America the Ugly February 27, 2014

The Coca-Coca commercial aired during Super Bowl 2014 amidst commercials that manifested feelings of whimsy, happiness, sadness, tragedy or nonsensical bewilderment.  This particular commercial caught people’s attention with the familiar tune of “America the Beautiful” with the lyrics sung in seven different languages, including English, in an effort to pay homage to a beautifully diverse America.  Little did advertisers know that this commercial would stir up a whirlwind of emotions and would start numerous online debates that ranged from acknowledgement and praise for diversity and inclusion to the harsh reality of racism and intolerance.  Ironically enough, the song “America the Beautiful” somehow brought out America, the ugly.

America has become a true melting pot of nationalities and Coca-Cola sends the message that there is beauty and oneness through these differences.  Yet it is also through these same differences that there is hatred and intolerance.  With the rise of immigrants that enter the United States and the brokenness of America’s immigration system, it is apparent that some Americans have developed a sense of entitlement and anger and have caused them to lost sight of the brotherhood found beyond the language barriers and the promise that comes with humanity.

America should set aside hatred and intolerance, racism and prejudice and remain ‘one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.’ These are words that are recited by all Americans regardless of the color of their skin, their first language, the accent in their delivery or the place of their birth.   These words are the true foundation of America that will keep this country strong through adversity.  America is built on the sweat of those who came to the United States and dared to dream.  It is also preserved by those that have lived on its soil since birth and through past generations. It is beautiful because of its multi-faceted splendor that can be snuffed by hatred, yet magnified with love.

Love Letter To My Mom November 25, 2011

Dear Mom,

Today is not the 1st time you’ve crossed my mind in the past few weeks.  I thought of you when i put up my Christmas tree a few weeks earlier than most, remembering this was your favorite time of the year.  I remembered you as I slowly looked @ my Christmas List of gifts to buy, wrap & give but just as the Christmas spirit filled my heart & the nostalgia filled the air, i came to the realization that my wallet was smaller than my list.  Just as the bah humbug-ness started to set in, I remembered you.  I remembered how generous & giving you were.  How a gift given out of sacrifice no matter how big or how small it was, was the best gift of all…

I remember you @ random moments in my life.  Like when I hear a certain song, eat a certain dish or smell a certain smell.  I remember you when seeing certain people on FB that used to be important ppl in our lives & realize they are now just acquaintances.. Sometimes it seems that you were the glue that kept us all together.

I remember you when I look @ my sister.  She has a lot of your physical traits…  but more so because, she has that way of carrying a broken heart but slapping on a smile for the sake of those she loves.  And just as I did when I looked @ you back then, I know that I’m not enough to make it better.  But I know that on my knees, HE is  more than enough.

I remember you when I look @ my Dad.  How he’s aged & how he’s changed… and I wonder what you would look like today.  I see you in that spot he reserved in his heart.. It comes thru in his eyes @ times.  Even as a kid, I knew that my parents weren’t living the fairytale love affair… but I also had that child-like hope that happily ever after was still destined for the both of you…  Inspite of it all, I did see ‘love’.  I think that would’ve been enough.   Sometimes, I need to believe that when going thru rough patches in my marriage.  Love is enough.  That’s all that matters.

I remember you when I look @ my husband… wishing you got to know him better.  He’s a lot like you.  He’s that lover of life, glass half full kind of person.  I remember you throughout our marriage.  Through the good times wishing you were there to share them with us, and even through the bad times… wishing you were there to see me through.  Those are the times that keep me fighting for fairy tales & happily ever afters, because I know you would never give up.  I remember you, when we come out of the storms hand in hand knowing that love is enough.  God’s love.  The love that abounds when your heart gets weak.. The love that takes us to happily ever after.

I remember you when I look @ my son.   How I wish that he had met his Lola, who is super bait, super pretty & just a Superwoman all around.  I pray that I can whittle a little bit of that power that you had over me so that I can instill that same goodness, selflessness & love into his heart when he looks @ me, just as I felt as I looked @ you… and as I feel as you are remembered.

These are just some of the many moments you’ve crossed my mind.  I think I carry you everywhere.  I still hear your voice in my everyday… I thank God that you are still ever present thru every moment my heart beats.  I miss you Mom.  I remember you today, your birthday.  I celebrate you not with  balloons, candles or fanfare, but with admiration, longing, gratitude & love.  I know that the angels rejoice today & the heavens resound because they celebrate you.

Happy birthday Mommy! 

I miss you more than you know!

weekend revisited… February 23, 2008

i didn’t get to post last week…all on account of the fact that we were getting Wicked & Happy in the bout of one single weekend. then in true torturous fashion, Tuesday came & i got thrown right back into the humdrum yet oh so hectic (yes, they can go hand in hand) arms of the work week. it’s like taking candy away from a baby i tell ya. you shed a few tears, you whine & you grovel & before you know it, the glorious weekend is just a recent memory, soon to be overshadowed by the 9-5 blah. but, nevertheless…
i’m grateful.
Wicked was such an awesome show. i’ve been wanting to see it for ages when we lived in Chicago still. but there has been the wee little setbacks of the oh-so big life changes, that we never really got around to it. when we moved to Vegas i was so overjoyed when i found out it was playing in L.A. just a hop, skip & jump away from our unofficial yet obvious home away from home. 🙂 we tried, we planned but it just never happened. until…. this past weekend. Auntie Lou & Uncle Ralph got us tix for our anniversary. with the $95 a piece tickets in hand, we felt a little foolish accepting such a generous gift but we are oh-so grateful for the blessing we have in them and for a memorable close to our 11th year of marriage.

the actors had us in a trance the whole time. the music was not your typical operatic, melancholic (word?) arias such as those in the equally beautiful, Phantom or Les Mis, but instead was really upbeat & humorous…. even in it’s most poignant moments.
i love, love, loved it!

After the show, we had Tommy Burger for the first time ever. Mr Jiggles loved it. i thought it was good. something i’d enjoy if ever we’re in one’s path..but don’t think it’s something i’d add to my crave list. Then again, i’m a girl who’s ever-so-faithful to her Steak & Shake Frisco Melt for her late night burger fix. and my constant prayer (amongst more pressing petitions – that is 🙂 ) is that one day it’ll come out west so that i can suppress that inner longing i’ve been harboring since last i’ve been indulged by one. after all, i prayed for Dunkin Donuts & it came to be. nothing is impossible w/ prayer.
ask & you shall receive. 😉

Lil’Mister spent the evening with his Ninong Marlon. He took him to see Spiderwick Chronicles. Thank you so much Mar. I’m usually Rian’s movie date so I know I would’ve had to take him to see this flick sooner or later. Although it looks interesting it’s just not my kind of movie. i don’t do well with epics… even moreso with fantasy-like epics. you saved me from the inevitable, 2 hr long struggle that i would’ve otherwise endured to keep my eyes open & my mind from wandering… and most importantly from the little white lie i’d have to tell when Lil’Mister yells, “mommy! are you sleeping?” a fact, so obviously marked by the uncontrollable snore that lets out as i drift into lala land. 🙂
thank you.

and lastly, there’s
the Happiest Place on Earth.


it was so much fun. we got in line for the Matterhorn first & during the dreaded wait in line, the ride broke down 2 times, adding an additional 20 minutes each to our already 45 minute wait. but yet, we waited very patiently. walt disney himself would’ve been proud of the good little boys & girl that we were. finally, we got to the front & just one sitting before we were on, the ride conductor gets on the loudspeaker for the 3rd time & says the ride will be out of commission for another 45 MINUTES!! with the uproar of grunts & groans in our line, Lil’Mister folds his arms in frustration and everything he has held back thus far spills out with great conviction. He proclaims that he has had enough. He will never ride this ride again! and everyone seemed to share his sentiment as they begrudgingly stepped out of the line that held them captive for a great portion of their day.

yet, the day was filled with many more lines (thank God for the Fast Pass). i mapped out our day from the start just to make sure that we hit as many attractions as possible. after all, happiness at the happiest place on Earth comes at a pretty penny, (thanks again Ninong Marlon for Rian’s ticket) and i wanted to make sure that it was well worth it. we had dinner after leaving the park….
these pics speak volumes! 🙂

so… just one little rant before i close.
why oh why is there always a line a mile long weaving out of the women’s restroom? i’ve seen it @ the Pantages, every where in Disneyland and at every rest stop on the way home… namely, Starbucks. why don’t i ever see men lining up outside the men’s restroom with their legs crossed tightly, almost in a knot, grabbing their crotches & doing the pee-pee dance? is it just that women take so freakin’ long doing God knows what? (i’m in & out) or is it just that women all tend to have the urge to go at the same exact moment in time?

on the way home, i found myself in yet another line, somewhat like the numerous lines i’ve been held captive in @ Disneyland. you would think with the length of the line that at the end there’d be a pot of gold; but just as it always has been, the only thing glorious about getting to the front, is the sigh of relief you let out as your arse hits that cold, porcelain throne. this particular restroom was a one stall wonder so, we waited & waited & waited. All the while the men’s room had no line and the one stall was free & clear. I glanced up @ the multitude before me & i had a vision. For one brief moment, I saw Lil’Mister with his arms folded in frustration, proclaiming “i’ve had enough! I will never go on this ride again!” and with that, i got out of line, knocked on the men’s room door & let myself in. after the long glorious sigh of relief that the others were still anticipating, i open the door & sure enough a man is standing there. he glances @ me, glances at the sign on the door then glances at me again. and all i could say was, “all yours” 🙂 as i walked out. i glance back at the line i left behind and just as the man comes out, in true red sea fashion, the line splits down the middle. one to the women’s, one to the men’s. lol!! good for them! after all, when you’ve gotta go, your butt knows no gender & has no pride.

 

have a blessed week!

 

 

 

invincible… January 26, 2008

maybe it’s because he’s a celebrity that for some odd reason i feel like i know him enough to get somewhat rattled by the news of his death. the news consumed me & sat at the pit of my stomach & for some strange reason, my heart hurt to know that he’s gone. yet, in my life.. he really is nobody. he’s somebody’s somebody (don’t get me wrong) but he really is just that guy i’ve seen in the movies. maybe it’s just that common bond we have as fellow human beings, or that innate need that all of us have to have our curiosity fed thru that common bond of sympathy. all i know is, the world stopped for a second & a flood of emotions came rushing in… sadness, shock, curiousity and empathy for his family (the mother of his child & his little girl) all at once. reasons behind his death haven’t even been confirmed, yet the world is in a frenzy trying to make sure that whatever it is, is made even more sensational than the simple reality that he’s gone.

it’s a weird thing to even think that someone so young & so seemingly vibrant with everything at his feet could be here one day & gone the next. it kinda makes you think about how mortal we really are. people go about their day feeling invincible, knowing that one day of irrational behavior, is just exactly that… one day. we live for that tomorrow even though there is no guarantee that tomorrow will ever come.

i know for a fact that at times i’m guilty when it comes to living by that theory. i know that if i do something that mom wouldn’t be proud of, i can make her extra proud tomorrow. i know that if i put this off for today, i can double it up the next day. i know that if i skip this Sunday, i have the next to make it up to Him. relying on that comfort of knowing that with every sunset there’s another sunrise is that ever-faithful crutch in our everyday shortcomings. but for the lack of sounding cynical, there is that reality that today may be your only day to do things right, to make things right, or to live right.

Live each day as if it’s your last…
Don’t put off for tomorrow, what you can do today…

These are things that i have to constantly remind myself every day. Sometimes it takes an unfortunate circumstance in life to remind me how priceless life really is… how un-invincible we really are… and how blessed we are for the sunrise that we take for granted every day. I have to remind myself often to give thanks even when the day is nothing more than mediocre.. not to linger in the past, but live in the present and hope for the future. I have to remind myself not to worry because we never walk alone. He is always with us through it all. but have faith in the tomorrows that He has promised to fulfill. thank you Lord for the little ways You remind me that life is temporal, but given to us in preparation for Your promise of all that is eternal.

my heart aches… i feel a little foolish, but it really can’t be helped.
yes, to me he is nobody…but he’s Somebody’s somebody, and i pray that he finds rest in the arms of our Father who has called him home.

have a great week everyone!

Carpe diem!!!
and God bless!!