45th President of the United States Of America

We swore in our 45th President on Friday, January 20th, 2017 and I stood my ground an boycotted watching or listening to his speech.  Some say I should have respected him and watched it but for me I couldn't stomach the thought that this bigot, this temperamental child that attacks people on twitter when they don't say what he wants is our new #Potus.  It's a tough pill to swallow.  8 years ago I cried as Barack Obama and his family came to DC and and Obama was sworn in as our 44th President.  We broke barriers and elected our first ever black president.  That was huge. 

Today by electoral votes only (popular votes voted against him.) Donal Trump is our POTUS.   Was he my choice. No.. I voted Hillary Clinton.  She wasn't the best choice either but based on what we had... she had my vote and I still today feel she would have been a better candidate.  But we will never know.  

Did I have reasons for not choosing him.. of course.. and Have I voiced my opinions of course.. I've done my best to be respectful of those that didn't feel the same as I did and hoped they would do the same. I never called anyone a Republicatard or whatever but was called LIbertard on many occasions.. Having said that.. I respect the office of President... and will watch with others and more than likely be vocal about things that may change that I feel strongly about...but the office of president, our military will always be respected.

I hope that over the next 4 years our new president doesn't just support the top 1%ers,and his croonies.. I hope he protects are our poor, our elderly, our men, women and children. I hope he protects our immigrants.. I hope he protects the right to freedom of speech, the right to choose our religions and the right to love.. I hope he protects all races, white, black, yellow etc... I hope he protects all Humans in our country and that he continues to keep America the place of dreams, the place people can be free to be them...

I don't want to have religion or the extreme left or right shoved down my throat.. but I do want our America to be a safe and happy place where people are free to follow their dreams. Am I concerned, of course I am.. the rhetoric that was said in the last election was horrifying, scary and made some of us lose hope... but I am always open to change.. and if Trump thinks he can make things better... then I will pray that he does so but that he does it for ALL Americans and immigrants and not just the good old boys.

4 years is a long time, i don't want failure.. because then we all fail but I want a President that looks beyond Washington or the 1%ers and takes care of all of us. I want a President that instills hope not fear, love not hate and one that is Proud to be an American and of the country we have. We may not be at our best but we are better than most and until we stop the hatred and all become equal in this country.. we will never move forward.

With that said.. I'm proud to be an American and I'm proud that we in the US have the freedom of speech and ability to voice our opinions. I hope everyone remembers to be kind. #godblessamerica and I pray that the next 4 years go well.

30 Day Writing Challenge

DAY 1

5 problems with social media… Well this could most definitely be more than 5 problems. so I’ll start with the most common complaint I hear from people everywhere…

1. Sharing too much.. We all tend to share too much, too many pictures, too many food shots, too much of our life, we rant too much etc etc.. What do I have to say about that.. well.. hide, unfollow me etc.. I write what I’m feeling in the moment.. sometimes I’ll go back and delete and sometimes.. oh well.. it’s what I was feeling right then. I try not to censor anyone on their own feeds of any of the social media outlets.. as I don’t want to be censored either. If I don’t want to see it.. I’ll hide/unfollow etc..

2. What we put on Social Media is usually if not FOREVER.. Pictures especially of those hard core party days, or doing really stupid things.. can come back to haunt you in your job search, college applications etc.. We forget these things and well.. it can go all bad!

3. People pretending to be someone they are not.. So many people come up with their own stories, they create these fictional characters .. sometimes simply because they aren’t confident enough as themselves but many times so that they can hurt others.

4. Predators.. I don’t think our youth of today and well let’s be honest adults believe that there are predators out there that hide in social media to hurt us.. but in 2016 this is very big deal that leads to human trafficking, kidnapping and the simple of it… robbery.

5. Finally, social media is addictive and you can lose hours of your life playing in FB, Twitter, Myspace etc.. I’ve been known to have that happen..lol it’s what it is.. an escape but we should all be aware of the time we spend on social media.. that much I am aware of..

So those are my thoughts on my 5 problems with social media.. and I’ve probably done a little of all of them except for #3..or #4.. but I have met people online and w/o even thinking about it.. met up wth them and never thought twice about it. Hello Duranie Days!!! Lol I’ve been fortunate that those I have met have become good friends of mine.

LUSO NEWCASTLE VISIT

As I get ready to move into another weekend of travel and my #LusoLife I have to remember my last visit in Newcastle. (I'm slacking here). I took my dads advice and headed up to Roseville on Saturday evening, spent some time at #ThunderValleyCasino, came back to the hotel with a whopping .77 cents (lets not talk about what I lost lol) and then vegged out until Sunday morning. 

I have to say that as I drive around California I have come to love these small towns and these historic buildings!!! We had the Newcastle Visit at the Newcastle Portuguese Hall that was built in 1918. What a treasure this building is!!

Its always a pleasure to arrive at visits and see familiar faces. Past Presidents, line officers and simply members that have known you since you were a kid. I grew up with some of the adult members of this council and have watched some of them grow up in other councils. Thank you Newcastle for the lovely afternoon filled with friendships and laughter, the delicious cake, dinner and flowers. BTW I love love the scentsy crown that we were given. Love it!!

To the Newcastle Youth Council... Keep it up, work hard and continue to do what you do best. Silvia Soares i don't know how you treck up there during the summer months for Luso practice but keep up the good work and holding on to our traditions!!! Can't wait to see what you guys bring to the table this year at the convention!!!!!

Thank you to Frankie Trovao and his family, Ethan Vieira and his parents and everyone else who spent the afternoon with us. These memories will be forever held dear to my heart!

See you all at the next visit..

#LusoPrez2015 #LusoFamily#LusoAmericanFraternalFederation #LusoLife

#RIPTigerBaby

Never thought that I would be so upset that I was losing my durango.. but I have been.. such an emotional thing for a materialistic piece of my life. its just a car.. but its part of a time of my life where I made big changes, bought the car, bought my home and got my puppy. of those 3 Diva is my last piece of that period.. My car signified some independence, it was mine, no payments, no anything. Now until I can decide what I want and afford I'm at the mercy (and thankful I have the opportunity).. of my parents and borrowing their car. 

with that.. #RIPTGRBBY you were my favorite car, took me everywhere and we had some wonderful memories.. I'm sorry I didn't take better care of you...

LUSO SALINAS VISIT

A little behind this week... This last weekend I had the opportunity to go to the Salina's Visit at Markham Ranch. What a beautiful location. I mean seriously gorgeous. It was a beautiful day and a great drive. I was fortunate that my dad was able to join me this last weekend. He makes a great co pilot especially if I start to fiddle with my phone, he makes sure to stop that immediately! lol.

Thank you Salinas; Mr. and Mrs. Gurgulho, Mr and Mrs. Leal, Mr.and Mrs Avila and those that attended. It was a small luncheon but it was still special to me. Thank you Ethan Vieira, Joseph B. Vieira and Lina Pereira Vieira for being there as well. I don't think I've been to a visit yet that I didn't have either my youth president or the 20-30's president with. So proud of both of them.

Thank you Salinas for the lovely luncheon and gift. Your continued hard work and loyalty to Luso is truly inspiring.

During our talks during dinner we made a few connections. My first convention with Luso in 1982 was at Batista Vieira's convention... Ethans first convention at the age of 2 months was my dad's convention in 1998... and now we are Presidents together. It was in the stars Ethan Vieira... we've come full circle!!!

Thank you again to all that were in attendance on Sunday...

SACRAMENTO LUSO WEEKEND

Another great Luso weekend with my #LusoFamily. I started my weekend supporting Judy Mottini on her journey to Luso President in 2017 by finally being able to attend her Crab Feed in Sacramento. So glad i finally made it up there. What a great turn out and delicious crab!!! She most definitely deserves to have such a successful fundraiser as her year approaches. I'm looking forward to her convention at the Sacramento Hyatt in 2017, I know Judy and her committee are going to be spectacular!!!

After a nice evening at the crab feed and a good nights sleep at the Sutter House in Downtown Sac... I headed over to St. Elizabeths Church for Council 3c-33b, Region 7 and YC #4's annual visit. I was welcomed with open arms by my Luso Family. Thank you to everyone who worked so tirelessly all weekend to make sure that the visit was memorable and fun. Thank you for the lovely corsage, beautiful gift and delicious lunch but most importantly, thank you for making me feel so loved and cherished!!!

My standout moment was when i was greeted by Avo Perry as I have called her for the last 19 years... We met when I was 20-30's President in 98 and she traveled with her granddaugther the Youth President Jennifer Sanders (then Machado)... and she adopted me and I her as my Avo... I was thrilled to see her and so happy that she had come to see me!!! I adore her. I've said this before but sometimes people just touch your heart and they become the most special people in your journey in life. Thank you Avo Perry for joining us this weekend and Thank you Jennifer and Gracie M Pimentel for sharing your Avo with me!! :)

Thank you to my co presidents 20-30s PresidentFrankie Trovao and his family Marie Trovao, Maggie and Hailey and Youth President Ethan Vieira and his father and LALIS Director Joseph B. Vieira for making another one of our visits memorable and fun!

I truly love my Luso Life!!!!

Thank you again Sacramento for the lovely memories!!! See you all at the Convention!!!!!

 — 

LUSO VISIT WATSONVILLE COUNCIL 75B

This last weekend I started of 2016 with my first visit in Watsonville. Council 75B hosted a great luncheon for myself, youth president Ethan Vieiraand 20-30s president Frankie Trovao, officers and members. I was joined by my parents and my Tia Isabel. Mr. Joao Machado and his council put on as usual a great dish and welcomed us all with warm hugs and laughs. There is never a quiet moment with Frankie, Ethan and Myself, add in Danny and it gets a little out of control. Great memories though...

It was an emotional visit as Mr. Machado, his deceased wife and I formed a friendship/connection that has withstood approximately 20 years. Every so often people touch your heart and you know you will cherish them always. For me that was the Machados. The will forever be a huge part of my#LusoFamily.

Thank you to the officers and members that came to the visit and to 75b for putting on a delicious luncheon of 2 differents types of Tuna, fish soup and cake!! Thank you for the wonderful memories.

#LusoLife #lusoprez2015 #LusoAmerican#LusoPres