living my life like its golden

After nearly having a heart attack driving through Hollywood, Neeru and I made to the free Jill Scott concert for the Jimmy Kimmel show. We stood shoulder-to-shoulder in the crowd for about an hour and half, but it wasn't so bad since we made friends with the people around us and worked out our calf muscles. 

One gentleman even gave us tips on how to make our legs cramp less, making reference to how horses stand, bending one leg to release pressure... not sure if this was a fact, but all of us around began shifting our weight-- whatever made it easier to stand.

Finally, Jimmy Kimmel and Jill Scott came out and gave her incredible performance. She performed six songs, and the energy coming from our side of the stage was contagious. Neeru and I also got really lucky with how close we were to the stage-- if they were seats, we would be in the third row.

What I love about Jill Scott is that her songs are so empowering and uplifting. 

The song lines say it all:

• "I can 'fend on my own, I'm magnificent." 
• "Let's take a long walk around the park after dark/ Find a spot for us to spark."
• "Living my life like it's golden, it really matters to me."  

So fluid. So comfortable. So. In her skin.

I could hear the men behind me wishing they were her microphone. 

A woman with that kind of heat has that effect. 

Artful

Three words: So. Worth. It.

I was a bit skeptical about going to the new Tim Burton exhibit at LACMA, mostly because it was $20 a ticket-- not exactly a student friendly price, when many other art exhibits are often free. BUT with this exhibit being highly anticipated and unique (in many ways), it was worth finding out if it was worth it.

And it most definitely was.

No one is allowed to take photos inside, so I only have photos from the start and finish of our artful journey, but trust me-- the images inside that gallery stuck. 

Neither of us is the biggest Tim Burton fanatic, but after viewing his endless amount of work in the exhibit, I am convinced this man is a genius. The way he combines his artistic talent with hilarious and terrifying wit is so unique. 

There were countless drawings ripped out of drawing books and framed. The coolest ones were his drawings on napkins and hotel notepads the most-- it's evident that he just could not let the inspiration escape and had to jot it down.

Poems, paintings, videos, metal robotic structures, figurines, even costumes from all his movies like Batman, the claw from Edward Scissorhands and a timeline of how Jack Skellington came to be. Room after room. 

After a walk through the Tim Burton exhibit, Thomas and I played around in some of the other galleries. 

I LOVE installation art. It's probably my favorite genre of art. It's cool and impressive what artists come up with with the materials they use. 

Another reason I love installation art is because I can typically get closer to it, as opposed to a drawing put behind a glass box. Being physically close to the art is an experience all its own, but there were a couple laughable times when we got a bit too close to the art and were scolded at by the watch women. 

Just as we left, we walked out just in time for an 8:00pm sunset. It seems I keep getting reminded of why I love sunny California.

Glowing

Good reunions are the best thing. Danica and I share a similar maturity level and seem to have the same philosophy when life gets interesting: To find the lessons in the messes. 

I met Danica a few years back, and we connected immediately. Fast forward to constantly conflicting schedules and the most excited reactions when we accidentally bump into each other, and we decided it was time for a solid catch-up session. 

One (of many) things I love about this girl is that we learn so much for each other. Although I don't see her often, the times that I do, I notice a growth, a change within her. Like she's becoming more of herself every time I see her. It's affirming to be in her company-- knowing I'm friends with people who are deeply involved with becoming the best version of themselves.

Go

I'm a planner, but there's nothing like a spontaneous drive to Santa Monica! Adrian, who is pretty much my little brother, came over and unexpectedly tossed around the idea of taking a drive to the pier.

We had delicious waffles, where they are served more like crepes, since you can get savory (meaty/salty) waffles and sweet waffles! Both of us indulged in sweet ones and used our sugar rush to head over to Malibu. While we were driving, Adrian decided to just stop off the side of the road for us to get off and look at the scenery. This caught me off guard, and for a moment I forgot how different my ading (little brother in Tagalog) is from most guys his age. Despite his crazy schedule, scientific, logic-loving mind, he's incredibly sentimental and knows when to stop and appreciate what's in front of him.
After all the weight lifted off my shoulders since the semester ending, sitting on the rocks and looking over the ocean was just the relaxation I needed. I also couldn't help but think how much I love California and if I could ever leave it...

All photos taken by Adrian