time...

"What very mysterious things days were. Sometimes they fly by, and other times they seem to last forever, yet they are all exactly twenty-four hours. " ~ Melanie Benjamin, Alice I Have Been, 2010 ~

Looking back on the past few years of life, this quote rings so true...so much time has passed since I have opened up my beloved blog to write. Truth be told, It seems like a lifetime ago. Since then, I have gotten married to my best friend, traveled the world (including a 3 week backpacking trip through Europe), finished writing my thesis, graduated from grad school, and have gone through countless ups and downs of life.

The last few years of life have been hectic, yet I feel myself stopping and making it a point to slow down a bit. Amongst the to-do lists, I find myself enjoying the small things in life more, like a beer on the deck with my hubby as the sun sets, singing off-beat in the car at the top of my lungs just because, and "forgetting" my cell at home as I aimlessly walk the dog until we are both good and tired.

On the flip side, as I type I feel a bit torn when it comes to time. Now that grad school is officially behind me and work has substantially slowed down for the season, I find myself with more free time than I know what to do with. In comes more books (this time for pleasure reading), countless knitting projects, and journaling...as I type I have 3 windows up, each rimming with possible ways to fill in the gaps. First up to bat: volunteering at a no-kill animal shelter, taking a photography class, enlisting in a yoga training program.

So I ask myself and the the world "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH ME?!!??" Up into recently, I would have headbutted and drop kicked someone to get just a taste of some of peace of mind and relaxation. Yet, here I am, receiving all the R&R that I so desperately wanted, and yet, I am on the prowl to just fill up my schedule all over again.

As I review this post, I realize I am blessed beyond my comprehension. I should be thrilled that with all the pain and the sorrow in the world, being bored or too busy to smell the roses is the biggest problem I have...and yet as I look as the blinking cursor in front of me, I feel empty.

no they didn't...

OH YES, they did! Yesterday while perusing the television channels, I stopped channel surfing to stare in horror at the "Special Edition" Chia Obama head on TV. At first I thought it was a joke; like a MadTv spoof. But alas, they are selling this as a real product...to be diplayed proudly on your desk or at home...phhtt! The sad thing is that this product probably is flying off the shelves.

It's a sad, sad day in this country when our president has been dubbed a Chia Pet. A sad day indeed.

return from the dead

It's been 8 months since I last wrote...and what an 8 month's its been.

~I've gotten a new job at a kick ass non-profit that trains and certifies teachers, preparing them to work at "high-needs" schools at CPS. I work hard, but I feel like I am really doing what I was meant to do with my life. The only drawback is that they block all the fun websites: facebook, youtube, flickr, anything blog related, etc. I am still going through withdrawals.

~ I am FINALLY this close -->[ ] to finishing my coursework for my masters degree. It's been 2.5 grueling years but I have just one more quarter to go. Now, I have to get to that thesis!

~I have gone from planning a destination wedding, to an outdoor wedding here in Chicago, to saying "F@ck it...let's elope to the keys and just do it!!" Big weddings complete with elaborate color schemes and the whole white dress thing just isn't for
me. Plus, I couldn't rationalize spending so much money on one day...I just couldn't. We are getting hitched on our 7 year anniversary at sunset on the beach...nice :)

~ After 5 long years, I finally moved out of the ghetto! Me & the honey bought a new house and finally moved in together this past November. It's been a long time coming and while our place does need a lil work, it has a huge backyard with a enormous deck ....I love it. Plus, I finally have grown up furniture...no more jacked up futons for me! Whoo hoo...the biggest disagreement we have had is over a painting. I wanted to get a huge Frida Kahlo painting to put over our couch and he didn't want the boobs to be the first thing people see when they come in..I say..who looks at this picture an thinks of boobs??!! Am I right??

~ Last but certainly not least, this past November, I was actually proud of this country for the first time in almost a decade...Our country has gone to shit, and I sincerely hope Barack can step up to the challenge and live up to his expectations.

The last year has been extremely hectic for me. I have constantly found myself with less and less time to do everything I had to do. Actually, this is the first weekend in recent memory where I am NOT running around with errands and a long ass to-do list which seemingly never-ends. In addition, its been one COLD and SNOWY winter here in Chicago. But I wake up today to 50 degree weather and a glass of tea, and I feel great and just high on life. There's nothing like being a lazy bum every once in a while. AHHH..that's the life!

Luminosity

That's a word, right ? Hee hee. In either case, today I am wearing a smile from ear to ear. I am officially on Spring Break for almost two weeks and am looking forward to being a couch bum and partaking in some pleasure reading, watching the Daily show, and consuming a few beers. :> Life is good.

Other things that put a smile on my face lately

~Pandora, a free, intuitive radio station that gets me through the work day every day. Search by favorite artist(s) and it plays music similar to your tastes. It's a great way to find new artists. I have about 10 stations and play the Quickmix to get a taste of it all!

~ Getting some much needed art therapy (click on the mouse to change the color!)

~ The smell of Springtime and the birth of new buddings on the trees on my block

~ Listening to Barack Obama's "A More Perfect Union" speech. I have to say this man moves me like no other politician has in the past. I believe today he proved he has true character by sticking to his guns and not disowning his pastor. He has passion, he has vision, he is insightful beyond measure. If you haven't read the transcript or listened to it, click here. Be warned though, it's nearly 40 minutes in length.

~ The fact that Taz, my beloved pooch, is 100% recovered from a terrible stomach virus. To see him with a wet nose, running around the house like a crazy ass, and back to his old hi-jinks again - fills me with the kind of joy only a "mother" can understand.

~Reading other peoples insightful and creative blogs, which has somehow sparked the urge for me to write once again.

Peace n love!

hell has frozen over

Yes, it's been a while and hell has frozen over because here I sit, cafe con leche in hand, writing again on my old faithful blog...something I thought I might never do again. I missed writing for pleasure and the form of self expression it used to be for me...but somewhere inside me still exists a spark hibernating...

It's not that I don't write anymore. It's quite the contrary. Officially a full time graduate student in Sociology, words fill my brain even in my dreams. I read an average of 1000 pages a week and write essays averaging 8 pages per week for school. There are no tests in my field..in essence my homework is my test. Not that I'm complaining...urban sociology just turns me on! My classes are insightful, my classmates are unique, intelligent, quirky people whom I've come to enjoy. As for me, I'm beginning to work on my thesis, which is tentatively called "Drop Outs in Chicago: A Look into the Role of School as an Influencer". I'm excited about using a relatively new grassroots method called photovoice, where I will ask dropouts enrolled in GED programs to take pictures of how they see the world. The goal is to try to finish both my classes and thesis by next spring (so excited)!!!!!

Approaching the big 3-0 , I've come to realize life is everchanging. Unlike when I was younger, I notice it happening more and more...you know, little changes...all of them small enough to fall under the radar solo, but taken together, they surmount into changing your persona right before your eyes. I'm trying to slow down and just savor these changes and be thankful that I had the opportunity to just experience all that life has to offer. The happiness, the pain, the indifference, each leaving a footprint on my soul...making me unique.

Before I have a chance to press delete on this post, like I've done countless of times within the last few months, I will sign off by saying peace n love to all...

feelings of gratitude

Picture from flikr

Today I took a walk around campus during lunch and delighted in how the foggy it was outside - white clouds covered the lake and wrapped itself among the trees creating an air of mystery all around. There was something simply magical about it all...almost as if I was taking a walk in the clouds or walking in a dream state. I wish I had a camera to capture the essence of it because it was a perfect walk in every way. This Flikr picture doesn't quite capture it, but maybe with a little imagination, you might just get the gist.

Peace n love to you all. Have a Happy Thanksgiving holiday. (woot! woot! to only one more day of work this week!)

busy as a bee

Again, I can't believe how time has flown right on by since my last post. Life has been hectic and much to my surprise, weeks have gone by feeling like mere minutes. Can it already be November ? OH MY!

Some of the things that yours truly has been up to:

Since my school books seem to be the only thing I have time to open, I have found myself enjoying books audibly on my ipod at rapid rates on my daily commute to and from work. The last have been:

• Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl - I swear, people were staring at me like I was a crazy ass because I couldn't help but cry during the last chapter during my morning commute. Even though I knew what was coming, this story never fails to touch my heart and soul.
• Cesar's Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems - After watching the Dog Whisperer on Cable I felt compelled to read this book and see what the guru had to say about helping my crazy ass Taz. Needless to say this book was a very informative guide to understanding my hyperactive, headstrong mutt. I'm still struggling to be his pack leader, but am trying. I have to add: on a side note, that I think Mr. Milan's Latino accent is very sexy so listening to this book was especially captivating. Hee hee.
• The Secret - This was the most disappointing selection of the bunch. So disappointing in fact, that I didn't even finish it. Usually, I'm not really into self-help books, and this was no exception. However, I have heard a lot of hype on the book so I figured I would see what all the excitement was about. The central premise of the book was that positive thinking makes all the difference in getting the things in life. If you think you have something, and truly believe you do, lo and behold: the universe gives it to you. While I wholeheartedly agree that positive thinking is a powerful and necessary component to happiness, I just think its absurd and STUPID to "think" your way thin or rich. It just can't be done. IT takes hard work for many people and this book just ignores that fact. Instead of focusing on the books negatives, I will say that it did remind me that a little positive thinking can go a long way and to NEVER say NEVER...

Also keeping me busy of course, is school. I am happy to report that next week is my statistics final. And after I finish that horrid test and final lab, I will be class free until January of next year. Needless to say, after the final I will commence a lovely celebration laced with tequila and dancing with a few classmates. Hee hee.

In other fronts, my slipped disk is somewhat improving though sometimes I fear my back will never be the same. I definitely need to start focusing on working out again on a regular basis to ensure that my back and stomach is strengthened and stays that way. Hopefully, my workouts, coupled with this wonderful contraption, and a little more TLC from physical therapy and I will be 100% again.

During the course of the year, I have also fell more in love with knitting. Through time, TLC and lots of patience, as each project evolves, it somehow retains a piece of me with it and I truly do fall in love with each project I take on. When I do give out something I made with my hands, I do it with pride. I'm so addicted that I even started a knitting diary where I attach a swatch of my work to the pattern instructions and make a photocopy of a portion of the actual work. This way, I can always reference back something I have done in the past. Currently, I have 3 knitting projects I am working on. Two of them are x-mas gifts and one is FOR ME! I am currently working a grey Chevron scarf for my brother, a tan-ish brown checkerboard scarf for my sister-in-law, and a pair of fun lavender socks for me. After working on the baby blanket for so long, the scarfs are simply a cakewalk for me. I could be doing them in my sleep and should be done with them in no time.

I am also patiently waiting for the next 5 weeks to be over so I can indulge in 2.5 weeks of vacation. I am so looking forward to de-programming, sleeping in, and just enjoying life as much as possible. What a way to ring in the new year!

fall's rollin on in...

It's officially fall ya'll...and the weather is perfect. Not to hot. Not too cold with a nice breeze that just just makes me yearn for all my windows to be open. Living in the midwest truly makes you appreciate the distinct changes that each seasons brings. And right not I am loving the beautiful colors starting to erupt in the trees. Just witnessing their beauty seems to make my one hour commute to/from work a little more tolerable.

Just a few of the things making me smile lately:

~ Me & the boyfriend tearing down and installing new vinyl siding on the back side of my house this past weekend. It was a lot of hard work and I have tons of bruises and scrapes to show for it, but the outcome is so beautiful I want to cry! Slowly but surely, my money pit is becoming less of..well...a pit!

~ My family from California coming to Chicago on a surprise visit for my father's birthday tomorrow. I have to ask my abuelita how she liked the hat I knitted her.

~ Getting a call from an old college friend that I haven't talked to in at least four years out of the blue!

~ Drinking cup upon cup of Octavia's Organic Wild Blueberry White Tea. Oh my...it's just too good to drink with a frown!

~ Watching the new HEROS episode yesterday in HD. Every Monday night with be the official Heros night at my house.

~ Doing my statistics homework and actually conceptualizing what the hell I am doing.

~ Doing said homework in less than 2 hours!

~ Getting a well deserved raise right before my 29th birthday!

What's making you smile ?!!

if you're happy and you know it, shake your ass!

It's one of those rare moments in life where I feel everything is exactly like it should be. I take a look inward and realize life has been good to me.

~ In addition to doing weights and the elliptical machine, I have started jogging during my lunch break. I am averaging between 2 to 3 miles a day and when I'm not incredibly sore, I feel like I am on top of the world.

~ I am over half way done with knitting the baby blanket. Pictures are sure to come. I hope the baby enjoys it and on those chilly autumn days, is happily warmed in it.

~ I am enjoying the summer as much as possible. Last week alone I went to see the White Sox play and got free tickets to Cirque Shanghai.

~ Since school ended I have been spending much more quality time with the parents, Mike, and Taz. I have been taking naps during a lazy Sunday afternoons, long walks with the mutt, and spending hours at end knitting and reading my Harry Potter book.

~ My last vacation of the summer is in a month! I can't wait for my Miami trip with Rachel and the girls. Being the chica I am, you can be sure I'm going to search for some good Cuban food while I am down there.

I hope you are all enjoying your summer and that your life is equally content as as mine.

Peace n Love.

the beauty of rain

Today when I was walking Taz it started to rain...and not just any rain. But a kind of rain reminiscent of Puerto Rico on a lazy afternoon. The sun was still shining, it was still relatively warm outside, yet a soft rain fell...then stopped for a few minutes...then rained again.

I was so refreshing, so cleansing. I could feel it replenishing everything around me and for a second...everything I had to do and all my worries just evaporated. I just let it soak it in and wash me of everything I didn't need.

I love the rain...

6 days and counting...

Even though we still have 2 more weeks until the official first day of Autumn (and the official countdown to my birthday) begins, in my mind, Fall in Chicago is already here. The trees are starting to show their first signs of color change, the weather has been chilly and brisk (especially in the mornings and evenings). Lastly, the sure fire sign of all signs: all the kids are back in school. I see kids of all ages on my commute to work, dressed in their new clothes and equipped with freshly sharpened pencils and untouched notebooks, drudging their way to the bus stop or walking with parents/and or friends to school. Ahh....the joy of being young...where all you have to worry about is turning in your homework on time.

Well that time (of doing homework) is almost upon me once again...in 6 days and counting I will be on my way to my Masters Degree- taking my first Graduate Level class: Advanced Intro to Sociology ( a prerequisite because I have no real background in Sociology). I am both excited and nervous - butterflies continue to play around in my belly - reminding me that it's been over 5 years since I've taken a test or written notes or even studied.

Yesterday, that feeling was compounded when I got an email from my professor. It was a simple email really...he just introduced himself, informed us where we would be meeting, and assigned some homework. Not only do I have to read 4 chapters before I even step into class, I have to find an article which deals with a pressing & current sociological debate. Being that the first day of class is a day after the 9/11 anniversary, I have a hunch that a majority of articles will be about war and the pressing issue of possible terrorist attacks.

Being the oddball that I undoubtedly am, I picked out a 2 part article from the Chicago Tribune which goes into detail about Illegal immigrant workers and the health care system. Unlike a lot of the articles you read nowadays,this article actually goes the opposite way into detailing the heavy price illegal immigrants pay for taking on such shitty and dangerous positions. It is a very interesting article and I highly suggest you read it and let me know what your thoughts are on the topic.

Til later...Peace and love.

stick a fork in me...i'm done !

It's 4:30 p.m. and I refuse to do another lick of work. What can I say other than it's been a long day and I've accomplished so much that working any more would prove to be the equivalent of overtime to me. That being said, lemme say that it's truly surprising to me after carefully staring at spreadsheets ALL DAY, EVERY DAY for the past few years that:

(1) I am not cross eyed
(2) my eyesight IS NOT so bad that I can be declared legally blind
(3) My chair here at the office doesn't have a permanent butt print in it

occurance of murphy's law?

why is it every time I wash my car it rains within 12 hours of the actual car wash ?

it must be murphy's law at work...(sigh)

gigitty! giggity!

I just found out they came out with a Family Guy monopoly game. Screw the bills, I gotta get my hands on this game!!

Isn't it some kind of wonderful when the weather mimics your mood?

This morning I awoke cold from head to toe and feeling mighty bitchy at the world. By chance, it's blistery, cloudy, and snowy in Chi-town this morning.

That fact alone almost makes me want to smile...almost

random thoughts edition #22

Its been one helluva a week and I find myself drained mentally as well as physically. I have so many drafts of creative and insightful posts which I wanted to put up, but for some reason can't seem to get through any of them this week. So instead, I bring you today's edition of the random thoughts of dragonflypurity.

~ Freedom Day was on Wednesday and with all this talk of the patriot act, an increase in governmental spying techniques, President Bush's nominations (Alito, among others), and our nations debt ratios - I feel less free now than ever in my life.

~ My car hit 100,000 miles yesterday (oh my). I've been thinking: Instead of calling my '96 blue corolla "Blue Demon" like I have in the past...maybe it should be renamed viejito (i.e. "little old man" for those who don't know spanish)? Wait, I have a Toyota...I have a good 50,000 miles more to go before I can rename it that, right ?!!

~ Any one else have issues with those toilets that auto flush? In my opinion, they suck. Mid wipe, it flushes all "under" you. ICK!! Sorry for any visual images which you can't erase. I just had to vent (they have them here at work so I am constantly fumbling with ways to stop them from flushing on me).

~ In other news: I'm seriously considering getting my masters in organizational change. Not only does the curriculum hold aspects of business, but also incorporates education, and psychology into the mix. What fun!

~ I'm supposed to be getting a dress fitted for my brothers wedding next weekend and I can't stop eating chocolate. It's like crack. Someone help!

~ Where in the hell did hip hop go? Lately, I have been on a hip hop hiatus. 3/4 of shit that comes out sucks and the other 1/4 gets played out QUCKLY. Suddenly, after a decade and a half of loyalty, I feel the need to diversify my listening habits.

a million little observations...

The last two days I was in a seminar downtown which required me to take the el. There, I observed a large amount of people reading the controversial memoir " A Million Little Pieces" - what's more shocking is that all of them were JUST starting the book - with the price tag still on it!!

It appears "The smoking Gun's" exposing story of James Frey's lies (or be it - half truths) written in the memoir appears to have done more good than harm to James Frey's bottom line. I even found myself intrigued to read it, casually looking over a shoulder or two to read a paragraph to see what all the hype was about. It's funny how things like that backfire, huh ?

random thought (in denial)

Today while trying not to collapse on the treadmill before I hit my goal of 2.5 miles I thought:

"Because I have short legs does that mean I am burning more calories than this stinking treadmill says? I mean, I know I am running the same distance as a person with legs up to my waist; but theoretically, my legs are so much shorter - making me run twice as fast as people with longer legs just to keep up. Because of this I have to put forth more energy into the movement, making me burning more calories than this damn treadmill says I am! Hell yeah!!! (gasp,ouch,gasp)"

I am CONVINCED that I am burning more calories than that stinking machine says I am!!! Am I crazy or what ?

chicken or beef ?

I used to pride myself on my refined culinary ability, but almost a year of exclusively eating my own cooking has left me feeling...well, blah. It's sad but true: I have about maybe a dozen dinners I cook over and over again. And over again...and over again.

I need some inspiration.

Food Network, here I come!!!!

" LUKE...i am your father...."

Me & my bf recently attended a child's birthday party (one of his friends kid's turned 3 years old). Of course, the whole theme of the party was Star Wars (surprise surprise because the father is an avid Star Wars figurine collector). There, we scored this cool ass Darth Vader mask, which we took turns wearing driving home (man you should have seen some of the stares we got!).

Below is my cute dog sporting it:

no dogs were injured in the taking of this picture!!