Hello September! Busy week for mjfangirl


Hi Everyone!


(image via)


The other night I had my first Japanese class in over 8 months.

Needless to say it was overwhelming but, I really needed that refresher. I will be taking classes to help me study towards the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, Level 2. That will certify once and for all, that I am business level Japanese. I use my language skills at work every day so, its something that I know I can (and need to) improve on. I obviously won't be able to go home after work so, there will be a lot of LONG 13 hours days ahead of me. I'll have to just see how I can balance my schedule best, why still fitting some "Michaeling" time in.

Its getting super chilly in the city and this cool crisp air is just what I've been looking forward to. To be honest, the beginning of summer and the onset of Autumn are the best times of year for me. Everything just feels familiar and stable. I can't wait to wear my combat boots and military style jackets.

In other news, Shanda, my co-organizer at Legacy of Love, and I have been working hard everyday brainstorming some new ideas and developing existing ones for our BAD 25 party. We always accept ideas and suggestions so, if there's something special you're looking for, don't hesitate to let us know!


Thanks to everyone who read and connected to my blog from my post yesterday about fan bullying in the Michael Jackson fan community. Its gotten to be even more of a problem since 2009 and I just want to try and spread the message of love and togetherness the best I can.



My Favorite songs of the moment and failing exams.

Every few weeks, the fans know how it goes, the TOP 3 songs that you play kinda shuffle around and other MJ favorites come in and become your new fave of the moment. Here are my favorites right now:


  1. You Were Made Especially For Me
  2. Can't Let Her Get Away
  3. With a Child's Heart


So lately I've had this huge huge huge goal that I have yet to achieve hanging over my head. I've slid through my undergraduate and b-school programs like butter (pretty much) but I have yet to achieve my ULTIMATE GOAL. I've been studying Japanese for almost half of my life but still have not been able to conquer the beast that is JLPT2. I totally SUCK at memorization (unless it happens to do with Michael music, lyrics, photos, quotes etc) and memorizing the 1500+ characters needed to officially become BUSINESS LEVEL certified is a totally difficult thing for me. I was totally unprepared because of drama I went through right before the exam last December but NOW that I am on my own and pretty much don't have any distractions, I can say that I'm ready to take the challenge one more time.


But I have failed. Not once but... Twice. The second time stung the most because 3 thousand dollars and countless hours of studying and late nights at classes later, I was STILL losing. JLPT 2 : MJFANGIRL 0. This time, I'm not sure that I'll pass but I need something to put my energy into once MJ season dies down. Passing this (and memorizing these damn characters and vocab words will be a major career boost and could possibly get me more money and better opportunities -including the possibility of starting my own Freelance business.

Right now I am a woman who is pretty much free as a bird. I'm not married, no children.... (yet!)


 Do y'all think I should take this exam again? Or just take the L in the Japanese department once and for all?



I like the feelin' I get when I'm riding on a jet, said I'm "Goin' Places"

I am excited because yesterday was my last day of work before I get to have my first vacation! Yes, I've been working for almost a year at this position without a single day off but, it'll be worth it now to finally be able to take these few days to enjoy and get away!


I am going to Las Vegas for a few days and I'm excited because I've never been there before. I remember in the early 2000's when Michael spent a lot of time in Vegas, as I was pretty new to the MJ Community and was super jealous of those who got to be there, a part of that!

I know its silly to think looking back but, Michael was so accessible it seems. Not that I would've been able to sit down with him for tea and cookies but, I would've been able to see his face, touch him, explain to him what he's meant for me all this time. (Oh how I wish.)


I am really looking forward to the trip and will be back with photos and more next week!

Don't let it happen to me and you, hold on together darlin' we'll make it through.

Summer.


Summer is so close that I can taste it.

I'm super excited and energized about all of the possibilities that summer will bring this year. Even more excited that Summer is being regarded as Michael Jackson season once again.

If you aren't familiar with this term, Michael Jackson season is basically when all of the MJ related events start occurring, from June all the way through the end of August, to what would've been Michael's birthday. MJ season is always fun because there are so many opportunities to be at fun events and around like minded people but, its also super emotional. Its like, a bold reminder that Michael is no longer here on Earth with us. Something that I still have issues coming to grips with. I've never been very good dealing with death but, losing Michael changed my life forever. Really, it did.


Either way... I'm looking forward to Michael Jackson season and I HAD to shop for some fun outfits to help me celebrate!


I'm still searching around for Pepsi cans, if anyone knows where to find some in the NY area, please let me know!





HAIR has taken over my life... but I am BACK!




Just a quick update to show you what I've been up to.

HAIR.

Lately, work has taken over my life and I haven't had the time to do anything social, fun, or Michael (cries) related. It's been really hard but, business has overriden every other thing I've wanted to do with my life over the past month. I got over the hurdle of planning and producing my very first event and everything was extremely successful! If you came to the International Beauty Show in New York, you may have seen me there, hustling away and really ensuring that the event went well from start to finish. 

My work was so appreciated that I got a well deserved (if I say so myself) promotion! I feel really blessed to have all of these things coming my way lately.

Things are far from perfect for me now but, I'm still here and still working on developing a life that is all mine.

Now that I can take a small breather, I plan to not only get back to my MJ blogging but, also to participating in MJ events, hanging with friends, decorating my new place, working on my photography, AND just enjoying life.


I'll be back soon guys. <3

Things that excite me about April!

Hey guys, so this is officially APRIL and we'll be sliding right into the true beginnings of Spring next month. Last month without a national holiday- After April the national holidays (and days off) start rolling in. I love my job but, who doesn't appreciate a day off every now and then?

Here are a few things I'm excited about experiencing in April...

Titanic in 3D!  Yes, this excites me. I know. I am such a sap but, Titanic is one of my favorite romance films and everyone who knows me well enough, knows that I love a great love story. (I could watch The Notebook, Beauty and the Beast, Brown Sugar, Aladdin, and On The Waterfront, over and over until the end of time... really.) The last 3D movie I saw was with one of my high school besties so, hopefully she'll wanna join me for this too. Anyone else out there excited about seeing Jack & Rose reunite on the big screen?

The MJ Making of Series Meetup! So, this is a meetup I'm looking forward to a LOT. This is a great event planned by my friend MJYanaGirl, and we'll be screening behind the scenes clips of many of the MJ videos we love and enjoy! If you are in the NYC area, by all means, join us on April 8th! (We know it is on Easter Sunday but, are offering it as an alternative for those who won't be with family or don't celebrate).

My Crockpot! Okay, I finally broke down and got a slow cooker. Do I need it? No! Have I been wanting one for years and years? YESSSSS! I have to be honest here, I am not the best cook but, I have always always had a passion for cooking. As a kid I rarely, if ever had home cooked meals, except for on the weekends at my grandparents' home. Growing up on McDonald's, chinese takeout, and TV dinners is not only boring and repetitive, its super unhealthy and a big part of why I keep my diet balanced now and eat "fast food" as little as possible. I work full time and also run meetup and have tons of other responsibilities. I know that cooking takes time and sometimes time is just not on my side. I totally look forward to incorporating slow cooker meals into my diet and I will definitely be sharing how that goes with you guys.



Immortal Tour! Yes, I got tickets! It will all be worth it though. When the tickets to this show went on sale over a year ago, I was too emotionally exhausted and overwhelmed with all of the MJ related activity I was doing. Not to mention I was a full time student (and kinda sorta on a small, small budget). Anyway, I am kinda disappointed that I didn't just take the plunge because I wouldn't have been looking all around for tickets this week. Well, needless to say, I'm very excited to see this beautiful show dedicated to Michael and his legacy.

Thanks so much for reading guys! Have a great week :)


With Love & Until Next Time...xx

Why the death of Whitney Houston hurt this Michael Jackson fan.

I am sorry that I haven't had any really great posts lately the honest truth is... the sudden death of Whitney Houston has had me feeling quite down in the dumps.


(photo: MediaGab.com)


I can't say that I was a mega-fan of Whitney or her music. I've never met her or been to any of her concerts. In fact, the only time I've ever seen her live was at the Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary celebration in 2001. At the time, I was most looking forward to seeing the Jackson 5/Jacksons reunited and other artists that performed during that tribute show are simple vague memories in my mind. Sure, I grew up on her music, just like many others in my generation did. I remember women in my family singing along to her songs on the radio, men in my family talking about how pretty she was, and hey- I even remember watching Waiting to Exhale as a young girl and wishing that I had a group of girlfriends and a beautiful, slender frame- just like hers.

Whitney Houston and her music were never a part of my daily life. But it was there for me when it mattered. When I have my feel-good R&B jam sessions in my room, "I'm Your Baby Tonight" is always on the playlist, when the holidays roll around, you can bet that her soulful rendition of "Joy to the World" can be heard somewhere, and when I fell in love for the first time, "All The Man That I Need" was my anthem. I've always had 20 or 25 Whitney tracks on my iPod at all times. Her music was so powerful and she sang the pages from my book of emotion. She was brilliant.

My fandom never went past that.
So why did her sudden death hurt me so badly?

It could be the parallels between the life and death experiences of Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson. I'm not sure though. I'm still trying to figure it out. I feel less stunned and the news is settling in, as the days pass by. Although, I have an understanding of what MJ fans might consider "bandwagon fans" felt after his death in 2009. Artists like Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson are ingrained into popular culture and woven into the very fabric of who each and every one of us are.

For me, Michael makes up the majority of my patchwork. And sure, when we lost MJ, it was one of the worst times in my life. Michael Jackson and being an MJ fan was my everything. Whitney may have been just some delicate needlework here and there but...  her death broke a thread that will forever remain unraveled.

And with that, I give my gratitude to Whitney Houston and every artist like her who we've lost. Thank you for sharing your talent with the world and enriching our lives. Thank you.