Rearview But in the Clearview of NKOTBSB

The super efficient production side of the concert

The front corner rearview seat appealed to me because I love to watch what I can from the production/backstage side of the concert.  The set-up crew did such a clean job that some of them were able to get down to Jordin Sparks' "I Am Woman"(she was amazing, performed several songs after hometown band Neverest wowed the early bird audience) and it was hilarious to watch.

I sat here to kind of see what they can see...

Before the curtain dropped, they were stretching, giving each other props, etc.

The earliest screams came from my side of the audience since we got first visuals on NKOTBSB!  I enjoyed seeing them give each other great vibes before their big show. 

Posing and hearing the shrieking fans before their show starts

They'll still be in the middle of their tour by the time I post this so I will not get into details of the concert.  But yes, I sang along to all the songs and so did 18,000+ fans.  It was phenomenal. :o)  This post looks like a photo blog but I'm sure NKOTBSB fans won't mind.

NKOTBSB revealed!

During a song where NKOTB was facing the back with their arms crossed(choreography), I realized Donnie Wahlberg was looking in my direction.  I had to make sure so I blew him a kiss and eventhough he can't move from his pose, he puckered up and blew ME a kiss too! 
I melted.

Packed Air Canada Centre

Howie, Danny, and AJ all waved to me from backstage when they heard me scream their names.  I had help from a few fans from my row.

Howie waiting his turn to go onstage

NKOTB singing "The Right Stuff". :oD

At one point in the concert, Brian Littrell of BSB faced our side and looked at me.  Of course I blew him a kiss.  He blew one back and I melted.  Again. 

Backstreet Boys at a mobile stage at the end of the catwalk

During one of the songs, Brian went back to the same spot(facing us) and pointed at me.  I pointed at myself and he nodded.  Then he pointed at himself, pointed at me, then did the "rocking a baby" motion with his hands.  In my books, that meant "I want your baby". 

I was so stunned, I nodded. :oD

After the same song, he went to that spot again and formed a heart with his hands.  I did the same and he flashed a big smile.

One super happy fan. 

NKOTBSB made me feel like I had the best seat in the house. 

Back in the early 90's, my mom asked me,"Why do you keep buying their cassette tapes?  They don't even know you exist."  

A few days ago, my mom and I had lunch together.  When I told her what happened at the concert and reminded her of what she said back then, she said, "See, it's good I said that.  Now you're able to throw it back at my face over sushi.  It's so much fun!"  Oh mom. LOL. 

Save to Getaway, Save to Stay (Save the Philippine Seas: Blog Action Day)

The Philippine Seas can make a non - swimmer(my husband) snorkel.  I remember begging the currents to let us stare at the corals that are too precious to touch, as our world stood still in the presence of a giant clam on the ocean floor.  He has yet to witness the seas at night, where its magic astounds with endless twinkling of undersea spectacle akin to Christmas lights.

Even on foot our souls are filled with awe as we take in the sights and tastes of the seas.

The hubs and my little bro: Out to the waiting sea from the mangrove's embrace (Palawan, Philippines)

Gifts to feast on

Pure magnificence

We are spreading the awareness so more non - swimmers can snorkel. 
Visit Save the Philippine Seas and get proactive.

Mayhem Last May

Ah, the May that was solemn and sullen.  I'm pretty sure of not being the first mom blogger with mixed feelings for the flowery month.  If only it was whisk - deep as, "I love December for all the gatherings.  I hate it for sanding down my credit card".  May had me celebrating phenomenal moms, lost moms, and "I can't believe she's a mom" moms.  I can't say with full confidence that I toasted to my own motherhood the best way I could as May also marked the first death anniversary of a fellow mom, a dear friend of mine whose bipolar disease sent her to heaven way too early(Well, that's how it felt).  I wanted to use this blog entry for Mother's Day but I was struggling with grief.  Like I told you, not whisk - deep; more of Triton stirring the ocean - deep.  But before this entry goes on, a little revelation if I may.  Notice what my friend wrote on the scrapbook page she made during my baby shower:

"If there's one word to describe this picture, it would be DEEP". - Redge

Our connection remained even beyond her mortality.  In my sleep she showed me some of her own memories that I would otherwise not know of, and finally an image of pearls in the ocean arranged to profile her face glistening in the moonlight.  I celebrated her and yet I felt sad and bitter.  Was it grief?  It was only yesterday that I decided to call it missing and remembering.  Grief only held me back.  Missing and remembering did not lead to understanding but they helped me go on.  It was never the Resurrection that I doubted.  It was whether the ones she left behind can live their lives celebrating what they learned from hers.   If I get reunited with her and the angels boast of her brilliance, I would only be too itching to say, "Please.  I've already seen that when she was still on earth".