tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36311195216641566572024-03-05T19:17:33.276-08:00Once Upon...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01139589422203836924noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631119521664156657.post-67864704959659481112018-04-08T19:14:00.000-07:002018-04-08T19:14:23.864-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i> </i><i style="text-align: justify;">~Dedicated to all victims of abuse~</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i> </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i> </i>Forever Strong</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
by</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Ileana Araguti</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i> We come and go</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i><i>F</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all and rise<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i><i>F</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rom high to low<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i><i>N</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ever mind the
challenge<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i><i>T</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">he struggle or demise<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i><i>F</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">orever strong we
remain<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i><i>W</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">e come and go<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i><i>T</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">he struggle is real<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i><i>F</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all and rise<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i><i>W</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hat an ordeal<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i><i>F</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">orever strong we
remain<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i><i>W</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">e come and go<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i><i>C</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hallenge me or forego<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i><i>F</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all and rise<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>54</o:Words>
<o:Characters>308</o:Characters>
<o:Company>mvusd</o:Company>
<o:Lines>2</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>378</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i><i>F</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">orever strong we
remain</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01139589422203836924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631119521664156657.post-2490003596318737522015-06-26T13:13:00.002-07:002015-06-26T13:23:43.937-07:002015 International Book AwardsDear friends, <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If you're in the San Francisco area tomorrow June 27th, I will be signing for #Shattered Paradise: Memoirs of a Nicaraguan War Child<span style="text-align: center;"> @ the #MosconeCenter, #AmericanLibraryAssociation, Booth 3138. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01139589422203836924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631119521664156657.post-4606963680451675142015-02-04T19:19:00.001-08:002015-02-04T19:19:59.388-08:00The beauty of a life well lived. No doubt, the rewards of selfless deeds are the most rewarding in life. <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/632CHpeHYZE" width="480"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01139589422203836924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631119521664156657.post-28025619983859184712014-12-15T19:34:00.004-08:002014-12-15T19:35:06.515-08:00The past cannot be changed.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu55YpkUvNaMGnULQ2dsjZYx4Xw1NgP5aTtsWsn5mUYnb-K3qUkeYZ4gF5yIXzXAcg2Px4IhaRPgtJ9zFWUQBKHPaJDSXGI1V26v5vXcXaes0br1dSGx5YoZczY6f_WZcWG77h8SvqmlY/s1600/waterfall+pic.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu55YpkUvNaMGnULQ2dsjZYx4Xw1NgP5aTtsWsn5mUYnb-K3qUkeYZ4gF5yIXzXAcg2Px4IhaRPgtJ9zFWUQBKHPaJDSXGI1V26v5vXcXaes0br1dSGx5YoZczY6f_WZcWG77h8SvqmlY/s1600/waterfall+pic.jpeg" height="400" width="343" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01139589422203836924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631119521664156657.post-13734669529307697542014-08-17T23:13:00.000-07:002014-08-17T23:15:57.694-07:00How to properly wake up every morning!Waking up in the morning is no easy business. But as life passes by and I reflect on how many people have come and gone. I've decided that the best way to wake up in the morning is with a great celebration...for every morning we open our eyes is another day we are alive.--Ileana Araguti<br />
<br />
Live well and thrive my good friends :-) <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIwdB4Owcr9YNEz0wOUp3PuFeXycBJj52afdkIKz8-oWy1NAfBg-bYsmMxSVaC1LCgEbWGenhWvSM7F_Hi1w0xGnxe2aoN-iH4GrGLa1Q9zu65m_5WKAQTJwEs56UuR7wgX174bhYr74/s1600/IMG_2431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIwdB4Owcr9YNEz0wOUp3PuFeXycBJj52afdkIKz8-oWy1NAfBg-bYsmMxSVaC1LCgEbWGenhWvSM7F_Hi1w0xGnxe2aoN-iH4GrGLa1Q9zu65m_5WKAQTJwEs56UuR7wgX174bhYr74/s1600/IMG_2431.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01139589422203836924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631119521664156657.post-89492910017279428072014-07-02T11:50:00.000-07:002014-07-02T12:07:58.774-07:00Shattered Paradise: Memoirs of a Nicaraguan War Child earns awards!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">On Saturday, June 28, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada, Ileana Araguti's memoir, <b>Shattered Paradise: Memoirs of a Nicaraguan War Child</b>, won first place for Best Non Fiction ebook, first place for Best Latino-focused book design and second place for Best First Book Non Fiction, whereas the late singer and actress Jenni Rivera was awarded first place at the 2014 International Latino Book Awards in association with the American Library Association 2014 Conference. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-N0nqA_7P7Bwvv0FN8yK24kaEvHNGPqOzgzlIWteqTa20NSeDt9cf_y8KymCJbxbok5SOq6QtYnf-D9ft0x8kdLMgO7w0EuuWQy0Y166wS-uFvdp1X601Gtrp-e_gukYtZ_RmQJuN0EI/s1600/Ileana'sCoverpage+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-N0nqA_7P7Bwvv0FN8yK24kaEvHNGPqOzgzlIWteqTa20NSeDt9cf_y8KymCJbxbok5SOq6QtYnf-D9ft0x8kdLMgO7w0EuuWQy0Y166wS-uFvdp1X601Gtrp-e_gukYtZ_RmQJuN0EI/s1600/Ileana'sCoverpage+copy+2.jpg" height="320" width="203" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqncYhxSj2H9So6hjQ6tuy686co0CSCz98KipaERsfUogXDSaFpNkbNGADNe843A3XBOsWKLAPQ2GAKd5O-w67rbYS3epeoUqbQ3DuOmX3RZ9d4EErCQt9BNp82alk4KTTzvMmhP3xUro/s1600/IMG_3825+-+2014-06-28+at+06-26-54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqncYhxSj2H9So6hjQ6tuy686co0CSCz98KipaERsfUogXDSaFpNkbNGADNe843A3XBOsWKLAPQ2GAKd5O-w67rbYS3epeoUqbQ3DuOmX3RZ9d4EErCQt9BNp82alk4KTTzvMmhP3xUro/s1600/IMG_3825+-+2014-06-28+at+06-26-54.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Raleway, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Raleway, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"></span></span><br />
<div style="font-size: 0.9285714286em; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px;">
The Awards were held at the Clark County-Las Vegas Library Theater. Over the last 16 years the Int’l Latino Book Awards has grown to become the largest Latino literary and cultural awards in the USA. Amongst this year’s 231 honorees were well known authors like Alma Flor Ada, Isabel Allende, Rudy Anaya, Mary J. Andrade, Edna Iturralde, all of whom are past ILBA Award Winners. Other honorees include Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, and celebrities like TV chef Pati Jinich, the late singer and actress Jenni Rivera, singer Linda Ronstadt, screenwriter Rick Najera, and TV personality Lilliana Vasquez. Winners were from across the USA and from 18 countries outside the USA.</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Raleway, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Raleway, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Us95NakagVsMk4iHhc1lGgvHh-3QAhusLEYCbx55nnhtvcGgZUKPDQB1ts3wNja1IKbE_b8asfHs_fX9S-9gOFY8WBAL-4CRICL6afJnIMKu7S9HT5VmhfjAyV2YK1jYAvxMQ-MYnW8/s1600/IMG_3764+-+2014-06-28+at+04-53-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Us95NakagVsMk4iHhc1lGgvHh-3QAhusLEYCbx55nnhtvcGgZUKPDQB1ts3wNja1IKbE_b8asfHs_fX9S-9gOFY8WBAL-4CRICL6afJnIMKu7S9HT5VmhfjAyV2YK1jYAvxMQ-MYnW8/s1600/IMG_3764+-+2014-06-28+at+04-53-28.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Raleway, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;">
</span></span>
<div style="font-size: 0.9285714286em; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Raleway, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Raleway, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;">
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">Shattered Paradise is Araguti's first book and has received consistent 5 Star reviews on Amazon.com. She has earned an award from Readers' Favorite as well, and her inspirational book might be considered for a movie in the future. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Raleway, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-C1fexsnOPVQa5Kex3_S0eGMFtUI-JyoxO-O_GbVQXcnz6KI6vZ7j23B9DwuEpKGUsil_9jhg8Z6bctgNN5zN1Xm-llQu8Lax9oiIKbtdagHW7TD1fFB2O9pbPaV_DIZFTeiriv4ugk/s1600/IMG_3836+-+2014-06-28+at+06-27-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-C1fexsnOPVQa5Kex3_S0eGMFtUI-JyoxO-O_GbVQXcnz6KI6vZ7j23B9DwuEpKGUsil_9jhg8Z6bctgNN5zN1Xm-llQu8Lax9oiIKbtdagHW7TD1fFB2O9pbPaV_DIZFTeiriv4ugk/s1600/IMG_3836+-+2014-06-28+at+06-27-36.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div>
In addition, Araguti is currently wrapping up her next novel and is scheduled to complete two more within the next couple of years. To learn more about Ileana Araguti, visit her website and follow this blog! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Raleway, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.ileanaaraguti.com/">http://www.ileanaaraguti.com</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Raleway, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"></span></span><br />
<div style="font-size: 0.9285714286em; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 0.9285714286em; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01139589422203836924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631119521664156657.post-31349294795854838322014-06-27T08:03:00.000-07:002014-06-27T08:03:44.753-07:00<br />
<div style="color: #666666; font: 24.0px Verdana; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 17.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Book Signing for </span></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font: 24.0px Verdana; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 17.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>Shattered Paradise: Memoirs of a Nicaraguan War Child </i></span></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font: 24.0px Verdana; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 17.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">ALA Conference 2014, Vegas Booth 2110</span></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font: 24.0px Verdana; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 17.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Saturday, June 28th @10:00 a.m.</span></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font: 24.0px Verdana; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 17.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Sunday, June 29th @ 9:00 a.m.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01139589422203836924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631119521664156657.post-57499011595856232222014-06-12T23:41:00.000-07:002014-06-12T23:43:57.603-07:00Book SigningSee you soon Dallas, Texas!<br />
<br />
Book Signing & Reading<br />
<br />
SHATTERED PARADISE: MEMOIRS OF A NICARAGUAN WAR CHILD<br />
New Trends Press<br />
<br />
Lucky Dog Books<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: blue; font-family: Arial;">Sunday, June 15, 12:00 noon, Lucky Dog Books, 10801 Garland Rd., Dallas 75218.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: blue; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: blue; font-family: Arial;">Sunday, June 15, 2:00 pm, Lucky Dog Books, 633 W. Davis St., Oak Cliff/Dallas 75208.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: blue; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial;">http://www.luckydogbooks.com/curcal01.html</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01139589422203836924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631119521664156657.post-80970334423050911402014-05-28T19:38:00.000-07:002014-05-28T19:38:25.109-07:00Maya Angelou, The Voice of Strength<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Today I share the sadness of a great loss but I'm certain there is a red carpet celebration in the heavens. Maya Angelou left us many great gifts but the one I cherish the most is that of inner strength and intimate peace. If in doubt, whether one person can make a difference in this world...just look around at all of the amazing people that have stepped up and demonstrated that yes, it CAN be done.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For years I've read her work and have been greatly inspired by it. Her quote reaffirmed the great joy and relief I felt when I published my memoir, <i>Shattered Paradise. </i>Indeed,<i> "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you."--Maya Angelou</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01139589422203836924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631119521664156657.post-10834569727531900372014-05-20T21:59:00.000-07:002014-05-20T21:59:54.898-07:00The Malediction of WarOn a day like today, May 20th, i<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">ll-omened
clouds whirled in the sky; the thick air made it hard to breathe as changes
were brought upon our small town in Nicaragua. It had been decided, the last Somoza dictator, Anastasio Somoza Debayle, would soon be overthrown by the FSLN
(Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional.) It was early in the morning, cannot
recall the exact time, for all I can remember is the feeling of disorientation
as we awoke to the r</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;">esonating blast of
bombs that crushed the cobblestone roads and the heavy machinery that annihilated whatever came across its path.
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;">And after the
thunders of weaponry had ceased and there was no one else to kill, the
tenebrous siren that had first led us to the refuge, once again instructed us to resume our journey back home—as if
nothing had ever happened. The frighten crowd gathered their belongings
and cautiously stepped out of the building like deer into an open meadow.
Slowly, people resumed their walk into town, but this time silence transpired
through the multitude and no one shoved or hurried to get ahead, casting an
eerie feeling amongst us. The clean smell of the air we were used to became
replaced by gunpowder and the nauseating smell of blood.</span><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;">The heart pounding reverberation of people’s fear now serenaded our innocent lives. My own heartbeat increased to levels I was unused to. People murmured and cried... and others stood silent like me, blinded by the sight of red hues from mutilated corpses that tainted the streets.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;"><span> After encountering the malediction of war, nothing could ever be the same. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br /></span><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> ---Excepts from <i>Shattered Paradise: Memoirs of a Nicaraguan War Child</i></span><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The cost of war is too high. War only leads to despair and incurable loss. We can all make a difference in this world...lead a positive life and minimize the many wars we might cause each day.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01139589422203836924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631119521664156657.post-35032177794009421912014-05-11T22:55:00.000-07:002014-05-11T22:57:20.926-07:00A Mother for all Times<br />
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">It was said once that merely giving birth to a child does not necessarily make a woman into a good mother. Rather, it is both the act of physically giving birth and raising a child through good and bad times. My mother did both and went beyond sacrifice to ensure my happiness...and for that I'm ever so grateful.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT'; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">The following is an excerpt from my memoir: <i>Shattered Paradise: Memoirs of a Nicaraguan War Child</i>. Ever since I've known my mother, she has been abnegated and dedicated to the family. Her resiliency has saved many lives and has brought much needed hope.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT'; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT'; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><i>Chapter 1</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT'; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">According to my beloved grandfather, my parents’
marriage began with a promise of love, which made
my young Mama agree to all ideas Papa proposed.
She followed like a child follows a parent—right
behind, no questions asked. Until one day, deep into
the cloud forest of Nicaragua, fear thickened the air,
and the warm soil’s vapors permeated through the
wild grass. The torrential storm unleashed its fury,
over-flooding riverbanks, and creating new paths
along the way. Lightning parted the skies covered
by an ominous curtain of clouds, which in turn
brought unusually cold air upon my parents’
isolated farmhouse. To their denial, the reason for
such wrath remains unclear. Papa had blamed it on
natural disasters, possibly a hurricane or the
exploitation of the land’s resources: the chained
monkeys, deforestation and the extracting of scarlet
macaws from their nests. Mama had blamed the
Lord for washing away our sins, and I only blamed
the unremitting tears escaping Mama’s soul at the
recollection of an event, one that had happened so
long ago.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT'; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">For many years, I remained uncertain of what
made Mama passionate for Papa. Out of respect to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 16px;">my parents, I never asked. Perhaps it was his deep
clef chin, his light brown hair, his right cheek
dimple or his incurable obstinacy. His height could
not have attracted her, for Mama always stood taller
than Papa. This disproportion, often exaggerated by
her high-heeled shoes, did not trouble Papa as long
as her arm went under his, and he was close to her
brunette hair and to her slim silhouette wrapped in
porcelain skin.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 23">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">“Follow me to the farm. I have built us a new
home. I will hire helpers to help us plow the land.
There, you will have everything, from organic foods
to my unconditional love,” Papa persuaded Mama.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT'; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">“Wait until our first child is born,” Mama
responded. Eager Papa could hardly wait to have
her by his side, and solely for him. Therefore, just a
month after the birth of their first child Amanda, he
swayed her to follow him to their remote farm amid
the forest. He wished to reproduce his family with
only the symphony of the surrounding wildlife and
solemn company of the broadleaf trees.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT'; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">“No! Wait at least one year before taking the
child to the forest,” Mama’s unfailing priest, Father
Odorico advised.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT'; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">“But father, the Holy Scripture commands that a
good wife must accompany her husband wherever
he might go! Please father, offer me your blessing.”
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT'; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">“In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy
Spirit...” the humble priest blessed, exposing a re-
sewn cassock beneath his armpit.
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 24">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">Mama packed an old leather luggage that had
belonged to Abuela and hurried to </span><span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPS'; font-size: 12.000000pt; font-style: italic;">La Estación </span><span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">with
little Amanda in her arms, wrapped snuggly in a
pink blanket. Once there, she would ride the bus to
meet her young husband by the roadside. The noise
of the busy transit made little Amanda cry but
Mama cradled her onto her warm chest. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT'; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">“It’s all
right my angel, we are going with Papa,” she
whispered to the child as her eyes glistened with
emotions, typical of a woman in love.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT'; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">The old yellow bus quickly overfilled its
capacity with passengers who smelled like days-old
fermentation. They were mostly </span><span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPS'; font-size: 12.000000pt; font-style: italic;">campesinos,
</span><span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">humble peasants traveling with live chickens tied up
by their feet with a nylon string, upside down and
hung onto wooden poles, which they carried over
their shoulders nearly poking Mama on the head.
But holding her breath behind her polite smile, she
managed to shove herself to the very back of the
bus where a gentleman would offer his own seat.
The heavily pot-holed dirt road made her body
ache, but she knew the pain was worth enduring, for
beyond the dust clouds raised by the old diesel bus,
awaited a completely new world.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT'; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">“Soon, our lungs will breathe fresh air; our eyes
will see beautiful wild flowers, moss and exotic
animals,” she whispered again into the infant’s ear.
Throughout the journey, Mama drifted into a world
of spectacular dreams. She imagined herself
galloping along with little Amanda and her husband
through the mystical cloud forests, bathing under </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 16px;">cool waterfalls and dancing in a garden filled with
scented wild orchids and melodious Toucanets.
Until the bus came to a sudden stop and Mama had
to shove herself once more through the overly
crowded bus, evading the flutter of the restless
upside-down chickens on the campesinos’ wooden
poles. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 16px;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">Upon arrival, wearing black high-water boots
and a large cowboy hat, awaited Papa, acknow-
ledging Mama with anticipation. When Mama first
saw him, her heart nearly exited off her chest and
feeling butterflies inside her stomach nearly forgot
she was carrying little Amanda. Papa waved by the
roadside, exposing his deep cheek dimples and cleft
chin as he held two horses firmly, a black Andalusia
horse that was his and a red Clydesdale he had
purchased for Mama. The young lovers hugged and
without much hesitation, saddled onto their own
horses and embarked on a journey that would soon
transform their lives forever.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT'; font-size: 12.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT'; font-size: 12.000000pt;">To be continued...... </span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01139589422203836924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631119521664156657.post-5451527289210303252014-05-10T12:50:00.000-07:002014-05-10T12:51:32.043-07:00#Mother's Day<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1ogWfjo_boS9nr92N_cCVAHQRq6zesZRH2dOSi20DaeadZLDTZv5i1t04QG4v9v6vbEwBbf9NlVlZX4HBSGC3JVTMlbc_DHEyBX-vp5TqJcmUDePRjEW7KJF42aAeDlWBrwsJUfLOg4/s1600/IMG_4962+-+2010-05-08+at+03-37-57+-+2010-05-08+at+03-37-57+-+2010-05-08+at+03-37-57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1ogWfjo_boS9nr92N_cCVAHQRq6zesZRH2dOSi20DaeadZLDTZv5i1t04QG4v9v6vbEwBbf9NlVlZX4HBSGC3JVTMlbc_DHEyBX-vp5TqJcmUDePRjEW7KJF42aAeDlWBrwsJUfLOg4/s1600/IMG_4962+-+2010-05-08+at+03-37-57+-+2010-05-08+at+03-37-57+-+2010-05-08+at+03-37-57.jpg" height="400" width="286" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flower Fields, Carlsbad, CA </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
Happy Mother's Day to all amazing and resilient mother's in the world! You deserve the best, for without you there would be no world.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As we celebrate Mother's Day, I think and reflect about the sacrifices my mother made to ensure my happiness...and I'm ever so grateful. I will be adding a story about her soon :-)<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01139589422203836924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631119521664156657.post-52037812897638770972014-04-24T19:52:00.000-07:002014-05-02T22:10:37.099-07:00Writing your Memoir<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana;">We all have stories...memories. Do you wish to write your own memoir but don't know how to begin or like me once, needed to gather the strength to write it and publish? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="color: #666666; font: 24.0px Verdana; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 17.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Book Signing and Free Workshop Sat. May 03, 2014 </span></span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></span></b>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font: 24.0px Times; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>Writing Your Memoirs--AWA, Ileana Araguti </i></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small; font: 24.0px Times; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>Sat. May 3 3-4 pm</i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small; font: 24.0px Times; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i> </i></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Rm. 207/208 (Skybox)--The World of Publishing Room </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">Check out other great workshops:</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Bullying--AWA, Joseph Gutiz</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><i>1-2 pm The Theater</i></span></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font: 24.0px Verdana; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 17.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">7th Inland Empire Latino Book & Family Festival</span></b></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font: 24.0px Verdana; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 17.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">California State University, San Bernardino</span></b></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font: 24.0px Georgia; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 17.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://www.lbff.us/inlandempire-lbff-may-2013.php">http://www.lbff.us/inlandempire-lbff-may-2013.php</a></b><a href="http://www.lbff.us/inlandempire-lbff-may-2013.php"><span style="font: 24.0px Georgia; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b></b></span></a></span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01139589422203836924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631119521664156657.post-16363655277790179712014-04-09T00:16:00.000-07:002014-04-10T16:30:34.115-07:00A Book Story<br />
Once upon a time, there was a life without a story, a story without a book and a book without a reader.<br />
Until one day, Story knocked on Life's door. <br />
<br />
"Who is it?" asked Life.<br />
"Your story," answered Story.<br />
<br />
Life and Story shared many moments: happy, sad ones and of the unspeakable kind. The more they shared, the more excited they became and out of their joyous relationship came about a book. A book about life... a story of many lives. Only there was a problem, the book needed readers.<br />
<br />
Knock, knock!<br />
<br />
"Who is it? asked Book.<br />
"Your reader,"said the dreamer.<br />
<br />
Lets face it. We all have stories. We all love stories. Stories make life all the more interesting. Books transport us to other worlds. Readers turn books to life, movies, traditions...a book without a reader is lost and forgotten.<br />
<br />
And that's why we have book festivals! To satisfy our literature hunger :-)<br />
<br />
The Los Angeles Times Book Festival is one of the largest around. If anyone is attending, please stop by and say hello. I will be discussing and signing for <i>Shattered Paradise</i> on the following dates:<br />
<br />
<b>April 12, 2014</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
USC, Los Angeles Times Book Festival, Hoy News Booth<br />
<br />
<b>April 13, 2014</b><br />
<br />
USC, Los Angeles Times Book Festival, Booth 464<br />
12:00-1:00 and 2:00-3:00<br />
<br />
Live, Love and Read!<br />
<br />
Ileana :-)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01139589422203836924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631119521664156657.post-20333595185660720332014-03-22T20:27:00.000-07:002014-03-22T20:27:14.507-07:00Allow dreams into your life!Anything is possible if you allow yourself to dream.<i style="font-weight: bold;"> Shattered Paradise: Memoirs of a Nicaraguan War Child</i> is a 2014 International Latino Book Award Recipient! Thank you all for believing and supporting :-)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIcYnblkPJqoSOTXmJ7U_KOTD_LI60DyY0fuNIm-SFYueSSFMwzHquKZhvrxryLK6bJaS0mvQxHS-0ekEBMLGPYjsNe3cmGACHtAJFeVTzGRXgBh6IWm2faj16MzF1frDod7mMe6aelc/s1600/Ileana'sCoverpage-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIcYnblkPJqoSOTXmJ7U_KOTD_LI60DyY0fuNIm-SFYueSSFMwzHquKZhvrxryLK6bJaS0mvQxHS-0ekEBMLGPYjsNe3cmGACHtAJFeVTzGRXgBh6IWm2faj16MzF1frDod7mMe6aelc/s1600/Ileana'sCoverpage-1.jpg" height="320" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3lL3seqNNSFR5EuVAYa3zm19hi3MlbjrHr47DwqWS4y4WDF0OX64SAaNygiG54A-2G5rpunxV3PzZ0SrssNGxfQtcl7ItVPrDhARFws_i_aL7Hro7yto4hiXLo7NC_T3scZQDYoy9Jo/s1600/Award+Winning+Author+logo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3lL3seqNNSFR5EuVAYa3zm19hi3MlbjrHr47DwqWS4y4WDF0OX64SAaNygiG54A-2G5rpunxV3PzZ0SrssNGxfQtcl7ItVPrDhARFws_i_aL7Hro7yto4hiXLo7NC_T3scZQDYoy9Jo/s1600/Award+Winning+Author+logo-1.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01139589422203836924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631119521664156657.post-28408324595023594162014-03-14T22:24:00.001-07:002014-03-14T22:25:22.137-07:00Latest review for Shattered Paradise!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9oPndK09D4WDAoN8iUVk-I4RxaZnuh3IqwgUtrsVFdQP_rTnyx88Va_O0F3fnWU2ym1WQepUltOhie1RFBHSdClv7n8hirwP8a6TFsgze7wBXk3HWOheeeGoXqTyfi5Virhk9S7vnlo/s1600/Ileana'sCoverpage+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9oPndK09D4WDAoN8iUVk-I4RxaZnuh3IqwgUtrsVFdQP_rTnyx88Va_O0F3fnWU2ym1WQepUltOhie1RFBHSdClv7n8hirwP8a6TFsgze7wBXk3HWOheeeGoXqTyfi5Virhk9S7vnlo/s1600/Ileana'sCoverpage+copy.jpg" height="320" width="200" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">Thank you friends for your reviews and for being a part of my life :-) Here's the latest review for <i>Shattered Paradise: Memoirs of a Nicaraguan War Child!</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">"Ms. Ileana Araguti experienced atrocities that no child should ever have to experience during the Nicaraguan Revolution. She begins by narrating her everyday life being the youngest member of a family. Beautifully written, she digs deep into the hardships that her father and mother had to endure working in the forests, yet maintaining a close family knit. Religion was a major factor that solidified her family bond that also served them during the revolution.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">The war between the Sandinistas and the Contra factions was yet another tragic result of the cold war of the 1980s. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">The horror and devastation happening before her eyes was described in grim detail, yet in the most intimate way. The story is hard to read, but I appreciated the sincerity and eventual triumph of her family and the survivors of the revolution.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">This book takes you through a journey where you'll laugh, you'll smile...you'll cry and you'll cringe. In the end, you'll appreciate the little girl turned radiant woman and all that she experienced. It felt like I was right there with her, running, crying, and smiling with her."--Jim Hague</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01139589422203836924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631119521664156657.post-83498890147848122422014-03-05T23:24:00.001-08:002014-03-05T23:28:38.999-08:00Nicaraguan Gallo Pinto!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Good morning, the Nicaraguan Way!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljrEwiWHnwlIFD_jADin-3_KZqNxwa5ud8iJFUuxl5_m-5doo9d9wMmKZhpAObqKFWoD-MJ8QBvpEn4Qv7cODZb7egAcOoDIDko_6WMdUX9kH9ZQtenBip1PVCT3jG-JlKiwvtGgZBuU/s1600/20140305_172038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljrEwiWHnwlIFD_jADin-3_KZqNxwa5ud8iJFUuxl5_m-5doo9d9wMmKZhpAObqKFWoD-MJ8QBvpEn4Qv7cODZb7egAcOoDIDko_6WMdUX9kH9ZQtenBip1PVCT3jG-JlKiwvtGgZBuU/s1600/20140305_172038.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Per the request of some friends, I awoke early this morning to make you all breakfast! A complete "desayuno Nicaraguense!" In Nicaragua, a complete breakfast include: Gallo Pinto (rice and beans), fried plantains, eggs and other things such as fresh cheese and sour cream.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Since I now reside in the United States, I'm conscious of time and therefore I've made some modifications. In conclusion, quick and easy Gallo Pinto!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ingredients:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1 pound red beans (or 1-2 cans red beans)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1 cup white rice </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1/2 onion</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
cilantro</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1/2 bell pepper</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
olive oil</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Salt to taste</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
chicken broth</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
chicken bouillon</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Directions:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1. As far as the red beans, you can either boil your own beans or use canned red beans. If you choose to boil them, it is recommended that you let them soak the night before to speed up cooking time. But if you're busy like me and forget to soak them, you can simply wash the red beans, add twice the water as the beans to a pot and bring to boil. Let the beans cook slowly on medium heat. Add salt to taste towards the end of the cooking for tenderness. If you add salt too soon, the beans might not turn out as tender. When using canned beans, drain the liquid.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2. Rice. If in a hurry, you can steam white rice in a rice cooker or a pot. But if you want to be more traditional and make a less mushy Gallo Pinto, you may cook the rice as you boil the beans. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
a. Sauté chopped yellow/white onion, bell pepper and cilantro to taste in about 1-2 tablespoons olive </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
oil.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
b. Add 1cup of white rice without washing to a pan and sauté until slightly golden brown.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
c. Add chicken broth or water to cover the rice.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
d. Add salt or cubes of chicken bouillon to taste.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
e. Cover and let it boil.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
f. Reduce heat and let it cook slowly until the water is gone and the rice is puffy and soft.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
3. When done cooking the beans and the rice. Add about 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a pan. Fry the beans and gradually add the rice. Serve immediately and enjoy!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
4. Now, here's the <u>quick</u> U.S. way:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
a. Use previously steamed rice or left overs.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
b. Use canned red beans, drained.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">c. S</span>auté<span class="Apple-style-span"> onion, bell pepper, olive oil and salt in a pan.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
d. Add drained red beans and white rice; fry until well-mixed.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
e. Serve and enjoy without any guilt! After all, you have all day to burn the calories!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Note: </b> Nicaraguans use red beans, Costa Ricans use black beans! Both taste delicious :-)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Modifications:</b> Traditionally, lard or other types of oils are used. I've substituted olive oil or grape seed oil for a healthier meal!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01139589422203836924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631119521664156657.post-79649871598242050352014-03-02T10:35:00.000-08:002014-03-02T10:35:00.879-08:00Marta A. Lomeli, Guest Blogger<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>622</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3549</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Seneca Elementary</o:Company>
<o:Lines>29</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>7</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>4358</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYbZGZ-vqaF7T1IcUYqyRky9EKXX2oG8tWAjqt2xT_qfxW5X2spTD1rdNv38vzQRbEwu8BdbIK8hAevLIPzQsEyM7kbK7fbDMJ5liagjJj7Tm94A1ws5wx90GYnrIXT60_J5Hg_rRvos/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYbZGZ-vqaF7T1IcUYqyRky9EKXX2oG8tWAjqt2xT_qfxW5X2spTD1rdNv38vzQRbEwu8BdbIK8hAevLIPzQsEyM7kbK7fbDMJ5liagjJj7Tm94A1ws5wx90GYnrIXT60_J5Hg_rRvos/s1600/image.jpeg" height="320" width="224" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313;">Our guest blogger this week is
Marta A. Lomeli, author of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cuentos from
the House on West Connecticut Avenue</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313;">. Her keen sense of humor is contagious.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313;">Marta A. Lomeli is one of those amazing
beings that know how to enjoy life to the fullest.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 19px;">She has over twenty-five years of teaching experience, over ten years in the martial arts, and years of community involvement: youth mentoring programs, police community relations support, and precinct walking. Beginning with her college years, she was well-known for her original cartoons, many of which were published in college newspapers. She has had poetry published, as well as many articles on personal safety and self-defense for women and children.A few years ago, she achieved the rank of second degree black belt in Chinese Shao-lin Kempo, an ancient form of martial arts. She managed to reach this goal even though she was a single mother for a number of years.She has discovered other wild ways to enjoy life, such as skydiving, public speaking, and painting.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313;"> Today, she is
"retired," but keeps busy by being a full-time "baby
wrangler," taking care of her toddler grandson. She enjoys participating
in Las Comadres networking Comadrazos and the Las Comadres Book Club. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313;"><span style="color: #124fd3;"><a href="http://LasComadres.org/">LasComadres.org</a></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cuentos-House-West-Connecticut-Avenue/dp/1403381488/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393743793&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=cents+from+the+house+in+west+connecticut+avenue">http://www.amazon.com/Cuentos-House-West-Connecticut-Avenue/dp/1403381488/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393743793&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=cents+from+the+house+in+west+connecticut+avenue</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here it is!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #131313; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier; mso-bidi-font-size: 24.0pt;">Saludos! I am Ileana's "Comadre."
We were not born relatives. We did not become relatives via any religious
ceremony, but we are Comadres nonetheless. We are friends for life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #131313; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier; mso-bidi-font-size: 24.0pt;">I had the good fortune to read
Ileana's book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shattered Paradise: Memoir
of a Nicaraguan War Child</i>, and it touched my soul. Selfish person that I
am, I thought, "How can my writing ever compare to her beautiful prose?
Her childhood had beauty and peace until the chaos of war turned things upside
down." I wanted to jump into her book and pull her out of that horrible
danger, but that isn't how books work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #131313; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier; mso-bidi-font-size: 24.0pt;">It is an honor to be a guest in her
blog. Today, I will share with you the little juicy bits of inspiration that I
read to myself every now and then:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #131313; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier; mso-bidi-font-size: 24.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #131313; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier; mso-bidi-font-size: 24.0pt;">“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow
until the faucet is turned on.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #131313; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier; mso-bidi-font-size: 24.0pt;">--Louis L'Amour<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #131313; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier; mso-bidi-font-size: 24.0pt;">“Certain things they should just stay the way they are.
You ought to be able to stick them in one of those glass cases and just leave
them alone.”</span></i><span style="color: #131313; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier; mso-bidi-font-size: 24.0pt;">--J.D. Salingerl, Catcher in the
Rye<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #131313; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier; mso-bidi-font-size: 24.0pt;">“If only there could be an invention that bottled up a
memory, like scent. And it never faded, and it never got stale. And then, when
one wanted it, the bottle could be uncorked and it would be like living the
memory all over again.”</span></i><span style="color: #131313; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier; mso-bidi-font-size: 24.0pt;">--Daphne
Du Maurier<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #131313; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier; mso-bidi-font-size: 24.0pt;">Among other things, I am a culture
vulture and proud of it. I don't think that you are less of a Chicana (Latina,
Hispanic, whatever) if you adapt and make it your own. Wasn't it Paulo Freire
that used the words "man as the creator of culture?" For the sake of a discussion, let's talk about cultural traditions that could could affect a family's future. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313;">Since I'm not writing a book or a
thesis here, I won't be listing to the million of examples that are possible. I'll just
choose one example: Quinceañeras, a girl’s 15</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313;"><sup>th</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313;"> birthday celebration!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #131313; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier; mso-bidi-font-size: 24.0pt;">First, a disclaimer, I didn't have a
quinceañera. My father, did, however, give me a $20 bill. Not much? It was in
those days! I was born in the 1950s. We lived at the poverty level. I didn't
expect my dad to give me anything more than a hug. I think that Mom made
enchiladas or something. That was always appreciated. I would have felt guilty
if they had spent hundreds of dollars on a party for me while they had sons in
college that were scrimping to get by, working dangerously long hours in the
summer as fire fighters. Not many scholarships for Latinos in those early
days. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #131313; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier; mso-bidi-font-size: 24.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">When I became a sixth grade
teacher, I once overheard a fellow teacher chatting about her
daughter's upcoming birthday. We were in the faculty lounge, eating lunch, and
I heard her say, "I'm all about letting kids learn from making t</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-size: 16px;">heir own
decisions. So, I gave my daughter the choice: I'll take her to Europe in the
summer, or I’ll give her a quinceañera. She chose the quinceañera. I'm going to
get a limo for her and everything!" </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-size: 16px;">For those of you who might not be
familiar with this celebration, the cost of a quinceañera could be
as much as a wedding. It is not rare that often times, families might have to choose
between celebrating a quinceañera or paying for college.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-size: 16px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Did you ever come across such choices?</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cheers,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Marta A. Lomeli</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01139589422203836924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631119521664156657.post-52581532778916294382014-03-01T23:30:00.001-08:002014-03-01T23:33:54.529-08:00Review for Shattered Paradise!Great friends are like a good marriage, correct? We share the good and the bad :-) Today, I would like to share a wonderful review for my memoir, <i>Shattered Paradise: Memoirs of a Nicaraguan War Child!</i><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.latinabookclub.com/2014/02/review-shattered-paradise-memoirs-of.html">http://www.latinabookclub.com/2014/02/review-shattered-paradise-memoirs-of.html</a><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01139589422203836924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631119521664156657.post-17140866412657019612014-02-23T19:40:00.000-08:002014-02-23T19:47:04.458-08:00Heron's Path Review<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>233</o:Words>
<o:Characters>1331</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Seneca Elementary</o:Company>
<o:Lines>11</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>2</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>1634</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ever since a little girl, I’ve been fascinated by paths and
remote roads that lead to who knows where.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I recall building secret paths in Mama’s garden using a
stick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, my plastic animal
figurines would find their way around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Heron’s Path by Alethea Eason, although not exactly a book about a
little girl like me, reminds me somewhat of my childhood, my two lovely sisters
and even the frightening river I had to cross every time we would travel to the
farm in the forest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VO2JRPcd3JGWHRzpSDUWypA2KQouQ4JiKi_63kbbtIXGfK_de-duI7k4PFs8-OUTMATatHZSEkkuPSrXdQrELuQpWf49v3tL4y2j_GOn-kvZSeulhANiBnI3AKw21iTNlNoyoHKPTC0/s1600/1974593_10203339265266230_1735269546_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VO2JRPcd3JGWHRzpSDUWypA2KQouQ4JiKi_63kbbtIXGfK_de-duI7k4PFs8-OUTMATatHZSEkkuPSrXdQrELuQpWf49v3tL4y2j_GOn-kvZSeulhANiBnI3AKw21iTNlNoyoHKPTC0/s1600/1974593_10203339265266230_1735269546_n.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I picked up Heron’s Path, by Alethea Eason, I chose it
first for the beautiful cover and the title, but later it became a good
reminder about the strength of the human spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heron’s Path is a beautifully written story about two
sisters, Katy and Celeste and about the enchanting tales of the Nanchuti.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The current of the river, the mystery
of dreams, the meaning of life and growing up all come to life through
Alethea’s magnificent writing, which gently guides the reader to the end
through a path of courage and love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This lovely read is ultimately about the gift of sisterhood and the
thrilling mysteries of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Alethea Eason is a writer and teacher. Her latest publication is <i>Starved</i>, a sequel to her humorous middle grade science fiction novel, <i>Hungry</i>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01139589422203836924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631119521664156657.post-24277430122492610432014-02-02T22:52:00.000-08:002014-02-02T23:06:16.102-08:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The Village Sang to the Sea</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"></span><br />
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391397666499_4954">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"></span><br />
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; margin-bottom: 24pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujLm4es5t6xpmcizug4vD5iCHXeV27M0KQ2H2TEL2G9pWOHSqYCK_idH0EzeVWdB9AXXTrnCDSa6m3whogPYUkbj8ZCga8Putwv69nfUpB9xBuBxEassA93iZM1CBUgFhPhX0iwGFXhY/s1600/The+Village+Sang+to+the+Sea.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujLm4es5t6xpmcizug4vD5iCHXeV27M0KQ2H2TEL2G9pWOHSqYCK_idH0EzeVWdB9AXXTrnCDSa6m3whogPYUkbj8ZCga8Putwv69nfUpB9xBuBxEassA93iZM1CBUgFhPhX0iwGFXhY/s1600/The+Village+Sang+to+the+Sea.jpeg" height="320" width="206" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #343434; font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Where to travel next for my
great inspiration?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other than
writing, working and traveling, reading is my other passion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other day, I picked up a novel from
a bookstore, simply because I fell in love with its title:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Village Sang to the Sea</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, I proceeded to read the novel and
my imagination took flight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
end result of my reading: Desire to someday visit Lerici!</span></span></div>
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"></span>
<br />
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; margin-bottom: 24pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #343434; font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Lerici is a village in Italy said
to be “The pearl of the Poet’s Gulf.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> It is called the Gulf of Poets because the great Romantic poets, Percy Shelley and Lord Byron often visited it; and Percy and his wife Mary, author of FRANKENSTEIN, lived in Lerici. The picturesque village is the southern tip of the Italian Riviera. Just north of the Gulf of Poets is the famous tourist destination of Cinque Terre, "The Five Lands," and south of the Gulf is Pisa and its also famous, "Leaning Tower."</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"></span>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; margin-bottom: 24pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #343434; font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Lerici appears to be an inspirational paradise for artists! It is an
enchanting village, which reminds me of my own native village in Nicaragua,
City of Mist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The village of
Lerici is surrounded by splendid green hills, rich in history and breathtaking
landscapes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">In
his lyrical memoir, <i>The Village Sang to the Sea</i>, author Bruce McAllister magically transports you to different
worlds, yet you wish to remain in the captivating village of Lerici, Italy. The
events that flow through this beautiful book are enchanting and riveting. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Village Sang to the Sea</i> is an
unforgettable book!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; margin-bottom: 24pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PH4dcpbvaMKF60CgT9OABH3eZbcBkpyj0m5Jk8HwaMaykEkBZUx6wV32YkQSPPKQAfkCnXJ2Srt29_LZk2IHnbD2K3CVfoWZYjBGQYqS7ZXZj9gl9e96vE2SdYfODkll7FQH2wXKybM/s1600/Bruce+McAllister.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PH4dcpbvaMKF60CgT9OABH3eZbcBkpyj0m5Jk8HwaMaykEkBZUx6wV32YkQSPPKQAfkCnXJ2Srt29_LZk2IHnbD2K3CVfoWZYjBGQYqS7ZXZj9gl9e96vE2SdYfODkll7FQH2wXKybM/s1600/Bruce+McAllister.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434;">As a boy, Bruce Mc Allister lived in magical Lerici, learned Italian, and attended school in the shadows of its castle, like the protagonist in the novel. McAllister is now a science fiction, fantasy and literary fiction author who has appeared over the years in literary quarterlies, national magazines, college textbooks and "year's best" anthologies like, <i>Best American Short Stories 2007. The Village Sang to the Sea </i>has been compared to Ray Bradbury's <i>Dandelion Wine </i>and <i>Something Wicked This Way Comes. </i>Bruce McAllister lives in Orange County, California, with his wife, choreographer Amelie Hunter. He works as a writer, writing coach and book and screenplay consultant. </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434;">http://thevillagesang.com/</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; margin-bottom: 24pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434;">Have you visited or lived in Lerici? Share your experience/s :-)</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 24pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #343434;"><br /></span></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">
</span><br />
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391397666499_4965" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<br clear="none" /></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391397666499_4972" style="font-size: 16px;">
<div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391397666499_4970">
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391397666499_4969" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt;">
<div class="yiv8101915602MsoNormal" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391397666499_4968" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 24pt;">
<br />
<span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391397666499_4975"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01139589422203836924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631119521664156657.post-91573048331432354172013-12-29T19:39:00.000-08:002014-02-23T19:45:33.462-08:00Poetry, Australia and John Holland<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>151</o:Words>
<o:Characters>865</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Seneca Elementary</o:Company>
<o:Lines>7</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>1062</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;">Dear friends,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;">I introduce to you all my first guest blogger and author: John Holland from the beautiful Australia! As you all know, I love to highlight beautiful places and wonderful people. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">John Holland grew
up in outback Australia. Living on cattle stations (ranches) his father Jack
Holland managed in Queensland, the Northern Territory and the Kimberley.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">He has been a
stockman (cowboy), miner, road worker, speech writer/media officer for a
Queensland state member of parliament and a newspaper columnist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">John now lives in
Townsville, tropical North Queensland and writes full time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">Check out his
website: <a href="http://poetrysansfrontieres.weebly.com/">http://poetrysansfrontieres.weebly.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyy5KTo-J_ufGYJxSpe5xeDATh16vPPRX8tycdgXWruyUxQ-ZrDLydzhLrqda4iOohj2SU6QuAWGHD0V0BUu38NMDGUtC-9Nkz9rwOL2By8Ny1Glo3UL232Bp_qk0uvQ2DlruN7N85JrM/s320/My+Dry+Bones+image.jpg" height="320" title="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyy5KTo-J_ufGYJxSpe5xeDATh16vPPRX8tycdgXWruyUxQ-ZrDLydzhLrqda4iOohj2SU6QuAWGHD0V0BUu38NMDGUtC-9Nkz9rwOL2By8Ny1Glo3UL232Bp_qk0uvQ2DlruN7N85JrM/s1600/My+Dry+Bones+image.jpg" width="278" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">His writing
credits include:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">Dry Bones</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;"> (Stonesthrow Poetry) :<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="http://amzn.com/B00AAX3N7E">http://amzn.com/B00AAX3N7E</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">Under The Dog Star</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;"> (Hammer & Anvil Books): </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://amzn.com/B00E64XY2M">http://amzn.com/B00E64XY2M</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">His work has also
appeared in the anthologies:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ink Angels</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;"> (Allpoetry)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">Found Patrick</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;"> (Regina Sokas)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">Rawahi</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;"> (Lazarus Media)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">His work has also
appeared in the poetry magazines:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">Danse Macabre<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">Umphrose<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">Mystical Muse<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">Spontaneous Spirits<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Mozzie </span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">and many others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>16</o:Words>
<o:Characters>92</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Seneca Elementary</o:Company>
<o:Lines>1</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>112</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Presently working as a co-author with
Californian author Nia Simone on a novel set in Australia and America. </span></div>
<br />
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">I look forward to sharing some of his amazing poetry sometime :-)</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01139589422203836924noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631119521664156657.post-77074394187719084772013-12-26T22:11:00.000-08:002013-12-27T19:52:22.018-08:00New Year: New You<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>328</o:Words>
<o:Characters>1872</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Seneca Elementary</o:Company>
<o:Lines>15</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>3</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2298</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-pafxlUzQLUKEW8v03l25oTULCPsW7WI2EZ1CM0-RjNhroTUaWVzo_Joc7WBE1yu3ZXBdX_JOYfpbUXsEd-_HVQ8y3uoKdSnqCrX5MRHGouhggEtAv6Fv0OmbE1IFwdQJmOeO_Wx84IM/s1600/DSC00662+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-pafxlUzQLUKEW8v03l25oTULCPsW7WI2EZ1CM0-RjNhroTUaWVzo_Joc7WBE1yu3ZXBdX_JOYfpbUXsEd-_HVQ8y3uoKdSnqCrX5MRHGouhggEtAv6Fv0OmbE1IFwdQJmOeO_Wx84IM/s320/DSC00662+%25282%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px;">New Year: New You! It's a tradition, as the year ends, we make new resolutions. Mine is to lead a positive life and to live life to the fullest. As many of you know, I was born in Nicaragua during times of war and survived not only to tell a story but to also serve as testimony that life is beautiful and it's ultimately whatever WE make of it. Throughout the years, I've learned that successful people (spiritually and financially) tend to share the following skills: </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px;">1. <b>Adapt:</b> learn to adapt. Life isn't always what we think it is. Do as Bruce Lee once advised, "become water."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px;">2. <b>Persist:</b> if you don't pursue your own goals, then who will? Never, ever give up for a good cause. But don't confuse giving up with taking a step back, sometimes the view is better from a distance.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px;">3. <b>Reinvent yourself </b>as necessary. In our new world, nothing is truly organic and that includes us and our dreams. Sometimes, it is necessary to run a data analysis on our own selves and reinvent our skills, goals and dreams.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px;">4. <b>Dream to Achieve:</b> Author Joseph Gutiz describes dreaming as a skill. A skill to keep you motivated, to keep you focused and energized. Dreaming is vitamin to our souls.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px;">5. <b>Balance:</b> a life well-lived is well-balanced. What's the point of achieving, if you're not enjoying? There's a time for everything: for crying, for laughing, for living. Learn to live!</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px;">6. <b>Forgive but don't forget:</b> Learning to sincerely forgive is therapeutic. Not forgetting ensures you don't make the same mistake twice!</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px;">7. <b>Only compete if you're an olympian!</b> In other words, let others do their own thing and don't overdo yourself in trying to keep up. Their dreams are theirs. Your dreams are yours. However, unity is a nice recipe for success. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px;">8. <b>Keep only the positive</b>, discard the negative.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px;">9. <b>Prioritize.</b> In my hierarchy of needs: God and family come first, the rest I leave to destiny and determination.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px;">10. <b>Love yourself.</b> You are beautiful and unique. Your happiness and confidence will radiate to others.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px;">11. <b>Stay Healthy:</b> Health overrides all of the above. Happiness begins within. Diminish stress for it doesn't help you with anything. Eat healthy, take walks and see the world...who knows, you might discover new and exciting new venues ;-) Live every moment as if it were your last.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 16px;">Overall success is defined by how well we learn to adapt, by how well we forgive and how persistent we become at NEVER GIVING UP! With that being said, we must learn to enjoy and accept what we have and pursue what we desire diligently. Happy New YOU!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New'; line-height: 32px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 32px;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New';"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New';"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New';"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01139589422203836924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631119521664156657.post-77548755388320046992013-10-05T10:05:00.000-07:002013-10-05T10:05:08.214-07:00Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7doo5CPYc8QJrr4Tl46ty4LYWjIkrsmWmJdSLdav1iWeoTzgN1MnBKwwda38M9KessxbDDK59tGPqvtfu2WEMXt8iDQoy2qSPOgLdZaSeDeUQhY-4Ha3SVejJOW_Cs3b3rHmPqJVTZOU/s1600/IMG_2808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7doo5CPYc8QJrr4Tl46ty4LYWjIkrsmWmJdSLdav1iWeoTzgN1MnBKwwda38M9KessxbDDK59tGPqvtfu2WEMXt8iDQoy2qSPOgLdZaSeDeUQhY-4Ha3SVejJOW_Cs3b3rHmPqJVTZOU/s320/IMG_2808.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The irony of life: a game of chess guided by predictions, choices--the element of time. What makes us interesting beings is the ability to go through life unnoticed, to blend amongst the ordinary and the grand, and to camouflage a past to where no one can tell it ever existed. But at the end, we return to who we once were and still are--keepers of memories.--Ileana AragutiAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01139589422203836924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3631119521664156657.post-72578877884497002162013-07-20T19:46:00.000-07:002013-07-20T19:46:18.478-07:00Upcoming Book Reading and Signing<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Dear friends,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">I will be reading and signing SHATTERED PARADISE at the beautiful Upstart Crow Bookstore and Coffee House on August 8th, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Hope to see you there :-)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Upstart Crow Bookstore and Coffee House</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">835C West Harbor Drive, Seaport Village</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">San Diego,CA 92101. 619-232-4855</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01139589422203836924noreply@blogger.com0