Paloma Cruz

In the last week my spectacular weight loss results have slowed down. I know that this is normal, but it’s still frustrating.

Breakfast today was a few pieces of melba toast and decaf coffee. Nothing fun.
Lunch will be sauteed shrimp and broccoli.
Dinner will be something nutritious and tasty (I hope).

I’ve been very good. While I see results every day, being good is easy. If I don’t, cheating becomes a greater reality.

I will be good. I will be an adult. I will exhibit will power. {{chanting}}

Wish me luck.

Technorati Tags: fatblogging

Health

Houston mayor joins call to use florescent lights
– Houston Business Journal

Houston Mayor Bill White will join with the four mayors of Texas’ largest cities on Nov. 30 to call on Texans to switch to compact florescent lights to reduce energy use in the Lone Star state.

The five mayors will officially introduce the “state bulb” of Texas from the front steps of San Antonio City Hall, according to a press release from the City of Dallas.

As part of the statewide “Lighten Up Texas” campaign, White has declared the month of December as compact fluorescent light month.

[snip]

News

Hispanic Gaming competition formed … Latino Gamerz Match.
– HispanicAd.com

Latino gamers looking to compete in a major gaming tournament will get their chance in 2008. The Latino Gamerz Match, produced in partnership with Major Gaming Championships and Dallas-based Hispanic advertising agency iNSPIRE!, is the first major console gaming tournament targeted directly to Latino gamers.

The Latino Gamerz Match will run in five Hispanic-focused markets across the U.S. including Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, Miami and New York beginning in early 2008. The tournament will feature various console gaming competitions as well as a mobile gaming opportunity.

“The Hispanic gaming community purchases over $700 in gaming products each year, but don’t have a gaming tournament targeted to them,” said Blake Pettigrew, president of Major Gaming Championship. “Major Gaming Championships and iNSPIRE! recognized an opportunity to bring these gamers their own tournament.”

[snip]

News

I sent my sister a long email trying to address the issues that came up in our argument.

She hasn’t responded to it and she hasn’t brought it up. She also hasn’t allowed her children to spend the night again.

I’ve done my part. It’s not my job to be the person who always gives in. I can’t. Not anymore.

If she wants to settle this, then she has to have a conversation with me about it. That’s all there is to it.

I won’t hold my breath.

Family

Mayoral candidates square off at Pasadena forum
Special election has drawn field of 11 candidates
– Houston Chronicle²

One of Pasadena’s hottest elections in recent years is in full swing, with early voting under way in the race for mayor.

Early voting continues through Dec. 4 at City Hall.

The Dec. 8 special election has drawn a field of seven candidates — A.J. Christ, O.L. Harris, Don Harrison, Johnny Isbell, Jerri Neely, Ralph Riggs and David Stroder.

The election is necessary because former Mayor John Manlove resigned in October to run for the 22nd Congressional District seat formerly held by Tom Delay.

[snip]

Footnotes
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News

Houston girl’s book tells of life as an immigrant
– Houston Chronicle²

[snip]

Today, less than seven years later, the girl who could not understand a word her teacher said that first day is the author of a book — in English and Spanish — about her experiences as a newly arrived immigrant.

The slim volume, called Mi sueno de America/My American Dream, published by Houston-based Arte Publico, tells the story of the obstacles Yuliana had to clamber past in her first year in the United States and offers lessons for other young people who might feel like outsiders.

[snip]

Footnotes
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News

Warmer temperatures, clearer skies expected
– Houston Chronicle²

After a snowy and rainy Thanksgiving weekend across much of the state, clearer skies and warmer temperatures were expected Monday, the National Weather Service said.

[snip]

Footnotes
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News

HISD’s library shelves are lacking
Report says collections are too small or old, and many schools have none at all
– Houston Chronicle²

Seventy percent of the Houston Independent School District’s libraries have collections that are so small or so old, the state considers them below standard.

And HISD isn’t the only local district struggling to meet state guidelines. Others, including fast-growing Cypress-Fairbanks, also are missing the mark, sometimes because they can’t stock their shelves fast enough to keep up with the influx of students.

[snip]

Footnotes
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News

I had an argument with my sister today. I’m upset and angry and disappointed and sad and a whole bunch of other feelings I can’t even identify right now.

She has convinced herself that I’m mean to her son. Mostly because I tell him “no,” to behave when he’s being a brat and don’t let him have his way all the time.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my nephew. He’s 8 and can be a darling. He’s also drunk on the power his parents have given him. He knows that if he’s misbehaving so badly that I won’t let him spend the night, that means his sister isn’t allowed to come over either.

How is that fair?

He’s been kicking my walls to illustrate his point that I don’t “listen to him.” Behavior I don’t think can be justified. Behavior that immediately follows a request that he shower or lower the TV volume or something similar.

What’s my sister’s response? “I don’t know what transpired that made him do that.” Which is code for “I don’t know what you did to provoke him.” or “You did something to him, so his behavior is OK.”

And, yes, she tells me that if I don’t want one over, because he’s kicking my walls and yelling at me and won’t listen to me, then I can’t have either. Because that shows that I like one more than the other.

With behavior like that, can you blame me?

My sister is raising her son to believe that even though he’s three years younger than his sister, if she gets to do something so does he. I think she’s wrong, but no one pays attention to me.

I love him. I don’t love his behavior. I love my sister. Right now I don’t like her very much.

I’ll get over it. But right now I want chocolate and alcohol, neither of which I can have.

Sucky. Isn’t there a pill to make family relations easier?

Family

City builds on ties to Nuevo León
Houston mayor, business leaders visit Monterrey
– Houston Chronicle²

Houston and the Mexican border state of Nuevo León agreed to make formal and strengthen business ties under an agreement signed Friday by Houston Mayor Bill White and Nuevo León Gov. Natividad González Parás.

Houston and Nuevo León committed to designating representatives who will design programs to create opportunities in fields including energy, the environment, information technologies, logistics and culture, according to a draft of the agreement.

[snip]

Footnotes
2 = article may expire in a few weeks.

News