Blurred

Blurred
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

...just like my past week of vacation was. Back to work for three days and then off to Santa Fe to meet up with fanmencas. My first vacation getaway in over a year since I bought the house. Thank goodness will have another week off in July and then a three day weekend in August to host Ms. Linda. Usually, I don' t look forward to summer because of the unbearable heat...(usually go into hibernation) but this one should be nicer to bear. Tomorrow is June 1st and the first day of hurricane season. UGH! I sure hope Houston is spared a bit this time, not that I wish a hurricane on anyone else but not ready for another Ike.

The Graduate

The Graduate
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

Accidents and inspiration lead you to your destination...(words and music by Mary Chapin Carpenter)

Back around the year 2000, I accidentally ran into Kim after stepping outside from my office to catch a breath of fresh air and looked to my right and here comes this student. She was like no other student I had seen before as she was walking with a cane steadfastly to the bus stop with tears in her eyes. She had just failed her Algebra exam and had made up her mind, “that’s it, I’m quitting college”. Well, to make a long story short, she didn’t quit college. I made her come into my office and the very next semester with the help of tutors she turned that F into an A. She struggled and persevered beyond her visual limitations and two years later had graduated, separated from her abusive husband and met Jhon her current husband and also visually impaired.

Over the years we kept in touch and became good friends...(because of Chulo as he was a gift from Kim). Funny how it all went by so fast and now she’s looking over her shoulder at the past….accidents and inspiration lead you to your destination. She’ll tell you that I inspired her that first day we met but I can tell you that today she inspired me and never ceases to amaze me. Today, Kim received her Master’s degree from the Graduate College of Social Work at the University of Houston, my alma matter (undergrad) and I was never more prouder or honored to witness her success and inspiration as she graduated Summa Cum Laude (highest honors) not once but three times as she did with her Associates and Bachelor’s degree. So here’s to you Kim and to Jhon as he continues to amaze me as well. This summer he will be finishing top of his class from the Massage Therapy program at the community college where I work. Kim has limited vision but Jhon is completely blind but to meet these two individuals you would never know it. Never once, have I heard either complain about their limitations and in fact you’re more likely to hear them make jokes about it.

As an academic counselor at the college, I love this time of the year when commencement comes around as it's a time of celebration and jubilation in academia. Over the years, I've attended many graduation ceremonies but today's was special and I was honored to witness such success and perseverance. Congratulations to the Graduate and the class of 2009 for today was your destination Kim.

Cuppies

Cuppies
Originally uploaded by :Eureka:

When life hands lemons you can always make cuppies instead! Photo and cuppies by my niece who sadly will be moving back home to finish college. We'll (Chulo & me) miss you Erika. Don't forget about us and be sure to come back and visit and make more CUPPIES!

Happy Mother's Day

Impatiens Walleriana
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

for all the mom's out there. I got a nice card from my niece and nephews for being a nice substitute mom to them. It was much appreciated. I can't believe it's May already! Where it time going? Seems like just yesterday we were celebrating Christmas.

A Smile for the Weekend

Saw this last weekend

and it just makes me smile

everytime I see it.

I've been following the adventures of Alvin

by the wonderful Horse Whisperer on Flickr.

Love Story meets Coldplay

Two of my fav songs mixed into one beautifully

Kudos to Jon Schmidt

Not Even Close!

Best Biker Scenes

The Best Day

Found this here. Warning a bit sappy...especially if you don't like country music.

Just in time for Mother's Day!
Check out the just-released video

for Taylor Swift's song about her mother,

The Best Day,

made entirely of home videos.
Super cute! And touching!
We cried.

...and I cried too. I'm big fan of Taylor Swift. My niece couldn't believe I was a fan but such talent for such a young lady is beautiful to see and hear.

R.I.P. Pussycat

Another

Golden Girl

has passed on.

The Golden Girls show rocked

and was groundbreaking comedy at its very best.

It never failed to take away my sadness when I was feeling down.

Thank you for being a friend and

say hi to Sophia.
I'm sure there's a lot of laughter going on up there.

Post- T-storm

Post- T-storm
Originally uploaded by :Eureka:

its funny how after all the terrible weather/ tornado watches/ flooding... the skies can change into a beautiful masterpiece again, as if they were there the whole time.

Photo and words by Erika Rivera.

...and the cleanup begins. Thankfully house did not flood but backyard is a mess. Puddles of water everywhere and even in the bird cage where the parakeets are. It was bad! Sadly, 5 kids lost their lives when the car they were riding in lost control and plunged into a swollen ravine and perished. Only 2 have been found and the others are thought to have been swept away. Please pray for the families.

Slow Motion

Look out below
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

Drinking tea this Good Friday morn and so thankful to be off today. It's been a very stressful week at work and I so need a slow motion day like today to unwind. A chance of rain is expected later today of which I hope we do get some. Already temps are warming fast. Tuesday morn temps were in the upper 30's and currently we're at a balmy 72.

I feel like I'm coming down with a cold or something and been trying to fight it off but it's lingering. Taking time this early morn to relax, read a bit, maybe drum and then the afternoon will be to tidy up around the house. I think this eve, I will make some shrimp quesadillas with a salad and a glass of wine. Might watch a DVD. It's been so long since I've seen a good movie.

Yes, this Easter weekend looks to be low key and that's just what the doctor ordered.

Happy Monday

Rocky Balboa
Originally uploaded by :Eureka:

Happy Monday and Happy Drumming! Only Monday that I might say that because it's a short week. Happy Drumming because I just got some new drumming cd's and I'm anxious to go home and try them out. In the meantime here's a photo of "a real dog" as my brother always says because mine doesn't chase after balls. He prefers to chase squirrels instead! ;-)

TGIF

0320091939a.jpg
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

It's been a rainy/humid week but a cool front is coming our way and should clear things out just in time for the weekend.

A Toast

A Toast
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

"Thank you home, for allowing me to live within your walls.


Thank you for giving me shelter, warmth, and security.


Thank you for allowing me to live my life in your womb, for staying strong and sturdy, for supporting me, and for your beauty.


Thank you earth, for the land that I live on and for allowing me to steward life with you.


Thank you for allowing me to walk upon your soil, cultivate you, and live in partnership with you.


Thank you for supporting my home and my family.


Thank you... plants, minerals, and animals that dwell on the land that I steward.


Thank you for allowing me to experience your beauty, share in your wonderment of life, and for the honor of living with all of you on this earth.


Thank you for the wisdom and joy you bring to humanity.


I honor you."

taken from Daily Om.

Celebrating a year in my year my house and just finished painting the last room, so a celebration was in order. Special thanks go out to my parents and family for their endless support and help. To my friends who have been so instrumental in the past year from the very first day to now and you know who you are. I have been truly blessed and as the days and months go by I am mystified by all the signs that brought me to where I am today and it all started here. Tomorrow, I will begin working on my new altar (now that my meditation room is painted) and he will take his rightful place for I truly believe that he brought me here. As I close this blog and get ready to meditate, I am listening to "Silence: No More Longing" by Ottmar Liebert and it is a fitting tribute in which to honor this special day.

Friday the 13th

Myths and Legends explained here and here

Very interesting to read about indeed.

I'm hoping 3/13/09 will be a lucky day and not a bad day...

besides as of 4:30 p.m., it'll be the start of Spring Break vacation!

Thank goodness for Academia!

Chasing Pavements

Totally in love with the titled song by Adele.

She won a Grammy for best new artist and a well deserved accolade indeed.

This woman rocks and her voice

is simply amazing and she's only 20!

Nice article here, which contains a few snipets of her songs.

I can totally relate to the "Chasing Pavements" song as

that's what I feel I've been doing the past year and a half at times.

Spring Forward

0307091810b.jpg
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

First of all, whose idea was it to switch back to daylight savings time so early into the month already. Spring hasn't even officially arrived! I am so CONFRUSED, and no that's not spelled wrong! Thankfully, Spring Break is only a few days away. Time for some R & R and putting some finishing paint touches on the house.

I'm an Owl!

Actually I already knew that but this just confirmed it for me.

Let me just ask..."whose idea was it to make the change in time so early"?

I don't mind it being darker later but sure hate to loose an hour's sleep.

Personally, I think the whole thing is backwards!

It would seem that with winter you want the reverse time switch...

where it gets darker later and

in summer because of the heat you want the time change to coincide

with having less light/heat, bringing on the early nightfull and a

reprieve from the heat of the day.

Ceremony

Ceremony
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

For some time I've been wanting to purchase a drum and become part of a ceremony by way of drumming (Native American). As I near the milestone of my 50th birthday, I decided that the time was finally here and this past weekend I became the proud owner of a 15 inch Dark Buffalo Hide Drum (hand made). The creator of the drum was Deborah and she writes:

This drum skin was surprisingly dark and finished dark and somewhat translucent in nature. It has a maple frame and is made by hand requiring 6 hours to produce.
This drum also has a stick made EXCLUSIVELY for it and no other.

There were two drums to choose from and I chose the Buffalo drum or rather it chose me as Deborah states..."the drum should sing to you". Buffalo Wisdom Includes:
*Earth Creativity
*Feminine courage
*Abundance and Generosity
*Knowledge
*Hospitality and Sharing work
*Courage and Strength
*Challenge and Survival
*Giving for the greater good
*Formulating beneficial plans

In the near future, I am looking forward to joining a drumming circle. Until then I will continue to drum and find my own rhythm. Side note: Chulo isn't too happy about the drumming as he tends to burrow under his bed and hide.

Thank you to Deborah Lane/SheGoesLaughing for her gift and insight. For more information see her website.

Only Chulo!

DSC01169
Originally uploaded by :Eureka:

My niece took this and it just cracks me up! That's my dog!