It's been a few days since I last blogged. The last few days have been very busy for me and also the sensitive topic of the loss of Michael Jackson has been disturbing to many. I won't go to much into detail about it since it's all over the news and papers no matter where you look. But what I will say is, tomorrow June 30, 2009 here in New York in front of the Apollo theater, there will be a ceremony in honor of Michael Jackson @ 2pm on 125th st. If anyone is within the area and wishes to pay their respects and sign the wall, do come by. I will definitely be there. It will be a great experience for anyone who admires Michael Jackson. And to anyone who is not in New York and is unable to come, i'm sure you will see it on the news.
P.S. I will be making a video in honor of Michael Jackson in dedication to all the fans and family. It will take me some time to edit the video as I'm still collecting as much footage as I can. But keep a look out for the new video.
I read this blog by Sunshine about 6 random facts about yourself and then tagging 6 blogger friends. I decided to do it myself. So if you get a message on your blog about this, that means you've been tagged.
Okay, i'm going to tagging the 6 bloggers as follows:
- Link the blog that made the challenge - Publish the rules of the challenge on your blog - Write 6 random things about yourself - Challenge 6 other bloggers to answer to the challenge - Comment on those 6 blogger´s blogs
Okay, here it goes....
#1 random thing about me is....
- I miss it when I used to lay my head on my mom's lap and she would play with my hair and put me to sleep. Despite that we live in different states now, I still run my fingers through my hair to put myself to sleep and it reminds me as the little girl I once was that laid on her mother's lap.
#2 random thing about me is....
- I still like the old fashion way of writing long letters to people and mailing it to them. Despite the fact that the world is surrounded with the high technology of emailing, instant messaging, Twitter, commenting on Facebook or Myspace, etc. I know for a fact receiving a hand written letter brings a smile to ones face over a Facebook message.
#3 random thing about me is.... - I started working at the age of 12 at a local hair salon my mom went to frequently. I collected tips while sweeping hair off the floor and answering phones. It wasn't a lot of money of course. But it was enough for me to buy candy at a grocery store and sell it for a higher price to kids at my school. Cha-Ching!
#4 random thing about me is....
- When I was a kid I wanted to contribute to gift giving during Christmas with my family. So I used to rummage through my mom's clothes and re-wrap them and give them away to family members.as gifts. My mom was so embarrassed when family members started unwrapping gifts of my mom's lingerie and underwear. My mom looked at me asking me where I got the money for all the gifts. It was so funny because at first my mom looked at the gifts and said outloud "hmmm, that looks familiar." I think it wasn't until 3 gifts later that she realized it was all her lingerie and started grabbing back all her intimates from my family. Haha...I was a kid, what can I say?
#5 random thing about me is....
- I like baking over cooking. I like creating cakes and cookies that are 3-Dimensional. Although I haven't had time to bake in 3D lately, I still like to when I get the chance. I used to bake cakes and cookies as big Christmas trees and Ginger Bread houses and even for a Bachelorette Party baked a huge penis by request. Yes, I did say a penis! But hey it was by request! What can I say? It's not necessarily a creation i'm proud enough to boast about but definitely something I can laugh over. I really like watching tv shows that revolve around baking cakes that are not your traditional looking cakes. One of my favorite tv shows isCake Boss where "Buddy" who is the owner of his late father's bakery creates the most fabulous cakes that some look like they just popped out of a magazine. The picture to the right is a cake he baked for Rachel Ray. It looks so nice that you just don't want to eat it. Watch the video below to get an idea of the show. See how Buddy's mother freaks out when he's
#6 random things about me is....
- I once thought my life was going to come to an end when my boat flipped while white water rafting and my leg got caught in branches under water. I fought to untangle myself to my last breath. I remember looking up while watching the sun through the water and the drifting boat that looked so far. I remember the entire time to remain calm to extend my energy and oxygen. I ended up untangling myself and losing my shoes on the way up through the rapids.
The United Kingdom came up with a genius way to fix and cure aching feet. When us women are out and about, maybe even at a club looking our best in our fancy dresses and sexy shoes...hours later of dancing can really pay a toll on your feet. But what if there were vending machines that sold comfortable ballerina slippers to ease you from your aching feet?
Believe it or not, this invention exists. It was created by the man named Matt Horan who came up with the idea after his girlfriend's feet always ached after wearing her heels for hours. They are called "Rollasole" and currently are only sold in the UK and are sold within clubs. They aren't hideous looking either. They are shimmery and come in the colors: black, gold, pink and silver.
I would love to see this idea brought to the USA. They come rolled up and in a nice packaging. If I purchased one, I would probably reuse it and carry it with me till I needed it again.
Living in New York and taking the subways while wearing heels can be painful, and not to mention, damaging to your heels. Any female New Yorker will tell you. I hate the fact that I don't wear my sexy heels as much anymore ever since I moved to New York. But it's only because by the time I get to my destination, my feet already hurt! I usually carry an extra pair of comfortable shoes with me in my bag. Besides, I know my boyfriend hates to hear women complain about how painful their feet hurt. So I know myself. If I know my feet will hurt, I'll bring a pair of comfy shoes. But I would really like to carry rollasole shoes since they are so compact.
I try not to complain about my feet hurting. Instead, I prevent it. As Marilyn Monroe says: "A real woman doesn't complain that her feet hurt."
Monkey Riders. Oh my, I can't even tell you how many times my friends and I have watched this video. It's just so hilarious. It caught all of us off guard and were laughing outloud. One of my YouTube subscribers actually sent this video to me and at first I was like, "aweeee....how cute, the monkey is going for a ride." I was wrong! It was everything BUT CUTE! haha
This past Saturday June 13, 2009 there were several NAKED bike riders that roamed the streets of New York protesting against oil dependency. As my friend Sherita says, "How in the world does riding bikes NAKED have anything to do with oil?" haha. I have to agree with her on that.
The protestors purpose behind all this madness was to encourage those to use subways, trains, bikes and so forth rather than using oil dependent vehicles thus ruining the environment with pollution. It seems as though these protestors wanted to make their point across and catch the attention of onlookers. Well, "attention" is definitely what they got. They even got attention from the police. Now isn't that a surprise? Police were yelling at protestors, "You better put on your clothes unless you want to go to jail for indecenet exposure!"
My friend Juan had me laughing when he said, "There are just some people who should just NEVER be naked."
Well, the cops ended up breaking up this event. Not surprised. But I read on a Village Voice article that there is another Naked Bike Ride event this Saturday June 20th in Central Park. Don't believe me? Read it for yourself. Click here.
As my friend Joe says, "Note to self. Be VERY, VERY, VERY busy that day."
This is something I definitely would never see back in California. It's very strange. High five if you still found this entertaining. For days that are as strange like this, how could I not write about it?
Yesterday my friends and I spent a day blowing bubbles in the middle of the busy streets of Times Square. The tourists were going crazy taking pictures of us and were amazed by the oddness of the fact that hundreds of New Yorkers came out of no where just to blow bubbles.
Some of the cops were not too happy that hundreds of people came out of randomness and tried to stop us. But seriously, what were we doing wrong? We were only blowing bubbles. One cops actually started screaming, "Who's in charge of this event!!? Answer me!" He stopped people individually asking what the organizer of the event looked liked. One young spectator pointed towards a direction and said, "he went that way...he's a 6 foot 4 inch asian man."
After the cops left towards the direction that the spectator pointed to, he turned and looked at me and said, "what asian guy is 6 foot 4 inches?" Then walked off laughing. By the way, the orgaProxy-Connection: keep-alive Cache-Control: max-age=0
zer is NOT asian and it's true...how often do you see a 6 foot asian man? haha
But seriously, is there a crime in blowing bubbles? It's completely harmless. However, there were other cops who were of good spirit and actually enjoyed watching it. It was pure entertainment.
It was a day where all the adults can take a break from being an adult for just a moment and act like the little kids we once used to be.
What: Bubble Battle NYC Where: Times Square (red steps at W 47th & Broadway) When: TODAY! Friday, June 12, 2009 @ 6:15pm Rain or shine. Free and all ages!
Millions of bubbles fly through the air as we converge in Times Square for a magical bubble battle! Loosely based on the Dr. Seuss Classic The Butter Battle Book. Bring bubble toys, bubble generators, bubble solution, and plenty of AA batteries :) We will meet in Times Square, fill our weapons and pull the trigger!
Last year over 1,500 people came to take over Times Square and disseminate joy by the bubbles per minute. Be creative with your contraptions and take sides: butter side up or butter side down!
I haven't cried on a Disney movie since "The Little Mermaid."I do have to say when I watched that movie for the first time I cried like a baby. haha. I still remember the day. My mom came home from work and saw me sitting on the living room floor crying and she was asking, "what's wrong?" and I just cried to her "Ariel lost her voice from the big bad witch!" haha. I'm such a baby. lol Okay, well this new movie by Disney Pixar "UP" is so good (movie trailer below). It was just released May 29, 2009. It's definitely worth seeing in theatre. I cried so many times my boyfriend had to hand me tissues. I do have to admit, I wasn't actually going to see this movie at first. It wasn't until a tourist visiting from Australia told me how good the movie was and how she cried over it that I had to see it for myself. She was right, the movie was GOOD. So i'm telling you (whoever is reading) to see it for yourself. My boyfriend and I watched in 3D, but to be honest, there wasn't much of a difference. So if you plan on watching it, save yourself the extra few bucks and just watch it in regular format.
I hope you enjoy it as much as my boyfriend and I did.
It's raining, it's pouring, the old man is snoring....
It's been raining like crazy here in New York all day long. I was awakened by the roaring thunder around 5am that I couldn't go back to sleep. It hasn't stopped raining since.the morning and it's almost 10pm. Isn't it suppose to be summer?
I'm getting emails from friends and family back home in California with messages like:
-"It's nice and sunny out here in California, how's the weather in NY?" -"We're heading to the beach."
Nope, it's definitely not beach weather yet. The one day when my boyfriend and I were contemplating on going to the beach....minutes later it started to rain. This past weekend, my boyfriend and I went to Central Park and minutes later we were running under trees for shelter from the rain. But as difficult as the weather has been during the summer, I'm okay with that. I'm still learning the weather here. I have to live in NY for the entire 12 months to understand the weather here. What may be summer in California is definitely not the same summer in New York. So that I'm still learning.
But I'm enjoying the change. So as the rain continues, I'm just enjoying myself while dunking my chocolate chip cookies in some warm milk. I love New
I thought this was a great 7:27 short film movie that I found out about through my friend Greg. So I thought I'd share it with you. The story reminds me of one of my friends Evette.
The synopsis:
A girl misses her train to Milan and is set to wait overnight in Rome until dawn. However, a chance encounter with a guy changes her plans and the night lights of the capital turn into the background to a tender love story. An extraordinary chemistry made of knowing glances and small gestures fills the few instants that separate them both from the sunrise.
Short film made with 4500+ still photographs. Shot with a Canon EOS 30D camera.
Funded by the Seagate Creative Fund in 2008. Italian language with English subtitles.
The ABC show "Good Morning America" has moved their 2009 Summer Concerts from Bryant Park to Central Park. "Good Morning America" airs live from 7 to 9 a.m., with FREE concert performances usually starting around 8:30 a.m. More details, click here.
Date: May 28, 2009 - August 21, 2009 Time: 7-9am Where: Central Park (Rumsey Playfield area) 5th ave & 69th st New York
Summer Concert Schedule
June
Friday, June 12 -- Jonas Brothers (*The Jonas Brothers concert is a ticketed event. Please stay tuned to GMA and the GMA Web site for more information on requesting tickets.) Friday, June 19 -- Jamie Foxx Friday, June 26 -- The cast of the musical "Hair"
July
Friday, July 3 -- Brad Paisley Friday, July 10 -- Queen Latifah Friday, July 17 -- to be announced Friday, July 24 -- to be announced Friday, July 31 -- Kelly Clarkson
August
Friday, Aug. 7 -- to be announced Friday, Aug. 14 -- Kenny Chesney Friday, Aug. 21 -- Reba McEntire
I am so happy that No Doubt has finally reunited. After 5 long freakin' years, the group is back together and back on tour. My best friend Joann and I are HUGE fans of No Doubt. Isn't that right Joann? haha. Do you remember when we would rock out to their music so loud to the point of blowing out the speakers and jumping to the beat of the music? haha. I remember blasting their music in my room and my mom charging in my room screaming, "you're going to blow out your ear drums!" lol
As the years went by since their last album Rock Steady (2001) and their last performance together (2004), the hope for the group to perform again ran thin. But I always knew they would get back together. I had No Doubt they wouldn't reunite. I even made a bet with someone over it. Now, I need to go collect my money! haha.
For those who do like No Doubt a little or a lot and may appreciate their music as I do...here's a history lesson about where No Doubt came from.
In case you don't know, the original name of the group was called Apple Core back in 1986 . At the time, the only band members consisted of Gwen Stefani, her brother Eric Stefani, lead singer John Spence and bass player Tony Kanal. However, John Spence ended up committing suicide when he was 18 years old, making Gwen lead singer and changing the name of the group to No Doubt and adding additional group members: drummer Adrian Young and guitarist Tom Dumont
In 1991, a documentary was filmed when Gwen was a senior in high school before No Doubt became famous (video below). You can see from the video below that she was already into fashion at an early start making her own clothing by hand. She quotes in the video below, "I want to be a big star." Well, her dream came true because a year after the making of that video, the group was offered a record deal with Interscope Records in 1992.
After signing with Interscope, the band's first album Beacon Street sold horribly. The band's style of music was ska which wasn't hot during the time within the music industry. The record label almost gave up on the group if the band didn't change their style of music. Gwen's brother Eric was unhappy with the changes being made and ended up quitting the group. He convinced his sister to continue on with the band while he ended up working on the cartoon hit show "The Simpsons." After Eric left the group, the band came out with their break through hit single, "Just a Girl" (1995) which changed the life of No Doubt.
In 1997, the band came out with their 2nd best album Tragic Kingdom(picture right). It was a great year for the band but at the same time a depressing time period for Gwen since after a 7 year relationship with bass player Tony Kanal came to an end. The album consisted of her hit song, "Don't Speak" which Gwen wrote with her brother Eric. The song was about her heart break with Tony. (video below)
Throughout the next couple years, the band was dealing with the changes of producers while Gwen was suffering from chronic depression over her breakup with Tony. Her fashion at the time showed her change in her emotions. The band came out with their least favorite album, Return of Saturn which had more songs telling a story about Gwen's breakup such as her song "Ex-Girlfriend". Watch her video below.
The last album the group made together was their #1 album called Rock Steady. The group went to Jamaica and were influenced by their trip. They wanted to make a turn around from the disappointment of their last album. So they worked with talented producers such as The Neptunes and even Prince. Their hit song "Hey Baby" won the group their very first grammy award. My favorite song from that album was "Underneath it All"(see video below).
After their final album "Rock Steady" the band came out with another album called, The Singles. It was a collaboration of all their hit singles throughout the years plus a bonus song "It's My Life." After all the years, Gwen wanted to explore other things and separated temporarily from the band to create her own solo albums, up until now. That's pretty much it! A history of No Doubt. Pretty long of a blog, I know. But if you read it all...more power to you. I've attended a concert for each making album of No Doubt's and I'm ready to go see them again this year. I'm ecstatic that they'll be performing here in New York and I'm determined to see them.
Yes, I must admit...the title of this blog is incorrect. I'm not scared of bugs. No, that's an understatement. I'm terrified of bugs! I don't know why I am, but I just am. If I come across them I scream or jump and maybe sometimes both. But I can't stand them. Now I'm not talking about ants, flys or mosquitos. Those don't scare me. I'm talking more like spiders and millipedes and cockroaches. Ewww...how much I hate roaches.
I'm from California and I'm used to seeing bugs all the time and to be honest I was never really THAT scared of BUGS until I moved to New York. Why is that? Well, first off, the bugs in New York are rather HUGE! It's like a whole other species going on here. Plus, I've seen bugs that i've never seen in my life and it creeps me out. I've never seen cockroaches so big in my life! They're like midget dinosaurs. (I just made that up obviously, lol) I especially hate the ones that fly and jump. Errrr. I never even seen a millipede before until I moved to New York. When I come across a bug, I find myself doing 3 things: my body freezes up, I start doing the jumping dance, or I tip toe away. Haha. Yes, I admit, i'm a whimp.
So I found this girl name Natalie on YouTube whose username is CommunityChannel. She did a video about her same fear about bugs and I caught myself cracking up because i'm guilty of doing the same things that she does.
My best friend Joann hates movies like Borat, Adam Sandler movies or any corny movies. But I LOVE THEM. haha...I know you're reading this Joann. haha. Well, a new movie is coming out July 10, 2009 called Bruno and I want to see it. Watch the movie trailer below.
P.S.
Joann, I'll make sure your husband buys this movie for you as Christmas stocking stuffer. haha.
Hey everyone, this is Arlene also known as "QueenLeilani". I get asked a lot where I got the name QueenLeilani from. It was a name given to me from my Kumu (Hawaiian Dance teacher).
I'm a sunny California beach lovin' girl who's decided to pack her bags and make the biggest move of her life, and that is to
New York City.
I decided to capture my journey through this blog as my way to keep my family and friends posted on my status..and also to blog about things that are of interest to me as well. I'll miss them very much!
Eye Spy…
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This would be 500 times easier if you did this on someone else, or had
someone apply it to you. Even though I do my own makeup with one eye open
and the ot...
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