Stephany Fuentes

Phenomenal Woman RIP Maya Angelou

2014-05-28T14:08:00.000-07:00

RIP Maya Angelou 1928–2014

God bless this woman who has taught me to be grateful for the life I live. Even on my saddest days; if I listen to her she makes me realize that we can overcome anything. She's my hero and the greatest example to follow; I would've loved to meet her in person, but I can assure you that her words will live on. She endured, witnessed, and suffered so much and yet she STILL ROSE....

Phenomenal Woman By Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies. I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say, It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can’t see.
I say, It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say, It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair, the palm of my hand,
The need for my care.
’Cause I’m a woman Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Maya Angelou, “Phenomenal Woman” from And Still I Rise. Copyright © 1978 by Maya Angelou. Used by permission of Random House, Inc.

Memories of my grandmother...

2013-09-18T11:30:00.000-07:00

     I came to work one morning and followed my usual routine. I set my things down, turned on my computer, open my email, and walk to the kitchen for a cup of coffee. On my way back from the kitchen the smell of coffee began to trigger childhood memories. They were very comforting. I sat down took a sip of coffee and began scanning through my emails, buy all of the sudden I had an urge to dip my bread in my coffee. I slid the mug towards me, ripped a piece of bread off and slowly dipped it in. As soon as I bit the bread a sense of happiness and longing touched my heart. Its as if my childhood had come to pay me a visit.
     Memories of my grandmother waking up at the crack of dawn to make the family coffee,sprung to life. I still remember the delicious smell that ran through the house as she began the slow process of hand brewed coffee. By the time we were out of bed there was a thermos full of coffee for everyone. Oh how I loved the taste of my grandmother's coffee.
      My grandfather would wake up even earlier to buy a pound of freshly baked bread from our local bakery. He would come back with the newspaper under one arm and warm bread in a paper bag. This must've been my favorite time of the day. With a piece of bread and a small cup of coffee in hand, I would quietly sit down and began dipping my fresh warm bread into my steaming coffee. I loved the contrast between the two.
     Now these memories bring me joy and comfort, remembering a moment in my life where I had someone to always hide behind when I was scared. No one tells you how all the problems you had back then do not compare to what awaits for you in you near future. At that age everything was the end of the world and although there are parts of my childhood I wish I could delete, there are many memories that I hold dear. They are my strength when all I want to do is curl up and drink a hot cup of coffee in peaceful silence.

This is what I think...

2013-01-14T11:42:00.002-08:00

Nothing you say can change who I am!

You can embarrass me in front of everyone because you know that in my position there's only so much I can do; but you will never make me feel inferior.

You can leave me out of important conversations and isolate me, but you will never make me look as desperate for validation as you are.

You can act like my friend and gain my trust just to get information out of me and share it on the daily news, but you will never get back my respect and loyalty.

You see what you don't know is that no matter how much poison you put out there of me, people will eventually see the true me and those who don't-well-SUCKS FOR THEM!

My life isn't perfect; like you I suffer and get hurt many times-the difference between you and I is that I choose to focus on things that make me happy. I don't ignore my problems, I simply deal with them at the proper time and place.

It is what it is...you can hate all you want, but at the end I will still be me and you're stuck with you...so just chill! That's a greater punishment than anything you will ever do to me.

All of us have the power to limit or enhance the effect others drama has on us. We can choose to be strong and emit positive energy and therefor attracting positive energy from others.

STOP YOUR DRAMA :)

Being a good friend...

2010-12-15T03:22:00.000-08:00

Being a good friend is more complex than most think. Not many are willing to put in the work required to build a strong friendship, but expect their friend to fulfill all their ‘job requirements’.

Now more than ever relationships of all kinds are disappearing in favor of short text, chat, and/or comments online.

When is the last time you had a real conversation with your friend?

We need to stop underestimating the importance and value friendship can have on our lives. What good is it to know a lot of people, but not be able to pick up the phone and tell them something that’s really bugging you because you’re afraid they will announce to the world?

Being a good friend requires honesty and care. When you help them be selfless-its important to let her vent instead of interrupting her with examples of YOU…its not about you at the moment let her vent. This is what friends do; they listen, they don’t judge and the remain by your side even after you reveal you deepest secret.

Here are 50 ways to be a good friend…CLICK HERE!!!

Showing you care...

2010-12-12T20:56:00.000-08:00

It's a long list but when you care about someone these things should come natural:

1. Notice them.

2. Smile at them.

3. Encourage them to think big.

4. Look them in the eye when you talk to them.

5. Ask them about themselves.

6. Let them tell you how they feel.

7. Listen to their stories.

8. CALL JUST TO SAY HI.

9. Answer their questions.

10. Ask them their opinions.

11. GIVE THEM YOUR FULL ATTENTION.

12. Believe what they say.

13. TELL THEM WHAT YOU LIKE ABOUT THEM.

14. Delight in their discoveries.

15. Listen to their favorite music with them.

16. Tolerate their interruptions.

17. Suggest better behaviors when they act up or act out.

18. Show up at their games, concerts, and special events.

19. Tell them how much you like being with them.

20. Tell them about yourself.

21. Help them take a stand, then stand with them.

22. Ask them to help you with something.

23. KEEP PROMISES YOU MAKE THEM.

24. Tell them how proud you are of them.

25. Send them a letter, postcard, or e-mail.

26. Introduce THEM TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

27. MAKE TIME TO BE WITH THEM.

28. Be excited when you see them.

29. Notice when they grow.

30. Remember their birthdays.

31. Believe in them.

32. MEET WITH THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

33. Include them in conversations.

34. Laugh at their jokes.

35. Do things together.

36. Respect them.

37. FIND A COMMON INTEREST

38. Do what they like to do.

39. Applaud their success.

40. Contribute to their collections.

41. Read aloud together.

42. Accept them as they are.

43. Share a meal together.

44. Go places together.

45. Build something together.

46. Make decisions together.

47. Help them learn something new.

48. Be honest with them.

49. Encourage them to help others.

50. Let them make mistakes.

51. ADMIT WHEN YOU MAKE A MISTAKE

52. Be nice to them.

Why School by Mike Rose

2010-11-30T01:46:00.001-08:00

My favorite quote from Mike Rose's; Why School? when defining an egalitarian education system: ''...model of intelligence and achievement that affirms the varied richness of human ability, and a foundational commitment to equal opportunity to develop that ability.'' page 30

The Promise of an Immigrant Child

2009-04-24T15:51:00.000-07:00

“Not now, Mami, maybe mañana.[1]”

I promised you I’ll return and stay, but