Well, as I write this I am hearing in the background in CNN that Pope John Paul II has died.

These are very sad news to not just only us catholics but to all people around the world. He was a great leader.

As long as I have lived, he has been a Pope and he was always talked about as a great man. I did not follow all of the works he did through out his life but I do know that this moment marks an important event in the world's history.

A prayer will go out to you Pope and please take care of my grandmother and Fred who also just recently died and are up in Heaven with you now.

An article on the Orland Sentinel says that a study was made to see which countries held the happiest people. Puerto Rico came about to be the #1 country. I guess that now people might understand better why I seem to be so happy all the time. It's in my genes, culture and upbringing. Yeap, proud to be Puerto Rican!

Here are some abstracts from the article:

Where's happiest place on Earth? Puerto Rico, poll says

By Matthew Hay Brown; Sentinel Staff Writer

"SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Island of Enchantment, indeed: This U.S. territory of sandy beaches and lush rain forest, close-knit families and endless celebrations is home to the happiest people in the world, according to a new study.

Never mind the low income or the high murder rate, the double-digit unemployment or the troubled public schools. Puerto Ricans say emphasis on extended family, an easy warmth among even strangers and a readiness to celebrate anything, anywhere, at any time, all contribute to a high quality of life here.

Puerto Rico seems less reserved about proclaiming its happiness. The per-capita gross domestic product here is less than half that of the U.S. mainland, while the homicide rate is more than three times as high -- factors that have helped to fuel the mass migration of islanders to the U.S. mainland.

Still, to locals, this land of endless summer is la Isla del Encanto -- it's on the license plate.

"The Latin temperament is to be very optimistic in many ways," said Lily Garcia, a radio and television-show host, newspaper columnist and motivational speaker here. "You give Latin Americans open space and music and a drink in our hands, and we're happy.""

So, Ponce is thinking: Why not make a sign of our town name Ponce as big as the Hollywood letters, just to let people be very aware that they are entering Ponce.

And that is what they did. Check out this news article (warning: it's in spanish) about the pride of Ponce.

Man, how come these things get approved and yet, there is no money to help the education system?

What are the people in politics really thinking??? (Just in case, there is no need to answer that question...)

A British phycologists says that today, Jan. 24th is the "Most depressing day of the year".

Read more about it here.

So, I just heard through C89.5 FM that puertorrican parrots are considered an endangered species.

One of the reasons that they are becoming extinct is that airplane noise makes the female parrots fly from the rain forest. It bothers them.

There are currently 42 parrots left. Actions are being taken to try and save them from becoming extinct.

Delegate Cosgrove has totally withdrawn the bill!!! HOORAY!

Read all about it here:

http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=80370&ran=43780

Well, in response to the massive attention that this bill received, Delegate Cosgrove has sent out this reply.

Things are looking better now...Thank you Delegate Cosgrove.

GGGGRRRRRR, this is really something...

A delegate in Virgina wants to pass a law that states that if you do not report a miscarriage in 12 hours you would go to jail for 12 months and have a fine of $2,500!!!

I mean, why are they trying to make this a crime??? I have known 4 people in my family that have had miscarriages, and that is something that really hurts the family and loved ones. There is a lot of pain and emotional drainage during the first 24 hours of it happening. And they want to make it a crime?? And a Class 1 crime at that! That falls into the same category as rape, stalking and other such horrible things!

I'm guessing that the delegate wants to pass the law as to reinforce the requirement in Virgina to report all loss of "products of conception". But hello! This is such a personal thing, and then taking a look at the report, the type of questions that have to be answered! What is the weight of the fetus, the sex, etc. Things that are very hard to think of after you have had a miscarriage. And what if they want to take the fetus "for further investigation". It's your baby!!! What would they do to it???

Man, it just makes me mad at some of the things that some people can come up with... 

http://www.team4news.com/Global/story.asp?S=2706096

What do you think?