Cody’s Baptism! August 12, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Family, Lifestyle, Religion.2 comments
This past weekend was a total time warp for me. Even though I had just visited Virginia Beach during the 4th of July weekend, this past weekend was more emotional and memorable.
First, I stayed at Brenda’s parent’s house – a house I pretty much grew up in until I left for college. They had made some changes to the house, but for the most part everything was still the same. As I walked through different rooms, I would remember different memories from being a kid. HEAD TRIP!
Then, Brenda and I took Cody to see Brother Damian (Alex) and his mom at their house down the street. We lost Cody for about 10 minutes as he was being passed around a hoard of Filipinos! Too cute. We got a hot tip that Joy was in town this past weekend to help her parents pack up the house they just sold. We showed up in the middle of the chaos for a mini-reunion. Joy hadn’t seen Brenda or Damian in a long time, and hadn’t met Cody yet. It was great to chit chat and catch up.
The day of the baptism brought another trip down memory lane when we showed up at the church where I used to spend every Sunday. Of course, for Brenda’s sake I went through the motions of Baptism rituals. But I have to say that I was really weirded out. In the middle of the mass, it started to downpour outside and the lights started to flicker inside the church. I swear it was because I was in the house. hehe.
CLICK ON ANY PICS TO MAKE THEM BIGGER!
Okay, my baby’s baptized. Now it’s time for mama to relax!
Goofing off, chilling out and appreciating what you’ve got. August 1, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Environment, Family, Lifestyle, Sociology, Travel.2 comments
When I started my travel journey this summer, I knew that at the end of it I would have to eventually find a place to land for awhile. For the most part, I was going to let it be revealed to me by paying attention to signs and symbols. You know, not trying to control it. In the back of my mind though, I secretly knew that I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I decided to just re-plot myself in a place where I’d lived before. While I’ve been spending time in New Hampshire, I’ve discovered a place like none other I’ve lived, or maybe have even visited.
Most notable about my time here is the sense of community and family I’ve felt a part of, especially in just a few short weeks. I hadn’t consciously realized it, but suddenly I was a aware that what I’ve really been searching for is a community to belong in. I get that here. And it’s in abundance.
So, I’m going to ride this wave for awhile and see what happens. Yay!
CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO MAKE IT BIGGER!
Fun Friday night house party. Brenda was in rare form!
She is going off about something here. Apparently really funny.
Reunited with her son at the end of the night. “Wait kid, I need me some brownies”
I spent the next day out on this boat. This is the Blackwater River. So beautiful!
CAUTION: The following is a random selection of photos taken among the not so sober.
We take no responsibility for the way we look or behave 
Kelsey and Tyler – a pair of really good people.
Oh, boys and their wrestling. Here is Mike with his brother Matt. At first it looked like Matt, the younger brother, was going to win it.
But then, Mike ended it all in one swoop. haha!
This was the billiard room I woke up in the next morning. This view is from the couch I slept on.
It really was a beautiful room.
A couple of nights later, I went on a 2.25 mile hike and ended up at the base of a water tower. I climbed the water tower, and got some of these views of the Concord area at sunset.
76 very steep and narrow steps up the water tower. But totally worth it
Finding a more natural (and healthier) routine July 23, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Environment, Health and Well-Being, Lifestyle, Theories and Thoughts.2 comments
(image courtesy of crytalinks.com)
Even if my stay in one place is no more than four or five days, I’m finding that I will develop a routine in some way. What I’ve enjoyed most about being on vacation is not having to get up at a certain time every day. I feel like I can take my time getting up. No one is expecting me to do anything. It feels great.
During this freedom with my time, I’ve discovered my own natural biorhythm. I feel like I’m listening better to what my body is saying to me. I wake up late and go to sleep late. It’s natural.
I’ve diagnosed my problem with mainstream working America and it’s that I don’t fit into its schedule.
I let my body sleep as long as it needs. I stretch and walk, and have been doing a little hiking up here in New Hampshire too. When I want to write something, I write it. I don’t try to compartmentalize the things I want to do into time slots. I just do things when I think about it.
I think it would be better for me, and for the people around me, if my time wasn’t controlled by someone else. Now, I just have to figure out how to do that successfully. Suggestions?
A career-path or a just a hobby? July 18, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Health and Well-Being, Lifestyle, Millennials, Theories and Thoughts.4 comments
Growing up American, I’ve definitely felt the pressures to live “the dream.” From the age of about 19, however, I realized that this “dream” really is a crock of shiz. I began to notice early on that the people who worked ridiculously long hours, sacrificed their family ties, and who started to rack up clothes in their closets they didn’t even realize they had, not only seemed unhappy, but also really c-r-a-z-y!
And now, eight years later, my opinion about this hasn’t changed at all. And I’m glad.
Having said this, though, I am encountering hurdles when it comes to deciding exactly what I want to do as my contribution to the world. I have read many new-age books that stress the importance of the laws of attraction, and that life and its purpose will be revealed to me. Basically, I shouldn’t try to control my destiny. I believe all of this to a point, and feel that it explains why people who do try to control their destiny are so unhappy. But there are still parts about the concept I struggle with.
So far, what has been revealed to me in this life is that I’m very good at one thing: dancing. I’ve also discovered that I have a passion for writing and expressing myself. For me, these two activities have always been more about escape and release. But, if the universe has given me these skills does that mean I’ve been given an assignment of some sort?
My dilemma is that I’m afraid that if I turn my hobbies into my career, I will start to dislike them. By not doing what I’m good at, though, am I throwing away what I’m really supposed to contribute to the world?
Hmmmm.
I want to be a baby again. July 17, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Lifestyle, Theories and Thoughts.4 comments
CODY ALEXANDER TUCKER
Hanging out with a six month old has been really interesting and fun. I find myself watching him constantly, trying to figure out what he’s thinking. I’m interested in what excites him and what catches his attention. I’m jealous of the time he gets to sleep and how many times a day he eats. I’m also jealous of the things he doesn’t know because he doesn’t have any responsibility.
I don’t want the responsibility of figuring out my life right now. I’m still stumbling through the idea of reconciling the cynic and the optimist and how knowledge affects both. Today, I want a mind devoid of knowledge. I want to be a baby again. Hmmph!
On Cable July 10, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Arts & Entertainment, Lifestyle, Sociology.2 comments
(photo courtesy of wykc.com)
So, I’ve spent the better part of my last four days in a state of hyper-mediation. That is, my eyes have been stuck in one position – straight on the boob-tube.
I haven’t had cable in the last five years, and now I’ve come to realize how surprisingly inept I’ve been with regard to cable technology. Terms like DVR, TIVO, and HD were never part of my vocabulary, but now I find them rolling off my tongue so easily. HELP ME!!
Even though I know it’s supposed to ease the channel-surfing tendency, the “Guide” button causes me more stress than I think it should. Within 30 seconds I can see a complete list of movies and programs that all sound good to me! So now I’ve started memorizing channel numbers (not just 100 numbers either, more like 500!), and then I utilize the “Last” button during commercial breaks.
The whole thing is seriously ridiculous. Granted, I don’t really have anything to do, or anyone to answer to, and maybe I should embrace my free time by catching up on every BRAVO marathon there is, but I still can’t help feel my brain slipping. I have three books I want to read, and every time I get the urge to pick one up I find myself saying, “Hmm, maybe a new episode of Shear Genius is on.” AAAHHHH!
Alas, I don’t think I’ll be getting cable once I settle into my own space this Fall. Maybe there are some people out there who can balance cable with reading, exercising and work. I can honestly say that I am not one of them.
A hot new blog! July 4, 2008
Posted by NettyD in From the blogger, Millennials, Philosophy, Religion.add a comment
My dear friend Alex, who now goes by Brother Damian, has a new blog about his life as a monk! He is a novice-monk of the Missionary Benedictine monastery of Christ the King Priory in Schuyler, Nebraska. He’s just starting it up, but I know for a fact that this will be a great blog to keep up with!
Check it out at www.nebraskamonk.wordpress.com Or click on the link under my Blogroll to the right. Enjoy!
Glimpses of the tribe June 30, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Family, Lifestyle, Sociology.2 comments
Growing up in a Cuban family, I’ve experienced all of the identifying characteristics of the culture: traveling in packs, four+ people speaking at the same time, eating lots of heavy food as late in the day as possible, and tons of gossip about each member of the family (present or not).
What makes me the most proud of Cubans, however, is our passion. The same passion that reveals itself when normal people discuss politics comes at the same intensity when Cubans discuss something like buying a pair of shoes. When my non-Cuban friends tell me that I need to tone it down after getting worked up about something small, I always chalk it up to my genes. Still, I could not be more proud to come from a place that cares deeply about everything rather than not having an opinion at all.
Here are some shots from my weekend with my Dad’s side of the family.
CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO MAKE IT BIGGER
My dad and his sister, my Tia Rose. She’s stoked about learning the treadmill.
With Dad and brother Andrew.
With grandma Lucy. Notice how we’re all looking at different cameras. Even in the digital age, when pictures can be copied and sent easily, Cubans still engage in photo shoots that would make even Annie Liebovitz jealous.
Tia Rose with her daughter Yvonne (my cousin and godmother) and her grandkid Stephanie (my cousin and goddaughter).
Bro and I at a pub in JAX Beach
Andrew and Cousin Matt at JAX Beach. Fun times!
Andrew and Dad’s dog, Zeus.
Krystal Burger June 27, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Lifestyle, Sociology.2 comments
(Image courtesy of krystallist.com)
Today I experienced a staple of the fast food scene in the Southeast-Krystal Burger.
The chain was originally founded in 1932 in Chatanooga, TN. The gimmick is basically to serve really tiny burgers on really tiny buns. They do it now with chicken too. Many of you in the Northeast may be familiar with White Castle burgers. The two chains seem to have a North vs. South rivalry going on, even though I’m not sure if White Castle really exists anymore.
I got a classic combo which included four tiny burgers, fries and a drink. The branch we were in had Wi-Fi access too. Such a trip. Apparently, Krystal Burger is a late-night hangout-a magnet for drunk people who need cheap grub.
Not sure if I would eat it again, but I’m glad I at least tried a piece of pop culture.
Reconciling the optimist and the cynic within us all. June 23, 2008
Posted by NettyD in From the blogger, Lifestyle, Theories and Thoughts.3 comments
I’ve had many parents tell me over the years that one of the heaviest burdens they have in parenting their children is the need to protect them from sadness and pain. They want to prolong the feeling of despair or anguish. While this is understandable, it’s pretty much a waste of energy, no?
We all recognize that the characteristic separating us as humans from the rest of the world’s organisms is our awareness of emotion and memory. And I’m sure this is why the older we get, and the more knowledge we obtain, the more cynical we tend to become. Staying optimistic becomes harder and eventually most people give in to one of the scariest concepts I’ve come to know – inevitability.
But it doesn’t have to be like this. Most people in our country, however, make the wrong choice in trying to take away their cynicism.
Have you ever met those types of people who are incredibly optimistic? The ones that make you feel kinda’ ill? In my personal experiences, most of these individuals are religious fundamentalists–mostly Western religious fundamentalists. Okay, I’ll say it -mostly they are Christians. Whenever I present a personal dilemma to these individuals, they usually respond by stating that my real problem is the lack of Christ in my heart. “If only you became a Christian Lynette, then you would be happier…”
Excuse me, but I beg to differ.
If stereotypes exist because of truth, then Catholics are alcoholics, Southern Baptists are racists, and Evangelicals are closeted pill poppers. And let’s not forget the child molesting preachers. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think any of these scenarios create anything close to optimism or happiness.
So really, what I think makes these individuals seem so happy isn’t really the acceptance of the Messiah into their hearts, but rather the choice to stop the flow of knowledge from entering into their brains. Basically, they believe that what they don’t know won’t hurt them. And if they do realize a truth that makes them uncomfortable, they just change it to make them feel better about the whole thing, i.e. The New Testament. The last thing they want to feel is cynicism, and they’ll prefer fantasy if it means avoiding it.
I am a strong proponent for imagination and creativity. But when it comes at a disadvantage to the betterment of the world, I firmly believe reality should prevail instead.
The correlation between knowledge and cynicism brings to mind the stark difference I see between faith and hope. People constantly use these two words incorrectly. Faith is the belief or devotion to somebody or something without logical proof. Hope, however, is to have a wish that something will happen or be true, especially something that seems possible or likely. I think our country, and our world, would be better off if we acted on hope, not faith.
With only 14% of the American population not identifying themselves as a member of any religion (Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2004-2005. U.S. Census Bureau), it’s no wonder our country is in total disarray. Without knowledge, we don’t understand the consequences of our actions. Namely I’m speaking about the total disregard of scientific fact in our society with regard to the environment, healthcare and even sociology.
The faithful are the real elite snobs in our society, replete with all their judgment and hypocrisy and total disrespect for the true nature of how the universe works. We cannot fight pain and suffering, or believe that we can remove it completely from our lives. (Especially if it means believing in a fictitious story.) Without it, we would not understand happiness. The whole universe runs on the principle of balance and contrasting ideas. Fighting this simple flow of energy causes nothing but unnecessary grief.
Having broken all of this down, I have come to the conclusion that knowledge does not have to lead to cynicism. Knowledge troubles us only if we do nothing with it. Resisting knowledge and not seeking it creates much more cynicism because, well, it’s just not natural. Soon enough “la-la land” becomes polluted with reality, and faith is destroyed anyway. Wouldn’t it be easier to just cut out the faith part and go straight for hard facts?
