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Paper or Plastic!!!
Bring your own bags...
Friday, May 22, 2009
PLASTIC BAG BAN
Skin Nutrition
You are what you eat" couldn't hold more true when we think of how nutrition impacts the skin. Your skin reflects your diet and what you are eating in many ways. The following table provides you with a recipe for beautiful skin.
| Nutrient | Foods Containing | Benefit to Skin | If Diet is Deficient |
| Beta-carotene |
| Fundamental to maintenance of tissues that make up surface of skin |
|
| Copper |
| Necessary for collagen synthesis | |
| Lean Proteins |
| |
|
| Mono-unsaturated fats |
| |
|
| Niacin (Vitamin B3) |
| Works together with iron to deliver oxygen to skin cells, giving them the support they need to live and multiply into new skin cells | Creates deficiency of amino acid tryptophan, (found in protein-rich foods) causing pellagra, a disease characterized by scaly skin and inflammation |
| Omega-3 Fats |
| |
|
| Omega-6 Fats |
| |
|
| Polyphenols |
| Protects skin against oxidative stress that contributes to aging and disease | |
| Selenium |
| |
|
| Vitamin A |
| | Bumpy, rough skin that is covered with fine scales |
| Vitamin B |
| Work together with iron to deliver oxygen to skin cells, giving them the support they need to live and multiply into new skin cells | |
| Vitamin C |
| |
|
| Vitamin E |
| |
|
| Water | Hydrates skin, helping it to keep soft, smooth and moist | Skin becomes dry and more susceptible to wrinkles | |
| By: Lisa Drayer, M.A., RD | |||
Monday, May 18, 2009
Happy Childrens Day - Feliz Dia De Los Hijos
Espanol mas abajo
Over the past few nights I found myself awake in bed. Reflective I guess, I spent more time thinking about my daughter, especially since mother’s day. I am not very big on Holiday’s; I feel that they benefit big business more than families. These stores put a strain on relationships as they market themselves as helping you not feel guilty and that you should buy something to show your love. Humbug…
I will get to my daughter in a minute or two.
I always knew at some point I would be a father, it was never planned, my wife got pregnant after we got married, imagine that!!!...now a days it’s the other way around. I just didn’t want to have children out of wedlock or for it to be a condition of marriage.
I also knew that I would be a good father, as I cannot state if this holds true, only those close to me and my daughter can say for certain. I only hope that I have been and that I can be. But let’s not kid ourselves good can be translated in many ways, so that’s an open question based on interpretation.
My mother passed away about a year and a half ago, and I can say she was a great mother, although only having one, comparison can be difficult. But seeing other families, and comparing based on conversations I can safely say, I was blessed to have been borne by her. We had our ups and downs, but she never gave up on me. Ever…
That reminds me of another woman, my sister…I wish I could say that my nephew was the darling of young man, but very far from that. Granted he could have been worse, but thank goodness for my sisters patients. There are other factors which led to his upbringing that has a sour taste to the tale but, in time things will either turn out worst or it will get better. In this case it has gotten much better.
Parenting is difficult, initial it’s joyous. My father said to me one day, when I was 15 years old “One day when you become a father you will understand” I don’t recall the reason that lead to the saying but I can only imagine it was something that I did….
When my daughter was born, I understood what my father meant. Many things come to mind, security, food, shelter, schooling. Love…Protection….Responsibility… There are many other words, these are but a few.
Needless to say, that my daughter gave me many joyful moments, that is until she turned 16…blahhhhhh. Its worst than the terrible twos…MUCH Worst…but its part of a phase, we all go through it.
We feel that we know best, that we can be responsible and that we are grown, needless to say, we as young Mr. & Mrs. knows it all is always wrong. I lost a few hairs during that phase, I mean it was going anyway, but we didn’t need to speed up the process.
There were moments I lost my temper and patience…many times I did not sleep, moments that I asked myself “Why in world would I want to have kids”. I am currently scanning my family pictures to preserve them, as I look at the pictures of the smile she had while growing up and the moments either my daughter with me or with her mother…or with anyone in the family, I see why I had a daughter.
You see it’s really simple, it really does add meaning to life, an extension to one self. It fills you, and yes moments that it drains you but that’s just the way it is. You can’t appreciate the sunshine without cloudy days.
At home I must have about six Bibles, don’t ask why so many, anyhow since I am in Argentina I didn’t bring one with me, duh. But I found one online. There is a parable that I was always fond of and it’s the story of a Sheppard that has 100 sheep’s, one goes astray and the Sheppard doesn’t notice until much later. He does the unthinkable and leaves the 99 behind and goes after that one sheep. Why would he do that?
Folks let’s not get funny here and don’t say it’s because it was the fat one and it would have brought him double at the market….
My mother never gave up on me…I was once that lost sheep and she always came for me, somehow she was always there. My sister is always there for her son…
I will always be there for my daughter…she may be my only daughter and many would say that it’s only natural. But, parents should never give up on their children, even if it means sending them to jail to save them…
Granted, I have not had all of the pitfalls that parents with problem children have…But, somewhere the change must be made.
Going back to mother’s day…
My daughter is going through a loss of her own. One that I cannot help her on, one that I wish it was mine…But there is time and in her loss there is a chance for healing, still...and it goes both ways. Today is always a good day to heal. I don’t expect most of you that may take the time to read this, to understand and for that I am sorry.
Parenting is a balancing act, fathers and mothers, most times must stand on a fence and watch their children grow and figure out when to step in and when not to. Many times our children will disappoint us, sometimes they will make us proud. We don’t have the luxury of telling our children “You will be my child only when you do well, and when you don’t I disown you”. Parents have to understand no matter how old their children get there will be times when they will just be their babies and when they will be their son and daughter.
I will never say, I will have to suffer my loses…even if I have 99 more children, one will never be sacrificed.
Happy Children’s Day…
Durante las últimas noches me encontré despierto en la cama. Reflexivo pienso, pasé más tiempo pensando en mi hija, especialmente desde el día de las madres. No soy muy grande en los días de fiestas; Siento que benefician a los grandes negocios más que a las familias. Estos almacenes ponen una tensión en las relaciones mientras que se ponen como ayudando a ustedes no sentirse culpable y que usted debe comprar algo para demostrar su amor a algún familiar. Mucha CACA…
Hablare de mi hija en un minuto o dos.
Sabía siempre que en un cierto punto que sería padre, nunca fue planeado, mi esposa se embarazo después de que nos casamos, imaginasen eso!!! … hoy en días es al revez. No quise tener hijos fuera del matrimonio o para que sea una condición de la unión.
También sabía que sería un buen padre, pues no puedo indicar si éste es verdad, sólo ésas personas cerca de mí y mi hija pueden decir por seguro. Espero solamente que haya sido y que pueda serlo. Pero no entremos en bromas, ser bueno se puede traducir en muchas maneras, de modo que sea una pregunta que basa en la interpretación.
Mi mama falleció hace un año y medio, y puedo decir que ella era una gran mama, aunque solamente tuve una, para comparar pueda ser un poco difícil. Pero viendo otras familias, y comparando basado en conversaciones puedo decir con seguridad, yo fui bendecido por haber sido nacido por ella. Teníamos nuestros altos y bajos, pero ella nunca se rindió por mí. Nunca…
Esto me recuerda a otra mujer, mi hermana… yo deseo poder decir que mi sobrino era el querido de hombre joven, pero muy lejos de eso. En realidad él podía ser peor, pero gracias a la paciencia de mi hermana no es asi. Hay otros factores que llevaron a su educación que tiene un gusto amargo a este cuento pero, con tiempo las cosas o resultarán peor o conseguirá a mejorar. En este caso se ha puesto mucho mejor.
Siendo padres es difícil, inicialmente es feliz. Mi papa me dijo un día, cuando era 15 años “un día cuando sea un padre entenderás” no recuerdo la razón que lo llevo a ese refrán pero puedo imaginarme que era algo que hice….
Cuando mi hija nació, entendí lo que mi papa quiso decir. Muchas cosas vienen por importar, seguridad, alimento, abrigo, enseñanza. Protección… amor…….Responsabilidad… Hay muchas otras palabras, éstas son algunos.
Innecesario decir, mi hija me dio muchos momentos alegres, digo es hasta que ella cumpliera los 16 anos… blahhhhhh. Es peor que los dos anitos terribles… MUCHO peores… pero es parte de una fase, todos pasamos a través de ella.
Sentimos que sabemos mejor, que podemos ser responsables y que somos grandes, innecesario decir, nosotros como Jóvenes Señores & señoras sabelotodo es obviamente incorrecto. Perdí algunos pelos durante esa fase, entiendo que igual los iba a perder, pero no había que acelerar el proceso.
Había momentos que perdí mi temperamento y paciencia… muchas veces no dormí, los momentos que me pregunte “porqué en el mundo querría tener hijos”. Estoy actualmente escaneando mis fotos de familia para preservarlos, pues cuando miro las fotos de la sonrisa que ella tenía mientras crecía y los momentos de mi hija conmigo o con su mama… o con cualquier persona en la familia, yo vi porqué tenía una hija.
Ves, es realmente simple, realmente agrega el significado a la vida, una extensión de uno mismo. Lo Llena, y sí, hay momentos en que te cansa pero es apenas la manera que es. No puede apreciar el sol sin días nublados.
En mi casa debo de tener cerca de seis biblias, no me preguntes porqué tantos, de todos modos puesto que estoy en la Argentina yo no traje ni uno conmigo, duhhh. Pero encontré uno en línea. Hay una parábola que siempre me encariñaba y es la historia de un Pastor que tiene 100 ovejas, una se pierde y el Pastor no lo nota hasta mucho más adelante. Él hace algo increíble y deja a los 99 detrás y se va detrás de esa oveja. ¿Por qué él haría eso?
Por favor no vayamos con bromas aquí y no me digas que es porque la oveja era la más gorda y el Pastor habría ganado doble por él en el mercado….
Mi mama nunca se dio por vencida por mí… yo una vez era esa oveja perdida y ella vino por mí, ella estaba siempre de alguna manera ahí. Mi hermana igual está siempre allí para su hijo…
Estaré siempre allí para mi hija… ella puede ser mi única hija y muchas dirían que es simplemente natural. Pero, los padres nunca deben darse por vencido por sus hijos, incluso si significa que ellos lo envíen a la cárcel para salvarlos, asi sea…
Concedo, no he tenido todas las trampas que algunos padres con niños de problemas tienen… pero, en alguna parte el cambio debe ser realizado.
Volvemos al día de las madres…
Mi hija está pasando por su propia pérdida. Uno que no puedo ayudarle, uno que desee que fuera el mío… pero hay tiempo y en su pérdida hay ocasión para curar, aun… y va de ambas maneras. El hoy es siempre un buen día para curar. No espero que la mayor parte de ustedes que tomen el tiempo para leer esto puedan entender y por eso yo lo siento.
Ser Padres es un ejercicio de equilibrio, los padres y las madres, la mayoría de las veces deben colocarse en una cerca y mirar a sus hijos crecer y adivinar cuando entrar en sus vidas y cuando no.
Muchas veces nuestros hijos nos decepcionarán, a veces ellos nos harán orgullosos. No tenemos el lujo de decir a nuestros hijos “será mi hijo solamente cuando haces bien, y cuando no, no somos tus padres”. Los padres tienen que entender no importa que viejo lleguen sus hijos llegaran épocas en que siempre serán sus bebés y en épocas solo serán su hijo o hija.
Nunca diré, yo tendré que sufrir mis perdidas… incluso si tengo 99 más hijos, uno nunca será sacrificado.
Feliz Día de los niños…
Over the past few nights I found myself awake in bed. Reflective I guess, I spent more time thinking about my daughter, especially since mother’s day. I am not very big on Holiday’s; I feel that they benefit big business more than families. These stores put a strain on relationships as they market themselves as helping you not feel guilty and that you should buy something to show your love. Humbug…
I will get to my daughter in a minute or two.
I always knew at some point I would be a father, it was never planned, my wife got pregnant after we got married, imagine that!!!...now a days it’s the other way around. I just didn’t want to have children out of wedlock or for it to be a condition of marriage.
I also knew that I would be a good father, as I cannot state if this holds true, only those close to me and my daughter can say for certain. I only hope that I have been and that I can be. But let’s not kid ourselves good can be translated in many ways, so that’s an open question based on interpretation.
My mother passed away about a year and a half ago, and I can say she was a great mother, although only having one, comparison can be difficult. But seeing other families, and comparing based on conversations I can safely say, I was blessed to have been borne by her. We had our ups and downs, but she never gave up on me. Ever…
That reminds me of another woman, my sister…I wish I could say that my nephew was the darling of young man, but very far from that. Granted he could have been worse, but thank goodness for my sisters patients. There are other factors which led to his upbringing that has a sour taste to the tale but, in time things will either turn out worst or it will get better. In this case it has gotten much better.
Parenting is difficult, initial it’s joyous. My father said to me one day, when I was 15 years old “One day when you become a father you will understand” I don’t recall the reason that lead to the saying but I can only imagine it was something that I did….
When my daughter was born, I understood what my father meant. Many things come to mind, security, food, shelter, schooling. Love…Protection….Responsibility… There are many other words, these are but a few.
Needless to say, that my daughter gave me many joyful moments, that is until she turned 16…blahhhhhh. Its worst than the terrible twos…MUCH Worst…but its part of a phase, we all go through it.
We feel that we know best, that we can be responsible and that we are grown, needless to say, we as young Mr. & Mrs. knows it all is always wrong. I lost a few hairs during that phase, I mean it was going anyway, but we didn’t need to speed up the process.
There were moments I lost my temper and patience…many times I did not sleep, moments that I asked myself “Why in world would I want to have kids”. I am currently scanning my family pictures to preserve them, as I look at the pictures of the smile she had while growing up and the moments either my daughter with me or with her mother…or with anyone in the family, I see why I had a daughter.
You see it’s really simple, it really does add meaning to life, an extension to one self. It fills you, and yes moments that it drains you but that’s just the way it is. You can’t appreciate the sunshine without cloudy days.
At home I must have about six Bibles, don’t ask why so many, anyhow since I am in Argentina I didn’t bring one with me, duh. But I found one online. There is a parable that I was always fond of and it’s the story of a Sheppard that has 100 sheep’s, one goes astray and the Sheppard doesn’t notice until much later. He does the unthinkable and leaves the 99 behind and goes after that one sheep. Why would he do that?
Folks let’s not get funny here and don’t say it’s because it was the fat one and it would have brought him double at the market….
My mother never gave up on me…I was once that lost sheep and she always came for me, somehow she was always there. My sister is always there for her son…
I will always be there for my daughter…she may be my only daughter and many would say that it’s only natural. But, parents should never give up on their children, even if it means sending them to jail to save them…
Granted, I have not had all of the pitfalls that parents with problem children have…But, somewhere the change must be made.
Going back to mother’s day…
My daughter is going through a loss of her own. One that I cannot help her on, one that I wish it was mine…But there is time and in her loss there is a chance for healing, still...and it goes both ways. Today is always a good day to heal. I don’t expect most of you that may take the time to read this, to understand and for that I am sorry.
Parenting is a balancing act, fathers and mothers, most times must stand on a fence and watch their children grow and figure out when to step in and when not to. Many times our children will disappoint us, sometimes they will make us proud. We don’t have the luxury of telling our children “You will be my child only when you do well, and when you don’t I disown you”. Parents have to understand no matter how old their children get there will be times when they will just be their babies and when they will be their son and daughter.
I will never say, I will have to suffer my loses…even if I have 99 more children, one will never be sacrificed.
Happy Children’s Day…
Durante las últimas noches me encontré despierto en la cama. Reflexivo pienso, pasé más tiempo pensando en mi hija, especialmente desde el día de las madres. No soy muy grande en los días de fiestas; Siento que benefician a los grandes negocios más que a las familias. Estos almacenes ponen una tensión en las relaciones mientras que se ponen como ayudando a ustedes no sentirse culpable y que usted debe comprar algo para demostrar su amor a algún familiar. Mucha CACA…
Hablare de mi hija en un minuto o dos.
Sabía siempre que en un cierto punto que sería padre, nunca fue planeado, mi esposa se embarazo después de que nos casamos, imaginasen eso!!! … hoy en días es al revez. No quise tener hijos fuera del matrimonio o para que sea una condición de la unión.
También sabía que sería un buen padre, pues no puedo indicar si éste es verdad, sólo ésas personas cerca de mí y mi hija pueden decir por seguro. Espero solamente que haya sido y que pueda serlo. Pero no entremos en bromas, ser bueno se puede traducir en muchas maneras, de modo que sea una pregunta que basa en la interpretación.
Mi mama falleció hace un año y medio, y puedo decir que ella era una gran mama, aunque solamente tuve una, para comparar pueda ser un poco difícil. Pero viendo otras familias, y comparando basado en conversaciones puedo decir con seguridad, yo fui bendecido por haber sido nacido por ella. Teníamos nuestros altos y bajos, pero ella nunca se rindió por mí. Nunca…
Esto me recuerda a otra mujer, mi hermana… yo deseo poder decir que mi sobrino era el querido de hombre joven, pero muy lejos de eso. En realidad él podía ser peor, pero gracias a la paciencia de mi hermana no es asi. Hay otros factores que llevaron a su educación que tiene un gusto amargo a este cuento pero, con tiempo las cosas o resultarán peor o conseguirá a mejorar. En este caso se ha puesto mucho mejor.
Siendo padres es difícil, inicialmente es feliz. Mi papa me dijo un día, cuando era 15 años “un día cuando sea un padre entenderás” no recuerdo la razón que lo llevo a ese refrán pero puedo imaginarme que era algo que hice….
Cuando mi hija nació, entendí lo que mi papa quiso decir. Muchas cosas vienen por importar, seguridad, alimento, abrigo, enseñanza. Protección… amor…….Responsabilidad… Hay muchas otras palabras, éstas son algunos.
Innecesario decir, mi hija me dio muchos momentos alegres, digo es hasta que ella cumpliera los 16 anos… blahhhhhh. Es peor que los dos anitos terribles… MUCHO peores… pero es parte de una fase, todos pasamos a través de ella.
Sentimos que sabemos mejor, que podemos ser responsables y que somos grandes, innecesario decir, nosotros como Jóvenes Señores & señoras sabelotodo es obviamente incorrecto. Perdí algunos pelos durante esa fase, entiendo que igual los iba a perder, pero no había que acelerar el proceso.
Había momentos que perdí mi temperamento y paciencia… muchas veces no dormí, los momentos que me pregunte “porqué en el mundo querría tener hijos”. Estoy actualmente escaneando mis fotos de familia para preservarlos, pues cuando miro las fotos de la sonrisa que ella tenía mientras crecía y los momentos de mi hija conmigo o con su mama… o con cualquier persona en la familia, yo vi porqué tenía una hija.
Ves, es realmente simple, realmente agrega el significado a la vida, una extensión de uno mismo. Lo Llena, y sí, hay momentos en que te cansa pero es apenas la manera que es. No puede apreciar el sol sin días nublados.
En mi casa debo de tener cerca de seis biblias, no me preguntes porqué tantos, de todos modos puesto que estoy en la Argentina yo no traje ni uno conmigo, duhhh. Pero encontré uno en línea. Hay una parábola que siempre me encariñaba y es la historia de un Pastor que tiene 100 ovejas, una se pierde y el Pastor no lo nota hasta mucho más adelante. Él hace algo increíble y deja a los 99 detrás y se va detrás de esa oveja. ¿Por qué él haría eso?
Por favor no vayamos con bromas aquí y no me digas que es porque la oveja era la más gorda y el Pastor habría ganado doble por él en el mercado….
Mi mama nunca se dio por vencida por mí… yo una vez era esa oveja perdida y ella vino por mí, ella estaba siempre de alguna manera ahí. Mi hermana igual está siempre allí para su hijo…
Estaré siempre allí para mi hija… ella puede ser mi única hija y muchas dirían que es simplemente natural. Pero, los padres nunca deben darse por vencido por sus hijos, incluso si significa que ellos lo envíen a la cárcel para salvarlos, asi sea…
Concedo, no he tenido todas las trampas que algunos padres con niños de problemas tienen… pero, en alguna parte el cambio debe ser realizado.
Volvemos al día de las madres…
Mi hija está pasando por su propia pérdida. Uno que no puedo ayudarle, uno que desee que fuera el mío… pero hay tiempo y en su pérdida hay ocasión para curar, aun… y va de ambas maneras. El hoy es siempre un buen día para curar. No espero que la mayor parte de ustedes que tomen el tiempo para leer esto puedan entender y por eso yo lo siento.
Ser Padres es un ejercicio de equilibrio, los padres y las madres, la mayoría de las veces deben colocarse en una cerca y mirar a sus hijos crecer y adivinar cuando entrar en sus vidas y cuando no.
Muchas veces nuestros hijos nos decepcionarán, a veces ellos nos harán orgullosos. No tenemos el lujo de decir a nuestros hijos “será mi hijo solamente cuando haces bien, y cuando no, no somos tus padres”. Los padres tienen que entender no importa que viejo lleguen sus hijos llegaran épocas en que siempre serán sus bebés y en épocas solo serán su hijo o hija.
Nunca diré, yo tendré que sufrir mis perdidas… incluso si tengo 99 más hijos, uno nunca será sacrificado.
Feliz Día de los niños…
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
25 Random Things That I Want You To Know About Me
I recently received this title from a friend via Facebook as I read it, I said, wow thats really, really cool. So, I decided to do the same thing via facebook. After I sent this out to only 25 people I said, man, I would to send this out to the others, rules are rules.
So what is a man to do with rules, he finds a way around them. Hell Lawyer do that everyday, so just like our tax laws, I found a loop hole in the rules;
"Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you."
The rule only applies to Facebook, ahahhhh!!!
So, I decided to share those 25 Random things that Iwant you to know about me here, for all to read. If you wish to send something back to me about you, I will read and reply.
1. If you ask me what am I?, I will look at you like I am listening to the dumbest person in the world, sarcastically I will say “Human” but I will understand that you are talking about race and therefore answer “Culturally Puerto Rican, Politically American”.
2. I am fluent in four languages, one of which is sign language and I use my middle finger to actively express my thoughts.
3. I’ve lived in 6 countries, 3 continents 23 cities and have lived in 32 different homes, crazy I know, in some places I have moved within a city multiple times. I didn’t count hotels. Change is constant
4. On the 14th of February I celebrate my 19th year of divorce, I wouldn’t really say celebrate, I guess judgment day came on that date; it’s just funny the way things work out. I can say I have the best Ex-Wife a man could have. After all she is the mother of my daughter which to this day there has never been a day more extraordinary than the day she was born. It brings joy to me reminiscing.
5. I wish I could call all the people that I know of which I call friends, but that is wishful thinking, I have a few and I am grateful to know their families as well…I may not write to them all the time, but we stay in touch.
6. If my friends visit me, I will give up my bed for their comfort; my house is your house. If they announced that they are coming it will let me prepare the kitchen for them, not for me to cook, I hate to cook, but to make sure they have all the comforts of home. Unannounced, just means that they still have "all of the above", but will have to accompany me to the supermarket to get food. I am rarely at home.
7. There are only two people that I know that cook SUPER, my mother, sad to say she is no longer here, and my sister, happy to say that I invite myself over OFTEN. Spanish food is the best; the SAZON that is added just fills your mouth with fantastic culture. Brazilian is next, the Rodizio, I love it.
8. I love my Coffee, not starbuck, it’s overrated, I am talking about coffee that is brewed in the morning (from Puerto Rico), not in a machine but with a slow heating pot, filtered with a cotton cloth and in the silence of the morning with the air filled to the soon to be tasted coffee, is like waking in heaven on an island.
9. During the late 90’s I lost my job, in the city that I lived in there was nothing available, so...I quickly found a construction company and got a contract cleaning all the homes that they finished repairing and sold, Who said cleaning toilets is not a dignified form of making a living.
10. I am leaning to be diplomatic with people in position of authority, as in most cases they try to push you around, it’s always been that way since growing up, I was always the smallest guy around, hell, I still am. Don’t like to be lie too, or played with, I am grown, talk to me, don’t give me the run around…sooner or later I will make you pay…I gurantee it
11. I don’t have a quote per say. In public, I will express the Brazilian word “Opa” which is the equivalent of “Wow” or “Hey” in silence I will say “Fuck” or “Shit”. I don’t like to curse in public but you will catch me call someone “Snapper Head” and in Spanish “Huele, huele” its long story I will explain after a glass of wine but only if you ask.
12. I love wine, red mainly…I think Argentinean Malbec is the best, smooth semi dry on occasion, it’s like having a desert with your dinner. I enjoy watching the legs of the wine as it dresses the glass. Best of all sharing the bottle with friends. I don’t open a bottle unless I know I can finish it either alone or with company. The time that it takes to make that wine, I don’t want it to go to waste.
13. When I lived in Puerto Rico, I helped to build a home and a church with family members. Sundays was always the day to go and mix cement with a shovel, a little back breaking but allot of fun.
14. I have only run on one marathon, a world event in Puerto Rico called San Blas. A 21Kilometer run I was 14, I also boxed having 15 fights, two by KOs, and lost 3 not by KO. My nose didn’t help but I learned to protect myself at all times.
15. I spent 10 years in the US army, if you look at my closet you’d think I was still in the army. Participated in the first Iraqi conflict don’t ask me what I think about the war now, I still have friends in the army. If you ask me again, I will have to kill you.
16. I love my family and we all get together often, especially if we hear that my sister is cooking. The best part of it is the feeling of belonging and knowing that someone is looking for you and they miss you. You get a sense of self worth, value and to know that you are important to someone.
17. I don’t mind traveling, I hate answering the same question in different countries: why are you here? Where are you going to stay? how long will you be here?”. Some women friends of mine ask, what do you do? I say I jump from bed to bed… Translation going from Hotel to hotel. If you thought diffently, sorry.
18. I have a diary of every birthday I can remember, whom I was with, how I was feeling and how it was spent. I have it as far back as 4 years old “Believe it or not”
19. I like to read, mostly biographies, documentaries. I like history; I like to know the story behind the name. When visiting a country I like to ask the origins of the name, not many locals know.
20. I don’t like smokers, I prefer that people change that habit, I also walk allot and I hate walking behind a smoker…if you have children and I see you smoking in front of them, I will get your attention….you may not like it, but I don’t care.
21. I hate the names Jose, Manuel, Luis, or Javier. That’s because where I work all my customers in Latin America have these names and I can’t remember which Jose, in Panama or Argentina, Chile or Mexico…So, I call them each by a title, “Senor” “Alcade” “Che Comisario” “Distinguido” No discrimination.
22. When I go to Puerto Rico and visit my aunt in Naguabo, behind the door is a machete, with it in my hand and just walking a few meters until I reach a palm tree and take the Coconut to open and drink it’s juice in the early morning breeze ahhhhhhh nice.
23. I would love to mountain climb, I would love to learn to play the guitar, hell, it would be wonderful to climb a tree just like my brother and I used to do when we just boys.
24. I don’t eat pork, I think that it’s gross, the animal eats anything you give it, I don’t want that kind of risk in my body, I don’t eat, lobster, crabs, shrimp, octopus, shark, Alligator, dolphin, snakes or frogs. You can add most insects to that list.
25. Now that I am living in Argentina, I don’t drive, I walk everywhere on some occasions I will use a taxi but not that often, trying to be aware of carbon emissions. You should too.
So what is a man to do with rules, he finds a way around them. Hell Lawyer do that everyday, so just like our tax laws, I found a loop hole in the rules;
"Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you."
The rule only applies to Facebook, ahahhhh!!!
So, I decided to share those 25 Random things that Iwant you to know about me here, for all to read. If you wish to send something back to me about you, I will read and reply.
1. If you ask me what am I?, I will look at you like I am listening to the dumbest person in the world, sarcastically I will say “Human” but I will understand that you are talking about race and therefore answer “Culturally Puerto Rican, Politically American”.
2. I am fluent in four languages, one of which is sign language and I use my middle finger to actively express my thoughts.
3. I’ve lived in 6 countries, 3 continents 23 cities and have lived in 32 different homes, crazy I know, in some places I have moved within a city multiple times. I didn’t count hotels. Change is constant
4. On the 14th of February I celebrate my 19th year of divorce, I wouldn’t really say celebrate, I guess judgment day came on that date; it’s just funny the way things work out. I can say I have the best Ex-Wife a man could have. After all she is the mother of my daughter which to this day there has never been a day more extraordinary than the day she was born. It brings joy to me reminiscing.
5. I wish I could call all the people that I know of which I call friends, but that is wishful thinking, I have a few and I am grateful to know their families as well…I may not write to them all the time, but we stay in touch.
6. If my friends visit me, I will give up my bed for their comfort; my house is your house. If they announced that they are coming it will let me prepare the kitchen for them, not for me to cook, I hate to cook, but to make sure they have all the comforts of home. Unannounced, just means that they still have "all of the above", but will have to accompany me to the supermarket to get food. I am rarely at home.
7. There are only two people that I know that cook SUPER, my mother, sad to say she is no longer here, and my sister, happy to say that I invite myself over OFTEN. Spanish food is the best; the SAZON that is added just fills your mouth with fantastic culture. Brazilian is next, the Rodizio, I love it.
8. I love my Coffee, not starbuck, it’s overrated, I am talking about coffee that is brewed in the morning (from Puerto Rico), not in a machine but with a slow heating pot, filtered with a cotton cloth and in the silence of the morning with the air filled to the soon to be tasted coffee, is like waking in heaven on an island.
9. During the late 90’s I lost my job, in the city that I lived in there was nothing available, so...I quickly found a construction company and got a contract cleaning all the homes that they finished repairing and sold, Who said cleaning toilets is not a dignified form of making a living.
10. I am leaning to be diplomatic with people in position of authority, as in most cases they try to push you around, it’s always been that way since growing up, I was always the smallest guy around, hell, I still am. Don’t like to be lie too, or played with, I am grown, talk to me, don’t give me the run around…sooner or later I will make you pay…I gurantee it
11. I don’t have a quote per say. In public, I will express the Brazilian word “Opa” which is the equivalent of “Wow” or “Hey” in silence I will say “Fuck” or “Shit”. I don’t like to curse in public but you will catch me call someone “Snapper Head” and in Spanish “Huele, huele” its long story I will explain after a glass of wine but only if you ask.
12. I love wine, red mainly…I think Argentinean Malbec is the best, smooth semi dry on occasion, it’s like having a desert with your dinner. I enjoy watching the legs of the wine as it dresses the glass. Best of all sharing the bottle with friends. I don’t open a bottle unless I know I can finish it either alone or with company. The time that it takes to make that wine, I don’t want it to go to waste.
13. When I lived in Puerto Rico, I helped to build a home and a church with family members. Sundays was always the day to go and mix cement with a shovel, a little back breaking but allot of fun.
14. I have only run on one marathon, a world event in Puerto Rico called San Blas. A 21Kilometer run I was 14, I also boxed having 15 fights, two by KOs, and lost 3 not by KO. My nose didn’t help but I learned to protect myself at all times.
15. I spent 10 years in the US army, if you look at my closet you’d think I was still in the army. Participated in the first Iraqi conflict don’t ask me what I think about the war now, I still have friends in the army. If you ask me again, I will have to kill you.
16. I love my family and we all get together often, especially if we hear that my sister is cooking. The best part of it is the feeling of belonging and knowing that someone is looking for you and they miss you. You get a sense of self worth, value and to know that you are important to someone.
17. I don’t mind traveling, I hate answering the same question in different countries: why are you here? Where are you going to stay? how long will you be here?”. Some women friends of mine ask, what do you do? I say I jump from bed to bed… Translation going from Hotel to hotel. If you thought diffently, sorry.
18. I have a diary of every birthday I can remember, whom I was with, how I was feeling and how it was spent. I have it as far back as 4 years old “Believe it or not”
19. I like to read, mostly biographies, documentaries. I like history; I like to know the story behind the name. When visiting a country I like to ask the origins of the name, not many locals know.
20. I don’t like smokers, I prefer that people change that habit, I also walk allot and I hate walking behind a smoker…if you have children and I see you smoking in front of them, I will get your attention….you may not like it, but I don’t care.
21. I hate the names Jose, Manuel, Luis, or Javier. That’s because where I work all my customers in Latin America have these names and I can’t remember which Jose, in Panama or Argentina, Chile or Mexico…So, I call them each by a title, “Senor” “Alcade” “Che Comisario” “Distinguido” No discrimination.
22. When I go to Puerto Rico and visit my aunt in Naguabo, behind the door is a machete, with it in my hand and just walking a few meters until I reach a palm tree and take the Coconut to open and drink it’s juice in the early morning breeze ahhhhhhh nice.
23. I would love to mountain climb, I would love to learn to play the guitar, hell, it would be wonderful to climb a tree just like my brother and I used to do when we just boys.
24. I don’t eat pork, I think that it’s gross, the animal eats anything you give it, I don’t want that kind of risk in my body, I don’t eat, lobster, crabs, shrimp, octopus, shark, Alligator, dolphin, snakes or frogs. You can add most insects to that list.
25. Now that I am living in Argentina, I don’t drive, I walk everywhere on some occasions I will use a taxi but not that often, trying to be aware of carbon emissions. You should too.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Is there such a thing as Global Warming?
Currently I am living in Argentina, I used to live here about 13 years ago. It's summer here (January 2008) and I can tell you that it is hot as hell. While channel flipping (took years to develop this skill) I stumbled onto a channel whereas the film about Globalwarning was on called An Inconvenient Truth.
I always wanted to get the video, but never had a chance. I will say this 2+2 will always =4 no matter what language. The point is, I feel and believe there is a correlation between what we do and the effects that it has on the environment. Day by day we don't see the effects but spread over time we will.
I have a home in Florida, I might as well think about selling this home and moving farther inland....Hurricanes are getting stronger, water level rising, I can only do so much, I don't drive here in Argentina and I barely drove at home in Florida, mostly riding my bike, just like High School.
I just want to pass this on as an awareness to some of my friends
Here is a small portion of the film
Jobs, jobs, jobs...Are companies using us?
I really don't want to make a political point, but I can't ignore this one. In a time where the economy is doing so badly, market like Manufacturing, Agriculture and other segments of our economy are being outsourced and sent overseas.
Microsoft is just the beginning, companies like Dell, HP, Quicken, and many others have move their support systems to countries such as India and Pakistan. Dell has opted to charge a $14.00 dollar fee if you wish to speak to a US English speaking agent for support.
I don’t think that being a protectionist at some point is a bad thing, but I prefer to keep jobs at home until we are better suited to help the world.
Please view the following link to a video.
Bill Gates Lobbies Congress where he states he needs foreign workers on H1 Visa
Monday, December 29, 2008
Find Inspiration where you can...but find it
Sometimes just getting by seems thats all we do, sometimes it's good enought, sometimes it's not.
There are always moments when you wish to be inspired and in todays day and age we get slamed with information from different sources that really is unusable at that moment.
Until you take the time to put it all together...
Watch this video and you will see what I mean...
Inspirational Speeches
Thursday, December 25, 2008
1962 Remember When…
I have a crazy habit of saving things…Letters, post cards, Christmas cards, hell even hand written notes.
I do that because if someone has taken the time to write a few words to me, then it’s important and I value the time that they took to do this.
Anyhow, as I was putting some things away in an old trunk, I decided to see some of the cards that I no longer recognized and I found a B-Day card from my sisters that summarized all the events that occurred in the year of my birth.
I guess I don’t have to tell you what year that was.
As I thumb through the pages I found a section called “1962 COST OF LIVING”…So, here I go…I hope it puts things in perspective…
LIVING
New House…………………………………………………………12,550.00
Average Income………………………………………………$5556.000 per year
New Car………………………………………………………………$2924.00
Average Rent………………………………………………………$110.00 per month
Tuition to Harvard University……………………………$1520.00 per year
Movie Ticket……………………………………………………………$1.00 each
Gasoline…………………………………………………………………0.28¢ per gallon
United States Postage Stamp…………………………………0.04¢ each
FOOD
Granulated Sugar………………………………………………0.89¢ for 10 pounds
Vitamin D Milk……………………………………………………$1.04 per gallon
Ground Coffee………………………………………………………0.85¢ per pound
Bacon……………………………………………………………………0.69¢ per pound
Eggs………………………………………………………………………0.32¢ per dozen
Fresh Ground Hamburger………………………………0.40¢ per pound
Fresh Baked Bread……………………………………………0.21¢ per loaf
Monday, October 8, 2007
Wearing a Marriage Ring
One day in Puerto Rico I was challanged by my niece if I can explain why the tradition of why we wear the ring on the left hand and in the ring finger.
I struggled with the question to answer quickly but not wanting to say I didn't know my brain quickly gave an explanation.
Althought incorrect I stated the following;
The ring was wore on the left hand because the Cruzades the knights fought with their right hand that is why in the military you salute with the right hand. Since the posibility existed to lose your right hand in battle and rings also was used as signatures in letter and not to lose that ring it was wore on the left hand. Not a correct answer...
As I searched for the answer here is what I have found.
1. During the Egyptian time the ring or circle represented eternity.
2. The finger next to the pinky was beleived that the vain from that finger ran staright to the heart and thus the heart on the left side of the body thus the left hand.
3. During the times of the roman and man giving a ring to the women signified ownership.
4 During the Medivel time placing the ring on the fouth finger the groom would place the ring in the fingers denoting The Father, The Son and the holy ghost and thus remain in the forth finger.
5. Priest would wear a wedding band on left hand to let everyone know that they are married to the church.
There are more traditions that might be useful to further understand the wedding, marriage and even the cuttting of the cake.
What do you think?
Monday, July 30, 2007
Hooters In Chile
Do you like Burgers? hot wings? or Titts?
You will find all three at Hooters. Now I am a big fan of the burgers and when I travel, I like to get a hooters burger. Most of the women working there are students or just want to show their cleavage to get major tips. But, I have to honestly say not too many servers are very bright, but that’s ok.
Now, since I am a fan of their hooters burger and a traveler to major Latin American countries I had found one in Chile that I previously visited and found that their burgers where very good. Combined with red wine...you cannot go wrong, so I will revisit the place.
In my most recent visit to Chile on a Saturday night, I knew the hooter would be open and I could have my burger and wine.
I walked in and sat at the bar. I sat for about a minute before getting the attention of the women behind the bar who was conversing with an American in her broken English. I was very specific of my order; I speak Spanish very well and thus no confusion.
I asked for a burger medium well, no bacon added, lettuce & tomatoes on the side, bake beans and Cole slaw. Not very difficult to mess up.
I waited about 15 minutes, no conversation, just in my own thoughts and watching TV...bedazzled was on very funny movie so I was entertained..
When I received my burger, to my surprise it was not very hot. The waitress/bartender informed me that they ran out of Cole slaw and when I looked at the bake beans, it was dry.
I looked at her and said, "Looks pretty dry to me" she excused herself and stated she would get another. I added my catch-up and began eating my burger and it tasted like Crabs. When I tasted the bake beans, they were ice cold, so I had enough.
I kindly requested the bill and the server saw that I had not even had half of the burger. She asked if all was ok.
“The burger took over 15 minutes and I expected a gourmet burger but it tastes like crabs which I am allergic to, the bake beans were cold and it is usually served hot”
The manager came by and asked in confusion if the burger tasted like crabs I stated, yes but all I need is the bill. She stated that she would not charge me for the food. It was too late, I was hungry, I waited and thus my time was spent. I told her no need, charge me for the food, I just need the bill.
You know...I travel allot, I eat out allot...regardless that it was hooters or another restaurant. My wait time is precious and worth more than 15 dollars savings in my pocket.
I will never visit hooters again or take customers to this establishment when asked.
Cleavage is not that important, service is.
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