Curandera

My Great Grandmother, Salome Serrato was a curandera (faith healer). She had a remedio for everything that ailed you. . . . . Growing up, this was my family's comprehensive health care plan. ♥




Salome Serrato 1906-2000 RIP

. . . . That Embarrassing Moment

. . . . That embarrassing moment when you're getting a pedi and half way through, you suddenly realize that your legs feel like nopales. . . ♥

As a mother, I have always seen my role as making sure my children know that they are the center of my life, to provide them with love, warmth, comfort and guidance. To offer them support to shape their confidence, give them consejos, and yes, sometimes make unreasonable demands and believe that I can control their destiny.

Now there is a delicate balance between mama bear and mama beast. Like many of the mother figures in my life, I have a hard time with this delicate balance.

In fact, I come from a long line of strong-willed, controlling, overbearing mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers and tias who, having all the best intentions, raised their young men to be, well, lets just say the term "mamas boys" would be an understatement. I often recall how my grandmother waited on my tios hand and foot. They were her life and her purpose far beyond the days of their youth, beyond the days of their marriages, and beyond the days of their divorces. And she, being true to the family name, "Reyes", treated her sons like kings.

I must say, in all fairness, I didn't become all dis-functional, overbearing, and controlling overnight; these skill sets take years to build up and use expertly.
. . . . And so, I am convinced that it will be a life long challenge for me to learn how to cut the apron strings and allow my children the healthy space they need to fulfill their own destiny. To step back and allow them to fall, fail, learn to dust themselves off and get back up, but I will always be here, admiring from afar, and will try my hardest not to think out loud. ♥

Expectations

"A wonderful gift may not be wrapped as you expect." — Jonathan Lockwood Huie


As I drive up to Murphy Hall, I notice the park across the way has clotheslines strung from tree to tree with endless rows of colorful t-shirts hanging by clothespins. It is the UCLA Clothesline Project.

Each t-shirt that is strung on the clothesline contains a powerful story that gives voice to someone who has experienced violence, yet has overcome this difficult experience. Collectively, these t-shirts become the Clothesline Project Display that helps to educate and raise social awareness about violence, symbolizing the “airing-out of dirty laundry”.

Some of the t-shirts contain messages of anger and some contain messages of justice, both served and unserved. Some messages are sassy, while others contain sarcasm. Some messages express violence against men and women, and some against children. The color of each t-shirt represents the nature of the violence endured. All of the messages share a common theme of empowerment.

As I stroll through the park, deciphering the message on each t-shirt, it occurs to me that some of our most difficult moments in life can actually serve to shape our moral character and values. They often refine our compassion, fuel our determination and at times, guide us to find our purpose or calling in life. It is our collection of life experiences, both good and bad, that just may be “a gift that is not wrapped as we expect”. ♥

The ride into UCLA on Sunset Blvd is gorgeous. . . .









Pero, puros pinches potholes!

So my husband and I had a bet. If the Steelers won the Superbowl, I would get a haircut, courtesy of my hubby. However, if Green Bay won, he gets a haircut, courtesy of me.

My thoughts: Little fact: My haircuts cost $70, his haircuts cost $17. So glad that math is not his best subject! hehehe

My Husband's thoughts: Little fact: So glad that football is not her best subject! hehehe

So, . . . I lost the bet.

But I am hoping my husband caves and gets my hair did before I start looking like Troy Polamalu!

The UCLA FAFSA girls remind you to file your FAFSA by the March 2nd Priority Filing Deadline!