JAMAICA

This past weekend, Tracee, Evan and I went with mom to JAMAICA. Mom was set to perform at The Jazz and Blues Festival there and we thought this was a sweet opportunity for some family time… ok, maybe it was really for the sun, beach and some serious maxing and relaxing (which I took full advantage of)!

We flew over night to Montego Bay. Overnight flights are the worst! The flight was 5 hours, which does NOT make for a full night sleep. I tried to get all the rest I could, but alas we still arrived Thursday morning exhausted and wanting nothing more than a LOOOOOOOONG nap.

I allowed myself a 2-hour siesta in my air conditioned bedroom, but then dragged my weary body out into the sun (not a bad place to continue my rest). I wavered between naps in the warm breeze and reading my book. “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert, (an amazing story of a woman’s journey to find herself through travel). I love to TRAVEL and I love this inspirational book!

The next couple days continued to be filled with the same relaxation though I added gluttony of delicious island foods (JAMAICA has the best jerk chicken and rice and beans). I played in the pool and ocean and hung out with the family (Not a bad way to spend a long weekend). I’m a lucky girl.

Saturday, I talked Evan and Tracee into swimming with the dolphins. They were both a little hesitant at first, but once in the water with the dolphins (Bruno and Miguel) you cant help but be in peace and in awe by their beauty and size. It’s truly a spectacular experience.

Though we spent the majority of our time shacked up in a rented house, we did venture out a couple times. One afternoon, we floated in the pool at the Four Season while sipping on frozen daiquiris. We also checked out the super touristy bar Margarita-ville and had a margarita in homage to Jimmy Buffet, but nothing beats straight up relaxation so most of our time was spent hanging with the family.

Mom performed last on Saturday night. There were sooooo many people packing the field in front of the stage. It was amazing. The crowd seemed to extend for miles. Mom belted out her hits as the crowd sang along and wowed with her many costume changes. Supposedly, there were some issues with the speakers and screens in the back, which made people upset, but all in all the show was a success (despite what you read on the internet). The weekend was FABULOUS and relaxing and I returned to the LA winter rain with some sweet tan lines.

JAMAICA is relaxing, beautiful and of course FABULOUS!

MUSIC

You know… its funny that having come from such a musical family (my mother is a singer if u didn’t already know) I am not more passionate about MUSIC. I mean I listen to MUSIC and I love to sing along. I can carry a tune and I’ve even been known to rock out at a couple Karaoke bars (My song of choice- I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor). I listen to my ipod and I sing in the shower. I even teach MUSIC and creative movement in pre-schools and an early childhood development MUSIC program called MUSIC together. I like MUSIC, but I am by no means a MUSIC hound.

Basically, I just like MUSIC I can sing along with; MUSIC that makes me relaxed or picks me up when I’m down or motivates me to run for another 30 minutes. My ipod is filled with the most random mix of songs of all genres and styles. I would say I have eclectic MUSIC taste.

I spent much of my childhood backstage at my mom’s concerts. Singing along and making up dances in the wings of stadiums around the globe (I know every word to everyone of her songs including the Lady Sings The Blues ones). I will always love and appreciate my mother’s MUSIC as well as the Motown sound and all the greats (Supremes, Temptations, Four Tops, The Jackson Five…)

My first record, which I played on repeat was Michael Jackson. He is an icon like no other. Yes, he has become a big strange in years past, but you can’t deny this man’s amazing talent. (I have met him a couple times and he is a sweet, kind soul that I could NOT imagine hurting anyone). I still fill with joy at the first few bars of Thriller or Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough. There is not one song that this man created that doesn’t make me wanna sing along or get up and dance. I love MICHAEL JACKSON.

In high school, I went thru a peaceful period (growing up in Connecticut I was influenced by the MUSIC my preppy, country club friends liked). I shook my hands and hair and danced like a hippy to The Grateful Dead (without the drugs), Dave Matthews Band, Samples, Hootie and The Blowfish, Counting Crows. My family was bewildered by the odd choice of tunes that blared through my stereo. I still love a good hippy tune like while driving long distances.

When I graduated from high school, I left my hippy music behind and became a cheesy pop lover. I didn’t drink, but I would love to go to the local college bars (Champions, The Tombs and Third Edition) and dance my little heart out. Anything the DJ would spin was my new favorite tune. I even went through a die-hard Britney Spears stage. Once I threw myself the sweetest (most nauseatingly cheesy) Britney birthday party with everything pink and Britney themed (no, I am not embaressed about this and yes, I was a bit old! HA!) I feel really sad for her right now and I truly hope she finds her way.

For some reason when I’m feeling down, I like to listen to show tunes. Seriously, nothing lifts the spirits more than belting out “I’m Not Wearing Underwear Today” from Avenue Q or “Defying Gravity” from Wicked or “Seasons of Love” from Rent. Try it! Your neighbors or roommates may think your nuts, but it will totally help lift your spirits!

Country always tells the most amazing stories. I have to say that the plucky guitar and the southern accents are not really my cup of tea, BUT I am slightly obsessed with the Dixie Chicks. “I’m Not Ready To Make Nice” was once my break up anthem and “Wide Open Spaces”… so true! Sometimes we just need “to find a dream and a life of our own, a place in the clouds, a foundation of stone.” I am also loving Carrie Underwood’s (3 cheers to American Idol) “Before He Cheats”! Ok, so maybe I totally love country MUSIC after all!

Embarrassingly enough, you may even find me singing along to The Back Street Boys or Color Me Badd or even Celine Deon. I have it all on my ipod and once I pick up some lyrics I cant help but sing along (even if I don’t love the song).

Right now on my most played list: Robin Thicke (He is extremely hot with his sexy songs. I can’t believe he is the son of Alan Thicke!) Maroon 5 (I love their unique sound and cool tunes… they are not bad on the eyes either) Alycia Keys (This girl can not put out a song that sucks! Amazing!) Lauren Hill (She’s an all around amazing talent. Her voice is piercing and the lyrics awesome.) Natasha Beddingfield (I’m loving her right now with her uplifting songs that are so catchy and cool to sing along with) Leona Naess (Leona is my stepsister and I love her! She is an amazing guitarist and songwriter. Check her out!)

Ok… so maybe MUSIC is not my passion, but I DO love it. It courses through my veins and sways through my soul. I rock to the beat and hum right along. It can change your mood, motivate you and draw you to you feet to dance and move.

MUSIC is FABULOUS!

RESOLUTIONS

I have nothing to write about and you know, that’s FABULOUS too.

Sometimes there is nothing exciting going on in the life of Chudney (yes, it sometimes happens that the Social Butterfly is mellow, relaxed and normal). You may say, “But Chudney, there is ALWAYS something to write about” and that is true.

My everyday normal existence is FABULOUS. It’s worth attention. It’s worth praise and it is worth noticing that I am just a normal gal doing normal things to live my life to the fullest. There were no glamorous galas or red carpet parties or trips to exotic locations. This week was about hanging with friends, getting settled back into my world of writing after the holidays and looking forward to the year ahead.

With all the hustle and the bustle of my trip to Colorado, I never had time to sit and think about my resolutions for the year. 2007 was awesome and I have a feeling 2008 is gonna hit another upward swing on the pendulum of life and I for one am READY for the ride.

I felt like I was spinning my wheels for a long time (maybe too long) trying to figure out my path in the world, my passion, and my talent. Once I figure out what it was I wanted to do and who I wanted to be, it’s been an exciting journey that I am blessed to be on.

I am proud to say I am writer (with a recent book deal which I am stoked about). So my RESOLUTION this year is to keep to a writing schedule. I want to create new books and outlets for my writing.

In this New Year, I wanna expand my creativity. I used to love to draw and make home movies. I wanna let my creative juices flow and not stifle them because I’m lazy or cant find the time.

My hosting reel was finally completed in the end of 2007 (with the help of YoungHollywood.com) and this year I want my hosting to go to the next level. I want to get an agent and start auditioning more! Watch your TV (and computer screens) for more of ME!

If you’ve read my blog in the past you know I love to eat (A LOT)! Over the holidays, I put on some weight and let myself get out of shape. I feel healthier, more energized when I’m fit and healthy. I want to STOP eating fast food in this NEW YEAR (UGH!! I miss my Big Macs already). I want to work out more consistently which is easier with varied workouts. (I do ballet, yoga, spinning, cardio and weights at the gym). I also want to not drink so much. My skin is way healthier (and less wrinkly) and my days way more productive when I don’t wake up with a killer hangover.

I want to work on decorating my house. It’s been very sparse and what I have jokingly have called “minimalist” since I moved in. It’s time to get comfortable, move around the furniture, buy a bigger TV (mine’s so damn small I can barely see it from my bed) and hang art on the walls. No more boxes in the New Year.

Having time to sit and think, to be with yourself and love yourself is FABULOUS. Even though I thought I had nothing to write about so much has come up. Even with out the glitz and the glam my life is FABULOUS.

Take time and be with yourself, think and love all that is YOU because you too are FABULOUS!

THE HOLIDAYS

Is it wrong that I still believe in Santa Claus?

I just love the thought of some secret jolly, fat man sneaking in your house and not setting off the alarm or sending the police rushing to your rescue. Instead of running off with your valuables, this man dressed in red velour (not particularly in style) leaves you treats and presents that you have been just dreaming about (ok… and telling everyone who will listen).

Of course, I help mom put out the presents (though I try to get out of it every year) and eat the cookies and drink the milk my little cousins have left out for Santa, BUT I love going to bed Christmas eve thinking of Rudolph and Dancer and Prancer and the gang landing on my roof and Santa sliding down the chimney. I love running down to the tree early in the morning (well, actually my little cousins have to drag my ass out of bed in my pajamas) to check out the spectacle of wrapped boxes.

Of course, I love to get presents (and I always do pretty well because I am VERY good girl), but I also love to give. I try and start my Christmas shopping early so I can get something truly special for every one on my list. Rhonda is easy. She likes African things and black angels. Ross likes gadgets and electronics. Mom likes anything personal with pictures (this year, I gave her a mug with a family photo on it from the Kennedy Center Honors. You can get one too at ofoto.com) Tracee and Evan are harder because they have eclectic (and expensive) taste, but I think I did pretty well with a cool silver bracelet for Evan and a gaudy gold necklace with black stones for Tracee.

Every year, we get together for an early Christmas dinner (same as Thanksgiving with turkey and stuffing and Mac and cheese…. Oh my!) Our beloved housekeeper Geneva used to cook up the feast with love, but now after her passing ☹ we do our best to cook with the tools we learned from her. Tracee and mom work on the turkey (Evan gave the bird a little massage, but he is not the biggest help in the cooking department). Mom and Rhonda made the greens and the stuffing. Ross and Rhonda made the Mac & Cheese and I made the sweet potato pies and the crescent rolls (I burnt my arm in the process. I am NOT much of a chef, but I try!)

We sit around the table and laugh and love and chow down enjoying being together and being a family. In my many (many) years on this earth, I have never not been with my family on Christmas (I mean how the heck would Santa find me if I wasn’t snuggled in bed at my mom’s house?)

After dinner, we sometimes go to the movies or play board games (The Ross family LOVES Scattergories). This year, I went to my friend Casey’s family’s house to catch up with old friends. (Congrats to Casey and Greg on thier recent engagement! Am I going to be the last single woman on earth or what? HA! Still looking for mine…)

After a fun filled, family Christmas I always bid farewell to the family to hit the slopes in Aspen and of course party it up in the fabulously, hip town. Evan comes too.

Aspen is FABULOUS because not only does it have the amazing outdoors (I love to ski and sled and play in the snow), but it also has a hip, Hollywood type nightlife (bars, clubs, parties).

This New Year, my friends Linc, Ina, Matt, Ian, Paulie and I cooked a pasta feast at the condo and drank copious amounts of champagne. Floating on our buzz, we cruised to the Artisan, a restaurant in Snowmass where many of our Ski school friends were rocking out to a rowdy mountain band. After a few more cocktails, I decided to put my fancy dress to use and I headed into Aspen.

I swung by the Aspen Peak party (which is usually at the tip top of Aspen Mountain, but for some reason had moved to the bottom of the mountain this year). Bad move I think because it was less than exciting (less than crowded and I barely knew anyone there).

I meandered the streets under the blaze of fireworks (I was alone with no one to kiss at midnight BUT don’t worry I made up for it on January 2nd and plan on having many more kisses by years end). I found my friend Natasha and we headed to the Caribou Club (the hot spot for the rich and famous), had a couple more cocktails and hob-knobbed and danced with Aspen’s elite. Having not found the man of my dreams among the drunken partygoers, Natasha and I decided to call it a night and head home.

Happy New Years!

The Holidays are FABULOUS!