La Licenciada's Blog

Would you want to be in a "Progressive" commercial?

2010-03-07T21:07:00.003-05:00

I've been trying my hand at acting for a while. Need a refresher? Click Here. Aside from taking super fun acting classes, I've been an extra in a couple of shows (totally psyched about sharing that with you). But I am dying to get the skills necessary, then hopefully the opportunities, to land bigger gigs. I have often thought, "wouldn't it be cool to be in a commercial like the Mac guy or like

"Unleashing Your True Passion." bareMinerals Get Started Kit Giveaway!

2010-03-05T01:27:00.003-05:00

Bare Escentuals asked me to take a look at how I unleash my true passion and is asking you to do the very same thing! It's very easy to make up reasons as to why you should put your dreams on hold, or why its silly to shoot for the stars when you're already "all grown up," but without dreams, without something to wish for, hope for, long for, to aspire to, well... then none of the day-to-day

Puerto Rico - Oh the places I've been...are few, actually.

2010-03-05T01:21:00.005-05:00

Anytime someone tells me they're going to Puerto Rico, I get so excited for them! Perhaps you remember my last post... (click here for a refresher) However, in compiling the places I've been over my life time (every year I travel to Puerto Rico), I have to say, I have yet to discover so many parts of the island. Perhaps some of you can help me with that. Mostly when I go to Puerto Rico, I go

UPDATE: NOH8 Campaign

2010-02-18T23:27:00.004-05:00

Hello My Lovely Readers! In January I told you about my AMAZING experience posing for the NOH8 campaign with my sister. Need a refresher? You can see the post HERE. As Promised, here are the photos of the shoot: You can also CLICK HERE to open the link to photos in the NOH8 photo gallery. You will also see some of the people and artists who posed with us that day. I don't normally like

The Travel Bug: Loving Puerto Rico

2010-02-18T10:39:00.001-05:00

Many of you know I sooo love to travel. This past year I got out of my comfort zone and travelled to Spain and Aruba, and only went to Puerto Rico twice. I know that sounds funny and I may sound like a brat complaining - but it's less of a complaint and more of a whine. I love Puerto Rico and I miss it. The island calls to my heart and it feels like I'm home sick when I'm not there. When people

Where Did The Chivalry Go?

2010-02-15T16:58:00.018-05:00

Is chivalry dead? I’ve heard this saying for some time now and I wonder if it’s true. Is opening a car door, opening an entrance door, the holding of an elevator door, or offering up a seat a lost art? What about the woman walking on the inside of the street? Or facing the entrance door of a restaurant when it comes to seating? Are these antiquated notions created by medieval practices that are

Rethink the Need to Find Yourself

2010-02-07T17:28:00.003-05:00

Every week there will be BE goodies for a lucky group of people who answer the Rethink questions and share with their friends. At the end of this nine week contest one grand prize winner and two runner-ups will be drawn. Bare Escentuals invited me and invites you to give rethinking a try, too. Every week at RethinkWhatMatters.com, there will be five questions for you to

PROJECT REPORT - Amazing Opportunity for Aspiring Journalists!

2010-02-07T16:26:00.002-05:00

YouTube Project Report, in partnership with the Pulitzer Center, has presented a great opportunity for an aspiring journalist. This is your chance to shed light on a day in the life of a person YOU think the world should know about, as well as the positive impact s/he is making in her/his community. With so many Latinos in Social Media (LATISM), and people who motivate and inspire in our

AMC Best Picture Showcase 2010

2010-02-04T18:49:00.000-05:00

A couple of years ago I went to the AMC Best Picture Showcase (you remember: Juno , No Country For Old Men, Atonement, Michael Clayton ) and it was AMAZING! However, some of it was painful (There Will Be Blood was like watching his life in real-time, ugh!) The good part was that you can just get up and leave the theatre if you want to skip a film! Full Day Pass Baby!* For the most part, I felt

Rethink Your Environment!

2010-02-01T00:15:00.005-05:00

Bare Escentuals is "rethinking beauty" and inviting YOU (my readers) to give rethinking a try! Every week at RethinkWhatMatters.com, a new discussion topic will be featured with five questions for you to answer and share with your friends. This is an opportunity for you to share your own deep thoughts, and at the same time enter to win free products! The "Rethink What Matters" topic for

[HNBANY] Haitian Immigration Legal Assistance Program‏

2010-02-01T00:14:00.001-05:00

The Hispanic National Bar Association of New York posted the following announcement for Attorneys in New York City: The Brooklyn Women's Bar Association, together with Brooklyn Defender Services, the Brooklyn Bar Association and the Brooklyn Bar Association's Volunteer Lawyers Project, is sponsoring the Haitian Immigration Legal Assistance Program to help Haitian immigrants in the US obtain

"From the Window, to the Wall..."

2010-02-01T00:14:00.000-05:00

When I started this blog I thought that I would have a forum to just let my thoughts fly without worrying about anyone's feelings. As a writer, I draw from my life experiences. The only modification I usually make is a name change. However, a little digging on google, and my identity is quickly found out, then you can connect the dots to find out who the frequent characters mentioned in my blog

I Posed for the NOH8 campaign.

2010-01-31T22:35:00.001-05:00

On Sunday I participated in a photo shoot for the NOH8 campaign. It was exhilarating! The people, the energy, the cause.... What's that you ask? Well, here's some info: On November 4th, 2008, Proposition 8 passed, amending the state Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. In the wake of the defeat, there has been a groundswell of initiative from within the community at a grassroots level.

Is Law School Worth It?

2010-01-25T00:07:00.000-05:00

A Latina recently reached out to me and asked me whether or not she should go to law school, considering the state of the economy. If you read my post, "Excuse Me You're Stepping All Over My Dreams" you know what my response is. But I think the Aspiring-Licenciada in question has the same questions many others in her shoes have: Should I go to law school if theres' a chance I won't land a job

Family. You Cant Live With 'Em. Can You Live Without 'Em?

2010-01-24T23:25:00.000-05:00

Growing up in a large Puerto Rican household, [five aunts, one uncle, thirty-five cousins just on my maternal side] everyone knew everyone's business. And better than that, every one comments on everyone's business. Always. We are never supposed to speak bad about our elders (aunts, uncles, parents and especially grand parents) to anyone outside the family. Nor can you express your opinion

My Biological Clock is...

2010-01-19T23:03:00.000-05:00

Ticking? Not Ticking? How do you know? Mona Lisa Vito (Marisa Tomei) of My Cousin Vinny (1992) was pretty clear that it was time for her to have a baby. And according to society and cultural norms for Latinas, at thirty, I should be married and having babies. I'm only thirty and I should be married and having babies???!!!! Sheesh. I'm friggin thirty. I'm not married. I have no babies. Have I

And the winner of the book giveaway is... [drum roll please]

2010-01-15T13:57:00.000-05:00

The Virtual Book Tour went well yesterday! As promised, I submitted the comments to random.org to pick a winner. There were ten comments, seven of which were made by individuals other than BronzeWord Latino Book Tours or the Author: #1,2,3,6,7,8,10 This is a screenshot of the comments in order: This is a screenshot of the numerical value chosen by random.org today 1/15/10:

René Has Two Last Names: An Interview with the Author Rene Colaito Lainez

2010-01-14T08:06:00.000-05:00

A Latina of Puerto Rican descent, I follow the tradition of using two surnames (my fathers last name, then my mothers last name). I feel both surnames are important because they are a part of who I am, my culture and My Story. With that said, I think it was serendipitous that I was asked to be a part of the René Has Two Last Names virtual book tour, hosted by BronzeWord. Read More About

Sports, Love and Cable

2010-01-09T20:30:00.000-05:00

You never really know who you’re dating until you get cable – or try to watch it with your significant other...especially if they're a sports fanatic. If you were an avid Sex and the City viewer, you may remember the episode “Games People Play,” where Samantha dates a sports fan. Samantha thought this guy was just a basket ball fan and that her woes would end once the season was over. But

Cultural Divide

2010-01-09T20:29:00.000-05:00

I recently read a blog about the division in Latin culture. The post specifically discussed the division between Puerto Ricans and Dominicans. I thought it was a brave discussion, because for the most part, we'd rather ignore the issue rather than confront it. After reading the article, here is what I was inspired to write: Many of us are afraid to bring up the prejudices in our culture

You're Invited to a Pity Party!

2010-01-08T23:38:00.000-05:00

What's a pity party? Well, it's when misery tries to get company. A good definition can be found at UrbanDictionary.com The best example would be to quote our adorable little friend, Eeyore, who lives in all of us: "Eeyore, the old grey Donkey, stood by the side of the stream, and looked at himself in the water. 'Pathetic,' he said. 'That's what it is. Pathetic.'

A letter to my followers

2010-01-02T02:36:00.000-05:00