Mondays suck 

Monday, February 28, 2011 - Posted by Intellectual Elegance at 12:42 PM


I was only a morning person once. That was a long, long, long time ago when I was in high school. Back then I would actually wake up around 5:30am to do my hair. Yes, just my hair, well and sometimes to take my grandma to her dialysis center or to make her breakfast. ;) But my hair was a big deal. Now, I am lucky if I comb my hair as I swish past the bathroom at 8:30am to catch my 9am ferry. Yes, Mondays suck.

This morning however, we had an unpleasant surprise as I randomly woke up at 5:40am because I smelled something too familiar. I got up and saw siren lights outside and realized they were in front of my building. I hopped out of bed, half asleep half scared, and saw smoke in the apartment and I knew what that awful smell was. It was burnt plastic! I knew it wasn't coming from our apartment and I heard a shuffling in the hallway so I grabbed my robe and did what the fire marshalls taught me in 5th grade. I touched the door knob to see if a fire was outside my door, then I peeked through the peek hole to look at whoever was standing outside the door. Once I realized the door knob was cold, I opened my door and saw New York's City's Finest, and I mean finest. He was hunky and cute. He was staring back at Denver's sleepiest with dry drool on my cheek and my hair looking a hot mess. Great. I asked him if we had to leave the building and he said, "No ma'am, just close the door, don't open windows and stay inside. Go back to bed." I blinked once or twice and stared at him for what seemed like forever because I kept thinking that this is one of those weird dreams of mine. So I answered back, "Are you sure? I see smoke!" He laughed and explained that there was some kind of oil burning in the boiler/heating pipes, I'm not sure, I zoned out half way through. But he did finally say, "You have nothing to worry about, you can go back in." I looked at him again and said, "how do I know if there's a fire below me and you can't come knock on the door to get us out, then what?" He lauged again and said, "that's why you have smoke detectors and fire escapes." Apparently that solved my problem because all I could say was goodnight and goodluck.

By the time I woke up for work, the smoke had cleared but it still stunk like burnt plastic. They turned the hot water boiler off so I didn't get to shower and now I feel stinky. I also placed my yoga materials at the door so I wouldn't forget to take it, and as soon as I got on the subway, I realized I forgot it. damn.

On top of that, I have been informed that I have to take a break from work for one week due to the bureaucracy of DC in hiring me on time. A break is fine with me, but I'm worried they won't call me back next week, lol. I know they will, but still, the way things are going, nothing is ever certain with the Feds.

On a brighter note, I won a $345 Bar scholarship! It's not alot but any little bit helps! :) I am quite proud of my little scholarship. On top of this, we are getting closer to the show that I am participating with my darling friend Yadira de la Riva. We are collaborating with an organization called Af3irm for an event on the 18th of March. This is our flier for the event. It should be a lot of fun.

This weekend I also attended a workshop by the Youth Leadership Council in New York, and I was excited to attend as it was a training around the DREAM Act, but left disappointed as I realized that I am getting too old for some of this and because I didn't really feel welcomed in that particular space. One of the facilitators was especially rude, and it frustrated me a bit, I also wasn't feeling particularly well, so I left early. I did however get to speak to a few DREAMERS (DREAM Activists) from New Jersey and New York. They never cease to amaze me and it provided me with the proper direction I needed for a project. I don't want to share it with you yet until I finalize some more details about it, but just know this, it is exciting and hopefully it will be brilliant. The hubs and I are collaborating on it, because let's face it, his digital and creative skills are a bit superior to mine! ha! Well, digitally at least.

Have a great week everyone! Spring is around the corner!

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Good News! 

Friday, February 25, 2011 - Posted by Intellectual Elegance at 8:05 AM


I have been hired on as an emergency hire out of Washington, D.C! I will have a job for the next 60 days and after that... well, I'll figure that part out as we go. By then studying for the bar will commence and life as we know it, will cease to exist for me.

This puts me at great ease as the last couple of weeks have been stressful and difficult on me and on my body (barely realizing that I am internalizing my stress!). I am excited to be able to keep working on the Museum project and I am super excited to be working out of D.C.!

Bad news is that I lose my benefits but I have a 31 day grace period that starts Monday! So, I need to go to the Dentist and eye doctor before then! ha! I also had to visit the doctor this week because my stomach problems came back and I decided to see a specialist to see if the h.pylori bacteria decided to never leave or if it's something else. I spent the last couple of days nauseus, with stomach aches and throwing up, and NO I am not pregnant. :) I am confident we will get to the root of the problem but I hate taking stomach meds because they jack my stomach up for a little bit and it takes my body a little bit of time to recover. I also realized (just now) that I am super duper exhausted. I also hate all the tests they are making me do, which are NOT glamorous or pretty in any sense of the word. Let's just say that stool samples are gross, but a necessary evil.
All in all, this has worked out perfectly. The hubs and I are trying to find a health insurance option for us after March and I've been told that NYC is suprisingly affordable because of all their amazing free/community clinics. :)

I am really tired and have a long day ahead of me still, I have to volunteer as a translator tonight at 5pm for KIND, allllll the way out in Brooklyn, and right now, I don't even know how I am going to muster up the strength to make it past 2! But, on the upside, it rained all morning, heavy rain that required my super Hunter Yellow boots. I love them. They make me feel great for some reason. I would highly recommend a pair to anyone who loves to conquer rain puddles.

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I Stand With Planned Parenthood 

Friday, February 18, 2011 - Posted by Intellectual Elegance at 9:11 PM

Did you hear? The House voted to bar Planned Parenthood from federal funding. They cut funding for HIV tests, cancer screenings, birth control, and more, putting millions of women and families at risk. We can't let it go unanswered. It's time for you and me to stand with Planned Parenthood. Sign the open letter to the reps who voted for this bill — and to the senators who still have a chance to stop it.
http://www.ppaction.org/IStandWithPP

Please, please take a moment to support Planned Parenthood. This is yet another blow to our communities!

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Sasnor Awards 3 

Thursday, February 17, 2011 - Posted by Intellectual Elegance at 7:32 AM
I realized that the last time I posted my Sasnor Food awards was in December. My apologies to any of the Denver folks waiting to get their grub on. Here are two more yummy places that always hit the spot!

Thai Food: Thai House
8025 Sheridan Blvd.
Unit Q
Arvada, CO 80003
303-430-8424

This place is a small hole in the wall on a shopping strip, but it used to be a larger restaurant and had to move when Walmart bought out the land and the lease.

I've been to Thailand and know "real" Thai food. This is the best Thai food you can find in Colorado, hands down. They have amazing pad thai, chicken satay and a delicious dish called "tasty chicken" that is absolutely scrumptious! They are very down to earth and humble folks and always serve very large portions of the dishes. You wouldn't guess that they are better than Tommy's Thai in Denver, but this place is wonderful. Don't get fooled by it's humble appearance next to the Subway and Papa Johns.

Also, don't get me wrong, I think Tommy's Thai is delicious, but they turned super chic and their food portions dropped drastically as their food price increased. Boo. But check them out too along Colfax.

Japanese Teriyaki: Happy Teriyaki

Happy Teriyaki #4
2495 S. Havana St.
Aurora, CO 80014
303-750-7085

Oh Happy Teriyaki- I miss you so.

This is another restaurant that is located in shopping strip. It's a bit hard to find but once you do, you'll be back every time! This is another mom and pop operation with a great staff and amazing food! The restaurant also offers many Korean dishes as the owners were Koreans raised in Japan. Their bulgogi is good, but if you are looking for good Korean, you'd be better off going to a Korean restaurant. But again, their Korean is yummy!


I love their Spicy Chicken with rice and salad dish. The chicken is mean and lean with the perfect amount of spice and their teriyaki sauce is sweet but not overly sweet. They have amazing sesame chicken that is not your regular type of sesame chicken. This one is a very sweet and super crunchy dish that I often order as a side dish/appetizer. The hubs loves the short ribs dinner and I also love their tempura! You really can't go wrong here, everything is delicious and the host is always so gracious and they always remember the regulars that come in and often give you little "rewards" for returning! They are always excited to see you and the staff makes it feel like home.

Bon Appetit!

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Lesson Learned 

Posted by Intellectual Elegance at 7:09 AM
I mentioned earlier this week that I had a fabulous weekend.

What I forgot to mention is that I learned a very important lesson, one that I will surely not forget.

In New York, I wear my boots almost every day. Since it's cold and I hate wearing heels in the city, I wear an assortment of fabulous boots. They range in color and in awesomeness. (I also know that I do not need to ever buy any more boots.) Well, in order to wear my boots, I have to wear socks. But not just any socks, I need to wear women's trouser socks that are higher up in the calf so my legs don't touch the boot. Nobody likes to walk around with their leg sweating in their boots, at least I don't, so I wear high socks. Well, my socks seem to be a bit worn because I wear them so often and because I only have about 4 pair of my "boot" socks that I just wash and wear every week.

I noticed this weekened that all of my boot socks had a hole or were beginning to get worn right where my big toe is. Apparently I have a massive torpedo big toe (which some might argue I do) or I need to get better socks. I picked up a pair and wore them anyway with my favorite brazilian cowboy boots and I went along with my busy day. First of all, it's not very comfortable to wear socks where a toe is peeping out because I felt that my big toe and it's companion next to it, were peeping out strangling each other and making it sweaty. Gross, I know. But I figured it was all a matter of readjustment and still carried forth.

Well, I got home later that evening and had little time to change or do anything before we headed out to a Soup Dinner Party in Brooklyn with some friends. For a split second, I thought to myself, "Oh my goodness, WHAT IF it's one of those places where they may you take your shoes off?!" Then I snapped out of it and realized that only Colorado people do that because in New York, your shoes would get stolen and people have no room to leave them piled indoors. So that moment of panic was done and we left.

We arrived at the party and rang the bell. A guy comes out and welcomes us then tells us to please take off our shoes and leave them in the outside hallway! My heart dropped, my toes curled, as they realized that their secret would soon be exposed to the world! This was my worst fear of the day! I mean, who does that still? It's New York! Everything is dirty! I panicked for a moment as I told the hubs that my socks were holey! He laughed out loud and said, "Oh well, I told you!" I quickly thought about ways of going around it, perhaps borrowing socks from the host? No- that would be like borrowing underwear, you just don't do it if you don't know them super well. Barefoot? No- that's worse than holy socks and it's gross in other people's homes. Pull the sock down a bit? Maybe! So I pulled the fabric down and curled my toes down a bit so no one would see my tootsies.


Needless to say, the place was so crowded that I don't think anyone noticed. Except for this one moment, I caught a guy staring at my feet with a weird look in his face to which I exclaimed, "Yeah, they're holy! Sorry, I'm so embarrased!" to which he replied, "Huh? Oh no, I just wanted the bottle of Carlo Rossi underneath your chair!" Great.

So I learned my lesson. Our mothers were right when they told us to never leave the house with holy socks or without a good pair of underwear on. I will be buying some socks this weekend and getting rid of those other holy pairs. :)

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Gratitude 

Sunday, February 13, 2011 - Posted by Intellectual Elegance at 8:48 PM

(This is me on the ferry with my winter coat)

This was a great weekend.

I received some much needed rest, checked in with some amazing people out here who I am pretty sure I can now call friends, and made some more connections for future projects.

All in all, it was a great weekend.

I was also in D.C. for the first time on Thursday and Friday and I had a great time meeting with the NMAL Commissioners! I didn't get to visit D.C. or spend time with friends there, but I will return because there is so much to see and there is so much power and awesomness there. I loved it.

All in all, I am grateful that I got to attend their meeting and it reminded me of where I'd like to be someday because these commissioners are amazing and I am just so grateful to know them and be a part of such a historical project. Keep your eyes out for this project because we are in full swing!

It's been a busy but a good week and I think I am slowly starting to fall in love more and more with the city. Opportunities exist, but you have to seek them, create them and work hard for them. Hard work pays off and I am glad to be here because although it may seem difficult to connect at first, eventually it works out and the connections are made. I've learned thus far that it is all about relationships out here. I have to nurture them now more than ever and I think that is good because I'm a natural nurturer. And this is true not just in the legal community but in the artist community as well.

So, good things are coming, I hope. At least, I am working hard to try and make them happen.

I will say that on Thursday afternoon I received a call from Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen and Loewy, LLP. They are the leading international immigration law firm in the world! I applied to be a paralegal when I thought I was losing my job and I received a call back because of my J.D. They had a special project and were setting my resume aside for others to review to see if I was eligible for the project. I didn't hear back from them so I called and they informed me that they had already picked a staff member for that specific project. I was sad but not discouraged because I was happy to just get considered. Fragomen is a prestigious firm so I was excited. Well, on Thursday, they called to set up an interview for an Associate Attorney position, but when they found out I wasn't licensed yet, they had to cancel the interview. Usually this would be sad and I'd hate them and probably go out a tub of ice cream or something, but the HR specialist informed me that they were interested in me and would keep my resume and call back after the bar results. He also told me to keep him informed of any changes because they'd probably be calling me back! That message alone was good enough for me! If Fragomen was interested then I have done a good job!

Have a great week everyone!


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Options received.... 

Monday, February 7, 2011 - Posted by Intellectual Elegance at 8:28 PM
Finally home and feeling rested and calm.

Funny enough, I received news as to what might happen with my work position. It wasn't exactly what I wanted to hear, but I had prepared myself (mostly) for good or bad news, I just don't think it was good timing.

I was walking through airport security in San Juan when I noticed I had a voicemail from NPS in Denver. I immediately listened and realized that I had missed a call from BJ, my Chief Branch manager (boss) in Denver. She was asking me to call her asap to go over some options. I immediately called her back and she said we'd need to schedule a conference call with my NPS supervisor in New York as well and we'd need to do it later in the day. I offered 4:30pm because I knew I'd be out of my flight and on the ground by then, but she pushed it to 4:45, damn! I graciously agreed and for the next 5 hours I couldn't sleep, think or do anything! I kept running every scenario over in my head and even reminded myself that the cards had been dealt and I needed to just be patient.

I landed at 3:55pm and as soon as I got service on my phone, I saw a text message from my project manager in Puerto Rico saying, "I just talked to BJ, I am so bummed, are you ok?" This was problematic for many on so many different levels, please don't get me started, but it confirmed my worst fear. My position is terminated. Even though I had prepared myself for this moment, it wasn't how I figured it would happen. I especially didn't think it would happen through text! But, my eyes welled up with tears and I got that lump in your throat that you get before you want to cry. Sad thing is that I was standing in the middle of an airplane aisle waiting to exit. I couldn't hold a few tears back so I let them out and hid them with my scarf. I took in some deep breaths and moved off of the plane as soon as I possibly could. I walked off and realized that there were more tears to come and I better let them out now instead of a phone call with my directors! ha! So I found a hidden corner at JFK Airport and just cried for a good 2-3 minutes, silently, so that no one would think I was a terrorist or a psycho. Then, I gained my composure, cleaned myself up in the bathroom and went about my way.

I called the hubs to tell him what was probably going to happen and to inform him that I was alright and very eager to come home. I looked at my clock, damn it's only 4:15. I picked up my luggage and waited for my taxi. By the time I got in the taxi it was 4:35 and I knew the next ten minutes would be the slowest ten minutes of my life! Finally, at 4:45 I call in. I talk to BJ about how great Puerto Rico went and she told me she was so excited and couldn't wait to find out more! When Patti joined the call we immediately got down to business.

Unfortunately, they were not able to find a position where I could non-compete, meaning just transfer up, so it left them with a fewer options. First option is to try to stay on as a contractor (no benefits) , second option is to compete for a temporary position (until Sept with benefits), third option is to check out a position at Manhattan sites (with benefits but lower grade, about 10,000 pay cut), fourth option is to possibly check out a position with one more superintendent in NYC. I think there is also the fifth option that none of these options work out, which is also fine. I quickly realized just how hard they are working to try and keep me to stay on and they praise and appreciate the work that I have done up until now, which they said is the reason they are trying so hard. That alone I can appreciate tremendously and I am so thankful to be working for them and that they are truly advocating for me like no other employer has before.

So what does all this mean? I will be submitting my resume. I can't give more details because it's a bit confidential. But I am ok. I cried because I needed to get it out. I reminded myself that I had prepared myself for this, the hubs and I had talked about all our options and we decided what we would do. It sounds crazy but with his support I feel like I can take on anything.

It should be an interesting couple of weeks and I'll keep you informed. On another note, yesterday I got the chance to cook with the lovely and talented Gabrielle Marie Lopez from gabriela's kitchen! We made delicious cheeseburger sliders, chicken sloppy joe sliders, apricot-jalapeno baked brie and fruit pizza! :) It was absolutely delicious and we had a blast! It was a great little super bowl party. Although I did miss our usual Vegas trip!

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Color Esperanza 

Thursday, February 3, 2011 - Posted by Intellectual Elegance at 8:18 PM


My week in Puerto Rico is coming to a close and I am happy to go home but sad to leave the island. ;( I thought I didn't like Puerto Rico, but I think I was wrong... I do. It was good to take a vacation from myself and from the cold! :) I say from myself because I've been in my head so much these past couple of weeks and it felt good to just "be."

I don't usually toot my own horn, but I did a phenomenal job this week on both of my all Spanish presentations. I mean, really knocked it out of the park. All my interviews, questions, tours, presentations, etc! I think I am actually leaving with a Puerto Rican accent too! (Or so I've been told!)

It felt great after I presented and it reminded me of what a hard worker I truly am and that it will get me far and I will be fine. I realized that I am asset to my work, they appreciate me and know that I am a hard worker and worth their time. I think I was just feeling so down and out, that I let it all get to me. I also realized that I am very grateful for my legal training, and I learned that in reality, I am an attorney by training. I received many compliments on my professionalism, my presentations skills, and poise. I also received comments that I was a very nice person, and I think that truly made a difference here in Puerto Rico and in this project. Yes, I might be from a federal agency, but I don't look or feel threatening. :) It works.

Every time I come to Puerto Rico, I learn something about myself and I go home with a clear heart and mind. The last time I was here I realized that Armando needed to move to New York and if not now, then when and we made it happen. So here I am again, going home enlightened and ready to move forward and keep working hard. If nothing comes of my "career" with the Federal Government then it is ok because I have a skill set that is valuable and desired. :) I will be fine, life will move forward and I have to stop being so hard on myself. Yes, it's fine to have expectations, but I also need to relax and cut myself some slack. It's ok to have setbacks, I will not always win, but I will continue to get up as I always do. One of my strengths is that I find opportunities everywhere and I am ready to go back to NYC and do just that. I am not ready for the cold, but I am ready to go back, keep moving forward and go home to my husband. :)

Puerto Rico, you were fantastic- encantada.

p.s. I love this song, it reminds me to have strength.

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Beautiful San Juan... 

Tuesday, February 1, 2011 - Posted by Intellectual Elegance at 7:59 PM


This sounds a bit ridiculous but I forgot how much I love warm weather! I am in the beautiful and sunny (and humid!!) Viejo, San Juan, Puerto Rico! I am staying at the beautiful (hopefully haunted) El Convento. This place is amazing and gorgeous and the type of place I would probably never stay in because it's probably too expensive. I am here for work, so we get the government rate, but still, at $195 a night, I think it's expensive!

I am here conducting a public presentation on our project to possible include Fort San Geronimo as part of the San Juan National Historic Site. The fortifications of El Morro and El Castillo San Cristobal are currently part of the SJNH and I love being at the fortifications! (They filmed part of the latest Pirates of the Carribean at San Cristobal.) If this is the last trip I ever take with the National Park Service then I will be perfectly happy. I love that work pays me to be here. :) These are the times that will make me miss this job when it's over. Still no word from the Director, but at least my hard work will allow me to go out with a bang!

I've been nervous for the past two weeks in preparation for our meetings because our project team really depends on me to be able to present our project, completely in Spanish to a very vocal and passionate Puertorican crowd. On top of that, I have spent the last two days conducting media blitz on PR new stations, radio stations, and talk shows! Yesterday I did an interview for a project that is like Puertorican Goodmorning America" show, and tomorrow night I will be presenting on another talk show but this one will be live! I'm excited but nervous, especially because I present with some glamizon women and sometimes they are so pretty that I stare at their prettyness. :) HA! More than anything I get nervous because I hate speaking for a long time, it's live and the show is one hour, but I think we are only there for about 10 minutes. That's still too long for me.

Anyways- back to the project, we have one more presentation Thursday and then I head home Friday morning. I am not excited about going home, but happy that these presentations are done because they make me nervous. The project is a bit controversial as well, and I don't know how the park is going to handle it. If I remain here then I feel that I can help them, but if not, I'll still let them know what might be a good approach to handle the controversy. The main thing on the island is that some folks think that we, a federal agency, the National Park service, is coming in to take away their historical sites/properties. In reality, that couldn't be farther from the truth, but I understand their thoughts and the past issues they've encountered in dealing with the taking of public land for commercial use.

I'll say one last thing and then I'll stop talking about project stuff, but one thing that I hate about traveling with a work group is the eating schedules! We have long days and eat nothing!! I made sure to eat breakfast this morning (8am) because I knew it would be a ridiculously long day. We had lunch at 1pm, then after the presentation at 8pm, the group decided they were hungry! I thought, "Fantastic! I'm starving!" Then, I thought of all the amazing things I could eat, shrimp, flank steak with chimichurri sauce, etc. Well, we went to one of my favorite restaurants here, and of course I eyed the steak options, and then these words rung out from the table, "Is anyone really going to get a dinner option? or something small?" And from that point on, I knew what they were talking about. They were "white people" hungry, which meant they would order an appetizer and a salad and be absolutely stuffed. They weren't "Jazmin hungry!" So, again, for the second night in a row, I am going to bed hungry because all I ate for dinner was an appetizer and some water!!! DAMNIT!! Yesterday we went to the hotel "Tapas" bar and I hate tapas because they are teeny tiny plates that you have to share with people. I don't like sharing, but if I must, then I do it, but otherwise, I don't like to. Tonight, I even thought about walking to a Wendys around the corner to grab some chicken nuggets or a baked potato, or something! But nope, they had to be closed!! I've even thought about going to the restaurant here and ordering bread with butter because I'm starving! But I'm ok, I have water.

Needless to say, I am looking forward to breakfast and will now go to sleep. :)

Have a great week folks! Stay warm!

p.s. I hate that the hubs is not here with me, because he would love it and he desperately needs a tropical vacation. I miss him. a lot. I'm a sap.

p.p.s. I think i am in love with cheese right now. Soft cheese, hard cheese, delicious cheese.

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