Tammy @ MindSay

With a flair for versatility and a skill of diversity, Elisa Fiorillo, currently known as E. J. Dease, is a singer who can perform with anyone. At sixteen, she won the National Junior Star Search competition. She has performed with legendary talents such as Prince, Belinda Carlisle, David Cassidy and Savage Garden. Now, E.J. Dease is breaking out with her style of country music, releasing her first single “I know” nationwide on OneWest Music.

In 2002, Chuck Murphy, CEO of OneWest Music, began working with E.J. Dease to create a new sound for E. J. that would be a blend of both pop and traditional country. Co-writing and producing her debut country CD was no small feat given the history of producers she had worked with in the past. Murphy enlisted Jeff Silverman as a co-producer on half of this 13-song CD which ensured a unique and dynamic country music sound that is sure to impress even the youngest of country fans.

With vocals which resonate like Martina McBride and Reba McIntyre “Light That Shines” the new release by E.J. Dease will connects with a larger teenage audience, which has been long desired by Music Row in Nashville.

"I Know" opens up the CD up-tempo note setting the bar for energy and emotion. The song is about a person who is wising they could get the love back in a tired relationship and it lets the listener experience that the vocals are the emphasis of E J Dease. The track is co-written by Chuck Murphy, Jeff Silverman and Debra Lyn.

"Lost and Found" was co-written by Chuck Murphy and E.J. Dease. A hidden giant, this track is about a woman that has been hearing the same thing from the same guy too long. The track has all the elements: harmonic vocals, slide guitar, delicate fiddle background and driving instrumentation to make “Lost and Found” the centerpiece of the CD.

"Light That Shines." This track is the most "country sounding" and up-beat track on the CD. This track, which is about having a higher power to help you find your way through the darker times in life is the uplifting namesake of the CD and is powerful enough for radio airplay. This song was co-written by Chuck Murphy and David Gonzalez

“Forgive Me” is a beautiful, heartfelt country ballad that talks about the love found and then lost. E.J. Dease sings this song with strength and love that we can all understand, relate to and connect. Her graceful vocals and lush harmonies ease the pain when she talks about what love failed to bring. This track is written by Chuck Murphy

“How Many Times” cleverly delves into descriptions of the intangibility of love. Dease sings, “It’s like the rain that falls at night. You know it’s there, just out of sight. The wind will blow it through the trees. You know it’s wet, you know it’s real”. The lines explore love’s elusiveness, while contending that love is indeed a definite, and sometimes, the only way to find it again is to leave behind a relationship that offers everything but. This track is written by Chuck Murphy

Last night me and Tammy had a discussion. In my life I've already made a conclusion that I'm not good enough for anyone in this world... that was until our talk last night. An epiphany came over me and all I can do is sit in awe in the fact that i've been with tammy for just over 2 months(I know it doesn't seem long, but when you spend every waking and nonwaking hour with that person, it seems a whole lot longer, I promise) And the whole entire time, I've been stealing myself from her due to the fact that I thought that I wasn't ever going to be good enough for Tammy... and that she thought the same thing. I mean I'm having a bullshit of a time with both of my parents at the moment... we all remember what happened the last time I went from Cali to VISIT my dad... it's a million times worse now that i"m only 15 mins away from him.... and my mom... yeah... She's just herself... anyways, Because I'm not really good enough for anyone in my life, its hard to believe that I'm good enough for my girlfriend. Then she told me some things that changed my views completely... She sacrificed a few things for me, and I possess her mind constantly.... if that's not good enough, I dont know what is. So... here I am. Whatever I am... Whoever I am... Finally. Good enough for someone. 

WASHINGTON, Aug. 28, 2006 – Country music star Tammy Cochran has enlisted to perform at the Freedom Walk in Aurora, Colo., on Sept. 9, according to event organizers.  Cochran is slated to perform at the Aurora Municipal Center, along with recording artist Allen Asbury, as well as the Kory Brunson Band, North-40 and other artists and groups. "Tammy Cochran is so generous to come and join us for this special event, and we are happy to have her," said Leo Pacheco, executive director for the Beacon of Hope Outreach Center, which is sponsoring Aurora's Freedom Walk.

 

Aurora's Freedom Walk also will feature Iraq war veteran Army Staff Sgt. Paul Brondhaver, who suffered almost 300 wounds after his convoy was attacked with a rocket-propelled grenade.  "We invited Staff Sergeant Brondhaver to come and speak about what's really going on in Iraq from his perspective, which is really positive and encouraging," Pacheco said. "We also invited, but he hasn't confirmed yet, actor Berry Pepper from 'We Were Soldiers' and 'Saving Private Ryan.'"

 

The Aurora Freedom Walk is free to participants, but registration is required. People interested in participating can visit the Beacon of Hope Outreach Center's Web site, he said, or call 303-290-7412. Registration is open until Sept. 4.  Similar Freedom Walks are being held across the nation to remember those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, and to honor America's military veterans, past and present. These local events parallel the Washington, D.C., Freedom Walk, scheduled Sept. 10 and sponsored by the Defense Department's America Supports You program. America Supports You spotlights ways the American people and the nation's corporate sector support U.S. servicemembers.

 

As of this morning, DoD officials said, 86 communities in 39 states have registered Freedom Walks at DoD's Freedom Walk Web site.  Organizers expect 5,000 people to participate in Aurora's Freedom Walk, slated to begin at 10 a.m. at the future Colorado Freedom Memorial.

 

Walkers will be serenaded by special musical tributes and will be able to enjoy various food vendors and visit with event sponsors along the route.  "Our sponsors have all very much declared their support for the troops," Pacheco said, noting many businesses are displaying their patriotism by their support of Aurora's Freedom Walk.

 

"The (Aurora) Freedom Walk has a lot of great potential, and it's going to be a huge event," Pacheco said.  Founded in 1995, the Beacon of Hope Outreach Center is a non-profit organization that provides financial, physical and emotional assistance to disadvantaged families and at-risk youth. Through its Operation Hope program started in 2003, Beacon of Hope has provided care packages, financial aid and other support to more than 10,000 military members and their families.  Information for people interested in organizing Freedom Walk observances in their communities is available at the America Supports You Freedom Walk Web site.

I started packing my suitcases on Sunday. That’s 8 days before departure time. Now I have less than a week. I bet you couldn’t guess that I have been counting down the days. Since the roster list for the School for Field Studies participants went out, I have been getting enthusiastic emails from my soon-to-be classmates. Those who do have “facebook” look awesome. My favorite profile was Meredith’s because she’s holding an ity bity baby snapping turtle. Though big snappers scare me, that one is so cute! It will be really refreshing to be surrounded by people who love to explore under rocks, listen to bird calls, name tree species, and play with bugs.

I’ve been living in a state of nervous anticipation the past couple weeks. Hopefully, it will fade away when I finally get there (Taylor in Tokyo said hers did – Check out her story at littleladyluck .) To feel a little bit like I’m already there I decided to try out the 100% biodegradable soap from Trader Joes that I’ll be using for the next semester. It doesn’t lather quite as well as my usual Herbal Essence and my hair is left a little tangled. But it smells amazing! The shampoo/conditioner/body wash is called “Refresh.” You’ll laugh when you hear the ingredients list: orange, grapefruit, tangerine, and lemon peel, as well as Chamomile, Vitamin B-5, sage, yarrow, and jojoba oil. Who needs multivitamins when you have cosmetics! The 100% biodegradable pear soap is made with olive oil, aloe vera, and Vitamins A and E. Now I smell like a fruit salad. Mmmmm…fruit salad. I think I’m now hooked on biodegradable cosmetics! Despite being an educated college student, I’m seriously tempted to taste them. Then a horrible thought crosses my mind; if I smell like a fruit salad, there may be some other species who consider me an all you can eat buffet! Will the Costa Rican insects be more attracted to the smell of sweet fruit or to the smell of grungy college students? I’m sure that I’ll be able to answer this question by May.

The current major question is how to fit everything into two suitcases and a carry-on bag? My hip waders are rather large, as is my scuba gear. And now I have a solar water heater too. (Thank you, Karin, for reading my blog and getting me one as a going away present!) Maybe I should have my scuba gear mailed down or I could have my parents bring it during spring break. I’m so excited that they may be coming down to see me. Other than Canada, they haven’t left the country since before I was born. They are the wonderful kind of parents who work to give everything to their kids instead of thinking about themselves. I love you, Mom and Dad!

My poor mother has even put up with the mess I’ve made with all my gear that I have had laying around the house for weeks. Check out my messy room and major packing obstacle in the photo. I guess Fat Willy doesn’t want me to leave or he wants to come with me. I don’t think that the toucans and macaws would appreciate it though!

My last view of the valley of Atenas, "the best climate in the world."

For me Costa Rica has been the sweet, sticky flavor of Valencia orange juice that I suck off my fingers after using my teeth to peel the warm fruit that I pulled from the tree using a six foot wooden pole with a green net at the end.

Like myself, the orange and mango trees are not native but we thrive in this land of warm people. I leave the seeds and peel in the dirt as I ascend to class with a trickle of shiny orange juice drying to the inside of my knee. Beside me hangs a string of colorful sarongs drying in the sun.

This rainbow collection that has grown together over the past 90 days will split and fly away tomorrow with their respective owners. More than bright cloths; memories of gallo pinto, bumpy roads, slow sunsets, and lush forests will color our lives.

Over the next couple decades our new knowledge will be manifested in action from Vermont to Vietnam to Vegas, Cali and the Chesapeake, Japan, Michigan, El Salvador and beyond. May we always act locally for global change.

Everyone leaving from our last academic excersize, a presentation of our research to the MINAE, the Costa Rican ministry of the environment.