Entry #10: Mother & College

     This might not be everyone's life situation but to those, WELCOME! Let me start of by saying, "it's never to late."  Yes, it's hard but I want to once thank the schools who were in charge during the pandemic 2020. There are more options for school and online has been the one that has fit in our lifestyle. 

    
This is a topic that is not new. Looking for tips and tricks, it's a great start when you are lost in the process. A motivation of many would be, giving our children a better future but let's not forget about ourselves. Where do we see ourselves working once all our kids have left home. What do we want to be doing? 

    Overall, education is important, if you can do it before starting a family, GREAT! but if you are in that part of your life and even doubting yourself,please STOP! Do it! Give yourself the opportunity to learn and move out of your comfort zone and work on you.

Entry #9: School Lunch

    

Thinking about children and their lunch time, is a topic worth discussing. It is known that school provides meals, which are typically breakfast in the beginning of the day and lunch, you would think in the middle of the day, but it follows a schedule. 

    Currently the United States schools use a food pyramid digraph which shows what should be served, this is called "MyPlate". This pyramid shows fruits and vegetables, protein, grains and dairy.

    This topic can cause a discussion because even though schools are following the guidelines, they are giving out children other foods, they rather consume. I've seen chips, candies, sodas, popcorn and crackers. Students are not eating because they prefer the junk food being sold by the own school or even given to them during lunch or recess.

    With that being said, students are rushed during lunch time. They eat what they can and throw so much good food to waste. By rushing our students, they do not receive the required foods to do good in school, my question is, what's the point of creating a food pyramid if our students are being rushed from the minute, they enter the cafeteria.

    As a parent, please look into your school cafeteria menu and find out what is in the menu. Many parents do this and create a great number of questions and we should have answers. Some advice, prepare your children meals, that way they can walk into the cafeteria, eat calmly and feed what you think is best. 

Entry #8: Finding Yourself

   

    What once was a house full of children running around and a busy mother, has turned into loneliness. Yes! It's real. The feeling is there. Raising three kids and a husband that was gone all day, all of sudden your routine changes, as a mother and wife, the feeling is valid. 

After facing the reality, one has to start finding herself. Our life was at a pause but now with time, helping financially or getting back to school are options. 

    Trying to create a new lifestyle when you are lost and trying find your-self again is difficult. There is so much that one can do but where to start or take the first step is painful.

   

    Do not feel guilty for doing so, a happy woman equals a happy home. When starting to focus on us, starting out with how much time you have and what you would like to spend your time on, takes a lot thinking.

    Books, a quick internet search, a magazine or even a TV show, is also a great start. 

    When in doubt, remember, if you were able to be a mother and survived with your children, you can do more.

    

Blog #7: Fresh

    The film FRESH is different from your typical movie. It's incredible how much information it provides in a short time, but that same information will have you thinking, "What am I really putting in my body?" From the very beginning they continue to show the real-life cycle of an animal, till it's time to eat it. How is possible that the government is changing it regulation just to make more and more cheaper. If one does not take care of what they put in their bodies, no one else will. 

     The film describes a lot of animals, but not only animals, from the cycle of the soil to the bugs that they have had and create the pesticides to get rid of. They explain how they make those but also know that it affects the consumers. unbelievable!


    A part of the film amazed me because change is possible. From the farmers and their land to the consumers. If I could recommend the film to anyone, it would be the whole world. What they are doing to us, is harmful and better ways need to be created. 

Blog # 6: Family Planning

     Growing up in a Mexican household, budgeting and living paycheck to paycheck was the norm. We don't have a lot of fond memories and when I think about those times, it motivates me to do something different as a parent. It's a life lesson that is not taught anywhere but wouldn't it be amazing to grow up exploring the world? For many families having these opportunities are extremely hard but thinking about our children sane and lifestyle, is something as us parents should consider. 

    When I began forming my family, events and outings have been included in our budget. It is a taught that does not happen overnight, but with planning and starting small, anything can happen. A few tips like organizing the age and distance is a good start. When including traveling, look up tips to save money. To make outtings easier, consider the time of year and seasons that are more affordable. Ages and interest should also be considered so planning and fun runs smoothly instead of a scary situation. For example, a picnic at the park, a drive to the beach, local hotel with a pool. Eventually it can turn into a planning that can take days for a vacation of days. Planning is the key word to a vacation that in the run long can be memorable.

    Inconclusion, family planning is a communication that can be addressed in the family to have a little fun and give our children many stories to tell. Exploring the world is a magnificent idea to create memories in a safe and healthy way. 

Entry # 5: Mayhem

                                       Watch before reading! Allstate Cat

    You have just welcomed your new cat to your home. Thats exciting! But like all cats, the entitlement and reign is theirs. You might think, a cat will complete my family but after reviewing the video, I am thinking, we have not taught of the worst.

  When starting the AD, in other words, Allstate, the man is going to impersonate a cat. It will also start describing the entitlement and what the cat will do to your home as he is doing it. It will start with small acts of attention but will progress rapidly with damage. From the beginning the cat (Allstate) will start speaking about the controlling he will have over the home and you. The toy dropping in your face, opening the faucet from the restroom that happens to be in an upper level because accidents happen, cat leaves it open and now a home renovation is about to be needed. On a side note, adding what you should already know about cats and their DNA, you can't fully blame the cat but instead be better prepared for "accidents". "Mayhem" should be this cat middle name.

    When the problems arose and you see the damage, you might think home insurance at this point was important. Let this be your sign, cats are one examples of many of a home being easily destroyed.

    He continues by clearly letting you know of cons of having a bad house insurance. With the confidence this guy in the ad carries, he can convince anyone to get Allstate insurance. 

    

Entry #4 Broken Heart + Childhood

Image Source

    Opening up about your family and its difficulties is not everyone cup of tea, but if the title caught your attention, WELCOME! This will not a fairytale blog but instead some harsh reality. No way trying to scare you away, but we are evolving, and even faster when time passes, and you are married and with children. 

    Breaking cycles should be a life lesson, I am not sure where to put it in life, but it should be taught somewhere. Many grow up in a household, with parents having their own personal traumas, that to this day they might not know of, but it had caused damaged in life that as a grown up, is hard to fix. That whole statement itself is why it is important to fix traumas so future children to not have to fix themselves later on in life.

    Growing up with a broken heart from childhood is very real and sometimes without knowing tend to do the same pattern with our children. Reading how break those cycles and maintain consistency, is a healthy way to start a change. After all, we don't want our children to feel what we have felt.

    What we decide to do as a parent to fix our inner child should not be taken lightly and shouldn't feel ashamed. In today's society, there is help, we need the help! Image a life where our children are spending their adult life with you in it, where discussion are not making you feel like a failure in parenthood. It is possible. It has to start with us having the courage to break the cycle. 

Entry #3 Mint

  

Image Source

 What is the one thing that can keep you awake in a road trip? 

    After a long day of driving, getting to our destination is our determination but it's easier said than done. Eventually eyes start getting low, sounds are less harsh, and hands get weaker. If you are an experienced driver, the must-haves are an essential part of traveling. Whether is day or night, a long or short drive, being prepared will keep you safe on the road.

       

    Gasoline stops,bathroom breaks and food runs are planned but how about a "keep me up treat?" On many occasions, the next exit is many miles away, but you remember about that treat that you had put away for emergencies, like falling asleep behind the wheel. As soon as you pull out the roll and start breaking apart the wrapper with one hand because the other one is on the steering wheel, waking up is in your mind now. The rolled-up wrapper helps conserve the fresh, aromatic, cool sensation of the herb, turned into a compact, noise maker packaging. Trying to keep it as long as possible, its entertaining. To make it last on the long road trip, let them dissolve rather than chew on them.

     Over time, you will find what keeps you awake on long roads. Whether you continuously try different techniques having a few in the glove compartment or in the cup holder, the lemon can eventually be helpful.

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Entry #2 Self-Love

    

Growing up, I wasn't taught "self-love" but instead, "wives do this and that, moms do this and that". If you have ever heard such words, please, let me tell you, it is not true. Okay, well some part is, but withing reasoning. I'm not here to speak or give advice for marriages, nor am I a therapist but I know the importance of self-love.

    Social media has created these perfect mothers, fathers, families, friends etc, but I want you to know that half of these "influencers" are using the platform to "monetize", and a successful "influencer" uses what people like to hear to engage and raise their views, and that way receive their income.

    I wanted you to know this first before I continue, because learning how to self-love is about finding yourself first. Knowing what is it that you like and how will that fit in your schedule. What might work for others might not work for you and that's okay.

    As long as we are breathing, there is options. You can try different options every single day until you get your routine going. By doing this, you are putting yourself first. Whether you do it in the mornings before everyone starts their day or by taking some time after school or work, (yes that includes housewives because it's practically a job).

    Not everyone life is the same. Some of us are mothers, students or workers. Once you find the time that best works for you, get into your likings, it can be, having more time to fix your hair the way you seen someone else do it, or do that workout that you've been procrastinating. Read a box or grab a coffee.

    A few of inspirations, can be from books, tv shows, social media, YouTube, the list is long. That is why I recommend self-love books blog and this practice blog that gives you 50 ways, really quick reading to get you moving.

    Understanding that you come first, is the first step. Knowing who is the best inspirations comes next and getting into doing something for yourself last, should be the best steps to start self-love.

    

Entry #1: ASL is not a Disability

 

   

 I must admit, this entry might be a bit personal and opinionated but as an aunt of a hard at hearing and non-verbal niece, she is your typical 2-year-old. Her family we're very fast on catching her diagnosis and immediately started with a mentor to teach her what might just be her first language. 

    After letting the family know of her diagnosis, it was a hard moment, but my sister-in-law found out so much information and what the state of Arizona offered for her. I was so determined to learn right with them. I was surprised that GCC offered an ASL class, and it could be added as a Language Course. It was starting to be a learning environment for family and me. I was in happy tears when my children and husband were catching up on the language as well. All because we decided to not give up and instead practice it right with her. Google as always, a search engine, gave us a few websites that I really enjoyed like ''Signing Savvy'' and Gallaudet University ASL course. 

    I am very much excited spending my time in learning the new language. Definitely have a very big motive in doing so and it's making it much easier. In my opinion ASL should be taught more. Deaf or hard at hearing persons should not be discriminated against and we should instead be willing to learn something new.

Practice Being One

    If you are like me and just realizing that there is an easier way to
learn about product, business or person, a quick blog might be the best fit. A simple search in the web with your liking and adding "blog" at the end is so fascinating. For example, past events like the world cup had many writers talk not only about soccer but cultural differences and definitely got the reader intrigued, like me.

 

From motherhood writing like ''top-mom-blogs'' to self-improving blogs", topics that might or not be for everyone. From "gossip blogs or how to lose weight blogs (my least favorite). Learning how to search for your favorite blog is not hard at all. A welcoming header, a funny statement in the beginning or an encouraging quote, there is so much more. Pictures, graphic or even data charts, some blogs have it all! Personal experiences are a favorite of many. Reading and understanding someone's else point of view because you can identify yourself, can't beat that. 

 

In my opinion, blogs have it all in the fast-paced world we live in.