Friday, September 23, 2011

Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15-October 15


The month of September and October is Hispanic Heritage Month my love for the Latino community started out at a very young age learning how to speak Spanish and learning and knowing that my father is from Texas and spent most of his life around the Latino community. And learning my Grandfather on my mother side also spent much of his time in Mexico and spoke Spanish fluently and that's why Mi corazon(my heart) is for my People(Mi gente)in Spanish. Some of my BIGGEST influence's are from the Latino community such as Tito Puente, Shelia E and The E Family, Gloria Estefan, Selena Quintanilla, Jennifer Lopez, Eve Longoria, George Lopez, Marc Anthony, Celia Cruz, Santana and many more. Here is the history on my brothers and sisters I am honoring my love for Hispanic Heritage Month. In September 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week. The observance was expanded in 1988 to a month long celebration (Sept. 15 - Oct. 15). America celebrates the culture and traditions of U.S. residents who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Sept. 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively. Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.

The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.
This Year's Theme:

“Many Backgrounds, Many Stories…One American Spirit”

Aztec Dancers-Kicking Off Hispanic Heritage Month

Friday, September 16, 2011

Remembering Tupac Shakur 15 years Later 1971-1996


Wow I can't believe it's been 15years since 1 of my Favorite and GREATEST Rapper of ALL time passed away on September 13, 1996. I will never forget the day I heard 2PAC died, I was a young girl who loved all types of music and when I ran upon this rapper by the name of 2PAC I was Blown AWAY! I was EXCITED because I was already into the early 90's of rap such as Digital Underground, N.W.A, DJ Quick, Dr. Dre, Eazy E, Ice Cube, Snoop Doggy Dog and many others but it was something about 2pac and his lyrics that made me pay attention he was Smart,Intelligent and Gifted because his rhymes were like no other I had heard of and also because his mother was part of the Black Panthers and taught him well. When I heard the news of 2PAC'S death I was listening 2 the radio and the had just finish playing Keep Ya Head Up when my Mom walked into my room and said "Tupac is dead" I started to cry and 15 years later I can't believe 1 of my favorite rappers is gone. Here is Tupac Shakur Story Rapper, actor. Born on June 16, 1971, in New York, New York. Shakur has become a legend in hip-hop and rap circles for his talent, his violent behavior, and his brutal death. The son of a Black Panther activist, Shakur moved around a lot as a child. In his youth, he explored acting by becoming a member of the 127th Street Ensemble, a Harlem-based theater company.

As a teenager, Shakur attended the Baltimore School for the Arts, where he took acting and dance classes, including ballet. While living in Baltimore, he discovered rap and began performing as MC New York. In the late 1980s, Shakur and his family moved to the West Coast. He joined the Oakland, California-based hip-hop group Digital Underground, which earlier had scored a hit with the song "The Humpty Dance."

In 1991, Shakur emerged as a solo artist — using the name 2Pac — with his debut album 2Pacalypse Now. The track "Brenda's Got a Baby" reached as high as number three on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart. His second album Strictly 4 My N. I. G. G. A. Z. crossed over to the pop charts, with singles "I Get Around" and "Keep Ya Head Up." The album went platinum, selling more than a million copies. Around this time, Shakur also appeared in several films, including Poetic Justice (1993) opposite Janet Jackson.

2Pac became quite a sensation, earning praise for his musical and acting talent as well as condemnation for his explicit, violent lyrics. Many of his songs told of fights, gangs, and sex. He appeared to be living up to his aggressive gangster rap persona with several arrests for violent offenses in the 1990s. In 1994, he spent several days in jail for assaulting director Allen Hughes and was later convicted of sexual assault in another case. Shakur himself fell victim to violence, getting shot five times in the lobby of a recording studio during a mugging.

The next year, after recovering from his injuries, Shakur was sentenced to four and a half years in prison in the sexual assault case. His third solo album, Me Against the World (1995), started out in the number one spot on the album charts. Many critics praised the work, noting that tracks like "Dear Mama" showed a more genuine, reflective side to the rapper. The possibility of an early death runs through several songs on this recordings — something that many have seen as a chilling moment of foretelling.

After serving eight months in prison, Shakur returned to music with the album All Eyez on Me (1996). He was reportedly released after Death Row Records CEO Marion "Suge" Knight paid a bond of more than $1 million as part of Shakur's parole. In his latest project, Shakur as the defiant street thug was back in full force on this recording. The song "California Love" featured a guest appearance by famed rapper-producer Dr. Dre and made a strong showing on the pop charts. "How Do You Want It" also was another smash success for Shakur. It appeared to be a golden time for Shakur. Besides his hit album, he tackled several film roles.

During his career, Shakur had become embroiled in a feud between East Coast and West Coast rappers. He was known to insult his enemies on his tracks. On a trip to Las Vegas to attend a boxing match, Shakur was shot while riding in a car driven by Knight on September 7, 1996. He died six days later on September 13 from his injuries. His killer has never been caught. Since his death, numerous albums of his work have been released, selling millions of copies.

Here are some of my Favorite 2PAC videos

2PAC-Keep Ya Head Up


2PAC-I Get Around


Jon B ft 2PAC- Are U Still Down


Digital Underground-Same Song

Monday, September 12, 2011

TAKE STEPS 4 CROHN'S & COLITIS 2011


Help me reach my goal

This year, I will be walking in the Take Steps for Crohn's & Colitis Walk. Take Steps is CCFA's national evening walk and celebration and the nation's largest event dedicated to finding cures for digestive diseases. It is a casual 2-3 mile stroll to raise money for crucial research, bringing us closer to a future free from Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Over 1.4 million American adults and children are affected by these digestive diseases. While many suffer in silence, Take Steps brings together this community in a fun and energetic atmosphere, encouraging them to make noise and be heard.

Your donation will help support local patient programs, as well as important research projects. This cause is very important to me and I appreciate your help as we fight for a cure! In addition to donating, you can join me at the event. There will be food, music and kid's activities. The more money we raise, the closer we will be to making life more manageable for patients who live with these diseases every day.

Please join me or donate to my efforts to support CCFA in finding a cure

“I am a survivor of Crohn’s disease. I will share my story with others and fight for a cure so NO ONE has to go through this NASTY disease alone.”

We Take Steps for people like Debbie!

Debbie was attending college when her “stomach problems” started. She was enthusiastic about earning her degree and participating in all of the social activities and clubs her schedule would allow. As her symptoms persisted, she blamed them on the stress and excitement of working and transferring to a new school. It was when her symptoms began prohibiting her from her social activities that she loved so much; she knew there was a serious problem.

Unfortunately, her failing health became so serious that Debbie was forced to move back home and take a break from school. After two years of being in discomfort, visiting different doctors and taking countless antibiotics, she finally received her bittersweet diagnosis: she had Crohn’s disease. Debbie was overwhelmed with emotion – she was finally able to put a name to the disease that had hindered her life in so many ways, but she also knew this meant she would have to face a lifelong battle with the chronic disease. She now knows that all of her fatigue, weight loss and abdominal cramps can be attributed to Crohn’s – but she refuses to let that stop her. She is on a mission to find a cure.

Debbie invites YOU to join her at the Take Steps for Crohn’s & Colitis Walk in Temecula on October 9, 2011. Register today!!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Surviving September 11th 10 years later


As I reflect on September 11th I was a young 19 year old who had just graduated from High School trying to find my way in life the night before I was listening to music and asking God what is it that you would have for me to do in this life. I remember waking up to my mother screaming "There is something going on in New York with the Twin Towers" as I awoke to that scream I turned on the TV to Good Morning America and they were reporting that the Twin Towers have been stuck as I was gazing at the TV I couldn't believe what was taking place. I turned to the next channel and I was staring at a picture of the twin towers falling as I was watching it play over and over on the tv I was shock, upset, scared, questionable as to why this was happening in a America. As the reporting continued they also stated the the Pentagon had been stuck, then another plane had went down in a field in Pennsylvania my mind couldn't wrap around what was going on all I keep thinking was is this the end of the world and if so I was ready to go, but it wasn't when I heard that are then President, President Bush had grounded everything I felt for a minute that it wasn't the end of the world just a distraction to tear us down but America got stronger through our Faith and understanding of one another. Now 10 years later we are Stronger, Better, Wiser in our Faith in God and each other the million we've lost on September 11th are not lost or even forgotten BUT they are remembered for there heroinism.There is a song that come to mind when I think about September 11th by a Gospel singer by the name of Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Choir and I dedicated this 2 ALL the September 11th Survivors.

Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Choir- We Made It

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Obama Address Congress


Early today President Obama address the Congress on creating Jobs in America. Here is the Speech.

Obama Address Congress




Obama Live September 8 2011 pushes Congress to act now on economy - politics - White House WASHINGTON — Calling it an "urgent time for our country," President Barack Obama asked Congress on Thursday night to "stop the political circus" and approve a nearly half-trillion-dollar plan to help the economy by cutting payroll taxes, raising taxes on the wealthy and rewarding companies that hire new workers.

"We continue to face an economic crisis that has left millions of our neighbors jobless and a political crisis that has made things worse," Obama said in an address to a joint session of Congress.

To answer that crisis, Obama was proposing what he called the American Jobs Act, which he said would cut payroll taxes in half for working Americans and most small businesses; boost spending on public works, like roads, by $105 billion; and make permanent a temporary cut in the individual tax rate, which was reduced from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent for this year only. 1. Other political news of note 1. First Read: The CBO and short-term fixes The Congressional Budget Office released a report in January that looks at some of the short-term policies the president might ask Congress to enact in his speech Thursday night. 2. Analysis: Perry takes the heat but keeps on smiling 3. Perry's Merck link in spotlight following vaccine order 4. Payroll tax cut likely hub of Obama's jobs plan 5. Congressional debt reduction panel kicks off

Obama calculated that the "typical working family" would get a $1,500 tax cut and that small companies with 50 employees would save $80,000, which he said would "provide a jolt to an economy that has stalled."

Obama didn't say how much the plan would cost, but advisers told NBC News it would run about $450 billion. Obama said he hopes to pay for it by closing corporate tax "loopholes" and by raising taxes on wealthier Americans.

"We need a tax code where everyone gets a fair shake and everybody pays their fair share," he said. "And I believe the vast majority of wealthy Americans and CEOs are willing to do just that if it helps the economy grow and gets our fiscal house in order."

Earlier this summer, Republicans forced a partial government shutdown over their refusal to raise any taxes at all, but Obama told them they should "pass this jobs plan right away," because "the millions of Americans who are watching right now, they don't care about politics. They have real-life concerns.

Aides told NBC News that a key point of Obama's address was that the measure simply wraps in a variety of deficit-reduction and jobs proposals that have drawn support in the past from both parties.

Obama made the same argument, telling lawmakers there was "nothing controversial about this piece of legislation."

"Everything in here is the kind of proposal that's been supported by both Democrats and Republicans," he said.

Obama challenges Congress
Obama promised to release a detailed plan Monday.

In its latest budgetary outlook, the Congressional Budget Office estimated the federal deficits fiscal year 2011, which ends Sept. 30, at $1.28 trillion, down about $10 billion from last year. A bipartisan congressional debt committee met for a first time Thursday , assigned with finding $1.5 trillion in deficit reductions.