November 27, 2011 · Filed under Anthropology, Globalization, Health, People, Politics, Poverty, Self-Realization · Tagged AIDS, famine, Haiti, HIV, hunger, misery, Poverty, suicide, TB
•”You will observe that wherever there is a lot of misery, there is less suicide.”
•”Poor people don’t kill themselves. They always have hope. Something, something is coming.”
-Father Gerry, On That Day Everybody Ate
-VC
29.458121
-98.648576
October 28, 2011 · Filed under Culture, Fashion, Feminism, Priorities · Tagged cheetah print, denim, great hair day, leopard print, Lipstick
Today is Friday, which means my employer allows me to wear jeans to work. So, having finally done my laundry after 2 months, I paired a comfy pair of jeans with a leopard top. And to top it off? Cherry-colored lipstick.
I feel like I can take on the world.
Usually, I would condemn myself as superficial, egotistical, and a disgrace to the women who paved the road before me. But today, I’m blowing off logic and reason and instead tuning in to how good a great hair day feels -how jeans made in Bangladesh and lip color whose ingredients are a mystery to me has forced me to truly Thank Goddess It’s Friday.
-VC
29.457518
-98.593346
August 14, 2011 · Filed under Academia, American Studies, Anthropology, Applied Anthropology, Art, Culture, Film, Home, Multi-Ethnic, Poverty · Tagged awareness, collaboration, documentary, Elderly, female body image, ideas, realism, teachers, think about it
So many ideas in my head, so little time on my hands.
-VC
29.458927
-98.596706
April 21, 2011 · Filed under Career, Family, Feminism, Food, Friends, Home, Love, People, Priorities, San Antonio, TX, Self-Realization, Sisterhood, Social Services
As a person…
I am: empathetic
I hope: to succeed
I believe: in giving everyone a chance
I wish: that people could be generous to one another
I fear: losing my family
I give: up sometimes
I need: to get motivated
I want: to be self-sufficient
I am unique because: of the way I look
My secret talents are: cutting hair and baking
I feel best about myself when: I’m with my friends and family
The things I like most about myself are: my sense of humor and strong personality
I’m worth respecting because: I care about others
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I encourage teen moms to share their answers to the questions above. I decided I should too. Sometimes being honest is hard, but its never wrong.
-VC
April 7, 2011 · Filed under Childhood, Home, Literature, Priorities · Tagged blankets, Good Times, lamps
In my youth, many summer days were spent at the library, and many summer nights were spent sleepless, a flashlight in my hands. Reading a good novel under my favorite blanket is still a way I can be at peace with myself.
If reading seems boring to you, well, then, your loss. And if it makes you “sleepy”, seriously, don’t talk to me.
-VC
29.458232
-98.593300
March 29, 2011 · Filed under Family, Feminism, Friends, Higher Education, Love, Poverty, Priorities, San Antonio, TX, Self-Realization, Social Services, the Future · Tagged deadbeat dads, Life, making lifelong friends, relationships, strong women
When I awoke this morning, I expected the day to turn out ordinary. A typical Monday.
Aside from my soy latte, there was nothing typical about it.
I think back to a time where I was lonely, even surrounded by everybody, to a time where I was lost and the future looked cloudy, and I relish the fact that I am no longer there. I am here. I am who I am. And I know what I am supposed to do.
I will continue to make mistakes, to say hurtful things probably and speak before thinking. I will drive too fast and still bite my nails. I will jump the gun. I will criticize people’s ways of cleaning.
I am pretty sure the state of enlightenment I experienced today will stay with me forever. Today I truly fell in love with being human.
I am optimistic about growing older.
-VC
29.459748
-98.597113
February 14, 2011 · Filed under Childhood, Family, Home, Mexican-American, Poverty · Tagged chores, city, Family, neighbors, puppies
I am usually the person you encounter at the beginning of the work week who comes in with a bad case of the Mondays, who responds “What’s so good about it?” to a friendly “Good morning”. But today was different because I spent my Sunday doing almost nothing.
And as I washed my car in the front yard on top of the driveway, I felt so incredibly at peace. Dogs barked, kids played silly made-up games, sirens blared and soon decended as the SAPD cars flew by. Someone played tejano music while they BBQ’d. I saw the neighbors building a swing-set across the street. I heard the annoying repetitive sounds of an ice cream truck and it’s unnecessary greeting: “Hello!” What the hell, right? But whatever.
Yes, I live in the hood. But I kinda like it that way.
-VC
December 9, 2010 · Filed under Art, Film
i am so excited about many films coming out this season. almost to the point of being overwhelmed, but ecstatic, nevertheless.
plus, it’s going to feel great to not leave the theater with ticket buyer’s remorse.
-VC
September 5, 2010 · Filed under Family, Friends, Home, Love, Priorities, Self-Realization, the Future
Adulthood and doing something because it needs to be done not because you want to do it. Following through – it hurts like hell but oh well.
I’ve always had to be serious one. I’d like to play for the other team one day.
-VC
July 25, 2010 · Filed under Career, Family, Friends, Priorities, Sociology
Maybe I’m not cut out to work in social services. Working through people’s problems at work is one thing but when it creeps on into my “life”, I just can’t handle it. I’m overwhelmed. I just want to chill sometimes, but its like I’m on the clock non-stop.
Anxious. Exhausted. Annoyed.
I wish I could be more patient with the people that I love. I’ll try. Because I guess this is how it’s gonna be. Are you in, Vanessa?
Yes!
-VC
