Speed of Sound

Music: Speed of Sound, Coldplay
Mood: Flying

I'm on vacation this week and the days are flying by at the speed of sound. Remember, when you were in grade school and the days didn't go by fast enough. Now, they pass by almost as fast as the speed of sound. Speaking of sound...I am hooked on the new song by Coldplay and right now the song has been on repeat. The video is great too. I love this band and Chris Martin is da bomb. I wish I could write song lyrics like him. He is brillant. The song makes me feel like flying.

Birds go flying at the speed of sound

to show you how it all began

and if you could see it then you'd understand

Look up, I look up at night

and see planets moving at the speed of light...

Memorial Day

Lest we forget the reason for today's holiday.

Please take a moment to remember that some gave all.

Fallen Heroes

Of Operation Iraqi Freedom

1647 and counting

as of Saturday, May 28th.

In Special Memory of Tomas Sotello

Gifts from the Sea

Gifts from the Sea
Originally uploaded by nieve44.

Sea shells? What is it about shells that makes us-especially women collect them and hold onto them as if they were gold? For me, it's the shape, the color and the beauty of such an object. Each shell is unique and a reminder that we too are unique.

At the Office

Originally uploaded by nieve44.

I love my office! It is my home away from home. We've all heard the saying "you are what you eat" well my new one is "you are where you work" :-)

Additional pics can be seen on Flickr.

LE Proof

For Boris

Contents of LE Box that now includes Moleskine notebook. ;-)

Bought It-Copycat

I too went out and bought it! See Matt's blog on Bought it! IT is a Moleskine Notebook. Ever since I started blogging I found myself needing another journal of sorts but one for those other private thoughts that I may not always want to post. Or thoughts that came to me in the middle of the night or early morning--especially when traveling and when I can't get to a computer. Moleskine was the answer to my prayers as they have a pocket mini notebook AND I found a great place to keep it--in my LE box from La Semana that sits on my nightstand. I already had the magic pencil and pen too. Maybe I'll bring it with me to the next Ottmar concert for a possible autograph since he started it for us Fanmencos.

When I Close My Eyes...

Music: In the Arms of Love, Ottmar Liebert
Mood: Dreamy-eyed

I borrowing one of Ottmar's songs from the above CD for my blog today

When I close my eyes...
...I'm sleeping
...I'm thinking
...I'm praying
...I'm meditating
...I'm laughing
...I'm happy
...I'm sad
...I'm crying
...I'm thinking of you and me
...I'm thinking of him
...I'm thinking of they
...I'm thinking of loved ones
...I'm wishing on a falling star
...I'm hoping for peace
...I'm breathing
...I'm quiet
...I'm thinking aloud
...I'm taking a vacation
...I'm riding on a magic carpet
...I'm dreaming on the starlight train.

Cutie Pie

Cutie Pie #2
Originally uploaded by nieve44.

Greetings from sunny, hot and humid Texas. It's definitely shorts and sandals time here in Houston. Our lil man Ethan turned 1 year old last month and his mom posted a photo which I borrowed from their Texas Childrens Web Site. She sends this latest update from his last visit to the doctor, "GOOD NEWS. He's been taken off his last medication so we're just enjoying all the blessings".

Yes, God is Good and He still performs miracles. Hard to believe that Ethan was so sick before the holidays and here he is laughing and smiling and being a kid.

Happy Birthday

Today was my brother's birthday! ...he cut off his mustache....looks better with it.

...btw, my brother is a miracle child. He is a twin child but regretably his younger brother (Armando) died at birth. My brother Arnold, barely weighed 2 lbs when he was born. The doctors gave him 24 hours to live but thankfully he pulled through which if you stop and think some 40+ years ago was quite a medical miracle. I often wonder how different life would have been had Armando been a part of our lives. My brother is quite handsome if I say so myself and has always drawn the eyes of the ladies but he's happily married and has three kids that I spoil.

Worlds Apart

her world...

his world...

your world...

my world...

our world...

worlds apart...

what worlds?

Rest in Peace...

For the Jasso family

my thoughts and prayers are with you

over the loss of your beloved mother, Juliana.

My Tranquility

Water3
Originally uploaded by nieve44.

Water is blue
Water is calm
Water is silence
Water is serenity
Water is harmony
Water is gushing
Water is cold
Water is hot
Water is fear...if it's uncontrollable
Water is rain
Water is beckoning
Water is rushing
Water is a warm shower
Water is a babbling brook
Water is stillness
Water is rhythm
Water is clear
Water is agua
Water is bella
Water is running
Water is flowing
Water is life
Water is dripping
Water is a ripple
Water is a cleanser of the soul
Water is nature's poetry
Water is sacred
Water is the Creator
Water is tranquility...my tranquility.

Happy Mother's Day...

Originally uploaded by nieve44.

Music: Mi Amor, Armik
Mood: Smiling

...thanks mom for all that you've done. You're the best!

...BTW, photo is dated October 1959...you can do the Math.

Bringer of Light

light
Originally uploaded by nieve44.

Music: Waiting 4 Stars to Fall
Mood: Chillin

I found this cool water fountain for my office. At $10 bucks it was a bargain and even has colorful light bulb that illuminates the water. My office rocks if I say so myself. Students walk in and say the same thing. It is my oasis--a place of refuge for myself and the students I serve. Many of my students face difficult challenges trying to accomplish their goal of a college education and I want to offer a place of refuge. I read that my first name which is Lucille name means, "Light: one who brings light". In my office I've created a light, open and welcoming environment and try to offer a ray of light and a shoulder to lean on.

I've got Ottmar playing in the background and a miniature Zen rock garden that helps to set the tone. A small statue of Budda and Shiva flank the rock garden on each side and of course lots of plants and usually a fresh flower on my desk each week. Sometimes students don't want to leave my office. Of course I love it when they ask what kind of music is playing. :-)

May is the time of graduation and this week I've recieved 5 invites from previous students I've worked with who are graduating which is what makes my job so rewarding.

05/05/05

...the 5's are wild today and all over the place!

HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!

Salud y Viva la Vida!

I Couldn't Resist

U2Concert
Originally uploaded by nieve44.

Music can be expensive between buying CD's and concert tickets...but hey this is my only vice! Something to look forward too to get me through the long hot summer. Waiting for Ottmar's December performance to go on sale to add another ticket to my collection. Now if I can just get that iPod!

the attached picture of my U2 concert ticket has been removed to prevent any duplication/scanning of my ticket.

Aqua Rhythms

Water7
Originally uploaded by nieve44.

A Sunday stroll on the University of Houston Central campus.