Thursday, January 29, 2009

thunder from down under



i gotta write...

i dont feel like being grammatically correct so expect mistakes and errors...

random thoughts that eloped with my runners high on sunday nite and are hosting a week long reception in the grandBRAINroom of my head when i should be resting.

karma is merciless...

that guy tried his "wooing" technique on me...
"yo ma," "que morenasa," "diasblo mami, casate con migo," "wat u mean your not interested?! i bought u that drank?!"(after repeatedly refusing the damn drink)
...in hopes that i give him the chance of a lifetime-my undivided attention. guess what- unfortunately his technique HAS worked before...thanks a lot slore, you make it really flippin difficult for women like me to find men willing to put in the work.

...how does karma know when to do the do?


...im sorry, im just not that into u... sorry 4 treating U the way he treats me for the same reasons...at least i dont do it on purpose...does he?

ZAFA


...count your blessings it could always be worse... and how much worse could it be?

Thank you higher being i believe in for what i do have and pliz bless wat i will get...
I know you dont throw anything my way i cant handle...pero dame chanse

wtf is thunder from down under? I feel its something I could use from time to time.
Shem Hotep ("I go in peace")-Sawaad Amen Ra
-yo

*photo created by Neil Thompson & Neil Wilson

Monday, January 26, 2009

Catch yourself!


ahhhh el Lunes...no monday blahness, only reality :)

Yesterday my friends from infancy (aka elementary school) came over and we did what we do best, catch up and over analyze.

Another bow was added to our friendship string as three individual highly distinct lives were once again brought together by forces stronger than I could explain.

--the small things

I've been more time conscious recently since I've been forced to acknowledge our mortality more than usual. how fast time slips through our existence, like sand through our fingers. Is it just me or is time in a rush? What the flip flop!?! Sickness, disease, violence, fate and ultimately death. I'm reading the Kite Runner and as I read about the narrator's care-taking responsibilities, my reality shot to the forefront of my thoughts because reality too is privy). Frightening- yes; inevitable- of course. So I caught myself. Take it how you want it.

*Catch yourself being nasty to a loved one at stupid little things like loosing your wallet
*Catch yourself wasting precious time
*Catch yourself setting limits to your life

I caught this as the elliptical caught me, a sunrise that only NYC has to offer and New Yorkers can mostly appreciate: Warm pastel yellow sun rays piercing thick unwelcoming cold grey clouds forcing a caricia on the unkempt steel bridge of 225th street glistening on the face of the Hudson below as the current dragged melting sheets of ice and debris toward a wonderful place...a new place.

*& at the risk of repeating every brilliant mind that was or will be-there's a big world out there- LIVE


Paciencia y Fe
juvs

Thursday, January 22, 2009

I 'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do.


Have you ever been approached by a loved one with a situation so horrible that all you could do was take a deep breath, hold them, and cry? They tell you on their last leap of faith, wishing with all their might to hear form you the words that will make them feel better and solve their problem. But you know, you understand that nothing you say will grant that wish. Cue in feeling of helplessness...one of the worst feelings known to humans.

People approach me with all sorts of issues and I became a social worker to be able to help them. I thought that in the professional position I currently hold, I would be able to say with frequency, "Yes, I can help you with that." This however, is not the case. Instead, the phrase "I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do" escapes my heavy lips like a wild animal being released from captivity- disoriented and confused, but powerful and dangerous.

Wait, something's knocking at my chest...Oh, helplessness its you again.

Feeling helpless is not fun. It's infuriating, depressing, depreciating...but NOT FUN. Makes you feel incompetent and useless. I like helping people, and have a huge problem when I can't be superwoman. What good is power when those who need it most have little or no access to it and are kept from it?

What are your reactions when faced with the feeling of helplessness? Any tips?

*picture courtesy of http://images.quickblogcast.com/70855-62287/triple_minded.jpg

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

I don't stress the little things but I'm big on DETAIL...


"Its about how you make a person feel"- This statement made by DJ struck me like Mami's chancleta across the side of my head because my sister and I were bickering over la barbie. Interestingly, it served the same purpose: it made me think.

I attended a party with my best friend in Jersey a few days ago and one of my acquaintances stops in his tracks, looks at me like a fat kid does cake and said "You are the most perfect 23 year old with a masters and everything else...mmm." Not used to such direct compliments I flashed an uncomfortable smile and said right, tell me that when you're sober. His reply, " Absolutely."

The morning after there's a text: "You are going to make a man extremely happy one day."

Now that's what I'm talking about! Nope, not what he said, but what he did. This person seems to think that I'm important enough to follow through with a drunken promise. That regardless of whether I'm interested or not, this person made me feel special by taking the time to keep his word.

[Photo]
Its interesting that this person did not forget the convo as I thought he would, did not use the "I was drunk excuse," or that although we had exchanged info in past and never used it, he kept his word.

Makes me think of all the minor details I pay attention to that tend to be overlooked by many. Here are a few examples.

-My friend's boyfriend is off for the day, he went to her house to pick something up before she leaves for work, she says I'm about to walk out lets grab some coffee, and although he hasn't seen her for a few days, is already at her place, is walking the same direction as she is (coffee is on the way), and has abosulutely nothing to do HE SAYS NO.

-Saying you will call back and don't.

-Wishing someone a good day and receiving no reply.

-Saying you will do something and not doing it.

-Not acknowledging a job well done.

-Falling asleep midway through a text convo (I'm guilty of this one in particular).

I'm sure many examples come to mind...go ahead share...

These actions are frequent and they leave an emotional impression. How do you think people feel when the aforementioned occurs? That's what they remember. And this isn't applicable to just relationships. What I'm talking about seeps into all areas of life: work, school, family, etc. Frequent events that don't go unnoticed by me. Some may be overlooked but all are definitely filed into my mental note brain cabinet. Boggles my mind how some people prefer not to inconvenience themselves to make other people feel good (happy, special, worthy, important, loved etc etc etc.). And it really Maybe they are not thinking about the other person...just themselves? What's wrong with being considerate? Is it perceived as a weakness? Perhaps threatening even? Does your consideration increase with interest? Why not just be considerate?

I say it's a reflection of a person's character naturally narrating different things of different people.

Maybe it's because I am this way, but I enjoy people that go out of their way to make others feel good. I don't do it to impress anyone or expect it in return but when it's chronically goes without reciprocation, its like a slap in the face. It's so distasteful when your inconsiderate, like putting your hand in the jelly bean bag without looking and putting one in your mouth expecting deliciousness only to find that you've bitten into the black jellybean...an unhappy moment that makes you not want to put your hand in the bag again.

So I challenge you friends . First evaluate and see if you are considerate or not. Get feed back to ensure consensus on considerateness (I made that word up :) ). Secondly, pay attention to detail and follow through! And lastly, I challenge you to make someone else feel good. It doesn't take much money or thought- call someone you haven't spoken to in a while, send someone a funny email or buy someone a glass of wine because they had a rough day...do something! Karma will reward you.

Pausa Y Volvemos!!!
UV

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Wat U WaLkIn' bout Willis?!


When it comes to relationships, romantic or not, actions speak louder than words right?

How those actions are interpreted by the target audience, HOWEVER, could mean the spoken actions are left open for MISinterpretations. For example if a particular someone temporarily holds your romantic interests and you think your actions are saying "hey I'm interested in getting to know you" but they are being interpreted as "will you marry me?", or you think your actions are saying "I'm busy" but were translated into "Not interested" its because your actions and words are inconsistent. The result: hurt feelings, and what potentially could've been a great thing will probably never be or a disaster was just prevented.

Reminds me how double edged the sharp sword of life really is.

I like to be kept informed, clearly state things, understand things, talk them out and really dislike games that leave room for misinterpretation. Mainly because assumptions have gotten the best of me in the past and I strive not to make them. Call me naive but the benefit of the doubt is something I genuinely offer- because I expect the same in return.

Don't get it twisted, games are necessary and I'm forced to play them to maintain interest and pizzaz...but there comes a point where the power play must be put to the side and ambiguity must be done with. That's when guards are lowered and you reveal yourself, your intents and your interests. When that exactly that moment will take place...who knows.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is: challenge yourself to communicate so that you can figure out if you have been misinterpreted, be clear and consistent with your actions AND words (It's really hard, this requires us to remain conscious of our actions and words and and some us suck at this). Also show the human side of you, let the guards down when your ready and LIVE.

Its scary, but don't be afraid of it, you might be surprised at the outcome. Besides, a wise woman once told me, rejection is only temporary and I'll add to that by saying rejection lasts as long as you let it.

~Live on mi gente, live on...
*Pic Courtesy of http://www.indonesianshadowplay.com

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Who's Important?

Hmmm Tuesday...mmmm

Sone only day later, this blog has made me highly perceptive to my experiences, something I didn't expect. I went through so many emotions and events yesterday and thought it interesting when I found myself immediately thinking-this is good for my blog! I don't know what's more fascinating, is it 1- that my emotions are being considered as opposed to just dealt with; 2-that I'm actually liking the whole blog thing; 3- that I don't plan to blog about any of that stuff today?

Nope...none of that...

What's currently boggling my mind is that I'm being forced to live consciously. How can I make sense of this statement? Well, here it goes... As a social worker, I strive to live consciously, to know how my actions affect my family, my environment/community, the systems I navigate on a daily basis etc. But for a person that was never into journals or diaries for reasons better left undisclosed, I am publicly investigating myself through words made public. It may not be a big deal to those who are accustomed to blogging, but this is a breakthrough people!

Paying attention to details of my life, actions, emotions, behaviors and analyzing them in the productive non-psycho way, while cognicent of the fact that they may one day reach this page, sheds a new light on consciousness.

I'm thankful that I challenge myself to listen to ME. We spend so much time pendiente al que diran that we loose ourselves trying to please others. Well, I'm not that person anymore. I stopped caring about how people felt about me (all aspects of me) when I became a priority.

Become your priority...

Monday, January 12, 2009

ItwonTmaKeSense


I was inspired by an truly inspirational person in my life to blog-my daughterjomma aka fannypack.

So...bloggin...blogging...writing in a blog....for audience...for people...not just yourself..


At first I was hesitant to join the world of bloggers...I mean for a person that talks a lot I do maintain a certain level of privacy. So- do I really want to share my inner most thoughts? I mean if you wanted to find out what they were why not just talk to me? Then I'm reminded, this is the internet generation where someone from somewhere I probably have not visited-yet- can enjoy or not- my inner most thoughts and react to them. This is also a space where those whom I do know can enter my brain through my highly thought out-or not-words. Ya dig?

So, I welcome thee unknown, unexpected, unpredictable blogworld. I hope you are kind to me-or not although I don't hope for it but I welcome it- as I walk forward into the PUBLIC path path of self discovery. Gimme some time, the words will flow.....

Stay tuned ladies and gents...

Followers