Learning from the ★American idol Jessica Sanchez Experience★ - YouTube

★American idol Jessica Sanchez-Turn the beat around[HD]★ - YouTube:

Well, I'm sad that my prediction became true, with Jessica not winning the 'American Idol' award this season. But I know she'll go farther in the direction of her entertainment career than the other one who won this season. The producers, advertisers, judges, and viewers generally are not convinced yet that an 'American Idol' has to be nothing else but the usual 'white person.' I experience a similar treatment in my writing career (mostly writing in English other than the other languages I know) just because I'm not someone whose English is considered my 1st language (The Bicol language, which most label as a 'dialect', was actually my 1st language, with both English and Tagalog languages I have come to learn and use practically at the same time by aged 7). But I'm happy knowing that people outside of the US read items in my growing portfolio, which I get to know from using certain softwares that help track locations of online viewers and readers. 

What needs to be done? Individuals like us here in the USA, and who look different from the 'average type' being shown in most media outlets have to  make themselves seen, noticed, known, etc by the general public, especially by influential, powerful people. Make ourselves become the opposite of stereotyped roles most would like to assign to us. And let's sustain our efforts in doing all these; in due time we'll become a stronger force that can't be ignored and labeled conveniently by those influential persons who are just so scared now because they're seeing that their presence out there is dimming so quickly than usual.

I'm sure Jessica Sanchez will be among the top 3 finalists of the current season of American Idol. At the same time, I doubt if she will win the coveted award. Most probably, viewers and producers of American Idol will weigh on her being too young and too talented, so she can always get more than enough gigs to sustain her energy and efforts to become a showbiz superstar in her own time. Look at the many others who were eliminated along the way, and yet they're more up there in the much talked about career ladder of entertainment.

But is this reasoning tenable? Yes, but only if viewers will allow this to happen, and also, only when the 3 judges (and those who advise and those who influence them in the background) will make this happen. I can just imagine how much concentrated prayers coming from TV viewers of Philippine-Mexican upbringing are now being said; they're basically all rooting for Ms. Sanchez to finish first in the current season of American Idol.

And why do I believe Ms. Sanchez will have the prospect of an extensive career laid before her? Remember how she rendered a version of Whitney Houston's 'I Will Always Love You'? It's among the first-rate versions I've listened to-date, which are among those versions that don't sound as if the singer's attempting to being an autographed copy of the original (who's always considered the best by most minds on matters like this). Ms. Sanchez can stand on her own, even with worst chosen songs like the song 'Turn The Beat Around.'

Way to go, Ms. Jessica Sanchez! You make all of us who believe in your gift more prouder of ourselves; we see a piece of our dreams in what you're (and members of your ever supportive team) accomplishing nowadays.

'via Blog this'

On Top of the Bull at Cold Spring Upstate New York

We're told there was ice a week ago when they were here; winter is slowly saying its goodbye for now.

A section of the Hudson River in Cold Spring; Beacon (the next town) is toward the right side of the picture

one of the many ponds we saw along the trail

West Point is where that island-like land formation shown in this picture

Jeff E & myself; Jeff's the one who shared the pictures here from his phonecamera

sleepy, tired me!

I finally made it with other members of Sundance Outdoor Adventure Society again one weekend  and this time it's at Mt Taurus in Cold Spring. With 8 others in that trip, I felt safe and confident that I would complete the day hike even if I barely slept the night before because I had to be in a farewell party at a friend's house in Queens. I managed to wake up early enough and was soon waiting for my friend Jeff E (who shared all the pictures I've in this blog posting) whose reminder text to me the night before I only got to read at the Grand Central Terminal. I was soon chatting earnestly with another Sundance member, Robert (who I learned later, had been to the Philippines) as we waited for other members to arrive.

Thankfully, the hike was uneventful in the sense that nothing untoward happened. My state of mind during the hike was sluggish (it must be the red wine, the good food, the ecstatic singing, the company I had the pleasure of sharing the previous night). I was even telling Jeff E that I felt like I was attracting some bad elements that I feared would in turn hurt me--I felt no confidence in crossing one of the streams we faced along the trail and had my left shoe getting wet. I then proceeded to say my usual personal invocations to myself, and thankfully nothing as or more worst came about.

We were soon at the spot close to the peak before noon where we gathered and had lunch together. I delighted at the exchange and the chance to listen to mini-stories from others who joined the hike as we rested, and took time to enjoy the marvelous 360-degree view before us. I heard from someone that the island-like land formation along the Hudson River belongs to the famous West Point Military Academy site. I also took notice of a number of other hikers, some of whom had their huge dogs joining and playing with them.

We were also figuring out the outlines of NYC's familiar skyline of tall structures--I do hope then that we were correct with what our eyes could figure out. A powerful pair of binoculars would have easily confirmed this. The rest of the trail leading to the descent after lunch time could be considered easy, relatively. This can be particularly true if one's used to hiking on many occasions before (which I did myself when I was younger) and still relatively fit and healthy. I also recall having a kinda lengthy chat with Ron, who's a theater teacher, while the group's pursuing the trail, which gave me the opportunity to practice ideas that have been churning in my mind lately about my other works.

Most of us joined an early dinner at the Depot, which I understand used to be the train station in Cold Spring. The conversation flowed in wonderfully amidst the rolling of huge trains every now and then at least 8 feet away from the table where our group was gathered. The temperature was soon dropping and I felt chilly. As we walked back to the train station, I promised myself I'll join another trip with these enthusiastic fellows as soon as my schedule will allow it.