Light (1/31/12)

I took this picture at work. There are some light post light in one of the buildings. They provide great lighting and ambiance to the building. I like them because it makes me think of lighthouses. I find it kind of poetic given that I work at a college. The lights guide students to their future.

Escape Ladder (1/30/12)

I took this picture in downtown Portland from my parking structure. I am not sure what the building is but it was about five floors and they all had these doors leading to the outside escape ladders. I did not grow up with these types of buildings. I really like them. It makes me think of shows I used to watch when I was young of in different city/urban settings. I always wanted the city life, it seem so exciting. :)

Library (1/29/12)

Amarilis and I took a trip to our neighborhood library. It is a small building with books and videos. It was our first time there even though we are in walking distance. I was surprised at the amount of bilingual children books they had. It is going to be a great option for us since I like Amarilis to have books in Spanish. Support your local libraries! They are a treasure!!

Ladder (1/27/12)

These stairs ladder is outside of the building I work. It leads to the roof. It has an railing around it to secure the person as they go up. I have never seen anyone climb to the roof but I appreciate the protection for them. I can only imagine the view from up there. Our campus is very pretty. I am sure it must be breath taking in the spring.

There are a lot of images of ladders leading up to the sky. This is my version of it. Reach for the skies and do not pass by the tools you blessed with along the say. Do not pass of your ladders!

Outdoors In (1/26/12)

I love spaces where they bring the outdoors in. One of the buildings where at work has done just that. It has the beautiful water fountain with small trees in the background. There is also a lot of wood in this building and great sky lights. The elements are alive in here with the water, light, and earth. It is not only aesthetically pleasing but overall a very serene, peaceful place. The only thing missing is a hammock! My Puerto Rican is showing, nos encanta una hamaca! :)

We should all have a place where we can retreat to find some inner peace. A place where we can spend time in reflection. The world is so noisy, so busy, so distracting. We must build time to decompress from it all. Remember that you can find that place in the most unexpected locations.

Circle of Life (1/24/12)

I am not big into Southwest decor but found this piece when my husband and I took a trip form El Paso to Phoenix. The tag said that it represented the circle of life, as well as the water and earth. It is supposed to demonstrate the different aspects that impact our lives. I really like the symbolism behind it.

Every year on my birthday I think back on my life, the circle of my life through that year. I often laugh at myself because of what I thought I knew five or ten years earlier. I think about what I have gained and lost. I think about how many things have impacted my life and at times changed the course of my life. I often wonder where will I be five years from now. I know that it will be a richer (in character) place  and I will be more fulfilled because of the people in my life and the life lessons that come with each passing day.

I continue my journey in the circle of my life.

Odd One Out (1/23/12)

There are some rocks by where I work and they are all the same except for one odd ball that stock out to me. I liked the big ol' rock in the mist of the little ones. I can relate to sticking out. I am a tall Puerto Rican, which got me a lot of stares. We moved to Michigan when I started 8th grade. There were not a lot of Latinos in the school, ok any other than my family, which made us stick out. When I lived in Texas I remember going out to lunch with a Mexican co-worker  that told me I was the first Puerto Rican she EVER met. :) I like being one of a kind. Sticking out of the crowed, it has never bothered me. Here is to all the odd ones out!

Pariah (1/22/12)

I was on my way to see the movie Pariah at the only theater that was playing it in Portland. Before going into the movie I stopped at a plaza on SW Park. The plaza has a section that has a sheltered area covered with plexiglass that is being held by tension wire. Little did I know that my picture would be very fitting to my reflections after the movie.

Pariah is a movie about a young lesbian teenager becoming more comfortable with her identity and finally coming out to her family (even though they had a feeling all along). When she finally confirmed their suspicions the mother physically assaulted her daughter. When the scene took place, the woman next to me shifted her body and I could almost feel her tension. It made me think, how this woman identified with what just played out on screen, either personally or because she knows people that have been through it.

As a straight woman I have not had to explain my sexually or be judged by it. I just know that I do not want our daughter to have to live a double life. I do not want her to fear to be her true self with my husband and I. It broke my heart to see this play out on film, but more so to know that there were woman in that theater who personally
identified with the main charter, Alike, all too well.

If you wounder why the name Pariah, for its meaning... 1. a person without status, 2. a rejected member of society, 3. an outcast.

Lock and Key (1/21/12)

Tony, Amarilis and I went to lunch at Habibi's today. I looked over and I saw this lock and key and I just had to take a picture. The owner stopped by and told us that it was over 300 years old. It was amazing to hold it and see it up close. It made me wonder where it had been before ending up in Portland, OR. If it could talk, what stories would it have to share about our history and human nature!? It was simply amazing!!

Delta Tau Lambda (1/20/12)

I always wanted a sister. I grew up with two brothers whom I love but I wanted a sisterly bond. However, I was the end of the line for my parents. I never got my little sister.

While I did not gain a sister from my parents, God did not forget about me. He blessed me with Phenomenal
sorority sisters. Maria Victoria Ramos and I embarked in the most amazing journey on April 2, 1994, we founded Delta Tau Lambda Sorority, Inc. We have stayed the course and what started with two is now comprised of a network of intelligent, talented, beautiful, resourceful, passionate, gracious, giving, dedicated, and Phenomenal women across the US and the world.

My mom tells me that I had sisters in the best way because she did not have to pay for any of them. :) Biology or not, sisterhood is so important. Every woman needs to have bonds with other women that do not need to be explained, it just is!

Puerto Rico Nights (1/19/12)

I was
remembering
a trip to Puerto Rico back in the early 90s. I went out with my friend Vanessa and some of her friend to Old San Juan. We were in the area where the cruse ships docked. It was a perfectly warm island night. We could see the ships and smell the sea water. Behind us there were a group of viejitos listening to to boleros, singing and dancing. They were so beautiful, their faces, their wrinkles, their singing, and their joy!  This little pava  reminded me of them. I wish I had a camera that night!

Peace (1/18/12)

I love churches that have light crosses that you can see at night. Since God is a beacon of light guiding us, it is fitting that a church would have a cross that can be seen at night. I passed this church today and this cross sits at the very top. I liked that the roof was so dark as well as the sky that it makes it seem like the cross is floating. Taking this picture made me think about the peace that I feel when I go to church.

True Colors (1/17/12)

I love Gerbera Daisies! I especially love a bouquet of all colors. They put me in great mood. These are the flowers I used for my wedding. I was at the grocery store where they sell small bundles of Gerbera Daisies. After I took this picture I bought a couple of things. As I was heading out of the store with Amarilis I heard True Colors by Cyndi Lauper. I it such a beautiful song. It made me think about my daughter and how I want her to be true to herself always! "I see your true colors shining through. I see your true colors and that's why I love you. So don't be afraid to let them show. Your true colors, true colors are beautiful, like a rainbow."

Lovely Construction (1/16/12)

This picture is of our attic. I guess the construction guys were filled with love. :) I would do this too if I built houses, leave interesting things for people to find. S/he did a good job I think. The person could have done a simple circle and called it a day. Instead, s/he gave me my picture for January 16, 2012. I heart this picture! ;)

Qualifying Exam (1/15/12)

Oh snap! It just got very real!! My cohort and I received this email from our chair to let us know when our qualifying exams are taking place. I read it and my stomach got very tight. This is the first of two sets of exams we must pass in order to complete our program. It is hard to focus on my current classes because this is looming. God is good. I know he will see all of us through this process. It is another step in the road to Dr. Garcia-McMillian! Eye on the prize!!

Gymnastics (1/14/12)

My hubby and I took Amarilis to her gymnastics class. She did a great job. She loves the rope and swinging. She is really strong and can pull herself up onto the rope. She is so funny, when she gets into things she sticks her tongue out. She was all over it as you can see! :) Our poor boo boo was not feeling well but she still hung in there. She looked so cute in her gymnastics outfit! She was ready to do it all over again after she woke up from her nap.

Stairs (1/13/12)

Everything is around us is beautiful even concrete. I was on my way out of the office and took this picture. It is an outside stair case. I saw some students going up and down them. It made me think of how many people have taken those very same stairs. I wonder what they are doing now? Did they lead them to where they hoped to go? I hope they have, and for those who walk them today, I hope they do!!

Three Hearts (1/12/12)

The best day of my husband's and my life was when we flew to Atlanta to pick up our baby girl. Going from two to three was a dream come true for us. I bought this glass pendant to symbolize the three of us. The first time I put it on I asked Amarilis what the hearts were and she said, "Papi, Mami, and Amaninis." :) I love the she knew it was the three of us. Once in a while the three of us bust out in.. all for one and one for all from the three musketeers. We have a great time together and keep each other entertained.

Families come to be in a number of different ways. At the end of the day, it is the love that matters. We are not perfect parents by any means, who is? :) But, we sure love our cutie and she loves us. She made our life so much better. We are blessed beyond measure.

Light (1/11/12)

This picture is my version of the, is the glass half full or half empty? The ying and the yang of life. People are either positive or negative about most things in life. I saw this candle and it made me think of how some people would really appreciate the light it provides while others would be bothered by the heat it emanates.

I am a very positive person. I see that glass half full, I appreciate the light, I appreciate the possibilities in life. I recognize that in 2012 I have little patience for negativity. There is so much to be grateful for and that is what I am focusing on this year and what I hope others focus on as well!

Start Over (1/10/12)

I am starting over today. I forgot to take my picture yesterday. When I realized it this morning I was very dis-appointed. It may seem silly to people but I was very invested in doing all 366 days. I was a bit obsessive about it, secretly I am still kicking myself. However, I decided to keep going. I figured, that is how life goes sometimes. We get busy and forget things. However, life is about getting back on track, back on the horse, and starting over. That is what I am doing today. For today's picture, I tried a more artistic. I wrote the start over on my husband's xoom. I tried to do some erase lines to show that I was in the process of erasing it and starting over.

Baby Love (1/8/12)

Our daughter has been practicing making a heart with her fingers. She is getting better. She most certainly is our heart! I remember people saying that you will not know love until you have a child. I have to say that they were right. I love her in a way I never knew my heart could love. I worry about things I never worried about before. I want for her more than I have ever wanted for myself. She is an amazing human being. She is blessing like no other. We must have done something right in our lives for God to have been given our bundle of joy! :)

Save a Life (1/7/12)

I received a call form the Portland Red Cross Center a few weeks back letting me know that my next donation would make a gallon of blood. I had donated many places before but none had kept track of my donations, or at least they did not tell me how much I had donated. Apparently 8 donations make a gallon. This picture is of my blood after my eight donation. I got a pin and everything to celebrate my gallon donation. When the Red Cross called they also told me how many lives I had saved with my donations but I can't recall the total at the moment. I often wondered if they had used my blood and had these donations made a difference? It is a great feeling to know that they have. I am bless to be able to share my blood with others. If you are healthy and can donate blood, you should! One hour of your time can mean the world to someone else!!

Transitions (1/6/12)

I saw a woman working on this board by my office a couple of days ago. Today I got to check out the final project. Honestly, I am not sure what it is supposed to be, but I still like it. This board is for the Transitions program at Portland Community College. This a tuition free program that helps single parents transition to college. There was a a testimonial about a single mother of three who came to the college twice but got scared and turned around. Finally she got her cousin to drive her so that she would not leave and she finally started her journey.

PCC is the first time I have worked in a community college. It has been an interesting experience. I am used to working in traditional four year universities. In traditional school you find a lot of homogeneity. A community college is heterogeneous. You find everything from adults coming back for their GEDs, vocational students, students with Masters who are coming back because they are seeking a career change, displaced workers, etc. It is great to be in an environment where you get to help so many different people in so many different journeys.

Faith (1/5/12)

I passed the Faith Center on my way home today which made me reflect on how as I have gotten older my faith has gotten stronger. I find so much comfort in my belief in God, which brings me joy and serenity. I have become more in tune with messages from God which has brought me peace during difficult moments.

One challenging period was when my husband had to go on dialysis and start his journey towards a kidney transplant. One day I was driving and saw a repair van for Faith heating and cooling. I was overtaken by it. I felt that was God's way of telling me to be faithful, that everything would work out. Some people may not have notice the van, or though it was a coincidence. However, I felt, in my heart, that Faith heating and cooling was a message for me to remain faithful. I received the Lord's message, and things in fact were ok. My husband is doing great a year and a half after his transplant.

Michigan (1/4/12)

GO BLUE! This picture is in honor of the greatest university ever after the Sugar Bowl win last night! :) I know it was not pretty win, but it was a W at the end if the day. I am a proud graduate of the University of Michigan, BA '96. I also worked for the University for five years from 1999-2004.

I have a little dark secret. I did not want to go to Michigan. Both of my brothers were going to U of M and I wanted to "branch out." However, Hector and Maria (my parents) had a different plan. They did not want to drive to different schools to drop us off. They said they were making one trip and one trip only and that I had to go to U of M. After I graduated high school my parents said that they would take me on a trip to Puerto Rico as some sort of consolation prize. I later found out that the trip was planned all along. I was not special, they just wanted me to shut up about having to go to Michigan. Well, this was certainly a case of father and mother know best. I LOVED my time at Michigan. The 90s at Michigan were amazing. I had a blast! I started my sorority, Delta Tau Lambda, and made lifelong friendships. GO BLUE!!

Coming Soon (1/3/12)

I was downtown Portland today on my way to a meeting with my boss today. I was looking for my picture of the day when I happened on a burger joint that is opening soon. I noticed their sign and it made me think about what are the things that are "coming soon" to my life. We are in a new year with a world of possibilities. I have hopes and dreams, much like everyone around the world. But, at the end of the day, only God knows what is next, what this year holds.

I channeled Joel Osteen today looking at this sign. When I do not make it to church I watch his televised service. Many of the sermons I have seen, Joel speaks of God's blessings. Joel states often that he is open to all his blessings (God's favor) and thanks God for them before they happen. That is how I am trying to live in 2012, open to my blessings and thankful for whatever the Lord brings. I am looking forward to what is "coming soon!"

Habibi's Light (1/2/12)

Today my hubby and I took advantage that we did not have to work, and that our daycare provider was open, and we went on a lunch date. We love Middle Eastern food. We lived in Michigan and would go to Dearborn often which has excellent Middle Easter food. In Portland it had been harder to find. We did find a restaurant called Habibi located in downtown Portland. It is pretty good and we decided to have lunch there today. Our food was delicious! The restaurant itself is very cool. It was a great place to take pictures. I took a few. The winner today today was this cool lamp that was mounted on the wall on the bar side of the restaurant.

Puerto Rico (1/1/12)

It is the first day of 2012. I started this fine Sunday going to church with my daughter and counting my blessings for my husband, my baby girl, my job, my home, my health, and much more.

Today is my first day of my 2012 photo journey. I wanted my first entry to be of something that represents me. This is a picture of the flag of Puerto Rico, where I am from. I bought this flag the last time as I was in the island. In Old San Juan they have artesanos (artisans) who sell their works of art. I bought this flag that is engraved on a piece of metal. I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it. WEPA!!

They day I made this purchase was a beautifully sunny day. The picture perfect Puerto Rican day. I bought some delicious coconut ice cream and walked around looking at the beautiful artesania of my talented people. I settled on this piece because it was very different from others that I had and I as mentioned I loved it at first sight.