first things first, I'll eat ya brains!

I just realized that I'd be in the process of changing my background and picture last time I posted on here and had I known this is what it looked like, I would've changed it a long time ago.

Anyway, it's been a while since I've gotten to update this from the US of A! I've been parked on my parents couch since Christmas, going in and out of food-induced comas and sleeping. There was a monstrous blizzard yesterday that resulted in about two feet of snow. I took one look outside, with the wind forcefully blowing snow everywhere and resolved to not leaving the house until it was absolutely necessary. Luckily, I've had all the American shows I've missed so dearly living in Holland to entertain me, as well as the shenanigans of the Auguste family.

I'm entering the last week of my holiday in the States, after having already been home for two weeks and it's been absolutely fantastic! Matt is taller than ever, surpassing me by at least 2 inches and he definitely has a few pounds on me. He got braces last week and looks so cute! It will surely help us keep in mind that he's only 12 instead of being deceived by size. It's been great hanging out with him, cracking jokes and doing impromptu karaoke. He's informing me of the all the music I've failed to update myself on and I'm loving every moment of spending time with him. My cousin Tati, is also staying with us over the holidays and she's very sweet and we've passed a lot of hours watching TV on the couch together. We're both obsessed with the show "My Fair Wedding," which I really hope is still around when I'm getting married because the man does great things.

I've really missed being home. I've missed my friends, family, food (my very first stop from the airport was my favorite Chinese food restaurant in my town and don't get me started on how much I disrespected myself during Christmas dinner), television (special shout-out to Netflix and DVR), the nightlife, SHOPPING (I had a really hard time buying Christmas gifts for everyone this year because I saw so many things I wanted/needed/couldn't live without), my town, my hood,  EVERYTHING.

I really wish it was possible to combine the life I love here with the one I love in Holland. I don't hope to be there much longer than another year. As I'm getting older (ew), the time is coming where I should start thinking and formulating definite plans for my future. I'm not saying I'll bother mapping my life out step by step because obviously things don't always work out as planned. But I know that I want to settle down and start a family in the States. Of course, not for another 3-5 years of course, absolutely no rush. But my parents and family are also getting older and I want to spend more time with them doing fun things and I hate missing out on so much of Matt's upbringing. Although I'd love to live in California when I move back to the States (this blizzard has reinforced my hatred for the cold), it'd still be the same country, a cheaper flight home, and less time difference so I could keep in touch more easily. I think Mic would love living out west so no trouble there. I'm sure we'll be happy anywhere so long as we can both do what we want and *sappy statement alert*- we have each other.

The wind is still whistling outside and popcorn and a movie are calling my name. For those of you Stateside and in the tri-state area, I'd love for you to meet me and everyone for dinner in Stamford, CT Saturday, January 1st as we celebrate my last weekend, before heading into NYC to let loose! Message me for details and if I remember, I'll post something about it on here!

never give up, it's such a wonderful life

Home TOMORROW. I still don't think it's really sunk in for me. I can't believe that by this time tomorrow I'll be flying into JFK and reuniting with my family and friends that I've missed so dearly. I'm really ecstatic to see everyone and hug them and share our life experiences in person.

It's strange but I'm actually a bit sad to leave Holland. I've met some wonderful people here that I really love and I will miss them very much while I'm home. I'll miss Mic as well and it will be fantastic to see them again when I'm back. 3 weeks sounds like a while but I'm sure it'll fly by and seem way too short come January 3rd.

Surprisingly I'm already packed and ready to go. I fly out at 2 PM tomorrow and I hope I'm not seated near children because I'm actually quite tired and planning to sleep on the flight. On the way back from Prague we sat in front of some pre-teens who spent the hour-long flight (seemed much longer) talking obnoxiously and slamming their trays into our seats before I turned around and got out of character. I've had good luck with my seats on flights to and from the States so let's keep our fingers crossed.

Well that's pretty much all I have to say for now because soon I'll be able to chat with most of you in person! Can't wait to see everyone and tear up Stamford and NYC and wherever else this holiday season takes me.. it truly is the most wonderful time of the year!!

if this is what we've got, then what we've got is gold

HOMEWARD BOUND DECEMBER 13TH UNTIL JANUARY 3RD!!! SHA. NAN. I. GANS.

I cannot wait to see all of my friends and family that I've missed so dearly. Also can't wait to enjoy my favorite Chinese food (shout out to Panda Garden on High Ridge!), live it up in the city and really enjoy Stamford and the holidays. I've missed it all so very much, ahhhh!! Can't friggin wait! I've been feeling a little down on myself and I think this visit will really help lift my spirits and keep me going.

It's not known to snow in Holland but apparently that's changed.. It snowed earlier this week and has been snowing for the past few hours. It's actually quite pretty and it's been really cute to see Margo react to it.. She's both terrified and intrigued. She's so big and I love her so much, even though she really knows how to make me angry in the morning by purring loudly in my ear, crawling under my hand in attempts to make me pet her and walking over my face if I don't. Krazy Kitty!

I was able to speak to two old friends today that have moved to Hollywood to follow their dreams and figure out who they are. It made my day to hear from them and I love knowing that I'm not the only one taking a huge chance. It definitely makes me reminisce about my college days. I made a fool of myself on so many occasions and Derek will never let me forget it haha! Feels good to laugh about it now and let those memories warm my heart.

I'm looking forward to this weekend even though I think we'll take it very easy. We have to catch up on Dexter and Deadwood which are our current obsessions. We're hoping to make it to the gym and we've reignited our passion for Wii so I'm sure we'll fit that in as well.

I've also gotten into the show Glee, and WOW, those kids are so talented! People like them should have record deals instead of these crap "artists" we have out nowadays. Here's a clip. Ending is in Espanol, lo siento**

didn't wanna be anyone's ghost

**Disclaimer: I wrote this post on November 19th and never published it**

Not only have I been neglecting my blog, but yesterday I discovered that it was my first time visiting the gym in the entire month of November! For someone who'd been abusing their class selection, pool and sauna on a daily basis, this is absurd! But these past few weeks were absolute bliss and I'm completely okay with the weight I've surely gained.

Damaly left yesterday after arriving on November 4th. Days have never flown by as fast. We kicked off her arrival with a weekend in Amsterdam with Lizzy and some of other friends, exploring and getting social. It was a great to have some girl time and have my two worlds meet. We took a day to rest before traveling to BERLIN, GERMANY! This has ranked among our top 10 list of places to visit so we were ecstatic to go and Berlin did not disappoint!

Not only were we blown away by the nightlife, but the Berlin is so rich in history and culture. It's amazing to be walking the streets where so many important figures walked and infamous events happened. Standing over Hitler's bunker (now a parking lot) and thinking about this little man that shaped so much of what we read about in our history books was really moving. Seeing parts of the Berlin Wall that divided people and their families.. it really blows your mind. Truth really is stranger than fiction.

Next stop, PRAGUE! What a beautiful and romantic city! I'm horrible with posting pictures on time but we took some great shots and it was the best feeling ever to be with two of the people I love the most in this entire universe. Bonus, we all got along really well and by the end of the weekend we were all addicted to Absinthe. What a wonderful way to get the party started. You pour a shot of Absinthe into a glass, heat up a spoonful of brown sugar with a lighter, stir it into the glass, light the drink on fire (great visual effect since Absinthe is green), put the fire out with a coaster and quickly take the shot.. FanFrigginTastic!! B52 shots are even better.. Absinthe mixed with Bailey's.. YUM.

We relaxed for a few days when we got back before ending the trip with a relatively fun dinner the night before she left. I was very sad to see her go.

But luckily I'll be home very soon to see her and all of you very soon.. LOVE YOU!!!

glitter is the herpes of arts and crafts

you can never get rid of it!

I'm watching Rihanna discuss her "Te Amo" single and how she really wanted to "change the sound of radio" with her latest album and how it's about her and who she is blah blah blah. Don't get me wrong, I can't help but like some of her songs but I hate when artists who are clearly keen on selling their sexuality, not that talented, and who probably wouldn't be as successful if they weren't hot- try and front like their music is so moving and deep! Just say you wanted to make an album people could dance and sing along to, that would make you more millions.

I'm in a really pessimistic mood today and if not for Damaly coming tomorrow, I'd be throwing back countless shots of tequila and contemplating arson. I think it'll make me feel better to pack a bag for Amsterdam tomorrow and go to bed, get this day over with. Let's hope my next post will be much more lighthearted. Actually, I need to suck it up and stop being so dramatic because I've got quite a lot to be happy about.. DAMALY WILL BE HERE FOR 2 WEEKS!!!!

I'll pick her up at the airport with Lizzy at noon and then we'll spend the day and night being sexy in Amsterdam and getting into all kinds of trouble. Next week, Damaly and I will spend a few days in Berlin, Germany before spending the weekend with Mic in Prague! We're all super excited and I know such good times will be had!

didn't you notice the bag was too light? & you said "you have no friends."

Get familiar with The King of Queens.

Felt fantastic today and feeling even better now that I'm enjoying a glass of wine after this hectic week! I'm so excited it's the weekend and that I'm another day closer to being reunited with DAMALY! I really cannot wait for her to get here. Haven't seen her since April so we've got lots of catching up to do and havoc to wreak.

I hate when people try to copy me. I'm not saying that I'm the most original person since Jesus Christ but I don't like when people take my ideas/sayings/thoughts and try and pass them off as theirs. I know people who suddenly have an interest in things after I mentioned/started them and it's wack. Maybe I'm being completely too full of myself and that maybe people just share my interests and goals. But I can't help but think that some people just wanna steal my shine and make themselves more appealing, when really they're dead inside or just have hidden agendas. I suppose I should be flattered that people wanna be like Wheezy. I'd wanna be like me too, I'm great.

Speaking of having great ideas that people would want to copy, a good friend of mine started his own company with a group of friends, selling electric transport bikes, designed for families with young kids. I'm sure it'll be a big hit here as one of the main modes of transportation is by bike. It's a greener way to travel and kids look unbelievably adorable sitting in them and watching the world whiz by around them. Check out his website: www.urbanarrow.com

Tomorrow I'll help Lizzy move, along with Mic and our friend Nic- then we'll take Amsterdam by storm. That's pretty much all I have to say for now but I had to post because I'm in such a good mood! I can't wait for D to get here, and I think I'll organize a big Thanksgiving dinner with all my friends out here which will make me extremely happy. Then, before I know I know, it'll be Christmas time and I'll be HOME!!!!! Love this time of year!!

yours truly, Jens Lekman

I'm really tired so this will be a short post but I've been OBSESSED with Jens Lekman's "Nights Fall Over Kortedala" album! He's a Swedish dude but I like his sound and style.. hope you all enjoy too!



I'll make this quick:
-a little over 2 weeks until Damaly's arrival!
-Amsterdam this weekend with Lizzy!
-Mic and Margo are doing great!
-I MISS YOU ALL!

I don't want clever conversation

I really am the absolute WORST with this blog thing! I always intend to update it regularly but then I get sidetracked by basically everything else going on in my daily life.

Things are going well here, although I'm not looking forward to winter here at all. It's started to get a little colder and rainier and things will only go down from here. I will surely miss the comfort of cars when I'm biking in pouring rain and freezing temperatures.

In other news, Margo has gotten so big and is naughtier than ever. She's always climbing the curtains, the walls, people, etc. and running all over the place. I can't get much done with her around (she's sitting in my lap right now, playing with her tail) because she's surprisingly attached to us. She loves to be near us when we're home, often falling asleep on us.. I even woke up once with her sleeping on my back! She's fascinated by the computer and TV and has a habit of coming to sit right in front of us, blocking our view. She loves to play and be petted and she's really the sweetest kitten in the world. Happy almost 3 months to her!

Now on to the best thing going on in my life right now: DAMALY COMES NOVEMBER 4TH!!! I'm beyond excited. I live for her visit and I'm excited for her to meet everyone. She'll be here for 2 weeks and there's so much I wanna do and show her. Last time she came to Holland, she wasn't able to stay long and it wasn't he best experience so I'll definitely make up for that. She, Mic and I will go to PRAGUE from the 12-15th which I'm sure will be super fun and exciting! I think we'll also go to BERLIN just the two of us from the 8th-11th for some sisterly bonding and serious troublemaking. I've heard nothing but rave reviews about Berlin so I'd really love to go and leave our mark on such a sexy city!

Besides being extremely happy romantically and having great friends, being able to travel is one of the best parts of living here. I have such a lengthly list of countries and cities I'd love to visit and it feels amazing to cross places off my list. Mic will have a lot of vacation time this year so we'll be able to take several long weekends and also a couple big trips. We've explored Africa together, and though there are other places we'd love to see like Egypt, Tanzania, Zimbabwe (I love saying that haha) and South Africa, we're both very much intrigued by Asia. I spent 2 weeks in China when I was 18 but Mic has never been. We'd both really love to go to Japan and maybe do a 2 week trip through Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.. maybe even throw in the Philippines. It'd also be cool to do 2 weeks going through Tibet, Nepal and India.. the possibilities are endless and it seems that everyday there are new places I want to add to my list. While I've been fortunate enough to see several places in Europe, there are still lots of places I'd still love to visit: Vienna, Poland, Istanbul, Greece, Budapest, Geneva, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark. Also, I still have lots to see in Italy and Sicily. I think Mic and I will explore Tuscany and Sienna sometime in the near future.

There's so much I want to do before I die besides seeing as much of this great big world as possible. I still have yet to skydive, I wanna go in a hot air balloon, climb a mountain and do a deep sea dive. I want to start an orphanage, a scholarship fund, a mentoring program and eventually become a UN ambassador. I want 2 kids of my own and houseful of foster/adopted children. There's so much wrong with this world of ours but at the time of my death, I wanna know that I did everything I could to change it even if it's one person at a time. I'm reading a collection of stories about the various ways AIDS affects people in Africa and the number of orphaned children breaks my heart. The earthquake in Haiti is still fresh in my mind and there are lots of children and adults in need of "luxuries" like food/water, clothing and shelter. I really have to find a way to help directly this year. First step, running the Rotterdam Marathon in April, with proceeds going to the Ronald McDonald Children's Fund!

song of the day

Call me, beep me if you wanna reach me!

I've always loved gmail but I love it even more because now it allows me to call your cell phones/have you call me for free! Message me your numbers because I don't have any of them and my number is:

(203) 548-0433. 

It's obviously not international so you won't be charged anything.. just remember that I have to be online to get the call (I'm on all the time so that should work) and that I'm 6 hours ahead so don't expect to reach me at 9PM your time when your minutes are free! You don't have to be online or have internet, just whip out your cell phones and dial. Love you guys and special thanks to Keeks for putting me on to this!!
In other news, I've posted some pictures from Kenya on Facebook. They're all pictures from Severin Sea Lodge where we stayed so they don't depict a realistic view of life in Kenya. But I'll get into more of that next time. Margo Delilah has been sleeping on me for the past hour and I still have a lot to do. Later gators :-)

Margo.. POLO!

Get what I did there? It's a play on the Marco Polo game you play in the pool.. I'm so clever!

We're back from Kenya and I'm sad about it! I'm not too happy to be back in cold, cloudy Rotterdam with the neighbors above us being louder than a herd of elephants (I really know what that sounds like now!). It was the most humbling and moving experience that I've had in life so far. We did so many things, including going on safari, snorkeling, diving, holding reptiles, sailing, etc. It was such an unbelievable time and I miss being able to spend my entire day with Mic. I will elaborate on Kenya in a later post because I haven't uploaded pictures and it's something I want to do correctly and take my time.

I now have someone else to spend my day with: we got a new kitten! We're still deciding her name- I like Margo, Mic likes Delilah- but she's the cutest, naughtiest kitten in the world! She slept her entire first day and was so awake her first night. She loves to explore and at this very moment she's chasing her tail and biting it. She's obsessed with my hands and the yellow nail polish I'm wearing, as well as our computer. She wants to be near me all the time and if I leave the room and shut the door behind me she cries! It's the cutest sound. She's about 9 weeks old and extremely clever, quick and strong for such a tiny creature. I am absolutely smitten with her! She's sitting above my shoulder on the couch and earlier she fell asleep in my arms. She's a huge spaz, running all over the place, squeezing herself into various crevices and licking her privates like you wouldn't believe.

I'll try and upload Kenya pics and a post sometime this weekend! Miss and love you all!

Express Yourself, yea do it.

I spent the past few hours reading all my entries from the beginning and I'm still overwhelmed by all that's transpired in the last two years. I remember how I began, rambling as only Wheezy can, about a new and exciting chapter in my life by venturing to Europe. Never in a million years did I think I'd still be here, living the life I'm currently living. Sometimes it all feels like it was all a dream: all the people I met, the places I visited, the bullshit I've encountered, and the resulting changes to my character and sentiments on life. It was astonishing to go through the documented evolution of Darline, particularly the deeper entries, and to remember how I felt during those times. The lighthearted entries, coupled with my albums on Facebook, brought a smile to my face and warm feelings to my chest as I relived the crazy moments in my head. To this day, I am bewildered that I survived those countless shots of tequila, dangerous bike rides home, involuntarily taking bus tours of different cities at 3 AM and basically surviving the pandemonium that was my life for so many years. I'm thrilled that things have slowed down and that my experiences taught me so much about the person I am and want to be, as well as helped me to eliminate bad habits and negative people from this little life of mine. I will always be in a state of development and I can't wait to see where else this life will take me. I know it's taking em to KENYA in about two weeks and that's damn good enough for me.

I also wanted to hear back from you! Do I bore you with my babble? Are you tired of reading about how great my life is or wandering where in the world is Darline San Diego? If so, post a comment or message me about a topic you'd like discussed or just wanna see how I feel about it or if you want some honest advice (I will always tell it like it is). You can post anonymously if you like and it can be serious topics or snow peas, I really don't give a shit. 

in a while crocodiles!

 

i'm a little bit of everything all rolled into one

I completely forgot to discuss my trip to Ibiza a few months ago, which is unacceptable because it was such an amazing place I'd love to visit again. Not only were we surrounded by bustling nightlife, amazing lounges, and beautiful beaches but the landscape was so green and peaceful! We were expecting everything to be completely modern with buildings everywhere but there was so much land and pine trees and fresh air, it was gorgeous! We rented a car so we got to see a lot of the island. Words will certainly not do Ibiza justice so I'll try with some pictures but honestly, I don't think that's possible either. I can't figure out how to not make this look like a jumble of pictures & words so deal with it!

My friend Kettia visited from Philadelphia this past weekend which was refreshing. It was nice to have someone to explore Rotterdam with & catch up. It's always Mic & the guys when we go out which is always fun but I've missed my family & friends back home and it was good to have a bit of that here.. I want it all the time!


We went to places I'd never been in Rotterdam and explored the nightlife which was a pleasant surprise.
I wore heels and soon remembered why it is I don't do that as often anymore especially since I've been making an effort to drink less. I was on my feet dancing all night (judging from the sweat, I think I lost about 10 pounds), we were out very late and the added effort of biking just makes it too much to wear heels all the time.


We leave for Kenya in a little less than 3 weeks and I'm so excited! We got our vaccinations last week so hopefully I won't come back with yellow fever, hepatitis, or malaria. I can't believe it's almost September and that I've already been here for 5 months. Time is seriously flying by. We're also on the market for a new kitten which would make me very happy! While I'd really like a puppy, they are way too much work.. they need a lot of attention and we wanna travel all the time so it'd be a huge inconvenience. I have been having the strongest cravings for all kinds of food.. sushi, falafels, my favorite dish of rice and legume my mother makes, brownies and ice cream, and shrimp eggrolls. Mic also made me the most amzing salmon, green pea and rucola risotto the other night and I'm feigning for that too! That's a sign that I need to have dinner so see ya next time!

come home, we need you in Stamford son!

I don't really have all that much to say but I've been told my posts are too sporadic and that I need to "get it together" so here we are. I've also been told that I need to come home and if I could leave Monday, I really would! Stamford needs me and I need Stamford!

Earlier as I walked to the supermarket nearby, 50 euros in various denominations fell out of my pocket. I realized I didn't have the cash when I got to Albert Heijn, but figured I'd left it at home somewhere. When I got back, I couldn't find it at all and thought I was losing my mind! A few hours later, on my way to get my bike from the shop, I find both 20s, and both 5s scattered about all down our street and the park across from us! I was shocked when I discovered the first 20 and couldn't believe my luck in finding all the rest. I hope this is a sign of future good fortune.

ALOE BLACC= my current musical OBSESSION. I've been listening to the album for the past few weeks and I love it wholeheartedly. Peep the song & video for "I Need a Dollar" and a bit of "So Hard":


In other news, I picked up our visas for Kenyeezy yesterday and soon we'll get shots.  Mosquitoes have always found me irresistible but hopefully I'll be malaria and yellow fever free upon our return. It'll be grand to get away for a while and see a new part of this great big world. I can't believe we'll be there in less than a month!!! It'll be September when we're back and by then Lizzy will be back too, woo hoo!

Kettia arrived this morning! We had breakfast and lunch and she is now taking a nap. Perhaps later we'll have dinner in one of the many neighborhood parks on one of the canals and relax. Tomorrow we'll spend the day in the city center and exploring good old Rotterdam as a warm-up to Amsterdam this weekend! Maybe I'll finally get around to doing some touristy things like seeing Anne Frank house. But chances are we'll probably just meander about, making new friends, memories, and having strange encounters.

These next few weeks will be really good for my spirit. My recent high level of homesickness has left me feeling bamboozled because being here makes me happy and I'm getting to experience and see things that I've always wanted to. But being able to see friendly familiar faces and people I genuinely care for and love will be a welcome gift. Not to mention being able to get away with my Micky Mozzarella, seeing wild animals in their natural habitats and exploring a different culture. LIFE DOES NOT SUCK.

i naenda Kenya!

That's Swahili for I'M GOING TO KENYA!!!!! Mic and I leave for Mombasa, Kenya on the 23rd of August and we're both extremely excited! I never thought of Kenya as much of a vacation destination, but apparently the beaches on the Southern coast are very beautiful. We'll be staying in our own bungalow at Severin Sea Lodge, getting our inebriation on, on account of our all-inclusive package. We'll do some of the offered excursions accompanied by a few days of safari life! We are both beyond excited! It will be my first time to Africa and continent #4 that I've been on, so as you can imagine, I'm pumped!

These next few weeks will be very busy for me. We'll be scrambling around getting vaccinations and visas and I'm expecting visitors! My good friend, Kettia, who I haven't seen since high school will visit me next week! I'll pick her up on Wednesday morning and I'm very excited to see her! It'll be nice to see a friendly familiar face and catch up on our lives over the years. About a week later, Mayra comes to Holland! Mic and I visited her and her now husband a few months ago in Spain and it'll be fantastic to hear about the changes in her life and hang out on familiar territory since I initially met her here. Then it's on to KENYA!

I can't complain about life right now. I'm happy and healthy (if you disregard the alcohol we drink on the weekends, which is actually lessening so that's better for me). Mic is great and we're getting more and more settled in our life together. He still drives me crazy sometimes but I wouldn't have it any other way. The weather has been amazing which really does wonders for my mood and we just concluded the climactic 3rd season of The Wire which was great. The only thing that would make life even better is if we were living  elsewhere. I'm feeling a bit stagnant and could do without some Dutch rules and regulations.

I miss my family and friends very much and wish I could add their names to my list of visitors this month. My dad and sister Sabine, are currently in Haiti visiting family members and I wish I could've gone. It'd be great if I could make it there within the next year but unfortunately, it's a lot easier said than done. Hopefully I'll be able to see my hometown loves around September/October but I also need to make my way back home sooner than later. I am dying to have shrimp and broccoli with white rice from my favorite Chinese restaurant in Stamford and happy hour at Kona. While we're on the subject of things I want, I've been dying to go to a wedding (I love reasons to get all dressed up and open bars). Lots of couples in Holland never marry so my chances are slim here, meaning you broads at home need to step your game up!! D, I'm tryna be a maid of honor so get it together!

Instead of spending my time doing productive things like working on my book, I spend it reading gossip blogs, researching more places to visit, reading news articles and browsing funny videos. This one has been cracking me up.. Enjoy!

dropped you like a bar of soap, whooooops!

I couldn't think of a post title so I went with the last thing I heard that made me laugh. Martin will forever be one of my favorite shows.

Anyway, things on my end are going pretty well. I'm still very happy with my life here while simultaneously missing my family and friends back in the 203. I really need you all to get your money game right and book tickets out here ASAP before I have to come home and knock heads!

I've become more domesticated than I ever imagined. I'm cooking, cleaning and the other day I even trimmed the massive bush outside our front window. The latter wasn't my idea; apparently our bush was "impeding the path of crippled people trying to walk by".  Granted it was a huge bush but hand to God, there was still a mile of sidewalk. We had a neighbor tell us that other neighbors complained to him, a letter was sent and eventually people from the town hall showed up. I kid you not. I initially wanted to keep it as big as possible out of spite but I'll probably plant some beautiful flowers next week. I've gone completely soft.

Mic and I are also obsessed with The Wire. We watch it everyday after work and stay up later than is wise because it's more entertaining than Lindsay Lohan acting for her LIFE during her hearing, and that's hard to beat. It was our anniversary and his birthday this past weekend which was fun and sexy. We kept it relatively quiet, celebrating alone which we both enjoyed.

What else is there to discuss.. um, the World Cup is full of surprises. Everyone is expecting me to support Holland but I'm not into bandwagoning.. I haven't supported their team from the beginning and I won't start now. None of my favorites are in the final so I really don't care who wins but I just can't bring myself to cheer Holland.. I think Spain has worked harder for their victories and has impressed me with their skills and playing style in previous games. & on a more personal note, those rat bastards knocked out my beloved Brazil so fuck em.

I recently read an article about the US Justice Department suing Arizona over their immigration law and a few weeks ago, one on the backlash in Fremont, Nebraska over the passing of their controversial immigration law prohibiting employers from hiring illegal immigrants and stopping landlords from renting to them. Um, perhaps I'm missing something here but how are these laws unfair?! I can see how people can spin the Arizona law as racist and discriminatory but if you're legally in this country, what is the real harm? We carry ID everyday so we're able to identify ourselves when needed. We have to show ID to get into clubs, buy cigarettes and alcohol, we have to present a valid driver's license when pulled over and we're even issued school IDs. There are a lot of things we can't partake in without identifying ourselves, and essentially being citizens/legal so why should illegals be allowed to partake in American freedoms? Why should they be allowed to work tax free or rent property if illegal immigration is against the law? Extending these privileges makes absolutely no sense to me.

To be clear, I'm not against immigration. My parents are immigrants and I was not born a US citizen. My parents had to endure the process of naturalizing our family and the same can be said for many immigrants. What I am against is people not going through the proper channels. I know it will raise the argument of how "tough" it is to become a citizen but the rules should be the same for everyone; no special advantages because of proximities to the US border, purposely overstaying a visa, etc.

But back to me. The book is coming along very slowly on account of me coming up with another idea which I'm also slowly but surely working on. Mic is away this weekend so I've been trying to use the extra time to get some writing done but we bought some new wine and shot glasses I wanted to test out and well.. I'm more drunk right now than productive. Writing this entry has just brought back so many college memories because I wrote countless papers while getting my drink on in preparation for Nickel Night at Huskies. Good times man.. good times. Until next time, lovebugs and solve this if you like: 

it's hotter than Satan's toenails!

I have the best and funniest sister in the universe. Talking to her always makes my day and she's always there for me. Ever since she's mentioned visiting, I've been consumed with the things I wanna do with her and show her. Last time she came to Amsterdam, I remember crying with her at the airport when she arrived and feeling suicidal when she left. This time, she's planning to stay longer and I know we're going to get into all kinds of debacles and sexiness no matter where we go. I'm very excited for her to meet Mic! I'm sure they'll get along and I'm also sure that she will find a way to embarrass the both of us, but I've always loved her consistency. I love her so much that I sleep with this picture of her beside my bed.. I'm not even kidding. 

D and I like to do new things together. I'll never forget the time we randomly decided to get our tongues pierced. She made me go first, which was a smart move on her part because had she gone first, I almost assuredly would've chickened out. Then, to celebrate my college graduation, D and I went out and got tattoos. It was her second one and she took it like a champ. I decided I wanted mine on my ankle which hurt so much, I was cursing the man and the next 4 generations of his family. I asked D to stay with me for moral support but I guess getting chicken was her top priority.. bitch!

I've been toying with the idea of a second (third & fourth) tattoo and I've finally decided on the location! I think it'd be a meaningful experience if D and I got more when she's here, so start thinking D! No matter what, I want to do something monumental and something we'll never forget. Since visiting Asia with her is out of the question on account of her IBS (just kidding, but she does have a weak stomach haha) the hassle of getting visas in some countries, I'd really love to see Auschwitz or go see the pyramids in Egypt. Either way, I'm pumped for her to be here!

thoroughly thought through

What a gluttonous weekend.. I stuffed myself with sushi, moussaka and alcohol- good times. Mic's good friend, Fabio, is visiting from Verona so we've been showing him around Rotterdam and Amsterdam. With Mic trying to solicit the services of the ladies in the RLD for him and us reliving the wonderful times we had when he played host to us last October, I think he's having a great time. Of course we all wish the weather was a bit nicer (it's June 12th and the heat still come on in the trams!) but we're making the most of it.


World Cup pandemonium is in full swing and I'm so jealous of my friend Colin who's in South Africa witnessing it firsthand. Holland plays its first game tomorrow and I'm sure the country will officially shut down as everyone is glued to their TV screens come 2 PM tomorrow. With Holland being a favorite, I'd say things are gonna be interesting. 
Mic & Fabs are out catching up and I should be re-arranging my closet (I put out my Summer clothes prematurely) but I'm downloading movies and taking silly pictures of myself.. I swear, whoever ever invented built-in cameras didn't want me to get anything accomplished in life.

My sister is planning to visit and though she's not sure when, for how long, and absolutely nothing is definite, I am beyond excited. The goal is for her to stay 2 weeks which would be like the best thing since my discovery of Wok to Walk. I wouldn't care if we spent the entire time sitting on the couch, cuddling and watching movies- I just wanna see her stupid face and be able to talk to her whenever I want. We're hoping to be able to travel a bit, which would be nice, particularly to Berlin, Prague and Auschwitz in Poland which I really wanna visit. 

The sun did make a cameo yesterday while we enjoyed coffee at the Rotterdam harbor and we saw something else to add to our list of things to do:

how cool does that look?!?!

Anyway, I need to get to the supermarket before it closes... ciaoooooooo

I get by with a little help from my friends*

This past week was a tough one. I was feeling unusually homesick and my body was being ravaged by a cold. I really just wanted some of my mother's tea and have my grandmother pine over me. It really got me thinking and I realized how much, exactly, I missed being home!

Don't get me wrong, I am so happy here. I love being here with my love and seeing him everyday. I love the freedom of being able to do whatever we want and all that one experiences living abroad. But I can't deny that I miss my family and friends. It also didn't help that I've been slow on making new friends (I blame this on my family & true friends in the States, who have spoiled me and make it so that I don't even wanna look for new ones!) But that is changing, as I'm getting out there and meeting new people.

But anyway, I just wanted to thank everyone for the kindness they showed me, particularly this weekend when I really needed it. It feels good to know that I'm loved and missed because I love and miss you all so much! I wish there was a way to have everyone I hold dear to my heart in one place (preferably in Spain or Italy, anywhere where it doesn't rain EVERYDAY or snow). I LOVE YOU GUYS & I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU ALL SOON!!!

music to my ears

I'm back in Holland from sunny Ibiza, Spain and sad about it! I'll elaborate on the experience in a later post but right now, I have an unreal soundtrack playing in my head (and on my Mac) that I must share! I've always liked all types of music but I've found that I've been expanding my musical propensity. Still love my R&B and hip hop but I love these bands and artists. Since copyrights and availability of certain websites are limited here in Holland, this post will contain links and some videos to the music I can't seem to stop listening to, so enjoy amici!
IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER:
Melanie Fiona: This chick needs more attention with that talent.. her voice is fantastic. Found an acoustic version of "Somebody Come Get Me" which I LOVE! 
Florence and The Machine: I'm completely in love with this band. Her voice is captivating and haunting and their album has been on repeat. "I'm Not Calling You a Liar" is one of my favorites but be sure to give "Girl With One Eye" a listen.. this chick is amazing.
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings: Unreal passion & soul. This was part of our Ibiza soundtrack and I would love to see a live performance of "How Long Do I Have to Wait"
Beach House: Their music is relaxing & simultaneously makes you wanna dance. It reminds me of Summer nights, dancing in the moonlight, especially "Norway" 
Two Door Cinema Club: This isn't normally my style cuz they sound cheesy and mainstream but I love their energy and "Cigarettes in a Theatre" makes me wanna dance!
Wild Beasts: Their song "We Still Got the Taste Dancing on Our Tongues" may be my favorite song right now, love it! 
Noah and the Whale: happy music that gets stuck in your head and follows you everywhere.. especially the whistling in "5 Years Time"
The xx: I love the concept of a male and female vocalist intertwining and this band doesn't disappoint. Their album is fantastic and I LOVE "Heart Skipped a Beat"
There are so many other performers I'm loving right now, but it'd take too long to find them all. Hope you enjoy and if you have any recommendations, send them my way!

omnia mea mecum porto

Self discovery is an amazing thing. These past few years of my life have been like a dream. I got to venture to the most fantastically beautiful places. I was exposed to so many different cultures, peoples, ideologies, traditions, and ways of life. I've had the pleasure of seeing places that people only dream of seeing and that not too long ago, I dreamed of seeing. I met the greatest people who have really contributed to my growth as a person and I learned to stop caring about trivial things and plastic people that weren't helping Darline develop. It feels good to box all that shit out.

Living on another continent, in a different culture with someone who's from a different place completely, has really made me wake the fuck up. Initially, learning to adapt was quite difficult. I was used to a certain lifestyle at home, often blinded by materialism and petty obsessions that tend to plague those in my age group. But with all these new experiences, I've truly realized that so much of that stuff isn't important at all. Don't get me wrong, I will always love to buy new things and treat myself but that no longer consumes me. I will gladly forsake a new pair of shoes in exchange for a trip to somewhere I've never seen.. in exchange for new mental imagery.

[Not that I need to explain myself on my own blog but I don't want this to be misconstrued as me putting myself on a pedestal or thinking I'm better than anyone; it's more about self realization & reflections on the inner developments that have been ongoing with me over the years. I've grown to really love this little heart of mine and it's made my relationships and interactions with people a lot more genuine. I'm less tolerant of the people/things I don't want in my life and it's marvelous! ]

The best part is that I even though I'm so far from all that I've ever known, I feel the most comfortable and secure in myself and my abilities than I ever have before. I feel like I haven't lost any part of myself that didn't need to go. I still hold the fundamental values instilled in me by my family true to my heart. I still have my sense of adventure and I'm still impressed by nature's simplicity and wonder. I am content with myself, my loved ones, and my life... & that is not quantitative.

all that I own, I carry with me*

when i make me so damn easy to love..

Beyonce is so damn extra and so damn full of herself but I can't deny that I love this song (and the pin-up style) because honestly, there's nothing not to love about ME! But I don't have the same problem as she does.. I have someone who loves me and it's no surprise.. everybody does!


In other news, I'll be traveling to Nice, France next week with Mic before we go to Ibiza, Spain for vacation, WOO HOO!! I'm very excited since it'll also be Cannes Film Festival week so hopefully some celebrities are lucky enough to bump into me! LIFE IS SO VERY GOOD.

I'm not dead!

There's been so much going on that I've had no time to update this! I don't have much time now, as Mic and I have decided we need to become a power couple at something (we got our asses handed to us while playing Wii with his friends after thinking we were the best players ever) so we're gonna try some board games and maybe play some soccer outside. Translation: we're gonna make dinner and play games that don't require us getting off the couch before eventually realizing it's Saturday night and perhaps heading out for a night on the town instead of being losers. But in complete honesty I'd be fine staying home.. I love couch night's and waking up refreshed and sober on Sundays. We're also planning to go for a run as well as go to Ikea to pick up a few things and I doubt that will happen if we're hungover.

Yesterday was Queen's Day where everyone dresses up in Orange and piles onto the streets of Holland's major cities, drinking, selling stuff, turning the floor into a dumpster and making poor life decisions. Basically, it's one of the best days of the year. While on the train into Amsterdam, we were told that people were so out of control that they were actually walking on the train tracks! Trains weren't going any further than Haarlem, a sexy little city 15 minutes outside of Amsterdam, where I used to live when I first got to Holland. We thought the trains would eventually start working again so we went into the city center to kill some time, but we were mistaken and had to take a taxi into Amsterdam instead. We then spent the day walking around grabbing drinks and I think it's safe to say that we walked the entire perimeter of Amsterdam. Good times.

In other news, I went home for a week and had the most amazing time! It was fantastic to see my family and spend time with my sister and my friends. I really wish that all the people I love could be in the same place and I'm very much looking forward to being visited and showing my loved ones my new hood!

I also may be able to start working legally as early as June which excites me very much! I've had very little time to devote to my book but I'm trying to at least write a few paragraphs/pages a day and it's gonna happen.. I ain't no quitter!

Mic and I are also going to the Mediterranean island of IBIZA May 20th, WOOO HOOOO!!!! I've been browsing that website and I'm loving what I'm seeing (be jealous)! It's known as the party capital of the world (I guess they don't include people in that classification, else I'd sooooo have that honor) so I can't wait to live it up while simultaneously getting to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery with my love. It's impossible to complain when life is this sweet!

More from me soon lovebugs!

I've put a spell on you & now you're mine..

I love that people are actually reading this! Here I thought this was just a way to keep myself entertained but within this past week, I've had several people tell me they couldn't access my blog anymore because I changed the domain name.. I even had people know things I hadn't personally told them from reading it on here! It makes me happy to know that I've managed to seduce your interests through my constant solicitation on popular social networks and that you're interested! It's a marvelous way for me to express myself and keep in touch so thank you, thank you for your support! Also, a massive THANK YOU for the encouragement on my goals, particularly my novel.. really means a lot to me and can't wait to see most of you when I'm home in a few weeks!

Keep on dreamin'
Darline <3

I've always maintained that I'm insane

... & true genius is insanity.

I've been using all this free time I have to unleash my creative side and I'm going to indulge in a moment of vanity and say that I'm creating artistic masterpieces!

That may be overzealous of me but I did accomplish some things that I'm really proud of, namely the latest Wii characters I've created. They are all kinds of glamourous, culturally diverse and super athletic (Tubby Timmy is surprisingly agile). I also found an old Disney coloring book and I colored the crap out of Cinderella, Belle, and Snow White. They're all Black in my version though.

I am now also officially a composer. Perhaps it was playing around with GarageBand that inspired me but I decided to try my luck on an actual keyboard. Granted, the song is mainly comprised of about 4 actual chords (I'm not even precisely sure which exactly, I'm playing by ear) and lots of improv but I like the melody and what I'm singing about. When I perfect it, make it a little less basic, and work up my confidence, I'll post it. Til then I'll leave you with my horrible rendition of Yael Naim's "New Soul". I'll warn you that it's AWFUL so click play at your own risk!



I tweaked my book idea a bit and I like the way it's coming along. Of course it's a rough draft so there will surely be differences in the final product but hopefully not many. I tend to like the direction I take and my writing flow when I'm excitedly writing about something for the first time. I sent my first chapter to a friend of mine who's brother is an editor and she described it as being, "snarky, intelligent, charming, and wildly inappropriate". In other words, it's perfect!

Speaking of tooting my own horn, that reminds me of Lady Gaga. I came across this video which cracks me up! The dance montage around the 8 minute mark and the man with the tin can hat made my day! I'm hoping that these people weren't serious about all that praise.. her music is catchy and she's definitely entertaining but she doesn't speak to my soul. I lament over the fact that some people draw comparisons of her to Michael Jackson.. he made Thriller man, Thriller!  She's an egotistical, pseudo-intellectual and I'll never believe that her persona is who she really is, rather it's a way of life that garnered her the fame she constantly speaks of and now she has no choice but to uphold and out-do her displays of "art" in order to keep the people in a Goo Goo Gaga trance. She's a genius without actually being insane- she just plays her character very well and I damn sure can't knock her hustle!

Anyway, this made me laugh so enjoy:

back, back, forth & forth

It's Friday and I'm ready to swing, 

pick up my girls and hit the party scene

tonight... oh ohhhhh it's alright ummmmmm.

Amici, Buongiorno! A little throwback Aaliyah to kick off this gorgeous weekend and express the wonderful mood I'm in!

Mic went home to Siciliy for Easter weekend, leaving me here alone to bask in my craziness and debauchery. He's only been gone since last night and I've already managed to get into a near fist-fight with the newspaper delivery people (they squeeze about 324 pamphlets through our slot even though I've added a sign that says NEE to receiving them), take about four thousand pictures on iPhoto, polish off the rest of our wine, and get into a skirmish with one of the neighborhood cats. FYI, He started it.. our door being was not an open invitation for him to come in and make himself comfy on the couch! He even had the audacity to hiss when I tried to get him down which is when I had to use the mop handle to prod him out (Sorry PETA, but I didn't wanna touch him, he had crazy eyes!). It was cold outside, but you don't live here, puss! It's strange to be alone but, Tim Gunn voice, I'm making it work.

I've been fortunate enough to have great friends & family keeping me company on Gmail and Skype, while I keep them from doing silly things like working or enjoying their youth outdoors instead of staring at my unkept hair and protruding collarbones onscreen. But then again, I have the pleasure of seeing them in their undergarments *cough cough Anthony cough*. I've also downloaded a few movies to watch to pass the time if necessary, Memento, Leon and A Clockwork Orange just to name a few.

I had a hard time sleeping last night and found myself awake and feeling refreshed at 6 AM. I wish this was the case when I used to work at the UCONN Recreational Facility and had to be up at this horrific hour. I felt inspired to write so I continued working on my book about long distance relationships and I think I can get through the first chapter by today (Marjorie, expect an email with an attachment from me by the end of this weekend, also with the poetry you requested!). After a bit of that, I decided it was time to pay back our neighbors for the loud, obnoxious music they've been blasting and the way they've been trodding above us like horses, by practicing piano (really just banging on the keys) and screeching like a wild banshee singing.

Following that, I brushed up on my I-talian so I can impress Mic when he gets back. Sono intelligente e un assaggio ti dice che le olive sono maturate di fronte ad una cattedrale. I think he'll be impressed, as I'm sure you all are.

I'm updating my brother Matt & Mama on my life via Skype now, and after that I'm going to get my Martha Stewart on by clearing out the mess that is our garden in preparation for the upcoming warm season. It'll be relaxing to do some writing in the sun and Mic has been completely supportive of me becoming an artist (Madrid's Thyssen Museum touched my soul) so I'd like to buy an easel and frolick in paint on the weekends. My sister Damaly, is actually very talented in this department and I think it may be in our genes (tell me is there anymore room for me, in those jeans..)

By then my favorite Dutchie Lizzy will be here to wreak havoc on my life! Sidenote: Mic just called me to rub in the fact that he's laying on a beach in Sicily right now in 80 degree weather *#*&$&^$&!!!! Come on Spring, come on SUMMER!

Ciao for now, ciglia sul volto di asini!

A few hours later..

Mic just sent me something that made my life.. Seriously though, TIP OVER and CAPSIZE?

Madrigal Madrid y Toledo

I have put a ring on Spain's finger because I absolutely love it! I went to Barcelona last year and a few weeks ago, I ventured to Espana again to visit Madrid and Toledo and WOW- such beauty, such culture, and you haven't lived until you've had authentic Sangria.

Spaniards also really know how to party, while simultaneously being completely relaxed and seemingly unpretentious. It's custom to have dinner as late as 1 AM and then head out to a club. You party until breakfast time, get something to eat, nap, have lunch, meander about the streets, shop, then head back to your place for a siesta around 7 or 8 (some shops would actually close around this time just to reopen in a few hours!) You wake up, grab a 10/11PM dinner then start the process all over again. SIGN ME UP! The biggest adjustment was learning not to devour too much paella and avoid taking shots of tequila on a full stomach.

We were happy that our room looked exactly like the photos we saw on the web and the location couldn't have been any better. We were a stone's throw from the Puerta de Sol square and within walking distance from countless bars and clubs. The first night, we made it our mission to stop in as many bars as possible and enjoy a shot of tequila in each. It wasn't the best idea we'd ever had but it made for an interesting evening.

We even managed to be up earlier than I'd ever thought possible, enjoying lunch and a stroll in the noonday sun. We did a bit of shopping, took in a Monet art exhibit at the Thyssen Museum and managed to lay out in the sun for an hour, admiring the beautiful scenery and letting the sweet melodies of a nearby guitarist take us away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Luckily we walked around for hours, because I ate my weight in food throughout the weekend, and drank my volume in alcoholic beverages. Not to mention the fact that we were eating late in the evening, one night as late as 12 AM!

I also got to see my Brazilian friend, Mayra, who also has moved to Europe to be with the man she loves. They live happily near Toledo, Spain in a beautiful country house with 4 of the sweetest, cutest dogs ever. Toledo is about 25 minutes away from Madrid by Spain, but we felt like we were boarding a plane due to the security! We had to have our bags scanned and there was even a little desk by the door leading to our platform, where employees were waiting to scan our tickets and rip off that little piece like they do with airline tickets. These precautions were necessary after the 2004 Madrid train bombings.

It was great to see them again and it was reassuring to talk to someone going through a similar situation. I could tell Mic really enjoyed the day and that it reminded him of his native Sicily, with the beautiful olive and almond trees. He'll be spending Easter at home so I'm sure he's very excited. Me, not so much. What the hell am I gonna do with myself for the 6 days he's gone?! Oh, I know... I'll devote more time to my book, learning Italiano and wreaking havoc on the streets of Holland!

We still got the taste dancing on our tongues

I had a bad taste in my mouth earlier this morning and although pride doesn't follow this statement, I had to wash it down with red wine.

I'm great. I got a lot done today, for which I'm very proud of myself. I managed to make a dent in some of the goals I discussed in a previous post, started up another idea altogether (top-secret for now, don't want any copycats)and even managed to do some domestic things around the house. It's been a running joke with Mic and my friends that I spend my days in my "office" (um, the couch), doing lots of paperwork, faxing, composing financial reports, etc. (translation: watching television, resting, and watching episodes of The King of Queens online). Today I actually got work done!

I decided that my book will be about my relationship with Mic, our living on different continents for 3 months, and a bit about long distance relationships and how to make them work. I began my outline today of what I want to include and how I want to begin and how to go about publishing it. I came across several options and got more of my outline done than I thought I would. Once I started writing, I felt very comfortable and didn't have to force it at all.What I've always enjoyed most about writing is the process: you have an idea and you express it uninhibitedly in your own voice. Even if only 10 people purchase it, I'll be content knowing I came up with it all on my own and I worked hard to achieve my goal. It's less about attention, rather it's mostly about ME. That being said, I'd still very much appreciate all your support and maybe my experience will benefit those in similiar situations who've given up hope!

Th3r3'5 a F1r5t T1m3 4 3v3rYtH1nG

I've never posted twice in one day but having little else better to do affords me such luxuries.

So I'm browsing through Facebook and I realized: a lot of my 'friends' are complete strangers, total idiots and depressingly illiterate. The fact that I don't know many of my contacts on The Book is admittedly my own fault; I shouldn't have accepted them as friends or gotten so drunk at Nickel Night on Thursdays during college and made so many beer buddies. But I am not to blame for the stupidity and overwhelming spelling and grammatical errors plaguing the pages of that blue and white addictive demon who seems to have a death-grip on so many of our lives.

Recently I've gotten into the habit of taking advantage of the 'Hide' option on my News Feed so as not to be bombarded by people who treat Facebook like it's their Twitter (constantly updating me on gems like them watching TV, urinating, having a Cesarian section, breathing, etc.). I also don't want to participate in Mafia Wars, Farmville, Let's eat Gerbils, or whatever silliness people insist on sending me invites to. Don't get me wrong, there are people whose lives I'm genuinely interested in but I undoubtedly couldn't care less about your deviated septum or who you're hitting with those god awful pillows!

Despite the majority of my friends being college educated, you wouldn't know it from their posts. I'm not asserting that a college education makes you any smarter than someone who didn't go any further than high school. In fact, I'm arguing the very opposite. I am flabbergasted by some people making it even past the 6th grade. I realize Facebook is a social network and it's informal blah blah blah but COME ON... some of these errors appear to be blatant- like people are actually going out of their way to misspell things or TyP3 1iK3 tHi5. It just doesn't make any sense! This pales in comparison to some of the 'intellects' that post on topics like politics and religion. While these posts lack grammatical errors, they tend to be based on under-developed ideologies and lack any research/truth/thought/originality whatsoever. They're walking puppets who think they know everything about everything because they watch Fox News.

I've just explained to myself why more than half of my FaceBook friends are hidden from my News Feed. Good riddance.

GO BIG OR GO HOME.

So it's been 2 weeks since I left Stamford, CT and relocated to Rotterdam, Netherlands. It's been amazing to be back with Mic and strangely enough, it wasn't difficult for me to make the decision to come back. Perhaps professionally and monetarily it wasn't the wisest decision but when there's a battle, my head tends to defer to my heart.

& my heart is here, simple as that.

That being said, things haven't been as simple. I realize that not much time has gone by but I am perhaps one of the most impatient people you'll ever meet (I perpetually burn my tongue on piping hot food because I refuse to wait). I don't like CAN'T sit still so being home throughout the day is quickly losing its appeal. Last week was great because we'd just gotten a Wii system so I could amuse myself with that. Then we flew to Madrid and Toledo for a long weekend which was amazing.

This week I've devoted myself to trying to find work but that's basically impossible on account of me not having a work permit yet. That will come in due time, I know, but it doesn't make the waiting any less arduous. I have a penchant for shopping, traveling and keeping this unruly mane of mine tamed (oh and paying bills, but that's obviously not as important as me looking damn good), so this whole "no paycheck" thing really isn't my style. So I've come up with a few ideas/things to do that I'm diligently going to work on while being unemployed and even after I've found work:

*Teach myself to play the piano- I've always wanted to be able to play. Mic has shown me some basic songs and I thoroughly enjoy it. Additionally, it will also help with...
*Perfecting my singing skills- Those of you who've had the pleasure of hearing my renditions of various songs can tell that I'm blessed but I'd like to sharpen my talent so that I can eventually...
*Write an original song! I've been writing poetry since I was 11 and would love to apply them to melodies. I'm sure I've written poems cheesy and nonsensical enough to be made into music.. But nowadays, I'm sure I can create a hit by cooing into the microphone and singing about a sandwich I'm about to make. Include a video with a creative dance sequence and broads in their bras & panties and I'd shoot straight to the top. Yes, people are that damn stupid.
*Learn Italian- Thus far I've perfected several phrases and song lyrics but I need to do better. It's an alluring language and it'd be great to communicate with my Mic and his friends and family who may not have the best grasp on the English language.
*Write a book- This is something I've wanted to do since high school. I've always said that my life would make a great television show but apparently shows are given to people my age who are shallow, already rich and not that interesting. I'll attempt to keep that dream alive but in the meanwhile, I'd love to detail my life abroad or even write a book about this romance I got going with my Sicilian. I kept a journal and can always reference this blog for inspiration.. Mic and I also wrote each other emails for everyday we were apart (excuse me while I barf up breakfast, due to all this sappiness) so I could very well create a screenplay. I could even star in it, hmmmmmmm.

Those are only a few of the ideas raging in my medulla oblongata but they are my currently my largest obsessions. I realize they're also huge tasks to take on, but I thrive off challenge. I'll keep you all updated on my progress on here as well as my youtube channel:

Ciao, buon giorno!

I knew you'd take all my honey..

So I woke up this morning with the intention of updating this and finally posting pictures from last September. Instead, I've been distracted by the epic collaboration that is Lady Gaga's "Telephone" featuring Beyonce "that bitch" Knowles. For those of you who have failed to experience this over-the-top, thirsty display of creativity and awesomeness, feast your lovely pupils on these two pupils of fuckery:



Now to be clear, I am a huge fan of people expressing themselves but come on Gaga, COKE CAN ROLLERS & CIGARETTE SHADES?! If that's not a cry for attention, I've failed to absorb all the psychological babble I've heard over the years from people who are obviously experts on psychology, sometimes as soon as having only taken an introductory class. Not to mention, these were the very people losing their own damn minds and suffering from the very ailments they diagnosed and criticized others for. But I digress; back to Gaga & Honey B...

I will give credit where credit is due: Beyonce has managed to thaw my icebox heart in the past (but only by a few degrees, no bitchassness) with her singing (shout outs to Dangerously in love & Halo!). She's obviously beautiful, puts on a great show, and sings live while dancing/seizuring her ass off. Usually her lace front game is tight, and while I understand they were going for a certain look in this video, all signs point to that weave being TRAGIC. But B has finally found someone she can't upstage.. Gaga answers the bell with her telephone receiver bangs. CHECKMATE.

A lot can be said about this video but in summation, it was exactly what I'd expect from BeGaga: EXTRA EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT! I wish I could've seen Beyonce's entire outfit from when she was driving, it looked trampy enough to be cute but perhaps all the time she's been spending with Gaga has diminished her looks- she was looking rather manish in the face. & despite Gaga trying to shoot down hermaphrodite rumors by putting her pussycat on display, she could be post-op and I'd even say she is 1/3 horse. Great effort though! Nonetheless, this is a video that will get people talking, have renditions of it on YouTube and create a buzz over a song that honestly, isn't that good. Mission accomplished.

I'll leave you with a bonus treat: