Saturday, February 25, 2006

Why Hispanic girls can't lose their accent in dating

Reflection on dating...

1. Take your younger sister or brother wherever you go
2. Invite him to church, have friends interview him
3. Need to introduce your parents on the "first date
4. Make sure you help with dating expenses
5. In school, try to remain in your posse, don't isolate with him
6. If you have ethnicity in the midst, share cultural events
7. Hobbies shared, nourishes the heart
8. References are essential in chosing a dating partner
9. Everyday date, might be a bit too much
10. Male friends encourage friendship with him
11. Gifts of thoughtfulness, may mean more than holiday celebrations
12 Music shared, are memories prepared
13. Free dates, are just as fun Going to park or river
14. Invite him out, with your friends
15. Choose a favorite restaurant, they know you as a couple

Reflections are given to me by my Greek and Asian friends too.

-- Samaris Ayala

New York City-based Samaris Ayala contributes her writings to Puerto Rico Sun. She may be reached at sallypatches@yahoo.com.

Friday, February 24, 2006

Community Calendar

Latino Lens

source: virtualboricua.org

In Celebration of Women's History Month
Friday March 3, 2006, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
This will be a major photo exhibit of two very talented Bronx Puerto Rican photographers and a major event for the Bronx campus and the rest of the Boricua College community. Robert Waddell, Curator. Boricua College Bronx Campus, 412-424 East 147th street, 2nd floor gallery, between Willis and Brook Avenues in the Bronx Hub. Directions: Take the #2 or #5 to 149th street and 3rd Avenue.

Enid Alvarez's mission is to capture the purest essence of her subject’s emotions. In her photo study of El Barrio, and Puerto Rico, Enid looks for something that is culturally hers. She said, "I wanted to explore the real Latino culture; the close-knit neighborhoods, the excitement of the children playing in the street, and the elderly people who possess the keys to the culture's history. With little of their own, have fun and make the best of life."

Marisol Díaz was born and raised in the Bronx, NY. She received a Bachelor's in Arts degree in photography in 2002 from City College of the City University of New York, and an Associate degree in Advertising Arts from Bronx Community College in 1993. She is a recipient of the 2004 Brio Award (Bronx Recognizes its Own) and the 2002 New York State Senate Award for her contribution to the Arts in her community. She said, "Documentaries have been my favorite kind of photography. It involves a great deal from the person being photographed and the photographer."

Robert Waddell is an academic facilitator at Boricua College and journalist. He is a Bronx native who has written for the New York Times, the New York Post, Latino.com, Siempre Newspaper and currently Tiempo N.Y. He has said, "Reaching out to the community as a writer and an educator has been a mission and an inspiration for me. Now, as curator, I find the same satisfaction in bringing the art of our community back to our community."