sophie's fair

Up the Steps with Rocky

2008-07-22T14:05:00.003-05:00

C. Sophia aka boy crazy: remember the guy from tuesday? pray that he asks me out!!!
Tim: do you want me to pray now or in my private time?
Aileen aka Old Lace: must we always talk about you?

Friday, February 2, 2007
Subject: where have the good(looking) men gone?

hi tim,

it's almost impossible to gather your thoughts in one sitting seeing that you only have 19 mins left to use the darn internet. anyway, I was just thinking about the fact that the world as i observe now, is lacking of its most basic need: cute men.

sometimes it's a struggle just getting out of bed, curling your hair and painting your face with all the rainbow colors knowing that as soon as you step outside, there is simply nothing out there...

oh well.. and to think this is already california. i wonder how goes in other parts of the world?

sighingly yours,
boy crazy

Friday, January 5, 2007
Subject: east coast girl forever

hey tim,

happy new year. hope you had a great(er) time wherever you spent it.

still in sunny cali which (surprisingly) hasn't been so sunny the past couple weeks. family's a-ok, that i'm thankful. on the other hand, i'm not very happy about being back, (frankly, i haven't blogged in awhile, decided to "hibernate" after probably a year and a half of posting, so if i'm babbling -- slap me.) well, you know how i feel about cali, right? yup, i'm back in california where everybody insists i belong. i've never "belonged" here, to be honest. my home has always been the east coast. out here on the west coast, it's different. I accept it as it is, with all its superficiality and cleanliness (not that it's wrong, it just decided to be what it is now without my help)... but i cannot love it the way it wants to be loved (by me). a childhood friend
sells cali like a used car salesman, like, " cali 's the BEST" (in bold italics,
mind you)... can't blame him, he means well. besides, he was born and bred here.

philadelphia is another story. philadelphia was my sanctuary for 6 years. i loved philly. i will always love philly. it kept me away from everything i dread. It embraced me wholeheartedly and taught me to be strong. to be me. i will forever be grateful to philly.

and if it were a guy, i'd have stayed. yup, if philly were a guy, i'd have stayed and loved [him] for the rest of my life... oh well... 'nuff of that. In fairness to californians, cali 's one of the most beautiful states we have. it's a wonder really, why i know in
my heart of hearts i belong elsewhere. you see all kinds of cars (ie benz, bentley, BMW, lamborghini etc neatly parked in every lot); people combining furs with flipflops (yup, only in cali); 100 grand worth of bags and jewelry items just to walk around santana row; then, there are those cali boys who party and drink from 7 am to 7 am (a little exaggeration there.. erm just a teensy bit i might add).

since i came back, i've been drinking nonstop myself. i can't wait to leave, for now i'm hypnotizing myself to enjoy every minute of my "journey" reminding myself i'm going away soon. i want snow! i want freedom to go anywhere i want on a metro, not a flashy car! flashy cars become a bore when your butt sticks to it like a magnet for a long time. no exercise there.

sorry for dumping this on you but there's one consolation out of all my misery these days: family's a-ok.

signed,
boy crazy

Sunday, December 10, 2006
Subject: [Another] Philadelphia Story

Dear Tim,

In a week, everything will change. Philly's blurring even as I write.
Promise you'll keep in touch?

Old Lace

On 12/15/06,
cecilia sophia wrote:

> hello everyone, i know i know... it's past 2 am and here i am, typing my heart away but this is the only time i get to email since i'm flying back to san jose on mon to visit family for the holiday season.

> i'm sure we'll update one another *hinting* on, during or after the break. my oh my... just imagine the feasting and pound-adding holiday cheer... ha! i hope everyone will have a wonderful christmas, though :)

> IT'S BASICALLY MY LAST WEEK IN PHILLY, LORD KNOWS WHY I SHOULDNT BE SPENDING MY LAST DAYS IN GOOD OL' PHILADELPHIA AND NEW YORK JUST PLAIN HAPPY. WHY NOT DATE A LOCAL BOY? I HAD LUNCH WITH TIM FRIDAY LAST WEEK AND MET A WAITER ( OR "FOOD
SERVER") WHO'S UBER-CUTE AND A BITTY METRO (YOUNGER VERSION OF MATTHEW BRODERICK).. HE WAS SO CUTE AND VERY SWEET I KEPT BLUSHING AS HE JOKED ABOUT MY PRESENT TO TIM

> (TIM WAS LATE IN COMING AS USUAL), I DIDNT MIND THOUGH, I ACTUALLY WISHED TIM WASNT COMING AT ALL! ABOUT 15 MINS LATER, MY SISTER AND I WERE STILL WAITING FOR TIMOTHY WHEN THIS GUY CAME UP TO US AGAIN (THE NTH TIME) TO ASK IF OUR FRIEND REALLY KNEW WHERE "SHE" WAS MEETING US.. MY SISTER GOES, "HE KNOWS." HE GOES, "OH.. HIM." I WHISPERED TO MY SISTER TO LET TIM SIT WITH HER SO THE GUY'D KNOW HE WASNT WITH ME.

> WHEN HE CAME BACK, I ASKED FOR HIS NAME.. YUP, ME.. GOOD OL'
ME, ASKING FOR A GUY'S NAME BUT SO WHAT? IT'S MY LAST WEEK IN PHILLY, RIGHT? HE HELD OUT HIS HAND AND TOUCHED MINE, I BLUSHED AGAIN. TIM COMES IN, LEARNS ABOUT THIS GUY AND MAKES A CRACK ABOUT GIVING MY INFO TO HIM. I SAY, "WHY NOT?" YUP.. ME. MY FIRST TIME TO WRITE DOWN MY INFO TO SOMEONE I DIDNT EVEN KNOW; MY FIRST TIME TO MAKE THE FIRST MOVE... U COULD IMAGINE HOW MY SIS AND TIM REACTED.. IT WAS A JAW-DROPPING MOMENT FOR BOTH OF THEM. I CALL THE GUY, ASK FOR A PEN AND PAPER, THEN WROTE DOWN MY INFO ALONG WITH, "THANKS FOR THE TIME!" CALLS HIM BACK, GIVES HIM THE PAPER AND SMILES SWEETLY, HE GOES, "IS THIS FOR ME?" I
SAY, "YES, DEFINITELY." TO MAKE THE STORY SHORT, WE LEAVE THE RESTAURANT AND AS WE'RE ALL WALKING AWAY, I LOOK BACK AND SEE HIM LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW.

> my goodness, those are the times u just cant forget huh? :) anyway, just sharing this with u guys, i'm sending more ny and philly pics when i get the chance. it's very sad, my speech went along well reme, i got a plaque from the philadelphians which made my heart break even more. but i'm very happy just to have met all of them.

> i gotta go, i'll write/call when i'm in cali.

> love
always, sophie

November 2006 (my speech to philadelphians on sunday)

i just scribbled a few stuff since i have already said a lot on this podium for the last couple of years. i'm leaving philadelphia which was my home for the past few years, and as excited as i am to venture out into the open world, i am saddened by the people i'm leaving behind. i know that till i'm old and grey, i will always remember philly, the church, and you. i like to think that i have touched the place and the place touched me. * i thank God for that opportunity and the times i was with you.

***
"I walked the avenue till my legs felt like stone."**I know the streets of Philadelphia like I know my family. They're quirky but totally lovable. If I walked a few blocks to the Swann Memorial Fountain and the Four Seasons Hotel, something amazing was sure to happen, like the time I accidentally met the New York Knicks. A few more blocks and I'd be on 17th & Market, seeking out Liberty Place for my favorite shops and a milkshake. It was intoxicating, the feeling of being free to do whatever I wanted, whenever and still feel safe with the whole city watching my back.

Philly, the City of Brotherly Love, was home to me for six years. I moved four times around Center City and cursed myself each time I did it (if you've experienced the wonders of packing, moving and unpacking, you'll know what I mean) but at the end of the day, it's all good. I found it ultimately rewarding. My very first apartment was in Rittenhouse Square on Walnut Street (shopping!) with Rittenhouse Park just a stone's throw away. I could go barefoot, read, munch, draw, watch concerts, chat with artists working en plein air, take a picture, lie down on one of the park benches. and no one bothered me (too much). My second apartment was on Locust Street right next to the Academy of Music. At night, I would walk with friends along the Avenue of the Arts, drinking in all the culture it has to offer. My third home was in Society Hill, on a quiet, tree-lined street featuring gorgeous Georgian architecture. A few blocks down is eclectic, bohemian South St. (not too far away is Pat's where the cheesesteak, with or without cheese and onions, is to die for). At The Artful Dodger, my friends cheered on as I finished a pitcher of beer. They also cheered on while I ate foot-long hoagies, wondering aloud where I was putting it all. And speaking of pubs, I frequented McGillin's on Drury Street, the oldest tavern in town, Monk's Café on 16 th & Spruce, for the Trappist ales and fries, and the Manayunk Brewery for everything they have. I cheered for the Eagles and Sixers, careful not to jinx them (the Red Sox, however, is a different story).

My fourth move took me to Logan Square in the Art Museum area. I loved living in the vicinity of four museums best of all. I'd step out of my building and literally run into The Thinker. With the Rodin Museum in front of me, the Philadelphia Museum of Art to my left and the Franklin Institute and the Academy of Natural Sciences to my right, I was a happy camper. Running up the museum steps ala Rocky was one of the most exhilarating things ever. You just have to try it for yourself (if you've seen In Her Shoes, you'll know what I mean). Ben Franklin Parkway, practically my backyard, is where they would hold parades and concerts and every 4 th of July, I only had to walk a few steps to watch the fireworks. I wasn't prepared for Live 8, though. The Parkway, by noon, was swarmed by nearly a million people and I had to retreat to my place for air. A couple blocks down, on Vine, is the Free Library, a favorite hang-out where I attended lectures by Newt Gingrich, James D. Watson, Umberto Eco and other fabulous authors. Behind it, on Callowhill, is Whole Foods where I bumped into Denzel Washington and Scott Speedman (in the pasta section, between the breads and meats). Further west, on 30th and Market, is the Amtrak station where I departed and arrived countless times to/from Boston, New York, Chicago, DC, even California (and where I caught the eye of Leo diCaprio for two minutes). I always came back, except for last year when I knew it was time to move on.

I walked and drank my way around Philly, from Logan Square to Rittenhouse to South Street to University City to the Main Line and back, in a blizzard, a heat wave, in my high heels. Some people call Philly the City of Brotherly Snob. Well, okay, maybe it's not always the friendliest of cities. (Incidentally, it's been called New York 's sixth borough. If New York's The City, Philly's definitely The Town). My philosophy is, if you're not feeling the love, pass it on and it might just come back to you. It worked for me, a hundred-thousand fold.

* quoting James D. Houston
** from Streets of Philadelphia by Bruce Springsteen

A Girl and Her Story

2008-07-22T14:03:00.007-05:00

(from PFBC Newsletter, November 2006)

What happens when our hearts are shattered and our dreams just seem to pass us by? We go to God in prayer and in turn, He gives us people to help ease the pain. They're there to guide us in our walk with God, constantly putting in mind to take one step at a time because for what it's worth, Christ loves us.

This song reminded me of the day I needed to talk to someone so badly and you were there. I’d like to share it with all of you.

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence, Until you come and sit awhile with me. You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains; You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas; I am strong, when I am on your shoulders; You raise me up: To more than I can be.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Thank you so much and God bless.
~ Sophie

You Raise Me Up, Composed by Rolf Lovland and Brendan Graham; Performed by Josh Groban; Girl Making A Wish, copyright Linda Bronson

love in november

2005-11-22T02:49:00.000-05:00

- what does it all come down to? love? Love

if you like and i

like,for the reason that i hate people and lean out of the window is love,love

and the reason i laugh and breathe is oh love and the reason

that i do not fall into this street is love.

-- e.e. cummings

today's my birthday. looking back, i thank God for these ('though it took a while to blog about it... yikes!) --

cheers to grandmother's health!
canadian cutie loves me
i'm going back to a prestigious school (details later)
sister gave the loveliest fiorentina leather journal for my artworks
two great guys took me out to lunch

everyday, i thank God for His faithfulness. He has been so good to me eventhough i don't deserve it. i'm not saying that i am more blessed especially in the face of other people's misfortunes. i believe God has given me good things and has taken one out of impossibly difficult situations so that i may be an effective witness for Him. He loves me as much as He loves the next person. and nope, He doesn't play favourites... whew.

Be she whole, or be she rent,

So my fancy be content,

She's to me most excellent.

-- Robert Herrick

God in the midst

2005-10-31T03:04:00.000-05:00

Ice Skaters in Central Park New York City, New York USA (c) Ray Laskowitz

friday night was very emotional for me. my dad called and warned me not to freak out. i appreciate that my dad is sensitive and protective of my feelings but i'd rather hear things straight off than break it to me gently. my grandmother was rushed to the hospital that same day and my parents were about to leave to see her. i emailed all my friends in the wee hours of the morning not to vent but to tell them i was going on sabbatical. i also emailed my best friend separately and told him i needed to rejuvenate. i've dropped off the face of the earth once so i promised them if that happens again, i'd tell my guys first. in the email, my opening words were, "i don't know how this email will turn out but here goes." because i really didn't know. i ended up telling them about my questions for God. the night was cold but i felt hot inside. i was angry and all the pent-up feelings came flooding out. i had so many questions like, "how do you [God] feel, really? how do you feel when people die, or when someone's heart is broken? well, mine's broken now. do you feel it, too?" i guess i was crying so hard my face felt numb from the cold. normally, i'm good at logical reasoning and philosophizing. i can hold my ground fairly well. but there are times when it doesn't matter. sometimes, people don't need some proper (smart-alecky) christlike answer, they just want to know if they aren't alone in their feelings. my mom, dad and friends didn't try to sound clever or upright -- no sugar-coating, no sentimental bull -- just unadulterated sincerity from people who deeply care.

i'm hoping my grandmother will recover as she did months ago when i was forced to go back to the bay area. and if you must know, i decided, i shall walk with God all the days of my life because well, someday i want all my questions answered. and yes, i do love Him.

"Come now, let us reason together," Says the LORD.

-- Isaiah 1:18

the other sox!

2005-10-27T00:38:00.000-05:00

i've been a boston red sox fan for as long as i can remember, so imagine that jaw-dropping moment when "my sox" finally won last year after 86 years! oh yeah chicago, i feel for ya! congratulations!

"It's unbelievable, unbelievable," catcher A.J. Pierzynski said.

It was the third title for the White Sox, following wins in 1906 and 1917. And it was the first since "Shoeless" Joe Jackson and the "Black Sox" threw the 1919 Series against Cincinnati.

In the Windy City, where the Cubs have been long king, Chicago's South Side team for once trumped its North Side rival, no small feat for the Sox.

the first time i've watched "Eight Men Out", i had mixed emotions. i cried at the end of the movie, actually (and it's NOT even a chick flick). to fully appreciate the white sox's victory, i suggest you guys watch it, if you haven't yet. it's worth your 121 minutes.

soooo.... who's next to root for? better be the cubs!

for women, by women

2005-10-25T00:00:00.000-05:00

that's my personal description up there. uh yeah, see above. i actually got the result from here. it's good to be admired and complimented, isn't it? but what about those who need it more?

i don't want to rain on your parade (if you ppl are having fun today) but i want to inform you, it's domestic violence awareness month. my sister and i came up with an idea and discussed it with the other ladies a couple of days ago -- we're sending out special "somethings" to women in shelters. when misfortune strikes, people donate (or give if you prefer to call it that) the two most basic things that we can't live without, food and water. and that's just fine, however, women need more than those. they also need (don't laugh at this) cosmetics (unused! who wants a half-full lipstick?) and other personal hygiene products. so, the women in our circle agreed to put together items that any woman would appreciate and hopefully, bring confidence back. i can't imagine what life such women went (or are still going) through but i feel deeply for them...

(if you want to start your own drive, contact your local YWCA, church, or women's shelters.)

personally, i love flowers but it also depends on what kind of flowers i get.

I GOT FLOWERS TODAY...

I got flowers today.

It wasn't my birthday or any other special day.

We had our first argument last night, and he said a lot of cruel things that really hurt me.

I know he is sorry and didn't mean the things he said,

Because he sent me flowers today.

I got flowers today.

It wasn't our anniversary or any other special day.

Last night, he threw me into a wall and started to choke me.

It seemed like a nightmare. I couldn't believe it was real. I woke up this morning sore and bruised all over.

I know he must be sorry,

because he sent me flowers today.

I got flowers today, and it wasn't Mother's Day or any other special day.

Last night, he beat me up again.

It was much worse than all the other times.

If I leave him, what will I do? How will I take care of my kids?

What about money? I'm afraid of him and scared to leave.

But I know he must be sorry,

because he sent me flowers today.

I got flowers today.

Today was a very special day.

It was the day of my funeral.

Last night, he finally killed me. He beat me to death.

If only I had gathered enough courage and strength to leave him,

I would not have gotten flowers today.

(author unknown)

rose among thorns

2005-10-24T23:59:00.000-05:00

All I was doing was trying to get home from work.

-- Rosa Parks

since i have paid special tribute to the wonderful men in my life, i thought of doing the same for the women.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Rosa Parks, whose refusal to give up her bus seat to a white man sparked the modern civil rights movement, died Monday evening. She was 92... Mrs Parks was 42 when she committed an act of defiance in 1955 that was to change the course of American history and earn her the title "mother of the civil rights movement."

i just watched "fresh prince of bel-air" on nick and in tonight's episode, they tackled black history. i didn't know that an extraordinary individual passed away until i came online and read the news. rosa parks will always be every woman's hero(ine) -- whatever our race, ethnicity and culture be.

got milk?

2005-10-21T04:02:00.000-05:00

milk ad

brrr... i left all the windows open last night so i woke up this morning freezing. it's funny because when it happens, my nose is the only part of my body that feels very cold when touched. anyway, i have tons of emergency supply to "warm up" the whole army -- tea, coffee, milk, cocoa, etc etc. milk is my personal favourite though, so if you guys need a warm fall drink, just try this out!

Warm Almond Milk with Honey

Serves 6

4 ounces sliced or slivered almonds
4 cups milk
4 cups honey
2 ounces amaretto (optional), or to taste

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Spread almonds in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet, and toast until golden and fragrant, about 10 minutes. Remove from oven; let cool and roughly chop.
2. Place milk in a medium saucepan; cook over medium heat just until milk begins to steam, 5 to 6 minutes.
3. Combine milk, almonds, honey, and amaretto in a blender. Start blender on lowest speed, and puree until almonds are ground to your liking, at least 30 seconds. Serve as is, or strain through a fine-mesh sieve.

good guys vs bad eggs

2005-10-19T22:38:00.000-05:00

I wish you to read this book with open heart and pleasure...

K.G.

a simple, heartwarming note from my very good friend of 5 years. above is an old photo of him.

A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down.
-- Arnold H. Glasow

i was in a whirl the past few days, and it was pure heaven. however, if there's heaven, there's also hell. let's say, i kinda experienced both. i reinstalled instant messengers (aim, google, icq, msn... you name it) to use for 4 days and it was a blast. messages from old friends filled my screen that it nearly crashed my computer (no joke), well you know the shitty pop-ups and stuff? yup, those too. anyway, i was undaunted because i was actually having a great time without so much blinking an eye.

When a woman like that whom I've seen so much, All of a sudden drops out of touch; Is always busy and never can, Spare you a moment, it means a man.
-- Alice Duer Miller

actually, i was the one who dropped off the face of the earth. i've lost touch with many of my friends (most of whom were guys). but the good news is, i was able to track them down, we're all keeping in touch again, and so, to these wonderful men i'm dedicating this [personal] entry.

The bird a nest, the spider a web, man friendship.

-- William Blake

just recently, a man scared the hell out of me. i've already met him around november last year and hated him but couldn't figure out why (actually, it's good to trust your instinct because most of the time, it tells the truth.) i attended a gathering when this man appeared again after how many months, i was about to scurry away like a mouse when he called after me, "angela, angela" ... how on earth did i come to be angela?? mattie, one of the women at the gathering heard him and said, "her name's not angela" (i was thinking, "god mattie do NOT correct him, i don't want him to remember my name!"), but too late she already did. i almost ran off. he sat with me and spoke with that philadelphian drawl, and then i realised why he was so repulsive. he was very conceited i couldn't help but bitch. YUCK. see, i thought i could handle myself well. i looked around for help but people were doing their own thing, besides, who'd think this man's a pervert? he looked decent and very normal. i couldn't even reach for my bag to get my spray if he did something funny. i was thinking about my shoes, my shoes could literally make a man go blind but to take it off would take 2-3 secs, what if i didn't have that much time? "go to the bronx and find yourself a girlfriend -- no one gets out of there alive so sayonara you jerk," i thought. i was beginning to think that men are bastards except for one thing: my guy friends aren't. once, when my best friend thought i was in trouble, he quickly said, "if you see him, it will be with me."

When a friend is in trouble, don't annoy him by asking if there is anything you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it.

-- Edward W. Howe

thinking about all this, weighing the difference between good guys and bad eggs made me thank God for giving me men that i could trust and be friends with. the men in my life are practically the best. i want these guys to know that. i thank them so much for their protection and respect for me. and if other girls have made them cry once (or how many times) i want them to know they are definitely worth the keep and i'm just one lucky girl.

makes "sens"

2005-10-16T02:42:00.000-05:00

I went to a fight the other night and a hockey game broke out.

-- Rodney Dangerfield

ok fine, so it isn't the bruins or sens but it still is a pretty good "animated" picture. my best friend told me his aunt and the kids were coming over the weekend to watch hockey with him. my spirit soared when he mentioned which team the ottawa sens would be up against. MY TEAM. chuckling, he said, "interesting. a couple rooting for different teams." naturally. i may be falling for this guy but i'm still a sucker for the boston bruins.

Hockey is murder on ice.

-- Jim Murray

however i've got to admit, the ottawa sens closed out an outstanding game with their 5-1 win over the boston bruins.

The Senators are considered by many to be one of the top teams in the NHL and it was easy to see why. First period shots had the teams even at 12 apiece, but Ottawa controlled the pace and was able to put together consistent offensive pressure from the opening stretch to the final buzzer.

not exactly my night. luckily, my best friend isn't the taunting type -- now if i were him, i'd have three words prepared for such an occasion, "root, hoot and boo"... but let's not get into that. so, i exit gracefully with, go fish.

How would you like a job where, every time you make a mistake, a big red light goes on and 18,000 people boo?

-- Jacques Plante

take me out to the movies

2005-10-15T11:31:00.000-05:00

so why do [more] moviegoers opt to stay at home and just watch tv, thus, making hollywood feel crappy about the reports of bad box office receipts?

Trend-watcher Faith Popcorn says contributing factors are high ticket prices, high gas prices and the fact that many people are just too tired to sit through a film.
"People are worried about traffic, gas prices and getting a babysitter. It's impossible. Life has become too difficult. You're too exhausted to go out," she says. "People don't have the concentration to sit through a whole movie anymore."
So, instead, many are watching at home. Some are choosing services that mean they don't even have to go out for the DVD.

i did my own investigation.

What's your diagnonsense?

-- Girl, Interrupted

i installed reliable instant messengers to talk to friends near and far to see what's the biggie about online chatting. here's what i came up with: the internet can literally make you sit on your ass 24 hrs straight because, truth be told, it's more entertaining than a bad remake of, say, a horror movie.

The Internet: Transforming Society and Shaping the Future Through Chat.

-- Dave Barry

a couple more interesting facts about watching movies at home:

1) if you're at home watching a movie that sucks beyond all reason, just flip through the channels without the expense of paying to see another excruciatingly lousy movie... aahh, the power of remote control.

2) propping your feet up on the couch with your favourite (bootleg??) movie, a bucket of "theater popcorn", a large diet soda, and a laptop and you'll be in seventh heaven.

but if you ask me, i'd still want to go out and have some fun, you know? because at the end of the day, interactions between human beings do pay off.

George: Kindred spirits, eh?

Julianne: No, he's nothing like me. He's like you, actually, only straight.

-- My Best Friend's Wedding

sophia a la mucha

2005-10-11T03:37:00.000-05:00

courtesy University of St Andrews

we all have different views on what beauty is about. if alphonse mucha were alive, he would've drawn me exactly like the portrait above...

you know when you suddenly feel like writing something else on your blog/journal/diary (or whatever you call it)? that's what i felt tonight. i was delighted when i received a package from a poet friend. inside was a book of poems my friend has written through the years. lately, i've been thinking of hibernating from social callings and such (if only for a while) but reading my friend's letter to me kinda changed everything. i couldn't "grow" without you, the letter said. i was happy. i was proud. i gave myself a pat on the back. to have the ability to move people and impact them deep within is a joy so profound words cannot describe it -- and anyway, i don't consider myself eloquent. but like mucha, i'm an artist, i see beauty quite differently.

Do not confuse beauty with beautiful. Beautiful is a human judgment. Beauty is all. The difference is everything.

-- Matthew Fox

beauty saw herself reflected on every page of the book and i'll remember the day rg made me feel perfectly beautiful.

hair made of love

2005-10-08T00:48:00.000-05:00

Long Hair (c) William Whitaker

I'm undaunted in my quest to amuse myself by constantly changing my hair. -- Hillary Clinton

i have shoulder-length hair and i'm growing it 6 inches more to donate it to locks of love. it's one of my to-dos over on 43 things.

What is Locks of Love?

Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children 18 years and younger suffering from long-term medical hair loss. We meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. The prosthesis we provide help to restore self-esteem & confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers.

this particular goal has tugged at my heartstrings because i was sickly when i was a kid, and though i didn't lose my hair, i understand how it feels to be sick. so every chance i get to help, i'd certainly do it.

i've pulled off a variety of hairstyles -- from curls to bobs to long straight hair. oftentimes, i wondered (after the hairstylist was done with the masterpiece, and let me say i wasn't always happy with the result), "did they throw away masses of hair or give them to worthy causes?"

it's the fall season meaning, once the cold weather kicks in, it won't be a toilsome effort to grow my hair out and afterwards, cut and donate it. i know most men like women with long hair but, oh well, i'll just have to live with it, right guys?

When I get older losing my hair many years from now,

Will you still be sending me a Valentine, birthday greetings, bottle of wine?

-- John Lennon & Paul McCartney

blinking

2005-10-05T03:38:00.000-05:00

i've always been volatile but as i walk through life i've also learned to keep my attention intact, so that balances my character and the choices i make.

people who say they speak their minds really don't and usually don't know their minds. to quote the Implicit Association Test (IAT) Group, "understanding such divergence is important to scientific psychology."

if anyone's interested to take the IAT, click:
https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/demo/

the test only requires that you focus, to answer a brief questionnaire and an IAT as quickly as possible. are you as "colour blind" as you think you are? are you sure you don't prefer whites over blacks? Race IAT is one of the multiple selections on the website.

You don't choose to make positive associations with the dominant group... But you are required to. All around you, that group is being paired with good things. You open the newspaper and you turn on the television, and you can't escape it.

-- Mahzarin Banaji, Harvard University

shrimp ahoy!

2005-10-04T02:08:00.000-05:00

Cocktail Hour (c) Joanna

Some people ask the secret of our long marriage. We take time to go to a restaurant two times a week. A little candlelight, dinner, soft music and dancing. She goes Tuesdays, I go Fridays.

-- Henry Youngman

got shrimp? on second thought, allergy sufferers, watch out! otherwise, just feast, sing and merry be. i once served an evening of delectable seafood to a friend which he ate with gusto. within an hour, he was rushed to the ER. yikes. he had food allergies but what sucked was, nobody not even himself knew. since then, i've been feeding friends chips and soda. aahh... all this reminiscing makes me shudder. anyway, i was watching food network when they announced a special event on october 5th that will surely make pigging out guilt-free.

In the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, our fellow citizens are once again facing unprecedented hardship. Please join us on Wednesday, October 5, as a participating restaurant or as a guest, to raise funds for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. 100% of the funds raised through Dine for America will support the American Red Cross Hurricane relief efforts.

meanwhile, as you wait for the big event, do this girl a favour? help overcome her fear of seafood by trying out the recipe below. it's a 30-minute fast and easy meal.

disclaimer: recipe not my own creation so let's just say, you're safe!

Barbecued Shrimp in Lettuce Wraps

Recipe Courtesy Rachael Ray

16 jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined

Light oil, such as vegetable oil, for drizzling

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Salt and pepper

1/3 cup orange marmalade, eyeball it

1/2 cup hoisin barbecue sauce, available on the Asian foods aisle

Bibb lettuce, for wrapping

1/4 cucumber, julienne slice

Preheat a grill pan over high heat. Toss shrimp with a drizzle of oil and season with crushed pepper, salt and black pepper. Mix marmalade and barbecue sauce.
Grill shrimp 2 minutes on the first side, turn and baste liberally with sauce.

Cook a minute or 2 longer, turn and baste again. Cook 1 minute more then transfer to a serving dish.
To eat, wrap shrimp in lettuce with cucumber.

All great deeds and all great thoughts have a ridiculous beginning. Great works are often born on a street corner or in a restaurant's revolving door.

-- Albert Camus

but if there's a time to (totally) indulge in all sorts of culinary delights, oct 5 is it. so go, grab a date on wednesday.

fall in the city

2005-09-29T05:04:00.000-05:00

Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all.
-- Stanley Horowitz

the smell of fall... *sighs*

i noticed the dramatic temp change last sunday. i wore a light pink sweater but the change still had me chilled to my bones. just last autumn, i was hoping for a favoured season -- some turned out [so] good, and some, well, they were lessons that would never be forgotten. i remember when spring came, i wished for a summer-like weather. now that summer's over, i'm actually relieved. it seems there is always that feeling of a new beginning when autumn comes.

losing a buddy and everything else that i have experienced the past months induced me to reaffirm my faith in God. i don't have qualms when i say i'm no saint because it's the truth -- professing one's christian faith can be more daunting. somehow, christianity is associated with bigotry (see the harvard crimson). but today, today was different. i didn't exactly know what to pray for, so all i said was, "i have faith in you, because you live." once again, i'm hoping for a favoured season. both yours and mine.

lost in translation

2005-09-27T13:56:00.000-05:00

Blue Nude 1902 (c) Pablo Picasso

notice how stress can affect a healthy outlook on life? well i was one of those, you know.

I'm free but I'm focused

I'm green but I'm wise

I'm hard but I'm friendly, baby

I'm sad but I'm laughin

I'm brave but I'm chickenshit

I'm sick but I'm pretty, baby

i have a series of artworks to finish and what's nice about it is i get to choose my subj. i call the shots. lately, i've been under stress and the drive to create just wasn't there. pranking my mom on the phone was a welcome diversion -- i told her i got paid $5 for cleaning 3 toilets, of course she nearly passed out but when she recovered, she asked if i even wore gloves... yup, that's mom for ya. hilarious? talking to my cousin later that night was much more. in fact, it tore my ribs apart. she was gushing about a boy whom she called "babe", i said that sounded very outdated, very corny. she said, "what? horny? are you sure?" she was using a three-way call so you could imagine how many times she called him "horny" while i sat back listening. i didn't have the energy to correct her, so i let go. anyway, as i was saying, i've slacked off. my rebellious days are over but what to do if sometimes you just want to break away from social conformity? when life kinda burns you out? sitting on the piano at 3 am just looking out the window made me think of the things i've done in my life (a breathtaking city view often has that effect in the wee hours of the morning), once in a while giving myself a pat on the back for eschewing the temptations that were hurled at me -- oh, some minor stuff such as, let's see, i've never flicked a cigarette (ordinary cigarette or otherwise) because smoking doesn't cut for me. when suddenly, like smooching leonardo diCaprio, it hit me: you find patches of your calling (or purpose) and put them together to make sense of life.

And what it all all boils down to

Is that no one's really got it figured out just yet

I've got one hand in my pocket

And the other one is playing the piano

these days, i'm not living only for myself. i'm gaining more [teen] followers and the responsibility scares the hell out of me. but it's also giving me back my inspiration. despite my recent sluggishness, i'm eager to pick up a pen and get creative again. so yes, i'm alright. a temporary setback... nothing to it.

And what it all comes down to my friends

Is that everything's just fine fine fine

I've got one hand in my pocket

And the other one is hailing a taxi cab

Artist: Alanis Morissette

INXS's fortune

2005-09-21T00:06:00.000-05:00

JD Fortune (c) CBS

Rock is young music, it is youth oriented. It just speaks for a generation.

-- Ruben Blades

oh yeah, a handsome chunk, isn't he? definitely not so typical rock star. well, INXS has made their decision and the new frontman is canadian -- watching "Rock Star: INXS" on CBS (fyi, i hardly watch tv with all the reality crap popping up on screen), made me put down my iPod and listen to the final three rockers give their best. "these guys know how to emote," i thought. i knew in my "throbbing" heart who was going to win. mig, with the voice of freddie mercury (almost) and the looks of david bowie, was the first to go. he exited with dignity that impressed me. and although marty had the voice of a true rock star -- rustic but tastefully melodious -- he too, had to go...

I always wanted to be a rock star. That was my childhood dream. That's what I told everybody I was going to be when I grew up.

-- Chester Bennington

i was flushed with excitement when INXS announced their guy -- i heard jd fortune sing and boom!, he took my breath away. there are so many (in fact, too many) rockers and wannabes who turn the stage into their personal interpretation of cirque du soleil simply because they can't carry a tune.

Rock 'n Roll: The most brutal, ugly, desperate, vicious form of expression it has been my misfortune to hear.

-- Frank Sinatra

yes to an extent, frankie, but this new rock star (crooner, if he chose to), is an exception. his voice harmonizes and belts out the music, believe me. oh well, i'm not a rock fan(atic), either. so why am i blogging about this? because... because... *smiles*

Rock groups, by their very nature, are hysterically funny. They are usually a mixture of working class lads and art students which is odd. Then there's the commitment, the sincerity, the pseudo philosophy of a rock group -- it's sexy when you're 21 but absolutely ridiculous when you're 41.

-- Gary Kemp

ah dare ya!

2005-09-19T18:03:00.002-05:00

Yosemite Sam (c) Warner Bros

i can't help but post this ludricous (or is it ludicrous? ha!) brit humo(u)r that completely left me gagging for air. since it's a monday, why not start the week off "rofl"? the newspaper office where i work part-time, jokes and "insists" about me being a die hard independent... ah only do ma job, ya rackinfrackin' varmits!

warning: (no) pun intended!

Message from John Cleese - To the Citizens of the United States of America

To the Citizens of the United States of America:

In light of your failure to elect a competent President of the USA thus to govern yourselves, we hereby give notice of the revocation of your independence, effective immediately. Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will resume monarchical duties over all states, commonwealths and other territories (excepting Kansas, which she does not fancy). Your new prime minister, Tony Blair, will appoint a governor for America without the need for further elections. Congress and the Senate will be disbanded. A questionnaire may be circulated next year to determine whether any of you noticed. To aid in the transition to a British Crown Dependency, the following rules are introduced with immediate effect:

1. You should look up "revocation" in the Oxford English Dictionary. Then look up "aluminium," and check the pronunciation guide. You will be amazed at just how wrongly you have been pronouncing it. The letter 'U' will be reinstated and you will learn to spell 'doughnut' without skipping half the letters, and the suffix "ize" will be replaced by the suffix "ise." You will learn that the suffix 'burgh' is pronounced 'burra'; you may elect to respell Pittsburgh as 'Pittsberg' if you find you simply can't cope with correct pronunciation. Generally, you will be expected to raise your vocabulary to acceptable levels (look up "vocabulary"). Using the same twenty-seven words interspersed with filler noises such as "like" and "you know" is an unacceptable and inefficient form of communication.

2. There is no such thing as "US English." We will let Microsoft know on your behalf. The Microsoft spell-checker will be adjusted to take account of the reinstated letter 'u' and the elimination of "-ize."

3. You will relearn your original national anthem, "God Save The Queen", but only after fully carrying out Task #1 (see above).

4. July 4th will no longer be celebrated as a holiday. November 2nd will be called "Come-Uppance Day."

5. You will learn to resolve personal issues without using guns, lawyers or therapists. The fact that you need so many lawyers and therapists shows that you're not adult enough to be independent. Guns should only be handled by adults. If you're not adult enough to sort things out without suing someone or speaking to a therapist then you're not grown up enough to handle a gun. Therefore, you will no longer be allowed to own or carry anything more dangerous than a vegetable peeler. A permit will be required if you wish to carry a vegetable peeler in public.

6. All American cars are hereby banned. They are crap and this is for your own good. When we show you German cars, you will understand what we mean. All intersections will be replaced with roundabouts, and you will start driving on the left with immediate effect. At the same time, you will go metric with immediate effect and without the benefit of conversion tables. Both roundabouts and metrication will help you understand the British sense of humour.

7. The Former USA will adopt UK prices on petrol (which you have been calling "gasoline")-roughly $6/US gallon. Get used to it.

8. You will learn to make real chips. Those things you call French fries are not real chips, and those things you insist on calling potato chips are properly called "crisps." Real chips are thick cut, fried in animal fat, and dressed not with mayonnaise but with vinegar.

9. Waiters and waitresses will be trained to be more aggressive with customers.

10. The cold tasteless stuff you insist on calling beer is not actually beer at all. Henceforth, only proper British Bitter will be referred to as "beer," and European brews of known and accepted provenance will be referred to as "Lager." American brands will be referred to as "Near-Frozen Gnat's Urine," so that all can be sold without risk of further confusion.

11. Hollywood will be required occasionally to cast English actors as good guys. Hollywood will also be required to cast English actors to play English characters. Watching Andie MacDowell attempt English dialogue in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" was an experience akin to having one's ears removed with a cheese grater.

12. You will cease playing American "football." There is only one kind of proper football; you call it "soccer." Those of you brave enough will, in time, be allowed to play rugby (which has some similarities to American "football", but does not involve stopping for a rest every twenty seconds or wearing full kevlar body armour like a bunch of nancies). Further, you will stop playing baseball. It is not reasonable to host an event called the "World Series" for a game which is not played outside of America. Since only 2.1% of you are aware that there is a world beyond your borders, your error is understandable.

13. You must tell us who killed JFK. It's been driving us mad.

14. An internal revenue agent (i. e. tax collector) from Her Majesty's Government will be with you shortly to ensure the acquisition of all monies due (backdated to 1776). Thank you for your co-operation and have a great day.

15. Start pronouncing "Queen Camilla." She will be your next queen!

ain't misbehavin'!

2005-09-14T00:52:00.000-05:00

Frigate (c) Sophie

All the world's a stage,
And all the men and
women merely players:
They have their exits and
their entrances;
And one man in his time
plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages.
-- William Shakespeare's As You Like It

has anyone read, "dennis the menace ain't misbehavin'?" i found the book conspicuously tucked beneath my grandfather's selection of law books (don't ask me how or why it got there), and quickly adopted dennis mitchell's credo at an age where mischief was the name of the game. i was remarkably sanguine -- ok fine, i am remarkably sanguine. true, i have outgrown most of the stuff i've daydreamt about (e.g. playing pirate or indiana jones's love interest), but the more attainable ones, i'm proud to say, have come to pass. there are four major things in my adult life that i still fancy:

1.) create a masterpiece

well, why not show [off] a little bit of talent? it isn't as if i claim to be this generation's michelangelo buonarroti, although there's no harm in wishing -- perhaps the vatican could build another sistine chapel and request the honour of my company -- it has been decades since the world has had a taste of true masterpieces...Tanto nomini nullum par elogium. (No praise is sufficient for so great a man.) -- michelangelo's monument inscription. what would mine be -- Eternalii Overconfidentii. (Eternally Over-confident.)?? aahh heck.

2.) be a real ballerina

i've studied classical ballet and modern jazz, but ballet is what i want to pursue, and well, you know if you're good at something, right? you feel it the most in the pit of your stomach. i felt it, luckily, i didn't throw up when it was my turn to perform on stage while the russian ballet company looked on.

3.) live life like indiana jones

can anyone believe i used to want to be this ancient playboy's girlfriend?? actually, i still do sshh... seriously, i can't imagine myself being domesticated... at least, not yet. my favourite reverend said, in his lifetime, he discovered that only a handful of people have real bright eyes and i'm one of them. i guess what he saw was my thirst to go the distance.

4.) become a shakespearean actor

"Wherefore art thou?"

"So you walk softly and look sweetly and say nothing, I am yours for the walk; and especially when I walk away."

... it's one of those nagging thoughts and yet...

"I shall forget, to have thee still stand there, Remembering how I love thy company."

... indeed.

if you remember your childhood fantasies, would you still chase after them now that you're fully grown? or would you let go?

Let us have fantasy, boldness, unexpectedness, enchantment -- above all, tenderness, and morbidezza!

-- George Bizet

a tale of two cities

2005-09-11T22:46:00.000-05:00

Early Evening, New York City by Sophie

as i've stated here, new york and i have a peculiar love-hate relationship -- but as always, i end up going back because it is, after all, my city, too. last night, uncle and aunt came over fresh from their trip to napa valley, california. it was my cousin's wedding and we had a blast talking (or, rather, "toasting" -- it was an extended celebration as i put it). the pictures were very lovely and my cousin glowed. we rambled to other topics that included new york and new orleans. rest assured that whenever 9/11 or hurricane katrina is mentioned, it gets ugly. some theorize that the reason for the prompt response to the 9/11 tragedy was, new york was a greater loss than new orleans. others say, "blame the lack of response in new orleans on FEMA (and the president... oh no, let's not forget him)." many have predicted the looming disaster that was to hit new orleans and its surrounding counties, among them was brendan loy -- it is indeed disturbing that help came after four days, you'd think we've learned to listen after 9/11. anyway, i refuse to be political because compassion is what people are crying for at this moment.

At 8:46 a.m., there will be a moment of silence at Ground Zero to mark when the north tower was struck by the first plane. At that time, churches across the city have been asked to toll their bells... The morning will have four separate moments of silence, two to mark the time each plane struck and two when each tower collapsed.

i know these days, it is even harder to trust in a God who is unseen but what if, just what if, we learned to trust not in man but in God? what would He do?

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

-- Psalm 23:4,6

elle raconte l'histoire en francais (or she tells the story in french)

2005-09-08T22:40:00.000-05:00

Yes, I did get over David and I'm cured. Now, I don't know how to get over the cure.

-- "Sabrina", 1954

"sabrina" is a featherlight story of a shy, gawkish young woman who has been besotted all her life with david, a millionaire playboy who ignores her existence. she goes off to paris, and returns a fashionable, uber-refined lady. suddenly, david is smitten by her, and so is his brother...

watching a classic brings back sweet memories. being grandpa's little girl, i've often sat with gramp to watch old movies or just to pass the time (that was the best). when i became deathly sick, my grandfather flew 7,000 miles to be near me, dragging my grandmother with him who said he wouldn't have done it for anyone, not even for her (and she was his great love). ahh yes, my grandfather spoiled me giving all he had (a relative was so jealous he badmouthed me every chance he got and though i don't feel anything for the kibitzer, i could understand the jealousy, i mean i'd be jealous of "me", too.)

i was devastated when grandfather passed away, i couldn't and wouldn't cry -- it took three guys to break the pent-up anger within me -- God, joey and brent. undoubtedly, God will walk with me all the days of my life, but for a while it was hard to figure out which of the other two guys would be holding my hand as i continue the walk. well if you must know, instead of walking, i'm taking the adirondack route. and when i draw near the end of my journey, i shall tell my story in french. why? because "french" is another word for "love". ask sabrina.

repondez s'il vous plait

2005-09-05T03:22:00.000-05:00

or R.S.V.P. for short.

in the blogosphere, anything goes. weblogs can take the form of an online diary or an ongoing commentary. whatever you post is instantly accessible and readable by 580 million internet users. mine is very eclectic -- i use it as my thought depot, my travel portmanteau, my memory bin. (i draw the line at mudslinging and veiled trashing. if i have something against a person, i say it to their face.) some of my readers requested that i put a comment box, but i politely refused because i don't need to have my thoughts/actions validated. imagine how surprised i was when the emails kept coming. this one, wanted to talk about my chance meeting with a celebrity a few summers ago. i couldn't call it just "one of those letters", it was very warm and personal, and i guess, that's what i want from readers. then came more. the latest email tugged at my heartstrings.

From: J
Mailed-By: aol.com
To: ceriesling
Date: Sep 2, 2005 11:11 PM
I am blown away by the sheer beauty that is within you! I too believe in God and love him with the flames of a thousand fires. Yet you are truth and innocence and wonder and wisdom and love all wrapped in a cute little package. I know that that sounds strange coming from a girl that you hardly know and you are probably freaked out yet i am just in awe. My name is... I live to love, and i love to live. I haven't yet had a proposal yet i have had offers of 'forever relationships' but thats all to talk about later. Anyway, you are the true meaning of follower and leader. You see all that is there and all that could be there and i like that. I love the fact that you see love in a lot of things. I admire that trait for few have it... I thank you for making me understand that there is innocence in the world still, and that it is very peaceful and beautiful.
God Bless You and May all your Prayers and Hopes and Dreams Be Answered,

to have this kind of effect on people overwhelms me. i asked for permission to post the letter so others would know it really is a beautiful world out there. your views can impact a stranger's day, for good or ill. i choose to post non-edited, non-copied versions of me.

in search of new orleans

2005-09-02T21:29:00.000-05:00

New Orleans Traveler (c) Cynthia Williams

29th august, 1:05 am. a friend showed me the link to hurricane katrina. the forecast revealed a frightening tropical cyclone with a speed of 250 km. i wondered how i could possibly shake off the jitters? i got down on my knees to pray. i live several states away from louisiana but i knew the aftermath would affect many lives in different parts of the US.

"I'm not doing too good right now," Chris Robinson said via cellphone from his home east of the city's downtown. "The water's rising pretty fast. I got a hammer and an axe and a crowbar, but I'm holding off on breaking the roof until the last minute. Tell someone to come get me, please. I want to live."

an acquaintance who lived in new orleans for 10 years and still maintains close ties to the city, tearfully criticized the sluggish federal help they've been receiving. before the national guard arrived, watching the news conjured up horrible images of women being raped in public bathrooms, and civilians walking in the sts with shotguns and M-16 rifles.

"We are out here like pure animals. We don't have help," the Rev Isaac Clark, 68, said outside the New Orleans Convention Center, where corpses lay in the open and evacuees complained that they were dropped off and given nothing.

whether the disaster was prophetic or bs, the question is how do we reach out to those who suffered a grievous blow? i don't think my conscience could take it if i didn't help. it's impossible to have fun without feeling a sense of guilt. i'm not saying we should wallow in the dark but i guess, if we feel guilty it only means we've missed out on doing good. i believe what the bible teaches, but as God said, the one thing that is greater than faith or hope (or a thousand prophecies ever written) is love.

So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less? -- 2 Corinthians 12:15

give to American Red Cross.
roundups and tags here, here and here.

qui m'aime aime mon chien part deux

2005-09-01T00:27:00.000-05:00

His master's voice (c) Francis Barraud

does this look familiar? ever heard of a "gramophone" or a "phonograph"? i've always wondered if the dog in the painting was real. apparently yes, and its name was "nipper." i'm posting barraud's painting in honour of the new orleanders' pets that were left behind. when i read the news about the plight of animals in new orleans, i was crushed. to some, animals should be the least of our worries, but see, they can perceive pain, and as such, it is our duty to treat them humanely.

In one example reported last week by The Associated Press, a police officer took a dog from one little boy waiting to get on a bus in New Orleans. "Snowball! Snowball!" the boy cried until he vomited. The policeman told a reporter he didn't know what would happen to the dog.

The fate of pets is a huge but underappreciated cause of anguish for storm survivors, said Richard Garfield, professor of international clinical nursing at New York's Columbia University... Valerie Bennett left her dogs with an anesthesiologist who was taking care of about 30 staff members' pets on the roof of the hospital, Lindy Boggs Medical Center.
The doctor euthanized some animals at the request of their owners, who feared they would be abandoned and starve to death. He set up a small gas chamber out of a plastic-wrapped dog kennel.
"The bigger dogs were fighting it. Fighting the gas. It took them longer. When I saw that, I said 'I can't do it,'" said Bennett's husband, Lorne.
But the anesthesiologist, a cat owner, promised to care for the other pets.
"He said he'd stay there as long as he possibly could," Valerie Bennett recalled, speaking from her husband's bedside at Atlanta's Emory University Hospital.

these people have had a blow-by-blow experience. i actually was planning to post an entry on kanye west but rather than be political (again), i opted for this (click here for the hurricane katrina animal welfare resources.)

Animal rights advocates remind us of this admonition: The ways in which people treat animals will be reflected in how people relate to one another.

-- William Greider