Bye bye guys

Too lazy to do daily updates right now. Life is a blur. Been busy trying to literally organize my life, but into suitcases. In three weeks, I will be saying goodbye to London town for a good long time. Definetely not coming back next year to continue studying fashion. If anything a trip here would be for a visit! But yes, yes. I am in a really big designing mood but am not sure how to utilize for the site. So many nooks and crannies need updating that it is kind of intimidating when I attempt to start that… end up wandering doing things like this Beyonce in Telephone blend.

BTW – The hosting site is almost up. I need to design a layout and link a new paypal account to it and it will be all set in three weeks. There are already about 10 subdomains already set up under oh-word.com. Email me if you want one asap!

I saw this interview on Trey Songz’s blog months back but lost the link. I refound it! It is of one of most insightful, truthful and at peace interviews I have ever read. Granted it will take about an hour to read the entire piece but if you have the time and/or love the realness that was the late Tupac Shakur you will not be disappointed in taking the time out to read it. Here is an excerpt, if you decide to continue the link is at the end of this post.

How do you feel after everything you’ve been through these past few weeks?

Well, the first two days in prison, I had to go through what life is like when you’ve been smoking weed for as long as I have and then you stop. Emotionally, it was like I didn’t know myself. I was sitting in a room, like there was two people in the room, evil and good. That was the hardest part. After that, the weed was out of me. Then every day I started doing, like, a thousand push-ups for myself. I was reading whole books in one day, and writing, and that was putting me in a peace of mind. Then I started seeing my situation and what got me here. Even though I’m innocent of the charge they gave me, I’m not innocent in terms of the way I was acting.

Could you tell me specifically what you mean?

I’m just as guilty for not doing nothing as I am for doing things. Not with this case, but just in my life. I had a job to do and I never showed up. I was so scared of this responsibility that I was running away from it. But I see now that whether I show up for work or not, the evil forces are going to be at me. They’re going to come 100 percent, so if I don’t be 100 percent pure-hearted, I’m going to lose. And that’s why I’m losing.

When I got in here, all the prisoners was, like, “F-ck that gangsta rapper.” I’m not a gangsta rapper. I rap about things that happen to me. I got shot five times, you know what I’m saying? People was trying to kill me. It was really real like that. I don’t see myself being special; I just see myself having more responsibilities than the next man. People look to me to do things for them, to have answers. I wasn’t having them because my brain was half dead from smoking so much weed. I’d be in my hotel room, smoking too much, drinking, going to clubs, just being numb. That was being in jail to me. I wasn’t happy at all on the streets. Nobody could say they saw me happy.

When I spoke to you a year ago, you said that if you ended up in jail, your spirit would die. You sound like you’re saying the opposite now.

That was the addict speaking. The addict knew if I went to jail, then it couldn’t live. The addict in Tupac is dead. The excuse maker in Tupac is dead. The vengeful Tupac is dead. The Tupac that would stand by and let dishonorable things happen is dead. God let me live for me to do something extremely extraordinary, and that’s what I have to do. Even if they give me the maximum sentence, that’s still my job.

Can you take us back to that night at Quad Recording Studios in Times Square?

The night of the shooting? Sure. Ron G. is a DJ out here in New York. He’s, like, “Pac, I want you to come to my house and lay this rap down for my tapes.” I said, “All right, I’ll come for free.” So I went to his house-me, Stretch, and a couple other homeboys. After I laid the song, I got a page from this guy Booker, telling me he wanted me to rap on Little Shawn’s record. Now, this guy I was going to charge, because I could see that they was just using me, so I said, “All right, you give me seven G’s and I’ll do the song.” He said, “I’ve got the money. Come.” I stopped off to get some weed, and he paged me again. “Where you at? Why you ain’t coming?” I’m, like, “I’m coming, man, hold on.

If wishing to continue reading this interview, click here. Note that the link will open in a separate window.

It is 1:03am, no early class tomorrow. Psyched. Sorry that her tutor displaced her knee. OUCH! But that means I get 2 hours more sleep. During one of my two classes, I am going to try to start on coding ideas. Need to come of with some new and exciting things. Plus it makes decisions quicker once I pull up notepad.

Uhm.. oh yeah. My last entry was up for like a day before I put up that Gaga sign about the revamp. I have been working on the vamping up part! Got tons more stuff for the portfolio. Learned new things to make tutorials for thanks to my photoshop class. Taking down the shop. Sorry no more time for it anymore! Will be setting up the subdomain for graphic design requests, but I am still trying to figure out a way to make it so I can inform people of days I can not do any? Like I don’t want to post up my class schedule or nights I go out haha, but something. So people can see why I am taking long to respond back?

Besides that, still have school. Loads of work. But for once I love it. I am currently studying fashion, for those that do not know at London College of Fashion for the year. Yeah, that intro thingy on the side is def wrong. Need to update haha. There is nothing “academic” about it. I love it. Except one thing. This does not have to do with fashion, but I have a yearning to do math all of a sudden? Like english whatevs. I can write an essay on anything any day. Look at the notes section on my iTouch. But math?! It has gotten to the point. When I can not get rid of this craving, I look up algebra problems to do. I would do precal too, but haa don’t have a graphing calculator! Sad though. I must have no life OR maybe my high school prepared me too well?

p.s. To my affiliates!! Sorry for the abrupt hiatus I took, tell me how you’re doing in a comment :]

/*EDIT*/ I put this Nicki theme up already. Tweaks are done. Opinions? Adding pieces to the portfolio in graphic, mixed media, maybe illustration. Took the shop down. Music is up. Think that’s it. Starting next entry will be changing the blog up a bit.

Anywayssss!! I think some misunderstood my LAST post. Restaurant Week was back in March and it was way crazy-er. This time it came around again in August for the summer version of it. This time it is longer (going til the end of August) and it was busy (for the past two official weeks). Way more people coming in not only for Restaurant Week, but also some other things we were running so that made it a bit more confusing while greeting tables. Had no life this time too! It was get up, shower, work, food, bed. Oh well. Today got called out of work because it was not as busy as expected. Decided to update and let everyone know that I AM ALIVE! haha

Ugh. This Thursday is my last day of work. Last night I went to Maggiano’s for a 1-year dinner thing with my co-workers and managers. Playing telephone while waiting for entree was fun, passing around “I like titties between my toes” and turning into “Someone’s dirty”? Yeah, it happened when I had to tell the kitchen guy in English. Sorry but I couldn’t translate toes! I know dedos are fingers but TOES?? Hmm.. need to look it up. Mad I forgot my camera! It is like 20 billion megapixel and would have made a great blow-up pic! You know for memories considering that I am leaving for college.

Besides that I am waiting on my visa. Today I was having troubles. Sort of the reason I was called out of work so that I could straighten everything out because they knew it was important when I called them at noon.

This is the deal. So first I sent in a copy of my letter saying that I was accepted into the school. I sent a copy of my passport because a guy I had talked to said a copy was fine. Other random things were 2 passport photos, fingerprints, my application and a signed paper from Boston. They sent it back 2 weeks ago saying that they needed my actual passport. Then they emailed me stating I forgot to enclose a letter from the bank to prove I had enough funds to show that I can pay for tuition (if I haven’t done so, which I have not) and can live in London without a job for the school year if necessary.

Isn’t that some bullish??!! They could not tell me the FIRST time about this bank letter when they sent back an envelope with everything in it and only checked off that I did not enclose my actual passport?? This UK consulate is on some bull. So then they emailed me about that letter and stated they need to recieve that letter within four days of the email. The bank letter took 3 days to come from Bank of America and this dingy letter ONLY stated when I opened the account, how much was in it and how much is there on average. GRR! I could have grabbed a bank statement or told you myself! Want me to take you with me to the ATM? haha

So today I went to the bank at 9am when it opened. The lady I spoke to on Friday said “It will definetely be here Monday!” I asked if she was sure and she said “Yeah, by the time we open on Tuesday it will be here. I promise.” Yes that is EXACTLY what she said. So after 30 minutes, one of the associates on the bottom of the totem pole of seniority there stated that it was not there. She said I would have to pay $10 AGAIN to get another letter right then. I made a scene (which is unlike me) because I had alreadyyy payed on Friday for this damn letter. I NEEDED this letter to stay in the UK for school. It determined my future here! So she gave me her card and number and said it will be there later, by the end of close. I called.. and called.. and called. First time someone said she was busy and she would call me back. Bish even WROTE DOWN my number (at least I thought so). Second time no answer, same for the other attempts. Finally, my Dad came home from jury duty and came with me since he is more intimidating and his name is also on the account I was recieving the letter for. 15 minutes before they closed, I finally got the letter! Then I had to run to the post office because THAT closed in 15 minutes as well.  The letter was sent next day to the consulate. Should be there by noon and hopefully my visa is approved and my passport is sent back ASAP. I am leaving for England SEPTEMBER 5TH!!

Thankfully it is summer and I don’t have summer college courses to worry over. At least I have a life this time. Tomorrow going to Dick’s Last Resort. I am kind of scared.. lol I have heard boatloads of stories from all different kinds of people about their accounts while there. At least they don’t mess with your food and they are NOT part of Boston’s Restaurant Week! Yay!

I don’t know, but during Restaurant Week I have always wanted to try other restaurants but I feel like I would be disturbing them. Restaurant Week is so hectic and crazy, (from first hand experience) that it is best to just leave all places that ARE  a part of it alone. Plus when you do come during a normal day, you usually get better service, a friendly server, don’t have to worry about them tainting your food.. (because some servers that get peeved DO do that! It is not a myth. Not where I work they do not do it.. but other places do, so always be nice to whoever is taking your order.) By the way! Always tip your servers accordingly. No $3 on a $50 total!! They are LEGALLY paid anywhere from $2 up depending on the state you reside in. That is how they get their money for rent, bills, etc. from tips! Remember that next time you go out to eat.

This is like a restaurant guide! Hahah. Although I did have a family member who did own a restaurant that I casually worked in when I was like 8-13. Don’t worry it was not child labor – I asked to work! Plus it was outside of the country on like a summer vacation. Speaking on food need to go eat my delivery of spicy wings, chicharones and arroz con habichuelas.

To the present, I am now waiting on my FTP Client to upload all of the scans I want to put up. It’s is a whole lot of them which explains why it is going to take 30 minutes - 2 hours until they are all posted. My life has been going peachy. Like the title says, it has been the main factor in lack of updates here. First there was that wedding dress which I’m delivering Saturday! Then there are side things like friends, random stuff and work that also help in me maintaining this life haha. Below are some pics of typical random things that have occured during my summer with description in the nexttt paragraph.

(1) My 7-year-old godsister Ariana drew me a card with her on the cover with the caption “Please don’t miss me…” and inside wrote “While your in college far far away in London!!” That pic was supposed to be of her face and it looks adorable because her interpretation is kind of good except she made her face huge. AW! :]
(2) I have been going out to eat quite often because it is summer time and my Mom tends to not cook because it is hot or she feels no one will eat it. The second one is true when my brother has work, my Dad is running errands or working, my sister is at her workshop and I am either out or at work on the same day. That pic is from an IHOP/movie date I had with my friend Jennifer.
(3) When I just want to leave my house I tend to go to this nearby park thing owned by Harvard University called the Arnold Arboredum. While there I feel like time stands still as I just walk and notice the beauty of nature like that ladybug by my favorite tree! (Yes I have a favorite tree! It’s a weeping willow.)
(4) Lastly, work! Now some people loathe work, but I actually enjoy coming into work for the random happenings that occur. The pic is of Charles Harrington’s business card which he left with my manager. He is a representative for Columbia Pictures and was in Boston scouting locations for Adam Sandler’s film in production, The Zoo Keeper. In the movie they just so happen to need a fondue place! Haha how random is that? And I happen to work in the one of TWO fondue restaurants throughout all of Boston. They came in while I was opening with about 50 guys as they picked a table for the scene they will be shooting in the restaurant in October. So mad that I will be out of the country for it!

Exciting life ain’t it? By the way that’s sarcasm. x] So to my cyber friends in the words of Wendy Williams “How you doin’?”

There once was a friend, more like an acquintance of mine that asked for a gift every year. Now I am not into begging nor beggers. (Not talking about beggers on the streets though!) C’mon now?! Begging for presents. That is pathetic. Do you not agree? People like that always puzzle me. Darn attention seekers! I blame Hollywood and all of those over-the-top birthdays. Get where I am coming from? It is like the more presents or the more lavish the gifts people recieve on their birthdays the more important and loved they feel. Trust me, if people love you then they love you. Whether or not they dish out the bucks for those new Jordans, that canary yellow Lamborghini or a Hallmark card is a question of how you both view your friendship/relationship in my opinion. For example, let’s say you have a friend you have made in the past year. It is the first birthday that you are around to celebrate with them. They are turning 21 and going to Vegas and you are invited. The over-the-top option would be to pay for the whole trip. The thoughtful option would be to buy their first shot. The meaningful option would be to accompany them and stick around for the pukefest after they have consumed all that alcohol to make sure they are okay. See the difference? People should overthink what route they take because if you go for option over-the-top then how will you TOP that the following year? In the end by their 25th birthday you will have to have discovered another oil outlet in the world in order to afford to buy them a castle on their own island! Haha not really but I am just saying. Every year will have to get bigger and bigger. Material possessions all the way from there on out!!

Back to reality. Also time to end my rant. My plans for my eighteenth birthday are: (1) Bungee jump in Canada but that is happening in August and (2) Get a tattoo of a music note inside my mouth. In my mind it is not over the top, but I have recieved many questionable looks when telling others of my birthday plans. My reasoning behind them is that I have wanted to do both but just was not old enough to do either one legally and on my own. So there. My simple plans worth about $150 will be plenty enough for me. That includes the one gift I have already bought for myself – The Lion King Deluxe Edition on DVD! (Favorite movie of all time!!!) Thank you eBay :] In your face lavish club parties, hotel rooms, road trips, vacations and other plans people usually make on their birthdays!

Hello world! Happy fourth of July to everyone from the U.S. out there! There is less than an hour left to the day on the East Coast so hurry up and have some fun while you can still use Independence Day as an excuse haha. On my way to a house party right now after the Charles River fireworks display. Gah! You do not know how mad I am that I forgot my camera in my Dad’s car earlier!! GRR! I wanted to take pics to put up here and maybe get some light textures done. Anywho only reason my camera was in my parent’s car is because I went to go see Ice Age earlier and it magically became a family outing? Yeah it was wierd. After that went to Jamaica Plain for my plan B to no pupusas – chicharones! Yum. I forgot that lots of restaurants are closed including the place I usually get pupusas from in Somerville and where I work. Luckily this Cuban place on Centre Street was open. It was a pretty shifty place. Never had I been around so many Spanglish-speaking people in one place. It was like MTV3 in real life!

Onto lightly touching on the subject of MJ. I am deeply distraught does not even begin to explain how much his death has affected me. It has gotten to the point that I blank out while doing everyday tasks and end up sad without directly thinking about it. It is wierd. My condolences go out to the Jackson family, the music industry and everyone who’s life he touched throughout his 40 years of entertaining the masses.

The website. Yes, lots of people might have thought that I am gone because of my last post describing the wedding dress I am making. Safe to say, it is ALMOST done! But the lady has paid me an undisclosed amount to NOT take/post/show pictures of the dress including sketches. Why? I don’t know. Who the hell would take my design of a wedding gown and duplicate it?! I mean every wedding dress is different and there is no one dress in the history of mankind that can flatter every woman’s body. Just not possible. Wait let me end this rant.. Okay so in the coming days I will be updating this site more than a Wikipedia article to say the least. Just be on the lookout. Next have to reply to comments while at the party for a bit (just to get it out of the way, I promise I will have fun!) and then fix links once I get home.

With that I leave you with the words of another MJ that you know by the name of Michael Jordan. “Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.” Strive to be ILL, so you leave the world as a LEGEND. Rest in peace with the angels, Mr. Michael Joseph Jackson.