Will we ever understand why? (movie massacre)

     AS A NATION... WE CRIED A COLLECTIVE TEAR. HUGGED ONE ANOTHER A LITTLE CLOSER. ASKED EACH OTHER IN DISBELIEF... WHY???

     WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE AN EXCITING NIGHT OF HIGH DRAMA ONSCREEN TURNED INTO HORROR OFF SCREEN. THE THRILL OF STAYING UP 'TILL MIDNIGHT TO BE THE VERY FIRST TO SEE THE SUMMER'S MOST ANTICIPATED MOVIE WAS SHATTERED BY ONE DISTURBED YOUNG MAN DETERMINED TO MAKE HIS OWN MARK ON THAT NIGHT.

     ITS CLEAR, AS FANS OF BATMAN PLANNED FOR THIS BIG FUN NIGHT JAMES HOLMES ALREADY HAD THE TOOLS IN PLACE TO ATTACK. POLICE SAY, OVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS HE'D PURCHASED FOUR WEAPONS. HE BOUGHT THEM AT TWO DIFFERENT STORES AND NOT WITHIN THE FIVE DAY PERIOD WHICH WOULD HAVE ALERTED AUTHORITIES. HE BOUGHT THE ROUNDS ON-LINE. 3000 IN ONE PURCHASE. 3000 IN ANOTHER.

     BY ALL ACCOUNTS, HOLMES FLEW UNDER THE RADAR. HE'D NEVER BEEN IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW. HAD GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE, BUT WAS LEAVING UC DENVER WHERE HE'D STUDIED NUEROSCIENCE. THAT GETS US BACK TO THE QUESTION... WHY???

     AS I LOOKED INTO SOME OF THE DEADLIEST MASS SHOOTINGS AROUND THE WORLD I LOOKED FOR ANSWERS. THE CONFESSED KILLED IN NORWAY WHO MASSACRED 77 KIDS AT A CAMP IN NORWAY WANTED TO SEND AN ANTI-MUSLIM MESSAGE. THE ARMY PSYCHIATRIST WHO KILLED 13 AT FORT HOOD IS SAID TO HAVE BECOME A "VIOLENT ISLAMIST." THE VIRGINIA TECH STUDENT WHO KILLED 32 WAS REPORTEDLY MENTALLY UNSOUND. A MAN WHO SHOT UP A LUBY'S IN TEXAS KILLING 23 WAS DESCRIBED IN WIKIPEDIA AS "ANGRY AND WITHDRAWN." WITH THE TWO COLUMBINE KIDS WE LOOKED AT THE ISSUE OF OUTCASTS, ANTI-DRESSANTS, VIOLENT VIDEO GAMES/MUSIC, AND GUN LAWS.

     THESE EXPLAINATIONS MAY ANSWER SOME OF THE WHY'S... AND YET AGAIN THEY DON'T.

DEVINE DOINGS-Christine Cam: Wednesday's Child book

DEVINE DOINGS-Christine Cam: Wednesday's Child book: "'Finding a Forever Family: A News Anchor's Notebook' by Christine Devine Available on Amazon.com 'Is this my special day' he asked? H..."

Wednesday's Child book

"Finding a Forever Family: A News Anchor's Notebook" 

by Christine Devine

Available on Amazon.com

"Is this my special day" he asked?

His face face was full of freckles, his eyes were pools of green, his lashes longer than any I'd seen on an eight year old boy.

His name is Bryan and we were there for his Wednesday's Child shoot.  Bryan was in foster care and my job was to help find him a "Forever Family."

Bryan, like all kids in county care, was in foster care through no fault of his own.  He sadly told me his mom "slept alot."  I guessed that meant she was on drugs and out it.  That falls in the category of abuse, abandonment or neglect, the reasons children are in foster care.

Jared

"Is this my special day?"  When Bryan asked that question it came right after I wrote my book "Finding a Forever Family."  It was because of children like Bryan that I wrote the book.  It was for every child ever in foster care.  It was for anyone ever considering adoption.  It was for anyone who has adopted.  It is the real deal.  It is my journey through the Wednesday's Child program on Fox 11 News that has led to more than 500 children finding a permanent place to call home.

Darnell

It was inspired by a boy named Jared, given new energy through a boy named Darnell, and empowered by a girl named Madison.  It tells of the highs and lows, the risks and reality, the hopes and dreams, the fight for a future.  It honors are heroes.  Our social workers, our adoptive parents, our courageous kids willing to tell their story.

Madison & family

On a personal note, it is also my personal story.  It is the story of my own adoption by my step-father, my adopted brother and my foster siblings.  Like any auto-biography it is meant to inspire and empower.  I thank every parent who participated and despite any traumas and dramas continue to mentor and adopt.








And now back to Bryan.  His special day meant a VIP day with one of LA's sporting teams.  It meant a profile on Fox 11.  It meant an all out effort for find him a Forever Family.  While my book has been out since March, Bryan is a reminder that our effort isn't over.  He is matched with an adoptive family.  Stay tuned for adoption day!

"Finding a Forever Family: A News Anchor's Notebook" 

by Christine Devine

Available on Amazon.com

DEVINE DOINGS-Christine Cam: Christine's Carnaval!!!

DEVINE DOINGS-Christine Cam: Christine's Carnaval!!!: "As Carnaval nears... my mind turns to fanstasy. I envision all that it is! Here's a taste of my heritage!

Christine's Carnaval!!!

As Carnaval nears... my mind turns to fanstasy.  

I envision all that it is!  

Carnaval means crazy crowds, the sexy samba, the colorful costumes, the beat of the bateria(drum corps), the all day dancing, the all night party.... my beautiful Brazilians! 

I envision the side of my heritage I do not know. 

Born to an anglo American and mixed race Brazilian I carry the genes of both, but wear the look of the father I've never met.  The long gangly arms, the dark brown skin, the naturally curly hair... and if I do say so myself... the gift of dance.  

Raised by my mother, and having never met my father, I'm left to live the Brazil of my dreams.

Mom on cover of Peace Corps magazine w/Brazilian child

I've sought answers to my questions in the Brazil of L.A.  While there is little influence in the City of Angeles you can find the flavor in the foods of representative restaurants.  Here are a few for you to taste and try... AND lastlly, you'll find info on this Saturday's local Carnaval parties!

LUNCH!!!

Fan of the food truck?  Keep your eye out for Ta Bom(It's Good, in Portuguese).

Find Ta Bom on Twitter, or look for the green food truck.

There's a salad named The Giselle and I guessed it might be named after the Brazilian supermodel of like name.   I turn to Ta Bom for a quick Coxhina fix.  Coxhina is a popular street food.  A fried chicken croquette.  YUM!  Nothin' like it!


Want a sit down bite to eat that won't break the wallet?  Check out Cafe Brasil.  While I'm a fan of their chiicken and Talapia it is hard to tell it is a foreign dish, despite the Brazilian spices.  If you want a true taste of home order the Feijoada, a Brazilian national dish(a stew of sorts, black beans and meat or sausage).  Mom made it when I was a kid.  Wash it down with Brazilian soda, Guarana.  For dessert: Brigadeiro.... a delicious brazilian bonbon that is made with only three ingredients and tastes like an amazing, melt-in-your-mouth truffle. http://www.cafe-brasil.com/


DINNER!!
Brazil, Beverly Hills style... and budget?  Fogo de Chao is a must!  As is a reservation on a Saturday night.  Here you'll find the most fabulous salad bar and Brazilian churrascaria steakhouse.  It is the gaucho way of grilling meat.  Waiters walk around with gigantic skewers of steak, pork, chicken.  15 different styles of ever so inviting skewers.  You mouth waters as each waiter walks by.  You're sure to leave extremly full and you wallet a little lighter.  Still, if you've never been to a brazilian churrascaria
 http://www.fogodechao/

 http://bostonglobe.longjaunt.com/blog/2008/02/28/eating-like-kings-at-a-churrascaria

DRINKS ANYONE???


Wikipedia:  Caipirinha is Brazil's national cocktail, made with cachaça sugar and lime. Cachaça is Brazil's most common distilled alcoholic beverage.




DANCING!!! 


Carnaval comes to Los Angeles-Saturday March 5th


www.riobela.com

27th ANNUAL BRAZILIAN CARNAVAL IN LOS ANGELES @ LA FONDA 2501 Wilshire Blvd Los Angeles, CA  90057

http://www.braziliannites.com/




Hope you enjoy the sounds and sights of L.A. Brazil!
Bejos,

Christine

GRANDMA'S CHICKEN

 Leaving L.A. to enjoy L.A.

My Prius car was packed!

• Dog crate... check 
• Suitcase... check  
• Sunglasses, cell phone, purse... check 

Who hasn't needed a weekend away?!  

Haven't we all wanted to run from the bills, work, chores, children???

Even an L.A. newscaster has to get away from L.A. news from time to time. 

SOMETIMES THE BEST WAY TO ENJOY LA...

 IS TO GET AWAY FROM L.A.!!!

Ice cream w/my niece

I made the trek to San Diego. While just a short two-hour drive my family was convinced I'd arrive late.  Never to disappoint, I was indeed.

San Diego is always a welcome respite.  The stress rolls off me like melted butter as I make the drive south.  I edge into Long Beach, wind my way through the O.C., continue on to Carlsbad.   By the time I  exit the 5 Freeway I have entered a world of bliss.

I am officially on a mini-vacation!  For two days: no chores, no errands, no events, no DVR recordings to watch, no make-up.  Early to bed, early to rise, long walks, home cooked meals, restaurant outings, lots of naps and definitely, NO NEWS.  

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

Grandpa's painting

Back home, is now San Diego where my mom has recently relocated from Arizona, from which she'd relocated decades ago from Buffalo, New York.  On the wall were reminders of that up-state NY back home.  An old sepia picture of grandma.  An oil painting by grandpa.  Both have passed.  The home long gone.

Which brings me to the present.  Grandma's Chicken.  

GRANDMA'S ceramic CHICKEN

Call it a family heirloom.  It means nothing to anyone else.  It is a life-size black and white ceramic chicken painted by grandma.  It adorned their country-style picture-perfect creek-side country home quite perfectly.  What it represented was worth millions.  It represented my early childhood.

Grandma, Dolores Seufert     d. 2008

Mom tried to pawn it off on me.  "Do you want Grandma's Chicken" she asked?  I turned up my nose knowing I already had a pack-rat problem.

Three days later I returned to L.A. rested(and chicken-less) to once again face the big city.

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

As I reflect now on my weekend away I can't stop thinking about Grandma's Chicken.  

While I grew up in Arizona, I was born into a family of farmers in upstate New York.  We picked fresh raspberries, got our milk from the dairy down the street.  Grew our own lettuce, tomatoes, peas, radishes.  Canned our own jam.  Hatched our own chickens. Grandma turned to crafts as she aged. The ceramic chicken was one of her many projects.  

Mom on Peace Corps  magazine
cover. She instilled in me a
passion for service & community

Mom had fled the farm and joined the Peace Corps.  Her life in Brazil led to me.  Our life in Arizona is what I know best.  Visits to grandma and grandpa's were my paradise.

LOVING L.A.

Mom making health smoothy.
Nothing goes to waste.  Has
avocado AND the pit!

That weekend away reminded me of what gives this country kid (turned Arizona gal, turned Cali gal) the 

strength to survive the big city. 

 Grandma's ceramic chicken and all it represents are what make me ME.   It represents the foundation, rules, roots and reasons.

That weekend away was what I needed to remember and re-charge. It was just what the doctor ordered to live, work, like, and love L.A. once again!

   

DEVINE DOINGS-Christine Cam: Foodies Unite

DEVINE DOINGS-Christine Cam: Foodies Unite: "Chocolate-covered BaconA Habanero PepperPopcornThese are PEOPLE I've met. The Balinese Sea Salt, the Samosa with Goji Sauce, the Rhub..."