Thursday, May 21, 2009

Rest & RELAXation

We will be at Lake Don Pedro for this long weekend for some much needed "fun in the sun". Please believe I'll be 20 shades darker after being out on the houseboat for 5 straight days!! Hopefully you will be able to recognize me when I return, and if there's signal I may just blog the happenings of our long weekend.

...Because the family needs time to remember.

R.I.P. Papa "Felix Oliva". You will be missed!!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Not a day goes by...

That I don't think about my grandparents, Purita & Guillermo Guzman, you are missed every single day.! I really envy people who still have their grandparents around now,consider yourselves lucky and incredibly blessed! I lost my grandma at the age of 6 to a stroke and my Grandpa at the age of 16. He had a stroke as well a few years prior and ended up paralyzed on his entire left side. I was there with him everyday of his recovery as he fought to walk again. He never fully recovered and passed away while he was in the Philippines after viewing my performance on live tv at the Macys's Thanksgiving day parade! That was a tough loss for me, since I was so close to my grandpa. But I thank them both everyday for the huge family that surrounds me today. They had 12 kids,could you even imagine?! I won't even get into how many grandchildren and great grandchildren came from that "dirty doezen". I'm just grateful we all remain extremely close, no matter how much drama or craziness that seems to follow us at all times, "Guzmans make the world go round". And if only I could afford it, I would go for 12 too!! :) love you guys!! Until we meet again...

Monday, May 18, 2009

For PAPA F.OLIVA

May we discover through pain and torment,
the strength to live with grace and humor.
May we discover through doubt and anguish,
the strength to live with dignity and holiness.
May we discover through suffering and fear,
the strength to move toward healing.
May it come to pass that we be restored to health and to vigor.
May Life grant us wellness of body, spirit, and mind.
And if this cannot be so, may we find in this transformation and passage
moments of meaning, opportunities for love
and the deep and gracious calm that comes
when we allow ourselves to move on.

- Rabbi Rami M. Shapiro

You are in my thoughts and prayers, we will be ther soon!

Sunday, May 17, 2009

GET LIFTED.

I am recommending these movies NOT because they have the best special effects or acting, but because of the message I got after watching them. I've never felt so hopeful or uplifted after any other two movies before.

I was either crying my eyes out or had the wheels turning inside my head trying to come up with ways to incorporate the things I learned into my life. Like watching these movies made me a better person, they brought me closer to god for the simple fact, that GOD is GOOD in even the toughest times. You just have to make sure he is a constant presence in your life.

FIREPROOF




When I first started watching the movie the acting was pretty bad and corny, like the kind of acting in a porno! Seriously, I was thinking about changing the channel, but started really getting into the whole story, I guess because part of me could relate to it. I'm so glad I left it on, because I learned sooo much from this movie. When it gets tough, you can't just give up. Every relationship requires work, in hard times even more than easy ones.

My favorite quote: "The sad part about it is, when most people promise for better or for worse, they really only mean for the better."


NOT EASILY BROKEN


If we believe the movies, the tough part of relationships is getting to the "I dos." Everything after that is some vaguely imagined "happily ever after." But "Not Easily Broken," based on the popular novel by preacher T.D. Jakes, is frank from its very first moments that "happily ever after" requires a lot of work and a lot of prayer.

This movie had me from the get because I love MORRIS CHESTNUT! :) I got a little annoyed at some parts, when you watch it you'll know why. But I laughed a lot and I was definitely crying more! So emo nemo. yes, that would be.

My Favorite Quote: "You've got to let life turn you upside down so you can learn how to live right side up"


**Definitely take time out to watch these 2 flicks, you won't regret it. **

Saturday, May 16, 2009

You gotta love yourself first.

- because in the end - you will be all you have.

Men will love you for it, because in reality, they just share that love with you - sounds paradoxical - but when you sit and figure out how to explain this - that's the only time you will know - put yourself as number one for a while. Once they figure out that you still have yourself to love you, that's when they feel the insecurity - remember, A man loves a strong woman, fears a weak woman, and plays with a stupid woman.

There's only really 3 kinds of us in their heads - be the first of the three! Nothing is guaranteed - only your love of yourself is.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

"UNDERWORLD"-Rise of the Lycans

So I guess the rivalry between werewolves and vampires stretches waaay beyond just "Twilight".
I found this movie to have a little bit of everything, so if you find yourself at a RED BOX, make sure you pick this one up. I've never really been into scary/action movies until I men Benny. Movies I wouldn't normally even think about watching, I have been. And I must admit, I find them rather enjoyable!! :)

4...3...2...1

So I'm on day 2 of my 4 day week...(final week at current job)

just 2 more days to go and I will be outta there!

I don't know why, but I'm really starting to feel the nerves (the good kind). You know like the night before your birthday, the first day of school or performance in front of hundreds of people. Those kind of nerves. The "I think I want to puke" butterflies in your stomach kind of nerves. I think you guys get the picture.

When one chapter closes another one starts, so let's see what kind of adventure I can find myself in this time.

I've never been one to fear change...

**Cheers to new beginnings!**

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

We honor you today, Happy Mother’s day!

Toys are scattered, Laundry Never ends, you’ve wrecked the house, it’s tiring.

Yet here I am, I never tire of watching your little face as you sleep, so peaceful, your eyes wander, your fingers twitch, your leg moves, are you running in your dreams? Are you playing in the ocean or walking across green pastures? I wonder how is it that I can be so tired, so confused, sometimes it even hurts, but still I feel breathless over you.

I’m scared but courageous; torn but resolute.

It’s terrifying because your heart, your hopes, your dreams, they’re all on the line, and I’m responsible. Yet I have so much strength in me, I have love for you given to me by god, and it makes me stronger than anything you can imagine. You have no idea, because of you I don’t get to rest. Not when I’m sick, not when I’m tired. But you are worth every mess you are worth every sleepless night. Every ache, every tear because you are the reason I laugh, you are the reason my heart soars with the light, you are the reason I possess this love. You give me so much life. And you know what, before I was called mother, I never knew such bliss.



**Thank you mothers you are a beautiful snapshot of God’s perfect love. Longing to comfort, protect, nurture, and gather your children into your arms.


Saturday, May 9, 2009

For the hand that rocks the cradle - Is the hand that rules the world

Mother's day is one on my favorite Holidays of the year. Just because being a mother is such a big part of my life, it's nice to have a day dedicated to me! Well...to me and all the other wonderful mothers out there. We all know it isn't easy, it's a lot of hard work! We make the world go round!! I hope you all have a wonderful day tomorrow, because we all deserve it!!

Graphics and Layouts at DazzleJunction.com
Keep up the good work!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

what goes around comes around.

I'm a firm believer in KARMA!

yup, do unto others as you would have done unto you, or be ready for some major payback! It doesn't even mean it will come back in the exact same form of your dirt, but you will definitely get yours.

I try to live a very honest life for the following reasons:

1. I'm a really bad liar and honestly DON'T like doing it.
2. I don't have the stomach to have a "guilty cloud" hovering over my heart, mind & soul everyday. Who can live like that?
3. I love the people in my life, why would I ever want to do anything to hurt them?

I've witnessed a whole lot of dirt in my life, sometimes I wonder how?? why?? wth?? But it isn't my place to say anything, or maybe it is, but we're talking about lives here!! Not my life, so why would I want to be the one to spill the beans. It wasn't even me, but just knowing and not saying anything makes me feel guilty. Why do grimey messed up things happen to the nicest people?? It sucks! And how can the person doing the dirt act like they didn't do anything at all?? Continuing the normal routine...so many questions...

In no way, shape, or form am I claiming to be perfect! I just know I always try to be very upfront and honest about my decisions and things I do, so that it doesn't come and bite me in the ass later, it's as simple as that.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

ALCARAZ+ISLA=

MAJOR "ROCK OUT" Finger suckers!

Catchin' Cases!

I just got done watching "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button". I definitely give it 2 thumbs up!

I know, I know, I'm always super late to watch movies, but with 3 kids at home, its a bit hard to get out. So most of the time we pick it up as soon as it comes out on DVD.

If you aren't up on "RED BOX"--google it. Waaaay cheaper than BLOCKBUSTER or even NETFLIX. (Depending on how often you get a movie. ) We probably rent an average of 12 DvD's a month and for $1.08 rental charge (including tax), I say that's one hell of a deal! They have kiosks located at most grocery stores and even some gas stations, so it isn't really out of the way, just pick-up a movie on your way out from stocking up your fridge or while you're pumping your gas.

I didn't really realize how long this movie was, but I was determined to finish it in one sitting, even with 3 kids crying, yelling & screaming in the background, I did my best to enjoy the movie. :)

There were so many inspiring quotes in this movie, but if I had to pick one:

"For what it's worth: it's never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There's no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you're proud of. If you find that you're not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again. "

Can't stop won't stop!

It's never too late people, to be what you "might have" been!!


Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Pacman vs. Hitman





Seriously? 2 rounds? I was hoping for a much better fight than that! At least 5 rounds, geeez. Either way the outcome would have been the same! Go MANNY!! I have never screamed sooo much for 2 rounds of boxing in my life! I guess it doesn't help that there were 2 visitors at the viewing, that were rooting for the other team! All I can say now is..."There's only ooooone Manny Pacquiao..." I guess you had to be there to know the rest of the chant!



...and that's what happens when you talk too much shit.



**VICTORY**!!

Show me the $$$

So I have 2 more weeks before I start my new position at Wells Fargo!

I'm excited and scared all at the same time. I know it's a better move in the long run since there will be more room for me to grow at this particular location, but now that I'm starting to think about what I'll be giving up...all I can say is "DAMN"! No more 4 day work weeks (even if the hours were pretty long!). It was sooo nice to have 3 days off! The last time I had M-F 8-5 was in California 5 years ago!! I can't put myself to sleep because all of these luxuries the previous locations offered to me, will no longer be there!

I guess we all have to sacrifice something for something else. And no matter how green it looks on the other side, you just never really know until you get there! Which reminds me, I need to put some relief in play. Benny is not going to be able to handle staying up 5 days a week and working nights, all by himself. what to do...what to do...

Monday, May 4, 2009

"Next Buy"

So Benny is trying to talk me into getting this tiny little laptop, for when we're just sitting in bed, traveling, or web chatting. I guess it would be a wise investment, but for a few hundred more we could get a REAL laptop, not just a "mini" one. I would definitely keep up with this blog more if I had one, because blogging from my phone, isn't really my thing.

...and another year passes.


So Isaiah's Birthday passed on April 25th, and since I'm really bad at this whole blogging thing, I thought I would post a couple pictures from the day. We had his party at "Make Me a Star"--Party studios, which was a blast!! I wish I had the money to open a children's party studio, that's seriously what I want to do!! Someday...
*The Red Carpet Interview

*Playing the part

*Record the Demo --"The Cool Kids"

*Photoshoot for demo cover

*HAPPY BIRTHDAY IJ!