Michael Jackson: IMMORTAL

Last night my incredible fiance took me to the Amway Center to see Michael Jackson: the Immortal World Tour (by Cirque du Soleil). I've been one of Michael's biggest fans my entire life and I can't even put into words what I experienced when I saw Cirque's moving tribute to Michael and his legacy.

In true Cirque du Soleil style - EVERYTHING - about the show was top notch and nothing less than perfect! I think Michael would have been proud. What I loved the most about the show is that the creators of it 'got' Michael. They understood what a loving and compassionate human being he was, as well as how much he loved and cared for both Mother Earth and the children on this planet. The creators also understood what Michael's fans meant to him and how music was his true connection to Spirit.

Every musical number carried with it an important message - in addition to being visually stimulating and, ultimately, absolutely entertaining. I was overwhelmed by emotion on more than one occasion and was on my feet dancing like crazy by the end.

I miss Michael so much - it's hard to put into words. But last night, for the first time since his passing, I felt as if he was alive and well once again. He lives on through his music, of course. He also lives on through his fans. And, finally he lives on through every performer and musician in Immortal.

Thank you, Michael - for impacting my life (and my songwriting and music) in such incredible ways. Thank you for being a light in the darkness and thank you for your unending love.

And thank you, Cirque du Soleil for your heartwarming, toe tapping, incredible tribute to Michael - both the man AND his music.

Love always,
~Jen

Happy Valentine's Day!

So, today is Valentine's Day. :-) Yes, I'm smiling about it - do you know why? Because love is all around - ALWAYS! To be honest with you, I used to hate Valentine's Day. Most years, it just reminded me of how alone I felt. But lately, something has changed for me in my life - and I'm so incredibly grateful for it. First of all, yes, I have the love of an incredible man in my life. We're engaged and will be getting married later this year. He has helped me to truly love and enjoy Valentine's Day once again.

In addition to that, I've started to recognize that love is everywhere - always and all the time. It flows through us constantly, even if and when we don't recognize it. I'm grateful for it. And I'm grateful I'm surrounded by people I love. I hope you are too.

Happy Valentine's Day!

With love - today and always,
~Jen

the birth of a new baby

So, after 4 1/2 years of joy, love, pain, sorrow, learning, laughter and patience, I'm FINALLY ready to release my latest album. It's a 2 CD set full of everything I have ever had to give. Throughout the creation of this album, I've laughed, cried, pulled my hair out and shouted for joy. There were days where I thought I would never finish it and there were times where I couldn't get enough of being in the studio working on it. It's been the biggest part of my life for the better part of the last 4 years and I'm so anxious to share it with all of you! It should be available late February or early March 2012 and I'll let you know as soon as it is! Thanks so much for all your love and support!

Christmas time is here...

So, once again the holidays are upon us? Is it just me or does it seem like Christmas approaches faster and faster every year? In any event, I wish you and yours the loveliest and most blessed of holiday seasons.

Here is my Christmas wish list for 2011:

~world peace - or, if we're not quite ready for peace around the world yet, I'd settle for people being nice to each other while they're out shopping for Christmas - maybe even let someone else have that prime parking spot... (that's a good start)

~ I'd like for everyone on the planet to feel loved - no matter where they are, what they've done or what they've been through

~ I'd like for our brave service men and women to be able to spend the holidays - at home - safe and sound surrounded by their friends, family and anyone else who celebrates their service and sacrifice

~ I'd like for my family to know how much I love and appreciate them

~ I'd like for my friends to know how much I love and appreciate them

~ I'd like for my fans to know how much I love and appreciate them

~ I'd like for every child on earth to have a safe place to call home and more than enough food to eat

~ I'd like to see an end to people arguing, fighting and killing each other in the name of religious righteousness - over whose God is better...all roads lead to Heaven and we can create that Heaven right here on earth...

~ I'd like to live to see the day when we have just one flag - representing the entire world - when are we going to realize that we cannot judge, criticize, condemn or kill anyone else, without first doing the same thing to ourselves?

I suppose this isn't my entire list but, sort of like being nice to each other in the parking lot while going to shop at Target, it's a good start...

My biggest wish this holiday season however, is that Christmas finds you at peace and feeling so very, very loved...because you are...

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!

Love always,
~Jen

the journey

I realize that the actual 'juice' in the journey has absolutely NOTHING to do with the final destination - what you think you're going to 'get' or how you think you're going to feel once you 'get' there. It's about the journey itself. It's about being brave enough to GIVE as much as you can - every step of the way.

Birthday!

So, now that it is after midnight here on the east coast, it is technically my birthday! :-) I'm only 13 minutes in and, already, this is my best birthday yet. I don't know how to explain it other than, by saying that I am simply grateful for my life in general.

Right now, I'm finishing up my latest album. This particular album has taken me 4 years and a LOT of blood, sweat and tears to finish - I couldn't be more proud of it. It's a double CD and I can't wait to release it.

In other areas of my life, I have an amazing family - I'm grateful beyond words for that. I also have an incredible fiance. :-) Not surprisingly, I'm grateful or that as well.

But, in general, I'm most grateful for Life itself. I'm grateful to be so connected to the Divine and I'm grateful that I'm being given the chance to grow and give more than I have already.

Much love - and more soon,
~Jen xoxo

mastering

Just another quick update to let you all know that our mastering sessions are going really well!! Everything sounds simply incredible!!! It make me even MORE excited to share this album with all of you!! :-)

If all goes well, we'll finish with the mastering this upcoming Friday. Then, next week, I'll work on the album artwork, liner notes, etc and then have it sent off to be duplicated. My intention is to be able to release the album sometime around Thanksgiving, but I'll keep you posted on the exact date once I have it.

Hope you're doing well in your corner of the world. More soon!!

Lots of love,
~Jen