Beautiful day at the lake...

It was such a gorgeous summer day that my fam and I decided to head to the lake. I haven't been in open water in such a long time that it took me a few minutes to really remember the last time I had. I think it was about 3 years ago when my grandmother died and I went to Trinidad for her funeral??? I had gone to the beach then...I think.

I've since been to Santa Monica Pier in LA and South Beach, Miami...but even THEN I didn't get in the water! I absolutely LOOOOOVE the beach!!! But I visited LA in the Spring and the water was waaaaay to cold for me. My son played and swam in that cold water like he was in the Caribbean! I, on the other hand, lay on the sand relaxing, promising myself to go to the beach again the first chance I got.

Fast forward to vaycay in Miami and I didn't even make it to the beach! I packed swimsuits like I was headed to a swim shoot and didn't use any of them! Instead I spent my days recuperating poolside from partying the night before....ahh viva Miami!

So I spent a relaxing day at the lake with my family. Water is so soothing. I swam, I lay on the sand...I love the feel of warm sand between your toes (other places, not so much).

This is DEFINITELY on the agenda again before the end of Summer!

My cousin and I at the lake

Gorgeous

My other cousin taking a nap (bottom left lol)

The poor bug I rolled over with my butt...

Alicia Keys' baby is too friggin cute!

Thank goodness for Alicia's good looks because from these pics, Swiss has some schnauzer (huge nose) on him lol...but their baby, Egypt, is beyond adorable...

Pics from Nicole Bitchie blog

check out more pics on Nicole Bitchie's blog: http://necolebitchie.com/2011/07/07/a-first-look-at-alicia-keys-and-swizz-beatzs-son-egypt/

How long do YOU think you can hide the truth?

"If you shut up truth,
and bury it under the ground,
it will but grow and gather to itself
such explosive power
that the day it burst through
it will blow up everything in its way"
          ~ Emile Zola: French Writer

My aunt read this quote to me during one of our convos.
I love it...thought I'd share it with you.

Dino

I went to the most amazing little Italian restaurant in Brooklyn this weekend. We stumbled upon it as a friend of mine was on a crazy search for eggs! (Don't ask but some people just insist on having eggs at 5pm ok! smh lol).
Anyway, after checking out several restaurants on that strip and no luck finding eggs for "brunch", we decided to dine at Dino.

The menu looked interesting and it was a gorgeous day so we ate outside.

Google images

The food is SO GOOD! I had a pear salad -- and I usually don't mix fruit with salad but I tried it and it was delish -- and pasta with lamb. That lamb dish had a much more exotic name but basically it was flat pasta with shredded lamb and YES it was yummy too.

Sorry I didn't take pics of my meals...was too busy inhaling the food! After our meal, we had the pleasure of meeting the chef and the owner...definitely compliments to the chef and many more visits!

To check out the menu please click here: http://dinorestaurantny.com/

My trip to the DMV/ MVC

Google Image...

...since I wasn't about to take pics with my phone

 risk being beaten outside DMV

and lose my place in line

This morning I went to the DMV to renew my license. (Department/ Division of Motor Vehicles...a.k.a. Motor Vehicles Commission or simply "The Licensing Office" in Trini).

This was my 2nd attempt! I went yesterday on lunch, and when I saw the line OUTSIDE the building and around the corner, I decided I didn't have the mindspace for midday sun and the smells emanating from some of the people in that line...AND I hadn't had lunch?? Oh no... THIS was something for which I had to mentally prepare.

So this morning I woke up early, on my way out the door I grabbed my Essence Magazine with Alicia Keys on the cover (what? I feel like you're judging me) and headed to Dunkin Donuts.  

The office opens at 8am...I'm there at 7:40am...THE LINE WRAPS AROUND THE KISS-MY-ASS CORNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I speed walk past the old man that's strolling to the line and the lady with 2 kids in tow...(hey survival of the fittest). I pull out my fully charged phone (facebook and twitter will help bide my time), I'm sipping my coffee, I'm good! I even have a stupid smirk on my face for all the people who showed up at 8am and now have to stand in TEXAS just to get in.

Now here's my issue with this particular DMV: It's a new building!!! WHY construct a new building only to have people stand OUTSIDE??? What happens when it rains? Or in the Winter? What about the elderly (ok so I rushed past grandpa earlier but I digress) or those who are disabled?

In the old building you might have grown a beard waiting but at least you'd have a seat!

And the building isn't even aesthetically pleasing...it's like walking into a sardine can...or boarding Star Trek!

I am going to write them with a few suggestions...like why not use the EMPTY AREA of the room with crazy floor space...have a roped off section where the line meanders like in the bank or the movie theatre...a water cooler and a coffee machine would be nice (but I know I'm pushing it lol)

So here are some tips for going to the DMV/MVC/ABC whatever:

1. Sleep in front of the building the night before...that way you're the 1st person there in the morning.

2. Have a good breakfast/ lunch. 

3. Walk with a book/ mag, a fully charged phone, some water/ coffee, sunglasses and a big touristy floppy hat.

4. Do NOT go at the end of the month if you can avoid it...the line is longer than a weave sale in Brooklyn.

5. Have all your paperwork!!! So many people waited in that insane line, finally made it to the counter, only for Ms Personality to tell them they have to return with all the required documents.

6. When you are having your photo taken, please people, SNAP crackle and pop outta there. This is not facebook! You are not in JC Penney studio and they don't have photoshop to help yo' ass! Other people are waiting and we have more important things to do. Fix the hair and makeup before you get up there, be ready and let's go. When the cops pull you over they don't care if you look like James Brown mugshot or Pamela Anderson.

James Brown Mugshot

There's also an option to use your photo from your previous i.d. so let's keep the line flowing.

7. Get yourselves together people!!! Ok I know they are only taking a headshot for the pix...but people bedroom slippers are not acceptable, even if you pair them with socks...washing your face would be nice unless you're going for the "I'm still cute when I'm crusty" look... and would it kill some of you to use a toothbrush or slap some deodarant under them pits? Well it could kill me..so "do unto others" applies here.

Thankfully I don't have to deal with this again for a few years.

AKeys at Madame Tussaud's NYC !

A co-worker told me about the crazy guy who climbed a pole in the Times Square the morning of Alicia Keys' performance on Good Morning America.

Alicia Keys on Good Morning America

(Google Image)

Apparently he wanted to meet Alicia and give her a copy of his cd or whatever...you know when you get the story second hand it's never 100%. So I googled - click this link for the story (or one version that is): http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/movies/times-square-pole-rapper-im-gods-gift-to-music

Speaking of Alicia, she now has a wax figurine in Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum in NYC!

Alicia Keys posing with her wax figurine

(google image)

Guess who has to go there now to take pics with it...
...it's not like I'm like the crazy pole guy or anything...

Superbad

So I FINALLY saw "Superbad" (insert audible disgust and other comments here)...yes I know ok?!
My besties, Ana and Jo, have been telling me to watch it for YEARS and I forgot or whatever. I never remember to go to Blockbuster (do any of you still go to Blockbuster? The last time I went there my card was expired...matter of fact I think they had a new system lol). When I tried to catch it "On Demand" it was never on... but yesterday FX hooked a sister up! lol



It was funny...I LOVE Seth Rogen ("The 40-Year-Old Virgin", "You, Me and Dupree", and one of my faves "Knocked Up"), I think Jonah Hill is hilarious, and Emma Stone became one of my fave actresses since "Easy A" so I really enjoyed this movie. I'm usually not a fan of "silly" comedy (still don't get "Step Brothers") but hey...to each his own lol.

Next up: "The Hangover"... lololol......what??? don't judge me!!

Finafrickingly! (AKeys Songs in A minor: 10th anniversary Collector's Edition)

Finally I received my copy of Alicia Keys "Songs in A minor 10th anniversary Collectors Edition".

YAY!!!



It took FOREVER to get here...but alas I have it in constant rotation. I have to marinate on it: listen intently to the cds, check out the dvd, the booklet etc and I'll get back to you. (Yes, it's a process...this is ALICIA we're talking about! Judge me if you want! lol)

Did you see her performance at the BET Awards? She looked absolutely beautiful (wasn't quite feeling the hair -- I liked the style but it was a little too messy for me)...BUT since it IS Alicia, and she can play and sing her ass off, AND I absolutely luv her...she gets a pass from me! lol

Check out her performance below...


 
This woman makes classical music sexy!!!

Icecream and Waffles???

When I heard of "chicken and waffles", just the thought alone had me skeeved. To me, chicken remains in the lunch and dinner category, and waffles is for breakfast. But apparently it's such a big deal (especially in the South) that Gladys Knight even has a restaurant called "Chicken and Waffles".

(Google image)

When I visited Atlanta, I went to the infamous restaurant and decided I was going to try it. I'm pretty good at being adventurous but I just couldn't bring myself to it...I ordered something else.

Fast forward to present date and a co-worker requested ice-cream and waffles for her birthday treat! Now this seemed a little more palatable to me, but I had never heard of the combo before. It didn't seem far-fetched, after all they do serve ice-cream in a waffle cone...but an actual waffle?? This was news to me!

A few of my co-workers heard of it before (apparently it was all the rave at birthday parties, and on the boardwalk in South Jersey) but some of the others looked just as puzzled as I was.

Apparently you can have it like a "sandwich"

Or the way I chose to eat mine...separate.

I took one bite and knew this was NOT for me. Some of the others who tried it for the first time really enjoyed it because they said it tasted just like a waffle cone. I ate my ice-cream and threw away the soggy leftover waffle....to bad I didn't have pancake syrup on hand.

My So-Called Space (Funny blog)

I came across a really funny blog via my friend Jan's facebook page. "My So-Called Space" is about this guy just pretty much talking about things in his life and an office cleaner's obsession with him...HILARIOUS! It's even funnier if you're familiar with Trinidad and the culture.
I follow quite a few blogs but I just HAD to share this one with you.
Enjoy!
Here's the link: http://stefansi.wordpress.com/

"Untie the Rope"

This weekend I read a very powerful message from Tyler Perry. I just received the email again from a friend so I decided to post on my blog. I figure it's a sign that I should share it :) It's fairly long but worth the read.
I hope it resonates with you the way it did with Kim and myself.

"So, I just finished filming a really good movie called GOOD DEEDS. It’s me like you’ve never seen me before. It comes out in February, brace yourself. There were a lot of long days on this shoot, so I wanted to take a break. I decided to do some traveling and since I still have 20 more pounds to lose before I start my next movie, ALEX CROSS, I thought I would go to the Grand Canyon and do some hiking, climbing and so on. At one point in the climbing, I was over a steep drop and was tied to a safety rope, while a buddy’s safety rope was tied to me. It was my responsibility to help him up, since I was bigger and weighed more. I told him, “I’ll hold on to you to help you up but if you start to pull me over with you, I’m going to untie this rope.” We had a good laugh about it, but I was serious…

I started thinking about that moment a few days ago. How many times are we tied to a person, people or things that are pulling us down and we won’t untie the rope? For whatever reason, be it family, friends, society, or just the feeling of being obligated, trapped or that if you don’t, no one else will. I have watched so many people go over a cliff with a person that they are trying to help up, it’s sad. YOU MUST UNTIE THE ROPE!!!

This is your life and you are wasting it being tied to someone who is destroying his or her opportunities and yours. If the person that you are trying to help does not know that they are worth being saved, how do you expect them to put any value on you saving them? You’re not worth it to them. They can’t get it! SO YOU NEED TO! Listen to me, untie the rope and don’t lose yourself trying to hold on to someone who can’t survive on your level. You hear me? Maybe they have gone as high as they can go. Just because you can survive on that level doesn’t mean that everyone else can. Stop trying to help them, UNTIE THE ROPE! I know you may feel this is cruel, but what is more cruel is dying a death that’s not your own. Letting your destiny go to hell because someone else pulled you there. Are you kidding me? That isn’t God!

Here is what I have learned over the almost 20 years that I have been in this business. Let me tell you, I have seen and worked with some of the most talented people you can imagine and I used to wonder why they never got any higher than they are. You know, the kind of people who always seem to be at the door, but never can go in. It used to blow my mind until I got a revelation from God.

For many years I was the same way, I would get close and things would fall apart. I couldn’t get any traction, not in my career, not in my personal life and not in the pursuit of happiness. I just couldn’t move forward. Through much prayer and self-discovery, I found out that I used to be, notice I said “USED TO BE,” a self-saboteur. I would find a way to subconsciously destroy every good thing that was in my life and I didn’t even know I was doing it. Most self-sabotaging people don’t know that they are doing it. I don’t think there is anyone sadder than a person who blames everyone else, but themselves for their situation. The very revelation that I was causing my own problems was one of the greatest blessings God could have allowed me to see. Once I realized the behavior, I was able to change it. That is why my life is in such a great place right now. I realized that my very thoughts were keeping me from being successful at everything. “So, as a man thinketh, so is he.

Many times a lot of us sabotage subconsciously because of what mamma or daddy said, traumatic childhoods or any number of things that happened growing up that made us feel that we shouldn’t have or that we didn’t deserve it. I’m here to tell you all, that misinformation was wrong. You do deserve it! You are worthy of it! For me, knowing that Jesus died and rose again makes me know we are all worthy.

Why am I saying this? I’m just tired of people being upset with people who have realized their dreams. The only difference in someone who is living their dream and someone who can’t get it to come to pass is they don’t feel they deserve it. They don’t feel they are worthy of it. So many of us have dreams, dreams that the world is waiting for, talents that will help heal and change nations, but we keep destroying our own successes. I know for a fact that if I had not figured this out, you wouldn’t be reading this email right now. Nor would I be a happy soul.

The world is waiting for your gift. Give it to yourself and you will give it to them, but first you have to UNTIE THE ROPE."

What did you think of the Billboard Music Awards?

Top Performer of the night for me was the Queen Bey! Beyonce KILLED her performance and showed us exactly why she more than deserved that Millenium Award!
Her body looked amazing (I promise not to use the word "amazing" again in this blogpost, thank you very much Justin Bieber -___-), her voice was stronger than ever and that digital high-tech performance was on point! LOVED IT! LOVED IT! LOVED IT! (See her performance in the vid below)



Some of the other highlights for me:

Cee Lo wowed me with his performance and now I want to be hoisted into the air with a grand piano and spun around....NOT!!!! I'll leave that to Cee-Lo! Thumbs up!

Cee Lo (on left) with his award, and (on right) being spun around mid-air with his piano

Congrats to Rihanna on her awards...and she looked stunning in her white tuxedo!

Rihanna and Jay Z

One of my FAVE groups, Lady Antebellum, accepting their award

Nicki Minaj's performance was a bit lack lustre for me...I expected HOTNESS from her

...but she gets luv anyway since she's a fellow Trini

Kesha did a great job with her performance.

All images in this blogpost from Billboard.

Babyface is the Jay Z for Baby Boomers!

On Mothers' Day, my cousins and I headed to the Tank/Babyface concert. We were stuck in RIDICULOUS traffic so by the time we made it there, we missed Tank's performance. All my tweets to attack him if he ripped off his shirt became empty promises (but don't worry Tank, I MUST make it to one of your concerts someday...you've been warned! lol)



My cousins and I at the concert

Anyway, the shocker for me was Babyface! I know he's a phenomenal songwriter and very established in the music business, (working with Toni Braxton, Boyz II Men and soooooo many more top artists)...what I DIDN'T know was that his fans are outta control!! He's like the Jay Z for baby boomers! 

The band introducing Babyface

Mr "Whip Appeal" himself graces the stage

This lady (with the blue ponytail) ran up to the front and couldn't contain herself.

She sang every song and punctuated every beat with more passion than Babyface himself!

These two seemed to be in competition for "Who caught the best Holy Ghost?"

Pink top won -__-

Babyface did a medley of hits

and he looks and sounds great!

This was my view of the stage at one point!

This woman refused to sit when security asked her to so the people behind her could see...

...this is asscrack.com....literally!

Here is "blue ponytail" again...

you cannot see her date but most likely she is telling him to shut the hell up so she could listen to her Babyface

"Blue Ponytail" again grooving like she is the only one in the theater.

If ONE person enjoyed the show, it's her! lol

Is he related to Babyface? anyone know?

Babyface hugging a fan one row behind us...

...it was mayhem when he came through the audience!

It was a very entertaining show...but if you think Justin Bieber "stans" are crazy, you haven't been to a Babyface concert! lol

Mandy Mania - Silpada Jewelry Party

I've been promising myself, and my friend/Silpada rep, Jeanine Simonson, that I would host a Silpada party for the longest. Well I finally did, and it was a beautiful Spring day filled with mimosas (and other drinky drinks), lots of girl talk and JEWELRY!
See for yourself...

MMMM Raspberry cookies!!

Cookie Cakes courtesy http://www.cakesgalorebysheila.com/

My beautiful friend and Silpada Rep

Jeanine Simonson

To order and get started on YOUR collection, contact Jeanine at jeaninesimonson@yahoo.com

Wha de mudda? (Trini on de loose!)

Aye! Who brite idea it was tuh have Mudda's day? EHH??!!! U know how loooooooooooooong we had muddas on dis earth???? Long time! Ah wanna say as far back as Eve (she is de one who had dat abusive Cain and foobeh Abel right? whaever ) Anyway is long time we hah muddas on dis planet!
Muddas day eh nuttn more than anudda way of Uncle Sam DIGGIN into yuh friggin pockets!! Tank yuh President Woodrow! STEUPS!!!
Diiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiisssss tuntun Anna Jarvis decide tuh lobby fuh a holiday fuh muddas day! Yuh tink she couldna jus bake a blasted cake fuh she mudda and pick 2 periwinkle from de garden and say "yeah ma, hold dat! yuh iz a borse!!"
Naaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!! She hadda LOBBY fuh a holiday (blasted vaginian, ah mean Virginian!). Like she LURVE she mudda more dan eeeeeevrybody else luv theirs!!
Den, of course, in typical mad people fashion, when President Woodrow make it ah official holiday...yuh know de woman vex??? She fine it geh tooooo "commercial" ! She call it "Hallmark holiday" and gone protesting all over de place and geh she aaaaassss lock up!  cacahole!
Is better she did sign a patent leather or copyright something and geh a lil money from Hallmark cause she dead without a cent in she pocket...poor ting rest she soul!

Poor ting my big toe!!! Dis holiday costn me money!! My mudda pass away when ah was small (God bless her soul) so she is not de expense, buh is all kinda tanty raise meh and ting nah...pressha! I cah give meh "favorite" aunt present and not de odders cause den ah does feel guilty when ah tink bout de trailaload ah dem who had input in meh life...who know dey say it take a village? Well is like I hadda buy fuh de whole kiss-meh-ass village  (well except de one who used tuh cut meh tail de most...she geh eliminated long time! I feel she is a descendant from Cain bloodline or de devil spawn or sumting! Dat woman abusive! I geh lix fuh ting I do and ting I ain't...buh dah is a next story!)

Den allll meh fren and dem gone and have pickney! Meh best fren, she fren, meh fren fren...like was sale on baby and none on condom! By de time I buy card, flower, gift....AND DEY BOLD TUH BOOT!!! Dey want yuh tuh BUYYYYY ting fuh dem!!! Wha happen tuh making card on construction paper and designin with glitter and ting...or making a lil paper-marche bowl or someting (I didn't even know ah was talkn French in dem days, a nearly bite up meh tongue all kinda ting but ah didn't care cause it sound porsh!) yuh tink dey couldn't take dat and say "God is Love" or "Mandy real nice dread" whichever come first!?  Naaaaaahhhhhhhh dey want gift!
Even people who does normally be passing me straight does be hollering and giving me all kinda well wishes fuh Muddas Day...all I does be giving dem is cut-eye!

Look ah gehn HEATED jus tinkin bout dis right now so look, love is free...so daiz wha EVERYBODY gehn dis year!
I LOVE ALL YUH AND HAPPY MUDDAS DAY !