Dear New Look Family,            

       As I looked at the magnificent sky aboard a Delta airplane, I shook my head in disbelief.  The fluffy clouds, the sun’s rays bouncing off the icy waters below, the microscopic cars and buildings were views that I never observed; I never stayed awake on a plane. The inquisitive mind may wonder why I chose to stay alert on this plane ride. I braced my seat for landing at Washington Dulles Airport. I met Mia aka Couture inside the airport as we took a brief dash to  baggage claim. Mia tapped my shoulder , “ Chantia, you don’t know who that is?” I glanced at this familiar face in a wheelchair. I had no idea. Mia again with a strange face said “GEORGE CLINTON!” I sat down next to Clinton’s manager during the brief dash in a mobile train inside the airport.  I was able to exchange my ideas and thoughts about the Clinton who sang Ow, we want the funk ,Give up the funk Ow, we need the funk We gotta have that funk with the Parliament. The afternoon became brighter as I stood next to Clinton with a camera flashlight striking our faces.

                The taxi ride was very interesting. We took an estimated 71 dollar ride from Washington Dulles Airport to Washington, D.C. Our scenic ride to Hotel Palomar on P Street was breathtaking. We saw the Arlington National Cemetery, the Washington Monument, the Capitol Building, and fabulous signs directing one to prestigious schools like George Mason University, Howard University, and George Washington University. Indeed Washington, D.C. was full of action. Cars were anxious to get to their destination, people were walking with their heads in all directions, the air was brisk, the waters of the Potomac River were half frozen from the frigid temperatures, the street vendors screamed “Get your Obama bookmarks, towels, pins, hats, shirts !” It was chaotic beauty. There was an adrenaline rush. Washington ,D.C. has its unique style. The parallel (east/west) streets range from A (Madison) to W Street. Isn’t that cool? Well The best Alphabet Street was M Street; Let me repeat M STREET. Various stores ranged from H&M, Burberry, Express, Aldo’s, J.Crew and countless others. Also the eateries were abundant. M Street was the heart of Washington, D.C. Finally the taxi turned in front of Hotel Palomar.

                Hotel Palomar: a luxurious boutique hotel in downtown D.C. near Dupunt Circle. Our room in this hotel came with lovely artwork, plush cheetah robes, a fur throw, various pillows, flat iron, a “32 LG Flat screen, a queen bed, a fabulous bathroom with special soaps and shampoos , wireless Internet service, daily newspapers, and other lovely amenities. The paradise room was unbelievable. Reality set in when Mia called Supa, Dewey, and me for a briefing; Mia went over the itinerary and our responsibilities for representing the New Look Foundation in the best light.

                After dinner at Fiore: Italian cuisine, we prepared for the night festivities. Club  930 threw a fabulous event for Mayor Fenty, the mayor of Washington DC. Interestingly, we were stamped at the entrance as under 21 persons (Supa, Dewey, Mia and me); NO DRINKING ALLOWED. Godfather was our supervisor for the night. We were able to mingle with many prominent people. I truly enjoyed standing by Usher Raymond IV and Godfather aka Shawn Wilson  in a backstage room as I shared my involvement with Usher’s New Look Foundation  to Mayor Fenty. We jammed to live performances from TI aka TIP, Wyclef Jean, and the Fall Out Boys. One of my memorable events was standing in front of the Club 930 crowd with Supa, Dewey, and Couture  as Usher spoke about his involvement with politics, particularly the registration rally ,“I Can’t ,But U Can”, with his New Look Foundation. Before we left, I surprisingly spoke with Maria Shriver, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s wife ; “Hello, My name is Chantia Robinson. I am here with Usher’s New Look Foundation!” with a contagious smile on my face.

PS. Stay Tuned for two more blogs: A New Look in DC 1/19 and 1/20!!!!!!!!

Chantia Robinson