My throwback Thursday are songs that bring me back to UMass Amherst and some to Freshman year.  

Oliver N'Goma - NGE
Eric Brouta - Randezouk
Thierry Cham - Memoire de Femme
Ludo - Sensuelle 
Harry Diboula - Tu Me Manques

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Recently, I had the opportunity to help my cousin out with some re-organizing.  Things had been organized before, but through time, things just added up and there were many items in the wrong place.  She does event planning, so through time, certain areas of her house, especially the kitchen, had become "dumping" grounds for out of place items.  She needed someone to come in with a fresh set of eyes and help get things back into shape.

That's where I and my cousin Silvie came in.  We balanced each other out.  She loves to organize, but is extra good at letting things go.  I on the other hand have a harder time with letting things go, in terms of I think it can be used later.  But we reasoned and compromised, and we were able to get rid of unnecessary items and give a home to the items that belonged in the areas we tackled, and made things happen.   

One area that we tackled was the bathroom closet and the cabinet under the sink.  First we sorted everything that was in the closet into like groups.  For example, hair products.  Then we went through each group and got rid of things that were not being used, like half bottles of shampoo or expired products.  Then we cleared out the closet, and cleaned it out.  

The next step was to figure out our containers and set up.  It's nice to put things in containers, because it helps with doing it's job of keeping things contained.  Since the bins we were using in the closet were see through, we didn't have to label.  We did put labels for the items under the cabinet sink.  
Many times it's not that you are not able to take on the job of organizing, but there are times, we hold on to things because of sentimental reasons or we think we may need an item down the line and just simply have a hard time of letting go of things, or we just need another perspective or fresh set of eyes.  And many times, two minds are better than one.

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Last week was the start of spring, but with the weather outside, it sure isn't helping to start working on the garden.  So until then, below are pictures of my garden bed and my prep area for the plants.  Last year, I purchased an inexpensive greenhouse, and it sure has been a good investment.  I will be updating this prep area and the garden bed, as soon as the weather allows me.  I will start first though by planting some seeds in pots and placing them in the greenhouse and then transferring them to the ground later.  Hopefully I can start soon.  Til then, make the best of this dreary day.  

Five years ago today, you left us.  You don't go away, but "you walk beside us every day...unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear."  As I keep working every day, little by little, towards my goals and dreams, I'm reminded of your gentle heart, your soft yet strong presence, your tenacity to get things done, your strong work ethic, and your ability to do so many things, in so many different areas.  I see you in me, when I am in my creative mood.  I see you in me, with my organizing ways.  I see you, in my love for music.  You were and still are an inspiration to me.  You are missed daily.  I know you had to go, but I know I will one day see you again.  Miss you Papa Henrique.   

Here's to the man always with his stylish hat, his ever so important briefcase, and his musical twin, the guitar, but most importantly the man with a big heart and greatest father figure.  To all the birthdays and gatherings we enjoyed with you on this Eventful Friday, we celebrate you, even though you left us on this day.  The Alves family took a big part in making all these beautiful events happen for a well deserving man, who embraced us with so many years of love.  Papa de nos Tudo.  ​Have a good weekend everyone.

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Nothing is Impossible, the word itself says "I'm Possible" Audrey Hepburn

Each day we must push ourselves to reach our goals.  Even if it's just one task that you do, amongst many, it gets you closer to your goals and dreams.  One step at a time. Or as Dory would say, "Just Keep Swimming!"

It's Friday, time to unwind and relax.  Heading out for some weekend relaxation, but before I do, I'd like to share with you a Safari Baby Shower done by 3N Event Planning.  This was a cute, simple, yet intricate baby shower highlighted with a lot of DIYs and little details that brought out the Safari to New England.  A great way to welcome a new prince into the world.

The colors were tiffany blue and gold and the gold brought out the essence of a Safari even more I think, because it symbolizes the sun to me. Nuria was on a mission to give it the Safari feeling and she accomplished, with the binoculars, jeeps, the floral, and in particular the fauna pieces.  The shimmering gold tablecloths gave it the touch of the hot sun blaring in the lands of Africa.  The suitcases gave it the feeling of a person going on a Safari as they say, like Jane in Tarzan.  I helped Nuria with the frame and gift card box by adding a simple floral piece and animals.  Just simple touches added to the Safari theme.  

My task for this event was to create a welcome sign.  I was inspired by many ideas, but I couldn't settle on one idea alone as I felt I could come up with something more special.  I got to thinking and thinking (I love to think) and I thought of a safari, then I thought of a lion, then I thought of the Lion King and the picture of Rafiki introducing baby Simba to the pridelands popped up in my head, and I had it.  So, the idea was simple, but yet gave it a powerful meaning.  I knew I had achieved my idea when someone looked at it, and went that's the "Lion King".  I was like yes!

So enjoy the pictures from the event by 3N Event Planning and have a great weekend. 

Today's Throwback playlist is dedicated to my favorite twins Jenny and Jonny whose Birthdays are today.  Grace and Timmy are her favorite CV artists and since I highlighted Timmy last week, it's Grace's well deserved  turn.   Trying to pick my favorite 5 songs every week to add to my playlist can be  overwhelming, especially when you factor in this great artist.  He's one of the Cape Verdean musicians still going strong years later. Grace has a great voice and has had many successful solo albums and been part of the greatest Cape Verdean groups such as Livity and Splash.  On top of having a great voice he is an incredible drummer.

I've had the opportunity to see him perform and interact with him, when my cousin, Linzinho (I think he and Grace look a lot alike) brought Splash to the US years ago.  I didn't get to interact with him on a personal level like I've had the opportunity to do with other artists, but I bet he's just as genuine as he is an artist.   

These are my top five which were very hard to pick, but I know I have many weeks left in this year to find a way to add other songs by him to my Throwback Playlist.  Back in February, I had added his song Bia to my playlist, so I know I'll be able to add more songs.  

Today is also Jenny's twin brother, Jonny's Birthday who passed away in 2005.  Nha Terra by Grace is dedicated to him as this song reminds me of the time I spent with him in CV in 2001.  Miss him, his big heart, and goofiness a lot.  Happy Birthday to my favorite twins.  

Nha Terra K'Tchuva
Kurtisaun
Lolita
Blues na Coracao
Nha Terra 

The beauty of it all is that in order to reach your destination you must walk the path even if that path is not defined or clear to you, because "to embark on the journey towards your goals and dreams requires bravery.  To remain on that path requires courage.  The bridge that merges the two is commitment." - Dr. Steve Marobi  

Back in September of 2016, I and some family members embarked on a journey to grant my grandfather’s last wish.  He wanted to be buried alongside his parents in Fogo, Cape Verde.  It was a journey that began in Boston that brought us to Portugal, then to Cape Verde.  A journey that began on September 15, 2016 and fulfilled on September 20, 2016, when he was finally laid to rest alongside his parents. 

With that journey, came the opportunity to visit an unknown place to many in the world, even for the many on the island of Fogo.  A beautiful place that I’m glad I had the opportunity to experience and visit.  A place on the outskirts of the city of Sao Felipe called Sambuda.  A place that bears the seeds of a hard working man, my grandfather Djeme de Tadeu. 
Sambuda is not known to many, because it’s up in the hilltops in the outskirts, (what they like to call Fora), and pretty much no other houses are there, except for like maybe one or two, and it’s just basically farmland.  Even I mention it to people from Fogo, and they either tell me they have never heard of it, or how do I know of such a place.  But this was where my father was born and where a man raised his children into the hardworking men and women that they are.  A place, where I wouldn’t mind one day spending some time there, or living.   

As we embarked on the journey that early Saturday morning, I found myself witnessing a rare opportunity for many.  For the first time, in all my many visits to Cape Verde, I was witnessing how green Cape Verde can be.  Days before, there had been a lot of rain on the island of Santiago.  From stories you hear, you wouldn’t think it could rain so much, but here I was witnessing days of rain and it was beautiful and the bounty of that rain was evident when we were trekking towards my grandfather’s property, up on the hilltops of Fogo.   

The last time, I had had the opportunity to visit this place, was when I was 12, and here I was 25 years later, with my aunt and cousin, trying to find the path that led to my grandfather’s place.  Through time, the path has disappeared, because my grandfather sought other opportunities in the city and had left with the family.  The land with the house is still there though with some animals that are taken care of by family members.  But since then, the path is less traveled, and it was hard to find.  We trekked on though, and after about 25-30 minutes, we reached our destination and it was a site to see. 

I remember at 12 what I had experienced, but now there was an added feeling of appreciation and happiness.  Hearing the stories, from my aunts and uncles, of how they had to carry water in buckets or 3 liter cans on their way back from school in order to fill the tank with water or carry building materials to add an addition to the house, you can’t help but marvel at the fruit of their labor and tell yourself, if they can do this, I can do anything.  He worked hard and attained so much, with less opportunities then we have today.  To complain would almost be doing a disservice to all that he worked for.  Yes, it's hard, I can't deny that, but reminding myself of his hard work and the work of my other grandfather and ancestors, gives me encouragement and the motivation to work hard for all that I want.  

And so, I tell myself, in order for you to get the answers you are seeking for, you must ask the questions. You must learn to listen and understand.  There are times that people you do not agree with, may say some things that you do not agree with, but it could just make sense from their perspective. Try to see from their perspective.  This is a part of understanding. Be humble. Be appreciative of all you have and don't worry too much about what you don't have. With patience it will come. Easy success and money doesn't last long. The harder you work for it, the more value you place on what you have.

Take pause before you respond. Listen to understand, do not listen to respond. Be conscious (cognisant) of your words and actions, they may just define you. And at the end of the day be true to yourself. You must learn. You must seek. You must analyze, even if you feel you have gotten the answers.  Learning is the key to success.  Learn from your past. Work hard for what you believe in and want in life. Take those steps and walk, because if you don't take those steps, then you are not able to create the path towards your own legacy.  Pace yourself and all that you seek, will come.  

Below are some pictures from that day of visiting Sambuda.  The beauty of it all is the lush, green landscape and the legacy of a hardworking man.  I bet he didn't know where he was going and he didn't have a clear path to this place, but he embarked on this journey, because he had an ultimate goal, a dream and he showed me and countless others, that anything is possible.   

There's a storm headed our way and yet the 1st day of spring is just around the corner.  I thought I was going to be able to calm down this urge that I have to get outside and start working on my garden, but I have to be patient.  There were signs of spring a few weeks ago and now we are about to get blanketed by about a foot of snow.  I have an itching for spring so I can get started on growing my own flowers and vegetables. I told you I really like being hands on and I have a range of interests.  I had planted a few bulbs back in October and for the last few weeks, I've been seeing signs of life.  I had planted tulips, crocuses, daffodils, allium, and many other bulbs.  There's a joy that comes from being able to see the fruits of your labor.  Gardening also gives me the opportunity to delve a bit into my Biology background.  Now I have to wait a few more days, to immerse myself in it, but until then, I'll keep on planning.