At 50, I began to know who I was. It was like waking up to myself.

I am the dream and the hope of the slave

I have enough of life in me to make somebody jealous enough to want to knock me down. I have so much courage in me that I have the effrontery, the incredible gall to stand up. That's it. That's how you get to know who you are.

I will write on the pages of history what I want them to say. I will be myself. I will speak my own name.

It's so tedious writing cookbooks or writing the recipes because I've never been much of a measurer. But to write a book, you have to measure everything.

It's very hard for adults to maintain respect and romance so that a love affair can be sustained over years.

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.