Saturday, November 9, 2013

I CAN'T SAY IT WAS A CRAPPY YEAR. AFTERALL, I'M STILL HERE AND I LOVE IT!

As 2013 is nearing the end, I stop to reflect on the events that took place in my life, and those that didn't. 

I can remember so clearly January 2013, taking a moment to sit with myself and write my goals for the year. I was certain they would all be met. Then April came around and my list was no where to be found. She was somewhere by herself on a long forgotten notepad. Perhaps it became a coaster for my morning coffee cup. Although not in my presence and maybe in a rubble of scrap writings I tend to collect, she was always on my mind. I knew what I had written months before. The Chinese I was going to learn, the keyboard; yeah, yeah I was going to learn the keyboard, and those stubborn last 10 lbs - they were gone.

Then came July. Crap! JULY! My long-lost list, no where to be found. She was so powerful in January. She had electrified me, beamed me up and made me feel invincible. But I had put her aside to handle life. You see, I couldn't foresee what was ahead. I didn't know what I would experience in 2013. I had it all planned out! But, there were other lessons for me to learn first - I guess.  Like how to handle a career that is on fire and successfully keep your 24 year marriage alive and well and the children, the reason for life, how to make sure they feel your love and presence - for my husband and children I am most thankful. And, how to handle friends that let you down. How to handle the piercing words that are shot at you like a fiery dart by the ones you thought to be the closest to you. How to accept that you aren't as great as you tried to be in others eyes. That all your efforts, weren't enough to some.

Then there was the graduation ceremony.  My little girl, the one I cradled in my arms- graduating from high school, and that boyfriend break-up (oy vey), and my son getting engaged to be married (faints)! Or losing my gallbladder! What the heck? My gallbladder?!!

I didn't know this year was going to be the year I would learn to let go of others expectations of me, to not just acknowledge, but to accept others opinions of me; their perception of me. I didn't know this was the year I didn't call back. I didn't text back. I didn't know I was going to have to dig real deep to find my dignity. I didn't know I was going to have to learn to stand up proudly and say, "this is me, and in me, I am proud."

I found myself this year. Not that I didn't know myself before. I did. I passed that stage. I'm talking about the "me" that says, "so what, I am who I am!" At all cost. And those who chose to take a seat in my train, must do it with love, compassion and a desire to wish me well. I'm on the other side now, and it feels great!

Life has a way of putting you through a dryer cycle but I know that God is in control. I've trusted him since I was 11 years old. There wasn't a day I didn't pray. I was in constant communication with the Man upstairs. I knew he had my back and I knew I would pull through the upsets.The lesson: Always rise above your situation. Always know that God can see you through and most of all, never give up on your dreams.

January 2013 held many promises then, but today, I realize although I set those goals, I wasn't ready yet. I still had some clearing out to do.

It's November now. Did I meet some of my goals? Of course. Will I transfer the ones I didn't meet to 2014? Of course......

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

LOS ANGELES MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY APPEARANCE



****FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE****


ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY
 “CINCO PUNTOS”
MEXICAN AMERICAN ALL WARS MEMORIAL

BOYLE HEIGHTS, CA -  MEMORIAL DAY, MAY 27, 2013  The extremely popular local ceremony is once again being held at the intersection commonly known as Cinco Puntos near the Mexican-American All Wars Memorial.
State, County, Local officials, Media, Veterans from the surrounding areas and far beyond gather at this ceremony to reflect and show their gratitude to those who have served.
This year’s ceremony will feature:

Major General Megan Tatu U.S Army Reserves – Key Note Speaker

California State Assembly Speaker, John A. Perez
Councilman 13th District, Eric Garcetti
Councilman 14th District, José Huizar
Captain U.S Navy Ret., Fernando Hernandez
Captain Leonardo Quadrado, U.S.M.C
Specialist Veronica Martinez, U.S Army Reserves
Author and Speaker, Juju Sands

This ceremony is covered by all branches of media & serves the greater Los Angeles area.

When:         MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

Where:        Cinco Puntos @ corner of Lorena, Indiana & Cesar Chavez, Boyle
                  Heights, CA

Time:          10:00 a.m.


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Thursday, March 28, 2013

YOUR LIFE CAN BE AMAZING! BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!

Once there was a girl.... and she was unique and talented and interesting and amazing and unforgettable....and real. And she knew, deep down, that if she tried something and things didn't go as she had hoped or wanted or dreamed or planned, she could just try something different or try the exact same thing again but approach it in a new or different way.

Then one day, her greatest hopes and dreams actually became true........

And her life was full of all these amazing and unforgettable moments and events and circumstances: incredible wins, of course, but also equally incredible-and worth it- losses. Because no matter what happened, she learned from everything around her and everything she went through. 

Yes, she fell sometimes (like everybody else does), but she got up and moved forward by always being true to herself....

And maybe one day she will even make a path for others to follow...until they can make their own paths, too.

You see, it is not that she was never frightened or sad or even knew when she woke up each day what to do (no one does). It was simply that she believed in herself and always shined on like a star...

And you too can be One Amazing Girl - if you just believe in yourself~

Juju

(Adapted from Blue Mountain Arts)

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