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.

Japanese Weekend

I had a very very Japanese weekend last week.

It started with the concert event at one of the most famous historical hall "Carnegie Hall".

I have three roommates and they are all happened to be dancers. One of the girls invited us for that concert since she was gonna be on the stage with well known Japanese artists "Cherish" (FYI, they were famous BACK IN....1970s.lol), so I was excited to see her dancing.

On that day, my roommates told me there would be Saburo Kitajima as a special guest. He is SUPER famous enka artist in Japan, and I really like him. So I was like...."WHAAAAT!!!!"

He was super cute on the stage and told audience that this was his very first time coming to the United States. (FYI, He is 74 years old!!!!!!) I wouldn't be able to see him if I were in Japan, because he is a super star, and I'm sure I wouldn't buy his expensive concert ticket just to see him....lol I also saw a couple of more well known Japanese artists as well. (which I didn't really care much compare to Sabu-chan)

On the next day, my roomies and I decided to go to the largest Japanese Market in New Jersey. I've been to one in LA, but I haven't gone there since I moved to New York. We took a shuttle bus and felt like we are on a school trip. :P

There were SO MANY Japanese people there, and Japanese food, books, toys, toothbrush, candies, sake....you name it. They have everything. It was quite overwhelming for the first time visitor.

But look what I got!!!!!!

RAAAAMEEEEEEN BABYYYYY!!!!!!

YUM. I wasn't happy about the noodle itself (I'm pretty picky about Ramen noodles), but my empty stomach was extremely satisfied by those.

And this is what it looked after 30min.

Gochiso-Sama!! (Thank all for the great meal!)

家のインターネット接続もよくなりました。

久しぶりに日本語での更新。

今の家に引っ越してきてからネットの接続が弱くて会社でしか写真もアップロードできなかったんだけど、ついに先日文句を言って（しかも二度目）やっと直してもらえた。ありがたやありがたや。

最近は相変わらずな感じで、一人遊びに没頭してみたり、料理したり掃除したり、ブルックリンにぶらっと行ってみたり、スコットのスタジオに顔出したり、働き尽くめてみたりとそんな毎日。

ブルックリンのウィリアムズバーグにあるグラフィティ。最近またちょっと変わっていたから写真におさめてみた。にぎやか〜。このあたりにはたくさんビンテージショップやらオーガニックの店など可愛いお店が並んでいて雰囲気が最高にいい。お金があればぜひとも住みたいネイバーフッド。週末天気がいいとよくお友達のお店に顔を出しに行って、店の前で仲良しのお客さんとたむろしてる。この前もそのお店でものっすごい可愛い服を発見してしまって、一目惚れしたんだけど、高すぎて手が届かず。。。涙。あ〜欲しい。

そして髪型も夏にむけてちょっぴり変えた。

知り合った女の子がやってあげるよ〜と言うから彼女のお任せでやってもらい、日本だったら結構するし、編むのとかエクステさえも高校生以来。高校の頃はずっとエクステだったもんなあ。信じられない。全頭コーンローにしたときは先生に怒られたし。「そんな頭で会社に行けると思っているのか！」って怒られたけど、「学生だからやってるんじゃん」って言い返してさらに怒られた。ほんと、大人ってあほだよなあ。あほな大人にはなりたくないな。

まあそれは置いておいて、

ゲットーなストリートにある中国人が経営しているようなとこでエクステ激安で購入して、頭のトップの部分にブレイズで地毛に合うクルクル毛を足してボリューム出して（ただでさえボリュームはあったのに笑）、あとは頭の後部をコーンローで編み上げて、前から見ると前下がりのボブスパイラル？ボンバー？風。

コーンローは見せることも隠すこともできるからいかつすぎなくて気に入ってる。

とにかくライオンのように頭がでかくなってしまったから周りからは完全にダンサーだと思われ。。。以前からよく間違われてはいるけど踊れませんみたいな。。苦笑。

先週末は念願の初リンカーンセンターで見るメトロポリタンオペラ！

本当はゆきの大好きなコモンのライブ行くつもりだったんだけど、友達がいきなりキャンセルしだしたから腹イセもかねて（笑）一人でオペラのチケット購入。なんかオペラとかすごく高いものだと思っていたけど、一番上の席って２０ドルくらいからあるの。そんなこともっと早く知っていたら今シーズンのもっと行けたのに。。。

着る服もめちゃくちゃ悩んでとりあえず可もなく不可もなくなドレス来て、ヒール履いて地下鉄で会場へ。（タクシーやリモじゃないところがビンボー学生）

リンカーンセンターの周りは着飾ったマダム達がぞろぞろ歩いていて、（うわ〜自分浮いてる〜しかも一人だし）とひとりつっこみいれながら中に入る。

中は入ったとたん超〜ゴージャスで感無量。

映画で見た世界が目の前にあってしばらくぼーっとしてた。

トスカというジャコモプッチーニのオペラ。

初心者には優しい短めのオペラだったし、話も一応予習していったから英語の字幕をチラ見しつつ、イタリア語も少しだけだけど分かったし、あ〜もうとにかくソプラノ歌手の人がやばい〜人間とは思えない歌声だった。

上の安い席だからなんも見えないのかと思ったけど、想像以上によく見えたし、声もしっかり届いていて、来シーズンにまだNYにいたら絶対いっぱい見に行こうって思った。

。。。そしてついさっき、このブログを書いている最中に大変なこと発生。

ゆきがすごい人だと思っている人のひとりから電話がかかってきた〜。

NY在住のある日本人ピアニストなんだけど、生きててよかった。

ごく普通に話したけど、今電話切ってみて、ドキドキしてるわたし。笑。

話しちゃったよ。

ひょんなことからこんな繋がりができるとは。

インターン期間ももうすぐ終了。

果たしてこの後には何が待ち構えているのか？

うちのスタッフには多分すごく気に入られていて、すごく働きやすいしせっかく慣れてきた職場を離れるのは辛いなあ。本当に恵まれた環境にいられて幸せ者だな。最後までしっかり頑張ろう。

GRAMMY JAM

There was an event called GRAMMY JAM at Highline Ballroom in NYC.

It was basically a networking night for the members and people in the music industry in addition to all the fabulous performances from the board governors.

Directed by Ray Chew

Freddie Jackson was also performing, and I truly truly enjoyed his performance....he is such an entertainer...

Since I'm in New York....I got to see live concerts as much as I can...There are a lot more coming!

Recording Studio

Yesterday I went to the recording studio in East Village.

I've met a producer (I shouldn't even say just a producer. He is a recording artist himself, GRAMMY award winning producer, composer, engineer, and a song writer) here in NY, and he kindly offered me to see his studio.

I've been to a couple of recording studios before, and his studio didn't look like any other studios. Well none of the studios look the same and has unique treatments and structures, but I felt so comfortable being there immediately.

He is unbelievably an humble person, and he even let me help doing his work! (FYI I have no tech knowledge, but he made me feel like I'm doing something!) He was working on a track for an upcoming major label artist and showed me how he's working on.

I had such an amazing time just to be with him in his studio. It could be intimidating, but I tried not to think who he is and tried not to freak out. lol

Since I start doing my internship, I've met so many artists not just singer songwriters like producers for example. They are so friendly and humble, and it really amazed me all the times. I know that the producers need to be excel at communications since that's what they do with artists now matter how famous he is. I do appreciate their attitude. BIG UP MUSIC!