When one door closes, another one opens......

As 2008 comes to a close, one can not help but analyze the past 12 months. Overall, I can't complain. Career wise, things are starting to look up. In the last few weeks I've been trying to slowly quit smoking. And this year I actually lost more than 10 pounds. All-in-all a good year.

Next year I have a couple of general resolutions/plans including improvements on the blog, building on my part time freelance PR gigs, continue to lose weight and hopefully kick the smoking habit.

To everyone out there, enjoy the last days of 2008, and be careful ringing in 2009.

Just a last note, Diddy and CIROC are helping New Yorkers get home safely this New Year's Eve. CIROC street teams will distribute thousands of debit cards to adult consumers (while supplies last) in Manhattan between 11:00 p.m. on New Year's Eve and 3:00 a.m. on New Year's Day. Each debit card will provide up to $15.00 in cab fare.


Happy New Year!

Rumor Has It.....

Rumor has it that the Yankees could shift focus to, the pride of Washington Heights, Manny Ramirez, possibly offering the Dominican slugger a three year deal. According to yesterdays New York Daily News (Tuesday, December 16th), one baseball official says that the Yanks see Ramirez as the perfect complement in their lineup to Alex Rodriguez.

It seems to be that the Yankees are trying to recreate that Ramirez - Ortiz combo that killed in Boston. Nothing is concrete yet, all is speculation at this point. A lot of decisions seem to be hanging on Mark Teixeira's next move. For those of you out there like me, that their knowledgability of baseball only skims the surface, Mark Teixeira is a highly talented First Baseman and newly free agent who is being sought out by the Orioles, Yankees, Angels, and Red Sox.

We'll see what happens in the weeks to come. Just want to make things clear. I'm a Manny fan 100%, even if he's an ass most times. But, if indeed he gets to put on the pin strip uniform, this will in no shape or form make me cross over to become a Yankee fan.

Cheers!!

For the Mami to Be

I don't know why, but I never know what to give mami-to-be for Christmas. If you’re anything like me and need some help, here is a great suggestion. But Hurry! There are only a couple of days left to go shopping and you definitely DO NOT want to show up without a present for the pregnant one.

I bought this for my sister a couple of years ago, and I personally think it’s a great gift any time of the year. I absolutely love Images by Ellyn. The frames that this company makes are for sonogram pictures. It’s the sweetest thing ever! And it’s special because it’s the first picture of the baby. The frames have great quotes and sayings on them like: An Image of An Angel, First Time I Saw Your Face, We Can Bearly Wait to Hold You!, and my favorite Under Construction.

These frames are available at Destination Maternity and retail for $26 for more information on Images by Ellyn visit http://www.imagesbyellyn.net/.

Green is the New Black

This holiday season I’ve come across some great affordable gifts for the eco conscious person in your life.

Sarah Pinto’s 2009 Weekly Planners --It’s almost the new year and time to make that New Years resolution to get and stay organized. Sarah Pinto’s 2009 Weekly Planners are a simple, functional and fun organizational solution. These durable planners measure 5” by 7” and are made with recycled paper and soy based ink. With five unique cover designs, Sarah Pinto’s 2009 Weekly Planners are a stylish, eco-friendly answer to your busy everyday schedule.

These planners are available at sarahpinto.com and Amazon retailing at $25. Another added bonus for the holiday season is that a portion of proceeds from one of the planners goes to CPMC Pediatric Cardiology. Check out these great planners at http://www.sarahpinto.com/.

Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family ($17.95) is a book full of ideas for greener celebrations, from holidays to birthdays, weddings, baby showers, and more. Written by a mother and daughter who love to celebrate, but are also concerned about the environment, Celebrate Green is a great guide for making a more green Christmas, but also a good gift idea, since it can be referenced year-round. Printed on 100% recycled FSC certified paper.

Lynn Colwell & Corey Colwell-Lipson are always looking for new holidays to celebrate green, so go check out their website, http://www.celebrategreen.net/ and let them know of any great ideas!

Cloud B Twilight Sea Turtle
A wonderful gift for older children, the Twilight Sea Turtle™ is designed to raise awareness about endangered sea life. The shell of the Sea Turtle features illuminating images of five endangered sea animals. The winner of the Creative Child Top Choice of the Year Award, the Twilight Sea Turtle™ is available at specialty boutiques nationwide and retails between $34 and $36. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Twilight Sea Turtle™ supports an international conservation organization. For more information on The Twilight Sea Turtle™ and other friends in the Twilight series, check out http://www.cloudb.com/

World AIDS Day.

Today is World AIDS Day and 2008 marks the 20th anniversary of this campaign. It is a day to raise awareness, educate people, and motivate the world to continue to fight the disease.

According to the CDC, in 2007, the estimated number of persons living with HIV worldwide was 33.2 million and there were 2.7 million people newly infected.

It's a disease that affects everyone on different levels. So, it's your responsibility as a human being to continue to promote education and awareness.

Holiday Gift Guide!!

We’re heading into the holiday season this week (the most wonderful time of the year). Sure there’s a whole month left to shop, but the reality is it’s time to start thinking about gifts.

So, from today until the last minute possible I will be posting gift suggestions for everyone: kids, parents, siblings, friends, even the dog!
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We all have women in our lives — mami, hermana, tia, prima, BFFs! Gifts for pampering are always appreciated!

It's easy to feel pale and lifeless during the winter, especially when you’re not in a warm tropical country. Mystic Tan's Shimmer FACE is the perfect cure for your winter-face blues.

Shimmer Face adds a sophisticated, healthy-looking glow and is the perfect highlight for cheeks, forehead, eyelids and decolletage.
Retailing at just $26 for 2.5 ounces, Shimmer FACE makes a great pre-holiday treat for you and a great stocking stuffer for all the special women in your life. Mystic Tan's Shimmer FACE can be found at Sephora (http://www.sephora.com/) and Barneys New York (http://www.barneys.com/) and online at Beauty.com.
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Give those tired/dry hands and feet a special treat with Scandle Helping Hand or Sole Survivor treatment packs. Each pack contains a pair of special moisturizing socks or mositurizing gloves (one size fits most) and a 4oz Travel Tin (infused with tea tree & lemongrass essential oils). Simply massage Scandle oil into the skin and wear socks or gloves when relaxing for the ultimate spa treatment! ($23.95)

Relax and indulge with this specially formulated multifunctional 2 in 1 product! Add a few scoops of our specially formulated & natural dead sea salt to your bath and experience the theraputic benefits of a salt soak for your body or combine them with the soothing oil from the Scandle Body Candle to transform the salts into a a gentle warm exfoliating salt scrub for skin. Comes in 8oz jar with scoop. Refills are available! ($17.95)

Both available at http://www.scandlecandle.com/.

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Let the shopping begin!

Latino Celebrities Lend a Helping Hand

On December 4th -7th, 2008, big names in sports join David Ortiz in the Dominican Republic for the Celebrity Golf Classic. This fund raising event directly supports the David Ortiz Children's Fund - dedicated to linking pediatric critical care to children in New England and the Dominican Republic.

Celebrities attending include: Red Sox teammates Tim Wakefield, Justin Masterson, Jed Lowrie, Julio Lugo, and Manager Terry Francona. MLB stars, Alex Rodriguez, Mariano Rivera, Miguel Cabrera, Vladimir Guerrero, Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins and Hanley Ramirez will also tee it up, along with sports legends, Bobby Orr, John Havlicek, Luis Tiant, and Jim Rice.

The Celebrity Classic will be held at Sanctuary Cap Cana, a 176-suite, beachfront resort with spectacular island suite accommodations. The tournament will be played at the Punta Espada Golf Club, a Jack Nicklaus signature course and one of Golf Digest's Top 100 Greatest Courses outside the United States.

David Ortiz became involved in 2006 when he learned of the International Hospital for Children (IHC), a non-profit organization linking pediatric critical care services to children in developing countries. He was particularly inspired by the Dominican HEARTS program, a collaborative effort initiated by IHC and Heart Care Dominicana with a consortium of 6 U.S. health focused international organizations. This consortium is dedicated to training and empowering Dominican doctors and nurses at Cedimat Hospital in Santo Domingo to care for the cardiac needs of Dominican children.

Keep up the good work!

It was only a matter of time

I honestly did not expect this to occur this soon, but In The Heights will be on the silver screen as well as the Broadway stage. Universal Pictures announced yesterday that it has acquired the rights to produce a feature film based on In The Heights. The musical has exhilirated audiences on both on and off Broadway since February 2007 and won four Tony Awards this year.

I have yet to see the musical and now I really need to get my butt there before it hits the screen.

Latino voters reshape the American electorate

Early exit poll data suggest that Latino voters had a significant impact on the Presidential race in key states, according to an Election Day analysis conducted by the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund. The NALEO Educational Fund a leading organization that empowers Latinos to participate fully in the American political process, from citizenship to public serivce.


The NALEO Educational Fund analysis reveals that Latinos contributed to Senator Barack Obama's narrow victories in Virginia and Florida. In Virginia, where the reported margin of victory as of this writing was 120,299, the NALEO Educational Fund estimates that about 67,000 Latinos voted for Senator Obama. In Florida, where the reported margin of victory as of this writing was 178,745, the NALEO Educational Fund's analysis estimates that about 548,000 Latinos voted for Senator Obama.

According to NALEO Educational Fund Executive Director Arturo Vargas, "In 2004, President George W. Bush gained victories in Virginia and Florida. Four years later, Latino voters have helped transform these states into 'purple' ones, where party loyalties will become less predictable. Latinos are reshaping the future of the political landscape."

Just putting that info out there for anyone who doubts the Latino influence in this country.
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Los votantes latinos tuvieron un impacto significativo en la carrera presidencial en los estados clave, según un análisis del Día de las Elecciones conducido por el Fondo Educativo de la Asociación Nacional de Funcionarios Latinos Electos y Designados. El Fondo Educativo de NALEO es una organización dedicada a promover la participación de los latinos en el proceso político de Estados Unidos, desde la ciudadanía al servicio público.

El análisis del Fondo Educativo de NALEO revela que los latinos contribuyeron a las victorias del Senador Barack Obama en Virginia y Florida.


Según Arturo Vargas, director ejecutivo del Fondo Educativo NALEO, "En 2004, el presidente George W. Bush consiguió victorias en Virginia y Florida. Cuatro años más tarde, los votantes latinos ayudaron a transformar estos estados en 'morados', ni rojo ni azul, donde las lealtades partidistas pasarán a ser menos predecibles. Los latinos están redefiniendo el futuro del panorama político".

History in the making!

Boy am I glad to be around for this. Barack Obama was elected the nation's first black president in a historic triumph. Huge crowds gathered in Grant Park in Chicago and in Harlem to cheer Obama and await his first public speech as president-elect.

Obama and running mate Biden will take their oaths of office as president and vice president on January 20, 2009. Obama and company have a great task ahead as leader of a country that is in recession, and fighting two long wars.

Best of luck in the next 4 years!!!!!!

A little incentive to vote tomorrow!

Just a friendly reminder that tomorrow is finally election day.

As a little incentive, Starbucks is giving voters free tall (12-ounce) cup of coffee. Voters can show their state’s “I voted” sticker for proof. There is a limit of one cup per customer. The company says in areas where there is no proof of voting, the give away will be done on the honor system.

Ben & Jerry's also wants to encourage voters by giving them a free scoop of ice cream. Go to a participating scoop shop on November 4th from 5-8pm, and you'll get a free scoop of ice cream.

Don't forget to vote!!!

A E I O U, el burro sabe mas que tu...

I love The Regis & Kelly show, but I'm very disappointed with what went down on Monday. Kelly Ripa told a story on Monday about how one of her kids was learning about government and said the elephant represented the Republicans and the donkey represented the Dominicans. Regis then joked, "She's pretty close."

Que falta de respeto a nosotros los Dominicanos. As a Dominican woman who is intelligent and hard working I resent that type of comment. Many people on the net have said that the joke is being taken too seriously, but I would have to disagree. Dominicans are one of the most succesful groups in the recent waves of immigration to the US. It's a shame to see that such public figures like Regis and Kelly had such bad taste in the choice of their comments nadamas para tener un skit de 30 segundo para ser reir su publico. If I'm not mistaken, a Dominican received a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

Escriban a ellos vallan a la pagina de el canal busquen Regis & Kelly y luego busquen contactenos y dejenle saber a ellos estamos ofendidos. From what I've read, Dominican and Latino leaders are demanding an apology from the show, and will stage a protest outside the ABC studios on October 31st in NYC where the show airs.

Enjoy your free Taco!!!!

After the Red Sox got knocked out I stopped watching baseball, but it's a good thing I watch the news! Thank you Jason Bartlett (Tampa Bay Rays shortstop) for stealing second base in Game 1 of the World Series. Courtesy of Taco Bell, baseball and taco fans alike can get their free taco by simply visiting a participating Taco Bell restaurant on Tuesday, October 28 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (local time). No purchase is required; one taco per customer. What a wonderful treat!

I'm going to try my best to find a Taco Bell and get my free taco!

Coffee does what?!

As I was quickly looking through the NY Post this morning I came across this: new research has suggested that drinking more than three cups of coffee a day shrinks women’s breasts.

My first thought was Dios mio, no puede ser, what is going to happen to me I drink so much coffee I might as well be hooked up to an IV. But then I started thinking of everyone else that drank as much coffee as I did and I don't see the correlation.

But, Sweden’s Lunds University surveyed around 300 women and discovered a link between coffee and smaller breasts. Helena Jernstroem, a lecturer in experimental oncology at the University says “Coffee-drinking women do not have to worry their breasts will shrink to nothing overnight. They will get smaller, but the breasts aren’t just going to disappear.” I don't know about this study, but maybe I should lay off the coffee just in case. On the plus side, regular caffeine intake is said to reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Apparently, drinking too much coffee has the opposite effect on men, turning pecks into man boobs.

Red Sox still alive!!!!

We have been used to great Red Sox comebacks in the post season. But last nights comeback from 7 - 0 down in the 7th inning against Tampa Bay was pretty impressive (not as great as the 3 -0 series turn around in 2004 against the Yankees) and I missed it!! I can't believe I missed last nights game, I'm so mad!!!!!!!!!!

I was so tired that I think I unconsciously made myself forget and go to sleep. But it still brings me joy to know the Red Sox are still alive!

Hopefully the Red Sox can keep up the momemtum over the weekend to win two games and the AL pennent. This should be an interesting weekend.

Trying to catch up with the world

Hello all out there. I haven't been very attentive to Pongan el Cafe, but I've been drowing in work for like the past month or so. Unfotunate for me, I've become a slave to my trabajo. I know, I shouldn't even think of complaining about work at a time like this but it's in my nature to complain (sorry).

I will go out and enjoy the rest of this beautiful day, seeing as these warm sunny days in NYC are becoming few and far between. I promise to update this site and keep it interesting, in the mean time, don't forget me!

Something to think about over the weekend.

I know it's been a while since I blessed the web. But I recently learned something interesting. I'm pretty sure a lot of people have been asking themselves this question. Is Ben & Jerry's really going to use human breast milk in their ice cream?

I'm a huge fan of ice cream, especially Ben & Jerry's. My love affair with Cherry Garcia has been going almost 10 years strong. But we'll finally hit a rough patch if PETA has their way. The animal rights activists PETA wants Ben & Jerry's to start using nursing moms milk rather than cow milk for their ice cream.

PETA is thinking about the humane treatment for cows, but what about mothers? And just how would Ben & Jerry's get this milk from nursing moms? This is a little to weird for me.

While Ben & Jerry's applauded PETA for bringing attention to this issue, I don't think they'll be using breast milk for their ice cream any time soon.

Thanks to PETA I think I'll lay off of the ice cream for now.

Entourage is Back!!

One of my favorite shows on television, 'Entourage', is back after more than a year. The Guys return with an all new season Sunday, September 7th at 10pm. I've been reading good things about this season, hopefully it won't disappoint.

While we're on the subject of HBO premieres I'm looking forward to watching the new vampire series 'True Blood' as well. I love vampires. Let see what it's all about, Sunday at 9pm.

Fashion and the City

Fashion Week officially begins today in NYC. I don't know about you, but I'm excited!! I'll be checking in online to see the new threads for Spring 2009. For those of you lucky enough to be at the shows, I'm green with envy.

A Day at the Met

Yesterday I convinced my nephew to go with me to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to catch the last day of Superheros: Fashion and Fantasy. The special exhibit is an exploration of the relationship between costumes designed for the movies and high-fashion and sports apparel. Designers in the exhibition include Atair, Giorgio Armani, Balenciaga, Pierre Cardin, Dolce & Gabbana, Jean Paul Gaultier, Eiko Ishioka, Alexander McQueen, Julien Macdonald, Moschino, Thierry Mugler, Nike, Rick Owens, Gareth Pugh, Speedo, Spyder, As Four, Walter van Beirendonck, Versace, and Bernhard Willhelm.

Superman and Spider-Man costumes address the subject of The Graphic Body, relating Superman's 'S' chevron to designer logos and branding. Catwoman represents The Paradoxical Body, which explores the character's vacillating manifestations of good and bad. The stars and stripes of Wonder Woman's uniform, a composite of the American flag, epitomize The Patriotic Body and designs that appropriate patriotic emotions implicit in the character. The Hulk, a metaphor for male potency, introduces a section on The Virile Body, which includes inflatable clothing that swells to exaggerate the male physique.

The Flash – a character who possesses superhuman speed - addresses the Aerodynamic Body as manifest in high-tech sportswear including Speedo's "Fastskin LZR Racer" designed by Rei Kawakubo for Michael Phelps and the 2008 United States Olympic swim team, Nike's "Swift Suit" for running, and Descente's "Muscle Suit" for speed skating. Batman and Iron Man represent The Armored Body, and examine avant-garde fashion that merges flesh and metal, skin and chromium. The Mutant Body, denoted by the X-Men, highlights clothing that morphs men into beasts. Ghost Rider (the biker-demon with flaming skull) and The Punisher (the vigilante who sports a giant death-skull emblem on his T-shirt) symbolize The Postmodern Body that suggests an anti-hero identity through the eclectic mixing of street styles.

I love that they were able to get suits wore in the movies. My favorite section was Catwoman-The Paradoxical Body. But the most interesting section was the Ghost Rider and The Punisher Postmodern Body section; very creative stuff. My nephew loved the superheros and I loved the fashion. We thought the museum wasn't that packed until we arrived at that exhibit. Unfortunately, I couldn't take any pictures of the exhibit.

We toured the 1st floor of the Met and left the 2nd for another day. My nephew loved the Egyptian art and the Arms and Armour section. He was a little disturbed when we got to the Greek sculptures. He thought the people were a little too naked. I told him that it was art and he firmly disagreed.

All in all I had a wonderful time at the Met (as usual). Nothing out of the ordinary, but it's nice to take a trip to the past every so often. The big plus is that my nephew loved our trip and was really excited about the history behind the exhibits. Maybe I have a future historian!

More info on the Superheros exhibit check out Special Exhibitions - Past Exhibitions on the Metropolitan Museum of art website http://www.metmuseum.org/

Since I can't figure out how to upload videos, if you missed the Superheros you should go to YouTube to check out video of the exhibit.

Bueno Bonito y Barato

A couple of weeks ago I went to a HBO screening and received a sample of CoverGirl LashBlast mascara. I must say I've looked around a bit for a good mascara at a low cost and I think I've found that in this product. I'm not a big fan of CoverGirl makeup, but LashBlast does a pretty decent job of separating the lashes, making them thick and long. This was truly a pleasant surprise.

I've read a lot of complaints about this mascara clumping, but I haven't had that problem. All you need is 2 coats, that's it. The only thing I'm not crazy about is the thick brush. It's akward to hold a big handle and try to apply the mascara, but once you get used to the size, it's easier to apply.

If you're looking for volume, LashBlast is definitely one to try. I'm in love with this mascara, I don't think I'll go hunting for a different one for a while.

(available at drug stores i.e. CVS, Walgreens for about $8)

A Fight for the Future!

Hillary Rodham Clinton gave the speech of her life tonight!! She had the whole room cheering. Everything she said hit home. She meant business tonight at the Democratic National Convention; she got straight to the point urging her supporters to join together, vote for Obama, and begin to repair 8 years of damage. Hillary laid out the big picture; it's about the party unity and supporting the Democratic party issues not the specific candidate. Tonight she was a team player.

Many Hillary supporters have stated that on election day they will either stay home or vote for McCain. Hopefully, after tonight that will change. I'm with Hillary, I just want a Democrat in the White House.

Here are some of the highlights from Hillary's speech:

"My friends, it is time to take back the country we love. Whether you voted for me, or voted for Barack, the time is now to unite as a single party with a single purpose. We are on the same team, and none of us can sit on the sidelines."

"I haven't spent the past 35 years in the trenches advocating for children, campaigning for universal health care, helping parents balance work and family, and fighting for women's rights at home and around the world . . . to see another Republican in the White House squander the promise of our country and the hopes of our people. And you haven't worked so hard over the last 18 months, or endured the last eight years, to suffer through more failed leadership. No way. No how. No McCain. Barack Obama is my candidate. And he must be our President."

"Barack Obama began his career fighting for workers displaced by the global economy. He built his campaign on a fundamental belief that change in this country must start from the ground up, not the top down. He knows government must be about "We the people" not "We the favored few." And when Barack Obama is in the White House, he'll revitalize our economy, defend the working people of America, and meet the global challenges of our time. Democrats know how to do this. As I recall, President Clinton and the Democrats did it before. And President Obama and the Democrats will do it again."

If you missed tonight's speech ,visit http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/26/hillary-clinton-democrati_n_121584.html for the text of Hillary Clinton's speech.

HBO Latino Launches 'Capadocia'

Thank God!! If the first episode is a good indicator for the series, then we have a winner!

Last night I went to a screening in NYC of the first episode of "Capadocia" . The acting and the plot were very good. I must say this series is pretty hardcore.

"Capadocia" is set in a fictional women's prison in Mexico City. Corruption runs rampant as prison rights attorney Teresa Lagos (Dolores Heredia) fights for a humane rehabilitation program, while corporate Federico Marquez (Juan Manuel Bernal) schemes to privatize the prison and use the women as cheap manual labor.

Ana de la Reguera (Lorena Guerra) and Juan Manuel Bernal (Federico Marquez), stars of the new series, were in attendance last night. Might I just add both very nice y muy humilde; both characteristics that make celebrity sightings pleasant. Also supporting Latinos last night was Celines Toribio (upcoming movie Tropico de Sangre).

Si tienes HBO, no te pierdas a "Capadocia". Wednesday, September 10 at 9pm. "Capadocia" will air in Spanish every Wednesday through December 3 and on HBO On Demand with English subtitles (the subtitles are very distracting, but what are we going to do, subtitles attract a larger audience).

Mujer Dominicana en NY

I know I've been a little neglectful, being absent for about a week, but I just want to give a heads up to what's going on (I'm at work so I'll keep this short and sweet). My friend passed on the info to me last week and it's only right that I continue to forward it. As she put it, "this is goint to be very interesting, something so that we can entertain our eyes and brains."

'Mujer' is a ground breaking photo exhibit on Dominican Women in New York. It will be on display at the City College of New York - Amsterdam Plaza (138th and Amsterdam Avenue); opening today August 19th at 6:30pm - September 30th.

Here is a link with more info on the exhibit http://www1.ccny.cuny.edu/advancement/pr/GROUNDBREAKING-PHOTO-EXHIBIT-ON-DOMINICAN-WOMEN.cfm

You should definitely make it point to stop by, I know I will.

"Have you ever danced with the devil in the moonlight?"

Last night, I finally went to see "The Dark Knight". I LOVED it!! I'm really glad that this movie lived up to the hype. So many times a movie is hyped up and you leave the theater so disappointed. I was much more entertained watching this film than watching "Batman Begins". I'll say this much though, to compare the old Batman movies to the recent films is like apples and oranges. Where "Batman", "Batman Returns", "Batman Forever", and "Batman and Robin" were much more fantastical, colorful, and enteraining, "Begins" and "Dark Knight" are much more real, dark, more like a suspense action film than a superhero film.

Sidetracking from the movie itself, the whole night was interesting to say the least. My experience on the subway on the way to the theater set the tone for the rest of the night. As my friend and I entered the 1 train, we heard screaming from the platform. I immediately thought someone's child was left behind. That was not the case, two ladies were about to miss the train and screamed as if their life depended on it, but they made it on the train.

The strangest thing happened when we arrived at the theater; the concession stand was closed! I must say this is a traumatic experience for movie-goers. How can I possibly go see a suspense action movie without so much as a small popcorn and soda? I hope children didn't go to that theater yesterday. Just imagine the conversation, "mami I want popcorn, candy and soda!", "sorry baby concession stand closed." Might as well have told that child"Santa doesn't exist". Enough with the rant on the concession stand.

Back to the film. Personally, Michael Keaton is my favorite Batman/Bruce Wayne, but Christian Bale does a great job, especially as Bruce Wayne. The late Heath Ledger was excellent as the Joker. I think Jack Nicholson laid the ground work for an amazing Joker. Ledger took that to a dark, psychotic yet still comical place, it was brilliant. The movie finds a balance between, character development with good dialogues and the power action sequences. One of the most important things is that most of the action sequences are done in the old-style with real stuntmen. I also liked the ensemble cast with great actors such as Michael Cane, Morgan Freeman, and Gary Oldman (great movie veterans).

Although I did not love "Batman Begins", it set the wheels in motion for a great sequel. Director Chris Nolan took a comic book character and that character's "world" and made it modern, interesting, and most of all believable. By the end of the movie though, I was excited to see the next installation. I was a little worried that it wouldn't be good, thank god I was wrong. "Dark Knight" does everything that "Batman Begins" did and more. Like most sequels, everyone expects more action minus the story, but "Dark Knight" delivers more action with an intriguing story (in my humble opinion, a good comparision would be the progression from Terminator 1 to Terminator 2). This movie is more of a crime drama than anything. It sucks you in from the beginning and takes you on a ride of plots twists, fast-paced action sequences, and amazing cinematography (I'm all about the cinematography of a movie).

What I love most about Batman in general is the whole psychological aspect; a look into the human psyche, the never ending battle between good and evil, right and wrong, the hope for a better tomorrow, anger and compassion. I simply love that.

At the end of the night, as if I wasn't already disturbed by the crime drama, my friend and I went to the ATM. Lo and behold, there was a homeless man sleeping inside the bank. Let me tell you, my heart rate was jacked and the stupid machine was as slow as can be. All the weird things aside, I must reitirate that I loved "The Dark Knight". My advice...JUST GO WATCH IT!

RIP Bernie Mac

Another sad day. I was shocked to hear the news this morning, comedian Bernie Mac dead at 50. According to Mac's publicist, Danica Smith, the actor and comedian passed away this morning from complications due to pneumonia in a Chicago area hospital.

Apparently, Bernie Mac suffered from sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease that produces tiny lumps of cells in the body's organs. Basically, this immune disorder turns the body's cells against itself occuring mainly in the lungs and lymph nodes.

Bernie Mac was best known from his sitcom "The Bernie Mac Show", and the Original Kings of Comedy. He also appeared in movies such as "Transformers", "Ocean's Eleven, 12 and13", "Mr. 300", "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle", "The Players Club", "Above the Rim", and many many more films.

Bernie Mac was incredibly funny; an incredible comedian. So sorry to see him go. He will be missed and can never be replaced. Thanks for the laughs Bernie!!

An Evening with Jill Scott

I was recently informed that the very talented Jill Scott is performing as a part of the The 26th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Concert Series on Monday August 11th at 7:30 pm. The location is Wingate Field, entrances on Brooklyn Avenue (Rutland Road and Winthrop Street.)

I happen to love Jill Scott and will try to make it (even though I said I was never ever going back to Brooklyn, I might have to make an exception). All for the love of good music, right?

For more information visit http://www.brooklynconcerts.com/mlk.html

Un Lugar Sin Perdon

HBO Latino estrena Capadocia, una serie dramatica que se centra en la vida de varias mujeres que por differentes razones han sido encarceladas, y de las cuales se cuenta la historia de cada una de ellas. La historia ocurre en una carcel en Ciudad de Mexico donde hay una lucha de intereses entre Teresa Lagos (Dolores Heredia) una abogada especializada en los derechos de las prisioneras que lucha por establecer un programa humano de rehabilitacion y Federico Marquez (Juan Manuel Bernal) por implementar sus proyectos para privatizar la prision y usar a las mujeres como obreras de mano de obra barata.

La serie se transmitira en Estados Unidos el miercoles 10 de Septiembre a la 9pm (ET) hasta el 3 de diciembre. Tambien sera transmitida por HBO On Demand con subtitulos en ingles. Incluye a los actores Ana de la Reguera, Alejandro Camacho, Juan Manuel Bernal, Dolores Heredia y Cecilia Suarez.

HBO Latino se ha unido con People en Espanol para estrenar el primer episodio de la serie en Miami, Nueva York y Los Angeles. Tendran hasta el lunes, 11 de agosto, para inscribirse para ganar un boleto para dos entradas gratis al estreno de la serie. http://www.peopleenespanol.com/alcine .

Hopefully this series will fill the void that Oz left. More to come on Capadocia............

Keeping up with Project Runway: Season 5

I am a huge Project Runway fan, but this season I'm really not impressed with the desigeners. All of the challenges seem to be the same from past seasons, and although there have been some great designs this season, nothing seems to have that wow factor like we've seen in previous seasons.

Last Wednesday's episode, they had the "Bright Lights, Big City" challenge where the remaining designers were to create a look designed for a night out on the town inspired by New York City at night. (This "inspiration" challenge sounds really familiar, doesn't it?)

I'll probably continue watching this season just because I still love the show. Hopefully the designers will kick it up a notch and the challenges will get more interesting.

Check out the winning designs from the previous episodes.

Episode 1: Let's Start from the Beginning - guest judge Austin Scarlett
Winner: Kelli
Auf Wiedershen: Jerry





Episode 2: Grass is Always Greener - guest judge Natalie Portman
Winner: Suede
Auf Wiedershen: Wesley



Epidsode 3: Bright Lights/Big City - guest judge Sandra Bernhard
Winner: Kenley
Auf Wiedersehen: Emily







Check out more on this season (and previous seasons) at http://www.bravotv.com/Project_Runway/season/5/index.php

Pedicure Alternativa

All the ladies out there know how hard it is to get a good pedicure. Well, this morning there was a segment on the 4th hour of the Today Show where the ladies tried out a new pedicure in which you dip your feet in a tank and little fish, known as garra rufa or carp, nibble off the scaly dead skin on your feet. The fish don't have teeth, so they don't bite. I know, it sounds icky and it looks even more gross, but apparently it works.

It seems like a good alternative to scrubbing and butchering your feet with the razor. From what I gather, everyone gets a separate tank and they have to change the water after each session. Don't know if I'd want to do this all the time, but I would certainly want to try it.

I need everyone to see how this works, so here is a clip from The Today Show.


Try a fish pedicure!

Model Latina

Tonight was the premier of Si TV's new reality series Model Latina. Ten contestants will live together, get coaching from industry pros and compete in various challenges to prove they are the complete package of beauty, culture, style, and smarts. The winner will walk away with a modeling contract with Q Management, a chance to grace the pages of Latina magazine, clothes from the Anna Fong Collection, $10,000 and other amazing prizes.

If you're an avid watcher of Americas Next Top Model and you wish there were more Latinas on the show, then maybe you should catch the upcoming episodes of Model Latina. The only drawback is that I wish it were a little more original. Whoever thought of this show said lets put together American Idol and Americas Next Top Model, the only difference being it's all Latinas (at least they are curvy women on the show, not just stick figures). The first episodes were the casting calls, next week the girls will be in the house and the challenges will begin.

I'll continue watching; I'm curious to see the challenges, and all of the Latina personalities ready to explode. Hopefully it'll be entertaining. http://www.sitv.com/shows/model

Truly a sad day in my life....

Estelle Getty of "The Golden Girls" passed away this morning at the age of 84 (if you don't know what show this is then there is seriously something wrong with you). I loved this show as a little girl!

Estelle was surrounded by her family and friends when she went away. She suffered from advanced Dementia for years.



Sophia Petrillo is one of my favorite TV characters of all time, and "The Golden Girls" is one of my favorite shows, period. She will be missed.....

A little homage to her.

Clumsy Sky......

I was flipping through the pages of the August issue of Latina magazine this evening. They have their second annual list of best Latin music you don't know (but should). They've included Girl in a Coma on this list. I first heard of this band a couple of months ago when I was watching the SiTV series Jammin, “life of a Latino rock band". I intended to look them up then and never got around to it; fortunately I found them in Latina and went to look for them on Myspace.

Girl in a Coma is a rock band from San Antonio, TX; with bassist Jenn Alva, drummer Phanie Diaz and vocal/guitarist Nina Diaz. (for all of you Smith fans, the name of the band is a Smiths reference). In 2006, as a part of the show Jammin, the group went to New York City for a show at the Knitting Factory and a surprise meeting with Joan Jett. Jett and her producing partner Kenny Laguna were impressed with the bands sound and invited them to join the Blackheart Records label. While Nina's hypnotic and soft voice has been referred to as "the female version of Morrissey", the band as a whole has been compared to The Smiths and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, while still managing to create a sound and style that remains uniquely their own.

I will definately catch a show when they're in NYC this October. You should check them out too, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

http://www.girlinacoma.com/

Upcoming shows:

Jul 22 2008
8:00P
Wasted Space Room in Hard Rock Casino
Las Vegas, Nevada
Jul 23 2008
9:00P
Hollywood Alley
Mesa, Arizona
Jul 24 2008
7:00P
LaunchPad
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Jul 25 2008
9:00P
The Bayou
El Paso, Texas
Aug 1 2008
8:00P
Emo’s
Austin, Texas
Aug 2 2008
8:00P
Jack’s Patio Bar and Grill/ ALL AGES
San Antonio, Texas
Sep 27 2008
8:00P
FITZGERALD’S/ All AGES
Houston, Texas
Sep 30 2008
6:30P
TABERNACLE w/ TEGAN AND SARA
Atlanta, Georgia
Oct 2 2008
6:00P
RAMS HEAD LIVE! W/ TEGAN AND SARA
Baltimore, Maryland
Oct 3 2008
7:30P
THE ELECTRIC FACTORY W/ TEGAN AND SARA
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Oct 4 2008
6:00P
THE PALLADIUM w/ TEGAN AND SARA
Worcester, Massachusetts
Oct 5 2008
7:00P
TERMINAL 5 w/ TEGAN AND SARA
New York, New York
Oct 6 2008
7:00P
TERMINAL 5 w/TEGAN AND SARA
New York, New York
Oct 9 2008
5:30P
RIVIERA THEATRE w/TEGAN AND SARA
Chicago, Illinois
Oct 11 2008
7:00P
STATE THEATRE w/TEGAN AND SARA
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Oct 13 2008
6:00P
PARAMOUNT THEATRE w/TEGAN AND SARA
Denver, Colorado
Oct 16 2008
7:00P
THE HENRY FONDA THEATRE w/ TEGAN AND SARA
Los Angeles, California
Oct 17 2008
7:00P
HENRY FONDA THEATRE w/TEGAN AND SARA
Los Angeles, California
Oct 18 2008
7:00P
THE HENRY FONDA THEATRE w/TEGAN AND SARA
Los Angeles, California
Oct 19 2008
7:00P
THE HENRY FONDA THEATRE w/TEGAN AND SARA
Los Angeles, California

Tropico de Sangre

Al principio de Julio huvo una conferencia de prensa en el Hard Rock Cafe Santo Domingo donde se hablo de el inicio de la pelicula "Tropico de Sangre". Esta pelicula es basada en la vida de las hermanas Mirabal. Para el que no sabe, las hermanas Mirabal (Minerva, Patria, y María Teresa) son heroínas de Salcedo que enfrentaron con dignidad la tiranía del dictador Rafael Leonidas Trujillo (1930-1961) en la Republica Dominicana, y fueron asesinadas.

Michelle Rodriguez sera la protagoniza de la pelicula, interpretando a Minerva Mirabal. Ella es productora (su compania Cheshire Kat Productions) junto al empresario Joan Giacinti bajo la direccion del dominicano Juan Deláncer.

"Trópico de Sangre", cuenta con el actor cubano César Evora y la hermana sobreviviente de las heroínas, Dedé Mirabal, quien será el hilo conductor de la pelicula. Celinés Toribio y Claudette Lalí, actrices dominicanas, tendrán roles importantes en esta pelicula.

Muchos piensan que Michelle Rodriguez no es la persona indicada par ser el papel de Minerva Mirabal, pero si una persona tiene un decer tan grande de ser parte de una pelica con un tema tan importante, entonces se le deber de dar una opportunidad. I found this quote from Rodriguez on GranCine.net "Tengo mucho fuego, inteligencia, no soy rastrera y tengo lo necesario para enseñarle al mundo aspectos de una mujer respetuosa como fue Minerva".

Al responder una pregunta sobre su origen, en el Hard Rock Cafe, ya que es de madre dominicana y de padre puertorriqueño, Michelle Rodriguez no dejó oportunidad a las dudas. Ella dijo, “Yo salí de mi madre. De ahí vengo, de Jarabacoa y de la capital”.

En el 2001, Salma Hayek, Edward James Olmos, y Marc Anthony, junto a otros grandes actores latinos, protagonizaron la pelicula "En el tiempo de las mariposas", basada en la novela de Julia Álvarez sobre el mismo tema. Although it was a great movie, I have been reading a lot of different opinions about "Tropico de Sangre" on dominican websites/blogs. I must agree this movie is just another perpective of the situation, one that includes our people, our details of the Dominican Republic, and our culture.

"Tropico de Sangre" is set to begin shooting in November in the Dominican Republic and will hit the screen next year 2009. I'm excited to see what will come of this movie!

A night at the movies!

We're in the middle of the summer blockbuster season, and I have yet to go to the movies and check out some films that I really want to see (I blame it all on the recession).

I have yet to see Sex and the City (shame on me) and I didn't get to see Indiana Jones either, but I have to make it a point to see Hellboy II (which came out this past weekend) and The Dark Knight (coming out this Friday, July 18th).

Another summer movie that is sort of pulling me in is The X Files movie opening July 25th. I was never a huge fan of the show, although I would watch from time to time. I saw the movie when it came out on cable, but for some reason I want to see this. Maybe it's the whole secrecy behind the plot line that's intriguing.

It's not at the top of my list for this summer, but I would like to see Tropic Thunder, opening in August. Anything with Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Robert Downey Jr. should make for a funny ass movie.

I will be sure to give a full report if I ever get my butt to the movie theater this summer!

Next stop SoBro!

Most people think that north of New York's 125th street is devoid of art and culture, but if you take a closer look you will find just the opposite. The area that real-estate brokers refer to as SoBro is starting to take shape. The "Departure" series opened July 2nd at the Bruckner Gallery in The Bronx. The exhibition is a narrative in pictures exploring various themes including: Afro Punk, elderly addiction, our neighborhoods, family, activism, and immigration.

"Departure" features five photographers- Miguel Anaya, Lyric Cabral, Mark Nevers, Danny Ramon Peralta, and Bashira Webb - each developing their voices as socially oriented photographers exploring their communities.

I highly recommend taking some time to go to SoBro to check out this exhibition and support these young artist. The exhibition will run now through July 24th at the Bruckner Gallery, 1 Bruckner Blvd. (corner of Third Avenue).

In true hispanic form, celebrate with food!!

Yesterday was my 27th birthday. My family and I went out to dinner to celebrate yet another year in my life. I must share the name of the restaurant; it's an Italian restaurant called Bar Stuzzichini, located in the Flatiron District in New York City. The price is moderate and the plates are small but fulfilling.

We started off with the most delightful appetizer. It's bread topped with Ricotta with saffron and honey; it's like an explosion of flavor in a bite size. Our waitress' recommendations turned out to be very good. I ordered the Tagliolini with Pistachio and Lemon for my main course. When you first read through the menu, you think this item is going to have whole pistachio nuts, but it had just the right amount of lemon flavor and the pistachios were grounded into the creamy sauce. Our waitress highly recommended the Gnocchi all' Amatricianna-Guanciale, tomato, onion and chilli, that is what my nephew had (and I must say it was the best dish on the table). It's a spicy dish, but it's not that spicy if I was able to have some.

For dessert we ordered the Torta Caprese. It's a delicious chocolate hazelnut cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. The top of the cake is firm sprinkled with some powdered sugar and the rest of the cake is moist. This is an excellent choice for chocolate lovers! My nephew did the cutest thing during dessert. He asked the waitress to bring out a candle on the piece of cake, and then sang Happy Birthday to me! (mind you he is ten years old) My mother, aunt and myself enjoyed a bottle of Lambrusco Rosato. It's a really good wine for the summer, it's gently sparkling, chilled, and low in alcohol.

Our waitress was great. She was friendly and attentive, and patiently waited for us to make up our minds about everything; answering all of our questions about the dishes. The place itself is decorated nicely too. It’s a great space with a lot of room. My mom and aunt really liked the lightbulb chandeliers and the pictures of graffiti.

Bar Stuzzichini is devoted to delivering a memorable experience; one that transports you overseas to a place that embodies family, friends and good food. They are certainly achieving their goal!! I hope we can go back soon.

Pues yo tambien soy artista...

I don't mean to knock it because it really does look beautiful, pero cascadas en la ciudad de Nueva York? Pues yo voy a poner una canasta de platanos en Times Square como una forma de arte. It could be a cultural, nay a political work of art!

Maybe I don't get the waterfalls because I'm not artsy fartsy, but here's the skinny on the waterfalls. "The New York City Waterfalls" is the city's largest art project since 2005 when the artists Christo and his wife Jeanne-Claude drapped Central Park with their art installation "The Gates" (another project I didn't get). The waterfalls are located in 4 areas at the Brooklyn Bridge (one at the base of the bridge's Brooklyn end and the other between Piers 4 and 5 at Furman and Joralemon streets). The other two are located in lower Manhattan at Pier 35 and on the north shore of Governors Island. The artificial waterfalls will be up through October 13th.

Out of curiosity I'll probably go see the art installation. Maybe I'll see them in a different way after experiencing them in person. The artist, Olafur Eliasson, hopes to "evoke experiences that are both individual and enhance a sense of collectivity". Whatever the hell that means hopefully I'll find out. On the plus side, mabye some money can be pumped into the economy. More than 5 million people saw "The Gates," including about 1.5 million out-of-town visitors, putting $254 million into the economy.

Lo mas chistoso es que de noche se apagan las cascadas. Porque? Another little fact, the tab for the project was $15.5 million dollars. Senor, si no encuentran que hacer con el dinero, por favor que me lo den a mi!

If you've been living under a rock and have not seen or heard about the waterfalls, check out www.nycwaterfalls.org.

Busy in the city.....

Well, summer is officially here and I'm trying to keep busy this summer. I'm going to try to continuously share interesting events, in New York City, that I find and want to go to myself. If you know of any great events please feel free to share with the rest!

EVENT: Jeremy Fish
DATE: Exhibit through July 26th
ORGANIZATION: Joshua Liner Gallery
LOCATION: 548 West 28th street, suite 334
INFO: JoshuaLinerGallery.com

EVENT: Superheroes: Fashion & Fantasy
DATE: Now - September 1, 2008
ORGANIZATION: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
LOCATION: 1000 Fifth Avenue
INFO: 212-570-3951 or www.metmuseum.org

EVENT: Campaigning for President: New York and the American Election
DATE: June 24 - Election Day
ORGANIZATION: Museum of the City of New York
LOCATION: 1220 Fifth Avenue
INFO: 212-534-1672 or www.mcny.org

Seven words you can't say on television....

I know I'm about three days late in writing this, but I still can't believe George Carlin is dead. I remember the first time I heard of George Carlin was in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. For some reason, don't really remember why, I became a fan after then.

What I enjoyed most about him was that first off, he's a fellow New Yorker (grew up right on West 122nd street), second he lived his life like his comedy fast, without censorship, and with major enjoyment, and third he became a social critic in the most effective way possible, through entertainment. You have to have a lot of respect for honest and unapologetic people, and that he was especially in his comedy (I try to live like this but find it very difficult sometimes).

HBO and “Saturday Night Live” will pay tribute to George Carlin this week. “SNL” will re-air the 1975 premiere episode that Carlin hosted at 10:30 p.m. this Saturday. HBO will air Carlin’s most recent special, “It’s Bad for Ya,” at 8 p.m. Friday. HBO2 will air 11 of the 14 HBO specials he did beginning today.

I think what makes comedy funny is that fact that there is truth in every jest. He has so many great one liners that I'll leave you with a couple of my favorite ones. Enjoy!

-Inside every cynical person, there is a disappointed idealist.
-By and large, language is a tool for concealing the truth.
-Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
-"I am" is reportedly the shortest sentence in the English language. Could it be that "I do" is the longest sentence?
-I have as much authority as the Pope, I just don't have as many people who believe it.
-I was thinking about how people seem to read the Bible a whole lot more as they get older; then it dawned on me - they're cramming for their final exam.
-I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death.
-If God had intended us not to masturbate he would've made our arms shorter.
-People who say they don't care what people think are usually desperate to have people think they don't care what people think.
-The reason I talk to myself is that I'm the only one whose answers I accept.
-Ladies, leave your eyebrows alone. Here's how much men care about your eyebrows: Do you have two of them? Okay, we're done.

All in the name of music.

Dios mio, I always say the same thing everytime I do this. But I think I mean it this time, I'm never going back to Brooklyn!!!!!

Boys and girls if you can believe it I went out Thursday night, on a weekday (I payed for it the following morning but who cares). I went with a friend to Studio B to see a band by the name of Crystal Castles.

First we got lost going to the place, then we really got lost coming home. I hate getting lost in Brooklyn; I really don't like to let on that I'm lost and I hate how the streets are not in a logical progression like on my beautiful island of Manhattan.

Anyway, back to Crystal Castles. I had never heard of them until Thursday, but I'm glad I went because it was a good surprise. Their sound is electro-dance music heavy on synthesizer type sounds with a little rock feel. They really amped up the crowd. I've had my fair share of mosh pit days, but people were going nuts for them. I was in the front of the stage, but not for long, once my glasses flew off my face I knew it was time to go off to the side. Sadly that was the best pic I could get under the circumstances.

I'd like to give you some background info (courtesy of Wikipedia) on Crystal Castles because I think they are worth taking a good listen to (you could go on myspace and look them up to listen to their songs). Crystal Castles is a Toronto based band, consisting of multi-instrumentalist Ethan Kath and vocalist Alice Glass. Crystal Castles formed in December 2003 as a project started by Ethan Kath. In April 2005, Alice Glass recorded vocals for five original instrumentals by Kath. The band's first single was recorded "accidentally" and released through MySpace. The rest in history (in progress). Just as an aside, so incredibly interesting how MySpace has become this great tool to get your name out there be it music, fashion, or any business for that matter.

I definitely would like to see and hear more from Crystal Castles. Too bad I can't say the same for Brooklyn.

Summer reading...

I must admit that I fancy chick lit. It's fun, sometimes unrealistic, but hopeful at the same time. For sometime I kept on passing by the same book at Borders,"The Dirty Girls Social Club" by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez. I finally picked it up last summer and I'm glad I did.

For those unfamiliar with the book, it's a story about 6 Latina friends from Boston University who have been keeping in touch regularly for the past 7 years since graduation. The women (Sara, Lauren, Rebecca, Usnavy, Elizabeth, and Amber) all have different backgrounds, character, and careers.

What I love most about this book is how Valdes-Rodriguez keeps that story funny and optomistic while touching on serious subjects such as racism, homophobia, sexism, and violence against women.

I am anxiously awaiting the sequel, "Dirty Girls on Top", which hits shelves on July 8th. I hope to laugh, cry, and be touched even more so than from the first book.

If you want to take a look at other Valdes-Rodriguez books, currently I'm reading "Playing with Boys", check out her blog http://alisavaldesrodriguez.blogspot.com/.

Great news!!!

I'll make this short and sweet cause I'm almost running late for work. If you did not know already, "In the Heights"won a 2008 TONY award for Best Musical last night. Also, Lin-Manuel Miranda won a TONY for Best Original Score Written for the Theater (music and lyrics). "In the Heights" also received a TONY for Best Choreography, and Best Orchestrations. I guess the little neighborhood at the top of Manhattan is making a very big impression!

Why is it so hard to forgive and forget?

I was watching the 4th hour of the Today Show on Tuesday at work. By the way, I thought I wouldn’t like the 4th hour, but to my surprise I watch it everyday I think Kathy Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb quit enjoyable. Anyway, there was a segment on relationships with Today Show contributor Dr. Laura Berman. I stopped working and started listening to the segment because I for one suffer from forgiving but there is no way in hell I’m going to forget. I have to be honest and admit that I hold on to things for way too long.

Here are a few of the reasons given as to why we don’t have an easy time forgiving those we love:
§ Depends on the crime
§ Depends on our own emotional state (If raised in a family where forgiveness was rare and grudges were long, we unwillingly carry that)
§ Depends on how we are able to express difficult emotions (that’s my stumbling block)
§ The most important one (drum roll please), depends on our sense of responsibility for our own lives and relationships (as much as it kills me to say, no adult is ever a completely innocent victim)

One thing that struck a chord with me was that one forgives out of selfishness than anything else. Whoever does not agree with is a liar and full of shit. I started to think about why I forgive people and why I press people to forgive me. And I won’t say that it 100% selfishness, but I like to forgive and be forgiven mostly to feel better about myself and to be a peace with myself.

I’ll leave you with this lovely thought. If you feel love and a connection to the person you are angry with, then it’s time to forgive and forget. It may take time to heal and rebuild, but if you commit to honestly communication with that person and yourself you'll likely make it through the other side in a better place in your relationship than before.


P.S. It’s not good for the soul to be so angry and untrusting all the time, plus it adds to the aging factors (no need to rush those wrinkles)

___________________________________________________________________

¿Por qué es tan dificl perdonar y olvidar?

Yo empece a ver la cuarta hora de el Today Show en NBC. Pensé que no gustaria la cuarta hora, pero a mi sorpresa lo veo diario yo pienso que Kathy Lee Gifford y Hoda Kotb son bastante agradable. Anyway, el martes en el trabajo había un segmento sobre relaciones con la Dr. Laura Berman, contribuidora de el Today Show. Paré el trabajar y comencé a escuchar el segmento porque yo sufro de perdónar y pero hamas olvidar. Tengo que ser honesta y admitir que me aferro a las cosas por un tiempo demasiado largo.
Aquí están algunas de las razones dadas en cuanto porqué no es fácil perdonar ésos que amamos:
§ Depende de la situacion
§ Depende de nuestro propio estado emocional (si tu familia no perdona, ya lo sabes que tu tampoco perdona facil)
§ Depende de cómo podemos expresar las emociones
§ El más importante (rodillo de tambor por favor) depende de nuestro sentido de la responsabilidad de nuestras propias vidas y relaciones (tanto como me mata por decir, no hay adulto totalmente inocente, sorry!!)

Lo que yo me encuentro bien interesante es que uno perdona por egoísmo que todo lo demás. Quien no esta de acuerdo con esto es un mentiroso y un come mierda. Comencé a pensar en porqué perdono a gente y porqué presiono a gente perdonarme. Y no es 100% egoismo, el gusto de perdonar y de ser perdonada sobre todo es para sentirme major.

Los dejaré con este pensamiento. Si usted siente amor y una conexión con la persona que usted está enojado con, entonces es hora de perdonar y de olvidar. Puede tardar tiempo para curar y para reconstruir, pero si usted confía y es honesto con esa persona le va ir major.

P.S. No es bueno que para el alma que estes enojado todo el tiempo, eso agrega a los factores de envejecimiento y arrugas

Just a reminder.......

I wanted to remind everyone that this Sunday, June 15th is the 62nd annual TONY awards ceremony. I'd also like to remind everyone that the broadway musical In the Heights has received 13 TONY award nominations.

For anyone that has been living under a rock, In the Heights is a rap, hip-hop and salsa flavored musical about Latino families in Washington Heights, created and starring Inwood resident 28 year old Lin Manuel Miranda.

Shame on me for not seeing the show yet (even though I've been wanting to see it since it was Off Broadway), but hopefully I shouldn't be a rush since I don't think it's going away anytime soon......

Can the "glass ceiling" really be broken?

The issue of race and sex has been brought to attention during the Democratic presidential primary. During Hillary Clinton’s concession speech, she stated that even though the glass ceiling was not shattered, there are now millions of cracks to let the light shine through. I don’t know how much I believe that. I’m not saying that Clinton did not win the election just because she is a woman, but does this give false hope to women in the United States, especially minorities? Does this really make people think that there is not much work to do?

For anyone unfamiliar with the term “glass ceiling”, it refers to a situation where the advancement of a qualified person is stopped due to some form of discrimination, most commonly sexism and racism.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great effort on Hillary’s part trying to encourage and inspire the next generation of women. She joins a long line of women who through their actions have helped push forward in politics and corporate America, performing the oh so difficult task of balancing family and work life and being successful in advancing their careers. That being said, I still believe that a woman is limited in how high up the ladder she can go. Juggling work and family is seen as a weakness for woman and not even a factor in the equation for men. Honestly, women are still expected to be soft spoken, complacent, and family oriented and criticized for being aggressive and career obsessed. Why is it a remarkable thing and not something that is expected to happen that women run for office?

I’ll leave you with something to think about. Women in politics, as entrepreneurs, and high powered jobs has increased over the last two decades. But, as I was reading up on this issue as it pertains to this election, I stumbled across one interesting piece of information. In 1984, almost 25 years ago, Geraldine Ferraro was on the ballot as vice presidential candidate and that was considered remarkable then. Hillary Clinton, if nominated for the VP, would be the second woman nominated. With this in mind, how much progress has there actually been?

I don’t think we should be so happy to have the “ceiling” cracked; the ceiling has been cracking for quit some time now. I hope that my cynicism is totally off the map on this one, but I don’t see the ceiling being shattered anytime soon. So when a man (or even a woman) asks if you buy into the bull shit of the glass ceiling, you tell him (or remind her) that you don’t have to buy it, you get it for free everyday just for waking up in the morning…….

___________________________________________________________________

El asunto de la raza y el sexo se ha traído a la atención durante el primario presidencial Democratica. Durante el discurso de la concesión de Hillary Clinton, ella indicó que aunque el techo de cristal no fue roto, esta empesando a partir. No sé cuánto creo eso. ¿No estoy diciendo que Clinton no ganó la elección apenas porque ella es una mujer, pero me pregunto si esto ésta dando esperanza falsa a las mujeres en los Estados Unidos, especialmente minorías? ¿Es que la gente piensa que no hay mucho trabajo a hacer?

Para cualquier persona que no conoce el término “techo de cristal”, refiere a una situación donde el adelanto de una persona calificada es parado debido a una cierta forma de discriminación.
Es un gran esfuerzo de parte de Hillary que intenta animar e inspirar la generación siguiente de mujeres. Tenemos una larga lista de mujeres que con sus acciones han ayudado a empujar adelante hacia adentro política y América corporativa, incluyendo el trabajo tan dificil de ser encargado de su familia. Pero, todavía creo que limitan a una mujer en cómo arriba encima de la escalera ella puede ir. Consideran el trabajo y a la familia una debilidad para la mujer y para los hombres la familia no tiene effecto con su trabajo. Todavía se espera que a las mujeres sean de tono suave, satisfechas, y familia orientada y son criticada por ser agresivas y obsesionada con su carrera. ¿Por qué es una cosa notable y no algo que se espera que suceda que las mujeres dominen el la politica?

Los dejaré con este pensamiento. Las mujeres en políticas, como empresarios, y los trabajos de alta potencia han aumentado durante las dos décadas pasadas. Pero, yo tropecé a través de información interesante. En 1984, hace casi 25 años, Geraldine Ferraro estaba en la balota como candidato vice presidencial y eso era considerada notable entonces. Hillary Clinton, si es nominada para el VP, sería la segunda mujer nominada. ¿Con esto en mente, cuánto progreso ha sido realmente?

Revolution and Capitalism?

I was at the doctor's office yesterday reading amNY. I came across a tiny article in the World Briefs section on Che Guevara's kids. Two of his kids said they're tired of having their father's image used to sell everything.

Now, I must admit that I all about the revolutionary image on t-shirts and hats. I even bought a shirt for my friend (who I believe was involved in some revolutionary movement in a past life). I also thought that you should only wear the shirts if you know who Che was, which most of the people wearing it have no clue who he was and what he did.

Anyway, I totally understand where his children are coming from. I for one have had it with his image all over the place and people really not understanding what that stands for. The last straw for me was when I saw a t-shirt with Che Guevara's image decorated in color patterns and rhinestones looking like an Ed Hardy shirt gone totally wrong.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse….

It’s another distraction from work!! As if you didn’t spend enough time reading magazines, newspapers, websites/blogs, well here’s another one to add to the list.

What started as fun talk in my house (when there was nothing better to do) has now become my very first blog. As most Hispanics know, when coffee is involved there is no subject untouched.

This blog is an exploration of my adventures and mishaps as a Latina fumbling through life. I’ll be sharing anything and everything; stories, reviews, culture, style, beauty, food, art, politics, parenting and everything in between. I like so many different things, that picking one particular subject would be impossible for me.

If you have some interesting news, juicy gossip, need some sort of advice (I can usually fix everyone’s problems, and surprisingly sometimes my own), or if you just want to show some love, leave a comment or email me at esanchez177 [at] gmail [dot] com.

Hope you enjoy and come again soon!

Love,
Café Bustelo

P.S. Since my mind is written in two languages, so is my blog....

Como la mayoría de los hispanos saben, cuando el café está prendido no hay tema sin tocar. Este blog es una exploración de mis aventuras y desgracias como Latina. Compartiré de todo un poco; historias, productos nuevos, cultura, estilo, belleza, arte, política.

Si tiene noticias interesantes, un chisme jugoso, necesita un consejo (siempre resuelvo problemas de todos, y aveces lo mio tambien), o quieres hablar de qual quier cosa, deja un comentario o me envía por correo electrónico en esanchez177 [arroba] gmail [punto] com.

¡Espero que disfruten!

Tu nueva amiga,
Café Bustelo