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The amazing story of a 94 year old women, finally getting her college diploma:

Wow I found this article on Yahoo.com, if this does not inspire a student to keep going for their dreams I do not know what will.

Read on….

It’s never too late to go back to college and get your college degree. I know you hear that a lot sometimes, but when you hear this story, you might just think I am right.

The story:

Hazel Soares is 94 years old and she was able to achieve what most of us do not or feel like we can not accomplish at our age.

Hazel Soares was one of 500 students to get their dipoma Saturday at Mills College.

“It’s taken me quite a long time because I’ve had a busy life,” said Soares. “I’m finally achieving it, and it makes me feel really good.” (yahoo.com)

Hazel Soares has six children and 40 grandchildren and great grandchildren. WOW I know, that is a lot of family, and with that she is the second oldest person in the world to graduate from college. Nola Ochs of Kansas was the oldest to graduate three years ago at the age of 95 and now topped that with a master’s degree in liberal studies from Fort Hays.

Hazel Soares said she always wanted to go to college but when she was younger the Great Depression was happening and only people who can afford college went. She never gave up on her dream though, and with all in all has managed to do just that. Dream and make it come true. Hazel Soares plans on working for the San Francisco museum after this. I say good for you Soares, GO FOR IT!

My thoughts:

This women amazes me in every sense of the word. Sometimes I sit and I complain that College is not for me, how hard it is, and how much sacrifice I have to make to continue working on my education. Why didn’t I finish when I was younger etc etc. You can not change time and you can not change the life you are in. If you want something go for it! Nothing in this world can stop you, if you do not let it. Hazel Soares is an inspiration to many, and I think she will continue to be an inspiration to the students that graduated with her. This just proves to so many of us that when you really put your mind to something, when you really dream about something you want, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!

Whenever you feel like you can not do something, whenever you feel helpless or too old, think about this story and ask yourself, Is it really impossible? I think NOT!

xo,
kristin nicole

You can find the full story about Hazel Soares on News.Yahoo.com

The story:

A man by the name of Pablo Guzman, 34 is a suspect in a shooting that happened outside the Mia Biscayne Lounge on February 4th at 4:30 am. He shot multiple shots at another man (Nelson Puentes) over an argument. Police say Guzman fired “multiple” times, Nelson Puentes was later taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital where he is recovering. A police officer who was working at the restaurant fired at Guzman, but Guzman got away in a black four door Mercedes Benz. On February 11th U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents found Guzman getting off a flight from Cancún, Mexico. The next day ICE special agents with the help of the U.S Immigration and Border Protection took him from Panama back to the United States to face Attempted Murder charges.

My thoughts:

I’m happy they found this guy, especially since he had already left the country. I can’t say I’m shocked a shooting happened so close to home, I’ve been hearing and reading about stuff like this so much that it’s sad to say, it just doesn’t faze me as much anymore. It’s still a scary thought, I’ve been to MIA, and it’s a great lounge, and to think that you could be only a few feet away from a shooting is a scary thought. Thankfully no one else got hurt while he was firing shots. We at least now know he’s been caught, and hopefully, he’ll go to jail for a very long time.

If you want to read the full story go to Miamiherald.com

xo,
kristin nicole

The Saints vs The Colts….

The Saints win the Super Bowl for the first time. The game was incredible from beginning to end. The Colts brought a tough game to the field but the Saints came in and took over, taking on risky plays and making an interception in the 4th quarter. Wow this game was hot!

Oh when the Saints came marching in….

Personally I was going for the Colts, but only because I really wanted the Vikings to go to the Super Bowl and the Saints beat them so I went for the Colts and also because Manning is one of the best quarter backs right now, but not falling too far behind was Drew Brees with incredible plays that won the championship 31-17. Even though I was going for the Colts I was happy for the Saints, they deserved it.

Did you see the opening acts, commercials and half time?!?

Wow Carrie Underwood, I can’t say it enough, she’s not only beautiful, but she has a tremendous voice, when she sang I think everyone had tears in their eyes. What a perfect opening to a great game. The commercials this year were incredibly funny, the Doritos commercials, Career Builders, and Oprah with David Letterman and Jay Leno; commercials that had us laughing all night long. The half time show, some say wasn’t that good, well if you don’t know ‘The Who’ then you may have not enjoyed it, this band has been around for a long time, and the song they sang if you watch the oh so famous CSI Miami, well that’s their intro, so I thought it fit perfect to a perfect night and a perfect game. The stage presence was the best part, it was just phenomenal. On top of that the night was just filled with great food, drinks and friends. My only wish, that Super Bowl would be on a Saturday instead of a Sunday, that would make it a lot better for us to keep partying and enjoy sleeping in the next day instead of having to come to work. Oh well…another enjoyable super bowl.

Congrats Saints!

xo,
kristin nicole

Colts vs. Saints

Okay first off I want to start off by saying, I know I’m a bit late on this but ‘why the hell’ did they change the stadium name to “SUN LIFE”….WHAT?!? I don’t like that name at all and I don’t understand why they need to keep changing the name.

On another note:

Did you hear about the stage that collapsed on Tuesday? Workers were setting it up and it collapsed on a few employees, Four people were injured and taken to Jackson Memorial hospital. Don’t worry they weren’t life threatening injuries, but it still did fall, this is a bit scary. Hopefully they fix it and we have no issues the day of the Super Bowl. (If you want to read more on this story go to www.cbs4.com)

Super Bowl:

The Colts vs. Saints, wow this game is going to be good. I have to admit though I’m a bit sad that the Vikings didn’t beat the Saints, I would have loved to see Favre in the Super Bowl. But it is what it is, and the Saints now have the chance to win the Super Bowl for the first time. I’m kind of on the fence with these two teams for the Saints to win would be a huge deal since they have never won a Super Bowl, EVER! As for the Colts well, I just love Manning and my first choice really is for the Colts to win. I can’t wait for Sunday to find out who’s going to win this year.

What do you do for the Super Bowl?

This year I’m not sure what we are going to do, we might go to a friends house or just stay at home and watch it on our TV, if we do that I might just have to make some goodies, like loaded nachos, and cheese sticks, and more…

Who are you going for this Super Bowl? The Saints or the Colts?

xo,
kristin nicole

The story:

I think it is absolutely incredible all these wonderful stars coming together to re do the song “We Are the World”. I was watching the original on youtube.com , and these new and older artist really have to bring it to the table. 80 Artist have come together in the same studio where the original was shot in Hollywood, 25 years ago. They say “We Are the World — 25 for Haiti” will premiere this month during coverage of the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics on NBC, according to a release from promoter AEG Live. To read more on this story click Here

My thoughts:

Wow, I just find this so incredible, New Artist paired up with some of the legends of music, to come together to sing a song that Michael Jackson did 25 years ago, it is sad he can’t be here with us to sing it, I hope they put footage of Michael in the video as well, it wouldn’t be the same without Micheal’s vocals and presence (even if it is only in a video). I love this song, I always have, it reminds me of my 5th grade graduation, we sang this song on stage that night. Although I was only 3 years old when they made this song for USA for Africa and I didn’t know what it was made for or why, the words alone just melt your heart. It’s an incredible song, and I can’t wait to see the New Re-make of it.

xo,
kristin nicole

Have you seen the new Apple iPad? It’s gorgeous, it’s almost like a bigger iPhone, just better on the eyes to read.

Features:

It features Safari (Wi-Fi) – Email (where you can turn the iPad to portrait like you do the iPhone to fill in the screen better), Photos, Videos, Youtube, iPod, iTunes, App Store, iBooks (This one is my personal favorite, I love to read books, and even though I can do it on my iPhone, the screen sometimes is just too small, and my eyes begin to hurt, my only concern is how much do the books cost on iBooks?), Maps, Notes, Calendar, Contacts and Home Screen & Spot Light Search. Whoa, is that it? Do you need more? Did I mention that any apps you bought on your iPhone can also be placed on the iPad? Well they can!

My thoughts:

I think that Apple as created another monster, I think this is a beautiful design and I know one thing for sure, my boyfriend is trying to find reasons to buy one. My only problem the price, but like any Apple Device it’s always a little more expensive then others. It starts at $499 with just the Wi-Fi, but if you want Wi-Fi + 3G it bumps itself up to $629 (GEEZE, $130 dollars more, OUCH Apple, and that’s only for the 16GB). If you want the one with the most GB, they offer 64GB Wi-Fi only for $699 Wi-Fi + 3G = $829. Is it worth it? Do you think it’s worth it?

If you want to read more about the iPad go to www.apple.com/ipad

xo,
kristin nicole

Stop the Violence

The story:

Another shooting another day it seems. Sunday evening there was a drive by shooting at Annie Coleman apartment complex at 2135 NW 52nd St. Witness say they didn’t get a good look at the men in the car but there was at least four men riding in a gray Nissan Maxima or Altima. Neighbors say the 15 year old girl who is not yet identified was only playing outside with her friends when shots were fired and she was shot in the head. She was pronounced dead on the scene. The other 3 victims who have not been identified were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital. (to read more on this story click on link miamiherald.com ).

My thoughts:

These people who live in these areas are scared, I don’t think they know what else to do. I’m not sure they can do anything, but hope that they catch these kids and put them away for life. I can not imagine what this 15 year old girls parents and family is going through right now. To know that your children can’t even play in the front yard, to know that your home is not safe, it’s just wrong! I don’t understand the kind of violence that these people portray on others, why they think this is a way out of whatever they are trying to accomplish. What is going through their minds, and if they think what they did was right?

Police spokeswoman Det. Rebeca Perez urged anyone with information to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.

Speaking of the teenage victim, Perez lamented, “What could she have possibly done to deserve this?”

xo,
kristin nicole

CONTINUE 01/15/10
Thank you all who have read my post and have tried to contribute to one of the areas below. I have more information if you need it and if you can please pass it around:

all fire stations will be collecting these 5 items

Canned Meat
Canned Fish
Canned Milk (Evaporated)
Canned Milk (Condensed)
Bottled Water

Do not forget that they also need baby supplies, they need clothes and toothbrushes, toothpaste, anything that also has to do with hygiene. Anything can help.

Haiti has suffered tremendously in this earthquake and we are asking that everyone get together and help. You don’t need money to help, you can help donate clothes, canned foods whatever might be helpful.

I have come across a few places here in Miami that are asking for your help:

3555 NW 7th Street, MIAMI FL 33125 – At Life Skills Center from 7AM TO 4PM. 1st Charter leaves Friday. Looking for Food, Clothes, Water, Necessities. Accepting Donations at the school. – PLEASE HELP HAITI!

Haiti Relief——->Large truck that will be on the corner of 1st & Alton Rd. South Beach, FL 33139 –beginning at 6:00 pm today (01/13/10) and will be there 24/7 until it is filled. Items most needed: blankets, tents, batteries, candles, clothing, medicine and canned food.

Publix is collecting donations for Haiti. They have teamed up with American Red Cross to help. Also, Power 96 will be at Calder Race Course from 6-6 tomorrow collecting food, water, etc. PLEASE HELP these people. Every little bit matters. Spread the word.

AMERICAN AIRLINES is taking doctors and nurses to Haiti for free. Please call 212-697-9767. Spread the word. Thank you.

If anyone knows of any other donation locations that I can post, PLEASE let me know.

For Donations (Please help Haiti) Click on one of the links below:

AmericanRedCross.com

Americares.org

More Places to Donate here

Wyclef Jean Haiti

This didn’t only happen to people in Haiti, it’s happening to us. We have people that live among us that have family there, and I send my prayers out to those families. In the Miami Herald this morning I read that two journalist from UF were there working on a documentary there names Jon Bougher and Roman Safiullin, we are still waiting to hear from them. No one has heard from them since this devastating disaster. Safiullin last posted a note on his Facebook page on Jan. 9, saying he was in Port-au-Prince. This means it was most likely that they were still there when the earthquake hit. I hope they are okay, and I hope their families hear back from them soon. UPDATE: I heard in the news last night that they were able to find out that Jon & Roman are in fact okay. I’m sure their parents are now relieved and can breath.

I heard on the radio that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt gave 1 million to help in the relief. I want to say thank you and I hope there are others who have the money like they do to help in this way, in any way.

Please help however you can.

xo,
kristin nicole

The sad devastation:

A 7.0 Earthquake hit Haiti Tuesday killing so far thousands and possibly even more. Tearing down thousands of structures, including schools, the National Palace and U.N peacekeeping headquarters.

The United States and other Nations are building force teams to go aid in the help of this horrific disaster. It was said to be clear that thousands have lost their homes. “The quake struck at 4:53 p.m., centered 10 miles (15 kilometers) west of Port-au-Prince at a depth of only 5 miles (8 kilometers), the U.S. Geological Survey said. USGS geophysicist Kristin Marano called it the strongest earthquake since 1770 in what is now Haiti”. To read more on this story go to news.yahoo.com

My thoughts

Haiti already suffers so much and now for something like this to happen is just devastating. The US and many others like Venezuela and Italy are sending people to help. It’s sad that something so horrible has to happen for other countries to work together. With everything going on it’s a blessing that so many people are willing to help. My prayers go out to the families that are there, the families that have been lost, the families that are here and can’t do anything to help. Yesterday, Today and the days to come are going to be hard, but our country will work together with others to try and help Haiti and the families that have been lost in this sad day. Many will be remembered, this event will always be remembered.

For Donations (Please help Haiti) Click on one of the links below:

AmericanRedCross.com

Americares.org

More Places to Donate here

If you know any other websites we can help donate to please let me know, so that I can post them. Thank you.

xo,
kristin nicole

Oh Simon….

First Paula now Simon? It’s confirmed all over the news and radio that Simon Cowell’s last season on American Idol will be this season. People are worried that American Idol won’t exist after he’s gone, and some hope that it will continue on. This is American Idols 9th season, can you believe it? Simon has been working on a show in Britain called the X-Factor, it’s become one of the most popular shows there, and he is wanting to bring it to the US. Here he will be a judge and produce the show as well. He wants a challenge and this is it.

Will American Idol survive?

I don’t know that American Idol will survive much longer. They have had a few successes from their contestants but most of them haven’t even been the winners of American Idol. I believe there is only 2 of them who have won and have become huge stars, Kelly Clarkson & Carry Underwoood, my favorites of them all. They are true talent and unfortunately a lot of times these reality shows are based on popularity. As you can see, where are half of the other so called American Idols? I stopped watching American Idol a long time ago, when you can see that the people winning didn’t really have the talent to be an American Idol yet were still winning the crown. I didn’t see the full show when Carry Underwood was on, but caught a few episodes and fell in love with her instantly. Great singers will prove themselves & I think Kelly & Carrie have done just that. Daughtry wasn’t even a winner yet has had a wonderful career, I also like his band, great music and great talent. However, now with Simon leaving next season I think the show will drop, he’s the biggest one on the show, and I hate to say it because the guy is a complete a** but he’s what people tune in to see. Paula Abdul left and even though many fans were upset it really wasn’t or isn’t a huge make or break deal. A lot of people don’t think Ellen DeGeneres can bring what the show needs, but I personally just LOVE HER! She’s great, funny and I think she’ll be a little more honest then Paula was, you can’t just always double coat everything with niceness. I don’t know that I’ll watch American Idol this season, but I might take a few peaks just to see how Ellen is doing.

I guess we’ll all just have to wait until this season is over to see where American Idol will lead us.

xo,
kristin nicole