About Me

A Woman of Dignity & Grace

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Daddy To Be Bites the Dust....Only 15

What can you say

A 15 year old who served a year in a juvenile detention center, daddy to be was shot dead on the streets of Brooklyn. His family said he was changing..."he stopped wearing baggy clothes and began wearing button up shirts". He had a job and was looking forward to going to high school this year. This has become the norm... death, teen pregnancy, incarceration, increased dropout rates, and broken families. Who's responsible for this? The parents, government, schools, our neighbors, social workers... the list can be endless. I'm sorry tired and this is a never ending circle.

Who loses here the
  1. unborn child
  2. the mother of the unborn child
  3. the parents of the unborn child
  4. the teachers & social worker that may need to provide assistance to the unborn child
  5. A parent (s) lost a child
  6. the shooter if caught loses his life behind bars
  7. the neighborhood where this unborn child may live one day

I guess we all do but some of us will never see it that way. Just some stuff on my mind....

Thursday, August 20, 2009

New York New York...The Park In the Sky Welcome To The High Line Park

New Yorkers were the best at taking this lovely city for granted. New York has so much to offer, you can ask the 44 - 47 million people who visit each year. I've had the pleasure of doing a little site touring around this wonderful city. From my previous post you can see that I went to check out the "Writing on the Wall at the MoMA" which was fantastic. When I left the museum I strolled up 5th Avenue then over to Lexington. The one thing I can say and I am happy about that I don't have to walk with a map in hand- just my camera.

I've been bitten by the bug and I want to thank T.O.N.Y for providing me with the cool, cheap, fun and must see/do things to do in NYC. If you are a visitor to the city, I suggest picking up the latest magazine at one of our many friendly newsstands around the city- trust me it will be $4.00 well spent (don't pay more for it) you'll be happy you did.

My next venture was to the park in the sky....no serious you are in the sky about 30 feet. The park is situated on an old elevated cargo rail that's located on the West Side of Manhattan in the Meatpacking District (20th btwn 10th & 11th). Easily assessable by the A/C/E/L to 14th Street and 8th Avenue; M14 bus to 14th Street and 9th Avenue. The park opened to the public June 9, 2009. There will be serveral phases but now the first phase is open which extends from Gansevoort Street to 20th Street. The last cargo train that ran on this track was in 1980 pulling frozen turkeys.

One bright sunny Friday after work I chugged myself to the west side to see the High Line. First I stopped at the grocery store and got a water and a fruit salad. It was breath taking - without leaving NYC...and free (just how I like it). As I walk the uneven paved walkway to my left was the sun over the Hudson River and New Jersey and to my right was the busy streets of NYC. Snuggled 30 feet above was me standing in the High Line. I walked. I took photos. I sunbathed while listening to Maxwell, ate fruit and chilled. Look at the pics my eyes captured. Try to get there the park is open from 7am to 10 pm.





Friday, August 14, 2009

A Review or Reflection of NYC Blackout 2003


Review

Last week I watched the movie Blackout that I rented from Netflix. You know how things just fall into place the movie just happened to up there on my que list so I watched I not really thinking the six year anniversary of the NYC Blackout was approaching.


The movie Blackout written and directed by Jerry Lamothe and was a little taken by surprise because yes the overall plot is the eruption New Yorkers suffered during the August 2003 blackout. The subplot here was how a particular community was affected on this very day that began like any ordinary day. The cast (Melvin Van Peebles, Zoe Salanda and Saul Rubinek) too much of my surprise were well known and others were some I’ve seen on HBO series. The cast did not make the film and could have been done with actors/actress’s who were less known and had the same effect. I say that because most of these events were just part of a daily routine and didn’t take any real dramatic effects. Some of the plot I was able to predict but that by no means took away from the film at all.


Reflection


While I watched the film it brought me back to August 14 2003 , where I was fooling around at work on my computer and suddenly my computer shut off. I now only know the time was 4:19p from reports but then I would’ve said almost 4:30 because I had one foot out of the door. I was the only one in the office so I locked up. I walked down 5 flights of stairs and headed out the building. It was only there I was told by a passerby that the blackout affected more than my crappy office building but the entire east coast. I walked my same routine to the bus stop and boarded. Thankfully that was the first stop so I landed a seat by the window and watched how the South Bronx proceeded to crumble like a balled up loose-leaf. People crammed through the front and back doors of the bus simultaneously. The air was pulled in all directions and replaced by beads of sweat. The bus kept moving. People were moving everywhere. Finally, my stop - my neighborhood resembles the Brooklyn neighborhood in this film… more so with the various skin tones, store owners, and customers. I greeted the two older ladies who were standing in front of my building. I looked over to the young mother with the baby in her arms and the baby stroller at her side and ask her if she needed help. She said no and that she rather wait for the elevator. I held my keys in my hand as I pushed open the main door. I was slapped with the dry hot darkness. I took off my shoes and stuffed them my purse. My hands became my guides as I felt along the walls in search of the door to the stairwell. I remember counting every two flights is equal to one floor. I wasn’t really worried about stepping in urine or feces as I trailed up to the 4th floor but my feet were covered with dirt and dust. It could’ve been worse. I felt like I was playing a game of blind man bluff with no blindfold. I remember not being able to see my hands in front of me. I knocked on the door and called out “Ashanti’s name” “It’s me mommy”. She had no clue to what happen all she knew was that her program on Nickelodeon shut off. She thought I didn’t pay the cable bill until she realized the air conditioner went off.


It was about six o’clock then and lights were still light out. I explained to her the lights will be on soon and the entire west coast is affected. We grab our flashlights, candles and batteries and placed everything in the center of the living room. We went down the stairs to check on some family members who lived nearby.


Continued Reflection


Eight O’clock were back in our apartment to get ready for this delightful evening. To be honest we had everything we needed and our plans were to sleep on the living room floor. We had each other and this brings me to the movie after sunset…most people went home to their apartments to wait but some took this for an opportunity to loot and riot. That evening we were thrown in uncontrollable situation in which the only control we had was over ourselves. Fortunately the lights and power in my area was back on at 8:15 that evening. Unfortunately we did sleep together that evening and continued with our normal functions. I didn’t witness the looting or the riots or the hate the hovered some neighborhoods in my city. This film showed me and America what we didn’t see.


Fact


In NYC that day there were six fatalities reported. Two were deaths from carbon monoxide, two from fire, and one as a result of a fall from a roof while breaking into a shoe store, and one man died of a heart attack in his neighbor's apartment after climbing the 17 flights to their floor.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

How to Practice Easy Healthy Habits in the Office

How to Practice Easy Healthy Habits in the Office

Shared via AddThis

Honoring Andy Kessler's Life & Passion

This morning while I was getting ready for work I overheard a story of Andy Kessler who was guy who had a passion for skateboarding. He was responsible for creating the skateboard scene in NYC. During his plight, he attended public hearings and fought for what he believed in - that NYC needed skate parks and skateboard areas.

This entry is not really about skateboarding at all - see Andy died at the age of 49 from an allergic reaction to a hornet sting. I never knew the legendary skateboarder personally but my admiration for him is now profound. He was able to take a passion of his and open it to the masses. I'm not sure if he was credited for how he changed the NYC skateboarding scene while he was alive but he now receives the respect from fellow boarders young and old. Some of the benefited from skate parks are Riverside Park and Pier 20 on the Hudson and even in areas in Brooklyn this is all due to Andy Kessler passion, drive and hard work.

Then I began to reflect on my own passions....if I was to die today what legacy would I leave behind? What would they say about me at my funeral? My obituary would say what? This may be a bit much for some people to digest but I'm not thinking about my death but about did I live my passion while I was here. What did I share with others? How many hearts did I touch? Just think about it and you can decide if your cool with they way you living your life and if suddenly you were to die now you've lived your life to the fullest. If not, guess what you can begin right now to touch a life, a heart, a person... Leave your legacy.

This moment of honoring Andy Kessler has once again made me reflect on my life.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Sharron's Observations

A white haired bushy bearded old man got on the train. He took a few steps in and slowly turned his head left then right until he spotted a seat to rest his old withered bones. His hands cupped the old pine chipped wooden cane as he hung it over his left arm. He bent over a little and tapped the young man on his knee. The young man continued to sway his head back and forth never once looking up at the old man. The old man stepped in a little closer and tapped the young man again. He looked up. With his wrinkled right hand he motion for him to slide over as he pointed to the space that would relieve his tired old body.
“Nah, I can’t move”, yelled the young man. The old man tilted his head as he sunk into his skin. His shoulders fell and his fingers pointed to the floor. His skin looked as if it was too heavy for his frail body to hold. The train began to move slowly at first, then fast and faster. All of a sudden the train made a loud piercing screech. The floor vibrated and floor rumbled until it came to a complete stop. The white haired bushy bearded old man flew down the aisle nonstop until his head crashed into the pole. His plastic teeth landed near the base of the train doors. His cane fell into the lap of the young man. His maroon blood seeped from his torn forehead onto the black, red, white and purple spotted floor.
The silence was broken by, “we are temporarily delayed and will be moving shortly. We are sorry for the inconvenience” said the computerized voice over the speaker.

This is only a story and the events are untrue.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Not Our Ordinary Cops & Robbers

Yesterday afternoon I while unpacked my groceries from my car, I noticed three boys playing rather roughly.I thought they were teaming up on the one boy. At first I thought to keep my mouth shut but it was really beginning to bothering me. It seemed as if they were beating the boy up. I couldn't stand it anymore. The two boys one being shorter than the other threw the slightly rounded boy onto the ground and then to a parked car. Both boys took turns slapping the rounded boy in the head. In my mind I said that couldn't be my son- playing or no playing. I couldn't take my eyes of them - the rounded boy tried to make a run for it but he was caught by his fifth or so step. Then they flung him to the car again. At this point I had had enough.

I said," Why do y'all keep hitting shorty like that" although he wasn't the shortest of the three but that's the name I gave him.

The shortest one responded "Were cops". I paused before I responded - with no real comeback I said "Is that what cops do?"

I'm not sure if that was a question for them or me- but America should pay close attention. The game of cops and robbers is new and improved. Later that evening I couldn't stop thinking about what I had witnessed and the fact it left me for a loss for words. What do you think I should have done? Maybe nothing like I did.....

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Writings on the Wall at the MoMA...

Yesterday I had a date with myself at the MoMA(Museum of Modern Art). It was great! First of all let me mention - I wasn't late, didn't get lost and I wasn't taken back by the block long line to get in- that there had the making of a good date already.
The first exhibit I ventured to was by a Beijing artist Song Dong named "Projects 90 - Waste Not" his mother saved over 50 years of stuff in her home which was like a Chinese survival tactic. The items varied from pots, used toothpaste tubes, empty soda containers, shoes with boxes and any and everything you can think of that's in your home right now. I trailed through this vivid collection taking in all the items. Some of them were made before I was born. I followed the crowd to a huge white rectangular room. The lower middle of the walls were covered with names and dates in black ink. I joined the
line and kept thinking how crazy is this. There were names, heights and dates all complied on top of each other-
Now that's art I kept thinking....
















I continued to see the various exhibits such at the architecture & design, photography and painting & sculpture-from Picasso, Matisse, van Gogh to Warhol... yes I seen the Campbell Soup & the Gold Marilyn Monroe paintings - I learned there are 32 separate canvas Campbell Soup paintings and Andy was originally going to sell them individually but he didn't....I think it's more of an impact together.


Then there was the Architecture & Justice Million Dollar Black Project 2006 by some graduate students from Columbia University. This was a study done in Brownsville, Brooklyn (NYC). Take a look at the red in the map - that represents over a million dollars of costs that was paid to imprison the people in this particular area. This is only Brownsville. There was a monitor of a running list of people who was imprisoned in Brownsville and how much jail time they had. As I stood there I looked over to a brother, we gave each other that look and snapped photos like it was for show and tell.

Overall I had a great time and I would definitely do it again. The Museum of Modern Art is located 11 West 53rd Street New York, NY 10019 or MoMA.org or 212-708-9400. Oh thanks to Target for running the Free Fridays event from 4p-8p. This is suitable for older children (13 & up) or younger you know your child(ren) -Strollers are permitted. They have cafes throughout, outside lounge and seating inside.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

It's Great At Great Wolf & Energy Efficient

We decided to take the family of a little weekend vacation to the GWL in Scotrun, Pennsylvania this weekend. This place is probably every kids dream. There is an indoor huge water park, outdoor pool, arcade and a magical treasure hunt through out the property and this is surrounded all by mountains. The easy travel from NYC seems effortless. I must mention the cost is costly but I tried to offset some money by bringing snacks, breakfast and various beverages. It saves a little so you can spend more I guess. Lunch for 5 was $50 bucks and we went to Friendly's for dinner for a mere $80 for 6.

Today's going to be fun in the sun. I plan on taking the kids to a candy/pretzel factory this afternoon but before that it'll be water and after more water, water, water.

I almost didn't mention the boarding- we have a grizzly suite that can fit 6 very comfortable. You can almost guess what the decor is wood, plaid greens and blues. Oh, and the property is energy efficient - I guess that would only make sense. I only makes me wonder if this huge property can partake on saving energy for our planet than so can we!!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Really Sticking With It

How many times do you say you really want to do this or that and even take the energy to begin but then drop it like a hot potato. I know I suffer from this to a little too often (I think). This is something that I would like to change and I know I can. They say it takes 21 days to adapt to a new habit so I figure when I want to try something like going to the gym or writing daily then I need to do it for 21 days straight without stopping. I pledge to do the following:
  1. Every morning write in my journal or an blog entry

  2. Create a list of writing ideas and add one or more per day

  3. Do not the a day pass that I do not write

Since my passion is writing then this should be very a very easy for me to do. Also in order to become a profession at anything you need to do it at least 10,000 times. If I keep thinking writing I will write more.


Thursday, July 2, 2009

Just Things On My Mind...

Like thanks to Sadie from Sephora who is now at Henri Bendel's for hooking up my brows the other day-She is definitely a sweetheart. Keep making us ladies into Divas.

Oh did you see the BET Awards? I'm late on commenting on it but who cares... Thought is was ok considering the changes at the final minute. RIP MJ-We will Always Love You.

All six of New Editions members performed- it looked like that hadn't happened in years or that they practiced. Mrs. Beyonce Knowles Carter should have sung a MJ classic. The last time she sung that song they tore a hole in her behind (Christmas tree lighting at RF Center NYC). She deserves another hole in her butt. Just because we KNOW she can do better. Tyrese & Ne-yo tore it down but my ultimate was H ta O ta V- that's right HOV and the video was sick- for all those who don't know Jay never cuts his hair when he recording an album. So you know what that means Blueprint 3 is complete- really this is for the 30 something hip hop heads (me) only.

Today is like my Friday because I'm off tomorrow - I've officially began watching the clock 2 more to go and I'm out...

Tomorrow I want to wake up (God willing) and sit on the porch with my coffee, laptop and my book for the entire morning. Oh- Jr has a summer packet to complete so we are going to knock the whole thing out tomorrow (I convinced him).

What else is on my mind Saturday the pool, BBQ and fireworks from the Jersey side of the Hudson- should be nice. Sunday chill out and let Monday roll in....

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Miguel Pinero



I blindly picked a movie from the Netflix Que- Pinero within the first five seconds of the film I Googled his name cause at that moment I felt the life and connection from him. A writer he was and his stuff was good- he was also a junkie, a thief and an ex-con- which all made him a better writer. Writers have to write what you know; that's when it's good and flows through your veins to paper- that's good shit. He also co founded the Nuyorican's Poets Cafe (of course LES). Nuyorican's



It was about a true story of the late Latino poet-playwright-actor Miguel Pinero, whose creative and turbulent life was cut short at the age of 40. His
life was a study in contrasts: a Tony Award nominee who did time at Sing-Sing, a volatile urban poet whose work is recognized as a precursor to rap and hip-hop, and a writer of hit TV shows



Like everything in life - I select this DVD for a reason. I'm inspired to add him to my 50 books to read this year( I'll provide and update soon) He was good - very good!!



I'm inspired...

Monday, June 29, 2009

Saturday was Mommie and Son Day

What is the first thing you think we did- yup Gamestop he traded in some old games and got 2 new games. So, I asked Jr. what was next on our list- To see Transformers for the second time. I had to remind him that the movie was 144 minutes long and we hadn't eaten lunch yet. We stopped by the theater to check the times for the show and decided we would go to the 6:40 show. Which gave us plenty of time to drive out to Friendly's for some burgers and ice cream. While we were waiting we talked about his school year and he felt he didn't do his best and he said he knew what he need to do for 7th grade. We also agreed that he should work in his math book during the summer because he realized math was not his best subject. Suddenly he realized we had plenty of time before the movie (1hour). So he proceeded to make a plan. You got it - we should stop home first so he can get in a game or two then go to the movies. I looked at my watch and said we don't have that much time - so he didn't order desert and looked at me like I should do the same. Sorry Charlie....I drove 20 minutes not for a burger but for a burger and ice cream. He watched me eat and he watched the time bailey pass by. After I finished my pistachio and butter crunch sundae we headed to the theater and that was when Jr. wanted to know what was we going to do a whole 30 minutes before the movie start- wait, I said. Low and behold when we arrived to the theater there was a show at 6:10 - so there was our whole 30 minute wait.

The Transformers movie was great- this was my first time seeing it and his second and he realized somethings this time around that he didn't notice before. We got home about 9:15 and yes he played his games.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Get That Fire Going & Keep It Going

In the kitchen in my office, I watched a co-worker tenderly slice a lemon. His moves were so precise and gentle. I don't remember saying anything to him but he did noticed me watching him and then shared with me that in his home town Russia, lemons were a delicacy and that he could only buy lemons for his family around the holidays. He remembered the lines wrapping around the corners and the horrific weather he endured while on line for hours for the limit three lemons per family.

Today I walked into the kitchen to see him gently carving a lemon for his afternoon tea. I smiled and drifted to thought....He's been in this country for years now and his desire for lemons is as strong as it was a delicacy during the holidays in Russia.

What is it that I desired that was so difficult for me to get and now I have it at my fingertips? Does my passion still remains? Of course I thought about my children and my honey but what I really mean is something tangible, maybe something I worked so hard to get and now I have it - I think that is my college degree. I still have not received it in my hand but when I called the school they said in a few weeks. Yeah, my degree, but I want to keep that fire going and desire more things.... Can you imagine?

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Saturday A Great Time to Update My Blog

so this is my first post in a longtime. so many things has happened that I really don't know where to begin but i think i'm going to break it down on a month to month basis. let's see my last post was in march and now it is june- june 6 to be exact oh &*^% i was married on this day 11 year. ok that's enough energy in that direction shall we move on.

all of march i was raising money and awareness for the march of dimes march for babies. see i was my companies team leader- so i rallied our employees together in the different offices to participate in bake sales and candy sales to raise funds. in the mist of the we had bring your children to work day in which i was also in headed that event. the march of dimes march for babies walk was held on april 26 in lincoln center and we raised collectively $14,000. i raised alone almost $3,000. i love this charity- my family and i walked for the past four years.

oh also in march and may had some acupunture done on my ears for relaxation- loved it. every other month they have happy hour for $15 for 30 minutes of acupuncture for your ears.

then toward the end of april i volunteered for tribeca film festival (4th year) it was great but because i have a job i wasn't able to devote as much time as i would have liked to the festival- shoot i wasn't even able to view any of the free movies that they offer to the volunteers- so i gave my tickets away to some the other volunteers to enjoy. the festival began in the wake of 911 by R. D`eniro to give us NYer's a since of hope in a time of despair. during the first year a tremendous amount of people from all walks of life volunteered their time.

so now where in may and sometime in let's say second week of april i decided to give my daughter a sweet sixteen party on mother day's- no really this year her b-day fell on mother's day. so i quickly designed invites, t-shirts, candles & holders, bags for the t-shirts, party list and not to mention dressed the birthday girl. the party was held in harlem lanes and all i had to do was set a few tables and they did everything else.

so now that brings us to end of may - i had my first barbecue on the sunday before memorial day - it was very successful; of course i began preparing the food 6 days in advance but that's what make real bbq i suppose.

i guess we should be in june now right? i figured i would start posting today because right now honey and I are on vaca in ocean city, md at fager's island and our view is the bay through big bay windows. it is as serene and peaceful as you can image that i couldn't think of anything else to do but write.

as i sit looking out into they bay I hear a buzz so i jump and fan my ear to realize its only my damn blackberry vibrating. I smile and look over to my honey who's probably in his 10th dream in sneaker heaven to make sure he did just see my awkward moment. i stare at my bb for a moment then reached over for it. its from a blog that i subscribe to and the post for the day is "weekend is here...perfect time to get your blog in order"- i rest my head back on the pillow, look out at the bay and smile......






Saturday, March 28, 2009

Don't Let This Day Go To Waste


Another blessed day- it's a lazy Saturday and we are going enjoy it at the Liberty Science Center (I love that place) have lunch and end the day early. Before we begin our day I'm going to work it out at the gym to build my energy up.


To those who will stay in and watch movies- enjoy. Don't let this beautiful day go to waste!

Friday, March 27, 2009

Call Me Crazy-Dairy of a Mad Social Worker




This one women’s show was great-written and performed by Helena D. Lewis. Helena let us into her work of being an overworked and underpaid social worker. It began when she graduated from college with a degree in biology; she landed her first gig at a drug treatment center teaching HIV/AIDS awareness classes. She moved on to working with men with HIV, prostitutes , women in halfway homes, teaching male inmates about HIV and sex education in the New Jersey Correctional Facility – She is as young as 27 and no older than 32. Can you imagine? She had been followed home, called in on her day off to break-up bloody fights, walked to the track to take ladies home and held her tongue due to patient confidentiality to significant others who’s lovers where infected with HIV.
Helena mastered over 25 different characters she met in her line of work. She shook us with laughter and almost brought us to tears. She laced her performance with skits of her bone chilling poetry that left you understanding her plight- she slowly lost her older brother to HIV and her younger brother to drugs and the streets.
Her story was sincere, intimate and real. I gave it 3 snaps and a twist of the head. We’ll definitely see Ms. Helena either on the stage or the big screen.
It was an excellent way to spend time with my sister-friends. The play was at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe and we followed it with a great Thai dinner in this wonderful restaurant around the corner.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf


This is a stage play by Ntozake Shange written in 1976 and was performed in California and New York. In 1977 it was published as a book. I read this book when I was ten years old and all I remembered was the women had names of colors like the rainbow, Lady in Purple, Lady in Orange, Lady in Brown, Lady in Green and Lady in Red each one holding a poetic message for the black female experience.
I recently ordered the DVD from Netflix and viewed it with my 15 year old daughter. We laughed, we cried and held silence both of us as our memories or other peoples stories appeared before our eyes. It was a collection of over 20 poems dealing with the issues of rape, abortion, abandonment, domestic abuse, love. Black women trying to find their voices and expressing how the men in their lives treated them.
The final poems was "a laying of hands" that brought all the women together. The Lady in Brown shared with the others and us how she has found God in her and she loves her fiercely. (Deep) The cast was amazing and fabulously beautiful which consisted of Alfe Woodard, Lynn Whitfield and others. The closing song was by Patti Labelle.
Late last year Whoopi Goldberg and others announced Ntozake Shange's play to Broadway and to tour the US for 2 years with Grammy Award winner India Arie in the cast but for reasons unknown as of 11/20/08 the play has been postponed.

We loved it and agreed the issues that was discussed were the same issues women face today. When this wonderful play arrives to Broadway we will be there.



Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Don't get it right, just get it written. -James Thurber

Just get it written-Everyday I when I walk into my home I turn on my computer to check the emails that I may have missed while I travel from work to home. Yes, I do have a blackberry storm but that's only for my personal emails while I'm at work.


That is not what this entry is supposed to be about. While surfing on the web I have a few blogs that I check out on a regular basis because the content is good and worthy like Felicia's blog and My Money Blog which led me to read a comment on Felicia's blog, which led me to Julie' blog - I agreed with Julie totally- I need more hours to read, write and other stuff but I'm not sure if I would actually use it for that purpose. What I did find in Julie's blog was a quote of the day by James Thurber and I clicked and found tons of quotes. Which led me to write something totally different for my blog entry, but on Thurber's site this was the first quote I read:
Don't get it right, just get it written
The moral of this entry is I wanted and planned for many other entries that I believed to be right for my blog entry but never completed and look I just wrote this right- right at this moment that is!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

A Weekend Well Spent!


New York City held Winter Jam 2009 this weekend in East River Park. There was live music, live performances and not to mention tons of free activities for the kids such as snowshoeing, sledding, skiing, a snow sculpture contest. Everything was free even the use of the equipment. Also there were some possible future Olympic snowboarders sliding down 90-foot structures and jumping onto ramps. The market provided warmth for those who needed it and hot cider, apples, yogurt, and other healthy snacks- yup all for Free!!The sun shone bright, the wind was warm as it danced on the East River. There were tons of people, long lines but really what would one expect-I would say it was very orderly. It was a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon with your children. Mayor Bloomberg made a guest appearance to welcome everyone to the Winter Jam 2009.

On Sunday we trotted over to the Jacob Javits Center to support a comic book creator and to look at all the amazing exhibits!! The New York Comic Con which is the second largest pop culture convention in America. If you love superheroes, comic books, toys movies and television this is truly the place for you. A place where you can dress as your favorite person in February and no one will think your weird- in fact you may get an applaud for your attire. There were video game sneak peeks, trivia contest, and movie trailers everything and anything you can imagine. Comic book collectors and collections were on site with the rarest editions to the newest editions.

The weather was wonderful. We were exhibiting quests (free). There was parking in the wonderful (expensive) lots but finding parking on 10th Avenue was far better (free) - What a wonderful weekend spent with the family!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Snowfall

The freshness of new snow still gives me the same feeling as it did when I was a kid. Making new footprints on unmarked territory. My thick soles crunching down on the snow making it's way through the softness until it lands on the hard cement.
Trees holding the white weightless substance that can shut down a city to complete stillness. It falls quietly, small flurries-all different- landing gracfully, soundless and weightless. One by one until it's a huge blanket covering everything it touches.







Enjoy this day. Learn to love the little things in life. It's your right, my right-our right

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

My President is Black

Good Luck and Lots of Love to You and Your Family President Obama!

You have a country of folks who want to help - just lead and we will follow.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Happy Birthday- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.


This is truly a great day!


However you're spending this day be sure to acknowledge Dr. King and his Dream


A change has come as we welcome our President elect Barack Obama into his new position.
There was something Mr. Obama said today that continues to play in my head "if everyone did their jobs to the best of their ability America would be alright". It doesn't matter what job you have - just do it good! Today Mr. Obama was painting the walls in a teen homeless shelter in D.C. -He also would like us Americans to volunteer more- to help those who need a helping hand.
This year I will put forth more effort into volunteering and helping others and in turn it will help me more.
Here is a list to help us help America


Sunday, January 18, 2009

Settlement-Free Cosmetic Giveaway



Not sure if you got the memo or not but there is a cosmetic settlement between several major retailers such as Bergdorf, Bloomingdale's, Macy’s, Saks, Nordstrom and a few others that must giveaway free cosmetics. All class action members who purchased cosmetic goods from the list of retailers during May 29, 1994 through July 16, 2003 are eligible to receive one free cosmetic product valued at $25 from one of the retailers listed.


Click on this link to see the list of product http://www.cosmeticssettlement.com/


The retailers must give away $175M in cosmetics products- of course only while supplies last. The giveaway begins on January 20th and runs through January 27th


Click the links below for more information

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

50 Books This Year

This is not much of goal but more of a must-

There are some books that I believe every human should read at least once in their life.  I will read 50 books this year, that's about a book a week average.  I've completed two books so far
Kite Runner and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, both books were very different, lovely language and great storytelling.  I'm happy to have read these touching pieces of work. 

I'm reading Obama From Promise to Power written by David Mendell.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Procrastination

have you ever wanted to do something but didn't know how to start? this is what kept me from writing since November 20. i thought my first post should be something liberating, special- you know with fireworks. i had plenty ideas come and go but i just couldn't start writing and before you knew it one day turned to two and so on.

so here it is my first post since last year, there's no fireworks or anything special but i'm happy
i did it- finally i kick the procrastination bug on this one

here to 2009 and kicking that damn PROCRASTINATION BUG