5 things that ANNOY me... are you on here?

I believe Social Media is the new "venting machine" ... hey if its gonna use me, I'm going to use it too. And its come in handy plenty of times. Those times when people, things, or circumstances annoy the expletive out of me and I can't yell like a madwoman because I'm in line at the grocery store or at work.

And God knows I don't want to get the nickname "Drama Queen" or get arrested at McDonalds because I was one minute late to the breakfast menu and screamed at the cashier.  So sometimes I take to twitter or Facebook or in this case my blog to express my inner frustrations, changing peoples names so I don't get in trouble. But, you probably share some of these annoyances  too.... and I'm pretty sure you've also tweeted about it.

1. People behind me in line at the Grocery store being nosy and .....commenting on what's in my shopping cart. Hey weird person I don't care if you also "enjoy" the same kind of toilet paper.  Come'on old guy, do you really have to say you also like that flavor of Metamucil too? It's an invasion of privacy for people to check to see what's in your shopping cart and a bigger offense when they make it a conversation piece.

2.Getting GAS. I don't mean the digestive kind, but thats kinda frustrating too. I mean the kind that you put in your car. I mean, gosh, I just filled you up last week and your on empty again! My car guzzles gas like if it were a ravenously hungry teenager. Not only are gas prices skyrocketing, but I'm always on EMPTY at the most inconvenient times, like when I'm running late, or dressed in heels and a cocktail dress and the last thing I want to do is walk to the Gas Station cashier to "filler up".

3.Getting dissed after a nice smile and a hello! This happens a lot in my "professional" world. I mean, I don't want my work life to be like high-school all over again, with some people having their noses stuck in the air and acting to "cool" to acknowledge a warm smile and hello! I will not stop saying hi, but if you ignore me, then I will probably tweet about it.

4.Wrong Drive-Thru Orders  I think this is the ultimate revenge that people that work at the drive thru have on the rest of society. They are probably a little bitter that they're stuck behind a hot, cramped window and have to chuck hamburgers and shakes at people all day long, so the jokes on us when we get home only to realize they put the wrong order in your bag. So, its unlikely you will get in your car and drive all the way back so they can fix it. This has happened to me so many times, that I got into the habit of checking what's in my bag before I pull away. One time, I kid you not, my hashbrown was half-eaten with clear teeth impressions! Yuck! Its particularly annoying when you've been specifically craving that one salad, or sandwich and you get home to a sandwich you can't stand.

5.IGNORING MY EMAIL. Okay, if Im emailing you its probably something you should read and reply to. I mean nowadays writing an email is equivalent to writing a novel. We are so used to short, small quips on twitter and facebook to check in with our friends, that if I email you, its probably very important. So write me back!

What things annoy you? Please VENT, let it out, and comment below!

A NEW BOOK that will make you think twice before checking FACEBOOK

As a kid I used to love reading books. As a matter of fact, I would enter reading contests at my local library where I won various prizes (pencils, erasers etc.) for reading the most amount of books in one summer. I loved escaping into books like "James and the Giant Peach" or "Little Women" and expanding my possibilities and my immediate reality. As I became an adult and  went on to college I started to associate reading with "studying" and "finals" ... so I fell out-of-love with it.  But last summer as I was about to lay out near the pool, I picked up Christopher Herz's first book "The Last Block in Harlem" so I could have something to read while I caught some sun rays.  I was hooked. Not only did it bring me into the story as if I was one of the characters in the book, but reading the book made me re-fall in love with the art of "reading". Chris made me remember that there are a lot of great novels, memoirs, and biographies out there that can take you to diverse places, different cultures and a world outside of your own. Now thanks to my IPhone, I read a book every night before I go to sleep. Here is my interview with Christopher Herz about his newly released second book "Pharmacology".

1. This is your second book, was it easier to write than the first one?

The first book (The Last Block in Harlem) kind of came through me - it was told by the block I was living on and I was just the medium for which it was told. The second book (Pharmacology) was interesting in that, I had the ending first, and then worked backwards. It took me a while to find the voice to tell the story in, but when I found Sarah Striker, things just started moving from there. The first one, I really had no idea what I was doing. With the success of that one, I guess there was a little more pressure on me to deliver, both from myself and from the publisher. I guess it's kind of like having children - Though you have one and know the pain and stress that's coming, it's still the same pain and stress, but the joy is just the same. My brain has stretch marks.

2. talk to us about what the book is about?

Pharmacology takes place in early 90s San Francisco just before the world made the final switch from analog to digital. It's told by Sarah Striker, who herself is a young girl going through transitions that cannot quite be defined. It's been interesting visiting with book clubs and reading the reviews - some people enjoy the look into how the pharmaceutical companies used advertising to create diseases, while some enjoy the "vampires" and other characters throughout the story who are all real life folks that I either lived with or knew during my time in San Francisco. For me, it represented how we all, in some way, have been "drugged" by the internet and our dangerous dance into looking into iPhones and checking emails 24/7. I hope it's a wake up call.

3. you are male but decided to make the protagonists voice female, how did you accomplish that?

My last book was so heavy and ego driven, so I felt that a woman character would be able to give the wide lens that was necessary to tell this story. I think woman have the ability to withstand and move through hardship and pain in a different way that men do - and I felt that all the things that were happening around the main character in the book needed someone to be able to stand strong among all of the madness. Sarah actually came to me as I was writing the story - she was screaming out to be the one to tell the story, so eventually, as usually happens with my characters, I let her take over. As far as how I wrote as a woman, I guess I spend more time paying attention to women than I do men - I find them more interesting and more complex than men in real life, so why not play that forward in a novel?

4.what do you hope is the take away for readers ?

For me, I'd like to have them realize how addicted they are to their electronic devices, and look critically about how they are medicating themselves. I think many of the addictions we have now are self-inflicted or just digested - by that I mean that much of what we do now is not natural.  There was a big switch in the way we live - in what we digest around us. We are distracted and consumed by things that, let's say 10 years ago, didn't exist. How many times do you check your facebook everyday? How many Words with Friends Games are you playing? What kind of medication are you putting your children on? What was that point in your life that you gave up what you believed in for what others told you was important to believe in? This book has a lot going on beneath the words, so I'd like readers to take the time to watch what's happening. I think that it could be an illumination for how everyone is living right now.

5.tell us how social media, self-publishing, and technology have helped young writers like yourself.

That's an interesting question. Though I have a publisher now, I self-published my first book before it got picked up. Actually, I sold it on the street for half a year before a publisher noticed it and offered me a contract. However, with the Kindle and Nook and other electronic reading devices, I think it allows writers the ability to put their work out there for everyone to see. When that happens, you can get honest feedback from folks who are not your friends or don't have a vested interest in seeing you happy. You can get honest feedback, and that's important.

As for technology and social media, I've used Skype to go into bookclubs all over the world - from Dubai to Alabama - and because of that technology, I have been able to sit with people from all different cultures and talk not only about my books, but about how the stories relate to them and their lives. It's amazing how similar we all are - and I think that's what I'm after with these stories I'm telling. I like to lift up the hood and see what's making this whole crazy thing run - and it turns out, we're all running on the same things: Love, fear, desire, confusion. I think novels have a way of working all of that out in a way that doesn't preach, but exposes.

Social media is an interesting tool because it's so new. At the onset of my use of social media, like all people, I was very self-promotional. This can work in the short term, but in the long term I believe that the inclusion of others in your story is the best way to use social media. After all, who wants to go to a party where one person is always talking about themselves? I've been working with some school kids around the world using Skype to develop a global writing workshop - it's been highly rewarding. That's in the first stages right now, but it's been pretty amazing.

6. whats next for you?

The writers workshop with young people around the world is something I am very interested in. Currently, each kid is creating a character and uploading that to a database. Then, other kids take characters from that database to create a story. I've done it in Australia, and am looking to expand that. So far, so good.

As for book #3, I'm grinding away on that right now. The characters are fighting for me to let go, and once I do, it should turn out just fine. After all, the writer, after awhile, has very little to do with the book when it's done. If the characters are right and the story is good, the people inside the words will take care of everything. All the writer needs to do is stay up late at night and nurse them to health. That's the exhausting period and it's kind of where I'm at with the next book.

=============================

Author Christopher Herz

 If you are interested in buying any of Chris Herz's books you can find them on Amazon, just click on the following  link: AMAZON CHRISTOPHER HERZ AUTHOR

Surprise!....I got the Baby! Now time to pay up on "Dia de Candelaria"...

I got the Baby (a plastic toy baby) on January 6, during the "Dia de Reyes" !

"Dia de Reyes" or "The Day of the Three Wise Men" is Mexican tradition celebrated every Jan. 6th. Family and friends gets together, have a meal,  and eat a delicious "Rosca de Reyes" cake.  The oval shaped cake is very colorful (yes we love flava!) decorated with red, green, and orange dried fruit slices . Statues of the Three Wise Men are placed in the middle of the cake  Hidden inside the cake is a plastic baby!

Rosca de Reyes

 The baby represents the plight of Jesus, fleeing from King Herod's wishes to kill all babies since the prophecy predicted that one of the babys born in that era  would grow up to be the Messiah.

As I cut my slice and placed it on my plate, I noticed a small white plastic figurine snugged inside my piece! I got the baby! They say its good luck to get the baby! The fun part of this tradition is that whoever gets the figurine has to throw a party for all  family and friends the following month on February 2nd called "Dia de la Candelaria" or in English its called Candlemas Day. ! The tradition is to bring  Tamales to all.

partying on Dia de Reyes with a live BANDA!

after some "Happy punch" we decided to pretend to be cheerleaders! 

I love my Mexican heritage. We always use any excuse, to get together, have a great meal, and enjoy time with friends and family. What do you love most about your culture?

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 !

How I out-ran Rudolph & placed 3rd on my first 10K!

Running a Marathon has always been on my Bucket-list, so I decided to be pro-active and take baby steps to accomplish that goal.  I signed up for the SAY NO TO DRUGS HOLIDAY CLASSIC 10K on Dec 4, 2011 so I could test the waters. Next goal: a Half-Marathon and then a full blown 26. 2 mile Marathon.

I love fitness and I always change up my fitness routine. That's how I started getting into running. Its perfect when I don't feel like driving to the gym because I can run long distances around my neighborhood or just hop on my treadmill.

My P.O.V at the Starting line butterflies in my stomach are in full force!

I registered for the 10K about a month before it actually happened so I figured I had plenty of time to "train" NOT! Birthdays came up, extra-long work weeks, and THANKSGIVING to boot!

Thanks to former collegue Stephanie Simmons for introducing me to this Race!

I was not on my training game, but I refused to be one of those people that always makes excuses and doesn't commit to important goals. I was NOT going to let any excuses get in the way.

Silly Poses. 

Naibe Reynoso and Steph Simmons Post-Race!

So I will break down how the morning of the race went:

4:30 am- wake up- (it was early but I was excited)
5:00 am- drink  a cup of coffee, eat boiled egg, change, get my wallet and Iphone and fanny pack ready.
6:00 am-drive to Race location (Universal City Walk)
6:30 am- get to location, park and wait. (oh and pee )
7:00 am- get out of my car, get my registration packet, safety pin my race number on shirt.(pee again)
7:25 am- go to the Start Line and get ready to hear the gun go off. (I had butterflys in my stomach)
7:30 am-run like the wind, up the steep hills through the Universal Studios backlot, past some of Hollywood's most famous sets including War of the Worlds, the Bates Motel and Psycho House, Whoville and more!
8:34 am-CROSS THE FINISH LINE ! Yeay !  I made it! in 1 hour 04 minutes!

So how does Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer come into play? Well, being a Race newbie, I had NO idea some runners get very festive during races close to the Holidays. There were people wearing antlers, Santa hats, and elves costumes.

So was the case with a lady that was running near me the entire race. At first I was ahead of her, of course I would be right? Well, low and behold,  Reindeer Antler lady ran passed me and got way ahead at about the 3k mark of the run. Oh no, I wasn't having it. I had to run faster, not give up, and show that Red-Nosed reindeer what I was made of.

Towards the end of the race, Antler-lady and I were neck and neck. This was my first race, but I was not going to come in behind a woman who obviously had an aero-dynamic disadvantage on her head (although Santa may differ on this fact).

Cue the song "Chariots of Fire".... and picture me sprinting in slow motion to get to the Finish Line. From  the corner of my eye, I  could see an antler inching toward me, and that's when I found the inner strength to find the energy, cross the mark,  and beat her!

Naibe Reynoso, Steph Simmons , 2 friends and Crispin Lazarit 

After the race you check your name to see your exact times, and what place you came in. There are various categories ranging in age-range and your sex. Low and be-hold... I came in 3rd place in my Division for the 5k! And they gave me a commemorative metal. Whoo hoo...
Rudolph... bite my dust. (but I still expect you to deliver my Xmas present)

Steph got 3rd Place in her Division too for 10K!

My 3rd Place Metal for 5K!