Roooooox-an(n)e & Alegría!

While some of you might be thining that I'm singing "Roxanne" by the "Police" at the top of my lungs?... Well, I am... Sorta. Although the feeling is more like Alegría! ("joy" or "jubilation" in Spanish).

I told you in this post that I would do my utmost to see a childhood friend of mine that I have not seen for about 10 years (+/- a few months). And it's going to happen. Yes. This coming Wednesday, I'm taking the TVG (fast train) to Paris to meet up with Roxane.

She's been doing quite a bit of travelling lately for the Cirque du Soleil, although she's - ahem - supposed to be "retired"? I guess she just likes doing gigs here and there, and if people ask for you, then go for it. I'm sure that she didn't expect it to have this much business, though. In the past 3 weeks, she's been to Dubai, Cologne, Monaco and next week, just after I meet her, she'll be in Russia.

Here's a photo that she sent me from Dubai at the souk (market). I hope she doesn't mind my putting up pictures of her. I'm just proud of her and I always believed in her. Being a singer can be a tough life, but that was all she ever wanted. And she made it. No, she's not a "rock star" per say, but I don't think she wanted that, really. I have a huge respect for that. She's damn good at what she does. Some people can sing only ballads, or rock, or soul. She can sing anything and make it sound like it should. Amazing!

And now, in her costume, ready for the show in Cologne. What a cute extra-terrestrial she makes :)

All I can say is that we'll have very little sleep in Paris, compensated with a lot of chatting and a few bottles of good red wine!

Alegría!

Lost (well not really) and found again

Can you imagine that? I found a long (half) lost very close friend again! Let me explain: I never really lost her as a friend, but she moved, changed e-mail addresses, had 2 kids in the meantime (which takes up a lot of time and energy) and we kinda lost contact.

However, on Saturday, I received this e-mail from her, saying that she'd be travelling through Europe. She found me again. So we e-mailed back and forth, and today, I reached her by phone. After over 5 years. I think the last time I spoke to her, it was in 2003! I was so excited!

Now who is this close friend of mine? Roxane*. I met her in grade 7, I think ,(Junior High for your US folks). We then went to high school, highs and lows together, both played flute in the school band, and we've stayed in contact throught the years after my leaving Canada. She stayed over a few days when she came to sing for the Canadian army troups that were stationed throughout Europe back in 1995, I think. I also visited her twice in Las Vegas where she used to perform as main singer for none other than *insert drum roll here * the Cirque du Soleil's "O".

And you know what? I am so proud of what she has accomplished, because that business is harder than one thinks. And like all the friends I have, I am proud and grateful of having been just a little part of their lives. She never forgot who she was and where she came from. A simple, loving, and hard working family. She never forgot her friends. She might have been a bit distant for a while, but that's all part of life. You work hard, raise a family and that takes a lot of time and effort. If you can't accept that in someone's life, then forget friendship. And she never forgot who I was. If that isn't a reward, I wonder what is.

I really hope to be able to see her while she's in Europe. I'm just waiting for her itinerary. Worst case, I'll see her during my next trip to Canada (where she is again), for sure.

Rox, I've missed you and I'm glad that you found me again :)

*I hope that I'm not divulging too much about you and if so, please tell me. I'll take it off the blog. Deal?