Thursday, September 24, 2009

Internet above 10,000 ft

I am surprised to see that Delta has started this new Internet service on board. So I am posting this while flying to San Diego... isn't it cool? It just made me create a new post to talk about it, this is awesome!

Friday, September 4, 2009

Go green!

Green is the new black. Society knows. I know. Do you know? Whether if you like being trendy or not, it is important to take action to preserve the Earth.

The following is just some of the stuff that I do. You probably know a lot more, but I wanted to do my bit here:

1. Simply recycle. This is the basics. Keep at least three different trash containers at home: one for the organic waste, a second one for plastic and cans and another container for paper. Glass needs to go on a separate bag too. I know it changes from one country to another, but just do it, no excuses here.

2. Go organic: organic food is not only good for you, it is good for the environment and it helps the local economy. Hence, it is good for everyone. Period.

3. Do not throw used vegetable cooking oil away. Recycle it!: that 1 l. of olive oil that you throw down the kitchen sink can contaminate up to 1,000 l. of water. However, if you recycle it, it can turn into soap or biofuel.

4. Cars are not that cool. Try to walk, ride a back or even use public transportation everytime you can. Since it can be a hassle at some places like California, try at least to carpool. Or get a hybryd car. Oh and this will help your economy too.

5. Drink tap water: I heard there is a big campaign in Norway encouraging people not to drink bottled water. Think of all the plastic waste (and the money, again) that you can save.

6. Use tote bags when you go grocery shopping. So you don't use the paper/plastic bags from the market. And if you do, read #1 again.

7. Save on energy. Use a blanket to keep you warm if it is not freaking cold in the winter, turn the TV off when you are not watching it, etc. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs instead of the old incandescent ones. Did I mention money here?

8. Wait for the dishwasher and the washing machine to be completely full. It is such a waste of water otherwise. And a waste of time. And a waste of money. Clear?

9. Do not wear fur. Watch one of those videos where animals are killed for this purpose and you will know what I am talking about.


These are just some simple steps you can take but there are way more than these. Just check the Internet. And help the Earth and yourself.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Kids... they can be so right!

I found this extremely funny and wanted to share with you, so I took some time to translate it. It's an article from a Spanish newspaper where kids answer to different questions about love and relationships. So good!

KID MATTERS
The following is a survey made to children who are ten years old or younger:

1. How to decide who to marry:

"You should look for someone who likes the same things as you do. If you like to watch soccer, then she should like that you like it so she can bring you chips and beer" (Alonso, 10 y.o.)

2. What's the best age to get married?

"The best age to get married is 23, because you will have known your husband for at least ten years" (Paula, 10 y.o.)

"There is no best age to get married. You're stupid if you want to get married" (Francisco, 8 y.o.)

3. When is the best time to give the first kiss?

"When the man is rich" (Patricia, 7 y.o.)

"When you kiss a girl you have to marry her and have children with her. That's how it is" (Enrique, 8 y.o.)

4. What do your parents have in common?

"They don't want to have more children" (Laura, 8 y.o.)

5. What do people do on the first date?

"On the first date people tell lies, so they can get a second date" (Martin, 10 y.o.)

6. What would you do if your first date was a disaster?

"I'd go back home and pretend I'm dead. Then I'd call the Media" (Jose, 9 y.o.)

7. Is it better to be married or single?

"Girls are better off single, but boys need someone to clean the house" (Ana, 9 y.o.)

8. What needs to be done so marriage is a success?

"You have to tell your wife that she's pretty. Even if she looks like a truck" (Ricardo, 10 y.o.)


#5 is my favorite!

You can see the original here

Monday, August 17, 2009

I am myself and my circumstance

"And when you're fifteen, don't forget to look before you fall
I've found time can heal most anything
And you just might find who you're supposed to be
I didn't know who I was supposed to be at fifteen"

I was listening to Taylor Swift's Fifteen (yes, I gave up on this one) and right when I heard these verses I started to wonder if the girl is even right. When I was young I had my whole life planned, I knew what I wanted to do and who I wanted to be. But do I know who I am supposed to be now that I am way older than fifteen?

I guess not.

I didn't foresee that uncertainty regarding my life and my persona would get bigger the older I got. Maybe we are not as powerful as we think we are and plans and willings are not enough. As
José Ortega y Gasset, Spanish philosopher, said, "I am myself and my circumstance". Does that mean that fate plays a big part in our lives? I want to think that I have control over mine but honestly, how many doors will close for us and how many will open? How will we know if our plans meet the circumstances?

Oh life... but hey, isn't it exciting?

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

"It doesn't matter which side of the fence you get off on sometimes. What matters most is getting off. You cannot make progress without making decisions," Jim Rohn


Sometimes I wish I didn't have to make decisions. As if only one option was possible, so I could not blame myself if the latter was wrong. I find it hard sometimes to deal with the resposibility of chosing one thing over the other.


But I just know I have to get off that fence...

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Forever young, I want to be forever young...

Oh, summertime... why does it feel so unseasonal this year?

In an attempt to feel the essence of summer I buried myself under a bunch of books that I plan to read before summer ends. It's probably a lot, but not having Internet at my beach house probably helps. As well as the fact that almost all my friends from the summer town are either working or studying, so I'm pretty much by myself. I took it as time to meditate, relax, and get a wonderful tan. Oh, and did I mention books? There's not better moment in time to read than while watching the sunset at the beach, if you haven't tried it, please do so.

One of the books that I came across is Deepak Chopra's Ageless Body, Timeless Mind : The Quantum Alternative to Growing (1993).

My mom got me this book when she found out about Chopra's centers in La Jolla, CA. Since it talks about aging, I thought it was not the proper time to read it... not yet. But then I realized that time passes by faster than we think and that some positive thinking would help. I love how he talks about the power of our minds when it comes to getting old and controlling our body's most basic physiological functions. As our inmune system improves when we fall in love, or weakens when we are depressed, our bodies, our "matter", can be affected positively if we have a positive attitude.

I haven't read much of it yet but I just liked how he considers human beings and their interaction something more than mere chemical reactions. There has to be something else out there.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

I love life!

Sorry for the lack of updates but my life has been pretty hectic lately.

I barely have time to write something right now, but I just wanted to share my love to life with you. My dad went to hospital this morning for a checkup and the doctor found a couple of polyps that were removed instantly. At first I was scared, since those polyps need to be examined to check whether they are malignant or not. But then the doctor said that no matter what happens, the polyps are gone and my dad will be alright.

I realized that, no matter what, we need to stay positive and enjoy life to the fullest.

Carpe diem! Rejoice while you are alive; enjoy the day; live life to the fullest; make the most of what you have. It is later than you think. - Horace

Thanks doctors for taking care of my dad. And thanks God for giving us LIFE.