July 26 - I wish that it could be undone

Tuesday I woke up to horrific news. My parents contacted me on Skype and my Dad told me that my friend who was on and off dating my cousin Amanda, Nicholas James, took his own life. Even though I could not believe it was true, I bursted out crying. After I found out the news I was just a mess and was in bed for a couple of hours. I Skyped with Mike and he tried to make me feel better.


I had signed up to take a class at the gym with Lauren and I wasn't going to go but then I decided it might help take my mind of what happened and be good for me. We took a bus that went close to the gym but not directly to it and we were too late to take the class. We went into the gym and went on the computers and it was interesting that when I went onto the computer someone had left an article about Mariah Carey up. What are the chances I would choose a computer that someone left an article up of my favorite singer who I admire so much?

I feel like this was a little hidden sign to me because Mariah's music has always gotten me through hard times. Finally Lauren and I worked out a little on the treadmill and bicycle and then did some sit ups and then we left. Lauren and I got lunch at the plaza near the apartment and brought it back to eat.

I spent the rest of the afternoon in the apartment just reminiscing about Nick and worrying about Amanda dealing with what happened.


Later Lauren and I stopped quick at the agency to pick up our weekly allowance. We walked around Chinatown then went back to the apartment.


At night everyone was going out to Fabrika, a place that I went to the week before, but I didn't feel like going out so I just went there quick for some free food and went back to the apartment. Fabrika is a nice place though and it looked nice going earlier when the sun was setting. 

Prior to Fabrika when I was at the apartment the late evening outside was so beautiful. Everything was glowing, not bright like the sun shining, but a really soft, breathtaking glow. Again, this is something that was like a sign to me. I will never stop wishing that what happened to Nicholas James could be undone but I know that all I can do is be here for Amanda and hope that Nick is well wherever he is now.

Nicholas James 

I don't want to believe it.
You were so funny and so nice...it is so hard to think about this.
I have much love for you and Amanda and the family
loves you so much. 

I wish this could be undone. 

My parents were sad hearing the news..my Dad said "Marcus" reminiscing the way you would always say it
and it made me cry even harder.

Gotta stay positive though and hope that you are
well wherever you are.

We will miss you always....always.

July 25 - We will never forget you Nicholas James

Monday I got up and got ready to go to a fitting for an ECCO shoe fashion show this week. The fitting was at the store in the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands Hotel. I got there a little early so walked around the shoppes.

The shoes I am wearing in the show are cute...one pair is like a black saddle shoe, another is an all tan strappy wedge sandle, and lastly a pair of dark green heeled boots. 

At night Lauren and I were craving pizza so we went to Modesto's. I ate a whole margherita pizza by myself which was about 9 slices! I was so full but I could not stop until it was done. We walked back through Ion Orchard mall and it was pretty at night.

When we were headed back Lauren and I got our regular vanilla ice cream cones from McDs. Not a healthy night! Walking back to the apartment Lauren had her hands full and I told her that it looked like her pizza box was going to fall out of the bag, but she kept walking anyway...

We went back and I skyped and headed to bed. Miranda was in Jakarta to extend her visa to work in Singapore and I went to bed lonely without my roomie!


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I did not find out until technically the next day because I am a day ahead but...
today is the day that my friend Nicholas James Wargo took his life......I hate writing that.
I can't believe that this happened. It is so sad thinking about how he always made us laugh. It is hard reminiscing about things he would say and do and thinking about how he was so funny and nice. He was on and off dating my cousin Amanda for years and they love each other so much, they were so cute together. What happened is devastating and on top of it I know Amanda will never be the same. So many friends and family are supporting her and loving her even though this is something that seems impossible to cope with. Why would he ever feel the need to do this? I wish that I would have known and could have done something. So many people care about him and I hope he knows that. I can only hope that he is well wherever he is now. We love you Nicholas James.

July 22-24

Friday morning was storming so I didn't want to leave the apartment. I just hung out and later napped on the couch with the girls while Eagle Eye was playing. The whether got better and I did not want to sit around the apartment anymore so I decided to go to Chinatown. Lauren came with me and we walked around all of the little stands. We got really hungry so we went to a place to get local food. Afterwards Miranda, Lauren and I watched episodes of Friends at the apartment. I was craving vanilla ice cream and Lauren eats ice cream a lot so all of us went to McDonalds to get our $0.70 cone before going to bed!

Saturday I woke up and went to the PURE Fitness with Miranda. She wanted us to do the BodyPump class but it was full so I did some speed walking on a treadmill and did ab work after. We went back to the apartment and I skyped for hours. Once it was around dinnertime I went and got a manicure because my job the next day requested I get one. It was nice to relax and watch tv at the salon. When I got back to the apartment Miranda and Lauren got packages of mud facial masks and so we all put them on for fun to prevent our skin from being oily. Then the girls got ready and went to the club but I had a job the next day so I got stuff ready and stayed in and skyped with my bestie Sarah and everyone at home :-)

Sunday I tried to sleep in a little because I knew it would be a long day! I got ready and left to go to the Smile Inc. Dentist Surgeons office (smileinc.com.sg) to film a commercial for them. We did many different short scenes including showing my legs walking, showing my eyes, showing my lips, and of course showing my smile! The office is beautiful with a black shiny runway floor going back into the rooms which have sideways moving electric doors and flat screen tvs on the walls and the ceilings! 

(picture doesn't do justice to how nice the runway is in the office)

Dr. Rex Tan and Mrs Grace Tan are the owners and they were so nice during the filming. The hair and makeup and the whole entire crew was so nice and I had a very good experience filming my first commercial. I hope that Mr and Mrs Tan are pleased with the result! I am very excited it will be airing in August! 

We finished filming at about 2:00am and I took a cab back to the apartment and washed up for bed!

July 21

Thursday morning the three of us decided to go to a shopping center and look around. In one of the stores there was a door in the middle of the walkway with no walls on each side...bizarre

I bought a couple of things for people back home but didn't find any cute clothes or anything. Then we went to PURE Fitness to pick up a weekly pass since we get a membership through the agency.

Afterwards I had a fitting for the dentist commercial I will be doing so I went to the office and tried on a really nice simple black dress and shoes. The office at Smile Inc. is very nice, they have a black runway with lights in it that you walk down to go back into the rooms to get your teeth done! They showed me some concepts for the commercial and it is going to be very elegant and fashionable which is neat.

On my way back to the apartment I stopped in a Forever 21 here but they did not have a ton of good stuff and it is more expensive than back home. When I got back to the apartment the girls were getting ready to go out. We played some music and got ready and went to a place called Soul.

While we were in the taxi going there we saw CASH CAB SINGAPORE! It was so exciting haha We saw the taxi on the side of the road with videocameras shining into the window and we saw a group of girls get in.

When we drove by we could see all of the lights going off in the car, it was so cool! I didn't know that they had Cash Cab here. Most of my pictures came out blurry but it looked like so much fun!

When we got to Soul we first we went into a lounge area where I ate potato wedges and listend to a group that was playing cover songs. It was fun but we were in there for a while before the club part opened.

We went into the club section and they had a DJ playing house music with really cool lights and a huge LCD screen all around the ceiling of the place showing footage like flying through mountains and the sky. I guess Ludacris made this place and it was pretty cool.

I went back to the apartment and skyped and could not fall asleep forever. I talk with the girls when they got back later and I was hungry and ate bread and could not fall asleep until 5am! I think it is because i drank three 28 Black energy drinks at Soul!

July 20

Wednesday was another day with nothing on the agenda. When things were busy I know I was wishing for a break but I love being busy and working as hard as I can. The only thing that has been keeping me sane is knowing that I have some jobs coming up. I think all Wednesday morning I just ate and hung around the apartment and skyped. Later Miranda, Lauren and I started to watch "I love you Beth Copper" but we were all kind of bored and weirded out that we decided to switch to watching "Angels and Demons" instead. The girls were so tired when we started watching the movie that this was how the rest of the evening went...

While the girls were napping I worked at beating my final objective for tiny wings on my ipod touch and I did it!!

After the movie ended we all got up and decided to cook pasta and roasted garlic marinera sauce! Miranda did the cooking while Lauren and I went to the store to get parmesan cheese for on top and then we sat there and ate bread with cheese and butter until the food was heated. We made so much pasta we each had a huge bowl full! It was so delicious and I was so full afterwards. 

We rested for a while and then I decided to go for a run at the park. I brought my ipod along and it helped me to run longer than I normally would. On the way to the park I listened to a couple songs by The Hoodies (now they are called Joywave and have a new direction that I also love...and Mike plays guitar with them). At the park I ran to the whole song that Mike and Rick made for the Lamborghini fashion show here in Singapore. You can hear it at http://soundcloud.com/richardpowda/catwalk-instrumental-for. After I went back and took a shower and went to bed.

July 19

Miranda, Lauren and I woke up so that we could go to McDonalds for breakfast! I know it does not sound that exciting but McDs here has some of the best pancakes and syrup that I have ever had. We walked across the street and near our apartment there looked like there was a fire but I think some construction machinery was not working.

After a nice breakfast I hung out at the apartment for a while. Tuesday was my first day since being here that I did not have a single thing scheduled...no castings, fitting, or jobs! Miranda and I wanted to go to the agency to get our allowance money for the week so the three of us stopped by there and then went to a picture printing place for Lauren to pick up pictures she printed. Afterwards we went grocery shopping and then back to the apartment and all made our own food for once instead of eating out. I made my favorite soup: minestrone! Miranda made an amazing bbq chicken, mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and bazil meal.

Later at night we went out to place in a hotel that had a ceiling and two walls but then two sides didn't have any walls and you could see out into the city. 

It was a really cool place that gave us snacks too. I loved the spring rolls and ate those all night, but there were also gross deep-fried little skinny fish or something that I could see their eyeballs and felt sick thinking about them. The place said next time they will not put those on the plate :-) 

We met up with some people there and relaxed and then headed back to the apartment. At night I was missing being home and I went for a walk down the street by myself. I was secretly wishing McDs was open to get an ice cream, but they were closed. I ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich at 3am and went finally went to bed.

July 18

Monday morning was very slow we were all just getting ready for the day and resting. Lauren and Miranda left to go to a casting that I was too short to go to. I met up with them afterwards and we all went to a Levi Fashion show casting. The casting was intimidating because there were about 40 models all in one room and each girl had to do their walk by themselves in front of everyone and when you were done walking they would either tell you to leave or to stay. A bunch of girls before us were told to leave so we did not have any expectations but Lauren went up first and they asked her to stay! After I walked they asked me to stay too and so we tried on some of the clothes and had to go back and walk for them again. We both made that cut too so we just waited for everyone else to try out.

When they had their semi-final models chosen we all stood in a line and they chose the models for the show. I was shorter than most of the girls so I did not make the final cut. Lauren made the final cut though which is exciting!

We started heading back to the apartment and we were really hungry so the three of us stopped at Pastamania!

Then we stopped into the mall that had the Elle suitcase that I have posted a picture of before and we wanted to see how much it was: $330.

We headed back to the apartment and decided to go out for dessert. We went to a place near our apartment and I got a banana split, it was so yummy! Where we were eating had red lights and in real life it looked like Lauren had red highlights. The pic doesn't really look like it, but she could pull it off.

At night we just hung out at the apartment and went to bed.

July 17 - Eventful Day!

It was about 3am when I was jolted awake by Miranda grabbing my arm with a frightened look on her face! She said the someone was at the door to our apartment trying to get in! All of a sudden I heard the door being pounded on and the door was shaking back and forth in the metal frame making so much noise. Whoever was on the other side was ferociously shaking our door and seemed really upset. The first thing we thought of was how Miranda found that guys blackberry who got really mad at her on the phone. We were so scared we called the police.

We didn't want to leave our bedroom so we locked our bedroom door and I called Laurens cellphone in the next room. We wanted to make sure that Lauren and Caren who is just staying here for a couple of days were both in the room and to tell them that they should not answer the door! Lauren did not answer her phone and about 10 minutes went by of Miranda and I looking out of the window for the police while Miranda was basically in tears. We were so scared because the person was still pounding and shaking the door so we called the police again! The police thought we said 40 instead of 4B for our address so a couple minutes later they arrived.

Three policemen went running up the stairs ready to take on some big angry man...and it turned out to be little Caren! Caren had left at midnight to get something to eat and I locked the door when I went to bed at midnight thinking that everyone was in bed. Poor Caren was locked out for over an hour and a half! The police looked at us like we were crazy, checked our passports and then left. We stayed up for a little bit all laughing together about it. We were so glad it turned out to be Caren and not some crazy guy...but I still feel so bad that she was locked out for so long!

I went to bed for a couple of hours but then I had to get back up to do my last day of the photographer Ivan's workshop. This time the shoot was for swimwear and it was at Sentosa Tanjong Beach.

I did four looks and was done by 11:30am. I went back to the apartment and skyped with Mike for a while. Lauren and Miranda wanted to go to the beach so we left and took a tram back to Sentosa.

On the tram I looked out the window and saw the Merlion statue that is famous in Singapore!

I want to go back and see it again instead of just driving by. We got to the beach and met up with some people and hung out. There was a 50 Gorgeous Women event going on sponsored by Female magazine

At the beach club Lauren and I went swimming and played a little bit of volleyball in the pool. Then I ate cheese quesadillas with corn in them and salsa and it was delicious. Later on one of Miranda's friends was told that we could all go banana boating for free and she has gone before and said it was a lot of fun so we all took a trolly to another part of the beach to go. Ten of us went banana boating and it was so much fun! A couple of times I felt like I was going to fall off into the water, but I didn't because I held on so tight. It felt like a workout but it was a lot of fun!

We started getting sleepy after we were done riding so Miranda and Lauren and I went for a walk down the beach.

Me and Miranda :-)

Lauren and me :-)

As we were walking on the beach we found a place where you can go zip-lining and the people doing it looked like they were having so much fun.

We walked back from walking around and went to the hang out spot called Azzura. 

At night it is like an outdoor club with lights and fog and the owner gave us scrumptious cheesy fries and pizza! Later Lauren and I went back home and got cleaning and stuff done around the house and went to bed. Overall it was a pretty eventful day!

July 16

I had to wake up very early to get picked up for a continuation of the workshop job for the photographer Ivan. When I got up at 6am I heard really loud music coming from the living room and I saw it was someones cellphone. Caren is staying with us for a couple of days and I did not recognize the phone so I figured it was hers. I tried making the phone quiet but it was locked. I went in to wake her up and she said it was not hers! Miranda got out of bed and told us that she found it in a cab on the way back from the club and that she answered the owners call and was telling him she found it and would give it back to him but he was extremely rude and hung up on her. We took the battery out of the phone and everyone went back to bed...except for me. 

I went to eat cereal and saw something move quick as lightning. I peered over the boxes of food and saw a gecko!

The job for the workshop was a high-fashion photo shoot in the morning on top of a building.

It started out not being a nice day and it was the first time I was cold in Singapore! As the shoot started and went on I was fine and it became better out.

After the shoot I went back to the apartment and Lauren and I decided to go eat at Subway. We were hesitant because when we first arrived here we ate it so much we got sick of it. I had a veggie patty sub which is like a lon veggie burger on a sub and it was very good!

Then I went to a casting for a commercial for Asahi beer from Japan. The casting was interesting because I had to act out as if I was at a party and then they wanted me to do karate in a dress and heels. Every model felt so awkward when they each went and then we had to do a group party scene audition after. I have no clue how that casting went but we will see!

I went back to the apartment and Miranda and Lauren were watching The Happening. I don't like scary movies so I just went on my computer. Then we all watched The House Bunny because I had never seen that movie.

I think Emma Stone is an awesome actress and Anna Faris did well in that role. It was a corny but overall a good movie. We went to be early on a Saturday night but we were all tired from the week.

July 15

Friday I had a very long day! First I went to a casting for a dentistry television commercial where we were filmed walking around, doing looks into the camera, smiling, opening our mouth, etc. I found out since then that I got the job! I am very excited!!

Next Miranda and I had a casting for the look-book of a new designer in Singapore. On our way we grabbed some drinks...this is what a Red Bull (wish they had Full Throttle!) in Singapore looks like, and it is only a dollar!

In Singapore you're not supposed to eat or drink on the buses or subways so Miranda and I were being sneaky

At the casting for the new designer the clothes were so cool; very high-fashion but also comfortable and wearable! The clients were so nice they gave us doughnuts and snacks and drinks at the casting. I would love to do that job but I know a lot of other girls would too.

My last casting of the day was for a photo shoot for SK Jewelry. I didn't know if I did well at the casting but I found out since then that I am shortlisted so I am waiting to hear back what they decided!

Lastly I did a job at nighttime for the photographer Ivan See who did my new headshot picture. He has a workshop that I did a night high-fashion shoot for. It went well and then I went straight to bed I was so tired!

Friday night I was sad I couldn't be home in New York because my friends are in the band ENDYGA who was performing, and Mike mixed the music for them! I heard it went well though and I will go to a show if they have another one when I am back home!

July 13/14

Wednesday morning I got up early to do a test shoot with Luke Elijah. The makeup artist Dax did cool makeup surrounding my eyes in red with a hint of gold. It is difficult to see in the picture but this was my first shoot where I was laying down for most of the time.

After the shoot Lauren and I had a shopping day. We went to a cathay shopping plaza and I bought a lot of jewelry there. I also saw a huge I <3 NY bag that was awesome

I bought an all black bag to take with me on modeling castings and jobs because mine broke from carrying too much stuff. Then we went to Far East Plazza where I bought even more jewelry! We also saw this really cute Elle suitcase that was wrapped up.

On our way there I saw a designer named Massimo which is Mike's dog's name so I had to take a picture :-)

We went back to the apartment and Lauren, Miranda and I watched Pirates of the Caribbean before going to bed.


Thursday I had a casting to be a Mom in a MILK ad and it was my only casting for the day. It was quite the workout getting to the casting. First I got lost in a tunnel that led to stairs going up to not where I needed to go.

When I finally figured out where I had to go I had to make the choice to walk a few miles or take stairs that had 154 steps

It wasn't easy, but I made it!

After the casting I went back to the apartment and Lauren and I went to go see Harry Potter!

I guess it came out a day early here in Singapore. It is hard to believe that it is all over, I remember reading the first book many years ago!

July 12 - Big Job!

I woke up and had some pictures sent to me from a shoot that I did last week with Ivan See, here is one of them

Last week I was told that I was chosen for a big job that I wanted but that the contract was not signed yet so it could be changed. I didn't want to tell anyone because I didn't want to jinx getting the job. I am so thankful that I got the job and that it went well! Tuesday I was told to be at The Shooting Gallery Studio which is about 45 minutes away by 8:30am. I was so nervous about being late I left at 7:00am and got there by 8:00am. I re-painted my nails and just waited outside until it was time to go in. Better safe than sorry!

I walk in and the crew was all eating and they were so nice to give me a sandwich and a little bit of carrot cake (the radish plate I mentioned in an earlier post, not the dessert). While we were sitting around they were looking through the official outline for the shoot labeled:

"HOYU Hair Packaging Photo Shoot"

Hoyu is a hair-coloring product that is very predominant in Asia but is also sold in North America, Latin America, Europe, Oceania, the Middle East and Africa! Being the face on a hair-coloring box is the biggest job I have ever done and could end up being my biggest job during my trip here.

I got my makeup done by Singapore makeup artist Eric and they flew in Yasuyoshi from Toyko to do my hair! I counted to ten in Japanese for the stylist and the client from Japan and they liked it! :-) I went on set and just had to do smiling with and without teeth and do a couple different angles and I was done!

I am so thankful I booked that job!

After the shoot I went to the agency and Lauren was there so we left together and went shopping in Chinatown. I bought some nice souvenirs for friends and family!

At night we went to a casting for a property ad where we had to take pictures as if we were in a bunch of different scenes. Down the hallway from the casting there were huge toys and Miranda went to go check it out haha

We were all really hungry after and when we were on the bus we saw a sign for Pastamania so we got off the bus and ate there! It was a fast-food pasta and pizza place that was really good! I was so full and went to bed to get sleep for a shoot the next morning.

July 11 - Miranda's Bday!

Monday was Miranda's 20th birthday!! In the morning we went to a casting for an ECCO shoe fashion showcase. I thought that my casting did not go the best because my heels were a little big so it was hard to walk and I am a sometimes considered short for shows like that, but have found out since then that I got the job!! After the casting we went back to the apartment and both of us were tired so we took a long nap! Later at night Miranda's Mom and her boyfriend, Kate, Lauren and I celebrated her birthday by going to dinner at Nueva Cuba at Customs House!

Lauren and I brought a cake for Miranda that was so funny. We could not find a normal cake other than a Thomas the engine cake haha

Miranda loves big headbands and big hoop earrings so Lauren and I got her a leopard headscarf and super huge silver hoops!

Then I had to head back to wake up early the next morning.

Lauren and I got lost finding our way back and it took so long! We all made it back though and Miranda had a great day :-)