"People fascinate and enrich you"

If you've ever read your horoscope, no news here. It's just that today I'm feeling extra vulnerable, so you can tell me anything and I'll probably write a blog post about it.

Setting: I'm sitting by myself at this restaurant, sipping on the last of my cold coffee, about to go home and get ready for a friend to come in for the night.  And this old spiritual man who's always around- he hand-crafts everything from wood tables to metal sculptures for my boss- comes by and starts telling me about my lucky numbers for the day. This is nothing new. It's just who he is. Getting your daily lucky numbers is probably not typical for a normal person at a normal job, but I always try to accept the distraction and listen to the man. Partly to be polite, partly because he's so convincing, it's a bit of a brainwash.

So because today is the last day of the year, it is a very telling time for someone to have their numerological oracle read. Naturally, I got my numerological oracle read.

It is by far silliest thing but I'm counting it as a way to ring in the New Year. The old man takes me step-by-step through this sketchy website that makes me click on the forbidden green arrow and downloads this program on my computer. I'm cringing waiting for my computer to electrocute itself and crumble into ashes. But there's no turning back. This man is standing over my shoulder and he's really serious about it. He's not leaving until my destiny arrives on-screen.

"Remember," he says, "you can only do this once in your lifetime. No re-dos."

A 73-page document tells me things that I've never, yet always knew about myself. Some passages make me very excited to be age 38.  Others tell me I'm really in for it for the next few years. But like any good magic, as I'm reading I'm like YES. THAT'S ME. HOW DID IT  KNOW. Even the parts you wouldn't want to admit about yourself, you secretly agree 100%. I'm reading it and reading it and loving every sentence.

I get that it's stupid and generalized and not real or whatever. It's hard not to be skeptical about some probably randomized system "reading your soul." Scam. Creepy, even.

But what if it's not? If anything, it gives you this renewed understanding of yourself. Validates your confusion about life. Reminds you that you have all these good things about you. You're going to struggle and forget you're awesome. But here's your reminder. And scam or not, that's priceless.

Magic? Numbers? Stars? God? Nope. Just the old spiritual man hanging around the restaurant.

I'm believing every word. Can't wait for 38!

hello again

Currently figuring out how to upload a pdf onto blogger aka updating my portfolio

Colors

Sparkling black, like the sky before it storms

Bright pink, like the coral in the sea

Turquoise, like hope from the earth 

Burning red, like bond so deep between two people it catches fire 

Icy rain, white skies and nachos

Being that I'm in the real world now and that Christmas break isn't a real thing, I'm trying to make the most of my Christmas spirit on the weekends. I've been kind of blue-sy lately for no particular reason other than it's cold and my skin's dry and I like to subconsciously convince myself that that's a good reason to be sad. But I got the teeniest tree at a little tree farm for $10 and it's the best thing because not only does it smell deliciously wintry and fits perfectly next to my TV stand, it's so light that I could carry it from my car into my apartment by myself WITH GROCERIES, in one trip, without looking like a lumberjack.  I went out looking for a tree stand first at Costco with no luck then Home Depot where they only had big ones for 8 footers. And as I'm walking back to my car I see a dad and kid tying their 8-footer to their mini van and there on the ground is a tiny little tree stand. Immediately I turned around and asked where in the world did you find that perfect little stand. The dad picks it up and hands it to me and said they got it last year but they wanted a bigger tree this year so here, you can have this one, Merry Christmas. And that was my reminder that people are good and that blue-sy or not I should be good back to them.

So here I am having a mango tea wishing I was living in summer and that my skin wasn't so dry. But I'm not and it's winter and without even trying, this little tree makes very happy it is.

Project Vintro

Haven't written on here in a while so even if it takes me a sec to get back to blogging, why not a little update?

Luxury boutique Hotel
Park Avenue, Miami
And a hotel restaurant by Giorgios Group
AND A ROOFTOP POOL (!!!)

The food concept is old world Mediterranean using local Miami ingredients. Small plates. Lot's of them. Strong drink program. And conversation. We've tagged it "New Miami."

One because what even is "New American" when no one's even sure what American is anymore. And two because restaurant Lippi on Brickell (downtown Miami. so. good.) just opened two months ago and is doing a pretty similar food concept.  And well three because if my boss and I agree on one thing, it's our disgust with America's not-talked-about habit of Made in China and we're doing everything we can to resist. See most recent GG restaurant: 22 in Durham.

So that's what I've been working on. SEE I SWEAR I'VE BEEN WORKING. Developing an identity for this restaurant while staying true to the Vintro Hotels brand. Coc It's everything from interior design to actual menu content. See where a studio art major and a 2-semester portfolio gets you? That's that no student left behind act. Or something. Working hard to make sure it's a restaurant that serves both the local community and the tourist.  I classify myself as both.

I'm proud of it because it's an honest concept. The owner is pure, genuine fun and I think his hotel is going to reflect that.

Another Miami trip that I don't get to see my grandparents or uncle / unamused