Sept. 3rd, 1982

Let the countdown begin!

I usually like to make a big splash on my birthday, and this year is no exception. As a matter of fact, this year I’m celebrating more than ever! The past year has been a transitional one for me, to say the least. From the gritty city streets of New York to the hair tousling Windy City, I finally feel like I’ve come into my own.

Chicago has opened a new chapter for me and I’m excited to celebrate my first birthday in this city. I’m re-energized by the prospect of a new beginning but also nervous about the uncertainty the future holds. Whatever this year brings me, I know I can handle it with courage, hope and a little alcohol.

For my 27th birthday I’ve put together a list of the 27 things that will help me along as I navigate a new year.

1. Peace on Earth
2. For Mimi to be well behaved for JUST one day!!!
3. Salud, Dinero y Amor for all my friends and family
4. To Party like its 1999!!!
5. Exciting new novels in Spanish
6. Haircut
7. Headphones (preferably a pair I can workout with)
8. Shots of Tequila
9. Digital Camera
10. Michele two tone watch strap bracelet
11. For the METS to get their act together (next season)
12. Hermes Fragrance – Un Jardin en Mediterranee
13. Wine glasses
14. Andy Warhol Lips Tray
15. Shots of Whiskey
16. Socks
17. CVS Gift Card
18. Exciting new novels in English
19. ITunes gift card
20. Skinny Black Hudson jeans
21. Flowers
22. Anita Ko’s Gold Spike Stud earrings
23. Shots of Tequila
24. Ice Cream Cake
25. Champagne
26. Heart rate monitor
27. Hugs and Kisses

xo
QQ

Jamaican-Me-Crazy

For this year's family vacation, my mom decided on Jamaica. I know you all think I had something to do with it, but it was totally her idea.

Below are a few Highlights from my trip.

Sea Horses:
We went on a horse back riding excursion, where you are a guided through a plantation (more like a dirt road) and get to ride in the water. This was no biggie for me, I have gone horse back riding before, but then the water part came. My thoughts were that we would ride the horses along side the water. NO. Once we finished with our “plantation” tour we rode to an ocean side shack where the saddles were taken off our horses and we were guided into the water -bare back, holding onto the mane of the horse, into 20 feet of water! The horse was swimming and I was riding it - in the water!!
The funny thing is the horse in front of me pooped and my fear switched from riding a horse in 20 feet of water, to not letting the poop touch me!

Negril:
Seven miles of soft white sand beaches and crystal clear water along with that relaxed Jamaican vibe. You can’t beat that!! Total BLISS! Thats Negril!
That soon ended when our tour bus pulled into Rick’s Café to see the world famous Jamaican Sunset and the divers. People were flinging themselves of the top of trees over 50 feet in the air! Obvi, I didn’t partake in the 50 foot jump. I went for a more mild 25 feet. After my jump a random guy came over to me and asked if it hurt. Confused I said no, only to have him point out that I had blood all over my mouth. I busted my lip as I hit the water. I had so much adrenaline pumping through me that I didn’t feel a thing.

So scared!

On my way down

Braids:
I didn’t want to be a total cheese ball and come back with braids, but I had a vision of me with bad ass braids on one side of my head. So I did it! I wish I had the balls to actually shave one side of my hair and be a REAL bad ass, but I'm a wimp.

I had a great time and will be returning to Jamaica and maybe this time I'll try the 35 foot jump!

YAH MON!
QQ

Bomba Estero is BLOWING UP!

You know my love for music and my love for Colombia! Bomba Estereo mixes both my loves seamlessly into beats, sounds and awesome lyrics.

If you haven't checked them out, here is an interview they did in Spain.



Translation:
Simon: Bomba Estero is a project that has been in the works for a few years. I started working the format of mixing folk music with electronica with a project called Entrecasa in 2002, and thats where that interest was born of fusing together those two types of music. There was a project called AM770 and that evolved into Bomba Estero.

Li: I sing about things that happen to me. They are simple lyrics but I like to say what I feel and I like to say what I don't like. I think that when you have the advantage of being in front of an audience you have a responsibility of what you see - so people can also see it that way. If you don't like something in society or whats going on in the streets, then if your responsibility that the people feel that too.

Simon: I'll wake up and turn on the radio turn the dial, listen to that, then put on an folk track, I'll listen to electronica, reggae, rock. El Joe (Arroyo) - We are super Joe fans

Li: In my personal case, Yes, I get a lot of influence from La Mala and I get a lot of influence from singers. I try to be then but in terms of melodies, that just gets stuck in your head. If we become famous or whatever. I would really like to play in a plaza or people who can't buy tickets. To play where ever, so people listen to band and know the songs. Wow, that would be my dream.

White Sox, Wet Socks

Lets get one thing straight, I'm a METS Fan. There is no meaning behind my attendance at last night's White Sox game.

Now that we got that out of the way, lets talk baseball. The game was great last night. There was a lot of rain, good plays, and even a couple of home runs accompanied with fire works!

The game started out wet and slow - it rained and we sipped our beers instead of chugging them. By the third inning I was on my way for curly fries, beer # 3 and half a hot dog to follow the first.
[SIDE BAR: I gotta give it up to Chicago, those baseball hot dogs were really really good, especially with the grilled onions.]
The game started picking up and the crowd got excited, so excited that the Wave did three consistent loops around the stadium.

Finally after three innings of rain, the Sox won. I love going to the baseball stadium, you sing songs, do a little batter up dance and talk trash about the other team. By the 9Th inning our group had dwindled to five people trying to chug beers so we could beat the crowd.

That's my recap of the game. I have no idea who the players are on the Sox team so I can't go into detail on all that. For a full recap go to ESPN.com


QQ

ONE <3 ONE <3