Ignited by my ABC’s

Ignited by my ABC’s
March 30, 2014
By: Gina Yoryet Roman


I can’t help reacting very emotionally every time I talk to grandpa Hal because he is one of of the most symbolic people in my life and the one who’s believed in me the most ever since I was a young and wild yet insecure adolescent. Our one to two hour over the phone talks are never enough because we have too much to talk about. Today we touched base on the meaning of ten years. May 20 will mark the tenth anniversary of a change that impacted my life in many disappointing, saddening, joyful and fulfilling moments. It seems as if time had frozen all through that decennial and I feel a huge empty void within like my sister told me the other day.

In the course of 2004 to 2014 some dreams and goals that were not meant to be fell through the cracks, unfortunately or fortunately, somewhere along the road some people faded from my life, there has been disappointment, hurt, anger, frustration, physical hardship that took a toll on my health, solitude, abandonment but like I reiterated to grandpa today, “Yes, there has been all of that and many times I have wished that some things would’ve been different but I accept it considering that it hasn’t been all that bad.”

On a more positive aspect, I’ve been undeterred by those significant hurdles in my life because I’ve determined myself to strive for better and never look back. I have defied life, spiritually, personally, professionally, physically and in every single aspect to reach out to the long-sought parallelism in this cajoling circle of life propelled by my eagerness for success which has turned into the passion that will reveal my purpose one day sooner rather than later. My conviction has been my fuel to grow wiser, more confident, emotionally stronger, I’ve accomplished a lot more than ever professionally and spiritually and I am very self-fulfilled.

I told grandpa that every single human being in the world is endowed with certain gifts and it is our duty to disclose them and use them to define our purpose by channeling and sharing those gifts with others. And that is exactly what I’ve done. Since I chose the less traveled road which can be entwined with constant fear, insecurities, and obstacles, I have wreaked vengeance and balanced my world with my ABC’s:  Spirituality, family, work and business ethics, health and fitness, charity work, reading, playing with words, reflecting and embracing the simplicity of life...

There is no trace of that insecure young woman who always dreamt and never set goals. I have worked very arduously to get to where I've wanted to, and in result of that, every day I am one step closer to reaching another one of my victories. Especially this week, I was caught in an outburst of joy when I received an invitation to be part of a writing project to be launched in June, (I don’t want to say too much beforehand) and I was also invited to do a health and fitness interview on April 10 which will be broadcasted on April 27 on 105.9 FM.

All these meaningful events in my life are another milestone I’ve crossed by following my passion, my sanctuary. Finally ignited by my ABC's, I am resonating with it all...


Sagittarius 11/22-12/21 You need a new metaphor -- something that resonates with you on a deeper level. Search through your favorite books, but get ready for inspiration from random sources, too. A change is coming! -

De Mujer a Mujer

De Mujer a Mujer
March 29, 2014


Martha Sánchez
Convivimos con el miedo
a perder la libertad,

miedo a nuestros sentimientos,
miedo a la felicidad.
La vida no esta muerta,
dormida nada más.
Un beso la despierta
y la sientes respirar.

De mujer a mujer,
sola frente a mi espejo.
De mujer a mujer,
me repito el consejo.
Libera tu corazón
y sigue su inspiración.

El amor ,nos sienta mejor.
Somos perlas encerradas
en su estuche de cristal,
unas flores cultivadas
bajo luz artificial.

De mujer a mujer,
sola frente a mi espejo.
De mujer a mujer,
me repito el consejo.
Libera tu corazón
y sigue su inspiración.

El amor , el amor
nos sienta mejor

No estamos más seguras
en nuestra soledad.
Un toque de locura
es una necesidad.

De mujer a mujer,
sola frente a mi espejo.
De mujer a mujer,
me repito el consejo.
Libera tu corazón
y sigue su inspiración.
El amor, el amor
nos sienta mejor.

Is vegetarianism the answer?

Is vegetarianism the answer?

March 23, 2014

By: Gina Yoryet Roman

I semi read this article in portuguese a while back and once again just a little while ago: IBOPE: 17,5 milhões de brasileiros são vegetarianos. According to the article, the study was conducted between August 2009 and July 2010 in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre, Curitiba, Belo Horizonte, Salvador, Recife, Fortaleza, Brasília , in which 18.884 people were interviewed about their eating habits and the surprising outcome was 17.5 million vegetarians.

It made me do some serious thinking about Mexico, Argentina, England, the U. S., and other countries that are big on eating meat. Is vegetarianism the answer to put a halt to many health related issues? It would for sure stop over weight and obesity. The only question is, how many people would be willing to give up meat or simply cut back on it? Not many I suppose. 

It can be very hard to fight over eating and eat moderately but once your body gets used to it, it’ll start claiming a clean diet and it won't react too well to low quality food. The problem with over weight and obesity and many other health related issues, is that people eat compulsively, impulsively, emotionally, unnecessarily, excessively and mindlessly, and as long as we don’t control that, the world will NEVER change. If we want change, it MUST start WITHIN. 

It’s like smoking, there can be massive campaigns to make us aware that these are harmful habits and that we as human beings can be self-destructing. It doesn’t matter how many health clubs we can join, how many motivational tv or internet programs there are, it all boils down to WILL. I am not critical about anyone because we are all on the same boat. Food has always been one of my weaknesses. I’ve always been really disciplined with my work outs unlike my diet. For example, my younger sister doesn’t work out as hard as I do, but she’s overly disciplined about dieting. In result she’s got a very slender and toned up physique, plus she’s taller than me. It takes me more work because I am shorter and a little rounder, therefore, I have to work twice as hard with what I have and do the best I can. 

I stopped eating read meat for about a year in the past, pork has been out of my menu for over ten years, and I’ve never given up chicken completely. Perhaps it is time to give up all of that and focus on veggies, sea food and soy based products to be healthier and regain my energy because aging can be detrimental to our health depending on how much we care for our tenple...

How much do you know?

How much do you know about Mexico?

March 20, 2014

I just took a general knowledge quiz about Mexico and I got a fair score.

I did bad on all the geographical questions but I still feel good!  :)

Quiz results

Your results

Question	Your Response	Correct Answer	Score
What does the 5th of May commemorate in Mexico?	Mexican victory over the French at the battle of Puebla	Mexican victory over the French at the battle of Puebla
Which two empires preceded modern day Mexico?	Aztec and Spanish	Aztec and Spanish
Which state is indicated on this map?	Chihuahua	Chihuahua
When did Mexico “transition” to democracy?	1942	2000
Mexico is almost three times larger than what US state?	Texas	Texas
Which well-known resort town is pictured on this map?	Cancún	Cancún
Which well-known Mexican actor starred in the popular films Amores Perros and Motorcycle Diaries?	Gael Garcia Bernal	Gael Garcia Bernal
The Mexican state of Michoacán is the world's largest producer of what product?	Avocados	Avocados
Mexico City is built on top of what kind of natural formation?	A lake	A lake
Which Mexican city is indicated on this map?	Saltillo	Monterrey
Which politician did NOT run for president in Mexico’s 2012 election?	Felipe Calderon	Felipe Calderon
Which language is NOT spoken in Mexico?	All are spoken in Mexico	All are spoken in Mexico
Which city is indicated on this map?	León	Guadalajara
What is Pemex?	State owned oil company	State owned oil company
Which three elements are represented on the Mexico’s coat of arms on the national flag?	Cactus, eagle, and snake	Cactus, eagle, and snake
The famous El Ángel monument in Mexico City was built to celebrate the anniversary of what event?	The beginning of Mexico's War of Independence	The beginning of Mexico's War of Independence
Mistaking him for returning god Quetzalcoatl, legend says the Aztecs offered what sacred drink to Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes?	Blood	Hot Chocolate
Modern Mexico City stands at what historically important location?	Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec empire	Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec empire
Which US state was once a part of Mexico?	Texas	Texas
Who was Emiliano Zapata?	Revolutionary	Revolutionary
Which mountain range is indicated on this map?	Sierra Madre Occidental	Sierra Madre Occidental
Which Mexican landmark is considered one of the ‘new’ (man made) Seven Wonders of the World?	Chichen Itza	Chichen Itza
Who dubbed Mexico’s Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), which ruled Mexico for 71 years until 2000, “the perfect dictatorship?”	Carlos Fuentes	Mario Vargas Llosa
Which group historically occupied the area highlighted on this map?	Inca	Aztec
What is the second largest city in Mexico, behind the capital, Mexico City?	Guadalajara	Guadalajara
What is a 'Chilango'?	Someone from Mexico City	Someone from Mexico City
Who is Carlos Slim?	A businessman, and the world’s wealthiest person in 2012	A businessman, and the world’s wealthiest person in 2012
Which Mexican drug cartel is the largest?	Los Zetas	Los Zetas
What institution is notable for being one the largest private universities in Latin America, with over 90,000 students at 31 campuses?	The National Autonomous University of Mexico	The Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education
What is YoSoy132 (I am 132)?	A present-day student movement	A present-day student movement
Mexico recently passed Canada to become the second biggest North American manufacturer of what product?	Automobiles	Automobiles
Mexico holds the record for radio time dedicated to which band?	Juanes	The Beatles
Who is ‘El Chapo’ Guzman?	The No. 1 drug-trafficking fugitive	The No. 1 drug-trafficking fugitive

I truly am...

I truly am..

sorry

March 17, 2014

By: Gina Yoryet Roman

I REALLY am sorry about ramming into a cab driver right in front of my yesterday because of a two second idiotic distraction. Really, it was that stupid! As I got closer to the red light, I gently stepped on the break but before pressing it completely, I bent down and reached for my water bottle under the passenger’s seat and let go of the break completely!!! What an oaf I was to attempt that being behind the wheel, it’s like uploading my own, “don’t try this at home,” video for dummies to prevent others from making the same mistake.

The entire time I waited for my claim adjustor to arrive and even now, I get choked up visualizing the man’s face. I can’t erase his anxious and worried smirk off my mind and I can’t help feeling genuinely guilty to have caused him such financial and emotional grief. The impact was not that intense, my vehicle was more damaged than his but the time he waited was MORE valuable than anything else. I highly respect and value other people’s time because it is priceless.

Sadly, for many bus/taxi drivers and thousands of others, time means money, not a fortune but a meager couple of pesos, that’s why they have to take advantage of every single second. As for taxi and bus drivers, they have to pay an overly high rent fee to the vehicle owners to be able to make a minimum commission. In amount to this, they have to work very long hours against all odds such as extreme weather and thousands of crazy, ill-considered, and absent minded drivers. What does the future hold for individuals like this unfortunate man who lives in Analco, one of the oldest and poorest neighborhoods in this city? Life is indeed very bleak for them. 

That’s why in despite of not doing it intentionally, I will always be truly sorry for hurting him (I caused him a bloody nose) and for taking some precious time away from his hands because that time and the money he could have made, will never be restored. That’s the reason I was impulsed to give him $200 pesos, not to bribe him nor to buy his word because it was all on me, that insignificant amount of money was for him to seek medical help. 

What else could I have done for him? Had I had more money, I wouldn’t have hesitated to give him more. When we parted our ways, I shook his hand and told him I was sincerely sorry and that I would pray to God to keep him away from drivers like me. In return, I got a very passive smile from such humble and good hearted man, unlike the one who ran into me a few months back but took off on me because he didn’t have insurance, a license or registration. How could people live with themselves when they do something like that? 

I pray for that man the same way I pray for me and everyone for us to be more cautious and alert when we are on the road to avoid hurting ourselves and others...Bless that man’s unpretentious heart!

Sarita Miel or Sarita Lee

Sarita Miel, or Sarita Lee

March 14, 2014

By: Gina Yoryet Roman

‘Look deep down into nature, 

and then you will understand

everything better.’

Albert Einstein

I am not as big on pictures as I used to be for several reasons. One of them is because I am always either on my work clothes, my workout outfit, or my jammies. Another one is based on the grounds that it is very tough to find beauty in its true essence when we are bombarded with hard core frivolousness. Yesterday was one of the  few times that I’ve been driven to get a glimpse of a resplendent and revitalizing image in a long time...my fruit basket. All that charm will always have to stay in my mind because I didn’t catch it on my ipad or camera. 

I was very encapsulated in my own thoughts that once again this morning on my way to mass I couldn’t stop thinking about all the charming goods our mother nature gifted us with, yet saddened to know that humans are our own destruction. We live in a world where technology, fashion, etc., keep growing day by day to “our” benefit. At the same time some of us may never regard the downside of it. We are too involved that we’ve built a strong dependency upon it. I wonder how frequently how many of us take time to appreciate one of our best gifts. I mean, what else could we ask for? The best things in life are free. 

Sometimes when I get whiny about everything, I try to focus on all the blessings lying in my hands vs. what I don’t have. When that happens, I try to revert my mind to this thought: 

‘I’ve seen better days, 

but I’ve also seen worse. 

I don’t have everything that I want,

but I do have all I need.

I woke up with some aches and pains,

but I woke up.

My life may not be perfect,

but I am blessed.’

That’s why when I was savoring a peach earlier today, I truly loved my fruity basket and when I got home I went directly into the kitchen to get at least part of it. Sarita Miel, a tasty pineapple, that amazing blend of green and yellow which coincidentally has my mother’s name...Sarita, only this is ‘Sarita Miel,’ unlike my mother, “Sarita Lee.’

Two true and natural beauties... 

The truth

“Dare to Be

When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully.

When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light.

When there is injustice, dare to be the first to condemn it.

When something seems difficult, dare to do it anyway.

When life seems to beat you down, dare to fight back.

When there seems to be no hope, dare to find some.

When you’re feeling tired, dare to keep going.

When times are tough, dare to be tougher.

When love hurts you, dare to love again.

When someone is hurting, dare to help them heal.

When another is lost, dare to help them find the way.

When a friend falls, dare to be the first to extend a hand.

When you cross paths with another, dare to make them smile.

When you feel great, dare to help someone else feel great too.

When the day has ended, dare to feel as you’ve done your best.

Dare to be the best you can –

At all times, Dare to be!”
― Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free

Mientras estés viva

Mientras estés viva, siéntete viva

(Madre Teresa de Calcuta)

Siempre ten presente que la piel se arruga,

el pelo se vuelve blanco,

los días se convierten en años...

Pero lo importante no cambia,

tu fuerza y tu convicción no tienen edad.

Tu espíritu es el plumero de cualquier teleraña.

Detrás de cada línea de llegada, hay una de partida.

Detrás de cada logro, hay otro desafío.

Mientras estés viva, siéntete viva.

Si extrañas lo que hacías, vuelve a hacerlo.

No vivas de fotos amarillas...

Sigue aunque todos esperen que abandones.

No dejes que se oxide el hierro que hay en ti.

Haz que en vez de lástima, te tengan respeto.

Cuando por los años no puedas correr, trota.

Cuando no puedas trotar, camina.

Cuando no puedas caminar, usa el bastón…

¡Pero NUNCA te detengas!

“Always keep in mind that your skin will wrinkle and that your hair will turn white, and that your days will become years....But the most important thing never changes-your strength, will and convictions don’t have an age limit. Your spirit is like a feather duster to wipe away the cobwebs.

Behind every day of arrival, there is a game. 

Behind every success, there is another challenge 

While you're alive, feel alive. 

If you miss what you did, do it again. 

Photo not live yellow ..... 

Follow although everyone expects you to leave. 

Do not let the iron oxide in you. 

Do that instead of pity, I have respect. 

When the years you can not run, jog. 

When you can not jog, walk. 

When you can not walk, use the stick ... 

But NEVER stop! 

A fast weight-loss program with Usana products

A fast weight-loss program
March 3, 2014
By: Gina Yoryet Roman

I am thinking about setting a weight-loss plan for this month but I have never been one to set very specific goals like that because prior to my injury, I had always been able to maintain the same weight, when I put on two or three pounds I lost them just as rapidly unlike now. The ten extra pounds clinging on to my muffin top don’t seem to go away at any cost.

Therefore, I was looking for some motivational readings. Today I bought the Women’s Health Training Guide 2014 and I got some good tips. But something very realistic that I came across, was this very interesting weight-lost article about Usana Products which I may give a shot:

Where Are They Now? RESET Challenge Winner Paul Reynolds
Written by Jessica Reimer on February 21, 2014 in Health & Fitness, RESET with 1 Com
- See more at: http://whatsupusana.com/2014/02/reset-challenge-winner-paul-reynolds/#sthash.4KDTCVuT.dpuf


Meet Paul Reynolds. He is one of my favorite people, an amazing photographer, and he will be turning 40 this year.
He also was one of the 2013 RESET Challenge: Destination Transformation winners in the total weight loss category.
During the 12-week challenge, Paul lost and incredible 49 pounds. By September of 2013, Paul had gone on to lose an additional 46 pounds for a total of 95 pounds lost! The best part? He’s been able to maintain this current weight.
Here is Paul’s story.
“I had been overweight most of my life; well into my youth. I had been obese for nearly 15 years prior to the 2013 challenge. Losing the weight was a great barrier for me. However, with belief in myself, a loving support group, commitment to the RESET weight-management program, and consistent physical activity I lost weight, forged a new healthy lifestyle, and won the 2013 RESET Challenge: Destination Transformation.
Winning the challenge and going to Sanoviv had a momentous impact on me. I no longer doubted that I could do it; I had won!
Although 49 pounds was a great victory for me, I was not content. I still had plenty of weight to lose. It was easy for me to continue what I was already doing. I had found great success in the RESET weight-management program and I realized that I could maintain the healthy lifestyle I had been practicing over the course of the 12-week challenge.
I continued to follow the RESET program once I returned home from my fantastic stay at Sanoviv. Over the course of just a few more months I lost an additional 46 pounds. I still have more weight to lose, but my mindset is different and so is my approach. I am no longer racing to a finish. I am working life long to my ultimate goals.
I figured as long as I am always moving in the right direction, then I’m doing pretty good. Although my weight has not changed since September of 2013, my body has. I have put more emphasis on sculpting. My motivation is practical strength to support my bucket list of adventures.
During the 2013 RESET Challenge I focused only on brisk walking as my exercise. Over time, that walking turned into jogging and then into running. I had found an activity that I became passionate about. I had never been a runner. In fact, I hated running. I can’t emphasize enough the importance of finding an activity that you can get excited about. Being excited about a physical activity that gets you out the door and burning calories. Good eating is only one component. A person must move and exert energy to truly see change.

Behind Galena Peak, where Paul’s pointer finger is, stands San Gorgonio at 11,503 feet in elevation. Paul has set a goal to hike/jog to the summit and back via Vivian Creek trail in one day.
I am an adventurous person by nature. Prior to my weight loss, my weight held me back from participating in almost all outdoor activities. I no longer have this problem. A great weight has literally been lifted off me. The sky is the limit. I am free.
I am greatly motivated by opportunities, adventures, and experiences. I regret wasting my youth away to being a couch potato but, I am not wasting another moment on the past. My future is very bright. I have set many goals that I intend to accomplish.
Some goals I already have completed, like running a half marathon, climbing Angels Landing in Zion’s National Park, and sail plane gliding. In 2014, I plan on running a full marathon, rafting a remote wilderness canyon for 10 days, and running to the summit and back of Southern California’s tallest Mountain, a 11,500 foot elevation climb, in the same day.
Again, I am motivated by opportunities, adventures, and experiences. I am teachable and continue to learn about my body and about my health. I practice my healthy lifestyle every day, with the occasional splurge day.
I trust my health 100 percent to USANA and I use the USANA products every day.

My top tips are:
Replace the foods you love with healthier low-glycemic versions
Get active and push harder
Drink lots of water
Use the USANA products every day.
Thank you USANA for the opportunity to participate in the RESET Challenge: Destination Transformation! It changed my life!”
Paul is an amazing example of what can happen when you make the commitment to get healthy!
Start Your Own Journey
Join Paul and #RESETNATION by opting in to the 2014 RESET Challenge. You’re life is happening right now. Enjoy it!
- See more at: http://whatsupusana.com/2014/02/reset-challenge-winner-paul-reynolds/#sthash.4KDTCVuT.dpuf

Frases sabias

Frases sabias

1-“Lo que no me destruye, me hace más fuerte”. (Friedrich Nietzsche, filósofo alemán).

2- “Las oportunidades no son producto de la casualidad, mas bien son resultado del trabajo”. (Tonatihu, Dios solar azteca).

3-“Somos dueños de nuestro destino. Somos capitanes de nuestra alma”. (Winston Churchill, Primer Ministro del Reino Unido).

4-“Saber no es suficiente; tenemos que aplicarlo. Tener voluntad no es suficiente: tenemos que implementarla”. (Johann Wolfgang Goethe, escritor alemán ).

5-“El diccionario es el único lugar donde éxito aparece antes que trabajo”. (Anónimo).

6-“Cualquier cosa que puedas hacer o que creas que puedes hacer, comiénzala”. (Johann Wolfgang Goethe, escritor alemán).

7-“Todos tienen deseos de vencer, pero solo los campeones tienen deseos de prepararse para ello”. (Anónimo).

8-“Los hombres no se hacen a partir de victorias fáciles, sino en base a grandes derrotas”.(Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton, explorador irlandés)

9-“El éxito es la habilidad de ir de fracaso en fracaso sin perder el entusiasmo”. (Sir Winston Churchill, Primer Ministro de Reino Unido).

10-“Es tiempo de empezar a vivir la vida que siempre soñaste”. (Henry James, escritor norteamericano).

11-“Nada podemos esperar, sino de nosotros mismos”. (Gral. José Gervasio Artigas, militar Uruguayo).

12-“Es duro fracasar en algo, pero es mucho peor no haberlo intentado”. (Anónimo).

13-“El sufrimiento y el dolor son temporarios. Rendirse es para siempre”. (Lance Armstrong, ciclista siete veces campeón del Tour de France)

14-“Si no te esfuerzas hasta el máximo, ¿cómo sabrás donde está tu límite?”. (Anónimo).

15-“Para triunfar en la vida, no es importante llegar el primero. Para triunfar simplemente hay que llegar, levantándose cada vez que se cae en el camino”. (Anónimo)

16-“ Recordar que un día voy a morir es la herramienta más importante que me haya encontrado para ayudarme a tomar grandes decisiones en mi vida por las expectativas de los demás, el orgullo, el miedo al ridículo o al fracaso, pues esto se desvanece frente a la muerte dejando solo lo que es verdaderamente importante. Recordar que voy a morir es la forma de evitar la trampa de pensar que tengo algo que perder”. (Steve Jobs, cofundador de Apple Inc.).

17-“Cada fracaso supone un capítulo más en la historia de nuestra vida y una lección que nos ayuda a crecer. No te dejes desanimar por los fracasos. Aprende de ellos, y sigue adelante”. (Anónimo).

18-“Nuestra gloria más grande no consiste en no haberse caído nunca, sino en haberse levantado después de cada caída”. (Confucio, pensador chino)

19-“Para empezar un gran proyecto, hace falta valentía. Para terminar un gran proyecto, hace falta perseverancia”. (Anónimo).

20- “El no querer es la causa, el no poder el pretexto”. (Séneca, filósofo italiano)

21- “Lo que más vale en el hombre es su capacidad de insatisfacción”. (José Ortega y Gasset)

22- “No te digas a ti mismo no puedo comprarlo, sino ¿cómo puedo comprarlo?” (Robert Kiyosaki)

23- “Los perdedores evitan el fracaso, y el fracaso convierte a los perdedores en ganadores” (Robert Kiyosaki)