[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/04/20/slumdog.cast.getty.art.jpg caption="The cast of 'Slumdog Millionaire,' lead actor Dev Patel (L), Freida Pinto (C), Anil Kapoor (R), Irrfan Khan (2nd R), and Madhur Mittal (2nd L) arrive at the 81st Academy Awards on February 22, 2009."]

By Vinita Singla, CNN

When I read yesterday that the "Slumdog Millionaire” team had donated money to impoverished kids in India, I was thrilled. I had been a part of it.

Trendy white leather sectionals, crystal chandeliers dangling from the high ceilings, beautiful lit candles and best of all the energy that exuded from the cast and crew of “Slumdog Millionaire.” Those are just some of my memories from the amazing Jan. 21 Plan charity event I attended in New Delhi. It was at an exquisite restaurant with a sprawling lounge area and a trendy top shelf bar. Ironically, the event took place two days before "Slumdog Millionaire" premiered in Mumbai.

I had been looking forward to the bash as soon as I heard about it. The thought of seeing Director Danny Boyle and Frieda Pinto in person was exciting especially because “Slumdog Millionaire” was the new craze in our American Morning newsroom. Even at 4 a.m., Executive Producer Janelle Rodriguez and co-anchor John Roberts didn’t hesitate to declare their love for the movie. “Oscar!”: Rodriguez called it.

It was a strange feeling being in India knowing I had already seen the romantic flick in NY and yet it was just being released where it was shot, in Hindustan. I was a little surprised that even some of my family members who lived in India, only heard about Danny Boyle’s award-winning sensation after receiving invitations from Plan. They didn’t really seem to realize the significance of the affair. They definitely were not as stoked as I was.

FULL POST

Susan Boyle breaks into song Friday on CNN's American Morning.

We had the pleasure this morning of talking live to Susan Boyle, the overnight sensation who melted hearts when she sang “I dreamed a dream…” on Britain’s Got Talent. Read story

She spoke with us this morning from her home in Blackburn, Scotland. (There were unfortunately a few audio problems) but she was just as sweet and humble as she was before becoming the most talked about woman in the world of late. She says she is “gobsmacked” (translation = massively surprised) by all of the fame and accolades but she will take it all of it one day at a time—and stay true to herself. I asked her if she thought she’d let the U.K show would give her a makeover like they so often do with reality contestants. Interestingly she didn’t say yes or no!

And since we just cant get enough of her singing…we had her SING a few bars LIVE on our show. Watch

And I have to tell you, I’m just as taken with her as the rest of the world seems to be. And I started thinking about why? Well, first she reminds me of my mother’s Aunt Mary. A sweet, unassuming gentle woman who was just happy and thankful for her modest life. You never hear Mary complain of anything even though she spent a lot of hours alone at home as a widow. She found joy and wonder in all of the small things in life and I never heard her say a negative thing about anyone. That’s what we’ve seen from Susan so far.

When she first walked out on that stage, it was obvious the audience didn’t think much of her due to her modest appearance. It was almost like everyone was in on the joke but her. She didn’t let it stop her. She didn’t get mad or upset. She just opened her mouth and sang. And without having to really say a word, she made a lasting impression on so many of us.

We could all learn a thing or two from that.

God Bless,

Kiran

Susan Boyle breaks into song Friday on CNN's American Morning.

(CNN) - Overnight singing sensation Susan Boyle says she's overwhelmed by the attention coming her way through millions of views on YouTube.

"I'm gobsmacked, absolutely gobsmacked," she told CNN Friday morning. Watch her sing

The 47-year-old shocked and inspired the audience, judges and Web watchers after she powered through "I Dreamed a Dream" from the musical "Les Miserables" on the TV show "Britain's Got Talent."

A clip of Boyle's performance had more than 15 million views on YouTube by Friday, and the world's media have beaten a path to her door in Blackburn, West Lothian, Scotland.

"I'm enjoying every second of it," she said of her sudden fame, but said it won't change her.

"I wouldn't want to change myself too much, because that would make things a bit false," she told CNN's "American Morning." "I want people to see the real me, the real person."

Keep reading this story

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/03/30/virgin.getty.art.jpg caption=" Amid news of the closing of Virgin Megastores, AM staffers reminisce over their first cassette tapes."]

The closing of Virgin Megastore got me thinking about the first cassette tape I ever purchased. I had diligently saved up my allowance money for nearly a month (forgoing popsicles and Now-n-Laters from my neighborhood’s ever-present ice cream truck) to purchase New Edition’s sophomore effort. I played that tape out. Every afternoon after school, singing “Mr. Telephone” man at the top of my lungs, rewinding and rewinding until I mastered the rap in “Cool it Now,” dreaming about my inevitable marriage to lead singer Ralph Tresvant.

I asked my colleagues about the first cassette/albums/CDs they ever purchased. The walks down memory lane are as sweet as they are comical.

FULL POST