Día de las Velitas in Jackson Heights, NYC

I love living in a multi-ethnic neighborhood. It feels like every day is a holiday. Today is Colombia’s Día de las Velitas (Little Candle Day) and families gathered on the street to celebrate together. It kicks off the Christmas season.

Its extra awesome this year, because I'm actually going to Colombia for Christmas, partially because I live in a Colombian neighborhood in New York City.

The Uplifting Power of Immigrants in America

Yesterday in Allentown, PA, I found the most amazing little grocery store filled with fruit, vegetables and food from many nations and packed with immigrants. The food was fresh and healthy and the store was such a bright comparison to the other poor food choices available for sale at the other bodegas in the neighborhood. When I got to the register I noticed photos of the Middle Eastern owner's son who was a US soldier who died in the Iraq War. To top it off, the woman at the register was from Syria and has been here five years and is working towards her citizenship. Who says immigrants aren't patriotic and don't make our country better? #americaisgreatalready #strongertogether