Authentically Nita

Image (c)  deliberateLIFE DeliberateLIFE is a new magazine founded by Fay Johnson. DeliberateLIFE challenges its readers to acknowledge that the choices we make in our lives can affect us, the people around us, our community, and our entire world. It focuses on inspiring people to "live a better life by making a deliberate choice to live well and do good." Both deliberateLIFE’s substance and visual content make it a high quality magazine that I believe readers will appreciate. It's positive message and upbeat tone is a refreshing change from the typical content that I read on a daily basis. One of my favorite sections of the magazine was, the "In The Know," section. This section raises awareness and gives insight on global issues. DeliberateLIFE is currently available exclusively through the iPad Newsstand. However, it will eventually move to the Android platform and be available to everyone with a tablet. If you have an iPad, I would recommend that yo...

Place of Interest: SEPTA Transit Museum Location: 1234 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 Hours: Monday–Friday 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 - 3:00 p.m. This SEPTA Transit Museum presents the heritage of Philadelphia's transit system. Children can look at display models, transit memorabilia, and photographs. They can also pretend to drive a trolley. This is an actual 1947 trolley, not a replica. It's pretty cool. This is the part my children like the most. When my oldest was little we'd stop here every time we went to Center City, just so she could drive the Trolley.

Place of interest: Christ Church Burial Ground, Historic Christ Church Location : 5th & Arch Streets, Philadelphia Hours : Mon.-Sat. 10am until 4pm, Sunday 1pm until 4pm Benjamin Franklin's last resting place is located in a burial ground belonging to Christ Church. Benjamin Franklin died in 1790, and he was buried with his family in the north west corner of the burial ground. His wife Deborah and their two children are also buried there. The burial grounds were not opened when I went there, which was cool for me. I don't see myself stepping foot into a graveyard. I've never visited anyone's grave. Eventually I'll get over that. Like, maybe if my parents die or something like that. ...I guess.

Two of my favorite things in Philly, are our beautiful old church buildings, and our wall murals. Murals can be found on the sides of buildings all over our beautiful city. Here are just a few:

Proof that homelessness is on the rise is evident all over Center City Philadelphia. Love Park is over-crowded with homeless people and possibly, dope feinds. Walking down Chestnut Street you'll see at least two homeless people sitting on the ground on each block. All this leads me to one question... Where do all these homeless people get the colorful markers used to decorate their signs? On a more serious note though, this is a real problem and it's growing. It's growing right along with the increase in the crime rate. Pay attention people.

Shawish Jewelry, a company based in Switzerland, has created the very first all diamond ring. Ladies, this is a 150 carat diamond ring that compares to no other. It is one of a kind, all diamond. I mean like, the band and everything. Pure diamond, nothing else. Just beautiful! It's worth $70 million. Jewelers at Shawish took about a year to design the diamond ring and have already obtained the copyright for their design, so don't expect to see any copycat make-ups of this baby. Shawish jewelers calls their diamond beauty, "The World's First Diamond Ring." It's definitely worthy of the title. There was never a diamond ring, until this one. (The others were gold and diamond).