Chio, My Sis

I just got off the phone with my sister Chio, we talked for about 10 minutes and she had me cracking up the whole time. When people talk about my sis that's usually the first thing they say, "Omg, your sister is SO funny!" It's true, she ALWAYS has something funny to say...but she is also one of the most generous, intelligent, and dedicated people I know. I decided to dedicate this post to her since I don't often have the chance to let her know how much she means to me.

Since we were little, I've always considered Chio my hero. Although she is younger, she has always been more brave and courageous than I. While I was always (and still am) the overprotective, cautious older sister, Chio was never afraid to take risks and strike out on her own. And yes, even at a young age she would have everyone cracking up. One of my favorite memories is of my mom teasing her hair really big and her lipsinging to Amanda Miguel, hilarious!

Over the years we have been through so much together, some experiences are uniquely ours, which I can't say for many people. No matter how difficult the situation, Chio finds a way through it and makes it look easy.

I am so proud of her. She is one of the best moms I know. On a daily basis I reflect on the fact that she is raising Nicolas on her own, granted she gets a lot of help, but at the end of the day, she's the one putting him to bed and reading bedtime stories. None of this is easy and there are times when it's overwhelming, but again she gets through it all and remains the strong mujer I have always known. Watching Nicolas grow up has been the biggest blessing, sometimes I'm amazed at how much he is like his mother. Seeing his silly moments, as well as tender ones, reminds me of Chio when she was little. Although I cherish every moment, I anticipate Nico in his adulthood, I KNOW he will be an amazing man because he was rasied by an amazing woman.

Chio will be receiving her teaching credential soon and I know that the second she steps into her own classroom she will have found her nitch. She is a natural with children. Any person, especially a child, who comes in contact with her is left with a great sense of love and caring. I look forward to the day that I have children of my own so that they can experience "Tia Chio".

God has blessed me with my little sis Chio, for this I will forever be grateful...love you sis!

Obama @ Garfield

Obama visited Garfield a year ago when he was first starting his campaign. I took these pictures (and about 200 more) from the second row.

Hope (a week later)

What an exciting time to be a History teacher (or as my girls like to say "Herstory")!!! The events of the last week will NEVER be forgotten, it's like Pearl Harbor, the first time on the moon, the assassination of JFK, or 911...you will always remember what you were doing when OBAMA became president. I had my students write about it so that they could document history in the making. They did so using my favorite political cartoonist, Lalo Alcaraz's most recent cartoon. They loved it!

On election night I was working the polls against Prop. 8. I stood out in the cold for 3.5 hours passing out pamphlets and encouraging people to vote NO. My phone ended up dying during the process so I wasn't receiving any updates. As soon as the polls closed I got into my car and turned on the radio (and the heater)...I had to pull the car over because as soon as I heard that Obama won I started sobbing uncontrollably. I immediately called my mom and she answered the phone screaming, "We did it! We did it!" It was such an emotional night. I drove over to Clara's and celebrated with her, the baby and Christina. It was there that we found out that Prop 8 was winning...my joy turned to sadness.
The next day was bittersweet. I was SO excited about Obama, but also really upset about Prop 8. How could we have made such a huge step forward and taken like 10 steps back?! I thought about the three happy couples that I witnessed get married over the last month and wondered how they felt. I also thought about gay couples who were looking forward to getting married. I was glad to see that people weren't going to give up that easily and was proud to see so many people on the streets protesting. I know that we will prevail, it's just going to take a little longer.

In the meantime I will be happy about Obama and HOPE that things will change. Si Se Pudo!!!