The Fall Break that changed my mind.

Fall just got here. It's been here for a week but my family have been talking about fall break for over a month.

I've been to and through several states in the North, South, East and West of the US but I will be traveling farther west than ever this time. I'm going to Las Vegas, NV., then farther west to the Sequoia National Park in California because I want to see the giant trees. After that I'll be stopping at the Grand Canyon in Arizona on my way back.

I'll meet my family in Las Vegas since they are going to drive all the way there because they have more time than me so, I'll be flying one way there solo... several days later. Strange way to do things some might say but, that's the only way for now.

They will leave and drive all the way taking the time to stop here and there to see things, I hope. Even though it is a long drive and I have done it all the way to El Paso, TX and back to TN several times, and I'm not too excited about it because again,  I've seen it to many times, this time I'd like to do it.

I must admit that things changed dramatically a month ago or so when I found out my youngest brother was diagnosed with cancer.

As of two days ago even while purchasing the airline ticket, I was reluctant to go. Maybe because of the fact that I have several projects at home that need to be done, really unimportant things that can and will wait.

What opened my eyes was talking to my sister who lives in Mexico. What she said to me really hit me. She told me my youngest brother had told her how the diagnose change his perception of and for life. How he thought about the things he had been putting off because of work or because of the dumbest reasons.

Up until that moment I've seen life differently, but now, I'm eager to go and see and do things I haven't done. I want to spend time with my family and enjoy as much as I can while I'm able to, and be grateful for it.

I know at times we disagree but who doesn't. So... I'm blessed in many ways and way more than I deserve to.

Now I understand the meaning of living for today.

I hope you read this, get something good out of it and share it.

Until next time... I'll see you around.

VB

What I like comes with it.

Some people like to paint, draw, write (me), etc.

I'm going to be honest, I like speed... a lot.  And what comes with the territory?... injuries.

I know speeding is a bad thing to do but I just like it. It is in me, badly! Driving down the Interstate sometimes I catch myself easily going 10 miles above the speed limit... OFTEN!

Stop, don't be so fast to judge me, most of us are guilty of that.

Why you might ask? truly I have no valid answer other than just to get where I might be going as quickly as I can.

Why you might ask? again I have no valid answer.

I consider myself a pretty decent, safe driver; faster than I should driver, but safe nonetheless.

But even with all the precautions accidents will happen. (not talking about me, thank God) I'm talking about a friend of mine.

You see, we race go carts. Personally I don't do it, but we have an amateur team and it is a weekend thing so long as the weather allows it.

Yesterday we went to www.beavercreekspeedway.us  One of our guys wrecked and got injured. He ended up sore all over and with two broken ribs. Of course we take all the necessary precautions; gloves, jacket, helmet... etc.

You would think, it's just a go cart, right? yes it is just a go cart, but he was going 60 mph. So yeah, it was pretty bad.

And here you can get a bit more info about the sport www.beavercreekspeedway.com

I've seen awful wrecks on the interstate, and I know as much as I drive, because we drive between TN to KY, AL, GA.,  it could happen to me mainly since I'm often driving a bit too fast, whether my personal vehicle or puling  a trailer full of racing equipment, which I've done a few times. I should slow down, but it is a bad habit and bad habits are hard to break.

Needles to say after what happened last night I will try my best to SLOW DOWN!

I know that when I get to where I'm going, the place I'm going to will be there waiting on me.

We all make promises about this and that, like not mixing any of the following with the wheel and speed:

-drinking
-texting
-putting make up on
-reading
-writing
-eating

...you name it the list is long. So I will try to do my best to get rid of that horrible habit. But the outcome it is not guaranteed... sorry... like many of us out there, I like speed.

Meanwhile I'll be doing one of my favorite things to do beside speed, writing.

I hope you read this, get something good out of it and share it.

Until next time... I'll see you around.

VB

To blog or not to blog... about racism.

That is the question!

It is hard to come up with a subject worthy of the readers attention. With so many bloggers out there, who is going to read yours? Your mom? Your neighbor?... maybe!

I often find myself debating on whether or not to even bother on writing anything, as there is not much I can or want to say.

But today I thought I would vent about racism. Don't worry, I'm going to keep it short and sweet.

What I find hard to believe is why we still have that ill feeling amongst us? Why can't we get just along? It is heartbreaking to hear people call names and snob at others because of race, color, etc...

About two days ago, I personally confronted a racist person who unfortunately for me is part of my own family (somehow). This particular person had the audacity to call me just to confirm if my daughter was dating a 'black guy'.

This person struggled to even find the right words to ask said question. For a moment I thought this 'bearer of ill feelings'  was going to give me some kind of bad news, and that was the reason for the struggle; but no, the 'problem' was as simple as the color of the skin.

Being Hispanic myself, I find it difficult to understand, maybe because I don't have the typical look and perhaps because of my family tree comes from Spain, somehow I look a bit more white than many of my fellow Hispanics.

This person asked me what I thought about it, and since I'm married to an Anglo Saxon, he also asked what my husband thought. (Now, my daughter is full blooded Latina... but that's another story).

I told this dear (somehow) relative of mine, that as many of us out there fortunately think, the color of the skin did not matter to me. What mattered was the substance of the person.

Needless to say, after I confidently voiced my opinion to this person the point of view miraculously changed and suddenly, this 'concerned relative' had an incoming phone call that needed to be attended... right.

The funny thing is that, one of this aforementioned  person's children is dating another undesired human being (according to the previous mentioned mentality)

I'm sorry but, since when does this poor excuse of a human being has a higher level to the rest of us? It sickens me to no end.

Why do we do it? What is so wrong with people from different races, cultures, you name it, to be accepted as the most normal thing in this world. Why is people so afraid of it?

What gives us the upper hand if we are 'white'? The fact that I grew up in a different country, with different views and beliefs gives me perhaps, a lack of understanding when it comes to this particular subject. Still, it gets old!

Enough! Lets get over it! It is time!

Okay, there it is. I've vented. I hope you find the time to read this, get something useful out of it and share it.

Until next time... I'll see you around.

VB