My Shero

When it comes to people I admire, rarely does it include an A list celebrity. My idea of a hero/shero are everyday people: family, friends, mentors, pastors, authors, artists, activist,advocates, your everyday blue collar worker and even children. I look up to genuinely righteous people who are human and flawed yet, accomplish great things, have character, people who keep their word, honor their families, mentor their children, work hard, overcome adversity, keep the faith, blaze a trail, make a difference, speak out when it's unpopular, or stand up for what is right. But recently, my admiration goes out to someone who represents all of these things and also happens to be a celebrity. Guiliana Rancic is currently battling breast cancer publicly with more grace and courage than I ever thought possible. Having recently undergone a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, she is quoted as saying, "My breasts have never defined me and now they never will". Guiliana has not shied away from the media attention surrounding this very private matter but rather she was back on the set of E! News two weeks after her surgery and she can be found on her fabfitfun page on facebook or on twitter sharing her characteristicly positive outlook and gratitude to all of her fans and the public for their support of her courageous battle. I consider Guiliana to be the ultimate feminist! Long before she faced a public battle with breast cancer, she has publicly taken on other women's issues such as fertility, balancing a career and marriage and allowing us a glimpse inside of her world with her reality show Guiliana & Bill. Guiliana is my definition of courage and she will be in my prayers for a speedy recovery!

I'm interested to know, Who is your hero or shero and why?

Quinceañera

. . . .and the planning begins.

Guest Blogger: Julia (8 years old)

Dear Dora the Explora (and Boots),
Who do you like more: Boots or your Mom? And do you like cats and dogs or teachers? I've been wanting to be a teacher all my life and Ive been wanting to be on tv with my friend Jacinda. Jacinda likes to write alot and she's a good writer. I hope I can be on tv. Can me and Jacinda be on Dora the Explora with you?

P.S. I'm Julia

The End ♥

From Julia

About the author:

Julia is 8 years old. She is in 3rd grade at University Preparation School. She would like to be a teacher one day and she enjoys reading, baile folklorico, and going to the dollar store.

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”. ♥