Blog Post - Remembering the 65th Infantry (U.S. Army)

Feeling melancholy on this supposed joyus day to honor and pay respect to our fallen. A friend of mine said we don't or wont treasure freedom until its taken from us. With that attitude, I say let freedom ring and give one day to all those who fight hard and stay strong for us everyday. The fallen but never forgotten.

Thank you.

Ever Changing Patterns of Life

Man, work was on hit today. I don't know what is going on. So many people to manage and nobody listening. I hate turbulence. Why can't everyone work as one happy family? Craziness. On days like this I just day dream about the days of summer lemon-aid and warm nights. No work, no school. No troubles. Ah, I need a breath of fresh air. Vacation coming around the corner and it's much needed.

Wanna see my new poetry blog?

Blogging is addicting. Have you checked out my new one? Poetry by yours truly.

It's a private forum. I would be happy to add you to the distribution list. Just let me know.

www.whentheheartsings.blogspot.com

Sad

Today is a Sad day. Said things I didn't mean. Spoke out of emotion instead of discipline. Dissapointed with myself. Need to do better when it comes to matters of the heart. I need time inside my own head. Replay the scenario.

New art love................Brian Viveros

"I don't know why I am attracted to his paintings of tattooed, beaten women, but they have such a defiant look, with their Louise Brooks/Pandora’s Box black ‘helmet hair’ and cig dangling from their mouths, one eye swollen shut. It is to so erotic and powerful, about us women who get beaten up every day…"

New blog

I started a new blog last weekend. A place where I can proudly share information about my culture. This blog is much more organized than this random melting pot of thoughts. This new blog will include family and favorite recipes, new and old family traditions and memories, music, art, and influential people or events in history.

I will probably post a few things here now and again but for some real juice, check me out on:

www.saborcultura.blogspot.com

iPad

This is my first post from my iPad. It's easier than I thought. I have to get used to the keyboard. Ut other than that this is great. I'm so happy with it. If your thinking of getting an iPad. I highly higly recommend it.

Twitter

Twitter is my new fix. Love the posts. Short and sweet.

Maybe one day  I will reach 1 million followers.

Well, we all can't be Ashton Kutcher.

Follow me................@spiqueen14

Office Assistant

Ok, I'm really excited.

Finally going to get some help around here!

If you are or know of a qualified candidate.....send them through.

Hiring Process is Slow

Looking for a summer intern for my office has been grueling. All inquiries have been a scam or looking for pay.

Please, please send someone honest and competent our way.

BET Award Nominations Are In! - Roc4Life

BET Award Nominations Are In! - Roc4Life

Box House, S�o Paulo by Alan Chu and Cristiano Kato-- The Architectural Review

Box House, S�o Paulo by Alan Chu and Cristiano Kato--
The Architectural Review

Amazing shrinking home idea. We don't need these huge homes to have a beautiful living space.

Summer Internship Opportunity with Triterra Realty Group, Inc.

Summer Internship Opportunity with Triterra Realty Group, Inc.

POSITION TITLE: OFFICE ASSISTANT

DUTIES/JOB DESCRIPTION:  The position consists of various clerical tasks in finance, real estate, and general office duties.  

HOURS:  Flexible, hours may vary, on average 15 hours a week.

REQUIREMENTS:  Student should possess excellent writing and communication skills, knowledge of computer applications such as Windows Vista, MS Word and MS Excel. Priority will be given to a student applying with a business major.

COMPENSATION:  This is a non-paid internship. Letter of Recommendation will be based on performance.

HOW TO APPLY:  Please submit a cover letter and resume directly to:

Monse Galdamez

Triterra Realty Group, Inc

650.292.6489 (FAX)

monse@triterra.net

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  Open until filled

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:  Monse Galdamez at (650) 292-6469 phone or monse@triterra.net email.

ABOUT US:

Triterra Realty Group, Inc. is a real estate investment management company. The company portfolio includes apartments, multi-family homes, and commercial management in the Bay Area.  

In addition to the properties it owns and manages, Triterra is an equity investor in commercial properties outside the Bay Area.  These investments add additional diversification to the company’s portfolio.

 

  

Sin Musica

I read this saying at one time in my life and still holds true

"Sin Musica, La Vida no Tiene Sabor"

Long live the rockeros, the bandoleros, the mariachis, the rapperos, las romanticas, el reggae, el reggaton, la SALSA, la cumbia, y los montones de generos que tengo la gran fortuna de escuchar.

Dale mas pique!

The Mountain Winery -- Concerts, Weddings, Events and Corporate Meetings in Santa Cruz Mountains, Bay Area - An Evening with Gipsy Kings

Going on sale April 26th. Very exciting news. Gypsy Kings always awakens the Gitana in me.

The Mountain Winery -- Concerts, Weddings, Events and Corporate Meetings in Santa Cruz Mountains, Bay Area - An Evening with Gipsy Kings

HappyChemo! Cheering up cancer patients when they need it most.

HappyChemo! Cheering up cancer patients when they need it most.

I found this website where you can send little messages of hope to cancer patients surviving chemo. Just see how much happiness you bring with a few kind words. Spread the love people.

Photos from L�t den r�tte komma in

Let the Right One In

If you haven't already seen the foreign flick "Let the Right One In" I would recommend you check it out. I loved it.

The Uniform Project: July

The Uniform Project: July

watching a Life segment on Discovery..so beautiful. I started web browsing and came across this website that has inspired me. Could I do 1 dress in 2011? Maybe. That would be very tight.

Fab 40's - Fashion - Fall 2007 - Chicago

Fab 40's - Fashion - Fall 2007 - Chicago

How freaking awesome would it be if we all still dressed like this?

Sean Carter.....Jay Z

San Jose Pavillion, California. March 24, 2010.

http://www.mercurynews.com/top-stories/ci_14756235

I don't agree with everything that was published in the mercury news about this concert. I thought Jay was on point. He engaged the crowd and made it a personal experience. I've been to my fair share of concerts and anyone can go up on a stage and sing but I felt that he got really personal. I will say that Jeezy was terrible and Songz was doing way too much. Stripping his shirt off and pouring champagne out of a flute down a girls throat.  I mean c'mon.

Overall I was not disappointed at all and on the contrary I had so much fun. From bouncing the diamond in the air to spitting all his lyrics back at him better than the majority of the men in that place. I smiled so big throughout the show, I think I got cheek cramps.

I hope I get to see Mr. Carter again. I'll make sure to spend those $$$ on a front row seat ticket! Best rap concert for sure.

On to the Next One........

My Space account is over

I deleted myspace account today. I forgot that I even had it. I was looking through it and found all these blogs I wrote on the site and decided to flip them over to Blogger. Reading them back from 2009 made me laugh and remember some of the things I was going through. I love progression! Anyways, I don't expect to cancel this account anytime soon. Ha ha! Ah man, today is such a lazy day. I should be at work catching up on the business but instead I treated Charley and I to brunch at Chouquet's http://www.chouquets.com/ in Low Pac Heights on Washington with a Groupon coupon I scored on. I ordered an omelette du Jardin with spinach, tomatoes, and mushrooms and a latte. The latte was sooo good. Charley ordered a grilled Wagyu Kobe beef burger with pommes frites and ice tea. We shared a creme brulee with raspberries. Everything was plated very beautifully and the outdoor seating with the  San Francisco sun hitting us made it even better. What a nice little morning experience. On our way home we headed over to the Haight District and stopped at Ben and Jerry's (another groupon score) and picked up pints of  "everything but" and "creme delight". Saturday morning couldn't have gone any better. Now I'm chilling at the house deciding if I will start on my homework, kick Charley off the PS3 so I can play a little, or keep surfing the web??? Decisions, decisions.

MEXICO, MEXICO, MEXICO from 09/16/09

El Grito every 16th of September is the Mexican Fiesta par excellence! On this day Mexicans all over the world celebrate Mexico’s independence from Spanish rule.As you know, indigenous peoples were the first to inhabit what is now known as Mexico. They created great civilizations such as the Olmec, theTeotihuacan, Maya, Toltec, and of course the most powerful of all, theAztec Empire.  After Christopher Columbus “discovered” America, the Spaniards carried out expeditions to find gold and riches from these faraway lands.  In 1521, about 500 Spanish soldiers arrived in Mexico, headed by an ambitious man: Hernán Cortés.  At this time, the Aztecs had built a great empire that ruled over all Mesoamérica. So the Spaniards decided to direct their attacks towards them. The indigenous nations that were under the Aztec rule were tired of the physical and economic hardships imposed upon them by this empire. This circumstance made them think that by helping the Conquerors defeat the Aztecs, they would be better off.  So they decided to aid the Spaniards.This is how the Conquest of what is now Mexico began.  On the 13th of August 1521, Cuauhtémoc, the last Aztec emperor was captured. The indigenous allies of the Spaniards raidedTenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec empire.They didn’t know it at the time, but they had been liberated from one oppressor and fallen in the hands of a much more powerful authoritarian.This was the beginning of three centuries of Spanish rule. The new colony was named Nueva España, New Spain. The years that followed were devastating. The conquerors brought with them diseases unknown to the natives. The epidemics that broke out as well as the merciless workload imposed upon the natives dramatically diminished the Indian population.   There were approximately 20 million Indians inhabiting this territory before the Conquest, and after just one century of Spanish rule there were only 1 million left!  Colonial society was highly stratified. Spaniards born in Spain, occupied the higher echelons, followed by Criollos, those born in Mexico from Spanish parents; Mestizos, the mix- blood offspring of Spaniards and Natives; Indios, Native Indians; Negros, African slaves.  Each socio-ethnic group had different rights and duties. The privileged were the peninsular Spaniards.  Discontent steadily grew, especially amongst the Criollos, who were always treated as second-class subjects of the Spanish Crown.   It is no surprise then, that Criolloswere the spark that ignited the Independence movement.  In  1808, Napoleon invaded Spain, and decided to impose his brother José Bonaparte, as king of Spain (1808-1810).  The Criollosfound in this circumstance the opportunity to seek their independence form Spain.Influenced by the concepts of liberty, equality and democracy proposed by the French philosophers Rousseau, Montesquieu, Voltaire, and by the war of Independence of the United States, they decided to start a revolt.  It was 1810, and their plan was to start the war on the 2nd of October.  Unfortunately, their plans were discovered in early September. The movement was in trouble. They had two alternatives; either abandon their plans, or move faster and start the revolt immediately. Fortunately for our country they decided upon the second alternative. In the early hours of September 16, 1810, father Hidalgo, accompanied by several conspirators –Iganacio Allende, Doña Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez-   rang the bell of his little church, calling everyone to fight for liberty.  This was the beginning of the Independence War, which lasted 10 years.   Celebrating!And this is the moment that every 16th of September is re enacted in every plaza or zócalo of Mexico, and commemorated by Mexicans all over the world.  Streets, houses, buildings and cars are decorated everywhere in the country. On every street corner there are vendors selling flags, balloons,sombreros and rehiletes -shuttlecock, all with the green, white and red, our National Colors.Flags wave from practically every house and building.Lighted decorations are set up in every city, the most spectacular being those of the Zócalo, main plaza, in Mexico City.  This main plaza of every town and city is the place where the great 16 De Septiembre celebrations take place. People of all ages come to this fiesta, to take part in the collective gaiety! Food is always a very important part of these festivities. Literarily hundreds of stands are set up several days before and offer the traditionalantojitos, most aptly described as a variety of finger foods, Mexican candies, and punch.  Punch. ponche, is a drink made of fruits that are in season: guayabas, sugarcane, raisins and apples, and such a delicious aroma!During September, Mes de la Patria, the month of our nation as it is called in Mexico, restaurants serve traditional Mexican dishes, such asMole Poblano, Chiles en Nogada, Guacamole and chips.During the evening of September 15, people start gathering in thezócalo. Many people walk around dressed in typical Mexican dress: men as Charros and women as China Poblanas, or indigenous dresses. Those who don't own a typical outfit, at least dress find something to wear in the colors of the flag.....Live Mariachi Music bands play to the delight of all present. There are also photography stands where one can have a picture taken, attired with a sombrero and atop a wooden horse!....The euphoria is collective and all are prepared to shout, yell and make as much noise as possible with fake trumpets, noisemakers and whistles!As the evening advances, the plaza gradually fills with more and more people; suddenly there is practically no room to move. Excitement and euphoria reach a crescendo at the culminating moment when a government official arrives in the zócalo, at 11:00 P.M. to give the grito or cry of Independence.  This ritual recreates the moment in which Father Hidalgo, gathered his followers in Dolores Guanajuato.....It is customary for our President to deliver the grito in Mexico City’szócalo. It is in this plaza, atop Palacio Nacional, the National Palace -a beautiful colonial building where the President’s offices are located-, that the original bell rung by Hidalgo is placed. And this is the bell that is rung
every 16th of September..... The ceremony reaches the high point when the crowd joins in proudly shouting out the names of the heroes of our Independence, to end with the exciting VIVA MÉXICO!.... When the grito ceremony ends, the sky lights up with multicolored rockets that shower our hearts with the pride of knowing that we are a free and independent nation.

History from 08/29/09 (JayZ)

History Lyrics

(Chorus)
Now that all the smoke is gone(lighter)
And the battle finally rise(give me a lighter)
Victory’s finally ours (Lighters up, lighters up)
History so loved, so long, so long, so long…

(Jay-Z, Verse)
In search of victory, she keeps it (..
If only we could be together momentarily
We could make love, and make history
Why won’t you visit me, until she visits me
I’ll be stuck with a sista, her name is defeat
She gives me agony, so much agony
She brings me so much pain
So much misery, like missing your last shot
And fall to your knees .
As the crowd screams, for the other team
I practice so hard for this moment victory don’t lead
I know what this means, I’m stuck in this routine
Whole new different day, but the same old things
All I got is dreams, but nobody else could see
Nobody else believe, nobody else but me
Where are you victory, I need you desperately
Not just for the moment. To make history


(Chorus)
Now that all the smoke is gone(lighter)
And the battle finally rise(lighters)
Victory’s finally ours (Yea, Yea, Yea)
History so loved, so long, so long, so long…

(Jay-Z, Verse)
So now I’m flirting with death
Hustla like a cheat, while victory wasn’t watching
Took chances repeatedly
As a teenage boy, before acne
Before I got proactive, I couldn’t face sheet
I just threw on my hoodie and headed to the streets
I swear I met success, we lived together shortly
A success is like lust, witch is good for the touch
Witch is good for the moment, but she’s never enough
Everybody’s had her, she’s nothing like me
A success is all I got, unfortunately
But I’m burning down the block
I’ve been in it down defeat
But something tells me that there’s much more to see
Before I get killed, cos I can’t get robbed
So before me, success and death bandage
I gotta get lost, I gotta find free
We gotta be together to make history

(Chorus)
Now that all the smoke is gone (lighters up)
And the battle finally rise(lighter up)
Victory’s finally ours (lighters up)
History so loved, so long, so long, so long…

(Jay-Z, Verse)
Now history is mine, it taste so sweet
She’s my trophy wife, she commin with me
We have a baby who stutters’ repeatedly
We name him history
He repeats after me
He’s my legacy, son I’m a hard work
Future of my past, he’ll explain who I be
Rank me among the greats
Either 1 2 or 3, if I ain’t number one
Then I failed your victory
Ain’t in it for the fame, that dies in 10 weeks
Ain’t in it for the money, can’t take me when you live
I wanna be remembered long after you breath
Long after I’m gone, long after I breath
I live all I am, in the hands of history
Bless my last will testimony
This is much more then a song
It’s a baby shower, I’ve been waiting for this hour
History your ours.

(Chorus x2)
Now that all the smoke is gone
And the battle finally rise
Victory’s finally ours (lighters up)
History so loved, so long, so long, so long…

Bathroom from 08/21/09

I hate my bathroom. It's the smallest bathroom ever and it's crooked! It's so impossible to get ready in the morning. I've been doing some shopping online at Ikea to remodel the bathroom but right now it seems like an impossible task. I wish I knew more about construction. My husband tells me to wait and be patient but this is madness. I get so worked up. 

From 08/20/09

So much to do and so little time. Yesterday killed me. Running around like a crazy person. Tomorrow I'm just gonna let loose at the water park and try to make the best of it. I hope I dont pass out on one of the rides. I so don't want to cook dinner tonight. Can't dinner just cook itself? The daily debaucle of the housewife. I just bought the Lash Stilleto and I'm gonna give it a try. I bought the waterproof one and I'm hoping that it will stand up to tomorrow's adventure.  

A little makeup from 07/23/09

Wednesdays are sooo boring. I bought a few new things from Sephora yesterday. Tried out the all natural Dior mineral makeup, the multieye by Tarte, the mermaid collection or under the sea something like that by Bare Minerals, and the Buxom mascara. So far, I'm loving the Dior and the mascara. So light and natural but looks amazing. I still haven't found an all natural eyebrow pencil so I stopped by MAC for a pencil refill. I'm still in search of that eyeshadow that looks great without effort. I don't have the time to be applying eye makeup like that in the morning. I just want one color that I can brush on and swipe swipe some mascara and I'm out the door. Oh and I forgot to mention that I just love the bare minerals lip gloss that came with this collection (from above). It's like a bronze/coral color and it feels really good on. 

Greatness from 07/14/09

Martin Luther King, Jr. said,
A man who won’t die for something is not fit to live.
Martin Luther King was certainly fit to live yet he had to die for something larger than even he could imagine.

Independence Day from 07/04/09

I want to give a HUGE thanks to everyone who made it possible for me to celebrate this amazing holiday. 
"Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave" 
MY support and respect to you all. 

Troubles been haunting my soul since the day I was born
Worry just will not seem to leave my mind alone
Feels like every time I get back on my feet
he comes around and knocks me down again
Sometimes I swear it feels like this worry is my only friend

I'm gonna let it shine from 07/01/09

On the fear of Excellence
Our biggest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant,
or gorgeous
or talented
or fabulous?

Actually, who are you NOT to be?
You are a child of God.
You playing small doesn't serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It's not just in some of us; it's in every one of us.
And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear of our own excellence,
our presence automatically liberates others.
And excellence becomes the standard of all our lives.

Work from 6/23/09

Work this morning SUCKED!
I went in as usual, just another day at the office until Mr. Big Man came in tossing around orders and to give everything the once over since he has nothing better to do. Apparently, Mr. Big Man was having a bad day and I bore the brunt of his discontent. I don't understand people like this. I'm so pissed. My only response? To shed tears out of my frustration at the loss of my voice. Where is the woman that won't take that shit? She's scared that she will lose her job and scared that the backlash might be worse than the inital verbal beating. Had  I done something wrong, it would have been more justified. Just goes to show you that although you pour your heart and soul into a career, you are disposable, replaceable, and just another dumb ass. 

Lazzzzy from 6/11/09

So tired......coming down from my java buzz. Gave up on my 3rd attempt at kitchen curtains. Checking my blackberry....wait, what?....No emails? The server must be down at work. Joy, I'm looking forward to the 25 waiting for me in the morning. Michael's coming over tomorrow. I want to see the  baby gorilla at the Zoo. Rebecca and her new baby are in town. Started planning Fathers Day BBQ for Papanano. Drop off the dry cleaning. Haven't had a soda in like a month and am feening. LOL.

My immune system blows

This last week has been a busy one. Fresh off the tahoe trip and sick to boot, I ended up behind at work and at school. What a drag! I spent many days getting well acquainted with my couch. Thank goodness for laptops.  I'm finally caught up on the homework and office work.

I'm tired of getting sick. I take a Vitamin C supplement daily, drink tea, eat plenty of fruits and veggies, lean fish, chicken, and not a lot of red meats. I don't get it. I'm close to blaming it on the air quality.

A helpful link in determining if you have a cold, the flu, or the dreaded H1N1
http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/cold-guide/flu-cold-symptoms

I did drink lots of water and tea, take Alka Seltzer Cold & Flu Remedy, and slept a lot. That seemed to  shorten the length of the virus.

Amazing Coffee/Thrift Shop in Santa Rosa!!!

Happy Valentines Week! I come to you with some exciting news. Recently the buzz has been all about finding the new "spot" to have your coffee. After several attempts and failures to find that unique coffee place, I've found it. A beautiful little vintage thrift shop/java joint. My fingers are tingling with joy as you read this. I get to shop for through the throws of the treasures thats amassed there while I'm drinking my coffee. I've never seen anything like it.  You have got to stop by and check out the new digs at: 972 Petaluma Hill Road in Santa Rosa, CA (between Ware and Santa Rosa Avenue) Hours: Monday - Saturday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. A tucked away little gem that is perfectly nestled a few blocks away from the Historic Downtown of Old Santa Rosa.  Not only is it beautiful and tastefully decorated, it feels as though you have walked into a different time and place. There are pieces that have been exclusively selected to amaze you every time.Your coffee drinking experience will be taken to a new high with all there is to see and shop through.    This place is a mash up of 40's charm, Alice in Wonderland, and a modern day French cafe.    Stop in and take in the whole experience.  When you go, ask for Gloria, she makes the best Caramel Latte I've ever had.

*photos were taken with my cellphone so I apologize about the size and quality

In conclusion of "Dear Joh"

Boy, was I ever in for a surprise. The movie was not at all what I thought. I usually end up liking the chick flicks with the tortured romances. Where is the fairytale? I guess when you go into a movie expecting, you get disappointed. Not to say I was disappointed with the movie just to say that it was shocker. Not your traditional love story.  I heard on the news this morning that the Dear John opening bumped Avatar out of it's number 1 rank. Crazy.

In anticipation of "Dear John"

Opening line "WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH A LETTER THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING".
http://www.dearjohn-movie.com/

I'm not that into Tatum or chick flicks but after watching the Notebook at the sister in laws house with my husband over Thanksgiving of 2007, I can say I'm a fan of Nicholas Sparks. I hope this movie turns out to be as emotionally moving as the Notebook. I love the quote "live for a love that time will stand still for" and I hope this movie embodies it. I watched the preview this morning and the female lead character said it only took 4 weeks for her to fall in love and know he was the one or maybe it was vice versa but anyways I remember my own love story with my fella and it only took us both a week to know. I think it's great how a movie can mirror your emotions and act out things you couldn't describe.

My final thoughts to come after I watch it.........

Book of Eli

I watched the Book of Eli last night after waiting for over a month. The Hughes brothers have to been complemented for their use of imagery and scenery in the movie. Tons of dynamics going on. Good vs Evil, Dark vs Light, Materialistic Possession, Faith, and strong religious notes. Favorite Quotes in the movie "walk by faith and not by sight". Once you finally get to the ending of the movie, the shock will leave you replaying the movie over in your head again and again. I'm a huge fan of Denzel, so my opinion is bias when I say that I was pleased with the movie. The only thing that I'm still not sure of is Mila Kunis. I am a fan of hers but was she right to play this role? She looked uncomfortable in some scenes and I didn't quite buy her one big solo action scene. They made her look too pretty and what I mean is, in a world that has nothing she somehow was able to throw together a coordinating outfit, has perfect skin, brows, and nails. All in all though, I would recommend the movie.