PETER, THE SALESMAN!!!!

Hello September...

What a crazy start to this month! Peter's been working really hard at work and now he's moving on up in the NI world! We are really excited about this opportunity that Peter has been given: a job offer in the Sales department of NI in

LOS ANGELES!!!!!!

In other news:

Zilker Relays was last night. Peter and I ran with 2 other friends under the team name: Dear JetBlue, I quit. Each runner ran 2.5 miles; Gerardo ran 13:45 (5:30/mile pace), Sarah ran 15:3o(6:10/mile pace), Peter ran 15:30 (6:10/mile pace) and I ran 16:20(6:40/mile pace). YES...you read correctly, mommy is running at 6:40 pace! YAYYY!

It was a lot of fun, we even had a baton!

special shout out:

Happy BIRTHDAY DR. LEILANI!!!

And now we are off to enjoy this LABOR DAY WEEKEND!!

MUSIC TOGETHER CLASS & REACHING OUT CENTER

Monica and Dylan invited us to a MUSIC TOGETHER CLASS.

I, for one, am tone-def....I can barely clap in rhythm with music...which is a TERRIBLE characteristic of a MOM! The songs were simple but I just couldn't really make any pleasing sounds...very frustrating, but NICO HAD A BLAST!

He made friends instantaneously! The ladies in the class, LOVED HIM and HIS CELL PHONE!

From 1008 7 month old Nico

From 1008 7 month old Nico

From 1008 7 month old Nico

Here is a little video of the class. You might see it and think that it is complete chaos, but us mommies in the class just heard our babies playing in their first symphony!!

From 1008 7 month old Nico

VERY FUN!

______________________________________________

VOLUNTEERING

Last friday Nico and Mommy Volunteered at Monica/Tom/Dylan's Food Pantry.

http://www.celebrationoflove.org/news.shtml

From 1008 7 month old Nico

Nico, on my lap, helped me translate for the people that were coming into to the Food Pantry looking for FOOD. Nico put everyone in a great mood with his smiles!! However, it was very tiring and overwhelming experience. To see families with 5 and 6 kids and picking up 2 boxes of food for the NEXT MONTH, was difficult. It made me realize that we do have SO MUCH...and that we worry about things that really don't matter in the grand scheme of things.

Seeing those women/men/ children, made me want to help them HELP THEMSELVES so that they can CHANGE their own situations...but for now, I don't know how, so I want to keep helping them by translating, smiling, and having conversations with them...Maybe along the way, an idea will dawn on me.

Nico and I are planning on volunteering on Fridays from 2-4pm

From 1008 7 month old Nico

WEEKEND FUN

WEEKEND FUN!

Saturday:

Saturday morning I ran in Downtown about 7miles. I had to cut my run short cause my left IT band started hurting. Since there was no need to "push through the pain" I walked the last 2 1/2 miles...which SUCKED! I had forgotten how much I hate to walk! But I soaked in Barton Springs' freezing water for a couple minutes...(It brought back memories of UF's cold tank in the training room, only difference from then and now is that I don't have a nice and ready trainer willing to flush out my legs after my runs and tell me if the pain is "run-through" kind or "wait it out/rest" kind".)

In the later morning, we drove to SOUTH AUSTIN for a Kickball tournament. At first, I didn't think it was a good idea, but as we started playing (Peter and I alternating postions- to take care of Nico) I really started enjoying it-- especially when I SCORED 2 RUNS and GOT SOMEONE OUT!!!!! This is a picture of our team-->

From 1008 7 month old Nico

In the evening: Mommy and Nico went to Borders (until she was asked to leave because Nico was being disruptive... I was ready to leave anyway!!!) and heard Live Music at the DOMAIN, which was really nice and "Austin-y". In the meantime, daddy got some quiet time to hang out at his favorite burger restaurant on Lake Austin.

When he picked us up at the Domain, he brought mommy sushi and roses. He said the different colors represented the different ways he loves me....=)

From 1008 7 month old Nico

Maybe in his quiet time he realized that my "MOM-'job is Mon-Sun, 24/7 unlike a "real-job" that is only M-F 9am-5pm, and that I don't get coffee breaks, sick-days, or mental health days OFF...I actually don't even get weekends off.

But I love my job and KNOW that I AM THE ONLY PERSON QUALIFIED FOR MY POSITION!

Sunday

We got in the pool. We had the whole pool to ourselves! Then we got to see a FLASH FORWARD 5 years...we got to see some older kids playing, NOT SHARING, trying to swim, interacting with other children and parents...ahhhhh.

From 1008 7 month old Nico

Daddy put up some decorations around the house...coolest one was the WORLD MAP in our living room!!

In the afternoon, we had a family date; We went to hang-out with Nico's friend, Jackson, and Mommy's friend, Julia...who ran for FSU, but we like her anyway =).

From 1008 7 month old Nico

From 1008 7 month old Nico

From 1008 7 month old Nico

From 1008 7 month old Nico

That night we looked like a scene right out of a sitcom:

We put Nico to bed and both Peter and I jumped into bed immediately each with our own--How to make your child sleep better book. I was reading: "The no-cry sleep solution" and Peter was reading "Healthy sleep habits, Happy Child". After reading a couple pages and discussing, we have realized that we need to establish a pattern/routine for Nico and FOR OURSELVES!

I NEED MORE SLEEP!

We have written up a schedule since then and have been trying to stick to it as much as possible. We'll see how it goes...and if our sleepy times IMPROVE!

Writing Research

I came across this article: Writing for Parenting Magazines.

If you're a parent, grandparent or even if you just love kids, today's writing opportunity* may be just what you've been looking for.Parents Magazine is currently accepting submissions. The writer's guidelines are fairly specific and snail mail submission is required. Query first:

When querying us, please send a one-page letter detailing the topic you'd like to address as well as your strategy for writing the story. Demonstrate that you are adept at doing research by mentioning the kinds of sources you intend to use. Keep in mind that all of our articles include expert advice and real-parent examples as well as study data. It's unnecessary to send a completed manuscript; a query letter will do.

Always send a self-addressed, stamped envelope. 375 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10017 Phone: 212-499-2000

I think this could be a start, but with so many experiences, what topic should I address?

I also came across this website: Writing Opportunity

It list different options that freelance writers have. Some include:

• book publishing
• Hybridmom.com
• other freelace options

Nico Lico!!!

I haven't posted pictures of Nico in a while!

From 1008 7 month old Nico

SO SORRY, cause i know most people who read and follow this blog are family members who want to get updates on our little PUMPKIN HEAD!

Well you all know that he is crawling...VERY FAST these days. He is in His PUPPY STAGE, where he crawls all around, follows me into the kitchen, the bathroom, and the bedroom. He crawls up my leg to try to pull himself up to stand.The cool part is, if I call him, he comes!! It's awesome, haha.
He still loves putting everything in his mouth...MORE SO NOW THAT HIS 3rd tooth is coming in!!!!

This morning I walked into his room and he was standing in his crib!!!

From 1008 7 month old Nico

Here are a couple videos...Nico crawling and playing at the door:

From 1008 7 month old Nico

From 1008 7 month old Nico

WORK-RELATED REFLECTION

Among the many child-friendly activities in my day, I try to squeeze some "JOB-SEARCHING" time whenever possible. In this quest, I have discovered that finding a job is NOT THAT EASY. (i guess a lot of people know that now due to the increasing unemployment levels all around us, but I didn't think that I would be in the situation)Granted, I know that i'm not AS AVAILABLE (because wanting to be with my pumpkin will keep me from putting in over-time...maybe even full-time) as a lot of other people searching for jobs, but still...I have a Degree in ANIMAL SCIENCE BIOLOGY...which for a lot of people doesn't mean much but for those of you who are in med-school now, you know that I had to take ALL the same classes as you for my degree. I also have invalueable LIFE EXPERIENCE in the Peace Corps, where my people, team-working, lost-in-translations skills were sharpend while having to overcome gender-roles and cultural differences in my work-environment. Living in a room the size of 1/2 a dorm room with 2 other teenagers, using an outdoor latine, washing my clothes by hand, wearing damp jeans that didn't dry by the time I needed them, finding snacks along my walks to meetings (fruits in trees), explaining to community members that there is MORE THAN ONE WAY TO DO THINGS, compromising, learning to pick my battles, and just working together with people who have always done things SO differently than me but still GET RESULTS was, I BELIEVE, as valuable or even more valuable than any laundry list of "JOB EXPERIENCE" that employers are looking for.

I thought that with my disposition, openness to learn, passion for making a difference, DEGREE, and experience in the PC, finding a job would be as easy as stealing candy from a baby...NOT!

One thing i've starting to realize is that some people think that the Peace Corps and other experiences like it are not as VALUABLE AS "REAL" work experience....since these same people believe that hippies and tree huggers are the kinds of people who want to "change the world". In Panama, in my group alone we had a couple so called "tree-huggers" who were there to spread the Peace and Love, but there were also guys and girls who had studied all sorts of different things in school (science, english, public relations, communications, Engineering, and linguistics..just to name a few) and wanted to try and make a difference, at least for a little, and gain a different perspective on life.

Instead of staying to work in a REGULAR 9-5 job, they accepted the invitation to serve in the Peace Corps and challenged themselves to actually TEST THEIR LIMITS, take a risk, and LEARN about who they were...before coming back and entering this money-making job world that sucks the life and passion out of the weak...brainwashing them into becoming people they never were when they first entered their line of work. I believe that once you've had a taste of REAL MEANINGFUL WORK...you can't help it but keep searching for another like-minded employer who values the same things you do and who will appreciate your dedication, passion, and drive.

I came across a pretty interesting website today:

http://community.peacecorpsconnect.org/group/jobsearchers

The website has a group for Returned Peace Corps Volunteers that are looking for work. The description reads:

This is for all us unemployed RPCV's that are now home and looking for work! Let's help each other out with advice, links, phone numbers, e-mail addresses of prospects or what not to help us all be employed in the future!

Members: 104
Latest Activity: Aug 18

What employeer wouldn't want to hire someone who understands the importance of TEAM-WORK, who knows how to BUILD RELATIONSHIPS with co-workers and employees, who self-evaluates, is a goal-setter, and gives proper importance to detail while not loosing sight of the BIG PICTURE?

I am hopeful that GREAT OPPORTUNITY IS AROUND THE CORNER. I have too much to share and do to keep it bottled up inside soooo,

The quest continues...

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Happy Birthday Piri!!!!

Peter is 25 years old today

It's a time through which some people around this age suffer a "quarter life crisis". That simply means that young professionals that have recently graduated are anxious to find meaning in their day to day, are searching for fulfilling careers, and are nervous that they are settling for something less than what they envisioned for themselves.

I was telling Peter that I don't think this mindset should be categorized as a CRISIS. I think it's important and an essential component of living a purpose-driven life!

At 25, Peter has traveled the world, graduated from UF, made a name for himself in his department at work, guided new hires at his job as they start their new careers, partied until he was 'kindly' asked to leave, modeled almost 100 different hairstyles/ facial hair combos, co-founded a website, jumped out of a plane, made me the happiest/luckiest girl int he world, and brought a handsome and incredible baby boy into this world... among so many other things!

In these first 25 years of his life he's done more than some people only dream of accomplishing!

I only hope that he feels as lucky, inspirational, HOT, special, adventurous, smart, and crazy as we all know he is!

WE LOVE YOU!!!