Ladies No More 2nd Best...

I went out to lunch today with my friend J and the subject of being someone's 2nd best came up. We figure, if a guy says he likes you but doesn't show it... don't force it, don't suggest it, don't be so available to him anymore. Its like Tom Leykis said in one of his broadcasts..every girl has that ONE guy in their lifetime, that sends u notes and flowers, wants to take u out on a date and keeps insisting, THAT guy really likes you, if he doesn't do that stuff, and doesn't come after you, don't chase him...he's just not that into you.

Truth is ladies, this hurts, usually this guy acts like you're the closest thing to him to a girlfriend but for some reason won't cross that line with you even though he knows you like him back. I think these guys wanna have their cake and eat it too... they wanna know someone is their for them at all times in case his main chick fails.Take for example my friend Cherry... she'd been into this guy we'll call "Mich" for over 2 years, he called her his "best friend" they did everything a couple would do, except he'd date other girls and come and confide in Cherry about his love woes...anyway about 2 months ago she decides to move on and get a man of her own, and lo and behold he comes out and says he wanted to be with her all along!!!

Can somebody answer me why men do this? Its not fair for a guy to make a girl feel like they've got a bond he doesn't share with any other girl, that he can tell her anything and confide in her, sort of making her feel special but at the same time if you were that special he'd have YOU BE HIS No.1 not his 2nd choice... And like J said... lets just say for whatever reason he does decide to finally ask you to be his lady, he won't ever respect you like he has his other girls because you've been the doormat, the one who's put up with it all his shit and who'll probably be there no matter what he decides to do in the future.

So back to Cherry's situation...  Mich wants to come back around confessing his feelings... why? because he lost her and didn't do what was necessary to keep her around. Sorry buddy too little too late.

Another friend who shall remain anonymous had been 2nd best to a guy since grade school, now being 23 she came to realize if he's still not ready to man up and be with her its not worth holding on, its a waste of time and invested feelings.Her situation was worse because she'd shared everything from her 1st kiss to every part of her life and being with this guy, yet he insisted on having his serious girlfriends and keeping her on the side, to confide in, to secretly LOVE, and ultimately it became too much for her to handle. If he said he loved her and they've shared so much together already it would have been so easy to have a wonderful relationship but its like Lauryn Hill sang " IT COULD ALL BE SO SIMPLE BUT YOU'D RATHER MAKE IT HARD, LOVING YOU IS LIKE A BATTLE AND WE BOTH END UP WITH SCARS, TELL ME WHO I HAVE TO BE TO GET SOME RECIPROCITY..."

A lot of us girls feel special being there for a guy like this... there are girls that say "he always comes back to me" "he might be with her but he's thinking about me" guess what... that may be true but he's coming to you AFTER he's already been with her... so technically you weren't good enough to be his main chick.

This happens in other ways too, like this friend I went out with... her and her bf recently broke up, he treated her like shit and didn't appreciate her, well now that she starts dating again he comes around begging and crying he wants her back... why do guys wait for girls to be taken to come back around???? He had her, couldn't keep her cuz of his scheming ways and when a good dude comes along he comes back to mess it up.

My other friend who we'll call Lisa, has been into a guy who's married... he's got a picture perfect family, yet he makes Lisa feel like he's so into her and makes her feel special. She might feel like wow... he's got a wife but wants to be with me! its exciting and fun to be desired by someone who's taken, but looking at it a different way its actually quite sad... that man can never be yours, he has his wife first, why invest feelings and time on someone who's not willing to give that back to you...


sigh* I wish Tom Leykis was still on so I could ask him this question, one may never fully get the complicated male psyche.

Luckily for me I am able to look at these situations from the outside in and realize I've got something many girls want. I wake up every morning to a sweet text from my bf even after 6+ years together, Im no.1 in his book without a doubt... he only wants to spend time with ME and as I start putting things into perspective I wouldn't settle for any less.

Update: and just to prove my point ladies 5 min after I finished blogging this I went down to my car and found roses from my boyfriend in there, just because he wanted to do that for me, so thats my point if a guy really wants to be with you don't nag him, beg him, bug him about these things, if he wanted to do it he definitely would.

Tryin Not to Lose the Faith..

I recently decided I'm gonna really slow down. My life that is. I had everything planned out, I'd graduate and start subbing, reality check. I took the CBEST, passed it, tried to get a job as a T.A to get experience with kids and I couldn't get hired since Im not currently in school... I mean HELLO I have a B.A, but nope. So I'm still at my part time job, feeling like I'm wasting time and life... feels like I've applied to hundreds of jobs and NADA. So instead of getting frustrated, I'm gonna take it a day at a time... and not be so tough on myself if things don't go as planned. Sure I feel like a bum but I'm sure no recent grads find a dream job as soon as they're done. My only wish is that this economy business turns around quick or that God shows me where the next opportunity lies.

Call me pessimistic but...

First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes eternity? Maybe NOT.
Yesterday I was at a focus group with people in my age group. All of us 20-29 and the subject was marriage. For me its not something I'm anxiously awaiting. Sure it would be nice, but its not necessary, at least not at my young 23 years of age. I think a lot of young people get married out of pressure from their parents. church, society norms. Maybe you weren't allowed to spend time with your boyfriend/girlfriend enough and you decided to marry as the only option to not disappoint your parents?

For a lot of people marriage has a religious connection, therefore you do it to fulfill that duty or because its your tradition. We touched on what benefits a marriage can bring, what does a marriage really mean? some of us said Love, Commitment, Happiness. But then we started thinking, can't you have the same thing by just cohabitating with someone? Of course you can, because a piece of paper doesn't magically bring all these things with it.

Sadly, the only thing we came up with was that the institution of marriage is a business arrangement, one that benefits each party by providing tax breaks, cheaper housing and living expenses all together because everything is shared.


Marrying young to me is a huge risk and probably not for me. Why? because these are the times where we are molding and finding ourselves and by the time you are done becoming who you want to be you may not connect with your significant other anymore. Then you realize you wasted a lot of time, restricted yourself to keep the other happy, and in a legal mess. If I were finished doing ME and the things I want to accomplish I'd feel better about planning a wedding.

One example of what I'm talking about is... you get married and both are still trying to finish school or starting your careers. By the time you are finished there may be an intellectual disconnect or a lack of interest in what the other is doing. Or you stop doing things you wanted to do like maybe going to grad school cuz you have a wife to support or kids because you decided to rush into it...

God gave us ONE chance at life, a very short one at that, so why would you live your life for someone else because your husband or wife doesn't want you to? Passing up opportunities and risks BECAUSE you're married.

I think its better to just build a relationship with someone and live with them and bring out the best in eachother BEFORE you take the plunge, because a signed piece of paper and the approval of your family or church WILL NOT magically make these things happen. Its more important to make sure the love and commitment, understanding and compromise is there before you invest yourself legally and financially with someone who in the end may not be THE ONE.

On the topic of marriage came LOVE. I'd never stopped and thought about these two things. Love is a journey, a risk you are willing to take in life. What if you say it too soon? What if you just say it and don't mean it? What if its not said back? OR it could also be that you did love that person at one point but as time goes by and people change or grow apart, the love fades away.

I came to the conclusion that LOVe and the action LOVING is something bigger than I give it credit for. It truly is a very strong word, for an emotionally guarded person such as myself it is very risky to express. Its such a huge vulnerability. What if you give too much and you don't get that in return? That can make someone never want to be in a long lasting committed relationship much less marriage.

So I guess it got me really thinking that unless it FEELS like love and there is no other word to describe it (perhaps affection, infatuation, etc.) that LOVE is a huge risk its not just a word. LOVE happens, you don't force it and you shouldn't EXPECT it. I think its just destined to happen if you find that person you feel strongly for, you move in together, you are committed and happy... I think MArriage (making it official for religious or traditional purposes) should come after.

A lot of young people nowadays don't want to get married, is it because we're scared that that label of WIFE and HUSBAND makes us a little super human and that more is expected of us? I think so. ANd while on the subject and being pessimistic, how can you expect that the person you marry will be the same person in 30 years and that you'll still love them?



I truly believe all good things come to an end. I'm not sure I believe in forever LOVE i would absolutely take the chance and want to experience it but its just unrealistic, Nada dura nada es para siempre. <3

On Ambition...

Sometimes I stop and think to myself that maybe I got all my priorities mixed up. Is it wrong to want it all? I want to learn as much as I can, know as much, teach, do, see, experience. This is the only way I see fit to live my life. For example, I want to learn more American Sign Language (its like its not enough that I know it well enough to have a conversation), I like web design and want to learn more HTML and CSS and other stuff like that (althought I know a good deal already), I want to meet interesting people, I want to own different types of businesses, I see myself as a pastry chef, I'd love to make cakes, to make my own handbags, be a makeup artist, have my own website! AND on top of all of that I'm fixing my mind on becoming a high school teacher...

I know I'm young and have the world at my fingertips but how much is too much? Is it wrong that my priority in life is success and wealth and personal gain over more traditional aspirations like marriage and children?

I wasn't one of those girls who ever dreamt of their wedding growing up as most girls put it, in fact only last year did I actually start thinking about it. I realized I really don't care about that... I'd rather be the best person I can be... my definition of it is accomplishing all I want and having goals throughout life... I don't want to settle for less. And it's not that I'm greedy, but I see myself being able to help and contribute to society better by being a more educated wealthy well-rounded individual.

So I always set small goals for myself and end up accomplishing them, next up is to start substitute teaching, if I like it go to grad school for credentials. Then I hope to be done with make-up artist courses by next year so I could do that freelance, I haven't thought much further ahead than having my website up and running by late next year... ugh. I'm having an early 20s just graduated college-need to find my niche-type crisis....

It's like I don't wanna miss out on anything so I seek out opportunities to volunteer or network or try something new b/c you never know what opportunity lies around the corner... we'll see what happens.

Emptybelly Magazine August spotlight on Teno

CLICK TO ENLARGE and read OR VISIT EMPTYBELLYMAGAZINE.COM

if you like what you see scroll down to read my interview with her, there's also a link to Latinabeatz interview with her and MySpace and music info!! spread the good word this girl is tiiiight, her lyrics are raw and her style is unparalleled...

she had me at "fuck being a stepford wife..."

Girl on a mission...to lose weight!!!

Hola everybody!
So yesterday I posted on Twitter and FB that I lost 7 lbs since I started working out the last week of June! It has NOT been easy but this plan does work! The first days it felt like a train had ran me over.... now i look forward to burning all those calories and sculpting my body!!

I've noticed major improvements not only in appearance but self confidence, and healthwise, I couldn't sleep that well before and since working out at night (usually 10pm) I sleep like a baby and don't have half as many body aches as before! It is now easier to wake up in the morning and that wasn't the case before. I also have so much more energy!!

I would love to put what I've done in a nutshell but its kinda hard so here it is for those who asked...

1. Jillian Michaels 30 day shred ( a simple workout plan 20 min a day that focuses on cardio and strength training, its free on YouTUbe and OnDemand, all you need is a mat or a towel and 2 lbs weights, heavier ones if you like or improvise with something that weighs about the same, I started off with water bottles and jumped to 5lbs.) The moves are very easy but this video will definitely kick your ass...

Its 3 levels do each level for 10 days and you're set. I've been doing it for a month 5-7x a week, Still haven't done level 3, I just don't think of this as something Ima do for a month and I'm done, it truly is a lifestyle change and working out is now part of my life wheareas it wasn't before. If I can do extra like take a jog or dance I'll do it.

2. No Diet: if it works for you to cut things out that you like go for it you'll be more succesful than myself, but I just can't. I still had a couple fries here and there never a full order, chocolate, cookies, mayo, whatever it may be just didn't do it more than once a day! It does help that I don't like soda, I had been drinking it a lot cuz I hated water and always share a drink with the bf, but now I've replaced most of my drinks in the day with water or drinks that are 50 cals or less, my mom has these great Fiber One powder packets that you pour into your water bottle, it tastes like Kool Aid. If there isn't an alternative I eat first and then take like 4-5 sips to wash it down so i'm not drinking all my calories!

3.Motivation: its hard to find, so do it for yourself. I started watching ppl on YouTUbe that really inspired me to lose weight, once you see what some ppl accomplish all on their own it makes you be greatful, some people out there are way bigger than you if they can do it SO CAN YOU. Everyone will be casting doubt on you especially if you've tried and tried before like me, but you know what, i told myself "this is it i'm not giving up" if u fall off the wagon for a day, two, three, pick yourself back up don't let it snowball into the bad side of the spectrum.

I-------------------I---------------------I
Chubby/Fat Gettin There YAY Goal/Fit!

This is how I picture it. If it makes any sense.

4. Calories: There is just no way in hell you can eat all you want work out and lose weight. You do have to make sure you sacrifice some things. I started eating breakfast which I nEVER did before in my life... this is what a typical day is for me

BF
1 cup of Fruity Pebbles (or any other fave cereal)
1/2 cup Silk Soy Milk

total cals less than 200

Lunch
Whole wheat bread sandwich ( i love veggies so i load it and its important to cut out processed food so i try this with whole wheat products including bagels)

chips (i jus gotta have em I just wont eat the whole bag even if its a little bag I'm commited to only eating half)

about 500-600cals

Dinner

I usually allow myself anything since I've sacrificed a lot durin the day...

I like the caesar pollo bowl from pollo loco its less than 600 cals
or i'll do a sub from subway even if its like 1000 cals I'm only at like 17-1800 at the end of the day

Usually I snack on a string cheese, piece of fruit, cookie, or FiberOne bars or FiberOne 50 cal yogurt its really good!!!


(i still have pizza sometimes, i don't eat burgers (i have an issue with beef on occasion lol) I'll still eat tacos or enchiladas, the point is that instead of doing that everyday I do it in moderation, don't cut out the things you enjoy especially for us Latinos I blogged about it before, eating is an experience, whether at your tias or your home, it usually = fun and enjoyment, everything in moderation!!)


I leave my workout til late at night, after I've eaten all my junk I burn off a bunch of calories and am drenched in sweat YES GROSS BUT IT FEELS AMAZING TO KNOW YOUR WORKOUT IS WORKING!


5. Don't Obsess over weighing yourself: if you don't like what you see on the scale you might give up, instead take a pic of yourself from all your unflattering angles, take measurements, and chart your progress every couple weeks, I weigh myself everytime I do laundry which is every week and a half... I didn't take measurements when I started which I should have but I did take pics and can see a difference!! You will definitely get positive feedback as people see you shrink, my back rolls are smoothing out nicely my waist is getting smaller, my endurance and resistance is amazing. I don't get sore so badly anymore. It's great!

I started on this journey for a healthier me after finding out about a health condition I have involving hormonal imbalances and whatnot, it really scared me that being overweight can make it worse (infertility and diabetes sometimes) so I had that motivating me cuz I want to live to see 100! lol. Not only that, I can't believe how some people don't excercise their muscles I mean they hold your weight and body up and if you don't keep them strong or work them out how can your body support itself on water and fat!? No wonder I was always aching.

The overall health benefits are so great its difficult the first 2 weeks but after that you don't WANT to skip your workout, you dont WANT to eat that whole bag of candy or chips, you won't want to eat so much garbage I promise, the lifestyle change is gradual, im not saying I'm perfect... I'm just a girl on a mission and hope to inspire someone else to make changes for a healthier YOU!!


I think that's it for now if I left anything out I will come back and add it. If you have any questions ask them here on FB or Twitter thx!

= D

Putting "Happy" on Hold...

So I've had this topic on my mind lately, well for a while, I can't remember when I could genuinely say I was "happy" it seems like I'm waiting for it to fall on my lap one of these days.

I feel like its hard for girls to do the right thing for themselves, and get themselves where they need to be in their lives. I want to know why we put emotions first, sometimes other peoples' in front of our own, because we feel sorry for them, because we just don't want to hurt them with the truth, or whatever other excuse we tell ourselves to convince ourselves to stay in a place in our lives that we know is not making us fully happy.

I'm not writing this blog to put anyone's business out there, it comes from general observations and experiences. For example, I'm sure every girl has that one friend that's been with her no good scumbag boyfriend and she keeps saying if he does just "one more thing" she'll leave him, or "it's cuz i need more proof" UMMM NO! if u even have that doubt in your head you should keep it real and go. Now I know that's easier said than done, but there was something I watched on the Tyra show the other day that made sense.

She was in an abusive relationship (her boyfriend was verbally and psychologically abusive and I think controlling too) and so she knew she had to get out but that it was gonna be hard, so she planned it out. She separated herself physically first (went away on work) and then broke up with him over the phone. She had made up her mind it had to be done and prepared herself mentally for it. That makes a lot of sense. Sometimes guys will try to win you over by promising you a complete 360 but ladies if that were the truth it would happen on its own not with you practically with one foot out the door! If he feels he needs to change cuz you forced him too then he needs to go and change and look for you when and only when he's a CHANGED person, because guess what? it probably won't happen overnight and you'll still be putting up with shit until it happens!

And ladies shit will only get harder as time goes by and maybe you have a kid, or if you have one another one will come. I wish there were more things out there that empowered women and sent out the message that its ok for us to speak our minds, and be single moms (i'm not a mom but I feel like theres a stigma still), and be hard workers and that you don't need a man next to you.

I know with Latinas its a culture thing. Your mom and tias want to see you married with a child by 30, but ladies I say this, if you were to die tomorrow would your spirit be happy with the way you lived your life? Or did you live it to keep others content?

I know I don't do a lot of things because I don't want to make my boyfriend mad, I don't want to let mami down, or my grammy, they are so proud, I feel like I can't afford to make any mistakes. And its sad because that's what life is about, but I'm so preocupied with trying not to let anyone down that it feels like I'm failing myself in a sense.

I'm not preaching just to preach, this is something I'm struggling with at the moment. I want to have the will power to do WHATEVER it is I feel like doing but I feel like my life is on hold...AND it shouldn't be! I'm only 22 at my prime I should have BEEN living and having fun, but for some reason the only person thats in control of that...ME, hasn't made the necessary changes in my own life to feel completely HAPPY, whatever that may mean.

It could be something as simple as I feel like going to the beach right now why don't I go?
I feel like eating cheesecake why not?

lol, I feel like women deprive themselves of the smallest little joys in life because we are too preocupied with other crap more often than not needy boyfriends, families, and maybe even kids.

just a thought. might continue later.

Underground female emcee Tenochtitlan

Just posting this because I had the pleasure of meeting and mini interviewing her online for my piece on Sound Clash 2. She is and AMAZING artist. I think she deserves recognition so I'm posting the full interview some pics and vid I have and her where you can find her.

[Pictures and video will be posted as soon as I find my camara usb cord lol]


EmptyBelly Magazine just interviewed her... check it out at http://emptybellymagazine.com/

there's no direct link but Click on CONTENTS, then Click icon titled BELLYEMPTY GROUND SURFACED SPITTAZ. That will take you to the article.


Name: Angela Rodriguez

1. How old are you?

I'm 26 years old--wit a bullet. Lol.

2. Where do you stay?

I stay in Los Angeles.

3. What inspires you to write music and how long have you been doing it for?

I'm inspired to write lyrics by what I've lived through, and what I see every day. The panaderia on the corner where I grab a cup of coffee. The people at the bus stop at 7am, hard working people. The mamas pushing strollers, while carrying laundry, and groceries. It never ceases to amaze me how resilient the human spirit can be. I've been writing off and on for about 2yrs. I was really into rap in high school, and then life took me in other directions. But I found my way back to my true love.


4. What do you hope to get out of performing (are you seeking stardom)?
I'm not gonna diss stardom, because having the power and influence to bring attention to important social issues could help bring about positive change. Is it my motivation? Fuck no. I enjoy my privacy. I just want to rap my heart out and be able to pay the mortgage on a decent home, give my daughter her own room, and a nice backyard. Okay, and buy a chromed-out 64 Chevy Impala with candy paints. Canary yellow. Lol. Okay, and launch my clothing line, perfume, and travel the world. But that's all.

5. Your lyrics are very strong, where does that come from and what do you hope to convey to your audience through your lyrics?

I come from a dysfunctional family, which I think 90% of people do too. Nothing has ever been stable in my life. But that only makes you stronger. Makes you able to bounce back, bob and weave when life is trying to take you out. My parents taught me the value of hard work, discipline, and integrity. And that nothing, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING is free. Even if you have to pay with intangibles. I'm brutally honest and request the same. I'm so fuckin' grateful for every single blessing in my life. Nobody has to help you. No one has to lift a finger for you. You aren't entitled to shit. EARN IT. What I hope to convey to audiences is that life is beautiful! Live it fully. Give back. Help others. Fuck negativity. Love without cowardice of getting your punk ass feelings hurt. Work hard to create the life you want. You deserve it!!!!!


6. Why do you think there isn't a lot of collaboration between female emcees?

I loved it when Lil Kim, Left Eye (RIP), and Missy got together and did "Ladies' Night". Wasn't that the shit?! HARD CORE Sistas gettin' down! Mad Dope! But I think it doesn't happen as much with underground artists because it's a clash of egos. And this is the "ME,ME, ME" generation. I would be more than willing to collab with other female emcees as long as they ain't coming with no materialistic, "fuck the haters", ballin', DUMBED DOWN SHIT. God, there are so many more important issues affecting mankind, and women in particular, than what designer bag you got, or how you feel other women are jealous of you, or how you like to get over on men. GET THE FUCK OUTTA HERE WITH THAT!!!!!!!! I'm sick to my fuckin' stomach of that shit. Pick up a fuckin' book. Watch the History channel. Volunteer. If you ain't jumpin' off with real substance, LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE.


7. How do you feel about the women you went up against, their styles and lyrics?

I gotta say, it was dope seeing so many women who share my love of hip hop, who like me, are just dying to snatch the mic and drop HEATERZ. I was honored to be part of SOUND CLASH. Much respect Dvious! I thought these ladies are so full of passion, so strong, so beautiful! The crowd applauded for who they was feelin' the most. I accept my loss. I just wish I could've heard more positivity. Let's embrace our gorgeous brown and black men-stop putting them down. Let's reach out to each other as real women and help each other get out of abusive relationships. Let's praise each other for being amazing single moms. Let's encourage and promote the INDEPENDENT WOMAN. ALL THE POWER TO YOU MY SISTERS!!!!!


Contact: www.Twitter.com/templeofteno and http://www.myspace.com/tenochtitlanmusic



Latinabeatz full interview with Teno for Ralptalk.net

http://raptalk.net/website/content/view/1657/54/





La Blaxicana's video @ SoundClash 2 also http://www.pissinthewind.wordpress.com/



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0etJx4r5rQ8

Sound Clash from a Female Perspective 2: L.A.’s Talented Female Emcees

The 2nd Street Jazz Café, in the heart of L.A., had a full house Friday night as Sound Clash from a Female Perspective 2 brought out some of the city’s most talented female emcees and their supporters. The event, hosted and organized by DVS, is the second of its kind this year, but she has already put on a total of 6 all female emcee events in Los Angeles.

The event started a little past 10 p.m., but the mood was set well before as Dj Jiji Sweet showed off her scratching skills and played some old school Hip Hop, Rap and R&B. The 2nd Street Jazz Café offered an intimate yet comfortable setting, with a full bar, food, and a stage where the ladies set the show underway.
Up first were Haziiwun and Tenochtitlan, both ladies spit their bars and got the crowd going with their own respective styles and flow. For round one, “Teno” won the battle and stepped aside to wait and battle the other champs later.

It was interesting to see people from all ages and ethnicities come together to cheer on and support female emcees that so often are overlooked or not taken seriously. The crowd cheered based on the way they liked each emcee’s performance, if they didn’t like the other emcee they just stayed silent, there was no booing. Overall there were good vibes among the emcees and the crowd. There was only standing room around the stage, everyone eager to get a view of the emcees, bob their heads to the beats they were feeling, and cheer as loud as possible for their favorite.

I want to say each battle took about 5 min, but the truth is I was more concerned and consumed with some of the lyrics the ladies were spitting. When Bliss and YVE took the stage, I heard Bliss say in her rhyme “Sayin that same ol’ thang, acting like a woman can’t play that game, nigga you trippin,” Her lyrics felt so real, as soon as I heard that it made me laugh and I jotted it down for later. Bliss went on to win that battle. I think that even though many of the ladies brought their own supporters, the crowd was really feeling those ladies that had good delivery and lyrics with substance.

When Ms’Haze took the stage her main point was saying she kept it real. That stayed true to herself, and that what’s really real is she had just stepped off the train from Long Beach to get to the battle. The crowd went wild cheering her on, just an example of how people appreciate skills and realness in an industry where this seems to be lacking commercially.
In an e-mail interview with Tenochtitlan, she touched on how collaborating amongst female emcees is difficult because of the clash of egos. “ I would be more than willing to collab with other female emcees as long as they ain't coming with no materialistic, "fuck the haters", ballin', DUMBED DOWN SHIT,” she said.

“There are so many more important issues affecting mankind, and women in particular, than what designer bag you got, or how you feel other women are jealous of you, or how you like to get over on men…I'm sick to my fuckin' stomach of that shit.”
On inspiration for her music 26-year-old Teno says, “I'm inspired to write lyrics by what I've lived through, and what I see every day…what I hope to convey to audiences is that life is beautiful! Live it fully. Give back. Help others. Fuck negativity. Love without cowardice of getting your punk ass feelings hurt. Work hard to create the life you want. You deserve it!”
“I was honored to be part of SOUND CLASH,” Teno said, “I thought these ladies are so full of passion, so strong, so beautiful! The crowd applauded for who they was feelin' the most. I accept my loss.”

After winning round 1 of the first go around, Teno (featured in the video above) went on to the finals going up against Bliss in Round 2 with the other champs, the crowd favored Bliss and she stepped down. As far as the competition went Pookah Duke took the $500 prize at the end of the night. She came with her lyrics fast and strong and the crowd was really feeling it, she even went strong freestyling against Black Diamond in the 2nd round. Black Diamond took the mic and defended herself saying she needed the crowd to stop hollering at her that she wasn’t aware that anyone was gonna be freestyling that night.
In all, whatever mixed emotions the audience or the emcees left with, DVS put on a great event, providing a platform for female emcees, whatever their style may be, and basically providing a forum for them to speak their minds, express themselves artistically, and show people that female emcees haven’t fallen off the map but are bringing it strong in their own unique and respective styles.

Kappa Sigma Frat Stands Alone in Linking Deaf, Hearing, and Hard of Hearing Students, One of A kind in the Country...

I wrote this story months ago, I still stand by it is important that it be recognized CSUN is one of the top schools in the country for the Deaf, it didn't make it in the school magazine as I had hoped but here for your reading pleasure... We NEVER hear enough about our Deaf community its like its non-existant and its not true and not fair...

Like most graduating seniors at Cal State Northridge, 25-year-old Marcos Aguilar was anxious and excited to be finishing up, but for this deaf student majoring in Religious Studies, graduation meant he’s closer to fulfilling his aspiration to go back to Ecuador his birthplace which he left when he was just 7. The following is a story written during the Spring 2009 semester, Its being posted a little late but I feel it is important for the CSUN community to be aware of the very present Deaf culture.

“There are so many unlucky deaf people in Ecuador and it is where I want to start,” said Aguilar in an e-mail interview, “No, question I will help people. Advocate for people’s rights.”

Aguilar comes from a deaf family, fourth generation to be exact. Both his parents are deaf, they know Ecuador sign language and some American Sign Language. As a child he attended a private school in Chicago, for junior high and most of high school he went to a School for the Deaf in Idaho, and then went back to Chicago and finished up at a public high school. He didn’t decide on CSUN until he had already attended Gallaudet University, the only deaf university in the United States, then went to the University of Alaska in Anchorage, then to Pierce College and lastly here. Aguilar said the only thing he knew about CSUN is that it was a mainstream institution that had a program that consisted of about 200 deaf students.

CSUN houses The National Center on Deafness (NCOD), having served over 2,500 students who are deaf and hard of hearing for almost 45 years. According to their website, “NCOD provides communication access, leadership opportunities, scholarships, academic advisement, tutoring, and direct communication classes for approximately 200 students who are deaf and hard of hearing each year”.

The site also mentions that NCOD is recognized as the first postsecondary program in the nation to provide paid sign language interpreters for deaf students and has since grown to be the largest program of its type in the Western United States. It is because of this that deaf and hard of hearing students can have a normal college experience and aren’t limited in their majors or activities. “There are several deaf students that participate in sports or organizations,” said Aguilar, who himself is a brother of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, and president of Deaf CSUNians, an organization that advocated for deaf and hard of hearing students to ensure their rights are protected. Deaf CSUNians is open to anyone who is deaf or is majoring in Deaf Studies.
Jin Pae,27, is the president of CSUN’s chapter of Kappa Sigma, and like Aguilar is also deaf. Pae was born in Seoul, South Korea, he graduated high school in California and then went to Gallaudet where he studied for 5 years and got a bachelor’s degree in Spanish in 2007. He’s a second year graduate student now in the teaching credential program focusing on deaf and hard of hearing, he’s hoping on getting his master’s in special education.

Like Aguilar, Pae also sees himself giving back to the community “I see myself as a high school teacher and possibly a college professor,” he said in an e-mail interview, “I want to be a strong advocate and leader within and for the deaf community.”
Pae is unique in that he wasn’t actually born deaf, he became deaf at the age of 8 due to health complications.

Pae was a brother of Kappa Sigma fraternity at Gallaudet since 2002, and is now also a member of Deaf CSUNians, and Golden Key and Sigma Alpha Pi at CSUN because of his GPA. Although he participates in all these organizations Pae said “Many of the deaf students tend to socialize with each other, even the hearing students in the Deaf Studies program at CSUN tend to socialize with the deaf students also.”

Pae recognizes that deaf students are similar to hearing students in that they are diverse and major in many different areas.

Some of the organizations that incorporate both deaf and hearing students are the Deaf Studies Association (DSA), Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Alpha Sigma Theta Sorority and Lambda Sigma Pi Fraternity.

According to Pae, Kappa Sigma is unique in that it is the first fraternity in the U.S. that combines deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing students within it. “No other Kappa Sigma chapter or fraternity outside of Kappa Sigma has that,” said Pae. The main form of communication within the fraternity is through the use of American Sign Language, although it’s not a requirement to know ASL to join the fraternity according to Pae. “Many members have joined the fraternity knowing little or no ASL until they started integrating themselves in the fraternity,” Pae said.
Freshman Donovan Heine, 18, isn’t deaf but joined Kappa Sigma after meeting the R.A in his dorm last semester who is deaf and also a member. At first he was reluctant because he associated fraternities with the partying scene, but quickly changed his mind after associating himself more with the organization.

“Kappa Sigma has a different meaning for everyone. For me, it is a golden opportunity to learn and grow in ways that will last a lifetime. It’s a means of developing friendships that cannot be broken. And ultimately it’s an experience truly unique,” he said.
Heine said that of his circle of friends about 60 percent are deaf or hard of hearing, while the rest are hearing. “I only say this because the deaf community here at CSUN is very welcoming and are always willing to make a new friend. I have come to love and respect the people who make up this community,” said Heine.

“Deaf culture here is amazing,” said Heine, “Here at CSUN most people are very accepting and open to hearing people.” According to Heine in some places the deaf community is exclusive of hearing people and do so to maintain their identity or to show deaf pride. Hearing students are encouraged to join organizations and learn about deaf culture on campus. CSUN boasts such a large deaf community it is necessary to recognize these students presence and contributions. Heine said, “To join Kappa Sigma, all you need is a willingness to participate and share your ideas, as well as to be open minded to the many great experiences gained as member. Some technical requirements are that you must be a CSUN student, maintain good academia, and pay dues.”

Women in Hip Hop...Or a lack thereof

So for a while now I've been trying to find some decent sounding female rappers, emcees, lyricists, etc. I've listened to Angie Martinez, Trina, Da Brat, of course and Missy Elliot was my favorite back in the days. Nowadays it just seems that girls in HipHop have kinda fell off the map.

A couple years ago I came across a girl named Medusa. She's tight no doubt but I haven't really been able to find anything new on her. Now being on Twitter it seems like there might be some hope.

I started following LaBlaxicana, she's got a blog... http://www.pissinthewind.wordpress.com/ and on there she's doing us all a favor and scouting and profiling female rappers. Nowadays anyone can call themselves an artist but finding quality is like finding a needle in a haystack.

For instance...I listened to a Chicana rapper, Miss Lady Pinks I think it was, she's got a following so more power to her, but all she talked about was gangbanging and how good she is in bed, etc. While her music may be entertaining to some to me it has no substance... I don't know its the equivalent to Souljah Boy singing bout ABSOLUTELY NOTHING and still having millions of fans.

Also through Twitter I found this really talented girl from Cali ... Snow tha Product, after I heard her stuff it sparked an interest in me wondering where all the other talented females are!??
Like I've said before I'm no HipHop authority but you can tell the difference between someone who's fakin the funk and someone who can really back it up. If anyone has any suggestions leave them here or on my Twitter...

****On the topic of Twitter I should also throw in LatinaBeatz this girl is tight as hell, she does it all, KNOWS her HipHop, represents/manages some of the best, and has a blog of her own that I'm sure most people can find something on there to relate to... lifestyle, opinion, music, politics, etc. http://latinabeatz.blogspot.com/


= D

click the link for Piss In The Wind Mixtape snippets http://usershare.net/qzcyo6wa7n22

Staying Healthy...Giving back to my body for all it does for me!

Speaking for a lot of us Latinos what comes to mind when someone says healthy or fitness is "boooring" but hey it's not our fault! I mean most of us were raised in households where food is not just a nutritional necessity but part of something bigger, food in our culture is an experience. From the shopping in the loud supermarkets for arroz, frijoles, carne, queso, crema... the staples of most of our Latino cuisine... to helping your mom take the piedritas out of the beans before they get boiled, mixing the masa for the tamales, I mean I could go on and on...bottom line...eating for many of us is a whole experience... and one where healthy isn't always on the menu.

picture source web.pomfretschool.org/groups/pomfretnews/wiki/b21f0/images/6ff6b.jpg

I've always tried to be active as a kid, through high school, and in college I jogged but didn't really maintain a routine like I had before. Slowly but surely the Freshman 15 crept up on me and now I find myself out of college and trying to get myself back to my h.s. physique, something that has become increasingly hard when i love to make enchiladas, chilaquiles, taquitos dorados, ay I'm hungry as I write!


So I signed up to do my part and get back in a fitness routine while not limiting myself to what I'm eating (mind you, I'm not a big eater anyone who knows me can tell you, I just can't stay away from sweets!). I'm on day 10 of Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. Her program is divided into 3 levels each of which you do for 10 days and then u move up to the harder one. I found the videos free on YouTube and OnDemand on Time Warner, there are claims that one can lose up to 20lbs in the 30 days.


I haven't made it a point to weigh myself since I started, seeing as how I haven't maintained any sort of diet, I'm just sort of consciously making an effort to not drink soda or juice that often. I think that including a fitness routine in my day is a lot more than I was doing before and I'm sure its helping out in something...if not by taking off some of this weight, I can honestly say I feel that my endurance is way up, my body doesn't hurt quite as much as it did before when I wasn't doing anything, and knowing that I'm doing something positive for my body has had a positive impact on my self image.



So here are some of the things I do in case anyone out there wants to try...



1. Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred videos... daily (if u skip a day make it up somehow by doing something extra)


2. Soymilk (fortified with vitamins, no cholesterol, and delish!)


3. Limit Soda (if u think about it all it is is carbonated water, many tablespoons of sugar and some food coloring, if u tried to make it yoruself at home you wouldn't think it was delicious not to mention it has ZERO nutritional value!)


4. Jogging (I love it I run 1mile and walk another it feels great and I just do it for fun when I feel like it, no particular routine)


5. Vitamins (with all the junk we eat we neglect our bodies a lot of essential things it needs to function)


6. Fast Food ( I have officially overdosed on burgers, I ate em so much last year I can't even crave one anymore, and I have all but eliminated fries from my diet, I never thought this to be possible but the more you work out and avoid these things the easier it gets I PROMISE!! )


7. LOOK AT nutritional info, you might think twice to put some of that garbage in your body, too many carbs, or too much sugar, or too much energy in general...


****remember calories are energy if u don't burn that energy it turns in to fat!! 3500 cals=1lbs... if u are eating extra calories everyday in one week u can gain 1-2lbs think of how much that is in one year...


Eat what you want with moderation...but do think twice to give in to cravings on a daily basis its been hard for me but I'm so proud of myself to have overcome most of these and I can say no to juice and chocolates and fries a lot more than I used to.

I can't think of anything else for now but if anyone has tips...leave me a message!

S.A all Day!

I had to, had to, had to... because for all you out there that got sick of the "hip hop" playing on the radio like I did, there is hope and there is an alternative. Fresh new music and your favorite old school too. I started to wonder what the hell happened to good music, I know I'm not an authority in what defines good hiphop/rap but I do know what I like and it definitely cannot be found on our local stations. Correct me if I'm wrong but I couldn't tell Power 106 from KIIS FM anymore... so...

Broadcasting live every Monday night Soul Assassins Radio "The West Wing" give it a try if you like it spread the word... REAL Hip Hop, interviews with your fave artists... and you can also listen 24hrs a day... http://www.ustream.tv/channel/soulassassinstv

I have had the pleasure and honor to have gotten to meet Dj Muggs and Solo, while interning for Soul Assassins last summer and fall. Although I already knew about S.A, it gave me a bigger appreciation of artists that don't deal with the corporate bullshit... I had the opportunity to help with the marketing and promo efforts and really got to see the insider perspective of how hard these artists really work...not to mention to step in the studio where these masterpieces are produced and where the S.A radio show is produced and broadcast. That isn't to say thats the only reason I talk about it all the time, its just that I know there are many out there like me that are sick of radio and tired of burning new cds...

For those who don't know Soul Assassins is an artist collective, not just musicians...

Dj Muggs, Estevan Oriol, Mister Cartoon, Cypress Hill, La Coka Nostra, GZA, Alchemist, Dj Solo, SIck Jacken... click the pic below to check out SoulAssassins.com for the latest blogs, merchandise, and show info.

33third Graffiti Show

I've had a lot of time on my hands lately with being out of school, trying to find a job and whatnot, so I've been getting around to doing some stuff I wanted to do before but didn't have time to. My sister told me about this graffiti show going on in L.A. featuring two of the most featured artists in Juxtapose Magazine...RETNA and THe Mac.

So I ventured out there, to 33third. Its a graffiti supply store, its part gallery part retail clothing store too. When we walked in you could see a bunch of high school looking kids decked out in their high top sneakers and trendy threads. But there were also older people, younger kids, and all ethnicities. I thought that was nice, that art can be appreciated by anyone... it knows no color or age boundaries.

Anyway, the front of the store is where you can buy all brands of spray cans, tips, accessories, and fresh art work. Then theres a doorway that leads to the gallery section hanging was this large piece of art, it was someone laying in a coffin, I thought it looked a lot like Eazy-E minus the curls, I don't know if its a real person.

Back in the store the walls are covered in tagging, pieces, and other artwork, quite decorative and nice, you can walk through the store to the back where there is a platform and a wall where there was live art done by the above mentioned graff artists.

All in all in was an interesting experience, I love Hip Hop culture and in that lifestyle is the graffiti element which I admire and appreciate. I'm somewhat of an artist too but more of a sketcher not good with color.

My point in all this is that I would've never expected to find some of the people I found at that show because of my own assumptions, sometimes its good to step out of your element so you can see beyond what you think you know...times they are changing and its a great thing. NEXT stop an underground hip hop show...

In the meantime I found this cool site for Graffiti shows in L.A. I dare you guys to venture out and see what you see... http://www.50mmlosangeles.com/

On Being Central American...

Today I got a certificate for my minor in Central American Studies. This is the only program of its kind in the whole United States. Last year was the first graduating class in CAS, This year the participants more than doubled. I think its important to know where you come from, in order to know where you're going.

My mom set off for the U.S. early in 1979, she'd just graduated high school that same year and just in time, El Salvador was about to errupt in one of the deadliest wars in the country's history, ending in an exodus of 1/5 of the country's population ( in a country of only 5 million) and the death of almost 100,000 people. The war lasted 12 years, resulting in absolutely nothing.

You see it's easy to point the finger and scapegoat immigrants coming from south of the border but when you take the time to notice the push and pull factors that are involved in making such a long and dangerous journey you realize that it was that they had to leave rather than they wanted to leave their homes, families, and lives.

Oh here is a map of the 7 countries that make Central America for those of you who don't know. I googled it the source is www.contourstravel.com.au

As often is the case in Latin American countries, a military regime takes power, then 90% of the wealth is locked in 10% of the population (an approximation), and the disparity between the rich and poor is so great that people have no other option than to organize and press for change.

What would you do if you couldn't own anything?

or get a decent paying job? Healthcare? and what about equal access to education? do you just sit around and wish it all away?

The fear of communism has always been prevalent...so it became easy to blame unionizing teachers, students, and farm workers for trying to "conspire" against the government labeling them a threat to national security, communists, terrorists.

It was under this guise that crimes against humanity were executed by the masses in El Salvador during the 80's. Backed by the U.S. government and the Reagan administration in an effort to stop the spread of communism, the U.S. took the whole NIMBY attitude (Not In My BackYard), & supported the Salvadoran army led by Major Roberto D'Aubuisson who formed the death squads who tortured and killed thousands of civilians . The U.N funded Truth Comission for El Salvador found that an astonishing 85% of human rights violation acts were executed by the state. What guerillas? What terrorists? It was the GOVERNMENT.

Without going into much more politics or details, it is important for people to know that things aren't always what they seem, and if a massive influx of Latino immigrants came during the 1980s and 90s it wasn't just some phenomenon of nature. Similar situations were happening in Guatemala, Nicaragua, and still are in places like Chiapas in southern Mexico.

My dad came for these same reasons. Although in Nicaragua the FSLN actually won the revolution. It was the only succesful overturn of gov't of its kind in Central America.

Anyway, I just wanted to share why I'm very specific about not being thrown into just any old category when asked about my ethnicity. I'm half Salvadoran and half Nicaraguan and damn proud of it. My mom set out to this country a teenager... with NO ONE here waiting for her. She found her way, by herself, worked her ass off, climbed the corporate ladder, and made a very comfortable life for my sisters and I.

There are people that lost their whole families in the atrocities that were funded by American dollars, by aiding the oppresive governments in Central America and by training Central American children in military tactics and "counter-insurgent" warfare at The School of the Americas aka The School of Assassins (http://www.soaw.org/), here in the U.S.

There are so many sad stories I could tell you, stories that rarely get told because people don't talk about it, its taboo in a sense because to Central American people the wounds are fresh. Some great films that depict these stories are, Innocent Voices, Under the Same Moon, and Sin Nombre (the first two are at Blockbuster the last one is brand new not yet out on dvd), all tell stories of immigrant people and their struggles. So, the next time you meet someone from another country take the time to ask them what brought them here, the stories are truly inspiring and amazing, and sometimes just tragic, but deserve to be acknowledged all the same.

Mommy this one's for you. Muah.

About Experience and Work...

The last five years I wrote for the following student publications at Cal State Northridge click on the link to check out some of my work.

Daily Sundial

http://sundial.csun.edu/masthead-search-box-7.2523?q=harriet+miranda

Mister Cartoon and Estevan Oriol ...My Favorite article (This is the kind of work I love)

http://sundial.csun.edu/entertainment/mister-cartoon-encourages-students-to-follow-dreams-1.407946

El Nuevo Sol

http://www.elnuevosol.net/?s=harriet+miranda or http://www.csun.edu/elnuevosol/

CSUN SCENE Magazine (editor online content)

http://www.csunscene.com/

I also have experience in the following:

Radio industry (promotions/events)

I worked for Clear Channel Communications under Hot 92.3 July 2008-January 2009

http://www.hot923.com/

Viral Marketing intern Soul Assassins (Dj Muggs) June 2008-December 2008

http://www.soulassassins.com/

I've done investigative reporting, editing, and have experience with multimedia content as well. Experienced in Spanish language journalism, I know basic HTML/CSS.

I'm fluent in Spanish, and also basic conversational American Sign Language.

A Graduation Reflection...and My First Post!

Today was my college graduation. This blog has been a long time in the making, partly because I've been so consumed with writing for school publications, but also because I didn't know how I was to angle what I wanted to do with this space.


I figure, I'm opinionated enough, might as well put it out there for someone to read and perhaps take notice. Anyway, what better way to start a blog than to make my first entry all about such a life changing event.

To some graduating from a CSU might not seem like a great deal compared to a UC or a private institution but in the world I live in and compared to a great deal of my peers I am a world and a planet away from where some people might think I would be.


I live in the Valley. Now, there are some nice parts of the Valley and then there are the not-so-nice parts (that's where I live). Without exaggeration there are police choppers outside almost every other night on any given week. My neighbors, well they are a nice mix of low-income blue collar workers from all ethnicities, on my block you will find the drug dealers, taggers, white trash, immigrants,and your regular Joes just tryina make a living. I can't compare it to South Central or Watts, but its bad enough that I have come out of this with both a street education and a college degree :)

I love it.

If it weren't for living under these circumstances, I wouldn't appreciate the things I have or have accomplished. The simple fact that I can see the difference in them (the people around me) and what I'm trying to do with my life, the fact that I'm not ignorant like the cholos and cholas that live their day by day picking fights over insignificant things,the fact that I can look beyond and see the greater scope of things... its all worth it.

It took me 5 years to get my B.A. in Journalism, and my minor in Central American Studies, but that moment, that feeling of accomplishment I felt this morning walking across the stage was a culmination of many years of hard work, dissapointments, and lessons learned.

I've seen my parents struggle financially.
Friends die in the last years of suicides, overdoses, and gang-related murder.
Friends in jail for the better part of their youth, and all for what?
That could've been me. Why not? Many of them came from good families with good morals like mine, and many came from neighborhoods like mine, what defines each and everyone of us that make our outcomes different?

You can't let the things you go through, or the neighborhoods you come from, or all the horrible things some of us are predisposed to and born into, you can't let where you come from define where you are going, if you want it bad enough.

Looking back there are so many different times horrible things could have happened to me. Hanging out with rival gangs, dating the wrong people, trusting the wrong people. Even something as simple as sitting in a car outside my house almost took my life... one day I was caught sitting in the crossfire of bullets from my neighbor to an unknown passerby.

Is it destiny? Is it drive? Is it fate? Is it God?

All I know is its something to be grateful for, I've seen way too many friends go by the wayside and I am determined to make things right for myself and my family.

hasta luego.