Some time has passed since I first opened an American History book and read about the Civil Rights Movement and the impact one particular man, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., had during that tumultuous time. The story behind a group of African Americans refusing to ride a bus because they were not allowed to sit were they pleased. Or not allowed to sit down in a section of a lunch counter designated "whites only" while being attacked by the Caucasian patrons and employees. Or marching, peacefully, hand in hand and being confronted by armed police barricades, police dogs and water hoses. I must admit, such conflict was confusing to me. The child in me was foreign to concepts of free speech, civil rights and human dignity.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was born Michael King, Jr., on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. "In 1934, his father, a pastor of Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church, traveled to Germany and became inspired by the Protestant Reformation leader Martin Luther. As a result, King, Sr., changed his own name as well as that of his 5 year old son."-History.com
Dr. King is now well known throughout the world as a powerful speaker of great spiritual strength. An activist. A Civil Rights Figure. And a Clergyman. Throughout his academic studies in Morehouse College (1948), he was introduced to the work of men like Mahatma Ghandi. MLK also excelled at Crozer Theological Seminary and earned a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology in 1955 from Boston College. I am sure this academic and religious background helped him adopt and embrace the stance of peaceful social change through non-violent means which was popularly coined "civil disobedience".
MLK was instrumental in the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955-56, which was inspired by the arrest of Rosa Parks when she refused to give up her seat to a Caucasian man on a public bus. Racial segregation on city buses was ruled unconstitutional in 1956. The Boycott was successful and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., became a national hero.
On the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation in 1963, Dr. King organized a march on Washington, D.C. which drew 200,000 Americans of all ethnicities and backgrounds. The gardens in front of Washington D.C.'s Lincoln Memorial transformed into a sea of humanity demanding rights for minorities. It became the immortal and magical place where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., gave his now famous "I Have a Dream" speech. A place where, if only for a moment, we all came together as a nation.
Among Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s many accomplishments are the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize (becoming the youngest recipient at the time) and author of many writings including: Stride .Toward Freedom (1958), Why We Can't Wait (1969) and Where Do We Go From Here? Chaos or Community (1967). Tragically, as is the case with so many seekers of peace, his tenure on this earth was cut short on April 4, 1968 by an assassin's bullet. He was just 39 years old. A Pastor. A husband and a father. A great loss to us as a nation. Proof of the damage that unchecked hate can cause.
As a Latina woman, a minority twice over, I am more than grateful to Dr. King and the countless brave men and women, of different races, who fought the good fight during the late 1950's and 1960's. I was just a child when Dr. King was taken from us. But due to his tireless tenacious work, selfless sacrifice and continued progress by the Civil Rights Movement; all Latinos are beneficiaries of that struggle. Desegregation and equality laws protect people who look and speak like me. And gives everyone a chance for a better life.
I feel very proud that there is such a day as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; celebrating such an impressive and courageous man.
All I can humbly say is, I can feel the impact your life has in my life everyday. Thank you!!!
Monday, January 15, 2018
Saturday, September 2, 2017
Bolero Translated from Spanish to English
En mi Viejo San Juan
By: Noel Estrada (1943)
Genre: Bolero
En mi viejo San Juan
In my old San Juan
Cuántos años forjé
Many years were forged
En mis noches de infancia
In my nights of infancy
Mi primera ilusión
My first illusion
Y mis cuitas de amor
My troubles in love
Son recuerdos del alma
Are memories of the soul
Una tarde me fui
In an afternoon I left
Hacia extraña nación
To a strange nation
Pues lo quiso el destino
Thats how destiny wished it
Pero mi corazón
But my heart
Se quedó frente al mar
Stood facing the sea
En mi viejo San Juan
In my old San Juan
Adiós, adiós, adiós
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
Borinquen querida
Beloved Borinquen
Tierra de mi amor
Land of my love
Adiós, adiós, adiós
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
Mi diosa del mar
My goddess of the sea
Mi reina del palmar
My queen of palm groves
Me voy
I leave
Pero un día volveré
But I will return one day
A buscar me querer
To search for my love
A soñar otra vez
To dream again
En mi viejo San Juan
In my old San Juan
Pero el tiempo pasó
But the time passed
El destino burló
Destiny made fun of
Mi terrible nostalgia
My terrible nostalgia
Y no pude volver
I could not return
Al San Juan que yo amé
To the San Juan that I loved
Pedacito de patria
Little piece of country
Mi cabello blanqueó
My hair turned gray
Ya mi vida se va
My life is ending
Ya la muerte me llama
Death calls me
Y no quiero morir
And I do not want to die
Alejado de ti
Far from you
Puerto Rico del alma
Puerto Rico of my soul
Adiós, adiós, adiós
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
Borinquen querida
Beloved Borinquen
Tierra de mi amor
Land of my love
Adiós, adiós, adiós
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
Mi diosa del mar
My goddess of the sea
Mi reina del palmar
My queen of the palm groves
Me voy
I leave
Pero un día volveré
But I will return one day
A buscar me querer
To search for my love
A soñar otra vez
To dream again
En mi viejo San Juan
In my old San Juan
Enjoy the video of the song sang by a Japanese Orchestra and Vocalist.
By: Noel Estrada (1943)
Genre: Bolero
En mi viejo San Juan
In my old San Juan
Cuántos años forjé
Many years were forged
En mis noches de infancia
In my nights of infancy
Mi primera ilusión
My first illusion
Y mis cuitas de amor
My troubles in love
Son recuerdos del alma
Are memories of the soul
Una tarde me fui
In an afternoon I left
Hacia extraña nación
To a strange nation
Pues lo quiso el destino
Thats how destiny wished it
Pero mi corazón
But my heart
Se quedó frente al mar
Stood facing the sea
En mi viejo San Juan
In my old San Juan
Adiós, adiós, adiós
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
Borinquen querida
Beloved Borinquen
Tierra de mi amor
Land of my love
Adiós, adiós, adiós
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
Mi diosa del mar
My goddess of the sea
Mi reina del palmar
My queen of palm groves
Me voy
I leave
Pero un día volveré
But I will return one day
A buscar me querer
To search for my love
A soñar otra vez
To dream again
En mi viejo San Juan
In my old San Juan
Pero el tiempo pasó
But the time passed
El destino burló
Destiny made fun of
Mi terrible nostalgia
My terrible nostalgia
Y no pude volver
I could not return
Al San Juan que yo amé
To the San Juan that I loved
Pedacito de patria
Little piece of country
Mi cabello blanqueó
My hair turned gray
Ya mi vida se va
My life is ending
Ya la muerte me llama
Death calls me
Y no quiero morir
And I do not want to die
Alejado de ti
Far from you
Puerto Rico del alma
Puerto Rico of my soul
Adiós, adiós, adiós
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
Borinquen querida
Beloved Borinquen
Tierra de mi amor
Land of my love
Adiós, adiós, adiós
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
Mi diosa del mar
My goddess of the sea
Mi reina del palmar
My queen of the palm groves
Me voy
I leave
Pero un día volveré
But I will return one day
A buscar me querer
To search for my love
A soñar otra vez
To dream again
En mi viejo San Juan
In my old San Juan
Enjoy the video of the song sang by a Japanese Orchestra and Vocalist.
Finding Friends in Blind Places
I truly believe that there are no coincidences in this world. Whether you believe in God, a Higher Power or whatever is totally up to you. I choose to believe there is a Divine order to our lives. And with that in mind, believe that every single person you meet along the way has a purpose in your life. I read somewhere or heard somewhere, that sometimes a person comes into your life to teach you a lesson. And many times are not meant to stay. I refuse to accept that. I am greedy. I want to keep all my friends!!!
My journey into the National Federation of the Blind began with a phone call. Not from the organization itself but from my sister Marilyn. For those that do not know my sister, a phone call from her could last 2 hours. She was given the task of looking-after a blind friend (Israel) of her ex-husband. She had no idea what to do. So Marilyn did what she usually does when she doesn't know what to do, she called me. That set me on the path to learning about the NFB. But back to my present adventures and the subject of this blog.
Unless you happen to be blind or know someone who is losing their sight, you might not know of an amazing organization named the National Federation of the Blind (NFB). This non-profit organization has been around since 1940. Organized by a group of blind individuals who believed that they had the same rights and responsibilities as any other person. People who believed they had the abilities to do anything anyone else could do. Can you imagine that? Actually, the only thing unimaginable should be that we still allow discrimination of certain individuals and that such organization had to be created at all!
Imagine being told that you are unsuited to raise your child due to losing your sight? And you have to go through the horror of a custody battle to prove your worth and keep your child. Or that you don't deserve minimum wage and are paid less for doing the same job as a sighted person? Only 32% of people who are blind are employed. Not because they lack skills or are unwilling. It is hard to convince a company to employ someone they believe will not be productive.
Unfortunately, the first thing the public thinks about when they encounter a blind person is that they are "helpless". I have been part of my local chapter, the National Federation of the Blind, Greater Jacksonville Chapter, since 2013; and let me tell you this group of wonderful individuals that I have grown to love and respect, are anything but "helpless". They work and attend school. They take care of their babies and husbands and wives. And it is in this aspect, the changing of our nation's perception of what a blind person is capable of, that I have committed my energy and passion.
I invite all my family, friends and acquaintances to go to the National Federation of the Blind website nfb.org and read about this organization and all that it does for so many people, not just those that are blind.
Dedicated to: Israel, Marita, Andy, Russ, Georgi, Joe, Latoya, Liz, Erica, Gina, Kirk, Quasia, Sue, Larry, Kaye, Glen, Ronasita, Toni, Doug, Carol, Jay, Levi, James B., James H., Bobby, Jessica E., Tracie, Cheryl, Fallon, Sherry, Mary M., Mary Kay, Heather, Carla, Keisha, Sharon R., Johnny, John F., Jessica M., Sister Elizabeth, Kathy.
My journey into the National Federation of the Blind began with a phone call. Not from the organization itself but from my sister Marilyn. For those that do not know my sister, a phone call from her could last 2 hours. She was given the task of looking-after a blind friend (Israel) of her ex-husband. She had no idea what to do. So Marilyn did what she usually does when she doesn't know what to do, she called me. That set me on the path to learning about the NFB. But back to my present adventures and the subject of this blog.
Unless you happen to be blind or know someone who is losing their sight, you might not know of an amazing organization named the National Federation of the Blind (NFB). This non-profit organization has been around since 1940. Organized by a group of blind individuals who believed that they had the same rights and responsibilities as any other person. People who believed they had the abilities to do anything anyone else could do. Can you imagine that? Actually, the only thing unimaginable should be that we still allow discrimination of certain individuals and that such organization had to be created at all!
Imagine being told that you are unsuited to raise your child due to losing your sight? And you have to go through the horror of a custody battle to prove your worth and keep your child. Or that you don't deserve minimum wage and are paid less for doing the same job as a sighted person? Only 32% of people who are blind are employed. Not because they lack skills or are unwilling. It is hard to convince a company to employ someone they believe will not be productive.
Unfortunately, the first thing the public thinks about when they encounter a blind person is that they are "helpless". I have been part of my local chapter, the National Federation of the Blind, Greater Jacksonville Chapter, since 2013; and let me tell you this group of wonderful individuals that I have grown to love and respect, are anything but "helpless". They work and attend school. They take care of their babies and husbands and wives. And it is in this aspect, the changing of our nation's perception of what a blind person is capable of, that I have committed my energy and passion.
I invite all my family, friends and acquaintances to go to the National Federation of the Blind website nfb.org and read about this organization and all that it does for so many people, not just those that are blind.
Dedicated to: Israel, Marita, Andy, Russ, Georgi, Joe, Latoya, Liz, Erica, Gina, Kirk, Quasia, Sue, Larry, Kaye, Glen, Ronasita, Toni, Doug, Carol, Jay, Levi, James B., James H., Bobby, Jessica E., Tracie, Cheryl, Fallon, Sherry, Mary M., Mary Kay, Heather, Carla, Keisha, Sharon R., Johnny, John F., Jessica M., Sister Elizabeth, Kathy.
Sunday, May 14, 2017
Remembering Mama
Dedicated To Queen Bee
Antonia Rivera Martinez (July 16, 1935-November 2, 2014)
Today is Mother's Day. And what better way to honor all us mothers than to honor our own mother. That one constant in our lives, whether she is here, or far, or not with us at all. It really doesn't lessen her influence. If you are truly sincere with yourself, if you examen the reason why you think the way you do, why you feel the way you do, why you solve certain problems the way you do; the answer lies in a sneaky, intelligent, wonderful woman behind all that creativity, your own Mother.
Everyday, I think of Mama. There is no getting around it, there is no denying it, so why bother. I see children in their wonderful ways and I think of Mama and how she would gush at them. And find a way to interact. Mama was wickedly wise. She was never book smart, but she was street smart. She was the type that saw a difficult situation and somehow figured out a way to make it tolerable, manageable. And helped us all get through it.
I say this all the time, but perhaps some have not heard it, I learned unconditional love from my mother. I learned that no matter what, family comes first. That no matter how little food there is in cabinets, you always make a little more just in case someone shows up. And no matter how crowded the house was (with 11 children in the house, I am pretty sure that bunk beds were invented with us in mind), there was always room for one more. And no one was turned away. That is the kind of love our mother taught me.
Was she perfect? Not even close. But people are not meant to be perfect. And when your hero makes mistakes, it can have devastating effects. But then you grow up. And you realize that sometimes things were just a little bit different than what your 6, 8 or 11 year old mind remembers. And something inside your heart falls into place. And you realize the sacrifices, and the strength and the gall she had. And you breath. And you smile. And your hero materializes again.
Do I have regrets? Yes. There is always the notion of thinking how you could have called more, or visited more or paid closer attention. Missed opportunities. Never to come again. And all one can do is pick up the phone. And call more often. And make that plane reservation and visit more often. And hear the little children and pay closer attention. Because the legacy we leave behind is not material; it is love, and kindness, and guidance, and good advice.
This is to all the strong, beautiful, determined, creative, stubborn women in my family. We all make Mama proud. God Bless you all.
Happy Mother's Day!!!
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Which English Do You Want Me To Speak?
I can't help but laugh when I am having a conversation in Spanish and someone blurs out "Speak English"! The reason I find this intrusion into my culture hilarious, is that English has very little English components to it. This is not news to the average, high school American graduate. In fact, when discussing the subject with my friends they seem to know all about it. Which then makes me wonder? Where does the ignorance come from?
I decided to write this blog to bring this case and plight to light. How can anyone look down at me and demand that I speak English? As if English was such a pure language? As a matter of fact, there are thousands of Spanish words in the English language. Heck, there are thousands of words from languages around the world in the English language. The truth is the English we speak today is more of an international language. The product of the blending of languages that occurred during our 250 years as a nation. And to be honest, it is nothing unique. Throughout history common languages were developed to facilitate trade by traveling merchants. The same way English is used today as the primary language in International Affairs.
For those that do not know, English is derived from a Germanic language. Meaning, the people that lived in the areas of what is today known as Dutch and Germany; are the ancestors of the English we speak today. Did you know that 60% of the English language comes from Latin? Add Greek and French to the mix and it becomes a sticky web indeed.
During the Iron Age, around 800 B.C., a Celtic people known as Britons inhabited the British Islands. Romans invaded the area in waves commencing in A.D. 43. By the 5th century, Rome was in decline and no longer interested in keeping a stronghold in the region. That gave an opportunity for the Anglo-Saxons to introduce the Old English language. A language that is no longer spoken. Also known by Linguistic Scholars as a "dead language". Further invasions by the Danes, colored the language with Danish. There is also documentation of Scandinavian influences from Denmark and Norway. Known as the Anglo-Normans. The words "them and their" come from Old Norse.
So, as proof of the accuracy of what I am stating here and to jab all the people who have told countless immigrants to "Speak English"; I have composed an abbreviated list of English words and the language they originate from (I could not possibly include them all. To do so would convert this blog into a lengthy dictionary):
LATIN (Italian, French, Romanian, Spanish, Portuguese, et al.)
abdomen, vinegar, exacerbate, acetone, cute, edification, emulate, image, imagination, adequate, equal, equator, equilibrium, equity, equivalent, inadequate, inequality, esteem, estimate, estuary, age, eternal, longevity, mediaeval, agriculture, pilgrim allegro, albino, album, algae, alias, alibi, alien, adultery, alter, alternator, amaretto, ambiguous, amenity, quadrangular, rectangle, triangle, animal, animation, unanimous, annuals, annuity, antenna, aquarium, sewer, arboreal, arc, alarm, armada, armadillo, armor, armory, artifact.
GREEK
abaciscus,, acme, acne, panacea, academia, academy, acrobat, acropolis, aorta, meteor, meteorology, aerobic, aerosol, anestesia, ether, agony, antagonist, agape, analgesic, nostalgia, allegory, parallel, alphabet, amniotic, amphitheater, almond, atypical, Alexander, android, philander, antagonist, antagonize, antibiotic, antebellum, antiquated, antique, antrax, anthropology, philanthropy, synagogue, apostate, aphrodisiac, arachnophobia, anarchy, archangel, architect, archaeology, monarchy, ardor, arson, aristocracy, asterisk, asteroid, astrology, astronaut.
FRENCH
abandon, abash, abatement, abbe, abbess, abbey, abbreviation, abdication, abhor, ability, abjection, able, abnormal, abjection, aboard, abolish, abolition, abominable, abrasion, abridge, abrupt, absence, absent, absolute, action, danger, debit, deceptive, definitive, jacket, jersey, judgement, macabre, machine, maintain, malice, march, mauve, melodrama, zest, zigzag, zany, zenith, wafer, wage, wait, wallet, war, warren, warrior, waste, William, tabernacle, table, tack, tail, tambourine, tapestry, target, taste, tavern.
GERMAN
angst, delikatessen, doppelgänger, fest, gesundheit, kaput, kindergarden, kraut, poltergeist, rucksack, wanderlust, leberwurst, gestapo, nudel, cobalt, streusel, sparerib, waltz, autobahn, Dachshund, pumpernickel, spritz, seltzer, nosh, Schnauzer, bagel, hamster.
SPANISH
Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Montana, Nevada, Texas, Buena Vista, El Paso, fresno, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Monterey, San Antonio, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, buckaroo, corral, chaps, desperado, hackamore, lariat, lasso, quirt, ranch, rodeo, stampede, ten-gallon hat, arroyo, breeze, caldera, canyon, mesa, playa, sierra, temblor, tornado, alligator, barracuda, bronco, burro, cockroach, mosquito, mustang, aficionado, bodega, fiesta, macho, atador, patio, plaza, piñata, pueblo, quinceañera, rumba, silo, tango, telenovela, conquistador, flotilla, renegade, vigilante, cargo, embarcadero, embargo, galleon, chorizo, cilantro, daiquiri, habanero, jalapeño, mojito, oregano, piña colada, salsa, sherry, taco, tequila, vanilla, bonanza, cafeteria, incommunicado, jade, nada, palmetto, peon, platinum, pronto, savvy, siesta, suave, vamoose.
NATIVE AMERICAN
avocado, chili, chipotle, chocolate, cocoa, coyote, guacamole, mesquite, mole, tamale, tomato, shack, canoe, iguana, hurricane, key (Key West), potato, savanna, tobacco, condor, Inca, jerky, pampa, puma, cannibal, cigar, barbecue.
ARABIC
alhambra, albatross, alcatraz, abobe, crimson, tuna.
BASQUE, CATALAN, CELTIC
zorro, paella, camino.
There you have it folks! If all foreign words were deleted from the English language, we would end up speaking gibberish. Perhaps something like the Slavs spoke. We will never know. There is no one alive to tell us. So, my suggestion to our lovely international community is this; if someone of questionable intelligence demands that you "speak English" simply smile and say "I am". Fin.
I decided to write this blog to bring this case and plight to light. How can anyone look down at me and demand that I speak English? As if English was such a pure language? As a matter of fact, there are thousands of Spanish words in the English language. Heck, there are thousands of words from languages around the world in the English language. The truth is the English we speak today is more of an international language. The product of the blending of languages that occurred during our 250 years as a nation. And to be honest, it is nothing unique. Throughout history common languages were developed to facilitate trade by traveling merchants. The same way English is used today as the primary language in International Affairs.
For those that do not know, English is derived from a Germanic language. Meaning, the people that lived in the areas of what is today known as Dutch and Germany; are the ancestors of the English we speak today. Did you know that 60% of the English language comes from Latin? Add Greek and French to the mix and it becomes a sticky web indeed.
During the Iron Age, around 800 B.C., a Celtic people known as Britons inhabited the British Islands. Romans invaded the area in waves commencing in A.D. 43. By the 5th century, Rome was in decline and no longer interested in keeping a stronghold in the region. That gave an opportunity for the Anglo-Saxons to introduce the Old English language. A language that is no longer spoken. Also known by Linguistic Scholars as a "dead language". Further invasions by the Danes, colored the language with Danish. There is also documentation of Scandinavian influences from Denmark and Norway. Known as the Anglo-Normans. The words "them and their" come from Old Norse.
So, as proof of the accuracy of what I am stating here and to jab all the people who have told countless immigrants to "Speak English"; I have composed an abbreviated list of English words and the language they originate from (I could not possibly include them all. To do so would convert this blog into a lengthy dictionary):
LATIN (Italian, French, Romanian, Spanish, Portuguese, et al.)
abdomen, vinegar, exacerbate, acetone, cute, edification, emulate, image, imagination, adequate, equal, equator, equilibrium, equity, equivalent, inadequate, inequality, esteem, estimate, estuary, age, eternal, longevity, mediaeval, agriculture, pilgrim allegro, albino, album, algae, alias, alibi, alien, adultery, alter, alternator, amaretto, ambiguous, amenity, quadrangular, rectangle, triangle, animal, animation, unanimous, annuals, annuity, antenna, aquarium, sewer, arboreal, arc, alarm, armada, armadillo, armor, armory, artifact.
GREEK
abaciscus,, acme, acne, panacea, academia, academy, acrobat, acropolis, aorta, meteor, meteorology, aerobic, aerosol, anestesia, ether, agony, antagonist, agape, analgesic, nostalgia, allegory, parallel, alphabet, amniotic, amphitheater, almond, atypical, Alexander, android, philander, antagonist, antagonize, antibiotic, antebellum, antiquated, antique, antrax, anthropology, philanthropy, synagogue, apostate, aphrodisiac, arachnophobia, anarchy, archangel, architect, archaeology, monarchy, ardor, arson, aristocracy, asterisk, asteroid, astrology, astronaut.
FRENCH
abandon, abash, abatement, abbe, abbess, abbey, abbreviation, abdication, abhor, ability, abjection, able, abnormal, abjection, aboard, abolish, abolition, abominable, abrasion, abridge, abrupt, absence, absent, absolute, action, danger, debit, deceptive, definitive, jacket, jersey, judgement, macabre, machine, maintain, malice, march, mauve, melodrama, zest, zigzag, zany, zenith, wafer, wage, wait, wallet, war, warren, warrior, waste, William, tabernacle, table, tack, tail, tambourine, tapestry, target, taste, tavern.
GERMAN
angst, delikatessen, doppelgänger, fest, gesundheit, kaput, kindergarden, kraut, poltergeist, rucksack, wanderlust, leberwurst, gestapo, nudel, cobalt, streusel, sparerib, waltz, autobahn, Dachshund, pumpernickel, spritz, seltzer, nosh, Schnauzer, bagel, hamster.
SPANISH
Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Montana, Nevada, Texas, Buena Vista, El Paso, fresno, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Monterey, San Antonio, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, buckaroo, corral, chaps, desperado, hackamore, lariat, lasso, quirt, ranch, rodeo, stampede, ten-gallon hat, arroyo, breeze, caldera, canyon, mesa, playa, sierra, temblor, tornado, alligator, barracuda, bronco, burro, cockroach, mosquito, mustang, aficionado, bodega, fiesta, macho, atador, patio, plaza, piñata, pueblo, quinceañera, rumba, silo, tango, telenovela, conquistador, flotilla, renegade, vigilante, cargo, embarcadero, embargo, galleon, chorizo, cilantro, daiquiri, habanero, jalapeño, mojito, oregano, piña colada, salsa, sherry, taco, tequila, vanilla, bonanza, cafeteria, incommunicado, jade, nada, palmetto, peon, platinum, pronto, savvy, siesta, suave, vamoose.
NATIVE AMERICAN
avocado, chili, chipotle, chocolate, cocoa, coyote, guacamole, mesquite, mole, tamale, tomato, shack, canoe, iguana, hurricane, key (Key West), potato, savanna, tobacco, condor, Inca, jerky, pampa, puma, cannibal, cigar, barbecue.
ARABIC
alhambra, albatross, alcatraz, abobe, crimson, tuna.
BASQUE, CATALAN, CELTIC
zorro, paella, camino.
There you have it folks! If all foreign words were deleted from the English language, we would end up speaking gibberish. Perhaps something like the Slavs spoke. We will never know. There is no one alive to tell us. So, my suggestion to our lovely international community is this; if someone of questionable intelligence demands that you "speak English" simply smile and say "I am". Fin.
Friday, July 10, 2015
Goodnight Sweet Boy
The fourth of July is generally a great opportunity for family to get together and catch up on what has been going on in each other's lives. This fourth of July has changed the meaning of this holiday for all of us because on this day, we lost a beautiful soul. I think his niece Selina put it perfectly when she said, "You were too good to be taken from us like this man. But of course, your crazy butt would go out on the Fourth of July with a bang!"
The first child of Victor William Diaz, Sr., and Marilyn Antonia Zayas; Victor Williams Diaz, Jr., born October 3, 1972; was lovingly nicknamed Cheerios by his eighty something year old paternal great grandmother, Doña Cruz. You see, he gave his mother 8 months of morning sickness and the only thing that seemed to alleviate the nausea was when she ate Cheerios. Doña Cruz noticed the rapid disappearance of cereal boxes and said "Mija, si sigues haci vas a tener un Cheerio" (Girl, if you keep eating those you are going to give birth to a Cheerio). And that is how he got his nickname.
Our boy came into this world ready for a fight. He had to, he was raised in the rough streets of New York City. Somehow he knew that he had to be a fighter in order to survive the hurdles that life was going to throw at him. Victor was street smart and witty, devilish, and if he liked you, kind. His down falls were the homeless and small pets. Don't ask me why, he had an issue with both. He was hot headed and loud and a prankster. He was so many things; most of them good. But he was no angel and never claimed to be. Being the eldest brother of Juan Pablo "Speedy", Imes Chamey, Dinahte, Danielle, Marilyn "Mima" and Reinaldo "Pipo", prepared him for fatherhood.
Sadly at the age of 11, came the separation of his family. His mother was taken away from him and most of his brothers and sisters were shipped off to several relatives; except for his brother Speedy. Him and Speedy were inseparable, the bond they shared unbreakable. I can only imagine, the devastation and helplessness Cheerios felt, as his world crumpled around him. He was just a little boy, dealing with a situation that was out of his control, how was he to keep his family together? It took him many years to recover the loved ones he lost in childhood, but I am certain that it was that experience that made him a fierce protector and provider of his own family.
At the age of 18, he met and married Jeanette. They had three beautiful children together, Victor Jr., Victoria and Alex. Cheerios took this opportunity to become the father he would have wanted to have himself. He loved his children unconditionally, until the very end. He always worried about them and did all he could to make sure they had what they needed. In 2009, he had his fourth child Brandon Antonio with his girlfriend Barbaralydia. He spend his last hours doing exactly what a good father does, running to see his children.
Throughout his life, Cheerios took on the role of mentor to his siblings and cousins. He had the biggest heart. He always tried to help in any way he could. Cheerios had the habit of stopping to help anyone stranded on the side of the road. We knew better than to question what he was doing, it was best to let him be himself. I can honestly say, he was always there for us. Whether it was to fix your car or to give you a few dollars or to let you know when you were messing up. He did not tolerate foolishness very well and was not afraid to let you know it. And if you happen to call him and tell him you were having a problem with someone, all he would say was "where do you want me to bury the body?"
I know I felt safe when he was around. I feel like one of our generals is gone. One who kept order and allowed no disrespect. Cheerios was a senior member of our First Born Club. You know, the lucky few that are born first in our family. The leaders of our new family branches. The heads of our new blood lines. This has been a changing of the guard, which means, there is a void that needs to be filled. Let's come together and keep his memory alive by being there for his children and help them navigate in this world without their father. He stood strong and loyal for us while we all grew up together. Let's come together and comfort each other. Let's begin to mend the hole that was created when our Cheerios left us by celebrating his life. Let's not tear up what he helped to built, this family.
God graced all of us by allowing us to spend 42 action packed, crazy, amazing, roller coaster years with this wonderful complicated man. My life was a little more colorful and exciting just because he was in it. I will be forever grateful to God All Mighty for allowing me and my sisters to spend time with him before he was taken. I have precious, unforgettable, memories of our Golden Boy, that I will treasure forever. Cheerios left us too soon. He was always busy doing something. We would have all loved to have kept him around a little longer, but you know what, let's remember him at his best and laugh and still wonder "how did he get away with that one?" Let's be kind and show love towards one another. If there is any lesson in this tragedy is that in a blink of an eye the Lord can call us home. Don't miss this opportunity to mend your relationships. Let's be happy, just like he wanted.
The first child of Victor William Diaz, Sr., and Marilyn Antonia Zayas; Victor Williams Diaz, Jr., born October 3, 1972; was lovingly nicknamed Cheerios by his eighty something year old paternal great grandmother, Doña Cruz. You see, he gave his mother 8 months of morning sickness and the only thing that seemed to alleviate the nausea was when she ate Cheerios. Doña Cruz noticed the rapid disappearance of cereal boxes and said "Mija, si sigues haci vas a tener un Cheerio" (Girl, if you keep eating those you are going to give birth to a Cheerio). And that is how he got his nickname.
Our boy came into this world ready for a fight. He had to, he was raised in the rough streets of New York City. Somehow he knew that he had to be a fighter in order to survive the hurdles that life was going to throw at him. Victor was street smart and witty, devilish, and if he liked you, kind. His down falls were the homeless and small pets. Don't ask me why, he had an issue with both. He was hot headed and loud and a prankster. He was so many things; most of them good. But he was no angel and never claimed to be. Being the eldest brother of Juan Pablo "Speedy", Imes Chamey, Dinahte, Danielle, Marilyn "Mima" and Reinaldo "Pipo", prepared him for fatherhood.
Sadly at the age of 11, came the separation of his family. His mother was taken away from him and most of his brothers and sisters were shipped off to several relatives; except for his brother Speedy. Him and Speedy were inseparable, the bond they shared unbreakable. I can only imagine, the devastation and helplessness Cheerios felt, as his world crumpled around him. He was just a little boy, dealing with a situation that was out of his control, how was he to keep his family together? It took him many years to recover the loved ones he lost in childhood, but I am certain that it was that experience that made him a fierce protector and provider of his own family.
At the age of 18, he met and married Jeanette. They had three beautiful children together, Victor Jr., Victoria and Alex. Cheerios took this opportunity to become the father he would have wanted to have himself. He loved his children unconditionally, until the very end. He always worried about them and did all he could to make sure they had what they needed. In 2009, he had his fourth child Brandon Antonio with his girlfriend Barbaralydia. He spend his last hours doing exactly what a good father does, running to see his children.
Throughout his life, Cheerios took on the role of mentor to his siblings and cousins. He had the biggest heart. He always tried to help in any way he could. Cheerios had the habit of stopping to help anyone stranded on the side of the road. We knew better than to question what he was doing, it was best to let him be himself. I can honestly say, he was always there for us. Whether it was to fix your car or to give you a few dollars or to let you know when you were messing up. He did not tolerate foolishness very well and was not afraid to let you know it. And if you happen to call him and tell him you were having a problem with someone, all he would say was "where do you want me to bury the body?"
I know I felt safe when he was around. I feel like one of our generals is gone. One who kept order and allowed no disrespect. Cheerios was a senior member of our First Born Club. You know, the lucky few that are born first in our family. The leaders of our new family branches. The heads of our new blood lines. This has been a changing of the guard, which means, there is a void that needs to be filled. Let's come together and keep his memory alive by being there for his children and help them navigate in this world without their father. He stood strong and loyal for us while we all grew up together. Let's come together and comfort each other. Let's begin to mend the hole that was created when our Cheerios left us by celebrating his life. Let's not tear up what he helped to built, this family.
God graced all of us by allowing us to spend 42 action packed, crazy, amazing, roller coaster years with this wonderful complicated man. My life was a little more colorful and exciting just because he was in it. I will be forever grateful to God All Mighty for allowing me and my sisters to spend time with him before he was taken. I have precious, unforgettable, memories of our Golden Boy, that I will treasure forever. Cheerios left us too soon. He was always busy doing something. We would have all loved to have kept him around a little longer, but you know what, let's remember him at his best and laugh and still wonder "how did he get away with that one?" Let's be kind and show love towards one another. If there is any lesson in this tragedy is that in a blink of an eye the Lord can call us home. Don't miss this opportunity to mend your relationships. Let's be happy, just like he wanted.
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Mama's Eulogy
I want to first thank everyone present, on behalf of our family, for coming to this celebration of the life of our mother Antonia. I know that there are some that were unable to come because of distance or other obligations, but have sent their love and sympathy. We truly appreciate it.
I haven't written anything in almost 3 years. Mostly because writing takes inspiration. Today I decided to share with you some insight into the life of my Guardian Angel, our Queen Bee, my mother, Antonia Rivera Martinez. Not only my life long inspiration but my reason for being.
Some of you know her as the stubborn, willful, determined old lady who laughed and ignored the doctors throughout the years, as her health slowly but surely began to fail. And that is basically true. She was stubborn. She was willful. She was determined. But she was also so much more than that.
Her love of children perhaps was forged by her life experience. Mom was born in Ciales, Puerto Rico, July 16, 1935. By the tender age of 7, she was already an orphan. Losing her mother Tomasa Martinez to a tubal ligation operation. But even before then, she was moved around from family member to family member. Being an out of wedlock child, in the 1930's, brought a lot of negative stigma with it, compound that with being an orphan, and mom felt the sting of a door closed in her face more than once. Her father Pablo Rivera was a bachelor, a coffee bean laborer who it seemed was unable to care for her. God rest his soul. Finally, her father's sister, Hemenegilda, reluctantly took my mother in. Grandma Hemenegilda was strict, very religious and dominating. God rest her soul. Not the greatest atmosphere for the free spirited rebellious girl. Mom couldn't wait to leave home. So at 15 she went out on her own, the way most girls of that time would, who didn't get married or left to college, by getting pregnant.
As we all moved out and had families of our own, I remember countless times when she was awaken in the middle of the night with some emergency. And with us, there was always something. She never said no. It was as if she was designed to be ready for when her family needed her, she awaited the calls and was willing and able to run to any hospital, any family member, or any state to be of help in anyway she could. Mama lived for her babies, even when her babies stopped being babies decades ago. She never stopped asking for us. She never stopped praying for us. She never stopped waiting for that call that told her she was needed. Even when she couldn't balance on her own two feet, she thought, when the time came she could still run out that door to rescue us, her babies.
In preparing myself to write this, I started remembering little peculiarities about Mama that are uniquely hers. Like, she redefined the word "something". For the rest of her life and I just could not figure out why, she would pronounce it "somesing". Also, if you had a baby picture you just couldn't figure out who it was, take it to Mom. It didn't matter if the photo was recent or 50 years old, she knew who that baby was. Oh, and if you were worried about a big debt that you just couldn't afford right now, she would come out with her famous "La ultima la paga el diablo!" Or another saying, "Un clavo saca a otro". When we came home with a broken heart. You also had to be careful when you complimented Mom on something she was wearing, like pretty new shoes or a bracelet or a charm, because she had the tendency of trying to give it to you. Ever heard the saying "He would give his shirt off his back". That was mom, in a nut shell. Mom believed in sharing what little she had and in helping others. Whether you were family or not, if you ended up on her front door, suddenly, you had a plate of food and a bed to sleep in. Oh, and the unsolicited, usually spot on advice on how to solve your problems were part of the package. But don't get me wrong, if she needed to pull your ears because you messed up, she had no problems getting the job done. Oh but her cooking was so worth the scolding.
Let's remember that Mom is now with our Lord, Jesus Christ. She is young, she is beautiful, she is healthy. Mom was well known for her beauty and her temper. Just imagine her with her loved ones. With her parents and grandparents, with our adorable niece Orlaida, her beloved daughter Lillian and unforgettable son Nano. I can just see Mom, grabbing random angels and making them sit and listen to her go on and on about her children. Sometimes divulging embarrasing information along the way. Her sense of boundaries were sometimes questionable. But we all know, she meant well.
I am not saying anything most of you don't already know. Perhaps some of you will have better stories of Mom or times you shared together. And that is wonderful. That is what we are here for to celebrate the time the Lord graced us to spend with our Guardian Angel, our Queen Bee. A woman also known as Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Daughter, Sister, Auntie, Cousin, Counselor, Advocate, Good Neighbor-Friend and Father. These are all the titles that she earned throughout her life. And the only titles that really meant "somesing" to her.
Thank you.
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