A very different place.

The Refuge of Hope.

When I visited Peru in 2009 with my sister in law, Deedee Estevez, the director of the non-profit foundation that have been established to support El Refugio de Esperanza (The Refuge of Hope) in Pucallpa, Peru; from the U.S., I was surprised at the number of handicapped people living in the rural areas around the Amazon River, a very poor area with minimal resources to live.

The Refuge of Hope was founded in 1987 by Pastor Victor Manuel Izquiero Lora, together with his wife, Ana Mendoza Lopez.  Because Pastor Victor was physically disabled after surviving polio as a child, he understood the unique needs of people with disabilities.  He was inspired to create a place for individuals like himself to personally develop, to study, to learn a profession, and to know the love of God.  This vocational school for handicapped children and adults not only teaches reading and writing, but it provides each student with a vocational skill such as shoe repair, metal work, electronics, sewing, cosmetology, or sign making so that these children can one day live independently.

I definitely fell in love with this place, not only for the special people who works, studies and lives in this very unique place; practically a quarter of the population has some sort of disability due to polio, snakebites, or accidents, but all of them are very happy and religious people. Despite the poor conditions and the disabilities of the students and the staff of the Refuge, The Refuge is a place filled of love, hope and is working hard to provide education, vocational training, rehabilitation, and care to the disabled in Pucallpa, Peru.

I spent a week in this amazing place, my sister in law and I were provided with a small room, with two single beds, some clean sheets, and a very simple and noisy fan in the “woman area”. It was a very hot place, our room could reach the 100 °F at 7 a.m.  In the other hands, the food was extraordinary delicious, having a river very close they cooked everyday fresh cached fish combined with real organic veggies, I can tell, there is a huge difference in taste. 

Watching this school operate I was amazed at how much the staff accomplished on a short budget was one the most encourage feeling about team work, believe in God and true love for each other.

The Refuge students

The most negative place I have ever known.

Barrios in Caracas, Venezuela.

The city of Caracas has grown enormously in the last 40 years, attracting people from all over South America, filling its narrow valley and climbing up the steep sides of the surrounding hills. These new districts, known as “barrios” or “ranchos,” which is the equivalent of “slums” or “Ghettos.”  These areas are home to more than fifty percent of the 3.8 million inhabitants of Caracas. As in São Paulo or Bogota, whole streets are controlled by private militias that have created war zones. Everyday hundreds of people are killed from gunshots from fighting between gangs as well as stray bullets.  Fighting between gangs occurs at anytime, during daytime or nighttime. The gangs have no regard for children or innocent bystanders. In fact, I personally lost my favorite aunt just five months ago on the 1^st of January at 12:05 am.  She was killed by a stray bullet, which is very common during festivities in these Barrios. The neighborhood thugs typically shoot bullets into the without regard for other people, causing danger without limits.

My aunt used to work at the local hospital in the heart of on the most dangerous Barrio in Caracas as a nurse. She was always was willing to help people in this poor area. Ironically she was killed by one of these people.

These barrios, in my opinion, are the most negative place imaginable. There are bad people always waiting for any opportunity to rob or kill without any regret.  Criminals are everywhere. Poverty is evidently at every corner along with alcohol and drugs. Children and teenagers are forced to act like adults to survive.  They use profane language, smoke cigarettes and carry guns.   There is nothing more similar to hell as a barrio in Caracas.

Impoverished women should be paid financial incentives to practice birth control?

Supplying basic needs like food, housing, pharmaceutical or medical procedures for free to an individual by the government is unethical and manipulative. In my opinion, people should earn the right to enjoy government offers.

All young men and women should be aware of how babies are made and how to protect oneself from both pregnancies and diseases. This would cut down disease and death rates dramatically as well as decrease poverty due to having excessive amount of children without the means to properly raise them.

Education must be the first step in any program to address societal problems. This is especially critical in societies in which women's education is not usually a priority due to cultural practices, strict gender roles, poverty, or lack of resources. Even in the United States, many women do not receive the kind of education that can help them understand family planning options.

Education can take the stigma away from the use of birth control, address cultural issues such as marriage and pregnancy.  Education can show the advantages of smaller and healthier families to live within a family’s limited resources. It also  empowers women to take control of the size of her family.

Birth control should be affordable to women so that they can utilize their knowledge and take control of their lives. Simply paying women to take medication without educating them and involving them in the process does nothing to help them improve their lives.  Additionally, ethical and moral implications of birth control, sex and marriage should not be ignored.  Education ensures that solutions to these issues are not imposed on anyone, but are instead implemented with the full participation of the people most affected by the problem. Many have found that the confidence and sense of empowerment that women have found from taking control of their own reproduction spill over into other areas of their lives, improving their overall quality of life as well as the lives of their families and their communities.

Cell phone deals; a lesson in frustration.

Negotiating with and canceling contracts with cell phone companies is a frustrating and challenging task. The phone companies make things worse with early termination fees (ETF) used by companies to stifle fair competition. Wireless providers justify their extortion through ETF’s by claiming to subsidize the purchase of cell phones by providing “steep” discounts at the time of purchase. The phone companies argue that the cost of the handset is  spread over the length of the contract.  The contracts ensure the return on those discounts. In reality, the ETFs are a legalized means of trapping customers into unfair contracts with excessive monthly charges. No other industry is permitted to create such anticompetitive conditions in the marketplace.

I used to be a loyal customer of AT&T since the first generation of Iphone.   It is no secret that AT&T engaged customers with amazing discounts on the condition of signing a two-year contract with luxury price plans with exorbitant monthly fees while pushing unnecessary insurance premiums to cover the “subsidized” equipment. When I lost my cell phone eight months ago, I was about one month from being eligible for an upgrade for the new Iphone that was set to be released a month later.  I considered waiting for one month to upgrade my cell phone to get the new Iphone. In the meantime, I planed to use my unlocked blackberry, which I use when I travel to my native country of Venezuela. My frustration began when I asked customer service representative to activate the blackberry under my plan and my phone number. AT&T would not allow me because I was obligated to purchase a new phone from the company. Of course this action would automatically extend the contract for another two years.  I was not agreeable and decided to finish my contract and move to another company just after my contract ended. Then I was bombarded with telephone calls and letters by collection companies trying to charge me an unjustified ETF.  This is very frustrating due to the fact that I have been a customer for more than four years and when I needed to use an unlocked cell phone for just a month the company would not allow it. This is not freedom.  This is a form of monopoly!  

The disaster of our politicians

The slaughter politics, social, legal, economic and social situation today at our beloved country, is not the work of chance or coincidence. The purpose of the current political leaders, is to act as the ten plagues of Egypt, destroying everything in its course.

Since this government is in power eleven years ago unfortunately, the list of advanced destruction itself, as big steps. They have destroyed the peaceful civic coexistence and respect for the beliefs of others. They have destroyed the electricity sector. They have destroyed the independence of the authorities. They have destroyed long-standing diplomatic relations and mutually beneficial. They have destroyed the industry and trade. They have destroyed the Caracas Metro. They have destroyed TV channels and radio stations. They have destroyed the national steel industry. They have destroyed Petroleos de Venezuela, PDVSA. They have destroyed the economy. They have destroyed the culture. They have destroyed the confidence of Venezuelans in their institutions. They have destroyed health. And perhaps most important to have destroyed, was the brotherhood that united Venezuelans, regardless of race, sex, religion or culture.

It seems then possible that with so many important institutions destroyed, the force that causes such a disaster is random. The driving force behind the chaos, destruction and evil walk with bodyguard in the halls of many public institutions in the country. It's not just the President, it is also ministers, deputies, military, among others, who have made their state policy disaster.

The Communism is destroying our beautiful country,  but still have chances to obtain our nation, with the hard work of all Venezuelans, we can rebuild our Venezuela.

Venezuela, a wonderful country.

You may have wondered where the name of Venezuela. On the picture below you can see some houses on the water in the lagoon Sinamaica in Zulia state, near Maracaibo. When the first explorers arrived in Venezuela, it reminded them of Venice and Venezuela that they baptized with that name "Little Venice".

Laguna de Sinamaica
Estado Zulia, Venezuela

Venezuela has a diverse geography: Beaches, plains, mountains. The climate also varies greatly from place to place. We can say that there is something for everyone.

Venezuela has wonderful beaches. Particularly in the Eastern region (Playa Medina, Playa Colorada), the islands (Margarita, Coche) and in the central-western (Morrocoy, Tucacas, Cata, Choroní).

Los Roques, Venezuela

In the Caribbean Sea, north of Caracas, is the archipelago of Los Roques with its white sand beaches and crystal clear waters. One of the most interesting regions of Venezuela, is undoubtedly that found south of the Orinoco: La Gran Sabana and Canaima are two places that are there. Located to the southeast in Bolivar State, this region has flat top mountains (tepuis) from which waterfalls are spectacular, as this is shown next: The Angel Falls, the largest waterfall the world with a height of nearly 1000 meters.

The highest point is Pico Bolivar Venezuela, with a height of 5002 meters above sea level. The good news is that you can get very close to the cable car that goes from the city of Merida to Pico Espejo in an hour of travel.

Venezuela has also deserts and dunes. One of the most interesting trips is to the dunes of Coro, in the west. At the edge of the road leading from Coro to Punto Fijo you can enjoy the hills of sand.

In the center of the country, with a large extension, get the plains, immense plains of singular beauty and extraordinary wildlife. 

Venezuela's cities are full of life. The capital, Caracas, has over 4 million inhabitants and is the political and economic development. In the west are located Maracaibo (the oil capital), Barquisimeto (the city of the sunsets), Mérida (tourist and student centers), San Cristobal, Valencia and Maracay. In the East Maturin (who began to argue with the importance Maracaibo oil), Puerto La Cruz (tourist center and oil) and El Tigre. To the south are Ciudad Bolivar and Ciudad Guayana (Steel Center).

Definetely a contry to be proud of it!

My New Parents

When do parents in law become like my parents? At their son’s wedding?  In a month? In 5 years? As far as I am concerned, I have no idea what specific date ‘Mom’ and ‘Pop’ turned from my parents in law into a special role model. 

In the last 5 years, I have learned the joys of ‘daughter-in-lawhood’! Not only do I call my parents in law, ‘Mom’ and ‘Pop’, I also treat them like my own parents. I tease them, joke with them, fight with them and… I adore them like any daughter would.

I was born in Venezuela. Growing up, I never experienced any kind of poverty. My family had a decent house, a car and I was always enrolled at private schools. My childhood was really good. I had friends, got good grades in school and was surrounded by family, including aunts, uncles and cousins. But it all changed when I decided to move to the United States to marry my American boyfriend. Saying goodbye to my family and friends, especially my mother, was the toughest experience of my life. I love my mother with whom I am really close. When I left home for the airport, the whole world seemed to collapse over my head. I had this sickening feeling, as if I would never see her again. I cried in the airport bathroom over and over. The sensation of leaving everything behind consumed me when I boarded the plane and came to America to start a completely new life.

Then I met my parents in law, who welcomed me into their family as another daughter.  They helped me adapt to a new country, language, society and culture. Most importantly, they provided guidance on adapting to married life. I felt a special connection with them. I always feel like I have to take care of them the same way they have taken care of me. 

I thank God everyday that He has blessed me with a wonderful husband, a marvelous family, a colorful and blessed life and continued strength.  In my journey, I have had to face tough goodbyes, say hello to a new and unfamiliar situations but in the end I have made it with the love from my family and the grace of God.

Something marvelous called LOVE

       “Love: When we don’t know we have it, we search for it. When we discover it, we don’t know what to do with it. When we have it, we fear losing it,” is a beautiful and very true quote that clearly reflects the way I have felt and faced that wonderful sentiment called love. As the years have gone by, I have had the fortune of leaving and, in consequence, understanding and maturing the main reason why not only me, but every human been, stays alive in this planet. I had felt my life completely empty, with an enormous thirst of affection; right at the border of dying. But then, without expecting it, that “something” had come across and smitten my heart, taking me into the fastest and most wonderful flight straight to the starts.

     I was a child when I started to chase real love. I can’t even remember what year was in the calendar, but I certainly still keep the picture of myself dreaming about it constantly. I couldn’t help it; it was taking over my mind, my spirit, my soul. When brushing my teeth, I was thinking about it. While listening to ballads, the thoughts were still there. Driving, studying, working; I was chasing it everywhere, in every spot. It showed up in my dreams, in the books I read, in the movies I watched and I cried for. It was like an epidemic. I was anxious; imagining the day it will finally come.

     The time continued, so my tireless search for that special someone who could relieve that atrocious loneliness I was submerged in. While traveling, many good memories, many bad tastes I was able to delight. I still keep some of them in my mind and my heart, just because one day they brought ecstasy to my life, and now they remind me the sense of this journey we are all on… One day, love suddenly decided to knock at my door. The day my heart was crying longing for an illusion that could not be. The only day in my life I had refused to believe in it. I was totally helpless, so it took advantage of me. And I must confess, I’ll always be glad and thankful it did it that way. Little by little, it made me start singing and listening beautiful melodies all around me; seeing every little single thing even more and more beautiful. Colors were more colorful than ever. My dreams began to be bigger and bigger. My horizon became infinite.

     Now I’m afraid. I’m living my dream and I don’t ever want to wake up. I don’t want any body to wake me up. I want to keep this enormous and precious feeling along with the marvelous person who had brought it to me forever. As it is supposed to be, isn’t it? Why can’t I freeze such a mystic sentiment, which is not more than the anticipated vision of the heaven that saints and poets have described throughout the years? I wonder, and then I wonder again, how long is all this immeasurable happiness going to last. I hope it last for the rest of my life, so that I can continue breathing pure air. I can’t stop praying every night for it to stay. I hope God listens to me and grant my prayers.

      What a long but worth crossing! Love has been a word that had me cried so many times, especially at first, but now it can only fill my life with joy and make my days a lot brighter, the brightest days in the world ever. I have faith it will remain there, I mean here, inside me, around me. It will keep me submerged in this state of elation by bringing more and more laughs; compassion; respect and understanding. There is no doubt that always long after the storm comes the calm.

March Central Park 1956

On the afternoon of the first day of spring, when the gutters were still heaped high with Monday’s snow but the sky itself was swept clean, we put on our galoshes and walked up the sunny side of Fifth Avenue to Central Park.  There we saw:

A pigeon on the half-frozen pond strutting to the edge of the ice and looking a duck in the face.

A policeman getting his shoe wet testing the ice.

Three elderly relatives trying to coax a little boy to accompany his father on a sled ride down a short but steep slope.  After much balking, the boy did, and sure enough, the sled tipped over and the father got his collar full of snow.  Everybody laughed except the boy, who sniffled.

Four boys in black leather jackets throwing snowballs at each other.  (The snow was ideally soggy, and packed hard with one squeeze.)

Seven men without hats.

Twelve snowmen, none of them intact.

Two men listening to the radio in a car parked outside the zoo; Mel Allen was broadcasting the Yanks-Cardinals game from St. Petersburg.

A yak with its back turned.

Empty cages labeled “Coati.”  “Orang-outang.”  “Ocelot.”

A father saying to his little boy, who was annoyed almost to tears by the inactivity of the seals, “Father (Father Seal, we assumed) is very tired; he worked hard all day.”

Most of the cafeteria’s out-of-doors tables occupied.

A pretty girl in black pants falling on them at the Wolman Memorial Rink.

“Bill and Doris” carved on a tree.  “REX & RITA” written in the snow.

Two old men playing, and six supervising, a checkers game.

A man on a bench near the carousel, reading through sunglasses, a book on economics.

Crews of shinglers repairing the roof of Tavern-on-the-Green.

A woman dropping a camera she was trying to load, the film unrolling in the slush and exposing itself.

Things like brown sticks nosing through a plot of cleared soil.

A tire track in a piece of mud far removed from where any automobiles could be.

Footprints around a KEEP OFF sign.

Two pigeons feeding each other.

A plump old man saying “Chick, chick” and feeding peanuts to squirrels.

One red mitten lying lost under a poplar tree.

An airplane, very bright and distant, slowly moving through the branches of a sycamore.

By John Updike, from The New Yorker magazine    

      1.     What sense or senses is John Updike using in this description?

The author uses a wide variety of senses to capture the essence of Central Park on the first day of spring.  The author describes the sensation of cold and wet in several instances to make the reader feel the subtle details of the end of winter in New York City. For example, the author cites, “A policeman getting his shoe wet” and  “soggy” snow ideal for packing and throwing.

The narrator also describes people and other objects with noises and emotions.

      2.     For whom is this written?  Who is the audience for which is he writing this description?

This piece was written by John Updike from The New Yorker magazine

The audience for which this piece was written was for the readership of the New Yorker Magazine in 1956.  Presumably the author was trying to reach an audience that could quickly indentify the almost photography descriptions of familial settings and sounds in Central Park. 

3.     What was the writer’s goal in creating this description?

The author wanted to describe the joyous energy of the New Yorkers during the first day of spring in Central Park.

4. Is this an effective description of Central Park? Explain why or why not?

Yes, this piece describe a detailed walk trough 5th Avenue to Central Park in New York City, using a narrative of joyous energy appreciation of the environment described.

Style Wars, a film by Tony Silver and Henry Chalfont

Q. In your opinion, what were the motivations that drove the graffiti artists to create their art? In addition, why did they use the subway cars of the New York City Transit Authority as their canvases?

The main motivation as expressed by the graffiti artists themselves in the film is to “bomb” neighborhoods, trains, new spots, etc. The so-called bombing is the highest form of self-expression on large scale for the graffiti artists that come from low income families and broken homes.  In fact, Style Wars takes a look into the family makeup of some of the artists. One artist’s mother is not keen on her son’s participation in graffiti painting, but the graffiti artist’s passion and drive to “bomb” overcomes any lack of acceptance. The graffiti artists’ deep need to express themselves to the public eventually produces exceptional artists that feed off of the intense competition among different artist with different styles.

Their satisfaction comes from doing something that has not been done before in a place that is unique yet visible to many people. B y putting their art on the side of a train or even on the inside of a train, the graffiti artist sends a message to the general public that is otherwise unwilling to accept them in other areas of life.  The graffiti is undeniable and inescapable to a =broad spectrum of viewers. Their analogy of “bombing” is used to describe their aggressively inserting art into a conspicuous place as a sort of interruption or explosion of space, which is an undeniable representation of self-expression.

Q. Explain why you think the New York City Transit Authority and the city government, represented by Mayor Edward Koch, were so relentless in trying to dissuade the graffiti artists from doing their work on the subway cars.

The authorities saw the graffiti artists as “vandals.”  The authorities saw no beauty or creativity in the graffiti and view the artists as reckless and obtrusive.  In reality, most people would agree that the graffiti defaces public property in defiance of the governmental authority.

In an interview with the Ed Koch, Mayor of New York, Koch abstractly compares doing graffiti with murder! He also expresses concern about effect of the graffiti on the “the quality of life” for New Yorkers. He feels the graffiti writers are “destroying our life style and making it difficult to enjoy life.” As a subway rider himself, the Mayor apparently did not enjoy looking at the graffiti, so he declared war on the “writers.” One graffiti artist retaliated with a “Dump Koch” bomb on the side of a train. Koch reacted with joy stating that he knew he was getting to the artists.

Q. In your opinion, explain what have been the positive and negative effects of the commercialization of hip-hop.

Culture involves the way of life of a population, including the ways in which they choose to express their identity. Thus the hip-hop culture is more than just music. It includes fashion, art in the form of graffiti, break dancing and more.

In my opinion the commercialization of hip-hop has not had many positive effects.  It has glorified the negative aspects of lower segments of society without showing the tremendous pain that drives the expression of hip-hop.   The empowering side of hip-hop shows that you can create, imagine, think, and be strong while dealing with impossible odds. Imagination and creativity is the backbone to producing Hip Hop, and this is something our youth need in today’s world. To the extent hip-hop replaces physical violence with dance battles and graffiti artwork battles, it is certainly a step in reducing the incidence of youth violence.  However, the commercialization of attitudes that lead to broken lives does nothing to help kids.   

From a commercial point of view, Hip hop has proved to be extremely profitable to those succeeding to climb the ranks of stardom such that many young people are inspired to succeed in a hip hop career. Hip-hop has also built an industry around its sense of fashion and music sales, which creates jobs. On the other hand, Hip-hop sells a way of life that is simply unrealistic too the vast majority of Americans. Music videos featuring rappers in expensive cars and houses, wearing large expensive jewelry, and flaunting large amounts of cash are just some of the examples that rise to the level of absurd. This unrealistic image encourages people to live beyond their means in trying to keep up with this image. Hard core rap is also associated with drugs, especially marijuana. This encourages teenagers to try risky drugs because their role models joke about getting high. In reality, drugs destroy families and careers.

Many hip-hop music videos are filled with scantily clad women who dance provocatively to obscene and derogatory lyrics. This is degrading to women while it cultivates a negative attitude of disrespect in young people towards women and figures of authority.

Q. Of the four modes of hip-hop that Style Wars focuses on – graffiti, break dancing, DJing and rap – rap has become the most popular and today is a highly commercial and capitalistic enterprise. Explain why you think rap music has endured and evolved into such a powerful phenomenon.

Hip-hop culture let the young people use their skills as rappers, graffiti artists and break dancing to reorganize socially and form a new sub-culture that spread through New York City and eventually across the country.  Graffiti obviously did not become commercially popular because of steps taken by cities to combat the problem.  Djing requires equipment and money that is not accessible to many lower-income kids.  Break-dancing evolved into other forms of dance that are popular today in hip-hop. Rap was the most logical means of social expression in a vocal or a physical means. This artistic representation takes both an understanding of balance and rhythm that can be as difficult to master. Rap music addresses in a creative way public yet rebellious issues. It goes against the mainstream using catchy beats to grab the attention of its listeners. Hip Hop and Rap artist use their music to express their views, opinions, and how they are feelings in their songs. From the artist lyrics some will have an understanding of what the artist is talking about because either they have done the same things or are having the same problem.

Q. Does this film have merit to show to college students? Explain why or why not.

In my opinion Style Wars is good to show on a college class because is an informative and appealing documentary.  It is also exciting, following graffiti writers into underground tunnels and into train yards. The film comments on the importance of knowing the roots of graffiti writing and its appeal to the art world.  It is fascinating to understand what makes the graffiti artist do what he does.  This is a good way to learn about history in New York and to understand our American society.

The Reason why I Am Attending College

As a young person I have multiple challenges in life, one of this is to earn a college degree, because I want to be a successful person.  A degree will give me higher opportunities to approach my dreams and strongly will impact my future success.       

Nowadays is very well known that this society is very competitive. Having a college degree gives an individual more opportunity at getting a better job compared to someone who does not have one.  The possibility to get a better job, can give me a better salary and more satisfaction of doing something that I like and that I have studied for.  This circumstance gives me a personal satisfaction and happiness for being a successful person.

True role models are those who possess the qualities that we would like to have and those who have affected us in a way that makes us want to be better people; as the oldest child in a family of five children encourage me to be a role model for my siblings. Who are constantly asking me for advices, help and in some ways, I think, I can demand to they to attend college as I did because the many benefits a college degree can give them.

In the same way I feel admired for my siblings as I admire and follow the role model of my parents.  Both of them had very small possibilities to go to colleges and universities, because financial and geographic circumstances, but they found the possibilities to earn degrees. My parents always have encouragement me to follow my dreams and desires. Earning my professional degree I will pay back all the help and advices they have given to me.

A college degree can provide me with many opportunities and will increase my ability to understand developments in science and in society. With a college education, I will have more jobs from which to choose.

A place where I feel ALIVE

A place where I feel ALIVE 

Enjoying every moment and every place where I have visited has been my major goal, especially when I visit new places.  I always try to take nice pictures or videos in order to keep unique memories of any single detail of my experience. That way I feel like I can enjoy again and again these moments, feelings and places.

Maintaining my best attitude through less than favorable conditions is my second goal in order to please my adventure partner, Matt, who is easily irritated under difficult circumstances.

On one of our trips to New York, we missed our return flight, which caused us to get stuck for 3 days in this big city. We had almost no money and were forced to spend a night in the airport while we tried to get onto the next flight from New York to Miami.  Ultimately, we were unable to board several flights and waiting was one of the most stressful experiences we have had. On the other hand, the delayed flight allowed us to enjoy some extra days in New York City.  We explored non-tourist areas of the city allowing us to discover another face of this magical city while providing us another perspective of real life in New York.  After this adventure, I would consider New York a place where I feel alive.  It was not just the place, it was also the experience of being with my lovely husband Matt, who is the real ingredient to make every place for me feel me ALIVE!

 

 

 

 

 

Every place makes me feel alive because of him!