tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18925229992877206542024-02-02T18:33:36.803-05:00The Sofrito DiariesThe Sofrito Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06700754072583165501noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1892522999287720654.post-1093454213412163572017-03-09T00:43:00.001-05:002017-03-09T00:44:20.052-05:00And then the storm hit.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
And then one day the storm hit. On a seemingly normal weekend, I had gotten up early with the baby, cleaned my house, put a load of laundry in and started cooking. For months, aside from the bliss of having the family that I' always dreamed of for my daughter and I I had also been winding myself up so tight. On that seemingly normal Sunday I had the worst panic and anxiety attack of my life. Actually, I don't think I'd ever had one before. But I do know that I felt like I couldn't breathe. In my life I had never known such a feeling. The strings that had been winding me up and binding me so tight had finally burst. Miss Perfect fell from grace. To someone like me, there is no more helpless feeling than how you feel when you need help. When you can't breathe. <br />
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I think about how many times I've said in this very blog how important it is to take care of yourself and your well-being. In my case it took a panic attack as a wake-up call.</div>
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After what I call my fall from grace, I started to really evaluate the things that I could have done better and what I needed to focus on changing. I said it. Focus. That's right, because so often we know what needs to happen but we lack the focus and commitment to do it.</div>
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I started with my health. I had not gained any weight while pregnant, but I gained 20 pounds while on Maternity Leave for 3 months! I know that all of my life I struggle with a sugar-dependency. My intellectual mind knows that the human body was not designed to consume the amount of sugars or refined starches that we do. My intellectual mind knows what happens inside my body when these are consumed. Then there's the little girl inside me who perpetually craves M&Ms. She's little but she's powerful. She takes over. Time and time again.</div>
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See, when I was a girl, we really didn't know about nutrition. We thought we would get good nutrients from eating canned veggies once in a while. I was also an only child for many years. I think my uncles and family felt bad seeing me lonely. Guess how the void was filled? You guessed it. M&Ms. In a given day, if someone went to the store, they'd come back with a pack of chocolates for me. Then, someone else would go. Not knowing I had gotten some already, they would bring me M&Ms. In a given day, I could end up with 4 bags of candies. I was a cute little chunky redhead, always described as chunky or plump. I'm surprised that as much candy as I was eating that I wasn't much bigger. I think the reason why was that in or inner city neighborhood we had to walk everywhere so excercise was plentiful. Thank goodness.</div>
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At 41 with a hectic lifestyle, caffeine, sugar and refined startches were a terrible combination for me. I had done the Atkins diet twice in the past. Both times I lost 38 pounds in 3 months. I'm living proof that it works. I wasn't too enthused to give up my comforts, but after how I had been feeling lately it was necessary to make some sacrifices and get to work. My absolute best motivation is knowing that I have my radiant daughter to continue raising and to enjoy my sweet little prince. I wanted to do that and feel good about myself too. </div>
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So what now? Time to get to work! You with me?</div>
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The Sofrito Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06700754072583165501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1892522999287720654.post-58133475550133611122017-03-09T00:17:00.000-05:002017-03-09T00:17:06.843-05:00Finally happiness is here. Now what?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's been a while. I come back, I leave...but I always come back to you.<br />
This time, I have a good reason. Since I was last with you, I had a baby! You didn't even know that I was expecting, I know. So much has changed in my life since my last entry.<br />
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I got to where I finally wanted to be in life. I felt happy, complete, grateful. I put a lot of thought into whether it was right to become a mother again. I'm an all or nothing type of person. I know the mother that I enjoy being. At 40, did I have it in me to start over?<br />
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My partner and I discussed it for some time. Even after we made the decision to plan for a baby, it still took me months to align my thinking and prepare for a life change, and to once again live for someone else. I wanted to be completely responsible in my planning. The more time passed, I became giddy with excitement at the possibility of being a Mommy again. Then the worry set in. What if I was past my prime and could'nt conceive? I remember breaking out into tears one day and him hugging me saying, "that won't happen". All this planning and strategizing and now that I had befallen completely in love with the idea- then haunted by the idea of what IF it couldn't happen.<br />
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Turns out that a few weeks later I found out we had our baby on the way- and that explains why I had been so emotional and in tears. I should have known!<br />
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I look at his marvelous little face, listen to his giggle and touch the smooth curve of his chubby cheeks and I can't imagine my life without him. I feel like I completely overthought the idea. I mean, really. People having babies is the most normal thing we do, no? In reality, it makes sense why a woman of 41 would give it the consideration that I did. On the one hand you are more experienced, you don't sweat the small stuff and you're more financially stable at 41 than you were at 25.<br />
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On the other hand, your body. So, yeah. Your body. You go through changes that you didn't anticipate and at times you don't even realize are happening. I was blessed in that I didn't gain any pregnancy weight and I had this ridiculously marvelous glow. Physically, I had hit the pregnancy jackpot.<br />
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Emotionally, I felt happy and over the moon in anticipation of my little one. My body was another story. The nausea. The sciatica pain, the anxiety and trouble sleeping. Again, ultimately all worth it but you will soon see why this all became so relevant.<br />
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I was blessed with a wonderful labor experience. Both my biological children were a breeze during labor. My grandmother used to call that a blessed womb. Don't get me wrong, it's not that it was easy but it was beautiful and bearable. I had the same experience with both of my children. Once I looked into their eyes, it was the most spiritually invigorating and alive that I have ever felt. That is what bliss feels like for me.<br />
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Physically, it took me a lot longer for my body to recover from labor at 41 than it had at 25. Emotionally I was on cloud 9. I don't think I have ever felt so happy. Ever. I just needed my physical body to catch up to the bliss.<br />
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The thing about me is that I am an over-achiever. I do everything big. Go hard or go home. That's not always the best way to be, especially at 41 after just giving birth and being the Mom of a teenage girl who still needs me just as much. Instead of taking care of my well-being I was focused on my kids' well-being, my partner, keeping the house always spotless, cooking gourmet-style meals, laundry and eventually back to my career. I wasn't sleeping much, or even in a regular pattern. My partner helps, and my friends always offer to help. The thing with being an over-achiever is that it's hard to ask or to accept help.<br />
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Do you see the storm brewing? </div>
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The Sofrito Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06700754072583165501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1892522999287720654.post-27112319173033727652015-07-21T22:29:00.000-04:002015-07-23T14:33:45.900-04:00Don't accept your own fear.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">"Creativity takes courage." </span></i></b></div>
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~Henry Matisse<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span><b><i></i><i></i></b><br />
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It's been almost a year since I last picked up my laptop to get in here. I have so much to say, yet fear holds me back. <br />
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... Fear that you won't listen.</div>
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... Fear that it's irrelevant.</div>
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... Fear that this is my dream and I won't be able to see it through.</div>
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... Fear that you <i>will</i> listen.</div>
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... Fear that my thoughts <i>will</i> hold relevance in your world as well.</div>
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... Fear that my dream <i>will</i> come true. </div>
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... And then what...?</div>
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I've always known without a doubt that I wanted to be a writer. I didn't want to write because I felt that I was any good at it. Rather, because I had a story to tell and memories that I didn't want to forget. My parents always knew it too.</div>
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Today, I know that I need to write because when it do it feels like drinking a cold glass of water after your mouth is dry with thirst. I need it. I need it to feel alive. My fingers caressing the keyboard feels like holding the cold, dewey, glass on my fingertips and holding it up to my lips taking a drink and coming back to life.</div>
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A year ago, I last left off telling you about the stark contrast between a man who pretends to be everything that you need and one who has been that, in some capacity, the entire time. If that sounds cryptic, I'm trying to tell you that I grew up. I opened my eyes. It took a couple of years of being alone to see things for what they were and to become at peace with my story. Eventually I fell in love with one of my best friends. And I've never been happier. </div>
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Sometimes I wish that we would have seen it sooner, even if only a year or two ago sooner. Then I realize what I always come back to. God knows what he is doing. A year or two sooner and we would probably not have been ready for the blessing that we have now. </div>
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It's likely to have been the trials and tribulations that we've been through as individuals that taught us what we needed to learn to be ready for this blessing. One of the most meaningful aspects of our relationship is the way that we show each other support. This evening serves as a perfect example. He knows that I long to write. He listens to my dreams, offering encouragement and ideas. </div>
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<b><i>"... So why don't you write some right now?"</i></b></div>
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<b><i>"I don't know. I don't know what to write."</i></b></div>
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<b><i>"Write anything, Babe, or edit what you've written before."</i></b></div>
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<b><i>"I'm scared."</i></b></div>
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<b><i>"Scared of what..?"</i></b></div>
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<b><i>"I don't know. Exposing my feelings. Whenever I write, I write what comes out. Like what I write on my blog but part of me wants to write fiction."</i></b></div>
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<b><i>"Just write. Write anything for a little while. See what happens." "Yes?"</i></b></div>
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<b><i>"No."</i></b></div>
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<b><i>"No?"</i></b></div>
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<b><i>"No."</i></b></div>
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<b><i>"Okay."</i></b></div>
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<b><i>"I think I want to buy a new laptop first."</i></b></div>
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<b><i>"Want to borrow my laptop?"</i></b></div>
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<b><i>(Silence.)</i></b></div>
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<b><i>"Okay."</i></b></div>
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With eyes that make everything feel better to me, he hands me his laptop and here I am.</div>
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Afraid, exposed and desperately trying to find a direction for where I want to go with this and suddenly I remember another very special man in my life, my Godson Alex Joel. </div>
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Recently when talking with Alex about his dreams I reminded him that there is no reason why he cannot achieve them. I told him that the people he admires most are no different from him only that they were courageous enough to take a leap of faith and work tirelessly to achieve their dream. I told him how he needs to be prepared to hear "No" a lot of times before that "Yes" that will change his life forever will come.</div>
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He asked me what my dream was and I told him that it was to be a writer.</div>
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<b><i>"Was?"</i></b></div>
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<b><i>"Yes, I have a career and a daughter now. I don't have the time and opportunities that you have to pursue your dreams."</i></b></div>
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<b><i>"Yes you do."</i></b></div>
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And with all of the wisdom that one would not expect to pour out of the eyes and heart of a young man his age, he looked at me and gave me the same advice that I had just given him.</div>
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So here's the thing, I'm still not sure what direction I want to go with this but I'm curious enough to find out. I know that I don't always want to write about cooking or recipes but I still have a canvas that I look forward to filling with my own colors. </div>
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I have a lunch date with my Godson 10 years from now and look forward to laughing at how far we came after that conversation one sumner afternoon in 2015. </div>
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I can't wait to see what the Future holds. ...She hasn't let me down yet.</div>
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For two special men in my life, Miguel and Alex Joel- thank you for not accepting my fear. </div>
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The Sofrito Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06700754072583165501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1892522999287720654.post-82105742309635487402014-08-27T17:41:00.000-04:002014-08-27T18:22:05.245-04:00Unexpected Surprises & Unanswered Prayers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span id="goog_1480614463"></span><span id="goog_1480614464"></span>Healing is something that is most powerful when it's self-imposed. I'm not talking about physical illness. I mean, emotional healing.<br />
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Think about it. No one can really do that for you. There comes a day when no matter how deeply you may be hurting, you make a conscious choice to grow from your pain and to sow the pieces of your broken heart back together into a beautiful pattern that you will wear proudly. You have to be ready to do that though. I'm not going to lie, there is more pain, awareness, and loneliness during that transition period. The bright side is that you do, and you will get through it.<br />
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Life has been throwing me a series of unexpected surprises lately. Some beautiful, and some startling. <br />
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A funny thing happened to me this weekend. I was out to lunch with a man that I deeply respect, care for, love to be with and admire. We were having a great time with our usual fun conversations. He makes me laugh so much.<br />
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Suddenly, in walks the man who broke my heart to pieces at one time- the man I dated a couple of years after my divorce. It was a very random
and chance meeting.<br />
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I always wondered what it would be like to run into the one person who
destroyed my heart and almost my faith in love, and in myself... Strange because we had no children and nothing tying us together. All we lived was a facade of a relationship. A shell with a deep void.<br />
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I'm happy to say that I felt nothing. I wasn't
sad, I wasn't hurt and I didn't even feel angry. Actually, I wasn't
prepared for what I felt. I felt, sympathy.<br />
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There was a time when I thought the sun rose and set on this man. I realized in that moment that it was me who made him out to be the person who I thought he was. In reality, and perhaps unfair to him, I projected what I wanted to see onto him. <br />
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In that moment when I saw these two men side by side- the man I used to be with once, that I made out to be so great, paled in comparison to the man who sat across me.<br />
He was never really who thought him to be or who I thought I loved. I created the the image of what I wanted and needed. It fails because a person can only be who they really are.<br />
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In contrast, the man who sat across me that day, is everything that I admire and hold high. Caring, protective, loving & courageous. He is all of those things independently, not because I want to see it but because this is who he is. Almost like a complement, another side of me, that I am getting to see in a new light. I don't know how or when the story will unfold, but I do know that in that moment, I thanked God for not having given up on love.<br />
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However, the man to my right, who broke my heart so recklessly, I cannot say the same for.<br />
What I saw was a scared, incomplete shell of man. A coward. I felt sympathy. Not just for the people who he had wronged, but for him too. In that moment, I thanked God for sparing me from that life.<br />
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We all have a story. We all have pain. That was my personal story of pain. Very few people know what I went through during that time, and how many devastating blows I had to endure.<br />
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It's never too late for a happy ending. I want- love, loyalty, respect, family and a partnership. That heartache taught me that no matter how much I may like a person, to not get involved with them if they are not on the same page. You can't change a person.<br />
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I learned that I want a nice guy, who makes me laugh, cares for my heart and loves to be with family. I want a friend first, like my parents were.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VVke4oGyKsiHEZhb5j4zvl5km2ihBfjA0M_CPdSZzdzrdIUWtdOAaV8KSAjaSPW4fDUwhdDm0eQOVirBZAVIhzRKfx-MLepsmErseT5WLwz2bUKYcU4iLIluewnYjJ2N3N6WywDsLZc/s1600/change.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VVke4oGyKsiHEZhb5j4zvl5km2ihBfjA0M_CPdSZzdzrdIUWtdOAaV8KSAjaSPW4fDUwhdDm0eQOVirBZAVIhzRKfx-MLepsmErseT5WLwz2bUKYcU4iLIluewnYjJ2N3N6WywDsLZc/s1600/change.jpg" height="287" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><b>The day that becomes possible, believe me, I won't let it go</b></i>. </div>
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I've been longing for the things that bring me comfort lately, and you know that means cooking. I've been gravitating toward the more traditional foods in my culture. The time put in always helps me to reflect on where I have been and where I am choosing to go.<br />
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Earlier this week, I was out with my daughter and her step brother and sister. I've told you previously that her father and I co-parent well, and I love and appreciate him like family. Over time, the same goes for his soon to be wife, who is a lovely and kind woman that deeply cares for him. It's so good to see him happy. It's comforting to see him with the right person. It gives me hope. <br />
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Also over time, I've come to have a lot of affection for their children and enjoy the time when the kids and I all spend time together. This week we went on a Sushi excursion and my daughter's brother asks me why when I go out to eat I choose the strangest places... Indian, Sushi, Vietnamese. It was cute. I made it into a game and told him that it's like taking a mini-vacation. You get to experience a new culture, flavors and music for just a little while. It was a really fun time.<br />
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This made me reflect on why my feelings are pulling toward my own culture so much when I'm home cooking. I'm missing the deepest part of me and who I am. And cooking, brings it all back to me like magic... whether it's from all over the world, or from my home town, it's how I'm watching my own story unfold.<br />
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Life has been showering me with unexpected surprises lately, only confirming why sometimes God doesn't answer my prayers. His endings are always so much better than mine.</div>
The Sofrito Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06700754072583165501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1892522999287720654.post-58586945952118592042014-03-11T11:47:00.000-04:002014-03-11T12:05:24.517-04:00Iron Sharpens Iron. Do you agree?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNYNRxEjwrPs-wkpSayl_84mNrqP4O-0STZJzu-dV6CCTDZooS2KroCWOdGSF41LL4Ol7RmXe5DB6ykJFPUuvLjSx1JQrpjZUWOKXFZiabhDxroeYLn_stbFRLFV-hrqY-rkOhZ3LtJE/s1600/Iron-Sharpens-Iron-So-one-man-sharpens-another.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNYNRxEjwrPs-wkpSayl_84mNrqP4O-0STZJzu-dV6CCTDZooS2KroCWOdGSF41LL4Ol7RmXe5DB6ykJFPUuvLjSx1JQrpjZUWOKXFZiabhDxroeYLn_stbFRLFV-hrqY-rkOhZ3LtJE/s1600/Iron-Sharpens-Iron-So-one-man-sharpens-another.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
There is an English proverb that tells us that behind every great man is is a great woman. I feel blessed in that I grew up seeing it both ways. My Dad also made my Mom a greater woman. He was supportive and encouraging, but he also challenged her to do things she didn't think she could. <br />
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As time passed in their lives and in their relationship, they could look back and see how they built each other up, and in doing so, built a strong family with confident kids.<br />
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My parents brought their individual talents and God-given gifts, and made us into a <span style="color: blue;"><u>unit</u></span>- a well-oiled machine that ran on fundamental principals.<br />
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Both lived by Love, Compassion, Discipline and Loyalty. These were the ideals that they had in common. <br />
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My Mom was the Spiritual rock of the family who taught us to find God inside of ourselves. This was essential because we are a blended family. My mom and I are Puerto Rican. My [step} Dad was born in Ireland, Irish from grandma's side and German-Russian from grandpa's side. He was also Jewish and my mother is Christian.<br />
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Rather than either of them converting, they taught us both and let us decide if and what we wanted to practice as we grew up. I gravitated toward Christianity and worship with <i>Abuela, Mamita</i>. My brother, gravitated toward my Dad's Jewish roots, and now practices Judaism as an adult.<br />
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You can imagine that growing up in my home as a kid in the Bronx, NY was interesting and fun. There was never a dull moment. On one side of the apartment mom talking to us in Spanglish, <i><b>"Mira! Cierra la window!" </b></i> and then you had my Dad singing Yiddish songs. We tried our best to observe and learn about our family's traditions.<br />
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My Mom is also very detail-oriented and determined. I remember being in the fourth grade and doing my homework on the dining room table so that I could be close to her while she cooked in the kitchen. Now, you have to know that I absolutely despise Math and I always have. I used to tell my mom all the time how after college, I would never need this type of math again. A bit of irony that I end up in a career that encapsulates finance and math. A whole lot of math. As always, my Mom was right.<br />
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This particular evening, I was doing division examples for math homework. My mom would walk by every so often. I would say about 4 different times she asked me to write neater and to align the columns. She also asked me to stop erasing on the paper so much, causing it to smudge. I didn't listen. On the fifth time that she walked by to check on me, she took my paper, crumbled it in her hand and walked away with it. "<i><b>Start over</b></i>." she said, and I knew by the look on her eye that it was no time to argue. I was hurt, upset and confused because I'd worked so hard on it, and it wasn't easy for me. When I asked my mother why she'd done that she said, "<i><b>At the top of that paper, you had written your name. I want you to learn to take pride in that name. In life, when you put your name on something always make sure that it's your best work and worthy of carrying your name."</b></i><br />
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Another <i>mom-moment</i> was when I was in a panic about making it into a specialized high school. The entrance exam was known to be very difficult, even for straight-A students like me. My Dad had cautioned me, <i><b>"You've grown up being a big fish in a little pond, if you go to that school you will become a big fish in an ocean. Can you do it without losing yourself and who you are? You have to make that choice."</b></i><br />
What my mom said next, impacted me for life. We were in <i>Alexander's </i>Department store on Fordham Road, in the Bronx. She could tell how nervous and anxious I was about the upcoming exam. As we were descending on an escalator, my mom looked softly at me and asked, <i><b>"How many kids go to that school right now?" </b></i><br />
<i><b> "About 2,500.</b></i>" I answered in despair.<br />
My mom sharpened her gaze at me and asked, <i><b>"Well, if 2,500 kids passed the exam and made it in, what makes them different than you?"</b></i><br />
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From my Dad, we learned to be practical, pragmatic, plan ahead, to laugh (sometimes at ourselves) and to be very organized. None of these were in my nature, and I had to dedicate myself to learning these skills.<br />
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By nature I am chaotic and impulsive. Anyone who knows me for the past ten years or so would disagree with that statement, but what they fail to see is that I had to work so hard and commit myself to learning discipline and to be practical. Motherhood has a way of speeding up those lessons.<br />
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As a couple, my Mom and Dad had many encouraging conversations and moments of inspiration. Many of those moments my brother and I were never privy to. What we did see was their individual growth over time. As adults, we can appreciate all of it as we look back on our family and on who they were as people.<br />
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A man said this to me recently, <i><b>"Iron sharpens iron."</b></i> He was making the point that a woman and a man have the potential to build each other and help take each other to previously unreached horizons. I do agree with that. I grew up seeing it and watching that unfold.<br />
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As a woman, I believe that both people have to get to a place where you can be open and vulnerable to each other, enough to let your partner support and help build you up. If you are unable to be vulnerable, if something holds you back, then you are unable to become a team.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;"><span data-dobid="hdw">team</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><span class="lr_dct_ph">tēm/</span><span class="lr_dct_spkr lr_dct_spkr_off" data-log-string="pronunciation-icon-click" style="display: inline-block;" title="Listen"><input height="16" style="height: 16px; width: 16px;" type="image" width="16" /></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">noun: team; plural noun: teams</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: red;">two or more people working together</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b><i>verb</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>come together as a team to achieve a common goal</b></span><br />
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<tr><td class="lr_dct_nyms_ttl" style="padding-right: 3px;"><span style="color: red;"><b>synonyms:</b></span></td><td><span style="color: red;"><b>join (forces), <a href="https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-a&hs=7M5&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb&q=define+collaborate&sa=X&ei=BCgfU4WwM4ThyQHb0ID4Cw&ved=0CEAQ_SowAA">collaborate</a>, get together, work together;</b></span></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
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As a single woman, I hear a lot of my married friends vent and I can compare it to my own personal experiences. What I have learned is this, in order for iron to sharpen iron, you cannot be afraid of how sharp the sword.. </div>
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What you have to gain is an army of two, a protector, loyalty and Love. You just have to be willing to be open and to walk in Truth. </div>
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Sure, death feels imminent, but so does eternal life because as we grow older we realize that there is only eternal life, in the freedom of loving and being loved. </div>
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... And so shall one man and one woman sharpen each other. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhreKBArU5eCumxh4P0qE3aU2DRjyrk5XebMLxSEb_TC93sTXJqx5lNa4ysoHr8hkc8IcCe3fp8tYS0qsMYqyaNFz1L6zjS7CTNwIF6PRYeCkcgqqChs2zQPmOWyqf8-2vcM2s141SnesA/s1600/perfecting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhreKBArU5eCumxh4P0qE3aU2DRjyrk5XebMLxSEb_TC93sTXJqx5lNa4ysoHr8hkc8IcCe3fp8tYS0qsMYqyaNFz1L6zjS7CTNwIF6PRYeCkcgqqChs2zQPmOWyqf8-2vcM2s141SnesA/s1600/perfecting.jpg" height="307" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In order to achieve our potential, we cannot do it alone, and must be willing to endure and withstand intensity.</td></tr>
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The Sofrito Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06700754072583165501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1892522999287720654.post-22027214124019606782014-03-03T23:10:00.001-05:002014-03-04T00:44:27.398-05:00Pumpkin's First Birthday Without Him<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_oliFMfi5l1PuvmMTVybLV9gZT_KNQHk5ECjcnZbuTQ-0srd6O2R6Wba34pORM5pPZOEgTUzZ9e1wW-1T_rFv7eDToHKRudETCPrO_-x9cNxgSMdQ4SlkPT1Nnz5Rak-maEruLccVS0/s1600/bday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_oliFMfi5l1PuvmMTVybLV9gZT_KNQHk5ECjcnZbuTQ-0srd6O2R6Wba34pORM5pPZOEgTUzZ9e1wW-1T_rFv7eDToHKRudETCPrO_-x9cNxgSMdQ4SlkPT1Nnz5Rak-maEruLccVS0/s1600/bday.jpg" height="266" width="320" /></a></div>
It didn't matter what my friends call me. To my [step] Dad, I was always Pumpkin. When I was a little girl, it was Princess Pumpkin. He went as far as to buy me a beautiful and delicately ornate gold tiara, with diamond rhinestones. It was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen or touched, my crown. I felt so beautiful every time I played alone in my room and put it on. And every time I looked at it, I felt so incredibly loved by my parents.<br />
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We lost my Dad on January 7th of this year. I haven't had the words to say it or write about it. Music hasn't sounded the same, and I hadn't smiled from the inside, for weeks.<br />
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My only comfort is that he passed peacefully in my mother's arms. She whispered loving words to him and comforted him, telling him how loved he is and will always be. Then she asked him not to be in pain any longer. He always said how he never wanted to leave her alone.<br />
He took his last breath only after she promised to find him again when it was time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEjLxDcwFyFkHh4YWKj6Cc728-3ZfcgPsEUNEQ3UJU472gVlDzcOSen3DxllqbpqFZii9BLgtkohl2Cq4yxD50L11fuhS-o4EMX2g6aJHNmzdW3xLfCrwxznSB4vHTsMji75fz4FrKd4/s1600/Dad+and+Mom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEjLxDcwFyFkHh4YWKj6Cc728-3ZfcgPsEUNEQ3UJU472gVlDzcOSen3DxllqbpqFZii9BLgtkohl2Cq4yxD50L11fuhS-o4EMX2g6aJHNmzdW3xLfCrwxznSB4vHTsMji75fz4FrKd4/s1600/Dad+and+Mom.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Part of the reason why I'm at peace being alone is because when you grow up watching two people that are truly in love and devoted to each other, most other things pale in comparison. My mother is a strong woman, independent and very lady-like. My Dad was loving, with a brilliant mind, devoted. Their lives, together and individually, exemplify honor. My Dad really was a good man.<br />
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After he passed, I was incapable of writing a eulogy, until the actual morning of his funeral. I was up and ready early. As my mom, brother and daughter were dressing, I sat in <i>his </i>chair with <i>his</i> pen and a pad of paper <i>he</i> used for random notes. I felt <i>him</i>, and it came to me.<br />
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I had recently read a proverb that said that the richest man is he who figures out that the highest prize is to love and to be loved in return. My dad was a very wealthy man. <br />
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This man had a brilliant mind, but what set him apart was
that he figured what was important in life, long before most people do.
My Dad made sure that he invested himself in his family. He was consistent in showing his love every day.<br />
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In the end, in that moment when someone is writing my eulogy, that's really all I want. That my life will be a testament that every single day, I showed love, without expecting anything in return. If I am loved back, then like my Dad, I would have gone with all the riches to be had. In the end, that is all that we can take with us. The love we gave, and the love we received.<br />
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He was a 3rd generation military man. One of the hardest parts for us was hearing the cry of the soldier's trumpets as they played Taps, or when one of the soldiers knelt down in front of my mom and handed her the folded flag, that later soaked in our silent, falling tears. Watching my brother kneel at his grave saying his final good-bye ripped out everyone's heart who was there.<br />
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His service, burial and the way that we chose to remember him was so lovely and a perfect tribute to him. The Jewish and Christian sides of our family came together with love and grace to honor our Dad.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1VnQRRfREX_8gzAV7T9obuATlhyphenhyphenlPCmV_yqqu7Kf02XuxDS0a9NaizXcY3uXu-5gdu86QdceBf7OIGJQpEJkxiSskIqA1BiicWMTNA_lAtTKGFtutazMjDstx7diA9K4IYtrTJggi9E/s1600/khaddish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1VnQRRfREX_8gzAV7T9obuATlhyphenhyphenlPCmV_yqqu7Kf02XuxDS0a9NaizXcY3uXu-5gdu86QdceBf7OIGJQpEJkxiSskIqA1BiicWMTNA_lAtTKGFtutazMjDstx7diA9K4IYtrTJggi9E/s1600/khaddish.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Kaddish</i></td></tr>
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One of the most meaningful parts of this day for me, was my father, Carlos who came to the funeral to honor my step-dad. They always got along to so well, and respected each other. They both chose to honor my mother and I, by setting an example of how a man should be. Instead of ill-will, they chose to partner and co-parent for my benefit. The result? I was raised with two fathers that adored, cherished and honored me. When a father does that for his daughter, she learns to see herself this way, and accepts nothing less from the man in her life. How can I when I grew up with the example that these two men set for me? I thank God for my parents daily. All three of them.<br />
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I embrace every year that goes by, and thank God for the blessing. However, it hit me like a ton of bricks, that I wouldn't hear my Mom passing the phone to him and him saying his usual, "Happy Birthday, Pumpkin!".<br />
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Recently, I was caught up in running errands and went to call him to ask him a question. It had completely escaped me that my Dad was gone. I had reached for my cell phone and had even begun dialing. In an instant, a paralyzing and cold reality came over me. I stood in a supermarket aisle, shivering with tears streaming down my face. That was my defining moment that my dad Pat was gone. The second was on my birthday, knowing that never again will I hear his voice sweetly wishing me a happy birthday.<br />
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Heart-broken all day I was struggling for a way to turn it around. I remembered what a great sense of humor my Dad had and how he always made us laugh, and remember what was important.<br />
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I came home and decided to connect to him the best way I know how. He was an amazing cook and when I lived at home, we spent a lot of the time in the kitchen cooking and talking over techniques.<br />
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My friend had just let me hear a song yesterday that made me smile, and took me to a happy place. I put that on while I was cooking. And it made me smile again. It's just that kind of happy song, silly like his humor. I'm sure my dad would have liked it. Especially knowing that he was Irish and my Mom is Latina. <br />
He was always saying how he loved his Puerto Rican girl. My dad was always madly in love with my mom. <br />
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I played the song and toasted to him while making a nice dinner for my baby girl and I, picturing my Dad relaxing peacefully on a beach, waiting for my Mom.<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkrIa8SjqYI" target="_blank">Toes by Zac Brown Band</a></div>
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Tuscan Pasta with Cajun Crab.. why not?<br />
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Easy meal. Buy the fresh pasta from the refrigerated aisle in the market. I love fresh pasta so much better. Cooks in about 3 minutes after being added to boiling water. <br />
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Add olive oil, a pat of butter, sliced cherry tomatoes and diced onions. Simmer. Add in pasta after draining. I used angel hair.<br />
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In a separate pot I had water boiling with a large tea bag that I filled with assorted peppercorns and Cajun spices. I added garlic, fresh herbs, salt and fresh lemon juice to the water, then added snow crab leg clusters.<br />
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Melt butter, add salt and freshly crushed garlic. <br />
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It went so well together. My Dad would have loved this. I chose crab legs because my daughter and I absolutely love them, and because my Dad's favorite restaurant when I was a kid was the Crab Shanty on City Island. It was a family tradition. The family went there after the funeral to honor and remember him. Everything about it, felt right. <br />
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It turned out to be a lovely evening with her. At one point we were both quiet and she said, "...I miss him too."<br />
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In
that moment, I could swear that I felt my Dad. That he was there. And
that if I listened closely, I would hear, a whispered "... Happy Birthday,
Pumpkin."</div>
The Sofrito Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06700754072583165501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1892522999287720654.post-49401742221131034222013-12-09T16:00:00.002-05:002013-12-09T16:00:51.697-05:00A teachable Spirit...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I have a lot of time off this December. Come to think of it, I have most of the month off. I saved my vacation time out of habit. <br />
For many years, I was used to saving my days off in case my daughter had a medical emergency. It's a blessing that for 2 years now, she hasn't had anything serious. For 2 Decembers in a row, I've had the chance to just slow things up a bit and download all of the feelings and life lessons that I've been blessed enough to experience during the year.<br />
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Today is a very cold, overcast day were I live. The air is crisp and even in the warmth of indoors my nose is cold and pink. Tall Pine trees glisten with frosted diamonds everywhere.<br />
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This is the first day in such a long time that I woke up with absolutely nothing to do for the entire day. That's a pretty neat feeling. <br />
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I opened my eyes and prayed as I always do. I begin each day with gratitude and count my blessings. I've also learned to <i>expect </i>each day to become an array of wonderful moments and sweet surprises.<br />
"..Go out in Joy and be led forth in Peace." - Isaiah 55:12 <br />
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I asked myself how I envisioned this day to turn out. All I wanted to do was to slip into a big comfy sweater, soft jeans and furry boots. A hot cup of black coffee in hand, at the library just letting my thoughts flow through me. ...And here I am, doing exactly that.<br />
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One of the things that I've learned to pray for is to become a "<i>teachable spirit</i>". Too often in my life I tried to stay away from negative experiences or people. Looking back, I learned important things from each of them.<br />
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Now, I pray for the wisdom to navigate through those experiences but also to learn from them. For me, it feels like an on-going effort to be transformed by the renewing of my mind. Every day and under different circumstances, I have to almost re-train my thoughts to look for the best in others and in myself.<br />
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I always approached life with a plan and strategy. Yet, the more profound my faith becomes, the more I depend on the Lord unveiling the steps of my path moment by moment, in His divine time. That's one of the hardest things for me to do, because it means that I have to relinquish my sense of control. It also means that I have to choose to be patient. The right things for me will come at the right time, and whatever is not right will slip away regardless of how I may try to hold onto it. <br />
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Faith is a commitment. It means that you patiently expect what you dream of with an open heart, knowing that your joy will manifest even if not at the present moment. Your moment will come. <br />
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Now, when faced with a decision, I merely pray and open my heart. I try my best to treat others how I would want to be treated. That doesn't always work, however.<br />
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I've learned that we can try to control our own actions, circumstances and thoughts. When you add another human being into the mix, you're adding in variables that remain out of your control. That's humanity. We're all on this journey trying to do the best that we can.<br />
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Sometimes we cause others pain. Sometimes it's cast upon us. At some point we have to make a decision about it. It's easy to know how we feel, but it's so much harder to determine what to do about it.<br />
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When the light of this life is extinguished, do we want to look back and know that we lived by principle, and worried about how others see us? Or do we want to reflect on a life lived with love, support and that positively touched the lives of others?<br />
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I choose the latter. <br />
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The Sofrito Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06700754072583165501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1892522999287720654.post-79734253108653322722013-12-09T14:56:00.000-05:002013-12-09T14:56:53.518-05:00A family of 2...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZzHQPxttkxH6Wn54NcEUq1KFqG0iYQ-WhTdOtQqk1s5YUQvVF8o0CtnwuzOWzaZIJeE4QwnFD049whgz8XMSGcpx0YX-k2SKvGvxY1SUvo5Z4NYL3iOyOi33Z_yoPjlx21mhLIV89BA/s1600/tg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZzHQPxttkxH6Wn54NcEUq1KFqG0iYQ-WhTdOtQqk1s5YUQvVF8o0CtnwuzOWzaZIJeE4QwnFD049whgz8XMSGcpx0YX-k2SKvGvxY1SUvo5Z4NYL3iOyOi33Z_yoPjlx21mhLIV89BA/s320/tg.jpg" width="292" /></a>It's funny how life turn out sometimes, no?<br />
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I am such a "family" person. I'm in my happiest state when surrounded with the people that I love, just doing the simplest things. I love to just "be" and share the same space with a loved one. <br />
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I grew up with a family and grandparents that I love so much. My family members all had a deep influence on who I became, and how I appreciate life and my culture.<br />
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Sometimes, I feel badly that my daughter doesn't have that connection or those influences, immediately around her. I moved away and made a life for us here because I thought it would be a wonderful place to raise a daughter. She is surrounded by nature, has excellent educational opportunities and is exposed to a slower and more peaceful way of life.<br />
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Is it worth it? I grew up in the hustle and bustle of New York City, in one of the worst neighborhoods in the Bronx, but I turned out pretty okay. My parents kept me as safe as they could and instilled values in me to more than make up for what I was seeing all around me. I had a lovely childhood, with wonderful memories.<br />
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What really brought it home for me was this past Thanksgiving. We had a lot going on and were unable to travel down to spend the holiday with family. I know how much she enjoys Thanksgiving so I decided to make a big dinner, with all the fixings, for just her and I. <br />
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We were invited to spend the holiday with friends, and I considered it. Ultimately, I decided to stay at home, with just my daughter and I. Why? Because I wanted to instill in her that although we are just 2, we are still a family. A family of two. <br />
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We had a good time chatting together while we were cooking, and we kept up our traditions. For me, that was the most important part, that we were able to do that together.<br />
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As a parent, we can only hope that what we teach our children, and share with them, will be remembered. We can only do our best as parents. One of the best gifts my mother has given me, is that she always talked to me. She talked to me about everything and anything.<br />
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In so many ways, she prepared me for life. There were times that I didn't completely understand what she was trying to get across to me, but later in life it made sense. Because she talked to me, I was prepared. I didn't always end up doing things as she had recommended, but I had the valuable insight she offered to me, from experience, to prepare me to make strong choices when the time came. <br />
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Last Tuesday night, we were having one of our usual "kitchen chats" as I cleaned up after dinner. My daughter asked me why I'm strict. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">I
took a sec or two to see how I could best explain. I told her that as
much as I love her and feel responsible to her and for her, I feel the
same love and accountability to the 23 yr old, 36 yr old, 53, 65 & 88 yr
old person that she will one day become. It's my job to love and protect all of those stages of her future self, even if she's not worried about them at the moment. I am. I
care. </span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><br /> You could SEE the light bulb come on over her head, she
smiled and got up and gave me a hug. We talked some more. I think she
gets it. </span><br />
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I pray that when my time comes, I made a difference in her life the way that my Mom has made a difference in mine. <br />
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The Sofrito Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06700754072583165501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1892522999287720654.post-58590893779097265502013-10-28T14:41:00.000-04:002014-03-04T00:04:30.320-05:00Comfort takes time...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBFdC6ZF6ocsGi37v8kxKPD-Nq_t7bd16Ij9obkEdKO3P0mxzailQdfnc-r_KtV_hTQla-hA3vrWoqGVW4S7XaqqmSzbnHckCWxRBxHPrMjyzv3eEEwDzUV1M9jHUAz8ozM_lNMg0DuI/s1600/uffrl.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBFdC6ZF6ocsGi37v8kxKPD-Nq_t7bd16Ij9obkEdKO3P0mxzailQdfnc-r_KtV_hTQla-hA3vrWoqGVW4S7XaqqmSzbnHckCWxRBxHPrMjyzv3eEEwDzUV1M9jHUAz8ozM_lNMg0DuI/s320/uffrl.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a>Do you know why I despise dating? Because it takes me a long while to get comfortable with someone. It takes time to see if that person is legitimately all of the things that they say that they are. Actions speak louder than words ever can. Cliche but true. I want you to show me what you are.<br />
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I appreciate your words, but it's what you do and how you handle even the small every day decisions in your life that determine who you are, and who you will be to me. <br />
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That's why being comfortable with another person takes time. Even when it doesn't work out and you're back to the drawing board, you have to stay committed to yourself and be prepared to wait. I love that expression, "Hurry up and wait..."<br />
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In the meantime, keep being true to yourself and what you want. Settle for nothing but the best, especially if you treat others honorably, you equally deserve that same treatment from yourself.<br />
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This weekend, rather than wrestle with the disappointments that come with dating, I chose to spend time with good friends and loved ones. I had such a fun time! I was in the mood to cook and entertain, which my sister and my mom jokingly refer to as my "Nesting" state.<br />
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It's a joke, but it has some truth to it too. I do enjoy making a beautiful home, cooking and nurturing my loved ones. If it brings me happiness to do so, and it allows me to show the people that are important to me love, bring it on!<br />
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Friday, I had my sister over. I had such a great time! I ran home for lunch and threw some chicken tenderloins that I had marinating in the fridge. I put those in the crock pot with peppers, onions, a dash of wine and added some curry seasoning.<br />
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Then, I threw in some organic brown rice in the slow cooker with a can of Goya pink beans, a bag of frozen corn, 2 envelopes of Sazon, oregano and pepper. I added 2 table spoons of homemade Sofrito too. <br />
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Once I got home from work, that smelled delicious. I took some corn tortillas and filled them with the chicken that had been cooking in the crock pot. I smothered that in shredded cheese. Then, I added the juices that had cooked with the chicken, sofrito and a can of fire roasted diced tomatoes. I let that cook in the oven for about 25 minutes.<br />
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That was so delicious garnished with avocado, sour cream, queso blanco and shredded Mexican slaw (multi-colored cabage, cilantro, lime, red onion). Then I topped them off with a special SPICY sauce made with a can of Goya Chipotle peppers and sour cream. The peppers are so smoky and spicy, so add in sour cream to your liking to make it either spicier or less.<br />
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It went delicious with white wine. We had sparkling peach Moscato. I love that girl for how she makes me laugh. It was a great night!<br />
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The Sofrito Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06700754072583165501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1892522999287720654.post-88089281787670857002013-10-08T13:17:00.001-04:002013-10-08T18:15:22.451-04:00The Lonesome Bride...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKycu0TW_vMAQbIjX5m2hDDMfVl1UziAWIDPBR3RzIE6_oUi63w6v2LvZO-CZIyHdUnM8B0CgRFV46arUBTujkZn1Umf6V1Aat6UdbTYxpPvQqpgIMhHrzzMjYSj2mtG0teEhp_QTQBqQ/s1600/What+lies+inside+of+you.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKycu0TW_vMAQbIjX5m2hDDMfVl1UziAWIDPBR3RzIE6_oUi63w6v2LvZO-CZIyHdUnM8B0CgRFV46arUBTujkZn1Umf6V1Aat6UdbTYxpPvQqpgIMhHrzzMjYSj2mtG0teEhp_QTQBqQ/s320/What+lies+inside+of+you.jpg" width="320" /></a>When you wake up in the habit of praying every morning, you sometimes wake up amidst conversations with God. Most of the time, I express gratitude. Sometimes, I wake up asking why. This morning, I woke up mid-thought, declaring that it would be a better day.<br />
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It's funny, really. Things are better than they have been in a really long time. The thing is this, sometimes when we get what we pray for it's terrifying. You see, I know how to lose things. I learned how to let go. I learned how to grieve in peace.<br />
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What, then? What do we do when we get a glimpse of happiness and joy approaching around the corner? It sometimes means that you are about to succumb to trust. Trust in another. Trust that your joy will not be short-lived or based on false pretense.<br />
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My parents always said, <i>"This too shall pass".</i> They meant that the rough times will soon pass and that things will get better. Somehow I taught myself to hear it differently. I taught myself that when I start to feel joy, that too will pass. It's life. It's a fact. I'm not being negative. I'm being real. Everything ends. Pain ends, joy ends. Right?<br />
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Or is that a cowardly view of what we are meant to pursue in this life? Joy and peace.<br />
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I've learned that both are within each of us. We spend a lifetime pursuing happiness in another, when really it's inside us the whole time. Why then would we, do we, need another.? I don't know why, but I do know how it feels to crave for human communion with another. A level of intimacy that surpasses anything that is worldly.<br />
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This morning, in my drive in to work, a procession of tall and regal oaks adorned the road. They were dressed in their most elegant autumn attire shining brightly in hues of red, greens and gold. They stood tall and proud as one would stand about to welcome a bride to the altar.<br />
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And then I remembered the lonesome bride, dressed all in white that was about to grace us with her divine presence. <i>Winter</i> was approaching dressed in her gown of diamonds and snow, and I wondered what mysteries she is about to reveal....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo from fanpop.com</i></td></tr>
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The Sofrito Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06700754072583165501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1892522999287720654.post-83020127783880588572013-07-01T00:20:00.002-04:002013-07-01T00:36:38.194-04:00The Day Love Found Me on the NYC Subway...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">My heart was wide open that Saturday morning... </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: blue;"><i>That alone is uncommon for me. If you know me, you know that my heart lives in a nearly impenetrable fortress. </i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: blue;"><i>Notice that I said <b>nearly</b>? </i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: blue;"><i>...A child's smile, the way my daughter's hair smells, a dog's loyal, loving gaze.. those things can melt my heart. Most other things I keep far, far away. </i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: blue;"><i>Why? I concede, that to some degree it has to do with fear. Fear, of getting hurt maybe? </i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: blue;"><i>... But if you know me that may not make sense to you. For the most part, I'm pretty bold and fearless at what life has thrown at me. </i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: blue;"><i>Or, perhaps I'm guarded because God has put in my heart what I truly want. And I am willing to wait for it. </i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: blue;"><i>Now, I'm not just talking about romance here. I'm referring to everything that is important to me in my life; love, family, friends, career and my goals. </i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: blue;"><i> At 38, I realized that I don't know how much time I have left on this planet. Knowing that is enough to make me never want to settle for something that my heart & mind are not truly committed to.</i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Since I woke up that morning, I couldn't contain my smile. June 8th, 2013. This was the day of my 20 year High School Reunion! I meditated and reflected on my life in a very profound way. My heart swelled with gratitude at all of the blessings what were bestowed on us. I felt privileged and humbled all at once. Even taking into account the most difficult moments, I realized what a beautiful life I have been blessed with. The people in my life have been a gift to me. I woke my daughter up after our bags were all packed and got her and our dog ready for our fun drive to New York City. First stop was the Bronx where my parents live. There, we caught up for a bit, and then it was time to get ready for my big reunion. I had decided on a black pant suit, gold sparkly heels and a matching purse. I thought it was a sleek and elegant look to go with, without having to wear a cocktail dress. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Why not a dress? I love dresses. I have tons of them. I think I could run a boutique out of my walk-in closet. ...That point will become relevant soon.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I chose the pant suit because I wanted to take the subway into the City. I didn't want to be too dressed up on the train. I contemplated driving, but besides the issue of finding parking, I really felt like I wanted to be surrounded by the comfort of my hometown, my people, where I feel at home.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I felt excited. I admit it took me a good 5 minutes to figure out how to purchase a Metro Card from the blasted machine. There was a transit cop standing right by me who I caught chuckling at my dilemma, without offering to help. As handsome as he was, I toyed with the idea of kicking him in the shins with my 6 inch heels. I decided against it seeing how (1) it would have been unladylike, and (2) he could probably have me arrested, and that would have been the end of my High School reunion. Karma caught up with my devious plot because I once again got stuck. This time trying to slide the card and pass through the turnstile. I looked back, indignant. Already knowing what I would see. He tried to break eye contact when I looked at him, but I caught the miserable SOB chuckling again.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I furiously clicked my heels all the way up to the platform of the El-Train. My beloved #4 train. Famous to many for being on the NY Yankees Stadium line. Sentimental for me because that train holds so many familiar memories for me and my friends who I grew up with. Where I grew up, there was no school bus. We had to take the subway or the bus in to school. As a kid, you learn a lot about life by keeping your eyes and ears open on the subway.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Once I got up the platform I stood gazing out at my neighborhood with nostalgic longing. A warm breeze covered me from head to toe, blowing my hair into my face on both sides. 6pm and the sun was shining strong and bright. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Despite my stoic stance, I was taking in all of my surroundings. Sights, sounds and people. The train made it's fiery, thundering entrance into the platform. We boarded and took our places randomly dispersed throughout the subway car. We all pretended not to notice each other, for the most part- but we did. Many of us were very well-dressed, adorned with fancy shoes and handbags. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">In a space with about 40 human beings, the only connections that were being made were with the electronic devices that we were all armored with. No eye contact. No smiles. No talking. And, that suited me just fine.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I got off that train and walked over to connect to the 2nd train that I needed to take. That platform was underground, with a type of suffocating humid heat. There I waited longer than I'd hoped for. Heat and impatience breed all types of negative tempers. You could cut the tension on that platform with a knife. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Suddenly the sound of Scottish Bagpipes filled the air. It didn't matter if you wanted to hear it or not, it was there, and it was loud. Thankfully, the performer chose to play a sort of rhythmic lament and that somehow made me think that is what <i>empathy</i> would sound like, if it had a sound. It would sound like this street performer's melodic song... </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">At that moment, I felt compelled to show him my gratitude and put money in his can to thank him for his soothing melody. I know that it isn't smart to take out your wallet and mess with cash in the subway but this man reminded me of the musicians that kept playing while the Titanic was sinking. That platform felt like the Titanic and that humid heat was sinking us all into misery.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">That was precisely the moment where I met him. That's when so many things came full circle for me. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">A homeless man was approaching slowly, limping. His clothes were very dirty. He looked weathered and tired. In my heart, I wish that I could help all of them. My heart hurts to see people suffering.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Ironically, he approached <i>me</i> with caution. I assure you that if you see me, I don't look dangerous at all. Serious, maybe. Yes. But dangerous, no. Yet, he approached me with what felt like a lot more caution than he had approached others on that platform. When he reached me I looked at him. Although my heart was breaking, I tried not to show it out of respect for him. Homeless or not, he was still a man. And even a man in his circumstances has pride. In that moment, I didn't want him to see my heart hurt because I wanted to give him the respect that he deserved as a man.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">He was an older gentleman. The skin around his eyes were especially wrinkled, like someone who had spent a life laughing and loving a lot. In contrast, his eyes seemed glazed over, like the eyes of someone who had cried so much that there were no longer any tears left to cry. In his face, I could imagine a life that had come full circle. Joy and pain.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">He pointed to his cardboard sign around his neck written with a black sharpie. It said how he was mute and deaf, was looking for work and needed help. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Now, I realize that some people use gimmicks for this. I realize that you can't help everyone. More than anything, I follow my heart first, and caution second.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I took out my purse and handed him some money. In some way, he seemed surprised, as if he didn't expect this. He pointed to the sign where it said, <i>"God Bless you and Thank you"</i>, and made the <i><b>Namaste</b></i> sign with his hands as he walked away. I nodded and then did something that caught me even by surprise. I smiled. Not any smile, it was a huge heart-felt smile and I returned the <i>Namaste</i> gesture to him as well.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">At this, he stopped and looked at me, really looked at me. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">He looked into me. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I felt it.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">He signed with his hands, and tried to mouth with his lips, <i>"You are beautiful."</i> Without pause, I signed and said, <i>"And so are you. You are beautiful too."</i> At this, he covered his mouth with one hand, and put his other hand over his heart. For a few moments we just looked at each other. Then he signed, thank you. I nodded. What followed this, was pretty amazing to me.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">He asked me for a hug. And, I did. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I hugged him, sincerely. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">When we broke the embrace, his eyes were visibly glazed with tears. And he thanked me. I said, "<i>No, thank <b>you </b>for that hug."</i> He stood there as if trying to reconcile the moment. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">You wouldn't believe that precisely then, the train pulled in. I said goodbye and entered the train taking a seat where I was facing him standing outside. His hand still remained over his heart, and his eyes still glazed with tears, except now there was an incredible smile on his face too.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">It was only then that I realized that the people on the train were watching us. Some in what seemed like disbelief or disapproval. The terrible smell of his clothing, lingered on my jacket. Strangely, I appreciated the reminder of what had just taken place. As the train was about to pull out, he waved and signed "<i>I love you"</i>. I smiled and waved, mouthing, <i>"I love you too"</i> through the glass window.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Only when the train pulled away, and he could no longer see me, did the tears start to roll down my face. They wouldn't stop. They fell onto my shimmery gold purse, making my tears sparkle in the light. I wiped my face and thanked God. I prayed with so much gratitude. One may think that perhaps I was attempting to help him when I gave him money. No. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">It was <i><b>him</b></i> who helped <i><b>me</b></i>. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">In a world that has felt so cold, and so electronic for so long, this man's smile, embrace and humanity breathed life into me. That vulnerable soul penetrated the walls that keep my heart distant. In that moment, I allowed myself to get close to someone in a way that I hadn't in so long. That moment was a gift, and in his own way he taught me so much.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">When I got off the train, I walked a few blocks to the locale for the reunion, where I'm sure many of us were focused on where life brought us, what we do, kids, home, timeshares... and I looked down at my sparkly gold shoes as I walked. It hit me hard. None of it matters, if we are not connecting with each other as human beings. None of it matters if we are not focused on the things that make a difference. In the end, the only thing we get to take and keep is how we made each other feel.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">June 8, 2013. It was the day of my High School reunion, but it was also the day I felt reunited with me. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">... And with you.</span></span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbYnvJ2N74ipW-72KZhfC9r6ZxTOJXDtQyCyRRVD37t9Yv6gIUI9wcdUxQzVVAzSMsdtw27LKJoJHvghShIt8qXfuXCiyLOxuQMqNWZnIM8v20qhbilstQj1vutmMNbC4EEu9fwMY-t8/s658/reunion+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbYnvJ2N74ipW-72KZhfC9r6ZxTOJXDtQyCyRRVD37t9Yv6gIUI9wcdUxQzVVAzSMsdtw27LKJoJHvghShIt8qXfuXCiyLOxuQMqNWZnIM8v20qhbilstQj1vutmMNbC4EEu9fwMY-t8/s400/reunion+pic.jpg" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Gold Purse making it's appearance at my 20th High School Reunion.. One of those sparkles holds the remnants of a tear, from just 2 hours before...</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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The Sofrito Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06700754072583165501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1892522999287720654.post-87214644494056582062013-05-22T23:01:00.002-04:002013-05-22T23:19:57.227-04:00Melo-Drama, Bollywood & Fish... <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i><b>Scene:</b></i><br />
<br />
<i>I have my hair clipped up and sort of coming down at the sides. My eyes feel heavy and tired. The muscles in my neck and shoulders are so tight. In the background, you hear an Indian soap opera playing on TV, because the truth is that I'm hooked on Bollywood. </i><br />
<br />
I have no idea what they're saying for the most part, yet I watch the soaps and own a DVD collection.<br />
<br />
Like the Spanish soap operas that many of us Latinas have grown up with, they are full of drama, suspense, over-exaggerated facial expressions, unbelievable fashions, cleavage & lots of make-up. At any given moment, someone may break out into song and dance. Often, the themes center around love, hate, passion and forbidden love. And all of those things, orbit around a secretly dysfunctional family dynamic.<br />
<br />
Sound familiar to anyone?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kizlWLWcHrw" target="_blank">Bole Chudiyaan (Hindi Video & Dance)</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="color: purple;">One of my favorites. My daughter, my niece and I can sing every lyric<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (</span>and have no idea what we're saying..)</span> </i></span></div>
<br />
<br />
Maybe, just maybe life seems like a little bit of a let-down, or disappointment at times when you grow up watching such intense story-lines and drama. It took me a long time to find pleasure in life's ordinary moments rather than a flashy display of grandiose emotion.<br />
<br />
Keep your expensive gifts, and dramatic displays. Instead, hold my hand, push my hair away when it falls in my face. Share the silence with me and let it resonate emotions that don't even need to be said.<br />
<br />
Yes, it would seem that it took years to un-do all of the expectations that those Spanish Novelas weaved in my adolescent mind. What makes love powerful is the gem that lays hidden in the bond between souls, not the display case. Sometimes that bond transcends time, and distance. It's how loyal we choose to remain to that feeling, and how we choose to honor it.<br />
<br />
On the up-side, I'm entranced by most things exotic and take so much pleasure in watching Bollywood movies or novelas. The colors, the language, the dance.. You've probably guessed that my kitchen is subject to this same passion. I enjoy taking something simple and giving it an exotic flair.<br />
<br />
I want to romance your palate, and your senses.<br />
<br />
Recently, I had my friends over for some much needed girl-time. I decided to make what I call Caribbean Curry Fish on a bed of Jasmine rice and some fresh, hot Roti on the side. The taste of the curry fish sauce and fresh veggies and herbs, tingled your lips and dance in your mouth. So good!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYtRLbxoJMXyKv_q46u9Xtet58Fl3o8mPHLH-8LxbBoA2IRmdge9gd4eyWrIOHB1qFf0Le54t1Esf29iiiYI7QNRHIted-ELQXd-HQKK76AW9NlKuidvW5k2jUtyXwbZhHhW4qLBgE5c/s1600/iPhone+644.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYtRLbxoJMXyKv_q46u9Xtet58Fl3o8mPHLH-8LxbBoA2IRmdge9gd4eyWrIOHB1qFf0Le54t1Esf29iiiYI7QNRHIted-ELQXd-HQKK76AW9NlKuidvW5k2jUtyXwbZhHhW4qLBgE5c/s400/iPhone+644.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Girl-time on the porch</b></i></td></tr>
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<br />
Next time you're feeling adventurous, break out in song and dance like a Bollywood movie, and give this dish a try...<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhaoBXpD1ifIODMI9eX4e7ddp9uGNiZG38Gb568iamDrO3k4bApaJ-T0oPSoSFdgofGDQj_V8VBzPEZMlXJVrMeaH9iZRUhGLdRP7IL0L_Se5EGZR3uONjymoefJotM3QE91CidsSo0I/s1600/curry+fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhaoBXpD1ifIODMI9eX4e7ddp9uGNiZG38Gb568iamDrO3k4bApaJ-T0oPSoSFdgofGDQj_V8VBzPEZMlXJVrMeaH9iZRUhGLdRP7IL0L_Se5EGZR3uONjymoefJotM3QE91CidsSo0I/s400/curry+fish.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Caribbean Curry Fish (Sofrito-Style)</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-size: small;">Swai Fillet washed in water and a little vinegar </span></b></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>
</b></span></i><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>On a large piece of aluminum foil, drizzle olive
oil, a squeeze of lime and pepper, sprinkle garlic powder & a small amount of sea-salt.</b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>
</b></span></i><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Place the filet that sheet of aluminum
foil, and </b><b><b>drizzle olive
oil, a squeeze of lime and pepper, sprinkle garlic powder & a small amount of sea-salt</b></b></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>- this time on top of the fish<span style="font-size: small;">.</span></b></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>
</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>Surround filet with fresh spinach leaves</b></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>
</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Lightly cover the filet with good quality curry
powder to taste. </b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>I like a lot...</b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>
</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Add in<span style="font-size: small;"> fresh-grated</span> ginger</b></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>
</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>Add hot pepper or sauce (optional)</b></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>
</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>Cover the filet entirely with red onion,
multil-colored peppers, and mushrooms</b></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>
</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>
</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>Wrap & seal aluminum foil, cook in oven for about 35 minutes </b></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>
</b></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>When ready, top off with a slice of fresh lemon
and chopped cilantro , rosemary and basil.</b></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Serve with a side of steaming jasmine rice and roti.</b></span></i></div>
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The Sofrito Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06700754072583165501noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1892522999287720654.post-76520465037095484602013-05-01T21:48:00.002-04:002013-05-02T09:44:46.361-04:00The Fever.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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You have it. I have it. The fever. Spring Fever.<br />
<br />
It's that time of the year when the Earth breathes new life into everything she touches... including me.<br />
<br />
You already know how much I enjoy cooking with natural, fresh ingredients. Now, let's bring that into the bath...<br />
<br />
I need to RELAX. I feel like I've been through all sorts of roller coasters lately. Exciting things, Ups then Downs. I've been overcome with thought & planning. It's taken a toll on my muscles even.<br />
<br />
If you asked me to go to a spa with you, I'd likely try and convince you to stay home and to give this a try instead. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I like to do these things at home, in my own environment with things that I've made with my own hands. <br />
<br />
That's important to me because when I use ingredients or plants that I've prepared, it helps me to appreciate the journey that those ingredients took to get to me, and the hands they passed through. Each set of hands had their own story behind them.<br />
<br />
...Who planted these lemons?<br />
...Who picked them?<br />
<br />
It makes me wonder about those people, and what moves them. What stirs their soul? Eventually all these random thoughts lead me to meditate and put that positive energy to good use. <br />
<br />
Next time you're too busy to go to the spa, are on a budget or just want to give this a try on your own...<br />
<br />
Cut a whole lemon in slices, half of a cucumber and half of a kiwi.<br />
Kiwi and Cucumber are terrific for your skin, and your eyes in particular. <br />
<br />
<i>I wet a towel and then microwave as hot as I can tolerate it...</i><br />
<br />
<i>It's important that you remain well-hydrated as the salts draw out the toxins. Be sure to bring a nice, cold glass of water with you. </i><br />
<br />
I like to place white candles all over the bath.<br />
Add in your favorite playlist or CD.<br />
<i>Tonight, I was playing The Weeknd. So perfect. </i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Make your own Detoxifying Bath</b></div>
<br />
I bought a large jar, like the one in the photo and mixed<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue;">Epsom Salt</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue;">Lavender Scented Epsom</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue;">Eucalyptus/Camphor Salts</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue;">A small jar of ground ginger</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue;">1 jar of Sea Salt</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"><i>These should all be mixed well inside the jar.</i> </span></b></div>
<br />
Mix in the warmest water that you can tolerate. Throw in one cup full of the salts into the water.<br />
These salts will not only serve as aromatherapy but they will also exfoliate and draw out toxins from your skin.<br />
<br />
Add in a little of your favorite essential oils.<br />
<i>My favorites are Lavender, Jasmine or Grapefruit.</i><br />
<br />
Add in fresh, fragrant herbs like Rosemary, Lavender, Mint... Use and combine as you like.<br />
<i>I used all three from my herb garden. It feels incredible to close your eyes and take those fresh, crisp aromas in. </i><br />
<br />
Throw in the lemon slices.... this is so nice to rub on your skin as you're in the bath.<br />
<br />
Ease yourself in and take nice, easy deep breaths. Prepare to let everything go.<br />
<i>The salts, the ginger and lemon promise to drain everything out of you slowly.</i><br />
<br />
Place that hot towel over your shoulders and neck. Relax. Breathe. Smile, it's quite alright.<br />
<i>That's what you were meant for. To FEEL. To Feel Joy. And to relish that feeling in peace.</i><br />
<br />
Remember to give this a try next time you have a few moments alone, and need to get back in touch with yourself. Spring's new energy is back. Make sure that you save some of that for you...<br />
<br />
Sweet dreams.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>From the garden to your bath</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
The Sofrito Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06700754072583165501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1892522999287720654.post-88865004459850678502013-01-23T00:23:00.001-05:002013-01-23T01:10:22.012-05:00That Constant Craving...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYd46O8FI33bO0KKbyIddmNdCBQOy5sdEDezCRmtiKge8WFnZYj1h9nr2oc-O9PKzh-K0lvv57q8-taYLNbm5-zUDscTbNdzcM36HFc7qZeTjnUEMFc2RVZsqfAdMg7MuCLU27oracj8/s1600/IMAGE_F71A50CD-F374-4B60-B850-F855B42B59B6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYd46O8FI33bO0KKbyIddmNdCBQOy5sdEDezCRmtiKge8WFnZYj1h9nr2oc-O9PKzh-K0lvv57q8-taYLNbm5-zUDscTbNdzcM36HFc7qZeTjnUEMFc2RVZsqfAdMg7MuCLU27oracj8/s400/IMAGE_F71A50CD-F374-4B60-B850-F855B42B59B6.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>My version </b></i><b>of Ceviche.. or Salpicon...</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You know what I'm talking about. I know you do. That constant craving that overtakes your thoughts from time to time. As a matter of fact, it never quite comes at the right time. It can even be painfully distracting. You want what you want. Period.<br />
<br />
I won't lie. It happens to me. All the time. <br />
<br />
Life, faith and maturity have a way of teaching you which cravings to give into, when and how. There's even a way to make it fun.<br />
<br />
See, I have rules. I need rules. I live by them. I don't even really know how to break them... anymore. I'm sure there was a time that I did. My rules are simple to follow though. Do onto others as you would want done unto you.<br />
<br />
One of the things that drive me the craziest in this planet, is people who think "it" can't happen to them, or that the rules somehow don't apply to them. What makes me apprehensive about this group, is that it often starts with something small like a white lie or omission of the truth. Harmless, right? No, not if you are on the receiving end.<br />
<br />
I'm not passing judgment either. At one time or another, I've been on either side of that spectrum. I'm only saying that maturity and fairness have a way of helping us put ourselves in someone else's shoes. The rules apply to us all. There will never be a way to escape that. We can find creative ways to delay the truth, but Justice is ever so persistent.<br />
<br />
I've found a way to give into my cravings. I always ask myself a basic question- <i><b> </b></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>"Could the outcome either hurt others, or hurt myself?"</b></i></div>
<br />
Today, I craved DECADENCE. I wanted something satisfying but hard to get. I wanted to treat myself to something delicious.<br />
<br />
So I had that conversation with myself. <i> <b>"After all of the hard work that I've been doing, do I really want or need to be setting myself back?"</b></i><b> </b><br />
<br />
Friends, this is an important question to pose to yourself from time to time- if you're willing to give yourself an honest answer.<br />
<br />
I've learned that we all have feelings. They are ours. It's okay. However, just because we have these feelings, doesn't mean that we have to act on them. And even if it's okay to act on them, not always do we need to act on them <i>now</i>.<br />
<br />
Time and discipline have a way of acting in our favor, often guiding us
with clarity. Easier said than done. Been there. Done that. <br />
<br />
To
that point, I remind myself that everything I am presently doing to
raise my 12 year old daughter will also have an impact on the 16 year
old, 23 year old, 35 year old, 57, 65 & 88 year old of <b>her future self</b>.<br />
<br />
I
look at myself in that very same way. The decisions that I make for
the 37 year old me, today should also be for the benefit of the 40, 42,
57, 65 and 88 year old me. The should continue to also benefit my loved
ones, and loved ones in the future. I willingly and gratefully
shoulder that responsibility to myself and those in my life.<br />
<br />
That's why it's crucial to have people in our lives who don't necessarily tell us what we want to hear, but commit themselves to our best interests and guide us toward <u><i>our best future self</i></u>. Yesterday, and today were very hectic and aggravating days for me. Interesting because I don't typically get aggravated easily. I have a longer fuse than most. Although, when that fuse blows, duck behind something. Just, duck. <br />
<br />
I've been working out intensely, and religiously. My nutrition is en pointe as always, but using my upcoming vacation as a motivator, I've reduced my caloric intake. I don't have a long way to go really, it's just that I don't feel like doing it... so that's even more reason to be like Nike... and just DO IT.<br />
<br />
When I really feel unmotivated, I call one of my best friends, Brett. He knows the way my mind works all too well, and can always find an uncanny way to motivate me. Sure, I hang up the phone cursing him out under my breath, but you know what, I know that he is right. And, I know that his concern is not just for the 37 year old me now, but for the 40 year old that plans to be in a bikini off the Andalucian coast of<b> </b>Spain. That's a friend.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmJ1S571tHad_Fx0qyCxN6jmjr4LBVWKc5HWNqXDqWU4Fn4lH9AIsiCVG-BKL3sf2AwIguczRsibbibz9IzFIgLsFLgAj2aerj_ekgmYT20aKsptwFzPkfvx3Xl6ZhPAXRW2kNDpfWIs/s1600/guru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmJ1S571tHad_Fx0qyCxN6jmjr4LBVWKc5HWNqXDqWU4Fn4lH9AIsiCVG-BKL3sf2AwIguczRsibbibz9IzFIgLsFLgAj2aerj_ekgmYT20aKsptwFzPkfvx3Xl6ZhPAXRW2kNDpfWIs/s320/guru.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>My dear friend, and nutrition guru, Brett.</b></i></td></tr>
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He's also great about finding recipes that will keep me motivated. Brett knows that I eat berries daily, I absolutely love them. Back when we used to work together he would often surprise me with blueberries when he came back from lunch. Me? Like a kid in a candy store!<br />
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Recently we were talking about how chocolate is my downfall. Later that week he emails me a picture of raspberries stuffed with dark chocolate chips. Both the berries and the dark chocolate are good sources of anti-oxidants, that keep you healthy, vibrant and feeling great. You can have 10-20 of these in one sitting and it's so much better for you than a candy bar.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>My dessert today. Raspberries stuffed with DARK chocolate chips.</b></i></td></tr>
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All day today, and yesterday, I thought about a delicious salad that I had at a restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC. The restaurant is <i><b>Flor De Sol</b></i>. Excellent in so many ways. I highly recommend it.<br />
The salad that I had is called Salpicon. It's seafood, purple onion, olives, peppers in olive oil and vinegar. I enjoyed it immensely, but since<b> </b>I've kept thinking about how I would make it my own.<br />
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For 2 days I have been craving that salad, and the succulent, decadent chunks of crab and scallops tingling my mouth with lemon juice, vinegar and olive oil. Since I didn't want to go to the gym today, I decided that if I did go, and gave it my all, that I would make this salad for dinner. That was all the intensity that I needed. My workout ended up feeling so good that I didn't want to stop and actually went longer.<br />
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After stopping at the market and getting fresh Alaskan crab, lobster, scallops, shrimp and clams I went home and put it all together with multi-colored peppers, purple onion, black olives, pepper, a crushed garlic clove, a pinch of salt, fresh-squeezed lime, vinegar and olive oil. I'm sure you have already figured out just how much I love avocado. You guessed it. I'm having it as a side to the salad. Divine.<br />
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One thing though... remember that I wanted something hard to get? Rather than buying the lump crab meat ready-made I bought the crab fresh, cooked it and shelled it myself. Nothing beats authenticity. Nothing.<br />
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Eating healthy is a beautiful thing, as long as you respect serving sizes. I took the rest of the washed seafood, marinade, peppers, olive oil, lime juice, garlic and sealed that in a mason jar. The acid from the vinegar and lime juice will cook the seafood inside the jar. You can leave that in the fridge, untouched, for a couple of days. It's A-MAZING!<br />
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It was simple, natural and the time that it took to prepare, gave me time to unwind and set my mind back at ease. How nice it was to sit with a glass of wine, and have this healthy and decadent meal that was not only delicious, but it was something that I really, truly wanted- and earned.<br />
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That's my point. It's great to treat ourselves to things that we want. It's just on a greater level when it's something good for us, that we worked hard for and earned. When the moment comes, it is a truly delicious moment.<br />
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<i><b>Muy buen provecho!</b></i><br />
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The Sofrito Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06700754072583165501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1892522999287720654.post-45707700424817190492013-01-20T17:28:00.001-05:002013-01-21T10:18:59.406-05:00Straight from my Mom's kitchen<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Hey good-lookin'! What'cha got cookin'?<br />
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So, I bet some of you are wondering if I've been cooking, and if so why haven't written about it lately. I would wonder too.<br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">The truth is that while I have still been cooking, and even some new dishes that you you'd enjoy, I haven't felt compelled to necessarily write about them yet. Part of it is that I've had challenges with the photos. I will only use my own photos here. The lighting in my new kitchen is not the greatest for pictures, although dynamite for ambiance.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">The core of the matter is that for many reasons, I haven't "<i>felt</i>" it. A year ago or so I shared with you that cooking is an emotional experience for me. Even something simple like a salad, is not really <i>simple</i> for me. I can't help but to pour my feelings into my dishes. It really does remind me of that book (and movie) <u>Like Water For Chocolate</u>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">Although it may sound poetic, it can also be a burden. Some things, and some feelings are too profound and heavy. Sometimes, rather than to experience them all over again, I rather just put those thoughts into a safe place until I'm ready to reconcile them.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">Today, is a special day however. Today, I'm sitting in my mother's kitchen in The Bronx, NY and watching her cook. I'm actually sitting in the same chair in the far corner of the kitchen where I told you that <i><b>Mamita</b></i> would sit to watch my mom cook & chat with her. This chair is a tradition.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">My daughter, brother and Dad are spending time together in the other room. My brother occasionally comes in the kitchen to make us laugh or crack a joke. He is one of the funniest people that I have ever met, and can make my mother and I laugh until we're in tears. He's also scoping the kitchen and being tortured by the smell of Mami's cooking, repeatedly asking, "<i>Is it ready yet!</i>". My daughter also keeps doing the same while stopping to play with the magnets on her <b><i>Nanny's</i></b> fridge.</span></div>
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Again, my brother just came into the kitchen and just looks at me with that dry sarcastic glare. I tell him that I'm writing about him as we speak and he says, "<i>Defamation.</i>", as he walks away. That's our dynamic, dry sarcasm. It sometimes makes our mother crazy!</div>
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I have a long drive back home and my mom wants to make sure my daughter and I eat <i>"una comida criolla"</i> before we leave New York City. Home-cooked meals are just her specialty.<br />
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This is the lady who taught me to cook with my heart. As I watch her, I see so much of myself in her. How much she cares, how deeply she feels her emotions. How she communicates best with her gestures.<br />
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I miss these moments so much, and I treasure them with all my heart. I couldn't let the moment pass, so I grabbed by iPad and here I am. I want you to be part of this moment with me.</div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">Today Mami is making <i><b>Arroz con Costillas y Guandules</b></i>! A whole delicious meal made in a traditional rice pot, that used to belong to my grandmother, Mamita. It's spare rib tips in yellow Criolle-style rice with peas.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">Mami starts off with her hand-made sofrito. She didn't have any pre-prepared, so she does it by hand. Some people, like my friend Omar, prefer to do it that way. It's a matter of preference, really. I enjoy both ways of making sofrito very much! Actually, it's how it tastes and smells that I love... and all of the memories that it brings back.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>I love watching my mom in the kitchen. She puts so much love in everything.</b></i></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">Mami cuts culantro leaves, mashes up fresh garlic in her pilon, cuts some white & purple onions, meticulously chops cubanelle peppers and the small delicious multi-colored ajis. <i>She also sneaks over some fresh-cut peppers and feeds them to me while I'm typing away. </i> Towards the end, she adds in fresh cilantro.</span></div>
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<i>The trimmed and chopped spare rib tips have been marinating in apple cider vinegar and very little oil, with Sazon, Adobo, black pepper & garlic powder. Mix well, cover tightly and let marinate overnight in the refrigerator.</i></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">In a large pot, already heated, Mami lets the meat cook down- only partially. </span>Once you mix through, you will notice that in the water the ribs have rendered some fat. Mom scoops this out as much as she can to reduce the amount of fat in the dish.</div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">Then, she smothers the ribs with the homemade sofrito, mixes it through and adds in 2 cans of Goya guandules and one can of Goya tomato sauce. Mix through again and add your rice and water. Let that cook through as you would normally when you make rice. The aroma will drive you crazy!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">Serve with a side of garden salad dressed in olive oil and balsamic, and a slice of avocado on the side. Healthy, delicious Puerto-Rican comfort food!</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">Muy buen provecho! </span></b></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">I'm going to stay a while, and enjoy watching my Mami and have her delicious food. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">... I wish that you were here with me!</span></div>
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</div>
</div>
The Sofrito Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06700754072583165501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1892522999287720654.post-63946112630813343812013-01-16T03:13:00.000-05:002013-01-16T03:19:52.987-05:00The Moment...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZgvvWUW5fXxbo_yVZI3Fw7RIru6ExZjHqVFV2yoFM30l9Imq9ycx7LHqNKnJG_kiv-mCOPR8LWKp_Z0oFlyDsHBSYzWkrj6cekYp-htpymXVUizzHRj-WhjFb5GK1kzNhrYYCoqizKd4/s1600/IMAGE_9C0777DF-319D-47E0-B595-584726644A23.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZgvvWUW5fXxbo_yVZI3Fw7RIru6ExZjHqVFV2yoFM30l9Imq9ycx7LHqNKnJG_kiv-mCOPR8LWKp_Z0oFlyDsHBSYzWkrj6cekYp-htpymXVUizzHRj-WhjFb5GK1kzNhrYYCoqizKd4/s400/IMAGE_9C0777DF-319D-47E0-B595-584726644A23.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>... The moment you reunite with your childhood dreams.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">...The moment when you realize that so many people can't be wrong about something they said about you.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">... when you realize you have a lot of work to do & you're up for the challenge. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">...The moment when you decide to let go.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">...The moment when you realize that what you weigh is your choice.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">... The moment when you realize that your "type" isn't really your type...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">... the moment that you realize that love doesn't have to hurt.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">... the moment when you thanked God for not doing what was easiest.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(... the moment you thanked God)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">... the moment you let yourself DREAM. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">... The moment that you answer before he calls to you.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">... the moment that he hears you before you speak. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">... the moment when you realize that you see her eyes even when yours are closed.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">... the moment that his hand held yours for the first time. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">.... the moment that took your breath away. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">... the mo<span style="font-size: large;">ment<span style="font-size: large;"> when the truth stirs inside of you<span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></span> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">... the moment where you decide to trust & obey.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">... the moment when you find what you are looking for.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">...The moment when it's 2:18 am and you can't sleep until you write this.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">... This moment.</span></div>
The Sofrito Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06700754072583165501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1892522999287720654.post-71034763248584387932013-01-13T21:27:00.001-05:002013-01-16T03:30:25.030-05:00Energia.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
...I don't care how much you think you know a person.<br />
<br />
You can't possibly completely know a person because as human beings, we continue to evolve until our last breath. <br />
<br />
We don't ever know our own full potential. And if you wake up and decide you've reached your full potential, then it's time to up your game. Complacency is dangerous.<br />
<br />
When it comes to the people in our lives, we hope that their own evolution will complement ours. What happens if it doesn't? Is that repairable? Can you work through it? I hope so. I'm a believer that if there's a true partnership, it can be done.<br />
<br />
That applies to family, friendships and intimate relationships. How much do we want to invest?<br />
<br />
I thought about that a lot today. I woke up early this morning, and decided to leave a nice roast slow-cooking with some full-bodied red wine, potatoes, carrots and salt & pepper.<br />
<br />
Did you notice that I left out the Latin seasonings. Today, I was all about simplicity.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, I went to church, spent time with my friends afterwards, and then went to the gym. I confirmed something I've known about myself today. I like to be anonymous at the gym. Even when approached with friendly conversation, I shy away from it there. That's my quiet time to reflect...<br />
<br />
By the time I got in, the roast smelled divine. I threw some Jasmine rice in the rice cooker opened up a bottle of Malbec and let myself unwind in a hot shower. I let the physical exhilaration of an intense workout set in and relax me. What I had a hard time relaxing was my mind. Strange, because my soul was definitely at peace.<br />
<br />
The question becomes- where does all this energy go? <br />
<br />
Where is this evolution taking me? Who I am today, is not the woman that I was five years, ten years ago. I like this one so much better. <br />
I'm smiling so big right now as I write this... God only knows what's around the bend. I'm game for what He has in store for me. He has never let me down. What I thought would break me, has made me a force. So then, what's the worst that can happen?<br />
<br />
Bring it.</div>
The Sofrito Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06700754072583165501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1892522999287720654.post-59745787952092620622013-01-07T01:37:00.002-05:002013-01-07T09:20:04.215-05:00The Myth Dispelled.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: blue;">The same woman, to the 4th power.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Please allow me to un-confuse... That's not a word. I'm exercising my artistic freedom...<br />
<br />
To know me is to have someone loyal, and faithful, in your corner. I play by the rules, I love hard, but not easily. I'm guarded by nature, and it makes sense why. I know that I have a lot to give. To the wrong people, that could potentially consume me. So I leave it up time, and my discretion.<br />
<br />
Now, not many people get that far. Why? Labels. I suppose that it's human nature to try and fit things, and people, into a mold. Don't bother. I'll frustrate the life out of you. I won't fit.<br />
<br />
...Come to think of it, neither do you. You are more complex than you may be giving yourself credit for. And even for those of you who pride yourselves on being "simple", I believe that the mere fact that you think so, proves your depth.<br />
<br />
This is why I will confuse you.<br />
<br />
I'm a God-loving woman. I spend hours during the week, reading and contemplating scripture. I put a lot of effort into sincere prayer. I relish my quiet time with God. I'm comfortable saying the "J" word anytime, anywhere. Jesus. That's right. I'm typically in church 3 days a week.<br />
<br />
That being said, I grew up with a Jewish step dad, and best friends with a Muslim family. It's ingrained in me to love and respect others regardless of their beliefs. In college, I decided to take an academic approach to it all and studied Islam, Christianity and Judaic studies in tandem. I loved it!<br />
<br />
Now, here's another layer. I love dance. Any and all kinds. Growing up where I did, Hip Hop, Reggae, Bachata, Merengue, Salsa, Soca... African & Middle Eastern dance. That's where my heart is. Percussion. I dance for fun, and I've choreographed in the past as well. I come alive when I dance. Few things bring me as much joy as dancing does.<br />
<br />
I was a deejay at a radio station for almost 4 years, and most people didn't know who it was, even people that knew me. It's always so interesting to me when some people can't assimilate the part of me they know, with the person who I am. All of her. <br />
<br />
Peel another layer... I am secretly a nerd. I am passionate about science. As a teen I was in love with Chemistry & Physics. My biology teacher kept my lab assignments as examples for future classes. My fascination with science is that in my own mind, it helps me understand my faith. To me, science proves what I believe about the universe. It comes second nature to me... like dance does.<br />
<br />
Oh, there's more. Please don't let the red lipstick and hoop earrings confuse you...<br />
<br />
My career is something that I am deeply dedicated to an enjoy. I can look back and see an undulating flow of success and failures that have built me up to become a well-respected authority in my field, and among my peers.<br />
<br />
<br />
My point is... my request is... please don't try and put me in a pre-fabricated box, don't label me. Don't define me. It won't fit. Do you know why?<br />
<br />
I define myself as I go along in my journey. I respect others. I do onto others as I would want done to me. While I may seek counsel, I won't seek approval.<br />
<br />
The woman in church spending time with the Lord, the doting mother, the girl getting down to reggae on the dance floor, the executive, the academic, the writer, the passionate dreamer- they are ALL me.<br />
<br />
And I love her that way.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
The Sofrito Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06700754072583165501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1892522999287720654.post-68713515277088776862012-10-11T21:59:00.001-04:002012-10-11T22:01:06.513-04:00When it hurts to walk away...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The fork in the road.<br />
<br />
As we approach it (and we will several times in our lives) we are faced with choices that we lead us both toward opportunity and toward loss all at once. If we go to the left, we lose the possibilities on the right. And, vice versa.<br />
<br />
How do we choose? How do we face that fork in the road and know with certainty which road we are meant to walk? We don't.<br />
<br />
There is no certainty. There is faith. <br />
<br />
Yet weren't we graced with that voice inside of us that leads the way? That voice is soft-spoken, but ever so persistent. Some of you reading this will call that voice Intuition. Others will call it a Hunch, or Conscience. Some of us answer to it as the Holy Spirit. <br />
<br />
The thing is that sometimes we don't really want to do what that voice is telling us is the right thing for us. Right? Have you ever been there? I have.<br />
<br />
Eventually things happen in our lives where by trial and error we see that we aren't quite in the place that we want to be and we start to think of the consequences of our every choice. Some call it Karma, others call it Consequence, and some will call it Justice.<br />
<br />
I've learned that not one of us is above the rules. We have the will and the choice to break them but eventually what we do onto others will be done onto us as well. Not to punish us, but to help learn and reinforce that He made us so that we could love each other, not so that we take away from each other.<br />
<br />
So what happens when we've lived a certain way, alongside other individuals that we care about, but we come to that fork in the road and realize that is not the life that we want? Sometimes caring for those people means staying on a road that we know we don't belong in. And, we know our path is elsewhere.<br />
<br />
Does that mean you love them any less? No. It only means that in order for you to live your destiny you may have to walk along a parallel. In my heart, I hope that one day our paths may merge again. Until then, I have to follow the voice that is calling to me even if it means walking alone.<br />
<br />
May you walk in faith, and walk the in the path that leads you to joy, to peace and to love one another.<br />
<br />
...May we find each other in that journey.<br />
<br /></div>
The Sofrito Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06700754072583165501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1892522999287720654.post-15995111099547714872012-10-09T21:57:00.001-04:002012-10-09T21:58:38.963-04:00It's okay to be sad.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The past year has been so powerful for me. I learned that my inner voice is so powerful, yet I had to silence myself in order to make out her verses.<br />
<br />
Some wonderful and delightful discoveries happened for me this year. I look forward to sharing some of those with you in the coming months. What I can earnestly tell you is that the brightest moments seemed to be borne of sadness. Why is that?<br />
<br />
I realized that if all had gone according to plan, I may have been too distracted to propel my spiritual and emotional growth, or my plans for the future.<br />
<br />
Complacency.<br />
Jimmy Carter once said, "<b><i><span class="huge">I hate to see complacency prevail in our lives when it's so directly contrary to the teaching of Christ.".</span></i></b><br />
<br />
<span class="huge">Those who know me best know that I have always been a very spiritual being, and my belief in God has always been strong. I recently learned that it's not enough. <i> </i></span><br />
<span class="huge"><i>(I can never force my views or my growth on any other individual, but I can share with you what I have personally learned and discovered. You will choose your own path.)</i></span><br />
<i><span class="huge"></span><span class="huge"><br /></span></i>
<span class="huge">Sadness made me fervently seek some answers. </span><span class="huge">Those answers brought me back on my own personal journey and relationship with God. All my life I've tried to follow this narrow path, with a laundry list of rules. I recently found that it's so much simpler for me than I had ever realized. Love.One.Another. </span><br />
<span class="huge"><br /></span>
<span class="huge">Loving your neighbor as you love yourself. If we love others that way, wouldn't everything else just fall into place? </span><br />
<br />
<span class="huge">What if we all did our part? I find that as people we often commit to <i>"doing our part"</i> when things are okay. Where humanity often falls short, is when things are tough. Do we have the ability to commit when it's the hardest to do so?</span><br />
<span class="huge"><br /></span>
<span class="huge">Recently I've been assimilating my life experiences, my joys and my pains with what I'm learning in Bible studies. Interesting. This is what I found... Answers. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="huge">Before the last supper, Jesus dressed in a loin cloth washed the feet of the disciples. He set an example for us to follow. If the Lord did that, then why can't I love and help my neighbors the same way? </span><br />
<span class="huge"><br /></span>
<span class="huge">My pastor recently said something that made me think. He said that when we find it most difficult to love another the way Jesus showed love for others, to look at that person with a new set of eyes. Look at that person as your brother/sister, husband/wife, mother/father, friend, a person who needs your kindness and protection. That really hit home for me. Isn't that what we all want? To be treated that way?</span><br />
<span class="huge"><br /></span>
<span class="huge">I have found a way not to reject my sorrows or despair, but rather to harness my sadness in such a way that it has brought me closer to the answers that I seek. Who knew that they were written in a book some couple of thousands or years ago, waiting for me to receive them with an open heart? Did you know?</span><br />
<span class="huge"><br /></span>
<span class="huge"><br /></span>
<span class="huge"><br /></span>
<span class="huge"></span><i><span class="huge"><br /></span></i>
</div>
The Sofrito Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06700754072583165501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1892522999287720654.post-1003185426218877972012-10-08T16:16:00.002-04:002012-10-08T16:16:25.545-04:00Courage For An Unremarkable Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A recent ordinary moment where I couldn't have possibly loved her more</i></td></tr>
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As our days dance through the hourglass, I often find myself wondering where does time go. Where are those ordinary yet elusive days that become hard to remember because nothing special happened on that particular day.<br />
<br />
Days sometimes seem ordinary until tragedy strikes. Or so it seems. In my darkest moments I've longed for the ignorance and bliss of those unremarkable days. Those days where we go on with our daily routines, uninterrupted. <br />
<br />
Etched in my mind forever is the moment when I realized what really matters the most in my life. Love. Love for my daughter, love for my family, people, my work, the world and God. <br />
<br />
It was during the time when my daughter was fighting for her life. Her doctors weren't sure if she would make it through. My family and I never gave up hope though. We never let go of our faith. <br />
I was only comforted by the prayers of our friends and family resonating through the skies. I felt it in my heart.<br />
<br />
I was alone in a room looking out of a large 7th story window in the Children's Hospital. I thought back to an abyss of ordinary days that was my life before that moment. I felt disconcerted and even ashamed of all of the trivial things that I had hoped for and stressed about. <br />
<br />
In that moment it became clear to me that all that I needed in my life was love. The love that I longed for most was that of my little daughter. I wanted to feel her little arms wrapped around my neck as I played with her and carried her. I longed to hear her giggling in the back seat of my car as we drove around in the car acting silly. I daydreamed of all the future "ordinary" moments that I wanted to share with this little girl of mine.<br />
<br />
Before then, I had looked at her in awe of how lovely and small she was. I remember having thought how beautiful she was and wishing that she could stay that way forever. Yet, in my moment of despair I longed for and prayed for nothing more than to see my child blossom into a lovely, healthy woman. <br />
<br />
I prayed that God would bless her with health, a life with meaning and old age to reflect on her own ordinary moments. My heart goes to Heaven in prayer that one day she is an elderly woman who can remember the lives that He allowed her to touch, and that she remembers a life filled with love.<br />
<br />
Today, she's almost taller than I am and quite the young lady. I can assure you that although sometimes I am nostalgic, I am never sorry to see her grow up and mature. I'm well aware of how He has blessed her, and how hard she's fought to continue to become the woman that she will be one day.<br />
<br />
That same epiphany of 12 years ago continues to teach me today. Moments don't become remarkable only when tragedy happens. They also become remarkable and blessed when miracles happen, and we allow faith to light our paths, even in our darkest hours. <br />
<br /></div>
The Sofrito Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06700754072583165501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1892522999287720654.post-90289677448907405572012-10-04T22:43:00.002-04:002012-10-08T14:51:49.180-04:00Where have I been, you ask?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The notion of "finding one's self" always seemed funny to me. I always know where I am.<br />
I'd often read about celebrities that went off to another continent to meet their destiny and find God.<br />
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For me, and thankfully for my budget, I didn't have to leave the comfort of my home. I've always felt that God lives within us. I can always find Him when I look for him.<br />
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I just needed to be quiet for a while so that I could actually hear Him. That's right friends. All this time, all this sorrow, and all this frustration and in the end, all I had to do was to be...quiet.<br />
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Silence can be so loud.<br />
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Today, I'm happier and more fulfilled than I have been. I had to let go of things, of people and of the past to get here. It has been worth it, and I look forward to sharing that with you soon.<br />
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I've missed you.</div>
The Sofrito Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06700754072583165501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1892522999287720654.post-53088907911903662762012-03-07T10:38:00.008-05:002012-03-07T13:22:56.969-05:00Are you a Magnet, or a Sponge?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfryjwZMI-OOCxFcIvwTC9Duv1SZ4YJkXL8JXdVVGm4zrES50pzhFT3yDlNWOWcXvqFvq03fpYiPdxbY3whn5s-6El0KZzNWvqodeyHH1FjH54WtgMNMxXlM781ofGs8VPJEnG8aLzNA/s1600/IMAGE_52BFF222-980C-472C-B664-4DD588578053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfryjwZMI-OOCxFcIvwTC9Duv1SZ4YJkXL8JXdVVGm4zrES50pzhFT3yDlNWOWcXvqFvq03fpYiPdxbY3whn5s-6El0KZzNWvqodeyHH1FjH54WtgMNMxXlM781ofGs8VPJEnG8aLzNA/s400/IMAGE_52BFF222-980C-472C-B664-4DD588578053.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The answer is both.<br />
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Our souls appear to be magnetic. We become what we surround ourselves with, and who we embrace in our inner circle. Have you ever noticed that repetition and exposure breeds behavior?<br />
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Much like when we are around someone who has a charming Southern Drawl and we start to inadvertently pick up that sweet twang? As people, we are generally influenced by what we surround ourselves with.<br />
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I tend to keep people close to me who are positive, hard-working, compassionate...and funny! By nature, I'm no comedian, and can't tell a joke to save my life. So, I try to learn to take a lighter approach on life, and laugh at myself when I need to from my friends who have a humorous edge.<br />
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I recently read something about people who had serious illnesses achieving much better progress and healing by watching a funny movie every day. It sounds cliche, that laughter is the best medicine, but the fact is that human beings seek joy in everything that we do. When we laugh we are experiencing joy, and are in a state of fulfillment. So to my funny friends, you know who you are, I love you for helping to keep me healthy.<br />
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Your body is not so much a magnet, as it is a sponge. When you eat or drink, your body is going through the process of Absorption of what is contained in whatever you ingest.<br />
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The definition of <i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Absorption</b></i> is literally:<br />
<br />
<div class="luna-Ent" style="text-align: center;"><div class="dndata"><span id="hotword"><b style="color: #274e13;"><i><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">uptake</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">of</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">substances</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">by</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">tissue,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">as</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">of</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">nutrients</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">through</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">the</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">wall</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">of</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">the</span> </i></b><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #274e13; cursor: default;"><b><i>intestine</i></b></span></span><br />
<br />
</div><div class="dndata"></div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #274e13; cursor: default;"><span style="color: black;">By no means am I a nutritionist, or anything closely related to that. What I am, is just like you! A person made of organic materials and cells that are relying on my choices throughout the day for the nutrients that I need. </span></span></span><br />
</div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #274e13; cursor: default;"><span style="color: black;">Keep in mind that absorption doesn't just involve food. When a person smokes, or uses drugs the body has to ingest this too. The body is then absorbing materials that it doesn't need and that are in fact harmful. </span></span></span></div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #274e13; cursor: default;"><span style="color: black;">Although a person may not be considering this when they are smoking, or eating unhealthy foods, the human body does not discriminate. It MUST do something with what we give it. It must ingest it and process it.</span></span></span><br />
</div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #274e13; cursor: default;"><span style="color: black;">I've always had a healthy respect for nutrition for two reasons. First because I grew up in a household where we cooked fresh food with fruits and vegetables. The second was a result of having attended a high school that specialized in Math & Science. </span></span></span><br />
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<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #274e13; cursor: default;"><span style="color: black;">Biology, Physics and especially Chemistry, opened my eyes to the magic behind food. I was able to see how the body processes the food we eat, and how it's used after we ingest it.</span></span></span></div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"><span id="hotword"></span></div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"><span id="hotword"></span></div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"><span id="hotword"></span></div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #274e13; cursor: default;"><span style="color: black;">This made me conscious eating was more for staying healthy, alive and vibrant than it was for the pleasure of tasting the food. Taste is just an added bonus.</span></span></span></div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #274e13; cursor: default;"><span style="color: black;">Although growing up in my home we ate very fresh and nutritious foods we had 2 very serious problems that I was not aware of until I was an adult. The first was portion-control. </span></span></span><br />
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<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #274e13; cursor: default;"><span style="color: black;">You would be shocked to know how much less food our bodies require in comparison to how we feed. For instance, I read once that a pregnant woman really only requires an extra glass of whole milk a day to compensate and feed her growing baby. This means the cravings for everything extra is not really because she's "eating for two", but rather hormonal and should be watched closely.</span></span></span><br />
</div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #274e13; cursor: default;"><span style="color: black;">Recommended daily caloric intake for women is often said to be 2,000 per day and for men 2,500. Calories are what the body transforms into energy. It's fuel. If we consume more energy than we need, the body has no other alternative than to turn it into fat for storage. </span></span></span><br />
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<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #274e13; cursor: default;"><span style="color: black;">If you look at a recent picture of yourself and find that you have more fuel "stored" than you did last year then science says that you either have to cut back on caloric intake or increase your exercise so that the furnace inside of you can metabolize and burn that stored fat. </span></span></span><br />
</div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #274e13; cursor: default;"><span style="color: black;">The second problem with the diet in my household was diversity of nutrients. Although we ate fresh and healthful foods- we always ate the same kinds. </span></span></span><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #274e13; cursor: default;">I only realized this problem very recently.</span></span><br />
</div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #274e13; cursor: default;">This past January, I had my annual physical. I can't stress enough how important annual check-ups are. Reality is that we get busy and fall into routines. However, remember that our bodies do not discriminate. Just because we're not thinking about it doesn't meant that there aren't issues to be attended to inside of us. Those issues can me emotional, psychological or physiological. All need to be attended to. To feel completely healthful we strive for harmony in all aspects of our being. </span></span><br />
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<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #274e13; cursor: default;">Let the professionals tend to the parts of you that you aren't equipped to. The best way to do this is to schedule your annual physicals and exams. </span></span><br />
</div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #274e13; cursor: default;">By doing so every year, it gives you the time, and chances to fix any fluctuations or concerns. My results did not come back so good this year. I was told that my blood and Vitamin D counts were severely low. The risks of this could likely become breast or bone cancer. </span></span><br />
</div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #274e13; cursor: default;">I have always believed that we should focus on what we can control and leave the rest in God's hands. What I was able to control was my faith, a positive outlook, my nutrition and exercise.</span></span><br />
</div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #274e13; cursor: default;">In a recent article, I let you know that my daughter talked me into buying the Ninja Food Processor. It's a very high-powered processor/blender. I didn't want that money to go to waste and I thought it would be a good idea to put it to use. </span></span><br />
</div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfZ7wAcbq5BQnaIFovEy-9jzuHghhK8TXamLUlsAv8oolFJo-t_seJSNHiYKAYtOnjgVn8TiOondhlks7HpQwFJPYhvibOs7gZRv5xUE_zFgOBNCC35PcOMl8VYSMcBMYSVfBFBzknsI/s1600/IMAGE_285DB09A-059A-49AC-8BA5-645546F8F66E.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfZ7wAcbq5BQnaIFovEy-9jzuHghhK8TXamLUlsAv8oolFJo-t_seJSNHiYKAYtOnjgVn8TiOondhlks7HpQwFJPYhvibOs7gZRv5xUE_zFgOBNCC35PcOMl8VYSMcBMYSVfBFBzknsI/s320/IMAGE_285DB09A-059A-49AC-8BA5-645546F8F66E.JPG" width="183" /></a></div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"><br />
<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #274e13; cursor: default;">My friend Brett is a nutrition guru. That's who I often talk to when I need encouragement on how to eat and exercise better. Having a friend or some time of moral support to brighten your outlook is key! If you need one, I can be yours. </span></span><br />
</div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #274e13; cursor: default;">I also reached out to my aunt Liza. We cannot ignore family history and genetics either. We have to try and incorporate history into our outlook for the future, right? My paternal grandmother died of bone cancer at a very young age. My aunt Liza went through all of this with her, and since had become very knowledgeable on nutrition as well.</span></span><br />
</div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfryjwZMI-OOCxFcIvwTC9Duv1SZ4YJkXL8JXdVVGm4zrES50pzhFT3yDlNWOWcXvqFvq03fpYiPdxbY3whn5s-6El0KZzNWvqodeyHH1FjH54WtgMNMxXlM781ofGs8VPJEnG8aLzNA/s1600/IMAGE_52BFF222-980C-472C-B664-4DD588578053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #274e13; cursor: default;">I took all their information and encouragement and gave it all a lot of thought. First, I decided that I was going to be healthy and make permanent life changes. Not only for me, but to serve as an example for my daughter and the people I love. I don't force my eating habits on them, but they are welcome to join, or try new things. If one or two positive changes happen for them as a result, then this is what I hoped for. </span></span></div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #274e13; cursor: default;">I started to research the foods that they recommended and learned even more. I'm a person that will stick to something if I can understand how it really works. Try this website. In simplest terms it explains so much. I have it book-marked because I reference it all the time. You can easily and quickly look up fruits, veggies, spices, nuts and oil for nutritional content and uses. It also inspired to try new things!</span></span><br />
</div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/index.html</a></b><br />
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</div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #274e13; cursor: default;">In the next few articles, I'll share with you some of my favorite and fun ways to ensure that I have balanced, healthy nutrition that's fast and easy to make. </span></span><br />
</div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #274e13; cursor: default;">Remember, you are a magnet- so choose to only attract the very best around you.</span></span></div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #274e13; cursor: default;">Also remember that you are a sponge... choose to absorb only the best inside of you. </span></span></div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="dndata" style="text-align: left;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #274e13; cursor: default;"> </span> </span></div></div><br />
</div>The Sofrito Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06700754072583165501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1892522999287720654.post-54583352034647528732012-02-10T11:59:00.001-05:002012-02-10T12:00:54.826-05:00... But wait! There's more!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigH05AhWGAp38RHOaBHRsdnAqmrrtMIYXMb0IV1RwIbpdDYlOw-1P_Ty7qQEvLlJtd-BU7WSjBEWTZHBBGeYKhcUaa0SExAYTPEjweErq5SBbebbDXuzdoWfa3T4dSX17Q9pZNxPViISQ/s1600/IMAGE_19DB48B6-FC1D-455E-9AC2-D54ECE862CD2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigH05AhWGAp38RHOaBHRsdnAqmrrtMIYXMb0IV1RwIbpdDYlOw-1P_Ty7qQEvLlJtd-BU7WSjBEWTZHBBGeYKhcUaa0SExAYTPEjweErq5SBbebbDXuzdoWfa3T4dSX17Q9pZNxPViISQ/s400/IMAGE_19DB48B6-FC1D-455E-9AC2-D54ECE862CD2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="background-color: white;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Once every couple of generations, comes an innovation to set us ablaze..</i>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> I admit it. I'm willing to put it out there... I am the queen of infomercials. Only a single-mom budget keeps me in check most of the time. ...most of the time!<br />
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To further complicate this affliction, it is apparent that the derivative is actually passed down genetically. My daughter's susceptibility toward infomercials appears to be even more serious than my own. <br />
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I remember at the age of five she sat her father and I down at our kitchen table to have a "serious discussion" about her "sleeping patterns". I would say that after exchanging very concerned looks, within seconds we were onto her. She was spewing the script for a Tempurpedic mattress commercial, almost verbatim. <br />
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The kid was relentless! We praised her determination. because as crazy as it sounded, she came to the discussion armed with a rebuttal for our every declination. She even threw in how<span style="color: magenta;"> </span><i style="color: magenta;">"<b>now that I'm in Kindergarten, I deserve to have a good night's sleep without tossing and turning."</b></i><br />
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Naturally, her father and I declined. A full-sized bed with a comfy pillow-top was deemed more than adequate for a five year old little princess. <br />
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She disagreed and politely gave us a heads-up that we should expect to see a Tempurpedic mattress on her Christmas list later that year, as she planned both on being good and taking the matter up with Santa.<br />
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And so it was! The kid actually put the mattress on her Christmas list that year. Actually, by then she had decided she wanted a waterbed instead.See for yourself... I saved this, and you can see why...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8UsPNlguYPPqEu5AXLStDc2N9y4Xb-DQgSG6x4gjXWlF7Us-91hP8S7lW15olCdmKPZ5EZuQ2YmifzRd7-SQX0lBz8mRe5Ir5x8ft5ZsU8w_zP048269I6knYKJ3HZJXICaTSTiQk80/s1600/IMAGE_9C8549A4-B433-442B-B0A0-26B0CB8D9C1D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8UsPNlguYPPqEu5AXLStDc2N9y4Xb-DQgSG6x4gjXWlF7Us-91hP8S7lW15olCdmKPZ5EZuQ2YmifzRd7-SQX0lBz8mRe5Ir5x8ft5ZsU8w_zP048269I6knYKJ3HZJXICaTSTiQk80/s320/IMAGE_9C8549A4-B433-442B-B0A0-26B0CB8D9C1D.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>What made it that much funnier was that a few weeks after we declined her offer was that she came to us again spewing verbatim TV commercial pitches for some prescribed sleep-aid.<br />
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Now as a pre-teen, she is a lot more savvy about which commercials to pitch to Mama. Last month, there were two... The TopStyler hair curling system was the first. This beats me as we both have very curly hair. She insisted that the rapid het and curl system would cut down on both our morning rush times. I gave into paying $15 or a 30 day trial.<br />
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<b>Verdict</b>: this time it was she who asked me to return the product and not waste our money. Good concept, but it doesn't work. The style and curl only holds for about a half hour. Product was shipped back. <br />
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The second product was worth every penny. We bought the Ninja food processing system. I was recently diagnosed with health concerns that have led me to alter my nutrition. The Ninja has helped me do so within the constraints of my very busy lifestyle. I can very quickly blend smoothies out of vegetables and fruits, taking full-day servings with me on my morning drives to work. More to come on this...<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfZ7wAcbq5BQnaIFovEy-9jzuHghhK8TXamLUlsAv8oolFJo-t_seJSNHiYKAYtOnjgVn8TiOondhlks7HpQwFJPYhvibOs7gZRv5xUE_zFgOBNCC35PcOMl8VYSMcBMYSVfBFBzknsI/s1600/IMAGE_285DB09A-059A-49AC-8BA5-645546F8F66E.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfZ7wAcbq5BQnaIFovEy-9jzuHghhK8TXamLUlsAv8oolFJo-t_seJSNHiYKAYtOnjgVn8TiOondhlks7HpQwFJPYhvibOs7gZRv5xUE_zFgOBNCC35PcOMl8VYSMcBMYSVfBFBzknsI/s320/IMAGE_285DB09A-059A-49AC-8BA5-645546F8F66E.JPG" width="183" /></a></div>Verdict: the Ninja paid for itself already. More importantly, it's not just collecting dust. We use it daily.<br />
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The most recent purchase was my iPad. I thought about this for a year before taking the leap. I wanted to ensure that I would really use it and maximize it's utility for my needs. I could write volumes about what an amazing, useful tool this is. <br />
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Stated simply, no matter what age you are the iPad is that one device that surfaces every once in a couple of generations and will revolutionize your life. <br />
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Much quicker than with a PC or laptop I can read a book, build a presentation for work, edit photos, check my bank account, refill my prescriptions and shop, all at the same time- just to name just a mere few.<br />
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Reader, today's entry comes to you written completely from my iPad, as I lay in the comfort of my bed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqEaEu0bws4lHUrR61gff-kAnaSXj3ygKpQOI-Vl3gjzSOXpcx_rDK-qBpPPnZet_gytsHCcPz9M7RerOl65uatrC8A5_oJCbx4cbUmiNhvtsbRkUoAgksF-M-hJbJfjG6t2-OVDsX9E/s1600/IMAGE_5513E372-A2A4-40C3-9295-5E9E8BBD234C.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqEaEu0bws4lHUrR61gff-kAnaSXj3ygKpQOI-Vl3gjzSOXpcx_rDK-qBpPPnZet_gytsHCcPz9M7RerOl65uatrC8A5_oJCbx4cbUmiNhvtsbRkUoAgksF-M-hJbJfjG6t2-OVDsX9E/s400/IMAGE_5513E372-A2A4-40C3-9295-5E9E8BBD234C.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: blue;">The iPad...saving trees everywhere.</b></td></tr>
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...but wait! There's more!</div>The Sofrito Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06700754072583165501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1892522999287720654.post-49188836545407918662012-01-12T23:17:00.002-05:002012-01-12T23:27:05.206-05:00Rituals...they bring me peace.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdu8-n3FriKvgCgov73HcXz6izwrtSIbYYO6EjGkP0sSLbJb-P9JnXC8Co6j-K_QeFrG1mLdmtV-D3B8dwnkbcTkNdlfIMKOcBpMF0VQKBYoSPPQXsZgl88cJQa7slMXw67dHN0SxXoRY/s1600/Happy-me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdu8-n3FriKvgCgov73HcXz6izwrtSIbYYO6EjGkP0sSLbJb-P9JnXC8Co6j-K_QeFrG1mLdmtV-D3B8dwnkbcTkNdlfIMKOcBpMF0VQKBYoSPPQXsZgl88cJQa7slMXw67dHN0SxXoRY/s400/Happy-me.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>See this? This is me. At my happiest.<br />
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It's important for your to know that. When was the last time that you saw yourself, with your own eyes, look visibly happy? Did you see your soul radiate through your eyes? If you haven't, you should.<br />
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These moments are fleeting. Life brings many ups and downs, so we have to do our best to hold on to the happy moments when we have them, and carry them for strength when the storm hits.<br />
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If you know me, you probably guessed it. My daughter took this picture, right after Christmas Eve dinner this year. My daughter makes me glow inside. Making her happy and seeing her grow gives me light from within.<br />
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You must remember that I love her as much as any mother would love their child but that I've almost lost her 3 times. I learned the hard way to treasure every moment.<br />
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When she was very ill, I would desperately long for "ordinary moments" with her. The kind that you have throughout any mundane day, and not think twice about. Turns out, those were the moments that meant the most to me when it came to sharing them with her and having her in my life. <br />
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Such is also with any other of my loved ones. I will take the a culmination of, or a collective of all the ordinary, everyday life moments with you, than birthdays, anniversaries or holidays. Those mean the most to me, because it means that together we have shared life, and what a gift it is, in the most genuine form.<br />
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Today was a perfect example. We got home from work later than usual, and exhausted. I took a relaxing shower in effort to gear myself up to cook, and work in the kitchen to prep for my writing. I got a call from my best friend who was bringing over lots of delicious food from our favorite Latin restaurant. Perfect timing! My son surprised us and came over for dinner too. So, the 3 of us girls got to harass him and ask him endless questions about college, his girlfriend and theater rehearsals. He secretly loves it when we interrogate him! I know it.<br />
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We had a buffet-style dinner that was so great and hit the spot. Meanwhile, I made Lisette a cake she likes that's called "Brazo De Gitana". It's basically a roll [cake] with fruit filling, and then covered in powdered sugar. I've made it before with raspberries but Lisette she likes it with guava, so I gave it a whirl. It was delicious, but I only had pink powdered sugar, left over from my daughter's birthday party. Everyone liked the cake, except I couldn't get over the fact that it was, well...pink!<br />
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During dinner, my daughter, with a very serious face asks me if I am a Buddhist. She knows that I am not, so I was a bit confused. <br />
<i>"Then why do you have Buddhas throughout the house?"</i><br />
"<i>Ah</i>.", I answer, "<i>...because they remind me to bring myself peace"</i>. They also remind me to smile. <br />
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I just had this conversation with someone very important to me. He was so excited about a home theater system that he'd bought. I was truly happy for him but I made the distinction for him about what I want to come home to.<br />
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For me it's not about those things as much as peace, and laughter. A home that is filled with warmth, is a home that I want to come home to. I'm simple in that sense. I don't need expensive things, give me a candle that smells nice and I will absolutely love it.<br />
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Another thing that brings me peace and a smile to my face is having my own rituals. They are never rituals that I impose on other people, but rather things that I do for myself.<br />
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For instance, I sleep with the curtains open, because I like to wake up to the sun shining in the morning, and to see the tree tops. This immediately reminds me to close my eyes once more and give thanks to the Lord for all that we have been blessed with. I even take a moment to thank Him for the painful things that I've been through that have made me stronger, more aware and have helped me to help others. And lastly, I commit to myself not to take my blessings, or my lessons, for granted. Then I wish the clouds and the tree tops a good day, and off to get ready for a new day I go.<br />
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Another ritual is my 3 cups of strong black coffee in the morning, or how I can't eat breakfast at home but will always eat at my desk at work. How I need to shower with lavender but use Jasmine lotion... or how I need to be alone when I sit to talk with you, and give you my undivided attention.<br />
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When was the last time that you saw yourself visibly happy and at peace? How do you bring that and keep it within your reach?<br />
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Well, tonight instead of a recipe to cook, I'll give you a recipe for harnessing happiness. It's from one of my favorite poets. Enjoy...<br />
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<tr> <td valign="top" width="30"></td> <td class="wY100px" valign="top"><span class="f14px fntAri clr333333"> T<i>hen a woman said, "Speak to us of Joy and Sorrow." <br />
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And he answered: <br />
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Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. <br />
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<b style="color: blue;">And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears. </b><br />
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And how else can it be? <br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;">The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain. </span></b><br />
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Is not the cup that hold your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven? <br />
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And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives? <br />
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When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy. <br />
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When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. <br />
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Some of you say, "Joy is greater than sorrow," and others say, "Nay, sorrow is the greater." <br />
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But I say unto you, they are inseparable. <br />
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Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed. </b><br />
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Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy. <br />
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Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced. <br />
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When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall. <br />
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<span class="f20px"> Khalil Gibran </span></i> </span></td></tr>
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</div>The Sofrito Diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06700754072583165501noreply@blogger.com2