Cherrye S. Vasquez's Blog, page 10

A Pop of a Rubber Band to Do the Trick? What Triggers You?

[image error]My daughter never ceases to amaze me. I’ve been talking lots here lately about her diet because diabetes runs deep on the maternal side of my family, and over the last several months, I’d noticed that she’d picked up lots of weight and bulges around her middle, but here lately she seems more slender and trimmed around her waist. I mentioned it to her and my husband because I am pleased to see it.

You should know that my daughter hates her annual pediatrician visits for fear of shots, so much so that she continually talks about it until the appointment date. I’ve told her one way to reduce her chances of getting more shots for diabetes related issues is to watch her diet, eat more veggies and fruits.

In years past, and on a daily school basis, I can note without a doubt, that my child WILL purchase potato chips, or an ice cream treat above her regular lunch tray. This is where the pounds most assuredly began to add up.

School has been in three weeks now, and when I’ve checked the status of her meal plan, I’ve noticed that I have more monies left on her meal plan than expected. She has not purchased extra snacks such as ice cream and/or chips. I must admit that I was shocked!

Today, I learned why.

As I was driving her to piano lesson this morning she told me that she wears a rubber band around her wrist at school, and during lunch time when she sees treats that she loves, she takes the rubber band, stretches it out, and releases it to pop herself with it.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. This was the first time she’d shared this with me, and I was “taken a back,” to say the very least. She went on to say that when she does this, it seems to get her mind off the treats, and sweets that she craves, so that she can get through the moment.

Hmm – What a way to discipline oneself and train the mind not to yearn for something that is desired, I thought.

After her piano lesson, we went to the car dealership because I received a low tire indicator. Once there, she said, “I wish that I had a rubber band right now.” It took me a minute, but then I look across the way, and what did I see? Vending machines that were loaded with all sorts of goodies.

Because she’d done so well, I passed her a couple of bucks so that she could indulge for a moment, but she was a good girl and only purchased one treat for herself and used the other dollar for a mommy treat. Neither of us needed the treats, but at least my child is given it a good try.

Later in the afternoon, she asked to go for a walk in the park.

I am proud that my daughter, who will be 11 years old this Tuesday, is trying to problem solve ways to discipline herself from possible diabetes. The good part is that she is taking ownership of her own health which I’ve told her in past months was something that she had to do.

This act makes me wonder how other mindful tricks may help trigger children to do what is good/right.

Project RACE (Reclassify All Children Equally)

[image error] It is “time out” for organizations asking and expecting multiracial families to check only one box on race forms. As a proud mother of a biracial child, I personally stand against such practices. This is why I stand united with a wonderful organization called, Project RACE (Reclassify All Children Equally).

When asked to fill out ethnicity forms at my daughter’s school this year, I simply drew my own box, placed a check inside of it, and wrote Biracial next to it. My daughter will not be forced to comply with rules that we do not believe. My daughter has her own identity. She refers to herself as biracial – not African American or Hispanic, but a combination of both. She believes that she comprises the better of two worlds joined together. My daughter, along with so many others, loves her identity, so the rest of the world should embrace it too.

Just so that you are aware, there are other forms that we may use throughout the year during our day-to-day lives that we may not think about in this way. The list may also include other forms such as:

School tests

College enrollment forms

U.S. Census

Various Government forms

Employment Forms

Medical Forms

Hospital Forms

Research Forms, and more

Susan Graham, Executive Director of Project Race, said this: “Project RACE advocates for multiracial children, multiracial adults, and our families’ through multiracial education and community awareness. We do not advocate for racial classifications, but are committed to the appropriate inclusion of multiracial people on any forms that require racial identification. We support policies that make a positive impact on people of multiracial heritage at local, state, and national levels.”

I love that Susan advocates for a better tomorrow in terms of how the United States will handle this practice in the near future. I just hope that we are around to celebrate this wonderful change.

Project RACE also takes this advocacy a step further by encouraging the medical community to include multiracial people on health-related forms, in data collection and in clinical trials. Project Race also increases the pool of multiracial donors by sponsoring bone marrow donor drives.

With this in mind, Project RACE is currently in a competition to win a Chase Community grant! I believe that this is a great cause, so I’d like to ask you, my friends, for your vote.

Please see details below:

VOTE BETWEEN SEPT. 6 AND SEPT. 19

To vote on Facebook, log onto your Facebook account and go to:

https://www.facebook.com/ChaseCommunityGiving

Click on the “Chase Giving Box”

Put in a search for Project RACE Inc. and VOTE!

If you are a Chase customer, you can also vote at the Chase Giving site:

https://www.chasegiving.com

With your help we can get funding to help us further advocate for multiracial children, teens, adults and our families.

It has been reported that the voting site has a compatibility issue with Internet Explorer. Please vote from an alternate browser such as Firefox or Chrome.

When time permits, I’d love to ask you to peruse the Project RACE website: http://www.projectrace.com/. If you are interested, or if you have friends and/or families who’d like to become a part of this movement, advocacy and organization, we’d love to have them register and take part.

Keep the Enthusiasm Alive – Parents and Teachers Doing Their Part Individually and Collectively

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Take a good look at this face. My daughter, a happy go lucky child, who went to bed anxiously waiting for the next morning that is universally and so often called, “The first day of school.” I just hope that by June of 2013, that smile is still there.

 

This 2012-2013 school year, we enrolled our daughter in a new school – Montessori/Environmental Sciences Magnet, so we have lots to look forward to and be grateful for.

 

I pray to God that her journey along with so many other children who have high hopes will be rewarding as they progress academically/behaviorally/socially.

They will learn things that we never new possible, some good and some bad – just a part of learning. They will discover great things that they’ve never learned before, make new friends, have to learn to make adjustments, learn that not all students/teachers are alike, meet academic challenges, and so much more.

 

As parents, our job is to ensure that our children have the tools needed to “jump start” their school day. This for us entails all of their needs such as breakfast, school supplies, academic/behavioral supports, listening to their stories, helping them sort out issues with other children, morning “pep talks” and lots of love.

 

As teachers, I can only hope that highly qualified and competent professionals cross their paths — Teachers who are organized, efficacious (those who are called to the duty and believe that they can and will make a positive difference in the lives of ALL children), timely, contentious, understanding, caring, firm but fair, and by all means nurturing (when needed).

 

Finally, but not at all suggested as not being the most important – Safe and secure schools.

 

It is my prayer that parents and school officials work hand-in-hand with the center of the child in mind putting their differences, emotions aside (if there’ll be any), but focusing on the one topic that is truly important – the child.

 

In my effort to do my part as a parent, here is what I’ve done:

 

I have personally assessed what I believe my child is missing from her school nights/mornings, and implemented a schedule because I’ve noticed for some time now that her organizational and self-initiative skills aren’t the best. I’d love to see her initiate her homework and pick up after herself without being prompted.

 

[image error]I introduced the new schedule to her the fourth evening after school. The morning schedule puts her on track from the moment her little feet hits the floor, and the evening schedule is spelled out to assist with things that she can do once she enters our home after school.

I was pleasantly surprised at how well my daughter accepted the challenge. She was excited about having me laminate the schedules, and post them on our refrigerator door.

The next morning, I kept quiet and observed my daughter following the morning schedule. It almost looked as if it were a game to her. She put check marks next to each entry that she’d completed.

 

I can’t tell you how exceedingly happy I was to see her in action.

 

Parents and teachers, we can work together and do our part individually and collectively as we make the new school year a great success for children.

 

Photos: Courtesy of Cherrye S. Vasquez

Liebster Blog Award

It is always an honor to receive such an award from those who believe that your website is one that they’d care to share with others. For that, I am exceedingly grateful because I realize there are other awesome website’s out there, and entrepreneurs who are doing great works just as I have pledged to do.

I was nominated for the Liebster Award by two great people on two different occasions here recently, so I will attempt to merge both sets of questions to this post as I give reverence to both of the wonderful ladies who nominated me:

Sharla Shults at: http://catnipoflife.wordpress.com/

&

Micki Peluso at: www.mallie1025.blogspot.com/

Thank you Sharla and Micki for this awesome award!!

Before I go further, I’d like to tell you the purpose of the Liebster Award and what “Liebster” means:

Definition: “Liebster” is German for “favorite”. This award is the “favorite blog award.”

Purpose: The Liebster Blog Award is given to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. The rules for this one state that you answer the 11 questions asked of you by the Blogger who gave you this award.

For Sharla nd Micki to have labeled my blog as one of their favorites, makes me ecstatic. Now, I’ll get to the questions asked of me:

Questions from Sharla :

1. What brought you to the blogging world?

As an author, I’ve read several blogs and articles. It only makes sense to offer back to the blogging community information that they can use.

2. What do you enjoy most about blogging?

Actually, I love to tell and share what I know with people. When I do this and then go to my Google Analytics to see how many people cared to visit, I get excited about the numbers.

3. What do you remember about the first movie you ever saw?

I can’t remember the first movie I ever saw. Oh my!

4. What sitcom that has aired its final season would you like to see returned to television?

The sitcom that that aired its final season that I’d like to see returned wouldn’t ever return because all of the actors/actresses have since expired.

5. What is your favorite animated character?

My favorite animated character is Belle, in the Beauty in the Beast. Belle is such as elegant classy girl.

6. What is your favorite all-time classic movie?

Actually, I have three that are my favorite: The Birds, The Bad Seed and Imitation of Life

7. If you had a time machine, where/when would you go and why?

If I had a time machine, I take off to Paris for a few weeks, just as long as my time machine could get me back home with family and friends. I’d do this so that I could experience the beauty, glamour and culture of Paris.

8. What are your interests/hobbies other than reading and/or writing?

I don’t really have a hobby other than writing.

9. What is your dream vacation?

My dream vacation is where I’d like that time machine to take me (LOL).

10. How would you change the world if you could in one way?

I’d change the world by eliminating crime, hurt and pain on people all over.

11. What are 5 words that describe your personality?

I am strong, persistent, lovely, giving, and honorable

Questions from Micki

1. What is your purpose for your life?

The purposes for my life is to live the American Dream with people I love, cherish and admire. I love to center myself around people who are positive, and those who have great morals, ethics and values in life.

  2. Are you currently working on meeting your goals?

Yes, I have met most of the goals that I have set in my life. I have very few more goals left to personally accomplish.

3. How do you find relaxation in this busy world?

I love early mornings, so when I want to relax, I just make myself a cup of great flavored tea.

4. If you could be anyone you wanted to be, who would you choose and why?

I am just satisfied with being who I am because I was taught to love myself holistically.

5. Do you journal or keep a diary and if so, why?

No, I have never journaled, or kept a diary, but it would have been a fun thing to do as a small child, and perhaps as an adult, too. The interesting thing about this question, however, is I’ve co-created a diary with my daughter. I am the author, and my 10 year old daughter is the illustrator of a work titled: “Guess What? Dear Diary,” — You can find it on this website’s home page, or at CreateSpace.com. This diary is geared for girls aged: 9-14 years. It comes equip with its very own diary pen if ordered from me directly.

6. If you could change the world, where would you start?

If I could change the world, I would start by putting more sanctions on criminals who are menaces to society, and those who’d rather take from the innocent and not work for what they want in life.

7. Do you value your friends and generally keep them for life?

Yes, if I have a dear friend, this friend is usually my friend for life at all cost.

8. Are you a good friend to others and to strangers who need help?

I am always a good friend to people, but I have found in the past that I have been far too trusting, so I’m apprehensive now. A true friend is cherishable to me.

9. What is your greatest dream and do you intend to reach for it?

My greatest dream is to sell more and more of my books. I believe that I will achieve my dreams in due time.

10. What brings you the most joy and happiness?

My family brings me the most joy and happiness. I would be remiss not to mention that one of those joys is my precious daughter.

11. What do you expect your readers to get from your writing?

I expect for my audience to have fun reading my chapter books as they gain knowledge, affirmation and empowerment about self.

Note: Because there are several websites that I believe are truly awesome, and worthy of this great award, I will not pin-point 5-11 of them, but on occasion, I’ll pledge to share tid-bits about the other’s out there and their great works for the benefit of communities all over.

Thank you very much!

 

Yes, New School Clothes and School Supplies are Important, but There’s More

As our children journey into yet another school year, clothed in their new apparel and loaded with crispy new school supplies, here are other important tools that you will want them garnered with along with important ideas for you to remember, too.

Schedule – This will allow children to remain on task at home and school. If you have a child who is care-free and laxed about self-starting, try a home chart
Rest – Make sure that your children retire early. Children who slumber early and sleep well through the night work better at school, and are prone to remain on task
Discipline – Discipline your children at home and they will more than likely follow rules at school. Also, ensure that your children follow school wide and classroom rules.  When the school officials send home the Student Handbook/Student Code of Conduct, don’t just sign the signature page, take time to review and discuss school rules with your child. Discuss your expectations for your child’s behavior with him/her.
Organization – Help your children get organized. Have children decide what uniforms/clothes they will wear the night before. They should also know where their supplies are and what they will need in order to “jump start” their day . Ensure that homework has been completed and that children take ownership for their homework and school projects.
Self-Assurance – Praise children lots and let them know that they are skillful and important. They all have talents
Proper nourishments – Give your children breakfast, or ensure that they have breakfast provided at school. Provide healthy snacks
STOP, LOOK and LISTEN – Remain “in tune” to your children. Each day, ask your children about their day. Ask if you should know anything in particular. Observe your child’s clothes, demeanor, mood. If your children need to talk, stop what you are doing and listen carefully
Rapport with School Staff – Establish and maintain a great working relationship with school officials and your children’s teachers

Students: Above all – Enjoy the new school year and have lots of fun learning!

 

Parents: Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), Parent Advisory Committees (PAC), and Shared Decision Making Committees (SDMC) are all important to School/Home relationships

 

If you can, go to Muffins for Mom, Donuts for Dads, Pastries for Parents and any like activities at your child’s school. Your children will love you being there.

 

Photo: Courtesy of Dr. Cherrye S. Vasquez

An Overhaul IS Needed

I realize that there will be some who are against overhauling the relationship between states and the federal government, especially in the areas of food assistance and health care, but we also want able-bodied people to work; just as we have worked most of our lives, for their fair share of the American dream, right?

I am not opposed to overhauling food assistance and health care, just as long as we take a good long look at it, and not penalize the truly disabled, children who are hungry, and our elderly. If we want to live in healthy environments, people must be able to receive inoculations so that air borne diseases will not be as prominent as they can be in today’s times.

I believe that federal funding should be closely scrutinized and slashed in the areas where people have overly abused it for years. There is no sense in handicapping people and allowing them to lean on those of us who have worked hard for our money. Far too long, we have sat back and allowed people to toy with federal assistance programs, and watched them abuse it.

I don’t know about you, but I am all for reshaping the program. Young recipients should be required to work, or enroll in job training. I realize that critics believe that the overhaul will increase poverty, hunger and perhaps even more violence across the United States, but giving people handouts and allowing them to become dependent on others hasn’t stopped poverty, hunger and violence. Wouldn’t you agree? Seemingly, it has crippled people more and more.

We must teach our children to have a sense or pride about themselves. If we can model strong work ethics, honesty, and a sense of morals within our children, they will be encouraged to work for the things that they yearn for in life. By doing so, perhaps we can lessen our chances of becoming robbed and/or continuously living in a society reaped with violence and menaces to the society in which we live. Perhaps we can decrease thuggish and trifling young people from growing in numbers.

Able-bodied people should not mope about leaning on others becoming dependent and complacent in their everyday lives. Who gave them that right? Why do they feel honored and privileged taking it?

Young people must have the drive, will, desire and incentive to work hard for the desires of their hearts.

I’m all for teaching children responsibility, character, and pride for a better tomorrow. What about you?

Photo: Courtesy of Cherrye Vasquez

Bullied 14 Year Old Gets Plastic Surgery?

Oh my goodness!

What have we come to when a child feels so bad about the way she looks that she feels that the only other thing to do is have plastic surgery?

We must work closely with our children, and tell them how beautiful they are on the inside and out. We must also work with our children letting them know that it is down-right cruel to tease someone to the point that they may feel like committing suicide.

Children must consider themselves and how they would feel if they were bullied, or if someone they love were being bullied. This is by far one of the saddest cases I’ve come across.

We can’t all look alike.

I am not sure if the plastic surgeon helped by saying that the child had an abnormality. She did appear to be much happier afterwards, but how far must a person go?

What are your thoughts?

http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/...

A Book Review by Project RACE Kids’ President

It’s nothing like a great book review of your work from a kid. I love what I do, and I can only hope that children all over will benefit from the books and materials that are a part of Books That Sow: Strength, Character & Diversity, DBA. It is my aim to fulfill my goals of equipping children with the tools needed to self-identity, believe in themselves and affirm that they are highly important and worthy of their dreams.

When time permits, please see what Karson Baldwin, President of Project RACE Kids, had to say about one of my Diversity Daybook Journal at: projectrace.blogspot.com

If you are interested in taking a peek, please look at my Affirmation Daybook, and other books in my collection.

Focus or Refocus the Fight Within

 During my Sunday school class today, we talked about the first 4 Ten Commandments. As we were talking, I thought about what it would mean for us to “Focus” or “Refocus,” and what this would mean or look like as we went about our daily lives during the week. Seemingly during church (or even the entire Sunday) we have the will power and strength to “do it all right.” Just afterwards, it appears that we forget and it becomes a fight and struggle to do what we know is right.

One of the sister’s said for her “focusing” meant to say a short prayer just before she delved into cooking dinner for her family, especially after a hard day at work. Another said it meant to pause and thank God for the opportunity “To Do” whatever it is that you may have to do for your family (and not whine or do things begrudgingly), thanking God that you have a family TO DO for.

I wonder if we thought, or paused for just a few minutes to “Focus” on what we are going to DO or SAY if we’d be a happier person for a little while longer, or if we would reign in peace that abounds within our lives.

How about a time to Focus or Refocus when:

Someone rides to close to our car bumpers and it aggravates us to no end because we are not going as fast as they want us to on the freeway

We don’t feel like cooking for our families because we need to comment on blog posts, or market our books (or whatever it is that motivates you)

Someone at work says something cross to us

Our husband’s leave the toilet seat up

Our children leave sticky drippings on the kitchen counter top that we just finished cleaning

I could go on and on, but I think that you get the drift of where I am going with this.

These are the scriptures that our teacher left us with today:

1. Exodus 20: 1-3 Thou shalt have no other Gods before Me.

2. Mark 12: 29-30 Love the Lord Thy God with ALL thy heart, and with ALL thy soul, and with ALL thy mind, and with ALL thy Strength

3. Exodus 20: 4-6 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything…

4. II Corinthians 7:1 Cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit

And finally, Philippians 4: 4-9

….. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

I highlighted the last few words of that passage because I want to take you back to the beginning of this post of what it would mean or look like to “Focus.” If we “think on these things” listed in God’s word, I believe that we may be able to prevent our daily sins that cause us to think negatively, or snap at our co-workers, husbands, or children, or even harbor evil thoughts when we are aggravated.

Perhaps if we stopped for just a moment to Focus, or Refocus about what really is important to us such as our families and our duty to our family (and so much more), we’d be happier beings.

But the word goes on to say this:

(9) Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, DO: the God of peace shall be with you.

I capitalized the word DO because I know that in order for us to follow God’s word and his commandments, we must DO what we know is right. We must focus and/or Refocus on what HIS will is.

 

Photo Courtesy of: keith ellwood’s photostream

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Can’t Say It Enough – Bullying Hurts and Bullycide is Real – A 7 Year Old??!!

Hearing the news about bullycide and learning that youngsters are not only taking their lives, but are doing so at younger ages now, blows my mind! It’s hard enough to wrap my mind around the fact that children are committing suicide because of bullying, but when children who aren’t of the “double digits” yet are taking their lives, it makes me realize that this pandemic is getting out of hand. Learning of this makes my heart ache even deeper.

It has gotten past the point of minor “school house tig-tag.” Some children cannot take the constant teasing and taunting, and one just may never know the “what else” has gone, or is going on in a child’s life and/or home life that “tip him/her over the edge.” Whatever the cause, bullying is wrong (as we all know), and we must end it at ALL levels.

We can TALK about it all we want, but we must ACT, and not just talk.

Teachers, put down academics and stop teaching to the test for just a little while and attend to social skills for a short time of the school day.

Parents, pull yourselves away from the computer (social networking, and all), and look into the eyes of your children, hear them and let them pour their hearts out to you about “what’s really going on” in their lives.

Children, know that you do NOT have to put up with bullying. Seek help and be assured that you have the right to do so.

 

PLEASE SIGN MY BULLY PETITION

http://www.change.org/petitions/books-that-sow-strength-character-diversity-stop-bickering-about-funding-costs-for-anti-bullying-laws

 

PLEASE VIEW MY YOUTUBE BULLY VIDEO of POEMS ( YouTube video of Poems – The Bully-ee (victim) & The Bully (perpetrator)

http://youtu.be/TXnOn9JjxHo

 

PLEASE ALSO SEE THIS DISTURBING VIDEO (My Goodness!  A 7 year old takes his life!)

http://www.freep.com/article/20120525/NEWS01/205250449/7-year-old-s-suicide-shocks-community?odyssey=tab

 

If you will, please share these links with others in your social networks so that this message will get around. Bullying hurts and it must end!

 

Cherrye S. Vasquez, Ph.D.

Books That Sow: Strength, Character & Diversity, DBA

Website: http://www.BooksThatSow.com

Author of: No Tildes on Tuesday

 

Photo: Courtesy of: Victory & Reseda’s photostream