Modern Migrations

For the final assignment of my Integrative Studio: Migrate course, my peers and I were assigned to create a piece out of whatever medium we desired - muslin, letters, plaster, apricots, etc. - so long as it tied into the theme of migration.

There were two options I was yearning to do. I sat there for a good two hours before finally talking to my professor and deciding that the piece inspired by my mother's immigration story would ultimately draw out the best source of imagery I wanted for the project.

The idea was to construct a runway set and have a Barbie doll dressed in a 1/6 scale wedding dress similar to the one my mom wore on her wedding day. The runway would connect to the work that she currently is involved in today while also being a symbol of her journey from her home back in China to the point of where she is today in America.

I constructed a door frame that resembled the doorway of her home back in Hainan. To really reinforce the concept of the piece being a tribute to my mom's journey, I attached images ranging from her being a child to the days of her running her own bridal shop. This would give it that extra special personal touch and also visually illustrate my mom's progression (on top of having her embodied in the Barbie doll in the wedding gown). The final cherry on top of this "sundae" is adding in red banners with phrases of good luck on/near the doorway.

While the piece is strong enough to visually communicate the story behind it, there is still an accompanying text:

"My name is Huan. Huan E Song…but you may call me Wendy. According to the Western calendar, I was born on August 15^th, 1959 on the island of Hainan (fun fact: in the same year, the iconic Barbie doll was introduced to the world). Life on the farm wasn’t easy. There was my grandma, my father, my mother, my older sister, and I. We were considered well off on the island, but that didn’t really mean much when it was difficult getting by. Since we had such a dearth of food , my father went to Vietnam when I was three to find work and did his best to provide from afar. Meals back home consisted mostly of potatoes; anything else, especially fish, would be considered a rare treat.

I suppose the distance apart put a strain on the marital relationship. My parents divorced when I was eight years old; at the same time, I found out I had a new mother, three younger brothers, and a younger sister in Vietnam. With my father still in Vietnam, it was up to my grandma to raise my older sister and me. My grandma meant the world to me. While she insisted that sister stay home and work on the farm, she gave me the opportunity to attend high school. Like my sister, most kids stopped going to school after middle school and worked the farms. I cannot stress enough how fortunate I was to be able to graduate from high school.

In 1963, the Vietnam War started. It was no longer safe to stay in Vietnam and my father uprooted the family in Vietnam and relocated them to the United States. He was always looking for better opportunities for the family. They settled in a two-story house in the city of Los Angeles. In the year of 1984, my father registered for me to immigrate to the United States. I was 25 then. I knew no word of English. I didn’t even know a word of Chinese. The only form of communication I excelled at was my native dialect of Hainanese.

Just like my father, I decided to take advantage of my opportunities here in America. Back home, I had to work to help uphold the family. There was no time to pursue my interests. In the United States, I got a rudimentary job sewing in a factory to help out the family but I also got to enroll in adult school night classes. Imagine my excitement when I received my first ever paycheck of thirteen dollars! The excitement is pretty much comparable to the excitement high school seniors feel today when they find out they’ve been accepted by their dream college.

I found out that I really excelled at sewing.  I was learning quickly and, practically in the blink of an eye, I found myself working at Venus Bridal as a pattern maker. It wasn’t long before I enrolled at Trade Tech to further the knowledge and skills I had accumulated in fashion. By 1990, I had opened up my own bridal shop on Temple City’s buzzing “Bridal Boulevard,” had collected enough funds to buy my own house, and had developed enough skill to be receiving freelance alteration and pattern-making jobs from local bridal companies – I even worked for David’s Bridal at one point.

None of this could have ever happened to me had I stayed back in Hainan. America had opened doors for me. While there were days when I faced fatigue and stress, I always tell myself that life here was is a big improvement. My siblings are less than an hour drive away (driving, by the way, is one of the things I wish I didn’t have to deal with…it’s that part of Hainan that I miss) and the weather in California is very much reminiscent of home. I think it’s safe to say that my home is now in America."

Studio Starter: Equisite Corpse

Studio Starter: Diptych

In today's studio starter, we were given twenty minutes to create a diptych about anything that we wanted. I had some pretty good ideas at the start such as the water bottle island out in the Pacific, my go-to of consumerism's impact on the world, and the effect of monocultures...but then the idea I ran with hit me at the very last minute.

What are your thoughts when you see this? 

I got so many great responses from my Studio classmates. Someone even actually hit the nail on the head on the message I had behind the diptych, but everyone else who responded had equally amazing interpretations.

"Asian Elements in Everyday Life" Walk

The walk, titled “Asian Elements in Everyday Life,” relates to the location chosen through its interaction with four major landmarks along the walk’s path. While the concept of the walk is applicable to almost any other area in New York City, this specific concept was influenced by the venues along the streets connected to 5th Ave. “Asian Elements in Everyday Life” interfaces with the venues through a tour-guide like structure. Participants are introduced to common Asian elements by “dining” on dim sum at CafeTasia on 8th Street, learning about drinking traditions (and sipping tea) in front Warehouse Wine & Spirits on Broadway, participating in basic tai chi stretches in Washington Square Park, and learning about religion and certain Asian legends outside a church on 5th Avenue. The majority of the walk is done through the guides sharing brief blurbs of the culture and traditions found in Asian nations. Some participation will be required in that walkers get the opportunity to dine on rangoons, have some tea, and also do some tai-chi - they will leave with a fuller stomach, a more awakened state, and an opportunity to quench possible thirst.. They will also be transformed with a greater knowledge of the everyday Asian elements that can be easily experienced even in a setting such as NYC.

Classmates enjoying that yummy rangoon "dim sum" - of course, they had to eat them using chopsticks or none for them!

       Although the walk does not specifically address any issues, it can be interpreted as means of gaining a better understanding of Asian culture in daily life. Western society has often looked upon Asians as just one mass consensus and this walk will allow participants the opportunity to distinguish some of the varying elements among the Chinese, Korean, Indonesian, and other Asian cultures. The art in the walk focuses more on the interpretation of Asian culture than the actual art. For example, the process to crafting a crab rangoon is art in a culinary sense. Like an artist selecting his medium and colors, a chef must choose his ingredients and culinary tools. Both are looking to emulate something in their work. Likewise, the art in tai chi is in its patience and movement; the poses and stretches bring a grace and fluidity that is almost performative.

Tai chi stretches to help reinvigorate our tired selves. 

Initially, the group had trouble coming up with a solid concept since we all had such a wide array of interests. When our first plan of trying to integrate all the interests together did not work out, we knew we had to go in another direction. Luckily, our new concept has a common ground that makes the task all the more easier to accomplish.The walk is also adaptable for group members who may not feel as comfortable working in the spotlight. A group member can be a part of the team or work from the sidelines when groupmates are introducing an activity or explaining an element of Asian culture in daily life. For example, while one or two of us are talking about the traditions behind drinking, a group member can be prepping the tea and passing it out to the walk participants. While this group member won’t be in the direct spotlight, he or she will still be greatly integral just through handling the items involved in the walk. For all we know, this person could have greatly contributed during the planning and prepping stages.

Subway Stories

Two weeks back, my Studio class took a field trip together out to Van Cortland up in Queens. To get up there, you need to take the 2 or 3 train up to the 96th Street station and then transfer to the 1 and take it allllll the way to the last stop. While on the 1 train, the class divided up into roughly groups of two people per car and had to write an observational narrative about two people we saw in our car.

Here's my first one:

       A woman sits directly across from me with her young boy. He looks to be about 4 or 5 years old. On his light umber curls is a yellow crown with the face of a smiling duck on the front. The mother - let's call her Tanya (she looks like a Tanya) - has the same light umber hair. Her most distinct features are her hazel eyes, a beauty mark right below her right eye, and most importantly, her protruding belly carrying another child. Perhaps it's another boy? Perhaps a girl? It's impossible to tell. What I can tell is that she is tired. Tanya wears a bright red knit jacket, comfortable blue jeans, and brown moccasins. In her right hand, she holds her son's Angry Birds backpack. In her left hand, she holds onto the hand of her little boy. She momentarily takes off her left moccasin to reveal her toe nails painted a creamy beige. Again, Tanya is tired - her eyes are glazed and she focuses on the speckled black flooring of the subway car. She must have just picked up her young one from school. It's about that time where kids get off school. After a few stops of being lost in her own thoughts, Tanya quickly shuffles her child off the car and mentally plans out tonight's dinner during the walk home.

Now for my second one.

       As I take a last glimpse at this man, he continues to munch on his bacon and cheese sandwich. He wears a black cap, a red sweatshirt, and red Nike sneakers. He sits comfortably. There is no one left to disturb the space he has claimed as his throne. The car is empty save for around twelve or thirteen people all engulfed in their own bubbles. While the subway pulls into the next station, he swiftly picks up his bags, adjusts his thick-rimmed glasses, and saunters out the car. The whole time I sit here and write about him, he continues to jubilantly much on his sandwich. It must have been a nice afternoon treat considering he left the car with a smile. Now that is someone who really knows how to appreciate his food. 

Cross Strait Relations Exhibit

A piece that really caught my eye in the current exhibit being housed in the Stephen Kellen Gallery, titled Cross Straight Relations, is the piece titled Bloom (Blob) by Heman Chong. 

Sometimes it amazes me how something as simple as the repeated use of self-adhesive stickers can result in something that can be perceived as art. There can be such a complexity behind the process behind the pieces. As noted in the accompanying text, "something as banal as a colored sticker is transformed metaphorically from a singular, unlinked cell into a larger collective mass." While the bright vibrant flashes of blue, yellow, green, orange, and red make this piece a really intriguing piece to look at (I thought it was like a color blind test piece), the text notes the suggestion of something more malignant like "invasive or violent gathering masses". Another thing to take note on is the fact that its composition is done on-site of the location. Each sticker placed is done so in relation to the actions of the artist's own choosing so that each time this piece is presented it varies. How cool that a banal act of placing stickers can be such a reflection of an artist?

Let's sit back, observe, and ponder. 

Where You Reside?

Ritual Wine Container (hu)

Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-256 BC), 

Warring States period (475-221 BC), 5th century BC

Bronze inlaid with Copper

29.100.545

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As it turns out, my mother's surname, Song, originated somewhere between the Shang and Zhou Dynasty after the previous dynasty had been overthrown and the folk there decided to take on Song as their surname to honor their period of rule over China. 

Who knows, I may have had a relative use this for pouring rice wine during a ritual way, way back in the day. 

Natalage Davis Book Foreword by Nathaniel Wu

Natalage Davis was born in New Jersey but has been living in Brooklyn since the age of just three months old. Coming from a home of two brothers and two sisters, the proudly self-proclaimed introvert finds herself harboring an insatiable thirst for travel. Equal to her love for travel, however, is her talent in the art of the written word. While the experience of making a book is foreign land for the Brooklyn native, Natalage is no stranger to the literary practices. Ever since the age of fourteen, Natalage has been a part of the Urban Word NYC program and, since graduating, has participated in shows all over New York City.

            As someone who is unafraid of rocking to the beat of her own drum, Natalage takes inspiration from the environment around her and adds her own twist. Her first book ties back to a church in East Village with its clever incorporation of stain glass. She is not afraid to push the boundaries; the primary topic of the book is questioning religion. All is not as it sounds, though. This is not denouncing religion; it will, however, delve into the feelings associated with religion. Natalage cites Just Kids by Patti Smith,John Sans, and Salinger as the inspiring sources for her writing style. The unconventional, dry wit, and quirky are some of the key features of writing that resonate in Natalage’s written voice. With a leather-bound cover, pages of stain glass, and poetry throughout, Natalage Davis’s first book is sure to be a real work of art!

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Born in New Jersey, raised in Brooklyn.

Two brothers and two sisters.

Desire to travel – Natalage Davis.

Urban Word NYC since age fourteen.

Graduated; has done countless shows.

Voice of poetry – Natalage Davis.

Salinger, John Sans, Patti Smith’s Just Kids

Love of unconventional and dry wit.

Inspired by quirks – Natalage Davis.

New to book making, out of her comfort zone.  

Derived from a church in East Village.

Leather bound cover and stain-glass pages.

Vocalized opinions on religion.

Not direct, more on the feeling.

Seven poems by Natalage Davis. 

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*I started out with the first foreword but it felt so formulaic and forced that I wrote a second one that I thought might be a little more in tune with Natalage's artist book which had seven pages of poetry in it. I definitely cringe at the first one, but at this point, I don't know if I have enough energy to go back and rework it...it'd be better to start from scratch (and that is why we have a second one in poetry form).

Artist Book: East Village Barbie

The first major assignment of my Integrative Studio class was to create an artist book inspired by a block we were assigned out in East Village. My approach to this, after some consulting with my professor, was to create a book by using the packaging from a Barbie doll and writing about my experiences on the block - the catch is that the narrative is told through Barbie's perspective.

So here's the text on the front "cover" of my book: East Village Barbie. My professor pitched that maybe this could become a series...if I ever get to collaborate with Mattel as a designer or anything of the like, that just might happen.

Here is my book in all it's outer glory. My first big project at Parsons. Oooooooh. It felt so much more like one of my side craft projects I would have done in high school (meaning it was really nice to finally be able to do something like this because I never really had the time back in high school). 

Here is the back of the box with a less flashy presence but still with a bit of attitude (note the "graffiti" lips located on the bottom right of the forward written by my classmate Solo).

Here is the lovely inside content of the box! To your left, you have the eleven paged narrative of "Barbie's" on 7th Street. To your right, the room to actually hold a Barbie doll. Had I had more time and skill in sewing, there would have totally been an actual Barbie doll in there. At this stage, I'm still learning to sew with a hand needle (I sewed my first Barbie dress Monday night though yay!).

Now for the text of the narrative. It has that overzealous Barbie tone to it but also a bit of attitude. Enjoy!

August 28^th, 2013

“Hey, it’s Barbie!

While I have decided that my fabulous three-storied dream house (now fully equipped with two elevators – love you Ken!) in Malibu will always be home, I can’t help but think back to when I was searching for an apartment out in Manhattan…”

August 29^th, 2013

“Guess what? I did something a bit out of the ordinary and cancelled all my plans for the next couple of weeks – and believe me, that’s a HUGE deal because my next big film and filming for the next season of Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse are now on hiatus – but I’ve decided to take a vacation out in New York City. Not only because fashion week is right around the corner, but just because there are some really cool places in the city that I want to check out. No, I’m not talking about the Statue of Liberty or The Met or even Fifth Avenue. My two weeks in New York is going to be all about East Village. Just call me ‘East Village Barbie’!”

September 2^nd, 2013

“Ok, I lied a bit. I did some typical tourist-y stuff and ended up stopping by at Times Square. Can you believe that in all my travels, I’ve never actually had the chance to check this place out? It’s simply a-mazing! After spending an hour (or four) there, I headed to Fifth Avenue and…let’s just say my credit card had an intense workout today. Heck, I think I wore out my third pair of pink pumps all in the same day!”

September 4^th, 2013

“It’s another day and, this time, I’m serious about checking out some of the hidden treasures of East Village – I swear on all 130 or so jobs I’ve had! Something about 7^th Street really stuck out to me. East Village is huge, but something about the block on 7^th Street and 2^nd Ave really beckoned to me. Maybe I was just hungry at the time? When walking by, the first thing you see on the block is this restaurant called Virage. It’s some pretty wicked Mediterranean style cuisine. You have the option of sitting either inside or outside. I chose to sit inside. If you go on the hours of their brunch hours it’s a pretty sweet deal! Your brunch comes with a coffee or tea AND a mimosa or orange juice (that doesn’t include the glass of water you get right when you are seated). I’m just getting started cause you also get a breadbasket with the cutest little corn muffins! Yum. I heard the lobster and eggs was an absolute to-die-for so I just had to try it! My mouth just waters just thinking about it. This dish has lobster with over easy eggs, potato hash, bacon, toasted brioche, and a spicy hollandaise. For only nineteen bucks, this meal was well worth my money! I am dragging Teresa and Nikki and everyone else here the next time I get a chance. I believe I may have found my fave brunch spot in New York. ”

September 5^th, 2013

“I was feeling so stuffed from my lobster and eggs yesterday, I just couldn’t explore anymore. I think I’ve come up with a plan. I get to check out one shop on the block as I go. The down side is that I don’t get to really see more of East Village but this block really calls to me!

So today I saw a really pretty sign down the block with the words Jula Sitkando on it but the place looks like it’s been shut down. L After leaving a five star review for Virage on Yelp, I walked my block via Google Earth and there’s supposed to be a really awesome little thrift place right where this sign is. The pics other people uploaded showed the cutest little dresses and belts and heels and rings and…just thinking about this makes me sad.

Since Jula was shut down, I moved down and checked out the place next door. It’s called Smooth Skin Factory. Care to guess what it’s about? J It’s a place for ladies to get a little business done. Catching on yet? It’s a place for waxing. Eek! I definitely wasn’t prepared to receive a waxing but even if I wanted to I can’t because the place is actually pretty popular! You have to make an appointment two weeks in advance. I guess Kasia is just that good! It’s more on the pricier side, but I’m getting a really positive vibe from this place. She also has the two cutest dogs there! They were a nice way to brighten up my day after finding out Jula was no longer around.”

September 6^th, 2013

“My hair was getting sort of long (yep, that’s right – no extensions!) and just my luck there’s a salon on this block. It’s called Redge Salon. The prices are definitely pretty fair here considering what I had to pay back in Malibu (I’m not sharing that info!). A haircut here can range from $50 to $70. They say walk-ins are welcome but it seems pretty much like this place runs pretty busily based on even just their appointments. They actually opened up another Redge called Redge Annex on 10^th Street. Ok, so even though I just found out about the place, I’m glad they’re doing well enough to have a second location! All the stylists here are so nice and SO talented at what they do. When they chat with you, they really want to know everything you want out of your haircut there. Also, you get your hair shampooed and conditioned and you also get a bit of a massage while there. I left feeling I could take on ten grueling business meetings and another few months of filming! Even so, I’m not exactly ready to go back yet…I bet my producer is fuming right now. Eek!”

September 7^th, 2013

“So I got a call from my producer last night and he’s pretty mad at me (that’s a huge understatement). I made a plan though and I am not leaving until I at least have this block checked out. And besides, NY Fashion Week is still going on! Technically, I’m working!

Work trouble aside, I believe I have found my retail haven in East Village! There are plenty of awesome little thrift shops around, but Tokio7 is just…designer heaven.  It’s a consignment shop that takes in all these high-end brands like Dior and YSL actually made a list of some of the stuff I found there. I usually reserve a smaller amount of money for when it comes to thrifting, but hey the prices you get here for designer are well worth it! So here’s the list: Miu Miu $40, DVF $160, 3.1 Phillip Lim $150, Helmet Lang $112, Balenciaga $112, Michael Kors $40, Proenza Schouler $120, rag and bone $100, D&G $22.50, Armani $64, Marni $150, Prada $160, Nina Ricci $120, Jill Stuart $40, CK $72, Thakoon $100, Prabal Gurung $192, Versace $100, Alexander Wang $72, Ralph Lauren $48, Burberry $??, Givency $200, Gucci $150, YSL $300, Dior for $140…

Before I pass out again from the prices, let me also note that there’s this insanely cool statue up in front made of motorcycle parts and scrap metal! That alone is enough to just head down towards Tokio7.

September 8^th, 2013

There are two shoe stores on this block! Nothing to get too excited about though cause they don’t carry stilettos or wedges or anything of the like. Nope, both are more the sneaker-based kind of shops. Hm.

One of them is called Village Kids and it’s essentially a sneaker place for kid’s shoes. I think Stacie and Chelsea(especially Chelsea) probably would have loved to be there. Maybe even Skipper? Nah, not Skipper.

The other place is called Foot Gear Plus. It’s a nice mom and pop shop but again, it’s more of a sneaker place than anything. There were some sale items there but honestly those prices kind of scared me away…my hair cut at Redge was so much more worth it. They did have a nice little mural advertisement on the side of their wall for Village Kids though with a cartoon tree and all.

September 9^th, 2013

I very much look forward to the days I get to check out the restaurants here on the block. Dok Suni doesn’t seem to be open until 4:30 though so I guess it’s a dinner type of place. I heard it’s a favorite of Quintin Tarintino’s? Ooooh.

Luckily, the restaurant just a bit further down called The Organic Grill was open and thank goodness they were! It’s another great place located here on this block. I love that everything here is suitable for vegetarians and vegans but it’s still really good food. Simple a-mazing! I ordered the OG Burger Sliders for $12.99 because I seriously could not decide on what to get. The dish comes with three “little” sliders: Roasted Mushroom with Shallot Slider, Black-Eyed Sweet Potato Slider, and the Pineapple Jerk Slider. The Roasted Mushroom with Shallot Burger has a veggie patty toped with Dijon relish roasted mushroom, lettuce, and tomato. The Pineapple Jerk Slider has the patty jerk spiced and comes with pineapple and cucumber chutney. The Black-Eyed Sweet Potato Slider I only took a bite out of because I was so stuffed, but it had a patty filled with sunflower seeds and various veggies. Each of them are pretty unique in their own right but all of them come with yummy Ezekiel buns.  I also ordered a Ginger Punch drink. I’m not sure if it was the best decision I made today. It sounded alright – ginger ale, orange juice, apple juice, and fresh ginger. The waiter warned me that it had a kick though…BOY, was he right! I actually liked it in the beginning but it got to be too much in the end! It was four dollars though so I sucked it up and pretended I was drinking a nice cola.

September 10^th, 2013

It’s not the restaurant’s fault but I totally wasn’t feeling well after last night’s Ginger Punch drink. L I don’t know if I’m up for dining at the other places on the block (which is a real bummer because there’s still some great places around).

I couldn’t even really check out the store I was going to see today. Lulu’s Nails is a nail salon just right next to Foot Gear Plus. It seems pretty cheap, but I’m not so sure about the quality of their work. It didn’t look at all busy when I passed by and the reviews on Yelp leave less to be desired. There was a lot of mention about the workers trying to coerce you into these really expensive (and excessive) upgrades. Eek! I guess I got lucky with my upset tummy then.          

September 11^th, 2013

I realize that there are actually quite a few bars on this block but I’ll write about them later since they’re not really my thing. The Exhibition of the American Gangster isn’t really my thing either. It feels like the other side of the block had much more to offer me. I mean, I guess I wouldn’t mind browsing through the exhibition but it’s more of Ken’s thing. Oh, how I wish he were here! Admission still would have been $26 each person but at least I could have enjoyed it more since I’d have Ken to talk to and all.      

September 12^th, 2013

I feel like I’ve hit a slump. I’m feeling very low-energy these days. I’m hoping I didn’t get myself sick! I’m not even navigating this block in order anymore. There are two theaters located on this block. The 80 St Marks Theater currently has a play running called Bayside the Musical. According to all the banners and flyers, it’s supposed to be a parody of Saved by the Bell. Curioser and curioser I am…a ticket is just twenty-five dollars so maybe I’ll come back when I finish up all my Fashion Week business and get out of this slumpy feeling.

Oh, I almost forgot about The Orpheum! So over here they host a show called Stomp! which is all about creating music by using everyday items such as trash can lids for rhythm and the like. I think I saw something about this kind of performance back when Stacie used to watch those shows on PBS. The tickets are pretty pricey at $126 per ticket but this could be a chance for better bonding time with Stacie.

September 13^th, 2013

Ok I’m feeling very bummed now cause I really did come down with a sore throat and a minor fever. I’m so glad Fashion Week wrapped up yesterday because I don’t think I could have handled running around a bit more. Even walking around the block wasn’t such a good idea…but I just can’t leave this project unfinished! No way – that’s just not the Barbie way.

I wasn’t able to dine at any of the remaining places on the block but I can at least share what I know from glancing outside. Porto Rico Importing Co. looks to be a really great place to stop for some coffee or tea. There was a bit of a line when I walked by. Stage Restaurant seems like an idea place to be getting home-style cooking. Natori doesn’t open until 4:30 pm but if you’re up for some sushi it might be worth taking a look. San Loco has Mexican style cuisine and Twister is just a nice little place to get frozen yogurt after dining at one of the many places here on the block.

Oh my goodness, I almost forgot to name all the bars on this block! So here they are: BigBar, Klimat, Blue Gold 79, Café 81, and William Barnacle Tavern. Like I said, I’m not really into drinking but if you are, you have a lot of options to choose from here.  Alrighty, I’m heading to bed now. I’m feeling a bit out of it…

September 17^th, 2013

Ken’s making me say this but…I work too hard some times. Even when I’m here to relax, I get myself all worked up and carried away and it’s just too much sometimes. I felt like I was really dead for the past few days. When Teresa, Nikki, Midge, Summer, and even Raquelle called me for the past few days they all said I didn’t sound like my usual bubbly self. Like I had lost the energy in my voice. There’s a good reason behind it, too. So that minor fever turned into something pretty serious and I was stuck in bed. I didn’t even have any energy to catch up on all the shows I watch or read a good book. I just slept. For three days.  Ugh, I hate getting sick. Back to bed I go.

September 19th, 2013

“I got a call from the producer and he is, like, seriously mad at me! Like, he’s ready to replace me as the lead role in Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse and have Raquelle in the starring role! Hello, the title of the show is Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse. Eek! It’s not that I have anything against  Raquelle. It’s just that…don’t get me wrong, I love Raquelle (even if she doesn’t exactly like me…I’m not a dumb blonde), but she isn’t ready for a starring role. I know I seem all gum drops and smiles, but Hollywood can be tough! Trust me, Raquelle is not ready!

Anyways, there’s still so much of East Village that I haven’t been able to check out. L That gosh-darn fever! I’m feeling like my usual pink-loving self now, but I can’t believe I spent most of my time here on this one little block in New York City. Insane, right? Too bad New York Fashion Week is over or else I could have used that as an excuse to stay longer. I’ll have to find a way to come back ASAP.

Until next time,

Barbie”