say somethin

MOVED

2009-03-24T14:01:00.000-07:00

... unfortunately I've moved on to tumblr! so hit me up:

tumblr.

I'm Back!

2009-02-16T13:50:00.000-08:00

... or it's been about 2 months since I've been back (lol). Just wanted to give a quick update on what's goin on!

I recently performed at EKetc's first ever Junior Hip Hop Invitational "Bragging Rights" which, by the way, was a great success! There were wonderful exhibition performances by the teams under the umbrella of EKetc; FORMALity, Hi-Fi, Mass Appeal, Flipside and Epic 3... as well as competing teams from Chula Vista to Channel Islands. The show was supposed to be hosted by Mookie of SickStep but for certain reasons he could not make it therefore Myron Marten hosted instead. But as usual, it's always a good show with Myron! Props to Erik Saradpon and all the teams for putting on a great show.

Here's a clip of me singing at Bragging Rights:

... and I will post pics from this show once they're uploaded!

I've also posted a new video on my YouTube channel so here thaaaat is:

And I recently collaborated with the infamous "Angie Girl." The result of that collab is below from our blogtv broadcast together.. but the better quality version will be posted on YouTube very soon! So keep checking for updates!

Alright, enough for now.

Remember to check out my other sites:

www.myspace.com/listen2krystlecruz ADD ME!
www.youtube.com/krystlecruz SUBSCRIBE!
www.twitter.com/krystlecruz (NEW!)
www.blogtv.com/People/krystlecruz WATCH ME LIVE!

~and last but not last, my facebook fanpage!~

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=139902029&ref=name#/pages/Krystle-Cruz/51841035269?ref=mf ADD! ADD! ADD!

Haha okay I feel silly promoting myself so much. But please DO check the above links out. I am in the process of booking shows so once I know confirmed dates and venues I shall let YOU know!

Take care fellow bloggers

xoxo Krystle

PS. Please check out this banner that my little cousin Janelle made for me! and add it to show your support :-)

I got lucky

2008-12-14T06:23:00.000-08:00

No, there is no such thing as luck.

God brought me to where I am at this very moment for a reason.. or for many reasons actually. After over a month of training and adjusting to the culture in Japan, I have learned so much about myself than I ever have in my whole life! I've done a lot of soul searching. I'm finally figuring out what I need and truly seeking it. God is slowly revealing to me why He made me wait for something so wonderful and amazing--not just this opportunity to potentially become an artist under a prominent label but everything else in my life that followed through.

Being here has broadened my perspective of not only Japan, but the world. I am so fortunate to have met other people from around the world or even Japanese people who have had the opportunity to study abroad. I think it's really important to be out of your norm for a while to realize who you really are and to find yourself. Being away for a month alone has given me a broadened sense of the world and has opened up my eyes to what's really out there.

Back home in San Diego, I was too comfortable with where I stood. I worked, went to school, and danced... then repeat. Yet at the same time, I knew there was something better out there for me. I just didn't know how to find it. I didn't even know if it would find me. I was always complaining about what I did or didn't have. I was so tired of forcing things to happen that I didn't care to try to pursue this kind of career as an artist. So all I could do was pray... and I continued to pray to God that He would help me figure out what it is He really wants for me, whether it is singing or not. I knew it was all in His hands, I just needed to be patient and wait... listen to His righteous voice. Just when I was almost at the point of giving up, this opportunity to pursue singing in Japan knocked on my door and all I could do was welcome it with open arms. How could I not?

Now that I'm here, I have become so humbled with all of the intensive training. I could only say so much about what I'm doing but just know that it's exhausting!! It may seem like I have such a glamorous life out here but trust me, it's mostly work all the time. So I know it may seem like I have become "stuck up" or that I may have changed in a bad way to some people, but no! Not at all... so please don't believe what you hear. I am still me and always will be, just like I said before.

*Sigh* Whenever I walk through the lovely city streets of Tokyo, I can't help but think about how far I've come, not only on this trip but in my lifetime. When I was at home, I would always think about how old I was getting.. and that I needed to hurry up and get my life together. But now that I'm here I think, "Wow, I'm 20 years old and pursuing my dream career in Tokyo..."

Who woulda thunk? I sure as hell never did.

But I thank my lord Jesus Christ nonetheless for everything I've been blessed with thus far. With Him, all things are possible!! And I thank my family and friends who have supported me since day one.. mwah! If I could, I would give kisses on the forehead for all xoxoxo :-)

Welp, see you in 5 days San Diego...

Can't Believe It

2008-12-04T08:32:00.000-08:00

Wow... so it's been a while since I last posted a blog. I usually am always really inspired to write but lately, I've just been so busy that I don't even have time to think about it! So I'm sorry bout that. Anyway...

It's been over a month since I've been in Japan and now I'll be home in less than 2 weeks! Myyy, how time flies. I thought it would feel like forever being here but now that it's almost over, I'm starting to miss it already although I'm still here. Sometimes I forget how far I've come and how amazing this opportunity really is. I have to admit, I take it for granted most of the time due to the fact that all my days are planned out for me by the hour, so I always know what to expect and the redundancy has become a norm to me. Everything around me has become a norm-- the people, the tall buildings, the fashion, the food, etc. At times I forget I am in a foreign country pursuing music and being fully compensated for. I mean, not very many people can say that a huge entertainment company has invested so much financially in their talent. And it's not just the financial aspect. I am so blessed that this company believes in my talent enough to keep me here and take the time to mold me. I can only give a million thanks but I still feel like that wouldn't be enough.

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to take a lot of pictures because I'm always busy doing the same things everyday. I don't really have to time to go out and explore--only on weekends. Even then, I'm too exhausted from the week to do anything! It's not a drag though. I just need the weekend to recuperate and rejuvenate my body to prepare for the week ahead. But here are a few pics I have taken from my Japanese phone:

Me and my phone!

Me and Meesh at a club in Shibuya

Exhausted in a restaurant!

Me and Misa Campo

Me and Crystal Kay!

I forgot to mention that I met Crystal Kay! Me and Meesh didn't know it but... we were working out in the same gym for about an hour. Then an hour later, our trainer introduced us to her and it was funny cuz we had no idea it was her the whole time! She's awesome. We were able to talk to her for a little bit. She speaks fluent (American) English so it was easy to converse. The thing that sucks is that we are probably surrounded by Japanese artists all the time but we just don't know it cuz we're not very familiar with Japanese pop culture. But at the same time, it's okay cuz the focus is on ourselves right now with training and everything... AKA the sole reason why we're here. Just meeting Crystal Kay alone re-opened up my eyes to how wonderful this opportunity is! I'm training with the best. I'm rollin with the best. So what more can I ask for?

Anyway, it's getting late and I should really get my rest. If you have read this far, thank you! I will definitely blog before I go back home for the holidays. So wherever you are, I hope you have a good day, afternoon, or night. Peace and God bless you always....

Konichiwa!

2008-11-18T06:29:00.000-08:00

Good evening from Nihon (Japan)! I haven't blogged in this thing in a while and decided to start fresh now that I'm finally settled into a new life. I am soooo thankful to be here and sometimes I still find it hard to believe that my voice got me to where I am right at this very moment. It's amazing!

If you didn't know, me and Michelle Martinez (www.youtube.com/MM2786) made it to the callback for Avex Trax. In the beginning, five girls were chosen to go on an all-expense paid trip to Japan. Among the other talented girls were Tiffany Eugenio (www.youtube.com/tiffyiffyiffy), Micaela Reyes (www.youtube.com/mariemicaelareyes), and Veronica (www.youtube.com/yayadadawowo). We were discovered through our YouTube videos by a prominent producer of the company named John Seikoon Lee. We were all trained and observed under the company to show our potential to become an artist under their label. Shortly after the audition and going back home to the states, me and Michelle found out that we made it! So here we are now... at our dorms in Akasaka.

So what are we up to now???

Well, we are now undergoing artist development for our "final check-up". Five days of the week we are verrry busy with each day filled with three hours of Japanese lessons and then a mixture of hip hop, jazz, vocals, and then going to the gym with a trainer. The training is very intense but it's definitely all worth it. We get around the city by subway and foot everyday. I have to admit, it was a bit overwhelming the first week here but it just took a little getting used to. Whenever I start to miss home, I think about what I would be doing or thinking about and then I realize that I really am happy here! Haha.

If I were home, I would be wishing I was somewhere else fulfilling my dreams. I feel so honored that I'm being taken care of in a foreign country where they really believe in my talent. I'm more than happy that I'm not back home doing the same thing I've been doing for years, wishing I was pursuing my REAL dream!

The one thing I really do miss are my family and friends. If I had them here with me, my life would be complete. It gets lonely having such a limited social life sometimes. But at the same time, I probably would be distracted like I was at home. So at least I have Michelle to keep me sane... and the few people we've met here along the way.

I know that life will never get easier, especially from this point on. But it can still get better. It's what I make of it. So as long as I continue to push myself in the right direction, I know I will get there. And for the record, I'm not doing this to prove myself to anyone. Rather, I do this because I have more people in my life to make proud of me.

Anyway, just wanted to give you a little update on me. I'm a little too exhausted to dig skin deep into my real thoughts but I hope this serves enough for now.

And here's a little clip of my last couple of days spent in the Bay right before leaving for Tokyo :-)