William Ward's Wise Words

William Arthur Ward wrote:

"Believe while others are doubting.

Plan while others are playing.

Decide while others are delaying.

Prepare while others are daydreaming.

Begin while others are procrastinating.

Work while others are wishing.

Save while others are wasting.

Listen while others are talking.

Smile while others are frowning.

Persist while others are quitting."

"Almost Lover" by A Fine Frenzy

I came across this song on Pandora and fell in love with A Fine Frenzy. The song's been out a few years now but I am now hearing - no judgment okay?! lol
Hope you enjoy; looking into more stuff by this group. Love their music!



P.S. I also discovered my dear friend, Galia Arad, on Pandora! So proud of her! Galia will be moving to Dublin in about a month and her farewell show is October 4th at The Living Room! See ya there! ;)

"Loving unconditionally..."

I read an excerpt from Russell Simmons book "Super Rich" which I love. In his book the quote is by the Maharishi, but when I googled they say it's by Emmett Fox. Anyway regardless of who wrote it, it's poignant:

“There is no difficulty that enough love will not conquer; no disease that enough love will not heal; no door that enough love will not open; no gulf that enough love will not bridge; no wall that enough love will not throw down; no sin that enough love will not redeem ... It makes no difference how deeply seated may be the trouble; how hopeless the outlook; how muddled the tangle; how great the mistake. A sufficient realization of love will dissolve it all. If only you could love enough you would be the happiest and most powerful being in the world ...”

9/11

Water Fountain - WTC memoriam

(Google image - www.911memorial.org)



Today commemorates the 11th anniversary of the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center. It's a day I'm sure MOST remember: where they were on that day, how they felt when they first heard about the attacks; the shock, the fear, the disbelief as they watched the news with all the horrific scenes of that day.

My son had to interview someone about 9/11 for a discussion in school. He was able to interview a friend of mine, who worked in the first building of the World Trade Center AND was pregnant at the time. I've heard her story before but as I heard her again during the interview, I couldn't imagine how frightful it must have been for her and the thousands who were directly affected that day. To this day she still can still hear the BOOM of the first plane hitting the building she was in; she still wonders if the person whose body fell in front of her was someone's father, brother, uncle, friend; she remembers the searing heat in the building...and she is ever thankful that she and her babygirl (who is now a grown diva :) survived.

I pray for all who've lost loved ones on that day in the hopes that they have found healing in their hearts.

"Searching for Sugar Man"

I attended a movie screening of "Searching for Sugar Man". The story behind the music and the mystery behind this man is absolutely incredible: a moving film about a musician who was discovered in the '60's only to seemingly fall off the face of the Earth. However, a recording of his music somehow made its way to South Africa, and despite the fact that noone knew of "Sugar Man's" whereabouts "for decades", his music was a phenomenon -- "as big as the Beatles".

With Rodriguez a.k.a. "Sugar Man"

at NARAS event

Sony Building, NYC

I had the honor of meeting the myth himself. I was completely captivated by the manner in which he spoke; how humble he is, despite all his success and recognition in South Africa, but what I really admire most is how kind he seems in spite of his music career and parts of his life being on the "B side", so to speak, for many years.

He is a prolific songwriter (self-described "musical political" and I'm an even bigger fan once he mentioned supporting President Obama!). I want you to see the film and appreciate the way the story unfolds the way I have. This movie re-iterates the power of music, and that love and music transcends boundaries.

I'm grateful that Craig Bartholomew-Strydom (who wrote the article "Looking for Rodriguez") and Stephen 'Sugar' Segerman (who was "involved in the re-discovery of Rodriguez and his subsequent re-emergence, and co-runs Sugarman.org, the official Rodriguez website") had the passion and dedication to seek out Sugar Man and bring his story back-to-life!

"Sometimes a fantasy is better kept alive" ~ Eva Rodriguez, his daughter

Also special thanks to the Recording Academy, Matt Sullivan (Co-founder, Light in the Attic Records) and Adam Block (President, Legacy Records at Sony Music Entertainment) for organising and hosting such a great event.

Click here to find out where the film's showing near you and check out his website for more info.

Before the movie screening, Rodriguez was on the David Letterman show...see a clip of the living legend below...

NARS lip gloss!

Usually I have MAC attack but every once in a while I fall in love with something new; this time it's NARS lip gloss!



NARS Lip Gloss - Giza

The lip color I'm feeling at the moment is Giza. It's creamy but not sticky which I like (side eye - ha!) and they have other interesting shades like Downtown, Misbehave, Pillow Talk and Orgasm! Check it out and see if you find a color your into!

Kudos to Keshorn !

Keshorn Walcott

Olympic gold medalist from Trinidad

(Google image)



Today Trinidad and Tobago celebrate a national holiday in honor of Keshorn Walcott, the 19 yr old who won the Olympic gold medal in the Men's Javelin Finals this year.

At first I thought it was just another excuse for Trinis to have a holiday (hey Trinis are notorious for wanting a holiday for everything; even if they sneeze too much lol) but all jokes aside, I'm glad they are paying homage to Keshorn for all his hard work and dedication, and for putting Trinidad in high regard on our World map.

I read an article which said Trinidad is known for its "cricket, doubles and annual Carnival" and although it was probably meant to poke a little fun at the twin-island, Keshorn Walcott is a great reminder that there is so much more to the country.

Keshorn is the 2nd gold medalist for T&T, the first being Hasely Crawford, who won the 100 m final in 1976. In addition to the holiday and a motorcade throughout his hometown of Toco, Keshorn is being gifted with a home, money (a million dollars I heard?) and a scholarship to UTT (the University of Trinidad and Tobago).

Congrats Keshorn Walcott!

"The dangers of a single story"

My friend, Ana, shared this video with me and I think it's so powerful; I HAD to share with you.
Hope you enjoy as much as I do!

"The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete."

~ Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Spice Thai Cuisine

I probably shouldn't mention this little treasure nestled in the heart of Bloomfield (NJ), but good things are meant to be shared (well, sometimes! lol).
My friend, Ana, took me to dinner at Spice Thai Cuisine for my birthday, and the food's so delicious! The chicken dumplings are yum, and don't be deterred by the name "Spice" because they DO have items on the menu which are not spicy at all!

For dessert, we tried the Fried Purple Yam ice cream; the name sounds crazy and it looks radioactive in the pic (below) but trust me when I say it's delish (and the portion's enough for two!)

Fried Purple Yam icecream

@Spice Thai Cuisine, Bloomfield

"Treasure your relationships, not your possessions" ~ Anthony J D'Angelo

Tiramisu Cheesecake

from Top's Diner, Newark NJ

THANKS to everyone for such warm wishes on my birthday! Well-wishes started pouring in last Friday and a week later it continues! That could only be classified as LOVE!!!

I had a fantastic birthday weekend and as I received all those beautiful messages from family and friends etc I am so thankful!

This week on Twitter I saw this message, "Treasure your relationships, not your possessions" ~ Anthony J D'Angelo...and I thought how apropos! It states EXACTLY how I feel about the people who have passed through my life and those who remain. I have learned something from each person and situation, and for that in itself, I am grateful!

So yes, I am still accepting presents, matter of fact I accept those all year (ha!) but I want you to know I appreciate YOU!
Much Love,
Mandy

Fam Time!

Chilled with my cuz in NYC this wkend...

Fam Luv!

(P.S. the lipstick is "So Chaud" by MAC - hot right?)

So Chaud!

So Chaud - MAC Cosmetics

(Google image)

With the record high temperatures we've been experiencing, So Chaud is MAC's perfect answer to HOT Summer lips! It's a matte orange that goes well with my Summer tan, and still moist enough for that perfect poppin' pout!

Do you dare?

Mid-July already!

Could you believe we're halfway through the Summer? ALREADY?

What are you doing to occupy your kids? Well I came across a great site with plenty ideas to keep kids entertained (and I've gotta admit, I've been enjoying the activities myself!).

Having to maintain a budget and keeping a tween occupied requires this momma (me) to be creative! With ideas like making paper planes, and water gun fights, 120 Free Things To Do With Kids This Summer, was the PERFECT answer to my prayer! As I read some of the ideas, I thought of other things to do with my son that would peak his interest.

Here are some of the things we've done...

We made paper planes

My son found an easy-to-use site http://www.10paperairplanes.com/ (with step-by-step instructions -- and pictures especially for uhm, people like me)

We spent some time coloring (characters from one of his fave cartoons - Dragonball Z)

Mine (on left) - his (on right)

We played Monopoly

They have seriously upgraded this game since I was a kid! The cell phone token you see on the board was mine - they didn't have a blackberry okay so I had a flip phone...and instead of all the colorful money, they give you a bank card (everytime you pass "GO" you get $2million!!!)

We visited Echo Lake Park

9/11 Memorial at Echo Lake

Echo Lake

I KNOW first-hand how super busy we can be sometimes, but dedicating at least 30 mins, maybe even an hour everyday to spend time with your children, not only creates a lifetime of memories but is absolutely priceless!

I'll keep you guys posted as much as I can - hope you're having a fab Summer! ♥

Let go (of your inner critic)

I heard this song once at my son's school play and the words resonated with me. It's a cute song from a childhood fave - "Pinocchio". Simple yet so profound:

"I’ve got no strings,
To hold me down
To make me fret
Or make me frown

I had strings
But now I’m free
There are no strings on me
Hi o the merio, that's
the only way to be!

I want the world to know
nothin' ever worries me

I’ve got no strings so I have fun
I’m not tied up to anyone
They've got strings but
you can see there are no strings on me!"

We get so caught up in life sometimes with bills, self-imposed schedules, errands, people-pleasing, (insert your own quandry here) that we forget to LIVE. We forget what it means to truly be FREE!

Children are the BEST examples of how to enjoy life! Kids have the most fun! Ever listen to a child laugh? It is innocent...genuine...natural...they have fun with reckless abandon. They enjoy little things like coloring, blowing bubbles, running through sprinklers. They are honest (sometimes brutally so). They play with anybody (no race, color or creed is involved). They get messy: ketchup on their fingertips, they run through grass barefoot and stain their clothes. They dream of being firefighters and doctors, musicians and actors, teachers, athletes, astronauts and so much more.

Somewhere along the way, all possibilities of living life fervently become tarnished. "Can't" and "impossible" start to infiltrate our lives because we listen to the voices of those we love: family and friends. We hear "doubt" in their words so much that we begin to believe it; sometimes we even listen to the haters! Over time, our OWN voice echoes the same discouragement. We forget what we dreamt about as kids as "reality" settles around us. We trudge along from day-to-day, dragging those beliefs everywhere we go, and as we create our own families, we pass it right along to our children. We perpetuate the cycle.

But WE HAVE TO LET GO! Say it aloud a few times "I HAVE TO LET GO!"
We have to let go of our inhibitions, let go of our worries and stress! Let go of that toxic relationship, not only with a friend or spouse but with yourself! Many times WE are our own worst enemies!!! LET GO of the fear, LET GO of the negativity, LET GO of anything that causes you unhappiness or holding you back.
Hey, a ship can't set sail if its anchor is down right?

The bills will come, the kids don't have to go to every single sporting event known to man (they are NOT trying out for the Olympics!) ....have date night, wear your favorite dress, take 30 mins to color with your kids, or participate in whatever they're interested in - they just want to know you're there and you care.

And take time for yourself! Meditate, go to the spa, buy yourself an icecream and let it drip down your arm, whatever...the whole point is: HAVE FUN AND BE FREE!
ENJOY LIFE!