Regina Brett of "The Plain Dealer"

I received an e-mail this morning with 45 lessons that I thought I should share. These 45 lessons were written by a woman named Regina Brett. Mrs. Brett is a columnist for The Plain Dealer in Cleveland Ohio. She states:"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written...My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more: "

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Today Mrs. Brett is 90 year old, and I love when people share there wisdom as she has.

We are at our mid-point!

Today my husband and I make half a year of being married, it is crazy to think how quickly time fly’s right by us. In six more months we will be celebrating our 1 year anniversary! I hear the top of the cake does not taste so bad after a year of refrigeration. I wonder does being married a year mean you are no longer a newlywed?

The rumor is...

Mac is coming out with a touchscreen laptop! Now I am not much of a technological type of person, and for all I know this could be old news, but I believe this is one cool gadget! No one knows what it will really look like but I guess it would look like a giant I-phone and according to Good Morning America it is supposedly being released this October. I guess we will just have to wait and see if the rumors are true.

Baby Elyse!

The Egipciaco family, Justamante family, and Relevant Kids has a new addition. Baby Elyse was born today, and she is absolutely beautiful, she has brown hair and weighs approximately 6lbs 10 ozs. Karina spent 30 minutes in labor, and she did not even have time to mess up her hair. I hope that the day I am blessed with children my labor will be just as short.

That little boy stole my heart and I am sure his little sister will steal it too!!

Mima turns 70!!!

If anyone knows me, they know how much I adore my grandmother! I love her with all my heart and soul and I can not imagine a day without her! She called me yesterday afternoon and read a poem that she wrote in regards to family, and I asked her if she was happy already knowing that her answer was YES! I guess her birthday inspired her to write. Today my grandmother turns 70 and I pray for 40 more years of her sassy and firecracker personality to bless upon this world. I only hope that when I am her age that I am everything that she is. At the end of September God willing my grandmother will become a great-grandmother to my cousin's baby girl. The first baby in my family since we all grew up (lol). I love her excitement for the up and coming new addition to our family and all the wisdom she has to share with me. I love calling her in the late afternoon just to hear her voice, and see how her day is going and I especially love calling her at night just to say good night Mima. Most of all I love being able to celebrate another birthday with her!

Happy Birthday Mima!

Way too much food.

All I can say is bless my husbands heart! I am very grateful for the man God has given me and I could not ask for a better husband. I laughed to myself this afternoon as I opened my lunch to find what leftovers he had packed away for me to eat. I truly believe my husband thinks I eat as he does, I am girl for crying out loud!

This is what he served me.

This is what I actually ate.

Again all I can say is bless my husbands heart!

My co-worker was laughing as she watched me take pictures of my food.

Fourth of July

So my husband decided to surprise me with a trip to Disney this past weekend. It feels as though ever since we got married we barely have any time for ourselves and I figured once we were married it would be quite the opposite. I don't know if it's that we are involved in too many extra curricular activities or we just can't sit still, but it sure was nice to get away. I felt like a little kid as I packed my suit case and got all excited only drive four hours away from home. I love Disney and I love Mickey Mouse, but then again who doesn't? For the first time I looked at the Disney theme park in a different way. I thought to myself one day my husband and I will be bringing a munchkin of our own here to visit Mickey Mouse for the first time. I saw all the families walk by us and with there excited children in this magical place. Although neither one of us is any where near ready to have children I pray that God gives us wisdom when that day does come. If and when it does I will definitely not be taking them in July it was way too HOT, but then again watching the Fourth of July fireworks at the happiest place on earth was well worth it.

New Moon

So I finally finished reading New Moon by Stephenie Meyer and I am waiting for my mentee (Nathalie) to catch up to me to begin reading Eclipse. I have become so consumed with this whole twilight saga that I have already convinced several of my friends to start reading its along with me. It's funny because I never would have thought I would enjoy reading this saga as much as I have, and can not wait till November to see New Moon in theaters.

The Book

Movie Poster

The Movie Trailer

Cruzan Amphitheatre - Colplay

Third time in my lifetime I have had the oportunity to see my favorite band perform in my home of sunny south Florida. It's the second time I get to see them perform at The Cruzan Amphitheater and I absolutely love the atmosphere at this venue. I don't know if it's because you can select to sit on the grass, or because it's outdoors or maybe seeing all the differnt types of people that attend is what gets me, but I love this venue for any concert.

Has Privacy Gone Out the Window?

It seems like in today's day in age you can find out anything about anyone via cyber space. With websites, such as google, facebook, myspace, twitter, linked, Hi5, blogger, wordpress etc. it is easy to access information about anyone. You can learn about a person's personal life, find out about any past convictions, and even see pictures of there daily lifestyle. It 's crazy to think that you can connect with people in way which was not possible several years ago. Are we losing personalization in this cyber era? Is it easier to write an e-mail or call someone rather than to write a card and send it through the mail or even meet someone up for coffee? Or is this cyber era only enhancing our ways of communicating? I recently had a friend discover my blog and he told me he was surprised because he thought I was more of a private type of person, although that is true to some degree I do enjoy writing. What's the point of writing something if no one is ever going to read it? After our brief conversation I realized that perhaps we do not live in a private world anymore, but the only ones who are to blame for that is ourselves. Is it necessary to join or be apart of all of these websites?

Carrie Prejean

I am not one to watch any type of beauty pageant, but I could not fight my interest in this story. As I was driving to work and listening to the radio this morning the discussion was about Ms. Carrie Prejean and her answer to a very controversial question at last nights Miss USA pageant. What I learned in my short car ride to work was that Ms. Prejean also known as Miss California was the runner up of this pageant and was asked by judge #8 Perez Hilton a controversial question in regards to gay marriage. The question was as follows:

"Vermont recently became the fourth state to legalize same sex marriage. Do you think every state should follow suit, why or why not?"

I love the honesty and brazenness in her response; although I do believe she could have been more articulate in her answer she still nonetheless gave her opinion, which is exactly what Mr. Hilton asked for. Her response was this:

"I think it’s great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. We live in a land that you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage. And you know what, in my country, in my family, I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that’s how I was raised.”

Ms. Prejean did not win the pageant and there is talk that her loss was due to her response to this very question. I do not believe her response was offensive or made to alienate anyone but that's just my opinion. I do however also feel her loss was not due to her response, but perhaps to her nervousness about responding to the subject matter. She states that "we live in a land in which we can choose same-sex marriage...” if that were true Mr. Perez would not be asking her if all states should legalize this type of marriage. What bothers me the most about this whole incident is the attention that has been taken away from Miss North Carolina who was crowned Miss USA Sunday night, and how upset, abrasive, and rude Mr. Perez has been towards Ms. Prejean once the pageant concluded to the point of using profanity to describe her. I feel Mr. Perez was opposed to her response and because of it choose to attack her. Mr. Perez states that her response was not the correct response a possible Miss USA should give, he states, "I do expect Miss USA to be politically correct". Does being politically correct mean you have to lose who you are? Isn't Miss USA supposed to be a woman who sets an example for other young women? If so what are we teaching young woman by being politically correct, that it is okay to put your beliefs on the backburner to win a title?

Are we politically correct? What are your thoughts on this topic?

Leadership

Leadership is a topic that is constantly discussed. It is discussed in grade school, high school and all throughout our collegiate careers. It is even discussed in non-academic environments such as non-profit organizations, religious organizations, and in the work place. Wherever we go a leader or leaders surround us, and at some point in our lives we have all been or will be leaders. Whether it be in an emergency situation by simply telling someone to "call 911" is taking ownership for the situations and stepping up to the plate. Leadership is everywhere! Some leadership positions have more weight to them then others do, for example the President of the United States has more on his shoulders than say the Mayor of a city or town. My question is; is everyone really meant to be a leader? If a child fails second grade is it the teachers fault he/she failed? If those you lead fail, does that make you less of a leader? These questions have bothered me for months now. Leaders fail not because the follower fails but because of the leaders failure to realize the responsibility that comes along with the title of "leader". For a while I believed it was the leaders fault for the failer of his/her followers, but is the leader responsible for the actions of the followers? I came to the conclusion that you can't control what people do! People have a choice and will make choices whether good or bad, right or wrong, but when choices are made our leaders/mentors are supposed to guide us in the right direction. You see being a leader it is not just about you, or the position or status you may hold. True leadership is about everyone else around you, the example you set, by the way you live your life, and by the way you react to things. I am no expert, but I know that no one is perfect and leadership is hard, and is always always up for the judgment of others! I can not find or know a perfect leader, but I have found people willing to change for the better and make a difference no matter how small or large, and that is the kind of leader I want and the leader I strive to be.

Are you a leader, and if so what is the force that drives you to be a leader?

Relay for Life 2009

Another year has gone by, and I once again have Monday's off because the Relay for Life 2009 is now over. In November, we will begin planning once again for Relay 2010, and that is only 7 months away. This year my team decided to do something different in comparison to the past few years, we decided to sell Corn on the Cob and what a great success it was!!! I thought of the idea when I visited the Our Lady of the Lakes Festival in March. I saw how successful selling corn was for them, and I could not help but want to do the same at our Relay. The Relay over all did not collect as much as it has in past years; but, one must take into consideration the state of our economy, and even in these tough times this event collected over $47,000.00. Our Committee Chair did a great job for her first year as Chair, and I am excited to see what will happen in her second year. Hopefully next year we will have even more volunteers and even more people motivated to help fight this terrible disease.

Below is a picture of our Relay For Life Committee 2009 after the Relay was over.

Selling of Corn on the Cob

www.relayforlife.org/hialeahfl
http://www.cancer.org/

Twilight

In December of 2008, I began mentoring a 13 year old young lady who has taught me several things in a short period of time. In an effort to do something together I suggested that we read a book of her choice; now I am not one to read novels or fiction stories of any sort, unless it is some form of classic literature book. I was not sure what to expect while she contemplated which book we should read. For the most part I enjoy reading any type of religious, self help, psychology, or biographical book, so when my mentee suggested reading Twilight by Stephanie Meyer I was not too enthused with the idea. I had seen the movie prior to reading the book, because my little sister-in-law was absolutely obsessed with the whole twilight saga. To some degree I wanted to know what the fuss was all about, but I also wanted to know what was her obsession with Edward Cullen (character in the book), she literally went to see the movie at least 9 times before she got the bootleg copy to watch at home. I was not blown away with the movie, but thought it made an interesting love story. I have recently finished the first book of the series, and read the entire 544 pages of the book in less than a week. I feel the movie is not nearly as detailed and leaves out a great deal of substance in comparison to the book. I have now opened my horizons to reading novels and fictitious stories which was something I failed to do in the past. I am excited to start the second book New Moon, since I will not be cheated out of using my imagination because I saw the movie prior to reading the book. If new characters are introduced I will now be able to imagine on my own what the could possibly look like in my mind. If you have not read or seen the movie jump on the band wagon and see what you are missing.

Oh, and Mute Math is on the Twilight Sountrack.

Easter Sunday

This past Sunday, the Easter Bunny came to Relevant Church. It is the first time ever that Mr. Bunny visits our church, and the kids really seemed to enjoy having him around. The parents also seemed to love having a family picture taken with him, and I must admit I was a little skeptical about having Mr. Bunny around. I thought to myself if I was a kid I think I would be a little terrified of a giant size bunny coming at me, but to my surprise none of the kids cried. Below are a few pictures of our Easter Sunday, Vanessa Alves did a great job taking pictures!

http://www.alvesphotos.com/

Worship Night

After many years Relevant Church of Miami is finally going to have it's very first worship night! This is going to be a great event and we would love for everyone to join us on April 4, 2009, at IBB (17701 NW 57 Avenue Miami, FL 33055). Doors open @ 6:45 hope to see you there!

Tom and Gisele Get Married!!!!

So I guess since I met this wonderful couple on my honeymoon everyone has decided to call and inform me that Tom & Gisele have decided to tie the knot. I bet if I had never met them no one would care to share this piece of information with me, but apparently they got married in a small private ceremony in Santa Monica, California according to People Magazine. I guess most celebrity couples decided to do it this way to avoid all the media, unless they are Donald and Ivanka Trump.

Congrats to them!!!

Tom Brady & Gisele Bundchen

It's been a crazy few months for me, and I feel as though time is passing by so quickly. I recently returned from my honeymoon, and my husband and I went on a seven day cruise. At the last stop on our cruise my husband planned for us to disembark from the ship in order to spend the next four days at an upscale and exclusive resort. So our first day at this beautiful resort we decided to go lay out on the beach and take advantage of the sun and beautiful scenery. Those of you who know me, know I need to take as much advantage of the sun as possible. So as we laid out we kept seeing a group of people walking back and forth to small tent in front a large home that the resort rents out. Come to find out the group that kept walking back and forth was Gisele Bundchen (famous Victoria Secret & Sports Illustrated Model) and her crew working on a photo shoot right there on our beach. What are the odds of that happening? Once we discovered who she was my husband and I began to wonder if Tom Brady was perhaps lurking around the resort as well (considering that the two are dating), but he was no where in sight. My husband of course thinks he is Mr. Paparazzi trying to take pictures of this gorgeous woman on the beach and from the balcony of our suite, and I had hope of seeing Tom. The next day we decided to go lay out by the pool on a side that faced the ocean, and guess who comes and literally sits right next to us, with her boyfriend? You guessed it, Gisele and one of the hottest and most talented QB's in the NFL Tom Brady!! My husband finally built up the courage to talk to Mr. Brady and informs him that he is one of his fans, but that he also was a Miami Dolphins Fan. I nearly wanted to kill him, how can you tell one of the best QB's in the NFL that you are a Dolphin Fan? I loved Mr. Brady's response to my husband it was a mere "oh no". I wanted to tell Tom (because we are on a first name basis now...right!) how he was my first pick for my fantasy team this year and how he killed my team by getting injured so early on in the season, but then I thought to myself he probably gets that a lot. What kills me is that I have never picked a QB in the first round, and what are the odds that Tom Brady is going to get injured. Ugh! I guess you just never know!! As far as his injury is concerned let's just that Gisele nursed him back to health. As the next few days passed we continued to see the couple in the resort as they enjoyed there time there as much as we did.

How many people can say they met Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen on there honeymoon?

Gisele and her crew walking back and form from the tent during the photo shoot.

The guy laying out in the black shorts and white tank top behind me is Tom Brady

These picture are from the Boston Herald and they must have been taken from the ocean or from a helicopter in the sky, but they are literally right next to us in the picture where Gisele is feeding Tom. The location in which the Boston Herald states that they are at in these pictures is incorrect, but who am I to tell a newspaper they are wrong.

Thanksgiving Sunrise

First let me start out by saying Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I woke up rather early this morning, and I am so glad I forced myself out of bed on this chilly November day. My Church had decided to hold some beach baptisms on Thanksgiving morning along with a short sunrise service. The idea of having to wake up at 5am to be at the beach by 5:30am did not really sound all that appealing to me, and it was freezing at least for a Floridian it's freezing. Once we finally arrived it was so peaceful and serene to see the sunrise that morning with some hot cocoa and close friends, I couldn't have had better morning. I would love to wake up every morning to a view like that. So before the baptisms began my pastor asked if any of us wanted to share anything we were thankful for this year. I really wanted to share my thoughts, but just the thought of sharing what was on my mind brought tears to my eyes, since I did not share my thoughts on the beach, I will share what I am most thankful for here on my blog. I am thankful to God that in October my father made 13 years of being a sober man. I am thankful that He (God) is with him (my father) today and everyday so that he remains a sober a man. In January my father is going to walk me down an aisle and give me away, and I am thankful to God for that, and the for the many blessings He has given to me, and to my family. I recently read a book by Mitch Albom entitle "For One More Day" without spoiling the book to much it talks about a man who had a drinking problem and because of it, missed out on his daughters wedding. His daughter refused to invite him because he was not in the right state of mind. Several weeks later my father rented the movie not knowing that I had read the book and we sat in our living room and watched it together. That afternoon my father told me as he has told me countless times before, when I have shared life's problems with him, that he was so thankful to God that he was able to have a relationship with me, and that he was able to give me good and Godly advice, because he was not longer a slave to alcoholism as he once was.

The Book

Movie Poster of the Book

The Sunrise

You Know How I Know Your Gay?

If you have ever watched the movie the "40 Year Old Virgin" you will know exactly why I titled this post the way I did. Am I gay? Yes, because I not only like COLDPLAY, I absolutely LOVE them!!!! They are by far my favorite band, and in my mind I am going to marry Chris Martin, he can serenade me any day!!! I better stop talking before I get myself into some trouble! Anyhow, I was fortunate enough to go see Coldplay for the second time around, I went few years back and absolutely loved it, but was stupid enough to forget my camera!!! Ugh, I am still regretting that!! Once again I was in awe by this skin and bones band, they played three of my favorite old songs (In My Place, Polotik, and Yellow), but its always so hard to pick favorites with them, because even there least popular songs are awesome! They turn everything into something beautiful, its really all about the lyrics!!!!

Here are some pics of my glorious night!! At least this time I have something to show for it, but even if I didn't I wouldn't forget how much they ROCK!!!!!

How Ironic

It only happens a few months out the year, but its finally here again. The Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks, is by far my favorite cup of coffee, so as I sat and enjoyed my seasonal coffee and nibbled on my lemon cake, I read "The Way I See It" #141 from the back of my cup. I always find these little excerpts to be so interesting, I have yet to receive a cup with something I have already read, not only do I read my cup but I also read the cup of the person who accompanies me as well. It is something I must always do, no question about it. My cup read as follows:

I used to feel so alone in the city. All those gazillions of people and then me, on the outside. Because how do you meet a new person? I was very stumped by this for many years. And then I realized, you just say, "Hi." They may ignore you. Or you may marry them. And that possibility is worth that one word.

-Augusten Burroughs
Author of Running with Scissors

What I find to be so ironic about this excerpt it not so much what it says, but the title of the book that it comes from. Now I have not read this book, but I do know that running with scissors is considered to be something dangerous, but can saying hello to a complete stranger really be all that dangerous? It's crazy to think how easy and how hard it can be to make friends, but the wonderful part about it is, that it is always unexpected when you do. Doing so is easy when we do not care about what could possibly happen, but hard when we do care. It is not always easy to be vulnerable, but I believe and have learned that in order to have any kind of meaningful relationship you have to be willing to be vulnerable. If running with scissors means saying hello, than perhaps I am willing to be a little dangerous.

If You Look, You Shall Find!

When I was a senior in high school, I went on a search! I went on a search for my prom dress! As some of you may know, I am extremely picky when it comes to formal wear, especially when its for one of the biggest events in High School! I went to every store in the South Florida searching for the perfect prom dress, I even flew to New York for a day in hopes of finding her! After many months of searching I found a pink Lillie Rubin dress that I fell in love with. Almost eight years later I still think the dress is beautiful, but now I am on a search for a different dress! I am now searching for my wedding gown. I believe that this search will not be as easy as it was searching for my prom dress, but nonetheless know she will be found. It is crazy to think how swiftly time passes by, and as I embark on my search I was given the advice that once you find her (the dress) STOP looking!!! The elderly lady that gave me this piece of advice told me in Spanish "si sigues buscando, vas a encontrar" translation "if you keep looking, you will find". What she said to me that day really stuck with me, because it was something so simple that made so much sense. The way she said it was as though it had a second meaning that not only applied to finding my dress, but that it applied to other aspects of life as well. If you think about it, it really does. If you have found what you are looking for, why keeping looking? If you are looking, then keeping looking till you find!!!

Down To The Last One

My coworkers and I decided to go to a Thai restaurant for lunch today, Fridays are usually our cheat days since we are all trying to watch our figures. After our delightful sushi lunch we decided to order some Thai donuts for desert with condensed milk on the side of course! What else would we dip those fried donuts into? As the three of us ate the first set of 6 donuts, we decided to order another six, because I of course was not satisfied with the two I already had. I had to have another two to myself. Have you ever gone to a restaurant and shared an appetizer or desert and it comes down to the last chip or the last spoonful of ice cream and you don't want to be the glutton of table to eat the last piece of food? Of course you have, everyone has, so you casually wait to see if someone offers you the left over piece, well this is what I was hoping would happen, but to my dismay did not turn out that way. He offers one of us the last donut and before I can say okay you don't have to twist my arm, she is already gobbling it down. I guess we were both waiting for our opportunity and I did not rise to the occasion.

I want more Thai donuts!!!

Endurance

Several months ago I was given an opportunity to be a part of a major non-profit organization here in Hialeah for one of its major fundraising events. Although I was thrilled in taking on this big task, I was also very relieved when it was over, not because it was boring or uninteresting, but because it consumed a great deal of my time. There were several times that I felt like giving up because I just could not juggle all the other things that were going on in my life. Apparently I did a good job of juggling all 5 things, but that's besides the point. My point or thought is, what happens when we get to a point that we are so frustrated and stressed out that we just want to give up. Is giving up even an option? For me it was not, only because I gave my word and commitment to several things at the same time, and my word, my dependability etc. meant so much more to me then to sever some one's confidence in me. Have I learned my lesson about committing to several activities at the same time, absolutely!!! I learned that being stressed out is okay sometimes, it allows you to become resilient to other things. I learned that as much as I enjoy being surrounded by other people there are times that you just need some time to yourself. I also learned that I can handle a lot more than what I would have ever given myself credit for. Some times you just have to push yourself and ask yourself what is most important? Doing something I love that benefits others is what's most important to me!

According to Webster, Endurance is the power to withstand stress and it is the ability to carry on through hardships. How much are we willing to endure?

The Boys Are Out!!!!!!

I am sadded by the loss of my boys to the New York Giants. I guess now Tony Romo can go wherever he wants with Jessica Simpson, and we will see how the Giants matchup against Green Bay.

:sigh:

From one moment to the next

Yesterday was my first day back to school in over a year! That's right I decided to get a Master's degree, I was excited and nervous about what to expect in this new program, but I thought it can't be that bad! People juggle full-time jobs, family, and school all at the same time! What would be so different or hard for me to accomplish that same goal that many others seek? I left work a little earlier to race to Ft. Lauderdale and make it to class on time, but as I was driving my mother called to inform me that she had some bad news to share with me. Her voice sounded calm, but very serious and I did not expect the conversation to end the way it did. The first thing I thought about was my dog, I was certain something had happen to Puchie, but as she continued she assured me that Puchie was fine and that the news was far more serious than something being wrong with my dog. She hesitated and I questioned her as to what was wrong and she continued on to inform me that her Aunt had passed away in a tragic accident. I could not help but feel awful because here I am thinking about a dog instead of human being. I guess I did not realize the seriousness of the conversation when we began talking. I thought about the last moments that Bertica (that's what we called her) and I shared together, never thinking that new years eve would be the last time I would ever see her again. I did not appreciate her as much as I should have, perhaps because we were never really close, but this has made me think twice about how much I should appreciate those around me. When my phone conversation with my mother ended I began to drive a lot slower and bit more cautious than what I usually do, you see her tragic accident involved a car collision that was not her fault but took her life in flames. I thought about a conversation I had with one of my best friends as I continued driving to school and how her mother always tells us "Mejor que llegar tarde que no llegar" translation "it is better to be late than to never arrive". Here I am flying down I-95 without a thought in the world that anything can happen to me and to some degree nothing can until I am called to leave this earth. Whether I make it late or not at all to my destination does not matter because when it's my time, it's my time! It hit me as news such as this always does we are here one moment and we are not the next, we believe we have so much control when we do not, and we forget how important life is.

Life is nothing and everything at the same time!

Distortions Through a Perfume Bottle

It was the first night of the year and I could not fall asleep. I must have stayed up until 3am tossing and turning flicking on and off my television set, perhaps it was the Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks that I had earlier that kept me up so late. On most occasions I can fall asleep no matter what amount of coffee I drink prior to bed time, but I guess it was not one of those nights for me. As I laid in bed under my warm comforter, I began to stare at the objects that were sitting on a small table next to my bed. I focused and observed two large clear perfume bottles that stood out to me amongst other things in my room. I noticed that I could see straight through both of them onto the other side. I could see fragments of a distorted basket in which I kept the rest of my perfumes except for the two bottles I had just mentioned. As I laid there I wondered how may times do we assume we know someone or believe that we can see straight through them? For the most part, most of our assumptions and beliefs about people come about when we begin to get to know the person or from our first encounter with them. Did you know that most first impressions or what we believe about a person is inaccurate information or an inaccurate assumption? That's some social psychology for you!!! What do we really see when we look at people? Do we see them for who they really are, or do we see a distortion of what or who we think they are?

YOGA!!!

In an attempt to get in shape I have been going to the gym with my cousins and some friends for some time, but with the holidays approaching it has not been an easy task. I am not one who believes in taking aerobics classes or anything of that sort unless its a spinning class, if that is the case I will spin my but off!!! So my cousin suggests that we take the 7:00pm yoga class, and I am little hesitant, but later become open to trying something new. I walk into the class and set up my mat and wait for the class to begin, 15 minutes into the class we are still lying on the floor and I can't help but think so this is considered exercise, gees I missed the 6:45 spinning class for this, but from one moment to the next we are in the squatting dog position and then the scorpion position!!! I couldn't help but think how on earth I went from calm and soothing to unbalanced and uncomfortable. I will say you may think yoga is just some foo foo class that does not really work you out, but on the contrary it is quite the opposite, it teaches you how to focus, how to remain balanced and works out muscles you barely even use. Will I be taking another yoga class? Absolutely, once my body is no longer sore from the one I just took.

They Barely Win...

I am not usually a person to hate on other NFL teams, but last night I really really wanted the New England Patriots to lose!!! Although I am very fond of Tom Brady (he's cute) I just wished there team will lose at least one game, that way they will no longer have the best record, and be considered the best team in the league. It was a close game, but the Patriots pulled through for another win, and are currently still undefeated! My boys are still 12-1 ugh!!!

We are always one choice away from a different life...

Have you ever stopped to think about where you were a year ago? Stop and think about what direction your life was headed and into what direction you wanted it to move towards? Have you gotten there yet? Have you thought about whom you were friends with? Are you still friends today? Where did you work or go to school at? Is your life any different today than it was a year ago? Are you better off today than you were yesterday? Perhaps your life is not much different, but perhaps it is and if so are you happy with the changes that have occurred within those 365 days? Do you realize that part of the reason we are where we are, is due to specific decisions we have made throughout our lives? I can say that today my life is much different than it was a year ago. I could have made different choices, and looking back I realize that the decisions I have made were a lot more important than I thought they were back then. Those choices seemed so minuet and unimportant but I guess small things can alter big things or big changes!!! Something I have learned is to always be humble, it is something my father has tried to instill in me since I was a child, and is something that even to this very day he still talks to me about. Be humble and be thankful for those who were in your life, those who are in your life and those who will one day be in your life.

My question is would you change anything if you could?

Week 6

All I can say is...

I hope Tony Romo learned something from Tom Brady.

Thank God last weeks disaster did not happen again this week!!!

Where is the Dallas Cowboys "Welker"...we need one of those...

They should have gone for it on 4th down...

Final thoughts...
My popcorn was stale!!!! "sigh"

5-1 =(

What a crazy Game...

Have you ever taken an exam or test and barely got a passing grade? You knew that if you got one more wrong answer you would be begging the professor for some extra credit. Many of us have had to deal with this very circumstance whether it was in middle school, high school or in college, but at one point or another either in our personal or professional life we have had to deal with something similar to this very situation. If you have dealt with anything like this than you know exactly how the Dallas Cowboys felt on Monday night. I am pleased to say that the Dallas Cowboys are 5-0 but were very close to being 4-1. My beloved Romo did not play up to par this past week against the Buffalo Bills and I am very disappointed in him but he did pick up his game in the fourth quarter. This is the second time in history that a QB throws so many interceptions and the team still manages to win the game. If you did not know, let me tell you that the Dallas Cowboys are fighters!!! Next week Dallas plays New England and I hope that the disaster of the buffalo game does not happen again against the Patriots.

We will see what happens in week 6

Get your popcorn ready!!!

Bears vs. Cowboys!!!

VS.

It was a sad day for me this past week in fantasy football world, I unfortunately had my first loss not in one of my leagues but in both of them. It did not affect my overall place in the league but a loss is still a loss. Week 3 has been a very interesting week for me not only in fantasy, but also for my beloved Cowboys, they are 3-0 and just played the best defense in the NFL and I am happy to report that the Cowboys beat the Bears 34 to 10. I have no idea what must be going on through Rex Grossmans head right now but he must be a little worried, due to the fact that he will be sitting on the bench in week 4. Its amazing how young athletes come into the NFL with the same dream and hopefully the same goal which is to win a Superbowl. Tony Romo and Rex Grossman both entered into this major football world in 2003. Tony Romo entered into the NFL undrafted during the 2003 draft, while Grossman was first round pick in the 2003 draft, go figure!!! Romo later became an undrafted Rookie or free agent for my dear sweet Dallas Cowboys and it was not until the 2006 season that Romo actually got to play!!! If you compare theses two 27 year old men you will see that both of these athletes have had major flops throughout there careers and have also had the same opportunities entering into the NFL. I believe that Rex Grossman has not been performing to par, but that does not make him a bad athlete perhaps he was thrown out to the wolves to quickly and perhaps Romo was able to ease his way in and learned a thing or two in the process. Whatever the case may be they are both young men who still have a lot to learn, and great deal of room to grow. Hopefully this season Romo will step it up, and we will see who really has HEART this year!!!

Sorry Bears fans, but the Cowboys stepped it up this week!!!

GOOOOOO COWBOYS!!!!!!!!! WHOO-HOOO

Dolphins vs. Cowboys!!!

VS.

This past weekend was my first live NFL experience, I unfortunately live in a state that has the worst football team of all time!!!! Due to the fact that they are so bad I have refused to attend any Dolphins game, and although I have been invited to countless games I have refused to sit there and watch them lose week after week. I guess Jason Taylor could be a great motivation to watch them, but I guess not a good enough motivation for me. This weekend the Cowboys played the Dolphins so what did Ms. Melissa Marie do, she attended her first Dolphins game only because my Dallas Cowboys were playing. I was not about to miss out on the opportunity to see my boys and my Romo live. I must admit that those Dolphins fans do have a lot of heart so major props to them for cheering those fish on, but as the band Hootie and the Blowfish says the "Dolphins make me cry." Its pretty bad that you play on your home field and the crowd is yelling "Lets Go Cowboys" "Lets Go Cowboys" I felt so bad for them that I think I may just start cheering for them, they did beat the Chicago Bears last year and they are suppose to have the best Defense in the league, but apparently Miami got through it. I don't know if that win was pure luck or perhaps there may be some capability within all that disorganization. Aside from the humidity and heat, I had a great time and a great experience at Dolphin Stadium and was actually surprised to see that Miami does have a lot of Dallas fans out there...GOOOO Cowboys!!!!

Week 3 here we come, bring on the "Da Bears"

Oh and I won week 2 in both my Fantasy Leagues, not bad for a Rookie!

Did I really need it?

I turned 24 this year and I received many gifts from friends and family; mainly what I received was money aside from clothes and other stuff. So I had the option of spending it or saving it, I decided to do both spend some of it and save the rest of it. I came up with this decision as I strolled around the Nordstrom at Merrick Park; I had originally gone there to exchanged another gift that I had received for a bigger size, because I unfortunately am not the toothpick I once was. When I first arrived at the store I had no intention on spending any kind of money just going into exchange a pair of jeans and coming right back out, but as I walked past the shoe department some shoes that were on sale caught my eye! I figured maybe I should try them on, why not? As I approached the cashier to purchase these very cute shoes I realized that although they were on sale they were still pretty expensive. I for one can not even imagine paying full price for these shoes, but since it was not the original price that in of it self convinced me to purchase them. I walked out of the department store holding a big Nordstom bag with a pair of shoes that I probably will not wear that often. I began thinking as I walked back to car with my purchase in hand, did I really need to buy these shoes? I am not the richest person in the world when it comes to material possession but I am pretty rich when it comes to friends, family, and loved ones etc. When I got to the car I could not help but think about all the people who can't even afford a simple pair of shoes, and here I was sitting in the car with shoes I really did not need, only because I thought they were cute. I know that each time that I wear these shoes I will wear them with thought that I really did not need them. I wore them that night and could not help but feel guilty for my purchase. Perhaps I think to much and perhaps it is no crime to buy something I can afford and regardless of the price I am sure there is much more I could have done with that money. Maybe the fact that my pastor is preaching about budgeting and finances does not help either or maybe it is making me more aware of the things I need and the things I don't!!!

Romo is NOT a Homo!!!

This NFL season I decided to give the fantasy football thing a try, I am currently playing in two leagues (which I might add that I won in both leagues my first week) and my Sundays now consist of Church and football footBALL FOOTBALL. I thought I was a pretty knowledgeable girl when it came to sports but clearly I still have a lot to learn. As most of you know I am a Dallas Cowboys fan (WHOO-HOO-ROMO) and that I believe that yes Tony Romo choked last year against the Seahawks, but who hasn't choked when the pressure is on. We are reluctant enough not to be in the spotlight when the pressure is on us like many celebrities and athletes endure on a day-to-day basis. Who sees you when you mess up, your family and friends people who love you; no one else sees you choke, and if you do, are you any less because you did? It is easy for us to point fingers and ridicule others but who are we? I would like to say that Mr. Romo did a great job at the season opener against the NYG passing for 4 touchdowns and actually scoring a running touchdown (due to his performance I got 40pts in my fantasy league). Although it is only the beginning of the season and his great performance this week still does not make up for last years loss against the Seahawks, he is still a great YOUNG athlete. I believe he still has a lot of room to grow and learn, and I advise you all to just wait and see how he will transform and become an amazing QB. Something I have learned about success in my own experiences and from Danny E. is that success doesn't come when I want it to. In each mistake I make is an opportunity to learn and be better next time and I guarantee you that Romo learned a great deal at that playoff game against the Seahawks and he will be better because of it.

Romo is NOT a Homo!!!

Ready to take a ride!

I was talking to a friend of mine late last night about the future, the present, and somewhat about the past. This person is a lot like myself in the sense that we want to know what is going to happen before it happens, we want to make sure we are moving in the right direction. I have come to realize the more we want to know the less we find out about the future and the more time we waste in trying to figure it out. What about today? Surely one should prepare for the future, be prepared for whatever curve ball life may through our way, but why worry about things that have not even happen yet or may not happen. We forget about the journey because we are so focused on the destination, we forget about the things we could possibly learn before we actually get to the destination. We are so desperate to obtain what we want that we become impatient we forget that sometimes we have to wait in line, wait for our turn. If we go to an amusement park and wish to ride a roller coaster or any type of ride for that matter we have to be patient and wait for our turn to enjoy the ride. We eventually all get to ride it, but we have to be patient. Sometimes life does not always offer us a shortcut and when and if it does it may be beneficial to take it, to take the shortcut to get the fast pass to ride that ride, but what if we are missing out on something greater if we had only taken the long way instead of the shortcut or fast pass?

Stepping out of my box!!!

I woke up that morning and headed straight for the shower. In the middle of my daily routine to wake and start my day, my mother begins pounding on the bathroom door telling me that my uncle is on the phone and that I must answer it immediately! I was not about to jump out of the shower to answer the phone due to the simple fact that I had shampoo in my hair and was still half asleep. To my dismay and hesitation I finally answered the phone after of course, several attempts to get me out of the bathroom. I thought to myself what on earth could my uncle want from me on a Monday morning at 6:40am? He insisted that I meet him in downtown Miami so that I could register!!! In an effort to meet him in a timely matter I frantically got out of the shower, and rushed into my car at approximately 7:55. I was then on my way to downtown Miami to meet my uncle at the AAA. I stood in a registration line with my little cousin (who was there for the same reason I was) and uncle for about 15 minutes and was told that we needed to return on Wednesday morning with all our registration paperwork to audition. As I left downtown that day I was still unsure as to why I even drove there to register to begin with and if I would even go through with the audition at all. What was I thinking? Had I gone insane? I was contemplating on all these things as I drove to work for which I was already and hour late for. You are probably wondering to yourself what on earth did I registered for and what was I thinking of auditioning for? Well for about a day and a half I kept what I had done that Monday morning to myself. I kept it from friends and co-works, which for me was really hard to do, so Wednesday finally arrived and I had taken the day off from work so that I could have a shot at being Americas next American Idol. For me that is not something I had ever even thought of doing although many friends and family always insisted that I at least try it out. I still cannot even believe that I went through will the whole ordeal and it will definitely be an experience I will never forget and one that I have definitely learned from.

What is there to lose?

Flying Solo?

This past weekend I attended the American Cancer Society Relay for Life 2007 Summit in Orlando, Florida. My job asked another young lady and myself to be chairpersons on behalf of the city in which we work for, so the two of us headed to Orlando for this wonderful convention that I knew would be an excellent experience for the both of us. Anyone who knows me, knows that I have traveled my entire life to far and near places, and would figure that it should be no big deal for me to hop on a plane and be on it for several hours, but to my dismay and embarrassment I hate flying, I love to travel and visit new and exotic places but I hate flying. So here I am sitting in my seat on this plane all by myself because unfortunately I had to sit alone on the way to Orlando, which is something I have never had to do before. I am literally freaking out as the plane takes off, because I have no ones hand to hold for some comfort. I begin to pray and ask God for some peace for my soul, and to calm my heart. When the plane finally reached 19,000 feet in the air I began to calm down. I then grabbed my I-pod and started to listen to the songs for Sundays worship, I began by listening to the song entitled "My Glorious" by Delirious, after listening to it several times I began to repeat this one phrase from the song. I kept repeating, "God is bigger than the air I breathe", and each time I would get a little nervous or felt some jolt due to turbulence, I found comfort in saying that phrase. I had forgotten how great God is and how much power He really has, He is bigger than the air I breathe. I had failed to realize that I was never really flying solo and although I was sitting next to complete strangers God was with me throughout the entire experience. My father always teases me and says he loves to fly with me because it is the only time I will hold his hand. I called him the moment I arrived to Mickey town to let him know that I was alive and well and that my plane did not burst into flames and crash; he laughed as I shared with him my experience, and he of course knew that was going to happen to me. I was fortunate enough to be able to sit next to my friends on our flight back home and be able to hold someone’s hand not only because I was freaking out but because they were freaking out as well. I told them God would not have brought us all the way over here for a good cause for nothing.

Picture from the plane while sitting alone.

On the way back home.

You will be used!

I was having a conversation with a girl whom I have known for a long time now, but I have never really gotten the chance to "know" her until recently. We began discussing casual things and our conversation later evolved into a more serious and heart felt conversation. Once her and I hung up from our hour and a half phone conversation, I started to contemplate on the things we had just discussed. I started to think about how sometimes we are so hard on ourselves and kill ourselves over past mistakes and past failures that have occurred in our lives. It is amazing to see how REAL God is and how nothing is by accident, how it was no accident that her and I were having that conversation. I started to think about how at times when we go through stuff and we mess up we do not always forgive ourselves. I have made mistakes in my life, I have failed as a friend, as a daughter, as a co-worker and even as a girlfriend, I am human! I mess up!!! I have no doubt that one day in the future I will mess up as a mother and a wife, but aside from messing up I have always prided myself on the fact that I have for the most part been one to make wise decisions, but there are times when I do not always make the right choice. I beat myself up about it and ask my self what have I learned from this situation what is God trying to teach me in all of this? I realized today that part of the reason we go through things is so God can use us later to help someone else out with same struggles that I may have already gone through. It is amazing to see how God really does use all things to work together for good. The next time you think about past failures and can't forgive yourself think about what you have learned and how God can use you later on to help someone else out.

For you my friend:

Proverbs 4:23
Above all else GUARD YOUR HEART for it AFFECTS EVERYTHING that YOU DO!