February 2011
You know Oprah Winfrey's mom gave up one of her daughters for adoption and it got me
thinking, well that and alot of other things, but anyway. A mom, is a mom is a mom and a mom
will only do what she knows. A person can only be who they are. I felt bad for Patricia when her
mom denied her but then I thought, wow, it must really take a lot, and I mean a whole heck of a lot
to give up your child for adoption. Oprah's mom is who I'm referencing here. So anyway, it's the
most amazing ride ever! I promise you that. Tonight I slowdanced with Max in the kitchen while I
was cooking dinner cause a song came on about bringing her home and it was about a dad
bringing his daughter home and right after the song "With arms wide open" by Creed played,
that song always got to me when I was pregnant. I feel like you just are never really ready but like
you said it's all worth it. I feel so blessed that Max chose me to be his mom and everyday I thank
the Lord. I'm sure Max had his reason for
choosing me and his dad, I don't know if I will ever know the reasons I just know I need to be the
best mother to him, I can be. Again, it's hard but so worth it and so rewarding.
Breastfeeding is the best thing to do and it isn't easy so if you could find a support group or take
a class or two, that would be helpful. It's new to you and to the baby so you have to be patient.
And if it's done right , it does NOT hurt. Trust me. Max is so strong and smart and healthy and I
attribute lots of that to the nursing. I still nurse and intend to nurse until I can - 3 years is my target
but if he wants to stop at two, I will be fine with that.
See if there are some programs for latina moms who are going to school to help
supplement your income. There has to be, this Obama administration is all about healthcare and
mommy's.
I love you and want you to enjoy every moment. Breathe deep and stay present because what
you are currently experiencing is an enormous miracle.
You are beautiful and I love you.
hugs.
FOOTNOTE:
We weren't talking about adoption at all, I was talking about motherhood.
Namaste!
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
Buen Provecho!
If I'm not eating Abuelita's, Mami's or Jaggie's cooking, what am I eating?
If you knew me 10 to 15 years ago, you knew a meat and potatoes kind of girl, with of course, my weekly dose of four slices of pizza and two days of chicken parm.
Grandma has moved to Florida and Mami currently only specializes cooking varied dishes including amazing soups for my niece Kayla and my Son, Max. Sopita and Arroz is the main dish on Mami's menu. Jaggie's not been cooking too much lately so where do I turn?
My "go to" spot is usually Dee's, Brick Oven Pizza spot on Metropolitan near the movie theater and the ice cream shophttp://www.deesnyc.com . The Brick Oven Pizza at Dee's is SENSATIONAL! Max LOVES their Garlic and Oil pasta and his dad's go to dish is the Salmon by Dee's, me I love to pick at the awesome appetizers: Dee's Focaccia Bread with Oil, Oregano and Parmesan, Hummus with freshly baked focaccia, grilled Artichoke AllaRoma <---to die for!, Spanakopita: baby spinach-goat cheese-feta cheese-phyllo dough and a mini Greek salad. The fried Calamari is like a party in my mouth and I don't ever really eat Calamari (the texture is too bizarre for my taste, usually). The service is always very good and the prices are beyond reasonable. I have been eating at this location since the late '90's. It's both Date and Family friendly, Go FIGURE!
If I am in Forest Hills near Austin Street, which I try to be often, I am most likely hitting Dirty Pierre's http://foresthills.patch.com/listings/dirty-pierres for the AMAZING Goat Cheese Salad. Their French Fries are spectacular and the ladies who work there are the sweetest! This place is tiny, it has only about 5 tables and a bar with two stool tables behind it but the pulse is great and the comfort food is worth the trip.
Another Queens Gem is Mood http://moodnyc.coml in Kew Gardens. I have been eating here since 2004 and I love it. It's the place where everybody knows your name, the food is delicious and the service is great. My go to immediately is the Maryland Crab Cake. The soup of the day is always something I want except for when they serve gazpacho, I just don't believe in COLD SOUP, it's an oxymoron. Moe tends bar and makes great drinks but don't ask for a mojito.
Both Dirty Pierre's and Mood are located right near the LIRR stations in Kew Gardens and Forest Hills, respectively. Dee's is near the Metropolitan exit on the Interboro, right near Forest Park.
If I am in Manhattan I am heading to Rayuela, http://www.rayuelanyc.com/, this has to be my most favorite restaurant, EVER. (Ok, if you know me, you know I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Italian food and my GO To spot for Italian food is Tony's Pizzeria Restaurant in Corona, Queens. I was raised on Ernie's, he is the owner of Tony's Pizzeria Restaurant, Pizza and Chicken and Shrimp Parm next to Abuelita's, Mami's and Jaggies, this place is my most favorite).
Once you step foot into Rayuela the adventure begins, the decor is simple yet classy. Order a "Coming Up Roses" drink and you will be transported to the smooth energy of Latin America. The Pan de Bono and garlic butter is served immediately once you take your seat. If you are lucky enough to be a liked regular you will enjoy a Seafood Guacamole appetizer, courtesy of Chef Maximo. Any dish you choose will delight your palate. Trust me, get on the train, take a cab, drive, run, don't walk to Rayuela's on Allen between Rivington and some other street. Check out the website for directions and when you go tell them I sent you. It won't get you a table or a deal but at least they will know I'm putting the word out there. ;)
If I'm having a late lunch or an early dinner the Nolita House salad from Nolita House http://www.nolitahouse.com is just what I need. I think I will go to SOHO next week just for a Nolita House Salad. If you are in the neighborhood, stop by eat, have a drink, try their artisan cheeses. This place has a great vibe ESPECIALLY in the summer time. Great people, good comfort food, amazing SALAD! :)
I will be back with more of the places I enjoy eating.
Ciao for now.
Namaste!
Monday, November 14, 2011
Common Courtesy
Pet Peeve Number two: NO RSVP, Inaccurate RSVP...
I know you are busy, we are all BUSY. How long does it realistically take to RSVP to an invite?
A phone call, an email, a number on a response card you just put inside of a mailbox on your way to your busy life.
I use to facilitate staff meetings, it was mandatory for all 200+ employees to attend. The options were morning or evening during the course of four days, Monday through Thursday; meaning there were 8 meetings held for our staff's convenience (we are all busy). From a roster of 200+ we would receive approximately 50 responses both yes'es and no's. The Thursday meeting was always the most interesting to host as we would get a list of 11 Yes, I will ATTEND responses and then 30 people would show up. Now we would always provide some kind of snack at these meetings: Pizza, Fruits, sandwiches, some kind of beverage, if we had a proper head count we would A: not overspend on the staff meeting food budget B: not buy too little food for the attendees and C: have the proper number of handouts and not have to run to the copy machine in the middle of the meeting to make more copies or the opposite make TOO many and waste the paper.
Don't get me wrong, I am very understanding and I can't say I have RSVP'd in the proper time frame required to all the events, meetings, parties that I have been invited to. What I can say is if my RSVP said I was going and then I couldn't make it, I call or send an email apologizing for the inconvenience caused. If I RSVP I could not attend and then had a turn of events, I have attempted to call the host/hostess and explain my plight.
Common Courtesy has gone by the wayside, much like Common Sense, NOT SO COMMON.
Come On Folks. I know you may not think it's a big deal and if all of us lived by Don Miguel Ruiz's THE FOUR AGREEMENTS, then we wouldn't take this oversight personally and or we would speak with integrity by where the folks expecting or not expecting you would not be surprised.
I can't say, if you are coming to visit me or to one of my social gatherings, just TEXT me, cause I do NOT have texting on my phone. I have neither texting, nor internet, my phone is only for voice to voice connection. But please send me an email, inbox my facebook, call me at home or on my cell, just reach out let me know either way.
Usually if there is no response that means, NO, I won't be there, that is always what believe and at the same time I don't like to assume. If I cook too much food I won't be upset because the food won't go to waste but if I expect to be graced with your presence and then I'm not I will sad and if I think about it a lot, more than I should, I will get pissed and I have to reach for one of my copies of The Four Agreements, inserted herewith for your perusal.
I know you are busy, we are all BUSY. How long does it realistically take to RSVP to an invite?
A phone call, an email, a number on a response card you just put inside of a mailbox on your way to your busy life.
I use to facilitate staff meetings, it was mandatory for all 200+ employees to attend. The options were morning or evening during the course of four days, Monday through Thursday; meaning there were 8 meetings held for our staff's convenience (we are all busy). From a roster of 200+ we would receive approximately 50 responses both yes'es and no's. The Thursday meeting was always the most interesting to host as we would get a list of 11 Yes, I will ATTEND responses and then 30 people would show up. Now we would always provide some kind of snack at these meetings: Pizza, Fruits, sandwiches, some kind of beverage, if we had a proper head count we would A: not overspend on the staff meeting food budget B: not buy too little food for the attendees and C: have the proper number of handouts and not have to run to the copy machine in the middle of the meeting to make more copies or the opposite make TOO many and waste the paper.
Don't get me wrong, I am very understanding and I can't say I have RSVP'd in the proper time frame required to all the events, meetings, parties that I have been invited to. What I can say is if my RSVP said I was going and then I couldn't make it, I call or send an email apologizing for the inconvenience caused. If I RSVP I could not attend and then had a turn of events, I have attempted to call the host/hostess and explain my plight.
Common Courtesy has gone by the wayside, much like Common Sense, NOT SO COMMON.
Come On Folks. I know you may not think it's a big deal and if all of us lived by Don Miguel Ruiz's THE FOUR AGREEMENTS, then we wouldn't take this oversight personally and or we would speak with integrity by where the folks expecting or not expecting you would not be surprised.
I can't say, if you are coming to visit me or to one of my social gatherings, just TEXT me, cause I do NOT have texting on my phone. I have neither texting, nor internet, my phone is only for voice to voice connection. But please send me an email, inbox my facebook, call me at home or on my cell, just reach out let me know either way.
Usually if there is no response that means, NO, I won't be there, that is always what believe and at the same time I don't like to assume. If I cook too much food I won't be upset because the food won't go to waste but if I expect to be graced with your presence and then I'm not I will sad and if I think about it a lot, more than I should, I will get pissed and I have to reach for one of my copies of The Four Agreements, inserted herewith for your perusal.
agreement 1
Be impeccable with your word - Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.
agreement 2
Don’t take anything personally - Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.
agreement 3
Don’t make assumptions - Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.
agreement 4
Always do your best - Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.
Remember, Have a SPECTACULAR day!
NAMASTE!
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Randomness on Domestic Abuse
A Facebook Note by Jewels Aponte on Sunday, February 22, 2009 at 10:54am
A woman I work with posted a status on her facebook it was: ...is gonna have to discuss Chris Brown/Rihanna and domestic violence with the kids this week...sigh.
My response was: Julie K. Aponte at 10:47am February 22
You know Ms..., I had a short but thorough conversation with Mr....the other day at the office (The Leadership Program www.theleadershipprogram.com ) and it was highlighted in a very articulate fashion how much of a teachable moment that is. It's a bit challenging I think,however; this is I must tell you one of the reasons I got into this business other than not having any influential women of color role models in my academic years, being involved in a physically abusive relationship at 17 Made me want to work with kids to make sure this doesn't happen... I feel that this is an opportunity to teach both the boys and the girls. Maybe partnering up with a counselor from victim services and opening up the dialogue with the kids. My family taught me that this wasn't even in the realm of possibility in my world yet I allowed the abuse. It wasn't until I saw my face one day after the worst of all the fights and made the connection to Heda Nussbaum, I decided I had to do something. Nobody really ever discussed it and when him and I use to fight only I would keep it between us. At the victim services office I saw a poster that had roses on top of a casket and the tag line read he beat her 373 times and only sent her flowers ONCE! Then and there I decided Not Me, Never again and I have a responsibility to help young peole build their self esteem so as to not resort to this violence...
so take a deep breathe and go be that fabulous teaching enlightenment venue for those kids. :) Happy Sunday!
So now, what do you think?
namaste!
A woman I work with posted a status on her facebook it was: ...is gonna have to discuss Chris Brown/Rihanna and domestic violence with the kids this week...sigh.
My response was: Julie K. Aponte at 10:47am February 22
You know Ms..., I had a short but thorough conversation with Mr....the other day at the office (The Leadership Program www.theleadershipprogram.com ) and it was highlighted in a very articulate fashion how much of a teachable moment that is. It's a bit challenging I think,however; this is I must tell you one of the reasons I got into this business other than not having any influential women of color role models in my academic years, being involved in a physically abusive relationship at 17 Made me want to work with kids to make sure this doesn't happen... I feel that this is an opportunity to teach both the boys and the girls. Maybe partnering up with a counselor from victim services and opening up the dialogue with the kids. My family taught me that this wasn't even in the realm of possibility in my world yet I allowed the abuse. It wasn't until I saw my face one day after the worst of all the fights and made the connection to Heda Nussbaum, I decided I had to do something. Nobody really ever discussed it and when him and I use to fight only I would keep it between us. At the victim services office I saw a poster that had roses on top of a casket and the tag line read he beat her 373 times and only sent her flowers ONCE! Then and there I decided Not Me, Never again and I have a responsibility to help young peole build their self esteem so as to not resort to this violence...
so take a deep breathe and go be that fabulous teaching enlightenment venue for those kids. :) Happy Sunday!
So now, what do you think?
namaste!
Morning Brainstorm: 3-2-1 ACTION!
Have you ever had a Bento Box lunch?
Have you ever seen the show Herman's Head?
I'm giving you a polaroid of my brain and how it works, most of the time.
In my brain the thoughts are compartmentalized like a Bento Box and when I begin to share my thoughts it all turns into a party like the short lived 80's sitcom called, 'Herman's Head.'
I woke up this morning and thought to my self:
.jpg "The Brainstorm By MaxJ Copyright JeWeLsMax2011")
"It's Wednesday, gotta pick up Kayla, oh how, I love Wednesdays almost as much as I love Kayla. I crack myself up. Wait, what time is it? Should I even be up? Max is here and Jorge is here so it can't be past 7:30 or 8:00 am. This whole turn the clock back or turn the clock ahead just makes me nuts but days after it happens not on the day after it happens. Did I change the time in my car or on the microwave. I will call Mio today and talk about what I started yesterday when she was at the Hall of Science, wow, I've not been to the Hall of Science for over a year. I've got to get Max to Flushing Meadows park to take pictures by the unisphere. It was so cool to grow up in Corona, so close to the park, I don't think we took advantage of that as we should have. Corona, I don't like beer. Beer makes me sick. Come to think of it that ham and cheese sandwich I had made me a bit queasy. I love food but not when it sickens me! I do remember my mouth and belly were very satiated with that amazing appetizer at PO this weekend. Funny how we parked right outside the location where I told Yindy and Ryan that I was expecting, what a sweet dinner we had that day. The GPS in the truck did not get us to PO it was absolutely the GPS on the iPhone. Sometimes I wish I had an iPhone. I could use that locator app, the one the lady invented, the lady I met at the Senator Gillibrand Financial Empowerment summit for ladies, that was such an amazing event. It was inspiring. I need to confirm my mentor and write down who my character role models are and their characteristics/traits. Latina Females, who do I know, who do I want to know? It was so cool to see Annie and her folks this weekend at that play. Immigration, what a traumatic thing. Thing, is it a thing? Can I call it an event..."
AAAAHHHH, Yawn Stretch! Up and out of bed and wow it's only 7:27 am, I have to brush, pee and get back to bed!
Namaste!
Have you ever seen the show Herman's Head?
I'm giving you a polaroid of my brain and how it works, most of the time.
In my brain the thoughts are compartmentalized like a Bento Box and when I begin to share my thoughts it all turns into a party like the short lived 80's sitcom called, 'Herman's Head.'
I woke up this morning and thought to my self:
.jpg "The Brainstorm By MaxJ Copyright JeWeLsMax2011")
"It's Wednesday, gotta pick up Kayla, oh how, I love Wednesdays almost as much as I love Kayla. I crack myself up. Wait, what time is it? Should I even be up? Max is here and Jorge is here so it can't be past 7:30 or 8:00 am. This whole turn the clock back or turn the clock ahead just makes me nuts but days after it happens not on the day after it happens. Did I change the time in my car or on the microwave. I will call Mio today and talk about what I started yesterday when she was at the Hall of Science, wow, I've not been to the Hall of Science for over a year. I've got to get Max to Flushing Meadows park to take pictures by the unisphere. It was so cool to grow up in Corona, so close to the park, I don't think we took advantage of that as we should have. Corona, I don't like beer. Beer makes me sick. Come to think of it that ham and cheese sandwich I had made me a bit queasy. I love food but not when it sickens me! I do remember my mouth and belly were very satiated with that amazing appetizer at PO this weekend. Funny how we parked right outside the location where I told Yindy and Ryan that I was expecting, what a sweet dinner we had that day. The GPS in the truck did not get us to PO it was absolutely the GPS on the iPhone. Sometimes I wish I had an iPhone. I could use that locator app, the one the lady invented, the lady I met at the Senator Gillibrand Financial Empowerment summit for ladies, that was such an amazing event. It was inspiring. I need to confirm my mentor and write down who my character role models are and their characteristics/traits. Latina Females, who do I know, who do I want to know? It was so cool to see Annie and her folks this weekend at that play. Immigration, what a traumatic thing. Thing, is it a thing? Can I call it an event..."AAAAHHHH, Yawn Stretch! Up and out of bed and wow it's only 7:27 am, I have to brush, pee and get back to bed!
Namaste!
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