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Feeling, Free, Free, Free
Feeling, free, free, free! (A play off of Arrow’s Hot, Hot, Hot) Pitbull and Theron Theron, Norwegian’s Cruise Line new theme song I expected to be playing as I entered the ship. Despite the fact that it was not audible to others it kept ringing in my ear the whole visit.
Being on a ship is a great feeling! If you have never experienced a cruise or have not been on a cruise in a while you should make it a point experience Norwegian’s Getaway! What an experience! We were only on for a day visit but I felt like I was going on vacation. Norwegian allowed us to enjoy most of the ship’s amenities like we were going on a cruise. What a superior feeling!
It amazes me of how this huge vessel operates like a state of its’ own.
Norwegian Getaway lives up to the name getaway. From the moment you get on the ship, you feel as if you are in another world. And it definitely left us day visitors a feeling of wanting to get away and be free.
The Aqua Park was a breathtaking site with its Free Fall slide; which they say is the fastest waterslides at sea. The multi-level Sports Complex with its’ splendid basketball court was a pleasant site to see for the basketball players in the family. According to Getaway’s website, they have an activity called The Plank, which extends 8 feet over the side of the ship. After asking a couple people we were told that there was no plank on this ship; however, I was later informed by the media staff that this was incorrect there was indeed a plank on the ship. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see it which was disappointing.
Nevertheless, we were able to enjoy some to the best lunch the ship had to offer. With a wide array of culinary pleasures, we started with salads, soups, and tasted a variety of dishes. Needless to say, with a ‘help yourself buffet’ we went a little overboard.
After lunch, sitting poolside, enjoying the sun along with the smooth sound of the Caribbean band, it felt like paradise. The pulsating sounds of Bob Marley and other reggae artist ringing through the air inviting everyone to the Caribbean. What a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon! Next time Norwegian we will sail with you and feel free, free, free!
Written By: Dr. Mary
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How I Childproof My Home: Sol-U-Mel The Holy Grail!
No need for any hype because the proof is in the photo. When I tell you that I almost cried because the results were so good- believe me. My heart was glad because now my husband and I didn’t have to purchase new furniture! I have 4 children (12, 4, 6, and 10 months) and sometimes my home can turn into a real zoo and so I’m always looking for eco-friendly cleaning products that work.
This Christmas my kids will be able to smile wider because instead of replacing furniture we will be creating memories that last!
I AM QUEEN MAGAZINE’S SEPTEMBER ISSUE DROPS NOW!!!
“Thriving in Your Now” Postpartum Depression Advocate Sasha Nicole Starts Movement to Help Other Mothers in Need
Sasha Nicole is a transplant Washingtonian with a purpose. With a deep passion for mentoring and changing lives, she helps women understand the power of resilience by teaching how to overcome various life obstacles and be inspired to succeed. After having her daughter, who is now six; Sasha experienced severe Post-Partum for almost two years. That experience along with the lack of resources and understanding in the minority community inspired her to create Partum Evolution a 501c3, with its primary goal to help evolve life with and after Post-Partum Depression (PPD) for mothers of color everywhere. Sasha is currently directing and producing a documentary centered on PPD that she hopes will spark a conversation and change for minority women throughout the world.
Sasha holds an M.S. in Federal Program Management from Trinity Washington University, and a B.A. in Communications from Virginia State University She is a member of the illustrious organization Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and currently serves in a high-intensity role as a Contracts Specialist for the Government and as an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University.
Tell me a little bit about yourself
I’m originally a military kid from Alaska. I’ve spent most of my life in the DC/MD/Virginia area. I currently work full-time doing Contracts for the Government and I teach Project Management part-time at a University. If that’s not enough I’m a mom of one daughter and one bonus son as well as a wife. I love all things travel and I’m a self-proclaimed Happiness Advocate and Postpartum Warrior.
How did you start the Thriving in Your Now movement? What is your purpose for this?
Thriving in Your Now started with me traveling around the world. People would always say to me how they wanted to travel, be more confident, and do some of the things I was doing and my response would always be well “why don’t you?” It was a testament that no matter me being a single mother at that time, no matter what size I was, and or what I did or didn’t have I was going to be committed to enjoying everything in my life at this moment.
Postpartum depression is a very important topic in society, especially with new mothers. How did you deal with having that with your daughter?
You know the issue was that I didn’t deal with it after I had my daughter. I tried to ignore it. I didn’t talk to anyone about it really and some of the few people I did had a hard time understanding or told me to just get over it. During that time, I had immense thoughts of harming my daughter. I would imagine ways that would make her stop crying or to just drop her off somewhere because I felt I couldn’t do it. Nothing could have prepared me for everything I went through after having her. One thing I knew was that I didn’t want to have the thoughts I was having. I wanted the connection that I just didn’t have when she was born or after. I would hysterically cry asking God to remove my thoughts. Over time it got better. I talked it about it more and stopped caring about the judgment I would face being brutally honest about my experience.
As a motivational speaker, what topics do you cover or feel is important when you speak at events?
When I speak at events I always like to cover my signature slogan of Thriving In Your Now because it’s something so many can relate to. We all have stories and try to use mine to really help people hone in on their journey and making the best out of exactly where they are. I, of course, can speak about a variety of topics and have crafted specific topics relating to the audience, but that is really my favorite.
I see that you are working on a documentary. What is that project about and when will it be released?
I am! I am working on a documentary that is based on everyday women of color who have or currently experiencing Postpartum Depression. The projected release date is late fall.
As an advocate for Postpartum Depression, how are you spreading the awareness in your community and on social media? Is there a support group you attend as well?
I just started this movement and really being comfortable about being more open and doing the work that is involved with advocacy. With that, my podcast is one way I’m spreading awareness along with the documentary and my book. I also plan on starting group sessions throughout Maryland (PG County, Howard County, and Anne Arundel County) where women can come and have a safe space to talk and collaborate.
You have a non-profit organization called Partum Evolution. How did you come up with that idea to create it? What is the mission and purpose of this organization?
Partum Evolution is just that. It is about the evolution of Postpartum. It is a living testament to where I started and where I have evolved to and it is dedicated to helping other women do the same.
Do you have any special projects coming up for your blog and podcast?
I have some great interviews for my podcast coming up and I’m looking at teaming up with some bloggers to do a specially curated event hopefully before the end of 2018.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years, I will have two books out, doing speaking tours, having a center for women and children, and being on television.
How can readers reach out to you or connect with you?
Readers can connect with me via my website at http://www.thrivinginyournow.com and submit their stories dealing with Postpartum and their journey through motherhood. They can subscribe to my podcast and follow me on Instagram @therealsashanicole
“I constantly self-evaluate and strive for excellence. By understanding and agreeing with myself the work that will have to be put in, I am doing more than representing myself; I am representing an opportunity for women everywhere. God has given me an ability to connect, relate, and impact people’s lives. Being able to represent my demographic gives me greater leverage to reach and inspire others to achieve greatness.” ~Sasha Nicole
Written By: Patrice Rivers
Actress and Singer Daniela Torchia talks about Music and new Film Projects
Tell me about yourself.
I love the arts and I love people. Having been born in Madrid, Spain to Austrian actress, and American Italian father influenced my Flamenco music roots and helped build my social, fun loving, food loving, party-loving personality. I was a young dancer, and the rhythm of music and the performance of others kept the fire burning. When I started writing my music by the time I was in my 30’s, the music was influenced by my Spanish birth roots and my history as a dancer. I liked catchy guitar licks, melodies, song hooks and lyrics, and the dramatics of life’s heartbreaks, and excitement of falling love shaped much of the first album, “Have No Fear.” My dance and song influenced the musical theatre productions in which I got through stage-fright, learned to get over my fears, and through which I gained confidence and great memories.
How did you get started in the entertainment industry?
I got started slowly, though I dance trained (ballet, lyrical jazz, and tap) throughout my adolescence. I did not start performing in musical theatre (except for Grease in High School as “Cha Cha”) until I was 30 as my 20’s were University book-worm years getting my Masters in Public Health and clinical nutrition, and starting my first clinic job, while secretly dreaming of performing on stage, doing movies, and singing. I did musical theatre, Pippin, as my break out grown-up role at age 31. Within a couple of years, I picked up more vocal skills, reacquainted myself with my acoustic guitar, and used my early years of Flamenco guitar training as a 7-year-old, as well as my classical ensemble guitar skills I got from early 20’s and melded them into new pop, Flamenco, indie-rock. As the power of intention made itself obvious, I happen to drive past a group of guitar-playing happy people on my street who waved me down randomly to play music with them: I did not know them, I was not quite confident yet, but I said, “What the heck.” I joined them, and one of the guys loved my music, introduced me to a music engineer, and within 2 months I finished my first 3 demos… and so it went. Soon I met more people and produced my first album, formed a band, and played the L.A. scene (Whiskey a Go Go, The Joint, The Cat Club, and every club on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood, CA)
Did you have any favorite idols growing up whether on television or film?
I was influenced as a dancer first, and I loved old movie stars, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, and Gene Kelly, as well as Danny Kaye. The Follies, and later Bob Fosse. Singers all across the board ignited my curiosity and passion for performing, and musical theatre actors and pop stars sent me into a daydream state of, “I want to do that.” I had the usual teen crush on Shaun Cassidy and joined his fan club when I was 8 years old! As I grew up I saw Cindy Lauper belt it out on stage, and I was fascinated at how live she was even better than on the recordings I had heard. I loved Journey, Queen, and the Eagles (my older cousins introduced them to me as a kid), Stray Cats, Foreigner and the typical pop-rock but was always fascinated by the incredible variety of powerful voices out there. Once I started recording, I loved the rhythms of Jason Mraz and Jack Johnson, and the lyrics and dynamic energy of Pink. I ended up falling in love and marrying a progressive rock keyboardist legend, and that taught me a whole new understanding of classical music turned rock and magic.
What do you love most about being a singer?
What I love most about being a singer is expressing my emotions and affecting someone else’s mood in a positive way. When someone listening to me identifies with words or the mood that certain music can trigger it makes the act of singing like a healing and therapeutic soul session. On the other hand, the rhythmic songs I sing bring laughter to others, and when I see their hips move, and their bodies wiggle it makes me smile and brings me joy in return.
Was that something you always wanted to pursue?
Yes, I wanted to sing since I was a little child, but I was quite shy after the move to the U.S. and my Austrian mother’s intense strict personality, though she was much mellower than I thought as a kid, suppressed my pursuit. I did sing once into a cassette which she found, and her criticism of it had me lip sync for years until I finally broke out of that mold! Excellent life experiences, vocal lessons for support, and getting rid of only whispering certainly made a difference. I think if you dream something, and want something, you need to surround yourself by those people that encourage that and keep the other people who don’t get it a kind step away from that happy dreamy vortex of belief in yourself that is precious. There are always critics, but dreams and soul food of the arts need to be fed by the person experiencing that dream: luckily my childhood dream came true; it’s never too late.
Tell me more about your latest album
I am excited about the latest singles, and the most recent Spanish single “Donde Vas a Ir,” which is the translation of “Is She Coming Back.” The English version confuses people all the time, as I play a trick speaking from different perspectives, of a man and a woman, so some people don’t know if it is about love between a man and a woman, or two women. You guess!
I translated several songs from the album, and I will be releasing one at a time throughout the rest of this year, 2018. It’s really fun to hear the song come alive in another language. The downloads are easy to get these days! Thank goodness.
Are you currently working on new music?
I am working on new music, and am excited to finish production on my English and Swahili song; a tribute to life, humanity and peace, “Endelea.” I have several acoustic recordings, and more recordings to finish. The first singles in Spanish are being released now and throughout the year, and the Swahili and world type music will be released by 2019. I love eclectic music, and mine includes pop, Flamenco, indie-rock, World, and a bit of jazz and blues. Who can resist the blues!
Let’s get into your acting career. Any new projects you are working on?
Acting is an amazing expression of multiple characters, with the capacity to say and be a multitude of eccentric characters, who behave in ways I am unable to in the “real world.” That is why I love portraying deep and emotionally disturbed (though that is a “label” and acting coaches don’t like that) however, it helps non-actors understand what the heck I am talking about! My new role will be filming in Las Vegas, as a Russian landlord amidst tumultuous surroundings, gangsters, thugs, and lovers. Stay tuned on IMDB by the end of 2018.
How exactly did you get into acting? Was it something you always wanted to pursue?
I was exposed to movie sets, photographers, paparazzi, and fans ogling my beautiful mother from the time I was born. I had a secret dream of being successful as an actor but did not pursue it till much later. The ups and downs of that potential life, the need to be emotionally unaffected by rejection, and the potential lack of income from not working pushed me willingly into a science and health direction. As my life evolved, my artistry evolved as well, my income was secure, and my confidence increased, so did my pursuit of acting. That really was a late start, and even though musical theater-trained me, it was not the same as camera work, and lead or supporting roles. Once I took some fabulous acting classes, did scenes, then plays, and a heck of a lot of “getting my feet wet” thesis projects at film schools as an actor, I began my professional journey in front of the camera from indie features, and some T.V. I did leave it for a while to pursue my Ph.D. a childhood dream so I can write and help others through health, but now I am back, and am looking forward to my Russian role.
How do you balance both being a singer and an actress? Are there any challenges involved?
There are many challenges, and balancing acts. The challenges come from time, timing, focus, life’s distractions, disappointments, and others who sabotage or don’t follow through or even backstab (part of life but we all move on). Making sure to keep a positive attitude, keeping the dream alive by letting go of things that are negative, and continuing the journey is super important. Enjoying and letting positive, loving, kind people in are all important in keeping things going. On a practical level, if I write and record, the acting takes a back seat, and when I prep for a role, the singing, and recording takes a back seat. Sometimes, both happen together, but that’s happened in musical theatre, not in film acting so far; of course, if you get an opportunity like La La Land, then you get to do both. It’s also important, I have found, to keep the voice trained, at least the scales, and key changes so when you sing again, you’re ready. My alto register is always ready, even without practice, but my soprano sounds more like a cat if I don’t practice, kind of like bodybuilding. There are people that are more physiologically gifted in all ranges, and though I have gifts, I do need to vocalize! My memory needs work too! Learning paragraphs of lines and making them real dialogue takes brain power, and some are fabulous at remembering words, and others are like me, it takes a bit more work! Don’t get lazy, I tell myself!
What keeps you motivated and inspired through everything?
The dream and the joy and the memories of how great it has felt, and how happy and moved others were by something I wrote, sang, or performed keeps me motivated. Support from “cheerleaders” also has kept me smiling, working, and pursuing when I wanted to give up, or thought, “well, maybe that’s enough.” I think as I acknowledge that my soul really is an artist’s soul, I accept the journey of all artistic endeavors, dreams, and opportunities. I cannot see the future, but I believe in intent, the journey, and a reason for who we are. I am an artist so I will prepare, enjoy, and see what life offers.
When you aren’t working, what does Daniela like to do for fun?
I am an American-Italian European fun-loving social foodie. One of my greatest joys is feeding people! I love having social gatherings filled with delicious foods, and drinks, good old-fashioned music, Dean Martin, of course, thanks to Pandora and my iPad. I have great memories as a kid and continue the family and cultural traditions of dinner parties, casual food fest garden parties, good wine, sparkling water, Prosecco, and laughter. It is hard for me to sit still, so I love hiking, and playing tennis, walking on the beach (I know, I sound like a dating app add), late night magical shows on my Smart TV, and reading British “who done its” by Agatha Christie, and the “cozy mysteries aka cozies,” by M.C. Beaton. Talking to my girlfriends like a teenager still seems to be a favorite past-time too. Of course, I love my cat, and all critters, and spend time playing, feeding, activist signing, donating, and adopting special needs creatures, and contributing to those amazing organizations that really do make a difference for so many wild animals, and pets. My heart is soft for creatures: I got totally hooked on the premature baby hippo Fiona’s reality YouTube ™ series from the Cincinnati Zoo. What a great job the team has done; baby Fiona is not so tiny anymore! Great job, Cincinnati Zoo.
How can readers connect with you and buy your music? Website and social media links?
I would love as many people as possible to enjoy my music by healing their hearts and feeling joy through dance and rhythm. Daniela Torchia stuff is all over the place, including iTunes, and CD Baby. The paid downloads help support more music and donations to both animals and child adoption sites to which we contribute, World Vision, SPCA, WWF (World Wild Life Federation), and 32 more. My tax guy always says, “Shouldn’t you save some of this instead of giving to these organizations?” I say, “Those that do great things to help decrease suffering in people and animals, deserve it!” and so, life goes on. I hope everyone gets to live their dreams, knows the joy of helping others, adopts a child or pet in person or through respected organizations, and keeps their hearts open to being supportive in mind, spirit, and life!
Website: www.danielatorchia.com
Interviewed By: Patrice Rivers; Author, Blogger, and Writer.
Follow her on IG @thatriverzgurl_brand
