“Never make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option.”

..a quote by Maya Angelou, enlightening. I recently made a decision to leave my bike sponsor of more than 6.5 years, DK Bicycles. I just want to say that I am really grateful for all that they did for me, I got to travel the world, make some of the best friends, got to go on Megatour, and even design signature handlebars! Really, it is the most any company in BMX Freestyle has ever done for a girl, and for that I truly do thank them for all that they have done.

I confided in some of my closest friends and mentors about my relationship with the company and how it has changed over the last two years or so. Face to face confrontation whenever possible is always better, however, across the miles, over a computer, or via text, I learned that a lack of communication can most definitely stir up some frustrations and create misunderstandings. I am someone that believes in professionalism and that it is very important to keep a healthy relationship in business and friendships and love; good communication is key. In life, I believe it is important to work hard, appreciate what you have, who you have in your life, and equally it is also important to feel appreciated and no matter how much time passes, that your hard work shouldn’t go unnoticed. I also feel that even though it may be the easier route for some to “just take the money and run,” at the end of the day, I’d rather keep my pride and stay true to my beliefs. Maybe I’m from a different generation, (ex.I don’t live my life for more likes on instagram enough haha), whatever the case, it was time for me to try to enjoy what I’m doing on my bike without any stress or wonder if I am still a part of something. I am still doing what I always do, just without any uncertainty. I just read an interview with a pro skateboarder, Marc Johnson, in which he rips into the skate industry and how a lot of the skaters are just as guilty for “taking the money and run” attitude. The interview seems to parallel my situation with riding for a smaller rider-owned company that merged with a bigger corporation that is moving in a different direction. When you have a minute, read it here.

Aside from leaving DK, Stoney and I were graced with a visit from my friend Becci and her boyfriend Dustin for two weeks. Aside from getting severely sunburned and attacked by mosquitoes, I think they had a really good time. I drove them all over Austin, upto Dallas and back to ride some spots, took them to shoot guns for their first time, introduced them to quesadillas, and the idea of homecooking instead of their favorite place on earth: Mac Donalds. Ugh! haha Here are a few photos I shot during their visit:

Hmm..Lip tattoos: Denise Baca (Left), Becci (right) got “AUSTIN” tattooed on the inside of her lip 2 years ago her first visit to America, and TX, and first tattoo ever

Dustin needed a souvenir tattoo from TX also..Another fine piece of artwork by our friend Mo Malone from Triple Crown Tattoo here in Austin

Germans in Austin……Homemade quesadillas a la Nina Burrito

Why Germans should listen to me when I tell them to put on sunblock..

In America, you only need about $40 and a valid ID or passport to shoot guns..in Germany, guns are strictly for military and law enforcement.

Yep, then after Becci and Dustin’s visit, Tomas Fuentes super nice kid from Chile came to Austin on his way to Woodward West to hang with Coco Zurita. Here is a photo I shot of Tomas at our friend Morgan’s (frenchie)’s back yard..

Aside from trying to show people around Austin, shooting pics, and riding, I have been keeping busy, working on a little video edit for one of my sponsors, Freegun Underwear. I am trying to get some local bands to let me use their song for it, which I think will work out great because I love to support the homies, and Freegun prefers I use music that is “cleared” to use. Once I get that sorted, should have a nice little edit out in no time 🙂

A few holidays passed since my last update, including Flag Day, June 14th, which also happens to be my birthday! It’s been a few years since I’ve had a new frame, I even sanded the paint off and clear coated it to buy myself sometime to maybe get a new one, but it never came. So in the end, Stoney bought me a T-1 “Ruben” frame, and it looks sweet and feels amazing! The specs are pretty similar to what I was running but it has a more laid back head tube angle, 74 degrees instead of 75, I can’t believe I notice that much of a difference! It’s only been a few weeks, so far so good, I forgot how exciting it is to build up a new frame! Thanks Stoney!! Huge thank you to Afro Pat for being a good friend, and “get shit done” homie, and Hanson Little at Empire for helping me put this together..seriously, thank you both so much, and Joe Rich for helping Stoney figure out what frame to get me as a surprise. I am so lucky to have so many good friends here in Austin!

Oh yeah, so in the midst of all of these changes, my friend Mo and I decided to take a Motorcyle safety course so we could get our “M” endorsement on our TX drivers license, a requirement in order to take the test here in TX. We opted for Total Rider school’s Basic course since they offered it earlier in the week. I couldn’t afford to take off a weekend from work since the 3-day course was from 6am-noon. Our instructor goes by “Uncle Mullet” and if you ever need to renew your motorcycle license and would like to be entertained while you get informed, this is the guy to go to. I sent these photos to a few family members who agree that they would rather my new hobby be “Basket weaving,” (which incase you didn’t realize, it’s a lot safer).

Mo Malone and I with “Uncle Mullet”

The course still went on “RAIN OR SHINE” and so we went the poor man’s rain gear route and picked up some “fresh” trash bags haha, actually held up pretty good all things considered.

the fleet of Kawaski Eliminators, I think they were 125 cc’s..nothing crazy but super fun!

And we completed our course! We mastered the parking lot! My friend Tom, “Tom 516” from Long Island lives here in Austin now helped us out, threw a new front tire on the Honda we have been trying to get on the road. I bought some side mirrors, we got the timing adjusted, and now whenever we have some extra $, ‘can take it to get inspected, and registered so we can finally go on some rides!!! Yay!! Here she is pre-new front tire and mirrors.

In addition to new bikes, motorcycle education and parts, I invested some birthday cash into a portable radio I call the “ghetto blaster” that uses the same battery as my drill and is rechargeable! Woo!! This little thing kicks so much ass! Took it to San Marcos park on 4th of July for a session before work, and it got everyone at the park going! It was about 100degrees out, no shade, but the jams kept everyone’s energy in the bowl and gave everyone a boost to keep the session going; I love this thing:

I have been loving life, and appreciating everyone I have in it, my friend Adrianne just had another birthday, her and I lived together in Arlington, TX at one point circa 2005 and have had so many laughs! Cheers to many more! Shot from birthday dinner at Bouldin Creek, babe-fest..

Oh and even though I had to work, you better believe that I was cheering for the annual Nathan’s International Hot Dog eating Championship, held every 4th of july in Coney Island, NY! Reigning champion, Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, ate 69 hot dogs for the win this year in the mens division and Sonia “the Black Widow” Thomas ate 36 3/4 hot dogs for the ladies title. HA! That’s a lot of freakin dogs people! Screen shot of the TV from the preliminary..

All of this excitement, and then a trip home to Long Island to see family and good friends?!!! SO RAD!!!! I broke down my bike and flew home with it, july 5th to try to catch a family gathering, my mom and her sisters at our cousin’s place in East Hampton. Unfortunately, one of my aunt’s wasn’t feeling well and they left a few hours before I got there, but mom and I made the best of this beautiful place to ourselves, played scrabble and swam laps in the pool.

I almost forgot how beautiful Long Island is, driving passed all of the wine vineyards, farms and lush green caves of trees..and then there’s the BEACH! and the pizza, and the bagels, delis, lots of family and some of my best friends ever! Here are some photos from the trip, I got to see Steph and Sam, hang out with Biscuit (Mom’s dog aka my bro-ski), :

tar beach (Marie’s rooftop in flushing), dinner at moms, Point Lookout (a lot smaller since Sandy)..

Point Lookout with mom and ice cream <3, and a different beach day with aunt diane, aunt janette, marie, cousins nick and alex

Marie’s crazy Fish ornament, haha we had a blast

Got to shred some BMX while I was home, great session joined by Thad, Dave Hall, Darryl Nau, and Jimmy at Owl’s Head skatepark in Bay Ridge, we rode as long as we could in the rain until the ramps just got too wet.

I also had the pleasure of attending my cousin Laura’s engagement party, congrats Laura and Joey! Dad, Dana and I and we danced our bums off ha or as dad says, “we cut the rug.”

My buddy Brian Kaminsky hit me up on his way back from the beach threw my bike in the back of his truck with the surfboards and we went to visit the “Boondocks” some Long Island trails. Got to catch up with Chris Hald and Darryl Nau and helped dig for a few hours.

Got to spend time with little sister, Tami ha she is 14 and almost at tall as me now!

And I finally got to meet my friend Dave and Lauren’s baby, Penelope! They are having a destination wedding in 2 weeks in Mexico, Unfortunately I won’t be able to attend, but we had dinner and then a nice evening of ping pong, skeeball, and Cinnabags, a signature cocktail at the Tender Trap in Brooklyn joined by John Lynn and Thad and even ran into “Wormz!” as he rode by, haven’t seen him in forever!

I also got to see Nana and Aunt Terry before my trip ended, it made my trip to see you both! Dang! I wish I had more time!! At least I got to see my friend Tara and her boyfriend Adam, they are still relocated since Hurricane Sandy, holding up alright in their temporary spot until they get their place back together or find a new one. I made a pit stop to see Pete Miranda, better known as “Pistol Pete” and his lady and family who live right by my dad for a hot minute on my way home from the trails. Ah!!! And then there’s Chris Rubinich!!! Unfortunately I missed out on getting to see his son Joseph,nor did I catch his lady this trip, (she has a wild schedule nursing school and work) but he filled me in. My friends are the best, catching up like we didnt miss a beat, embracing whatever short time we have. Everyone is doing as good as they can be, and that makes me feel at ease. Smiles for miles, I made it home safe, and eventually so did my bike and the bagels! I miss you all already, thank you mom and chris, dad and dana, and marie for driving me around and feeding me lots of NY delicacies. Until next time……..