Pieces of our beloved animals: I'D RATHER GO NAKED!

Actress Christian Serratos (Angela Weber - Twilight Saga) goes naked for PETA.

Way to go girl!

Lets all not wear fur!

http://www.peta.org/MC/printAds_clothing.asp

Pieces of....nothing!

20 Things You Didn't Know About... Nothing. (And there's way more there than you think).

1 There is vastly more nothing than something. Roughly 74 percent of the universe is “nothing,” or what physicists call dark energy; 22 percent is dark matter, particles we cannot see. Only 4 percent is baryonic matter, the stuff we call something.

2 And even something is mostly nothing. Atoms overwhelmingly consist of empty space. Matter’s solidity is an illusion caused by the electric fields created by subatomic particles.

3 There is more and more nothing every second. In 1998 astronomers measuring the expansion of the universe determined that dark energy is pushing apart the universe at an ever-accelerating speed. The discovery of nothing—and its ability to influence the fate of the cosmos—is considered the most important astronomical finding of the past decade.

4 But even nothing has a weight. The energy in dark matter is equivalent to a tiny mass; there is about one pound of dark energy in a cube of empty space 250,000 miles on each side.

5 In space, no one can hear you scream: Sound, a mechanical wave, cannot travel through a vacuum. Without matter to vibrate through, there is only silence.

6 So what if Kramer falls in a forest? Luckily, electromagnetic waves, including light and radio waves, need no medium to travel through, letting TV stations broadcast endless reruns of Seinfeld, the show about nothing.

7 Light can travel through a vacuum, but there is nothing to refract it. Alas for extraterrestrial romantics, stars do not twinkle in outer space.

8 Black holes are not holes or voids; they are the exact opposite of nothing, being the densest concentration of mass known in the universe.

9 “Zero” was first seen in cuneiform tablets written around 300 B.C. by Babylonians who used it as a placeholder (to distinguish 36 from 306 or 360, for example). The concept of zero in its mathematical sense was developed in India in the fifth century.

10 Any number divided by zero is . . . nothing, not even zero. The equation is mathematically impossible.

11 It is said that Abdülhamid II, sultan of the Ottoman Empire in the early 1900s, had censors expunge references to H2O from chemistry books because he was sure it stood for “Hamid the Second is nothing.”

12 Medieval art was mostly flat and two-dimensional until the 15th century, when the Florentine architect Filippo Brunelleschi conceived of the vanishing point, the place where parallel lines converge into nothingness. This allowed for the development of perspective in art.

13 Aristotle once wrote, “Nature abhors a vacuum,” and so did he. His complete rejection of vacuums and voids and his subsequent influence on centuries of learning prevented the adoption of the concept of zero in the Western world until around the 13th century, when Italian bankers found it to be extraordinarily useful in financial transactions.

14 Vacuums do not suck things. They create spaces into which the surrounding atmosphere pushes matter.

15 Creatio ex nihilo, the belief that the world was created out of nothing, is one of the most common themes in ancient myths and religions.

16 Current theories suggest that the universe was created out of a state of vacuum energy, that is, nothing.

17 But to a physicist there is no such thing as nothing. Empty space is instead filled with pairs of particles and antiparticles, called virtual particles, that quickly form and then, in accordance with the law of energy conservation, annihilate each other in about 10-25 second.

18 So Aristotle was right all along.

19 These virtual particles popping in and out of existence create energy. In fact, according to quantum mechanics, the energy contained in all the power plants and nuclear weapons in the world doesn’t equal the theoretical energy contained in the empty spaces between these words.

20 In other words, nothing could be the key to the theory of everything.

Pieces of me: E.T. Phone Home!

Today it’s been 10 days that I’m in Amsterdam for business. I still have 5 more days to go before I make it back home.

I really miss home, and somehow, for some reason, some people really don’t (or can’t) understand this.

Our lives are made of phases. Usually they come and go, but sometimes, they are not just phases. They are periods of your life that really define your future or aspects of it.

3 months ago I got married. And I dare say that I got married for better and more noble reasons than a great amount of people. And I can say this cause I’ve been married before, so this ain’t no unknown road to me.

My husband is my best friend. The most kind and honest person I’ve had the amazing pleasure to meet. A person that, even when things don’t go really well, he makes the best of it. He’s always smiling, always truly happy. He’s the best person I know, along with my father. I’m very proud to be his wife, to carry his name after my father’s name. Maybe the one good thing I did in life was to allow somebody like him to fall in love with me.

So here I am, 3 months into a very happy marriage, away from home, ultra homesick and still, a few people have a hard time understanding my wish to go home.

Everybody – usually- knows what’s the best for themselves. So, I hope I’m not being too nosy here when I wish that everyone find a Todd in their lives. By the way, Todd is my husband’s name! :-)

Everybody’s got something that makes them happy. On May 4^th 2008, I wrote on this very blog: “What makes you happy? The moon, the street, the sea, or a walk on the beach? A candy, a dance? After all, what makes you happy? Chocolate, passion, to sleep early, to wake up late? Rice and beans, salary raise, your house, the car you always wanted or is it dreams that makes you happy? To sleep on the couch, skip school, skip work, to read or to live a romance? What makes you happy? A pencil, a letter, a good chat, a song, hot coffee, a laugh? A bird, a park, a river or would it be cry that makes you happy? The pause to think, to feel the wind, to forget the time, the sky, the sun, a sound, a person, a place? Now tell me: what makes you happy?”

I’ve got my answer: My parents make me happy. My parents with that forever attitude that I’ll always be their little girl so that even when I’m almost 30 years old, they still want to know my every steps; my brother with that camaraderie that only siblings can have for each other, a partner in crime, in mind reading, in late movies on tv or in hotel rooms all around the world; my dog who is always extremely happy to see me; my twin cousins who have always been more than cousins, cause to me they are my sisters; and least but NEVER EVER last, my husband, who I love profoundly and loves me back as well. Yesterday, today and for all the tomorrows yet to come.

So, please excuse but YES, I WANNA GO HOME!

I wanna lay down next to my husband and notice he’s watching me watch TV, looking at me totally in love. I wanna walk around my house and have fun with my little dog following me all around.

And don’t get me wrong, Amsterdam is a beautiful and historic place, but I just had enough of bread and cheese and am in need of a home cooked meal made by my hubby. Also, there’s cultural differences that are a bit hard for me to live with, since I don’t drink, am completely and 100% totally against drugs and all and any substance that mess with your mind state and control, and I do not encourage prostitution.

For those who are yet to come to this beautiful city, remember that Amsterdam is famous for some other things as well, so try to take advantage of that. Visit Anne Frank’s house and see how amazing it is to realize a profound mind in a young teenager’s body and her view of the II World War, Visit the flower market and take some tulip’ seeds home and plant in your garden, go see the botanical garden, the museums, the churches, take a boat ride through the canals and just enjoy an European city that has been around since 1275, therefore it has a lot of history to tell and show you.

Cheers everyone!

Pieces of all of us: Have you gone thirsty today?

Water. The essence of life. I turn on the tap a hundred times a day, never thinking of it. I drink water, I water the plants, I put water in the washing machine, I give fresh water to my dog, I wet washcloths to clean the kitchen after meals, I wash my own hands, I wash my car, I wash dishes (ok, sometimes).

And it's always there. Pure, clean, crystal clear, drinking water. I never even think twice about it. The few times that our water's been turned off for a few hours because of maintenance, it seems like a horrible thing-- how will we wash our hands? Or flush the toilet??? It seems inconcievable to do without, even for a short period of time.

Yet a billion people worldwide don't have access to safe, clean drinking water. Many have to walk miles every day just to get access to crappy, muddy, bacteria-infested water. Thousands die every day because of this. "Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80% of all sickness and disease, and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war." How can you live without water?

Yesterday I watched this video http://www.youtube.com/user/charitywater?blend=7&ob=4. It literally brought tears to my eyes. It is a lovely reminder of what we human beings are capable of when we seek to unite and help, rather than conquer and destroy. We can make a big impact, by simple actions.

I love b-day parties. Sure, there are plenty of material things I'd like to recieve. None of which really matter that much. What would be really nice? Building a well somewhere in Africa, for people who truly need it. $20 can give a single person in Africa with safe, clean drinking water for 20 years. Now that's a wise investment.

Find out more about charity: water here.

Thank you.

Pieces of me: My wonderful marriage.

My husband really is the best guy in the entire world. Really!!!

I know everyone says so about their spouse, but really, he's the best.

Our marriage is passionate, loving, creative, hilarious, and cute...the best thing is knowing about each other as much as we do. It isn't fake, because we already know so much. He's loyal. in fact, the most loyal person I've ever known.

He's true to his word, he's honest, he's never let me down on a promise and I trust him entirely. plus he's monogamous, and INCREDIBLE in the bedroom. :o)

He loves me and spoils me in non-matierialistic ways. Compliments me, kisses and hugs me in public and in private. Showers with me, washes my hair, cuddles me at night. I love to cook for him and do his laundry cause he just smells so good!!! I watch movies with him, take road trips, shop together, and when we argue it's involved and real and we settle it because, my husband, ladies and gentlemen, demands that we talk and discuss our problems.

I love him so much. I love that he's focused and driven and has a sense of humor. I love that we can argue (which is very very rare!) and still love each other, that I can be vulnerable and not feel exposed. I love that I am in such love with a man that is so in love with me. I love when I look down at my band, and know that the person whom I love the most in life is wearing it's partner, and I just have to grin at the thought of him. I still swear that I wished him, or something.

He's smart, handsome, funny, sexy, playful, he's nice to everyone, and he loves animals and kids. I can go on forever about him. It's just that damn good!!!

I love my husband, I adore my marriage. i couldn't ask for anything or anyone more. I truly am the, the most blessed, luckiest woman in the universe.

I love you Todd. Today and for all the tomorrows yet to come.

Pieces of all of us: You've got to fight for something in your life!

The cattle sector in the Brazilian Amazon is the largest driver of deforestation in the world, responsible for one in every eight hectares destroyed globally. Efforts to halt global deforestation emissions must tackle this sector.

Zero deforestation is a climate imperative. Forests play a vital role in stabilising the world’s climate by storing large amounts of carbon that would otherwise contribute to climate change. The Amazon is estimated to store 80-120 billion tonnes of carbon. If destroyed, some fifty times the annual GHG emissions of the USA could be emitted.

Destruction of the Amazon, the world’s most important forest carbon store, is being driven by the cattle sector. The Brazilian Amazon has the greatest annual average deforestation by area of anywhere in the world. The cattle sector is the key driver of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon. According to the Brazilian government: ‘Cattle are responsible for about 80% of all deforestation’ in the Amazon region. In recent years, on average one hectare of Amazon rainforest has been lost to cattle ranchers every 18 seconds.

The cattle sector in the Brazilian Amazon is responsible for 14% of the world’s annual deforestation. This makes it the world’s largest driver of deforestation, responsible for more forest loss than the total deforestation in any country outside Brazil except Indonesia.

To learn more, visit Greenpeace

Donate to Greenpeace at your country by clicking HERE! Join Greenpeace today and add your voice to the movement that's committed to defending our planet. Our vision of a better future is only as strong as the people who support us. Your support will make all the difference.

Pieces of me and Todd: Marriage - I Recommend!

We did it! July 18th 2009 was the big day! Happines all around and love in the air. It was perfect! Small, intimate, romantic and fun. Never been happier in my life!

I married the man in the other. My perfect other half. My best friend.

What make us so special? Friendship.

What make us so perfect? Love and respect.

What make us so beautiful? Life and dreams shared with each other.

I pray everybody in the world finds what I found. True love. True blessing.

Marriage - I totally recommend! ;-)

Pieces of me and Todd: Our wedding is coming up!

Hi everybody! Hope you're all doing great.

So, we have 4 days for the Brazilian Wedding and we would like to share how things are going down here!

Like you all know, it will be a lunch party and I won't be dressing as a bride. I'll leave that last one for the American wedding ;-) We are going to the Cartorio in the morning, which is the same as the court house wedding in the U.S. and then go to Mom and Dad's house. Take some pictures and stuff....

We are having 62 people over for lunch at the pool area of my Dad's house. We are serving some Brazilian snacks and "batidinhas" (fruit creamy juice with or without vodka) in the beginning. Todd and I will do our vows @ the lunch party and then have the symbolic cake cut. According to Brazilian traditions, we should feed each other a piece of cake, which means that we make each other's life sweeter! ;-)

We give a thank you gift to the best man (my brother Vinícius) and mades of honour (my best friend Tatiana and my twin cousins Rafaela and Roberta). (The girsl will get a candle + cd and Vinicius will get a candle + a book of jokes on politicians - we couldn't help it! hehehe, since his job is related to that)

Then we'll have 2 different types of salads. (Green Salad With a Minced Garlic Mustard Vinagrette and Caprese Salad).

Before lunch is served, Dad will make a toast. We give parents a gift to say thanks for everything.

Lunch is served - Broiled Filet with Madeira wine sauce and Shitake mushrooms, Roasted and sauteéd new potatoes with parsley, Steamed Arborio Rice, Margarita Farfalle *bowtie pasta with dried tomatoes, basil and Buffalo Mozzarella in a Butter Sauce*. Then we have the wedding cake with crunchy ice cream (vanilla with caramelized peanuts) + some little Brazilian candy.

Then we have coffee with some petit fours.

There will be a person playing acoustic guitar and singing in the background. He'll sing MPB, which means Brazilian Popular Music and some "not so loud" Pop Rock. :-p

We promise to take pictures of everything! Am still not sure if we'll have some videos. But we'll send you guys everything. And we'll also take pictures of decoration, table food and all.

Love you all.

Kisses

Mel & Todd

Pieces of me and Todd: Best wishes for our Wedding

We've been getting a lot of best wishes messages from our family and friends, but one in particular, I want to post here.

It's so deep and beautiful...and TRUE!...that I want to share with all of you, and also thank Robin and Kristin Estlick for such beautiful message!

Enjoy!

On your wedding day…and for every day after…Remember that these are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever.

These are the hands that will work alongside yours as together you build your future.
These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other.
These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief temporarily comes your way.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy.
These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children.
These are the hands that will give you support and encouragement to chase down your dreams.
These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times.
These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.
These are the hands that will lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into eyes that are filled with overwhelming love for you.

And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

Pieces of me and my babe: Wedding Prepps

Oh My God! Wedding celebrations take a lot of research, time, walking around, buying and prepping. You have no idea! But it's sooooo much fun.

My babe and I will get married next month, and we decided to do a few things ourselves, instead of buying them. To celebrate the occasion, we'll have a wedding lunch with the closest friends and family only for now. Eventually, we'll do the big fancy thing for more people and all.

One of the things we're doing are called "bem casados", which in portuguese means "well wed", and basically, they are two shortbread cookies with a doce de leite filling. I say cookie cause it's easier to picture them, but the dough is actually a cake dough. Some people also use chocolate for the filling. Bem casados are a party favour to the guests. And this is one of the things we are making ourselves.

bem casados after they've been wrapped. Usually people use the color of the party.

And this is how they look like. They are delicious. There are many different flavors, but the traditional ones are doce de leite (the middles ones) and chocolate.

Another thing we had to take care was the fabric for my dress. Since now we are only getting married at the court house, I'm not going to dress in a wedding dress, but a cute outfit can't be left out, right?We bought some pretty lavender fabric and some pearl satim for my dress which will be hand-made by a professional seamstress. I draw the dress myself. :o)

We also made the invitations ourselves, and hired a print shop to print them. We'll send you the invitations, even knowing that you can't be present, cause we think it's a cool souvenir. And don't worry, we'll send the translation of the portuguese text as well!

We already decided the meal, which will be a brazilian dish called Feijoada, plus the cake and some candies. We ordered a lavender cake decorated with yellow flowers. Very pretty.

Feijoada

Another thing we did this week is that we bought Todd's suit. For the 1st time EVER, he was wearing the full set. He was soooooooo handsome...OH MY GOD! It's dark grey, w/ a grey shirt and a lavender tie.

Well, I guess that's it for now.

We'll keep you posted.

Hugs and Kisses

Mel & Todd