T-I-double grrrr-R is gone, too =(

Voice of Winnie the Pooh's Tigger dies
Paul Winchell also created voice for 'The Smurfs'

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Paul Winchell, a ventriloquist, inventor and children's TV show host best known for creating the lispy voice of Winnie the Pooh's animated friend Tigger, has died. He was 82.

Winchell died Friday morning in his sleep at his Moorpark home, Burt Du Brow, a television producer and close family friend, told the Los Angeles Times.

Over six decades, Winchell was a master ventriloquist -- bringing dummies Jerry Mahoney and Knucklehead Smiff to life on television -- and an inventor who held 30 patents, including one for an early artificial heart he built in 1963.

But he was perhaps best known for his work as the voice of the lovable tiger in animated versions of A.A. Milne's "Winnie the Pooh" -- with his trademark "T-I-double grrrr-R."

Winchell first voiced Tigger in 1968 for Disney's "Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day," which won an Academy Award for best animated short film, and continued to do so through 1999's "Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving."

"I first met Walt Disney 25 or 30 years ago," Winchell recalled in a 1988 interview with The Associated Press. "He said, 'We're both in the same business. I use cartoons and you use dummies and we both entertain children.' That was long before I started working here. Walt gave me a VIP tour of the studio. I remember people doing voices. I said, 'Gee, that must be fun.' And here I am."

Winchell voiced memorable characters in numerous animated features over the years for Disney and Hanna Barbera. He was Gargamel in "The Smurfs," and Boomer in "The Fox and the Hound."

Winchell said he always tried to look for characteristics and idiosyncrasies in the voices he created. For Tigger, he created a slight lisp and a laugh. He credited his wife, who is British, for giving him the inspiration for Tigger's signature phrase: TTFN. TA-TA for now.

In 1974, he earned a Grammy for best children's recording with "The Most Wonderful Things About Tiggers" from the feature "Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too."

At the age of 13, Winchell was a winner on radio's "Amateur Hour" for doing his imitation of Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy. Ventriloquist Bergen was his childhood hero, and Winchell said one of the greatest thrills of his life was a joint appearance with Bergen on the game show "Masquerade Party."

Winchell made his television debut in 1947 with a smart-mouthed puppet he had invented in his early teens, and within a year was host of "The Bigelow Show." He was also host of a number of children's shows, including "The Paul Winchell-Jerry Mahoney Show" and "Circus Time."

In 1950, Winchell created Knucklehead Smiff and introduced him on "The Spiedel Show," which later became "What's My Name?"

Despite his success in television, Winchell felt the medium did not do justice to his beloved craft.
"Ventriloquism today is in a slump," he told the AP. "I think television defeats ventriloquism. Children are so used to seeing puppets that when they see a real ventriloquist they don't understand it. On television, everyone talks and they don't care about the mechanics."

Winchell's dummies are now at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington.

Winchell was born in New York City on December 21, 1922. He contracted polio at age six and overcame speech impediments as he learned to throw his own voice.

Winchell attended Columbia University and also studied and practiced acupuncture and hypnosis and became a prolific inventor.

He donated his early artificial heart to the University of Utah for research. Dr. Robert Jarvik and other researchers at the university went on to build an artificial heart, dubbed the Jarvik-7, which was implanted into patients after 1982.

Among Winchell's other patents: a disposable razor, a flameless cigarette lighter and an invisible garter belt.

Winchell is survived by his wife of 31 years, the former Jean Freeman; five children and three grandchildren.

::sniff sniff:: Goodbye, Piglet

John Fiedler, voice of Piglet, dies
Actor also starred in 'Bob Newhart Show'

NEW YORK (AP) -- John Fiedler, a stage actor who won fame as the voice of Piglet in Walt Disney's Winnie-the-Pooh films, died Saturday, The New York Times reported in Monday editions. He was 80.

Fiedler served in the Navy during World War II before beginning a stage career in New York. He performed in supporting roles alongside Sidney Poitier on Broadway, John Wayne in Hollywood and Bob Newhart on television.

With Newhart, on "The Bob Newhart Show," he was Mr. Peterson, the meek patient who was often a target for Jack Riley's sarcastic Mr. Carlin.

Fiedler also appeared in the films "12 Angry Men," "The Odd Couple," "True Grit," "The Fortune" and "Sharky's Machine," and was a cast member on the TV show "Buffalo Bill."
But he was best known for the squeaky voice of the ever-worrying Piglet that he landed when someone noticed his naturally high-pitched voice.

"Walt Disney heard it on a program and said, 'That's Piglet,' " his brother James Fiedler told The Times.

In addition to his brother, Fiedler is survived by a sister, Mary Dean, The Times reported. The newspaper did not report the cause or location of his death.

I hate how there are two people I care deeply for

Who cannot possibly hate eachother anymore

It's like not being able to fully enjoy an occassion

Because while you would like them both there,

that would just be a horrid situation

And it breaks my heart because I love them both so much

But the situation is still so sticky and putrid to touch

My dream would be for them both to resolve some differences they have

And in the end be able to hug and laugh

But that's just the peacemaker in me

And I have come to realize that this may never be

But if both would simply voice what they feel

There still might be a chance for this wound to heal

If you don't address an issue, how will the person ever know

It's like letting yourself decay and yet expecting a glow

Someone once said, "A friendship lasts through any amount of stupidity"

But there has to be a willingness to salvage what's left, with validity

I'm not trying to make a plea, I'm not trying to get some pity

Because I know you gotta just let things be

But the way Life is, sometimes just ending the next day

Would you wanna go never verbally saying what you should say

How you should stand up shout, "THIS IS HOW I FEEL!"

Or leave it bottled up inside where only you and a select few know the deal

Because you never know if things could be fixed

Because many times feelings can get mixed

And anger gets confused with aggravation

Not being able to understand another's frusteration

And things are left unsaid, sometimes not even til the end

Because the grudge is held and held and held with no resolution to lend

***I think I'm just menstrual and this is why my emotions convinced me to write this. If it's down in 5-7 days, you'll know why**

Learning people

"One learns people through the heart, not the eyes or the intellect."

Mark Twain

I love "learning people". It is the best thing to just sit there and be completely perceptive. Some people have this distorted belief that in order to be extremely perceptive, you have to be quiet and to yourself. I am loud and rambunctious and yet I can tell you the true nature of every single person that surrounds me. I can tell you the type of person they really are, but the type of person they hope to come off as. I can tell you the thieves and the liars, the crooks and the hypocrites, the sweethearts and the schmucks, and so on and so forth. But the thing is, I try not to discriminate against these people for the type of the person they are. I try my best to treat every single person equally and without discrimination and whether or not I am completely successful at that, I believe that my reasoning for doing that is pretty darn understanding. People are different. People are people, whether they are tall, short, mean, nice, fat, skinny, or practically extra terrestial, they are people. And people are very different. You cannot discriminate against a person because their belief system is different or maybe they wear blue shoes and you hate it.

Learning people is one thing, but learning how to appreciate the diversity that makes up people is key.

Happy learning, bloggers!

A song with no lyrics.....

I am sure this has happened to you at least once in your lifetime. You listen to a song, like the song, perhaps even bop your head. But the words and the meaning just doesn't seem to register. Well, there is a song that came out yeeeeeeaaaarrrrsss ago (well...not that long ago, but not, like, last year). The song is Wide Open Spaces by the Dixie Chicks. I had always enjoyed the melodious tune and the harmonious voices, but I never truly listened to the song.

Today, I finally listened to it and I could not relate better to this song. It is a song about a girl who needs to get out, make mistakes, meet new people, and even though she knows there may be reprecussions, she still wants to go out and try it. Earlier this month, I posted something I found on a website about what my birthdate means, and it could not have been more accurate. (See "here" if you have not yet read that post) Well, that table ended up being very accurate, because I DO need change, I DO need to switch up my routine every now and then because I get restless. This song is the perfect example of why I made the big move that I did when I was so young. This song, written so many years ago, was written for me. This song is me.

Wide Open Spaces

Dixie Chicks

Who doesn't know what I'm talking about

Who's never left home, who's never struck out

To find a dream and a life of their own

A place in the clouds a foundation of stone

Many precede and many will follow

A young girl's dream no longer hollow

It takes the shape of a place out West

But what it holds for her she hasn't yet guessed

She needs wide open spaces

Room to make her big mistakes

She needs new faces

She knows the high stakes

She traveled this road as a child

Wide-eyed and grinning, she never tired

But now she won't be coming back with the rest

If these are life's lessons, she'll take the test

She needs wide open spaces

Room to make her big mistakes

She needs new faces

She knows the high stakes

As her folks drive away her dad yells, "Check the oil!"

Mom stares out the window and says"I'm leaving my girl."

She says, "It didn't seem like that long ago

When she stood there and let her own folks know."

She needs wide open spaces

Room to make her big mistakes

She needs new faces

She knows the high stakes

A Story

The smell of latex. The warm, soft glow of hallway lights. The continuous beeping of the life support machine. The dreadful fear of the many beeps becoming one. These past few months have been the absolute worst. Walking back and forth to the flimsy coffee machine, having to endure yet another cup of cold, bitter caffeine with the hopes that it will keep you awake long enough to not miss one living second. Yup, these have been the absolute worst months I have been through. But, ya know, I came to appreciate the greatest woman I have ever and will ever know in my lifetime even more than before.

About two weeks ago, before my mother’s tumor grew so large that it prevented her from speaking, I sat down and had a heart to heart with her. Not one of those "What did you want to do when you grew up" heart to hearts. It was a REAL heart to heart. A corazon a corazon. I sat down next to her and I, through the lump of crying shame in my throat, uttered the words, "Mami, I’m so, so sorry. I’m so sorry for not always being the best daughter I could be."

Nonchalantly ignoring my pathetic attempt at an apology, she said, "Ay, mijita. Please, sit down. Let’s talk. Let me tell you about my life because once I’m gone, there won’t be anybody to pass the story along." So I pulled up a chair next to the stiff concoction that the hospital labeled as a bed, grabbed my cup of stale coffee, and prepared to hear the best story of my life.

"I have been in this country for 35 years and there are still things I am not used to. But I was quick to realize that if you get used to it, you get used to it, if not, you fall behind. So, for the sake of my four children, I got used to it. For example, here in the US, girls start wearing make-up, having boyfriends, plucking their eyebrows, and shaving their legs as young as 12. I think its probably gotten younger while I’ve been in the hospital, pero bueno. In Cuba, the first time a girl could even dream of make-up and arched eyebrows was the night of her fifteenth birthday. So when you and your sisters would come home in tears because some other girl was making fun of your bushy eyebrows or your hairy legs, it broke my heart, but I knew that if I wanted to keep our culture sacred, I could not give in. You girls would come home excited about your little driver’s ed courses and I simply sat there bewildered. That wasn’t important in Cuba, not as important as it is here. Girls were not to be concerned with getting their licenses or their little part-time jobs. The youngest age a woman was to get a job was at 21. Before then, it was to stay at home and prepare for marriage. It was to learn how to cook, clean, and sew with your mother. And girls got married young, too. To think, I was considered old when I got married and I was only 18! But dating sure was a funny thing because my father was so strict in some aspects and yet so confusingly lenient in other aspects. There, it was mandatory that a chaperone always be with a boy and a girl while they were out on a date or anywhere for that matter. So the chaperone was understandable. But my father always had this weird rule where I could not go to the beach with a boyfriend. And if I did go, I had to stay fully dressed and not go in the water. My father had the belief that the only time my boyfriend could even possibly glance at my thighs was after we were married. Can you believe that? But my father did something to me that I would never even imagine doing to my girls. When I was14, I had a boyfriend. My father then suddenly decided that I was at the age where boys and school could simply not be together. And so, at the young age of 14, I had to make a choice that would impact the rest of my life. Being young and naive, I chose the boyfriend and so began the horrifying roller coaster that has been my life. Now, you would think that after not having any education whatsoever, I would feel it necessary to depend on a man, but I did not do that. Do you think I depended on my first husband to get me out of that communist country? No, I didn’t. I did it myself and I went out to do excruciating agricultural work in the scorching heat while I was pregnant with your brother just to be able to breathe in the free air of this country. I was doing a job that grown men would resign from because they could not deal with it. Did I depend on your father to bring home enough money to buy food and pay the bills? No, I didn’t. I contributed what I possibly could. I would iron bundles and bundles of the neighbor’s clothes for only $10. I would iron a man’s long-sleeved business shirts while his wife sat at home and wallowed in her soap operas. I did what I had to. I made these sacrifices for my children, for my babies. I endured the heart wrenching comments against my "non-English speaking ass" and my refugee status to ensure that you all would live a better life. That you would have more choices for jobs and education. But at the same time, I held onto the culture that makes up each and every one of your hearts. I held on to the traditions and the tendencies, but let go of the ignorance and the things that just didn’t make sense. A woman’s life is made up of sacrifice, whether she likes it or not. A woman does what she does to survive, but always, whether she admits it or not, always keeps the well-being of others in mind first. A woman is naturally giving, naturally loving, naturally natural. So, do you think with the short time I have left, I can write the story of my life?"

The lump in my throat had become dry and my tongue had to be pried off of the roof of my mouth. I tried my best to control my tears, but I couldn’t. They just flowed. I grabbed my mother’s tiny fragile hand, the hand she would iron with, do agricultural work with, sew with, cook with, change diapers with, discipline with, and I lightly kissed it.

"No te precupes, Mami. Don’t worry. I will write the story for you."

She then said, "But it wasn’t my story. It was your story, both your sisters’ story, your brother’s story. You four are the reason I have done everything I have done. Love the story. Embrace the story. Live the story." And with that, she closed her teary brown eyes and fell into a gentle slumber. And I took a sip of the vile black liquid, promising myself I would not miss one living second of what remained of this incredible woman’s life.

**My mother is perfectly healthy, but the story of this life is her's

Mi Isla

Absolutely no shame

With no reservations and with no taboo factor, I would like to let you all know something, and perhaps after reading this, you will feel the same way about yourself.

As a woman, I feel there to be no need to classify myself thin, fat, overweight, slender, or even petite. As a woman, I am proud of the body I have because I have come to look at it for the beauty and the gift that it holds. A woman's body is not breasts. It is not buttocks. It is not a tummy, whether flat or bulging. It is not a dimple here or a beauty mark there. A woman's body is a temple of strength, serenity, creation, and pride. Sometimes, we completely forget the true purpose and meaning of our bodies. Whether or not we care to have children, our body is able to do this. Our body is able to withhold the weight of another living being and provide a haven of warmth and nourishment for nine whole months. Our body is able to provide oxygen to a human being who is created and developed within the measurements that we so constantly obsess over. Yet our bodies are not simply meant for child bearing. Our bodies provide us with the strength we need to withhold all of the discrimination and prejudice that women endure. Our bodies provide us, well, some of us, with the ability to run away or perhaps even fight back when domestic abuse becomes a part of our daily ritual. Our bodies provide us with the desire to learn all we possibly can and use it to the best of our ability. Our bodies provide us with so much and yet we take it for granted.

I love my body. I love every little thing about my body. Sure, I have my imperfections, but what woman doesn't. A woman will never have the "perfect body" in her eyes. Something will always be too big, too little, too fat, too skinny, etc. etc. etc. The only person who could ever view a woman's body as perfect would be another woman or a man. But me, I love my body. I love the softness of my body and how, when my boyfriend hugs me, he feels warmth and not a sack of cold bones or tight muscles. I love how this curves out here and that curves out there. I love how I feel healthy and in my eyes, I'm beautiful. I love the way my body looks without clothes because that is how I am. No cover-ups, no make-up, no slimming black color, nothing. That is me. That is the realest I could ever possibly be.

I wish more women could come to terms with the fact that they are absolutely beautiful, no matter how thin, fat, overweight, slender, or even petite they are.

Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love you tomorrow???

You will have problems with authority figures if you aren't on your best behavior. Don't allow yourself to become involved in something that may not be in your best interest. Think before you act.

Ok, is my horoscope supposed to scare the bejesus out of me? I mean, talk about wanting to walk on eggshells tomorrow. Wow.....maybe I should restrict my access to www.horoscope.com. Today's horoscope was so positive as opposed to THAT horoscope that is set for tomorrow. Blah....I need to stop. I'm going to give myself an ulcer.

SUGAR & SPICE and my teeth are nice

I don't know if I can explain exactly how much I LOOOOOOVVVEEE brushing
my teeth. I love everything ABOUT dental hygiene (i.e.,flossing,
brushing, mouthwash) The feeling is so great and it's just all kinds of
fun! (Apparently, that is my new thing....everything is "all kinds" of
something!) How people let their dental hygiene slip is beyond me!
Hmmmm....should I become a dental hygenist? 'Til next time, my fellow
teeth bloggers....SMILE AND LIFE WILL GO AN EXTRA MILE=)

Religion is more than attending a church....

Many people have warped ideas of what religion is. For many people, they consider themselves religious when they wake up every Sunday morning and go to church for the greater part of the day. Some people consider themselves religious when they pray to the Higher Being for help.Some people consider themselves religious because they donate money and time to those in need.

I feel that being religious is having faith in a Higher Being and believing that while some sort of a plan is already outlined for us, only we are the true controllers of our destiny. Only we can decide what will make us successful. Only we can acknowledge what truly makes us happy. All the while realizing that a Higher Being DID create us and simply gave us a paint brush and blank canvas to create the masterpiece that is our life.

I have always been one to experiment with different religions/beliefs. In middle school, I briefly experimented with Wicca and all its mysteries. Throughout high school, I read about and briefly practiced the Buddhist religion. This was one of the most peaceful, tranquile periods of my life because, well, let's face it, The Buddha is not a happy man because he's fat. He's at peace with the world and everything around him. The power of meditation is highly underestimated! Recently, I have been returning to my Catholic/Christian roots and also reading up on Kabbalah, which is also quite a peaceful religion (Kabbalists prefer it be referred to as a "way of life").

But my debate is not about which religion people prefer to classify themselves with. Instead, my debate is why is it so difficult to realize that religion is basically just another word for faith and hope? Religion is another word for a person being at peace, being peaceful. So with that said, why are we so quick to judge and critique others for their "religious beliefs"? Why does it make us so un at ease when others have differing beliefs than us. Should it not make us happy that they believe in something that puts them in a peaceful state, that makes them tranquile?

Why did Hitler find it to be appropriate to attack a group of people because they were Jewish, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Gypsies? Why did we find it morally right to attack and/or discriminate against Muslims after the September 11th attacks?

With that said, whatever religion you may happen to be, I want to let it be known that I will not discriminate against you. If you believe in God, Buddha, Allah, or if you believe that Elvis Presley is the Higher Being, I will be happy as long as you are peaceful, tranquile, and find faith lying in your Higher Being.

Blessed be all!

HaHa! Take that, flacas!!!

Big Advantage For Curvy Women

Curvaceous, voluptuous women are more likely to live longer than their slimmer friends. For good looks and good health, the feminine ideal really should be an hourglass figure with well-defined hips. Think Catherine Zeta-Jones and Sophia Loren.

It turns out that those wide hips help protect women against potentially fatal heart conditions, according to researchers from the Institute of Preventative Medicine in Copenhagen. Why? Hip fat appears to contain a beneficial natural anti-inflammatory protein hormone called adiponectin that actually prevents arteries from swelling up and becoming blocked, report the BBC News and the Manchester Evening News.

Here's the magic number: Your hips need to measure 40 inches with a dress size of 14 for the most benefit.

The study: Almost 3,000 men and women aged 35 to 65 took part in the research. In 1987 and 1988 the Danish researchers measured the participants' height, weight and body mass index. Through 1998, Danish health registers were checked to find out which of the participants suffered cardiovascular problems, while death records were checked through 2001.

The results: Compared to the group of women with the smallest hip circumferences, women with the biggest were found to have an 87 percent reduction in deaths, reports the BBC News. The curvier women also had an 86 percent reduced risk of developing coronary heart disease and a 46 percent reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease. Sorry, guys. This benefit is for ladies only. Large hip circumference was not found to offer better heart health for men.

"It seems that the protection is not a matter of wide hips, it's the detrimental effect of narrow hips with a lack of muscle fat, or bone or a combination of both," study leader Berit Heitmann told the BBC. "Fat on hips is different than fat on the abdomen. If you do not have enough of this fat, you may risk heart attacks."

The classic apple shape where the fat is located in the belly area really can be dangerous to your health since fat cells produce chemicals that can change the insulin system. That in turn raises the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

The study results were published in the journal Obesity Research.

Honesty is always appreciated...

If there is one thing that I love about 28 year-old Colombian sensation Shakira, it is her ability to be so honest and real about things. She is not one of those artists who simply says what interviewers want to hear nor does she create a controversial situation that will only guarantee her a slot on the cover of Spanish-language tabloids. Here is an article that appeared yesterday on

CNN.com

NEW YORK (AP) -- Stardom in any language is old hat for Shakira.

A singer since she was a teen, the Colombia native has long been a sensation in Latin America and in many Spanish-speaking countries, selling millions of records with her sultry voice, rock-tinged anthems and belly gyrations.

Yet mounting a campaign for similar success in the United States proved to be more taxing than even Shakira anticipated.

"It was definitely a challenge. My knees were shaking when I was thinking about writing and singing in a foreign language," the blond diva told The Associated Press in heavily accented English as she recalled writing songs with a dictionary by her side.

However difficult it may have been for Shakira to make the language leap, her success translated very well: Her English-language debut, 2001's "Laundry Service," sold more than 3 million copies nationwide as she transfixed music fans with her alluring image and songs such as "Whenever, Wherever" and "Underneath Your Clothes."

"She was already a stealth star by the time English radio discovered her," Sean Ross of Edison Media Research, which tracks the radio industry, said in explaining her success. "She certainly had a very media-ready presence ... I heard her explained by a lot of people as the Spanish-language Alanis (Morissette).

But when it came time for the follow-up to "Laundry Service," Shakira decided to return to her native tongue.

Last week, she released "Fijacion Oral" ("Oral Fixation") -- her first album in Spanish since 1998's "Donde Estan Los Ladrones? (Where Are the Thieves?)"

"I know that releasing my Spanish record first is contrary to what the industry expected after the success of 'Laundry Service,' but really what my instincts dictated," the 28-year-old told The Associated Press.

"It was very important that also my non-Hispanic fans understood that singing in Spanish is such an important thing to me as well, because I had a career 14 years singing in Spanish. That's a very fundamental part of my artistic sensibilities."
Double project

Shakira's latest project has two parts; while a Spanish-language album was released first, "Oral Fixation Vol. 2" is slated for release in November. Although it will be all-English, it's not a duplication of "Fijacion Oral": The songs will be completely different.

"I found myself with the surprise that I had 60 songs, and I selected my favorite ones, which cut it down to 20, and I still thought it was too much music to put on one album, so I decided to make a double project," she said. "Some of the songs happen to be in Spanish, some of them happen to be in English."

While the first single, "La Tortura" with fellow Latin superstar Alejandro Sanz, has shot to the top of the Latin charts, it's also inching its way up the U.S. pop charts. The video for the song -- which features Shakira doing a torso-jiggle that would make a contortionist envious -- has gotten heavy rotation on MTV. And for the first time, MTV aired a "Making of the Video" about the clip exclusively in Spanish.

It's unusual for international artists who enjoy such crossover appeal with an English-language debut to return to their native tongue -- and even more unusual to then market it to a pop audience in the United States. When Ricky Martin and Marc Anthony released their Spanish-language albums after their pop successes, they were geared toward the Latin audience almost exclusively.

But Shakira thinks fans today are more open to listening to good music, whatever the language. Her album features production work from Rick Rubin, but also Gustavo Cerati of Soda Stereo fame. It has bossa nova touches, as well as rock and old-time pop influences.

"I think that little by little, the Hispanic audience can contribute to change old rules, to modify them. This is the moment for those things to happen, for music in Spanish to play on Anglo stations, or vice versa," she said. "Music is a language on its own, when it comes from the heart and when it's authentic."

Shakira, who hasn't been on the charts since 2003, joked that "people might think I've been scratching my belly or something like that because I've been out of circulation ... but in reality I was just working every day -- writing, producing, making demos, creating this album, giving birth to this baby ... actually, it's two babies, it's twins."

Besides, Shakira said, it was important to take time off to give her music a chance to marinate.
"The truth is that I don't make albums like hamburgers. I have to dedicate the time that music requires," she said. "Songs have needs, songs ask you for things, and as a producer, I have to maintain this dialogue with my own songs, to find out what they really wanted from me."

Life works in such funny ways...

Right after writing that last post, I checked my Sidekick II and saw that my daily horoscope was sent to it at noon. So I go ahead and read it and to my surprise, it read:

That natural friendliness of yours will lead you to new intellectual connections

HAHAHAHA!!! No crap!

Kill them with kindness...

I have learned something these past few days and I would like to share it with you all. There are times when you cannot control who you work with and/or deal with on a daily basis, but that doesn't mean that you should let that bring you down. I have had a conflict with a certain person this past week or so and yesterday, I had it out with this person through email. I said many things that, whether or not they were necessary, they were in fact disrespectful and that is not me at all. That is not me to judge a person's character, whether or not they have judged mine. That is not me to question a person's actions, whether or not they are good. That is not me to challenge a person, whether physically or verbally. That is simply not me. Now, I told this person every little thing that was on my mind, with no reservations whatsoever, and like I said, much of what I said was very harsh, in my opinion, after I read through everything. Granted, this person will never be my best friend nor will this person ever be somebody I could just go out and get a cup of coffee with. However, and unfortunately, I do have to work with this person. I do have to deal with this person and be cordial with this person in a business setting. I don't have to cater to this person, I don't have to please this person, and I surely don't have to encounter this person out of the workplace and be Ms. Happy-Go-Lucky. Because of this, I have decided that when I see this person, I will smile and say, "Hello, so and so. How are you today?" And the reason for that is because despite what the person thinks, I KNOW I am being the bigger person and I KNOW that while it is not required, it is still something the bigger person would do. I am the bigger person and I know that to succeed in life, you do have to be the bigger person in certain situations, even if it means killing them with kindness.

I just had a meeting with my boss on a work arrangement that would entail me to work with this person on a weekly basis and I assured him that at the office, I will be professional. I will act like a professional and I will encounter every situation as a professional. Whether I have a countdown or not, I know that making my work environment as pleasurable as possible will make time pass by so much quicker because if not, it will seem as if the clock is taking 10 minutes to tick one second. So with that said, I am being the bigger person in this situation and regardless of my personal opinions of this person, I will treat this person in a professional manner at the workplace.

**WOW....sounds like a proposal!**

I love CNN.com

CNN.com

is set as my homepage at work. So every morning when I come in, first thing I do is go online and, BOOM, I know everything that is going on in the world. This morning of course, there was a big headline story about the Michael Jackson trial and how he was found not guilty on all 10 charges. I, however, always look for the subtle headlines on the right side of the screen. Today I noticed a story that was titled

"Job outlook best in South, survey says"

This is a pretty interesting story, so I would definitely recommend you guys read it

My definition of "auspicious"

Mr. Webster defines auspicious as promising success. But the funny thing is that everybody's definition of "success" differs. It's like everybody's definition of "love" or everybody's definition of "happiness". Granted we all have the capability of having these emotions, but the extent to which we have them is rarely the same in two people. With this said, I would like to give you my definition of success:

• Success is being able to recognize you have a rotten apple but focusing on the fact that the whole bunch is not rotten
• Success is setting a goal for yourself and not meeting it, but exceeding it
• Success is being open to things that are not normally "you" and giving it a chance for the diversity that it brings to your life
• Success is admitting you made a mistake but not dwelling on the mistake made, instead on the path to correct that mistake
• Success is being able to come to terms with the fact that not everybody thinks like you and embracing those different trains of thought as variance and not ignorance
• Success is not feeling you have to fit into the norm to be accepted
• Success is being asked to write a paragraph and coming up with a novel
• Success is the ability to admit you are the bigger man in the situation and taking the conflict head-on
• Success is simply being yourself

Well, those are simply my definitions of what success is. I think that in this crazy world we live in, where we focus more on what we don't have than what we do have, we must stick to our beliefs and emphasize them upon our lives instead of emphasizing society's belief. Success is not material, nor is it physical, nor is it societal. Success is whatever we define it to be.

My FIRST Audio Post...ENJOY!

Not "really" into reggaeton, but...

Okay....I don't necessarily bump reggaeton all the time, but I love this song and the fact that a remix was made featuring one of my favorite rappers from Miami, Pitbull.

Go to :

Underground Recordz

And then click on "Voltio Feat. Pitbull -- El Bumper Remix"

(I apologize for not being able to directly link the song on here, but I tried to)

And in case you're wondering who the hell Pitbull is, toma!

The Calm Before The Storm....

The reason this post is titled, "The Calm Before The Storm" is because it is a small introduction before I throw you into a full-fledged array of posts that I have planned for today. So I truly hope you enjoy!

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Ok....nevermind! I decided to just make THIS the array of posts

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First and foremost, this has been a hectic week and I apologize for the lack of posting on my part. With the issue of having to change my URL as well as some other personal issues I have been having this week, any free minute I get is mostly spent sleeping or just being 'blah' around the apartment. I have also been very busy lately because I am taking a class this summer and because it's only 5 weeks long, all of the work that usually takes a 3-4 month span is being crammed into a 5 week period and that's a lot, but being that my class is Women Studies, it all comes quite natural.

I have decided to only confide in those I truly trust and/or can help me with any concerns or insecurities I have about my move down south. The reason for this is because some people who would rather watch their backs than give you some helpful advice will more than likely steer you in the wrong direction, which more likely than not is their direction. Naw, I'm ok. I will stick to my original plans because in the end, they are what will make me happy.

Speaking of back home, one of my best friends who I consider family that is still living in Miami has offered me quite a bargain. She has said that when I move back to Miami (scheduled 05/06), she is going to want to lease a car so she was thinking of giving me her car and I just take over the payments so she could lease a brand-new car. Being that there will only be a year left to pay on her car, this is quite the deal! Now, this isn't just any car....this is the car I fell in love with when she first got it our senior year in high school. And Lord knows SHE found a bargain for it. This is a 2002 Honda Accord coupe (I think it's LX.....ya know, the V6 with all the goodies). When she bought it, the guy who owned the car dealership is friends with her father, so he sold her this Accord with only 4,000 miles on it for a unbelivably low $12,000. When I say this car has all the goodies, I mean ALL the goodies (leather interior, power windows, power locks, sunroof, ETC.) Here's a picture so you can get an idea of exactly what the car looks like...actually, just add a spoiler and it is LITERALLY what the car looks like:

I'm excited!

I've already begun getting all of the information needed to transfer over to FIU, so wish me luck on that endeavor. By the way, if you work with FIU or you know any way a transfer student could get a scholarship besides applying to the Honors College, help a sista out and drop me a comment!

I am going to attempt to change the eyes picture that I have had with this blog since the beginning of time....well, ITS time, to be exact. I am going to try to change it to this picture:

I made a post about it a few days ago, but in case you have not gotten the hint.... www.horoscope.com is THE truth!!!! Look at my horoscope for today

Spend more time thinking about what you want to do in the future. It's fine to coast along for a while, but now is the time to make a few moves. Too much contemplating and not enough action will leave you spinning your wheels.

Yowza!!! Gotta love horoscopes that give ya goosebumps.

My girl, Vida Guerra has a new website up with lots of new pics and merchandise, so be sure to check it out at www.vidasworld.com. Hope ya like.

Well...I think that's all for now....but if I remember anything else, I will let ya know ;)

The Water Bearer

My horoscope for today reads:

You'll be a little confused as to what to do next. You have left yourself too many options when what you really need to do is focus on what's most important to you. Think about your goals and the directions you're heading.

Tomorrow's horoscope reads:

Your mind will be wandering, and you won't be thinking about what you are doing. Be careful: Minor accidents are likely. Romance will develop while traveling or attending a conference, trade show or a group project.

What the hell?!?!?!? This is why I don't read my horoscope....because it's so strange! Today's reeeeeeeeallllly makes sense though. Wow.

For your horoscope and more astrological treats, go to

http://www.horoscope.com

A Song For My Roomie

And so I know in our new home there is a mess
And I bet you know whose it is, no need to guess
I apologize for being such a slob
But moving has been stressful with school AND a job
All of the boxes are surely mine
And they will be picked up in no time
So once again, from the bottom of my heart
I apologize and I will begin to do my part
=)
I should be a songwriter. Diane King move over!

Stuck in a rut with a pain in my gut

At the young age of 20, I feel as if I am stuck. Simply stuck. At an age when I should feel that anything is possible, I actually feel as if I have hit a plateau and I cannot move or shift from it. I feel as if there are so many situations in my life that I cannot change. But these are not situations that I can simply verbalize my discomfort with and, BOOM, they will change all for the better. I feel as if no matter how hard I try to "rise above the masses", I am still just stuck. I just want to go to the middle of the world and scream at the very top of my lungs, for all to hear, "I AM STUCK!!! I FEEL AS IF I HAVE NO WHERE TO GO! I FEEL AS IF MY LIFE IS AS GOOD AS IT CAN GET AND THAT SUCKS!!!"

No matter how much I try to convince myself that my life is not as good as it gets, I feel it to be true. I feel held back. I feel as if some who tell me they really want to help me and they genuinely care about me are genuinely lying. They are simply saying what they are supposed to say. They are simply saying what they think I want to hear. But when the water gets really hot and I'm drowning in it, they ask if I need help instead of just throwing in the lifesaver and yanking me out. Anybody who really knows me knows that I could be lying on the side of the road dying of thirst and hunger and if you ask me if I would like a McDonalds Value Meal, I will say, "No, I'm fine. Thank you." Now, if they were to throw the meal at me, of course I'd take it. Some people would call this too much pride, but I call it just being myself.

I don't feel that I have ever gotten anything in my life by asking. I feel that everything that I have gotten is because I earned it and/or I won a special place in somebody's heart and they felt it to be unnecessary to ask if I need assistance and just gave it to me.

¿Y eso a mi que me importa?

Translation: "And why should I care about that?"

I know a certain somebody (I will not mention their name and/or their relationship to me) who makes fun of my blogs and tells me, and I quote, "Oh so you ate Popeyes today? I bet you are going to write a blog about which is better: Popeyes or Kentucky Fried Chicken." Well, my avid blog readers, with that I would like to let you all know that what I write is what I feel. If I don't feel it, I don't write it. Whether I wrote about a heaping pile of s*it or world peace, this blog is MY escape and nobody else's. So if you don't like my blog, please do not read it....simple as that. Thank you and have a wonderful day =)

I'm lovin it!

You have to ABSOLUTELY love when you go to McDonalds with $3.15 in change, order 3 things off of the dollar menu (drink not included), and they are so busy that they don't even realize they gave you a free meduim orange drink. Ahhhhh.....God watches out for you in mysterious ways =)

I want! I want! I want! Vol. I

Ok....I know that 'I want' is such a very selfish, greedy statement, but I didn't literally mean it like that. These are just a few shirts I would like to have (in addition to the "Cubans Do it Better" tank I mentioned before. See here ):

(Because, let's face it, someone else's preferences should be none of your concern. Whichever way you lean, I ain't mad at ya!)

(Well, because technically, I DO!)

(Because life is WAYYYYY to short)

**Note: A few shirts could not be viewed correctly, so just go to www.80stees.com to get some ideas of the shirts that I like =)**

Well, that's all I can come up with. Tune in next time for I want! I want! I want! Vol. II

Hmmmm...

I never said it wasn't sunny in Virginia, it's just that when it is sunny, your resources are so limited. It's like working in a cake shop and having diabetes.

**Note to self: Get the damn new memory card for the digital camera. Grrr**

It's quiz time!!!!!!

Take the quiz: "Which Victoria's Secret Angel are you?"

Gisele Bundchen
You are nice, trendy, and love to have fun!



Take the quiz: "What Disney Princess Are You?"

Belle
You love your family (what's left) dearly, and you're a bookworm. Get your head into the world darlin'

I Won't Apologize

I won't apologize for the way I am

For the way my hips sway making others say, "Damn"

I won't apologize for wanting so much more

Because if I were to settle, what would I be living for?

I won't apologize for my curvaceous body

If you don't like it, don't look, not trying to impress anybody

I won't apologize for listening to music that other's don't like

If you can do it better, go ahead and grab the mic

I won't apologize for wanting to be in solitude

I might be reflecting on things, depending on my mood

I won't apologize for never making sense

Because maybe you'd understand if you weren't so dense

I won't apologize for wearing black

If you really don't like it that much, just turn your back

I won't apologize for any of the things I do

Because if I didn't do them, then I'd be you

• HA! This is basically a "screw off" to all of the people who always seem more concerned with the way I live my life than ever attempting to live their's .

Some wishful thinking....

The Commodore

This is very nice to look at and imagine. And, hey, like I've learned in life, ya' never know! But for now, the mere thought of it is nice....very nice.

De mi tierra bella.....

I'm proud to be a Cuban woman. Especially with these beauties representing us:

Eva Mendes

Vida Guerra

Christina Milian

Rosario Dawson (She's like a whole mix of things, and Cuban is one of them)

Daisy Fuentes

Elizabeth Peña

Jamie-Lynn DiScala

Ummmm.....that's all I can think of right now. Correct me if I'm wrong ;)

This is so damn true!!!

Your Birthdate: February 5

With a birthday on the 5th of the month you are inclined to work well with people and enjoy them. You are talented and versatile, very good at presenting ideas. You may have a tendency to get itchy feet at times and need change and travel. You tend to be very progressive, imaginative and adaptable. Your mind is quick, clever and analytical. A restlessness in your nature may make you a bit impatient and easily bored with routine. You may have a tendency to shirk responsibility

Can anybody else possibly agree with this anymore?!?!? It is so true! Ha!

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?