Category Archives: personal

Puerto Ricans in the NBA

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José Juan Barea

I’ve been following the NBA Finals closely and cheering for the Dallas Mavericks, even though most basketball experts predict the Miami Heat will win the championship. I’m rooting for the Mavericks mainly because of José Juan Barea.

JJ Barea is the seventh Puerto Rican-born player to be in the NBA and the third ever to play in the NBA Finals. As a proud Puerto Rican, I’m just in awe to see a Boricua in the NBA Finals. Barea was born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, my mother’s hometown.

I’m relatively a new professional basketball fan, so I missed supporting Carlos Arroyo in the 2005 NBA Finals when he played for the runner-up Detroit Pistons (the San Antonio Spurs won that year.) Arroyo, who was born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, and now plays for the Boston Celtics, was a member of the Puerto Rican National Basketball Team that defeated the United States at the 2004 Olympic Basketball Tournament.

The first Puerto Rican-born NBA player and the first to win a championship ring is Butch Lee, who was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico and was drafted by the NBA in 1978. He played for the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and the 1980 championship winning L.A. Lakers.

The other four Puerto Rican-born NBA players include: Ramon Rivas, the second Puerto Rican-born NBA player; José Ortiz, also a member of the 2004 Olympic Puerto Rican Basketball Team; Peter Ramos, also on the 2004 Puerto Rican Basketball Team; and Guillermo Diaz, the fifth Puerto Rican-born player drafted by the NBA.

As we all know, you don’t have to be born in Puerto Rico to be Puerto Rican, so I have to give a shout out to New York Knick Carmelo Anthony, whose father is Puerto Rican. Go Melo! If I’m missing any other Puerto Rican NBA player, please comment below.

Last night the Mavericks tied the NBA Finals against the Heat forcing Game 6 in Miami this Sunday, which just happens to be the day of the National Puerto Rican Parade. I can’t wait to see Barea representing all Boricuas on Sunday!

Go JJ! Represent! Wepa!

(Please see the comments section for players I missed.)

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Social Networking for a Job

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According to About.com, at least 60 percent – some report even higher statistics – of all jobs are found by networking. In a slow job market, finding employment via the traditional manner could be quite ineffective. I know firsthand. I have been looking for a mid-career communication position for quite a long time. Since January of this year I have been searching for an entry-level paralegal position. However both searches thus far have come up empty.

So, I have decided to finally use my social network to get the word out. If you know of any possible employment positions in my chosen fields or know people in the communication or legal industries, please pass along any leads. I can be found on LinkedIn or you can just forward the link to my professional blog, which also serves as my résumé online, to any potential employers.

I will continue to do my part and am confident the right job will come up eventually, but if you can help spread the word I would really appreciate the valued assistance. Thanks in advance for your effort.

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Restaurant Week in Brooklyn

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You still have a few days to take advantage of Restaurant Week in Brooklyn. I was able to participate last Friday when I visited my favorite Latin restaurant in New York City: Bogota Latin Bistro in Park Slope. This place continues to amaze me. It opened more than five years ago and it’s still going strong. The atmosphere is cozy, the music adds to the excellent decor, and the customer service is one of the best in the restaurant business. Bogota Latin Bistro that Friday night had crowds waiting to be seated and some without reservations had to find another place to eat. But there’s no place like Bogota Bistro. You have until Thursday night to enjoy the restaurant week specials, however Bogota Bistro is sure to be around for many more years to come. If you have not visited this Latin gem in Park Slope you’re really missing out in some fine food and a great dining experience.

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Blogs Aren’t Going Anywhere

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A recent news article highlights an overall decline in blogging, but I think blogs are here to stay. Yes the explosion of social media sites like Facebook and Twitter have cut into the popularity of blogs and the act of blogging, however blogs are and will continue to be an important medium.

I don’t blog much and never really have, however blogging does provide me with an online journal of my thoughts, perceptions, personal struggles and achievements. Blogging also provides me with an international voice to express cultural, political, popular, and personal views.

Blogs are great platforms for detailed writing without the 140 character limitation of Twitter and entries can be found easier than those on a possibly semi-private Facebook network.

Blogging supplements overall branding by complimenting an official website and directing visitors to other social media sites.

I may not blog “regularly,” but I think I’ll always blog and blogs aren’t going anywhere.

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AT&T vs. Verizon iPhone

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Finally. Another national player gets into the iPhone game. I love the iPhone but like most who do, I hate my AT&T plan. I’m struck with it until September 2011, but I will be watching how Verizon handles the iPhone roll out and its pricing plan. Like most smartphone billing plans, the range generally begins at $100-150 a month. My AT&T bill is getting out of hand, though I now use my iPhone to connect to my laptop at home through something called tethering. Great technology, and it helps me get rid of my Internet provider. The new Verizon iPhone may have a hotspot feature which would allow you connect the iPhone up to five other Internet devices. That would be awesome. I’ll definitely will be watching how Verizon unfolds the iPhone and how it takes care of its customer demand and service. I’ll let you know when my contract is up with AT&T. I can’t wait, but with those ridiculous termination fees, I’ll just have to.

Mashable has a great comparison chart of the iPhone: AT&T vs. Verizon. Are you looking forward the Verizon iPhone? Feel free to comment below.

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