This song, “Forever Young” by Alphaville is one of my guilty pleasures. This is the dance version of the song; the slower version puts me to sleep, so that’s why I prefer this one. This is the kind of song I listen to maybe once a year; I hear it, I smile and I put it away until the next time.
This is another song I remember from my childhood; Juan Luis Guerra‘s “Ojal Que Llueva Cafe”. This song evokes a strong sentiment in me for my days growing up in Colombia. I love this man’s voice because it reminds me of my own papi’s voice. I told my sister that one time; when she came to visit me several years ago and she couldn’t believe I would remember his voice, since I was younger than she was when we lost him. Well, Papi where ever you are, I dedicate this song to you!!
I have just finished watching the movie Despicable Me for like the umpteenth time and I am a die hard fan. I must admit when I first saw the previews I thought it would be a complete flop. Now when I’m having a day where I need … Continue reading Laugh Out Loud!
Dear Diary, I can’t believe it! I go to a dance studio 7 , yes SEVEN days a week. I am taking ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, ball room,lyrical, voice lessons and piano lessons. I go to school for 8 hours a day and then I’m in … Continue reading J.O.W.K. (journal of an over worked kid)
August 5, 2005 Dear Diary, I’m starting this journal as a way to speak out for some of my peers who can’t speak for themselves. As a kid I see a lot of my friends and class mates stuck doing things that they don’t want to … Continue reading J.O.W.K. (journal of an over worked kid)
You can never tell what a person is going through or what they’ve been through in their past just by casual observation. This Sunday I heard a lady talking about how her 16 year old daughter Autumn was almost killed when a horse stepped on her when she was a toddler.
Before I heard her story I had not paid much attention to this woman. Now that I know the painful trial she and her family endured, I want to know more about this person. I made my way to her and we exchanged pleasantries. Then I told her how I almost lost one of my kids when she was 7 weeks old. She looked at me with the same amazement I had when I first heard her story. This broke the ice
and now I’m compelled to know this woman more.
Last month I heard another shocking story. I was sitting close to a man who looks just like the actor Morgan Freeman;
I had to take a closer look to see if it really was. By the way, I am a huge fan of said actor. I kept running into this same man and I would imagine that he must have a grand life because the peace that surrounds him, gave me the impression that perhaps he wakes up everyday and sings,” Zippididoodah Zippideeay, my oh my oh what a wonderful day!” 
Then I heard the most amazing story about this man.
He was handed a mic and he began to share his personal tragedy. He said his name was Willie; he had lost 3 children in a house fire and soon after he lost 2 more children in a second house fire. My lower jaw fell wide open and I felt it touch the floor below. I leaned forward as my heart began to weep for this man’s great loss. He also shared his faith and said that it was God that had brough him through the whole crisis. Before I left that day I made sure I went to him and I gave Willie a big hug; then something amazing happened, we found comfort in our hug because unbeknownst to Willie , I shared in his pain since I too have experienced the heart ache that comes from losing your whole family.
We are all books. We all wear different covers; some are dazzling and colorful. When I chose my own book cover for my book AS CLEAR AS CLAIRE GETS,
I wanted it to be eye catching and inviting. My story is not an easy read and knowing that, I had to design a colorful, fun, cover that would draw people in; once they’re in they’re hooked. Other book covers are mild and peaceful betraying the tragedy that lies between the pages of the book.
Whatever you’ve been through, the cover doesn’t matter one bit. We all start out with a blank book and it’s up to us to fill in the pages. My book starts out with one tragedy after the next, but I’m going to make sure at the end of my life, on the last page, you’re going to read that I became an over comer and a conqueror through my faith in God. Some people’s books start and end in tragedy; don’t let that be you. Choose instead to use your pain to help others. Then there are other books that start out in victory only to end terribly; what could have possibly happened?
Next time you meet someone new, pretend you’re in a library or a book store even, and be prepared to handle them with as much care and attention that you would give that book you’re considering as your your next great read. It is true: One cannot read a book by its cover; neither can one pass judgment on anyone just by merely glancing at their book cover.
I looked into your eyes,
I felt your pain.
I looked into my heart,
my pain is yours- we’re both the same.
“Don’t judge so that you won’t be judged. For the way you judge others is how you will be judged-the measure with which you measure out will be used to measure to you.”
And he wept sore,
he knew he could do no more.
He wept sore,
he knew not,
what was in store.
He wept sore,
he knew not a lot,
but he did know the score.
He wept sore;
the one he claimed to love,
she picked up and walked out the front door.
He wept sore,
he wept long and hard,
then he crumbled and fell on the floor.
Eva Santiago Copyright 2011
There once was a girl with curly black hair.
She loved to write and her name was Clare.
She loved to sing which was on the beat;
and she liked to watch birds,
now that’s pretty neat!
Her writing was her talent-
she was so great.
She wrote a book,
which tops the cake.
Clare was on a journey-
the longest of all.
Everyone said she was the shiniest star.
Before she began her journey,
Clare packed all of her stuff;
the village people were sad,
they went out in a huff.
The journey was long,
the journey was short;
it was the best of them all.
Clare made a friend: Tammy Defoe.
Clare’s husband’s name was David Defoe.
She made a lot of friends- Manny and Jenny.
The greatest of them all was Clare’s own Pappy.
He was very strong; the strongest of them all.
He told her to quit writing!
For Clare, this was the worst of all.
She was sad, sad, sad and MAD.
Her pappy told her to cheer up;
he told her not to be sad but glad.
So on her journey Clare cheered herself up
she made many friends and she bought a pup.
When at last Clare’s journey ended
God brought her in a great big blast.
He had a big plan for Clare;
He gave her a family and she got her writing back.
I tell you this story is true:
There IS a BIG God and a writing girl too.
Her name is Clare- she doesn’t blend.
She has all her needs met,
God has been with Clare from beginning to end!
Raquel Brincat Copyright 2011
When I was six years old I was living in Colombia.My parents had passed away and I was living in the home of a family that was assisting me in acquiring the proper papers so that I could come to the Unites States legally. The lady of the house had grown up children who attended college. They enjoyed listening to American rock and roll music on a short wave radio that transmitted from a station in the U.S. The first American song I ever heard was Simon and Garfunkle‘s,”The Sounds of Silence“. I didn’t know any English so the words didn’t mean much to me. The haunting melody of the song grabbed my attention because it served to comfort me,reminding me that I wasn’t suffering alone.Just the other day,I heard that song again,and it took me back to that time when I first heard it. I could even picture exactly what I was doing that day. The family was re-upholstering some chairs in a luxurious red brocade tapestry . I even remember running my small fingers along the ornate design of the fabric to the sound of the music as I tried to sing along.
listening to this sort of personal anthem, and it brings me great satisfaction to see the personal growth I’ve done in the twenty years of the song’s release. Mr. Springsteen,thank you so much for that inspiring song that has become ingrained in the grooves of my soul!
Music is immensely integrated in our lives. My husband and I encourage our four children to listen to many types of music genres. They all play an assortment of musical instruments. In order to play great music you have to first be exposed to great music. I see much of today’s young people becoming narrow minded especially when it comes to music. I have a young friend who only wants to listen to rap music,that’s where its at for him. My children on the other hand find his point of view rather dull and uninspired. I thank God that my uncle exposed me to a vast array of classical music, because I am doing the same with my children.
Eva Santiago Copyright 2011
Eva Santiago 