My favorites for the month of May...

Okay okay okay...

So, I know I say every single month that I am going to post a blog every week and I know that I am a damn lie! Last year I faithfully did a blog almost every single day well for about a month straight and then it went to once a week for about a week straight and then it went to every couple of months and you get my point...The truth is...I really don't have that much to tell that damn often. Now, I am a chatty gal and I could totally come up with a topic with each blog but who wants to really read my adventures of nothing-ness???

And so it begins...

So, instead of boring you with the details of my fabulous wkend and making you all so insanely jealous, instead I will just go ahead and post my picks for my favorite items for this past week/end. Now, I have a million favorite items for the month of May but I will go ahead and give you a little sample of what I am loving at this very moment...

The shit stuff that I totally ADORE (in no particular order):

1. Vintage Inspired Satchel Tri-Colored Handbag-->ADORES
2. MAC Ocean Berry colored Nail Lacquer (nail polish for you dummies)
3. Andy Warhol buttons (I am such a fan of multiple buttons and or pins on cardigans and jackets)
4. Torquoise/Wooden Beaded Braclet (the closure on this bracelet is what made me fall in LOVE)
5. Very Orange MAC Matte Long Lasting Lipstick (yea I'm a black girl that rocks pink and orange lipstick shades...so what???)
6. Gel Eyeliner (any excuse to actually use a paint brush and actual paint on my face is an excuse enough for me to purchase it!!!! it gives the perfect line to my eyelids and I will probably never use another eye liner in my life!!!)
7. My medicine (okay okay so that is a little weird I know, I know, but I gotta' give a shot out to the meds that are allowing me the strength of being able to type this.

And there you have it...

So, as always nothing is going on but the rent. I still get up every morning "beat my face" (for those of you who don't know that is, it is an expression "makeup folks" use when you apply makeup and your face looks insatiably gorgeous), I flat iron my hair and put my best foot forward and do the damn thing... Not too much fun and not a whole lot of excitement but as always I got a little something to tell.

Until next time...

Smooches

Adore...

Blah blah blah...

So, I finally received my package from the States about 2wks ago. I haven't posted a vlog yet nor have I actually showcased any of my favorite items from the package I received from home. So, I instead of me getting into the long drawn out details I will just list my favorite items I received and or purchased for this month of April (they are in no particular order):

Things I Adore:

1. USB Charger for my Blackberry (finally I am able to charge my cell phone and chit chat with family and friends back home... I was getting to be so over skype)
2. Leaf Earrings (ADORE)
3. Blue Dragon Leather Earrings (ADORE)
4. Brass Feather Earrings (ADORE)
5. Zebra, Black, Orange Super-sized Bangles (Absolutely ADORE, this was a surprise from my Mom)
6. Gucci Oversized Shades (ADORE this newly purchased pair of shades)
7. Straw Fedora (ADORE- finally a fedora in the perfect shade, height and width I am eager and excited to wear this during the summer months)
8. Moisture Therapy Hand Lotion (ADORE, this totally makes my hands feel like a baby's ass)
9. Blemish Facial Washing Cream (ADORE. The smell alone makes me feel warm and fuzzy on the insides)
10.Lavender Foot & Leg Mask (ADORE)
11. Louis Vuitton Cherry Blossom Handbag (an oldie but a goodie, one of my favorite bags to carry during the warm summer months...I ADORE the bow on it and the colors)

Things that I am still on the fence about:

1. OPI Katy Perry Black Shatter Nail Polish: I was dying to get this item in the mail, in fact it was the most sought after item but, I am still trying to find the perfect shade combination. I think now I am hoping to get my hands on the Silver Shatter ASAP. Still not too sure about this Black Shatter thing. Perhaps I was over it before I actually got it.
2. Canon Power Shot Camera: Still trying to convince myself that this camera is much better than my standard pocket camera.

A complete waste of my fucking time:

1. Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies: Okay seriously these were just not as good as I remembered them being. Or perhaps I have just been in Soko for much too long!

Anywhooo...

Alright, well, that is about it, nothing fun, nothing exciting and as always nothing is up but the rent.

Chat Blog or Vlog with you next time...

Smooches

Another Day Another Dollar...

Cocka' Doodle Friggin' Doo..

So, this morning I woke up way earlier than my usual 11am wake up time. I had very little time to spare and I had to utilize my full one hour and thirty mins before my doorbell would ring. Usually my routine of waking up is the exact same every single day. I spend 30-40 minutes "hanging" out on my laptop doing absolutely nothing and then at the last minute I have to quickly get dressed and run like hell to the bus stop or hope and pray a taxi is within close proximity so that I can race to beat the clock and actually arrive to work on time.

What's a girl to do...

So, this morning I get up say my prayers and begin my morning regiment of painting my face, flat ironing my hair, selecting perfect accessories and getting dressed. This morning I had to meet with a client. You may be wondering what in the hell kind of client could you be possibly meeting up with in SoKo early in the morning. So, what kind of client? It could mean that I had a hot sexy date or it could be exactly what it says a CLIENT. Will I go into details absolutely NOT. I'd rather keep you guessing.

What's the point....

Okay so overall aside from the nausea and the mild stomach pains this week was awesome. I had a really good week. Things went well at work I did have a few bad days as far as "sickness" is concerned but overall things went really well. I really don't have anything hot and juicy to tell. So, instead of me filling this page with complete and utter bull crap I will go ahead and include a few pictures from a few of my absolute favorite items that I used this week. (also shown in my vlog at http://www.youtube.com/user/Shaybaybee726)

This that and the other...

Okay so, some of my favorites this week was a Silver/Beaded Chanel Necklace, Banana Yellow Fingernail Polish, Gold/Bead Drop Earrings, Dior Heart/Key Earrings, Two-tone Black/Gold/Rhinestone Chanel Bracelet, Gray Hooker Heels

. All of the items I totally adore and can not wait to wear more of during the nice warmer months!

Waking up like P Diddy...

As for this weekend I have no plans to party like a rock star, have a crazy one night stand or get into a bar fight. Well, I take that back if the opportunity presents it's self and if I'm not too busy doing absolutely nothing I just may do all of the above. You only live once right?

Until Next Time..

I got nothing else to tell and as always nothing is going on but the rent. Chat
oops um Blog with you next time.

Smooches

April Showers Bring May Flowers...

April already, what happened to March...

Okay so, I can not believe it is already April. Wow my tenure here in SoKo is really ending quickly. I can not believe that in August I will be heading back to the States. Time really has gone by quickly. I have had my ups and downs living in SoKo but for the most part I have had many more Ups than Downs and I have truly loved every moment of my experience living here. ---> Ugh well...let me rephrase that. I had a lot of great things to happen to me and I have had some shit to happen that made me want to flip the fuck out and go cray-zay!!! :-)

One of my loves...

The thing I have enjoyed the most is the Korean Fashion/Trends. I have been able to find one of a kind, cute, stylish and totally to die for items here and it has been an effortless adventure. I can walk down the street and catch a glimpse of something that tickles my fancy on every street corner and or boutique/shop I encounter. I also ADORE the natural SWAG and style of Korean Men and Women, there style is obviously an effort but I love that the women "beat" their faces with an obscene amount of gorgeous makeup, perfect hair styles and hooker heels. That has made my experience here the most enlightening. I have always been an advocate of beauty and glamour and I have never understood how a girl can never wear makeup or take the time to doll up her eyes and or paint her lips so, I totally am able to appreciate and admire the time and effort the Korean Dolls take to look flawlessly beautiful. I can totally relate. I always chuckle when I see a Foreigner in SoKo who adopts the "Korean Guy/Doll look" and they try so hard to fit in and they end up looking shamefully, tragically and painfully LAME.

On to the next....

So, the past few weeks has been incredibly tough for me. I would classify this as being one of my "downs" here in SoKo. I have a really bad infection in my Colon and it has made my life hell for the past month. I won't get into too many details but I am currently under doctors orders and taking a crap load of "get fixed quick" pills and on a new eating regiment that is suppose to mend me back to good health from my guts to my butts!!! HE HE HE

Misery Loves Company...

Even though I was in misery I was able to be in good company. My good company was SHOPPING with me, myself and I. I am guilty and notoriously known for buying a bunch of stuff that I can not afford nor do I actually really even need. But it makes me happy and it makes me feel good and it is my guilty pleasure...In the two years that I have been in SoKo I have made A LOT of purchases. But,

of all the fancy items and good deals this week I have a few favorites that I will share with you. (I hope you enjoy my pictures: Spider Ring, Orange Lipstick, Handbag and Nail Polish)

Blah Blah Blah ...

Okay so that is it. Nothing really new, nothing too fancy and as always nothing is really going on but the rent.

Until next time...


Smooches

Manic Monday...

Always in a hurry to wait...

So, this morning was Monday March 7,2011 and I actually woke up with than enough time to have brunch, check emails, skype and get ready for work. I actually woke up this morning at 10am. And I am not suppose to be to work until 2pm so that should have been more than enough time to get ready and be on time right???

If it is not ham it's spam....

So, after I ate lunch which consisted of Spam with onions, rice and yellow corn. Spam??? Yes, I have never had spam until I came to Korea. In fact, before coming here if a can of Spam had come to sit on my lap I wouldn't have even known what it was. Now don't get me wrong I have heard of it before. But, could I actually tell you which isle in the grocery store you can find it? No. Could I even tell you what it looked or smelled like. Definitely not. But, ask me that today and I damn sure could!!!

On to the next...

Okay so blah blah blah. Before heading out to work I did what comes completely natural to me. I painted my face, flat ironed my hair and stood in front of the teeny space I call a closet and stared at my clothes for a good 10mins before deciding to put on a sweater dress (can't go wrong with a sweater dress and a pair of boots in the winter. It's the easiest thing you can put on. It requires no iron and no effort.

Tick Tock staring at the Clock...

I leave home exactly 15mins before I am suppose to be at work (story of my life). So, I arrive to work run up the stairs immediately turn on the computer and sit and stare until it's time to go home Yoga.

Wide Load...

My Rope Yoga class is always really interesting and it is the best exercise class I have ever taken. Every class is new and exciting. But, today I had a different experience. I don't know what was wrong with me but I was really goofy and really giggly. The kind of giggle when you think of something in your head and you have to try like hell not to burst out in laughter. Well, let me tell you what I found to be hilariously funny today. For starters we were warming up on the mats and we did this one pose before getting into a "downward dog" where we had to place the palms of our hands on the mat and bend forward and look behind (imagine standing and putting your head between your legs). Well, when I did that, Lord and behold my back was facing the mirror and when I tucked my head under I realized I had the biggest ass in all of tne world. I mean obviously I am no small fry by any sense of the word. But my back side is as wide as hell and instead of me being humiliated and embarrased it was the funniest thing in the world to me.I do not know why it was hilariously funny that my one wide ass cheek makes two ass cheeks of a Korean woman. I just shook my head and thought to my self "Self, that's a damn shame!" Nevertheless, Yoga was really good aside from the fact that I should have skipped the vaseline on my feet this morning because as a result of that I was slipping and sliding all over the Yoga Studio today. I will definitely make a mental note to NEVER do that again.

All that glitters...

After yoga I headed home to relax and unwind. Oh, I have a brand new favorite thing for the past week or so. It is my Silver Diamond and Glitter Top Coat. I ADORE it. One thing I love about being in S Korea is that the nail polishes and the removers are not as toxic as they are in the states. So, now I can do manicures every few days. So anywho...I love my new polish and I apply it as a top coat on a million different colors and it is so super cute! I am dying to get my Crackle polish in the mail from my mom along with my new lipstick, girlscout thin mints and my earrings that I ordered from my favorite online store that will be too gorgeous during the warmer months.

Ciao...

Okay so other than that nothing new nothing fun and nothing exciting is going on with me. Today was overall a Delicious Day!

Until Next Time...
Smooches

January 2011

Happy NEW YEARRRR....

Ha ha ha so I totally know I am so insanely late on posting a blog. I haven't posted a blog since June 2010. Since then I have been back to America and back and on several vacations in between. To be honest I really don't know where to begin too much has happened since my last blog but I figured since this is my last year in SoKo I will be diligent about posting blogs and will do them atleast once a month until my departure.

Last year really????...

Okay I don't know for sure if this is my last year. To be honest I absolutely LOVE it here. Well, for the most part. There are a few things I can do without such as:

1. The Staring
2. The Shoving and Pushing
3. The lack of my own automobile (which is a HUGE inconvenience---I have had my own car since the age of 16)
4. The brutal COLD
5. The lack of common sense by a lot of natives
6. The lack of common sense and ignorance of MANY foreigners

I will not go into a lot of details (or actually I will) but the ones from above is enough to drive me CRAY-ZAY!!! So, like I was saying...err typing. I really do love it here. I love the fashion, culture and the people (for the most part)but I also feel like it is time for me to return home for a little bit. How exactly long is a little bit? Well, I am not quite sure but it'll be until I SAY SO and not a minute before.

So last year???

Okay so there are so many things, people, instances that I could totally bitch about right about now but to be honest the good had totally outweighed the bad. So, I will list the top 5 things that have been the most ignorant and most mind boggling things I have heard this past year. And once I get this off of my chest I will then bypass the dumb stuff and speak about the great day I have had today....

5. Around Christmas I was invited to a Christmas Orchestra. And the woman who invited me mentioned that there would be singers from all over the world. She then asks me if I was familiar with a particular group of singers and once I told the "dumb ass" that I was not familiar with this particular group nor have I ever heard of it she then tells me they are from my "VILLAGE in AFRICA." I of course being the American that I am I WENT OFF! Of course, I went off on her and she had no idea what I was saying and or why I was so offended. So, I basically had to let that slide because she was clearly ignorant and it wasn't worth my time and or energy to explain to her that the first set of Slaves were brought from Africa in 1441 and they were first sent to Portugal and it wasn't until 1619 that Slaves came to America and I clearly can not say that my VERY extended family came from that particular Tribe. And whose to say I came from a Tribe? How do you not know my great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great (that should be about 570 years ago right??) great x's500 grand mother or great x's 500 grand father wasn't a King or a Queen and wore fancy furs and diamonds on each toe and finger??? Now here we are in 2011 (well it was during Christmas when she asked me this dumb ass question) and she really thought that I lived in that particular village. Like LADY are you friggin' serious right now? Seriously??? So, needless to say this is one of the many times I have wanted to totally do a back hand slap across someone's face. But, I didn't...But I wanted to. BADLY!!!

4. Sitting in a coffee shop with a person (from CANADA) I am asked what part of Africa did I come from. Like, are you serious right now? How can you be from North America from Canada to be exact (and you know Canada is literally just right across the street from Detroit--->may I add the majority of the population in Detroit is Black American) and you have the nerve to ask me this dumb ass question. Are you serious right now? Now, I don't want to get into details of who this person was. But, let's just say she traveled to Africa last summer and has been to many other countries and lives in NORTH AMERICA and she is that IGNORANT. Now, since she clearly lives in a population of probably 1,500 people in her city in Canada and has obviously been living under a rock I politely schooled her on her ignorance and pretended that her comment was not the STUPIDEST thing I had ever heard and finished out our evening and left it at that. Have I hung out with her since? Um, not at all. She clearly needs to read a friggin' history book and become better socialized. Her parents cleared dropped the ball on this one. Or perhaps the education system in her area has totally failed her and many others in her area in Canada. Now I can understand that better coming from someone who may be an older Native Asian. But come one someone from Canada under the age of 100! That is just ridiculous!!!!

3. "I was wondering who the guy was who works in our office and when I found out he was a Nobody I stopped being nice to him!" This comment came from a dumbass American who I work with. When she made this comment I literally wanted to scream. Who says that? So, do you really think it is okay to treat average people like shit? Really dumbass? If I didn't like your country ass before I certainly don't like you now! Ugh, don't even get me started on this dumb chick...So, like my Mom use to tell me when I was a teeny tiny gorgeous child, If you don't have anything nice to say don't say it at all. So, I won't

2. Okay so why is it that when I go to get something to eat here they only give you one of everything you need. So, lets say for instance, I go to Mcdonalds. How in the hell are you only going to give me ONE friggin' ketchup pack and ONE napkin? Like are you really serious right now? And why do you assume I want a Pepsi? Why can't you wait until I tell you what I want to drink before you assume that just because I am from Africa (ha ha ha) I like Pepsi. Seriously!!! I guess ALL Africans like Pepsi.

1. You sing like Aretha Franklin or Whitney Houston or Beyonce. Sing for us? Um, are you friggin' serious right now? So, let me get this straight I am from an African Tribe and I sing like an American woman? The things that kills me is that Oprah Winfrey is on TV everyday here. As well as Tyra Banks, Everybody loves Chris (which may I add clearly says on EVERY SINGLE episode that he is in BROOKLYN, The Game, Greys Anatomy, House and countless other shows and Beyonce, Mary J Blige, Neyo, Usher, Will I Am, Nicki Minaj, Rhianna, India Arie and many many other people are forever shaking their ass all over the TV and not ONE time did it say they are from Africa. Like seriously just because I am African (ha ha ha pun intended) I can sing? Ugh...I don't know which one bothers me the most the annoying ignorant Canadians, the stupid/frumpy Americans or the sad sad sad mis-informed Koreans.

Making a long story longer...

Now, I don't want to make it seem as though things here are awful because they are totally not. Infact if they were I would have gone home long ago. I do love it here and this is only a few of the dreadful things that have totally pissed me off. But out of the 365 days a year this is really my only complaint from 2010. Not bad huh?

On to the good stuff....

Okay so, I am on my vacay and I have spent days looking up tours and resorts and places to visit (okay not days but I did spend like an hour or two over the course of like 2 days)and I decided I didn't really want to go anywhere. I figure I can do that at any time. Also, I have lost some weight and I didn't want to put it all back on. Me and my sexy self decided to stay in and continue to watch my weight oh and stare at my sexy self in the mirror non stop. So, I did what any other girl would do. I have been shopping and hanging out and having a really awesome time with my SELF!!! And I have totally LOVED every single minute of it. One thing that I totally enjoy about hanging out with me is that I am on my own time. If I want to sleep in or have a change of plans or decide to spend extra time in one particular store or get mani's and or pedi's it is totally up to me. I find that when I hang out with others. People are always on a budget. Counting their coins and rushing you. And I find that there are not a lot of people (foreigners that is) that are like me. I like to shop, I love being pampered, I love being a girl and I have champagne taste (usually always on a Pepsi budget) but hey that's my right to spend all that I have on shoes or whatever useless item that makes me happy.

Okay so, this blog is so much longer than I actually intended for it to be....So I will be sure to post another blog this week and maybe I will throw in a couple of pictures and blah blah blah...

Alright well, that is about it. Next blog will be filled with sexy adventures, fancy stuff and juicy conversations...

Until Next Time...

Smooches

If this world were mine...

And it all falls down...

So, this is how it began. Last week I was up late at night (as usual) and I decided to check out my bootleg movie website to see if my beloved "Sex and the City" was up and running. I did the normal procedure of opening the website and finding the best quality and began to get all warm and fuzzy when all of a sudden my screen went black. I thought, oh hell, now what is this? But, I didn't panic I did what any other laptop junkie would do. I shut off my computer. Flipped it over, took out the battery "blew on it" and thought voila.

Pick up the pieces...

So once I put the battery piece back into the back of my laptop and turned it back on I just knew that it would be up and running as it had been before. It starts and that same annoying black screen comes up telling me it needs to be re-started so I then click all of the necessary buttons so that it is able to start on it's own.

2 days and 15 hours later with No Skype, No Facebook and no G-Mail...

My computer is back up and running. So, because my schedule with work was so hectic it took me a little longer than I wanted to get it fixed. But, nevertheless, It was fixed. Now is it back to new? It sure is. So new that it's naked! Everything was wiped off of my computer! In order for the Computer Tech chick to fix my laptop she had to delete all of the files on my laptop. All of my pictures, videos, music and gadgets were completely removed! My laptop was so pimped out everything was perfectly displayed so that I didn't even have to read and or think. All I had to do was look at a picture and open it's page. Now I feel like I am back in the stone ages. I have to manually search for websites, actually read and pay attention to everything I do. Now, on the bright side my laptop is running perfectly. On the downside, all of the setting are in KOREAN. Now you are probably wondering how in the hell are you able to read that. I absolutely can not. But after clicking all Korean words on each page I have some way mastered figuring out how to get by memorizing how to open and close and get through each page. Eventually, I will take my laptop back and get that shit off of there. But, in the mean time atleast I am learning a lot more Korean than what I knew and in no time I should be speaking fluent Korean. Even though the words will only be computer related but hey, I'll sound super smart and intelligent.

Summer Breeze...

So, the weather here in SoKo has been so insanely delicious! The sun is out and there is a bit of a breeze and it feels good to have removed all the layers of clothing that I was wearing just a few months ago. The shitty part is that I still don't feel like myself here. Normally I am really into the way I look I love clothes and shoes and makeup and all pretty things. Shoes and clothes are my thing. That is what I am known for. Here, not so much. I feel so blah! I don't have my stuff with me. Now, a lot of my things were sent but I just don't have it in me. I just don't have the desire to really get dolled up. I have never been the type to dress for others it was always for me. Never for attention or to show off or anything like that. Only for me. Now, don't get me wrong I still wake up every morning and paint my face and flat iron my hair. But, truth be told. I rarely put on a pair of heels. Infact, only recently I began wearing heels again and that is only because I will be home in August and all of my shoes are high heels and I need to get back use to wearing them. But, back to what I was saying. I just don't have the desire to get dressed. SoKo is very fashion forward so you would think that I totally would be into it. But, I feel the exact opposite. In fact, I feel very girl next door. Very plain jane. Something that I have NEVER been and I kinda' like it. I think I am so low key because no one actually expects anything from me here. Here I am just Shayla. Back home. I was "SHAYLA." Very trendy. If the latest technology came out I was one of the first to have whether it was a phone, dress, shoes or purse I had to have it first! Now, not at all. Maybe that is the American me. But the Korean me is like "fuck it." now, like I said, I still get dressed but only when I feel like it not when it is expected.

If I ruled the world...

Now, like I said, Summer is here and I am kinda missing Florida things. For some reason I miss the beach, I miss Summer Dresses with Crazy High Heels, I miss Rita Pita, I miss my niece Angel, BBM'ing, talking on the phone with friends all night and all morning who are in the same time zone, lunch dates with my Mom, singing to the top of my lungs while driving my pimped out car and listening to satellite radio, my high heels, my handbags, my accessories, my old place and a bunch of other things. I think I'll be okay when I return home this summer and have access to my things. And when I return back to SoKo that should be enough to hold me over until I return back home sometime next year. Or maybe I will find that those things aren't really all that important. On second thought it totally is all that important and I can't wait to have it all back!

That's that...

Alright, well, nothing fun, nothing exciting. Just a day in my life in my thoughts with me.

Until Next Time...

Smooches