway, I need to get my hands on some cash, and then I will be gone like lightning! And I will be absolutely everywhere...

I dream of a clean earth. I dream that one day the Hudson River will be drinkable, and that in India there will be farms and (good) food and houses for everyone. I want to give people hope through my music and my work. I truly hope that I am able to inspire people to dream and dare to achieve their visions for their lives. There's so much more that I imagine for my life and the lives of others...

My dear readers, I hope all is well with you and that you enjoyed the holidays with your families. Have a wonderful Wednesday and rest of the week. Try to do something you love today. Something that makes your heart sing.

All my heart

India

Song for the day: Ich lass für dich das Licht an by Revolverheld

Wanderlust

Ahhh! I can't believe how the time has flown since last post. A whole month already! Well needless to say, I've been incredibly busy- I've got plans up, down, inside-out and backwards! Also needless to say, a lot has changed in the past month. Ah the life of an 18-year-old.

About three weeks ago, I had the privilege of meeting a music producer who was interested in working with me. Now I'm making music! I went to the studio for the first time two weeks ago and recorded a song I started writing last fall. I'm really excited about it! As soon as it's finished and ready to be released, of course I'll be sharing it. I don't want to give too much away, I'll just tell you guys it's about a relationship I experienced. On Saturday another song came to me (I just started writing and it kind of took off), and this one is going to be even better. It's about the time I spent in La Palma in January with my friends. That time had a huge influence on my life now and of course I miss that beautiful place. I've been listening to Spanish music like crazy lately (like Obsesion by Aventura).

I'm heading into the studio again on Wednesday to put the finishing touches on my own work and start recording a few new things. Some of these songs are so much fun, some are difficult to sing, but the creative process of making music is so much fun. It all makes sense to me. When we're creating the tracks, I know exactly what I want and which sound should go where. Music is one thing that I really just get.

I've made some new friends, and last Friday I performed at an open mic night here in town. Eight of my own friends came to see me, and it was a lot of fun! I love performing. I don't know if open mic night is exactly 'India-Style' but it was really cool anyway. I sang Untogether by Belly (a band whose hey-day was in the 90s but no one's heard of now), I Will by the Beatles, More Than Words by Extreme (the all-time classic), and Nothing Else Matters by Metallica (this was my absolute favorite to perform).

Besides the studio this week, my colleagues have planned a huge seminar event on Thursday here in Innsbruck. It's an all-day affair with a life coach from Cologne, Alexander Vitocco. I'm excited for this! I love life-coaching and that kind of thing. In the end, all I want is to help people too. Hopefully I can achieve that through my music.

On Friday and Saturday I'll heading up to Munich to work a few tours again. And next week it's all music again!

Lately, I've been dreaming of traveling the world again (as if I ever stopped). I want to go to Hong Kong and South America. I want to see everything! There are so many beautiful places on this earth... I feel lucky to have seen the minor fraction that I have, but all I can think is about the unknown. I want to go on an adventure! It's something we call 'wanderlust' (also a fairly well-known term in the anglophone world, thanks to Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd).

Anyway, that's my life in a nutshell at the moment. Anyone wanna take me far, far away?

I promise I'll write again in a couple of days!
Love

India

Song for the day: Am I Wrong by Nico & Vinz (I love how this song feels!)

Schub!

Schub is a German word that basically means thrust or push. And when we say "schub geben!" (or giving thrust), we mean business. Networking is a big business, in fact the biggest and wealthiest business in the entire world- generating billions of units of currency every year. 

And I'm only at the forefront.

It's so awesome because the skills I'm learning with networking will come in very handy for other interests, like singing (for example). I know, I'm not giving many details about what this networking stuff actually entails, they are coming soon! But I know not everyone is actually interested in my work.

My real work is more interesting, right? I mean my work of nature, my "god-given" work- writing music and siiiiiiinging!

So how does this lyric sound?

…und du schaust mich an und sagst mir so leise,

ich mag dich gern, deine Art und Weise

oh oh honey I wanna see the world with you

tell me all the things we're gonna do!

that's right! I'm writing a song in German. Well technically the song is going to be in German AND English (think of the band Frida Gold, they do the same thing). So the words might sound totally cheesy or whatever, but it's so real/current/relevant to my life situation right now. ;)

Well enough of the boring stuff, right? It's about time I put up some pictures here! They're coming… I'm planning on producing a webinar this week about a book. When I was with my team in La Palma, we were all supposed to present books as an effort to spread knowledge and growth. Long story short, only one of us actually presented- and though it was a really good presentation, I feel really bad for not presenting mine. So I'll be posting an informative presentation video about the book The Secret very soon! (Maybe I should turn this into a video blog?)

Also happening: AMERICA in two weeks! Hello all things American: Denny's, peanut butter, and dairy queen! 'MURICA!

Nah just kidding. I like peanut butter, but I am by far the least american person you've met (except for my chips and oreos obsession). I'm still totally excited to hit up the beach, that fresh Worth Avenue (yes, I'm going to Florida!), and every Ralph Lauren outlet Orlando has to offer. Can anyone spare me their black AmEx? haha ;) Of course seeing my family and surfing in Coco Beach will be a blast. Hello Sunshine! 

Over and Out! (Good night and good luck!)

India

Music of the Night: Lullabies (Adventure Club Remix) by Yuna

Round and Round

On a more unfortunate note, I am not traveling to Kiev in November as planned. Though I am slightly disappointed, the trip has not been cancelled altogether- just moved to mid-January. Every cloud has a golden lining. In this case I am grateful as this allows me to continue working through the end of the tourist season (til New Years). Plus it gives me more time to learn Russian better. Then it's off to the Canaries and then Ukraine! 

I am totally excited for what the New Year has in store. Let's just say I am working on various projects on the moment, mostly involving music. I'm doing all kinds of things- writing songs, imagining some album concepts, and trying basically to get a clear image of what I want to achieve as an artist and a singer. For the moment I'm concentrating a lot on pop rather than opera. I was always better at pop anyway ;)

A number of you might be wondering why I'm talking about Kiev and the Canary Islands at all. One evening I was working at a club and I got to know an amazing group of people called the DO Team (do-people.com). These people are revolutionizing the way network marketing works (basically that means promoting a product through word-of-mouth) with a really cool product called Lava Vitae. This is a health supplement made of activated volcanic ash that helps your body detox and promotes brain and digestive health. I took this while I was getting over a second round of tonsillitis (I am the luckiest person alive) and it worked wonders. Anyway, what the DO People do is promote the product worldwide through personal networking, and the next market to open is in Ukraine.

Besides that, the people I've gotten to know in this team are just the loveliest bunch. I've had so much fun in such a short time with them and I'm really excited for our future projects together (exciting details to come)!

The weekend is also going to be busy and exciting and crazy (story of my entire life)- I'm moving- again! This time to a more long-term place. And I'm photographing tonight and Saturday night! Check out my galleries- these are my two personal favorites: 
http://www.nachtagenten.de/fotos/list.php?gallery=914733&public=GLDIlL3f914733

http://www.nachtagenten.de/fotos/list.php?gallery=914808&public=CKuCwLo1914808

Have a terrific Friday everybody!

Music for the morning: I Couldn't Care Less by Leslie Clio (she's so cool, check her out!)