Monthly Focus

While doing some research online I came across the "Learner Profile for an Internationally Minded Person." Right below the title it stated the purpose. "The aim of the program is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet help to create a better and more peaceful world."
I dig.

For the month of December
The focus is Open Minded
What people who live the learner profile display: They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.

This learner profile was created for a school, and has focuses for the months of September through June. I will, early in the month post the focus on the month so we can work on them individually.

Ahhh. Yes.

There is officially a date stamped on Sade's new album release- February 8, 2010. To listen to Soldier of Love via Soul Culture UK click here.

31 days, finally. Part deux.

Today..................I learned...

september 15th: about Slow Food LA

september 16th: about the City's new Special Events Street Closure Fees Ordinance (read more here)

september 17th: You shouldn't spend more than 20% of your monthly income on your debt payment

september 18th: "Nana" a title Ghanaians accord people of stature

september 19th: About "Poppit", not a new dance, but a baby carrier. Concerned.

september 20th: About Miyoko Miki via an exhibit at LAMAG

september 21st: Kimchee and sauerkraut help alleviate IBS symptoms

september 22nd: 70% of energy in China comes from coal

september 23rd: how to make chocolate truffles

september 25th: Billie Holiday is buried in the Bronx

september 26th: Swallowing garlic cloves is not that bad (and helped improve my health).

september 27th: That someone makes orange thongs for men. I was witness to someone rockin' it!

september 28th: Mobile, Alabama celebrated the first Mardi Gras in the United States in 1703.

september 29th: Gumbo means okra.

september 30th: The drum + dance basics to Cuembe

flashback friday, friends.

Spread love the Brooklyn L.A. way!

Habana Outpost is one of my favorist (not a word, so you catch my drift) spots in Brooklyn; there's dj's, yummy eats, mango juice, activities for children and usually some eye candy. Annnd it's eco-friendly to boot! With all this being said, I was geeked when I found out that they're coming to the west, Venice Beach and Malibu to be exact. I don't know exactly when they will open, but I'm sure the website will keep us posted. Until then, I'll await for their grand opening and hope that it can capture the same lovely vibe as the Fort Greene location...

Museums-For-All

What's better than a trip to the museum? A free trip to the museum. That's right kids, this weekend many museums will be offering free entry (which may not include special paid exhibits). Some will be free on Saturday and others on Sunday, a limited amount will be free on both days. I will provide a link below that'll give you a schedule of which museums to check out on which days. Have fun!

Click me! Click me!

COMEDY!

"the balance that means complete change" -dead prez

image from VTonly

Fun fact: The first day of Fall provides us with a balance of 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night.

Fall Equinox arrived this year on September 22nd, hard to tell out here in Southern Cali where it's about 100 degrees outside. It also takes longer for the leaves to fall and change in color, though it is not as vibrant as the image above. I must say, that Fall is absolutely my favorite season; everything about it provides a balance for me between comfort and motivation.

Even though we are still rockin' tanks and are sun-kissed, the Fall arrival is evident in the farmers markets. We are slowly transitioning from the bright reds of tomatoes and strawberries to the warm colors of yams and squashes. Give thanks that the Earth prepares us for the change in seasons. In a recent Ayurveda workshop that I took, the teacher mentioned that "we don't wear the same clothes all year round, so we shouldn't eat the same foods all year round." Below is a recipe to induldge this season...

Click link for recipe>>>

Slow-Cooked Applesauce

image and recipe from Foodista.com

at the end of the day....

Image from natalie dee

Take Back Programs

The following stores/companies will take back used products to reuse or recycle. Click on the links to get more information.

BEST BUY offers "In-Store" collection of many consumer electronics and accessories. Link

BRITA collects and recycles Brita pitcher filters; see website for mail back options. Link

US POST OFFICES (not all locations) offer free prepaid mail-back envelopes for ink cartridges and small electronics. Link

HOME DEPOT accepts compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs and rechargeable batteries for power tools. Link

STAPLES collect some electronics, ink cartridges, and rechargeable batteries- a handling fee may apply. Link

IKEA accepts alkaline batteries, cardboard paper, plastic bags, toner cartridges, bottles and cans.

NIKE recycles old athletic shoes (any brand) and makes rubber floors and balls for the youth. Link

31 Days: Part I

Today.............I learned..................


august 31st: Target can give a refund without a receipt if you paid with a credit card or debit

september 1st: Minute Maid lemonade has 0% juice (scary)

september 2nd: flight from LA to Detroit is 4 hours and 5 minutes

september 3rd: contrary to hopstop directions, the L instead of the J to Pates et Traditions would have dropped me off much closer

september 4th: green beans exist in purple!

september 5th: "No" is a complete answer

september 6th: Maximum fine in NYC for not cleaning up after your dog is $1,000. (dang!)

september 7th: Burlingame is a city in California

september 8th: It is unlawful to pump your own gas in New Jersey

september 9th: The leaves of the basil plant are often rubbed on insect bites to relieve itchiness and discomfort

september 10th: How to make french macaroons (and almond flour)

september 11th: Los Angeles has the most Thai people after Thailand

september 12th: Bebel Gilberto performed at Carnegie Hall at the age of 9

september 13th: About garlic cheddar cheese at the farmers market (yum)

september 14th: The term "in a pickle" was coined by Shakespeare in "The Tempest" (one of my fave terms, btw)

flashback friday.

31 days.

There's a saying that you learn something new everyday. I have found this to be true. More often than not its some randomness, but often used atleast one more time in your life. Like, my sister once let me know what golf stands for= gentleman only, ladies forbidden. Yes, this very bit of info I got to relay to someone in a conversation. For 31 days I will keep track of that one thing I learned per day. I'll be back to report and will break it up in 2-3 posts.

Celebrating 30 Years of the Farmers' Markets

click on flier to enlarge

word has it...

That Sade will be droppin' an album in 2010. Uhh, my mama said!

Maybe, babies? Or not.

As Obama tries to pass the pro-abortion bill, there are many that oppose it. I would like to start off by saying that I am pro-choice (with additional opinion on that). Some people feel that funding should not be provided for abortions; a lot who seem to be of faith, oppose it due to their religion. However, "Though shall not steal" and "Though shall not murder" are in the bible and our tax dollars provide 3 square meals to thieves and murderers in jail.
I once met a woman, that with 4 abortions under her belt (no pun intended) had then went through her 5th. I do feel that abortion should not be thee source of birth control. A little common sense would be nice BUT education would be much nicer. Bush spent millions of dollars on abstinence-only education programs; programs that were proven to be quite ineffective. Education on sex, diseases, HIV/AIDS, and babies is vital and should be implemented. The youth has the right to be in the know!
It's true that our tax dollars don't always go where we want them to, but I'd prefer it goes in supporting this bill rather than limiting women who opt to give birth to unwanted children.



While you're at it, get some great information here >>> Oakland Chick Project

"One coco, fill basket"
Jamaican proverb

Meaning- little by little we will get the job done

summer time in the city.

So. I was really going to post all this good info back in May; and now it's already the end of July. (Oh my!) I've put together some links of places I like to visit during the summer. There is still plenty of time to enjoy some really good shows. Grab a blanket, some wine, some friends, maybe even a boo'ed up situation and have fun!

Freeness.
Grand Performances
Wine & Jazz at Hollywood + Highland
Friday Night Jazz at LACMA
Thursdays at Sunset Skirball
Summer Concert Series at Levitt Pavilion

Cop some tix.
Ford Theatre
Hollywood Bowl

The Ford Amphitheatre and Hollywood Bowl offer low-cost daytime shows for kids- calendar can be viewed on their site.

first saturdays.

4th of July was spent at the Brooklyn Museum- lovely art- on the walls, displayed and walking around. I really enjoyed Yinka Shonibare's exhibit. The clothes was fa-resh. Imagine Dutch Indonesian [batik] wax fabric, that was produced in Europe and sold in West Africa- bright colors and used to make Victorian-era dresses and suits. That's what it is. Wearing the clothes are headless mannequins, alot of them in interesting sexual positions.










Seeing this exhibit reminded me of this fly clothing brand called Boxing Kitten.

If you are or will be in the NYC area, the exhibit runs till September 20, 2009.

Upcoming free First Saturdays will be on August 1st and September 5th

Brooklyn Museum

200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, New York 11238

When in the Bay...

Eat at Farmer Brown.


Their weekend Jazz-buffet is the biz!


25 Mason Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

Reservations are recommended and can easily be made online here

want not. waste not.

if you have 20 minutes, watch this



.

word of the day: recreation

Marie Daulne of Zap Mama was on the radio today talking about her new album: Recreation. By definition it means (a) n. Refreshment of one's mind or body after work through activity that amuses or stimulates; play. (b) n. The act of creating anew. When asked which of both the title of her album referred to, she said it was absolutely both. To me it created a union of meanings within one word. How lovely it is to play & enjoy and create something new. The gift is understanding that they can and do both go hand in hand.

book browsing.

I came across this cute poetry book aimed at youth, but this particular poem has no age group, and how appropiate for my current state. Though remaining as cool and collected as possible is key*

Alphabalance by Shel Silverstein

Balancing my ABCs

Takes from noon to half past three

I don't have time to grab a T

Or even stop to take a P

Newness.

Check out Ayo's new video here

Digital Exhibit

Visit ancient Egypt online thanks to UCLA's Experiential Technology Center.

Egypt is a click away

May is National Strawberry Month

So why not a recipe? This one is simple.

Strawberry Lemonade

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
• 2 cups cold sparkling water or club soda
• Ice
• Mint sprigs, garnish
• Whole strawberries, garnish

Directions

In a medium saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves. Add the lemon peel and lemon juice, stir, and remove from the heat. Let cool completely, then strain into a clean pitcher.

In a blender, puree the pint of strawberries and add to the pitcher with the lemon juice. Stir well to combine and refrigerate until well chilled.

Add the sparkling water and stir well. Pour over glasses filled with ice and serve, garnished with mint and strawberries.

*From Emeril Lagesse

Swine Flu Conspiracy?

When the news blasted the outbreak of the "swine flu", my first thought wasn't how to protect myself and not get infected, rather what is really going on in the world? I spoke to my sis about it and she had the same thought. We agree that the government and then in turn the media has a way of creating chaos within the masses to blind us from the real issues at hand. I found it interesting, that living in LA, so close to Mexico there wasn't any reported cases (then), but were in Germany and Australia. This flu hasn't killed any more people than any other flu*. So I ask, what are they distracting us from?



*According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: About 36,000 Americans die on average per year from the complications of flu.

maxwell. how i heart thee.

When in New Orleans...

Eat at eat.
I was so lovin' the decor and the vibe of this restaurant. I ordered the fried green tomato breakfast, which was yum to the tum and supplied the energy required to make up from the lack of sleep. Portions were hearty and the biscuits were délicieux!

eat
900 dumaine street
new orleans, louisiana 70116

phone
504 522 7222

And of course, Cafe du Monde. Any trip to NOLA isn't official till you have powdered sugar on your shirt...

Cafe Du Monde
1039 Decatur Street New Orleans, LA 70116

April 22nd 2009 is...

The history of Denim Day:
"Rome—Italy, 1997

A 17- year-old girl is whisked up by her 56-year-old instructor for her very first driving lesson. An hour later—raped and abandoned by him in an alley she has to struggle to find her way back home. Undeterred, she prosecuted him and won. The driving instructor is convicted of rape and sentenced to jail.

Months later, 1998
The perpetrator appeals the sentence. The case makes it all the way to the Italian Supreme Court. Within a matter of days the case against the driving instructor is overturned, dismissed, and the perpetrator released.

Why Denim?
In a statement released by the Head Judge, he argued, “because the victim wore very, very tight jeans, she had to help him remove them… and by removing the jeans… it was no longer rape but consensual sex.” Enraged by the verdict, within a matter of hours the women in the Italian Parliament launched into immediate action and protested by wearing JEANS to work. This call to action motivated and emboldened the California Senate and Assembly to do the same, and Denim Day was born."

-From YWCA of Silicon Valley

Denim Day in LA

THIS DAY IS INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT BY ROCKIN' DENIM ON THE 22nd

And of course, Earth Day! Home sweet home. Earth Day really is everyday; but take this day to truly recognize the beauty and the resources it gives us to live...
I found a fun way for kids to get involved by wearing green or brown. Since we really are just overgrown kids, I say wear a green or brown shirt with some jeans today and make a statement!

Click to find Earth Day events near you

film festivals in los angeles this week...

French Film Festival

Indian Film Festival

Sleep Dealer

Good movie, check it out! All in all, this movie is a trip.

The future of business cards.

With Poken you store your info/website. When you meet people you high five them and exchange info- from there you insert the USB connector to your computer and upload your new contacts.
From the Poken website:
"We’re not another social network. You’ve already got that.
We've thought bigger to let you instantly bridge the gap between the people you meet in the real world and those you stay connected to online."

Do you Poken?

sunday groove.

Happy Songkran 2009

Another year, another festival. And of course, some sticky rice and mango.

i'd like to think i'm just being a hermit.

say the math isn't so!

Awesome Website!

I am lovin' this website. Children hold a special place in my heart, and with schools lacking this gives teachers an opportunities to request donations for materials. Teachers are over-worked and underpaid and this is a great way to help them and students.

Donors Choose

"I can't control how I'm perceived, only how I'm presented."
-jared matthew weiss -

Happy Spring Equinox!

The seasons have changed. Time for: organizing, getting rid of stuff we just don't use and donate it, cleansing our: minds, "friends", bodies and environment.
Growth of all things lovely!!!


*image i took at the dallas botanical garden

~Spring Detox~
For 7-21 days between March 10 and April 15 (or later in the cold or in the northern climates) use one of more of the following plans:
*Master Cleanser
*Fruits, vegetables, and leafy greens, including blue-green algaes (spirulina, chlorella, and blue-green algae).
*Juices of fruits, vegetables and greens.
*Herbs with any of the above.
*These plans can be alternated or can include a 3-5 day supervised water fast.
*Remember to take time for the transition back to the regular diet (about half as long as the fast itself), which hopefully will have changed for the better.

~Mid-Spring~
Take a 3-day cleanse around mid-May as a reminder of healthy habits and as an enhancer of food awareness.

From The New Detox Diet by Elson M. Haas, M.D.

birthday cupcakes.

*simple & girly. i made vanilla cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting in pink & white

Stay tuned at the :30 mark. I can't even be mad...

Speaking of Italian...

The Italian Film Festival is in town (Hollywood). You can get full information and movie schedule here. All movies are free on a first come basis.

Hope you all had a great Valentines... Mines was lovely, spent with loved ones; my sister and my closest friends. Color theme: white & red. On the menu: Italian.


*the dinner table

A Cute Valentine DIY

From marthstewart.com; made with pistachios.

When in Seattle...

A couple weeks ago, me and my girl hit up Seattle aka "Emerald City". Seattle is a nice city, very green, lots of water, therefore, fresh air. With all the natural stuff aside, we soon found out that a lot of shops close down early. I said "well, we have a city that never sleeps, and now a city that sleeps hella early." Needless to say, this left us troopin' in the late hours (not really, 10 pm) to find some decent food. Below are two recommendations:

First morning there we wanted breakfast, real food, hot on a plate. We walked around and entered a pub that was open, where we were directed to Planet Java. We thought it was a coffee spot (there are a grip in Seattle), they assured us that it was a restaurant; a diner. Yay! What we wanted. We head over and it was quite cute, old school diner looking. Food was on point (greasy-spoon fare), coffee was good. We were happy campers. Then to top it off, we head to the restroom to release the 3 mugs of coffee in my system, only to find all the walls in the bathroom to be chalkboards (they even provided chunky sidewalk chalk). An appreciator of small details, I loved it.

*leaving my mark

Planet Java Diner

72 S Washington St

(between S 1st Ave & Alaskan Way Viaduct)

Seattle, WA 98104

(206) 292-5282

Night time was an adventure to find something open. We were sent to an Italian restaurant and see the sign in the front that stated "Open" we were relieved to get there, but as we approach an older gentleman steps out, he was a waiter, and he was coming out to put back in the open sign. Damn. He was cool with hot liquor breath and wanted to help us find a place as he knew spots were slim-pickin's. He referred to Seattle as "a small city with big buildings." He guided us to another location, which turned out to be closed as well. We decide to head near the final destination, where we came across the Honeyhole. Funky bar with good food. We got ginormous sandwiches, enough to share and a drink.

*i had a blueberry lemon drop made with fresh juices. yum.

Honeyhole
703 E. Pike St.
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 709-1399
Website

Some Principles for Daily Practice

...Build on strengths... ...Cultivate resourcefulness; use everything you have... ...Strive for flexibility... ...Work on a human scale... ...Innovate... ...Support each other... ...Have a good reason for what you do... ...Build for the long haul... ...Recognize and track your results... ...Celebrate... ...Ask: why not?

A New Kind of Tree House

I read about Free Spirit Spheres in a magazine and found the concept to be so different and fresh. Located in Canada; they can be purchased or rented starting at $125/night.


Check out Free Spirit Spheres website here

2009 Minimum Wages

In a quick search I came across the U.S. Department of Labor site, where the minimum wage of all states are listed. I was surprised to see that Kansas' is a grand $2.65/hr; which unfortunately seems acceptable (for lack of a better word) compared to some southern states that do not even have any minimum wage laws.
You can view the list here

Happy New Year!!!

Hey everyone... I am back. I brought in the New Year 4 hours earlier than I normally would have. 35 miles from Venezuela, in the Caribbean lies an island called Curacao, which is where I have been for the last 9 days. 80 degree weather in the winter is the business, mosquito bites up the yang, is not. Nevertheless, I had a great time away and now I am happy to be back home. Many blessings in the '09 to all.

peace.