"GONE GIRL": THE DARK SIDE OF MARRIAGE

"What are you thinking Amy? The question I've asked most often during our marriage, if not out loud, if not to the person who could answer. I suppose these questions stormcloud over every marriage: What are you thinking? How are you feeling? Who are you? What have we done to eachother? What will we do?"      -  EXCERPT "GONE GIRL" By  Gillian Flynn

I just finished reading "Gone Girl" a psychological thriller by best selling author Gillian Flynn (more on the book in a minute.)

Every night before I go to bed, I cuddle up to a book either on my Iphone or my Ipad. The electronic device is not as soft or pliable as a paper book but the convenience of reading on my Iphone is too tempting to pass up.

I used to read paperbacks and I had a little book light that I would have to clip onto the sleeve of the book, but the flaps were flimsy and usually I would have to move the light with my hands like a flashlight so it could light up the next paragraph I was reading.

The upside of reading on my electronic device: my Iphone has a built-in light eliminating the need for a book light, I store all the books I've purchased on my device so I can always choose to read two or three books at a time without lugging them around or having my nightstand look like a makeshift library, and finally if I happen to finish a book quickly I can buy another one instantly using my Ibooks app and read the reviews right then and there.

The downside: I can't let my sister or friends borrow the books I've purchased because its impossible to download the book on your computer, transfer it to a zip-drive and then let someone else read it. (I'm sure there is a way to do it but it also just doesn't feel right in this era of out-of-control DVD pirating.) Plus handing over a zip-drive doesn't feel as organic as does handing over an actual physical book and saying ,"hey sis, check out out this novel, it's a page turner."

Gone Girl, was a real page turner. I read it relatively fast because I couldn't put it down. There are lots of plot twists and turns and I really enjoyed the fact that Amy the main character is a strong woman. Well, strong in certain ways... if you read the book you'll know what I mean. My sister recently celebrated a birthday and I loved Gone Girl so much I actually went to a brick and mortar store, bought a hardcover copy and gave it to her as a gift.

I highly recommend Gone Girl, although I was a little disappointed in the ending, the smart writing and original plot still made it worthwhile. The book was acquired by 20th Century Fox and is expected to be turned into a Hollywood Movie by Reese Witherspoon's company, Pacific Standard. This is one movie ticket I will certainly purchase, but Im glad I read the book first.

Here is a link to Amazon for "Gone Girl"

Yes... I'm a guilty wife, can you blame me for this guilty pleasure?

"There are people in here who want me dead, some for retribution but most to establish their own notoriety.  It would be a sure path to celebrity to kill me or one of my friends, known collectively as the Monte Carlo Mistresses. That was the moniker that stuck in the international media."
- EXCERPT from the book "Guilty Wives" by  James Patterson & David Ellis

MY "GUILTY WIVES"BOOK REVIEW.

I've never been into James Patterson novels. Mainly because I would much rather read biographies and memoirs because most of them are about successful people and how they handled adversity. I love reading about real people, real situations, real outcomes.

But... once in a while I indulge in the 'guilty' pleasure of reading fiction. I was first attracted to this book because of it's title. The words guilty wives conjures so many different emotions. Ohhhh the shame of being a guilty wife. But guilty of what? Perhaps guilty of not being the "perfect" wife? Not being as crafty as Martha Stewart? As good of a cook as Paula Dean? As good looking as Gisele Bundchen? As smart as Condoleezza Rice? As politically savvy as Hilary Clinton? As alluring as Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis? As sweet looking as Katie Holmes? The list goes on.... Wow I'm GUILTY on all counts!

Well, hold on..  this book is about another type of guilt. Murder. Adultery. I would describe it as "Sex and the City" meets "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" meets "Beverly Hills Housewives."

"Guilty Wives" centers on four extremely wealthy women who are all married, and decide to take a girls weekend trip to Monte Carlo. Its like the rich people's version of Las Vegas. The book takes you directly into their world, and gives you a taste of what its like when you can do what you want when you want when money is not an issue. The girls party like rock stars in an exotic Hotel and end up spending an "interesting" night on a rich man's yacht. When they wake up, the President of France (who was partying with them) is found shot dead and the murder is linked to the four women.

Its a whodunit novel with a feminine twist. Once I started reading it, it was hard to put down. The books extravagant setting in Monte Carlo and Paris made the mystery even sweeter.

Yes... im Guilty... of loving this book.

TO GET "GUILTY WIVES" CLICK HERE

DOING THE THIRD TRIMESTER DANCE!

When I met my future husband, I was 34 years old, and I already knew that at some point I wanted to have another child. Fast-forward a few years into our relationship and in a blink of an eye I was already 38, with my 40s looming just around the corner!

Panic set in, the biological clock ticked louder than Big Ben, and I felt that I had to put my foot down and do this pregnancy thing now or lose the opportunity forever.

PLEASE CLICK ON THIS LINK TO READ MY COMPLETE ARTICLE ON MAMIVERSE.COM

A REAL HOUSEWIVES' REAL STRUGGLE

"For the next nearly six years, I always assumed I was being recorded in the car and at home. In fact, one of our housekeepers later told me that she had seen a small tape recorder under a side table in our bedroom. Of course, I was always careful to make sure the content of my conversations was very clear."
-EXCERPT from Book "Hiding from Reality"- By Taylor Armstrong.

I love reading memoirs and biographies. Although the whole hype of the Reality Show craze can be annoying sometimes, I have to admit some of my guilty pleasures include watching those shows. I guess its fun to see how women with limitless budgets spend their time and money. Hey, its not my time or my money so spend away!! After a few episodes you realize a lot of these women don 't necessarily lead happy or less complicated lives. But they are fun to watch!  They also cry and get angry, only they're in Louboutin heels and private jets. I guess some problems in life can be solved with money, and as my mother says "los problemas con pan son menos."In other words, the hard blows of life are softened with a hefty bank account. However, something like suicide, divorce and abuse will never be soft blows, no matter how much money you have.

When the news hit last year that Real Housewife of Beverly Hills Housewife Taylor Armstrong's husband Russell committed suicide, it reminded us all that these are real women, who are not immune to tragedy, death, and even a sudden change in their financial safety nest.

Taylor Armstrong and Me (Naibe) during an Interview 

Armstrong eventually started to openly talk about the abuse she received by her husband, both emotionally and physically. Coming from a background of abuse myself, I was interested in her memoir, and reading about the details of what she went through, why she stayed, and how she is coping now as a single mother.

I was pleasantly surprised by her candidness and how well written the book was. Of course I know celebrities who write memories have ghost writers and editors that help guide them so each sentence sounds polished and perfect. But I have read other memories that appeared to be written by a Junior High School version of themselves (I love ya Kyle Richards but your memoir needs help.)

I actually got to meet Taylor in person during one of my assignments. I was covering a swanky gifting lounge at the London Hotel and she was looking at hats. She even helped me pick one out and placed it on my head with a slight angle so it wouldn't look so dorky.

I wish her and her daughter well, and I hope her book makes other women in abusive relationships realize that they need to, have to, and must get out- before tragedy strikes them or a loved one around them.

check it out:
Hiding from Reality

SAN FRANCISCO - Sisters, Sourdough, and Sausalito

Jeff and I in Sausalito

my view of the Golden Gate Bridge

This weekend I went to San Francisco to watch my little sister graduate from one of the best Universities of our country: UC Berkeley.

Of course we decided to make an entire weekend trip out of it so my husband Jeff, my daughter Giselle and I went to visit some cool San Fran Spots.

First stop, Sausalito!  Sausalito is a San Francisco Bay Area city, in Marin County, California. The community is situated near the northern end of the Golden Gate Bridge. It's a quaint, quiet town with lots of cyclists and cool shops. We had dinner at Scoma- yummy!

Second stop. Berkeley!
Berkeley is the site of the University of California, Berkeley, the oldest of the University of California system.  My sister graduated with a degree in Latin American studies. In this unique ceremony my parents got a chance to walk with her on stage and accompany her as she accepted her diploma. They didn't get to graduate from College themselves because they had to work at a young age to help out the family. Never would my mom and pop ever imagine they would walk proudly on a Berkeley stage and accept such a high honor. Remember: Anything is possible! Let's dream big. We were all so proud of her.

 Reynoso Sisters- Proud University Graduates!

My parents now have the privilege of saying all of their four daughters have graduated from prestigious Universities.  One from Loyola Marymount, two from UCLA (and one moving on to UCLA LAW School), and another from Berkeley. Needless to say, you guys did a great job!


Third stop. Fisherman's Wharf. Its a must stop for tourists visiting San Francisco. We got to see sea lions, eat sea scallops and savor sourdough bread (more on that below!)

Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco

 There are lots of fun specialty shops that sell everything from barrels of candy, to magic tricks. I bought a few salted taffy candies,  they have so many different flavors ranging from hot chocolate to bacon maple syrup. Jeff bought me an oyster with a pearl inside that you can turn into a necklace as part of my mothers day gift. The lady told us our "pearl" was a boy, awww just like the one we will be welcoming in a few months.

Last stop- BOUDIN BAKERY Sourdough Heaven!

Who doesn't love Bread? Sourdough is my favorite. At Boudin's they have everything Sourdough. They even have a sourdough chandelier hanging from the Ceiling.

While you wait for your table you can visit the Sourdough museum that gives you a history and science lesson on Sourdough bread. Did you know that Sourdough bread was started by Parisian bakers that moved to San Francisco in 1849?  When they tried to make traditional French bread, Wild yeasts in the San Francisco air imparted a unique tang to their traditional bread, giving rise to “San Francisco sourdough French bread" and the mouth-watering, sour-tasting bread was born.

Sourdough- Can I Marry you?

Have you visited San Francisco? What are you favorite stops?

PART 1-Miracle of Spanish Harlem- A Talk with Writer Carlos Bermudez

Derek Partridge (Director) and Carlos Bermudez (writer)

"The Miracle of Spanish Harlem" is an independent movie starring Kate del Castillo and Luis Antonio Ramos. I was lucky enough to meet both the Writer Carlos Bermudez and the Director Derek Partridge during last months Hispanicize event held in beautiful Miami.

Their movie,  which was featured as part of the events Latino Film Showcase, won the events "Best of Film" award, and it was well deserved.

Both Bermudez and Patridge are talented latinos that have worked behind the camera for many years, and are examples of how much our community has to give to Hollywood. During a causal conversation during small breaks at Hispanicize, we talked about family, life in general, and best of all, the PASSION we all share in doing what we love doing. 

In this first Part of my Interviews with them, I talk to the movies writer Carlos Bermudez.  If any of you are lucky enough to meet them in person you will see how nice, humble and great they are. 

Directed by Derek Velez Partridge Screenplay by Carlos Bermudez

MY INTERVIEW WITH WRITER CARLOS BERMUDEZ:

NAIBE: In a nutshell what is The Miracle of Spanish Harlem about?

CARLOS: Kate Del Castillo (Eva) gives (Tito) Luis Antonio Ramos a second chance at love but he must first overcome a lie and find redemption. This is an emotional drama about a man that tries to fake his own miracle, only to find a real one. (Florida Premiere)   Cast: Tony Plana, Andre Royo, Fatima Ptacek, Adrian Martinez, Priscilla Lopez, Geraldo Rivera

NAIBE: I understand the story was inspired by true events?

CARLOS: Yes, most of the characters were born from my own personal experience, so I created a story and plug them in it.  

NAIBE: This is an independent movie- how does that effect casting choices?

CARLOS: In a movie with a limited budget, it is very hard to go after A-list talent, but in our case, because of the strength of the script we were able to secure super talent such as Kate Del Castillo, Luis Antonio Ramos, Tony Plana, Priscilla Lopez and Adrian Martinez... We also discovered Fatima Ptacek who is now the voice of Dora the Explorer and someone you'll be hearing from in the near future.  She already did a second movie with me called, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

NAIBE:  Besides writing the script, how else were you involved in the

process of making the movie?

CARLOS: I was on set during production, but as you know, in feature film your baby is handed over to the director and the writer peeks in.  At this stage of the game, I try to help out as much as I can to promote the film and seek distribution.

NAIBE: The movie is written, directed, and is starring Latinos, but its NOT a

"Latino Story"?

CARLOS: No is not... It's a story that happens to take place in Spanish Harlem.  I think it is a universal story.  I'm sure that the frustrations and the elations felt by the characters, because of their circumstances can happen to anyone from any racial background.

NAIBE: At what stage of distribution is The Miracle of Spanish Harlem? When/Where

can Audiences see it? And how can we "spread" the word?

CARLOS:The producers are in conversations with a number of companies, but no decisions have been made yet.

NAIBE: Congrats, you won an award at the Hispanicize film festival in

Miami! Tell us about it!

CARLOS: Because this film hasn't been out in any venues such as festivals yet, it was great to get a win, the first time out.  $10,000 doesn’t hurt either.  I think that the promotional value we have received from the Hispanicize will go a long way in channeling this project and securing maximum distribution.  I want to take my hat off to Manny Ruiz, Bel Hernandez and the rest Hispanicize team for all the hard work.

Watch out for PART 2 of this Entry- when I interview the films Director and self-proclaimed "Greekarican" Dereck Partridge.

ROAMING....MIAMI !!! say Hello to my little Hispanicize adventure

Miami is the furthest point from my hometown, the city I love the city I roam: Los Angeles. But this week I will be "roaming" the gateway to Latin America for the third annual HISPANICIZE  2012: the Annual Event for Latino Trendsetters and Newsmakers.

This year they launch theHISPANICIZE NATIONAL LATINO FILM SHOWCASE National Latino Film showcase which will feature film screenings, entertainment panel discussions, celebrity appearances (including Andy Garcia, Steven Bauer, Yul Vazquez), and black carpet events. It culminates with the mega mansion screening of the cult film Scarface on Friday April 13th (no bad luck here, as long as Al Pacino doesn't show up with an uzzi).

The event itself has been nicknamed the Latino SXSW because it is a congretation of innovators, trendsetters, brands ($$), bloggers (uuhm... hi! how often do YOU read naiberoamsla ?), and filmmakers.

Emilio Estefan, Cesar Milan, Maria Elena Salinas and Nely Galan will be receiving the Latinovator award.

Don't mean to be a "tease" but  keep'on readin my blog throughout the week because I will be posting daily updates and interviews from the JW Marriot Marquis Hotel in beautiful balmy Miami...

If YOU won the lottery......

YOU JUST WON THE MEGA MILLIONS!!

Boy, wouldn't you like to hear those words! With the Mega Millions jackpot at $500 million, I couldn't help but do a little "day dreaming" this morning as I schlepped my 8 year old to school with my pajama pants and uggs. On our usual 7:30am commute to her school, I saw her gazing out the window, and I wondered what were the thoughts roaming around in her head.

What were the ones in mine? $$$$ dollar signs. I kept thinking about  HOW I would spend half a billion dollars if I got the winning ticket which is going to be drawn this Friday, March 30th, 2012. Hmm.... I start off buying a beach house in Malibu, no Hawaii, no Costa Rica... I could probably afford one in all three locations.

"Mom! the Light just turned Green!" My daughter yelled from the backseat, ohh yeah I forgot I'm still driving.  Now, back to daydreaming. What would I do with so much money? After buying myself a beach house, setting up my parents in a great house with no financial worries, making sure I put A LOT of money away for my daughter's college fund, I still have millions and millions more to spend!

Vacations to exotic countries done. Personal trainer, done! Shopping spree, done! What else?....
Well, I don't think I would give up working. I love what I do, which is basically freelance writing and reporting for various outlets where I've meet, been to, and seen things only a nosy prying Journalist can experience. Yesterday I did a story on an organization called "Deaf Latinos" which caters to Latino families who have a young child recently diagnosed with hearing loss. I got to meet the amazing founder of the organization and her three kids, who couldn't talk to me but signed with sass and spirit!

My next assignment is to interview the Latino Janitor who invented the "Flaming Hot  Cheetos!"  My hero! Whoo hoo! I've been to Egypt on assignment and got a VIP tour of the Pyramids. I've interviewed Ex-President Clinton and got to ask him what the biggest regret of his presidency was. I got to sit down with the ladies of "The View" for two days and talk to my idol Barbara Walters! I got at stuntman to set my arm on fire, all during "work" assignments, and that's just scratching the surface. The beauty of my job is, whatever I want to do, whoever I want to met, whatever question I want to ask, I try to find a story around it and make it happen. Thats something half a billion dollars can't buy!

As the wise Confucius once said "choose a job you love, and you will never work a day in your life." 
Confucius was right-but I'm still buying a lottery ticket!!

What would you do if you won the lottery? Do you love what you do? PLEASE COMMENT BELOW!

Eating my way through Vegas: a Foodies guide to SIN CITY

As you get older, every thing looks different. Las Vegas which in my 20's meant  a wild fun escape with friends is  now a Romantic Food Lovers dream... Who knew that in my 30's Vegas meant my taste buds would be the ones doing the "hard partying" pulling food all nighters and savoring orgasmic flavors at some of the best Restaurants I've ever been to. I would take Bobby Flay's caramel dessert over a Chippendale's Lap dance any day of the week!

My boyfriend Jeff who is also a foodie (match made in heaven) and I took a quick three day post New Years day escape to Sin City, so we could let our "taste buds" go wild.. ha (we are a wild crew).

And boy my taste buds were in for the ride of their lives. So next time you go to Vegas, don't necessarily bet on the slot machines, because the biggest jackpot I got, were the new dishes I dared to try.

HERE ARE MY TOP CHOICES :
                             
                                                       "MESA GRILL"
http://www.mesagrill.com/las-vegas-restaurant/

Mesa Grill, located in Caesar's Palace of Las Vegas. If you ever watch the Food Network then you definitely know who Bobby Flay is. Who knew this red-headed white boy could cook some of the best Mexican dishes I ever tasted! (Although I would love to see Flay "Throw down" with my Abuelita from Zacatecas). My guy Jeff had a chile relleno (pictured below). Bobby definitely put his unique spin on it, but he got it right. It was deeeelicious (please don't tell my mom who also claims to have the best rellenos in the world). The basket of bread they put on the table is also incredible. He uses blue corn and jalapenos ! Divinity in a basket!

Chile Relleno! 

best bread basket ever!

                                                               "SAGE"

http://www.arialasvegas.com/dining/sage.aspx

"Sage" located in Las Vegas' new Hotel "Aria" is exquisite! I loved the Foie Gras Custard Brulee.
Jeff had the scallops and I had the Liberty Farms Duck. Each bite was heavenly. The dishes were so good, I didn't want to finish them... as I scraped the plate clean and licked my spoon!

Another fun part of this restaurant is that they have a rolling "Absinthe" bar. Coincidentally, Jeff is HUGE fan of Rocker Marilyn Manson, and that is the first brand they offered to us. Its called "Mansinthe" its Manson's very own label and apparently he helped "legalize" the drink in Vegas.

                                  "TOP OF THE WORLD RESTAURANT"

  link to restaurant here

"Top of the World" Restaurant at Stratosphere

The Restaurant is located on top of the Stratosphere. Restaurant is a little old (they really need new carpet) but the restaurant spins 360 degrees so you always get a great view.

You don't really go here for the food, its more for the view. I had the "Surf n Quack" which is a combo of beef, duck and Foie Gras. Food was pretty good . I fell in love with Duck! Awww... and to think Donald Duck was always my favorite Disney character.

Surf 'n Quack

            "TODD ENGLISH" GASTRO PUB
http://www.toddenglishpub.com/

Yes I know,"Gastro Pub" doesn't sound very sexy. But I enjoyed the atmosphere in this bar because they had a large food selection, and a beer tasting menu as well. I tried the Fruit and Chocolate beer platter which allowed me to sample cherry-chocolate, apricot, framboise, and double chocolate beer! I also had  the Lobster Roll and a couple of Oysters to wash the alcohol down. Yummy!

Here we are, after many miles of meals. No we didn't gamble, so we didn't loose any money. We just gained a few pounds, and some delightful, delicious memories... "VIVA... LAS VEGAS!"

WHAT'S YOUR NEW YEARS RESOLUTION?

Lots of people say they don't like to have New Year's resolutions because they are "constantly improving themselves all year-long". Well, I DO need that re-start button at least once a year to remind me that we can continuously be re-invented, re-newed, and re-born.

To me, January 1st does represent a fresh start, a clean slate.

So what am I planning to improve in 2012?

1. EXERCISE. Be more consistent with my workouts. Its amazing how radically you can change your body when you commit. You can loose your job, you can loose your partner, but no one can take away the work you put into yourself, your health, and your body.

2. CLEAN. Pick up after myself more often (I'm like a Snail, I leave a trail of things behind everywhere I go). The trunk of my car has been a trash can for the past year.  Oops, I forgot to dump that apple I packed back in May. I have plenty of "JUNK IN MY TRUNK" that needs a cleaning.

3. KIND. Be nicer to myself. The world is harsh enough as it is. If you are not nice to yourself, no one else will. This year I realized that no one will take care of your interests more than you. Love yourself, we can't do enough of that. Don't judge yourself to much. Don't compare yourself to anybody. Like they say, "the Sun shines for everyone", and I truly believe that.

4. PARENTS. Be better to my Mom and Dad. As teenagers we blame everything on them, and sometimes we forget to shake it off even in adulthood. They are human too and one day, they will not be here anymore.

5.THINK. Breathe and think before I react. I've lost friends and opportunities for over-reacting and being overly emotional. I've seen people lose their jobs because they lost their cool. As humans we are emotional creatures so kick the walls, destroy your pillows, pick up those boxing gloves and punch way, but do it when your home alone.

6. THE PLAN. Have confidence with Gods Plan, the Universe's Plan, Buddha's plan, whatever you are into. I truly believe their is a Plan for all of us and when you feel a lull in your life, the Powers are just working out your plan. Be patient. The architects may be doing a re-haul on your life and they are figuring out where to put your new kitchen, your new den and that nice pool.

7. ENJOY. I have had a career that has taken me to the best Hotels, Cities and Restaurants of the world, but believe it or not sometimes the best moments of my life have been the simple ones. Cuddling up with my boyfriend near a crackling fire. Watching my daughter overwhelmed with Joy at the park.  Having a nice dinner with my mom. Yes, its cliche but cliches reflect deep truths. Everything gets old, even 5 star Hotels, and Limos. I know Im probably sounding crass right now but I am writing from my heart. We watch reality shows and we glamorize their lifestyle. If only we lived in a million dollar mansion, if only we had that great body, if only we made as much money as they did. Everything is relative. How many people in third world countries wish they could live OUR lifestyle? I have running warm water, enough clothes for this season and next, and hey, last night I ate Sushi for dinner! Now, thats pretty fancy to some, and if we don't ENJOY these things we are missing the moments. WE are the STARS of our own lives.

8. DON'T JUDGE. We are so quick to judge people before we know whats going on in their heads and in their lives. At the end of the day, most of us have deep fears of everything from losing our jobs to losing our health. We as humans, are all in this together. Lets support each other. If someone doesn't say hello back or ignores you, maybe they are dealing with something, give them a hug not a frown.

9. LEARN. I've been putting off Rosetta Stone's French Language DVD's. In Los Angeles we spend so many idle hours on freeways, might as well learn a new language and learn to tell the guy that just cut me off a word or two in a different language and then say "oops Pardon my French!".

10. LET GO. So a guy you dated a million years ago was a stupid A-hole, that Ex-boss was totally gross, condescending and not so smart, your old friend really hurt you. LET THEM GO, they obviously let YOU GO!  We have all come across  these kinds of gnats (GNAT: definition: an annoying insect that sucks blood from humans). Set them free, they were not good enough to stay in your life. Look around you and you will see that  the quality of the people around you NOW has improved after these pests exited your life.

11. KEEP my  New Years Resolutions.

***SOME OF YOU MAY BE JUDGING ME right now, so please refer to Number 8, 10 and 3 .
HAPPY NEW YEARS!
What are your New Years Resolutions? (comment below)

Coca-Cola Tour Adelante Mujer! 10 tips from 3 Fascinating Successful Women

Naibe Reynoso and Nely Galan

I've always heard that if you want to be successful, you should do what successful people do. So when I recently attended the Coca-Cola Tour Adelante,  in Santa Monica California headed by Uber successful media-mogul and motivational speaker Nely Galan I pulled out my reporters notebook and took note.

Nely Galan, Sandra Cisneros, Nell Merlino

The conference was wonderful because there were other speakers such as Author Sandra Cisneros who provided a spiritual approach to moving forward and Founder and President of "Count Me In"  Nell Merlino, who provided the business aspect of it. These women are the true "Triple Threat".
HERE THEY ARE,  10 TIPS FROM 3 FASCINATING, SUCCESSFUL WOMEN:

 NELY GALAN~Motivational Words

1. The Fear of  Failure is your Best Friend.
2. If you are scared (to speak up etc) use someone else's voice in your head to give you courage.
3. Its never too late to right the wrongs in your life.
4. There is NO Prince Charming.
5. Sometimes when you lose you win and vice versa.
6.  Being Latina is the best of both worlds.
7. In your deepest pain is your answer/There is darkness before light.
8. Follow your bliss with a back-up position.
9. Maintenance is extremely important. 
10. When you are good and do your work, miracles happen.

    

    Nely Galan and me (Naibe Reynoso)

    NELL MERLINO~Business Words

1. Tell people what you want and need.
2. Mobilize people you know to help you/Surround yourself with experts.
3. Come up with products /ideas that solve everyday problems.
4. Ask for help and teach others how to do it (delegate).
5. When you are in charge, remember: YOU are the boss, its YOUR company.
6. Figure out how to expand or franchise your product. Find customers.
7. Let your imagination run wild. Start thinking with the End in mind.
8. Don't wait for things to be perfect in your life they never will be.
9. What are you going to do today to move Forward?
10.  Expect resistance.

me and author Sandra Cisneros (House on Mango Street, Caramelo)

SANDRA CISNEROS~Spiritual Words

1. Write 10 things about yourself that make you unique.
2. Always keep your word.
3. Live for your own approval.
4. Value your time, don't give it away to people who waste it.
5. What are you using to cover or mask your pain? Address it
6. Depression has a purpose if you use it before it uses you. Transform it to light Express your pain thru art.
7. Your only true possessions are your actions.
8.  If you can't come out of sadness  by yourself, see a professional curandera (healer, therapist).
9. Listen to your body, its telling you something.
10. Always know that you are special, the Universe has and will only create ONE of YOU.
 

The conference was truly transformational. I was able to feel the love of other "hermanas" there. I really hope that in 2012, such a powerful and meaningful year in the Mayan Calendar which predicts a major transformation, that JUNTAS we will move forward, ADELANTE, and show the world the BEAUTY, INTELLIGENCE AND POTENTIAL that we have always carried within us and we are so desperate for the world to also recognize.

"The Goddess" an altar created by artist Pattsi Valdez . All the dreams and wishes of the women present were pinned to her skirt.

the "Lets Talk" gang . Love the girls! I admire you !