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!)

Coincidence?

I don't believe in coincidence at all. Now I don't believe in fate either, but I believe everyone is responsible for both what happens around them, and what they cause. I mean think about it, why do we have all of these expressions about "karma," "what goes around comes around," and the "golden rule?" 

Because in some way or another, they're all trying to tell one truth- your output (things that "happen" to you) will mirror your input (messages, thoughts, and actions you release) 100% of the time. So if you don't like something in your life, put up or shut up- do something to fix it or stop complaining!

I'm on a kick at the moment. I started reading The Success Principles by Jack Canfield today, and I've always admired Jack. His style of writing, his life philosophy, and his energy all seem to jive with mine. This book is a cool deal- already in the first chapter he starts with "take responsibility for your life!" While I completely accept that everything that "happens" to me is basically controlled by my choice, I also had a realization that sadly some dear people around me are causing themselves pain and suffering simply by not taking responsibility for little things like attitude, response to situations, and mental stamina. While dealing with people who don't give 100% is both hard and heart-breaking, there are a few ways to deal with stuff like this.

a) either you can control what's happening with the other people or things directly (so fix it!)

or

b) you can't control other circumstances (people and situations), but you can control your response to them, and find a solution!

Frankly, I don't think there's ever a good reason to complain. I'm starting a campaign to stop the complain (haha that actually sounds like a good motto) and today is my last day. Whatever I complained about today, whoever I blamed for my bad mood, why I dropped the dish on the floor... it's over. Complaining is dumb and cowardly. Either you do something about the scheiße in your life, or you deal with it. 

So join me, friends, in taking responsibility from this moment forward for everything in your life! If you don't like something, change it! Yes, maybe I sound extremely hard right now, but this is what "getting ahead," giving 100%, and making something of your life is all about. And I'm done with the excuses. Excuses are all illusion, what everything comes down to is your willpower and your demand for greatness in yourself.

I don't claim in myself perfection, and I understand I also have many miles to go. The mirror can tell me some nasty things sometimes. But when I don't accomplish something, I have no one to point to but myself. And that's the story of life. I could have stood up for myself in high school. I could have changed schools altogether. I could have saved my money instead of buying myself Manolo's. Whatever it was, it was always, always, always up to me!

Join the campaign to stop the complain! Put an end to victimitis and start living a proactive, healthful, extraordinary life!
Yeah it all sounds so great and wonderful, and wow it seems like I have it easy, galavanting around to all these countries and doing all these things. But is all of this a coincidence? I think not! As I wrote in an earlier post, I always dreamed of living in the mountains. I held on to that vision and dream. I always wanted to travel the world too. I think I did myself a favor by not really talking about these dreams (so no one could really tell me it wasn't possible), and the people who did know either said nothing or said, just do it! And here I am. I don't make vague wishes, I make decisions. Decisions will take you to your destination. Wishes are as said, just vague. So no, it's not completely easy obviously, my life isn't absolutely amazing, but I have controlled everything 'til now. Everything I've done and had was all planned. So what about you? What's your plan? Because I guarantee you, you'll have everything you want if you stop the excuses and start making the plans.

That's my little spiel for now ;)  and I know, not everyone's gonna go for what I just wrote, but for you, yes you who does, well, you're gonna have an amazing ride. Life is a paradise.

Much love and adoration
India

Music for the morning: Don't Wait by Dashboard Confessional

The Learning Curve

Here I am in Innsbruck! I could not be more in love with this place. First of all, it's a really small town with a big city feel. Only around 120,000 people actually live here- which is fairly awesome for me because that's the same size as the place where I grew up. Still, when you're walking downtown it really doesn't feel so small! 

Another really cool thing is that at every vantage point you can see the mountains, because we're smack dab in the middle of them! Plus the people here are so friendly- I'm 100% sure that this move was exactly the right thing for me.

So what am I doing here anyway?

Simple: networking! Now as much as I'd love to explain what exactly that means, I will just say it's fast-paced, fun, and a good road to success. Of course my goal is to be a singer- but that's for later. Right now I'm just concentrating on working hard at this game that's totally new for me. And yes, it's definitely a learning curve. First of all, I'm a really really shy person. I mostly always have been. So coming to Innsbruck, meeting tons of new people all at once, and being really extroverted is of course fun, but can be scary! And as the word "networking" would suggest, being outgoing is definitely a pre-req. At least I know where to improve though! That's the really fun part though, because I realized in order to succeed, it's all or nothing- stepping outside of your comfort zone 90% of the time, breaking personal records, and committing to self-improvement every single day. When you do that, the results come so quickly. Change yourself, change your life, change the world!

But I better not get too far ahead of myself ;) I'm just excited, because so far Innsbruck has been a place that challenges me- and where there are challenges, there are HUGE opportunities for growth!

So bring it on! ;) let's see what 2014 has in store for all of us!

Music for the Morning: Damn Beat by FAMP (a really awesome Austrian band- check them out!)

PS- I know this is a really short post- it's busy, busy around here! I'll be back later this week ;)

Countdown!

The New Year is upon us!
 
...look at me, Madame Creativity over here writing about the coming New Year just like anyone else.

But how could you not think about it? New Year's is the time when everyone is thinking of change, and many people are hoping this is the year that will change everything (just like they hoped that last year and the year before)...

I don't mean to sound morbid or cynical by any means. I actually want to say that I'm as excited for 2014 as anyone else and hope it will be magical and wonderful and all of those things.

I know there are also people who couldn't care less about the approaching year. I have noticed people become a bit discouraged at New Year's because they begin with so much gumption and motivation and little by little it fades away... and that's sad.

What I want to say here, is that every year can be your year. It's purely up to you what you want to do with all of the January's, February's, March's and so on that you get. New Year's happens to be a great time to get in the mood for fixing things (maybe you want to quit your job or learn guitar). The thing is, you have to stick with it!

Think about it. Mostly everyone makes New Years resolutions. Then the year goes by and most people break them. They get disappointed and hope the next year will be better. But they don't change the input! Giving up each time will take you nowhere.

So whatever it is you want to accomplish in 2014, just do it!

Dont't fall into the trap of thinking whatever you want is too hard or impossible. Don't worry about the how's and why's. Just know that if you want 2014 to be great, then make it great. Be the person you'd love to be best friends with. Be the person you would love to date. 2014 is the year for you to achieve your dreams and goals. They might be huge or extremely small, but each are significant and the point is to make steps. Each day, take one step closer to where you want to be- and by the time 2015 rolls around, you'll be amazed at where you are.

So that's just my motivational speech. As I said, I am very excited for 2014, as I will be spending the first two weeks of it in Spain, somewhere I've never been before! 2014 Also looks very busy on my horizon, with prospects of visiting my family and being able to start a lot more work on music. I'm halfway done with my very own first-ever song! I don't know what I'm calling it yet, but it's got a very personal theme to me (family). I've also started a second one (it has a title ;)) and this one is also pretty personal (a guy). I'm excited to start sometime on recording them and sharing.... I hope sometime before April or May!

Anyway, I hope everyone is having a great Winter so far.

See ya next year! ;) (I know, that line is also pretty original).
Love
India
 
Song for today (or Tuesday): The New Year by Death Cab for Cutie