Reflections 2014...

 

Hola Reinas, 

As this year comes to a close,  I reflect on this year, 2014, with bitter sweet feelings.  First of all,  I lost my mother-in-law early this year on February 23rd, 2014.
My mother-in-law was a phenomenal mother and wife, whom was my biggest cheerleader.  She was very supportive and treated me as if I were one of her daughters.  I was extremely fortunate to have such a nurturing woman in my life.  I am dedicating this post to her as I  remember her giving up the deuces sign to all the family members in her last days.  Deuces!

~My mother-in-law at 19 years old~

On a lighter note, I am thankful for all my family members especially my husband and son. I was able to spend many memorable moments with them.  However, the best was our beautiful trip to Disney to celebrate my son's 9th Birthday.  It was an unforgettable experience to witness my son's facial expressions as he embarked on a magical journey full of rides.  Disney World was simply magical and whimsical!

I am thankful for my wonderful birthday celebration at my house.   My house was filled with much mocha love and sisterhood.  I am very fortunate to have such beautiful and dynamic women in my life!



Thank you Mocha President Lolet and fellow Tica for the delicious cake!

.  
I am also thankful for a great Christmas Day in company of my husband and son.  We once again continue on our tradition of Christmas in the City.  We went to see the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Plaza.
Lastly and most importantly, I am thankful for a healthy year for my family and I!

May the year 2015 be filled with health, love, and joy for all my friends, mochas, and sorors!
**Remember**BE the Driver of Your Destiny!  Drive with Confidence because you are an Intelligent and Fabulous Woman!   

Inspirational Quote of the Day!

Hola Reinas,

Today, we celebrate Harriet Tubman who was an African-American abolitionist, humanitarian, and visionary. 

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world."~ Harriet Tubman 

"I WAS MY OWN ROUTE"

Hola Reinas,
In celebration of Black History Month, today I am featuring an Afro-Latina poet, Julia de Burgos.

Julia de Burgos- is one of my favorite poets that I studied in grad school.  She is considered by many one of the greatest poets of Latin America.  Julia was born in Puerto Rico on February 17, 1914 and died in Harlem on July 6, 1953.  Writing in the 1930’s through the 1950s,  de Burgos was ahead of her time in grasping connections between history, the body, politics, love, self-negation, and feminism. 

The following poem is the translated version of "Yo Misma Fui Mi Ruta".  This poem speaks about making your own path in life.  

***Please note the word  men refers to mankind***

I WAS MY OWN ROUTE

I wanted to be like men wanted me to be:

an attempt at life;

a game of hide and seek with my being.

But I was made of nows,

and my feet level on the promissory earth

would not accept walking backwards

and went forward, forward,

mocking the ashes to reach the kiss

of new paths.

At each advancing step on my route forward

my back was ripped by the desperate flapping wings 

of the old guard.

But the branch was unpinned forever,

and at each new whiplash my look

separated more and more and more from the distant

familiar horizons;

and my face took the expansion that came from within, 

the defined expression that hinted at a feeling

of intimate liberation;

a feeling that surged

from the balance between my life 

and the truth of the kiss of the new paths.

Already my course now set in the present,

I felt myself a blossom of all the soils of the earth,

of the soils without history,

of the soils without a future,

of the soil always soil without edges

of all the men and all the epochs.

And I was all in me as was life in me…

 I wanted to be like men wanted me to be:

an attempt at life;

a game of hide and seek with my being.

But I was made of nows;

when the heralds announced me 

at the regal parade of the old guard, 

the desire to follow men warped in me,

and the homage was left waiting for me.

--Julia de Burgos (1914-1953)

Quotes of the Day!

Hi Reinas,

In celebration of Black History Month,  I will be posting quotes of inspirational figures who have changed the world with their spoken words.  Today, I am featuring one of my favorite poets, Maya Angelou.

Happy Friday's Inspirational Quote!!!

Hola Reinas,

Happy Black History Month!!!

Happy 8th Birthday Narmer!!!

 Hola Reinas (Hello Queens),

On August 8th, we celebrated my son's, Narmer, eighth birthday.   Wow!!!  Time has flown by so fast.  It is still fresh on my mind when my husband and I brought him home from the hospital (NYU Medical Center - Manhattan) measuring 20 inches, six pounds & 11oz.  Today, he stands at 4'4", 69 lb.  My gift of joy is growing up into an outstanding young little man.

My son has brought the BEST out in me.   He is one of the reasons why I returned to school to pursue my Masters in Education and becoming a teacher.  I am ready to take on the world and make an impact on the future of our children.  He has inspired me to put my best foot forward each and every day with dignity and pride.  I have really enjoyed this chapter of my life as a MOM.  It has been very enlightening and rewarding, and I am looking forward to the upcoming challenges in my new teaching career.   I now have the ability to make a positive impact on many children in our community, year after year!!!

 

To celebrate his birthday, I brought cake and pizza for all children at his soccer camp.  In addition, on Monday, August 12th, my husband and I took him to Great Adventure.  Narmer  was able to ride many roller coasters with his father and also participate in the Safari adventure, which I highly recommend.  Considering that it is in Jackson, New Jersey,  the Safari was an exhilarating and interactive experience.  In a Safari vehicle, we explored 350-acre preserve with over 1,200 animals from six continents including elephants, rhinos, tigers, giraffe,  and lions. 

We literally closed down the park at 10:00 p.m. and returned tired from a fun-filled day. 

P.S.-- The lines are very long.  We purchased Flash Passes (Platinum) in order to avoid long lines.  It is expensive, no doubt; however, time is money and our purchase was worth it.  Our wait on lines were less than 10 minutes, and we were able to ride each ride (offered) twice...Wow...It is worth it!! 

So, in summary, we are now planning his next birthday (9th) August 8, 2014....So it begins...more to come...

Super Bowl 2014 in NYC!!!

 Hola Reinas,

I am a die-hard New Yorker so I was elated when I found out that the Big Apple was going to host for the first time in 48 years the Super Bowl.  My family and I visited Super Bowl Blvd  in Times Square on Saturday, February 1st, to partake in the festivities and excitement.  The city was packed with so many people in anticipation to this big historical event.  It was great to see New York City at its BEST!   It was hard to get around; however, it was a great experience for my family and I.  Congratulations to the Seattle Seahawks for winning Super Bowl XLVIII.  Although, the Seahawks were the underdogs, they played an outstanding game and crushed the Denver Broncos (43-8).  In summary, "With but few exceptions, it is always the underdog who wins through sheer willpower."~

Narmer chilling with Bumble Bee- Ripley's Believe or Not Museum

Times Square--Waiting for the 7 Train

Ride Home-Narmer and I reflecting on our trip to NYC!!!

Fashion Tip- Statement Necklace

Hola Reinas,

Do you own a statement necklace? If not, add one to your collection of jewels.  Statement necklaces are in trend and they are a FABULOUS way to add sparkle (bling, bling) to an otherwise simple outfit and make it glamorous. You don't have to spend a great deal of money for one.  I bought mine on sale from Jcrew.  Here is how a statement necklace can dress up a sweater and chambray shirt.  The key is to wear it with Confidence and BE FABULOUS!!!

Happy Friday's Inspirational Quote

Hola Reinas,

You can’t fall if you don’t climb.  But there’s no joy in living your whole life on the ground. –Unknown

Happy Friday's Inspirational Quote!

I used to. And at some point, I'm going to put a gag order on myself in terms of talking about the past. I've got to slam the door and deal with the present and the future.
Charlie Sheen

Share As Image

Past, Door, Used

The future rewards those who press on. I don't have time to feel sorry for myself. I don't have time to complain. I'm going to press on.
Barack Obama

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_future2.html#j3sg2hqRxhKjJekK.99

I used to. And at some point, I'm going to put a gag order on myself in terms of talking about the past. I've got to slam the door and deal with the present and the future.
Charlie Sheen

Share As Image

Past, Door, Used

The future rewards those who press on. I don't have time to feel sorry for myself. I don't have time to complain. I'm going to press on.
Barack Obama

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_future2.html#j3sg2hqRxhKjJekK.99

Hello Reinas,

"There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living." ~ Nelson Mandela

There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.

Nelson Mandela

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/n/nelsonmand391070.html#VPJCKATfeott5xir.99

"Confidence is contagious. So is lack of confidence." ~V.Lombardini

Happy New Year!

Hola Reinas,

My New Year's Day tradition is to visit New York City with my family.  It is a fun day in which we  eat, shop, and walk the streets taking in everything that the city has to offer.

What is your New Year's Day tradition?