There is still hope...

We can finally say that spring has really arrived in Wisconsin.

And with this glorious day, the opportunity to see that there is still hope for humanity, after all.

Let me explain: I went shopping with my youngest daughter. When we got out of the store, the temperature was maybe 10 degrees warmer than when we went in. As I struggle to unload my cart, and pick up my child and strap her in her safety seat, a lady walks by with what seemed to be her teenage daughter. They went to their car and unloaded their shopping cart. As the teenager passes by us to return her cart, she very politely said to me, "Ma'm, would you like me to take your cart also?". I was shocked! A polite teenager in this day and age!! I answered, "sure! If you would not mind, I would really appreciate that!" with the biggest smile I could give. I thank her again as she walked on her way back, and waved goodbye to them as they drove away.

Now, if there are any adolescents reading this, please do not be offended. I was a teenager once too...how long ago? A while! But I have not forgotten how it felt to be misunderstood, how it was to hear our elders say, "youth today is bad, a bunch of irresponsible losers!" How the worse was always expected from us.

Looking back, I cannot say I blame them. They probably were, like I am today, alarmed and disappointed at news of young people doing terrible things. And I am not talking about the "usual suspects" like teen pregnancy, or drugs...I am talking about the lack of empathy and compassion in the young people that you hear about in the news. When I hear a report on an old man beaten by a group of youngsters because "they were bored," it saddens me horribly. Where are the parents of these children? Is there someone out there taking responsibility for this behavior? My guess is, the parents are probably young themselves, and the cycle is simply repeating itself.

So, to the young lady at the parking lot today, I bow to you. To her mother, I say "kudos" and "thank you" for taking the time to pass on to your children good values and the capacity to care for others. One simple, seemingly insignificant act, says volumes...and tells us that not everything is lost, after all.

I am back.

So, yes, I have been gone for a long time...5 months since my last post.

Busy, busy. Between going back to school, then holidays, then the start of another semester, endless changes in my work and personal life, barely no time for anything.

But, everything is well! No complains! The new year brings new resolutions that don't last, but some linger in the back of our heads and work their way through so we can still work it all out. So now I exercise more than I did in January. I am trying to eat better, and have become better at keeping the house organized. Not an expert, just better.

My children continue to grow and amaze me. Everyday is a new discovery, a new adventure...

I am back, and I hope I stay...I have much to talk about, to catch up...I missed you all, and I hope you missed me too! And if you did not...well, I am back anyway!

Yes, we can!

So, I don't want to make this a political blog. Election day is over. History was made.

So just this once, I will recall the experiences of the last few days since we elected a new president.

In my native Puerto Rico, there is a new governor as well. And most people down there are quite happy with the result. They say, they wanted "cambio," change. A young, charismatic, vibrant governor with a big following. I guess he won by ample margin too.

My mother voted for him...remember? She did not want to vote...

Just like here, people wanted change.

We have a new president elect. Vibrant, charismatic. Many think he won just because his ethnicity. And, yes, that is important. Many of those with African descent thought this day would never come. And for those of us who are considered "people of color," it is important too.

But mostly, is about how people is thirsty for a new way to do things. Our president-elect may be just another politician. He will certainly make mistakes, as only humans do. However, this is the hope that something can be done. If a milestone as huge as this can be reached, then everything is possible.

And, even when this may be controversial, I will write it; this is my blog, right? I have a message for all the white supremacists outthere. Those who believe they are better and smarter just because they are white. You know what? You are not. You are just painfully and disappointingly ignorant. And I hope one day you understand that there is no such thing as a pure-bred white, or any race, in this country anymore. Even if there was, that does not make one better than the other. So stop your threats and your complains. You know who you are. I hope one day you see the light.

Ok, off my soap box now! No more politics...for a while!

What, you are NOT voting?!?!

I never voted until I moved here. I grew up in a home where my mother was very apathetic towards the whole democratic process of an election. My dad voted, but did not do much to instill any civic responsibility in me.

The other day, my mom dared to tell me she was thinking about NOT voting (elections to elect Puerto Rico's next governor are tomorrow as well-they do not participate in Presidential elections, but do elect a Resident Comissioner to Washington-and other stuff I can't remember-sorry!).

I about went through the phone..."MAMI, you have to vote! Do you know women could not vote until 100 years ago? Do you know how many risked their lives so we could have that right? Are you not going to complain about how things are the next 4 years? Because if you don't vote, you can't complain...." etc, etc, etc....you get the jist of it.

So, different opinions and preferences aside, please vote tomorrow, people! It is our duty. I work with some ladies that so matter of factly shrugged today and said, "Me? I am not voting"...

Their decision. Still, I wish I could get in their heads and convince them to go vote.

Please?

I am back!

So, I know I have been away for a while. Between school, two jobs, a family, life creeped up on me! But I love writing, so here I am!

First, I have a new job with a larger employer in my area. I hope this will bring great benefits to us.

School takes a big chunk of my time. I have been writing LOTS of papers for school. So that is another reason why I have been unable to write much here.

My girls are getting bigger by the day. My husband is doing great; his health is better as he has lost a ton of weight...now, it is my turn to lose some too! hehe!

The political race is crazy here, as I know it has been back in the Island as well...only a few more days left...yay!!!

I recently had a birthday. I don't mind saying my age; I will not share here only for safety reasons...let's say just a bit over 35. (Grin!). And it was great!

So, I am back, and ready to write some more...so brace yourselves!! Hasta pronto!

Back to School...x2!

So here I am, after a hiatus, writing again...

I have been busy with the back to school routine. My daughter is now a third-grader. Ah, where has the time gone?

And, I am back in college! Yes. Time to finish that forgotten degree. Life has been good to me without it. But a part of me realizes how important education is. How am I going to tell my daughters to continue their education if I don't do the same?

I am attending a womens-only college in my area. I go to school on weekends. And I love it so far. Their teaching style is different. The style I like. But still, it is a lot of work.

But there is a sense of empowerment in going back. I am reevaluating some of my beliefs. I am revising a little how I have been thinking, and becoming more concientious about my surroundings and the world I am in, specially this time of the year with elections coming up. Thinking more of the issues important to me, and what can I do about those issues in my community, in my world.

I am a mother. A Puertorican mother living in the USA. A full time employee and mother, and also, now a student. Wow! What issues affect me that I could do something about, is what I ponder?

Education, women's rights, race relations, affirmative action...? The possibilities are endless, and I am learning more about those possiblities, and what I can do with them...

I hope many others do the same. I cannot change the world alone, but if we all do a little, then, maybe...

Kate

I have been thinking of writing about Kate for a while. Kate who?

Have you seen that show, Jon & Kate plus 8?

THAT Kate...

See? I love the show. It is funny and the kids are precious.

Kate, I have to say, is very close to what I could call my hero. If I don't, it's because I know the show is just TV. Even when they call it "reality" tv. It is still TV. Things get edited, and I know the main "characters" may have an "on tv" persona.

The show has been under lots of scrutiny from the very beginning. All sorts of questions, comments and opinions are provoked by this show. From their looks, to their parenting and other family relationships, to the use of the money and products they receive, to say that the children are being exploited.

Lots of other women I talk to feel that Kate is controlling, mean to Jon, and maybe even has some issues better treated by a mental health professional.

Even my husband comments on how much of a...mean wife she can be.

But I still think she is great. I mean...come on! I only have two kids to raise, and my house is far from organized, I go crazy sometimes with our daily routines (or lack of them), and many times I am exhausted. So I can only try to imagine what my life would be with more kids; even harder to picture 8!

Maybe is because her way of running her house is more like the way Latin mothers run their houses. And I hope I don't get blasted by this comment. But if you go to the house of a traditional Hispanic mother with a lot of children, this behavior is not that uncommon. Or at least, it wasn't when I was growing up. So this is why I don't find her behavior that horrible, while others do.

Now, a blog has appeared, supposedly trying to shed "light" on a situation happening at the show. A friend of Kate's family, who regularly appears in the show, supposedly was asked not to return to the show's most recent season. This person's sister has started the blog. I have to say, I sensed tons of anger and bitterness on that blog. I cannot say, however, if what it says is true or not. I will not judge her one way or the other. There are more than 1 side to every story.

Still, I will continue to watch. My kids love seeing the "little kids show", as they call it. I learn a lot watching them cope with situations that seem very real to me, even from a tv show. And I hope we are allowed to continue to peek into their lives. After all, nobody is perfect. Not even Kate!