One cup of coffee for my dear Bob Marley's birthday

One cup of coffee, one of the first two singles Bob Marley recorded in 1962. This day, one cup of coffee with his music will accompany me to celebrate the birthday of this man that I greatly admire.  Robert Nesta Marley was born on February 6, 1945 in St. Ann Parish, Jamaica to Norval Sinclair Marley and Cedella Booker. His father was white and his mother was black that is why he suffered from racial bigotry when he was growing up. His father died when he was 10 years old and they moved to Kingston after his death. There was no warm welcome in Kingston, because of his mix origins he was bullied. He learned to defend himself at such a young age and that earned him his nickname "Tuff Gong".

In Kingston, he met Bunny Wailer and they began playing music together. In other jam sessions, he met Joe Higgs and Peter Tosh. In 1963 the Wailers was born. 

Music was not the only thing that made Bob captivating He was also famous for his strong principles both for the society and his religion. In 1981, Marley died from cancer at a very young age of 36. Since then, people around the world remember his music and legacy on his birthday. I was in love with Bob's music since birth (OA!!!), seriously, it was for the longest time and clearly it has such huge influence on me. On days that I am scared like when I'm walking on the streets alone, I sing Redemption Song as loud as I can and I feel safe. Funny I know, but somehow I made his music essential for my survival. When my daughter was born, I just knew I had to name her with something I can associate with Bob mainly because I want to share with her my security blanket. I named her Kaya Jamaica, from Bob Marley's Kaya album which was released in 1978. Songs in this album primarily revolved around love and okay, okay..marijuana. BTW, Kaya is a Jamaican slang for marijuana. A lot of people ask why I named my kid after the herb. Let me point out that I am not an advocate nor have I tried smoking pot (although smoking a single joint is in my bucket list hahahahaha!), Kaya for me is positivity. I want her to pick up and spread good vibrations. 

For his birthday this year, Bob's family has a special treat for all his fans. A new album entitled Bob Marley & The Wailers - Live Forever: The Stanley Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA, September 23, 2010 which was recorded 30 years ago while Bob was on tour, this was his last recorded concert. This a 2CD/3LP/digital collection that features many of Bob's most admired songs is now available. Check link below to watch the Marley family talk about this new album. 

"Bob's music has always conveyed a message of hope, unity and love. It has brought countless people together as it did that night 30 years ago in Pittsburgh. To hear that music today and to be able to share it with a new generation shows that Bob is as relevant today as he was 30 years ago."

                                                                                            - Mrs. Rita Marley

One thing I miss about Pinas is the annual Bob Fest/Reggae Fest which is usually held on his birthday month. Here in Dubai, asa ka pa. So for those lucky ones in Pinas, here is one gig you can go to tonight if you want to celebrate Bob's day.

IRIE SUNDAY: BOB MARLEY FEST EDITION

Location:B - SIDE, The Collective, 7274 Malugay St., San Antonio Village, Makati City

Time:7:00PM Sunday, February 6th

Performers: • Lady I

• Dreadknot Used
• Coffeebreak Island

Dahil OLATS ako dito sa Dubai, I documented my own celebration for Bob's birthday. Enjoy everyone! Happy Birthday BOB! "One love, one heart. Let's get together and feel all right..."

Pasok na ako!!! :)

My Bag - From Mindoro bigay ni Tita Fe

Lion Ring - Souvenir from my Rasta Party 2009
Voodoo Rasta Doll - Bohol trip 2009
Bora Rasta Slippers - Given by Jenni
Bob Marley Keychain - Given by Kaan and Patur

Mary Jane wrist band - Given by a Pakistani friend
Rasta watch - Given by Chat (Flea market day)

My playlist today :)

Red Yellow Green theme dapat ang key holder ko :)
CMG key holder - given by Tita Lie
Yellow turtle Bohol Philippines - Bohol Trip 2010
Green turtle Boracay Philippines- Given by Becka
Red turtle Boracay Philippines - Given by Rona
I heart SG - Given by Rachell

Rasta lolly - Candylicious
Rastaman Kaya ID strap - Given by Juvelia
Cebu mobile phone bag - Given by Ate Fred

Now I'm ready to start my day! :)

Waiting for my boss..meeting na!!! hahahaha

Eat Play SHOP :)

Us girls consider shopping as a cure to our most common sicknesses (depression, stress, heartache, PMS, mood swings or even topak) - with no approved therapeutic claim.  As I can consider myself (feelingera) an ambassadress of style, shopping and great deals, I would like to share my crazy and fun moments in one of the ultimate shopping festivals here in Dubai - Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF). 


DSF started on Feb. 15, 1996 which is committed to vivify retail trade in Dubai, thus encouraging tourists to come and visit the country. This month long event for this year started in January 20th and will end on February 20th. DSF is topped with bonggang happenings and surprises. The parades, daily evening shows, fireworks display, concerts, gold and car raffle draws, desert camp and night souqs await the shoppers. Who can ever resist 75% sales and discounts at over 6,000 retail outlets in 50 shopping malls? In this exploit you can find the best deals on tax free products. 




Al Seef Street Celebration (EAT)

Yes, you can haggle

This made my night

Basta ako nabusog sa kwek kwek

Mga produkto nila

It's still caffeine

Harp

Guys dancing to I don't know what

Fireworks!

Acoustic Guitar Performer

Pinoy Street FOOD!!

1st month of the year, last day of the month...

Writing down my thoughts was always on top of my resolutions yearly, but it never materialized. That's why this day, this very day marks a very important milestone in my life. Finally! Finally! My first blog. 


On this sharing of thoughts page, I want to talk about influences. Influences are said to people that could shape a culture. The Philippines is known to have a very rich culture. Richness I define as a channel brought about by several predominance of different nations to our motherland. It's always a love and hate relationship between us and those to be considered our conquerors. We despised them for taking away that phenomenon we call freedom. Yet in a way they liberated us from things we were kept in the dark about. When the colonizers left, were we really emancipated?

Our lives have always been influenced by someone. Take my name for example, MICHELLE. A very common and "girly" name that I wouldn't prefer people call me. Yeah, guilt is eating me up right now since my dad named me after the famous "Michelle" song written by Paul Mccartney and John Lennon. The song won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 1966, and has become one of the most famous Beatles songs in France. In 1982, it became my name. It was my dad's favorite. I remember him every Sunday listening to his Beatles LP in his musty turntable. He was singing his heart out and I was always invited to dance with him. I grew up with their music. In our house, they were everywhere. 

With that I'd like to share this fresh and hot cover (January 2011) of The Rolling Stone Magazine featuring the interview with the great master himself, John Lennon who talked about his life, his family and his music after the controversial break-up of the Beatles. In this issue the Rolling Stone released the entire transcript from Lennon's final print interview, given to journalist Jonathan Cott in December 1980, just three days before his murder.

"I cannot live up to other people's expectations of me," Lennon says in the interview.  "Because they are illusionary. And the people wanting more than I am or that Bob Dylan or that Mick Jagger is or that the new punks will become, because they have to grow up to."

And who could forget this January 22, 1981 Rolling Stone's Cover of John Lennon & Yoko Ono in the Morning Room of their New York City apartment, early afternoon, December 8, 1980: By Annie Liebovitz. Annie Liebovitz promised John that this would be the cover. It was taken a few hours before he died. John said "You've captured our relationship exactly". Anyone who has a copy of this magazine, I BEG YOU! Send me one! PLEASE!! =)


John talked about people's expectations of him as he was considered one of the early doctors whose concepts and ideas were well respected. He noted that what people think of him was an illusion. For me it was like a disease being planted which spreads like a virus. It was definitely a culture that a lot of people embraced. Influence is relative to your personal taste, what you like and who you look at. What I'm influenced by is maybe different to what's yours. There is no manual, there is no guide, it's something inside of us which leads us to say "Hey, this feels right."