True Inspiration.

I am still trying to get over the fact that I was allowed to be in the presence of such greatness....still in AWE! Enjoying my Nikki high :D

Video Above is Mrs.Giovanni Reading :

Deal or No Deal

My class is not sure
That I should apply to Deal or No Deal

They think I am lucky
After all
I am teaching
Them

They know I am smart they are
For example
learning
yet

They don't want to see me
Make those greedy mistakes
And push beyond
The envelope

The banker is neither friend
Nor foe
He's a machine

To think you can beat him
Is to think you will win
At Vegas or love

But I persist

My dream is a red dress
Above my knees
High-heel red sandals
And me coming over the top
The music booming
Hi Howie I will say
With a lovely smile

I don't want to play the game
I want to be it

They were born forty years after me
Yet I am younger

I know you cannot go
Through life
Unless you are willing
For love or money
To make a fool
Of yourself

Where else does the ecstasy
lie

Everything Good is SimpleEverything good is simple: a soft-boiled egg...toast fresh from the oven with a part of butter swimming in the center...steam off a cup of black coffee...John Coltrane bringing me "Violets for My Furs"

Most simple things are good: Lines on a yellow legal pad...dimples defining a smile...a square of gray cashmere that can be a scarf...Miles Davis Kind of Blue

Some things clear are complicated: believing in a religion...trying to be a good person...getting rid of folk who depress you...Horace Silver Blowing the Blues Away

Complicated things can be clear: Dvorak's New World Symphony...Alvin Ailey's Revelations...Mae Jemison's ride in space...Mingus Live at Carnegie Hall

All things good are good: poetry...patience..a ripe tomato on the vine...a bat in flight..the new moon...me in your arms...things like that




Mrs.Giovanni Reading: Migrations

Space, Sun, N.Giovanni

On my Nikki Giovanni high I can't stop from sharing the goodness.....

From Blues :For All The Changes


Sound in Space

It's as if you've been invited to the White House and you know you are going to smile so you want your teeth to be bright and you brush and brush but because you have a partial plate you are mostly brushing your gums and quite naturally since you want to look fabulous and make the first lady green with envy because you have on your only designer suit and a blouse that if you were honest you actually cant afford but the girl in Saks was so nice and the girl who approved the charge heard the panic in your voice and she, after all, had never been invited to the White House and what's more probably never would be so she said: "Why, yes" I will approve this charge but do you think you might want to pay us something this month and you said: "Absolutely" because you do want to pay something it's just that Saks runs up against Nordstrom's and Neiman Marcus not to mention food and shelter so yes absolutely you want to but maybe you will and maybe you can't and that's what's so hard for people to understand...that distance between want and able, you know? and that's what we need to talk about

So, of course, I remember Lena Horne singing "Polka Dots and Moonbeams" and my Grandmother being totally delighted with the RCA Victor TV and her saying to Grandpapa: "We better get Nikki up because Lena Horne is on TV" and me not quite knowing who Lena Horne was at that point though now recognizing that she is a great lady who fought long and hard for Civil Rights who is also a lady of Delta Sigma Theta and who looks so fabulous in Gap jeans that all the world now wants to be eighty years old and look that good so The Gap was very smart to ask to photograph Lena in those jeans and who was very kind to me when I began my career and who has remained very kind but that is not the point of her being on TV when very few Black people were on television whether or not they were very talented and haven't we come a long way though quite naturally we have a bit of a way to go but my grandmother , you see, always said : If you earn a dollar save a dime and its not that my grandfather in any way disagreed but he was more casual about needing and having so I'm sure it was Grandmother who saved for the RCA Victor TV and even at that I have to acknowledge that she was so intrigued with Nipper that even if it had done nothing more than show the dog responding to "His Master's Voice" Grandmother would have thought she had made a good purchase though the TV also bought us Lena Horne so Grandmother was a believer and so am I and that too is a bit off the point only because it was Billie Holiday who sang the definitive " I Wished on the Moon ( for something I never knew)" and to hear her sing like even though because of dumb restrictive drug rules that punished some people for some drugs though not others for other she would never be on television which was a total loss to those of us who wished on the moon while observing strange fruits that travel light and we knew hearing Holiday moan that the moon granted wishes so I started singing thinking if I could throw a note high enough and strong enough there would be the possibility that it would be heard somewhere in space and that is what I want to talk about here

Science teaches us that there is no sound in space and I think that's hogwash because if there is no sound in space how will all those wishes get up to the moon and anyone with an ounce of sense knows science fiction is much better than science fact because science fact tried to prove things like Thomas Jefferson wasn't diddling Sally Hemmings and everybody knows people diddle people all the time especially when they can't say no so yes there is sound in space and a large part of it says: I love you in a lot of different ways and when the language is unknown to the hearer other people say things like that is gibberish but love can never be gibberish....foolish for sure...silly you bet but the basis of all relationships is love which is then followed by trust and not the other way around because if trust was the basis there would be world peace and safe international travel but what I want to point out since it is always so important to do something useful is that you should, quite naturally, floss and nickels and dimes have a relationship with dollars and sense but not halves and quarters and machines that tell you deposit more money and Good Luck when it isn't luck that you need but better science which can explain how and why when all it said and done we are left with this density that forces us to recognize the Eagle Nebula is falling into itself and will one day be a planet though mostly we will not be around to see it and then there are those troublesome Black holes which are so totally fascinating though no one can exactly put their finger on what makes them so important and I am here to tell you I know: the density of a Black whole does not prevent light from escaping but rather that once light encounters the black hole it finds such beauty and peace and comfort it no longer needs to search which is another word for love...and I do

Warning: I just began the book so expect more posts on Giovanni

Blame it On The Sun

Bicycles

To end April I would like to share some beautiful poems by Nikki Giovanni. The first two poems are taken from her most recent book - Bicycles: Love poems. Within her book she states the following

"Bicycles: because love requires trust and balance"

This truly resonated within me and provided me with much reflection....funny how such a simple sentence can provide such a soulful impact. The power of words is truly breath taking..... I hope everyone enjoys....

If Only

If I had never been in your arms
Never danced that dance
Never inhaled your slightly sweaty odor

Maybe I could sleep at night

If I had never held your hand
Never been so close
To the most kissable lips in the universe
Never wanted ever so much
To rest my tongue in your dimple

Maybe I could sleep at night

If I wasnt so curious
About whether or not you snore
And when you sleep do you cuddle your pillow
What you say when you wake up
And if I tickle you
Will you heartedly laugh

If this enchantment
This bewilderment
This longing
Could cease

If this question I ache to ask
Could be answered

If only I could stop dreaming of you

Maybe I could sleep at night.

Migrations

When the sun returns
To the arctic circle
from its winter rest

The grasses sprout
seducing the winged
and the hoofed

Polar bears and their cubs
must flee
Before the ice
breaks up

Although others begin
a northern journey

The Snow Goose Flies
from the Gulf of Mexico
to mate and birth her young

Two million Mongolian Gazelles move
over the tundra where each gives birth
at the same time defying
the will of predators
who would consume
the gazelles' future

Though only, of course
to provide nourishment
for their own
young predators

Lets not judge
too harshly

Salmon swim upstream
jumping falls
and grizzly bears

Grasshoppers
ignoring the advice
Of ants
make music
to celebrate
Winter's end

Monarch butterflies
leaving the safety
Of Zinhuatanejo
forge north
Beginning the longest winged journey
of spring

With only the hope of warmth
and the promise of grasses
They unflinchingly face:
Hunger
Thirst
Predators
Winds
Rains
Uncertainties

As would I
For You

Balances

in life
one is always
balancing
like we juggle our mothers
against our fathers
or one teacher
against another
(only to balance our grade average)
3 grains of salt
to one ounce truth
our sweet black essence
or the funky honkies down the street
and lately I've begun wondering
if you re trying to tell me something
we used to talk all night
and do things alone together
and I've begun
(as a reaction to a feeling)
to balance
the pleasure of loneliness
against the pain
of loving you

Resignation

I love you
because the Earth turns round the sun
because the North wind blows north
sometimes
because the Pope is Catholic
and most Rabbis Jewish
because winters flow into spring
and the air clears after a storm
because only my love for you
despite the charms of gravity
keeps me from falling off the Earth
into another dimension
I love you
because it is the natural order of things
I love you
like the habit I picked up in college
of sleeping through lectures
or saying I'm sorry
when I get stopped for speeding
because I drink a glass of water
in the morning
and chain-smoke cigarettes
all through the day
because I take my coffee Black
and my milk with chocolate
because you keep my feet warm
through my life a mess
I love you
because I don't want it
any other way
I am helpless
in m love for you
It makes me so happy
to hear you call my name
I am amazed you can resist
locking me in an echo chamber
where your voice reverberates
through the four walls
sending me into spasmatic ecstasy
I love you
because it's been so good
for so long
that if I didn't love you
I'd have to be born again
and that is not a theological statement
I am pitiful in my love for you
The Dells tell me Love
is so simple
the thought though of you
sends indescribably delicious multitudinous
thrills throughout and through-in my body
I love you
because no two snowflakes are alike
and it is possible if you stand tippy-toe
to walk between the raindrops
I love you
because I am afraid of the dark
and can't sleep in the light
because I rub my eyes
when I wake up in the morning
and find you there
because you with all your magic powers were
determined that
I should love you
because there was nothing for you but that
I would love you
I love you
because you made me
want to love you
more than I love my privacy
my freedom my commitments
and responsibilities
I love you `cause I changed my life
to love you
because you saw me one Friday
afternoon and decided that I would
love you
I love you I love you I love you

Love Is

Some people forget that love is
tucking you in and kissing you
"Good night"
no matter how young or old you are

Some people don't remember that
love is
listening and laughing and asking
questions
no matter what your age

Few recognize that love is
commitment, responsibility
no fun at all
unless

Love is
You and me

Habits
i haven't written a poem in so long
i may have forgotten how
unless writing a poem
is like riding a bike
or swimming upstream
or loving you
it may be a habit that once aquired
is never lost
but you say i'm foolish
of course you love me
but being loved of course
is not the same as being loved because
or being loved despite
or being loved
if you love me why
do i feel so lonely
and why do i always wake up alone
and why am i practicing
not having you to love
i never loved you that way

When I Die

when i die i hope no one who ever hurt me cries
and if they cry i hope their eyes fall out
and a million maggots that had made up their brains
crawl from the empty holes and devour the flesh
that covered the evil that passed itself off as a person
that i probably tried
to love

Tell Him- Lauryn Hill

aPriL

April is Poetry Appreciation month....thought I would share..

Shanelle Gabriel "Why I Love You"

Shihan "This Type Love"

Alicia Keys "P.O.W"

Most Real Love Song.

The Light - Common

I never knew a luh, luh-luh, a love like this
Gotta be somethin for me to write this
Queen, I ain't seen you in a minute
Wrote this letter, and finally decide to send it
Signed sealed delivered for us to grow together
Love has no limit, let's spend it slow forever
I know your heart is weathered by what studs did to you
I ain't gon' assault em cause I probably did it too
Because of you, feelings I handle with care
Some niggaz recognize the light but they can't handle the glare
You know I ain't the type to walk around with matchin shirts
If relationship is effort I will match your work
I wanna be the one to make you happiest, and hurt you the most
They say the end is near, it's important that we close..
.. to the most, high
Regardless of what happen on him let's rely

There are times.. when you'll need someone..
I will be by your side..
There is a light, that shines,
special for you, and me..

Yo, yo, check it
It's important, we communicate
and tune the fate of this union, to the right pitch
I never call you my bitch or even my boo
There's so much in a name and so much more in you
Few understand the union of woman and man
And sex and a tingle is where they assume that it land
But that's fly by night for you and the sky I write
For in these cold Chi night's moon, you my light
If heaven had a height, you would be that tall
Ghetto to coffee shop, through you I see that all
Let's stick to understandin and we won't fall
For better or worse times, I hope to me you call
So I pray everyday more than anything
friends will stay as we begin to lay
this foundation for a family - love ain't simple
Why can't it be anything worth having you work at annually
Granted we known each other for some time
It don't take a whole day to recognize sunshine

There are times.. when you'll need someone..
I will be by your side, oh darling
There is a light, that shines,
special for you, and me..

Yeah.. yo, yo, check it
It's kinda fresh you listen to more than hip-hop
and I can catch you in the mix from beauty to thrift shop
Plus you ship hop when it's time to, thinkin you fresh
Suggestin beats I should rhyme to
At times when I'm lost I try to find you
You know to give me space when it's time to
My heart's dictionary defines you, as love and happiness
Truthfully it's hard tryin to practice abstinence
The time we committed love it was real good
Had to be for me to arrive and it still feel good
I know the sex ain't gon' keep you, but as my equal
it's how I must treat you
As my reflection in light I'ma lead you
And whatever's right, I'ma feed you
Ticka tah, ticka tah, ticka ticka tickah
Yo I tell you the rest when I see you, peace

There are times.. when you'll need someone..
I will be by your side..
There is a light, that shines,
special for you, and me..

(I'll) take my chances.. before they pass..
.. pass me by, oh darling..
You need to look at the other side..
You'll agree..

Time Machine, God Mothering, and Caramel Frapps

Time Machine - Writing Prompt From Twenty Something Writers

Happy Friday, writers!
You’ve just been given at time machine. You can only use it once, to go back to day in your past and relive it or change something. What day would you go back to, what would you change and why?

(Credit for the question goes to Amber)
*Remember to post an entry on your blog about this topic. Then, link back to this post so we can read your responses!

…..I know exactly what time and place I would like to relive in my past. I was seven years old and for some unknown reason I had my face buried in my grandmother’s hip, as she sat in our dark brown leather couch. I think my father had just yelled at me and I was very upset…yet I don’t remember if I was crying. What I do remember is my grandmother singing to me. It was a soft melody and I only remember one verse of the song… “Muñequita linda, yo te quiero mucho, mucho, mucho, mucho, hasta que morir” (My beautiful doll, I love you very much, very much, very much, until death). Sometimes when I dream the verse is different, but it always has the same meaning. I would like to relive this memory because I would like to recall every detail, I wouldn’t change one thing about that moment in time, I would just enjoy it again and try my hardest to stuff every bit of the memory into my mind. In my current read- Now Is The Time to Open Your Heart by Alice Walker I came upon a statement that made me reflect on this same moment “I am thinking of the moment something dies and how we instinctively know it. And of how we try not to know what we know because we do not yet understand how we are to negotiate change”. I believe that when I heard my grandmother sing this song, I knew I would not have much more time with her, 3 years later she passed away. I felt like this song was a gift from her to me, and it has been my sole resource when I seem to lack faith or strength during a hard time. It is my fondest memory of my childhood, no other memory compares. I discovered years later that the verse she sang to me was take from Te Quiero Dijiste….The verse that I remember were rearranged a bit but I am sure she sang the original song correctly. My memory for some reason could only recall bits of words, which it then used to form the verse and for that reason I would like to relive that moment. Possibly even bring a tape recorder with me so I could record my grandmother’s voice...

God Mothering...
........On the eve of officially becoming a God Mother, I feel the need to write down my reflections. I've endured countless hours of church, "Charla's" and lectures from my mother on what this truly means. Growing up I had no support from my "God Mother", all I have is a picture of her carrying me as a baby, while the priest blesses me with holy water. If I go from this example, easily it can be said it is simply a title. I don't judge her or hold any animosity towards her. Growing up I recall my God Mothers family feuds with my cousins; I never took sides or took part in the intense disagreements or judgment passed from one side to the other. As an innocent bystander I stood in the corner as words flung back in forth. During one occasion I recall my cousins yelling "What have you ever done for L? You never even remember her birthday or bother to see how she is doing in school", this statement caught me off guard and I felt deeply hurt. I had no idea that she was actually suppose to have a role in my life. How could I miss something I had no idea I was entitled to? -Attention and support from my God Mother. After every church meeting and charla I've reflected, what does this mean to ME and what role will I play in this child's life. I've decided against the simple title role. I've decided to be as involved as possible, because in all truth I am and will be "Mama L". With that said, much is required of me. More then simply remembering birthdays.......

I've meditated on the thoughts and actions required of me and as I sit here and type my reflection I find myself oddly prepared to take on this role. I must admit at times I'd sit during church asking myself how I was to do this. With this title I am called to not only support but help educate and guide him in religion and faith. I, of all people should not be granted this responsibility, I would find myself thinking; how if I myself don't understand it? It was during one of these moments that I realized I will be okay. Why? Because Junior often interrupts my meditation during mass and begins to shoot off questions with a force…”Why does the priest do this… why does the priest do that? Why do they close their eyes like that?...Most of the times I can answer all of Juniors questions. But when I cannot I simply tell him I will find out and so I began searching for answers to his questions. I find myself preparing for our next encounter, filling my head with knowledge about things I might not have taken the time to find out before. I want to be able to answer his questions and give him as much knowledge as I can, so he can make decisions about his faith and religion based on knowledge verses just being a follower because his mother/family are. I feel a deep sense of peace because maybe in my search for Juniors answers I can find that understanding I myself seek. I plan to learn as much as I can from my future God Child.....

Caramel Frapps.....
...........Every morning it's a race to catch the 0805 bus. Anita makes a big old worry cloud as she speeds down the roads and throws the word irresponsible around, throws in sighs here and there and says this race is no good for her blood pressure. Relax I tell her; There is no need to worry, you are only hurting yourself when you do. My passive attitude turns these worry clouds into anger clouds. I wonder if she knows another bus comes along at 0815, or that I don't have a specific time in which I have to be at work. I am sure she does, and so my passive attitude continues as we watch the bus pass us by. This particular morning I have gotten up extra early to avoid rising Anita's blood pressure, yet I still do not make it out of the house and into the car until 0800. I take a deep breath and prepare myself to speed down roads in clouds full of anger and worry. To my surprise Anita is calm as the bus passes us by, she turns to me and says “Lets not chase the bus today. I noticed a coffee and donuts place in eye sight of the bus stop. Lets get some coffee and you can jump on the 0817 one instead." I am so very tempted to pinch myself to see if I am still in bed dreaming, but I do not, instead I keep the calm and cool that has made the worry and anger clouds disappear. We walk into the coffee shop; I order a caramel frapp and place my current read down onto the counter top. "Don't forget your book" Anita tells me as I grab my frapp, kiss her on the cheek and whisper..I love you Mamita..and make my way to the bus stop....

Care Packages Writing Prompt

Writing Prompt from Twenty Something Writers

We have a writing prompt for you. This one fresh from the Katie archives.

Because you’re so darn nice, you’ve decided to put together some care packages. Ten lucky people will be getting a care package from you. In each of the care packages, there will be a book, a song, and a fortune cookie sized piece of advice.
For each of the following people, choose 1 book, 1 song, and a brief piece of advice to leave them. Explain why you chose the pieces that you did.

2 close friends
2 family members
2 fellow bloggers
2 ex-friends/significant others
2 younger people in your life (10 or more years younger than you)

Don’t forget to put enough postage on those packages. The USPS WILL return them. Trust me.

*This is a writing prompt. Post a blog entry about it on your blog, then come on back here and leave us a link to your post. As always, can’t wait to see your responses.

If you have any Writing Prompt suggestions please e-mail them to twentysomethingwriters[at]gmail[dot]com. We’re looking for any writing prompt ideas, whether they are on the subject of writing or not. Send us your ideas!

Close Friends:

• Bridget -A book I would include in your care package is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, it’s a beautiful story and I think you would find a lot of meaning in it. It’s deep like we like to be deep lol a song I would include is Bleeding Love recorded by Leona Lewis, because it brings back good memories during a rough time. The strength and friendship you showed me in the car that day was one I’ve never experienced. I said nothing would make me smile and by the end of the song my stomach hurt from so much laughing. This song reminds me of how you taught me to laugh at things gone wrong. A Piece of Advice I would send is Walk down the street in a purple/red poke a dot shirt with pink colored jeans and work it! Don’t be afraid!
  
• Gul- A book I would include in your care package is The Wise and Witty Quote Book: More than 2000 Quotes to Enlighten, Encourage, and Enjoy by Allen Klein, we both enjoy a good quote, you know we would be all over this book disecting each and every quote. A song I would include in the package is Gangsta's Paradise recorded by Coolio lol. This song is your one of your faves and you know all the words to it lol I still have a video of you rapping along to it as we sit outside of meletia in the begingings of spring trying to focus on organic chemistry lab reports. Good memories of good times :) . A piece of advice I would include is "Just do it man"lol just go for it! "I think Ill go to boston, I think Ill start a new life! " .
  

Family Members:

• Anita-This care package would contain the following book- Anger: Wisdom for Cooling the Flames by Thich Nhat Hanh, because you tend to forget all logic when you are angry, you easily let the emotion take over and you seem to lose yourself in it. I hate to see you angry and worked up; it really takes a lot out energy out of you. I love seeing you happy and relaxed. Along with the book I would send youPalito Ortega’s version of Yo Tiengo Fé because it is our song. During the summer when I was having a rough time just living you introduced me to this song. You taught me to strengthen my faith and you helped me live happily through the tough times. I’m sending you this song back to you so you remember what you taught me and see that you guided my soul to that light I needed. Piece of Advice I would send it to Relax. I know it’s easier said then done, but try.
  
• Jovan-This care package would contain the following book- The Giver by Lois Lowry. I know you probably would throw it to the side because you don’t like reading but this book is important to me. It was the first book to open me up to reading. I hated reading before, just like you, but like I’ve told you before reading can take you all over the world! There is a new adventure found in each one! A song I would send along with the book is Satin Doll recorded by Duke Ellington. You always surprise me when it comes to your musical taste. You embrace everything I expose you too yet still keep your individuality and that truly impresses me about you! This song was the reason why I told you to keep playing the trumpet, so one day I could kick back and listen to you play it just for me. Thank you for always making your sister smile. One piece of advice I would give you is always stay true to you, you already do that very well, continue doing it littlebrah, don’t lost it!

Fellow Bloggers:

• L. B-Niema
  This care package would contain the following book - So Far From God by Ana Castillo because it is my absolute favorite. Why? I have yet to understand and maybe you can help me figure it out. I can only send you one song?! Can I send you a whole 16GBIPod worth of songs instead? Alright if I had to pick just one it would be Amy Winehouse- Rehab. This song totally made me see you in a different light. Up until then we didn ’t really talk about music much, but after we connected on this song you have introduced me to amazing artists, I will admit you know how to satisfy my music taste buds like no one else! A piece of advice I would send in the package is something I’ve told you before- Stay away from the yogurt in DW’s office! Sike I would say embrace being taken out of your element and see it as a blessing.
  
• Napoleon Suarez
  A book-short story I would include in your care package is The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald ,it would be interesting if we both read the short story and had a long discussion about which we preferred, the film or the short story. A song I would send in the care package is Be recorded by Common, I’m not sure why I just feel like it would be appropriate and chill for a future film night :). Some advice I would include is to avoid being asked question about films, back track the film to the beginning!Lol

Ex's:

• J
  I would send you a copy of Letters to a young poet by Rainer Maria Rilke. I lost your copy and I still feel bad about it. I would also send it again so you could reread it. There is so much goodness in the words and passages written by Rilke, I think you might have skipped over some of the advice he gives. A song I would send you is Lip Gloss by Lil’ Mama, you were such a dork singing that song all the time! But I admired your courage to be that dork in public. Some advice I would send you would be the following: Having 30 people’s perspective on your life decisions can only leave you confused. Learn to talk to yourself.
  
• R
  A book I would include in your package is one I asked you to read before- The Deeper Wound: Recovering the Soul from Fear and Suffering byDeepak Chopra. I picked that book for you because it taught me alot and I know it could speak volumes to you as well,One being the importance of individuality and taking time to understand yourself first. A song I would include is Better Together by Jack Johnson, it reminds me of the early good times in our relationship and I hope someday we can let go of any animosity and be friends. A piece of advice I would send is Let go of all YOUR anger and pain, be more aware of others around you, realize others hurt too and try to find out why. Don't let your anger and pain continue to blind you.
  

Youngin's:

• Brenda
  I would include Frida by Barbara Mujica. I know you love to read and you love art as well. I am picking this book to include in your package because I see a little me in you. It’s hard to grow up in our family where we are expected to pursue “money making” careers, rather then what we truly are passionate about. I hope that if you read aboutFrida and her art, you will be inspired to never let anyone tell you to pursue art as a hobby and not as your life ambition. With that said the advice I would include is obvious, pursue something you love, verses something that will “make you bank”. A song I would include is La Bomb byAzul Azul, I remember you as a baby dancing and singing to this song. It brings back good memories :)
  
• Sindy
  I know you will be next in the family to enroll into college and graduate, so this is a good way for me to plan the care packages I will be sending while you are away. A book that I would include in your package is Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse. It’s one of my favorites and I think reading it during your college years will bring more meaning and understanding to your journey. A song I would include is Loque paso, paso recorded by Daddy Yankee lol I plan to request this song at your Quinceañera and make you dance with me lol, Yes in front of all your friends! . My advice would be don’t ever forget la familia, we will always be there for you no matter what.

Dois Irmãos feat. Mariana de Moraes - Como Vou Fazer

*Makes me Smile Big :)

Blessed

In no particular order,things that make me feel truly happy and blessed.

1.Playing "Guess Which Hand" with my God Daughter.
Normally she doesn't care to much for me , shes still in her "My momma is the only one that should be picking me up or playing with me" stage. Yet, she cant resist the shiny quarter I hold in front of her. She rushes to me and begins examining me, each move I make is vital to whether she will move closer and attempt to take the quarter from me. After a few seconds she reaches in for the quarter, I move my hand back and wrap the quarter in my fist. I ask her which hand she thinks it is in, and she points to the right one. We play this game over and over again, its the first time I make her smile and laugh. I finally give her the quarter and she retreats back to her mothers side. Luckily I have one dollar in quarters so I persuade her back to my side with another shiny quarter. I end up giving her 75 cents, I keep the remaining quarter because we are in the mall near a gumball machine. At this point she seems to have made her mind up to trust me because we race to the gumball machine together. I ask her where her money is and she begins to take her shoe off. I thought she might have misunderstood me, but as soon as the shoe is off I see three tiny quarters.

2. Friday Nights spent with my 12 year old brother.
I've spent many Friday nights in the club or with friends, but the ones I most enjoy are with my younger brother. We sit around and watch a movie or play guitar hero.Many suggest I should be out and about in the social scene, bar hopping, meeting new people, and making new friends. But what makes me truly happy is getting to know my younger brother and being there for him, letting him know that I am not just his sister, I am his friend. With that said I have acquired a great deal of Guitar Hero skills, love the Disney channel, and know that Miley Ciris is Hannah Montana!

3. Reading a book and coming to a page that has evidence it was once folded in half.

4. My fathers evident attempts to becoming a better person.
On a Monday night about a month ago, I told my father how sad I was that Lila Downs would not be touring in DC. He turned to me and told me I was dumb for being sad and that Lila Downs is a horrible singer. Needless to say I felt stupid for even mentioning anything to him at all. Today though, he surprised me and gave me all these facts about Lila Downs, and he even knew her tour schedule.

5. Reading while my mother watches her telenovelas or black and white Mexican films.

6.Window seat in the back of the bus, it does matter if its on the left or the right. I pull out my current read and pause once in a while to look out the window. The bus always takes the same route, we pass the same homes, the same buildings and the same businesses. But to me, it is always beautiful .

What makes you feel blessed and happy?