Fashion + Music = Perfect Marriage!

(Photos courtesy of THEYBF)

I think fashion is synonymous with music.

I find that I come up with better outfits when the music is turned on. Way up. Since Corrinne Bailey Rae came to the music scene about 3 years ago, I have been in love with her voice! And I'm happy to share that her new album On The Sea is equally as fantastic, if not better, than her debut album.

As for CoCo & Breezy - they are simply awesome when it comes to designing sunglasses. I love how unique each one is! I can do without the black lipstick, but they have some of the hottest shades out right now..

BCBG = HOTTT!

I love almost everything BCBG!

From their accessories to shoes to clothing & especially their bags...I LOVE IT ALL! Here are a few items that I LOVE:

Extremely excited for 2010

Every year on the 31st of December or prior, we all make a list of resolutions for the next year. Sometimes it's about losing weight, finding faith, becoming a better person however I believe the most important thing to focus on is to create continuity in your life.

Being consistent and practicing your beliefs will get you through any kind of hardship. It's best to constantly remind yourself to stay calm and strong through any rain or storm and remain conscious of your actions & follow through.

NYE was spent with my loved ones for Media Noche. Then, Evan & I, along with a couple of great friends, headed out to Adams Morgan for the countdown. It is always difficult to find street parking there and last night was no different, if not worse. After 25 minutes with no luck, we decided to go to Georgetown. We ended up counting down in the car on the way there - which is really immaterial since my New Year's kiss giver was next to me =)

We had the best time (with a few laughable incidents)! We went bar hopping, ate at a French Bistro (had an Avocado salad w/ crab meat & shrimp mmmmm), then off to a Hookah bar. Some random drunkard followed us around and said we were his crew but clearly he was hammered ha-ha. We got home around 5, but I'd have to say it was one of the best New Year's celebration ever!

Merry Christmas to All

Merry Christmas to all or in Tagalog, Maligayang Pasko sa inyong lahat!

This is probably going to reach everyone the day after Christmas, however I wish you all had a wonderful time!

ART SHOW @ GMU

Hello Everyone! Long time no see, hear, etc...

Please check out this art show which my wonderful cousin, Genesis Banzuelo, is a part of. They are hosting it for 2 days - tonight, December 9th and Friday, December 11th at 7pm and it's located at George Mason University's School of Art Gallery.

Here's the address:
4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
(703) 993-8898

Hope to see you all there!!!

Happy Birthday Jaiden!!

Happy 1st birthday to one of the cutest babies I know, Jaiden A. Branch!!! Here's a video I took of him trying to blow his candle out....or not ha-ha! He was obviously occupied with the cupcakes lol =)

Maxwell Concert

I've been away for about a month now....sorry for the lack of posts!

There's been a lot going on lately, but one of the greatest events in the past month has got to be the Maxwell concert. It was amazing and I had so much fun!

A Noir Piece

Decrepit

The path I followed
Led me to my weakest point
The path I created
Uncertain and merely all I want
And everything I don't

Because it is tirelessly ever-changing
And focused & unfocused
Vibrant & dull

I sulk and weep
More than I sleep
Feelin' soul-less, emotion-less
Yet thankful & appreciative

Standing up to the world
Persevere
Dark & lonely clouds have disappeared

Decrepit turned exuberant

Open Mic (Round 2) - 2nd Performance Piece

Bad Dream

You're like a bad dream
With monsters, volcanic eruptions, vampires, aliens
And skin-tight Parasuco jeans

The closest you'd ever get to being
Tony Soprano is through
Facebook's Mafia Wars
With caprices on 22's
And tinted windows
Perhaps that's why my vision was blurred

When I stepped out
I landed in an Audi
This fine man standing next to me
It's almost like walking inside Tiffany's
Amidst all the diamond rings and things
I'm empowered by a particular feeling

I feel worthy and beautiful
All of my senses fulfilled
Now I'm in BCBG & Gladiator heels
He's making pivotal moves & doing things
you never could
He is my home, my solitude

Aaahhh, it's nice to finally wake up from a bad dream

Open Mic (Round 2) - 1st Performance Piece

Cheatin' Mess

The audacity of you and your mess
Leaving my walls tainted
And sheets perplexed

Would it kill you
To use your brain for once?
The one most visible
To all of us

See, I know how familiar you are
with deception
It's mind-boggling, disgusting, & disturbing
How you work such long hours
To dissuade my "preconceived notion"

Pleasurable to many
But true to none

The audacity of you and your mess
I smartened up and left
My walls, sheets, and mind wrecked

Now I'm renewed and cleansed....

Updates, Updates!

Just got back from Open Mic Night @ Busboys and Poets, or as I lovingly refer to it, BB&P.

It was fun, as Too Deep is always the hilarious hostess/poetess. I read a couple of great pieces that weren't captured on video, unfortunately! However, I will post both up tomorrow once I have rested, etc.

In summary, there were a few great poets/artists BUT, I'm still laughing @ dude who came last called "First Call" (ironic right?). He came on introducing his appreciation for local artists, etc. and decided to perform a song a la Diddy or some wack singer/rapper. The funniest thing was the hook, "Whatever turns you on...." LMAO!! And then he tried to sell us $3 umbrellas since it "might rain". I may be able to bless some of you with a 10-second clip....but hilarity at its finest indeed!

For now, I am taking my behind to bed since it's 12:20 am! Thanks to all who came out to support (Grisel, David, Ramone, My Love, and Mr. Great Dad).

Goodnight Everyone!! =)

Trendy vs. Your Health

The article below is long overdue and pertains to both sexes, since I have seen so many guys wear jeans as tight or tighter than mine!

We all know we should let our most prized possession(s) breathe & free it from discomfort. However, how does one retain one of the most important yearlong wardrobe staple without risking their health?

Just as you should with everything else in your life. Do it in moderation. If you wear it once a week, then other days you can perhaps wear something more comfortable: For women, dresses or skirts w/o tights, trouser jeans and for men: well, skinny jeans shouldn't even be an option and if it is, I apologize in advance to your @*%!.....

Medical Updates - Could Skinny Jeans Pose a Health Risk? | Health News

Shared via AddThis

Damn, I wanna be there right now....

I am in such a dire need of a REAL vacation! I'm disappointed about missing out on Aruba this year, but there's something bigger than Aruba in the works.

After all, what happens after a great week long vacation? Aaahhh, returning to the comfort of your home, correct? Your own bed, shower, solace, etc. In the meantime, I'm left to daydream about last year's travel: Jamaica!

I'll probably take a week off later on this month just to do....whatever the hell I want! Just to wake up whenever I want or stay in bed all day, run some errands, study for my upcoming exam, compile my poems for anticipation of more performance nights @ Busboys and Poets, and finish reading the three books I'm so thrilled about: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, The 8th Confession by James Patterson (the latest installment to the Women's Murder Club series I completed in about a month and 1/2), and The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger.

My paternal grandmother is from Honolulu, Hawaii and whenever I tell people that I am Filipino/Hawaiian, they ask 'How are the beautiful beaches there?' Of course, they both have beautiful beaches, but I immediately know which one they're referring to. I have never been to Hawaii. One of these days, I'm definitely going....





(Picture Credit: Yahoo! Travel)

Philippine News of the Day

[Dipdive] apl.de.ap News » Jeepney Music Launch Party

Black Eyed Peas member Apl.de.Ap has formed a new record label based in Los Angeles, California called Jeepney Music.

For those who are curious about where the name originates from, here's what i know being Filipina. Jeepneys are similar to buses or taxis. While we do have a metro system aka MRT and regular taxis and buses, Jeepneys and tricicles have become a staple in the lives of Filipinos because it's been there before any other modes of transportation was ever created.

Support Jeepney Music and their incredibly talented artists!

(Picture Credit: Gossip Center @ celebrity-gossip.net)

President Gloria M. Arroyo ain't got nothing on her....

Filipinos all over the world are mourning the demise of Maria Corazon Cojuangco Aquino.

She was the advocate for women's empowerment, peace, and democracy. She was the FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT not only in the Philippines, but the entire country of Asia. She was in office from February 25, 1986 to June 30, 1992.

All I remember from her presidency was that we weren't in billions of pesos in deficit, but that is also arguable since prior Presidents don't accrue huge debts (this is also possibly arguable). She died of cardiac arrest after suffering from colon cancer on Saturday, August 1st.

Here's an excerpt from a Facebook group called Aking Pilipinas! or My Philippines:

Aking Pilipinas! is joining the nation in mourning for our President Cory Aquino's demise. Please join us by changing your profile pictures in yellow ribbon with black background for 9 days (just, right click on the pic I have just posted down there, save and use it as profile, thanks).

Farewell, Tita Cory, mother of Philippine Democracy!

Here's some interesting information about her via Wikipedia:

After leaving the presidency, Aquino received several awards and citations. In 1994, Aquino was cited as one of 100 Women Who Shaped World History in a reference book written by Gail Meyer Rolka and published by Bluewood Books in San Francisco, California.[49] In 1996, she received the J. William Fulbright Prize for International Understanding from the Fulbright Association, joining past recipients such as Jimmy Carter and Nelson Mandela.[50] In August 1999, Aquino was chosen by Time Magazine as one of the 20 Most Influential Asians of the 20th century.[51] The same magazine cited her in November 2006 as one of 65 great Asian Heroes, along with Mahatma Gandhi, Deng Xiaoping, Aung San Suu Kyi, Lee Kuan Yew, and King Bhumibol Adulyadej.[52] In January 2008, the Europe-based A Different View selected Aquino as one of the 15 Champions of World Democracy, alongside Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr., Lech Wałęsa, and Vaclav Havel.[citation needed]

In 2002, Aquino became the first woman named to the Board of Governors of the Board of the Asian Institute of Management, a leading graduate business school and think tank in the Asia Pacific region.[53] She served on the Board until 2006.[54]

R.I.P Cory Aquino!!!

Perfomance Night Intro

This is the intro to my performance! Just goofin' around with Evan - I'm basically letting him know how I like my alcohol (95% juice). Thanks for being the camera man baby!

Some Guy Spits Fire....

Its not tai chi, its thai tea.
Your probably thinking, why me?,
You wanna get drunk wit a 151 I.V.
Your blood is poisonous like the blog of ivy,
You touch toys in the store cuz they say try me,
Leave me alone hi and then bye me,
I'm buzzin like a fly bee,
I see a rita's icee the same color as my pee,
Liquid from a dog's two wee's,
Is the reason I can't play my wii

- Ghai -

Genius, hilarious....what else can be said? HAHAHAHA

Persistent Thoughts

It's 10 am on this beautiful Sunday and while I should still be asleep, my thoughts won't let me.

I've created 2 performance pieces for Open Mic Night at Busboys and Poets. We - me, My Love, Grisel, Del & Denise, Vina, Dad, Karley, Stella, and Cyd - went last week but it was sold out. We're better prepared this week though, so if you have time come through!

I refused to have anything but peanut M&M's this morning. A few minutes later, a funny thought came about:

Uncovering a cheater is like a hangover. You know all that alcohol ain't good for you but you consume all you can until you can't take anymore, you barf, then you wake up the next day wishing you made a better decision.

I was inspired by that movie Hangover which was hilarious! Relationships are already difficult as they are and require a lot of work, but if it's worth it then you do all you can to make sure it survives.

Random fact: Peanut M&M's is brain food for me. Sometimes I think most of my great work was created through several bags of these.

If you can, you should come out this Wednesday @ BB&P and check out the amazing poets around the DMV.

My Fave New....

I bought this BCBG beige/brown satchel during 4th of July sales. As a matter of fact, on July 3rd, my fam & I went shopping for hours!!! I should've stopped at GAP, but BCBG has some of the best garments and accessories.

I've been wearing this with everything because it goes with everything!!! From dresses to blouse & jeans, it seems to suit every outfit. Effective this week, I'm on a 2-month hiatus from this bad habit (hahaha) ....

Fulfillment for Thyself

Life is an amazing roller coaster filled with laughs, cries, love, failures, happiness, etc. Family, friends, and that significant other can make your schedule wish there were more hours during the day or week! From work, school, fun parties and BBQ's to long weekends at the beach....

But I have to admit that time for myself is so fulfilling. It's best to take advantage of "ME" time. I understand this is a luxury for those who have children or work a hectic 80-hour week, but the feeling...aahhhhh it is so invigorating!!

For example, today I picked up my Caddy from my bro and for weeks of pondering whether to sell it or not, a certain used-car retailer company tells me that it isn't even worth it. I walked away so bummed cuz I want to just get rid of it!

Then I end up taking the wrong exit on my way home only to find out that I'm headed to one of my fave local spots, The Rio. I went for a stroll and had dinner @ Rio Grande/Don Julio's. I hadn't been back in awhile, but it was nice to treat myself to some delicious tacos!

There are some people who can't go out alone because then you'll be viewed as a loner, right? Wrong!! Because after you reach that turning point in your life (for me it was @ 19), then you begin to realize what matters most. And it isn't the flakes who calls once in a blue moon to hang out and listen to her/him unravel their pile of sh*t on you or use you for obvious reasons....

At one point in life we all have to grow up. I feel I'm way beyond that because looking at the reflection of my face in my old woman car, I see a beautiful person who seeks meaningful friendships and requires only simple things in life.

Fulfillment for Thy Self .... what does it mean to you???