Goodbye 2012!

For the exception of the final work week before I went on vacation, 2012 has flown by faster than a sneeze!  It feels like just the other day when I was eating my grapes and throwing back champagne at my friends house and I'm back again there tonight!  Therefore, in order to continue the cliche of what we all have learned and are thankful for, here is my 2012 wrap up...

Let me start off by thanking the good Lord for my health and my family's health.  Some days are easier than others and sometimes I just want to run out the door screaming to the top of my lungs (some of my close friends know why home life is stressful at times). Overall, if it wasn't for my mom's strength, I'd have a meltdown every week or so.  I am thankful for my parental unit, with flaws & everything that God has put in our way.

Moving on, I am very thankful to be able to get up every morning (even if the moon is still out) and head to work. My career is the most frustrating, hilarious, exhausting but never dull experience, work-wise.  Sure I'm underpaid compared to most jobs but I can definitely say I get so much more out of it than someone making 6 figures and who can never crack a smile at work.  Those kids sometimes can ruin my day or make it the best ever! I know I'm making a difference and that is all that matters to me.  My co-workers (at least those I'm close to) are some of the funniest and down earth people I have met.  It's a select few but I am very thankful to have them close by, especially when the kids are bouncing off the walls.  I teach, read, color, explore, investigate with kids! My job rocks!

This year was truly a testament for friendships.  I've managed to get rid of people who were only bringing negative things into my life.  I've gotten closer to other people who have become great friends of mine. In all relationships, I have learned so many valuable lessons and I am thankful, even if some ended on a sour note. People come into our lives to teach us many lessons. This teacher shall never stop learning.

I can say I was so incredibly lucky this year to have taken off of my "to-do" list two things: go to Washington D.C. & Italy!!! Our nation's capital is so beautiful and never have I felt more proud to be an American (with Cuban roots) standing in front of that White House.  Hmmm...I wonder if the Obama's wouldn't mind renting me a room there? Then there's Italia. What can I say about Italy? There's not enough adjectives to describe Rome & Vatican City. I don't think I've ever wanted to cry, smile, jump for joy as much as I did on that trip.  My next venture: London & Paris 2013 with students! I'm gonna need some baby Jesus blessings for that one.

As for my love life, well that was lackluster but interesting to say the least. Let's see, this year I've managed to meet not one but two fucktards who claim I was too "gringa/cracker/white" and another moron, whom my friends and I have coined "Rocks", because that idiot was dumber than a bag of rocks!  Oh and who can forget "Raj"? Thank you Jenny for making me laugh so hard that night by giving him that name. It suits this guy perfectly!! So perhaps 2012 wasn't meant to be my year of love. No worries because I had more than enough stories to last all year round!

Now I wonder, what is 2013 going to surprise me with? Hopefully more of the amazing moments from 2012 but with less rocks (oh please noooo rocks whatsoever!)

-A

The Case of Being Too White

An entire summer has gone by and once again, no posts from yours truly. Though fear not, for I have plenty of material to produce a few of these entries.  But for now, a quick one for ya'll...

I was born in this great U. S of A  and my parentals are Cuban. Raised on black beans, rice and platanitos maduros, I never really went around singing the Cuban national anthem (even though I know most of the words to it) but I do answer, when asked, that I'm American, specifically Cuban-American.  It has come to my attention that if I'm not spewing Spanish all the time, including in my text messages, I'm considered too white (or gringa).

Yes people, this curly hair, brown eyed, Spanish speaking, bean loving gal is  too white according to TWO guys I recently met.  The first one was on a date. To make a long story short, the guy wouldn't stop speaking in Spanish and when I replied in English, he said I sounded "very white".  He then asked how strong the force was with me. At this point I'm thinking he's referring to Star Wars. I ask, "the force? What force?". Of course, he was referring to how strong was my Cuban force, how much I identified with Cuba. I guess my answer lead him to really just believe I'm the biggest gringa ever.

The second case was another guy I met at happy hour. Once again, the Spanish talk begins and I reply in English (mostly because I feel more comfortable with it). He asked where I was from, blah blah, the entire explanation again, he starts to talk about his trips to Cuba (which I have no interest in) and there he goes, "Wow! You're so white, like a cracker. You're Cuban, you should be happy speaking in Spanish." At that moment, even though he was cute, I was totally over talking to Mr. Cubanaso.

Don't get me wrong, I am proud of where my family came from and I will bust out with my Spanish every so often, but if I'm talking to you in English it's because I feel more comfortable speaking English. The only acceptable time to say I'm white is when you're referring to my lack of a tan!

The $20 Story...

These past two weeks have been of great learning and deeper understanding of peoples true colors.  As I began my 31st year of awesomeness, it became quite clear that one never ceases to stop learning.  Unfortunately, I thought  I knew enough on the subject of friends and what a friendship entails...I was wrong.  Nevertheless, I am thankful for every situation, good or bad, because it opens my eyes more to those who surround me.

My grandparents were pure geniuses! Yes, those humble, farm folk knew so much about life and they managed to instill good knowledge upon their kids (all 8 of them), which has in turn passed on to us, the grand kids.  My grandfather always had a saying, "Amigo? Yo no creo en amigo, si no $20 en el bolsillo" (translation: Friends? I don't believe in friends, I believe in $20 in your pocket).  Apparently, $20 in your pocket is a bigger guarantee than the friendship many people promise to keep.

Last week, as I was ready to celebrate my 31st birthday, I got a cold, hard punch as to who my so called friends are.  Now I can't judge all of them the same, but some really surprised me and not in a good way.  It's so funny to me how when people are down in the gutter, they would  immediately seek me out for comfort, company or just to shoot the shit every so often.  I, in turn, knowing what the definition of friendship is, would be there for them. Not just in the good, but also in the bad.  As it turns out, the actions aren't always reciprocated. I've had various people tell me how we should all "stick together" (especially the single people), yet those same people no longer pick up the phone or say, "hey, let's go get a drink".  Those same people who would call me to complain about their friends being too bitchy, issues with men, or girlfriends not pulling through for them, etc., are the ones who seem to be missing in action.  Or the people who apparently can't make decisions for themselves anymore because they are in a relationship or married, they too have forgotten how to maintain a friendship.

It turned out to be a shitty night of what was supposed to be a fun night.  Yet, not all was lost.  A few reached out to me and offered to listen to me. One even went as far to continue following up with me for a few days to see how I was doing until I finally vented.  I will be eternally grateful to that person because they know what it is to be a friend. 

I learned a valuable lesson that night, which I'll never forget (because Lord knows A LOT of things are going to be changing). As for those who have shown me their true colors, well they can go fly a kite because clearly $20 is worth more in my pocket than their presence ever was.

My First Marathon...sorta!

Anyone who knows me, knows that I do NOT like working out.  I'd rather take a nap or go on a cleaning spree than making my lazy behind go to a gym. Speaking of a gym, I have a membership. Last time I went: can't remember! So I just consider it my monthly contribution to maintain the facility for those who actually attend.

Last Thursday, April 26th, the annual Mercedes Benz Corporate Run 5K took place in downtown, Miami.  Well, yours truly was convinced by her boss to attend this event with other coworkers. I didn't have much time to train but I figured 3.1 miles is no big deal. After all, I can probably do more at a mall!  The place was packed with about 22,000 people, many of whom actually took this running business way too seriously.

Well, I am happy to report that yours truly, along with her Westland Wildcat Troops, completed the marathon...even if most of us walked it.  By the second mile, I thought my legs were about to fall off. I'm still convinced that it was more than 3 miles.  As of right now, I have no idea how I'm going to survive the Disney Princess Marathon next February!  Why am I doing that marathon? Because my boss and my coworkers have suckered me into it. (Plus, my Jefa is quite a riot at these events, so it makes it much more interesting).

So there you have it folks, I did some form of exercise! Not sure if I'll keep it up or if I decide to pay the gym a little visit again but I'm keeping my hopes low so as not to be disappointed! Ha-ha!

M-O-N-E-Y

Green, crisp and when it has triple digits we love it: money! Some call it the root of all evil, others said "Mo' money, mo' problems" (thanks, Biggy!). I wanted to discuss several aspects of this topic because it seems to be one that has popped up quite often during this last week.  There's some things I can't seem to understand about it and how people deal with it, so perhaps you can shed some light on it for me.  

Now, I will try my very best to keep this clean but there's a good chance some words may need to be bleeped for the kiddies. I've always wondered about this question in particular for some time now but it came up again last week while I was chatting with my friend, Kristie.  Question: how in the world are people always broke when they make twice what I do? I mean, how much of a fucktard can you be when a simple teacher who makes peanuts, compared to other professions, can save more and have no debt? This has boggled my mind for the longest and I've only come up with a few answers but if anyone else has more insight, please share! Perhaps they are in a never ending circle of debt because they have to keep up with the non-existent Jones's, or were they just never taught how money works and have no common sense when it comes to it.  I can't say I was always the good financial planner that I have become because in my early twenties I was a hot mess!  I was charging up everything and Lord knows I always had a new designer purse every month.  Then one day it hit me.  If I ever had an emergency, wanted to buy a car (yes, buy. I refuse to be paying for something that will never be mine in the end), wanted to purchase a home, I wouldn't have the money for it.  I do believe that Ms. Carrie Bradshaw was incorrect when she said "I like my money where I can see it, hanging in my closet". What is the deal with people trying to keep up with others? Why can't we accept ourselves for who we are and what we have? Therapy anyone?! How can one drive a luxury car and have no emergency funds (and by funds I mean a good 6-9 months worth of monthly expenses). Do people think they can't lose their jobs or fall ill?  As you can see, I'm quite puzzled.

Next, money seems to bring out the worst in people. They don't even believe in their mother's when it comes to those green little papers. Is greed really that prevalent? Yeah, perhaps.  Of course money can help one live a better life, have good healthcare and then some, but surely it isn't everything. Let's take for example the recent news of Beyonce's baby. My friend, Lexi, wrote a great blog about this, and I thought why not piggy back on it.  Just this morning on the radio they were talking how all of sudden people are in an uproar because she rented a whole floor, parents couldn't see their newborns and are just being quite spiteful to a newborn child! I mean it's a baby for crying out loud; she had no choice in the matter. Did Mrs. Knowles & Mr. Carter need an entire floor? Probably not, but we are still livid that they spent all this money and effort in doing so.  Why? Greed, jealousy? One of my momma's Cuban sayings fits perfectly for this: "Al que Dios se lo dio, San Pedro se lo bendiga" (translation for my non-Spanish speaking friends: what God gave you, may St. Peter bless it).

So I'm thinking, instead of blowing your money on pure shit and trying to keep up with a lifestyle that will never erase the real reasons you're like that (yep, another therapy reference) , why not give to charity or volunteer?  And instead of getting all hissy about money, don't hate. Go out and make your own. Be happy with what you have and leave those with the millions to enjoy it as they please.

Things I know for sure...part 2

I'm a few days late but nevertheless, happy new year!  This is my first post for 2012 and I'm quite excited to continue with my blogging adventures. Speaking of blogs, my good friend, Teresa, has started up a hilarious blog! Go check it out at:  adventuresoflivingwithmyhushand.blogspot.com

Just a brief update: 2012 has been great so far! I'm feeling very blessed and positive. Happy and excited for what's to come :)  Ok, and now for my topic...

Things I know for sure (part 2)...Everything happens for a reason & at the exact time they should happen. Sure everyone has heard this saying about a million times and have probably even uttered these words about a bazillion times. The reason for it is because it's so true and I'm convinced more of its certainty every day that passes.  

With every event that occurs in our lives, we sometimes have a difficult time in understanding why it happened, usually we question this when the event had a negative outcome. Perhaps a death in the family, something didn't go according to plan, etc., and we question it until we are blue in the face, and in many times blame God/Nature/Karma (whatever you believe in) for that occurrence. It isn't until much later that we realize the true reasoning behind it. Unfortunately, for some people they never realize it because they lack the maturity and open mindedness to see the positive of things. For the sake of examples, lets take a death in the family. Yes, it does hurt like crazy and we wonder why that person had to go, especially if they are of a young age or of a terrible disease. We wonder, "why them?" Now I can't sit here and tell you the exact reason, but I firmly believe that person left this world because they were needed elsewhere. Sorry if I get a bit spiritual here but it's just how I deal with that situation. Perhaps a bigger force (or in my life, God) needed that person more...perhaps they need some seriously qualified angels up in heaven!  Another scenario we can question is why people come in and out of our lives, such as friends. Once again, because it was meant for that person to serve its purpose and that's it. We all learn from each other and we may have learned from them how to avoid being a shitty friend and other valuable lessons.

For all of the things that have taken place in the course of my 30.5 years, I'm grateful for all of them because each has served its purpose and have taught me great lessons. Some took me quite some time to figure out but I got there! (and I haven't made those mistakes again). When people suddenly leave, let it go, and learn. If they have passed, pray for them and their families.  If a friend is no longer part of your life, pray for them and wish them well (yes, even if they do suck at life). 

-A