Don’t Burn The Day

As I skimmed through all my FB status ramblings and links n’ things, this particular link with the aforementioned title caught my eye…. and I hope it caught yours too….

This title/link was posted by a dear friend o’ mine, Phil, who had been interviewed by a cool lil’ webshow called, Capture Your Flag. Based on the premises of:  “Cultivating Passion. Mapping Purpose. Finding Fulfillment. Empowering You.,” Capture Your Flag’s host, Eric delved into the “becoming” of Media and Publishing Entrepreneur (and my good bud,) Phil McKenzie.

But before the clip, let’s do a lil’ background check ….

As Phil and I caught up and chit chatted the other evening (thank you technology for closing global gaps), we reminisced and realized that our friendship is 4 yrs strong.. (like whoa! crazy talk!) Where we both were in our lives, 4 years ago seems like an entirely whole other  lifetime… (and almost two)… In short, our fateful meeting at a P. Diddy showcase event that neither one of us wanted to be present at, but were forced to attend for one reason or another because of our work (ironically, neither of us are still involved in,  but at that moment, the whole world seemed to had weighted on our positions, go figure…)…. brought forth a story of boredom at a showcase to a pretty dandy friendship!

As many of you know (especially as fans of this blog, and thereby moi), I pride myself in those that I keep around me. My family is legit (duh, as I am firsthand indication as offspring) …and my friends are on point. Having various pools of ambitiously creative and driven friends around me, allow for amazing bonds, built on mutual respect, admiration, faith and support.

From his time growing up in Brooklyn and attending Brooklyn Tech to Howard University, to obtaining his MBA from Duke’s Fuqua Business school… to grinding it out on the trading floor of Goldman Sachs…only to eventually leave it to be involved in his passion for the Arts and Philanthropy sects….and now, a Media & Pub Entrepreneur… (phew!)… Phil shares his thought-provoking insight via his tale of twists and turns and lessons learned from all of his experiences, in an effort to cutting out the noise and defining his own freedom and life fulfillment.

Check out the clips below and his lifestyle e-zine, fittingly titled, FREE.   Enjoy!!

PS. Kudos Phinz!

Part 1 of 2

Part 2 of 2

. . don’t burn the day. .

….and because I absolutely love love this movie. I had to give it, its annual shout out!

Love Actually

along with my fave part in the flick! Love you all, Miss you all… as this will be my 2nd Christmas away from home.

. . don’t burn the day. .

Meet my students… (about 100 of them, under my English watch this year)….

Disclaimer: These pics were taken at the top of the school year in Sept. I’ve just been way too lazy to post..So don’t be fooled by the shorts and skirts, it’s turning brick city here now…

New School: (I have no idea why they decided to use money re-paint the school building from beige to pepto pink. Obviously, I was not consulted on in that decision.) But anyway, this is a super small school as the Primary Level – International Division on the Puxi side of the ‘Hai; roughly 250-300 students; They’ve got two larger/main campuses in Pudong to house Primary, Middle and High School sections.

Grade 1, Class 1:

Grade 1, Class 2:

The lil boy in the front, middle, left, with sticker on his arm is such a cutie!!… and soooooooooooooo adorable when he spoke. I wish I had recorded video of him talking…. but sadly, his parents moved him to Rochester, NY in early October.

Grade 1, Class 3:

Grade 3, Class 1:

Grade 3, Class 2:

Flag Raising Ceremony (every Monday):

I know I’ve been depriving you all of pictures….and well, blog updates this year…and I promise, I’ll give ya’ll an introspective one soon…. but here’s a few flicks to keep ya’ll on the hush for bit..

SH is always in rush hour mode, but here it is in “real” rush hour…

View from Caoxi Bei Road (main entrance to apt):

Front Gate:

Courtyard (with my Gym behind the Dolphin Fountain):

Neighboring DVD Store:

Coolness Shots In/Around the ‘Hood…

Grand Gateway Towers aka “Two Lipsticks”:

Random Jewelry Store on Tianyanqiao Road that is Always Packed for some reason…

‘Hai @ Sunrise in People’s Square:

I live about a 10min walk to the Kodak Cinemas; found out that All Day Tuesday, all tickets are half off! Whoo Hoo! What normally would cost 80rmb ( 11.50usd – yes, same prices as States)…. I got to see MJ today for 40rmb!!! WHAT A DEAL! I don’t quite have the time to get into all out detail about it.. but I’ll just say this:

Michael Jackson: This Is It :: This (Man) Is Inspirational & Incredible! Never would I have thought a “would be” concert could get me so emotionally worked up in my seat in the theatres; bobbin’, tappin’ smilin’, singin’, dancin’ ….damn near tearin’!!!! Michael, “I just can’t stop lovin’ youuuuuuuuuuuuuuu…….” — Yes, I stayed thru the rolling end credits singing along with (or serenading, rather) some local Chinese…LOL

Surely, I was the only one in the theatre doing all of this… and I’m debating on checking it out again next Tuesday!… Hmmmm….

It was just great to see THE MAN being THE MAN! He is THE MAN for a reason… PERFECTIONIST for sure. I loved it when he had his lil’ fits (with a redemptive smile): “God Bless You”… All HAIL The King of POP!

THIS IS IT, folks! ENJOY!!

This is it
Here I stand
I’m the light of the world
I feel grand
Life is love, I can feel
And I know yes for sure, it is real.

. . don’t burn the day. .

A few years ago during my music bizz hustle days, for my own sh*tz n’ giggles sake, I had once taken up an offer to interview to be one of many assistants to Diddy (- sh*tz n’ giggles bc I knew I would never accept even if offered: NO way, wanting to be anyone’s runner, but I was curious as to how the interview would be conducted…and yep, I did get some giggles).

But anyhoots, now present-day as MTV Real World meets NBC’s Apprentice, Diddy has done it again in capitalizing on current trends; introducing, I Want To Work For Diddy. This time around, in its second season (I didn’t even know there was a first season)….. the show includes my Class President from High School!!! I sooo wish I were in the States to watch this.. but I suppose my handy dandy MacGyver skills might have to be put to work on this one!

Sooooo…. check it and check “Blake!”

I Want To Work For Diddy – Season 2
Premiere: Monday, November 2nd
Time: 10 EST

. . don’t burn the day. .

From my trip to LA back in ‘07….

My little flashback tribute to MJ:
Halloween ‘08: I had the pleasure of transforming the classroom into “The Thriller Room” – thereby, introducing many students in Shanghai to a true music icon of MY generation, the Legendary King of Pop, Michael Jackson. This included the viewing of “Thriller” as well as “Now Dance, Thriller-Style!”…. Check the goods! My kids are the cute shorties… you’ll see Woody, white Button-down and Princess in Purple Cape!

Thank you Michael! Because of you…..

And when the groove is dead and gone (yeah),
You know that loooooooove survives,
so we can roooooooock foreverrrrrrrrr!!

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Much like how I stumbled upon the gem, The Visitor a few months back in the DVD store…. Man on Wire caught my attention in a similar fashion: 1. simplicity in front cover design, 2. captivating synopsis.

And boy was I right! I found another winner! Check it!

Synopsis:

MAN ON WIRE: On August 7, 1974, a young Frenchman named Philpped Petit stepped out on a wire illegally rigged between the New York World Trade Center’s Twin Towers. After dancing for nearly an hour on the wire, he was arrested, taken for psychological evaluation and brought to jail before he was finally released. This extraordinary documentary incorporates Petit’s personal footage to show how he overcame seemingly insurmountable challenges to achieve the artistic crime of the century.

What I loved most about the film is the angle of which Petit viewed the Twin Towers. I would have never in my right mind, EVER think to tightrope between the North and South Towers, and highly doubt any average bear out there would too!  But to see, hear, follow and inevitably feel Petit’s awe and admiration for the towers, makes his tale of determination that much more poignantly beautiful!!

Check the trailer:

I leave ya’ll with a quote:

To me, it’s really so simple, that life should be lived on the edge.

You have to exercise rebellion.

To refuse to tape yourself to the rules,

to refuse your own success,

to refuse to repeat yourself,

to see every day, every year, every idea as a true challenge.

Then you will live your life on the tightrope.

- Phillippe Petit

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I often say that I just wish I had a weekend to myself where I can just chilliax n’ watch back to back to back movies ….and I finally got my wish this past weekend. Despite invites from friends to head out “with a table waiting” this past Friday night, I declined for being tired of the same ol’ same ol’ (plus, the cold/rain combo is no bueno to me)…and instead, chose to kick off what became a Magnificent Movie Marathon Weekend!!

I rewatched some classics as well as checked into some newbies that have been in queue for a while now – a total of 13 films! From Sleepless in Seattle to a fantastic lil drama, entitled The Visitor. This one was a super surprise to me. First of all, I had heard NOTHING of this film; only flipped upon it in the DVD store ….and for some reason, despite the plentiful flicks out there I have not seen… the cover and description of The Visitor really grabbed my attention, so much I paid my $1.17usd and took it home…. SOOO GLAD THAT I DID!

The write up that got me:

This is an incredible heartwarming and heart-breaking movie. Its power lies in its simplicity. In some ways its a coming of age movie about a middle-aged professor coming to terms with his life and allowing himself to finally be who he is. Or perhaps a re-birthing movie in which, having died psychologically and spiritually, he emerges from his cocoon. A series of random events coincide to bring about a life-changing event (isn’t that always the case?). The unfolding of the story occurs at a slow and steady (but never boring) pace that as in perfect keeping with the tone of the movie. It operates at many levels at once, presenting a comedy, drama, social statement and lesson, manificently intertwined. Without much fanfare viewers are carried along quietly and about.

But seriously, I was quite moved by this film; Perhaps it’s all the sensory buttons that it pushed and/or the NYU connect, hehe, but this is TRULY, a fantastic, heartfelt, humanistic film that deftly explores identity, immigration, multiculturalism, post 9/11 – giving light to the true meaning of compassion and how one’s life can be completely changed in an instant!! A Must See!! Check the trailer here and be ready to open your doors and hearts for The Visitor.

. . don’t burn the day. .

Sooo sitting here at worky work (being counter-productive), testing out different proxies and came across one vpn that hit me back with this direct message… no more/ no less:

Sorry we do not allow traffic from China and Iran at this time. My apologies. We hope to have a solution in the future.

Aahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!?%^%#%$^**%

FCNAVOIRHHHJJVHAUGFUIEGFUHJGURUIG!!!^$%#@#^&*^*^*&%!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS. Author and protagonist, Marjane is an NYU Alum… Holler!!! (thanks Janee, my fellow NYU’er for the tidbit reminder!)

And thanks to Phil, here I am in my captured state as proof…. burka and all! So Brilliant! LOL!

. . don’t burn the day. .