Life Reflections
Life Events
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#3 with mayo and no pickles, please…
I don’t like pickles. I know they are essential part of the American culture and should be celebrated and appreciated but I truly fail to see what’s the big deal about them or why should I accept them, for example, as an unavoidable ingredient in my hamburger. I always ask for “no pickles” when I order a hamburger and more than once I’ve received a suspicious look in response, like something must be wrong with me and my ignorant taste buds. Thank God the Fast Food culture has us accustomed to the possibility of customizing our food; from adding favorite toppings that are not even part of the recipe to…
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Waiting for the “I” piece…
Who doesn’t know Tetris? It’s probably the most popular game in the planet since it was released back in 1984. This is what happens when you let Russians playing around with tetrominoes and a computer: they create a tile-matching puzzle video game that changes the world. The game can be quite entertaining and addictive. Most players have their own strategy on how to locate each of the 5 different pieces (in the original version); some like to wait for the pieces to fall naturally to the bottom and others rush the pieces down to get the next one. If there’s one thing all players have in common is that we all worship the “I” piece, the one that…
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80+20 = 100
I have always believed in giving 100% of my energy to anything I do: family, work, school, friendship, or any other activity I engage in. I’ve always believed that giving 100% of yourself in every aspect of your life meant you were a noble, successful person. It should feel like you are a Super Hero: one who can do everything, do it right and still look amazing and strong. At some point in my career I was introduced to the 80/20 rule, which states that, in many cases, around 80% of the effects or results come from 20% of the causes or efforts. At the time, it was used as a business concept to help people focus on…
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Life Through His Eyes
Lying on a bed, looking at the ceiling, there’s a man with a hopeless look on his face. It’s Sunday morning, the sun is shining outside and, coming through the window, illuminates the bedroom; the worn-out curtains are too thin to block any sunlight. “At least the sun came up this morning,” he thinks while turning his head to look at the window. “If it was raining, maybe I could have stayed in bed longer.” His face turns back to staring at the ceiling. “I guess I’ll get up and make some breakfast; Felipe will be up soon.” With this thought he jumps up, put his feet on the floor…
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Soldiers in the war against hunger
Recently, I had the great opportunity to volunteer at Feeding South Florida, a nonprofit organization dedicated to help individuals that are struggling to put food on the table for their families. They do that through other nonprofit partner agencies, like food pantries and soup kitchens. Even though it was not my first time volunteering at a nonprofit, it was my first time at this particular establishment. It’s shocking to hear the statistics they share with the volunteers: almost 1 million individuals in South Florida alone are suffering hunger and in need of food assistance; 1 in 4 children go to bed hungry every day in South Florida, when the national…
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Stop self wind-ups!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqZTbaoY8MA I have to admit I am a Friends “junkie” and has been so for many, many years. I even cried after the last episode and mourned for a few days. From that day, every time I see Friends is on, I have to watch it; it’s like a responsibility, a way to honor the 6 guys that gave me so much for 10 years. They got me through my teenage years, often daydreaming about being like them. I still laugh at the same jokes and funny scenes (Chandler and Joey’s specially), and I still cry at the emotional, life-changing moments (Monica’s wedding, Rachel’s childbirth, and of course the final…
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Young and Stressed
Stress… The magic word that has been around a lot lately and we constantly use when we can’t think of another excuse for why we forgot that deadline, our wedding anniversary or, in worst cases, to comb our hair before leaving the house. Causes of stress can be multiple; some are completely valid, such as death of a loved one, marriage problems, financial strain, tension in the workplace, etc.; and some can be completely ridiculous, like: salespersons, automated customer service assistance, your own appearance, not eating enough or trying a new hairdresser (I read an actual article listing these as causes of stress among women). I don’t mean to minimize…