Bring a Masseuse to Work Day

Apparently my boss thought we have been working so hard here that we got to have a masseuse come in today - she was amazing! I nearly fell asleep on the chair. It was sooo hard to work afterwards. I work in such a small office, and we had to hire her for 3 hours minimum, so we each got at least a 3o minute massage. Seriously, nothing better. If only it could happen everyday...aaahhh!

The Cagle Family

One of my favorite things about NY is seeing all of the people and how we are all so different. I also love that people are willing to share their talents (or lack of) with the world! In all the different subways you will see people performing or just begging for money. Some are actually really talented and some not so much. Some can make music out of a plastic tub, some bring their expensive instruments and equipment to the darkest depths of the subway. Some have mastered the art of selling themselves and some just humbly play the music or dance because they enjoy it so much. I once saw a midget-size Michael Jackson who could do the moonwalk like nobody's business.
My personal favorite are the parents who pimp out their kids.
Case in point: The Cagle Family (thecaglefamily.com)
I was reading TONY (Time Out New York for you non-new yorkers) and came across this article about "my family" and thought I should share.
This family has 10 kids (I wonder if they are mormon...haha) the mom is real tall and the dad is real short. The kids are actually pretty cute. The littlest one is the cutest and the poor son looks so miserable on the drums, but he keeps a steady beat. The older kids no longer sing with the family, but I guess at some point they did. It's just classic. The best part about it is that I see them EVERYWHERE! I had a running joke with my friend Regine who would text me with cagle spottings at various locations throughout the city. Maybe it's just coincidenct that I run into them so frequently...or is it?

More Pics from the Show

http://photofx.fotki.com/fashion_runways/aas_debut/
I know everybody is probably sick of seeing the same pictures, but oh well!

Memorial Weekend

Happy Memorial Day yesterday! We had the most glorious weather in NY over the weekend. On Saturday, Sara and I went to the Woodbury Commons Outlets in Central Valley New York.(http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=7) They were fantastic! It was great being out in the sun enjoying the shops with your friend. Nothing better. We got some great deals and found the most perfect wedge by Kenneth Cole. I got a pair in light tan, Sara in brown. Can't find the picture on line, so I will have to take one with my camera phone and post later.

Then on Saturday night, my phone broke. It was the craziest thing. Everything was working except I couldn't hear when people called nor could they hear me. So annoying. So I could only text message people. It was the worst! Then on Monday, I dropped it, it turned off and then when I turned it back on it was working again! Hooray - back in business, although I lost out on some good talking time over the weekend. I knew that I relied on my phone a lot, but I felt completely lost without it. I felt immobilized...especially since I don't have a home phone...
Ok, enough about it. I am just grateful to have it back.

Yesterday, I went shopping in Soho with my classmates and again, just enjoyed being in the sun. I am really happy to be in New York.

My Construction 2 Class

One of my classmates sent some pictures from the last day of class - here are 2 that I liked. The first one is my teacher, Sofia, with Seung. The bottom one is all of us together. Aren't we cute?? Hopefully I will be posting us with all of our work at some point.

Pictures from Loide's Graduation

Loide, her sister Melinda and her mother

The Graduate!


Singing at her own party!

Arriving to the party from the ceremony!

Me, Johann, Kenroy, and Jennifer

At American - after the looonnng ceremony!

Congratulations again Loide! I am so proud to know you!!!

Some Pictures

Here are some pictures from my weekend in VA. I love the picture of Devon and Nate on the couch - so precious!


The picture of Kijuana, Cameron and the kids shopping at BJ's is so funny to me because everytime I come to visit we go there and yet Kijuana still claims that they don't go very often...right!

The bottom pics are when me and Cameron have to say goodbye.

Lunch with Pepper

Me and Pepper had our own lunch group today. We got salads and went to the Library steps to eat. It was a nice humid day and it looked like it was about to rain, but we had fun regardless. It is so great reconnecting with old friends!

The Simple Pleasures

Last night, I went with my friend Sara (sometimes known as S-Thang) to get a manicure/pedicure after work. We have our usual spot that is good and only $19.99 for both. We got to watch 2 girls wig out because their pedicures weren't perfect. I mean, come on, you get what you pay for! Needless to say we were entertained. We also planned our upcoming excursion to the outlets.
After I left her house, I met up with an old friend from DC. We used to work with the youth together at church. She was in town on business and was staying at the W. (http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/search/hotel_detail.html?propertyID=97502)
It was fantastic seeing Kimberly! Got to catch up on life, we don't talk enough, and just hang out with her all night. I even stayed over at her hotel and got to use all of the dreamy bliss products (http://www.blissworld.com/) that they provide.
To top it off, I got to walk from her hotel to work in about 5 minutes. Great!
Then, I went to Chipotle for lunch today which for some reason is such a comfort food for me. If I could just have a nap, it would be a nearly perfect day!
I hope that everyone is having a great day.

Eyebrow Threading

Last night after work, I went to the eyebrow threading salon with one of my friends. I had been hearing about it for years, but had never done it, but it is amazing! They pluck your hair with thread, literally. Ok, so it does hurt (my eyes were totally watering) but mostly it just feels really weird, I can't even describe it. Plus, it's so cheap - only $6! Anyway, my eyebrows look better than ever, so I took a picture with my camera phone. It's supposed to last longer than waxing, so we'll see.
[I look totally scary in this picture - oh well.]

My Day with Tracy Reese

April 28, 2006, NY Central Park

I signed up for a mentoring walk that was put on by the Oxygen network. It was basically a day for women in all different industries to mentor the next generation.
Ok, let me back up. I received an email from Parsons informing me of this mentoring event, so I went to the website, signed up and waited. (http://www.oxygen.com/Specials/MentorsWalk/) Not really knowing what I had gotten myself into, I wasn’t really concerned about it one way or the other. A few weeks later I received an email saying that I have been accepted but that I would have to get there at 6:30am on Friday the 28th of April. They also did not tell me who my “mentor” would be. Me not being a morning person, did NOT like the idea of waking up at the crack of dawn and not even knowing who I would be meeting with, but I was intrigued. That week at school, I found out that a few others from Parsons would be there as well. Namely my good friend Regine who just found out that she had been chosen also. We joked about how cool it would be if Tracy Reese was there…

So, the morning comes, and I am a few minutes late (saved by a cab) and I go and check in. We are given a group number and a folder that has the name/bio of our mentor. I casually open my folder to reveal none other than the one and only TRACY REESE!!!!! I couldn’t believe my luck. Is this a joke? Nope, I truly get to spend a day with my girl Tracy. So, the other participants and I stood around excitedly as we watched the cars pull in to the event.

(Me w/ other mentees)
It was like having front row access to the red carpet.
(A picture of all the mentors)
There were so many top people from all industries: Diane von Furstenberg, Geraldine Laybourne (Oxygen network), Atoosa Rubenstein (Seventeen mag), Marcia Gay-Harden (actress), Yeohlee Teng (designer), Kathryn Erbe (Law & Order, Criminal Intent) and Tracy. This is not to even mention, top CEO’s, bankers, etc.
Anyway, there were 6 people in our group and not only did we get Tracy, but Yeohlee too! So, we met them and got to walk through Central Park and ask any questions that we wanted to these amazing mentors. For those of you who don’t know anything about Tracy – please see: (http://tracyreese.com/) and Yeohlee please see: (http://www.yeohlee.com/)

After we walked for about 45 minutes, we got to go the Boathouse Restaurant in the Park and have a fabulous catered lunch. Diane, Geraldine, and Marcia spoke to us and we got to socialize with our two mentors. (I even gave Tracy my bacon...haha)

I was on a high for a long time. These were two amazing women who have done so much in the fashion industry and are willing to give back to those first starting. It was truly the opportunity of a lifetime that I will never forget.

Me with Tracy


Me with Yeohlee

The Weekend

So this weekend, I had a chance to go to DC to see my sister, her husband, my niece and nephew and my brother. I also got to see my friend Loide graduate from American University Law School. So great! I rode the Chinatown bus and got home last night at around 2am. Needless to say I am quite tired, but it was definitely worth it.

Highlights of the trip:

• Playing with Devon. She is so funny lately and has the most contagious little laugh. I should have done a video clip, because she is hilarious and is always cracking herself up! (When I was leaving she started to cry, not a highlight, but I am happy that I am still her favorite even though I don't get to see her very much.)
• Being able to celebrate Devon's potty training. (Don't worry about the fact that she went #2 during dinner and her little potty is in the kitchen and yet we had to act excited that she went...)
• Seeing how big Nate is getting. He is 5 months old and is just a stocky little dude. He threw up all down Kijuana's back, so that was pretty funny.
• Seeing Serena and Bella. I didn't know that they were coming over and it was such a fun surprise to get to spend time with them at the park.
• Spending some time with my brother, Cameron whom I haven't seen since Christmas.
• Getting to hang with my sister
• Listening to Loide sing at her graduation party. Everytime she sings I get the chills - she is amazing! (http://www.myspace.com/loidej) Talk about a girl with many talents!

I will post pictures once I get them.

More Fashion Show Pictures

Please see:
http://parsons.decibeldesign.com

My dress is: DSCF3225-DSCF3229

Enjoy!

I'm Famous...ok not really

Here is an email I got from my old co-worker friend Arek

"So there I was just sitting, eating some sausages, resting my old body, after a day of semi hard work, when a commercial for the annual servathon appeared on my tv set. Well, long story short, I almost choked on one of the sausages when I suddenly spotted Kamilah working a paintbrush gracefully up and down the wall smiling back at the camera with that million Turkish lira smile. This needs to stop!!"

This struck me as funny for several reasons - one, who just sits there and
eats sausages, two, i did the servathon like a million years ago (http://pub.dc-cares.org/servathon/) when I was still living in DC, and three he's not the only one who's told me that they had seen me advertise for that. Where are my royalties?? :)

More funny things about Arek. Him and I use to carpool to work sometimes when I worked at the non-profit because we lived just down the street from one another. Also, he is Polish and has claimed in the past that if there was a Kielbasa University, that he would qualify for an honorary Doctorate degree. (hence the love for sausage.)

Mullet Spotting

Sometimes I wish that my eyes could be mini cameras. This morning, I saw a woman with a mullet! It was great. I mean, seriously how often do you get to see a NY mullet? I wish you could have seen what I saw.

Celebrity Sightings

Since being in New York, I haven't seen very many celebrities unfortunately. But, here's who I have seen while out and about -

Tim Gunn (from Parsons/Project runway)

The Queer Eye Guys aka the Fab Five



T.I.

Jason Lee

Dean from the Gilmore Girls

Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon

Grey's Anatomy

Who watched the Season Finale of Grey's Anatomy on Monday? A friend of mine has Tivo and was so kind to record it for me since I had class on Monday and I got to watch it last night, finally. The best! I am dying that Meredith hooked up with McDreamy again and what was Christina's problem with Dr. Burke??? And can you believe Denny???? Wow. For those of you who haven't watched, please rent the DVD's when they come out. It's a great show.

Line Debut Fashion Show

One of the classes at Parsons put on a fashion show for the graduating AAS Fashion Design students. We had to submit a garment, it had to be approved or not approved and then it was entered into the show. It was fun to participate, but the show itself was such a disaster. They didn't allow the designers to attend the fittings or be backstage, so some people's clothes weren't even on right. Not to mention, that on the day of the show, they were herding people around like cattle, there were a bunch of people from school that didn't even get in (including Carolina Herrera) and I didn't even have a seat. Hello - the show wouldn't have gone on were it not for the designers!! People were pretty unhappy, but it's all a learning process. Anyway, here is my dress. I have some of the pictures loaded on snapfish, taken by my friend Regine. I still haven't uploaded mine yet. Email me if you want the entire show sent to you.

Also check out: http://s75.photobucket.com/albums/i283/linedebut/Or simply www.photobucket.com
Login: linedebut
password: linedebut

Lost marbles?

Yesterday was my last day of class for the semester - yay! I can't believe it's over. It's been a great semester, but I was getting a little burned out towards the end. Anyway, I had been feeling a little bit like I was going crazy (losing my marbles) and then as I was running to the garment district after work to pick up a zipper and as I was walking up the stairs out of the subway at 42nd street there were all of these marbles everywhere. I found my marbles! It just seemed fitting. Just thought I would share.

But, for those of you who didn't hear my zipper fiasco - here it is. On Saturday night at about 8pm, I had just finished putting the finishing touches on my final project and I was trimming the zipper so that you couldn't see the closure. Anyway, i accidentally pulled the pull off the zipper! Of course all of the trim shops were closed on Saturday night and surprisingly on Sunday as well. So, I had to race there after work on Monday, grab the zipper, run to class and put it in before she graded our work. What a nightmare - but it all worked out and I got an A on my final! (Pictures to come)

David Blaine, why?

I don’t know how many of you saw David’s latest stunt, but I am just so intrigued as to why someone would do this? He lived underwater for like a week and then tried to hold his breath for like 9 minutes to top the world record. WHY? Granted, he got a ton of publicity and probably made a ton of money, but can you imagine how wrinkly his skin was after a week under water? So, I went to see him (happened to be in the area) and was kind of embarrassed that I saw him, but I was also embarrassed that so many people were actually standing in line to see him. The line was sooo long. I obviously didn’t wait but was able to still get a picture. I mean, how awkward - what do you say when you go to the bubble? Hey. How’s it going, David? Anyway, so here is my picture from my one and only David Blaine sighting.
http://abc.go.com/specials/davidblaine.html (Here is some additional info in case you have no idea what i am talking about.)

My Apartment

So, I finally was able to somehow upload pictures that I took with my palm so that I could show some pictures of my room. Here it is. It's quite small so I had to get a loft bed. (Or a bunk bed as my friend Leah calls it.) But I knew that my mom and sister have been wanting to see my pad, so here it is. All 12 square feet of it! NY living at it's finest. Now that I am looking at this, I probably should have cleaned my room before I took these pictures, but oh well.
But, I have all I need, my sewing/work station, a bed, and a closet.

My first post!

Well, this is my first post on my first blog, so it should be really good. But, being that it is Mother's day today, I thought my first post should be about mothers. What would I be without my mother? Well, for one obviously, I wouldn't be here. Secondly, if my mother wasn't so supportive I don't think I would be in NY today. She hasn't always agreed with everything that I do, but she has always supported me in my endeavors. She loves being with her kids more than any mom I know. I mean seriously what mom do you know would take the Chinatown bus from NY to DC and think it was fun? For those of you who know Becky, she has quite the sense of humor. Anyway, this first entry is a shout out to Becky and all mom's everywhere. For the mom's of my friends who helped to mother me, for my friends who are now moms and are mothering their own little ones and for those who's mothers aren't on this earth but are watching down on their children. Thank you! I love you!