CNN wanted to be the cool kid on the block, the one everyone likes. They couldn’t help but give in to peer pressure though. I wasn’t too surprised, but I was still disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, Soledad did a fine job of trying to get our voices heard, but it was just too much.

What this special did though, is make me more empowered to make a difference. I will continue my fight against the hatred against Mexicans that is seen here in Maricopa County. I can make a difference in the lives of young Latinas who I mentor. I can be a role model for my daughter. I am surrounded by so many loving Latinos who have raised me to be strong and hopeful. I think many Latinos are raised like me, regardless of hardships. I think that was the key CNN missed out on, the hope and faith that keeps Latinos going.

That’s okay, we’ll tell our stories with or without a major news network. Besides, we are the very best, most animated and lively of story tellers. Let’s speak loud and clear and show pride in our cultures.

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I had the wonderful and detrimental joy of having parents who never placed gender bias on me. My all time favorite toys were G.I. Joes, but I also had Barbies. I loved dressing up as a ninja, Storm Shadow to be precise, and also transformed into a miniature Stevie Nicks from time to time. I loved reading about women who broke established stereotypes and made history against all odds.  My parents would always look for some commonality between me and the women I would read about. They were finding some way to embrace and nurture the hopes and dreams I was raising in the back of my young mind. Of course, Amelia Earhart was one of my favorites. I can’t help but make a connection to young Jessica.

The negative part of this upbringing is that the world did not follow my parent’s lead. There were gender biases all around and they still slap me in the face. I try not to let it get to me, and instead work on the issues I can change, but when I see it in my daughter’s future, and that does me in. Just when I get down, young woman remind me that there are always soldiers being added to the march for equality.

When I started following the story of Miss Jessica Watson, who plans on a round-the-world trip, I admit a huge smile crossed my face. I know it’s extremely dangerous and there are questions of profit. However, I also know, that as a young woman, my parents would have done little to stall my dreams. This young girl has already become a beacon of hope for women of all ages. I can’t help but acknowledge how different this would all be if she were a boy, and no one should try and deny the double standard.

My daughter and I will be following her journey. We were going to make our own map, but decided to go the eco-friendly route and use the Google map already set up. We will be learning about the countries she is passing and the cultures of the places she’ll see from the deck. Here’s the link if you’d like to follow along too. What this young woman is doing is making a difference. She is showing others, like my daughter, that there are no limits.

Amelia Earhart CC photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Neigh sayers abound when someone does something new. When a woman is attempting the feat, the world gasps. With Hillary Swank lighting up the screen as Amelia Earhart this month, I can’t help but feel a swell of pride for yet another woman making history. What perfect timing.

Jessica also has a blog you can follow. She’s a vivid writer who pulls the reader into the yacht with her. Swank’s Amelia opens in theaters on October 23rd.

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Peanut shells

So my hubby had to go to a luncheon at a steak house that has peanut shells on the floor. It’s kind of a nightmare because he has to change his clothes as soon as he gets home to avoid killing our daughter who has a peanut allergy. I’m kind of disturbed that early educators who work with children with a lot of allergies would want to eat there, but whatever.

Aside from my peanut fears because of my daughter’s allergies, the idea of shells on the floor grosses me out. I get that it’s a gimmick and all, but, eww. While some peanuts can be opened by hand, a lot are released from shell bondage through biting them free. So, you got a bunch of sucked on shells littering the floor? That’s just kinda a big yuck in my book. I won’t even mention the potential and passed law suits over falls. You see soggy shells can get mighty slippery.

(CC photo courtesy of rakanb on Flickr)

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Key used by Helen to lock up Miss Sullivan

I am super excited about the Helen Keller statue that was unveiled at the U.S. Capitol.  I started volunteering at Southwest Human Development in the Head Start program when I was in fourth grade. I didn’t stop until I graduated from high school and was hired to work for their summer school for children with disabilities. My life, it seems, was always meant to work in special education.

My aunt often told me stories about Helen Keller and we even saw the movie together before I saw it again in grade school and even read the play. I was always amazed how one person could help completely transform some one’s life. My aunt often did it as a preschool teacher and I wanted to be like her. Her Head Start classroom was usually the one chosen for the most severely disabled children. She was a miracle worker. Her magic was simply was faith and belief in children.

Special Educators are an amazing breed of teachers because our work often goes unnoticed, and we like it that way. We are simply the catalyst to the desire and abilities already waiting inside our students. Our praise comes from seeing someone who was told they would never walk, take their first steps. It’s seeing a mother who birthed a child who was not going to live, see her accept her high school diploma. It’s the child with dyslexia who is finally able to make sense of the words and embrace the magic of reading.

This statue means the world to me. It acknowledges that there are still people who care about the plight of those with disabilities and those who continue to fight for them. While the world has gotten a bit better for those above and below the norm, the fight is still long and hard. For today though, I am so proud of all the children I have had the pleasure of working for and know that it’s going to get better. Bless them and their families because they see the miracles that can happen every day.

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My Daughter's Mashed Potato Masterpiece

Who knew a mashed potato bird could speak volumes above local educators? My husband and I both come from a background in education. While I took a break to stay home with our daughter, my husband continued to work in the field of early intervention (ages 0-5).

At a recent meeting he was confused and a wee bit annoyed by a remark about coloring books being bad. This was the first time he had heard this, though I had heard it all before. A few big wigs at ASU believe color books stifle creativity. I get what they are saying, but I truly believe there are many other important factors that contribute to children lacking efficient imagination and creativity. As I find is common in much of academia, some think way too much instead of just following the child’s lead.

Needless to say, I found great humor in the masterpiece my daughter created out of her mashed potatoes before finishing them off. How could this be? How could a child who enjoys her share of Care Bear, Scooby Doo, Strawberry Shortcake and my old G.I. Joe coloring books come up with such an explosion of beauty and imaginative magic? Simple, it comes naturally for children and if we follow their lead we will learn a lot. By banning coloring books we are simply removing an available outlet for creativity.

Just my thought, but what do I know? I’m just a special educator, counselor and , more importantly, a mom.

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Instead, please consider local non profits that work with cancer survivors. Many need actual items that can be donated or even your time. Sometimes we feel guilt for those suffering and just give money to feel better. However, sometimes money is not what is needed, it’s someone reading the bible to a bed bound patient.

One organization, Think Before You Pink, is doing a bang up job of calling out the corporate bug wigs who milk Breast Cancer supporters.

(CC photo courtesy of Don Nunn on Flickr)

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Scene from Rosemary's Baby

Rosemary’s Baby is one of my all time favorite thrillers. However, every time I have seen it I get creeped out by the man behind it. There’s the scene (see below) of a drunk(actually drugged) Mia Farrow being taken by the devil that treads way to close to the real life rape case of Roman Polanski.

With Polanski being arrested there’s abuzz of some artsy folk supporting him by signing a petition asking for his release. Having been an educator and counselor who has worked with children who have underwent the violent and despicable ordeal of rape, I cannot in any way ignore what this man has done. One celebrity had the best comments saying that Polanski is one of the most talented child rapists there is. Agree!

It’s been talked to death, but we are far from the end of this nightmare. The Newsweek Blog had a great post that summed up my feelings perfectly. It’s a compilation of all the things that have been written since the arrest. Kate Dailey should be commended for it.

Here’s a youtube clip of the scene from Rosemary’s Baby. There is nudity, so be warned.

(CC photo courtesy of mueredecine on Flickr)

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The Little Mermaid in Copenhagen, Denmark

I am disturbed by some Americans who feel the world owes us. I often see it in situations where language is discussed. Acquaintances will visit foreign countries and come back amazed by how many languages are spoken, including English. Yet, here in America, we almost fear bilingualism. Many fellow Americans have this feeling of superiority and I just don’t get it. This idea that the sun rises and sets in America can be see in a situation this week involving an international football (soccer) star.

Copenhagen has become the ground zero for the 2016 Olympics. Many are traveling to the Scandinavian town as locales for the 2016 Olympics are decided. While Obama’s possible visit is causing a bit of a fuss, the media tried to make something out of Micheal Jordan not making the trek. When asked about Jordan, Brazil’s Football great, Pele, focused on why he was involved in helping Brazil’s bid. Many took his comments as jabs at Jordan. I guess they could be taken that way, but he accidentally said Michael Jackson instead of Jordan. Perhaps that tells us that Jordan wasn’t the main person on his mind.

While Michael Jordan is extremely talented and world renowned, we must understand that people all over the world don’t worship their athletes like we do and certainly don’t always worship ours. I’m sure Pele is much more well known in Brazil than Michael Jordan.

I just think we sometimes have a distorted view of patriotism in this country. We are falling far behind in health care, education and even basic living, so why don’t we just hush for a little while and try to learn from other countries. Instead of calling Pele “dumb”, as one blogger did, let’s just assume he was proud of his country and simply talking about what he was doing to help Brazil. The media made it an issue, not Pele and not Jordan.

America is great, but she acquired her status through years of learning and listening to what worked and what failed in other countries. Let’s try and put the “ugly American” to bed. Sometimes people outside the U.S are not going to be that “in” to America and that’s okay. She will still always have many loyal followers.

(CC photo courtesy of hoangnt on Flickr)

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Bruce Lee Statue in Hong Kong

I love Martial Arts. My aunt raised me on huge doses of Kung Fu Theater, Carradine’s Kung Fu and lots of Bruce Lee. As a child, I had always wanted to take Karate classes, but they were really expensive and didn’t really offer what I was looking for. I wanted to be Storm Shadow from G.I. Joe – more on that some other time.

So, my daughter, being much like her mom, wanted to take karate. She, wanted to be Scarlett from G.I. Joe – Yes, a tear did roll down my cheek on that one. I started looking for classes but was saddened by the prices and what you would get for the money. Then, I found the coolest place, Bernsten’s House of Karate. It’s been in my neighborhood forever and I constantly pass it.

Well, it all works out in the end because we signed my daughter up and ourselves too. I am now taking daily kickboxing classes that are turning my world inside out. While I am tremendously sore every morning, I also have amazing energy. I have always been one of those people who goes and goes until I just drop, but this new energy also holds focus which is great for writing.

I woke up at 5:00 this morning and started writing. It was awesome. I am still going to be able to finish up some blog entries before my daughter even  wakes up and we start her home school day. It is usually difficult to find time during the day to write, so I often write at night when everyone has gone to bed and know I am not putting out my best work. Now, I have a whole new schedule that is sure to help me bring in a little more bank.

It’s amazing when things kinda fall into line and work to your benefit. A nod to Bruce Lee and Storm Shadow this morning. Who knew that a childhood idol would help me with my writing  years later?

CC Photo courtesy of Roychung1993 on Flickr

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