Maila Gibson

Quote For The Day

"As you go through life, concentrate on the roses instead of the thorns" (Our Daily Bread, May 29, 2003).

Off To Mastering!!

I'm soooo happy!!! I got some of the best news in a long time today...the mixing is done! Tomorrow the CD gets sent to mastering. After that, it goes to press and wah-la! I'm really looking forward to sharing my music with everyone. I know promoting it is going to be a lot of work, but I'm ready for it.

As I listen to the final drafts of everything, I realize I'm so blessed to have such capable, talented people on my team. Many of the songs simply began in my head. Ben, Michael Grande, and all the musicians on the album brought them to levels I never expected. A lot of hard work was put into this, but I can't even begin to estimate the sacrifices Ben and Mikey made in order to complete this project.

Although I've done some recording in the past, this is definitely like birthing a child to me. The original songs were conceived based on some heavy inspiration in my life over the past couple of years. It was very hard for me to get over the hurdle of being vulnerable. It's almost like letting someone read your diary. With Ben's encouragement and me finally realizing that no one gets anywhere living in fear, I went for it and committed my songs to tape. What an amazing sense of accomplishment when we conquer our fears. It's funny, looking back, that I felt that way. Now, I can't wait to share my songs.

It took a long time to get here, but I realize it was all worth it. From the beginning, my goal was to create something I could be proud of that represents me well. No matter what anyone else says, no matter how it sells, whether or not it gets airplay, I'm proud of it. I say that humbly because the only reason I feel that way is that God blessed me with such an awesome circle of people who gave of their talents and time so generously. Thanks you guys!!

Sisters

Here are my wonderful sisters who I love so much!! Moki, the oldest, is a married mother of three. Her kids and husband absolutely adore her and so do I!! Kanoe, the youngest, is running for Miss Hawaii in June. You may also find her singing at Aaron's at the Ala Moana Hotel.

What's Up

I'm earning major Hawaiian Miles this month...love it!! I'm on Kauai right now. This is my 4th time here this month and I still have 2 more trips to go. Beginning in June, Ben and I will be performing here every week. I'm so blessed to be able to come here. It's such a special place. My mom lives here as well as some of my extended family. It's great to come here and spend some quality time with them. Not to mention, I sleep so well here! The only thing is, sometimes that's all I want to do.

Aside from our normal Sheraton Poipu gig throughout the week, I came home for Mother's Day and I'm here again because I did a DARE appearance yesterday. I love singing for kids. I was honored to be among Darrel Labrado, Jake Shimabukuro, Miss Hawaii 2002 (Kehaulani Christian), my sister (Kanoe), Sean Withy-Allen and Gary (don't know his last name, but he's a DB for UH), Greg Gabaylo (the world's greatest juggler), Jordan Segundo, and Kaitlin (the amazing 12 year old Hawaii girl from Star Search). Jake was such an inspiration to me. I really got to see why he's so successful. It's obvious that he's so over himself. What I mean is, he knows it aint about him. I watched him like a hawk and tried to soak up some of his gifting and I'm not talking about his ukulele playing. He had every fifth grader in the audience in the palm of his hand. You could hear a pin drop when he spoke. He was so sincere, completely down to earth and didn't do what most performers do-make the kids scream and yell to the point where they don't even know what they're yelling for. He spoke from his heart about music, about his life, and best of all, the reasons to stay off drugs. His performance was awesome. It amazes me what he's able to do with the ukulele, but I was even more impressed with the way all of those kids hung on every word he said. I guarantee some of those kids walked away certain that they would never do drugs.

That's the kind of entertainer I long to be. Sure, I want to be a great singer and improve my craft everyday. But it's even more rewarding to be able to change lives for the better...make people more. That kind of goes along with the theme of my CD: More. Even in my prayer time, I constantly ask that God make me more instead of giving me more. In my relationships, I wish to make other people more. Pastor Wayne says it best, "It's not about finding the right person, but being the right person." The person you're with should make you more and vice versa.

Getting back to my travels on Kauai, I'm here throughout the week at the Sheraton Poipu with Ben Vegas. One of my Kauai friends is renewing her wedding vows on Saturday so we're entertaining for that. Next week, one of my childhood friends from Missouri is coming to Kauai, so I'll be back to spend some time with her. I've been friends with her since we were 5. I'm so blessed to be able to say that. It reminds me of the movie "Beaches." Not many people are fortunate enough to have good friends for that long. God has blessed me with so many wonderful people.

I'm also trying desperately to stay on my diet. I'm on a very rigid eating and workout plan. I'm not psycho or anything about losing weight. I'm just challenging myself to be in the best shape of my life. I'm trying very hard to be the best I can be in every area, especially before my CD comes out.

Happy Mother's Day!

I love my mommy!! Here she is with my sister, Kanoe, back in January for the Miss Diamond Head pageant. What a blessing my mom is to us girls and to all who know her. She's a woman of strength, determination, honesty, and love. Love you mom!

Busy, Busy...

I know it's been a long time since I've written anything in my blog and I'm so sorry!! It's been a very busy past couple of weeks. I finally scheduled some off time this weekend. I truly cherish the opportunity to stay home with my puppy, Molly, not wear make-up, hang out in my pajamas, and watch MTV or CMT. Someone once told me, "If the devil can't make you bad, he'll make you busy." Just as it's important to book ourselves full of work and whatever else, we should never underestimate the importance of booking time off.

Anyway, my "busyness" hasn't been all that bad. For one, I had friends in from the outer islands which was cool. I have wonderful friends. I served on the New Hope worship team last Wednesday night. Saturday night, Ben and I performed at Kincaids. Sunday, I had an awesome opportunity to perform on behalf of "Hula-cise," a group of 150 women who dance hula mainly for the sake of exercise. Ben's cousin, Candy Pollack, heads it up. Last Sunday was their very first recital. Imagine mostly senior citizens dancing graceful hulas for their loved ones. It was very touching. I'm trying desperately to get in shape myself. It's more of an effort to challenge myself and better myself as I continue to wait patiently for my CD to be completed. I have the best trainer in the world-Kimo Kockelman of Hardass Fitness. Next, I have to get the eating part in order. That's the biggest challenge of all since I loooove food!

Speaking of the CD, things are wrapping up nicely. Unfortunately, my producer's computer crashed as he started mixing the very last song, but thankfully it's up and running again. I can't tell you the road blocks we've come up against and the many tears I've shed and prayers I've said through this process. However, I know all of that is going to make the release of this CD such a victory.

Well, I'll stop here in order to enjoy my night off. See what I mean, we get time off and somehow still manage to fill it up with something, although, I really am enjoying this. Keep checking for updates on the CD and the website as it continues to be completed!