Little Miracles

It's the LIttle things...

Kids say the darndest things, and they also say some very profound things. For those of you out there scratching your head (no the Greek girl does not, I repeat does Not have any kiddies, well except for my fur-babies). I am however fortunate enough to have some insanely adorable and very smart nieces & nephews.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of spending a few hours with my sister from Kansas & her family. Their three kids are really some of the most cute, smart, and honestly sweet kids I have ever met. I know kids are a result of the parenting, but I am always so blown away by how smart and sensitive these kids are whenever I am lucky enough to spend time with them since they live in the middle of the country. (note to tour manager - schedule more stops in KS please...) ;D Back to my point, well since I don't have kids, it always makes me laugh when I am around any the things that they say.

So yesterday being the super fun auntie that I am, I suggested we all go for ice cream, because we all know that ice cream = F~U~N! We all had just got our choices in our hot little hands about to indulge when my niece "Eva the Diva" (who is looks very much like a mini me btw, as her mom my sister and I look very similar as well) So Eva blurts out,"Ice Cream is a Miracle." Needless to say we all got quite a laugh from it. Here are just some of the few nuggets I have heard from the kiddies:

"So what happens if you put your foot in the toilet when you flush it?"

Walking into an air conditioned house from outside "Oh my Gosh this is Great"

Referring to new sparkle shoes "Like my new shoes?... They make dreams come true"

"Look mom I did my own make-up"

Laying out his new shirt for school "Well... now all the girls will be attracted to me"

Funny at the time, but when little Diva made her statement about Ice Cream being a miracle... it made me stop and think about what we all as individuals consider a miracle. As the saying goes "One mans trash is another mans treasure". What one person sees as a miracle, may be viewed as a mess to another person. For me, my little miracles are quite simple really. Being able to spend time with friends and family that I cherish, my health, savoring the amazing beauty in nature on a long run, pushing past limits, loving my doggies, and of course making my favorite souls expression - music. There is nothing I enjoy on this earth more than being able to create a great song that people can connect with and where I can express what I'm feeling. Of course performing that song or any song that really makes my heart happy is a Miracle to me.

So my thought for the day... whatever your little miracles may be, from Ice Cream to creating Art - embrace them, experience them, but whatever you do don't forget them. Because they are what make you, you.

Blessings, Love & Music ~
Ava :D xox

www.avaaston.com

Rock Walls

My Rock Wall as it was Being Built

So I know I said I was going to spend a lot of my weekend going to the movies, watching fireworks and yes shopping.  Yes I did all that, but what I didn't expect was to build a rock wall.  As cliche as it may sound being a rockstar for me to be building a "rock wall".  No I am in no way changing my career plans, as the old saying goes don't quit your day-job.  Well as for me and building rock walls, I'm no pro.  Now singing, that's a whole other thing so Mr. Bricks, you can cool your jets cuz this Greek Rock-Diva is not going anywhere, except for the Grammy's when you get me my record deal, just sayin'.

So back to the rock wall, yes I somehow got sidetracked and decided to go all out and work on sprucing up the yard a bit.  No I don't have a money tree in my backyard (yet anyways), though I did look for it this weekend because if I did, I wouldn't have been hoisting boulders up over my shoulder that were bigger than my head and carrying them clear cross ROCKLAND COUNTY, and yes that is the county I live in. Instead I would have been paying someone to move them.  Of all the places to decide to live I chose Rockland county.  Now being a rising rockstar I guess it suits me just fine but as for the landscaping thing, not such a great idea.  See, they named this county "Rockland" because everywhere you go there are rocks in the land.  Get it?  Okay, I will leave the jokes up to Mr. Bricks. Anyway, because there are so many stinking rocks all over the yard it only made sense to gather them all up and create a wall along the driveway.

Now as crazy as it must seem to picture this little Greek Blonde girl with an iPhone and an Iced-Cup-O-Happiness wearing crocks and hoisting up boulders, I was doing it.  I had one of my favorite songs "Eye of the Tiger" playing in my iPod as I thought of Rocky Balboa training to fight the Russian in Rocky, my favorite movie and all I could think about was getting those 50 pound rocks to the end of my driveway - and I did it.  In style of course.  That is, I mean my shorts did match my T-Shirt and my Crocks were the fashionable choice for trecking through the muck (of course I would never wear one of my beloved pairs of sneakers) and oh did I mention "POISON IVY"? Yep, I braved it.  I set out to build a rockwall and sure enough I did and I did it while getting my yearly dose of poison ivy/oak or sumac muck that's grows out of control in my yard.  I even sprayed gallons of chemicals to kill it, to no avail.  Great, now I can be itchy while I go in the recording studio tomorrow. Fantastic.

Okay, I know you are wondering, what does all this have to do with anything?  Great question.  Well when I was trying not to crush my little Greek body (which is like a marble statue of course from all the working out I do) with these massive rocks I was thinking of some of my greatest rocks: Rocky, the Rock, Rock Music and of course Rockstars.  It made me think of all the tough challenges are a part of the road for anyone like me who wants to chase a dream.

See most of the time we are told to tear down the walls in our lives.  But sometimes we need also to build walls.  Walls that are fortified and strong with rocks.  Rocks that would crush you.  Rocks that you put there and place in the perfect spot.  Those walls we build in our lives sometimes are walls of sacrifice, struggle and triumph. Building this wall helped remind me of those important challenges I am faced with every single day.  It reminds me of how not to give up.  My rock wall is not done and just as my dreams have not been finished yet, I will continue building this wall and the rock wall of my life.  At the end I can sit back and admire my rock wall and realize what an accomplishment it has been.  That and of course it reminded me of how hard it is sometimes to keep going till you get to the end of the driveway with a 50 pound boulder over your shoulder - you know where your neighbor won't drive over your mailbox because you built a rockwall to protect it.  Oh that was the other reason for the rock wall.  But seriously though.  Life can be hard and following your dreams is even harder.  All of us from Rocky to the Greek Rock Chick have our own rockwalls we need to build.  So get your Crocks on and pick up your rocks and start building.

Love and blessings,
Ava xo

Why It Is Important to Always Have Internet Access

Florida's Friendliest Non-Internet Hometown...

Well.... this is an obvious for so many reasons. No matter how much we may say we want to or would like to be able to unplug, lets face it, you really can not even really enjoy free time without having internet access. For me anyway, it is just that simple. We have become so connected to our technology.  That is unless you are Mr. Bricks and still using the AOL dial up internet from the free CD they sent in the mail, just sayin.

For the rest of us however, not so much. It's a quaint little almost romantic thought to think things like:  hmmm I would love to spend the weekend reading a good book (I mean for crying out loud even books are electronic now), doing yard work (not so much for me on that one since I have to steer clear of the poison ivy/oak/sumack growing amuck in my yard - or go outside in a biohazard suit), not look at the multimedia cell phone, stay off of twitter, etc....  That is until you actually try it.  

Check movie times.... Nope
Create playlist for road trip... Nope
Update facebook status... Nope
Read your favorite blog by Ava Aston... Nope
Get directions to the beach... Nope
Find out how to soothe a sunburn... Nope
Find a good restaurant... Nope
Find out what happened on your favorite reality show that you missed... Nope
Write a letter, oops I mean who does that anyway I mean send an email... Nope
Find out the weather of where you're going before you go... Nope
Mobile banking... Nope
Get info about what the current Kohl's promotion is... Nope
Share vacation photos with friends/family instantly... Nope
Take a pic of your dinner, so you can email it to Mr. Bricks and gross him out because it is so healthy... Nope  

I mean think about it... just four short years ago being able to suf the web "on the go" meant using a blackberry which was not very fast with inet lets face it, or carrying your laptop with wifi around in your car and seeing how close you could get to a building to be able to log into an unsecured signal.... Me do that? I would never....But to make sure I was still winning my latest Ebay auction treasure, you bet I did.  

So even if you decide you want to give it up for a little bit, it really is not that realistic.  I mean unless you're retired and living in a retirement community like "The Villages" in sunny south Florida.  Why on earth would you need internet access living there where the number one used mobile device is a golf cart?  I mean this place even has their own Ruby Tuesday Restaurant, grocery store, entertainment, golf course, post office, church, movie theatre, heck they even have a college for lifetime learning.... So I guess in this case, if you are retired and living some place like The Villages, you may not "need" internet.  For the rest of us living in the 21st century it's just become a necessary part of life.   

 Have a blessed day & surf's up (internet surfing that is) ;D
Ava  xox

   

Why Do People Name Their Cars...

Lightning McQueen, Just love him!

So it is probably no surprise that I love the movie Cars, (especially knowing my love for animation & cartoons) and I'm super excited to see Cars 2 when it opens June 24th!  I remember when my niece & nephew were so into it when it came out I was thinking gee what is all the hoopla about? Then one day I sat down to watch it while I was getting my car detailed at one of the in & out joints in northern New Jersey and I was immediately taken.  Before I knew it almost the whole movie went by & my car had been sitting outside done for almost an hour....   It's amazing how two little things animation and a cup of coffee can amuse me.  ;D I think "Lightening Mc Queen" is a very cool name and I love his character, so adorable!

I guess you could say I have had a few cars in my day.  Truthfully I think there is a part of me that was a motor head in another life because, I love cars.  I really do, (not quite as much as I love my sneakers), but I have a definite love for them.  When I see a car that I like, my heart skips a beat.  So sometimes I have to wonder in my Greek coconut, was I a greaser in a former life?...  Cauz there is just something magical about a quality built piece of machinery whether it be a classic car or a new car, it is just plain hypnotic to me.

So I recently bought a second car since both my sweetie & I can't be in the same place at the same time ~ all the time...  As usual I had to pick out a name for the car, and it got me to thinking.  Why do we name our cars (well those of us that do anyway, why do we do it)?  Meet Johnny Jetta.

Meet my new ride Johnny Jetta

Here are the names of a few of the cars I have had in my day.  Of course my dream car is the Bumble Bee Camaro from the Transformers movie...  Maybe if Mr. Bricks would get off his duff and quit eating McRrib sandwiches all dang day long & finally get me a record deal - I would be able to go get my dream car Bumble Bee...

This is my dream car!

Til then a Greek Girl can dream, and drive a few of the cars below:

Saab~a~rina - Saab 9-5 Arc. Very nice car, with a lot of bells and whistles ~ but she was aging and she liked to make frequent trips to the nearest Saab dealer and have me deposit $100.  So they could hook her up to a computer and turn off the light that was on and proceed to tell me "oh nothing is wrong we turned off the light".  Usually this would be followed by another trip to another Saab dealer or mechanic to find out miss Saabarina needed hundreds if not thousands of dollars of TLC.  So she was retired...

Saab~a~Rina R.I.P.

A few more of my previous car friends:  There was "Prissy Passat" ~ a VW Passat, Jimmy Jaguar ~ my dad had a classic Jaguar, well one more year and it would have been a classic, that is until I wrecked it at the beginning of my senior year of high school.  ;( Thankfully I was not hurt too bad, and one of the reasons I tend to drive like a granny even to this day.

Well friends I hope you all have cute names for your cars & that you drive safe!  Have a beautiful day!

Blessings ~
Ava :D

Dude Looks Like A Lady

So Steven Tyler is one of the new judges for American Idol.  I like him and his band Aerosmith, but that still isn't enough to get me to watch the show. Sorry Mr. Head of Programming at Fox.

It might surprise you that The Greek Blonde girl is not a fan of American Idol. Yah, who knew? Just because I am a singer and recording artist doesn't mean I must like a show about singers that creates manufactured careers. In my Greek noggin, the only real American Idol has been Kelly Clarkson...oh, wait I also think Daughtry is a really talented singer as well as Kelly.

The problem I have with the show American Idol is that it gives false hopes to so many people. This is a hard business. But now thanks to that reality series so many people think that if they get on TV it will make them a great singer. What it actually does, is it reinforces that lose screw in their coconut that makes them think they are a good singer.  Hold the phone William Hung can you hear me now? We all really know that just because you are on TV doesn't mean you are a good singer, or that you can even sing for that matter. We had that nonsense and muckery with Larry Platt and his song, Pant's On The Ground to prove that.

I have great respect for myself as a singer and for all of those who have also trained to perfect their craft like I have. However, I don't have a great deal of respect for marginal Karaoke singers who have a really great back story and get lots of exposure on National TV.

Now before you go off asking me if this Greek Girl wants a little whine with her cheese, let me say, this is not about sour grapes. I am happy when anyone has something wonderful happen to them. And clearly anyone who is on American Idol is in for an incredible ride with some really great opportunities in store for them. But just because they were on American Idol doesn't mean they are  a fantastic singer.

Note: Please scroll up and re-read paragraph 3 - just sayin'

Blessings,

Ava

xox

Melancholy

I'm kinda feeling a little melancholy as I sit here writing and addressing my Christmas cards. The fireplace is crackling and filling the room with warmth and the smell of freshly split pine. Jingle Bell Rock and other Christmas tunes fill the house with the proper sounds to keep me in the spirit of the season. My four little doggies are slumbering at my feet with visions of rawhide bones dancing in their little Pekingese noggin. The aroma of freshly baked cookies is coming from the kitchen... well ok, I lied. Not so much on the cookie smell, since I don't bake and there is actually no yummo freshly baked cookie smell in the house. But the rest of the sights and smells have me in this very melancholy mood.

Before I named my post Melancholy, I decided to makes sure I was using the word correctly. It appears I have a large following of school teachers who are keeping me on a very short leash grammatically. I should be offended, but I'm not. I know they just want me to look my best on my blog. Although I must admit that sometimes when I get an email from them correcting me, I do feel like I've been sent to the principal's office - just sayin'.

So I looked it up at dictionary.com and this is their definition of melancholy:

mel·an·chol·y

[mel-uhn-kol-ee] plural -chol·ies, adjective

–noun
1. a gloomy state of mind, esp. when habitual or prolonged;depression.
2. sober thoughtfulness; pensiveness.
3.Archaic .
a. the condition of having too much black bile, considered in ancient and medieval medicine to cause gloominess and depression.
b. black bile.
Ewww...OK, not sure what the color of my bile has to do with feeling a little depressed -- but I will just roll with it because, well, because I'm feeling melancholy. See how this melancholy thingy works? Oops... the teachers don't like me using the word thingy -- Sorry. My bad.

So we're down to the last couple of weeks of 2010 and I always hate to see the year end because I know there are always things I wanted to do but just never got around to it.

On the other hand I had some tremendous things present themselves to me this year giving me opportunities that I could have never dreamed of happening. When I was sharing this with my manager Mr. Brick's yesterday he said, "I know what you mean Ava." Mr. Bricks went on to say, "In my wildest dreams I never could have imagined that McDonald's would bring back the McRib. It just made me giddy as a young school girl?"

Ok that is just scary to me that a grown man can get giddy as a school girl over a fake processed pork sandwich. There's something just a tick off with him. Mr. Brick's is not right in the head I tell you.

Although I didn't start writing this little blog until October, I'm still feeling melancholy about it because just like with my song writing, I started writing it as a way of expressing myself -- and now I will soon be writing my 75th blog post.

I can reflect fondly over all of the blog stories about my obsession with sneakers, my Greek heritage, Mr. Brick's obsession with McDonald's, my non stop working out, eating healthy, daily 5 mile runs (weather permitting), my acting auditions, my love of Greek diner food, my Cd's sales, The Tea Party Patriots, Punkin, BoBo, Pookie and Itty Bitty, The Kardashians sisters, the pitfalls of living in New York and all of the day-to-day muckery in my life. I know its all good because it allows everyone to log on and read what-a- reality-show-waiting-to-happen my life really is.

So I'm going to spend a little more time sittting here in my melanchony mood and just smile. I realize I am truly a blessed Greek girl and God is an awesome God!

Blessings,

Ava

xox

You are My Hero!

                                        
                                         "I Carry You With Me" -- Ava Aston

Today is Veterans Day here in the United States. I couldn't think of a more fitting tribute than showcasing my song, "I Carry With You" because the music video's theme is a tribute to honor our fallen troops. All Veterans and active members of the military and their families are heros in my book!

Veterans Day was formerly called Armistice Day. The original reason for Armistice Day was to honor the end of World War I. The first legal US holiday observing Armistice Day took place on November 11, 1918.  In 1938, legislation was passed, whereas it stated that November 11 was "dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day.'"

On June 1, 1954 the word Armistice was replaced with Veterans and November 11 became a day to honor all American Veterans from all wars. I am a huge  fan of the US Military. God willing someday I will have the honor of travelling on a USO tour and will be able to show my appreciation first hand to the troops on the ground.

Here are the words from President Eisenhower to Harvey V. Higley, Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, designating him, Chairman, Veterans Day National committee.

The White House Office
October 8, 1954

Dear Mr. Higley:

I have today signed a proclamation calling upon all of our citizens to observe Thursday, November 11, 1954 as Veterans Day. It is my earnest hope that all veterans, their organizations, and the entire citizenry will join hands to insure proper and widespread observance of this day. With the thought that it will be most helpful to coordinate the planning, I am suggesting the formation of a Veterans Day National Committee. In view of your great personal interest as well as your official responsibilities, I have designated you to serve as Chairman. You may include in the Committee membership such other persons as you desire to select and I am requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch to assist the Committee in its work in every way possible.

I have every confidence that our Nation will respond wholeheartedly in the appropriate observance of Veterans Day, 1954.

Sincerely,

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER

Pretty cool huh? Well when you see a Veteran today, or any active military personnel, today is a day to look them in the eyes, shake their hand and say "Thank You for Serving our Country!" I know I will be doing that!

Blessings,

Ava

xox

Visit me at www.avaaston.com

My Amazing Race

I called up my manager Mr. Bricks and said that I wanted to go on the next season of The Amazing Race. His response was, "Oh Ava, I don't think I would ever be able to finish it, I would not want to let you down." For a million dollars, I'd whip his butt into shape and he'd be finishing every leg of that race, that's for sure!

I am an athlete, I'm a super strong competitor and I'm Greek. Which translated means other players would have to look out for this blonde girl.  Mr. Bricks on the other hand is not an athlete, is built like SpongeBob SquarePants and he doesn't understand Greek humor at all. Which translated means total muckery.

I am sure it would truly be an amazing race going around the world with Mr. Bricks, I am just not sure that it would be a race that would be amazing in a good way. And I'm a bit of a germaphobe so I'm not touching his backpack. Know what I'm sayin'?

On The Amazing Race 17  I am rooting for the doctors, Kat and Nat. They have come in first place the last two weeks, and I think they are an incredibly strong team and will be all season. They once said that their strategy for the amazing race is that no matter what, never ever give up. I can relate to that as I share a similar motto in my life and career. I can only imagine what Mr. Bricks' strategy would be --"never ever stop for donuts during the race." I'll be honest, I am not sure if Mr. Bricks could pass up a pastery shop. I think his DNA is wired for cream puffs, maple bars and anything with sprinkles on top.

I do like most of the teams this year, however I wasn't too impressed with the a cappella boys, Jonathan and Connor. Despite the fact that both are Princeton University graduates they seem a little geeky to me. They are also not my favorite team because they remind me of a bad episode of Glee and I'm not very fond of that show. Glee's characters aren't good role models for high school students. I get totally disgusted that the television networks have a great opportunity to portray positive role models and they usually don't. No wonder the young kids of todays are so messed up. It's all Glee's fault.

A great deal of the success on Amazing Race for the teams can be had by keeping calm and logically thinking things out. That is why I expect Nat and Kat to go all of the way and win Amazing Race 17. As doctors, they need to think methodically about what they do every time before they work on their patients. Another important aspect of their job is to act quickly because human lives are at stake. However, not so much for the job description for those two Home Shopping Television chicks, Brook and Claire. Their job description is just to talk crap all day long...annoying.

I do admire the teams when it is a family team, like a parent and a child racing together. What an incredibly great bonding experience for them it must be to travel the world together. However I'll ixnay on that bonding experience with my parents. I love them dearly, I just know it would never work trying to race around the world with them. Besides, the show is called the Amazing Race , not the "Amazing Homicide."

Having the right partner is a critical component of winning. The more I think about it, the more I would rather go with my Sweetie, than Mr. Bricks. I do believe Mr. Bricks, would be the one obstacle that would keep me from winning. So I'm sorry to tell you Mr. Bricks, but you have been eliminated from the Amazing Race.

Ever wonder where the actual losers go once they have been eliminated? Instead of calling it Loserville, they have an uplifting name for it called the Elimination Station. Here is a sneak peek inside the Elimination Station.  Click here

Have a great week, Blessings!

Ava  xox