Flick of the Day

Las Fallas

There was no way I was going to miss out on this. After at first being disheartened by the fact that there was no space available at any of the hostels (yes, hostels!) that all of my friends would be staying at, I thought I couldn't go. But then, in what was surely some sort of sign (ok not really, more just like a convenient coincedence), someone backed out of the trip and offered me their spot! I was going to Las Fallas, a yearly celebration held in Valencia, Spain.

So I'll be the first to admit that I didn't really know what the Fallas were about, but that was beside the point; I had to go. After getting my lodging and bus ticket all squared away, I turned to my school schedule as an after thought. Another sign: we had a project due on the day I was scheduled to leave. Great.

I don't know what I was expecting when I sent my professor an email, telling her the truth about why I wouldn't be in class the upcoming Thursday and pleading to either turn in the project early or take half credit to turn it in late. But no, she said it simply couldn't be done, and that it would be unfair to the other students who were attending class that day. Ha! Little did she know, 75% of the class was going to be on the same bus that I was, heading to the celebration! Shouldn't my honesty have counted for something? I guess not, since honesty is supposedly its own reward (or some zen saying like that).

Needless to say, I packed up my bag and went, practicing what I had learned from numerous yoga classes: clearing my mind of all my problems. We arrived at the end of the week-long celebration, walking around and taking pictures and reveling in the magnificence that were the Fallas. The picture above can only hint at the sheer magnitude of these constructions. Almost as tall as average four-story apartment buildings, they stood towering in the middle of streets and causing the flow of the entire city to yield to them. And the best part? At the end of the festival, the burn them! Yes, set them on fire! Personally, I think that's where the name was derived from, not the Latin root word for torch as history suggests. It's one of the best bonfires I have ever attended, with thousands of people swarming the streets to watch the fallas burn.

So, even though I missed out on some credit for one of my projects, I got to experience something that I may never have the opportunity to again. And I did it with people who are now my close friend, with whom I can share a cherished memory forever.

Corinne Bailey Rae's Closer

Flick of the Day

A Slice of Life

London-town. I had been left to my own devices to explore the metropolitan city, since I wasn't meeting up with my friend until the next day. I didn't want to see anything too touristy, since I was sure we'd hit all the major sights together. So I walked around aimlessly, just taking in the city's vibes. I had heard great things about their salsa dancing scene, but that wouldn't be for at least another 6 hours.

It was raining, but I wasn't complaining since that was part of the London charm; always dreary and lively at the same time. After only having arrived fresh off the train a couple hours ago, I could attest to the vibrancy of the place. People were hustling and bustling, and it was swamped with tourists like myself. But I wanted to avoid them, and snatch a peek into the everyday life of a Londoner.

That's when I found it. Somewhere in the midst of the tourist-saturated path was this skate park, if that's what you'd call it. The graffiti pulled me in first, then the teens on their skateboards and bikes are what kept my attention. It was like they didn't seem to notice or care about all the commotion around them, they were just here to do their thing. And most of them did it pretty well. I knew it wasn't a show or tourist trap, because there wasn't anywhere to leave a tip for the amazing show they were putting on. I just watched, snapped a few pictures, and shouted some compliments when I decided it was time to move on to my next destination.

As someone who is blessed to travel quite often, I am always looking for that window into the heart of the place I'm visiting, a slice of life that they're accustomed to living. I found it that day in London, and later on that night when I went salsa dancing somewhere off of Tottenham Rd.

Flick of the Day

5 hours. That's how long we had been riding. And I knew i shouldn't complain since all I had to do was sit there and be a passenger but honestly, I was getting more carsick by the minute. Or should I say vansick. We were in a white 12 passenger van, and there was an eclectic mix of characters: the three Italians who kept up a steady stream of chatter; a couple whose origin I was unsure about but they seemed nice enough; a French-Asian couple who were sweet and helped with translating english to French; the lone German traveler who was down for anything; the driver who took the curves on the mountain path as if we were in a Mercedes AMG; and lastly, my two friends and I who were on the same study abroad program and had decided to travel together to Morocco.

We had collectively decided to take a trip to the Sahara desert to ride camels and sleep under the stars. But the drive from Marrakech to our middle-of-nowhere destination was estimated to take 8 hours. Which meant we were little more than halfway through. I was getting crankier as the day went by, with our trek having started at 7am. It had started out freezing cold in the morning but had progressively warmed up, which was making my stomach even more queasy. I'd had every intention of sleeping the entire ride, but quickly discovered that was going to be impossible since we stopped every hour, and my seat was by the van's only sliding door exit.

Needless to say, I wasn't the least bit surprised when we coasted to a stop. I slowly cracked open one eye, selfishly thinking that if I just pretended to be asleep the other passengers could figure out a way to go around me. But Peri, my English friend from University, reached over and tapped my shoulder saying, "I think you'll want to see this."

She was right.

When I stepped outside of the van, I saw this beautiful city on a hill. Our driver/tour guide called it a kasbah. It was an amazing sight, and seemed to rise out of nowhere. We were allowed to go into the kasbah to explore town. In order to access it, we had to cross a shallow stream on sandbags that had been turned into makeshift stepping stones. It was like a scene from a movie, in every way.

The photo above is of the kasbah, somewhere along the route from Marrakech to the Sahara. Just typing those words, I realize how fortunate I was to have such an experience. That stop gave me a better attitude to make it the rest of the journey in the van, and even though I still wished we had had air-conditioning, I looked forward to more stops and adventures.

Story of my life...

"You're about to do hot yoga?" she asked.

"Bikram yoga," I thought to myself, but instead replied with a simple "yes."

"Oh man," she complained into the phone. "That's going to take forever, and I haven't talked to you in such a long time! Didn't you see my missed call earlier? I was calling to tell you that I couldn't talk to you right then but..." I started to space out on her conversation, which was clearly one-sided at the moment. I was standing in the middle of the yoga studio locker room, half undressed and trying to hurry in order get a good spot inside.

"Hey Amira, let me call you back as soon as class is over ok?" I had cut her off mid sentence, but that didn't deter her the least bit.

"Huh? Oh ok well, you know when you're supposed to be laying there all still, and clearing your mind and forgetting your problems? Don't do it, ignore what the teacher says, and think of everything you have to tell me instead."

I laughed, "Ok ok, now get off of my phone." It was what I always said to hurry her off the phone, but she knew it was out of love. Amira was one of my best friends, and she knew the meanings behind all of my seemingly hurtful phrases. That's one of the reasons we worked so well and had stayed friends for so long. She just got me.

Standing alone in the locker room, I realized I was late for class. Great. I hated walking in late, and I would definitely be blaming Amira for this later. I finished getting dressed, grabbed my mat and darted toward class.

Flick of the Day

Parisian Flowers

I don't assume that everyone has looked through all 1700+ of my photos on my Facebook page (or that you're even my friend), so I have decided to showcase a photo from my library daily, along with the story of the picture...it will justly be called the "Flick of the Day."

The photo featured today is from just outside of the beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France. I was so enraptured by the garden that sits alongside the iconic church, I had to take a picture. With the sun shining radiantly down on me, as if being in the garden was a blessing in itself, I felt...fulfilled. Of course, the feeling only lasted for the day and after I was on to seek new and even more amazing things, promising never to be satisfied on this journey of life, vowing never to stop yearning for the immaculate beauty I've been granted the senses to behold.

Diary of a Dreamer: January 2010

fragile

i want to tell you that i miss you
but the words wont leave my lips
because even if you were here,
i wouldn't want to touch you, kiss you, or even look you in the eye
too afraid that what we have might break,
shatter into a million pieces
which we'd never be able to put back together.


how did we become so fragile?


in this state of existence, that's not really living
treading on each other's hearts
trying not to leave behind any footprints
because it's easier to erase something with no evidence


too fragile.


even wrapped in the layers of fluff we cushion
our words and actions with everyday,
we are just. too.


fragile


and i can't promise to be careful
or gentle enough not to break this.

i'm trying to make moves

life is flowing smoothly, like water down a stream. I'm settled back into life in the Bay Area (California) and I'm loving every bit of it. doing well on the business end (meaning i have a job). i love to work, i don't like to sit still so it's perfect that i have something to occupy my time.


it's really interesting for me to be a non-student this semester. i mean, i need to stop thinking of things in semesters haha. i have to start using months or seasons, like an adult. i was making a signature for my email, and just writing that I am a graduate and have two degrees is still a bit of a shock. am i suppose to consider myself an adult now? because i still feel like a college kid, but without the going-to-school part haha.


but i'm trying to make moves in all the right directions, steps to better myself each day. i want to live in the City (local terminology for San Francisco) so i'm looking into that. even though i'm originally from the Bay, i moved away before i had the opportunity to really experience all the beauty and activities it has to offer. i think living there is the next step i want to take.


the picture above was actually taken in the City, one day when my friend Terell. i'm still working on my photog skills, but he took this picture so i have to give him his credit. i visit the City more often every week so why not make it my home?!

well, i do declare

the question on everyone's mind is: "what are you going to do with your life?" well i don't have the answer to that right now. i don't plan on going back to school (at least not right away). i am living life, experiencing all it has to offer me. that's the most definite my answer can be for the moment, and as things become more concrete i will share the news. so there. lets stop asking me that question, thanks.


on to some things that are more certain. of the following things i am sure:

• i will stop biting my nails officially starting today


• i am restarting my dedication to veganism


• i am training for a 5K race that will be around my birthday (Sept. 29)

yeah so i know i announced on twitter the other day that i was going to stop biting my nails then but i accidentally bit them without thinking about it haha. i'm back on track now though. i just have to actively think about not biting.


next up is the veganism. i am really trying to be dedicated to this. i've been vegan all day today, with the exception of the honey i used on my whole wheat whole grain toast. oh, and the whey protein in my shake this morning. that's it though. so i think i'm doing pretty good. we'll see how the rest of the day goes, night time is usually when i give into weakness



lastly, and something i'm very excited about is training for a 5K race that will take place on Sunday, September 26. i have done some research and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure seems like the perfect cause to start building toward a full marathon. we lost my great grandmother to breast cancer in 1997, so it is a cause that is close to my heart. i will be posting the link to the fundraiser page as soon as registration is all taken care of, so be on the lookout for that.


i am about to head to the gym right now to doing some race training. oh and in case you're wondering why i'm making such a big deal about a 5K (3.1 mile) race, it's because i am NOT a runner. i mean i usually only run when something is chasing me, and that's pushing it haha. so if i could complete a 3 mile race, i would be so proud of myself!

AMB

studio time

went to the studio with my sis Sarah and my dad last night. anyone who knows about studio time knows it's all about the late night sesh (abbreviation for session). we laid down a track for Sarah and i did some backgrounds for her. it felt so good to be back in there, i was comfortable in a way that i can't be anywhere else. it's not the same feeling as being on stage though.



i really love that particular studio, too. it's beautiful and relaxing, which all help me get into the zone. anyway it was good to get something out, make it tangible. i'm always amazed at how you can build up harmonies, hearing your own voice being stacked upon itself to create an entire atmosphere within the song. i've found that attempting to describe music with words to be very difficult; it can mean something different to each person.



last night's sesh has inspired me to write with more of a ferocity so that i can get back in the booth again. i had forgotten the joy i feel after knocking down a track, being able to listen to the rough cut on the way back home, really just riding to the jam. it wasn't even my song (i just did her backgrounds) but i loved it so much. it's a classic song so there's no way not to love it. i'm not sure when it'll be completely done but i'll keep you updated.

AMB

*oh i'm trying a new thing where i add more pictures to every post. since i have my camera and i'm pretending to be a photog i will have a lot more to choose from

happy birthday Booby!

is this unprecedented for me, 2 posts so close together?! well i just wanted to wish my little brother Booby a happy 15th birthday!!!


we went to dinner tonight, it was a great time being with friends and family. i recently acquired a Sony DSLR camera and i have been experimenting with it for the last 40 minutes. you'll see a few of my attempts in the near future, and hopefully anyone that has tips please send them my way.


well that's it for tonight. i need to get to bed so i can get back on my gym grind tomorrow. i had planned on cycling at 5am but now i'll move that back to 8:30am. goodnight!


AMB

summa summa summa time

heat. hot. sizzling.


all perfect words to describe this summer. and i'm not just talking about temperature! its been a while since my last blog (keeping with my usual trend) but not that much has happened, really. so lets pick up where we left off...


my mom, sis, and aunt came to visit me in Spain, we traveled around and hit up places like Rome and Fez, Morocco. then we came back on June 9th i think and had a bit of downtime. a week or so later the family went to Mississippi while i flew to Texas to get my car and made a road trip from TX to CA. what came next?...oh we went on a family vacation for the 4th of July to Orlando, FL and that was so much fun. we chilled with Mixed Martial Arts fighter James McSweeney and ran into long-time friend Deiondra Sanders at the Universal Studios Theme Park. let me just tell you that Harry Potter land was a.maz.ing. go check it out, seriously.


other than that you are pretty much caught up. i left out things like practicing a little piano and guitar, and working my voice back to its classically-trained days. oh, last night we celebrated my cousin Whitney's birthday in San Francisco and that was a bunch of fun. i'm actually supposed to be at her house right now for lunch but i'm a bit behind schedule haha.


now you're completely caught up, and i have to get out of here before someone calls looking for me. i would promise to keep my blog current, but i don't want to lie to you...

AMB

the girls are on their way!

so lets not even pretend to be shocked by the fact that i haven't posted since march. but now, i'm back and super excited! my mommy, along with my aunt and little sister, will be arriving in Spain in about a week. i have been working diligently on our travel plans for the time we're here, make-believing i'm a travel agent or something. anyone who follows my tweets will have seen me vent my frustrations about not being able to get our schedule together. BUT i finally got it right! we'll be hitting up the major parts of Spain, some Italian destinations, and a couple days in Morocco as well. even though i just spent some time in Marrakech (Morocco; where the photo above was taken), i loved it so much that i am more than willing to go back with my family. plus, we'll be going to a different city anyway.

in preparation for our trip, i decided to put together a little video to tease the palettes of mi familia. while i've been traveling around europe, i usually don't take my laptop but this time i will, so maybe i'll be able to post day by day on our little vacay. making the video got me excited, and hopefully it does the same for my mama, aunt and sis.

AMB


all the video clips i used were found on YouTube, and i don't claim any rights or ownerships.

i can't wait!

before we delve into what i'm so excited about, here is the most recent video i have recorded. i'm singing india.arie's "beautiful surprise.





but in other news, i have had to modify my plans for my spring break (which is more formally known as Semana Santa). as sad as it is that i won't be going to Greece anymore, i am happy to say that i will be attending the Corinne Bailey Rae performance, and i am SO excited about that! i cannot believe i am going to get to hear her amazingness. i just adore her, seriously. well i think that is all i have to tell you now haha



much love

noche sin sueños

because i have to give everything a name or title, or classify it in some way, i declare any entries that are made during late nights or nights when i haven't slept as "noche sin sueños." so anyway, this is basically a continuation from my Twitter account.


"@akeiba: can't sleep, but what's new. so instead, i'm reading about the randomest things: Choctaw indians (my ancestors), Veganism, hotels in Greece."



First up, here is some basic knowledge about the Choctaw Native Americans. We (and i say we very loosely, as i am only 1/16th Choctaw) descend from the Mississippian culture, and were considered one of the five "civilized" tribes due to our cooperation and adoption of many European traditions. Choctaws were exiled and was one of the first peoples to walk the Trail of Tears. They have been recognized for their extraordinary humanitarian efforts for the Irish during the Great Irish Famine. So there is a bit of a history lesson for us haha. Yes, this is what i do with my extra time, and why i hope to one day go on Jeopardy to test my random knowledge.



Secondly, i have learned more about Veganism and why it is beneficial in so many ways. Yeah, i'm not doing so hot with the whole don't-eat-products-of-animals thing, but back to the benefits... mostly for our health as individuals, but also collectively we could reduce carbon dioxide side emissions immensely, thus slowing down the effects of global warming! look at this quote:


"According to a 2006 study done by researchers at the University of Chicago, most Americans can reduce more greenhouse gas emissions by becoming a vegan than they can by switching to a hybrid electric car"


Now i feel like i can still do my part to reduce my personal emissions in some way because honestly, i don't see myself buying a hybrid car anytime soon. Needless to say, i was quite excited to find out this little tidbit of info.



And lastly, Greece. I'm not leaving Europe without visiting, so i am planning a trip. I must Must MUST go to Athens and Santorini. i've just been looking at pictures so there's nothing really to post. but i will update you as soon as i know some info.


Peace•Love•Blessings AMB

the time has come

sitting here, awake, at approximately 4:40am, i have decided to become VEGAN. as of this very moment, i am not completely educated in the ways of veganism, and it is therefore safe to say that i am choosing this lifestyle right now for numerous vain reasons, though health is a another huge factor. the site above is a really great place to get more info on the lifestyle if you're interested. i'm finding that i have already been heading toward this path without even making the conscious decision. i've always wanted to be vegan but i just can't imagine a life without chocolate or cheese or other various dairy products. but after doing some reading about a pure vegetarian lifestyle, i've decided to consciously start working towards eliminating animal products and their bi-products from my life. the way i see it, i harm the environment enough in other ways, so this is my way of balancing it out. i am blaming my diet for my insomniac-tendencies, and for the fact that i'm always tired even when i manage to get some rest. plus, i really don't think my body likes animal products, i know for a fact that milk doesn't agree with me (and that goes for its offspring, such as yogurt, ice cream, etc.). blah blah blah. as i take my vegan journey, i'll let you know how it goes.


in other news, i went to Barcelona this weekend and it was great! i absolutely adore that city and i MUST visit again before i leave. i went with my friends Kit-Kat, Little J, and Ty-Ty. And i made a new friend Big Al who was so nice for showing us around and taking us to the best of the best in the city. anyway, we had too much fun. but right now i'm trying to watch Almost Famous so i'll throw together a photo slideshow a little later. much love


AMB

Vegetarian Chili Recipe

I just realized that i have only posted one recipe, and that was for the fajitas (i'm glad y'all liked them)! but one of my other favorite dishes to make is this meatless chili, it's SO good! i found this recipe online and I want to make sure I give credit to its author so i'm just going to give you the link. Click here for the recipe. now as usual, i alter the recipe to my liking. i personally don't like the taste of jalepeños so i just don't put them in. And i add the corn way before it says to in the directions. oh and i only use 2 cans of tomatoes. so basically, i just do my own thing and follow this as a guide haha. especially out here in spain, because i haven't been able to find all of the ingredients in the grocery store. so try it out, let me know if you like it (or let me know if you don't). i'll think of what other things i like to cook and post more at some point.

peace love blessings
AMB

i know what you're thinking

you're probably saying to yourself, "this girl NEVER updates her blog." well you're right, if that's what you're thinking. so i decided to come on here and make a post. to give you the abbreviated version of my life up to this point, i have been here in spain, having a great time, better learning the language and experiencing a new culture. i like the school i attend, and i'm learning some things i never had the chance to while at UT (it's not that we didn't have them i just didn't have time to take the classes). i've met so many wonderful people here, and i am making friends for life! One of my good friends here is my girl Sharmaine, she and i go salsa dancing all the time together and if you know me at all, then you know that dancing is a MUST in my life haha.
so now you're pretty much up to speed, and i will try to keep you current as time goes on. Oh, another reason i am posting is to put up this little video i finally finished. it is from my pre-departure from home, on my way to spain. it's also on my YouTube page.



Anyway, I am currently getting ready for this event that Sharmaine and i are semi-hosting. so, out here in Pamplona, we're not exactly up-to-speed with all the latest and greatest hits of the United States. We have decided to solve that by using the playlists from multiple iPods (thank goodness for iTunes!) and have a dance party event at the local club/bar. hopefully it's a success so we can have it multiple times, and i can't wait to hear all this music on a real sound system with some bass. ta ta for now, darlings.

AMB

finally...

this is the first update of my blog since arriving in Spain. yes, i know, it has been a while. and yes, i know, i should have done it earlier. but i am sure you can forgive my absent-mindedness (is that a word?) and the chaotic schedule i have been pursuing. NOW, let me fill you in...




So, yeah i started this blog like 3 minutes ago but i really need to finish watching this movie soo i will write this when i'm not falling asleep ;-)

much love