MARS in Paris

It's been a while... Since I last blogged and since I've been to Paris too!
Novenmber 10th, my dear friend Nancy and I left for Paris. We flew from Dusseldorf Airport and before we knew it we were landing in Paris.
For me this would be the first time of seeing Paris itself. I was looking forward to it, the weather forecast was good and we had 2 lovely cherries on our pie waiting for us there: 30 Seconds to Mars in 'le Zenith'!!! 2 nights in a row people. The second show got announced after we booked everything for the first show, so obviously we had to add Night of the White Shadow to our to-see list ;)
We met up with Mandy at the aiport in Paris, and my brother Jamie arrived the next day. We all went to Pukkelpop earlier this year to rock our socks off with Mars and many many more, when tragidy struck... A day we'll never forget! So when the date(s) in Paris were announced, we all decided we had to go! While I'm writing this, many Echelon are queing for the show they later announced in Antwerp (much closer then Paris) but due to work I won't be able to join them tonight... It sucks! But you can't always win right?

Back to Paris...
The sights were gorgeous! Though people, I found, aren't always too friendly the city itself was a sight worth seeing. Here are some pics of the "touristy" things we did there:















I risked my life, taking that last picture! People drive like idiots in Paris, especially around 'le Arc de Triomphe' But I like living on the edge sometimes... :p

The hotel that we were staying in was okay. The neigbourhood was so-so, but the location was perfect when it comes to the venue! Le Zenith was just a good 10 minutes walk away from our hotel... Perfect!!!
Friday night we had us a baguette avec fromage and got ready for NIGHT ONE! It was crowded at the entry (we walked to the venue the night before and there actually were Echelon sleeping in tents! Crazy!!!) and since we had seated tics we never bothered to get there early. The seats we had were pretty good and we were sitting really close to my good friend Carol, who flew in from London!
That night's setlist was epic!!! Never heard "the Story" live before, so I was in aw when Jared popped up in the crow with his guitar and played it after "Alibi". One of my all time favorite songs is "From Yesterday" and the only time I ever heard that one live was in Amsterdam, 2 years ago! So, needless to say I was going bananas when they also played it full band in Paris! Mixed opinions on "Hurricane the film" being played in the middle of the gig, understandibly, but I liked it! We attempted to wait outside for one of the guys to come and say hi, but honestly, it was crowded, cold and I was tired from walking. So at about 1 am I called it a night, took a shower and catched a few dreams!










It's a bonus to every show really, the great people you've met through this band always pop up worldwide! It's great to catch up after a show! ♪♥♪



The next day, after some more sightseeing, and some more baguettes ;) we had our much anticipated WHITE NIGHT!!! Out of all the themed shows, this was the one I've always hoped for!
We got dressed in, ofcourse, as much white as possible! And after dinner, like the night before, we headed to the venue. Only this time we were able to cut some of the line off and we got in early... Horrible, I know, but you would have done the same! Blame the unwatchful security... :p
After last night, we knew we had to sit near the sounboard to enjoy Jared's accoustic set up close... We sat there front row!!! Nobody in front of us, just the sounboard... Great view (makes you appreciate the lighting during a show even more) and all the space to go crazy during the gig!
Jared did show up right on front of our noses and it was great! Too bad some people go out of their way to scream "Jared I love you" in stead of, if you wanna shout anything "Thank you" perhaps... Anywho... It was kinda fun to see all the 0.o faces, when Jared played "Was it a dream?" and "Echelon"... They're all downloading those songs now, cuz they must've felt pretty stupid not being able to sing along to their favorite band's less known songs. They obviously don't have all 3!!! albums ;)... Anyways, we went crazy during those songs, bless them!
It was beautiful to see everybody in white and the surprise of the night sure was : Alibi" full band! Man, just like in San Jose, it brought a tear to my eye... Gorgeous!
Another night to remember. And, painful as it is, maybe my last night for a long time :'-(. But it sure was an epic 2 years, with perfect music, epic shows and a family that kept getting bigger. It sure made my world bigger and for that alone, I'm forever thankfull to Jared, Shannon and Tomo and everyone else making this music and tour happen! BLESS YOU ALL! ♥♪♥


















On sunday we enjoyed our last day of Paris with more sightseeing and flew back home later that night.
Another trip I'll never forget! My life has changed so much over the past 2 years, because of myself and also because of this band... It's hard to believe to some, but it truely has! The way I look at everything, the friends I've made... I can't wait to be old and content someday, look back at my blogs and pictures and with a big smile say: "This is the story of my life..."

Disneyland Paris

When I was a little girl, my mom always let me watch Disney movies, probably because she truely enjoyed them too! And I knew it was okay to cry during them, cuz she did too :p I sure loved movies like Beauty and the Beast or the Lion King and even to this day I love watching those movies. They're by far my favorites. They suite any mood I have!
Now that I'm a grown woman I wanna feel like that little girl again from time to time. And I always do during my time at theme-parks. And if there's one park that steals my heart with every visit, it's Disneyland.








Just a few weeks ago, my cousin asked me if I'd like to go to Disneyland in Paris with him, his girlfriend and their 2 little girls. Ayana is 3, and Shenna is 1 and also my god-daughter. I wouldn't want to miss this for the world. Not just visiting that fairytale world, but to share my god-daughter's first time there aswell!


Just a week later we left! 4am on a monday morning and the car fully packed! The drive was good, I even slept a little on and off and so did the girls. Before we knew it, we saw that we were getting close!

















After checking in at the Davy Crocket Ranch we drove to the parks! Disney Studios was up first!
























This was my third visit to Disneyland and everytime they added something. This time was the first time I ever saw this new addition to the park:










Toy Story is one of those epic movies. One of my favorites for sure! It sure was a delight walking around this area and jumping from the air like a toy soldier ;)
















We saw a few shows and went on all the rides that first day, but since we got up real early and we were getting hungry too, we headed back to the house to unpack the car and have dinner! There were 3 more days left, so we were glad to take a rest early.








We all woke up early the next morning and my cousing went to get breakfast. Delicious! With full bellies we drove back to the parks. Disneyland Park today!









And the first sight after entering the park is just too gorgeous to be true...







It may not look like it, but the weather we had was absolutely perfect. It wasn't too hot and it was dry! Couldn't be better I think.

We, again, went on pretty much all the rides. During the day, the girls would fall asleep and take a nap in their strollers (bless those things!) Here Shenna and I are waiting in the sun, while Ayana is asleep and my cousins are at the Pirates of the Carribean ride.








And here I'm waiting with Ayana while Shenna is sleeping and my cousins are rolling with Indiana Jones ;)






You can't really have a favorite place in a place like Disneyland, but I sure love the playfulness of Alice's Curious Labyrint! My god-daughter is very impressed to, as you can see!










At the top of the Labyrint we had a stunning view!












At the bottom, we found a table all set for us! Happy un-birthday to whoever provided us with these lovely treats!!!













One of the biggest successes we had, was during It's a Small World! A ride everybody loves! But 1 year old Shenna who was pretty casual about the whole Disneyland thing, sure she enjoyed it, but she wasn't too excited, she was going absolutely bananas during this ride!!! She absolutely loved it, and so, the next day, we went on the same ride again.













We enjoyed the Once Upon a Dream Parade and the Stars and Cars parade aswell! Sure is amazing to see those people in character! They really gave it their best!

















Back at the house, we went to the local shop and had some fun at the playground. We even got to meet Minnie and Pluto ;) Though Shenna wasn't getting any closer to them without me! She's shy I guess :p
















I, myself, got to meet one hunk to take home with me! He could fit in my bag, but he felt my hair was too short, so he ended up staying right there where I found him :p







Another fun area in Frontierland was Woody's Roundup! If you look closer, you find way more in Disneyland then meets the eye!





















My cousin and I wanted to strike a pose in front of this mountain... I keep forgetting it's name... Something with Yosemity's maybe? It's gorgeous though, and the longest lasting roller coaster I've ever been on goes right through it!
















All in all, we had a wonderful time! We were there for 4 days, it was pretty crowded but the weather was perfect apart from the last day. We went on a couple more rides, got a drink at Starbucks, got us some souvenirs and called it a day! We were all set and ready to leave at 4 pm on thursday! We were all tired after the busy days and long ride back home, but it was so very worth it! Every once in a few years, this is the best place to be! To be a little kid again, to walk around with a smile on your face non-stop! I'm pretty sure I even slept with it! ;) Writing about it now, makes me miss it already! I'll sure be back in a few years and hopefully I'll be able to bring my own child or children there... Or a guy who, just like me, wants to feel like a kid again from time to time ;) That would be perfect. Just perfect!

Awake

Awake. She’s lying in bed, wide awake. Her body and even her mind is tired, but her thoughts are too strong for sleep. She gets lost in them. They take over her every desire to think of anything else. It’s too strong for her, even though she likes to think she’s much stronger. Throughout the day she’s able to distract her mind from all this poison, but as the lights go out at night, and darkness and stillness covers everything, she slips away. Into her own fantasies. A world where she can look the way she’s longing to look and feel the way she thinks she should. To be loved. And love. She can no longer think about all the things already in her life. All the fun, love and admiration no doubt some have for her. Where is her own? Why can’t she look at what she has accomplished lately and truly be proud? Truly be satisfied so far? How come, it is so hard for her to appreciate all the beauty surrounding her, including her own? Why doesn’t anyone love her? The biggest question haunting her mind. How come she’s never known love? Not the love you get from parents, brother, grandmother. Love you get from someone special. A soul mate. A partner. A person you see and from that very first look you feel those butterflies. She’s had those butterflies several times before and even acted upon them, but it has never brought her anything. Nothing she expected. No love. Never has she been given the opportunity to give those butterflies to someone else. A boy. A man. Never have they opened up to her. Never did they let her in. Is it because she has this sense to always pick out the one that’s not for her? She always picks out the one who already gave is heart to his special person, or at least in that time. At least now he has someone he loves and who, hopefully, loves him as much as she would. Because she’s not certain of many things, but she is absolutely positive about the fact that she could make someone very happy, she could make someone feel special. She’d walk the mile for him and be there no matter what. She’d be prepared for all the ups and downs, as she’s seen it in other people’s lives so very often. If only she could experience this herself. If only he’d give her a chance. If only, for once, he wouldn’t laugh her flirtation off. If only, for once, her heart would not play tricks on her but show her the right way. It’s not like she never tries! She does.
She thinks he’s looking at her one too many times. Could he be interested? Would he think she’s pretty? She’s nice? Funny? He looks again. Should she take a chance? She should find out if he has a girlfriend. He does… So, didn’t he look at her? He didn’t think she was pretty right? It was her damn imagination. It let her down again, gave her false hope, again. Why does it keep doing this? Is her mind, or she, so focused on the outside? Is it all about how handsome he is? She knows it’s not! But she’s never gotten a chance to get to know him. He never took the chance to get to know her. She hopes he’s happy with the one he is with. She can take it. It is what it is. She moved on. Still her mind keeps racing. Those damn “what if’s”. What if he never looked at her? What if she never looked back? What if she never asked? And what if, he was still available? She’s going insane! She just wants to sleep and forget this ever happened. But her thoughts won’t let her. They won’t give her a break. They keep her occupied. She wants it too bad. She’s craving love. To love. It’s obsessing her. She feels so alone. Lonely. Her bed is cold. Her thoughts and doubts can’t keep her warm. He could. Love could. Maybe that’s the only thing that could chase those thoughts away. It probably is. Why can’t she see all the positive things she does have? Why does she think she can’t be truly happy without a man? So many great experiences she’s had, such a loving family and great friends. Why can’t that be enough? It should be enough. Love should be a bonus, not a must! Deep down inside she knows this, but late at night, in bed, it’s those damn thoughts that tell her otherwise again. Is she depressed? No! She can’t be. She’s having too much fun. She knows this. But she sure is sad. Sad with how her life is going. To have never loved someone at this age. To have never been loved. But would that really be it? Is that all? It can’t be.
She’s laying there, in the dark. She knew for sure he looked at her. She saw him. Really saw him and was brave enough to chat with him too. He looked again! She’s sure of this. She knows he doesn’t have a partner, so should she wait it out or should she just go for it and ask him out? New thoughts are consuming her. He! She keeps staring at his picture. She keeps thinking about what to say. She reaches out to her friend. She encourages her, so do all her friend. Go for it. Ask him out! He just smiled at her, in that way. This can’t be her imagination! Or is he just being nice? She can’t eat. He’s the first and the last thing on her mind. Why? This is ridiculous. She can’t wait any longer, but she can’t just walk up to him either. She waits. For him? Why? She goes for it, she asks him out. How wrong could she have been. He just started dating someone. They have a click, he says… So her imagination was playing tricks on her again. He, also, didn’t look at her that way. He was just being nice. All she can think, again, is that that girl better be very good to him. As good as she would be. It pains her, although this time she didn’t cry her eyes out. She’s okay with it. She’s okay with the fact that there’s either no one out there for her, or it’s someone she least expects. Not the love at first sight type of love she’s always dreamed about. She’s sure of this now. There’s nothing anyone can say to make her feel better. This is her fight. These are her thoughts taking over. Her insecurities. Her pain. Yes, it hurts her. There’s no denying. If you look closely, you can see it in her eyes. Hear it in her voice. But you’ll have to look really close, ‘cuz she’s a very good pretender. She won’t want you to see it. She hopes you don’t. Or does she? Does she want everything erased? Does she not want him, either one, to know she likes him? Or did it, even though it didn’t have the outcome she had hoped for, make her stronger? It couldn’t have been for nothing, so she must’ve gotten stronger! She has! And she has to believe that someday, her curiosity will pay off. She will meet someone who deserves her. And he will give her everything she needs and she will give him everything and more back. She will be devoured with the thought of his arms, how warm they make her feel. His lips, how he kisses her like she’s never been kissed. His words, how they make her cry, make her happy. She’ll have thoughts that don’t keep her awake at night. But thoughts that will allow her to fall asleep with a smile on her face every night. She won’t have to dream, or fantasize about love, she’ll have it. She’ll look to her left every morning and see the face of the one that makes her feel special, loved. She’ll feel beautiful.
From now one, she wants to lie awake in bed thinking about that. Thinking about what will be. When she least expects it. Maybe, when she’s given up hope. But it will come to her, she has no doubt. And until then, she’s going to be happy and feel blessed with all the things she does have in live. Because, if she thinks about it, she’s done pretty damn good lately! She’s learning to love herself and appreciate all and everything around her. If she wants to, she can still escape into her thoughts, her fantasies. Knowing that, one day, she won’t have to anymore! Now that’s a thought that’s welcome to keep her awake every now and then!

MARS at Pinkpop 2011

It's a beautiful sky!!!

The sun is shining, everybody's spirits are up... We're ready for a beautiful festival day!
I had never been to one, but I had never had a reason to go ;) This time I did! I had a fantastic reason to go to Pinkpop (just the monday) My reason was: 30 Seconds to Mars!!!






3 Of my sistahs drove up there with me and after a quick bite on the way we were ready for a day filled with good music!
My day did start out with a bummer, because I wasn't allowed to bring my inflatable 30 with me!!! Crazy rules these festivals have...




Anywho...
We met up with some more sistahs in the crowd and enjoyed a couple of surprisingly good and fun acts: Beatsteaks, the Gaslight Anthem, the Script and 30 Seconds to Mars!!!
As you can see, I was actually enjoying these performances a lot. Especially the Script since I knew several of their songs!

















Though the weather forecast predicted rain, not a drop fell during the hours we were standing in front of the 3FM stage! The sun was shining and there was a perfect breeze to keep us from getting hot... Although, we got very hot as soon as MARS started...
Though they didn't start as they usually do! I had to get used to it, and it's not my favorite way of opening the show. But I'm guessing there's a reason for everything ;)




Tomo walks on stage and we all go fucking insane!!! Love that man!







Not too long after him, Shannon appears from behind his EPIC kit! (looking good in purple there Shan... dahum!)







To complete this magnificent trio, Jared walks on aswell! Looking fly as always!















A Beautiful Lie is the first song they play... Not Escape as I was expecting :p And I was kinda bummed they didn't do NOTH, but I guess I'm just a little rusty after all the shows I've seen haha! They're epic either way... As long as they play ATTACK!!! That's my song!!! And they did ;)
This Is War was a great moment too, so nice to have so many people sing along to this amazing music! If you look close, you can see a sprakle in 3 sets of eyes up there ;)



























Jared even had his own extented stage ;) Though he didn't jump into the crows as he usually does during The Kill, he did walk up and down this "catwalk" several times to come check us out!














The interaction with the crowd was outstanding, as always! J sure knows how to work a crowd!!! A big ass picture was made from the stage view! Sooooo many people!!!











I met up with some more sistahs after the show and we took a nice picture with the, now empty stage in the back ;) What a special thing we all have!














I enjoyed every second of the show and as always it freaking sucks to have it end... During Kings and Queens a shitload of people got on stage... Agressive moment I tell ya, you either have to fight your way over the barrier of be tough and hold your ground ;) After my amazing M&G, it's no longer my mission to be recognized by either one of the guys. Every moment I have with them from now on is a bonus in my opinion! Jared mentionned this was the last time in a long time they'd come visit our little country and I heard some protesting and boo-ing coming from the crowd... I personally am very glad and feel incredibly blessed with all the shows they did give us! With, like I said, the amazing time I had with them during my meet and greet in San Jose... If some time away from the road is what they need, I couldn't wish it for them more! They desearve it! THANK YOU GUYS!!!

MARStricht 2011

Date: May 28th, 2011.
Time: 1 pm
Place: Maastricht, the Netherlands. Central station
Expected people joining: 14
Mission: Make Maastricht aware of the amazing band 30 Seconds to Mars, spam the entire city with posters, stickers and spray wals with (washable) graffiti. Promote the upcoming performance on Pinkpop. And smile while doing it!


I don't know why I begin this blog like this, but it sounded fun in my head... If it bores you before the actual story even begins.... WHERE THE HELL IS YOUR IMAGINATION PERSON??!!

Alright seriously!
Us Echelon got together in the lovely city of Maastricht in the South of the Netherlands this May to do some promo.






After everyone had arrived we grabbed something to eat/drink and set up the game plan.











Stickers, posters, tape and a can of spray paint were handed out and off we went!
Since Maastricht is kinda devided into 2 areas, we split up into 2 groups!
Let's make this town aware of the Echelon and what it is they do: Promote a band called 30 Seconds to Mars!











We made the place look pretty, and maybe, we adjusted a few already pimped poles

:-D









We even were kind enough to leave a little present on peoples' transportation! :p Don't worry, no harm was done to any objects!











We even took the opportunity to form a cute little human TRIAD! (anyone notice the fact that, without a dresscode, everyone is in black?! Weird...)







After discovering a way too inviting wall, it was attacked with plenty of stickers and posters... After dinner though, we found out someone had been kind enough to glue posters all over the friggin' wall! All over our promo!!! So what do we do, true Mars Army that we are... Re-decorated the wall! BIG TIME!!!






Ofcourse no personal porperty was tagged, or did we make a mess! We kindly dropped our waste in bins all across town!








This, I'm proud to say, was our second and greatest result of decorating a wall that was asking to be decorated! We were watched while doing it, apparantly the guys working at the restaurant nearby had never seen a group of people deticated to music this much! But that's just what we are!!! ;)

All in all, it had been a great day and another succesfull promo! Anyone get to Maastricht after May 28th and saw some of the cookie crumbs we left??? There was a lot, so I'm pretty sure it's still there ;)

I'm sure we made the guys proud! Thank you to everyone who showed up and thank you to everyone who brought plenty of promo stuff! I'd say: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! ;)