barbara padilla

it is 8:25 pm on wednesday, september 9th. if "president" obama stops talking, i will be watching tonights 9 o clock semi-final elimination episode of america's got talent on nbc. fingers crossed for recycled percussion (especially the two with the hair and abs) and most importantly- barbara padilla. i don't know about all of you, but barbara's voice gives me the chills and goosebumps at the same time. i was nearly in tears when i heard her sing bocelli's 'por ti volare'. she's a beautiful women with an absolutely gifted voice. to take it much further than that, she is also an inspiration for everyone who is suffering with any kind of illness or medical shortcoming (not just women, and not just cancer) to keep on pushing because there IS a light at the end of the tunnel. she is what it means to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and continue reaching for your dreams. her humbleness, grace, beauty, elegance, tradition, and persistance are all unmeasurably admirable. i will be rooting for barbara padilla until the end!

and, speaking of another beautiful individual beating cancer, i encourage anyone and everyone to sign up for the strides against breast cancer walk/run on october 18th at jones beach. i'll be there in my nikes!