IT WAS RIGHT HERE - PHILADELPHIA

The first time I saw you, oh you looked so run down
And I had a feeling we'd never get a long
Philly, you came along and didn't impress me at all
Now our lives are intertwined but it won't be for long
When I go it's you that I'll miss
A place like this grows on you oh oh oh

Okay enough with stealing Lionel Richie's words. I 'll make up my own.

IT WAS RIGHT HERE - PHILADELPHIA


They say that you are the city of brotherly love, I don't know

When I first looked at you, it was clear to me that you had been through some pretty tough times
From your worn out buildings and crowded streets, I could tell you had seen better days

Your people - Aisha, Lakisha, Tanisha, Malcolm and little Sasha running around in the playground, mama keeping a close eye and belting out in her stern don't-make-me-come-there kind of voice if any of them strayed too far
Michael and Susan holding hands as they run to school while dad folds up the stroller and mom parks the car
Students every where, college students, graduate students, doctorate students, in University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, Drexel University all coming from near and far
The Italian who owns the most visited pizza joint, Ling's Chinese restaurant up the road and the Ethiopian restaurant a few blocks away
Coffee shops at almost every corner- "Star bucks", "Bucks county coffee", "The green line" never empty having dogs of all shapes and sizes tied to a poll outside while their masters catch up with friends, do some reading or just sip on their daily cup of coffee
The crazy man who is almost always drunk, talking real loud and known to stand in the middle of the road, daring on coming traffic
Sandals, tank tops, shorts, mini skirts, and rowdy beer parties
Boots, Jackets, Umbrellas, hoods, raincoats, and rowdy beer parties
All these things characterise you

Your chilly winters, cool yellowing autumn, blazing hot summers, soaking wet spring
That's the Philly I know.

It's amazing to think that even though you look worn out, you are America's birth place.
It was right here that the declaration of independence was signed in 1777.
It was right here that the American flag was designed
It was right here that the first almanac was printed in 1685
It was right here that the first brick house was erected in 1682
It was right here that Rocky was filmed
It was right here that Will Smith was born and raised
It was right here ...

Wrapping up

It's almost time to say bye to good ol' Philly.
In about two weeks, Sam will be through with Wharton, then comes graduation and what do you know? it will be over.

We'll soon be saying farewell to the Philly that I have grown to love, with it's run down buildings and unique people... I feel a poem coming on

Budo Fire

Last week, I read about the tragic fire that burned 19 children to death at Budo Junior. Oh how my heart sank. Every story I read (even as the details unfold) brings tears to my eyes. I think about the pain and desperate state of the parents.
How shocked, overwhelmed, and shattered they are, in a manner that no one can truly express. Losing a child, whether it's 2 days old, still in the womb, or even 50 years old is all the same. The memory of carrying this child for nine months, more or less, being blessed with the opportunity of seeing them grow, their laughter, their habits is ever so real, like it was yesterday.

I grieve with these parents because I have experienced similar pain. The feeling of absolute loss. Feeling like there's no reason to live another day.
The difference in my case is that I know God, I wonder if they do too. Who do they run to in a time such as this when no amount of consolation from friends, neighbours, sympathisers, relatives, strangers can even begin to soothe the ache in the soul?
I wish I could tell them, that there is hope even now, I know it sounds crazy but it's true.

I have found in Jesus the strength, the comfort, the understanding that no one and I mean no one could ever provide. Even though there are many relatives, friends and people who come to share in the grief. No one can fully comprehend the gravity of the pain that parents experience in a time like this, no one except God Himself. He knows more about us than we do about ourselves.
He experienced the greatest pain of all when He sent His ONLY son to die for us. He saw everything unfold, the peak of it all was when He couldn't look at His son because Jesus was covered with our sin.
Jesus just like these children was innocent and undeserving of such cruelty.
"All for love the Father gave".

He knows the pain.
He is the only one who can say "I know what you're going through", He is the only one who can say "It's gonna be alright" because He knows. It does not look that way now, we can not comprehend it now, it's absolutely overwhelming but He knows all. He knows their pain and He will see them through it all.
Saying that God allowed this tragedy to happen doesn't make sense to human mind but that is what I believe. I have learned Romans 8:28 to be true;
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose".

I know there are feelings of anger, of betrayal, of injustice, it's not wrong to feel this way but one thing I wish I could tell them is to give all their cares to Jesus and in time He will make this ugly experience one that brings a smile. I don't know how, but He will.

Obama Rally at Independence Mall

Looks like I'm getting swept into the presidential campaigns. I just noticed that my last post was also about Obama. It's the hot topic right now ...

Our friend Julian saved us some VIP tickets for the Obama rally at the Independence Mall. It was a very welcome idea. It's nice to be involved in the making of history.

At about 5:30, Sam, Mich, Eddie, Ham and I headed to Center City for the rally.
Lots and lots of people, the place was crowded, we didn't think we would make it in. But thankfully a few phone calls by Ham managed to get us into the thick line. There was no pushing and the line was moving along so we were able to get in about 6:30pm.


The crowd comprised of people from all walks of life, babies, grannies, students, toddlers name it, they were there.

We stood for about 3 hours just waiting for "the man" to show up. Every one was psyched, there was great music blasting from the speakers. People were dancing, singing along and talking to every one, it was like we were one big happy family.


Obviously the wait was long, some people decided to leave but the majority waited with a determination. I can't estimate the numbers that showed up, but they were thousands upon thousands as the pictures depict.


When Obama came up on stage, there were deafening screams from every corner, flashes going off every second from people trying to take pictures, it was a powerful moment.


His speech was fantastic and having it infront of the hall where the papers of the declaration of independence were signed was perfect.

For some reason, his speech and seeing the passion with which he spoke made me very emotional. I don't know how far he will go, or if Americans will vote for him, all I can say is, he is a man of substance.

Penn for Obama

The first thing Sam told me when I woke up this morning was that John Legend was putting up a show in Philly. For a second there I wondered if he had saidJohn Lennon or John Legend. Obviously it was Legend duh! it would have been kind of spooky if it had been the former.

I met Julian, a good friend of ours and one of Sam's classmates, he too told me about the show and reminded me that it was free. I thought why not. Picked Mich up from school and headed straight for the auditorium. There were only a few people waiting in line by the time we got there but it turns out we were early. Students started flocking in after a while. It was well organised, no pushing or "fixing people", every one stood in line and waited their turn to enter.

First on stage was Kal Penn telling us why we should vote for Obama. I thought he had an Indian accent judging from the movies he'd acted in but no, it's all American. Students were excited to see him but after a while they begun shuffling in their seats. That was a sign to say - "dude, it's nice to see you and all but can we now have the 'legend'?".
Kal went on to introduce the five time Grammy award winner - John Legend. Wooooow!!!


Students cheered real loud. Then some fat guy walked onto the stage, headed straight towards the keyboard and adjusted the microphone. For a second there everyone was like 'huh?!' but shortly after that Legend walked on, we cheered again.

I was so excited "it's him, it's him, it's Legend, he's here, he's for real, this is so cool!!" the only thing that was missing was my camera.
Mich on the other hand was bored, what was all the fuss about? A man walking onto the stage? At least if he was making funny faces or doing something interesting, he was just walking and people were cheering so hard? Spoosh!

He greeted us and said he was here to rally votes for Obama, encouraging us to vote for change. Without wasting time he sat down at the keyboard and played his first song. It was fantastic, his voice is crisp, clear and loud, it filled the entire auditorium. Every one was silent, listening intently.
I loved the way he played the keyboard, like it was his second nature, like the keys was part of him and him part of the keys. His voice blended very well with the notes he played, it was neat!

Mich fell asleep ( he'll probably kick himself in the foot when he is older and I tell him how he slept through a "free" John Legend concert).

After singing two songs he stopped to drink some water and the students cheered and clapped like that was the coolest thing, I mean he was just drinking water but... the life of celebs!. They can make you buy tooth paste with so much zeal, just because they said they use it.

Legend is an old boy of U Penn, so he was certainly the best Obama representative.

He played about 7 songs before it was all over and students had to go for lectures. We went out on "Ordinary people".