San Francisco 2014

We ended up in the Bay! My girl Krista invited me on her birthday trip to San Francisco which I was excited about because I had San Fran already on my list of to-dos. Before we get to the fun part (because it was an awesome mini-trip), I need to share the fact that I missed my first flight the Friday night I was supposed to leave AND my second flight the next Saturday morning. Then when finally in San Fran and it was time to leave, I missed my flight to FLL. Like it's not even funny and it's ridiculous. I think I'm superwoman when it comes to making flights and it needs to stop. I hate when I waste money on that type of stuff. I just wanna shoot everybody in the airport especially the airline workers. ANYWAYS. San Fran was bomb!

We dined at 1300 on Fillmore for Krista's birthday, which happens to be ran by Chef David Lawrence. My friends told me it was ran by a Jamaican chef, so of course I researched it and it turned out to be true. David Lawrence is a white Jamaican that has a dope restaurant conveniently located in the heart of the city, that's one thing I definitely know. I didn't know what to choose because there was a lot of seafood (and I'm not a big seafood person as yet), but I chose the burger. And the burger was LIFE, especially after we came back from the club HANGRY.

Taylyse

Krista, birthday girl

"Let's get into some fun sh*t!" ~Drake

The plan was to hit up San Fran's popular nightlife areas, which we did. Our hotel was already conveniently located in the heart of Union Square, so we ventured off to somewhere we haven't been: Broadway. Broadway and its surrounding areas have tons of clubs and stripclubs that we can say we experienced from outside, because we never made it in. My girls went into once club for about an hour, but the real fun was back at the hotel room. Shout out to Parc 55 Wyndham  (stay here if you're ever going to visit San Fran, seriously conveniently located). We were turnt. That's all I have to say. 

Like I mentioned twice already, the hotel we were at had the perfect location. Not only were we in Union Square where all the shops and restaurants were walking distance from, but the tourist things to do were also easily accessible from where we were at. To hop on a historic cable car was only a 2-minute walk from the hotel. The girls were all still knocked from the night before, so I ventured off to experience San Fran's best by myself. The cable car was truly an experience that everyone should try, and it lived up to be everything I thought it was: amazing. I've always wanted to get on one since reading books like The Joy Luck Club by Asian/SanFran native Amy Tan, or favorite movies like The Princess Diaries. To be on one of these while going up famous hills, everything! The cable car also conveniently stops at other famous tourist attractions along the way, including the historical Chinatown  the famous Lombard Street. I accidentally stumbled upon Lombard.

The whole time, I was actually en route to see the Golden Gate Bridge and decided to knock out other tourist things while on the way. So when it was time to get off (the ticket collector was helping me with directions), the ticket collector pointed to where I should go, but due to my mind being on other things (the sweet Cali green my girl gave me), I was lost when I hopped off the car. Before I took out my map, I decided to roll up first (to prevent the pretend stress I imagined myself having). I looked to my right and there was a very zig-zaggy hill going down, right next to it was a straight walkway with a ramp, so I chose to go down that and find a sitting/secret place right in the middle. Low and behold, my mhfkn ass was sitting in the middle of the famous zig zag of Lombard Street. Only I! Soon enough other random people and cars quickly stopped by, and when I told one man how this view was incredible, he shared with me what this all was, then I asked him to take a picture. ONLY I.

And finally, I hit the world wonder. Along with trying to attend all of the carnivals in the world that I possibly can, my plan is the same for seeing all of the world's wonders. When I finally got to the bridge, it was mhfkn breathtaking. I really was expecting something like the Brooklyn Bridge that I'm very used to, so I didn't really think a bridge could bring me awe, until I got here. I completely forgot to mention that it was raining the whole weekend. After months of a drought, it decided to rain the weekend we got there. But me being me. learning to make the best out of unfavorable situations. still didn't let it bother me. And it all worked out in my favor when I got to the bridge, because the rain provided the fog that made the bridge that much more incredible. I mean I'm either really making the best out of situations or the fog backdrop truly glorified The Golden Gate Bridge, or both. I made some wacky Instagram videos (as I usually do whenever I'm somewhere, sucks that I can't embed them anywhere), and I tried to record myself walking the whole bridge and couldn't. the scene was just too freaking powerful for me. I was about to walk over a sea or an ocean that I didn't even know the name of yet, and on top of the fact that I couldn't see the other side. So all I would se is water on either sides of me. No thank you! As adventurous as I am, I even shocked myself with that refusal. Entirely amazing! And fu*k these timestamps Samsung! How do you even get those off?

Dope trip or nah?

Read More

Caribana 2013

So my new thing now for jampacked party weekends that occur concurrently is to participate in at least two of the festivities rather than just one. I simply don't think my fun should be limited to one place when there's just as much or probably more fun happening at the same damn time somewhere else. That's just not fair to us live-lifers, so I decided to to body Caribana and Dream Weekend in the same week. I personally cannot stand the fact that Dream/SPF Weekend (and other Independence Day party weekends) in Jamaica, Carnival in Toronto (Caribana), Carnival in Barbados (Crop Over), Carnival in Antigua, Drake's OVO concert in Toronto, and a carnival in one more place that I was told of but cannot recall, all occur the same year every year; just as Mardi Gras in NOLA, Trinidad Carnival and Carnival in Rio de Janeiro all take place the same time due to their strict correlation with Ash Wednesday and biblical beliefs. So instead of always going out to one and missing out on the rest, I now attack two major celebrations and have less to worry about (aka be mad about if I'm not there). Always on the go. I hardly have any pictures from Caribana because it was too crazy. I have to shed light on the love the city of Toronto has for carnival. It is even a televised event; you hear it on the radio and see it advertised all over. I love the fact that it is such a big deal. No carnival in America treats a U.S. city carnival with as much respect as Toronto does theirs; it's incredible. Before carnival time started, I explored the city by myself while my cousin left me alone at his spot and I thoroughly enjoyed my experience. I always have a unique type of fun on solo adventures. Toronto is a dope city and I will be back to see what the nightlife is about, possibly catching an OVO concert would be a cherry and mangoes on top. Carnival festivities tired me out, including one massive water/paint jouvert party that I can't remember the name of, but we stampeded to get in with the rest of the crowd (you know we arrived late). And the rest was history.

Met up with some Boston peeps, including Amanda.

My time in Toronto was short but well spent. Caribana is a recommended carnival just because of its massive size, and because, to me, it is very cultural. I plan to do it again soon. I highly recommend jumping with Saldenah. They by far have the best costumes and what I later found out, exceptional customer service. Their location includes a giant warehouse filled with carnival vibes: food, Soca music, and lots of costumes being made, altered, or tried on. I always aim to jump with the best carnival band whenever I go to a place where I'm not sure if I'll be back again. Take heed. Jump with Saldenah. And of course, they took home #1. I will definitely be back in Toronto to flex with my cousin again, beautiful place and I have yet to see what lurks at night.

Read More

Buffalo 2013

My mom and I decided to drive down to Buffalo to visit my paternal grandfather. My brother, cousin, mom and I packed up and hit the roads for Buffalo once again. Everybody would be returning home to Boston in a few days but I had more travel planned ahead of me, so I departed Buffalo early to catch the bus to Toronto. But, before I left the slow city that my father once took us on annual family trips to, I spent some bonding time with la familia. Grandpa John is known for his excellent recollection of the Rose family history. He's such a diligent man, and it's always enlightening to be around him. However, his hurt from my father's death will always be palpable. He's still a proud man. I'm assuming the occasional (depending on my hair day) soft/curly texture I mysteriously have comes from this side of the family. As you can tell from the picture at right my grandfather is of Indian descent. He often speaks of his love for the length and beauty of his mom's long black hair. I plan to disambiguate the Rose family history in upcoming visits to our grandfather. Of course visits to my grandfather also included seeing my aunts and my cousins. We always looked forward to seeing each other every year and I remember how much fun we would have. Nothing has changed. All of us are just grown and doing grown things now, and we still have crazy fun. This last time I was here, I really wanted to go to The Anchor Bar. It is the home of America's first buffalo wings; one, and two; because it was known to be my father's favorite restaurant and a must-go for him whenever he was there (Buffalo was his first home in America before moving to Boston). All I sincerely remember is tearing those wings upppppp. We had like three pizzas and 60 wings really thinking we were going to body everything. It was only because we left earth temporarily why we were able to demolish and completely disintegrate every single thing we ordered.

I've visited Niagara Falls tons of times as a child on both the Canadian and American side, but this was my first time back as an adult. I recall enough to remember how much fun we had when our parents took us on the boat that actually brings you through the Falls. It's like rain pounding on your head; the raincoats they gave us was not enough. My mom said my father and her flew on a jet plane overlooking the Falls right after they got married, still in their wedding suits, and she shared the fear she had for her life. Quite comical, but the memory made me warm. Below is a picture of me and the world wonder on the American side. Still breathtaking, still scary. I'd call that captivating.

Read More

Atlantic City Carnival 2013

2013 was the year of my introduction to unfamiliar carnivals. They were all by far memorable, some better than others, but I treasure the experience always. Atlantic City, for example, is a fairly new carnival. To get straight to the point, it was very disorganized. Easily, by far, the most disorganized carnival I've seen individuals put together. The carnival was supposed to be on the Boardwalk as the previous year, but the "mayor" called it off due to the dangerously hot weather at the time, in fear of major heat heaves and heat exhaustion. Therefore, we had to celebrate carnival at the location of where all the carnival parties kept that weekend took place. I will say, we did make the best of it and I actually did have fun. That's how I always ensure my attitude is in debbie-downer situations: positive. I personally met Shurwayne Winchester and even in the midst of the disorganization, he managed to shut that ish down. I still don't know how, I just know I have a very memorable story from Atlantic City. The people I met, unforgettable and beneficial, the trip turned out to be life-changing. With a more carefully planned out carnival and a new and improved board to carry that out, Atlantic City has potential. I'm glad I got to experience it in its prime, I will be there when it has reached its full growth too.

@designzbylisa on Instagram, located in NYC

A little bit of gambling can't hurt prior nah could it.

Shelly, the talented designer of probably my favorite costume ever.

It was a very fun time in Atlantic City, un-regrettable, as always!

Read More

July 4th in Boston 2013

Another July 4th Weekend in Boston! Because I honestly WEIRDLY enjoy Boston during this time. I'm too internationally-experienced to settle for Boston's basicness, but this weekend is always special to me here. Since a youngin', my mother would take both my brother and I to the celebrations on The Esplanade every year. It was customary for us. I haven't been for years, but working for DCR afforded me the opportunity to actually be involved in the festivity (therefore having premier access) this particular year. It was a dream come true. It was especially iconic this year because the year prior was the occurrence of the Boston Marathon killings. Security was top-notch, and scary. FBI, S.W.A.T., the army, every governmental security official you can think of was there. I was a manager for one of DCR's facilities and I firsthand observed all of the tight security action from that location. It was always like a movie to me, always. Later on in the night when it was showtime and everything went splendidly and smoothly, there was a big, silent, but heard sigh of relief mixed with excitement. Both my cousin and girl felt it too. The orchestra was everything their reputation lives up to be and no violence occurred whatsoever. Boston Pops sealed the deal. To me, they are what make the show special and the reason Boston attracts millions of people every year to the widely televised event. Boston will always be a favorite for July 4th. My hometown gets that W from me. Highly recommended.

July 4th at work 

#summerjob #collegedays #manager

Other July 4ths in Boston:
2011
2012

Read More

Memorial Day Weekend in Miami 2013

Fresh from Atlanta Carnival, my girl Terara and I headed straight to Miami Sunday morning in hopes to catch the famous annual Best of the Best concert, which starred my favorite ever, Beres Hammond, and the last of what MDW had to offer us. It would be my second time ever seeing him in person. It was all a dream really, especially because I was already on could 29. We met up with my cousin Deney and friends upon our arrival to the dangerously fun city and embarked on the guaranteed fun from there. From eating and laughing on SoBe to the same damn thing in Fort Lauderdale, we had a blast. I can never stay there too long due to homesickness, but South Florida is always fun when I do visit, especially during Memorial Day Weekend (from class right down to the ratchetness). 

South Beach, The Clevelander

Best of the Best bound.

My girl Keisha was already in Miami.

Immediate linkup.

First timer at Wet Willies.

Fort Lauderdale 

(where most of my family lives)

 Prince. 22-year olds are afraid of him,

and beware, he will hump you. 

Just shedding some light on another one of Jamaica's sexual arousing drinks.

That's all folks! Until next time SoFl! 

(I actually just got back from there on a different trip so I'll be getting to that post shortly)

Read More