What Does Cinco De Mayo Celebrate?

Some say that Cinco De Mayo is more of an American celebration than a Mexican one.   It’s a time when a lot of people use it as an excuse to eat Mexican food and drink margarita.  Truth is, if you were to ask Americans what Cinco De Mayo is about or the history behind it they would be clueless.  If you’re one of these people don’t worry you don’t have to tell anyone but I will tell you the basics so you will no longer be ignorant and can confidently answer the question “What does Cinco De Mayo celebrate?”

Picture featured on phactual.com

According to History.com: On May 5, 1862, 2,000 Mexican soldiers were prepared to fight 6,000 French troops.  General Charles Latrille de Lorences led the French while General Zaragoza led the Mexicans.  The French had lost 500 soldiers and about 100 Mexican casualties.

I believe good leadership makes a huge difference in a group of people large or small that face an objective.  This can be applied in war, school, place of employment, etc.  

There is a quote that I absolutely loved by Dwight D. Eisenhower, "Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it."   Anyone can be in a leadership position and tell people what needs to be done and some may follow.  However, I believe it’s the greatest leaders who find a way to make the people passionate about what they must do to get the job done.

Underwear/Sock Drawer

To start of this next blog post I am going to start of with a few questions for you:

• Do you have a separate drawer for your underwear and socks or do you keep them together?

• How often do you purchase socks and underwear?

• Do you have a favorite brand for different occasions?

I would love to hear your answers so please comment below when you have a chance.

As for myself, I keep my socks and underwear in the same drawer.  A year ago I organized my drawer but now it is in a state where they are all just thrown in together in one drawer.  I can hear a former co-worker’s voice in my head “Let’s see how long you can keep that up” when I proudly showed her the picture of my super organized underwear drawer!

I don't really have a pattern of when I buy socks and underwear.  I guess I used to buy them whenever I thought they were on sale or were a good deal at the time.  

It is currently still in a chaotic state but it is something that I plan on tackling tomorrow.  I will be one step closer to having the examples I need to post about my updated minimalist wardrobe post that I aim to complete this weekend.

As a guide I will be following Love Raw Vegan’s video “How To Simplify & Organize Your Underwear Drawer” – I will link it below.  Perhaps it will help you out as well! ;)

Last month I put a poll asking "What was your favorite 2000s TV Show?"  Although I love Grey's Anatomy I would have to say I love Charmed even more.  According to the poll I'm not the only one.

Charmed is a supernatural-type show that feature three sisters who are witches.  Known as the most powerful witches of all time.

I loved the show and I still watch it on Netflix from time to time.  I was impressed how they changed up the story and brought in a new actress after Shannen Doherty left who played the oldest sister named Prue.  I must admit re-watching the show some of the oldest episodes from seasons 1, 2, and 3 was really corny I loved Prue Halliwell's character but I can tell the show got significantly better with the later seasons.

Do you like Charmed? Who was your favorite character? Do you still watch the re-runs?  Let me know by commenting below!

Path To A Minimalist Wardrobe

When I started this blog one of my earlier post was about organizing my drawer space. I want to take it a step further and organize my entire wardrobe and transform it to more of a minimalist one.

How often is it that we find ourselves frustrated that we can't figure out what to wear? I imagine the decision wouldn't be difficult if I do not have much of a choice. I've made several trips to the local thrift stores and donated a few boxes of clothes and other household items. I am definitely on the right track.

I've got three drawers and half a closet to work with (yes, I share my closet with my husband)!  I will actively work on it this week so hopefully by next weekend I will have a decent update on my progress.

Floyd Mayweather VS Manny Pacquiao

Whether you follow boxing or not, chances are you have heard about these famous boxers.  The anticipated fight is FINALLY happening.  After years of negotiating the fight is finally happening. To catch the fight you have to do one of the follow:

• Pay HBO $90 for standard viewing or $100 for HD
• Team up with some friends/family and split the bill
• Go to a restaurant/bar that is playing it and pay a cover charge $10-$35

Apparently they are trying everything they can to prevent people from illegally streaming the fight.  The businesses that do decide to pay to view the fight are apparently being charged around $5000.  It's crazy!  Whoever wins or loses will walk away regardless millions of dollars but what is at stake: pride/bragging rights.

Me, personally I want Pacquiao to win because he represents those of us that prefer to be humble and grateful for what we have.  There are too many cocky and "entitled" minded people out there in the real world.  Yes, it's all about the skills in the ring not so much outside of the ring but they are both GREAT fighters and I believe it's going to be an awesome fight.  Mayweather has crazy good defensive skills which will be to his advantage.  I hope Pacquiao doesn't act too hastily and use his speed and accuracy to his advantage to get Mayweather out of his comfort zone.

The fight will be held in Las Vegas and it will start at local time 8PM.  Will you be tuning in?

Here is a clip presented to you by HBO - I hope you enjoy watching it as much as I did! ;)

Advertising Opportunity For All!

Today I went through my office supplies and tried to downsize (still working on it)!  I came across some random pens and markers and decided to see which ones I can throw away.  While I was doing this, an advertising idea came into mind.  

People still advertise with flyers right?  So that’s what I did – I made a flyer.  I was going for random and colorful.  I think I succeeded.  Although it does look like a 5 year old made it.  I liked it.  It has character I think! ;)  I just hope it works.  I posted it in a local coffee shop so we shall see.  

Do you have a website, blog, or forum?  You can reply to this entry and take it as an advertising opportunity and I won’t flag you for it!

New Osio Cinemas - Small town movie theater-like experience

My husband and I went to a small movie theater called "New Osio Cinemas."  It was a great experience.  Older audience surrounded us, however, I think I like that better than sharing a theater with noisy teenagers or children!

The movie we saw was Danny Collins.  It was a very enjoyable film.  I recommend it if you're looking for a feel-good type movie.  It stars Al Pacino and I would definitely consider it more of a comedy/drama.  He plays a musician named Danny Collins who end up turning his life around from being a destructive rockstar and hoping for a more meaningful lifestyle after reading a letter he received from legendary John Lennon.

I really enjoyed our experience this evening.  The movie theatre seems to only have 5 screens.  It was small and intimate feeling.  I look forward to having more movie outings like this in the future.  For only $6.50 per ticket, I thought it was worth it.

Living Life VS Making a Living

I am in a unique situation, where I am able to focus on just doing what I love - as in hobbies and interests without being required to work or make a living as some would say.  I can't help but sit back and realize that all these years I've spent working I had allowed myself to get comfortable and let my work dictate how my everyday was going to be.  I no longer tried to do something different or interesting.

I started off being active in this blog thinking that in itself would be a motivation for me to the things I love as in reading, cooking, spending time with my dogs, etc.  However, it's not just that it's about me and living my life the way I choose to.  How many of us can say that we are truly living life the way we want to? Are we spending our time with those that we love the way we want to?  I don't want to lay somewhere one day and think "I should have spent more time with my friend and family" or "I wish I didn't work so much" or "I should been a better a friend".  It's so easy to get caught up with the everyday grind.

We hear it all the time to seize the day and live life to the fullest but seldom do we actually do it.  No more excuses.  I only have $3.93 in my wallet and I've got to say it's an amazing feeling to know that that doesn't matter.  My husband and I are not rich by any means but we are in a wonderful position.  After this venture in California we can literally go in any direction we want to.  That is an amazing feeling.

"We always vote for Democrats"

"We always vote for Democrats," My mom answered me when I asked her the question, are we Democrats or Republicans?  ...and as 3rd grader and a child, I knew better than to question my parents.  I was never told not to but I always KNEW that I should never ask why.  Now that I'm an adult though, I can't help but ask why.  ...and for the life of me, I don't know why children are discouraged from asking why whenever they didn't know the answer.

As a society WHY are children told to be quiet so often, to sit on their hands, and not to talk to their neighbors?  Why do we have to accept the way things are without explanation?  Why do we feel like we can't make a difference?  I spent about 2 hours today looking up articles and youtube videos of the presidential candidates of 2016 (and potential ones) and I think I am more confused now more than ever.

I've been registered to vote since I was 18 but I have never voted.  Gosh, would the women of the 1920's be so disappointed in me.  I've said excuses like "I never got around to it" or "I never had the time to go out and vote" but that's not really the truth is it?  I simply do not know what to vote for.

It's funny as a 3rd grader you don't know a whole lot let alone politics. I remember literally thinking I think I would vote for Bob Dole but I was afraid to say out loud because all of my classmates were saying Clinton (and back then I wanted to vote for Bob Dole because his name was easier to spell)!

Back in 2008 I was afraid to admit that Obama sounded like a good candidate for everyone around me were going for McCain.  Who wouldn't want change? Isn't it time for a change? Yes we can! What a great slogan.  *sighs* Two times now have I had the chance to vote but neglected to because I didn't want to be swayed by peer pressure and I was just downright scared to make a decision.

Well, 2016 needs to be different.  OK so I know a lot of people say that it's not going to make a difference who you vote for the system is rigged anyway but my thing is...if everybody thought this way, then why make believe that we are a democratic country?  We have the power to vote so why don't we?  I think it's because we've gotten so used to being told what to do, to sit on our hands, and to be quiet.

Oh but now I am more confused more than ever.  It seems like 75% of the information online is about why you should not vote for the candidates.  Who should we vote for?  There are no guarantees that what they say during the presidential race are exactly what they're going to do once they're in office.  As a matter of fact, which presidents actually went into office and did exactly what they promised?  I don't know the answers to these questions because I've remain stoic and indifferent when it comes to politics for I hated hearing the debates and arguments of people whenever politics became the subject of a conversation.  Well, I still got over a year left right? I still have time to educate myself the best I can in order to be prepared to exercise my right as an American and vote for the next President.

What about you - where do you stand with politics?

Pinterest...Got me pinned for hours!

This is what I look like while browsing through Pinterest.  I don't use Pinterest too often but when I do OMG!  Time sure does fly when you're having fun.  I know I know, it's just a bunch of pictures collected and you can click on them if you want to read about it but oh my goodness, I can never get tired of looking at baby puppies, tigers, then there are recipes, do-it-yourself projects and... ah the possibilities are endless!  I was supposed to read a book that a friend recommended to me last night but I never cracked it open after the first chapter because Pinterest just well, pinned me to my iPad!  Next thing I knew I couldn't keep my eyes open any more.   I now remember why I don't look at Pinterest too often, it's not that I don't like it - I just like TOO much! ;)  Are you a fan of Pinterest?  What do you typically look at on there? Please comment below!

Declaring Lazy Thursday

So I decided to officially call today Lazy Thursday.  Perhaps it's because I had to wake up and drop off Jared at 4:45AM earlier.  I walked the dogs...drank coffee with a piece of bread and butter.  ...and now I'm in bed. I am feeling absolutely lazy today where the thought of having to crawl to the other side of the bed to reach the PS4 controller and the remote to the TV to watch Netflix feels like such a chore right now.  I think Percy has the right idea here. Perhaps a couple of hours of sleep might help.

Car Detailing - Should I Tip?

This question came up when I decided to treat my husband and get his car detailed. I guess I could do it myself but why should I spend hours doing it myself and miss this blog opportunity? :)

With that being said I decided to go to El Estero Car Wash in Monterey, California.  I wish that I had taken a before and after picture because they really did a marvelous job.

I was bit weary because according to Yelp! they only have 2 and 1/2 stars out of 5.  Apparently in order to get the "full" detail package you must set up an appointment.  The advisor suggested that I do the express detail if I didn't want to wait.  Yep she hit the button I just wanted to get it over with.

It took about an hour for them to do the service. I was able to wait comfortably though because they offer complimentary hot organic coffee and wi-fi.

So to answer the question: Should I tip when I get a car detail and/or car wash?  My answer is yes. At the very least, leave a tip for good Juju. Yes it is expensive but these guys work all day outside cleaning your mess.  Does the price cover their wages? They probably do. However if you think about it, your little extra tip is capable of giving the workers the extra boost of enthusiasm to clean the next car ahead of you just like the person that left the tip before you.

Oh yes and here is a helpful hint - after getting your car detailed you will find that it is still damp.  The fastest way to dry out your interior (unless you have a fancy vacuum or blower thing) park your car under the sun and leave the doors open OR at least all windows about 1/3 down so the moisture can evaporate.

Late night thoughts...

So here I am at 1:02AM feeling restless. I decided to sit down and start writing in my blog again.  They say that if you cannot go to sleep or aren't feeling sleepy get out of bed and do something to relax your mind and after a while try going back to sleep again.  Who said that? I don't remember but I'm fairly confident that I read it somewhere. I do believe it's true though because if you can't sleep and you stay in bed all you will be doing is thinking and watching the clock run.  That is no fun.

Today I decided to start writing in my blog again. It always bothered me that my blog doesn't have a typical theme.  It's just about random things so... that's what I've decided to call it.  Citadel of Thoughts.  There will be different times that an idea will hit me that someone else could find either useful and/or interesting and THAT will be what I write about.

When Opportunity Knocks You Must Answer!

Image from Lies Young Women Believe

I believe that we need to treat Opportunity as a friend.... when your friend knocks on your door, how many times will they try to knock before they leave if you don't open your door?  Let's say that your friend knocks on your door and you answer, but you answer rudely or act as if you don't recognize them?  Imagine if we were to treat Opportunity like our friend... perhaps they will come around more often? :)

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” 
― Winston S. Churchill

If we think about it... if we spend most of our time complaining about the things we don't like and talk about it and feel passionate about the things that make us mad, sad, upset, and all the other negative emotions...we leave no room for opportunity, happiness, and gratitude in our hearts.   With all the negativity in the news/media, conversations with our peers, etc it's difficult to remain positive in this world we're living in but we have to try.  Not really for everyone else's sake but for our own.

Challenge for today (or set it up for tomorrow if it's late now): Consciously turn a negative thought or conversation into positive one, three times today.  I would love to hear how this works out for you, please come back and comment with your experience.

This morning I received my usual daily email from PCMag.com highlighting the latest great deals around the web when lo and behold my camera (Canon EOS Rebel SL1) was featured as one of the specials for $519.00 at 42photo.com!  Now, Best Buy does not typically match internet prices online but in this case I just HAD TO TRY! I sent the manager an email explaining my situation of how I wanted to take advantage of this amazing deal online but I rather give Best Buy my business because I also want to take advantage of their no interest financing.  The manager emailed me back a few hours later and expressed the price matching terms of Best Buy and although they do not usually do this but in this one time occurance since I am a loyal customer he was willing to make me an exception.  AMAZING! So after work tonight I got my camera.  I am so excited right now I could scream.  (I don't want to scare my dogs though haha!)