Four, Three, Two, One !!!

We say goodbye to 2008!

What a year that was!!! The lessons learned will live on in our hearts for sure. On a personal level, I'll miss my father dearly and will treasure his memory. But as life has it, our family was blessed with a new member. 2008 was also a year of milestones - five years producing Boston Latino Tv. I was fortunate to celebrate and expressed my gratitude to those that made it all possible.

I look forward to welcoming 2009 in harmony. On New Years I'll head down for some "calorcito de Puerto Rico." Later this month, I will join the thousands gathering at DC to celebrate the Presidential Inauguration. In February, I hope to celebrate another b-day and perhaps welcome another member to our now growing family. March, I bet will be pretty busy attending events. I hope to make it to the NALIP conference in April and in May, will celebrate six years with the show. June, July and August are always fun. September is my favorite month - beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month and the fall season. October and November promise to be full of surprises and in December, I won't miss the now annual tradition of attending El Jolgorio with my friends.

There is no way of knowing what 2009 has in store for us. We can just hope for the best and living in the moment.

Veteran's Day

Veteran's day has always been pretty special to me. You see, my father served in the armed forces as a Marine during the Korean War. I grew up hearing countless stories of his days as a soldier. This was a period that defined his life and how he related to the world. Though he didn't go to combat, he worked on planes that Marine fighter pilot Ted Williams flew during his jet refresher training in Cherry Point, NC (1952).

If my father were alive today, he would be receiving a veteran's/birthday card from me. His birthday was in November and I miss picking out cards for him and letting him know how much I appreciated his guidance growing up. My children did not have the fortune of growing up with a father. Though briefly, my father filled that role for them when we lived in Puerto Rico many years ago. They were able to know him and experience his protective care. Brian and Danielle continued to visit during summer breaks and they have fond memories of their abuelo - especially when they went to the corner store to eat ice cream with him.

It's because of my experience with my father that I have a special appreciation for fathers that stay involved in their children's lives. My parents eventually divorced when I was a teen, but he didn't divorce his five children. He was always there for us.

This past August, he passed away and at his funeral I came to discover that he was the "bachelor uncle" that took his brother's kids out and in some cases taught some how to drive. He stepped in during the time his brother was in active duty.

As we celebrate today our long lost heroes, I take this time to also acknowledge the hero in my life - Ernesto Gerena Alonzo.



Funeral de Ernesto Gerena from Digna on Vimeo.

Happy NEW YEAR!

I know it's not 2009 yet, but it does feel like a new day has come to America. As a Bostonian, it feels like the 2004 Red Sox Championship, the 2008 Celtics victory and the countless times the New England Patriots have won. It also has a little déjà vu in it too... This morning, I felt the same as in 2006, when we elected Deval Patrick as our governor. We have been blessed many, many times in the past few years. We had a lot to overcome, but we are headed in the right direction. I feel optimistic today, as you can see. Let's keep this sentiment of HOPE for a country united alive.

A friend sent me this text message this morning and it's worth sharing:

Rosa Parks sat, so Martin L. King could walk…
Martin walked so Obama could run …
Obama ran so our children could fly …

To get a sticker of the above image, go to http://pol.moveon.org/shepstickers/?id=-10914049-NbRbPsx&rc=

What's up with all the politics ...

The last time I blogged was during election time, the primaries I mean...What's up with all the politics? It's not that I don't have other topics to explore, but politics is one of those subjects I just can't ignore.

Being originally from Puerto Rico, I have a long standing relationship with elections. Voting was a tradition that was passed on to me and I have passed it on to my children.


In all honesty, I'm urging people to vote because in my mind I play back the opening scene of the documentary, Fahrenheit 911 when we wished it was all a dream - remember? If you have not seen it, you lived it - unless you were among the "electoral" voters that got your wish. Soon after those first hard months, reality settled. Here we are, hoping for change. Though we are disillusioned with the last eight years, let's vote for a better tomorrow.


We can all agree that we are very fortunate to live in a country where our voice can be heard. Participation is key in a democratic society. So I'll march to the polls bright and early so nothing will get in the way of making my vote count. I probably won't have my son or daughter tagging along as they have when they were kids. They'll soon be introducing this tradition to their own children.

Vote, if not for you, for the generation that depends on you for a promising future.

At this time all I have is questions ...

I can't help to think of how torn I still am between two democratic candidates. On Tuesday, I will need to make a decision - as an independent voting in Massachusetts I could vote for either party, but wouldn't miss the chance on voting for the first, African American or Female president.

They are both good candidates and we can debate on each others qualities, but when we just look at the possibility of making history - am I more incline to vote for a woman or do I stand by my ethnicity and support the candidate of hope?

Lately, I've asked myself this nagging question - Should Hillary have run in 2004? Would she had a better chance of getting elected than Kerry? Was it too soon? Maybe, but who could have thought Obama was around the corner? Did she miss her chance? Only time will tell. We are only in the primaries ...

It's all speculation at this point, but one thing is apparent to those who have voted so far, the Clintons are leaving the democratic party with a sour taste in their mouth. Some said that if Bill Clinton ran again, they would have voted for him - I wonder if they feel the same today after how he has been acting in the campaign trail.

Whatever does unfold this election year, it will sure go in the history books.

Does anyone feel the same during this election year?

How I chosen to spend the first day of this year ...

Today is a regular day, a Tuesday of all days... What makes this day special it's the first day on the calendar year of 2008. How I have chosen to spend today, will set the tone for the rest of this year. So I've rested, reflected and looked for something of significance to do without leaving my home - knowing that the solution was at my reach.

I watched the famous film about the Law of Attraction - I don't like the title it was given ("The Secret"), so I like to call it what it is about.

I wanted to spend a quiet day at home to reflects on thoughts that may have been muddled by a busy year. Great year I may add. 2007 was good. I've shared the great experiences, lessons learned, time spent with family and friends on this blog. I looked around my library of DVDs and gave this film another look. We can agree that you can watch a film several times and each time something new will resonate with you.

I recommend doing this with your favorite films, but this in particular. The thoughts and words of Neale Donald Walsch, Author from the film, "The Secret" spoke to me: There is no blackboard in the sky that tells you what your purpose in life is - you get to decide what your purpose is.

What a concept! Your life will be what you create it ...  If you are searching for the meaning of life, you may consider the possibility that you don't need to wait for a sign to give your world meaning.  I've probably figured this out along the way, but it is nice to see it validated.  What I wanted to do, I'm doing it and wish to continue this year.

Gratitude is a great part of the lessons of the film.  I wish not to take for granted all I'm grateful for, my health, family, friends,  job and the opportunity to  create a vehicle of expression for my community. 

I would like to hear your thoughts on Neale's philosophy. Maybe you saw the film and you have your own opinion. You're welcome to write about your hopes for 2008 or simply what you are grateful for ... I know, a lot, but you get to choose.