Things that I think about!

Well it's Tuesday and as a day Tuesday is a day that I try to enjoy, don't know why but I do. So I was thinking and believe me when I think it sometimes hurts my brain. So yesterday as I was creating on my computer editing photos for my students book of me I realized how happy I am when I am creating. Creating makes me feel alive there is just something about seeing something come to life and looking at the final product and be proud of what I have created. No words can really describe that feeling so I just enjoy it and try to make sure I recreate it everyday so I keep feeling alive and living a life with a purpose. So thinking of living a life with a purpose this week my class is starting their book of me scrapbooks. This is a unit that I always start with the story of my why is it important to leave a legacy to those we love. My reasoning has to do with this story. I had a student who struggled at school I taught a scrapbooking elective and that was her favorite class. Her writing was awesome and she really got into the leaving letters to the people and friends she loved. In May of that year she got her book back with an A and my congratulations for a job well done. She was so proud, I said my goodbyes and that was the last time I saw her. The morning after I had a note on my door from my principal and the news really hit me she had been killed by a car. She was so young only 13 and she was gone. What was not gone was her book and her letters to her family. I got a call from her mother thanking me for giving her a piece or her daughter that would live forever. The letters the notes all talking about her deep love for her family. It really put my passion in perspective is why I do what I do. I love being published and being in teams that pushing myself to be creative, but the reason why I create is so I leave a legacy of love for my family. I want them to know how much I love them, how much they frustrate me, how they make me mad. I am real and I want them to see that. When they open the books I create they see that and more. I think this is why I am happy because I know that what I am doing is based on this principal. My work is real just like me and for that I am grateful. I don't have to manufacture moments to make my books look beautiful when I scrap my life is beautiful mess and all. This summer another of my students was killed in a tragic accident and again another book brought closure and much needed love to this family. So I know I am on the right path life is precious to waste time in who is better than who and I am better than you. Life is about celebrating and letting those we love know we love them. However that message can be delivered do it. You will not regret it. I leave you with a page from Amelie's album and some other random things. Hugs Wanda

People need to speak out and some sharing!

Quote of the Day "You must never forget those that have given their lives so you can be where you are today. This is why history must be taught so it does not repeat itself" Wanda E. Santiago I am working on an album for my friend Sylvie who has just been bless by a baby. Amelie will bring so much joy to their life I wanted to share in that joy. The best gift I can give is the gift of my art. No one has supported me more and given me so much than Sylvie many years ago offered me her friendship and I honor this with all my heart. I am a loyal friend when you offer me your friendship you can be sure I will be there for you in the good and the bad. I don't take friendships lightly especially because I live so far away from family members friendships are really important to me. Not everyone gets that but it is how I live my life. Yesterday I was honored to make new friends when I went scraping with the Pink Ladies from scrapped It was awesome to share with Diana , Rita, and Diana's daughter. I got to talk with Marnie over the phone and that was awesome too. See friendships are really important to me. While talking about friends there is this most amazing woman called Relda who I have talked about before who honors me everyday with the gift of her friendship. My children who as they are growing are my friends and not afraid to tell me how it is, I cherish that. To my husband who is my best friend. My family is in a very special category they don't always get me but they always offer me their friendship. It is important in life to celebrate those that mean so much to you. More on this subject later! Here are some layouts I have worked on this weekend! Hugs Wanda

My album for Amelie!

I am a very lucky woman in many ways, I have been touched by many friendships in my life but there are some people out there that are more than just friends. Sylvie and Relda they have been a constant source of inspiration and help when life has gotten a little rough. I am honored to know them and love them. I have stated an album for Sylvie of he beautiful baby girl Amelie. Here are the two first pages of this project of love. More to come in the future. As I was saying I feel honored with the friendships I have and the love these friends give me without conditions and even despite my faults. I am humbled to know that in a world filled with so many options they have chosen me to be their friend. That is something I don't take lightly. Hugs Wanda

I feel !!

Well today is a day of contemplation and being true to myself I will start this post by saying these are just my thoughts and nothing but my thoughts and I in no way shape or form want anyone to think otherwise. Today is Thursday it has been a long week for me and I really don't know why except for the state test the kids had to take at school and being in charge of that is a big deal. Proctoring an exam of that nature leaves you mentally tired. Anyways back to my post. My question to myself is what do you want for the future? These are not everyday thoughts these are things I need to deal with. Lets face it I am not a 30 year old artist trying to discover herself. I already know who I am. I am an artist a woman who loves to create who does not feel the need to apologize because she is fat and doesn't fit the norm that society has imposed on woman who are in the public eye. When any manufacturer wants their product to be showcased let say on TV do you think I am the one that is going to be called. I don't think so. See I am ok with that not because I am sitting down here conforming because inside myself lives this person who is very sure of who she is. The flip side there is also this person who feels invisible and dealing with her is a constant pain. Reasons why I feel invisible are many some of them are rational, like the one were people say well you know when I am dealing with people I don't really see their color I just see people. HELLO if you don't recognize my identity in it's totality how can you acknowledge my existence. Some are more subtle and hard to explain but all 375 pounds of me totally disappear for some people and let me tell you that is not an easy task. Especially considering my size. Yeah I am big, proud and beautiful. I am tired of hearing people complain about who they are and how they feel because they are big. Whatever happen to loving oneself because our lives are worth living. I really do love me and if I do loose weight good but if I don't I really truly love me and that in the big picture of life really is what matters. I know some very beautiful people that are walking around hating themselves and that is just not me. Maybe I am just full of myself but that is where I am and like I said at the beginning these are my thoughts and I can write them. I have a serious dislike for people that lie I really do, my kids know this so even if it hurts me and I get hurt a lot they will tell me the truth because in our house that is the policy. I love that about my children. When I find out a person lies that person will forever be in my list of people not to trust, I may deal with them especially in the industry I have chosen to be a part of but I don't trust them. I am very polite about this but it's what I do to protect myself. Finally in order to become the person I want to be I have to dream big and pursue my dream. I have to keep going with my vision of what I am going to do for myself and the goals I want to achieve. I think for a minute I lost my vision and the focus and got confused. Things I will do to keep focus. 1. I will not be used by others 2. I will keep loving myself everyday because I am beautiful and a wonderful person. 3. I will celebrate the fact that I am Boricua everyday of my life and if people don't want to hear it they can move on. 4. I will celebrate the real friendships I have and honor them everyday by being who I am and nothing else. 5. I will take photos and enjoy the eye I have to take those moments through my camera and not apologize for my ability. Modesty is ok but being sure of one's ability is a must in life. 6. I will try to educate people that don't understand digital scrapping that sometimes a digital designers takes hours to make a perfect layout and still people don't get it. I lived through this over the weekend and bit my tongue but no more I will speak my mind in the long run it is the best thing I can do. 7. I will continue to pursue my creative side with paper and paint and have fun in the process. I will do the things that make me happy and rediscover my love for all the things I love creating. 8. I will be me and only me and hope the world can deal with me. No apologies just rejoicing in the love of me as a person that not only deserves to be loved but that is loved by many. Enjoy the photos and the layouts Dreamer has never been seen before. Hugs Wanda