APRIL: National Poetry Month

In honor of National Poetry Month, I will now recite my two favorite poems--

I made myself a snowball
As perfect as could be.
I thought I'd keep it as a pet
And let it sleep with me.
I made it some pajamas
And a pillow for its head.
Then last night it ran away,
But first it wet the bed.

-- Shel Silverstein

Bravo! Bravo! Thank you! Thank you! And now, the serious piece:

somewhere i have never travelled, gladly beyond
by E. E. Cummings

somewhere i have never travelled, gladly beyond
any experience,your eyes have their silence:
in your most frail gesture are things which enclose me,
or which i cannot touch because they are too near

your slightest look will easily unclose me
though i have closed myself as fingers,
you open always petal by petal myself as Spring opens
(touching skilfully,mysteriously)her first rose
or if your wish be to close me, i and
my life will shut very beautifully ,suddenly,
as when the heart of this flower imagines
the snow carefully everywhere descending;
nothing which we are to perceive in this world equals
the power of your intense fragility:whose texture
compels me with the color of its countries,
rendering death and forever with each breathing

(i do not know what it is about you that closes
and opens;only something in me understands
the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses)
nobody,not even the rain,has such small hands

If you are hoping for my personal interpretation,forgive me. It would take too long to write it, my explanation wouldn't do the poem justice, and my insight grows everyday. So, I will just leave it to you to find what you will from my favorite poems.

To receive a poem a day for the month, click here and enter your e-mail address.

Capoeira

Brazilian street fighting/dancing. For me, it all started one night at a Salsa club. The DJ always includes one Brazilian Samba during the dance. But tonight, it was different.

A circle formed at the beginning of the song. Two dancers faced each other and began an intricate dance that looked like fighting. With jumps, flips, cartwheels, and fun footwork; I was hooked.

Capoeira history dates back to the African slaves that were brought to Brazil. The slaves developed a form of martial art that was disguised as a folk dance.



“Sunday was their one day of rest and that was when they practiced Capoeira. But there, in the quarters, the practice soon was altered. Music, singing, dance and ritual were added to Capoeira, disguising the fact that the slaves were practicing a deadly martial art. In twenty-five years the colonies suffered eleven rebellions that culminated with the abolition of slavery on May 13, 1888."

Dance freed a country.

Today capoeira is a beautiful and exciting exercising alternative. Check out this soccer video with a little capoeira twist.

World Market

India fascinates me. Actually, the whole world fascinates me. I enjoy learning about different parts of the world, especially the East. My wardrobe is doused with that culture. I have Ali Baba pants from Malaysia, scarves from India, bracelets from Singapore, sandals from Sri Lanka.

For those with similar interests, may I introduce one lucky find. The World Market. I discovered this wonderful shop in Santa Barbara, Calif.

Their Web site explains: "We bring the beauty and excitement of global bazaars to you. Our selection is always changing, and, like favorite mementos from your life, each item has a story worth sharing. From Balinese baskets, pottery from Portugal and collectibles from Africa to scrolled artwork inspired by Spanish artifacts - each store is a treasure trove."

Indeed, this store has nooks and crannies filled with exotic treasures. My siblings can attest: I could stay there all day. So I thought I would pass on one of my "healthy" addictions to culture and surprise.

Curry and Why It Is Good

I love curry. Yes. Lots of curry. My younger brother lived in Singapore for two years, when he returned he cooked curry. My love grew even more.

My brother also taught me that the spices in curry are very beneficial and healthy. I decided to investigate. This is what I found.

Turmeric - curry’s main ingredient is recognized by its yellow color. A member of the ginger family, turmeric has long been associated with its healing properties. Used as a common antiseptic in India, turmeric is used regularly to treat damaged skin such as cuts or burns. It's even being touted as a possible cure for Alzheimer's disease.

Cinnamon – Cinnamon is a natural antioxidant which is beneficial to the beautification purposes, not to mention cinnamon oil has antimicrobial properties which prolongs the life of the curry.

Black Pepper – Black pepper has a very long history of medical benefits, the list goes like this: Alleviated hemorrhoids, Alleviates gas, helps constipation, improves digestion, improves appetite lost, promotes sweating (cardio workout), Promotes urination, anti-bacterial effects, natural anti-oxidant, and everyone’s favorite; helps in breaking down fat cells.

Allspice – Allspice is also known as Jamaican pepper, Myrtle pepper. It’s beneficial attribute comes from folklore whereby it provide relief for digestive problems.

Anise – Anise leaves in curry are used to treat digestive problems, toothaches and the oil extract can be used to treat lice and scabies.

Asafoetida – the main medical usage for Asafoetida is for the aid of the digestive system, mild cases of asthma, bronchitis and is traditionally used in the aid of children’s cold.

Cardamom – Cardamom is used traditionally in Chinese medicine to treat stomach-aches, constipation, dysentery, and other digestion problems.

Chili Pepper - Red chili peppers are very rich in vitamin C and pro-vitamin A. Additionally, peppers are a good source of most vitamins B, especially B6. Potassium in chili that are high magnesium and iron would really make up for those lazy days.

Clovers – Clovers are reported by many people to be extremely effective in their struggle with nicotine cravings. Well, imagine having craving for curry instead (who’d complain?).

Coriander leaves – Coriander leaves has been used as a folk medicine for the relief of anxiety and insomnia in Iranian folk medicine.

Cumin – Cumin can be really helpful in asthma, common and a booster in immune system during cold and flu season. Capsulated Cumin can be beneficial to hair and nails, and if mixed with moisturized cream you can reap the benefits of a healthier skin.

Who Lives In Your Neighborhood?

My mother shared a terrifying story with me a while ago. A young mother in our town was attacked at home, in broad daylight.

She was working inside her home when a man walked through the front door with a knife. She fought him off with surprisingly small injuries; but the shock of the experience, I am sure, will be with her for some time.

The man was a convicted sex offender.

After hearing that alarming story, I wanted to know how many registered sex offenders lived in my town. So I looking up my state's registered sex offender listing--available through a government Web site. It was shocking.

As responsible citizens, as mothers, as fathers, as sisters, as brothers; understanding the world around us is important. Please investigate your own neighborhoods. Be educated. Be aware.

Note: Many states include photo IDs for sex offenders. Look up your state's official site for more information.

Introduction to Yoga

I recently attended a yoga class in my community. I am a ballroom dancer, and I thought yoga would help me with flexibility and core strength. I soon discovered that yoga helped with a lot more. By the end of the session, I felt a rich circulation and energy that I had not felt in a long time. My mind was clear and peaceful. And my body was happy with me.

I have searched to find an appropriate yoga sample for you. This one starts out just how I like it: easy and comfortable. I hope you enjoy.

Handcuffs and Speeding Tickets

When I walked into the local police station I didn’t have handcuffs around my wrists. But I was the only one. The middle aged man with the black cap and thick, salt and pepper whiskers wasn’t as fortunate as I was.

“Stop on the blue line.”

“Are you going to be civil?”

“Hands on the wall,” were the stern fragments I heard as the police officers worked the man through the breathalyzer test. As he sat in the holding cell, I was able to get a look around the station.

It could have been any business office, then I noticed the large posters covered in photos of gang tattoos. Hmmm… Not typical. Maps of the area and state draped across another wall. Unfinished sandwiches, napkins, and paper littered every flat surface.

I was encouraged to see a blue recycle can.

In the two hours that followed, I was on patrol with Officer Boivie. I wanted to see the city from a new perspective. Here is what I learned:

#1 Throwing snowballs inside city limits is illegal

#2 Spinning cookies in icy parking lots is also illegal

#3 There is a “No Smoking” sign inside patrol cars

#4 There is no quota for speeding tickets—it’s a myth

#5 Marijuana and meth are the most common drugs in the area

#6 The maximum adult alcohol limit is .008

#7 Police can tell if your registration is expired by the sticker color

#8 Policemen carry a microphone in their pocket to record absolutely everything said

#9 My city employs five detectives

#10 There is one new child abuse case every week in my community

I walked out of the station and blinked a new pair of eyes; I couldn’t tell if the world was darker now or just better defined. A small, white sign hung by a single strip of tape on the back window. “A person’s a person, no matter how small.”- Dr. Seuss.

Hmmm… Typical?