tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67603229737758904002024-03-19T15:31:54.347-07:00The Best is Yet to be Written This blog is a window to my past and current experiences, a door to my creative writing, and a gateway to my future goals. Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04726163524659635176noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6760322973775890400.post-21072147638723644572016-06-04T19:19:00.003-07:002016-06-04T19:25:12.756-07:00Slow But Promising Reforms in Lima<h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Published November 30, 2015</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">BETSY SAAVEDRA</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">LIMA, Peru—After decades of struggle, residents of the Carabayllo neighborhood have seen slow but promising reforms.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">“The municipality promised [the residents] a boulevard, but never fulfilled it. They come around with the same promise during election time, to get votes and free personnel [to work in their campaigns], but after elections are over, it's ‘If I saw you, I don’t remember,'” said political activist and lawyer Antonio Tavarone.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">The district of Carabayllo is the largest in the country’s capital. Though Carabayllo has grown tremendously in the past 40 years, residents still remember how life used to be in the neighborhood.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">During the 1960s, most of the land was used to grow cotton and sugar cane, which was exported during World War I. This area was privately owned by a few local families, while farmers worked and lived on the land. Years later, in 1969, Law 17716 gave titles to the land to the farmers that worked the land.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">This was just the beginning for the residents in Carabayllo. Following the law of 1969, residents fought for basic amenities like electricity, running water, roads and transportation. Their protests demanding a better standard of living lasted three decades.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Composed of five different zones, Carabayllo is now a highly urban area. One of these zones, El Progreso, was founded in 1960. Compared to the Villa Victoria zone, also in Carabayllo, El Progreso is “smaller and not as dangerous,” said Tavarone. This area is home to various small businesses and an extensive market on the main streets, while residential homes are located along the side streets.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">As he drove around the El Progreso, Tavarone noticed the transformation: “Thirty-eight years ago," he said, "there was a lot of crime in this areas. Many dangerous kidnappers and robbers came out of this neighborhood.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Local resident Alberto Cruzado Arrollo moved into the neighborhood with his parents and siblings when he was 3 years old. He agrees with Tavarone that there have been many changes.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">“This used to be a neighborhood with lots of violence. Eight famous delinquents come out of here. Most of them are dead now, but there’s a lot of people [local delinquents] that are still alive.” One of the gangs Arrollo refers to is "Las Fieras de Gañango" ("The Beasts of Gañango). The gang gained its reputation by kidnapping wealthy businessmen and robbing banks—among other illegal activities.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Tavarone explained, “Once [housing] titles were given to the residents, many people from the commercial areas sold their properties, but some exchanged them for residential homes further inside the neighborhood.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">“They weren’t kicked out,” Arrollo said, “They’ve made a different life. They’ve moved to different countries or areas. Most of the people I know from the neighborhood have gone to another country.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">The homes for residents, called “invaciones” (squatter homes) came to be out of necessity. A committee was formed by the needy families of the area to fight for legal rights to land they called home.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Years later the residents received what they fought for, and in many cases the homes proved to be safe, with no risk of eviction. But that has not always been the case:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">“Look I’m going to tell you,” Arrollo said, pointing to a small structure across the street, “that house right across the street belongs to a friend. It’s been like that since I was 3 years old. The one-story house with exposed bricks has an unfinished roof with pieces of wood sticking out of it, as if was staying put by a miracle. This small home has no visible windows—it almost looks abandoned.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">"They are in trouble because the mom and dad, they were the owners, but they are deceased and all their kids are adults now,” Arrollo said. “One of the sisters took her dad to do a legal document before he died. So she made him do a bill of sale for the house [giving her the title]. She then came to the house with the police to try and evict her siblings. It was such a big deal—everyone was outside fighting with the police. The siblings have been living there their whole lives and here she comes to try and kick them out of their house.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">This sister had forged her father’s signature in order to get the title transferred to her, Arrollo explained to Tavarone. The residents are now involved in an annulment process which would give them back their home.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Confrontations among neighbors and family members over ownership can quickly turn violent. “It’s about gaining possession of the property,” Tavarone said. “The new law now gives authorities 15 days to evict the squatters” so those are the stories that make national news. Arrollo remembers that the day the police came to evict his neighbors across the street one of the sisters-in-law became violent. “[She] came with a butane cylinder and lit it on fire and she kept screaming, ‘No one is going to get us out of here!’ She blew it up,” he said.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">But for now, El Progreso neighborhood seems calm. The residents have adapted, and continue to demand what they deserve. Safe and clean streets, better schools and a better quality of life. In 2013, the Peruvian government scheduled repairs for the public schools, which allowed 2,000 kids to return to class. Other assistance includes medical campaigns, and housing lot actions. Earlier this month, 266 lots were auctioned in the district of Carabayllo. The money collected will be used to maintain parks in the area.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Tavarone recognizes that there is progress on the housing front as well. Historically law enforcement had 24 hours to evict squatters, but in recent years laws regarding private or state land invasions have changed. “There are many ways of getting a title. One is by possession, the other is by acquisitive prescription [acquiring property by meeting statutory requirements of possession]. . . Now, there’s a new law that gives law enforcement 15 days to clear the area,” he said.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">After the 15 days have passed and the resident has maintained possession of the terrain, then it is time to start the long process that will eventually result in title to the land.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Tavarone said that even though obtaining a title can take years of legal procedures, it is worth it. Financing the legal process is a lot cheaper than paying for the actual housing lot. “We are talking about $1,000 for residents to keep their house, instead of about $800 for a square meter,” he said.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">The legal process is worth the time, Tavarone said, “if you have a good lawyer.” For the people of El Progreso, it took nearly 40 years for all the residents to receive titles to their homes. “[Arroyo's] parents started the process almost 40 years ago, it is he who has been able to see the official end of it all.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">http://pulitzercenter.org/projects/south-america-peru-in-lima-who-owns-the-land</span></span>Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04726163524659635176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6760322973775890400.post-57778059048749885592015-02-10T08:44:00.000-08:002016-06-04T19:01:44.614-07:00My boyfriend's crush?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I’m starting to think my boyfriend has a secret crush on <a href="http://www.stevewilkos.com/" target="_blank">Steve Wilkos</a>. For the past six months my boyfriend has been watching The Steve Wilkos Show on WB11 way too much. By way too much I mean everyday, every single show that comes on air during the day. He’s clearly obsessed.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Since the cold weather has forced both of us to spend way too much time at home. We have found that watching The Steve Wilkos show is rather entertaining. We enjoy it so much that earlier this week we decided to take the trip to see him live. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The show is filmed in Stamford Connecticut in the same studio as <a href="http://www.jerryspringertv.com/" target="_blank">Jerry Springer</a> and <a href="http://www.mauryshow.com/" target="_blank">Maury</a>. With that being said…we knew this would be fun. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">t took us about thirty minutes to drive from Tarrytown, NY to Stamford. Once there we received the<a href="http://www.stevewilkos.com/tickets" target="_blank"> free tickets</a> for the 3:30pm show. Little did we know that we would be waiting until almost five a clock to be seated.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">But NBC Universal knows how to treat their guest. Many people come for the early shows at 10:00 am and some decide to stay for later shows. Since there’s only about a thirty-minute wait between shows, people that want to stay don’t have a chance to go out and eat. NBC solved this problem by bringing pizza for the audience members before the show starts. That way no one complains about the long waiting time and no one goes hungry. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The shows started with a dancing contest. About five women volunteer to go on stage and dance for a chance to get a free shirt, or cup. Though it sounds simple, not many people know how to dance. My boyfriend and I laughed as these women moon-walked on stage. It was truly entertaining. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">After the dancing a prices are given away Steve Wilkos comes on stage and answers any questions the audience may have. I though that was really nice of him, to come out and interact with the people instead of just doing the show and not acknowledging the audience. He’s also a lot taller than I thought. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Soon after the show started with man trying to prove to his wife he wasn’t cheating. Luck for him, he passed the lie detector test. Then we saw a woman accusing her sister of sleeping with her fiance. It turns out they were not sleeping together, but he did cheat on her with another woman. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Since we had nothing else to do that day, my boyfriend and I decided to stay for the second show. This time the topics were emotional and serious. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">After being on set with Steve Wilkos I kind of understood my boyfriends weird obsession. I would definitely recommend the show, I had a lot of fun and I wouldn’t mind going to see him again. As a matter of fact, we are planning a second trip to the studio. This time to see the Jerry Springer show. I can hardly wait. </span></div>
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<br />Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04726163524659635176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6760322973775890400.post-73516726758202902492014-05-11T20:21:00.002-07:002015-02-28T12:08:16.449-08:00And I thought I might be overreacting ... Am I a perfectionist? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I was in high school, I really enjoyed art class. I felt like that was the only class where I could just be me. I could create whatever I wanted and they wouldn't be wrong. I looked for harder projects that would push me to make my piece perfect. It always had to be perfect. <br />
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Time passed and I never payed to much attention to my need for perfection until I started this blog.<br />
Since this blog, I've noticed that I might be a little bit to strict with myself. I pay close attention to the way my writing looks, says, and makes others feel. I'm constantly reading and re-reading sentences hoping I can make it better.<br />
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Though my amazing professor Betty Ming Liu tells me that she sees the improvement, I feel like it's not enough. I know that there's so much improvement to be made.<br />
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One night while I was stuck writing my first blog post, I decided to search for some inspiration in <a href="http://bettymingliu.com/" target="_blank">Betty's blog</a>. After reading a couple of her blog posts, I really wondered. How am I ever going to get to this point? Her writing just seems so natural and effortless.<br />
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Then I discovered that I'm not the only one suffering from this problem called "perfectionism."<br />
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Betty explains and gives steps to recovery in her blog post <a href="http://bettymingliu.com/2013/12/dont-be-a-perfectionist/" target="_blank">Don't be a perfectionist: 5 steps to recovery. </a><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rP9lEfz8Nlw/U3A2cr5ECDI/AAAAAAAADmQ/C35vSv596E0/s1600/tmars-or-ts-recovering-perfectionist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rP9lEfz8Nlw/U3A2cr5ECDI/AAAAAAAADmQ/C35vSv596E0/s1600/tmars-or-ts-recovering-perfectionist.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
Of course, I had to read the blog post and all the comments. One of the comments was written by Author <span class="comment_author"><a class="url" href="http://www.hillaryrettig.com/" rel="external nofollow">Hillary Rettig</a>. She left a very useful link to her own blog where she went in depth about perfectionism in her blog post <a href="http://www.hillaryrettig.com/perfectionism/" target="_blank">Perfectionism Defined</a>.</span><br />
<span class="comment_author"><br /></span>
<span class="comment_author">So I thought I had heard it all. I had found Betty's tip to recovery and Hillary's definition of my problem. Undoubtedly I could fight this thing! or so I thought.</span><br />
<span class="comment_author"><br /></span>
<span class="comment_author">Oh how wrong I was. While deleting emails I found a very useful link from LinkedIn. It was titled <a href="http://time.com/70558/its-not-you-its-science-how-perfectionism-holds-women-back/" target="_blank">Its Not You, It's Science: How Perfectionism Hold Women Back</a>. I immediately clicked on it and read the New York Times article written by <a href="https://twitter.com/jess7bennett" target="_blank">Jessica Bennett</a>. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="comment_author">In the article she writes that o</span><span class="comment_author"><span class="comment_author">ur perfectionism is a result of our l</span>ack of confidence. That is the reason why we hold back, and doubt ourselves. She then writes, "But perhaps the most useful aspect of all of this talk about confidence is recognizing that it's a problem at all. Knowing that it's there, that it's backed up by science, that it's not just you - and <i>then</i> trying to correct for it"</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="comment_author"></span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-776_-mko4x4/U3A5tCYRCTI/AAAAAAAADmY/-Uwv-pdlK4Q/s1600/mmw_womenscience0716.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-776_-mko4x4/U3A5tCYRCTI/AAAAAAAADmY/-Uwv-pdlK4Q/s1600/mmw_womenscience0716.jpg" height="138" width="200" /></a><span class="comment_author"></span><span class="comment_author">Silly me! here I was thinking I have a problem, well maybe I do. But it's a little comforting to know that I'm not the only woman experiencing this. There are scientific studies to prove why I cut myself short thinking I'm not good enough. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="comment_author">The insight and advice I got from these three wonderful, successful women, will come in handy. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="comment_author">As I work on perfecting every angle of my life, I'm also working on my self confidence. Learning to be patient, and overcome obstacles one day at time. Maybe I will never reach my idea of perfection, but the improvements will be visible. I know that when that happens I will finally obtain the confidence I need. </span><br />
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<br />Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04726163524659635176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6760322973775890400.post-2910670402963503432014-05-11T16:14:00.001-07:002016-06-04T19:29:19.298-07:00Walk with me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Every morning around 8:30 am to 9:00 am I take a twenty-five minute walk to work.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCSV873z4izVQofHSKCWsk8J0FJ7QUWKA-Trk6-uHuqaw9JPXw8zfVeEEqfyf7fpk6mXkiunvRnmZ5gHgD_zMhx6b4jxUH__oRVzmVNNgh0nH0DBCi7ksEOajaxKSuIP95CddXaiFhmg/s1600/IMG_3224%5B1%5D.PNG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCSV873z4izVQofHSKCWsk8J0FJ7QUWKA-Trk6-uHuqaw9JPXw8zfVeEEqfyf7fpk6mXkiunvRnmZ5gHgD_zMhx6b4jxUH__oRVzmVNNgh0nH0DBCi7ksEOajaxKSuIP95CddXaiFhmg/s1600/IMG_3224%5B1%5D.PNG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
At first I thought that, if I had a car I wouldn't be wasting time walking there.<br />
<br />
Things are different now, I'm learning to embrace the few minutes of peace and quiet I get.<br />
<br />
Between a full time job, school and a boyfriend I have very little
time to spend on myself. All the thinking and
planning is really getting to me.I think and think all the time, to the
point that I feel it's unhealthy.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQxZoPCdatWIjTRZNJnOyGR4Uph4HXsLNsE527fnarDz8TmzvdIiTZh51oMgTDR_hzAyblXrRtYnyQGaNC9PEZpetG7l0lPSaX0jeau6aRKh7A2ekwKO4BU274qjy6CX2w7mQLz1xJHk/s1600/IMG_3228%5B1%5D.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQxZoPCdatWIjTRZNJnOyGR4Uph4HXsLNsE527fnarDz8TmzvdIiTZh51oMgTDR_hzAyblXrRtYnyQGaNC9PEZpetG7l0lPSaX0jeau6aRKh7A2ekwKO4BU274qjy6CX2w7mQLz1xJHk/s1600/IMG_3228%5B1%5D.PNG" width="150" /></a><br />
I think about homework assignments,
or test, about how I'm going to pay my bills and whether I should get a
second job. If I do get a second job, when will I have time for school?
UGH!!! I'm convinced, I'm going through a quarter crisis. But I guess it
could be always be worst.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiECUz76a3lIoT2gmAZDKN_HukSobTYBSlzVkZ1CBUVX6XjJ72IlxslVe60wwmOFhxBmU59diqrVp-G7FV4yokaUnqJEZeDBvnZ7HzyRQNuoyVlYMXmlVbijAGGHbcLiV1cFk35M8eg0/s640/blogger-image-668936405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiECUz76a3lIoT2gmAZDKN_HukSobTYBSlzVkZ1CBUVX6XjJ72IlxslVe60wwmOFhxBmU59diqrVp-G7FV4yokaUnqJEZeDBvnZ7HzyRQNuoyVlYMXmlVbijAGGHbcLiV1cFk35M8eg0/s320/blogger-image-668936405.jpg" width="320" /></a>My morning walks let me forget about my self diagnosed crisis. The time
alone with myself allows me to stop thinking so much and just enjoy the
walk. <a href="http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/diet-fitness/exercise/benefits-of-walking.htm" target="_blank">Benefits of Walking</a> by <a href="http://www.howstuffworks.com/hsw-contact.htm" target="_blank">Tommy Boone, PhD, MPH, FASEP, EOC</a>
says, walking can "give you a feeling of detachment from daily
pressures."<br />
<br />
It explains why I find my morning walks so enjoyable.
Walking gives me the alone time I need and love so much.<br />
<br />
<br />
Though sometimes rainy mornings can be a pain, I don't mind them. In some
crazy way, my mind feels like the rain drops are just washing away the
negative vibes around me. <br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWY1HxUIVE7U2iYFoQ_yWWitO8-aM8eqFbRv-sIEUu_vJszbI3yCKZfFe8jttqhh5DGG5d5P-GAzsOslYAHgjZbQqNTxqYrAaTTcrDE07UNMEBS6OLOSdOLW3vOD0Ho_VVsiPElxBWDeo/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWY1HxUIVE7U2iYFoQ_yWWitO8-aM8eqFbRv-sIEUu_vJszbI3yCKZfFe8jttqhh5DGG5d5P-GAzsOslYAHgjZbQqNTxqYrAaTTcrDE07UNMEBS6OLOSdOLW3vOD0Ho_VVsiPElxBWDeo/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
<br />
But nothing can compare to Sunny mornings.<br />
<br />
Those are always the best. I truly love walking through North Lawn Ave.
in Elmsford.<br />
<br />
It's green trees at the peak of the hill are just perfect. Specially early in the morning, when the day is still cool, and the sun is out. Those morning always
brighten up my day.<br />
<br />
The 25 minutes that I take to be alone with my walks help me so much. I can honesty say that in those minutes I feel stress free. That's until I get to work and once again the thoughts start and the stress piles up.<br />
<div>
<br />
<br />
But tomorrow is another day, and another twenty-five minutes of a stress free walk to work awaits me.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-qDOViT9Y8mAUWv4A4WOxIY9rcTD_cfJ-hQCZo1JLDdlFlGScPgNNhyphenhyphengQ73khBBLhYEkddelZ9ot-DUAH8FfZsBw3dckFMdryru9Nr_s_bONtLw-_r3ViybXZcXj8AyWd2pWSn2KQDM/s1600/IMG_3222%5B1%5D.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-qDOViT9Y8mAUWv4A4WOxIY9rcTD_cfJ-hQCZo1JLDdlFlGScPgNNhyphenhyphengQ73khBBLhYEkddelZ9ot-DUAH8FfZsBw3dckFMdryru9Nr_s_bONtLw-_r3ViybXZcXj8AyWd2pWSn2KQDM/s1600/IMG_3222%5B1%5D.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04726163524659635176noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6760322973775890400.post-9027746782987858292014-05-04T17:54:00.002-07:002015-02-28T12:08:16.453-08:00Yummy yummy in my tummy <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4azfRk0my_1xBxPoVZGz20e8XGg7iowFI1C_0Tn1HnKXLt3Yc3nDn77ZA_1MgUAyeUod-XzOc5oSMXClDPWepJ1rkj5AzrrVtgZUjyE_J2XaAhVx6hUHmAbP3Qej2PjlvcLxuY31cFDA/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4azfRk0my_1xBxPoVZGz20e8XGg7iowFI1C_0Tn1HnKXLt3Yc3nDn77ZA_1MgUAyeUod-XzOc5oSMXClDPWepJ1rkj5AzrrVtgZUjyE_J2XaAhVx6hUHmAbP3Qej2PjlvcLxuY31cFDA/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+23.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: small;">Grand Lux Café</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I think maybe my mother might have spoiled me a little bit too much. <br />
<br />
From a very early age I was programmed to associate good grades and/or behavior with dining out.<br />
<br />
Anyone that knows me, knows how much I love to eat. But what I love most of all is, to go out to eat. <br />
<br />
I love discovering different restaurants and, trying new foods. Learning and exploring multiple culinary cultures brings me joy, in my heart and in my tummy. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p7bHDP13aLI/U2bKaX9ZfPI/AAAAAAAADio/ut2dZCLzLoM/s1600/pic1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p7bHDP13aLI/U2bKaX9ZfPI/AAAAAAAADio/ut2dZCLzLoM/s1600/pic1.jpg" height="231" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: small;">Sweet Caramel Chicken</span></td></tr>
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That's why every time I visit a new restaurant I feel the need to share pictures of food, also known as food porn.<br />
<br />
This past weekend, my boyfriend and I spent all day in Long Island. Driving back home hungry was not an option. So we stopped by the <a href="http://www.grandluxcafe.com/index.htm" target="_blank">Grand Lux Café</a> in <a href="http://www.simon.com/mall/roosevelt-field" target="_blank">Roosevelt Field Mall</a> located in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_City,_New_York" target="_blank">Garden City</a>. <br />
<br />
I found the décor similar to The Cheesecake Factory. <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oyH7lu2I4iw/U2beqayqxEI/AAAAAAAADi4/R2LlXMz5Kec/s1600/pp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oyH7lu2I4iw/U2beqayqxEI/AAAAAAAADi4/R2LlXMz5Kec/s1600/pp.jpg" height="263" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: small;">Garlic Shrimp Pasta</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The great atmosphere and staff made our dinner pleasant and memorable. It was very clean, and organized. <br />
<br />
Our waitress was great, and our food reached our table within ten minutes. It was truly a great experience. <br />
<br />
Too bad that we didn't have enough room for desert, because they had a great selection.<br />
<br />
<br />
Next time, we're in Long Island, I know we'll definitely stop by this café.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W7kps5v6MV4/U2blI0REWhI/AAAAAAAADjQ/odQa6lsMXDY/s1600/desert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W7kps5v6MV4/U2blI0REWhI/AAAAAAAADjQ/odQa6lsMXDY/s1600/desert.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: small;">Dessert Station at the front of the restaurant</span></td></tr>
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Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04726163524659635176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6760322973775890400.post-18247494888950283882014-04-22T11:44:00.000-07:002015-02-28T12:08:16.435-08:00One forgotten, unpublished blog<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9QK5YcpUy4Leu551V8GaOw_IpNQb8rvlJtp449M0gHgZoasR01rDTsoDB7_4YduJUqupYVDADDQnKuZl6rJwaTZHUaU8847vIV3-WGc1iGN1WbpI_GIJ_v5_HcL_B5peSkQ-NIQJyG8/s1600/hooka%252Bbar%252B030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9QK5YcpUy4Leu551V8GaOw_IpNQb8rvlJtp449M0gHgZoasR01rDTsoDB7_4YduJUqupYVDADDQnKuZl6rJwaTZHUaU8847vIV3-WGc1iGN1WbpI_GIJ_v5_HcL_B5peSkQ-NIQJyG8/s1600/hooka%252Bbar%252B030.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Fall 08 Freshman Year STJ - NYC</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I always thought I would have my life figured out and in order by the time I hit 25. Little did I know how far from it I would be. As I watched the movie "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/13_Going_on_30" target="_blank">13 going on 30</a>," I realized that I'm living my own movie. Feeling like I woke up one day at the age of 24, with very little recollection of the past 6 years.</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I attempted to start a Blog once, but I never actually did it. </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">s I looked through my Blogger, I found an old blog draft. Th</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">e draft </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">titled "What I've gained," </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">was poorly written when I was 18 and a freshman at <a href="http://www.stjohns.edu/" target="_blank">St. John's University</a>. </span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">was somewhat foreign to read it. I almost didn't recognize the girl on that blog.</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> The grammatical errors were truly atrocious to read. But the recollection of the emotions I once had were eye opening. It made me feel like I got to meet a part of me I had forgotten.</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGeuYnDJrdjy1k7MrJu7fYF3hmUcCzCCPR4SVm1QB4NDKXPBpK-laG6RomFbwMGUdi9t4a50cIpbjAbKls90-mgSWmLEKLoyOXvBRZua2EP_CGYJEAco_nIq6xX18Kl7e4vnLiQTA8o14/s1600/bak+home+068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGeuYnDJrdjy1k7MrJu7fYF3hmUcCzCCPR4SVm1QB4NDKXPBpK-laG6RomFbwMGUdi9t4a50cIpbjAbKls90-mgSWmLEKLoyOXvBRZua2EP_CGYJEAco_nIq6xX18Kl7e4vnLiQTA8o14/s1600/bak+home+068.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: magenta; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><b>My little sister and I on my 18th birthday</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As I read it, the words played like a movie in my mind, reminding me of all I had lived and felt. "I was only working part-time and it's not like I had money to throw around. Most of the time I was short on money." I said as I continued to explain how difficult my life was. This blog was written not too long after I had moved out of my mother's house. </span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Being on my own at 18 wasn't easy. Specially because I was still working on finishing my senior year in high school. The change was difficult. I really had no idea what was waiting for me. </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This old draft highlighted a turning point in my life. I saw that at 18, I was overwhelmed by all the changes. Learning how to manage more than my money and time. I was dealing with a huge change, which was being on your own.</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As I listed feelings and thoughts, I went back to that precise moment when I felt:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Little did I know that moving away was going to hit me so hard. It's sad coming 'home' to a place that you can't really call home. It's hard to just sit there between four walls and wonder what's going on with your family" </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I also learned that not because you are away your family, they are going to stop caring about how you are doing."</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I also became more responsible and learned to manage my time wisely."</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Moving out of my house taught me how to be responsible for my actions and myself." </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Most important I learned how valuable family is,...I realized that I missed being 'home'." </span></li>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As I kept reading my unpublished blog, I started to analyze the younger version of myself. I saw what has changed in this past 6 years. I remembered that at the time, it was hard for me admit that I missed being home. I never shared those feelings with anyone until now. I was stubborn and determined to move forward.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I gained strength to face new challenges," that's how I saw my life. "I still had to prove to myself that I could survive on my own." Regret was not an option back then, and it is not now. I saw how strong I had to be. How at times I wish I still had the same amount of strength. I wish I had stayed curious, I wish I hadn't giving into the routine that is my life now.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At 18 I felt my decisions had made me a "better person," and they really did. When I was younger, I was ready to take over the world like the Brain, from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinky_and_the_Brain" target="_blank">Pinky and the Brain.</a> Now things are all about timing, being at the right place at the right time, meeting the right people, getting the right job.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FWXF3u9ru39loaXjPuj9EhTb8c_UVeCAh1Ux_NtPCkVjBO2alF9pB8rFUes2PPbl0NWLNG008A3n6yLaGJoxZl26_J8pVFNzWpQAHM-yaG1ztNfFmrz-Gm4YDbtirVOH2MBzNVoqB1g/s1600/IMAG1460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FWXF3u9ru39loaXjPuj9EhTb8c_UVeCAh1Ux_NtPCkVjBO2alF9pB8rFUes2PPbl0NWLNG008A3n6yLaGJoxZl26_J8pVFNzWpQAHM-yaG1ztNfFmrz-Gm4YDbtirVOH2MBzNVoqB1g/s1600/IMAG1460.jpg" height="200" width="81" /></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMeBLcFMyqhK45d41PDGmga2pWEvTaFhXdQMFK0tQY-mHlutb237wHfA7jpfv6AXN10CugxLDbSsGK4dcpJhlYPSd4g-ChRaemWu-1Sx4UDMhPS3FpH_mtaLu34nM4pnZYVGqHv_NwR8/s1600/IMAG1461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMeBLcFMyqhK45d41PDGmga2pWEvTaFhXdQMFK0tQY-mHlutb237wHfA7jpfv6AXN10CugxLDbSsGK4dcpJhlYPSd4g-ChRaemWu-1Sx4UDMhPS3FpH_mtaLu34nM4pnZYVGqHv_NwR8/s1600/IMAG1461.jpg" height="200" width="112" /></span></a><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> My teenage "adventure" as I described it, is no longer active. Sadly my life is far from adventurous. The challenges that I looked forward to have become part of my daily life, and it's far from what I had in mind. </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Perhaps I'm just going through a </span><a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/jessicamisener/10-signs-youre-having-your-quarter-life-crisis" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank">quarter life crisis</a><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">, who knows. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But one thing hasn't changed, my stubbornness. Though at times I get tangled in my routine, part of that 18 year old girl is still inside me. She's there refusing to give up. Looking back into that blog draft made me see that I haven't lost my essence. There's plenty of new adventures and roads to discover. The only difference is that now, I'm a little older, and a little wiser. Those things that hurt yesterday won't hurt me tomorrow. Just like the Kelly Clarkson said in her song <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn676-fLq7I" target="_blank">Stronger</a>, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." Last time I checked, I was still alive and I am stronger. </span> </span><br />
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Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04726163524659635176noreply@blogger.com0