YMCA

Rosana, and especially Mickael had been after me for years to exercise and lose some weight. I never liked exercise, and dieting was especially hard for me as I am the cook of the family. Since coming here, we have joined the YMCA and been pretty religious about going there at least 4-5 times a week. I think what helps is that we have 2 locations to go to, one of which is just 6 blocks away. Rosana gets her yoga classes 3 times a week, Mickael is trying to tone up his mid-section (not that he needs it) and me, well, I am riding the stationary bike for half an hour and also using a couple of the machines to tone the tummy and arms. It is a blessing really. I attribute a lot of it to the fact that we don't have a television. Now, in the evenings, we have a different ritual than most, and it is much more healthy!

Bruce Springsteen plays Philly

Rosana and I went to see Bruce yesterday, a free outdoor show for the Obama cause. It was very nice, super organized and tranquil. We parked just a few blocks away and made our way down near the side of the stage. Luckily there were still patches of grass to sit on the side of the stage. I was amazed at the crowd, made up of everything from parents with kids to older couples with Obama t-shirts on. The police were on segways, porta-potties placed strategically, and plenty of good mood. I did not see one person drinking alcohol, not sure if this is not allowed in Philadelphia, but not even a bottle of wine was spotted. Bruce came onstage after about an hour of acoustic political music and speeches by locals, including the governor of the state. He played maybe 8 or 10 songs, none of which I recognized and then lifted his guitar and was gone, as were we.