Michelle 102

1. I am the biggest procrastinator in the world. ie. I'm moving all my stuff up to Red Deer on Wednesday and I haven't even started packing.
2. I absolutely hate blow drying my hair. I'll let it air dry most days, but hopefully my mom doesn't catch me because she always yells at me to dry it.
3. I can't live without a watch or not knowing the time.
4. I've always wanted my picture on a Jones Soda bottle.
5. I love reading fantasies and mysteries.
6. My favourite movies are Sister Act 1 & 2, What a Girl Wants and Ever After. They might not be the best movies in the world but they all mean something to me.
7. I love getting my nails done but i love when they're short because I remember how fast I can really type on a keyboard and on my phone.
8. I love watching the Tyra Show. She may be annoying at points but I like how she makes girls feel better about themselves and how most of the stuff on her show are not movies/products to promote like Ellen.
9. On that note, I still love Ellen but it drives me nuts when she dances for like, ten minutes.
10. I'm a very emotional person. I cry almost daily. Don't feel sorry, just let me deal with it on my own.
    

Hospitality & Tourism: Food and Beverage Management

When I graduated the tech program at RDC I thought it'd be the end of Red Deer for good, but things happen and my love for cooking, baking and catering events seemed to heighten throughout the last few months of my final semester. So I applied to the hospitality program at RDC and now I'm heading back to Red Deer for another two years.

Q: Why Red Deer? Why not SAIT? They have a Hotel and Restaurant Management course.
A: I looked up the course load on SAIT's website and a lot of the courses were BMATH and business courses which I would probably fail. RDC's is very hands on and practical with courses such as Bar and Beverage Management and Introductory to Wine.

Q: This seems like a big change from Theatre, what are your plans for the future?
A: I've always loved food preparation and design, maybe I can use it to my advantage to the dinner theatre I'd like to open.

Q: Will you be able to stand another two years in Red Deer?
A: Yes. My friends there are awesome, plus the Arts Centre is putting on Beauty and the Beast and I know they'll welcome my help.

Q: It seems like you keep on going back to Red Deer, is it possible you'll be there in the future?
A: It's hard to say but right now my connections are all in Red Deer. I hope I don't end up there but you never know what will happen.

North America: Check

So I've finally been to the three countries in North America. I just came home from Mexico yesterday and I'm very happy with this nice, cooler weather. I know Mexico is a big deal for everyone but it wasn't for me. I'm not the type of person to lay on a beach and tan for the whole day. I can't just "relax", I need to go out and do something. Don't get me wrong, going snorkeling in the Isla Mujeras (translated as Land of the Women) and climbing the tallest ruin in Coba was fun, but if I had a choice, I'd pick somewhere else for vacation. If you love 30+ degree weather and humidity, laying on the beach, all you can eat buffets, all inclusive with unlimited drinks then Mexico is the place to go, but if you're like me who likes shopping, watching shows, going to museums and cool weather, I'd recommend somewhere else.

Next Stop: Mayan Riviera, Mexico

So tomorrow I'm leaving Calgary to go to Mexico...my first time in that part of the continent. I know what you're thinking, why would you go to Mexico in August? Well this trip originally was supposed to be in June for my cousin's wedding but got canceled because of stupid swine flu. I was pretty excited to go because it was all inclusive and all my extended family would be there, but this shit show happened and long story short: we couldn't get our money back, it cost more to go in December (plus my parents weren't sure when Richie and I would be done exams) so it became the last week in August. I know I should be terribly excited right now because some people aren't as lucky as me and haven't even been out of the country but I still think I'm not going. Even though I've been packing for this week long trip, I'm still not as stoked as I should be. I know I'm going to have fun in Mexico but I don't know when I'm going to be excited. Hopefully something will change tomorrow.

the way Kelsey sees it #1

I put the number one there because I'll probably blog more about Kelsey in the future. Anyways, a few weeks back Kelsey's status was on designer brand Matt & Nat who take pride in their products made out of "vegan leather". I don't especially like Matt & Nat things, except mine and Ashlyn's wallets of course, and a couple purses here and there. I'm also not a fan of their prices, but I do recognize that they are eco-friendly and made in Canada. On a side note, they've created a new line called Samsara, and I thought it'd be different designs but they just came out with the 2008 summer season Matt & Nat in different colours. I'm all about more options but I was disappointed that they weren't creative enough for their launch of Samsara.

Enough about my opinion, this is about Kelsey's. Her status said that "vegan leather" is an expensive term for "vinyl" which I totally agreed with. The funny thing is, I'm not really sure how many people realize that it's JUST vinyl. They see it as a brand name purse that people are definitely gonna recognize and maybe feel like they're higher up because they spent X amount of dollars on it. Don't get me wrong, I'm not attacking your reasons for purchasing a purse or wallet, and you may not buy Matt & Nat because of the brand name but because of other reasons, and I totally appreciate that. I do love my wallet but if I could go back I don't think I would've spent $70 on it. There are cheaper and better quality wallets out there made with a material that's worth paying for.

Michelle 101

1. I love going out to eat and trying new things.
2. Mango ice cream is my favourite!
3. I'm a textaholic, but only to certain people.
4. I am very lazy and I need to change that, but Kelsey and I have made a promise that we will do a lot of exercising this year including yoga, pilates and even going for a walk around the college (she said jog, i said walk).
5. On that note, I have absolutely no stamina whatsoever, I cannot run to save my life.
6. My all time favourite dessert is tiramisu.
7. But I'd pick savoury food over sweets anytime.
8. I cannot go anywhere without my wallet, cell phone and ipod.
9. I love spending the day and doing random things with someone but I have to at least plan out the times we're doing stuff at.
10. I am very gold and ESFJ. They are personality types for those who don't know. Gold is planning, makes lists, hates not being on time and lack of organization and the other is Extroverted, Sensing, Feeling, Judging. I scored an 87% on judging and we all assumed it meant that I'm extremely judgmental but Ashlyn corrected me and told me that it was being organized, good at planning, etc. Ashlyn: "No wonder you're good at SMing." Thanks bestie!
    

Mad Love: Kensington

I've always loved going to Kensington for their stores: iAppeal, a clothing & toy store Ashlyn and I always go to, Trend Fashions, Joints, etc., their piercing/tattoo place: The Arthouse, their annual Salsa Festival, and their food places: Crave cupcakes, their crepe places, and my latest discovery: Higher Grounds. I know many of you have probably already been here many times, but I just found out about it not too long ago because I went there with my brother. The atmosphere was so chill and I loved how it closed late, not like Starbucks. Ever since then, I've been going back with Ashlyn and even took Brady here when he came to visit. We all agree that the food is awesome, along with the Steam Whistle beer and italian sodas. So if you're from Red Deer and ever want to visit Calgary and eat at a local place, check out Higher Grounds, and if you're from Calgary and already know about this place, keep on going! Ps. the renovation looks awesome!

Moving To Do Lists

There's a lot of stuff you need to do when you move, and it doesn't help that I'm leaving for Mexico on Sunday for a week.

Before September 4th:

• Clean room
• Pack clothes for Red Deer
• Pack everything for my room
• Clean den
• Clear out clothes, sell to Trend Fashions in Kensington

On September. 4th:

• Get keys for house/room
• Pay rent
• Unpack
• Get new iCard
• Buy textbooks
  

For September. 7th:

• Pack last minute stuff
• Buy garbage bags and dish soap
• Go to the bank and get a roll of loonies and quarters for laundry
• Change phone number to Red Deer number
• Buy black ink for printer
  

A Jolli Red Bee?

As many of you know, I'm 1/8 Filipino, so naturally I go back to the Philippines every so often. We're supposed to go back every five years to visit my family, but we got busy with school, gone on other vacations, diploma season, etc. I haven't been there since i was 7 years old, and when I was younger, I was the pickiest eater out there, so my parents had trouble getting me to eat...until they discovered Jollibee spaghetti. Now Jollibee has regular American fast food burgers and fries but they also have Filipino food such as palabok, longanisa, etc. and what's so special about this spaghetti is that it's Filipino style, which means sweet. I ate this every day for six weeks straight and I miss it. It's been almost 13 years since I've had it, and I don't really remember what it tastes like, I just know that I want it. So next time I'm in California or the Philippines, I'll definitely be heading straight towards this red bee. But who knows, maybe I'll hit it up somewhere in Brunei, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong or Vietnam if I ever get a chance to go there.
ps. Look! My last name is even in the picture!

RDC Residence

After months of freaking out about if I got onto res, I finally know what house I'm in and who my roommates are. I was so scared about it because I didn't want to end up having roommates like last year, but I'm happy to say I know two of my roommates. And my third roommate, well, I don't know her, but she is in her last year of MPA acting, so at least I know what her program is. And the best thing about it is that she's not going to be moving in until end of October/beginning of November so we have the house all to ourselves until then! I'm excited to move in and, I never thought I'd say this but, I'm excited to be back in Red Deer.

Tattoos

Something I forgot to tell most of you guys...I FINALLY got the balls to go down to Kensington and go for a tattoo consultation and book my appointment. I'm getting my first tattoo on Friday September 4th @ 11:30 at The Arthouse. Now I did some checking out before I chose The Arthouse. First I wanted to go to Native Arts in Red Deer because they have walk-in Saturdays. I was definitely planning to go earlier this year but with rehearsals, calls and shows I just got too busy/tired. Then I tagged along with Brady when he got his "Hocahontas" tattoo in Innisfail at Inspiration Ink. This place was so inviting and not like any other tattoo shop. They sold purses, jewelery and everything just made me feel comfortable. But me, not being able to drive, didn't want to go all the way to Innisfail while in Calgary, so I intended on going when I was back in Red Deer.

Then I started talking about it with Ashlyn and since we go to The Arthouse for piercings, we decided to check out the tattoos. I got it all priced out but didn't book an appointment because my dad wanted me to book it when he was free so he could bring me. They seemed to know how I wanted it, bounced ideas off of me and made me feel really comfortable. Plus the artist I talked to has a really great accent! Everyone there seem experienced, friendly, and the best part was they were busy! Not to mention that Paul (the artist), was JUST finishing up a tattoo which made me feel good.

Once we left I decided to check out Body Inc. because it was basically right beside The Arthouse and I know a few people who went there. Once i got in I felt intimated, as usual, when I go into those places, but for some reason there was a different vibe (that was my first flag). There were so many people at the front desk just talking and it seemed like they weren't doing any work (second flag). When I finally got helped by someone, they told me I couldn't get the things I wanted for my tattoo (third flag). When he asked if I wanted to book my appointment, I said I had to talk to my dad first. He said no problem and I left. He didn't even give me his card like Paul at The Arthouse. So really, this is showing me that he's unprofessional, unexperienced, and doesn't know what the hell he's talking about (fourth flag with a blinking neon late saying "NO WAY"). He may be a bit cheaper but I'd much rather go to a more experienced artist who knows what they're doing and makes me feel comfortable. After all, this is permanent.

So I went back a week later to The Arthouse and booked an appointment. The next time you see me, look straight at my right wrist!

Resurrected...

So I started this blog in June and decided to resurrect it because I was bored. But I looked more into my account and saw that I have another blog on here without any blog entries, and I've apparently been a member since May 2008. Clearly I've been bored wayy too many times.