Earlier this week I enjoyed a Girls Night Out (GNO) with my Miami ladies…aboard the Venetian Lady!
Yep, despite the stormy Miami weather, we partied on a boat!
The occasion…to celebrate the birthday’s of Angela Simmons and Serge Ibaka.
I don’t personally know either, but I received an invite from my friend, who is also Serge’s publicist!
What can I say, it was a spontaneous night out and GOOD TIMES! Seen on the scene were Serge’s OKC teammate Kevin Durant, also Keri Hilson who led the “Happy Birthday” serenade….and Jeezy was spotted among the guests too. And — did I mention the bday cake was super yummy, I had 2 slices!! 🙂
And — did I mention the bday cake was super yummy, I had 2 slices!! 🙂 I LUV September birthdays…
I took in a ball game Friday night at (Miami) Marlins Park! The facility is brand new this year, and it’s a really cool place to watch a game and escape the South Florida “elements.” It has a retractable roof, which has been closed every time I’ve watched a game there so far, but even when it’s closed, it still has an outdoorsy feel.
This last game the Phillies were visiting the Marlins and we had really awesome seats behind home plate! Now, I’ve never been a baseball/MLB fan, but having been to a few games at this new park and consciously trying to focus on the game, I think I’m actually getting into it! I’m learning who the players are, about strategy, understanding the rules and stats better… 🙂
Anyway, another one of my favorite features/details at this new park is the aquarium, well huge fish tank they have, that sits on the ground, wrapping around home plate! Next time you watch a game, when they show a shot of the guy at bat, look past him to the tank! Don’t mind the shoe in this photo either…get beyond it! haha
Finally, they have this huge sculpture “thing” that sits in the back of the park, which apparently will light up and move around when the Marlins hit a home run… When you see it, you’re kinda like WTH is that!?!? Now, I’m just waiting for someone to hit a home run when I’m there so I can see all of it’s fancy bells and whistles go off!! haha As you can see in the photo, the park also has it’s very own “Clevelander,” so South Beach, so Miami…and from what I hear tons of fun! If you go, don’t forget your 2-piece, they’ve got a pool in there where you can take a dip AND still get a great view of the game.
What a wonderful way to start the week! Today I attended the Miami HEAT victory parade and celebration at the American Airlines Arena in downtown Miami. I’ve heard varying numbers on just how many folks descended along the parade route to be part of history, but supposedly in the HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS!!! Okay, so I didn’t exactly stand along the parade route, but in my “condition” that’s not a good idea right now. I was able to take part in the experience though inside the arena where we watched the parade on the big screen and I partied alongside season ticket holders for the exclusive event! So much FUN..I mean where else can the DJ spin Rick Ross’ “BMF” and the entire arena sings along…and then go into Jackson 5 “I want you back” and the crowd keeps on keepin’ on!?!? LOL Check out some of my pictures from the “inside…”
Back in 2006 when I first moved to Miami, the HEAT were fresh off their 1st NBA Championship and one of my first stories that I did for Deco Drive was about the championship ring! They were raffling one off, to start the new season … 🙂 6 years later, tonight is Game 5 and the HEAT are up 3-1 in the best of seven series, and they are on the brink of winning another CHAMPIONSHIP RING for 2012!! So, let’s reminisce with my segment from 2006 because I see another one of these baby’s in the future for the MIAMI HEAT!!!
Like I’ve said in a previous post..I feel it in my bones!!! LET’S GO HEAT!!! AAA the place to be tonight….it will be WHITE HOT and rockin!!! 🙂
All eyes will be on OKC this evening, well, the eyeballs belonging to NBA fans who are tuned into the 2012 season FINALS that tip off tonight. This is MUST SEE TV peeps!! 🙂 Anyhoo, Oklahoma City isn’t exactly one of those top travel destinations that everyone flocks to..BUT I have actually been there twice and I like OKC. My first time visiting Oklahoma was when I was on ESPN’s Beg, Borrow and Deal, it was pretty much my “team’s” last stop before the other team beat us to the finish line – we were 2 teams racing across the country. The year was 2002, we had ended up by OU, and some friendly fraternity guys (who were ready to head home for the summer), helped us out and somehow we ended up at Mickey Mantle’s restaurant and then some nightclub! LOL
Then, last year I went back to OKC for a work assignment with Chesapeake Energy, the same company who has the naming rights for Arena where the OKC Thunder play…and where the NBA Finals begin tonight versus my “hometown” Miami HEAT! So, all this to say that I like OKC, the city, the team and the company it’s teamed up with, Chesapeake. The segment I did for them was shot on the Chesapeake campus at their state of the art gym…very cool..and the entire company campus has a distinct university feel, on purpose by design. Click play below to see the segment I did at Chesapeake!
And — if you happen to be in OKC for the series, head to the Bricktown area for some eats, I ate at a spot called Crabtown..and yeah, I’ll definitely have to go back one of these days, just to eat crab there!! I also loved downtown’s Hilton Hotel Skirvin, where I stayed. It’s the cutest boutique feeling hotel, and did I mention their grilled cheese!?!? LOL
Now, as random as this post is…even though I kinda sorta really like OKC… I’m going on the record to say this series, these NBA FINALS belong to MIAMI!! Yes, the HEAT will bring it home to the 305!!! 🙂 I’m wishing, hoping & praying to see the championship trophy in South Florida, with a HUGE parade and all the fanfare..BUT SERIOUSLY I FEEL it in my bones!!!! I have no doubt this will be a very competitive, exciting series… filled with drama, so as an NBA fan, thanks in advance. No offense Oklahoma, it’s just not your time, yet…
I was fortunate enough to catch this show as it passed through Miami last weekend…and not only did it exceed my expectations, but it provided me with a great evening filled with music and dance!! I would have to say I’m not a “cirque” person. I’ve been to a couple shows and I’m just not THAT into acro and contortionists, etc.. I mean I can appreciate it for 30 min, but not for 2 hours! LOL So, I was weary of how the MJ-themed cirque show would fare in my mind… Well, I was BLOWN AWAY! From start to finish, the music made me feel good and helped me to “Remember the Time” and reminisce about all the great memories I associate with Michael Jackson and his music – a 3rd grade slumber party where we watched “Thriller” over and over, or how my Grandfather purchased me my own “glove,” and dancing around to his music at family parties with my cousins… 🙂
The stage is AHHHHHMMMMAAAAAAZZZZZING!! From the use of big screens, LED lights, props, effects, etc…. completely mind-blowing. The performers are energetic and fun to watch, costuming is perfect and the interpretations of the music are spot on! I kept sitting back wondering, who dreams this stuff up? I mean the choreography, the tech effects, just every visual and coordinating it all…it’s quite the production.
The featured performers are all fantastic…SOOOO flexible, precise and entertaining: aerialists, tap dancers, breakers, musicians, gymnasts, and so much more!! There’s this one pole dancer who mesmerized me with her strength, balance and grace… a pair of elephants that reminded me of Chinese dragon dancers also stand out, as I think about my favorite moments in the show. If you have a chance to see this show on tour…don’t miss it!!!
Last Saturday night, we celebrated my dear friend and Deco Producer Odette’s birthday by getting our creative juices flowing at a new concept “store” called Painting with a Twist! I checked out the website before I went (they have locations in city’s all over the country), BUT honestly, I didn’t think I could really create a true masterpiece work of art!! LOL The idea is you bring a group of friends and your own wine..then paint, drink and be merry!!
Luckily we had a very patient master artist leading our class..he’s also a former Deco Producer..Eric! He asked if we had ever painted before, I thought about my childhood “paint by number” and water color sets….then I asked if murals/posters, etc.. for high school rallies count?? haha I’m sure at some point I have painted even if it was an adolescent art class. Anyway, birthday girl Odette chose a moonlit ocean/palm tree scene, and step by step we each put paint on the canvass to make our own (re)creation!
This was really a fun way to hang out and feel artistic and use the other side of our brain…. 🙂 We learned different brush strokes, how to make colors and I’m happy to say everyone was able to complete the task!!
SEEE! Yes…I PAINTED THAT!!! And — here’s a closer look…
I can’t wait to hang it up in the closet!! j/k So, if you’re looking for something else to do on a fun night out with a twist…give this a try, PAINTING WITH A TWIST!! You will be amazed at what you can do, all by yourself!
I’ve never done one of these “Top 10” lists before, but with the year winding down, I started thinking about all that I’ve done this year and decided to sum it all up! No doubt 2011 has been a VERY memorable one…filled with travel, cross-country moves, fun interviews and always surrounded by the love of family and friends. So, without further adieu…here goes:
SUSTAINATOPIA HONORS 2011, presented by PLUM TV is the world’s premier awards ceremony honoring those doing GOOD through impact investing, philanthropy, and sustainable business practice. Hundreds of global leaders in investment, social entrepreneurship and philanthropy will gather to celebrate those committed to doing GOOD and changing our world forever.
#9 – Back to my Pro Dance/Cheer Roots
I became a Regional Director/Consultant for Going Pro Entertainment. In my role with GPE, I coach women as they work toward their goals of auditioning and being selected as a Dancer and/or Cheerleader for a pro (sports) team! I coordinated and hosted 2 very successful all day dance conventions in Miami and the Bay Area, and I’m proud to say a handful of the women are now on pro and semi-pro teams living out their dreams…namely Rachel of the San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush! Another exciting event was the inaugural NFL Pro Cheer Alumni Reunion in Las Vegas. Watch this video for the highlights!
It was a quick flight to Cozumel to meet up and board the ship for a very special “at sea” performance by Taylor Swift! Not to mention I got to experience cruising on one of the biggest and newest vessels out there…very memorable!
One of my Miami gal pal’s heads up marketing for Equinox Gym’s in South Florida and she said there was an event going on with a celebrity that would be featured on The Ellen Show during a Zumba class, so could I attend!?!? I was like sure, no problem…well lo and behold…the celeb was none other than the Miami HEAT’s LeBron James!
On The Flipside continued to take on a life of its own in 2011, bridging my passion for sports and my “career” as a host, reporter, broadcaster. It’s an online TV Show I produce, host and edit in my spare time and I’d say 7 episodes is an accomplishment…we’re finishing the year with a 34 total episodes since its launch in 2009 and a handful of extra “specials” too. This year I had the opportunity to feature sports celebs like Santonio Holmes, Marshawn Lynch, Dwight Howard, Stephen Curry and Dwyane Wade, just to name a few.
I celebrated my birthday on both coasts this year, felt like I was on “tour.” Tariq made sure it was extra special, completely spoiling me…that paired with being able to see and share the occasion with so many of my friends made it so memorable! From Miami to LA and finally back home in the Bay, my 2011 birthday was a reminder of how blessed I am!!
One of my favorite things to do is travel, and while I’m usually not too much of an adventurous type, in 2011 I dared to be different. During my visit to Maui with my sister and Dad, we decided to embark on a downhill bike ride on the Haleakala Volcano! It was a 22-mile ride, that in the end I am so glad to say I did, but really there were times I was like what did I get myself into!?!? haha
Then on my Ocho Rios, Jamaica excursion, I had the unique opportunity to go horseback riding in the ocean…which was fun, but seeing the horses relieve themselves in the water while we were riding around in it…not so much! LOL
Well, what can I say, in 2011 I left Miami and the East Coast in May to return to my beloved Bay Area. I took a job as a TV Reporter at KRON and decided it was time to take that leap of faith! Needless to say, it didn’t last long…the gloom & doom, murder & mayhem nature of the news just wasn’t for me! I’ve been back living the (freelance) Miami life and 2012 is promising to deliver lots of new beginnings! I can’t hardly wait.
#2 – Virgin Atlantic’s RED HOT REPORTER in LONDON
In October of 2011 I had the opportunity and trip of a lifetime courtesy of Virgin Atlantic, after I was chosen as their Red Hot Reporter for the NFL International Series between the Chicago Bears and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Wembley Stadium! Tariq was able to come long for the “ride” and together we were privy to VIP access for all the events, parties and fun festivities!! The entire journey from start to finish was a top notch, 5-star, first class experience that I will never forget…I’ve got my fingers crossed they’ll want more of my Red Hot Reporting next fall 2012 too!! 😉
#1 – TARIQ
Hands down THE highlight of my 2011 was finally finding my best friend and partner for life! The story of how Tariq and I came to be is something you could read in the pages of a romance novel, but certainly a long time coming…our paths have definitely crossed more than a few times over the years, but in 2011, they finally were in sync and the rest is history, with the BEST yet to come! 😀
#10 – Host of the FIRST EVER 
#8 – My first 
#2 – Virgin Atlantic’s RED HOT REPORTER in LONDON