legal.

i am 21.

let the next journey begin.

SASQUATCH

I've been on a blogging haitus lately, probably because i've enjoyed just living life. HOWEVER, i know how curious everyone is to hear about about sasquatch so here it goes.

The road trip.
-texas, new mexico, colorado, utah, wyoming, idaho, oregon, washington.
-sun, rain, SNOW, cold, hot, humid, smelly, sunrises and sunsets.

it was as if God knew that we were meant to get there by car (trust me, we went through several transportation options) therefore He decided to show us the beauty of the West. and trust me, it WAS beautiful. pictures didn't do justice. the mountains, lakes, rivers, snow capped mountains, red clay filled mountains, green pastures. ah everything. so gorgeous.

THE FESTIVAL.
well this was just insane. my ears were filled with amazing tunes from favorites bands to newly discovered artists. everyone performed amazing sets. ben gibbard seemed a little jittery, which freaked me out.

performances that stuck out: Fleet Foxes. White Rabbits. Yeasayer. The Hives. The Flaming Lips. Ghostland Observatory. Ozomatli (great energy). MIA. Modest Mouse. Flight of the Conchords.

I also checked out the breeders, mates of state, rogue wave, the new pornographers, the cure, dead confederate, michael franti & spearhead and many more.

THE HIGHLIGHTS.
all of God's blessings. my uncle's hotel suite, the free dinner in seattle, the free appetizer at the restaurant, getting gas 5 minutes before the station closed, getting my sprite paid for, dried fruit samples, rain cover on the tent, etc.

I always thought I had to get away from the United States to see something beautiful. I was wrong.

back to the future.

this weekend was graduation. for many of my friends, they became alumni while i realized that i have one year left at this amazing university.

i was a little weirded out about it, yet my mother's phone call this morning freaked me out. she asked when my graduation was. I responded with "ummm i don't know. mom, that's like a year away." well turns out UT plans in advance, and sure enough the date of graduation weekend is in the calendar system.

one year from now: i'll be a UT alum. i'll be on the edge of total independence. i'll be poor, which i suppose is nothing new.

plus, that same month my mother is retiring and my little sister is graduating from high school. it'll be insane. but wait wait wait... that's a YEAR AWAY. let's get back to thinking in the present...

SASQUATCH IS UPON US!! we embark in two days. Our route is planned out, and I could not be more stoked. This trip will be insane in everyway. We are smooshing in a tiny car, packing TIGHT, driving across the entire midwest, and camping in washington paradise.

really, i have to thank God for this trip. so many things were seeming to not go right, yet He has guided us through the entire process. I ask everyone to pray for us as we drive. That we remain safe, no car trouble, etc. I can't wait to see the wonderful cities of boulder, portland, seattle, and all that's in between.

God also pulled me through school this semester. I made it out alive, and even raised my GPA. :)

I'm a little lost when it comes to my career these days. Being in television, there are so many different routes you could take. I love music television journalism, I love the idea of working on a morning news show (gma, today show, etc) I love the idea of working for the travel channel and hosting a show... just so many things. I pray that God helps me sort it out.

-ae

"screw you nazi sailor, i'm latina!"

whigs concert at antones:

georgia peaches.

shady ladies.

go myspace the dead trees.

saint bracelets.

mig & ash's wedding:

colombian invasion.

live salsa.

open bar.

booty dancing.

for your viewing pleasure.

research papers cause lack of sleep. which leads to delirium. which leads to youtube videos.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=yRmqZRPgK1w

danny and i are working to memorize the dance moves.

for the love of music.

Well hello there blog, bloggers, and blogees.

Here's what I've decided:
1) come mid-may I am launching a music blog. Expect reviews of albums, concerts, new band discoveries, and videos. Sasquatch will be featured of course.

2) speaking of sasquatch... I'm starting to get the queasy-stomach-nervous feeling. I'm DRIVING to WASHINGTON STATE. from Texas. Being the leader of this trip, it's my job to keep everyone calm and assure them that this trip will be the time of our lives. which no doubt, I am very excited about it but I'm starting to get nervous about what COULD happen. However, if I always worried about the "what ifs" in life, I'd never have any fun.

3) I will destroy these last two assignments of the year. A 10-12 research paper due Monday that is 50, yes 50% of my grade. As well as a test that determines whether I get an A or a B in media law and ethics. I will get an A.

4) Nothing is capable without the Lord. I could not accomplish anything without the gifts He's provided, the blessings He's given me, and the faith I have. it's easy to glorify ourselves, hoping we'll receive recognition from others for OUR endeavours, when really it is all God's work. I am thinking Him daily for the good things, and somewhat misunderstood things in my life.

5) gossip girl is getting good. real good.

UPCOMING SOCIAL EVENTS:
-Miguel's Wedding (Saturday!)
-CINCO DE MAYO (Monday!)
-Whigs concert (May 10!)

quite a scare.

God always has a plan. It is our job to patient and wait to see it out. Sometimes, er ... almost ALL the time, i am bad about being patient. I need to listen more to God, after all He did create everything and everyone around me.


Yesterday, i had a huge health scare. a simple doctors appointment turned into a trip to the hospital. i realized in one day how much people care about me and are willing to drop everything to be there for me. i can't believe how selfish i get sometimes, wrapped up in my own life and own plans. I thank everyone who was there for me, and I thank God for allowing me to be okay after a day of grief.

i'm seeing the signs finally. i'm reaching clarity, accepting situations, and gaining a dose of wisdom along the way. this is a time in my life where I need to re-organize my priorities, and I'm starting to wake up and do that.

farolito.

dear blog audience,

i'd like to first apologize to the lack of blogging. crazy thing have been going on, and i'm not sure where to start.

-my asthma has kicked back into high gear. the other night i had an attack for 7 hours. once i got a hold of an inhaler things got a bit better, but i'm seeing the doctor tomorrow bc i can't take deep breaths. thank God to whoever invented the puffer.

-there was that 80s cover band...

-then there was that boat party...

- last night the twins came in town. it was going to be a team ecuador reunion, but walter y juanjo never got their booties up here. i'm going to try and forgive them. we made a really cool video, but sammy refuses to post it online :(

-i'm conflicted in the boy area, so for now i just try and focus on some of my celeb crushes. tonight's featured male: andrew vanwyngarden.

-all in all, i'm trying to keep God my top priority. if i work on my faith, everything else will fall into place. school is about to end, my social calendar is chalk full of amazing adventures, and i want to enjoy each day.

love you all.

ATTENTION EVERYBODY!!!

PLEASE DONATE TO THE:

HELP ME GET TO GEORGE BY GIVING A GEORGE FOUNDATION!!!

DOLLAR BILLS PREFERRED, YET QUARTERS WILL DO!!
anything with george on it!

as you guys know, i'm road tripping it up to George, Washington for the 2008 Sasquatch Music Festival to do some umm... music journalism. PLEASE DONATE!!! :)

in other news, i am proud to promote Longhorn Model, a model competition here at UT that is being ran by some of my favorite people like KASEY STRICKLIN! you go guys!

there's a possible internship opportunity at 101x! i really want it to work out, i'm just worried about my schedule.

the lovely mollie invited me to D.U. and i cannot WAIT to rock it with her!

i turn 21 in TWO MONTHS 24 DAYS.

i talked to timoteo! i miss them georgia peaches.

i finally did pilates. it is awesome.

i am fighting everyday. i'm not giving up on this.

i'm cooking?

so tonight i'm cooking dinner. granted some things come from frozen packages, this is a step up from tv-dinner alyssa. be proud.

THE JUICE.

so today, the executive producer of Good Morning America, John Green came in and talked to our broadcast class. GMA is my dream job. I have ALWAYS wanted to do a morning show, particularly for ABC, being my favorite network since childhood. He told us that ABC was going around to some of the top journalism colleges and setting up an ABC Bureau. I was like WHHHATT. Then, he informed us how mtvU (my dream internship) is owned by ABC. I was like sayyyy whatt? God had suddenly planted this man in our classroom, and I couldn't stop wigging out. There will only be a few spots open to work in the bureau, and I know we will all end up competing against each other. Of course, I desperately want it, but I know everyone going for it is amazingly talented. Things won't get official until April when Bureau chief is decided, but man... the window of opportunities this would open is AMAZING.

With this incident a lot of unnecessary drama spurred. Sometimes I just get frustrated, because I know we all want jobs but at the same time, we are all classmates and should be encouraging each other. Gah, competition is fierce.

In other news, today I had a weak moment. I spent $36 on TWO headbands from urban. They hadn't even hit the shelves yet, so I was the first one to snag em from the store. I had only planned on buying the blue peacock one, yet the lady made the mistake of bring me out ALL the colors to look at, and naturally I had to have the golden one as well. I have never in my life spent that much on accessories, and a part of me feels ashamed. The other part, the part that comes out when I wear the headbands, says "ohhhh yeaaahhh" ;)

My weekend warning: It's roundup kids. You know what that means. Prepare yourselves for pastel shorts, neon plastic sunglasses, sororitutes and the reeking smell of alcohol on high school kid's breaths. ahh, greek life.

love you all.

72 hour kinda life.

it is INSANE how many emotions you can go through in one weekend. i think i hit everyone this weekend.

first off, HAPPY EASTER. this is such a special day, for the resurrection of Christ is an act to always be remembered and cherished.

this weekend:
-my house guest Danny left. he was so fun, and ashley and i already miss his goofiness. good thing he is still in Austin, because his apartment is DT and we can bug him :)

-saw the familia. they came up here, and we all went out to eat for Ashley's birthday. great great great fun.

-then all this serious stuff happened. all i have to say about it is that i finally need to step up. people want to help, and i need to let them. denial is NOT the way to go, rather i need to face this head on and fight. taking it day by day...

-i successfully turned a CRAZY, outlandish idea into a plan. i decided that i wanted to go to the Sasquatch Music Festival. sounds fine right? well only big problem, which led to multiple little problems, is that the festival is in WASHINGTON. as in THE STATE. seeing as I reside in Texas and am very poor, this seemed impossible. but then i remembered my favorite quote:

"where there's a will, there's a way"

i quickly assembled my team, did some convincing, and now we are GOING. not only that, but we are roadtripping and stopping along some baller cities. ahhh, and who said being a dreamer was bad?

-easter candy/baskets rule.

too drunk to move.

this is chase.
he's enrolled in school.
but he doesn't go.
what a fool.
he's a reader
of my blog
and he smokes
in a cloud of smog.
twenty one
guitar and plays
maybe i'll see him
around one day

backseat.

i can't describe this day that has now blended into tomorrow in words. so i'm taking carina's

and our lashes intertwined
things you find
in the backseat
of your mind.

just a second and we're gone
just an imprint and we're done.

it should be forever, God told me
we're born into the wrong time.
it should forever, God told me.

my personality.

i am an EFNP. it's crazy how true this is.

http://www.personalitypage.com/ENFP.html

gustar.

andy goldsworthy art.

dia de los muertos skulls.

this verse: just as water reflects the face, so one human heart reflects another - proverbs 27:19

SXSW internship day 3.

alright, i'm going to update on day 3.

performances:
dr. dog, old 97s, billy bragg, christian scott, jim noir, the submarines, etc. i enjoyed pretty much all of these, except jim noir. however, that could've been bc it was the last one of the day and i just wanted to get home. christian scott is a great trumpet player who's worked with mos def, jill scott, and prince. we chatted, and he seems really fun.

upstairs bands were coming in and out. devotchka, moby, dr. dog etc. it was an exciting day, and we had recordings in and out.

something i forgot to mention about day 2: i recieved a lot of helpful advice from david. we talked radio vs. television, balancing family and careers, and what this career field involves. it is crazy how i have to focus on these things so soon, but i do. it is ever so exciting and ever so terrifying. i never know what path my life will take, because my career and the markets i work in will play a large role in when i start a family/whether i can. ah, i'm too young to worry about that honestly.

it's FRIDAY. i don't have to show up to work until 11, so i'm hoping i can play with timothy and the boys tonight before they leave town tomorrow.

SXSW internship day 2.

i would've updated this yesterday, however sxsw nightlife kidnapped me.

day 2 was amazing. the day was a bit slow compared to wednesday, so luckily i didn't have to arrive until 11 :) i decided to wear jeans and a t-shirt so that I was "more clothed" and fit for work. ha.

first my boss took me up to KLRU because REM was coming in later that day to record for acl. I was STOKED, however REM hadn't arrived, and we had to get back to record. my hopes were shot down, but i had to press on. Then I met Will, david's other intern, and was happy that I had a new friend.

in terms of recordings, i'll give the rundown.

alex cuba: AH-MAZING. the best was when he described himself as the only "afro in town" where he lives. haha he is from cuba, has an awesome fro, voice and his musical is phenomenal. que chevere. plus i got an amazing t-shirt from his manager.

daniel lanois: i really hope i didn't just butcher the name of this ever so talented producer/musician. he's produced some of the best, and his performance was excellent.

to be honest, i can't recall anyone else from the day. i know, that is terrible but the schedule was short and I was too concentrated on something else, MISSION REM.

mission REM: will and i decided that we were destined to get into the rem show, closed taping or not. we received a little insider tip about how we could walk up to the 7th floor and be very discrete on the cat walk. HOWEVER, you have to have a key to get to the 7th floor, and we aren't cool enough for that. we went on a lunch break, and i informed will that i had a hunch our luck was going to change. after lunch we waltzed into the studio and snuck behind a curtain. we climbed up a spiral staircase and decided to park it there for a while. WE WERE IN. however, we were then booted by the lighting technician. i didn't want to get in trouble, so I just told will we might as well give up and that's that. however, will wasn't going down without a fight. while he was scheming and chatting with steve, i talked with elissa. 5 minutes later, everyone who had purchased tickets to the recording came waltzing in. will's meal ticket. he just starts walking up with them, TO THE FRONT ROW. i'm like are you crazy?!! but of course, i join him. i hate admitting now that i was a bit reluctant, i just didn't want to get fired. bottom line, we saw REM and michael stipe was 5 feet away from me.

coming off of the high from work, i was pumped. not only that but i received a text from tim saying i made the guest list for the whigs, yo la tengo, mmj show. everything was going great, i was on cloud nine, UNTIL. i locked my keys in my car. hahaha no dice. but, pop a lock saved me and i got ready for the show.

turns out, their guest list gets thrown out the window. since i was already down there, tim decided might as well try and sneak me in. SUCCESS. and i'm telling you, i owe him and the whigs BIG time. the guys played great, much better than i expected. i couldn't help but stand there with a huge smile on my face. i also probably looked ridiculous because i was jamming out by myself, but we all know that isn't a problem for me. as their set was ending some guy asked me if i had an extra pair of ear plugs. turns out his name is kevin, he's an accountant from canada, and immediately i became his target for the night. i suppose the nice part was that i got free beer, haha but i texted tim to come jam out with me. i needed protection, not to mention this guy was hovering over my shoulder READING my texts. crreeeepy-creepster. anyway, next up was yo la tengo. i enjoy them, but was really struck my attention was the last song they played. it put me in a trance, reminding me of the feeling i get when i listen to explosions. then tim and his friend eric joined me at JUST the right time. my morning jacket baby. i was jamming, and jamming hard. needless to say we got crazy. and mmj was 100 times better than when i saw them at acl. PLUS, i was front row this time, always better. we went backstage for their encore, and i got to see all the boys. i love that crew, they are just so friendly and welcoming. i ended up riding back with the boys in the VAN ha, and it was a great night.

i would write about one more thing, but i'm going to keep the personal thoughts in my head and heart at the moment.

SXSW internship day 1.

I woke this morning at the alarming hour of 8am. stumbling to my bathroom i hear my amazing ringtone (cape cod kwassa: vampire weekend) and it's gerrie. we chat, i get ready and off I go to the kut studio.

when i arrive, my boss is no where in sight. I hang around until he comes in, and get the run down of the day. i put some schedules up around the studios, and bring people what they need.

first up: kaki king.
kaki has a new wave jazz kinda vibe. her voice is soft, and i liked the blend of keyboard, guitar and drums. i made friends with her tour manager ben, who kept poking fun at me because of my age. "earmuffs alyssa..." "oh, still living with your parents?" ha, oh to be young. i was supposed to hit up club deville tonight to see kaki play, but i think i'm going to go to the hilton tomorrow and check her out with ger and kristin.

lunch break: i decided to hit up einstein's since i hadn't grabbed a big breakfast. to my surprise, einstein's was DEAD. i'm talking, NO LINE. all OPEN BOOTHS. had i entered the twilight zone? i suppose this is what UT kids on spring break does to bagel heaven. i ordered and also got corey his sante fe sandwich. he was delighted when i returned in such a speedy fashion.

boss time: david comes back. immediately says "two things" in the stern tone. I think, shit. how am i already in trouble? Well, turns out John Hancock made a comment on my outfit saying I needed to put more clothes on. I was wearing shorts! however, i suppose my long pea coat did not add much to the visual effect. tomorrow's outfit: JEANS. the next thing he asked was "do you have a boyfriend?" i thought this was odd and responded "no..." however, he explained that "people had been asking about me, and he wanted to get the facts straight." he wasn't able to reveal the names to me, yet I think it was better to keep it anonymous. It was slightly amusing I must say.

next i had a break. i wandered into studio 1A to check out "zeep-zed hippies" aka 17 hippies. they are an amazing group from berlin. one word: eclectic. their band contains 13 members all playing a wide variety of instruments. you heard ukelele, guitar, recorder, accordian, trumpet, drums, violin, EVERYTHING. i absolutely loved them. i was only mildly distracted during the recording by a group of 3 young men who walked in to check them out also.

second up: liam finn. i adored his performance. he decided to leave out his band and just kept it simple with guitar. his other vocalist e.j. was lovely. they represent new zealand and australia well. sam, their manager, was also very pleasant. he was surprised we didn't get sxsw wristbands as interns, and secretly i wished the same thing. but, he got my number and said he'd call me if they could find a way to get me to a show! i was pumped and returned the favor by recommending some good eats in austin. plus i was able to meet liam and ej, so when they really hit it big i will feel special. which, i have total faith he will.

those were the end of the performances David had to produce. however, john hancock came downstairs to talk to him about a bit he had produced and to review it. so, i decided to wander back into studio 1a. I enjoyed the sound coming from the studio and inquired on the band. "the whigs, from georgia" when i looked into the dead room i realized it was the three boys who had caught my attention from earlier. they were awesome. i watched their whole set. afterward, david was still discussing things. i decided to make small talk with Josh, the whig's manager and Julian, the drummer. after a bit I helped them take equipment out from their set, and the guys wanted me to come in and talk with them. they were all really laid back and entertaining. we were laughing about their previous gig in san antonio at "rockbottom" haha anyway, tim got my number and later told me he is working on getting me passes to a show.

TURNS OUT, they are playing with MY MORNING JACKET, YO LA TENGO and VAMPIRE WEEKEND. seriously? seriously. i'm not sure if i'll get to go to any of these shows, but dear Lord if so I might die.

afterward I was free to go, and I must say I loved day 1. I hope the rest of the week is like this, and perhaps even better!

giving thanks to Him,
ae

sunny.

today, the sun came out.

I was worried that the weather would continue sucking, and that my last possible day to lay out before sunday would be ruined. I also was worried that my phone wouldn't come in on time, leaving me for lack of a better word screwed for tomorrow. yet again, God took care of me. Not only did I get my phone, but I layed out for four 1/2 hours. :)

this morning i woke up thinking how selfish I have been acting. i want to start giving back, and living my life more for the Lord. I've been blessed with SO MUCH throughout my life, and it is time for me to use those blessings for other people. I feel like I'm being called to do something big, and even though I'm not sure what it is yet, I think soon it's going to be revealed to me.

a list of songs to leave you with that put a smile on my face:
soul shine- beth hart
cape kod kwassa- vampire weekend
bittersweet symphony- the verve
just for today- india arie
delicious surprise: beth hart
farolito: gloria estefan
and many more...


on another note, one of my guilty pleasures is on tonight: real housewives of new york! paha.

take me to krumptown.

it was your typical sunday evening. a small gathering, a nice wine, bread baking in the oven, a movie, beer in bubba kegs... ok wait maybe not so typical. i suppose steven and justin's drinks ruin the sophistication of the description. nevertheless, kristin, gerrie, steven, justin, nathan and myself decided to get together and watch the documentary "rize." the film was interesting, focusing on inner city kids and their anti drug: dance.

all was calm and quiet in 907, until kristin and i decided to sneak off into her room and try some "krumping" of our own. we weren't so good at it, but soon others discovered our attempts. next thing i know, we are in laura's room listening to ratatat.

quickly, the krump frenzy caught on. laura's room was krump city. i krumped it with k-della.

then krumped it with alaska. ok, so his name is really nathan but considering he lived in alaska, that is what we will now refer to him as.

and you can't forget the headbang, which is my own addition to krumping.
then i realized something, i have asthma.

good thing laura called from china! it was so exciting to get to talk to that foxxy lady, and i am positive she is going to make living at 907 this summer so much better for me :) nevertheless, krumping continued.

then michael buble came on, and shit got weird.

(ok so i actually enjoy buble, and justin and i totally owned steven and kristin in a slow song dance-off)

i am glad i got to enjoy the night with people i love, and out of all the dance parties i've had, and trust me i've had A LOT, this one takes the cake. and the proof is in the pics.

-ae

i wish you'd make up my bed,

so i could make up my mind.


yesterday's slap in the face: i've been a terrible best friend. she's gotten closer to him, her and i have drifted apart, so us being together yesterday wasn't only awkward it was disappointing. the great thing about gerrie and i, is that we talk. we are honest. we don't try to offend, insult or ridicule, we just try and set things straight. on the way home from san antonio we talked it all out, and i realized i need to start making more of an effort to spend time with her, like she has been with me. after all, she's been my best friend since i was 5. as i once drunkenly told her "[she's] my numero uuunnnoo" and that statement couldn't be further from the truth. i am really hard on ryan, and i can't help it. i just want the best for gerrie, therefore i'm going to be protective. but in the end, she decides what makes her happy, i don't. i'm glad i finally figured that all out.

sometimes when i'm really tired, feeling a bit under the weather, or the weather outside is sucky i decide to be a recluse. it is so unusual because i am such a people person who loves going out and talking with everyone. yet sometimes, i just turn into this hermit. this was the state of alyssa on thursday, yet i was KIDNAPPED by my bergie blue brew crew boys. we had a dance party at val's which was amazing, and it was a fun night to start off the spring break.

spring break. primavera.

i am jealous of everyone who is at a beach this moment. if it weren't for the cold weather i'd be laying out right now. i might just embrace it anyway. i'm glad i'm staying in austin in terms of saving money, and being able to do the internship. yet the idea of skipping out on the ocean makes me MISERABLE. the ocean is one of the places i feel most comfortable. ever since i was a baby i was exposed to the ocean. galveston, corpus, s. padre, port a, florida, gulf shores, dominican republic, cozumel, playa del carmen, cape cod, huntington beach, la jolla, montanita, las playas, salinas,etc. ahhh

when i was 8 years old, the boogie board was my soulmate. i'd hog it from all my sisters, (i used to be TERRIBLE at sharing things i loved, yet i am the biggest mooch) and take it out for hours. i'd catch HUGE waves, and my dad was already proud. sometimes i'd sit on the board, when the tide was low and just enjoy the rhythm of the waves and think about life. i'd hear the faint calls from my parents "alyssa, you are out too far! come back" but they were always ignored. i was in my zone. i was happy. i could see God's beautiful creation in the water, the skyline, the sun, the pier, everything.

i MUST plan a beach trip soon. not to mention i have to take chase, because he has never seen the ocean. that is just sad.


more events have come up on the calendar:
DAD's visit with 3m men! dia del oso/waco visit to amy! <--mas eventos de abril
katie's return! black out party! katie's 21st, tracee's 21st, last day of school <--may events

last night i watched elizabethtown. it made me want a relationship. i'm perfectly ok with being single right now, because besides that weak moment while watching the movie, i'm having fun being independent. besides, i don't even know what kind of guy i want. i am TOO indecisive. i demand too many things from guys sometimes, and if i made a list of all the qualities i wanted a guy to have, i don't think he'd exist. haha

more blogs to come, hopefully chalk full of sxsw adventures!

tis the season

i absolutely adore this time of the year: beginning of spring-end of summer.

thus far, i discovered some fun items to add into the social calendar. let's check this out.

mar 7: SPRING BREAK BEGINS
mar 12: start my sxsw internship! (let's hope i don't screw this up)
mar 20: abby comes in town to play! leanne's movie fundraiser party @ apple bar
mid march: ex-austinities come in town making tracee and i very excited!

THEN sometime in april or may (HOPEFULLY): richi, walter, fran and gianni are coming to the U.S.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i will have a heart attack if i see them. fo reals.

april 29: kristin della's 21st birthday!

but i'm getting ahead of myself. in between there will be concerts, random beach weekends, etc.

i love it.

everyone be safe this upcoming week :)

the loco foco.

i dubbed my dad's side of the family "loco foco" back in 2001 due to the fact that we are a bunch of crazy mexicans (and a touch of Honduras for the Estrada's), but because my grandma got married 6 times leaving us with different last names, loco foco only seemed appropriate.

i visited the fam this weekend. we hit up two surprise parties, one on each side of the family.

the highlights: my nanny (mom's mom) booty dancing. ashley & i imitating austin show girls while dancing to "gimme more." planning my 21st bday party. doing the chicken dance. eating so much i looked prego. my dad & i getting low. possible radiohead tickets? anejo.

i love my family. when i see them, it reminds me that all this crazy nonsense that involves school isn't such a big deal. when you love people and they love you back for exactly who you are, you realize life is worth living.

i could be freaking out about a lot of things, but with weather like this, it's not possible.

mientras estamos vivos, dejamos vivir.

Hilbama.

after the debate last night, i think it's safe to dub hillary and obama as "hilbama." in typical power couple fashion, the two names of each partner must be combined in order to show their togetherness/strength. I was looking for some punches, some tackles, some insulting jabs. but alas, i was left unsatisfied with the amount of butt-kissing that seemed to be going on. I'm not quite sure who won the debate in my opinion. Hil was saying some good things, as well as Obama considering they agree on "about 95% of things." WHAT ABOUT THE FIVE PERCENT? give me the five people! I saw some kids I knew in the crowd, and the debate frenzy turned Austin/UT Campus into a political frenzy. It was crazy cool.


I like to center my blog around the juiciest events that occur in my life. Thus, I will tell the story of Bergie Blue's Brew Crew.

My j353d class is an eclectic group of students who miraculously have come together to create a group that no other broadcast sequence has seen. WE ARE AMAZING. Last night, we decided to have a debate viewing party for those who didn't have to film/report on it, and then afterwards we had a little "get together." holy-guacamole. let's just say a few drinking games can bring out the BEST in people. chipmunk voices, scandals, t-shirt ideas and booze were among the highlights of the night. but alas, what happened in gerald's apartment stays in gerald's apt. sorry kids.

drinking may be all fun and games, but at the same time, it can lead you to do some pretty stupid stuff. today, i feel like an idiot. i went into flirtatious text whore mode last night with somene, and today i feel ridiculous. sigh. don't ask me why I care so much, but for some reason I do, and I can't figure it out. I guess I just don't want to portray myself in the wrong way, and I'm afraid I did. fooogle-cakes.

currently, i've been thinking about my future and career. Tracee and I really want to get our show started for next year, and we need to use TSTV as an outlet to get it up and running. the problem? I'm not involved with TSTV. the solution? subtext & friends. I have so many friends involved at the station, and they are looking for people to do subtext. therefore, i'm going to do a few of those shows and then trace and i can pitch our ideas to the tstv staff! I hope they consider it, because I have a feeling it will be GREAT and i'm really excited to get my hands dirty in this process. also, i want to go up to new york this summer and check things out. I'd really like to talk with MTV networks about working with MTV News, but that is going to be very difficult. However, if I keep my ambition and faith in the Lord, I know things will work out for the best.

i'm in houston. time with the family is always wonderful. This weekend I'm getting a HAIRCUT (woo) NEW CLOTHES and I get to see juanjose! finally. it has been far too long. I needed a breather from austin, school, etc. My home is comforting.

manwiches and rape kisses.

after my week of high stress levels and struggles, i allowed myself to let loose a bit this weekend. maybe "a bit" is an understatement. it was, in the words of denton anderson "wooo wOOO"

friday night i went out with some of the tejas gents and my girls. they were having a "cruise reunion" and some of their friends came in town and surprised them. my first thoughts were this is going to be awkward... considering i didn't go on the cruise/nor did I know these outta-towners.

BUT. i ended up having a blast. these kids were so fun, and everyone got crazy downtown. thanks to my newly found friend troy vernon, i was able to get into library and enjoy 2.50 long islands. :) he was my good luck charm. the night ended with a SOHO dance party where my ghouler had to escape one of her many admirers. haha oh emily...

saturday i played news-reporter for most of the day. then i went to see chase's play with becky, and let's just say we had so many laughs. my favorite line of the play? "LIFE IS RAPE" oh, and of course when chase took his shirt off and rolled around on the floor. baha.

later i was coerced into going out, but it was nice because ger and katie b came! i was glad to see katie, since she resides in the ever so awful college station. ha. here were the highlights:
-dancing on the stage at speakeasy
-matt gian getting so wasted that he began to foam at the mouth
-denton rape kissing me
-discovering some fellow PRESBYS!
-dance floor sandwiches
-kristin and i discussing TPT's
-the bachelorette in pure wearing a tiara full of penises.

and of course, finding out that someone saw a "spirit" in our apartment. HAHAHA.

needless to say it was a fun weekend. the girls and i are planning a roadtrip to arkansas to see jimmy neutron and it is going to be awesome!


on another note, katie and i have been talking about her adventures abroad and they are so parallel to mine. i'm collecting funds to go visit her. we decided we are going to write a book titled "foreign love affair." haha it makes me miss ecuador SO bad. plus, walter isn't coming anymore. boo.


and lastly, today a little guilt sank in. despite all the fun i had this weekend, a part of me felt like i mis-represented myself. don't get me wrong, i am crazy, i just don't want to seem like britney spears circa "slave for you" video. ha. LUCKILY after discussing things with lewis, he said something that made me feel at ease:
"bahaha your spontaneity is one of the reasons i love you."

thanks lew.

best mass email ever.

it's been a while. however, luckily SO much has happened today that i will focus on the present. not the past.

the moment i woke up, i've been on a roller coaster. the kind that goes UP and DOWN. however, after every BAD thing God did something cool.
1) my class was cancelled. cool. except we have a test friday, and today was supposed to be the review. not cool.
God blessing: i have friends in that class that know their shit, and it's going to work out.

2) first news story due on tuesday. we work in partners, so it's very difficult trying to plan around your schedule, the partner's schedule, and the sources time. let me just say i was on the phone forever today trying to make appointments/rescheduling interviews/freaking out. it just sucks that these stories suck up all your time (aka entire weekend) due to trying to get interviews early, so you can get the b-roll, so you can write the script, so you can get it approved, and THEN edit so you can turn it in. crikees.
-God blessing: scored great interview time that alina and i can both go to, and it will all work out. plus my partner isn't M.I.A. like some other groups.

3) i babysit an awesome family. BUT. this week there were so many last minute requests/ a lot of chauffering around of the kids. i wanted to say something about my pay, bc there was so much driving and gas is expensive// it takes me a while just to get there in the first place. i was so frustrated, not to mention the kids were tired and mopey.
-God blessing: the mom ended up paying me MORE than usual because of all the toting around I did on such short notice. she's awesome.

4) today i was SUPER fatigued, due to lots of things and i wanted to take a nap and relax so bad, but i knew there wasn't enough time with class and work.
God blessing: the BEAUTIFUL weather. I got to lay out for an hour 1/2 while reading notes and studying

5) valentines is coming up, and i don't have time to do ANYTHING tomorrow. class from 8am-5pm and then i must study for my test friday. le suckage.
God blessing: I got a valentines from my nanny (g-ma) today with a sonic gift card! AND a really sweet card from my parentals with cash monnnaaayy. (plus my mom said she's going to take me shopping. what what)
5) i needed to scream/express my anger/ release something.
God blessing: ace of base's "all that she wants" came on the radio right as i got in my car. AND i have a best friend Gerrie who listens to me.

the Lord is awesome. word.


now onto other news. i have another test tomorrow in my 360 class, and usually before tests kids send out frantic mass emails like "ohhh can someone give me their notes?! i'll return the favor" "i was so sick" etc. well, i got a few of those but then one struck me as... well.. just read:

the subject: I NEED YOUR NOTES RIGHT NOW!!!
Howdy Y'all, I surely do love sending out group emails. In fact, that is my study strategy this semester. I have slept through every class so far and now, since we have a test in less than 24 hours, it is up to you to help me do well.I have absolutely no remorse about this and I hope you understand that I won't actually be taking the time to make personal contact with anyone in class to attempt to get notes. Instead I will spam the crap out of everyone in a panic when it is already too late.If you do send me your notes know that I have no intention of repaying you in any way.So, consider my plight and help a brother out. Sincerely,MIW


i am going to find that kid. and make him my friend. immediately.

-well, sorry for the lengthy blog//mild complaints but writing is catharsis for me so deal.
-i love you all so much and remember that tomorrow is a day about LOVE no matter if it's romantic or not, so show everyone your love. i know i will with my pirates of the carribean valentines. baha

my favorite number is SIX.

i have montezuma's revenge and i'm not even in the friggin homeland. ??????

unlimited text messaging turned me into a text whore. i apologize friends.

don't ask me how i'm going to survive this week.

superbowl= good commercials. and the Giants kickin ass and taking names.

i'd like someone to take me on a breakfast date here please:
www.galaxycafeaustin.com where i will proceed to order the quiche, and love said person endlessly.

WALTER FREI IS COMING IN TWO WEEKS. finally, some ecuador coming back into my life.

*begin listening to Anthems for a 17 year old Girl- Broken Social Scene*

when you're sick, you have a lot of time to think since you can't go out. so i've been thinkin.
I don't know why I make certain mistakes over and over again, especially when I know that I don't want to make them anymore. it's crazy how someone can capture your heart for so long, and then one day, an unexplainable epiphany comes about and you realize you don't need the dramatic love roller coaster anymore. I'm so glad that day came.

i'm sorry, can you repeat that?

el fin de semana:

this weekend, i got some pretty hilarious text messages. here are some of my favorite: (sources will not be disclosed in order to protect privacy of everyday citizens--aka mis amigos chistosos)

* "que habxwks"
* "ewwww intrigue"
* "would you hate me if i said i was too drunk to move?"
* "it happens. i enjoy drunk kisses."
*"we went to a strip club and my face got dry humped. it was not good"

and of course, a sweet picture text of niko & j-cool.

this weekend, i evacuated a building on fire, stole food, and got down at a jazz club with niko. oh, and i can't forget the old friends we made at taco c. i was unable to remember the man's name when he gave me his number, thus i saved him under Raul.

this weekend, the sun came out. i decided it was time to take advantage of the weather and lay out. that's right, it's january and i'm getting tan. gotta love Texas.

this weekend, i told someone I secretly want to be an eskimo. although that is one my secret desires, it is not my true honest answer. so here it is:

I secretly desire to be someone's savior.

peter pans, spinners and gold-diggers

as many of you know, one of my guilty pleasures is bravo-tv. i seem to enjoy every new program they come up, and recently the Millionaire Matchmaker has stolen my heart. this woman, Patti Stanger, knows her shit. seriously, i watched all these video blogs of her, and it is hilarious. i know, i have no life but if you have time check her out. i like her no-sass all class theories.

i'm about to embarck on a sushi date with bb, and i cannot tell you how excited i am. i LOOOVVEE sushi, yum yum yum. we are going to kona grill to test out what it has to offer. plus, it's always good catching up with my b.b.

today i checked out around $7,000 dollars in equipment for j353d. oh lord, i cannot lose/scratch/drop/harm this stuff. tracee and i decided we are too clumsy for this profession. ha

but in all seriousness, i feel a little bit overwhelmed. i wish i was more familiar with the equipment and had volunteered with tstv more. but i suppose that is what class is for. so this weekend = play time with my camera and figuring out the sequence i'm going to shoot.

note to all you fake IDers out there: please don't go out to 6th street this weekend. the TABC is going out on it's "Operation Fake Out" looking for perpetrators. and no, we aren't talking citations we are talking arrests. so unless you wanna get cuffed and frisked by some inmates, i recommend drinking at a house party.

until then, i'm continuing to have faith that God has His arm around me and all the ones i love

besos

i'll follow you into the dark

i hate my mind.

out of everyone you come to know and meet, aren't you supposed to know yourself the best?

i can't explain myself. so where does that leave me?

speechless.

repeated offenses.

oh, man. rather than discuss the recent incidents involving my personal life, i will go bullet style with this blog, noting some amazing things i've come across lately.

* only Jesus is perfect, but if I had to select my perfect specimen of a man, this dude takes the cake.


* currently the album to check out is Sia Furler's newest "Some People Have Real Problems"


*despite those cloudy skies, sunglasses are still a hit, and Urban Outfitters hits the spot with their low prices on stylish shades. i swiped these babies over Christmas break.


*today i met alan, my j353d teacher. turns out, man's got some credentials. two emmy's, outstanding texas reporter, and this awesome documentary: a place to dance. i love receiving education from people who know their stuff.


and remember, there once was a man with a dream, and thanks to him we get to party one extra day this weekend. :)

i am no good for you, i'm seeing ghosts in everything i do.

confession: i played with the fonts for about 10 minutes before i picked this one.

leading me to my realization of the day:

i am a fickle female. i can't decide if that is a bad characteristic, despite the fact that my mother says it is.

i can't decide what to eat, what color bag to buy, what shirt to wear, or what guy to date.

i can make a decision about one thing. i want more dance parties.