Do what you Love...Love what you do

This is what I love...the power behind sports! Y el que me diga lo contrario (fueron muchos), se puede ir pa' tu sabes donde..."porque mejor no te vas hacer un MBA?"..."que es eso de sports management, con eso no vas a conseguir trabajo"..."porque te vas para alla, eso no lo dan aqui?" (my personal favorite).

Anyways, that's beside my point. Take a look at this video clip and you'll know what i'm talking about, it's about 7 minutes, but well worth it. Enjoy!

http://www.poweroftheinvisiblesun.com/video.html

Peace out,

LD

Entonces...ahora que?

ATHENS, GA - Bueno mi gente, que hay en agenda para esta semana? Las paginas Endi.com y facebook (mis fuentes informativas) estan aburridas! Entre orita y me encuentro con esta noticia en primera plana: "Chatea con Ednita". Aparentemente ahora puedo chatear con Ednita a travez de endi.com. Woohoo Tremendo....veryyy interesting...not really!

Quiero ver a Fortu modelando su linea nueva de camisas manga larga Lacoste. Las que le regalo Luce por su gran labor en su primera emergencia nacional. Imaginense cuando le toque un huracan! Se tardara horas en llegar a la conferencia de prensa buscando un jacket como el que se ponia Rosello, pero con la silhueta del cocodrilo. Se acuerdan de Rosello en los huracanes?

No les quiero dañar el dia hablando de Rosello, volviendo al tema. Puerto Rico...necesito noticia de la buena!! Ya apagaron el fuego y la gente de facebook dejo de publicar "mobile uploads" de la nube cada 5 minutos. Ahora quiero ver videos del tapon que se forma en el expreso, gracias a los noveleros que se pasan mirando y tomando fotos de los tanques quemados. Y si quieren pongan 2 o 3 de las fotos de los tanques tambien. Que mas da? Ya lo peor paso.

Calle 13 no insulto a nadie este fin de semana...Santini where are you? Y por supuesto sin olvidar, el paro nacional, en que paró?

Me alcahuetiaron con "noticia de la buena" por 3 semanas y ahora me ponen a chatear con Ednita. Pero nada, que les puedo decir, esta mejor que la misma noticia del h1n1 "over and over and over". Ese es el caso aca en abc news, nbc news, fox, cnn, la prangana news, etc.

Don't get me wrong. El TODAY Show me fascina, es mas, mi dia no es el mismo si no escucho a mis TV friends Kathy Lee and Hoda y el informe del tiempo de mi BFF Al Roker. Me hace falta Susan y su pronostico de lluvia 24/7 por irse a la segura, seguido por Walter Mercado con el horoscopo.

Vamos PR! Se que no me vas a defraudar. Publicame algo entretendido y "news worthy". No me pongas a Ednita en primera plana. Ponme al dia en cuanto a los desempleados que Fortu & Friends quieren mandar a recojer cafe en la montaña. Dame updates de CAPECO de una manera ultra dramatica aunque no hayan resuelto nada.

Ahi te la dejo. Make me proud.

LD

Impromptu fun and decompression recap

It's like they say...all good things must come to an end. Summer’s gone until next year, and it took my tan along for the ride. Flip flops and shorts are out of the question and don’t you dare wear white after Labor Day. Yep! It’s official, fall is here. Pick your favorite college football team, MLB playoff team or NFL franchise because the season is here. That’s all you will hear for the next few months and if you don’t like sports and have to live with someone who obsesses over them, it’s a long road ahead for you my friend.

Fall brought a few midterms with her, which I am glad to report are over by now and I’ve passed with flying colors. I also view Autumn as el tiempo de la hinchera! My skin decides to turn a weird yellowish/brownish color this time of year, not cool. But hey, don’t get me wrong, I love fall. Nothing like a crisp, sunny, mid to low 60 degree day in Athens, especially if that day is spent on the golf course or downtown with good company.

The weather changes, and so do ones clothes, but shopping for fall clothes has never been a problem for me.

Speaking of shopping, I had an awesome post-midterm, impromptu, decompression weekend with a visit from a good friend. We frequented ATL’s shopping districts and were very productive throughout the weekend, to say the least. But don’t worry, we left a few things out there for others to purchase. Saturday’s weather was crazzyyy though! 40 degrees brrr…We also went to this funny restaurant here in Athens, there are really no words to describe it. All I can say is they serve Latin food (which was very good…yummy), the owners come from South/Central American descent, they had really cool t-shirts that said "Spanglish Inc." and they were playing “El Amor” by Tito el Bambino. Check out the pics and the video clip below.

El party bus, quiero celebrar mi cumplea~os ahi!!

Esa pava estaba janguiando ahi en las matas, I had to do it!

This time of year also brings season premieres and my new favvvv show “Modern Family”. If you haven’t watched it, PLEASE DO! I urge you, it is hilarious! It’s one of the few sitcoms to come out recently where you will find yourself laughing out loud, even if you are watching by yourself. Which is the case for me.

Grad school is still attempting to kick my booty, but no worries…I GOT IT! Thanksgiving break is approaching, well not really, but I like to think it is. Got my plane ticket to go home for x-mas break…I will grace you with my presence on Dec. 12. Which reminds me, I miss you guys! Come visit me…I know Athens doesn’t sound as exciting as New York, Las Vegas or Orlando (for all you Disney fans out there), but it’s a pretty cool, trendy town.

Alrighty my peeps, good times were had last weekend and even better ones to come, until next time! In the meantime, plenty of shows to watch and lots to of schoolwork to procrastinate on!

LD

Y cuando, cuando, cuando es?? Ahora, Ahora, Ahora es!!

Warning: No hay acentos! No se como ponerlos en Laura's Mini.

Hoy, 15 de octubre, mis compañeros de clase se dedican a discutir la importancia entre "marginal revenue, marginal cost and revenues produced by winning games in Atlanta vs. Kansas City". Sin embargo, yo me dedico a darle refresh a endi.com para ver el " play by play" del Paro. Por ende, quiero compartir con ustedes las loqueras random que estan occuriendo en las calles de Hato Rey. Esto occurre mientras otros trabajamos, estudiamos y nos preocupamos por tomar las medidas que nos llevaran a actuar por el bien comun de nuestra sociedad.

Esta es mi favorita>>> 11:15 a.m. - Un fuerte olor a huevo se impregna en la avenida Roosevelt, luego que los manifestantes los arrojaran en la calle.
jajaja!!

Seguida por>> 10:59 a.m. - Varios manifestantes sacían el hambre y la sed con cervezas frías y pinchos de pollo.
Que seria una congrecaion sin pinchos!

10:58 a.m. - Por $1, los manifestantes tiran dos huevos contra un panel con los rostros del Gobernador y su gabinete.
En serio?? El huevo incident is sooo last week.

Esta esta buena:
10:51 a.m. - -“Siento vergüenza de que mi país tenga un gobierno fascista”, dijo Vivian Rodríguez.
10:50 a.m. - Vivian Rodríguez y su progenitora, María A. Gomez, de 82 años, viajaron desde Nueva York y se unieron al grupo del Movimiento Amplio de Mujeres, a la Central Puertorriqueña de Trabajadores y a la Coordinadora Unitaria de Trabajadores del Estado. Esos grupos acaban de arribar al punto de encuentro de las organizaciones en protesta.
Facista??? Are you kidding me?? Vivian, hellooo tu no vives aqui! Tu pichastes hace tiempo...Tu tienes trabajo por Nueva Yollll. Regresa antes de que vean piketiando en las noticias y te boten!

10: 37 a.m. - Llegan al punto final de encuentro en la Roosevelt delegaciones de populares de Juncos, Comerío, Dorado y Caguas, con mensajes como “las habichuelas de mi familia son sagradas”.
Yo me pregunto...Porque son sagradas?? Que cubitos usas?? Cuanto tiempo llevan a~ejando el sofrito?

7:28 a.m. - "Espero que me vaya bien", dice Alejandro Álvarez, propietario del "Carrito del Sabor", un establecimiento ambulante que tiene como clientela fija a los empleados bancarios de la Milla de Oro.
Alejandro lo que quiere es vender tripletas!

11:45 a.m. -Un comerciante ambulante vende mantecado a precio especial para las personas despedidas de sus empleos en una colorida guagua a la que acuden manifestantes para aplacar el calor que impera casi al mediodía.

9:46 a.m. – Arranca, desde el Departamento de Educación, la marcha de maestros al ritmo del tema “Wanabí” del grupo Fiel a la Vega.
El paro le vino bien a Fiel a la Vega!! They're making a comeback!

9:43 a.m. – En la Roosevelt, Wilda Rodriguez calculó que miles de universidades y escuelas están sin clases, los muelles están parados, las calles están vacías, las guaguas de transportación pública están detenidas y el centro comercial Plaza Las Américas está cerrado. "Paramos el País", reclamó.

Si Wilda "paraon el pais". Pero todavia hay millones de ciudadanos que no paraon sus vidas para que el pais siguiera funcionando. Las oficinas de los medicos y las salas de emergencia siguen llenas, los fast food no se vacian, el que no pudo cojer la guagua se fue en pon y Plaza cerro pero nos fuimos para los outlets.

Dime Wilda, que vas a hacer mañana? Como vas a planificar un mejor futuro para ti y tu familia Pero mas importante como vas a contribuir hacia el bien comun? Vas para los outlets?
Esto es un anuncio pagado..jajaja

Es como dijo el gran Teddy K. en la convencion Democratica del 1980. "The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die."

Seguiremos informando,
LD

Observing Human Behavior @ SLC

This type of behavior is just boggling my mind. Why do people come to the library to SLEEP?...And don’t even get me started on the gossip social hour that goes on here, starring the “I Love Everything Apple/MAC Sorority Club”. Not to mention, those girlfriends who bring splendidly smelling food to their significant other. EAT, something I’ve wanted to do since like 5pm. Can’t wait until Christmas…clogged arteries here I come!

Getting back to the point. People falling asleep in the library...Seriously!! Not only do they fall asleep but it’s the way in which they choose to do it. It’s as if they planned it all along. They pick the most relaxing, comfortable chair positioned in the quietest area of the entire building. Then what do they do? First, they take out all of their books, computer, snacks, cell phone, I-pods, I-phones, keys, drinks, etc. etc. Second, they place all of this stuff on the side table beside their chair. Third, they usually put on a hoody to cover their heads, take their shoes off and put their feet up on the ottoman. Which I may add is pretty gross. I don’t want to sit on a chair that had some unknown persons nasty feet junk on it.

Finally, they proceed to cuddle themselves in the nice, comfy leather chair, close their eyes and BAM they’re asleep. The before falling asleep part usually varies depending on a person, some might text, others might set an alarm, others might pretend they are readying. WTF? Why are you here? Don’t come here to take up some much needed comfortable library space during midterms. Go home, take a nap then come back and be productive. For the record, I tried to take a picture of this scene but someone just sat right in front of me and blocked my vision. Arrggg. Speaking of being productive, someoneee should get to that. I did waste quite some time observing human beings and their behavioral patterns at the Student Learning Center.

Three down, one more question to go in my sport history midterm>>“It cannot be denied that the integration of baseball was the right thing and far too long in coming. Nonetheless social change of this magnitude does not come without costs. Evaluate these costs and perhaps consider integration in a broader context than sports.” Once again, I’m challenged to write about my race and how we were looked upon as being “unworthy” of competing at the highest level of sport. If the so called “worthy” of the early 20th century could see me know. Female, brown, a golfer, in college and living in the South. Someone must be rolling over in his grave.

Any thoughts that could enlighten me?? If not, its oka I think “I GOT IT !!”

With that said, I’m out like a fat kid in dodge ball.

Peace,
LD

My take: Obama's Nobel Peace Prize

La ignoracia es atrevida...Never before has that saying made more sense than right now. As we heard this morning Pres. Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. In my opinion, the move was a great decision and speaks very highly of how much the image of the United States has changed around the world since Obi became prez.

However, it's incredible how many people have expressed their negativity toward the subject. Thanks to the wonderful world of FB, I got to see a few status updates this morning relating to this matter. For example people wrote: "What a joke"..."Nobel peace prize for Obama..really? you gotta be kidding me"..."Why him, he's not Nelson Mandela, what has he done?"

True, he is not Nelson Mandela. He is not Mother Teresa. It's also true that he has not undertaken a 7 month-long fast to stop the war in Iraq (he looks pretty healthy to me). And true, he's only been in office for 7 months.

But we have to understand and put into perspective the real reason behind the award. Alfred Nobel, who instituted the Peace Prize, stipulated that the peace prize should go "to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between the nations and the abolition or reduction of standing armies and the formation and spreading of peace congresses."

It's not about what he has "done". It's about what he has the power to do. And right now, at this point in time when things in the world aren't all happy and jolly he has the power and capability and is working very hard to contribute to Peace. He's pointing the world in the right direction.

Like Obama said himself "It's a call to action". It means the world knows the great things he is capable of doing in the future and they are recognizing him for it. Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, who won the prize in 1984, said Obama's award shows great things are expected from him in coming years. He said: "It is an award that speaks to the promise of President Obama's message of hope."

The previously listed FB statements really offended me, and let me just say for the record, I am not easily offended. On the other hand, when it comes to ignorant individuals who express themselves with uneducated comments toward subjects I am particularly sensitive about, I get pissed. To make matters worse, most of these statements were made by young adults. Those same young adults whose future Obama wants to improve by promoting hope & peace.

So my message to these folks is: Do your research people, come on! Before you get out there and express yourself through the written word, put your brain into action and think for a CHANGE.

Obi totally deserves the prize, he's a great role model for people like me. Those of us who have a positive outlook on the future. And most importantly, those of us who are committed to being "the change you want to see in the world."

Politics is not my thing, never has been and probably never will. However, this is one politician has caught my attention since day 1. He's inspired me to believe that there are great things ahead. Not only for me, but for society as a whole.

Today, I leave you with a song from MJ "Heal the world...make it a better place." jajaja..just kidding.

Going back to all seriousness.

I leave you with this amazing quote from Gandhi. (Those of you who have lived with me or visited my home at any point in time, know that I keep this on my fridge). It's been my mantra since I heard it from his son, who came to speak at my university several years ago.

"Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behaviors. Keep your behaviors positive because your behaviors become your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny."

Until next time.

LD

Scratch U2 from the bucket list

So this week I decided to take a break from my sport econ midterm, and ventured off to the ATL to watch U2 live and in concert. Traffic leading up to the Georgia Dome was insane, but hey when you have 80,000 going to the same place at the same time, vehicular congestion is bound to be an issue. All in all, it was a very organized traffic jam. I actually missed the abrasive "cortes de pastelillo".

I finally made it inside and thankfully my peeps were waiting for me with a beer in hand. Here's a video clip of Julio (Herbie's college roomate) complaining and saying I was late.

Some crazy rock band called Muze opened but I wasn't very interested. I was more worried about trying to find an emergency exit because we were so far up in the stands I almost got a sneak peak of heaven. Can't complain though, we had a perfect view of the stage!!

"Stuck in a moment" was my favorite piece of the evening. Edge played it with an acoustic guitar. Amazing! Here's a short clip. Please excuse my magnificent vocals in the background.

They played for a solid 2hrs and 15 mintes, mostly the classics and a few from their new cd. Bono would not be Bono if he wouldn't have tried to save the world then and there while inspiring us to do the same. He's fighting a great cause and going about it in all the right ways...gotta love him! I was sad when it was all over, but so happy I got to see them, we had a blast!

It took me more than an hour to get back on the highwahy after the concert was over. But I eventually made it back to Athens, pretty late but made it. Oh yeah and like 2 mins from my apartment I get pulled over by a cop for going 45 in a 35. Thankfully, he was nice enough to let me go without a citation whheewww. I have a new found respect for men in uniform.

On another note>> 4 days, 4 essay questions, 10 pages and approximately 30 junk food snacks later my first midterm in 3 years was over. But I wont be rejoicing any time soon, we're about to get another one of those posted tomorrow. Fun fun! And this time there won't be a U2 break to ameliorate mid-semester stress. Oh well, i'll live through the sleep deprivation.

Looking on the bright side and accepting new challenges. Thats what its all about. Cause I still haven't found what I'm looking for...

LD

Coming up on Saturday: 5K...my first! Goal: not to come home in an ambulance.

Golf carts & cornhole: gameday traditions leading up to kickoff

ATHENS, GA - Another weekend down folks! I stayed local this time and Saturday festivities did not dissapoint (me). That was probably not the case f'or some die-hard, bodypainted, pom-pom smacking, obscenity screaming fans who witnessed "crazy eyes" and the rest of the UGA squad fall to #4 LSU in the final minutes of a very close game. I should probably include myself in that bunch, after all, now that I think about it, I did do all of the above. Except for the bodypaint part, could you imagine how much paint it would take to cover my delicate figure? You could paint a house with that amount.

After deciding not to do the whole bodypaint thing, I made my way to my very first tailgate, bright and early. Nothing like beer for breakfast, it felt like new years. Anyways, we hung out for a while, people watched, spotted some crazy looking people but overall chilled out with some friends of friends and had a good time.

I headed to the game and made it just in time for kickoff, gotta love the feeling of 90,000 screaming fans!

Highlighst included: not getting blisters, riding to the stadium in a golf cart (take a look at the video)>>courtesy of Lindsey's hookups and being asked if we were on the volleyball team (never fails). Oh yea and I also got offered $30 to ride this very drunk person to his final destination but I refused. He was looking pretty pail and I know what happens a few seconds after mixing alcoholic beverages and getting pail, ask my friend Rosita, she can tell you a story or two.

After the game, I walked home (man could I have used that golf cart right then) and met up with my peeps again for a final recap & wings.

That's my weekend in a nutshell, I tried to photo/video document the day as much as possible so you could get a feel of it from a fans perspective, which differs a bit from ESPN HD.

Big week coming up...Midterms galore, papers, readings, U2 concert, 5K (Yes, Lindsey we are going so get ready haha). Motto: No dejes para mañana lo que puedas hacer hoy.

Hope you enjoy the pics and videos...thanks for stopping by! Oh yeah and don't forget to leave a comment or two. Happy Monday to all!

LD

Lindsey, Jennifer +1 and myself...Jessie would be proud!

We had a visitor, this is Stanford, as you can see he has a tiger in his mouth, we played the LSU Tigers that day, get it? North campus was pretty crazy

Walking toward the stadium...my feet hurt

Gametime!

Crazy eyes attempting to complete a pass...didn't happen

Walking home after the game, I was pretty tired.