The past two weeks have been the longest and probably the most miserable of my life so far due to a family medical emergency. I don’t feel particularly inclined to go into details, but it’s been insane. All of a sudden though I’ve found myself nearing the end of the tunnel with a bright light at the end. Things can only get better from here! I spent most of the day walking around being deliriously happy and just appreciating some of the little things I do on a day-to-day basis, but have just completely ignored and/or haven’t been able to enjoy. Like listening to music on my iPod or singing while I’m walking. The ordeal isn’t completely over, but I think my family have come out stronger and better, if not wholly in body (yet) then at least in spirit.

Two days ago Ilaria Graziano’s “I Do” came up on my Pandora station and I found myself clinging it like second skin. I’ve loved this song ever since crap gave it to me, not only because it’s beautiful, but also because I thought Ilaria Graziano just sounded like an angel singing this song. Senior year in college whenever I got stressed I’d put on this song and another PlanetES song that crap gave me, and I’d immediately feel calmer and somehow soothed. Listening to “I Do” two days ago had the same effect on me if not more, just thinking about the lyrics and such… I’ve been looping it uncontrollably since. I ended up MySpace-stalking Ilaria yesterday, and I seriously hope that she does more collaborations with Yoko Kanno because that combination is just pure win.

*potential GITS 2nd GIG video spoiler*

Ilaria Graziano – I Do

nell’illusione ho creduto alla mia forza inesorabile
e inevitabilmente sono diventata debole
ora sento gli eventi si transformano e so già
di emozioni che aprono ricordi lontani

Deluded, I have believed in my unrelenting strength
And inevitably I have become weak
Now I feel events changing, and I already know
The emotions which unlock distant memories

nell’anima ritrovo la speranza che nel corpo stanco ormai
ha smesso di vibrare come un fuoco spento dal mio pianto
tra le mani un filo d’acqua porterò con me e
nel deserto un filo d’erba sopravviverà

From my soul I retrieve the hope which in my tired body now
Has stopped beating, like a fire quenched by my tears
In my hands I take with me a trickle of water
And in the desert a blade of grass will survive

i do, i do emergere dal fondo per lottare e poi
salire in alto più che mai
i do, i do guardare nel futuro e sorridere
senza temere nulla più

I do, I do emerge from the depths to fight and then
Go higher than ever before
I do, I do look to the future and smile
Not fearing anything anymore

in un instante nuove aspirazioni anche se davanti a me
si apre uno scenario di conquiste e smarrimenti,
nel silenzio, riflessi de epoche lasciate via
respirando ne avverto il moto circolare e poi…

In an instant, new aspirations are also ahead of me
A scenario of wins and losses unfolds
In the silence, the reflections of ages leave a path
Breathing, I notice the circular motion, and then…

il tempo si è fermato per tracciare nuovi confini, ed io
mi spingerò lontano raccogliendo le mie forze nel vento
tra le mani riflessi di epoche lasciate via
camminando ritrovo le tracce indelebili

Time has stopped to outline new borders, and I
Press further on, gathering my strength against the wind
In my hands, the reflections of ages leave a path
Walking, I retrieve the indelible trail

i do, i do gridare contro gli occhi spenti e gelidi
per essere sempre di più
i do, i do oltrepassare mondi inespugnabili
senza temere nulla più…
i do, i do emeregere dal fondo per lottare e poi
salire in alto più che mai
i do, i do guardare nel futuro e sorridere
con una nuova identità
fino a quando il sole sorgerà…………

I do, I do rail against the cold, extinguished eyes
To always be the best I can
I do, I do go beyond impregnable worlds
Not fearing anything anymore
I do, I do emerge from the depths to fight and then
Go higher than ever before
I do, I do look to the future and smile
With a new identity
Until only it rises…

- from LyricsAndSongs.com and AnimeLyrics.com

• Listen to Ilaria Graziano on MySpace