Quite the Journey

Get it. Got it. Done.

2008-01-21T13:05:00.000-08:00

Well, as per Saturday's post, I did in fact accomplish quite a bit. Not as much as I wanted to, but quite a bit nonetheless =)

I went to all of the stores I wanted to go to except Winn-Dixie, which I ended up going to on Sunday. I ended up getting all of the things I wanted to get, plus a couple of extra, inexpensive knick-knacks. By 12:30, I was home and ready for lunch. Once I grubbed and let it digest, I began my cleaning duties but was only able to do both bathrooms and sweep and mop the kitchen floor =\ Apparently, cleaning and pregnancy don't ALWAYS work hand in hand. Sucks, but I did what I could. After all of the cleaning and resting in between, I jumped in the shower at about 6pm so that I could at least be showered and made-up by the time the Mr. got home from work so we could head out for my friend's birthday shindig.

We ended up having a great time at Bongos and left at about 12:30. We really had no choice. They started playing house music and everybody around us started jumping a bit aggressively. The hubs and I looked at eachother and non-verbally suggested, "Let's get outta here." Gotta protect the possible athletic investment in my belly =)

On Sunday, we took the most exciting first step in nursery preparation....we painted the room! =) We painted it a baby blue that is actually called Sapphireberry by BEHR. I'll take pics of the entire room when it's finally set up so you can share in the excitement with us =)

Whistle while you work!

2008-01-19T07:52:00.000-08:00

Do you see the time of this post?

Do you realize that TODAY is a Saturday and to be up at this time, while you are in your third trimester is almost completely unheard of?

I knew I would be up early today, but I didn't think it would be right after the Mr. left to work =P

Sensational! Means I can get more done today.

So far, I have gone onto Big Lots' website and looked over some of their inventory to make sure of what I am going to get there when I go this morning. I have also put one of our comforters to wash and will prepare to put in the sheets and other comforter shortly.

On my To-Do List today:

Go to Walmart, Target, Big Lots, and Winn-Dixie for different reasons:

- Walmart - Because I need some lotion that is ONLY sold at Walmart, plus I need to pick up some household essentials (bath tissue, paper towels, etc.)
- Target - Because mama needs a new pair of shoes =P I've been on the hunt for comfortable, prego-appropriate shoes for my baby shower for about a week now. Haven't had any luck =\ So I shall try today.
- Big Lots - Mainly because I like their deals and I want to see if I can get a shower curtain rod there for the Mr. to finally be able to use the second shower instead of the hall shower that restricts him a bit. It's a teeny shower-only and for a 6'1", 220lb. man, it is just a teeny bit small. The other bathroom is a full shower and tub and he has anxiously been waiting for the final cleaning and preparation of it so he doesn't look like Buddy the Elf when he takes a shower anymore =P
- Winn Dixie - Well...because we need to eat, right? Not that big of a mystery....

Clean the entire house (includes: bathrooms, bedrooms, floors, and kitchen....from TOP to BOTTOM) Gotta clarify that because some people consider cleaning to be surface cleaning where the dust no longer shows. Nope...not the case at all.
Finish a couple of loads of laundry once I get some laundry detergent from one of the above-referenced locales.
Get ready before the Mr. gets home at 7 to go out to Bongos to help one of my best friends celebrate her 23rd birthday! =) Yay!

Well, I believe that is all I will get to typing for now....especially if I plan on doing everything on my list =) Ta-ta!

**Update** The second comforter wash will have to be a no because apparently the washer leaks when it's a big load like that =\ Gotta talk to the hubby about that.

sniff sniff

2008-01-18T10:02:00.000-08:00

Do you know what kind of heaven I am in this morning?!?!?

The cleaning lady for our office has come in and started her twice-a-week cleaning ritual. The smell of Fabuloso and Pine Sol is invading my senses and causing me to enter an indescribable euphoria.

Ahhhh.....delish!

Ice, Cleaning Supplies, and Stretchie Pants

2008-01-17T10:03:00.000-08:00

I know I haven't posted on here in a while. So sue me =P

If you had any idea whatsoever of what I've been going through within the past twelve months, then you would understand...completely! =)

Let's see. The easiest way to update you? Within the past twelve months I have had surgery, gotten pregnant, gotten engaged, and gotten married (and yes, in that exact order!) However, the only one of the four that is ever prominent in my everyday life would be #2. The fact that I am pregnant is playing such a big role in my life that to explain it, I would need about a week to simply come up with the ROUGH draft of what I would say. I now understand when women say that you no longer think or worry about yourself; instead, it is all for the baby.

I am about 7 1/2 months along and I must say, it has been an interesting ride. I haven't had any "unusual" cravings, per se. The only slight craving I have had is sweet and salty at the same time, but I used to crave that BEFORE I was pregnant so I'm not thinking that it actually counts. As of late, I have had an obsession with the smell of cleaning supplies. Anything and everything that involves cleaning is something I have become infatuated with. The smell of Pine Sol, toilet bowl cleaner, Windex, Fabuloso, etc. etc. etc. It all smells SO delicious to me! So much so that I look forward to the cleaning lady coming to the office just as I look forward to a 7 day cruise!!!

I have also found comfort in chewing ice. No water. No soda. Nothing to accompany the ice. Just. Plain. Ice. Yum! And if it's crushed, EVEN better!

Part of the title of this blog is Stretchie Pants... I have no obsession with them, but they sure are comfortable when your belly is growing by the day! So I decided they deserved some homage in the title.

Well, seeing as I can't post that much right at the moment (since I am at work) I will post some more later today.

Peek-a-boo! I see you!

2006-06-28T06:57:00.000-07:00

Wow. I haven't been here in a verrrrrrrryyyyy long time. It feels so weird to just be typing in this text box. It's almost like unfamiliar territory to me. But I have so much to tell that I couldn't stay away any longer =)

My life has taken a complete 180 compared to where I was this time last year. I am once again living in Miami and to tell you the truth, it is nothing like I imagined it would be. For so long, I quickly shook off the thought of moving back to Miami because I felt as if I would be taking a big step backwards. I felt as if coming back would label me a failure, a quitter. But the complete opposite has proven to be the case. I am working at a job that meets the salary I was making in Virginia (which is GREAT, because that salary would be ideal for a person with significant bills) and I will be starting school here in the fall. With the way things have been going, I really see a promising future; an auspicious future. But it's so funny because I have already been here for over a month and it still feels as if I am on vacation. It still feels as if I will be going back to Virginia in a week or so. Strange, huh? Slowly but surely, the realization that I will not be going back is creeping up on me.

The one thing that has definitely not changed is the fact that after coming back, things have just picked up with family and friends as if I never went anywhere. It feels as if I have either been here these past 3 years or just been on vacation for a while. That is actually something I am very grateful for because it gives me that sense of personal security. I mean, you always figure your family will be there, but you don't truly understand the validity of that until you are seperated from them for some time, come back, and they greet you with not open arms, but extended arms. I am so grateful for each and every one of them.

I also have another issue. I'm not necessarily "happy" with my body at this moment. I mean, it's good (not fat, not skinny, just how I like it) but I definitely want to undergo some SERIOUS toning. I'm gonna be starting this challenge that I found online by Lee Labrada and to be quite honest, I am REALLY excited about it. I will let you all know how it is going once I get it underway!

Well, that's all for now =) Thanks for reading and coming back to my page, people! I REALLY appreciate it!

Oh yeah, thanks to my Mr. Big for letting me know people still read my blog =)

Just being a first-rate verison of myself instead of a second-rate version of someone else

2005-11-06T11:28:00.000-08:00

Seeing as I haven't posted in quite some time, I have decided to definitely make this a worthwhile post and just throw out a bunch of info that those of you out there who know me might find some interest in (but then again, you guys DO have your own lives to live, so reading this is probably just pure entertainment for you)

- Some of my friends know that I have a new found interest (which borders on obsession) with ballet. I want to take some classes soon because while I have recently decided to actually pursue it, I have ALWAYS loved all forms of dance, especially ballet. And while I am not looking to attend Julliard, I still want to try to become somewhat intermediate. So wish me luck =)

- I finished reading The Broke Diaries, and might I add that it was a hell of a funny book! I was laughing out loud on SO MANY occasions that it was almost embarassing. But nevertheless, the book is definitely worth it! So go to your nearest book store and pick up a copy....PRONTO!

- I am officially addicted to Myspace! This website is like the epitome of the "center of the world". Literally. I have been able to find everybody and their mother on this site and even if I don't know the person, it is still fun to browse their site, see what music video/clip they have up, or just look at their pics. It's awesome! It rocks! It's THAT good!

- Just so you all know, Life is going pretty darn good. I love my new job and I love even more the fact that I have TWO days off a week. Yay me!

Ok, I know this post wasn't SO worthwhile....but I'll make it up to you guys. I promise =)

Rambling is always key

2005-09-22T13:36:00.000-07:00

....at least when it comes to speaking what is on my mind. Here are some ramblings that perhaps my small, but very meaningful audience shall enjoy....well, hopefully.

I received a phone call this morning from my OB-GYN. Now, my female readers can agree that a call from your OB-GYN 2 months after a pap smear is most definitely a reason to be somewhat nervous. So when I call them back, it so happens that on my results for my pap smear, I had some atypical cells show up. Now, before anyone worries or freaks out or whatever, the nurse assured me that it is nothing to be worried about because it so happens that my results were negatvie for HPV, which is what causes cervical cancer. She also assured me that is quite common for results to come back like that if, say, I am near my menstrual cycle or something like that. So worry not, my friends. I will have to have another pap smear in 4 months just to make sure the results come back normal so come fast January =)
My boyfriend is visiting and will be leaving early Sunday morning...but that doesn't mean we will just stay home and act melancholy. No, no, no. We will be driving up to NYC today after I get out of work at 2 pm. Yay!!! It will be Fancy Magic's first trip to the Big Apple and I am so excited for her =)
I am going to give up fast food...cold turkey. Lately, after I've eaten Taco Bell or McDonalds or ANY fast food for that matter, my stomach starts growling as if it is going to eat itself from the inside out. Blah....no more fast food for me.

Okay...well, it's 1:30 and I have to finish some things here at work before I head out. Have a splendid weekend =)

I've dreamt of a city....

2005-09-20T12:07:00.000-07:00

My life is not a difficult one. Instead, it is something that I dream of. I dream of my past, of my future, and most importantly, of my present. I dream of my surroundings and all of the relationships I have with people. I have come to muddle all of these dreams together to build the ultimate dream...my city.

When I say 'city', I don't mean a physical city per se. I don't dream of New York or Washington, DC, or even Miami. I dream of a city that inhabits all of my different moods, personalities, senses, relationships, and thoughts. Mr. Webster defines 'city' as being a center of population, commerce, and culture; a town of significant size and importance. My city is in fact of a significant size and importance. It makes up the anatomy of my temple that works hard, the fuel that energizes that temple, and the drive I have to always keep that temple holy and the fuel constantly flowing. My city is my body, my blood, my sweat, my tears. All of my moods and personalities and relationships make up the population and the commerce and the culture is made up of the roots I hold of my ancestors. I am a city. And I must reside within this city for as long as air flows through my lungs and blood surges through my veins. If something is wrong within my city, it will be taken care of post haste. If I disapprove of something, it will be rid of. If I like something, it will be praised and accentuated. If I am obsessed with something, my city will relish in the neverending festivals to celebrate that obsession.

Everybody has a city, they just don't realize how great it is. They don't realize how it should be appreciated and how every little thing about it should always be honored.

Wow....it sure has been a while.

2005-09-16T14:01:00.000-07:00

While this will more or less be a pretty random post, I must start out by apologizing for my lack of posting on this wondeful concoction of a blog. I've just been hella busy (HAHAHA....I don't even use that word!)

Well, life has been pretty good for the last month or so. My new job is going AWESOME and I'm loving ALLLLLLL of my co-workers. I share my little office space with a girl who brightens my day everyday with her utter wackiness. So, in the professional aspect, life is good.

Outside of work, school is going good considering I am only taking one class this semester, but next semester I will be bumping it up to two classes. You see, I get tuition reimbursement at my job, which is very good, but I need to pay the tuition in the meantime while I am waiting for the semester to end. But school is going rather swell =)

My new car is great and I'm LOVING it! I am now an official Toyota maniac. I love everything about Toyota, from their cars to the way they handle to their reliability to EVERYTHING!!!

My boyfriend flies into town tomorrow, which is also his 21st birthday. I have a nice dinner planned once he arrives and the rest of the week will basically just be chilling and hanging out. I haven't seen him since May.....so my excitement level is SEVERELY high =D

Ummm....hmmm....let me think. Oh yeah, I'm selling my Kanye West CD for $0.50 so any one interested, throw me a line. Basically the man is an ignorant, arrogant, self-centered, miserable little prick. He doesn't know when to shut up nor does he even know how to speak eloquently. Sure, he says some powerful things that have to be appreciated because he is speaking from his soul, but he speaks with nothing to support it. I hope his eyes rot with maggots. Thank you and have a great day =)

Congratulations to Britney and Kevin for giving birth to their beautiful little boy on Wednesday. Welcome to the world, Sean Preston Federline!

Okay...well, considering I am posting from work, I must go now, my fellow bloggers.

Give me a T-O-Y-O-T-A!!!

2005-08-24T10:48:00.000-07:00

Well, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to let you all know that I am the PROUD owner of a 2005 black Toyota Corolla sedan with 9,451 miles.

Yay me!!!! =)

I found the car online at the website of a Certified Preowned Toyota dealership down the street from my house. I was ecstatic to see that the price was a mere $14,999 for a Corolla with power windows, power locks, CD player and ONLY 9,451 miles. I am even more proud of myself for the simple fact that when I went to the dealer that same night (Monday), I played hardball. I let them know what was the monthly payment I was willing to make, what was the down payment I was willing to pay, and that I would not settle for anything more than those amounts. And of course, being the wonderful car salesmen that they all are, they tried to convince me to put more money down and/or get a co-signer because my expectations were too high. They even suggested I look at a 2001 model they had with about 20,000 miles on it. The nerve!!! Do they not know that all models before the 2003 model are hideous?!?!??! That I would have NEVER even considered purchasing a Corolla until they came out with the much niiiiiiiicer model?!?!??!? No, of course they don't know that! Sorry if I've offended any pre-nice model Corolla owners, but it's the truth. I walked out of the dealership with them promising to call me the next day. And sure enough, they had "miraculously" been able to meet all of the expectations I had made and they asked me to come in that night to sign all of the paperwork. But the car wasn't physically mine until Wednesday night because I still had to bring in the title for Black Magic (my 1995 Chrysler LeBaron) and a paycheck stub.

And on Wednesday evening, I walked out of the Toyota dealership with the best purchase I have ever made to date =)=)=) I will definitely have to post later on telling you all the wonderful tale of my insurance adventure as well, but I'm suuuuuuuuuuper busy at my new job!

Here's a picture of my Fancy Magic =) =)=) An EXACT picture, to be exact (apparently, Toyota thinks they can sell cars with pictures online of the ones they JUST sold!)

Saving the world, one turtle at a time...or at least trying to

2005-07-26T10:24:00.000-07:00

On my way to work today, I passed a small wood turtle in the middle of the road. I could see his little head stretched out trying to successfully make it to the other side. I immediately slowed down and tried to pull over, but there was no shoulder or turning lane to pull aside on. All I knew was that I had to help that little turtle cross the road. He probably had a family somewhere waiting for him or he was probably looking for a nice, cool pond to go swimming in. So I had to drive about half a mile, make a u-turn, and turn back onto the road where the turtle's fate had become my responsibility. When I reached the place where I had seen the turtle, my heart dropped.

There lay the small creature, crushed in the middle of the road.

I couldn't control the tears that burned my eyes as I thought how I had failed the turtle and how it was my fault that his family would continue waiting for him or how he would not have his refreshing swim. I felt horrible. I still feel horrible.

I have always wanted to save animals any way I can. Whether it be pulling over to scare a dog or cat into the woods so he wouldn't be so close to the traffic or slowing down even if I have 200 cars behind me so a crazed squirrel can carry his acorns across the road. I have always tried to be the savior for animals, but today, I failed. I'm sorry, little turtle. I am so sorry.

10:58 pm has brought about a new meaning...

2005-07-23T23:19:00.000-07:00

Never go to the grocery store at this time to pick up anything more than
a birthday card, gum, or batteries. This is apparently when the freaks
go grocery shopping.

Ahhhh...the wonderful feeling.

2005-07-19T09:35:00.000-07:00

Okay, I don't know if you have noticed this, but I am a dork. A BIG dork. Probably the dorkiest of the dorkiest crew from YOUR high school. But I love that about myself.

As you have seen, I am verrrrrrry happy about my automobile transaction that will be taking place in about a month. One of the things I'm most happy about? The dashboard. Seriously. Whenever I look around for cars I am interested in, probably the FIRST thing I look at is the dashboard. I know, I know. That is something very unimportant to look at...but I can't help it. If a dashboard is ugly, I won't buy the car. The Saturn ION....loved the car, HATED the dashboard! But this new car, the 2002 Honda Accord that I will soon own, has a beautiful dashboard in my opinion =)

Lo que es ta 'pa ti, nadie te lo quita....

2005-07-17T10:01:00.000-07:00

....ain't that the truth!!! Basically, the title of this post is "What is meant for you, nobody can take it away." Patience is truly a virtue and Lord knows I am ever so grateful for that. Let me give you the updated information...

This week has been one of the best weeks I have had in a long time for quite a few reasons. This may be a long post...but I'm not completely sure yet.

Earlier this week, I received a verrrry unexpected phone call from a man with whom I'd had a job interview with what seemed like ages ago. The interview went very well and everything seemed extremely promising, until I had not heard from them for almost two weeks. I mean, I spoke with them about benefits and everything! And this was after they said they were ready to give me an offer the next day. Hmmmm. Just to make sure nobody had died, I called the office and the lady who initially interviewed me said she apologized tremendously on the boss's behalf, but he had been so busy. She assured me she would give him my message and that he would be calling me very soon. When he was finally able to give me a call, he profusely apologized for the delay, but informed me that the reason for the delay was because he was trying to set up a tuition reimbursement benefit with his company. I thought that was pretty cool and figured I should give him some time to get everything in place before I joined the crew. Sounds easy, right? I mean, just be patient and he'll call.

About a month passed. No call.

Then, this Wednesday afternoon, I received a call from a number that looked familiar, but I couldn't put my finger on who it was. I decided to screen it, but seeing that they never left a voicemail, I just called back. Sure enough, it was the boss-man. He began the conversation with what seemed like a neverending script of apologies and proceeded to ask me, "What are you doing job wise?" I honestly answered, "Well, I was kinda sticking to where I am because I never heard back from you guys." He then said, "How would you like to try something different?" While I was excited to perhaps be starting a new adventure, I couldn't help but be a bit skeptical. I mean, after all, they hadn't called me in so long and even though they had given me that whole "tuition reimbursement" story, I suspected it was a problem with the minimum salary requirement I had put on the back page of my resume since it was quite a bit more compared to what I am making now...okay, it's a WHOLE lot more, but hey, I didn't want to sell myself short. I gotta eat and I want to have some fun every now and then. So I nonchalantly answered, "Perhaps". He said he would email the offer the next day and to just get back to him at my earliest convenience (actually, more like Monday) so we could get the ball rolling. I would wait for the email, but to tell you the truth, I didn't expect it. Why get my hopes up and end up waiting about a gazillion years for a freakin' offer?

And then....it came. At 2 p.m. the next day, my Sidekick II buzzed to inform me that I had a new email waiting for me. When I opened it, I realized it was the offer and I started to scroll down. I was basically skimming it, knowing exactly what I wanted my eyes to fall right upon. When I got to it, my breath shortened, my lunch rose back into my esophagus, and I dropped my phone on the desk. Oh my god. They accepted my minimum salary offer and even increased it by $1,000. I would be making THAT plus receiving tuition reimbursement, benefits, paid holidays, paid sick days, paid vaction days, and even a gym membership?!?!?!? Are you serious? I couldn't believe this. I had to reread the email about 5 times, and my breath was still short. This was what I have been waiting for since I moved here. I was waiting for this sensational feeling of true fulfillment and here it was. And it's not to say that I need monetary success to feel fulfilled, but I would finally be able to live like a 20 year-old. Go out and not worry so much about whether or not I have enough money in my pocket to ride the Metro into DC or if we went out to eat, I might have to order a side salad and some water because, well, I was counting pennies. This was what I had been waiting for for 2 years. My patience literally paid off this time. I took the offer and my first day of employment there is August 8th. Yay me! =)

In car news, I should be flying down to Miami one-way and driving the car back up. Whoo freakin hoo!!! Here is literally a spitting image of the car, except for the rims...mine will have the solid silver lines instead of the two silver lines in each part of the star....DOUBLE yay me! =)

A little bit of randomness is always healthy Pt.2

2005-07-14T12:20:00.000-07:00

In an earlier post, I decided to go ahead and just write a bunch of different things that were in my mind at the time, plaguing my brain and affecting my well-being. And here, my friends, is numero dos of that rambling. Enjoy!

Like I have said before, I get an inspirational comment sent to my phone every morning at 10:30 am. There reason I do this is because I like to somewhat start the day off with some inspiration, with some motivation. Sometimes the comments are very, ummm, different, and sometimes they are like WOW, blow-your-socks-off SUPER inspirational! Today was one of those comments where I was left with no socks. By the way, Judy Garland ROCKS!!!

"Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else"

-Judy Garland

What happened to my Florida Marlins?!?!?! They were doing soooooo great at the beginning of the season, and now they just suck >=\ Darn it!

There is a family of cats that live in our apartment complex. Where did they come from? What do they eat? Have they no home? Oh my! I should rescue them, but then my roommate would die of allergies. Hmmm....decisions, decisions. =)

Mickey's a mouse. Donald's a duck. Pluto's a dog. What's Goofy? (A dedication to one of the greatest movies of all time, "Stand By Me")

Angels & Demons is a freakin' awesome book. I am still finishing it up, but I must say it is the greatest page-turner I've ever read! Next up: The DaVinci Code!

The best Saturdays are the ones where you stay in your pajamas all day and just watch movies on TBS. Yup, those are the best.

When a microwave is bigger than your television, you should perhaps think of opening some kind of food business. After all, such a hugh freakin microwave should be put to good use, don't ya think?

Girl Scout Cookies are addicting. ESPECIALLY the All Abouts. Yikes!

Ummm...I have to get back to work, but I will perhaps continue this later =)

Let's press the rewind button....

2005-07-12T20:16:00.000-07:00

Let's take this back to Miami in the early 90's (before Hurricane Andrew, so before 1992). It was your typical Saturday morning in the Auspicious household. Wake up early, most likely around 8am, turn on the radio, and begin cleaning the house with my older sister. We would dust the coffee table and clean the windows with Windex, or Mistolin, depending on whether my mother went to Sedanos or Winn-Dixie, while two-stepping to our favorite music, the greatest music, the all-that-is-holy music...FREESTYLE! Power 96 was usually our radio station of choice, unless my sister had made her own "freestyle mix" on a cassette tape. The Saturday Freestyle Mix was, and even still is, the best freestyle mix EVER. There could never be any freestyle mix that could take the place of good ol' Power 96. Now I'm sure anybody who grew up in Miami, New York, New Jersey, or in any Spanish household for that matter has encountered freestyle at least once in their lifetime. I remember freestyle had such a tight grasp on Miami that even the local rollerskating rinks only spun freestyle the majority of the time.

And you know what? They still do.

Freestyle is such a difficult thing for me to describe in words because it is the only music that I have ever considered to be the best representation of my childhood, of my neighborhood, of my life. It is just that happy-go-lucky, move your feet, shed a tear, bop your head music that isn't just a genre you kinda like. Either you like it or you don't, but don't you even DARE telling a freestyle-head that you don't like it. Oh no. Big mistake. It's like telling an older Christian woman you don't believe in Jesus...prepare for the talking of your life!

For all of those freestyle heads out there, here is a list of some of my favorite songs. Please feel free to leave the name and artist of any other songs you come up with in my comments section!

Take Me in Your Arms -- Lil' Suzy

Dreamin of Love -- Stevie B

One Way Love -- TKA

Dreamboy, Dreamgirl -- Cynthia & Johnny O

I Wonder if I Take You Home -- Lisa Lisa & the Cult Jam

In a Dream -- Rockell

Fantasy Girl -- Stevie B

A Day in my Life Without You -- Lisette Melendez

What Goes Around Comes Around -- Giggles

In Me Eyes -- Stevie B

I Wanna Be The One -- Stevie B

Louder Than Love -- TKA

Show Me -- Cover Girls

Point of no Return -- Exposé

Spring Love -- Stevie B

AND SO MANY MORE!!!!

Never Have I Ever

2005-07-11T23:20:00.000-07:00

I just recently heard about this game called Never Have I Ever, which involves a whole lotta liquor and way too many taboo topics for the intoxicated mind. Although I have never played this game, I decided to conduct my own little Never Have I Ever as told by Auspicious1.

Oh yeah....if you don't know the concept of the game, let me give you a little summarized idea of it: Somebody says, for example, "Never have I ever had an orgy". While the ones who have never had one perk up in their seats and glance around at all of the little "many a partner" addicts around them, the ones who have had an orgy sheepishly drink up.

Well here is my big gulp, amigos. Cheers!

Never have I ever....gotten roses without a) a special occasion (i.e., my high school graduation) or b) being told I am going to get them sent to my house. And even then...I have only gotten roses twice in my lifetime. I've been in a relationship for a year. Only one of those times was during my relationship.

Never have I ever....been completely happy in all aspects of my life. Whether it be in my relationship, at work, at home, or wherever....I have never truly been completely happy.

Never have I ever....had any desire to think about the long-term. I have an unexplainable feeling that I won't live a long life (please don't ask me why I think this...I just do) so I choose to focus on the NOW....on what is good AT THAT TIME!

Never have I ever....been spoiled. I'll let you use your imagination. Maybe I mean at home, maybe in a relationship, maybe wherever. Just never.

Never have I ever...been truly, utterly, unbelivably, completely happy. Never.

**This post has its reasons. I need to vent. I need to escape. I just need to reconsider so many things**

Life is just too short

2005-07-08T11:15:00.000-07:00

Every morning that you wake up, you should start the day off thinking, "Today, I'm going to do what I want to do. I am going to act how I want to act. I am going to live how I want to live," because to tell you the truth, as quickly as you came into this world is as quickly as you can leave this world. We never know when our clock is just going to stop ticking or when life is going to give us a nasty test. People always say that when they have a near-death experience, they see their whole lives flash before their eyes. What they are really trying to say is that they are seeing their lives and what they could've done, but they didn't do. What they wanted to do, but they chose not to. Life is too short to live in a bubble. It is meant to be lived up every single second that air is entering your lungs.

It is meant to be lived.

The greatest gift we could ever be given is the mere chance to live a life. And so with that said, I encourage you all to live your lives and live it up the best you can because while you wake up one day, the next day you might not.

______________________________________________________

This post is dedicated to all those who lost their lives in yesterday's horrific attack on London's transportation system and to all those who question and analyze their lives for 98% of the time and only live the other 2%.

My Beautiful Discovery

2005-07-03T18:15:00.000-07:00

As I sit here on the beach in Bethany, Delaware, the clock creeping
lazily towards 6pm, I realize the reason for my love and neverending
passion for one of God's most beautiful creations.

Ever since I was a little girl, I have been absolutely enamored with the
ocean. Not just the beach and its salty magnitude, but the infinite
magesticness that is the ocean. I never sat down and analyzed my love, I
just knew I loved it. When I was old enough to toy with astrology and
all of its hoopla, I realized I was born in the sign of the water
bearer, so I thought that made sense. And when I went through the phase
of being intrigued by all of the baby name books, I discovered my name
signified a 'white wave', so that made sense also. I basically just
thought my love for the ocean and all of its 'signs' were nothing more
than mere coincidences.

But now as I sit here, looking towards the horizon and listening to the
crashing of the waves and watching the shore slowly make its way closer
to me as it gets later, it all clicks. My love clicks. My passion
clicks. My dreams click. I am the ocean. My life IS the ocean. My dreams
never end, like the crashing of the waves. My thoughts and wonders
always seem to surprise me, like the distance of the horizon. My
experiences always seem choppy, but yet add beauty and pricelessness to
my life, like the white foam waves. To the human eye, my life and my
dreams appear to have no end, like the ocean appears to have no end when
humankind looks at yet, subconciously knowing the Atlantic ocean flows
from North America to Europe and so on and so forth. Like the ocean, I
have different sides of me that can appeal to different people. I can
provide the currents for the take-it-to-the-extreme swimmers, the
relaxing sound of the waves for the read-a-book-and-relax beach goers,
and the wet sand for the let's-build-a-sand-castle-without-a-worry-in-the-world kids AND kids at heart.

It is considered cliché when someone says, 'I want to be cremated and
thrown into the ocean', but I do. I really feel the ocean provides me
with more of a sense of self than the the dirt of the Earth.

And I'm Proud to Be An American.....

2005-07-01T10:35:00.000-07:00

where at least I know I'm free!!!

Since I will be out of town this weekend and for the Fourth of July, I decided to dedicate a post to one of the best and yet most overlooked days of the year. We no longer consider the Fourth of July to be the symbol of all that is patriotic and our-country-lovin'. Instead, we now look at the Fourth of July as being delicious barbeques, beautiful fireworks, mosquito repellent, and beach getaways.

Now, while I am going to a beach this weekend, I hope to be able to recognize and acknowledge the true meaning of the Fourth of July. To acknowledge and show respect to the many soldiers fighting for our country in Iraq. To understand that we as Americans are the luckiest people on the face of the Earth because of where we live; in a prosperous and free land. I would like to share an email that I was sent a couple of days ago. Enjoy!

You probably missed it in the rush of news last week, but there was actually a report that someone in Pakistan had published in a newspaper an offer of a reward to anyone who killed an American, any American.

So an Australian dentist wrote the following to let everyone know what an American is ... so they would know when they found one. (Good on ya, mate!!!!)

An American is English, or French, or Italian, Irish, German, Spanish, Polish, Russian or Greek.

An American may also be Canadian, Mexican, African, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Australian, Iranian, Asian, or Arab, or Pakistani, or Afghan.

An American may also be a Comanche, Cherokee, Osage, Blackfoot, Navaho, Apache, Seminole or one of the many other tribes known as native Americans.

An American is Christian, or he could be Jewish, or Buddhist, or Muslim.

In fact, there are more Muslims in America than in Afghanistan. The only difference is that in America they are free to worship as each of them chooses.

An American is also free to believe in no religion. For that he will answer only to God, not to the government, or to armed thugs claiming to speak for the government and for God.

An American lives in the most prosperous land in the history of the world.

The root of that prosperity can be found in the Declaration of Independence, which recognizes the God given right of each person to the pursuit of happiness.

An American is generous. Americans have helped out just about every other nation in the world in their time of need, never asking a thing in return.

When Afghanistan was over-run by the Soviet army 20 years ago, Americans came with arms and supplies to enable the people to win back their country!

As of the morning of September 11, Americans had given more than any other nation to the poor in Afghanistan.

Americans welcome the best of everything. The best products, the best books, the best music, the best food, the best services. But they also welcome the least.

The national symbol of America, The Statue of Liberty, welcomes your tired and your poor, the wretched refuse of your teeming shores, the homeless, tempest tossed. These in fact are the people who built America.

Some of them were working in the Twin Towers the morning of September 11, 2001 earning a better life for their families. It?s been told that the World Trade Center victims were from at least 30 different countries, cultures, and first languages, including those that aided and abetted the terrorists.

So you can try to kill an American if you must.

Hitler did.

So did General Tojo, and Stalin, and Mao Tse-Tung, and other blood-thirsty tyrants in the world.

But, in doing so you would just be killing yourself. Because Americans are not a particular people from a particular place. They are the embodiment of the human spirit of freedom. Everyone who holds to that spirit, everywhere, is an American.

Author unknown

So, while you all sit there sucking the barbeque sauce off of the tips of your fingers and drinking from your kegs of beer, please remember that this day means more. So very much more.

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

2005-06-27T10:01:00.000-07:00

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

2005-06-27T09:51:00.000-07:00

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.

2005-06-26T13:05:00.000-07:00

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

2005-06-26T11:41:00.000-07:00

"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.....

2005-06-26T08:58:00.000-07:00

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

2005-06-25T00:07:00.000-07:00

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

2005-06-24T01:12:00.000-07:00

Absolutely no shame

2005-06-23T23:27:00.000-07:00

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???

2005-06-21T15:15:00.000-07:00

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

2005-06-20T00:33:00.000-07:00

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....

2005-06-19T09:41:00.000-07:00

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!!!

2005-06-17T10:46:00.000-07:00

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...

2005-06-17T10:00:00.000-07:00

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...

2005-06-15T12:31:00.000-07:00

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...

2005-06-15T12:10:00.000-07:00

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

2005-06-14T10:40:00.000-07:00

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"

2005-06-14T10:00:00.000-07:00

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!

2005-06-12T11:41:00.000-07:00

Not "really" into reggaeton, but...

2005-06-12T10:56:00.000-07:00

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....

2005-06-12T09:50:00.000-07:00

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!

________________________________________________

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

________________________________________________

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

2005-06-10T12:25:00.000-07:00

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

2005-06-07T19:59:00.000-07:00

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

2005-06-07T12:31:00.000-07:00

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?

2005-06-07T11:07:00.000-07:00

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!

2005-06-05T19:00:00.000-07:00

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

2005-06-05T12:49:00.000-07:00

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...

2005-06-05T11:01:00.000-07:00

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!!!!!!

2005-06-05T10:57:00.000-07:00

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

2005-06-05T09:10:00.000-07:00

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....

2005-06-03T11:00:00.000-07:00

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.....

2005-06-01T16:05:00.000-07:00

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!!!

2005-06-01T11:40:00.000-07:00

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?

A little bit of randomness is always healthy

2005-05-31T10:50:00.000-07:00

This will be a post where I will just let my fingers type whatever flows from my thoughts.

You know that things are bad when you are taking a diet pill not to lose weight, but to suppress your hunger because you know your money is tight. Trimspa, Baby! I'm still trying to find the humor in it.
My roommate and I are currently in the process of moving into our new apartment and we are totally stoked (HA! I love that word!) Everytime we go to Target, I just get into decorator mode and look forward to begin a little decorating once we get settled in. Now we had discussed perhaps a Florida Marlins theme in the living room because we are both Marlins AND baseball fans, but the more I go to Target, the more I fall in love with the tropical theme with bright colors and whatnot. Hmmmm, I don't know...we'll see. But I'll keep ya posted.
That song by Shakira and Alejandro Sanz (La Tortura) is the absolute BEST! God and that video is HOT!!!! Or like they would probably say....CALIENTE!!!!
I want not only her body, but that bikini as well:

The best meal in the world that comes second to anything my mother cooks is a medianoche (midnight sandwich) with french fries and a chocolate milk shake from Latin America and/or La Carreta. Yummy!
I think when I get a new car, I'm gonna put an 8-track in there. Forget a CD player or even a tape deck...I'm old school. I'm Staying Alive all the way =)
Why is college so expensive?!?!?! It's like saying our country only wants the financially privileged to be educated. Hmph!
I was watching the entire season of Real World: Miami the other day. ::sigh:: I miss Miami =( And, good Lord, my friend back home talks JUST LIKE Melissa from the RW: Miami. It's eerie.

Okay....this was a pointless post. If my boredom is not evident to you, it might be possible that you are a moron. I apologize for my brutal honesty, but it is the truth. Thank you and goodbye =)

This never fails to amaze me

2005-05-27T12:10:00.000-07:00

The Coincidences between Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy

Lincoln was elected in 1860, Kennedy in 1960, 100 years apart
Both men were deeply involved in civil rights for African Americans.
Both men were assassinated on a Friday, in the presence of
their wives.
Each wife had lost a child while living at the White House.
Both men were killed by a bullet that entered the head from behind.
Lincoln was killed in Ford's Theater. Kennedy met his death while
riding in a Lincoln convertible made by the Ford Motor Company.
Both men were succeeded by vice-presidents named Johnson who were
southern Democrats and former senators.
Andrew Johnson was born in 1808. Lyndon Johnson was born in 1908,
exactly one hundred years later.
The first name of Lincoln's private secretary was John, the last
name of Kennedy's private secretary was Lincoln.
John Wilkes Booth was born in 1839 [according to some sources] Lee
Harvey Oswald was born in 1939, one hundred years later.
Both assassins were Southerners who held extremist views.
Both assassins were murdered before they could be brought to trial.
Booth shot Lincoln in a theater and fled to a warehouse. Oswald
shot Kennedy from a warehouse and fled to a theater.
LlNCOLN and KENNEDY each has 7 letters.
ANDREW JOHNSON and LYNDON JOHNSON each has 13 letters.
JOHN WlLKES BOOTH and LEE HARVEY OSWALD each has 15 letters.
A Lincoln staffer Miss Kennedy told him not to go to the Theater. A Kennedy
staffer Miss Lincoln, told him not to go to Dallas.

I love people....well, PEOPLE, that is

2005-05-26T15:40:00.000-07:00

Add this to my list of addictions.....People online. I absolutely love www.people.com!!! Now, while I do like the actual magazine, I prefer the website because it is REALLY celebrity based and sometimes I just prefer that. Here are a few pics that came out on there yesterday:

Good God her boobies are HUGE!!!

This was after reports surfaced that she and Nick had just filed for divorce. HAHA...you tell 'em, Jessica!!!

Ewwwww! Forget throwing her a biscuit....throw her the whole freakin' menu from Popeyes....yuck!

How is it possible that he chose HER?!?!

Just to think and write....

2005-05-25T13:26:00.000-07:00

I bet you are all thinking, "Good God! This girl has been posting like crazy lately!" Well, I'm going through a stage right now where I need some guidance and sometimes the only way I can find it is by expressing myself in actual writing or on my blog. So I would like to thank you for reading my posts and commenting on it if you have. I don't know if my blog gets 5 visitors a day or 500 visitors a day, but I do know that this is my escape and I love it.

Well, the reason for this post is because I have so much clogging my brain that I can't even think straight! As you all have read, I have been contemplating a future return to Miami next year and I cannot say that everyone I have told has understood and/or been happy about it. For example, my boyfriend is not too thrilled about the idea because he thinks it to be inconsiderate that I would never think to move closer to be with him. It is not that I don't want to be close to him or that I don't love him, because Lord knows I do, but sometimes the things a girl does is because she senses certain things that someone such as her boyfriend doesn't even consider.

My boyfriend is the man I plan on marrying and the man whose children I plan on bearing and I know I will spend the rest of my life with him. I also know for a fact that we will most likely live somewhere besides Miami because, well, we both like to experience different areas and locales. Now, I'm sure whenever he visits Miami he will absolutely love it and, hey, ya never know....he might want to end up there! But if I know I will marry him and spend my life with him, then I have to take advantage of some things right now. Those things are seeing my mother on a daily basis, spending as much time as possible with my nieces and nephews, lounging on the beach without a worry in the world, spending time with my friends who have been like family for me, and so very much more. I have lived in Virginia for the past 2 years and I feel that I have proven that I can be on my own and I can survive in a completely unfamiliar environment. But throughout those two years, without realizing it, I had missed out on so much. Now, it's nothing that is sooooooooo serious that there is no way to make it up, but I did go through so much because of it. My mother had a heartattack last year.....and I was here. My little nephew had open-brain surgery.....and while I was physically there for the surgery, I left 2 days after. My sister-in-law gave birth to my niece and after that, had many complications because of the birth....and I was here. Now, while I know they did not take it personally because they know that not only am I up here pursuing school, but I am also up here learning to really be on my own, it doesn't keep it from hurting.

I never said that my move back to Miami would be indefinite, but you never know what might happen. I can tell you this much, though....I need my strong dose of Miami again. I really do =)

Ladies and gentlemen....this is absolutely grotesque!

2005-05-25T10:31:00.000-07:00

Before:

After:

Why, oh why, would people think that they have to subject themselves to such miserable means in order to make it in Hollywood is beyond me. Poor girl.

Cubans do it better....sooooooo much freakin' better

2005-05-25T00:51:00.000-07:00

Alright, how many of you watch Inferno II on MTV? Raise your freakin hand, you know you do! Well, I have been a very loyal viewer of Real World and Road Rules for as long as I can remember and I have fallen in love with personalities, whether they are a bad ass or a good guy. And there is one character that I have always loved to watch because of their personality, sense of humor, and most of all.....their CUBANISM!!!! I am speaking of none other than the infamous Veronica from Road Rules: Semester at Sea. She is an awesome competitor and forget what you heard, she's a good person (damn, editing!) Well, when I saw Veronica on SAS, that was when I learned that she was Cuban. There was a mission that was to take place in Cuba where Veronica was able to meet some family members for the first time. As she and her family shed tears, so did I. Many people do not realize the struggles that even American born Cubans have to go through knowing that they have family members in Cuba who they may never get the chance to meet. It is a very heart breaking feeling. Ever since that episode, I knew deep down that the one character I would always relate to the most would be Veronica.

Now...back to the Inferno II. If you all have in fact seen it, you will have noticed a bunch of shirts being worn with some *ahem* provocative messages such as "I heart my p*ssy" and "Ditch him for HER". Well, when I saw these shirts, I thought that was pretty interesting that they ALL had the same shirts and just figured it was an advertising gig for them. Low and behold, I discovered it is a company owned by Veronica and fellow Road Ruler, Rachel that makes those shirts. The website where they sell those shirts for the time being until they hit a store near you is http://www.collegedropout.com

On a recent episode, Veronica wore a shirt that said "Cubans do it better", which, I mean, we do....don't hate! I quickly sent an email to the collegedropout site, knowing she would get it. In the email, I said how the shirt was awesome and I loved it. She quickly responded telling me the shirt would be added to collegedropout.com. And sure enough, tonight I received an email from Veronica herself telling me the shirt is up and for sale. So if you are Cuban, don't question it.....GET IT!

Make sure to check out http://www.collegedropout.com and order a shirt =)

367 days and counting...

2005-05-24T15:15:00.000-07:00

My roommate and I have come up with somewhat of an agreement. But before I begin, let me backpedal a bit so you know what I am talking about...

As you all may have read a few posts ago, I have been homesick lately and missing my family back in Miami. Now, if I was like my roommate, who goes home like every month, I'm sure I wouldn't be homesick at all...but I'm not, so I am. Well, when I wrote that post about contemplating going home, what was actually running through my mind was, "Well, we are about to sign a new lease, and my scholarship doesn't end until next Spring, so I will stick it out until this new lease is up, and then I will head home. To my shock (well, not really shock, per se...but ya know) my roommate came home fuming one afternoon, literally ready to pick up her things and take a trip down south. I was confused and stressed....not just because I might be homeless, but because I had come to have a wonderful bond with my roommate which I have been lacking with my sister. Without my roommate, I would be sad and "hopeless". So then I started thinking, "Well, when my roomie goes home, so will I" , but then I got to thinking of how hard it would be with so little planning and absolutely no money saved up. Then I thought (I'm tellin' ya, I have done so much freakin thinking these past couple of days that my brain hurts) that I would live with my sister and her man (which I wouldn't want to do....AT ALL) until Spring semester is up next year and then head home. And then I just didn't know what to think. My mind was flooded and the stress was starting to build up into a mountain. Then my roomie called me with some fabulous news (**NOTE: When stuck on how to spell "fabulous", NEVER sing that Fabolous song in your head where he spells out his name) She said that she is going to live this new lease out in the new apartment, but that there is a countdown until she goes back to Miami, because when that lease is up, she's gone! And so there we have it, roomie....let's synchronize our watches....

367 days to go!

It's just a mood today...

2005-05-22T18:30:00.000-07:00

Get On Your Feet

You say I know it's a waste of time

There's no use trying

So scared that life's gonna pass you by

Your spirit dying

Not long agoI could feel your strength and your devotion

What was so clear, is now overcast

With mixed emotions

Deep in your heart is the answer

Find it, I know it will pull you through

Get on your feet

Get up and make it happen

Get on your feet

Stand up and take some action

I think it's true that we've all been through

Some nasty weather

Let's understand that we're here

To handle things together

You gotta keep looking onto tomorrow

There's so much in life

That's meant for you

Get on your feet

Get up and make it happen

Get on your feet

Stand up and take some action

Get on your feet

Don't stop before it's over

Get on your feet

The weight is off your shoulder

Get up and make it happen

Stand up, stand up, stand up and take some action

Gotta get on your feet, yeah, yeah

Don't stop before it's over

Get on your feet

The weight is off your shoulder

Get on your feet

Get up, get up, get up and make it happen

Get on your feet

Stand up , stand up and take some action

Get on your feet

__________________________________________

This is a very inspirational song for the moment in not only my life, but also my roomie's .

Enjoy, Ladybug!!!

One man's café is another man's wine

2005-05-22T18:05:00.000-07:00

I cannot recall the first time I heard a Celia Cruz song. But this was not because she wasn't famous or she wasn't a talented artist, but by the time I was born, Celia Cruz had already circled the globe numerous times and was considered a legend. I'm assuming that the first time I heard a Celia Cruz song, I was in the womb. When I was a mere infant, the music would play while my mother swayed her hips and cleaned our home.

It was that infamous "Azucar" that reassured the many Cuban exiles of their presence in this country. It was that bright colored hair that gave them a sense of pride because you could easily spot it in any crowd. The Cuban exile community weren't just fans of the Salsa Queen; they were the Salsa Queen. There was never any question of what she wore or what color her hair was because that was Celia Cruz and you just didn't question her. She had earned the right to do whatever the hell she wanted. Like Madonna, but with more respect. Like Cher, but with more dignity. Like Elvis, but with more pride. There will never be another Celia Cruz.

I recently found out about the exhibition at the National Museum of American History that is called , "¡Azúcar! The Life and Music of Celia Cruz". While the exhibition is so well deserved, it is amazing and shocking that it is actually there....for ALL to see. You see, although Celia Cruz passed away from brain cancer in 2003, we (and by 'we' I mean Cuban-Americans, Cuban exiles, etc.) still play her music as if she is alive and kickin'. We still consider her to be the only Salsa Queen. We still think of her as not only the wonderful and talented performer that she was, but also as our mother, daughter, sister, and friend. Her music still plays frequently on spanish radio stations and at weddings & quiñceñeras. It's an everyday thing to hear Celia Cruz's music, just like it's an everyday thing to drink un cafécito cubano.

Now, with this wonderful exhibition at the Smithsonian, our cafécito will be there for all to enjoy just like a nice goblet of wine for those who find our coffee to be just a bit too sweet.

And so with that I say, "Dale, Celia. Te lo mereces. ¡Azucar!"

Please visit: http://americanhistory.si.edu/celiacruz/

Happy Happy Born Day

2005-05-22T08:25:00.000-07:00

Happy Born Day to my roommate, Ladybug25!!!! If you get a chance, please stop by her blog (http://ladybug25.blogspot.com) and wish her a Happy Happy Born Day. She is in Miami right now....hope she comes back =\ And here is my special Happy Happy Born Day song for her :

Roomie Roomie you are fun

And so much sweeter than a honey bun

Today, long ago, you were born

And everybody celebrated and had some corn

So here you are today, all grown up

Maybe when you come back, I'll buy you a pup

Horrible born day song, I know....but it's 8:30 in the morning and I'm sleepy =(

Real Women DO Have Curves

2005-05-20T20:58:00.000-07:00

This movie is so inspirational...I love it and I love myself even more
after watching it.

All in one day....

2005-05-18T19:34:00.000-07:00

Well, this is "somewhat" of a shocker....

Eight days before we are to pick up the keys to our new apartment, my
roomie/Miami buddy-buddy vigorously begins searching for a job back in
Miami because her day at work was soooooo unbearable that she cannot
control the little Miami demons in her body burning her with a longing
for cuban coffee, fried pork, and the warmth of her familia. See, she
has been controlling them for some time now and has feverishly released
them once she sets foot on Miami soil. But she has also become better at
lulling them back to sleep so that she may continue this "adventure" I
earlier suggested everyone should take at least once in their lifetime.
And now I don't know what to do because living on your own is very
difficult, let alone losing somebody who has come to be almost like a
sister to you.

You see, I've failed to tell Ladybug this, but her company has been the
best I have had since I moved up here. Her corny jokes and
uncontrollable laughter is reminiscent of the friends I used to spend my
time with and it made me feel as if I FINALLY have somebody here I could
relate to. I mean, my sister is here, but she's too busy with her
boyfriend's softball games, and cooking her boyfriend's dinner, and
preparing food for her boyfriend's friends when they come over to see
football to even care what is going on with me or how I am. And to
think...SHE was the main reason at the time that I came up here. So when
Ladybug came along, she filled the gap with the companionship and love
for reality shows that I needed. She was my breath of fresh air. (Oh,
dear Sidekick II, please do not short circuit on me....I don't think
salt water is good for you)

All I can do is sit here and try to smile and be happy and wish Ladybug
the best of luck in her job search, but I feel like yelling and
screaming, "DO A JOB SEARCH HERE!!!! It's the JOB that has you so upset.
Please give it a shot." But I can't beat a dead horse. If she really
wants to go back that badly, then that is what she must do.

But let it be known, Ladybug....I will miss you.

I will miss how you must buy 2 different cheeses.

I will miss how you must put Twizzler in the fridge.

I will miss how words will meet and dance merengue in your brain after 3
rum and cokes.

I will miss how you always say "yiiiis" on the phone instead of "yes".

I will miss your flowing skirt pajama.

I will miss your "weird" music.

I will miss you. Good luck.

Some things I could not live without....

2005-05-18T10:07:00.000-07:00

We all have some things we cannot live without, and I do in fact have my fair share of 'em...

Fruit of the Earth Vitamin E lotion and Cocoa Butter Lotion

Petroleum Jelly

McDonalds French Fries

Neutrogena Clear Lip Gloss

My Sidekick II

Scrabble/Literati on Yahoo! Games

Green Tea

Friends reruns and Sex and the City reruns

Dangly (spelling?) earrings

Hmmm.....those are some of the only materialistic things I could come up with. Of course also on that list is my entire family and batch of friends.

Ocean City...here I come!!!!

2005-05-17T10:15:00.000-07:00

Ok....so I miss the beach, this is true. But Ocean City is just about an hour away and look at the view from this particular hotel...

Where are my girls at?!?!? Let's book a stay this summer...seriously=)

**Correction** This particular hotel is 3 hours and 34 minutes away. Sheesh.

Oh well....should make for a nice road trip =)

Wiggle it....just a little bit

2005-05-17T10:02:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the title of this post, but I LOOOOOOVVVVVVE that song. I can just feel my booty begin to wiggle it....just a little bit. =)

Today's a good day.

I would like to take this moment to apologize for my previous depressing posts, but I was going through a phase. At the age of 20, I think I am still entitled in a phase or two every now and then. In case you are wondering, my job interview was superb yesterday. Everything went perfect and I should be getting a call today to discuss the benefits and whatnot with the first lady I interviewed with because, in the boss's own words, "I just don't know what the heck we offer here." As long as my BC is covered, I am perfectly fine and dandy ;)

I must get back to work here, but I will keep you posted once I speak to somebody. And remember, wiggle it....just a little bit.

To think or not to think

2005-05-16T12:40:00.000-07:00

This has got to be the funniest thing ever....at least to me =\

"Did you read my blog?"

"Yeah."

"I talked to my mother about it yesterday."

"You mean you've actually thought about it?!?!?!"

Actually, no, I haven't thought about it. I just like to put words together and see what comes of it. I prefer to just let my fingers type and my mind concentrate on what to make for dinner tonight. ¡Ay! ¡Que frustracion!

In other non-related news, I got a C+ in one of my classes this semester=( Thankfully, it has absolutely NOTHING to do with my major and it was only a general ed. requirement. I guess that takes the stress off of the C...but nevertheless, it's a C =(

Riiiinnnng Riiiiinnnng

2005-05-15T20:01:00.000-07:00

So I got called back for a second interview with that company I was telling you all about. Why? Why now? Don't they know I have enough on my mind/plate right now?!?!?!

They don't.

I'll dress pretty tomorrow and use my grown-up voice.

And so they continue....

2005-05-15T10:28:00.000-07:00

Yeah, these unrestricting thoughts better start controlling themselves because I can't take it anymore.

Yesterday I spoke with my mother, who is extremely computer illiterate, so there is no chance in holy hell she could read my blog or anything of the sort. She proceeds to tell me, almost as if sensing my doubts lately, that FIU has this accelerated program where you can take classes for a year and become a nurse. This program was started because of the shortage of nurses in Miami. My mother said when students are taking the program, they are not allowed to work because the program demands so much. She says I should look into it because the scholarship I have will end in a year and perhaps I should see if a similar program is offered up here. I tell her I will, because whenever my mother talks about something, just agree with her so she feels as if she has done some good for the day. I love my mother. She is my star. But I also fail to mention to her that I DON'T want to look up a similar program here. I want to consider a program like that back home. I want to be able to study on the beach on the weekends. I want to be able to go to lunch at that little hole-in-the-wall Cuban restaurant in Little Havana that serves better food than any chain (i.e., La Carreta, Latin America, etc.) I want to be able to speak in loud Cuban spanish as I walk through the mall and not be thought to be screaming. Blah. Why oh why has this happened to me now?!?!?!?!?!?!

Then I realize something. Why would my mother be suggesting this program just out of the blue? Out of nowhere? Then I remember. My mother doesn't agree with my majoring in Public Relations, because she doesn't understand it. I love my mother to death, but if you are not majoring in something she agrees with or understands, she will NEVER agree with you while you are pursuing your degree. Now, when you are working for a big company and/or making some mullah, thhhhhhhhheeeeen she will agree with you. She doesn't understand what public relations is/does. It's ok. I love her, nevertheless.

Unrestricted thoughts....

2005-05-13T10:45:00.000-07:00

Doesn't that title seem kinda redundant?!?!? I mean, aren't all thoughts technically unrestricted, since whether or not you verbalize them, they occur?!?! Yeah, it's redundant.

Before I begin this post, thanks goes out to the beautiful and inspiring Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez, who did in fact visit my blog and who did comment on my last blog. Despite what she says, she is a celebrity in my eyes.

Either way....let's begin these thoughts....

On my way to work today, I was doing a whole lotta thinking. About the past, about the life I had before I moved up to Virginia, about my friends, about everything I have gone through in the past. It has all had its ups and its downs, but I am the optimistic type, so I always got through any hardship I had, however difficult it might have been. Then one particular scene came to mind and no matter how much I tried to move on and think of other things, I couldn't. I worked at a telemarketing company for about a 4-month span, which included the summer. During that time, I would work 6-days a week, but I had to because the gas money it took just to get to work was ridiculous. I was particularly remembering one Saturday morning. Every Saturday, we would work from 9am - 1pm, which was extremely convenient if you wanted to have a social life on Saturday. Well, one Saturday in particular, I went to work dressed in shorts, a tank top, and sandals. But underneath my clothes, I was wearing a bikini, because at 1 pm, I was gonna head to the beach. And God was it a beautiful day. A gorgeous day. The sun could not have been brighter, the sky could not have been clearer, and my mood could not have been better. It was the "perfect day".

I miss those days. For example, people always tell me, "How could you have moved from MIAMI to Virginia?!?!?!? Are you outta your damn mind?" And my response was always, "I was born and raised in Miami. I needed a change. Something different." And it is true. I did need something different. I also tell people that when I lived in Miami, I never went to the beach as much as people would imagine because work and school took up about 75% of my time. The other 25% of my time was always spent with homework, cleaning, laundary, or any other tedious task. But I was ALWAYS a beach person....just wasn't able to go as often as I wanted to. And why I didn't do that is beyond me. It is completely beyond me.

Here are a few pics to help you understand my pain....

Imagine you were that women. Isn't that a beautiful view? Yeah, I know.

Oh yeah....Ladybug, please don't pick on me or go ballistic on me. I'm just having a "moment" here.

Breathe in....breathe out.....

2005-05-12T11:28:00.000-07:00

Well, I have to begin this post by admitting that I am just a bit stressed out. I am very frusterated with my work environment right now considering I have to work 6 days a week to even be able to IMAGINE making ends meet. It's very stressful and extremely frusterating, especially considering the fact that I absolutely LOVE my job, but not the pay. I love the people, but not the compensation. Blah. I'm stressed. This isn't necessarily a good thing to be saying after a two-day training where it was brought to our attention that the biggest cause of death is stress-related. Yikes =\ Another thing that was said at this training was how when the trainer went to an all-women's jail, he interviewed a lady who had been a hooker. This lady had put her four children through college, 3 of them being honor students. Hmmmmm. Nah....nevermind. My mother would beat the Cuban off of me so fast I wouldn't know what hit me.

In happier news, I have been listening to this audiobook in the car for the past couple of days, and I cannot begin to explain how excited I get at the chance to drive, even if it means to the gas station on the corner. The excitement that comes over me just to listen to another intriguing minute of a tale of deception, love, lust, passion, and everything else that is the Dirty Girls Social Club. I had begun to read this book when my fall semester started last August, but I get so caught up in school that I couldn't finish it. Then, I remembered last week that my sister had bought the audiobook long before I had purchased the book, and became excited to know I could hear the story during my 30-minute commute to work every morning and back every evening. Sure enough, I have been listening, and I have fallen completely head over heels with the sucias. If you have not read this book yet, I suggest you do so. Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez is one of the most talented Latina authors I have ever come across in my literary history. You sit there and can't even help but become each and every one of the sucias in one way or another. I love it! I'm gonna email the author and tell her how I love her book, how I can't wait to buy her other books (probably on amazon.com because I am very broke and if the book costs more than $10, I can't =\ Shoot....how did you think I bought the Dirty Girls Social Club???? I had to wait for Barnes & Noble to be selling it for like $10. Ooooooooh....come to think of it....maybe the used book store has some of her books!!!!! YAY!!!!) I will also tell her I am trying to venture into the world of writing, but I need some real tips from a real writer. This is her......

She's so purrty. I'll tell her to come to my blog when I send her the email=) Whoo-hoo....a celebrity in my blog. YAY!!!! =)=)=) Oh yeah....here's one of her books....shhhhheck it out, meng.

And her website is http://www.alisavaldesrodriguez.com

Gotta polish up...

2005-04-28T13:00:00.000-07:00

Well, ladies and gents, applaud for me....pat me on the back.....let me know I'm THE MAN....give me a cookie....do what you want! I've got two, count 'em, TWO, job interviews tomorrow. One is on the telephone and one is in persona!!!! YAY!!! For those of you that don't know me in the "real world", I have been on a job venture for about a week and a half now. I have LITERALLY sent out about 20 resumès this week and I've already heard back from 3 companies!!! BOO-YA! Well, I called two of the companies back, but one of them was just blah for me because it is in the Alexandria area, and any resident of the DC-VA-MD area know that any little town within the 10-15 mile vicinity of DC spells T-R-O-U-B-L-E when it comes to commuting. Even though the company is really up my alley as far as what I am majoring in, I would rather avoid the commuting terror since I am still going to school and the rush hour traffic can really delay my journey to la escuela. Well, please wish me the best of luck and pray to whoever you believe in that they accompany me on my interview and help me kick ass! =)

Pic of the freakin' day

(I used to have a ferret and they are the BEST pets in the world)

YAY!!! ::wide grin =D::

2005-04-26T16:12:00.000-07:00

Here's my little song!

Cavities, cavities, I have none

Even if I drink Cuban coffee and chew bubble gum

Cavities, cavities, I have zero

And my dentist is my hero

Because he said my teeth were oh so nice

And that I'm smart because I brush twice

And I floss so I'm so smart

This made me warm all in my heart

Because I feared he would use the drill

And I would try not to cry with all my might and will

But cavities, cavities, I have none

But now I make sure that sugar-free is my gum

YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYA!!!!! I am sooooooo very happy. The dentist says all I have are sensitive teeth. But other than that, he said that my teeth are very clean and that I take very good care of them =)

Now say "CHEEEEEESE"

2005-04-24T10:20:00.000-07:00

Ladies and gentlemen, I have some extremely heart-wrenching news.....I have discovered a cavity on one of my pearly whites!!! Could you imagine....moi with a CAVITY!!! Yikes! But then again, I am sure I have provoked this matter. You see, I have not visited the dentist since 4th grade. Isn't that sad? No. Isn't that depressing? While there is in fact no excuse whatsoever for me skipping out on the dentist for so long, I have been able to maintain a healthy smile. However, I did not religiously start flossing until like a month ago. I actually just recently became very religious about ALL of my beauty regime. For example, before I used to skip out every once in a blue moon on washing my face before bed, but now.....oh no! Don't even attempt to pull me away from my ritual of face washing and cream applying before bed. I also always apply either Vitamin E lotion or Cocoa Butter lotion after every single bath/shower. I heard somewhere that this helps prevent stretchmarks in the future. Every night after washing my face, I apply petroleum jelly around my eyes to help prevent the development of wrinkles and fine lines and I always make sure to apply the Nivea Renewing Night Hand Creme. All of these things may just be a marketing tool, but I love using them and I feel all the more lady-like when I use them.

Anyways...back to the dreaded cavity (dun dun dun!) The minute I took a reeeeeeeeal good look at it, I realized it was still in its early stages because it still hasn't gotten that nasty little black color to it....THANK THE ALMIGHTY LORD! But I do know that it is there because I feel a discomfort whenever I eat something that is either hot, cold, or very sweet. So once I caught a glimpse of this bully of a cavity, I went ahead and Google-d some info and pictures on devloping cavities. Sure enough, there was some info and pics on how a tooth looks with a cavity that is just forming. Yup...I've got it =( So, the first thing I will do tomorrow when I get in the office is call the dentist (wow! It's been soooooo very long) and book the soonest appointment to have my unwanted visitor taken care of. I will keep you guys posted on that after my visit.

But for now, here is a link that I'm sure you all will enjoy to keep your pearly whites pearly =) http://www.saveyoursmile.com

Every little girl dreams....

2005-04-22T12:15:00.000-07:00

Every little girl dreams of the day when they will get married. They dream of their prince charming. They dream of their dress. They sometimes even dream of their cake (I do this!) Whenever I sit and just daydream about my wedding day, I become that little girl again. Dreaming of the night and how perfect it will be. I went from wanting a large, extravagent wedding with hundreds of people to wanting something more simple where all of the stress of preparations won't make the day less memorable. I wanted something where the people who truly mean the world to me and my future husband would be in attendance (don't you hate when YOUR wedding might end up becoming your MOTHER'S wedding because she wants to invite her next door neighbor from when she lived in Little Havana in the 70's who went to your baptism, but you have absolutely NO idea who she is) I want something perferably on a beach or in some type of garden....simply put, I would want it outside. I would want the dress to be something simple yet elegant...I attempted to find a picture of an ideal wedding dress, but I didn't find a good picture of it =\ Sorry.

Well, the one thing I am DEFINITELY positive about is the song I will dance with my father. It is called Mi Niña Bonita (My Pretty Little Girl). Here are the lyrics (don't worry you non-spanish speaking people....an english translation follows)

Mi Niña Bonita

Yo sé que a todos los hombres les debe pasar lo mismo

Que cuando van a ser padres, sueñan con tener un niño

Luego les nace una niña

Sufren una decepción

Y después las quieren tanto que hasta cambian de opinión.

Es mi niña bonita

Con su carita de rosas

Es mi niña bonita

Cada día más preciosa.

Es mi niña bonita

Hecha de nardo y clavel

Es mi niña bonita, es mi niña bonita

Cuanto la llegue a querer.

Si un día se casa mi niña

Vestida de blanco armiño

Recordaré que soñaba

Con que al nacer fuera un niño

Luego rezas y le pides

Al Cristo del gran poder

Aquel hombre que se la lleve, la sepa siempre querer.

Es mi niña bonita

Con su carita de rosas

Es mi niña bonita

Cada día más hermosa.

Es mi niña bonita

Hecha de nardo y clavel

Es mi niña bonita, es mi niña bonita

Cuanto llegue a querer.

Mi niña, mi niña, mi niña bonita.

English Translation:

My Pretty Little Girl

I know that every man must go through the same thing

That when he knows he is going to be a father, he prays for a son

And then a girl is born

And he feels a sense of deception

And later he comes to love her so much that he even changes his opinion

She's my pretty little girl

With her face of roses

She's my pretty little girl

Each day more precious

She's my pretty little girl

Made of nardo (???) and carnations

She's my pretty little girl, My pretty little girl

How much I came to love her

If one day my little girl should marry

Dressed in a white ermine gown

I will remember how much I dreamed she would be a boy

And later you pray to the almighty Christ

That man who shall take her away will always know how to love her

She's my pretty little girl

With her face of roses

She's my pretty little girl

Each day more precious

She's my pretty little girl

Made of nardo (???) and carnations

She's my pretty little girl, my pretty little girl

How much I came to love her

My little girl, my little girl, my pretty little girl

Isn't it a pretty song. Even prettier when you actually hear it. =)

Just to make me smile....

2005-04-20T11:15:00.000-07:00

Here is a Betty Boop Pic of the Day....just to make me smile.....

because it does get a little worse everyday =\

Has it ever happened to you?

2005-04-19T11:26:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been so very stressed that the tears are literally burning your retina because they are just dying to flow out? Yeah well....that's me! I really do try to just stay completely positive about things, but it is very hard. My car is on the verge of dying and it can not be attended to until Thursday. This wouldn't be a problem if my boss would have extended his vacation to include the weekend. You see, my boss and his wife and daughter went to the Bahamas and will be there until Thursday afternoon. I am taking care of their dog and also borrowing their car. When they come back Thursday afternoon, I will be car-less because a co-worker is replacing the transmission on my vehicle. He says I will have a car by the weekend (or that I should...) but what am I to do in the meantime? I have a test in one of my classes on Thursday night, so I can't skip out and miss class, but my school is about 25-30 miles from my job. I'm going to try and ask my sister to see if she can come up with anything, but in the meantime....I am VERY stressed. I will post back later when I find something out.

I got something new to pursue....

2005-04-17T09:40:00.000-07:00

People I know usually like to collect something or get things in certain colors, or something to that effect. Example: my sister collects things with frogs, my roommate collects things with ladybugs, and my friends collects anything and everything PINK (she just recently started with GREEN, too). Well, I have decided that maybe I should collect something, too. I thought and I thought about things I love. Hmmm....well, I love baseball, so maybe I should collect things about baseball. Nah...I would want it in my room and my room already has somewhat of a girly theme. How about Lilo & Stitch things since I love Stitch? Nope....I said my room was girly, not childish. Well then, I thought, what the heck should I collect. Low and behold, I Google-d something and when the results came back, I realized THAT was what I was to begin collecting:

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, THIS is what I would like to collect from now on. Betty Boop thingys =) But I can't keep any of them at work unless she is fully clothed....and we all know that is not always a feasible task for little Ms. Boop. Hmmm...either way....this is something I would like to pursue. Not any time soon, because I have to save moola since we are moving =) But in due time...;) Until next time, TTFN (Ta Ta For Now)

Just to take a moment.....

2005-04-17T09:24:00.000-07:00

Awwww. Que linda! With a little bun in the oven, Brit looks so happy.

Sometimes you try and it fails....

2005-04-14T19:02:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you want to have faith, but it just gets so hard
Because when you think you've been travelling so many miles, you've actually only gone a yard
But you have to strive and you have to keep going
And the smile upon your face has to continue showing
I try to be positive and I try to be full of hope
But the pain becomes so unbearable that I ask myself, "How will I ever cope?"
You get obstacles during your lifetime that are meant to teach
And some of those obstacles involving achieving something out of your reach
And you ask yourself 'why' or 'how come'
But the diffcults times become so unbearable that you become numb
I don't know whether to have faith anymore or expect for things to just occur
When the result is so unbelivably unclear, so absolutely obscure
I hate this feeling and how it has enveloped my being
My usual steady mind is completely leaning
Just trying to come up with SOME kind of resolution
But at this point, I have no idea whatsoever of the conclusion

**I'm going through some hard times right now. Sorry**

Wow...it's an addiction

2005-04-14T11:25:00.000-07:00

I have always been very vocal regarding my obsession with Desperate Housewives (let's face it....THAT SHOW ROCKS!!!) But lately I have realized another addiction I have....a more useful addiction, if you may. I am officially addicted to buying books at used book stores. Yes, ladies & gents, this is my new addiction. In the past 2 weeks I have visited a used book store and left with a purchase of no less than $25. That's $50 in 2 weeks!!! I could buy groceries with that! =\ My roommate is SOOOOOO gonna be angry with me when she reads this =( Well, to lighten the mood a bit more, let me tell you the books I've bought:

- Tyra's Beauty Inside & Out - Tyra Banks

- Eve Luna - Isabel Allende ( I MET HER! I LOVE HER! )

- Conversations With God: An Uncommon Dialogue (Book 2) - Neale Donald Walsch

- Collegiate Bible ( I love this version! It helps me a lot with being able to go through the stories and understand them and be able to apply them to my life)

- Random Family : Love, Drugs, Trouble, and Coming of Age in the Bronx - Adrian Nicole LeBlanc

- South Beach Diet: The Delicious, Doctor-Designed, Foolproof Plan for Fast and Healthy Weight Loss - Arthur Agatston ( I CAN'T wait to get started with this diet...it looks pretty easy and promising...YAY ME! )

I believe these are the only books I have bought from the used bookstore recently. Hmmmm...maybe if I owned a used bookstore, I wouldn't have to pay for books. Hmmmmm....that's food for thought =)

Mary has a little lamb....AND BRITNEY HAS A BABY!!!

2005-04-13T12:32:00.000-07:00

I have been a VERY BIG Britney Spears fan since 1998 (when she came out with her first single, ...Baby, One More Time). And throughout the time that I have been such a big fan, I have also felt her stress whenever it came to the paparazzi (those punks just don't know when to stop!!!) I mean, honestly, the girl can't even go to Starbucks to get a frappaccino without it being printed how tall the order was, how many calories were in it, and whether or not her hair was brushed. Now, I AM also one of those people who is ABSOLUTELY ADDICTED to the gossip magazines that track stars (I mean, half of those stars who get tracked are big fans of the magazines, too!) But nevertheless, I can understand where they are coming from whenever they voice their opinions about the paparazzi.

Well, as you all may or may not know, the media has been hounding the whole "Britney being pregnant" thing for some time now. I chose not to believe the whole media hype until SHE came out and said it herself. And yesterday, she did! Britney announced on her website (http://www.britneyspears.com) that she and husband, Kevin Federline are expecting a baby. I am VERY excited about this and I wish Brit and Kevin the best luck in the world.

Now, ya'll can talk about Britney all you want, but never deny the fact that she is a very smart business woman. She lets the media ride for awhile and carry the rumor of her pregnancy for quite some time. This means that her name is in the public's eye whether she's even doing anything or not. Smart girl. Then, she decides to come out with the news that she is pregnant shortly prior to the premiere of her reality show on UPN that focuses on the courtship and marriage of her and Kevin. Smart girl. She knows how to make money without even having to work. VERY smart girl.

Congrats, Brit!

DAMN HACKERS!!!!!! Grrrrrr!!!!

2005-04-12T10:18:00.000-07:00

I have never been the victim of a hacking incident, but on the other hand, maybe I have and I just don't know it because it is not SPLASHED all over the internet like celebrity victims (i.e., Paris Hilton, Fred Durst, etc.) Well, I was browsing through a messageboard and I noticed that another celebrity had their T-Mobile Sidekick II hacked into. Now, while this celebrity is not a Julia Roberts or even a Britney Spears, she is famous in the hip-hop world, the latino world, and most importantly, the FHM world. Her name is Vida Guerra.

Vida got her start on FHM as a girl who had just sent in her picture and when pictures of her were published, the mail they received was unbelivable and she was called back for a photo shoot leaving the rest to be history. Well, I have loved her since I first saw her because her curvaceous body makes me proud to be a curvaceous woman myself. Not to mention, she is Cuban, which makes me very proud. She has also been in music videos which include Kanye West's "New Workout Plan" and most recently Frankie J's "Obsession (No Es Amor)". I really do love this girl. Her beauty and confidence is so exhillerating and although I have not had the chance to meet her, I hear that she is a total sweetheart.

Now for the bad part. Her T-Mobile Sidekick II was hacked into and her pictures were posted online. Now I know what you are thinking, "Well, that's not bad. She's a model after all." And while this is true, some of the photos were nude photos. I feel bad for her. People takes pictures in their own privacy...CELEBRITIES INCLUDED!!! But if she didn't distribute, why would somebody feel compelled to hack into her system and splash them all over the net?!?!?! I will not give you guys the link of the pictures because truthfully, she is not one who would instigate such an attack and I won't really take part in distributing those pics. Bastards!!! >(

Sorry, Vida =(

::Sigh:: And so here we go.....

2005-04-10T10:59:00.000-07:00

Ok.....I've been a neglecting blog-owner...YES I am aware of this!!! So please forgive me =( Wait a second...bump that! Ya'll haven't been loyal blog-readers....WHERE ARE MY COMMENTS?!?!? Hmph! Forget my apology. Ya'll suck!

Anyways...moving along to bigger more important things....

I actually meant to name this blog Burger King and the Boogeyman, but I figured I would deeply apologize to you fakers. >(

Last Sunday, I was driving home from work and I decided that I was hungry. To be quite honest, I don't think I was necessarily hungry, but for some reason, Burger King was beckoning me to it's drive-thru window. Now, I decided about 2 weeks ago to only order kids meals whenever I go somewhere like Burger King or McDonalds, and I've been doing that. But for some reason, the Tendercrisp Chicken Sandwich Value Meal was calling me. It was literally standing there with a fishing pole and a big, juicy chicken sandwich at the end of the hook. Blah! I ordered it.

So off I went to my humble abode where I sat and watched my favorite show since Sex and the City...DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (which by the way, that Gabrielle is a little sneaky mofo and Bree's son got what he deserved!) Anyways, shortly after the show ended, I went to bed (approx. 10:30pm) Now, I've been known to have some pretty bad nightmares and I've also been known to have some pretty weird dreams...but NEVER the both of them combined! Well, let's just say the weirdmare involved a burgular who dressed up as a cartoonish old lady to leave the house that he was in when I entered it alone, my whole family from Miami up here doing a cookout in the middle of winter, and a leopard/dog with one of those snout covers. What the hell, man?!?!?!? I've heard that when you eat food that is high in certain ingrediants right before bed, your dreams will be bizarre...but HOLY MACARO!!!! I will NEVER (please mark my words because I do not intend to go back on it) eat Burger King after 6 pm!!!

Wow....I've actually got SOOO much to tell you guys, so here we go:

First of all, I am convinced that EVERY Latina needs to paint their toes a bright red at least ONCE a year. After all, we can dance all that salsa, wear all those tropical colors, come from all those tropical islands, and we can't be a little daring in the toe region?!?! Forget the French manicure...here are what my toesies look like right now:

Oh yes...I am VERY daring to post a picture of my toes. I don't even think they're that great...but I HAD to show you that I practice what I preach ;)

Secondly, as you can probably tell, those b-e-a-utiful eyeballs are moi's. I just thought that was a cool thing to do with a pic (crop it out just to show the eyes) After all, I can't show you psychos a pic of my entire face....next thing I know I got a stalker. Naw...I'm cool=) I just took a pic today and I really liked it so I chopped away and voila....

Now, my question is, which pic should I use, the one that is already up there or this new pic? (I'm TRYING to get you slackers to leave me a comment!)

And finally, my roommate and I are super-duper-unbelivably-incredibly excited because we just applied for a brand, spankin-new apartment to live in. Here is the floorplan of our new digs:

Be excited for us....WE ARE =)

Anyways, my lovely audience...I must go now. But I hope you enjoyed my spectacular entry ;) Toodles!

A Pen and Paper Do So Much Justice to One's Mind

2005-04-02T20:50:00.000-08:00

I love to write. I hope that is obvious to those who view my page on a continuous basis because words can not truly describe how passionate I am about the power that a pen and paper have. While I do tend to write things on a personal level in a journal or elsewhere, I am sometimes assigned to write something for school that is not a research paper. I must admit, I can come up with some wonderful things to write in under 10 minutes and am usually VERY proud of the result. Recently for my American Government course, we were assigned to write a short 2 page paper on citizenship reflection and how we feel about the fact that many people say young citizens are very disengaged with things dealing with politics and what not. I decided to share this paper I wrote with you because I wrote it in about 10 minutes and reading it again today, months after it was assigned and completed, I must say I am very proud of the outcome. So here you are:

To say that young citizens are disengaged from the political system and simply uninterested with issues such as public deliberation, community involvement, volunteerism, and educational values is not necessarily valid. It is especially not valid if you are speaking in general regarding the young population of the United States of America. After all, was it not 21 million voters that showed up at the polls on Election Day that were between the ages of 18 and 29? Is it not MTV, the haven for pop culture on cable TV, that aired continuous commercials in order to get the word out that voting was important among our young citizens, and has most recently been airing commercials to raise awareness on issues such as the prevention of AIDS/HIV and ways to donate and/or help with the tsunami disaster? Why do these things go overlooked by those who make that comment claiming that young citizens are simply disconnected?

To be quite honest, it is completely understandable why some of these things are overlooked, especially by the conservative bunch that makes up much of today’s politics. The same network that has attempted to air more commercials and programs sparking awareness for such life altering situations is also the same network that thrives in its reality shows that depict "young citizens" engaging in sexual intercourse with different partners, hardly ever using condoms or any other contraceptive. From my personal opinion, I feel that the critical concern lies in the mere fact that today’s youth is meant to promise tomorrow’s future. However, much of today’s youth continues to have the same "I’m invincible and I’m fabulous" attitude that has caused the teenage pregnancy and AIDS epidemic stats to rise. This same unvanquishable attitude promises little to nothing on such minuscule matters as taking out the garbage to much greater issues such as graduating high school. Yet these will be our doctors, lawyers, grandchildren’s teacher, perhaps even President. It is definitely an issue to ponder and most definitely attempt to take care of as soon as possible.

While I don’t fully agree with the statement that was made, I definitely understand from what point it was made. However, we must first learn to try and tackle the problem where it is most evident than to just make a generalization that throws an entire generation into the hot seat.

On a lighter note.....

2005-03-30T13:25:00.000-08:00

I got a new toy and I LOOOOOOOVVVVVEEEEEE it =)

I cannot express how happy this new little toy makes me. Kinda lightens the mood after that last negative post, huh? =\

Sometimes you sit and you just think.......

2005-03-30T13:07:00.000-08:00

Ya know, when you try to be optimistic your whole life, sometimes it backfires on you. When you think everything might just be working out well, it all just explodes. When you think that the glass is half-full, it goes ahead and empties out on you. It's hard to be positive when everybody else is so negative about everything. People ask me for suggestions, opinions, or sometimes they just spill their guts to me recounting every single negative aspect of their day, week, and life, and THENNNNNNNN, they expect me to be happy-go-lucky and jolly and tell them everything will be ok. But then other times, they don't want to hear my optimism, even when I think it is for the better, they brush it off. I've been through my tremendous hardships, I've cried my oceans, I've pained my heart and soul and yet I came out on top. Because of this, I try to share my positive thinking with others and they don't want to hear it. They want to make their decisions and layer them with cement so none of my positivity can get to it. Why is this? Do they think I'm spilling out all of these opinions/thoughts because I don't know what I'm talking about? Do they think I do this for fun? No....I actually try to help them understand that while they are going through their hardships and their "bumps in the road", the sun still shines, the wind still blows, the ocean still has waves, and the birds still sing their happy song.

But ya know what, I'm tired of being positive. My story of coming up here and going through hardships has inspired nobody. It has not helped any of those who I have stretched my arm out to. It has not changed any minds and it has not caused one to ponder. It has done nothing, so therefore, I quit. I'm hanging my coat and hat. If you have a problem/worry about any situation you're in, yet you don't want to hear ANY positive words/thinking, don't come to me. Seriously. I can't help you if you don't let me. I can't tell you everything will be ok if you don't believe me. I can't believe in you if you don't believe in yourself first.

Some of the things I miss

2005-03-14T14:03:00.000-08:00

Okay...the title of this post is pretty self-explanatory as to what the post will be about. I just wanted to list some things I miss because it is nice to be in a nostalgic mood every now and then.

1) New episodes of Sex and the City. Unlike other shows who passed the 5-years-on-air mark, SATC never ever got old!!! It was always a great thing to tune in every Sunday night =(
2) Cheap gas! What the hell, man?!?! It's like $2/gal for a freakin regular gallon of freakin gas. Who do they freakin think we are?!?!?! Bill freakin Gates?!?!?!?!
3) Cuban food. Let's face it...I live in Virginia. The Cuban food market is not necessarily bustling down here. Don't get me wrong....I can cook up some mean grub!!!! But I like when others cook for me....somtimes.
4) Good pop music. Now don't think I'm some bubble-gum, pink wearing, popomaniac. No. I'm not. But remember when groups like the Backstreet Boys came out with these hits that everybody was singing along to (I Want It That Way, Quit Playing Games with My Heart, etc.)?!?!? We don't have that anymore. Now, we have Paris Hilton attempting to sing some stupid song called Screwed. Stupid crap!!! But I feel bad for that girl. I genuinely do. Nobody should have their Sidekick II broken into and all that info splashed online. But I won't lie. I looked at the pics. I called a few numbers. I'm human.
5) Power Rangers!!! I was in third grade when they came out.....and my oh my did I LOVE that Red Ranger!!!! And that place that they would go hang out at was SOOOO freakin cool! =)

**Note: Mr. Webster, if you are reading this, can you please add the word "freakin" to your galore of vocabulary. It is such a freakin cool word =)

AHHHHCCCHHHOOOOO

2005-03-11T20:19:00.000-08:00

As I sit here, wiping my nose and drinking an unbelivable amount of orange juice for a human being (well, not a sick human being, that is), I think to myself, "Freakin A, man!!!! Why the hell am I sick. I hate being sick!!!" Well, that's not entirely true. I hate being sick to a certain extent. Here is my list of Pros and Cons for whenever I am sick:

Pros
1) I get to watch all of the reruns of Friends and Sex and the City that my little heart desires (I own Seasons 1,2, & 3 of Friends and Seasons 1 & 2 of Sex and the City, which obviously is evidence that I am missing quite a few seasons of each series, so if you care to buy a couple of Get Well seasons of either series, hit me up on a comment. You can hook me up ::wink wink::)
2) I get to stay in my pajamas all day and perhaps forget to brush my teeth with an excuse (Let's face it, even a glam girl gets to be a little unglam when she's sick)
3) I get to cover my pretty little eyes with one of those little slumber eye covers that says Beauty Sleep and not seem too "into myself".
4) I get to catch all of the cool shows (okay...basically they are reruns of the shows I miss throughout the week because of school) on MTV

Cons
1) Dry throat
2) Limited diet
3) Congestion (BLAH!!! That's the worst!!!)
4) Stuffy nose
5) Ok...now let's be honest!!! Stinky teeth all day is nasty....I don't like it. But nevertheless, you still have an excuse when you are sick
6) You get SOOOOO bored being "held captive" in the same four walls all day (I can see why those housewives are so desperate...YIKES!!!)
7) Exhaustion

Ok, fine.....the cons definitely outnumber the pros...but being sick every now and then is okay. After all, it lets you clean out your system. Power to the cold!!! Whoo-hoo.

DHL stands for Don't Hire Losers

2005-03-04T13:02:00.000-08:00

I am never one to be rude to a company or an employee of the company because I know what it is to work in Customer Service. However, I know what it is to work in Customer Service for a company who offers good services. DHL Express claims to offer this great service, but definitely fell short when I decided to ship a package to Miami using their services.

So here's the scoop:

On Monday, February 28th, I shipped out a package to my niece in Miami for her birthday. I shipped it using a 2-Day service where the package should have arrived on Wednesday. Sure enough, Wednesday came along and I was anxiously awaiting a phone call from my niece blowing an infinite number of kisses and thanking me for the cool package (because I'm a cool tia!) But to my surprise, no phone call. I decided to go to www.dhl.com and track the package I had sent out. Once I signed on and checked the tracking nuber, I realized the package had been attempted to be delivered but failed. They would attempt the following business day. No biggie. It happens. But when my sister called me, she told me they hadn't even receieved one of those notes that says "We attempted a delivery. We will return yada yada yada" (you get my drift). Hmmmm...interesting. I decided to call DHL Express and give them a different address to ship it to (the business address of my sister and brother-in-law's company) The gentlemen informed me the information had been updated and that the attempt would be made again the following day. Ok, I thought, she'll get the package on Thursday...although I PAID for Wednesday, but that's cool. Thursday came, no package. Hmmmm....very interesting. DHL received another phone call from me. To my dismay, they said that according to THEM, the package had been delivered, but some other freight company was delivering it because DHL had "too much of a load". So let me get this straight, DHL, whom I paid for THEIR services, can't handle the load so they pawn it off on some unknown company that I have now knowledge of?!?!?!? Great! So if I go to McDonalds and order a Big Mac and they are too busy to take care of my order, are they going to give me a Whopper? I don't think so!!!

So now here I am, it's Friday, and still no package has arrived for my niece. Oh DHL WILL be hearing from me in an extremely strong worded letter. Believe you me!!!

Must Give Credit Where Credit is Due

2005-02-28T11:07:00.000-08:00

I have said it before and by golly, I'm not ashamed to say it again: I am not a BIG fan of Jennifer Lopez. When I say BIG fan, I mean I am not president of her fan club. However, I do own all of her CDs and I am a stickler for her movies. There is something addicting about that damn girl. I think I finally realized what it was.

On Thursday, February 24, MTV gave a reality show that followed the infamous JLo as she prepared to put together her very first runway show for the notorious Fashion Week. I of course tuned in...not because I am a BIG Lopez fan, but because I wanted the see the style and clothes. I'm a girl, what can I say. After watching the episode, I suddenly had a newfound respect for the BBB (Bronx born Boriqua). She is literally a work horse and she is definitely on top of her game. Throughout the show, you witness how she has her finger on every little thing that is happening in the show. I guess the most intriguing part about it is you know she is an actress, dancer, singer, and now for her to be a fashion mogul is just so amazing. She did a great job preparing for the show and was definitely in business woman mode throughout the entire episode.

Now, let's not get carried away. She had a show director who planned out the whole runway extravaganza; she just said whether she liked the ideas or not and threw in a few of her ideas. She had a fashion director and fashion designers who designed ALL of the clothing; it never once showed her pick up a pencil and sketch an outfit. Perhaps that's how the fashion world is, though. Perhaps it is never the clothing line owner who designs the fashions. Or perhaps the celebrities who have their own fashion lines are the ones who never pick up a pencil while the fashionistas themselves do, as well as their fashion designers (the Marc Jacobs, Tommy Hilfigers, Calvin Kleins, Oscar de la Rentas, Narcisco Rodriguezs) But you can't really blame the stars who have their own fashion lines and don't design the clothes themselves. After all, they are just using their money in an investment like any smart business person would do.

Oh yeah, click an ad at the bottom of the page =)

Unintentional Neglection and Some Incredible Satisfaction

2005-02-21T23:49:00.000-08:00

First and foremost, I greatly apologize to the frequent visitors of my blog because I have unintentionally neglected you (ummm....I'm not sure if I have frequent visitors, per se, but I do know I have A frequent visitor. Hi, Dolphin!!!) Either way, I greatly apologize for this neglection. I've just been a teeny bit busy these past couple of weeks. Sorry =(

But, being the WONDERFUL blog host that I am, I have a great entry for you today!!! It is 11:34pm, Monday, February 21, 2005, and I have JUST completed my 2004 tax return online. YAY me!!! Thanks to www.taxactonline.com , I have been able to easily enter my information and receive a $1,300+ tax return. WHOO HOO!!!! I am so extremely ecstatic! This definitely fits in with my whole Quite the Journey theme. After all, the journey lies not only in the relocation process, but all of the hardships and "first times" that come along with living on your own for the first time (bit of redundancy there, but it is necessary). This was a really big thing for me. Being the youngest in my family, I have always been quick to rely on others to help me out, but ever since I relocated to the VA area almost 2 years ago, I have learned to fend for myself and I have also DEFINITELY realized that the world is in fact a case of survival of the fittest. But then again, that is the beauty of independence. Doing anything and everything you have to do to survive is so beautiful. With every little thing I do, I realize and come to terms with the fact that I am one bad a*s mofo! That I can take care of myself so steadily and with such a strong foundation, that I can help those living on their own for the first time with some advice and even personal "horror stories" (Lord knows I have some...oh yeah...thanks, Lord for the 35 cent sandwich rolls at Giant. They're yummy!)

So if you are a first timer living on your own, feel free to drop me a comment and let me know if I can help you with anything. Perhaps I will be so inspired to help others that I might just write a book. Hmmmm.....now that's a thought! Actually, I am working on writing one as we speak. I will keep you posted on that, so keep checking in!

Oh yeah...before I forget...thank you SO VERY MUCH to all of the clickers who read The Importance of Secondary Salaries (Click To Save Me) and went ahead and clicked the ads at the bottom of the page a couple of times to help me out. I greatly appreciate it. If you haven't read the Click to Save Me entry, here's the URL ( http://mia2va.blogspot.com/2005/02/importance-of-secondary-salaries-click.html ) Please read it and click to help a sista out! =)

The Importance of Secondary Salaries (Click to Save Me)

2005-02-08T14:18:00.000-08:00

It is safe to say that it is human nature (well, at least I know it's guaranteed to be American nature) to always look for the get rich quick schemes. You see it all over television, online, in magazines, EVERYWHERE. They are the ads that read, "Make $3,500 a week working from your very own home!" some even say, "Be your own boss and make a 6-figure salary!" Now let's be honest, these schemes seldom work, and when they do, it is required that you have a decent amount of money in the first place in order to get started with it. But if you already have money to begin with, truthfully, why would you be looking for these get rich quick schemes? Maybe the answer would be greed. Hmmm.

Anyways! That has nothing to do with the purpose of this post!

Ever since I moved to Virginia, I have always seeked a secondary income because it helps me out better in the end. I work for a non-profit organization. Let's face it, the salaries are not glamorous! When I first got here, I worked part-time at a pharmacy. That worked out okay until they tried to work me like a slave and put in 24 hours in a 48 hour weekend. Mind you, I was going to school AND working 40 hours a week. Sheesh!

Once I quit the pharmacy gig, I went ahead and worked on Sundays at my current job making some overtime cash and I have been working there since. But me, just like all of America, is always looking for a get rich quick scheme. After reading in a recent Time magazine article of a man who had a blog with Google ads on it made $5,000 a month, I decided this was quite a journey to venture on. So I went ahead and signed up with Google Adsense and had them put some ads on my site. Every time someone clicks on them, I make some loot...well, it's not really loot. Only two people have clicked on ads and I have made a glamorous 29 cents. Therefore, thisis my plea post, where I ask ALL visitors to please scroll all the way down my blog, and click on an ad....or two! And even use the Google search engine provided on my page. For all who have seeked a secondary income at least once in their lifetime, I ask you to please Click to Save Me and help me earn a penny or two =)

Thank you in advance!

Update! Update! Whoo-hoo.....Up-freakin'-date!!!!!

2005-02-06T10:52:00.000-08:00

When I posted the summary of how horrible my birthday went, I forgot to mention one thing. The main reason I was SO very upset about my ticket was not because of what I have to pay, but instead, because of how high my insurance was going to up. After I made that post, I went ahead and reviewed my insurance policy with Allstate online (which ends in March). I was surprised to see that my premium went up AGAIN. $872.90 is WAY too much to be paying considering it is only covering liability on the OTHER PERSON'S car...not mine! I decided to shop around online for different insurance quotes. E-surance gave me a pretty good quote, but Geico gave me the most awesome quote!!!! Even with the speeding tickets I have gotten, my 6 month quote is more than $200 less than my Allstate premium! This makes me freakin' ecstatic!!! Whoo hoo!!!! Just thought I'd let you know. My post-birthday is really going AWESOME! =D

Woop Woop! Pull over! It's your birthday!

2005-02-06T08:40:00.000-08:00

I didn't post yesterday because it was my birthday and, although I have very limited friends and family here, I was still trying to celebrate it as best as I could. As I was driving home yesterday afternoon after having lunch with my sister and her boyfriend, I was listening to a song that made me cry because I realized how much I miss my mother, who lives in Miami. I didn't think I was speeding, all I knew was that the girl behind me was on my butt and we were the only two drivers on the road. So as I was cruising, a uniformed man walks out of what appears to be bushes and demands for me to pull over to the side of road. I'm thinking, "Maybe he's just doing a random check. I mean, he was behind some trees and bushes. There is no way he had a radar on me." Sure enough, the officer asks me for my license and registration, and after I give it to him, he says, "Why so fast?" I decided honesty was key and told him that I didn't know I was going that fast. Apparently, I was travelling at 53 mph in a 35 zone. I thought he would've seen my license and said, "Darn, it's her birthday. If I had a heart, I would simply give her a warning and let her go on her way." But of course, that is not the way Virginia Polic Officers think. You see, Virginia Police Officers have a heart about the size of an infant's pinkie nail. Because of this, they decide there is no mercy for ANY civilian. So the officer proceeded to write me a speeding ticket. Now, if the man would have even uttered the words, "Happy Birthday", I think I would've spit on him. Truthfully.

This was not the only upsetting thing that happened yesterday. When I woke up in the morning, I had a horrible rash on my face and my eys were super swollen and puffy. It so happens I had an allergic reaction to a cream I put on the night before. And to top it off, I only have about 4 people I could've spent my birthday with yesterday (my sister and her boyfriend, my friend from work, and my roommate/friend). My boyfriend does not live here and neither do my parents, nieces and nephews, sister and brother-in-law, brother and sister-in-law, and my best friends. No one. And to top it all off?!?! I figured out that Police Officers within the state of Virginia have no heart. Yep. My life is dandy right about now. Let's just say, when the clock struck midnight, I was so relieved!

Broke....broke....broke! Did I mention...broke!

2005-02-04T12:26:00.000-08:00

**This is an ugly color I am typing in because I am in an ugly mood!** >=(

Ya know, living on your own is not all that it is cracked up to be....at all! I mean sure, you get to make your own decisions and come home as late as you would like, yada yada yada. (By living on your own, I mean, without your parents) But when it comes to paying bills and everything else that requires financial attention, you're freakin' stuck like Chuck. I thought this check would've been a little more....well, I prayed it would be a little more, but it wasn't! I had a fair warning that it wasn't going to be what I expected, but nevertheless, it still irritated me when I opened the envelope. GRRRRR!!!! I know that this is a very out of character post, but I needed to vent. Sorry!

A 'Desperate' Addiction

2005-02-04T10:45:00.000-08:00

I am not the type of person who has any vices. I don't smoke, I don't have to drink, and I am not the type of girl that HAS to buy shoes whenever I go shopping. Hell, I don't even like to shop that much. Yes, I am an awkward breed of woman. But, nevertheless, I have found an addiction that even I cannot fight. It's a Sunday night addiction. It involves a 9pm appointment with ABC. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, my addiction is in fact the soap opera that first aired in October, Desperate Housewives. How can you not like this show?!?!? In the very first episode, the tone is set by the narrator of the series, who commits suicide and proceeds to tell the story of her 4 friends from Wisteria Lane, Susan Mayer, Bree Van de Kamp, Lynette Scavo, and Gabrielle Solis. She also tells the stories of the neighborhood, including the promiscuous Edie Britt. Ahhhh.....this is the best show!!! From the surface, it appears to be a neighborhood that is quiet, calm, and all of its residents live perfect, happy lives. But underneath it all, it is a cauldron of lies and secrets that just surprise you every single episode.

But why am I so addicted to this show? Perhaps because it is the life that I know I will never live, and it feels good to wear someone else's Manolo Blahniks for an hour each Sunday. It feels good to imagine that I could be Susan, the single mom who is so desperate to find love, she will even search her own gossipy neighborhood for a beau. Or Bree, the obsessive compulsive perfectionist who poisons her husband with onions in his salad when she finds out he wants a divorce. Or maybe even Lynette, who finds an escape in her son's ADD medication. But most of all, without a doubt, I like to imagine I am Gabrielle, the beautiful former model with the perfect life who, no matter how many material things she has, still finds it necessary to have an affair with her 17 year-old gardener!!! God, I love this show!!! If you have never seen it, I suggest you tune in every Sunday. I know that this Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday, but it will be on at 10 pm. See ya on Wisteria Lane!!!

**Small side note: Season I of Desperate Housewives will be coming out on DVD after the season is over. Anybody care to buy it for me, leave me a comment ;)**

YIKES!!!

2005-02-04T10:08:00.000-08:00

I just noticed I haven't written an entry in two days. Oops! Sorry about that! There is an entry on the way =)

¡Cuba Libre! (A dedication to a man who is, in my opinion, the epitome of Miami)

2005-02-01T10:44:00.000-08:00

While New York relishes in its Puerto Rican population, San Francisco in its Asian population, Texas in its Mexican population, and so on and so forth, Miami literally is the spitting image of what can be seen on the streets of Havana. The only difference(s) between Miami and Cuba is the fact that people can succeed and make a means to live, say what they want, and protest peacefully (although we all know us Cubans get very passionate about certain issues, so our peaceful is the rest of the country's chaos) But why is it that many who live outside of Miami (even some Cubans!) hold such a resentment towards the city because of their Cuban population? The answer is simple: the only people who know the truth about Castro's Cuba and aren't ashamed to tell you are that same Cuban population that resides within the county limits of the infamous Miami-Dade in South Florida. The distorted image that is given off that "Castro is not that bad" and that "the real ones to blame are the Miami Cubans" is given off by those who don't have stories to share regarding oppression they suffered in the communist country or those who have never been exposed to these heart wrenching tales. My cousin was a political prisoner in Cuba. Do these so-called humans who claim "Castro is not that bad" truly know the definition of a political prisoner? Basically, all of these Bush-bashers could be political prisoners....that is, if America was a communist country and Bush was the dictator. Could you imagine that? After the 2004 election, it is evident that just about half of the country could be political prisoners. My mother worked in sugar cane fields while she was pregnant with my brother in the early 70's so that she could be granted persmission to leave Cuba. And a few weeks after she gave birth, she returned to the fields to work in the scorching sun. But my mother's story is not the only one. Other's have more gruesome stories that perhaps involve violence, starvation, or even death. As a child of one of the sufferers who lived through one of those upsetting stories, do I not owe it to my mother to share her hating and "I spit on you" attitude towards the bearded devil? Would it not be a blow to the heart for my mother to have her youngest daughter come home and say, "Mami, I don't think Castro is that bad." Would it not be turning my back on everything that my parents have provided for us in this wonderful, free country? I, like my mother, share the exact same attitude that we will not visit Cuba until the bearded devil has burned. Why visit while he is still alive? To give my hard-earned money to him so that he may continue to oppress those poor prisoners, because in Cuba, althought they do not live behind bars, everyone is a prisoner in Cuba. I don't want to go too in depth with this post because I could literally type for days, but I did want to shed some light on this topic after being inspired by this particular article that appeared on the front page of my hometown's newspaper: http://www.babalublog.com/archives/001353.html (this site will redirect you to the article when you click on story)

Quite the Journey

Get it. Got it. Done.

Whistle while you work!

**sniff sniff**

Ice, Cleaning Supplies, and Stretchie Pants

Peek-a-boo! I see you!

Just being a first-rate verison of myself instead of a second-rate version of someone else

Rambling is always key

I've dreamt of a city....

Wow....it sure has been a while.

Give me a T-O-Y-O-T-A!!!

Saving the world, one turtle at a time...or at least trying to

10:58 pm has brought about a new meaning...

Ahhhh...the wonderful feeling.

Lo que es ta 'pa ti, nadie te lo quita....

A little bit of randomness is always healthy Pt.2

Let's press the rewind button....

Never Have I Ever

Life is just too short

My Beautiful Discovery

And I'm Proud to Be An American.....

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

::sniff sniff:: Goodbye, Piglet

Learning people

A song with no lyrics.....

A Story

Mi Isla

Absolutely no shame

Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love you tomorrow???

SUGAR & SPICE and my teeth are nice

Religion is more than attending a church....

HaHa! Take that, flacas!!!

Honesty is always appreciated...

Life works in such funny ways...

Kill them with kindness...

I love CNN.com

My definition of "auspicious"

My FIRST Audio Post...ENJOY!

Not "really" into reggaeton, but...

The Calm Before The Storm....

The Water Bearer

A Song For My Roomie

Stuck in a rut with a pain in my gut

¿Y eso a mi que me importa?

I'm lovin it!

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

Hmmmm...

It's quiz time!!!!!!

I Won't Apologize

Some wishful thinking....

De mi tierra bella.....

This is so damn true!!!

A little bit of randomness is always healthy

This never fails to amaze me

I love people....well, PEOPLE, that is

Just to think and write....

Ladies and gentlemen....this is absolutely grotesque!

Cubans do it better....sooooooo much freakin' better

367 days and counting...

It's just a mood today...

One man's café is another man's wine

Happy Happy Born Day

Real Women DO Have Curves

All in one day....

Some things I could not live without....

Ocean City...here I come!!!!

Wiggle it....just a little bit

To think or not to think

*Riiiinnnng Riiiiinnnng*

And so they continue....

Unrestricted thoughts....

Breathe in....breathe out.....

Gotta polish up...

YAY!!! ::wide grin =D::

Now say "CHEEEEEESE"

Every little girl dreams....

Just to make me smile....

Has it ever happened to you?

I got something new to pursue....

Just to take a moment.....

sniff sniff

Riiiinnnng Riiiiinnnng