#ThaliaEnVivo Tour Por HBO Latino -- ¡No Te Lo Pierdas!

Revelación: Parte de una campaña patrocinada con The Niche Parent Network & Conference y HBO Latino. Las opiniones expresadas son mías.
 
Cuando yo era una niña, mis padres fueron dueños de una barbería situada en una vecindad poblada mayormente de gente Mexicana. Allí fue donde pasé mi niñez, escuchando la música de Crí-Crí, Jorge Negrete, Lola Beltran, Vincente Fernandez, Pedro Infante. Allí fue donde intentaba leer las revistas Vanidades y Impacto y los periodicos Miniondas y La Opinion. Alli fue donde me pasaba los veranos con mis hermanitas viendo a mi mamá y papá cortarles el cabello a varios personajes que nos cautivaban con sus cuentos de México y Cuba.

Es una temporada de mi vida que extraño.
 
Por mí parte, ha sido difícil mantener el español, principalmente porque mis padres insistieron en que nosotras habláramos y viéramos la television sólo en inglés. Los programas en español nunca fueron permitodos. Ahora, que soy adulta, lucho para mantener lo poco que puedo de mi cultura Mexicana. Sé que nunca hablaré el español con fluidez, ni lo escribiré (si supieran el tiempo que me tomó escribir esto!). Pero sigo tratando y después de muchos años de sentirme mal, he aceptado la persona que soy -- Mexicana-Americana -- orgullosa. Yo escribo mis propias reglas.

Sí me siguen en Instagram, Facebook o Twitter, probablemente han visto unas fotos que he compartido con ustedes de mi cultura Mexicana. El desafío comenzó el 20, pero todavía quedan cuatro días.

Me siento afortunada al haber sido invitada a participar en esta promoción para el espectacular concierto en vivo del 5 de Septiembre, cuando Thalia regresa a México por la primera vez después de haberse mudado a los estados unidos. Thalia no sólo es una artista talentosa que ha tenido gran éxito como cantante, pero también es compositora de sus propias canciones, actriz, filántropa y empresaria. Invitados especiales al concierto incluyen Maria José, Samo de Camila, Jesús Navarro de Rei y Leonel Garcia. Todos se unirán a Thalia en un concierto inolvidable.

Participen conmigo en el desafío de fotografías. ¡Sólo quedan 4 días! Comparten sus fotos en Instagram, Twitter y Facebook, usando el hashtag #ThaliaEnVivo.

Día 7

Escapa Cultural

Día 8

Bailar

Día 9

Mis Abuelos

Día 10

Mi Orgullo

Eventos Celebrando #ThaliaEnVivo y Nuestra Cultura Latina

• 4 de septiembre --  1 PM ET - Google Hangout con Thalia
• 5 de septiembre -- 6 PM ET - Twitter Fiesta (¡Habrán premios!)
• Visiten la pagina de HBO Latino para la oportunidad de ganar un premio valorado en $200 
• No se pierdan el concierto. Si no subscriben a HBO Latino, pero tienen caja de cable digital, contactan sus compañias de cable para obtener HBO gratis del 9/5/2014 al 9/8/2014. 

Learn The ABCs Of RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus )

This post is part of a compensated campaign in collaboration with MedImmune and Latina Bloggers Connect.

* As always, opinions are my own. *

One upon a time I had a baby and like every other mom who loves her children, I worried. A lot. Although much has changed in twelve years, two things have remained constant: my worries and the fact that the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is as dangerous today as it was when my son was born. Especially scary is that there's no cure for it, so the best medicine is prevention.

"Despite being so common, many parents aren’t aware of RSV; in fact, one-third of mothers (and two-thirds of Hispanic mothers) have never heard of the virus" 

I was one of those women who'd never heard of the respiratory syncytial virus. So imagine my reaction when the pediatrician told us that our baby was at higher risk because of his having been born prematurely.

If you're expecting, have a baby under the age of five, or know someone who does, you should familiarize yourself with following facts of figures.

ABCs of RSV: Facts and Figures

A is for Awareness:

"RSV is a common seasonal virus, contracted by nearly all children by the age of two, and typically causes mild to moderate cold-like symptoms in healthy, full-term babies. Preterm infants, however, are born with undeveloped lungs and immature immune systems that put them at heightened risk for developing severe RSV disease, often requiring hospitalization.

• RSV occurs in epidemics each year, typically from November through March, though it can vary by geography and year-to-year
• RSV disease is the leading cause of hospitalization for babies during their first year of life in the United States, with approximately 125,000 hospitalizations and up to 400 infant deaths each year
• RSV disease is responsible for one of every 13 pediatrician visits and one of every 38 trips to the ER in children under the age of five
• Despite being so common, many parents aren’t aware of RSV; in fact, one-third of mothers (and two-thirds of Hispanic mothers) have never heard of the virus

B is for Babies:

• Premature babies—defined as those born before 37 weeks gestation—are most at risk for developing severe
• RSV disease because they have underdeveloped lungs and fewer antibodies to fight the virus than babies born full term.
• Amongst Hispanics, the preterm birth rate has grown six percent over the last decade. Currently one in eight 
• Hispanic babies is born premature and it is likely that high prematurity rates are a reason for increased risk of RSV within Hispanic communities.

C is for Contagious:

RSV is very contagious and can be spread easily through touching, sneezing and coughing. Additionally, the virus can live on the skin and surfaces for hours. Learn the symptoms of severe RSV disease and contact your child’s pediatrician immediately if your child exhibits one or more of the following:

• Persistent coughing or wheezing
• Bluish color around the mouth or fingernails
• Rapid, difficult, or gasping breaths
• Fever [especially if it is over 100.4°F (rectal) in infants under 3 months of age]" 

 

RSV Infographic

Remember, prevention is the best medicine. For more information go to www.rsvprotection.com

Have you had any experience with RSV, or did you know about it when you had your children?

 

Purple Purse -- Pass It On! Help Raise Money For Domestic Violence Victims

This post is part of a compensated campaign in collaboration with Latina Bloggers Connect and The Allstate Foundation. Opinion are my own.

At one time or another, someone close to us has dealt quietly with domestic violence. The fact is that on average, three women die every day as a result of this crime and more than 145 acts of domestic violence are committed every hour. Every. Hour. Change starts at home.

To help raise awareness for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, The Allstate Foundation is sending more than 1,000 purses carrying domestic violence information throughout the country, and I have one of them. These purses are being passed between co-workers, friends, and family, sparking conversations that in many homes might be considered taboo.

Why a purple purse, you ask?

The Purple Purse was created because a purse represents the center of a woman's financial domain and purple is the national color of domestic violence awareness. Purple Purse, now in its third year, helps people start conversations and pass along information about domestic violence and financial abuse by placing the power directly into people's hands with a purple purse.

Help me pass the purple purse ... all we need to do is share.

Source: PurplePurse.com

Facts About Domestic Violence

• Domestic violence is an issue that impacts millions, but few talk about it. Purple Purse helps people carry on conversations and pass information about domestic violence and financial abuse by placing the power directly into people's hands with a purple purse.
• Domestic violence affects one in four women in their lifetime -- that's more women than breast cancer, ovarian cancer and lung cancer combined.
• A majority of Americans agree that domestic violence is tough to talk about. More than one-third of Americans have never discussed the issue with family or friends and Purple Purse provides a conversation starter.
• Lacking financial knowledge and resources is the number one indicator of whether a domestic violence victim will stay, leave or return to an abusive relationship.
• For every purple purse passed through the end of October, The Allstate Foundation will donate $5 to YWCA. We'll give up to $350,000 for programs aimed to help domestic violence survivors and stop the cycle of abuse.
• Visit Facebook or PurplePurse.com for more information.

What's Financial Abuse?

Lacking financial knowledge and resources is the number one indicator of whether a domestic violence victim will stay, leave or return to an abusive relationship. Physical abuse is the type of domestic violence most commonly discussed. But what many people don't realize is that women who are victims of domestic violence are usually subject to financial abuse as well. They often face financial restrictions and are given limited access, if any, to bank accounts, important documents, and information about shared assets. Finances become a tool used by an abuser to control the victim.

If Someone's In An Abusive Relationship, Where Can They Go To Find Help?

Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224 for safety planning, assistance and resources in your area.

What Resources Are Available For Those In An Abusive Relationship?

PurplePurse.com provides a multitude of resources including conversation starters, tips for how to spot signs of abuse, steps to gain financial independence and more.

Would you like to learn more about #PurplePurse?

Don't miss the Allstate Foundation Twitter Party
October 9, 2013

ADELANTE: It's About Giving and Sharing

Adelante
Hermanas
Vengan alrededor
Miedo
No tengan
Por favor
It's about sisterhood
It's about mentorship
It's about selfless support
Giving and sharing
Experience
It's what they aim for
Don't be afraid of the dark
Don't be afraid to explore
Embrace what you've endured
Made you strong
Step through the door
Survival
Tenacity
Let fear be your guide
Go find your wings
So as hermanas
We fly

Left to Right @FarahMesa @EzzyLanguzzi @SofiaKeck @AdrianaBoatwright