Sept-Dec 2013

Dan´s birthday 
-Dan´s favourite actor is Danny Kaye so I took him to his exhibition at Walt Disney Concert Hall. We took Glenn with us and did a Halloween movie tour as well. To top it off we ended the night with a party for Dan, with his closest friends. I gave him an autographed picture of Oasis, since Noel Gallagher is the reason he became a guitarist, a beer sign that he loves and finally Nightmare on Elmstreet on Blu-Ray, since Robert Englund (Freddie) is his other favourite actor. Great day!

We celebrated our 6 month wedding anniversary, so we had dinner at Maggianos where we got married. We ended the evening with playing Anna and the Bells acoustic set at Sheddys. So fortunate to have a partner in life and music.

Thanks to Jimmy Kimmel....Paul McCartney shut down Hollywood Blvd with an epic concert. IMAGINE everyone on the BLVD singing "Hey Jude"....needless to say I got goosebumps. I wanna write a song that means that much to people and everyone loves.To top it off, my tweet about meeting my husband at Jimmy Kimmel was shown on Screen.

Catering
I got a job at PartyStaff (a staffing company) after a quiz, class and an interview I was ready to go.

Catered the following events:
-Hairstyling event for Wolfgang Puck at LA Live was fun, my first gig, learned a lot
-Reagan Library Presidential Center in Simi Valley at a Pro Life Convention. Interesting to say the least. Such a beautiful area and there's an actual helicopter and a plane inside the venue.
-Tender Greens during Fashion Week for the mayor. Short shift and quick. Nice speech mayor!
-Bravo event at BLVD.. it was cool, they had a dancer in a swing over a pond and guys on stilts.
-UCLA for parents weekend. The campus is stunning, made me wanna study there.
-Californian Lutheran University Thousand Oaks...toughest shift. Communication is key people!
-California Science Center where we catered inside where they have the spaceship the Endeavor!
-Governor´s award was amazing. The room was decorated like the Oscars and I saw Tom Hanks, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Jon Voight, George Lucas, Steve Martin, Martin Short, Diane Keaton, Angela Lansbury, Jake Gyllenhall, Judd Apatow, Matthew McConaughey, Octavia Spencer, Bill Hader, Pharrell, Kristin Chenoweth, Gena Rowlands (Notebook), John Goodman among others....SURREAL!!!! Governors Awards was breathtaking.For a girl who fell in love with Hollywood through movies and especially the Oscars....this was heaven.
-Thanksgiving was spent at a home party. Enjoyed meeting people but it was really hard. 

Zumba at LA fitness
Got my own regular class on Thursdays 8 pm at Beverly/Wilshire but substituted at:
-Downtown Macys, North Hollywood and La Cinega were a blast, sooo many people
-Westwood was similar to Beverly Hills, but at least the people there really liked me.
-Hollywood El Centro had dedicated people. Appreciate it.

Got a job at Sugar Factory as well as writing questions for an amazing app called QuizUp. I´m focused on that right now as well as teaching Zumba.

Driving Test in L.A.
Failed the first written test and passed the second time. Turns out there are a lot of different rules in US then in Europe. Then it came to the actual driving test. Despite having driven for 10+ years in Iceland I had to take a drivers test....and FAILED TWICE. They are insanely picky here and I feel they don't test on things that actually matter. I feel they should take you on a freeway and parallel park. Here its all about the little things and they fail you easily. Now i'm just getting my confidence up and studying to make sure i pass the third time. Third times the charm!

Hello San Francisco
Had a blast visiting Dan's relatives in Grass Valley. they have the most beautiful ranch with horses. The area reminded me of a western movie. Had lunch with them in Napa and then off to Berkeley and Oakland to visit family and friends. So happy to hang out with my in-laws...i missed them.

Rockstar husband and friends 

Saw Moa rock out with her band Dead Heroine at King King. I´m so proud of her, she´s been playing in the Kiss girl tribute band called Priss. Our friend Steve also rocked at The Rainbow. Crystal also did her first gigs outside MI with her band Brooklyn&The City Stones. So proud of her.

Harrp promoted their music video and performed at Ireland´s 32 right before Halloween so everyone dressed up. It was awesome. Dan dressed up as Rob Zombie and me Minnie Mouse. We said Rob Zombie stole me from Disneyland :P

They also rocked out at the Roxy and Viper Room. I´m so proud of my rockstar!

Met Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme and Jay from Super Troopers after their show at Flappers.They were so nice and Steve talked to us for a long time about Iceland. Apparently he's been there twice.

Saving my birthday, Christmas and New Years for next blog....until next time :)

Zombie in HARRP - Dead To Me (Official Music Video)

My husband, rockstar Dan Zerin, is the guitarist in this amazing music video "Dead to Me" by Harrp (www.harrpmusic.com). I had the honor of filming behind the scenes and being a zombie, you can see me vaguely in few of the scenes (mostly at the bar). So proud to be a part of it!!!

Just in time for Halloween.... Walking Dead what.... "Baby you are dead to me"

Zombie Beauty Consultant recording an album

Joined Mary Kay as a beauty consultant. 

Spend my spare time doing facials with friends and get paid to do so...how awesome!

www.marykay.com/annazerin

Meeting friends
Met my girl Mina, who I haven´t seen since Vienna 2008. Great to see friends you haven´t seen in a long time. Especially as kind and positive as her. Check out her group on fb Happy Smiley Days, https://www.facebook.com/groups/520089904712372/

My best friend Alexandra also came to L.A. on a business trip. I only got one evening to spend with her but it meant the world to me.She was my bridesmaid at the wedding. Miss her so much!

Crystal´s boyfriend Jeremie came to visit from N.Y. Best time Ever!!! We all got along so well.  Never seen Crystal so happy. He was there for her final showcase, which she rocked!!!!!!!!!!Check out her band Brooklyn and the City Stones on https://www.facebook.com/Bkstones

Amazing couple as  you can see on the photo.

Zombie in a music video

Got to be a zombie in HARRP´s music video "Dead To Me" and film behind the scenes.  A fun sleepless weekend. Should be out around Halloween. Stay tuned:

Like: www.facebook.com/harrpmusic
Follow: www.twitter.com/HARRPmusic
www.harrpmusic.com

Recording

Our band Anna and the Bells is currently recording its first EP at Stage Red Studios.
Can´t wait to hear the final product....stay tuned on www.annaandthebells.com

Otherwise enjoying my time with my husband and friends.

First Jewish Wedding

Dan´s best friend Jacqui asked him to be the man of honor at her wedding so we headed to Michigan

 Boy did they take care of it´s guests. 

My first baseball game ever. 

-Took us to a baseball game...Detroit Tigers vs. White Sox!

It was more entertaining than I thought, between the beer, hot dogs and tons of games on the screen, 

I had a blast.

 

Took us to lunch at Maggianos, reminiscent of our wedding, since our reception was held at a Maggianos in L.A. They also had cocktails and dinner.

We had rehearsal dinner, where I got to play the bride. Finally got to walk down an isle. At my wedding the only walk I did was through the metal detector at the courthouse. The whole wedding party had a blast learning all about the rituals. Great group of people.

First Jewish Wedding

The wedding was held in a hotel in Troy, Michigan

The couple, parents and bridesmaids/groomsmen got together in a room where the couple signed the Michigan wedding license as well as the jewish one.

Then the ceremony started like a normal one, walking down an isle to a Chuppah, symbolizing the home they´ll build together. The rabbi spoke of love and marriage and finally pronounced them husband and wife. It was beautiful. The reception was the best, dancing the Hora and other dances, one group dance i´d never danced before. I taught Dan Jive and we danced the whole night. Such fun!

We also got the chance to hang out with Dan´s parents, his sister and friends. I love visiting Michigan. His parents always take such good care of us and his friends are hilarious.

Thanks Mark and Jacqui for letting us be a part of your special day.
Thanks Dan´s family and friends for always taking good care of us when we´re in Michigan
Love, Anna

GOT THE GREEN CARD!!!!

Officially a US Permanent Resident...

After 4 months, lawyer, biometrics, social security office visit, interview and way too much money.

I love USA but their system is hard for foreigners, which is why i´m overjoyed to be able to live and work here and spend the rest of my life with my husband :)

Anna and the Bells Promo

In the News

Got interviewed by Frettablaðið, an Icelandic newspaper (see frong page and p.30 )
http://vefblod.visir.is/index.php?s=7187&p=154513

and online
http://www.visir.is/anna-claessen-lifir-drauminn-i-hollywood/article/2013706259993

All promoting our Indiegogo campaign
http://igg.me/at/annaandthebells/x/3419180

Thanks Hanna at Frettablaðið. Refreshing to finally have a good article written about you.

Be a part of our first EP and music video

Be a part of Anna and the Bells first EP and music video!

Check out the awesome video and perks

LIke, share, donate and tell everyore!!!!

First 100 to donate get a anna and the bells sticker
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/be-a-part-of-anna-and-the-bells-first-ep-and-music-video/x/3419180#share 

April-May 2013

April-May 2013

While waiting for a Green Card, I am not allowed to work or travel outside the States.
Until then, I enjoy the time with my husband, friends and work on our band Anna and the Bells

Been to the following concerts

HARRP (Dragonfly)

Jónína (Genghis Cohen)

Evening Guests (Skinny´s)

Lonely Trees (Art Show Downtown LA)

So fortunate to have such talented friends. An honor to know them.

I´m gonna miss Jonina, but she left to Iceland

-Kevin moved out and Crystal moved in. So happy to have a friend, female roomate :)
We also switched rooms so we finally have the big room. Finally my own closet.

-Crystal gave me her guitar, a white daisy rock guitar. Its´wonderful!

First song I learned to play....."Smelly Cat" by Phoebe Buffay...yes i love Friends that much!
have been learning the open chords lately and my picking technique.

Gamenight with friends... played Cranium with Martha, Crystal, Steve and Dan. Such fun!

Brendan invited us to another Flavin family gathering. Celebrating his birthday with drinks and a scavenger hunt. Gotta love Brendan´s family with their fun and games. 

Met Martina and Moa for some wine. Nothing like a girls night. 

Speaking of friends, I skyped with my friends Ligia and Aga in Vienna, Austria.  I´ve missed my girlfriends around the world so much. It´s hard to keep in touch because of the time difference but when we do it´s like no time has passed. That´s good friends.

New good friends are hard to find, so it´s special when you do. Annalee did the makeup for my wedding so I stopped by her place with an Icelandic easter egg and the rest of the money I owed her. I introduced her to my husband, Dan, and she introduced me to hers, Henry. We talked for hours and ended up staying for dinner and drinks. It was one of those nights you didn´t want to end. 

We met them a month later at Annalee´s concert with Lonely Trees. Great concert and then we went with them to Little Tokyo. Had drinks at a karaoke place and then had some Ramen.

Michael, Dan´s dad, came to town for business, so we went out to Taylors, a steak house in China Town.  Loved the atmosphere and service. Also caught up with his friends at another restaurant.

 My friend Emelie also came to town all the way from Sweden. 

We caught up with cocktails at Cabo Wabo and shopping at Amoeba.

With all this time to spare, I became a model for E! makeup school. I´ve been really fortunate to have some great makeup artist, first Ieva and then Monika. Both wonderful people.

Our band Anna and the Bells celebrated

-no 1 on reverbnation, 2,500 fans, 9,000 twitter followers

We have some big plans for Anna and the Bells

stay tuned on www.facebook.com/annaandthebells 

Santa Barbara mini-honeymoon

Mini honeymoon in Solvang, Santa Barbara

Our Getaway from Hollywood

Our mini honeymoon to Solvang, a Danish lookalike town. Stayed at the fabulous Hadsten House. 

Spent the first day and visited 2 breweries, Figuera Mountain Brewery and Firestone Brewery. Figuera was nice enough to give us a tour of the brewery. Very interesting. We had dinner and drinks at the second one and of course got souvenirs from both places. 

Second day was spent at wine tastings at wineries in Los Olivos and then we came back, took a little break and then took a walk around Solvang itself. We were lucky and came across "H.C. Andersen" dvd starring Dan´s favourite actor, Danny Kay.  Great find in this sweet little town.

In the evening we had dinner at the Hadsten House. It was delicious. Perfect day spent with my love. The trip was a great getaway from the craziness of Hollywood. Exactly what we needed.

ps. did you know there is a Santa Claus Lane in California...

Michigan

Hello Michigan

2 weeks in Michigan, West Bloomfield and Kalamazoo with Dan´s family and friends.
Nothing nicer after crazy weeks of finals, wedding and graduation. Wonderful to relax. 

Celebrated Seder (jewish celebration) for the first time.

Visited the Motown museum and wow!It was amazing. If you´re ever in Detroit...GO!

Thankful for Dan´s family and friends who took us in and took care of us while we were there.

Graduated!

Me and my husband graduated on March 25, 2013

I was so excited to be called Anna Zerin for the first time, that I walked across the stage and showed my wedding ring with excitement.The host found it so funny that he did the same. EPIC!

My husband Dan graduated with an Associates of Arts in Guitar Performance and me with Associates of Arts in Vocal Performance (and Independent Artist Certificate) from Musicians Institute in Hollywood. Key note speech by none other than Eddie Kramer, producer and engineer of legends such as Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, etc.

Amazing day spent with family and friends, celebrated at the Cheesecake Factory with both our families (who came for our wedding). Wonderful occasion...below are some pictures from that day.

A year ago I graduated and had no one there..

A year later...

Graduated with my husband, band and family all there

Mr&Mrs. Dan and Anna Zerin

how much can change in a year

Just married

March 21, 2013
Married the love of my life

Became Mrs. Anna Zerin

Best day of my life

-stayed at a hotel with my best friend Alexandra

-lunch with my bridesmaids Alexandra, Moa and Bunny

-makeup/hair by amazing Annalee Fery-Thomas in Glendale

-married my love Dan Zerin at courthouse in Beverly Hills 90210

-surprised to see my brother and sister (who traveled from Denmark)

-limo to Santa Monica Pier where we took photos

-reception at Italian restaurant Maggianos at The Grove

Can´t thank our families and friends enough for sharing this amazing day with us! 

The speeches, songs, videos, your presence made this day special! 

We love you ♥

 

 

 

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