Xavierism

A Moment with Kylie

 

Kylie watching a TCM Classic, The Constant Nymph, featuring Charles Boyer and Joan Fontaine.

Welcome 2012!

Enjoyed the first day of 2012.

 

*Enjoyed a lazy late morning in bed.

*Spent the day with Rodan

*We met up with a friend at Lux Central

*Attended Mass

*Enjoyed a late afternoon run

*Chilled on the couch with our cockatoos

A Perfect way to start off the New Year!

****CHEERS!****

My Personal Review of 2011

Alana Davis - 32 Flavors

I learned so much about myself throughout this year. I've always wanted to be a Runner.  If running around the block or two every now and then qualifies me as a runner then that was me. Although I wanted to be a runner that actually entered running events and actually stuck to goals and program. I'm not a great runner but I get out there and run. Early in the year, I felt a great ease while running. It wasn't till I ran a trail 10K run in April that slowed me down. For most of the Summer I felt a bit sluggish. I also realized that with anything in life, one must have a plan. I allowed myself to veer off that path and take the easy road. That was definitely a wrong turn. I'm now doing my best to get back on track and get ready for a New Year of great running. I want to see results and improve my Personal Records.

Without one's health, you're nothing! Thanks to running I'm in better shape than I've ever been in my life. If only I didn't wait till I turned 46 to understand all of this. Now that I am 47, I want to feel at my best. Two major surgeries and another Cancer scare during the Summer didn't stop me. Moral of this chapter? If you're not feeling well or something doesn't feel quite right, have it checked out by your Doctors. Don't wait! Better to correct the problem than to face the consequences head on.

Like any other year, I learned a great deal about friends and acquaintances. Funny how one can feel so connected to certain people and minor events happen that allow their true colors to show. Miki Howard wrote a very powerful quote: "Everyone who says they're a friend doesn't mean they're your friend." Thanks to running I have gained so many wonderful and supportive friends. Running connects us so again I am thankful that I am able to get out there and put one foor in front of the other. Overall I am thankful for the true friends in my life.

Rodan and I have added another year. We will soon celebrate 12 years together. It hasn't always been easy but it's definitely been worth it. 

Omar, Kylie & Baby Ella continue to be the Feathered Angels of our house. Each bird has a personality of their own...just like children. I will have to post most clips of our babies throughout 2012.

Praise God, my Patron Saints and Angels for allowing my Faith & Sense of Humor to get me through the rough patches. My good friends are like tiny treasure...priceless. So I thank those that have been there for Rodan and myself.

To those that read my blog or stumble upon this blog post, I do Wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I look forward to sharing in 2012!

*****CHEERS & LOVE!*****

Current Music: Alana Davis' 32 Flavors

Current Mood: Simply Blessed

The Little Gifts In My Life

 My Buelita's quote. Design by Vix. -Pic reposted from Feb. 1st, 2007 blog.

***Random Play

*Andrea Lynn Marchant: Counting Down

*Jonny Diaz: More Beautiful You

*Audret Assad: The House You're Building

*Jimmy Needleham: Not Without You

*Crystal Bowersox: Farmer's Daughter

*Kerri Roberts: Selt Titled CD

I woke up feeling blessed for the Little Gifts in my Life. Anytime Life is lost to devastions, I often wonder why is it that I live on for one more moment, one more day. I am thankful to share my Life with my soulmate. I'm loved and love. I'm alive. I have options. We live for loved ones that no longer have options. Allow Empathy to flow...

Heartfelt prayers to the people in Japan that have been affected by the recent earthquake and tsunamis.

"If you're feeling helpless, help someone."  --- Aung San Suu Kyi

Current Music: Kerrie Roberts' No Matter What

Current Mood: Blessed

Happy 2011!

 

The Next Door Neighbor

I woke up with this song in my heart. Beautiful song. Yesterday, we lost our next door neighbor and gained an Angel watching over us. It's hard to believe Terri will no longer be a part of my every day life. She now lives in my heart. She was like a Grandmother to me. She'll be missed. There are people we meet and our hearts find special compartments for those certain few. Terri, you definitely have your own special place in my heart and soul. Miss you, Terri. ♥

Thank you, 2009

Rodan & I by the window in our room at The Harlem Flophouse.

The beginning of 2009 started out strong. I felt grounded and in a great place for most of the first half of the year. During the summer, I learned a great deal about people and friendships. I kept finding myself contemplating a great quote by Miki Howard, "Everyone who says they're a friend doesn't mean they're your friend." This quote helped me out during the late 80's and early 90's...and again in 2009. I'm blessed to have such great friends in my inner circle.

I found myself really enjoying more time at home. I've always been a home body but this year I really tackled various home projects. I look forward to doing more around our home in the new year.

Yesterday was the anniversary of Buelita's death. Every day since then, her memories are a part of my daily blessings. Every time the wind chimes make a sound, I feel her spirit. I find it amazing how Love goes on and on.

Overall, I am thankful for the abundance of small blessings during a year when so many people around me were struggling. End of 2009 turned out to be the best part of the year: a trip to NYC! It was great to be back in NY. I keep reliving the memories from this last trip. The older I get, the more I am thankful for today. Thank you, 2009, for the lessons, added wisdom, and the joy & love. I'm back on solid ground!

Current Music: Shannon Brown's I Wont Lie

Current Mood: Loved, Thrilled, Happy, & Excited for 2010!

Christmas Eve

 

Life moves with or without us. I'm blessed that I've allowed myself more time to myself and loved ones. I prefer the quiet evenings at home rather than a busy social calendar. I'm thankful to have a cozy home and a wonderful partner. Our three Umbrella Cockatoos keep us busy at home. Rodan and I both have loving families and friends. These are the things that we shouldn't take for granted. The older I get, the more I value the quiet times. So many people we know are struggling during these tough times. God knows I know all about the tough times. I suppose we have all been through such tough times. We dig in deep within ourselves and find a way to survive. It's the only choice I believe in. May our hearts be filled with more Empathy long after the holiday season.

This afternoon, I will help prep for food to be delivered tomorrow to the elderly. Christmas Day will be an online free day. I plan to take in all the joy...as well as a few Chocolate sweets!

I wish all of my family, friends, and readers a beautiful Christmas filled with much Love. Blessings galore!

*****Merry Christmas!*****

Light of a New Dawn

The Brooklyn Bridge as photographed by Rodan.

***Random Play
*Sheila Kirsten Hughes: Perspectives
*Corrinne May: Beautiful Seed
*Jon McLaughlin: OK Now
*Celia Chavez: Sailor's Daughter
*Erin McCarley: Love, Save the Empty
*Nichole Nordeman: Recollection -The Best of Nichole Nordeman

We're at the end of 2009. I can't believe another year has whizzed by. I feel as though I should wear the gained wisdom over this past year on my sleeve. I'd like to believe that I've gained wisdom. I know I've learned lessons from the heart because I felt the emotional blisters.

Throughout this year, I have allowed more time to volunteer with Hospice groups. As a volunteer coordinator for a Hospice group and a volunteer for a few, it has taught me to appreciate all that Life throws at me. My Buelita used to always say, "It's not about the moments but how we deal with the situations." I'm a firm believer of that statement.

I'm thrilled that Rodan and I took time out from our lives to enjoy a trip to New York City. I've missed that city. It's been a few years since I was last there. To walk around in any direction and feel the energy of people all around me, the skyscrapers, the cold Christmas air that made me feel so alive. This was Rodan's first trip to NYC...and it was a thrill to watch him fall in love with this city.

Friendships. I learned the meaning of true friendships this year. Over the past two years, I have met so many people. Most will remain good acquaintances. A few will be allowed within my own space as good friends. It's such a joy to reconnect with old friends and make the ties stronger. I've learned to care about those that care about me. I'm so blessed to have such great people within my inner circle.

I feel as though 2010 will be a great year. Now if only the Democrats can get their heads out of their asses and get this country back on my feet. Oh yeah...thanks to Oprahama, I  learned more than ever that I'm a DAMN proud Moderate Conservative!

I can sense the Light of a New Dawn. Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts with you. Thank you for being you. I hope to blog more often next year.

*****Cheers!*****

Current Music: Corrinne May's Scars (Stronger for Life)

Current Mood: Excited, Empathy, Love, Joy, & Hope

Proud to be Latino

***Random Play
*Celia Chavez: Sailor's Daughter
*Laura Marie: Drawn
*Salvador: Aware
*Nichole Nordeman: Woven & Spun
*Diana Winter: Escapizm
*Paolo Nutini: Sunny Side Up

Like so many other Hispanics, I was glued to the television so I could watch CNN's Soledad O'brien's Latino in America. I was watching this show along with many of my Latino Brothers and Sisters. Thanks to the social network power of Twitter, we were able to share in real time. Actually, most shared their thoughts while I sat back and watched the show.

From what I gathered so many Hispanics felt that their similar Life history wasn't revealed within any of the stories shared. While I did agree with this take, I also felt that the show didn't take me on a journey of any sorts. Yes, it shared life stories about those that struggled to find a place within our American society but I wanted to feel the human interest element about every day Hispanics coping with every day life. 

I was expecting to watch a story about a single young Latina woman raising her children on her own and working a full time job. To share her powerful story...an every day struggle that women of all colours can relate and understand. I know so many of these Hispanic women. These woman can't even enjoy a time out because she has to deal with Life in the moment. Stories about Mothers that thank God that their teenage sons return home at the end of the day for fear of gangs and it's 'dark alley'. This was far from what I expected. It seems as though I had a whole show playing in my head and it was nothing like the segment I watched on CNN.

I know numerous Hispanic people that could be considered mentors for our young youth. Many that would inspire those of all ages. I wanted to watch stories that would have me cheering for my brothers and sisters as I would a football game. I wanted to be proud of our those that were part of Soledad's story. Instead, I was left feeling as though I watched a bad movie and kept asking myself, "Was that it?"

I was blessed to be born into an amazing family. I grew up to believe that Education was the key. What I learned early on was that Education also came in the form of every day Life's experiences. Since I was a young child, I knew I was gay. I didn't know the 'what' or 'why' details but I knew I was different from most of the boys. I can remember being ridiculed for 'being different'. I now know that these feelings caused me to be an emotional eater and the main reason for being overweight during those years. I was up to 250 when graduated high school. I am so thankful for my Catholic faith. Yes, I am very thankful that my Buelita raised me to believe in Angels and Saints. Because of her, I believe my Faith in God, helped me through so many dark moments.

After battles with Cancer, I believe that I am here for a reason. I'm here to share, inspire, and be inspired. Latinos, like every colour and nationality, we want to be respected. We are more than just a maid, gardener, or gang member on a TV show. Maybe I do have more stories to share...

Final thought? I want thank those Latinos that have inspired me throughout my Life. I want to thank those Latinos/Latinas of today that inspire me to be a better person tomorrow. I'm proud to be surrounded by so many Brothers and Sisters that are doing just that. I'm one of 51 million Latinos in American. I'm proud to be Latino.

    Current Music: Laura Marie's In Code

Current Mood: Proud