I hope you have a fantastic day and this video is for you, “Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane. I know how much you like Keane!

Thanks for being my friend! ~ Sylvia

Side notes:

If you are looking for an illustrator, Debbie is your person! Here are some links to her great illustrations, check it out.

Childrensillustrators.com — Deb Meyer Creative

Debbie Meyer is a member of SCBWI. She creates her fun and quirky artwork using Adobe Illustrator. Deb’s clients include: The SCBWI Bulletin, Wee Ones Magazine, Stories For Children Magazine, Warner Press, Noodle Net, People’s Education, Red River Kids Magazine, Turf Monster Lawn Service and Company Bookworm.

Little Deb’s Doodlings (Blog)

I did a Google search on my blog (what can I say, I like to see if my blog is posted on there) and look what I found. I was a recipient of  a First Class Blogger Award in January 23, 2011. What a nice surprise to see my blog on this site.

First Class Blogger Award doesn’t make you jump through a lot of unnecessary hoops. If we think your blog deserves recognition, you will be recognized! We don’t want you to have to pass the award onto anybody else. We don’t require you to answer any questions whatsoever.

All we would like for you to do is copy the graphic of your choice and paste it somewhere on your site. You can either place it into your sidebar or write an post proclaiming your writing merits, your time and effort were recognized by The First Class Blogging Award.

Here is what the committee wrote about my blog:

The World According To Sylvia is a big-hearted Texas personal blog which covers a plethora of subjects. Sylvia likes to share her two cents with any and all visitors. Her posts can be very serious or extremely funny. Whether you find it useful or not Sylvia finds it post-worthy. Drop by and enjoy a blog that has been around since 2007.

I want first thank the selection committee for picking me and sorry for the delay on responding to this honor. Thanks Tom B., Melanie T. and Rose R..

ABC | Getty Images

Hegyes is best known for playing Juan Epstein on “Welcome Back, Kotter,” the 1970s sitcom, which starred John Travolta and Gabe Kaplan. He appeared in all four seasons of the sitcom and joined most of his fellow Sweathogs at the “Welcome Back Kotter” reunion held at the 2011 TV Land Awards. After “Kotter,” Hegyes went on to co-star in “Cagney and Lacey” as Detective Manny Esposito. His other TV work includes an episode of “The Love Boat,” “NewsRadio” and “CHiPS.” (From imdb.com)

I remember watching Welcome Back, Kotter when I was a kid. I loved the theme song of the show too (by John B. Sebastian.) I thought the show was pretty funny. I always wanted to be a “Sweathog” along with Freddie ‘Boom Boom’ Washington (Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs), Arnold Horshack  (Ron Palillo) and Vinnie Barbarino (John Travolta). And I thought Gabe Kotter (Gabe Kaplan) would be a great teacher to have. I did like when Epstein would say, “Hey, Mr. Kotter, I got a note!” Who hasn’t tried that line before?

Plus they had some of the greatest lines:

• “Up your nose with a rubber hose!”
• “What?” “Where?” “Why?”
• “Ooh-ooh-ooooh!”
• “Hi there” when Washington would say it.
• “I’m so confused.”

Then they started showing reruns of the show in the 90′s and they were still funny. In 2011 the cast of Welcome Back, Kotter was honored with a TV Land Award for their 35th Anniversary. It was nice to see the gang back together again.

The castmembers will be honored with the 35th Anniversary Award at the 2011 TV Land Awards, airing April 17. (Heidi Gutman/ABC )

So sad that stars from our youth are passing away.

One of the best posts that I read today regarding Robert Hegyes’ death was by imdb.com

Rest in peace, Robert… Signed, Epstein’s Mother.

Side note:

Looks like there is another cycle of three famous people to die.

The Final Countdown is a 1980 science fiction film about a modern aircraft carrier that travels through time to just before the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. It was directed by Don Taylor, and stars Kirk Douglas, Martin Sheen, James Farentino, Katharine Ross and Charles Durning. (From wikipedia.com)

Pictured: James Farentino in the 1984 movie Blue Thunder.

I also should mention the passing of Joe Paterno, former head coach of Penn State. Regardless of the events that happened at the end of his coaching career, he was a great college football coach and should be remember for what he did.

Penn State Coach Joe Paterno

So with the resents deaths of Etta James, Joe Paterno and James Farentino, that is three famous people who have past away.

R.I.P.

Thanks, Jason!

10 Questions That Create Success

Want help focusing on what really matters? Ask yourself these on a daily basis.

By Geoffrey James |  @Sales_Source   | Jan 23, 2012

Think that success means making lots of money?  Think again.

Pictures of dead presidents have never made anybody happy. And how can you be successful if you’re not happy? And buying things with that all money isn’t much better. A new car, for instance, might tickle your fancy for a day or two–but pride of ownership is temporary.

Real success comes from the quality of your relationships and the emotions that you experience each day. That’s where these 10 questions come in.

Ask them at the end of each day and I absolutely guarantee that you’ll become more successful. Here they are:

1. Have I made certain that those I love feel loved?

2. Have I done something today that improved the world?

3. Have I conditioned my body to be more strong flexible and resilient?

4. Have I reviewed and honed my plans for the future?

5. Have I acted in private with the same integrity I exhibit in public?

6. Have I avoided unkind words and deeds?

7. Have I accomplished something worthwhile?

8. Have I helped someone less fortunate?

9. Have I collected some wonderful memories?

10. Have I felt grateful for the incredible gift of being alive?

Here’s the thing.  The questions you ask yourself on a daily basis determine your focus, and your focus determines your results.

These questions force you to focus on what’s really important. Take heed of them and rest of your life—especially your work—will quickly fall into place.

From Inc.com

This time making the video, I didn’t even cry. I miss and love you Mom!

via Mom – Lydia M. Garza (1940-2010).

David Chokachi

He was kind enough to respond back to me when I asked his some questions about a movie he was in. I just wanted to make sure other fans knew of his page on Facebook.

You ROCK David!

Pam Keesler (2011)

I have loved Pam since the second my sister, Cynthia told me about her. I hope you have a fantastic day! The best is yet to come.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAM! I ♥ you!

Today is special because you’re 21
Today brings a chance
to look towards the future
new dreams, new successes.
To a bright new tomorrow
waiting for YOU!

~ Unknown Author

Picture from www.davidchokachi.net/

Let me go back a little and explain why David Chokachi replied back to me.

First it started after I saw the movie, “Rage of the Yeti” and blogged about it: Mission: Rage of the Yeti (Posted on November 19, 2011).

Then on November 25, 2011, I sent a message to David (first name, like we know each other??) about the movie he starred in “Rage of the Yeti”. I was curious on the types of movies that actors pick. I didn’t know if I would get a response or not, but I thought what could it hurt to try. Here is the message I sent to David:

hey sylvia, ride on thats awesome. i think we all do it for the adventure and the storyline more than fame and money, i think we all hit the age anyways to not be thinking about fame anymore. i would love to read your blog. and sorry it took me years to reply.