Free blueberries.

On a work related tip...One of my many tasks at the 'ol job, is to put together a video commemorating our 125 years as a company. I've been working with this man, that I like to call the video dude, to produce this piece. We've been interviewing and collecting all the bits and pieces we need, and today we went out "on assignment" with a co-worker. All I could think about was how boring this was going to be and I hope I don't get dirty!

It turned out to be one of the most interesting things! There is a park called Blueberry Park off of 72nd Street. It used to be 20 acres of scotchbroom, blackberry bushes and 'working girls'. After many years of transforming these acres, it's full of blueberry bushes and trails. It's still a work in progress, but I was digging it! And if you know me at all, you know I don't "dig" the outdoors all that much! The woman who has lead this revitalization is 80 years old, and made me laugh! Not only is she ultra-committed to the park project, but she told me of her other 2 projects in the works...to legalize prostitution and marijuana! I died! I hope I'm that funky when I'm 80.

No, I didn't find my inner love for volunteering or ways to "give back to the community". Here's the most interesting bit of information I took from this great volunteer project...I can come in August and pick all of the blueberries I want FOR FREE! Love free. Love blueberries. You'll find the Pupu and I there on an early August morning this summer with our buckets!

(Here's the link to the actual story.)

Some things I'm working on.

Here are a couple of projects that fund my fun! Freelancing is a great outlet for me. It let's me 'do my thang' without the restrictions of the corporate world. Not that I have many!

First up is the logo for the new and upcoming Gig Harbor Film Festival. I designed their logo, business collateral, and the invite and program for their first fundraiser. The fundraiser took place last weekend at Canterwood Golf and Country Club. Everytime I went to Canterwood for a meeting I expected to see more glitz! But all I saw was a bunch of folks, who I'm guessing are loaded...and not very diverse! Who woulda guessed that, at a country club? Ha! It's been a fun project to work on.

Second is the invite for Habitat for Humanity's "Changing Lives" breakfast. This event is their annual congrats breakfast to the people receiving the homes. I can't see myself volunteering to build a house, but somehow I've convinced myself that I'm helping out by "giving good design"!

Lastly is the poster for the annual RAGS wearable art gala. I LOVE THIS EVENT! It bursts with creativity! It's a juried art show that has everything from jewelry, scarves, bags, clothing etc. And it is NICE stuff. The things that people can do amaze me. I get inspired everytime I attend. This is my 4th year designing and art directing their event collateral - creating the "look", save the date postcard, invite, poster and advertisement. If you get a chance to go to this event, DO! It is open to the public Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 7 to 9.

Platanos and Collard Greens

I need to see this play! The tagline is, "A hit play that asks can love between Blacks and Latinos survive?" I love that! Not only does the obvious connection to my pupu stand out, but with my crew! They are truly the first "collard greens" in my life. Here's a synopsis on the play:

"Platanos is a thought-provoking romantic comedy that tactfully addresses stereotypes, prejudices and urban myths that exist between African Americans and Latinos, within the context of Hip-Hop, humor, and satire. The play impels the audience to evaluate pervasive stereotypes. Platanos humorously displays these common, yet outrageous, viewpoints while deftly shooting them down and poetically exposing them as misrepresentations of reality. The audience while laughing out loud, is likely to question conventional attitudes held about themselves and others."

Ok, I'm seeing this when I finally go to NYC!

¡Estoy llorando!

I am crying! A co-worker just got back from vacation today. She was in Puerto Vallarta, and seeing her instantly reminded me that:
I haven't been super tan for a grip!
I need a vacation.
I want to be tan.
I miss sleeping under the palapa on the beach and the beds by the pool.
I want to eat at Felipe's!

It is just making me bitter, and a little crazy. Plus, I can't stand hearing "tourist" talking (ok, I really want to say gringitos!) about Mexico. I have been to Puerto Vallarta SO many times, and it really never gets old. Almost all of my closest friends have gone at some point, and that makes the memories of PV even better. Here's the long and distinguished list of travelers: Carol - the veteran of the trips, Cruz, Lynaia, Julie, Berit, Paulette, Nate, Rai, Scott, Amy and the Pupu. I've also been with my family one time. Ahhh...I'm dreaming of the pool, some ceviche, snorkeling, lobster at Felipe's, a drink at the River Cafe, nighttime on the malecón, the breakfast buffet, and working my second job...TANNING! It's horrible, I know it. But I'm addicted to laying and sleeping in the sun down there.

Photo montage (left to right): Downtown Puerto Vallarta, Amy lovin' some lobster platter at Felipe's, the Pupu and I at Felipe's (muy romantico!), La Familia at Las Palomas (yummm!), some of the crew soaking up the sun, tropical Pupu in the palms.

I'm not as cool as the Mexi's across the street.

So there is a Mexican family across the street from me. They are always playing cool Ranchero music, washing their cars, keeping up their lawn, sweeping away non-existent dirt and just having fun! Don't get me wrong, my lawn is great (thanks to the pupu!) but I just feel like they are the "cooler" Mexicans. You will probably never see me outside washing my car or sweeping. And right now, sunny but cold, the whole clan is outside, washing 3 cars, shining up the tires and even washing the chicos bikes! I think they even put tire shine on the bike wheels. I can't wait until it is full-on summer and they bring the fiesta outside all-day, every-day! Maybe my Spanish will get better from talking to them and more cultura will rub off on me!

Te quiero.

Happy Valentine's day to all. You knew I had to put up a pic of my pupu!

¡Feliz Cumpleaños Mami!

Today is Mom's birthday, so of course she gets a shout out! Mi hermana and I took her out last Saturday to shop and to lunch. I swear it was like an episode of "What not to wear"! We loaded her down with tons of clothes and critiqued every piece. Even though my sister wasn't feeling that well, her fashionista self prevailed! She was Stacey London all the way. Ohhh, I hope that doesn't make me Clinton Kelly. So not cool. Anyways...after our day out and about, we headed back to my sister's house for family dinner a la Olive Garden. I think it was a good birthday, and at least we were able get her to buy some better undergarments!

Photos: Mami and my 3 amazing Sobrinos. Below that is Mi Hermana and Mami.

¡No me digas!

Jessica 'Don't call me Latina' Alba is trippin'. Why is she on the cover of one of my favorite magazines this month! I'm heated over that! She is out there promoting her upcoming movie, and somehow got herself on the cover of Latina. Isn't she just pulling out her cultura and "Latina-ness" when it's convenient and beneficial to her? No love for her.

Hate on me.

Nobody is hatin' on me. At least I don't think they are. No matter, I still love this song! She worked this joint OUT last night!

The Real Thing.

I'm too old to go out and par-tay on a "school night"! It's horrible. When did I get this old? The Crew and I used to be able to hang with the best of them any night of the week and STILL make it to work the next day. Every night of the week was the weekend!

Not anymore. Last night the crew (minus a few) couldn't resist going to the Jill Scott concert at the Paramount in Seattle...on a Tuesday night. Who's "the crew" you ask? That would be homies. My roll dawgs. My people. A crazy mix of characters that I have known for years...or what seems like years! When we are all together, it is a combination of fun and chaos! There have been a couple of new additions to the crew in the last couple of years, and honestly, I feel sorry for them sometimes! We have too many crazy stories and history that they just have to sit there and listen to the rambling. The picture above is from last night - obviously early, cause they all still look awake. From left to right: Ron (my pupu!), Rai, Boogs, Paulette and Nate (what's he looking at?). I could go on and on about each one of them, but I'll hold off. I'm too tired still!

Jill was fabulous. I love her so. I think she's loosened up a little over the years, cause girlfriend was getting her drink on and pretending she was doing something that rhymes with horatio on stage! Nasty thang! She sang all of my favorites and created new favs for me. What a creative force she is. I'm inspired and still in awe...even in my sleep-deprived state.

How can I not shout this out?

I heard this song in my car during the "old school" lunch hour. Kid Frost La Raza. Nice way to spice up my day! I also posted a little something I do for a living and on the side...graphic design. I haven't used this logo on anything yet, but am dying to.

New York in da house!

I was born and raised right here in Washington, but my man was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. And he never let's me forget it! One of his favorite combinations happened last night...New York and football. I think the Superbowl is just another football game. I guess I was wrong. The man was hilarious. You would never imagine this calm, cool, BK brotha jumping around and getting so hyped. His team won. He knew they would. He kept running into the other room to tell me the score, and when they made a good play. I tried to watch the whole thing, but lost my motivation after the awful Tom Petty half-time performance. Hopefully this win will hold him over until football season starts again in the fall!

A Latina in Tacoma?

Tacoma? Yes. I know it's hard to believe, but it's true. I'm here. My life used to be so much more interesting, and I should have been blogging then! Not sure if the posts would have been suitable for all, but...they were GREAT stories! Maybe I'll throw one or two "rememories" out, here and there, in other posts. I have so many crazy words, like "rememories" that my family and friends say, that I think they really exist! I love these pics above. Gangsta Abuelitos and Tio in San Francisco on the left. My gorgeous Nani (in the polka dots) and my chiquita linda Mom in the photo on the right!