Bright star

I remember when I was younger I use to see so many stars. Why is it now we forget to look up and appreciate the small beautiful things?

The Human Seasons

Untitled, a photo by Amber Marie Chavez on Flickr.

"There is nothing in life that is not beautiful or sweet or great that is not really mystery." While sitting in a library looking through books looking for that perfect quote, for some reason this one stuck out to me most. There is a deep truth behind this quote and I believe it is something rather hard to explain. In life, we are only promised one thing and that is death. As much as we would want to run or escape from it we simply cannot. We are born in the image of God and hopefully live a life of charity, humility and kindness. One of my favorite poems that this quote reminded me of is by John Keats called "The Human Seasons," it is a poem that relates human life as the four seasons of a natural year. We are born, we grow up, reproduce and eventually die. In a natural year, we bloom throughout our childhood during the spring. Grow up and learn about life's obstacle while enjoying our youth in the summer. Become older and mature during the autumn, eventually to wait upon our destiny. Lastly, slowly learn to let go of all that life has given to us and depart to where we are destined to be which describes winter.

The beauty of life is that we will never know where it may lead and take us. One theory of life I hold close to me is that all things happen for a reason. Whether or not we know what that one reason may be, I believe there is a deeper meaning in all that is set in front of us. All we have to do is look for that reason. During life, obstacles I believe are put into our lives to prevent us from harm's way. At times I have become upset with life's impediments that have set me back, but in the end I have learned to think positively and believe that things have redirected themselves for the best. The universe tilts everything; it can open a door, an opportunity, a downfall all that can teach a life lesson. Life is beautiful and not knowing or ever finding out the answers to everything I believe is the beauty of it all.

college love.

Untitled, a photo by Amber Marie Chavez on Flickr.





december 5, 2012



 I thought I was immune to this thing called “college love,” but then soon enough I found myself falling in love. 

We aren't happy till we are running away.

Untitled, a photo by anne symons on Flickr.

innocent love
i need someone somewhere
i need some way to come down
i need some way to make things right

clueless repitition

Some days I can look at myself and be perfectly content with who I am, then others I can pick out a myriad of flaws. I have recently realized I constantly try to find myself in things, people, hobbies that serve me no good in the end. I have no clue what I’m trying to find exactly but it’s as I’m searching for that pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. However, with every rainbow I stumble upon there’s nothing waiting for me on the other end.

Untitled.

Untitled, a photo by eros turannos on Flickr.

Meeting new people is always a stimulating experience. We can either enjoy the ride or hop off and never want to reflect on the memory. We all fall victim to some people who leave a large impression on our lives and others that simply come and go. Earlier today while I was reviewing old photographs it reminded me of times when everything was simple but since then things have changed. Friends that I highly consider lifelong pals, teachers that I looked up to as friends rather than an adult figure, family members that now no longer fit that definition and a young girl that was once fearless. Now that I’m eighteen things are feel as if they are spiraling out of control. I’m a young adult in the eyes of others. College is my newest responsibility. Then again, life is just beginning and is in my hands.

February 2012

Midterms

another reason why I can't wait to be done with this year. 5ish more months!

It's funny how you can go through almost all four years of high school and finally meet someone your last year you find incredibly fascinating. This is Alana and let's just say I truly wish I met her a little sooner. I really do hold this girl on my secret pedestal of people I admire. I respect how close she holds her culture and religion so sacred and how graceful she is as a young lady in a sometimes very quick judging society we live in today. I hope she goes far in life and shares with people how beautiful of a person that she is. Oh, and also I hope one day she sees the natural beauty she already possesses.  

Jan 1, 2012

So I am already running a couple days behind on my 365 day photo challenge, so bare with me! The New Year has already started and I am so blessed to say I survived 2011. What a stressful year from SATs to the start of senior year, but don't get me wrong it also was a fantastic year for me. I went on my Junior class trip to Washington, attended HYLI in Albany, met some cute boys here and there ;) (one I even believe to be the love of my life ha!) and went on a trip of a lifetime to Europe during the summer. The end to 2011 was a memorable night shared with my loved ones and I couldn't have been more happier. These two girls Valeria and Laura have always been there for me and I know I can always count on them for anything. The fact that they can handle my crazy family says a lot about them and I bless them for that! I know I can always rely on and share a laugh with them at any given time. I probably don't show it but I truly do appreciate them for who they are. Thank you for being not only my friends but my familia.

Youth Involvement in Occupy Wall Street

An interview I did for my school newspaper, The Torch, about youth involvement in Occupy Wall Street.

Occupy Wall Street, a movement that is slowly catching on and encouraging many to march the streets of New York and many other cities to have a voice in politics. Emilio Quiñones, a nineteen year old freshmen majoring in history attends St. Joseph’s College in Brooklyn, New York and feels connected as well obligated to protest in one of the most profound movements that is slowly taking over our nation.

How does Occupy Wall Street affect the everyday citizen? Why should we care? I’m going to have a lot to say so bare with me! Occupy wall street affects every citizen because it addresses systematic issues. Everyone has their different stories but if you look at the root to every story, there are connections. When we say we are the 99%, there is meaning behind that. For example, the new trend of immigration policies, thousands protested the immigration law in Arizona last spring. At the same time, thousands protested the education budget cuts just a week earlier. Both issues are extremely connected and are caused by a system that values profit over anything. ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), makes thousands of dollars from jailing and deporting immigrants. Therefore, of course politicians would be more eager to pass a bill that results in profits, rather then investing in schools, which is not very profitable. Now, I'm not saying the idea of profit is evil, but it just has gotten out of hand. Even Congress has fallen into the interest of corporate profit. Even though that is only one connection, I’m sure you get the idea. The root of the problem in my eyes, is the system, the system of extreme capitalism.

Being so young compared to many other protesters what inspires you to protest?
I wouldn’t say I'm young compared to other protesters, I mean to the occupiers, maybe. When I protest I see so many mixed ages, I see a lot of high school students, college students, and then there are the parents that bring their children. But what inspires me, I’m asked this question a lot and I never really know how to answer it! I can never pin-point a specific issue. However, my family is very politically active in Puerto Rico, and that is what got me started. I simply love helping others, and I know this sounds cliché, but there are a lot of people that are just too occupied putting food on their table to even think about participating in their democracy, in their local government, in contacting their representatives. I feel blessed that I live a comfortable life so I feel as if it is my duty to fight for those that cannot.

What are some interesting stories or things you've experienced through your participation? 
Oh! I have so many interesting stories. One was actually my first day I started protesting. I went down and was looking all around for the protest. I walked and walked around Wall Street looking for marchers or some noise, and then I finally saw a small group of maybe about twenty funny looking kids with signs and I asked them, "Hey do you know where the Wall Street protest is?" and they said "Yes, we're it." It’s amazing how much the movement has grown since that day. From a small group, to millions around the world.

What is your message to the young generation who aren't involved or are simply unaware of the Occupy Wall Street movement?

To the non-involved and unaware, I think it is important to recognize that democratic participation does not end with voting. Keep debate alive, keep criticism alive, and hold leaders accountable, and direct democracy will remain strong and governments and establishments will actually reflect their communities.

Seaweed from Tell No One on Vimeo.

I have had this video favorited and hidden in a folder on my computer for awhile now and as I was deleting some old things I stumbled upon it last night. It's incredible what one person can imagine and create. Truly mind bending.

Phillip Chbeeb - Rhythmic Anatomy

Dancing is such a beautiful form of art. I remember watching this talented dancer, Phillip Chbeeb, week after week acouple years ago when he was on So You Think You Can Dance. Something about him always caught my attention. I hope this video inspires you just as it did for me, enjoy.

A short film I put together.

Final Cut- My adventures. a video by Victoria Isabela on Flickr.

Here are some random videos of various good memories over these past couple months/years. I hope you enjoy.

Song of the night