Weigh In Wednesday

Hello All,

Here we are the first Weigh In Wednesday entry.

Let's get down to what you all want to know, "How did she do?"

I think the picture might be giving it away...but I just love how excited she is.....just as I was when I stepped on the scale this morning....I LOST TWO POUNDS!!!! yeah me!!!

I went from 197 lbs to 195 lbs....my waist 33!! 2 pounds and an inch down *cabbage patch dance...yeah me yeah me!!!....48 to go!!!!

That kickboxing class really helped, Thanks Rob!!!! By the way....I'm really feeling it today. Ouch!

To help me stay on this path to a healthier lifestyle, I reward myself with non food items; knowing that I will get something new when I reach that goal...keeps me motivated.

For instance: When I lost my first 5 pounds I purchased a $10 iTunes gift card for myself to celebrate my accomplishment. When I lost 10 pounds, I got a new journal. When I lost 30...a pair of new shoes. I try to stay away from clothing only because it may not fit after a wear or two....you know...because of the weight we're losing.

When we reward ourselves for meeting our goals no mater how big or small, it helps us stay focus on the big prize!

A healthier and more fit YOU!

This week's challenge to stay disciplined on eating right. I have a difficult time doing this and get sidetracked very easily. When I'm out with my 7 year old...I just want to eat whatever he eats... however, I forget my metabolism is no where near his and I have to be careful what I eat.

So, I found this healthy weight loss eating plan on the Women's Health Magazine website that seemed interesting.

Here it is:

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/nutrition/eating-plan

WEIGHT LOSS EATING PLAN

Eat to Lose Pounds

Lose weight fast with this seven-day healthy eating plan

Fit back into your jeans faster: Trainer Jay Cardiello created this seven-day eating plan to help his celeb clients achieve their lean Hollywood looks. The idea is to switch up your carb intake throughout the week—alternating low-carb days with moderate days—to keep your metabolism humming and lose weight fast. Plus, you'll always feel full and have energy to spare.

DAYS 1 and 2

Breakfast
Omelet with 4 egg whites, 1 whole egg, 1/4 c minced broccoli or asparagus, 1 tsp shredded low-fat cheese
1 c plain coffee or green tea
12 oz water

Snack
1/4 c plain nonfat yogurt and 6 cherries OR 12 oz protein shake with 1 scoop protein powder (low-carb, low-sugar, less than 115 calories)
20 oz water

Lunch
6 oz grilled chicken breast
3 c lettuce with 2 Tbsp light or low-fat dressing
1/2 c steamed broccoli, asparagus, green beans, peas, or carrots
20 oz water

Snack
8 almonds OR 12 oz protein shake OR Apple OR banana with 1 Tbsp natural peanut butter
20 oz water

Dinner
8 oz grilled chicken, beef, turkey, OR Boca burger (no bread/bun)
1/2 c steamed broccoli or asparagus
3 c plain lettuce with 2 Tbsp fat-free dressing, lemon juice, or balsamic vinegar
20 oz water

Snack
1/4 c cottage cheese with 1/2 c mixed berries OR 6 cherries


DAYS 3 to 7

Breakfast
Omelet with 4 egg whites and minced asparagus and 1 slice plain whole-wheat toast OR 12 oz protein shake and 1 apple with 1 Tbsp natural peanut butter
1 c green tea
12 oz water

Snack
1/4 c plain nonfat yogurt with 1/2 c mixed berries OR 6 cherries OR 8 almonds
20 oz water

Lunch
Pick one: Small sweet potato OR small baked potato OR 1/4 c brown rice OR 1 slice whole-wheat pita or bread
WITH
Pick one: 6 oz tuna in water; grilled chicken, tuna or turkey; turkey or Boca burger (no bread or bun) OR 2 c plain lettuce with 2 Tbsp lemon juice or low-fat balsamic vinaigrette OR 1 c broccoli with 2 Tbsp honey mustard
20 oz water

Snack
8 almonds OR 6 cherries OR Apple with 1 Tbsp natural peanut butter
20 oz water

Dinner
Pick one: 6 oz sirloin steak, beef burger, grilled chicken or turkey OR 8 oz tuna, salmon, or freshwater fish
WITH
1/4 c steamed brown rice OR 3 c lettuce with 2 Tbsp fat-free dressing OR 1/2 c mixed vegetables or 1 c broccoli OR 2 Tbsp honey mustard
20 oz water

Snack
1/4 c plain nonfat yogurt with 1/2 c berries OR 1/4 c cottage cheese with 1/2 c berries

I am going to stick to this plan and see how I do.

With that, this week's goal?

To lose 5 pounds and my treat?....a pedicure...'cause Lord knows, Mama needs a new one.

Until then my readers....

Remember to continue to:

Be Inspiring, Be Inspired!

"Prepare for the worst & the best will happen!"

This quote by Tito Ortiz is the first thing I noticed when I walk into the gym. How perfect is this quote especially during this journey of mine. If I'm prepared for the worse THEE best will happen....but...what I wasn't prepared for was the training that our kickboxing instructor was about to give us.


But....before I get to that, let me describe the setup that Tito has done with this amazing training center for anyone who wants to get into MMA shape or someone like me who wants to lose...let's say.....50 pounds?


There's an actual UFC cage, that is done to the same specs as the ones the professionals fight in. In a corner there was a mat area where Tito was teaching a wresting/submission class...watching the students, you could see they were in awe...for most, they were being taught by their idol. In another corner was an Olympic style weight center....I took one look at it and thought...."uh they're gonna laugh at me if I even attempt to step one foot in there"


Then I see what I felt was my holy grail of this gym....the rows and rows of red punching bags and I couldn't wait to get my hands in them gloves and start beating the heck out of one of those bags.


7pm rolls around and our instructor, who happens to be a UFC fighter himself, Rob Emerson comes out and tells us it's time to warm up. When I first see Rob, I notice he has a HUGE black eye…I thought to myself… “what the hell did I get myself into??? I thought I was fighting a bag, I didn’t sign up for some one to hit me!” He then explains to us that he was fighting this past weekend so some the moves he won’t be able to do with full force as he normally would. Whew! That’s a relief.



He had us running laps, side steps, swinging our arms round and round to loosen the joints, crawling like a bear on all fours, frontwards AND backwards, kick butts (that's where you kick as if you're actually kicking your own butt), then hold on to the bag and swing you leg back and forth and switch legs...this was to loosen those joints. Then if that wasn't enough, he had stretch our calves, thighs and core and THEN it was time for the workout......HUH???? You mean that wasn't it?


Now it’s time to get the gloves on; Rob starts us off with basic combinations of jab, cross, jab. Oh, this seems easy enough, I could sooo do this. I forgot to mention we have to be in our kickboxing stance, for me since I’m right handed, that my left foot front and my right foot back and I’m on my toes…kinda like bobbing and weaving…..ooooh float like a butterfly sting like me…Muhammad Ali ain’t got nothing on me!...as we’re all bouncing back and forth, Rob starts to yell out numbers…what we need to do is whatever the number he yells out that how many times we need to do the jab combination…so for instance…he yells out TWO! We jab jab cross jab and back to bobbing and weaving….FOUR! jab jab jab jab cross jab, ONE! Jab cross jab…you get this idea…so I’m thinking “what??? I got this”…well Rob must have seen the cockiness in my eyes because then he adds another combo…it’s a jab, cross jab, upper cut, hook…..huh???


Then before I have time to think I hear, TWO!...okay what did he say….jab, jab, cross, jab. upper cut, hook? Yeah that’s what it was….FOUR! jab jab jab jab, cross, jab, upper cut, hook! THREE! Jab jab jab cross jab upper cut hook…just then Ron notices that I’m doing the hook incorrectly, he sees I was hitting with my thumb and what I needed to do was hook my arm and hit with my fist…TWO! Jab jab cross jab upper cut hook…he tells me it was much better…OH I GOT THIS!!! Give me another number, I tell myself..ONE! jab cross jab upper cut hook. So far I’m loving this class……well, I spoke too soon, Rob then informs us he’s adding another combination…jab, cross, jab, upper cut ,hook, knee. Oh boy! Okay, okay I'm ready.



He demonstrated to us how the combination will look when done correctly….uh yeah…I will get as close to that as I could but I’m not quite the professional kickboxer that he is.
FOUR! jab, cross, jab, upper cut ,hook, knee…I grip the bag as best as I could considering I’m wearing 16 oz gloves and proceed to knee the bag as hard as I could…you don’t wanna know who I was thinking of when I did that….but I will say this….it felt gooooood!


This is such an awesome workout, by this time I’m sweating and my legs are shaking. We stop for a few minutes to get some water….by the way when doing any type of extensive workout, remember to take a bottle of water….I…uh…forgot mine….one of the students had an extra bottle and was nice enough to give it to me. I started to drink it as if this was the last time I was ever gonna have a water break… “mmmm…It was the best water I ever had….what is this? Fiji???”

Back to work! Rob had us do the same combinations he had taught but this time we had to switch legs for the knee part. So instead of kneeing with my right, I was kneeing with my left. Yiiiyahhh, that took a lil bit more coordination then my dehydrated behind was ready for…but….I did it…not with as much finesse as he did…but I did it!

We did that combination a few more times and then we had a freestyle period…that’s where we hit the bag anyway we want, with combinations or not, as fast as we can for a minute. I jabbed, I kneed, I hooked, I jab cross jab hook, as fast as I could and when he said stop I finished it off with a slap! "Uh! Take that you bag...you Ha! You didn’t beat me!"

Now it was time for ab work…whoa! wait…we’re not done yet? Rob proceeds to take us to the semi official UFC cage, because the mat in there is so much cushy than the hard floor we were working on. we all lay on our backs,but not before he shows us what ab workout he wants us to do. First one was lay on your back, lfit your legs and reach and tap your feet without bending you legs…you want to me what?? First of all, “the girls” were having a hard time letting me get passed them so I could attempt to touch my feet , but I finally got the momentum and I was actually doing it…reach tap tap reach tap tap reach…ugh this hurts and then here comes Rob…I was doing such a great job I just knew he was gonna tell the class “this is how it’s done”, however, so not what he said…what he did say was, “you’re going too fast; you wanna slow down so you could really feel the muscles in your abs contracting when you tap your feet and try to keep your legs straight” oh gee thanks, I couldn’t get them any straighter than I had them and my legs were shaking by this time…I tried his way…kill me now! 5, 4, 3,2,1…ugh!

Next ab workout…on our backs, knees bent and try to lift our knees to the ceiling while lifting our hips at least 1 inch off the ground. He showed us and it look sooo easy, psh…I could do that and I could use my arms to help push me up…yup yup I could do that.

I do exactly as he says…and lift! Nothing….not a movement happened I could not lift myself I centimeter let alone an inch. I looked at him so defeated and he said, “don’t worry, not a lot of people starting out could do it, it will come with time but you need to practice.”

The last workout was more of a yoga move, lay on our tummy and stretch up, did that for 30 seconds and we were finally done.

I thanked Rob for his time and told him what I was doing with my blog and the challenges I'm presenting to myself to help me achieve the 50 pounds I plan on losing by August. He wished me luck and said he hope to see me back and that I had good form and picked up the moves pretty quickly. Not a lot of people get it that quick.

HA! Bag, in your face…my instructor said I rocked it!!! (you like how I heard what I wanted to hear that)

All in all is was a pretty good class and an amazing workout….I will definitely be back.

I thought I was in pretty good shape considering I had lost 30 pounds before putting myself out there in cyber world. However, after that ab workout…I need to get out there more.

Below is a flyer that shows what classes the Center offers and I also included the website for more information.

Maybe I’ll see some of you at one of the classes.

Now time for bed…I've got weigh in tomorrow and I hope today’s class was well worth it ;)

Only the scale will tell.

G’nite.

Remember to continue to

Be Inspiring, Be Inspired

As far as the cost for this facility and the ammenities you can visit the Center's website at http://www.punishmenttrainingcenter.com/

The Kickboxing Instructor, Rob Emerson and myself...my face is red from the workout he just gave us...I know I shedded enough weight for weigh in tomorrow. Yeah!

Navigating thru my Blog

Hello Readers....I'm baaaaack...so I hope by now you have spread the word that I'm on a mission to lose 50 pounds by when? You know what? I didn't say...but let's plan the date together. As in any type of goal setting you set for yourself, you need to make sure that it is measurable and manageble....in other words....REALISTIC!!!

There's nothing worse than we set ourselves up to fail because we didnt set realistic goals.
For instance...I want to lose 50 lbs...my initial goal was Valentines Day 2011....yeah it was realstic when I set the goal last year, but I did not factor on what I was eating nor how much exercise I was not doing, so is it realistic for me now?....not by Valentines day it isn't. Yeah maybe if i starve myself and exercise like a crackhead or like one of my Boogie Box Coaches would say, "Do Weight Watchers on Crack"....maaaaaybe I could....but then what would happen? I would gain it all back and then some....so not what I'm trying to do.

My Goal to lose the 50 pounds is by my 42nd Birthday, which is August 9th.

I dont' want to diet and I want a lifestyle change and that change begins with my mind!

So my mind and myself have added links at the bottome of my blog, that will help me and you stay focused on what we are trying to achieve.

The links are:

The Magic of Succeeding-helping to improve your quality of life
My Boogie Box grind-my exercise regimen that I found and love
The Daniel Plan-this was set up my our church and Dr. Oz, Dr. Hyman and Dr. Amen have agreed to help the entire congregation get healthy.....ANYONE can join.
The Pay it Forward Movement-when you want to read feel good stories or get ideas on how we can pay it forward, visti this site. Its truly amazing
Twitter-Follow me and see what new things I'll try
Formspring-Ask me anything...i will answer to the best of my being.

*please keep in mind. I am in no way a licensed professional in nutrition, fitness or health. Like with any new exercise or diet changes please consult a physician.
This blog is about ME and what I am doing to achieve my weight loss goal and the healthy measures I plan on taking to get there.

With that being said:

Today's challenge will be doing is in the area of fitness. I normally take a Boogie Box...I will get more into that on a later post, however, today Tito Ortiz is opening his new gym in Huntington Beach called Punishment Training Center and I have been asked to take a kickboxing class there this evening.

Yeah, right...I wish this was me today....but soon it will be!!

I will keep everyone posted on how the class goes and how sore I will be tomorrow...

OH! Before I forget: tomorrow is Weigh In Wednesday...I'm treating tonight's class like a

"last chance workout".

Wish me luck, Readers!!!

Until then, remember to continue to:

Be Inspiring, Be Inspired

New Year, New Beginnings

Hello My Readers....I know its been a while, my apologies but I've been gathering my thoughts on how I wanted to start this year off.

Well first things first...As most of you are aware January 1st was the anniversay of my Mami's passing...it marked two years that she hasn't been with us, though it was a rough one for us, it turned out to be sweeter than I could have ever anticipated.

My Best Friend's daughter was born....a month premature on this day, January 3rd, 2011; and because it was a girl...I will become Godmother to her. My first Godchild! Talk about a huge blessing. I tell everyone that my Mami wanted to send me down a gift on her birthday, she asked God and he granted the request and they sent down the best gift anyone could have asked for...an angel.

It was definitely a bitter-sweet moment and one that I will cherish till the day I die and after!

At the request of his and his family I will not post any pictures of her yet, he promised to let me know as soon as I could. So they will be coming soon...I hope.

So, now the next topic....for the year!


My weight loss journey...if most of you have read I've been battling my weight for years...since I was in high school. I've accepted me for who I am but now as I get older I need to make sure I'm healthy for my family so they could have me around for a long time.


I'm about to do something I never thought I would....I'm about to share my numbers with you....ugh!! This means that when I hit "publish post" my numbers are out there in cyber world for all to see, judge and criticize...but you know what I say to that? So what!

I've made a conscious decision to hold myself accountable for being part of this epidemic in America called........obesity.

My Story:

No one had forced me to eat the things I have nor was I made an offer I couldn't refuse to stuff a cannoli in my mouth (sorry I couldnt resist...I just love the Godfather!)

What I can tell you is this....I'm Mexican Italian married to Puerto Rican and we ALL love food...from tamales to pernil to of course cannolis and cannot resist when they are facing us at the dinner table.

I'm not going to pretend to stand on my soapbox with my hand over my heart and vow that i will never eat another bite of these items ever again...because for me to do that would be, not only lying to you but lying to myself and then when I do decide to eat one of them...the inevitable will set in...and that is guilt!! and THAT is far more worse than me saying...yes, when they are made i will eat a tamale, or when I'm in lil Italy, I will indulge in a good cannoli or when Michael decides to venture out try his late father's pernil receipe, I will have a bite.

I've learned through the years it isn't about depriving yourself of these lil indulgences, but about how you approach it and that is with moderation.

What you will read in these postings is my honest, real emotion on how I'm about to tackle the 50 pounds that I need to lose. Not because my husband said I needed to (he accepted me as i was 11 years ago), not because the doctors told me I had to (he was happy to hear i was doing this on my own) and not because my friends were worried about me (they saw me as an ispiration). I'm doing this because I loss my mother early because she did not take care of her health; had she done that, she'd be here to see her granddaughter graduate from high school, she'd see her grandsons grow into such handsome boys, she'd see that her sons are getting on the right path to make a furture for them selves and she'd see me, her only daughter, become an inspiration for Reinas around the world to take life as we know it by the balls and claim it as our own.

So with that my readers below are pictures of my husband, Michael and myself these past three years..below are going to show my numbers: Weight, Waist, Size & BMI: ....Ave Maria, help me be okay with this before I hit "Publish Post"

Michael and I, circa 2008

Weight: 230 Waist 44 Size 18 BMI 39.50

My mother passed away 3 weeks after this was taken.

Michael and I, circa 2009

Weight 227 Waist 44 Size 16/18 BMI 39.0

The Biggest Loser at work had just started and I was angry when I stepped on the scale on saw this number staring back at me.

Michael and I, Circa 2010

Weight 197 Waist 34 Size 12/14 BMI 33.8

This is me today, so join me on this journey as I try to figure out what works for me and what doesn't. Hold my hand when I break down because I wasn't able to break through. Laugh with me when I tell you the crazy and bizarre tales I have with food. Cry with me, when I associate why I have the issues with food that I do.

Till the next posting my readers!!!

Always remember to:

Be Inspiring, be Inspired.

The Magic of Christmas

The Magic of Christmas

With Christmas arriving closely around the corner, most of us will take the time to reflect on the season as we shop for everyone on our list.
We carefully look at our list as though we’re helping the jolly man with his job; we check it once, we check it twice and we make the determination of who’s been naughty and who’s been nice.
We review the wish list and make two columns: there’s the “doable” list and the “what the heck were they thinking” list.
We scratch our heads as we decipher the column’s inventory.
What happen to the days of wooden toy trucks, jack in the box’s, rock’em sock’em and dolly wet a lot?
Now, we’re being asked for Xbox 360’s, Wii stations, computers, iPads, and even a trained messenger bird was on the list of my 7 year old.
And as you review the list of friends that you will shop for, do you buy a gift in hopes they will return the same gesture? or do you feel obligated to buy a gift because someone you didn’t expect to get one from gave you one?

As I type this, I’m reminded of the selflessness of the couple from “Gift of the Magi”
She with long beautiful flowing hair, which reminded you of Rapunzel and he with a pocket watch which was that of a family heirloom.
She eyed a stunning set of hair combs and he of a chain for his watch.
Neither had enough money to purchase the other the gift that they wanted, so they sacrificed to make the other happy.
Christmas morning arrived, each presented their gift to the other.
With excitement they looked at their carefully wrapped presents, asking themselves “What could to be?” however more excited to see the joy in the other than they felt within themselves.
She wearing her bonnet, unwraps the gift he gave her and there they were the stunning hair combs she had eyed earlier in the season. He with excitement asked her put them on so he could see how they looked, she undid her bonnet and the flowing hair that once ran down to the small of her back, was not longer there, she had sold her hair to pay for his gift.
She asked him to open his gift to see what her hair had paid for and as he did, tears streamed down his face as he saw what it was….the chain for his watch that he had eyed earlier that month.
You see he had sold his watch to pay for her hair combs.
Neither was upset for they showed how much they really loved each that by sacrificing what they felt was their most prized possession.

That is what the Christmas season means to me….it’s not about receiving but that of giving, and giving whole heartedly without seeking anything in return.
The excitement I feel each time I present someone with a gift is the same excitement I felt on my very first Christmas.
Receiving is always nice but giving is worth so much more.

So remember this Christmas season, whether its purchasing a gift, providing a service or just being nice, please do so without expecting anything in return. The joy you feel in side after doing any of these acts will be so rewarding, you’ll feel like it’s your first Christmas all over again, too.

Remember to Always
Be Inspiring, Be Inspired.

Happy 18th Birthday Isis Chanel!!!

My Baby Girl Turns 18

September 30 1992 at 5:35am, I gave birth to my best friend. My mother and Comadre witnessed an angel come into our world and whom we named Isis Chanel.
Today marks the 18th year this angel has been on earth with us and during these 18 we have all been blessed each day that she has been present.

My daughter, my best friend, my angel, you saved me the day you were born and I cannot express how proud you make us all. Today is your 18th birthday, today is the day you officially become an adult, you can vote, you can make your own decisions (not that you haven’t already been doing that)…but no matter what the law says you will always be my baby girl. The baby girl I would hold close to my chest and cry, because out of all the mommies in the world, my angel, you chose me. A blessing I would never take for granted.

Though the eighteen year old rode hasn’t been easy, we managed to make it through every obstacle, every hurdle, every challenge and through it all everyday you have amazed me.

Happy 18th Birthday my Baby Girl.

The world awaits you, just go claim what is already yours!!!


Don’t forget to remember me; always Be Inspired and Be Inspiring!


Here is a Birthday Poem for you:

A Daughter is a Wonderful Blessing

A daughter is one of the greatest blessings one could ever have
She begins her life loving and trusting you automatically

For many years, you are the center of her life
Together you experience the delights of the new things she learns and does

You enter into her play and are once again young
And even though its harder to enter into her world as she becomes a teen…

You are there, understanding her dilemmas and her fears
And wishing with all your heart that she didn’t have to go through them

A daughter’s smile is a precious sight that you treasure each time you see it
And the sound of her laughter always brings joy to your heart

Her successes mean more to you than you own
And her happiness is your happiness

Her heartaches and disappointments becomes yours, too.
Because when she isnt okay you cant be okay either.

Daughters aren’t perfect
But you, Daughter, come close to it.
You have given me more happiness than you know

I am thankful for your kindness and thoughtfulness
And I am proud of who you are
And how you live your life

Words cant express how much you mean to me or how much I love you
The love goes too deep, and the gratitude and price I feel is boundless.

Thank you for the blessing in my life in so many ways
-Barbara Cage

Bitter-Sweet 4th 2010

Happy 4th of July from 3/4 of the Aviles Family

So, as most of you know, my daughter, Isis, is in New York this summer.
This trip is very crucial for her...its a time for her growing as an individual
And also for me....no, really… it’s SUPPOSE to help me prepare my self to be ready to let her go next year.

Honestly...after the meltdown I had on 4th of July, I don’t know how I’m going to do it next year.

Here you all be the judge:

Last night Michael said before we went to bed, “This year we’re going to get up early and find a gooood spot.”

Well, our 4th of July started like any other year; our morning ritual of waking at 730 am and frantically try to grab all the “necessaties” for our outting.
You know which ones? Snacks, swim trunks, towels, book, iPod, iTouch, iPhone, Blackberry, PSP and any other electronic item that we could think of before we left the house. I think if, he could…Michael wouldve taken the 60” plasma off the wall and figure how to mount it at the park just so he could watch the Yankee game…but…the iTouch will have to do.

We get Mikey into the car but not before he yells out, “Don’t f’get my boogie board, you know the one that shoots out water!” Yes, a boogie board that shoots out water…Heaven forbid we forget this absolutley crucial item for our outting.

So there we are on our way to our yearly 4th of July celebration at our old neighborhood, Ladera Ranch.

We find the first available parking space, park and proceed to unload all the stuff, including his Puerto Rican pillow, because he HAS to let EVERYONE know that he is a PROUD Puerto Rican, from the car and into our newly purchased wagon Without Isis we need to rely on Mikey to help us carry some of these things that couldn’t fit in the wagon…but all Mikey could carry was…his boogie board that shoots out water.

Here's Michael and Mikey, with the family wagon, the PR pillow and mikey is carrying his infamous boogie board that shoots out water

Michael begins to question his ability to find the perfect spot, especially when he sees other families schleping their stuff out of their cars and into their wagons. Did everyone else have the same thought he did? Wake up early and find their very own perfect spot. We turn the corner to where the park is and sure as a fat kid loves cake…they DID! There are tents, blankets and lots of areas taped off by “caution tape”, we even saw a child using their stuff animals to block off an area for their family…with a look of “Back off Lady, my Suzie the Bugaloo will eat you if you even think about stepping over here!”

It seems Michael did not get the memo that stated, “ Its 4th of July People and we’re doing it all over again this year, so if you wish to find your perfect spot, remember wake up before the rooster, pack all your crap and camp out until the park opens at 6am to find a location, however we must warn you: should you try to set up before 6am, the Setup Po Po will confiscate your items and “disgard” them”

Psh “disgard” when in actuality means, “if you got something worth keeping….WE’RE KEEPING IT!!!”

Well it was not so bad, we actually found a nice spot to set up camp…camp, yyiiyeah, pretty much feels like that. Michael pulled out the ice chests, chairs, table, umbrellas, blankets, lamp, cantene, compass….ooh sorry got carried away there, no cantene no compass…it was a water bottle and the iPhone does come with a compass app, thank you very much….but he actually did have the LAMP!

Michael not ONLY has to show everyone he's a PROUD Puerto Rican but also a PROUD Yankee and Giants Fan! ...ps the Redskin ice chest belongs to my brother that why its hidden.

When its all set up and completed, I start BBMing Isis (Oh, for those of you not Blackberry savvy, this is BlackBerryMessengering). We go back and forth about if daddy brought all the madness, I tell her yes. Did Daddy drive you crazy trying to get all the stuff in the car, I tell her yes. Did Mikey bring some new item of the day that he cant live without…that would be the boogie board that shoots out water, I tell her yes. Hahaha’s go back and forth and THEN…it HITS me! Isis will be a resident of New York this time next year and she’s there now and that means: last year’s 4th of July would have been the last 4th of July we spend with her…..I begin to weep…and then cry. Had I known, I would have done something more special for her last year, but I cant and wont be able to. I get sadder and sadder…then Michael having no clue to my revelation…looks up and has that look… “What the Hell did I do now!?”

I proceed to tell him what happened and my tears fall, he looks at me with a serious look and says, “If her grades arent up to where they need to be, she aint going no where, so take back those tears, Woman!”

Leave it to Michael to take the seriousness out of a “moment”.

So, that meltdown has demonstrated one of two things to me:

1. I need to be able to accept my daughter growing up and beginning her own new adventures and know that she’ll always have us for guidance.

Or

2. I sabotage the hell out of her studies so her grades are crap, she stays in California, goes to a Junior College locally and live with us forever!

Michael says I need to suck it up and let her begin her adventure starting June 2011; I have to say that I agree with him.

As parents its our job that we create a road map of …life, if you will, for our children. So when we’re rasing them they could see all the road blocks that we experienced and manage to create alternative roads for our end result whether they be good, bad or ugly but we experienced LIFE. Though the road was not always paved to perfection, it still got us to where we were going. We must trust ourselves to know that we were sufficient guides and that they take what they have learned and begin to create their own map and make their mark that says:

“My parents raised me right and I was here!”

By the way…4th of July was pretty good. We had a ball, Mikey never made it to the pool and therefore the boogie board never saw the water once but Mikey still had the time of his life. He entered a Hula Hoop contest was labeled the Hula Hoop Champ (didnt even know my son could Hula Hoop). I got a chance to see some old friends and enjoy a “drink” with them.

Michael,Mikey and I watched an amazing firework show and I still managed to share the day with my daughter via BBM and uploading pix on FB.

All is well with this Mama.......at least for the moment until i decide to reminisce through my daughter's room and the water works begin again, that is.

A Daughter's Love

As my daughter's Junior year vastly comes to an end, her summer in New York is approaching quickly around the corner and her final year of high school facing me on the horizon;

I often questioned myself, "Did I do okay in raising my daughter?"

The letter below proves to me that...I knocked it out the park!

This is a Mother's Day letter my daughter, Isis, wrote to her Godmother, Jenny and myself. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did...definitely brought tears to our eyes.


TO MY MOM AND MY NINA:

Mom and Nina,

Theres not enough words to describe you to but i think amazing may cover it.
You guys are amazing role models and I wouldn’t be who I am today with out you two.

Mom, if it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t be here today. We have our good days and our not so good days but what mother and daughter don’t?

Your a fighter, mom, and don’t forget to keep on fighting cause I know one day when I look at New York’s best sellers , I’ll see your name on the top of the list.
I LOVE YOU MOMMY!

And Nina, you were there when I was born and I can’t say I remember that day but I do remember all the times we’ve had together and all the phone calls; the phone, not always laughs but I can honestly say you helped me get through my toughest battle last year and I don’t know how I could have done it without you. I LOVE YOU! and I am sooooo soooo soooo grateful that my mom picked you as my GodMother!

I LOVE YOU LADIES sooooo much and I’d just like to say Happy Mothers Day, Moms!

Isis Chanel


Coma' Jen, hold my hand and please take a bow with me! She's ready to take on the world.

Our Beautiful Princess, your Nina and I did good!

*Remember, the world is yours! All you have to do is go out there and claim it!

Never forget to always Be Inspiring and continued to Be Inspired with all that surrounds you!

In the words of a Queen.....

Hello my Readers,

I was searching different sites to see whats out there and i came across alot on interesting ones.

A friend of mine turned me on to a particular one called:

artofmanliness.com

Must say i liked it because it takes men back on how to be gentlemen...highly recommend..i tried to forward to Michael...all he did was delete it..whatever..i still have my son i can groom and show him the site.

Anyway... what I especially found interesting was a *bucket list (*list of things to do before you die ), that a man can make for his unborn son.

I looked through it and had a...in the words of Kimora Lee Simmons her self...FABOULOUS...thought...

"Why don't I create my own bucket list for all my "dormant" Queens!!"

You know what I mean?

The women that are queens but they just haven't awoken her yet...

So....here we go, the first TEN, of what i hope will be 100 one day:

1. Take a dance class...let out your inner Fly Girl (JLo circa 1990)

2. Create a routine to Beyonce's "Diva" and watch yourself in the mirror...you'll feel like a Diva when you hear the hook..."a Diva is a female version of a Hustler" (you can try to booty poppin she does, but i nearly threw my back out when i tried)

3. Try anything at least once...and Queen should be diverse. (I thought I hated sushi until one of my Queens asked "Have you ever tried it? Me: nope. Her: WTH, D? Here try some and then if you dont like it then you can say exactly why"....guess what I tried it...and I LOVED IT!!!!)

4. Always put perfume on before leaving the house. You may not look your best, but a woman who puts on perfume will ALWAYS feel like a woman. ( I always feel sexy when i put on Gucci "Envy"even in sweats)..I must admit...i got this one from my favorite designer, Coco Chanel.

5. Since Im on the Coco Chanel tip...always always make sure you have a black cocktail in the closet....this is not an option...this is a MUST...you never know when those last minute plans will come about and a Queen is never caught of guard......remember.....A MUST!!!

6. Remove Negativity...if you dont believe you're a Queen, no one else will either.

7. Evaluate the women that surround you....they all have a quality you love about them and then let them know.

8. Evaluate the ex's and soon to be ex...they all had/have a quality you didnt like about them and make sure you stay away from that.

9. The flip of #8, the ex's had a quality that attracted you them in the first place, create the list and when your done, evaluate the list...THAT IS YOUR KING. (*so if a guy does not match up to that list....as HOV would say..."On to the next one...")

10. NEVER SETTLE (*you're a Queen and deserve the best! know this, believe this..LIVE THIS)

There is the start of my 2010 Bucket List for my Queens...if you wish to add more, please leave me a comment and lets see we can make 100 by the year end review.

Lastly, I want to share the lyrics to India Irie's Video...I fell in love with this song as soon as I read the lyrics...the epitome of how i feel...i changed it up just a very very lil bit..those of you that know the song...see if you can find where i made the change.

Till the next entry mis Reinas....as always....

Continue to be Inspiring and Be Inspired

Sometimes I shave my legs and sometimes I don't
Sometimes I comb my hair and sometimes I won't
Depend on how the wind blows I might even paint my toes
It really just depends on whatever feels good in my soul

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a Queen

I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be
the Queen

When I look in the mirror and the only one there is me
Every freckle on my face is where it's supposed to be
And I know our creator didn't make no mistakes on me
My feet, my thighs, my lips, my eyes; I'm lovin' what I see

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a Queen

I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always
be the Queen

Am I less of a lady if I don't wear pantyhose?
My mama said a lady ain't what she wears but, what she knows
But, I've drawn a conclusion, it's all an illusion, confusion's the name of the game
A misconception, a vast deception
Something's gotta changebut,
Don't be offended this is all my opinion ain't nothing that I'm sayin law
This is a true confession of a life learned lesson I was sent here to share with y'all
So get in where you fit in go on and shine
Clear your mind, now's the time
Put your salt on the shelf
Go on and love yourself'
Cuz everything's gonna be all right

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I Learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a Queen

I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be
the Queen

Keep your fancy drinks and your expensive minks
I don't need that to have a good time
Keep your expensive car and your caviar
All I need is my guitar
Keep your Kristal and your pistol
I'd rather have a pretty piece of crystal
Don't need your silicone I prefer my own
What God gave me is just fine

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a Queen

I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be
THEE QUEEN

The Birth of "Dleesaa"

The Equation of how the "Dleesaa" persona came to be.

Shalamar Circa 1985

(yes, I know..she looks very alienesque, but i chose the name based on sound not how she looked...just sayin')

Hello my Readers!!! Hope all is well...i have had the same question asked over and over again: "How does a Mexican-Italian girl get a name like Delisa?"

So here I am about to explain how Marialuisa became Dleesaa.

Because my birthname is Marialuisa alot of teachers had a hard time trying to be PC and roll the r's, they decided to call me Maria...Yeah..imagine that! A Mexican-Italian girl with the name Maria...how original.

My freshman/sophmore year i went to a predominently caucasion school...okay okay..white school...where we actually had a surf club...side note..i was on the surf club..i was deteremined to be the next Gidget...just did not know how to hold the damn bored so i gave up...oops..sorry getting off the subject.

Going to that school with a name like Maria..didn't bother me..i was unique next to the Kelly's, Jane's, and Molly's...until sophmore year...when a lot of Asian girls had the name Maria and then people thought i was polynesian.

Junior year..i changed schools and attended a predominently Latin and Asian school...nice..im around my people....where the majority of them were named Maria...so i decided to revamp my self and go by the name my mom use to call me when she was pissed.

My family called my Lisa...short for the Luisa part, but when Mami was pissed at me...you'd hear her yell "Lisita!"

I graduated high school in 1987...yes...1-9-8-7!

A bad breakup and a flip of a coin; sent me to go to the Fashion Insistiute of Design and Merchandise.

While attending there, I majored in Merchadise Marketing. What I wanted more than anything was to own my own boutique.

The key to owning your own store and being successful...is a catchy name. My family of course was like, "Call it Lisita's"....uh if i want to sell childrens' clothes...maybe. However, that wasn't the route i wanted to go.

I wanted to sell fashionable items straight from the runways. I met a lot of potential designers; some that i could even vision being successful and with me by their side selling their line...just needed a name that CAUGHT!

On one particular weekend, I was out at a Summer Jam concert...the lineup was Zapp, Lisa Lisa, Full Force, LA Dream Team and Shalamar.

Though, I was enjoying the concert, I still had the boutique in the back of my mind and then it was time for Shalamar to perform. The MC introduced Howard Hewett, Jeffrey Daniel and then...Delisa Davis.

My eyes lit up when i heard her name because I just found the name of my boutique and my new self....just had to change the spelling.

P I plaued aropund wiothvarious version of spelling it: Delisa, D'Lisa, Dee Lisa...then I found what I was looking for...D' Lee-Saa....it was fun telling people how to spell it....D apostrophe, capital L...e...e..hyphin, capital S...a...a.....yes, it did it phonetically; and it CAUGHT!

People might not have remembered my name, but it sure as hell rang a loud ass bell when they did hear it and THAT'S exactly what I wanted.

Needless to say, I had to stop going to school to help my family and the boutique never made it. Through the years, the apostrophe and hyphin fell off on its travels and has remained...Dleesaa.

Funny how life works....imagine had the coin flipped the other way? ....Fashion Institute of Technology in NY is where i would have been.

I still would have wanted my boutique, but Shalamar rarely performed in NY, so seeing them, probably wouldnt have happened and Dleesaa would not be.

However, Fate wanted me to stay in Cali a lil longer and make sure that I'd be here to type this blog entry!

So, there it is...how I came to be...hope you all enjoyed it.

Always remember to be Inspiring and Be Inspired....Delisa Davis inspired me all those years ago and now look at me...a name that rings a bell that people WILL remember me.

When are we considered a "Grownup"?

My Beautiful Mami, Circa 1964

Have you ever asked yourself, "Am I grownup?" or "When did I become a "grownup"?

I always thought when i became a parent, I was a grownup! But then seeing these babies having babies through the past 3 decades, there was no way these children were grownups.

Then when I purchased my first home, it was then i knew...I was a grownup! But...the mortgage boom happened and as long as you were at least 18 years of age, you could buy a home. Ive seen some of these 18 year old homeowners and there is no way that they are "grownups".

So, when do we become grownups? I pondered this for a bit, then it hit me....we become growups when we experience the loss of a parent, it is only then that you know what it to be a true bonafide grown up.

At that point there is no longer a "go to" person, it is all YOU!

We're having struggles understanding our daughter...i used to go to Mami..how did she handle me when she couldnt understand me?

We werent sure about purchasing a home...Michael would go to Pop for his advice and how we should proceed.

Having our parents alive meant, to most of us, that we werent alone in our decision making, we could still rely on our parent to help bail us out for a solution, like we did when were children.

You remember?

I do.

I remember when I first learned to put makeup on...I was ready to head out the door, mami stopped me and asked where the circus was? I put so much make up on, i should have been able to juggle apples on que. Thank good ness for Mami...i would have been made fun but she made sure that that didnt happen.

Or when learning how to drive. My dad taught me how to drive and I got into an accident, I was so freaked out that he said "dont worry, it happens, now you know to be a more careful driver.

"...all this in spanish of course..."*tien cuidado" he's always say before i head out any where
*be careful.

****Oh, how I wish i could hear these words now.

We really arent grownup until we experience that loss.

Now, our children come to us for advice, for guidance, for protection and when i turn behind to see who i could turn to....its just me.

*Wups I cant forget my lil note:

Of course there are those of us out there that had no choice but to grow up sooner than most. What I'm speaking of is the general.

So now that there are alot of us out there that are now bonafide Grownups; there are more eyes on us looking for guidance and words of wisdom.

With that: always remember to continue to:

Be Inspiring and Be Inspired

Osayande "Ocean" Glapion comes to the Brea Improv!

"Ocean" and me at Brea Improv 2/27/10

Ocean and I go back over 12 years or so, though he's known in the comedy circuit as Ocean; I know him as Osayande...yes it is!...says so on his birf certificate!

To see where is accomplishments have taken him, make me so proud (not that I had anything to do with it, unless he's using me for some of his material, if so...I want creative credit!!!) Its truly amazing!

I heard some time ago that he was getting into comedy and thought, "That's cool, through the years i had never saw him as a comic" but then again I have no idea how anyone gets started in this type of business, so who I am to say anything. I had recieved a couple of invitations to see him perform but never seem to make it out there...meaning LA, Hollywood, Reseda...BFE.

This time he was going to perform at the Brea Improv, and dab namit..THIS time i was going to see him. He had sent me a link to see one of his bits. Before seeing it, wasnt sure if it was gonna be a battle of the Dozens (oh..just in case some of you readers dont know...The Dozens are Yo Momma insults) or Knock Knock jokes (sorry Fam...wasn't sure what to expect). To my surprise..Osay..wups O-cean...was a bonafide comic and had me laughing and then I was even more excited to see him perform live.

I confirmed with him that i was going to go to the show and he told me the tickets were on him and not worry about a thing, "just come and enjoy the show" and to spell my name correctly to give to the club..sure...D-L-E-E-S-A-A Aviles. Done. Im going to a comedy show for free...woo hooo!!!

My girl and i arrived at the Brea Improv and to reconfirm, I BBM (oh, thats BlackBerry Messenger to all you non-Crackberry users) him to make sure to tickets will be at will call.

Reply: They r @ the window..Give them your name (I'm actually retyping this from my BBM, I want to make sure I'm accurate; i dont want to be known for misquoting him)

Me: K will do thanx

I get to the window; smile at the girl and tell her: "Osay...ooh sorry, I mean Ocean has tickets for me"

The girl behind the glass, looks at me and asks me for what show?

Well, he did tell me to be there at 10, so I said "10".

She looked at me puzzled and said you mean "11"...i looked back at here more puzzled and said "no, he said to be here at 10"..then she says back, "Oh its for the 9pm show, ID please"

Uh oh...my I D...see the problem here, is I gave him the name i go by...much like him and the whole "Ocean" thing...everyone knows me as Dleesaa, however, legality...all documents, birf cert, Social and yes, Drivers License say "Marialuisa".

I go through this entire schpill with the counter girl and she can't find me anywhere on the list...i was like, WTH?

Then thought,. "Oh, no he didnt...he is straight having me PUNK'd to see if I'd actually come out to see him perform" I was ready to to give him a mental beating, but before that, I made sure the counter girl really couldnt find my name.

She looked under the legal name (which I already knew she wasnt going to find that) and the name I gave him...then the supervisor asked, "Is this for Sadiki Fuller show"

I looked relieved because I remember Osay..i mean Ocean mentioning that name on his FB..."Yes, yes, it is"

Then the cocky counter girl replies, "Oh, that IS the 11pm show" and BAM! she found my name and gave me my tickets.

Whew! Fam...you have no idea how ready i was ready to hurt you like to stole something..let me get ready and flat iron my hair AND come out in the rain for a no show?

So, we had an hour to kill, so we went to Yard House for a drink; low and behold who do we bump into but none other than Ocean himself.

I hadnt seen him in 12 + years and he looked exactly the same. He was with a friend and so we all sat at the bar for a drink.

I was able to chat with him before the show and asked:

"So, Fam..comedy? When did you decide this is what you wanted to do?"

He replied, " I fell in love with it and KNEW that this is what I wanted to do"

You should have seen the look in his eye, because he sincerely knows that THIS is what he is meant to do and it was inspiring to witness.

We caught up on family and life and then it was showtime. He had some "pull" with the club and was able to give us "VIP" access into the club before everyone else was allowed in. We took our picture on the Improv stage and then, we had picked our seats and patiently waited for him and the rest of the comics to perform.

The comics that performed him were funny, but all i cared about was seeing my Boy do his thing.

The host then announces him:

"This next comic has toured with Damon Wayons, please welcome to the stage, Ocean Glapion"

Ocean takes the stage, just like any comic, mic in one hand and a bottle of beer in the next. He looked so natural on stage, it was definitley where he belonged ..wait..dont i sound like a proud Mama!? HA!

He went on to do his bit about dating, you could see the audience related to this because we are were busting up! what i love most about certain comics, is how they have no problem poking fun at themselves.

George Lopez? Talks about his big head. Kat Williams? His size...Ocean? Talked about God's Humor: Giving good looks but a rough grill....im laughing as i type this, it was hilarious.

Though he wasnt given much time on stage, it was definitely enough time for me to see a glimpse of this man loving his craft.

Just before his performance in Brea, he started his evening hosting at Universal City Walk, then off to Ontario for a show and then Brea. What dedication and commitement.

O, Im always telling my readers to continue to be Inspiring and Be Inspired..and YOU truly Inspire me to stay dedicated and committed to my writing...I thank you!

Readers, if you ever get a chance to see Ocean perform, you will not be disappointed. It will be worht the drive for me to see him perform in BFE!

Congrats O, keep doing doing what you're doing!! Laughter is truly the best medicine for almost anything!!

With that, I'm going to end this entry with a great quote by Eleanor Roosevelt:

"You gain, strength, experience, and confidence by every experience where you really stop to look fear in the face....you must do the thing you cannot do"

Continue to be Inspiring and Be Inspired