August 20, 2013

30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know by the Time She’s 30

My 30th Birthday Cake! Red Velvet from Sweet Surrender - Bakersfield, CA


In honor of my 30th birthday (August 11th - woohoo happy belated birthday to me!!), I am re-posting a story that was first featured in Glamour Magazine in 1997 called “30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know by the Time She’s 30.”

If you’re already 30, can you check-off most of these…?


By 30, you should have…

1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you've come.

2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.

3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.

4. A purse, a suitcase, and an umbrella you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying.

5. A youth you’re content to move beyond.

6. A past juicy enough that you’re looking forward to retelling it in your old age.

7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age — and some money set aside to help fund it.

8. An email address, a voice mailbox, and a bank account — all of which nobody has access to but you.

9. A resume that is not even the slightest bit padded.

10. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.

11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra.

12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it.

13. The belief that you deserve it.

14. A skin-care regimen, an exercise routine, and a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life that don’t get better with age.

15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship, and all those other facets of life that do get better.

By 30, you should know…

1. How to fall in love without losing yourself.

2. How you feel about having kids.

3. How to quit a job, break-up with a man, and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.

4. When to try harder and when to walk away.

5. How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t like to happen next.

6. The names of the Secretary of State, your great-grandmothers, and the best tailor in town.

7. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to.

8. Where to go — be it your best friend’s kitchen table or a yoga mat — when your soul needs soothing.

9. That you can’t change the length of your legs, the width of your hips, or the nature of your parents.

10. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over.

11. What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love.

12. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs, or not flossing for very long.

13. Who you can trust, who you can’t, and why you shouldn’t take it personally.

14. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault.

15. Why they say life begins at 30.

May 6, 2013

*******SIGH*******

My life has been filled with so many ups and downs, left- and right-turns. Eventually leading me in directions I never thought I would go in. And I'm learning - it's great! Right now my life is completing a turn that I never expected. I never imagined. I'm just taking it all in with a smile and loving it! Has that ever happened to you? Something so unexpected, so out of the blue... and then you sit there and just find yourself smiling over it!! 

*******sigh******* 

Wow, life can be so unexpected sometimes, but so great!! 
It's true - seize the day! Carpe diem! Live every minute, love every moment! 
That's what I'm doing. I'm letting it all flow on its own and it's flowing beautifully and smoothly. 

THANK YOU GOD!! YOUR WORKS, MERCY & LOVE ARE AMAZING!!

God, YOU are amazing!!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo


February 1, 2013

Living With Heart Disease - My Story


As many of you may know, I have complex congenital heart disease - I was born with heart disease, it is not something that developed in me later in life. One of my first treatment procedures was a Cardiac Catherization through my groin/femoral vein area to enable the doctors to administer medication and take cardiovascular measurements; I was about 2 months old. This prepared me for my open-heart surgery - a Fontan Procedure - when I was about 2 years old. When they say "open-heart surgery" they really mean it - I have a scar from under my collar bone down my chest and another scar across the left side of my chest to my left underarm. I LOVE my scars, they are a constant reminder of my journey! The surgery was a huge success! I'm on life-long medication - Digoxin - and still have a heart murmur/atrial flutter and some limitations, most of which I have come to accept. (I can't participate in sports like I would have liked to, I have to limit my exercise/workouts, I have to read every single label on every medication - even over-the-counter cold medicine, pain relievers, etc. - I shouldn't get on roller coasters (oops!), I can't go to a dentist without first taking a handful of prescription antibiotics, the list goes on...). The one "limitation" I have had the hardest time coming to terms with is the fact that I will not have children of my own - it's a huge life-threatening risk for me to be pregnant and have children. I have known about this since a very young age and I have never allowed myself to get joyous at the thought of one day becoming a mother, because I know it's just not something I can do (biologically, physically, personally). But I won't lie to you, I still get very emotional about it from time to time and cry - a lot. But I know that God has something great planned for me... ;)

Since day one I have been on a check-up schedule which involves electrocardiogramscardiac stress testsholter monitoring and echocardiograms. I had a huge scare in April 1999 and was rushed to the ER and later to the UCLA Medical Center for a few days to undergo specialized testing, but thankfully did not need to undergo another surgery. 

All in all, I am very lucky, very blessed! I share my story & my scars proudly! This is something that makes me who I am. I know I went through a lot, and so did my family - especially my parents. They have been by my side every step of the way, every day, every moment. Knowing what I have endured and knowing that it could have been a lot worse makes me very thankful to God and appreciative of this beautiful life I have been blessed with. 

Yes, I live with heart disease since birth. Yes, I have had open-heart surgery. Yes, I'm on medication. Yes, I have limitations. But... I am alive!! I am thriving!! I am BLESSED & THANKFUL!! 


Never be ashamed of sharing your story. You may be the one person that makes a difference for someone else. 


My February 2010 interview with Bakersfield Magazine for their "Ladies In Red" Go Red issue.

xo

Learn the facts of heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States.

American Heart Association

Get educated. Get tested. Raise awareness. 
Wear RED February 1st - National Wear Red Day


January 5, 2013

Hello 2013 xo

Hello 2013, I welcome you with arms wide open and a smile on my face... and a few resolutions, promises, intentions, goals.......

  • grow, spiritually... more prayer, fasting, bible studying, devotionals

  • take a vocal or piano class, possibly both

  • workout and/or run a minimum of 4 times each week

  • reach my ideal/goal weight no later than my 30th birthday (August 11th), aahhhh!!

  • participate in a 5k or 10k run

  • eat much, much, much healthier

  • participate with a charity (giving out meals for a holiday, visit orphans, donate toys to a children's hospital, etc) - anything, just help a charity!!

  • go horseback riding

  • grow my career

  • finally get my passport - and use it - travel!!

  • blog more often :)


  • I'm sure there are many more things I would like to do this year that will come to mind later. What about you, do you have any new year resolutions?

    Happy New Year, 2013!! xo

    January 4, 2013

    Goodbye 2012

    It feels like if in a blink of an eye 2012 came and left! Am I the only one that feels that way?! 2012 was full of many ups and downs for me. 

    The biggest "down" was definitely the loss of my maternal grandmother, Guadalupe Salgado, on March 16th. This was one of the most difficult experiences I have had in my life. I have previously lost a few other loved ones, but losing my grandma was by far the hardest. I love my mother with all of my heart, and knowing that she had now lost her mother was just so difficult for me to accept. It was a pain like no other I have ever felt. But we know, by faith, that grandma went in peace and is no longer suffering any pain or illness. We sit around and talk about her a lot, sharing stories, memories and photos. Those moments are beautiful and I cherish them. 


    An "up" that occurred for me in 2012 was the move from Arvin to Bakersfield, finally! On August 24th, the very day that marked 10 years living in Arvin, we got the keys to our new house in Bakersfield. I am now only 7 minutes away from my office, instead of 35 like I was when I lived in Arvin. I am closer to all of the shopping, a beautiful park, my friends... and believe it or not, it feels like this move has brought my family even closer together. We have had a few "family sleep-overs" in the new house now; so much fun!!



    And speaking of family, 2012 brought us the addition of two new family members: Daniel Baltazar Leyva, born July 2nd to my youngest sister, Maria and her husband Baltazar. Three weeks later, on July 24th, we welcomed "A.J." Arthur Jacob Ruiz, born to my younger sister, Alma.  They are both so precious, adorable and oh so cute!
    Here they are, doing "baby yoga"!! :)



    We ended the year celebrating all of the holidays in our new home. 



    Goodbye 2012!! You'll live on in the memories you left behind... xo

    April 26, 2012

    God's Love Is Unconditional

    There are no words that can begin to describe the love that I have for my Lord Jesus Christ. His love for me has been unconditional. His care of me has been overwhelming. He has never abandoned me nor forsaken me. He has always been by my side. And in the moments in which I have most needed Him, He has taken me in His arms and carried me through the fire, through the storm. They say that every storm passes, that every tunnel has a light. All I can say is that through God, I have found that to be true. The sun does shine the next day! The storm does pass! You do see the light at the end of the dark and sometimes scary tunnel! And our strength renews! Thank you Jesus! Though others may have failed me from time to time, you never have. Friendships have come and gone, but you have remained faithful to me. Love has begun and ended, but your love has been true from the beginning. Though I can't see you, I know you're here, I can feel your presence, I can hear you speak to me. I know you listen to me and you know my every want, need and desire. You live in my heart and therefore you know my heart. You know me! You love me! And I love you! Thank you Jesus for all that you are and all that you have done. I praise you! Amen!

    January 4, 2012

    Happy New Year 2012

    As I have been saying for a while now - time is flying by! With a blink of an eye, 2011 came and went!! We now have welcomed a new year, a new clean slate - 2012 is here!! What are your goals, plans or resolutions for this new year? I will be making a list of mine and will be posting them in the next few days. I was able to enjoy some new experiences in 2011 and I just know that 2012 will bring many more. I am confident that this year is going to be a great blessing; it already has given me a few great days! I look forward to this new year and all that it brings... I am anxiously awaiting all of the wonderful blessings with arms wide open. Cheers to a great 2012 filled with blessings of every kind - spiritual, financial, emotional, physical, etc. Blessings!! xoxo