30 reasons I’m thankful for...

1. being alive. 
2. breathing every day. 
3. the chance to see the sun every morning. 
4. my two sons and all the experiences I have lived with them. 
5. my parents and their love and teachings
6. all the experiences I have lived (good and bad ones). 
7. those people that love me no matter what. 
8. being able to make some kind of difference in people through my work. 
9. listening to a beautiful song. 
10. admiring the immensity of the night sky. 
11. smelling the scent of the rain when it’s approaching. 
12. feeling my dog’s fur while I caressed her. 
13. having a new chance to live after having a nearly death experience. 
14. my friends who chose me to be part of their lives. 
15. my writing because it lets me express myself and share my feelings with the world. 
16. my life before my divorce because it taught me how to be strong. 
17. the special needs child I tutor because he taught me how simple is to love. 
18. special moments lived with special people
19. the music which I dance to. 
20. laughing every day, even in my sorrow. 
21. the tears I have shed. 
22. the strangers I see every day that share with me their smile. 
23. all those people that aren’t part of my life anymore because, from them, I have learned a lesson. 
24. getting safe back home every day
25. the day that isn’t going well because makes me appreciate the good ones. 
26. those moments I have failed because helped me grow as a person. 
27. the days I doubt myself a little because it made me believe in myself more. 
28. being loved, understood, and respected. 
29. loving with all my heart. 
30. just opening my eyes every morning because I have one more day to live. 

Take care and be thankful, Tere

Did you know...

To the man who said I couldn’t be or accomplished anything... on the Domestic Violence Awareness month

October is the National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and I want to say some things to that man that told me many, many, many times that I was nothing and that I couldn’t or wouldn’t be or accomplished anything.
You, the one that thought I couldn’t do anything, couldn’t be someone. Even more, you, the one that made me believe I couldn’t achieve anything...
Here I am, almost 6 years later after I ended our relationship and I have achieved way more than you can imagine. I am a woman with multiple roles in my life. Roles that I embrace every single day:
    I am a mother, a single one, who for the past 6 years (without counting all the ones before) has been a mom and a dad, loving and caring my sons.
    I am a published author with 3 published books and an award. Ha, and you thought that no one will publish my books.
    I am a mental health therapist and to think that you told me that I will never graduate from my masters.
    I am a teacher who tutors kids and love interacting and teaching them. Funny, you said I was too shy to do that kind of thing.
    I am a daughter who loves and takes care of their parents even on the distance, and you said I was a bad daughter because I was leaving them.
    I am a good friend to my friends who appreciate having me in their life. Yes, I have friends who I see whenever I want.
    I am a woman in love with my body. I’m not too fat for the view of anyone.
    I am a woman confident of my sexuality, no despise involved or wondering if I am woman enough.
    I am a woman who can awaken beautiful feelings of a man towards her. Yes, is not like you said: "If it's not me, no one can."
    I am a smart woman who can handle different roles, who can have intelligent conversations, and who likes to learn every day. I'm not dumb or stupid.

    I am a woman with a good sense of humor who likes to see life from the bright side and love to laugh. (I’m thankful that even with the worst things I lived beside you; you never took my smile or laughter away).
Even more, I am a happy, amazing, confident, smart, funny, caring, good-hearted woman who tries to live her life to the fullest, wearing a smile on her face every day, and is thankful for all that she is today.

I am way more of what you thought I would be. And you know what? There’s way more to come.
Stay tuned...

Take care, Tere

Reflection of one more year living...

This is a special month for me; it’s the month of my birthday. My special day is on the 20th. As part of my celebrations, I’m writing about what I have learned in this past year. I had different experiences, some good ones, other scary ones, and a lot of special moments. From all of them, I have learned something.









 I have learned...

That even when you don’t receive the same kind of love from someone,
your love it’s not ever wasted.

To say no and not feel guilty about it.
That, sadly, sometimes friendships are questionable but, also, that sometimes friends can be more of a family than your own one.
To be thankful for what I have and not have.
To be grateful for those who care for me in special ways.
To admire even more my parents in their role as grandparents.
To be more than grateful when you get one more chance to live.
That's never too late to get your dream job.
That in order to be creative, one must create (in my case, writing) every single day.
To say what you feel and never regret doing it.
That actions really speak more than words.
That there are not better smells than the smell of the rain and the sea breeze.
That you can learn a lot from a disabled kid.
That the most beautiful smiles come from the heart.
That there’s no better way to laugh than when you do it out loud and to don’t minding that someone is looking at you.
To dance, dance, dance anytime you feel like it, with or without music.
That sometimes people need to fail real bad in order to learn a lesson.
That there’s great joy in teaching others.
To be grateful to others even for the smallest gesture.
To care for others from your heart.
That even though you have deep scars in your heart, you can continue living and loving. 
To don’t be scared to love, even if you think the outcome won’t be the one you wish will be.
To love, laugh, and be thankful every day.
                                                                  

   Tere Rodriguez-Nora

A little more of my quotes...

Hello! 

Here are some of the quotes I have written lately. I’m sure you’ll feel connected to more than one.

Take care, Tere

 

I am ME!

I am the voice to be heard

I am the book that will be written

I am the moonlight that shines on a lake 

I am the song to be sing

I am the music to be dance

I am those vibrant colors that match the countryside 

I am those lights that twinkle in the sky 

I am that kid who plays without worries 

I am the come and go of the waves in the vibrant blue sea 

I am like those different tones of orange that paint the sky in a beautiful sunset 

I am the fresh scent of the rain when it touches the ground

I am that giggle of a couple in love 

I am that look a mom gives to her child 

I am whatever I want to be

I am ME

                                               Tere Rodriguez-Nora

She got flowers... history of domestic violence

Every day a lot of women suffer abuse from their partner. Physical, emotional, verbal are some of the abuse they have to deal with. Sometimes, people judge why these women stay in these relationships... why they don’t leave, why they keep tolerating that behavior. It’s simple to give an opinion from the outside, but until you don’t live that type of relationship you don’t how it goes. You don’t know how many demons these women have to battle every day. And by demons, I’m not referring only the ones from their partner but, also, the ones of their own. I think is better to stop blaming these women for staying in the relationship and start asking why their partner have to treat them that way.
I’m sharing with you a poem written by Paulette Kelly where she gives battered women the voice they need.
Take care, Tere

I have learned...

I have learned to be humble when success cover me

I have learned to keep my feet on the ground even though I have my head on the moon.

I have learned to be grateful even in the worst of times

I have learned to love myself when others harmed me

I have learned to smile when tears are inside my soul

I have learned to say thank you even to the smallest gesture

I have learned to wipe my tears 

while struggling through difficult times

I have learned to be strong when all I want is to collapse

I have learned to keep going because tomorrow is a brand new day 

                                                                                                                                                           

Take care, Tere

Make your life a beautiful journey... every day

Every day is a brand new day full of opportunities and new experiences. Don’t forget to try to live your life to the fullest and to incorporate into your life those tiny things that will make your life a beautiful journey...

Laugh out loud

Hug tight

Admire the beauty

Kiss slowly

Listen carefully

Treat others with kindness

Touch lightly
Hum to a melody

Speak wisely

Caress a face
Dance anytime


Flirt a little
Sing lustily
Walk sexy
Feel the emotions
Smile gracefully
Cry for happiness
Dream the impossible
Love profoundly
                                                                 Tere Rodriguez-Nora

                                     

                                                             

More romantic quotes...

Hola!
Here are some of the romantic quotes I have written lately. I’m sure you’ll feel a connection with more than one.
Take care, Tere

Sometimes the life ride is bumpy

Life pulls you, pushes you, twists you many times without warning. You continue your way regardless of the obstacles. You fall, peel your knees but you keep walking until the fatigue overcomes you.



You recover and take the road again. Sweat and fatigue are your allies. Perseverance joins them when you least expect it. It is then that you realize that on this rocky path that you had to walk and extenuated at times from it; the most important thing is to believe in yourself, trust that every time your life is twisted you will find a way to straighten it and that your knees will be all well again.

Take care, Tere

Blessed in the most unexpected way... my experience with an autistic student.

I'm pretty sure that sometimes you have thought of the blessings you have had or have in your life. Perhaps you think that you haven't been blessed as much as you should be or you compare your blessings to others’ Then life makes sure to take you through unexpected paths. Paths that make you think...

I have lived a blessed life. I had a great childhood and teen's years. I have two sons that are good-hearted men. I come from a family where we share love and care for each other. I have amazing friends who have been there for me always. I'm in good health, both physically and mentally. So, as you can see, I’m blessed.

Recently life decided to bless me in a different way. I started tutoring a kid with advanced autism. I've never worked with a student with autism before and when I was asked to do it, I won't lie; I was very nervous and stressful. But, I did it. I’ve been working with him for three weeks now and it has been a ride that I’ve been enjoying a lot.

He and I made a connection. I was afraid that didn’t happen but, it did and easily. He's happy to see me. I know it not only because he looked happy but because he said it with words. He works hard on his assignments and completes every task. He has shared with me his most beautiful smiles... and what an awesome feeling it is to see him smiling.
 Every Tuesday and Thursday this kid waits for me to be there and tutor him. Every Tuesday and Thursday I can't wait to be there for him.

His presence in my life has shown me another view of life, his view. A unique view where life is not that complicated and where you can be happy with the smallest things, with the smallest gesture of love.
Knowing and tutoring this kid... that is a true blessing!

Take care, Tere

The unnoticed love...

“What is love? - the little flower asked. “What if you have it in front of you and don’t notice it? - she continued. The moon looks at her and gently replied: “Love is an intriguing feeling, which sometimes can go unnoticed. But...when you feel a unique happiness, when you’re at ease, when you care for someone in a different way, when you wake up in the morning with a single thought about someone and go to sleep with the same one, when you smile and don’t know why, or simply when you don’t know what’s going on with all your feelings, that’s love too.” “So, don’t you worry, my friend" - the moon added - "If you’re going through and feel all of what I just mentioned, you have found love.” 
                                                                                                Tere Rodriguez-Nora

Sharing some of my quotes...

Hi!! Here are some of the quotes I have written lately. I’m sure you will feel connected to more than one.

Take care, Tere

When you’ll know what life is all about?

When you look at yourself in the mirror and love what you see
When you learned about the mistakes you have done
When you know that the experiences you have lived have taught you life lessons
When you say no and don’t feel guilty about it
When you take life a little less serious
When you accept yourself as you are
When you try to live the moment and enjoy it
When you are not worried about how much you have but rather on how much you can give
When you know what your passion is and you follow that path
When you work to live, not live to work
When you understand that there’s no one who can take better care of you than you
When you woke up with a smile because you are grateful you are alive
When you share your love with others
When you believe more in yourself than in chances
When you don’t care what others say or think about you
When you enjoy simple things like sunsets, holding a hand, long conversations, starry nights, and walks at the beach
When you let others love you
When you laugh out loud like you did as a child
When you care for others because it comes from your heart
When you love yourself more than others
That’s when you’ll know what life is all about!
                                                                    Tere Rodriguez-Nora

                                                                                                                                                               

To be a parent is...

To be a parent is...

to attempt for the first time

to play by ear

to fail a lot of times

to cry of joy

to love every moment of it

to care without limits

to cry of sorrow

to learn to let go

to be grateful

to be immensely joyous

to forgive

to suffer when your kids do

to try and make mistakes

to sometimes expect the unexpected

to ask for forgiveness

to have many endless nights without sleep

to celebrate every tiny success

to wipe a lot of tears

to talk limitless about your kids

to be there when they need you

to know it all

to know nothing

to be a teacher, a nurse, a driver, a coach, a friend, a role model

to walk with them every step of the way

to laugh hysterically

to love unconditionally 

to know that they are not yours, just part of you



                                                                                                  Tere Rodriguez-Nora

Review of the beautiful, nursery rhymes book, La Madre Goose

La Madre Goose is a beautiful, illustrated book that gives a new twist to old nursery rhymes. This twist is given by incorporating Spanish words to rhymes like This Little Cerdo went to the Market, who then stays at home and roasted carne and The Itsy Arañita, who climbed the water spout, down came la lluvia and washed la araña out.  

The integration of the Spanish words is a perfect tool to introduce the Spanish language to non-Spanish speakers. A glossary with all the Spanish words that are used in the book is appended. This glossary also includes the pronunciation of the words as well as the meaning in English.  

The words of this book are accompanied by precious illustrations which captured, perfectly, the essence of the rhymes giving the book a feeling of coziness and warmth. 

La Madre Goose won the Best Book Award, of the Chicago Public Libraries, 2016.

The author of this book is Susan Middleton Elya. Susan began writing when she was a young girl and wrote poems and songs. Before becoming a children's picture book author, Susan was a teacher. She also earned a degree in Spanish. Susan is the author of 22 pictures books. Say Hola to Spanish,  Cowboy José, and F is or Fiesta are among her published work.

The illustrator of this book is Juana Martínez-Neal. Juana was born in Perú. She is the illustrator of La Madre Goose and La Princesa and the Pea, both written by Susan Middleton Elya. Juana was named to the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) Illustration Honor list in 2014 and was awarded the SCBWI Portfolio Showcase Grand Prize in 2012.  Juana's first book as an author-illustrator will be published in English and Spanish in April 2018.

______________________________________________________________________________

This review is part of the Multicultural Children's Book Day, to be celebrated on January 28,2018.

You can follow it on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MulticulturalChildrensBookDay/ and on

Twitter by #ReadYourWorld, #MCBD2018

Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2018 (1/27/18) is in its 5th year and was founded by Valarie Budayr from Jump Into A Book and Mia Wenjen from PragmaticMom. Our mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in home and school bookshelves while also working diligently to get more of these types of books into the hands of young readers, parents, and educators.

Current Sponsors:  MCBD 2018 is honored to have some amazing Sponsors on board.

2018 MCBD Medallion Sponsors

HONORARY: Children’s Book Council, Junior Library Guild

PLATINUM: Scholastic Book Clubs

GOLD: Audrey Press, Candlewick Press, Loving Lion Books, Second Story Press, Star Bright Books, Worldwide Buddies

SILVER: Capstone Publishing, Author Charlotte Riggle, Child’s Play USA, KidLit TV, Pack-n-Go Girls, Plum Street Press

BRONZE: Barefoot Books, Carole P. Roman, Charlesbridge Publishing, Dr. Crystal Bowe, Gokul! World, Green Kids Club, Gwen Jackson, Jacqueline Woodson, Juan J. Guerra, Language Lizard, Lee & Low Books, RhymeTime Storybooks, Sanya Whittaker Gragg, TimTimTom Books, WaterBrook & Multnomah, Wisdom Tales Press

2018 Author Sponsors Honorary Author Sponsors: Author/Illustrator Aram Kim and Author/Illustrator Juana Medina Author Janet Balletta, Author Susan Bernardo,  Author Carmen Bernier-Grand, Author Tasheba Berry-McLaren and Space2Launch, Bollywood Groove Books, Author Anne Broyles,  Author Kathleen Burkinshaw, Author Eugenia Chu, Author Lesa Cline-Ransome, Author Medeia Cohan and Shade 7 Publishing, Desi Babies, Author Dani Dixon and Tumble Creek Press, Author Judy Dodge Cummings, Author D.G. Driver, Author Nicole Fenner and Sister Girl Publishing, Debbi Michiko Florence, Author Josh Funk, Author Maria Gianferrari, Author Daphnie Glenn, Globe Smart Kids, Author Kimberly Gordon Biddle, Author Quentin Holmes, Author Esther Iverem, Jennifer Joseph: Alphabet Oddities, Author Kizzie Jones, Author Faith L Justice , Author P.J. LaRue and MysticPrincesses.com, Author Karen Leggett Abouraya, Author Sylvia Liu, Author Sherri Maret, Author Melissa Martin Ph.D., Author Lesli Mitchell, Pinky Mukhi and We Are One, Author Miranda Paul, Author Carlotta Penn, Real Dads Read, Greg Ransom, Author Sandra L. Richards, RealMVPKids Author Andrea Scott, Alva Sachs and Three Wishes Publishing, Shelly Bean the Sports Queen,  Author Sarah Stevenson, Author Gayle H. Swift Author Elsa Takaoka, Author Christine Taylor-Butler, Nicholette Thomas and  MFL Publishing  Author Andrea Y. Wang, Author Jane Whittingham  Author Natasha Yim

We’d like to also give a shout-out to MCBD’s impressive CoHost Team who not only hosts the book review link-up on celebration day, but who also works tirelessly to spread the word of this event. View our CoHosts HERE.

TWITTER PARTY Sponsored by Scholastic Book Clubs: MCBD’s super-popular (and crazy-fun) annual Twitter Party will be held 1/27/18 at 9:00pm.

Join the conversation and win one of 12-5 book bundles and one Grand Prize Book Bundle (12 books) that will be given away at the party! http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/twitter-party-great-conversations-fun-prizes-chance-readyourworld-1-27-18/

Free Multicultural Books for Teachers: http://bit.ly/1kGZrta

Free Empathy Classroom Kit for Homeschoolers, Organizations, Librarians, and Educators: http://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/teacher-classroom-empathy-kit/

Hashtag: Don’t forget to connect with us on social media and be sure and look for/use our official hashtag #ReadYourWorld.

Dating nowadays...at your 40's

I am a 48-year-old woman who was married for 20 something years and after all that time with the same man (as my mom says, lol) I got a divorce. You know what does that means, right. You are single, after all that time, and you are lost in this new world for you, the dating world.  You might not know what to do and you will, most certainly, receive advice or opinions from a lot of people (friends, family, coworkers, etc.). Everybody nowadays talks about dating as if they are expert on the material.

If you go online you will find a lot of material about dating. The ones I like most are all these “pieces of advice” of things you should or shouldn't do when you are dating. Let me share with you some of them. I’m pretty sure you’ll know a couple. You should not kiss until the second date and/or not have sex until the third. If you do any of the two, your relationship will be doomed. Another one is not to text him first; you should let him do it first because he has to chase you, as well as, do not text him again if he hasn’t replied to you. You should just leave it like that, even if you want to tell him something new. Don’t ask him out is another "advice". He can ask you out any time he wants and as many times he wants but you shouldn't because then he might think you are desperate. Another advice is that one should play hard to get, always, not make it too easy for him. A piece of text advice I found interesting is to wait more than 10 minutes before replying to a text and if he took time to reply to yours, then, you should take the double of that time to reply to him. This is to show him that you’re not available for him all the time. The following one, I think it's ridiculous: you should treat the guy badly because they like that, "bad girls". Really? I guess I’m screwed with this one since I’m a good girl. These are some of the "pieces of advice" you can find on the Internet. Incredible, right. The funny thing is that there's a lot of women who follow them and men who want the women to do so. 

I'm not into these silly "pieces of advice", what you see is what you get with me. I’m not getting any younger and I’m not into playing games. I’m straightforward and will share my feelings every time. If I like him I will say so, if I will like to see him I will say it too. I will ask and share my feelings. I will text when I want and reply, most of the time, right away as I do with everyone. I'm a caring woman, so if I feel like sending a text saying that I hope he made it fine, or to wish a happy day, I will do so.
We are not teenagers anymore. We are adults and we have to behave like one.
I know there's a great man for me out there, who will love and respect me. Maybe I'm about to meet him or, perhaps, I already did. Who knows? I just hope that he isn't into games either, likes to share freely his feelings with me (even if I’m not going to like what he feels), and is not following any of these "rules" or "advice" (LOL). He follows his heart, just like me.



In the meantime...I’ll be enjoying this ride.
Share with me what you think about dating, I will love to know!
Take care, Tere