Reality of ilegal inmigrants

This weekend I helped with a urban mission in Oklahoma city. I was surprised with the number of hispanic families that was present there to receive help. Many of them had around 8 years living in the U.S. however, they did not speak any English at all; they still seemed like they came here yesterday.

A foreign language, different people, different environment, different life, for what? the hope of a better future for their children.

Many of them left their families behind, they want to go back but, they don't have the money and the documents. That's another factor: fear

How do you really live when you do not know how to communicate, how to behave, or how to be free?

You are here, bur your heart is elsewhere, it is with a lonely mom, a lonely son, who you left promising them you will come back...is that possible, who knows... in the meanwhile you just have to work and watch out where you go to not be captured.

Strength my brothers and sisters, but please, if you get tired...come back, come back to the place that saw you born and that is waitng for you...it is going to be hard, but not impossible.

Relativity of time

I will graduate in may 2011, right around the corner huh?

Well, even though I know that the day is coming, I still feel it far, far not because I want to graduate, but because I miss my people.

Living by myself in a foreign country has taught me that it does not matter is you are in the most beautiful place in the world, if you are not with your loves ones, well, is not that beautiful anymore.

Five more months until I hug my mom and my family again, seems pretty far for me still...

What do you do when a piece of your heart is missing and you know that you have to wait, and wait...

Facebook addiction

During the Thanksgiving week I deactivated my Facebook account. At the beginning I felt that something was missing in my daily routine. Log in into facebook has become a part of many people's daily routine. That is not bad; what is bad is to become addict to see who's in your chat, or looking at your pictures over and over again. What I have realized is that many people are becoming self-addicts, they are so into their status, and they are thinking what are they going to post on facebook while they are doing a fun activity. That is insane. In this social networking era; are we supposed to live just to update our facebook status? That's not life. 

Do you want to prove that you are not a Facebook addict? deactivate your account for a week, or remain a period of time without updating any pictures or comments. It is never too late to prove yourself and live a free life.

I found a very interesting article about a CNN reporter and his addiction to Facebook, you can read it through this link

http://www.aarp.org/technology/social-media/info-05-2009/confessions_of_a_facebook_addict.html?CMP=KNC-360I-GOOGLE-TEC-SME&HBX_PK=addicted_to_facebook&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=addicted%2Bto%2Bfacebook&utm_campaign=G_Technology%2B-%2BContent&360cid=SI_155084180_5996368861_0

It is difficult to be a leader....

This semester I was the president of a campus organization. It was hard. The fact of keeping the people coming to the weekly meetings, trying to make them feel comfortable, and at the same time avoiding conflict while maintaining my authority was really hard. After this semester, I realized how all the trainning in learship is nothing comparing to what you really face when you work with people. I think the most valuable tips that I learned are: 

•  Do not lose your temper when people do not behave as you have expected.
• Smile, even though you do not like what you are doing people is watching you
• Prepare, people know when you know what you are talking about.
•  

Do you have any more leadership tips, or experiences that you want to share?

Talking about Holidays....

As many of you know I am an international student here at the U.S. my homecountry is Guatemala. This year I am going to spend Christmas in Arizona instead of going home. I feel a little sad about it. It is not because I wont be back, by the only thought of not being with your beloved ones is sad. I have been trying to avoid feeling this way, but it is getting harder every time. I know that graduation is around the corner (May 2011) but it still feels like forever to me.

Do you have any advices or experiences of being far away from home?

Please leave your comments, they might help me in these moments.

BTW....Happy Holidays!!!!!

"Donde quiera que se esté bien, allí está la patria."

Ciceron

Quantum Mechanics and the attributes of God

Quantum mechanics...yes, sounds weird. However, it is interesting how this video shows how some quantum mechanics principles match with some God's attributes. If you want to see more videos, follow the channel found in youtube.

What do you know about Quantum mechanics? Do you think science and faith can match?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfttQ24L-fY&feature=&p=D1C4EE17F1581CD3&index=0&playnext=1

Health Benefits of Chlorophyll

What is Chlorophyll?

Chlorophyll is actually responsible for the green pigmentation in plants. What does chlorophyll do? Chlorophyll is what absorbs energy from the sun to facilitate photosynthesis in plants. Chlorophyll to plants is like blood to humans. It is important in many plant metabolic functions such as growth and respiration.



Liquid Chlorophyll from Nature's Sunshine Products



Benefits of Chlorophyll



• Chlorophyll helps in neutralizing the pollution that we breathe in and intake everyday - a good supplement for smokers

• It efficiently delivers magnesium and helps the blood in carrying the much needed oxygen to all cells and tissues.

• It is also found to be useful in assimilating and chelating calcium and other heavy minerals.

• It had been seen to have a good potential in stimulating red blood cells to improve oxygen supply.

I drink at least one liter of Chlorophyll per day. I can say it has help me in many aspects, my skin and my hair is healthier. My digestion has improved and I feel better after I started drinking it 3 months ago.

What do you think? Do you have any questions about this product?

More information:

http://www.nutritional-supplements-health-guide.com/chlorophyll-benefits.html

What is HPV? Who gets it?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) affects both females and males. HPV transmission can happen with any kind of genital contact with someone who has HPV—intercourse isn’t necessary.

Many people who have HPV don’t even know it, because the virus often has no signs or symptoms. That means you can get the virus or pass it on to your partner without knowing it.

In the United States, an estimated 75% to 80% of males and females will be infected with HPV in their lifetime. For most, the virus will clear on its own, but when it doesn’t, HPV can have consequences:

IN WOMEN:

• Precancers and cancers: cervical, (life threatening) vaginal, and vulvar

IN MEN:

• Genital warts

Reference: http://www.gardasil.com/what-is-gardasil/information-on-gardasil/


My grandmother and my mom suffered from cervical cancer at an early age. I have been thinking that I should get the vaccine in order to prevent getting the virus. There are two vaccines available:

Gardasil

Cervanix

Do you have any comments or experiences about the HPV or personal opinions about the vaccines?

Please leave your comments!

The New Professional Woman and her role as a housewife

What? Me a Housewife, no way! I did not study some many years to end up at home cooking and washing clothes! Do not get me wrong. I would love to have a family. Actually, that is one of my most important dreams. I love children and I am sure I would love my husband too!. However, my life's experiences have taught me that I am kind of a tough woman in regards house chores.

Hence, I am sure modern women can find a balance between their professional and family lives. I am still single, that's why I say that, however, there will be a day to settle down. How do you think women can be good wives and mothers and have a successful career? Are there any tools? Do you want to share experiences?

I will be extremely happy so see your comments! (Even if you are a guy too).

Swimming feels good!

Believe it or not, I learned how to swim during my first year at college. Before, I was afraid of drawing every time I was on a pool. However, since I learned and experience all the benefits of swimming, I can say it is one of my favorite things to do. Some of the benefits of a swimming routine are:

• Whole body conditioning
• Low risk of injury
• Low-impact exercise
• Improve blood pressure
• Stress reduction

If you have not tried swimming, give it a try! I extremely recommend it. If you have additional comments on this post, please share them with me! 

On how I fell in love with Shakespeare...

Oh what memories come to my mind when I remember my literature class at college...
Please, thy days come again in which I could watch and read one of my favorite authors' plays...
Yes, please come back...
The Sonnets, The Tempest, Othelo, Henry V, A Midsummer Night's dream...Hamlet.

I do not know if my attempt to sound poetic succeed. However, I wanted to share one of the classics Shakespearean soliloquies. There are many different interpretations, however, what I find extremely interesting is Shakespeare's ability of expressing different views about life and death with such a feeling that it makes you feel what Hamlet is going through at that moment.

If you haven't read Hamlet, or you do not want to read Hamlet; I recommend you to see Kenneth Branagh movie or if you prefer Mel Gibson's it is an option too.

This link is to  Branagh's soliloquy .Enjoy!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7740lGif65Y

What do you know about Laminin?

According to EHow, Laminin is:

Laminins are major proteins in the basal lamina, a layer which lines the outer surface of cells. They form an important protein foundation for cell and organ health in almost every living mammal.

Role in Cell Development

Laminins form polypeptide chains which are crucial in the body's cell development, influencing cell differentiation, migration and adhesion as well as basic survival.

Lack of Laminin

Laminin is crucial for the development of many tissues, and as such is often referred to as the body's glue. A lack of laminins can have detrimental effects in cell, organ and muscle growth.

God's Work?

Due to their cruciform shape, some Christians believe that laminin proteins are the work of God. Believers cite Colossians 1:17 as proof of this: "He (Christ) is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."

Read more: Definition of Laminin | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_5566302_definition-laminin.html#ixzz14jAUpbSH

Online learning...on a normal college? Not a good idea

I found an article that talked about the disadvantages of online learning. Here are some of the key aspects:

Disadvantages of online college courses:

1. Discipline and time management skills are mandatory. With few time constraints other than deadlines, online course students are fully responsible for sticking to their own schedule. If you are someone who procrastinates too much and has trouble with time management, an online course may be a disaster for you.
2. Lack of direct interaction with the instructor. Some students prefer this, or don't find it to be a problem. But many students thrive from face-to-face interaction and attention from professors and may not do well without that interaction.
3. Isolation from fellow students. Some students love to sit in their jammies and chat with their classmates online and don't miss the classroom setting at all. Others find this environment to be very lonely. Ideally, classroom settings can become welcoming communities, and it's harder (although not impossible) to replicate that online. If you've been a member of online communities and enjoy this type of interaction, an online course might be for you. If this sounds unpleasant, though, you might be better off in a traditional classroom.
4. Credits may be difficult to transfer. If you are planning to transfer your online course into an existing or future program of study, be very careful. Before taking the class, contact your school and get a definite answer about whether this class will transfer. Research online courses and degrees carefully! Make sure the course is from an accredited institution.
5. Access to and knowledge of technology is required. You don't have to have a computer science background to take these classes, but you do need to be computer literate and comfortable with technology. You also need reliable access to a decent computer system and probably a high speed connection. (Contact the instructor ahead of time to find out exactly what you need.) If computers aren't your thing, maybe the traditional classroom would suit you better.

To see the original text, please see this link:
http://www.suite101.com/content/online-college-courses-a9807

Healthy snacks?

As a normal college student I live in a dorm. As usual, stay awake late at night to finish my homework. Around midnight, I start to feel hungry. I go downstairs to the looby and all I see in the vending machines are cookies, chips, candy and more candy. Do I have to blame the vending machines for my freshman, sophomore, junior and senior 15? Maybe yes. College students gain weight because they do not eat healthy. However, Del Monte Inc.  has launched a very successful campaign. The company has introduced some health snacks dispensers in schools and bus stations. It is a revolution in vending machines. I really hope that this vending machines can get here to Ozarks before I graduate to have some midnight healthy snacks.

To see more information about the healthy snacks technology and PR/Marketing strategies from the Del Monte's Banana Challenge see the following link:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303550904575562480804057778.html

About technology

 New Macbook Air

As a marketer, it is always interesting to see how companies satisfy customer's needs more everytime. A good example of this, is of course, Apple. Its most recent MacBook Air, is a super light weight, high capacity laptop that combines features of the tradictional Mac and the iPad. If you have time, see the link below to read some intersting facts and watch a professional WSJ technology expert talk about the MacBook Air features.

See more at:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304173704575578341059569632.html

Doomsday in 2012?

How do you know if your relationship is in trouble?

If you study Communication, I am sure you are familiar with all the theories about relationships, good listening skills, how to be an effective communicator, blah blah blah blah. However, I have found that if you study Communication, you can learn good techniques on how to be more analitical with your personal relationships. Knowing how to read non-verbal cues can be very useful to maintain friendships, work relations and romances. Yes, romances. As woman, I really believe that any relationship should begin with having a healthy communication. But what about if, you are having good physical contact and social life with your partner when suddenly you start noticing some of the following signals:

1. Less vocal expressivenes
2. Less smiling
3. Interactions don't flow easily
4. Increase physical distance
5. Increase in time interactions
6. Fewer intimate terms
7. Interactions are more impersonal (i.e. How is the weather?)
8. Fewer references to the future
9. Less personal languaje
10. More conflict


Do you think is it easier for women than men to react to these cues? Have you experience a situation in which you gave your best effort in a relationship that, at the end, ended up being just yours?

Reference: Interpesonal Communication. Sixth Edition. Beebe, S., Beebe, J., and Redmond, M. 2008. Pearson. New York

First miner out today!

After 68 days underground, miners are about to be saved tonight. I cannot imagine how anxious they are feeling right now. Feel the sun again, breathe fresh air,and hug their families are the things that they are going to experiment tonight after the first miner is out,thanks to a small capsule designed by some U.S engineers. Definitely, heartbreaking story and an unprecedented rescue strategy.


 What do you think they are feeling right know? Do you think we are taking many things from granted such as walking, hearing the birds sing, etc? Do you think those Chilean miners will need some time to readjust to society?


Please, leave your comments!




http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/10/12/after-68-days-underground-miners-wait-for-rescue-to-begin/?hpt=T1