Good crazy woman

Last Thursday, I read the news about a mother in Colombia who took her own son to the authorities, after she watched him on a Twitter video vandalizing the city’s public transportation system.

Besides the betrayal of seeing her son become a juvenile delinquent, the single mother had to pay fines, equivalent to a month’s work.

When I read the story I felt pure admiration for that woman. I truly hope her son values what she did for him: saving his life. Perhaps not from immediate death, but from a life of crime that would have wasted the rest of his days. Continue reading “Teaching Moment”

Miami Swim Week 2018, one of the most flashed showcase in America, ended last Tuesday, and it left me worried. The controversial trend that thousands of photographic lenses captured was the adhesive duct tape bathing suits (see pictures.)

Although it doesn’t cross my mind to even try this swimwear, I can’t help but think how painful it must be to take it off. If anything, these bikinis include a free wax treatment!

However, the real sticky business with summer fashion is the stress it triggers for overweight people when planning beach vacations. In real life, the crooked angles and filters from Instagram don’t work to hide those extra pounds. Continue reading “Fasting without Penance”

However, this is where things don’t add up. A year ago I wrote a column with the title The Colombian’s Jersey of Honor in which I described the shame of USA cycling after the dismantling of Lance Armstrong’s–seven times champion of the Tour de France–network of systematic doping and deceit.

Sadly, last week, at the start of the 2018 edition of this prime competition, cycling was again wrapped in a veil of doubt caused by the doping suspicion of the current and four times champion of the tour, Chris Froome. Continue reading “Le Tour de France Pedaling a Scandal”

Last Saturday, I adopted Sweden as my favorite team in the FIFA World Cup Rusia 2018 during its game against England; I was trying to get the bad taste of my home country defeat last Tuesday. Nonetheless, my archenemy was undoubtedly better than Sweden in the field, and two headers gave England the victory.

However, besides the goals scored in Russia, there is a playing field developing with a lot of potential for Latin America, especially for Colombian exporters and entrepreneurs.

The trade war between the world giants, the United States and China, became official last Thursday, July 5th. The Trump Administration imposed tariffs on $34 billion worth of goods coming from China, which reciprocated by imposing its own tariffs on $34 billion worth of American goods. Continue reading “U.S. and China Trade War Opens Doors Elsewhere”

Last Friday I said goodbye to my mother and home country after a wonderful vacation, the perfect mix of watching the soccer matches of the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 and spending time with my loved ones. Nonetheless, I couldn’t leave without some drama at the El Dorado International Airport in Bogota.

My flight, JetBlue 1784 to Orlando, was scheduled to depart at 7:04 a.m. After my son and I checked our bags on time, the airline rep advised me to enter the emigration area to avoid delays. Continue reading “If the world is not ready for the new Colombia, we are!”

The beginning of June was a happy for me. I had a birthday and received hugs, kisses, presents, calls, and messages from all the people I love. But, in the celebrity world, it was a sad. Kate Spade, famous clothing designer, and Anthony Bourdain, re-known chef and TV host, took their life last Tuesday, June 5th and Thursday, June 8th, respectively.

According to the results of a comprehensive study between 2001 and 2015 published by the CDC  on June 8th, the suicide rate in the United States increased more than 30% in half the states of the union, and the age group with the highest rate spike were adults between 45 and 64, across all urbanization levels. Continue reading “Brokenhearted”

On March 25th I published a blog titled Generosity is a Synonym for Tolerance, in which I referenced the political discourse in America and how similar it is to my home country’s current state amid the presidential elections.

Since 1991, the reformed Colombian Constitution set up a two-round (also known as the second ballot) electoral system. Based on this, last May 27th, out of the five candidates competing for the presidency, none achieved more than 50% of the votes cast. Continue reading “Better Honey than Vinegar”

When my son started Pre-k (known as VPK in Florida) in August 2016, my husband and I enrolled him in one of the private K-8 Catholic schools in St Johns, following the tradition of our upbringings.

However, a couple of friends convinced us, half way through Kindergarten, to try the county elementary school, not only for its good reputation, but also to give our son the chance to make friends around the neighborhood.

It has been almost two years, and I can’t be happier with our decision to change schools. At Timberlin Creek Elementary, our son found the perfect space to grow and thrive as a child, while learning from the best in St Johns County. Continue reading “Giving back to public school”

This upcoming Sunday, May 27th, will be my first time to vote in the presidential elections of my home country, Colombia. With shame, I must admit that I have been part of the 50% of the population that has failed to be part of the democracy. However, in my defense, it wasn’t only because of lack of interest, but also logistics.

I turned 18 in the 1998 elections, but I didn’t receive my official ID to vote on time. In 2002, I forgot to register to vote in my neighborhood, so I was supposed to go to the main hub of the capital. But the night before, I had a party that extended well into the wee hours. Needless to say, the hangover incapacitated me. Continue reading “Colombia’s Nerve-wrecking Elections”

Twelve years ago I found my dog Rusty at the Petsmart in Altamonte Springs, Florida. It was a Saturday afternoon in May, and the humane organization Pet Rescue By Judy was holding an adoption event.

When I walked into the building, there were a row of crates with dogs barking and jumping nervously. However, there was one little guy who kept his cool and remained comfortable laying down. That was Rusty. Continue reading “My Friend Rusty”