April 30, 2013

Superdeeduperdee Sponsor Spotlight!


Welcome to the "Sponsor Spotlight!"  It is my honor and pleasure to introduce you all to my Exclusive Superdeeduperdee Sponsor of the Month, Shannel Lee, who blogs over at A Little Over Thirty.
Hi! I am Shannel Lee. I am a teacher and currently completing my Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology. I am married to a wonderful man for 10 years now, and we have a little fur kid name Kodi who also gets featured in my blog.
I am an avid blog reader. It's the first thing I do after I wake up in the morning and the last thing I do before I go to bed, that is if I don't do it all day. I always get inspired every time I read about what others have to say about fashion, makeup and life. So I decided to blog. I blog about life being a little over thirty (that is being 30 years old plus something), being a wife, a teacher, a fur momma as well as my love for makeup, my experiments with fashion and life in so many great and "not so" great way. I also write about my struggles with Aviophobia and how I am beating it one flight at a time.
Honestly, I didn't think I would get as many followers and friends as I have now and have much as I have... gorgeous readers whose support keeps me writing every day. The fact that writing English, which is my second language is not always easy. But as an Asian-English Teacher, I have to brave on and show my students that even then, it is not an excuse for not being able to reach out, share and inspire. At first, I blog because I wanted to become an example to them (my students) reason why I kept it in a small loop so I don't get "read all over”. But somewhere along blog town I was able to meet wonderful readers and bloggers who have become a great source of inspiration so I just keep on writing.
My blog is actually a little something of everything, like a little "random leprechaun" that is. Lately, I start writing product reviews on stuffs that I found affordable (drugstore mostly) which are practical and dependable. I write for women like me who used to think that fashion is always “high-end” and expensive and that makeup should always be bought from a fancy stall from super gorgeous sales persons who almost look like the one in the ad-board. Well, I do love being fancy but we too can get practical, still be gorgeous, and be a “thrift Tease”.  I also write about not-being-a-mommy and life still being wonderful. Yup, I get it all the time, I mean… people actually being surprised why at this point in my life I still chose to have a child free lifestyle. Is it because I am being such a career hungry B****? Being selfish? Not capable? I don’t know. All I know is that this is all what life has to offer for now, and all I can do is be thankful that I can still hope that one day, that precious little gift of being a mom will come… and for now, all I can do is love what I have,  a wonderful husband, an adorable fur kid, my parents and parents in-law who by now seems to forget that they still don’t have any grand children (me and my husband being the first from both sides of the family who got married). Basically I just write whatever inspires me, simple joy that makes a day great.
I asked Shannel if her life was a song what song would it be and why.  This is what she had to say...

If my life was a song, what song would it be and why?  I don’t really know what kind of song my life would be. But I always find myself humming and inspired by the song from Hairspray ‘Good Morning Baltimore’ I just feel like “Life is a Baltimore”. You just have to face it, live to reach your dreams and continue to hope for something great to happen even if people say you can’t. You just have to beat your fears, your doubts and follow what your heart beats for.

Well, anyway, I am really much honored to be featured by the gorgeous blogger Mayra who has been an inspiration. Being featured in her blog is a dream come true.

Thank you Mayra for having me here and I hope to inspire others in ways I can, like you always do.

Awww, thank you Shannel for the kind and sweet words.  It was my pleasure to have you.  If you would like to know more about Shannel and her world, go ahead and feel free to visit A Little Over Thirty.

Tootles!

April 29, 2013

Soul Food Monday! - An Inspirational Link-Up #29

Man is the soul that uses the body as an instrument of self-expression.
Hola Readers! Hope this morning everyone is having a great rise along with a BIG appetite for life where ever in the world you may find yourself today. A life filled with excitement and prosperity!   Acknowledging first that we are more than just a body is a good start to healthy wholeness.  Let's take time to feed the soul.  We feed our bodies with healthy foods to get enough energy and nutrients for optimal growth and development.  We feed and stimulate the mind with books, movies, plays and games for personal and creative development.  The same principal applies to feeding the soul.  It is just as important to feed the body as it is to feed the soul!  After all, the soul is the core of who we are!  It is who we are.  My own experiences of honoring my soul has helped me make this connection with my very soul.  And my life is so much richer in so many ways I could not have even imagined.  This is why I refuse to believe that we are just here to work, eat, sleep and die.  Yes, these are inevitable experiences we live as human beings, but we are spiritual beings as well.  So join me every Monday with a different food for the soul. 
I'm Baaacckkk!  Hope your weekend was one of blessings, relaxation and spiritual growth.  I know mine was for sure.  You see, I have PTSD stemming from a childhood trauma.  I lived oblivious to this condition for so many, many years not understanding why I was feeling the way I was.  But, with years of therapy I got through it.  I got to see the light after the darkness.  

I am told I will always have PTSD due to the severity of the trauma.  And although the majority of the time I am free of it, there are certain things or situations that may still trigger it.  Only now, I am able to recognize and feel when it creeps up at me.  In the beginning I'd tend to surrender to it alone, not telling anyone, not even mi familia.  At times I would become prisoner of my own room, cry for days and tell mi familia I was just suffering from the flu.  

This weekend I had an episode triggered by watching the movie The Call.   I watched it almost 2 weeks ago even though my eldest daughter forewarned me about it.  But I wanted to be strong, which I am by nature and I'm okay now.  Only this time I did something different.   I did not surrender to its gnarling grip!  I did not curl under my sheets allowing it to crush me while I cried my eyes out.  Instead, in my weakness I pulled on my own strength and realized it is okay to not be okay.  It is okay to lean on someone else.  It is okay to ask for help.  So, I did just that and BOY was it hard for me to do.  I first had to struggle through the guilt that comes with being a mother who finds herself having to lean on a child.  Even if the child is an adult, the guilt is just as strong.  At least for me it was.  Yet, I did it!  I fell upon the arms of my daughter and allowed her to catch me.  And I'm a better person because of it and I'm hoping so is she.  Truly a blessing.     

Through this experience I've come to learn that every so often there are defining moments we experience that bring clarity to those otherwise obscure moments in our lives.  I've also learned that there is a sense of freedom in those moments of clarity.  This week I will focus more on those defining moments!


This week's inspirational feed on Clarity...

Wishing everyone a magical Monday and a week full of love, laughter and excitement!  
Please keep coming back every week for more Soul Food Monday!
Where you can feed your soul and start your week with a great and positive outlook!
And ultimately brighten someone else's week by sharing your inspiration!

What is your inspiration this week?
Follow your heart! Grab the button, link-up and share your inspiration!

Ponderwonders


Tootles!
 


April 27, 2013

I Feel Myself Slipping Away...

As I sit here on my oversize comfy soothing armchair under the window 
in the corner of my quaint quiet cozy room,   
I feel myself slipping away...
   As I sit tapping my long restless fingers at the old familiar laptop, 
my soul awakens at the beauty of the quietness.  
and I feel the quietness around me...  
As my ears delight in the gentle rustling of the palm trees just outside my window and the soft melodic soundscapes coming from the music channel on the TV, my soul sighs.
and I feel the quietness inside of me...   
As my soul surrenders to the engulfing peacefulness of the quietness surrounding me,
 I feel myself slipping away...

A poem by SimplyyMayra




April 22, 2013

Happy Earth Day!

Hola!  If you didn't notice, I've been MIA around blogosphere these days.  Please know that between my motherly duties caring for my eldest daughter in the hospital and my battling a severe case of the flu, I've had no time at all to focus on my blog.  I hope to resume with Soul Food Monday! - An Inspirational Link Up next week as well as with any other posts lingering in my draft file.  Just wanted to take a brief moment and wish everyone a Happy Earth Day as well as a wonderful week full of blessings!   Will be catching up with ya'll very soon!

Tootles!

April 16, 2013

Recipe of the Week!

Hola Readers!  Happy tasty Tuesday!  As y'all know I'm getting acquainted with my new home and  since the kitchen needed some fixin' I lost the inspiration to cook. Slowly but surely it's coming along, as a matter of love the last fixin' just took place a couple days ago.  I do feel the inspiration lingering.  But in the meantime I will be browsing around blogosphere for recipes.  So who knows, one day you may be browsing around mine and find your recipe here.  No worries, I respect and give credit where it's do.  
On that note, if you'd like to share your recipe with my readers here on PonderWonders, please contact me and I'd be delighted to do so.  This week I'd love to share a fellow-blogger's recipe that's easy to make on those dinner nights when your craving a delicious pasta dinner but have limited time on hand to cook. 
~Shrimp and Broccoli Alfredo~
Image Source
Brandi of Don't Disturb This Groove shares that one night her husband and daughter whipped up this delicious dinner for the family.  She ended up cleaning up....but didn't mind it at all.

8 ounces uncooked fettuccine pasta 
2 tablespoons butter 
1 pound uncooked shrimp - peeled and deveined 
2 cups blanched fresh broccoli florets 
4 cloves garlic, minced 
1 cup half-and-half 
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese(not the powdered stuff)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley salt and pepper to taste.

 
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.  Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; then drain.  In a large skillet, saute shrimp, broccoli and garlic in butter until shrimp turn pink.  Pour in half and half and stir to combine ingredients.  Sprinkle Parmesan cheese in one tablespoon at a time, stirring constantly.  Once remaining Parmesan cheese is added, mix in parsley and salt. Stir frequently making sure it does not boil. Sauce may take a while to thicken.  Remove the sauce from the heat and allow it to finish thickening as it stands.  Once sauce has thickened, serve over cooked fettuccine.  Serve hot.


D E L I C I O S O !

Enjoy!  Tootles!


April 15, 2013

A $200 CASH Prize Birthday Giveaway!!!

Hola Readers!  Do you need $$$ or just like to win?  Well, here's your chance to do both!  Today I am part of an exciting giveaway in celebration of Melissa's birthday.  Happy Birthday Melissa!!!  So waist no time and enter to win!!!  Hmmmmm, I'm pondering on who the lucky winner will be and what they'll do with the $200 Cash Prize!!!  Now you know what to do....
so let's get jiggy wit it!

Saturday, April 13th was my birthday and well, you know what that means! 
IT'S A CELEBRATION!
Even though I don't like getting older, I still celebrate BIG. Including using the line "It's My Birthday Week" at least a thousand times. (HA, ya my husband LOVES that)
I am so excited to be working with some fabulous bloggers to give one of YOU 
$200 PAYPAL CASH! 
One winner + A lot of Cash = CELEBRATION!
Enter through Rafflecopter below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Soul Food Monday! - An Inspiration Link-Up #28

Man is the soul that uses the body as an instrument of self-expression.
Hola Readers! Hope this morning everyone is having a great rise along with a BIG appetite for life where ever in the world you may find yourself today. A life filled with excitement and prosperity!   Acknowledging first that we are more than just a body is a good start to healthy wholeness.  Let's take time to feed the soul.  We feed our bodies with healthy foods to get enough energy and nutrients for optimal growth and development.  We feed and stimulate the mind with books, movies, plays and games for personal and creative development.  The same principal applies to feeding the soul.  It is just as important to feed the body as it is to feed the soul!  After all, the soul is the core of who we are!  It is who we are.  My own experiences of honoring my soul has helped me make this connection with my very soul.  And my life is so much richer in so many ways I could not have even imagined.  This is why I refuse to believe that we are just here to work, eat, sleep and die.  Yes, these are inevitable experiences we live as human beings, but we are spiritual beings as well.  So join me every Monday with a different food for the soul. 

They say it's human nature to want, want, want instead of give, give, give.  It's said that it's much easier.  But is it really?  I've learned that I'm much happier when I give.  Maybe it's time we focus on soul nature...

This week's feed on.....

Wishing everyone a magical Monday and a week full of love, laughter and excitement!  
Please keep coming back every week for more Soul Food Monday!
Where you can feed your soul and start your week with a great and positive outlook!
And ultimately brighten someone else's week by sharing your inspiration!

What is your inspiration this week?
Follow your heart! Grab the button, link-up and share!

Ponderwonders

April 11, 2013

Recap-Walk Now For Autism Speaks!

Hola y'all!  Hope everyone is doing fine and dandy wherever in the world you may find yourself today.  Or like my eldest daughter says "as spiffy as your coffee".  As y'all know, on Sunday we had a Familia affair like no other and it was truly awesome!  The Miami hot weather could not keep us from this affair.  We did it in honor of our sweet, gentle little man Brenden whom we lovingly call Chumbi.  He is such a joy and I can't brag enough about how brilliant this little boy is.  He is 4 years old and falls into the spectrum of Autism.  In our hearts of all hearts we all know that he possesses the sacred secret of life.  He is a blessing to the Familia.  He is such a happy and peaceful little boy living in his own little world teasing us with glimpse of his pure love with his tender caresses, kisses and hugs.  I die in pure love when he cups my face in his little hands and hugs me ever so gently, a feeling I've never known until him.  He is my ray of sunshine bringing joy to my life.

This was our first event promoting Autism research.  There were so many fun events for the whole familia to enjoy. There was an array of tents lined up next to each other and scattered throughout the park offering resources to learn more about this disorder and offering help and assistance to the families who love someone with autism.  It was as if for those few hours we were bound by the same riveting energy with people we'd never met before, yet somehow knew.  Chumbi's mom, my eldest daughter, planned this event at the last minute, but we have already decided that next year we will be more prepared with our own tent and all.  Anyway, I'd love to share this special Familia affair with all you awesome peepz by way of pictures.  I took lots, lots of pictures!
Lots of fun activities for the Familia to enjoy!!!  
Like a petting zoo, bounce houses and so much more!
Beautiful handmade bows representing the Autism colors!  Lovingly made by Chumbi's mom.  My very own creative and talented daughter Shasha, who is a newbie blogger over at Shashack.  So go over and take a peek and show her some love and encouragement!  I'm sure she'd appreciate that!  
Gracias :)
After all the fun and mingling, time for the 2 mile walk!  
The Miami heat was sizzling, but it was a beautiful day.  
And so many people showed up to show their love and support.  
It really was a very empowering experience.
After the walk, the G-Kidz took in a little more fun!
An overall enjoyable day.  By the end, Chumbi was tired and ready to go home.  
Probably missing his iPad!
Thank you all for stopping by and sharing this incredible and special Familia Affair!

Tootles!
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