Proud to be an American-a

Wow I have waited for almost two decades to do what I did yesterday.

I just became a United States Citizen this past February 2010.

My dream to become a citizen had finally been fulfilled.

Having immigrated from Peru as a small child at the age of 7 years old, America is all I've truly known.

I grew up studying civics and American history and totally identified with everything this country stands for.

This quote below a famous statement that was adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The text of the second section of the Declaration of Independence reads:

"We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

I cannot agree more with this, we all have come to a new land to seek these things just like the colonist did.

I am filled with pride for this country and like I did yesterday be actively involved in our country's affairs and participate in expressing my vote with regards to electing or recalling (in Carlos Alvarez's case) our government officials.

I have always been into politics and although I try to stay well informed, I have come to the conclusion that it is not what party you affiliate yourself to, but the issues you believe in. You can't compromise your belief on a certain issue and since Politics is not an exact science, you have to "choose" what issue or issues most matter to you regardless of the political party.

In the last presidential elections, alot of people were so tense at the choices in front of them, and specially what people would think of them if they voted for that or the other. Again it all goes back to the "issues", hence why so many Democrats voted Republican and vice versa. Did they "betray their party" no, dynamics changed in America and new options were finally offered to America in the past election. All we can do is do our constitutional right and VOTE.

I encourage you to do your own research and read about the candidates, see the issues tabs and read the one that apply to you or that you are strongly interested in. Read what the candidates say what they support and what they do not support. It is always easier to watch the news, or to see commentaries or ask someone who "they are voting for", but at the end, one needs to "take the time" to first of all pray. Pray for the candidates and ask God to guide you, then educate yourself, and lastly to go to the polls and vote.

ELECTION TOOLS Just for YOU

Here is a link to ABC Channel 10's links to all of State of Florida Mid Term Elections Guide. They have links to all of the offices that are for re-election and you can go into the candidate's web page and inform yourself.  

http://www.justnews.com/florida-elections/index.html 

Remember Election Day is Tuesday Nov. 2, 2010

So I encourage you to make an effort and vote!

Early Voting has started, and you can vote at any of these places: 

Check out this page below for more information!

 http://www.miamidade.gov/elections/vote_early.asp

What to bring to the Poll:

http://www.miamidade.gov/elections/where_bring.asp

I will end with this last note:

As I left the Cutler Ridge Public Library yesterday afternoon, one of the candidate volunteer asked me "Ma'am who did you vote for? Did you Vote Democrat? or Republican?"

I responded" I voted for a few democrats and few republicans"

And the volunteer answered" That's exactly what educated voters do! Thanks for coming out!"

So educate yourselves and make your vote count!

Be blessed my friends :)

<3 Gina

This is my desire (with lyrics)

Lead me to the Cross - Hillsongs

God is Working are You?

What an incredible past week, filled with so many confirmations from God.

I feel so privileged to witness all that God is showing me everyday. I feel Him actively working in my personal and family life. He's surrounding me with "key" people and showing me "new paths" to take.

As I approach my 29th Birthday on November 4, I feel as though God has been preparing me for this new year that is to come. Big things are coming, and I honestly feel that the blessings that are to come will not affect me but so many around me.

When God starts working in your life He does it slowly and carefully..he allows people to enter our lives to strengthen our faith, and help us be molded into the person He created us to be.

It is so easy to dwell on the negativity around us and the negative impact it can have in our lives, but if we are to put even the negative into perspective, we can see that there is  GOOD even in the negative.

I have spoken to some amazing women this past week who have confirmed the blessings they received from going through pain and tribulations. What an encouragement to me and all those who take the time to listen.

We are all students in this life and we should be wise in listening to the wisdom people have learned and share the wisdom we our selves have gained from experiencing the difficulties in our lives.

Again, it's a purification process, a slow and steady process where we can go to the Father and ask for him to shows us his plan and purpose for each situation we experience.

I have felt the Lord working in my life and He in return wants me to work as well.

My faithful reader, have you experienced such a thing in your life?

Do you feel that something "greater" is calling you to act in a certain way? Or to be "open" to believe in something greater than you?

That my friends, is God gently trying to reach out to you.

The bible says that "man was created out of God's own image" He created us and with that being said, we were designed to have a personal relationship with Him our creator.

I can honestly say that having this personal relationship is the best decision I have ever make. It will change your life inside out, because God changes us from the inside out.

The joy you experience is indescribable and all I can say is that even when the good gets bad, I have Him to carry me though it.

I pray you have a wonderful week and that you take the time to change your perspective if you are experiencing some type of difficulty with a situation or a person. Try to analyze the bigger picture and how not getting what you expected or being shut out of something you had your heart in, is a confirmation that this was not part of the plan that God has for you. We must embrace the closed doors as they may be simply an act of "protection" rather than of   "rejection".

Just a few things to keep in mind my friends!

Be blessed,

 Gina

Not in Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez!

This week has been such a media derived week focusing on of the latest county scams that has occurred in Miami-Dade County.

I know most of you have heard or overheard the news about a Recall going or something happening with Mayor Carlos Alvarez.

Channel 7 Fox -Article Voters Begin Signing Petition

http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/local/21002449091857/

So I will try to recap what the news stations have been reporting.

Mayor Carlos Alvarez of Miami-Dade County decided to pass an ordinance stating the need to give raises to his city of Miami County staff which would be funded by us the citizens of Miami Dade County by having to pay an increase of 14% in property taxes.

That’s right ladies and gentlemen 14 PERCENT INCREASE! Are they out of their minds?

Seriously with all of the foreclosures and unemployment in our city alone, you cannot expect me to buy ANY TYPE of justification for this ordinance. Especially since every other county has made cutbacks and salary reductions to keep from having to raise taxes to its citizens.

Billionaire Norman Braman owner of Braman Honda decided to put down $1 Million of his own dollars to spear head a Recall to get Mayor Alvarez out of office and throw out this ordinance from taking effect. He got the approval from the Clerk of Courts and was given until December 14, 2010 to gather up 45,000 signed petitions from Miami Dade county registered voters to be able to approve the recall.

No other Mayor has bee recalled since 1978. Imagine that, due to the poor economic state our country is in, only helped to catch this type abuse from our local government.

5 of the 8 Miami Dade County city commissioners
 approved this ordinance.

So there is another movement to recall those
5 commissioners out of office.

Shame on them and especially Shame on Carlos Alvarez!

So now you know the PROBLEM.

My question is… what are we going to do about it?

1-      Educate ourselves ( Which I so kindly just did)

2-      Act and Sign the Recall Petition to get Mayor Carlos Alvarez out of Office and overthrow this ordinance.

There are currently three offices where you can go and sign.

You must be a resident of Miami-Dade County and have a Voter Registration.

You will be asked to fill out the form and then you will have your signature notarized for authenticity.

All I can say is Norman Brahman…. YOU ROCK, I might even consider getting a Honda soon, you never know!

3 Locations You can Go:

INFORMATION HOTLINE (305) 728-2733

1673 SW 27 Avenue, Miami

 10800 NW 25th street in Doral

 2020 NE 163rd street, suite 201 in North miami beach

Check out the FACEBOOK PAGE
(RECALL MAYOR ALVAREZ)

http://www.facebook.com/gina.moran2?v=photos#!/pages/Recall-Mayor-Alvarez/108319152565566

SHARE THIS AND LET THE VOICE OF THE RESIDENTS BE HEARD!

NOT IN MIAMI-DADE Mayor Carlos Alvarez!

Be blessed,

Gina

Food for the Soul

I can’t help but love this change in weather here in South Florida.

It’s funny how Floridians celebrate any drop in temperature especially during this time of year. So last week and this week we started feeling a bit of “cool weather”. We were lucky enough to wake up to a cool 69 degrees, just enough to take away the mugginess of our beautiful tropical weather J

So in welcoming the “fall season” I decided to take advantage of the abundance of pumpkins that are overflowing our farmers markets and grocery stores and make my ultimate comfort food “Pumpkin Squash Soup”

As promised here is my recipe.

Ingredients

2 lb Pumpkin

 2 lb Butter Squash

4 cups of pumpkin/squash broth

3 tablespoons of Kerry Gold Irish Garlic and Herb butter

1 medium chopped onion

½ Cup of Parmesan Cheese

¾ of Evaporated Milk

Instructions

Chop the Pumpkin and Squash in medium chunks and boil until tender.

Remove and place aside.

Sautee chopped onions with Kerry Gold Irish Garlic and Herb butter

Blend the pumpkin and squash in the blender adding the sautéed onion, pumpkin/squash broth along with parmesan cheese, milk, salt and pepper.

Serve with garlic croutons and enjoy!

This recipe is super easy and so yummy.

Wishing you a wonderful fall season, stay warm and enjoy the abundance of pumkins!

Be blessed,

Gina

Fall is Here!

How wonderful it is to enter into this time of year!

I just love everything Orange and how it brings such warmth to the season.

Although in sunny south Florida we don't get to experience the change of season, we can pretend by decorating our homes with fall ornaments and welcome the season!

Well as you can see I already stated decorating our home with pumpkins and hay! I decided to add a more rustic touch by purchasing hay. It is incredible how stores like Walmart and Big Lots will try to maximize the Fall season by offering overpriced items such as Hay at ridiculous prices. So I was smart and shopped around and visited a Horse Supply store in the Redlands and got my two hay stacks at a whopping $6.00 each, a true deal!

So as I realized that I was the only house in my community with fall decorations, I set the bar pretty high with adding the hay and all, let' see what my neighborhood peeps do this year!

I think my motivation has been my sweet 4 year old Christian. He has been so excited about Halloween and Thanksgiving and decorating the house has been a true joy to experience. Last year he was not very much into it, but this year he totally is :)

Last night we decided to bake Halloween Cookies , I decided to try out my sugar cookie recipe I had not done in a long time. Practice makes perfect, like Martha Stewart says, and well I have to say I think they came out deliciously good.

My major challenge was the glossy Royal Frosting I had been dying to try out, and it was alot of work.

Something about mixing corn syrup and confectionate sugar sure gave my arms a work out. And don't get me started about mixing the food colors, remind me never to try to make Black, I'll make sure to buy the black food dye next time.

But once the cookies were cooled we decorated them.

Royal Icing was amazing I was happy :)

I guess I can follow recipes.. lol I was one proud mamma :)

Christian was soooooo happy with the finished product!

Such joy to be able to sit with my 4 year old and work on something fun together. He ran over and hugged me and thanked me for making the cookies, my heart melted.

There's nothing better than your kid expressing their genuine gratitude :)

One of the many joys of Motherhood!

Be Blessed,

Gina

Where my ladies at?

You guessed it... Last night I had dinner with my favorite girls!

Talk about much needed girl time! Even us wives and mommy's need to step out and reconnect with other women! Although we end up chatting about the one thing we stepped away from... our loved ones!

We enjoyed some wonderful dinner at Cheesecake Factory and some great conversation.
How wonderful is it to have a group of women who not only are a part of my family but are true sisters!
Each of us so unique, passionate, loving, hard working and so willing to be there for each other at a drop of a dime.

God has sure blessed me with so many wonderful women in my life, women who I learn from each and everyday. There is blessings hidden in all the people in your life! But to have women in your own family who love you and accept you for who you are is a gift in it self.

Last night I realized how wonderful God's timing is and how being reunited only helps to keep the family closer. There is so much going on around us, it feels likes our schedules are non-stop, me specially.
But how wonderful to know that not only do I have these women there to hear me and love me and pray for me but also to keep me accountable spiritually!

To all my ladies who I learn from each and every day ( You know who you are) I thank God for each of you. I am truly blessed :)

So to answer my question... Where my ladies at? They are right there with me by my side on this journey called Motherhood!

Luv you all!

Gina