the big apple babyyyyyyyyyyy

This past weekend I made a trip to the BIG APPLE aka New York City! I went last year the exact same weekend. Sooo with that being said...I didn't take very many pictures on Round 2. I saw pretty much the same things I saw last year :( it's probably because I went with my aunt and cousin again. My aunt was sick, she's even in the hospital at this very moment :( she's been there since the day Tuesday a few hours after we landed from NYC. The reason we went was because my cousin is a Cosmetologist and she was taking a color test at the Redken Exchange on 5th Ave. to become an educator IF she wanted to. We went last summer for the same reason, but she was unable to take the test due to the fact she broken her ankle pretty seriously earlier last year, but we had already bought out plane tix so we went anyways. So since last yr no one was sick or busy we did all the sight seeing! This year on the other hand was a little different. Yes, of course I still got some shopping done. I wouldn't be me if I didn't lol. AND of course I did some eating :) so I have plenty of foodie pix. I also got to see Cirque De Soliel's Zarkana @ Radio City Music Hall in the 15th row w/ my buddy & future MD ALI :) yayyyy!!

 This was just a cute shop we passed on our way into the city of Laguardia

 A random st during sunset 

Carmine's Family Style Italian Rest. BEST BARTENDER FRED!! He gave us some awesome recommendations food and bar wise! He also makes some bomdiggity Sangria :) 

Stuffed Artichoke for the appetizer. $17.50

 Main Dish..Chicken alla Parmageana? Not sure :/ $42.50

 The place! 

 Fred the MAN! 

Total cost w/drinks+tip=$150.00

Yes, It was a bit pricey, but it was a  yummy meal we didn't even finish half of it. We would definitely go back & it's NYC everything is more expensive. 

My cousin, My aunt, and myself 

 Just a pretty centerpiece :) 

 My fave flower + a gorgeous color = PURE LOVE 

 French Toast OMG orgasm in your mouth! 

 Chicken sandwich w/pesto :/ I can't remember I ate half it was good, but not ahhhmazing 

 My cousin was brave and went out her realm with the Ahi Tuna Burger. It was a little too raw for her, but she did a great job! I was proud lol 

 My cousin LOVES dessert more than actual meals so she got some bread pudding. 

I forgot the name of this super cute cafe. I'll have to check my bank statement, but the meal+drinks(non-alcohlic)+tip = $60.00

 I finally saw the naked cowboy!! AHHHH lol I searched for him last summer and didn't find him

 A photo of Times Square

 Future Dr. Ali in Times Square 

 Before we went in!! 

 Dr. Ali and our usher

 Me inside :) Don't mind me lookin a hot mess! 

 Ali and I 

 A few of the Characters. They walked around the orchestra pit for like an hour before the show! It was so awesome, but sadly most of the pix are on my cell phone :( 

 Ali & his fave character 

 One of the musicians and myself 

 Salad de Avacado..not what I was expecting at all 

 Chicken Tortilla Soup...blahhhhhhh in a bowl. All I had was the broth 

The typical Colombian dish..awesome rice, beans, steak, an egg, sausage, and some other thing we didn't know what it was 

 Nachos 

 The place we ate the above meal at. The people were nice, but the food was sub par, I would recommend NOT going there for food or drinks since they put salt INTO the margaritas, who does that?? 

The bill $70 with tip.

The place turns into a salsa club after midnight on weekends that I DO recommend 

@ MAD 46 on the rooftop of the Roosevelt Hotel. 

I keep it classy with Champagne :) 

 The next few items including the soup are from O'Connelly's Irish PUb

 Chicken sandwich w/frites 

 I had a tuna steak sandwich w/fries. It was ok, but a bit too bland for my taste

 Outside of Ripley's 

 A s'more pizza CRAZII!! No, I didn't have any

 Chocolate Syringe...bluckkk!! I'm not a sweet person 

 This chocolate was connected thru the whole place I thought it was so cool

 I don't remember what that is from last year, but I did learn about it lol 

 America's debt sadly I was unable to get a really clear picture 

 A view from Union Square

 Washington Park they're clearly trying to copy the Arc De Triomphe a Paris 

 Magnolia Bakery is hectic!

 Pretty cupcakes in the window

 Amber on Upper East Side

I had purchased a Groupon a while in advance so we took advantage. 

 Mixed green salad w/seasame dressing..OMG!! Ahhmazing

 Spicy Tuna, Philly, & salmon 

 Chicken in a peanut sauce 

Veggie Pinapple Rice

After $40 Groupon, the total bill was about $30 including tip 

To be cont....

Bisous Bisous, The Rockin GerRoccan: Arkia

Quarter of a Century? You betchaaaaa!

Delayed post by a week since I haven't been at my desktop to upload pix AND I was out of town


This passed weekend was definitely a fun one! My Friday morning was spent hanging out in the City. Come Friday night I was at a local fest with my homies :). I love festivals they're probably my favorite part of summer in the city! The only reason I ever go to this particular fest is for the yummy artichoke casserole! OMG delish!! If you haven't noticed I'm a foodie ;). haha. Next time I will get a picture although its not all the pretty to look at. It's artichoke hearts, garlic, and bread crumbs from what I can tell. My friends and I ate good food, played games & had loads of laughs! Those are always the best of times.

 BALLLINNNNN...lol those are clearly fake ;)

 Make it Make it rain trickkkkkk

 Being Pervs!

 Knocked up!

Cabbage the Carnie Fish!

Saturday AM was spent working :(, but Saturday night was poppin! It was my friend David's 25th birthday! Majority of my friends and myself are slowly, but surely turning a quarter of a century old. OMGosh! Scaryyyy!! LOL..I can't believe we're all 5 yrs from 30 eeekk!! It feels like just last week I was with David and my friend Meg at Six Flags Great America, but damn time flies it's already been 6 yrs!! That's where me n David met, yet we had a friend in common, Gina. So we hit the club!! To dance our young hearts out! We also consumed some beverages, if you know what I mean. LOL. It has been so long since I hit up a club I sure did miss it. We hit up Transit. 

Gina and I before we headed out to the club...yes, I wear glasses, but only for driving safely :) other than that I don't

 Me & Theresa one of my OLD friends' baby sisters that I randomly ran into

 A caught off guard moment! HAHA I look bogus!

Gina, the bday boy David, and myself..I'm obviously NOT ready 

The crew 

and another of the 3 of us

 Shots! Shots! Shots!

 David & I dancing

 Dancing again lol

 just being cheesy

 Taking a pic of Gina takin a pic

 Gina & David shakin it

Cheesyyyyyyyyy :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVID!! I hope you had a blast bc I know I did! 

Bisous Bisous, The Rockin GerRoccan: Arkia

Mini Staycation Sunday

On Sunday my aunt and cousins decided to hit a breakfast cafe called Tiztal OMGosh they have the best food and oatmeal shakes!! mmm good...!! My cousin who now lives in Alabama is in town for the holiday weekend and he also has a few appointments with a Surgeon for his back/neck. So that is why my family decided to do a staycation for the day! It's so fun when you can be a tourist in your own city. You really do learn new things which is always a plus ( in my book anyways). After breakfast we went to Navy Pier and walked around and then we decieded to take an a boat tour on the Chicago river. It was def a great day to be out on the boat! Nice and sunny with a cool breeze! Just the way I like it.

 My yummy in my tummy breakfast of Chillaquilles (its a Mexican dish)

 I think this is the Tribune Tower

                                                        I think this is the Wrigley Building

                                                           Trump Internation Tower Chicago

                                                        Marina City aka The Corn Cobs..it's really a city inside with a Movie theater, Parking lot, grocery store, dry cleaners, and gym

 River City the same concept as Marina City further down the south river and was supposed to be shaped like a serpent, but financers didn't like the idea so it was never fully completed. But it's like a city within a city, except this one has a boat marina under it.

 Sears Tower aka Willis Tower

Me, Jon (my cousins Pru's bf), my cuz Pru, my cuz Thomas, & my Aunt Denise

What I wore: Forever 21 Maxi dress & belt, Target sandals, Coach Purse, Tiffany ring & bracelet, Hamsa Moroccan bracelet

Bisous Bisous, The Rockin GerRoccan: Arkia

Bridal Shower & Shopping Saturday

Saturday afternoon was spent in a hot as heck tent outside at a golf course for my cousins Bridal Shower. They warned us to dress in loose clothing since it'd be outside. Chicago weather is a bit bi-polar one day it can be 100+ or can it be 50 degrees. To bad Saturday hadn't been one of those cooler days. I was fine I don't really get hot or sweat so I was comfortable. The rest of the crowd unfortunatly was soooo uncomfortable and fanning themselves with paper plates.

After that my aunt and I decided to hit up yorktown mall and target since we were half way there anyways since the golf course was between our house and the mall. I love shopping so it was my idea :) And besides my aunt had a few things to return to Carson's.

We hit up Carsons for my aunt to return some stuff and buy a new pair of shoes for our upcomming trip to NYC!! While there I spotted a few adorbale items I really really really wanted, but I couldnt bring myself to pay the prices! I found a crochet'd poncho for $85!! I was like wtf...thats too much!! Ever since I started shopping at Forever 21 I cannot bring myself to purchase trendy pieces for that much money it just doesn't make since!  I also found a super cute top with like a native american print on it and it was sheer and short in the front and long in the back. I fell in love with that piece also, but again it was just too pricey! That price tag read $45!! Oh hell no! I always ruin my clothes and how often am I honestly gonna wear those 2 pieces I'm sure not frequently enough to rectify purchasing them for $130. So onwards and upwards to Forever 21 we went. As soon as we walked into Forever 21 what did my lil green eye spot?!? You GUESSED It!! A poncho!! HAHA..for $23 you bet I bought that! haha..I also found a few more goodies.

 Yummy freshly picked raspberries from my yard

 My favorite flower...the daisy!

 My new haircut/at the bridal shower

 What I wore..Forever 21 dress & necklace, target shoes, coach purse, tiffany bracelet & ring, hamsa bracelet from Morocco

 New Forever 21 leopard print Maxi dress $27.80 & belt $8.80 

 Forever 21 Poncho $22.80 Target Sandals $15.00

Forever 21 carpi pants in Black and Olive $15.80 each

                                                                   My love Trix and I

Bisous Bisous, The Rockin GerRoccan: Arkia

workin girlllllllll

I have a job, but i need a better one! Don't we all?! I'm not a genious, but I'm not as dumb as a box of rocks either so I beg the question, why can't i find a j-o-b?!? I'm hardworking and reliable, thats for sure! Yet, whenever I apply to a job I don't get a call back :( talk about depressing. I have a stable job history I've had 3 jobs and I've kept them for at least 2 yrs! Doesn't that tell employers something, apparently not.

I almost have an associates degree in Business managment/marketing..20 credits short. I have an esthetics lisence, but EVERY SINGLE job posting I see wants at least 1 yr experience WTF!! How can I get experience if NO ONE will give me a shot?? Hello people, use those lovely brains God has gifted you with! Work with a girl!! I'm also a Medical Assistant, although not a certified one, yet! and every single job posting I see for that is CERTIFIED!! How does not being certified make me any less qualified? I can do the EXACT SAME THING and for less money since I'm not certified. I'm working on it though. It's not my fault you have to wait months between sending in your check & app to take the darn test!

I guess I should tell you what my job for the last couple years has been, eh? Well then lemme tell ya, I work as a sales associate at a tanning salon. Basically I try to sell people tanning memberships and products. Woohoo sooooooooooo exciting..NOT! a lil Borat reference there..lol..I work at most 30 hrs a week the least 0 hrs a week for min. wage + commission. The job stresses me out because I'm not the best sales person. You don't want lotion, fine by me, go ahead and tan. You don't want a membership, fine by me, keep paying ridiculous prices to tan. I guess I'm just not pushy enough for the world of sales :/  OHHH YEA.. another thing I HATE ABOUT MY JOB...I'm the lucky person at my location that gets to work HOLIDAYS..OPEN 2 CLOSE! awesome!

ah well enough of my rant!

HAPPY CANADA DAY TO THE CANADIANS!

HAPPY 4th of JULY weekend to my fellow AMERICANS!!






Bisous Bisous, The Rockin GerRoccan: Arkia