Saturday

Living Smart and Latina Voices: Smart Talk

Two of the series I will be working on in the next year have the word "Smart" in the titles. I figured if I say it enough times, maybe it will rub off on me! Seriously, how many times do we make smart decisions in life? Do we take enough time or give it a thought? Am I smarter now after 5 seasons of Living Smart? I hope so. I sure have learned a great deal from my extraordinary guests.

On February 22nd we launch Latina Voices: Smart Talk at 2:30pm on HoustonPBS. The show is airing now at the Houston TV (HTV) the city of Houston Channel (Ch. 16 Comcast) on Sundays and Wednesdays at 8 am and 8pm. The show is unprecedented. It was created by Minerva Perez, a former Ch. 13 anchor. I jumped on board when I heard I could actually interview guests with two other women. I felt that would make it much more interesting, since the three of us have very different personalities and really enjoy each other's approach to interviews.

The other co host is Texas super lawyer Sofia Adrogue. As far as we know, there is no other show like it in the country. The "View" for instance has no Latina doing interviews. I guess that may have to do with the notion that Latinas only like to do shows together in Spanish stations and in the Spanish language. This is a wrong assumption of course because most of us who are first generation American, like to speak English as wel!!!! It has been a lot of fun. We have done some celebrity interviews with olympic athletes, college presidents, pioneers and agents of change. We are also trying to cover controversial issues from different points of view, such as gun control, immigration, and global warming.

We just finished shooting our fifth season of Living Smart. The show is now airing in 113 PBS channels including some interesting cities like Anchorage, San Francisco, Cincinatti, Indianapolis, Tampa etc. We are all over the map and I like that. I want as many people as possible to benefit from the information Living Smart guests can provide. The new season which will launch in April will cover some of the most important and relevant topics we have covered in any season.

I find the subject matter useful in light of what we are living. Many of us are feeling the anxiety created by the financial situation the world faces today. Many are losing jobs and unfortunately those who feel no hope are going as far as taking their own lives. I have heard of a number of suicides. I hope people realize this is only temporary and everything has a solution, except death. Here are the topics

Ethics (Why do we need to be ethical? You'd be surprised how making the right decisions can ground you to overcome almost any obstacle)

Integrity (When you have it, it is the only thing no one can take away from you. It's value is intrinsic and it sure can help you sleep at night)

Poverty alleviation. (Microcredit and how it is changing one life at a time, Check out KIVA.org)

The Future. (Do you want to know where the jobs will be? what industries are likely to survive? What you should study?)

Dealing with Prickly People. (No need to elaborate on this. We all suffer from this malaise)

Living Green. (Do you want to save money and take care of the planet at the same time? Find out how)

The Ultimate Cheapskate ( Learn to live more with less)

The value of a music education. (Incredible facts about brain development and academic success)

Science Literacy (Technology is bound to help us get out of the rut we are in, how do we get our kids interested in science)

Children's brain and emotional development (Do you want to raise happy kids? Learn what you need to do)

Parenting by redirecting children's behabior ( As parents we never know enough, get some new tips)

Civility (It is time we learn to listen and learn from each other with respect)

Conflict Resolution (Do you want to avoid conflicts even before you jump into a relationship? learn how to do it)

As we get closer to the date I will share more information about the guests. We have nationally and world reknowned guests this season, an international opera star, a former astronaut, an award winning ethicist and brain development specialist.

Be sure to watch when we launch. In the mean time don't forget you can catch past shows on our website www.houstonpbs.org/livingsmart
and learn more about Latina Voices on www.latinavoices.com

Monday

Obama Inaguration and the Gaza tragedy

Tomorrow Obama becomes the 44th president of the United States. No one can deny, the world is watching, most importantly the world is hoping. Most people around the globe I believe have a love hate relationship with us. They admire us in some ways and despise us for other reasons we may not want to understand.

What does this historic inaguration witnessed by over 4 million visitors in DC and on television
mean to so many? Does the word hope sound familiar? Does the thought, maybe this man can unite us? Maybe this man, who appears calm, collected and happy can take us on a new journey?
Maybe he can motivate us to sacrifice for our country and each other?

I attended a poetry slam for the first time in my life (Yes I am ashamed to admit, it was my first time) at G's and Z's Coffee house on 4412 Almeda here in Houston. This primarily African American art space that introduces visitors to love, revolutionary and conscious poetry offered me with one of the most powerful, unforgettable, and soulful events of my life.

Many black poets, men and women got up to recite their soulful, profound, and sometimes painful work. The night was magical. We were from different cultures, races and religions in this small space where words became an instrument for understanding, consciousness, love and compassion. These men and women of the word reminded me of why America is great and why we have so much potential to be better, to choose better to survive and thrive in the mess we have gotten ourselves into. These poets were hopeful and understandably so.

Within living memory, black citizens in this country did not have the right to vote. Now we are inagurating the first black and white (don't forget, he is both black and white) President, a brilliant man, admit, no matter what your political persuasion. His inaguration will culminate the civil rights revolution. Unfortunately for him and his administration he will inherit the white house in one of the worst times of our history.

A friend of mine who travelled to Washington to witness history told me the other day. " If you believe in the power of prayer and I do, pray for him and our congress. Pray for every politician of every party for we need miracles.
Also pray that he is protected for many still will want to destroy him, and pray that the hope he represents for the US and the world really helps all of us in this global community come out ahead. "

As for the Gaza tragedy, in my lifetime I have watched extremists on both sides of this conflict get the upper hand. I watch as thousands of innocent people are dying and all I can say is, enough already. America needs to help make this peace agreement a reality not a simple rhetorical idea that sounds good. We need new leadership that takes this seriously and forces both sides to accept a two state solution.

A dear friend and an excellent journalist, Montserrat Dominguez of Spain does a national weekend radio show. She interviewed a famous Conductor who is both Argentinian and Israeli. If you can understand Spanish, go to this link and listen to what he has to say.

http://www.cadenaser.com/internacional/audios/entrevista-daniel-barenboim-vivir-dias/csrcsrpor/20090103csrcsrint_2/Aes/

In the mean time, enjoy this historical moment. I know I am very proud to be an American today more than yesterday!

40 Tips for a better a life

I got this on the internet. I thought it was fabulous and I have added some of my own comments in blue


40 Tips For A Better Life - 2009


1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
( Remember you don't have to excercise a lot..but at least please 10 minutes a day okay? and the smile part..that's the best!)

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
(Tough but necessary and while you are at it, breathe)

3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today.' (Party, dance, laugh, sing, work hard, and make the world a better place!)

5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2008.

7. Make time to practice meditation and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
(Essential for our well being and that of our youth and elderly)

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured IN plants. (If we did this we would save lots of money on health care!)

11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds, & walnuts.

12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk, and let new and flowing energy into your life. (At least every 6 months)

14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, OR issues of the past, negative thoughts, or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class, but the lessons you learn will last a l ifetime.

16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card. ( A must to stay thin!)

17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the NEGATIVE BLUES away.

18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

26. Forgive everyone for everything. (Wow, does this ring a bell, especially if you are a Christian but few of us really do it)

27. What other people think of you is none of your business. (Don't let other people define who you are or what you do)

28. REMEMBER, GOD heals everything. (No doubt)

29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful .

32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

33. The best is yet to come.

34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.

35. Do the right thing!

36. Call your family often. (Or e-mail them to death!)

37. Each night before you go to bed, complete the following statements:I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________. (It's tough to get depressed when you are grateful!)

38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life, so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

40. Share this with those you care about. I just did. May your troubles be less, May your blessings be more, May nothing but happiness come through your door

Thursday

Goodbye to 2008 with a poem by Neruda

I was in South America for the holidays. I visited friends and family in Argentina and then went to Chile for New Year´s Eve in Vina del Mar, a very well known beach resort in the Southern Hemisphere. Chile as you know is in the Pacific ocean, so it is very cold, even in the summer. I actually had to wear a sweater to walk around the beach because the summer breeze is cold and so is the water. Vina has one of the most spectacular fireworks for New Year´s Eve, but what I really loved about this town was the people. When I travel I tend to be very open to new experiences and situations. I went with family but I spent a lot of time alone just to write, read and think.

Chileans are a very laid back, friendly and family oriented sort of people. What you see the most in Vina is young lovers kissing, crying, holding hands, eating ice cream and wasting time.

People here are not agressive at all. I liked that. This past year I have been to a few countries where people were quite abnoxious and desperate. I am not judging, after all, we all need to make a living right? but as a tourist, I prefer people not talking to me, unless they have something nice to say, like Happy New Year and Do you like Chile or What would you like to eat?

I was quite impressed with Chile´s coast line. I have never seen the rock formations I saw there. I enjoyed sitting there watching the waves. I visited Pablo Neruda´s home on the beach and understood why he wrote such romantic poems. Here is my favorite. A great description of an affair gone south.

"The night is full of stars,and the stars, blue, shiver in the distance." The night wind whirls in the sky and sings. I can write the saddest poem of all tonight.I loved her, and sometimes she loved me too. On nights like this, I held her in my arms.I kissed her so many times under the infinite sky. She loved me, sometimes I loved her.How could I not have loved her large, still eyes? I can write the saddest poem of all tonight.To think I don't have her. To feel that I've lost her. To hear the immense night, more immense without her.And the poem falls to the soul as dew to grass. What does it matter that my love couldn't keep her.The night is full of stars and she is not with me. That's all. Far away, someone sings. Far away.My soul is lost without her. As if to bring her near, my eyes search for her.My heart searches for her and she is not with me. The same night that whitens the same trees.We, we who were, we are the same no longer. I no longer love her, true, but how much I loved her.My voice searched the wind to touch her ear. Someone else's. She will be someone else's. As she oncebelonged to my kisses.Her voice, her light body. Her infinite eyes. I no longer love her, true, but perhaps I love her.Love is so short and oblivion so long. Because on nights like this I held her in my arms,my soul is lost without her. Although this may be the last pain she causes me,and this may be the last poem I write for her.

So quite melancholic I said good bye to 2008. It was a year of the wake up call. I have been thinking we can´t keep living beyond our means forever. We have to cut back. Everyone has to do their own part and cease to worry. I plan to love more, spend less, more time in nature, less time worrying, more time enjoying work and life. I don´t know what will happen in 2009, but I know one thing, I am going to keep my chin up and do the best I can. I am not going to let the financial news overwhelm me. I am going to keep smiling and believing things are going to get better. I hope you will too. I can´t wait!