Proud to Be a Golden Panther

This morning I set out to join students, staff, and fellow alumni of Florida International University to sort through 160 tons of relief items for Haiti.  The email I'd received said that help would be needed between 9 am and 1 pm on Sunday Jan 31, 2010.

I rolled out of bed and jumped into the shower at about 8 am and got my sons ready to come with me.  We left the house at about 9:15 and arrived at the warehouse where the sorting was to take place at 10 am.  The turn out was so high, and the volunteers so diligent that all of the work had been done within one hour.

When I got there, the last few boxes of medical supplies and other donated items were being shrink wrapped and packed onto trucks.  Although I did not get there in time to lend a hand, I felt tremendous pride in this diverse group of Golden Panthers.  I was glad that my sons, ages 9 and 6, were present to take in the energy that is generated when people stand united in favor of the greater good.    

Freak 'em Shoes

I think every woman should have a pair of "freak 'em" shoes that make her feel fierce and make men squirm even just a little.  The thing I love about shoes is that even if I put on a couple of pounds here or there, my freak 'em shoes always fit and always make me feel sexy.

These were taken during a fashion show at a local mall.

Farm Work (in passing)

Self Portrait

Right now I'm working on adding some self portraits to my portfolio. I want it to be fun, edgy, and experimental. I don't take myself too seriously, but I do want to show exactly who I am in this body of work.

I started my project by playing around with the thermal camera on my MacBook.

Grandma's Ackee Tree

This afternoon, my father and I had lunch together at my grandmother's house.  We ate, chatted, and picked ackees from the tree in Grandma's backyard.  It seems that woman can make anything grow!  As a matter of fact, both of my grandmothers are blessed with green thumbs.  I guess that gene skipped me.  I'm hoping it's something I'll acquire with age, though.

The ackee tree is nice to look at, with its bright leaves and yellowish-orange fruit

My grandmother's tree is pretty tall

Here, my Dad is searching for ackees that are ready for picking

Ackees are ready when they have split open, exposing the yellow flesh and black seeds inside

Yup...these are good to go!

Nice work Grandma!

Puerto Rican Vacation

I just got back from my trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico.  It reminded me a lot of Miami (but with narrower roads and fewer English speaking people); city life meets island life.  My girlfriends and I stayed in an area called Carolina.  

One of the views from our room

The other view from our room

My friend took this pic of me hanging out on the beach near our hotel

On the last full day of our trip, we did a morning hike through El Yunque Rainforest.  It was such a spiritual experience.  The glorious mountains burst mightily with crystal clear water, which rushed over and through rocks with tremendous force.  How could something so powerful and vigorous translate into something so tranquil? I don't know, but the relaxation and vitality I felt after having bathed in the ice-cold waters at  La Mina Waterfall could not be denied.  I was so energized that the remainder of the uphill hike only propelled me into a greater state of calm and cognizance.  Days later, I still haven't come down from my Puerto Rican high.

The water was so cold!

Whoa!

After our amazing hike we made our way back to Old San Juan, where we spent the rest of the evening.  Here, you could find street vendors selling sweet treats and handmade crafts, shops where vintage items  and souvenirs are sold, colorful architecture, men playing dominoes, and museums among other wonderful things.

Baby Shower

So, my friends Sue and Kevin are having a little bambino and I photographed their co-ed baby shower, which Sue's mom, grandmother, and sisters threw for her.  It was a lot of fun and the food was delicious!

Nice tie, Kev!

Isn't this the cutest baby shower cake ever?!

Here, I have pictures of the silly (and messy) baby shower games they played before opening their awww-inspiring gifts.

The fellas chugging beer from baby bottles.

Guests trying to guess the size of Sue's belly.

Race to the bottom of the baby food jar.

Green peas...yum.

The lovely couple received a ton of really cute gifts to help prepare for their little girl's arrival, but this one was the most sentimental, because it came all the way from the Dominican Republic and was given to them by Sue's grandmother.

This Ásabache from D.R. is meant to ward off the mal ojo or evil eye.