Monday, January 6, 2014

**Growing With My Puppy-The benefits of vaccinations."


Well, most of you know that I've acquired a brand new puppy. I have never had a dog before so I didn't know what to expect. I know that most animals need their shots. I didn't know when the appropriate time would be. I did some rearward and found out that puppies get their first round of shots at 8 weeks. So, two days before our puppy, Athena turned 8 weeks we brought her to Pet Smart for her shots. They offer a package that allows puppy to space out all necessary vaccines. Round one, of course, initiates at 8 weeks. It is one shot and a dewormer. The side effects include vomiting and fatigue. Athena waited three hours for her shots and they only took a minute. There were so many interesting breeds of dogs visiting Pet Smart for their shots. Some were there for a yearly examination and others for their 1st, 2nd, and last set of puppy shots. We didn't mind waiting and Athena was extremely calm when the doctor pricked her skin. I was terrified that she would be puking, but she wasn't. Instead, later that night I noticed worms in her stool, which freaked me out. I immediately googled it and all puppies have worms! That's why she was given a dewormer. Now, there are more side effects I know that she will experience in the future package, which occurs at 12 weeks and then 16. It's extremely affordable and everyone is so friendly. I can't wait to have my poor Athena all clear! If you have a puppy, don't wait for them to get shots! They could die before they're a year old. Don't ignore your puppy, do your research! Keep them safe!

Friday, January 3, 2014

*2014- A Shot of Hope*

Photo courtesy of: http://www.thatswhatsheread.net/2014/01/happy-2014/
Many of you know that I've started to write a book about my summers and experiences in Italy. It's a fiction novel based on nonfiction. It's almost two years ago that I set forth on this journey. I have handwritten approximately 300 pages and plan on 300 more. My journey came to an abrupt end when I was pursuing a career as a certified teacher of English as a foreign language. I was hired and then discharged because of political and governmental issues in Europe. This caused me to give up hope in everything that I set forth to achieve. It has been extremely difficult, actually impossible to initiate a career in my primary field of study. I had the opportunity to interview for a career at a dream job, "The Sun Sentinel." The director of Human Resources hand picked my résumé. It was unbelievable and a once in a lifetime chance to start at a good position and to move up. Unfortunately, I had an intense passion for Italy and the Italian language, which was listed in my résumé and caused employers to forfeit me from the position. They feared I would leave and pursue a career overseas. I want to inform all potential employers and future colleagues that it will be highly unlikely, if not impossible, for me to a attain a career in Europe. My father forfeited his Italian citizenship before I was born to begin a better life in America. You see, he didn't know it then, but it was the biggest error he could have committed. Unfortunately, the government didn't give him an ultimatum. The U.S. government took away my future off springs and my right to an Italian citizenship because I was not a minor when my father decided to fight for his place of birth and first 23 years of his life. According to the Italian consulate of Miami, if I would like to gain citizenship in Italy I must live there for three years. You see, this appears easy, but unfortunately, I don't have the funds to live the life of luxury without a guaranteed workplace. So, I start at square one and pray everyday that these laws change. I want what is rightfully mine as the daughter, granddaughter, great grandaughter, great great grandaughter, etc. of Italian immigrants. I want my children to have the opportunity to decide where they can live in the future. As of right now, this is highly impossible, but I will never give up hope. Now, to get back on subject of the work force in America, I have stated and restated many times what the qualifications are for a consideration in any field. You must have at least one year or four years of experience in the selected position. I have mentioned that this is highly unlikely if you don't have the luxury of completing a million internships because you have a full time or part time side job. Many of my friends and colleagues have graduated from an amazing university and have been unable to initiate a career, which is extremely discouraging and detrimental to their health and mentality. It's extremely unfortunate to know that our own success means nothing in our other jobs. As individuals, we are downgraded, thought of as unintelligent, and frowned upon by customers, colleagues, supervisors, and other departments because of our positions. They honestly believe that we aren't intelligent. It's actually humorous that an individual approached me at my place of employment after reading my blog and told me he didn't know I was so smart. He was impressed by my work. I would like to let that individual to know  that all of us are more intellectual than he thinks and just because we are stuck or choose to be in the field we are currently in, doesn't mean we are air heads. All of us are people who have or haven't gone to school. Many of us have our associates, bachelors, masters degrees, etc., but can't start working in our field of choice because of unwanted inexperience. I'd like all of these individuals that downgrade us to take a moment and put themselves in our position. I'm absolutely disgusted with their judgements and naiveness. When in fact they choose to evaluate me because of my position, they are the ones that are disrespectful, insecure, and loose all of their intelligence. We know what kind of people we are and don't let a job define us. I shouldn't let these people get to me, but if they knew my struggle, they'd understand why it hurts. If you feel like this, today, I'm standing up for you and who you are! If you were someone that once judged me, today, you will understand who I am and who we all are. Remember, nothing in this world is easy, it takes hard work. We must work to the top. My self esteem was shot, so I took a break from thinking. I have chosen to take every day as it comes and continue to work at achieving my goals. If it doesn't work out, then I have to believe that God has another plan for me. I can no longer stress or dwell on any circumstance or situation. I will take it all as it comes. I don't care if it takes a lifetime for me to publish my novel or to find a steady career. All I know is that I'm motivated to never give up. Hope is all I have left. Never lose yourself in anything you know you aren't! Never ever give up!

Thursday, January 2, 2014

*Why Most Marriages Don't Last*

Photo Courtesy of: 
http://www.yourdictionary.com/engagement

First off, I'd like to start off by saying that I'm a firm believer that age has nothing to do with marriage. It doesn't matter how old you are when you get married! Your maturity level has everything to do with your relationship! Most marriages end in divorce because of lack of communication. If you've been with someone for a month and are already engaged, don't go through with the marriage! Every relationship initiates with infatuation and grows into love. You can't be in love with anyone in one month. It's likely impossible. The value of a sacred union has greatly changed since the 1950's. Celebrities are known for having "two minute" marriages. Everything the world is exposed to is controlled by the media, which influences our society. If you're currently engaged, don't have Britney Spears as your idol in a working marriage. Chances are, you will be divorced within a year. When making the decision of being engaged, please consider your options. Marriage is sacred and it is meant to unite two individuals for life. Don't always consider that there is a way out! You marry someone because you are prepared to spend your entire life with that person. Don't do it for the materialistic things, such as the ring, the dress, the fairy tale. Marriages require work. They aren't a joke. If you're prepared to work together, then do it! If not, enjoy the relationship while it lasts and move on. My grandparents have been married for over 50 years and have been faithful to one another for the whole time. People make mistakes, but if you want to cheat or see other people, don't get married! Also, you shouldn't agree on bringing new life into the world it you are unprepared. Your divorce will affect your children tremendously. I know many people will say their lives and outcomes are unpredictable, but in fact, you can predict how it will work out. Enjoy your relationship for a few years before marriage. Have a long engagement (At least 6 months). Make sure you both want the same things in life and are compatible. Many people find moving in together before marriage is detrimental to the relationship. In my opinion and against all controversial arguments, move in together. It's the only way you can truly see if your relationship can work. Trust me, you will be faced with almost everything within a marriage while living together. Take my advice or leave it. If you don't seriously contemplate your situation, you'll remember my post in a few years and regret your decision. As I've always said, it's your life and you only get one to live. So, choose your engagements seriously. People aren't made of glass and don't involve innocent children. Whatever you do, if you have children, put their happiness before your own. It's their lives you are affecting. Hope you have understood my message and take my advice seriously. I wish you all the best.