Marika's blog
Week 3
HOSPITAL! Trust my LUCK!
Week 2
Kelly Rowland!!
Was the first high profile artist Ella and I had a chance to hang out with in New York, we were chosen to go see Kelly for a vocal training master class. We flew to New York had to be up and ready by 4am to catch a 6am flight... Ella woke up late that morning, her clock didn't alarm or something like that...I waited about 45mins for her to come down stairs, and we almost missed the flight because of the delay. We had this crazy cab driver who nearly killed us speeding down the high way in heavy rain fall and we had to run for our plane!! It was hectic morning but we arrived into Manhattan safely and returned back to Houston the same night! Unfortunately we were unable to explore New York but one thing for sure its much more exciting and more of city than Houston. I really liked it!
So we spent a ill' time with Kelly and she's amazing, genuine and sweet, we spoke on a level of understanding and because she's been through what were going through but 10 times more intense we had something to connect to. And yeah, she really is just as pretty in real life as she is on TV.
So anyway she taught Ella an myself a few vocal exercises many of them we all ready knew, some them were the typical vocal exercises that make you feel silly when your doing them but those ones are the more beneficial ones. Then she asked us to go away and use what we had learned to write a little song to sing back to her.
While we went away to write, Ella and I were in this cafe across the road from the Sony studios we were in and you never would have guess who came strolling over to us... but Cassidy himself, you know that song he did with R.Kelly " Girl you wanna come to my hotel"...let me add that he has one of the cutest smiles I've ever seen! FACT!! So him and his friend come over all bling'd out just havin a casual chat about what were doing and invited us to check him out in studio Z! Me and Ella were all smiles, and he was cool, but we were far too busy to take him up on his invite to the studio room he was in...Damn it!! I have to say though he looked like he'd put on a few pounds, but he still had swagger and that's never a bad thing! So Cassidy interrupted mine and Ella's lil' convo about our task for the day but we still managed to think up something. I wrote a piece about my mom...bad idea! Cuz it got me quite emotional, and lately I've been a little sensitive, so when the time came to sing it in front of Kelly it was full and fresh with a bit too much emotion and brought a few too many tears to my eyes and everyone else's. (My bad) Oh well...I'm a tough cookie at times and I soon got my act together, but I kinda wish I wrote a song that had a different kind of emotion!... but hey like they say...You can't stop feelings! NOTE TO SELF and OTHER BUDDING VOCALISTS!
***So that day I learned that;
1) Its important to release emotions through music but its also very important to know how to control them,
2) vocal exercises and warm ups...are a MUST you don't ever want to perform with a lazy voice, you want the best for your vocals so you take care of it like any other instrument and practice everyday!***
We had a long day in New York and nearly missed the flight back to Houston we arrived back after midnight and were so tired! Despite that everyone greeted us back as soon as we got to the apartments Ella and I had a VERY IMPORTANT message awaiting for us!
It was from Mr. Knowles, telling Ella and myself to exchange rooms. Meaning I go live with the girls and Ella goes and lives with the boys...Hmmm I don't know what Mathews plan was, but that's what he asked for so I just wanted to get it over and done with so I could get some shut eye! Ella on the other hand had a different idea...
FIRST MAJOR ARGUMENT! All over room exchange!
OK so this was unnecessary but pretty big!
What I'm about to tell you is how the story is!
So don't get it twisted!
Ok hear me out..
just got back from the Big Apple
the passing midnight hour strikes
eyes are ready to shut soon as we're tired from the flight
but Mathew had a plan
he wanted some TV action
and told Ella and me to exchange rooms but Ella refused to listen
And Yep! It was unnecessary
And Yep! He could have waited
But all I wanted was to get into bed and get the change over with
So I started packing as quick as I could
but Ella still refused to be doing what she should
James Lyra and Faro, knew the importance of the show
they knew that to get through it all I had to do the task and go
its true...I didn't want to risk my position,
because to me this a big and important competition
so I told Ella several times that I think we should do the exchange
but Ella was adamant and wanted things to stay the same
she said I could sleep on the sofa
I didn't see why I should
knowing threes a bed waiting for me that's perfectly good
so I phoned up the production office and told them the score
just to confirm if it would be ok because I wasn't very sure
the next thing I know I hear a knock on the door
its Yemisi and Jo
Uh oh...Uh oh!!!
well aint nobody happy with this
nobody wanted this to be recorded
so anyway I just went with the flow and let Yemisi and Jo the camera girls know that
I'm packed and imp ready to change rooms
I didn't ask it to come to this but
but I want my bed soon!!!
so we go to girls and let them know that the camera's here
and then I felt an explosion near and the air soon filled with fear
people suddenly turned on me and thought I caused this to happen
but the cameras just wanted to see how the exchange was getting on.
so now the boys have a word and Faro tells it how it should be
Lyra gets involves and wasn't afraid to back me
Ella locks herself in the bathroom and refuses to speak
so I tell her how it got to this to try n' keep things sweet.
Kamel and Lyra had harsh words traded and the disrespect between them both had quickly faded.
It had to come to this to get Ella to exchange and for the fuss to be over,
people thought I was evil because I wouldn't settle for the sofa!
Week 1
*****
Week 3
HOSPITAL! Trust my LUCK!
I'm ok! I'm a fighter!!
Nothings over until its over
My blood levels a lil' low
and my heads a lil' heavy
so I had to keep the lights low and make sure I drink plenty
I went to the hospital to get myself checked out
after several hours I was seen to and I was out an about
the next day I rested and had time to rejuvenate, I took things easy and I just couldn't wait
to be back where I belong involved on the scene
using all my pains to power my dream
Mathew mentioned I should be looking at another career but I cant turn away now when everyday I'm getting near
what people don't realise is that
I don't ever give up
those are the ones who need take a look
I've half filled my cup
and if you take a sip and try and take away my flavour
It wont be long until I'm adding more to the taste to make it stronger
so nope I cant give away the recipe
and nope I cant give you my tools
but I'll share with you the sweetness
Weather I win or I loose!
The Dinner Party! Now this could have been quite a good evening,
but after the argument it didn't seem as appealing.
There was friction in the air
and no one had a care
to give the dinner party any meaning
Like Faro said...it will be pretty dead
and they'll be nothing for viewers to watch,
all they'll hear is
the clinking of glasses, and the ticking of the clock
well for a start when we got told to have a dinner party we all knew it was just for the show, so we tried to make the best of it and at least just have a go.
Ella offered to cook a meal but the boys refused the offer,
I think it was cuz they had already eaten so there's no need to bother
James had plans to make a big pot of some special kind of rice
he offered to share it with us but it didn't turn out very nice
I'm proud of James he made and effort
to cook up some beef and salmon
but I guess he left it a little to long inside of the oven
well the girls participated and the night ran with ease
with a choice of ice cream, cheese cake and a bottle of wine
and Marika's Chocolate Brownies.
Lyracis didn't have a good news that day, and was unable to attend
Kamel and Ella were not disappointed as there still no longer friends.
so question time came from no where, handed to us in a bowl.
we each had a chance to answer the questions and let the truth be told
my questions were boring and I had to think quick, other questions were more intriguing and made people switch.
but the night turned out ok, although Lyra didn't have a say
to defend himself from rumours that arose day to day.
When you're in a position like that
when people talk behind you're back
its important that you,
let your actions speak
rather than the chitta chat.
Some like to be brash
others like to stay hush
many don't speak until necessary
and a fair few
open up for the majority.
I listen and I speak and when I do I truth something...some absorb the truth others repel it...there are times when what you say is interpreted in correctly but often what is said will be revealed clearly.
I think I learned a lot that evening, I watched how people react... I concluded that whatever people choose not to say or whatever people do will always be crticised between the people amongst you, so never turn your cards over at once or give too much away, cuz the people who sit at your table are not there to stay.
Week 2
Kelly Rowland!!
Was the first high profile artist Ella and I had a chance to hang out with in New York, we were chosen to go see Kelly for a vocal training master class. We flew to New York had to be up and ready by 4am to catch a 6am flight... Ella woke up late that morning, her clock didn't alarm or something like that...I waited about 45mins for her to come down stairs, and we almost missed the flight because of the delay. We had this crazy cab driver who nearly killed us speeding down the high way in heavy rain fall and we had to run for our plane!! It was hectic morning but we arrived into Manhattan safely and returned back to Houston the same night! Unfortunately we were unable to explore New York but one thing for sure its much more exciting and more of city than Houston. I really liked it!
So we spent a ill' time with Kelly and she's amazing, genuine and sweet, we spoke on a level of understanding and because she's been through what were going through but 10 times more intense we had something to connect to. And yeah, she really is just as pretty in real life as she is on TV.
So anyway she taught Ella an myself a few vocal exercises many of them we all ready knew, some them were the typical vocal exercises that make you feel silly when your doing them but those ones are the more beneficial ones. Then she asked us to go away and use what we had learned to write a little song to sing back to her.
While we went away to write, Ella and I were in this cafe across the road from the Sony studios we were in and you never would have guess who came strolling over to us... but Cassidy himself, you know that song he did with R.Kelly " Girl you wanna come to my hotel"...let me add that he has one of the cutest smiles I've ever seen! FACT!! So him and his friend come over all bling'd out just havin a casual chat about what were doing and invited us to check him out in studio Z! Me and Ella were all smiles, and he was cool, but we were far too busy to take him up on his invite to the studio room he was in...Damn it!! I have to say though he looked like he'd put on a few pounds, but he still had swagger and that's never a bad thing! So Cassidy interrupted mine and Ella's lil' convo about our task for the day but we still managed to think up something. I wrote a piece about my mom...bad idea! Cuz it got me quite emotional, and lately I've been a little sensitive, so when the time came to sing it in front of Kelly it was full and fresh with a bit too much emotion and brought a few too many tears to my eyes and everyone else's. (My bad) Oh well...I'm a tough cookie at times and I soon got my act together, but I kinda wish I wrote a song that had a different kind of emotion!... but hey like they say...You can't stop feelings! NOTE TO SELF and OTHER BUDDING VOCALISTS!
***So that day I learned that;
1) Its important to release emotions through music but its also very important to know how to control them,
2) vocal exercises and warm ups...are a MUST you don't ever want to perform with a lazy voice, you want the best for your vocals so you take care of it like any other instrument and practice everyday!***
We had a long day in New York and nearly missed the flight back to Houston we arrived back after midnight and were so tired! Despite that everyone greeted us back as soon as we got to the apartments Ella and I had a VERY IMPORTANT message awaiting for us!
It was from Mr. Knowles, telling Ella and myself to exchange rooms. Meaning I go live with the girls and Ella goes and lives with the boys...Hmmm I don't know what Mathews plan was, but that's what he asked for so I just wanted to get it over and done with so I could get some shut eye! Ella on the other hand had a different idea...
FIRST MAJOR ARGUMENT! All over room exchange!
OK so this was unnecessary but pretty big!
What I'm about to tell you is how the story is!
So don't get it twisted!
Ok hear me out..
just got back from the Big Apple
the passing midnight hour strikes
eyes are ready to shut soon as we're tired from the flight
but Mathew had a plan
he wanted some TV action
and told Ella and me to exchange rooms but Ella refused to listen
And Yep! It was unnecessary
And Yep! He could have waited
But all I wanted was to get into bed and get the change over with
So I started packing as quick as I could
but Ella still refused to be doing what she should
James Lyra and Faro, knew the importance of the show
they knew that to get through it all I had to do the task and go
its true...I didn't want to risk my position,
because to me this a big and important competition
so I told Ella several times that I think we should do the exchange
but Ella was adamant and wanted things to stay the same
she said I could sleep on the sofa
I didn't see why I should
knowing threes a bed waiting for me that's perfectly good
so I phoned up the production office and told them the score
just to confirm if it would be ok because I wasn't very sure
the next thing I know I hear a knock on the door
its Yemisi and Jo
Uh oh...Uh oh!!!
well aint nobody happy with this
nobody wanted this to be recorded
so anyway I just went with the flow and let Yemisi and Jo the camera girls know that
I'm packed and imp ready to change rooms
I didn't ask it to come to this but
but I want my bed soon!!!
so we go to girls and let them know that the camera's here
and then I felt an explosion near and the air soon filled with fear
people suddenly turned on me and thought I caused this to happen
but the cameras just wanted to see how the exchange was getting on.
so now the boys have a word and Faro tells it how it should be
Lyra gets involves and wasn't afraid to back me
Ella locks herself in the bathroom and refuses to speak
so I tell her how it got to this to try n' keep things sweet.
Kamel and Lyra had harsh words traded and the disrespect between them both had quickly faded.
It had to come to this to get Ella to exchange and for the fuss to be over,
people thought I was evil because I wouldn't settle for the sofa!
A Journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step...I'm taking my very first step! Its Overwhelming, Its totally Amazing, Its nothing I ever thought I'd go through, and now I'm here, my dreams are near and I'm doing all I can and so I have to take this opportunity to thank YOU!! Without your votes I wouldn't be here tryna' live out and challenge my dream. So I'm gonna keep it real with you all 'cuz it not all as easy here as it seems, we're truly here to test out our passions and develop and grow as individuals, the way I see it is, I've been blessed to come this far and if I couldn't handle it then an opportunity like this wouldn't have been sent to me!
Week 1
Well I've been here three days, it's really intense, although we have the luxury of some really nice apartments which we live in and the contestants are all highly talented and extremely focused deservers of this!! So anyway we arrive into Houston, touch down at about 5.25pm, making our way out of the airport and were greeted by some Big Monster of Hummer stretch Limo! I was like OH LORDIE how an earth did I get HERE! So I walk up to the limo and my only immediate reaction was to scream! Lol, so after letting out all my excitement...I took one big deep breath to regain my composure, and slowly embraced my surroundings. Those of you who know me, will know that I can be quite a sceptical person at times and I was really curious about where we were going and what was in store for us all in the coming weeks...I mean could you imagine if we got told that this is all a sham and the competition was not really to go on a UK tour with Beyonce or some madness like that! I would have been stranded! But let me tell you something Not all that glitters is gold and not everything on television can be told!!
So from this second all will be revealed! How it should, follow my journey! So The day we met Mathew Knowles, I knew there was no turning back, I've never seen someone who has so much respect he really is a hard working, respected and disciplined man with high standards, his qualities reflect upon Beyonce, and everything else he gets involved with. Nothing is half hearted with this man; he expects high quality and refuses anything less! When we met him he laid down some rules and all the rumours we heard about him being strict and tough, really are true!! He mentioned to all of us when we met him that he would play psychological games with us and increase the levels of pressure. Basically he wants to see who's strong enough to go all the way. ITS DEEP!!
*****
Watch, Listen and Learn! There's a lot going on out here and I'm starting to get to know the others quite well now. I used to live with the boys, Lyracist: The comedian of the group often has a lot to say and knows how to lift the spirits of others, the kind of guy that doesn't turn all his game cards over at once, doesn't stand for any nonsense and makes his point quite clear! Then there's Faro: So Sweet, So Real and So down to earth, always tells the story how the story should be told! doesn't hold back and understands the concept of listening, he's a fair dude, very down to earth and made us all truly proud of him when he battled it out with his freshest freestyle's against Mathew Knowles artist 'Ace'... Represent!! That's what it's all about out here! Then there's James a deep brother became known for his outburst on the rest of the Chancers with his opening phrase "THINGS ARE ABOUT TO CHANNNNNNNNGE" and he was right they did. James has a deep and focused heart, when we arrived he seemed like the one person people would least get on with, he can appear to have an argumentative streak at times but that's only because he stays true to himself and others he's willing to take a challenge and never settles for less than nothing but his best!...
I refer to the guys as my big brothers, they looked after me and we would Jam together dance and sing and rap together, Just like I'd do back home with my own brothers! And I Respect that!!