I must have heard it from my aunt Evangelina about a thousand times “he looks like a Baiano.”  It is true.  If you look at Barack Obama closely he does have a very Brazilian look.  My aunt has adopted Barack Obama as her personal president.  We laugh on the phone constantly because when I ask what she is up to, she tells me she is lighting candles for Obama.    Here in the States we’ve gone through one of the most emotional presidential races in recent history.  We have our... Read Full Story

  I will never forget the day I went to visit my good friend at a New York City hospital.  I was told what room he was in but upon getting there I could not find him.  I called the nurse to ask where he had been moved.  There were 4 people in that particular room where he was supposed to be.  I insisted he must have been moved because he was not there.  The nurse did not say a word and just took me by the hand and led me to the last bed near the window. Then she called out his name.  When he... Read Full Story

As a kid, I remember hearing my mother sing the hook to “Pata Pata” and how we would dance around the house. Pata Pata is a powerful and simple song.  No matter how you may be feeling, upon hearing it, I guarantee you’ll end up feeling better.  Read Full Story

It’s going to take me a few days to process the weight of what just happened.  I’m not even going to attempt to pick it apart.  I’m just glad I was here to witness this moment in our history. Read Full Story

I was up at 4:30 am.  I just couldn’t sleep any longer.  I got dressed and waited for a reasonable hour to leave for my polling place.  So at 5:50 am I left to walk the 3 blocks to Old First Reformed Church at the corner of 4th and Race in the Old City neighborhood of Philadelphia.  I got there at at 6:01 am and there was already a line.  I was the 20th person on line.  Before long the courtyard of the old church was full.  I saw my neighbors and friends, lots of smiles and looks that ... Read Full Story

“Tomorrow, you can choose policies that invest in our middle class, create new jobs, and grow this economy so that everyone has a chance to succeed. You can choose hope over fear, unity over division, the promise of change over the power of the status quo. If you give me your vote, we won’t just win this election — together, we will change this country and change the world.” Read Full Story

Do you have a closet full of stuff and still can’t find something to wear?  That’s me.  I often find myself getting frustrated because of the sheer volume of items in my closet and nothing seems to work for me.  I started to organize my closet last year  and since have picked up some great tips, but nothing has excited me more than Closet Couture.  Yesterday, I received an email invitation to join Closet Couture and I immediately registered.  Closet Couture in an online community... Read Full Story

A fresh voice out of Maranhão, in Northeastern Brazil, succeeds in creating the perfect score for my tense-filled soul; helping me to soar above the stress.  Whether she sings in Portuguese, perfect French and even Swedish, her lush voice echoes Maranhão. One cannot separate Maranhão from Aline.  She is a testament to this land of ripe fruit and endless mangroves, sand dunes and exotic birds.  It is no accident that Aline brings such beautiful gifts to her latest CD, Açai .  Her music will m... Read Full Story

“My friends” I’ve been hearing a lot about taking off the gloves, kitchen sinks and swift boat politics.   We are nearing the end of a long presidential campaign.  It’s do or die now and it is clear that the Republican party is in deep trouble. There is nothing else to do but attack.  Read Full Story

When I say I like all types of music I really mean it.  You can find me listening to Miles Davis and catch me singing along to ABBA all in the same day.  Yep.  That’s me. I’m always on the hunt for new music so when I stumbled upon Rupa & The April Fishes, I was delighted beyond words.  The name of the group was the first to hit me.  I was like…what in the world… does that mean and what are they all about?  This group is led by a young woman of Indian heritage.  H... Read Full Story