In memory of this dear 8 year old angel Leiby Kletzy, I decided to make this my topic today.
Trust no one! Some people seem to think that we can trust our own culture and community with our kids. A killer has no sense of culture or identification or even a conscience. Your next door neighbor, the person you borrow sugar from time to time, can be a killer. This little boy should not have trusted this man or even asked him for help. He should've walked up to an officer. At least this is what I taught my child to do if ever this were to happen to him. However, I'm assuming (not stating) that because he was of Jewish decent the boy felt comfortable enough to ask him for help. I understand. I will be the devils advocate for a second. I can see why this little boy trusted him. However, he was old enough to learn not to trust anyone Jewish or not. It pains me how this could've been avoided.
We want so much to believe that our community has our back. Hispanics support Hispanics! Blacks support Blacks! Jewish support Jewish! Big misconception! Disagree with me here! That's what this blog is for. Bring it on! This is real talk here! As the Latin saying goes "no tengo pelo en la lengua" which means in English "I have no hair in my tongue" so I will speak how I think and feel. Just because you live in a tightly knit community doesn't mean you're safe. In my neighborhood, I see 6 year old boys walking by themselves to the store or with their 4 year sibling because there are 2 synagogues on each corner. So what! Does that mean they are safe? I don't. Not with the recent molester that was walking around these parts 2 weeks ago. I even see them at 10pm at night walking around by themselves. I praise independence but really?
I hate when change occurs after a devastating event. Caylee's law might be put into affect soon but this darling angel had to be murdered first so that parents can be held accountable and be charged a second degree crime if they don't report their child missing within 24 hours. Really? This should've been a law a long time ago. Now she may get a book deal. I just don't comprehend this phenomenon.
Listen! Make sure your child knows how to scream "FIRE" or "RAPE" when under distress. Make them learn your telephone number by heart. Teach them to run for their lives to an officer if approached by ANY stranger. Stranger meaning someone you have never seen in your life. Cannot be based on culture. You hear me! Your kids should not base the significance of "STRANGER" having to do with culture. I know all of you understand. "He's Hispanic so I can trust him" or "Oh..he's Jewish so I can trust him." NO! Parents wake up!
YOUR BEST FRIEND CAN BE A MURDERER!
This can turn into a very controversial subject I know. It's just another murder of a child. This shouldn't turn into a culture thing or a community thing I know. However, I want to discuss facts here. I want to throw this discussion out there because I want my feelings to be heard and I have the forum for it. This event affects everyone with kids and it hits home hard.
I would love to hear your comments. Please agree or disagree I don't care. The point is our kids will be much safer if we understand the simple concept of "TRUST NO ONE". Not even your own kind!
This is real talk!
"Shema" Prayer for Children at Bedtime:
V'a-hav-ta eit A-do-nai E-lo-he-cha, B'chawl l'va-v'cha, u-v'chawl naf-sh'cha, u-v'chawl m'o-de-cha. V'ha-yu ha-d'va-rim ha-ei-leh, A-sher a-no-chi m'tsa-v'cha ha-yom, al l'va-ve-cha. V'shi-nan-tam l'-va-ne-cha, v'di-bar-ta bam, b'shiv-t'cha b'vei-te-cha, uv-lech-t'cha va-de-rech,u-v'shawch-b'cha uv-ku-me-cha. Uk-shar-tam l'ot al ya-de-cha, v'ha-yu l'to-ta-fot bein ei-ne-cha. Uch-tav-tam, al m'zu-zot bei-te-cha, u-vish-a-re-cha.
God bless you little one!
7.13.2011
Put Your Mask On First! Go Find Yourself!
We've all heard this warning when we get on a plane and the Flight Attendant (who we all ignore BTW) is giving us instructions on what to do if ever a case of an emergency. "Put your mask on first" so that way we will be able to breathe, function and stay alert to help our children or anyone else for that matter in case the airplane were to ever drop altitude. However, I must admit everytime I hear those words I think more about life, myself and what I'm doing to function and carry on positively so that others can benefit from my stability, positive attitude and behavior. The answer is I don't think we do enough for ourselves. I didn't know that we needed to put our mask on first every single day of our lives. For some people it's easy. They go about their lives doing what makes them happy not caring about the world as if there is no tomorrow. They live selfishly, spend money they don't have, deceive and treat people badly. I'm not talking about that kind of life. I speak more of taking care of ourselves first emotionally and physically. We must do this or we will not be happy ever! I don't use the word "ever" loosely either. You can be married, have a beautiful house with kids and a dog and still be unhappy because you are merely playing a role in a very long movie.
"The most important kind of freedom is to be what you really are. You trade in your reality for a role. You give up your ability to feel, and in exchange, put on a mask." - Jim Morrison (Thank you Alex!)
This is important! I always thought that if we give, give and give to others that the end result would be extreme happiness. It never even dawned on me that in the process of giving we had to make sure we give to ourselves as well. We come across individuals every day who take advantage of this and I've been a victim. I'm glad though because it helped me understand that giving is irrelevant and meaningless if we are not feeding and nourishing our souls first.
Nourish the soul! Do a little soul searching! Face your inmost self with courage and be determined to bring out your every ulterior thought, emotion and motive to light. Once you've done that and you see yourself for who you really are you can move forward. But you know what's the most important part in doing this. The people that took advantage of you, abused you mentally, took you for granted will not be able to ever do so again. Trust me!
Putting your mask on first means to me focusing on YOU and finding yourself. Taking time to enjoy YOU so that your kids and family can see a brighter and happier YOU. Some people go through their entire lives living according to others expectations. I'm a MOM so does that mean I can't take time for myself, leave my son with the sitter and take a long walk on the beach by myself? Am I a bad mother if I go on vacation without my son? The point is if I DON'T do these things than I WILL NOT be an effective and emotionally healthy mom for my kid. You don't have to go to a therapist for them to tell you what's wrong with you. I'm telling you what's wrong with you if you find yourself having everything and still unhappy.
I have some great books to share with you that I have read and has helped me in more ways than one. Reading the following books unleashed in me wonderful human behaviors that I've been able to use in love, my career and with my kid. It will change your life as well for the better.
1) Become a Better You - Joel Osteen
2) The Five Love Languages - Gary Chapman
3) The Five Love Languages of Children - Gary Chapman
3) The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho
4) How to Win friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie
5) The Tipping Point - Malcolm Gladwell
6) Eat, Pray, Love - Elizabeth Gilbert
All this may be a little deep for some people but I write it as I see it. When I wake up with a thought or a feeling I write about it because I know there is someone out there that has experienced and is experiencing this feeling. I leave you with this quote:
"Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves like locked rooms and like books that are written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will find them gradually, without noticing it, and live along some distant day into the answer."
~Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet
This is real talk!
Chat with you soon.
"The most important kind of freedom is to be what you really are. You trade in your reality for a role. You give up your ability to feel, and in exchange, put on a mask." - Jim Morrison (Thank you Alex!)
This is important! I always thought that if we give, give and give to others that the end result would be extreme happiness. It never even dawned on me that in the process of giving we had to make sure we give to ourselves as well. We come across individuals every day who take advantage of this and I've been a victim. I'm glad though because it helped me understand that giving is irrelevant and meaningless if we are not feeding and nourishing our souls first.
Nourish the soul! Do a little soul searching! Face your inmost self with courage and be determined to bring out your every ulterior thought, emotion and motive to light. Once you've done that and you see yourself for who you really are you can move forward. But you know what's the most important part in doing this. The people that took advantage of you, abused you mentally, took you for granted will not be able to ever do so again. Trust me!
Putting your mask on first means to me focusing on YOU and finding yourself. Taking time to enjoy YOU so that your kids and family can see a brighter and happier YOU. Some people go through their entire lives living according to others expectations. I'm a MOM so does that mean I can't take time for myself, leave my son with the sitter and take a long walk on the beach by myself? Am I a bad mother if I go on vacation without my son? The point is if I DON'T do these things than I WILL NOT be an effective and emotionally healthy mom for my kid. You don't have to go to a therapist for them to tell you what's wrong with you. I'm telling you what's wrong with you if you find yourself having everything and still unhappy.
I have some great books to share with you that I have read and has helped me in more ways than one. Reading the following books unleashed in me wonderful human behaviors that I've been able to use in love, my career and with my kid. It will change your life as well for the better.
1) Become a Better You - Joel Osteen
2) The Five Love Languages - Gary Chapman
3) The Five Love Languages of Children - Gary Chapman
3) The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho
4) How to Win friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie
5) The Tipping Point - Malcolm Gladwell
6) Eat, Pray, Love - Elizabeth Gilbert
All this may be a little deep for some people but I write it as I see it. When I wake up with a thought or a feeling I write about it because I know there is someone out there that has experienced and is experiencing this feeling. I leave you with this quote:
"Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves like locked rooms and like books that are written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will find them gradually, without noticing it, and live along some distant day into the answer."
~Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet
This is real talk!
Chat with you soon.
7.01.2011
Live Beat Dads! Some Moms Should be Ashamed!
For the past two weeks I've been questioning many of my male friends about being single, their children, life, etc. All of them had one thing in common; not enough time with their children. I've had my own drama in the past with my ex-husband and his children so of course I was intrigued. They are all very good men with good jobs and all they want to do is spend time with their children. However, what is stopping them from doing so? The ex! That's right! Some women should be ashamed of themselves because what happens between you and your ex should stay that way. Women have been using their children as chess pieces in order to get back at their ex. Shame on you! Women have been saying time and time again how there are dead beat Dads out there and when men finally step up to claim their status as father the scorn of some women do not allow this to happen.
Why do women use their children and make them suffer not allowing them to see DAD on a regular basis? What you don't realize is that you are distroying your children pychologically by allowing them to think that DAD does not want to be there. You are lying to them saying that DAD doesn't love you anymore because he chose HER instead of US. If DAD really loved you he wouldn't have forgotten this or that. Granted, I know there are some dead beat Dads out there that deserve the title but not every separation that occurs in the household is a result of something he did. Nevertheless, because the courts favor the mother in most Child Custody cases it's always the man on trial. In fact, more women abuse the system now than ever before. It's mind blowing how Judges do not catch on.
There is also the case of moving the children to another state away from their father. After a divorce there is always that slight possibility of someone remarrying. I understand that you want to move on with your life but you have children now so you have to consider how far away you are moving away from your kids father. You must leave all selfishness behind and think about the long term affects of your children taking away their DAD or vice versa. But what angers me the most is when WOMEN purposely make it almost impossible for the children to have a good relationship with their Dads because of their scorn, jealousy and hatred towards their ex. Whether he was unfaithful, disrespectful, or horrible to you in the marriage or relationship is irrelevant when it comes to your kids. Your kids have nothing to do with it. What women don't realize is they will hate their Dad for what you did NOW but in the long term when they find out the truth they will hate you ALWAYS.
I used to think it was the lack of education of some people and where they lived that determined these actions. Yeah I know! I was wrong and I admit it. I find that the more educated a scorned woman is about the court system and police procedures the worse it can be for a man trying to see his kids. It's all very sad and the worst part about this, as much as you try to move on with your life after a divorce or separation and you have kids with a scorned partner it's so hard to let a great person into your life because of the drama you have in yours.
There are so many people dealing with this so if you have any comments to share I would love to hear them.
This is REAL TALK!
Why do women use their children and make them suffer not allowing them to see DAD on a regular basis? What you don't realize is that you are distroying your children pychologically by allowing them to think that DAD does not want to be there. You are lying to them saying that DAD doesn't love you anymore because he chose HER instead of US. If DAD really loved you he wouldn't have forgotten this or that. Granted, I know there are some dead beat Dads out there that deserve the title but not every separation that occurs in the household is a result of something he did. Nevertheless, because the courts favor the mother in most Child Custody cases it's always the man on trial. In fact, more women abuse the system now than ever before. It's mind blowing how Judges do not catch on.
There is also the case of moving the children to another state away from their father. After a divorce there is always that slight possibility of someone remarrying. I understand that you want to move on with your life but you have children now so you have to consider how far away you are moving away from your kids father. You must leave all selfishness behind and think about the long term affects of your children taking away their DAD or vice versa. But what angers me the most is when WOMEN purposely make it almost impossible for the children to have a good relationship with their Dads because of their scorn, jealousy and hatred towards their ex. Whether he was unfaithful, disrespectful, or horrible to you in the marriage or relationship is irrelevant when it comes to your kids. Your kids have nothing to do with it. What women don't realize is they will hate their Dad for what you did NOW but in the long term when they find out the truth they will hate you ALWAYS.
I used to think it was the lack of education of some people and where they lived that determined these actions. Yeah I know! I was wrong and I admit it. I find that the more educated a scorned woman is about the court system and police procedures the worse it can be for a man trying to see his kids. It's all very sad and the worst part about this, as much as you try to move on with your life after a divorce or separation and you have kids with a scorned partner it's so hard to let a great person into your life because of the drama you have in yours.
There are so many people dealing with this so if you have any comments to share I would love to hear them.
This is REAL TALK!
6.25.2011
Same Sex Marriage Bill! Until Death Do Us Part! Deal With It!
I'm not going to pretend that I know much about Politics because I don't. To be honest, I'm not really interested and could care less about many issues but living in NY city one has to care and pay attention to many things. What people don't understand is that this bill, in my view, not only takes us one step closer to unity and acceptance but it helps the city financially as well. I would think with this new bill set in place it allows couples who get married a place to celebrate their wedding, anniversaries, etc in New York. Think about it? How much does it cost to go to City Hall and obtain a marriage certificate. The cost for getting married in New York is approximately $40.00 - $50.00 in most areas of the state. On average, US couples spend $24,066 for their wedding. However, the majority of couples spend between $18,050 and $30,083. Don't you think NY will benefit greatly? I do.
I hear many say it's disgusting, where has this world come to? OMG...what's next? What are we talking about? It's just one more step to equality for all of us. It's one more step to acceptance. It's an opportunity to show our kids that each person is a human being and that we all deserve to live as we choose as long as we are living a decent life with good morals and are contributing in a positive way to our community. What we do in our bedrooms is so irrelevant when you look at the big picture. But most of all loving and accepting each other for who we are is such a rewarding experience. Hypothetical Question: If you were about to get hit by a car and it so happens that the Gay bartender you were hating on 5 minutes prior pulls you back and saves your life would you think differently? Would your views change about this particular person?
Some people lie on their death bed wishing they had lived a different life, treated people better, gave more, etc. Why does it take the fear of death for us to live better lives and think differently and feel regret? What does it cost us to live positively loving everyone that crosses our path. There are no accidents.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion and yes we do have free speech but that doesn't mean we have to see your opinions, listen to your venom and smell your hate. Negative energy is such a waste of time and we can smell you a mile away.
I have a beautiful 8 year old son and if he grows up and decides that men are his cup of tea than so be it. All I can do is love him and support him in whatever he decides to do with his life. I understand that there are many Christians out there who preach that God doesn't approve. Well God disapproves divorce and men and women go through it every day. Try every second? That's also financially advantageous to us. How much does it cost to get a divorce decree in this state. I spent about $400. For some marriages comes divorce. I'm thinking that this bill was passed MAINLY because of these statistics. I could be wrong but if I was working for the government and I was trying to find ways to make money for the city this would surely be one way. PASSING THE SAME SEX MARRIAGE BILL!
Would love to hear what you have to say!
I hear many say it's disgusting, where has this world come to? OMG...what's next? What are we talking about? It's just one more step to equality for all of us. It's one more step to acceptance. It's an opportunity to show our kids that each person is a human being and that we all deserve to live as we choose as long as we are living a decent life with good morals and are contributing in a positive way to our community. What we do in our bedrooms is so irrelevant when you look at the big picture. But most of all loving and accepting each other for who we are is such a rewarding experience. Hypothetical Question: If you were about to get hit by a car and it so happens that the Gay bartender you were hating on 5 minutes prior pulls you back and saves your life would you think differently? Would your views change about this particular person?
Some people lie on their death bed wishing they had lived a different life, treated people better, gave more, etc. Why does it take the fear of death for us to live better lives and think differently and feel regret? What does it cost us to live positively loving everyone that crosses our path. There are no accidents.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion and yes we do have free speech but that doesn't mean we have to see your opinions, listen to your venom and smell your hate. Negative energy is such a waste of time and we can smell you a mile away.
I have a beautiful 8 year old son and if he grows up and decides that men are his cup of tea than so be it. All I can do is love him and support him in whatever he decides to do with his life. I understand that there are many Christians out there who preach that God doesn't approve. Well God disapproves divorce and men and women go through it every day. Try every second? That's also financially advantageous to us. How much does it cost to get a divorce decree in this state. I spent about $400. For some marriages comes divorce. I'm thinking that this bill was passed MAINLY because of these statistics. I could be wrong but if I was working for the government and I was trying to find ways to make money for the city this would surely be one way. PASSING THE SAME SEX MARRIAGE BILL!
Would love to hear what you have to say!
5.24.2011
The Sacrifices We Make for Our Children
I woke up this morning and thought how much my life has changed. One grows mentally every day as a person, parent, daughter, sister, friend, etc. I started thinking how different my life is now as opposed to how it was 2-3 years ago. You think if you work all day and bring in that money that you will be fine and your kids will be taken care of. It's actually not like that at all. 2 -3 years ago I found myself outside of my home working, traveling frequently, stressed out and finding that I had absolutely no time for anything else. So what does that do for my child? I'm a single mother so I have to do this right? Well...being a single mother is hard enough so why would I leave my child alone all of the time without having his mother by his side helping him with his homework, his tests, his issues, etc? Because someone has to make the money right? I guess. I realized that making money is one thing but if your job is taking you away from your child than something has to change. We are always going to be away from our children while we work but it's the choice of job that we choose that determines how much time away we are from them.
I decided to leave it all a year ago to start my own one man show. Very, very difficult. Money doesn't come in as it used to. Bills aren't paid fast enough. Shopping doesn't exist and the luxuries are gone. But you know what? I have more time with my son. It's life changing. You realize the important things in life. You appreciate things you didn't before. My son's attitude has also changed and he's much more affectionate and thankful of his MOM. Priceless!
I know for some people the position, the salary and the vacations and luxuries are important and hooray to all of you who have that extra income in your family in order to make these things happen. But when you are doing it all alone one has to give all of that up to enjoy the most important thing in life......home, family and your kid!
Challenges are presented in your life and it's a wake up call so you can evaluate and choose the right path for you at the present time. This is for all the single parents out there trying to make ends meet and at the same time be there for your children. They do appreciate what you do for them. Once you explain to them what you had to give up for them to be happy they will change their views on a lot of things.
I used to think staying married was best for my child. How wrong I was. What's the use of having two parents in the household that can't stand each other anymore? Your child sees all of this. I stay because my child needs his father/mother. Really? Your child mocks what you do, learns from you and is molded by your actions. So if you are frequently unhappy, wake up in the morning disgusted, fight with your mate constantly and hide in the corner crying 90% of the time in one week is this a positive evaluation for your child? I think not.
"If you as parents cut corners, your children will too. If you lie, they will too. If you spend all your money on yourselves and tithe no portion of it for charities, colleges, churches, synagogues, and civic causes, your children won't either. And if parents snicker at racial and gender jokes, another generation will pass on the poison adults still have not had the courage to snuff out."
by Marian Wright Edelman
Your children see and hear everything! Think before you act on anything and stop blaming your present errors on the past and what people have done to you. You control your own destiny!
Have a wonderful day everyone and God bless!
I decided to leave it all a year ago to start my own one man show. Very, very difficult. Money doesn't come in as it used to. Bills aren't paid fast enough. Shopping doesn't exist and the luxuries are gone. But you know what? I have more time with my son. It's life changing. You realize the important things in life. You appreciate things you didn't before. My son's attitude has also changed and he's much more affectionate and thankful of his MOM. Priceless!
I know for some people the position, the salary and the vacations and luxuries are important and hooray to all of you who have that extra income in your family in order to make these things happen. But when you are doing it all alone one has to give all of that up to enjoy the most important thing in life......home, family and your kid!
Challenges are presented in your life and it's a wake up call so you can evaluate and choose the right path for you at the present time. This is for all the single parents out there trying to make ends meet and at the same time be there for your children. They do appreciate what you do for them. Once you explain to them what you had to give up for them to be happy they will change their views on a lot of things.
I used to think staying married was best for my child. How wrong I was. What's the use of having two parents in the household that can't stand each other anymore? Your child sees all of this. I stay because my child needs his father/mother. Really? Your child mocks what you do, learns from you and is molded by your actions. So if you are frequently unhappy, wake up in the morning disgusted, fight with your mate constantly and hide in the corner crying 90% of the time in one week is this a positive evaluation for your child? I think not.
"If you as parents cut corners, your children will too. If you lie, they will too. If you spend all your money on yourselves and tithe no portion of it for charities, colleges, churches, synagogues, and civic causes, your children won't either. And if parents snicker at racial and gender jokes, another generation will pass on the poison adults still have not had the courage to snuff out."
by Marian Wright Edelman
Your children see and hear everything! Think before you act on anything and stop blaming your present errors on the past and what people have done to you. You control your own destiny!
Have a wonderful day everyone and God bless!
4.06.2011
Living and Breathing Your Culture! It's Not All About Speaking the Language
What keeps you tied to your culture?
I had a friend come up to me once suggesting that I wasn't a "TRUE" Puerto Rican because I only visited Puerto Rico twice in my life. How my Spanish was a bit American sounding. What? I'm appalled each and every time I'm surrounded by such ignorance. I live and breathe my culture every day. I cook my Puerto Rican dishes, attend events that represent Latinos in the industry, proudly tell everyone that I'm U.S. Born and that my parents are from Puerto Rico and I go to a Salsa club every now and then to dance my music. I don't go to the Parades every year but I watch it on TV with my son in the comfort of my living room. If our parents are Puerto Rican, Cuban, Peruvian or what have you then we are 100% that culture in my view. Do not be naive! I bet if you tried my dishes you would think twice about suggesting that I'm not a "TRUE" Puerto Rican. You're right? When you speak Spanish you are a natural but if I ask you to make an arroz con pollo will you be able to? What if I told you that you were not a "TRUE" Puerto Rican because you don't know how to make a simple dish such as an arroz con pollo? Here is the recipe just in case:
http://www.mylatinovoice.com/recipes/2760-classic-arroz-con-pollo-a-la-sandra.html
Ironically, when I was a little girl I used to hate my mother's cooking. I don't remember a time eating at the dinner table together with my family when I was younger. We ate at separate times. My mother would cook early for my Dad and he would eat at 2pm and then we would eat dinner around 6pm. I always thought my mothers food was dry, hated Spanish yellow rice, the stews and couldn't stand the smell of pasteles. Now? I can't live without these dishes in my life. Cooking is my life! I wanted my son to appreciate the culture through food, music,events and special family moments during the Holidays.
I don't like to be called a Nuyorican. I'm a Puerto Rican. You can read all the books you want about Puerto Rico but it's actually living and breathing it that makes the culture come alive in you. And yes! My son and I eat dinner at the same time every day and he loves the dishes. We are proud of our Spanglish because it identifies us as Puerto Ricans who were born here in the US. So condemn me all you want you language purists! I'm proud of the way I live and breath my culture. I live here in the US so I have to represent who I am; an educated, acculturated woman who will always love to cook her Puerto Rican dishes. This is what keeps me tied to my culture! What keeps you tied to yours?
Do you want to learn more about Puerto Rico? Below is a link I would like to share:
http://www.everyculture.com/No-Sa/Puerto-Rico.html
This is real talk! Please share your views!
I had a friend come up to me once suggesting that I wasn't a "TRUE" Puerto Rican because I only visited Puerto Rico twice in my life. How my Spanish was a bit American sounding. What? I'm appalled each and every time I'm surrounded by such ignorance. I live and breathe my culture every day. I cook my Puerto Rican dishes, attend events that represent Latinos in the industry, proudly tell everyone that I'm U.S. Born and that my parents are from Puerto Rico and I go to a Salsa club every now and then to dance my music. I don't go to the Parades every year but I watch it on TV with my son in the comfort of my living room. If our parents are Puerto Rican, Cuban, Peruvian or what have you then we are 100% that culture in my view. Do not be naive! I bet if you tried my dishes you would think twice about suggesting that I'm not a "TRUE" Puerto Rican. You're right? When you speak Spanish you are a natural but if I ask you to make an arroz con pollo will you be able to? What if I told you that you were not a "TRUE" Puerto Rican because you don't know how to make a simple dish such as an arroz con pollo? Here is the recipe just in case:
http://www.mylatinovoice.com/recipes/2760-classic-arroz-con-pollo-a-la-sandra.html
Ironically, when I was a little girl I used to hate my mother's cooking. I don't remember a time eating at the dinner table together with my family when I was younger. We ate at separate times. My mother would cook early for my Dad and he would eat at 2pm and then we would eat dinner around 6pm. I always thought my mothers food was dry, hated Spanish yellow rice, the stews and couldn't stand the smell of pasteles. Now? I can't live without these dishes in my life. Cooking is my life! I wanted my son to appreciate the culture through food, music,events and special family moments during the Holidays.
I don't like to be called a Nuyorican. I'm a Puerto Rican. You can read all the books you want about Puerto Rico but it's actually living and breathing it that makes the culture come alive in you. And yes! My son and I eat dinner at the same time every day and he loves the dishes. We are proud of our Spanglish because it identifies us as Puerto Ricans who were born here in the US. So condemn me all you want you language purists! I'm proud of the way I live and breath my culture. I live here in the US so I have to represent who I am; an educated, acculturated woman who will always love to cook her Puerto Rican dishes. This is what keeps me tied to my culture! What keeps you tied to yours?
Do you want to learn more about Puerto Rico? Below is a link I would like to share:
http://www.everyculture.com/No-Sa/Puerto-Rico.html
This is real talk! Please share your views!
4.05.2011
"I'll Have What He's Having"! Should We Change Our Beliefs for Our Mate?
Last night I was thinking about relationships, marriages and people in general and what they do to stay happy and content. A friend of mine is getting married soon. I've known my girlfriend for quite some time when she was single and now that she's with her boyfriend I find her very different. We used to talk about politics (she was democrat), our careers, goals and just have general discussions. I asked her "Are you going to vote for Obama again"? Come to find out all of a sudden she's Republican because her boyfriend (soon to be husband) is Republican. What? I asked her "Do you know the difference"? She paused. She didn't know what to say? I almost felt bad for her because I put her in a very embarassing and awkward position. At the same time I was frustrated because I wanted her to explain to me in simple terms why she changed parties.
Do people really know the difference between a Democrat and a Republican?
Do people really know the difference between a Democrat and a Republican?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)