Gong Xi Fa Cai! Year of the Dragon

Hey Y'all,
I love celebrating Chinese New Year; The best part for me is the parade, with thousands of spectators occupying Chinatown it was the place to be on Sunday 1/29/12.
This year we celebrate the Year of the Dragon. Dragons are the free spirits of the Zodiac, giving me the understanding they are in a league of their own. Conformation is a Dragon's curse.

 Dragons must be free and uninhibited. The Dragon is a beautiful creature, colorful and flamboyant. An extroverted bundle of energy, gifted and utterly irrepressible, everything Dragons do is on a grand scale - big ideas, ornate gestures, extreme ambitions. However, this behavior is natural and isn't meant for show. Because they are confident, fearless in the face of challenge, they are almost inevitably successful. Dragons usually make it to the top. However, Dragon people be aware of their natures. Too much enthusiasm can leave them tired and unfulfilled. Even though they are willing to aid when necessary, their pride can often impede them from accepting the same kind of help from others. Dragons' generous personalities give them the ability to attract friends, but they can be rather solitary people at heart. A Dragon's self-sufficiency can mean that he or she has no need for close bonds with other people.The Dragon is a creature of myth and legend. A symbol of good fortune and sign of intense power, the Oriental Dragon is regarded as a divine beast - the reverse of the malicious monster that Westerners felt necessary to find and slay. In Eastern philosophy, the Dragon is said to be a deliverer of good fortune and a master of authority. Therefore, those people born in Dragon years are to be honored and respected. (Information from the following site: http://www.betterchinatown.com/)

 As you can see I had a great time and I can't wait for next year!                                          










 Pictures courtesy of Idalia Ulloa.

Insane Out The Airplane!

Hey Y’all,
One of my many dreams had been to jump out of a plane (with a parachute, of course). I think it's an extreme sport but has been something I’ve always wanted to do. 
One of my friends always asks “Why can’t you keep your feet on the ground?” The truth is I like challenging myself mentally and physically. 
Now, I have attempted to do this since I was 18 years old but could never push myself enough to do it, until I met my friend JL. She was interested in jumping as well but couldn’t do it either. 
Then one summer we decided to sign up and reserve our spots together. Staring each other in the eyes as our palms sweated and the nerves set in we wondered if we had made a mistake. We pushed and supported each other throughout this challenge. 

The day came and I was terrified. Why is it that the thing you want most is exactly what terrifies you? I mean, your parachute might not open and your body could splatter all over the place! But once we got there the mood changed. It was a beautiful day and people were laid back, calm, and friendly (Don’t get me wrong you’re still on high alert but the ambiance was calm and collected).
Another reason I was able to get through this was my instructor. If I hadn’t had a sarcastic, funny, crazy tandem partner it wouldn’t have been the same. I was laughing the whole time and the sly remarks kept me on my toes and distracted me from what was about to happen. 

The plane reached 15,000 feet and it was time to GET SOME!!! Whether I was ready or not I was doing it. It was the most amazing experience of my life. I loved every moment of it, as you can see in the video I went nuts up there.

 
The wind was so strong that my hand gestures looked more like weird sign language. 
I laugh every time I watch my video and am proud of what I did. I hope you guys enjoy it. 

For those of you who are ready for your next adventure, jump to this link: http://www.skydivetheranch.com/

Ding Ding! TKO in Astoria!

Hey Y’all,

I had a craving for Colombian food one day so I headed over to my paisa hood on Steinway Street in Queens. I was looking for parking when I saw LA BOXING gym. “Ding Ding,” I was ready for round 1.

The gym offers boxing, kickboxing, and MMA classes, I signed up for a boxing class: your first class is free.

You begin the class by getting your heart rate going by doing drills like running, crawls, squats, etc. Everyone has their own punching bag where you begin your boxing training. You alternate between boxing and cross training, making this the ultimate work out.

You can burn 800-1000 calories per class and trust me, you will feel it.

I love this gym. It was a very comfortable environment; the trainers are very attentive, paying close attention to your form and correcting you when needed. Even though it was my first class, I felt right at home. 

Thanks LA BOXING!

Check them out! http://laboxing.com/astoria/

2012 IDEAS

Happy 2012 Y'all!
I have tons of stuff lined up this year, I'm really excited. I will be going to California this year, it's a trip I have been planning for some time and I've never been there.
As you all know every January 1st is filled with resolutions, wish list, vision boards, etc. I'm  interested to hear what everyone has in mind, please feel free to share your plans with me.