Secrets of the Heart

When I was younger, I hated my name. No one could get the pronunciation right and no one had the name to compare it to. "How do you pronounce your name?" was a question I got quite often from elementary school through college and I still get it but my name has become more common which I hate. Though there's also confusion amongst my loved ones on the pronunciation of my name. The correct pronunciation is Gem-ma but my family and high school friends call me G-ma though I use Gem-ma. You see in actuality it is Gem-ma but due to my mother's accent she has trouble pronouncing Gem-ma so she called me G-ma hence why everyone before my college years calls me G-ma. I'll answer to either one really. The real confusion is when my aunt introduces me to people because she'll call me G-ma but introduce me as Gem-ma. Are you confused yet? For those in the field I want to get into, it's not too difficult thanks to the popularity of actresses Gemma Arterton and Gemma Jo...

A few weeks ago I reviewed Joey and Rory's final album together entitled Hymns that are Important to Us . I've been praying for Joey, one of healing. I was heartbroken to read that she has said her goodbyes to her loved ones and has fallen into a deep sleep. I can't imagine how hard this must be for all of them though it seems she has made peace and has accepted Jesus's Hand to return home. I just became a fan not too long ago after reviewing their album hence why I titled this post "A Fan Too Late." Her bravery is in her unfailing faith. We have lost many to cancer both personal losses as well as losses in the Hollywood community. When I think back of all the greats we lost this year to cancer, the emotions become overwhelming. I lost my friend Theresa Sudik to cancer in February 2012. At the time I found out she passed, I didn't even know she was sick. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think of her. This is why events like Relay for Li...

Tonight while I was looking for something else to watch besides Fuller House  and I stumbled upon a short film titled Ellis . Ellis  gives us a look into the abandoned buildings on Ellis Island. Robert DiNiro serves as the "ghost" of those who journeyed through those buildings. He tells the story of a man who was denied entry to America and makes the decision to hide in the building than to return from whence he came. The dialogue and music is little but powerful. The few words spoken and the few scenes of which we see DiNiro is truly haunting. "I am the ghost of those who made it. I am the ghost of those who didn't make it and for those who would never make it." I may have botched the quote a bit but it is the most endearing quote in the entire film. Pictures of immigrants decorate the walls, windows, and floors. This short film inspired me and gave me ideas. Why can't we restore these buildings and turn them into housing units for our homeless? We can use...

In the spirit of the premiere of Fuller House, I want to share with all of you what my obsession is with the show as well as why I felt the need to defend it against its negative review (aside from the fact that it's a wholesome family show.) I am the black sheep in my family. I never felt nor feel like I belong. I've always had a problem with my weight and have been bullied at school for it. I never felt like I amount to anything despite my accomplishments. I'm the only one divorced and with no kids. My weight is always an issue and always feel depressed. My Mommom who always gave me attention and showed interest in the things I do, passed away in 2011. When I watched Full House , I always imagined myself part of the Tanner family. I felt like if I was depressed there, they would comfort me and tell me how special I am, make me feel like I belong. I feel like they would love me for me. Most of the reason why I am the way I am is because I watched shows like Full House, F...

" It would be foolish to expect Fuller House , the punnily titled Netflix revival of Full House , to be something its predecessor never was." "The women are caricatures. The dead-spouse tragedy and divorce turmoil are barely explored." "There's a plot, but it's basically a series of entrances, exits, and signature bits designed to elicit roars from the studio audience. Even if you share the love, it's just bad TV." The above quotes are from a very harsh review from Entertainment Weekly's Jeff Jensen. When I first read this review for the beloved show Full House , I was furious but understandably everyone has their opinion. However if Mr. Jensen found this show, both Full House and Fuller House, to be bad TV, I would hate to see what he would consider good TV. There are few shows that are wholesome family shows that teach about life lessons in a quirky but meaningful way. When I first heard John Stamos talk about bringing back this wh...

With the premiere of Fuller House  vastly approaching, I thought I would share this story of envy with you. My aunt went to New York with some friends and saw a show on broadway. I don't remember the name of the show but that's mainly because my mind is set on the main reason for this story, John Stamos. Obviously we all love him as Uncle Jesse from Full House but I also continued to follow his ventures from different television shows to his yogurt commercial and so on. He's always struck me as a down to earth kind of guy, fun to be around, and just an all around nice guy. My aunt decided she would torture her nieces, yes torture us with her once in a lifetime picture. It was posted on facebook and I had to look twice. My reaction was "Uh...is that John Stamos?" My younger sister, Samantha, confirmed it. Our aunt had met John Stamos. When I visited home shortly after that, I asked my aunt about it and here is what she told me. After the play she saw which starred ...

Hymns That are Important to Us by Joey+Rory Released: February 12, 2016 I had never heard of Joey+Rory until I binge watched The Great Food Truck Race when one of the contestants earned the opportunity to serve those at the Joey+Rory concert. The next time I heard of this loving duo, it was when it was revealed Joey had cancer and decided to stop cancer treatment. I've been following their story ever since. Listening to this album has made me a fan. Unfortunately I feel like I became a fan too late but I guess there's no such thing as too late under the circumstances. This is a beautiful collection of hymns as well as a beautiful display of love. The love for God is apparent in this album and despite her illness, their faith remains strong and like so many who have battled cancer before her, Joey remains strong and faithful. My heart truly breaks for them. My heart breaks for her such a beautiful person and I continue to pray for healing for her. Anything is possible with...