My daughter's supplemental college essay:

The Transformation
A warm, welcoming summer day brought me to my neighbor, Luana. The melodious tunes she strummed from her old wooden ukulele danced through the balmy breeze beckoning me to watch her and the beautiful halau of Hawaiian dancers. I was riveted by the halau’s eloquent synchronization of music and dance. Mounted on a makeshift, wooden platform, stood several women costumed in the traditional garments from the islands of Hawaii and Polynesia who were dancing for a primal audience: nature and themselves. I observed that the gentle and exquisitely graceful sway of their hands and hips seem to empower them physically and spiritually. Their faces radiated the serenity and beauty of the dance. Perhaps because Luana caught a glimpse of my enraptured expression from across the fence that divided our yards, she smiled and welcomed me into her private dance session. It was that same day she adopted me as one of her own dancers. She explained to me that hula was not just a dance, but a story of nature, love, and humanity expressed through movement particularly in the undulation of one’s hands. She claimed that I had a natural gift for dance, but in order to perform professionally, I would have to practice with great dedication and maintain my love for the dance, because in its essence, hula is a dance from the heart. I knew that day I was committed to be a hula dancer.

Such a beautiful gift is the loving spirit of one to another, Thank you Mari, Blessings, T

My Daddy

My Kids

My Mom

I have a new puppy!

To be an angel, one need not have wings.
In giving love there is an equal grace.
Nor need one seek the aura in the face,
As love unveils the beauty of all things."
By Francois Couperin

my college graduation pic some 2 decades ago...

Makes a person smile from the inside out, Hope that things are going well for and with you Mari, Hugs and heart, T

Happy valentine's Day to my brilliant and clever friend! Hugs with a kiss!

(psssttt...Mari, I miss you also, This is where I am, with a larger group that sets out to better the world and not destroy it slice by wicked slice! I have not nor will I ever forget you and those who live for the good Mari, Life is such a precious gift, I value and honors who you choose to be in yours. Hugs, heart and happiness, Tina)

Thank you for the Birthday wishes. xooxox

Lovely new avatar Maricel!

Lovely sweet avatar for moi! Thank you ;-D

Thank you for the friend invite.

Maricel, thank you for inviting me to your friend list. I see by your page that you are, or asipire to being a writer. Have you hand your work published? What do you like to write?
Michael

Thanks for thinking of me Mari. Now all I have to do is get use to this forum lol. Good thing I'm not as much a computer moron as I was a while back but I still get confused lol. Will be nice to talk to the old friends of SI when it was a good thing. I was so shocked to hear about Laz. He will be very missed. Peace Love and Light Toni

Maricel, I've actually been published several times in magazines and newspapers but I too would like to try my hand at childrens writing. I wrote a daily newspapers for my kids when they were growing up and still write it for my grandson. It's called "Kid News" and it's made up of silly rhymes, terrible drawings (I am not an artist) and a few educatinal bits. A lot of people have told me that it should be made available for the general public. I am a kid at heart and the idea appeals to me.

haha,
someone's got their priorities kakafutzi.
this is the pleasant diversion,
learning/teaching trumps all.

you honor me with your friendship and kindness.

I took my kids earlier today to do volunteer work for the NJ Special Olympics Basketball Tournament. I hope they got something from the experience.

My kiddies @ my cousin's wedding 3-13-10

Wishing you the happiest of Birthdays Maricel ~ may your fondest wishes come true for you, and remember - it's not the age, but what you do within the age that matters - so make it all count! Blessing dear one!

Oh ! Almost forgot - been saving this for your Birthday ;) !!!

Happy happy birthday Maricel! Are you old enough to be here now? Reminder: TBD is for people aged 40 or older.

Insert sparkly birthday graphics here--------------------->

Happy Birthday Maricel.

Happy birthday, Maricel! For you, a bouquet of lotus flowers!

Red Ribbon

Hiya Maricel!! I know we aren't "friends", but I read alot of what you contribute here at TBD and I like the things you share. Just wanted to say Happy Birthday. Hope you had a great day. Jack

Flappy Surfday!

Well Hi There! :-) Thanks Maricel.

Music Videos & Desktop Wallpaper

You done good tonite!!!