Real Women Have Curves

One more time

2010-03-24T12:05:00.000-07:00

When I started this blog, many, many years ago it was to track my weight lost attempt. Those of you who have been reading this blog all know how that went.

We make plans and try to stick to them, but life always happens. My cousin N is getting married this summer. I am one of three maids of honors. This prompted me to try the whole weight lost thing again. Now I have tried everything from Weight Watchers, to Atkins, to the Zone, to having magnets stuck behind my ears to help "balance my body." They all failed. I now know why. 1) I wasn't ready 2) I was doing it alone. I was one of those people who use to think " how hard is it to lose weight?" you would think as a person who has attempted this many times I would know the answer to this.

Every pass weight lost attempt was started for the wrong reason. I was trying to lose weight for other people, instead of for myself. So I would try, see a little result and then quit. Rise and repeat. That's the way it has been for years.

Until recently that is, I have made friends with the most unexpected people. My co-workers, I know you are suppose to be friendly with your co-workers, but here is the thing. I was sure that this group of people did not like me. Funny how things work out. During the last two years we have gotten to know each other, and they have become my core group of friends. No worries besties (aka primos) no one can ever replace you guys.

We are quite a group of misfits, but I know thats why our friendship works. Where one of us is weak the other is strong. We are going to eat clean, meaning no processed foods as well as working out together two times a week. So far we have done really well with the eating, not so much with the working out. We will get there though. Everyone is starting to see results, and I look forward to meeting up with them for breakfast and lunch everyday.

Now I have always been a "big" girl, and I know that my body is naturally curvy, but during these last three years I have gain more weight then I am comfortable with. So that's my goal, to loss the weight I put on recently. So while this might have started out as losing weight for the wedding, it is quickly becoming about a lifestyle change for me and no one else. I want to be comfortable in my skin, and yeah looking good at N's wedding is an added bonus.

This use to be my playground

2009-12-29T20:29:00.000-08:00

Ahh Blogging.

I remember when I use to post on here every single day. Sometimes twice in one day. Those were the good ol' days.

Then I discovered Myspace (I know, I know), then Facebook, and now Twitter.

Yes, that is where I am all of the time. On Twitter.

That is the reason why I have not updated my blog. I have been busy tweeting.

Sigh. I'm sorry blogger. I'll try to update you more often, but I can't make you any promises.

Mistakes I've made

2009-11-01T22:27:00.000-08:00

I have made a lot of mistakes in my life, and I'm sure there are still many more to be made.

One of the mistakes I regret the most was when I stopped blogging. After that I just stopped. I stopped talking, listening, caring, being, I just stopped. I didn't think anyone would want to read, or care about my grief, depression, bitterness. I mean really who wants to read about that? But there is where my mistake lies.

It shouldn't matter who reads it, I needed to talked about it, work through the huge grief I was/ still am going through, just get the thoughts out of my head, no matter how silly they were/are and have them "down on paper".

I was so busy being lost in my pain that I didn't take the time to look up and notice everyone else. Mama and Papa's death affected everyone in my family, not just me and instead of drawing closer to my family, I pulled away. I put myself in this little box were everything was "ok" and shut everything and everyone else out.

The pain of losing my grandparents was/is the worst pain that I have ever felt ,and I never wanted to feel that way again. So in my great wisdom, I decided it was best to stop caring, to stop loving. If I didn't care or love, then when the next person died or left it won't hurt as much right?

I ruined a lot of good relationships during my "not caring" stage. I take full responsibility for that. I cause a lot of damage. Even if that wasn't my intention I still caused damage. Some of the damage I caused is un-fixable, I will have to live with that the rest of my life. Some people no longer trust me or want anything to do with me. I don't blame them, but I will morn the lost of their friendship.

I'm hoping that there are still some people who will accept me back into their lives, even if it takes some time for that to be true. I did this and I need to accept my consequences no matter how much they hurt me.

I'm not back to being the "old me". Not sure I ever will be, but I feel as if a part of me is returning. I have this need to do all of the talking, listening, sharing I refused to do 3 years ago. I fully realize that do to my own doing, there might not be anyone around who is willing to listen. I might look like a crazy person talking to myself but I feel that as long as I don't answer myself I should be ok.

So here we go, I apologize in advance to who ever might come across this blog but there are just something I need to say.

I am whatever you say I am

2009-11-01T19:56:00.000-08:00

I know it's been a while, but there are something I need to say.

I think it's time to clear the air. There have been somethings said about me and I think its time to respond.

So here we go:

You said I was fat and bitter, and you are right I am all of those things and even a few more that you didn't think of.

So you called me fat, do you really think that's the first time I have heard that? I mean really? Did you think I didn't know that already? Come on, you can come up with a better insult then that. Guess what, your right I am fat, does it bother me? Sometimes, but then I remember that I'm healthy and if I really wanted to lose the weight I could. At the moment I'm ok with the way I look.

As for the bitter part, your right I am bitter. I'm also depressed, but that is expected after you go through what I went through. I lost two grandparents within a six month period. My family is the most important thing to me, so yes when my grandparents died I took it hard and became depressed. Right after my grandfather passed away, I found out that my father has Alzheimer. Not the easiest of news to hear. Then my grandmother died. After that different family members and friend have passed. So yes, I'm bitter and depressed your right I am. I think I have a right to be. I am working my way through grief. It's taking me longer then I or anyone else thought, but it is what it is. I like everyone else have good days and bad days. There are more good then bad, but yes I will complain and whine when I am having a bad day. If that makes me bitter then so be it, I'm bitter.

So what if I'm anti-social or a hermit. I don't like to go out to clubs, it's just not my scene. To tell you the truth, I rather read a good book, or go to the movies, or go out to eat, or hang out with my friends and family. Does that mean that I can't or won't go out dancing every once in a while no, but I am a homebody at heart.

I do have a small group of friends, your right about that too. I do "know" a lot of people, but there is a very small and select group of people who I consider to be my friends, and to me they are not my friends but my family, and as you know my family is the most important thing to me. So your right I am a "drama queen", and I will always be a "drama queen" when it comes to defending my family. Trust me this is the one area in life were you do not want to mess with me. I will ALWAYS chose my family over you and everyone else. I will fight with everything I have and then some when it comes to them. Do we fight and say shit we don't mean at times? Yeah we do, what family doesn't? The thing you need to know is this, at the end of the day we will always be there for each other no matter what.

I am too nice, again your right. That's just the way I am. Trust me I have tried to be mean, and when it is needed I can be a real bitch. The thing is that it's hard for me to be that way. It's just not in my nature. It's exhausting for me to be that mean. So yes I am too nice. I have always been and most possible will always be that way.

So let's see what do we have hmm a fat, bitter, depressed, nice, drama queen. You know what I'm ok with that. All I can be is just me.

P.S. Something I just realized. I should have never quit blogging. I didn't know just how much I needed this until right now.

Garage Sales and Mami

2008-11-21T13:36:00.000-08:00

This summer my aunt introduce my lovely mother to garage sales. At first it was harmless fun. Mami would stop at a garage sale during her Saturday morning errand run. She would pick up one or two things or sometime nothing at all. She would call up my aunts, sister, and other family members and tell them of stuff she found that she thinks they could use/need/want. Pretty soon it became an obsession. Mami was hitting up 3-6 garage sales a day. Still only on Saturday but she spent most of her time garage sale shopping rather then food shopping. Chairs, tables, and artwork among other things started to appear everywhere in our house. When I would ask her about it she would tell me about the deal she got, with such joy that I just couldn't say anything about it to her.

As mami started to disappear for longer and longer hours at garage sale and more and more stuff started to appear at our house I started to get concern. So I talked to my dad about it, who just shrugged and said " What can I do chiquito? You know how your mom is." Thanks Papi.

My sister on the other hand laughed and told me not to worry that mami was just enjoying some retail therapy. So I let it go. That was until Mami asked me to hustle an older couple for a table. I could not believe that my sweet mother was asking me to hustle this old couple for a table. "Mami" I said. " What? People like you. You can talk them down for me." She said. I tried to reason with her but she would not listen, so I finally had to put my foot down. I would not hustle this older couple for her. She asked me nicely, I told her I wouldn't do it. She beg, I still wasn't going to do it. She threaten to call my father, nope still not doing it mami. Then she pulled out the only card she had left. My grandparents. I am a sucker for my grandparents.

In the end mami got her way. Well that's what she thinks at least. I could not do it. I could not hustle this cute little old couple over a table. I payed them the price they were asking for. When I got back home with the prized table mami just assumed that I was able to talk them down. I never corrected her. I did not see a reason why I should. She had her table (which we don't need) and the little old couple got their money (which they do need). So to me it was a win-win. I have never in my life been so excited for winter. It means the end of garage sales for a while, and hopefully by the time summer comes back around I will be able to send mami to garage sale rehab. Now I just have to make sure that I can keep thrift stores a secret.

Y no es de aquí porque su nombre no aparece en los archivos, ni es de allá porque se fue.

2008-11-11T08:58:00.000-08:00

Two weekends ago I was able to go see Barack and Michelle Obama speak in Pueblo, Co. Pueblo is a 2 hr drive from Denver. Maga and Lili also wanted to go. So we packed ourselves into my car and we went on our way.

You could feel the excitement in the air. We where excited to see Barack and Michelle speak. We where excited for the then up coming elections. We where excited for the future and the change it held. On our drive down we started looking for cars with Obama stickers who we thought were also going in the same direction as us.

During our drive Lili and I where able to talk to Maga about our family, life, religion, politics and of course immigration among other things. Maga shared just a small amount of details of what it was like for her to come to the United States. She shocked Lili and I when she said " It was hard, but I know that it is hard for you guys also."

Maga understood that we had our own obstacles to over come. We are the first generation born in the United States. We are children of immigrants, children who really don't belong anywhere. Maga and Lili wanted to know what it had been like for me growing up with two cultures. Even though Lili is going through the same things I went through being her older cousin she wanted advice.

So I told her.

I told her that some days she would feel like she doesn't belong anywhere and that no one gets her. I told her that to some people we were always going to be too Latin to be American and too American to be Latin. That people where going to tell her that she spoke with an accent. It didn't matter if she spoke in Spanish or English. She would always speak with this so call accent that she could never notice but everyone else could.

I told her that balancing two cultures was going to be difficult. Some days it would feel impossible but she would be able to do it. That most days she would feel like she is torn in two. Her American side and her Dominican side. That some people would hold the fact that she is a U.S. citizen against her. That some people would hold the fact that she is Dominican against her. That she would encounter idiots who will judge her, but that at the same time she will encounter people who embrace her.

I told her to make peace with the fact that she is not really from here or there. To befriend people who are just like her, juggling two cultures and trying to make sense of it all.

I told her that we are lucky. We are lucky because we get to experience the best of both worlds, and to ignore the worst. We are lucky because we speak two languages.We get to experience two cultures. That we can eat mangu and salami for breakfast and McDonalds for dinner and not blink a eye. That we can dance to merengue and switch it hip-hop without missing a beat. That we can speak in Spanglish if we wanted to. That we are now a part of the majority. That we have advantages that our parents and grandparents never had. That most people wish that they where as lucky as we are. That some people die trying to get what we have.That the feeling of being inadequate and not belonging will fade with time. To use her two cultures to her advantage.

Three days later Barack Obama a black man, the son of an immigrant became president.

Benched

2008-09-21T20:49:00.000-07:00

Two weeks after I started my new job, I got injured on the job. Great, so not only am I the new chick, but know I am the new chick who got hurt.

To tell you the truth I didn't even know I was hurt until I tried to put weight on my left leg. The first thing that ran through my minds was " hmm, that's a funny feeling". The sad thing is I didn't get hurt doing anything cool or dangerous. So I don't have an amazing story to tell you about my injury. I was simply unjamming the copier.

I pulled a tendon in my left knee. I was on crutches up until last week. I had to go to physical therapy and everything. Being on crutches sucked. I had never been on them before and let me tell you they suck. Physical therapy was o.k. I finished that last week as well. My doctor released me back to my regular work duty but I still have a hard time going downstairs but I can go up them. There are a few other things that I still can't do like dance, squat, kneel, but the doc says it will be a few months until I am completely healed. There are some other things that I can do but he rather I don't in case I re-injure myself. So I have been taking it easy.

One thing about getting injured is that I saw a new side to people and most of all myself. It has been something. The people I thought would be there to help me and take care of me weren't always there. The people I least expected to care where the first ones to offer to help. Amazing how that works out huh?

Anyways, I have to remind myself daily to take it easy. I can no longer go a million miles a minute like I use too. An other thing being injured has done is made me slow down. Which is something that I am not use too. If I try to over due it, I pay for it dearly that night or else the next day. I am getting better at taking things slowly then I was before. One day at a time, until I heal completely after that I can't promise that I won't go back to the old days of running a million miles a minute after all I am from New York.

Everyone knows I'm in over my head

2008-09-17T14:32:00.000-07:00

Hi there, how's it going? I know it has been a while since I have posted. I am sorry about that but I just haven't had the time to be honest. My new job takes up ALL of my time. I do like my new job, but there are days when I feel overwhelmed, and then I start to wonder what did I get myself into. I still miss my old job and the people that I use to work with, but I have made new friends at my job and I am getting to know some of the families at the new place. Hmm maybe I should stop calling it the new place?

Anyways, for those of you out there in the blogger world who have Blackberry's I have to share something that my cousin recently discovered. I love using Blackberry Messanger. Recently my cousin Karina discovered that you can invite more then one person to a conversation on messanger. Which means that you end up having your own little chat room. Which really comes in handy when you have to tell a few people the same information. We have been using it like crazy and I for one can tell you that I love it.

Hmmm what else ooo yeah the boy, things did not go well there. He is some one that I have known for a while now but due to this reason or the other we never got together. Recently we where both single at the same time and I thought what the heck lets give it a try. Well lets just say that things went down hill fast after that. So that means that I am still taking applications...lol.

As you can see I been busy making some changes to this little blog. So what do you think? I am trying to recreat my blog roll so if I missed your blog please forgive me and then let me know so I can add you.

Hmm, I have other things that I want to share but I will have to post that in a may i recommend post. Oh and we need a new Papi Chulo list right?

They are turning my head out, To see what I’m all about

2008-07-30T19:25:00.000-07:00

So I wrote this long post about my trip to NY. I included pictures and everything, but I have decided not to post it. I don't know why. Anyways my trip to NY was lovely and much needed. I had such a great time that sometimes I think that its not real, that it did not happen. It has been a while since I have laughed so much. It was so nice to be taken care of for once instead of taking care of everyone else. My aunt is so cute, when we would go out she would tell my cousins to take care of me and make sure not to lose me...lol like I was a 4 yr old kid who did not know how to read a map or speak English and Spanish or own a cell phone...lol. It was cute, because she told them that if they lost me they would have to deal with my grandmother cause I am her favorite...lol. All of the above is not true. I am not my grandmother's favorite, and as you can see they didn't lose me...lol

It was nice to see family that I haven't seen in a while and just be able to spend time with them. So many inside jokes have come out of those two weeks that it's not even funny. I was able to visit my cousin in New Jersey and my aunt and uncle in Philly. So in all I had a nice trip. I was even able to see Caro while I was out there, oh man if I thought I missed her before I miss her even more now. We had such a lovely time on the day we where able to hang out.

Coming back home was hard, a lot harder then I thought it was going to be. I am glad to be back home but I find myself missing New York and everyone who lives there from time to time.

I applied for and got a new job which I start on Friday. It is a bittersweet experience for me. I love the job that I am leaving but do to the funding situation it does not look like it will be around much longer. Which is why I had to look for a new job. I found another great job which I am sure I will love as much as the one I am leaving. It still doesn't make it any easier to leave. I love the people I work with and the same goes for the family we help. I have been there for so long that it is hard to leave them behind. I know that my new job is going to be good for me, its a great opportunity. So I am excited about that. I will let you know how that ends up going.

Other wise then that things are good. I have had a good time hanging out with Gabe and Joe my new movie watching buddies. There is another situation involving a boy but I will have to tell you about that at a later time.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

2008-06-30T19:21:00.000-07:00

I will be in NYC from July 1-13th. I will try to post while I am there if not I will post when I get back. I hope that everyone has a great fourth of July. See You soon.

All The Pieces Of Me/ How To Save A Life

2008-06-18T23:47:00.001-07:00

This post is going to be a total mess, so please bare with me.

I recently turned twenty seven. The birthday celebrations where good, but I keep going back to something I heard a comedian say a while ago he said that men should only date women under 25. That once a women turns 25 something clicks and all the sudden she is all about getting married and having children. I at the time like everyone else who heard it laughed, but now I find myself thinking about getting married and having kids more, but not just because everyone around me is getting married and having kids. Although I am sure that might have something to do with it.

The last few years have been hard for me and my family and I go through phases of being ok and then not being ok. Which everyone tells me is "normal" but here is where I stand at the moment.

The other day while taking a shower I had this thought that I need to hurry up and get married and have kids because I only have one set of grandparents left and I really want them to be there at my wedding and I want my kids and future husband to meet them. With all that has been going on I have realized how truly blessed I am. I have a great (crazy but great) family. I have amazing friends, a great boss, a job I like and I want someone to share that with.

I want someone to meet my Tio Teo and Tio Geno and see where I get my love of music from. I want someone to meet my mom, aunts, grandmother and Tio Alfredo and see where I get my love of food and cooking from. I want them to meet my older sister and see where I get my love of books and reading from. I want them to meet my father and see where I get my love for people especially children from. I want them to meet my middle sister and see where I get my need to be alone from. I want them to meet Caro, Gabe, Joe, Nat, Kari, Mady, etc and not only see but also meet some of the most important people in my life. I know that is a long list of people to meet but what can I say, I have a large family, which use to drive me crazy to tell you the truth but as I have grown I have learned to love them. So many people, so many personalities and in the end they make me who I am, and I am at the point in life where I want to share them with someone.

Not only because I think they are amazing, but because they truly are amazing, and I want my future husband and children to meet them before its too late. They are already going to miss meeting my maternal grandparents, who where some pretty amazing people. I know that we can share picture and stories but its not the same. You would have had to have met my grandfather to understand his love of jokes, which you can see a little of in my sense of humor, and mama who was quiet and strict but loved her garden, dancing and most of all her family. She also had a wicked sense of humor. I got some of those qualities as well especially the love of family.

When I share this with people they tell me that I shouldn't be in such a hurry that I am still young and that it will happen soon. At that point a part of me agrees with them and there is a part of me that screams that I am not that young and when will this all happen.

I don't want to waste anymore time. If what has happened in the last couple of years has taught me anything is that I don't know how much time I have left with the people who are the most important to me. Papa died with in ten days after we where told he had about 3 months. Mama died six months after that and after mama passed it just seems like we can't go more then three months without someone else in the family or a family friend (who is like family) passing away.

When I was younger I use to think that my grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles will live forever. I now know that is not true. I didn't count on an illness that would slowly steal my father away from me, or losing two grandparents in a year. I didn't count on my brother-in-law getting sick and his need for a transplant and my sister being a perfect match and donating her kidney to him. The day of their operation was one of the hardest day of my life, being so far away and knowing that I couldn't be there.

All that life throws at you, all that we have been through and still have to go through. For example right now I can see that one of my cousin's who I love more then anything, is going through something. She is in pain and there is nothing I can do. "You cant save everyone Karla, no matter how hard you try" is what my friend said to me recently when I was explaining the situation to her. " You cant save everyone". That was so hard to hear.I come from a family where we "save" each other all the time. There are so many of us that there is always someone that you can call who will help you out. So it was so hard for me to hear that I couldn't save her. I know I cant save everyone and I don't want to save everyone but I want to save her, I want her to know that she is not alone that she is worth saving, that there are people who love her. I know she has to go through most of this alone but I want her to know that there are people there who not only love her but want to help her. I know that a part of her knows this already it just that the whole situation is so frustrating.

Sometimes I wish that life came with a remote control where you could rewind and fast forward. I don't usually regret things (something I also got from my grandparents) I was taught to be thankful for what you go through because in the end it makes you a better person, and I truly believe that but there are a few moments where I wish I could rewind, redo and sometimes fast forward. I want to see if I, if we come out alright on the other side.

So You Take A Picture Of Something You See

2008-06-03T14:02:00.001-07:00

I am sorry that I am posting this so late but here it is.

The welcome sign at the airport.

Our hotel.

The great thing about Louisville is that they have cool history facts all over town like this.

The bridge by our hotel that connects Louisville to Indiana.

Louisville from the bridge. This is from our trip across the bridge at midnight.

We made it!

Indiana on the way back.

Grover showed up to our conference, I was so excited.

On our last day there we had a few hours until our flight so we went to Churchill Downs.

The original finish post.

Some of the most famous horses of the Derby are buried on the grounds. Barbaro will be buried there in 2009 before the derby.

The names of all the Kentucky Derby winners are placed all around the grounds.

The track.

The jockeys locker room.

This was a gift to the Derby from a British artist.

That was my trip in a nut shell.

¿Donde fuiste a parar, donde estas?

2008-04-02T20:31:00.000-07:00

So I just got in a few hours ago from my trip to Louisville. Like always I had a great time. I love it down there.

Every year my boss sends me to this conference that is usually held in Louisville. This year a few of my co-workers where able to come with me.

We arrived late on Saturday night so we went straight to our hotel. Our conference started on Sunday. Sunday night we went to the Hard Rock for dinner. We had a great server who gave us great tips on good place to go see/eat etc, but we were still jet-lagged so we called it a night.

Monday night we went out to eat with the rest of our group who had arrived to Louisville a few days before us. We had a great time. It has been a while since I have laughed that much. During dinner someone said something about crossing the bridge by our hotel over to Indiana, we all thought that was a great idea so that is what we did after dinner. So here we are the five of us crossing the bridge at like midnight laughing and joking around the whole time.The weather was so nice and the view was beautiful.

Yesterday was our last day in Louisville, thankfully our conference ended early so we took the opportunity to go to Churchill Downs. My dad is a huge fan of the Kentucky Derby so I have grown up watching it on t.v., so it was great to actually be there. I took a bunch of pictures for him and got him some souvenirs at the gift shop.

We left Louisville early this morning, it is good to be home but a part of me is going to miss Louisville. I have a bunch of pictures to share but that will have to be another post.

El Papi Chulo List: Part 10

2008-03-18T18:33:00.000-07:00

Sorry that it took a while but here it is.

Javier Bardem

Clive Owens

Dylan McDermott

John Stewart

Eric Mabius

Victor Noriega

Chris Brown

Cristiano Ronaldo

Robert Buckley

Lewis Hamilton

Prince Harry

Julian Ovenden

Ryan Gosling

Simon Baker

Milo Ventimiglia

Jason Taylor

Jimmy Jean Louis

Tanoai Reed

All images courtesy of Google.

Me Haces Falta

2008-03-05T19:13:00.000-08:00

I really do miss this little blog, and all of you.To all of you who still come by and check to see if I have written anything yet. I thank you for checking in and I apologize for the lack of blogging. There are times where I feel like like I should blog but then I really don't have much to blog about. I am pretty boring...Lol. I am working on that.

Lets see what is going on...I have now lost a total of 9 lbs. So the Great Weight Lost of '08 is going well.Even though, I have no desire to exercise. I mean at all, so I have to find a new motivation for working out. I am still careful with what I eat, I just don't want to work out.

Anyways...

I was reading through this here little blog and I noticed that I owe you guys a new El Papi Chulo List. I am going to work on that some time over the weekend. So please make sure to leave your suggestions in the comment section.

Something To Think About

2008-02-05T15:48:00.000-08:00

A few days ago I came across this quote and it stopped me in my tracks. So I thought I would share it with you.

The greatest hazard of all, losing one's self, can occur very quietly in the world, as if it were nothing at all. No other loss can occur so quietly; any other loss - an arm, a leg, five dollars, a wife, etc. - is sure to be noticed.

I don't know who said this but I found this to be so true and at the same time so sad. I think through out this journey called life we all lose a little bit of ourselves for one reason or the other. I think the greatest battle is trying to find the bits we have lost and reclaiming them.

And So It Is, Just Like You Said It Would Be

2008-01-20T18:43:00.001-08:00

Wow, where did the time go? Three years already. I was suppose to post this like 3 days ago but to tell you the truth I totally forgot.

A quick update on the (Great Weight Lost of '08) as my coworker calls it, I have lost 4 lbs that includes the 2 lbs that I had regained. Woot go me! I know that I am doing something right because my mother said something the other day about how I looked skinnier. I wasn't sure that I heard her right so I made her repeat it. Mami and I have always fought about my weight. So for her to notice was a big deal for me. When I started this I did not think it would affect any one else really, but my co-worker who is also trying to lose weight said that I "inspire him to stick to it." Which I thought was very sweet of him.

I received a great compliment the other day from one of the district big wigs when he asked me to co-teach with him at a presentation he was holding for parents in our program. At first I thought he was joking but he was totally serious. So once it set in that he was serious, we got to work on our lesson plan and I have to say that our presentation went very well. At the end of it he told me that I was "amazing" and " very good" at what I do and that my boss was "lucky" to have me. I of course joking around asked him if I could get that in writing. He laughed and said he would email it to me. Still haven't gotten the email. I will let you know if and when I do.

Oh before for I forget I also wanted to share with you that I am finally a college graduate. Yay! I received my diploma last week. So I am super excited about that.

Happy Three Year Anniversary Real Women Have Curves!

Real Women Have Curves Part 2

2008-01-08T20:43:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! May 2008 bring you all many great and wonderful things.

I know, I suck at this blogging thing.

Two years ago when I started this little blog it was suppose to be a way for me to track my weight lost journey. Pretty soon I stopped blogging about my weight lost, and I started blogging about everything else. Soon after that I stopped trying to lose weight.

Two years later here I am, right back where I started. I have always been a "big" girl. I was a fat baby, a fat kid, a fat teenager and now a fat adult.

Everyone has an " Ah ha" moment and mines came this summer. In August I went to Fiesta Tropical '07 with my cousins. I spent the whole time guarding our table while they where out dancing and having a good time. I felt like crap and I was pissed. Mostly at myself for letting myself get this out of control.

It still took me two months to decide to do something about it. In November during all the After-Thanksgiving sales I went out and bought a new Elliptical. At first I used it here and there still not ready to make a change. Then I went to an other party and as I was getting ready it hit me, " I can't keep living like this."

So I started working out more and I started to clean up the way I ate. So far instead of gaining weight during this holiday season, I lost 3 lbs. So what does all of this mean for this little blog, it means that I will start to blog more about my attempt to lose weight as well as other things that are going on in my life.

This is not my first attempt at losing weight and I know that the road ahead is a long and hard one, but something tells me that this time I am going to reach my goal.I may not know what is going to happen in the future, but there is one thing I know for sure when Fiesta Tropical '08 comes around I WON'T be the one guarding the table.

El Papi Chulo List: Part 9

2007-11-17T19:33:00.001-08:00

Just in time for the holidays El Papi Chulo list. Enjoy!

Sendhil Ramamurthy.

One of the hottest Heroes around.

Cameron Mathison.

Umm just look at him.

Edgar Ramirez.

Ladies let me introduce you to Edgar. Edgar is an actor, you might remember him from movies such as "Domino", " The Bourne Ultimatum" etc.

Hill Harper.

What can't he do?

Nigel Barker.

He is my top model.

Eric Balfour.

Go rent "Lie with Me" all I am going to say.

Henry Simmons.

You can catch him on "Shark" every Sunday night.

Shane West.

How come the ER doctors here look nothing like this? Just saying.

Jesse Bradford.

Yes, I went there. Caro remember how much you loved him?

Christopher Gorham.

I love Henry!

Keith Robinson.

El papi from "Dreamgirls".

Kevin Alejandro.

I loved Santos. I was pissed when they killed him off, but thankfully I can catch him every Sunday night on "Shark".

Mark Ruffalo.

I love, love him.

Scott Elrod.

Ladies let me introduce you to Scott. Scott here is an actor he is currently starting in " Men in Trees." Which is a great show by the way.

Gareth Gates

Again let me introduce you to Gareth. Gareth here is a pop singer from across the pond.

Shane and Shawn Ward.

I am doing a lot of introducing tonight....anyways. Ladies meet Shane and Shawn. Yes they are twins! A first for El Papi Chulo List. Shane and Shawn are Co-CEO's of Detny Shoe Company.

Steven Strait.

Steven here is a model and actor.

The OE

He is the hottest secret agent around, due to reasons of National Security, I can't post his picture you are just going to have to take my word on this one :)

And that is all for this edition of El Papi Chulo List.

All Images courtesy of Google.

That Time Of The Year

2007-10-08T18:49:00.000-07:00

for a new edition of El Papi Chulo List. So here is your chance to give me your suggestions. Then make sure to check back to see who made the list.

What You Know About This?

2007-09-10T22:05:00.000-07:00

The other night I was watching t.v. with my mom when the host of the show we where watching starting talking about "how kids today don't know music". His words not mines. He went on to say that kids today (and by kids he meant anyone under 35)don't know about the great bolero singers. At this I pulled a Nana on the t.v.

(Pulling a Nana consist of yelling at the person on t.v. as if they can hear you and worse respond.)

The reason behind my pulling a Nana was that i know about old school boleros. I am not saying that I know everything about them, in fact I have a lot to learn but I know old school boleros. They are my childhood. I almost died because of old school boleros and this fool is on t.v. trying to say that no one under 35 knows about that? You got to be kidding me.

I am the baby in my family. Which means that when I was younger my dad would take me EVERYWHERE with him. He would pack my bag, tell my mom to get me ready and off we would go for the day. My dad LOVES his boleros. They are really all he listens to. So since I spent all my time with him,I listened to boleros all the time.

I know most of them by heart. I can also tell you the name of the song and who sings it with in the first 5 seconds of the song coming on. My daddy taught me well.

I want to share with you my all time favorite song. I know I am always talking about how this song or that is my favorite but this one tops them all. I think it is the most beautiful song in the world.

Por Amor which was writing by Rafael Solano, who happens to be Dominican. Many consider this song to be the most famous Dominican song is the world, it has been recorded in just about every language by just about everyone. So here it is for you to enjoy. Make sure to check out both versions of the song.

Here is the original sang by Nini Cafaro:

And here is Mariachi version, which is the way most people know it:

I have to say that is my favorite version of the song, I love the way this guy sings.

Watching that made me wonder what happened to las serenatas? We need to bring those back.

I'm Getting To Know You Between The Lines

2007-08-22T20:08:00.000-07:00

When I was younger I would drive my mother crazy asking her questions about herself.

" Mami, when you where younger what did you want to do with your life?"
" Mami, was papi your only boyfriend?"
" Mami, what where you like as a kid?"

My mother would either ignore me until I got tired of waiting for her to answer and went off to bother my sisters or father or tell me to go do something and leave her alone.

This worked until my teen years when I would sit and wait for her to answer. She would usually dance around the questions or say something so crazy that I would forget what I had originally asked her.

As I got older, I stopped asking.

Recently without me asking mami has been sharing little things about herself.

It has been really great because some of the things she is telling me, are things that I have been wanting to know for years. I have always felt like my mothers life was a great big top secret mystery, and I use to joke around and tell people that my mom was really an assassin or something like that because I knew very little about her.

I finally feel like I know my mother. I am also shocked at how similar we really are but yet at the same time how different we are. When I was younger I use to doubt the fact that I was really her daughter because we were so different. So it is nice to know that we have somethings in common.

Through our sharing sessions I have found out a lot about my mother. Like how funny she is. Some of the things she says crack me up. She was also way cooler at my age then I will ever be, and something that I have known my whole life how incredibly strong she is. Along with a whole bunch of other great, cool, interesting only to me things.

I am so glad that we were able to do this. It has helped me to see my mami with new eyes.

Top Five Reasons Why I Love Juan Luis Guerra

2007-07-30T19:39:00.000-07:00

5. He is an amazing song writer. Have you looked up the lyrics for songs like Bachata Rosa?

I picked this version of the song because it has the lyrics in English and I know that not everyone who reads this blog speaks Spanish :)

4.He is proud of his roots and where he came from and loves to share it with the world.

Most of his music videos are shot in D.R.

3. He joined up with Mana (one of my favorite bands) to make one of the best song of 2007.

2. I grew up listening to his music.

1. He speaks on a full variety of topics in El Costo De La Vida, way back in 1992 and they are still valid today.

Hmm I am sure I can come up with more but I am pretty sure that everyone is jamming right about now. You can go here to find out some more about my beloved Juan Luis Guerra.

May I Recommend: Movie, Music, Book and Website Edition

2007-07-18T19:48:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the books, movies, music and a website that I have been enjoying lately.

First up the Movies:

I just saw Quinceañera this weekend and fell in love with it. This is a great movie, I fell in love with Chalo González who plays Tio Thomas.

Go out and rent this movie and you will see why. Also if you are like me and cry at movies keep the tissues handy, you are going to need them for this one.

You know I had to go see this one. Ocean's Thirteen was a fun movie to watch. I am glad that they took it back to Vegas. Al Pacino is a great addition to this already star studded cast. I love him in this movie. Also the other boys in this movie don't let you down.

Next Up Music:

The boys of Maroon 5 are back. I love this album. Nataly gave it to me for my birthday and I have been jamming to it since then. While the first single Makes Me Wonder is good, I have to say that Goodnight Goodnight, Better That We Break, and Back At Your Door are my favorites. Little Of Your Time, Wake Up Call, and Won't Go Home Without You are also great songs.

You know that I had to support my boyfriend. I am also enjoying this album although I will admit that I still have to listen to the whole thing straight through. From what I have heard so far Impacto both the remix and the original version are a great choice to start a party. Also Jefe, En Sus Marcas Listos Fuera and Ella Me Levanto are also good songs.

Let me start by saying that I LOVE Juan Luis Guerra. Ok now that, that is out of the way I love this album. He said in an interview that this is his most romantic album to date, and I would have to agree with him. This whole album is just amazing. I can listen to this album from start to finish and then repeat it. I love La Llave de Mi Corazon but my favorite song off of this album by far is Si Tú No Bailas Conmigo. You just have to listen to it to get what I am saying. Other great songs are Que Me des Tu Cariño, Como Yo,Sólo Tengo Ojos Para Ti, A La Vera and Amores. Oh what the heck the whole album is good. I suggest that you go out and buy it you wont be disappointed.

This is why I love iTunes and the song of the week. Jesse y Joy where the free song of the week a while back and I fell in love with their music. The first song I heard was Espacio Sideral and I loved it, so I bought the whole album without listening to the rest of the cd. I normally don't do that but something told me I would not be disappointed. Guess what? I was right. I can also listen to this album from start to finish.I know that some people compare her voice to Shakira from way back in the day. On some songs I will have to agree on others I don't think so.Either way this is a great album. My favorite song is Somos Lo Que Fue. Llegaste Tu, Cielo Azul, and Ya No Quiero are also great songs.

I discovered Tiziano Ferro through my novela ( La Fea Mas Bella). He sang a few songs in one episode, and I liked what I heard so I check him out on iTunes. In case you can't tell by now, I love iTunes lol, anyways back to the subject at hand. I love the song Te Tomare Una Foto. Oh man talk about a beautiful break up song. I also love Y Estaba Contentisimo. The other song that I just love from him is Tardes Negras off of his album 111 Ciento Once.

Ok enough with the music on to the books:

I loved this book. I got it as a gift for my birthday. This book will make you laugh, cry, turn all shades of red from embarrassment, and wonder where you can find a papi chulo like Diego. It will also remind you to call your sister and tell her how much you love her. At least I know that I did.

I am addicted to the Shopaholic series. So when I got this book for my birthday I was super excited and could not wait to read it. Although this book start out a little slow once it picks up you wont want to put it down.

This was also a great book. Same as above once you start you don't want to stop.

This is a amazing book.If you have not read it yet, I suggest you stop by your local bookstore and pick it up.

This book broke my heart. There where times where I had to put it down because I could not read it due to the tears in my eyes. I can't believe what we as human beings do to other human beings. If you read just one book off of this list this is the one I suggest you pick. No matter where you stand on the immigration debate this is a must read.

While I was reading this book this song and video kept popping into my head. You all know I love Ricardo Arjona, and while I am not a big fan or Norteño music the lyrics to this song are so powerful that I had to share.

And now for the website:

If you are a book worm like me then you are going to love Shelfari. Go on check it out.

That is the list for now.

All You Need Is Love

2007-07-07T21:31:00.000-07:00

I have signed into blogger and looked at a blank posting screen so many times now that I lost count. I have a feeling that I should write an entry, but when it is time to write something I can't think of a single thing that I want to write about.

I finally have something to write about. Yay! Go Me!

Anyways on to the post...

My birthday was last month (June 2) and it quickly turned from a day into a month long celebration. Just about every other day it seemed during the month of June, I would receive either a phone call, email, e-card, birthday card, gift, party, flowers, serenade, or a cake made in honor of my birthday. This is the first time that anything like that has happened to me and it was pretty much amazing. It really made me feel blessed and loved. So needless to say June was a great month.

Some how and I blame Caro for this (cause I got to blame someone for it :) ), word got out that I love to read and just about everyone I know gave me either a book or a gift card to Borders or Barnes and Nobles. I have been spending the last couple of days reading some of my new books. So far three down eight to go.

One of the parents from the program I work at made me a beautiful cake. Which caused quite the commotion when I brought it home. Oh in case you wanted to know the cake was yummy, as where all the cakes and treats that I received for my birthday.

I spent the actual day sleeping in...lol. Ok that did not happen, I actually spent the day working in the garden with my mother and then later on in the evening Nataly took me out to eat and for a drink. After dinner we went to my cousins house for more drinking and some fun times with the family.

Caro called me from Argentina. Which totally made my day and my paternal grandparents serenaded me with Las Mananitas (by phone of course seeing as they live in Ny) like they do every year. Which always makes me cry. Mostly because I miss them so much.

This has so far been the best birthday I have had ever hand down. I want to thank everyone for all the well wishes, laughs, tears, songs, amazing gifts, cakes and parties that have made my birthday extra special this year.

7 random facts about me

2007-06-23T20:30:00.000-07:00

I was tagged by Suvii,ok here we go....

Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write their own blog with their 7 things as well as these rules. You need to tag 7 others and list their names on your blog. Remember to leave a comment for them letting them know they have been tagged and to read your blog.

My 7 random facts:

1. I was almost born in my parents restaurant. My mom went home early that day because she was not feeling well and her water broke on the train. Guess what her next stop was?

2. My dad missed my birth, in fact he did not meet me until the next day. One of his best friends was arrested on the day I was born, and since he had no idea i was making my entrance (darn you lack of cell phone)he spent the day trying to figure out what happened to his friend.We use to go and visit him at Rikers all the time. My dad's friend was released on my 18th birthday.

3. My family moved to D.R. when I was 2 months old. We lived there until I was 4 years old.We moved back so I could go to school in the U.S.

4. When I was younger I wanted to be an Olympic figure skater.

5. English is my second language. I learned English in school and through Sesame Street. Thanks Big Bird.

6. Most people think I am this nice, quite girl. What they don't know is that,I have been going to 21 and over clubs and hung out with a crew that was 10 yrs my senior and did some serious partying along the way since the age of 15. Just in case you where wondering how I did that my cousin was dating the club owners nephew and he would get me in.

7. I graduated from high school with honors in French, but since I don't use it I have lost all of it.

There you have it now I know tag Caro, Nataly, Kim, Janette, Reese, Chrissy and Yvonne. Have fun ladies.

El Papi Chulo List: Part 8

2007-06-14T19:34:00.000-07:00

Just in time for all those hot and long summer days another edition of El Papi Chulo List. Enjoy!

Keanu Reeves

I know Keanu went through a "stage" there where he was fighting el chulo, so here is a picture from way back in the day when he was all about el chulo.

Jason George

Jason was on What about Brian which aired on ABC. It was a good show it is a shame that it was canceled.

Juan Soler

Juan is a huge telenovela start in Latina America. He has been heating up the small screen for years.

Paul Sculfor

Jennifer Aniston sure knows how to pick them.

Sam Page

Sam can be seen on the t.v. show Shark which use to air on Thursday nights on CBS.

Christian De La Fuente

Christian here is an other telenovela star. He was most recently seen in Ugly Betty as the hot director from Mode Brazil.

T.R. Knight

Yet another papi chulo from Grey's.

Andy Roddick

Yet another chulo from the tennis world.

Andy Garcia

I hope I don't have to explain myself with this one.

Enrique Iglesias

Este papi can be my hero anyday.

Matthew Davis

Yet another papi chulo from What About Brian.

Topher Grace

Topher is just yummy all around.

George Lopez

George cracks me up, and we all know that I love a man who can make me laugh.

David James Elliot

David played Harm on the t.v. show J.A.G. and there is nothing better then a man in uniform.

Tony Dovolani

Two scoops of yum and a hot dancer while he is at it.

Raja Bell

It is a shame that the NBA season is ending because I would like to see more of this papi.

Avery John

David Beckham better watch his back because este papi is hot on his heels. Also ladies after you are done drooling over Avery please make sure to stop by here and vote for him in the MLS All Star Game.

Maksim Chmerkovskiy

Yet an other papi chulo from the dancing world.

Aventura

Umm yeah.

All images courtesy of Google.

Happy Birthday Papi

2007-05-24T19:01:00.001-07:00

I just wanted to wish mi papi a very happy 60th birthday. That is right today is mi papi's birthday! Seen in the picture above with my sister.

Feliz Cumpleanos Papi!

Some days are meant to be remembered

2007-05-23T20:34:00.000-07:00

Today was one of those day. Actually this has been happening on and off for a few weeks now.

Today I ran into one of my old students mom. She came to enroll her youngest son in my school. The minute I saw her I knew who she was but was unsure if she remembered me. She did and as we started to catch up she told me something that made me smile. She said " You know F has never forgotten you, to this day he still talks about you."

I was surprised to hear that considering that when I was her sons teacher he was four, and I can barely remember anything from when I was four. So for him to remember me was amazing, but then again not everyone has crappy memory like me.

Anyways, She informed me that he is in the fourth grade now. Can you believe that one of my students is in the fourth grade? Goodness where has the time gone? She told me that they can't get him to stop talking which made me laugh because way back when due to a speech impediment F would barely speak. So to hear that he has turned into a talker was great news.

I have been running into old students,their parents, and ex co-workers everywhere. It has really been a blessing. Lately due to a few incidents (for lack of a better word) I have been feeling like crap. I have been doubting and second guessing myself a lot. I even thought about giving up teaching. So to run into people who know me back when is great.I am so grateful to them for sharing their stories with me. Right now they mean more to me then anyone will ever know.

One of the best things in the world is to walk into a school and hear a voice somewhere say " Ms. Karla is that you?" I love it when families come up to me and are so excited to introduce me to their relatives or the newest addition to their family. " Mira Ms. Karla, in a few years he /she will be in your class." Its not only a great feeling but also a great honor to know you made an impact in someones life.

I know that if you go back far enough you will find those blog post where I am ranting about how much I disliked working with middle school kids. Which at the time was how I felt and I don't regret writing those post. Well I ran into one of those middle school kids the other day. He is now a high school junior and it was great to run in to him. I could not help but laugh as he told his friends " Nah, man Ms. G is cool, you just don't know." It was also good to hear that he is doing so well in school. I can't believe that next year he will graduate.

I also blushed from embarrasement as an ex co-worker that I have not seen in a long time told a big shot in the district " Have you seen this girl teach? She is like magic, I mean it is amazing. You have to watch her teach, you might learn something." What do you say to some thing like that? "Thank You" does not seem to do it justice.

If fact what do you say when a student who you were sure you failed comes back and tells you that you where the first person to believe in them and because of that they were able to believe in themselves? or when a child writes you a note thanking you for going to their game/concert and you realize that you were the only adult in their life that bothered to show up that night?

What do you do when a grown man comes to you in tears and thanks you for giving his child a chance? What do you say when a women who was abused comes back and tells you that you not only saved her life but her children's as well? That because you kept insisting she finally went back to school and will graduate in a few days? When a family who has nothing gathers the few dollars they do have to buy you a gift as their way of saying thanks? Some time there are no words to express how you feel, and some times "Thank You" is not enough.

I hope you all know I am not bragging trust me I know I am not all that. I have a lot to learn. My students teach me more then I teach them. I just needed to write this down as a way to remember all the good things. So on those days that I feel like giving up I can come back to this post and remember that I can't. Giving up is not an option. There are kids, families out there who need me. I can't let them down.

Were only taking turns holding this world it's how it's always been when you're older, you will understand

2007-05-19T07:33:00.000-07:00

So I suck at this updating thing. I am so sorry for the lack of posts on here.

Some of my favorite childhood memories are of the times I got to hang out with my sisters and older cousins. I remember going out to dinner with them, and being able to talk to them, ask them questions and get their advise on things like my parents, school and boys. As I look back on it now i realize that my sisters and cousins helped mold me into the person I am today.

Nat, Caro, Joe, Gabe and I have been trying to do that with our younger cousins at least with the ones who live out here. Nat, Caro and I have taken our girl cousins out for a "Girls night" and Gabe and Joe have held " Game nights" at Joe's and Nat's apartment for the boys.We have also told them that they can call whenever to talk about whatever. A few of them have take us up on that offer.

Two weeks ago Nataly, Joe, Gabe and I took all of our younger cousins out to see Spider-Man 3. We planned this outing on the way home one night from Maga's house. We called all the kids and had them ask for permission as Joe said to "get drunk and see Spider-Man 3". I think our little cousins left out the getting drunk part when they asked for permission but we got the green light from everyone and we were all set to go.

We decide to go on Saturday instead of Friday because we knew that opening night was going to be crazy, and there was no way we were going to try going to the movies with this many kids on opening night.

So on Saturday morning Nataly went to the theater to pick up the tickets for the 8 p.m. showing. We then spend the day fielding calls for all the kids wondering if 1.) We were still going? (We were) and 2.) at what time where we going to pick them up? (After 6).

Later on that night Joe and Nat stopped by Joe's parents house to pick up the Suburban which was going to be our ride for the evening seeing as out of the four of us none had a car big enough to fit all the kids. After that Joe and Nat picked me up and we were off to start collecting our kids. We joked about sticking a daycare sign on the side of the burban or running into the house Room Raiders style and just grabbing the kids and running back out...lol.

After we had picked up all the kids we went to FatBurger for dinner. Where we went back in time and had a boys table and a girls table with the exception of Cristian who is 4 and sat with the girls. After ordering we sat and talked and laughed and had a great time. My little cousins are a bunch of really good kids. I already knew that but it was cool to be reminded of that, that night. We finished our burgers and headed over to the theater for the movie. On the way in we asked one of the security guards if he could please take a group picture. He said no at first but after I begged a little more he did.

Since we were early which is a first for us. We grab some snacks and played some arcade games before heading into our theater. The movie was ok. Not as good as the other two but still ok. After the movie Joe and Nat dropped all the kids off and the returned the burban. Gabe and I went home talking about how much fun that was and that we should do it again. Since then the kids have called as have my aunts and uncles thanking us for a fun night and asking for a repeat.

Now with Shrek the Third out we might just have to.

It's going to be alright no matter what they say, It is going to be a good day just wait and see.

2007-04-23T22:41:00.000-07:00

I finally feel better, thanks to all the meds I was on for like a week straight. Anyways, my life is pretty much boring but yet I feel like I should write. I spent the afternoon babysitting Madyson yesterday. Which means I have new pictures! She is so freaken cute! There is no doubt that she is very much my cousins hija for she at 3 months is just like ever other female in this family, Mady loves gossip and being the center of attention. It is so cute and funny how mad she gets when you don't talk to her.

I am going to have to tape her next time so you can see what I am talking about. Until then here is a picture of Mady from Easter.

Yesterday was a very good day. Like I said, I spent the afternoon with Mady
and then we went to visit Mio who had her baby two days ago. Baby Mia is so cute. She is so tiny.

After that Nataly and I took her sister Nini to Village Inn where we talked about everything but mostly our grandparents and boys...lol. Weird combo I know.

After dropping Nini off because her mother was going to kill us if we did not get her home. We went to my house and Nat and I spent some time just talking. It was good to just spend time like that with Nat. You can tell we spend a lot of time together because we were finishing each other sentences or I would know what she was going to say before she said it. Nat kept telling to get out of her head.

During our conversations Nat and I could not help but notice all the good things that have happened to us in the last year. Yes there have been really hard, sad days but in between those bad days there were a lot of good days. Good days like the days when a new addition is born, the day we found out that Tia's cancer was still in remission, and the days we were able to spend with our family who was here visiting from Ny. Those were great days.

We realize during our conversation how truly blessed we are. We have a one of a kind family and all of that is due to my grandparents. Remaining united as a family was the one thing that was important to them. Well that and their faith. Don't get me wrong my family is huge and loud and crazy. They will drive you crazy and there are days where you swear that you are going to commit murder but then you remember how close we all are, the laughs, the crazy good food, the amazing parties, the amazing stories and most of all the love (they don't always show it but it is always there), and then it dawns on you that there is no where else you rather be.

Me tienes tan debilitada

2007-04-14T15:47:00.001-07:00

This cold is trying to kill me. I have been sick for the last week and instead of getting better I keep getting worse. I have kept myself away from everyone because I don't want to get them sick. Which makes me sad because we have family visiting from Ny and I want to spend time with them yet I can't because I am sick.

I was able to hang out with them for a few minutes on Friday for a little while, while we prayed the rosary. It was the first rosary I prayed since my grandmother passed away. It is something that I have wanted to do for a long time, but was unable to.

When everyone returned from D.R. from my grandmothers funeral, my aunt brought me back one of my grandmothers rosary. It was the one I had bought her about two years ago. She told me that mama loved it and used it all the time in Ny. That she would show it off to everyone. That made me happy.

So on Friday when we were praying the rosary, I used mama rosary. The one I gave her. At first it was hard I could not breath much less speak. I did not realize how hard this was going to be. I had to fight back the tears as we prayed. As we went on it got a little easier. After we were done I went back up to my room away from everyone so that I would not infect them.

And so that has been my weekend. I have spent it watching movies and catching up on my shows, drinking a lot of water and medicine, sleeping and doing a whole lot of nothing.

During my weekend of doing nothing I found this video and it made my weekend. I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I did.

What you been doing? Haven't seen you around.

2007-04-09T21:19:00.000-07:00

I am glad that everyone enjoyed El Papi Chulo List. Umm what else. I feel like I should post but yet I don't know what to post about. Sorry, I'm boring. So instead I will post this Meme thing I got off of Caro's blog. Good times I know.

001. When's the last time you ran?
Ha, your funny. Me run?.....lol

002. Do your jeans have rips, tears, and holes in them?
Yes, but do I wear them no.

003. What are you dreading right now?
The final report for my class that i've been putting off.

004. Do you celebrate 4/20?
No.

Umm, where is question # 5? Just saying...

006. Favorite ice cream?
Coconut because it reminds me of D.R.

007. When was your last doctor's visit?
Lets just say it has been a while, but I have to go soon due to work.

008. Do you get the full 8 hours of sleep a night?
haha. no. I wish.

umm 9 is missing also....

010. "First Loves Are Never Over;" is this true for you?
Yes, I still love that fool.

011. Think of all your exes. Would you take any of them back?
ummm, no there is a reason why they are my exes.

012. If anyone came to your house on your "lazy days" what would they find you wearing?
sweats and a t-shirt

no 13 either...

014. Have you ever been on your school's track team?
LOL, see question number one.

015. Do you own a pair of Converse?
No, I'm not that cool.

016. Who did you copy and paste this survey from?
Caro

017. Do you eat raw cookie dough?
Yumm, Yes

018. Have you ever kicked a vending machine?
lol, yes good times.

019. Don't you hate when the radio ruins good songs by playing them over and over?
i dont listen to the radio for that reason.

I wonder where 20 went....

021. Do you watch Trading Spaces?
Nope

022. How do you eat oreos?
I take them apart and lick the cream filling first.

023. Have you ever stayed online for a very long time waiting for someone?
Yes.

024. Are you cocky?
Sometimes.

25-29 decided to take a break....

030. Could you live without a computer?
Are you kidding me?

031. Do you wear your shoes in the house?
my house no. Other peoples house yeah, unless they ask me take them off.

So did 32....

033. At what age did you find out that Santa wasn't real?
Wait, what do you mean he is not real?

034. How many phones, house phones and cell phones are in your house?
Cell phones 5. House phones 7. We like to keep in touch.

035. What do you do when you're sad?
Listen to music.

036. Who would you call first if you won the lottery
TF5.

037. Last time you saw your best friend[s]?
Nat,Gabe and Joe just about everyday if not during the weekend and Caro in March.

Anyone seen 38 & 39?

040. Who or what sleeps with you?
What: My ipod. Who: I am not telling you that.

041. Are you/have you ever been in love?
I have been, might be if this fool gets his stuff together.

042. Pancakes or french toast?
MMMMM, Buttermilk Pancakes.

043. How do you like your eggs?
I love eggs, so i like them anyway.

044. Are you in high school?
Goodness no.

045. Is anyone on your bad side right now?
Ha ha yes.

046. What jewelry are you wearing?
my hoop earrings.

047. What's the first thing you do when you get online?
See who is on Aim.

48?

049. Do you watch Grey's Anatomy?
Yes, I love that show.

050. How do most people spell your name?
The only people who get it right are my family and people who have known me for a while other wise i have seen and heard everything.

051. Would you wear a boy/girlfriends clothes?
Yes, guys clothes are super comfy.

Last call for 52 & 53.

054. Where do you work?
Child Development Center.

55? Not here ok Next....

056. What are you doing tomorrow?
Working, Taking the visitors to the airport.

057. Is Justin Timberlake becoming the next Michael Jackson?
No.

058. Favorite name for a girl?
Ava.

059. Favorite name for a boy?
Oliver.

060. Will you keep your last name when you get married?
Yeah, I am going to hyphen it. That is if I get married.

061. Your favorite restaurant you don't get to eat much at?
coroto's

062. When is the last time you left your house?
um....a few minutes ago.

63-65 gave up....

066. How do you eat your steak?
Well Done.

067. Do you return your cart?
Yeah.

As did 68....

069. Do you have a dishwasher?
Yes but we never use it.

070. What noise do you hear?
P.M. Dawn

071. Would you survive in prison?
I guess.

072. Next concert you hope to go to?
The Fray.

073. What was the last thing you ate?
White Rice and Soup.

074. When was the last time you said I love you and meant it?
Tonight when I saw Nataly and Madyson. Also the last time I spoke with Caro.

75? Ooo, I give up....

076. If all of your friends were going on a road trip, who would be most likely to over pack?
Hands down ME, my mami taught me well.

077. Do you know anyone with the same name as you?
Nope.

078. How many shoes do you own
Good question.

080. When is the last time you ate peanut butter?
Like 5 months ago, I dont know.

081. What service is your cell phone?
Cingular...but it hates Caro's phone.

082. What's for dinner?
Rice and Soup.

083. What's the last thing you purchased?
Stamps.

084. Do your siblings ever pay for stuff for you?
Not anymore.

085. Where is your cell phone?
charging on my night stand.

086. Is your phone on vibrate or ring?
Ring.

087. What brand are your pants right now?
Gap.

088. Ever been to Georgia?
Other then the airport in atl, no.

089. Did you eat breakfast this morning?
No but that is normal for me.

090. Do you like marshmallows?
Yes.

091. What irritates you most on the internet?
The fact that it hates my computer.

092. What brand is your digital camera?
Sony.

093. Do you watch movies with your parents?
Yeah, it depends on the movie.

096. What song best describes your life right now?
Not Ready To Make Nice by the Dixie Chicks

097. Do you own expensive perfume/cologne?
Expensive, I am all about the D&G.

098. Are you taking college classes right now?
ugh, yes it's my last one.

101. Do you like sushi?
Yes, I love it.

102. Do you get your hair cut every month?
No, but Angela would love me if I did.

103. Do you go online everyday?
Just about.

Ok, now that i am done with that I realize that there are a few things I could post about. I will work on that.

El Papi Chulo List: Part 7

2007-03-28T21:20:00.000-07:00

So I found the list. Yay! When I found it I noticed that I was wrong about which part this should be. Not like anyone cares but I thought I should point it out. Anyways I now give you (with the correct edition in place) the latest edition of El Papi Chulo List. Enjoy.

Gerard Butler

Gerard is currently staring in a little movie named 300.

Hugh Jackman

Hugh can make hairy a la wolverine look sexy.

Dermot Mulroney

I loved him in The Family Stone.

Tim Daly

Tim use to be on The Nine (I wonder what happened to that show?).

James Blake.

Ladies let me introduce you to James. James is a professional tennis player. I need to check out tennis.

Carlos Bernard.

Carlos use to play Tony Almeida on 24 that is until they killed him off. :(

Dave Annable.

You can catch this papi on Brothers and Sisters, Sunday nights on ABC.

Common

There is just something about Common that makes him oh so sexy.

Dominic Purcell

I know he looks different with hair. Este papi can be seen on the hit show Prison Break along side another papi Wentworth Miller.

Justin Chambers

Yes, I am aware of the fact that I am working my way through the male cast of Grey's but can you blame me?

Matthew Fox

I so would not mind getting Lost con este papi.

Jason Lewis

So it was hard to pick one picture :)

Josh Duhamel

A good reason to stay home on Friday night.

Lucas Black

Let me introduce you to Lucas. Luke here can be seen in movies such as Jarhead and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.

Jesse L. Martin

All I am going to say is Rent and Law and Order.

Stephen Colbert

Besides the fact that he is amazing. He wears glasses and let get real guys with glass are sexy.

Anderson Cooper.

He is Anderson Cooper enough said.

John Legend

John can sing to me any day.

Jimmy Smits

Ay Jimmy, What can I say he is just hot all around.

Michael Urie

Marc is fabulous.

So there you have it ladies. Until next time.

All Image courtesy of Google.

Stolen,

2007-03-26T22:17:00.000-07:00

So I am still working on El Papi Chulo List. It is going to take longer then expected because someone stole my list. Yes,I have a list. I spend the time in between list making a new list. Every time I see or hear of a new papi chulo, I add him to my list for the next edition of EPCL. That way when I go to post, I just go down my list. Much easier then pulling it off the top of my head. I had a list for Part 8 and 9 but someone stole it and I can't remember all of the guys I had on there. So I am working on it. It is just going to take a little longer. So please hang in there ladies. I will have it up soon. I promise.

Until then I stole this from Suvii.

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Coming Soon

2007-03-20T22:13:00.000-07:00

Thank You to everyone who commented on the Babies. They are so cute, so you can bet that there will be lot of pictures in the future of them.

Ok, So a few people have asked and I happen to agree, It is that time of year ladies.

For what you might ask?

El Papi Chulo List.

Part 8 will be up soon. So keep your eye on this blog. You wont want to miss it.

They Say New Life Makes Losing Life Easier To Understand

2007-03-14T20:20:00.000-07:00

I know it has been a while. Things have gotten a little crazy around here.

This is a happy post believe it or not.

6 months after my grandfather passed away my cousin Karina gave birth to a beautiful, healthy little girl. Baby Madyson is the cutest! Oh goodness do I love her. I can't being to tell you how much joy and happiness that little girl has brought to our family.

15 days after my grandmother passed away my cousin Neri gave birth to twins. A beautiful and healthy girl and boy. Arianna and Daniel are also super cute like Maddi. Ari and Danny have also brought us a whole lot of joy and happiness.

We have been having a crazy baby boom in this family. Not only do we have Maddi, Ari, and Danny but we will be joined by TWO new additions soon. In some ways I cant help but feel like my grandparents had something to do with it.

In a way it is bittersweet. I can't help but wish they were still here so they could meet all of the new additions, yet at the same time I understand that they had to go.

Of course I have pictures.

Madyson

Arianna on the left Daniel on the right.

I have a feeling that my grandparents are smiling down with pride at these new additions.

Tanta Lagrima, Tanta Lagrima, y Yo Soy Un Vaso Vacio

2007-02-24T18:39:00.000-08:00

It has been two whole weeks now.

Two weeks.

Mama is gone.

Really gone.

Some days are better then others. I take them as they come a day at a time.

I can't believe that I lost two grandparents in six months.

I can't wrap my brain around that concept yet.

Something that not too many people know about me is that I use music to cope. Actually I need music. It is like breathing to me. So when Mama was sick, I use to sit with my iPod and just listen to music for hours. It was the only way that I could understand everything that was going on.

I could tell when things were bad by whether or not I was clinging to my iPod. If I had it on at all times it meant things were bad. If I just needed it for a few minutes I know that things would be ok.

When Mama became really sick I use to listen to the song Roses by Kanye West off his Late Registration cd all the time. The lyric really apply to my family and everything that we were going through at that time.

I know it's past visiting hours
But can I please give her these flowers?
The doctor don't wanna take procedures
He claimed her heart can't take the anesthesia
It'll send her body into a seizure
The little thing by the hospital bed, it'll stop beeping,
Hey chick, I'm at a loss for words
What do you say at this time?
Remember when I was nine?
Tell her everything gone be fine?
But I'd be lying, the family crying
They want her to live, and she trying

I'm arguing like what kind of doctor can we fly in
You know the best medicine go to people thats paid,
If Magic Johnson got a cure for AIDS
And all the broke muthafuckers past away
You telling me if my grandma's in the N.B.A.
Right now she'd be ok?
But since she was just a secretary
Working for the church
For thirty five years
Things sposed to stop right here
My grandfather tryin to pull it together, he strong,
Thats where I get my confidence from
I asked the nurse "did you do the research?"
She ask me, "can you sign some t-shirts?"
Bitch Is you smokin reefer?
You dont see that we hurt
But still...

(Chorus)

...I smile
The roses come to see me
And I can't wait for a sunny day
(Im seeing it through your eyes)
Can't wait for the clouds to break

(Verse 2)

Outside of the emergency room, room
You can feel my heart beat, beat, beat
If she gone pull through
we going find out soon
but right now she asleep, sleep, sleep
My mama say, they say she could pass away any day
Hey chick what these doctors know anyway?
Let me see the X-rays
I ain't no expert, I'm just hurt
Cousin Kim took off for work
Plus my Aunt Shirley, Aunt Beverly, Aunt Klaye and Aunt Jean
So many Aunties, we could have an Auntie team
Feel like Amerie "Its this one thing"
When they said that she made it
You see the eyes gleam
I think we at an all time high
To get there we run, we fly, we drive
Cuz with my family we know where home is
So instead of sendin flowers
We the roses...

(Chorus)

I smile
The roses come to see me
And I can't wait for a sunny day
(Im seeing it through your eyes)
Can't wait for the clouds to break

Who brings the sunshine?

Ohhhhh I smile
The roses come to see me
And I can't wait for a sunny day
(Im seeing it through your eyes)
Can't wait for the clouds to break

Papa came to me in a dream a few months before Mama passed away. When I woke up I knew that Mama was going to leave us soon. I knew Papa had come back for her. I told my mom who called my aunt when she thought I was not home and told her about my dream. I remember her telling my aunt that mama was saying goodbye to everyone. That she had visited a few of my cousins before me. Some where deep down I knew what my mother was saying was true, yet I refuse to accept it. We had been here so many times before. Mama was always dying and just like that one from one day to the other she would pull through. Back then I thought what makes this time different from all the others?

I remember the last conversation I had with her. I asked her how she was and she said "alive". When I told her that was a good thing, she told me in true mama fashion " I guess". When I said " Mama don't say that" she laughed. I miss that laugh.

I miss her.

I miss papa.

I was driving to work when Nataly called to tell me mama had passed. The first thing I did was call my dad. I asked him over and over again "Is it true? Papi is it true?"
He did not know. I was the first person to call him with the news. I remember racing back home and looking for a flight so my mom could go and be there in time to bury her mother.

The next few days are a blur. I was unable to cry for a really long time. I cried a little bit when I was on the phone with Gabe, but I was unable to really cry. I was trying to hold it together for my mother. My poor mami she lost both her parents in a six month time period. My mami is a strong women. While she was here she did not cry, she just said that she was glad that both mama and papa where together and no longer suffering. I agree with her, but it is still hard.I was finally able to cry while I was on the phone with Caro.

I am cling to my iPod again. I listen to the same songs over and over. I like to think that they are helping me with the healing process.

I did not get a chance to say goodbye to Mama like I did with Papa. I could not go to D.R. to bury her. I wish I could have more then anything.

So as a way of saying goodbye to mama, I leave you with a song.

Say Goodbye Not Knowing How

2007-02-13T21:28:00.000-08:00

It lays at the bottom of a jewelry box. On top of the green handwriting that says Aug'06 Love, Caro. It's long, black and open from many years of use.

It's a bobby pin.

Mama's bobby pin.

It's the greatest gift anyone has ever given me.

Caro gave it to me this summer. She brought it back with her from D.R.

When she handed me a ball of newspaper and said with a smile on her face "open it" I knew that this was something I was going to love.

After ripping apart the newspaper a smile spread across my face at the sight of the bold and beautiful colors of the jewelry box.

"I bought it in Santiago." She told me. I loved it and wanted to thank her when she stopped me and said "open it." "There is more?" I said.

Caro just smiled at me and said laughing "It's not a lot but it is what I could steal."

I opened the jewelry box's careful not sure of what I was going to find, and there it was a long, black, worn out bobby pin the minute I saw it I knew what it was.

"It's mama's" Caro said. All I could do was nod as I fought back the tears. Some how I whispered out a thank you.

I know to many people a bobby pin is just a bobby pin, but to me it is so much more. Mama always wore her hair up in a bun. One night after Papa passed away Caro was helping her take her hair down, that was when she stole the bobby pin that would later find it's way into the beautiful jewelry box that Caro gave me.

I wish I could tell you how much I love that bobby pin. It is something that I treasure so much.

The jewelry box sits on top of my dresser and to this day it holds only one thing Mama's bobby pin.

For the first few months after papa passed away, I spent hours in my room holding that bobby pin hoping that by holding it, some of Mama strength would rub off on me.
Seven months later, I find myself back in my room holding that bobby pin. The realization that it along with my memories and a few pictures are all that I have left of Mama.

As the tears fall from my eyes, I hold on tight to that bobby pin it is my way of saying goodbye and yet at the same time I know that it is my way of keeping Mama's memory alive. Although she will live forever in my memories and most of all my heart, I can't help but feel that by holding on to this bobby pin, by being able to show it to other people it proves that Mama existed. That she lived a wonderful and full life, that she had a family who adored and most of all loved her. That she has a family who will keep her memory alive.

Even thought I know Mama is in a better place, that her suffering has ended and she is now in heaven with Papa, I find it hard to let go. Seven months later and I find myself in the same situation that I was in seven months ago. Sitting in my room holding on to Mama's bobby pin with tears in my eyes hoping that by holding on to it some of mama strength will rub off on me.

Top Ten Reasons Why I Love Caro

2007-02-10T13:28:00.000-08:00

(It was hard picking only ten but here we go.)

10. Her wicked sense of humor.

9. Our trips to VI.

8. Her amazing talent as a writer.

7. Her love of documenting everything we do with pictures.

6. How she is so passionate about everything.

5. Her love of dance.

4. The fact that she is going to be Margarita the party starter in 30 yrs.

3. Parking lot conversations.

2. The fact that today is her birthday.

1. The fact that she is the best friend/cousin any one could ask for.

Happy Birthday Caro!

Tears in Heaven

2007-02-07T12:33:00.000-08:00

After years of fighting this illness, my grandmother decided she was done. She passed away today. I am sorry that this is so short but I am in a hurry. Thank You for your thoughts, prayers and kind words.

May I Recommend: Music Edition

2007-02-03T00:46:00.000-08:00

I noticed that it has been a while since I have posted one of these so here a few of my favorite music.

I know it is an old cd now but it is still a good one. If you have been on the fence about this one, i suggest that you pick it up. There is more to this cd then Sexyback. Yeah I know it's a good song but there are a lot of really good songs on this cd. Lovestoned, My Love, What Goes Around, Chop Me Up. Are all really good. You can listen to this cd all day.

Yet an other old but good cd. Just like Mr. JT's cd, there are a bunch of great songs on this cd other then Aint No Other Man.Hurt, Candyman, Still Dirrty, Here To Stay are all great songs.

Now this is an old cd. It came out in 2005 but it is good. I discovered Ha*Ash while watching the novelas with my mami. I love this cd. Si Tu Quieres Ser, Ya No, Amor A Medias, No Te Puedo Enamorar. Are all good songs but my favorite is Que Hago Yo?.

All of the artist listed above are good but my favorite are these guys:

This is my FAVORITE cd at the moment. I listen to it all the time. Don't let the cover art fool you. This is an amazing cd. Tamacu is the first song from this duo that I heard and I fell in love with it. Diablo Rojo is also a very good song. The whole cd is good. It is a great cd to have on when you want to chill. I had it on during a dinner party and everyone loved it. Favorite song off of this cd is Ppa. It is just amazing.

That is what I am listening to right now. If you guys check any of these out let me know what you think.

Nadie Dijo Que La Vida Es Facil, Pero Dejame Vivir

2007-01-25T20:45:00.000-08:00

It's been a bad week.

A really bad week.

Don't get me wrong most things are still good. This is going to sound childish but what the hell, I need to vent. That is why I have this blog no? Anyways everyday for the last two months I have been accused of being or doing just about everything. I have been called ever name in the book (In English and Spanish...lol). Shit I think I have been called a few that are not even in the book. At first it was funny. I laughed it off when one of my aunts or my mom would ask me if some rumor about me or one of my cousins was true. I have to admit some of them where good, that is what made them funny. By the second week it was annoying. Two months later it is pissing me off.

I am sick of being second guessed. I am tired of people who should know better, who know me better listening to and even worse believing these rumors. I am tired of defending myself. It gets old when you have to do it every day. Some time more then once.

On top of that things at work went down hill this week.

I am just sick of people.

Shit, I need a vacation. I need to go somewhere warm. Away from snow.

I am sick of snow.

Ok, I am done venting now. I am going to take my grumpy self to bed.

By the way this is my 300th post. Yay!

Two Years Already?

2007-01-17T20:10:00.000-08:00

So two years ago today, I started this little blog. OMG, Where did the time go?

The other day I was reading through some old post and could not help but laugh at myself. I also noticed how much I have grown in the last two years. I want to thank the people who read this blog or who have read this blog at one point in time. Thank you for your comments and advise at one point or an other.

Anyways before I get all sappy and stuff.

Happy Two Year Anniversary Real Women Have Curves!

While I Spend These Hours...

2007-01-12T21:30:00.000-08:00

The other night I went out to dinner with two of my high school friends. I have not seen them in seven years. I am not going to lie, I was nervous about hanging out with them. It has been a while since the last time I saw them so I was not sure of what to expect.

I stopped by my house to pick up the gifts I had for them and headed out for the restaurant where we were going to meet up. They were already there waiting for me. After a quick Hello we were seated.

Our waitress was umm how can i say this nicely, not all there. It took more then 10 minutes just to order our drinks and appetizers. We caught up and it was nice to be with people who knew me way back when. We spent most of the night saying " Do you remember..." or " What happened to..." which were usually followed by " No way, Shut up" and " Really" Before we left, I gave them the gift I had for them which is a picture of our little group from way back when. They loved it. After making plans to meet up again we part ways and as I headed home I thought about how nice it was to see them again and to catch up.

In other news:

So here is a random survey that I stole from Caro. Since she said that I had to post.

1. What is your middle name?
I am so cool that I don't have one.

2.How big is your bed?
A lovely queen size.

3. What are you listening to right now?
"Clocks" by Coldplay

4. What are the last 4 digits in your cellphone number?
Umm, Why?

5. What was the last thing you ate?
Chocolate.

6. Last person you hugged?
Umm, Bianca? I think?

7. How is the weather right now?
Freezing, Dayum Colorado.

8. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
Gobble.

9. The first thing you notice about the opposite sex?
Their smile.

10. Favorite type of Food?
All of them. I love food in general that is why I am a fat kid.

11. Do you want children?
Yes.

13. Ever get so drunk you don't remember the entire night?
No.

14. Hair color?
Black.

15. Eye color?
Green.

16. Do you wear eye contacts?
Yup, but the fact that my vision sucks might have something to do with it.

17. Favorite holiday?
Umm...

18. Favorite Season?
Spring.

19. Have you ever cried over a boy/girl?
Yeah.

20. Last Movie you watched, Who was it with?
Coach Cater with Gobble.

29. What books are you reading?
None right now, but I am going to start "Across a Hundred Mountains" soon.

31. Favorite Movie?
My Big Fat Greek Wedding because it reminds me of my crazy family.

32. Favorite college football team?
Don't have one. I don't watch football. Sorry.

33. What were you doing before filling this out?
Talking to Caro.

34. Any pets?
Not yet.

35. AIM?
Yes, and I love it.

36. Dogs or cats
How about fishes? Dogs are ok though.

38. Favorite Flower?
Orchids.

40. Have you ever loved someone?
Yes.

41. Who would you like to see right now?
Mis Abuelos and Panda.

43. Have you ever fired a gun?
Not yet but will do this summer.

44. Do you like to travel by plane?
Yes, I love planes. I know I am weird like that.

45. Right-handed or Left-handed?
Right.

46. If you could go to any place right now where would you go?
Some place warm.

48. Are you missing someone?
Yup.

49. Do you have a tattoo?
Yup.

50. Do you still watch cartoons on Saturday mornings?
Nope, I am not home when they are on. It is all about the Costco run with the crazy old lady upstairs.

51. Are you hiding something from someone?
Yes, who isn't?

52. Are you 18?
Negative.

53. What is the wallpaper on your cellphone?
An hourglass.

54. Did you get enough sleep last night?
No, I never get enough sleep.

55. First thing you thought about this morning?
"Why is it so cold?"

56. What do you have handy on your bedside table?
A lamp, alarm clock, Chapstick and a book.

57. Grilled or Fried?
Depends on what it is.

58. What makes you unique?
Besides everything?

60. Are you afraid of the dark?
Depends.

61. Favorite hangout?
VI

62.Things you cant live without?
Music, Books, My family, My friends.

63. First thing you will buy if given $1000.00?
A plane ticket for a trip around the world.

64. Favorite song?
Minutos By Ricardo Arjona

65. What are you afraid of?
I cant tell you.

66. Are you a giver or taker?
Both, but I like giving more then taking. So I guess that makes me a giver.

67. What are your nicknames?
Karla,Kar, Karlita, Lita, Katalina, Odessa (Long Story), Lini Packet. I am sure that I am missing a few.

68. What is your dad's middle name?
Antonio

69. What is your mother's middle name?
Gisela

70. Stuck on a deserted island & could bring one thing?
I want to know who made up the one thing rule?

71. Favorite TV commercial?
The Frontier Airline ones. They crack me up.

72. Who is your cell phone provider?
Cingular. Love the bubble.

73. First thing you'll save in a fire?
Hmm good question. There are a lot of things.

74. Favorite color?
Yellow.

75. What is one thing you always bring with you?
My cell phone and ipod.

76. What did you want to be when you were a kid?
A teacher.

77. What do you usually do when the clock reads 7:00am?
Press the snooze button for like the tenth time.

78. The color of your bedsheets?
Green.

79. Who do you want to meet?
My great-grandparents.

80. What do you think about before you go to bed?
I usually pray before I go to bed.

There you have it Caro. I updated.

A Christmas Story with Pictures

2007-01-02T19:11:00.000-08:00

I hope you are ready for a lot of pictures of the same group of people.

It was a few weeks before Christmas and all through the house everyone was moving about. Come one now we are Dominican...lol... anyways back to the story.

It was off to the airport to pick up Caro and her friends, a few days later it we headed off for some ice skating.

The group shot. Chrissy is sending you kisses.

Nataly, Caro and Chrissy hit the ice.

Weeee Ice Skating.

Joe had a good time.

Dont ask me what Nataly and Chrissy are doing to that pole...lol.

Caro and Nataly posing for the camera.

Caro and Chrissy are going pro.

After all that skating it was time to eat.

Chrissy, Jessica and Nataly.

Caro.

The next day we were invited to my aunt Magarita's house for dinner.

That's Magarita the party start and Caro's future.

Caro and Nat hit up the wine.

Then Maga brought out the Don P.

We stopped drinking long enought to share some stories...

I love this picture....lol....

But we went back to the drinking eventually.

The next day we piled into Maga's minivan and headed to Vail.

The drive up.

Us ladies.

Where Chrissy showed us that she is in fact a rockstar.

When Chrissy got here her mother told her not go ice fishing because she might fall in. It became a long running joke with us. On the way to Vail we saw some people ice fishing and decided to stop to take a picture for Chrissy's mom. We found a nice couple who let us join them.

Before we went Ice Fishing.

Looking for a fish.

The fish Chrissy caught.

We then piled back into the van, laughing and agreeing on the fact that that was the coolest thing ever.

We made it to Vail.

Chrissy and Nat made snow angles.

I bet you did not know that there are snow pirates.

Jessica and Chrissy built a snowman.

Then stopped for some tea.

Before our snowball fight.

Umm, Nat you are not suppose to eat the snow.

Later on that night we got ready for a night on the town.

These two gentlemen had to escort all of these lovely ladies around town.

Chrissy and Jessica went back to Cali a few days later and we got hit with a blizzard.

That is just the front yard.

You guessed it even more snow.

When we were finally able to get out we went over to Joe's and Nat's for a game night.

Nataly is trying to teach Caro how to play Yahtzee.

Since that did not happen we hit up Candy Land.

On Christmas Eve,

The boys got dressed up.

As did the girls. So we could...

Update the TF5 picture before...

We hit up some Clue.

This picture is glorious.

Caro and Nat dancing bachata.

Joe and Gabe doing Dick in a box. First attempt.

They finally got it right the second time around.

A few days later we got even more snow and so on the day we could get out we went to Joe's and Nat.

Where we discovered that Caro is really Lady Cana: The failed Dominican Superhero...

and Ian is the Gate Keeper.

Lady Cana and the Gate Keeper got into an epic battle that i can not show here. Sorry.

Us on New Years Eve.

I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday. Happy New Year!

El cádaver del minuto que paso, me dice que asi se vive aquí te guste o no

2006-12-27T22:55:00.000-08:00

"The cadaver of the minute that passed, tells me this is how you live here whether you like it or not."

So much to write about and yet now that I am sitting here in front of the computer. I can't remember a single thing that I was going to write about. I hate when that happens.

Anyways...

Thanks to the wonderful blizzard we had here I have been off for a week now. I needed a break. I was going crazy at work but now that I am home. I can't wait to get back to work. I don't know when I became my mother. I really don't. My mother can never be still she is always moving always doing something. Here I am with two weeks off and I am bored which leads me to move around. I find that I am figity. I'm here and then there. I dont even know what to do with myself anymore. I better find something soon before I lose my mind.

Other then that things are good. Really good. Since my last real post on here things have gotten better. I can gladly say that I am back to being 100% me. It nice to be back. I have noticed that since I have made changes in some parts of my life other parts seem to arrange themselves. Since the last time I posted, I have lost 25 lbs, been proposed to twice, met a new guy, ran in to an old one, reunited with some old friends, made some new ones, laughed a lot, stopped crying, laughed some more, slept like a baby, enjoying life that much more.

I have a ton of pictures to share with you guys but that would be an other post.

If my life was a movie...

2006-12-13T21:48:00.000-08:00

This is what the soundtrack would be. I stole this from J. Sorry for being MIA. My boss is working me hard. One of these days I will post a real entry until then here you go.

Set your MP3 player to shuffle
2. Press play
3. For every question, type the song that's playing
4. When you get to a new question, press next

Opening credits: Pies Descalzos- Shakira

Waking up: Waiting for Tonight- Jennifer Lopez

Falling in love: I Swear- Marc Anthony

Fight song: Can't Nobody Hold Me Down-Puff Daddy & The Family Ft. Mase

Breaking up: No Me Dejes Solo- Daddy Yankee

Making up: Con Ella- Cristian

Life's Okay: Girl-Destiny's Child

Mental breakdown: Beautiful- Christina Aguilera

Driving: I Don't Need a Man-PCD

Flashbacks: Turn the Page- Aaliyah

Happy dance: Do You Love Me- The Contours

Regret: Como La Flor- Selena

Final Battle: Univited- Alanis Morissette

Death scene: Everything Falls Apart- Dog's Eye View

Final credits: Angels- Jessica Simpson

The long road home

2006-12-03T20:56:00.000-08:00

I want to apologize for the sad and depressing tone this blog has taken. I also want to thank everyone for putting up with my sad/depressing state while I worked my way through it.

Some where along the way in between the fight with whats his name and my grandfather passing I seem to have lost and found myself all at the same time. It's been an interesting journey. That's for sure.

Before my grandfather passed I posted on here that I was making changes in my life. I had been working on some of those prior to my grandfathers passing. There were a few that I was not ready to make. That all changed when my world came crashing down on me.

I don't like to admit this, but the fight with whats his name affected me in more ways then I like to admit too. I never thought that someone that I loved, who was so close to me would betray me in that way. It hurt. It hurt really bad. It shook me to my core. I still had not found my footing when my grandfather died. That sent me over the edge. I checked out for a while there. I went through the motions but I was not living life.

When we got back home from the funeral, I found that I was no longer able to sleep. I would sleep for three hours most night if I was lucky. I spent the rest of the time lying in bed looking at the walls in my room. Thinking of everything and nothing all at once. I thought a lot during that time. I re-evaluated my life. During those nights I went through emotions that I was not aware of having. I cried a lot. I thought I was going crazy. I wonder what was wrong with me.

Still I did nothing about it. I kept going through the motions afraid to feel. If I allowed myself to feel it would mean that it was real. I did not want it to be real. So I kept going pretending it had not happened. Denial can be such a blessing sometimes.

The thing that I did not want to realize is that you can only run away for so long. Sooner or later it catches up with you. It took a while but I was finally able to admit the truth. My grandfather had died, I was no longer talking to my cousin and because of that most of my family hates me, i found out who my true friends are, my father is sick and this illness will kill him, my brother-in-law is seriously ill.

There it was staring back at me, the truth, my truth. It was there and there was nothing else I could do about it. I decide in that moment that I was done running. I have been running away all my life.

The first thing I did was cry some more. I let it all out. All the hurt, anger, fear, hate, and betrayal. All the emotions I was feeling. I cried until I could no longer cry. Afterwards I felt better. My mind was clear, I was at peace. I then forgave myself as well as those involved in either situation. I know I posted those cards on here saying I was never going to forgive, but I had to. Not for that person but for myself. As long as I was angry, that person had power over me. By forgiving them, I took the power back.

I then started to make the changes that I had been avoiding. People tell me that I look tired all the time. Changing is not easy. So yes I am going to look tired for a while.

It was not until I checked back in and started living life again that I realized that I had even checked out in the first place. It was in that moment that I realized that I had lost myself. I no longer knew the person staring back at me in the mirror. Whoever that person was, I did not like them. That person was bitter, depressed, stuck, and over all afraid.

After all of this I still could not sleep. I spent my nights thinking. I thought of the bitter person in the mirror. What led me here? How did I become so bitter? What happened to me? I thought and thought. I thought until I was able to answer my own questions. I did not have to ask anyone. I already knew the answers.

I also knew that the real me was still in there somewhere.

During all of this time, one image kept playing in my head over and over. There was little Karla playing hide and seek with her cousins hiding en la enramada where her grandfather and uncles were playing dominoes. Someone ask my grandfather what he did to end up with so many beautiful granddaughters. My grandfather laughs and says " Bella si son, pero esa son candela pura." "Beautiful they are, but those girls are pure fire." Those words have stayed with me all of my life. Us Torres girls are famous for having that "fire". The word on the block is you don't want to mess with us. I had almost let my fire die out. I had almost let life take the fire out of me.

The fire is back. It's not what it use to be, but close.

Baby steps Karla, Baby steps.

The person I use to be, and the person I was meant to be are emerging. I have a better understanding of what I am suppose to do, of who I am.

I can finally sleep at night.

Fotos Y Recuerdos

2006-11-28T23:27:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you come across something the moves you so much that you just have to share it with other people. This is one of those times.

I was watching the news. They were talking about Flashes of Hope. Flashes of Hope is a non profit organization that creates these beautiful portraits of children fighting cancer and other life threatening illnesses.

The portraits, taken by award-winning photographers, help children feel better about their changing appearance by celebrating it. For families of terminally ill children, it's especially important to have a portrait that preserves forever the beauty, grace and dignity of their child. That is from their mission statement. What a wonderful idea.

I cried while I watched this report. Seeing the beautiful portraits on the tv screen made me realize what a beautiful act of love this is. I went online and checked out their website. As I looked around their site I realized that people need to know about this organization. That is what leaded me to this post.

I highly recommend checking out their site. Which is here or on the side bar of this blog under links.

I leave you with one of those beautiful portraits.

Image from Flashes of Hope.

Denver Gets Real.

2006-11-27T21:23:00.000-08:00

Well as real as MTV will allow it to be.

Thats right the Real World Denver is now on the air.

It was weird watching the show. Seeing them go to place that I have been to a million times or know about. The cast is crazy but that is normal for the Real World. Denver looked beautiful. In fact if anyone ever wonder what Denver was like just tune in on Wednesday nights for the Real World Denver.

A change is coming my way.

2006-11-18T23:42:00.000-08:00

I was tired of the old template.

I needed something new.

What do you think of the new template?

I changed my Myspace also.

I get bored and this is what happens. I end up changing everything.

About the last post. It was not directed at one person but a few. I need to vent and when I saw those postcards on Postsecrets . I just couldn't help myself. They said what I have wanted to say for a long time.

Posting those cards helped me get over the situation. I can finally let it go and move on. Thanks for asking though.

A Message Part 3

2006-11-15T13:21:00.000-08:00

Image from Postsecret.

A Message Part 2

2006-11-14T07:25:00.000-08:00

Image from PostSecret.

A Message Part 1

2006-11-13T20:04:00.000-08:00

Image from PostSecret.

The space between your heart and mine is the space we'll fill with time

2006-11-07T17:36:00.000-08:00

I know it has taken me a while to update, but it is not my fault. I was waiting on a few people to send me some pictures from the party that I did not have and really wanted to post.

So here we go. Sorry that this is long.

I arrived late Wednesday afternoon. My ride was late. He left me outside to "freeze" as he says. It wasn't that cold. Anyways, I was suppose to stop in Brooklyn so I could see my maternal grandmother and eat dinner with my aunt and uncle. Due to the fact that my ride was late there was no time. I ended up going straight to the Heights from the airport.

When I made it to the Heights, My grandmother open the door and I wish I had my camera out to take a picture of her face. Her whole face broke out into a smile and she gave me the biggest hug while she asked me "Karla eres tu?" After spending what seem like forever embraced in my grandmothers arm, my aunt came out of the kitchen and came over to say hello. She had to rip us apart seeing as neither one of us wanted to let go.

After the usual rounds of hellos, hugs and tears. I heard my "daughter" say "Karla" as she came running towards me. That was the best thing in the world. I then made my way to the living room to greet my grandfather. Which caused both of us to end up in tears. My grandfather always cries when he hears that I am in the room. Which means I end up in tears because it breaks my heart to see him like that.

You know I took a million pictures so here they are.

The Princess, I can't tell you how much I love this little girl.

While I was in New York I was able to meet some of the new editions to the family. They are too cute and I am going to show them off...LOL

Baby Natalia is the cutest little thing. She almost give my "daughter" a run for her money.

Baby Adrian came all the way from Florida to celebrate.

Ok, I am going to have to give you a little bit of back story before I can post the next picture. My grandfather lost his vision a few years ago. So when someone comes to visit him that he has not seen in a while (like me) or a new member is added to our family he ends up being depressed for days, because he can not see them. So this nearly killed me. I was crying so hard when I took this one. I am amazed the picture even came out.

My grandparents meeting the newest member of our family.

She is such a flirt....La Panda with her men...LOL.

She is too cute for her own good.

I spent the rest of the week helping my aunt set up for the party and running earns and spending time with my family. On Friday night my aunt brought out this video from a sleepover we had in 1991. OMG we were crying from how hard we were laughing. It was so funny and yet embarrassing at the same time. The best quote from that night was my cousins boyfriend saying " Honey after that video we need to re-evaluate our relationship." Oh the good old days.

Saturday was the big day. Of course it was RAINING, even so the show must go on and so we did our hair...
and made sure our lipstick was on right...

Before heading over to the church for the mass...

The mass was beautiful and such an amazing testament to my grandparents and their love. After the mass we took a few pictures....

La familia.
Brian wasn't feeling it.

Pero Adrian was ready for his close up...
So where my grandparents...

After half an hour of pictures we left the church and walked a block down to the hall. Where the party was waiting for us. We ended up taking even more pictures...

Mi veijios.
With their children.
The granddaughters.
and grandsons.
just the grandkids.

The whole family.

My sisters and me.
This picture of my sister and nephew is too cute.

I was able to steal my grandmother away for a minute...

Then I took one with two of my favorite people. My grandfather and uncle...

and of course I got one of the princess...
I was so happy to see my primo's Danny and Jose. Who made it back home safely from Iraq....

Our bartenders where underage but umm at that point no one cared...
The cake was soooooooo gooooooodddddd.....

This is my grandmother's reaction when.....

She saw these guys walk in through the door....

After that it was time to dance until the early morning hour.....

Some of us did not make it.....

Early Sunday morning I was sitting in a terminal at JFK waiting for my plane back to Denver. Wishing I could stay a little longer.

El color de final de la noche, Me pregunta donde fui a parar

2006-10-31T19:09:00.000-08:00

I'm BACK!!!!!!

I am glad that everyone enjoyed the new edition of El Papi Chulo List. I always say this but i think it should be repeated. As long as I am around there will be a Papi Chulo List. So don't worry ladies this list is not going anywhere.

New York was great. I love going home. I have a ton of pictures to share with you guys but I am going to post those later. I also have a whole bunch of crazy/funny stories to share with you guys but right now I am too tired. I must get some sleep.

I just really quickly wanted to send a congrats out to my husband (long story) G for winning the DIY networks Stud Finder contest. I am going to put him on blast right now by posting a pic. Oh well. Here he is.

Before I go, I am going to give you a preview of my trip to New York here is a picture of my "daughter". She is too cute. I am working on a plot to steal her :)

Oh yeah by the way Happy Halloween !!!!

El Papi Chulo List Part 6

2006-10-24T18:29:00.000-07:00

So if you have been keeping up with this blog you know that I am leaving for a few days. I will be in New York. Since I will be gone I am leaving you with well what else El Papi Chulo List. I will see you when I return. Enjoy!

Lance Armstrong.
Lance, why didn't you tell us you were this hot?

Lenny Kravitz - enough said.

Jason Statham= Hotness.

Christopher Meloni.
Umm Law and Order: SVU is all I am going to say.

My Primo Joe.
Cause he's a Badass and he didn't think I would put him on here ha. Oh Ladies he is single.

Colin Farrell
My favorite bad boy.

Julian McMahon is walking sex.

Gary Dourdan.
One of the reason to watch CSI.

Jonathan Rhys Myers.
Besides the fact that he is sexy?

Presenting Rodrigo Guirao he is the Argentine Jesse Metcalfe. He plays the "Gardner" On Desperate Housewives en Argentina.

Barrio Boyzz.
You know they were hot back in the day.

Dave Navarro.
Para Suezette. I know that you love him.

Adrien Grenier.
This one is for Dez.

Danny Pino.
Para Suvii.

Jamie Camil.
Cause I love him.

Justin Timberlake.
Mr JT.

Benjamin Bratt.
I'm at a lost for words.

Ricky Martin.
Cause he is pretty to look at. Imagine seeing that every day first thing in the morning.

Ryan Reynolds.
Alanis has great taste.

Romany Malco.
You can catch this Trinidad Papi on Showtimes Weeds.

Ricardo Arjona.
Have you heard him sing?

Blaine Wilson.
The reason I am going to start watching more gymnastics during the Olympics.

Rodrigo Santoro.
The reason I am sooo going to Brazil.

Victor Webster.
Two scoops of yummy and my future husband.

To Where You Are

2006-10-22T18:19:00.000-07:00

Papa,

It has been three months now since you left us. I still find it hard to believe. I guess you can say that I am in denial. A part of me still refuses to admit that you are no longer here. A part of me keeps hoping that you will return to us. That I will here your voice again, see you again. I layed in bed this morning and listened to my dad talked to mama on the phone and I sat there and wait for him to say " Juan Torres" like he always did when he talked to you. I waited to hear him laughing with you as you joked around with him on the phone. I wait for mami to talk to you but it never happened because you are no longer here. I had no choice but to get up and get ready for your mass, We have been going to mass every month since you have passed sometimes it is easier then others. I don't know if it would ever stop hurting.

Ay Papa why did you leave us? Can't you see that we still need you? Who I am going to go and milk the cows with? Eat oranges with? Your no longer here to do those things with me and I don't want to do them without you.

Forgive me pretty baby but I always take the long way home

2006-10-19T18:59:00.000-07:00

Home is where I am heading at least for a few days.

That's right I will be in New York from Oct 25-29. They finally lifted that ban against me....lol.

If anyone wants to meet up let me know.

LOL

2006-10-16T19:15:00.000-07:00

Ay New York there is no place like it.

Give A Little Bit Of Your Heart.

2006-10-09T18:45:00.000-07:00

So we all know that I am a big advocate for Breast Cancer awareness and Research. At work I asked my co-workers and the parents in my program to save the pink Yoplait yogurt lids so that I could send them in. They looked at me like I was crazy and asked me why. I told them about my aunt's battle with breast cancer and the promise I made her. This was weeks ago. I did not think anyone remember that. Boy was I wrong.

Today as the parents where coming in one of the mom's stopped me and handed me an envelope. I looked at her in surprise and she looked at me and said "Open it". I did and there staring back at me where 26 pink yogurt lids. She had gone home and collected all these lid. "Para tu tia" she told me. I was some how able to thank her and when I looked up, I saw a line of parent all of them with envelopes in their hands. Each envelope held pink yogurt lid, all of the lids were collect " para mi tia" I could not speak, I was overwhelmed with emotion and all I could do was nod and whisper "gracias" as an other parent handed me an envelope.

Oh goodness here I am tearing up as I write this. It was just beautiful. I cant even express how much that meant to me. As I sit here now I wish I would have taken a picture of it to send to mi tia so she could have seen how complete strangers did something so beautiful in her honor.

Yesterday Nataly, Nataly's Mom, Magarita and I participated in the 14th annual Race for the Cure. Denver's Race for the Cure is the largest in the nation. 65,000 people came out on a cold and cloudy Sunday morning for a good cause. Like the last time I was there it was an amazing experience. It still ranks as one of the best experiences in my life. I am glad that Nataly and my aunts were able to come with me this year. A few of my family members have already told me that next year they are going to going as well.

I took my camera with me because Nat and I are going to make an album for my aunt and send it to her.

Nataly's Mom, Nataly and Magarita before the race.

The view behind us.

The reason why Denver is number one for the last three years.

Nataly and Me during the race.

The coolest fairy's I have ever seen.

That sign is the reason why I do this.

Two In One

2006-10-01T20:54:00.000-07:00

Yeah it's on of those post. The first one is kind of serious the second one is no where near it.

To Change The World:

In 2003 I walked in the Susan G Komen: Race For The Cure and it was one of the best experiance in my life. I have always said that I was going to do it again and this year I finally am. I guessed I talked about it sooooo much that this year Nataly and a few of our aunts and cousins will be joining me. Yay! I am excited. Nataly and I are walking in our aunts honor.

If right now you are thinking " Hey that sounds cool I might what to do that." Well guess what you are in luck. You still have time to sign up in a lot of major cities.

Go here to see when the Race will be in your town.

Also the Breast Cancer Site is trying to fund 500 FREE mammograms and all you have to do to help is go to their site and click on the big pink button on their main page, that's it.

Also just a quick reminder to stop by Caro's blog to support her. She is running in the 9th Annual L.A. Cancer Challenge which benefits the Hirshberg Foundation For Pancreatic Cancer Research in honor of our grandfather. Which will happen on October 29.

Thanks

Needed: Your Suggestions:

So as a few of you already know that I am working on Part 6 of El Papi Chulo List, and as I was putting the list together I thought I should ask you guys for some suggestions. So tell me who do you think should be on El Papi Chulo List? Leave your suggestions in the comment section and then check back in a few weeks to see if your guy made it on the list.

May I Recommend: Music, Movie, TV, and Book Edition.

2006-09-26T20:55:00.000-07:00

So here are a few of the things that I have enjoyed in the last few months.

MUSIC:

I LOVE The Fray! Not just because they are the local boys who just happen to be everywhere these days, but because I love their music.
How to Save a Life is my favorite song. I also love Over My Head (Cable Car), Look After You, and All at Once.

ANYTHING by Ricardo Arjona. We all know how much I love him. On his latest cd Adentro. Pinguinos en la Cama, Iluso, Mojado, A Ti, Acompañame a Estar Solo. Are some of my favorites. I can keep going but i wont. :)

MOVIE:
Yeah, you knew I was going to see this. My first husband The Rock is in it so, you know I was there. It is the same old football movie we have seen before with a twist. Yeah some of the speeches and sceens are corny and played out but give this movie a chance. It reminded me that there are still people out there who care.

BOOKS:

Yeah so this is old but I loved it. It's all made up and blah, blah blah but hey it is well written.

I LOVED reading this one more then the first. Gregory Maguire is a genius. If you have not picked this one up yet, I suggest you go out and get it.

I love this book. I recommend the whole Shopaholic series. I laughed so much with these books.

Our girl Shelley did it again. She wrote one of those books that you find yourself reading at 3 o'clock in the morning knowing dayum well that you have to be at work in a few hours but you just cant put it down because its that good and you need to know what happens next. Yeah this book is one of those.

Sofia is a well known published author under the name Black Artemis. Diva's is a great book. I found myself going through all kinds of emotions with this one. I also could relate the protagonist, to people that i know in real life.

TV:

Showtimes Weeds has to be one of the best shows out there. Who would have thought that a show about a single mother who makes ends meet by selling marijuana in the fictional suburb of Agrestic, California could be so funny.

The Fantabulous 5

2006-09-18T20:22:00.000-07:00

In this life you are considered to be lucky and very blessed to find a person who loves you for being well you. Well I am REALLY blessed because I found not one but four people who love me for being perfectly unperfect.

Caro, Joe, Nataly and Gabe, the loves of my life. God only knows what I be without them. They are not only my cousins and nephew but my best friends. I love them all so much.

The Fantabulous 5 (I love the name Nat).

Lord knows we are a mess. We are silly and loud and everywhere, but over all we are a bunch of fun. I have no idea how we do it, but we turn the most simple thing, like going to the movies into an adventure that we end up talking about for days. We cry (alot), fight ( not so much) and most of all laugh...oh lord do we laugh. Everything and anything becomes a joke, but yet at the same time we know when it is time to put the joking aside and get down to business.

I love that about us. We dont take ourselves or anything to serious. I also love how we stick together no matter what. Nada comes between us. It's so amazing to wake up every morning and know that they are people out there who love and support you no matter what.

Caro...I love our parking lot conversations, I always learn so much from our conversations and because of that I end up being a better person. I love how you are always so damn positive, even when you think that you are not. You are always reminding me that things do get better, sometimes you just have to wait. Thanks for waiting with me.

Joey, Joey, Joey...I dont even know where you get half the shit you say, but damn do you make me laugh. I am so damn proud of you for overcoming everything you have, and still having such a beautiful outlook on life. Without even knowing it you give me strength on those days when it all gets to be to much. Now don't let all that go to your head Joe, I still hate you :)

Nataly, I love that you love so freely. You put yourself out there whether people like it or not. You always do you, and I love that about you. You don't change for anyone. You keep me from becoming the old BITTER lady with 50 cats....lol. You remind me that there is always hope.

Gabe, El Gobble...lol..(you know i had to call you that). Your like my own bodyguard always having my back even when I dont want you too. Always looking out for me(and the others). Always making me laugh with all the stupid shit you say. When we put you and Joe together, forget it I cry from how hard I am laughing. Thanks for always listening and calling me on my shit...lol.

These lyrics keep playing over and over in my mind when I think about the Fantabulous 5:

Without You
The Moon Glows
The River Flows
But I Die Without You

I guess what I am trying to say is that I LOVE YOU all so much and THANK YOU for coming along on this journey called life...

I can't think of anyone else I would rather share it with.

To change the world, start with one step

2006-09-14T20:21:00.000-07:00

In case you have not stopped by Caro's blog. She is running in the 9th Annual L.A. Cancer Challenge which benefits the Hirshberg Foundation For Pancreatic Cancer Research in honor of our grandfather.

Stop by here to support her. Thanks in advance to everyone who is able to donate and if you are unable to donate thanks anyways for stopping by.

Love ya tons Caro.

A night under the stars

2006-09-04T15:56:00.000-07:00

Last Friday I took Nataly, My mom, Nataly's mom, Caro's mom and a few of our aunt to the Ricardo Arjona concert.

I LOVE Ricardo Arjona, he is one of my favorite singers ever! So when I heard he was coming I knew that I was going no matter what. When we returned from Ny, I started making calls and was able to get 10 tickets.

I know that some people think that 10 tickets are alot but there were not. Everyone wanted to go and there were not enough tickets. So we decided to make it a girls night and I took the ladies with me and Nataly because it was her birthday a few days before that. We had AMAZING seats and I have to take a minute to thank Edwin for the hook up.

Everyone met up at my house and then we went to the Coors Amphitheatre where the concert was held. I love that venu because it is an outdoor venue and that night was just beautiful. It was your typical August Colorado night with a light breeze and all the stars out. It was just breath taking. Then to top it all off we had great music.

The concert was amazing. I can't even discribe it to you. The place was packed and everyone was happy, singing along, and just having a great time. Ricardo is just amazing and so damn sexy. I know from looking at pictures of him you might not think so but there is just something about him that makes him so sexy.

Since Nataly and I were sitting in a separete section from the ladies the ride home was full of converstation. The ladies were so happy and excited it was so cute and made all the work I went through to get those tickets worth it. Nataly was talking about how sexy Ricardo Arjona was when Caro's mom mention that he had a nice behind....lol. Nataly and I had to agree...lol.

Those ladies are so cute. They were cracking Nataly and I up the whole way home. They talked about everything from the songs they loved to what the girls in front of them were wearing....lol. I was able to take a few pictures and was able to capture a few seconds of one of my favorite song on video before my camera died, because it hates me. Thanks to Youtube I was able to find the whole video. The sounds is not all that great but hey.

So here it is for you to enjoy. The ladies are ready for their next concert and ask me everyday when we are going to do it again...lol.
La Naty and me at the concert.
Us again.
LOL, I dont even know.

Ricardo Arjona.
Acompaname a estar solo (one of my favorites):

Now That She's Gone

2006-08-17T18:55:00.000-07:00

So this song pretty much discribes the situation that I am in now.

Artist: Destiny's Child
Song: Now That She's Gone

Now that she's gone, you wanna come back
Is that a fact?
You've got it like that
You've made me wait too long, I'm gone
Now that she's gone, you wanna come back
Is that a fact?
You've got it like that
You've made me wait too long, I'm gone

Take her to the movies, dinner all the time
Shopping sprees for her; on me you never spent a dime
But I was there for you when you had nothing at all
Then you got a lil job and she's the one you call and

Now that she's gone, you wanna come back
Is that a fact?
You've got it like that
You've made me wait too long, I'm gone
Now that she's gone, you wanna come back
Is that a fact?
You've got it like that
You've made me wait too long, I'm gone

You've taken me for granted but you only get one chance
Then you left me hurting and it won't happen again
So she finally left you, it ain't no surprise
That you miss your water 'cause your well went dry

Now that she's gone, you wanna come back
Is that a fact?
You've got it like that
You've made me wait too long, I'm gone
Now that she's gone, you wanna come back
Is that a fact?
You've got it like that
You've made me wait too long, I'm gone

Understand, I understand, why you think I want you back
After what you did to me
Did you think you blinded me?
Boy you know whatever you do it will all come back to you
'Cause you tried to play me like a fool
Understand, I understand, why you think I want you back
After what you did to me
Did you think you blinded me?
Boy you know whatever you do it will all come back to you

Now that she's gone, you wanna come back
Is that a fact?
You've got it like that
You've made me wait too long, I'm gone
Now that she's gone, you wanna come back
Is that a fact?
You've got it like that
You've made me wait too long, I'm gone

Vintage Boyband

2006-08-16T21:09:00.000-07:00

Before Nsync, 98 degrees or the Backstreet Boys there was Color Me Badd...

A little bit of everything.

2006-08-13T12:34:00.000-07:00

Grandmother Update and Thank You's

My Grandmother is doing better, Thank You to all of you for your prays, thoughts and most of all kind words they mean so much to me during this difficult time.

--------------

That Meme Thing

Stealing this from Reese, Dez and Jo

Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. PreschoolTeacher
2. Preschool Assistant
3. Before and After School Para
4. S.I.E.D Para

Four movies I would watch over and over
1. The Notebook
2. The Wedding Planner
3. Life is Beautiful
4. The Godfather Part 1 and 2

Four places I have lived:
1. Queens, NY
2. Manhattan, NY
3. Yonkers, NY
4. Brooklyn, NY

Four TV shows I love to watch:
1. Grey’s Anatomy
2. Law and Order: SVU
3. So You Think You Can Dance
4. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

Four places I have been on vacation:
1. Dominican Republic
2. New Mexico
3. California
4. New York

Three Web sites I visit daily:
1. My Blog (I’m also a comment whore)
2. Dlisted
3. Yahoo

Four of my favorite foods:
1. Queso frito
2. Arroz con leche
3. Avena
4. Anything, really.

Four places I would like to be right now:
1. Home
2. D.R.
3. Spain
4. Italy
-------------
It's Reese's Fault!

Since Reese has started posting about The Jets and her love for them. I have gone in search of all my favorite 80's/ early 90's music, and now it's all I listen to. I traded Daddy Yankee in for Juan Gabriel ( Don't sleep on JuanGa)! Can you believe that?

and PCD for Jon Secada.

and it's all Reese's Fault!!!

See what you do Reese?

See!!!! :)
------------

Pictures from NY

After my grandfathers funeral everyone went to D.R. to burier him. I was unable to go and so instead I spent a few days in New York with my paternal grandparents and family. It was just what I needed.

I was finally able to meet "my daughter". I have a picture just like this one and I am even wearing a red outfit. She looks alot like me in this one.

My neice! We tell her that she is going to be America's Next Top Model. She thinks we are crazy.

My Sister and her family.

The girls again, can you tell that I am the proud aunt? I have a million pictures of them. They run away from me now, saying "No more picture auntie Karla"....lol.

My daughter again, she is so freaken cute!

No place like home.

You know you are in "The Heights" when you see this around EVERYWHERE you go! I love home!
Last one I promise, I just love her! My uncle kept asking me for child support....lol....he is a nut.

A whole lot of dominicans! My cousin Javi( on the couch in the middle) was leaving for the Air force the next day so we gave him a going away dinner. Oh by the way the beautiful old women in front of Javi with the glasses is my hero in life, I want to be just like her when I get older.

Here comes the rain again.

2006-08-11T12:39:00.000-07:00

I knew that shortly after my grandfather passed that my grandmother would follow, but I did not expect it to happen so soon.

Caro called me yesterday to tell me that mama has a few days left.

I dont even know anymore.

I said goodbye to you

2006-08-02T17:27:00.000-07:00

After receiving the news that my grandfather had passed we bought our flights and where on our way to New York. We left at midnight on Tuesday and arrived in NYC on Wednesday at about 6 am.

Wednesday was one of the longest most emotional day of my life so far.

I knew that the funeral was going to be hard but it was much harder then expected. Since I had not seen my grandfather in a while it was hard to see him in that casket. I was an emotional reck all day long. I missed Caro like crazy, but was thankful that Nataly was there with me.

As hard and emotional as the funeral was it was a beautiful tribute and farewell to my grandfather. I learned so much more about him, my family and even myself. The story and songs that I took for granted as a young child now have a special meaning. Funny how that always happens.

I know that while he is no longer here in a physical sense he will always be here in a spiritual sense because he lives with in my memory and most all my heart. I am who I am today because of him. Without knowing it he taught us more then anyone else just by being him and living by example. His legacy will go on.

In the arms of an angel

2006-07-22T08:35:00.000-07:00

At 4:51 p.m. my grandfather lost his battel with cancer. Caro called to tell me and after that there was nothing but silence. We all gathered at my house and we sat and talked and cried and just spent the time together remembering him. Now the only thing left to do is pack and be with the rest of our family.

Te quiero mucho papa.

I'm Back

2006-07-21T17:39:00.000-07:00

Well I have return from Breckenridge. Actually I have been back for a few days but I was unable to post. Damn Blogger.

First of all I want to say THANK YOU! to everyone for your thoughts, prayers and most of all your kind words during this difficult time. They mean so much to me. Thank you, Thank You, Thank You!

O.K now on to the trip. The conference was amazing, I loved all of it. Some much good information, amazing food and great people. I spent most of the conference wishing the rest of my staff would have been able to come as well.

Every time I go upto the mountians, I end up falling in love with a new town. For now Breckenridge is my new favorite town. It is sooooooooooo beautiful up there, and peaceful and I just loved all of it. I did take pictures to share them with you guys. So here you go.

The Drive Up.

Breckenridge

The View from our hotel.
There are ton's of flowers all over the town.

You can ride this cute little trolly up and down the town for free. It was how we got around all of the time.
During our first night there we went to Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. for dinner.
On Our second night we had dinner here. It is an old river boat that sits on a lake and has a beautiful view of the mountains.
The really cute/cool thing about Breckenridge is that they turned all these old houses in to stores. They are so cute.

There was a fox outside my window.
I was trying to take a picture of these cool flower pot but it came out all blurry and i thought it looked cool.

It All Comes Undone

2006-07-14T13:38:00.000-07:00

"Standing here/The old man said to me/Long before there crowded streets/Here stood my dreaming tree/Below it he would sit/ For hours at a time/ Now progress takes away/ What forever took to find/Now he's falling hard/ He feels the falling dark/ How he longs to be/ Beneath his dreaming tree." - The Dreaming Tree by: Dave Matthews Band

Mi Viejito is dying.

In less then three months Cancer will claim my grandfathers life.

Mi Viejito is dying.

Going to/Celebrate We Will

2006-07-14T08:41:00.000-07:00

This is going to be one of those two in one post.

I am going to Breckenridge for four days, for yet another conference. So while I am gone, I am going to leave you guys with the post about my godmothers birthday party. Take Care of yourselfs and I will see you soon.

My Godmother turned 60 in May. We celebrated it in June with a HUGE party. Here are some of the pictures and videos from those 5 days of parting (yeah we party hard). Sorry if this is a little long.

Day 1:

Was at my house. We had a few people come in early for the party, so we had a good ol' fashion BBQ at my house. There are no pictures or video from that night because, umm i simply forgot to take some. Sorry!

Day 2:
Was at my uncles house. I remember to take picture there...lol. Here they are.

The lovely ladies with my godmother.

Mis amores and me.

Americas Next Top Model!

She is giving Caro a run for that title.

What up Joe?

" Karla take a picture" They start so young!

They are so cute!

The Little Cousins.

E and Me cause we are cute.

After we left my uncles house we went to do an airport run. It was late and we were bored so that so explain the following....

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Did you see Joe and Gabe in the background? LOL

Say My Name, Say My Name...Oh sorry back to the videos.

Caro and Nat Part 2

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and since that didn't work out they found something that did....

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Day 3:
This was early in the morning at my house. It just to give you a glimps at how many people were here.

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I don't have pictures of the rest of the day because i was not there. I had to go with the musician to their gig.

Day 4:
Was at my other godmother/aunt's house way out in the middle of no where. My nephew was counting how many people were there he got to 117 before he gave up....lol.

Tio (Caro's dad) showing off that Torres pride.

My godmother with all her godchildren.

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Madrina was trying to make all of us cry.

After this we went to my sisters house for le cousin bonding. It was a great time. Good memories came out of that.

Day 5:

The PARTY!!!!!
My Godmother with all her Godchildren, don't we clean up nice.

J and A before the crazyness.

Those hot MC's (Caro and her parents)

A look at the crowd. (Thats not even half of the room.)

The Cake! (It was soooo gooooooodd)

It's time to DANCE!

and sing!

A few of my aunts and uncles.

Chilling with a few of my cousins.

Those great-grandchildren.

My lovelies.

Look it us with Jose.

Our normal pic. We were going for the Fanta look...lol

Caro, Nat and a two of our cousins.

The boys.

More Dancing....

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They start so young.

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Happy Birthday To You Dominican Style.

Day 6:
The after party was held at Caro's house the next day. The only problem was that after five days of non-stop partying and no sleep, everyone was too tired to party. We spent the day taking people to the airport and laying around Caro's house doing nothing. I went with Ramon and Hilda to visit the cutest old man.

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They were singing these beautiful song from Cuba.

My camera hates me and it was dying that is why there is only a few seconds of each of these videos.

So that was our crazy weekend!

Best Of El Papi Chulo List

2006-07-10T19:16:00.000-07:00

So I know I am a little late posting this and I do apologize but umm this is hard work :). Since you ladies have been so patient, I am going to give you a present, TWO pictures of each papi chulo. Los Papi's are in order of their respective list. Happy (very belated) Anniversary El Papi Chulo List!

Part 5: Wentworth Miller

Franky G

Matthew McConaughey

Part 4:

Boris Kodjoe

Patrick Dempsey

Chris Evans

Part 3:
Paul Walker

Mark-Paul Gosselaar

Amaury Nolasco

Part 2:

Derek Jeter

Alberto Pujols

Daddy Yankee

Part 1:

Orlando Bloom

Alex Rodriguez

The Rock

Now for El Papi of all Papis. Thanks to everyone who voted it was a close call.

And the winner is.....

Daniel Sunjata!

El Papi Chulo List Part 5

2006-06-20T19:50:00.000-07:00

So here it is, what you all have been waiting for El Papi Chulo List Part 5. Be sure to check out the end of the post for details on The Best of Edition for our one year anniversary. Enjoy!

Terrence Howard
The eyes, the lips, the amazing acting...Did I leave anything out?

Shalim
Thank You Puerto Rico! Shalim here is a singer, actor and model.

Matthew McConaughey
People's Sexiest Man alive sure does umm look sexy like this.

Ricardo Chavira
I love him. Did you know that his mother passed away from breast cancer and ever since then he has been leading the fight against breast cancer? He encourages Latina's everywhere to get a mammogram and to join the fight against breast cancer. How can you not love a man like that?

Rhasaan Orange
A good reason why I need to start watching Days of Our Lives again. Rhasaan here plays "Tek" a police officer, So not only is he hot but in uniform most of the time. Those are all the reason I need to tune in.

Eric Bana
Yup, you knew that sooner or later The Hunk....errr I mean Hulk would show up on here.

Robinson Cano
Here you go Jessica R, The Yankees have got to be one of the best looking teams in the league.

Isaiah Washington
Burke here is giving Dr, McDreamy a run for his money.

Jorge Ramos
Este Mexicano has been heating up the evening news for years.

Gabriel Aubry
Halle sure does know how to pick them.

Ken Watanabe
Check him out in The Last Samurai as well as Memoris of a Geisha.

Chris O'Donnell
Thank you to whoever brought Chris to Grey's Anatomy.

Frankie J
Boy is rocking that suit, oh and he sings.

Carlos Beltran
For Desiree, your other babies daddy. Do you like the pic from way back in the day before he was a Mets?

Victor Manuelle
Salsa singers have never looked better.

Wentworth Miller.
Who knew you can make hay look sexy?

Eric Dane
Yet another reason to watch Grey's Anatomy. Bring back McSteamy!

Frankie G
Sight, need I say more?

The Italian men's soccer team. Everyone say "Thank You Dolce and Gabbana" for picking these papi's as their models for their new underwear ad. Que viva Italia!

Ok, now while everyone takes a moment to get themselves together, I will tell you the details for our Best of Edition for our one year anniversary which is June 27. So who is El Papi of all Papi's? Well that is up to you dear readers. That is right you get to vote for who you would like to see on the Best of Edition, and for El Papi of all Papi's award. So how do you vote? Well go back to Parts 4,3,2,and 1 and pick your favorites, then make sure you either email or leave your vote as a comment,oh voting ends June 25. So make sure to vote and vote often if you want your papi chulo to win. The Best of Edition will be up June 27 and coming in three months El Papi Chulo List Part 6.

Now that everyone has had a chance to umm compose themselves here are the rest of the pictures from the D&G photo shoot. I really need to start checking out soccer. Enjoy!

Betrayal

2006-06-17T14:37:00.000-07:00

Betrayal is a something else. I never thought I will go through something like this in my life. Well actually I did and I have but never with anyone that I use to care about some much. I never thought that someone from my family would do something like this.

What did they do? I wish I could tell you but there are spys among us. I know you read this. Caro, myself and a few of our other cousins are hurt, we are wounded by one of our own. I dont even know what to say. Just remember you made your choice and you said what you said, and now I have to make mine.

I hope you have a wonderful and bless life, Primito. May God Bless you.

Going back to Colorado Springs

2006-06-13T02:37:00.000-07:00

I know I have to explain the last post. I will when I return. I will also post about the party and El Papi Chulo List part 5. Right not it is like 3:30 in the morning and I still need to pack. I leave in a few hours for The land of hot men in uniform er.....I mean Colorado Springs yet again. I will return late tomorrow afternoon. This time I promise to actually um like work Reese :)

When it hurts so bad.

2006-06-05T22:11:00.000-07:00

These wounds won't seem to heal
This pain is just too real
There's just too much that time cannot erase

- My Immortal by Evanescence

IF A MAN WANTS YOU

2006-06-05T14:51:00.000-07:00

You got to love emails. A dear friend of mines sent me this email and I thought that I would share it with you guys and by the way this applie to both genders.

If a man wants you, nothing can keep him away.
If he doesn't want you, nothing can make him stay.
Stop making excuses for a man and his behavior.
Allow your intuition (or spirit) to save you from heartache.
Stop trying to change yourselves for a relationship that's not meant to be.
Slower is better.
Never live your life for a man before you find what makes you truly happy.
If a relationship ends because the man was not treating you as you deserve
then heck no, you can't "be friends." A friend wouldn't mistreat a friend.
Don't settle. If you feel like he is stringing you along, then he probably is.
Don't stay because you think "it will get better." You'll be mad at yourself
a year later for staying when things are not better.
The only person you can control in a relationship is you.
Avoid men who've got a bunch of children by a bunch of different women.
He didn't marry them when he got them pregnant,
Why would he treat you any differently?
Always have your own set of friends separate from his.
Maintain boundaries in how a guy treats you.
If something bothers you, speak up.
Never let a man know everything. He will use it against you later.
You cannot change a man's behavior. Change comes from within.
Don't EVER make him feel he is more important than you are...even if he has
more education or in a better job. Do not make him into a quasi-god. He is a man, nothing more nothing less.
Never let a man define who you are.
Never borrow someone else's man.
Oh Lord! If he cheated with you, he'll cheat on you.
A man will only treat you the way you ALLOW him to treat you.
All men are NOT dogs.
You should not be the one doing all the bending...compromise is a two-way street.
You need time to heal between relationships...there is nothing cute about
baggage... deal with your issues before pursuing a new relationship
You should never look for someone to COMPLETE you...a relationship consists
of two WHOLE individuals...look for someone complimentary...not supplementary.
Dating is fun...even if he doesn't turn out to be Mr. Right.
Make him miss you sometimes...when a man always know where you are, and your
always readily available to him- he takes it for granted.
Don't fully commit to a man who doesn't give you everything that you need.
Keep him in your radar but get to know others.

Take me out to a ballgame, a movie, two graduations, and a wedding.

2006-05-30T17:53:00.000-07:00

I have to warn you that this is kind of long, Sorry!

So besides keeping up with my novio Daddy Yankee , I went to a baseball game, as you all know I am a fan of the other Yankees, but since I was invited to a Rockies game for free, I decided to go. Jerry went as my "date" and Jessica and Xavier went with us as well...

My "Date" Jerry.
X and Jessica

We had seat right behind home plate for free. How crazy is that?

We then went to see The Da Vinci Code...

Denise, Jean-Carlos and Nataly

Jerry and his girlfriend Laurie.

Gabe "loved" the movie.

Now for the graduations....

My sister "finally" graduated. I am so proud of you Elize!

The following week my "kids" graduated. Yes, it was a lot of work, and I was stressed to no end ,but in the end it was way too cute, and I cried like you won't believe. I do it every year, I say I wont and then the end of the year comes and there I am crying like a baby.

That weekend was also my friends Brian and Jenna's wedding. You know I took pictures.

This little girls is just too cute for words.

The Bride and Groom with B in the background.

The lovely ladies.

The Boys.

Karla, Nataly and Jessica.

Los Dominicanos, you see there are more then two of us....lol.

The group.

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Adrian and Nataly got the party started.

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Since Nat did not back that thing up she gave it an other try.

After a few drinks, B and Ryan were getting a little "friendly".....lol.

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X and Adrian Shit Talking Part 1.

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X and Adrian Shit Talking Part 2.

Los Latinos took over the radio and everyone hit the dance floor.

The after party at X's house.

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The after party.

After a while everyone but C was ready to go to sleep.

Who's This?

2006-05-22T18:55:00.000-07:00

*Sight* Umm what am I doing? Oh yeah, I now remember sorry the sight of that man makes me forget everything else. My novio, is on Times 100: The People Who Shape Our World list. I just had to share that with you guys, you know I will keep you updated on everything having to do with DY, in a non-stalker kind of way. Oh he also has some kicks (as the kids say) coming out with Reebok because Reebok knows what's up. When you go to the site go under Artist and chose Daddy Yankee, and you can read all about it. Goodness I love this man. Que Papi Chulo.

Oh speaking of Papi Chulos, El Papi Chulo List: Part 5 will be up soon. Also in June it will be the One Year Anniversary of El Papi Chulo List and you know we are going to do it big. Check out Part 5 for more details on the PAR-TY!

Funny storie about El Papi Chulo List, I was telling Kim that I was working one a new list and she said " you mean there are still more papi's left?" My replay " There is always more papi's"

As long as I am around there will always be more Papi's.

May I Recommend : Music Edition.

2006-05-08T16:10:00.000-07:00

First of all I just want to say that I LOVE the cover...lol. This CD is HOT! I love Control Myself with J.Lo but that is not the only hot jam on this disc. Down the Aisle Ft 112 and the So Sick remix with Ne-Yo. Oh Pharrell did it again with Best Dress.

My girl Pink went and did it again. I love this album. With this album she went back to her M!ssundaztood days. I love her first single Stupid Girls. Pink gets the party started with U + Ur Hand. Which is the perfect song for going out clubbing with your girls. Who Knew, Long Way to Happy and I'm Not Dead are also amazing songs. An other song that I have to mention is Dear Mr President. In which she calls out Dubya with lyrics like " You've come a long way from whiskey and cocaine"

Also I just wanted to mention that I am going to be M.I.A. for while due to the fact that my bosses dad passed away last week and I am now in charge. I will be back Either next week or in the beginning of June.

May I Recommend: Movie Edition

2006-05-02T19:35:00.000-07:00

On Friday night I went with Jerry, X, Yessica, and Nat to see United 93. Since we can NEVER make it ANYWHERE on time we missed the first 5 min of the movie. United 93 is one of those movies that you go see even though you already know the ending.

If you have seen the trailer to this film and it upsets you, I suggest that you don't see the movie. It is as raw and real as Hollywood can be.

Watching ordinary people do ordinary things, in the first hour of a flight is almost unbearable. It is something that we have all done before.

During the second hour when the passengers realize what is going on and are told of the events on the ground; you cant help but cry as they call their loves one to say goodbye.

Close to the end of the movie there is a brief glimmer of hope as the passengers take control of the plane and try to stop their fate, but then you realize that this will not be one of those movies with a happy ending. At that moment and time you are reminded that you already know the ending of this film, we all sat and watched in stunned silence, as the plane crashes down, powerless to change the course of the history we are witnessing.

As we left the movie theater in silence, people wiped the tears off their faces while others held on to their love ones. Director Paul Greengrass did a beautiful job of honoring all of those who died.

Karla's Baby?

2006-04-27T20:04:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago my FAVORITE uncle came to visit from New York. We went through our normal routine. My uncle stand at the door and I stand in the hallway and he throws his arms up in the air and yells "KARLA" and I throw my arms up in the air and yell " TIO" and then we meet each other half way and hug. Then we go through something that goes like this.

Tio: "So how are you?"
Karla: " Good"
Karla: " and you, How are you?"
Tio: " Good, How is school, work?"
Karla: " Good, How is everyone?"
Tio: " Good"

So everything is going great, like it normally does when my uncle drops a bomb on me.

Tio: "So when are you coming to pick up your baby?"
Karla: " What?, My Que?"
Tio: (With a HUGE smile on his face) " Your baby"
Karla: " Ah, Tio I don't have children."
Tio: " Yeah, you do. You have a little girl."
Karla: " I do, since when?"
Tio: (laughing) " Since 8 months ago."
Karla: " Ah, Explain"

So my tio explains the whole situation to me. Eight months ago my cousin had a baby, and according to everyone the baby looks more like me then my cousins. So they have all decided that it is my baby and so my uncle would like for me to pick up my child.

That weekend my mother went to New York to visit my grandparents and her first words to me when I picked her up at the airport where " Did you have a baby and not tell me?"

Karla: " What? Ma have you been drinking?"
Mami: " Mira, Don't talk to me that way, and answer my question."
Karla: " No Ma, I did not have a baby. Why do you ask?"
Mami: " Because that little girl is the spitting image of you."

She brought me pictures to prove her point. So here is a picture of "My baby"(on top) and of yours truly as a baby(on the bottom). So you guys get to decide is this my child or is my family in need of an eye exam?

The cat came back.

2006-04-24T15:37:00.000-07:00

Hey there blogging buddies, how is everyone?

As you can see I have return from my week in Colorado Springs. My week out of town was an interesting one to say the least.

Some how on Thursday I cut my foot. I washed it out put some Neosporin and a Band-Aid on it and went on my way. On Friday night my foot was swollen, bright red, hot and itchy. So I grab a bag of ice and went to bed. On Saturday I woke up and all the ice had melted, but my foot still looked the same. So I skipped my English class and went to the doctor, who freaked out when he saw my foot and start calling out orders to the nurse. I felt like I was in an episode of E.R.

An hour later after a super-powerful injections of antibiotics and black marker making the area around my infection I was on my way, I stopped by the pharmacy to drop off my prescription. The Doc, said it was ok for me to travel as long as I followed some guidelines, and promise to go to the hospital at the first sign of trouble. So I was able to attend my conference. I am glad I did. Not only did I learn a lot, I was also able to meet some really cool people.

One of the good things about "The Springs" are all the men in uniform out there. There are about three military bases in that area alone. So it is need less to say that no matter where you went in "The Springs" there were always plenty of men in uniform. So to answer your question Reese, yes I worked really hard during my conference :P

Going to Colorado Springs

2006-04-14T13:53:00.000-07:00

Well folks here I go again, leaving to yet another city for yet another conference. This time my travels take me to Colorado Springs or "The Springs" as some people like to call it. I will be gone for a week this time, and when I return on Friday night it will be only to prepare myself for the conference I have on Saturday morning. After that I have yet another fun filled week of conferences but those are all here in Denver. I hope everyone has a nice weekend. Happy Easter ! I will see you when I return.

If

2006-04-08T11:36:00.000-07:00

During my trip to the Muhammad Ali Center, I watched a movie about his life. During the movie they mention that the following poem is his favorite poem and that he try to live his life by what this poem said. I thought this poem was beautiful, and it affected me in more ways then i can express. I left the poem in its original state, when you get to the end you can change the gender if you like.

If

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!

--Rudyard Kipling

Avena Sunday

2006-04-03T15:06:00.000-07:00

I have to say that Sunday is one of my favorite days of the week. Why do I love Sunday’s so much? Is it because of Desperate Housewives? Nope, I love that show but that is not the reason I love Sunday’s. I love Sunday’s because they are Avena Sunday’s (Oatmeal Sundays). My abuela use to make oatmeal all the time when I was little, and everytime she comes to visit everyone sits and wait for her to make her famous avena.

Now with her being sick and so far away the duty of making avena has fallen on my mother. All of my aunts know how to make avena, just like mama but none of them do. Mami is the one who gets up early on Sunday morning to make avena. I love helping my mami make avena during this time the house is usually quite (which is weird because there is ALWAYS people over at my house) and it just her and me cook a huge pot of avena. Once mass is over all of my aunts and uncles come over for a typical Dominican breakfast and a cup of Avena.

I know what you are thinking a cup? don’t you mean a bowl Karla? Nope it is a cup. You see my grandmother and now my mother make their avena different then what everyone else is use to. Our avena is more liquefied so that we can drink our oatmeal instead of eating it. Why? You ask, because back when my grandmother was a young mother she had to find a way to feed 18 children and her husband, and seeing as my grandparents were poor the only way to make a small amount of food go a long way was to liquefy it. So ever since then it has become a tradition in our family to drink our oatmeal instead of eating it. In a way it is a good reminder of where we came from.

During breakfast we call my aunts and uncles in New York and (when they are not in NY)my grandparents back in D.R. I always think of Sunday’s as a mini family reunion.

Breakfast is usually followed up with a trip to the local ballpark to watch the guy’s play softball and then we return back to my house for dinner. I love spending Sundays with my family. I find it to be so relaxing. It is a good way to regroup before going back to work the next day.