PHENOMENAL WOMEN

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
- MAYA ANGELOU

MICHAEL JACKSON

I am deeply saddened by the death of MICHAEL JACKSON. I was shocked when I heard the news on the radio. I immediately called my brother, sister and then my mom to confirm the news. No one knew for sure, but we hoped it wasn’t true. As more and more news sources confirmed the report, my heart sank. How could MICHAEL JACKSON be gone so soon and so suddenly?


I was a fan, like all of you. MICHAEL JACKSON’S music was like a backdrop to my life. I remember excitedly sitting in front of the TV with my sisters to watch the THRILLER video air for the first time. I was frightened by the scary make up, but also in awe of the dance moves and the fact that it was more of a movie than any music video I had ever seen. I remember when PYT was my favorite, watching The Wiz for the first time, when my mom participated in WE ARE THE WORLD and when I SCREAMED along with Janet and Michael.


I’m lucky enough to also have wonderful memories of meeting MICHAEL JACKSON, which I will cherish in my heart forever. I remember gorging on candy in his “candy room” at the ranch. I remember Michael dancing with my mom on stage and even better dancing in my living room with my little brother. My favorite memory is singing to him on the phone. I was so proud that I knew the words. “Mama say, mama sa, mama kusa,” I sang as he giggled on the other end.


In my eyes, Michael was a kind, sweet, youthful man. I never believed any negative allegations and I will continue to defend him when people make jokes. I was shocked and saddened beyond belief that even in his death, people can continue to say negative, mean things. My heart goes out to the family and to the kids. This is so very sad ☹


Like A Comet
Blazing 'Cross The Evening Sky
Gone Too Soon

Like A Rainbow
Fading In The Twinkling Of An Eye
Gone Too Soon

Shiny And Sparkly
And Splendidly Bright
Here One Day
Gone One Night

Like The Loss Of Sunlight
On A Cloudy Afternoon
Gone Too Soon

Like A Castle
Built Upon A Sandy Beach
Gone Too Soon

Like A Perfect Flower
That Is Just Beyond Your Reach
Gone Too Soon

Born To Amuse, To Inspire, To Delight
Here One Day
Gone One Night

Like A Sunset
Dying With The Rising Of The Moon
Gone Too Soon

“Gone Too Soon”
Lyrics by MICHAEL JACKSON

MICHAEL JACKSON was FABULOUS and he will be remembered forever.

“PLEASE MR. PRESIDENT”

Last Saturday, I participated in an amazing charity event. CHILDREN MENDING HEARTS is a global arts exchange between at-risk children in America and children living in African conflict zones. CHILDREN MENDING HEARTS educates, empowers and encourages children to have a voice. It also inspires them to a sense of empathy and a desire for world peace.

Check it out at: www.childrenmendinghearts.org

We started the first of many "PLEASE MR. PRESIDENT” workshops early Saturday morning in a large gym at the Union Rescue Mission downtown. URM is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving poor and homeless people in downtown LA with services including: food, shelter, clothing, medical and dental care, recovery programs, transitional housing, legal assistance, education, counseling, and job training to men, women, children, and families.

The plan for the "PLEASE MR. PRESIDENT” workshop was to work with at-risk children all over America writing letters and drawing pictures to be included in a children’s book in the future, as well making jewelry making and painting T-shirts to be brought to kids in the Congo later this year. Since this was the first event, we weren’t sure exactly what to expect (how many kids, age range, reading and writing levels), but we were prepared and excited.

I ran the letter-writing workshop. I created a simple and fun lesson plan to guide the children in sharing their stories, their lives and their hopes and dreams for the future.

As the families started to fill the gym, an 8 year-old African American girl approached my table. She openly talked to me about how she lived in the Mission because, “her dad hated her mom and left them with nothing.” She told me and wrote in her letter about how he would hit her and that she knows the world would be better if there was no violence and no guns like the one that shot her brother. I was beyond touched by her honesty and her sweet nature. Kids are FABULOUS!

I wrote letters with many kids (little ones to teens) and adults throughout the day. Some wrote touching, deep letters about their lives that brought tears to my eyes, while others stayed light. One sweet Mexican American 6 year-old girl wrote that she thinks the president should give toys to all the poor people because then everyone would be happy.

As the day progressed, we danced, made jewelry and painted t-shirts to be brought to the kids in the Congo.

Next, the program will move to New York, Chicago, New Orleans, Washington, DC and finally to the Congo. I’m not sure I will travel and continue to participate, but I am so very glad I was able to be a part of the very first event here in LA. I was touched by the kid’s stories, their openness and love. Working with organizations such as this reminds me how fortunate I am and how extremely important it is to give back.

Children Mending Hearts is FABULOUS.

CATALINA

Guess what? I’ve met a guy… a sweet, funny and extremely handsome man who treats me like a princess. It’s still new, but this weekend we went to CATALINA. He whisked me off for a romantic weekend and the trip was FABULOUS!

CATALINA is just an hour and half from Marina Del Rey by ferry. Saturday morning, we took the 9:15am and arrived in the town of Avalon with a whole, fun filled day ahead of us. We couldn’t check into the hotel till 3:00pm, so we rented a golf cart and toured the island. We took a scenic drive through the mountains and snapped pictures at every turn. The view of the ocean was spectacular. Who knew this treasure was so close to LA? I instantly felt like I was on vacation.

We ate lunch over looking the harbor at a spot called Busy Bee (just like me), then checked into the Hotel Metropole. It’s still off-season, so we got a great deal on a garden view room with a fireplace. Once we were all settled, we made our way down to Descanso Beach where we sipped beers while laying in the sand. The weather was less then perfect, but we made the most of it. We finished the afternoon with a dip in the hotel’s rooftop Jacuzzi.

That evening, I got all dolled up and we hit the town. We ate the most delicious dinner at Steve’s Steak House (I ordered a juicy steak and he got fish), then we hit El Galleon bar for karaoke. I sang two songs (I Will Survive and Let’s Hear It For The Boy), while he cheered me on. We finished the fun filled night by getting our groove on at the very cheesy Chi Chi Club.

We were supposed to leave Sunday afternoon, but there was so much more we wanted to do. We made a deal that if we woke to clear blue skies, we would stay another day (and deal with the consequences at work). Sure enough, when we opened the shades, the sun was shining and the skies where clear! The hotel had to move us to a different room, which was even better with a Jacuzzi tub, fireplace and king size bed.

As soon as we were settle in our new room, we ate breakfast, then rented jet skis. Jet skis are SO FUN! We speed across the ocean, jumping wakes of boats and looking for dolphins. Sadly, we didn’t spot any, but we did see two seals (not Seal and Heidi Klum, but the cute aquatic mammals). We spent the afternoon basking in the sun at the beach in full relaxation mode.

That afternoon, I bought a new dress at a cute little surf shop (I had only packed for one night) and got dressed for another fun filled evening on the town. Sunday was mellower than our first night out. We ate a delicious Italian dinner at Villa Portafino (I had the yummy chicken piccatta and he had the halibut piccatta. DELICIOUS!) We watched the end of the Lakers game, played pool (which I won two out of three, but only by default because he scratched the 8 Ball), challenged each other to an air hockey tournament (which he won) then hit the hay at a decent hour.

Monday the weather was cloudy and cool again. We wanted to go paddle boarding, but the water was too cold. We opted instead for a relaxed day, cruising the shops, hot tubbing and golf carting.

We hopped the ferry home at 5:00pm with smiles on our faces. He was the perfect travel companion. We laughed till our stomachs ached and really enjoyed each other’s company while getting to know each other better. I couldn’t have asked for a better two-day mini-vacation. CATALINA was FABULOUS! Now, back to work!

BUSY BEE

I’m so sorry for the delay in blogs and late posts. I truly appreciate all of you that tune in each week to check out my adventures.

Recently, I have been a bit of a BUSY BEE and sadly this blog is the one thing that keeps getting neglected. I’m working on another re-write of my book (boy, is this publishing process WAY longer than I would’ve ever imagined)! I’m starting a business with a friend from college (more info coming soon). I’m working with an amazing charity called Children Mending Hearts on an awesome project happening June 20th (which I will write a blog about for sure) and I continue to do random odd jobs to pay the bills (I teach music to toddlers, write for an online magazine, host events and help with marketing for a beverage company). I’m a BUSY GIRL!!

Don’t worry! I will continue to post weekly, however I am giving myself a little leeway and making things a little easier on me by devoting one post a month to sharing something I love without commentary. I will share my favorite quotes, youtube video links, poems and more that I think you will enjoy. One post a month will still be a video blog showing a quick glimpse into my world, which leaves two posts to my writing.

I thank you for continuing to check me out each week. I think YOU are FABULOUS!

A quote for this month:
We ask ourselves who am I to be BRILLIANT, GORGEOUS, TALENTED and FABULOUS? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small DOESN’T serve the world. THERE IS NOTHING ENLIGHTENED ABOUT SHRINKING SO OTHER PEOPLE WONT FEEL INSECURE AROUND YOU.
- Nelson Madela ‘94