This is goodbye.

Ever since I started my blog, I have been posting and learning new interesting things. I did not know I had to do a closing statement and now this means goodbye even though I am late. I wanted to keep posting stuff on my blogger because it has help me with my writing. Also, I have learned many things while posting news, art, music, etc. This experience helped me a lot because I know now how to type better, how to do essays, and most importantly how to summarize a news article. I'm glad I worked with this project and I wanted to appreciate my English Professor: Iara Segarra because this first semester was extraordinary with her and she taught me a lot of helpful things. I could not be more happier. Thank You. I hope I can continue posting things and that you like my blog as much as I do.

Robi Draco Rosa

Robi Draco is my favorite musician. Many people do not know who he is. He was born in the States but his parents are Boricuas! Because of that, he considers himself to be a proud Puertorican.  In some strange way, his musics speaks to me. It always makes me feel good and relax. I recommend that you listen to him because he is a great artist.( He is a Gorgeous man!! )

Here are some of my favorites songs :) 

Bajo La Piel:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogw0CSGDkY4

And my absolute favorite:

Mad Love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDf8YsiAulQ

Pictures of Draco:

Merry Christmas!

The holidays are here! Merry  Christmas to all of you! Specially to my English Professor since she has been a really great professor(:

Ever since I was a little girl, I have always baked cookies during the holidays. It means a lot to me because I spend quality time with my mom and family. Here are some of my favorites recipes of cookies! Enjoy :)


Gingerbread Cookies!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alexandra-guarnaschelli/gingerbread-cookies-for-the-holidays-recipe/index.html

Snowflake Cookies!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/snowflake-cookies-recipe/reviews/index.html

Sylvia Ji.

     Sylvia Ji is one of my favorite painters. She is at once spiritual, enigmatic, and yet whimsically funny. Above all else, it is perhaps beauty that emerges as her defining characteristic, and her art reflects this: an   extension  of herself; a passionate appreciation, of simple aesthetic please fused with intimately complex subject matter.  Her paintings built on the present and beyond fascinating expressions of love, lust, beauty, delicacy and passion. For this reason, I absolutely love her art. Her paintings are sugar skulls. Not a lot of artist can do them right but Sylvia is an expert. I think it's different from what most people think art is and I find her work dark, beautiful, different and mysterious. 

Sylvia Ji

Some of her art: ( my favorites )

Requiem

Blackout

Black Domina

Moonflower

In search of treasures!

I always asked myself: " Could there be more treasures out there? ". Now I know the answer. The world may seem small to some but for me is the most biggest mysterious place there is. They are indeed a lot of treasures yet to be found. Recently, I saw an article that talks about a treasure just found. Apparently, "A golden horse head-an ornament from one end of a long-gone iron horse bit-is part of a 2,400-year-old- treasure recently discovered in an ancient Thracian tomb in Sveshtari, Bulgaria, archaeologist announced Thursday." This for me, is just incredible and an eye opener. It makes me want to go and discovered the world. Who knows what's still out there waiting to be found. We should appreciate our big mysterious world because every day we discover more secrets and who knows what's next.


Here is the link to see the whole story: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/11/pictures/121109-thracian-gold-hoard-treasure-bulgaria-science/#/thracian-gold-bulgaria-horse_61089_600x450.jpg

Some pictures of the treasure:

The treasure was discovered here:

Hope

Sometimes we have everything but we're so ignorant that we don't see it. We have health, family, love, clothes, a roof , food, yet we still complain. We don't see how ungrateful we are and I include myself because sadly, sometimes I do the same. I would like to change that because now I see how lucky I am to have everything when others are in worst situations. For example, I saw a news report that talks about a man in supposed Vegetative State. It gives me hope to see how people with health problems still manage to do a better job than those who are in great shape. We complain and complain but we don't appreciate the simple things. Scott Routley managed to communicate to his Doctors even though people thought it was impossible do to the state he is. There is still a little hope for those who are in Vegetative State. Although is a very small percent they try. Some of us who have everything don't even do the minimum try. The report taught me a big lesson. I should be grateful for everything I have and most importantly for my good health. I will take good care of my body because some wish to be in the position I am. Something so simple like walking, breathing, talking, hearing and smelling, we should appreciate those things that keep us alive.


Here's the link of the report: " A man in supposed Vegetative State Communicates" :

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/man-supposed-vegetative-state-communicates/story?id=17716726#.UKQuooeZkhA

Most amazing death

When my time comes.. I hope I'm strong like this fellow...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n03xQvp9cUs

 ( this is a to add a little humor to my blog, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did LOL! :'D ) 

You want to talk about bloodthirsty?

Abraham "Bram" Stoker was born on November 8, 1847 and passed away April 20, 1919. He was an Irish novelist and story writer. He is best known today for his  Gothic masterpiece  " Dracula". According to several studies of his work, Bram Stoker's Dracula wanted to reflect the struggles between good and evil,  combining various cultural and human aspects that make this literary a work of immense beauty.  Clearly, he is one of my favorite authors because he created a masterpiece that will always be remember. He taught me that some creations don't always have to be pure and good but they can also be dark and mysterious.

West Side Story

In English class we are learning about " Culture Identity " . A topic I find very interesting and important. We study the reading " Guava " from Esmeralda Santiago and also, we read: " The myth of a Latin Woman " by Judith Ortiz Cofer. Both readings were great. Now, we are learning more about Puertorican culture. Therefore, we are watching a movie that talks about it. The title of the movie is " West Side Story ". The movie which is a musical, explores the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks. Two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds. The members of the Sharks from Puerto Rico are taunted by the Jets. A Polish-American working class group. This represents the differences between the groups and how they would be in a constant battle because of the different colors of skin and their origins. I'm beginning to love the movie and I can't wait to finish watching it. So far, what I have learned in class is that no matter what, you should be proud of what you are and where you're from. It doesn't matter what color of skin, accent, or style you have, as long as you stay true to yourself, everything will be okay. We should all focus on our values and how we are as human beings instead of being judgmental of everything and everybody.

Here's the trailer of the movie " West Side Story " : 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yA_aFprGzyc

Gay Marriage

Legalize Gay Marriage

by Stephanie Lopez Rivera 

  

For many years people have been talking about homosexuals rights.I believe this topic would never have an end. A lot of people agree and disagree with it for many reasons. I think that if you are in favor or against, you should say your opinion with respect and there is no reason to judge someone in any way. People tend to say things in a rude way but, do you do the same thing? I can say three reasons why people disagree with legalizing gay marriage. Also, I will tell you why I do not agree with the reasons I'm about to say.

  The first reason, is an important one. People disagree with legalizing gay marriage because of religion. Some people ask me, what religion do you follow? I prefer not to say. For me, it's kind of a private and emotional thing. I can say though, I do support and have no problems with gay couples. 

   The second one, would be society. People create and say bad things without knowing what they are really talking about. They just see the bad side of things. Some don't have values and criticize. They say their opinions without respecting others. If everybody truly respected one another this world would be different in many ways. You can't say one thing and then show another with your actions. If you have something to say, always remember everybody is not the same. Society should pay attention to their own life and mind their own business.

  The third reason, is that they disagree because of the parenting. Some don't believe it's right for a child to grow up with parents of the same sex. I think it is not fair to say that. What is the difference being bred by a mom and dad that have values and being bred by two dads or two moms that also have values? In my opinion, there is no difference. I think it's not really what sex is the person you choose but how is the person you choose to be with as in personality and character. If the person is bad and has no values or morals, now that's a problem.

   In conclusion, it's a topic where people are always going to be in favor or against it. I think people shouldn't judge and let them have the same rights. They should get married because they're humans and they should be allow of being part of something so important like love and marriage. There should be equality and justice in this world. What do you think of instead of saying: " We should tolerate diversity " we say, "We should accept diversity". Accepting is the first and the most important step to eliminate crimes of hate and to unite as humanity. If we accept, humanity will join. If humanity joins, the equality of the human rights will become reality, and if it becomes reality, peace is within our reach. In the end, would you rather see two men holding hands because of love or two men holding guns because of hate? You decide.

Since I support legalizing gay marriage, Here's a video of Ricky Martin talking about President Barack Obama supporting gay couples ; 

Obama Pride: Ricky Martin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y-musdidu4&noredirect=1

Police officer takes advantage of his power

     I would like to talk about the violence that is going on lately. It's surprising to see a police officer taking advantage of his power. Just because you're a policeman does not mean you can do whatever you want. In the latest incident, cell phone video shows Lt. Jonathan Josey hitting a woman at the Festival de las Americas following the Philadelphia  Puerto Rican Day Parade. It hurts me to see such a thing. Officers are here to protect and help the community not to be against it. The citizens have to pay some respect to the officers but they can't forget that they have to respect us too. They are many ways to solve misunderstandings and with violence is not the way.  In my opinion, the officer didn't had to punch the lady at all. If he's an officer he should know better. What concerns me the most is that even officers are acting violently when there suppose to be a figure of discipline and courage. I ask myself, what is this world coming to? Everything can change if we communicate better and stop resolving things with violence and aggression. To conclude, we have to be more careful of what we do and what we say. We must respect our peers and communicate better with them so that we can see a change in the world.

Here is the link of the disturbing video of the police officer hitting the woman at the festival ; 

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/breaking/Police-Officer-Hits-Punches-Woman-Philadelphia-172092861.html

Cosplay!

   Cosplay is a type of performance art in which participants wear costumes and accessories to represent a specific character or idea. Cosplayers can be from little kids to adults. They often interact to create a subculture on role play. A broader use of a the term " cosplay " applies to any costumed role play. The favorite sources include manga and anime, comic books, video games and films. Any entity from a real or virtual world that lends itself to dramatic interpretation may be taken up as a subject. The cosplayers mainly have three purposes which are the following;

a) The first is to express adoration for a character, or in feeling similar to a character in personality, seeking to become that character.

b) The second is those people who enjoy the attention that cosplaying a certain character brings. Within the cultures of anime and manga specifically, as well as science fiction and fantasy.

c) The third is those who love the creative process, and the sense of personal achievement upon competition.

    In conclusion, cosplaying is more than dressing up. It's a way to express yourself within a character that may have an effect on you. It's a chance to be another person for one day. I think they should be more activities like this in the world. It helps a lot in many ways. For example, it makes you socialize with people who share the same passion as you. The teenagers get involve on how to project a character rather than how to use drugs or alcohol. It helps them stay busy and out of trouble. You learn a lot of interesting things about anime, books, movies, etc. Cosplaying is just an positive escape from the mad world.

P.S. My English Professor should do a cosplay and have fun with it xD

Star Wars Cosplay!!

Sakura Cosplay from Naruto !!

Michigan teen BULLIED!

This news is about another teenager getting bullied. Whitney is a typical teen who wants to live a normal life. Her classmates voted for her as a joke to become the female representative of the sophomore class. It really hurt her to the point that she wanted to commit suicide. It had a strong impact on me. I just don't understand what goes through the mind of teens when they bully others. I know what It feels like to be bullied. It's the worst feeling ever. You feel like everybody is against you and you don't even know why. When I grow up I want to do a campaign of my own against bullying. I want to defend teens like Whitney. I would love to talk about the subject  in different schools around the world to make them see how cruel is bullying. This taught me to be a good person and to focus on my values. I hope everybody understands the suffering that bullying brings to teens life's. 



Here's the link to see the story of Whitney.

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/09/28/us/michigan-bullied-teen/index.html?hpt=us_c2