the biggest turn on

I don't claim to know all the tricks to keeping the flame going in the bedroom, but I can say reminding your mate how beautiful (or sexy) how they are when your in the midst of loving is a GREAT start...

enough said

a day of loving-kindness

ommm shanti....
Some people may read this post and think I'm a crazy ass. But if you have been reading me for a while, you know that I am really into meditation: I do it at least 3 to 5 times a week.

In any case, I awoke this morning happy to be alive and light hearted. Its Friday and I am already on vacation mode. So much, in fact, that all morning I have been practicing the Loving-Kindness Meditation: where I send positive energy to people. This morning, I have sent positive energy to each person that crossed my mind or that I saw. Even that asshole that cut me off this morning almost making me crash into his rear bumper.

So today, continuing on my walking meditation, here's one for all my readers (all 4 of you)

I wish you personal happiness, whatever that may be to you

I wish you and your family the best of health, and the ability to overcome illnesses (this especially goes out to Ms. Mickey Glittter and her papi)

I wish you safety, from danger and ignorance

I wish you a life of ease; may you get that paper $$ and all that good shit

You know, this meditation should be used in anger management classes. It truly works in making you feel like a million bucks. Not only that, it really puts you in that x-mas spirit, ya know ? Why don't you try it ?

cookies anyone ?

After days upon days of helping my mom bake hundred of cookies and x-mas treats for family and friends, I can finally eat a few!! YUM!!

time for another revelation...

Yesterday I took a look at my parents and for the first time in my entire life, saw the reality of how old they are getting. They both looked suddenly shrunken and spots like their hands, legs, and areas around their eyes were starting to look and feel like mis abuelitos (my grandparents). Even though they are relatively young - in early 50s, I started just PLAIN freaking out.

Yesterday, while we were all sitting down for dinner, I started to feel sad thinking about how, in fact, my time is so limited with them. I do try to make it over to visit them at least twice a week - either after work or on the weekends - ya know, between the hustle and bustle of life. But even those few hours a week, is limited in many ways. Just contemplating this fear, I panicked even, thinking and begging for more time with them.

There's still so much I want to share....Things I vow to share like:

~ I have yet to learn 1/2 of the glorious recipes my mom has stored in her membrane

~ Learn more about my dad & moms first years in the USA (like yesterday I learned that 1/2 of my dad's family was forced to pick grapes and live in concentration camp like conditions just to survive - how does one go almost 30 years of her life without knowing something that significant about her papi?!!)

~ Invite them to my house to enjoy a glorious dinner I made specifically for them JUST BECAUSE

~ Go on a family trip together; its been at least a decade...

~ Have them witness my marriage and/or experience being grandparents (between me & my brother, they are getting impatient lemme tell you)


I don't want to bore you with the rest; the list is extensive. It's funny how things come out of nowhere and hit you HARD. All I can say is that I left their house with my eyes wide open last night- knowing that every moment shared with them - no matter how insignificant was precious.

book of the moment

Since the love of my life will be gone for another 2.5 days, I went and brought the book: Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything to pass some time. The book is a bit trendy (which usually just isn't my style), but once I opened up the covers and started reading Mr. Levitt's twisted genius, I was hooked. Since last night I have already gone through about 1/2 of it.

At this rate, I might need to get another book before Mike, my sexy man, comes back home.

who am i to judge crazies ??? ;)

I could not believe my eyes this morning while reading the RedEye's article about a group of young vegans named "the rat patrol" scouring the rat infested alleys and dingy garbage cans of Chicago for...(gulp)...recycling (i.e eating) remaining food. In essence, they raid local garbage cans in Chicago's alleys in an attempt to reduce the amount of national waste. What was funny to me is their catchy name: FREEGANS, coming from the intermixing of being vegans and getting free food from garbage cans.

what's for lunch, man?!!!


No matter how much I try to heed their noble vision of reducing national waste, I just cannot fathom their actions. I mean, its kinda a cool concept, but when you get to the nuts and bolts of it, its plain disgusting, unhygenic, and plain old NASTY!!! I can see recycling other things like furniture, computers & books, but FOOD? What are these people thinking ?!!!

I mean, I dearly try not to judge people, even extremists such as these - but GOOD LORD!!! You couldn't pay me enough to go digging for "jewels" of leftover food in garbage cans (both business and residential), especially in Chicago. I've seen some rats the size of kittens driving down these alleys and refuse to even go there.

Its just nuts I tell you, FREAKING NUTS!!!

let it snow...

It's snowing once again in Chicago and despite the added traffic and shoveling times it has caused me, I am loving every second of it.

This morning: It's just me, my green tea, and a smile...

let it snow, let it snow, let it snow - bitches!!!

:)

Stanley "Tookie" Williams

This morning at 12:35 AM GMT, Stanley "Tookie" Williams, one of the founding fathers of the Crips gang and more recently, reformed gangster & Nobel Peace Prize nominee, took his last breath - a result of lethal injection.

While he is responsible for starting a group of gangsters which still continue to this day to be violent and deadly, does his last years of reform and messages of peace mean nothing?

I know its a controversial topic. But honestly, what's your view on his execution now that it's all been said and done ?

i got the job!!!!

As of January '06 I will be officially a proud employee of this fine institution!!

Not only will I be working at one of the most prestigious universities in the country, they will pay for my ivy league education.

Halleluiah! What a x-mas gift!!!

It's confirmed, bush is a failure

Type in "failure" or "miserable failure" in Google and behold...the biography of President Bush on the White House website pops up in the number one spot. Who would have guessed it ?!

Some may ask "Is it a political stance in disguise?" Others say its hackers who did it all. Well to find out the truth, here's Google's response to this occurance of president Bush's GoogleBombing.

That is all...

scattered thoughts

Ok, ok, I was a bit of a melodrama queen yesterday when I posted how terribly lost I am without my boyfriend. While I miss him like my right arm, through the miracle of wifi and his coworkers free after hours long distance plan on her phone, me & my honey were able to talk until bedtime. He is pretty much available any time I need him, even though he is thousands of miles away. I feel much better...

Another thought - I am so sore this morning. Turns out I need new gutters at home more than I had previously thought. Along the whole sidewalk to my house, there was an accumulation of INCHES upon INCHES of ice - so much ice in fact that salt by itself was powerless against it. I had to spend about 2 hours yesterday SLEDGE-HAMMERING it all away. While it was extremely good to take away all my aggression, it left me feeling like I got hit by a car this morning. Just trying to turn my steering wheel in my car made me groan in pain. AHHH! the joys of being a home owner...

Despite the soreness, today is a good morning. I brought some Mighty Leaf Chamomile citrus tea into the office and it's putting me in a glorious mood - extremely rare for a Monday morning. This tea is so damn good!!!

Its so strange that Richard Pryor passed away cuz I was just watching one of his stand up shows last Thursday on Comedy Central. I haven't watched anything with him in it for years. I guess it shouldn't be a surprise though, he looked like he wasn't do so well healthwise for a while now. Rest in peace Mr. Pryor, rest in peace!!!

i'm singing the blues...

My honey left only this morning on a business trip and I miss him so much already. He went to New York and is not set to come back until the 21st of this month!!

I hope the time goes by fast til I see him again, but I have a feeling this is going to be the longest 10 days of my life...

Cheesy I know. But, he truly is my better half and I feel so lost without his arms around me...

somebody stop me...

Chop up my credit cards
Confiscate my debit card
And while your at it disable my 'Net access because:

I have gone x-mas shopping crazy! I have 3 Mozilla tabs up at a time doing comparison shopping whilst I look at the most recent Sunday Circulars. I personally blame it on the new job - where I have tons of extra time to just surf the net.

OH LORDY LORDY...please give me some self control!

calgon...take me away!!!

I am a slave no longer to my house. Both of my units are FINALLY rented and as of this month forward, I only have to put in $50 towards my mortgage. Oh, what a feeling. I feel like I am floating areound this morning on a cloud of happiness. I feel a flood of relief similar to walking into warmth after being in the freezing cold for an unbearable amount of time. Ahhhh....euphoria

Its like everything in my life is starting to fall into place. After a year of shit steadily raining on me, this past month has brought back my faith in life, myself, and most importantly, in a greater power. Something tells me 2006 is going to be a GREAT year. I can honestly say I can't remember being this happy...ever. LIFE IS GOOD.

On the prospective job front, I got a follow up call from the dream job the day after my last set of interviews. She had a few extra questions and said they were going to start calling my references. Thats always a good sign right ? RIGHT?!!! Everyone keeps telling me that I got it, but I keep reminding myself not to keep my hopes up too high. I am keeping my fingers crossed, but until I get an offer, its still up in the air.

Peace and love everyone. Happy Friday. I wish you all the same type of happiness I am feeling right now.

this just in...

so thats why my office had no water for about 6 hours today...wow


Water Main Break in Chicago

today was a good day...part duece

Today was the third set of interviews for my dream job- of which I had to meet with 7 people consecutively. Supringly, it wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be. A majority of them I got along with right from the start. Some treated me as if I already got the job and that this process was just preliminary - just so everyone could get a look at me. Others - such as the Assistant Dean of Administration - were brisk and hard core in asking me "What if" questions. That man was sooo intimidating lemme tell you!!! Overall, I think I did well & left the buldling with a smile on my face -sure of myself and eager for next week to come so I can hear the good news that I got the job. Everyone keep your fingers crossed for me!!!

In other news, I am just emerging from my turkey induced comatose and am preparing to get back on my diet and exercise routine. I hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing weekend!! As for me, I dragged myself out of bed on Black Friday at 5:00 in the morning just in time to catch some really good deals for people on my x-mas list. Over 1/2 of my x-mas shopping is already done, thank GOD!!

The crazy Chicago weather is doing a number on my knee -it's swollen and hurts. One day its cold as all hell, the next day its 55 degrees outside. What gives ?!!!

recipe swap time

Hey all. I have got googled a hell of a lot the last two days by people looking for a good flan recipe. While my aunt would kill me for broadcasting the family recipe on here, I really don't give a care. Its the season of sharing, and that's what I intend to do. Here is the THE BEST flan de leche recipe you will ever try. Trust me, try it! It's sooo easy to make and people will be knocking on your door for more guaranteed!!

Figueroa Flan (flan de leche)

You will need:
1/2 a cup of granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 tbsp vanilla extract (not imitation extract either!!!)
1 can of evaporated milk
1 can of sweetened condensed milk
8"-9" inch pie pan

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

In a pot, melt the sugar until it becomes liquefied. Once melted, pour the sugar evenly into the bottom of the cake pan. Be very careful it will be very HOT!! Then, in a bowl take your eggs and beat the hell out of them until there are lots and lots of bubbles (I'm talking big bubbles). You can use a blender to do this, but I think it tastes better when its mixed by hand. Add the tablespon of vanilla extract to the eggs and beat them again really well. After that, add the carnation sweetened and evaporated milk to the bowl. Mix very well for the last time. Once finished place the mixture in the 8" round cake pan. It is ready to be cooked.

Now, you will be indirectly cooking the flan in a double boiler type fashion. Place the 8"-9" round cake pan into a larger pan with a few inches of water in it (I use a roasting pan). NOTE: They are separate - the flan is in the 8" round cake and there should be just enough water in the larger pan to cook the flan indirectly - just a few inches will do. Bake the flan in the oven for about 45 minutes at 375 degrees.

It will be ready when the masa lightly yields to the touch without feeling overly sticky. When done, let cool for about an hour, then refrigerate with a cover over it. Please note to cook your flan about 12-24 hours in advance so it has time to set perfectly...When ready to serve, invert the pan onto a plate and viola!! Flan de Figueroa

There it is ladies and gentleman...ENJOY!! (but shh don't tell my aunt -she'd kill me!!)

2 down - 1 more to go

Wish me luck! My 3RD INTERVIEW is on Monday morning. It will be an astounding 4 hours long. auurrghhh. The nervous excitement is killing me!!


UPDATE: I just got my interview schedule (yes schedule) for Monday. It looks like I will be meeting with a whopping 7 people. OH MY GOD!!! OH MY GOD!!! Excuse me while I faint...

turkey day with a latino twist

I have a simple question: How do you and your family celebrate and give thanks on Thanksgiving? We all know historically the family and/or friends gather around the bird and get their grub on. But nowadays: what does that food consist of ? And how does that food represent you? I have come to realize that each culture and furthermore, each family's celebration is as unique as the food they eat.

For example: my family (on my moms side) is 100% Boriqua. I am not lying when I say I have 12 aunts and uncles and about 30 cousins JUST ON HER SIDE. Needless to say, it's a madhouse: children playing and running around the house, people sitting at every available crevice trying to get a glimpse of the tv, others deep in conversation and/or playing a good hand of casino (an addictive card game I think my family actually made up) or dominos...all rimmed over with Marc Anthony playing in the background. Not only that, the food has a definite ethnic flavor to it. We have our turkey, yes - But season it with garlic, sazon, adobo, and sofrito. But, we also serve honey ham, pernir (roasted pork & my personal favorite), pasteles (PR tamales if you will --> see below for a recipe), arroz con gandules, stuffing, sweet potatoes, and loaf upon loaf of HOT FRENCH BREAD drenched in butter (if you didn't know, now you do - puerto ricans LOVE their bread.) And that doesn't even include dessert, rich in cakes, pies, and my personal favorite: FLAN.

On my dads side (the side of my mexican heritage), Thanksgiving is not just only a day. They celebrate with food for about 3-4 days straight, with each consecutive day afterwards an extension of Thanksgiving. It was crazy: Everyday there was another menu to choose from (and I think I gained about 10 pounds afterward). They served everything from turkey to home made pozole (pork & hominy soup..yummy), to carnitas and barbacoa, flautas, and pollo con mole. Unfortunately, I never really spend much time with this side, as they are scattered throughout California and I live in Chicago. The memories I do have, however, are lace with food and laughter.

Anyway, I just want to send a happy turkey day wish to everyone. No matter who your with or what you eat, I hope this weekend is full of laughter, love, and lots and lots of FOOD!!! Care to share some grub with me? C'mon!!!!

i gotta say it was a good day...

Today was my second interview at my dream job, AND might I add, I totally rocked! I had the Director of the department eating out of my hands. He said, (and I quote) , " Your background is impeccable and I really like your personality. I definitely think you would be a great fit for the school". A smile has been plastered on my face all day. I still have another interview to go to with the dean and 4 product managers which I will be working with as well. What sucks is now I play the waiting game: unfortunately, the third round of interviews won't take place until the first or second week of December.

In the meanwhile, I will keep myself busy with work, my house, and my family. Being the Harry Potter geek I am, I have a hot date with the bf this weekend to see it. Also, a few of us are getting together to make over 200 pasteles for Thanksgiving and Christmas for the family. For those who have no idea what pasteles are: imagine a puerto rican version of a tamale. See here for a generic picture and recipe to make pasteles. Needless to say preparing such a large amount is very time intensive. Our recipe, which has been passed down for generations, is top secret. Muy deliciouso!! I can't wait. I got dibs on the first one out the pot!!!

Peace and love everyone!!

tis the season...

I know its not even Thanksgiving yet, but I already have Christmas on the mental. Despite the COLD weather it brings, I love every aspect of xmas. An overindulgence of family, food, and to top it off - no work. How kick ass is that ? But most of all, I love spreading the joy of sharing.

Most of you know by now that every year I "adopt" a needy child or two- sometimes more depending on how much money I have to donate. It has been a long standing tradition that I've employed since I got my first job. I usually do it through local programs like The Chicago Sun-Times Season of Sharing or through non profits like Direct Effects Charities. I think this year I would like to do the same for Children which were affected by Hurricane Katrina. Preferably those children forced to relocate to the Chicagoland area. Does anyone know a LOCAL charity which I can participate in (the overhyped red Cross or FEMA are not getting a penny of my hard earned cash!!!)?

Last night I also had the bright idea to donate a few hours to feed the hungry this season too. I always have thought about doing it on Thanksgiving or Christmas, but never went through with it. I mean, I can leave my moms house a few hours early or get there a little late to help out the less fortunate right ?

hmmm...I wonder if I can persuade the bf to come along for the ride. HAH! Just getting him off the couch will be mission impossible!!!

monday blues 2.0

My head is pounding due to nonstop phone calls from irate customers and staring at Quickbooks all day.

My eyes are red and tired due to late night cooking both in and out of the bed last night ;) wink wink

My desk AND house are a pigsty -partly because I have been lazy but also because I never seem to be home long enough to clean (mostly due to laziness though).

My skin is breaking out mere days before my interview with the Department Director of my dream job!! I swear I have hindu dot pimple on my forehead. ugh...

soy viejita...

It's starting to get pretty cold here in Chicago. Until this past week, it has been surprisingly mild, but alas, there will be no more last minute Indian days of summer for us. And the cold weather is just beginning: I can feel it in my bones.

When huge temperature shifts come around, suddenly my knees, ankles and hands start swelling and throbbing. I have a helluva arthritis problem lemme tell you. Last year it was so bad that I was actually in bed for 2 days in pain - everytime I tried walking I thought my right knee was going to pop out of its socket. I kid you not. While I may only be 27 years young, my body somehow thinks I'm in my 50's. Damn...I knew I should have drank more milk as a child.

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 ?

and all the stars were in alignment...

SCORE!!! I got a second interview scheduled for next week. This calls for some tequila! Keep your fingers crossed for me...

its been a while...

I know, I know, I have been a bad blogger, but honestly, you haven't missed much over the past week & a half.

My week in a nutshell:

I recently had the biggest interview of my life at one of the most prestigious universities in the country!! With a little positive thinking, I could have the job of my dreams and a FREE RIDE for my Masters. Keep your fingers crossed for me

I have been steadily building up my stamina on the treadmill. I have gotten to 2 miles in 25 minutes. Meager, I know, but don't hate. At least I am making that effort, right?!!

I WAS excited to start reading another new book: "Is Bill Cosby Right: Or Has The Black Middle Class Lost It's Mind?" Sadly, I find myself disappointed: It kinda sucks. Big words do NOT equate to intelligence, I tell you!!!

i will survive!!

After only 2 days of being unemployed, I am back in the swing of things working at my brothers work. Thankfully the office manager there quit just in time for me to score a temporary gig. YEY!!! While the job is not glamorous in the least bit, its going to pay the bills. It's the strangest experience to actually work a job where everyone heads home at 5 p.m. - considering I used to work 60+ hours per week at the hell-hole I call Platform Learning.

Already I feel like I have triple the amount of free time. So much free time I do not know what to do with myself. I find myself singing in the shower again & dancing with my dog in the living room while listening to my ipod. I sleep better and awake refreshed. Life has truly been restored into my body.

can you picture me in this ensemble?!!

My brothers fiance actually made a good decision in picking her bridesmaids dresses. Her color of choice: apple...which I originally thought would be some twisted color of green. Thankfully, it wasn't: I really dig the burgandy & have a lipstick shade that will match it perfectly!! All I have to do is lose a few pounds and I will be good to go.

While there was a few different types of dresses, I am leaning towards this A-line one. What cha think ?!!

another chapter in my life ending...

Today I walked out on my job, with nothing but a bunch of my accumulated crap I had in my desk and solemn prayers that the lord has bigger and better places for me to be than that SHIT HOLE I called a job for the last year and a half.

UGH, what assholes!!!

The skinny: Recently, I was given a raise only for it to be re-nigged on me today. That, on top of increasing amount of 12 hour work days and RECEIVING NO BONUS as stated in my contract, I told them "YOU CAN TAKE THIS JOB AND SHOVEL IT..." as I threw them the peace sign.

While I am scared shitless that I just threw myself deeper in shit that I already am financially, I am hopeful. It just gets to a point where you just can't take being taken advantage of anymore. I do at least 4 peoples job, mind you, and I know damn well they can afford this raise. But, that raise probably meant the difference between the regional director getting a bonus or not. Needless to say, it was the last straw. Actually, I had been at that boiling point for a while; just putting in the bare minimum until I found something else comparable. But, alas, it was meant to be this way and there's no way I am going back...after all I can always waitress. If you break it down by hour I probably would get paid about the same considering the long hours I put in vs the time I would be waitressing.

But, no worries, I have quite a few open opportunities elsewhere that seem very promising. In the meanwhile, is anyone in the Chicago area looking for a know-it-all education manager and/or Marketing Manager and/or real estate property manager? If so, I am available IMMEDIATELY...and please...

...say a prayer for me. I just dove off a cliff...yet I feel like a ton of bricks has just been lifted off my chest!!!

we will, we will ROCK YOU!!!

The Chicago White Sox are now proud world champions!!!


WOOYA!!!

a moment of silence for Rosa Parks (1913-2005)

silence...silence...silence




Rosa Parks' arrest in 1956 began a huge chapter in the Civil Right Movement- The Montgomery Bus Boycott

one helluva rollercoaster ride

This week has been full of its up and downs. Let me take you on a ride.

downer 1: The 3rd set of major layoffs at my work has left the region with a meager staff of a dozen. I am one of the lone survivors of the 40 employees my company employed a year ago today. My coworkers, whom have become like family, have all been let go.

upside 1: Even though there were layoffs, I still have a job (at least for now)

upside 2: today me & the bf installed a new window in my living room. It looks beautiful!!! Fucken gorgeous I tell you!!

downside 2: like dummies - we didn't check the weather forcast and it ended up pouring rain on us half way through the installation. We had to install it in the rain

downside 3: from being in the rain installing a window, my throat is starting to hurt & I think I have a fever. FUCK!!!

upside 3: one of my best friends got married yesterday

upside 4: The White Sox won yesterday. God willing there will be a sweep against Houston. GO CHICAGO!!!

I hope next week has more upsides than downers.

I think its time for bed!!

what about dem white sox?!!

The Sox win, the sox win!! We're going to the world series, baby!!! This calls for some alcohol.


I predict 2/3 of Chicagoans will have hangovers tomorrow!!

wanted: free time & complete thoughts

I am so busy nowadays I can barely complete coherent thoughts or sentences

Thought 1: I am TOTALLY loving my birthday present from the bf. The ITrip (pictured below), plays your ipod through any device with an FM reception. Needless to say, I have been BuMpiNg in the car while driving, at home while working out or cooking, and here at the office. My ipod has become as much a part of me as my left foot -playing what I like to call "Dragonfly Radio" 24 hours a day. The only drawback? It drains the battery fast. But, with a car charger, I will be straight.

Thought 2: I should have known that my generous raise came at a steep price: the recent 12 hour shifts and massive amount of projects being thrown at me at once makes me wish I would've fought for even more money.

Thought 3: I can't believe the White Sox won last night the way they did. Did anybody see that bogus call? Now, I don't hate against ANY Chicago team (it's all love with me). BUT, that call was obviously flawed. I actually caught the last few minutes of the game last night when I was searching for the Simpsons on Fox.
Oh well...what's left to say except "GO CHICAGO!!!! KICK SOME ANGELS ASS!!"

twenty seven years and counting...

Today is my birthday ya'll and blessing are abound everywhere I look - making me so glad to be alive. For instance, I got a much deserved and need raise yesterday (FINALLY). What a birthday gift, huh ? Usually, I am not big on birthday celebrations, but this year I feel refreshed, happy, and ready to shake my behind into my 27th year of existence. I shall be celebrating it from today on into the weekend, be sure of that!!

After all I'm 324 months old...at least thats what this Birthday Calculator says.(link from Trent)

You entered 10/06/1978

Your date of conception was on or about 13 January 1978.
You were born on a Friday
under the astrological sign Libra.
Your Life path number is 5.

The Julian calendar date of your birth is 2443787.5.
The golden number for 1978 is 3.
The epact number for 1978 is 21.
The year 1978 was not a leap year.

As of 10/6/2005 9:43:57 AM CDT
You are 27 years old.
You are 324 months old.
You are 1,409 weeks old.
You are 9,862 days old.
You are 236,697 hours old.
You are 14,201,863 minutes old.
You are 852,111,837 seconds old.
There are 365 days till your next birthday
on which your cake will have 28 candles on it.

Those 28 candles produce 28 BTU's,
or 7,056 calories of heat (that's only 7.0560 food Calories!) .
You can boil 3.20 US ounces of water with that many candles.
In 1978 there were approximately 3.1 million births in the US.
In 1978 the US population was approximately 203,302,031 people, 57.4 persons per square mile.
In 1978 in the US there were approximately 2,152,662 marriages (10.1%) and 1,036,000 divorces (4.9%)
In 1978 in the US there were approximately 1,921,000 deaths (9.5 per 1000)


Your birthstone is Tourmaline
The Mystical properties of Tourmaline
Pink Tourmaline promotes female balance and protection. Green Toumaline promotes male balance.
Some lists consider these stones to be your birthstone. (Birthstone lists come from Jewelers, Tibet, Ayurvedic Indian medicine, and other sources)
Opal, Jasper

Your birth tree is
Rowan, the Sensitivity
Full of charm, cheerful, gifted, without egoism, likes to draw attention, loves life, motion, unrest and even complications, is both dependent and independent, good taste, artistic, passionate, emotional, good company, does not forgive.

There are 80 days till Christmas 2005!

The moon's phase on the day you were
born was waxing crescent.

every once in a while he just blows me away...

Friday, after a 12 hour workday, I come home to find my dog walked and fed, a delectable dinner cooking, a dozen red roses, and a warm bath drawn WITH my favorite bath salts in it!!

Have I said how wonderful my bf Mike is? I feel like a queen. (sigh)

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!!!!

who's your daddy ?!!

to the man who is SO MUCH more than a sperm donor, but a loving yet sometimes overprotective figure in my life..happy 51st birthday papi! I love you more than words can say and thank the lord that you are here to share life with me each and every day!!!

TE QUIERO MUCHO!!!

WICKED, man!!!

Did I forget to tell you guys I saw 'Wicked' the musical this past weekend?

If you are in the Chicago area and haven't seen it yet, what the hell are you waiting for ? It rocked so much that I give it a thumbs up and a peace sign (this coming from a woman who usually giggles at cheesy musicals).

I am so enthralled, I just put "Wizard of Oz" in my Netflix Queue and even borrowed the book "Mirror, Mirror" from the library. Let's see if Gregory McGuire's other writings are just as wonderful.

"shortism"...just another ism that can't be smoked away

I'm reading "blink - the power of thinking without thinking" by Malcolm Gladwell. It discusses the power of snap judgments and how in some cirumstances it proves more accurate than in depth analysis. Not only this, but the book teaches you to fine tune your own snap judgment process to become more efficient.

What else can I say but that the book is truly mind blowing and (at least in my eyes) rings true in every facet of life - from business to your personal life . Needless to say, the margins in my recently brought book have been noted up and the text throughout has been highlighted yellow or orange depending on what interested me about it.

The most interesting (or shall I say distressing) factiod I picked up thus far is:

"researchers who analyzed data...that followed thousands of people from birth to adulthood calculated that when corrected for such variables such as age and gender and weight, an inch of height is worth $789 a year in salary. A person who is six feet tall but other wise identical to a person who is five foot five will make an average of $5,525 more per year...Of the tens of millions of American men below five foot six, a grand total of ten in my sample have reached the level of CEO, which says being short is probably as much of a handicap to corporate success as being a woman or an African American...."

OUCH!!! Being a "border-line midget" mexirican woman in the corporate world, no wonder there always seems to be a dragonflypurity barrier in the workplace....hmmmm

i'm starting to rethink my stand on Santeria

If anyone's counting, within the past three months:

1) My cars been broken into twice - the latest break-in leaving me without my radio, sirius satelite receiver, amp, and subwoofer

2) I got into a car accident - smashing in the front of above ride

3) My cell phone has been stolen - with the culprit downloading $20 worth of ringtones to the horrendous tunes of songs like "Shawty Callin" and "You'z a Trick"

4) I have suffered constant allergy attacks which have left my nose and lip area raw continuously making me look..well like a fucken tomato.

FUCK IT!!!!

Today I shall drink it all away. Won't you join me ?

and the game continues

What do you know???? Bush actually said he takes responsibility for the government's lackluster response to Hurricane Katrina. At first, my jaws dropped in utter surprise that President Bush - who always seems to pass the buck and point the finger elsewhere - actually admitted he was (at least partially) responsible for something bad happening. Then I realized, this is damage control to increase Dubya's sinking approval rate, now at an all time low of 38%.

I don't know about you, but I found his little speech to be as flattering as a flacid dick in the wind..

WOOYA!!!

list of 7's

Taken from Normies World, below are my list of 7 things. Surprisingly, a few of the lists took quite a while to come up with, especially the first one. Please note, that in most cases, items are NOT listed in any particular order. :)


7 things I plan to do before I die:
1) travel near and far to my heart's content
2) not be rich, but well off and comfortable..ehhh, who am I kidding? "I WANT TO BE RICH!!"
3) volunteer in a 3rd world country for a year
4) Find a job that pays well and that I LOVE
5) get HAPPILY married and have babies
6) QUIT smoking
7) ask forgiveness from the only friend I ever truly wronged...

7 things I can do:
1) listen - really listen
2) cook and bake my ass off (they call me the mexirican betty crocker remember?)
3) write poems, songs, stories and in my blog - sometimes its better than other times
4) be a good friend to those I love
5) on the same token, sometimes be a total lunatic bitch to those same people
6) love and laugh wholeheartedly
7) swim - I am a fish in water (I even made up my own stoke named the mermaid!!)

7 things I cannot do:
1) FIND A FULFILLING & WELL PAID JOB
2) get out of debt
3) not get emotional in times of stress and sadness
4) forgive or forget easily (I swear this is a double edge sword)
5) kiss ass to get what I want. Despite hardships, I stick to my guns in situations
6) support W. Bush AT ALL (dumbass...enough said)
7) wake up in the morning to work out no matter how hard I try


7 things that attract me to the opposite sex/another person:
1) a great and honest smile (meaning fake smiles suck ass)
2) juicy lips (a double plus if he has a great smile and juicy lips)
3) a great personality
4) easy going/ easy to talk to
5) can you say "junk in the trunk"?
6) Intelligence
7) Loyalty

7 things that I say most often:
1) Peace and Love (as a salutation)
2) I don't want to go to work
3) to the dog used interchangeably "TAZ!!! LEAVE IT" or "GOOD (or bad) boy!!"
4) "I love you". I make a point to say it to everyone I love daily
5) in shock, disbelief, or anger: "I don't think so!!!"
6) when angry "muthafuck (Him/HER/IT)"
7) again when angry (in traffic) "MOVE IT , GET OUT OF THE WAY!"

7 celebrity crushes:
1) The Rock
2) Brad Pitt
3) Johnnie Depp
4) Oscar De La Hoya
5) Nas
6) Denzel Washington
7) Larenz Tate

7 people I want to do this: Your Choice
1) Mickey
2) Erin
3) Ms. Piscessoul.
4) Kerry
5) you
6) you
7) and you (only if you want)

New Orleans Overload

Just thinking about the whole New Orleans disaster is too sad and depressing for me. I mean I am barely holding on to my sanity lately and just thinking about such a TRAGIC EVENT just brings me over that edge. Don't get me wrong: my heart, thoughts and prayers all go out to each and every soul who's life was forever changed by the hurricane. I can't even imagine the amount of devastation and pain these people have endured....their houses gone, family members lost, everything they owned and loved being ripped from them...wow...Now they are saying thousands may be dead, just floating around in the disease infested water, and how it will take possibly year(s) to repair the damage. I keep thinking "this should have been prevented...there is simply no excuse for such loss of life and devastation" but who is really to blame? People are going back and forth trying to point the finger. Meanwhile, my brain is on overload with all this other personal shit going on in my life. Suddenly, I am having some trippy dreams laced with floods, terrorist attacks, and alien invasions. I really need to chill out...and just release it all


BUT IN THE MEANWHILE, I swear if I have to watch another news clip or read anymore about the total DEVASTATION that has taken hold of the city of New Orleans, I am just gonna shoot my toes off.


Oh, and to shamelessly plug a cause OTHER THAN THE RED CROSS (the hippy in me is rebelling), check out Rosie O'Donnell's foundation All For Kids which is donating 100% of all donations to the children and their families which were affected by hurricane katrina. I mean the full 100%!!! What other organization is offering that ??!!!

tick tock says the clock

Man, can you believe its already September? WOW!!! This week actually marked the end of summer vacation for all the Chicago Public School children in the world. Traffic (which usually sucks) is PURE HELL every morning and afternoon to and from work thanks to those little buggers. Adding to this, now I am noticing little things that only remind me that another year is passing me by. Stuff like: It's only 7 pm and the sun has already set and the leaves on the trees are starting to slowly wilt and brown on the edges. These are just some of the signs that signify the end of summer and I'm still in denial...

i am no longer a poet

I am no longer a poet
As I write
soliloquies and poetic scales are being ripped from memory
despite my efforts my pen ceases to write
beautiful lyrics
heartfelt tales
words of meaning and knowledge for the masses
something in me has changed
grown cynical with age
in a way...
I have grown apart from what I held so dear
no longer hopeful for life
my imagination no longer sees rhythm and meaning
between the lines of life
instead I find myself
just taking in the ins & out of life
trying so hard to get by
struggling to put food on the table
attempting to keep my sanity
And as I look back
I see the carcass of the poet which was once me
which once reigned supreme
which once was my guiding light
And all that's left is words
scattered on a page
making as much sense to me...as myself

I am no longer poet
just a gal trying to find her way
And every time I try to write,
I'm more confused than when I started.

if you ever need a reminder of how lucky you really are...

I suggest you check out the documentary Born Into Brothels right now!!!

first times make the world go round

My mom used to say there's a first time for everything. So many in fact, that we spend almost our entire lives experiencing a portion of life for the first time. I never really thought about it much until this past year, at 26 years of age, finding myself doing and experiencing things for the first time in my life (most of them are hard knock lessons, but nonetheless important). Rooting from this, here are a few of my most memorable firsts:

My first crush: While in preschool, I had the hugest crush a lil white boy by the name of Tommy. I still remember, he had green eyes, a beautiful smile, and he used to give me his cookies in return for holding my hand. We used to go everywhere together.

My first concert: My first concert was with my best friend in 6th grade. We went to go see New Kids on the Block. I know, I know..they suck ass, but what can I say? I know I wasn't the only one in love with Jordan Knight's gay ass!!!! Needless to say, my taste in music since then has improved immensely.

My first slow dance: I was about 11 years old when my brother graduated junior high. He had the hugest party ever, filled with family members and friends. I remember this night like it was yesterday because I had such a kick ass time and we all danced the night away. Quite early into the night, a boy by the name of Jose asked me to dance. It was "if you don't know me by now" by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. I felt like I was in a movie!!!

My first kiss: My first real kiss was with above said boy in a game of truth or dare. It was quite grand, end of story.

My first day in a public school: I was in 2nd grade and was scared shitless of all the kids, which seemed to tower over me (I have always been petite). While walking to lunch, a HUGE FAT boy pushed me into the cement and stole my strawberry shortcake lunch box. I was traumatized.

My first car: My first car is still the car I drive today. It's a dark blue 1996 toyota corolla with a spoiler. Unfortunately, I just had my first (and hopefully last) accident with it last week, and its in the shop as I type, but I digress.

My first brush with racisim: Me & my brother went to get our haircuts at the local Great Clips (it might have been Hair Cuttery, who knows?). I must have been 5 or 6 years old and for some reason beyond my understanding, the lady wouldn't serve us. We waited for over an hour while everyone else came and went about their happy little lives. I didn't know at the time, but it was because we were brown and the two ladies behind the counter were some ignorant white hicks who wanted nothing to do with touching some nappy ass hair on a lil brown girls head. My brother, god bless his little heart at 9 years old, told them off before we left. When he explained it to me what had happened, my jaw must have dropped. That day forever changed my worldview, made me question the color of my skin, and left a permanent scar on my brain.

My first gig: I worked at Kiddieland, a local amusement park in Chicago which catered to the little toddler and small children population. For half of the summer I made cotton candy in a steaming hot little 12X12 shack and the other half of the summer swept the entire park out with a broom and a standing dustpan. After a full shift of making cotton candy, I used to come out looking like the pink abominable snowgirl. The cotton candy would get everywhere: in my hair, my clothes, and other orifices that boggled the mind as to how they got there. It would take me a full 15 minutes of rinsing in the shower to stop seeing the pink. And to think: I actually used to love cotton candy when I was little, but after that summer, I can barely stand the sight of it.

My first sexual experience: To preserve the integrity (and sex life) of a certain individual, he shall remain nameless. I was in high school, and he was in college. All I can truthfully remember from this horrid experience is MTV playing in the background and feeling like sex was kinda like that time my aunts dog tried humping my leg. It was, OH SO, boring and over in less than one music video's length. OUCH!!! In retrospect, I now know what a bad decision that really was and how BADLY he sucked in bed.

My first apartment: My first apartment is actually my first house, where I now own and live. I moved into it in the later part of last year. It took me a long while to move out of my parents' house: with school, work, and saving for the past few years. God knows I wanted to move out a lot earlier in life, but my own stubborn ness would not let me pay someone else mortgage. And truthfully, my parents weren't so hard to tolerate so living with them wasn't as hard for me as it was for some. So, here I am today, a homeowner, with tenants and everything. I feel so grown up!!

Ok, that's enough of my firsts. What memorable ones do you have ?

how sneezing can kill you

Yesterday my allergies were hell. So bad, in fact, that I went through a whole roll of tissue paper while at work during a 5 hour period. Red nose and all, I took my tired butt home a lil early to try to sleep it off. If you suffer from allergies or know someone who does, you know when you have it bad, it's BAD. Well, I had it BAD!!! The only consolation I had was some sleep inducing medication.

Anyway, in the midst of one of my sneezing fits (probably about the 3rd or 4th straight sneeze), the lady in front of me suddenly stops and BOOM!!! I hit her HARD. I got out of the car still sneezing. My eyes, already watery due to my allergies, were fighting OH SO hard not to start crying after seeing the whole front of my beautiful car smashed in.

I just couldn't compute it all. It happened too fast. Before I knew it, we had exchanged everything and I was just sitting in my car for a good 10 minutes trying to calm myself down. All I could do is just go home and sleep, my car's front grill hanging off and everything.

I woke in the morning hoping it was all a dream...but alas, my shit is still jacked up.

I am trying to stay positive amidst all this shit going on in my life, most of it which I can't talk about on here. BUT DAMN!!! It's kind of hard when all I smell is shit and I'm about neck deep in it.

Somebody send me a little positive energy....please ?!!!

just a freestyle piece

Today may be not what I dreamed
and it seems
my future will continue to be full of hardships,
lined in tears and the desperate biting of lips
I must come to the realization that
tomorrow may not flip the past
instead I see the future everlast in familiar cycles of self doubt
which tends to clout
all my decisions
subliminally erasing my original mission
to be all I can be & to love myself

the question remains
will I be woman enough to be my own hero ?
I feel superwoman and wonderwoman wrapped under my skin.
Are they waiting for this moment in time to unleash my true essence -
just needing this time to teach me hard knock lessons??
Confession: Lately I find myself
self doubting no more because I had the balls to implore myself
massaging pieces of my soul back to life
slowly healing the strife
sadness, tears, and fear obliterate
while they float into outer space
and I shall be saved from the old me
the one plagued with insecurities
and you shall see
they shall name a hero after me
and her name shall be CHICA EXCELENTE

the time has come to get real

I don't know about you, but I'm just so sick and tired of seeing these anorexic looking things on my TV screen and in all the magazine ads every day. In my opinion, they are twisted, unrealistic, and unhealthy representations of what society urges women to be. They glorify starving yourself (at least on some degree) and urge women to somehow change who they are to conform to those norms. However, recent ads by major companies are slowing changing that. And that, my friends, is like a fresh breath of fresh air to me.

Can I just start off by saying that I ABSOLUTELY love what Dove has done recently to represent women out there? REAL women which actually have meat on their bones appearing on the side of buses and in subway posters boldly showing off their tattoos and NON size 0 bodies has started a revolution I hope never goes away. It appears that now Nike has jumped on the bandwagon, launching a new ad campaign which celebrates and empowers the bodies of muscular/curvy women who love to work out.

While some of the pictures, I reckon, are not geared towards their target market: extremely active women, I think that the campaign is in the right direction. For example, the picture below of a booty posing in spandex shorts will probably cause a few drool inducing stares by passing men. But, on the same token, who really cares what men get out of it? Its the everyday women that these campaigns call to who really will be positively affected. And those companies smart enough to join in the revolution will see their profits sky rocket, because they in fact have found the key to pitching to all the independent and strong woman in the country.

HMMM...Can it be that these skinny twigs on TV and in print ads will soon have to start actually eating (and not throwing up for a change) to keep their modeling jobs? OH MY!!!




example of Nike's new marketing campaign

i feel like i'm in a geico commercial...

except its for Allstate Insurance.

Everyone at work is like "why are you so happy today?!!"
All I can say is "I just saved $1,300 on my homeowners insurance!!!"
Them : "wow!!! For real?"

After a week and a half of shopping around for 2 homeowner policies to replace my current ridiculously expensive ones, I found the perfect ones which saved me a total of $1,300 a year on my homeowners insurance - with all the same coverage amounts to boot! Needless to say, I'm feeling PRETTY DARN GOOD! So good in fact, I think I may partake in a little drinking tonight...ok, maybe not a little, but a hell of a lot!!!! Hey! I deserve it, I almost saved a mortgage payment today.

WHOO HOO

so funny I swallowed my gum...

Has anyone else been watching The Mind of Mencia on Comedy Central? He is HILARIOUS!!! I imagine he's Comedy Central's attempt to fill Dave Chappell's void, and in my opinion, doing a great job at it. Hah, a Latino Dave Chappell, I like it!!! I must day he is slowly becoming a favorite Show of mine. I must warn, hes not for the faint of heart, though.

what do you call your boobies ?

My Boobies' Names Are: Mork and Mindy - HAHAHAHA!!

Get your own Boobie Names

From this day forth, Mike shall address them by saying "Nanu Nanu"!

I got this link from erinblog and just had to pass it on.

staying alive

Sorry for the lack of posts lately ya'll, but dragonflypurity has been BUSY with life and, really, I'm just trying to catch my breath. I hope you all are doing well, I really do.

15 second recap

Work has been HELL - imagine 12 hour training sessions overfilled with improv simulations of principal meetings, PTA meetings, and student assemblies... Now multiply that by - oh lets just say a week and a half and you will be where I am now. sigh and yawn

In other news, my personal life has been great whilst I enjoy the last tid bits of the summer sun. In chicago, the mornings and afternoons have been a lil too chilly for my tropical behind.

My basement is coming out BEAUTIFUL and I have a prospective tenant already lined up. Even better, a MUCH NEEDED raise is in sight in the near future (can you say "more money, more money, more money" ?) But, at least for now, I'M BROKE: meaning --> my current budget is in deficit (much like W. Bush's budget) - nonetheless, I know its not permanent. I try not to get all worked up about my financial situation because I am known to be a drama queen at times.

Overall, I'm happy with life and eagerly awaiting my vacation time at the end of the month.

I promise to post something a lil more inventive and heartfelt soon!! Til then, peace and love!!

hiroshima remembered....

Its been 60 years since that tragic day. Lets all take a few moments of silence for the 140,000 people which were killed in the Hiroshima bomb



the tombstones of the unknown victims of the attack - located in mitaki temple

dave..say it ain't so!!!

I have been waiting almost a year for the Dave Chappelle show to return to Comedy Central, only to have it being pushed back again and again. Now it appears that one of my favorite shows of all time is gone forever (gasp). Over: Done: Just stick a fork in it. If you haven't heard yet: word comes from Charlie Murphy, Eddie Murphy's brother and long time comedy favorite on the Dave Chappelle Show, that it is definitely over.

Not only was Dave hilarious & always testing the boundaries of controversy vs. acceptance, the brotha was one of the most famous and successful hip hops proponents on tv. And, I'm not just talking about representing played-out wannabe artists like 50 cent or some shit. No, Dave was into the intelligent, thought provoking, and booty shaking music that really shows the hip hop roots I fell in love with so many years ago. Artists like Wyclef Jean, Mos Def, Kanye West, Talib Kweli, Common, The Roots, Erykah Badu.

I guess all great things must come to an end. I just hope that he can find happiness someplace else on tv, whether it be standup or another show. Good luck in whatever you pursue DAVE!!!!

SIGH: I still can't believe it:
no more Tyrone Biggums "I smoke rocks!!!"
no more rick james "I'm Rick James Bitch!!"
no more bush disses "MARS, Bitches!!"
even more funny: no more r kelly disses like the "piss on you remix"
and no more of my favorite skit of all time: "knee high park" (the sesame street skit) - "I beat my dick like it owes me $$$"

If you haven't seen that last skit (kneehigh park)...please click here for a clip and get ready to LAUGH...once there, just click "watch"

friday madness

For those who were starting to get worried about my sanity, don't call the psycho ward just yet!! I am doing alot better. Mostly because It's Friday and I am already on weekend mode, but also because I had some time to just breathe, relax, and say "fuck the world, I'm going to be happy despite it all!!" Matter fact, besides the little bit of work I got on my desk, I'm absolutely in love with life today. There are only 3 of us in the office and work is slow and coming. So til quitting time, it's just me, my green tea, and my ipod mini floating around the office.

Keeping with the positive vibes of the day, here's a list of things that made my life bearable this week :

~ My garden apartment rehab is looking awesome. I promise to take pictures of the transformation!!

~ Can you say, YOGA?!! Who would have thought shoulderstands and inverse poses would be so empowering ?

~ Chicago temperatures have been steadily dropping. Thank god it doesn't feel like I live in the "Death Valley" anymore. AMEN!!!

~ Getting lost in this book: Strangers on a Train

~ Smoking a whole pack of cigarettes (with minimal amount of guilt). -YEAH, I know, I know, I am supposed to be not smoking...but there's always tomorrow!!

~ 3 words: Hacker Pschorr Wiesse

controversy...where?

Don't even get me started on why I think this is the most beautiful ad I've ever seen

I know theres a happy side in me
Lurking - just waiting to unleash
I see her from time to time
in fleeting laughs
and half turned smiles
Amidst turmoil and grief she survives
hoping yet again
tomorrow will be better than today

i hope you all had a better day than i did

It's been one of those days. Lets just put it this way - it started off by me finding out that my front windshield on my car was busted. Some thugs busted up the windshields of about 20 cars down my street...I've never seen anything like that in my life. It was crazy!!!


I had to shell out $150 dollars for a replacement this morning. At least they were able to salvage my newly brought city sticker.

Blah!!!

the most fitting quote ever

I updated the tea cup wisdom quote on my page. It seems to hit home pretty hard nowadays for me. For those curious of its origins, it's taken from a Common song named "Real People" - from his new cd title "Be"

TEA CUP WISDOM --> "knowing when I'm weak is when I'm really being strong"

How true it is!! How true it is!!

singing the "no money" blues

I just paid my first round of bills and realized that I am already $400 in deficit from my budget for the month. OH LORD HAVE MERCY!! Why you ask? Well: Not only is the remodeling of my basement draining me financially, but (SURPRISE) my water bill was due today AND my energy bill was astronomical thanks to the recent heat wave in chicago and my need to have air conditioning on - even when I am not home so my dog doesn't die of heat stroke while I'm at work.

Needless to say, I am rounding up my strong 'bout of depression by listening to songs like:

~ "HURT" (NIN)
~ "King of Sorrow" (Sade)
~ "I'm a Bitch" (Meredith Brooks)
~ "I'm Going Down" (Mary J.)
~ "Iris" (Goo Goo Dolls)

On the bright side, the office is all but DEAD this week. Meaning, while all the big bosses are gone, the rest of us can play. Well, not really play, but at least leave work a lil early. YEHAW!!!

For those who are wondering, I did slip up and smoke a little something this weekend (damn!!). But I am back on track, using the patch, chewing lots of gum, and drinking cupful after cupful Tropical Green Tea from Might Leaf Tea Company.

museless

As of lately, I seemed to have lacked my muse. So instead of some long, witty post, I shall swipe this personalized test from BEATS and RANTS 2.2: The Best Places to Live(via Real Estate Journal).

Looking at both his & my results, all I can think is: either we are alot alike, or the test has a predisposition to place Boston, San Francisco, and Long Island at the top.

1 100 Boston, MA-NH-ME 3,263,060
2 95 San Francisco, CA 1,655,454
3 93 Long Island, NY 2,660,285
4 90 Washington, DC-MD-VA-WV 4,563,123
5 87 New York, NY 8,643,437
6 83 Chicago, IL 7,733,876
7 81 Pittsburgh, PA 2,379,411
8 81 Bergen-Passaic, NJ 1,311,331
9 81 Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon, NJ 1,091,097
10 80 Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI 2,765,116
11 80 Rochester, MN 113,182

What does your say ?

ten random things i did to take my mind off marlboros

1. worked out on my new elliptical machine (its a nordic trac, compliments of the bf)
2. filled my ipod with over 2 days of music (perfect to work out on said nordic trac)
3. did laundry while vacuuming my WHOLE house (wow...talk about multi tasking)
4. realized it was 48 hours since my last smoke, and thought "somewhere in my body, nerve endings are starting to regrow"
5. then thought about how great a cigarette would be (actually, take that number and times it by 50 times a day)
6. chewed my nails while in rush hour traffic (ewww I know, but as you can see I'm orally fixated)
7. somehow sprained the muscle behind my knee
8. went to the Mexican Fine Arts Museum to almost get kicked out of the Chicano art exhibit for taking above picture (it was SOOO worth it)
9. wish I knew voodoo so I could hex Bush
10. fell in love with the bf all over again

the nutshell: I'm not doing so bad

birthdays not quite forgotten

Don't you hate those birthdays you just can't seem to forget no matter how hard you try to block them? Like your creepy ex of 6 years, or those people once great friends, only to become enemies, or even worse: your asshole of a boss that somehow expects a gift from YOU, whom gets paid a measly quarter for each dollar he makes?

Today is one of those days. It's my cousins /old best friends birthday. Not only are we blood family, we were best friends for many years. But, somewhere along the way she turned into a self loathing bitch who thinks everyone owes her something while she, SHE sits on her ass, smokes pot all day, and weasels my aunts money. In essence, she has pissed me off & fucked me over more times than I will admit.

I knew in my heart for a long time that just having her in my life was traumatizing and stressing me out more than I was willing to endure. Thus, earlier this year, I erased her from my life: removed her from cellphone book & my yahoo messenger, and just stopped calling. And, I never looked back...til today, her 28th birthday.

Today I have such a strong urge to call her just to wish her well. I want to buy her a drink or buy her some flowers... 1/2 knowing she's not worth it and probably wouldn't even appreciate the gesture anyway...

So instead I just lay on my couch and just send her positive energy, knowing this day will forever be one of those birthdays that I will never quite forget for the rest of my life...

helpful reading material

I know I look like a COMPLETE IDIOT reading this book WHILE SMOKING in the smoking room @ work, but I just don't give a %$#@!!!

t minus 5 days and counting...

Sunday July 24th will be doomsday for my former self (meaning ->present me). It's on that very day that I will cease smoking and become a non smoker. It's time. My body is feeling it after all these years (over ten years off & on - mostly on). I have tried many times to do it, but this time is different. For one, I have been planning it for months and mentally preparing more & more as each day passes. I gave myself until that date to say goodbye to killing myself. Secondly, have you noticed but cigarette have crack prices attached to them? The tobacco companies are glorified drug pushers.

But I am digressing...so bear with me. I still remember my first time smoking. Me & my papi had gotten into an argument; he put me on punishment. While he was getting ready for work, I stole one of his cigarettes: a True brand cigarette. I remember smoking it in my room and how I instantly fell in love with the feel of smoke coming out of my mouth. The rest is history. One cig stolen from papi turned into three, to somehow getting it under the table, to buying it legally.

It's funny, but I have hid this part of myself from my family for years (specially since abuelito died from emphysema and cancer due to smoking).

But aside from all that, I am tired of living this livestyle. Ya know ? Some may ask, and often do, why that date? Well, its my 3 year anniversary with my kick ass bf. Kinda cheesy yeah, but to me it made perfect sense: its kinda symbolic of what I decided to live for. Wish me luck!!

P.S. I apologize in advance to anyone I may appear bitchy to in the coming months, that includes all my readers!! It's my withdrawals talking, not me !!

10 coffees and 48 hours later...

I finished the new Harry Poter book..all 672 pages of it! Needless to say, I couldn't put the sucker down. And, with the hook ending, it left me thirsty for more.

What can I say, its like crack!!! And I'm just waiting for that next hit of POTTER (movies not included - they got nothing on the books in my opinion).

i know what i'm doing tomorrow!!!

next on my list to buy...


"Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince" comes out tomorrow and I just can't wait. :) whoo hoo!!!

downward dog gone wrong

**phhhttt!!!**

While getting into "downward dog" position in yoga yesterday, I heard a loud ripping sound. ****PHHHTTT**** Somebody threw what can only be described as a bean induced hiroshima type fart in class. Now, I couldn't see anything, as my bangs were covering my face (i mean, I'm upside down right?). But I must say, it took all the zen within me not to giggle and fall out of pose due to the funkiness drifting into my nose. Instead, I thanked my lucky stars that it didn't happen to me :)

After all, it could of happened to any one of us, couldn't have it ? Poor thing. Whoever it was must be traumatized. hee...hee...

" 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!!

has anyone ever tried...

french eggo waffles? In essence, it's a toasted eggo waffle dipped in french toast coating, and pan fried like a french toast. Topped with warmed up maple syrup and a lil powdered sugar, I must say, it was delicious.

The bf lovingly made me some this morning. It was so unique and delicious, I wanted to take a picture of it to show you all. But, sorry..temptation was so strong....I ate it!!

still recovering from 4th of July

what a weekend!!! But, to me, it's not over yet. I'm still on vacation and don't have to go back to the office until Thursday, so life is good. :)

However, I just awoke from a crazy night of restless, bizarre dreams. Living in the borderline ghetto of Chicago, my block was blowing up like an M-80 into the wee hours of the morning. Firecrackers were being thrown at a such a fast rate that my dog thought we were being bombed. As for me, I was fine until I tried to catch a few z's. After watching "War of the Worlds" and "Sometimes In April" within a 24 hour period, my mind morphed the sound of the fireworks into dreams laced with gunfire, genocide, and alien invasions. Trippy...

Anyhow, the next 48 hours won't be all fun and games. It will be spent trying to pick a contractor to remodel my garden apartment. The goal is to have it livable by the end of the summer. Hopefully, I will be able to find someone that's in my price range that won't totally suck ass. I really wanted to do it myself, but me & my bf just don't have the time and resources to finish the gut rehab in the timeframe I need. I figure it will end up costing more in the long run to do it ourseslves vs. having someone do it for more $$$ in a shorter period. Not only will it save us months upon months of labor (including the valuable time after work, on the weekends, etc), but I will be able to rent it faster, and collecting rent, my friends, is always a good thing.

Wish me luck!!! My first appointment is due in 15 minutes.

this is me..happy

Before I go to bed, I just HAD to share with the world. Today in yoga class, I was able to do this !!! yeah for me :D

midnight thoughts...

3 posts in a period of 4 hours...I am on a roll! But for some reason I just can't sleep today. It's too darn hot in Chicago...matter of fact there's been over a week straight of 90 degree days here and as far as Tom Skilling, our local weatherman, is concerned- there's no "real" relief in sight.

Just to give those unfamiliar to Chicago's summers some insight, let me elaborate a bit. When it gets hot here, it's make you wanna holler like a banshee and take off all your clothes just to stand in front of the air conditioner to cool off type of heat. ugh...

Needless to say, my A/C is blaring..

just a thought, but is it funny that I set the temperature on both of my a/c units at 69 degrees not just because I find it to be a comfortable temperature, but because of the *other* SeXuAl connotation that 69 represents? Eh, who care, it's a psychological thing...

new template

Hey all.

Hope you like the new template!! I thought the old one was getting kind of boring.

what i love most about career fairs...

I say this at risk that my present employer will somehow find out, but last Thursday I attended a career fair hosted by H A C E -- The Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement. I figure a gal's gotta to keep her options open, right?

Needless to say I was a social butterfly, wooing potential employers ranging from Quaker Oats and Bank of America to The Ounce of Prevention Fund and Kaplan. There were a few real good prospects and life was grand.

But, I must admit what excited me more than the potential job leads (because in reality I have a pretty kick ass job) was all the FREE CRAP I got. I got playing cards, a Frisbee, a nifty sports water bottle and tons of free Quaker Oats granola bars (yummy). But, by far the coolest item I scored was from Monsanto, a biochemical/agricultural company. They had what at first sight looked like a corn on the cob candle. But after some short dialogue, I realized it was a mini pop corn system. In essence, you stick the dried out corn on the cob in the bag provided, microwave for 2 minutes and WHAM!!! you have some chemically engineered pop corn, which may or may not be on the cob. How COOL IS THAT!!!???

Ok, ok, its not as cool, as say, me landing a job that makes $60,000 a year, but I must say it was the highlight of my afternoon!!

See bad picture below for visual:

nifty popcorn system

ugh....

if you can't handle women issues then read no more - because you are about to experience my wrath. Well maybe not wrath, buit certainly my venting.
This mornings mellowness has since been replaced with non stop boring meetings, impossible deadlines, and a very heavy nauseous feeling at the pit of my stomach. I can't seem to keep anythign down. And why ? I am on the B.C. diet (birth control diet).

For those who care, my Nuva Ring experience has been less than desireable. I find myself nauseous, EXTREMELY cranky, and sore for some reason. At times fangs and claws appear in occasions that is just plain unnecessary (much to the dismay of fellow co workers and my man). That being said, I am trying to stay positive and not let it all get to me but at this VERY moment it just seems increasingly harder to tolerate. I almost got to the point of me just yanking it out and being done with the whole thing. But, I decided to rant and rave on here instead. Hee hee...

Damn hormones. They are nothing to play with, are they ?

And while I'm the subject of women, isn't it soooo damn hard to be a female at times!!!??? Its always something. Whether it be cramps, periods, hormone fluctuations, pregnancies & labor, breast feeding, and juggling a family & a career. WOW! Talk about non stop drama....

Matter fact...men are so damn lucky. They don't have to worry so much about birth control, pregnancies, PMS, hormone changes, etc...shit!! They can even piss standing up...with no need to even pull down pants or anything. No need to even worry about sitting down on some stanky abused public bathroom toilet seat...ugh...unlike us. Thats the lilfe....what I wouldn't give for just a lil slice of that heaven...
Damn them all...

AAAAHHHHH!! Much better. Now, we return to the normal dragonflypurity...That is all...

God give me patience and abs of steel to make it through this inital phase, for real!!!

it's a "doggie day care" FRIDAY

I know I should be focusing on all the new projects I am heading up and all the shit I have to finish before the end of business today, but, instead I'm being lazy & hiding out in my cube. Hee hee...It's Friday and the last thing I want to do is formulate V-lookups and circular references all day in excel. My mind is on cruise control and ready for the weekend...

Instead of working, I'm exited about finding a doggie day care service for my pet for under $20 bucks a day, EN ROUTE to my job! I know what you are thinking...doggie day care?!!! How cheesy, lame, and how spoiled my dog must be. But its quite the opposite. My poor pooch has been extremely neglected lately. Because of me & my bf's hectic schedules of working overtime & school, he has been in his cage for periods that are entirely too long. And when we are home, we are just so exhausted, we can't keep up with the pooch. And its starting to show. He's been acting up more, is sad more, and always wants to run around just to compensate.

And, me. I'm a sucker for him: he's like my baby. Needless to say, I hate leaving him in his cage for longer than 5 hours, but when I leave him out, 1/2 the time I come home to what can only be compared to a national disaster. So, I must cage him for periods up to 8-10 hours at time & its just plain inhumane if you ask me. SO, we are biting the bullet to get him into the day care for 2 days out of the week. and we found the perfect spot, 5 minutes from my job. Not only is it about $10 cheaper than the competition, the best part is: the first day is FREE!!!

Thus, tomorrow we plan on dropping his ass off early in the AM, so we can have a whole "guilt free" day of "quality time" without worrying if he is ok. We plan to stay busy by attending The Taste of Randolph and going to the Museum of Science and Industy to see the Body Worlds exhibit. If we have time, we might pop over the Puerto Rican Parade/Festival to get our dance on...It shall be a day of all days...

no more waiting to exhale...

This weekend away with the girls was just what I needed. No worries, no responsibilities, and no running around like a chicken with it's head cut off.

I came back home feeling rejuvenated, relaxed, and as giddy as a school girl. My favorite moment was the midnight bonfire and beer fest right on Michigan City, Indiana's finest beach.


my first bonfire...yeah, my first! what can I say, I'm a sheltered soul!!!

if your happy and you know it...

Today I am beyond happy. why ?

1. I was on another bustelo high as I whizzed through spreadsheets and meetings today at work. I am happy to say that my job is secure and the prospect of a raise (and maybe a promotion) is high.

2. It's almost the weekend, I have air conditioning in my bedroom (finally) and I'm looking forward to some girly time with some co workers this weekend. This will be the first time in years I have actually been invited to a girly outting! (wow). It's for my friend's 30th birthday and we are going away to her summer cottage, so libations and food will not be in short supply. :)

3. Last but certainly not least, I am planning a freakin vacation for next month! Cancun, here I come!! Let's hope I have the chance to parasail again.

just look at that drunken smile...what an adventurer I am!!

hump day thoughts

if you are going to die why not ?!



just a thought...but if I had a choice of any "super power" imaginable, I would chose the ability to speak every language in the world. :)


does it make me a nerd if I really REALLY want one of those star wars burger king kids meal toys?!

tryin to play it cooler than a polar bear colony...

Damn, it's HOOTTT N HUMID in Chicago! The last few days, the city has been infused with a heat unlike any other we've experienced in recent years. And I took advantage of every minute of it. This weekend was jam packed with outdoor events, barbeques, parties, and even an excursion to the beach. Capped off with a homemade strawberry shake with homemade whipped cream last night, it was the perfect start to the beautiful summer ahead.

who knew i was an idealist ?

You scored as Idealist. Idealism centers around the belief that we are moving towards something greater. An odd mix of evolutionist and spiritualist, you see the divine within ourselves, waiting to emerge over time. Many religious traditions express how the divine spirit lost its identity, thus creating our world of turmoil, but in time it will find itself and all things will again become one. Idealist 88% Cultural Creative 75% Romanticist 56% Existentialist 50% Postmodernist 50% Modernist 50% Materialist 38% Fundamentalist 19% What is Your World View? (updated) created with QuizFarm.com

quiz via farkleberries

i'm loving it!!

Thing's I'm loving nowadays

1. Receiving rental income...wow! I can actually afford my mortgage now!
2. Hugging mi perrito lindo
3. The beautiful weather Chicago has been having all week
4. My moms lemon cake...mmm...mmm
5. Watching Season 2 of Dave Chappelle when I should be sleeping
7. Common's new CD "Be", specially this lyric from the song faithful:

"I was rolling around, in my mind it accords
What if God was a Her?
Would I treat her the same?
Would I still be runnin' game on Her?
In what type of ways would I want Her?
Would I want her for her mind
Or her heavnly body
Couldn't be out here bogus
With someone so godly"

hmmm...thats some deep shit!

women talk

I'm supposed to do WHAT with that ?!!!

I know this is a PeRsOnAl topic, but I have been reconsidering other forms of birth control for a while. Anyway, I was informed by my dr. of NuvaRing, a new form of birth control that consists of a little plastic ring, which is inserted into...well, you get the idea.

Anyway, have any of you tried the Nuva Ring or know someone who uses it? Was it efficient, comfortable, and easy to use ? Please let me know. Muchas gracias.

world no tobacco day

no smokey smokey today...

May 31 marks yet another obscure holiday...“world no tobacco day”. Well, maybe its not THAT obscure, as its a serious health issue across the board. Thousands of people from both third world countries and larger nations alike die from tobacco use (or shall I say abuse) daily. And that number will soon outnumber HIV! WOW…

Have I ever said that I hate the smell of cigarettes before? Well, I do. Now, it really doesn't stop me from smoking, because I am a smoker - but the actual stench is sickening. I actually go out of my way to rid myself of the smell. Equipped with Febreze, Purell hand sanitizer, and kick ass lotion, I ritualistically wipe the smell clean.

Yet again, I am digressing...Staying with the whole NO tobacco mindset, I read this article which both disgusted and angered me. The article was regarding a report stating that tobacco companies targeted female smokers via attempting to market an image that cigarettes could give women the ability to puff their way into a better life. Furthermore, after massive research into women’s smoking habits, tobacco companies proclaimed that smoking helped women overcome neuroticism. The report stated, and I quote, "We can safely conclude that the strength of cigarettes that are purchased by women is related to their degree of neuroticism,". WTF? What kind of twisted sexist crap is that ? Why are the reasons women smoke any different than men who do the same ? The reason I may smoke hard-core Newports as opposed to the girly Virginia Slims makes me somehow disturbed? Hmmppt.

The icing on the cake was the tobacco companies play on womens’ low body image and dieting habits. They proposed to snag the market by offering cigarettes in "unique flavors that decreases a smoker's appetite, including brandy, chocolate, chocolate mint, cinnamon, spearmint and honey." Even though this never went into production, their efforts to sway the women market are questioned when you take into account the steep rise in women’s smoking habits over the last decade. While men’s are slowly decreasing, women habits are rising…

Needless to say, the whole thing got me peeved and only provided further evidence that tobacco companies are part of one of the most scandalous industries in the whole world. It's just horrible that my hard working cash is being given to Satan’s spawn due to my habit.

Realistically speaking, aren't the tobacco companies THE legalized and glorified drug pushers in this country ? Aside from pharmaceutical companies that is (but that's another post all together)...

peace & love this "no tobacco day" to all.

the newest in yoga fashion!

how cool is that ?!!

I just discovered "Yoga Paws", a nifty idea for the yoga minded individuals of the world. Who needs a yoga mat that you have to lug around on your back or arm, when you get the same benefits from strapping on yoga mat type gloves and slippers? It offers the same grip and comfort, without the need for stanky mat...the yoga junkie in me is doing cartwheels!!

what star wars character are you ?

damn! I was secretly hoping I would be Master Yoda....

jam packed months...

Do you realize each month is full of obscure holidays, celebrations, tributes, and awareness type holidays ? Its amazing but from just 10 minutes of web searching I found May was the home for the following:

~Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month Thats pretty self explanatory don't you think ?
~National Bike Month Talk about a good Karma holiday! Nix the car and public transit by riding your bike to work. On the plus side, you help the environment in the process
~ National Masturbation Month Hurry up! You only have a few more days to celebrate this one!
~National Mental Health Month Ode to pills, shrinks, great girlfriends, and Breyers ice cream
~ Better Hearing and Speech Month Not that you need a special occasion to do so, but now is a good time as any to clean those earholes out.
~Older Americans Month Spread the love and hug the abuelitos
~Better Sleep Month I will celebrate this tomorrow by rolling up in my blanket like a torilla and just ...zzzzz....
~Consumer Product Safety Month OH! NO! check for those recalls now...
~Correct Posture Month As I type this, I'm hunched down not to let coworkers see my "work"...oh well.
~ National Foster Care Month There are so many kids in need of a loving home, so say a prayer for the little ones.
~Healthy Vision Month Get them eyeballs checked, enough said
~National Arthritis Month This is usually the time of year where the killer arthritis in my hands stops acting up, so IT IS cause for celebration!!
~Victims of Pornography Month I mean, victim meaning someone who got banged in the bottom a lil too hard ?! OHH, POOR BABY!!! Come on now! umm....I thought this one was kinda lame (with the exception of the child porn of course).
~Hepatitis Awareness Month I don't know what to say to this one, but the marketing nerd in me envisions Pamela Anderson as the public spokesperson!!
~National Stroke Awareness Month Just my opinion, but this should be in conjunction to Older American Month, shouldn't it?
~Motorcycle Awareness Month I think I speak for alot of ladies out there when I say "BE CAREFUL ON THAT MOTOTRCYCLE, YOU FOOL!!" and "WATCH OUT FOR MOTORCYCLE DRIVERS ON THE ROAD, YOU BULLY!!" to all.

With so many awareness type holidays, who can embellish on them all in the allotted one month? Maybe, for me, I will embellish in only the fun ones...like the masturbation or better sleep one.

Hmmm...I wonder what holidays June has in store ?

blogs of interest

PostSecret Sample

The following blogs have kept me busy the last few hours. If you have a chance, check them out!

PostSecret - A sometimes disturbing blog where people mail postcards with their deepest, darkest secrets. Some are funny & creative as well.

2000days - Everyday Felicia posts a random question, which usually sparks ideas, debates, and introspection

Sexkitten - Ohh la la - just what it implies, this woman is candid about sex, relationships, and all the complexities between the sexes.

hump day's are just more fun

Happy hump day ya'll! It's Wednesday and despite only 4 hours of sleep last night, I am smiling like I just won the lotto (chalk it up to a heaping serving of Bustelo Cafe and a food comatose kicking in).

This morning I ATE GOOD!!! One of my friends/coworkers last day is on Friday, so a few of us met at Wishbone for a delectable breakfast before heading into the office. And "mmm..mmm..good" it was! For those in Chicago, don't sleep on this spot. Their crunchy french toast is heaven sent....mmm mmmm mmm. I will be dreaming about it for the next week it was THAT delicious.

In other news, it looks like my job situation is improving. I just got word that while they are eliminating my position, we will be moved to a newly created position, with more pay and a different title. Things are still a little uneasy here, but the news has lifted the weight off my chest at least a little bit. Due to all the uncertainty about our future, I am still undecided in if I am going to stay or continue looking for another job. I am trying to just go with the wind for now and not let any options pass me by.

Anyhow, Peace, love, and crunchy french toast to you all!!!

keyword analysis unveiled

Every once in a while, I check out my blog’s stats. When I do, I always get such a trip out of reading my keyword stats. It never ceases to amaze me how people come across my site.

Below are the highlights of the last 24 hours worth of visitors and my initial thoughts about them.

~namaste tattoo (obviously, I'm not the only one with this idea)
~sexual education news clip (hmmm...I still can't remember talking about this EVER on this blog
~yard sale duties template (again...no clue)
~meaning of boriqua (WTF? BORIQUA - Puerto RICAN you genius!!!)
~humor get over an ex (hmm…maybe the syntax came from one of my poems ?)
~sirius blanket weed killer (huh? I dunno but try weed be gone…that’s some good stuff)
~tipping point of the poncho in fashion (ugh...ponchos, let me not even go there today)
~my dog drinks green tea (hee hee...your dog rocks!)
~olive garden sangrias (yum yum...their peach sangria is best)
~win an ipod mini every 30 minutes tricks (wow..when you figure it out, lemme know)
~mtv2 commercials kill the couch (ahhhh….reminiscent of my lazy vacation at home)
~poems of discrimation or racism (yup yup, thats me!!)
~quiznos rat clip ( CORRECTION: they are pygmy marmosets in those commercials!!)
~complex simplicity blog (wow...someone actually came across it on purpose!)
~tattoo namaste (again....tattoo biters!)
~gordito in puerto rican culture (gordito...gordito..)
~garfield hip walkthrough (I have NO clue what the hell that means so next please)
~gloria chen shoes (those are THE MOST uncomfortable…but sexy...shoes I own)
~in this great future you can't forget your past and meaning (I can see this person is not a Bob Marley fan or else he/she wouldn’t even ask that stupid question)
~puerto rican swear words and profanities (look this up, Maricon!!!)
~mp3 charka (hmmm...maybe it was a misspelling on my part ? I think i was trying to say chakra...)
~when does twista's new cd comes out (hell if I know...but go cop Common's new cd...it came out today!)
~cleaning stoves (I still say self cleaning stoves suck ass)
~pygmy marmosets for sale (ahh....the Quizo’s commercial returned)
~puerto rican big pussy (ugh...fucken pervert...go jag off somewhere else!)
~unveiling secret abortion months later (ohhh...as I said, interesting shit here!)
~chinese astrology is bullshit (ok ok...maybe it is, but then again, isn't all astrology?)
~cereal cafe (yum yum...I don't think its opened yet in Chicago...but it reminds me, I gotta check)
~tax cd baby ( cd baby is the most awesome cd store for the underground shit!)
~what does the merengue symbolize (huh?)
~kick ass quote (see tea cup wisdom quote)
~cafe bustelo (again....its the most wonderful coffee on the planet...like heroin I tell you)

That is all...