It’s not every day you get to knock something off your bucket list.

Watching Disney Broadway musicals are actually on my list. The Lion King is coming to the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood at the end of the year for anyone who wants to see the “Circle Of Life” performed live in an 80-year-old venue.

Anyways, Belle, Beast, Gaston and the entire cast of Beauty and the Beast came strolling into the Pantages Theatre on March 26th and will continue gracing their presence on stage until April 7th. Had it not been for some slight stalking on Instagram, I would have never known or had the chance to watch this timeless tale told in melodies.

The last time I watched a live version of Beauty and the Beast, I lost my parents when everyone was trying to exit. I was also eight and in Disneyland. Getting lost at Disneyland is no fun. They actually have a lost and found for kids. Why though? I lost my mom and dad… there should be a lost and found for parents.

Back to the Broadway show, the characters looked like the cartoon version of themselves and even sounded like the cartoon version of themselves. Mind Blown. Also, I have a bad habit of crying every time I watch a romantic movie even if I’ve seen it 200 times.

So yeah, I naturally teared up when the teapot sang her solo. I teared up. I watched Beauty and the Beast do their famous ballroom dance with blurred vision. I refused to let those tears drop. Because who cries while watching Disney musicals?

Blame it on Mrs. Potts.

I’m notorious for leaving essential items at home.

On Valentine’s Day this year, I left my purse at home. My ID, debit card, rose salve (essential), everything was inside my purse. To top it off, it was four in the afternoon and I was driving opposite of traffic into Los Angeles. There was no way I was going to turn around and sit in two hours’ worth of traffic (when the commute is only 20 minutes) to get my purse. Welp. Hope that painted a pretty picture.

So I leave my house Saturday afternoon with sunscreen, a sweater and my purse, thinking I had everything, and embarked on a nice long 45-minute ride to San Bernardino, the home of Paid Dues. About ten minutes pass and as soon as the freeway lanes started to clog up, I had the sudden urge to update my Facebook and that’s when I realized another passenger was missing, my iPhone 5.

Good thing I didn’t have a friend waiting for me at the show and good thing she didn’t need the extra ticket I had to get in. -___-. Good thing I didn’t want to Instagram, Vine, Facebook or tweet and good thing everyone else in the car didn’t have dying Androids while I was only stocked with an iPhone car charger, iPhone 5 adapter included. -___-.

I would have given up a few things in exchange for my iPhone. Like happily handing over my sunglasses and/or cup of Diet Coke and rum. Fair trade? MAYBE. It was sunny that day and drink prices skyrocket at any outdoor festival.

On the bright side, I hadn’t enjoyed a big show like Paid Dues without using my phone as a recording device in years. Yes, I’m guilty of being one of those obnoxious concert goers with one arm in the air during every song. I usually record with a purpose and take concert shots in exchange for Instagram hearts.

Not this time.

I watched Black Hippy’s set from the main stage pit without any interruptions, minus a few giant iPads recording in my peripheral. Why someone would take an oversized $500 iPhone, that requires both hands to record, to an outdoor festival is beyond me. Somewhere, though, as Kendrick Lamar performed “Swimming Pools,” I looked back past pit and beyond.

This was the first time Paid Dues was taking place at the San Manuel Amphitheater, the largest outdoor amphitheater in the United States. That’s how much open land San Bernardino has to offer. 65,000 fans fit in orchestra, box, loge and lawn sections. Needless to say this place was HUGE. Even more so since you had to go down two flights of stairs and a ramp to make it to the pit. One look behind your right shoulder and you’ll find yourself at the edge of a sea of heads lit up as spotlights hit the tops of the massive crowd.

Back on stage, Kendrick called for all of Top Dawg Entertainment to stand by his side. He saluted the crew and made sure the audience realized that success is a team effort. There might have been about 20 people on the Paid Dues stage. I smiled after spotting my friend Ret One on stage. I even waved! like I wasn’t one of 65k.

Then “m.A.A.d city” dropped, starting with Kendrick’s a cappella chant in the beginning. “Yawk Yawk Yawk Yawk,” start instrumental, cue in crowd going crazy with the track blaring through San Bernardino. It also just so happened to be one of my favorite tracks off good kid, m.A.A.d city.

Sure, if I would have had my iPhone, I would be have been able capture it all. But I didn’t miss having to refocus my attention away from the pain in my arm caused by holding a phone in the air for too long.

Note: Here’s a real picture from Paid Dues. Thank LA Weekly!

Totally Beyonce inspired except that she was in a room full of trophies *cough* overachiever *cough* and I’m holding two diplomas at my preschool graduation. TWO. She’s also wearing a tiara and I just have a sloppy bow. *bows*

At least the way I used to be. Throughout almost-two years of recovery, I might as well have coined the phrase “I used to be like this.” Like if I was a better person pre car accident. Not sure what I was trying to prove by adding “used to be” in regards to myself. Truth is. I’ve remained the same.

It took me a while to see it. “Used to be” was my crutch. If someone saw me limping, I could say “I used to have a fierce walk.” If someone noticed my poor posture, I could reply with “I used to have the best stance.” I used to be confident. I used to smile more. I used to be a go-getter. I used to wear tighter clothes. I used to prance in four-inch heels. I used to dance all night. I used to pirouette. I used to have strong legs. I used to skip. I used to run. I used to jump. I used to be like that.

“Used to be” weighed my soul down, enough to make me feel like I was drowning in a pity pool party of one. Everything physical about me changed in some way yet I continued to grip on to the way I “used to be” instead of realizing that I’m still me, just constrained to a pair of flats for now. I’m still confident, strong, smart, sexy, occasionally funny and definitely clumsy. I can still dance all night as proven in Vegas last weekend. Most importantly, I’ve let go of my selfish worries to accept that I’ve been given the greatest gift of all. Another chance.

Recovery is much more than a physical battle, it’s 99% mental. You need to prepare your body, mind and soul, like you would for any other major life change. The more heart you put into it, the more results you’ll get out of it. I know, the solution seems simple. Two-years too simple.

I’d like to think I’m finally on the right path. Seeking the help I needed and sharing some self discovery along the way. In my last recovery post, I wrote “It’s time to get out of my comfort zone and face the real world again.” That line was published over a year ago and I’m finally ready to plant both feet in the real world.

Here’s to hoping my feet land on a sandy beach somewhere in the real world, preferably in the Dominican Republic.

Duck lips, don’t care. Actually, quick story on the duck lips. My mother actually called me to tell me I look like an idiot making that face. Doesn’t she know what the Thizz face is?! -5 points on mom’s coolness.

Back to the longer story, I met up with Scoop DeVille at El Tepeyac Cafe in Boyle Heights last week to ask him a few questions about the latest hit single he produced, Kendrick Lamar’s “Poetic Justice.” To my surprise, Scoop and his manager Edgar arrived 15 minutes early. The rap world runs an hour behind which means they were really 75 minutes early.

Early is still a word I’m trying to stuff into my personal vocabulary.

After some light chatting with Scoop and Edgar, Mibbs, from the L.A. hip-hop trio Pac Div, joined us at the Mexican food spot. Why not, the more the merrier! Scoop and Mibbs had an instant vibe so I already knew it was going to be a fun interview.

The duo also had a collaborative project that they wanted to talk about, Freebass. Their faces lit up when I asked them to share more information about the EP. Isn’t that what this is all about? To share art you believe in? To stir and shake up some emotions? I can’t wait to hear the entire album!

I’m totally expecting a taco man at the listening party, guys. I’ll remind you in a few.

Interview was shot and edited + the pictures were taken by my talented friend Christian San Jose.

Hey that’s me! Ok bye.

For those who might be reading this for the first time, let me fill you in or click here and here. In May of 2011, specifically on Memorial Day, I was riding shotgun in an overturned red Toyota Corolla. Luckily, I had fallen asleep with my seat belt on. I spent the next 50 days in two different hospitals and the rest of 2011, getting back on my feet. I turned in my wheelchair in November and gave up my walker by December. As far as physical stepping stones, 2011 was a great year.

I’m walking now. I’ll most likely be running and jumping in my next recap. 2012 is shaping up to be an emotional year. I guess it’s time to face the “why am I still here” question that I’ve been avoiding all these months. Blah.

Before the accident, I was a waitress, production assistant, blogger and anything else that kept me busy. After the accident, I was unemployed and handicapped. It was weird “not working.” My first job was as a “Sandwich Artist” at a sandwich shop named Togo’s during my senior year in high school. Had to make that chedda if I wanted a nice dress for homecoming. I don’t think I ever went more than a month of not working until now. It’s time to get out of my comfort zone and face the real world again.

Not that I’ve been staying home or anything. Quite the contrary. I’ve attended shows, conducted interviews and tried to get back into my blogging routine. In some way, I just feel like something is stopping me from reaching my full recovery. I’m not even talking about my physical recovery. The emotional part has been the hardest to tackle. In the hospital, I would google “celebrities who have been in car accidents” to read about their recoveries and motivate myself. I remember having my parents watch Kanye West’s “Through The Wire” video a few times, knowing that they don’t understand much of what Ye’s rapping. I was the rap video commentator on SAP. It’s all good. I felt a little better about drinking Ensure.

I read about recoveries mainly to find out what helped them emotionally overcome the accidents and what motivated them to strive and be great. There had to be a secret, a code I needed to be let in on. I only found inspirational testimonies and as much as I wish there was a Emotionally Overcome Your Accident for Dummies guide, there isn’t. The testimonies do help. If that person has found his or her way through it then I can too. I just have to do it my way, whatever that may be.

That is where I’m at today. A little in the dark trying to find the spark to light up the path I need to take. Just taking it day by day.

At least I can sit Indian style again (don’t get offend my fellow OG Americans, I’m just too old to say I’m sitting “criss cross applesauce” style).

Until next time.

You can’t really see progress when you take a recovery day by day. You really have to break it down in months.

May – Had multiple fractures and chilled in the ICU.
June – Sat up after being strictly bed ridden for a few weeks and took my first wheelchair ride with my stuffed penguin in hand.
July – Stood up (even if it was on one foot) for the first time in a month, stopped taking morphine, returned home from the hospital and stopped wearing my body brace just in time for my 24th birthday.
August – Stopped taking pain medication, had my stitches taken out and went to the beach (off-roaded in the sand with my wheelchair).
September – Got rid of my foot brace, walked on two feet (with a walker), attended my first Dodger game, started to drive again and J. Cole dropped his debut album (finally).
October – Decided to eat red meat and pork again after a few years.. oh, and ditched my walker.
November – Got rid of my wheelchair, walked my dog by myself for the first time in months and increased my overall strength.

Six months flew by.

I remember being in the hospital and thinking to myself, “when am I going to leave this place?” I remember lying in bed and thinking to myself, “when will the pain stop?” I remember sitting in my wheelchair and thinking to myself, “when will I be able to walk without assistance?” Now, I walk and think, “when will I be able to run again?” If there’s one thing I learned, it’s that time heals all.

I’m still looking for Ambrosia (Xena: Warrior Princess reference) to speed up the process though.

Previous: May – August 2011 Life Recap

#NP: Sinatra & Jobim – “The Girl From Ipanema”

WeSC collaborated with Bing Bang by Anna Sheffield to produce a capsule collection including headphones, rings and more pretty fresh jewelry. The whole collection is nice but what I needed/wanted/had to have were the sleek black headphones with rose gold details. I feel like everything I wear nowadays always goes well with rose gold. The headphones also came with a nice little bracelet that has a heart just like the ones on the headphones. Looks perfect with my favorite watch of the moment. Bet you can’t guess what color it is.

I wasn’t lying when I said I liked rose gold. You can cop some WeSC + Bing Bang headphones over at Karmaloop but before you do, make sure you hit up Karmaloop Codes for all your Karmaloop discount codes. Saving money is always an option. Shout out to my homie, Spits!

Check out pictures of the headphones and bracelet after the jump.

I spent this summer in a hospital… yada yada yada. I was dying to Instagram but was stuck in a room on bed rest. To give me some IG content, my friends and family ran around the hospital and had a little photoshoot starring Icicles, my little penguin friend. Isn’t that what friends are for? Taking pictures of a stuffed penguin in different locations just so you could have something cool to update your Instagram timeline with? I’m a lucky girl.

We all have qualities we love and love not-so-much but we learn to live with either way. I made this video a month or two out of the hospital in September (and still in my wheelchair) but was a little shy to share. Shy and I have no clue why. I’m proud of my perfect imperfections.

Took an accident to help me open my eyes. Thank you Andrea’s Choice for the tag video idea!

Sidenote: The song playing in the background is “Her Theme Song” by TiRon & Ayomari featuring BJ The Chicago Kid. Buy their latest album, A Sucker For Pumps, on iTunes!