Forget me Not!

Today my dad would be 61 years old on 06.28.2015. I want to remember my dad with the words he had written on September 08,1999 during his morning devotion. He had written this devotion call,"Forget Me Not." Daniel R. 

I hope you are encouraged today. 

From his oldest daughter, Isleen R.

Hello Summer!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's been a while since I have written anything on this blog. Life has kept me busy since February. Yes! I didn't even had time to write all these months until now.

Now, the summer season has arrived. Hello Summer!! The summer season is my favorite time of the year. Last night, I had very interesting dream last night. It had to do with the summer season and fall season. I had walked in a Target store and enjoyed seeing the summer store front with all the colors and designs everywhere. The store had lots of colors around the store that brought life to the store. ( One thing you don't know about me is that I love designing & decorating).

2^nd part of the dream, I had walked in Target it was The Fall season. Summer had ended. All the summer items were on clearance. All colorful summer designs were gone from the store. It was depressing for me. I had walked through all Target aisles looking at all Fall colors in the store. Then, I had woke up from the dream in shock. What was this dream tell me? Will my Fall season be sad for me? I don't know what my summer season is going to be like for me? I don't know what my Fall season be for me? As, I had turned to my Bible the Lord talks about different seasons in our lives.

“Ecclesiastes 3

King James Version (KJV)

3 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.” 

I will not go too much in context of this Bible verse. I will say... seasons come and go. We are not in control of our seasons. There are times we don't know what is going to happen next. The real test in your life is how you are going to react in the different seasons. The Lord has shown me to Trust in him  in the winter, summer, fall or spring season. 

Lastly, I promise, I will share my summer season with you in my pictures.

Enjoy the summer season, Y'ALL! See you soon! :)

Iamisleen

Winter Olympics 2014

In the celebration of the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia which I wanted to do something special online. I wanted to celebrate some of countries that I love with the small things that I have collected over the years through traveling.

Mexico

South Korea

Japan

England 

Israel

China

Accepting Changes

Everyone will be writing review of their year in 2013 and their goals of 2014 online. I would write about my year but it's already on my blog. Here is a small video that you can check out out my year in review for 2013 by clicking here. My goals for 2014 is something that I will keep in my journal.There is a lot that I would like to accomplish in 2014 but I would like to keep it private. I want change in 2014 in my life.

I will share my dad's writings about three changes that occurs in our lives: Natural, Self Induced (brought on by oneself or itself) & Uncontrollable Changes. This will make you think about you life this past year in 2013 and help you plan your goals for next year in 2014.

My dad, J D Rodriguez wrote this on 01.05.2000****************************************

Writing the year 2000 on our checkbooks, Daylight Savings Time, Graying, Loosing/Making Friends, Loosing Hair, Loosing your figure, Kids growing up, The weather, Your Memory not being the same, Spending & Making Money.

Matthew18:13, “And he said, “ I tell you the truth, unless you Change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Changes comes when we least expect them. Changes come through many ways. Some changes we accept them while others we reject them initially. God put animals on this earth so we could learn much from them. If they could talk, I'm sure we would know more information about ourselves regarding change. There are three type of changes of which includes Nature Change, Self-Induced Changes, and the Uncontrollable Changes. We mostly accept the Natural and the Self-Induced Changes except when there is a conflict with other human relationships. The final kind of change, which is the Uncontrollable, become a decision we have to make whether we accept the or reject them.

Natural Changes

Live Right ( Everyone accept a good man)

Prov. 16:7 “ When a man's way are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.

Self-Induced Changes

All seem to be lifestyle inflicted of which can be bad or good:

Positive: Setting positive goals, exercising, good diet, making each day count, living to the server instead of serving to live, keeping positive NO MATTER WHAT, & knowing your place with God/family/friends/and habits

Negative: Gambling, drinking (too much of drinking) hating, mindless music, cursing, living fast, spending trying to keep up with the Jone's, not loving to love but living to putting trust on possessions ( material) instead of God and loved ones, treating people as things instead of living breathing beings, living an immortal lifestyle ( No).

UNCONTROLLABLE CHANGES:

ILLNESS, AGING, DEATH, TAXES, I'm sure we can mention others like visiting the MOTHER IN LAW (my dad loved his Mother in Law, Maria) unwanted Relatives, hurtful friends like BILLS, Etc. But Seriously, I was young and had a great job in Sales when I was called into my managers office. My wife was 8 months pregnant (with me) and I got laid off. After laying around feeling sorry myself, it took courage to find another job because of my PRIDE/ my expectations/my success story/my routine had been ripped apart. That experience was a turning point in my life. It taught me well to always prepare for the unexpected. (my dad was laid off several times in his career.)

Things we can learn from animals regarding changes:

1. They're born without being cuddled and wrapped in a blanket or a nice soft pillow to rest on. ( My dog Gigi ( Toy Poodle), always sat on a nice pillow on the family couch)
2. Many Species have to do their own work in their birth instead of the mother pushing them out.
3. Their weaning period from their mothers can be instantly, days or just a few months.
4. No one knows when a sparrow dies except God and their parents.
5. Animals don't call their parents or their siblings on Holidays.
6. Sometimes it's hard to tell when they're sad, hurting, cold or even dying.

A mind set that can help you with unwanted changes:

1. Realize change do not have to ask you for permission to come. They come regardless.
2. You can not stop change. YOU ARE NOT IN CHARGE BUT Change is in charge.
3. It's how you direct the change to flow where you want it to flow.
4. Do not just see, hear,feel, taste change but ask yourself, “ Why Am I am so special that I can not accept this change?”
5. Lastly, the very first step in knowing how to handle change is knowing you have change standing right in from of you!

Must Have Make Up for All Holiday Parties

Every girl needs to look good for all the holiday parties this year. I have researched from drug store to high end stores for the best make up. I found that if you spend a little money on a few items then your make up is flawless for the holiday parties. I'm not a make up artist but I have learned to find the best products. Also, I have asked a few make up artists for advice. I am giving away some of my secrets to all lovely ladies! Enjoy!

Before your big party prepare your face with these products weeks in advance. I had really bad adult acne weeks ago.I had called my cousin who is a make up artist to advise me really good products at Origins since I couldn’t see the dermatologist. I have to say these products actually worked for me! I was shy taking pictures at my cousin's wedding in the beginning of November. I was not shy taking pictures at a big event in Dallas last weekend.

See the difference:

Mom & I

After, I had used the products:

These are the products that I had used:

You need a good moisture and a primer:

You need good tools to apply you make up: Try Sephora make up brushes. The cost is about $60 but it's worth it. You need eye liner brush,concealer brush, lip liner brush, blush brush and other brushes to apply your make up.

Clinique Superblanced Make Up. This foundation sops up skin with Biopol, a milk-derived protein. “ My face stayed matte until the evening.,” said one tester. It contain chamomile extract to help reduce redness. I love this product. I have very sensitive skin and this is the best foundation for your face. This cost is about $23 each bottle. Best foundation to use at holiday parties. 

Cheapest mascara you find under $10! Use water proof mascara! This is the best mascara for your $$$!

Best power you will ever spend! Loose Shimmer power:

Best Eyebrow kit and very inexpensive!! You find this eye brow kit at Target or your local drug store. I have seen eyebrow kits that cost more that $60. This eye brow kit is less than $10. Tip: Make sure you find someone who can wax or threading your eyebrows before the big event:

Excellent lip stick and moisture for your lips that will last for hours. Trust me your lip stick will last more than 24 hours!

My favorite eye liner:

Don't forgot to curl your eye lashes.Tip:Use eye lashes curler under the blow dryer for 1 minute before curling your eyelashes.

This eye lashes curler is from Revlon

This is best concealer to use under your eyes. I used this every day. I have used other concealers in the past but this is the best product for your $$$. I have a very busy schedule and you can't tell that I have tired looking eyes.

Secret Camouflage Concealer

Undercover pot concealer

A must have blush product for all the holiday parties There are 4 different blushes that will last all night long. When you take a close up picture you blush is flawless. I have used this product for years. I haven't found another blush product like this product.Pink Mosaic is called.

Eye shadow kit to have in your purse. I am very simple when it comes to eye shadow. You can find this eye shadow kit at Victoria Secrets for about $18.

Thanksgiving & Christmas 2013

Thanksgiving is this week. Black Friday is the best deals of the year. What I will be doing this Black Friday is working instead of shopping. Black Friday is one events of the year we wait for the good deals. For me Black Friday is just another day. When I was younger, I would be that crazy person waking up 5am. I will be waking 6am getting to work. I have become a person who is willing to skip the Black Friday events. When my father passed away, Thanksgiving & Christmas was not the same for all of us. It's been hard enough to get my mom to get the tree up last year but she got the tree up. The old tree is gone and a new Christmas tree is up now in our family home.

Last year, we wrote a letter to each family member of how thankful we were for each other. My dad started this tradition many years ago. Presents are for the kiddos and less of us. This year, we are starting a family tradition by giving one gift to each adult family member. Christmas has become a marketing tool for America. Just turn on your TV. You will see every commercial during prime time talking about Christmas or open up your mail box with a bunch of Christmas ads. It's hard enough to see families who are struggling this year. There are others who are trying to save for next year with our health insurance, 401k, retirement, a new beginning in 2014, trying to survive for the next pay check or looking for a job. It's hard to see Christmas for a celebration with finding that perfect gift for your love one. I understand. I have been committed to help others especially during this time. If it's a Dollar Store gift, volunteer event, toy drive then I'm there in my free time. Material is less what I desire for myself and thinking of those who can't afford gifts for their child. What would Jesus do when I think to myself?

Christmas is the celebration of Jesus. When I think of Christmas as kid which I would think of toys. I also think of my dad opening the Bible and reading of birth of Christ to us. My dad taught us Thanksgiving & Christmas is celebration of family but above all Jesus. 

Three years later...

I was being interviewed by a local organization this past summer. One of the questions the interviewer asked me, “ How did you cope with the loss of you father from colon cancer 2 years ago?” I had to think very deeply for a second because I had almost cried before  I answered the question.

I had told the interviewer, “I had saw a counselor at school, I had my family around me, I did not drink any alcohol beverages during that period of time and Lord was my strength."

Three years of missing my father. I grew up from a child who was at age of 30 years old to a strong woman who feels like she is 80 years old inside at the age of 32. 

I was looking back at a picture of me in the hospital. My hair was falling out. I didn't do my hair for many weeks. I didn't sleep or eat very well. I had wore the same clothes for days while in the hospital with my dad. I was in deep depression. Each night, I had held my father's hand. I didn't want to let go my daddy's hand. I want to hold my dad's hand forever. I finally had to let go my daddy's hand when he passed away on September 14, 2011.

Two weeks ago, I had taken a picture of me in downtown Austin.The Lord is my strength for two years. It was a very difficult road to battle depression in my grieving seasons. Prayer and talking to the Lord was my only hope. There were times when I felt alone. I didn't know who to talk to during those times. I would turn up Kari Jobe's song and cried to the Father in Heaven in my car. The Lord was my salvation. Ladies, I didn't turn to my guy for a hug during those painful times. I was alone and I had to battle my depression.

Today, I am strong. My past experience was a battle to make me a stronger woman in everything I do. Don't get me wrong but I had sad moments but I continued to live my life. I lived my life to be there for my family and others. If you have a family member who is dealing with cancer or have passed away, please look to the Lord. Your strength is the Lord.

Psalms 23

“1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever”