Tweets on a busy week

So we just got back from Thanksgiving break which means a few days off work. What do we come back to? A lot of work and a lot of people looking to lose weight...weird. Here are today's tweets of the day!

Philanthropy work at its best!

I betta get my degree! ;)

When weird burgers attack. *nearest hospital please*

We're getting to that age where we know someone famous! Wohooo

The golden walkway

As some of you Philly Latinos may know, our favorite neighborhood (El Centro de Oro) is getting a makeover! The $3.8 million renovations of the commercial corridor will include new sidewalk (with a golden walkway...not literally) and metal palm trees. You can read more about the project in this Philly.com article.

So what do you see when you see the above picture? I see change, positive change. Most people might not think this is the most important project to start but if you look at the big picture, you'll see it does make sense. Change the neighborhood, change resident attitudes. Picture a perfect neighborhood where everything you see is cultural, bright and positive. Won't that make you appreciate not only your neighborhood but also your way of life. I honestly can't wait for the metal palm trees. Hopefully this is the start of a new era for El Centro de Oro. What's next? Taller Puertorriqueño's new building/location :).

Photos of la noche

Read more about the Delaware Valley's Most Influential Latinos in my Examiner.com article.

The game is in US (2 more days)

Two days. That's how long we have to wait until we find out if the FIFA World Cup 2022 will be hosted in the United States. So how can you show your support? On Thursday, December 2, wear your favorite soccer gear -- a jersey, a t-shirt, cleats and shin guards -- in solidarity with fellow soccer all across the country. Also take a photo of yourself and upload it to the official GoUSAbid website. You can watch FIFA's announcement live on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. (EST) on Fox Soccer Channel, ESPN, Univision, ESPN Deportes, CNN International and fifa.com.

The Venezuelan Slums

I believe it's important for Latinos in America to understand what is going on in their "home" country. It's a little difficult but that's why we live in the age of technology. Luckily we can also watch programs on Univision and Telemundo or my parent's favorite "Caracol". However, there are also visual opportunities like the one at the University of Pennsylvania this Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

For the last 6 months, Carlos Beltran, a young journalist has been documenting the everyday life of children and families in the slums of Caracas, the Capital of Venezuela. In December, Carlos will be in the United States presenting his photographic work in the University of Pennsylvania. Together with a panel of specialists on anthropological studies, they will discuss his experiences and the social context in Venezuela. Venezuela has been in the political spotlight for many years, as President Hugo Chavez attempts to construct the “21st Century Socialism”. This project intends to shed light not on political ideas, but on the realities of those living in the direst situations. In his own words, Carlos says: "As a journalist, I don’t consider myself an activist. I do hope, however, that my work has some sort of social relevance, making curious viewers think about what they see”.

Dance Central's "Latino"

Happy Belated Thanksgiving everyone! Speaking of eating food all day and being lazy, last Friday I had the opportunity to play on the XBOX360 Kinect. One word: Exercise. Kinect brings games and entertainment to life in extraordinary new ways without using a controller. Imagine controlling movies and music with the wave of a hand or the sound of your voice. With Kinect, technology evaporates, letting the natural magic in all of us shine.

So what game did I play? Of course I had to get my Dance Central on! I had the chance to perform to Beanie Man's "King of the Dancehall" but someone else was the stereotype and performed to Pitbull's "I know You Want Me." To my non-shocking surprise, the creators of the game of course added a Salsa and Merengue step. You can't be mad at them for attempting to teach mainstream America something. But what did shock me was the "Latino" move. Really? Who names a move the "Latino?" Don't stop there though, there's a "Latina" move as well. Egh, it's a great workout and fun. But remember, what happens in your video game room stays in the video game room.

OUT THE OFFICE

IT'S VACATION TIME AND BY VACATION I MEAN THANKSGIVING DOWN IN THE GOOD OL' DMV AREA. DMV = DC/MARYLAND/VIRGINIA.

SEE YOU ALL EL PROXMIO LUNES.

My "6th Annual Stroll Show" Review

Last Friday we (Gamma Phi Sigma) hosted our 6th Annual Stroll Competition. Was it a success? Look at the above picture and tell me it wasn't. Our hermanos put a lot of work (and stress) into this show and it ended up raising close to $1,000 for the American Cancer Society. Yes organizations dropped out last minute, but we truly appreciate those organizations who participated. It wasn't about who performed and who won, it was about our hermano Ramon Ernesto "Guatu" Baez; this show was for him.

Thank you to:

• Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. - Thank you for joining 2 weeks before the show happened and putting on great performances. Yes even the merengue stroll was a shock but it was great to see the support. And shout out to being the first NPHC organization to participate in the show in six years.
• Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. - You guys always put on some great performances and this year you out-did yourselves. I've seen the improvement in your strolls and to be honest, this year should have been your year. See you next year. P.S. B E ain't easy :)
• Corazones Unidos Siempre/Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority Inc. - Thank you for participating for the last six years! It is amazing what you guys do, how you perform and what you bring to the table. Congrats on winning for the second year.
• Chi Iota Pi Sorority Inc. - Although you did not compete it was truly appreciated you guys came up from Maryland to perform. Not only was it an AWESOME performance, but it was dedicated to our hermano. I had to hold in my tears when I saw the number five on your shoulders.

And thank you to all my hermanos. Sure we stress almost every day about life, but remember, it's too short to stress about. Life is meant to be exciting, interesting, challenging and fun! It was exciting seeing different chapters perform on stage and seeing what you all can do. So what's in store for the 7th Annual Stroll Show!? Only time will tell. I smell the "Robot" and "Dora" stroll may make a comeback.

P.S. Shout out to T-Mobile? lol