CNN's broadcast of Latino in America was disappointing to say the least. Somehow CNN and Soledad O'Brian couldn't find a successful Latino to highlight!
Latinos in America are very diverse, and I understand it is not easy to show the world who we are. I just ask that you don't portray us as the stereotype caricatures that sadly so many believe when they think of Latinos, and that you highlight the success too. There are so many successful Latinos in the US that can inspire younger generations within and outside the Latino community, but maybe a producer didn't believe they existed or think it was important to feature.
Fortunately, Julio Varela and several members of LATISM created a forum where real success stories about the Latino experience in the US could be recorded. Read their stories and share your own! Hopefully our stories will encourage others or give CNN and other networks a resource to find Latinos who are successful in the US. =)
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Time for a Chat with God. Una platica con Dios
God, I think it's time for a one-on-one. I need a pep talk. Thanks in advance. :-)
-- Post From My iPhone
Friday, September 18, 2009
Single and Ready to Mingle! - Soltera Pero Feliz!
Apenas pude abrir mis ojos esta mañana. My eyes were so swollen that I barely recognized my reflection – it was not the beautiful girl we are use to seeing :-P
After seeing my reflection, eyes swollen after I cried myself to sleep, and even during my sleep, I couldn’t deny that his despedida or decision to move on had affected me. Even I was surprised at how much it did. I didn’t think I had been attached.
Después de todo I was the one who was doing everything by the book, rules, whatever you want to call it. Yo era la que no lo llamaba. Yo salía con mis amigas/amigos. I was taking my time trying to figure out how the rules worked and how I could prevent making my past mistakes – running away.
I said it. I run away from relationships. No se porque lo hago. If I new why I did it I wouldn’t do it. And please don’t think I had a trauma growing up or have daddy issues. My parents have been together for more than 30 years. My father has been in love with my mother since he was 10 (although she didn’t accept to go out with him until she was in her 20s) and loves her more than anyone else. It’s true, he’s always told us. We can discuss this in a sep. post.
“Alma, you need to get up and go for a run,” was my roommate’s encouragement at 6 am.
Tired and upset (not at her) I told her to leave me alone, but she laughed and told me again I needed to go running. She was right. I needed to run, but not for fitness. I needed to run for clarity. I started running as soon as I walked out the door. I ran harder than I had in weeks. Sin parar, I just kept running until I reached the White House. With Salsa music coming out of my headphones and the endorphins running through my body I was smiling.
I realized I had so many great things going on that deserved my attention and gratitude. My family is now safe, I’m healthy, I’m almost done with grad school at Georgetown – my dream school & I have a job that I love and will be able to do more online & social media marketing. Not to mention I have great friends and a fun social life. Some might say that’s shallow, but I think working hard deserves to be rewarded with play.
With my new perspective I still gave myself room to feel sad, because it’s ok to be honest with ourselves and our emotions. I think giving myself permission to feel my emotions allowed for them to pass by quickly because this afternoon I definitely have big smile on my face. I had incredible news from my boss, had lunch with my dear friend/birthday twin @lesliequander and @julito77 gave me an awesome #VivaViernes shoutout.
Now all I can say is pobre, pendejo that set me free (he he) because now I will be a single girl for my friend’s birthday weekend in Atlantic City!
After seeing my reflection, eyes swollen after I cried myself to sleep, and even during my sleep, I couldn’t deny that his despedida or decision to move on had affected me. Even I was surprised at how much it did. I didn’t think I had been attached.
Después de todo I was the one who was doing everything by the book, rules, whatever you want to call it. Yo era la que no lo llamaba. Yo salía con mis amigas/amigos. I was taking my time trying to figure out how the rules worked and how I could prevent making my past mistakes – running away.
I said it. I run away from relationships. No se porque lo hago. If I new why I did it I wouldn’t do it. And please don’t think I had a trauma growing up or have daddy issues. My parents have been together for more than 30 years. My father has been in love with my mother since he was 10 (although she didn’t accept to go out with him until she was in her 20s) and loves her more than anyone else. It’s true, he’s always told us. We can discuss this in a sep. post.
“Alma, you need to get up and go for a run,” was my roommate’s encouragement at 6 am.
Tired and upset (not at her) I told her to leave me alone, but she laughed and told me again I needed to go running. She was right. I needed to run, but not for fitness. I needed to run for clarity. I started running as soon as I walked out the door. I ran harder than I had in weeks. Sin parar, I just kept running until I reached the White House. With Salsa music coming out of my headphones and the endorphins running through my body I was smiling.
I realized I had so many great things going on that deserved my attention and gratitude. My family is now safe, I’m healthy, I’m almost done with grad school at Georgetown – my dream school & I have a job that I love and will be able to do more online & social media marketing. Not to mention I have great friends and a fun social life. Some might say that’s shallow, but I think working hard deserves to be rewarded with play.
With my new perspective I still gave myself room to feel sad, because it’s ok to be honest with ourselves and our emotions. I think giving myself permission to feel my emotions allowed for them to pass by quickly because this afternoon I definitely have big smile on my face. I had incredible news from my boss, had lunch with my dear friend/birthday twin @lesliequander and @julito77 gave me an awesome #VivaViernes shoutout.
Now all I can say is pobre, pendejo that set me free (he he) because now I will be a single girl for my friend’s birthday weekend in Atlantic City!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Rock n Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon
Yes, it’s true - I am running in the Rock n Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon on Sunday, Dec 6, 2009! From now until November I will be training and raising funds for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) as a member of their Team Challenge. I am very excited about this opportunity because I never even considered myself athletic, much less a runner, and what better way to reach this milestone than for a good cause and in Las Vegas =)
Donations are tax deductible and directly benefit the Foundation. Please use my fundraising site to donate online quickly & securely. You will receive an email confirmation of your donation and I will be notified as soon as you make your donation.
Thank you for visiting my fundraising page and for your support in this journey.
What is Crohn's disease?
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestine. It primarily causes ulcerations (breakages in the lining) of the small and large intestine, but can affect the entire digestive system, anywhere from the mouth to the anus.
Who is affected by Crohn's Disease?
It is estimated that 1.4 million Americans have IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) -- with that number evenly split between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Males and females appear to be affected equally. Crohn's disease may occur in people of all ages, but it is primarily a disease of adolescents and young adults, affecting mainly those between 15 and 35. However, Crohn's disease can also occur in people who are 70 or older and in young children as well. In fact, 10 percent of those affected -- or an estimated 100,000 -- are youngsters under the age of 18. The cause is still unknown.
About the Organization
The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America's (CCFA) mission is to cure Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of those affected by these diseases. Eighty-three cents of every dollar raised by CCFA goes directly toward research and patient support. That puts CCFA in the top 6 of charity organizations nationwide!
Donations are tax deductible and directly benefit the Foundation. Please use my fundraising site to donate online quickly & securely. You will receive an email confirmation of your donation and I will be notified as soon as you make your donation.
Thank you for visiting my fundraising page and for your support in this journey.
What is Crohn's disease?
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestine. It primarily causes ulcerations (breakages in the lining) of the small and large intestine, but can affect the entire digestive system, anywhere from the mouth to the anus.
Who is affected by Crohn's Disease?
It is estimated that 1.4 million Americans have IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) -- with that number evenly split between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Males and females appear to be affected equally. Crohn's disease may occur in people of all ages, but it is primarily a disease of adolescents and young adults, affecting mainly those between 15 and 35. However, Crohn's disease can also occur in people who are 70 or older and in young children as well. In fact, 10 percent of those affected -- or an estimated 100,000 -- are youngsters under the age of 18. The cause is still unknown.
About the Organization
The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America's (CCFA) mission is to cure Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of those affected by these diseases. Eighty-three cents of every dollar raised by CCFA goes directly toward research and patient support. That puts CCFA in the top 6 of charity organizations nationwide!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
My Guilt
Latinas don't leave their parents home until they are married -- well at least that's how it was in our mother's land.
It's been two years since I moved to DC from Arizona, and this week I realized just how much everything has changed since I left. I moved for good reasons, but that doesn't take away the lonliness and guilt I sometimes feel.
Lonliness because I'm almost 3,000 miles away from the people I love & know love me unconditionaly. Guilt because initially my move broke my parents heart, and because I was no longer able to help or be of use to my family if they needed help.
Today they are orgullosos that I am attending Georgetown, so my initial guilt has faded. Yet, after this week & seeing how sick my aunt is(post soon to come) and how far along my grandfather's dementia it's harder for me to hide or ignore my guilt. I'm not here to help take care of either one, or give my grandmother support or provide humor with one of my pendejadas that I am well known for :-).
I know what I'm doing is for the best, and will help my family in the long run but I realized I had to make the biggest sacrifice in trying to achieve success - family.
I wonder what others have had to sacrifice, and if it was their familia how did they cope.
-- Post From My iPhone
It's been two years since I moved to DC from Arizona, and this week I realized just how much everything has changed since I left. I moved for good reasons, but that doesn't take away the lonliness and guilt I sometimes feel.
Lonliness because I'm almost 3,000 miles away from the people I love & know love me unconditionaly. Guilt because initially my move broke my parents heart, and because I was no longer able to help or be of use to my family if they needed help.
Today they are orgullosos that I am attending Georgetown, so my initial guilt has faded. Yet, after this week & seeing how sick my aunt is(post soon to come) and how far along my grandfather's dementia it's harder for me to hide or ignore my guilt. I'm not here to help take care of either one, or give my grandmother support or provide humor with one of my pendejadas that I am well known for :-).
I know what I'm doing is for the best, and will help my family in the long run but I realized I had to make the biggest sacrifice in trying to achieve success - family.
I wonder what others have had to sacrifice, and if it was their familia how did they cope.
-- Post From My iPhone
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
My Day Ends on a Happy Note
No matter how homesick I am, or how rough my day may have been he always manages to make me smile.
What amazes me is he does this before I even tell him I need a pick me up.
Tonight he told me how happy he was to know me...I feel the same way.
-- Post From My iPhone
What amazes me is he does this before I even tell him I need a pick me up.
Tonight he told me how happy he was to know me...I feel the same way.
-- Post From My iPhone
Sunday, May 3, 2009
No hay mal que por bien no venga, but it's great to have friends to get you through it.
It’s official; tomorrow I will be joining the online marketing team of a national non-governmental organization. I won’t say which one, but here’s a hint the organization is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for people as they age.
I am very excited about the opportunity for several reasons including: (a) I have had my eye on this organization since I moved to DC, (b) I will be able to develop and oversee online marketing initiatives to both general and Hispanic/Latino audiences, (c) my office is located in downtown DC just a few minutes from my apartment, and (d) I will be able to afford drinks for everyone who gave me their guidance and support these past few months.
I was unemployed for two months, and that is short time period compared to what many have experienced in the nations recent layoffs. In those two months I went through a lot of emotions, but I was also able to focus on me, and see who my friends really were.
I went from feeling sad to relieved and hopeful to scared and angry then to hopeful and confident about the future. To avoid getting caught in my emotions I had to keep telling myself, “no hay mal que por bien no venga”(there is no bad from which good doesn’t come) or “todo pasa por algo” (everything happens for a reason). I also kept myself busy by studying subjects that interested me, looked for jobs, and tried things I had never done before like running, learning to cook Mexican food from scratch and wash dishes (see my first post).
Thorough this I learned:
- that there was nothing about running to fear, and I am capable of running the distance
- I can cook from scratch, and that it is actually good
- and that washing dishes doesn’t make me ready for marriage
- most importantly I learned I’m a strong woman with great friends that can rise to the occasion
From this situation I am most grateful for everyone who was there when I needed it the most. I know I always try to put a brave face, but that didn’t fool them. Whether we knew each other from work, school, and childhood or only knew through twitter they always vocalized their support. Not everyone who once claimed to be my friend, specifically CM*, was there and although that saddens me I can see now who matters, and I want to thank them.
Thank you to @lafauce for being my rock and always reminding me how much “I rock.”
@mstory123, thank you. Without your class, and your guidance always pushing for the best in one to come out I would have forgotten that I had talent - talent that has carried me through my career and into Georgetown’s graduate program. I almost let myself forget but you didn’t let me and I hope I don’t disappoint.
Thank you to all my friends including HC, LK, DC, AGB and CS to name a few. My friend LK for getting me to put on my tennis shoes to face my fear of running and helping me gain my confidence one stride at a time =). DC for reminding me that there was something bigger out there in life for me. Thank you HC, CS and AGB for not being afraid to stick up for me and help me in my job search.
I know that without everyone’s support I would not have had the confidence to walk into that interview, much less walk out with a job offer. I admit that as I put together my outfit for tomorrow I still don’t understand why everything happens; I am learning to trust that everything does happen for a reason that we are strong enough to deal what comes our way. So until we can meet after work here’s a virtual toast to the future, friendship and health – may we always be rich in all three.
*CM are not his real initials.
I am very excited about the opportunity for several reasons including: (a) I have had my eye on this organization since I moved to DC, (b) I will be able to develop and oversee online marketing initiatives to both general and Hispanic/Latino audiences, (c) my office is located in downtown DC just a few minutes from my apartment, and (d) I will be able to afford drinks for everyone who gave me their guidance and support these past few months.
I was unemployed for two months, and that is short time period compared to what many have experienced in the nations recent layoffs. In those two months I went through a lot of emotions, but I was also able to focus on me, and see who my friends really were.
I went from feeling sad to relieved and hopeful to scared and angry then to hopeful and confident about the future. To avoid getting caught in my emotions I had to keep telling myself, “no hay mal que por bien no venga”(there is no bad from which good doesn’t come) or “todo pasa por algo” (everything happens for a reason). I also kept myself busy by studying subjects that interested me, looked for jobs, and tried things I had never done before like running, learning to cook Mexican food from scratch and wash dishes (see my first post).
Thorough this I learned:
- that there was nothing about running to fear, and I am capable of running the distance
- I can cook from scratch, and that it is actually good
- and that washing dishes doesn’t make me ready for marriage
- most importantly I learned I’m a strong woman with great friends that can rise to the occasion
From this situation I am most grateful for everyone who was there when I needed it the most. I know I always try to put a brave face, but that didn’t fool them. Whether we knew each other from work, school, and childhood or only knew through twitter they always vocalized their support. Not everyone who once claimed to be my friend, specifically CM*, was there and although that saddens me I can see now who matters, and I want to thank them.
Thank you to @lafauce for being my rock and always reminding me how much “I rock.”
@mstory123, thank you. Without your class, and your guidance always pushing for the best in one to come out I would have forgotten that I had talent - talent that has carried me through my career and into Georgetown’s graduate program. I almost let myself forget but you didn’t let me and I hope I don’t disappoint.
Thank you to all my friends including HC, LK, DC, AGB and CS to name a few. My friend LK for getting me to put on my tennis shoes to face my fear of running and helping me gain my confidence one stride at a time =). DC for reminding me that there was something bigger out there in life for me. Thank you HC, CS and AGB for not being afraid to stick up for me and help me in my job search.
I know that without everyone’s support I would not have had the confidence to walk into that interview, much less walk out with a job offer. I admit that as I put together my outfit for tomorrow I still don’t understand why everything happens; I am learning to trust that everything does happen for a reason that we are strong enough to deal what comes our way. So until we can meet after work here’s a virtual toast to the future, friendship and health – may we always be rich in all three.
*CM are not his real initials.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Mexico's Safe? La Realidad para mi familia.
“Oh Mexico is safe,” she told her colleagues at lunch. “As long as one isn’t involved in drugs, illegal activities and minds their own business there is nothing to worry about.”
Before last week I would have probably said the same thing. Today I just wanted to scream at her, “Callate, you know damn well that’s not true!”
Years ago her statement was true. Today the reality for people in Mexico, including my family, is different.
On Tuesday, March 24, 2009, three masked gunmen broke into my grandmother’s house while she slept. They violently woke her, my aunt G and my aunt M (who has down syndrome) up demanding money. It wasn’t a crime of opportunity. They had been equipped with the right tools to break the iron doors and avoid the dogs.
I found out about the break-in while I was working on my homework at my usual coffee shop in Adams Morgan from a quick message my sister left. I was unable to reach my grandmother’s house because the men cut the land line had been cut, and destroyed the cell phones. I couldn’t reach my mom in AZ or any of my aunts in Mexico; I was clueless.
After my class on Tuesday I was able to get a hold of my grandmother. I spoke with my aunt G, and she told me everything that happened. EVERYTHING. Where she was sleeping, first thought when she realized someone was in her room, what they said, what weapons they had, their demands and threats as well as the sections of the house they were walking through.
G was reliving it, and I was witnessing the situation take place again.
I went from feeling clueless to feeling angry and scared.
Angry because someone tried to hurt (kill & kidnap) the people I love (G and M are twins and only a year older than me. We grew up like more like sisters than aunt and niece). Angry because I wasn’t there or even close enough to get in my car and drive over to be with them.
Scared because (a)I almost lost my family, (b) there was nothing I could do, (c) realized how vulnerable we all were, and (d) they were still out there and we didn’t even know what they looked like.
Once I hung up the phone and just started crying, and was unable to stop. Sitting on my living room floor, knees to my chest, I cried all night into Wednesday morning. Wednesday was the same. I was angry, scared and just a sobbing mess. By Thursday I was just exhausted.
It’s been a week since the break in and life is slowly getting back to normal, although it will never be “normal” again. Not for them or for me.
It’s hard to say when the situation in Mexico deteriorated. What’s not hard is explaining why things are so bad. As we saw on Anderson Copper 360 (http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/ last week from Mexico everything can be traced back to drugs (no surprise). The money is too good and the demand is high. The largest consumer of drugs - the United States.
If you consume drugs, you contribute to the violence. Fighting the war on drugs requires that we fight drug usage here at home. I’m a strong believer that if we prevent drug abuse, we also fight poverty and numerous social issues.
Before last week I would have probably said the same thing. Today I just wanted to scream at her, “Callate, you know damn well that’s not true!”
Years ago her statement was true. Today the reality for people in Mexico, including my family, is different.
On Tuesday, March 24, 2009, three masked gunmen broke into my grandmother’s house while she slept. They violently woke her, my aunt G and my aunt M (who has down syndrome) up demanding money. It wasn’t a crime of opportunity. They had been equipped with the right tools to break the iron doors and avoid the dogs.
I found out about the break-in while I was working on my homework at my usual coffee shop in Adams Morgan from a quick message my sister left. I was unable to reach my grandmother’s house because the men cut the land line had been cut, and destroyed the cell phones. I couldn’t reach my mom in AZ or any of my aunts in Mexico; I was clueless.
After my class on Tuesday I was able to get a hold of my grandmother. I spoke with my aunt G, and she told me everything that happened. EVERYTHING. Where she was sleeping, first thought when she realized someone was in her room, what they said, what weapons they had, their demands and threats as well as the sections of the house they were walking through.
G was reliving it, and I was witnessing the situation take place again.
I went from feeling clueless to feeling angry and scared.
Angry because someone tried to hurt (kill & kidnap) the people I love (G and M are twins and only a year older than me. We grew up like more like sisters than aunt and niece). Angry because I wasn’t there or even close enough to get in my car and drive over to be with them.
Scared because (a)I almost lost my family, (b) there was nothing I could do, (c) realized how vulnerable we all were, and (d) they were still out there and we didn’t even know what they looked like.
Once I hung up the phone and just started crying, and was unable to stop. Sitting on my living room floor, knees to my chest, I cried all night into Wednesday morning. Wednesday was the same. I was angry, scared and just a sobbing mess. By Thursday I was just exhausted.
It’s been a week since the break in and life is slowly getting back to normal, although it will never be “normal” again. Not for them or for me.
It’s hard to say when the situation in Mexico deteriorated. What’s not hard is explaining why things are so bad. As we saw on Anderson Copper 360 (http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/ last week from Mexico everything can be traced back to drugs (no surprise). The money is too good and the demand is high. The largest consumer of drugs - the United States.
If you consume drugs, you contribute to the violence. Fighting the war on drugs requires that we fight drug usage here at home. I’m a strong believer that if we prevent drug abuse, we also fight poverty and numerous social issues.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Finding strength & happiness after losing work & love - Encontrando fuerza y felicidad después de perder el trabajo y el amor
During the last week in February I went from being in a relationship with a guy who many would call “a catch”, and having a job to being single and unemployed. He was out of the picture on Sunday and I was laid off on Tuesday.
When I left him on Sunday, I thought “maybe I should have tried harder? After all he was everything I said I ever wanted.” Everyone loved him...everyone except me. Yet, I knew I had made the right choice when I felt relieved that it was over.
Then on Tuesday I was informed of work reduction, and provided with severance pay. The decision caught my colleagues by surprise - they didn’t know until I told them. Some were worried that the losing my job and boyfriend within two days was going to be too much. Confieso (i admit) that at first being unemployed 3000 miles away from my family was a little scary, but only because it was a new situation for me.
Latinas are strong, and I am no exception. Life has many set backs, piedras por el camino, but we always find our way and come out stronger. I learned to be strong from the women in my family, starting with my grandmother. She immigrated to the US with my dad and his sister, and cleaned homes and worked the fields for a living. She didn’t know anyone, have a job or know English when she arrived in California, but that didn’t stop her. When I lost my job I remembered my grandmother, and realized I have her strength and resources to move forward. I know English, have great friends, loving family, money, a bachelor's and Im attending Georgetown for my master’s - I am the girl who has everything! Once I realized this I stopped being scared and began planning my next steps.
I hesitated writing about recent events, but realized that there are many Latina’s who might be going through similar events and they needed to know they weren’t alone. We (Latinos) have come along way, and although there is still more for us to achieve we just have to stick together and help each other out.
In addition to friends and former colleagues I have used the sites below to research job openings. If you know of any and would like share them please send them to me or post them as a comment. I wish everyone the best of look in their job search.
Public Relations Society of America
International Association of Business Communicators
New Media and Digital Media Community and Jobs
USA Jobs
Twitter
My Work Butterfly
Job Fox
Craigslist
Monster
When I left him on Sunday, I thought “maybe I should have tried harder? After all he was everything I said I ever wanted.” Everyone loved him...everyone except me. Yet, I knew I had made the right choice when I felt relieved that it was over.
Then on Tuesday I was informed of work reduction, and provided with severance pay. The decision caught my colleagues by surprise - they didn’t know until I told them. Some were worried that the losing my job and boyfriend within two days was going to be too much. Confieso (i admit) that at first being unemployed 3000 miles away from my family was a little scary, but only because it was a new situation for me.
Latinas are strong, and I am no exception. Life has many set backs, piedras por el camino, but we always find our way and come out stronger. I learned to be strong from the women in my family, starting with my grandmother. She immigrated to the US with my dad and his sister, and cleaned homes and worked the fields for a living. She didn’t know anyone, have a job or know English when she arrived in California, but that didn’t stop her. When I lost my job I remembered my grandmother, and realized I have her strength and resources to move forward. I know English, have great friends, loving family, money, a bachelor's and Im attending Georgetown for my master’s - I am the girl who has everything! Once I realized this I stopped being scared and began planning my next steps.
I hesitated writing about recent events, but realized that there are many Latina’s who might be going through similar events and they needed to know they weren’t alone. We (Latinos) have come along way, and although there is still more for us to achieve we just have to stick together and help each other out.
In addition to friends and former colleagues I have used the sites below to research job openings. If you know of any and would like share them please send them to me or post them as a comment. I wish everyone the best of look in their job search.
Public Relations Society of America
International Association of Business Communicators
New Media and Digital Media Community and Jobs
USA Jobs
My Work Butterfly
Job Fox
Craigslist
Monster
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