BEAUTIFUL STRUGGLE

FM STREET TEAM: BEAUTIFUL STRUGGLE/ DINNER WITH FM

I can’t believe it’s already been a week since dinner with FM! To celebrate our ‘weeksary’, I thought I’d blog about my experience. I don’t have that many pictures + some of the girls already blogged/posted the pictures of us LOL

a view of San Jose before landing

I left Long Beach with Tiffany and Mitchy at 7 a.m. on our way to the San Jose airport. We arrived at around 9 and we were picked up VIP style (just like FM) by Monica. We headed over to Jeri7yn’s (Union City) to pick her up and then to Justine’s (Our hostess!) to leave our luggage. We rushed to meet Yvonne and the rest of the fetuses/youngins (Tammy, Joli and G’Mae; she adopted those 3 for the weekend) at Winnie’s (Oakland). We have a scheduled photoshoot which was done by yours truly (thanks to Joli & G’Mae for helping me too!) and we wanted to get a lot of shots/things done before dinner with FM. We couldn’t decide where to take pictures because we’ll be crunched for time if we drive all the way up to SF. By the time we picked a spot, it was already noon and I tried my best to take as many shots as I can + Yvonne and her refugees had to leave early to make an appearance at an event. We tried to grab lunch together, but time was really against us and we just ended up separating. We went to grab a quick bite and had a short meeting for a ‘final head count’ to confirm with OSHA.

On our way to look for the freeway, we ended up passing by the ABDC tour buses! (For the first time in my life, I liked reroutes.) The first bus that was facing us had a toy snake crawling down and when we looked up, it was Beau of Fanny Pak along with Jesse of Breaksk8 next to him! Obviously, we were excited since we’re fans. We went around the block and shamelessly asked if we can take a picture with them. While looking for parking, I called Yvonne to contact DJ Virman if he can come out and say hi to us (esp. the 3 of us that flew together because we didn’t get to hang out with him, Joey & Dreez of ASIID the night before) and also, so I can personally hand him the cookies that I’ve been meaning to give to him. We had our pictures taken with Fanny Pak (minus Phil and Glenda) and also with Jesse. Because of timing and projectionnnnn…Yvonne called to let us know where to find Virman and TA DA! He came out with a big smile on his face and it was so contagious! We took pictures with him after I gave him the batch of cookies specially made for him. He was worried about keeping the container, but there was really nothing to worry about LOL I felt accomplished after meeting him because he’s the only one I didn’t meet after the ISA concert =) 

with Mr. Swagnificent

We headed back to Monica’s to get ready and we were still calculating the ‘final head count’. I swear, that was probably the most stressful part because we kept calling OSHA to cancel the head count and let them know the changes. I could only imagine what’s going on the host’s/hostess’ mind whenever we had to call x_x Monica, Winnie, Jeri7yn and I headed to SF to pick up FM + DJ Butch. We’re lucky to not have gotten lost because we had to switch cars to fit everyone and we couldn’t figure out how to work the GPS system that’s in the car we borrowed. Thanks to the Genius of the Day aka Winnie, she figured it out and I didn’t have to MapQuest it via my phone! We made it safely to SF and scooped up the 4 of them. Justine and I kept playing “telephone” because she needed to make sure that the head count was precise. At first, some people weren’t definite about going, so we had to make changes again. By the 4^th time, I had to ask Kev again and again and his “YES” was mosdef a 3 fingers up/FM approved.

When we reached OSHA, most of the people were already there and I think everyone was staring at us ‘cause there were so many of us (talk about GRAND entrance). Since there were 3 tables, we had one member sit on each table. We were surprised to see Emily there (whom we met at ISA) and since she was alone, we asked her to sit with us. If you’ve read Justine’s entry, you’ll see who’s sitting with whom. Yes, the food is good as it looks and so was the company<3 I enjoyed conversing with J Splif and thank you so much for answering my questions! I had a lot of fun talking about music, food, volleyball and because of this; I learned that DJ Butch was an old schoolmate of mine! When dinner was nearly over, I handed our ‘present’ to FM…shyly. It’s another jar of cookies and I believe that PRoH’s reaction was a good one as well as Jae’s LOL Yes, we ALWAYS make it a photo op with FM and whaaaaaaaaaaaat?!

J-Splif & Tiff (hey, that rhymes!)

Winnie was laughing because she knew that PRoH will drop another baked goody j/k

(this picture also meant we rolled 3 cars deep, no lie)

I’m one of the…’lucky ones’ (along with Monica, Sabrina & Justine) to watch their performance and we weren’t early to watch the shirt designing/cutting, but there were still some live painting going on when we arrived. We patiently waited for FM to go on stage (because it’s worth it!). We LOVED the set and we exchanged glances when they performed “Get Offa Me”! During the “Round and Round” performance, I felt bad when Kev put his hand out and I couldn’t move and take it because my feet were killing me x_x We were worried about Kev’s voice because it was gone. He still did so well though and I thought it was magical that he was able to perform (yay KevNish!). After their performance at the Teruo Showcase, we hung out for a bit at Cosmopolitan. The four of us came late and they wouldn’t let us in because they were about to close. I guess Sabrina’s convincing powers worked and the security let us in! We hung out by the bar and chatted for a few. Suddenly, we were introduced to… SIR CATCH! We didn’t stay very long because the bar was closing. We exchanged our hugs and goodbyes outside which totally beat the cold wind. We all slept with smiles on our faces – or I think it was just me? All the reservation changes, traffic, getting sick, losing my voice, rough plane ride home = ALL WORTH IT

FM, thank you so much for taking the time to have dinner with us. You mosdef made our weekend! Also, this dinner brought us together again. THANK YOU =) And to show our love,

Bay Area Street Team is For the Movement<3333 Fun Moments and Fond Memories over a Fulfilling Meal with our Favorite Men and Family Members… ISA 09!!!

— Ianne