A Book That Changed Me ~ 1

When I heard today about J.D. Salinger passing away, I recalled how his classic book The Catcher in the Rye, changed me as a person. So I decided from time to time I'll share how a book made me think differently about the world.

The character of Holden was so tortured. I saw myself in him when I met him at the age of 13. I also hated phonies and felt I was surrounded by them.

This moment in the story turned on the lightbulb in my head and made me realize certain realities about life:

“Life is a game, boy. Life is a game that one plays according to the rules.”
“Yes, sir. I know it is. I know it.”
Game, my ass. Some game. If you get on the side where all the hot-shots are, then it’s a game, all right—I’ll admit that. But if you get on the other side, where there aren’t any hot-shots, then what’s a game about it? Nothing. No game.

Thank you J.D. Rest in peace.

WTF?

Cyndi Lauper is going to be on Celebrity Apprentice with that pendejo Donald Trump! I'm like totally gagging.

I have always felt Cyndi was one of the few popstars with a high level of integrity and talent to match. I'm so not understanding.

Yeah, I know she had beef with Captain Lou Albino back in the WWF days, but that was a young Cyndi. I'm so not understanding.

I'm guessing the woman has got to pay the bills. Bizarre. I hope she flips on Donald and calls him on his hair thingy madness.

P.S. It's even more troubling to see her next to that lame hair-rocker dude. His show was just as lame as Flava-Flav's.

Ancestral Spirits Calling

I've been watching Anthony Bourdain's visit to Istanbul. I want to go there. The people, architecture, and food is calling me. I know that a part of my ancestral trees extends to include Christianized Muslims that were in Spain. The Moors and Ottoman empires got around. Further proof of this reality is that some of the folks he met looked like family members. Amazing how there is a cellular memory always in effect.

Human Courage In Haiti

As I watched the images of the devastation in Haiti I became overwhelmed with emotion. It is horrific what has occurred. I can't even begin to imagine how many people there are finding the strength to search for survivors and establish stability. Human beings are capable of so much when their survival is challenged. I am sending out prayers to Haiti.

X-Men: Gifted ~ Episode 6

Clearing Up The Mind Clutter

I'm pretty mama!
Okay, so it's been an interesting first ten days into 2010. Let me just clear my mind by sharing the following thoughts:

- My sister Jenny has the ability to give me uplifting words, and make me feel like everything will be alright. She is a magical woman, and her power is real.

- There truly is a thin line between love and hate, and vice verse. Damn you head and heart! Work together!

- Soup is our friend. I made corn chowder with chorizo the other day, and was extremely pleased with myself. The trick was a pinch of thyme.

- During these days of bitter cold I worried about people that are homeless. I need to get back to volunteering and seeing how I can be of service.

- I passed the dreaded Praxis II. I'm still pissed that test can eliminate people from entering the classroom. Yes, it tests for core content knowledge of laws and pedagogy, however, it doesn't test for the devotion and spirit needed to serve as a teacher. And, I had to pay to take it. Something wrong with that setup.

- Going to the gym with my homegirl Moya is a godsend. We gossip, do crunches, check out men, lift weights, have a bitch-fest, run some cardio, and then I hit the sauna. I'm still thick in the middle, but grateful for moving my body.

- I feel proud of staying committed to blogging and enjoying the work of other bloggers. It has been a wonderful refuge during challenging times.

X-Men: Gifted Episode 5

For my fellow human beings that do not live in the U.S., click here for the video.

A Belated Happy New Year

not phoning it in
Good people, I am truly hoping 2010 will be a less rocky, yet continually blessed, year for me and you. I received a letter from school informing me I will receive my special education certification in May. I passed the dreaded Praxis II exam that is required to complete the program I've been in since 2006. Good things come to those who wait, and do the work.

I'm also hoping that my personal life will be revived by me having the opportunity to tend to it with greater attention while applying life-learned lessons. Between working and going to school, I often had little energy or brain cells left to connect to my nearest and dearest, let alone, make time for them.

I'm excited to move forward and dream big about what can be possible. I started this blog as part of my new philosophy to thrive rather than just survive. So, look out 2010, here I come! I'm going to remind myself like I did in years past that I am blessed and that within me is the love I need to nurture myself and connect with others.

Good luck, good people. Keep on keeping on!