A Nuyorican Vision - Thoughts in Motion

Well, I have been so busy lately at work. I am working on a highly visible firm-wide project and have not had time for anything else. Also working late and having to do 3AM meetings with EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and also with Asia Pacific have not help.

Hopefully, I will be able to edit the videos I have and also do a video for some interesting causes soon.

Well, until then....

Well, I have made some changes. I wanted to add a picture archive to my blog. Unfortunately, since I was posting with Daily Motion (Flash), the pictures did not translate. So I made some changes.

1. The flash files are now accessible via a link instead of being the post picture.
2. The pictures on the post are just that pictures; they are not links. Although, I could use my blip.tv postings, it was just easier to add the jpg files.
3. My header now contains my picture archive. Click on any picture and it will take you to the post.

*Cough* I have caught a cold and I am miserable. I worked from home on Thursday and finally succumbed on Friday. I have done it all - home remedies, natural remedies, drugs. You named it, I have taken it.

*Cough* Haven't seen any videos, haven't edited any videos, haven't been on the Internet until now. I am so tired of resting. *Cough*

Image by: HomestarRunner.com
Short: Sick Day

(Check them out, they are extremely funny!)

For those who have seen my first video post, I now know what is happening to the buildings. It's a name that every New Yorker knows - Trump. Yes, people, the Donald and other major real estate companies are interested in buying properties in my area. And it is working, owners are selling.

Just so you know, I live in Harlem, NY; upper Westside for those not from NYC. My area is close to all means of transportation - trains and buses. I live 2 blocks west of Columbia University and 2 blocks east of Central Park. I have a variety of restaurants, supermarkets and stores at my doorstep.

Since moving to this area 5 years ago, I have seen twelve, yes, twelve luxury condos built. I have seen a tiny empty lot turned into a 4 floors luxury condo building. If you had ever seen this lot you would not believe they would able to build anything there much less a residential building but they did. The apartments take the whole floor and they are beautiful. The building is pictured above. It's the building in the middle and in the picture it looks bigger than what you see in person. As of yet, no one has moved in since its completion in August 2005.

The community is concerned that affordable housing will disappear. What tears at me is that when I moved here 4 1/2 years ago, I was expecting this to happen. You see, I leased out my high rise NJ condo with all its luxuries such as a doorman, pool and washer and dryer in each floor to move to Harlem. Why? I wanted to be on the ground floor to the new "Renaissance". I picked my building because it was well kept, in a great location and running in the black for over 6 years. What didn't I count on? Well, that my neighbors would become my friends. That I would come to love the small uncluttered buildings in my community. That my community has much to offer and that people here can be warm, friendly, funny and smart. I was guided with what the media portrayed Harlem to be. This is not to say that I have not seen some things that make me raise an eyebrow but it is nothing like what the media portrays Harlem to be.

So how do I feel now that my dream is becoming more and more a reality; heart-broken. Although, I feel that I will be just fine, I see how the rich is pushing the poor out. So what do I do now? I protest against this assault to my area right along with my community, shoulder to shoulder with my friends.

The moment I saw my first vlog, I was hooked. Went out and brought a digital camera, investigated editing software, looked at other vlogs and sent incredible amounts of time with Freevlog.org, Yahoo VideoBlogging Group, and on and on.

I promise to get better both with topics and editing. And as a member of vlogger community, I will try to post weekly.

Until then.

Well, it's Christmas time. As a Puerto Rican, this is the time for food. Although, Puerto Rican children believe in Santa Claus, the Three Kings "Los Reyes" beat Santa hands down.

We love to make and eat pasteles, arroz con gandules and lechon. By the time December 31st rolls around, you are tired of eating these things since very Puerto Rican household will have it.

We also do parrandas. Parrandas are Christmas Carols done the rough way. Or as one friend calls it "Drunken Christmas Carolling." Usually, a group of friends wait until everyone in the house they are visiting is asleep. You then bang at their door and start asking to come in by singing songs. It's crazy but it's fun.

One of my favorite Christmas songs is from El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico. It's a story that expresses exactly what Christmas is to us. Basically, the singer is telling his friends "Let's forget any issues we faced this year." He wants them to celebrate the season since they normally do not have a chance to get together during the year. The refrain of this song is what Puerto Ricans love to do for Christmas - eating pasteles, arroz con gandules and lechon and of course don't forget the rum! He reminds them that they are to party to the end of the year (which really ends with Three Kings Day on Jan. 6). He tells Puerto Rico to get together and party as one big family.

As a kid, I loved this song. As an adult, I love this song. It brings back memory of home. What's funny is that this tradition is still being upheld by Puerto Ricans everywhere whether we are "back home" or not. Talk about keeping our traditions alive.

So, since I don't own a digital camera as yet but wanting to keep in the tradition that missbhavens has started...Here's my musical version of "It Tastes Like Christmas".

El Gran Combo - La Fiesta De Pillito

It's funny but this entire week, I have been reflecting on my life.

Of the things I know and of those things yet to be learned. I feel there are versions of old, current and new me having their own private meetings in my head. But I have to admit, I am enjoying these reflections. It brings a form of accomplishment, sense of oneself and a hunger for life that cannot be explained in words.

So here's to that wonderful thing about life...the unknown.

Artist: A.C. Smith, "Reflections of a Queen"

In the beginning was the Word and the Word was Blog.