Short Musical Interlude

Enjoy

Broad St. vs Broadway

In case you haven't heard, this year's World Series is between the NY Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies. While I am not a big fan of baseball, I've watched both games in the series thus far and they have actually been very good. Cliff Lee in game one was nothing short of great. He was cool on the mound and damn near pitched a shutout (had it not been for Rollins) and only allowed 4 hits. The Yankess in Game 2 retaliated with great pitching and great hitting. No doubt in an attempt to show Pedro Martinez who's his "daddy". Can't wait to watch Game 3 in Nashville, TN the day before my first business conference. I'm excited and a little nervous, but I'm sure I'll come back with interesting stories of the places, sights and people!

So the city I live in is playing the city that's given so many great memories and friends. Sigh, I won't choose. Philly: Get it together. New York: See you when this all dies down.

Happy Halloween!! Or...El Día de los Muertos

Last month I took a well deserved short vacation to New Mexico. The day we went to the historic town of Mesilla, I paroused the open market place and purchased some touristy goods. While taking in all the sites and sounds of the vendors, I noticed many of them selling little smiling skeleton figurines. These figurines were used in the celebration El Dia de los Muertos. After asking many questions aboout the holiday and doing a little research, I wondered "why isn't this holiday more celebrated?" I think its cool. The idea that life is a celebration, something to be welcomed as we pass from one form of conciousness to another. Don't get me wrong I'm all for Halloween (even though I haven't much enjoyed the holiday since I was 6), but any excuse I can get for getting a good taco and throwing back a few ice cold Coronas, I'm down!

Below is the scariest person I think of being for Halloween, I'm sure this will scare many! Happy Halloween everyone:

Sprite Step Off

Whew! What a weekend! Packed with so many things to be proud of and hopefully for, especially with my organization. Supporting schools, raising money and walking for AIDS Research and hopefully a cure, AND placing 2nd in the Regional Semi-Finals for the Sprite Step Off in South Carolina! This excerpt is from out official Press Release:

New York, NY (10/16/09) --- Corazones Unidos Siempre, Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority, Inc. (CUS) would like to congratulate Odette Fuentes, Vanessa Pabon Garcia and Talia Yanowitz for winning second place at Sprite Step Off Regional Semi-Finals competition this past weekend at the University of South Carolina.  The women have not only secured a spot in the Regional Finals on November 14, 2009, but also won $6,000 in scholarships! These three dedicated women continue to be the only team from a Latino Greek organization to compete in the largely Divine Nine competition. First place winners were Sigma Gamma Rho and third place winners were Alpha Kappa Alpha.

A Latin organization beat out other Step Teams considered to be bigger and better because of the roots and emphasis they have on the genre of Stepping. This win was not only HUGE for my organization, but for NALFO (National Association of Fraternal Organizations) as well. Latino Greek Letter Organizations are relative newcomers tot he Greek system, let alone the coveted world of Stepping and Strolling. My organization takes pride in being the FIRST Latin organization to embrace these forms of expression as part of our heritage, and Greek Life culture. Five years ago we revolutionized the Stroll game, and now...we're letting other Greeks know WE STEP TOO! We have and will continue the traditions we hold dear to us and continue to progress. See you in North Carolina!

h i s PANIC: They Did it JustBeCus

h i s PANIC: They Did it JustBeCus

Happy Birthday to ME!!

Last Saturday I celebrated the 1st Anniversary of my 25th Birthday. It was a small celebration (not like the sexually infused and alcohol induced original 25th Birthday I had...good times :), but an exciting one nonetheless. Highlights include the 32''LCD Phillips flat screen TV, picture DVD movie, dinner at Continental on Market St. (the carrot cake was amazing) and VIP treatment (thanks to my linesister) at the new Gayborhood lounge "Q", formerly known as "Bump". I really enjoyed this place. Not the young rowdy crowd, good music, the specialty martinis was strong and tasty, and the outdoor patio was a pleasant surprise. Definitely check it out if your down on 13th & Locust! I will. I'm not one for clubs or anything, but it  doubles as a lounge and restaurant, so you can't really go wrong! Enjoy the pics:

Leaders are born...and made

I am at a very exciting point in my life right now. Job is treading in the right direction, I've got good people around me, and I have a sense of direction. I was accepted into a Leadership Development Program as part of my sorority's internal development. Our first session was tonight and I definitely felt empowered. It was about fiscal responsibility and really taking control of your money. Women don't do this, ESPECIALLY minority women. First off, its always taboo to talk about money in a minority household which makes it difficult to get to the root of financial problems. I plan to keep a log and track my money. Really get involved with it. If I'm going to run a business or be a VP of Operations for the X-Games (hint hint), or create and run my own urban alternative lifestyle magazine (another hint), I'm going to have to KNOW these things. Naturally I am a leader, I know it, but all leaders need nurturing. I plan to stay on this positive track and buckle down to give it all I got because Business School will be no joke!