For most of us, we grew up with our mamas tellin’ us it was important to share. “You hab to share,” she’d say with a stern tone and thick filipino accent. The funny thing about my mom was, she never elaborated on the importance of WHY I should share. Knowing now the filipino show-face mentality, it could very well be for the reason that nobody wants their kid to be known as the ‘selfish-ill-mannered kid’ among the judging eyes and chiss-miss gossiping Titas. Either way, I learned to “share”. Share my dolls, share my stuffed animals, share my friggin‘ stickers. But there is always that thing… you know what I’m talkin’ bout. That thing (or for me… kind of a list of things, lol) that we’re just a taaad bit reluctant to share. For some of you it might be your most favorite Polly Pocket that you begged your parents to buy you for your birthday, or maybe a rare Optiumus Prime limited edition Transformers action figure… For me, it has always been, my favorite food…s. LOL. I’m sorry! *Looks sheepishly side-to-side* *Raises right hand in the air* Fine! I’ll admit… if we’re at saaayy, a Chinese restaurant together, and we order my beloved Beef with Black Bean Sauce, no peppers, only onions… I’ll use my peripherals and secretly make a mental tab of how much you take. Orr…. if I get a Cinnabon (or Cinnzeo, for those who feel me on the West), I’ll ignore that I see your greedy eyes and salivating mouth, hoping and praying to the Lord Jesus Christ/Buddah/Allah/Batman for me to offer you a bite. There are just some things we’re less willing to share, especially if we justify it with, “That’s my FAVORITE.” Does that make me a terrible Share-r? Does that make me that “selfish-ill-mannered-kid” who seems to be the hott topic among gossiping Titas? I like to share pretty much everything else… LOL. HOW BOUT YOU, Huh? What is it that you just are a bit more stingy about letting other people’s (grubby) fingers touch? What do you like to keep for you and only you?

[What better picture to epitomize US. Outrageous faces, double chins, and an equally ridonkulous laugh to boot. Myyyy Beeterr.]

Twas a wonderful birthday weekend celebration… Miss Jennifer Galley, aka U of T’s Hart House Ambassador/Blogger/Feminist/Passionate socially conscious Activist, celebrated her 22nd year of Life and Love a few weeks ago. Let’s just say that celebrations included delicious indian cuisine, surprise breakfast-on-the-go, a morning date at Green Goddess Spa, and then pure belligerence with 20 brown men and bottle service, Char illegally driving a car with her expired Learners from BC, and then an entire day of nursing the two Beetles hung over out of their minds. Too many hilarious memories were made that weekend, but all I can say is that there just never seems to be enough of what we can do to truly celebrate the life of someone we love with all our hearts! It’s moments like these when I wish I had a fat bank account and could drop crazy amounts of coin just to plan the awesomest birthdays ever. (One day.)

It’s what I’ve often referred to as being “a blessing and a curse”. An argument that I’d have with people, about possessing the characteristic of being so… ‘caring.’ (Now, I don’t say that to big myself up, or make it seem like I’m the nicest, most wonderful, and sweetest human being on the planet. In all truthfulness, I can definitely be an asshole, just ask all the people I’ve offended numerous times by forgetting their names, or all the people I’ve rubbed the wrong way by speaking before thinking! Lol.) Regardless of all my faults, there is one thing that I will admit to that has been the thorn in my side as much as it’s made me who I am… and that’s this unrelenting, bountiful, almost-near anxiety of caring so hard about the people around me.

Thanks to Che Kothari‘s facebook status looking for dates to come to this wonderful event tomorrow night with Spike Lee, I hollered some pretty valid reasons as to why I should be chosen to attend: 1. Film maker, film maker! 2. I dressed up as Mars Blackmon for Halloween one year, and 3. I used to rock a pair of Jordan Spizzikes. LOL.

I really didn’t think I’d get chosen, but hey, guess who’s going tomorrow?! Bwaaahhaha! In celebration of Black History Month, the Canadian Film Centre is sponsoring this close and personal talk with Spike Lee. SA-FREAKIN-WEET.

With all that being said… Here’s somethin’ to give you a laugh and a half:

[Jeff, myself, and Shihan]

Talk about a full house!! I haven’t seen a UHHU event get that crazy since I’ve been at Rye High. I’m sure that I’m not alone in saying that I was astounded by the support and response of all who attended this event this past Friday. World renown spoken word poet (HBO Def Jam Poetry), Shihan, made his first Canadian appearance right here in Toronto. A discussion about Love and Hip Hop, Shihan got real personal on the mic about his thoughts, inspirations, and how he’s been shaped by the experiences of Love in his life.

[Class Photo! Bottom row, 3rd from the right is my beautifurr Angie!]

If there is any other woman who can hold a full conversation with me in a Chinese accent and do the ugliest silliest dance moves that could battle my signature “limp arms”, it would be Angie Choi. Extremely talented photographer, super hott and stylish fashionista, and the most fabulous deep set dimples my eyes have ever seen, this girl is always a joy to be around and has easily become one of my new favorite girlfriends over the past year. I love this girl like a sister and am excited to learn more about photography, love, and life through her!

A few days ago, one of Angie’s photos got chosen to be featured in the Best Of 2010: Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition. It’s a really wicked pic of some of our dancer friends, and what I love the most about it is that it was nothing staged or preconceived: it’s a split-second moment of what looked like a pretty crazy time, captured for all eternity.

I don’t have many, but here are the photos of that night:

From a place of nothing, we can create everything. From new chapter beginnings, we can continue to write the incredible stories that are our Lives. This is that real type ish, no sugar coating life or making you believe Santa Clause is still real. Inspiration is never constant, and so are those highs and thrilling moments. If you wanna take the joys that life brings, you must be willing to ride out the pains, because they’re as real as it’s gunna get. Welcome to the world of Adulthood, where things sometimes get more serious than you’d like, and your actions have real repercussions. Who will you choose to be? In every moment and every conscious decision you make, you have the opportunity to shape your character and define it. You are dynamic and capable of growth, change, and development. Never underestimate the possibility. Especially with Love. Because although I’m only 22 years young, I have found that being Courageous in choosing Love has only brought Love right back to me.

I’ve spoken my piece. Peace.

It was probably during the beginning of last semester that my two RTA grandkids Scott Fisher and Jake Morris approached me and asked me if I wanted to be part of their production team for a reality TV show called The Avenue. Now, being busy doing my own thing with Lovehard and Reality TV not really being up my alley, I declined but told them I would do everything in my capacity to support and push the show. I cannot tell you how proud I am to see this trailer and to see all their ideas and hard work come to fruition!! It makes me wish that I had said yes instead! In the words of the gorgeous redhead, Rachel, that you see in the trailer, This show looks so “legit!”

The things that come out of those darned RTA kids, I’m tellin ya. Tune in on January 25th for the premiere of The Avenue!

Now here’s the trailer, exclusively on Youtube star Gregory Gorgeous’ channel.
(Note: The trailer commences at 3 minutes!)

No, actually, I’m quite awake, and working competently. Despite my slowed down activity in the virtual world, everything else seems to be moving at a constant speed of busy. I’m really taking in this new “6 course semester” sorta dealy, and have been taking it day by day to really organize myself. I have my heart set on doing well on the classes I’m paying for, and in return am letting my social life suffer a little bit. I haven’t been to any shows, any parties, any performances, or doing any shoots at all in the past couple of weeks. The constant downpour of snow and dry ice cold air punching my face is a real turn off from me leaving my house. It’s a good time to learn how to be “good” at school. Whatever that means.

Anyhow, some reading about the world of Advertising in Electronic Media needs to happen, as well as finally tackling the craziness that ensues on my desk. A clean work space is always necessary to productivity folks!

I’ve spoken my piece. Peace.

— Silence can be heart wrenching.