Common Live + Harlem + Gay Pride Parade

Common showed his love at the Fort Greene Festival in Brooklyn!!!

It was such a good festival....good music, good food, and good people with good vibes.

His freestyle was absolutely mad. wish he was on stage longer!!

I also met a sweet girl who is writing a fashion blog. She took a photo of me that day, so check it out. ----------->>>>> O.M.O Writes by Samantha: http://omowrites.blogspot.com/

Next day, I decided to get up early and go to the church to hear some gospels.

I went to one of the most famous church, but there was a endless line outside of the door. I was hoping to get in but decided to change the church. I met a girl from Switzerland who has been backpacking for 6 months. She was so sweet and wanted to hear gospels as well, so we walked around Harlem together trying to see where else we could listen to some good gospels.

We went in one of the super local tiny church around 140th St. There were about 10 people there singing together....it was soulful, but it was not what we expected thus we quietly left.....

We ended up going to the Greater Refuge Temple on 124th St. This church was much larger, and the choir was amazing.

After the service, I hit the K-town (Korean Town) with the Swiss girl to check out the Gay Pride Parade. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the gay parade, and I've never missed it for last a couple of years.

This was my first time seeing this parade in NYC, so it was exciting and fun to watch happy people.

My Get Away

Subway station in Queens.

It looks sort of ...Ghetto, but it's not too bad. I love the cultures in Queens and Brooklyn, and I've been exploring different areas. It's just different from what you know about "New York where all the lights are shining in concrete jungle".

What a cute Pepsi Ad! Super Classy. By the Gantry Plaza State Park in Queens.

This is where you can have the best view of East River from Queens side.

You can see the whole view of Manhattan without any crowds, noise, and dirty air.

My get away.

It's a beautiful park right by the river, and there are tanning chairs, hammocks, cute red chairs for people who want to read. There are even the pianos (2 cute painted pianos!) for street musicians.

Some people are playing soccer, kids are running around the sprinklers, and I go here and just lay down looking at clouds for making up tons of food and animals and aliens.

Mobile Photos

Cutest Ads!! Everywhere in New York now.

Toy Story 3 will hit the town soon.

In Harlem. The street in front of Apollo Theater.

Inside of The Apollo Theater. The amateur night was one of the most unique live shows I have experienced...

I found this flyer in a cafe in New Orleans....I wish I could be there today!! (Isn't it illegal, no?)

My cute vintage shoes! Those look blue in this picture, but it's actually purple. Thanks vintage! A pair of cute shoes for $10!? I can take that.

Erykah Badu Concert in NYC

Finally.....one of my biggest dreams came true.

I've always wanted to see her not just because I love her music but also her professionalism and attitude as a strong woman. Erykah Badu. She was something else, and I don't even know how to describe.

The opening DJ was ALSO my favorite, Questlove!

He is a genius drummer for the Hip Hop group called "The Roots". He is also known as a skillful DJ. I have to say his music selection was the best of all as far as I experienced. He played a lot of old school hip hop and R&B, and mixed with Reggae rhythm.

AND HERE SHE IS. Janelle Monae!!!!!!!!!!!

She was absolutely adorable and tiny but ridiculously energetic.

She had a great stage appearance with her originality and many surprises.

Yes of course she dived into the audience at the end of her performance, and she was 3 inches away from my hands....how clooooose.

After while, The queen was on the stage.

I just couldn't believe this was happening to me. I've seen many artists and saw them as persons, but not this time. She had this remarkable aura, and it took my breath for a sec.

She slowly walked on a stage with her personal water bottle (it was one of those kid's water bottles with rainbow stripes. lol) and poured the water and sipped it super slowly. Just think about it. She just took a sip of her water, but it was not like anybody's behavior. It was Erykah Badu!

She performed most of the songs from her new album but also many of her old songs as well. She even rapped probably 5 songs....Oh my god, her professionalism as an artist was insane. It almost reminded me of Michael Jackson. If she pointed, every single band performer did what she wanted to do. They just knew. The light, the sounds, everything was perfect. Every detail was planned so well, and there was no mistake. Her voice was as good as her CDs (well better than CDs). The craziest part was that I was in a FIRST ROW. (I was even late, but somehow I made it) HAHAHA. She even came down the stage and we all sang together.....what a unforgettable live performance. I'm so inspired now. Watch out.

And this was me. I tried to show her some respect. lol

Carole King can make me cry.

One of my favorite songs. Carole King has so many great songs but this song is totally about how I feel right now.

So far away
Doesn't anybody stay in one place anymore
It would be so fine to see your face at my door
Doesn't help to know you're just time away

Long ago I reached for you and there you stood
Holding you again could only do me good
Oh, how I wish I could
But you're so far away

One more song about moving along the highway
Can't say much of anything that's new
If I could only work this life out my way
I'd rather spend it being close to you

But you're so far away
Doesn't anybody stay in one place anymore
It would be so fine to see your face at my door
Doesn't help to know you're so far away

Traveling around sure gets me down and lonely
Nothing else to do but close my mind
I sure hope the road don't come to own me
There's so many dreams I've yet to find

But you're so far away
Doesn't anybody stay in one place anymore
It would be so fine to see your face at my door
Doesn't help to know you're so far away

By Carole King

RUN☆CAT

This is why I love cats.

His name is RUN☆CAT. not gonna lie....he is gigantic.