Oh, The Places I'll Go!
Hey guys! It’s been a while right, well I have some really big news. I am going to Paris. No not Paris, Texas, but Paris, France. This was not something that I had planned, nor did I know I would receive a blessing that would enable me to go. So, as you all know the first time, I traveled out of the country was this past June to Barcelona, Spain. It was an amazing experience that I would not change for the world, that is way I am so excited.
The reason for traveling to Paris is that I am going to a ball. Yes, a ball, but not the one that you are probably thinking about. I won’t be dressed up in a nice ball gown going to a fancy party. This ball that I am going to is called the Icon Arturo Mugler Ball. The ball I will be going to is a known function that happens in the LGBTQA+ community. The full name of the ball is the Icon Arturo Mugler Presents Somewhere Over the Rainbow Ball. The house that I am apart of has been invited, so we all are traveling over to Paris. Oh, yeah since I know that you are wondering, the house that I am apart of is called the Legendary House of Labejia.
If you haven’t heard of this house, then let me tell you a little history. The House of Labejia is the oldest and most revered house in the New York’s drag and ballroom scene. We compete by strutting down the runway and vogue battling all the while looking glamorous. As we pose while the crowd is roaring, we start to experience a since of freedom, and we become even more confident in our beauty, and femininity. The house was founded in 1977 by the Legendary Queen Crystal Labejia. Soon after the torch was passed down to Pepper Labejia; now our house is run by our beautiful Mother Kia Labejia. The Father of the house is now the Legendary Freddie Labejia.
Being a-part of this house has helped me in so many ways, and I haven’t been a part of the house that long. It all happened when me and my old roommate Trisha went to New York for spring break. We were up there because she had a photo shoot and I used to come along for support, to help, but mostly just watch to see if I could learn the industry. While we were in Soho for her night photo shoot Honey Labejia stopped and saw Trisha posing. Ran over to us and invited us to the Labejia practice. The next day we were there, to be honest I was nervous as hell. I didn’t know if you could tell or not though.
I had just gotten surgery probably about a month and half before this, so I was anxious walking on my legs. Then on top of that I always get a little nervous when in front of a crowd before I can settle in. So, after we introduced ourselves, we started to practice our walk. I have never walked before, so I was nervous as hell. On the other hand, I was also lucky to be surrounded by so many people who had experience. So, as I practiced, I got support that helped boost my confidence. That time was very critical for me, after being injured for 8 months then finally getting my surgery I was really nervous about being on two feet again. After that day though, I had more confidence than I had in a really long time. I loved that feeling and the feeling of being a-part of a home that supports you like that. That’s why I love my house.
Now that you know a little bit about my house and how I got to be a-part of this legendary house let’s get back to Paris. This will be only the second time I will have left the country. In all honesty I was planning on going to Paris with my best friend to visit her family. Then this opportunity came, and I just couldn’t let it pass me by. To be able to experience Paris but also with my house I couldn’t miss that.
I know this is what everyone says but I do really want to see the Eiffel tower, but that’s not all though. I want to see so much of Paris. I won’t be there as long as I was in Spain, but I will be there long enough to be able to go see a lot of stuff. Another place that I want to go to is the Arc De Triumph. I went to the one in Spain, so it is only right that I go to the one in Paris too. Well, that’s my theory at least. That’s just the beginning, there is so much that I want to do it makes me anxious. Then the fact of having to think about packing what I want to wear makes me even more anxious.
This will be a trip of a lifetime and a chance to make more memories. I leave for Paris December 1stand will return on the 11th. Paris here I come!
