Sure it's easier to say yes, but at what price to your peace of mind? Here's why saying no may be a healthier option for stress relief.
Be honest with yourself. Is your plate piled too high with deadlines and obligations that you're trying to squeeze in between meetings? Are you trying to cram too many activities into too little time? If so, stress relief can be as straightforward as just saying no — or no more.
Why say no?
There are countless worthy requests out there just waiting to decrease the amount of free time you have, and increase your level of stress. So, it's easy to create stressful situations in your life, if you don't turn down requests for your time and talents.
Who will make costumes for the school play or coach your children's Little League team if you don't? The answer may not be simple, but you should still consider these reasons for making sure it's not you.
* Saying no can be good for you. Saying no is not a selfish act. In fact, it may be the most beneficial thing that you can do for your family and your other commitments. When you say no, you'll be able to spend quality time on the things you've already said yes to.
* Saying no can allow you to try new things. Just because you've always helped plan the company softball tournament doesn't mean that you have to keep doing it forever. Saying no will free up time to pursue other hobbies or interests.
* Yes isn't always the best answer. If you're overcommitted and under a lot of stress, you've got a much better chance of becoming sick, tired or just plain old crabby, which doesn't benefit you or anyone else.
* It's important to recognize the power of other people. Let those around you come through. Although others may not do things exactly the same way you would, you can learn a valuable lesson by allowing others to help, while gaining treasured free time.
When to say no
Sometimes it's tough to determine which activities deserve your time and attention. Use these strategies to evaluate obligations — and opportunities — that come your way.
* Find yourself. Saying no helps you prioritize the things that are important to you. You'll gain time that you can commit to the things that you really want to do, such as leaving work at a reasonable hour to make time for a mind-clearing run at the end of the day. Examine your current obligations and overall priorities before making any new commitments. Ask yourself if the new commitment is important to you. If it's something that you feel strongly about, by all means do it.
* Weigh the yes-to-stress ratio. Is the new activity that you're considering a short- or long-term commitment? Taking an afternoon to bake a batch of cookies for the school bake sale will take far less of your precious time than heading up the school fundraising committee for an entire year. If an activity is going to end up being another source of stress in your life — especially for the long term — take a pass.
* Let go of guilt. If friends want to get together for an impromptu evening out on the town when you've already scheduled a quiet evening at home with your partner, it's okay to decline their offer. Do what you've set out to do and don't veer off that path because of feelings of guilt or obligation. It will only lead to additional stress in your life.
* Keep your current commitments in check. If you have relatives coming over for dinner, don't go overboard. Order pizza or ask everyone to bring a dish to share.
* Sleep on it. Are you tempted by a friend's invitation to volunteer at your old alma mater or join a weekly golf league? Take a day to think over the request and respond after you've been able to assess your current commitments as well as the new opportunity.
How to say no
No. Nope. Nah. See how simple it is to say one little word that will allow you to take a pass on the things that aren't a priority? Of course, there are always instances when it's just not that easy. Here are some things to keep in mind when you need to say no:
* Practice full disclosure. Don't fabricate reasons to get out of an obligation. The truth is always the best way to turn down a friend, family member or co-worker.
* Let them down gently. Many good causes land at your door, and it can be tough to turn them down. Complimenting the person or group's effort while saying that you're unable to commit at this time helps to soften the blow and keep you in good graces.
Saying no won't be easy if you're used to saying yes all the time. But learning to say no is an important part of simplifying your way to a better, less stressful life.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
In Pursuit of Happiness
This may change your mind in whether or not you think you're trapped in your current position.
Back in 1978, Joanne Davidow was a frustrated 35-year-old saleswoman in a high-end ladies' clothing boutique. She felt stifled. "If I gave my opinion about the business to the owners, they didn't want to hear from me," she says.
Desperate for a change, she studied for a real estate licensing exam. Today she has 70 agents working for her at Prudential Fox & Roach in Philadelphia, and she racked up $50 million in sales in 2004. "I had no idea whether I would be successful or not," Davidow says. "But on my first day as a real estate agent, I felt like I was home."
Almost half of the U.S. workforce changes careers at least once, according to the Census Bureau. And at any point, roughly half of workers say they are unhappy at work. But the decision to leave a steady job—no matter how soul-crushing—is a difficult one, particularly if a dream position requires new skills or a specialized degree.
Worker bees often fantasize about breaking out of the cubicle to do something more hands-on, says James Borland, a coach with The Five O'Clock Club, a career-counseling network. "Particularly if they've been let go, a lot of people say, 'I'm going to buy a bed-and-breakfast in Vermont.' But they don't realize how hard they would work."
Harnessing momentum for change is admirable, experts say, but they caution career switchers to keep their feet on the ground. Make sure your fantasy job is both economically viable and in line with your personal strengths and values before jumping ship. "Often, when someone wants to go back to school, she is doing it as an escape," says Connecticut-based career coach Julie Jensen. School lovers, she says, may happily apply to academic programs without critically assessing the jobs they will lead to.
But sometimes heading back to school is the only way to make a sharp career turn. Tess Autrey Bosher, 30, gave up a six-figure salary to follow her passion: cooking. While she enjoyed law school, she was unhappy during her three-year stint as a lawyer. She quit the firm to attend the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City, where most students are career changers. She hopes to work in a French restaurant where she's likely to earn just above minimum wage.
Frustrated workers often discover that the seeds of a more fruitful career were planted long ago. Christina Drogaris, 30, held hectic film-production jobs for five years after college. But she had always had a flair for interior design; as a kid she would accompany her mother, an antiques dealer, on furniture-hunting exhibitions. After thoroughly scoping out the field, she decided to attend night classes at Parson's School of Design in New York City. "School was much easier this time around," she says. "I finally knew what I wanted to do, so I couldn't wait to go to class."
Jensen advises people who wish to strike out on their own to make a small move before the big one—by taking on consulting work or a freelance assignment, for example, or by volunteering at a restaurant before enrolling in cooking school. "You need to break it down into small pieces, so it doesn't feel like you have to jump across a deep canyon," says Washington, D.C., coach and psychologist Ellen Ostrow. "Talk to people who have made these kinds of transitions and create a strategy. Unless you are in jail, you are not trapped. You do have options."
Back in 1978, Joanne Davidow was a frustrated 35-year-old saleswoman in a high-end ladies' clothing boutique. She felt stifled. "If I gave my opinion about the business to the owners, they didn't want to hear from me," she says.
Desperate for a change, she studied for a real estate licensing exam. Today she has 70 agents working for her at Prudential Fox & Roach in Philadelphia, and she racked up $50 million in sales in 2004. "I had no idea whether I would be successful or not," Davidow says. "But on my first day as a real estate agent, I felt like I was home."
Almost half of the U.S. workforce changes careers at least once, according to the Census Bureau. And at any point, roughly half of workers say they are unhappy at work. But the decision to leave a steady job—no matter how soul-crushing—is a difficult one, particularly if a dream position requires new skills or a specialized degree.
Worker bees often fantasize about breaking out of the cubicle to do something more hands-on, says James Borland, a coach with The Five O'Clock Club, a career-counseling network. "Particularly if they've been let go, a lot of people say, 'I'm going to buy a bed-and-breakfast in Vermont.' But they don't realize how hard they would work."
Harnessing momentum for change is admirable, experts say, but they caution career switchers to keep their feet on the ground. Make sure your fantasy job is both economically viable and in line with your personal strengths and values before jumping ship. "Often, when someone wants to go back to school, she is doing it as an escape," says Connecticut-based career coach Julie Jensen. School lovers, she says, may happily apply to academic programs without critically assessing the jobs they will lead to.
But sometimes heading back to school is the only way to make a sharp career turn. Tess Autrey Bosher, 30, gave up a six-figure salary to follow her passion: cooking. While she enjoyed law school, she was unhappy during her three-year stint as a lawyer. She quit the firm to attend the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City, where most students are career changers. She hopes to work in a French restaurant where she's likely to earn just above minimum wage.
Frustrated workers often discover that the seeds of a more fruitful career were planted long ago. Christina Drogaris, 30, held hectic film-production jobs for five years after college. But she had always had a flair for interior design; as a kid she would accompany her mother, an antiques dealer, on furniture-hunting exhibitions. After thoroughly scoping out the field, she decided to attend night classes at Parson's School of Design in New York City. "School was much easier this time around," she says. "I finally knew what I wanted to do, so I couldn't wait to go to class."
Jensen advises people who wish to strike out on their own to make a small move before the big one—by taking on consulting work or a freelance assignment, for example, or by volunteering at a restaurant before enrolling in cooking school. "You need to break it down into small pieces, so it doesn't feel like you have to jump across a deep canyon," says Washington, D.C., coach and psychologist Ellen Ostrow. "Talk to people who have made these kinds of transitions and create a strategy. Unless you are in jail, you are not trapped. You do have options."
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Latina Producers
Latina Producers
As the years go by and our population grows, more and more opportunities become available for Latinas, and many of them are in, YES, the entertainment industry! Most likely when the word “producer” is mentioned, what comes to mind is a dumpy, balding, smoking cigar-chomping man cutting deals in a cluttered office. But a voracious appetite for television programming and innovative films, coupled with an increasing Latino population in the United States, has opened a once closed door to ambitious and talented Latinas with an eye on calling the shots behind the scenes. Meet Barbara Martinez-Jitner, Kathryn Galán, Nely Galán, Shawna Baca, and Corina Bartra, rising stars in the film, television and music field. This Latinas are a perfect example of why a growing number of Latinas are scoring success in Hollywood and elsewhere in the entertainment industry, a demanding profession that not long ago was male domain.
“There are a lot of Latinas who are producers today, and the reason is simple,” says Barbara Martinez-Jitner, one of the top Latinas in the film industry. “Latinas are producers in the home, we run everything. It wasn’t Cortez who conquered the New World, it was Malinche,” she emphasizes referring to the native woman who was the conquistador’s mistress and confidant. “It’s the women who make things happen!” Martinez-Jitner proudly says to have learned her producing techniques from her grandmother, who was a farm worker. “She miraculously raised eight kids,” she says. “If she could do that, I think I can produce a movie!”
Martinez-Jitners’ career is a clear representation of climbing up the ladder—her resumé includes acting, writing and directing as well as producing. On the 1999 film Selena, based on the life story of the slain Tejano pop singer, she worked with famed director and producer Gregory Nava, whose critically acclaimed feature films include El Norte and Mi Familia. Within a few years, she was establishing herself in the industry as a writer and producer of American Family, the first Latino drama with a Latino-theme broadcast nationwide on television. Nominated for the Golden Globe and Emmy awards for her work on American Family, Martinez-Jitner is now poised to garner even greater fame.
Her current project is Bordertown, a feature film starring Jennifer Lopez, based on the ongoing and tragic story of murdered Mexican women in Ciudad Juárez. To research the story, she risked her own life and went undercover, posing as a worker in a maquiladora (factory) to gain firsthand knowledge of the reality that has led to the unsolved murders of over 400 young women in recent years. “In that society,” she charges, “the people who are working in those factories, their lives mean nothing. You can murder one of those women, and there are no repercussions.” In the film, which debuted at the Berlin Film Festival in February and is scheduled for release worldwide later this year, Lopez portrays a newspaper reporter who courts danger while investigating the crimes.
Driven by a passion to explore themes that have captured their imagination, Latina producers are an increasingly important presence in the motion picture and television industries. Some have risen to the top by virtue of the fame they’ve garnered and the power they command as successful actresses. Salma Hayek, for instance, has put her producer’s stamp on two recent productions—the 2002 film Frida, a portrait of legendary Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, and Ugly Betty, ABC’s hit TV series starring Golden Globe award-winner America Ferrera. Eva Longoria, known as the most beguiling of ABC’s Desperate Housewives, has also logged producer’s credits for the 2004 film Carlita’s Secret and the 2006 ALMA Awards broadcast. But for the vast majority of Latina producers, the road to success has come through hard work away from the glare of the spotlight.
Kathryn Galán, an experienced producer whose credits include films such as French Kiss and Becoming Colette, has a unique perspective on the profession as an executive director of the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP). She speaks from hard-earned experience when she says, “being a producer is very challenging, but when it works, it is the most rewarding.”
Galán’s organization serves as a focal point for Latinos working in the film and television industry and throughout these years, Galán has seen commendable progress. “Over a dozen Latino and Latina-made or focused documentaries have received national broadcasts in the past couple of years,” she says. “Programs like The George Lopez Show and Ugly Betty, not to mention Resurrection Blvd, American Family and Welcome to Tucson have had runs that build audiences, make money and advance careers. More Latinas, for instance, are considering film school and attending professional development programs that advance their projects and relationships.”
One executive whose career personifies the success that Latinas are currently enjoying as producers is Nely Galán. For over a decade, her Galan Entertainment firm has been a force in developing new programming in both English and Spanish for networks such as HBO, NBC, Televisa, Telemundo and Fox, for which she produced the hit series The Swan. Galán’s record of success has made her one of the most influential Latina executives in the entertainment field and a role model for those aspiring to follow in her footsteps as a successful producer. “I think this is a great time to be Latina in this business,” Galán says. “We have a unique voice that represents many millions of people and companies want to reach us.”
In her history-making trek to the top of her profession, Galán learned quickly that the road to success was fraught with both obstacles and opportunities. “Being Latina has been very helpful to me in being a producer in the mainstream; it gave me a differentiating proposition,” she recalls. “I was different than everyone else, but it has been more difficult to be a Latina producer working in the Latin market within the U.S. and Latin America, where they have a harder time accepting women in this role. However, what has been difficult is just the choice of deciding to be a producer—it is not an easy career for anyone. It is similar to being a real estate developer.”
For Galán, being in the entertainment industry is a high risk but rewarding business. “You spend a lot of time putting projects together on your own time that don’t amount to anything,” she says. “Many of the people in it are rich to begin with, so they have the advantage and the staying power. However, when it all works it’s amazing. I feel like I get to be an investment banker, a real estate developer, a marketing guru and a creative idea person all in one career. It’s never boring.”
Fledgling Latina producers who hope to replicate Galán’s record of success know they face an uphill climb, but, driven by strong personal interests, they forge ahead, paying their dues and waiting for recognition to follow.
Shawna Baca was a stage actress before she became interested in filmmaking and producing. She quickly attracted attention, winning praise for her short film 3:52, featuring America Ferrera. “It’s important that we tell our stories,” Baca states emphatically. “Part of the reason acting was such a turn off was due to the roles that were out there for women, especially minority women. We seem so behind the times. I felt a strong desire to work on films that showcased Latinos in a positive light. With independent films growing in popularity, it was time to jump into the game.”
Today, Baca is working on a documentary that explores a theme that is close to her heart, especially to her descent. “My mother’s side of the family is Pasqua Yaqui, Apache and Mexican,” she explains. “My father’s side is Spanish. My grandmother, who is full-blooded Indian, half Yaqui (Mexican Indian) and half Apache (American Indian) always took me to Native American Pow-Wows since I was little. I’ve come to know the community well. When a Danish producer friend of mine expressed an interest in me taking her to a Pow-Wow, she was blown away by the beauty of the tradition.” Ever since, Baca explains to partnered up with her producer friend to make a documentary that explores the modern traditions of Native Americans and show how Pow-Wows honor their tradition and keep them alive.
Barbara Martinez-Jitner
Kathryn Galán, executive director of the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP)
Nely Galán, producer of The Swan
Corina Bartra, producer, composer and singer.
Shawna Baca, actress and independent filmmaker
It’s not only in film and television that Latinas are making headway as producers, in the equally competitive music industry, Latina artists who assume the producer’s role in managing their careers have to consider every detail, from raising funds to marketing. Composer and singer Corina Bartra, whose latest album is Bambu Sun on her own Blue Spiral label, works tirelessly to get her concepts from the studio to the marketplace. “The most challenging thing as a producer is to come up with the money to do the project and organize it,” she explains. “You have to pick the material, musicians, and studio, and you have to organize rehearsals, get art work for the CD cover, and many other things. For me, music goes beyond being just an entertainment form. And, ultimately, the greatest challenge facing independent producers is finding ways of marketing the recording. This requires all of your skills, and some luck.”
The good news is that, as NALIP’s executive director Galán sees it, “Hollywood is a pretty color-blind business. Good executives with taste, experience and relationships can become successful producers.” What stands out to Galán is that Latinas have only begun to make big inroads as producers. “Latinas are wildly underrepresented in the executive and decision-making ranks of Hollywood,” she observes. “And those working in independent film do not yet have wide rolodexes full of equity investors such as doctors, lawyers, and entrepreneurs who are willing to take a gamble on talented young Latina filmmakers. We are making progress, but these are barriers that impede success.”
Baca, for one, is up for the challenge. “This is a great time to be a producer in the entertainment industry,” she says. “With the demand for Latino projects and the success rate of independent filmmaking, this is a good time to tell our stories from our perspectives and environments. I have a voice today that my great-grandmother didn’t have, nor did my grandmother or my mother. We face the challenges of being a minority and Latina. But I’m not going to stop, and that’s what makes it unique.”
As the years go by and our population grows, more and more opportunities become available for Latinas, and many of them are in, YES, the entertainment industry! Most likely when the word “producer” is mentioned, what comes to mind is a dumpy, balding, smoking cigar-chomping man cutting deals in a cluttered office. But a voracious appetite for television programming and innovative films, coupled with an increasing Latino population in the United States, has opened a once closed door to ambitious and talented Latinas with an eye on calling the shots behind the scenes. Meet Barbara Martinez-Jitner, Kathryn Galán, Nely Galán, Shawna Baca, and Corina Bartra, rising stars in the film, television and music field. This Latinas are a perfect example of why a growing number of Latinas are scoring success in Hollywood and elsewhere in the entertainment industry, a demanding profession that not long ago was male domain.
“There are a lot of Latinas who are producers today, and the reason is simple,” says Barbara Martinez-Jitner, one of the top Latinas in the film industry. “Latinas are producers in the home, we run everything. It wasn’t Cortez who conquered the New World, it was Malinche,” she emphasizes referring to the native woman who was the conquistador’s mistress and confidant. “It’s the women who make things happen!” Martinez-Jitner proudly says to have learned her producing techniques from her grandmother, who was a farm worker. “She miraculously raised eight kids,” she says. “If she could do that, I think I can produce a movie!”
Martinez-Jitners’ career is a clear representation of climbing up the ladder—her resumé includes acting, writing and directing as well as producing. On the 1999 film Selena, based on the life story of the slain Tejano pop singer, she worked with famed director and producer Gregory Nava, whose critically acclaimed feature films include El Norte and Mi Familia. Within a few years, she was establishing herself in the industry as a writer and producer of American Family, the first Latino drama with a Latino-theme broadcast nationwide on television. Nominated for the Golden Globe and Emmy awards for her work on American Family, Martinez-Jitner is now poised to garner even greater fame.
Her current project is Bordertown, a feature film starring Jennifer Lopez, based on the ongoing and tragic story of murdered Mexican women in Ciudad Juárez. To research the story, she risked her own life and went undercover, posing as a worker in a maquiladora (factory) to gain firsthand knowledge of the reality that has led to the unsolved murders of over 400 young women in recent years. “In that society,” she charges, “the people who are working in those factories, their lives mean nothing. You can murder one of those women, and there are no repercussions.” In the film, which debuted at the Berlin Film Festival in February and is scheduled for release worldwide later this year, Lopez portrays a newspaper reporter who courts danger while investigating the crimes.
Driven by a passion to explore themes that have captured their imagination, Latina producers are an increasingly important presence in the motion picture and television industries. Some have risen to the top by virtue of the fame they’ve garnered and the power they command as successful actresses. Salma Hayek, for instance, has put her producer’s stamp on two recent productions—the 2002 film Frida, a portrait of legendary Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, and Ugly Betty, ABC’s hit TV series starring Golden Globe award-winner America Ferrera. Eva Longoria, known as the most beguiling of ABC’s Desperate Housewives, has also logged producer’s credits for the 2004 film Carlita’s Secret and the 2006 ALMA Awards broadcast. But for the vast majority of Latina producers, the road to success has come through hard work away from the glare of the spotlight.
Kathryn Galán, an experienced producer whose credits include films such as French Kiss and Becoming Colette, has a unique perspective on the profession as an executive director of the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP). She speaks from hard-earned experience when she says, “being a producer is very challenging, but when it works, it is the most rewarding.”
Galán’s organization serves as a focal point for Latinos working in the film and television industry and throughout these years, Galán has seen commendable progress. “Over a dozen Latino and Latina-made or focused documentaries have received national broadcasts in the past couple of years,” she says. “Programs like The George Lopez Show and Ugly Betty, not to mention Resurrection Blvd, American Family and Welcome to Tucson have had runs that build audiences, make money and advance careers. More Latinas, for instance, are considering film school and attending professional development programs that advance their projects and relationships.”
One executive whose career personifies the success that Latinas are currently enjoying as producers is Nely Galán. For over a decade, her Galan Entertainment firm has been a force in developing new programming in both English and Spanish for networks such as HBO, NBC, Televisa, Telemundo and Fox, for which she produced the hit series The Swan. Galán’s record of success has made her one of the most influential Latina executives in the entertainment field and a role model for those aspiring to follow in her footsteps as a successful producer. “I think this is a great time to be Latina in this business,” Galán says. “We have a unique voice that represents many millions of people and companies want to reach us.”
In her history-making trek to the top of her profession, Galán learned quickly that the road to success was fraught with both obstacles and opportunities. “Being Latina has been very helpful to me in being a producer in the mainstream; it gave me a differentiating proposition,” she recalls. “I was different than everyone else, but it has been more difficult to be a Latina producer working in the Latin market within the U.S. and Latin America, where they have a harder time accepting women in this role. However, what has been difficult is just the choice of deciding to be a producer—it is not an easy career for anyone. It is similar to being a real estate developer.”
For Galán, being in the entertainment industry is a high risk but rewarding business. “You spend a lot of time putting projects together on your own time that don’t amount to anything,” she says. “Many of the people in it are rich to begin with, so they have the advantage and the staying power. However, when it all works it’s amazing. I feel like I get to be an investment banker, a real estate developer, a marketing guru and a creative idea person all in one career. It’s never boring.”
Fledgling Latina producers who hope to replicate Galán’s record of success know they face an uphill climb, but, driven by strong personal interests, they forge ahead, paying their dues and waiting for recognition to follow.
Shawna Baca was a stage actress before she became interested in filmmaking and producing. She quickly attracted attention, winning praise for her short film 3:52, featuring America Ferrera. “It’s important that we tell our stories,” Baca states emphatically. “Part of the reason acting was such a turn off was due to the roles that were out there for women, especially minority women. We seem so behind the times. I felt a strong desire to work on films that showcased Latinos in a positive light. With independent films growing in popularity, it was time to jump into the game.”
Today, Baca is working on a documentary that explores a theme that is close to her heart, especially to her descent. “My mother’s side of the family is Pasqua Yaqui, Apache and Mexican,” she explains. “My father’s side is Spanish. My grandmother, who is full-blooded Indian, half Yaqui (Mexican Indian) and half Apache (American Indian) always took me to Native American Pow-Wows since I was little. I’ve come to know the community well. When a Danish producer friend of mine expressed an interest in me taking her to a Pow-Wow, she was blown away by the beauty of the tradition.” Ever since, Baca explains to partnered up with her producer friend to make a documentary that explores the modern traditions of Native Americans and show how Pow-Wows honor their tradition and keep them alive.
Barbara Martinez-Jitner
Kathryn Galán, executive director of the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP)
Nely Galán, producer of The Swan
Corina Bartra, producer, composer and singer.
Shawna Baca, actress and independent filmmaker
It’s not only in film and television that Latinas are making headway as producers, in the equally competitive music industry, Latina artists who assume the producer’s role in managing their careers have to consider every detail, from raising funds to marketing. Composer and singer Corina Bartra, whose latest album is Bambu Sun on her own Blue Spiral label, works tirelessly to get her concepts from the studio to the marketplace. “The most challenging thing as a producer is to come up with the money to do the project and organize it,” she explains. “You have to pick the material, musicians, and studio, and you have to organize rehearsals, get art work for the CD cover, and many other things. For me, music goes beyond being just an entertainment form. And, ultimately, the greatest challenge facing independent producers is finding ways of marketing the recording. This requires all of your skills, and some luck.”
The good news is that, as NALIP’s executive director Galán sees it, “Hollywood is a pretty color-blind business. Good executives with taste, experience and relationships can become successful producers.” What stands out to Galán is that Latinas have only begun to make big inroads as producers. “Latinas are wildly underrepresented in the executive and decision-making ranks of Hollywood,” she observes. “And those working in independent film do not yet have wide rolodexes full of equity investors such as doctors, lawyers, and entrepreneurs who are willing to take a gamble on talented young Latina filmmakers. We are making progress, but these are barriers that impede success.”
Baca, for one, is up for the challenge. “This is a great time to be a producer in the entertainment industry,” she says. “With the demand for Latino projects and the success rate of independent filmmaking, this is a good time to tell our stories from our perspectives and environments. I have a voice today that my great-grandmother didn’t have, nor did my grandmother or my mother. We face the challenges of being a minority and Latina. But I’m not going to stop, and that’s what makes it unique.”
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Just Live Out the Sex Fantasies of Your Dreams ...
Live Out the Sex Fantasies of Your Dreams
Certainly nothing is unnatural that is not physically impossible....
Crowd Scenes. Different Strokes. Domination and Discipline. Flying Solo. Girls and Girls/Boys and Boys. Head and Tail. Pursuit and Capture. Serendipity.
The provocative themes from Letters to Penthouse are the stuff of sex fantasies, hot-blooded writers speak in their unguarded correspondence of carnal rubbing and licking, devouring and pumping — in settings like a college dorm room and a backyard pool. The popular editions of Letters, with their cover-to-cover stories of daring experimentation, are evidence of an open-minded interest in the vast variety of imaginable sexcapades.
Try This at Home
Experimentation breeds excitement in the bedroom. Keeping things hot can be as simple as reading an erotic book or trying a new sexual position (maybe taking a page out of the Kama Sutra). Or consider these creative ways to make sure you and your partner don't become bored in bed.
Once in a while, pick a different place and time. Awaken your partner before the alarm goes off for some morning sex. Or try a 3 a.m. thriller for a change. Make love on the kitchen floor, consider visiting the guest bedroom for another change of venue, take your blindfolded partner to the nearest "no-tell motel," or drive a little farther to your own little love shack in the mountains. Stop on the way for a back-seat "quickie," or rendezvous with your lover at a private picnic spot.
Take turns at role-playing. Rachel obliged sit-com "Friend" Ross by donning the Princess Leia look straight out of Star Wars. Some men might have a hankering for a classic French maid or a buxom blonde. Women might appreciate the chance to make a move on Elvis, or a doctor or a lifeguard — to each her own. Any fantasy is fine, sexologists (sex therapists) say, as long as it improves intercourse rather than detracts from it.
Women tend to have fantasies about relationships and great moments they've had, or "being-taken" fantasies, says sociologist Pepper Schwartz, Ph.D., while men often have "submission fantasies — she sees him, wants him."
It's All in Your Head
By definition, fantasies live in the mind. "It's not a fantasy if you go out and do it," says Howard Ruppel, Ph.D., chancellor at the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality. Your thoughts during sex are not a reflection of your real-life mindset. Rather, sex offers the opportunity "to experience things you can't possibly act out," wrote the late Alex Comfort, M.D., in his classic bestseller The Joy of Sex (recently updated 30 years after its first edition). "These fantasies can be heterosexual, homosexual, incestuous, tender, wild, or bloodthirsty — don't block, and don't be afraid of your partner's fantasy; this is a dream you are in."
Think your partner will take pleasure in playing along? In some relationships, revealing your fanciful desires to your partner can fuel sexual fulfillment, Schwartz says. "It can produce a huge amount of intimacy if you're sharing these most private thoughts only with each other, which demonstrates a deep trust."
But only do so if you know your partner will respond positively — otherwise, don't feel the need to tell all, says Nancy Friday, author of the bestsellers My Secret Garden, Forbidden Flowers and Women on Top: How Real Life Has Changed Women's Sexual Fantasies.
Good Kind of Mind Game
Sex is a game with only two rules, Comfort wrote: Don't do anything you don't enjoy, and try to indulge your partner's expressed needs. Men and women should take turns setting the game plan. Heed Comfort's words: "[S]ex is no longer what men do to women and women are supposed to enjoy." Indeed, a fantastical adventure — where both partners are enthusiastic participants — could be just the recipe for a fulfilling sex life.
Certainly nothing is unnatural that is not physically impossible....
Crowd Scenes. Different Strokes. Domination and Discipline. Flying Solo. Girls and Girls/Boys and Boys. Head and Tail. Pursuit and Capture. Serendipity.
The provocative themes from Letters to Penthouse are the stuff of sex fantasies, hot-blooded writers speak in their unguarded correspondence of carnal rubbing and licking, devouring and pumping — in settings like a college dorm room and a backyard pool. The popular editions of Letters, with their cover-to-cover stories of daring experimentation, are evidence of an open-minded interest in the vast variety of imaginable sexcapades.
Try This at Home
Experimentation breeds excitement in the bedroom. Keeping things hot can be as simple as reading an erotic book or trying a new sexual position (maybe taking a page out of the Kama Sutra). Or consider these creative ways to make sure you and your partner don't become bored in bed.
Once in a while, pick a different place and time. Awaken your partner before the alarm goes off for some morning sex. Or try a 3 a.m. thriller for a change. Make love on the kitchen floor, consider visiting the guest bedroom for another change of venue, take your blindfolded partner to the nearest "no-tell motel," or drive a little farther to your own little love shack in the mountains. Stop on the way for a back-seat "quickie," or rendezvous with your lover at a private picnic spot.
Take turns at role-playing. Rachel obliged sit-com "Friend" Ross by donning the Princess Leia look straight out of Star Wars. Some men might have a hankering for a classic French maid or a buxom blonde. Women might appreciate the chance to make a move on Elvis, or a doctor or a lifeguard — to each her own. Any fantasy is fine, sexologists (sex therapists) say, as long as it improves intercourse rather than detracts from it.
Women tend to have fantasies about relationships and great moments they've had, or "being-taken" fantasies, says sociologist Pepper Schwartz, Ph.D., while men often have "submission fantasies — she sees him, wants him."
It's All in Your Head
By definition, fantasies live in the mind. "It's not a fantasy if you go out and do it," says Howard Ruppel, Ph.D., chancellor at the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality. Your thoughts during sex are not a reflection of your real-life mindset. Rather, sex offers the opportunity "to experience things you can't possibly act out," wrote the late Alex Comfort, M.D., in his classic bestseller The Joy of Sex (recently updated 30 years after its first edition). "These fantasies can be heterosexual, homosexual, incestuous, tender, wild, or bloodthirsty — don't block, and don't be afraid of your partner's fantasy; this is a dream you are in."
Think your partner will take pleasure in playing along? In some relationships, revealing your fanciful desires to your partner can fuel sexual fulfillment, Schwartz says. "It can produce a huge amount of intimacy if you're sharing these most private thoughts only with each other, which demonstrates a deep trust."
But only do so if you know your partner will respond positively — otherwise, don't feel the need to tell all, says Nancy Friday, author of the bestsellers My Secret Garden, Forbidden Flowers and Women on Top: How Real Life Has Changed Women's Sexual Fantasies.
Good Kind of Mind Game
Sex is a game with only two rules, Comfort wrote: Don't do anything you don't enjoy, and try to indulge your partner's expressed needs. Men and women should take turns setting the game plan. Heed Comfort's words: "[S]ex is no longer what men do to women and women are supposed to enjoy." Indeed, a fantastical adventure — where both partners are enthusiastic participants — could be just the recipe for a fulfilling sex life.
People of the island of Puerto Rico
There are about two million Puerto Ricans in the United States. Most of them live in New York City. Puerto Ricans consider themselves Americans but they are also proud of their island and their culture: music, dance, customs and traditions, food, arts, religion, and language. They are a lively and happy people.
CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS
Puerto Rican culture is alive in our community. Puerto Ricans keep their customs strong by keeping their traditions. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, and Puerto Rican Day are the best times to see, hear, and feel the spirit of being Puerto Rican. On these holidays Puerto Rican families come together. People in our community enjoy what it is to be a family- Puerto Rican and American. And being American you can either speak English or Spanish and make new traditions.
We celebrate the holidays much like the people in Puerto Rico do. Parents and grandparents bless the children with "La Bendicion". We stay in touch with our families and help out when needed. We also try to speak our language at home so that it is handed down from one generation to the next.
Every year Puerto Rican families in New York celebrate Puerto Rican Day either by joining or watching the parade in Manhattan with a Puerto Rican flag in hand or just viewing it on TV. They also hang flags in their cars or homes. This is one way many Puerto Ricans remember and show pride in their culture. This has been a tradition for many years and it is a way of keeping Puerto Rican culture alive and strong.
Christmas time is a special celebration for everyone every year. Everyone in the family comes together and enjoys a great time. We sing, dance, and eat many traditional food, such as "all-you-can-eat-buffet" at Christmas with rice, pigeon peas, roast pork, vegetables, and cakes or sweets. It is a mix traditional Puerto Rican and American treats with candy canes, chocolates, and other treats for children. Special Navidena music is played during this special holiday season. You can also hear Latin music and see the people dancing the Salsa and the Bolero. For this occasion, we do not wear special clothing or costume. We dress comfortably to enjoy the occasion.
FOOD
Puerto Ricans eat a special food called tostones for snacks which is fried plantains (large starchy bananas). If you want a hearty meal try a bowl of asopao, a stew made with vegetables, rice, and meat or fish. We eat meals like this for every special occasions. Puerto Ricans love to eat mangoes especially when they are fresh. We also eat many other fruits such as bananas, coconuts, and mangoes.
For lunch or dinner, here are some dishes you may enjoy eating:
1. Frijoles negros (black bean soup)
2. Sopon de pollo con arroz (chicken soup with rice)
3. Pastelon de carne (meat pies)
4. Lengua rellena (stuffed beef tongue)
5. Sesos empanados (breaded calf brains)
6. Lechon asado (barbecued pig)
7. Nisperos de batata (sweet potato balls with coconut)
8. Arroz con pollo (chicken with rice)
9. Boudin de pasa con coco (coconut bread pudding)
CLOTHING
Like the other ethnic groups in our community, Puerto Ricans wear special clothing during special occasions. Women usually wear flowers in their hair, loose colorful blouses, and skirts especially used for dancing. Men wear hats and scarves around their loose shirts. Both show Spanish influence.
MUSIC AND DANCE
Music is always a part of the Puerto Rican way of life. They love to sing and dance during fiestas and festivals. Their music and dance have Spanish influence with flamenco style moves and traditional costumes.
We have different types of music and dance like the Salsa, Danza, Plena, Bomba, and Cha-Cha. It means a lot to very Puerto Rican family to hear the Puerto Rican beat.
Salsa ia a spicy dance because of its beat. Musicians blend African and Caribbean rhythms for the beat that always gets the crowd to dance. Salsa bands have several singers, a piano, a bass (large stringed instrument), trumpets, trombones, and saxophones. We use the Salsa for concerts, festivals, and other special gatherings like Block Association parties and shows. We also use the maracas (rattles) or tapping cowbells. Whenever Puerto Ricans hear the Salsa they get up and start dancing to the beat of the drum.
Tiger's wife gives birth to a daughter
Tiger's wife gives birth to a daughter...just in case you missed it!=]
June 19, 2007
Tiger has a cub.
Less than 24 hours after Tiger Woods finished second at the U.S. Open on Father's Day, his wife gave birth to their first child, a daughter. He announced Monday night on his Web site that Sam Alexis Woods was born early Monday morning.
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"Both Elin and Sam are doing well and resting peacefully," Woods wrote. "We want to thank our doctors and the hospital staff for all their dedicated and hard work. This is truly a special time in our lives and we look forward to introducing Sam to our family and friends over the next few weeks. We thank everyone for their well wishes and continued respect of our privacy."
Woods said he would miss a major if it meant seeing the birth of his child. Now he won't have to, but it's not clear how his upcoming schedule will be affected.
Woods finished a shot behind Angel Cabrera on Sunday to finish second in a major for the second time this year.
He's scheduled to host a tournament in Washington, D.C., from July 5-8. The British Open starts July 19, and the PGA Championship begins Aug. 9 at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa.
"I'm pacing myself already just because of the fact that I have a baby coming up," Woods said about two weeks ago. "I don't know how much I'm going to play after that or how much I'm going to play before that. A lot of that is depending on what happens and the health of Elin and our child."
The past two years have been life-changing for Woods, who has won 12 majors in his brilliant career.
He turned 30 in December 2005, and the following May his father, Earl, died at age 74 after a long bout with cancer.
A month later, Woods failed to make the cut at the U.S. Open at Winged Foot. He came back to win the British Open in July and broke down in tears on the 18th green at Royal Liverpool, sobbing on the shoulder of his caddie.
In December, Woods went public with his wife's pregnancy. Last week, before the U.S. Open he talked about becoming a father.
"My practice sessions are going to have to be tailored around a little bit, have to move things around. But, you know, I don't really know how my game is going to be affected by it because I've never gone through it before," he said.
"All I know is that Elin and I are excited, and that this is far more important than any game of golf. This is an opportunity for us to raise our first child, and we're really looking forward to it."
Monday, June 18, 2007
Do Not Look Under The Bed
Let's speak on Fears for a moment....by DJ Nicci C
.......As Lisa crawls quietly and slowly into her bed late that night, she listens intently to the silence around her. Waiting for the slightest noise to break the entrancing stillness. Slipping under her covers, her senses seem to become heightened in the blanketing darkness. It seems as if she could see the smallest movement and hear the faintest whisper. Her muscles groan silently under the stress as Lisa looks maniacally around her room for anything that might be lurking there. The floor creeks just outside her bedroom door, the lights in the hallway switch off without a sound, a branch falls outside her window, and then… could it be? Yes- there it is. Sitting maliciously beside her dollhouse. She can feel it staring menacingly at her, daring her to close her uneasy eyes. Although she dares not make a sound or a motion, she strains her mind to reach it. Her wandering mind slipping into the depths of its realms to where her innermost fears lie. Lisa, in a motion so painfully slow, slips her hand from under her covers, and moves to the light beside her bed. Just as she began to pull the chain, the grotesque figure slithered its unshapely body underneath her bed to where all shadows hide. Sighing back into her pillows, her heart beating with fear and agony, she is at last able to rest under the safety of her lamp, away from the fears of the night.
Sound familiar folks?
As a child I had a lot of fears, the darkness, sounds I didn't recognize...the fear of getting punished.
Fears control all of our actions. Fear of rejection, fear of heights, fear of people, the list goes on and on. Fear is undoubtedly one of the strongest weapons, one of the most powerful tactics, and one of the best tools. Yes, tools, for you to use as a weapon to getting things done and overcoming fears altogether. Fears determine your thoughts, your actions, and your reactions. What can bring about this powerful emotion, and what role does it play in our lives? Something so common, yet, can you really explain it?
In order to explain fear, we must first understand what fear is. Fear is generally defined as "a distressing emotion aroused by IMPENDING danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid. Children often describe their fear as an imagined creature or being come to harm them. Their envisioned fears are ones of general unreality, adults are more commonly known to describe their fears as paranoia about upcoming events, or tasks they must accomplish.
Fears can be easily organized into three categories: pathological fears (natural fears), conditioned fears (fears generated through experiences), and third-party fears (fears generated through people).
Differences in genders bring about many factors influencing fears too. For example, being a male has many effects on fears. The way a man was raised will have many effects on the type of fears he develops as he matures later on in life. His role in the household also plays a very large part in his development of fears. Depending on his parents, or what is expected of him, he will conform to those standards. Causing his fears to also conform to those certain expectations. His ego, stamina, and personal appearance will place his fears in a changeable perspective. Pushing them to non-existence or a complete reality.
As with the males, females will have their fears changed by their appearance, role in household, affect on their children, sensitivity, feminine expectations, and parental expectations.
Differences in genders do affect the fears individuals develop, but more than that, genders will affect the individuals' outlook on fears, and how those individuals present their fears, for example, a man may present his fears with caution around his peers, to conform to the expectations those certain people have placed on him, whereas a woman may present her fears with more openness and sensitivity, because those stereotypes have not been placed upon her. Although, so far the only discernable difference in fears between men and women is the fact that men tend to have a greater fear of spiders than do women.
As I mentioned before, age is also a factor influencing the development of fears. For example, infants tend to experience higher anxiety, clinging to their parents when confronted with people they do not recognize.
Toddlers experience separation anxiety, becoming emotionally distressed when one or two parents leave. Children have anxieties mostly about things that are not based on reality. Kids often have fears reflecting real circumstances, such as natural disasters, and possible bodily harm.
Fears from a young child, are very general, and encompass a larger scope of view than maturing children. As the individual ages, past fears grow in intensity, and new fears develop with maturity. These fears formed from maturity shape who the person will become. Fears will become more defined, and more focused on one certain thing, than an all over general paranoia.
Lastly, fears will vary through experiences. These are called conditioning fears. A person may have experiences during childhood that will provoke him to fear or overcome fear of a certain thing. Then there are experiences that individual will face in the present time, that will lead him or her to take more decisive action regarding his fears. There is also the prospect of the futurea. Which may stimulate fears in him that are not necessarily going to come to pass. These fears are frequently over-exaggerated,unrealistic, and fictitious, yet, they still leave a definite impression in the individuals mind, causing unmerited worries.
Fear is a very general name for our discomfort and dislikes, but more often than not, we will see fear as anxieties, or phobias. Phobias are fears that have persisted on late into life, and begin to interfere with daily life. Phobias cause extreme inappropriate reactions, and actions, and intense distressing emotions.
Phobias will often relate to certain anxiety disorders, such as phobias of the following: animals, situations, separation, bill and financial related. These can become very serious if left unhandled for too long.
Anxieties are not as severe as phobias, but are very much in the same category. Fear is known to stir up the 'flight or fight' response. Anxieties cause that same response, with the exception that there is no way out. These fears seem inevitable and unbreakable. For people with anxieties they have the 'flight or fight' feeling everyday, most of the time, even when there is no real danger. This of course will affect thought, feelings, and cause the individual to make inappropriate or unjust decisions.
Childhood anxieties are the most serious.
So now that we can 'define' fear a little easier, how do we conquer it? We can only conquer fear with the help of God, but there are certain things that we can do to help ourselves.
First, we need to understand the reality. Think back on the times you have been afraid of something you were never really in danger of. How many time have you thought of an even, but it never came to pass, or you have had an event happen and the results were not as bad as you imagined? Think on those things, and realize that, if you are like most people, your fears are not harmful.
Have a positive outlook. Never give up on yourself. Train yourself to see the beauty of situations, instead of the negative. You will begin to loose sight of what caused you to fear in the first place.
In conclusion, Fears play an extremely important role in our lives. Not only do they form our actions, but they also shape who we are, and who we become. Having effects not only on ourselves, but also on those who come into contact with us. Fears should not be taken lightly, and should be dealt with as necessary. No person should have to deal with it, because you can overcome fear.
.......As Lisa crawls quietly and slowly into her bed late that night, she listens intently to the silence around her. Waiting for the slightest noise to break the entrancing stillness. Slipping under her covers, her senses seem to become heightened in the blanketing darkness. It seems as if she could see the smallest movement and hear the faintest whisper. Her muscles groan silently under the stress as Lisa looks maniacally around her room for anything that might be lurking there. The floor creeks just outside her bedroom door, the lights in the hallway switch off without a sound, a branch falls outside her window, and then… could it be? Yes- there it is. Sitting maliciously beside her dollhouse. She can feel it staring menacingly at her, daring her to close her uneasy eyes. Although she dares not make a sound or a motion, she strains her mind to reach it. Her wandering mind slipping into the depths of its realms to where her innermost fears lie. Lisa, in a motion so painfully slow, slips her hand from under her covers, and moves to the light beside her bed. Just as she began to pull the chain, the grotesque figure slithered its unshapely body underneath her bed to where all shadows hide. Sighing back into her pillows, her heart beating with fear and agony, she is at last able to rest under the safety of her lamp, away from the fears of the night.
Sound familiar folks?
As a child I had a lot of fears, the darkness, sounds I didn't recognize...the fear of getting punished.
Fears control all of our actions. Fear of rejection, fear of heights, fear of people, the list goes on and on. Fear is undoubtedly one of the strongest weapons, one of the most powerful tactics, and one of the best tools. Yes, tools, for you to use as a weapon to getting things done and overcoming fears altogether. Fears determine your thoughts, your actions, and your reactions. What can bring about this powerful emotion, and what role does it play in our lives? Something so common, yet, can you really explain it?
In order to explain fear, we must first understand what fear is. Fear is generally defined as "a distressing emotion aroused by IMPENDING danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid. Children often describe their fear as an imagined creature or being come to harm them. Their envisioned fears are ones of general unreality, adults are more commonly known to describe their fears as paranoia about upcoming events, or tasks they must accomplish.
Fears can be easily organized into three categories: pathological fears (natural fears), conditioned fears (fears generated through experiences), and third-party fears (fears generated through people).
Differences in genders bring about many factors influencing fears too. For example, being a male has many effects on fears. The way a man was raised will have many effects on the type of fears he develops as he matures later on in life. His role in the household also plays a very large part in his development of fears. Depending on his parents, or what is expected of him, he will conform to those standards. Causing his fears to also conform to those certain expectations. His ego, stamina, and personal appearance will place his fears in a changeable perspective. Pushing them to non-existence or a complete reality.
As with the males, females will have their fears changed by their appearance, role in household, affect on their children, sensitivity, feminine expectations, and parental expectations.
Differences in genders do affect the fears individuals develop, but more than that, genders will affect the individuals' outlook on fears, and how those individuals present their fears, for example, a man may present his fears with caution around his peers, to conform to the expectations those certain people have placed on him, whereas a woman may present her fears with more openness and sensitivity, because those stereotypes have not been placed upon her. Although, so far the only discernable difference in fears between men and women is the fact that men tend to have a greater fear of spiders than do women.
As I mentioned before, age is also a factor influencing the development of fears. For example, infants tend to experience higher anxiety, clinging to their parents when confronted with people they do not recognize.
Toddlers experience separation anxiety, becoming emotionally distressed when one or two parents leave. Children have anxieties mostly about things that are not based on reality. Kids often have fears reflecting real circumstances, such as natural disasters, and possible bodily harm.
Fears from a young child, are very general, and encompass a larger scope of view than maturing children. As the individual ages, past fears grow in intensity, and new fears develop with maturity. These fears formed from maturity shape who the person will become. Fears will become more defined, and more focused on one certain thing, than an all over general paranoia.
Lastly, fears will vary through experiences. These are called conditioning fears. A person may have experiences during childhood that will provoke him to fear or overcome fear of a certain thing. Then there are experiences that individual will face in the present time, that will lead him or her to take more decisive action regarding his fears. There is also the prospect of the futurea. Which may stimulate fears in him that are not necessarily going to come to pass. These fears are frequently over-exaggerated,unrealistic, and fictitious, yet, they still leave a definite impression in the individuals mind, causing unmerited worries.
Fear is a very general name for our discomfort and dislikes, but more often than not, we will see fear as anxieties, or phobias. Phobias are fears that have persisted on late into life, and begin to interfere with daily life. Phobias cause extreme inappropriate reactions, and actions, and intense distressing emotions.
Phobias will often relate to certain anxiety disorders, such as phobias of the following: animals, situations, separation, bill and financial related. These can become very serious if left unhandled for too long.
Anxieties are not as severe as phobias, but are very much in the same category. Fear is known to stir up the 'flight or fight' response. Anxieties cause that same response, with the exception that there is no way out. These fears seem inevitable and unbreakable. For people with anxieties they have the 'flight or fight' feeling everyday, most of the time, even when there is no real danger. This of course will affect thought, feelings, and cause the individual to make inappropriate or unjust decisions.
Childhood anxieties are the most serious.
So now that we can 'define' fear a little easier, how do we conquer it? We can only conquer fear with the help of God, but there are certain things that we can do to help ourselves.
First, we need to understand the reality. Think back on the times you have been afraid of something you were never really in danger of. How many time have you thought of an even, but it never came to pass, or you have had an event happen and the results were not as bad as you imagined? Think on those things, and realize that, if you are like most people, your fears are not harmful.
Have a positive outlook. Never give up on yourself. Train yourself to see the beauty of situations, instead of the negative. You will begin to loose sight of what caused you to fear in the first place.
In conclusion, Fears play an extremely important role in our lives. Not only do they form our actions, but they also shape who we are, and who we become. Having effects not only on ourselves, but also on those who come into contact with us. Fears should not be taken lightly, and should be dealt with as necessary. No person should have to deal with it, because you can overcome fear.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL THE DADS!....by DJ Nicci C
Father's Day, contrary to popular misconception, was not established as a holiday in order to help greeting card manufacturers sell more cards. In fact when a "father's day" was first proposed there were no Father's Day cards!
Mrs. John B. Dodd, of Washington, first proposed the idea of a "father's day" in 1909. Mrs. Dodd wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart. William Smart, a Civil War veteran, was widowed when his wife (Mrs. Dodd's mother) died in childbirth with their sixth child. Mr. Smart was left to raise the newborn and his other five children by himself on a rural farm in eastern Washington state. It was after Mrs. Dodd became an adult that she realized the strength and selflessness her father had shown in raising his children as a single parent.
The first Father's Day was observed on June 19, 1910 in Spokane Washington. At about the same time in various towns and cities across American other people were beginning to celebrate a "father's day." In 1924 President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of a national Father's Day. Finally in 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day.
Father's Day has become a day to not only honor your father, but all men who act as a father figure. Stepfathers, uncles, grandfathers, and adult male friends are all honored on Father's Day.
So to all the fathers out there....I WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY FATHERS DAY !!!
Mrs. John B. Dodd, of Washington, first proposed the idea of a "father's day" in 1909. Mrs. Dodd wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart. William Smart, a Civil War veteran, was widowed when his wife (Mrs. Dodd's mother) died in childbirth with their sixth child. Mr. Smart was left to raise the newborn and his other five children by himself on a rural farm in eastern Washington state. It was after Mrs. Dodd became an adult that she realized the strength and selflessness her father had shown in raising his children as a single parent.
The first Father's Day was observed on June 19, 1910 in Spokane Washington. At about the same time in various towns and cities across American other people were beginning to celebrate a "father's day." In 1924 President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of a national Father's Day. Finally in 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day.
Father's Day has become a day to not only honor your father, but all men who act as a father figure. Stepfathers, uncles, grandfathers, and adult male friends are all honored on Father's Day.
So to all the fathers out there....I WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY FATHERS DAY !!!
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
The Gift Of Life....by DJ Nicci C
The Gift of Life
Sometimes I wonder
as life passes by.
Is it worth all the struggles,
the hate, and the lies?
I see the evil,
feel the pain,
Hear the cries.
I smell the fear in the air,
it cannot be disguised.
But when I start to believe that all hope is gone,
something beautiful happens and again I feel strong.
I gain strength from the single mothers, who work sixteen hour days,
and teachers who change lives, on low-income pay.
From doctors who instead of making big bucks,
choose to open small clinics in the neighborhood where they grew up.
From children who fight devastating illness,
with courage, determination and endless amounts of kindness.
For all the people who quietly change the world,
who fill it with love and not hate,
who give and dont take,
who are honest with everyone they come in contact with,
I know you are out there, you are not a myth.
So I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
You are the thing that gives me strength,
the reason I am so determined to always do my part.
And for all the people who see only the pain,
Im here to tell you, you have nothing to gain.
If you dwell in the dark, your life will be lived in vain.
For there is beauty to be seen in everything, everyone, and every day.
So take the beauty in, and it will make you strong come what may.
So is life worth all the struggles, hate, pain and lies??
I tell you there is nothing worth more,
than the beauty of the gift of life.
**I am passing this on to you from a friend!
Sometimes I wonder
as life passes by.
Is it worth all the struggles,
the hate, and the lies?
I see the evil,
feel the pain,
Hear the cries.
I smell the fear in the air,
it cannot be disguised.
But when I start to believe that all hope is gone,
something beautiful happens and again I feel strong.
I gain strength from the single mothers, who work sixteen hour days,
and teachers who change lives, on low-income pay.
From doctors who instead of making big bucks,
choose to open small clinics in the neighborhood where they grew up.
From children who fight devastating illness,
with courage, determination and endless amounts of kindness.
For all the people who quietly change the world,
who fill it with love and not hate,
who give and dont take,
who are honest with everyone they come in contact with,
I know you are out there, you are not a myth.
So I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
You are the thing that gives me strength,
the reason I am so determined to always do my part.
And for all the people who see only the pain,
Im here to tell you, you have nothing to gain.
If you dwell in the dark, your life will be lived in vain.
For there is beauty to be seen in everything, everyone, and every day.
So take the beauty in, and it will make you strong come what may.
So is life worth all the struggles, hate, pain and lies??
I tell you there is nothing worth more,
than the beauty of the gift of life.
**I am passing this on to you from a friend!
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
..the meaning of...by DJ Nicci C
We all have desires and we all have things we want and need, but are there any common features in these desires. Do we all share some innate desires and needs? Is there truly a recipe for happiness?
We all need food and water, a place to sleep, a place to rest and a place to wash up. Some of us need these more often than others, but we do all need them. But if that was all life had to offer, well we’d just be like animals, and there would be no meaning to life. So here is the question: what makes life have meaning?
Almost all of us have a job, so can that do it? Let’s explore that. I personally have 3 jobs, I manage property, I host a radio show and I am a freelance writer, I get paid for only one of them. But all three are rewarding and I draw satisfaction from doing all three. Also, because I help others and teach many of the lessons I’ve learned during my life to the people I encounter each day, I draw meaning and value from the experience. So, work can be a great source of meaning in life, but I also know many people who only work for money.
Most of us have somebody we love. Our families, our friends, and your kids. Could those hold meaning in life? Let’s once again use my life as an example. I have friends, many very close to me, I have helped them and they have helped me. Together we have made our lives better, and also made the world around us better. I have personally saved the lives of a few people, and they still thank me for it to this day.
I do not have kids, but I would love to have some - maybe two or three. I know that I would be happy to know that part of me will always be in them. I have a brother and 3 sisters, and as much as I hate to see them make bad decisions in life, I am happy to try and help them out when they do. However, I have to remember that some people are alone. They have no friends, no family and nobody around them to love. Mind you, there are many less than those in my previous reason, so we might be getting closer to an answer.
So what’s left, what else can give us meaning in life? Well, what about this? We all do something to tell others what we think and feel. Can it truly be said that we can get meaning in life from living it? I just suggested it, so let’s determine if I am just simply nuts.
We can safely say that to make friends or have a job, we need to communicate. We can even say that to get food, water and a place to live we need to communicate. We all spend hours reading, talking or acquiring information from some form of media. But we as a species are about the only ones who do this as an ends rather then a means to one.
Yeah, I just said it. The root of all meaning in life may be as simple as letting each other know we are alive and differnt, but also quite similar - a bizarre idea, but if you’ve read up until now, take a few seconds to realize what you just did and why.
We all need food and water, a place to sleep, a place to rest and a place to wash up. Some of us need these more often than others, but we do all need them. But if that was all life had to offer, well we’d just be like animals, and there would be no meaning to life. So here is the question: what makes life have meaning?
Almost all of us have a job, so can that do it? Let’s explore that. I personally have 3 jobs, I manage property, I host a radio show and I am a freelance writer, I get paid for only one of them. But all three are rewarding and I draw satisfaction from doing all three. Also, because I help others and teach many of the lessons I’ve learned during my life to the people I encounter each day, I draw meaning and value from the experience. So, work can be a great source of meaning in life, but I also know many people who only work for money.
Most of us have somebody we love. Our families, our friends, and your kids. Could those hold meaning in life? Let’s once again use my life as an example. I have friends, many very close to me, I have helped them and they have helped me. Together we have made our lives better, and also made the world around us better. I have personally saved the lives of a few people, and they still thank me for it to this day.
I do not have kids, but I would love to have some - maybe two or three. I know that I would be happy to know that part of me will always be in them. I have a brother and 3 sisters, and as much as I hate to see them make bad decisions in life, I am happy to try and help them out when they do. However, I have to remember that some people are alone. They have no friends, no family and nobody around them to love. Mind you, there are many less than those in my previous reason, so we might be getting closer to an answer.
So what’s left, what else can give us meaning in life? Well, what about this? We all do something to tell others what we think and feel. Can it truly be said that we can get meaning in life from living it? I just suggested it, so let’s determine if I am just simply nuts.
We can safely say that to make friends or have a job, we need to communicate. We can even say that to get food, water and a place to live we need to communicate. We all spend hours reading, talking or acquiring information from some form of media. But we as a species are about the only ones who do this as an ends rather then a means to one.
Yeah, I just said it. The root of all meaning in life may be as simple as letting each other know we are alive and differnt, but also quite similar - a bizarre idea, but if you’ve read up until now, take a few seconds to realize what you just did and why.
Its your choice....did you make the right ones today?
The most incredible things about our minds, and ourselves, is that they, and we, are simply/complex.
Each decision that we make is grounded in simple logic, the 1's and 0's, the true and false, the ons and offs of boolean principle. Even if we decide not to make a choice, we have. But the simple logic, and the freedom to make a choice, is what also makes life, love, and and all that surrounds us so dynamic and, at times, seemingly unpredicatable.
Each decision that we make is like dropping a stone into a pool of water, the effects of that choice rippling through our personal social fabric. And the thoughtful person tries to understand, and to a degree, predict the consequence of their actions. How it will affect the ones they care about, care for, love, dislike, or don't even know.
It is a chess game that can never be won, the next move never fully anticipated. So at times, we share the joy and the jubilation of our path, and at other times, disappointment and pain. The thread that ties all of these events together for us, is the will to continue with the next choice. To never stop living and caring and loving and making the choices that we feel are just, correct, and true to the person that we must know and love the most; ourselves.
May the rest of the year, and all that follow, see you make choices that lead to a life well lived...
by DJ Nicci C
Each decision that we make is grounded in simple logic, the 1's and 0's, the true and false, the ons and offs of boolean principle. Even if we decide not to make a choice, we have. But the simple logic, and the freedom to make a choice, is what also makes life, love, and and all that surrounds us so dynamic and, at times, seemingly unpredicatable.
Each decision that we make is like dropping a stone into a pool of water, the effects of that choice rippling through our personal social fabric. And the thoughtful person tries to understand, and to a degree, predict the consequence of their actions. How it will affect the ones they care about, care for, love, dislike, or don't even know.
It is a chess game that can never be won, the next move never fully anticipated. So at times, we share the joy and the jubilation of our path, and at other times, disappointment and pain. The thread that ties all of these events together for us, is the will to continue with the next choice. To never stop living and caring and loving and making the choices that we feel are just, correct, and true to the person that we must know and love the most; ourselves.
May the rest of the year, and all that follow, see you make choices that lead to a life well lived...
by DJ Nicci C
Give Paris Hilton a freakin break!
Heiress Paris Hilton’s return to jail recently was far removed from her usual glitzy, charmed life which sees her grace red carpet events across the world. Her release on Thursday after serving just three days of a sentence for violating probation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case prompted criticism.
And recently she was summoned back to court in handcuffs where - crying and devoid of make-up - the 26-year-old hotel heiress was told she was heading back to prison. The usually pristine star looked dishevelled. Wearing a grey sweatshirt and trousers, she cried throughout the hearing.
When the judge ordered her to serve out her 45-day sentence because of a parole violation, she blurted out: “It’s not fair” and called to her mother. It was a far cry from her stoicism when she attended the MTV Movie Awards on Sunday night, just hours before arriving at the jail. At the awards, Paris said: “I’m definitely scared, but I’m ready to face my sentence.”, thats a brave thing to say out loud even if its not true.
Personally I think she got a raw deal, made an example of, and now she has to live with this the rest of her life, its funny how the press is grilling her, this girl is not a murderer, con artist, not a real criminal ,YET, she is getting all this negative press.
I'm sure she'll come out this a different woman. She has just a couple weeks to go and she's a free woman, I'm sure she'll think twice in the future.
by DJ Nicci C
What do you want your life to be?
I don't want to get all mushy on everyone, its a good question though.
What do you want YOUR life to be?
Do you want your life to be different?
I'm 34, not married , rent an apartment and have no children. To some it may look as though the sound of sad violin playing should be in the background.
I don't think so!
Don't feel sorry for this chica, I'm happy....could always get better...I could strike it rich!!! LOL
I have great friends...my family is there for me, I love to have fun!
Now, as for the question. Well, I do know that I want to live a healthy and happy life, someday have children (yeah,yeah,yeah...I still have time) , I'd like to run my own business and traveling sounds good....oh wait, thats not really answering the question...those are just wants and goals.
Oh ok, What do I want MY life to be?
...I want it to be filled with as much love and joy as I can possibly muster, I want my life to have some meaning.
I want to be able to say that I made a contribution to this planet.
What do you want your life to be?
What do you want YOUR life to be?
Do you want your life to be different?
I'm 34, not married , rent an apartment and have no children. To some it may look as though the sound of sad violin playing should be in the background.
I don't think so!
Don't feel sorry for this chica, I'm happy....could always get better...I could strike it rich!!! LOL
I have great friends...my family is there for me, I love to have fun!
Now, as for the question. Well, I do know that I want to live a healthy and happy life, someday have children (yeah,yeah,yeah...I still have time) , I'd like to run my own business and traveling sounds good....oh wait, thats not really answering the question...those are just wants and goals.
Oh ok, What do I want MY life to be?
...I want it to be filled with as much love and joy as I can possibly muster, I want my life to have some meaning.
I want to be able to say that I made a contribution to this planet.
What do you want your life to be?
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Latina Entrepreneurs
Latina businesses increasingly make their mark
Latina businesses are on fire. The number of businesses owned by Hispanic women grew by 39 percent nationwide, to an estimated 470,344, in the five-year period that ended in 2002. That compares with about 9 percent growth for other businesses, according to the Center for Women’s Business Research, which draws its estimates from U.S. Census data.
In Arizona alone, the number of Latina-owned companies grew by 58.3 percent during that same time, to 14,538. And they generated nearly $726.9 million in sales from 1997 to 2002, up 10.6 percent.
The non-Latinas are no smarter than Latina entrepreneurs. They’ve only been at it longer.
Hispanic women have always been entrepreneurial, even as they traditionally managed the household. Many also would keep small businesses on the side.
But now access to capital is opening up and Hispanic women are increasingly pursuing degrees in business. That’s giving Latina entrepreneurs a greater chance at growing their companies.
The fact is that the Latino businesses and corporate leaders are more accepting today of them than ever before.
Traditionally, one of the biggest obstacles for Latina entrepreneurs was family structure. Many women were raised with an emphasis on becoming wives and mothers.
For years Latino families held back their daughters from getting an education. ... Parents had a hard time of letting go, and it crippled the development of Latinas in our community.
But white women have demonstrated that doesn’t have to be the way.
Education has been key to Latina advancement.
The more you know, the more you do.
Playing sports is one way to develop Latinas as entrepreneurs.
It teaches discipline, it teaches endurance, and it makes you a fighter.
But success is dependent on making good choices, such as writing and following a business plan and hiring a team that knows more than you do.
Mentors, offer support and build self-confidence. Trusting one’s instincts and a willingness to take risks also are important.
The rest will flow naturally as you work through the challenges and the incredible opportunities.
Latina businesses are on fire. The number of businesses owned by Hispanic women grew by 39 percent nationwide, to an estimated 470,344, in the five-year period that ended in 2002. That compares with about 9 percent growth for other businesses, according to the Center for Women’s Business Research, which draws its estimates from U.S. Census data.
In Arizona alone, the number of Latina-owned companies grew by 58.3 percent during that same time, to 14,538. And they generated nearly $726.9 million in sales from 1997 to 2002, up 10.6 percent.
The non-Latinas are no smarter than Latina entrepreneurs. They’ve only been at it longer.
Hispanic women have always been entrepreneurial, even as they traditionally managed the household. Many also would keep small businesses on the side.
But now access to capital is opening up and Hispanic women are increasingly pursuing degrees in business. That’s giving Latina entrepreneurs a greater chance at growing their companies.
The fact is that the Latino businesses and corporate leaders are more accepting today of them than ever before.
Traditionally, one of the biggest obstacles for Latina entrepreneurs was family structure. Many women were raised with an emphasis on becoming wives and mothers.
For years Latino families held back their daughters from getting an education. ... Parents had a hard time of letting go, and it crippled the development of Latinas in our community.
But white women have demonstrated that doesn’t have to be the way.
Education has been key to Latina advancement.
The more you know, the more you do.
Playing sports is one way to develop Latinas as entrepreneurs.
It teaches discipline, it teaches endurance, and it makes you a fighter.
But success is dependent on making good choices, such as writing and following a business plan and hiring a team that knows more than you do.
Mentors, offer support and build self-confidence. Trusting one’s instincts and a willingness to take risks also are important.
The rest will flow naturally as you work through the challenges and the incredible opportunities.
Friday, June 8, 2007
When friends and family move away
I'm all for change, new home,new job, new friends, new car...new hair color.
There's one change I don't like, one I have to say I hate the most. The change that occurs when a dear friend or a close relative, sister...parents....cousins move away.
It hurts like nothing else, not as heart wrenching and difficult as someone passing away, another kind of hurt. One of my sister told me yesterday that she's moving to Atlanta, she lives in Chicago currently...as do I and a good amount of other relatives...my other sister and her family as well( I also have a step sister and brother ). My mother and step dad live in Missouri, it hurt when they left too.
I'm a grown adult, I should deal with such things better, right? I'm not a kid who's having to move away with other relatives or even going to college and leaving home for the first time, I left home years ago.
Yet, it hurts just as much as anything else that deals with the matters of the heart. This is the kind of change I don't welcome, I start feeling as if I'm going to be all alone,even though I still have relatives here. It's hard to explain.
I start wishing things like...I wish I was rich, won the lottery (ok, so I don't play it...just wishful thinking) so I could keep everyone together.
I always did have a problem saying goodbye, especially as a kid, never liked it.
I know things will always change, so I make it a point to spend time with those I love, call relatives I can't always visit, let my grandparents know I love them, same goes for my friends.
I guess this is just life.
Check out the spoken version of my thoughts on my show Nic@Nine !
"Ocean's Thirteen" cast attends Chicago premiere
June 7, 2007 - Chicago fans lined up outside a AMCmovie theater in hopes of catching a glimpse of the cast of "Ocean's Thirteen." The Hollywood stars walked the red carpet Thursday for the city's premiere of the movie.
Stars walking the red carpet included George Clooney, Matt Damon, Ellen Barkin, Bernie Mac, Don Cheadle and producer Jerry Weintraub. Brad Pitt had to bow out at the last moment.
Red carpet arrivals outside the AMC River East in Chicago started just after 6:00 PM to the joy of hundreds of fans who scrambled for pictures or autographs.
"Ocean's Thirteen" is the third installment of the casino-heist franchise that started with a remake of Frank Sinatra's original "Ocean's Eleven." The third movie in the series follows Danny Ocean, played by Clooney, and his partners in crime as they try to pull off yet another scheme.
New to the cast this time around are Barkin and Al Pacino.
It was an amazing thing to see the cast in person right in my hometown, I hope one day to interview them on my own show....we can always dream right!
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Interesting......Should Military Recruiters Target Minority Gang-Risk Teens?.
I found this a little interesting......
The answer to the title of this post sounds like it should be a no-brainer but with the Army under pressure to meet its quota to help with the additional troops President Bush has decided is needed in Iraq, a second look must be given as to whether the Army, and possibly other branches of the military, are making promises to at-risk kids that either don't live up to the hype or are just not the only available option.
What do you think?
The answer to the title of this post sounds like it should be a no-brainer but with the Army under pressure to meet its quota to help with the additional troops President Bush has decided is needed in Iraq, a second look must be given as to whether the Army, and possibly other branches of the military, are making promises to at-risk kids that either don't live up to the hype or are just not the only available option.
What do you think?
Latino Versus Hispanic?
Hola my friends, I wanted to post this up and get your opinion....tell me what do you think and does it really matter???
According to a survey that was conducted there still is no right answer to all the titles given to us or created from our own, or, more precisely, no one answer.
Hispanic, Latino, Chicano, Xicano, Mexican or Mexican American?
According to a survey, "most of the 8,600 respondents identified with multiple identities."
Here are few respondents who shared their thoughts:
Pepe Carrillo, 50, a naturalized citizen who came to the U.S. at 11, said he describes himself as Cuban, American, Hispanic, and then Latino — usually in that order.
Lorenzo Barcelo, who is originally from the Dominican Republic, said he uses the terms Hispanic and Latino interchangeably. "To me, they are the same."
Louis Hollingsworth, an attorney, also said the way he identifies himself varies with the situation. "If I'm talking to people of Mexican or Latino descent, I identify myself as a Latino. If I'm talking to an Anglo I tend to say I'm Hispanic. If I'm asked what kind of Hispanic I am, I'll say I'm of Mexican descent.
So it looks like we're going to be doing the Hispanic/Latino two-step for the time being, although it does appear that Hispanic is gaining ground as the preferred term in business settings. I'm seeing a lot more job titles along the lines of "Director of Hispanic Marketing."
What do you think?
According to a survey that was conducted there still is no right answer to all the titles given to us or created from our own, or, more precisely, no one answer.
Hispanic, Latino, Chicano, Xicano, Mexican or Mexican American?
According to a survey, "most of the 8,600 respondents identified with multiple identities."
Here are few respondents who shared their thoughts:
Pepe Carrillo, 50, a naturalized citizen who came to the U.S. at 11, said he describes himself as Cuban, American, Hispanic, and then Latino — usually in that order.
Lorenzo Barcelo, who is originally from the Dominican Republic, said he uses the terms Hispanic and Latino interchangeably. "To me, they are the same."
Louis Hollingsworth, an attorney, also said the way he identifies himself varies with the situation. "If I'm talking to people of Mexican or Latino descent, I identify myself as a Latino. If I'm talking to an Anglo I tend to say I'm Hispanic. If I'm asked what kind of Hispanic I am, I'll say I'm of Mexican descent.
So it looks like we're going to be doing the Hispanic/Latino two-step for the time being, although it does appear that Hispanic is gaining ground as the preferred term in business settings. I'm seeing a lot more job titles along the lines of "Director of Hispanic Marketing."
What do you think?
THE BORINQUENEERS
PBS BROADCAST PREMIERE: JUNE 7 th, 2007 – 8-9:30 PM
ON WMFE – CHANNEL 24 IN ORLANDO , FLORIDA
"THE BORINQUENEERS " a documentary on the history of the all-Puerto Rican 65 th Infantry Regiment
TO BE BROADCAST ON MOST PBS STATIONS BEGINNING AUGUST, 2007
Written, produced and directed by NALIP Member Noemi Figueroa Soulet
Co-Producer/Director - NALIP Member Raquel Ortiz
Editor/Composer - NALIP Member Miguel Picker
Consulting Producer - Patricia Garcia-Rios
This compelling film chronicles the never-before-told story of the Puerto Rican 65th Infantry Regiment, the only all-Hispanic unit in U.S. Army history. Through the vivid testimony of the regiment's veterans and rare archival footage, the film traces the unique experience of the Borinqueneers, culminating with their impressive performance during the Korean War. In the fall of 1952, though, the fate of the regiment would take a dramatic turn when more than 100 of its soldiers were arrested.
Narrated by Hector Elizondo
We ARE a diverse group....
Hispanics (Or Latinos for those who prefer it ) are a diverse group, indeed we are, uniting people from numerous ethnicities and races all under a single language: Spanish. Ever since we first colonized the Americas during the Age of Discovery, the beauty of our culture has deluged nations everywhere. Our culture is a culture rooted deep in tradition but constantly open to new ideas. Hispanic heritage is important to everyone, regardless of whether or not a person is hispanic, because hispanics have made - -and will continue to make - -numerous contributions to our society.
One of the reasons why hispanics are so significant is because we increase ethnic diversity within the United States. Hispanics are the largest minority group in America, constituting 17.6% of the total US population (US CENSUS: 2000). From coast to coast, we add something special to neighborhoods everywhere with our music, food, and tongue. Without us, many communities would lack the richness that hispanics, we, have worked so hard to instill.
Historically, hispanics have contributed much to the world. Famous hispanics include Severo Ochoa, Nobel Prize winner in 1959 for medicine; Tito Puente, one of the most beloved musicians of all time; Pablo Picasso, talented sculptor and painter; María Irene Fornés, a Cuban American playwright; Salvador Dalí, pioneer painter; Puerto Rican baseball player, Roberto Clemente; Celia Cruz, renowned salsa singer; and many, many, many more famous Hispanics. Without hispanics, there would be less of the poets, scientists, explorers, thinkers, and politicians that humanity needs to function.
Hispanic heritage should be important to everyone because hispanics have enriched our country and contributed so much. Hispanic heritage is important to all of us because it has helped establish the beautiful country that we live in today.
I dare someone to disagree!
One of the reasons why hispanics are so significant is because we increase ethnic diversity within the United States. Hispanics are the largest minority group in America, constituting 17.6% of the total US population (US CENSUS: 2000). From coast to coast, we add something special to neighborhoods everywhere with our music, food, and tongue. Without us, many communities would lack the richness that hispanics, we, have worked so hard to instill.
Historically, hispanics have contributed much to the world. Famous hispanics include Severo Ochoa, Nobel Prize winner in 1959 for medicine; Tito Puente, one of the most beloved musicians of all time; Pablo Picasso, talented sculptor and painter; María Irene Fornés, a Cuban American playwright; Salvador Dalí, pioneer painter; Puerto Rican baseball player, Roberto Clemente; Celia Cruz, renowned salsa singer; and many, many, many more famous Hispanics. Without hispanics, there would be less of the poets, scientists, explorers, thinkers, and politicians that humanity needs to function.
Hispanic heritage should be important to everyone because hispanics have enriched our country and contributed so much. Hispanic heritage is important to all of us because it has helped establish the beautiful country that we live in today.
I dare someone to disagree!
Just thinking ...............Life.
It's been a busy week, but I'm getting a chance to relax later so its all good.
There is still a lot to do today.
Ok...perhaps a little relaxation now.....AAAAAAAAAAAH....
....I just took 15 minutes to step away from it all and relax. Life is so short. It doesn't hurt to take a moment to appreciate it. Doesn't hurt at all. A moment to look at how far you've come and where you're heading.
I feel great.
I sat at my desk in my office at home and gazed out the window. The afternoon light is fading just a little .I watched a little girl run down the street to get some helado de coco and run back into the house laughing because she was in her pajamas in public. I listened to the sound of my grandfathers voice as he sang along to some salsa music playing on TV in the livingroom. I enjoyed the taste of my tea as I sipped it from my favorite cup.
I'm happy. I have good friends and a loving family, my ventures are starting to reap some rewards, life is good. I know, spend wisely, invest well. I am.
My friends and family, I'm so grateful for them, for everything.
**If you're reading this right now, take a moment to appreciate what you have.
My cup of tea is empty now. Time to get back to work.
There is still a lot to do today.
Ok...perhaps a little relaxation now.....AAAAAAAAAAAH....
....I just took 15 minutes to step away from it all and relax. Life is so short. It doesn't hurt to take a moment to appreciate it. Doesn't hurt at all. A moment to look at how far you've come and where you're heading.
I feel great.
I sat at my desk in my office at home and gazed out the window. The afternoon light is fading just a little .I watched a little girl run down the street to get some helado de coco and run back into the house laughing because she was in her pajamas in public. I listened to the sound of my grandfathers voice as he sang along to some salsa music playing on TV in the livingroom. I enjoyed the taste of my tea as I sipped it from my favorite cup.
I'm happy. I have good friends and a loving family, my ventures are starting to reap some rewards, life is good. I know, spend wisely, invest well. I am.
My friends and family, I'm so grateful for them, for everything.
**If you're reading this right now, take a moment to appreciate what you have.
My cup of tea is empty now. Time to get back to work.
Think on this if you will.....
How can you be you and get what you want in life?
Being you….. isn't always as easy as it should be. People always say "just be yourself" but in Many instances, as you get older and your thoughts, ideas and preferences get more polarized, that isn't as easy as it sounds! You can't just do or say anything in life , so I think that phrase is overrated and overused! LOL...um...just like ...LOL ...
We often have to make concessions, and sacrifices for who or what we know or think is right or what we "think" is who/where we want to be. But when is it too much and when do we begin to sacrifice what makes you, "you"?
Self-awareness is a never-ending journey and you can get caught up in a tailspin of being something other than "you". I ,personally, am still evolving and still learning new things about myself and have gotten caught in that tailspin before. I use to try to in some way (self-talk, meditation, talking to friends) trying to get a better handle on being who I am and compromising for my overall happiness. So how can you get what you want and be yourself when the two ideas are not in sync? You have to understand what you need at the core of who you are. And if that means giving up other ideas of what society thinks you should be doing and who you should be maybe that is the right road for you…maybe not. Only you can decide that foryourself.
But one thing I have learned is that you can't hide from yourself…. You can but not (as I often say) without consequences and repercussions.
And you probably won't end up being the "happiest" that you would have been had you just waited and evaluated the situation before acting on something . You can lie to everyone around you (maybe even convinced yourself that this is what you want), but deep down, in the depths of your heart and mind….. you are there and there is where you will find …. you and you know the truth.
There have been times in my life where I knew that I should not have done certain things, made certain moves, had WARNING BELLS going off and felt a little "off" about something…but kept on full-steam ahead and came to regret it.
Now, I try to be as true to myself as I can. Life is too short not to be. Your life is not textbook and I am coming to realize that there are no set guidelines on "when such-and-such" should be accomplished or successes attained. Societal "norms" often make this harder to see…...
I believe that as we get older we seek different things and out of those "different needs" sometimes comes "giving up this…to get that". I get it. I do. I simply believe that you should not have to change the whole of who you are or what you like or what you are ready for at a certain point in your life…unless you are really ready to embrace (not just accept) the changes that you are making if you are not making them whole heartedly.
Are we always happy? They say happiness is a choice. Do we make certain sacrifices in life? Yes. Are sacrifices a part of life? Yes. But the thing to remember is…..In the words of an old song by Teddy Pendergrass you can't hide from yourself…. No matter where you go… there you are.
Think about it.
Being you….. isn't always as easy as it should be. People always say "just be yourself" but in Many instances, as you get older and your thoughts, ideas and preferences get more polarized, that isn't as easy as it sounds! You can't just do or say anything in life , so I think that phrase is overrated and overused! LOL...um...just like ...LOL ...
We often have to make concessions, and sacrifices for who or what we know or think is right or what we "think" is who/where we want to be. But when is it too much and when do we begin to sacrifice what makes you, "you"?
Self-awareness is a never-ending journey and you can get caught up in a tailspin of being something other than "you". I ,personally, am still evolving and still learning new things about myself and have gotten caught in that tailspin before. I use to try to in some way (self-talk, meditation, talking to friends) trying to get a better handle on being who I am and compromising for my overall happiness. So how can you get what you want and be yourself when the two ideas are not in sync? You have to understand what you need at the core of who you are. And if that means giving up other ideas of what society thinks you should be doing and who you should be maybe that is the right road for you…maybe not. Only you can decide that foryourself.
But one thing I have learned is that you can't hide from yourself…. You can but not (as I often say) without consequences and repercussions.
And you probably won't end up being the "happiest" that you would have been had you just waited and evaluated the situation before acting on something . You can lie to everyone around you (maybe even convinced yourself that this is what you want), but deep down, in the depths of your heart and mind….. you are there and there is where you will find …. you and you know the truth.
There have been times in my life where I knew that I should not have done certain things, made certain moves, had WARNING BELLS going off and felt a little "off" about something…but kept on full-steam ahead and came to regret it.
Now, I try to be as true to myself as I can. Life is too short not to be. Your life is not textbook and I am coming to realize that there are no set guidelines on "when such-and-such" should be accomplished or successes attained. Societal "norms" often make this harder to see…...
I believe that as we get older we seek different things and out of those "different needs" sometimes comes "giving up this…to get that". I get it. I do. I simply believe that you should not have to change the whole of who you are or what you like or what you are ready for at a certain point in your life…unless you are really ready to embrace (not just accept) the changes that you are making if you are not making them whole heartedly.
Are we always happy? They say happiness is a choice. Do we make certain sacrifices in life? Yes. Are sacrifices a part of life? Yes. But the thing to remember is…..In the words of an old song by Teddy Pendergrass you can't hide from yourself…. No matter where you go… there you are.
Think about it.
Whatever happened to....Saturday morning cartoons....by DJ Nicci C
...I was just thinking...whatever happened to .....
.... Saturday morning cartoons I grew up with? Now most of the female characters look like little hoochie mama's!...I miss the Smurfs, Woody Wood Pecker and the other OLd school cartoons you know.
.... getting up during the weekends and just riding your bike all day long as entertainment...now we have $400 game players? WTF happened to yo-yo's and freakin water pistols???
.....playing 7UP in school?
................hanging out with your friends at the local Mom and Pop joints....now we have Starbucks Cafe's and tooty fruity places popping up everywhere...less and less of the old hang out joints are around....where getting a slice of pizza and a coke was just a couple dollars....now lunch can cost you $10 or more ...and thats for just a sandwich and chips!
...........block parties?
...........All the cool drive in's?
.....Movies I grew up on like the Breakfast club, Weird Science, Gremlins and such?
.....penny candies?
......Just kissing on the first date?
...After school specials....I miss those!!!
.....Saying hi to your neighbor.
...............just 40 hour work weeks....everyone is trying to top everyone else ...no one is enjoying life anymore.....
.........Whatever happened to freedom of speech???
.............Whatever happened to online etiquette?
....I was just wondering....
Don't forget to tune into Nic @ Nine every Wed/Fri night at 9pm central right here on my profile!
Keep it real...
DJ Nicci C!
.... Saturday morning cartoons I grew up with? Now most of the female characters look like little hoochie mama's!...I miss the Smurfs, Woody Wood Pecker and the other OLd school cartoons you know.
.... getting up during the weekends and just riding your bike all day long as entertainment...now we have $400 game players? WTF happened to yo-yo's and freakin water pistols???
.....playing 7UP in school?
................hanging out with your friends at the local Mom and Pop joints....now we have Starbucks Cafe's and tooty fruity places popping up everywhere...less and less of the old hang out joints are around....where getting a slice of pizza and a coke was just a couple dollars....now lunch can cost you $10 or more ...and thats for just a sandwich and chips!
...........block parties?
...........All the cool drive in's?
.....Movies I grew up on like the Breakfast club, Weird Science, Gremlins and such?
.....penny candies?
......Just kissing on the first date?
...After school specials....I miss those!!!
.....Saying hi to your neighbor.
...............just 40 hour work weeks....everyone is trying to top everyone else ...no one is enjoying life anymore.....
.........Whatever happened to freedom of speech???
.............Whatever happened to online etiquette?
Latinos: Making Your Mark: How to Stand Out in Life & Business
Imagine walking into the reception area of the company you've dreamed of working for to interview with executives. You look around and find 20 other candidates already sitting there, dressed like you, as qualified as you, and are there for the same purpose. The competition is fierce, and you know it. How will you be different from everybody else? This is a question everyone must face.
There are hundreds of people out there who do what you do and want the job you want. So, how do you stand out? No doubt, you've heard typical advice, things like "look people in the eye when you speak to them," or "have a firm handshake." And while all that is true, I'm about to share with you ways you can change the game, bring more of yourself to the table, and use your humanity to take you further in your profession.
Early in my career in indie filmmaking I quickly figured out that it's not always who you know, but how you treat people-a concept I like to call "people relations." It paid off for me in several ways.
I can tell you that, in my 1o-plus years of experience as an entrepreneur, I've worked hard to cultivate a successful business and strong reputation. I accomplished this by consistently treating everyone well, nurturing relationships, and of course delivering excellence in my field. It's because I extend respect and courtesy that I have landed opportunities.
Along the way I have also recognized several key qualities that I personally practice and that never fail to grab my attention. Here are five of my favorites that can nudge you a few steps closer than the rest to nailing that new job.
1. Understand That Everyone Wears a Game Face
People have a lot going on, at work, at home, and constantly in their minds. So many of us are stressed out, overloaded, and juggling a million things at once. And sometimes, to be honest, we don't always handle that too well. Just as you may have a lot on your mind that is difficult to deal with, the people you work with might be struggling with some emotional challenge. Set yourself apart by being mindful and sensitive to that, and try to be as helpful as possible as you move throughout your days.
2. Develop Your Relationships
If you meet, or want to meet people that you would like to work with, reach out to them and maintain that relationship by adding a personal touch. Pass along articles that may be of interest to them along with the message "I thought you might find the enclosed of interest" and include your name, mailing and email addresses, and phone number; send them notes to say "hello," "congratulations," or to compliment them on a recent activity you may have heard or saw that they did. This kind of extra effort goes a long way toward distinguishing yourself in a positive way. Do Not -- I repeat -- do not reach out to people only when you want or need something.
3. Take Notice of an Interest and Address It
When you are engaged in a conversation with someone, pay close attention to them. Try to pick up on little details such as whether or not they seem to be an organized person, if their office shows signs that they are a fan of a particular sports team, if they prefer a specific type of music, or maybe they're interested a certain kind of art, and remember it. Some time after your first meeting, you can get your other foot in their door by finding a thoughtful way to address their interest. There are so many little things you can do that give you a big opportunity to stand out.
4. Remember That Everyone Is Somebody
A person's position in life should have nothing to do with how you treat them. What goes around comes around. It's the law of the universe. If you acknowledge and show the same level courtesy and respect to everyone you encounter-from the janitor to the receptionist to the CEO-you will develop a reputation as a solid person to work with and build a loyal following of all kinds of people. They won't hesitate to assist you in gaining access to people and resources that can further advance your professional endeavors.
5. Show 'Em What You've Got
Once you get the chance to make an impression and your mark, make it wonderful. Part of one of my favorite quotes by Nelson Mandela says "Who am I to be brilliant, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? Your playing small doesn't serve the world." And serve you must. You've come a long way, put in your study time, and begin honing your craft. Now is the time to strut your stuff. Don't be afraid to lead and succeed. Boldly show your colleagues why you're worthy of their time and investment. That's what businesses are looking for: someone who is not only qualified, but real and has the confidence and willingness to work hard, go the extra mile, and bring their best to the company.
So there you have it: empowering information that can give you an edge in life and business. And now that you know, I trust that you will actually put it to regular use. Because that's the key-being consistent. I know you will. Just remember that the little things can and do make a big difference in your life, career and goals!
Know that all the positive energy you put out there will find its way back to you. Now, step into your great name, go get that job, and build your career. It's your time to shine! Stay strong.
Oh.....
How to Full in the gap in Employment?
Workers who have been out of the work force for a while -- especially those who have been caring for children or parents -- worry about how to explain their job history gaps.
They're right to be concerned if they have done nothing except tend to their families.
Caregiving is certainly noble and needed labor (and let's pause on Mother's Day to say thanks for mothers' work, particularly), but the reality is that prospective employers may want to see more measurable accomplishments.
A long employment gap, whatever the family-oriented reason, won't be as worrisome if:
--You've taken a computer class or earned a certification update in your field.
--You have kept alive a network of business contacts from your previous places of employment. Perhaps you've even continued to attend professional association meetings in your field.
--You have done notable volunteer work that has produced "deliverables," such as managing a PTA fundraising project.
--Your resume clearly shows how your volunteer work translates into needed workplace skills, such as showing your leadership or conflict resolution abilities drawn upon while president of that PTA.
--You have a marketable skill and you know how to target your applications to reach employers who need that skill.
--You've kept up to date with current affairs and you can hold a good conversation in an interview.
--Your resume shows a pre-work-break progression of responsibilities and advancements in a field that's still growing and needs workers.
--You have friends, relatives, neighbors and acquaintances who will advocate for you in their workplaces.
--You can pull off an updated and energetic appearance (hair, makeup, clothing and posture) in your interviews.
--You project a positive, enthusiastic attitude.
Scholarships For Latinos
Scholarships For Latinos
Here's a partial list of scholarships available to Latinos y Latinas. Scholarship criteria can vary wildly, so please contact each organization directly for more details on each program.
¡Adelante! Fund Scholarship Program
Phone: (210) 692-1971
Web: n/a
E-mail: rubeng@dcci.com
For: Hispanic students enrolled in Hispanic Serving Institutions
American Chemical Society Scholars Program
Phone: (202) 872-6250
Web: www.acs.org/scholars
E-mail: scholars@acs.org
For: Underrepresented minority students with a strong interest in chemistry and a desire to pursue a career in chemistry-related science
American Dental Hygienists' Association Insititute Minority Scholarship
Phone: (312) 440-8944
Web: www.adha.org
E-mail: institute@adha.net
For: Minority students enrolled in certificate/associate programs in dental hygiene
Anheuser-Busch Foundation Scholarships
Phone: (773) 451-3567
Web: www.cul-chicago.org
E-mail: info@cul-chicago.org
For: Illinois residents of color interested in full-time study at a 4-year college or university
Association of Cuban Engineers Scholarships
Phone: (305) 649-7429
Web: n/a
E-mail: n/a
For: Undergraduate and graduate students of Cuban American heritage and others who are interested in preparing for a career in engineering
Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting Scholarships
Phone: (213) 243-0004
Web: www.alpfa.org
E-mail: scholarships.national@alpfa.org
For: Undergraduate and graduate students of Hispanic heritage who are preparing for a career in a field related to finance or accounting
Avon Grant Scholarhips
Phone: (773) 451-3567
Web: www.cul-chicago.org
E-mail: info@cul-chicago.org
For: Illinois residents who are women of color interested in full-time study at a 4-year college or university
Breakthrough To Nursing Scholarships for Ethnic People of Color
Phone: (212) 581-2215
Web: www.nsna.org
E-mail: nsna@nsna.org
For: Minority undergraduate and graduate students who wish to prepare for careers in nursing
California Table Grape Workers' Scholarship Program
Phone: (559) 447-8350
Web: www.tablegrape.com
E-mail: adrienne@tablegrape.com
For: Children of California table grape field workers who are interested in attending a branch of the California State University system
College Assistant Migrant Program Scholarships
Phone: (208) 792-2101
Web: www.campaa.org/scholarships.html
E-mail: ggalindo@campaa.org
For: College and high school students from migrant or seasonal farmworker families
Cesar Chavez Memorial Leadership Award
Phone: (323) 721-1655
Web: www.telacu.com
E-mail: info@telacu.com
For: Outstanding Latino students in the Los Angeles area
Coors Hispanic Employee Network Scholarship
Phone: (303) 277-5258
Web: n/a
E-mail: paulandchris@prodigy.net
For: High school seniors in Colorado who are of Hispanic descent
Chicana/Latina Foundation Scholarship Competition
Phone: (510) 526-5681
Web: www.chicanalatina.org/scholarship.html
E-mail: info@chicanalatina.org
For: Latina women in the San Francisco Bay Area
College Scholarship Program of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Phone: (877) HSF-INFO
Web: www.hsf.net
E-mail: info@hsf.net
For: Hispanic American students
Comision Femenil de Los Angeles Scholarship
Phone: (818) 549-9530
Web: n/a
E-mail: n/a
For: Latinas in Southern California interested in working on an undergraduate or graduate degree
Community College Transfer Program of The Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Phone: (877) HSF-INFO
Web: www.hsf.net
E-mail: info@hsf.net
For: Hispanic American students who are attending a community college and are interested in transferring to a 4-year institution
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Scholarship Awards
Phone: (202) 543-1771, (800) EXCEL-DC
Web: www.chci.org
E-mail: chci@chci.org
For: Students of Hispanic descent
Connecticut Association of Latin Americans in Higher Education Scholarships
Phone: (860) 548-1888
Web: www.hfpg.org
E-mail: hfpg2@hfpg.org
For: Latino residents of Connecticut
Coors Light Academic Success in Education Scholarship Award
Phone: (210) 692-3805
Web: www.hacu.net
E-mail: hacu@hacu.net
For: Undergraduate and graduate students at institutions in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Mexico that are members of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)
Cristina Saralegui Scholarship Program
Phone: (202) 662-7145
Web: www.nahj.org/scholarship.html
E-mail: nahj@nahj.org
For: Hispanic American undergraduate students interested in preparing for careers in media
Cuban American Scholarship Program
Phone: (714) 835-7676
Web: n/a
E-mail: n/a
For: Cuban American students in California
Cuban-American Teachers Association Scholarships
Phone: (562) 923-0204
Web: n/a
E-mail: cubacata@aol.com
For: High school seniors of Cuban heritage in Southern California who are interested in attending college
Daniel Gutierrez Memorial General Scholarship
Phone: (760) 741-8246
Web: n/a
E-mail: n/a
For: Latino high school students in the San Diego area who plan to attend college
Denny's Grand Slam Scholars
Phone: (800) 644-4223
Web: www.hispanicfund.org
E-mail: hispaniccollegefund@earthlink.net
For: Hispanic American undergraduate students who are interested in preparing for a career in business, computer science, or engineering
Dr. Juan Andrade, Jr. Scholarship for Young Hispanic Leaders
Phone: (312) 427-8683
Web: www.ushli.com/aScholarship.html
E-mail: ushli@aol.com
For: Hispanic students in the United States
Dr. Juan D. Villareal HDA Foundation Scholarships
Phone: (312) 577-0052
Web: www.hdassoc.org
E-mail: hdassoc1@qwest.net
For: Hispanic dental hygiene and dental students in Texas
Eaton Multicultural Engineering Scholars Program
Phone: (216) 623-1010
Web: www.eaton.com
E-mail: n/a
For: Minority college students interested in a career as an engineer
Edison International Scholarships
Phone: (323) 731-1655
Web: www.telacu.com
E-mail: info@telacu.com
For: Latinos in Southern California who wish to pursue careers in teaching
Eishenhower Hispanic-Serving Institutions Fellowships
Phone: (703) 235-0538
Web: www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/fellowships.html
E-mail: Ilene.payne@fhwa.dot.gov
For: Students at Hispanic Serving Institutions studying transportation-related fields
Environmental Management Scholarship
Phone: (202) 296-0009
Web: www.hsfi.org/sch_energy.html
E-mail: info@hsfi.org
For: Hispanic undergraduate students majoring in designated business, engineering, and science fields related to the U.S. Department of Energy goal of environmental and waste management
Esperanza Scholarship Fund
Phone: (216) 651-7178
Web: www.esperanza.org
E-mail: hope4edu@aol.com
For: Students of Hispanic descent in the Cleveland area
Falú Foundation Scholarship
Phone: (212) 360-1210
Web: www.ubms.edu/FaluFoundation.html
E-mail: falu@ubms.edu
For: Hispanic students interested in preparing for a career in technology
First In My Family Scholarship Program
Phone: (800) 644-4223
Web: www.hispanicfund.org
E-mail: hispaniccollegefund@earthlink.net
For: Hispanic American undergraduate students who are the first in their family to attend college and are majoring in business, computer science, or engineering
Fleming/Blaszcak Scholarship
Phone: (203) 740-5434
Web: www.4spe.org
E-mail: foundation@4spe.org
For: Mexican American undergraduate and graduate students who have a career interest in the plastics industry
Florida Nicaraguan and Haitian Scholarships
Phone: (850) 410-5185
Web: www.firn.edu/doe/osfa
E-mail: osfa@mail.doe.state.fl.us
For: Undergraduate and graduate students who are residents of Florida but were born in Nicaragua or Haiti
Ford/HENAAC Scholars Program
Phone: (323) 262-0997
Web: www.henaac.org/scholarships.html
E-mail: info@henaac.org
For: Hispanic undergraduate students majoring in engineering and related fields
Founders Scholarship
Phone: n/a
Web: www.maes-natl.org
E-mail: maes@tamu.edu
For: Undergraduate and graduate student members of the Society of Mexican American Engineers and Scientists (MAES)
Fulfilling Our Dreams Scholarship Program
Phone: (213) 480-1052
Web: www.salef.org
E-mail: info@salef.org
For: Salvadoran Americans and other Americans of Hispanic descent
Future Leaders of America Scholarship
Phone: (949) 553-4202, ext. 22
Web: www.oc-communityfoundation.org
E-mail: occf@oc-communityfoundation.org
For: Hispanic students from Orange County, California who have demonstrated outstanding community service
General Electric/LULAC Scholarships
Phone: (202) 833-6130
Web: www.lulac.org/Programs/Scholar.html
E-mail: LNESCAward@aol.com
For: Minority students who are studying engineering or business in college
Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement National Scholarship Program
Phone: (312) 435-0498, ext. 21
Web: www.hace-usa.org/programs/scholar.htm
E-mail: haceorg@enteract.com
For: Hispanic students working on an undergraduate or graduate degree
HENAAC Student Leadership Awards
Phone: (323) 262-0997
Web: www.henaac.org/scholarships.htm
E-mail: info@henaac.org
For: Hispanic undegraduate and graduate students majoring in engineering and related fields
High School Scholarship Programs of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Phone: (877) HSF-INFO
Web: www.hsf.net
E-mail: info@hsf.net
For: Hispanic American high school seniors who are interested in attending college
HIS Scholars Program
Phone: (800) 644-4223
Web: www.hispanicfund.org
E-mail: hispaniccollegefund@earthlink.net
For: Hispanic American undergraduate students who are interested in preparing for a career in telecommunications
Hispanic College Fund Scholarships
Phone: (800) 644-4223
Web: www.hispanicfund.org
E-mail: hispaniccollegefund@earthlink.net
For: Hispanic American undergraduate students who are interested in preparing for a career in business, computer science or engineering
Hispanic Designers Founders Scholarships
Phone: (202) 337-9636
Web: www.hispanicdesigners.org
E-mail: HispDesign@aol.com
For: Hispanic students enrolled in fashion design schools
Hispanic Outlook Scholarship Fund
Phone: (201) 587-8800
Web: www.hispanicoutlook.com/scholar.html
E-mail: n/a
For: High school seniors of Hispanic descent
Hispanic Scholarship Fund/Ford Motor Company Corporate Scholarship Program
Phone: (877) HSF-INFO
Web: www.hsf.net/scholarship/Special.htm
E-mail: specialprograms@hsf.net
For: Hispanic college juniors who are majoring in business, computer science, or engineering
Hispanic Scholarship Fund/South Texas Scholarship Program
Phone: (956) 687-7751
Web: www.hsf.net/scholarships/Special.htm
E-mail: specialprograms@hsf.net
For: Hispanic undergraduate and graduate students from designated counties in South Texas
HORISONS Scholarships
Phone: (719) 546-2563
Web: www.pphef.net
E-mail: pphef@aol.com
For: Hispanic undergraduate students from Colorado
Ibero American Action League Hispanic Scholarship Endowment
Phone: (585) 271-4100
Web: www.racf.org/scholarships
E-mail: brainey@racf.org
For: Hispanic students in upstate New York who are interested in pursuing postsecondary education
Idaho Migrant Council Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Phone: (208) 454-1652
Web: n/a
E-mail: n/a
For: Hispanic high school seniors in Idaho
IMA Diversity Scholarship Program
Phone: (201) 573-8438
Web: www.imanet.org
E-mail: students@imanet.org
For: Minority and disabled student members of the Institute of Management Accountants who are interested in working on an undergraduate or graduate degree in management accounting or financial manangement
Jean Marshall Minority Scholarships
Phone: (609) 883-5335, ext. 21
Web: www.njsna.org/institute/institute.htm
E-mail: ita@njsna.org
For: Minority undergraduates in New Jersey who are preparing for a career as a nurse
Joel Atlas Skirble Foundation Scholarships
Phone: (703) 237-8486
Web: n/a
E-mail: n/a
For: Hispanic immigrants in the Baltimore, MD and Washington DC area who are interested in postsecondary studies
Joel Garcia Memorial Scholarships
Phone: (213) 743-4960
Web: www.ccnma.org
E-mail: info@ccnma.org
For: Deserving young Latino Americans in California interested in preparing for a career in journalism
Jose Martí Scholarship Grant Fund
Phone: (850) 410-5185
Web: www.firn.edu/doe/osfa
E-mail: osfa@mail.doe.state.fl.us
For: Hispanic American high school seniors and graduate students in Florida
Juan Eugene Ramos Scholarship
Phone: (202) 337-9636
Web: www.hispanicdesigners.org
E-mail: HispDesign@aol.com
For: Hispanic students enrolled in a fashion design school
Justicia En Diversidad Scholarship
Phone: n/a
Web: www.jdfoundation.org/scholarship
E-mail: scholarship@jdfoundatioin.org
For: Latino high school seniors who are planning to attend college to prepare for a career in a field related to law
Knight Ridder Minority Scholars Program
Phone: (408) 938-7734
Web: www.kri.com/working/interns.html
E-mail: n/a
For: Minority high school seniors who are interested in going to college to prepare for a career in journalism
Lagrant Foundation Scholarships
Phone: (323) 469-8680
Web: www.lagrantfoundation.org
E-mail: n/a
For: Minority high school seniors or college students who are interested in majoring in advertising, public relations, or marketing
LASO Scholarship
Phone: (303) 628-6810
Web: n/a
E-mail: bar.maccoy@denverwater.org
For: Colorado residents who are Hispanic Americans and relatives of members of the Latin American Support Organization (LASO)
Latin American Educational Foundation Scholarships
Phone: (303) 446-0541
Web: www.laef.org
E-mail: laefaa@uswest.net
For: Hispanic American undergraduate students in Colorado
LatinGirl Scholarship
Phone: (201) 876-9640
Web: www.latingirlmag.com
E-mail: editor@latingirlmagl.com
For: Hispanic women graduating from high school
Latino College Expo Scholarship Award
Phone: (202) 546-4400
Web: www.latinocollegeexpo.org
E-mail: LatinoExpo@aol.com
For: Latino high school seniors in the New York tri-state area
Latino Initiatives for the Next Century Scholarships
Phone: (773) 762-8970
Web: www.linc-usa.org/ed/overv.html
E-mail: admin@linc-usa.org
For: Latino undergraduate students from California, Ilinois, New York or Texas
Lowrider Magazine Scholarship Fund
Phone: (714) 213-1000
Web: n/a
E-mail: n/a
For: Chicano/Latino students who are interested in finishing their college education
LULAC General Awards
Phone: (202) 833-6130
Web: www.lulac.org/Programs/Scholar.html
E-mail: LNESCAward@aol.com
For: Hispanic American undergraduate and graduate students
LULAC Honors Awards
Phone: (202) 833-6130
Web: www.lulac.org/Programs/Scholar.html
E-mail: LNESCAward@aol.com
For: Hispanic American undergraduate and graduate students with 3.25 or higher GPA, or 840 SAT score for incoming freshmen
LULAC National Scholastic Achievement Awards
Phone: (202) 833-6130
Web: www.lulac.org/Programs/Scholar.html
E-mail: LNESCAward@aol.com
For: Hispanic American undergraduate and graduate students with 3.5 or higher GPA, or 970 SAT score for incoming freshmen
Mas Family Scholarship Program
Phone: (305) 592-7768
Web: n/a
E-mail: n/a
For: Students of Cuban descent working on an undergraduate or graduate degree in engineering, business, international relations, economics, communications, or journalism
Mayor Joe Serna, Jr. Scholarship Program
Phone: (916) 488-7700
Web: www.sachcc.org/htmls/events/scholarship/index.htm
E-mail: valentin@sachcc.org
For: Hispanic high school seniors in selected Northern California counties
Mexican American Grocers Association Scholarship Program
Phone: (323) 227-1565
Web: www.maga.org
E-mail: n/a
For: Latino/Hispanic students interested in preparing for a business career
Mexican Fiesta Scholarships
Phone: (414) 383-7066
Web: www.mexicanfiesta.org
E-mail: mexicanf@aol.com
For: Hispanic American students in Wisconsin who are interested in attending college or graduate school
Microsoft National Scholarships
Phone: (425) 882-8080
Web: www.microsoft.com/college/scholarships/general.asp
E-mail: scholars@microsoft.com
For: Underrepresented minorities and women interested in preparing for a career in computer science or other related technical fields
Microsoft Scholarship Program of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Phone: (877) HSF-INFO
Web: www.hsf.net
E-mail: info@hsf.net
For: Hispanic American high school seniors who are interested in majoring in computer science, computer engineering or mathematics
LULAC General Awards
Phone: (202) 833-6130
Web: www.lulac.org/Programs/Scholar.html
E-mail: LNESCAward@aol.com
For: Hispanic American undergraduate and graduate students
Mike Carana Foundation Law Enforcement Scholarships
Phone: (949) 553-4202
Web: www.oc-communityfoundation.org
E-mail: occf@oc-communityfoundation.org
For: Hispanic high school seniors from Orange County, California who are interested in preparing for a career in law enforcement
Minority Community College Transfer Scholarships
Phone: (850) 201-7216
Web: www.borfl.org
E-mail: lpage@borfl.org
For: Minority community college students who are interested in transferring to a school within the State University System of Florida (SUS)
National Association of Hispanic Journalists Scholarships
Phone: (202) 662-7145
Web: www.nahj.org/scholarship/html
E-mail: nahj@nahj.org
For: Hispanic American undergraduate and graduate students interested in preparing for careers in media
National Association of Hispanic Federal Executives Scholarship
Phone: (703) 787-0291
Web: www.nahfe.org/scholars.htm
E-mail: NAHFE@cs.com
For: Hispanic American high school seniors
National Association of Hispanic Nurses Scholarships
Phone: (202) 387-2477
Web: www.thehispanicnurses.org
E-mail: thehispanicnurses@earthlink.net
For: Members of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses
National Hispanic Explorers Scholarship Program
Phone: (800) 644-4223
Web: www.hispanicfund.org
E-mail: hispaniccollegefund@earthlink.net
For: Hispanic American undergraduate students who are interested in preparing for a career in a field of interest to the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
New Horizons Scholarship
Phone: (866) 3-HORIZON
Web: www.hsf.net/DOC-PDF/NewHorizons.pdf
E-mail: n/a
For: Hispanic and African-American high school seniors who are infected with Hepatitis C or who are dependents of someone with Hepatitis C
Newhouse Scholarship Program
Phone: (202) 662-7145
Web: www.nahj.org/scholarship.html
E-mail: nahj@nahj.org
For: Hispanic American undergraduate students interested in preparing for careers in media
Next Generation of Public Servants Scholarship
Phone: (202) 296-0009
Web: www.hsfi.org/sch_nextgen.html
E-mail: info@hsfi.org
For: Hispanic and other students majoring in designated business, engineering, social science, and science fields, and interested in employment with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
Nosotros Scholarship Program
Phone: (323) 466-8566
Web: www.nosotros.org
E-mail: nosotrosnews@nosotros.org
For: Adult Hispanic students in California who would like to pursue postsecondary education in the performing arts
Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce Raul Julia Memorial Scholarship Fund
Phone: (305) 371-2711
Web: n/a
E-mail: Dadecomfnd@aol.com
For: Puerto Rican high school seniors in South Florida
RMHC/HACER Scholarship Program
Phone: (800) 736-5219
Web: www.rmhc.org
E-mail: n/a
For: Hispanic students in specifies geographic areas
RMHC/HACER Scholarships
Phone: (858) 467-4750, ext. 22
Web: www.sdmcdonalds.com/rmhc_scholarships.lasso
E-mail: n/a
For: Hispanic high school seniors in San Diego County, California
Ronald H. Brown Memorial Scholarship
Phone: (202) 408-8422
Web: www.tia.org
E-mail: n/a
For: Minority undergraduate students interested in studying travel and tourism
SALEF Health Scholarship Program
Phone: (213) 480-1052
Web: www.salef.org
E-mail: info@salef.org
For: Undergraduate and graduate students of Central American ancestry interested in a health-related career
Sprint Scholarship Program
Phone: (919) 733-7051
Web: www.ncccs.cc.nc.us
E-mail: n/a
For: North Carolina residents studying at publicly-supported technical or vocational schools in the state
TELACU Arts AwardM
Phone: (323) 721-1655
Web: www.telacu.com
E-mail: info@telacu.com
For: Latino students in the Los Angeles area who are interested in studying the arts in college
TELACU Engineering Award
Phone: (323) 721-1655
Web: www.telacu.com
E-mail: info@telacu.com
For: Latino students in the Los Angeles area who are interested in majoring in selected science or business fields
TELACU Scholarships
Phone: (323) 721-1655
Web: www.telacu.com
E-mail: info@telacu.com
For: Latino students in the Los Angeles area who are interested in furthering their formal education at the undergraduate levels
Texas Broadcast Education Foundation Scholarships
Phone: (512) 322-9944
Web: www.tab.org/scholarships.html
E-mail: tab@tab.org
For: Undergraduates in Texas who are interested in preparing for a career in broadcasting
Vicky Carr Scholarship Awards
Phone: (210) 699-0205
Web: www.vcsf.net
E-mail: info@vcsf.net
For: Latino residents of Texas
Whitney M. Young, Jr. Memorial Scholarship and Incentive Awards
Phone: (212) 926-8000
Web: www.nyul.org/scholwhi.htm
E-mail: n/a
For: Minority students graduation from high schools in New York City
Worldstudio Foundation Scholarships
Phone: (212) 366-1317, ext. 18
Web: www.worldstudio.org/scholar/intro.html
E-mail: scholarships@worldstudio.org
For: Disadvantaged and ethnic minority undergraduate and graduate students who wish to study fine or commercial arts, design, or architecture
Worldstudio Foundation Scholarships
Phone: (212) 366-1317, ext. 18
Web: www.worldstudio.org/scholar/intro.html
E-mail: scholarships@worldstudio.org
For: Members of disadvantaged and ethnic minority groups who wish to study illustration, animation, or cartooning in college
Source:Latina Magazine
Here's a partial list of scholarships available to Latinos y Latinas. Scholarship criteria can vary wildly, so please contact each organization directly for more details on each program.
¡Adelante! Fund Scholarship Program
Phone: (210) 692-1971
Web: n/a
E-mail: rubeng@dcci.com
For: Hispanic students enrolled in Hispanic Serving Institutions
American Chemical Society Scholars Program
Phone: (202) 872-6250
Web: www.acs.org/scholars
E-mail: scholars@acs.org
For: Underrepresented minority students with a strong interest in chemistry and a desire to pursue a career in chemistry-related science
American Dental Hygienists' Association Insititute Minority Scholarship
Phone: (312) 440-8944
Web: www.adha.org
E-mail: institute@adha.net
For: Minority students enrolled in certificate/associate programs in dental hygiene
Anheuser-Busch Foundation Scholarships
Phone: (773) 451-3567
Web: www.cul-chicago.org
E-mail: info@cul-chicago.org
For: Illinois residents of color interested in full-time study at a 4-year college or university
Association of Cuban Engineers Scholarships
Phone: (305) 649-7429
Web: n/a
E-mail: n/a
For: Undergraduate and graduate students of Cuban American heritage and others who are interested in preparing for a career in engineering
Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting Scholarships
Phone: (213) 243-0004
Web: www.alpfa.org
E-mail: scholarships.national@alpfa.org
For: Undergraduate and graduate students of Hispanic heritage who are preparing for a career in a field related to finance or accounting
Avon Grant Scholarhips
Phone: (773) 451-3567
Web: www.cul-chicago.org
E-mail: info@cul-chicago.org
For: Illinois residents who are women of color interested in full-time study at a 4-year college or university
Breakthrough To Nursing Scholarships for Ethnic People of Color
Phone: (212) 581-2215
Web: www.nsna.org
E-mail: nsna@nsna.org
For: Minority undergraduate and graduate students who wish to prepare for careers in nursing
California Table Grape Workers' Scholarship Program
Phone: (559) 447-8350
Web: www.tablegrape.com
E-mail: adrienne@tablegrape.com
For: Children of California table grape field workers who are interested in attending a branch of the California State University system
College Assistant Migrant Program Scholarships
Phone: (208) 792-2101
Web: www.campaa.org/scholarships.html
E-mail: ggalindo@campaa.org
For: College and high school students from migrant or seasonal farmworker families
Cesar Chavez Memorial Leadership Award
Phone: (323) 721-1655
Web: www.telacu.com
E-mail: info@telacu.com
For: Outstanding Latino students in the Los Angeles area
Coors Hispanic Employee Network Scholarship
Phone: (303) 277-5258
Web: n/a
E-mail: paulandchris@prodigy.net
For: High school seniors in Colorado who are of Hispanic descent
Chicana/Latina Foundation Scholarship Competition
Phone: (510) 526-5681
Web: www.chicanalatina.org/scholarship.html
E-mail: info@chicanalatina.org
For: Latina women in the San Francisco Bay Area
College Scholarship Program of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Phone: (877) HSF-INFO
Web: www.hsf.net
E-mail: info@hsf.net
For: Hispanic American students
Comision Femenil de Los Angeles Scholarship
Phone: (818) 549-9530
Web: n/a
E-mail: n/a
For: Latinas in Southern California interested in working on an undergraduate or graduate degree
Community College Transfer Program of The Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Phone: (877) HSF-INFO
Web: www.hsf.net
E-mail: info@hsf.net
For: Hispanic American students who are attending a community college and are interested in transferring to a 4-year institution
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Scholarship Awards
Phone: (202) 543-1771, (800) EXCEL-DC
Web: www.chci.org
E-mail: chci@chci.org
For: Students of Hispanic descent
Connecticut Association of Latin Americans in Higher Education Scholarships
Phone: (860) 548-1888
Web: www.hfpg.org
E-mail: hfpg2@hfpg.org
For: Latino residents of Connecticut
Coors Light Academic Success in Education Scholarship Award
Phone: (210) 692-3805
Web: www.hacu.net
E-mail: hacu@hacu.net
For: Undergraduate and graduate students at institutions in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Mexico that are members of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)
Cristina Saralegui Scholarship Program
Phone: (202) 662-7145
Web: www.nahj.org/scholarship.html
E-mail: nahj@nahj.org
For: Hispanic American undergraduate students interested in preparing for careers in media
Cuban American Scholarship Program
Phone: (714) 835-7676
Web: n/a
E-mail: n/a
For: Cuban American students in California
Cuban-American Teachers Association Scholarships
Phone: (562) 923-0204
Web: n/a
E-mail: cubacata@aol.com
For: High school seniors of Cuban heritage in Southern California who are interested in attending college
Daniel Gutierrez Memorial General Scholarship
Phone: (760) 741-8246
Web: n/a
E-mail: n/a
For: Latino high school students in the San Diego area who plan to attend college
Denny's Grand Slam Scholars
Phone: (800) 644-4223
Web: www.hispanicfund.org
E-mail: hispaniccollegefund@earthlink.net
For: Hispanic American undergraduate students who are interested in preparing for a career in business, computer science, or engineering
Dr. Juan Andrade, Jr. Scholarship for Young Hispanic Leaders
Phone: (312) 427-8683
Web: www.ushli.com/aScholarship.html
E-mail: ushli@aol.com
For: Hispanic students in the United States
Dr. Juan D. Villareal HDA Foundation Scholarships
Phone: (312) 577-0052
Web: www.hdassoc.org
E-mail: hdassoc1@qwest.net
For: Hispanic dental hygiene and dental students in Texas
Eaton Multicultural Engineering Scholars Program
Phone: (216) 623-1010
Web: www.eaton.com
E-mail: n/a
For: Minority college students interested in a career as an engineer
Edison International Scholarships
Phone: (323) 731-1655
Web: www.telacu.com
E-mail: info@telacu.com
For: Latinos in Southern California who wish to pursue careers in teaching
Eishenhower Hispanic-Serving Institutions Fellowships
Phone: (703) 235-0538
Web: www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/fellowships.html
E-mail: Ilene.payne@fhwa.dot.gov
For: Students at Hispanic Serving Institutions studying transportation-related fields
Environmental Management Scholarship
Phone: (202) 296-0009
Web: www.hsfi.org/sch_energy.html
E-mail: info@hsfi.org
For: Hispanic undergraduate students majoring in designated business, engineering, and science fields related to the U.S. Department of Energy goal of environmental and waste management
Esperanza Scholarship Fund
Phone: (216) 651-7178
Web: www.esperanza.org
E-mail: hope4edu@aol.com
For: Students of Hispanic descent in the Cleveland area
Falú Foundation Scholarship
Phone: (212) 360-1210
Web: www.ubms.edu/FaluFoundation.html
E-mail: falu@ubms.edu
For: Hispanic students interested in preparing for a career in technology
First In My Family Scholarship Program
Phone: (800) 644-4223
Web: www.hispanicfund.org
E-mail: hispaniccollegefund@earthlink.net
For: Hispanic American undergraduate students who are the first in their family to attend college and are majoring in business, computer science, or engineering
Fleming/Blaszcak Scholarship
Phone: (203) 740-5434
Web: www.4spe.org
E-mail: foundation@4spe.org
For: Mexican American undergraduate and graduate students who have a career interest in the plastics industry
Florida Nicaraguan and Haitian Scholarships
Phone: (850) 410-5185
Web: www.firn.edu/doe/osfa
E-mail: osfa@mail.doe.state.fl.us
For: Undergraduate and graduate students who are residents of Florida but were born in Nicaragua or Haiti
Ford/HENAAC Scholars Program
Phone: (323) 262-0997
Web: www.henaac.org/scholarships.html
E-mail: info@henaac.org
For: Hispanic undergraduate students majoring in engineering and related fields
Founders Scholarship
Phone: n/a
Web: www.maes-natl.org
E-mail: maes@tamu.edu
For: Undergraduate and graduate student members of the Society of Mexican American Engineers and Scientists (MAES)
Fulfilling Our Dreams Scholarship Program
Phone: (213) 480-1052
Web: www.salef.org
E-mail: info@salef.org
For: Salvadoran Americans and other Americans of Hispanic descent
Future Leaders of America Scholarship
Phone: (949) 553-4202, ext. 22
Web: www.oc-communityfoundation.org
E-mail: occf@oc-communityfoundation.org
For: Hispanic students from Orange County, California who have demonstrated outstanding community service
General Electric/LULAC Scholarships
Phone: (202) 833-6130
Web: www.lulac.org/Programs/Scholar.html
E-mail: LNESCAward@aol.com
For: Minority students who are studying engineering or business in college
Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement National Scholarship Program
Phone: (312) 435-0498, ext. 21
Web: www.hace-usa.org/programs/scholar.htm
E-mail: haceorg@enteract.com
For: Hispanic students working on an undergraduate or graduate degree
HENAAC Student Leadership Awards
Phone: (323) 262-0997
Web: www.henaac.org/scholarships.htm
E-mail: info@henaac.org
For: Hispanic undegraduate and graduate students majoring in engineering and related fields
High School Scholarship Programs of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Phone: (877) HSF-INFO
Web: www.hsf.net
E-mail: info@hsf.net
For: Hispanic American high school seniors who are interested in attending college
HIS Scholars Program
Phone: (800) 644-4223
Web: www.hispanicfund.org
E-mail: hispaniccollegefund@earthlink.net
For: Hispanic American undergraduate students who are interested in preparing for a career in telecommunications
Hispanic College Fund Scholarships
Phone: (800) 644-4223
Web: www.hispanicfund.org
E-mail: hispaniccollegefund@earthlink.net
For: Hispanic American undergraduate students who are interested in preparing for a career in business, computer science or engineering
Hispanic Designers Founders Scholarships
Phone: (202) 337-9636
Web: www.hispanicdesigners.org
E-mail: HispDesign@aol.com
For: Hispanic students enrolled in fashion design schools
Hispanic Outlook Scholarship Fund
Phone: (201) 587-8800
Web: www.hispanicoutlook.com/scholar.html
E-mail: n/a
For: High school seniors of Hispanic descent
Hispanic Scholarship Fund/Ford Motor Company Corporate Scholarship Program
Phone: (877) HSF-INFO
Web: www.hsf.net/scholarship/Special.htm
E-mail: specialprograms@hsf.net
For: Hispanic college juniors who are majoring in business, computer science, or engineering
Hispanic Scholarship Fund/South Texas Scholarship Program
Phone: (956) 687-7751
Web: www.hsf.net/scholarships/Special.htm
E-mail: specialprograms@hsf.net
For: Hispanic undergraduate and graduate students from designated counties in South Texas
HORISONS Scholarships
Phone: (719) 546-2563
Web: www.pphef.net
E-mail: pphef@aol.com
For: Hispanic undergraduate students from Colorado
Ibero American Action League Hispanic Scholarship Endowment
Phone: (585) 271-4100
Web: www.racf.org/scholarships
E-mail: brainey@racf.org
For: Hispanic students in upstate New York who are interested in pursuing postsecondary education
Idaho Migrant Council Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Phone: (208) 454-1652
Web: n/a
E-mail: n/a
For: Hispanic high school seniors in Idaho
IMA Diversity Scholarship Program
Phone: (201) 573-8438
Web: www.imanet.org
E-mail: students@imanet.org
For: Minority and disabled student members of the Institute of Management Accountants who are interested in working on an undergraduate or graduate degree in management accounting or financial manangement
Jean Marshall Minority Scholarships
Phone: (609) 883-5335, ext. 21
Web: www.njsna.org/institute/institute.htm
E-mail: ita@njsna.org
For: Minority undergraduates in New Jersey who are preparing for a career as a nurse
Joel Atlas Skirble Foundation Scholarships
Phone: (703) 237-8486
Web: n/a
E-mail: n/a
For: Hispanic immigrants in the Baltimore, MD and Washington DC area who are interested in postsecondary studies
Joel Garcia Memorial Scholarships
Phone: (213) 743-4960
Web: www.ccnma.org
E-mail: info@ccnma.org
For: Deserving young Latino Americans in California interested in preparing for a career in journalism
Jose Martí Scholarship Grant Fund
Phone: (850) 410-5185
Web: www.firn.edu/doe/osfa
E-mail: osfa@mail.doe.state.fl.us
For: Hispanic American high school seniors and graduate students in Florida
Juan Eugene Ramos Scholarship
Phone: (202) 337-9636
Web: www.hispanicdesigners.org
E-mail: HispDesign@aol.com
For: Hispanic students enrolled in a fashion design school
Justicia En Diversidad Scholarship
Phone: n/a
Web: www.jdfoundation.org/scholarship
E-mail: scholarship@jdfoundatioin.org
For: Latino high school seniors who are planning to attend college to prepare for a career in a field related to law
Knight Ridder Minority Scholars Program
Phone: (408) 938-7734
Web: www.kri.com/working/interns.html
E-mail: n/a
For: Minority high school seniors who are interested in going to college to prepare for a career in journalism
Lagrant Foundation Scholarships
Phone: (323) 469-8680
Web: www.lagrantfoundation.org
E-mail: n/a
For: Minority high school seniors or college students who are interested in majoring in advertising, public relations, or marketing
LASO Scholarship
Phone: (303) 628-6810
Web: n/a
E-mail: bar.maccoy@denverwater.org
For: Colorado residents who are Hispanic Americans and relatives of members of the Latin American Support Organization (LASO)
Latin American Educational Foundation Scholarships
Phone: (303) 446-0541
Web: www.laef.org
E-mail: laefaa@uswest.net
For: Hispanic American undergraduate students in Colorado
LatinGirl Scholarship
Phone: (201) 876-9640
Web: www.latingirlmag.com
E-mail: editor@latingirlmagl.com
For: Hispanic women graduating from high school
Latino College Expo Scholarship Award
Phone: (202) 546-4400
Web: www.latinocollegeexpo.org
E-mail: LatinoExpo@aol.com
For: Latino high school seniors in the New York tri-state area
Latino Initiatives for the Next Century Scholarships
Phone: (773) 762-8970
Web: www.linc-usa.org/ed/overv.html
E-mail: admin@linc-usa.org
For: Latino undergraduate students from California, Ilinois, New York or Texas
Lowrider Magazine Scholarship Fund
Phone: (714) 213-1000
Web: n/a
E-mail: n/a
For: Chicano/Latino students who are interested in finishing their college education
LULAC General Awards
Phone: (202) 833-6130
Web: www.lulac.org/Programs/Scholar.html
E-mail: LNESCAward@aol.com
For: Hispanic American undergraduate and graduate students
LULAC Honors Awards
Phone: (202) 833-6130
Web: www.lulac.org/Programs/Scholar.html
E-mail: LNESCAward@aol.com
For: Hispanic American undergraduate and graduate students with 3.25 or higher GPA, or 840 SAT score for incoming freshmen
LULAC National Scholastic Achievement Awards
Phone: (202) 833-6130
Web: www.lulac.org/Programs/Scholar.html
E-mail: LNESCAward@aol.com
For: Hispanic American undergraduate and graduate students with 3.5 or higher GPA, or 970 SAT score for incoming freshmen
Mas Family Scholarship Program
Phone: (305) 592-7768
Web: n/a
E-mail: n/a
For: Students of Cuban descent working on an undergraduate or graduate degree in engineering, business, international relations, economics, communications, or journalism
Mayor Joe Serna, Jr. Scholarship Program
Phone: (916) 488-7700
Web: www.sachcc.org/htmls/events/scholarship/index.htm
E-mail: valentin@sachcc.org
For: Hispanic high school seniors in selected Northern California counties
Mexican American Grocers Association Scholarship Program
Phone: (323) 227-1565
Web: www.maga.org
E-mail: n/a
For: Latino/Hispanic students interested in preparing for a business career
Mexican Fiesta Scholarships
Phone: (414) 383-7066
Web: www.mexicanfiesta.org
E-mail: mexicanf@aol.com
For: Hispanic American students in Wisconsin who are interested in attending college or graduate school
Microsoft National Scholarships
Phone: (425) 882-8080
Web: www.microsoft.com/college/scholarships/general.asp
E-mail: scholars@microsoft.com
For: Underrepresented minorities and women interested in preparing for a career in computer science or other related technical fields
Microsoft Scholarship Program of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Phone: (877) HSF-INFO
Web: www.hsf.net
E-mail: info@hsf.net
For: Hispanic American high school seniors who are interested in majoring in computer science, computer engineering or mathematics
LULAC General Awards
Phone: (202) 833-6130
Web: www.lulac.org/Programs/Scholar.html
E-mail: LNESCAward@aol.com
For: Hispanic American undergraduate and graduate students
Mike Carana Foundation Law Enforcement Scholarships
Phone: (949) 553-4202
Web: www.oc-communityfoundation.org
E-mail: occf@oc-communityfoundation.org
For: Hispanic high school seniors from Orange County, California who are interested in preparing for a career in law enforcement
Minority Community College Transfer Scholarships
Phone: (850) 201-7216
Web: www.borfl.org
E-mail: lpage@borfl.org
For: Minority community college students who are interested in transferring to a school within the State University System of Florida (SUS)
National Association of Hispanic Journalists Scholarships
Phone: (202) 662-7145
Web: www.nahj.org/scholarship/html
E-mail: nahj@nahj.org
For: Hispanic American undergraduate and graduate students interested in preparing for careers in media
National Association of Hispanic Federal Executives Scholarship
Phone: (703) 787-0291
Web: www.nahfe.org/scholars.htm
E-mail: NAHFE@cs.com
For: Hispanic American high school seniors
National Association of Hispanic Nurses Scholarships
Phone: (202) 387-2477
Web: www.thehispanicnurses.org
E-mail: thehispanicnurses@earthlink.net
For: Members of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses
National Hispanic Explorers Scholarship Program
Phone: (800) 644-4223
Web: www.hispanicfund.org
E-mail: hispaniccollegefund@earthlink.net
For: Hispanic American undergraduate students who are interested in preparing for a career in a field of interest to the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
New Horizons Scholarship
Phone: (866) 3-HORIZON
Web: www.hsf.net/DOC-PDF/NewHorizons.pdf
E-mail: n/a
For: Hispanic and African-American high school seniors who are infected with Hepatitis C or who are dependents of someone with Hepatitis C
Newhouse Scholarship Program
Phone: (202) 662-7145
Web: www.nahj.org/scholarship.html
E-mail: nahj@nahj.org
For: Hispanic American undergraduate students interested in preparing for careers in media
Next Generation of Public Servants Scholarship
Phone: (202) 296-0009
Web: www.hsfi.org/sch_nextgen.html
E-mail: info@hsfi.org
For: Hispanic and other students majoring in designated business, engineering, social science, and science fields, and interested in employment with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
Nosotros Scholarship Program
Phone: (323) 466-8566
Web: www.nosotros.org
E-mail: nosotrosnews@nosotros.org
For: Adult Hispanic students in California who would like to pursue postsecondary education in the performing arts
Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce Raul Julia Memorial Scholarship Fund
Phone: (305) 371-2711
Web: n/a
E-mail: Dadecomfnd@aol.com
For: Puerto Rican high school seniors in South Florida
RMHC/HACER Scholarship Program
Phone: (800) 736-5219
Web: www.rmhc.org
E-mail: n/a
For: Hispanic students in specifies geographic areas
RMHC/HACER Scholarships
Phone: (858) 467-4750, ext. 22
Web: www.sdmcdonalds.com/rmhc_scholarships.lasso
E-mail: n/a
For: Hispanic high school seniors in San Diego County, California
Ronald H. Brown Memorial Scholarship
Phone: (202) 408-8422
Web: www.tia.org
E-mail: n/a
For: Minority undergraduate students interested in studying travel and tourism
SALEF Health Scholarship Program
Phone: (213) 480-1052
Web: www.salef.org
E-mail: info@salef.org
For: Undergraduate and graduate students of Central American ancestry interested in a health-related career
Sprint Scholarship Program
Phone: (919) 733-7051
Web: www.ncccs.cc.nc.us
E-mail: n/a
For: North Carolina residents studying at publicly-supported technical or vocational schools in the state
TELACU Arts AwardM
Phone: (323) 721-1655
Web: www.telacu.com
E-mail: info@telacu.com
For: Latino students in the Los Angeles area who are interested in studying the arts in college
TELACU Engineering Award
Phone: (323) 721-1655
Web: www.telacu.com
E-mail: info@telacu.com
For: Latino students in the Los Angeles area who are interested in majoring in selected science or business fields
TELACU Scholarships
Phone: (323) 721-1655
Web: www.telacu.com
E-mail: info@telacu.com
For: Latino students in the Los Angeles area who are interested in furthering their formal education at the undergraduate levels
Texas Broadcast Education Foundation Scholarships
Phone: (512) 322-9944
Web: www.tab.org/scholarships.html
E-mail: tab@tab.org
For: Undergraduates in Texas who are interested in preparing for a career in broadcasting
Vicky Carr Scholarship Awards
Phone: (210) 699-0205
Web: www.vcsf.net
E-mail: info@vcsf.net
For: Latino residents of Texas
Whitney M. Young, Jr. Memorial Scholarship and Incentive Awards
Phone: (212) 926-8000
Web: www.nyul.org/scholwhi.htm
E-mail: n/a
For: Minority students graduation from high schools in New York City
Worldstudio Foundation Scholarships
Phone: (212) 366-1317, ext. 18
Web: www.worldstudio.org/scholar/intro.html
E-mail: scholarships@worldstudio.org
For: Disadvantaged and ethnic minority undergraduate and graduate students who wish to study fine or commercial arts, design, or architecture
Worldstudio Foundation Scholarships
Phone: (212) 366-1317, ext. 18
Web: www.worldstudio.org/scholar/intro.html
E-mail: scholarships@worldstudio.org
For: Members of disadvantaged and ethnic minority groups who wish to study illustration, animation, or cartooning in college
Source:Latina Magazine
Famous Latinas...Barbara Garcia ,Lorena Ochoa, Erica Ortiz,Kathy Martinez,Victoria Recaño !
Meet the Latina who helped rebuild the levees in New Orleans
.. Article Title ENDS AND Article Subtitle ENDS -->.. Article Text Begins -->
After Hurricane Katrina left New Orleans in pieces, Barbara Garcia helped rebuild its levees.
Imagine a job so potentially dangerous that your boss tells you not to wear your uniform for fear that you´ll be beaten or killed. Think we´re referring to police work in Iraq? Think closer to home: As one of only two Latina structural engineers in the Army Corps of Engineers´ Task Force Guardian, Barbara Garcia and a team of approximately 100 colleagues spent nine months restoring the levees that were all but destroyed when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, all while workers received death threats from people who blamed the Corps for not properly maintaining them in the first place. "It was so upsetting," says Barbara, 31, a Guatemalan-Honduran New Orleans native who blames the lack of adequate federal funding for the levees´ collapse and says she and colleagues did everything they could within budgetary constraints to keep the city safe. "I would get up in the morning, and we would always be on the front page of the newspaper. Meanwhile, you´re trying to do your best, working seven days a week."
Rather than getting angry at distraught residents, Barbara attacked the project—which included designing secondary concrete walls and new drains—with the same determination with which she tackled tough math and science courses as a teenager in order to follow her older sister into the male-dominated field of engineering. "I challenged myself," says Barbara, who learned a love of figuring out how things work from her dad, a mechanic. "I told myself, I´m going to work hard at this. That is what got me through."
___________
Lorena Ochoa, Top-Ranked Golf Superstar
LPGA star Lorena Ochoa drives toward first place in the world rankings.
Mexican star golfer Lorena Ochoa, world-renowned for her sweet temperament—and for quietly and politely crushing opponents—has been a fierce competitor, oh, since the sandbox. At 9, she scored better than the teenage boys in a golf competition and won a spot in a Japanese tournament. By 12, she had climbed the 17,343-foot volcano Iztacc?huatl. As an adult, Lorena has run in marathons and triathlons and participated in adventure racing—a physically brutal competition sport that includes mountain biking, swimming and kayaking. Today, when it comes to her daily golf-training routine, she's no less driven: Lorena hits the links before most of us hit the snooze button, and then follows up with meditation, yoga and a gym workout, pausing only for an almuerzo at home with her parents and brother in her native Guadalajara.
That dedication has paid off big-time: Not only did Lorena, now 25, become the second female golfer in LPGA history (after Annika Sorenstam) to earn more than $2 million in one season, but she'll also likely overtake Annika, 36, this year for the top ranking. (Watch the two face off at the Kraft Nabisco Championship Tournament on CBS, April 1.) "Annika has dominated for many years, but she knows I'm close to beating her," Lorena says bluntly. And her odds are excellent: Last December, Lorena, who was a star college player at the University of Arizona, won the LPGA's Vare Trophy after ending the 2006 season with the lowest scoring average.
A number one ranking this year, five years after joining the LPGA, would mean a big boost toward her ultimate goal: playing at the pro level for 10 years—and then quitting at the top of her game, so she can get married and have kids. "I've had to make a lot of sacrifices, missed a lot of birthdays and weddings because I was always traveling and missed out on high school because I studied at home," says Lorena, currently single but clearly hoping to change that. "It's a tough life, but it's been worthwhile."
It's also earned her hero status in Mexico, where she is idolized by kids—especially girls. "When I started playing at age 5, I was the only girl," she recalls. "It's a clean, healthy career for kids, and I feel fortunate to be an example for Mexicans."
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Erica Ortiz, professional drag racer
The girl loves to go fast. Really, really fast. Professional drag racer Erica Ortiz sets records and usually leaves competition in the dust.
Here's what it's like to go from 0 to 200 miles per hour in just over six seconds in a 2,700-horsepower car: "I'm wearing a fire suit, helmet and neck restraint, and I'm strapped in the car with a five-point harness," says Erica Ortiz, one of only a handful of female professional drag racers in the country. "When the green light hits, I floor the gas pedal and brace myself because when the car leaves, it snaps your whole body back into the seat so hard you wouldn't be able to bring your head forward under your own power. And then I'm going down the quarter-mile track, shifting gears, pulling a parachute lever and trying to keep the car straight, because at 2,700 horsepower, it wants to go in every direction but forward."
Scary? Not for the first woman to reach 200 mph in less than 7 seconds in the history of the Fun Ford Weekend, a series she'll return to this month when she races at the 17th Annual Peach State Nationals in Commerce, Georgia. "It's an incredible rush," says the Puerto Rican and Cuban 27-year-old, who races in a souped-up Ford Mustang. Erica fronts an all-woman team called Horsepower and Heels in Columbus, Georgia, and has been hooked on adrenaline ever since she was a teen racing her pickup truck for fun around Orlando, where she grew up. Soon she was working at an auto shop, building her own engines and racing at a local, legal drag strip. "It's funny, because no one in my family can change a tire," she says.
Now even her abuela, who raised her, is into racing. "Early on, she was constantly asking me, 'When are you going to sell all this stuff [Erica's car and equipment] and buy a house?'" Erica says. "Now she's very supportive. But she still lights a candle for her little daredevil."
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Mujer On the Move: Kathy Martinez, activist for the disabled
Activist Kathy Martinez's mission: to make sure the disabled are treated with dignity.
Anyone who grew up in an extra-large family can tell you that when you get mercilessly teased by your brothers and sisters practically from birth, you emerge with a force field of thick skin that stays with you for life. Disability-rights advocate Kathy Martinez is no exception: Even as one of two blind sisters in a Mexican American family of six siblings, "my sister and I would walk into the living room after dressing ourselves," she recalls with a laugh, "and if something didn't match, we would hear about it!" That brutally honest upbringing—coupled with her parents' insistence that she attend a regular school while growing up in Orange County, California—is exactly what prepared Kathy, 48, for a career persuading people to treat the disabled with dignity and respect.
Kathy, who first became involved in disability activism in 1977 after participating in a demonstration in San Francisco, leads diversity workshops at Fortune 500 companies, has trained rehabilitation professionals in Honduras and El Salvador and was appointed by President Bush to the National Council on Disability in 2002. Today, as the executive director of the World Institute on Disability, she also oversees Proyecto Visión, which seeks to increase job opportunities for Latinos with disabilities. It will host its annual conference June 13 to 15 in Miami. "Growing up, when my sister and I would visit our t?os, we would always hear '¡Ay, pobrecitas!' but my parents expected us to do what other kids did," Kathy says. "That's really what it's all about for me: If someone expects you to do well, you will."
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Leading Lady: Meet The Insider's Victoria Recaño
Victoria Recaño is The Insider´s ace reporter, but what she loves most is helping those in need.
Victoria Recaño, the glamorous correspondent for the syndicated newsmagazine show The Insider, may look like she spends her days at the spa, but actually, she devotes much of her spare time to giving out food and supplies to the homeless through her church. "It´s important to do," Victoria says, "because I´m so lucky." Actually, luck played only a small role in her success (she´s interviewed everyone from Martha Stewart to Senator John Kerry). Growing up in St. Louis, Victoria—whose father is Spanish and Filipino—dreamed of becoming either a surgeon or a psychologist until she landed a gig as a teen reporter, covering topics like anorexia and divorce for local TV station KPLR. "That put the reporting bug in me," says Victoria, 29. It also lead to a job hosting the cartoon block The Disney Afternoon, for which she won two Emmys. After graduating magna cum laude from Loyola University Chicago, she spent the next few years as a TV reporter in Chicago and San Francisco before joining the entertainment show Inside Edition. In 2004, she started working at The Insider in Los Angeles, where she now lives with her husband. Though she enjoys helping the homeless, she admits to also liking the perks her high-profile job has afforded her—like interviewing handsome men. "Enrique Iglesias," she says with a laugh, "sure is a cute one.
Source:Latina Magazine
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