This is just to let everyone know that I am building -little by little-  my new website where I have a blog.
The last time I wrote here I was devastated and truthfully the pain lingers, it seldom goes away.
So the new place is to start anew with a positive outlook, something so hard to achieve with the endless nights of thought processing, pondering how to wake up and feed my baby... where to get the energy from.
So, I have to focus and take care of my life, not immerse myself in dreadful feelings.

I am asking for strength and for hope for the people around me that have suffered so much lately. I cannot phisically be there for them, only with best wishes, only with good thoughts...and that's exactly how I'm there for them... I am there.

Hoy me quedé enmudecida por el dolor y casi se me acaban las lágrimas. He perdido a un primo hermano que era más hermano que primo.
 
Se nos fue un alma que sabía ayudar con un corazón que no le cabía en el pecho, que reía con ganas y decía lo que pensaba; exitoso por lo fajado que fue, porque estudió mientras yo rumbeaba y estaba en misa cuando yo me despertaba.
 
Se nos fue físicamente y directo al cielo, sin duda, a acompañar a Tanti y a Aui que se fueron antes que él y no supieron estar sin su presencia, tal vez por eso se lo llevaron. Tenemos un ángel más vigilándonos!
 
Alfredo tenía demasiado para dar, pero demasiado dio y mucho luchó; por eso estamos tantas personas agradecidas con el. Los que lo conocimos percibimos su verdadero ser lleno de productividad y ética, lleno de nobleza y sinceridad; así nos sentimos inmensamente afortunados de haber sido parte de su vida, que fue muy corta pero bien vivida.
 
Los que nos quedamos en esta guerra, perdón quise decir tierra (como diría Silvio Rodriguez) somos los que quedamos heridos, sufriendo la gran pérdida de este ser tan querido, pero él sin padecer, tal vez para evadir algún dolor futuro o porque papa Dios lo quería cerca para mejorar el mundo… se fue sin avisarnos, y hoy está en paz, descansando de todo y satisfecho porque dio siempre lo mejor de si mismo, porque nunca dejó de dar y siempre lo hizo sin esperar nada a cambio.
 

Alfre: Aunque te extrañamos muchísimo y no podemos entender tu ausencia física, aceptamos tu partida y te recordamos lo mucho que te queremos; gracias infinitas.

tu familia y amigos nunca te olvidarán.


foto: Ricardo Gomez Perez

Once upon a time an ancient king had a hall of mirrors built in his palace to entertain his guests. One morning after a long night of celebration, after the banquet was over and all the guests had left, the king’s pet dog wandered into the hall of mirrors. He saw himself sourranded by a thousand other dogs baring their fangs, snarling, barking.  With each of his barks was the echo of a thousand others. The valiant dog defended himself all alone from those thousand opponents. In the morning the king’s dog was found laying on the floor, totally exhausted and near death.

What would has been the best way for the king’s dog to make those thousand others dog sto cease barking at him,  to make those other thousand dogs to cease attacking him?  Only to seat back and stop baring his own fangs, stop barking, stop attacking.  For with each attack he made, a thousand of his own reflections lunged back at him, robbing him life.

To find peace and true power in your life, sit back a moment and be still. Be quiet, be tranquil, and the world will cease to attack you.

Swami Veda Bharati
The Light of Ten Thousand Suns

I don’t celebrate Valentine’s day, not usually. If a bright idea comes to mind, then I might throw it in the air and see what happens, but I’m not big on marketing festivities that benefit the consumer industry.

I miss Michael Jackson. What’s he up to? Did he molest kids? I don’t believe the media, I don’t usually believe what doesn’t give me the right vibe; sorry to fellow journalists but  it's too cliche.

I also miss Mel Gibson. I can’t condone what his drunken mouth uttered, but aren’t we all humans who make silly mistakes while drunk? This is when I thank God I’m not famous, because I would be a mess, trying to watch my back, my steps, what I drink, drive and say… I would be miserable really. Even worse, I would be in trouble -for sure- with this big mouth of mine… I have found myself saying, “He had to be Venezuelan!” in a deceptive way; imagine! I’m being racist with my own family, friends and myself… Labeling a person just for the idiosyncrasy of the place they were brought up in.

I feel that if I got to spend a couple of hours with Britney Spears, I would heal her, for real.

Gene Simmons rocks. I saw his TV show and I adore him and his family. His kids are so down to Earth and smart, I love their sarcasm and I love their Wit.

Hispanic Television…. That’s another story, I’m so embarrassed about the Soap Operas and tacky TV shows produced for the Latin audience… Really, I swear, I’m not Target… If it was my choice I would focus on quality of the productions, better talents and more realistic content…Also, I wouldn’t use tits and ass to attract more ratings… That’s so lame and counter productive because you’re not changing the world, enhancing brains, teaching a younger generation, entertaining masses with qualitative programming…you’re just in it for the revenues, corrupting young minds and boring the intellect of others… I dare Latin TV to challenge me and those who think alike! I truly believe, that’s just wrong.

Talking about television, I have to admit I saw all seasons of some shows: Friends, Will and Grace, and 24. I miss Cheers, Carol Burnett Show and I Love Lucy. Currently I watch Oprah, Ellen, HOUSE, Family Guy, American Idol, whatever is on Discovery, TLC, National Geographic, Bravo, IFC, WTTW, and other specials. But, I don’t watch excessive TV, not more than 2 hours a day.  My favorite Idols for this new season 7 are: Jason C, Michael and David.

And so this blog ends on a good note… I’ll be part of Oprah’s Online Class with Tolle for the book The New Earth which should be read by everyone.
It starts tomorrow, log on to oprah.com for more info.

I’m looking for a few good men to buy a film script or invest in a film and a book I’m creating… IF YOU BELIEVE, join me. All I can promise is success.

Till next time, dream big, and help everyone you can. www.kiva.org is a good place to start. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.

Wishing for Omar Vizquel to heal rapidly and continue his journey with the SF Giants! I'm sure it's going to be a great year for him.

One Love
Isa

Donate Used Laptops to Support Clovis Attend the March VisionForce
Boot Camp in Austin Texas.

Clovis Ategeka, a 24 year old Ugandan Visionary  is applying to attend
a leadership training program called the VISIONFORCE Boot Camp.

The VISIONFORCE Boot Camp in partnership with the One Million
Visionaries campaign is seeking 40 change agents willing to take a
stand for our future.
VisionForce Boot Camp is looking for courageous and compassionate
people who care so deeply about their fellow human beings that they
are willing to face anything as they stand for a better future for all
of us by "being the change" now.

The VISIONFORCE Boot Camp is a practical, real-world training in
transformational, visionary leadership.  Visionary entrepreneurs,
educators and conscious change agents from around the globe routinely
call this event "the most powerful experience of my life," and return
with simple, logical tools, which evolve their lives, relationships
and communities.

Clovis is one individual who has demonstrated his compassion and
courage in the center of war-torn Uganda.
He is the founder and CEO of Vision Force Uganda (VFU); a center for
learning purposes. It teaches vision, leadership, and entrepreneurial
skills to the youth, which gives them the confidence to create their
own jobs and be the change the want to see.

He also owns Vision Internet Cafe in Wandegeya, Kampala Uganda.
Vision Internet Cafe provides Internet access, computer training,
secretarial work at a friendly price to the people in in Wandegeya and
the surrounding areas especially Makerere University students.

If Clovis can attend the VisionForce Boot Camp, learn the profound
ideas taught and mingle them with his entrepreneurial and leadership
skills, he can take a bold stand for humanity and be the change that
Africa and the world in general seeks.

Clovis is requires USD 3,000 to pay Tuition for VISIONFORCE Boot Camp,
travel expenses from Uganda to the USA plus other miscellaneous that
may come along the way.

The strategy that Clovis has come up with to raise that money is by
writing out messages like this to you and others to support him by
DONATING A USED LAPTOP. (May be you know someone who has a laptop but
they are not using it :))
These laptops will be immediately shipped to Uganda, where he can sale
them to his fellow Ugandans and be in position to raise that amount.

TO DONATE A USED LAPTOP NOW,
You can reach Clovis on:

Postal Address; Ategeka N. Clovis
                        P. O Box 36419
                        Kampala Uganda.

Websites:        www.visionforceuganda.org
                       www.categekan.zaadz.com

Emails:            categeka@gmail.com
                       categeka@visionforceuganda.org

Telephones:      000-256-772-342347
                       000-256-753-342347

I MET CLOVIS THROUGH ZAADZ.COM and for that I'm grateful.
One Love people... Pass this message on to everyone.
Isa

Hey everyone,

First off... May 2008 bring you what you wish and may you begin and end the year with tolerance and respect.

Here's a quote I saw at the Freedom Museum in Chicago and I have to share:

"I disagree with what you say but I will defend to death your right to say it."
Attributed to Voltaire.

Next up... Congratulations to those who are pregnant, who had babies, who got engaged, married or divorced... Enjoy the change!

Also, I fell in love with the creativity within this site, unfortunately I can't do much with my hands other than write, but those of you who have the talent, sell your stuff here; it's too cool. And those of us who don't work well with our hands, we can buy lots of stuff and support them, the artists.

Check out my favorite things for babies here and surf it as much as you can:

http://www.etsy.com/favorite_listings_public.php?user_id=5424603

And finally, this year plan on being a better human being... begin your quest by helping Mother Earth by removing junk mail from your mailbox. Visit: http://www.greendimes.com/ and sign up all your friends and family. You will love it!

Until next time, be positive.
One Love

Isa

A VERY BRIEF BUT EYE-OPENING REALITY ABOUT THE WRITERS WHO ARE STRIKING: PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ART, OUR CRAFT, OUR PASSION, OUR MISSION, OUR TALENT. THANKS

I just saw Into The Wild, directed by Sean Penn and based on the true story written by Jon Krakauer. I've always been a huge fan of Sean Penn, I admire him in every way possible and this film, as everything I've ever seen him involved with, was breathtaking.
But this note is not to applaud him...
This time I'm not happy about his political involvement. Like I said before, the fact that Chavez hates Bush, does not make him a good guy. Make sure you read this and pass it on:

Chavez is  one of the most corrupt people in the world according to the Miami Herald, and Venezuela one of the least welcoming countries to do business at, according to the same source. So why did they go visit?

The truth is, nobody in this world, perhaps Cubans, know what Venezuelans (poor and rich) are going through . The president lies right and left, pretending to be the ally of the poor, a socialist soul who cares and will help the country, ending poverty, creating jobs, safety, justice, etc... He is filled with charm, there is no doubt about that; he would be an ideal TV host, but he's not capable of running a third world country, rich in oil like Venezuela.
His hunger for power, along with that of the people surrounding him is far too big and that's why he is loaded with money while the country is starving. He does little for my people, and the only ones who are on his side are either: ignorant or benefiting from his government's power.

Some Americans love him -and the revolution- because they believe his stories, it's sad. He hates Bush and so that makes him an ally? I didn't vote for Chavez or Bush. I like neither.
I would be the first one to applaud Chavez if he was really making a difference in Venezuela, if he didn't hate the rich just because of jealousy (ignorant to the fact that some of them worked hard for their status). I would vote for him if there was no crime and if there was justice in my country, but that's not reality. Truth is it gets worse everyday. The country, beautiful as it is, is succumbing into an abyss of tyranny and polluted governmental entities; it's going down.

One thing is what he tells the media, and how he manipulates the truth, the other is what celebrities want to believe or are getting out of that bizarre friendship with Chavez.
IF YOU WANT TO KNOW THE TRUTH, DON'T JUST READ THE NEWS, GO VISIT, TALK TO MANY ABOUT THE SITUATION AND THEN MAKE AN ASSUMPTION.
Yes, Sean Penn is a hero to me in his professional life, personally I think he has a lot to learn yet.
NO TODO LO QUE BRILLA ES ORO.

I also want to share what a Venezuelan-American wrote after she saw Mr. Penn in the Dave Letterman show:

As a dual citizen (venezuelan and american  who left Venezuela 7
years ago because of an assault and robbery (highest insecurity
levels of all South America) in my home by 4 men while I was alone
with my 4 children, feel absolutely OUTRAGED with the incredible
superficiality and stupidity of the comments made by Sean Penn during
David Letterman's  program.
Someone that is sold into an idea so fast as not to question the
reality of a country where the TV channel that was shut down WAS THE
NUMBER ONE TV STATION WATCHED BY THE POOR PEOPLE OF THE COUNTRY WHO
DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO FOX NEWS (ONLY 2% ) NOR THEY UNDERSTAND A WORD
OF ENGLISH.  THEIR IGNORANCE IS SUCH AS TO BEING UNABLE TO FIND
VENEZUELA IN THE SOUTH AMERICAN MAP.  THIS POOR PEOPLE THAT  CHAVEZ
IS  INDOCTRINATING TO HATE AMERICA AND THE AMERICANS.  CHAVEZ,  WHO
CONSIDERS FIDEL CASTRO HIS FATHER  AND WHO'S   BEST BUDDY IS  MAHMUD
AHMADINEJAD (WHO HATES ISRAEL AND HOMOSEXUALS.)

But Mr. Penn made fun of the crisis of a country.  Made fun of the
people who are fighting FOR THEIR RIGHTS,  NOT TO KILL CHAVEZ  (that
is what Chavez says the US and the CIA are planning  to do to him
during his 3 to 4 hour  ALO PRESIDENTE TV shows) PENN made fun of the
people who are trying  to reestablish a long gone democracy taken BY
FRAUD by a megalomaniac called CHAVEZ and his corrupted government
who now want to reform the constitution to perpetuate in power
forever.  Doesn't this ring a bell with Saddam, Idi Amin, Mugabe?

Hasn't Mr. Penn questioned why around 1.000.000 venezuelans have
marched asking for restoration of FREEDOM OF SPEECH  and RIGHTS TAKEN
AWAY??  WHY DOESN'T MR. PENN question the UNIVERSITY STUDENTS  who
are risking their lives and taken to prison marching for the same
rights.  There are so many questions to pose if someone  REALLY
wants to find the truth of what is being said and told.

HOLLYWOOD STARS  think they have the right to just give publicity to
a tyrant because they just don't know how to distinguish right from
wrong. 
WHY DIDN'T MR. PENN HAVE THE DECENCY OF INTERVIEWING WITH
REAL OPPOSITION LEADERS  TO FIND OUT THE TWO SIDES OF THE STORY AND
TO FIND OUT THAT EVERYTHING BEING TOLD TO HIM WAS A LIE?
I WONDER IF HE WAS BEING FINANCED FOR A NEW MOVIE JUST LIKE DANNY
GLOVER...   WHERE IS MR. PENN GOING NEXT? TO MYANMAR TO DEFEND THE
MILITARY JUNTA?

Malu D

I want to thank…
 seal, the wonderful singer/composer, for appearing on his first tv interview with wife/supermodel heidi klum. Of course it happened on oprah last week. It was such a refreshing moment. They truly have a magical relationship and what he said is very memorable: “happy wife, happy marriage”, which was also said by one alec Baldwin in newsweek magazine last week.
Seal explained that his priorities are: wife, children and career, which in my book is the right approach to a harmonious life. If you get a chance to watch it you’ll see what I mean. They are blessed.

On another note…
I really want to recommend a book: living Buddha, living Christ; a movie: children of heaven and v for vendetta; and a website: www.yelp.com (because you can post your opinions and read other people’s reviews as well) I think it only works if you live in the usa; music: Blue October and Bright Eyes for their poetic lyrics.

And before I go…
The fact that president Chavez hates bush doesn’t make him an ally.

Until next week…
Be aware of every single moment, do not dwell on the past and do not worry about the future…

Thanks for checking it out. Spread wisdom and knowledge.

Congrats tuto and aleja on their wedding! Loads of love…
you have a suggestion...let me know... I hear ya.

I want to let you all know about a cool non-profit that is doing great things: Kiva.org

Kiva.org allows individuals to make $25 loans to low-income entrepreneurs in the developing world (microfinance). By doing so, individuals like you provide affordable working capital for the poor (money to buy a sewing machine, livestock, etc.), empowering them to earn their way out of poverty.  

It's a new, direct and sustainable way to fight global poverty, and the way I see it, I get a higher return on $25 helping someone build a future than the interest my checking account pays.  

Anyways, if you have a minute, please check out the site: http://kiva.org. 

If you need more "reputable" validation than my recommendation :), know that they have received great press in publications ranging from The Wall Street Journal to NPR to BusinessWeek.

Thanks for reading! Let me know what you do! Please pass this on to your friends...those willing and able to make a difference in people's lives.