Music Wednesday: Sheryl Crow- Always on Your Side ft. Sting

This post is a day late, but here it is. I think collaborations are brilliant! One of my all time favorite is Sheryl Crow and Sting together.

Enjoy,

A

Music Wednesday: Lil Wayne- How To Love

Two weeks ago, we had a heated debate about Lil Wayne’s “How To Love.” Upon hearing the song for the first time, I fell in love with it.  But others not so much simply for the fact that Lil Wayne is the singer.

I’m not really familiar with his songs, but “How To Love” has a profound message. Watching the music video only made me teary eyed. I highly recommend for you to watch the video!

😀

A

“The Space Between Us”

Did you have a restful weekend?

I recently finished book one of “The Space Between Us” over the weekend. Already I have cried for the women in the story. Bhima, who must carry the burden of an impoverished life, while supporting her grandchild as a maid and only to be defeated again. Appalled by Maya’s (granddaughter) betrayal, Bhima struggles to love her and accept that a promising future away from the slums of Bombay is slowly fading. There is also Sera, who struggles defining the fine line of her role as a wealthy boss or a trusted confidant to Bhima. Their personal experience weaves into a compelling story of love, resilience, and compassion.

I’m very excited to unravel more of the story.

Have a great productive week!

Love,

A

Dog Days Are Over

Happy First Day of Autumn! Yup, dog days of summer are officially over. I’m saying goodbye to scorching weather (thank  goodness), pool days, eating loads of ice cream (image below), frozen yogurt (Orange Leaf an awesome place), and barbecues.

Magnolia Ice Cream -Mango

I’m saying hello, however, to cooler temperatures (running will be more tolerable), rain, and luscious food. And time finally slows down and normal routines are made. Oh, autumn also mean new shows on television and I am loving premiere week so far! One thing I look forward to most during the fall are birthday celebrations (including mine! the big 20, gulp). This can only mean lots and lots of dinner parties. Here’s to a good start this fall season!

Cheers,

A

Adjusting to a new normal…

I wish you are having a productive work/school week. Sometimes we just need a mid-week pick me up from all the stress. I love LOVE Matt Kearney. As always I’m left inspired to conquer small milestones after listening to his songs. Here’s my favorite pick this week.

By the way, posterous made changes to their settings and I did not like it. Therefore, I will be using wordpress from now on. 😀

Keep Pushin’ On,

A

Carrot Muffins with Cream Cheese Filling…Enough Said.

I hope you are having a splendid weekend so far! You still have the chance to unwind and invest in some “me time.” Serenaded by Etta James’s  “I’d rather go blind,” I made some carrot muffins with cream cheese filling late last night.  And boy was it good. You can find the recipe at The Delicious Life.

In all honesty, baking is intimidating to me. My recollection of any baking success is quite vague, but failed attempts are candid. I remember watching Julia Child (not Meryl Streep though she performed a masterly performance) on television meticulously making chocolate croissants with such finesse. Julia spoke to my heart and I decided to embark on a baking odyssey now.

And my journey includes the real deal. Not the “let me go buy a box of cake mix at the grocery store” baking. I mean baking with a kitchen aid mixer, measuring cups, and bowls kinda thing.

I have to say I like it a lot. There is something beautiful about the entire experience. After reading “The School of Essential Ingredients,” it simplified cooking and baking as a medium for slowing down and taking risks. You are forced to delicately prepare each ingredient knowing you could STILL fail either you whisked the eggs or sifted the flour too much. Much of it is chemistry, but who wants to think about that?

Plus, the chance to share with others is rewarding.  So the carrot muffins were a hit. I encourage you to head towards the kitchen and start baking.

I know there’s a little bit of Julia Child in all of us.

Happy Baking,

A

“I Stand Alone”

New definition of rap? 

 

How exciting!

 

Gott boogie,

A

An Exceptional Woman

My fascination with Jacqueline Kennedy is rekindled once again. Listening to the the man’s voice in the trailer below, brings me back to my first encounter with her compelling story. Few years ago, Reader’s Digest wrote a brief piece , which spanned from her younger days to marriage with President John F. Kennedy. Later I visited a family member’s home and a book about “Jackie O”- a name coined after her second marriage to Aristotle Onassis- laid upon the coffee table. An impeccable black and white photograph of her had been on the cover. Then I thought how is it a woman could be significant, yet, so mysterious.

And what powerful forces attracts thousands of people to Jacqueline Kennedy, after seventeen years of her death? Is it the role as First Lady, wife, mother, fashion icon? People enamored by her can reasonably state their personal opinion. But simply pointing out one role as most admirable is surely absurd, because we are looking at a woman commendable for more than just one calling.

 

 

Of course, lack of presence and inevitable time restrict our interpretation of Mrs. Kennedy, specially for my generation. All we hear now are tidbits of her life. Through articles, books, and photographs, I have gained a small glimpse of who she was and still is.

Finally, the public is given a tremendous opportunity of expanding its knowledge of her journey. This time around it is more personal, a poignant moment in the American scene, because so much of Jacqueline Kennedy’s life has been so private. Now an ABC special depicting the real Jackie in her own voice, will allows us to dismiss any misconceptions and preconceived notions. Only she herself can truly justify the life she lived. And who knows we might even be surprised.

 

 

“I want to live my life, not record it.”

– Jacqueline Kennedy

 

Beyond Excited,

A

Be Grateful

Good Morning,

Why do I feel like I’m back in high school? I guess it’s the fact that I have returned to my normal morning routine, which translates to 6:00 am early wakeup calls. But I feel good about it. Plus, I could use an extended weekend tending to my love affair with puissant books, news, blogs, televisions, films, and work.

We have also been blessed with breathtaking weather far from the hundred degree scorching temperatures. As tropical storm Lee passes through the Gulf, we received much needed gifts: plenty of sunshine, clouds in between, and the wind persistent.

Today, I encourage you to stand outside and look up at the sky. Be grateful. Relish in how the wind makes the leaves dance, how the wind makes the hair oscillate at every direction, how the wind makes the soul sing.

 

Be grateful for all of life’s simplicities.

 

I  leave you with this thought:

 

“This bright, new day complete with twenty-four hours of opportunities, choices, and attitudes comes with a perfectly matched set of 1,440 minutes. This unique gift, this one day, cannot be exchanged, replaced, or refunded. Handle with care. Make the most of it.”

   -Unknown

 Much Love,

A

“Someone Like You”

Once in awhile, I’ll come across brilliant videos on youtube , despite thousands of unnecessary videos on the web. You might have heard the song “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele constantly replayed on the radio. You bet, I sing really loud in the car when it comes on.

Another song that I currently love is “Someone Like You.” Although I am a fan of the original music video, another alternative created by Casey Ford Alexander projects a new depth of meaning to the song.

Don’t you just love it? You can see more here! http://www.youtube.com/user/CaseyFordAlexander

There are plenty more of music video rentitions to Adele’s songs.

Check it out!

Much Love,

A