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How exciting to have an extra day this year! A whole 24 hours added on to Black History Month. An actual, true birthday for those born on the 29th of February. And it’s Friday, too? Whuuut?? I can only imagine what party themes club promoters back in New York have cooked up for tonight. I can just hear those radio commercials now–you know, the ones with a DJ-style announcement hollering over a hip-hop beat. I’m sure it’ll be some variation of: “Show Some Leap Day Love tonight at The Spot!! Shawties celebrating a birthday get in free!!”
I seem to always be chasing time, struggling to catch up to it. The other day a friend and I were discussing the idea of boredom. It hit me that the main reason I rarely get bored is because I mismanage my time. No exaggeration–you can usually find me doing my Carrie-Bradshaw-run to a meeting or an appointment, or scrambling breathlessly to hand in an assignment on deadline. Trust me, I pray every day for the discipline to get it right the next day. But I think it’s partly genetic–my mom, my younger sister and I all love to sit still and mind travel (preferably by a fountain, like the below Kodak moment in DC) while time tick-tocks away.

Nice to get an edge from this 366-day calendar year. Let’s hope we all use the extra time constructively (or, at least, creatively on the dance floors tonight).
Work it!

Okay, I must share with you my very latest obession. No, it’s not “American Idol”–although I’m excited that fellow Haitian-American slash Jersey Girl contestant Joanna Borgella made it to the final 24. But what I’ve been hooked on is a reality show, although one of the dance competition kind. The show’s called FAMA, it’s out of Spain (yes, as in Europe), and my very own cousin Tiffany is a contestant! Well, actually–she was a contestant. She got eliminated a few days ago after six weeks of crazy dance floor battles. Tiff–who’s been living in Spain for the past three years–held her own, but in the end, the judges gave her the boot.
Haters, I say. I mean, they were complaining that Tiff is overweight when the girl wears like a size 7!
Well, Tiff, the fam is all so proud of you. This is just the begining.
Anyhow, here’s a clip of our gurl Tiff bringing some urban American flava to Barcelona. Enjoy!

It’s been a week since my Phili trip and I’m still left with some strong impressions about the City of Brotherly Love. Yes, I did race up those art museum steps, but sadly, no I don’t have a photo as evidence. The only time my husband and I could fit in to visit the museum was before our flight at 6am! As you can imagine, the pre-dawn photos the hubby snapped of me climbing the steps came out too dark. But I did manage to get two or three shots of the fair city while I was there. My husband knows how much I adore breakfast (I can eat eggs for dinner), so he strongly suggested we check out Sabrina’s Café. The place is a much-loved eaterie near Phili’s historic Italian market. Thankfully, we got there before the brunch rush. Yum! But as we left Sabrina’s (totally satisfied and belly full from the gigantic portions), there was a crowd of folks outside waiting for tables to be ready.

And how ‘bout those Philly murals!? They’re amazing life-size art pieces for all Philadelphians (and its passersby) to appreciate. Again, because of the brief trip, I didn’t get to take great photos of the murals, but my husband noticed how wowed I was by them and surprised me with a great coffee table book on murals. The book—PHILADELPHIA’S MURALS AND THE STORIES THEY TELL—covers the history of Phili’s murals (it started as an anti-graffiti project) and the impact they have on the community. The vibrant photography included in its pages is the next best thing to seeing the murals in person.

And finally, I leave you with a photo I snapped at Phili’s African-American Children’s Book Fair. Here’s the fabulous CHEETAH GIRLS author Deborah Gregory with HALLWAY DIARIES co-author Karen Valentin. Karen posed with Deborah because apparently, Karen has an adult friend who’s wild about the Cheetah queen and who often quotes CHEETAHisms in her in everyday adult life.

Mee-ow, ladies!

(Cue “Sesame Street” theme song.) Today’s blog posting is brought to you by the word “super”–and by the number 1. Yes, boys and girls, I’ve just had a super weekend at the African-American Children’s Book Fair in Philadelphia. Then on Sunday, the New York Giants won a magical superbowl victory. And finally, today is Super Tuesday, one of the most important days leading up to the November presidential elections in the US. But more on that later. Back to the weekend’s highlights…
The Delaware Valley’s youngest book lovers came out in full force to attend Saturday’s book fair. A line of enthusiastic readers and their parents formed outside the Philadelphia Community College gymnasium, where it was held, and extended down the street and around the corner! I was amazed by the turn-out. Award-winning authors and illustrators were among those in attendance, including recent Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award recipient Nancy Devard. It was especially great hanging with my HALLWAY DIARIES co-authors Felicia Pride and Karen Valentin. (Check us out doing our author pose.)

After meeting our fabulous readers and signing copies of HALLWAY DIARIES, the three of us headed to the stage for a quick intro and book reading. When it was my turn on the mic, I was, of course, a bit nervous (Picture me thinking but not boldly saying, “A shout goes out to East Orange, NJ…and double-Dutch jumpers worldwide!”). I read the double Dutch scene in the opening paragraphs of “Double Act” and the crowd enjoyed it. Everyone especially liked my co-author Karen’s sassy rendition of her novella’s character Juanita. We got a warm reception from everyone. Thanks to all who came out and swung by our table to say Hi! I headed home feeling deeply inspired and encouraged by all the young people’s enthusiasm for books and for reading.
Sunday’s fantastic superbowl game perfectly capped off my exciting weekend. And today, I’ll be keeping a close eye on the election results. I admit that when it comes to selecting the right candidate, I’ve been on the fence (Barack or Hillary?). So last night I hit youtube.com and loaded up on several Obama and Clinton speeches. Very moving on Obama’s part. I think I’ll let myself get swept up by all this excitement. And why not? It’s an important movement. Plus, I’ve always been a hopeful, idealistic girl. Why stop now when we so desperately need to keep believing? So, consider this my official dreamer-girl endorsement for Senator Barack Obama.
Happy voting to all those heading to the election booths today!